Patents by Inventor Brian J. Feenstra

Brian J. Feenstra 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).

  • Positive displacement sorter shoe
    Patent number: 7628265
    Abstract: A positive displacement sorter apparatus and method includes providing a plurality of interconnected slats defining an endless web, an upper run of the web defining a conveying surface. A plurality of pusher shoes are provided, each moving along at least one of the plurality of slats to laterally displace articles on the conveying surface. Each of the pusher shoes includes a diverting portion extending above the conveying surface. The diverting portion includes a diverting surface and a stop surface. The diverting surface contacts an article and laterally displaces that article. A lifting force is applied by the diverting surface to a portion of the article being diverted. The stop surface limits movement of the article relative to the pusher shoe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Dematic Corp.
    Inventors: Rhonda J. Verploegen, Frank W. Veit, Brian J. Feenstra, Gerald A. Brouwer
  • Positive displacement sorter shoe
    Patent number: 7249668
    Abstract: A positive displacement sorter apparatus and method includes providing a plurality of interconnected slats defining an endless web, an upper run of the web defining a conveying surface. A plurality of pusher shoes are provided, each moving along at least one of the plurality of slats to laterally displace articles on the conveying surface. Each of the pusher shoes includes a diverting portion extending above the conveying surface. The diverting portion includes a diverting surface and a stop surface. The diverting surface contacts an article and laterally displaces that article. A lifting force is applied by the diverting surface to a portion of the article being diverted. The stop surface limits movement of the article relative to the pusher shoe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: Dematic Corp.
    Inventors: Rhonda J. Verploegen, Frank W. Veit, Brian J. Feenstra, Gerald A. Brouwer