A. G. Stacker Inc. recently secured a major technological breakthrough with the issuance of U.S. Patent No. 12722184. This patent, titled ‘Directional air knife’, introduces a powerful way to control and direct pressurized air in industrial manufacturing settings. Developed by inventors Dalton Hege, Eric Stempihar, Robert Knupp, Joseph Wunder, and Randall Donn Senger, the invention features a tubular housing and a specialized nozzle equipped with a plurality of baffles. These baffles have longitudinally offset ends that precisely guide the airflow from the nozzle inlet to the outlet, significantly improving the precision and efficiency of scrap control and material handling in corrugated packaging operations.

Innovative Design and State Recognition

The core innovation of this directional air knife lies in its complex internal baffle geometry, which prevents air dispersion and creates a highly concentrated, targeted stream of air. This advancement minimizes energy waste and enhances the reliability of high speed stacking equipment. Due to its exceptional engineering and potential to revolutionize material handling, the invention was awarded the patent of the month for the Virginia state for the month of October 2026 granted by Swanson Reed. The firm recognized A. G. Stacker Inc. for demonstrating outstanding technological innovation within the state’s manufacturing sector and pushing the boundaries of aerodynamic design in automated machinery.

R&D Tax Credit Eligibility in the USA

The practical applications of this directional air knife present excellent opportunities for claiming the Research and Development (R&D) tax credit in the USA. Companies integrating this technology into their manufacturing lines often encounter technical uncertainties related to optimizing airflow dynamics, adjusting pressure settings for different corrugated materials, and modifying equipment layouts to accommodate the new nozzle design. By conducting systematic trials, evaluating different configurations, and testing the system’s performance to improve production speed and scrap removal efficiency, manufacturers engage in a qualified process of experimentation. These engineering efforts directly align with the requirements of the IRS four part test, making the expenses associated with developing and integrating these custom automation solutions eligible for valuable R&D tax incentives.