Patents by Inventor Alex Marti Mercade
Alex Marti Mercade has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
-
Patent number: 11667477Abstract: A machine for automatically positioning objects is disclosed. The machine has one inlet conveyor to transport objects in a lying position; a detector system to identify the orientation and/or shape of the objects; a robotic collection device to collect and position the objects according to information received by the detector system; a transfer conveyor having transfer fasteners arranged in fixed positions along a periphery of the transfer conveyor defining a closed loop around a tilted axis; an outlet conveyor to receive and transport the objects in an upright position; and a transfer fastener seat for the objects at each transfer fastener. The conveyor moves the fasteners seats because of the movement of the transfer conveyor between an upper receiving position, in which the object is held in a lying position, and a lower delivery position, in which the object is held in an upright position. The transfer conveyor and the outlet conveyor are synchronized.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2020Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Inventors: Jaime Marti Sala, Alex Marti Mercade, Elisabet Marti Mercade
-
Publication number: 20220306400Abstract: A machine for automatically positioning objects is disclosed. The machine has one inlet conveyor to transport objects in a lying position; a detector system to identify the orientation and/or shape of the objects; a robotic collection device to collect and position the objects according to information received by the detector system; a transfer conveyor having transfer fasteners arranged in fixed positions along a periphery of the transfer conveyor defining a closed loop around a tilted axis; an outlet conveyor to receive and transport the objects in an upright position; and a transfer fastener seat for the objects at each transfer fastener. The conveyor moves the fasteners seats because of the movement of the transfer conveyor between an upper receiving position, in which the object is held in a lying position, and a lower delivery position, in which the object is held in an upright position. The transfer conveyor and said outlet conveyor are synchronized.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2020Publication date: September 29, 2022Applicant: POSIMAT, SAInventors: Jaime MARTI SALA, Alex MARTI MERCADE, Elisabet MARTI MERCADE
-
Patent number: 9796539Abstract: The suction retaining device for retaining containers on a conveyor comprises a plurality of retaining elements (7) moved by a conveyor along a path and a stationary suction chamber (10) connected to a low pressure source. Each retaining element (7) comprises a suction port (8) in communication with a suction outlet (9) via an air passage. The stationary suction chamber (10) has a perforated suction wall (11) parallel and adjacent to a convey section of the path along which the retaining elements are moved. The suction outlet (9) of each retaining element (7) is facing and adjacent to the perforated suction wall (11) during movement of the retaining element (7) along the convey section. The suction chamber (10) creates an air suction flow through the suction outlet (9), air passage and suction port (8) of each retaining element (7) which retains a container in the suction port (8) by suction.Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 2017Date of Patent: October 24, 2017Inventors: Jaime Martí Sala, Alex Martí Mercadé
-
Publication number: 20170137233Abstract: The suction retaining device for retaining containers on a conveyor comprises a plurality of retaining elements (7) moved by a conveyor along a path and a stationary suction chamber (10) connected to a low pressure source. Each retaining element (7) comprises a suction port (8) in communication with a suction outlet (9) via an air passage. The stationary suction chamber (10) has a perforated suction wall (11) parallel and adjacent to a convey section of the path along which the retaining elements are moved. The suction outlet (9) of each retaining element (7) is facing and adjacent to the perforated suction wall (11) during movement of the retaining element (7) along the convey section. The suction chamber (10) creates an air suction flow through the suction outlet (9), air passage and suction port (8) of each retaining element (7) which retains a container in the suction port (8) by suction.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 2, 2017Publication date: May 18, 2017Inventors: Jaime MARTÍ SALA, Alex MARTÍ MERCADÉ
-
Patent number: 9586768Abstract: Apparatus for positioning containers houses containers (5) upright in lower and upper compartment sections (12, 13) vertically aligned with one another on a periphery of a conveyor device (10) and has a transfer wheel (31) extracting containers (5) from both lower and upper compartments (12, 13) on two levels and an intercalation wheel (32) extracting containers from the upper level of the transfer wheel (31), dropping them to a lower level over the course of one turn, and placing them again on the lower level of the transfer wheel (31) in an intercalated position between the containers (5) previously transferred to the lower level, and all the containers (5) are transferred from the lower level of the transfer wheel (31) to an output conveyor (8).Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2016Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Inventors: Jaime Martí Sala, Alex Martí Mercadé
-
Patent number: 9567162Abstract: The conveyor has a plurality of sliding runners (5) coupled to guiding elements (2) that are fixed to a rotary platform (1). Each runner (5) has fixed thereto a cam follower (6) inserted in a groove (3) of the rotary platform (1) and coupled to a stationary closed-loop cam (4), and a retaining element (7) having a suction port (8) for retaining a container (M) and a suction outlet (9) in communication with the suction port (8). A stationary suction chamber (10) located above the rotary platform (1) has a perforated side wall (11) parallel to a portion of the closed-loop cam (4). Each suction outlet (9) moves in a path facing and adjacent to the perforated side wall (11) of the suction chamber (10) during a part of each rotation of the rotary platform.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2016Date of Patent: February 14, 2017Inventors: Jaime Martí Sala, Alex Martí Mercadé
-
Publication number: 20160297622Abstract: Apparatus for positioning containers houses containers (5) upright in lower and upper compartment sections (12, 13) vertically aligned with one another on a periphery of a conveyor device (10) and has a transfer wheel (31) extracting containers (5) from both lower and upper compartments (12, 13) on two levels and an intercalation wheel (32) extracting containers from the upper level of the transfer wheel (31), dropping them to a lower level over the course of one turn, and placing them again on the lower level of the transfer wheel (31) in an intercalated position between the containers (5) previously transferred to the lower level, and all the containers (5) are transferred from the lower level of the transfer wheel (31) to an output conveyor (8).Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2016Publication date: October 13, 2016Inventors: Jaime MARTÍ SALA, Alex MARTÍ MERCADÉ
-
Patent number: 9452898Abstract: The rotary conveyor with change of pitch for transferring containers comprises a plurality of slides (5) radially guided on a rotary platform (1) rotating about a rotation axis (E) and on which a suction chamber (9) having a plurality of side openings (11) is fixed. A stationary closed-loop cam (4) not centered with respect to the rotation axis (E) is located below the rotary platform (1). Each slide (5) has fixed thereto a retention element (7) provided with a suction port (8) suitable for retaining a container and a suction conduit (10) having an outer open end connected to the suction port (8), an inner open end located inside the suction chamber (9), and an intermediate portion slidingly inserted in a corresponding one of the side openings (11) of the suction chamber (9).Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2015Date of Patent: September 27, 2016Inventors: Jaime Marti Sala, Alex Marti Mercade
-
Publication number: 20160244270Abstract: The conveyor has a plurality of sliding runners (5) coupled to guiding elements (2) that are fixed to a rotary platform (1). Each runner (5) has fixed thereto a cam follower (6) inserted in a groove (3) of the rotary platform (1) and coupled to a stationary closed-loop cam (4), and a retaining element (7) having a suction port (8) for retaining a container (M) and a suction outlet (9) in communication with the suction port (8). A stationary suction chamber (10) located above the rotary platform (1) has a perforated side wall (11) parallel to a portion of the closed-loop cam (4). Each suction outlet (9) moves in a path facing and adjacent to the perforated side wall (11) of the suction chamber (10) during a part of each rotation of the rotary platform.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 16, 2016Publication date: August 25, 2016Inventors: Jaime MARTÍ SALA, Alex MARTÍ MERCADÉ
-
Publication number: 20160145056Abstract: The rotary conveyor with change of pitch for transferring containers comprises a plurality of slides (5) radially guided on a rotary platform (1) rotating about a rotation axis (E) and on which a suction chamber (9) having a plurality of side openings (11) is fixed. A stationary closed-loop cam (4) not centered with respect to the rotation axis (E) is located below the rotary platform (1). Each slide (5) has fixed thereto a retention element (7) provided with a suction port (8) suitable for retaining a container and a suction conduit (10) having an outer open end connected to the suction port (8), an inner open end located inside the suction chamber (9), and an intermediate portion slidingly inserted in a corresponding one of the side openings (11) of the suction chamber (9).Type: ApplicationFiled: November 24, 2015Publication date: May 26, 2016Inventors: Jaime Marti Sala, Alex Marti Mercade
-
Patent number: 8739961Abstract: The path changing rotational conveyor for lightweight articles includes a rotor with receiving configurations distributed along its periphery to be coupled with the lightweight articles and a perimetric wall with a plurality of suction openings in correspondence with the receiving configurations; and a stationary negative pressure chamber defining a laterally open channel facing the perimetric wall of the rotor along a predetermined circumferential arc. The negative pressure chamber is partly delimited by the perimetric wall of the rotor and, when the rotor rotates, the suction openings are communicated directly with the negative pressure chamber along the predetermined circumferential arc. The rotor is connected to a rotation device and the chamber is communicated with a suction source.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2010Date of Patent: June 3, 2014Inventors: Jaime Martí Sala, Alex Martí Mercadé
-
Publication number: 20120024672Abstract: The path changing rotational conveyor for lightweight articles includes a rotor with receiving configurations distributed along its periphery to be coupled with the lightweight articles and a perimetric wall with a plurality of suction openings in correspondence with the receiving configurations and a stationary negative pressure chamber defining a laterally open channel facing the perimetric wall of the rotor along a predetermined circumferential arc. The negative pressure chamber is partly delimited by the perimetric wall of the rotor and, when the rotor rotates, the suction openings are communicated directly with the negative pressure chamber along the predetermined circumferential arc. The rotor is connected to a rotation, device and the chamber is communicated with a suction source.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2010Publication date: February 2, 2012Inventors: Jaime Martí Sala, Alex Martí Mercadé
-
Patent number: 8096403Abstract: The invention relates to a machine for orienting and aligning articles, of the type that comprises: orientation cavities which can move along a closed path and which are equipped with an upper inlet for loading articles and an open base through which the articles can pass, a plurality of aligning conduits which are disposed below the orientation cavities, means for temporarily supporting the articles in the orientation cavities and for dropping same into the conduits, and support and/or end stop elements in each of the orientation cavities. In addition, each of the cavities comprises several seats or housings at different positions for receiving a first support and/or end stop element of the aforementioned support and/or end stop elements and retaining means for retaining said first support and/or end stop element in any of the seats or housings.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2006Date of Patent: January 17, 2012Inventors: Jaime Marti Sala, Alex Marti Mercade
-
Patent number: 7950517Abstract: A rotary structure carries cavities with an upper inlet for receiving articles and an open bottom for dropping articles distributed along a closed circuit, and funnel-shaped conduits, each of which is located below a respective cavity to receive an article therefrom, a support plane for temporarily supporting the articles in the cavities and dropping them into the corresponding conduits in a site of the closed circuit, and support elements in each cavity to cooperate with parts of the article when the latter falls in order to confer to it a predetermined orientation inside the conduit. The cavities have their inlets in a perimetric ring surrounding a receptacle for the accumulation of the articles on a bottom formed by a rotating disk the peripheral edge of which reaches, upon rotating, a level above the perimetric ring.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2009Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Inventors: Jaime Marti Sala, Alex Marti Mercadé
-
Publication number: 20090283384Abstract: A rotary structure carries cavities with an upper inlet for receiving articles and an open bottom for dropping articles distributed along a closed circuit, and funnel-shaped conduits, each of which is located below a respective cavity to receive an article therefrom, means for temporarily supporting the articles in the cavities and dropping them into the corresponding conduits in a site of the closed circuit, and support elements in each cavity to cooperate with parts of the article when the latter falls in order to confer to it a predetermined orientation inside the conduit. The cavities have their inlets in a perimetric ring surrounding a receptacle for the accumulation of the articles on a bottom formed by a rotating disk the peripheral edge of which reaches, upon rotating, a level above the perimetric ring.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2009Publication date: November 19, 2009Inventors: Jaime Marti Sala, Alex Marti Mercade
-
Publication number: 20080314717Abstract: The invention relates to a machine for orienting and aligning articles, of the type that comprises: orientation cavities which can move along a closed path and which are equipped with an upper inlet for loading articles and an open base through which the articles can pass, a plurality of aligning conduits which are disposed below the orientation cavities, means for temporarily supporting the articles in the orientation cavities and for dropping same into the conduits, and support and/or end stop elements in each of the orientation cavities. In addition, each of the cavities comprises several seats or housings at different positions for receiving a first support and/or end stop element of the aforementioned support and/or end stop elements and retaining means for retaining said first support and/or end stop element in any of the seats or housings.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2006Publication date: December 25, 2008Inventors: Jaime Marti Sala, Alex Marti Mercade
-
Publication number: 20080296127Abstract: The invention relates to an article-positioning machine. The inventive machine comprises means for collecting the articles in a plurality of individual housings which move in a closed circuit and for enabling the articles to fall through at least one drop zone, each of the oriented articles being directed into a corresponding alignment conduit which moves together with each housing. The machine also comprises release means for removing the oriented and aligned articles from the alignment conduits and moving same to an outfaced conveyor. Moreover, each alignment conduit comprises an upper portion which is used to collect articles from the corresponding housing, at least one self-guided mobile middle portion which defines at least one and a lower portion which receives the articles and which comprises at least two compartments to which the article can be transferred.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2003Publication date: December 4, 2008Inventors: Alex Marti Mercade, Jaime Marti Sala
-
Patent number: 7374032Abstract: A machine for righting and aligning articles comprises at least one housing able to receive an article in a lying position, pre-oriented, and let it fall into a drop chute; end stop and support elements in the housing to hold a differentiated configuration of the article during its falling; a partition wall dividing the drop chute into two compartments; and a first diverter plate actuated to change position and direct the articles towards one and the other of the compartments, in an alternating manner. It includes two further partition walls dividing the two compartments into four subcompartments, each one for one article upright positioned, and a pair of second diverter plates actuated to change position and direct the articles towards one and other of said subcompartments, in an alternating manner.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2002Date of Patent: May 20, 2008Inventors: Alex Marti Mercade, Jaime Marti Sala
-
Publication number: 20080060912Abstract: The invention relates to an adjustable transfer unit which is used to transfer aligned, upright objects from a first conveyor to a second conveyor. The unit comprises a rotating wheel comprising radial blades and a curved support track which is disposed between the delivery end of an infeed conveyor and the discharge end of an outfeed conveyor. The aforementioned infeed conveyor is designed to transport the upright objects which are resting on the base thereof on a surface while the overhead outfeed conveyor is used to transport suspended objects. Moreover, the support track of the transfer unit is connected to vertical movement means, such that the vertical distance between the support track and support guides of the outfeed conveyor can be adapted to the objects having the above-mentioned configuration at different heights.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2007Publication date: March 13, 2008Inventors: Alex Marti Mercade, Jaime Marti Sala
-
Patent number: 7258222Abstract: Comprises a pre-orientating device (2) suitable for placing a plurality of articles (50) in the vertical position, randomly head up or head down, on a conveyor (1); detection means (3) for detecting the articles (50) that are in at least one of said positions, head up or head down, on conveyor (1); and ejection means (4) for selectively ejecting from conveyor (1) those articles (50) that are in one of said undesired head up or head down positions, on the basis on said detection. It optionally comprises reloading means (15) suitable for picking up those articles (50) that are ejected from conveyor (1) by ejection means (4), conveying them and loading them again into pre-orientating device (2).Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2005Date of Patent: August 21, 2007Assignee: Jaime Marti Sala & Alex Marti MercadeInventors: Jaime Martí Sala, Alex Martí Mercadé