Curtis N Martin

US Patent:

6449922, Sep 17, 2002

Filed:

Jan 25, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/768338

Inventors:

Curtis Martin - Floyds Knobs IN

Assignee:

Lantech Management Corp. - Louisville KY
Lantech Holding Corp. - Louisville KY

International Classification:

B65B 1104

US Classification:

53399, 53441, 53587, 53556

Abstract:

A leading end of packaging material is grasped in a packaging material holder while a load is wrapped. Packaging material is dispensed from a packaging material dispenser, and relative rotation is provided between the dispenser and a load to wrap packaging material around the load. The packaging material holder may be positioned on the rotating surface of a turntable but isolated from any electrical or fluid power source of a rotatable surface of the turntable. During the wrapping cycle, the packaging material holder moves downstream along the turntable, automatically releasing the leading end of the packaging material and automatically grasping a trailing end of the packaging material. The packaging material is weakened and then severed between the packaging material holder and the load. The packaging material holder is mounted to permit it to move upstream due to force exerted by the packaging material held in the holder.

US Patent:

6748718, Jun 15, 2004

Filed:

Oct 31, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/286748

Inventors:

Curtis Martin - New Albany IN

Assignee:

Lantech, Inc. - Louisville KY

International Classification:

B65B 5702

US Classification:

53 64, 53399, 53556, 53441

Abstract:

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for stretch wrapping a load in an efficient manner so as to tightly and securely wrap the load at a desired tension without rupturing the packaging material. The method and apparatus compensate for variation in demand rate as the load is wrapped so as to apply the wrapping material to a load at a desired force, maintain the desired containment tension on the wrapping material on the load after wrapping, and prevent the wrapping material from rupturing during wrapping. The apparatus combines two systems, power assisted roller stretch (âPRSâ) and roller stretch (âRSâ) to vary the supply rate of the packaging material as the demand rate varies. The apparatus automatically switches between the two types of prestretch to achieve âhighâ and âlowâ wrapping force dependent upon the demand rate. Changes in the demand rate are sensed by monitoring changes in the payoff angle of the packaging material extending between the dispenser and the load.

US Patent:

6848237, Feb 1, 2005

Filed:

Jul 25, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/202440

Inventors:

Curtis Martin - Floyds Knobs IN, US

Assignee:

Lantech.com, LLC - Louisville KY

International Classification:

B65B 1104

US Classification:

53399, 53441, 53556, 53587, 53588

Abstract:

A leading end of packaging material is grasped in a packaging material holder while a load is wrapped. Packaging material is dispensed from a packaging material dispenser, and relative rotation is provided between the dispenser and a load to wrap packaging material around the load. The packaging material holder may be positioned on the rotating surface of a turntable but isolated from any electrical or fluid power source of a rotatable surface of the turntable. During the wrapping cycle, the packaging material holder moves downstream along the turntable, automatically releasing the leading end of the packaging material and automatically grasping a trailing end of the packaging material. The packaging material is weakened and then severed between the packaging material holder and the load. The packaging material holder is mounted to permit it to move upstream due to force exerted by the packaging material held in the holder.

US Patent:

6880316, Apr 19, 2005

Filed:

Jun 13, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/879052

Inventors:

Steven Hack - Fisherville KY, US
Steven DeGrasse - New Albany IN, US
Don Norris - Pleasureville KY, US
Curtis Martin - New Albany IN, US

Assignee:

Lantech.com, LLC - Louisville KY

International Classification:

B65B011/00

US Classification:

53588, 53203, 53210, 53399, 100 13, 493299, 493304

Abstract:

An apparatus and method for wrapping a top and bottom of a load with packaging material is provided. The apparatus includes at least one non-driven packaging material guide is provided for use in combination with a powered conveying surface. The non-powered packaging material guide includes at least one row of non-driven wheels attached to a rail. The force applied by the packaging material as it is wrapped around the guide is supported by both the rail and the at least one row of non-driven wheels. The rail also serves to bridge any gaps between the non-driven wheels, thereby preventing capture of packaging material between the non-driven wheels. Preferably, the packaging material guide includes two rows of non-driven wheels, one on each side of the rail. Further, it is preferable that the rail connect the two rows of wheels such that the two rows of wheels form an angle of 60 degrees between them. The packaging material guide is preferably positioned above the load but may also be positioned either below the load or to the sides of the load.

US Patent:

6918229, Jul 19, 2005

Filed:

May 18, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/847452

Inventors:

Curtis Martin - New Albany IN, US

Assignee:

Lantech.com LLC - Louisville KY

International Classification:

B65B013/02

US Classification:

53399, 53441, 53 64, 533892, 226 34

Abstract:

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for stretch wrapping a load in an efficient manner so as to tightly and securely wrap the load at a desired tension without rupturing the packaging material. The method and apparatus compensate for variation in demand rate as the load is wrapped so as to apply the wrapping material to a load at a desired force, maintain the desired containment tension on the wrapping material on the load after wrapping, and prevent the wrapping material from rupturing during wrapping. The apparatus combines two systems, power assisted roller stretch (“PRS”) and roller stretch (“RS”) to vary the supply rate of the packaging material as the demand rate varies. The apparatus automatically switches between the two types of prestretch to achieve “high” and “low” wrapping force dependent upon the demand rate. Changes in the demand rate are sensed by monitoring changes in the payoff angle of the packaging material extending between the dispenser and the load.

US Patent:

7089713, Aug 15, 2006

Filed:

Jan 6, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/029472

Inventors:

Curtis Martin - Floyds Knobs IN, US

Assignee:

Lantech.com, LLC - Louisville KY

International Classification:

B65B 11/04

US Classification:

53399, 53441, 53556, 53587

Abstract:

A leading end of packaging material is grasped in a packaging material holder while a load is wrapped. Packaging material is dispensed from a packaging material dispenser, and relative rotation is provided between the dispenser and a load to wrap packaging material around the load. The packaging material holder may be positioned on the rotating surface of a turntable but isolated from any electrical or fluid power source of a rotatable surface of the turntable. During the wrapping cycle, the packaging material holder moves downstream along the turntable, automatically releasing the leading end of the packaging material and automatically grasping a trailing end of the packaging material. The packaging material is weakened and then severed between the packaging material holder and the load. The packaging material holder is mounted to permit it to move upstream due to force exerted by the packaging material held in the holder.

US Patent:

7707901, May 4, 2010

Filed:

Apr 21, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/106950

Inventors:

David E. Eldridge - Fern Creek KY, US
Curtis W. Martin - Georgetown KY, US

Assignee:

Lantech.com LLC - Louisville KY

International Classification:

G01L 1/26

US Classification:

73862391, 73862451, 73862471, 73862393

Abstract:

An apparatus and method for measuring containment force on a load is provided. The apparatus may include a first longitudinally extending arm configured to engage a first side of packaging material wrapped around the load. The apparatus may also include a second longitudinally extending arm configured to engage a second side of the packaging material, the second side being opposite the first side. The apparatus may further include an indicator positioned substantially perpendicularly to the first and second arms, a third longitudinally extending arm, and a force gauge configured to measure a force exerted on the third longitudinally extending arm.

US Patent:

7779607, Aug 24, 2010

Filed:

Feb 23, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/709871

Inventors:

David E. Eldridge - Fern Creek KY, US
Willie Martin Hall - Taylorsville KY, US
Richard L. Johnson - LaGrange KY, US
Curtis W. Martin - Georgetown KY, US
Philip R. Moore - Mount Washington KY, US
Joseph Donald Norris - Pleasureville KY, US

Assignee:

Lantech.com, LLC - Louisville KY

International Classification:

B65B 11/02

US Classification:

53399, 53441, 53556, 53587, 53588, 53589

Abstract:

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for dispensing a predetermined fixed amount of pre-stretched packaging material based upon load girth. A non-rotating ring carries a belt driven by a motor. A packaging material dispenser is mounted on a rotating ring, and the rotating ring may include a pulley that connects to the band, such that the rotating ring is driven by the drive belt. Based upon the girth of the load to be wrapped, an amount of pre-stretched packaging material to be dispensed for each revolution made by the rotating ring is determined. Good wrapping performance in terms of load containment (wrap force) and optimum packaging material use is obtained by dispensing a length of pre-stretched packaging material that is between approximately 90% and approximately 120% of load girth. Once the amount of packaging material to be dispensed per revolution is determined, a ratio of rotating ring drive to final pre-stretch surface speed (i. e. , number of pre-stretch roller revolution/rotating ring rotation) can be set and mechanically controlled.