Patents by Inventor James Robert Rivenbark, Jr.
James Robert Rivenbark, Jr. 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).
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Patent number: 9299213Abstract: An automated pill dispensing system includes an output chute configured to hold pill-containing vials and an optical sensor located at a predetermined location in the output chute. The optical sensor includes an optical emitter and an optical detector configured to be operated cooperatively to output a detection signal indicating a presence or absence of a vial at the predetermined location of the output chute. A controller is coupled to the optical sensor and is configured to receive the detection signal therefrom, detect the presence or absence of the vial at the predetermined location of the output chute in response to the detection signal, and control a next depositing event whereby a next vial is deposited in the output chute responsive to the detection. Related methods of operation are also discussed.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2012Date of Patent: March 29, 2016Assignee: Parata Systems, LLCInventors: Jeffrey J. Schedel, James Robert Rivenbark, Jr., Mark Alan Uebel, Thomas H. S. Gordon
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Patent number: 8896322Abstract: A method for dispensing and detecting solid pharmaceutical articles includes: forcing an article through a dispensing channel and past a sensor configured and positioned to detect the article passing through the dispensing channel, wherein the article includes one of the solid pharmaceutical articles; generating a detection signal using the sensor responsive to the article passing through the dispensing channel, wherein the detection signal indicates a time that the article takes to traverse the sensor; and determining whether the article is a complete article or an article fragment responsive to a comparison of the time indicated by the detection signal and an article fragment travel time representing an expected travel time for a complete article to traverse the sensor that is determined independent of physical attributes of the solid pharmaceutical articles.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2011Date of Patent: November 25, 2014Assignee: Parata Systems, LLCInventor: James Robert Rivenbark, Jr.
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Patent number: 8739598Abstract: A method of calibrating positions within a materials handling system, wherein the materials handling system includes multiple stations for carrying out tasks and a carrier that is movable between the multiple stations, includes the steps of: providing calibration points at a plurality of the multiple stations; moving the carrier to at least some of the calibration points; contacting the calibration points; recording the locations of the calibration points; and determining locations of key components of the stations based on the locations of the calibration points. In some embodiments, the method includes contacting the calibration points with a calibration tool, which may include: a cylindrical body; a groove in the cylindrical body sized and configured to receive jaws from the carrier; and a cylindrical upper flange positioned on an upper end of the cylindrical body. In this configuration, the tool can be gripped by the carrier and employed to perform a variety of calibration functions.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2011Date of Patent: June 3, 2014Assignee: Parata Systems, LLCInventors: Mark Uebel, James Robert Rivenbark, Jr., Jonathan Daniel Brandmeyer, Christopher Todd Hilliard
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Patent number: 8321050Abstract: An assembly for selectively presenting objects includes: a frame; a carousel rotatably mounted to the frame for rotation about a generally vertical axis of rotation, the carousel including a plurality of object compartments arranged about the axis of rotation; a servomotor operably connected with the carousel, the servomotor being configured to rotate the carousel about the axis of rotation; and a controller. The controller is configured to actuate the servomotor to rotate the carousel when torque applied to the servomotor exceeds a predetermined magnitude. Such an assembly can serve as a presentation device that enables an operator to remove objects therefrom at his/her convenience.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2012Date of Patent: November 27, 2012Inventors: James Robert Rivenbark, Jr., William Bradford Carpenter
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Publication number: 20120271452Abstract: An automated pill dispensing system includes an output chute configured to hold pill-containing vials and an optical sensor located at a predetermined location in the output chute. The optical sensor includes an optical emitter and an optical detector configured to be operated cooperatively to output a detection signal indicating a presence or absence of a vial at the predetermined location of the output chute. A controller is coupled to the optical sensor and is configured to receive the detection signal therefrom, detect the presence or absence of the vial at the predetermined location of the output chute in response to the detection signal, and control a next depositing event whereby a next vial is deposited in the output chute responsive to the detection. Related methods of operation are also discussed.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2012Publication date: October 25, 2012Inventors: Jeffrey J. Schedel, James Robert Rivenbark, JR., Mark Alan Uebel, Thomas H.S. Gordon
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Publication number: 20120265335Abstract: An assembly for selectively presenting objects includes: a frame; a carousel rotatably mounted to the frame for rotation about a generally vertical axis of rotation, the carousel including a plurality of object compartments arranged about the axis of rotation; a servomotor operably connected with the carousel, the servomotor being configured to rotate the carousel about the axis of rotation; and a controller. The controller is configured to actuate the servomotor to rotate the carousel when torque applied to the servomotor exceeds a predetermined magnitude. Such an assembly can serve as a presentation device that enables an operator to remove objects therefrom at his/her convenience.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2012Publication date: October 18, 2012Inventors: James Robert Rivenbark, JR., William Bradford Carpenter
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Patent number: 8244398Abstract: An assembly for selectively presenting objects includes: a frame; a carousel rotatably mounted to the frame for rotation about a generally vertical axis of rotation, the carousel including a plurality of object compartments arranged about the axis of rotation; a servomotor operably connected with the carousel, the servomotor being configured to rotate the carousel about the axis of rotation; and a controller. The controller is configured to actuate the servomotor to rotate the carousel when torque applied to the servomotor exceeds a predetermined magnitude. Such an assembly can serve as a presentation device that enables an operator to remove objects therefrom at his/her convenience.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2009Date of Patent: August 14, 2012Assignee: Parata Systems, LLCInventors: James Robert Rivenbark, Jr., William Bradford Carpenter
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Patent number: 8224482Abstract: An automated pill dispensing system includes an output chute configured to hold pill-containing vials and an optical sensor located at a predetermined location in the output chute. The optical sensor includes an optical emitter and an optical detector configured to be operated cooperatively to output a detection signal indicating a presence or absence of a vial at the predetermined location of the output chute. A controller is coupled to the optical sensor and is configured to receive the detection signal therefrom, detect the presence or absence of the vial at the predetermined location of the output chute in response to the detection signal, and control a next depositing event whereby a next vial is deposited in the output chute responsive to the detection. Related methods of operation are also discussed.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2009Date of Patent: July 17, 2012Assignee: Parata Systems, LLCInventors: Jeffrey J. Schedel, James Robert Rivenbark, Jr., Mark Alan Uebel, Thomas H. S. Gordon
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Patent number: 8151622Abstract: A method of calibrating positions within a materials handling system, wherein the materials handling system includes multiple stations for carrying out tasks and a carrier that is movable between the multiple stations, includes the steps of: providing calibration points at a plurality of the multiple stations; moving the carrier to at least some of the calibration points; contacting the calibration points; recording the locations of the calibration points; and determining locations of key components of the stations based on the locations of the calibration points. In some embodiments, the method includes contacting the calibration points with a calibration tool, which may include: a cylindrical body; a groove in the cylindrical body sized and configured to receive jaws from the carrier; and a cylindrical upper flange positioned on an upper end of the cylindrical body. In this configuration, the tool can be gripped by the carrier and employed to perform a variety of calibration functions.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2011Date of Patent: April 10, 2012Assignee: Parata Systems, LLCInventors: Mark Uebel, James Robert Rivenbark, Jr., Jonathan Daniel Brandmeyer, Christopher Todd Hilliard
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Publication number: 20120016519Abstract: A method for dispensing and detecting solid pharmaceutical articles includes: forcing an article through a dispensing channel and past a sensor configured and positioned to detect the article passing through the dispensing channel, wherein the article includes one of the solid pharmaceutical articles; generating a detection signal using the sensor responsive to the article passing through the dispensing channel, wherein the detection signal indicates a time that the article takes to traverse the sensor; and determining whether the article is a complete article or an article fragment responsive to a comparison of the time indicated by the detection signal and an article fragment travel time representing an expected travel time for a complete article to traverse the sensor that is determined independent of physical attributes of the solid pharmaceutical articles.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2011Publication date: January 19, 2012Inventor: James Robert Rivenbark, JR.
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Patent number: 8054086Abstract: A method for dispensing and detecting solid pharmaceutical articles includes: forcing an article through a dispensing channel and past a sensor configured and positioned to detect the article passing through the dispensing channel, wherein the article includes one of the solid pharmaceutical articles; generating a detection signal using the sensor responsive to the article passing through the dispensing channel, wherein the detection signal indicates a time that the article takes to traverse the sensor; and determining whether the article is a complete article or an article fragment responsive to a comparison of the time indicated by the detection signal and an article fragment travel time representing an expected travel time for a complete article to traverse the sensor that is determined independent of physical attributes of the solid pharmaceutical articles.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2009Date of Patent: November 8, 2011Assignee: Parata Systems, LLCInventor: James Robert Rivenbark, Jr.
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Patent number: 7992365Abstract: A method of verifying the seating and securing of a closure on a container includes the steps of: (a) positioning a container on a stage of an automated capping station; (b) bringing a closure into contact with the container; (c) detecting the nature of a physical relationship between the container and the closure; (d) responsive to step (c), relatively moving the closure and the container if step (c) indicates seating of the closure on the container is proper; and (e) detecting the nature of a physical relationship between the closure and the container to determine whether the closure is properly secured.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2009Date of Patent: August 9, 2011Assignee: Parata Systems, LLCInventors: Mark Alan Uebel, James Robert Rivenbark, Jr., Jasper Pollard, John Richard Sink, Demetris P. Young, Tobias Heineck
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Publication number: 20110132065Abstract: A method of calibrating positions within a materials handling system, wherein the materials handling system includes multiple stations for carrying out tasks and a carrier that is movable between the multiple stations, includes the steps of: providing calibration points at a plurality of the multiple stations; moving the carrier to at least some of the calibration points; contacting the calibration points; recording the locations of the calibration points; and determining locations of key components of the stations based on the locations of the calibration points. In some embodiments, the method includes contacting the calibration points with a calibration tool, which may include: a cylindrical body; a groove in the cylindrical body sized and configured to receive jaws from the carrier; and a cylindrical upper flange positioned on an upper end of the cylindrical body. In this configuration, the tool can be gripped by the carrier and employed to perform a variety of calibration functions.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2011Publication date: June 9, 2011Inventors: Mark Uebel, James Robert Rivenbark, JR., Jonathan Daniel Brandmeyer, Christopher Todd Hilliard
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Publication number: 20110132066Abstract: A method of calibrating positions within a materials handling system, wherein the materials handling system includes multiple stations for carrying out tasks and a carrier that is movable between the multiple stations, includes the steps of: providing calibration points at a plurality of the multiple stations; moving the carrier to at least some of the calibration points; contacting the calibration points; recording the locations of the calibration points; and determining locations of key components of the stations based on the locations of the calibration points. In some embodiments, the method includes contacting the calibration points with a calibration tool, which may include: a cylindrical body; a groove in the cylindrical body sized and configured to receive jaws from the carrier; and a cylindrical upper flange positioned on an upper end of the cylindrical body. In this configuration, the tool can be gripped by the carrier and employed to perform a variety of calibration functions.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2011Publication date: June 9, 2011Inventors: Mark Uebel, James Robert Rivenbark, JR., Jonathan Daniel Brandmeyer, Christopher Todd Hilliard
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Patent number: 7921690Abstract: A method of calibrating positions within a materials handling system, wherein the materials handling system includes multiple stations for carrying out tasks and a carrier that is movable between the multiple stations, includes the steps of: providing calibration points at a plurality of the multiple stations; moving the carrier to at least some of the calibration points; contacting the calibration points; recording the locations of the calibration points; and determining locations of key components of the stations based on the locations of the calibration points. In some embodiments, the method includes contacting the calibration points with a calibration tool, which may include: a cylindrical body; a groove in the cylindrical body sized and configured to receive jaws from the carrier; and a cylindrical upper flange positioned on an upper end of the cylindrical body. In this configuration, the tool can be gripped by the carrier and employed to perform a variety of calibration functions.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2009Date of Patent: April 12, 2011Assignee: Parata Systems, LLCInventors: Mark Uebel, James Robert Rivenbark, Jr., Jonathan Daniel Brandmeyer, Christopher Todd Hilliard
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Publication number: 20100332021Abstract: A method for dispensing and detecting solid pharmaceutical articles includes: forcing an article through a dispensing channel and past a sensor configured and positioned to detect the article passing through the dispensing channel, wherein the article includes one of the solid pharmaceutical articles; generating a detection signal using the sensor responsive to the article passing through the dispensing channel, wherein the detection signal indicates a time that the article takes to traverse the sensor; and determining whether the article is a complete article or an article fragment responsive to a comparison of the time indicated by the detection signal and an article fragment travel time representing an expected travel time for a complete article to traverse the sensor that is determined independent of physical attributes of the solid pharmaceutical articles.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2009Publication date: December 30, 2010Inventor: James Robert Rivenbark, JR.
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Publication number: 20100307108Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating the securing of a cap onto a cylindrical container includes a base and a plurality of blades, each of the blades including a sharp edge and being mounted to the base such that the sharp edge is exposed. The blades are mounted in a generally circular arrangement, with the sharp edges generally radiating from a central portion of the base, such that the sharp edges are positioned to engage a circumferential edge of a cap as it is being secured to the cylindrical container. In this configuration, the apparatus can firmly hold the cap as the cylindrical container (such as a pharmaceutical vial) is rotated to secure the cap onto the container.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2010Publication date: December 9, 2010Inventors: John Richard Sink, Demetris P. Young, James Robert Rivenbark, JR., Mark Alan Uebel, Jody DuMond
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Patent number: 7770358Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating the securing of a cap onto a cylindrical container includes a base and a plurality of blades, each of the blades including a sharp edge and being mounted to the base such that the sharp edge is exposed. The blades are mounted in a generally circular arrangement, with the sharp edges generally radiating from a central portion of the base, such that the sharp edges are positioned to engage a circumferential edge of a cap as it is being secured to the cylindrical container. In this configuration, the apparatus can firmly hold the cap as the cylindrical container (such as a pharmaceutical vial) is rotated to secure the cap onto the container.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2008Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: Parata Systems, LLCInventors: John Richard Sink, Demetris P. Young, James Robert Rivenbark, Jr., Mark Alan Uebel, Jody DuMond
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Publication number: 20090272757Abstract: An assembly for selectively presenting objects includes: a frame; a carousel rotatably mounted to the frame for rotation about a generally vertical axis of rotation, the carousel including a plurality of object compartments arranged about the axis of rotation; a servomotor operably connected with the carousel, the servomotor being configured to rotate the carousel about the axis of rotation; and a controller. The controller is configured to actuate the servomotor to rotate the carousel when torque applied to the servomotor exceeds a predetermined magnitude. Such an assembly can serve as a presentation device that enables an operator to remove objects therefrom at his/her convenience.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2009Publication date: November 5, 2009Inventors: James Robert Rivenbark, JR., William Bradford Carpenter
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Publication number: 20090178370Abstract: A method of verifying the seating and securing of a closure on a container includes the steps of: (a) positioning a container on a stage of an automated capping station; (b) bringing a closure into contact with the container; (c) detecting the nature of a physical relationship between the container and the closure; (d) responsive to step(c), relatively moving the closure and the container if step (c) indicates seating of the closure on the container is proper; and (e) detecting the nature of a physical relationship between the closure and the container to determine whether the closure is properly secured.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2009Publication date: July 16, 2009Inventors: Mark Alan Uebel, James Robert Rivenbark, JR., Jasper Pollard, John Richard Sink, Demetris P. Young, Tobias Heineck