Patents Examined by Douglas Hess
  • Patent number: 11713197
    Abstract: To provide a plate material conveying system configured to load plate materials produced by a press work onto a tray at regular intervals, prior to a cleaning process. The plate material conveying system comprises: a feeding section 13 that feeds the plate materials produced by the press work at regular intervals; a storage section 14 that stores the plate materials conveyed sequentially from the feeding section 13; a loading section 15 that loads the plate materials stored in the storage section 14 on the tray opposing thereto at one time; and a discharging section 16 that conveys the tray from a site to be opposed to the storage section 14 to a predetermined site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignees: DAIWA ENGINEERING CO., LTD., DAIWA CAN COMPANY
    Inventors: Hideyuki Tani, Toshihisa Kasahara, Hidekazu Yoshioka, Hiroshi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 11713147
    Abstract: Article picking and treating apparatus The present invention provides an apparatus for picking and treating articles simultaneously, said picking and treating each being operated at a first and a second conveying line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Anheuser-Busch InBev S.A.
    Inventors: Philippe Jean Marie Duperray, Wim Dekocker
  • Patent number: 11705352
    Abstract: The present application relates to a base frame of a substrate carrier, including a first vertical rod and a second vertical rod; a plurality of cross rods, being arranged along the lengthwise direction of the first vertical rod and the second vertical rod, and being connected between the first vertical rod and the second vertical rod; a first vertical rod extension, being connected to an end of the first vertical rod from which a substrate enters; and a second vertical rod extension, being connected to an end of the second vertical rod from which the substrate enters; and the first vertical rod extension and the second vertical rod extension are configured to accommodate at least one set of rollers for conveying the substrate therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignees: HKC CORPORATION LIMITED, CHONGQING HKC OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD
    Inventor: Qiaodong Li
  • Patent number: 11697557
    Abstract: The invention relates to idler diagnosis systems on conveyors, comprising a rail system as a track for suitable running gears and the running gear, the rail system being formed from a closed profile or tube. The rail system comprises a multi-part track holder arranged on the belt frame, a fixing rod and a running rail, the track holder being suitable for accommodating the running rail at at least one end by insertion, thus creating a track without cross-section differences. The running gear has at least one two-roller system as a guide and drive system, and at least one chassis that accommodates and connects the two roller systems and has connection options for sensor-system carriers and/or energy control module. The guide system encloses the track so only one movement (forwards/backwards) along the track is provided. The drive system moves the chassis and all the connected systems with respect to the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: TAKRAF GmbH
    Inventors: Rainer Kahrger, Jan Nowak, Boris Freier, Mario Dilefeld
  • Patent number: 11691828
    Abstract: A sorter for sorting out discrete products includes an arrangement of adjacent sorting fingers. The sorting fingers, depending on pivoted positions, open a sorting gap in a conveying path for bad products to be sorted out or else close the sorting gap in order to support the further conveying of good products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: WIPOTEC GmbH
    Inventors: Theo Düppre, Matthias Joachim
  • Patent number: 11691181
    Abstract: An article sorting apparatus includes an article support body, article lateral pushing bodies, a rectilinear-movement guide body, a sliding guide body having a sliding guide surface, and a diverting mechanism. The sliding guide surface is disposed so as to be spaced apart from the diverting mechanism in a main transport direction across a separation region, and the separation region is provided so as to include a contact start region that is a region in the main transport direction where each of the article lateral pushing bodies initially comes into contact with a target article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Daifuku Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Miyahara, Makoto Namikawa
  • Patent number: 11691827
    Abstract: An automated system for singulating items is provided. The automated system includes a singulation apparatus. The singulation apparatus includes multiple conveyor modules and a vertical frame structure. Each of the multiple conveyor modules has an identical physical structure. The vertical frame structure provides multiple horizontal mounting locations, each at a different height along the vertical frame structure. Each of the conveyor modules is mounted to a different one of the multiple horizontal mounting locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Longyu Zhao, Tri Minh Quach, Xujie Wang, Bryan Beard, John Swinford
  • Patent number: 11685608
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for the single-track or multi-track conveying of objects along a conveying path extending in a conveying direction, wherein the conveying path for at least one track comprises at least one conveying device that takes over objects at the input side from a functional unit connected upstream and that transfers objects at the output side to a functional unit connected downstream; and wherein the conveying device as a whole and/or in an output-side end region is adjustable transversely to the conveying direction by means of an adjustment device such that the transverse position of objects to be transferred is changed within the respective track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: WEBER MASCHINENBAU GMBH BREIDENBACH
    Inventor: Jens Schröder
  • Patent number: 11685613
    Abstract: Diverting equipment that diverts and transports an article on a transporting route to a branching route. The diverting equipment includes: multiple transport rollers that are arranged in a branching section which is on the transporting route and which branches toward the branching route, and that are rotatable about vertical shafts; multiple diverting transport rollers that are arranged at an upstream side end of the branching route and that can rotate about vertical shafts; and a general controller that controls rotation of the transport rollers and of the diverting transport rollers. The transport rollers and the diverting transport rollers divert and transport the article from the transporting route to the branching route by rotating based on a rotational timing that the general controller controls according to a transport speed and an acceleration/deceleration state of the article that is transported toward the branching section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: DAIFUKU CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Akira Miyahara, Makoto Namikawa
  • Patent number: 11667483
    Abstract: A storage locker for drone delivery provides for weathertight doors that open automatically on sensing the approach of a drone and close to cover the package once deposited by the drone. The storage locker may be operated in conjunction with an elevator to allow elevated placement, removing drones from the vicinity of interfering structures, people, and pets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: J. Mercado & Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: James Martin Mercado
  • Patent number: 11667476
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and apparatuses for locating, engaging, and shifting objects. The systems may be used to unload objects from a storage space, e.g., inside a vehicle or facility, including one associated with a logistics network operation. The systems disclosed herein may operate in automated or semi-automated fashion, e.g., at the direction of a control system associated with a computing device. The systems may further utilize shifter mechanisms that each include one or more belt-driven mechanisms and position-changing mechanisms that facilitate the locating, engaging, and shifting of objects in a storage space. The components of these systems may operate independently, or in coordination, thereby increasing the efficiency of an object-handling operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: UNITED PARCEL SERVICE OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Julio Gil, Julian Leland Bell, Youngjun Choi
  • Patent number: 11649118
    Abstract: Conveyor assembly for in a lying position, in X-direction from an inlet to an outlet, conveying products serially supplied in transverse series comprising: —an inlet conveyor situated on the inlet side; —a drive for driving the inlet conveyor for in X-direction conveying the transverse series of products lying thereon; —a first recording device for recording the position of the products within a transverse series, in a Y-direction that is horizontally transverse to the X-direction; —a first correction device for influencing the positions in Y-direction of the products within a transverse series; —a programmable control unit which is configured for receiving and processing the recording data from the first recording device and for controlling the first correction device, if the products within the recorded transverse series are not in the wanted position in Y-direction, —wherein the first correction device comprises a first conveyor and a first drive for it for conveying the products in X-direction, —wherein t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: SLEEGERS TECHNIEK B.V.
    Inventor: Hubertus Theodorus Wilhelmus Sleegers
  • Patent number: 11649117
    Abstract: A device for inspecting transport bags (14) that can be conveyed in a suspended manner with a bag interior (16) for receiving piece-goods units (5), the transport bag having a bag opening (17) of the bag interior, includes a device for opening and/or keeping open the bag opening of a transport bag that is to be inspected; and a detection device (70) that is configured to receive at least one two-dimensional and/or three-dimensional image of at least part of the bag interior of the transport bag to be inspected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: FERAG AG
    Inventor: Andreas Durtschi
  • Patent number: 11649077
    Abstract: The technology described herein generally relates to particular form of folded package and the method of forming that folded package. The package packages loose particles into a conical container and secures the filling with a folded distal end. More specifically, loose plant matter, such as crumbled dried leaves, are supplied as filling and the package may further be provided with a fluid core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Inventors: Mark W. Holderman, Gregory A. Russell
  • Patent number: 11649119
    Abstract: A raw material supply device and a device for processing electronic and electrical device part scraps, which can control dropping positions of a raw material containing substances having different shapes and specific gravities, and a method for processing electronic and electrical device part scraps using those devices. The raw material supply device includes a receiving port, a discharge port, a first guide surface, and a second guide surface on a surface opposing to the first guide surface. The processing device includes a first conveying unit, a raw material supply device, a second conveying unit, and a pyramid-shaped disperser. The processing method comprises a sorting step, wherein the sorting step comprises dropping the electronic and electrical device part scraps onto a plurality of dispersion surfaces of a pyramid-shaped disperser, and dispersing the electronic and electrical device part scraps in a plurality of directions on a conveying surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: JX NIPPON MINING & METALS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Katsushi Aoki, Yujiro Tokita
  • Patent number: 11643276
    Abstract: A deployable bulk material distribution apparatus for discharging from a designated height an amount of a flowable bulk material into a discharge location is provided. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises an auger section; a bucket elevator section configured so as to be movable between: an upright position; and a reclined position wherein the bucket elevator section is substantially reclined for transport; and a joint assembly coupling the exit aperture of the auger section to the boot inlet of the bucket elevator section so as to allow the flowable bulk material to move from the exit aperture to the boot inlet when the bucket elevator section is in the upright position, the joint assembly being rotatably coupled to the boot inlet. The auger section and container operable to freely move along the bucket elevator section when it is moved between the upright and reclined positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Inventor: Johnny Frederick Sen
  • Patent number: 11639271
    Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a guiderail for guiding one or more articles conveyed along a conveyor having a conveying path in a conveying direction. The apparatus includes a mount for mounting to the conveyor. The mount includes a support rail for supporting the guide rail, which support rail may have a length in the conveying direction less than a length of the conveyor. The support rail may include one or more stops for engaging one of a pair of movable supports. The supports may be slidably mounted to the support rail for adjusting a position of the guiderail relative to the conveyor in a direction transverse to the conveying direction. Related methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: SPAN TECH LLC
    Inventors: James L. Layne, Stephen C. Fye, Aaron Cotton, Nathan Lasley
  • Patent number: 11629012
    Abstract: A conveyor device, comprising a) a plurality of rack elements arranged in a first row to define a first conveyor track. The conveyor device also comprises b) a plurality of rack elements arranged in a second row to define a second conveyor track. The conveyor device includes c) a robot unit with a traction device and a driving device, wherein said traction device is adapted to move said robot unit along said first or said second conveying direction and said driving device is adapted to engage said coupling interface of said movable carrier device to drive said movable carrier device. The conveyor device also includes d) a cross traverse rack element adapted to take up said robot unit, wherein said cross traverse rack element comprises a traverse movable load carrying device having an upper traverse load surface adapted to take up an object and a traverse coupling interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Interroll Holding AG
    Inventors: Xavier Frangeul, Uwe Schildheuer
  • Patent number: 11623765
    Abstract: An information processing device includes an association information acquiring unit, a first position information acquiring unit, and an output control unit. The association information acquiring unit acquires association information in which first identification information used for identifying baggage and second identification information used for identifying an owner of baggage identified by the first identification information are associated with each other. The first position information acquiring unit acquires position information of target baggage that is baggage identified by the first identification information included in the association information. The output control unit causes a mobile terminal held by a target owner who is an owner of the baggage identified by the second identification information associated with the first identification information relating to the target baggage in the association information to output information based on the position information of the target baggage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA DIGITAL SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tomoyuki Hotta
  • Patent number: 11618640
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to position a cargo unit in a cargo compartment of an aircraft are disclosed herein. An example linear track system in a cargo compartment of an aircraft includes a first linear synchronous motor (LSM) track coupled to a floor of the cargo compartment, a second LSM track coupled to the floor of the cargo compartment, and a cargo positioning system to activate the first and second LSM tracks to move a cargo unit along the first and second LSM tracks through the cargo compartment. A bottom of the cargo unit has first and second strips of conductive material to interact with the corresponding first and second LSM tracks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Brett Dayton Sjostrom, Jose A. Cantos, Kenneth M. LaSalle