Patents by Inventor Nolan R. Pilarz
Nolan R. Pilarz 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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Publication number: 20230339696Abstract: A system and method are provided for loading trays with articles using a first tray conveyor on which empty trays are delivered and an article conveyor on which articles are delivered to be transferred onto empty trays. The trays include a frame with a peripheral raised edge and a base having at least one aperture and a transport plate for the articles, the transport trays being positioned on the base of the frame. A lifting apparatus is provided for the transport plate of the tray at a height that is about equal to the height of the article conveyor, such as about 10 millimeters (10 mm) or less to reduce or eliminate drop forces as articles as transferred from the article conveyor onto the tray.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2023Publication date: October 26, 2023Inventors: Jared Hills, Dean Leek, Matthew Bair, Nolan R. Pilarz
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Patent number: 11667479Abstract: A de-traying method and apparatus for removing articles from trays, each of the trays having a base, a rim around the base and an opening in said base and a bottom covering said opening and liftable from said base. A tray supporting an article is transported to a detraying assembly where the article is detrayed by elevating the bottom at least to the level of the tray rim with an article lifter having a lifting base and a plurality of lifting blocks. The lifting blocks are sized and arranged to engage the tray bottom through the opening in response to the lifting base being elevated, and to maintain orientation of the tray with at least one of said blocks positioned outside of the tray adjacent the rim. The article is displaced off of the elevated tray bottom.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2021Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Assignee: Dematic Corp.Inventors: Matthew Bair, Nolan R. Pilarz, Rustin Fike
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Publication number: 20220055843Abstract: A de-traying method and apparatus for removing articles from trays, is useful with a plurality of trays, each of the trays having a base, a rim around the base and an opening in said base and a bottom covering said opening. The bottom is liftable from said base. A tray that is supporting an article on said bottom is transported to a detraying assembly. The article is detrayed at the detraying assembly by elevating the bottom at least to the level of the tray rim with an article lifter from below the tray. The article lifter includes a lifting base and a plurality of lifting blocks fixed to the lifting base. The lifting blocks are sized and arranged to engage the tray bottom through the opening in response to the lifting base being elevated. The lifting blocks are sized and arranged to maintain orientation of the tray with at least one of said blocks positioned outside of the tray adjacent the rim. The article is displaced off of the elevated tray bottom.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2021Publication date: February 24, 2022Inventors: Matthew Bair, Nolan R. Pilarz, Rustin Fike
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Patent number: 11072497Abstract: An automatic belt biasing device is provided for biasing a drive belt into frictional contact with rollers of a conveyor. The belt biasing device maintains a drive belt in contact with rollers of a live roller conveyor to provide drive for the rollers to propel items or packages along the conveyor. A spring attached to a pivot arm or pair of scissoring pivot arms adjusts a biasing force applied by guide wheels of the belt biasing device to the drive belt due to changes in drive belt tension. The belt biasing device may be selectively adjustable based on required roller pitch distances. The belt biasing device is pivotably coupled to the roller conveyor allowing the guide wheels to apply equal pressure to the drive belt while allowing the pivot arms to actuate and increase or decrease the biasing force provided by the belt biasing device.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2020Date of Patent: July 27, 2021Assignee: Dematic Corp.Inventors: Jeffery D. Duncan, Nicholas M. Thomas, Nolan R. Pilarz, Thomas H. Triesenberg, Shreedhar M. Hebbur
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Patent number: 11066242Abstract: A positive displacement sorter and method of diverting articles includes a conveying surface configured to convey articles in a longitudinal direction and at least one diagonal take-away lane, extending diagonally from the conveying surface to receive articles being diverted from said conveying surface. A plurality of pushers are configured to move together in a lateral direction in order to displace an item on the conveying surface to the diagonal take-away lane. A rotational system is configured to rotate a leading portion of a diverted article in the direction of the take-away lane. A belt drive system is provided for driving live roller conveyors about a curved section of a roller conveyor of the sorter. The drive belt is guided along a single conical drive plane that maintains the orientation of the drive belt relative to the single conical drive plane and limits twisting and stress in the drive belt.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2019Date of Patent: July 20, 2021Assignee: Dematic Corp.Inventors: Nolan R. Pilarz, Veronique Cole, Shreedhar Murthy Hebbur, Jeffery D. Duncan, Nicholas M. Thomas, Steven M. DeMan, John M. Karas, Jeffrey S. DeVries, Jeffery T. Boorsma, Thomas H. Triesenberg
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Publication number: 20200354153Abstract: An automatic belt biasing device is provided for biasing a drive belt into frictional contact with rollers of a conveyor. The belt biasing device maintains a drive belt in contact with rollers of a live roller conveyor to provide drive for the rollers to propel items or packages along the conveyor. A spring attached to a pivot arm or pair of scissoring pivot arms adjusts a biasing force applied by guide wheels of the belt biasing device to the drive belt due to changes in drive belt tension. The belt biasing device may be selectively adjustable based on required roller pitch distances. The belt biasing device is pivotably coupled to the roller conveyor allowing the guide wheels to apply equal pressure to the drive belt while allowing the pivot arms to actuate and increase or decrease the biasing force provided by the belt biasing device.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2020Publication date: November 12, 2020Inventors: Jeffery D. Duncan, Nicholas M. Thomas, Nolan R. Pilarz, Thomas H. Triesenberg, Shreedhar M. Hebbur
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Publication number: 20200130938Abstract: A positive displacement sorter and method of diverting articles includes a conveying surface configured to convey articles in a longitudinal direction and at least one diagonal take-away lane, extending diagonally from the conveying surface to receive articles being diverted from said conveying surface. A plurality of pushers are configured to move together in a lateral direction in order to displace an item on the conveying surface to the diagonal take-away lane. A rotational system is configured to rotate a leading portion of a diverted article in the direction of the take-away lane. A belt drive system is provided for driving live roller conveyors about a curved section of a roller conveyor of the sorter. The drive belt is guided along a single conical drive plane that maintains the orientation of the drive belt relative to the single conical drive plane and limits twisting and stress in the drive belt.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2019Publication date: April 30, 2020Inventors: Nolan R. Pilarz, Veronique Cole, Shreedhar Murthy Hebbur, Jeffery D. Duncan, Nicholas M. Thomas, Steven M. DeMan, John M. Karas, Jeffrey S. DeVries, Jeffery T. Boorsma, Thomas H. Triesenberg
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Patent number: 9741009Abstract: A material-handling system and method includes at least one first processing station, each having an input and an output. A linear transfer system made up of a plurality of transfer units that travel in unison in a linear motion past the input and output of the first processing station(s) either receives articles from the output and discharges articles to the input or transfers articles between the first processing station and a second processing station. A control sequences articles between the transfer units and the first input and output or between the first processing station and a second processing station in a manner that enhances operation of the processing station(s).Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2014Date of Patent: August 22, 2017Assignee: Dematic Corp.Inventors: David M. Berghorn, Michael S. Khodl, Nolan R. Pilarz
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Patent number: 9499346Abstract: A sorter drive for propelling travelling members of a sorter along a path, in which the sorter has a plurality of interconnected travelling members that travel along a path and sortation members carried by the travelling members, with the sortation members adapted to discharge articles to particular destinations, according to an aspect of the invention, includes an endless drive member and an electro-adhesion system. The endless drive member engages the travelling members. The electro-adhesion system increases attraction of the endless drive member and the travelling members.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2015Date of Patent: November 22, 2016Assignee: Dematic Corp.Inventors: Thomas H. Triesenberg, III, Nolan R. Pilarz, Dennis J. Schuitema
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Patent number: 9233803Abstract: A crossbelt sorter system and method of sorting articles includes a track assembly and a plurality of carriers attached to each other to travel along the track assembly. Each of the carriers includes at least front and rear corner portions thereof and a trolley at each of the front and rear corner portions. Each trolley is configured to travel along the track assembly. A hitch assembly joins adjacent ones of the carriers. A propulsion system propels the carriers along the track assembly. Each trolley is mounted to the associated carrier to pivot in at least two different directions. In this manner, the track assembly may have one or more spiral portions thereof. Each trolley is adapted to pivot in the two different directions to support the associated carrier as it moves through the spiral portion.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2013Date of Patent: January 12, 2016Assignee: Dematic Corp.Inventors: Nolan R. Pilarz, Dennis J. Schuitema, Philipp J. Hortig, Paul L. Wetters, Roderick C. Hunt
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Publication number: 20150329294Abstract: A sorter drive for propelling travelling members of a sorter along a path, in which the sorter has a plurality of interconnected travelling members that travel along a path and sortation members carried by the travelling members, with the sortation members adapted to discharge articles to particular destinations, according to an aspect of the invention, includes an endless drive member and an electro-adhesion system. The endless drive member engages the travelling members. The electro-adhesion system increases attraction of the endless drive member and the travelling members.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2015Publication date: November 19, 2015Inventors: Thomas H. Triesenberg, III, Nolan R. Pilarz, Dennis J. Schuitema
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Publication number: 20150068875Abstract: A material-handling system and method includes at least one first processing station, each having an input and an output. A linear transfer system made up of a plurality of transfer units that travel in unison in a linear motion past the input and output of the first processing station(s) either receives articles from the output and discharges articles to the input or transfers articles between the first processing station and a second processing station. A control sequences articles between the transfer units and the first input and output or between the first processing station and a second processing station in a manner that enhances operation of the processing station(s).Type: ApplicationFiled: September 2, 2014Publication date: March 12, 2015Inventors: David M. Berghorn, Michael S. Khodl, Nolan R. Pilarz
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Publication number: 20140014468Abstract: A crossbelt sorter system and method of sorting articles includes a track assembly and a plurality of carriers attached to each other to travel along the track assembly. Each of the carriers includes at least front and rear corner portions thereof and a trolley at each of the front and rear corner portions. Each trolley is configured to travel along the track assembly. A hitch assembly joins adjacent ones of the carriers. A propulsion system propels the carriers along the track assembly. Each trolley is mounted to the associated carrier to pivot in at least two different directions. In this manner, the track assembly may have one or more spiral portions thereof. Each trolley is adapted to pivot in the two different directions to support the associated carrier as it moves through the spiral portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2013Publication date: January 16, 2014Inventors: Nolan R. Pilarz, Dennis J. Schuitema, Philipp J. Hortig, Paul L. Wetters, Roderick C. Hunt