Patents by Inventor Andrew A. Corley
Andrew A. Corley 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).
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Patent number: 8453827Abstract: A modular spiral belt and method for molding belt modules for constructing a heat-resistant belt. The spiral belt is constructed of a series of hingedly interconnected belt modules. The modules have single hinge links at the outside of a turn and dual hinge links elsewhere. All the hinge links extend outward from opposite faces of a central transverse spine. The dual hinge links, which each have a pair of parallel legs joined at a distal end by a yoke, are separated by a transverse pitch greater than the transverse pitch of the single one-legged hinge links at the outside of a turn. When molded from a blend of a thermoplastic polymer and a nanoclay, belt modules are useful in heat-resistant applications without sacrificing beam stiffness.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2009Date of Patent: June 4, 2013Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.Inventors: Andrew A. Corley, Daryl J. Marse, Dax Wilson-Boyer, Philip J. Wunsch
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Publication number: 20120125742Abstract: A modular spiral belt and method for molding belt modules for constructing a heat-resistant belt. The spiral belt is constructed of a series of hingedly interconnected belt modules. The modules have single hinge links at the outside of a turn and dual hinge links elsewhere. All the hinge links extend outward from opposite faces of a central transverse spine. The dual hinge links, which each have a pair of parallel legs joined at a distal end by a yoke, are separated by a transverse pitch greater than the transverse pitch of the single one-legged hinge links at the outside of a turn. When molded from a blend of a thermoplastic polymer and a nanoclay, belt modules are useful in heat-resistant applications without sacrificing beam stiffness.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2009Publication date: May 24, 2012Applicant: LAITRAM, L.L.C.Inventors: Andrew A. Corley, Daryl J. Marse, Dax Wilson-Boyer, Philip J. Wunsch
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Publication number: 20070158167Abstract: A skate-wheel conveyor converted into a belt conveyor, a kit including components for the conversion, and a method for carrying out the conversion. C-shaped collars having an open neck are slipped onto the skate wheels of an existing skate-wheel conveyor. The gap across the neck is narrower than the diameter of the skate wheel. Support surfaces at the ends of the C-shaped collars across the gaps support the bases of wear surfaces, such as wear strips, that form a conveyor carryway to support a conveyor belt. Fasteners retain the wear strips in place, bridging the gaps in the collars to surround the skate wheels in a secure connection.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2006Publication date: July 12, 2007Applicant: LAITRAM, L.L.C.Inventor: Andrew Corley
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Patent number: 6986420Abstract: Modular plastic conveyor belts constructed of split belt modules. Each module includes a first piece and a second piece. Side-by-side first pieces mate with side-by-side second pieces to form a row of belt modules. Each row has sets of hinge eyes along opposite ends. Hinge pins extending through the hinge eyes at the ends of each row connect the pieces in the row together to adjacent belt rows. Other components, such as rollers, can be inserted into and removed from the unmated pieces and retained in place by retention structure when the module pieces are mated.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2004Date of Patent: January 17, 2006Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.Inventors: David C. Weiser, Kyle J. Sedlacek, Andrew A. Corley
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Patent number: 6966435Abstract: A modular plastic conveyor belt hingedly interconnected by hinge pins made of a highly oriented polymer material. The hinge pins are preferably extruded from a material including a highly oriented polymer, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, or nylon. Alternative materials include highly oriented acetal or polyurethane. Plastic hinge pins made with these polymers having their long molecules oriented along the axis of the shaft of the hinge pin are exceptionally strong and resistant to deformation.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2002Date of Patent: November 22, 2005Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.Inventors: David C. Weiser, Kyle J. Sedlacek, Sandra A. Christiana, Andrew A. Corley
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Publication number: 20040231966Abstract: A modular conveyor belt constructed of a series of rows of belt modules with a hinge formed in each row and aligned in the direction of belt travel with hinges of adjacent rows. The hinge allows the belt to conform to a non-coplanar carryway support to form, for example, a trough. In some versions, the hinge is a living hinge formed by flexible or thinned-out regions of the belt between rigid regions. In other versions, the hinge is formed by interleaved hinge eyes between modules along each row interconnected by a hinge pin along an axis oriented in the direction of belt travel.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2003Publication date: November 25, 2004Applicant: LAITRAM, L.L.C.Inventors: Sandra A. Christiana, Andrew A. Corley, Robert S. Lapeyre
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Patent number: 6811021Abstract: A plastic conveyor belt module with a unitary sideguard. The sideguard extends upward perpendicularly from the top conveying surface of a plastic module body. The sideguard extends longitudinally along the conveying surface with a leading edge laterally offset from a trailing edge. Wedge-shaped indentations formed at the leading and trailing edges allow the sideguards of leading and trailing belt modules in a conveyor belt to mesh and to overlap without interference as the belt backflexes.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2003Date of Patent: November 2, 2004Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.Inventor: Andrew A. Corley
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Patent number: 6811023Abstract: A modular conveyor belt constructed of a series of rows of belt modules with a hinge formed in each row and aligned in the direction of belt travel with hinges of adjacent rows. The hinge allows the belt to conform to a non-coplanar carryway support to form, for example, a trough. In some versions, the hinge is a living hinge formed by flexible or thinned-out regions of the belt between rigid regions. In other versions, the hinge is formed by interleaved hinge eyes between modules along each row interconnected by a hinge pin along an axis oriented in the direction of belt travel.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2003Date of Patent: November 2, 2004Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.Inventors: Sandra A. Christiana, Andrew A. Corley, Robert S. Lapeyre
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Publication number: 20040200698Abstract: A modular plastic conveyor belt hingedly interconnected by hinge pins made of a highly oriented polymer material. The hinge pins are preferably extruded from a material including a highly oriented polymer, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, or nylon. Alternative materials include highly oriented acetal or polyurethane. Plastic hinge pins made with these polymers having their long molecules oriented along the axis of the shaft of the hinge pin are exceptionally strong and resistant to deformation.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2004Publication date: October 14, 2004Inventors: David C Weiser, Kyle j Sedlacek, Sandra A Christiana, Andrew A Corley
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Publication number: 20040129539Abstract: Modular plastic conveyor belts constructed of split belt modules. Each module includes a first piece and a second piece. Side-by-side first pieces mate with side-by-side second pieces to form a row of belt modules. Each row has sets of hinge eyes along opposite ends. Hinge pins extending through the hinge eyes at the ends of each row connect the pieces in the row together to adjacent belt rows. Other components, such as rollers, can be inserted into and removed from the unmated pieces and retained in place by retention structure when the module pieces are mated.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2004Publication date: July 8, 2004Applicant: THE LAITRAM CORPORATIONInventors: Andrew A. Corley, Ryan M. Jones, Angela L. Marshall, Kyle J. Sedlacek, David C. Weiser
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Patent number: 6705460Abstract: A module for a modular conveyor belt has a plurality of projections on its top surface for supporting objects. The module may include drainage openings through which fluids can drain from objects disposed on the projections. The projections can be used to prevent objects from adhering to the top surface of the module and/or to immobilize the objects during movement of a conveyor belt including the module.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2002Date of Patent: March 16, 2004Assignee: Laitram L.L.C.Inventors: David C. Weiser, Andrew A. Corley, Mitchell G. Pansano, Jr.
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Patent number: 6681922Abstract: Split belt modules used to construct modular plastic conveyor belts. Each module includes a first piece and a second piece, each of which has sets of hinge eyes on opposite ends. The module pieces mate to form complete belt modules. Hinge pins extending through the hinge eyes at the ends of each module connect the pieces together. Other components, such as rollers, can be inserted into and removed from the unmated pieces and retained in place by retention structure when the module pieces are mated.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2001Date of Patent: January 27, 2004Assignee: The Laitram CorporationInventors: Andrew A. Corley, Ryan M. Jones, Angela L. Marshall, Kyle J. Sedlacek, David C. Weiser
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Publication number: 20030196876Abstract: A module for a modular conveyor belt has a plurality of projections on its top surface for supporting objects. The module may include drainage openings through which fluids can drain from objects disposed on the projections. The projections can be used to prevent objects from adhering to the top surface of the module and/or to immobilize the objects during movement of a conveyor belt including the module.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2002Publication date: October 23, 2003Inventors: David C. Weiser, Andrew A. Corley, Mitchell G. Pansano
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Publication number: 20030085106Abstract: Split belt modules used to construct modular plastic conveyor belts. Each module includes a first piece and a second piece, each of which has sets of hinge eyes on opposite ends. The module pieces mate to form complete belt modules. Hinge pins extending through the hinge eyes at the ends of each module connect the pieces together. Other components, such as rollers, can be inserted into and removed from the unmated pieces and retained in place by retention structure when the module pieces are mated.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2001Publication date: May 8, 2003Inventors: Andrew A. Corley, Ryan M. Jones, Angela L. Marshall, Kyle J. Sedlacek, David C. Weiser
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Patent number: 6398015Abstract: A low backline pressure conveyor belt and modules therefor characterized by modules having thin upstanding supports supporting a transverse axle on which article-conveying rollers are rotatably mounted in a closely-spaced relationship.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2000Date of Patent: June 4, 2002Assignee: The Laitram CorporationInventors: Kyle J. Sedlacek, Andrew A. Corley
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Patent number: 5554069Abstract: Apparatus and method for subdividing a fish body into a loin-containing portion and a viscera-containing portion. The apparatus includes a carrier, a cutting assembly, and a runway connecting the two. The cutting assembly and a fish body supported on the carrier are advanced relative to each other along the runway. Blades at the cutting assembly flank the runway and form a pair of angled cuts intersecting to form a V-cut that opens toward the ventral side of the fish body. The planes of the blades are separated by an angle of between 80.degree. and 160.degree., depending on fish species and size, to minimize the amount of loin meat separated with the viscera. Means are provided for setting the tilt of the longitudinal axis of the fish body relative to the path of the vertex of the V-cut so that the path extends between the backbone of the fish and its visceral cavity substantially from the vent to a point on the outside surface of the fish body in the vicinity of the eyes.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 1995Date of Patent: September 10, 1996Assignee: The Laitram CorporationInventors: Ronald H. Burch, Andrew A. Corley, Eric W. Morales, Kirk T. Selenberg
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Patent number: RE42361Abstract: A plastic conveyor belt module with a unitary sideguard. The sideguard extends upward perpendicularly from the top conveying surface of a plastic module body. The sideguard extends longitudinally along the conveying surface with a leading edge laterally offset from a trailing edge. Wedge-shaped indentations formed at the leading and trailing edges allow the sideguards of leading and trailing belt modules in a conveyor belt to mesh and to overlap without interference as the belt backflexes.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2006Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.Inventor: Andrew A. Corley