Patents by Inventor Paul Kreys

Paul Kreys 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: 8813943
    Abstract: A positive displacement sorter includes a plurality of interconnected parallel slats defining an endless web that travels in a longitudinal direction. The web has upper and lower runs and transition sections between the upper and lower runs. An upper surface of the upper run of the web defining an article-conveying surface. A plurality of pusher shoes travels along at least one of the slats in order to laterally divert articles on the conveying surface. Each of the shoes has a diverting member extending below the conveying surface. A plurality of diverting rails below the conveying surface is capable of engaging the diverting member to cause the associated shoe to travel laterally to divert an article. A plurality of diverters selectively diverts at least one of the diverting members from a non-diverting path extending longitudinally along the sorter to one of the diverting rails in a diverting state. A propulsion system propels the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Dematic Corp.
    Inventors: Mohan A. Ramankutty, Kenneth J. Kooistra, Floyd W. Butler, Dennis J. Schuitema, Paul Kreys, Thomas H. Triesenberg, Ronald C. Ehlert, David D. Sayers
  • Patent number: 8579105
    Abstract: A conveyor system includes a conveying surface for conveying articles as defined by a plurality of rollers and a frame. Each of the rollers has an axle. The frame is made up of at least two frame members that are spaced apart a distance that corresponds with a length of at least one of the plurality of rollers. A plurality of axle retainers is connected with at least one of the frame members. Each of the axle retainers has a base and a plurality of axle retaining openings that are each adapted to receiving an axle at an end of one of the rollers. At least two of the openings are fixedly at different angles to the base. In this manner, the axle retainers are capable of mounting the rollers at more than one angle with respect to the at least one of the frame members as determined by which of the axle-retaining openings receives the axle. Each roller-mounting angle corresponds to a different orientation of the base with respect to the at least one of the frame members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Dematic Corp.
    Inventors: Floyd W. Butler, Paul L. Wetters, Paul Kreys, Kenneth J. Kooistra, Dennis J. Schuitema
  • Publication number: 20130256094
    Abstract: A conveyor system includes a conveying surface for conveying articles as defined by a plurality of rollers and a frame. Each of the rollers has an axle. The frame is made up of at least two frame members that are spaced apart a distance that corresponds with a length of at least one of the plurality of rollers. A plurality of axle retainers is connected with at least one of the frame members. Each of the axle retainers has a base and a plurality of axle retaining openings that are each adapted to receiving an axle at an end of one of the rollers. At least two of the openings are fixedly at different angles to the base. In this manner, the axle retainers are capable of mounting the rollers at more than one angle with respect to the at least one of the frame members as determined by which of the axle-retaining openings receives the axle. Each roller-mounting angle corresponds to a different orientation of the base with respect to the at least one of the frame members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: DEMATIC CORP.
    Inventors: Floyd W. Butler, Paul L. Wetters, Paul Kreys, Kenneth J. Kooistra, Dennis J. Schuitema
  • Patent number: 8469178
    Abstract: A conveyor system and method of laterally displacing articles includes a conveyor defining a conveying surface and conveying articles in a longitudinal direction with the conveying surface. A diverting assembly is positioned diagonally at least partially across the conveying surface. The diverting assembly travels generally vertically between a non-actuated position below the conveying surface and an actuated position extending above the conveying surface. The diverting assembly has a diverting surface that is adapted to laterally displace articles on the conveying surface when in the actuated position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Dematic Corp.
    Inventors: Floyd W. Butler, Paul L. Wetters, Paul Kreys, Kenneth J. Kooistra, Dennis J. Schuitema
  • Publication number: 20120048677
    Abstract: A positive displacement sorter includes a plurality of interconnected parallel slats defining an endless web that travels in a longitudinal direction. The web has upper and lower runs and transition sections between the upper and lower runs. An upper surface of the upper run of the web defining an article-conveying surface. A plurality of pusher shoes travels along at least one of the slats in order to laterally divert articles on the conveying surface. Each of the shoes has a diverting member extending below the conveying surface. A plurality of diverting rails below the conveying surface is capable of engaging the diverting member to cause the associated shoe to travel laterally to divert an article. A plurality of diverters selectively diverts at least one of the diverting members from a non-diverting path extending longitudinally along the sorter to one of the diverting rails in a diverting state. A propulsion system propels the web.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: Dematic Corp.
    Inventors: Mohan A. Ramankutty, Kenneth J. Kooistra, Floyd W. Butler, Dennis J. Schuitema, Paul Kreys, Thomas H. Triesenberg, Ronald C. Ehlert, David D. Sayers
  • Publication number: 20110114444
    Abstract: A conveyor system and method of laterally displacing articles includes a conveyor defining a conveying surface and conveying articles in a longitudinal direction with the conveying surface. A diverting assembly is positioned diagonally at least partially across the conveying surface. The diverting assembly travels generally vertically between a non-actuated position below the conveying surface and an actuated position extending above the conveying surface. The diverting assembly has a diverting surface that is adapted to laterally displace articles on the conveying surface when in the actuated position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: Dematic Corp.
    Inventors: Floyd W. Butler, Paul L. Wetters, Paul Kreys, Kenneth J. Kooistra, Dennis J. Schuitema