Patents Examined by William R Harp
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Patent number: 11897002Abstract: Particles are sterilized by application of a sterilizing agent such as UV light while singulated by forming them into a stream in at least one duct carried on a body rotating around an axis where the duct is shaped so that the particles are accelerated to cause the particles separated into the duct to be aligned one after another in a row in the duct. The parameter of the particles are measured in the aligned stream one after the other and the particles are directed into one of a plurality of paths as determined by the measurement. In one arrangement the body comprises a disk member having a front face facing a supply conduit and the duct lies in a radial plane of the disk member. In one arrangement the measurement of the parameter is carried out by one or more measurement devices either carried on the disk or outside the edge of the disk.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2021Date of Patent: February 13, 2024Assignee: 9754741 Canada Ltd.Inventors: David Prystupa, John Pacak, Robert Kozakewich
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Patent number: 11897100Abstract: A system for moving discrete articles comprising a system for fixing push rods to the chain comprising: two opposite sides (20) that support a conveyor plane (21); two chain holder guides (22), opposite and fixed to said sides (20); two chains (23) with links with protruding pins (24) sliding inside said two chain holder guides (22); push rods (25) fixed in a removable manner, transversally to said conveyor plane (21), to said pins (24) of said chain (23); characterized in that it comprises: blocks (30) having a central hole (31) designed to slide with friction over said push rods (25); said blocks (30) having a pair of holes (32), lateral to said central hole (31), designed to slide with friction over said pins (24).Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2020Date of Patent: February 13, 2024Assignee: REEPACK S.R.L.Inventor: Livio Valli
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Patent number: 11901515Abstract: A sheet material conveyance device includes a plurality of first holding heads each having a curved first holding surface, a first drum holding the plurality of first holding heads, a plurality of second holding heads each having a planar second holding surface, a second drum holding the plurality of second holding heads, a tilt adjustment mechanism structured to adjust a tilt of each second holding surface, and a speed adjustment mechanism structured to adjust a relative movement speed of the first holding head and the second holding head. The first holding head and the second holding head move to a delivery position, and deliver the sheet material between the first holding surface and the second holding surface in a situation in which adjustment is performed by the tilt adjustment mechanism and the speed adjustment mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2021Date of Patent: February 13, 2024Assignee: PANASONIC HOLDINGS CORPORATIONInventors: Ryo Fujita, Ryuta Abe, Masahide Maruyama
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Patent number: 11883850Abstract: An article conveying equipment includes: a carrying apparatus, configured to carry one or more articles to be transported; a travelling apparatus, where the travelling apparatus includes at least two driving wheels located at the bottom of the travelling apparatus, the at least two driving wheels are configured to control the travelling apparatus to rotate in a first rotation direction; and a rotation supporting apparatus, which is located between the carrying apparatus and the travelling apparatus and connected to the carrying apparatus and the travelling apparatus respectively, where the rotation supporting apparatus is configured to rotate in a direction opposite to the first rotation direction when the travelling apparatus rotates in the first rotation direction.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2022Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Assignee: BEIJING GEEKPLUS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.Inventors: Qingguang Ma, Hongbo Li
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Patent number: 11878878Abstract: Connector assembly (100), system and method for converting a batch wise supply of insects (102) to a continuous supply of insects (102). A container unit is present (105) having an internal volume, a water inlet unit (106-109, 117), and a suspension outlet unit (110-113). A receiving unit (101) has a top opening (101a) arranged for receiving batch wise quantities of insects (102) and a bottom opening (114). A conveyor unit (104) has a receiving part (104b) arranged near the bottom opening (114) of the receiving unit (101), and an outlet end (119) extending into the container unit (105). By suspending the insects (102) in water it is possible to transport the suspension of insects (102) in water, e.g. to a buffer container (300).Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2020Date of Patent: January 23, 2024Assignee: Protix B.V.Inventors: Lucius Petrus Cornelis De Wolf, Stijn Harms, Kees Wilhelmus Petrus Aarts, Eric Holland Schmitt
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Patent number: 11866270Abstract: A gripper including a receiving end and a locking end and an absorber coupled to at least one of the ends configured to dampen contact forces imparted on the gripper, wherein the receiving end is shaped to marry a container body.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2021Date of Patent: January 9, 2024Assignee: WestRock Packaging Systems, LLCInventors: Jean-Christophe Bonnain, Frederic Limousin, Fabrice Avril, Amelie Strohm-Volondat
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Patent number: 11858756Abstract: A high-speed pressure based propulsion system for transporting resources is disclosed. The system comprising: a plurality of cars; an electronic track configured to carry said plurality of cars; an automatic guidance system configured to establish a route for said plurality of cars on said electronic track based on one or more pre-defined parameters; a plurality of electronically controlled stations configured to facilitate one or more task on said routed plurality of cars for transportation of resources. The disclosed system facilitates movement of food from one place to another by use of fast speed HYPERLOOPâ„¢ technology and thereby tries to solves the issue of malnutrition in under developed nations.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2021Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Inventor: Mirza Faizan
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Patent number: 11858747Abstract: A vibratory conveyor for use in an industrial processing system. The vibratory conveyors include mounting plates for coupling vibratory motors of the conveyor. The mounting plates extend into tubular sidewalls of the base frame. A force-balancing member, such as a cross-member, extends between the mounting plates. The mounting plates may be a solid plate of material, such as steel.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2022Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Assignee: Vanmark Equipment, LLCInventors: Brice Robert Gabriel, Tim Erwin Wolf, Jack G. Wilson
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Patent number: 11858752Abstract: A modular transfer system with a primary flow system and a diverter system. The primary flow system includes a primary flow belt for conveying an article along a primary flow path from an infeed side of the modular transfer system to a pass-through side of the modular transfer system. The diverter system includes one or more diverter belts for diverting an article from the primary flow path towards a divert side of the modular transfer system. The primary flow belt includes multiple movable components contacting the diverter belt. The movable components can have one or more rotational degrees of freedom.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2022Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Assignee: Regal Beloit America, Inc.Inventors: John William Kuhn, Robert D. Lundahl, Robert W. Cutlip, Mark G. Bankard, William D. Finch
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Patent number: 11845618Abstract: Package transfer systems and methods for moving packages in a conveyor system are described herein. The package transfer systems and methods include package stops that move between their open and closed configurations. In the closed configuration, the package stops prevent a package from moving through the location of the package stop. When placed on the perimeter of a transfer location into which packages are delivered by a delivery conveyor, the package stops provide for proper positioning of packages in the transfer location.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2022Date of Patent: December 19, 2023Assignee: SWIMC LLCInventor: Brandon Osysko
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Patent number: 11845687Abstract: An insulating glass unit cooling assembly and method of cooling an insulating glass unit is provided. The cooling assembly includes a cooling unit that directs air at insulating glass units and a conveyor that transports insulating glass units along a path of travel defining an axis of travel for the insulating glass units. The conveyor has a conveyor planar surface that supports a corresponding planar glass surface of the insulating glass units as the insulating glass units are conveyed along the axis of travel such that the planar surface of the insulating glass units are substantially horizontal and substantially parallel to the conveyor planar surface. The air from the cooling unit is directed in a path substantially parallel with the conveyor planar surface and the planar glass surface of the insulating glass units as the insulating glass units travel along the conveyor.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2021Date of Patent: December 19, 2023Assignee: GED Integrated Solutions, Inc.Inventors: William A. Briese, Jason A. Rody, John Grismer
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Patent number: 11826790Abstract: An article discharge system includes a placement unit in which the article group is placed, plural grippers, a movable member, a robot that moves the movable member, weight acquisition units, and a control unit. The plural grippers grip some articles with gripping member. The plural grippers are attached to the movable member. The weight acquisition units acquire weight values of the articles that each of the grippers grips. The control unit moves the movable member, brings the plural grippers closer to the placement unit, causes the plural grippers to grip some of the articles of the article group placed in the placement unit, and, based on the result of a combination calculation using the weight values of the articles that each of the grippers grips and which the weight acquisition units have acquired, causes predetermined grippers among the plural grippers to release the articles and thereby discharge the articles.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2022Date of Patent: November 28, 2023Assignee: Ishida Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shuichi Maeda, Yujiro Obayashi, Masaaki Hojo
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Patent number: 11827461Abstract: A transport device for transferring rod-like articles, the device comprising: a first conveyor configured to transfer the rod-like articles as a multilayer stream in a first transferring direction; a second conveyor configured to transfer the rod-like articles as the multilayer stream in a second transferring direction opposite to the first transferring direction; wherein the first conveyor is located at least partially above the second conveyor; a transferring channel for transferring the rod-like articles from the first conveyor to the second conveyor in a third transferring direction, the transferring channel being formed by a first wall located at the end of the first conveyor and a second wall distanced from the first wall by a distance equal to a width of the multilayer stream of the rod-like articles, wherein the second wall is located above the second conveyor; wherein at least the first conveyor and the transferring channel are movable in a first conveyor displacing direction corresponding to the firType: GrantFiled: June 11, 2020Date of Patent: November 28, 2023Assignee: International Tobacco Machinery Poland Sp. z ooInventors: Adam Gielniewski, Ryszard Siara
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Patent number: 11820603Abstract: A feeder device for feeding powder, having a barrel feeding channel with a downstream end. The feeding channel including at least one conveying element for conveying the powder material to the downstream end. A rotatable exit element provided at the downstream end of the feeding channel. The rotatable exit element includes an annular portion defining exit openings defined by powder engaging edges. The rotatable exit element is positioned transversally outside the barrel in a proximity of the downstream end of the feeding channel. The feeding channel has a first, inner diameter and the rotatable exit element has a second, outer diameter, where the second, outer diameter is equal to or larger than the first inner diameter.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2020Date of Patent: November 21, 2023Assignee: GEA PROCESS ENGINEERING NVInventors: Bart Verhoest, Guido Vital Judith Geukens, Alexander Clemens Henricus Josef Schaepman, Johannes Adrianus Jozef Maria Vugts
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Patent number: 11820607Abstract: In certain embodiments, a system includes: a source lane configured to move a first die container between a load port and a source lane staging area; an inspection sensor configured to produce a sensor result based on a die on the first die container; a pass target lane configured to move a second die container between a pass target lane out port and a pass target lane staging area; a fail target lane configured to move a third die container between a fail target lane out port and a fail target lane staging area; and a conveyor configured to move the die from the first die container at the source lane staging area to either the second die container at the pass target lane staging area or the fail target lane staging area based on the sensor result.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2022Date of Patent: November 21, 2023Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tsung-Sheng Kuo, Chih-Hung Huang, Yi-Fam Shiu, Chueng-Jen Wang, Hsuan Lee, Jiun-Rong Pai
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Patent number: 11814251Abstract: A speed reducer for a gravity roller conveyor system is provided. The speed reducer includes a mounting member and an engagement member rotatably connected to the mounting member and structured to be rotatable to a first rotational position and to a second rotational position. A damper is connected to the mounting member and is structured to bias the engagement member to the first rotational position. A retraction mechanism is operably connected to the engagement member and is structured to be operable to rotate the engagement member to the second rotational position against a biasing force exerted by the damper on the engagement member when an object moving along the conveyor becomes stalled, thereby enabling the object to move along the conveyor past the engagement member. A speed reducer system incorporating the speed reducer is also described.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2022Date of Patent: November 14, 2023Assignees: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: T. J. Maier
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Patent number: 11807460Abstract: A chute tube for facilitating particle transfer and distribution. The chute tube for transferring particles has a charging chute tube with a charge inlet of particles, a discharging chute tube and an intermediate chute tube slantingly connected between the charging chute tube and the discharging chute tube. The intermediate chute tube includes a groove without steps formed by a combination of a first inclined surface and a second inclined surface, and the groove is of a cross-sectional shape corresponding to two adjacent sides of a triangle.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2020Date of Patent: November 7, 2023Assignee: TOYO ENGINEERING CORPORATIONInventor: Keishi Sano
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Patent number: 11807470Abstract: Buffer device for buffering containers, with an inlet, an inlet manipulator, a first buffer system, a transposition device, a second buffer system, an outlet manipulator, and an outlet, where containers can be transferred by the inlet manipulator from the inlet to the first buffer system and can be transported along a first direction in the first buffer system, where the transposition device can transfer containers from the first buffer system to the second buffer system, and the containers can be transported in the second buffer system along a second direction that is opposite to the first direction, and the containers can be removed from the second buffer system by the outlet manipulator and fed to the outlet, where the buffer capacity of the buffer device is adjustable.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2020Date of Patent: November 7, 2023Assignee: KRONES AGInventors: Helmut Schuesslburner, Konrad Senn
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Patent number: 11802008Abstract: A cross-conveyor sorter with a clearing apparatus for removing misplaced items (Sd) is described, wherein the cross-conveyor sorter has a plurality of carriages which are connected to one another on an endless conveying track, the carriages are provided with a cross-conveyor device, which is oriented transversely to the transportation direction (x) and on which the items (Sp) can be transported and unloaded at predetermined unloading locations. The cross-conveyor sorter clearing apparatus enables the risk-free removal of misplaced items (Sd) during operation. The clearing apparatus is a blow-off device which is arranged on a first side alongside the conveying track.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2019Date of Patent: October 31, 2023Inventor: Hansueli Christen
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Patent number: 11802608Abstract: A flexible thermoplastic conveyor belt constructed of one or more belt segments having corrugated sidewalls. The one or more segments are joined end to end at one or more joints. The ends of the sidewalls at or near the joints are fastened together by fasteners to form a continuous sidewall along the length of the belt. The fasteners are toolless fasteners requiring no tools; they can be fastened and unfastened by hand alone.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2022Date of Patent: October 31, 2023Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.Inventors: John Stong, Gabriel Nazar, Gerko Hulshof, Martin Sprenkeler, Michael Hendrik DeGroot, Jeff Batchelder, James R. Honeycutt, Jr.