Patents by Inventor Donald Ward

Donald Ward 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: 11504978
    Abstract: An agnostic in-line verification system and method produce finished RFID-enabled tags including labels, tags, tickets, stickers and the like. Includes is an RFID-verification base unit with an RFID-verifier that checks for verification of programmed data of the RFID-enabled tags. A feed module is positioned upstream of the RFID-verification base to receive a flow of RFID-enabled tags to be finished through RFID verification, and a collector module is downstream of the RFID-verification base unit and that receives RFID-verified tags from the RFID-verification base unit. In systems that feed a continuous stream of uncut tags, a cutter module is positioned between the verification base unit and the collector module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Avery Dennison Retail Information Services LLC
    Inventors: George T. Raphael, Peter Cockerell, Donald Ward, Joshua Blauvelt, Timothy Entingh, Jason Wheeler, Augustine Diciacce
  • Patent number: 11348068
    Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to an inventory management system having a machine learning engine trained to (a) dynamically predict a demand amount of the inventory in response to a set of near-future data and (b) generate a signal to order the amount of inventory as needed. In an illustrative example, the machine learning engine may be trained by a hotel's historical room booking data, the hotel's historical occupancy data, and corresponding inventory consumption data stored in a database. Various embodiments may enable, for example, the hotel to have better management on the status of inventories at various stages. For example, sufficient inventory may be available. In addition, providing the proper amount of inventory may also advantageously reduce the cost spent on unused products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Laundris Corporation
    Inventors: Donald Ward, Joseph M. Dominguez, Rob Garner, Edward Casteel Milner, Jamar Beall
  • Publication number: 20210233017
    Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to an inventory management system having a machine learning engine trained to (a) dynamically predict a demand amount of the inventory in response to a set of near-future data and (b) generate a signal to order the amount of inventory as needed. In an illustrative example, the machine learning engine may be trained by a hotel's historical room booking data, the hotel's historical occupancy data, and corresponding inventory consumption data stored in a database. Various embodiments may enable, for example, the hotel to have better management on the status of inventories at various stages. For example, sufficient inventory may be available. In addition, providing the proper amount of inventory may also advantageously reduce the cost spent on unused products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Applicant: Laundris Corporation
    Inventors: Donald Ward, Joseph M. Dominguez, Rob Garner, Edward Casteel Milner, Jamar Beall
  • Patent number: 11004034
    Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to an inventory management system having a machine learning engine trained to (a) dynamically predict a demand amount of the inventory in response to a set of near-future data and (b) generate a signal to order the amount of inventory as needed. In an illustrative example, the machine learning engine may be trained by a hotel's historical room booking data, the hotel's historical occupancy data, and corresponding inventory consumption data stored in a database. Various embodiments may enable, for example, the hotel to have better management on the status of inventories at various stages. For example, sufficient inventory may be available. In addition, providing the proper amount of inventory may also advantageously reduce the cost spent on unused products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Laundris Corporation
    Inventors: Donald Ward, Joey Dominguez, Rob Garner, Edward Casteel Milner, Jamar Beall
  • Publication number: 20200250609
    Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to an inventory management system having a machine learning engine trained to (a) dynamically predict a demand amount of the inventory in response to a set of near-future data and (b) generate a signal to order the amount of inventory as needed. In an illustrative example, the machine learning engine may be trained by a hotel's historical room booking data, the hotel's historical occupancy data, and corresponding inventory consumption data stored in a database. Various embodiments may enable, for example, the hotel to have better management on the status of inventories at various stages. For example, sufficient inventory may be available. In addition, providing the proper amount of inventory may also advantageously reduce the cost spent on unused products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2020
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Inventors: Donald Ward, Joey Dominguez, Rob Garner, Edward Casteel Milner, Jamar Beall
  • Publication number: 20200207116
    Abstract: An agnostic in-line verification system and method produce finished RFID-enabled tags including labels, tags, tickets, stickers and the like. Includes is an RFID-verification base unit with an RFID-verifier that checks for verification of programmed data of the RFID-enabled tags. A feed module is positioned upstream of the RFID-verification base to receive a flow of RFID-enabled tags to be finished through RFID verification, and a collector module is downstream of the RFID-verification base unit and that receives RFID-verified tags from the RFID-verification base unit. In systems that feed a continuous stream of uncut tags, a cutter module is positioned between the verification base unit and the collector module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Inventors: George T. Raphael, Peter Cockerell, Donald Ward, Joshua Blauvelt, Timothy Entingh, Jason Wheeler, Augustine Diciacce
  • Patent number: 9109572
    Abstract: A system and method to recapture energy of a hydraulic motor is disclosed. The system includes a plurality of pistons disposed about a periphery of a flywheel, wherein each piston is compressed by a roller during each revolution of the flywheel. As each piston is engaged and pushes against the roller, the piston is biased inward and forces hydraulic fluid out of the cylinder recapturing energy as pressure to the system when the flywheel is rotating under its own rotational inertia. In addition, the piston pushing against the roller causes the flywheel to continue to rotate. As the force acting on the piston causes the flywheel to rotate, the next piston starts to approach the position of the prior piston. This action continues as long as the fluid is under pressure when it enters each cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Inventor: Donald A. Ward
  • Publication number: 20110209469
    Abstract: A system and method to recapture energy of a hydraulic motor is disclosed. The system includes a plurality of pistons disposed about a periphery of a flywheel, wherein each piston is compressed by a roller during each revolution of the flywheel. As each piston is engaged and pushes against the roller, the piston is biased inward and forces hydraulic fluid out of the cylinder recapturing energy as pressure to the system when the flywheel is rotating under its own rotational inertia. In addition, the piston pushing against the roller causes the flywheel to continue to rotate. As the force acting on the piston causes the flywheel to rotate, the next piston starts to approach the position of the prior piston. This action continues as long as the fluid is under pressure when it enters each cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Inventor: Donald A. Ward
  • Publication number: 20100281857
    Abstract: A system and method of maintaining pressure of a hydraulic motor is disclosed. The system includes a plurality of pistons disposed about a periphery of a flywheel, wherein each piston is compressed by a roller during each revolution of the flywheel. As each piston is engaged and pushes against the roller, the piston is forced inward and forces hydraulic fluid out of the cylinder adding pressure to the system to run the hydraulic motor. In addition, the piston pushing against the roller causes the flywheel to continue to rotate. As the force acting on the piston causes the flywheel to rotate, the next piston starts to approach the position of the prior piston. This action continues as long as the fluid is under pressure when it enters each cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2009
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Inventor: Donald A. Ward
  • Publication number: 20100025649
    Abstract: Replaceable fence systems, methods, etc., include at least first and second vertical posts, a bottom rail coupled to the first and second posts and typically having a channel on an upper surface of the bottom rail, and a removable top rail positioned above the bottom rail and coupled to the first and second posts and having a channel on a lower surface of the top rail. The posts and rails are configured to replaceably accept, retain and disgorge replaceable fence panels, typically using a plurality of connection joints that permit the panels to be held at differing, adjustable heights and angles from one post to the next. Each of the channels can include a flexible centering insert configured to accept a variety of thicknesses of replaceable panels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2007
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicant: Gates & Gardens, LLC
    Inventor: Donald Ward
  • Publication number: 20090238923
    Abstract: Variants of B. licheniformis alpha-amylase exhibit improved enzymatic performance, including increased themostability and reduced calcium dependence. Compositions comprising the variants are useful in methods of starch processing, starch liquefaction, fermatation, starch saccharification, cleaning, laundrying, textile desizing, baking, and biofilm removal. The nucleic acids encoding the variants are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2008
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: Danisco US Inc., Genencor Division
    Inventors: Andrew SHAW, Sandra W. Ramer, Scott D. Power, Jayarama K. Shetty, Bradley A. Paulson, Vivek Sharma, Donald Ward
  • Publication number: 20080075514
    Abstract: Disclosed are a printer and a stacker and methods. The printer prints selectively on one or both sides of a printable web and sheets or labels are cut from the web and stacked in the stacker. The printer has an unwind mechanism that accepts and holds web rolls of different widths in center-justified relationship with respect to a print head. The printer has a spindle for mounting an ink ribbon core with a detent for center-justifying the ink-ribbon with respect to the print head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Inventors: Raymond Blanchard, Donald Campbell, Donald Ward
  • Publication number: 20070248396
    Abstract: There are disclosed embodiments of a decurler system for tag webs used for example in printers and stackers to automatically remove curl from tag webs to promote further tag handling and better tag appearance. The decurler system may determine the current diameter of a stock roll and gradually adjust parameters such as resistance and back bend so as to compensate for increased set in tag webs as the diameter of the stock roll decreases. In an embodiment, the decurler system may include different sets of parameters for different stock roll diameters depending on the material used for the tag webs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2006
    Publication date: October 25, 2007
    Inventors: Raymond Blanchard, Donald Ward
  • Publication number: 20070198774
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided for implementing feedback directed deferral on nonessential direct access storage device (DASD) operations. A kernel DASD I/O manager maintains a queue depth count value for a DASD unit and maintains a busy flag that indicates when the queue depth count value is greater than a predefined threshold. The kernel DASD I/O manager defers optional operations responsive to the busy flag being set for the DASD unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2006
    Publication date: August 23, 2007
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Larry Cravens, Jay Kurtz, Kenneth Linn, Glen Nelson, Kenneth Vossen, Donald Ward
  • Publication number: 20070014619
    Abstract: Disclosed are a printer and a stacker and methods. The printer prints selectively on one or both sides of a printable web and sheets or labels are cut from the web and stacked in the stacker. The printer has an unwind mechanism that accepts and holds web rolls of different widths in center-justified relationship with respect to a print head. The printer has a spindle for mounting an ink ribbon core with a detent or latch for center-justifying the ink-ribbon with respect to the print head. A spindle assembly has two latches for counter-justifying a wide range of cores of different widths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2006
    Publication date: January 18, 2007
    Inventor: Donald Ward
  • Publication number: 20070015266
    Abstract: The present invention is related to glucoamylases having at least 80% sequence identity to a Trichoderma glucoamylase having the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4 and biologically functional fragments thereof. The invention is also related to DNA sequences coding for the glucoamylases, vectors and host cells incorporating the DNA sequences, enzyme compositions and methods of using the glucoamylases in various applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2006
    Publication date: January 18, 2007
    Inventors: Nigel Dunn-Coleman, Paulien Neefe-Kruithof, Craig Pilgrim, Piet Van Solingen, Donald Ward
  • Publication number: 20070004018
    Abstract: The present invention is related to glucoamylases having at least 80% sequence identity to a Trichoderma glucoamylase having the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4 and biologically functional fragments thereof. The invention is also related to DNA sequences coding for the glucoamylases, vectors and host cells incorporating the DNA sequences, enzyme compositions and methods of using the glucoamylases in various applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2006
    Publication date: January 4, 2007
    Inventors: Nigel Dunn-Coleman, Paulien Neefe-Kruithof, Craig Pilgrim, Piet Van Solingen, Donald Ward
  • Publication number: 20060214348
    Abstract: There is disclosed an improved stacker, method of stacking sheets such as tags, and a stack of sheets. The stacker and the stacking method produces a stack of sheets, wherein same-size sheets are stacked so that the endmost sheet or sheets in one batch are offset or staggered to provide batch separators in a stack of sheets. The stacker includes an improved sheet feed mechanism that enables sheets having different characteristics to be fed without disassembling any portion of the mechanism or the stacker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2006
    Publication date: September 28, 2006
    Inventors: Raymond Blanchard, Donald Campbell, Richard Roberts, Donald Ward
  • Publication number: 20060188312
    Abstract: Disclosed are a printer and a stacker and methods. The printer prints selectively on one or both sides of a printable web and sheets or labels are cut from the web and stacked in the stacker. The printer has an unwind or unwind mechanism that accepts and holds web rolls of different widths in center-justified relationship with respect to a print head. The printer has a spindle for mounting an ink ribbon core with a detent for center-justifying the ink-ribbon with respect to the print head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2006
    Publication date: August 24, 2006
    Inventor: Donald Ward
  • Publication number: 20060159504
    Abstract: Disclosed are a printer and a stacker and methods. The printer prints selectively on one or both sides of a printable web and sheets or labels are cut from the web and stacked in the stacker. The printer has an unwind mechanism that accepts and holds web rolls of different widths in center-justified relationship with respect to a print head. The printer has a spindle for mounting an ink ribbon core with a detent for center-justifying the ink-ribbon with respect to the print head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Publication date: July 20, 2006
    Inventors: Raymond Blanchard, Donald Campbell, Donald Ward