Patents Assigned to VMI
  • Patent number: 11712862
    Abstract: The invention relates to a belt and tread drum for manufacturing a package of a belt layer and a tread layer into a cylindrical tire component, wherein the belt and tread drum comprises two support surfaces which are arranged spaced apart in a longitudinal direction of said belt and tread drum and which face away from the drum centre line and are radially movable with respect to the rigid support surface from a retracted position in which the tread support surface is arranged at or near the rigid support surface, to a raised position wherein the tread support surface is arranged in a radially outward position with respect to the rigid support surface, and vice versa, and wherein the tread support surfaces are movable in the substantial longitudinal direction of said drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: VMI HOLLAND B.V.
    Inventors: René Dijkstra, Henk-Jan Grolleman
  • Patent number: 11673700
    Abstract: A method for packaging discrete medicaments in pouches in a packaging device includes transporting the elongated web along a web trajectory, printing information on the elongated web related, feeding the discrete medicaments to the elongated web, inspecting the elongated web to determine whether there is a fault related to the elongated web, and in response to a fault being detected, printing a fault indication or a fault symbol on the elongated web, and forming an empty pouch at the position of the fault indication or fault symbol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: VMI Holland B.V.
    Inventors: Martinus Johannes Donatus Brakkee, Peter van Roon, Aalf Wijnia, Henk Jan Spijkerboer, Cornelis Jan Jochemsen, Martijn Roest
  • Patent number: 11654606
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cooling apparatus and a method for cooling a continuous strip, wherein the cooling apparatus comprises a cooling drum and a guiding device for guiding the strip in a plurality of windings around the cooling drum, wherein the guiding device comprises first and second guiding elements, wherein each one of the first guiding elements forms a set with one of the second guiding elements, wherein the first guiding element of the set receives the strip from a first winding in a first winding direction and directs the strip in a first transition direction towards the second guiding element which receives the strip in a second transition direction and directs the strip into a consecutive winding in a second winding direction, wherein the first transition direction is different from the first winding direction and the second transition direction is different from the second winding direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: VMI HOLLAND B.V.
    Inventors: Theodorus Gijsbertus Gerardus Teunissen, Willen Marinus Van Beek
  • Patent number: 11649155
    Abstract: An environmentally-friendly test port mounting in a conventional gasoline/diesel fuel dispenser cabinet to provide a technician access to the fuel line and perform various tests that enables testing to occur at a highline point in the line system. The technician may access the test port while the line system head pressure s maintained at a point above ground. The test port has a quick connect/disconnect fitting disposed in a collar intermediate a mounting for a filter in a conventional gasoline/diesel fuel dispenser and the filter to provide a technician access to the fuel line and perform various tests. The quick connect/disconnect fitting may also be coupled to a hose for draining fuel under pressure into a safety can to prevent spillage during replacement of the filter. The safety can may be emptied into the fuel tank to conserve the fuel, prevent polluting the environment and as a safety measure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: VMI MANUFACTURING, LLC
    Inventor: Gregory E. Young
  • Publication number: 20230057693
    Abstract: A filling station for filling a feeder unit with discrete medicaments includes a base and a holder that is positionable in one or more inclined orientations relative to said base for holding the feeder unit in said one or more inclined orientations. A method for filling a feeder unit with discrete medicaments includes the step of filling the feeder unit with the discrete medicaments when the feeder unit is held by the holder in one of the one or more inclined orientations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2021
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Applicant: VMI Holland B.V.
    Inventors: Anthonius Maria Hendrina de Boer, Cornelis Jan Jochemsen
  • Publication number: 20230020340
    Abstract: A method for dispensing discrete medicaments with a dispensing device includes the steps of predicting a depletion time in the future when the medicaments in the container of a first feeder unit of the plurality of feeder units will be depleted; providing a notification ahead of said depletion time that a second feeder unit holding medicaments with the same composition as the first feeder unit needs to be presented to the dispensing device, together with a due time for presenting said second feeder unit to the dispensing device; and continuing the dispensing of the medicaments from the first feeder unit at least until the due time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2022
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Applicant: VMI Holland B.V.
    Inventors: Martinus Johannes Donatus Brakkee, Peter van Roon, Patrick van Voorn
  • Publication number: 20220401305
    Abstract: A method for dispensing discrete medicaments with a dispensing device includes the steps of predicting a depletion time in the future when the medicaments in the container of a first feeder unit of the plurality of feeder units will be depleted or are past their expiry date; providing a notification ahead of said depletion time that a second feeder unit holding medicaments with the same composition as the first feeder unit needs to be presented to the dispensing device, together with a due time for presenting said second feeder unit to the dispensing device; and continuing the dispensing of the medicaments from the first feeder unit at least until the due time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2022
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Applicant: VMI Holland B.V.
    Inventors: Martinus Johannes Donatus Brakkee, Peter van Roon, Patrick van Voorn
  • Publication number: 20220401306
    Abstract: A method for dispensing discrete medicaments with a first feeder unit includes the steps of determining a remaining value indicative of the amount of the medicaments remaining in the container; comparing said remaining value to a threshold value; making a selection between a complete empty detection mode when said remaining value is above the threshold value and a shortened empty detection mode when the remaining value is below the threshold value; and executing the selected one of the complete empty detection mode and the shortened empty detection mode when no medicament is fed from the container towards the outlet after controlling the dispensing mechanism to feed a medicament from the container into the outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2022
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Applicant: VMI Holland B.V.
    Inventors: Martinus Johannes Donatus Brakkee, Peter van Roon, Patrick van Voorn
  • Publication number: 20220402640
    Abstract: A method for packaging discrete medicaments in pouches in a packaging device configured to form and fill the pouches in an elongated web, the method comprising the following steps: transporting the elongated web along a web trajectory, printing information on the elongated web related to the discrete medicaments that are fed to the elongated web at the position of the printed information on the elongated web, feeding the discrete medicaments to the elongated web at the position on the elongated web of the related printed information, inspecting the elongated web to determine whether there is a fault related to the elongated web, and in response to a fault being detected, printing a fault indication or a fault symbol on the elongated web, and forming an empty pouch at the position of the fault indication or fault symbol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2021
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Applicant: VMI Holland B.V.
    Inventors: Martinus Johannes Donatus Brakkee, Peter van Roon, Aalf Wijnia, Henk Jan Spijkerboer, Cornelis Jan Jochemsen, Martijn Roest
  • Patent number: 11498761
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for step dispensing discrete medicaments from a feeder unit, wherein the feeder unit comprises a container holding said medicaments, and a dispensing mechanism configured for receiving the medicaments from the container and selectively dispensing the medicaments from the feeder unit, wherein the dispensing mechanism comprises a singulating body with a plurality of singulation chambers; and a first release member arranged below the singulating body and provided with a release opening, wherein the first release member and the singulating body are movable with respect to each other, the method comprising the steps of: moving the singulating body and the first release member relative to each other into an aligned position in which one of the plurality of singulation chambers is aligned with the release opening; when the singulating body is in the aligned position, stopping relative movement between the singulating body and the first release member; maintaining the singulating bod
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: VMI Holland B.V.
    Inventors: Aalf Wijnia, Hendrik Leendert 't Lam, Patrick Van Voorn, Rogier Scheide
  • Publication number: 20220347057
    Abstract: A medicine dispensing device includes a tray comprising a plurality of storage cavities; a drop plate comprising a plurality of drop openings, the drop plate below the tray in a drop direction and slidable with respect to the tray; a retaining member which allows the drop plate to slide with respect to the tray between a drop position and a hold position; and a cover which fits over the drop openings on an upper surface of the tray.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2022
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Applicant: VMI Holland B.V.
    Inventors: Kees Jochemsen, Ton de Boer, Hendrik Leendert 't Lam
  • Patent number: 11400631
    Abstract: The invention relates to an extruder system and a method for extruding cord reinforced extrudate, in particular for tire components, wherein the extruder system comprises an extruder head with flow channels for receiving an extrusion material from an extruder, a die for receiving said extrusion material from the flow channels and a cord guide for guiding cords side-by-side in a cord plane into the die, wherein the extruder head is provided with an insertion slot that extends in an insertion direction parallel to the cord plane through the extruder head, wherein the flow channels debouch into the insertion slot at a flow area, wherein the insertion slot is arranged for receiving the die and the cord guide in the insertion direction into a die position downstream of the flow area and a cord guide position upstream of the flow area, respectively, with respect to the insertion direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: VMI HOLLAND B.V.
    Inventors: Gerben Mulder, Simon Benedikt Wachter
  • Publication number: 20220192926
    Abstract: A Method for loading a medicine transport plate with one or more medicine items using a docking station includes the steps of a) moving a preparation release mechanism of a docking station into a preparation holding state; b) inserting the one or more medicine items into one or more preparation compartments of a plurality of preparation compartments in the docking station; c) loading the medicine transport plate into the docking station; and d) moving the preparation release mechanism from the preparation holding state into a preparation release state to release the one or more medicine items from the preparation compartments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2022
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Applicant: VMI Holland B.V.
    Inventors: Johan Gerard van Beek, Anthonius Maria Hendrina de Boer, Cornelis Jan Jochemsen, Patrick van Voorn
  • Patent number: 11291960
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a kneading member (107) for a device for kneading a dough, comprising: —a mounting disc (109); —a kneading tool (111) for mixing the ingredients which constitute a dough, comprising: —an upper portion (121), extending from said mounting disc, —a mid-portion (123), in the extension of said upper portion, and —a lower portion (125), in the extension of said mid-portion. The kneading member (107) according to the invention is noteworthy in that the kneading tool (111) consists of a circular helix, the angle of winding of which is non-constant between said upper, mid- and lower portions of the tool (111) and in that the angle of winding of the lower portion (125) is less than that of the mid-portion (123). The invention also relates to a kneading device fitted with such a kneading member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: VMI
    Inventors: José Cheio De Oliveira, Emmanuel Chaillou, Jessica Mille, Nicolas Paugam
  • Patent number: 11273103
    Abstract: A method, a computer program product and a dispensing device for dispensing discrete medicaments, wherein the dispensing device comprises a dispensing section, a collection section and a packaging section, wherein the dispensing section defines an array of feeder positions for holding a plurality of feeder units, wherein the collection section comprises a first collection unit that is movable in a collection direction, wherein the method comprises the steps of: positioning a first feeder unit at a first feeder position; and prior to removing the first feeder unit from the first feeder position, positioning a second feeder unit at a second feeder position, downstream from the first feeder position in the collection direction, wherein the first feeder unit and the second feeder unit hold medicaments of the same first composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: VMI Holland B.V.
    Inventors: Martinus Johannes Donatus Brakkee, Peter Van Roon, Patrick Van Voorn
  • Publication number: 20210354412
    Abstract: The invention relates to a belt and tread drum for manufacturing a package of a belt layer and a tread layer into a cylindrical tire component, wherein the belt and tread drum comprises two support surfaces which are arranged spaced apart in a longitudinal direction of said belt and tread drum and which face away from the drum centre line and are radially movable with respect to the rigid support surface from a retracted position in which the tread support surface is arranged at or near the rigid support surface, to a raised position wherein the tread support surface is arranged in a radially outward position with respect to the rigid support surface, and vice versa, and wherein the tread support surfaces are movable in the substantial longitudinal direction of said drum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2021
    Publication date: November 18, 2021
    Applicant: VMI HOLLAND B.V.
    Inventors: René Dijkstra, Henk-Jan Grolleman
  • Patent number: 11104091
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a building drum (1) for manufacturing a package of a belt layer (6) and a tread layer (7) into a substantially cylindrical tire component, wherein the drum is rotatable about a drum centre line (2) and comprises a rigid support surface (3) for the tire component situated at the outward facing circumferential surface of the drum, wherein the drum comprises two support members (4, 5) which are arranged spaced apart in a substantial longitudinal direction of said drum, wherein the support members (4, 5) each comprises a tread support surface (41, 51) which faces away from the drum centre line and which tread support surfaces are radially movable between a retracted position wherein the tread support surface is arranged at or near the rigid support surface, and a raised position wherein the tread support surface is arranged in a radially outward position with respect to the rigid support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: VMI HOLLAND B.V.
    Inventors: René Dijkstra, Henk-Jan Grolleman
  • Patent number: 11040508
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a tyre is provided, in particular a run-flat tyre. The method includes providing a drum with a first shrink section and a second shrink section. Each shrink section is provided with a shrink surface that is radially movable. The method includes moving the shrink surfaces radially inwards with respect to the central axis from a level position to a shrink position in which the drum, at the shrink surfaces, has a circumference with a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter, while creating a partial vacuum between the shrink surfaces and a first tyre layer at the first shrink section and the second shrink section. The method further includes shrinking the first tyre layer onto the shrink surfaces in the shrink position under the influence of the partial vacuum. A drum for use in the aforementioned method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: VMI HOLLAND B.V.
    Inventors: Martin De Graaf, Dave Papot
  • Patent number: 10814542
    Abstract: Provided is an extruder and a method for extruding cord reinforced tire components, wherein the extruder has an extruder head with a die and a cord guide. The die is provided with a cross sectional profile that defines a first cross section of the extrusion material in the die, wherein the cross sectional profile has a profile height. The cord guide is arranged for guiding the cords into the die at a cord entry height. The extruder head is provided with first heating elements. The extruder has a control unit that is operationally connected to the first heating elements for generating an adjustable height temperature gradient in the extrusion material across the profile height to control swelling of the extrusion material relative to the cord entry height from the first cross section to a second cross section after the extrusion material leaves the die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: VMI HOLLAND B.V.
    Inventors: Reinhard Uphus, Ide Gooden, Gerben Mulder
  • Patent number: 10807294
    Abstract: The invention relates to an extruder system and a method for extruding cord reinforced extrudate, wherein the extruder system comprises an extruder head with a die for receiving extrusion material and a cord guide for guiding cords in a common cord plane in a cord direction into the die, wherein the extruder system comprises a first extruder and a second extruder, wherein the extruder head comprises a first flow channel and a second flow channel, wherein the extruder system further comprises a first pump and a second pump for receiving the extrusion material from the first extruder and the second extruder and for directing said extrusion material into the first flow channel and the second flow channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: VMI HOLLAND B.V.
    Inventors: Ronald Gerardus Maria De Bruijn, Emiel Hendricus De Jong, Pieter Cornelis Meijers