Patents Assigned to Laitram, L.L.C.
  • Continuous product-processing apparatus and method for cleaning with product repositioning
    Patent number: 10407245
    Abstract: A continuous product-processing apparatus having a conveyor capable of repositioning product and cleaning itself of debris and a method for its operation. The apparatus includes a conveyor that transports products atop a conveyor belt along a carryway to a processing chamber. Upper and lower diverting rollers guide the belt along an S-shaped product-repositioning path segment of the carryway. The diverting rollers are rotated at a speed normally greater than the speed of the conveyor belt to cause the belt to slip on the roller's periphery, which effects a scraping action against the conveying side of the belt to dislodge debris from the belt and the rollers. One-way ratcheting drives or belt restricters positioned on the product-positioning path segment to limit belt excursion are used to prevent the belt from building up along the carryway and tightening in the lower return.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Christopher G. Greve
  • Energy-harvesting conveyor belts and methods
    Patent number: 10399780
    Abstract: Energy-harvesting and -storage devices in conveyor belts and methods for molding those devices integrally into modular plastic belt links. Electroactive polymers or piezoelectric fibers co-injected with a base polymer to form belt modules harvest energy from strain or vibrations in the conveyor belt to power belt on-board devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Joseph M. DePaso
  • Conveyor belts with long drive pitch
    Patent number: 10399781
    Abstract: A conveyor comprising a modular belt constructed of rows of belt modules in which only alternate rows are engaged by the teeth of a drive sprocket. Alternate belt rows have drive recesses for receiving the sprocket teeth. The belt rows not engaged by the sprocket are devoid of drive pockets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Gilbert J. MacLachlan
  • Conveyor transfer assembly
    Patent number: 10343853
    Abstract: A conveyor system with a pop-up transfer assembly for transferring articles off the end of conveyor belt having protrusions extending above the belt's outer conveying surface. The transfer assembly is cantilevered over the reversing path of the conveyor belt from a pivot. When a protrusion from the belt hits the transfer assembly, the transfer assembly pivots away from the belt about the pivot. When the protrusion is clear, the transfer assembly drops, by gravity, back to its home position proximate the belt. A bilateral transfer assembly is cantilevered in opposite directions to transfer articles off the end of one conveyor belt onto another conveyor belt that may or may not have protrusions. The transfer assembly can have powered driving surfaces to aid the transfer of articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Elena Rose Yasinski, Kevin W. Guernsey, Timothy J. DeRoche, Brian R. Lee
  • Article diverting conveyor belt
    Patent number: 10343851
    Abstract: An article-diverting modular conveyor belt employs a transverse article diverter comprising rollers. The rollers are formed in a transverse diverting belt wrapped around a module or embedded in the module. The rollers can be activated by contact, motorization or linear induction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Mark Costanzo
  • Conveyor bracket
    Patent number: 10329093
    Abstract: A conversion bracket for converting a conveyor frame to accommodate a conveyor belt. The bracket includes a base, a plurality of shaft holders extending from a first end of the base and a plurality of wearstrip receptacles extending from a second end of the base. The bracket attaches to a shaft of a conveyor frame by inserting the shaft into the shaft holders. Wearstrips are inserted into the wearstrip receptacles, which are oriented and configured so that the inserted wearstrips rest on the tops of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Adam E. Bannerman
  • Modular conveyor belt with attached plates
    Patent number: 10308436
    Abstract: A modular conveyor belt constructed of a series of conveyor belt modules, some of which include retainers for removably retaining plates, such as cutting boards, to the outer surface of the belt. The longitudinal extent of each of the retained plates in the direction of belt travel exceeds the articulation pitch of the conveyor belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Elena Rose Yasinski, Timothy J. DeRoche
  • Can-spreading conveyor system and methods
    Patent number: 10301124
    Abstract: A conveyor system and method for spreading a mass of electrically conductive articles, such as aluminum cans, being transferred from an infeed conveyor to a wider discharge conveyor. A transfer device between the infeed and discharge conveyors uses linear induction to propel and spread electrically conductive articles across a continuous transfer surface with or without the aid of backpressure or mechanical spreading means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Bryant G. Ragan, Jason Lagneaux, James T. Cronvich
  • LIM-driven roller transfer apparatus
    Patent number: 10287111
    Abstract: An activated roller transfer apparatus for transferring articles between one conveyor and another. The roller transfer apparatus comprises a linear-induction-motor stator as a primary and electrically conductive article-supporting rollers as a secondary. The linear-motor stator generates a traveling magnetic flux wave that induces eddy currents in the rollers. The eddy currents produce magnetic fields that interact with the flux wave to produce forces that rotate the rollers to propel articles across a gap between the ends of the two conveyors. The stator is generally trapezoidal in shape to comport with the shape of the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventors: B. L. J. Gysen, J. W. Jansen
  • Electromagnetic conveyor
    Patent number: 10273095
    Abstract: An electromagnetic propulsion system for electrically conductive articles, such as aluminum beverage cans. Currents in coils disposed along a passageway induce currents in aluminum cans in the passageway. The electromagnetic fields produced by the coil currents and the eddy currents in the cans interact to produce forces that propel the cans along the passageway. A coil drive supplies the coils with a low-frequency current to propel the cans and a high-frequency current to heat the cans. The coils are arranged as solenoids encircling the passageway or as planar arrays bracketing the passageway. Besides being used to propel aluminum cans, the coils can be used to spin cans. The electromagnetic propulsion systems are shown in can washers and dryers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Bryant G. Ragan
  • Handheld belt cutter
    Patent number: 10272582
    Abstract: A belt cutter for cutting an end portion of a belt having regularly spaced ridges on one side. The belt cutter has a main body with a slot that receives the end portion of the belt. A blade extends from the main body into the slot. A deck having one or more grooves bounds one end of the slot. The grooves receive the belt's ridges and register the belt relative to the blade. A handle is provided to pull the cutter across the width of the belt in a direction parallel to the ridges for the blade to sever the end portion from the belt and form a new butt end parallel to the ridges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Gabriel Nazar, Robert G. Guttenberg
  • Conveyor belt with longitudinal rails
    Patent number: 10273088
    Abstract: A positively-driven, low tension conveyor belt has longitudinal rails extending on the drive surface of the belt to prevent or reduce vibration. The longitudinal rails form channels separating lanes of drive teeth on the drive surface to form drive pockets. The longitudinal rails protrude past the drive teeth and ride on a conveyor belt carryway during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Adam E. Bannerman, Gurvinder Gandhi
  • Inclined-roller destacker
    Patent number: 10246267
    Abstract: A destacking conveyor and a method for destacking stacked articles, such as parcels and envelopes. The destacking conveyor comprises an inclined array of rollers that are arranged to rotate on axes perpendicular to a conveying direction. The conveyor is divided along its length into continuous roller-activation zones and selectively activated zones. In the continuous zones, the rollers always rotate in the conveying direction. In the selectively activated zones, the rollers are activated to rotate in the conveying direction and deactivated to be freely rotatable and allow articles to slide backward by gravity. The conveyor also includes a lift to change its inclination angle. By regulating the inclination angle and the activation and deactivation of the rollers in the selectively activated zones, piggy-backed articles slide off bottom articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Bryant G. Ragan
  • Cleanable conveyor frame assembly
    Patent number: 10246263
    Abstract: A cleanable belt conveyor and a method for making a cleanable belt conveyor having a simplified frame design. One version of such a conveyor comprises a frame and an insertable conveyor belt support. Another version comprises a modular frame formed by a plurality of shafts connected using connectors. Another version comprises a unitary frame and carryway structure, whereby the carryway for supporting a conveyor belt constitutes support structure for the frame. Another version comprises a carryway support rail including an integral curved reversing element. Another version comprises components connected through curvaceous connecting members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Kevin W. Guernsey, John F. Landrum, Mark T. Drapanas, Manoj Thomas
  • Induction conveyor
    Patent number: 10232410
    Abstract: An article induction system for preparing a stream of articles, such as mail parcels, for processing employs a series of conveyors operating under control of a controller for feeding articles to an operator at a cull belt at an optimal paced rate. The article induction system includes a destacking section, a separation and alignment section, a buffer section and a culling section manned by an operator. A controller controls the speed of each component based on measurements provided by sensors so as to feed articles to the operator at a desired paced rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Stephen G. Wargo
  • Positive-drive spiral conveyor
    Patent number: 10189645
    Abstract: A spiral conveyor for positively driving a conveyor belt along a helical path. The spiral conveyor includes a rotating cylindrical tower with parallel drive members extending from the bottom to the top of the tower on its periphery. Each drive member includes an outwardly protruding ridge that varies in height from the bottom to the top of the tower. The variations in height facilitate the belt's entry onto and exit from the tower and robust, positive driving engagement with the inside edge of the belt along the majority of its path along the tower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Casper Fedde Talsma, David W. Bogle
  • Conveyor-belt system for measuring conditions that vary the resonant frequency of a resonant circuit
    Patent number: 10191001
    Abstract: A conveyor belt and a sensing system for sensing various conditions on a conveyor belt. The belt includes an array of sensing elements embedded in the belt to measure belt conditions. The sensing elements form parts of passive resonant circuits that each include a capacitor and an inductive coil. The capacitor or the inductive coil can be a sensing element. Measuring circuits external to the belt are inductively or capacitively coupled to the resonant circuits in the belt as they pass closely by. The sensing elements change the resonant frequency of their resonant circuits as a function of the sensed conditions. Frequency detectors in the measuring circuits measure that frequency change and convert it into a functionally related value used to determine a belt condition. Exemplary conditions include temperature, pressure, humidity, spillage, and product weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Lazlo Kleczewski
  • Conveyor systems and methods
    Patent number: 10183814
    Abstract: A conveyor system and methods for conveying and unstacking flat and non-flat packages. The conveyor system includes an inclined conveyor belt delivering packages to a tilted conveyor belt that conveys flat packages along its length while non-flat packages tumble off its lower side edge to initially cull flat packages from a bulk flow of packages. Retention means, such as a high-friction outer conveying surface or a raised barrier along the length of the outer conveying surface of the tilted conveyor belt, holds flat packages on the tilted conveyor belt. The inclined conveyor belt has stop elements spaced apart along the belt's length and is advanced in stop-and-go fashion to help unstack piggy-backed packages as they are conveyed up the incline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Matthew L. Fourney, Stephen G. Wargo
  • Shrimp cleaner with linked rollers
    Patent number: 10159260
    Abstract: An improved cleaning device comprises linked rollers that roll over a cleaning surface to remove debris from shrimp or other product. The cleaning device comprises a trough with a cleaning surface, an oscillating shaft within the trough and rollers biased into contact with the cleaning surface. At least some of the rollers are connected through a coupling device, which connects the rollers to the oscillating shaft via a roller connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Byron M. Falgout, Brent A. Ledet, Barry C. Strayer
  • Conveyor belts and modules with twist-lock accessories
    Patent number: 10155625
    Abstract: A conveyor belt and belt modules with plug-in accessories, such as sideguards. The accessories have plugs that plug into sockets in the belt or individual belt modules. Lugs and mounting slots and tabs and detents on the plugs and sockets help guide, register, and lock the accessories in place. The plugs and sockets allow the accessories to be locked and unlocked by twisting the plugs in the sockets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventors: David W. Bogle, Terral A. Ridgell, Warren E. Cancienne, Jr.