Patents by Inventor Steven Vann Schroader
Steven Vann Schroader 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: 11697560Abstract: Roller conveyors can only safely convey articles up to a certain width to downstream conveyors without jamming. The present invention utilizes at least one and preferably a plurality of jam prevention diverter wheels disposed at a selected angle between adjacent rollers of a conveyor with a portion of the diverter wheels extending above the surface of the conveyor rollers to contact items and limit the width of items that can pass through without jamming the conveyor. The diverter wheels are rotated with power mechanically derived from the main powered conveyor rollers. A portion of diverter wheels extend above the skewed roller conveyor surface a selected distance and at a selected angle to contact conveyed articles and only allow items up to a certain size to pass diverting wide items or misaligned items having a width wider than desired for passing through to a downstream conveyor. Jam prevention is the point.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2021Date of Patent: July 11, 2023Assignee: Fives Intralogistics Corp.Inventor: Steven Vann Schroader
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Patent number: 11459188Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of using different sensing and detection methods to determine parcel flow density 1D lineal, 2D area or 3D volumetrically on a selected section of a feed conveyor and receiving conveyor and adjusting conveyor speed ratios proportioned according to ratio of desired density to current density to increase the density or volume of parcels in a selected area of the receiving conveyor.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2021Date of Patent: October 4, 2022Assignee: Fives Intralogistics Corp.Inventors: Steven Vann Schroader, Gus Nowotny
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Publication number: 20220169454Abstract: Roller conveyors can only safely convey articles up to a certain width to downstream conveyors without jamming The present invention utilizes at least one and preferably a plurality of jam prevention diverter wheels disposed at a selected angle between adjacent rollers of a conveyor with a portion of the diverter wheels extending above the surface of the conveyor rollers to contact items and limit the width of items that can pass through without jamming the conveyor. The diverter wheels are rotated with power mechanically derived from the main powered conveyor rollers. A portion of diverter wheels extend above the skewed roller conveyor surface a selected distance and at a selected angle to contact conveyed articles and only allow items up to a certain size to pass diverting wide items or misaligned items having a width wider than desired for passing through to a downstream conveyor. Jam prevention is the point.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2021Publication date: June 2, 2022Inventor: Steven Vann Schroader
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Patent number: 11242207Abstract: A multistage multi-lane singulator conveyor system for separating side by side packages in stages. A first high friction surface conveying moving articles forward is adjacent a second low friction conveying lane in lateral flow communication having both forward and lateral conveying forces urging parcels forward and away from the first conveying lane, wherein the second conveying lane can be level or transversely inclined and angled upward in lateral flow communication with a third high friction surface conveying surface. Controlling residence time and forward and lateral movement of articles by assembling high friction surface conveying lanes and low friction surface conveying lanes in an end to end and/or lateral arrangement in flow communication with one another and/or shifting articles moving forward and laterally by staggering the high friction conveying surfaces and low friction conveying surfaces and adjusting the width by adjusting the number of high friction conveying surfaces adjacent one another.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2020Date of Patent: February 8, 2022Assignee: Fives Intralogistics Corp.Inventors: Steven Vann Schroader, Richard B. Hageman, III, Tyler R. Herman
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Patent number: 11142407Abstract: Roller conveyors can only safely convey articles up to a certain width to downstream conveyors without jamming. The present invention utilizes at least one and preferably a plurality of jam prevention diverter wheels disposed at a selected angle between adjacent rollers of a conveyor with a portion of the diverter wheels extending above the surface of the conveyor rollers to contact items and limit the width of items that can pass through without jamming the conveyor. The diverter wheels are rotated with power mechanically derived from the main powered conveyor rollers. A portion of diverter wheels extend above the skewed roller conveyor surface a selected distance and at a selected angle to contact conveyed articles and only allow items up to a certain size to pass diverting wide items or misaligned items having a width wider than desired for passing through to a downstream conveyor. Jam prevention is the point.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2020Date of Patent: October 12, 2021Assignee: Fives Intralogistics CorpInventor: Steven Vann Schroader
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Publication number: 20210292100Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of using different sensing and detection methods to determine parcel flow density 1D lineal, 2D area or 3D volumetrically on a selected section of a feed conveyor and receiving conveyor and adjusting conveyor speed ratios proportioned according to ratio of desired density to current density to increase the density or volume of parcels in a selected area of the receiving conveyor.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 2, 2021Publication date: September 23, 2021Inventors: Steven Vann Schroader, Gus Nowotny
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Patent number: 10906746Abstract: A typing off-loading and article sorting system to automatically separate different parcel types includes an feed conveyor, receiving conveyor, sorting conveyor, cameras and photoelectric eye. The overhead cameras detect the item size and whether it is cubic in nature and type and size of its footprint. An in-line slide sorter having alternating conveyor rollers and pop-up belts pass through to, or divert articles from, a downstream conveyor. The vision based system may also be used to detect space between articles and insert articles in the unoccupied space.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2018Date of Patent: February 2, 2021Assignee: Fives Intralogistics Corp.Inventor: Steven Vann Schroader
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Publication number: 20200361714Abstract: A multistage multi-lane singulator conveyor system for separating side by side packages in stages. A first conveying lane having a high friction surface is combined with a second conveying lane adjacent thereto in lateral flow communication therewith having a lower friction conveying surface including both forward and lateral conveying forces urging parcels forward and away from the first conveying lane. The conveying surface of the second conveying lane may form an inclined plane extending above an inner lateral receiving edge of an adjacent third conveying lane having a high friction surface in lateral flow communication therewith. Each of the high friction conveying lanes may utilize a plurality of narrow belts to vary the area of the high friction surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2020Publication date: November 19, 2020Inventors: Steven Vann Schroader, Richard B. Hageman, III, Tyler R. Herman
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Publication number: 20200354160Abstract: Roller conveyors can only safely convey articles up to a certain width to downstream conveyors without jamming The present invention utilizes at least one and preferably a plurality of jam prevention diverter wheels disposed at a selected angle between adjacent rollers of a conveyor with a portion of the diverter wheels extending above the surface of the conveyor rollers to contact items and limit the width of items that can pass through without jamming the conveyor. The diverter wheels are rotated with power mechanically derived from the main powered conveyor rollers. A portion of diverter wheels extend above the skewed roller conveyor surface a selected distance and at a selected angle to contact conveyed articles and only allow items up to a certain size to pass diverting wide items or misaligned items having a width wider than desired for passing through to a downstream conveyor. Jam prevention is the point.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2020Publication date: November 12, 2020Inventor: Steven Vann Schroader
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Patent number: 10773897Abstract: A typing off-loading and item separation system to automatically separate different parcel types includes an feed conveyor, receiving conveyor, sorting conveyor, cameras and photoelectric eye. Overhead cameras and/or photoelectric sensors detect the item size and whether it is cubic in nature and type and size of its footprint. An in-line slide sorter having alternating conveyor rollers and pop-up belts pass through to, or divert items from a downstream conveyor. A vison based system may also be used to detect space between articles and insert articles in the unoccupied space to maximize conveyor area, volume, or density by controlling conveyor speed.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2018Date of Patent: September 15, 2020Assignee: Fives Intralogistics CorpInventor: Steven Vann Schroader
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Patent number: 10583999Abstract: A singulator conveyor system having conveying surfaces arranged in adjacent parallel configuration for separating and moving side by side packages. The singulator includes a first conveyor conveying lane having a high friction surface for conveying articles forward along a vertical side wall. A second conveyor conveying lane adjacent thereto has a lower friction surface including both forward and lateral conveying forces urging parcels forward and away from the first conveyor conveying lane and side wall. The lateral receiving edge of the second conveyor conveying lane is below the outer lateral edge of the first conveyor conveying lane and the conveying surface is transversely inclined and angled laterally upward having an elevated outer side edge even with or below the lateral receiving edge of an adjacent third conveyor conveying lane having a high friction conveying surface.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2018Date of Patent: March 10, 2020Assignee: Fives Intralogistics Corp.Inventors: Patrick H. Grant, Steven Vann Schroader
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Patent number: 10427884Abstract: A camera based vision system that recognizes and maximizes belt area utilization. A plurality of cameras are positioned at flow entry points of feed conveyors and at the singulator. The control algorithm recognizes individual items area, the rate at which individual objects are passing, and the area utilization of the collector belt. The video camera and computer based conveyor package management system monitor and control the number and size of the packages present on the infeed conveyors, collector conveyor, singulator conveyor and sorting conveyor in a package handling system wherein the camera data is used to measure the available area or space on the conveyors to maintain a desired density of packages on selected conveyor(s). The conveyor speed is controlled as a function of occupancy on a collector or just prior to a singulator or receiver.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2018Date of Patent: October 1, 2019Assignee: Fives Intralogistics Corp.Inventor: Steven Vann Schroader
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Publication number: 20190225432Abstract: A singulator conveyor system having conveying surfaces arranged in adjacent parallel configuration for separating and moving side by side packages. The singulator includes a first conveyor conveying lane having a high friction surface for conveying articles forward along a vertical side wall. A second conveyor conveying lane adjacent thereto has a lower friction surface including both forward and lateral conveying forces urging parcels forward and away from the first conveyor conveying lane and side wall. The lateral receiving edge of the second conveyor conveying lane is below the outer lateral edge of the first conveyor conveying lane and the conveying surface is transversely inclined and angled laterally upward having an elevated outer side edge even with or below the lateral receiving edge of an adjacent third conveyor conveying lane having a high friction conveying surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2018Publication date: July 25, 2019Inventors: Patrick H. Grant, Steven Vann Schroader
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Patent number: 10358298Abstract: This invention relates generally to a conveyor system including a speed control slide sorter system disposed perpendicular to a pass through conveyor wherein the speed control improves efficiency in loading and utilizing available area on the belt and selects the conveyor speed to induce a diverter action according to sensors which detect portions of the irregular shaped packages, parcels, and bags which can be engaged by the pop-up belt at a selected time to slow the conveyor and engage the pop-up transfer conveyor without stopping the conveyor.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2015Date of Patent: July 23, 2019Assignee: Fives Intralogistics Corp.Inventors: Steven Vann Schroader, Gus Nowotny
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Publication number: 20190202642Abstract: A typing off-loading and item separation system to automatically separate different parcel types includes an feed conveyor, receiving conveyor, sorting conveyor, cameras and photoelectric eye. Overhead cameras and/or photoelectric sensors detect the item size and whether it is cubic in nature and type and size of its footprint. An in-line slide sorter having alternating conveyor rollers and pop-up belts pass through to, or divert items from a downstream conveyor. A vison based system may also be used to detect space between articles and insert articles in the unoccupied space to maximize conveyor area, volume, or density by controlling conveyor speed.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2018Publication date: July 4, 2019Inventor: Steven Vann Schroader
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Publication number: 20190193945Abstract: A typing off-loading and article sorting system to automatically separate different parcel types includes an feed conveyor, receiving conveyor, sorting conveyor, cameras and photoelectric eye. The overhead cameras detect the item size and whether it is cubic in nature and type and size of its footprint. An in-line slide sorter having alternating conveyor rollers and pop-up belts pass through to, or divert articles from, a downstream conveyor. The vison based system may also be used to detect space between articles and insert articles in the unoccupied space.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2018Publication date: June 27, 2019Inventor: Steven Vann Schroader
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Patent number: 10315227Abstract: This invention relates generally to a conveyor assembly for separating and aligning parcels, packages, bags and other articles prior to processing with a singulator. The stepped wall assembly includes a low friction conveying surface having both forward and lateral conveying forces for moving articles toward a lateral sidewall and a downstream conveyor. A series of offsets disposed between straight and diverging sidewalls force parcels toward the center of the conveyor against the lateral forces of the low friction conveying surface gradually separating and converging the parcels toward a selected sidewall of the conveyor and in line with a singulator apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2016Date of Patent: June 11, 2019Assignee: Fives Intralogistics Corp.Inventor: Steven Vann Schroader
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Patent number: 10226795Abstract: A typing tunnel off-loading and sorting system includes an off-loading conveyor, cameras and photoelectric eye. The overhead cameras detect the item size and whether it is cubic in nature and type and size of its footprint. An in-line slide sorter having alternating conveyor rollers and pop-up belts pass through to, or divert articles from, a downstream conveyor. The vision based system may also be used to detect space between articles and insert articles in the unoccupied space.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2017Date of Patent: March 12, 2019Assignee: Fives Intralogistics Corp.Inventor: Steven Vann Schroader
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Patent number: 10166575Abstract: A conveyor assembly insertable within a conveying system including a low friction conveying surface having both forward and lateral conveying forces for moving articles toward a parallel lateral sidewall and a downstream conveyor. A first diverging sidewall gradually converges parcels toward the center of the conveyor. An inwardly directed offset extends from a first diverging sidewall to a second lateral sidewall for shifting parcels inwardly toward a second lateral sidewall. A raised high friction conveying surface or rail belt extends along an outer edge of the low friction conveyor. At least a portion of the high friction belt is raised above the surface of the adjacent conveying surface in flow communication with the low friction conveying surface. Parcels contacting the high friction belt are prevented from shifting over toward the sidewall and parcels having a center of gravity outside the tipover point fall over the belt onto a recirculation conveyor.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2016Date of Patent: January 1, 2019Assignee: Fives Intralogistics Corp.Inventor: Steven Vann Schroader
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Patent number: 10150625Abstract: A singulator conveyor system having conveyors arranged in adjacent parallel configuration for separating and orienting side-by-side packages having unequal loading, different sized packages (e.g., boxes, flats and softpacks), partially filled bags, long and slender articles, and packages having an offset center of gravity. Two of more small items abreast of one another are separated while permitting large items to pass thorough the singulator even when the item is a large bag of small items. A first conveyor lane includes a high friction surface for conveying articles forward along a vertical side wall. A second conveyor adjacent thereto has a low friction surface including both forward and lateral conveying forces urging parcels forward and away from the first conveyor and side wall toward a third conveyor having a high friction conveying surface wherein the longitudinal edge of the second conveyor is below the first conveyor and above the third conveyor.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2014Date of Patent: December 11, 2018Assignee: Fives Intralogistics Corp.Inventors: Patrick H. Grant, Steven Vann Schroader