Patents by Inventor Stephen L. Heston
Stephen L. Heston 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: 11834279Abstract: Apparatus and methods for automatically conforming a bottom support surface in a pick and place palletizer to the width of items such as cases that are supported on the surface are described. The invention defines an improved apparatus and method for automatically adjusting the width of a row support surface to conform to undersized items or items having a width when an item side is against the apron backstop that is less than the apron depth relative to the backstop.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2020Date of Patent: December 5, 2023Inventor: Stephen L. Heston
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Publication number: 20220324661Abstract: Apparatus and methods for automatically conforming a bottom support surface in a pick and place palletizer to the width of items such as cases that are supported on the surface are described. The invention defines an improved apparatus and method for automatically adjusting the width of a row support surface to conform to undersized items or items having a width when an item side is against the apron backstop that is less than the apron depth relative to the backstop.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2020Publication date: October 13, 2022Inventor: Stephen L. Heston
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Patent number: 10604361Abstract: A case manipulator receives cases from an infeed conveyer and manipulates individual cases or groups of cases and transfers the manipulated cases to a row accumulator platform in a desired and pre-determined orientation and positioned on the accumulator platform to a desired and pre-determined location. The manipulation of individual cases, or groups of cases, is continued in a sequential operation until a complete row is formed on the accumulator platform according to a pre-determined build menu. The case manipulator includes a swing plate pivotal on a first axis and a paddle arm that is attached to the swing plate and pivotal on a second axis that is transverse to the first axis. The invention allows the palletizer to have the next case in a row transferred from the infeed conveyer to the row-build staging area while the case manipulator is operating on an already-delivered case.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2018Date of Patent: March 31, 2020Assignee: Top Tier, LLCInventor: Stephen L. Heston
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Patent number: 10604284Abstract: A stretch wrapping apparatus is adapted for use with an automated palletizing machine to securely stabilize loads prepared by the palletizing machine. The stretch wrapping machine works with a rotatable turntable on which the palletized load is placed. A stretch wrapping head feeds pre-stretched wrapping film toward the rotating load and air jets blow the tail of the film onto the load. Relative rotational movement is created between the wrapping head and the load and the free end of the film is unsupported by any mechanical structure and is directed toward the load only with air from the jets. The film attaches to an outer surface the load and the wrapping head moves vertically so that the load is helically wrapped. Film is dispensed at a rate to provide payout of film that is consistent with the demand as each load corner transitions through its relative distance change from the dispensing point based on calculations intervals.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2018Date of Patent: March 31, 2020Assignee: Top Tier, LLCInventors: Cary Michael Pierson, Nathaniel T. Schenk, Stephen L. Heston
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Publication number: 20190352102Abstract: An infeed apparatus includes an item manipulator that orients items such as cases in a desired orientation as determined by a build menu, and a row build apparatus that is synchronized with the manipulator to space items pursuant to the build menu. The manipulator uses a pusher to push items across a friction belt to thereby orient the items, and includes sensors for determining when an item is in an incorrect orientation. The row build receives items from the pusher and is selectively advanced to locate items in a desired relative orientation so that rows of items are built correctly.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2019Publication date: November 21, 2019Applicant: Top Tier, LLCInventors: Cary Michael Pierson, Stephen L. Heston
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Patent number: 10479615Abstract: An infeed apparatus includes an item manipulator that orients items such as cases in a desired orientation as determined by a build menu, and a row build apparatus that is synchronized with the manipulator to space items pursuant to the build menu. The manipulator uses a pusher to push items across a friction belt to thereby orient the items, and includes sensors for determining when an item is in an incorrect orientation. The row build receives items from the pusher and is selectively advanced to locate items in a desired relative orientation so that rows of items are built correctly.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2019Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: Top Tier, LLCInventors: Cary Michael Pierson, Stephen L. Heston
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Patent number: 10407249Abstract: An infeed apparatus includes an item manipulator that orients items such as cases in a desired orientation as determined by a build menu, and a row build apparatus that is synchronized with the manipulator to space items pursuant to the build menu. The manipulator uses a pusher to push items across a friction belt to thereby orient the items, and includes sensors for determining when an item is in an incorrect orientation. The row build receives items from the pusher and is selectively advanced to locate items in a desired relative orientation so that rows of items are built correctly.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2019Date of Patent: September 10, 2019Assignee: Top Tier, LLCInventors: Cary Michael Pierson, Stephen L. Heston
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Publication number: 20190144213Abstract: An infeed apparatus includes an item manipulator that orients items such as cases in a desired orientation as determined by a build menu, and a row build apparatus that is synchronized with the manipulator to space items pursuant to the build menu. The manipulator uses a pusher to push items across a friction belt to thereby orient the items, and includes sensors for determining when an item is in an incorrect orientation. The row build receives items from the pusher and is selectively advanced to locate items in a desired relative orientation so that rows of items are built correctly.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2019Publication date: May 16, 2019Applicant: Top Tier, LLCInventors: Cary Michael Pierson, Stephen L. Heston
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Patent number: 10189651Abstract: An infeed apparatus includes an item manipulator that orients items such as cases in a desired orientation as determined by a build menu, and a row build apparatus that is synchronized with the manipulator to space items pursuant to the build menu. The manipulator uses a pusher to push items across a friction belt to thereby orient the items, and includes sensors for determining when an item is in an incorrect orientation. The row build receives items from the pusher and is selectively advanced to locate items in a desired relative orientation so that rows of items are built correctly.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2018Date of Patent: January 29, 2019Assignee: Top Tier, LLCInventors: Cary Michael Pierson, Stephen L. Heston
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Publication number: 20180222693Abstract: A case manipulator receives cases from an infeed conveyer and manipulates individual cases or groups of cases and transfers the manipulated cases to a row accumulator platform in a desired and pre-determined orientation and positioned on the accumulator platform to a desired and pre-determined location. The manipulation of individual cases, or groups of cases, is continued in a sequential operation until a complete row is formed on the accumulator platform according to a pre-determined build menu. The case manipulator includes a swing plate pivotal on a first axis and a paddle arm that is attached to the swing plate and pivotal on a second axis that is transverse to the first axis. The invention allows the palletizer to have the next case in a row transferred from the infeed conveyer to the row-build staging area while the case manipulator is operating on an already-delivered case.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2018Publication date: August 9, 2018Applicant: Top Tier, LLCInventor: Stephen L. Heston
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Publication number: 20180162568Abstract: A stretch wrapping apparatus is adapted for use with an automated palletizing machine to securely stabilize loads prepared by the palletizing machine. The stretch wrapping machine works with a rotatable turntable on which the palletized load is placed. A stretch wrapping head feeds pre-stretched wrapping film toward the rotating load and air jets blow the tail of the film onto the load. Relative rotational movement is created between the wrapping head and the load and the free end of the film is unsupported by any mechanical structure and is directed toward the load only with air from the jets. The film attaches to an outer surface the load and the wrapping head moves vertically so that the load is helically wrapped. Film is dispensed at a rate to provide payout of film that is consistent with the demand as each load corner transitions through its relative distance change from the dispensing point based on calculations intervals.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2018Publication date: June 14, 2018Applicant: Top Tier, LLCInventors: Cary Michael Pierson, Nathaniel T. Schenk, Stephen L. Heston
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Publication number: 20180162654Abstract: An infeed apparatus includes an item manipulator that orients items such as cases in a desired orientation as determined by a build menu, and a row build apparatus that is synchronized with the manipulator to space items pursuant to the build menu. The manipulator uses a pusher to push items across a friction belt to thereby orient the items, and includes sensors for determining when an item is in an incorrect orientation. The row build receives items from the pusher and is selectively advanced to locate items in a desired relative orientation so that rows of items are built correctly.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2018Publication date: June 14, 2018Applicant: Top Tier, LLCInventors: Cary Michael Pierson, Stephen L. Heston
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Patent number: 9950878Abstract: A case manipulator receives cases from an infeed conveyer and manipulates individual cases or groups of cases and transfers the manipulated cases to a row accumulator platform in a desired and pre-determined orientation and positioned on the accumulator platform to a desired and pre-determined location. The manipulation of individual cases, or groups of cases, is continued in a sequential operation until a complete row is formed on the accumulator platform according to a pre-determined build menu. The case manipulator includes a swing plate pivotal on a first axis and a paddle arm that is attached to the swing plate and pivotal on a second axis that is transverse to the first axis. The invention allows the palletizer to have the next case in a row transferred from the infeed conveyer to the row-build staging area while the case manipulator is operating on an already-delivered case.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2016Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Assignee: Top Tier, LLCInventor: Stephen L. Heston
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Publication number: 20180072514Abstract: A case manipulator receives cases from an infeed conveyer and manipulates individual cases or groups of cases and transfers the manipulated cases to a row accumulator platform in a desired and pre-determined orientation and positioned on the accumulator platform to a desired and pre-determined location. The manipulation of individual cases, or groups of cases, is continued in a sequential operation until a complete row is formed on the accumulator platform according to a pre-determined build menu. The case manipulator includes a swing plate pivotal on a first axis and a paddle arm that is attached to the swing plate and pivotal on a second axis that is transverse to the first axis. The invention allows the palletizer to have the next case in a row transferred from the infeed conveyer to the row-build staging area while the case manipulator is operating on an already-delivered case.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2016Publication date: March 15, 2018Applicant: Top Tier, LLCInventor: Stephen L. Heston
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Patent number: 9896229Abstract: A stretch wrapping apparatus for use with an automated palletizing machine to securely stabilize loads. A stretch wrapping head feeds pre-stretched wrapping film toward the rotating load and air jets blow the tail of the film onto the load. Relative rotational movement is created between the wrapping head and the load and the free end of the film is unsupported by any mechanical structure and is directed toward the load only with air from the jets. The film attaches to an outer surface the load. Film is dispensed at a rate to provide payout of film that is consistent with the demand as each load corner transitions through its relative distance change from the dispensing point based on calculations intervals. A sensor detects changes in the optical character of the film to determine an out of bounds condition such as a film break.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2014Date of Patent: February 20, 2018Assignee: Top Tier, LLCInventors: Cary Michael Pierson, Nathaniel T. Schenk, Stephen L. Heston
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Patent number: 9896278Abstract: An infeed apparatus includes an item manipulator that orients items such as cases in a desired orientation as determined by a build menu, and a row build apparatus that is synchronized with the manipulator to space items pursuant to the build menu. The manipulator uses a pusher to push items across a friction belt to thereby orient the items, and includes sensors for determining when an item is in an incorrect orientation. The row build receives items from the pusher and is selectively advanced to locate items in a desired relative orientation so that rows of items are built correctly.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2017Date of Patent: February 20, 2018Assignee: Top Tier, LLCInventors: Cary Michael Pierson, Stephen L. Heston
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Publication number: 20170260009Abstract: An infeed apparatus includes an item manipulator that orients items such as cases in a desired orientation as determined by a build menu, and a row build apparatus that is synchronized with the manipulator to space items pursuant to the build menu. The manipulator uses a pusher to push items across a friction belt to thereby orient the items, and includes sensors for determining when an item is in an incorrect orientation. The row build receives items from the pusher and is selectively advanced to locate items in a desired relative orientation so that rows of items are built correctly.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2017Publication date: September 14, 2017Applicant: Top Tier, LLCInventors: Cary Michael Pierson, Stephen L. Heston
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Patent number: 9682826Abstract: An infeed apparatus includes an item manipulator that orients items such as cases in a desired orientation as determined by a build menu, and a row build apparatus that is synchronized with the manipulator to space items pursuant to the build menu. The manipulator uses a pusher to push items across a friction belt to thereby orient the items, and includes sensors for determining when an item is in an incorrect orientation. The row build receives items from the pusher and is selectively advanced to locate items in a desired relative orientation so that rows of items are built correctly.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2013Date of Patent: June 20, 2017Assignee: Top Tier, LLCInventors: Cary Michael Pierson, Stephen L. Heston
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Publication number: 20140374216Abstract: An infeed apparatus includes an item manipulator that orients items such as cases in a desired orientation as determined by a build menu, and a row build apparatus that is synchronized with the manipulator to space items pursuant to the build menu. The manipulator uses a pusher to push items across a friction belt to thereby orient the items, and includes sensors for determining when an item is in an incorrect orientation. The row build receives items from the pusher and is selectively advanced to locate items in a desired relative orientation so that rows of items are built correctly.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2013Publication date: December 25, 2014Inventors: Cary Michael Pierson, Stephen L. Heston
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Patent number: 8807329Abstract: A chain drive system for a bi-parting slatted floor in a drive system relies upon two continuous loops of chain, one on each side of the slatted floor that move in opposite directions beneath the slats are arranged side-by-side in the same horizontal plane, at the same level. A single drive motor drives both loops of chain. With the operative portions of the chain sections between drive and idler shafts arranged side-by-side in the same horizontal plane, the vertical amount of space occupied by the chains is significantly decreased compared to the vertically stacked chains of the prior art. This allows the underlying surface onto which items are deposited to be moved vertically upward next to the lower surface of the slatted floor.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2012Date of Patent: August 19, 2014Assignee: Top Tier, Inc.Inventors: Cary Michael Pierson, Stephen L. Heston