Patents by Inventor Lawrence C. Hardy

Lawrence C. Hardy 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).

  • Reduced noise container carrier
    Patent number: 8047359
    Abstract: A reduced noise container carrier for an automated container filling machine has a container receptacle portion sized to receive a plurality of different sized containers; a side portion situated between the container receptacle portion and the bottom portion for engaging a plurality of mechanical devices of the machine; a substantially flat bottom portion for engaging a conveyor belt of the machine; an identification portion encoding an identification of the carrier; and, a noise reduction portion comprising a groove encircling the side portion of the carrier and a band disposed in the groove. The noise reduction portion is disposed to engage noise reduction portions of other carriers when the carriers collide on the conveyor belt and to avoid engaging portions of the machine other than the conveyor belt during a period of time when the machine is using the speed of the conveyor belt to calculate the position of the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Integration and Automation Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene E. Fellows, Lawrence C. Hardy
  • Article dispensing system
    Patent number: 7970490
    Abstract: An article dispensing system is provided which can be customized to selectively store and dispense multiple desired articles to suitable containers. The system of the invention is particularly relevant for items which can be stored on hangers in a vertical format and dispensed therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Integration and Automation Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene E. Fellows, Lawrence C. Hardy
  • REDUCED NOISE CONTAINER CARRIER
    Publication number: 20100294628
    Abstract: A reduced noise container carrier for an automated container filling machine has a container receptacle portion sized to receive a plurality of different sized containers; a side portion situated between the container receptacle portion and the bottom portion for engaging a plurality of mechanical devices of the machine; a substantially flat bottom portion for engaging a conveyor belt of the machine; an identification portion encoding an identification of the carrier; and, a noise reduction portion comprising a groove encircling the side portion of the carrier and a band disposed in the groove. The noise reduction portion is disposed to engage noise reduction portions of other carriers when the carriers collide on the conveyor belt and to avoid engaging portions of the machine other than the conveyor belt during a period of time when the machine is using the speed of the conveyor belt to calculate the position of the carrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2009
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Inventors: Eugene E. Fellows, Lawrence C. Hardy
  • Article dispensing system
    Publication number: 20090255947
    Abstract: An article dispensing system is provided which can be customized to selectively store and dispense multiple desired articles to suitable containers. The system of the invention is particularly relevant for items which can be stored on hangers in a vertical format and dispensed therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Applicant: Integration and Automation Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene E. Fellows, Lawrence C. Hardy
  • Article dispensing system
    Patent number: 6490502
    Abstract: An article or product dispensing system to selectively dispense products having a dispensing module including a carousel to store the plurality of products rotatable by a carousel positioning device between a dispensing station and a rejecting station to selectively position the carousel relative thereto. A product ejector selectively ejects product at the dispensing station and a product rejector selectively ejects product at the rejecting station. A product detector verifies the product at the dispensing station is the selected product. A control system including a product input to select the product to be dispensed is operatively coupled to the carousel positioning device, the product ejector and the product rejector, such that the carousel positioning device rotates the carousel to position the selected product at the dispensing station and the product ejector ejects the selected product when the product is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Inventors: Eugene E. Fellows, Lawrence C. Hardy
  • Article dispensing system
    Publication number: 20020103573
    Abstract: An article or product dispensing system to selectively dispense products comprising a dispensing module including a carousel to store the plurality of products rotatable by a carousel positioning device between a dispensing station and a rejecting station to selectively position the carousel relative thereto, a product ejector to selectively eject product at the dispensing station and a product rejector to selectively eject product at the rejecting station, a product detector to verify the product at the dispensing station is the selected product and a control system including a product input to select the product to be dispensed operatively coupled to the carousel positioning device, the product ejector and the product rejector such that the carousel positioning device rotates the carousel to position the selected product at the dispensing station and the product ejector ejects the selected product when the product is detected and the carousel positioning device rotates the carousel to position the product a
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2001
    Publication date: August 1, 2002
    Inventors: Eugene E. Fellows, Lawrence C. Hardy