Patents by Inventor Jesse Sielaff
Jesse Sielaff 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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Publication number: 20240132305Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for autonomously queueing a plurality of folded laundry articles in a packing queue are described. A packing system includes a packing queue platform configured to receive a folded laundry article into one of a plurality of packing queue locations disposed along a length of the platform, a double ended conveyor, one or more sensors configured to detect a packing queue location, and a controller. The double ended conveyor includes a retrieving end and a depositing end. The conveyor is configured to be mounted to a one or more fixed rails for traveling along the length of the queue platform and cantilevering the depositing end over the packing queue platform for depositing the folded laundry article onto either a surface of the packing queue platform or another previously deposited folded laundry article of the plurality of folded laundry articles.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2023Publication date: April 25, 2024Inventors: Madeline R. Hickman, Samuel Duffley, Jesse Sielaff, Benjamin D. Bixby
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Publication number: 20240125030Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for communicating between remote users and a system of autonomous robotic devices for processing residential loads of laundry are described. An autonomous robotic laundry system includes plurality of robotic devices configured to process one or more loads of household laundry from a mass of unwashed, non-uniform articles to individually separated, cleaned, folded, and packed laundry articles. In implementations, the autonomous robotic devices are configured to operate based on optional inputs communicated by a device of a remote user to at least one controller in operable communication with the autonomous robotic devices. The robotic devices are configured to determine how to process the deformable laundry articles based on at least one of applying sensor output to a machine learning model and executing routines incorporating the optional inputs. The at least one controller is configured to provide real-time updates of two or more process statuses of the system.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2023Publication date: April 18, 2024Inventors: Benjamin D. Bixby, Victoria L. Price, Jesse Sielaff, Erin Winslow
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Patent number: 11932986Abstract: A device for autonomously folding a deformable article includes a rotatable platform configured to receive the deformable article and at least one movable elongation in operable communication with at least one elongation drive. The at least one movable elongation is configured to raise and lower from the surface of the rotatable platform, move parallel to the surface, and manipulate the deformable article to thereby fold the deformable article at one of the one or more fold lines. The device includes a table drive configured to rotate the rotatable platform about a central axis such that the at least one elongation aligns with one of the one or more fold lines, and at least one sensor configured to detect the deformable article position and orientation on the rotatable platform. A controller is in operable communication with the at least one elongation drive, the table drive, and the at least one sensor.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2023Date of Patent: March 19, 2024Assignee: Monotony.ai, Inc.Inventors: Stuart E. Schechter, Benjamin D. Bixby, Kevin M. LeBlanc, Wilson J. Mefford, Elliot Sinclair Pennington, Laura E. Schwartz, Jesse Sielaff, Madeline R. Hickman, Carter J. Ithier, Samuel Duffley
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Publication number: 20240076820Abstract: Methods and systems of load balancing a heat pump in fluid communication with a plurality of combination washing and drying machines are disclosed. A method of loading balancing the heat pump includes receiving, at a controller, a cycle status of each one of a plurality of combination washing and drying machines, identifying an available machine, determining, based on one or more load characteristics, a washing and drying cycle duration of a load of laundry. The controller is configured to determine a cycle start time of the available machine based on the determined cycle duration and temperature profiles, a cycle status of each one of the remainder of the plurality of machines, and staggering washing and drying cycles between the identified available one of the plurality of machines and the remainder of the plurality of machines to balance load on the heat pump.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2023Publication date: March 7, 2024Inventors: Noa M. Rensing, Benjamin D. Bixby, Jesse Sielaff
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Publication number: 20240059508Abstract: Autonomously operated systems and methods of packing unbound folded laundry articles are described. A system of stacking a plurality of folded laundry articles onto a receiving surface includes two or more side-by-side parallel extendable surfaces configured to extend at least one of independently and simultaneously, at least one sensor configured to detect a presence of one or more folded laundry articles on at least one of the surfaces, and a controller in operative communication with at least one drive of the two or more surfaces and the at least one sensor. The controller is configured to extend a loading end of at least one of the surfaces out upon receiving a signal from the at least one sensor, and retract the loading end to deposit the one or more folded laundry articles atop at least one of the receiving surface and one or more previously deposited folded laundry articles.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2023Publication date: February 22, 2024Inventors: Madeline R. Hickman, Samuel Duffley, Noa M. Rensing, Kayla M. Swiston, Jesse Sielaff, Benjamin D. Bixby
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Patent number: 11873174Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for autonomously queueing a plurality of folded household laundry articles in a packing queue are described. A packing system includes a rotating platform configured to rotate a folded laundry article for directional placement in the packing queue, at least one packing queue platform receiving the folded laundry article into a packing queue disposed thereon, and a double ended conveyor. The double ended conveyor includes a retrieving end and a depositing end. The conveyor is configured to be mounted to a gantry for traveling along the length of the queue platform and cantilevering the retrieving end over the rotating platform for retrieving the folded laundry article and the depositing end over the packing queue platform for depositing the folded laundry article onto either a surface of the packing queue platform or another folded laundry article of the plurality of household laundry articles.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2021Date of Patent: January 16, 2024Assignee: Monotony.ai, Inc.Inventors: Madeline R. Hickman, Samuel Duffley, Jesse Sielaff, Benjamin D. Bixby
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Publication number: 20240011219Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for autonomously separating and sorting a plurality of individual articles from a pile of laundry articles into two or more sorted loads for washing are described. For example, an autonomous sorting and separating system includes a stationary surface configured to receive thereon at a first location the pile of laundry articles. A plurality of actuatable grippers are disposed at spaced apart positions adjacent the stationary surface and comprise a first actuatable gripper configured to grasp, hoist, and deposit at a second location at least one of the plurality of individual articles within reach of a second actuatable gripper. A terminal gripper comprising at least one of the second actuatable gripper and another actuatable gripper is configured to release an individual article into one of the two or more sorted loads. At least one controller is in operable communication with the grippers.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2023Publication date: January 11, 2024Inventors: Stuart E. Schechter, Benjamin D. Bixby, Samuel Duffley, Samuel M. Felton, Wilson J. Mefford, Elliot Sinclair Pennington, Ross O. Schlaikjer, Jesse Sielaff, Gabriella McLellan, Marissa A. Bennett
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Patent number: 11866866Abstract: An energy efficient autonomous laundry system includes a plurality of combination washing and drying machines, at least one exhaust combining manifold in fluid communication with the plurality of combination washing and drying machines, at least one heat pump receiving combined exhaust from the manifold, one or more sensors disposed throughout the airflow of the system, and a controller in operative communication with all of these system components. The controller is configured to receive an output signal, analyze at least one air characteristic associated with the one or more sensors, determine, based on the analysis, whether the at least one air characteristics is within a preprogrammed range of values for at least one of air temperature, air flow, and air humidity, and adjust one or more controls, including controls for adjusting at least one of air temperature, air flow, and air humidity at the one or more locations within the system.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2021Date of Patent: January 9, 2024Assignee: Monotony.ai, Inc.Inventors: Noa M. Rensing, Benjamin D. Bixby, Jesse Sielaff
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Publication number: 20230416975Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for autonomously shuffling a plurality of platters through a plurality of tiered folding bays are described. Each of the platters includes a platter coupling, and the plurality of tiered folding bays each include a bidirectionally driven receiving coupling, at least one of a sliding folding rod and blade, and a lifting mechanism configured to separate the platter coupling from the receiving coupling. The system includes a loading elevator for loading a platter and unfolded laundry article disposed thereon into a bay, and an unloading elevator for lowering a platter and a folded laundry article thereon to an unloading station for handing off to packing. A return conveyor returns each emptied platter to a repositioning station for receiving another spread laundry article for folding. The loading elevator, unloading elevator and each of the plurality of folding bays includes a pair of driven conveyors for transferring platters.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2023Publication date: December 28, 2023Inventors: Stuart E. Schechter, Benjamin D. Bixby, Samuel Duffley, Madeline R. Hickman, Wilson J. Mefford, Jesse Sielaff, John Appleberry
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Patent number: 11851295Abstract: An autonomously operated system is configured to load at least one unbound deformable article into a container. The system includes a refillable cartridge configured to receive therein the article, at least one extendable conveyor being configured to extend into the refillable cartridge and deposit the article within the refillable cartridge, a driven lifter configured to selectively lower and raise the refillable cartridge relative to the at least one extendable conveyor, one or more sensors configured output a signal indicative of a fill height of the refillable cartridge, and at least one controller configured to, in response a received signal form the one or more sensors, instruct the driven lifter to at least one of raise and lower the refillable cartridge to at least one of one or more loading heights for receiving the article, and lower the refillable cartridge to an unloading position within the container.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2023Date of Patent: December 26, 2023Assignee: Monotony.ai, Inc.Inventors: Madeline R. Hickman, Samuel Duffley, Noa M. Rensing, Kayla M. Swiston, Jesse Sielaff, Benjamin D. Bixby
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Patent number: 11802368Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for autonomously sorting dirty laundry articles into batched loads for washing are described. For example, an autonomous sorting system includes an enclosed channel including a stationary floor extending between an inlet end and an outlet end of the channel, a plurality of arms disposed in series along the enclosed channel for selectively grasping at least one of the plurality of deformable articles in sequence. The system includes an outlet orifice adjacent the outlet end through which each separated deformable article exits the enclosed channel upon release by the terminal gripper of the one of the plurality of arms, and one or more conveyors disposed adjacent the outlet end configured for receiving thereon a plurality of bins for collecting for washing together two or more articles of the plurality of deformable articles released through the outlet orifice having a common sensor-detected one or more characteristics.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2023Date of Patent: October 31, 2023Assignee: Monotony.ai, Inc.Inventors: Stuart E. Schechter, Benjamin D. Bixby, Samuel Duffley, Samuel M. Felton, Wilson J. Mefford, Elliot Sinclair Pennington, Ross O. Schlaikjer, Jesse Sielaff, Gabriella McLellan, Marissa A. Bennett
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Publication number: 20230294297Abstract: A robotic system includes a movable platform disposed at a bottom of a work volume, the movable platform being configured to transit outside the work volume, at least three lifters disposed about a perimeter of the work volume, two or more sensors disposed at fixed locations about the work volume, and a memory including a neural network. A controller is in operative communication with the memory, the two or more sensors, and the lifters. The controller is configured to receive output signals from the two or more sensors, determine, based processing on the received signals with the neural network, whether the deformable laundry article suspended by two lifters is repositioned, and instruct, based on a determination of the deformable laundry article being repositioned, the lifters to lower the repositioned deformable laundry article onto the movable platform.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2023Publication date: September 21, 2023Inventors: Benjamin D. Bixby, Samuel Duffley, Elliot Sinclair Pennington, Jesse Sielaff, Wilson J. Mefford, Madeline R. Hickman
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Publication number: 20230295867Abstract: A device for autonomously folding a deformable article includes a rotatable platform configured to receive the deformable article and at least one movable elongation in operable communication with at least one elongation drive. The at least one movable elongation is configured to raise and lower from the surface of the rotatable platform, move parallel to the surface, and manipulate the deformable article to thereby fold the deformable article at one of the one or more fold lines. The device includes a table drive configured to rotate the rotatable platform about a central axis such that the at least one elongation aligns with one of the one or more fold lines, and at least one sensor configured to detect the deformable article position and orientation on the rotatable platform. A controller is in operable communication with the at least one elongation drive, the table drive, and the at least one sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2023Publication date: September 21, 2023Inventors: Stuart E. Schechter, Benjamin D. Bixby, Kevin M. LeBlanc, Wilson J. Mefford, Elliot Sinclair Pennington, Laura E. Schwartz, Jesse Sielaff, Madeline R. Hickman, Carter J. Ithier, Samuel Duffley
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Publication number: 20230278814Abstract: An autonomously operated system is configured to load at least one unbound deformable article into a container. The system includes a refillable cartridge configured to receive therein the article, at least one extendable conveyor being configured to extend into the refillable cartridge and deposit the article within the refillable cartridge, a driven lifter configured to selectively lower and raise the refillable cartridge relative to the at least one extendable conveyor, one or more sensors configured output a signal indicative of a fill height of the refillable cartridge, and at least one controller configured to, in response a received signal form the one or more sensors, instruct the driven lifter to at least one of raise and lower the refillable cartridge to at least one of one or more loading heights for receiving the article, and lower the refillable cartridge to an unloading position within the container.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2023Publication date: September 7, 2023Inventors: Madeline R. Hickman, Samuel Duffley, Noa M. Rensing, Kayla M. Swiston, Jesse Sielaff, Benjamin D. Bixby
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Patent number: 11738467Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for repositioning a deformable laundry article are described. For example, a robotic device includes a conveyor configured to transfer the deformable laundry article outside of a work volume, two or more lifters including grippers individually anchored about the perimeter of the work volume, two or more sensors disposed at fixed locations about the work volume, and a memory storing data indicative of repositioned deformable laundry articles. A controller is in operative communication with the memory, the two or more sensors, and the two or more lifters. The controller is configured to receive a signal from the sensors, identify grip points on the deformable laundry article suspended above the conveyor, instruct a lifter to grip and lift an identified grip point to the suspension height, determine whether the deformable laundry article is repositioned, and instruct the lifters to lower the repositioned deformable laundry article onto the conveyor.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2021Date of Patent: August 29, 2023Assignee: Monotony.ai, Inc.Inventors: Benjamin D. Bixby, Samuel Duffley, Elliot Sinclair Pennington, Jesse Sielaff, Wilson J. Mefford, Madeline R. Hickman
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Publication number: 20230265602Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for autonomously packing unfolded laundry articles into a box are described. The system includes a box configured to receive the laundry articles, a movable surface for receiving the box, and at least one actuator for imparting at least one of a shaking, twisting, vibrating, oscillating, shushling, and tilting motion to the box. A plunger is configured to compress the articles within the box and at least one sensor is configured to detect that the mass of articles is flattened and substantially level across a top surface. A controller in communication with drive motors, actuators, and at least one sensor is configured to determine whether the articles are flattened sufficiently for delivery to a packing station for receipt of folded laundry articles placed atop the plurality of unfolded laundry articles.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2023Publication date: August 24, 2023Inventors: Madeline R. Hickman, Wilson J. Mefford, Jesse Sielaff, Hannah S. Siemens
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Publication number: 20230265599Abstract: An energy efficient autonomous laundry system includes a plurality of combination washing and drying machines each one of which includes heated and cold side heat exchangers disposed in series within a dedicated closed air loop at each machine, a heat pump providing separate streams of heated and cooled fluid to the heat exchangers, one or more sensors disposed in the closed air loop, and a controller in operative communication with all of these system components. The controller is configured to receive an output signal of one or more air sensors in the closed air loop, analyze the output signal, determine, based on the analysis, whether the at least one air characteristic is within a range of values for at least one of air temperature, air flow, and air humidity, and adjust one or more controls, including controls for adjusting at least one of air temperature, air flow, and air humidity.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2023Publication date: August 24, 2023Inventors: Noa M. Rensing, Jesse Sielaff, Wynand Groenewald, Benjamin D. Bixby
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Publication number: 20230220611Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for autonomously sorting dirty laundry articles into batched loads for washing are described. For example, an autonomous sorting system includes an enclosed channel including a stationary floor extending between an inlet end and an outlet end of the channel, a plurality of arms disposed in series along the enclosed channel for selectively grasping at least one of the plurality of deformable articles in sequence. The system includes an outlet orifice adjacent the outlet end through which each separated deformable article exits the enclosed channel upon release by the terminal gripper of the one of the plurality of arms, and one or more conveyors disposed adjacent the outlet end configured for receiving thereon a plurality of bins for collecting for washing together two or more articles of the plurality of deformable articles released through the outlet orifice having a common sensor-detected one or more characteristics.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2023Publication date: July 13, 2023Inventors: Stuart E. Schechter, Benjamin D. Bixby, Samuel Duffley, Samuel M. Felton, Wilson J. Mefford, Elliot Sinclair Pennington, Ross O. Schlaikjer, Jesse Sielaff, Gabriella McLellan, Marissa A. Bennett
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Patent number: 11680365Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for autonomously folding a deformable laundry article are described. A folding device includes a rotatable platform configured to receive the article. A rotatable blade is suspended above the surface and a clamp rod is disposed parallel to a longitudinal axis of the blade. The clamp rod is configured to raise and lower from a surface of the rotatable platform, slidably move parallel to the surface, and clamp the deformable article to the surface in a lowered position. The blade is configured to raise and lower from the surface of the rotatable platform, slidably move parallel to the surface, slide under an unclamped portion of the article, lift the unclamped portion above the clamp rod, pass the unclamped portion over the clamp rod, and lower the free end to a resting position atop another portion of the article to fold the article.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2022Date of Patent: June 20, 2023Assignee: MONOTONY.AI, INC.Inventors: Stuart E. Schechter, Benjamin D. Bixby, Kevin M. LeBlanc, Wilson J. Mefford, Elliot Sinclair Pennington, Laura E. Schwartz, Jesse Sielaff, Madeline R. Hickman, Carter J. Ithier, Samuel Duffley
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Patent number: 11643769Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for autonomously sorting dirty laundry articles into batched loads for washing are described. For example, an autonomous sorting device includes an enclosed channel including a plurality of sequential work volumes and a stationary floor extending between an inlet end and an outlet end of the channel, a plurality of arms disposed in series along the enclosed channel for rotating, tilting, extending, and retracting a terminal gripper of each arm into an associated work volume for grabbing at least one of a plurality of deformable dirty laundry articles and passing the at least one deformable laundry article to an adjacent work volume for grasping and hoisting by an adjacent arm. The device includes an inlet orifice for receiving the dirty laundry articles into the enclosed channel and an outlet orifice adjacent the outlet end through which each separated deformable article exits the enclosed channel into sorting bins.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2021Date of Patent: May 9, 2023Assignee: MONOTONY.AI, INC.Inventors: Stuart E. Schechter, Benjamin D. Bixby, Samuel Duffley, Samuel M. Felton, Wilson J. Mefford, Elliot Sinclair Pennington, Ross O. Schlaikjer, Jesse Sielaff, Marissa A. Bennett, Gabriella McLellan