Means Engages A Conveyor Portion (i.e., Pallet) Which Is Separable From The Conveyor Drive To Fix The Position Of Said Conveyor Portion Patents (Class 198/345.3)
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Patent number: 11702293Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for conveyor operation and maintenance that employ one or both of a “smart shoe” technology where one or more conveyor shoes incorporate features, such as an RFID tag, and a “missing pin detection” technology where one or more pin components of conveyor shoes incorporate features, such as an RFID tag, allowing selective wireless tracking and identification capability. A conveyor system comprises a shoe management system allowing interactions directly with one or more RFID readers, which can detect, store and/or monitor information associated with “smart shoe” and/or “missing pin detection” RFID tags, where interface between this application and the reader can be implemented via a socket interface. An open platform communications (OPC) wrapper can be created around the interface so that a Human Machine Interface (HMI) could interact directly with shoe management system.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2018Date of Patent: July 18, 2023Assignee: AEGIS SORTATION, LLCInventor: Kenneth Jay Ice
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Patent number: 11447347Abstract: A conveyor and process for transporting products, wherein a carrier with an associated product holder can be moved along a conveying path by means of a conveyor element. In a processing position, the carrier can be aligned by means of first alignment elements, and second alignment elements are provided for aligning the product holder for disengagement from the carrier.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2020Date of Patent: September 20, 2022Assignee: Wipotec GmbHInventors: Alexander Schulzki, Matthias Joachim, Stephan Clößner, Christoph Eckhardt, Jochen Gerlach
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Patent number: 11305800Abstract: Control architecture for use with transport systems, such as linear drive systems, rotary drive systems, or a combination thereof, comprising a computer system having a controller for operating control system software for receiving input commands and protocols for creating a motion profile for each transport element, and a gateway for receiving the motion profile from the control system software and for operating gateway drive software that functions to select the appropriate drives to move each transport element along one or more tracks in accordance with their motion profiles.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2020Date of Patent: April 19, 2022Assignee: Rockwell Automation, Inc.Inventors: Glen C. Wernersbach, Keith G. Jacobs
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Patent number: 11174110Abstract: A mattress topper for fitting to a mattress may include a lower layer, a side layer configured to extend down along a side of the mattress, and an upper layer overlaying the lower layer and at least partially disposed between the lower layer and the side layer. The mattress topper may also include a seam including threads and extending along peripheral edges of the lower layer and the upper layer and extending through the lower layer, upper layer, and side layer, the lower layer and side layer bearing the threads of the seam. An air table may include a top panel including a plurality of vents extending through the top panel. A method of making a mattress topper with an air table may include lifting the mattress topper with the air table while performing sewing procedures on the mattress topper.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2018Date of Patent: November 16, 2021Assignee: Purple Innovation, LLCInventor: Russell B. Whatcott
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Patent number: 11136200Abstract: Techniques regarding a conveyance system with variable speed rollers are provided. For example, one or more embodiments described herein can comprise an apparatus, which can comprise a roller attached to a support member that is operatively coupled to a first gear. The first gear can drive a conveyance of the support member and the roller in a first direction. The apparatus can also comprise a shaft that can operatively couple the roller to a second gear. The second gear can drive a rotation of the roller in an axial direction.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2020Date of Patent: October 5, 2021Assignee: THERMAL PRODUCT SOLUTIONSInventor: Barry J. Opdahl
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Patent number: 11033996Abstract: A transport device is provided for transporting objects from work station to work station. A production facility for producing products is also described. The transport device has an object carrier on which a plurality of object carrier elements are arranged for placing down objects, and a drive unit for driving the object carrier. The object carrier can be moved in successive cycles such that the object carrier elements can be transported on a movement path from work station to work station. At least one object carrier element on the object carrier is displaceable relative to the object carrier in the movement path. The transport device has a dog element and a retaining element that are assigned to the object carrier element. The carrier element is carried along by the object carrier and moved from work station to work station or the carrier element remains at a work station.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2017Date of Patent: June 15, 2021Assignee: FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE DEUTSCHLAND GMBHInventors: John Heppe, Pascal Joachimsky, Franz Kugelmann
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Patent number: 10974914Abstract: A linear motor conveyor system including: a track comprising a shaped guide rail; a plurality of moving elements, each moving element having: a body; at least two bearings supported by the body and configured to match with the shaped guide rail, wherein the bearings are mounted to the moving element such that the moving elements overlap along the direction of the track providing a reduced tooling pitch between the moving elements. A moving element for moving on a track of a conveyor system, the moving element including: a first set of bearings shaped to match with a first shaped guide rail; a second set of bearings configured to abut against a second guide rail; and a body supporting the first and the second bearing, wherein the body is shaped to allow the first bearing to at least partially overlap the body of an adjacent moving element.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2019Date of Patent: April 13, 2021Assignee: ATS Automation Tooling Systems Inc.Inventors: Albert Kleinikkink, Roger Hogan, Ian Cameron
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Patent number: 10775396Abstract: A sample handling device is presented. The sample handling device comprises at least one magnetic positioning device for magnetically holding a carrier configured for carrying at least one vessel in the sample handling device. A sample identification device is also presented. The sample identification device comprises at least one of the above sample handling device and at least one reader for reading at least one identifier attached to the vessel carried by the carrier. A system for sample handling, a diagnostics device for identifying at least one property of a plurality of samples and a method for handling a sample are also presented.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2018Date of Patent: September 15, 2020Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.Inventors: Sabrina Gemperle, Eugen Lusser, David Huber, Michal Malinowski
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Patent number: 10745212Abstract: An auxiliary conveyor, which is connected with a main conveyor including at least two conveying paths, the auxiliary conveyor including a conveying part configured to receive a load from one of the at least two conveying paths and convey the load through the other of the at least two conveying paths; and a driving part connected with the conveying part and configured to drive the conveying part to move from one of the at least two conveying paths to the other of the at least two conveying paths.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2018Date of Patent: August 18, 2020Assignee: ABB Schweiz AGInventors: Zhaofu Chi, Hao Gu, Jibo Yang
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Patent number: 10712364Abstract: An example metrology device can include a first stage including a microelectromechanical (MEMS) device having a probe, and a second stage configured to hold a sample. The metrology device can also include a kinematic coupler for constraining the first stage in a fixed position relative to the second stage. The probe of the MEMS device can be aligned with a portion of the sample when the first stage is constrained in the fixed position relative to the second stage.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2016Date of Patent: July 14, 2020Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas SystemsInventors: Michael Cullinan, Tsung-Fu Yao, Andrew Duenner
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Patent number: 10669103Abstract: A transport device for transporting objects from workstation to workstation in a production system is described along with a production system for manufacturing products, in particular containers filled with a medical product. The transport device has a stationary assembly 2, an object carrier 3 rotatable about an axis of rotation 4 in successive work cycles, a plurality of object carrier elements 6, which are arranged circumferentially distributed and movable relative to the object carrier on a circular path 8, and to which coupling elements 14 are assigned, which can take on only a first switching position or a second switching position.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2018Date of Patent: June 2, 2020Assignee: FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE DEUTSCHLAND GMBHInventors: John Heppe, Franz Kugelmann, Matthias Meisinger
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Patent number: 10646971Abstract: A transport device is provided that includes a rotary object carrier which includes object carrier elements arranged so as to be distributed around the circumference, on which carrier elements objects are arranged which are transported on a circular movement path from work station to work station of a production facility. A production facility for making products is also described as well as to a method for transporting objects from work station to work station of a production facility. The transport device has one or more actuator units assigned to one or more object carrier elements which units can move together with the object carrier elements. The actuator units can be provided with media by a central supply device by way of a rotary feedthrough.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2017Date of Patent: May 12, 2020Assignee: FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE DEUTSCHLAND GMBHInventor: John Heppe
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Patent number: 10640307Abstract: A separation mechanism includes a body frame, a clamping mechanism, a lifting assembly, and a material frame. The clamping mechanism includes a driving motor mounted on the body frame, two rotating shafts driven by the driving motor, and at least one clamping assembly. A separation area is formed between the two rotating shafts. The clamping assembly includes a main cam mounted on the respective rotating shaft and a main clamping block following the main cam. The main cams being configured that when the rotating shafts rotate to an initial station, the main cams drive the main clamping blocks to withdraw to release the material tray, and when the rotating shafts rotate to a clamping station, the main cams drive the main clamping blocks to stretch to clamp the material tray. A feeding device is also provided, which is simple in structure, small in size, and convenient to control.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2018Date of Patent: May 5, 2020Assignee: WORLD PRECISION MANUFACTURING (DONGGUAN) CO., LTD.Inventors: Jinsuo Sun, Yu Shen
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Patent number: 10549929Abstract: A conveying facility with a drivable conveying member that forms a sheet-like main surface that faces the conveyed item and defines a conveying stretch. The conveying member includes at least one conveying element that forms at least a part of the main surface. The conveying member also includes rollers that, via roller holders, are rotatably mounted on the at least one conveying element about roller pivots and can selectively assume the state of a freewheel position, an arrested position or a drive position. The conveying facility also has at least one conveying container that lies on the conveying member in a connection-free manner, wherein the rollers project at least partly beyond the main surface of the conveying element so that the at least one conveying container lies on the rollers.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2018Date of Patent: February 4, 2020Assignee: WRH WALTER REIST HOLDING AGInventor: Markus Bretz
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Patent number: 10538355Abstract: An apparatus for treating packages by applying furnishing features to the packages includes pressure segments, each of which is configured as a fully functional assembly unit having at least one ink-jet print head. The furnishing features are polychrome printed images.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2012Date of Patent: January 21, 2020Assignee: KHS GmbHInventors: Martin Schach, Markus Reiniger, Katrin Preckel, Werner Van de Wynckel
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Patent number: 10512993Abstract: A production line including a chain conveyor for moving part transporting pallets through an electronically controlled workstation. The workstation includes an implement for use by a workstation user which is freely movable along the transport direction of the pallets within the workstation. The workstation may further include a plurality of automated drawers containing components for manual assembly operations in the workstation. The chain conveyor includes front hook and rear hook units to engage the pallet for movement along the production line. When the pallet is prevented from further movement by an obstacle, the chain rear hook moves from a pallet engaged position to a position whereby an optical beam is interrupted. On interruption of the optical beam, a command signal is generated which causes the conveyor to stop.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2017Date of Patent: December 24, 2019Assignee: Comau S.p.A.Inventors: Giovanni Zito, Michele Giusto, Amleto Petrone, Ermanno Faccin, Ugo Ghirardi
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Patent number: 10494177Abstract: A modular system for material storage and conveying having a layered storage section with two or more storage layers having conveyors, the layered storage section being associated with a load section and a delivery section having their own conveyors at each end of the layered storage section, and elevators that can selectively position the load and delivery section at operational heights of the conveyors of the layered storage section.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2018Date of Patent: December 3, 2019Assignee: Amada America, Inc.Inventors: Mihai Cioclei, Michael Beransky, Karapet Kirishchyan, David Alvin Alfrey
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Patent number: 10207879Abstract: A honing machine using a robot to load gears into a loadbox at a loadbox station. The loadbox moves downstream to a position over an empty pallet in a pallet load station where the gears are released into the empty pallet. A series of downstream machining stations performing a series of honing operations on the bores of the gears in a series of pallets. A removal mechanism removing the honed gears simultaneously from the pallet at a pallet unload station. An overhead gripper on a movable gantry grips the empty pallet at the unload station and returns the pallet to the pallet load station where the pallet is reloaded with additional gears from the loadbox. The honing machine can continuously hone gears using only one pallet at each machining station and one pallet at the pallet loading station.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2017Date of Patent: February 19, 2019Assignee: Gehring L.P.Inventors: Dennis Monnier, Wayne Starosciak, Frank Hummel
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Patent number: 10179382Abstract: A pallet transport system of a machine tool promoting transport of a pallet for workpiece mounting use from a first stand to an adjoining second stand, wherein the first stand has a first mounting part which defines a first mounting surface, the second stand has a second mounting part which defines a second mounting surface, and the pallet has a mounted part attachable to the first and second mounting parts, along a transport direction of the pallet, includes a support mechanism turnably supporting at least one of the first stand, the second stand, and the pallet so that the orientations of a mounted surface defined by the mounted part and the second mounting surface match due to contact force between the mounted part and the second mounting part along with transport of the pallet from the first stand to the second stand along the first mounting surface.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2011Date of Patent: January 15, 2019Assignee: MAKINO MILLING MACHINE CO., LTD.Inventors: Masaaki Miyazaki, Tomoya Murakami
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Patent number: 9938086Abstract: A cleanable belt conveyor having a locking mechanism. A locking mechanism including two locking protrusions is used to lock a first conveyor component to a second conveyor component. The locking mechanism comprises a base plate having at least one opening for receiving a locking protrusion and at least one handle plate including the locking protrusion. A saddle extending from one side of the base plate cradles the locking protrusion and may engage a pivot post of a conveyor component.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2015Date of Patent: April 10, 2018Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.Inventors: Daniel Robert Hendrickson, Michael Hendrik DeGroot, Jeff Batchelder
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Patent number: 9903881Abstract: An adapter is attached to each sample storage unit in a rack. Each adapter includes a pair of arms, and these arms include a pair of lower-end structural bodies. An opening force being imparted to a pair of the lower-end structural bodies in the horizontal direction when a sample container is mounted on the pair of lower-end structural bodies causes the bodies to retreat towards the outside in the horizontal direction. In the subsequent opened state, the sample container is passed from the rack to a lifting mechanism. In the closed state, pressure being applied to the sample container in the vertical direction causes a stopper segment, which is contained in each attachment, to be lowered. In this lowered state, the opening motion of the pair of arms is restricted.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2014Date of Patent: February 27, 2018Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Tomonori Hanaya, Yujiro Akuta
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Patent number: 9828124Abstract: A process and apparatus are provided for treating or processing containers that are used for storing substances for medical, pharmaceutical or cosmetic applications or contain the same. During the process, cylindrical containers open at least at one end are automatically led past or pass through processing stations for treatment or processing by means of a conveying device, while the containers are jointly held by a carrier in a regular two-dimensional arrangement. The carrier includes a plurality of openings or receptacles that determine the regular arrangement. The treatment or processing of the containers is performed on or in at least one of the processing stations while the containers are supported by the carrier.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2016Date of Patent: November 28, 2017Assignee: SCHOTT AGInventors: Kai Wissner, Edgar Pawlowski, Gregor Fritz Deutschle, Kristopher Koch
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Patent number: 9758306Abstract: A closed continuous conveyor for pallets has an upper run and a lower run, which respectively form an upper and a lower conveyor track with reversal sections in which deflecting elements are arranged, of which at least one is connected to and driven by an engine, with tension elements rotating endlessly in the upper and lower runs and in the reversal sections, which engage the deflecting elements in the reversal sections and are driven by them. At least one rotating pallet is carried by the tension elements. At least one closure element is fixed to the underside of the pallet and engages in the reversal section with a second form closure element or frictional closure element that rotates around a fixed axis of rotation. The closure element includes at least one elastic buffer component.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2015Date of Patent: September 12, 2017Assignee: BLEICHERT AUTOMATION GMBH & CO. KGInventors: Anton Schirle, Wolfgang Graaf
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Patent number: 9624056Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus includes a conveyance guide member provided in an apparatus body and having a reference plane against which a sheet widthwise side edge orthogonal to a sheet feeding direction abuts. The reference plane is provided upstream in the feed direction of a downstream end in the feed direction of the sheet stacked on the stacking member in a state in which the sheet feed cassette is attached to the attachment position of the apparatus body and is provided under, in terms of a vertical direction, an uppermost sheet stacked on the stacking member in the state in which the sheet feed cassette is attached to the attachment position of the apparatus body.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2015Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Shinkichi Yamamoto
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Patent number: 9597760Abstract: A table clamp device includes a reference rail, a slider section, and a movement mechanism. The reference rail is provided on a mounting surface of a base on which a rotary table is rotatably supported. The rotary table has a first engagement part. The slider section is provided to slide along the reference rail and has a second engagement part. The movement mechanism moves the slider section along the reference rail so that the second engagement part engages with the first engagement part such that the rotary table is positioned and clamped to the base.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2016Date of Patent: March 21, 2017Assignee: YAMAZAKI MAZAK CORPORATIONInventors: Kiyoshi Nishida, Kazuhiro Maki, Kotaro Nasu
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Patent number: 9376258Abstract: A plurality of different types of components is fed to a production line or cell by means of a conveyor for recirculating a plurality of pallets on which said components are carried. The conveyor comprises a horizontal carousel for recirculating the pallets along an endless path. The conveyor is able to cause the pallets to circulate in any of the two circulation directions, and the direction of circulation of the pallets is changed according to the type of component required by the production line or cell in each step of operation, in such a way as to carry a component of the type required to the production line or cell in the shortest possible time. The conveyor comprises a single chain-tensioning device designed to tension the chain properly whenever the direction of movement of the chain is reversed.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2013Date of Patent: June 28, 2016Assignee: Comau S.p.A.Inventors: Gianni Magni, Gianpiero Gromme
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Patent number: 9315326Abstract: In an accumulation pallet conveyor (1) with an upper horizontal conveying run (1A) and a lower horizontal return run (1B) the pallets are carried by respective pallet-carrying members (P1) drawn by an endless chain (2). Each pallet-carrying member (P1) has at least one sprocket wheel (3) that engages without turning the chain (2) along the horizontal runs of the conveyor for drawing the respective pallet-carrying member (P1) together with the chain. In the case where a pallet-carrying member is stopped in position along a horizontal run of the conveyor (1) the aforesaid sprocket wheel carried by the pallet-carrying member (P1) starts to turn, enabling movement of the chain with respect to the pallet-carrying member (P1). In the curved stretches of the chain, at each end of the conveyor, the movement of the pallet-carrying member (P1) is caused by an engagement finger (F) that engages the chain and couples therewith only in said curved stretches of the chain.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2013Date of Patent: April 19, 2016Assignee: Comau, S.p.A.Inventors: Gianni Magni, Gianpiero Gromme
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Patent number: 9096386Abstract: A modular multi-mode conveyor system includes at least one linear drive track section configured such that moving elements are independently controlled and moved along the track section and at least one mechanical drive track section having the same configuration as the linear drive track section but where the linear drive is replaced with a scroll cam drive system and moving elements are controlled and moved along the track section by the scroll cam drive system. The scroll cam conveyor system includes a scroll cam. The scroll cam includes a cylindrical cam, a plurality of cam grooves formed on the cylindrical cam, a drive system for rotating the scroll cam, and a moving element. The moving element includes a plurality of cam followers. The plurality of cam grooves are configured to contact with respective ones of the plurality of cam followers to move the moving element.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2010Date of Patent: August 4, 2015Assignee: ATS Automation Tooling Systems Inc.Inventors: Darragh Staunton, Roger Ketteringham
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Patent number: 9044032Abstract: Conveyor for moving and positioning objects along a conveyor path, the conveyor including: a conveyor rail extending through a predefined conveying path; at least one carriage having a rotatable article support; and a turning block associated with the rotatable article support, to allow rotatable movement of the article support relative to the at least one carriage, wherein the conveyor further includes an aligning station for rotating the article support into a predetermined position, wherein the turning block has first disk with a first perimeter contour and a second disk with a second perimeter contour, and wherein the alignment station has means for engaging the second disk for rotatingly aligning the article support into the predetermined position.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2014Date of Patent: June 2, 2015Assignee: Foodmate B.V.Inventor: Jacobus Eliza Hazenbroek
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Patent number: 8910691Abstract: Assemblies are provided for stabilizing sheets of glass during handling. The assemblies may include rollers of different varieties for stabilization. Crowder rollers may be provided to contact edges of the sheets. One or more of the crowder rollers may have an outer surface having a noncylindrical portion with an increasing diameter in an upward direction relative to the conveyance plane of the sheets. Conveyor rollers may be arranged so as to define a conveyor for conveying the sheets. One or more of the conveyor rollers may be a support roller in substantial registration with a strip applicator for contacting a bottom side of the sheets below the strip applicator during application of a strip.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2012Date of Patent: December 16, 2014Assignee: First Solar, Inc.Inventor: Brad J. Hart
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Patent number: 8881888Abstract: The present disclosure is directed, in part, to a module for a modular manufacturing system comprising a frame and a carriage movable relative to the frame. The carriage is movable in directions that are generally perpendicular to the direction of product flow through the module. The carriage comprises a base comprising a first equipment mount movably engaged with the base and a second equipment mount movably engaged with the base. The first and the second equipment mounts are moveable relative to each other in directions generally perpendicular to the direction of product flow through the module and generally perpendicular to the directions of movement of the carriage.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2012Date of Patent: November 11, 2014Assignee: The Procter & Gamble CompanyInventors: Matthew Bernard Overley, Wesley Bernard Brokopp, Jeffrey Dean Hartline
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Patent number: 8850715Abstract: What is described is a process and an installation for drying articles, in particular painted vehicle bodies, in which the articles are moved through a drying zone in which they are hardened in an inert-gas atmosphere. Inert gas is taken from the drying zone constantly or intermittently and is first of all conducted along a first face which is at a first temperature at which higher-boiling contaminants condense out. The condensate that forms in the process is discharged. After that, the inert gas which has been pre-cleaned in this way is conducted along at least one second face which is at a lower temperature than the first face. Lower-boiling contaminants are precipitated at this point. These condensates, too, are then discharged. This process and installation work more favorably, energy-wise, and with higher cleaning efficiency than known processes and installations of a similar type.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2007Date of Patent: October 7, 2014Assignee: Eisenmann AGInventors: Werner Swoboda, Andreas Keller
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Patent number: 8800745Abstract: A modular manufacturing line includes first and second modular manufacturing stations. Each station includes a framework defining a manufacturing space, and an overhead friction drive system supported on the framework for moving a suspended article through the manufacturing space. A control system is in communication with each drive system and is configured to simultaneously control a first article at the first station according to one operation pattern and control a second article at the second station according to a different operation pattern. A work tool including a work tool spray nozzle is positioned at the first station and is movable along a floor mounted work tool support track. The first article moves through an article pathway volume that intersects with a work tool pathway volume defined by the work tool movement.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2012Date of Patent: August 12, 2014Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: John M. Spangler
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Patent number: 8800746Abstract: A lift assembly for use in conjunction with a conveyor to lift item(s) off of the conveyor and remove the item(s) from the conveying path. The lift assembly may include a housing having housing side walls and a bottom wall, and a carriage having carriage side walls and a carriage bottom wall. The carriage is movable with respect to the housing. The lift assembly may further include a track that receives a guide member of the carriage for guiding the carriage as it is raised and lowered with respect to the housing. The lift assembly may further include an actuator that causes the carriage to be raised and lowered.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2011Date of Patent: August 12, 2014Assignee: Arrowhead Systems, Inc.Inventor: Joseph R. Pahlow
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Patent number: 8789679Abstract: A transferring device includes a conveyer system, a reloading mechanism, and a jig. The reloading mechanism includes a blocking assembly and a grasping assembly. The blocking assembly includes a holding member mounted on the conveyer system, a stopping member, and a first driving member positioned on the holding member. The stopping member is connected to the first driving member. The grasping assembly includes a fixing member mounted on the conveyer system, a second driving member mounted on the fixing member, a third driving member mounted on the second driving member, and a pair of catches. The catches are positioned at opposite ends of the third driving member. The jig includes a top cover and a bottom cover engaged with the top cover. The jig is transferred on the conveyor system.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2013Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignees: Fu Ding Electronical Technology (Jiashan) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jian-Qiang Lu, Jian-Hua Xu
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Patent number: 8789678Abstract: A conveyor system comprising: a track section comprising a control system; a drive system that is controlled by the control system; a plurality of moving elements that are driven by the drive system; a pallet support apparatus; a plurality of pallets that are configured to engage with the moving elements and move on the pallet support apparatus; and a plurality of workstations provided along the track section, each workstation at a predetermined pitch from each other workstation, wherein at least some of the pitches are different among workstations, wherein the control system, drive system and moving elements are configured such that each pallet of the plurality of pallets is independently advanced through the workstations based on the pitches of the workstations.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2013Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: ATS Automation Tooling Systems Inc.Inventors: Albert Kleinikkink, Javan Taylor, Jeff Lee, Brad Northey, Jayson Jones
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Patent number: 8789685Abstract: A conveying device includes a supporting platform, a rolling member, a driving member, and a conveying assembly. The rolling member rotatably is mounted on the supporting platform. The driving member is connected to the rolling member, for driving the rolling member to rotate along an axis. The conveying assembly includes a supporting member, a fixing member, and several rollers. The fixing member is mounted on a side of the supporting member towards the supporting platform, and defines an arcuate mounting surface. The rollers are mounted on the arcuate mounting surface, and resist the rolling member. Sets of two rollers are located on opposite sides of the rolling member. The rotation axes of the rollers are inclined relative to the rotation axis of the rolling member, which enable the rotation of the rolling member to drive the rollers to rotate and slide along the rolling member.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2012Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.Inventors: Bing Li, Bo Yang, Yong Zhang
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Patent number: 8733221Abstract: A groove machining apparatus for an insulating spacer includes a cutting blade that is removably fixed to a rotation shaft rotatable around a horizontal axis and movable in a right-left direction and in an up-down direction and mounts for a cassette that are fixed in a loading/unloading position opposing an entrance through which the cassette can be loaded/unloaded and in a working position 180 degrees apart from the loading/unloading position and facing the cutting blade, respectively, on a rotary table. The apparatus includes positioning devices that are respectively located in the vicinity of the mounts to position and fix the cassette to the mounts, and a clamping device that corresponds to the cassette in the working position and presses opposing edges in a front-back direction of a plurality of insulating spacers aligned on the cassette.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2011Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: Idemitsu Kogyo CorporationInventor: Masahiro Takahashi
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Patent number: 8573908Abstract: A machining center wherein improved workability of a control board, a widened movable zone of a column and a reduced installation space are achieved. The machining center includes a column movably supported on a column sliding portion in an X-axis direction, a work table movably supported on a table sliding portion in a Z-axis direction, a main spindle head slidably supported on the column in a Y-axis direction, and an automatic tool changer disposed at an inner side of the column sliding portion. The control board is arranged at an opposite side of the automatic tool changer and is provided in parallel with a side surface of a front portion of a table sliding portion and is arranged side by side with an openable/closable door for an operator provided on a side surface of a cover in a vicinity of a rear end portion of the side surface of the table sliding portion.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2008Date of Patent: November 5, 2013Assignees: JTEKT Corporation, Mitsui Seiki Kogyo Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kozo Imanishi, Yasukazu Yamaguchi, Yasutaka Uchimura, Masanao Kato
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Patent number: 8528717Abstract: A printing apparatus including a pallet configured to receive a print substrate, a conveyer system configured to convey the pallet, and a plurality of work mechanisms arranged along a pallet conveying direction of the conveyer system. The work mechanisms are configured to conduct processing operations to the print substrate. The conveyer system includes an upper conveyer mechanism configured to sequentially convey the pallet to respective working positions of the work mechanisms, and a lower conveyer mechanism arranged below and along the upper conveyer mechanism. The lower conveyer mechanism is configured to convey the pallet in a direction opposite to the pallet conveying direction of the upper conveyer mechanism so that the conveyer system is structured to have an upper stage and a lower stage.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2008Date of Patent: September 10, 2013Assignees: Mimaki Engineering Co., Ltd., Wiztec Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yukio Ando, Masahiro Hayashi
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Patent number: 8485343Abstract: In a transport system, a plurality of carriers are attached to an endless belt configured to rotate in a circulating manner. At a station, a hand, a driver configured to move the hand in a rotation direction and a vertical direction, a first carrier sensor configured to detect the carriers at a predetermined position upstream of the hand along the rotation direction of the endless driving medium, and a second carrier sensor configured to detect the carriers at a position downstream of the first carrier sensor are provided. When the carriers pass through the second carrier sensor, it is checked whether the moving distance of the belt matches the distance between the two carrier sensors. In this manner, before starting loading or unloading, for example, whether the encoder is operated normally or not can be confirmed.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2009Date of Patent: July 16, 2013Assignee: Murata Machinery, Ltd.Inventor: Tomoya Kimata
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Patent number: 8474594Abstract: A self-propelling drive unit with a chassis and a coupling device by means of which a skid can be coupled detachably to the chassis, a drive system for driving a skid and a conveyor installation, in which a drive unit is provided inside a conveying area.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2012Date of Patent: July 2, 2013Assignee: Eisenmann AGInventors: Joerg Robbin, Thomas Ruggaber
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Patent number: 8457779Abstract: A multi-track handling and storage apparatus includes at least two main tracks, at least two cranes and an intelligent integrated logic system. The main tracks are arranged separately, and every two adjacent main tracks are connected by at least one switching track. Bottoms of the cranes are slidably disposed on the main tracks. The intelligent integrated logic system includes a command receiving unit, a database unit, an analyzing unit, a crane dispatching unit and a route selection unit which are integrated with each other. The above-mentioned main tracks, switching tracks and cranes are controlled by the units of the intelligent integrated logic system. The present invention further provides a multi-track handling and storage method.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2010Date of Patent: June 4, 2013Assignee: Inotera Memories, Inc.Inventors: Huan-Cheng Lin, Jung-Pin Lai
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Patent number: 8434204Abstract: A trimming apparatus and method that can create plural trim shapes using one press die. The trimming apparatus includes a conveying device for conveying a pallet having a workpiece disposed thereon, a trimming device having a press die for trimming the workpiece in a trimming process area, a positioning device for determining the relative position of the press die with respect to the pallet and a position switching device provided in the positioning device to change operable to change the position of the press die with respect to the pallet in the trimming process area.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2007Date of Patent: May 7, 2013Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Teruo Segawa, Masaomi Umezawa, Masayasu Ota
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Patent number: 8430229Abstract: Lifting device (1) for a conveyer system, comprising a housing (2) and a lift head (14), where the lift head (14) is adapted to hold a pallet (5). The lifting device (1) comprises a linear actuator (10) attached to a lift (14), said linear actuator (109) is adapted to lift a pallet (5) from a first, low position at the conveyor track to a second, raised position that is substantially vertical above the first position. The application also refers to a conveyer system and a method for lifting objects.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2007Date of Patent: April 30, 2013Assignee: FlexLink Components ABInventor: Göran Abbestam
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Patent number: 8397896Abstract: A conveyor system comprising: a track section comprising a control system; a drive system that is controlled by the control system; a plurality of moving elements that are driven by the drive system; a pallet support apparatus; a plurality of pallets that are configured to engage with the moving elements and move on the pallet support apparatus; and a plurality of workstations provided along the track section, each workstation at a predetermined pitch from each other workstation, wherein at least some of the pitches are different among workstations, wherein the control system, drive system and moving elements are configured such that each pallet of the plurality of pallets is independently advanced through the workstations based on the pitches of the workstations.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2010Date of Patent: March 19, 2013Assignee: ATS Automation Tooling Systems Inc.Inventors: Albert Kleinikkink, Javan Taylor, Jeff Lee, Brad Northey, Jayson Jones
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Patent number: 8360225Abstract: A manufacturing chain includes a plurality of manufacturing modules positioned in series. Each of the manufacturing modules includes a utility transfer module for transferring at least one of electric power, fluid, and data through the manufacturing module. Each utility transfer module includes an entry port for engaging a utility transfer module of a preceding manufacturing module and an exit port for engaging a utility transfer module of a succeeding manufacturing module.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2008Date of Patent: January 29, 2013Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: John M. Spangler, Mark E. Dietz
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Patent number: 8336701Abstract: A skid for supporting at least one object which is conveyable in a conveying direction inside a conveyor installation comprises at least two support runners disposed parallel to one another. Running means different from the support runners are fastened to the skid. In addition, a transfer station for transferring an above-mentioned skid from conveying means to a guide structure is specified. Also specified are a self-propelling drive unit with a chassis and a coupling device by means of which a skid can be coupled detachably to the chassis, a drive system for driving a skid and a conveyor installation, in which a drive unit is provided inside a conveying area.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2008Date of Patent: December 25, 2012Assignee: Eisenmann AGInventors: Thomas Ruggaber, Joerg Robbin
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Patent number: 8297429Abstract: A conveyance section positioning method has carrier pallets on which workpieces are fixed, a conveyer, a heating furnace for heating the workpieces, and a positioning mechanism for positioning the carrier pallets, and the method stops the carrier pallets at predetermined positions. The heating furnace has halogen heaters for heating the workpieces. The carrier pallets each have projections and output grooves. Comb tooth-shaped stopper projections engaging with the projections are formed on a carrier stopper. When the carrier stopper is moved forward, the stopper projections and the projections are engaged with each other. In this one operation, the carrier pallets are positioned at places corresponding to the halogen heaters, and then the workpieces are heated.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2008Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Hirata CorporationInventors: Masanari Matsuura, Sotaro Ol, Tomoyuki Kubota, Masaya Tsuruta
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Patent number: 8245833Abstract: To provide a substrate transport apparatus and a substrate transport method that enable curtailing of a mounting wait time incidental to movement of support pins. Height data pertaining to components 10 mounted on a back side of a substrate 1 are stored beforehand. During substrate carrying-in operation, support pins 7 are caused to descend according to component height data and wait at a height h1 where to be able to avoid interference with the components 10. During substrate carrying-out operation, the support pins 7 are caused to descend according to the component height data and recede to the height h1 where to be able to avoid interference with the components 10.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2008Date of Patent: August 21, 2012Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventor: Hideki Sumi