Patents by Inventor Erin Herman

Erin Herman 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: 10239711
    Abstract: A system has a surge bin, a distribution conveyor assembly, an elevating conveyor assembly, and a receiving conveyor assembly. The surge bin has an internal storage compartment, a top input opening, and a bottom output opening. The distribution conveyor assembly has a distribution frame attached at an input end thereof to an upper portion of the surge bin, and a distribution conveyor mounted on the distribution frame. The elevating conveyor assembly has an elevating conveyor configured to receive granular material at an elevating input and discharge the received granular material selectively to the top input opening of the surge bin or to the distribution conveyor input. The receiving conveyor assembly has a receiving station configured to receive granular material from a discharge of a transport vehicle, and a receiving conveyor operative to transfer the received granular material from the receiving station into the elevating input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Quickthree Technology LLC
    Inventors: Alvin Herman, Erin Herman
  • Publication number: 20180319609
    Abstract: A system has a surge bin, a distribution conveyor assembly, an elevating conveyor assembly, and a receiving conveyor assembly. The surge bin has an internal storage compartment, a top input opening, and a bottom output opening. The distribution conveyor assembly has a distribution frame attached at an input end thereof to an upper portion of the surge bin, and a distribution conveyor mounted on the distribution frame. The elevating conveyor assembly has an elevating conveyor configured to receive granular material at an elevating input and discharge the received granular material selectively to the top input opening of the surge bin or to the distribution conveyor input. The receiving conveyor assembly has a receiving station configured to receive granular material from a discharge of a transport vehicle, and a receiving conveyor operative to transfer the received granular material from the receiving station into the elevating input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2018
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Inventors: Alvin Herman, Erin Herman
  • Patent number: 10065814
    Abstract: A transportable system for receiving, storing, and distributing granular material includes a surge bin with two storage compartments. A distribution conveyor assembly is movably mounted to the surge bin, has two conveyors, and can be manipulated to discharge into selected adjacent bins. An elevating conveyor assembly has two conveyors and each can discharge into either compartment of distribution conveyor and into either of the distribution conveyors. A receiving conveyor assembly has first and second receiving conveyors configured to receive granular material from side by side transport vehicles at the same time and deliver same to the input of either elevating conveyor. A surge bin output diverter assembly can receive granular material from either one of the storage compartments and direct same into either one of the first and second elevating conveyors for elevating to either one of the distribution conveyors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Quickthree Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Alvin Herman, Erin Herman
  • Patent number: 10059535
    Abstract: A bulk storage and dispensing system has transportable silos releasably secured at bottom ends thereof to a fixed silo location on a site surface. A conveyor assembly is releasably secured to a fixed conveyor location on the site surface adjacent to the silos and includes a lower output conveyor, an upper input conveyor, a rigid upper frame, and a conveyor raising mechanism operative to raise the conveyor assembly from a lowered transport position to a raised operating position. The lower output conveyor receives granular material from each silo and discharges same at a desired location. The upper input conveyor receives granular material when in the raised operating position and directs same into each silo. Upper silo locks lock upper portions of the silos to the rigid upper frame of the conveyor assembly when the rigid upper frame is in the raised operating position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Quickthree Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Alvin Herman, Erin Herman
  • Publication number: 20180194259
    Abstract: A transportable container apparatus includes an elongate container having a central axis and a base attached to a bottom end of the container. The container and base are substantially symmetrical about the central axis and the container is oriented substantially vertically with the base resting on a ground surface when in a working position. The container having an upper container section with upper walls substantially parallel to the central axis and a lower container section with lower walls substantially parallel to the central axis. The upper container section includes a sloping hopper at a bottom thereof to direct granular material into the lower container section. A floor of the container is sloped toward an outlet port defined in a ported wall of the lower container section such that granular material stored in the container slides down the floor to the outlet port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2017
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Inventors: Alvin Herman, Erin Herman
  • Patent number: 9878651
    Abstract: A transportable container apparatus includes an elongate container having a central axis and a base attached to a bottom end of the container. The container and base are substantially symmetrical about the central axis and the container is oriented substantially vertically with the base resting on a ground surface when in a working position. The container having an upper container section with upper walls substantially parallel to the central axis and a lower container section with lower walls substantially parallel to the central axis. The upper container section includes a sloping hopper at a bottom thereof to direct granular material into the lower container section. A floor of the container is sloped toward an outlet port defined in a ported wall of the lower container section such that granular material stored in the container slides down the floor to the outlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: QUICKTHREE SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventors: Alvin Herman, Erin Herman
  • Publication number: 20160280467
    Abstract: A transportable system for receiving, storing, and distributing granular material includes a surge bin with two storage compartments. A distribution conveyor assembly is movably mounted to the surge bin, has two conveyors, and can be manipulated to discharge into selected adjacent bins. An elevating conveyor assembly has two conveyors and each can discharge into either compartment of distribution conveyor and into either of the distribution conveyors. A receiving conveyor assembly has first and second receiving conveyors configured to receive granular material from side by side transport vehicles at the same time and deliver same to the input of either elevating conveyor. A surge bin output diverter assembly can receive granular material from either one of the storage compartments and direct same into either one of the first and second elevating conveyors for elevating to either one of the distribution conveyors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: Alvin Herman, Erin Herman
  • Publication number: 20160264354
    Abstract: Granular material flows out through the discharge opening of a silo and through a sealed housing to a target location. A vent opening in a top portion of the silo has a vent cover operative to selectively open and close the vent opening. When the vent cover is closed, air movement into an upper portion of the silo is prevented. A gate is operative to control a flow of granular material through the discharge opening. A vacuum conduit has a lower input end thereof connected to an interior of the housing, and an upper output end thereof located in an upper portion of an interior of the silo. Material flowing out of the silo creates a vacuum drawing dust from the housing up the vacuum conduit into the silo.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2014
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventors: Alvin Herman, Erin Herman
  • Patent number: 9428094
    Abstract: A transport apparatus for moving an elongated object includes a trailer frame with a tilting rear frame section pivotally attached to a front frame section. Rear wheels are mounted under the rear frame section rearward of the tilt axis, and an actuator pivots the rear frame section upward about the tilt axis from a horizontal lowered position to a vertical raised position. An engagement mechanism on a rear end of the rear frame section rearward of the rear wheels moves downward into engagement with a receiver on the object when the rear frame section moves upward. When the rear frame section moves upward to the raised position adjacent to the object, the rear wheels are raised above the ground. A lock secures the object to the tilting rear frame. Moving the tilting rear frame section downward moves the object downward to a horizontal transport position resting on the trailer frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Quickthree Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Alvin Herman, Erin Herman
  • Publication number: 20160236880
    Abstract: A bulk storage and dispensing system has transportable silos releasably secured at bottom ends thereof to a fixed silo location on a site surface. A conveyor assembly is releasably secured to a fixed conveyor location on the site surface adjacent to the silos and includes a lower output conveyor, an upper input conveyor, a rigid upper frame, and a conveyor raising mechanism operative to raise the conveyor assembly from a lowered transport position to a raised operating position. The lower output conveyor receives granular material from each silo and discharges same at a desired location. The upper input conveyor receives granular material when in the raised operating position and directs same into each silo. Upper silo locks lock upper portions of the silos to the rigid upper frame of the conveyor assembly when the rigid upper frame is in the raised operating position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2014
    Publication date: August 18, 2016
    Inventors: Alvin HERMAN, Erin HERMAN
  • Publication number: 20160185522
    Abstract: A transportable container apparatus includes an elongate container having a central axis and a base attached to a bottom end of the container. The container and base are substantially symmetrical about the central axis and the container is oriented substantially vertically with the base resting on a ground surface when in a working position. The container having an upper container section with upper walls substantially parallel to the central axis and a lower container section with lower walls substantially parallel to the central axis. The upper container section includes a sloping hopper at a bottom thereof to direct granular material into the lower container section. A floor of the container is sloped toward an outlet port defined in a ported wall of the lower container section such that granular material stored in the container slides down the floor to the outlet port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Inventors: Alvin Herman, Erin Herman
  • Patent number: 9315294
    Abstract: A transportable container apparatus includes an elongate container with a base. The container and base are substantially symmetrical about the central axis, typically cylindrical, and oriented substantially vertically when in a working position. The container has an upper container section and a lower container section, where the upper container section has an upper cross-sectional area that is greater than a lower cross-sectional area of the lower container section. Typically the upper section has a diameter 1.5-2.0 times the diameter of the lower section. The upper section includes a sloping hopper at a bottom thereof, configured to direct granular material into the lower container section. An outlet port is defined in a ported wall of the lower container section, and a floor of the container is sloped toward the outlet port such that granular material stored in the container slides down the floor to the outlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: QUICKTHREE SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventors: Alvin Herman, Erin Herman
  • Publication number: 20150191304
    Abstract: A transportable liquid storage system includes a plurality of silos, each adapted to be transported in a horizontal transport orientation and moved to a vertical operating orientation at the work site. The silos are arranged in at least two adjacent rows, and each silo is releasably and rigidly attached to all silos adjacent thereto such that the plurality of silos forms a rigid silo structure, and an outlet port on each water silo is connected to a conduit, the conduit having a discharge at a selected location. The silos include an overflow chamber at a top end thereof to allow each silo to fill to capacity on uneven ground, and a hollow base which facilitates leak containment and detection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2015
    Publication date: July 9, 2015
    Inventors: Alvin Herman, Erin Herman
  • Patent number: 8961096
    Abstract: A transportable apparatus has a main body configured to be transported in a horizontal orientation, and then raised to a vertical orientation in a working position. A base is mounted on the bottom end of the main body such that the main body rests on the base in the working position, and such that the base is carried at a rear end of the main body when the main body is in a horizontal transport position supported on. The base is rotatable about a vertical base axis such that the main body can be rotated with respect to the base about the base axis. A frame and wheels can be pivotally attached to the main body to transport the main body and then be stored in a vertical orientation along a wall of the man body in the working position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Alvin Herman, Erin Herman
  • Patent number: 8939697
    Abstract: A transportable container apparatus includes an elongated container with an outlet port, and a trailer releasably attachable to the container at first and second trailer attachment locations corresponding to first and second orientations of the outlet port with respect to the trailer. An actuator mounted to the trailer is operative, when the trailer is attached to the container, to selectively move the container between a transport position where the container is supported on the trailer in a substantially horizontal orientation, and a working position where the container is supported on the ground in a substantially vertical orientation. The trailer can be attached to an appropriate location to position the outlet port in a desired orientation at a work site. Ballast weight can be added to the lower portion of the container to increase stability, and the ballasted tank with a maximum allowable weight can be transported to a work site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Quickthree Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Alvin Herman, Erin Herman
  • Publication number: 20140224812
    Abstract: A transportable container apparatus includes an elongate container with a base. The container and base are substantially symmetrical about the central axis, typically cylindrical, and oriented substantially vertically when in a working position. The container has an upper container section and a lower container section, where the upper container section has an upper cross-sectional area that is greater than a lower cross-sectional area of the lower container section. Typically the upper section has a diameter 1.5-2.0 times the diameter of the lower section. The upper section includes a sloping hopper at a bottom thereof, configured to direct granular material into the lower container section. An outlet port is defined in a ported wall of the lower container section, and a floor of the container is sloped toward the outlet port such that granular material stored in the container slides down the floor to the outlet port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: QUICKTHREE SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventors: Alvin Herman, Erin Herman
  • Publication number: 20140169920
    Abstract: A transport apparatus for moving an elongated object includes a trailer frame with a tilting rear frame section pivotally attached to a front frame section. Rear wheels are mounted under the rear frame section rearward of the tilt axis, and an actuator pivots the rear frame section upward about the tilt axis from a horizontal lowered position to a vertical raised position. An engagement mechanism on a rear end of the rear frame section rearward of the rear wheels moves downward into engagement with a receiver on the object when the rear frame section moves upward. When the rear frame section moves upward to the raised position adjacent to the object, the rear wheels are raised above the ground. A lock secures the object to the tilting rear frame. Moving the tilting rear frame section downward moves the object downward to a horizontal transport position resting on the trailer frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Inventors: Alvin Herman, Erin Herman
  • Publication number: 20130108402
    Abstract: A transportable container apparatus includes an elongated container with an outlet port, and a trailer releasably attachable to the container at first and second trailer attachment locations corresponding to first and second orientations of the outlet port with respect to the trailer. An actuator mounted to the trailer is operative, when the trailer is attached to the container, to selectively move the container between a transport position where the container is supported on the trailer in a substantially horizontal orientation, and a working position where the container is supported on the ground in a substantially vertical orientation. The trailer can be attached to an appropriate location to position the outlet port in a desired orientation at a work site. Ballast weight can be added to the lower portion of the container to increase stability, and the ballasted tank with a maximum allowable weight can be transported to a work site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Inventors: Alvin Herman, Erin Herman
  • Publication number: 20120134772
    Abstract: A transportable apparatus may include a bin having a first end, a second end, and a wall connecting the first end and the second end; a frame configured to support the bin in a transport position; and a base configured to support the bin in a working position. At least a portion of the wall may have a non-circular curved cross-section having a major dimension and a minor dimension. A method may include providing a transportable apparatus, moving a bin of the transportable apparatus from a transport position to a working position, and providing material within the bin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Inventors: Alvin Herman, Erin Herman
  • Patent number: 8142134
    Abstract: A transportable apparatus has a main body in a working position with a bottom end resting on the ground. The bottom end of a frame is pivotally attached to the main body above the bottom end of the main body and the frame is aligned with a side of the main body. An actuator pivots the frame downward about the pivot axis to a transport position where the frame extends substantially horizontally away from the main body. Wheels support the frame and a hitch at a top end of the frame is adapted for connection to a tow vehicle when the frame is in the transport position. When the frame is connected to a tow vehicle, the actuator can be operated to pivot the main body downward about the pivot axis to a lowered transport position where the main body rests on the frame for transport on the wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Inc.
    Inventors: Claude Lavoie, Erin Herman, Alvin Herman