Patents by Inventor Ashraf Zarur

Ashraf Zarur 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).

  • Publication number: 20220027529
    Abstract: A track design and testing system is capable of modeling a linear synchronous motor (LSM) transport system in accordance with user design input that selects and assembles virtualized track components and stations. The system can simulate the resulting object-driven model to predict performance metrics or identify an optimal set of track design parameters that satisfy user-defined design criteria. The system can also translate the design parameters encoded in the model into an executable controller code that can be executed on an industrial controller to monitor and control the physical transport system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Inventors: Ashraf Zarur, Haithem Mansouri, Joachim Thomsen
  • Patent number: 11086782
    Abstract: A method of logging process data in a PLC controlled equipment is disclosed. Sections of a PLC application code comprise tasks configured to execute program functions at specific execution rates. Each of the tasks comprise program functions having dedicated memory areas assigned as tags, and each data entry of the process data comprises a tag value and an associated process value. The method comprises receiving process data from the PLC application code, assigning process values to threads of a thread pool, and receiving, for each of the threads, in a respective data table associated with each of the threads, the tag- and process values of the received process data, and determining a hash code for each of the tags according to a hash function of the respective data table for arranging the tag values and the associated process values in the respective data table according to said hash code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: TETRA LAVAL HOLDINGS & FINANCE S.A.
    Inventors: Lukas Karlsson, Ashraf Zarur
  • Patent number: 10913563
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of operating an apparatus for applying drinking straws to packaging containers. The method comprises the steps of performing a first portion of a motion cycle by moving at least one applicator arm from an application position to a leaving position, said first portion being equal for successive packaging containers. The method also comprises performing a second portion of the motion cycle by moving the at least one applicator arm from the leaving position back to the application position, said second portion being adjusted to fit the pitch between successive packaging containers. The invention also relates to an apparatus operated by the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventor: Ashraf Zarur
  • Publication number: 20200142380
    Abstract: A method of logging process data in a PLC controlled equipment is disclosed. Sections of a PLC application code comprise tasks configured to execute program functions at specific execution rates. Each of the tasks comprise program functions having dedicated memory areas assigned as tags, and each data entry of the process data comprises a tag value and an associated process value. The method comprises receiving process data from the PLC application code, assigning process values to threads of a thread pool, and receiving, for each of the threads, in a respective data table associated with each of the threads, the tag- and process values of the received process data, and determining a hash code for each of the tags according to a hash function of the respective data table for arranging the tag values and the associated process values in the respective data table according to said hash code.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2018
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Inventors: Lukas Karlsson, Ashraf Zarur
  • Patent number: 10640252
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of operating an apparatus for applying drinking straws to packaging containers. The method comprises the step of moving a drinking straw carrier from an application position to the leaving position, in a packaging container moving direction, maintaining a velocity in that direction being equal to a constant velocity of a first conveyor. The invention also relates to an apparatus being operated according to the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: TETRA LAVAL HOLDING & FINANCE S.A.
    Inventors: Ashraf Zarur, Björn Karlsson
  • Patent number: 10358246
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of operating an apparatus for applying drinking straws to packaging containers. The method comprises the steps of performing a motion cycle of a drive means for bringing at least one drinking straw into a picking position, and adapting said motion cycle such that, at the point when an application device picks the drinking straw at the picking position, the acceleration of the drive means is substantially zero and the velocity of the drive means is kept at a set point velocity. The invention also relates to an apparatus being operated according to the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: TETRA LAVAL HOLDINGS & FINANCE S.A.
    Inventor: Ashraf Zarur
  • Publication number: 20170341793
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of operating an apparatus for applying drinking straws to packaging containers. The method comprises the steps of performing a first portion of a motion cycle by moving at least one applicator arm from an application position to a leaving position, said first portion being equal for successive packaging containers. The method also comprises performing a second portion of the motion cycle by moving the at least one applicator arm from the leaving position back to the application position, said second portion being adjusted to fit the pitch between successive packaging containers. The invention also relates to an apparatus operated by the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2015
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventor: Ashraf Zarur
  • Publication number: 20170334592
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of operating an apparatus for applying drinking straws to packaging containers. The method comprises the steps of performing a motion cycle of a drive means for bringing at least one drinking straw into a picking position, and adapting said motion cycle such that, at the point when an application device picks the drinking straw at the picking position, the acceleration of the drive means is substantially zero and the velocity of the drive means is kept at a set point velocity. The invention also relates to an apparatus being operated according to the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2015
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Inventor: Ashraf Zarur
  • Publication number: 20170327261
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of operating an apparatus for applying drinking straws to packaging containers. The method comprises the step of moving a drinking straw carrier from an application position to the leaving position, in a packaging container moving direction, maintaining a velocity in that direction being equal to a constant velocity of a first conveyor. The invention also relates to an apparatus being operated according to the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2015
    Publication date: November 16, 2017
    Inventors: Ashraf Zarur, Björn Karlsson