Patents by Inventor Phillip Schaafsma

Phillip Schaafsma 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: 11939100
    Abstract: A product unpacking system includes a work surface at a first height and a product unloading position at a second height. An adjustable cutter is positioned adjacent to the work surface and configured to cut a plurality of sides of each case. A case movement device, such as a robot or manual mover, is configured to retrieve a case from a group of cases and move the case to the cutter to cut a plurality of sides of the case. The case movement device may then move the cut case to an unload position over a product container to allow products within the case to drop into the product container. A system of conveyors may be used to convey empty product containers toward the work surface and to convey filled product containers away from the work surface. The system may be automated to receive recipe information for each case to be unloaded and modify parameters of the system based on the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: DLN Integrated Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Phillip Schaafsma, Robert Clarkson, Garrett Smith, Travis Kempton, Christopher Anten, Zachary Nickels
  • Publication number: 20230286689
    Abstract: A system and method for unpacking a case are provided. The system may comprise a work surface that defines a cutting, extraction, and unloading position and a robot configured to move the cases between the respective positions. The robot may first engage and position the case in the cutting position, wherein a plurality of cutting arms cut a first pair of sides simultaneously near the case bottom. The robot rotates the case and the cutting arms cut another pair of sides simultaneously near the case bottom. The robot then moves the case from the cutting position to the extraction position, where the case bottom is retained and removed from the case. The robot then moves the bottomless case from the extraction position to the unloading position adjacent to the work surface, wherein the product inside the case is deposited into a receptacle through the open case bottom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2023
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Applicant: DLN Integrated Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Wierenga, Robert Clarkson, Phillip Schaafsma
  • Publication number: 20230101113
    Abstract: A product unpacking system includes a work surface at a first height and a product unloading position at a second height. An adjustable cutter is positioned adjacent to the work surface and configured to cut a plurality of sides of each case. A case movement device, such as a robot or manual mover, is configured to retrieve a case from a group of cases and move the case to the cutter to cut a plurality of sides of the case. The case movement device may then move the cut case to an unload position over a product container to allow products within the case to drop into the product container. A system of conveyors may be used to convey empty product containers toward the work surface and to convey filled product containers away from the work surface. The system may be automated to receive recipe information for each case to be unloaded and modify parameters of the system based on the case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2022
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Applicant: DLN Integrated Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Phillip Schaafsma, Robert Clarkson, Garrett Smith, Travis Kempton, Christopher Anten, Zachary Nickels
  • Patent number: 11560249
    Abstract: A product unpacking system includes a work surface at a first height and a product unloading position at a second height. An adjustable cutter is positioned adjacent to the work surface and configured to cut a plurality of sides of each case. A case movement device, such as a robot or manual mover, is configured to retrieve a case from a group of cases and move the case to the cutter to cut a plurality of sides of the case. The case movement device may then move the cut case to an unload position over a product container to allow products within the case to drop into the product container. A system of conveyors may be used to convey empty product containers toward the work surface and to convey filled product containers away from the work surface. The system may be automated to receive recipe information for each case to be unloaded and modify parameters of the system based on the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: DLN Integrated Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Phillip Schaafsma, Robert Clarkson, Garrett Smith, Travis Kempton, Christopher Anten, Zachary Nickels