Patents Assigned to Laitram, L.L.C.
  • SPLIT SPROCKET HAVING SLIDE TRACKS
    Publication number: 20140305241
    Abstract: A split sprocket for belts or chains. The split sprocket comprises two sections that slide together along parallel slide tracks that are perpendicular to two opposite walls of the sprocket's bore. The slide track includes male T-shaped, V-shaped, or jigsaw-puzzle-shaped beams on one of the sections that slide into mating female slots in the other section. The mated slide tracks prevent the sections from separating in all directions except the separation direction along the slide tracks. A fastener through one of the sections into the other prevents the assembled sprocket sections from sliding apart along the slide tracks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2013
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Xiaozhong Li, Adam E. Bannerman
  • AQUATIC LIFE AND DEBRIS COLLECTION DEVICE FOR A WATER SCREEN
    Publication number: 20140299528
    Abstract: A collection device for aquatic life and debris for a traveling water screen. The collection device allows sharing of water provided from a high pressure nozzle while shielding aquatic life from a high pressure spray produced by the high pressure nozzle. The collection device enables separate collection of items exposed to a high pressure spray and items protected from a high pressure spray while reducing water costs. The collection device includes a first compartment for collecting aquatic life collected by a water screen and a second compartment for collecting debris collected by the water screen. A shield dissipates or blocks a high pressure spray directed into the second compartment from entering the first compartment. A filter allows fluid to flow from the second compartment into the first compartment while blocking aquatic life in the first compartment from entering the second compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2013
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Ross Doyle, Timothy A. Woodrow, Mitchell G. Pansano, JR., John C. Hawkins, JR.
  • Closed-loop magnetic positioning of conveyor belts
    Patent number: 8839948
    Abstract: A conveyor having a conveyor belt with magnetic properties that allow the belt's position to be controlled by externally generated magnetic fields and methods for controlling such a conveyor belt. Sensors sense an operating condition of the belt, such as belt speed, belt tension, belt loading, belt lateral, or radial, position, or belt elevation, and send those measurements to a controller. Electromagnets in the conveyor frame generate magnetic fields that interact with the magnetic properties of the belt to apply selected forces to position the belt in the conveyor. The controller adjusts the strength and direction of the magnetic fields generated by the electromagnets to control the operating conditions of the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventors: John F. Landrum, Glenn R. McCall
  • BELT CONVEYORS AND VISCOELASTIC DAMPERS AND METHODS FOR DAMPING CONVEYOR BELTS
    Publication number: 20140224624
    Abstract: Viscoelastic dampers and belt conveyor systems using viscoelastic dampers to attenuate belt vibration and methods for damping belt speed variations. One version of the viscoelastic dampers includes a low-friction carryway element mounted to a viscoelastic pad that is firmly attached to stationary conveyor framework at various locations along the length and width of the conveyor system. Speed fluctuations of the conveyor belt supported on and advancing along the low-friction carryway elements are damped by the viscoelastic dampers. In some versions, magnetic forces are used to clamp the conveyor belt to the dampers to increase the effective damping.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2014
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Joseph M. DePaso
  • Shrimp deheading apparatus and methods
    Patent number: 8801507
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for deheading shrimp using the Venturi Effect. A shrimp-laden fluid is pumped through a conduit system and lined with one or more venturi tubes. The acceleration of the fluid through the venturis detaches the heads from the shrimp. The cross-sectional areas of the venturis each have a major axis and a shorter minor axis. The major axis is long enough to receive the majority of or all the length of a shrimp and minimize hard collisions with the entrance to the venturi that could damage the shrimp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Lars Vedsted, Brent A. Ledet
  • SELF-SUPPORTING CONVEYOR BELT
    Publication number: 20140216900
    Abstract: A self-supporting platform is formed of a plurality of hingedly connected modules. Adjacent modules may bend inwards against each other but resist flexing in the opposite direction. Each module includes a slotted module connector extending below the module body. The slotted module connector engages a peg to allow one-way bending of the modules relative to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: LAITRAM, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Jorge E. Nagel, Glenn R. McCall, Jr., Stephen T. Ferrell
  • WEIGHING SYSTEM USING A CONVEYOR BELT WITH LOAD CELLS
    Publication number: 20140216894
    Abstract: A conveyor belt module, a conveyor belt, a weighing system, and a method for weighing articles conveyed on a conveyor belt. A conveyor belt includes an array of load cells embedded in belt modules to measure forces normal to the belt's conveying surface. The measurements are transmitted from the belt to a remote controller as part of a vision system that identifies individual articles conveyed on the belt and pressing down on underlying load cells. The vision system determines which load cells underlie the individual articles and combines their measurements to compute the weights of the articles on the fly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2012
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: LAITRAM, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Matthew L. Fourney
  • SKIMMER
    Publication number: 20140197088
    Abstract: A self-floating skimmer that can operate remotely from a vessel. Pontoons allow the skimmer to float at the surface of a body of water. An inclined belt conveyor whose lower end is submerged just below the surface of the water conveys material to be collected up the incline to the upper end where it is dumped from the surface of the belt into a collection tank below. For convenience in storage or transit, the skimmers can be stacked atop one another. The belt conveyor can include a bidirectional conveyor belt that is driven in either direction by a selectively reversible drive motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Christopher G. Greve, Robert S. Lapeyre
  • Conveyor belt and module with hooked connection and associated method
    Patent number: 8776998
    Abstract: A modular plastic conveyor belt constructed of belt modules having hooked structure to hold belt rows together during splicing for easier hinge-rod insertion and to accommodate an elongated belt edge portion permitting hinge-rod growth and a method for splicing such a belt together. The modules include a pivot end that hooks into a mating receptacle on the module of a consecutive belt row. An aperture through the receptacle and the pivot end is aligned with the apertures of other hinge elements to form a lateral passageway for a hinge rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventors: David C. Weiser, Gilbert J. MacLachlan, Terral A. Ridgell
  • ROLLER-NOISE REDUCTION IN CONVEYOR BELTS
    Publication number: 20140183009
    Abstract: Low-noise rollers in modular plastic conveyor belts. Energy-absorbing elements formed on belt rollers or in roller support structure is used to absorb the energy of impacts between rollers and the support structure. The energy-absorbing elements include resilient roller sections sandwiched between rigid sections, spring-like bent tabs on the end faces of rollers, hinged bumpers or flexible fingers between the end faces of the rollers and the roller support structure, and flexible structure protruding from the module into circumferential grooves in the outer cylindrical surface or circular grooves formed in the end faces of the rollers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: LAITRAM, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Henry H. Gilley, JR., David C. Weiser
  • DEVEINING SYSTEM AND DEVICE
    Publication number: 20140187132
    Abstract: A deveining device efficiently removes veins from shrimp while preserving the meat of the shrimp in both appearance and quantity. The deveining device comprises a channel having a blade extending along a section of the channel for cutting the back of the shrimp as it rolls through the channel to expose a vein. A downstream vein remover severs the exposed vein from the shrimp body. Nozzles spray fluid into the channel to propel the shrimp through the channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: LAITRAM, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Brien G. Rau, Christopher G. Greve, Scott J. Sirgo, Robert S. Lapeyre, Kevin J. Turner, Charles L. Borrello, Brady P. Horn
  • Hinge rod retainer for a modular conveyor belt
    Patent number: 8757366
    Abstract: A hinge rod retainer for a modular conveyor belt. The retainer retains a hinge rod within a passageway, while allowing room for rod expansion or contraction relative to the belt width. The retainer comprises a flexible portion and a support forming an outside edge of the modular conveyor belt. The flexible portion comprises a flexible hook including an opening for allowing passage of the hinge rod into the passageway. The flexible hook defines a trapping region between the passageway and outside edge of the modular conveyor belt for trapping a hinge rod end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Gilbert J. MacLachlan
  • AIR SEPARATOR WITH PLENUM
    Publication number: 20140166552
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for separating lightweight waste from product with air supplied by a plenum. An air separator includes a blower duct directing air upward through product conveyed on a foraminous conveyor. The blower duct is in communication with a plenum through an opening. One or more blowers fill and pressurize the plenum with air without blowing the air directly through the opening. The drop in pressure from the plenum to the exit end of the duct draws air uniformly through the opening and into the duct. The uniform flow of air through the duct and the conveyor lifts lightweight waste from the product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: LAITRAM, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Robert S. Lapeyre, Christopher G. Greve
  • SHRIMP PROCESSING SYSTEM AND METHODS
    Publication number: 20140168411
    Abstract: Methods and systems using a vision system to process shrimp. The vision system captures images of samples of shrimps. The processor produces a digital image of the shrimps in the samples. Shrimps exiting a peeler are imaged to determine the number of tail segments in each. The shrimps are classified by the number of intact segments, and quality, yield, and throughput computed from the classification results. The processor can control operational settings of the peeler based on the classification results. In a larger system including other shrimp-processing equipment besides the peeler, other points along the processing path can be imaged by camera or sensed by other sensors to determine processing quality and to make automatic operational adjustments to the equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Charles J. Ledet, Robert S. Lapeyre
  • BULK-PRODUCT CONVEYOR WITH SENSOR
    Publication number: 20140158497
    Abstract: A conveyor belt having a sensor probe extending upward from an outer conveying surface into a mat of bulk products conveyed on the belt. The probe senses a condition of the product mat at a predetermined depth. The probe height above the conveying surface may be fixed or may be adjustable to be positioned at a critical depth within the product mat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: LAITRAM, L.L.C.
    Inventor: David W. Bogle
  • Conveyor belt rollers with two surface materials
    Patent number: 8746442
    Abstract: A conveyor belt and a belt module having multiple roller sets, each roller set including a bottom roller in contact with an axially elongated two-material top roller. The periphery of the top roller has a high-friction peripheral surface separated by a central durable, low-friction peripheral surface in contact with the bottom roller. Driving the bottom roller in a first direction causes rotation of the top roller in an opposite angular direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Jeffrey S. Schwai
  • SNAP-ON CONVEYOR BELT ROLLERS
    Publication number: 20140144754
    Abstract: Snap-on rollers for a conveyor belt. The snap-on roller may be snapped onto an axle or into a cavity of a conveyor belt module. Multi-piece snap-on rollers can be installed radially onto an axle on a conveyor belt and joined together in a puzzle pattern to form a complete roller that can rotate on the axle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Abraham L. Miller, Gilbert J. MacLachlan, David C. Weiser
  • FEED PADDLE FOR A PROCESSING APPARATUS
    Publication number: 20140131172
    Abstract: An improved feed mechanism for a processor of solid objects includes a plunging paddle connected via connectors and eccentrics to a rotating shaft driven by a motor. The rotating shaft has an axis offset from the centers of the eccentrics. The plunging paddle plunges product on a conveyor belt from a feed tank to create a single layer for conveying the product to a processor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: LAITRAM, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Christopher G. Greve
  • Conveyor belt apparatus including magnetically actuated rollers
    Patent number: 8720668
    Abstract: A conveyor comprising a conveyor belt having rollers with metallic or magnetic rotors. A magnet or metallic element next to the conveyor belt is positioned to rotate the rotor. A magnetic field produced by the magnet or by the magnetic rotor rotates the rollers as they pass the magnetic field or as the magnetic field is changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Bryant G. Ragan, Brien G. Rau, Jason Lagneaux, Wayne A. Pertuit, Jr.
  • Grader with feed trough
    Patent number: 8720695
    Abstract: A roller-type grader having adjustable, widening gauging passages between consecutive rotating grader rollers and an associated method for adjusting the gauging passages. A drive rotates all the rollers in the same direction on their axes. The ends of the rollers at each end are rotatably and pivotally suspended from adjustment yokes that are movable laterally in unison along tracks by an adjustment shaft. Positioning the yokes positions the ends of the rollers relative to each other. Minimum and maximum widths of the gauging passages at opposite ends of the rollers are adjusted by rotating the adjustment shafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Christopher G. Greve, Robert S. Lapeyre