Patents by Inventor Robert Cutlip

Robert Cutlip 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: 11912509
    Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for sorting a wide variety of packages, including, but not limited to, parcels, mail pieces, bundles, and other similar items. Embodiments of the invention specifically relate to interchangeable sorting modules with sort stations that may be used to quickly and accurately sort packages of varying shapes and sizes. Additional embodiments of the invention relate to a control architecture for operating the aforementioned interchangeable sorting modules. Such control architecture may comprise a programmable logic controller (PLC) for controlling each of the interchangeable sorting modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Advanced Technology & Research Corp.
    Inventors: Robert Lundahl, Robert Cutlip, Mark Bankard, Dwight Koogle, Crystal Yannuzzi, Matthew Fontaine
  • Publication number: 20210362194
    Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for sorting a wide variety of packages, including, but not limited to, parcels, mail pieces, bundles, and other similar items. Embodiments of the invention specifically relate to interchangeable sorting modules with sort stations that may be used to quickly and accurately sort packages of varying shapes and sizes. Additional embodiments of the invention relate to a control architecture for operating the aforementioned interchangeable sorting modules. Such control architecture may comprise a programmable logic controller (PLC) for controlling each of the interchangeable sorting modules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2020
    Publication date: November 25, 2021
    Inventors: Robert LUNDAHL, Robert CUTLIP, Mark BANKARD, Dwight KOOGLE, Crystal Yannuzzi, Matthew FONTAINE
  • Patent number: 10766711
    Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for sorting a wide variety of packages, including, but not limited to, parcels, mail pieces, bundles, and other similar items. Embodiments of the invention specifically relate to interchangeable sorting modules with sort stations that may be used to quickly and accurately sort packages of varying shapes and sizes. Additional embodiments of the invention relate to a control architecture for operating the aforementioned interchangeable sorting modules. Such control architecture may comprise a programmable logic controller (PLC) for controlling each of the interchangeable sorting modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Advanced Technology & Research Corp.
    Inventors: Robert Lundahl, Robert Cutlip, Mark Bankard, Dwight Koogle, Crystal Yannuzzi, Matthew Fontaine
  • Publication number: 20200254490
    Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for sorting a wide variety of packages, including, but not limited to, parcels, mail pieces, bundles, and other similar items. Embodiments of the invention specifically relate to interchangeable sorting modules with sort stations that may be used to quickly and accurately sort packages of varying shapes and sizes. Additional embodiments of the invention relate to a control architecture for operating the aforementioned interchangeable sorting modules. Such control architecture may comprise a programmable logic controller (PLC) for controlling each of the interchangeable sorting modules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2019
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Inventors: Robert LUNDAHL, Robert CUTLIP, Mark BANKARD, Dwight KOOGLE, Crystal Yannuzzi, Matthew FONTAINE
  • Patent number: 8561381
    Abstract: A system for unstrapping and unsleeving a tray is provided. The system comprises a tray-transport configured to transport a tray in the system, a strap cutter configured to cut a strap on the tray, a strap-removal portion configured to remove the strap cut by the strap cutter, and an unsleeving station configured to remove a sleeve from the tray. The unsleeving station is configured to remove the sleeve from the tray after the strap-removal portion removes the cut strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Donald R. Close, Robert D. Lundahl, William D. Finch, Robert Cutlip, Dwight Koogle, Mark Bankard
  • Publication number: 20130000632
    Abstract: This invention presents a unique design for a sun tracking, solar panel mounting system that is intended to be mounted onto utility light poles, wind turbine poles, and other pole type structures. Rings are clamped around the pole and form a structural interface to support the tracking mount assembly and allow it to rotate around the centerline of the pole. An actuator powers the tracking structure rotate right or left around the centerline of the pole. A secondary structure in the mount assembly supports solar panels on either side of the vertical mounting poll and an optional second actuator tilts the elevation solar panels up and down. A control system reads the position of each actuator and periodically adjusts them to track the motion of the sun and optimize the solar energy collection efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Inventors: Robert D. Lundahl, Robert Cutlip
  • Publication number: 20110135440
    Abstract: A system for unstrapping and unsleeving a tray is provided. The system comprises a tray-transport configured to transport a tray in the system, a strap cutter configured to cut a strap on the tray, a strap-removal portion configured to remove the strap cut by the strap cutter, and an unsleeving station configured to remove a sleeve from the tray. The unsleeving station is configured to remove the sleeve from the tray after the strap-removal portion removes the cut strap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventors: Donald R. Close, Robert D. Lundahl, William D. Finch, Robert Cutlip, Dwight Koogle, Mark Bankard
  • Patent number: 7758292
    Abstract: A system for unstrapping and unsleeving a tray is provided. The system comprises a tray-transport configured to transport a tray in the system, a strap cutter configured to cut a strap on the tray, a strap-removal portion configured to remove the strap cut by the strap cutter, and an unsleeving station configured to remove a sleeve from the tray. The unsleeving station is configured to remove the sleeve from the tray after the strap-removal portion removes the cut strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Donald R. Close, Robert D. Lundahl, William D. Finch, Robert Cutlip, Dwight Koogle, Mark Bankard
  • Publication number: 20070179826
    Abstract: Services of a business process are selected for execution. Ontological data is read from a data source corresponding to sub-process sets of the business process. Each sub-process set comprises at least one service. A first ontological model is generated from the read ontological data. Performance characteristics are read for at least one service. Real time or near real time knowledge information is read regarding resources of a system for executing the business process. A modified ontological model is generated from the read performance characteristics and the real time or near real time system resource knowledge information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2006
    Publication date: August 2, 2007
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Cutlip, Mandar Jog, Neeraj Joshi
  • Publication number: 20060291984
    Abstract: A system for unstrapping and unsleeving a tray is provided. The system comprises a tray-transport configured to transport a tray in the system, a strap cutter configured to cut a strap on the tray, a strap-removal portion configured to remove the strap cut by the strap cutter, and an unsleeving station configured to remove a sleeve from the tray. The unsleeving station is configured to remove the sleeve from the tray after the strap-removal portion removes the cut strap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2006
    Publication date: December 28, 2006
    Inventors: Donald Close, Robert Lundahl, William Finch, Robert Cutlip, Dwight Koogle, Mark Bankard
  • Publication number: 20060195463
    Abstract: A method, computer program product, and a data processing system that facilitates navigation through a directed graph for selection-of sub-processes of a modified business process derived from a business process is provided. A bounding box is used for evaluating and selecting sequences of nodes representative of business sub-processes or services. The bounding box has a predefined depth for limiting the scope of the evaluation. The bounding box is shifted during the evaluation as sequences of nodes are selected. Additionally, state data is maintained such that a sense response model may be employed to detect and account for changes to the environment in previously evaluated services.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2005
    Publication date: August 31, 2006
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew Bogner, Belinda Chang, Robert Cutlip, Kevin Grigorenko
  • Publication number: 20060195330
    Abstract: A method, computer program product, and a data processing system for selecting services of a business process for execution is provided. Ontological data is read from a data store, and an ontological model representative of the ontological data is then generated. The ontological model is mapped to a business process that comprises a plurality of sub-processes. The ontological model is used to select a subset of the plurality of sub-processes comprising the original business process resulting in a modified business process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2005
    Publication date: August 31, 2006
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew Bogner, Belinda Chang, Robert Cutlip, Kevin Grigorenko
  • Publication number: 20060195332
    Abstract: A method, computer program product, and a data processing system for representing service relationships of a business process. A plurality of services are read, and first and second services of the plurality of services are selected. An output and effect of the first service is compared with an input and precondition of the second service. Responsive to the comparison, an evaluation is made to determine if the first service is related to the second service. Related services may then be linked by directed edges in a graph.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2005
    Publication date: August 31, 2006
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew Bogner, Belinda Chang, Robert Cutlip, Kevin Grigorenko
  • Patent number: 7021033
    Abstract: A device is disclosed that can automatically remove lids from trays and place lids on trays. Further the device can sense the presence of a lid on a tray and can sense the dimensions of the tray. Based on the sensed dimensions of the tray, the device can select an appropriate sized lid to place on the tray. In one embodiment of the invention, a device holds a lid with a lid manipulator having lid holders. At least one end mechanism is attached to at least one end of the lid manipulator, and the end mechanism folds the lid flaps of an appropriate lid. Guided by the lid manipulator, lids are then positioned on the tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Donald R. Close, Mark Bankard, William D. Finch, Robert Cutlip, Robert D. Lundahl, Dwight Koogle
  • Publication number: 20050263069
    Abstract: The design of this machine presents a simple and low cost solution for automatically canceling old labels and barcodes on packages. The unique design enables the machine to be completely independent from the conveying surface by locating labels with image processing and canceling with ink jets or other marking technologies which can be performed while the package is in motion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2004
    Publication date: December 1, 2005
    Inventors: Robert Lundahl, Robert Cutlip
  • Publication number: 20050223020
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for efficiently analyzing measurement data for business processes (for example, in a service provider environment). Business process-aware modules or “cubes” are created from the measurement data, using features of a spatially-enabled database system. A “drill-down” approach is provided for investigating underlying information for a cube (including lower-level linked cubes). Data types other than cubes, such as planes from which a cube is constructed, may also be analyzed. The disclosed techniques may be used to provide autonomic systems, which are self-aware, at a business process level. That is, based on results of analyzing data represented by a cube, autonomic adjustments may be made. In a service provider environment, the analysis and/or the autonomic adjustments may be directed toward enabling the service provider to avoid jeopardizing commitments in service level agreements (and the revenue loss that may result when the commitments are not met).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2004
    Publication date: October 6, 2005
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Cutlip, Neeraj Joshi
  • Publication number: 20040194428
    Abstract: A system for unstrapping and unsleeving a tray is provided. The system comprises a tray-transport configured to transport a tray in the system, a strap cutter configured to cut a strap on the tray, a strap-removal portion configured to remove the strap cut by the strap cutter, and an unsleeving station configured to remove a sleeve from the tray. The unsleeving station is configured to remove the sleeve from the tray after the strap-removal portion removes the cut strap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventors: Donald R. Close, Robert D. Lundahl, William D. Finch, Robert Cutlip, Dwight Koogle, Mark Bankard
  • Patent number: 6604337
    Abstract: A device is disclosed that can automatically remove lids from trays and place lids on trays. Further the device can sense the presence of a lid on a tray and can sense the dimensions of the tray. Based on the sensed dimensions of the tray, the device can select an appropriate sized lid to place on the tray. In one embodiment of the invention, a device holds a lid with a lid manipulator having lid holders. At least one end mechanism is attached to at least one end of the lid manipulator, and the end mechanism folds the lid flaps of an appropriate lid. Guided by the lid manipulator, lids are then positioned on the tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Donald R. Close, Mark Bankard, William D. Finch, Robert Cutlip, Robert D. Lundahl, Dwight Koogle