Patents Examined by William R Harp
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Patent number: 11787622Abstract: Manual and automated racking systems and associated methods for loading/unloading glass panels (e.g., insulating glass units (IGU), laminated glass units, glass composites, monolithic glass, and the like) onto/from a transportable rack, and a rack for use with the manual and automated racking systems.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2021Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: Integrated Automation Systems, LLCInventors: Michael E. Peters, Wesley Scott, Michael P. McHugh
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Patent number: 11787644Abstract: Transporting installation for containers, such as bottles, having a first transporting device, which can transport containers by neck-handling, and a second transporting device, which can transport containers by base-handling, wherein the first transporting device transports the containers at a different height from the second transporting device, wherein, in a transfer region in which the containers can be transferred from the first transporting device to the second transporting device, the second transporting device runs linearly and a linear guide device is provided, said guide device running parallel to the second transporting device and being adapted such that it can guide a container as the container is being lowered from the first transporting device to the second transporting device.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2019Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: KRONES AGInventors: Bernhard Eichenseer, Xaver Karl, Martin Seger
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Patent number: 11784074Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods relating to a transfer chamber for an electronic device processing system. The transfer chamber can include a first magnetic levitation track having a face-up orientation and a second magnetic levitation track spaced from the first magnetic levitation track and having a face-down orientation. The system can include substrate carriers that move along the first and second magnetic levitation tracks where each substrate carrier includes a magnet on a bottom portion to interact with a first magnetic field and a second magnet on a top portion to interact with a second magnetic field. The system also can include at least one lift pin assembly to move the substrate carriers in a vertical direction between the first and second magnetic levitation tracks.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2021Date of Patent: October 10, 2023Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Alex Berger, Jeffrey Hudgens, Eric Englhardt
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Patent number: 11780681Abstract: A device (10) for transporting solids that comprises—a support frame (11), —an auger (15) connected to the support frame (11) rotatably about an axis of rotation, —a motor unit (30) configured to activate in rotation the auger (15) that comprises an output shaft (321) being rotatable about an axis of revolution (B), characterized in that the axis of revolution (B) of the output shaft (321) is parallel and eccentric to the axis of rotation (A) of the auger (15).Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2020Date of Patent: October 10, 2023Assignee: AQSEPTENCE GROUP CARPI S.R.L.Inventors: Andrea Gavioli, Dario Nascimbeni
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Patent number: 11772900Abstract: A conveyor system includes at least one conveyor table and an awareness flag mechanism. The awareness flag mechanism includes a support rod mounted to the at least one conveyor table and extending outwardly therefrom in a cross-conveying direction. A counterweight assembly includes a support shaft pivotally connected to the support rod. The support shaft has a resiliently flexible portion. Aa counterweight is located at a lower end of the support shaft. Aa flag is located at an opposite, upper end of the support shaft. The counterweight biases the counterweight assembly toward an upright, awareness configuration where the flag is located above a conveying surface of the at least one conveyor table.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2021Date of Patent: October 3, 2023Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventor: Stephen R. Essex
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Patent number: 11772908Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for automatic item picking stations. In one embodiment, an example automated item picking station may include a first set of container slots configured to support a first set of containers, and a second set of container slots configured to support a second set of containers. The item picking station may include a first item handling device configured to transport a first item to a container in the first set of containers or the second set of containers, a first empty container shuttle disposed adjacent to the first set of container slots, and an optional second empty container shuttle disposed adjacent to the second set of container slots. The item picking station may include a takeaway conveyor disposed between the first set of container slots and the second set of container slots, the takeaway conveyor configured to transport full containers to a downstream processing station.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2021Date of Patent: October 3, 2023Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Kevin W. Keck, Roland J. Menassa
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Patent number: 11760487Abstract: A ceiling-mounted delivery assembly for a cabin of a vehicle includes a conveyance system that has a pair of guide rails, and a trolley operatively connected to the conveyance system for movement relative thereto. The trolley includes a control box having a pair of wheels. Each wheel is operatively connected to a respective one of the pair of guide rails. The control box includes a plurality of pulley drums extending from the control box. The trolley includes cable connection system having a plurality of cables. Each cable attached to a respective one of the pulley drums of the control box. The trolley includes a tray operatively connected to the cables of the cable connection system to be moved up and down relative to the control box.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2022Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.Inventors: Biplav Bijoy Goswami, Girish Channakeshavrao Hirekerur
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Patent number: 11733194Abstract: An impact panel for protecting mining equipment may include a plurality of ceramic tiles affixed to a base plate. The impact panel may further include at least one fixing hole disposed within the plurality of ceramic tiles and the base plate with a metal frame disposed around an outer peripheral edge of the plurality of ceramic tiles that is also affixed to the base plate. The impact panel may have at least one plug disposed inside the at least one fixing hole to seamlessly cover the at least one fixing hole. The panels may also be wired with sensors that will communicate with process control circuits allowing data collection on remote process and remote mining equipment.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2020Date of Patent: August 22, 2023Assignee: CERAMIC TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: Lee R. Osborne, William Farley, Stephane Guerchon
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Patent number: 11731841Abstract: Examples of automated gemstone feeding are described. According to an example, a gemstone feeding machine includes a conveyor belt assembly to feed holders carrying gemstones. The conveyor belt assembly can include a plurality of conveyor belts in two sets positioned parallel to each other and the two sets can move in opposite directions. Each belt in one set can be positioned alternately with respect to each belt in the other set. The assembly can include a fixed guiding plate at a first end of the conveyor belts and a detachable guiding plate adjacent to the loading assembly at a second end of the conveyor belts. The fixed guiding plate and the detachable guiding plate each comprises a plurality of transition profiles in alignment with immediately adjacent conveyor belts.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2019Date of Patent: August 22, 2023Assignee: Sahajanand Technologies Private LimitedInventors: Chirag Oza, Munjal Gajjar, Rahul Gaywala
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Patent number: 11731169Abstract: System and method are provided where parcels or packages are associated or grouped, into logical group or logical containerization of parcels or packages, without need for physical container, such that parcels or packages can be tracked as a group, for example with a unique group ID. Logical group may be tracked within specified logical zone on conveyor, transported, sorted and/or otherwise processed as unique logical group without need to be contained in physical container. System and method for automated sortation can accumulate set number or set volume of packages, and then process the accumulated set number or volume of packages.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2021Date of Patent: August 22, 2023Assignee: AEGIS SORTATION, LLCInventors: Anthony J. Young, Jeffrey Paul Henley, Kevin Raney, Robert Browder, Marvin Gregory Whitlock, Scott Crance, Ken Ice, Michael Karaglanis, Brian Yount, Barry Sweatt, Thomas M. Phillips, Logan Young
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Patent number: 11724891Abstract: 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: January 25, 2022Date of Patent: August 15, 2023Assignee: 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: 11718486Abstract: Devices for separating piece goods such as pharmaceutical product packages to be stored in a picking device are provided. The device includes a feed device for piece goods, a recording device for recording 3D images of piece goods, a control device for evaluating 3D images and for determining a piece good to be picked, a conveyor for picking a piece good, a deposit surface, and a lateral recording device. The control device is configured so that the orientation of the picked piece good is ascertained and the preferred storage surface is established and that the conveyor is activated in such a way that a picked piece good is situated on a preferred storage surface on the deposit surface. Methods of separating piece goods to be stored in a picking device are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2021Date of Patent: August 8, 2023Assignee: BECTON DICKINSON ROWA GERMANY GMBHInventor: Andreas Klapperich
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Patent number: 11718485Abstract: An inventory-handling system can receive inventory containers filled with inventory items. The inventory containers can be received between guides and advanced through the inventory-handling system. The guides can be curved to rotate the inventory containers being advanced through the inventory-handling system. The inventory containers can be rotated from an upright orientation to an inverted orientation for emptying the inventory items.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2021Date of Patent: August 8, 2023Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Joseph McGrath
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Patent number: 11691831Abstract: A portable conveyor system receives and conveys particulate material to downstream equipment. The system includes a base frame, a material handling assembly carried on the base frame for depositing the material into the downstream equipment, and at least one adjustable feed conveyor to convey the material from a source onto the material handling assembly. The feed conveyor is movable in various manners relative to the base frame between a working position and a stored position. The material handling assembly includes a main conveyor assembly to convey material along the base frame from the feed conveyors to an elevating assembly at one end of the base frame. The elevating assembly is collapsible in height relative to the base frame for transport.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2019Date of Patent: July 4, 2023Assignee: 543077 Alberta Ltd.Inventors: Marlea Sleeman, Lonny James Thiessen
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Patent number: 11691826Abstract: A method of changing article pitch. The method can comprise receiving a series of articles arranged at a first pitch, engaging the articles of the series of articles sequentially with a gripper wheel, moving the articles along a path of travel with the gripper wheel, and moving the articles relative to one another from the first pitch to a second pitch during the moving the articles along the path of travel with the gripper wheel.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2021Date of Patent: July 4, 2023Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, LLCInventor: Kelly W. Ziegler
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Patent number: 11685606Abstract: Provided is an improved animal feed distribution system and components, specifically tube belt conveyor system, that provides more efficient manner of delivering feed to the animals, such as poultry by using tube conveyor belt to distribute feed in a re-circulating loop.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2021Date of Patent: June 27, 2023Assignee: Valco Industries, Inc.Inventors: Philip E. Risser, Logan Auker, Jacob D. Byer
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Patent number: 11685610Abstract: A pick-and-place device of display screen substrate and a control method for picking and placing a display screen substrate are disclosed. The pick-and-place device of display screen substrate includes a housing, a support assembly and a control component. The support assembly is disposed in the housing and includes: a support plate extending in a first direction, and two sets of support bars disposed opposite to each other and spaced apart from each other in the first direction. Each set of support bars includes a plurality of support bars arranged at intervals along a second direction, and each support bars is movable in a third direction. The support plate and the support bar are connected with the housing respectively, and the support plate is provided with an opening configured to allow the support bar to move along the third direction.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2017Date of Patent: June 27, 2023Assignees: BOE Technology Group Co., Ltd., Hefei Xinsheng Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd.Inventors: Feifei Zhu, Wenming Ren
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Patent number: 11673748Abstract: A non-contact support platform with open-loop control, including: a surface, to support a workpiece by fluid-bearing of fluid flowing through a plurality of nozzles, a supply system, connected to the surface and configured to maintain the fluid-bearing by applying pressure to cause flow of the fluid out of a subset of the plurality of nozzles, and a controller, to control fluid flow in the supply system with an open-loop circuit to support the workpiece while it moves over the non-contact support platform, wherein the fluid flow is controlled based on at least parameter of a group of workpiece parameters consisting of a position of the workpiece, dimensions of the workpiece and a velocity of the workpiece while supported by the surface.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2019Date of Patent: June 13, 2023Assignee: Core Flow Ltd.Inventors: Eric Joely, Boaz Nishri, Ronen Lautman
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Patent number: 11667482Abstract: According to one embodiment, a consolidated transportation method arranges a plurality of baggage in a same transportation area and performs transportation. A consolidation determination item is defined. A first baggage corresponding to an easily transferred baggage item in the consolidation determination item is arranged in a first transportation area and transported. A second baggage corresponding to a highly sensitive baggage item in the consolidation determination item is arranged in a second transportation area and transported. A first transporter includes the first transportation area. A second transporter includes the second transportation area. The first transportation area and the second transportation area are physically separated.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2020Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Assignee: TOSHIBA DIGITAL SOLUTIONS CORPORATIONInventors: Megumi Kobayashi, Yasuto Hatafuku, Hideo Ando, Hideki Kubo, Motokazu Iwasaki, Yoko Ikeda, Shinsuke Iuchi, Tatsuki Shiraishi, Kiyoshi Takemoto, Kaori Kitami, Keishi Higashi, Michiyo Sato, Masaru Watabiki
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Patent number: 11667481Abstract: A bucket elevator adjustable guide system for efficiently transferring and dispensing particulate material from a bucket elevator includes a head housing connected to the bucket elevator, an adjustable guide member disposed therein, an extendable and retractable adjustment member connected to the guide member, a remotely controllable drive unit coupled to the adjustment member, and a remote control. The head housing receives buckets of particulate material to be dispensed from the bucket elevator. The guide member extends in a curved arc over the buckets to engage and guide discharged particulate material into a discharge chute. Remote controls enable the drive unit to be manually or automatically controlled to cause the adjustment member to extend or retract to adjust the position and configuration of the guide member and affect the transfer and dispensing of the particulate material without physically accessing the adjustment member.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2022Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Assignee: S-M Enterprises, Inc.Inventor: Dale W. Niemi