Patents Examined by Joseph Dillon, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11866269
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for receiving a plurality of objects from an elevated trailer of a tractor trailer. The system includes a collection conveyor extending between a base end and a coupled end, the coupled end being rotatably coupled to an evacuation conveyor, said collection conveyor including an object facing surface between the base end and the coupled end for receiving the plurality of objects, said collection conveyor being rotatably adjustable with respect to the evacuation conveyor at the coupled end, and both the evacuation conveyor and the coupled end of the collection conveyor being elevationally adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Berkshire Grey Operating Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Allen, Benjamin Cohen, John Richard Amend, Jr., Joseph Romano
  • Patent number: 11858757
    Abstract: In a granular material supply system including a tank that stores granular material, a carrier line through which the granular material flowing out of the tank is carried to a carrier destination, and a cutout line that connects the tank and the carrier line and through which the granular material flowing out of the tank is supplied to the carrier line, a control device includes a density control unit configured to control a density of the granular material on a downstream side of a junction of the cutout line and the carrier line to a set value predetermined and a flow rate control unit configured to control a flow rate of the granular material to be supplied to the carrier destination through the carrier line to a command value instructed by the carrier destination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Takaharu Hiroe, Kazunari Ide, Akihiko Saito, Kei Moriyama
  • Patent number: 11840407
    Abstract: A removable cartridge cleaner assembly is provided that allows for easier replacement of the belt cleaner blades from under a conveyor belt. In one aspect the assembly includes a cartridge assembly configured for connection with at least one belt cleaner blade assembly and a support assembly configured to support the cartridge assembly across a transverse width of the conveyor belt. A releasable connection between the cartridge assembly and the support assembly is configured to be sheltered from dust and debris. The releasable connection may be disposed within a chamber formed by the engaging portions of the cartridge and support assemblies. The releasable connection can be released by removing a longitudinally oriented rod member that extends along a length of the cartridge and support assemblies. The support assembly may include a secondary cartridge support for easing installation and removal of the cartridge assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Flexible Steel Lacing Company
    Inventors: Joseph Snow, Brian Wood
  • Patent number: 11839174
    Abstract: A product delivery conduit for an agricultural product hopper assembly includes an inlet segment and an outlet segment. The inlet segment is configured to receive agricultural product from an inlet conduit, the outlet segment is configured to output the agricultural product to a storage area within a hopper of the agricultural product hopper assembly, the outlet segment is configured to be oriented substantially vertically while the agricultural product hopper assembly is in a working position, the inlet segment and the outlet segment are configured to position an outlet of the product delivery conduit above the storage area while the agricultural product hopper assembly is in a non-working position, and the outlet segment is configured to be oriented downwardly while the agricultural product hopper assembly is in the non-working position to enable the agricultural product to flow into the storage area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventor: Chad Michael Johnson
  • Patent number: 11840409
    Abstract: A pneumatic delivery system includes a capsule. The capsule includes a package receptacle. A pneumatic tube includes a plurality of entry ports and a plurality of exit ports. The plurality of entry ports are configured to receive the capsule for transport. The plurality of exit ports are configured to remove the capsule from the pneumatic tube. At least one of the exit ports is located in a personal residence. A compressed air pump is configured to advance the capsule through the pneumatic tube. A capsule location system is configured to determine a location of the capsule with respect to the pneumatic tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Inventor: Derrick Bliss
  • Patent number: 11832549
    Abstract: An exemplary diverter valve generally includes a shell, a pipe, and a handle. The shell includes a body extending in a longitudinal direction, a shell inlet port, a shell outlet port, and a positioning slot formed in the body. The pipe is seated in the body for sliding movement in the longitudinal direction, and includes a first passage and a second passage. The handle is connected to the pipe through the positioning slot, and is operable to move the pipe relative to the shell between a first position in which the shell inlet port is connected with the shell outlet port via the first passage, and a second position in which the second passage is connected with the shell inlet port and the shell outlet port is disconnected from the second passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Luc Janelle, David L. Steinlage, Ean M. Bush
  • Patent number: 11833951
    Abstract: A truck for carrying and dispensing material includes a frame, a hopper mounted on the frame and having an opening along a lower end portion of the hopper, and a conveyor positioned underneath the hopper, wherein the conveyor comprises a conveyor belt and first and second side walls attached to opposing longitudinal side edge portions of the conveyor belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Conveyor Application Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Arlen Rexius, David Looney, Jack Leroy Fanning
  • Patent number: 11827465
    Abstract: A distribution device can be used to distribute items in a container. The items can fall off of a chute into the interior of the container. Some of the items may contact the distribution device. The items that contact the distribution can have their trajectories changed prior to falling into the container. The distribution device can more evenly distribute the items in the container than in the absence of the distribution device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: German Valle Gomez, Gines Garcia Garcia
  • Patent number: 11827249
    Abstract: A system for transporting one or more items is provided. The system includes: a transportation tube disposed at least partially underground or at least partially above ground; a transportation pod to secure items therein for transport; a transportation actuator to propel the transportation pod through the transportation tube, the transportation actuator including one or more pumps coupled to the transportation tube and configured to pressurize a fluid medium through the transportation tube such that the pressurized fluid medium propels the transportation pod through the transportation tube; a first access point located proximate a first end of the transportation tube; and a second access point located proximate a second end of the transportation tube. Each of the first and second access points includes an opening configured to allow the transportation pod to be received into or removed from the transportation tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Cooley Enterprises, LLC
    Inventor: Maryam Cooley
  • Patent number: 11825764
    Abstract: A collection device has a chute supported below the calibration opening on pneumatic delivery lines through which seed can be dispensed during calibration of a seed meter below a seed tank of an agricultural air seeder implement. The chute has a top opening at a top side in alignment with the calibration opening thereabove so as to receive seed discharged through the calibration opening into the chute through the top opening and a bottom that slopes downwardly to one end locating a discharge opening through which collected seed is dispensed. The chute is supported on bag mounts of the implement from which a flexible calibration bag is otherwise suspended. A gate is operably associated with the discharge opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Inventor: Wilhelm Martens
  • Patent number: 11820602
    Abstract: The vibration feeder has a drive unit comprising a vibration drive, a carrier arrangement comprising a feeding element for the material to be conveyed and a control for the vibration drive, wherein an acceleration sensor is arranged on the drive unit, which when the vibration feeder is operating, detects the actual acceleration of the drive unit, and wherein the control is configured to use the actual acceleration signal of the acceleration sensor for generating a regulating variable for the vibration drive such that the carrier arrangement vibrates essentially within its resonance frequency (fres). This makes it possible, during operation, to detect the acceleration of a drive unit of the vibration feeder and to generate therefrom a regulating variable for a vibration drive such that a carrier arrangement of the vibration feeder vibrates closer to its resonance frequency (fres) or is brought back again to the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: K-TRON TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Stefan Ludescher, Helfenstein Urs
  • Patent number: 11815310
    Abstract: A hydrocarbon recovery system is integrated with a fluff transfer system. The hydrocarbon recovery system is configured for contacting a wet polymer fluff with a purge gas to provide a purged polymer fluff and an overhead stream, and separating a solids stream, a recovered hydrocarbon stream, and a recovered purge gas from the overhead stream. The polymer fluff transfer system is configured to receive the purged polymer fluff from the hydrocarbon recovery system and transport the purged polymer fluff in the fluff transfer system via circulation of a fluff transfer gas. The hydrocarbon recovery system and the fluff transfer system are integrated by utilizing fluff transfer gas from the fluff transfer system as the purge gas in the hydrocarbon recovery system and/or by utilizing at least a portion of the recovered purge gas from the hydrocarbon recovery system in the fluff transfer system as the fluff transfer gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Inventors: Reza Khankal, Enrique Mancillas, Kamaljeet Kaur, Hetian Li
  • Patent number: 11813971
    Abstract: A live-bottom trailer having a conveyor system. The conveyor system including: a frame; a conveyor mounted to the frame and having a carrying surface and an opposite rear surface, the conveyor operable to move the carrying surface between a first end of the live-bottom trailer and a second end of the live-bottom trailer while the rear surface passes over a support surface of the frame; and a pressurized air system operable to direct pressurized air at the rear surface of the conveyor to reduce friction between the support surface of the frame and the rear surface of the conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: TROUT RIVER INDUSTRIES INC.
    Inventors: Harvey Stewart, Nico Den Hertog
  • Patent number: 11801810
    Abstract: Described is a linear conveyor for advancing vehicles through a vehicle washing system. The linear conveyor includes a pair of reciprocating platforms having a plurality of counterweighted and pivotally connected pawls. The pawls are biased such that they are angled upwards and in a forward direction at rest. Alternating motion of the reciprocating platforms causes a vehicle to move forward along the linear conveyor by pressing the pawl into the rear of the tire in a forward motion, while a rearward moving reciprocating platform slides underneath the tires of the vehicle on an opposite side of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Inventor: G. Thomas Ennis
  • Patent number: 11793117
    Abstract: A self-trailering grain bagging machine on four wheels for storing grains and seeds inside a silo bag. The machine has a grain receiving hopper within which a compression auger encased in an auger tube. The auger is driven by mechanical means powered from a tractor's power take-off. The machine is mounted on a frame fitted with paired crossmembers at its left and right hand sides. Each crossmember is mounted upon a pair of wheel supports. The wheel supports are capable of gyrating relative to the crossmembers. The wheel supports carry one wheel that wheel rotates along with said wheel support. A work tongue is attached to the front side of the frame. The work tongue pivots relative to a horizontal axis. A transport tongue is attached to one crossmember wherein the wheels remain aligned in the direction intended for work and when turning said wheel supports by 90 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Inventor: Gabriel Alberto Richiger
  • Patent number: 11780674
    Abstract: An embodiment mobility for delivering articles includes a frame defining a body of the mobility, a chain member coupled to a first side of the frame, wherein the chain member has a closed curve shape along an up-down direction, is movable relative to the frame, and includes a standby section provided at a fixed position with respect to the frame irrespective of a movement of the chain member, wherein the standby section includes a plurality of bent areas, a tray member having a first side coupled to the chain member, the tray member being movable in connection with a movement of the chain member, a wheel coupled to a lower portion of the frame, and a driver configured to provide a driving force to the chain member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventors: Geun Sang Yu, Hun Keon Ko, Jae Hong Jung, Joo Young Chun, Ho Seong Kang
  • Patent number: 11767177
    Abstract: The invention relates to a transfer device for transferring products in an industrial processing line for the in-line processing of products, between a collecting surface and a transit zone running alongside the collecting surface, said transit zone comprising at least two longitudinal conveyors spaced away from a slider bed and each intended to transport a file of products, said device comprising said collecting surface, said transit zone, and a transfer tool transferring between the collecting surface and the transit zone, equipped with at least three longitudinal vertical walls, and intended to push, transversely, longitudinal rows of products which rows are each positioned between two walls. This device is wherein at least one wall of the transfer tool is mounted with the ability to move translationally on said tool in a transverse direction, for a movement of pushing said products. Other subjects of the invention are corresponding methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: SIDEL PARTICIPATIONS
    Inventors: Julien Berger, Anthony Gehin, Zmaj Petrovic
  • Patent number: 11766023
    Abstract: A bulk feed tank has a boot unloader through which feed is directed into a supply system having at least one conveyor housing an auger. The boot unloader includes an unloader body formed of front, rear and opposing side panels forming a rectangular receiving portion. An auger mounting plate is mounted to the front panel and mates with the conveyor. A bearing assembly is secured to the rear panel and rotatably mounts the auger such that the auger passes through the receiving portion. A clear access door is attached to at least one of the opposing side panels. A wear plate assembly is attached to an. The wear plate assembly is fastened to the front, rear and side panels under the boot unloader body and can be removed without unfastening the side panels from the front panel and the rear panel or removing the auger from the receiving portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: The GSI Group LLC
    Inventor: Alan C. Hogan
  • Patent number: 11760583
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for conveying particulate material. A plurality of injector arrangements are arranged along the conveying pipeline, for injecting a continuous flow of conveying gas into the pipeline. Each injector arrangement is operable to increase the flow rate at which conveying gas is injected into the pipeline on of pressure conditions in the conveying pipeline indicative of locally decreased material permeability. Each injector arrangement comprises a piloted shut-off valve positioned between the flow rate adjustment arrangement and the conveying pipeline and operable to close in response to a received pilot signal indicative of a pressure condition in the conveying pipeline below a lower threshold pressure condition. The continuous flow of conveying gas injected by each of the injector arrangements prevents particulate material from entering any part of the injector arrangements, thereby reducing the risk of blockage of nozzles, injection pathway selection valves and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: SCHENCK PROCESS EUROPE GMBH
    Inventor: Richard Ellis
  • Patent number: 11760584
    Abstract: A material handling system includes a chassis, a conveyor system supported by the chassis, a pneumatic conveying system supported by the chassis and a storage container supported by the chassis. The conveyor system is configured to convey a granular material from a material unloading station to an inlet of the storage container. Multiple pods are beneath the storage container. Each pod is connected to the storage container by a corresponding pod fill line. A pneumatic conveying line is beneath the pods. The pneumatic conveying line is connected to each of the pods. Each pod has a full level sensor configured to sense when the pod is full or close to full, and an empty level sensor configured to sense when the pod is empty or close to empty.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Quickthree Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Alvin Herman, Erin Herman, Scott Manson, Joseph Welter