Patents by Inventor Patrick J. Fitzgibbons
Patrick J. Fitzgibbons 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: 7029002Abstract: A drop pocket system and method reorients flat articles in a serial stream, by horizontally receiving a horizontally moving, serial input stream of substantially vertically oriented flat articles, sensing reception of each flat article, engaging each sensed flat article, accelerating each engaged flat article into substantially downward movement, and conveying each flat article with the downward movement into a substantially horizontal orientation and movement.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2004Date of Patent: April 18, 2006Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Edward Engarto, Robert J. Felice, Patrick J. Fitzgibbons
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Patent number: 6918534Abstract: A system and method for substantially eliminating the release of pathogen agents circulating in the air within a collection box. The mail deposit openings (12, 14) of a collection box mail chute (16) are adapted with gaskets (18, 20) to form an airtight seal when the mail chute (16) is opened and closed, thereby isolating the collection box interior (26). An alternative embodiment can further include a charging device (32) and a chargeable material (34) to attract and detain airborne and free pathogen particles that enter the mail chute passage (22) either by newly deposited mail pieces (38) or airborne pathogen particles that migrated from within the collection box collection area (26).Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2003Date of Patent: July 19, 2005Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Patrick J. Fitzgibbons, Christopher J. Tatar
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Publication number: 20040207146Abstract: A drop pocket system and method reorients flat articles in a serial stream, by horizontally receiving a horizontally moving, serial input stream of substantially vertically oriented flat articles, sensing reception of each flat article, engaging each sensed flat article, accelerating each engaged flat article into substantially downward movement, and conveying each flat article with the downward movement into a substantially horizontal orientation and movement.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2004Publication date: October 21, 2004Applicant: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Edward Engarto, Robert J. Felice, Patrick J. Fitzgibbons
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Patent number: 6789727Abstract: A mail processing apparatus, includes an enclosure adapted for receiving deposited mail articles, a depository port adapted for passing deposited mail articles into the enclosure, and a sealing apparatus operatively associated with the depository port and adapted to seal deposited mail articles that pass through the depository port. The sealing apparatus may be a laminator adapted to apply a layer of plastic material to opposing sides of deposited mail articles.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2002Date of Patent: September 14, 2004Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Robert J. Felice, Patrick J. Fitzgibbons, Louis B. Taylor
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Publication number: 20040138778Abstract: A system and method are provided for sorting a plurality of items into a predetermined sorted sequence. Items are initially located on initial sorting regions of a sorting apparatus. The items are then sorted into at least one intermediary sorted set and then sorted, from the intermediary sorted sets, into the final sorted sequence. A computer may be used to track the position of the items on the sorting apparatus and to control the movement of the items into the sorted sequence.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2003Publication date: July 15, 2004Applicant: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Patrick J. Fitzgibbons, Bruce H. Hanson, Michael D. Senger
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Patent number: 6746009Abstract: A drop pocket system and method reorients flat articles in a serial stream, by horizontally receiving a horizontally moving, serial input stream of substantially vertically oriented flat articles, sensing reception of each flat article, engaging each sensed flat article, accelerating each engaged flat article into substantially downward movement, and conveying each flat article with the downward movement into a substantially horizontal orientation and movement.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2002Date of Patent: June 8, 2004Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Edward Engarto, Robert J. Felice, Patrick J. Fitzgibbons, Drew D. Havholm
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Patent number: 6739510Abstract: A rejection rate of a selective sequential processing apparatus such as a mail sortation apparatus is reduced by combining results of at least two feature discrimination arrangements such as optical character recognition and a bar code reader based on comparisons of results of the feature discrimination results against each other and against expected values to validate at least one result and rejecting articles for manual processing only when no feature discrimination result can be validated. The results of one feature discrimination technique can be used to augment results of another feature discrimination technique to improve selective processing accuracy and processing speed and throughput are increased by allowing use of faster or accelerated feature discrimination processes while maintaining a greater number of articles within the automated process.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2002Date of Patent: May 25, 2004Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Patrick J. Fitzgibbons, Bruce H. Hanson, William J. Woods
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Patent number: 6688083Abstract: This invention provides a mechanism for receiving flat articles, such as mail, moving in a travel path with a substantially horizontal orientation and for dropping selected such articles into either a single receptacle positioned below the mechanism or into a plurality of receptacles spaced along the length of the travel path, while maintaining the substantially horizontal article orientation for all such articles. The mechanism includes a holding station for each receptacle into which each article to be dropped is initially deposited, the holding station being just below the travel path, a retractable floor for the holding station and a driver selectively operable for rapidly retracting the floor in a substantially horizontal direction to permit articles accumulated in the holding station to drop substantially vertically into the corresponding receptacle. The driver may be activated in response to the holding station being filled by a selected amount.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2000Date of Patent: February 10, 2004Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Patrick J. Fitzgibbons, Douglas A. Slocum, Louis B. Taylor
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Patent number: 6666324Abstract: A system and method reorients flat articles in a serial stream, by receiving a horizontally moving, serial input stream of substantially vertically oriented flat articles each having a downwardly oriented primary edge, laterally diverting the flat articles in the serial input stream alternately between a pair of separate paths, impeding horizontal movement of each flat article in each separate path, accelerating each flat article with impeded horizontal movement in the direction of its primary edge, and delivering substantially horizontally oriented flat articles from each separate path.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2002Date of Patent: December 23, 2003Assignee: Lockhead Martin CorporationInventors: Edward Engarto, Robert J. Felice, Patrick J. Fitzgibbons, Drew D. Havholm
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Patent number: 6666450Abstract: A drop-box mechanism or system is disposed adjacent to an article conveyor and atop a flat mail storage tub and comprises a platen movable between first and second chambers at which the open top of the storage tub is respectively uncovered and covered. When the platen uncovers the storage tub, deflecting fingers move downwardly so as to cover the platen tracks and the space defined between the bottom of the drop-box mechanism and the open top of the storage tub so as to prevent flat mail articles from becoming jammed within the tracks or from being inadvertently discharged through the space defined between the bottom of the drop-box mechanism and the open top of the storage tub. In this manner, the predetermined conveyed order of articles is preserved so as to facilitate sequence address delivery of the articles to recipients.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2002Date of Patent: December 23, 2003Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Douglas A. Slocum, Patrick J. Fitzgibbons
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Publication number: 20030226884Abstract: A jumbo mail drop box for isolating mail deposited therein which includes a drop box housing and a closable, removable chamber inside the drop box housing for receiving mail. The chamber is formed by a removable container having an opening in the top. The drop box has a plurality of mail transmitting chutes each having a deposit port at its upper end and an exit port at its lower end and arranged to receive mail through the deposit port and direct such mail into the closable chamber. There is an assembly for closing the opening in the removable container when desired to isolate the mail therein from the ambient atmosphere and permit removal of the container without exposing the ambient atmosphere to any hazardous material particles which may be on or in such mail. There is a removal door in the drop box housing to permit removal of the removable container therethrough.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2003Publication date: December 11, 2003Applicant: Lockheed Martin Corporation, a Maryland CorporationInventors: John T. Swider, Patrick J. Fitzgibbons
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Publication number: 20030214093Abstract: A drop pocket system and method reorients flat articles in a serial stream, by horizontally receiving a horizontally moving, serial input stream of substantially vertically oriented flat articles, sensing reception of each flat article, engaging each sensed flat article, accelerating each engaged flat article into substantially downward movement, and conveying each flat article with the downward movement into a substantially horizontal orientation and movement.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2002Publication date: November 20, 2003Applicant: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Edward Engarto, Robert J. Felice, Patrick J. Fitzgibbons, Drew D. Havholm
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Publication number: 20030213674Abstract: A system and method reorients flat articles in a serial stream, by receiving a horizontally moving, serial input stream of substantially vertically oriented flat articles each having a downwardly oriented primary edge, laterally diverting the flat articles in the serial input stream alternately between a pair of separate paths, impeding horizontal movement of each flat article in each separate path, accelerating each flat article with impeded horizontal movement in the direction of its primary edge, and delivering substantially horizontally oriented flat articles from each separate path.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2002Publication date: November 20, 2003Applicant: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Edward Engarto, Robert J. Felice, Patrick J. Fitzgibbons, Drew D. Havholm
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Patent number: 6648284Abstract: A justification insert block is adapted to be inserted into a flat mail sorting or storage container, bin, or tub and comprises an upper planar surface which is downwardly inclined from a first corner region toward a second diagonally opposite corner region. In this manner, when the justification insert block is inserted within the flat mail sorting or storage container, bin, or tub, two edge portions of mail pieces are automatically justified against two upstanding side walls of the sorting or storage container, bin, or tub so as to maintain the mail articles or pieces in a predetermined order within a stack of flat mail articles or pieces.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2001Date of Patent: November 18, 2003Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Michael E. Caporali, Patrick J. Fitzgibbons
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Publication number: 20030209595Abstract: A mail depository apparatus includes a rigid housing forming a channel adapted for directing deposited mail items and an interface member adapted to attach a flexible container to the housing for receiving deposited mail items from the channel, wherein the interface member is adapted to seal the flexible container to the housing to substantially prevent escape of air from the flexible container and the housing at the interface member.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2003Publication date: November 13, 2003Applicant: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Robert J. Felice, Patrick J. Fitzgibbons, John T. Swider
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Publication number: 20030192946Abstract: A system and method for substantially eliminating the release of pathogen agents circulating in the air within a collection box. The mail deposit openings (12, 14) of a collection box mail chute (16) are adapted with gaskets (18, 20) to form an airtight seal when the mail chute (16) is opened and closed, thereby isolating the collection box interior (26). An alternative embodiment can further include charging means (32) and a chargeable material (34) to attract and detain airborne and free pathogen particles that enter the mail chute passage (22) either by newly deposited mail pieces (38) or airborne pathogen particles that migrated from within the collection box collection area (26).Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2003Publication date: October 16, 2003Applicant: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Patrick J. Fitzgibbons, Christopher J. Tatar
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Publication number: 20030168505Abstract: A closeable mail receptacle for use inside of a drop box, includes a rectangular tub having an open top, and a top cover adapted to engage the open top and close the tub either prior to or during removal of the tub from the drop box. The top cover may include a peripheral frame adapted to engage the open top. The rectangular tub may be a standard mail flat tub and further include a non-permeable liner located within the common mail flat tub. The rectangular tub may include a peripheral flange extending horizontally outwardly from around the open top.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2002Publication date: September 11, 2003Applicant: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Robert J. Felice, Patrick J. Fitzgibbons, Eugene C. Stradley
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Publication number: 20030168513Abstract: A rejection rate of a selective sequential processing apparatus such as a mail sortation apparatus is reduced by combining results of at least two feature discrimination arrangements such as optical character recognition and a bar code reader based on comparisons of results of the feature discrimination results against each other and against expected values to validate at least one result and rejecting articles for manual processing only when no feature discrimination result can be validated. results of one feature discrimination technique can be used to augment results of another feature discrimination technique to improve selective processing accuracy and processing speed and throughput are increased by allowing use of faster or accelerated feature discrimination processes while maintaining a greater number of articles within the automated process.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2002Publication date: September 11, 2003Inventors: Patrick J. Fitzgibbons, Bruce H. Hanson, William J. Woods
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Publication number: 20030155412Abstract: A mail processing apparatus, includes an enclosure adapted for receiving deposited mail articles, a depository port adapted for passing deposited mail articles into the enclosure, and a sealing apparatus operatively associated with the depository port and adapted to seal deposited mail articles that pass through the depository port. The sealing apparatus may be a laminator adapted to apply a layer of plastic material to opposing sides of deposited mail articles.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2002Publication date: August 21, 2003Applicant: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Robert J. Felice, Patrick J. Fitzgibbons, Louis B. Taylor
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Publication number: 20030141658Abstract: A drop-box mechanism or system is disposed adjacent to an article conveyor and atop a flat mail storage tub and comprises a platen movable between first and second chambers at which the open top of the storage tub is respectively uncovered and covered. When the platen uncovers the storage tub, deflecting fingers move downwardly so as to cover the platen tracks and the space defined between the bottom of the drop-box mechanism and the open top of the storage tub so as to prevent flat mail articles from becoming jammed within the tracks or from being inadvertently discharged through the space defined between the bottom of the drop-box mechanism and the open top of the storage tub. In this manner, the predetermined conveyed order of articles is preserved so as to facilitate sequence address delivery of the articles to recipients.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2002Publication date: July 31, 2003Applicant: LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATIONInventors: Douglas A. Slocum, Patrick J. Fitzgibbons