Patents Examined by Glenn F Myers
  • Patent number: 11566438
    Abstract: A mobility hub is composed of a plurality of layers and serves as a terminal of a ground mobility and an air mobility. The mobility hub includes: a ground layer provided with an entrance of the ground mobility; a port layer provided with a taking-off and landing site of the air mobility; and a middle layer provided between the ground layer and the port layer. The middle layer has the ground mobility elevating in a space with the ground layer, is provided with a plurality of connection slots to which the ground mobility is connected, and provides an activity space through the ground mobility if the ground mobility is coupled to the connection slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sueng Ho Lee, Sun Sung Kwon, Byung Hoon Yang, Jeong Mo Jang, Kwang Hyun Won, So Ra Roh, Jae Wan Choi, Min Su Kim, Yoh Han Kim, Ji Hwan Byun
  • Patent number: 11569112
    Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus includes: a substrate processing part including a load port configured to place thereon a substrate accommodating vessel in which at least one substrate is accommodated, and configured to take out the at least one substrate from the substrate accommodating vessel and to perform a series of processes on the at least one substrate; and a controller configured to control an opening and closing of a lid of the substrate accommodating vessel, wherein the controller performs control to open the lid after the substrate accommodating vessel is placed on the load port, and the controller performs control to close the lid when an abnormality occurs in the substrate processing part and when none of the at least one substrate removed from the substrate accommodating vessel can be recovered to the substrate accommodating vessel after a predetermined period of time from the occurrence of the abnormality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Eiki Endo, Hiroyuki Takatsuka, Tatsuya Mukoyama
  • Patent number: 11548428
    Abstract: A ramp assembly to accommodate a wheel-chaired passenger to enter or exit a motorized vehicle having a conventional floor includes a frame and a ramp. The ramp is slidably coupled to the frame. The ramp assembly further includes a drive block configured to translate longitudinally along the track system. The ramp assembly further includes a wheel pivotally coupled to the ramp. The wheel has a longitudinal axis and is rotatably coupled to the drive block or the frame for rotation about the longitudinal axis to move the ramp between a raised position and a lowered position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: The Braun Corporation
    Inventors: Adam Smith, Justin M. Kline
  • Patent number: 11551957
    Abstract: A substrate container including a plate, a shell, a connector, and a seal, where the connector is threaded and secured via a nut, and the seal contacts each of the shell, plate, and connector. The plate has a recess accommodating an end of the connector and the nut. Field-serviceable, removable purge modules including check valves may be used with the substrate container, and may be secured to the substrate container in the recess in the plate. Filters may be secured to the connector or included in the purge modules. These filters may have diameters larger than an internal diameter of the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: ENTEGRIS, INC.
    Inventors: Shawn D. Eggum, Mark V. Smith, Matthew A. Fuller
  • Patent number: 11535994
    Abstract: A cargo carrier for portable nimble strips that is mountable to a vehicle has a support surface that is configured to support multiple portable rumble strips. The support surface also is configured to move between a deployment position having a first width and a transit position having a second width that is less than the first width. The cargo carrier includes a frame that defines the support surface. In the illustrated embodiment, the support surface is divided along a major width dimension into at least three planar segments that are movable relative to one another to alter the overall width of the support surface, including a center portion and lateral portions extending from opposing sides of the center portion. The lateral portions are pivotably movable between extended positions aligned with the center portion in a horizontal orientation and retracted positions inclined relative to the center portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: PLASTIC SAFETY SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: Charles M. Mettler
  • Patent number: 11535473
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a system for moving and labelling reels (R1, R2, R3, R4, . . . Rn) of a web material such as paper or nonwoven in which each reel has a central core piece (3) which is hollow and around which the web material is wound. A robot arm (6) is inserted into the central core piece (3) of at least one reel (R1) and is then used to move the (R1) from a first position (P1) to a second position (P2) and to fix an inner label (15) onto the central core piece (3). According to the invention, the inner label (15) is placed on the robot arm (6) before the robot arm (6) is inserted into the central core piece (3) and the robot arm (6) is used both to fix the inner label (15) to the central core piece (3) and to move the at least one reel (R1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: VALMET AKTIEBOLAG
    Inventor: Marco Capitani
  • Patent number: 11535412
    Abstract: A method for unpacking a workpiece, in particular an optical lens or an optical lens blank, from a package, includes an automated cutting open step of a first package side of the package, and an automated sliding of the workpiece out of the package step on the first package side. An unpacking apparatus for unpacking a workpiece from a package, has a feed station for receiving a package in which a workpiece is arranged, a cutting-open station having a first cutting or sawing tool for the automated cutting open of a first package side of the package downstream of the feed station, and a slide-out station downstream of the cutting-open station. A relative movement can be produced between the package and the workpiece in an automated manner so that the workpiece slides out of the package on the first package side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: OptoTech AG
    Inventors: Benito Guldimann, Claude Volken, Ulrich Wyler, Stefan Anthamatten, Volker Harnickell
  • Patent number: 11535447
    Abstract: A storage silo for storing granular material has a container supported by a base, the container having a roof and at least one side wall for defining a storage space beneath the roof. The storage silo includes: (a) a feed port for receiving the granular material at a feed-port height lower than the roof; (b) an auger for moving the granular material toward the roof within the storage space, the auger receiving the granular material via the feed port; and (c) first and second auger motors for cooperatively driving the auger, the first and second auger motors being disposed at opposing ends of the auger. A processor determines power levels for the first and second auger motors to minimize torsional strain on the auger. Granular material can be discharged from a first storage silo into a second storage silo positioned for cascading with the first storage silo.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Inventors: Darrell Ford, Lonny Thiessen
  • Patent number: 11524302
    Abstract: A system includes a platform having an upper surface and defining a recess having a floor, the recess configured to seat a dish, and a movable securing frame that is movably connected with the platform, the frame including a lift support having an upper surface that is movable along a path from a first location that is beneath the floor of the recess, through the recess, to a second location that is coplanar with the upper surface of the platform. A motor configured to cause oscillation of the platform and the movable securing frame can be used. A method of using the system can include placing a dish above a recess defined by an upper surface of a platform, and lowering the frame with respect to the platform, thereby seating the dish within the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: SPEX SAMPLEPREP, LLC
    Inventors: Marc Boivin, Pierre-Emmanuel LeMay, Antoine Fiala, Marco Bernier
  • Patent number: 11523949
    Abstract: A lift for transferring a user to and from a vehicle, the lift including a lift platform and a pump unit to adjust the position of the lifting platform. The pump unit includes: i) a first cover having a plurality of first cover apertures to receive a plurality of connectors, ii) a pump, iii) a pump block operatively connected to the pump. The pump block includes a first side with first side block apertures and a second side with second side block apertures, wherein the first side block apertures are arranged to be collocated with the plurality of first cover apertures and the second side block apertures are arranged to be collocated with the plurality of first cover apertures. A manual pump actuator extends from one side of the pump assembly, wherein the manual pump actuator is oriented in once a first direction or a second direction with respect to the pump cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: The Braun Corporation
    Inventor: Nicholas Anderson
  • Patent number: 11521153
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a distribution station for serving an unmanned logistics distribution vehicle and distribution method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: BEIJING JINGDONG QIANSHI TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Luyi Han, Jun Xiao, Jinhua Cai, Yanguang Liu, Chen Fan
  • Patent number: 11521879
    Abstract: Provided is a load port apparatus including: a mounting unit on which a pod housing a housed object is mounted; a frame portion provided to stand adjacent to the mounting unit and having a frame opening to which a main opening of the pod is connected; a door engageable with a lid for the main opening of the pod for opening and closing the frame opening and the main opening; a door drive mechanism which drives the door; an inner gas exhaust unit provided below an inner side of the frame opening to exhaust a gas from an inside of a mini environment connected to the pod through the main opening and the frame opening; and a corrosive gas detection sensor arranged between the frame opening and the inner gas exhaust unit or in an exhaust flow path of the inner gas exhaust unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: TDK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tatsuhiro Kotsugai, Toshihiko Miyajima, Takeshi Kagaya
  • Patent number: 11511903
    Abstract: An apparatus for opening a packaging in which a transport tub for objects is packaged, the packaging having a packaging portion which extends in an extent direction away from the transport tub, the apparatus having a cutting-open device for cutting open the packaging in order to generate an opening in the packaging, the cutting-open device being designed to cut off a first part of the packaging portion in order to generate the opening in the packaging, and having an inflating device for inflating the packaging through the opening generated in the packaging. The apparatus furthermore relates to a system for opening a packaging, and to a method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: GRONINGER & CO. GMBH
    Inventors: Bernd Franke, Josef Veile
  • Patent number: 11515187
    Abstract: A vertical batch furnace assembly for processing wafers having a cassette handling space, a wafer handling space, and a first wall and separating the cassette handling space from the wafer handling space. The first wall has at least one wafer transfer opening in front of which, at a side of the first wall which is directed to the cassette handling space, a wafer transfer position for a wafer cassette is provided. The cassette handling space comprises a cassette storage having a plurality of cassette storage positions and a cassette handler configured to transfer wafer cassettes between the cassette storage positions and the wafer transfer position. The cassette handler has a first cassette handler arm and a second cassette handler arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: ASM IP Holding B.V.
    Inventors: Theodorus G. M. Oosterlaken, Jeroen Fluit
  • Patent number: 11498759
    Abstract: A rail can include first and transverse channels defined therein. A container can include a rod, a spring, a first plate assembly, and a second plate assembly. The first plate assembly can include a first transverse bearing disposed in the first transverse channel. The second plate assembly can include a second transverse bearing disposed in the second transverse channel. A robotic assembly can include a robotic arm. The robotic arm can include opposing grips defining a grip space therebetween. A processing system including one or more processors can be configured to, via the robotic assembly: align the grip space with the container rod; drive the rod against the spring; allow the spring to relax and thereby separate the first plate assembly from the second plate assembly; position the rod such that the first transverse bearing and the second transverse bearing are simultaneously withdrawn from the first and second transverse channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC
    Inventors: Elias Aljallis, Vikranth Gopalakrishnan, Ronald S. Kyslinger
  • Patent number: 11492199
    Abstract: Embodiments provide for systems and methods related to kiosks for personalizing a packaged article. The kiosks may also be used for storage, inventory management, retrieval, packaging, and/or personalization of packaged articles. The kiosks discussed herein differ from non-kiosk personalization systems, such as personalization systems installed on a factory or warehouse floor, in that the kiosks are self-contained personalization systems. In some embodiments, the kiosks are portable and can be moved between different sites or events. This portability allows the kiosks to personalize packaged articles for concerts, festivals, conventions, trade shows, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: CreateMe Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Hoshino, David Glen Barrett, Scott Timothy Alberstein, Gad Amit, Stanislav Moiseyenko, Yuri Viacheslav Litvinov
  • Patent number: 11492202
    Abstract: An identifier associated with one or more assets is obtained in response to a reader component reading a tag associated with one or more assets as the one or more assets traverse a conveyor apparatus. At least partially in response to the obtaining of the identifier, a storage unit of a plurality of storage units is caused to automatically rotate to a loading location to receive the one or more assets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: UNITED PARCEL SERVICE OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Julio Gil, Thomas Ramsager
  • Patent number: 11495481
    Abstract: There is provided an EFEM, including: at least one load port; a housing closed by connecting the at least one load port to an opening provided on a side wall of the housing and configured to define, in the housing, a transfer chamber for transferring a substrate; a substrate transfer device disposed in the transfer chamber and configured to transfer the substrate; an inert gas supply unit configured to supply an inert gas to the transfer chamber; and a gas discharge unit configured to discharge a gas in the transfer chamber, wherein the at least one load port includes: an opening/closing mechanism capable of opening and closing a lid of a mounted FOUP; and an accommodation chamber kept in communication with the transfer chamber and configured to accommodate a part of the opening/closing mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Sinfonia Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihiro Kawai, Gengoro Ogura
  • Patent number: 11485576
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for selecting and combining items in an outbound container through the use of autonomous vehicles, each of which includes means for automatically loading and unloading a payload, to perform both transfer and transport functions in moving containers of items within a workspace via a network of roadways. Under computer control, said autonomous vehicles transfer and transport case containers of item units between incoming receiving stations, intermediate storage locations, and outgoing order-assembly stations where entire containers or individual item units are combined in the outbound container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Symbotic LLC
    Inventor: John G. Lert, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11479410
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed relating to an automated store or system including an automated fulfillment section having a storage structure for storing fungible and/or non-fungible goods. The fungible and/or non-fungible goods may be retrieved from storage in response to a customer order. The system and method of the present technology allows retrieved fungible and/or non-fungible goods to be sorted and packed in accordance with stored customer preferences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Alert Innovation Inc.
    Inventors: John G. Lert, Jr., William J. Fosnight