Patents by Inventor Duane L. Glass

Duane L. Glass 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).

  • Patent number: 7240788
    Abstract: A spiral conveyor with automatic flow control includes a plurality of curved segments connected to form a spiral for the flow by gravity of articles from an upper level to a lower level. Each of the segments includes freely rotating skate wheels forming a conveying surface and a controlled, powered cylindrical roller. A sensor mounted in each segment senses the presence of an article in the segment. A controller receives the signals from the sensors and activates the associated roller for transport mode to assist articles through the conveyor if the path is clear, or if the downstream portion of the conveyor is blocked, to reverse the roller for accumulate mode to hold articles in the segment until the path is cleared.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Carter Control Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald F. Belz, Duane L. Glass
  • Patent number: 7086523
    Abstract: A spiral conveyor with automatic flow control includes a plurality of curved segments connected to form a spiral for the flow by gravity of articles from an upper level to a lower level. Each of the segments includes freely rotating skate wheels forming a conveying surface and a controlled, powered cylindrical roller. A sensor mounted in each segment senses the presence of an article in the segment. A controller receives the signals from the sensors and activates the associated roller for transport mode to assist articles through the conveyor if the path is clear, or if the downstream portion of the conveyor is blocked, to reverse the roller for accumulate mode to hold articles in the segment until the path is cleared.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Carter Control System, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald F. Belz, Duane L. Glass
  • Patent number: 6935485
    Abstract: A spiral conveyor with automatic flow control includes a plurality of curved segments connected to form a spiral for the flow by gravity of articles from an upper level to a lower level. Each of the segments includes freely rotating skate wheels forming a conveying surface and a controlled, powered cylindrical roller. A sensor mounted in each segment senses the presence of an article in the segment. A controller receives the signals from the sensors and activates the associated roller for transport mode to assist articles through the conveyor if the path is clear, or if the downstream portion of the conveyor is blocked, to reverse the roller for accumulate mode to hold articles in the segment until the path is cleared.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Carter Control Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald F. Belz, Duane L. Glass
  • Publication number: 20040262129
    Abstract: A spiral conveyor with automatic flow control includes a plurality of curved segments connected to form a spiral for the flow by gravity of articles from an upper level to a lower level. Each of the segments includes freely rotating skate wheels forming a conveying surface and a controlled, powered cylindrical roller. A sensor mounted in each segment senses the presence of an article in the segment. A controller receives the signals from the sensors and activates the associated roller for transport mode to assist articles through the conveyor if the path is clear, or if the downstream portion of the conveyor is blocked, to reverse the roller for accumulate mode to hold articles in the segment until the path is cleared.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2004
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventors: Donald F. Belz, Duane L. Glass
  • Publication number: 20040129537
    Abstract: A spiral conveyor with automatic flow control includes a plurality of curved segments connected to form a spiral for the flow by gravity of articles from an upper level to a lower level. Each of the segments includes freely rotating skate wheels forming a conveying surface and a controlled, powered cylindrical roller. A sensor mounted in each segment senses the presence of an article in the segment. A controller receives the signals from the sensors and activates the associated roller for transport mode to assist articles through the conveyor if the path is clear, or if the downstream portion of the conveyor is blocked, to reverse the roller for accumulate mode to hold articles in the segment until the path is cleared.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventors: Donald F. Belz, Duane L. Glass
  • Patent number: 6659268
    Abstract: A spiral conveyor with automatic flow control includes a plurality of curved segments connected to form a spiral for the flow by gravity of articles from an upper level to a lower level. Each of the segments includes freely rotating skate wheels forming a conveying surface and a controlled, powered cylindrical roller. A sensor mounted in each segment senses the presence of an article in the segment. A controller receives the signals from the sensors and activates the associated roller for transport mode to assist articles through the conveyor if the path is clear, or if the downstream portion of the conveyor is blocked, to reverse the roller for accumulate mode to hold articles in the segment until the path is cleared.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Carter Control Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald F. Belz, Duane L. Glass
  • Publication number: 20020195320
    Abstract: A spiral conveyor with automatic flow control includes a plurality of curved segments connected to form a spiral for the flow by gravity of articles from an upper level to a lower level. Each of the segments includes freely rotating skate wheels forming a conveying surface and a controlled, powered cylindrical roller. A sensor mounted in each segment senses the presence of an article in the segment. A controller receives the signals from the sensors and activates the associated roller for transport mode to assist articles through the conveyor if the path is clear, or if the downstream portion of the conveyor is blocked, to reverse the roller for accumulate mode to hold articles in the segment until the path is cleared.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2002
    Publication date: December 26, 2002
    Inventors: Donald F. Belz, Duane L. Glass
  • Patent number: 6398014
    Abstract: A spiral conveyor with automatic flow control includes a plurality of curved segments connected to form a spiral for the flow by gravity of articles from an upper level to a lower level. Each of the segments includes freely rotating skate wheels forming a conveying surface and a controlled, powered cylindrical roller. A sensor mounted in each segment senses the presence of an article in the segment. A controller receives the signals from the sensors and activates the associated roller for transport mode to assist articles through the conveyor if the path is clear, or if the downstream portion of the conveyor is blocked, to reverse the roller for accumulate mode to hold articles in the segment until the path is cleared.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Carter Control Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald F. Belz, Duane L. Glass
  • Patent number: 6298971
    Abstract: A spiral conveyor with automatic flow control includes a plurality of curved segments connected to form a spiral for the flow by gravity of articles from an upper level to a lower level. Each of the segments includes freely rotating skate wheels forming a conveying surface and a controlled, powered cylindrical roller. A sensor mounted in each segment senses the presence of an article in the segment. A controller receives the signals from the sensors and activates the associated roller for transport mode to assist articles through the conveyor if the path is clear, or if the downstream portion of the conveyor is blocked, to reverse the roller for accumulate mode to hold articles in the segment until the path is cleared.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Inventors: Donald F. Belz, Duane L. Glass
  • Publication number: 20010004958
    Abstract: A spiral conveyor with automatic flow control includes a plurality of curved segments connected to form a spiral for the flow by gravity of articles from an upper level to a lower level. Each of the segments includes freely rotating skate wheels forming a conveying surface and a controlled, powered cylindrical roller. A sensor mounted in each segment senses the presence of an article in the segment. A controller receives the signals from the sensors and activates the associated roller for transport mode to assist articles through the conveyor if the path is clear, or if the downstream portion of the conveyor is blocked, to reverse the roller for accumulate mode to hold articles in the segment until the path is cleared.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2001
    Publication date: June 28, 2001
    Inventors: Donald F. Belz, Duane L. Glass
  • Publication number: 20010004043
    Abstract: A spiral conveyor with automatic flow control includes a plurality of curved segments connected to form a spiral for the flow by gravity of articles from an upper level to a lower level. Each of the segments includes freely rotating skate wheels forming a conveying surface and a controlled, powered cylindrical roller. A sensor mounted in each segment senses the presence of an article in the segment. A controller receives the signals from the sensors and activates the associated roller for transport mode to assist articles through the conveyor if the path is clear, or if the downstream portion of the conveyor is blocked, to reverse the roller for accumulate mode to hold articles in the segment until the path is cleared.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2001
    Publication date: June 21, 2001
    Inventors: Donald F. Belz, Duane L. Glass
  • Patent number: 6199677
    Abstract: A spiral conveyor with automatic flow control includes a plurality of curved segments connected to form a spiral for the flow by gravity of articles from an upper level to a lower level. Each of the segments includes freely rotating skate wheels forming a conveying surface and a controlled, powered cylindrical roller. A sensor mounted in each segment senses the presence of an article in the segment. A controller receives the signals from the sensors and activates the associated roller for transport mode to assist articles through the conveyor if the path is clear, or if the downstream portion of the conveyor is blocked, to reverse the roller for accumulate mode to hold articles in the segment until the path is cleared.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Carter Control Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald F. Belz, Duane L. Glass
  • Patent number: 5901827
    Abstract: A spiral conveyor with automatic flow control includes a plurality of curved segments connected to form a spiral for the flow by gravity of articles from an upper level to a lower level. Each of the segments includes freely rotating skate wheels forming a conveying surface and a controlled, powered cylindrical roller. A sensor mounted in each segment senses the presence of an article in the segment. A controller receives the signals from the sensors and activates the associated roller for transport mode to assist articles through the conveyor if the path is clear, or if the downstream portion of the conveyor is blocked, to reverse the roller for accumulate mode to hold articles in the segment until the path is cleared.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: Carter Control Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald F. Belz, Duane L. Glass