Patents by Inventor Garry R. Kenny
Garry R. Kenny 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: 8411276Abstract: A paper sorting system allows the high speed determination of the presence of printed matter for individual sheets of paper in a stream of waste paper. Sorting criteria may be selected by a user from a plurality of predefined options to sort the paper stream. The selected category of paper to be sorted may include newspaper or magazines.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2008Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Assignee: MSS, Inc.Inventors: Arthur G. Doak, Mitchell Gregg Roe, Garry R. Kenny
-
Patent number: 7994448Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling an automatic separator apparatus of a Materials Recovery Facility. A separator for separating a stream of recyclable paper and containers into a paper stream including primarily paper and a container stream including primarily containers is provided. The separator has at least one adjustable operating parameter. A first detector detects an amount of container contaminants in the paper stream. A second detector detects an amount of paper contaminants in the container stream. A control system operably connected to the separator and the first and second detectors adjust the adjustable operating parameter so as to reduce a combined measure of contaminants in the paper stream and in the container stream.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2008Date of Patent: August 9, 2011Assignee: MSS, Inc.Inventor: Garry R. Kenny
-
Patent number: 7893378Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling an automatic separator apparatus of a Materials Recovery Facility. An input waste material stream includes a mixture of first and second materials. The method includes a step of passing the input waste material stream through an adjustable separator having at least one adjustable parameter, and separating the input waste material stream into a first output stream containing the majority of the first material and some contaminant second material, and a second output stream containing the majority of the second material and some contaminant first material. The adjustable parameter is adjusted. The method includes monitoring the amount of contaminant second material in the first output stream, and the amount of contaminant first material in the second output stream, both before and after the adjustment of the adjustable parameter, and generating a signal indicative of whether the combined amount of contaminant material has decreased.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2005Date of Patent: February 22, 2011Assignee: MSS, Inc.Inventor: Garry R. Kenny
-
Patent number: 7816616Abstract: A system for sorting articles includes a detector system having a plurality of narrow bandwidth sources of electromagnetic energy sequentially illuminating articles passing through the detector system, the detector system further including a collector for collecting electromagnetic energy reflected from the articles; a deflector for deflecting selected articles toward an alternative destination; and a control system, operably connected to the collector and the deflector, for actuating the deflector in response to a sensed parameter of the electromagnetic energy collected in the collector.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2006Date of Patent: October 19, 2010Assignee: MSS, Inc.Inventors: Garry R. Kenny, Arthur G. Doak
-
Patent number: 7499172Abstract: A paper sorting system allows the high speed determination of color, glossiness and the presence of printed matter for individual sheets of paper in a stream of waste paper. Sorting criteria may be selected from a plurality of predefined options to sort the paper stream.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2006Date of Patent: March 3, 2009Assignee: MSS, Inc.Inventors: Arthur G. Doak, Mitchell Gregg Roe, Garry R. Kenny
-
Publication number: 20090032445Abstract: A paper sorting system allows the high speed determination of the presence of printed matter for individual sheets of paper in a stream of waste paper. Sorting criteria may be selected by a user from a plurality of predefined options to sort the paper stream. The selected category of paper to be sorted may include newspaper or magazines.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2008Publication date: February 5, 2009Applicant: MSS, INC.Inventors: Arthur G. Doak, Mitchell Gregg Roe, Garry R. Kenny
-
Publication number: 20080197058Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling an automatic separator apparatus of a Materials Recovery Facility. A separator for separating a stream of recyclable paper and containers into a paper stream including primarily paper and a container stream including primarily containers is provided. The separator has at least one adjustable operating parameter. A first detector detects an amount of container contaminants in the paper stream. A second detector detects an amount of paper contaminants in the container stream. A control system operably connected to the separator and the first and second detectors adjust the adjustable operating parameter so as to reduce a combined measure of contaminants in the paper stream and in the container stream.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2008Publication date: August 21, 2008Applicant: MSS, INC.Inventor: Garry R. Kenny
-
Publication number: 20080197056Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling an automatic separator apparatus of a Materials Recovery Facility. An input stream of recycled materials is provided, wherein the composition of the input stream is subject to variation during a time interval. The input stream passes through a separator machine having a plurality of adjustable machine operating parameters. Via a computerized control system the first one of the operating parameters is adjusted for monitoring the quality of separation achieved by the separator machine so as to select a value of the first parameter that improves the monitored quality of separation. This process is continued for each of the other adjustable parameters of the separator machine, and then the process is repeated so as to continuously adjust the operating parameters of the separator machine to optimize its efficiency of separation.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2008Publication date: August 21, 2008Applicant: MSS, INC.Inventor: Garry R. Kenny
-
Publication number: 20080156703Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling an automatic separator apparatus of a Materials Recovery Facility. The separator apparatus has a plurality of adjustable machine operating parameters. An input stream of recycled materials is provided, wherein the composition of the input stream is subject to variation during a time interval. Historical data is provided representative of a set of historical values of the operating parameters corresponding to improved quality of separation for given values of a characteristic of the input stream. A present value of the characteristic of the input stream is sensed. A plurality of machine operating parameters is automatically adjusted in response to the sensed present value of the characteristic.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2008Publication date: July 3, 2008Applicant: MSS, INC.Inventor: Garry R. Kenny
-
Patent number: 7326871Abstract: A system for sorting articles includes a detector system having a plurality of narrow bandwidth sources of electromagnetic energy sequentially illuminating articles passing through the detector system, the detector system further including a collector for collecting electromagnetic energy reflected from the articles; a deflector for deflecting selected articles toward an alternative destination; and a control system, operably connected to the collector and the deflector, for actuating the deflector in response to a sensed parameter of the electromagnetic energy collected in the collector.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2004Date of Patent: February 5, 2008Assignee: MSS, Inc.Inventors: Garry R. Kenny, Arthur G. Doak
-
Patent number: 7173709Abstract: A paper sorting system allows the high speed determination of color, glossiness and the presence of printed matter for individual sheets of paper in a stream of waste paper. Sorting criteria may be selected from a plurality of predefined options to sort the paper stream.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2006Date of Patent: February 6, 2007Assignee: MSS, Inc.Inventors: Arthur G. Doak, Mitchell Gregg Roe, Garry R. Kenny
-
Patent number: 7019822Abstract: A paper sorting system allows the high speed determination of color, glossiness and the presence of printed matter for individual sheets of paper in a stream of waste paper. Sorting criteria may be selected from a plurality of predefined options to sort the paper stream.Type: GrantFiled: February 29, 2000Date of Patent: March 28, 2006Assignee: MSS, Inc.Inventors: Arthur G. Doak, Mitchell Gregg Roe, Garry R. Kenny
-
Patent number: 6891119Abstract: A paper handling system includes an acceleration conveyor having an acceleration belt operating at an acceleration speed. The system includes a pinning structure operably positioned to pin paper to the acceleration belt. The pinning structure is a rotary feeder which includes a plurality of flexible bristles extending radially from a roller into engagement with the acceleration belt. The speed of the acceleration belt is sufficiently high to create a suction phenomena such that when paper is pinned to the acceleration belt with the rotary feeder, the paper will be accelerated to a paper speed substantially equal to the acceleration speed. The system also includes a blower system operative to facilitate carrying the paper off of the acceleration belt across a transition gap between the acceleration belt and a product belt.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2002Date of Patent: May 10, 2005Assignee: Advanced Sorting Technologies, LLCInventors: Michael R. Grubbs, Garry R. Kenny
-
Patent number: 6778276Abstract: A method is provided for sorting white paper from a stream of paper wherein the concentration of white paper is less than the concentration of non-white paper. The method includes identifying the white paper by detecting the presence of an optical characteristic of the white paper as the stream of paper is passed by a sensor. Then the white paper is ejected from the stream of paper by controlling one or more actuators directed against the white paper, and thereby separating the white paper from the non-white paper. The method is particularly applicable to the sorting of white paper during curbside recycling.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2003Date of Patent: August 17, 2004Assignee: Advanced Sorting Technologies LLCInventors: Russell S. Bruner, David R. Morgan, Garry R. Kenny, Paul G. Gaddis, David Lee, James M. Roggow
-
Publication number: 20040027574Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for sensing the presence of bright white paper on a conveyor of a paper sorting system. The conveyor is constantly illuminated with ultraviolet light. When bright white paper is present in the inspection zone of the conveyor, it will re-radiate fluorescent light energy as a result of the ultraviolet light. Periodically, the inspection zone of the conveyor is illuminated with a second light source in the visible light spectrum. Light is collected from the inspection zone of the conveyor, including reflected light from the secondary source and including emitted fluorescent light energy as a result of the ultraviolet light falling on bright white paper. Periodically a microprocessor associated with the sensor senses reflected light from the second source to determine whether any object if present on the conveyor. The microprocessor then senses the level of fluorescent light energy being emitted from any object on the conveyor.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2003Publication date: February 12, 2004Inventors: Russell S. Bruner, David R. Morgan, Garry R. Kenny, Paul G. Gaddis, David Lee, James M. Roggow
-
Patent number: 6570653Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for sensing the presence of bright white paper on a conveyor of a paper sorting system. The conveyor is constantly illuminated with ultraviolet light. When bright white paper is present in the inspection zone of the conveyor, it will re-radiate fluorescent light energy as a result of the ultraviolet light. Periodically, the inspection zone of the conveyor is illuminated with a second light source in the visible light spectrum. Light is collected from the inspection zone of the conveyor, including reflected light from the secondary source and including emitted fluorescent light energy as a result of the ultraviolet light falling on bright white paper. Periodically a microprocessor associated with the sensor senses reflected light from the second source to determine whether any object if present on the conveyor. The microprocessor then senses the level of fluorescent light energy being emitted from any object on the conveyor.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2001Date of Patent: May 27, 2003Assignee: Advanced Sorting Technologies, LLCInventors: Russell S. Bruner, David R. Morgan, Garry R. Kenny, Paul G. Gaddis, David Lee, James M. Roggow
-
Publication number: 20020080354Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for sensing the presence of bright white paper on a conveyor of a paper sorting system. The conveyor is constantly illuminated with ultraviolet light. When bright white paper is present in the inspection zone of the conveyor, it will re-radiate fluorescent light energy as a result of the ultraviolet light. Periodically, the inspection zone of the conveyor is illuminated with a second light source in the visible light spectrum. Light is collected from the inspection zone of the conveyor, including reflected light from the secondary source and including emitted fluorescent light energy as a result of the ultraviolet light falling on bright white paper. Periodically a microprocessor associated with the sensor senses reflected light from the second source to determine whether any object if present on the conveyor. The microprocessor then senses the level of fluorescent light energy being emitted from any object on the conveyor.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2001Publication date: June 27, 2002Inventors: Russell S. Bruner, David R. Morgan, Garry R. Kenny, Paul G. Gaddis, David Lee, James M. Roggow
-
Publication number: 20020066649Abstract: A paper handling system includes an acceleration conveyor having an acceleration belt operating at an acceleration speed. The system includes a pinning structure operably positioned to pin paper to the acceleration belt. The pinning structure is a rotary feeder which includes a plurality of flexible bristles extending radially from a roller into engagement with the acceleration belt. The speed of the acceleration belt is sufficiently high to create a suction phenomena such that when paper is pinned to the acceleration belt with the rotary feeder, the paper will be accelerated to a paper speed substantially equal to the acceleration speed. The system also includes a blower system operative to facilitate carrying the paper off of the acceleration belt across a transition gap between the acceleration belt and a product belt.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2002Publication date: June 6, 2002Inventors: Michael R. Grubbs, Garry R. Kenny
-
Patent number: 6374998Abstract: A paper handling system includes an acceleration conveyor having an acceleration belt operating at an acceleration speed. The system includes a pinning structure operably positioned to pin paper to the acceleration belt. The pinning structure is a rotary feeder which includes a plurality of flexible bristles extending radially from a roller into engagement with the acceleration belt. The speed of the acceleration belt is sufficiently high to create a suction phenomena such that when paper is pinned to the acceleration belt with the rotary feeder, the paper will be accelerated to a paper speed substantially equal to the acceleration speed. The system also includes a blower system operative to facilitate carrying the paper off of the acceleration belt across a transition gap between the acceleration belt and a product belt.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 1999Date of Patent: April 23, 2002Assignee: Advanced Sorting Technologies LLCInventors: Michael R. Grubbs, Garry R. Kenny
-
Patent number: RE42090Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for sensing the presence of bright white paper on a conveyor of a paper sorting system. The conveyor is constantly illuminated with ultraviolet light. When bright white paper is present in the inspection zone of the conveyor, it will re-radiate fluorescent light energy as a result of the ultraviolet light. Periodically, the inspection zone of the conveyor is illuminated with a second light source in the visible light spectrum. Light is collected from the inspection zone of the conveyor, including reflected light from the secondary source and including emitted fluorescent light energy as a result of the ultraviolet light falling on bright white paper. Periodically a microprocessor associated with the sensor senses reflected light from the second source to determine whether any object if present on the conveyor. The microprocessor then senses the level of fluorescent light energy being emitted from any object on the conveyor.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2005Date of Patent: February 1, 2011Assignee: MSS, Inc.Inventors: Russell S. Bruner, David R. Morgan, Garry R. Kenny, Paul G. Gaddis, David Lee, James M. Roggow