Patents Examined by Douglas Hess
  • Patent number: 11827454
    Abstract: A cleanable conveyor frame and a method for making a cleanable frame having a simplified frame design. Infeed and outfeed assemblies are movable between operating and cleaning positions. An outfeed assembly includes a drive for a conveyor belt and a position limiter-scraper assembly. The position limiter-scraper assembly comprises a roller extending between two connecting plates mounted to outfeed mounting plates, a scraper assembly having a scraper blade mounted to a mounting bar extending between the two connecting plates and a leaf spring extending rearward from the mounting bar for biasing the scraper blade into contact with the conveyor belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Michael Hendrik DeGroot, Jeff Batchelder, Gerko Hulshof, David A. Kokx, James R. Honeycutt, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11827462
    Abstract: A conveying apparatus for tampon applicators has a first conveyor track, which includes two transport belts which are arranged spaced apart from each other. The transport belts each have a bearing axis. The conveying apparatus furthermore has a first conveyor drive for driving at least one of the two spaced-apart transport belts, and transport belts which are arranged spaced apart from each other in such a manner that a tampon applicator which is to be conveyed rests on the two transport belts in an intermediate space between the transport belts. The bearing axes of the transport belts are arranged parallel; in particular in the case of transport belts having the same conveying direction. Furthermore, a method conveys tampon applicators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: RUGGLI PROJECTS AG
    Inventors: Samuel Schuler, Antonello Zuddas
  • Patent number: 11820608
    Abstract: A sorting system is provided. The sorter system includes a conveyor frame, slats disposed on the conveyor frame and extending substantially perpendicularly to a central axis of the conveyor frame. Shoes are disposed on the slat and are moveable between a central position adjacent to the central axis of the conveyor frame, and a distal position adjacent to one of a first and second side of the conveyor frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: AEGIS SORTATION LLC
    Inventor: Kenneth Jay Ice
  • Patent number: 11807463
    Abstract: A multi-roller guide is provided that includes a base plate with a cover plate secured thereto and a plurality of roller assemblies with rollers rotatably secured between the base plate and cover plate, the roller assemblies aligned along a roller assembly arc path, wherein the rollers are configured to rotatably engage with a tensile member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Patz Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory A. Rakowski, Bradley J. Bedord, Daniel J. Johnston
  • Patent number: 11801874
    Abstract: A vehicle tilting device for tilting a delivery vehicle for increasing access to items from a storage container transported on the delivery vehicle. The vehicle tilting device comprises a base structure and a tiltable platform connected to the base structure, wherein the tiltable platform comprises guiding features adapted to guide the delivery vehicle onto the tiltable platform. The tiltable platform is arranged to be connected to a delivery grid cell of a delivery rail system such that that there is a path to and/or from the tiltable platform for the delivery vehicle via the delivery grid cell. The invention is also related to an access station, a delivery system and a method of accessing a storage container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Autostore Technology AS
    Inventor: Trond Austrheim
  • Patent number: 11802009
    Abstract: A trolley device is used to convey laminar elements. The trolley device includes at least one belt that defines a closed loop, a plurality of pulleys, at least one drive pulley being configured to act on the belt, the pulleys being mounted on a frame with a supporting region over which a section of the belt can be slid and wherein suction means linked to the belt are provided. The belt includes at least on the outer face thereof a projecting section of predetermined length that protrudes in height with respect to the rest of the belt, the projecting section being provided with a plurality of through holes aligned in position with through holes made in the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: COMERCIAL INDUSTRIAL MAQUINARIA CARTON ONDULADO, S.L.
    Inventors: Ramon Serra Obiol, Jaume Pugès Triguero, Jordi Puig Vargas
  • Patent number: 11787638
    Abstract: A packaging machine for packaging and/or processing objects, having a transport section (1) for conveying products, containers, and/or packaging units in a transport direction (2), wherein the transport section (1) has a conveying device (3), in the form of a conveyor belt, having preferably at least one drive means. For routing the transport section (1), at least in certain regions or portions an effective width of the conveying device (3), as viewed perpendicularly to the transport direction (2), for conveying the products, containers, and/or packaging units is preferably variably settable, at least over a predetermined or predeterminable region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventor: Hartmut Korte
  • Patent number: 11787639
    Abstract: A conveyor employs an assembly at a drive end having a position limiter assembly configured to accommodate flights in a conveyor belt while ensuring proper engagement between the conveyor belt and a drive. The end assembly includes opposing end plates, a drive extending between the end plates and a position limiter assembly extending between the end plates below the drive for ensuring proper engagement of a conveyor belt with the drive. The position limiter comprises a series of spaced apart rollers mounted to and spaced from a mounting bar extending between the end plates. Roller mounting arms connect the rollers to the mounting bars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Laitram L.L.C.
    Inventors: Michael Hendrik Degroot, Drew Downer, Gerko Hulshof, Jake A. Mohan
  • Patent number: 11787648
    Abstract: An unloading conveyor system for unloading grain through the floor of a grain bin. A removeable cover is vertically supported by the plurality of ribs to cover the span of the midpan to allow maintenance. The midpan comprises a plurality of slots and ledges to receive and support the ribs to allow easy installation and maintenance. A central pit having an internal portion and an access support wall also provides easy installation and maintenance. The first bearing mount, second bearing mount, and roller are all accessible for service through the internal portion of the central pit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Illinois Grain & Seed, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd W. Kaeb, Andrew L. Stock, James K. Enz
  • Patent number: 11787645
    Abstract: The conveyor device for conveying flexible containers along a packaging line comprises a track (1) defining a horizontal closed path and one or more pairs of left and right movers (2a, 2b) movably mounted on the track (1) for moving along the path by the effect of active and reactive elements configured for independently driving and controlling the left and right movers along the path, pairs of left and right gripper arms (3a, 3b) pivotally connected to the left and right movers (2a, 2b) by respective left and right articulations (6a, 6b) about vertical axes, and one or more pairs of left and right clamps (4a, 4b) respectively mounted on the left and right gripper arms (3a, 3b) and configured for gripping one or more flexible containers (5) in a vertical position. The left and right gripper arms (3a, 3b) are linked together by a parallelism-keeping mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: MESPACK, SL
    Inventor: Josep Solà Gil
  • Patent number: 11787643
    Abstract: Diverting equipment for conveying an article on a conveyance path to a branching path formed so as to branch from the conveyance path. In the conveyance path, a branching section to the branching path has a plurality of conveyance rollers disposed in a conveyance direction H of the article in the conveyance path and a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction H of the article in the conveyance path, the conveyance rollers forming the conveyance surface of the conveyance path and being rotatable around the axes of vertical shafts. Between the adjacent conveyance rollers disposed in the direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction H of the article, a gap is formed along the conveyance direction H of the article. In the gap, a rail capable of supporting the article is extended along the conveyance direction H of the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: DAIFUKU CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Makoto Namikawa
  • Patent number: 11780690
    Abstract: A single drive dual hopper conveyor system is presented having a center conveyor system and a pair of side conveyor systems that are connected to one another. A single motor is connected to the center conveyor system and drives movement of a belt within the center conveyor system. The connection of the center conveyor system to the side conveyor system causes the belts of the side conveyor systems to be simultaneously driven as the belt of the center conveyor system is driven. This arrangement eliminates the need for multiple motors. A guide at the center of the belts is configured to guide the belts through the center of the housings and prevent the buildup of grain within a cut-out section of the flights of the belt that is needed to allow access to the links of the belts to facilitate driving of the belts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Sukup Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Chris Heilskov, David Jay Brownmiller, Adam Zweck, Dustin Platte
  • Patent number: 11780683
    Abstract: A configurable assembly is provided for conveying products along a longitudinal direction; the assembly has a supporting structure and at least two conveyor units; at least one of said units is provided with at least two tracks which receive, in use, respective products and diverge from or converge towards each other along a lateral direction, proceeding longitudinally from an inlet to an outlet; the units are movable with respect to the supporting structure by the action of an actuator device between a working area and at least one storage area, so as to selectively arrange one of said units in the working area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: ELCAT S.R.L.
    Inventor: Mauro Testa
  • Patent number: 11779036
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an auger dip apparatus for the application of antimicrobial solution to raw food. Embodiments of the present disclosure may use an auger as a single moving part to move the food work pieces through the application area for antimicrobial solution. Embodiments of the present disclosure are simple with only one moving auger part to move the food pieces, and the bearing for the moving part, supporting the shaft of the auger, may be configured to be outside of the cabinet with the reservoir of the antimicrobial solution, so that the bearing is not in contact with the antimicrobial solution. This provides for less maintenance and downtime, particularly unscheduled downtime, than a system using more complicated exposed parts. The present disclosure also permits a more compact and lighter configuration for an assembled application unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: SAFE FOODS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Justin Massey, Tim Yeaman
  • Patent number: 11760579
    Abstract: A link for connecting supporting members used in conveyor belts, each supporting member being provided with a straight rod and the conveyor belt having a motion transmission member, includes a substantially U-shaped main body configured to be removably anchored to a respective straight rod. The main body is made of a metallic material and has a closed front portion and an open back portion provided with a pair of mutually facing end sections. At least one of the end sections is covered with a polymeric material and joined therewith in a permanent manner, a portion of the outer surface of the polymeric material covering the end section being adapted to selectively interact with the motion transmission member. A supporting member for a conveyor belt, and a method of making a connection link for supporting members of conveyor belts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Inventor: Stefano Rossetto
  • Patent number: 11759896
    Abstract: A device for distributing clip-type components for assembling parts includes a main magazine for bulk storage of the components, a tray for temporary storage of components extracted from the main magazine, configured to temporarily store the components to be transferred out of the device and mounted for reciprocating translation in a longitudinal direction to shake the temporarily stored components and facilitate their positioning inside the tray in a predetermined stable position corresponding to their shape. The device includes an optical detection system to detect, from among the components temporarily stored inside the temporary storage tray, the components having the predetermined stable position, and a transfer system to transfer the components having the predetermined stable position to a downstream processing area outside the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: NOVARES FRANCE
    Inventor: Laurent Adiba
  • Patent number: 11760578
    Abstract: A device for transferring units of goods has a suspended conveyor system on which conveyor units can be conveyed in a suspended manner along a continuous conveyor path. In an entry region, supplied conveyor units can be provided for further processing. Downstream of said entry region, a transfer device is provided in a transfer region, with which units of goods can be transferred into and/or out of a conveyor unit located in the transfer region. Downstream of said transfer region, processed conveyor units can be provided in an exit region for further use. The absolute alignment in space of a conveyor unit in the entry region and in the transfer region are substantially the same, and the relative alignment in relation to the conveying direction in the entry region and the transfer region are substantially different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: FERAG AG
    Inventors: Roberto Fenile, Martin Ruge
  • Patent number: 11753253
    Abstract: A feeder assembly can be mounted on a platform such as a transport vehicle that includes a main boom assembly for moving material at a destination site. The main boom assembly is both telescoping and rotatable about a rotatable mount on the platform. The feeder assembly is mounted on the platform and can be raised from a transport position in which the feeder assembly lays horizontally on the platform, adjacent the rotatable mount, to a raised and angled position that allows the feeder assembly to convey construction material from a feed hopper at the rear of the feeder assembly to a feed point of the main boom assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Inventor: Walter Bynum
  • Patent number: 11745951
    Abstract: The invention relates to a drive device (1) for a conveyor carriage (4) of a conveyor device (2), comprising a drive source (6) for generating a drive force (FTr) and a drive force transmission device (8) for transmitting the drive force (FTr) to a drive surface of the conveyor carriage (4). The conveyor carriage (4) has at least one counter bearing element (12) in particular which is designed as a counter bearing for the drive force transmission device (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Interroll Holding AG
    Inventors: Thomas Eisinger, Jan-Niklas Laier
  • Patent number: 11745950
    Abstract: A combine feeder slat having a first base, a second base, and a slat body. The bases are located at respective ends of the slat, and have respective upper and lower surfaces. The slat body extends longitudinally and connects the bases. The slat body has a variable profile as viewed along the longitudinal direction, that transitions from a first profile shape at the first base, to an intermediate profile shape between the first base and the second base, to a second profile shape at the second base. The intermediate profile shape includes a front lip, a rear lip, and an upward-facing concave projection that connects the front lip to the rear lip and extends below an attachment plane defined between the first lower surface and the second lower surface. The first base, second base, and slat body are made from a unitary metal part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Nathan E. Isaac, Cale Boriack, Trevor Book