Patents Examined by Glenn F Myers
  • Patent number: 11236477
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a vehicle for removing foreign objects (e.g. rubbish) from an area proximal to the vehicle (e.g. along a roadside). The vehicle comprises an arm that is moveable into a foreign object collecting position, a foreign object collector located at a distal end of the arm and configured for collecting foreign objects, and a conduit for conveying collected foreign objects to a storage bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Inventor: Norman Boyle
  • Patent number: 11235927
    Abstract: A bin holding device includes two vertical side elements spaced to accommodate a storage bin between the two vertical side elements. Each side element is provided with a bin supporting assembly including a bin support and an actuator. The bin support includes an upper bin interacting part arranged to interact with the storage bin when the storage bin is accommodated in the bin holding device, such that a top edge of the accommodated storage bin is held at a predetermined level. The actuator is operably connected to the bin support and includes a lower bin interacting part arranged to interact with the storage bin during introduction of the storage bin into the bin holding device in a downward vertical direction, such that the upper bin interacting part is moved to interact with the storage bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Autostore Technology AS
    Inventor: Ingvar Hognaland
  • Patent number: 11227782
    Abstract: Vertical batch furnace assembly for processing wafers comprising a cassette handling space, a wafer handling space, and a first wall separating the cassette handling space from the wafer handling space. The first wall has at least one wafer transfer opening in front of which a wafer transfer position for a wafer cassette is provided. The cassette handling space comprises a cassette storage, and a cassette handling mechanism. The cassette storage has a plurality of cassette storage positions and is configured to store a plurality of wafer cassettes. The cassette handling mechanism comprises a first cassette handler which is configured to transfer wafer cassettes between a first set of the cassette storage positions and the wafer transfer position. The cassette handling mechanism is provided with a second cassette handler which is configured to transfer wafer cassettes between a second set of the cassette storage positions and the wafer transfer position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: ASM IP Holding B.V.
    Inventor: Chris G. M. de Ridder
  • Patent number: 11225378
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a buffer device for temporarily storing an article container for containing an article to be picked up, including: a placing unit on which the article container is placed and which is configured to transport the placed article container in a direction away from a pick-up area; a supply unit which supplies the article container from the pick-up area to an end area on a side of the placing unit close to the pick-up area; a movable carriage unit which is configured to travel in a transport direction of the article container in the placing unit and which allows the article container to be placed; and a transfer device which transfers the article container at least between the placing unit and the movable carriage unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: IHI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takayuki Nakayama
  • Patent number: 11208133
    Abstract: A cart may be provided for use in moving a container that houses one or more conductors. The cart may comprise a support member, one or more wheels, and a receiving member. The wheel or wheels may be connected to the support member. The receiving member may be attached to the support member. The receiving member may be freely slideable along the support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Southwire Company, LLC
    Inventors: Juan Alberto Galindo Gonzalez, Richard Mike Temblador, Allan W. Daniel, Daniel Irvin, Franklin Calhoun, Laurentiu Dragomir, James Phillip Tuggle, Jeffrey D. Herrin, Joseph Gerardo, John R. Carlson
  • Patent number: 11211269
    Abstract: A method includes receiving, by a first loadlock chamber of the loadlock system, a first object from a factory interface via a first opening. The first object is transferred into the first loadlock chamber via a first robot arm. The factory interface is at a first state. The first loadlock chamber is configured to receive different types of objects. The method further includes sealing a first loadlock door against the first opening to create a first sealed environment at the first state in the first loadlock chamber and causing the first sealed environment of the first loadlock chamber to be changed to a second state. The method further includes actuating a second loadlock door to provide a second opening between the first loadlock chamber and a transfer chamber. The first object is to be transferred from the first loadlock chamber to the transfer chamber via a second robot arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Andrew Paul Harbert, Michael C Kuchar, Nicholas Michael Bergantz, Leon Volfovski, Sivakumar Ramalingam, Karuppasamy Muthukamatchi, Douglas R McAllister
  • Patent number: 11195735
    Abstract: A load lock for a substrate container for receiving flat substrates, wherein the load lock has a load chamber for receiving the substrate container that has a bottom, a ceiling, a rear wall, a front wall, a first side wall and a second side wall that connect the rear wall to the front wall, and wherein a carrier unit for receiving the substrate container is arranged in the load chamber. Here, it is provided that the load chamber can be divided into a first part and a second part along a dividing plane to open the load chamber, wherein the dividing plane extends toward the rear wall offset from the front wall through the first side wall, the second side wall, the bottom and the ceiling of the load chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Inventor: Uwe Beier
  • Patent number: 11192732
    Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for palletizing cargo on a rack for shipment are provided. The system generally includes a tiered rack having a base tier, a support framework extending from the base tier, and a second tier adjustably attached to the support framework. The system may further include a plurality of lower frame support members positioned longitudinally across the bottom of the base tier, and a plurality of pneumatically actuated rollers spaced to cooperatively engage the plurality of lower frame support members, the rollers being selectively extendable from a plurality of raised tracks positioned longitudinally along a floor of the railcar, where the rollers are configured to pneumatically extend past an upper surface of the track when actuated and allow for linear motion thereover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: American Refrigerated Express, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Campbell, Art Shoener
  • Patent number: 11186470
    Abstract: The present subject matter relates to a multi-tine lifting implement, which, when mounted on a vehicle such as a skid steer loader, can pry and lift objects such as concrete or asphalt slabs or pavement, pieces of concrete or asphalt, rocks, shrubs, small trees, and the like. The implement has removeable sides, and a top portion that is removeable and replaceable with a grapple. Tines may be supported by reinforced sleeves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Inventor: Deloren E. Anderson
  • Patent number: 11180067
    Abstract: A rapid loading sled for use during the transportation of wheeled vehicles via trailer or truck. The sled includes a body with a frame and deck that provide a low profile surface for loading and securing a wheeled vehicle to before the sled is loaded on a trailer or truck for transportation. The sled includes a sliding assembly to improve maneuverability during loading and a winch system for guiding the retractable cable of a winch during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Inventor: Frank D. Marcum
  • Patent number: 11174098
    Abstract: A logistics apparatus for transporting frac sand, frac liquid, and/or drill cuttings between a terminal and a well pad. The apparatus includes a container having a top and bottom. The top having one or more inlet port for receiving frac sand and a liquid outlet. The inlet orts can be secured by watertight covers. The bottom of the container is configured as a hopper having an opening secured by a railcar gate. The apparatus, in position having the railcar gate at bottom, can be used to store and transport frac sand. The apparatus can be inverted for transporting the frac liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Inventor: Frederick A Garfinkel
  • Patent number: 11171029
    Abstract: A carrier door opener includes one or more connector devices configured to interface with a door of a substrate carrier located at a load port. The carrier door opener further includes an outer surface forming a groove and a load port seal seated in the groove. The load port seal is configured to seal against a first portion of a planar surface of a panel of the load port around a panel opening formed by the panel. A second portion of the planar surface of the panel is configured to seal to a factory interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: David T. Blahnik, Paul B. Reuter, Luke W. Bonecutter, Douglas B. Baumgarten
  • Patent number: 11167922
    Abstract: A system and method for handling shipping containers is described. The container handling system comprises a crane, the crane comprising crane load handling devices. The container handling system further comprises conveyance means, the conveyance means further comprising transversal load handling devices. The system further comprises storage and sortation means for storing the containers in a series of stacks disposed beneath a grid, the grid comprising a series of load handling devices operable thereon. The crane load handling device removes a container from a ship, transports it to transversal load handling means operable on a conveyor. The container is moved on the conveyor to a transfer point where it is collected by a robotic load handling device for transport to the storage and sortation area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: OCADO INNOVATION LIMITED
    Inventors: Lars Sverker Ture Lindbo, Andrew John Ingram-Tedd, Pawel Karolinczak, Matthew Whelan
  • Patent number: 11171027
    Abstract: A storing system includes: a traveling rail including a plurality of first rails extending in a first direction and a plurality of second rails extending in a second direction, the first rails and the second rails being disposed in a grid pattern on the same horizontal plane to form lengthwise and crosswise a plurality of opening areas each of which is surrounded by a pair of the first rails and a pair of the second rails; a vehicle including a traveling unit and a transfer unit; and a storage unit on which a FOUP is to be placed. The storage unit includes a plurality of rack units adjacent to each other. Each of the rack units includes a placement member on which the FOUP is to be placed, is provided such that the placement member is positioned directly below the corresponding opening area, and is detachable from the traveling rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Murata Machinery, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasuhisa Ito
  • Patent number: 11167965
    Abstract: This invention relates to a truck mounted forklift for mounting on the rear of a carrying vehicle, the truck mounted forklift having a lifting assembly mounted on the chassis, the lifting assembly comprising a linkage, the linkage comprising: an elongate first link connected at its proximal end to the chassis by a pivot joint; an elongate second link connected at its proximal end to the distal end of the first link by a pivot joint; a fork carriage connected to the distal end of the second link by a pivot joint; a plurality of link cylinders for actuating the links; and a tilt cylinder for actuating the fork carriage. By having such a truck mounted forklift, top far side loads will be accessible without the lifting assembly coming into contact with the roof of the carrying vehicle or with bottom near side loads. Additionally, the front wheels of the truck mounted forklift will not need to be positioned under the carrying vehicle to reach top far side loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: CARGOTEC RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT IRELAND LIMITED
    Inventors: Kevin Turnbull, Sarah Grogan
  • Patent number: 11161688
    Abstract: An exemplary robotic parking device of the present disclosure includes a number of stacks of containers. The stacks being positioned within a frame structure including uprights and a horizontal grid disposed above the stacks. The grid having substantially perpendicular rails on which load handling devices can run. Cars or vehicles are positioned in containers and are moved into and out of the stacks by the robotic handling devices running on the grid. The cars are put into the grid at entry points that may be positioned at points under the stacks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: OCADO INNOVATION LIMITED
    Inventors: Lars Sverker Ture Lindbo, Andrew John Ingram-Tedd, Pawel Karolinczak, Matthew Whelan
  • Patent number: 11155451
    Abstract: A forklift truck mounted on wheels comprises a drive system and tilting lifting means, a fork (1) adapted to lift loads with the aid of two substantially parallel arms (2) carried by uprights (3) which are substantially vertical or oblique depending on the working position, said fork (1) comprising a loading stop (10) disposed on each of the uprights (3) of the fork, each stop (10) comprising a bearing face (11) for loads having a straight profile and an angled docking face (12) for loads having a circular arc profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ETABLISSEMENTS MICHELIN
    Inventors: Sylvain Grandjean, Giancarlo Pegoraro
  • Patent number: 11155972
    Abstract: System for deploying and collecting road sticks. A loading frame is mounted on a vehicle and comprises a road stick depot. A stick collecting device is arranged on a first clamp in a stick handling frame. A stick-deployment device is arranged movable back and forth along a beam in the driving direction of the vehicle. The stick-deployment device comprises a funnel, rotational drives, a ground plate and drive means to move the stick-deployment device vertically. The system is arranged to deploy and collect road sticks while the vehicle is in motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: ROADTECH AS
    Inventor: Peder Kristian Strømsvåg
  • Patent number: 11142924
    Abstract: A vehicle connection system of a multi-story building, may include a building having a plurality of floors, provided with an elevator moving between the plurality of floors, and having at least one station provided inside or outside of the building so that the vehicle is configured to be docked to the at least a station; an elevator board provided at a bottom portion of the elevator to allow the vehicle to be loaded to the elevator or unloaded from the elevator and moving between floors of the building when the elevator is driven; a parking robot which is placed in a standby state on the elevator board, and when the vehicle enters the elevator board, allows the vehicle to be loaded on the elevator board and moved to a docking point; and a server communicatively connected to the building, the elevator board, and the parking robot, to manage statuses of the stations, and designate the docking point when the vehicle enters the elevator, and transmit the same to the elevator board and the parking robot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventors: Dong Eun Cha, Jin Ho Hwang, Sang Heon Lee
  • Patent number: 11145527
    Abstract: A method for transporting a cassette pod for containing semiconductor wafers is provided. The method includes transporting a cassette pod configured to receive a semiconductor wafer with a transporting apparatus. The method further includes supplying a gas from a cylinder into a housing of the cassette pod. The cylinder is externally positioned on the housing. The method also includes detecting a gas pressure in the cylinder with a detection element. In addition, the method includes issuing a signal to the transporting apparatus when the gas pressure in the cylinder is lower than a predetermined limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD
    Inventors: Wei-Yu Lai, Hung-Wen Chen