Patents by Inventor John E. Wenzel

John E. Wenzel 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: 11807461
    Abstract: Belt edge modules for constructing modular conveyor belts with sturdy outer edges. The edge modules have thickened outer edge regions in module edge portions that are difficult to snip or break off to access hinge rods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Kevin W. Guernsey, John E. Wenzel, David Aaron van Schalkwijk, Matthew Vulpetti
  • Patent number: 11772896
    Abstract: A modular noseroller assembly for transitioning a conveyor belt at an end of a carryway comprises a plurality of roller-mounting modules connected to a spacer element to form a noseroller assembly that can be installed in a conveyor frame. The roller-mounting modules mount freely-rotating rollers on an axle extending through the plurality of roller-mounting modules. The configuration and size of the noseroller assembly can be easily modified depending on a particular application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventors: David Aaron van Schalkwijk, John E. Wenzel, Sijia Chen, R. Scott Dailey, Richard M. Klein
  • Publication number: 20230278806
    Abstract: A conveyor system includes a conveyor belt having a plurality of article-diverting conveyor belt rollers. An underlying drive roller assembly includes a plurality of pivotable rollers carriers, each having a freely rotatable drive roller that contacts the conveyor belt rollers from below. An actuator engages an orientation device to pivot the carriers and change the orientation of the drive rollers. The drive rollers may also move into and out of engagement with the conveyor belt rollers as their orientation changes. The orientation device is sandwiched between three-dimensional support plates to adjust the orientation of the drive rollers relative to the belt rollers. A top support plate includes corrugated vertical walls forming wearstrip holders. The orientation device may raise or lower the drive rollers during pivoting of the roller carriers. The drive roller assembly may be a modular assembly that can be customized for varying sizes, shapes and configurations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2021
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Inventors: Matthew L. Fourney, Joseph F. Kovacs, Angela Longo Marshall, Christopher B. Spicer, John E. Wenzel, Yorrick Mulder
  • Publication number: 20220212874
    Abstract: Belt edge modules for constructing modular conveyor belts with sturdy outer edges. The edge modules have thickened outer edge regions in module edge portions that are difficult to snip or break off to access hinge rods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2020
    Publication date: July 7, 2022
    Inventors: Kevin W. Guernsey, John E. Wenzel, David Aaron van Schalkwijk, Matthew Vulpetti
  • Publication number: 20220162006
    Abstract: A modular noseroller assembly for transitioning a conveyor belt at an end of a carryway comprises a plurality of roller-mounting modules connected to a spacer element to form a noseroller assembly that can be installed in a conveyor frame. The roller-mounting modules mount freely-rotating rollers on an axle extending through the plurality of roller-mounting modules. The configuration and size of the noseroller assembly can be easily modified depending on a particular application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2020
    Publication date: May 26, 2022
    Inventors: David Aaron van Schalkwijk, John E. Wenzel, Sijia Chen, R. Scott Dailey, Richard M. Klein
  • Patent number: 9409718
    Abstract: A conveyor belt comprising a plurality of modules hingedly connected together includes a first type of module including raised ribs arranged in columns and a second type of module including chock segments aligned with the columns. A transfer device includes fingers aligned with gaps between the chock segments and valleys between the columns. Each chock segment is substantially triangular in shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Soren A. Pedersen, Miranda R. Kovach, R. Scott Dailey, John E. Wenzel
  • Publication number: 20150175359
    Abstract: A conveyor belt comprising a plurality of modules hingedly connected together includes a first type of module including raised ribs arranged in columns and a second type of module including chock segments aligned with the columns. A transfer device includes fingers aligned with gaps between the chock segments and valleys between the columns. Each chock segment is substantially triangular in shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2013
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Inventors: Soren A. Pedersen, Miranda R. Kovach, R. Scott Dailey, John E. Wenzel