Patents Examined by Keith R Campbell
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Patent number: 10640291Abstract: A control unit controls a sorting unit and a send-out unit to transport articles received by a receiving unit to an upstream accumulating unit so that articles that belong to the same article group are accumulated on the same upstream branch accumulating unit, and articles that belong to different article groups are accumulated on different upstream branch accumulating units, to transport articles accumulated in the upstream accumulating unit to a final accumulating unit so that articles that belong to the same article group are accumulated on different final branch accumulating units, and an article group with smaller designated sequence numbers is accumulated on a downstream side, in a transportation direction, of an article group with larger designated sequence numbers, and to send out articles accumulated in the final accumulating unit from the send-out unit in accordance with the designated sequence numbers.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2019Date of Patent: May 5, 2020Assignee: Daifuku Co., Ltd.Inventor: Masaru Iida
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Patent number: 10640293Abstract: A modular conveying assembly including a plurality of modules joined together, each module including a bushing housing, a coupling housed in the bushing housing, an axle coupled to the coupling and supported for rotation relative to the module, a drive pin coupled to the coupling, and a driven surface fixed to the drive pin. The modular conveying assembly also including a driving member that is in selective engagement with the driven surface to affect rotation of the axle.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2019Date of Patent: May 5, 2020Assignee: REXNORD INDUSTRIES, LLCInventors: Philip Michael Gabor, Justin Michael Stefanko
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Patent number: 10633207Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for transporting a discrete element. A preferably rotatably driven vacuum commutation zone (or internal vacuum manifold), preferably internal to a preferably independently driven porous vacuum roll or drum is disclosed. The vacuum manifold applies vacuum through pores in the driven porous vacuum roll or puck in order to hold material against an external surface of the vacuum roll or puck. By independently controlling the vacuum commutation zone and the driven porous surface, unique motion profiles of the vacuum commutation zone relative to the driven porous surface can be provided. Micro vacuum commutation port structures are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2018Date of Patent: April 28, 2020Assignee: Curt G. Joa, Inc.Inventor: Jon Allen Pelland
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Patent number: 10633195Abstract: A system for transferring units to/from a rail-guided suspended conveyor system includes a transfer conveying device with one or more first conveying units and a conveyor system with a plurality of second conveying units. The first and second conveying units each have a rack with tines and form a receptacle for bearing a unit. The system is configured such that in a transfer zone a rack of a first conveying unit of the transfer device and a rack of a second conveying unit of the conveyor system penetrate by meshing so with movement of the first and the second conveying unit relative to another either a unit initially on the rack of the first conveying unit remains on the rack of the second conveying unit, or a unit initially on the rack of the second conveying unit remains on the rack of the first conveying unit.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2018Date of Patent: April 28, 2020Assignee: FERAG AGInventor: Urs Gadliger
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Patent number: 10618742Abstract: Disclosed herein is a conveyor system comprising a plurality of work piece carriers, each presenting a machine readable and writable tag and being adapted for supporting at least one work piece during transportation. The system further comprises distribution highway conveyors each in the form of an endless conveyor adapted for transporting and circulating the work piece carriers, flow balancing conveyors and operation unit conveyors. Control of the system is achieved by autonomous switch control devices arranged at each intersection between conveyors to control the flow of the work piece carriers at the respective intersection.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2017Date of Patent: April 14, 2020Assignee: EWAB Engineering ABInventor: Mats Wahrén
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Patent number: 10604357Abstract: An article transfer system including: a transfer device that transfers an article in one direction; a travel distance detecting unit that sequentially detects a distance the article transferred by the transfer device has traveled; an article sensing unit that senses passage of the article transferred by the transfer device; an image capturing unit that photographs the article, the image capturing unit being disposed downstream of the article sensing unit in a transfer direction of the transfer device; a position-and-orientation detecting unit that processes an image captured with the image capturing unit to extract the article and detect a position and an orientation of the article; and a removal unit that removes the article, which has been sensed with the article sensing unit but not extracted by the process performed in the position-and-orientation detecting unit, from the transfer device, the removal unit being disposed downstream of the image capturing unit.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2018Date of Patent: March 31, 2020Assignee: FANUC CORPORATIONInventor: Masafumi Ooba
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Patent number: 10583981Abstract: A method for constructing a carton flow bed rack (1) includes specifying a number of levels of the carton flow bed rack (1). The method also includes specifying whether and where each level has a load end, and/or an unload end, and/or a stop end. The method further includes specifying at least one of a height, a width, and a depth of the carton flow bed rack and providing and dimensioning components for assembling the carton flow bed rack according to the specifications.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2017Date of Patent: March 10, 2020Assignee: INTERROLL HOLDING AGInventor: Jean Michel Laplace
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Patent number: 10577184Abstract: A conveyor track assembly section for a mechanical chain comprises a base plate, a wear track profile and a securing member. In some embodiments, the securing member has two arms forming an L shape, and in other embodiments, the securing member has three arms forming a C shape. The securing member is used to secure the wear track profile to the base plate. The mechanical chain is received within the wear track profile. A conveyor track assembly section may further comprise a plurality of placement pins and a plurality of securing members to secure and align the wear track profile and the base plate. Multiple conveyor track assembly sections may be assembled together to form a conveyor track assembly for the mechanical chain.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2018Date of Patent: March 3, 2020Inventor: George W. Massey, Jr.
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Patent number: 10577189Abstract: A conveyance device capable of performing traveling operation and turning operation, a planar conveyance apparatus, and a conveyance unit. A conveyance device 1 has a travel part 5 having a belt 2 for allowing an article to be placed, and a turning table 6 that supports the travel part 5. The belt 2 is an endless member suspended between a pair of rollers 3. The belt 2 travels by being engaged with a driving body 4 to which power of a motor for traveling 9 is transmitted by a drive shaft 14. Power of a motor for turning 8 is transmitted to the turning table 6, so that the turning table 6 turns. That is, when the motor for turning 8 is driven, the travel part 5 turns along with the turning table 6.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2016Date of Patent: March 3, 2020Assignee: ITOH DENKI CO., LTD.Inventors: Kazuo Itoh, Tatsuhiko Nakamura, Kazuwo Miki
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Patent number: 10577193Abstract: A sorting conveyor for transporting objects and unloading objects adjacent the conveyor. The sorting conveyor includes a conveyor track, conveyor carts having a sortation tray, and a drive motor. In particular embodiments, the cross-belt assembly includes a belt roller, a drive roller, a timing belt, and a removable transport belt to unload objects toward at least one side of the conveyor.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2017Date of Patent: March 3, 2020Assignee: Mantissa CorporationInventors: David Patrick Erceg, Gonzalo Sotelo, J. David Fortenbery
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Patent number: 10577196Abstract: Present embodiments include a linear drive transport system. The system includes a plurality of fixed tracks and a junction track disposed on a conveyor configured to align the junction track with each of the plurality of fixed tracks. The plurality of fixed tracks and the junction track include one of electromagnetic coils or permanent magnets arranged in series along the respective plurality of fixed tracks and the junction track. Further, present embodiments include a plurality of movers configured to move along the fixed tracks and configured to transition between each of the plurality of fixed tracks and the junction track when aligned, wherein the movers comprise the other of the electromagnetic coils or the permanent magnets.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2019Date of Patent: March 3, 2020Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Glen C. Wernersbach, Keith G. Jacobs, Dean L. Higgins, James A. Craver, Peter T. Boyle
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Patent number: 10563508Abstract: A conveyor pan is provided for supporting a portion of a mining conveyor extending along a mine face and positioned between the mine face and a goaf. The conveyor pan includes a deck, a toe, and a heel. The deck includes a first side configured to be positioned proximate the mine face and a second side configured to be positioned proximate the goaf. The toe is positioned adjacent the first side of the deck, and includes a toe contact surface defining a toe surface area. The heel is positioned adjacent the second side of the deck, and includes a lug and a heel contact surface. The lug is configured to be coupled to an advancement mechanism. The heel contact surface defines a heel surface area greater than the toe surface area.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2015Date of Patent: February 18, 2020Assignee: Joy Global Underground Mining LLCInventors: Gareth Rimmington, Tim Proctor, Adrian Jones
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Patent number: 10562720Abstract: A transport system includes a plurality of coils; and a carriage that has a magnet and is movable in a first direction along the plurality of coils in accordance with electromagnetic force to which the magnet is subjected from the plurality of coils, and the carriage has a movable mechanism that is provided so as to be able to interlock with the magnet and is driven by electromagnetic force to which the magnet is subjected in a second direction intersecting with the first direction from the plurality of coils.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2018Date of Patent: February 18, 2020Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Takeshi Yamamoto
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Patent number: 10556751Abstract: An auger mover for moving and steering an auger is provided. The auger mover can have a frame having a front end and a rear end, the rear end connectable to an auger axle on the auger, a first pivotal wheel attached to a front end of the frame and pivotal relative to the frame, a second pivotal wheel attached to a front end of the frame and pivotal relative to the frame independently of the first pivotal wheel, an auger connection assembly connected to the frame and connectable to the auger and a steering assembly operatively connected to the first pivotal wheel to pivot the first pivotal wheel.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2018Date of Patent: February 11, 2020Assignee: Brandt Industries Canada LimitedInventors: Chance Peutert, Jonathan Robert Carteri
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Patent number: 10556753Abstract: A device for separating piece goods to be stored in an automated storage facility is provided. The device includes a conveyor for conveying piece goods from a stock to a support surface of a collecting device, a controller for controlling the conveyor, a sensor, to detect the striking of the support surface by piece goods. The detector has an imager, which produces at least one recording of the underside of the support. A handling device is configured to remove a piece good from the support surface for further transport into the storage facility is coupled to the controller, which is further configured to control the handler according to the information.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2018Date of Patent: February 11, 2020Assignee: CAREFUSION GERMANY 326 GMBHInventors: Christoph Hellenbrand, Uwe Furtner, Ingo Boesnach, Frank Hoeschle, Marta Carbonell Zaragoza
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Patent number: 10556747Abstract: A conveyance device has a drive route part wherein conveyance carriages travel at predetermined intervals, which is connected to a storage route part having a drive conveyer chain that supports the conveyance carriages for free travel. The drive route part has a drive conveyer chain including spaced carriage propulsion claw parts. The conveyance carriages have moved pins that horizontally extends in the left/right direction and which are freely detached/re-fitted in the up/down direction with the carriage propulsion claw parts. The conveyance device has a carriage-positioning mechanism which positions a conveyance carriage at a fixed position wherein the moved pin is positioned immediately before a guide ring for a corresponding one of the carriage propulsion claw parts, and has a carriage pushing-out mechanism which pushes out the conveyance carriage positioned at the fixed position, at a timing when the moved pin is fitted to the carriage propulsion claw part.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2018Date of Patent: February 11, 2020Assignee: Daifuku Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masahiro Ishibashi, Yukichi Tamura, Shigeyuki Kusuhara, Shigeru Baba
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Patent number: 10550694Abstract: A conveyor system includes a plurality of crawler members, a frame supported via the crawler members, a skid pad moveable relative to the frame to raise and lower the frame relative to a ground surface, and an intake structure supported by the frame. The intake structure includes a first conveyor. The conveyor system further includes a discharge boom supported by the frame. The discharge boom includes a second conveyor.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2018Date of Patent: February 4, 2020Assignee: Joy Global Underground Mining LLCInventors: Charles W. Watson, Michael Nolan
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Patent number: 10542677Abstract: A crop cart cleaning and unloading system for cleaning debris such as dirt and rocks from a crop as the crop is being transferred between a hopper of a crop cart and a transport vehicle. The crop cart cleaning and unloading system generally includes a hopper for receiving a crop such as potatoes. The hopper transfers the crop onto a cleaning bed on which the crop is cleaned of debris, with the debris falling underneath the cleaning bed. The crop is conveyed across the cleaning bed as it is cleaned, with the cleaned crop being transferred from the cleaning bed onto an unloading conveyor. The unloading conveyor then transfers the cleaned crop to another location to be discharged, such as directly into a transport vehicle for further transport and processing.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2019Date of Patent: January 28, 2020Assignee: Safe-T-Pull, Inc.Inventor: Jacob L. Kringstad
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Patent number: 10543991Abstract: A buffering device comprises a frame and a conveyor belt, a supply station, a discharge station, a first reversing member reverses the conveying direction of the conveyor belt, and a return guide includes a second reversing member. The buffering device is configured such that the conveyor belt moves from the supply station via the first reversing member to the discharge station, after which the conveyor belt is guided back to the supply station via the return guide. A portion of the conveyor belt n forms a buffer section of which the length varies. The remaining portion of the conveyor belt forms a compensation section for compensating a change of length of the buffer section during simultaneous displacement of the first and second reversing members with respect to the frame. The first reversing member includes a buffer carriage for radially guiding the conveyor belt, which guide is fixed to the carriage.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2019Date of Patent: January 28, 2020Assignee: SPECIALTY CONVEYOR B.V.Inventor: Wouter Balk
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Patent number: 10538390Abstract: A conveyor device (100) includes a conveyor track (11, 12, 13) and a plurality of transport units conveyable along the conveyor track (11, 12, 13), at least two first guide rollers (2.1-2.7) and a conveyor chain (3), which travels over the at least two first guide rollers (2.1-2.7) and comprises catches (31), via which the conveyor chain (3) can be brought into releasable engagement with the transport units (8) for driving the transport units (8), the conveyor device (100) further including a belt (4) moving along with the conveyor chain (3) over the at least two guide rollers (2.1-2.7), wherein the belt (4), in the respective area of the first guide rollers (2.1-2.7), is arranged, respectively, between the first guide roller (2.1-2.7) and the conveyor chain (3) such that the conveyor chain (3) lies against the belt (4).Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2018Date of Patent: January 21, 2020Assignee: FERAG AGInventors: Othmar Brunschwiler, Simon Beutler