Patents by Inventor Kevin W. Guernsey
Kevin W. Guernsey 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: 12145804Abstract: Belt modules with wear pads for constructing modular plastic conveyor belts. A conveyor belt made of the modules is supported in the carryway of a conveyor atop linear wearstrips along which the belt's wear pads slide as the belt advances.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2023Date of Patent: November 19, 2024Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.Inventors: Kevin W. Guernsey, David W. Bogle, Catherine M. Bishop
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Publication number: 20240025652Abstract: Belt modules with wear pads for constructing modular plastic conveyor belts. A conveyor belt made of the modules is supported in the carryway of a conveyor atop linear wearstrips along which the belt's wear pads slide as the belt advances.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2023Publication date: January 25, 2024Inventors: Kevin W. Guernsey, David W. Bogle, Catherine M. Bishop
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Publication number: 20230356949Abstract: A dedicated access module inserted between standard conveyor belt modules in a conveyor belt forms a dedicated opening and closing point for the conveyor belt. The dedicated access module comprises two mating portions, each portion including standard, articulating hinge elements on an outside end and non-articulating connection means on an inside end for connecting to the other, corresponding mating portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2021Publication date: November 9, 2023Inventors: Gilbert J. MacLachlan, Angela Longo Marshall, Kevin W. Guernsey, Benson Hall, Matthew Vulpetti, Jonathan J. Bishop, Jacob Govert Vermeiden, Andrzej Jacek Gonera
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Patent number: 11807461Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 3, 2020Date of Patent: November 7, 2023Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.Inventors: Kevin W. Guernsey, John E. Wenzel, David Aaron van Schalkwijk, Matthew Vulpetti
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Patent number: 11772897Abstract: A plastic modular conveyor belt constructed of belt modules with wear pads. The belt is supported in the carryway of a conveyor atop linear wearstrips along which the belt's wear pads slide as the belt advances.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2020Date of Patent: October 3, 2023Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.Inventors: Kevin W. Guernsey, David W. Bogle, Catherine M. Bishop
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Patent number: 11540493Abstract: An apparatus and method for a colony system for growing poultry includes a rack system including vertically and horizontally oriented support members, where the support members can be beams that are structurally interconnected forming multiple vertically tiered channels through which a poultry basket can be conveyed, and where each channel formed by the support members has an entry end and an exit end. The system further includes an entry end pulley having multiple side-by-side entry end pulley grooves around an entry end circumference of the pulley. The system further includes an exit end pulley, and the exit end pulley has multiple side-by-side exit end pulley grooves around an exit end circumference of the exit end pulley, where the exit end pulley is rotatably mounted on an exit end bearing axle where the exit end bearing axle has opposing ends fixedly positioned.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2019Date of Patent: January 3, 2023Assignee: Tyson Foods, Inc.Inventors: Doug Foreman, Stephen Brannan, James A. Ruff, David Lee Mantooth, Kevin W. Guernsey, Timothy J. DeRoche, Brian R. Lee
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Patent number: 11484013Abstract: A colony basket and method of using the same for handling poultry from DOC through the growing process and on to a production facility comprising a harvesting system, a loading system, a transport system, an unloading and storing system, hanging system and cleaning system. The system and method performs the steps of harvesting and colonizing live poultry into a singly stackable and transportable colony basket, stacking and loading the trays on a transport, unloading and temporarily storing the poultry for subsequent processing. The system and method further includes the use of a modular colony basket for interchangeable use with the described system.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2019Date of Patent: November 1, 2022Inventors: Doug Foreman, Stephen Brannan, James A. Ruff, David Lee Mantooth, Kevin W. Guernsey, Timothy J. DeRoche, Brian R. Lee
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Publication number: 20220212874Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2020Publication date: July 7, 2022Inventors: Kevin W. Guernsey, John E. Wenzel, David Aaron van Schalkwijk, Matthew Vulpetti
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Publication number: 20220204276Abstract: A plastic modular conveyor belt constructed of belt modules with wear pads. The belt is supported in the carryway of a conveyor atop linear wearstrips along which the belt's wear pads slide as the belt advances.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2020Publication date: June 30, 2022Inventors: Kevin W. Guernsey, David W. Bogle, Catherine M. Bishop
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Patent number: 10968055Abstract: A tray conveyor with trays driven by a linear synchronous motor. The trays are supported on a pair of guide rails in a conveyor frame. The trays include a permanent-magnet array whose magnetic field interacts with a traveling electromagnetic wave produced by a linear-motor stator extending along the conveyor between the guide rails to propel the tray in a conveying direction.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2018Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.Inventors: Kevin W. Guernsey, Bryant G. Ragan
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Publication number: 20200299074Abstract: A tray conveyor with trays driven by a linear synchronous motor. The trays are supported on a pair of guide rails in a conveyor frame. The trays include a permanent-magnet array whose magnetic field interacts with a traveling electromagnetic wave produced by a linear-motor stator extending along the conveyor between the guide rails to propel the tray in a conveying direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2018Publication date: September 24, 2020Inventors: Kevin W. Guernsey, Bryant G. Ragan
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Patent number: 10750727Abstract: A colony basket and method of using the same for handling poultry from DOC through the growing process and on to a production facility comprising a harvesting system, a loading system, a transport system, an unloading and storing system, hanging system and cleaning system. The system and method performs the steps of harvesting and colonizing live poultry into a singly stackable and transportable colony basket, stacking and loading the trays on a transport, unloading and temporarily storing the poultry for subsequent processing. The system and method further includes the use of a modular colony basket for interchangeable use with the described system.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2017Date of Patent: August 25, 2020Assignee: TYSON FOODS, INC.Inventors: Doug Foreman, Stephen Brannan, James A Ruff, David Lee Mantooth, Kevin W Guernsey, Timothy J DeRoche, John Wenzel, Jonathan Bishop, Matthew Vulpetti
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Patent number: 10663342Abstract: A diverting checkweigher comprising a conveyor belt with product-carrying, vertically floating slats that are supported on a weigh scale as the belt passes over it. The floating slats isolate product weight from belt weight. The slats themselves may be laterally stationary or divertible. If divertable, they can divert products based on their weights. If not divertible, the slats can be used with product pushers to divert products for weight-based sorting or rejection. The slats have legs that extend below the bottom of the belt to ride on the scale or be diverted across the belt by a diverter. The pushers are diverted by a diverter.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2016Date of Patent: May 26, 2020Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.Inventors: Kevin W. Guernsey, Brian R. Lee
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Patent number: 10604345Abstract: A modular plastic conveyor belt constructed of a series of block-shaped belt modules. The belt has drive elements along its left and right sides for side-driving by a sprocket or drive belt. The top side and the bottom side are flat, devoid of drive structure, and provide high impact resistance and reversibility. Hinge elements along leading and trailing sides have circular hinge-pin holes or elongated oval holes that allow the belt to collapse under low tension.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2017Date of Patent: March 31, 2020Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.Inventor: Kevin W. Guernsey
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Patent number: 10517278Abstract: A colony basket and method of using the same for handling poultry from DOC through the growing process and on to a production facility comprising a harvesting system, a loading system, a transport system, an unloading and storing system, hanging system and cleaning system. The system and method performs the steps of harvesting and colonizing live poultry into a singly stackable and transportable colony basket, stacking and loading the trays on a transport, unloading and temporarily storing the poultry for subsequent processing. The system and method further includes the use of a modular colony basket for interchangeable use with the described system.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2017Date of Patent: December 31, 2019Assignee: TYSON FOODS, INC.Inventors: Doug Foreman, Stephen Brannan, James A. Ruff, David Lee Mantooth, Kevin W. Guernsey, Timothy J. DeRoche, Brian R. Lee
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Publication number: 20190291959Abstract: A modular plastic conveyor belt constructed of a series of block-shaped belt modules. The belt has drive elements along its left and right sides for side-driving by a sprocket or drive belt. The top side and the bottom side are flat, devoid of drive structure, and provide high impact resistance and reversibility. Hinge elements along leading and trailing sides have circular hinge-pin holes or elongated oval holes that allow the belt to collapse under low tension.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2017Publication date: September 26, 2019Applicant: Laitram, L.L.C.Inventor: Kevin W. GUERNSEY
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Patent number: 10343853Abstract: A conveyor system with a pop-up transfer assembly for transferring articles off the end of conveyor belt having protrusions extending above the belt's outer conveying surface. The transfer assembly is cantilevered over the reversing path of the conveyor belt from a pivot. When a protrusion from the belt hits the transfer assembly, the transfer assembly pivots away from the belt about the pivot. When the protrusion is clear, the transfer assembly drops, by gravity, back to its home position proximate the belt. A bilateral transfer assembly is cantilevered in opposite directions to transfer articles off the end of one conveyor belt onto another conveyor belt that may or may not have protrusions. The transfer assembly can have powered driving surfaces to aid the transfer of articles.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2018Date of Patent: July 9, 2019Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.Inventors: Elena Rose Yasinski, Kevin W. Guernsey, Timothy J. DeRoche, Brian R. Lee
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Patent number: 10246263Abstract: A cleanable belt conveyor and a method for making a cleanable belt conveyor having a simplified frame design. One version of such a conveyor comprises a frame and an insertable conveyor belt support. Another version comprises a modular frame formed by a plurality of shafts connected using connectors. Another version comprises a unitary frame and carryway structure, whereby the carryway for supporting a conveyor belt constitutes support structure for the frame. Another version comprises a carryway support rail including an integral curved reversing element. Another version comprises components connected through curvaceous connecting members.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2017Date of Patent: April 2, 2019Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.Inventors: Kevin W. Guernsey, John F. Landrum, Mark T. Drapanas, Manoj Thomas
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Publication number: 20180265309Abstract: A conveyor system with a pop-up transfer assembly for transferring articles off the end of conveyor belt having protrusions extending above the belt's outer conveying surface. The transfer assembly is cantilevered over the reversing path of the conveyor belt from a pivot. When a protrusion from the belt hits the transfer assembly, the transfer assembly pivots away from the belt about the pivot. When the protrusion is clear, the transfer assembly drops, by gravity, back to its home position proximate the belt. A bilateral transfer assembly is cantilevered in opposite directions to transfer articles off the end of one conveyor belt onto another conveyor belt that may or may not have protrusions. The transfer assembly can have powered driving surfaces to aid the transfer of articles.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2018Publication date: September 20, 2018Inventors: Elena Rose Yasinski, Kevin W. Guernsey, Timothy J. DeRoche, Brian R. Lee
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Publication number: 20180202855Abstract: A diverting checkweigher comprising a conveyor belt with product-carrying, vertically floating slats that are supported on a weigh scale as the belt passes over it. The floating slats isolate product weight from belt weight. The slats themselves may be laterally stationary or divertible. If divertable, they can divert products based on their weights. If not divertible, the slats can be used with product pushers to divert products for weight-based sorting or rejection. The slats have legs that extend below the bottom of the belt to ride on the scale or be diverted across the belt by a diverter. The pushers are diverted by a diverter.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2016Publication date: July 19, 2018Inventors: Kevin W. Guernsey, Brian R. Lee