Patents by Inventor Gonzalo Sotelo

Gonzalo Sotelo 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: 10577193
    Abstract: A sorting conveyor for transporting objects and unloading objects adjacent the conveyor. The sorting conveyor includes a conveyor track, conveyor carts having a sortation tray, and a drive motor. In particular embodiments, the cross-belt assembly includes a belt roller, a drive roller, a timing belt, and a removable transport belt to unload objects toward at least one side of the conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Mantissa Corporation
    Inventors: David Patrick Erceg, Gonzalo Sotelo, J. David Fortenbery
  • Patent number: 10160606
    Abstract: A sorting conveyor for transporting objects and unloading objects at one or more unloading stations adjacent the conveyor. The sorting conveyor includes a conveyor track and a train of conveyor carts connected end-to-end. At least one of the conveyor carts may include a frame base for engaging the conveyer track; a conveyor surface for holding the objects; and a conveyor support for supporting the conveyor surface above the frame base. A wear guard associated with the axle support prevents track wear. A track wear prevention system includes a wear guard and a height detection module. Systems and methods for track wear prevention are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Mantissa Corporation
    Inventors: David Patrick Erceg, J. David Fortenbery, Daniel H. Weckerle, Gonzalo Sotelo, LeRoy A. Winkler
  • Patent number: 9422119
    Abstract: A sorting conveyor for transporting objects and unloading objects at one or more unloading stations adjacent the conveyor. The sorting conveyor includes a conveyor track and a train of conveyor carts connected end-to-end. At least one of the conveyor carts may include a frame base for engaging the conveyer track; a carrying tray for holding the objects; and a support for supporting the carrying tray above the frame base. A tilting mechanism including at least one gear having at least one cam is adapted for tilting the carrying tray toward at least one side of the conveyor. The present inventions may further include a tilt sensor for determining the direction of tilt of the tray. In addition, a drive motor and a driven member attached to the frame base may be included for moving the conveyor carts around the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Mantissa Corporation
    Inventors: J. David Fortenbery, David Patrick Erceg, Gonzalo Sotelo, Charles P. Howell, III, Gregory P. Kissel, Daniel H. Weckerle, LeRoy A. Winkler, III
  • Patent number: 9067743
    Abstract: A sorting conveyor for transporting objects and unloading objects at one or more unloading stations adjacent the conveyor. The sorting conveyor includes a conveyor track, a train of conveyor carts connected end-to-end, and an opposed roller motor assembly. The opposed roller motor assembly may include a motor; a support frame attached to the conveyor track for supporting the motor; and a pair of cantilevered, drive rollers connected to the motor and to one pivot block assembly and another pivot block assembly adapted for positioning the drive roller adjacent to one surface of an extended fin driven member. The pivot block assemblies may be coupled together with a self-tensioning adjustment assembly. In some examples, the self-tensioning adjustment assembly may be adapted so that movement of each pivot block assembly mirrors movement of the other pivot block assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Mantissa Corporation
    Inventors: Gonzalo Sotelo, David Patrick Erceg, J. David Fortenbery
  • Patent number: 8919529
    Abstract: A dual position chute for parcel handling. In one embodiment, the device comprises a conveying track, an unloading station and a transition zone dual-position chute that is adapted to divert a package from an adjacent conveying track and between at least two substantially vertical discharge positions. In some examples, the chute includes an inlet, a positionable diverter door and at least one spatially-separated stationary diverter door that is downstream from the positionable diverter door. The system and chute provides for discharge of small parcels from an adjacent packing sorting conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Mantissa Corporation
    Inventors: David Patrick Erceg, Gonzalo Sotelo, Christopher K. Sales
  • Patent number: 8851267
    Abstract: A sorting conveyor for transporting objects and unloading objects at one or more unloading stations adjacent the conveyor. The sorting conveyor includes a conveyor track, a train of conveyor carts connected end-to-end, and an opposed roller motor assembly. The opposed roller motor assembly may include a motor; a support frame attached to the conveyor track for supporting the motor; and a pair of cantilevered, drive rollers connected to the motor and to one pivot block assembly and another pivot block assembly adapted for positioning the drive roller adjacent to one surface of an extended fin driven member. The pivot block assemblies may be coupled together with a self-tensioning adjustment assembly. In some examples, the self-tensioning adjustment assembly may be adapted so that movement of each pivot block assembly mirrors movement of the other pivot block assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Mantissa Corporation
    Inventors: Gonzalo Sotelo, David Patrick Erceg, J. David Fortenbery
  • Patent number: 8807320
    Abstract: A sorting conveyor for transporting objects and unloading objects at one or more unloading stations adjacent the conveyor. The sorting conveyor includes a conveyor track and a train of conveyor carts connected end-to-end. At least one of the conveyor carts may include a frame base for engaging the conveyer track; a carrying tray for holding the objects; and a support for supporting the carrying tray above the frame base. A tilting mechanism including at least one gear having at least one cam is adapted for tilting the carrying tray toward at least one side of the conveyor. The present inventions may further include a tilt sensor for determining the direction of tilt of the tray. In addition, a drive motor and a driven member attached to the frame base may be included for moving the conveyor carts around the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Mantissa Corporation
    Inventors: J. David Fortenbery, David Patrick Erceg, Gonzalo Sotelo, Charles P. Howell, III, Gregory P. Kissel, Daniel H. Weckerle, LeRoy A. Winkler, III
  • Publication number: 20130341157
    Abstract: A sorting conveyor for transporting objects and unloading objects at one or more unloading stations adjacent the conveyor. The sorting conveyor includes a conveyor track and a train of conveyor carts connected end-to-end. At least one of the conveyor carts may include a frame base for engaging the conveyer track; a carrying tray for holding the objects; and a support for supporting the carrying tray above the frame base. A tilting mechanism including at least one gear having at least one cam is adapted for tilting the carrying tray toward at least one side of the conveyor. The present inventions may further include a tilt sensor for determining the direction of tilt of the tray. In addition, a drive motor and a driven member attached to the frame base may be included for moving the conveyor carts around the track.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Inventors: J. David Fortenbery, David Patrick Erceg, Gonzalo Sotelo, Charles P. Howell, III, Gregory P. Kissel, Daniel H. Weckerle, LeRoy A. Winkler, III
  • Publication number: 20130248323
    Abstract: A sorting conveyor for transporting objects and unloading objects at one or more unloading stations adjacent the conveyor. The sorting conveyor includes a conveyor track, a train of conveyor carts connected end-to-end, and an opposed roller motor assembly. The opposed roller motor assembly may include a motor; a support frame attached to the conveyor track for supporting the motor; and a pair of cantilevered, drive rollers connected to the motor and to one pivot block assembly and another pivot block assembly adapted for positioning the drive roller adjacent to one surface of an extended fin driven member. The pivot block assemblies may be coupled together with a self-tensioning adjustment assembly. In some examples, the self-tensioning adjustment assembly may be adapted so that movement of each pivot block assembly mirrors movement of the other pivot block assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Inventors: Gonzalo Sotelo, David Patrick Erceg, J. David Fortenbery
  • Patent number: 8376663
    Abstract: A package sorting system. The package sorting conveyor system includes a conveying track, at least one unloading station and an air-film lubricated entrance chute upstream of the unloading station to receive the package. In one embodiment, the entrance chute includes a plenum including a plurality of spaced apart apertures and an opening for communicating with an air supply; and a segmented conveying surface in communication with the apertures, wherein the segmented conveying surface includes at least one air-film lubricated bottom surface and at least one air-film lubricated side wall substantially perpendicular to the at least one bottom surface. In one embodiment, the apparatus further includes a positioner assembly for selectively positioning the outlet of the entrance chute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Mantissa Corporation
    Inventors: David Patrick Erceg, Leroy A. Winkler, III, Gonzalo Sotelo, Richard D. Carwile
  • Publication number: 20110222972
    Abstract: A package sorting system. The package sorting conveyor system includes a conveying track, at least one unloading station and an air-film lubricated entrance chute upstream of the unloading station to receive the package. In one embodiment, the entrance chute includes a plenum including a plurality of spaced apart apertures and an opening for communicating with an air supply; and a segmented conveying surface in communication with the apertures, wherein the segmented conveying surface includes at least one air-film lubricated bottom surface and at least one air-film lubricated side wall substantially perpendicular to the at least one bottom surface. In one embodiment, the apparatus further includes a positioner assembly for selectively positioning the outlet of the entrance chute.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Inventors: David Patrick Erceg, Leroy A. Winkler, III, Gonzalo Sotelo, Richard D. Carwile