Patents by Inventor Joseph Valinsky

Joseph Valinsky 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: 12172833
    Abstract: A system may include a vehicle for delivering items and a moveable track that cooperates with the vehicle. The moveable track may cooperate with a storage system having storage locations for storing items. The vehicle may drive into the moveable track and lift the track using a vertical drive mechanism. The vehicle may include a horizontal drive system operable to drive the vehicle horizontally along the ground to carry the moveable track to a position adjacent the storage location. The vehicle may operate the vertical drive system to drop the moveable track adjacent the storage system. Additionally, the vehicle may operate the vertical drive to drive up the moveable track to an elevated position adjacent one of the storage locations in the storage system. The vehicle may include a transfer mechanism for transferring items between the vehicle and the storage location while the vehicle is in the elevated position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignee: OPEX Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph Valinsky, Alexander Stevens, Monty McVaugh
  • Publication number: 20240391719
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing mail is provided. A feeder serially feeds envelope from a stack of mail. Two cutters at a cutting station cuts one or two edges of the envelopes. As the envelopes travel from the feeder to the cutters the envelope is jogged on two edges to justify the contents with the envelopes. Additionally, an improved feeder is provided to reduce the number of jams created when feeding the envelopes from the stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2024
    Publication date: November 28, 2024
    Inventors: John Allen, Robert DeWitt, Joseph Valinsky
  • Publication number: 20240375870
    Abstract: Respective items are retained as they are transported by mobile delivery mechanisms. An item to be delivered to a target storage location of a plurality of storage locations is positioned upon the carrying surface of a delivery mechanism. The carrying surface defines a retention zone bounded by a first wall, a second wall, a third wall and a fourth wall. At least one of the third wall or the fourth wall are displaceable to define an opening in the retention zone. The delivery mechanism moves from the location where an item is received to a location proximate the target storage location to facilitate transfer of the item through the opening obtained by displacing one of the third wall or the fourth wall. Irregularly shaped items are free—during movement of the delivery mechanism—to move upon the carrying surface and within the boundaries of the retention zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2024
    Publication date: November 14, 2024
    Inventors: Monty McVaugh, Joseph Valinsky, Kerry O'Mara, Michael Shanahan, Gary Miller
  • Patent number: 12134519
    Abstract: A material handling system includes storage locations disposed in racks and a track having a vertical section adjacent one of the racks. A plurality of material handling vehicles are provided, each including a horizontal drive for driving the vehicle horizontally, a vertical drive for driving the vehicle vertically, and a mechanism for transferring items onto or off the vehicle. A vehicle accessory has an opening configured to cooperate with the vehicles. A central controller may be programmed to provide control signals to determine whether a mode of operation to perform an inventory management task is a first mode of operation or a second mode of operation. The central controller may then control the operation of one of the vehicles to operate without the vehicle accessory in a first mode or with the accessory in the second mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2024
    Assignee: OPEX Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander Stevens, Joseph Valinsky
  • Patent number: 12129121
    Abstract: A vehicle configured to perform inventory management tasks comprises first and second drive systems respectively actuated by a controller. In a first mode of operation, the first drive system is operable to drive the vehicle along a horizontal surface. In a second mode of operation, the second drive system is operable to drive the vehicle vertically. In a third mode of operation, the second drive system is operable to lift a module vertically to lift the module off the horizontal surface so that actuating the first drive system drives the vehicle and the module along the horizontal surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2024
    Assignee: OPEX Corporation
    Inventors: Alex Stevens, Joseph Valinsky
  • Patent number: 12103778
    Abstract: A workstation for a material handling system is provided. The system may include a plurality of vehicles for retrieving items from a plurality of storage locations located in one or more racks. The workstation is configured to accommodate the vehicles so that the vehicles drive into the workstation and drive upwardly along a track in the workstation. In one configuration, the track is configured to tilt the vehicle at a predetermined angle relative to the horizon as the vehicle is driven upwardly. After the vehicle is tilted to the predetermined angle the vehicle continues to drive upwardly while maintaining the predetermined angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: OPEX Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph Valinsky, Alexander Stevens, Nathan Bloch, George Muttathil, David Baines
  • Publication number: 20240308770
    Abstract: A vehicle for use in an inventory management system having a plurality of destination areas and a guide system includes a platform for receiving and transporting items to and from the destination areas, a plurality of motors, a first drive system, a second drive system, a transfer mechanism, and a clutch mechanism. The transfer system is configured to transfer and retrieve items to and from the destination areas, and the clutch mechanism is configured to engage and disengage the transfer mechanism from at least one of the motors, whereby the second drive system drives movement of the vehicle independently of the transfer mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2024
    Publication date: September 19, 2024
    Inventors: Alex Stevens, Joseph Valinsky
  • Patent number: 12077405
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing mail is provided. A feeder serially feeds envelope from a stack of mail. Two cutters at a cutting station cuts one or two edges of the envelopes. As the envelopes travel from the feeder to the cutters the envelope is jogged on two edges to justify the contents with the envelopes. Additionally, an improved feeder is provided to reduce the number of jams created when feeding the envelopes from the stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: OPEX Corporation
    Inventors: John Allen, Robert R DeWitt, Joseph Valinsky
  • Publication number: 20240278993
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for sorting items to a plurality of sort bins. After the items are sorted into the sort bins the sort bins may be automatically emptied into separate containers. Alternatively, the sort bins may be discharged from the apparatus to be processed at a remote destination. The apparatus may include a plurality of delivery vehicles for delivering items to the sort bins. The apparatus may further include a plurality of retrieval vehicles for retrieving the sort bins after all the items for a grouping are sorted to the bin. The retrieval vehicles may be configured to move the retrieved bins to one or more discharge stations where the items in the sort bins may be emptied into separate containers such as boxes for shipping the items.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2024
    Publication date: August 22, 2024
    Inventors: Joseph Valinsky, Michael Rehrig, William Landi, Zachary Davis
  • Patent number: 12017855
    Abstract: A vehicle for use in an inventory management system having a plurality of destination areas and a guide system includes a platform for receiving and transporting items to and from the destination areas, a plurality of motors, a first drive system, a second drive system, a transfer mechanism, and a clutch mechanism. The transfer system is configured to transfer and retrieve items to and from the destination areas, and the clutch mechanism is configured to engage and disengage the transfer mechanism from at least one of the motors, whereby the second drive system drives movement of the vehicle independently of the transfer mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: OPEX Corporation
    Inventors: Alex Stevens, Joseph Valinsky
  • Patent number: 11999570
    Abstract: A system may include a vehicle for delivering items and a moveable track that cooperates with the vehicle. The moveable track may cooperate with a storage system having storage locations for storing items. The vehicle may drive into the moveable track and lift the track using a vertical drive mechanism. The vehicle may include a horizontal drive system operable to drive the vehicle horizontally along the ground to carry the moveable track to a position adjacent the storage location. The vehicle may operate the vertical drive system to drop the moveable track adjacent the storage system. Additionally, the vehicle may operate the vertical drive to drive up the moveable track to an elevated position adjacent one of the storage locations in the storage system. The vehicle may include a transfer mechanism for transferring items between the vehicle and the storage location while the vehicle is in the elevated position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: OPEX Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph Valinsky, Alexander Stevens
  • Patent number: 11981510
    Abstract: A method for operating an automated storage and retrieval system includes transferring a first item storage container from an aisle to a first region of a first storage location, positioning a second item storage container in the aisle proximate the first item storage container, interlocking the second item storage container to the first item storage container by engaging a releasable coupling structure extending there between, and applying, in a first direction transverse to the aisle, a force to the second item storage container sufficient in magnitude and duration to cause the first item storage container to occupy the second region of the first storage location and the second item storage container to occupy the first region of the first storage location, whereby the first and second item storage containers remain interlocked while in the first storage location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: OPEX Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph Valinsky, Robert R. DeWitt, Alexander Stevens, Dhruva Kumar
  • Patent number: 11975920
    Abstract: A system may include a vehicle for delivering items and a plurality of racks having a plurality of storage locations. The racks may be arranged to form one or more aisles. The vehicles are configured to drive horizontally along a path that may extend along a path under the racks that is parallel to the aisles. Additionally, the vehicles may be operated to turn while the vehicle is positioned under one of the racks. The vehicles may travel under the racks and cross one or more aisles to reach a particular column in one of the aisles. The vehicle climbs upwardly within the particular column to retrieve an item from a storage location in the column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: OPEX Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander Stevens, Joseph Valinsky
  • Publication number: 20240109726
    Abstract: A system may include a vehicle for delivering items and a plurality of racks having a plurality of storage locations. The racks may be arranged to form one or more aisles. The vehicles are configured to drive horizontally along a path that may extend along a path under the racks that is parallel to the aisles. Additionally, the vehicles may be operated to turn while the vehicle is positioned under one of the racks. The vehicles may travel under the racks and cross one or more aisles to reach a particular column in one of the aisles. The vehicle climbs upwardly within the particular column to retrieve an item from a storage location in the column.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Inventors: Alexander Stevens, Joseph Valinsky
  • Publication number: 20240109725
    Abstract: A material handling system includes storage locations disposed in racks and a track having a vertical section adjacent one of the racks. A plurality of material handling vehicles are provided, each including a horizontal drive for driving the vehicle horizontally, a vertical drive for driving the vehicle vertically, and a mechanism for transferring items onto or off the vehicle. A vehicle accessory has an opening configured to cooperate with the vehicles. A central controller may be programmed to provide control signals to determine whether a mode of operation to perform an inventory management task is a first mode of operation or a second mode of operation. The central controller may then control the operation of one of the vehicles to operate without the vehicle accessory in a first mode or with the accessory in the second mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Inventors: Alexander Stevens, Joseph Valinsky
  • Publication number: 20240109723
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for sorting or retrieving items to/from a plurality of destinations areas. The items are loaded onto one of a plurality of independently controlled delivery vehicles. The delivery vehicles follow a track that guides the delivery vehicles to/from the destination areas, which are positioned along the track. Once at the appropriate destination area, an item is transferred between the delivery vehicle and the destination area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Inventors: Robert DeWitt, Peter M. Chezik, Joseph Valinsky, S. N. Kartik, Ola Stahl
  • Publication number: 20240109727
    Abstract: A workstation for a material handling system is provided. The system may include a plurality of vehicles for retrieving items from a plurality of storage locations located in one or more racks. The workstation is configured to accommodate the vehicles so that the vehicles drive into the workstation and drive upwardly along a track in the workstation. In one configuration, the track is configured to tilt the vehicle at a predetermined angle relative to the horizon as the vehicle is driven upwardly. After the vehicle is tilted to the predetermined angle the vehicle continues to drive upwardly while maintaining the predetermined angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Inventors: Joseph Valinsky, Alexander Stevens, Nathan Bloch, George Muttathil, David Baines
  • Publication number: 20240034562
    Abstract: A system may include a vehicle for delivering items and a moveable track that cooperates with the vehicle. The moveable track may cooperate with a storage system having storage locations for storing items. The vehicle may drive into the moveable track and lift the track using a vertical drive mechanism. The vehicle may include a horizontal drive system operable to drive the vehicle horizontally along the ground to carry the moveable track to a position adjacent the storage location. The vehicle may operate the vertical drive system to drop the moveable track adjacent the storage system. Additionally, the vehicle may operate the vertical drive to drive up the moveable track to an elevated position adjacent one of the storage locations in the storage system. The vehicle may include a transfer mechanism for transferring items between the vehicle and the storage location while the vehicle is in the elevated position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Joseph Valinsky, Alexander Stevens
  • Publication number: 20230415999
    Abstract: A vehicle configured to perform inventory management tasks comprises first and second drive systems respectively actuated by a controller. In a first mode of operation, the first drive system is operable to drive the vehicle along a horizontal surface. In a second mode of operation, the second drive system is operable to drive the vehicle vertically. In a third mode of operation, the second drive system is operable to lift a module vertically to lift the module off the horizontal surface so that actuating the first drive system drives the vehicle and the module along the horizontal surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2023
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Inventors: Alex Stevens, Joseph Valinsky
  • Patent number: D1018617
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: OPEX Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander Stevens, Joseph Valinsky, James Iocca, John Forbes, Colleen Ciak, Daniel Soriano