Patents Examined by Douglas Hess
  • Patent number: 11529653
    Abstract: Produce sorting systems and methods that utilize a conveyor system to move produce through stages such as singulation, camera inspection, weight, and sorting. The sorting systems and methods may utilize conveyor systems having carrier segments that provide for increased speed, efficiency, accuracy, reliability, durability, and lower maintenance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: DURAND-WAYLAND, INC.
    Inventor: Ian Robert Madden
  • Patent number: 11530095
    Abstract: A link for a conveyor chain includes a first portion and a second portion laterally spaced apart from the first portion. The first portion includes a first sprocket-engaging pin, and the second portion includes a second sprocket-engaging pin. The first sprocket-engaging pin and the second sprocket-engaging pin protrude laterally away from one another. The first sprocket-engaging pin and the second sprocket-engaging pin may each have an oblong cross-section. At least one retainer can secure a connecting pin against movement relative to at least one of the first portion and the second portion, and each retainer can be positioned substantially within one of the first portion and the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: Joy Global Underground Mining LLC
    Inventors: Aaron Philip Walker, Christopher George Stewart
  • Patent number: 11530096
    Abstract: An apparatus for guiding products along a conveyor in a conveying direction. The apparatus includes a first guiderail for at least partially forming a conveying path for articles on the conveyor. A guiderail adjuster includes a flexible or collapsible support, which make take the form of a linkage, and which provides support for the first guiderail along the conveyor. The flexible or collapsible support is adapted for being extended and retracted along a support rail extending in the conveying direction to selectively position the first guiderail relative to the conveyor, and thereby alter (increase or decrease) the width of the conveying path. Related methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: SPAN TECH LLC
    Inventors: James L. Layne, Stephen C. Fye, Scott Dayton Barbour, Aaron Cotton, Savannah Bell
  • Patent number: 11524849
    Abstract: Disclosed is an object transfer device for a conveying installation, the device including a main object conveying path and a plurality of rotary drive elements, the rotary elements being configured to adopt a lowered position in which the element is situated below the main path a raised position in which the element projects above the main path in order to drive an object, the rotary drive element including drive surfaces with external diameters that vary over the length of the element, wherein the drive surfaces of the rotary drive elements have an external diameter that varies according to the angular position of the rotary element along the transfer path. Also disclosed is a conveying installation including such transfer device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: FIVES SYLEPS
    Inventors: Pierre Le Du, Pierre Le Coguic, Pascal Perrot
  • Patent number: 11518620
    Abstract: A conveyor module 1, adapted to be releasably attached to at least one other conveyor module 1 to form a conveyor assembly 15. Each conveyor module 1 includes a substantially longitudinal main frame 4, said main frame 4 being adjustable between a first position (FIG. 3), in which said module 1 is compacted for transportation, and, a second position (FIG. 4), in which said module 1 is expanded for conveyor operation. A plurality of support legs 17 is provided to support said conveyor module 1 upon a substrate surface, each support leg being adjustable to facilitate adjustable alignment of said module 1. Conveyor componentry 12 is housed substantially within said main frame 1. The conveyor module 1 is preferably formed from or built to standardised shipping container (ISO) specifications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: NEPEAN CONVEYORS PTY LTD
    Inventors: Bill Munday, Tony Perram, David Novak, Dean Franklin
  • Patent number: 11518295
    Abstract: A work machine extending in a fore-aft direction includes a frame, a ground-engaging mechanism, a boom assembly to the frame, and a traction assist apparatus. The ground-engaging mechanism is configured to support the frame on a surface. The traction assist apparatus is coupled to the boom assembly. The traction assist apparatus has an attachment point for securing a tether.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Richard J Lawler, Bryon P Neumann
  • Patent number: 11518632
    Abstract: A dust capture and reclamation system for a rubber conveyor belt having a housing for mounting over a portion of the rubber conveyor belt, a plurality of idler roller assemblies, a plurality of return roller assemblies, a trough for mounting under the rubber conveyor belt to catch granular material falling from the rubber conveyor belt, the trough having an inside surface, a mechanism for moving granular material along the inside surface to a collection point, a first access panel through one side for accessing an idler roller, and a second access panel through one of the pair of opposed side walls for accessing a return roller assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Benetech, Inc.
    Inventors: John S. Pircon, Robert Huskisson, Diego Arrivabene, Kevin T. Jasin
  • Patent number: 11517037
    Abstract: Disclosed is a continuous feeding mechanism including a transfer mechanism, wherein the transfer mechanism includes a rotatable indent roller circumferentially provided with a plurality of blanking grooves; a post pin is arranged in each blanking groove; the post pin is connected with a spring; the spring is arranged towards the interior of the indent roller; and the post pin can move along the blanking grooves; a feeding box, wherein the bottom of the feeding box is hollow, and the bottom is arranged above the indent roller or the bottom is fixedly connected with the indent roller; the continuous feeding mechanism is arranged above one side of the transfer mechanism; and an electromagnetic heating mechanism which includes a supporting frame, wherein the transfer mechanism is arranged in the supporting frame, and an electromagnetic coil is circumferentially arranged outside the supporting frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignees: QINGDAO UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, XINJIANG JIANGNING LIGHT INDUSTRY MACHINERY ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD
    Inventors: Changhe Li, Mingzheng Liu, Ji Che, Sanqiang Zhang, Yanbin Zhang, Dongzhou Jia, Cai Wang, Weidong Xie, Qianqian Zhao, Mingchuang Kang, Enhao Liu, Zhaohua Li, Yali Hou
  • Patent number: 11511898
    Abstract: An article feeder assembly having a pocketed separator and a discharge tube configured to deliver articles to the pocketed separator. Some embodiments include an initial feeder assembly in overlying relation with a track extending from the initial feeder assembly to the discharge tube. Articles are oriented in end-to-end orientation in the initial feeder assembly and delivered to the pocketed separator in vertical end-to-end orientation. As pocketed separator rotates with respect to discharge tube, vertical retention members pass through a tunnel in the discharge tube and rotate articles out of the discharge tube. The discharged articles are secured in pockets delineated by the retention members. Some embodiments use one or more cam mechanisms to properly orient the discharged articles as the pocketed separator rotates. Properly oriented articles are then delivered to an advancing mechanism, such as a conveyor system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Performance Feeders, Inc.
    Inventors: Chad Roberts, Gregory Pflum
  • Patent number: 11511951
    Abstract: A rotor for a long-stator linear motor system comprises at least three rollers for mounting the rotor on one or more guide rails of the long-stator linear motor system, the at least three rollers comprising a first roller that engages with an upper part of a first guide rail of the one or more guide rails, a second roller that engages with a lower part of the first guide rail, and a third roller that a) is rotatably mounted to at least one rotatable bolster of the rotor or b) comprises a steering rotational axis with an integrated castor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventors: Alexander Hartung, Heiner Schaefer, Peter Zeiner, Konrad Senn, Torsten Kilgenstein, Stefan Elsperger, Michael Neubauer, Manfred Kieslinger
  • Patent number: 11511945
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to secure rollable carts to sortation systems. In one embodiment, an example system may include a first chute configured to guide packages to a first moveable cart that is disposed at a first end of the first chute, and a first anti-tip mechanism configured to prevent tipping of the first moveable cart. The first anti-tip mechanism may include a frame, a first C-shaped component coupled to the frame, and a second C-shaped component coupled to the frame. The first C-shaped component may be configured to engage a first portion of the first moveable cart, and the second C-shaped component may be configured to engage a second portion of the first moveable cart, such that the first moveable cart is prevented from vertical movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Dwayne Thomas, Sean Murphy, Trudy Parnell, Robert Theodore Cassidy, Sian Leng Lee Chew
  • Patent number: 11505413
    Abstract: Disclosed is a vertical strip accumulator. The vertical strip accumulator includes an inner drum unit having an inner drum; an outer drum unit installed at an outer side of the inner drum unit; a central drum unit installed at an inner side of the inner drum unit; and an input unit configured to carry a skelp supplied from an uncoiler to the outer drum unit. The outer drum unit includes an outer drum configured to selectively rotate forward and reverse; a first power source configured to provide a power to the outer drum; an outer roller installed to the outer drum; and a first control unit connected to the first power source to control the operation of the first power source. The input unit includes a carrying roller provided in contact with the skelp; a second power source configured to supply a power to the carrying roller; and a second control unit connected to the second power source to control the operation of the second power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Inventor: Sangyong An
  • Patent number: 11505198
    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: June 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Autostore Technology AS
    Inventor: Trond Austrheim
  • 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
  • Patent number: 11504755
    Abstract: A device for producing strip material, such as a hot strip. The device includes lateral guide elements which are arranged on both sides of the strip material and, in particular, along a roller table having several rollers, and at least one rotating wear body on each side guide element. In order to minimize the wear of guide elements when transporting the strip material over a roller conveyor, a speed control device regulates a rate of speed of the at least one wear element. Further, a position control device is provided for setting an extended position of the at least one wear element. The position control device sends control signals to a positioning drive for extending the at least one wear body to an extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: SMS GROUP GMBH
    Inventors: Thomas Holzhauer, Ulrich Cramer, Andreas Kastner, Magnus Treude
  • Patent number: 11498769
    Abstract: The invention employs a folding arm conveyor that rotates horizontally. The folding arm conveyor is mainly composed of an undercarriage mounted on the ground of a stockyard, a tower body mounted on the undercarriage, a balance arm, a conveying arm, a tower top, and other main components, wherein the balance arm, the conveying arm, and the tower top are mounted on the tower body. The conveying arm is provided with two portal frames (I) and (II) and an unloading trolley. The tower body is provided with a gyration apparatus and a hopper. The balance arm is provided with a balance trolley. The folding arm conveyor can rotate horizontally, and the conveying arm can be folded and retraced by controlling the wind rope by the windlass, so that the folding arm conveyor can be prevented from colliding with other devices or buildings during the rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Changsha University of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Juan Huang, Lairong Yin, Tao Ling, Le Xiao, Jinxing Wang, Yuyang Peng, Peng Xu, Minhui Chen
  • Patent number: 11498820
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for providing stopper elements that are sorted in order to feed a downstream workstation. The devices comprising a lifting means; a means or referencing said stopper elements one by one, located downstream from the lifting means; a conveyor for bringing the referenced elements to said workstation, positioned at the outlet of said referencing means; a vision means for verifying the conformance of said elements in an inspection zone extending at the level of the referencing means and/or of the conveyor; and a means for expelling those elements that do not conform located downstream of said vision means. The inspection zone comprises at least two successive sections each including a distinct color. The invention also relates to a corresponding method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: SIDEL ENGINEERING & CONVEYING SOLUTIONS
    Inventors: Emmanuel Roth, Daniel Spiesser, Arnaud Schmitt
  • Patent number: 11498780
    Abstract: A glass product transport apparatus is provided. The glass product transport apparatus includes a slotted element assembly configured to engage a narrowed portion of a glass product. A carriage assembly has a longitudinal slot configured to receive the slotted element assembly for longitudinal movement. An actuator is connected to the slotted element assembly and configured to move the slotted element assembly in a longitudinal direction. A rail structure is configured to support the carriage assembly. The slotted element assembly is configured to retain the glass product in the event power is removed from the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Robex, LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan D. Parker, Aaron J. Peper
  • Patent number: 11493789
    Abstract: A handling equipment for a placement shelf of display panel is provided. The handling equipment includes a rack, a rotatable driving wheel and a cleansing device. The cleansing device is configured to cleanse the driving wheel. The driving wheel and the cleansing device both are disposed on the rack. The cleansing device contacts with the driving wheel. The driving wheel is configured to contact a bottom frame of the placement shelf of display panel. The driving wheel is disposed with a cleaning layer on the radial periphery of the driving wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignees: HKC CORPORATION LIMITED, CHONGQING HKC OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Po-Sung Pan
  • Patent number: 11492207
    Abstract: The present invention provides a device for grouping containers, comprising a plurality of transfer pallets for conveying containers upright on a pallet surface and a first transfer device comprising a first transfer platform and an infeed manipulator, wherein the pallet surface of each transfer pallet has a plurality of ridge-like elevations forming a support surface for the containers, and wherein the first transfer platform has a comb-shaped outlet area configured for allowing the ridge-like elevations of the pallet surface to pass through the intermediate spaces of the comb-shaped outlet area for taking over the at least one container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: KRONES AG
    Inventor: Helmut Schuesslburner