Patents Examined by Joe Dillon
  • Patent number: 7938253
    Abstract: Methods for removing a belt from a telescoping conveyor having a plurality of spaced apart idler rollers in communication with the belt include: (a) translating an idler associated with a telescoping conveyor downward from an operative position to a belt removal and/or belt load configuration while one end portion thereof remains attached to the conveyor frame to thereby allow a conveyor belt to at least partially collapse from an operative configuration; and (b) removing the conveyor belt from the telescoping conveyor after the translating step. Methods of mounting a conveyor belt to a telescoping conveyor include: (a) providing a conveyor belt configured to mount to a telescoping conveyor mechanism; (b) pivoting a first idler roller to an operative fixed position; and (c) translating an idler residing below the first idler roller upward and rearward into its respective operative fixed position to thereby mount a telescoping conveyor belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Tipper Tie, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas E. Whittlesey
  • Patent number: 7934889
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a method for transporting objects within a multiple chamber framework may include loading objects into a transport container, elevating the container in a delivery chamber and lowering the container in a return chamber. Preferably, fluid elevation is employed to elevate object transport containers and their contents within the delivery chamber. Such methods may be utilized in vertical or incline lifting environments, and an auxiliary chamber may be incorporated into the multiple chamber framework for use as an alternative to, or in conjunction with, elevating objects by employing fluid elevation. The auxiliary chamber may be laterally disposed to the delivery chamber or the return chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Inventor: Ross Guenther
  • Patent number: 7934592
    Abstract: A plurality of conveying apparatuses ace arranged from the inside of the first building to the inside of the second building along a conveying direction. A plurality of connection mechanisms connect each pair of adjacent conveying apparatuses such that the conveying apparatuses are arranged in a meandering manner in a case where relative positions between the first building and the second building are changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Muratec Automation Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masashi Tsuchida, Hideki Tsujii, Takahiko Futami
  • Patent number: 7931138
    Abstract: An automatic tire transfer apparatus using a traverser comprises: a vertical lift adapted to lift and lower a tire from a tire storage place; a tire charge section adapted to be supplied with the tire from the vertical lift and adapted to automatically push the supplied tire in the progress direction of the tire; a traverser unit disposed at an outlet of the tire charge section and adapted to automatically transfer the tire supplied from the tire charge section in the progress direction of the tire while fixedly supporting the tire; a tire loader adapted to be supplied with the tire from the traverser unit and adapted to transfer the supplied tire to a tire assembling unit; and a controller adapted to control the overall operation of the tire charge section, the traverser unit and the tire loader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Tae Yong Kim
  • Patent number: 7926689
    Abstract: The invention concerns a clip conveyor apparatus for conveying a clip line (2) comprising a plurality of clips in a clipping machine, in particular a sausage clipping machine, comprising a drive unit (10) and an advance element (20) which is coupled with its drive end (22) to the drive unit (10) and is drivable by the drive unit (10) in such a way that its conveyor end (24) describes an elliptical path and for stepwise conveyance of the clip line (2) engages into intermediate spaces between two clips of the clip line (2) and conveys same stepwise in the advance direction (V), wherein there is provided an adjusting device (30) having a pivot axis (36) about which the transport element (20) is pivotable and which is adjustable in its position without a tool in such a way that at least one of the axes of the elliptical path described by the conveyor end (24) is variable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Poly-Clip System GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Detlef Ebert, Michael Hummel
  • Patent number: 7921981
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for conveying and arranging bakery products such as hot dog buns or breadsticks. The products are delivered with their length dimensions at a variety of angular orientations and some products inverted. An aligning conveyor receives misaligned products on adjacent belts or other drive members which are driven at differential speeds to rotate the products to the proper orientation. Inverted products are conveyed against guide rails which are arranged to interact with the curved edges on the tops of the buns to roll the inverted products over. The products are conveyed in discrete lanes to properly organize them for packaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: United Bakery Equipment Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul M. Bastasch, John T. McCormick
  • Patent number: 7918331
    Abstract: A conveying device (100) according to the invention includes several conveying bodies (102), which roll on a guidance (101) via several rolls (3), wherein the rolls (3) are connected and mutually distanced by means of a flexible connecting body (9). The conveying bodies (102) include means (103; 104, 105) for mutual support, which prevent a movement of the conveying bodies (102) out of the guidance (101). A connecting body (9) and allocated rolls (3) form a roll body (2), wherein the roll body (2), on average, includes two or less than two rolls (3) per conveying body (102). A roll body (2) for a conveying device (100) includes a plurality of rolls (3) mutually connected in a linear manner, wherein the rolls (3) are mutually connected and distanced by means of a flexible and in particular also elastic connecting body (9). In a preferred embodiment, the connecting body (9) may be bent in at least two directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: WRH Walter Reist Holding AG
    Inventors: Walter Reist, Erwin Müller
  • Patent number: 7913834
    Abstract: An apparatus (1) and a related method for automatic transfer of socks (4) from a linking machine (2) to a sock-modelling piece for boarding operation (36) according to a predetermined orientation, the apparatus comprising reversing means (20) comprising feeding means (21) for picking up the sock (4) from a sewing station (22) of the linking machine and loading means (31) for automatically loading the sock (4) onto the sock-modelling piece, the reversing means (20) comprising a supporting element (23) and at least one pair of lower rollers (24) disposed around said supporting element (23).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Santoni S.p.A.
    Inventor: Stefano Paterlini
  • Patent number: 7896584
    Abstract: A method for conveying material by applying a pressure difference in a conveying conduit (4), in which method the material is fed into the conveying conduit (4) and in the conveying conduit further into a separating device (5), where the material being conveyed is separated from conveying air, in which method a negative pressure is created in the conveying conduit (4) by means of an ejector apparatus (6), whose suction side is connected to the separating device (5), said ejector apparatus being operated using an operating medium consisting of a liquid mist, especially an aqueous liquid mist, said medium being sprayed through at least one spraying nozzle (122) into an ejector tube (128) directed into a separating element (38). In the method, the generation of the negative pressure to be produced is intensified according to need by limiting the flow of gases, such as air, into the ejector tube (128) from the direction opposite to the spraying direction of its operating medium, i.e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Maricap Oy
    Inventor: Goran Sundholm
  • Patent number: 7891954
    Abstract: A method for conveying material by applying a pressure difference in a conveying conduit (4), in which method the material is fed into the conveying conduit (4) and in the conveying conduit further into a separating device (5), where the material being conveyed is separated from conveying air, in which method a negative pressure is created in the conveying conduit (4) by means of an ejector apparatus (6), whose suction side is connected to the separating device (5), said ejector apparatus being operated using an operating medium consisting of a liquid mist, especially an aqueous liquid mist, said medium being sprayed through at least one spraying nozzle (122) into an ejector tube (128) directed into a separating element (38). In the method, the generation of the negative pressure to be produced is intensified according to need by limiting the flow of gases, such as air, into the ejector tube (128) from the direction opposite to the spraying direction of its operating medium, i.e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Maricap Oy
    Inventor: Goran Sundholm
  • Patent number: 7891481
    Abstract: A conveyor belt and a method for providing a conveyor belt with rollers that rotate on axes oblique to the direction of belt travel. Axles are mounted on rods extending perpendicular to direction of belt travel. The axles have cylindrical outer bearing surfaces that define a central axis that is oblique to the direction of belt travel when mounted on the rods. Rollers mounted on the axles rotate on the outer bearing surfaces in a direction oblique to the direction of belt travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Eric M. Pressler, Matthew L. Fourney
  • Patent number: 7887264
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for transferring particles from an upper zone through an intermediate zone to a lower zone. The transfer of particles between the zones through valveless conduits is regulated by varying the pressure of the intermediate zone and the flow rate of gas passing through the valveless conduits. A body within the lower zone is in particle communication with a valveless conduit and obstructs the particle flow within the lower zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Naunheimer, Paul A. Sechrist
  • Patent number: 7878736
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for transferring particles from an upper zone through an intermediate zone to a lower zone. The transfer of particles between the zones through valveless conduits is regulated by varying the pressure of the intermediate zone and the flow rate of gas passing through the valveless conduits. A container within the second zone is in particle communication with a valveless conduit and provides more consistent particle flows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Naunheimer, Paul A. Sechrist
  • Patent number: 7874769
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for transferring particles from an upper zone through an intermediate zone to a lower zone. The transfer of particles between the zones through valveless conduits is regulated by varying the pressure of the intermediate zone and the flow rate of gas passing through the valveless conduits. A body within the lower zone is in particle communication with a valveless conduit and obstructs the particle flow within the lower zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Naunheimer, Paul A. Sechrist
  • Patent number: 7871231
    Abstract: An elevation conveyor 5 includes a turntable 17 and a roller conveyor 18. The roller conveyor 18 is supported onto the turntable 17. A turntable controller 7 turns the turntable 17 so that the roller conveyor 18 matches with a carrying direction of a conveyor rail for receiving or delivering a load and then drives the conveyor rail and the roller conveyor 18 to receive or deliver an FOUP 8. An elevation conveyor 5 is held in a cable 20a installed in an elevation space 9 through a coupling member 20b of a cableveyor 20, and can freely elevate and stop at a port 21 installed on each floor while being interlocked with motion of the cableveyor 20 caused by reciprocating circulation of the cableveyor 20 in a vertical direction by an elevation conveyor controller 4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Muratec Automation Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Munekuni Oshima
  • Patent number: 7866461
    Abstract: Roller actuating device for flattening machines used for metal products in the shape of sheet metal, strips or the like, also used with similar machines for other applications, comprising a device for transmitting motion to driven rolls (8), extremely functional and capable of transmitting higher torques as well as their independent control. Such device overcomes the frequent problems concerning the space available for installing gimbal adapters. This can be achieved by using adapters (4) provided with teeth which, with the same flange diameter, are able to provide higher torques, and in any case, can be used in any applications in which it is necessary to have reduced operating angles of the adapters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Danieli & C. Officine Meccaniche S.p.A.
    Inventors: Claudio Vigano′, Lucá Sandrin
  • Patent number: 7862260
    Abstract: A high capacity particulate loader having an intake hose on one sidewall thereof which communicates with a source of negative pressure formed by a multi-stage suction mechanism, to create a high suction, high volume and high speed air stream that draws particulate materials through the hose and propels them into a separation chamber where they separate from the air stream and are directed into a discharge auger assembly on the opposite sidewall of the loader. The multi-stage suction mechanism communicates with a separation chamber and/or a settling chamber, the settling chamber providing an area where dust or fine chaff from the suctioned particulate materials, which may be present in the air stream, can settle, through gravity, on a bottom surface of the settling chamber, thus avoiding contact with the blowers so as to prevent clogging of the blowers and rotor wear thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: REM Enterprises Inc.
    Inventor: Frank Rempel
  • Patent number: 7861851
    Abstract: An apparatus for moving grain from a grain includes a vertical main auger at a rear end of a frame, a knife extending rearward to cut the grain bag, a turret auger pivotally attached to the top of the main auger, and a feed auger extending laterally from the bottom intake of the main auger. A bias element forces a pair of pinching rollers against each other. A drive rotates the pinching rollers such that an empty portion of the bag can be fed between the rollers and the rollers rotated to pull the empty bag upward from the ground and forward between the rollers such that the empty bag falls on the ground in front of the rollers as the frame moves rearward, and such that the frame is pulled rearward by the rollers and the feed auger moves rearward into a filled portion of the grain bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Inventor: Hubertus Dekoning
  • Patent number: 7857123
    Abstract: A parts conveyor apparatus that conveys parts using the vibrations includes an electromagnetic motor that generates the vibrations; a rotary panel which is mounted on an output shaft of the electromagnetic motor and rotates eccentrically by the rotation of the output shaft; and a spring member which vibrates by the rotation of the rotary panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuru Fuyama, Shin Takeda
  • Patent number: 7854314
    Abstract: An article singulating conveyor assembly and method of singulating articles includes providing a conveying surface defining a plurality of tandem zones. The conveying surface travels in a longitudinal direction. Each of the zones includes a pair of laterally spaced side frame members and a plurality of generally parallel elongated driven rollers that are supported at the side frame members. The driven rollers are adapted to provide lateral variation in the longitudinal speed of the conveying surface. Each of the zones includes at least one drive motor that is adapted to drive the driven rollers in that zone. At least one article sensor is provided that is adapted to sensing articles in the zones. The driven rollers may be divided into a plurality of segmented rollers that are separately rotatable with a separate drive motor to drive corresponding segments for a zone. The drive motors for adjacent zones may be activated in a manner that creates a longitudinal gap between longitudinally adjacent articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Dematic Corp.
    Inventors: Wynn M. Pelak, Matthew T. Brayman, Daniel O. Amarandei, Clinton R. Lupton