Patents by Inventor Christie L. Vitale

Christie L. Vitale has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20240075578
    Abstract: A disc changing system for a robotic defect repair system is presented. The system has a first abrasive disc and a second abrasive disc. The first and second abrasive discs are coupled to a liner. The system includes an abrasive disc placement device configured to automatically: remove the first abrasive disc from the liner, transport the first abrasive disc to a robotic tool of the robotic defect repair system, and place the first abrasive disc on a backup pad coupled to the robotic tool. The system also includes an abrasive disc remover configured to automatically remove the first abrasive disc after receiving a removal signal. The system also includes a controller configured to send an instruction to the disc placement device to remove, transport and place the first abrasive disc, instruct the robotic tool to conduct an abrasive operation. The controller is also configured to send the removal signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventors: Aaron K. Nienaber, Mark W. Orlando, Nathan J. Herbst, Christie L. Vitale, Marc Eberwein, Brett R. Hemes, Jonathan B. Arthur, Thomas J. Strey
  • Patent number: 11850695
    Abstract: A disc changing system for a robotic defect repair system is presented. The system has a first abrasive disc and a second abrasive disc. The first and second abrasive discs are coupled to a liner. The system includes an abrasive disc placement device configured to automatically: remove the first abrasive disc from the liner, transport the first abrasive disc to a robotic tool of the robotic defect repair system, and place the first abrasive disc on a backup pad coupled to the robotic tool. The system also includes an abrasive disc remover configured to automatically remove the first abrasive disc after receiving a removal signal. The system also includes a controller configured to send an instruction to the disc placement device to remove, transport and place the first abrasive disc, instruct the robotic tool to conduct an abrasive operation. The controller is also configured to send the removal signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Aaron K. Nienaber, Mark W. Orlando, Nathan J. Herbst, Christie L. Vitale, Marc Eberwein, Brett R. Hemes, Jonathan B. Arthur, Thomas J. Strey
  • Publication number: 20230109976
    Abstract: A robotic repair unit (400) is presented that includes a removal tool (330, 425) coupled tot he robotic repair unit (400). The removal tool (330, 425) is configured to remove fluid or debris from a worksurface (130). The repair unit (400) also includes a controller (150) configured to control the robotic repair unit (400).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2021
    Publication date: April 13, 2023
    Inventors: Aaron K. Nienaber, Christie L. Vitale, Nathan J. Herbst, Brett R. Hemes, Thomas J. Strey, Jonathan B. Arthur, Mark W. Orlando
  • Publication number: 20230108314
    Abstract: A fluid dispensing system for a robotic repair unit that includes a fluid container. The system also includes a fluid dispenser associated with a robotic repair unit. The system also contains a fluid coupler that connects the polish container to the polish dispenser. The system also contains a mounting mechanism configured to couple the polish container to a robotic repair unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2021
    Publication date: April 6, 2023
    Inventors: Aaron K. Nienaber, Christie L. Vitale, Paul Larking, Jonathan B. Arthur, Nathan J. Herbst, Brett R. Hemes, Thomas J. Strey, Scott D. Gullicks
  • Publication number: 20230106312
    Abstract: A low viscosity polish kit for a robotic repair unit. The kit includes a sealed container containing a low viscosity polish. The sealed container has a coupling mechanism. The kit also includes a connector configured to couple to the coupling mechanism, on a first end, and to a dispenser of a robotic repair unit, on a second end. The sealed container and the connector are single-use articles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2021
    Publication date: April 6, 2023
    Inventors: Aaron K. Nienaber, Christie L. Vitale, Grayce T. Huberty, Paul Larking
  • Publication number: 20230013731
    Abstract: A dual mounted end-effector system mounted on a motive robot arm for preparing an object surface is described. The system includes a first tool configured to contact and prepare the object surface and a second tool configured to contact and prepare the object surface. The system also includes a force control. The force control is configured to align, in a first state, with the first tool in position to contact and prepare the object surface and, in a second state, with the second tool in a position to contact and prepare the object surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Inventors: Aaron K. Nienaber, Brett R. Hemes, Thomas J. Strey, Christie L. Vitale, Nathan J. Herbst, Jonathan B. Arthur
  • Publication number: 20230001535
    Abstract: A disc changing system for a robotic defect repair system is presented. The system has a first abrasive disc and a second abrasive disc. The first and second abrasive discs are coupled to a liner. The system includes an abrasive disc placement device configured to automatically: remove the first abrasive disc from the liner, transport the first abrasive disc to a robotic tool of the robotic defect repair system, and place the first abrasive disc on a backup pad coupled to the robotic tool. The system also includes an abrasive disc remover configured to automatically remove the first abrasive disc after receiving a removal signal. The system also includes a controller configured to send an instruction to the disc placement device to remove, transport and place the first abrasive disc, instruct the robotic tool to conduct an abrasive operation. The controller is also configured to send the removal signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Inventors: Aaron K. Nienaber, Mark W. Orlando, Nathan J. Herbst, Christie L. Vitale, Marc Eberwein, Brett R. Hemes, Jonathan B. Arthur, Thomas J. Strey
  • Patent number: D963012
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Aaron K. Nienaber, Brett R. Hemes, Thomas J. Strey, Christie L. Vitale, Nathan J. Herbst, Jonathan B. Arthur
  • Patent number: D1003959
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Aaron K. Nienaber, Brett R. Hemes, Thomas J. Strey, Christie L. Vitale, Nathan J. Herbst, Jonathan B. Arthur