Patents Examined by Lester III Rushin
  • Patent number: 10232962
    Abstract: An article dropping apparatus may include a first shutter and a second shutter. A first movable member is movable relative to the first shutter. A second movable member is movable relative to the second shutter. An article may be supported by the first shutter and the second shutter to extend therebetween when the first shutter and the second shutter are positioned at closed positions. The first movable member and the second movable member may keep a relative position with respect to the article, via use of clamping members, during the movement of the first and second shutters from closed positions to open positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: YUTAKA MFG. CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masayasu Kurachi, Katsumi Kuno
  • Patent number: 10226795
    Abstract: A typing tunnel off-loading and sorting system includes an off-loading conveyor, cameras and photoelectric eye. The overhead cameras detect the item size and whether it is cubic in nature and type and size of its footprint. An in-line slide sorter having alternating conveyor rollers and pop-up belts pass through to, or divert articles from, a downstream conveyor. The vision based system may also be used to detect space between articles and insert articles in the unoccupied space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: Fives Intralogistics Corp.
    Inventor: Steven Vann Schroader
  • Patent number: 10183843
    Abstract: The present invention relates to step roller monitoring and maintenance personnel monitoring of a passenger conveyor, and belongs to the field of passenger conveyor technologies. In the monitoring system and monitoring method of the present invention, an imaging sensor and/or a depth sensing sensor is used to sense the step roller/maintenance personnel of the passenger conveyor to acquire data frames, and the data frames are analyzed and processed to monitor whether the movement or position of the step roller/activity or position of the maintenance personnel is in a normal state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: ZhaoXia Hu, JianGuo Li, Alois Senger, Hui Fang, Zhen Jia, Jianwei Zhao, Qiang Li, Anna Su, Alan Matthew Finn, Wei Ge, Yanying Chen, LongWen Wang, DuEon Kim
  • Patent number: 10173843
    Abstract: An arrangement for conveying an electronic device in a testing system includes a conveyor arrangement, a plate having at least one opening for the conveyor arrangement, and an elevator configured to elevate the conveyor arrangement through the at least one opening of the plate. The conveyor arrangement is configured to receive and convey the electronic device when the conveyor arrangement extends through the at least one opening. The elevator is further configured to lower the conveyor arrangement through the at least one opening of the plate. The plate is configured to receive the electronic device from the conveyor arrangement in response to lowering the conveyor arrangement through the at least one opening. The plate is further configured to move with respect to the conveyor arrangement, and to carry the electronic device to a testing area of the testing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: JOT AUTOMATION OY
    Inventor: Mika Puttonen
  • Patent number: 10160257
    Abstract: An orientation changing apparatus includes a transport path along which a transport object is transported and that includes a portion having a space; a changing unit that changes an orientation of the transport object transported toward the space, the changing unit changing the orientation in the space by applying a rotational force to the transport object in a direction that crosses a transporting direction in which the transport object is transported; and a receiving unit that receives the transport object after the orientation of the transport object is changed by the changing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Mutsuo Suga
  • Patent number: 10159359
    Abstract: An article feed device for feeding articles along a feeding direction towards a front edge of a shelf being provided with the article feed device. A least one roller carrier has a longitudinal extension which is parallel to the feeding direction and comprises a number of roller receiving seats for rotationally receiving the rollers. The roller carrier is arranged to be longitudinally inserted in the profile rails for fixation of the rollers. The roller carrier comprises end stops for preventing relative longitudinal displacement between the roller carrier and the first profile rails when mounted. The roller carrier is divided into at least two section arranged one after the other in the longitudinal direction. Each section is arranged to be inserted from a respective longitudinal end of the first profile rails and comprising cooperating snap engagement means for mutual engagement of one section to the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: HL DISPLAY AB
    Inventors: Martin Borg, Isak â„«berg
  • Patent number: 10150617
    Abstract: A conveyor flight for a chain comprising at least two spaced apart links, and two side plates that connect the links, with each side plate including two spaced apart extension pins extending from the side plate. The flight comprises a metal support, and the metal support includes two spaced apart cylindrical portions adapted to receive the two spaced apart extension pins. The flight also includes a flexible casing surrounding the metal support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Joy Global Underground Mining LLC
    Inventor: Michael L. O'Neill
  • Patent number: 10124992
    Abstract: An endless handrail manufacturing method includes: a first step of cutting the dorsal part on one end side and the dorsal part on the other end side of a belt-like molded product to expose a tension member from the end portions; a second step of heating the product on the one end side, then removing the softened resin member, and then exposing a canvas from the end portion; a third step of heating the product with a heating jig to dent the abdominal part; a fourth step of applying an adhesive to the terminal on the one end side or the terminal on the other end side of the product, then fitting the former terminal to the latter terminal of the product; and a fifth step of supplementing a resin to the fitting portion, then hot pressing the fitting portion to fusion-bond the terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Takeyama, Atsuhiko Yoshida, Fumiya Murata
  • Patent number: 10086943
    Abstract: A system for moving loads comprising a cargo compartment floor, at least one roller track comprising rollers arranged one behind the other in the cargo compartment floor, at least one guideway in the floor and extending parallel to the at least one track, and at least one transport vehicle removably accommodated in and movable along the guideway. The transport vehicle comprises at least one connecting element movable between first and second operating positions. In the first operating position, the connecting element is configured so the transport vehicle is positionable beneath a load on the roller track, and in the second operating position, the connecting element is configured to interact with the load to connect the load to the transport vehicle, so the load is entrained when the transport vehicle moves along the guideway. The transport vehicle further comprises a drive mechanism to move the transport vehicle along the guideway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
    Inventors: Hans Joachim Schoen, Sascha Nowarre, Patrick Dittmer, Nils Hendrik Hoppe, Thies Andreas Ernst-Friedrich Beinke
  • Patent number: 10073446
    Abstract: An automated modular quality control center assembly for tubulars having an automated inlet module, an automated transfer module, and an automated parameter defined segregation module. The automated inlet module has a pipe conveyor, which receives the tubulars from an initial pipe rack. The tubulars are rolled off the automated inlet module pipe conveyor to an automated transfer module pipe conveyor. The tubulars on the automated transfer module pipe conveyor pass in close proximity to and are scanned by the survey instrument detector. An automated pass fail pipe conveyor receives the tubulars from automated transfer module pipe conveyor. A pass test exit pipe rack or a fail test exit pipe rack receives the tubulars from the automated pass fail pipe conveyor that pass or fail a preset survey instrument limit of the survey instrument detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Inventors: Daniel Wayne Snow, Chad Michael Snow
  • Patent number: 10059532
    Abstract: A conveyor for use with panel-shaped workpieces which can be fed to a machining such as a profile machining is disclosed. The workpieces to be machined are components used in the furniture and structural element industry, such as floor panels, doors, tabletops, or the like. The conveyor belt of the conveyor has a profiling element in a direction of extension, which profiling element is in engagement with a guide element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: HOMAG HOLZBEARBEITUNGSSYSTEME GMBH
    Inventor: Peter Rathgeber
  • Patent number: 10052662
    Abstract: Sorting device comprising several sorting carts, which can be moved along a sorting track in a transport direction and in each case are provided with a load receiving device for controlled receipt and delivery of individually packaged goods, with a quantity of discharge points at which individually packaged goods can be specifically delivered according to a respective sorting destination from the sorting carts, wherein each discharge point has a width, wherein the width of at least some discharge points can be adjusted while the sorting device is operating, and method for sorting individually packaged goods using the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: BEUMER GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Stefan Harrer
  • Patent number: 10056280
    Abstract: A transporting system includes a first rail including a first region and a second region, the first region being a region where the first rail extends linearly and the second region being a region where the first rail is curved. A second rail includes a third region, separated from the first region, and a fourth region overlapping the second region, wherein the first and second rails merge at a joining location that includes the second region and the fourth region. Optical lines are disposed in the second region and the fourth region, wherein the optical lines are parallel to each other in the fourth region. A first transporting unit travels on the first rail. A second transporting unit travels on the second rail. A first controller controls the traveling of the first and second transporting units using light transmitted or received through the optical lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kun-Jin Ryu, Hyun-Min Lee, Youn-Boo Jung, Sung-Hyun Jo
  • Patent number: 10046922
    Abstract: A feed unit, for example for feeding components (2) to smoking article assembly apparatus, having a stationary guide member (14) and a dispensing unit configured to dispense components (2) into the stationary guide member (14). The dispensing unit has one or more channels (7) to receive components (2) one on top of the other, and each channel (7) has a control gate (12) to apply suction/gaseous flow to control output of components (2) from the channel (7) for onward conveyance through the stationary guide member (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO (INVESTMENTS) LIMITED
    Inventors: Gary Fallon, Kie Seon Park, Martin Fuller, Geoffrey Vernon, Andrew Cleall, James Stembridge, Thomas Grunfeld
  • Patent number: 10035665
    Abstract: Table for accumulating FIFO items including a sensor S1 positioned at the upstream end of an outlet conveyor U having reading in the longitudinal direction and in proximity to an external lateral side of the conveyor, configured for intercepting the items signaling the presence thereof at a reading height Q which defines a limit reference area of the presence or absence of the items on the outlet belt U; at least one pressure sensor S2 and a presence sensor S3 placed on the outlet sides of conveyor U and of the downstream conveyor, respectively; a control unit B configured for defining the position Z of deflector V as a function of the reading measure Q of sensor S1 and of the values of sensor values S2, S3; wherein measure Q that the sensor should detect is reset by the same control unit each time it is reached by the items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: SIPAC S.P.A.
    Inventor: Corrado Azzali
  • Patent number: 10036253
    Abstract: A control system for a material gathering mechanism includes a gathering head configured to gather material from aground surface, a plurality of gathering members configured to transport the material gathered by the gathering head towards a material conveying apparatus, and a jam detection device for detecting a jam condition in movement of one or more of the plurality of gathering members and generate signals indicative of the jam condition. The control system further includes a controller communicably coupled to the plurality of gathering members and the jam detection member. The controller receives signals indicative of the jam condition from the jam detection device. The controller initiates a sequence of stopping, delaying, and restarting the gathering member on receiving the signals indicative of the jam condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Carl Moberg, Fabian Wolf, Konstantin Halle, Justin Philip Pahl, Bjoern-Andre Huehn
  • Patent number: 10029853
    Abstract: A conveyor belt comprising a first longitudinal belt portion and a second longitudinal belt portion having respective transport surfaces with coefficients of friction different from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: CHIORINO S.P.A.
    Inventor: Enrico Gallotto
  • Patent number: 10023391
    Abstract: A slip conveyor (50) delivers product to a further conveyor (50) that in turn delivers product to weighing machines (53) that would be typically associated with a packaging machine. The slip conveyor (50) includes a delivery portion (57) provided with a plurality of separated fingers (59). Slots (58) between the fingers (59) extend longitudinally in the direction (52). Smaller product, such as smaller potato crisps, are located adjacent longitudinally extending edges (63) of the conveyor (10), the smaller product passes through the gaps (26a) that provides for delivery of product to the associated conveyor (62).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: TNA Australia Pty Limited
    Inventor: Alfred Alexander Taylor
  • Patent number: 10023386
    Abstract: A conveyor for suspended objects includes a first rail profile having a first upper track and a second track arranged below the first track, a conveyor chain that can be moved continuously in a direction of conveyance in the first track. The conveyor includes holding adapters for holding objects to be conveyed, with each holding adapter having a head part that is mounted so as to roll in the second track and is coupled to the conveyor chain. A sorting portion having a switch that follows in the direction of conveyance and via which the holding adapters can be transferred from the first rail profile to a second rail profile. The switch includes an overdrive and a drive belt, with the overdrive configured such that during operation the running speed of the drive belt is higher than the running speed of the conveyor chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Dematic GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Otto
  • Patent number: 10023388
    Abstract: A spiral conveyor for positively driving a conveyor belt along a helical path. The spiral conveyor includes a rotating cylindrical tower with parallel drive members extending from the bottom to the top of the tower on its periphery. Each drive member includes an outwardly protruding ridge that varies in height from the bottom to the top of the tower. The variations in height facilitate the belt's entry onto and exit from the tower and robust, positive driving engagement with the inside edge of the belt along the majority of its path along the tower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Casper Fedde Talsma, David W. Bogle