Patents by Inventor Thomas A. Hillerich, Jr.
Thomas A. Hillerich, Jr. 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: 11319174Abstract: Embodiments of a system and method for shingulating, singulating, and synchronizing articles in an article feeder system are disclosed. The article feeder system may include a shingulating device configured to receive a stack of articles and to produce a positively lapped stack of articles, a plurality of picking devices configured to pick one or more articles from the positively lapped stack of articles and to produce one or more singulated articles, and one or more synchronization devices configured to deliver the one or more singulated articles to one or more sorter windows.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2020Date of Patent: May 3, 2022Assignee: United States Postal ServiceInventors: John W. Brown, Edward F. Houston, Juan A. Roman, Leung M. Shiu, Riley H. Mayhall, Thomas A. Hillerich, Jr., Jacob L. Timm, Matthew G. Good, William P. McConnell, Robert L. Schlender, Christopher D. Austin
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Publication number: 20210039901Abstract: Embodiments of a system and method for shingulating, singulating, and synchronizing articles in an article feeder system are disclosed. The article feeder system may include a shingulating device configured to receive a stack of articles and to produce a positively lapped stack of articles, a plurality of picking devices configured to pick one or more articles from the positively lapped stack of articles and to produce one or more singulated articles, and one or more synchronization devices configured to deliver the one or more singulated articles to one or more sorter windows.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2020Publication date: February 11, 2021Inventors: John W. Brown, Edward F. Houston, Juan A. Roman, Leung M. Shiu, Riley H. Mayhall, Thomas A. Hillerich, JR., Jacob L. Timm, Matthew G. Good, William P. McConnell, Robert L. Schlender, Christopher D. Austin
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Patent number: 10815083Abstract: Embodiments of a system and method for shingulating, singulating, and synchronizing articles in an article feeder system are disclosed. The article feeder system may include a shingulating device configured to receive a stack of articles and to produce a positively lapped stack of articles, a plurality of picking devices configured to pick one or more articles from the positively lapped stack of articles and to produce one or more singulated articles, and one or more synchronization devices configured to deliver the one or more singulated articles to one or more sorter windows.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2018Date of Patent: October 27, 2020Assignee: United States Postal ServiceInventors: John W. Brown, Edward F. Houston, Juan A. Roman, Leung M. Shiu, Riley H. Mayhall, Thomas A. Hillerich, Jr., Jacob L. Timm, Matthew G. Good, William P. McConnell, Robert L. Schlender, Christopher D. Austin
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Patent number: 10745224Abstract: Embodiments of a system and method for shingulating, singulating, and synchronizing articles in an article feeder system are disclosed. The article feeder system may include a shingulating device configured to receive a stack of articles and to produce a positively lapped stack of articles, a plurality of picking devices configured to pick one or more articles from the positively lapped stack of articles and to produce one or more singulated articles, and one or more synchronization devices configured to deliver the one or more singulated articles to one or more sorter windows.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2019Date of Patent: August 18, 2020Assignee: United States Postal ServiceInventors: John W. Brown, Edward F. Houston, Juan A. Roman, Leung M. Shiu, Riley H. Mayhall, Thomas A. Hillerich, Jr., Jacob L. Timm, Matthew G. Good, William P. McConnell, Robert L. Schlender, Christopher D. Austin
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Patent number: 10723577Abstract: Embodiments of a system and method for singulating articles in an automatic stack feeder are disclosed. The automatic stack feeder may comprise a pressure sensor on a perforated drive belt assembly configured to sense the pressure exerted by a stack of articles. The sensed pressure may be used to control various portions of the automatic stack feeder, such as a belt or a paddle.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2018Date of Patent: July 28, 2020Assignee: United States Postal ServiceInventors: John W. Brown, Edward F. Houston, Juan A. Roman, Leung M. Shiu, Riley Houston Mayhall, III, William P. McConnell, Matthew G. Good, Robert E. Hume, Thomas A. Hillerich, Jr., Long K. Ha
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Patent number: 10676009Abstract: A transportable system for dispensing and boxing items is mounted to and enclosed by a truck. The system comprises at least two dispensing carts. Each cart includes a body, a set of wheels disposed on a bottom surface of the body, a set of bearings disposed on the top surface of the body, and an outlet defined by the body. At least one of the at least two dispensing carts is adapted to store a first set of items vertically and dispense the first set of items using an unpowered escapement and at least another one of the dispensing carts is adapted to store items horizontally. The system further comprises a box dispenser configured to dispense boxes and a conveyor system disposed beneath the outlets of the at least two dispensing carts. The conveyor system defines a continuous path for boxes from the box dispenser to an end location.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2018Date of Patent: June 9, 2020Assignee: OTG Experience, LLCInventors: Eric J. Blatstein, Ronald M. Falocco, Thomas A. Hillerich, Jr., Gabriel A. Difurio
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Publication number: 20190367293Abstract: Embodiments of a system and method for shingulating, singulating, and synchronizing articles in an article feeder system are disclosed. The article feeder system may include a shingulating device configured to receive a stack of articles and to produce a positively lapped stack of articles, a plurality of picking devices configured to pick one or more articles from the positively lapped stack of articles and to produce one or more singulated articles, and one or more synchronization devices configured to deliver the one or more singulated articles to one or more sorter windows.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2019Publication date: December 5, 2019Inventors: John W. Brown, Edward F. Houston, Juan A. Roman, Leung M. Shiu, Riley H. Mayhall, Thomas A. Hillerich, JR., Jacob L. Timm, Matthew G. Good, William P. McConnell, Robert L. Schlender, Christopher D. Austin
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Patent number: 10287107Abstract: Embodiments of a system and method for shingulating, singulating, and synchronizing articles in an article feeder system are disclosed. The article feeder system may include a shingulating device configured to receive a stack of articles and to produce a positively lapped stack of articles, a plurality of picking devices configured to pick one or more articles from the positively lapped stack of articles and to produce one or more singulated articles, and one or more synchronization devices configured to deliver the one or more singulated articles to one or more sorter windows.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2015Date of Patent: May 14, 2019Assignee: United States Postal ServiceInventors: John W. Brown, Edward F. Houston, Juan A. Roman, Leung M. Shiu, Riley H. Mayhall, Thomas A. Hillerich, Jr., Jacob L. Timm, Matthew G. Good, William P. McConnell, Robert L. Schlender, Christopher D. Austin
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Patent number: 10131513Abstract: Embodiments of a system and method for singulating articles in an automatic stack feeder are disclosed. The automatic stack feeder may comprise a pressure sensor on a perforated drive belt assembly configured to sense the pressure exerted by a stack of articles. The sensed pressure may be used to control various portions of the automatic stack feeder, such as a belt or a paddle.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2016Date of Patent: November 20, 2018Assignee: United States Postal ServiceInventors: John W. Brown, Edward F. Houston, Juan A. Roman, Leung M. Shiu, Riley Houston Mayhall, III, William P. McConnell, Matthew G. Good, Robert E. Hume, Thomas A. Hillerich, Jr., Long K. Ha
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Publication number: 20180312356Abstract: Embodiments of a system and method for singulating articles in an automatic stack feeder are disclosed. The automatic stack feeder may comprise a pressure sensor on a perforated drive belt assembly configured to sense the pressure exerted by a stack of articles. The sensed pressure may be used to control various portions of the automatic stack feeder, such as a belt or a paddle.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 3, 2018Publication date: November 1, 2018Inventors: John W. Brown, Edward F. Houston, Juan A. Roman, Leung M. Shiu, Riley Houston Mayhall, III, William P. McConnell, Matthew G. Good, Robert E. Hume, Thomas A. Hillerich, JR., Long K. Ha
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Publication number: 20180265308Abstract: Embodiments of a system and method for shingulating, singulating, and synchronizing articles in an article feeder system are disclosed. The article feeder system may include a shingulating device configured to receive a stack of articles and to produce a positively lapped stack of articles, a plurality of picking devices configured to pick one or more articles from the positively lapped stack of articles and to produce one or more singulated articles, and one or more synchronization devices configured to deliver the one or more singulated articles to one or more sorter windows.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2018Publication date: September 20, 2018Inventors: John W. Brown, Edward F. Houston, Juan A. Roman, Leung M. Shiu, Riley H. Mayhall, Thomas A. Hillerich, JR., Jacob L. Timm, Matthew G. Good, William P. McConnell, Robert L. Schlender, Christopher D. Austin
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Publication number: 20180222374Abstract: A transportable system for dispensing and boxing items is mounted to and enclosed by a truck. The system comprises at least two dispensing carts. Each cart includes a body, a set of wheels disposed on a bottom surface of the body, a set of bearings disposed on the top surface of the body, and an outlet defined by the body. At least one of the at least two dispensing carts is adapted to store a first set of items vertically and dispense the first set of items using an unpowered escapement and at least another one of the dispensing carts is adapted to store items horizontally. The system further comprises a box dispenser configured to dispense boxes and a conveyor system disposed beneath the outlets of the at least two dispensing carts. The conveyor system defines a continuous path for boxes from the box dispenser to an end location.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2018Publication date: August 9, 2018Inventors: Eric J. Blatstein, Ronald M. Falocco, Thomas A. Hillerich, JR., Gabriel A. Difurio
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Patent number: 9963061Abstract: A transportable system for dispensing and boxing items is mounted to and enclosed by a truck. The system comprises at least two dispensing carts. Each cart includes a body, a set of wheels disposed on a bottom surface of the body, a set of bearings disposed on the top surface of the body, and an outlet defined by the body. At least one of the at least two dispensing carts is adapted to store a first set of items vertically and dispense the first set of items using an unpowered escapement and at least another one of the dispensing carts is adapted to store items horizontally. The system further comprises a box dispenser configured to dispense boxes and a conveyor system disposed beneath the outlets of the at least two dispensing carts. The conveyor system defines a continuous path for boxes from the box dispenser to an end location.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2015Date of Patent: May 8, 2018Assignee: OTG Experience, LLCInventors: Eric J. Blatstein, Ronald M. Falocco, Thomas A. Hillerich, Jr., Gabriel A. Difurio
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Publication number: 20180057268Abstract: A transportable system for packaging items in a container is mounted to and enclosed by a truck. The system includes an item tote having a base and at least one sidewall extending from the base. The system also includes a conveyor configured to transport the item tote within the truck. The conveyor has an actuatable portion that is configured to tilt the item tote. The system also has dispensing carts located above the conveyor and removable from the truck for loading items into the dispensing carts while the dispensing carts are outside of the truck. The system also has a container chute. In operation, items are dispensed from the dispensing carts into the item tote and transported by the conveyor to a container disposed in the container chute.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2016Publication date: March 1, 2018Inventors: Eric J. Blatstein, Ronald M. Falocco, Thomas A. Hillerich, JR., Gabriel A. Difurio
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Publication number: 20160251184Abstract: Embodiments of a system and method for singulating articles in an automatic stack feeder are disclosed. The automatic stack feeder may comprise a pressure sensor on a perforated drive belt assembly configured to sense the pressure exerted by a stack of articles. The sensed pressure may be used to control various portions of the automatic stack feeder, such as a belt or a paddle.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 13, 2016Publication date: September 1, 2016Inventors: John W. Brown, Edward F. Houston, Juan A. Roman, Leung M. Shiu, Riley Houston Mayhall, III, William P. McConnell, Matthew G. Good, Robert E. Hume, Thomas A. Hillerich, JR., Long K. Ha
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Patent number: 9340377Abstract: Embodiments of a system and method for singulating articles in an automatic stack feeder are disclosed. The automatic stack feeder may comprise a pressure sensor on a perforated drive belt assembly configured to sense the pressure exerted by a stack of articles. The sensed pressure may be used to control various portions of the automatic stack feeder, such as a belt or a paddle.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2013Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: United States Postal ServiceInventors: John W. Brown, Edward F. Houston, Juan A. Roman, Leung M. Shiu, Riley H. Mayhall, William P. McConnell, Matthew G. Good, Robert E. Hume, Thomas A. Hillerich, Jr., Long K. Ha
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Publication number: 20160031356Abstract: A transportable system for dispensing and boxing items is mounted to and enclosed by a truck. The system comprises at least two dispensing carts. Each cart includes a body, a set of wheels disposed on a bottom surface of the body, a set of bearings disposed on the top surface of the body, and an outlet defined by the body. At least one of the at least two dispensing carts is adapted to store a first set of items vertically and dispense the first set of items using an unpowered escapement and at least another one of the dispensing carts is adapted to store items horizontally. The system further comprises a box dispenser configured to dispense boxes and a conveyor system disposed beneath the outlets of the at least two dispensing carts. The conveyor system defines a continuous path for boxes from the box dispenser to an end location.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 17, 2015Publication date: February 4, 2016Inventors: Eric J. Blatstein, Ronald M. Falocco, Thomas A. Hillerich, JR., Gabriel A. Difurio
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Publication number: 20160001985Abstract: Embodiments of a system and method for shingulating, singulating, and synchronizing articles in an article feeder system are disclosed. The article feeder system may include a shingulating device configured to receive a stack of articles and to produce a positively lapped stack of articles, a plurality of picking devices configured to pick one or more articles from the positively lapped stack of articles and to produce one or more singulated articles, and one or more synchronization devices configured to deliver the one or more singulated articles to one or more sorter windows.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2015Publication date: January 7, 2016Inventors: John W. Brown, Edward F. Houston, Juan A. Roman, Leung M. Shiu, Riley H. Mayhall, Thomas A. Hillerich, JR., Jacob L. Timm, Matthew G. Good, William P. McConnell, Robert L. Schlender, Christopher D. Austin
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Patent number: 9114748Abstract: A transportable system for dispensing and boxing items is mounted to and enclosed by a truck. The system comprises at least two dispensing carts. Each cart includes a body, a set of wheels disposed on a bottom surface of the body, a set of bearings disposed on the top surface of the body, and an outlet defined by the body. At least one of the at least two dispensing carts is adapted to store a first set of items vertically and dispense the first set of items using an unpowered escapement and at least another one of the dispensing carts is adapted to store items horizontally. The system further comprises a box dispenser configured to dispense boxes and a conveyor system disposed beneath the outlets of the at least two dispensing carts. The conveyor system defines a continuous path for boxes from the box dispenser to an end location.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2014Date of Patent: August 25, 2015Assignee: OTG Experience, LLCInventors: Eric J. Blatstein, Ronald M. Falocco, Thomas A. Hillerich, Jr., Gabriel A. Difurio
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Patent number: 9061849Abstract: Embodiments of a system and method for shingulating, singulating, and synchronizing articles in an article feeder system are disclosed. The article feeder system may include a shingulating device configured to receive a stack of articles and to produce a positively lapped stack of articles, a plurality of picking devices configured to pick one or more articles from the positively lapped stack of articles and to produce one or more singulated articles, and one or more synchronization devices configured to deliver the one or more singulated articles to one or more sorter windows.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2013Date of Patent: June 23, 2015Assignee: United States Postal ServiceInventors: John W. Brown, Edward F. Houston, Juan A. Roman, Leung M. Shiu, Riley H. Mayhall, Thomas A. Hillerich, Jr., Jacob L. Timm, Matthew G. Good, William P. McConnell, Robert L. Schlender, Christopher D. Austin