Patents by Inventor Sharon T. Spaulding

Sharon T. Spaulding 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: 11173447
    Abstract: A portable dehumidifying chamber includes a frame of a structure configured to include a first zone, a second zone, and a third zone, where a plurality of exterior walls coupled to the frame of the structure isolate the first zone, the second zone, and third zone from surrounding environmental conditions. A heating device disposed in the first zone to facilitate heated air flow from the first zone to the third zone, where the heated air flow contacts an object disposed in the second zone to facilitate dehumidification of the object. A conduit connecting the third zone to the first zone, where the conduit allows for humidified air flow to bypass the second zone, where the conduit includes a moisture removing apparatus. A first vapor barrier material separates the first zone and the second zone and a second vapor barrier material separates the second zone and the third zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Sharon T Spaulding, Karl Owen Casserly, Mateusz Koziol, Paul Samaniego
  • Patent number: 11174025
    Abstract: A delivery system includes a drone including a prime mover and a payload attachment system including a selectively deployable magnet, and a reusable tote including a body having a base, sides, and a lid, the reusable tote including an attachment member provided on the lid operable to engage with the selectively deployable magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: William J. Green, Sharon T. Spaulding, Marc Henri Coq
  • Patent number: 11130570
    Abstract: A delivery system includes a drone including a prime mover, one or more rotors operatively connected to the prime mover, and a payload attachment system including a latch mechanism having a first selectively deployable clamp member and a second selectively deployable clamp member. The delivery system also includes a plurality of nested reusable totes. Each of the plurality of nested reusable totes includes a body having a base, sides, and a lid, at least two of the sides include a gripping feature. The selectively deployable clamp members are operable to engage with the gripping feature on one or more of the plurality of nested reusable totes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: William J. Green, Sharon T. Spaulding, Marc Henri Coq
  • Publication number: 20210039041
    Abstract: A portable dehumidifying chamber includes a frame of a structure configured to include a first zone, a second zone, and a third zone, where a plurality of exterior walls coupled to the frame of the structure isolate the first zone, the second zone, and third zone from surrounding environmental conditions. A heating device disposed in the first zone to facilitate heated air flow from the first zone to the third zone, where the heated air flow contacts an object disposed in the second zone to facilitate dehumidification of the object. A conduit connecting the third zone to the first zone, where the conduit allows for humidified air flow to bypass the second zone, where the conduit includes a moisture removing apparatus. A first vapor barrier material separates the first zone and the second zone and a second vapor barrier material separates the second zone and the third zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2019
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Inventors: Sharon T Spaulding, Karl Owen Casserly, MATEUSZ KOZIOL, Paul Samaniego
  • Patent number: 10768640
    Abstract: A self-actuating device and method for facilitating preventing product tip over are provided. The self-actuating device includes an anti-tip mechanism associated with a product to facilitate preventing tip over of the product when in an extended state. Further, the self-actuating device includes an actuator associated with the product. The actuator is configured and operatively coupled to automatically switch the anti-tip mechanism from a retracted state to the extended state based on the actuator detecting a tilt of a specified tilt angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Marc H. Coq, Michael D. O'Connell, Sharon T. Spaulding, William J. Green
  • Patent number: 10737833
    Abstract: A pallet gap filler for a pallet and a lift is provided. The pallet gap filler includes filling and engaging elements. The filling element is insertable into a portion of a space defined between tines of the lift and one or more of top and bottom decks and blocks and/or stringers separating the top and bottom decks of the pallet. The filling element is configured to assume a first configuration during filling element insertion and a second configuration in which, following filling element insertion, the filling element fixes relative orientations of the pallet and the lift. The engaging element is actuatable with the filling element initially assuming the first configuration to cause the filling element to assume the second configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Marc H. Coq, William J. Green, Michael D. O'Connell, Sharon T. Spaulding
  • Publication number: 20200172241
    Abstract: A delivery system includes a drone including a prime mover, one or more rotors operatively connected to the prime mover, and a payload attachment system including a latch mechanism having a first selectively deployable clamp member and a second selectively deployable clamp member. The delivery system also includes a plurality of nested reusable totes. Each of the plurality of nested reusable totes includes a body having a base, sides, and a lid, at least two of the sides include a gripping feature. The selectively deployable clamp members are operable to engage with the gripping feature on one or more of the plurality of nested reusable totes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Inventors: William J. Green, Sharon T. Spaulding, Marc Henri Coq
  • Publication number: 20200172244
    Abstract: A delivery system includes a drone including a prime mover and a payload attachment system including a selectively deployable magnet, and a reusable tote including a body having a base, sides, and a lid, the reusable tote including an attachment member provided on the lid operable to engage with the selectively deployable magnet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Inventors: WILLIAM J. GREEN, SHARON T. SPAULDING, MARC HENRI COQ
  • Patent number: 10671137
    Abstract: Embodiments provide a method to control a power-on phase of an electronic device is provided. The method includes transmitting, by a processing device, a request to a plurality of sensors, the request to read a measurement related to an environmental condition; receiving, by the processing device, the measurement from each of the plurality of sensors; and when the measurement is equal to or above a threshold value, commencing, by the processing device, the power-on phase of the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Milnes P David, William J Green, Joseph F Prisco, Brian P Rawson, Robert T Sanders, Sharon T Spaulding
  • Patent number: 10664032
    Abstract: Embodiments provide a method to control a power-on phase of an electronic device is provided. The method includes transmitting, by a processing device, a request to a plurality of sensors, the request to read a measurement related to an environmental condition; receiving, by the processing device, the measurement from each of the plurality of sensors; and when the measurement is equal to or above a threshold value, commencing, by the processing device, the power-on phase of the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Milnes P David, William j Green, Joseph F Prisco, Brian P Rawson, Robert T Sanders, Sharon T Spaulding
  • Patent number: 10606284
    Abstract: A self-actuating device and method for facilitating preventing product tip over are provided. The self-actuating device includes an anti-tip mechanism associated with a product to facilitate preventing tip over of the product when in an extended state. Further, the self-actuating device includes an actuator associated with the product. The actuator is configured and operatively coupled to automatically switch the anti-tip mechanism from a retracted state to the extended state based on the actuator detecting a tilt of a specified tilt angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Marc H. Coq, Michael D. O'Connell, Sharon T. Spaulding, William J. Green
  • Publication number: 20200064205
    Abstract: An advisory element of an acclimation system for an item being shipped from a source to a destination is provided with the item being disposable in a polybag. The advisory element is attachable to or is disposable remotely from the polybag. The advisory element is configured to receive shipment information input at the source, to sense environmental conditions to which the item and the polybag are exposed during shipment and at the destination and to calculate an acclimation time for the item based on the shipment information and the sensed environmental conditions. The advisory element is further configured to provide operational guidance to a user in accordance with the acclimation time at the destination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Inventors: MILNES DAVID, William J. Green, Joseph Prisco, Robert T. Sanders, Sharon T. Spaulding, Hemphill M. Timothy
  • Patent number: 10571342
    Abstract: An advisory element of an acclimation system for an item being shipped from a source to a destination is provided with the item being disposable in a polybag. The advisory element is attachable to or is disposable remotely from the polybag. The advisory element is configured to receive shipment information input at the source, to sense environmental conditions to which the item and the polybag are exposed during shipment and at the destination and to calculate an acclimation time for the item based on the shipment information and the sensed environmental conditions. The advisory element is further configured to provide operational guidance to a user in accordance with the acclimation time at the destination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Milnes David, William J. Green, Joseph Prisco, Robert T. Sanders, Sharon T. Spaulding, Hemphill M. Timothy
  • Publication number: 20190354118
    Abstract: A self-actuating device and method for facilitating preventing product tip over are provided. The self-actuating device includes an anti-tip mechanism associated with a product to facilitate preventing tip over of the product when in an extended state. Further, the self-actuating device includes an actuator associated with the product. The actuator is configured and operatively coupled to automatically switch the anti-tip mechanism from a retracted state to the extended state based on the actuator detecting a tilt of a specified tilt angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Publication date: November 21, 2019
    Inventors: Marc H. COQ, Michael D. O'CONNELL, Sharon T. SPAULDING, William J. GREEN
  • Publication number: 20190354119
    Abstract: A self-actuating device and method for facilitating preventing product tip over are provided. The self-actuating device includes an anti-tip mechanism associated with a product to facilitate preventing tip over of the product when in an extended state. Further, the self-actuating device includes an actuator associated with the product. The actuator is configured and operatively coupled to automatically switch the anti-tip mechanism from a retracted state to the extended state based on the actuator detecting a tilt of a specified tilt angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Publication date: November 21, 2019
    Inventors: Marc H. COQ, Michael D. O'CONNELL, Sharon T. SPAULDING, William J. GREEN
  • Patent number: 10452080
    Abstract: A self-actuating device and method for facilitating preventing product tip over are provided. The self-actuating device includes an anti-tip mechanism associated with a product to facilitate preventing tip over of the product when in an extended state. Further, the self-actuating device includes an actuator associated with the product. The actuator is configured and operatively coupled to automatically switch the anti-tip mechanism from a retracted state to the extended state based on the actuator detecting a tilt of a specified tilt angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Marc H. Coq, Michael D. O'Connell, Sharon T. Spaulding, William J. Green
  • Publication number: 20190283932
    Abstract: A pallet gap filler for a pallet and a lift is provided. The pallet gap filler includes filling and engaging elements. The filling element is insertible into a portion of a space defined between tines of the lift and one or more of top and bottom decks and blocks and/or stringers separating the top and bottom decks of the pallet. The filling element is configured to assume a first configuration during filling element insertion and a second configuration in which, following filling element insertion, the filling element fixes relative orientations of the pallet and the lift. The engaging element is actuatable with the filling element initially assuming the first configuration to cause the filling element to assume the second configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2019
    Publication date: September 19, 2019
    Inventors: MARC H. COQ, WILLIAM J. GREEN, MICHAEL D. O'CONNELL, SHARON T. SPAULDING
  • Publication number: 20190276183
    Abstract: A tip-over prevention apparatus is provided for use with a product. The product is disposable for transportation in side-to-side, front-to-back and up-and-down directions. The tip-over prevention apparatus includes tilt arms disposed at sides of the product facing in the side-to-side directions and hinges by which the tilt arms are rotatably coupled to the sides of the product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2018
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Inventors: Marc H. Coq, William J. Green, Michael D. O'Connell, Sharon T. Spaulding
  • Patent number: 10392160
    Abstract: A pallet gap filler for a pallet and a lift is provided. The pallet gap filler includes filling and engaging elements. The filling element is insertible into a portion of a space defined between tines of the lift and one or more of top and bottom decks and blocks and/or stringers separating the top and bottom decks of the pallet. The filling element is configured to assume a first configuration during filling element insertion and a second configuration in which, following filling element insertion, the filling element fixes relative orientations of the pallet and the lift. The engaging element is actuatable with the filling element initially assuming the first configuration to cause the filling element to assume the second configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Marc H. Coq, William J. Green, Michael D. O'Connell, Sharon T. Spaulding
  • Publication number: 20190135486
    Abstract: A pallet gap filler for a pallet and a lift is provided. The pallet gap filler includes filling and engaging elements. The filling element is insertible into a portion of a space defined between tines of the lift and one or more of top and bottom decks and blocks and/or stringers separating the top and bottom decks of the pallet. The filling element is configured to assume a first configuration during filling element insertion and a second configuration in which, following filling element insertion, the filling element fixes relative orientations of the pallet and the lift. The engaging element is actuatable with the filling element initially assuming the first configuration to cause the filling element to assume the second configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2017
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Inventors: MARC H. COQ, WILLIAM J. GREEN, MICHAEL D. O'CONNELL, SHARON T. SPAULDING