Condition Responsive Means Controls Separating Means Patents (Class 209/552)
  • Patent number: 11921026
    Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for anti-sorting particles is disclosed. In an example embodiment, particles move in a fluid along a microfluidic channel. A measurement device determines which particles are selected or desired particles by measuring a desired characteristic of the particles and outputting an associated signal. The energy source continuously imparts a force on unselected or undesired particles in a deflection region of the microfluidic channel to remove the unselected or undesired particles from the stream of particles. Based upon the signal outputted by the measurement device, the energy source is controlled to reduce or eliminate the force on selected particles such that the selected particles flow on a natural or expected flow path to a collection area such as an output channel. By avoiding application of force to desired particles, the anti-sorting systems and methods can improve viability and other characteristics of the desired particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: CYTONOME/ST, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Charles Sharpe, Kiryakos S. Mutafopulos
  • Patent number: 11911800
    Abstract: A mail piece sortation system for maximizing a number of INTELLIGENT MAIL BARCODES (IMBs) encoded mail pieces that are postal-allowable within a mailing tray is described. The system utilizes the thickness of each mail piece, which is determined before placement of the mail piece into a mailing tray. A computer controller oversees the operation of the system and tracks the thickness of each mail piece for assembling each mailing tray with a maximum number of mail pieces based on the thickness determination to achieve a maximum allowable number of mail pieces within the mail tray. INTELLIGENT MAIL TRAY LABELS (IMTLs) are created by the system and attached by an operator to each mailing tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Broadridge Output Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Preston, Marc Fagan
  • Patent number: 11899422
    Abstract: A drilling method is provided allowing drilling in confined spaces with less effort. Two independent data sources are used for reducing tolerances between the component to be joined to the workpiece. The component is measured at the supplier using photogrammetry or laser scanning. First geometric data of the component obtained by this measurement are put in a data storage, such as a barcode tag or database. At the manufacturer, the first geometric data are used to position the component relative to the workpiece. Subsequently, the component is measured to obtain second geometric data indicative of the positions and diameters of the component joining holes. After determining a deviation between the first and second geometric data to be smaller than a predetermined threshold, the automatic drill is positioned at the correct drilling location and joining holes are drilled into the workpiece. Finally, the component and the workpiece are joined by fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
    Inventor: Christopher Degen
  • Patent number: 11847513
    Abstract: A distribution system for use in an induction system with an object processing system. The distribution system provides dissimilar objects into one of a plurality of receiving units. The distribution system includes an air intake system with an opening that is a fixed distance from a conveyor section, said air intake system aiding in moving an object on the conveyor section from the conveyor section to one of a plurality of adjacent transport units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Berkshire Grey Operating Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Wagner, Matthew T. Mason, Christopher Geyer, John Richard Amend, Jr., Kyle Maroney, Joseph Romano, Victoria Hinchey, Jeffrey Kittredge, Andrew Gauthier, Lakshman Kumar, Prasanna Velagapudi
  • Patent number: 11820035
    Abstract: A device for processing drinks closure caps having at least one cutting unit with at least one cutting blade and a detection unit which, in turn, has a camera as well as at least one conveying device forming a transport path to and from the cutting unit is disclosed. In order to solve the problems of known devices, the detection unit has an optical system and is arranged operatively downstream of the cutting unit such that it fully captures the inner wall of a drinks closure cap located in its field of vision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignees: FINATEC HOLDING AG, PACKSYS GLOBAL AG
    Inventors: Attila Brunold, Pascal Friedli, Martin Hurlimann, Simon Kessler, Dominik Roth, Pascal Choquard
  • Patent number: 11759779
    Abstract: This disclosure provides methods and apparatuses for sorting target particles. In various embodiments, the disclosure provides a cassette for sorting target particles, methods for sorting target particles, methods of loading a microchannel for maintaining sample material viability, methods of quantifying sample material, and an optical apparatus for laser scanning and particle sorting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Orca Biosystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Ivan K. Dimov, Nathaniel Fernhoff, Lagnajeet Pradhan
  • Patent number: 11752525
    Abstract: A laundry sorting and evaluation system includes a housing having an opening and defining a laundry path. First and second platforms are positioned within the housing, each operably connected to a motor. First and second cameras are respectively associated with the platforms and are configured to acquire at images of an item of laundry on each of the first and second platforms. A controller is configured to receive the images and produce an evaluation of a condition of the item of laundry based upon the received images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Inventor: Mihir Kothari
  • Patent number: 11738948
    Abstract: Drug packets may be dispensed as a belt of drug packets. Machine-readable identifiers in the belt may be automatically read to identify drug packets and associate the drug packets with the received orders. The drug packets may be automatically inspected to confirm contents of the drug packets against the received orders. The belt may be automatically separated into segments of drug packets. Each of the segments may correspond to a supply period and each of the drug packets within each of the segments may correspond to a drug dose event for the multi-drug regimen within the supply period. The segments of the belt may be automatically accumulated into belt rolls such that, for each of the belt rolls, a first segment end is on an interior of the belt roll and a second segment end is on an exterior of the belt roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Express Scripts Strategic Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert E. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 11587425
    Abstract: A wireless tracking system comprises a plurality of tape nodes associated with entities in an environment. The entities may comprise, for example, users, machinery, ingress and egress points of the environment. The tape nodes are configured to detect interactions that occur within the environment. Interactions may be defined based on one or more conditions, such as threshold durations or proximities between tape nodes. Interactions are stored by the tape nodes, uploaded to the wireless tracking system, and may be retrieved at a later time responsive to an event occurring, such as suspected contamination or incorrect use of machinery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Inventors: Hendrik J Volkerink, Ajay Khoche
  • Patent number: 11585759
    Abstract: Cell counting device A cell counting device and a method of using a cell counting device are disclosed. The cell counting device comprises a chamber for receiving a sample, at least one light source to emit light towards a section of the chamber. The section of the chamber comprises a sub-sample of the sample. The cell counting device also comprises a light detector to receive a light emitted from the section of the chamber and to generate an electronic signal associated with the received light, and a controller. The controller is configured to estimate the number of photoactive cells in the sample by calculating the distribution of variable fluorescence [Fv] values of a predetermined number of sub-samples about the mean Fv value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: CHELSEA TECHNOLOGIES LTD
    Inventor: Kevin Oxborough
  • Patent number: 11541947
    Abstract: An assembled body of a vehicle may include a plurality of body parts, each of which forms a portion of the vehicle body, and forming the vehicle by being assembled during combination thereof; a magnetic module provided in each of the body portions and combining the plurality of body portions with each other by use of magnetic flow of the magnetic module; and a controller engaged to the magnetic module and configured for controlling a closed circulating magnetic path produced in the magnetic module such that the plurality of body portions is combined with each other to form the assembled body or to be separated from each other according to a control signal of the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Jin Ho Hwang, Dong Eun Cha, Sang Heon Lee
  • Patent number: 11537807
    Abstract: A distribution system for use in an induction system with an object processing system. The distribution system provides dissimilar objects into one of a plurality of receiving units. The distribution system includes an air intake system with an opening that is a fixed distance from a conveyor section, said air intake system aiding in moving an object on the conveyor section from the conveyor section to one of a plurality of adjacent transport units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Berkshire Grey Operating Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Wagner, Matthew T. Mason, Christopher Geyer, John Richard Amend, Jr., Kyle Maroney, Joseph Romano, Victoria Hinchey, Jeffrey Kittredge, Andrew Gauthier, Lakshman Kumar, Prasanna Velagapudi
  • Patent number: 11471885
    Abstract: This disclosure provides methods and apparatuses for sorting target particles. In various embodiments, the disclosure provides a cassette for sorting target particles, methods for sorting target particles, methods of loading a microchannel for maintaining sample material viability, methods of quantifying sample material, and an optical apparatus for laser scanning and particle sorting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Orca Biosystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Ivan K. Dimov, Nathaniel Fernhoff, Lagnajeet Pradhan
  • Patent number: 11460478
    Abstract: In a first transfer station, a second transfer station, and a third transfer station, a plurality of sample containers are transferred while being stored from a transfer source rack to a transfer destination rack row. In this case, for each of the sample containers to be a transfer target, a specific transfer destination rack is selected from the transfer destination rack row based on a content of processing to be applied in the future to a sample within the sample container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Industrial Equipment Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenta Sugiyama, Shigeki Okuno, Kunihiro Fujiki, Yoshinori Takeyama, Hidehiko Fushimi, Hideaki Kataho
  • Patent number: 11426899
    Abstract: A method of arranging, in particular thermoplastic, semi-finished products by using an electronically controlled or regulated placing device for the semi-finished products. The method includes detecting at least one part of an outline of a semi-finished product to be placed, wherein the detecting is carried out by a detection device, determining a target position for the semi-finished product and/or for the placing device for placing the semi-finished product by matching the at least one part of the outline with a placing edge occurring on an underlying surface, and placing the semi-finished product by the placing device using the target position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: ENGEL AUSTRIA GMBH
    Inventors: Paul Zwicklhuber, Alexander Neiberger
  • Patent number: 11331670
    Abstract: A microfluidic system configured to focus particles suspended in a fluid. One general aspect includes a microfluidic system comprising one or more substrates and a focusing channel formed in the one or more substrates and spanning a length from an inlet to an outlet for receiving a flow of particles suspended in fluid, wherein the particles have a diameter (a) and the focusing channel has a hydraulic diameter (dh).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: ABS GLOBAL, INC.
    Inventors: Gerson Aguirre, Zheng Xia, Gopakumar Kamalakshakurup
  • Patent number: 11224897
    Abstract: The invention relates to a detection system in a screening device for screening material, e.g. aggregate, ore or similar, comprising at least one screening decks, the at least one screening deck having a screening surface comprising one or more screening modules. The system comprises a sensor arranged at or near at least one screening deck of the screening device. The sensor is arranged such that it can detect objects present leaving the at least one screening deck. The invention also relates to a method for detection of objects in a screening device, and use of the detection system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Metso Sweden AB
    Inventor: Claes Larsson
  • Patent number: 11039566
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for automatically preparing seeds with an additive to be deployed together with the seeds, wherein the seeds are opened and a predefined amount of additive is introduced into the seeds through the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: AIT AUSTRIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY GMBH
    Inventors: Günther Reichenberger, Nikolaus Pfaffenbichler, Birgit Mitter, Johann Riesing, Günter Brader
  • Patent number: 11030734
    Abstract: A mirror die image recognition system configured to perform recognition of a mirror die without damage or a pattern that is the same quadrilateral shape as a production die having a pattern, in a manner that distinguishes the mirror die without damage or pattern from a mirror die with damage and from a production die, the mirror die image recognition system including a camera configured to image at least a portion of the wafer in a field of view; and an image processing device configured to process the image captured by the camera to recognize, from among each of the dies in the image, a mirror die without damage in a manner that distinguishes the mirror die without damage from other dies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: FUJI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomonori Iwase, Masahiro Morishita
  • Patent number: 11016017
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems, devices and methods for imaging and image-based sorting of particles in a flow system, including cells in a flow cytometer. In some aspects, a system includes a particle flow device to flow particles through a channel, an imaging system to obtain image data of a particle during flow through the channel, a processing unit to determine a property associated with the particle and to produce a control command for sorting the particle based on sorting criteria associated with particle properties, and an actuator to direct the particle into one of a plurality of output paths of the particle flow device in real-time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Yu-Hwa Lo, Yuanyuan Han, Yi Gu, Ce Zhang
  • Patent number: 10710072
    Abstract: A particle separation apparatus, according to an embodiment of the present invention, may comprise: a first input flow path into which a first fluid containing a plurality of particles of different sizes is introduced; a second input flow path into which a second fluid not containing particles is introduced; a connection flow path and the second input flow path so that a third fluid in which the first fluid and the second fluid are mixed movies; a plurality of discharge flow paths where the plurality of particles which come out through the other end of the connection flow path are separated and discharged according to the size of the particles; and a branch flow path where at least a part of the third fluid which comes out through the other end of the connection flow path is discharged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: EXOZUM INC.
    Inventors: Jong Wook Hong, Soo Jeong Shin, Sung Hoon Kim, Min Chul Park, Dae Young Han
  • Patent number: 10668506
    Abstract: A sorting device for sorting articles, comprising a conveyor which is movable in a conveying direction along a conveying path, the conveyor comprising a number of sorting units, each sorting unit comprising a carriage and at least one load-carrying element connected to the carriage for supporting articles, wherein the load-carrying elements are movable with regard to an associated carriage for unloading articles from the load-carrying elements at predetermined unloading positions, at least two of the sorting units being coupled together, a gap being formed between two adjacent load-carrying elements of two sorting units that are coupled together, the gap being covered by an intermediate element adapted to support an article, the sorting device comprising a stationarily arranged removal device for moving a selected article in a transverse direction off the conveyor at a predetermined removal position, wherein the removal device comprises a support element, the support element being movable along a longitudinal
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: BEUMER Group GmbH & Co. KG.
    Inventors: Ertan Erden, Pierre Damis, Christopher Atwan, Maurizio Zanni
  • Patent number: 10562074
    Abstract: There is provided a microparticle sorting method including a procedure of collecting a microparticle in a fluid that flows through a main channel in a branch channel that is in communication with the main channel by generating a negative pressure in the branch channel. In the procedure, a flow of a fluid is formed that flows toward a side of the main channel from a side of the branch channel at a communication opening between the main channel and the branch channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tatsumi Ito
  • Patent number: 10360770
    Abstract: An order re-check system, comprising: electronic tags arranged on turnover boxes; RFID readers/writers arranged on goods allocations, when the turnover boxed are located on the goods allocations, RFID readers/writers acquiring number information of the turnover boxes via the electronic tags; a first information binding module, used for binding the first number information and the second number information in a one to one manner; a second information binding module, used for binding the second number information and orders in a one to one manner; a commodity information acquisition module, used for acquiring commodity information; a commodity information processing module, used for determining an order for a commodity according to the commodity information, and determining the first number information corresponding to the commodity according to a binding relationship between the first number information and the orders; and control indication modules, used for instructing the corresponding goods allocations or
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignees: BEIJING JINGDONG SHANGKE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD., BEIJING JINGDONG CENTURY TRADING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Runsu Ning, Jingren Tang, Zanyuan Wang, Haifeng Han, Xuejing Cheng, Xu Yi, Zhen Cui, Jinxing Hu, Jian Dong, Dan Li
  • Patent number: 10353959
    Abstract: A component assembly system and method, by which an optimum combination of components can be determined by using inspection information of each component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kenjirou Morimoto
  • Patent number: 10049907
    Abstract: An automated module for assembly lines to assemble electronic devices includes a plurality of cells. Each cell includes a support structure, a control unit and at least one actuating system, operatively connected to the control unit for receiving commands and transmitting the results obtained as data to and from the control unit. The automated module includes at least one moving device, for moving at least one electronic device among the module's cells; and a supervision unit. The supervision unit interacts with each control unit of each cell, thus sending commands to control each single cell and receiving respective results from the respective control units as data; and to control the moving device for its activation, to move the electronic devices among the cells. The cells are independent and are assembled in a modular manner in the desired sequence, to perform a desired sequence of operations on the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: BITRON S.P.A.
    Inventors: Federico Perrero, Vincenzo Siciliano, Dario Bisson, Alessandro Arnaboldi, Angelo Viola
  • Patent number: 9934565
    Abstract: A skeleton wafer inspection system includes an expansion table displaceable relative to a camera configured for capturing segmental images of a skeleton wafer on a film frame. During segmental image capture, illumination is directed to the top and/or bottom of the film frame. Segmental images are digitally stitched together to produce a composite image, which can be processed to identify die presence or absence therein at active area die positions having counterpart die positions in a process wafer map. A composite image of a diced wafer on a film frame can also be generated, and used as a navigation aid or guide during die sort operations, or to verify whether a die sort apparatus has correctly detected a reference die prior to die sort operations. A composite image of a skeleton wafer can similarly be generated for use as a navigation aid or guide for film frame repopulation operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Asti Holdings Limited
    Inventors: Ajharali Amanullah, Tim Hing Lai, Jing Lin, Lian Seng Ng, Soon Guan Tan
  • Patent number: 9633523
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for detecting, storing, and retrieving information about the composition of present and past hands of cards in a casino table game. The method includes causing a card-handling device to substantially automatically generate a plurality of hands wherein each hand includes one or more cards. Card information is identified that includes a rank and a suit of each card as each card moves through the card-handling device. A play history is maintained of a card composition of more than one round wherein the card composition of each round includes the cards in each hand of each round. The card information of at least one hand from at least one round may be displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Attila Grauzer, Feraidoon Bourbour, Mark L. Yoseloff
  • Patent number: 9401061
    Abstract: A recycling cash box mechanism of a banknote processing device includes a box body and a transmission mechanism configured to be connected to the box body, the transmission mechanism includes a banknote receiving vane wheel configured to be located at a banknote dispensing/receiving port of the recycling cash box mechanism, and a banknote dispensing roller wheel configured to be located opposite to a banknote stacking plate of the box body, and the banknote dispensing roller wheel is configured to be located at a lateral portion of the banknote receiving vane wheel to form a banknote blocking mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: GRG Banking Equipment Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Panfeng Luo, Dong Tan
  • Patent number: 9266148
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for sorting objects is described, and which provides high-speed image data acquisition to fuse multiple data streams in real-time, while avoiding destructive interference when individual sensors or detectors are utilized in providing data regarding features of a product to be inspected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: KEY TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Dirk Adams, Johan Calcoen, Timothy L. Justice, Gerald R. Richert
  • Patent number: 9259640
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for detecting, storing, and retrieving information about the composition of present and past hands of cards in a casino table game. The method includes causing a card-handling device to substantially automatically generate a plurality of hands wherein each hand includes one or more cards. Card information is identified that includes a rank and a suit of each card as each card moves through the card-handling device. A play history is maintained of a card composition of more than one round wherein the card composition of each round includes the cards in each hand of each round. The card information of at least one hand from at least one round may be displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Attila Grauzer, Feraidoon Bourbour, Mark L. Yoseloff
  • Patent number: 9186705
    Abstract: Plant for the selection of crates, in particular for vegetable products, comprising: transferring means, preferably a continuous conveyor suitable for suitable for transferring said crates in an orderly, continuous and sequential manner, a station for measuring the degree of cleanliness of said crates, comprising measurement and control means suitable to detect the cleanliness degree of said crates, and arranged in an intermediate position in the path of said transferring means. Loading means are provided suitable to reassemble said crates in respective stacks based on their degree of cleanliness measured on each of them, wherein said loading means are arranged downstream of said measuring station and wherein said transfer means supply said loading means, without intermediate stations or processes. In addition, the plant includes a station for aligning the crates on said transfer means in a position stacked upstream of said measuring station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: UNITEC S.P.A.
    Inventor: Luca Benedetti
  • Patent number: 9165989
    Abstract: A large-format substrate with distributed control elements is formed by providing a substrate and a wafer, the wafer having a plurality of separate, independent chiplets formed thereon; imaging the wafer and analyzing the wafer image to determine which of the chiplets are defective; removing the defective chiplet(s) from the wafer leaving remaining chiplets in place on the wafer; printing the remaining chiplet(s) onto the substrate forming empty chiplet location(s); and printing additional chiplet(s) from the same or a different wafer into the empty chiplet location(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Semprius, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Bower, Etienne Menard, John Hamer, Ronald S. Cok
  • Patent number: 9165432
    Abstract: A gaming station that includes a plurality of player gaming units is provided. Each player gaming unit may include a betting area on a surface of a trapdoor. Such a trapdoor may support one or more chips in the betting area when the trapdoor is closed. When the trapdoor opens, the chips fall into an internal chip collection area. The player gaming unit may further include an adjustable screen. When the screen is in the closed position, the screen serves to block a player at the player gaming unit from accessing the betting area. When the screen is in the open position, the player is allowed to access the betting area. The gaming station may further include a sliding float for holding a plurality of chips. Such a sliding float may be movable past the plurality of player stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Las Vegas Sands Corp.
    Inventors: Andrew MacDonald, Wayne Stevens
  • Patent number: 9097758
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device comprising a semiconductor die contained in a package. The integrated circuit device includes one or more internal connection verification modules for asserting a poor connection signal for the test apparatus in response to a voltage difference between a voltage at a corresponding internal power supply node and a reference voltage, the voltage difference being indicative of a poor connection of power supply to one of power supply terminals on the package. The test apparatus can include an indicator or a sorting element for rejecting or accepting the integrated circuit device in response to logic signals indicative of the presence or absence of a defect accompanied by non-assertion of the poor connection signal, and for processing the integrated circuit device distinctively in response to assertion of the poor connection signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Yefim-Haim Fefer, Sergey Sofer, Boris Zapesochini
  • Publication number: 20150144536
    Abstract: A modular handling system and method for transporting cases is disclosed. The system includes at least one mobile base including a base frame with a base diverter thereon and at least one collapsible wing. The base frame is supported by wheeled legs. The collapsible wing includes a wing frame. The wing frame is operatively connectable to the mobile base, and is supported by collapsible legs. The wing frame and the collapsible legs are movable between an operational position and a collapsed position whereby a configurable path is movably positionable about a work space. A sorting system including at least one sorter mounted to the mobile base(s) may also be provided. Each sorter is operatively connectable to the mobile bases to identify and route the cases. The sorters are interactively coupled for communication therebetween whereby the cases are selectively movable about the configurable path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventor: Jay Mark Dugat
  • Publication number: 20150114890
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for processing mail by severing an edge of each envelope in a stack of mail. The apparatus includes an input bin for receiving a stack of mail. A feeder feeds the bottom envelope from the input bin to a transport that conveys the envelope along an envelope path. A cutter positioned along the envelope path severs one edge of the envelopes. A detector detects a characteristic of the envelope and a sorter sorts the envelope in response to the detected characteristic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: David R. Helmlinger, Robert DeWitt
  • Patent number: 9016476
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of handling portions comprising a respective at least one slice, wherein the slices have been produced by slicing food products, wherein the portions are conveyed, in particular line-wise, one after the other in a main conveying stream along a conveying direction, wherein incomplete portions, in particular portions low in weight, are automatically recognized and/or classified, wherein incomplete portions are expelled from the main conveying stream and are supplied to a correction station in a correction stream, wherein incomplete portions are respectively completed by at least one single slice which is removed from a slice store with the aid of an automatic transfer unit and wherein completed portions are automatically channeled back into the main conveying stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Weber Maschinenbau GmbH Breidenbach
    Inventors: Sigfrid Bauer, Gerd Lischinski
  • Patent number: 9016478
    Abstract: A magnetic drum separator (2), with a drum (6) rotatable about a rotational axis (4), a magnet arrangement (10) of a plurality of magnets (12) arranged in the interior (8) of the drum (6), a separation zone (18) in the exterior space (14) of the drum (6); a feed material (22) flows through the separation zone (18) and is there separable with the aid of a magnetic field (26) generated by the magnet arrangement (10), into a waste stream (30) and a recyclable material stream (28). A relative position (R) of at least one of the magnets (12) relative to the rotational axis (4) can be varied. A nominal magnitude (S) for a process value (78) on the drum separator (2) that is influenced by the separation behavior (32) is specified. At least one measurement device (74) detects an actual magnitude (I) of the process value (78), and a controller (82), which changes the relative position (R) of the at least one of the magnets (12), whereby the actual magnitude (I) is controlled to approach the nominal magnitude (S).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Rudolf Böhnlein, Argun Gökpekin, Andreas Lekscha, Frank Schmidt, Ralph Oliver Schmidt, Bernd Zehentbauer
  • Publication number: 20150108258
    Abstract: A method of analyzing minerals received within a mining shovel bucket includes collecting data associated with ore received in the bucket, where the bucket includes at least one active sensor, where the ore includes one or more mineral, and where the ore is within a field of the active sensor. The method further includes determining a content of the minerals using the data, transmitting information relating to the content of the minerals to a decision support system, and sorting or processing the ore based on an output of the decision support system. Collecting data associated with the ores may include generating source signals, applying the source signals to the active sensor, collecting a response from the active sensor, and comparing the response with a reference or threshold. Other features are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventors: Andrew Sherliker Bamber, Darcy James Houlahan
  • Patent number: 9010543
    Abstract: A method of separating a mined material that comprises assessing the grade of successive segments of the mined material, and separating each segment on the basis of grade into a category that is at or above a grade threshold or a category that is below the grade threshold. An apparatus is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Technological Resources Pty. Limited
    Inventors: John Clarence Box, Carly Louise Painter
  • Patent number: 9004284
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for reducing moisture in mineral slurries, particularly mineral slurries containing minerals of small particle diameter, using a granular drying material. The invention also relates to novel mineral products and intermediates useful in connection with the process. The method and system reduced moisture by contacting the mineral slurry with the granular drying material. The granular drying material is selected to be readily separated from the dried minerals using a size separation technique such as a sieve screen. The granular drying material is the regenerated, preferably using a process involving heat exchange and cross-flow air. The granular drying material is preferably capable of regeneration and recycling in a continuous process with minimal attrition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Vitrinite Services, LLC
    Inventors: Richard W. Bland, Bruce McDaniel
  • Patent number: 8991615
    Abstract: A method obtains non-magnetic ores from a suspension-like mass flow containing non-magnetic ore particles. The method involves mixing the mass flow with magnetic particles in a mixing device and forming ore particle-magnetic particle agglomerates, feeding the mass flow as a separator feed flow to a magnetic separator for separating the ore particle-magnetic particle agglomerates from the mass flow, forming a separator concentrate flow containing ore particle-magnetic particle agglomerates and a separator residual flow containing the remaining constituents of the mass flow, and separating the ore particles from the ore particle-magnetic particle agglomerates contained in the separator concentrate flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Michael Diez, Argun Gökpekin, Wolfgang Krieglstein
  • Publication number: 20150076041
    Abstract: According to the embodiment, a sorting device has sensors, a feature extracting unit, a feature searching unit, a determining unit and a sorting unit. The sensors detect physical quantities of an object. The feature extracting unit extracts a plurality of types of feature values from the physical quantities detected. The feature searching unit specifies identification information of the object based on values of various feature values extracted, from a feature database which associates and stores the values of the various feature values and the identification information of the object. The determining unit determines sorting information of the object based on the identification information of the object specified, from a sorting database which associates and stores the identification information of the object and the sorting information. The sorting unit sorts the object based on the sorting information determined by the determining unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Bunpei Irie, Tomoyuki Hamamura, Masaya Maeda, Ying Piao, Yuka Watanabe, Kenji Baba
  • Publication number: 20150068958
    Abstract: An inspection and ejector unit for preforms for plastic containers in a transportation line, has at least one driver device which picks up preforms travelling from an inward conveyor device to the inspection and ejector unit, transports them further and passes on at least some of the preforms to an outward conveyor device, at least one detection device by which faulty preforms in the driver device are detected, and at least one ejection device by which preforms which are detected as faulty are removed from the driver device, and a corresponding method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: M. TANNER AG
    Inventor: Marcel Tanner
  • Publication number: 20150064335
    Abstract: This disclosure describes, in one aspect, a food product prepared from a plurality of potatoes in which at least 51% of the potatoes possess a specific gravity of at least 1.086. In some embodiments, the food product can receive a color sensory grade, a texture sensory grade, a flavor sensory grade, and/or a composite sensory grade of at least 7.0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventor: Carl Hoverson
  • Publication number: 20150053595
    Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for inspecting a magazine including a plurality of partially-finished products. The apparatus is configured to inspect a stopper of the magazine before providing the magazine to a packaging process, and further configured to classify the stopper into a normal product. The magazine comprising the stopper classified as the normal product is into the packaging process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventors: Chang-hwan Ji, Jung-hun Choi, Sung-yeol Lee, Hee-sang Yang, Jae-nam Lee
  • Publication number: 20150050548
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of a recyclable product (1, 8, 9) made from a first material, wherein before or during the production of the product (1, 8, 9) a first marking material is added to the first material and the product (1, 8, 9) is produced from the first material with the admixed marking material, wherein the first marking material can be automatically detected in a recycling plant in the first material of the product (1, 8, 9) after the production thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Autobatterie GmbH & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Eberhard Meissner, Anne-Laure Ledoux, Jurgen Bauer
  • Patent number: 8955688
    Abstract: A sorting installation and a sorting method use a gripping tool for gripping sorted articles, particularly sorted flat mail items. During sorting, the articles are transported in holding apparatuses having two lateral faces each. Each lateral face is preferably formed with one cutout. A supply station puts each article into one holding apparatus, with the result that the article is situated between the lateral faces and is held by the holding apparatuses. A transport apparatus transports the articles to a removal station and produces a sequence of holding apparatuses with articles being held thereby. The removal station has a gripping tool with at least two gripper arms in a gripper arm sequence. These gripper arms grip between filled holding apparatuses and draw a plurality of held articles from these holding apparatuses simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Peter Berdelle-Hilge
  • Publication number: 20150034534
    Abstract: A system for disposing of medical waste is generally configured to sort waste items into a plurality of containers according to applicable rules and regulations governing the handling and/or disposal of such items. In some embodiments, a system comprises sorting stations each of which houses a number of disposable containers. Each station can identify an item of waste, determine the most appropriate container for the item, and facilitate disposal of the item in the appropriate container. In some embodiments, a detection system for determining a presence and/or a quantity of waste items within a container is also provided. In some embodiments, access to discarded waste items is restricted once the waste items have been placed in a container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventor: Scott R. MALLETT