Mark A Opfer

US Patent:

6722959, Apr 20, 2004

Filed:

Mar 22, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/104145

Inventors:

Mark Opfer - Pemberville OH

Assignee:

Glassline Corporation - Perrysburg OH

International Classification:

B24B 700

US Classification:

451 65, 451 58, 451 71, 451 66, 451 43, 451 70

Abstract:

A glass plate tooling apparatus has independently driven loading and unloading tools which presents raw workpieces to, and removes finished workpieces from a centrally located machining station. The machining station holds the workpiece in a fixed orientation on first and second planes. Machine tools, such as a grinder apparatus and a drill apparatus are independently movable on the first plane to engage with and tool the workpiece. The machining station rotates to provide tool accessibility on a third plane.

US Patent:

6869341, Mar 22, 2005

Filed:

Jun 19, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/175358

Inventors:

Mark Opfer - Pemberville OH, US
Brad Borkosky - Perrysburg OH, US
John Harkness - Bowling Green OH, US

Assignee:

Glassline Corporation - Perrysburg OH

International Classification:

B24B001/00

US Classification:

451 65, 451 28, 451 41, 451 44, 451296, 451299, 451301, 451303, 451306, 451311

Abstract:

A single-sided finishing apparatus is provided having a plurality of finishing stations with rotating transfer stations positioned therebetween. A hold down system presents the edge of the workpiece to the finishing head. The rotating transfer station includes a clamp for grasping a leading corner of a workpiece while rollers continue to drive the workpiece forward, thereby rotating the workpiece 90.

US Patent:

6997860, Feb 14, 2006

Filed:

Aug 18, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/642793

Inventors:

Mark H. Opfer - Pemberville OH, US

Assignee:

Glassline Corporation - Perrysburg OH

International Classification:

B04B 9/00
B04B 11/08

US Classification:

494 55, 494 84

Abstract:

This apparatus is a centrifugal separator comprising a centrifuge bowl; a hollow spindle connected to the bowl; a scraper located within the interior of the bowl; a shaft connected to a scraper, the shaft extending through the hollow spindle; a single drive member directly engaged to the shaft for inducing rotation of the scraper within the bowl. A clutch is engaged between the shaft and spindle. In a high speed separation operation, the clutch engages and the bowl and scraper rotate at the same speed.

US Patent:

59160829, Jun 29, 1999

Filed:

Aug 12, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/132835

Inventors:

Mark H. Opfer - Pemberville OH

Assignee:

Glassline Corporation - Perrysburg OH

International Classification:

B04B 1104

US Classification:

494 26

Abstract:

This separator is a centrifugal device for separating solids from contaminated effluent such as oil or water base coolants and other liquids which are used in a variety of grinding and machining applications in the glass, ceramic and metal-forming industries. A containment liner or bladder lines the interior of the separator and communicates with fluid inlets and outlets. An inlet orifice allows for the pulling of a vacuum which holds the bladder in place on the interior walls of the separator. Periodically, rotation is stopped, vacuum is released and the bladder is allowed to invert and drop below the separator. Hanging in this inverted position, it is easy to clean or remove the solids from the inverted bladder.

US Patent:

54547776, Oct 3, 1995

Filed:

Oct 5, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/321819

Inventors:

Tom S. Ziems - Perrysburg OH
Mark H. Opfer - Pemberville OH

Assignee:

Glassline Corporation - Perrysburg OH

International Classification:

B04B 1300

US Classification:

494 8

Abstract:

An apparatus and method for enhancing the efficiency of the centrifugal separator automatically adjusts in accordance with operator input for varying amounts of solids in contaminated fluid being passed through the separator. A load sensing circuit monitors the load on the drive motor of the centrifuge bowl and a second load sensing circuit monitors the load on the drive motor of the scraper vane. The apparatus further includes a variable speed motor designed to vary the gravitational force with which the centrifuge operates in response to a variety of factors regarding particle size and specific gravity. The load sensing circuits optimize cleaning cycle frequency and reduce failure due to mechanical stress. The load sensing circuits taken in combination with the variable speed drive provide the ability to efficiently and variably monitor the cleansing intervals to provide predetermined levels of cleansing and prevent the overloading of the scraper and scraper mechanics.

US Patent:

55120318, Apr 30, 1996

Filed:

May 12, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/440530

Inventors:

Tom S. Ziems - Perrysburg OH
Mark H. Opfer - Pemberville OH

Assignee:

Glassline Corporation - Perrysburg OH

International Classification:

B01D 4300

US Classification:

494 37

Abstract:

A method for enhancing the efficiency of a centrifugal separator which automatically adjusts in accordance with operator input for varying amounts of solids in contaminated fluid being passed through the separator. A load sensing circuit monitors the load on the drive motor of the centrifuge bowl and a second load sensing circuit monitors the load on the drive motor of the scraper vane. The method makes use of a variable speed motor designed to vary the gravitational force with which the centrifuge operates in response to a variety of factors regarding particle size and specific gravity. The load sensing circuits optimize cleaning cycle frequency and reduce failure due to mechanical stress, The load sensing circuits taken in combination with the variable speed drive provide the ability to efficiently and variably monitor the cleansing intervals to provide predetermined levels of cleansing and prevent the overloading of the scraper and scraper mechanics.

US Patent:

58873252, Mar 30, 1999

Filed:

Nov 18, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/972787

Inventors:

Mark H. Opfer - Pemberville OH

Assignee:

Glassline Corporation - Perrysburg OH

International Classification:

B23Q 714

US Classification:

29 33P

Abstract:

This device includes a machine tool for cutting and breaking out parts such as a glass template, a positioning shuttle for moving the glass from the cutting station to the different grinders, and multiple grinders for grinding the edgework of the glass. The system uses standard cutting, break out, and grinder machine tools. The special part of the system is the shuttle that transfers the parts to the grinders without relocation. The shuttle maintains the fixed position of the blank with regard to the X, Y axis of the cutting station through the grinding operation.

US Patent:

59846240, Nov 16, 1999

Filed:

Feb 19, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/253232

Inventors:

Mark H. Opfer - Pemberville OH
Charles E. Gottschalk - Whitehouse OH
Mark R. Kolkemeyer - Woodville OH

Assignee:

Glassline Corporation - Perrysburg OH

International Classification:

B65G 4906

US Classification:

4147985

Abstract:

The high speed rack loader/unloader system uses a two arm loading machine to allow flat pieces of material to be loaded on a horizontal conveyor from a vertical rack or to a vertical rack from a horizontal conveyor. The two arms are mounted on a single input, two output right angle gearbox. The outputs of the gearbox rotate in opposite directions so one arm is rotating up while the other arm is rotating down. The two arms are mounted at a roughly 90 degree angle from each other so one arm is at the conveyor while the other arm is at the rack. Each arm has a mechanism to allow the length of the arms to be positioned to four different lengths. Full extension, long extension, short extension and no extension. At the end of the arms are vacuum cups to hold the flat material during transfer. The rack is loaded on a moveable platform that indexes as pieces of material are added or removed.