Patents Examined by William R Harp
  • Patent number: 11401116
    Abstract: Adjustable package flow stop wall systems and associated methods may operate as part of package processing stations, in order to facilitate accumulation and transfer of packages from inbound collection areas to outbound conveyances. For example, an adjustable package flow stop wall may include a wall assembly, a frame assembly, a pedal assembly, and/or a handle assembly. The wall assembly may selectively extend above the upper surface of a station between a plurality of positions, e.g., a closeout position, an active position, and a flush position, and the pedal and/or handle assemblies may be actuated to cause movement of the wall assembly. Further, the adjustable package flow stop wall may include one or more sensors, actuators, and/or input elements to enable movement of the wall assembly at least partially or fully automatically, which movements may be based on detected agents and/or packages and associated characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kristin Covelle, Nicholas Mark Johnson, Brian Steven Merrow, Krista Ohlson, John Waldron
  • Patent number: 11401114
    Abstract: Objects in a stream in a duct are singulated and oriented by rotating at least some so that the orientations of all aligned. In one arrangement a slot is provided in the singulation duct into which the shank falls while the head remains in the singulation duct. In another arrangement there is provided a buffering device and a transfer member for transferring the singulated oriented objects from the buffering device to an operating location. In another arrangement a first path changes the orientation of relative to the second path. The objects can be fed from a singulation duct to a supply duct having an exit mouth lying on a rotation axis of the singulation duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: 9754741 Canada Ltd.
    Inventors: David Prystupa, John Pacak
  • Patent number: 11396432
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses are disclosed for automated container shaking systems. In one embodiment, an example container shaking system may include a first support disposed at a first side of a first container slot, a second support disposed at a second side of the first container slot, and a first moveable platform disposed on the first support and the second support. The first moveable platform may be configured to slide on the first support and the second support, and the first moveable platform may be configured to receive a first container. The system may include a first actuator coupled to the first moveable platform, the first actuator configured to push and pull the first moveable platform, and an optional first sensor configured to detect an item deposited into the first container. Feedback from the first sensor may optionally be used to trigger the first actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: AMAZON TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Filippo Navarria, Vincenzo Acunzo, Tolga Kol, Stefano La Rovere, Xavier Jairo de Abreu de Abreu
  • Patent number: 11389027
    Abstract: A flying system for flying a food product is disclosed having an endless conveyor system for cooking product in a bath of hot cooking oil. An upper conveyor belt of the conveyor system includes a plurality of protrusions on the surface that retains the food items with a lower conveyor belt. The protrusions may be formed by bars or rods that may be integrally formed with a fluid pervious surface forming the belt. Also, a process of cooking food items with an endless conveyor system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Wilde Brands
    Inventor: Jason Wright
  • Patent number: 11390467
    Abstract: The invention relates to a container-positioning device and a positioning machine supporting same. The device can be used with containers that have a neck and a mouth. It comprises a funnel (4) whose edges are made up of: A first curved, stationary plate (5), the center of which is oriented towards the inside of the funnel (4). A second plate (6), opposite the former and movable in the horizontal direction, and which has an upper section (61), with a retractable orienting device (11). The upper section (61) is movable relative to a lower section (62), between: a first end at which it is aligned with the lower section (62) or closer to the first plate (5) than the lower section (62); and a second end at which the upper section (61) is farther from the first plate (5); a third flat plate (9) movable in a direction perpendicular to the opening (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: TRAKTECH CONTRUCCIONS MECANIQUES, S.L.
    Inventor: Joaquim Torrella Cardus
  • Patent number: 11390466
    Abstract: A module or fitting for applying and controlling the application of a liquid, gas, vapor, or spray, in an embodiment for applying a lubricant to the neck guides of an air conveyance line configured to slidingly move containers supported on the neck guides, the modules comprising a housing section having a lubricant reservoir formed therein, and a container support section, and defining a slot for securing the fittings to a neck guide support rail in a position interspersed along the air conveyor rails with the neck guides, with the container support surface in alignment with the neck guide support surface, and channels formed in the modules for dispensing the on the container support surface in close proximity to the container support flanges which are slidingly supported.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Inventor: James P. Gallagher
  • Patent number: 11378155
    Abstract: A junction plate for a junction device of conveyor belt intended to connect two ends of at least one conveyor belt. The junction device is of a type having at least two junction plates fastened together with the ends of the conveyor belt by fasteners each including a head and an anchoring section. The junction plate includes first interfaces to cooperate with the heads of the fasteners and second interfaces to cooperate with the anchoring sections of the fasteners. The second interfaces are distinct from the first interfaces and include inserts incorporated at least in part in the junction plate. The first and second interfaces are arranged so as to form a succession of patterns which are repeated, and each pattern has as many first interfaces as second interfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: FP BUSINESS INVEST
    Inventor: Bernard Tavernier
  • Patent number: 11378156
    Abstract: A junction device for connecting two ends of at least one longitudinal conveyor belt includes at least a first junction plate and a second junction plate which are configured to each cover a distinct side of the ends of the conveyor belt, a fastening device for fastening said junction plates together, and a removable spacer which is suited to be interposed between the wings of the first pair of wings formed by the junction plates, such that the centring hole of the spacer is offset from the junction plane, to free the space delimited between the second pair of wings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: FP BUSINESS INVEST
    Inventor: Bernard Tavernier
  • Patent number: 11377311
    Abstract: The present invention provides a container treatment system with a transport system for transporting containers along a transport conveyor the transport system comprising a plurality of transport elements movably supported on one side on at least one first guide element, and a long-stator linear motor drive arranged on the side of the first guide element, wherein a bearing of the transport elements on the first guide element is formed in such a way, in that the transport elements are held essentially by magnetic interaction on the first guide element, and wherein at least one second guide element is provided in sections along the transport conveyor, which is adapted in such a way that the transport elements are held on the first guide element by a mechanical engagement with the second guide element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: KRONES AG
    Inventors: Stefan Elsperger, Michael Neubauer
  • Patent number: 11365096
    Abstract: The present application relates to a continuously conveying passenger transport system which can be walked on and is designed as an escalator or moving walkway and a mobile device charging device for wirelessly electrically charging at least one mobile device during a passenger transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: INVENTIO AG
    Inventors: Martin Kusserow, Zack Zhu, Thomas Novacek
  • Patent number: 11365063
    Abstract: A supply device with which elements in disordered form, in particular connection elements as bulk elements, are suppliable to a second receiving volume. The supply device includes a first receiving container from which, via an outlet opening, a plurality of elements is deliverable to a second receiving container. The second receiving container may consist of an oscillation feeder. The oscillation energy of the oscillation feeder is specifically transmitted onto the elements, which are stored in the first receiving container. With the help of the transmitted oscillations, elements are transferred from the first receiving container via a transfer zone from the first receiving container into the second receiving container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Böllhoff Verbindungstechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Nadja Berger, Wilhelm Westermann, Matthias Vornheder, Torsten Draht
  • Patent number: 11358807
    Abstract: A transfer device, for transferring components at high speed and inspecting the components, includes a first transfer mechanism including a first transfer section including a first transfer surface that moves along a first transfer path connecting a loading position to a delivery position, and a second transfer mechanism including a second transfer section that moves along a second transfer path connecting a receiving position spaced from the delivery position by a first distance to a discharging position. The second transfer section includes a second transfer surface that continuously rotates about a rotation axis along the second transfer path. A moving direction of the first transfer surface at the delivery position intersects a moving direction of the second transfer surface at the receiving position in a plan view of the first transfer surface. The second transfer mechanism includes a generator that generates an attraction force toward the second transfer surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kohei Maeda, Yoshikazu Sasaoka
  • Patent number: 11358797
    Abstract: This invention provides an idler for use in conveyor systems and associated shaft and support structure that reduces the potential for infiltration of contaminants into the bearing assemblies at the opposing ends of the shaft. By use of stampings, co-molded polymer with sealed metal end caps, press-fit end shafts and stamped-metal support structures a more contamination-resistant and efficiently constructed idler assembly is provided. A hollow shaft center section can be used. The polymer defines at least three sealing structures. The shaft defines a multi-piece unit, with the end shafts press-fit onto the center shaft section and held in place by the bearing subassemblies—affixed to the idler sleeve. The support framework includes three stamped and/or cut, and folded sheet metal pieces—a center section with a pair of opposing central risers that engage end shafts, and two opposing, separately attached, end risers, that engage outermost idler end shafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: NHI Mechanical Motion, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin J. Guay, Alexander J. Moskalenko, Zachary P. Kerin
  • Patent number: 11358800
    Abstract: A standardized modular drive assembly includes: a gear unit module, which includes a gear unit mounted on a gear unit base plate, the gear unit having an output shaft which is adapted to be coupled with a conveyor device pulley shaft; and a motor module, which includes an electric motor mounted on a motor base plate, the motor base plate being able to be joined and connected to the gear unit base plate in an exchangeable manner, and the motor module having a torque link which is adapted to be coupled with a conveyor device support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: SEW-EURODRIVE GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Lech Banasik
  • Patent number: 11352221
    Abstract: In a post-processing method for a workpiece, a workpiece machined by a machining device is conveyed by a robot, from the machining device to a post-processing device, information regarding a state, at the machining device, of the workpiece after machining is acquired, a processing time for post-processing of the workpiece by the post-processing device is determined by a control device on the basis of the information regarding the state of the workpiece after machining, and the post-processing is performed on the workpiece by the post-processing device for just the processing time that is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hirofumi Sugahara
  • Patent number: 11352214
    Abstract: A diversion assembly for use with a feed material. The diversion assembly includes a plurality of movable gate chutes, a first conveyor, and a second conveyor. The plurality of movable gate chutes are each positionable in a retracted position and an extended position. The first conveyor is configured to carry, for each of any of the plurality of movable gate chutes in the retracted position, a first portion of the feed material to a first area. The second conveyor is configured to carry, for each of any of the plurality of movable gate chutes in the extended position, a second portion of the feed material to a second area. The second area is spaced apart from the first area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: ISO-PACIFIC REMEDIATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Michael John Dillon, Lori Dillon
  • Patent number: 11345548
    Abstract: A magnetic fastener and wear liner combination for use with material processing equipment for processing aggregate material, where a reverse taper counter bore hole of the wear liner is made to couple and decouple from a magnetic fastener which has a urethane cap, with a urethane cap reverse taper side. The magnetic fasteners are re-useable on replacement liners as the liners need replacement. The attachment and detachment of the magnetic fasteners is made to be simple and secure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Terex USA, LLC
    Inventor: David Bryan Stroup
  • Patent number: 11339007
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a switch device for a transfer point between a first and a second rotatable star wheel, at which transfer point objects can be selectively transferred from the first star wheel to the second star wheel, comprising a two-walled first switch element, the first and second walls of which extend around the transfer point such that a passage for the objects is formed therebetween; a second and a third switch element, which are arranged and held such that they each form extensions of the first and second wall, respectively, of the first switch element in the first position and the second position of the first switch element; and a transition device, which is designed to carry out the transition of the first to third switch elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: BAUSCH + STRÖBEL MASCHINENFABRIK ILSHOFEN GMBH + CO. KG
    Inventors: Florian Börret, Svenja Dollinger, Klaus Kaiser, Jürgen Munz, Daniel Spieler
  • Patent number: 11332323
    Abstract: A conveying device for a lawn mower blade is provided. The conveying device includes a platform, a motor fixed on the platform, five grippers slidably and horizontally provided on the platform through a guiding mechanism, a lead screw mechanism transmitting a motive power of the motor to translate one of the five grippers, and a synchronization mechanism connecting every adjacent two grippers. The guiding mechanism includes a horizontally arranged guide rail, and five sliding blocks translatable along the guide rail. The guide rail includes five sections, and each section is provided with a corresponding one sliding block. Each gripper is fixed to the corresponding one sliding block. The synchronization mechanism is arranged between adjacent two grippers, and includes a connecting rod, and universal joints provided on two ends of the connecting rod and each connected with a corresponding gripper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Hangzhou Zhengchida Precision Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Lei Zheng
  • Patent number: 11325791
    Abstract: A storage apparatus for transport goods includes a first conveyor, a second conveyor and a deflecting mechanism for deflecting transport goods conveyed by the first conveyor onto the second conveyor. A motor configuration is provided for motorized driving of the first conveyor and/or the second conveyor. A step is provided over which the transport goods are conveyed. The storage apparatus is configured to vertically compress the transport goods with the aid of the step. A method for storing transport goods, in particular packages, is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Bertram Wanner