Lee M Adams

US Patent:

58392599, Nov 24, 1998

Filed:

Apr 9, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/838396

Inventors:

Richard M. Prospero - Princeton NJ
Erik Lunde - Morganville NJ
Harry Swanson - Bloomfield NJ
Lee Adams - Flemington NJ

Assignee:

Johnson & Johnson Consumer Products, Inc. - Skillman NJ

International Classification:

B65B 3554

US Classification:

53445

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for assembling a dental floss product formed of a bobbin of wound thread, a dispenser case, and a dispenser insert for rotatably supporting the bobbin of wound thread when positioned within the dispenser case. The dispenser insert is detachably mounted in an insert loading area of a singular dispenser assembly fixture, and the dispenser case is detachably mounted in a dispenser case loading area of the singular dispenser assembly fixture. The bobbin of wound thread is next loaded onto the dispenser insert while the dispenser insert is mounted in the insert loading area. The dispenser insert with the bobbin of wound thread loaded thereon is then detached from the insert loading area, and the dispenser insert with the bobbin of wound thread loaded thereon is loaded into the dispenser case while the dispenser case is mounted in the dispenser case loading area. The lid of the loaded dispenser case is then closed, and the dispenser case is detached from the dispenser case loading area.

US Patent:

56926413, Dec 2, 1997

Filed:

May 13, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/644436

Inventors:

Richard M. Prospero - Princeton NJ
Erik Lunde - Morganville NJ
Harry Swanson - Bloomfield NJ
Lee Adams - Flemington NJ

Assignee:

Johnson & Johnson Consumer Products, Inc. - Skillman NJ

International Classification:

B65G 5900

US Classification:

221247

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for loading a bobbin core from a plurality of bobbin cores onto a bobbin winding device. A plurality of stacked bobbin cores are received into a first end of a first chute. The first chute has a second end positioned adjacent to a rotatable hub. A bobbin core from the plurality of stacked bobbin cores in the first chute is received into a bobbin core holder on the rotatable hub. The rotatable hub is then rotated with hub driving means such that the bobbin core holder on the rotatable hub moves from the second end of the first chute to a first end of a second chute, the first end of the second chute being positioned adjacent to the rotatable hub. The second chute also includes a second end positioned adjacent to the bobbin winding device. The bobbin core previously received into the bobbin core holder is then dispensed onto the bobbin winding device by passing the bobbin core through the second chute.

US Patent:

55203515, May 28, 1996

Filed:

Jan 31, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/381511

Inventors:

Richard M. Prospero - Princeton NJ
Erik Lunde - Morganville NJ
Harry Swanson - Bloomfield NJ
Lee Adams - Flemington NJ

Assignee:

Johnson & Johnson Consumer Products, Inc. - Skillman NJ

International Classification:

B65H 2316
B65H 5910

US Classification:

2424197

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for maintaining a moving string of waxed thread at a tension. A tensioner mounting frame has a thread input opening for receiving waxed thread from a thread supply, and a thread output opening for outputting the string of waxed thread at a preset tension. A tensioner arm with a plurality of eyelets affixed thereto is provided for guiding the string of waxed thread. The tensioner arm is pivotally connected to the tensioner mounting frame. A plurality of tensioner rods are also provided for guiding the string of waxed thread, the plurality of tensioner rods are rigidly affixed to the tensioner mounting frame. A spring, having a first end coupled to the tensioner mounting frame and a second end coupled to the tensioner arm, creates a tension in the string of waxed thread. A heating device is affixed to the tensioner mounting frame and is provided for warming the apparatus during its operation.

US Patent:

56951370, Dec 9, 1997

Filed:

Jul 26, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/690880

Inventors:

Richard M. Prospero - Princeton NJ
Erik Lunde - Morganville NJ
Harry Swanson - Bloomfield NJ
Lee Adams - Flemington NJ

Assignee:

Johnson & Johnson Consumer Products, Inc. - Skillman NJ

International Classification:

B65H 5402
B65H 7524
B65H 7528
B65G 2900

US Classification:

242 355A

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for holding a wound bobbin core and a tail end of a thread wound on the bobbin core. A vertical bobbin post is rigidly secured to the upper surface of a pallet. The bobbin core is detachably secured to the vertical bobbin post. A tail gripping post and a tail gripping wire are provided for grasping the tail end of the thread wound on the bobbin core when the bobbin core is secured on the vertical bobbin post. The tail gripping post is also rigidly secured to the upper surface of the pallet.

US Patent:

56667825, Sep 16, 1997

Filed:

Jan 31, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/381512

Inventors:

Richard M. Prospero - Princeton NJ
Erik Lunde - Morganville NJ
Harry Swanson - Bloomfield NJ
Lee Adams - Flemington NJ

Assignee:

Johnson & Johnson Consumer Products, Inc. - Skillman NJ

International Classification:

B65B 3554

US Classification:

53155

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for assembling a dental floss product formed of a bobbin of wound thread, a dispenser case, and a dispenser insert for rotatably supporting the bobbin of wound thread when positioned within the dispenser case. The dispenser insert is detachably mounted in an insert loading area of a singular dispenser assembly fixture, and the dispenser case is detachably mounted in a dispenser case loading area of the singular dispenser assembly fixture. The bobbin of wound thread is next loaded onto the dispenser insert while the dispenser insert is mounted in the insert loading area. The dispenser insert with the bobbin of wound thread loaded thereon is then detached from the insert loading area, and the dispenser insert with the bobbin of wound thread loaded thereon is loaded into the dispenser case while the dispenser case is mounted in the dispenser case loading area. The lid of the loaded dispenser case is then closed, and the dispenser case is detached from the dispenser case loading area.

US Patent:

55908144, Jan 7, 1997

Filed:

Jan 31, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/382224

Inventors:

Richard M. Prospero - Princeton NJ
Erik Lunde - Morganville NJ
Harry Swanson - Bloomfield NJ
Lee Adams - Flemington NJ

Assignee:

Johnson & Johnson Consumer Products, Inc. - Skillman NJ

International Classification:

B65G 5900

US Classification:

221266

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for loading a bobbin core from a plurality of bobbin cores onto a bobbin winding device. A plurality of stacked bobbin cores are received into a first end of a first chute. The first chute has a second end positioned adjacent to a rotatable hub. A bobbin core from the plurality of stacked bobbin cores in the first chute is received into a bobbin core holder on the rotatable hub. The rotatable hub is then rotated with hub driving means such that the bobbin core holder on the rotatable hub moves from the second end of the first chute to a first end of a second chute, the first end of the second chute being positioned adjacent to the rotatable hub. The second chute also includes a second end positioned adjacent to the bobbin winding device. The bobbin core previously received into the bobbin core holder is then dispensed onto the bobbin winding device by passing the bobbin core through the second chute.