Patents by Inventor Christopher J. DeFrancisco

Christopher J. DeFrancisco 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: 6302266
    Abstract: A zone control module for a conveyor system includes a manifold unit having oppositely facing first and second surfaces. A valve unit is mounted to the first surface of the manifold unit and includes an electrical valve actuator and a movable valve element. An electrical control unit mounts to the second surface of the manifold unit and is spaced from the valve control unit by the manifold unit. The valve unit includes first and second conductors extending into conductive apertures in the manifold unit for electrical contact with the electrical control unit, such that electricity from the electrical control unit can be transferred to operate the valve unit. The control modules can be utilized with a slug module to control a conveyor. Optical sensors are used to provide drive signals for respective zones of the conveyor system. The optical sensors can be overridden by an electrical slug signal from the slug module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Humphrey Products Company
    Inventors: Christopher J. DeFrancisco, Mark T. Fisher