Patents by Inventor Rhonda J. Verploegen
Rhonda J. Verploegen 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: 8746437Abstract: The invention provides a method which minimizes the gaps between packages to the minimum required by the sorter. The gapping required to allow scanning the identification label(s) will be done first, then another gap adjustment (to reduce gaps) is done immediately after scanning. The induction control system requires inputs from additional sensors which are necessary to obtain certain package dimensions. This information (dimensions of the packages) is used by the control algorithm to calculate or select from a table based on package geometry, the minimum (or optimum) gaps required for scanning and by the sorter.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2012Date of Patent: June 10, 2014Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.Inventors: Ricardo N. Schiesser, Clyde Ko, Rhonda J. Verploegen
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Publication number: 20120261234Abstract: The invention provides a method which minimizes the gaps between packages to the minimum required by the sorter. The gapping required to allow scanning the identification label(s) will be done first, then another gap adjustment (to reduce gaps) is done immediately after scanning. The induction control system requires inputs from additional sensors which are necessary to obtain certain package dimensions. This information (dimensions of the packages) is used by the control algorithm to calculate or select from a table based on package geometry, the minimum (or optimum) gaps required for scanning and by the sorter.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2012Publication date: October 18, 2012Applicant: SIEMENS INDUSTRY, INC.Inventors: Ricardo N. Schiesser, Clyde Ko, Rhonda J. Verploegen
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Patent number: 8201681Abstract: The invention provides a method which minimizes the gaps between packages to the minimum required by the sorter. The gapping required to allow scanning the identification label(s) will be done first, then another gap adjustment (to reduce gaps) is done immediately after scanning. The induction control system requires inputs from additional sensors which are necessary to obtain certain package dimensions. This information (dimensions of the packages) is used by the control algorithm to calculate or select from a table based on package geometry, the minimum (or optimum) gaps required for scanning and by the sorter.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2009Date of Patent: June 19, 2012Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.Inventors: Ricardo N. Schiesser, Clyde Ko, Rhonda J. Verploegen
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Publication number: 20100012464Abstract: The invention provides a method which minimizes the gaps between packages to the minimum required by the sorter. The gapping required to allow scanning the identification label(s) will be done first, then another gap adjustment (to reduce gaps) is done immediately after scanning. The induction control system requires inputs from additional sensors which are necessary to obtain certain package dimensions. This information (dimensions of the packages) is used by the control algorithm to calculate or select from a table based on package geometry, the minimum (or optimum) gaps required for scanning and by the sorter.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 14, 2009Publication date: January 21, 2010Inventors: Ricardo N. Schiesser, Clyde Ko, Rhonda J. Verploegen
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Patent number: 7628265Abstract: A positive displacement sorter apparatus and method includes providing a plurality of interconnected slats defining an endless web, an upper run of the web defining a conveying surface. A plurality of pusher shoes are provided, each moving along at least one of the plurality of slats to laterally displace articles on the conveying surface. Each of the pusher shoes includes a diverting portion extending above the conveying surface. The diverting portion includes a diverting surface and a stop surface. The diverting surface contacts an article and laterally displaces that article. A lifting force is applied by the diverting surface to a portion of the article being diverted. The stop surface limits movement of the article relative to the pusher shoe.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2007Date of Patent: December 8, 2009Assignee: Dematic Corp.Inventors: Rhonda J. Verploegen, Frank W. Veit, Brian J. Feenstra, Gerald A. Brouwer
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Patent number: 7513356Abstract: A positive displacement sorter apparatus includes a plurality of interconnected slats defining an endless traveling web. An upper run of the web defines a first conveying surface traveling in a longitudinal direction. A plurality of pusher shoes are provided, each moving along at least one of the slats to laterally displace an article on said conveying surface. A web end portion of the web is extendable and contractible in the longitudinal direction. A product handling conveyor at the web end portion has a second conveying surface that is adapted to supply product to, or receive product from, the first conveying surface. The product handling conveyor has a conveyor end portion that is adjacent to the web and is moveable with extension and contraction of the web end portion. In this manner, the first and second conveying surfaces maintain a constant relative relationship.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2008Date of Patent: April 7, 2009Assignee: Dematic Corp.Inventors: Frank W. Veit, Rhonda J. Verploegen, Thanh V. Nguyen, Mark S. Harkema
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Publication number: 20080202893Abstract: A positive displacement sorter apparatus includes a plurality of interconnected slats defining an endless traveling web. An upper run of the web defines a first conveying surface traveling in a longitudinal direction. A plurality of pusher shoes are provided, each moving along at least one of the slats to laterally displace an article on said conveying surface. A web end portion of the web is extendable and contractible in the longitudinal direction. A product handling conveyor at the web end portion has a second conveying surface that is adapted to supply product to, or receive product from, the first conveying surface. The product handling conveyor has a conveyor end portion that is adjacent to the web and is moveable with extension and contraction of the web end portion. In this manner, the first and second conveying surfaces maintain a constant relative relationship.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2008Publication date: August 28, 2008Applicant: DEMATIC CORP.Inventors: Frank W. Veit, Rhonda J. Verploegen, Thanh V. Nguyen, Mark S. Harkema
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Patent number: 7249668Abstract: A positive displacement sorter apparatus and method includes providing a plurality of interconnected slats defining an endless web, an upper run of the web defining a conveying surface. A plurality of pusher shoes are provided, each moving along at least one of the plurality of slats to laterally displace articles on the conveying surface. Each of the pusher shoes includes a diverting portion extending above the conveying surface. The diverting portion includes a diverting surface and a stop surface. The diverting surface contacts an article and laterally displaces that article. A lifting force is applied by the diverting surface to a portion of the article being diverted. The stop surface limits movement of the article relative to the pusher shoe.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2004Date of Patent: July 31, 2007Assignee: Dematic Corp.Inventors: Rhonda J. Verploegen, Frank W. Veit, Brian J. Feenstra, Gerald A. Brouwer
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Patent number: 7240781Abstract: A positive displacement sorter includes a conveying surface, a plurality of pusher shoes capable of traveling laterally of the conveying surface travel direction, a diverting assembly selectively diverting the pusher shoes and a control. The pusher shoes are generally separated from each other and the travel of direction by a shoe pitch. The diverting assembly includes a plurality of diverting rails extending generally diagonally under the conveying surface and a plurality of actuators associated with the diverting rails. The control is capable of controlling at least two of the actuators in a manner that selectively diverts at least two of the pusher shoes that are spaced apart in integer increments of the shoe pitch notwithstanding that the actuators are separated from each other by more than the shoe pitch.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2005Date of Patent: July 10, 2007Assignee: Dematic Corp.Inventors: James W. Ramaker, Frank W. Veit, Rhonda J. Verploegen
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Patent number: 7117988Abstract: A positive displacement sorter includes a plurality of interconnected slats defining an endless web, an upper run of the web defining a conveying surface conveying articles in a longitudinal direction. A plurality of pusher shoes move along the slats to laterally displace articles on the conveying surface. The pusher shoes include a base and a member extending from the base below the conveying surface. At least one diverting rail extends diagonally under the conveying surface and at least one diverter is associated with the at least one diverting rail. The at least one diverter includes an actuator that selectively actuates the member toward at least one diverting rail. The at least one diverting rail has a terminal portion opposite the at least one diverter. The terminal portion includes an upper surface engaging an upper portion of the member and a lower surface engaging a lower portion of the member. The upper and lower surfaces direct the member in the longitudinal direction.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2005Date of Patent: October 10, 2006Assignee: Dematic Corp.Inventors: Frank W Veit, Rhonda J Verploegen, Thanh V Nguyen, Mark S Harkema
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Patent number: 7086519Abstract: A positive displacement sorter apparatus and method includes providing a plurality of slats being interconnected in an endless web, an upper run of the web defining a conveying surface, and a plurality of pusher shoes gliding along at least some of the slats to laterally displace articles on the conveying surface. A linear motor system is provided to propel the web and includes a plurality of linear motor secondaries at the slats and at least one primary for propelling the secondaries. A control system controls the primaries.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2005Date of Patent: August 8, 2006Assignee: Dematic Corp.Inventors: Frank W Veit, David W Zeitler, Rhonda J Verploegen, Andrew R Black, Charles W Bozarth, Clyde Miin-Arng Ko
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Patent number: 6935483Abstract: A sortation system includes a metal frame member and a traveling member having a series of wheels supported by the frame member. The traveling member defines an upper surface that supports articles being sorted. A wear strip is provided between said frame member and the wheels. The wear strip is made up of at least one wheel support strip and a sound deadening material between the at least one wheel support strip and the frame member.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2004Date of Patent: August 30, 2005Assignee: Rapistan Systems Advertising Corp.Inventors: Frank W. Veit, Rhonda J. Verploegen, Mark S. Harkema
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Patent number: 6866136Abstract: A positive displacement sorter apparatus and method includes providing a plurality of slats being interconnected in an endless web, an upper run of the web defining a conveying surface, and a plurality of pusher shoes gliding along at least some of the slats to laterally displace articles on the conveying surface. A linear motor system is provided to propel the web and includes a plurality of linear motor secondaries at the slats and at least one primary for propelling the secondaries. A control system controls the primaries.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2004Date of Patent: March 15, 2005Assignee: Rapistan Systems Advertising Corp.Inventors: Frank W. Veit, David W. Zeitler, Rhonda J. Verploegen, Andrew R. Black, Charles W. Bozarth, Clyde Miin-Arng Ko
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Patent number: 6860383Abstract: A positive displacement sorter apparatus includes a plurality of interconnected slats defining an endless web, an upper run of the endless web defining a conveying surface. A plurality of pusher shoes are provided, each moving along at least one of the plurality of slats to laterally displace articles on the conveying surface. A linear motor propulsion system may be provided for propelling the web including at least one motor primary and a plurality of motor secondaries at the slats.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2003Date of Patent: March 1, 2005Assignee: Rapistan Systems Advertising Corp.Inventors: Frank W. Veit, Rhonda J. Verploegen, Thanh V. Nguyen, Mark S. Harkema
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Patent number: 6814216Abstract: A positive displacement sorter apparatus and method includes providing a plurality of slats being interconnected in an endless web, an upper run of the web defining a conveying surface, and a plurality of pusher shoes gliding along at least some of the slats to laterally displace articles on the conveying surface. A linear motor system is provided to propel the web and includes a plurality of linear motor secondaries at the slats and at least one primary for propelling the secondaries. A control system controls the primaries.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2001Date of Patent: November 9, 2004Assignee: Rapistan Systems Advertising Corp.Inventors: Frank W. Veit, David W. Zeitler, Rhonda J. Verploegen, Andrew R. Black, Charles W. Bozarth, Clyde Miin-Arng Ko
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Publication number: 20040159526Abstract: A positive displacement sorter apparatus and method includes providing a plurality of slats being interconnected in an endless web, an upper run of the web defining a conveying surface, and a plurality of pusher shoes gliding along at least some of the slats to laterally displace articles on the conveying surface. A linear motor system is provided to propel the web and includes a plurality of linear motor secondaries at the slats and at least one primary for propelling the secondaries. A control system controls the primaries.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2004Publication date: August 19, 2004Applicant: Rapistan Systems Advertising Corp.Inventors: Frank W. Veit, David W. Zeitler, Rhonda J. Verploegen, Andrew R. Black, Charles W. Bozarth, Clyde Miin-Arng Ko
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Publication number: 20030168312Abstract: A positive displacement sorter apparatus includes a plurality of interconnected slats defining an endless web, an upper run of the endless web defining a conveying surface. A plurality of pusher shoes are provided, each moving along at least one of the plurality of slats to laterally displace articles on the conveying surface. A linear motor propulsion system may be provided for propelling the web including at least one motor primary and a plurality of motor secondaries at the slats.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2003Publication date: September 11, 2003Inventors: Frank W. Veit, Rhonda J. Verploegen, Thanh V. Nguyen, Mark S. Harkema
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Publication number: 20020096417Abstract: A positive displacement sorter apparatus and method includes providing a plurality of slats being interconnected in an endless web, an upper run of the web defining a conveying surface, and a plurality of pusher shoes gliding along at least some of the slats to laterally displace articles on the conveying surface. A linear motor system is provided to propel the web and includes a plurality of linear motor secondaries at the slats and at least one primary for propelling the secondaries. A control system controls the primaries.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2001Publication date: July 25, 2002Inventors: Frank W. Veit, David W. Zeitler, Rhonda J. Verploegen, Andrew R. Black, Charles W. Bozarth, Clyde Miin-Arng Ko