Patents by Inventor Mark Bankard

Mark Bankard 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: 11912509
    Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for sorting a wide variety of packages, including, but not limited to, parcels, mail pieces, bundles, and other similar items. Embodiments of the invention specifically relate to interchangeable sorting modules with sort stations that may be used to quickly and accurately sort packages of varying shapes and sizes. Additional embodiments of the invention relate to a control architecture for operating the aforementioned interchangeable sorting modules. Such control architecture may comprise a programmable logic controller (PLC) for controlling each of the interchangeable sorting modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Advanced Technology & Research Corp.
    Inventors: Robert Lundahl, Robert Cutlip, Mark Bankard, Dwight Koogle, Crystal Yannuzzi, Matthew Fontaine
  • Publication number: 20210362194
    Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for sorting a wide variety of packages, including, but not limited to, parcels, mail pieces, bundles, and other similar items. Embodiments of the invention specifically relate to interchangeable sorting modules with sort stations that may be used to quickly and accurately sort packages of varying shapes and sizes. Additional embodiments of the invention relate to a control architecture for operating the aforementioned interchangeable sorting modules. Such control architecture may comprise a programmable logic controller (PLC) for controlling each of the interchangeable sorting modules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2020
    Publication date: November 25, 2021
    Inventors: Robert LUNDAHL, Robert CUTLIP, Mark BANKARD, Dwight KOOGLE, Crystal Yannuzzi, Matthew FONTAINE
  • Patent number: 10766711
    Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for sorting a wide variety of packages, including, but not limited to, parcels, mail pieces, bundles, and other similar items. Embodiments of the invention specifically relate to interchangeable sorting modules with sort stations that may be used to quickly and accurately sort packages of varying shapes and sizes. Additional embodiments of the invention relate to a control architecture for operating the aforementioned interchangeable sorting modules. Such control architecture may comprise a programmable logic controller (PLC) for controlling each of the interchangeable sorting modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Advanced Technology & Research Corp.
    Inventors: Robert Lundahl, Robert Cutlip, Mark Bankard, Dwight Koogle, Crystal Yannuzzi, Matthew Fontaine
  • Publication number: 20200254490
    Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for sorting a wide variety of packages, including, but not limited to, parcels, mail pieces, bundles, and other similar items. Embodiments of the invention specifically relate to interchangeable sorting modules with sort stations that may be used to quickly and accurately sort packages of varying shapes and sizes. Additional embodiments of the invention relate to a control architecture for operating the aforementioned interchangeable sorting modules. Such control architecture may comprise a programmable logic controller (PLC) for controlling each of the interchangeable sorting modules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2019
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Inventors: Robert LUNDAHL, Robert CUTLIP, Mark BANKARD, Dwight KOOGLE, Crystal Yannuzzi, Matthew FONTAINE
  • Patent number: 8561381
    Abstract: A system for unstrapping and unsleeving a tray is provided. The system comprises a tray-transport configured to transport a tray in the system, a strap cutter configured to cut a strap on the tray, a strap-removal portion configured to remove the strap cut by the strap cutter, and an unsleeving station configured to remove a sleeve from the tray. The unsleeving station is configured to remove the sleeve from the tray after the strap-removal portion removes the cut strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Donald R. Close, Robert D. Lundahl, William D. Finch, Robert Cutlip, Dwight Koogle, Mark Bankard
  • Publication number: 20110135440
    Abstract: A system for unstrapping and unsleeving a tray is provided. The system comprises a tray-transport configured to transport a tray in the system, a strap cutter configured to cut a strap on the tray, a strap-removal portion configured to remove the strap cut by the strap cutter, and an unsleeving station configured to remove a sleeve from the tray. The unsleeving station is configured to remove the sleeve from the tray after the strap-removal portion removes the cut strap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventors: Donald R. Close, Robert D. Lundahl, William D. Finch, Robert Cutlip, Dwight Koogle, Mark Bankard
  • Patent number: 7758292
    Abstract: A system for unstrapping and unsleeving a tray is provided. The system comprises a tray-transport configured to transport a tray in the system, a strap cutter configured to cut a strap on the tray, a strap-removal portion configured to remove the strap cut by the strap cutter, and an unsleeving station configured to remove a sleeve from the tray. The unsleeving station is configured to remove the sleeve from the tray after the strap-removal portion removes the cut strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Donald R. Close, Robert D. Lundahl, William D. Finch, Robert Cutlip, Dwight Koogle, Mark Bankard
  • Publication number: 20060291984
    Abstract: A system for unstrapping and unsleeving a tray is provided. The system comprises a tray-transport configured to transport a tray in the system, a strap cutter configured to cut a strap on the tray, a strap-removal portion configured to remove the strap cut by the strap cutter, and an unsleeving station configured to remove a sleeve from the tray. The unsleeving station is configured to remove the sleeve from the tray after the strap-removal portion removes the cut strap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2006
    Publication date: December 28, 2006
    Inventors: Donald Close, Robert Lundahl, William Finch, Robert Cutlip, Dwight Koogle, Mark Bankard
  • Patent number: 7021033
    Abstract: A device is disclosed that can automatically remove lids from trays and place lids on trays. Further the device can sense the presence of a lid on a tray and can sense the dimensions of the tray. Based on the sensed dimensions of the tray, the device can select an appropriate sized lid to place on the tray. In one embodiment of the invention, a device holds a lid with a lid manipulator having lid holders. At least one end mechanism is attached to at least one end of the lid manipulator, and the end mechanism folds the lid flaps of an appropriate lid. Guided by the lid manipulator, lids are then positioned on the tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Donald R. Close, Mark Bankard, William D. Finch, Robert Cutlip, Robert D. Lundahl, Dwight Koogle
  • Publication number: 20040194428
    Abstract: A system for unstrapping and unsleeving a tray is provided. The system comprises a tray-transport configured to transport a tray in the system, a strap cutter configured to cut a strap on the tray, a strap-removal portion configured to remove the strap cut by the strap cutter, and an unsleeving station configured to remove a sleeve from the tray. The unsleeving station is configured to remove the sleeve from the tray after the strap-removal portion removes the cut strap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventors: Donald R. Close, Robert D. Lundahl, William D. Finch, Robert Cutlip, Dwight Koogle, Mark Bankard
  • Publication number: 20030196417
    Abstract: A device is disclosed that can automatically remove lids from trays and place lids on trays. Further the device can sense the presence of a lid on a tray and can sense the dimensions of the tray. Based on the sensed dimensions of the tray, the device can select an appropriate sized lid to place on the tray. In one embodiment of the invention, a device holds a lid with a lid manipulator having lid holders. At least one end mechanism is attached to at least one end of the lid manipulator, and the end mechanism folds the lid flaps of an appropriate lid. Guided by the lid manipulator, lids are then positioned on the tray.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2003
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Inventors: Donald R. Close, Mark Bankard, William D. Finch, Robert Wesley Cutlip, Robert D. Lundahl, Dwight Koogle
  • Patent number: 6604337
    Abstract: A device is disclosed that can automatically remove lids from trays and place lids on trays. Further the device can sense the presence of a lid on a tray and can sense the dimensions of the tray. Based on the sensed dimensions of the tray, the device can select an appropriate sized lid to place on the tray. In one embodiment of the invention, a device holds a lid with a lid manipulator having lid holders. At least one end mechanism is attached to at least one end of the lid manipulator, and the end mechanism folds the lid flaps of an appropriate lid. Guided by the lid manipulator, lids are then positioned on the tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Donald R. Close, Mark Bankard, William D. Finch, Robert Cutlip, Robert D. Lundahl, Dwight Koogle
  • Publication number: 20030009985
    Abstract: A device is disclosed that can automatically remove lids from trays and place lids on trays. Further the device can sense the presence of a lid on a tray and can sense the dimensions of the tray. Based on the sensed dimensions of the tray, the device can select an appropriate sized lid to place on the tray. In one embodiment of the invention, a device holds a lid with a lid manipulator having lid holders. At least one end mechanism is attached to at least one end of the lid manipulator, and the end mechanism folds the lid flaps of an appropriate lid. Guided by the lid manipulator, lids are then positioned on the tray.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2002
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Inventors: Donald R. Close, Mark Bankard, William D. Finch, Robert Wesley Cutlip, Robert D. Lundahl, Dwight Koogle