Patents Assigned to Laitram
  • Modular slat conveyor belt
    Patent number: 11724884
    Abstract: A slat conveyor belt includes connected drive modules that can be easily disassembled and assembled. Each drive module comprises a slat portion connected to a drive portion forming a drive chain. A conveyor frame for the conveyor belt includes a dust cover for the drive chain and a separator for selectively separating a slat portion from an associated drive portion. A magazine automatically removes and stores separated slats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Bryant G. Ragan, David W. Bogle, John de St. Germain
  • Self-stacking spiral belt conveyor with smooth diameter reduction
    Patent number: 11708221
    Abstract: A spiral conveyor having a self-stacking conveyor belt positively driven on a helical path up or down a drive drum. Stacker supports at opposite sides of the belt support the tiers above. Locking structure on the outer stacker supports interlock consecutive tiers. Drive members on the drive drum have a belt entrance segment and a positive-drive segment. The positive-drive segment has ridges that engage the inner side of the belt without slip. The entrance segment provides a smooth reduction in drum diameter without drive ridges to multiple belt tiers entering the helical path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Casper Fedde Talsma
  • Conveyor package-flow measuring system
    Patent number: 11691825
    Abstract: System and methods for estimating the number of packages in a measurement zone to gauge package flow. A linear array of distance-measuring sensors measures the height profile of a mass of packages conveyed past. The profile is differentiated, and steps in the differentiated profile are counted to detect package edges and to produce an estimate of the number of packages in the measurement zone. The estimate can be used to adjust the speed of the conveyor to provide a constant package flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventors: William S. Murray, Jeremiah E. Oertling
  • Singulation and separation system for a shrimp processor
    Patent number: 11632961
    Abstract: A separation and singulation system for presenting shrimps or other product individually to a processor. The separation and singulation system includes a divider pan that separates a layer of shrimp into several lanes, a shaker pan that receives the lanes of shrimp and agitates them to separate clumps of shrimp and a flume for providing further singulation and acceleration of the shrimp. The singulated, separated shrimps are then sent to a processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Christopher G. Greve, Lars Vedsted, Charles L. Borrello, Robert S. Lapeyre, Charles J. Ledet
  • Singulation and separation system for a shrimp processor
    Patent number: 11632962
    Abstract: A separation and singulation system for presenting shrimps or other product individually to a processor. The separation and singulation system includes a divider pan that separates a layer of shrimp into several lanes, a shaker pan that receives the lanes of shrimp and agitates them to separate clumps of shrimp and a flume for providing further singulation and acceleration of the shrimp. The singulated, separated shrimps are then sent to a processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Christopher G. Greve, Lars Vedsted, Charles L. Borrello, Robert S. Lapeyre, Charles J. Ledet
  • Bulk food processor with angled axial flow fan
    Patent number: 11576419
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for bulk processing items on a conveyor belt using an angled axial fan that extends obliquely into a processing chamber and includes a curved back wall forming an air flow chamber. The angled axial fan enhances air flow around a product being processed on the conveyor belt. A heater employs shrouds and a series of baffle plates held together using a connecting pin to heat circulated air in a low-pressure area below the conveyor belt. Baffles in an upper chamber mix and direct heated, circulated air over the conveyed product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Christopher G. Greve, Robert S. Lapeyre, Kyle J. Sedlacek
  • Ice-covered tray conveyor
    Patent number: 11565893
    Abstract: A tray conveyor comprising ice-coated magnetic trays driven by a linear-motor stator along a rail track. The ice coating is applied to the trays to provide a product-bearing ice surface. After the product is processed and transferred off the tray, the top layer of the contaminated ice coating is removed and the tray with the remaining ice coating reused.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Bryant G. Ragan
  • Grid sorter
    Patent number: 11548734
    Abstract: A grid sorter for discharging articles received from many inputs to selected discharge destinations. The grid sorter comprises a rectangular grid of parallel conveyor lines. Each line has a series of bidirectional conveyors fed articles by infeed conveyors at each end of the line. Omnidirectional-roller sorters, at the intersections of the conveyor lines, can pass articles received from one line in multiple directions: along that same line; in either direction to an intersecting line; or obliquely to a selected discharge between lines. Omnidirectional rollers in the omnidirectional-roller sorters are controlled by a controller to push articles in selected directions to predetermined discharge destinations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Matthew L. Fourney
  • Two-axis modular belt and conveyor
    Patent number: 11505409
    Abstract: A two-axis modular belt comprising two orthogonal belt loops intersecting at a union on a carryway. The belt is constructed of rectangular belt modules arranged in rows and columns. The modules are interconnected by hinge elements that allow columns of an advancing belt loop to translate relative to the rows of the other stationary belt loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Bryant G. Ragan
  • Multi-angle sorter
    Patent number: 11485582
    Abstract: A multi-angle sorter having an omnidirectionally endless conveyor belt surrounding a polygonal frame to form a belt-frame assembly supported atop a roller drive including multiple pairs of diagonally opposite roller sets. Each pair of roller sets is arranged to drive the belt in a corresponding angular direction. A grid sorter comprises a grid of intersecting conveyor lines composed of multi-angle sorters at the intersections in line with conventional bidirectional conveyors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Bryant G. Ragan, Matthew L. Fourney
  • Material handling solutions for drones
    Patent number: 11479360
    Abstract: A drone comprises at least one propeller for generating lift and an article containment area for containing an article to be carried by the drone. The floor of the article containment area comprises a dynamic support surface for supporting the article and allowing the article to move into, out of and through the article containment area. The dynamic support surface may be a conveyor belt forming the floor of the article containment area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Mark Costanzo, David Herbert Myers, Eric M. Pressler, Sean Edward Stephens, Matthew L. Fourney, Timothy J. Hicks, Zachary R. Schexnaydre, Jiaming Zha, Preston Hill
  • Bin unloader
    Patent number: 11472642
    Abstract: An article-unloading apparatus comprising a bin assembly including a bag inside a bin. The bin assembly is raised and lowered by a lift and tilted, when raised, to dump articles onto a decline conveyor, such as a ramp. A winch attached to the bag moves the bottom of the bag through the bin to help push articles from the tilted bin assembly. A camera takes a video image of the articles entering the ramp to detect clumps. Stops on the ramp are selectively actuated to block the bottom-most articles in a clump to help separate articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Matthew L. Fourney, Bryant G. Ragan
  • Lifting clamp including pivot leg
    Patent number: 11472674
    Abstract: A lifting clamp for an object comprises a plurality of plates stacked and connected together to form seat for a portion of the object, a lifting portion for connecting to a crane or other machine, a pivot leg pivotally connected to the stacked plates for opening the seat, and a lock for selectively locking the pivot leg in a clamped position whereby it grips the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventors: John F. Cleavenger, II, William C. Selsor, Jr.
  • Conveyor bracket
    Patent number: 11459177
    Abstract: A conveyor conversion kit includes a plurality of conveyor brackets for converting a conveyor frame to accommodate a new conveyor belt. Each bracket includes a base, a plurality of wearstrip seats for mounting wearstrips forming a carryway for the conveyor belt without tools and side guard seats for mounting side guards to contain the conveyor belt on the carryway without tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Adam E. Bannerman, Omari K. Davis
  • Conveyor package-flow measuring system
    Patent number: 11440744
    Abstract: System and methods for estimating the number of packages in a measurement zone to gauge package flow. A linear array of distance-measuring sensors measures the height profile of a mass of packages conveyed past. The profile is differentiated, and steps in the differentiated profile are counted to detect package edges and to produce an estimate of the number of packages in the measurement zone. The estimate can be used to adjust the speed of the conveyor to provide a constant package flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventors: William S. Murray, Jeremiah E. Oertling
  • Monorail tray conveyor
    Patent number: 11401119
    Abstract: A monorail tray conveyor in which a tray having magnets is driven along a single rail of a tray conveyor segment by stator coils housed in the rail. Carriage monorail segments including carriages that are driven along monorails have transfer rails that align with the rails of tray conveyor segments to transfer trays atop the carriage transfer rails between tray conveyor segments. The carriage monorail segments include horizontal translator segments, elevator segments, diverter segments, and filter segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Bryant G. Ragan
  • Locking retainer ring for a shaft assembly
    Patent number: 11384828
    Abstract: Retainer rings for locking in an N-sided shaft to restrict axial movement of components sandwiched between them. The retainer rings have inner edges bounding a central bore. The inner edges are defined by a series of N arcs whose distance from the bore's center decreases gradually along the inner edge from a first end to a second end of each arc. The rings are slid on to the shaft with the corners of the shaft aligned with the first ends of the arcs. Then the rings are rotated on the shafts toward the second ends of the arcs until the corners of the shafts jam against the inner edges. A special spanner wrench can be used to tighten and loosen the rings on the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Benson Hall, Steuart Turner, Mitchell G. Pansano, Jr.
  • Positive-drive spiral conveyor
    Patent number: 11383932
    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: September 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Casper Fedde Talsma, David W. Bogle
  • Apparatus and method for measuring airflow through a spiral conveyor
    Patent number: 11353477
    Abstract: An omnidirectional anemometer and a method for using such an anemometer to measure the airflow along a conveying path, such as a helical path through a processing chamber. The anemometer is a low-profile, omnidirectional, three-axis anemometer with minimal airflow-occluding structure. Because of its low profile, the anemometer can fit in spiral conveyors with a short tier pitch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventors: William S. Murray, David W. Bogle, Juan Borbon
  • Sealed sprocket for a conveyor system
    Patent number: 11345551
    Abstract: A sealed sprocket for a conveyor belt comprises a sprocket mounted on a drive shaft and a seal system sealing an interface between the sprocket and the drive shaft. The seal system comprises a seal cap housing ring seals for sealing interfaces between the sprocket and seal cap and between the seal cap and drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Michael Hendrik DeGroot, David A. Kokx