David B Eldridge

US Patent:

7469520, Dec 30, 2008

Filed:

May 22, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/152346

Inventors:

David Eldridge - Louisville KY, US
Steven Hack - Fisherville KY, US

Assignee:

Lantech.com, LLC - Louisville KY

International Classification:

B65B 53/02
B65B 13/02

US Classification:

53442

Abstract:

A heat sealing device for sealing layers of plastic film together is provided. In a preferred embodiment, the heat sealing device is incorporated into a stretch wrapping apparatus for wrapping a load. The heat sealing device includes a heater element, an air compressor or blower, and a sealing head in fluid communication with the heater element to distribute the heated air. The sealing head is preferably flexible and includes a plurality of convection ports configured to apply heated air to a portion of the packaging material without being completely covered by the packaging material. At least one insulated film contact portion is provided to distance the convection ports from the plastic film.

US Patent:

7540128, Jun 2, 2009

Filed:

Mar 9, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/371254

Inventors:

Richard L. Johnson - LaGrange KY, US
Willie Martin Hall - Taylorsville KY, US
Jeremy D. Anderson - Cox's Creek KY, US
David Eldridge - Fern Creek KY, US

Assignee:

Lantech.com, LLC - Louisville KY

International Classification:

B65B 53/00

US Classification:

53556, 53436, 53441

Abstract:

A film dispenser for a stretch wrapping apparatus is provided. The film dispenser includes a pre-stretch assembly having a top portion mounted to and extending downwardly from a drive plate of a roll carriage frame. The pre-stretch assembly includes two pre-stretch rollers having first ends connected to the roll carriage frame and second ends connected to one another. The pre-stretch rollers may be coated. The pre-stretch assembly further includes a cantilevered idle roller mounted to the drive plate and positioned between the pre-stretch rollers. A film path is defined by the space between the pre-stretch rollers and the idle roller. The film path is easily accessible via the bottom end of the pre-stretch assembly.

US Patent:

7568327, Aug 4, 2009

Filed:

Jan 30, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/767863

Inventors:

Donnie Norris - Pleasureville KY, US
David Eldridge - Fern Creek KY, US

Assignee:

Lantech.com, LLC - Louisville KY

International Classification:

B65B 53/00

US Classification:

53441, 53556, 53588, 53210

Abstract:

An apparatus and method for wrapping a palletized load are provided. The apparatus preferably includes a film dispenser for dispensing a film web, at least one guide rollers configured to engage the width of the film web, and at least one roping element. The at least one roping element may be a cable rolling roper configured to roll a portion of the film web into a rolled cable of film. The apparatus may also include means for providing relative rotation between the load and the dispenser to wrap a roped portion of the film web around a base of the load/top portion of a pallet supporting the load.

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.

US Patent:

8037660, Oct 18, 2011

Filed:

Feb 23, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/709879

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 11/04
B65B 11/02

US Classification:

53399, 53587, 53588

Abstract:

An apparatus and method for wrapping a palletized load are provided. The apparatus preferably includes a film dispenser for dispensing a film web, at least one drive down roller configured to engage the width of the film web, and at least one roping mechanism. The at least one roping mechanism may be a cable rolling element configured to roll a portion of the film web into a rolled cable of film. The apparatus may also include an assembly for providing relative rotation between the load and the dispenser to wrap a roped portion of the film web around a base of the load/top portion of a pallet supporting the load.

US Patent:

8276354, Oct 2, 2012

Filed:

Oct 17, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/274549

Inventors:

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

Assignee:

Lantech.com, LLC - Louisville KY

International Classification:

B65B 11/02

US Classification:

53588, 53556, 53210

Abstract:

An apparatus and method for wrapping a palletized load are provided. The apparatus preferably includes a film dispenser for dispensing a film web, at least one drive down roller configured to engage the width of the film web, and at least one roping mechanism. The at least one roping mechanism may be a cable rolling element configured to roll a portion of the film web into a rolled cable of film. The apparatus may also include an assembly for providing relative rotation between the load and the dispenser to wrap a roped portion of the film web around a base of the load/top portion of a pallet supporting the load.

US Patent:

20090293435, Dec 3, 2009

Filed:

May 27, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/473191

Inventors:

Richard L. Johnson - LaGrange KY, US
David E. Eldridge - Fern Creek KY, US
Jeremy McCray - Waddy KY, US

International Classification:

B65B 11/06

US Classification:

53461, 53203

Abstract:

An apparatus for clamping packaging material may include a packaging material holder. The packaging material holder may include a first jaw, a second jaw, opposing the first jaw, and a jaw opening between the first and second jaws. The jaw opening may be configured to receive a portion of packaging material. The packaging material holder may include an inflatable structure configured to fill at least a portion of the opening. The apparatus also may include a packaging material insertion tool configured to insert the portion of packaging material into the jaw opening for clamping.