Chad M Andreae

US Patent:

20110114449, May 19, 2011

Filed:

Mar 22, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/933998

Inventors:

Chad M. Andreae - Sturgeon Bay WI, US
Anthony C. Scoville - Sturgeon Bay WI, US

International Classification:

B65G 17/26
B65G 37/00

US Classification:

198607, 198602, 198606

Abstract:

A conveyor-to-convey transfer mechanism is provided, and in some embodiments comprises a transfer conveyor extending between first and second conveyors for receiving items from the first conveyor and for dispatching the items to the second conveyor. In some embodiments, movement of items to the transfer conveyor comprises a convergence of a portion of the first conveyor with respect to the transfer conveyor and/or movement of items from the transfer conveyor comprises a divergence of a portion of the second conveyor with respect to the transfer conveyor. The convergence and/or divergence can include vertical change in the first, second and/or transfer conveyors, and can occur by supporting one portion of a bracket carrying an item upon at least one of the first and second conveyors, and supporting another portion of the bracket carrying the item upon the transfer conveyor.

US Patent:

20130264302, Oct 10, 2013

Filed:

Mar 14, 2013

Appl. No.:

13/829446

Inventors:

Brad Martin Andreae - Sturgeon Bay WI, US
Chad Martin Andreae - Sturgeon Bay WI, US

International Classification:

B66C 19/00

US Classification:

212 71

Abstract:

A tilting carrier assembly for a finishing process includes a load bar configured to convey a work piece relative to a work station. A skid is configured to receive the work piece. Each of a pair of links is pivotally coupled to the load bar at a first end and pivotally coupled to the skid at an opposite second end. A horizontal span between the first ends of the pair of links is substantially greater than a horizontal span between the second ends of the pair of links.

US Patent:

20220388025, Dec 8, 2022

Filed:

Jun 3, 2021

Appl. No.:

17/338348

Inventors:

- Sturgeon Bay WI, US
Chad Martin Andreae - Sturgeon Bay WI, US

International Classification:

B05D 1/18
B05C 13/00
B05C 3/10
B05D 3/00
B05D 3/02
B05C 3/08
B25J 17/02
B25J 15/00
B25J 11/00

Abstract:

A coating system includes a plurality of liquid immersion workstations positioned along an arcuate path, the plurality of liquid immersion workstations defining a single complete coating process for a sequence of objects. A plurality of curing workstations are configured to independently receive objects of the sequence of objects exiting the plurality of liquid immersion workstations. An articulated robotic arm has a base positioned inside the arcuate path in top plan view such that the robotic arm is operable to carry each object of the sequence of objects through each of the plurality of liquid immersion workstations and to exactly one of the plurality of curing workstations. An articulated robotic hand is provided at a distal end of the robotic arm and configured to grasp and hold each of the objects and to oscillate the object while submerged in each of the plurality of liquid immersion workstations.

US Patent:

20230024157, Jan 26, 2023

Filed:

Jul 20, 2022

Appl. No.:

17/869542

Inventors:

- Sturgeon Bay WI, US
Anthony E. Herbst - Sturgeon Bay WI, US
Jeffrey Alan Wienke - Marengo IL, US
Chad Martin Andreae - Sturgeon Bay WI, US

International Classification:

C25D 17/06
B65G 49/04
B05C 3/10
B05D 7/22
B05D 7/00
C25D 17/00
C25D 17/28
C25D 21/10

Abstract:

An e-coat line includes a frame supporting a process track configured to extend along a process direction, a workpiece rack moveably supported on the frame, and a plurality of electrodes supported on an electrode rack. The rack includes support members configured to hold a plurality of hollow workpieces in a predetermined arrangement, and the workpiece rack is moveable relative to the frame between a raised position and a lowered position. The plurality of electrodes are supported on the electrode rack in a predetermined arrangement complementary to the predetermined arrangement of the plurality of hollow workpieces on the support members. The electrode rack is moveable relative to the workpiece rack in a direction crossing the process direction between a first position, in which the plurality of electrodes are extended along and overlapping with the support members to fit within the plurality of hollow workpieces, and a second position, in which the plurality of electrodes are retracted away from the support members to be removed from the plurality of hollow workpieces.

US Patent:

20210215427, Jul 15, 2021

Filed:

Jan 15, 2020

Appl. No.:

16/744043

Inventors:

- Sturgeon Bay WI, US
Chad Martin Andreae - Sturgeon Bay WI, US

International Classification:

F27D 7/04
F27B 9/28
B05D 3/04

Abstract:

An industrial oven includes an oven chamber configured to receive a plurality of work pieces. A heater box of the oven has a heating element therein operable to heat air for delivery to the oven chamber. A circulation system of the oven is operable to force hot air from the heater box into the oven chamber. The circulation system includes a delivery manifold extending from the heater box to the oven chamber. A duct has an inlet coupled with an outlet of the delivery manifold, and the duct has a plurality of hot air outlet apertures therein for expelling hot air into the oven chamber. The duct is constructed of fabric sheet and suspended within the oven chamber.

US Patent:

20200407177, Dec 31, 2020

Filed:

Jan 16, 2020

Appl. No.:

16/745034

Inventors:

- Sturgeon Bay WI, US
Chad Martin Andreae - Sturgeon Bay WI, US

International Classification:

B65G 47/90
B65G 47/46
B65G 47/96

Abstract:

A finishing system includes a workpiece carrier configured to hold a workpiece, and a plurality of work stations arranged in a row along an axis defining a process line, each of the plurality of work stations configured to receive the workpiece and treat the workpiece. A hoist runway, including fixed and movable rail sections, extends along the plurality of work stations of the process line. A hoist is movable along the hoist runway to traverse the plurality of work stations, the hoist coupled to the workpiece carrier to raise and lower the workpiece carrier and to move the workpiece carrier along the process line. A side transfer mechanism moves the movable rail section, with the hoist situated thereon, in a direction transverse to the axis so that the hoist is movable out of the process line.

US Patent:

20160340132, Nov 24, 2016

Filed:

Aug 8, 2016

Appl. No.:

15/231165

Inventors:

- Sturgeon Bay WI, US
Chad Martin Andreae - Sturgeon Bay WI, US

International Classification:

B65G 49/04
B66C 13/08
B66C 19/00
C25D 7/00
B05D 1/18
B05C 3/02
B05B 13/02
C25D 17/06
B65G 17/20
B05D 1/02

Abstract:

A method of operating a tilting carrier assembly includes operating a conveyor in a primary direction of travel and supporting a work piece from the conveyor by a pair of links. A pair of respective upper connection points of the links are laterally spaced transverse to the primary direction of travel and a pair of respective lower connection points of the links are also laterally spaced. The work piece is conveyed along the primary direction of travel relative to a work station, and the upper connection points are tilted so that a line therebetween forms a first angle relative to horizontal. In response, the lower connection points and the work piece are tilted to a second angle relative to horizontal, and the second angle is greater than the first angle.

US Patent:

20160177975, Jun 23, 2016

Filed:

Dec 18, 2015

Appl. No.:

14/975218

Inventors:

- Sturgeon Bay WI, US
Chad Martin Andreae - Sturgeon Bay WI, US
Robert G. Rock - Sturgeon Bay WI, US

International Classification:

F04F 10/00

Abstract:

A method of processing a work piece having an enclosure. The method comprises inserting a siphon into the enclosure, submerging the work piece in an immersion tank, removing the work piece from the tank, and draining liquid from the enclosure through the siphon. Inserting can include positioning at least a portion of a short leg of the siphon in the enclosure of the work piece. Preferably, draining includes directing liquid back into the immersion tank. After draining, the work piece can be moved to a second workstation and/or the siphon can be withdrawn from the enclosure. The method can be performed using a finishing system comprising a primary carrier, a work piece suspended from the primary carrier and defining an enclosure, and a siphon positioned in the enclosure. Preferably, the work piece is suspended above an immersion tank. The siphon can be positioned to direct fluid toward the immersion tank.