Patents Examined by Mark A. Deuble
  • Patent number: 11365059
    Abstract: A support and guide structure for a closed-loop articulated link conveyor includes at least two guides, oriented according to respective development axis and defining respective sliding surfaces for the conveyor; and at least one support component having two surfaces opposite to each other, wherein the guides protrude from a first surface to define at least one sliding channel to house at least one portion of the articulated links of the conveyor. The support and guide structure includes at least one housing extending along a direction parallel to the development axis, and containing at least one respective reinforcing element to limit the deformation of the support component. Each reinforcing element has a cross-sectional shape compatible with the cross-sectional shape of the respective housing. Each reinforcing element is manufactured with a material having a hardness which is greater than the hardness of the materials of the guides and the support component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: MOVEX S.P.A.
    Inventors: Sergio Marsetti, Matteo Marsetti
  • Patent number: 11365097
    Abstract: A plate conveyor includes a conveyor belt that is formed of interconnected segments which are guided on tracks, and a handrail which is guided on a handrail guide. The conveyor belt has a longitudinal extent, and the handrail runs, at least in sections, in the direction of the longitudinal extent along the conveyor belt. The handrail guide has at least one length compensation element. A length (L) of the compensation element, measured in the direction of the longitudinal extent, is adjustable between a maximumength (Lmax) and a minimum length (Lmin).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Innova Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Pavel Vlasak, Jiri Drencko
  • Patent number: 11352212
    Abstract: A retaining element for retaining and conveying an object along a conveyor rail includes a carrier part having a width, including an entrainment element for the entrainment of the carrier part by a drive element and including a receiver for receiving the object to be conveyed, and a spacer lever which is pivotably articulated on the carrier part and which is displaceable between a resting position in which the spacer lever is arranged within the width of the carrier part and a working position in which the spacer lever protrudes in the width direction of the carrier part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Dürkopp Fördertechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Wend, Thomas Johannesmann
  • Patent number: 11345551
    Abstract: A sealed sprocket for a conveyor belt comprises a sprocket mounted on a drive shaft and a seal system sealing an interface between the sprocket and the drive shaft. The seal system comprises a seal cap housing ring seals for sealing interfaces between the sprocket and seal cap and between the seal cap and drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Michael Hendrik DeGroot, David A. Kokx
  • Patent number: 11346424
    Abstract: A junction device for connecting two ends of a longitudinal conveyor belt includes at least two junction plates configured to each cover a separate side of the ends of the conveyor belt so that said conveyor belt is arranged between the two junction plates in an assembled operational position. The junction plates are secured together by attachment means arranged to pass through a junction plate, one of the ends of the conveyor belt and then the other junction plate, respectively. Each of the junction plates is made of a flexible, resilient material and provided with a reinforcement. The reinforcement is formed by at least one textile layer. The reinforcement is delimited longitudinally by transverse edges. The reinforcement extends transversely relative to said conveyor belt in the assembled position. The transverse edges each have an unweaving support to prevent the unweaving of the reinforcement during usage of the junction device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: FP BUSINESS INVEST
    Inventor: Bernard Tavernier
  • Patent number: 11345549
    Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to a diverter apparatus and method of using the same. In various embodiments, the diverter apparatus is configured to selectively direct an exemplary object traveling along a conveyor travel path to one of a plurality of adjacent conveyor locations. In various embodiments, the diverter apparatus may comprise a diverter conveyor surface, a cam follower, and a cam comprising a rotational range of motion about a cam shaft axis, the cam being physically engaged with the cam follower. Various embodiments are directed to a diverter apparatus configured to utilize a plurality of forces generated by the rotational motion of the cam to facilitate the transition of the directional configuration of the diverter conveyor surface from the first directional configuration to the second directional configuration, and, subsequently, from the second directional configuration back to the first directional configuration, again using the rotational motion of the cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: INTELLIGRATED HEADQUARTERS, LLC
    Inventor: James Wayne Halsey
  • Patent number: 11339006
    Abstract: An article conveying system includes an alignment guide that allows larger packages to be spaced inwards from an aligning edge of a conveyor. The alignment guide provides at least two different registration points for packages, depending on the height of the packages. High profile packages, such as large boxes, are inset from an alignment edge of the conveyor, while low profile articles, such as envelopes, are registered against the alignment edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Joseph F. Kovacs, Matthew L. Fourney, Angela Longo Marshall, Benson Hall, Mitchell G. Pansano, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11331749
    Abstract: A Support device (14) for storing or transporting single sheets or stacks of a packaging material is described. It comprises a multitude of slats (32) being arranged on a basic component (34), wherein the slats (32) are in an upright position and spaced from each other in a generally parallel manner such that respective side contour contact sections (36) of the slats (32) form a substantially flat support surface configured to support the single sheets or stacks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Bobst Mex SA
    Inventors: Paul Hornick, Francesco Pessotto
  • Patent number: 11333543
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a belt conveyor with a weighing device for a dough line, comprising a conveyor device, comprising a frame, at least two rollers supported by the frame, a conveyor belt, arranged movable in a length direction of the belt around the at least two rollers and a slot, extending in a width direction of the conveyor belt, and arranged adjacent to an inwardly facing part of the conveyor belt, and a weighing device, comprising a housing fitting the slot; and being movable into and removable from the slot at least one weighing unit, carried by the housing and arranged with a weighing surface thereof facing outwardly for weighing a weight exercised on the weighing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Inventor: Johannes Josephus Antonius Van Blokland
  • Patent number: 11332319
    Abstract: A system is provided for conveying dough along a conveying section, and the system comprises an elongate dough-conveying element that defines the conveying section. The dough-conveying element comprises a dough-supporting region that forms a supporting surface for dough conveyable or to be conveyed by means of the system, and at least one lateral region extending laterally along the dough-supporting region in the longitudinal direction of the dough-conveying element. The at least one lateral region is movably disposed or formed, in particular pivotally disposed or formed, relative to the dough-supporting region. Furthermore, the dough-conveying element exhibits flexurally-rigid material behavior in the vicinity of the dough-supporting region and resiliently-extensible material behavior in the vicinity of the at least one lateral region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: FRITSCH BAKERY TECHNOLOGIES GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Udo Bernhardt
  • Patent number: 11332315
    Abstract: A link for a chain for an article conveyor includes first and second link elements formed as coupleable separate parts. The first link element may be configured to support articles, and the second link element may be adapted to support the first link element and to allow the chain to be moved when in use. The link includes a hinging region in the second link element for hinging the link to a further link of the chain. The hinging region may be adapted to the insertion within it of a hinging element for hinging the link to another link of the chain. The link includes confining means provided in the first link element and adapted, when the first and second link elements are coupled, to confine the hinging element within the hinging region, thereby preventing the hinging element to escape from the hinging region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: REXNORD FLATTOP EUROPE S.R.L.
    Inventors: Andrea Andreoli, Antonino Fiore, Davide Calciolari
  • Patent number: 11335488
    Abstract: A magnetic energy system including a pathway having inclined portions of the pathway contiguous with declined portions of the pathway and an object adapted to move on the pathway by descending a declined portion of the pathway under the influence of gravity and ascending the contiguous inclined portion of the pathway under the combined influence of kinetic energy and a magnetic flux field interaction with release of the object from the magnetic flux field interaction at a pathway height equal to or greater than the initial height of the object on the preceding declined portion of the pathway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Inventor: Mark S. McNulty
  • Patent number: 11332314
    Abstract: A conveyor belt assembly (10) for transporting single sheets or stacks of a packaging material is described. It comprises at least one conveyor belt (12a) being arranged over at least two pulleys (20a-20d), wherein at least one of the pulleys (20a-20d) is adapted to drive the conveyor belt (12a) in a conveying direction (15). Furthermore, the conveyor belt assembly (10) comprises a conveying section (22) adapted for transporting the sheets or stacks and a return section (24) adapted to return the conveyor belt (12a) from an end (22b) of the conveying section (22) to a beginning (22a) of the conveying section (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Bobst Mex SA
    Inventor: Paul Hornick
  • Patent number: 11325784
    Abstract: A roller conveyor, comprising: a plurality of rollers (2) each of which has a cylindrical external surface (21), arranged to enable an object to be transported to rest; a motor (3); a transmission element (4), which kinematically connects the motor (3) to the rollers (2). The transmission element (4) is placed in contact with the external surface (21) of the rollers (2), or in contact with a portion of the rollers (2) which has the same diameter as the external surface (21), and in the same position as the contact point of the external surface with the element to be transported.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: SYSTEM CERAMICS S.P.A.
    Inventor: Marco Valentini
  • Patent number: 11325786
    Abstract: A guide profile and a conveying system are disclosed. The conveying system is designed with a guide profile of this type. A slide bar of the guide profile is provided with an articulated leg so that it is possible to change the slide bar on the already installed conveying system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Hans-Peter Buttau, Markus Kiebel
  • Patent number: 11319157
    Abstract: The present invention includes conveying and sorting systems utilizing a plurality of continuous rails which support a plurality of sliding pucks that are urged forward using a plurality of sprocket wheels, and which utilize magnetically operated activation components for causing produce to be selectively dropped from cups carried by the pucks into sorting bins. The structures for the conveying and actuating components of the systems have smooth external surfaces reducing potential contamination by bacteria, contaminants and debris, thereby making them easily accessible for cleaning, and allowing for longer continuous operation times and higher efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Inventor: Lorin Reed
  • Patent number: 11319154
    Abstract: A roller conveyor assembly construction system, including a rotatable jig assembly, a plurality of aligner assemblies, wherein each of the plurality of aligner assemblies is operatively connected to the jig assembly, a plurality of rollers located on each of the plurality of aligner assemblies, and a frame assembly operatively connected to the plurality of rollers, wherein the frame assembly is removably connected to each of the plurality of aligner assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Itoh Denki USA Inc.
    Inventor: Richard R. Kosik, Sr.
  • Patent number: 11319155
    Abstract: A sorting system for a conveying apparatus is disclosed. A conveying platform of the conveying apparatus includes turning driving devices disposed side by side at a branching position on the article conveying path, and each turning driving device includes a directional motor, and a wheel hub motor module and a driving device disposed above and below the directional motor, respectively. When the article conveyed by the conveying platform enters the branching position, a control module outputs and transmits control signals to the directional motors and the wheel hub motor modules, and a rotation shaft drives a fixing frame of the wheel hub motor module to horizontally turn to a preset angular position, and the wheel hub motor module drives a roller to vertically rotate to drive the article to convey to a predetermined position along a preset path, so that a sorting operation can be completed quickly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: USUN TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chiu-Fong Huang, Hsiang-Yueh Yu
  • Patent number: 11312583
    Abstract: A joint connector for track sections of a conveyor wherein the track sections comprise a feature that requires alignment, the joint connector including: a first segment for attachment to an attachment feature of a first track section of the conveyor; and a second segment for attachment to an attachment feature of a second track section of the conveyor, wherein the second segment is configured to be adaptive to non-alignment of the attachment features of the first and second track sections in order to maintain alignment of the feature after installation of the joint connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Inventors: Roger Hogan, Clayton Ditzend, Steve Aikens, Albert Kleinikkink
  • Patent number: 11312577
    Abstract: A conveyor system is described for use with a scanning apparatus (49) for the scanning of objects (43), such as bottles. The system comprises a transverse conveyor having a conveyor surface (45); a plurality of object support modules (41), each object support module (41) comprising a lower surface that sits upon the conveyor surface (45) of the conveyor and an upper part in which an object receiving recessed portion is defined, wherein the object receiving recessed portion defines an elongate recess having a constant transverse profile. A scanning system comprising the conveyor system in combination with an object scanner and a method of scanning embodying the principles of such a scanner are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: KROMEK LIMITED
    Inventor: Benjamin John Cantwell