Patents by Inventor Thomas Deans
Thomas Deans 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).
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Patent number: 11981102Abstract: Provided herein is a machine for forming a container from a blank including a tray and a lid. The machine has an upstream end where the blank is loaded and a downstream end where the container is discharged and includes a frame, a pre-forming assembly, and a mandrel assembly. The pre-forming assembly is configured to partially form the lid and the tray by folding each of a plurality of side panels of the blank and further form the tray by partially folding a front panel assembly of the blank, the front panel assembly including a front panel and a roll-over panel. The mandrel assembly is mounted to the frame and configured to engage a bottom panel of the tray to form each of a plurality of corners of the tray and fold the roll-over panel to form a front wall of the container.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2021Date of Patent: May 14, 2024Assignee: WestRock Shared Services, LLCInventors: Thomas Dean Graham, Amer Aganovic, Claudio D'Alesio
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Patent number: 11939526Abstract: The present technology is generally directed to vent stack lids and associated systems and methods. In particular, several embodiments are directed to vent stack lids having improved sealing properties in a coke processing system. In a particular embodiment, a vent stack lid comprises a first lid portion proximate to and at least partially spaced apart from a second lid portion. The vent stack lid further comprises a first sealing portion coupled to the first lid portion and a second sealing portion coupled to the second lid portion. In several embodiments, the second sealing portion at least partially overlaps the first sealing portion over the space between the first and second lid portions. In further embodiments, at least one of the first or second sealing portions includes layers of tadpole seals, spring seals, rigid refractory material, and/or flexible refractory blanket.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2021Date of Patent: March 26, 2024Assignee: SUNCOKE TECHNOLOGY AND DEVELOPMENT LLCInventors: Gary Dean West, Chun Wai Choi, Thomas James Hirt
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Patent number: 11938698Abstract: An apparatus for forming a container from a blank is provided. The apparatus includes a blank feeder assembly, and a compression assembly including a mandrel assembly, an upper folding arm assembly including a plurality of folding arms moveable between a first position and a second position, a compression plate, and a rollover arm assembly.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2022Date of Patent: March 26, 2024Assignee: WestRock Shared Services, LLCInventors: Amer Aganovic, Thomas Dean Graham
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Patent number: 11718428Abstract: A machine for filling a tertiary container with secondary containers is provided. The machine includes a frame and a tray loading station positioned to receive a plurality of streams of the secondary containers. The machine also includes a front gate at an upstream end of the tray loading station, the front gate moveable between a first position, in which the secondary containers are obstructed from passing downstream, and a second position, in which the secondary containers are not obstructed. The machine further includes a back stop proximate a downstream end of the tray loading station, the back stop moveable between a first, upstream position and a second, downstream position. The tray loading station is sized such that when a first row of secondary containers is positioned against the back stop in the first position, a portion of an upstream row of secondary containers is positioned directly above the front gate.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2020Date of Patent: August 8, 2023Assignee: WestRock Shared Services, LLCInventors: Thomas Dean Graham, Amer Aganovic, Claudio D'Alesio, Michael F. Flagg
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Patent number: 11643243Abstract: A method of forming a container from a blank of sheet material using a machine is provided. The method includes forming a corner wall by folding a first pair of a plurality of reinforcing panels inwardly towards a respective side panel and into face-to-face contact with a second pair of the plurality of reinforcing panels, rotating the side panels and end panels to be substantially perpendicular to a bottom panel such that an interior surface of at least one reinforcing panel of the plurality of reinforcing panels is in contact with an interior surface of the first side panel, and coupling at least one other reinforcing panel of the plurality of reinforcing panels to one of the end panels to form the container.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2021Date of Patent: May 9, 2023Assignee: WestRock Shared Services, LLCInventors: Thomas Dean Graham, Ricki D. Anderson, Guillermo Rojas, Kenneth Charles Smith
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Patent number: 11618234Abstract: A machine a mandrel assembly includes a mandrel having an external shape complimentary to an internal shape of at least a portion of a container, a first lift mechanism operatively coupled to a first servomechanism to wrap a first portion of a blank about the mandrel, a second lift mechanism operatively coupled to a second servomechanism to wrap a second portion of the blank about the mandrel, and a folding arm coupled to the first lift mechanism and operatively coupled to a third servomechanism. A control system is in communication with the first servomechanism, the second servomechanism, and the third servomechanism and is configured to transmit a signal to each of the servomechanisms to independently control movement of the first lift mechanism, the second lift mechanism, and the folding arm to wrap at least the first and second portions of the blank about the mandrel to form the container.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2021Date of Patent: April 4, 2023Assignee: WestRock Shared Services, LLCInventors: Thomas Dean Graham, Amer Aganovic, Ricki D. Anderson, Jeffrey H. Chapman
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Patent number: 11607858Abstract: A method for forming a container using a machine includes extracting a blank from a magazine, transferring the blank in a blank transfer direction X, and positioning the blank on a deck. The method also includes translating a pick-up assembly from a first end to a second end along a horizontal direction Y perpendicular to the blank transfer direction X, the translating including transferring a web from a first location proximate the first end to a second location proximate the second end. The method further includes depositing, at the second location, the web into an at least partially overlying relationship with the blank to form a blank assembly, transferring the blank assembly along the deck in the blank transfer direction X while translating the pick-up assembly from the second end back to the first end, and wrapping the blank assembly around a mandrel to at least partially form the container.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2021Date of Patent: March 21, 2023Assignee: WestRock Shared Services, LLCInventors: Thomas Dean Graham, Amer Aganovic, Claudio D'Alesio
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Publication number: 20230081037Abstract: Control systems and methods for coordinating multiple agricultural machines for operation on an agricultural field are provided. Each machine may receive field data for an agricultural field that optionally includes a plurality of pre-defined swaths. Each machine may receive state data from other machine(s). The state data for the other machine(s) may include a next swath and a current swath. Each machine may, after an indication of a start of its current swath, determine a next swath based on open swaths and the state data for the other machine(s). A next swath may also be determined using vehicle kinematic data, and conflicts between machines may be resolved.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2022Publication date: March 16, 2023Inventors: Dean Russell Kertai, Joshua James Dalbert Friedrick, Caleb Vaughn Friedrick, Thomas Dean Chadwick, Thomas Antony, Andrew David Stelter, Jared Ernest Kocer
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Publication number: 20230075478Abstract: An apparatus for forming a container from a blank is provided. The apparatus includes a blank feeder assembly, and a compression assembly including a mandrel assembly, an upper folding arm assembly including a plurality of folding arms moveable between a first position and a second position, a compression plate, and a rollover arm assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 6, 2022Publication date: March 9, 2023Inventors: Amer Aganovic, Thomas Dean Graham
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Patent number: 11559962Abstract: A machine for forming a joined blank assembly from first and second blanks of sheet material includes a deck coupled to a frame, and a first transfer assembly associated with the frame. The first transfer assembly is configured to position the first blank on the deck. The machine also includes a second transfer assembly associated with the frame. The second transfer assembly is configured to position the second blank in at least a partially overlying relationship to the first blank on the deck. The machine further includes at least one compression member configured to compress the second blank and the first blank together against the deck to form the joined blank assembly.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2019Date of Patent: January 24, 2023Assignee: WestRock Shared Services, LLCInventors: Thomas Dean Graham, Amer Aganovic, Kirk S. Kempnich, II
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Publication number: 20220401832Abstract: A distributed computer system for delivering a requested game experience at any venue of a plurality of distributed venues comprises: at each venue: a plurality of local units serving respective gameplay areas of the venue, each local unit coupled to a set of multimedia gaming equipment for delivering a game experience in its gameplay area, and a venue central unit configured to connect to each of the local units of that venue; a booking system for managing game bookings across the plurality of distributed venues, the booking system configured to receive, from a user device, a booking request denoting a requested venue of the plurality of distributed venues, and create a booking in response; and a master central server configured to connect to the session management system and the venue central unit of each venue; wherein the master central server is configured to generate a game session based on the booking, and automatically communicate the game session to the venue central unit of the requested venue, wherType: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2021Publication date: December 22, 2022Inventors: William Thomas Dean, Thomas James Arnott, Jan Breens
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Publication number: 20220401088Abstract: A method for controlling an articulating surgical instrument is disclosed. The instrument includes a manipulator and a positioner actuable to position a distal segment within an instrument workspace. The manipulator is attached to the distal segment and includes a distal end configured for mounting an operational tool for performing an operation within the instrument workspace, the manipulator being actuable to manipulate the distal end of the manipulator.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2022Publication date: December 22, 2022Inventors: Jesse Thomas Dean, Perry A. Genova
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Publication number: 20220347959Abstract: A machine including a first deck, a second deck, a first blank transfer assembly, and a second blank transfer assembly is provided. The first and second decks are coupled to a frame. The first blank transfer assembly extends from a first end to a second end and includes a first pick-up assembly moveable between the first end, proximate the second deck, and the second end, proximate the first deck. The second blank transfer assembly extends from a third end to a fourth end and includes a second pick-up assembly moveable between the third end, proximate the second deck, and the fourth end, proximate the first deck. The first blank transfer assembly and the second blank transfer assembly are operationally offset when moving between the first and second ends and the third and fourth ends, respectively.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2022Publication date: November 3, 2022Inventors: Thomas Dean GRAHAM, Amer AGANOVIC, Gregory Scott GULIK
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Patent number: 11467695Abstract: A frameless touchscreen display system comprises a frameless display screen; a display system arranged to render a moving image within a display area of the frameless display screen; an image rendering component configured to receive a detected touch input, determine an action associated with a location of the detected touch input within the display area, and modify the moving image to effect the associated touch action; a 2D lidar sensor positioned so that a detection plane of the 2D lidar sensor lies adjacent and substantially parallel to the frameless display screen; and a touch input detector coupled to the 2D lidar sensor and configured to: detect the touch input based on one or more object lidar returns from an object intersecting the detection plane at said location within the display area, and estimate said location within the display area based on (i) a return time and return angle of each object lidar return and (ii) a known position of the 2D lidar sensor relative to the frameless display screen.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2021Date of Patent: October 11, 2022Assignee: Immersive Group Gaming LtdInventors: William Thomas Dean, Jan Breens
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Patent number: 11466911Abstract: A method and system for improving energy efficiency of a refrigeration system include system components such as a condenser, one or more expansion valves, an evaporator, one or more compressors, and a system controller electrically coupled to the one or more of the system components, according to one embodiment. The system controller is configured to selectively actuate, directly or indirectly, the one or more expansion valves, the condenser, and/or the one or more compressors, at least partially based on temperatures and/or pressures of the system fluid at various points of the system, to control a temperature of a refrigerated area.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2020Date of Patent: October 11, 2022Assignee: DC Engineering, Inc.Inventors: Thomas Dean Wolgamot, Timothy Alan Gwyn, William Michael Crist
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Patent number: 11433634Abstract: An apparatus for forming a container from a blank is provided. The apparatus includes a blank feeder assembly, and a compression assembly including a mandrel assembly, an upper folding arm assembly including a plurality of folding arms moveable between a first position and a second position, a compression plate, and a rollover arm assembly.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2013Date of Patent: September 6, 2022Assignee: WESTROCK SHARED SERVICES, LLCInventors: Amer Aganovic, Thomas Dean Graham
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Patent number: 11400679Abstract: A machine including a first deck, a second deck, a first blank transfer assembly, and a second blank transfer assembly is provided. The first and second decks are coupled to a frame. The first blank transfer assembly extends from a first end to a second end and includes a first pick-up assembly moveable between the first end, proximate the second deck, and the second end, proximate the first deck. The second blank transfer assembly extends from a third end to a fourth end and includes a second pick-up assembly moveable between the third end, proximate the second deck, and the fourth end, proximate the first deck. The first blank transfer assembly and the second blank transfer assembly are operationally offset when moving between the first and second ends and the third and fourth ends, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2018Date of Patent: August 2, 2022Assignee: WESTROCK SHARED SERVICES, LLCInventors: Thomas Dean Graham, Amer Aganovic, Greg Gulik
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Publication number: 20220111986Abstract: A packaging system includes a plurality of feed conveyors configured to carry a plurality of carton units thereon and a stacking station. The stacking station includes a stacking conveyor and a plurality of lifting assemblies. Each lifting assembly of the plurality of lifting assemblies is selectively moveable over the stacking conveyor and a corresponding feed conveyor of the plurality of feed conveyors. The packaging system further includes a controller communicatively coupled to the stacking conveyor and the plurality of lifting assemblies. The controller is configured to control a first lifting assembly of the plurality of lifting assemblies to retrieve a first carton unit from a first feed conveyor of the plurality of feed conveyors and control the first lifting assembly to deposit the first carton unit on the stacking conveyor in a stacked relationship with a second carton unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2020Publication date: April 14, 2022Inventors: Thomas Dean Graham, Amer Aganovic, Kirk S. Kempnich, Claudio D'Alesio, Lonnie Teston
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Patent number: 11292222Abstract: A machine for forming a container from a blank of sheet material is provided. The blank includes a reinforcing panel assembly for forming a reinforcing corner assembly. The machine includes a hopper station for storing the blank in a substantially flat configuration and a forming station for forming the blank into the container. The forming station includes an initial forming station that rotates a first portion of the reinforcing panel assembly with respect to a second portion of the reinforcing panel assembly, and a secondary forming station having male and female forming members with shapes corresponding to an interior shape and an exterior shape of the reinforcing corner assembly, respectively. The male and the female forming members are configured to form the reinforcing corner assembly by compressing together the first and second portions of the reinforcing panel assembly.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2020Date of Patent: April 5, 2022Assignee: WESTROCK SHARED SERVICES, LLCInventors: Amer Aganovic, Thomas Dean Graham, Kenneth Charles Smith, John Hershcel Conley, Robert Bradley Teany, Gregory Scott Gulik, Paul Andrew Spurlock
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Publication number: 20220055429Abstract: The “Camper Cradle” device is a modular assembly for most typical pickup truck beds, which mounts to the factory tailgate hinge and latch points. The assembly consists of adjustable telescoping tube steel, 3D printed/molded hinge bushings and rubber/nylon guide rollers. Said device/assembly is designed to guide and center a typical truck mounted camper into a typical pickup truck bed. It is intended to make loading a camper less difficult as it assists the driver by means of adjustable vertical rollers which capture, center and guide the camper into the bed of the pickup while backing under.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2020Publication date: February 24, 2022Inventors: Thomas Dean Emmert, Scott Clayton Baker