Patents Examined by Joseph E. Valenza
  • Patent number: 6675065
    Abstract: A method for tagging the mail pieces in a mail tray and validating the integrity of the mail pieces in the tray. The method is accomplished by: determining the measurement of an edge of each mail piece that will be placed in a tray; determining the thickness of each mail piece that will be placed in the tray; determining the number of mail pieces that will be placed in the tray; calculating an incremental pattern dab that is going to be placed on the edge of each mail piece; placing a portion of the pattern on the edge of each mail piece that is going to form the mail pieces of the tray; and placing the mail pieces in the tray in an ordered manner so that the edges having dabs will be visible, and the dabs will form a pattern that indicates only the determined number of mail pieces are in the tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Foth, Kenneth G. Miller, Richard W. Heiden, Brian M. Romansky, Kwan Cheung Wong
  • Patent number: 6672446
    Abstract: A unit and method for transferring cigarette portions whereby the cigarette portions are transferred from a manufacturing machine to a filter assembly machine by means of a first conveyor having first seats movable along a first annular path to pick up respective cigarette portions at a pickup point, and by means of a second conveyor having second seats movable along a respective second annular path; the cigarette portions are transferred from a first seat to a second seat at a transfer point along the first path, and the speed of the second seats is corrected at the transfer point to substantially reach or approximate the speed of the first seats at the transfer point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: G.D Societa' per Azinoi
    Inventors: Fulvio Boldrini, Salvatore Rizzoli
  • Patent number: 6669007
    Abstract: A suspension rail comprises a rail body (18) having a slide track (22,24) extending lengthwise of the rail, the slide track (22,24) being adapted to slidably support hangers thereon. The general novelty is that the slide track comprises two parallel tracks (22,24) of low friction plastics held in or by the rail body (18) and spaced by the rail body (18), so that a hanger (38) suspended on the rail contacts the rail only at the two tracks (22,24). Particular features are that the body (18) is a one piece extrusion of aluminium, and there are two rods (22,24) which form the tracks, these rods (22,24) being in grooves (18A,18B) in the body (18). The rods are firmly fixed by crimping part of the body (18) after the rods have been inserted in the grooves (18A,18B). Rods (22,24) of right angled triangular cross section are preferred as they can be inserted and clamped easier and held more securely than circular rods, and made to project further from the body than circular rods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Hangerglide Ltd.
    Inventor: Arthur Dennis Howarth
  • Patent number: 6669012
    Abstract: A conveyor device capable of moving a package also in a main direction orthogonal to a direction of conveyance, and thereby making it possible to change and maintain a package in any posture. The conveyor device 30 of the present invention is formed by coupling a plurality of conveyor sub-units 1 in an endless manner while each sub-unit 1 by itself has a function as a belt conveyor and the drive direction of the belt of the conveyor sub-unit 1 is in a direction orthogonal to the main direction of conveyance of the conveyor device 30. Some or all of the conveyor sub-units 1 constituting the conveyor device 30 can be made to operate in cooperation with each other by combining the conveyor device 30 with a control instruction device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Technowave, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Yoshida, Yuichi Komazawa
  • Patent number: 6669009
    Abstract: A guide rail support bracket assembly for supporting a conveyor system guide rail through a support rod. The assembly includes a support bracket having a mounting segment configured for mounting to a conveyor body. In one aspect, the support bracket is formed by cutting and bending a generally flat metal plate. A support segment is connected to the mounting segment and, spaced from the mounting segment, to an angled clamping section. The support rod is clamped into the clamping section by an eyebolt that fits through a clamping hole formed in the angled clamping section. The eyebolt is drawn into the angled clamping section by a clamping knob. In certain aspects, an extension segment is interposed between the mounting and the support segments to space the support segment further from a conveyor body. In other aspects, the support bracket and clamping sections are separate pieces pivotably joined by a fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Valu Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Stuart J. Ledingham, David N. Padgett
  • Patent number: 6669006
    Abstract: A method and device for conveying reams of paper, whereby a ream is conveyed by at least two conveyors arranged in series and connected to each other at a transfer station; and wherein at least a first of the two conveyors is an endless conveyor having at least one ream pusher and traveling at a first speed to feed a ream to the transfer station, where the ream is accelerated to a second speed greater than the first speed to detach itself from the pusher by a distance at least equal to the length of the pusher before leaving the first conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Innopack, S.r.l.
    Inventors: Luca Antoniazzi, Andrea Cinotti
  • Patent number: 6666328
    Abstract: A chain conveyor assembly having the combination of a polymeric material and a hard diamond-like coating at the frictional interface of the chain links. The conveyor chain preferably includes male and female links connected to one another by connector pins. The shaft of each connector pin is coated with a diamond-like coating having high hardness, low friction and low wear characteristics. Opposite ends of the connector pins are connected to the female link while the shaft of the connector pin passes through the male link. A polymeric bushing is fitted to the male link in engagement with the shaft of the connector pin. Accordingly, relative movement between the links occurs at the interface of the DLC connector pin and the polymeric bushing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: Stapell/Guider Corporation
    Inventor: Frank B. Sykora
  • Patent number: 6662936
    Abstract: A bag conveying apparatus including a sprocket continuously rotated on a horizontal plane, a fixed guide member having a guide section of a semicircular shape, and an endless chain mounted between the sprocket and the guide section of the guide member. The endless chain is comprised of a plurality of links connected by connecting shafts. Guide rollers rotatable about their own vertical axes are disposed on and under each connecting shaft, and an inside guide roller rotatable about its own horizontal axis is disposed on the inner side of each link. The guide section of the guide member has roller guide sections that contact the guide rollers of the endless chain, and the guide section also has a guide groove in which the inside guide rollers of the endless chain are fitted. Grippers that grip both edges of a bag are installed on each link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Toyo Jidoki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Iwao Ikemoto, Shoichi Koga
  • Patent number: 6662938
    Abstract: The invention provided for a conveyor belt wherein chain links are assembled such that eye parts are inserted into the intervals between two eye parts in the opposite chain link, whereafter the transverse rod according to the invention is inserted from one side of the conveyor belt through the overlapping openings in both chain links. When the notches provided on the transverse rod adjacent the head portion come into contact with the end face of the chain link, i.e. the side of the chain link, the notches can be brought into engagement with slits provided in the outmost chain link by twisting the head portion and pushing it into the end portion of the chain link. When the notches are engaged in the slits the transverse rod is fixated such that it will not move sideward in relation to the longitudinal direction of the conveyor belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: uni-chains A/S
    Inventor: Poul Erik Damkjaer
  • Patent number: 6662927
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for inverting a lugged strip to a desired orientation without the necessity of manhandling the strip and potentially damaging the strip or any of the lugs. The apparatus has a semi-circular tube through which the strip travels. Within the tube, to assist the strip, is a conveyor. The conveyor is mounted on the larger diameter side of the semi-circular tube. The strip is moved from an unloader and into an opening of the inverter with the lugs. The strip makes contact with the far wall of the tube and then is forced to travel along the semi-circular path of the tube. Due to the forced curve and turning of the strip, the strip is inverted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Ronald Alan Wellman, Kent Alan Stubbendieck, Mario Antonio Rago
  • Patent number: 6659014
    Abstract: There is provided a transportation system for transporting content from a first specified address to a second specified address. The transportation system comprises a transport channel, a plurality of containers, an operator, a propeller operatively connected to said container and in operative communication with said operator, and a central controller remote from said containers and in operative communication with said operator. The controller is configured for receiving orders for transport between the first and second addresses. In operation, the controller communicates instructions to the operator, and the operator further communicates the instructions to the propeller, causing the propeller to propel the cargo from the first address to the second address.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Inventor: Faycal Chaabi
  • Patent number: 6659261
    Abstract: A ceramic shaped body-positioning system which can accurately position even a thin-walled ceramic honeycomb shaped body without occurring deformations, cracks and breakages of the ceramic shaped bodies and which is particularly suitable for positioning odd-shaped products is provided. A positioning system 1 for a ceramic shaped body 2 is used for positioning the ceramic shaped body 2 to accurately convey the ceramic shaped body 2 to the next step. The positioning system 1 comprises a centering table 3 for placing the ceramic shaped body 2, a plurality of chucking unit 4-1 each consisting of a chucking body 5-1 and a pair of ceramic shaped body-pushing members 5-1a and 5-1b provided in the chucking body, and a drive unit 6 for moving the chucking unit 4-1 toward/away from the ceramic shaped body 2 on the centering table 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Miyakawa, Kenji Koide, Akira Maruyama
  • Patent number: 6655522
    Abstract: An apparatus loads and unloads workpieces. The apparatus includes at least one essentially horizontally movable element, at least one essentially vertically movable element and at least one element for receiving workpieces. The horizontally movable element has at least one drive unit and has at least two belts communicating with the one or more drive units and the one or more elements for receiving the workpieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Schuler Pressen GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Karl Thudium, Andreas Lauke
  • Patent number: 6651799
    Abstract: A modular chassis for use in a manufacturing process line wherein manufacturing process steps are performed by manufacturing devices on workpieces carried by pallets. The chassis top plate is machined attaching one or more different types of manufacturing devices to the chassis, such as a robot or automatic parts feeder. A non-synchronous incoming pallet conveyor is aligned horizontally to receive a set of incoming pallets. A pallet transfer and index module is attached and aligned to accept the set of incoming pallets from the incoming pallet conveyor. The transfer and index module includes an indexing mechanism to accurately position each of the retrieved incoming pallets in one of a plurality of workstations so that at the end of the transfer cycle the process steps can be performed on each of the workpieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Wright Industries Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert R. Rice, Lawrence David Weber, Douglas M. Alward
  • Patent number: 6651805
    Abstract: A screw conveyor apparatus including a ribbon screw (4) provided in a cylindrical casing (1). The ribbon screw (4) has rotation rings (12) attached to an intermediate portion thereof. Outer peripheral supporting sections (11) are provided for rotatably supporting the corresponding rotation rings (12) on the casing (1). This configuration prevents the ribbon screw (4) from being bent or expanded under a load of conveyed materials, thereby enabling the materials to be conveyed along a steep slope up to a high portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Hitachi Zosen Corporation
    Inventor: Tadao Yoshikawa
  • Patent number: 6651798
    Abstract: An apparatus for repositioning a workpiece on a lugged conveyor, where the conveyor has lugs for carrying the workpiece spaced apart by a lug space in a downstream direction. The apparatus includes a sensor for detecting the position of the workpiece on the conveyor and relaying position information to a processor, at least one running element mountable in cooperation with the conveyor, a selectively actuable actuator cooperating with the processor for the selective actuation of the running element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Coe Newnes/McGehee ULC
    Inventors: William R. Newnes, Deane R. Hendersen
  • Patent number: 6651803
    Abstract: An automated cleaning system for an endless belt conveyor. The cleaning system having a central control which controls pump supplying hot water, soap and a sanitizer to a plurality of controllable spray valves for plural spray bars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Tyson Fresh Meats, Inc.
    Inventors: Manoj Virippil, Shaughn M. Benson
  • Patent number: 6648576
    Abstract: An improved hydraulic system and method of operating same for waste collection vehicles is provided where a closed center valve in conjunction with a positive displacement pump is used without the need for increasing engine RPM, thus significantly reducing vehicle noise during operation of the hydraulic system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: McClain Industries
    Inventors: Charles A. Duell, Thomas E. Pfeifer
  • Patent number: 6648122
    Abstract: An apparatus for transferring articles such as absorbent cores or disposable diaper chassis components from a rotary mechanism, such as a pad turner, to a linear mechanism, such as a conveyor for further processing. The invention provides a device for picking an article from the outside of a toroidal surface, thence extending transversely under tension the article to be transferred so that at the point of deposition the article is held flat and at full length. The device is of particular benefit where an article to be transferred is subject to internally biasing elastic forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Curt G. Joa, Inc.
    Inventors: John L. Hirsch, John A. McCabe
  • Patent number: 6644462
    Abstract: A rotary type transfer apparatus used in a continuous manufacturing apparatus for spout-equipped bags. The transfer apparatus includes a transfer rotor and a driving device and installed next to an extraction apparatus. The transfer rotor has spout holding members on its circumference, and the driving device causes the transfer rotor to rotate intermittently in a cycle of stopping, acceleration, constant-speed rotation, deceleration and stopping and causes the speed of the spout holding members of the transfer apparatus to coincide with the speed of the spout holding members of the extraction apparatus during the period of constant rotation and causes the spout holding members to run side by side. During the constant-speed rotation, spouts are transferred from the spout holding members of the continuously rotating extraction apparatus to the spout holding members of the rotary type transfer apparatus via a guide member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Toyo Jidoki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinichi Hiramoto, Shoji Tsutsui