Patents by Inventor Duncan Pratt

Duncan Pratt 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: 11969760
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for detecting defects during the handling and processing of items at a material handling facility. Embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented at material handling to detect quality defects during processing of items in connection with fulfillment operations that may be designed to receive, store, sort, pick, pack, and ship items. Embodiments of the present disclosure provides a plurality of sensors and a trained machine learning model configured to provide real-time acquisition and analysis of item information to facilitate detection and mitigation of processing quality defects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jose Luis De La Rosa, Ting Xu, Duncan Pratt
  • Patent number: 11666944
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for detection of overfilled containers in sortation systems. In one embodiment, an example container capacity detection system for use with an item sortation machine may include a first sensor positioned to detect a remaining capacity of a first container in the item sortation system, and a controller. The controller may be configured to determine, using the first sensor, that the remaining capacity of the first container is less than or equal to a first threshold, and to send a signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jose Luis De La Rosa, Larry Joe Robb, Maxim P. Hoffman, Joshua Martin Middleton, Stephanie Tomasetta, Roland J. Menassa, Justin Stone, Molly Nawalinski, Fernando Zumbado, Duncan Pratt, Jon David DeFant
  • Patent number: 11305949
    Abstract: Automated tray handling systems and methods may include robotic systems having various end effectors to move trays relative to item sortation systems. For example, the robotic systems may include robotic arms and gantry systems. In addition, the various end effectors may include dual end effectors and passthrough end effectors. The dual end effectors may lift, move, and place trays by engaging and clamping onto flanges of the trays. The passthrough end effectors may lift, move, and place trays through an interior of the end effectors by engaging and pulling or pushing flanges, edges, or other surfaces of the trays. The various automated tray handling systems and methods may increase the speed and efficiency of such processes while also reducing or minimizing the space required for such systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Roland J. Menassa, Larry Joe Robb, Vatsal Mehta, Duncan Pratt, Max Alfonso Bruccoleri, Robert Brown
  • Publication number: 20130101761
    Abstract: A method of manufacture is provided. The manufacturing method includes using an abrasive liquid jet to form one or more grooves in an outer surface of a substrate. Each groove has a base and an opening and extends at least partially along the outer surface of the substrate, where the substrate has an inner surface that defines at least one hollow, interior space. The manufacturing method further includes using a laser cladding process to apply a laser clad material over the opening of the respective groove(s), to at least partially define one or more channels for cooling the component, and disposing a coating over at least a portion of the outer surface of the substrate and over the laser clad material. Other manufacturing methods and a component are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Ronald Scott Bunker, Duncan Pratt