John P Rhoades

US Patent:

6334767, Jan 1, 2002

Filed:

Nov 25, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/200054

Inventors:

Ronald E. Kieras - Woodstock IL
John J. Rhoades - Poplar Grove IL

Assignee:

Thatcher Tubes LLC - Woodstock IL

International Classification:

B28B 1100

US Classification:

425392, 264132, 425383, 425403, 4254031

Abstract:

The machine of the present invention is a means for manufacturing thermoplastic tubes from hollow thermoplastic sleeves by a variety of different manufacturing processes. The machine is a single apparatus having an indexing table with a plurality of mandrels for holding hollow thermoplastic sleeves for the purpose of transporting the same around a closed manufacturing path. The manufacturing path of the machine of the present invention is a series of stations which are mechanical devices for carrying out the manufacturing steps necessary to produce tubes from thermoplastic blank sleeves. The stations of the manufacturing path are modular so that they may be removed, added or rearranged; may be optionally connected to a process logic controller and may optionally have sensors for information feedback to the PLC device.

US Patent:

60475250, Apr 11, 2000

Filed:

Nov 25, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/199617

Inventors:

Ronald E. Kieras - Woodstock IL
John J. Rhoades - Poplar Grove IL

Assignee:

Thatcher Tubes LLC - Woodstock IL

International Classification:

B65B 4300
B65B 5700
B65B 6102

US Classification:

53411

Abstract:

The plant for manufacturing and packing thermoplastic tubes of the present invention is an efficient arrangement of a plurality of single machines, each one producing the same finished thermoplastic tubes as from a conventional line. The machines are arranged into small groups or production cells. The manufacturing and packing plant of the present invention is at least one production cell associated with a common product transportation line. The method of operating the plant of the present invention involves marking each tube with an indicia and identifying, recording, and monitoring each tube with an indicia.

US Patent:

62211897, Apr 24, 2001

Filed:

Nov 25, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/199500

Inventors:

Ronald E. Kieras - Woodstock IL
John J. Rhoades - Poplar Grove IL

Assignee:

Thatcher Tubes LLC - Woodstock IL

International Classification:

B29C 6506
B29C 6502
B29C 6900
B29C 4308
B29C 4358
B29C 5360
B29C 5710
B29C 6108

US Classification:

156 64

Abstract:

A method for manufacturing thermoplastic tubes from hollow thermoplastic sleeves by a variety of different manufacturing processes. The machine used in the method is a single apparatus having an indexing device with a plurality of mandrels for holding hollow thermoplastic sleeves for the purpose of transporting the same around a closed manufacturing path. The method involves advancing sleeves around the closed manufacturing path to form tubes from the sleeves.

US Patent:

61298808, Oct 10, 2000

Filed:

Nov 25, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/199692

Inventors:

Ronald E. Kieras - Woodstock IL
John J. Rhoades - Poplar Grove IL

Assignee:

Thatcher Tubes LLC - Woodstock IL

International Classification:

B29C 5700
B29C 6576
B29C 6570
B29C 6108
B29C 4318

US Classification:

264230

Abstract:

A headed thermoplastic tube having a closure member is formed solely from a thermoplastic extruded, stretched sleeve by positioning the sleeve over a forming mandrel with an exposed portion and heating the exposed portion. The heated exposed portion is shaped into a head in a single step by contacting the exposed portion with a closure means which is later retained on the head after initial contact. The internal cavity of the closure means, which may have threads or grooves formed in the internal cavity, is made of an incompatible material to facilitate the forming of a head in said cavity. The closure means may also have tamper evident features.

US Patent:

61653950, Dec 26, 2000

Filed:

Nov 25, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/199643

Inventors:

Ronald E. Kieras - Woodstock IL
John J. Rhoades - Poplar Grove IL
Thomas A. Frazier - Richmond IL

Assignee:

Thatcher Tubes LLC - Woodstock IL

International Classification:

B29C 4356
B29C 5700
B29C 5710
B29C 6900

US Classification:

264 401

Abstract:

A machine for manufacturing thermoplastic tubes from hollow thermoplastic sleeves by a variety of different manufacturing processes. The machine is a single apparatus having an indexing table with a plurality of mandrels for holding hollow thermoplastic sleeves for the purpose of transporting the same around a closed manufacturing path. The manufacturing path of the machine is a series of stations which are mechanical devices for carrying out the manufacturing steps necessary to produce tubes from thermoplastic blank sleeves. The stations of the manufacturing path are modular so that they may be removed, added or rearranged; may be optionally connected to a process logic controller and may optionally have sensors for information feedback to the PLC device.