Patents Examined by Molly K Devine
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Patent number: 11975926Abstract: An automated belt-based diverter system is described in some implementations. In an example implementation, the system may include a belt, which includes a closed loop of material, coupled with a pulley and a motor that provides motive force to the belt, for example, using the pulley. In some implementations, one or more diverter arms may be coupled with the belt. A diverter arm may include a body with a first arm end, a second arm end, and a pushing surface. A diverter arm may be coupled at the first end with the belt so that the second end extends away from the belt and the pushing surface may contact an object to push the item. The system may also include a controller coupled with the motor to rotate the belt in defined directions or distances based on instructions.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2022Date of Patent: May 7, 2024Assignee: Staples, Inc.Inventors: Calem Harris, Sebastian Mora, Grant Tucker, Arun Kumar Ranganathan Jagannathan, Carl Skantze, Arnold Tsoka, Mario Faulkner
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Patent number: 11977017Abstract: Computer based methods, systems, and computer readable media are provided for intelligently sorting cells using machine learning. A biological cell analysis sorting machine, wherein the biological cell analysis sorting machine comprises a flow cytometry system and a cell analytics sorting system, may be configured to detect configuration issues by analyzing results of a sorting experiment performed by the biological cell analysis sorting machine. An analysis of a history of prior sorting experiments and associated configuration settings may be performed and a corpus of documents pertaining to the sorting experiment based on the detected configuration issues may be analyzed. Updated configuration settings for the biological cell analysis sorting machine based on the performed analysis may be determined, and the biological cell analysis sorting machine may be configured with the updated configuration settings to conduct a desired sorting experiment.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2019Date of Patent: May 7, 2024Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Marta Sanchez-Martin, Claudia S. Huettner, Jia Xu, Cheryl L Eifert, Elinor Dehan, Shang Xue, Vanessa Michelini
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Patent number: 11964284Abstract: Provided is a method that enables sufficient separation of an egg shell and an egg shell membrane from each other even in a small scale, using a simpler configuration than conventional methods. The method for separating an egg shell and an egg shell membrane from each other includes a step of adding an egg shell with an egg shell membrane attached thereto to a swirling flow of an alkaline solution.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2020Date of Patent: April 23, 2024Assignee: BIOAPATITE, INC.Inventors: Keinosuke Kaneshima, Koichi Nakamura, Masahiro Kawamoto
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Patent number: 11944980Abstract: A magnetic separating conveyor output roll including a first plurality of magnetic rings, each of such magnetic rings having radially inner and radially outer ends, each such magnetic ring having annular north and south poles respectively positioned at its radially inner and radially outer ends; and including a second plurality of magnetic rings having radially inner and radially outer ends, each such magnetic ring having annular north and south poles respectively positioned at its radially outer and radially inner ends; wherein the first and second pluralities of magnetic rings are stacked in an alternating series along a rotation axis; wherein each magnetic ring's radial cross section is rectangular; wherein each magnetic ring includes a circumferential array of radially extending seams, the roll incorporating a plurality of adhesive bonds residing within such seams; the roll further incorporating magnetic armature effect resisting gaps between adjacent pairs of the magnetic rings.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2020Date of Patent: April 2, 2024Assignee: Bunting Group, Inc.Inventor: Donald A. Suderman
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Patent number: 11938490Abstract: A system for separating particles or cells by magnetic ratcheting has a vector of spaced apart magnetic bars on a substrate. The system can be used to separate and concentrate magnetic objects based on iron oxide content. For cells, different phenotypes may be separated based on surface expression of proteins or molecules that are bound to magnetic beads. A magnetic field generator generates a cycling magnetic field that acts to separate magnetic particles or cells from non-magnetic particles or cells in a solution.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2022Date of Patent: March 26, 2024Assignee: FERROLOGIX, INC.Inventors: Coleman Murray, Tim Tiemann
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Patent number: 11938518Abstract: Techniques for planning object sorting are disclosed, including: receiving a set of current information associated with target objects on a conveyor device; determining a current state of the sorting system, wherein the sorting system comprises an actuator device that is configured to actuate a picker assembly to capture target objects from the conveyor device; determining a sequence of actions to be performed by the actuator device and the picker assembly with respect to one or more target objects based on the set of current information associated with the target objects and the current state of the sorting system; determining a selected subset of actions with respect to an identified target object from the sequence of actions; and sending an instruction to the actuator device to cause the actuator device to perform the selected subset of actions with respect to the identified target object.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2021Date of Patent: March 26, 2024Assignee: AMP Robotics CorporationInventor: Kevin Taylor
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Patent number: 11920214Abstract: Plants and methods recover spent refractory material and comprise at least one receiving area for said refractory material, at least one material sieving area, at least one magnetic separation area, and at least one sorting area. Said receiving area communicates with a first sieving area divides said refractory material in at least two fractions based on sizes of said refractory material. A second sieving area divides a fine fraction into at least two sub-fractions.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2017Date of Patent: March 5, 2024Assignee: DEREF S.P.A.Inventors: Giorgio Fasolini, Marc Faverjon
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Patent number: 11911803Abstract: An automated sorting and packing system is described. In an example implementation, the system may include a transfer station that transfers an item into a shipping carton, one or more conveyors that convey the item and/or carton to a transfer station, a scanner that scans the item, and a processor communicatively coupled with the scanner and the one or more conveyors. According to some implementations, the system may perform operations including determining a carton identifier associated with a carton based on an order, assigning a transfer station to the order and the carton identifier based on scan data identifying an item, transporting the item to the transfer station using a conveyor, and transferring the item from the conveyor to a carton associated with the carton identifier using the transfer station.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2022Date of Patent: February 27, 2024Assignee: Staples, Inc.Inventors: Calem Harris, Sebastian Mora, Grant Tucker, Arun Kumar Ranganathan Jagannathan, Carl Skantze, Arnold Tsoka, Mario Faulkner
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Patent number: 11897701Abstract: An automated packing system, which may include a transfer station is described. In an example implementation, system may include an item-consolidation area that receives items, a carton receiving area that receives a carton, and a structure that holds the item-consolidation area vertically higher than the carton-receiving area. The system may also include a passage between the item-consolidation area and the carton-receiving area. The passage that may allow the items to pass from the item-consolidation area and the carton in the carton-receiving area. The system may include an actuation mechanism that controls movement of the items between the item-consolidation area and the carton-receiving area.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2022Date of Patent: February 13, 2024Assignee: Staples, Inc.Inventors: Calem Harris, Sebastian Mora, Grant Tucker, Arun Kumar Ranganathan Jagannathan, Carl Skantze, Arnold Tsoka, Mario Faulkner
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Patent number: 11892417Abstract: Automatic detection of mechanical defects in piece parts, such as floor covering planks, enables removal of the defective parts off an inspection path. A bypass conveyor system enables defective parts to be transported beyond or around a manual inspection, enabling personnel performing the subsequent inspection to focus on appearance defects. Once the remaining parts have been inspected by a manual process, the parts transported by the bypass conveyor system are returned to the production line. Defective parts may be distinguished by a marking capability that provides the ability to mark according to a variety of classes of defects.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2021Date of Patent: February 6, 2024Assignee: COLUMBIA INSURANCE COMPANYInventors: Richard Glassell, Chad Christman, Alex Epstein
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Patent number: 11865587Abstract: Discussed is a battery cell sorting apparatus including a battery cell pickup member configured to move a battery cell to a desired position; and a guide member configured to guide the battery cell pickup member in a first direction, wherein the battery cell pickup member includes: a pickup body portion, a magnet located at a lower surface of the pickup body portion, the magnet being configured to lift the battery cell, and a voltage measurement unit located at a lower surface of the magnet, the voltage measurement unit being configured to measure a voltage of the battery cell.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2020Date of Patent: January 9, 2024Assignee: LG ENERGY SOLUTION, LTD.Inventor: Jin Woo Ku
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Patent number: 11865549Abstract: A ferro-magnetic material recovery system includes a drum rotating within a magnet housing. An array of magnets mounted within the magnet housing have corresponding magnetic fields which decrease in strength in the direction of rotation of the drum to extract the material from a slurry flowing through the drum. Flow deflectors may be mounted in the drum. The array of magnets may form a magnetic core having magnetic fields that are radially aligned.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2020Date of Patent: January 9, 2024Inventors: David Roger Miles, Peter Thomas Watson
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Patent number: 11851292Abstract: A waste sorting robot gripper comprises a suction cup engageable with the surface of a waste object. The suction cup has an air hole for evacuating air from the suction cup. A suction tube is coupled to the suction cup. The suction tube comprises a longitudinal axis. A first air inlet is in fluid communication with the air hole at one end of the suction tube and an air outlet at the other end of the suction tube. A path of the air flow between the air inlet and the air outlet is substantially along the longitudinal axis. The suction tube comprises a second air inlet in fluid communication with an air source, the second air inlet being between the first air inlet and the air outlet.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2019Date of Patent: December 26, 2023Assignee: MP ZenRobotics OyInventors: Tuomas Lukka, Maciej Borkowski
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Patent number: 11826788Abstract: An item sorting system having a tray handling system and a tote handling system. The tray handling system having a tray conveying system, a tray transfer system, and optionally a tray storage region. The tote handling system may have a cubby array, the cubby array having a plurality of cubbies into which a tote may be placed. The system can transfer an item from the tray into the tote, and a method is disclosed for the same.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2021Date of Patent: November 28, 2023Assignee: JR Automation Technologies, LLCInventors: Craig Ulrich, Matt Cagle, Ryan Lute, Kyle Christian, Jason Hodgins, Bret Slocum, Marc Walters
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Patent number: 11829102Abstract: Toner classification apparatus comprising classification rotor comprising a plurality of vanes extending from rotation center side of classification rotor to outer circumference side of classification rotor; the plurality of vanes are disposed with prescribed gaps established between vanes; gaps form opening facing rotation center region of classification rotor; each of vanes is disposed such that portion of vane away from of center of rotation of classification rotor is located on more upstream side in a direction of rotation of classification rotor than portion of vane closer to center of rotation of classification rotor; each of vanes has elbow; and in a horizontal cross section provided by sectioning classification rotor in a rotational axis perpendicular direction of classification rotor, shape of vane satisfies prescribed formulae, as well as toner production method comprising classification step of carrying out classification process on particles to be classified by using toner classification apparatusType: GrantFiled: June 10, 2021Date of Patent: November 28, 2023Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Daisuke Yamashita, Yuichi Mizo, Junichi Tamura, Ran Wakayama, Yutaro Yoshida
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Patent number: 11801533Abstract: Automated sorting of a sealable bag includes contactlessly scanning a surface or surfaces of a sealable bag (upper or lower surface or both) as the sealable bag is conveyed past an inspection station; obtaining a surface profile topology of the scanned surface; calculating apparent volume of the sealable bag from the surface profile topology; determining whether the apparent volume is within volume thresholds of over filled, under filled and unsealed bags; and sorting the sealable bag to a discard station responsive to a determination that the apparent volume of the sealable bag does not fit within the selected threshold(s).Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2022Date of Patent: October 31, 2023Inventors: Aaron Thomas Bacon, Aerick William Bacon, Thomas Dell Bacon
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Patent number: 11794211Abstract: A device (1) with which lightweight fractions, such as films or paper for example, being carried along in a carrier airflow (A) are separated and discharged for further processing. The device is characterized in that the housing can be easily opened by means of two pivotal cover hoods (3, 4) in order to allow maintenance work to then be carried out safely. The first cover hood (3) has an intermediate piece (31, 31?) which extends into the housing and has chamfered surfaces (30, 30?) at the ends, wherein the surfaces assuming a known specified angle ? relative to the vertical, wherein the inner chamfer docks precisely against the chamfer of a guide element (27).Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2016Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Inventor: Dirk Barnstedt
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Patent number: 11786937Abstract: Aggregate processing systems, methods, and apparatus are described. In some embodiments, a plant is configurable in one of a plurality of configurations, e.g. by sliding one of a plurality of chutes, hoppers, or flumes into a frame and/or by modifying a height of the frame. In some embodiments, a roller floor assembly is in a maintenance configuration when a chute is in a maintenance position. In some embodiments, a flume includes one or more diverters for moving a subset of material from one side of the flume to another.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2019Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: Superior Industries, Inc.Inventors: Doug Lambert, Mark Crooks, Lafe Grimm, Matt Gordon
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Patent number: 11745226Abstract: The present invention discloses a cell photographing and conveying apparatus, including a cell feeding workstation, a detection workstation, a manipulator and an image acquisition device. The manipulator transfers a cell from the cell feeding workstation to the detection workstation. The image acquisition device includes ultraviolet lamps, illumination lamps, and cameras, where the ultraviolet lamps are used for emitting ultraviolet light to the detection workstation. By means of the cell photographing and conveying apparatus, a relatively complete appearance image of the cell can be acquired, thus ensuring detection accuracy.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2020Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: GUANGZHOU SUPERSONIC AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.Inventors: Junfeng Zhang, Changchun Ye
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Patent number: 11690394Abstract: A device for separating light flaky cut rolled stems (CRSs) by a throwing roller is provided. The device includes a vertically provided separation bin, and a CRS guide device and a CRS distribution plate which are arranged in the separation bin. The present disclosure further provides a method for separating light flaky CRSs by using the device. The present disclosure achieves full separation of finished CRSs from light flaky CRSs. The device of the present disclosure is designed for the first time, and can be directly connected to a pneumatic CRS feeding and discharging section of a production line. The device of the present disclosure is compact and suitable for industrial production.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2020Date of Patent: July 4, 2023Assignee: CHINA TOBACCO YUNNAN INDUSTRIAL CO., LTDInventors: Ze Liu, Banghua He, Lin Qi, Changgui Qiu, Yongzheng Li, Yong Zhu, Yuanzhen Zhou, Xishu Tang, Jun Tang, Gang Huang, Bing Zhou, Yunyue Cui