Patents by Inventor Thomas C. Potter

Thomas C. Potter 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).

  • Publication number: 20160096653
    Abstract: Features for loading, transporting and unloading of items are disclosed. Systems, devices and methods for such operations using a tray are described. In some embodiments, a tray having a moveable bottom allows for switching between a configuration for loading and unloading items in and out of the tray and a configuration for transportation of items inside the tray. The trays may also be stacked, for transportation of multiple trays at once, and nested, for saving space when storing the trays. In some embodiments, the trays may be used in conjunction with loading and unloading systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Inventors: Christopher M. Stratton, Gregory J. Smith, Thomas C. Potter, Wayne R. Perry-Eaton
  • Patent number: 8342390
    Abstract: Two-way disc mailers for mailing DVDs, CDs, video game discs, or other discs from a sender to a recipient via first class mail. The disc mailer provides improved automated mail processing while weighing less than or equal to 1 ounce, including the weight of the disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Thomas C. Potter, Christopher M. Stratton, Hernan A. Borja, Nan K. McKenzie
  • Patent number: 8104763
    Abstract: Described herein is a system and device for singulating mail pieces during mail processing and sorting. A double inhibit mechanism, mounted opposite a feed belt assembly and having at least two degrees of freedom at its downstream end, can maintain contact with mail in the mail path while separating overlapping mail pieces and allowing only single pieces to pass thereby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventor: Thomas C. Potter
  • Patent number: 7954622
    Abstract: A diverter gate generally includes a bracket which connects to an actuator and a flag which releasably engages with the bracket via cooperating engagement members. The cooperating engagement members may be symmetrical, and may comprise one or more tabs and one or more corresponding receptacles. The tabs may be dimensioned slightly larger than the receptacles so as to create a positive interference fit. The bracket and the flag may include openings to receive a fastener extending substantially across the length of the gate. Tightening the fastener compresses the tab(s) against the receptacle(s) to result in a compression fit between the flag and the bracket. The two-piece design allows the flag to be easily removed and reversed or replaced, without disassembling or removing the bracket or the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Todd M Schimmel, Thomas C Potter
  • Publication number: 20110079638
    Abstract: Two-way disc mailers for mailing DVDs, CDs, video game discs, or other discs from a sender to a recipient via first class mail. The disc mailer provides improved automated mail processing while weighing less than or equal to 1 ounce, including the weight of the disc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2010
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Inventors: Thomas C. POTTER, Christopher M. STRATTON, Hernan A. BORJA, Nan K. MCKENZIE
  • Publication number: 20100282571
    Abstract: A diverter gate generally includes a bracket which connects to an actuator and a flag which releasably engages with the bracket via cooperating engagement members. The cooperating engagement members may be symmetrical, and may comprise one or more tabs and one or more corresponding receptacles. The tabs may be dimensioned slightly larger than the receptacles so as to create a positive interference fit. The bracket and the flag may include openings to receive a fastener extending substantially across the length of the gate. Tightening the fastener compresses the tab(s) against the receptacle(s) to result in a compression fit between the flag and the bracket. The two-piece design allows the flag to be easily removed and reversed or replaced, without disassembling or removing the bracket or the actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicant: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Todd M Schimmel, Thomas C. Potter
  • Patent number: 7802672
    Abstract: A diverter gate generally includes a bracket which connects to an actuator and a flag which releasably engages with the bracket via cooperating engagement members. The cooperating engagement members may be symmetrical, and may comprise one or more tabs and one or more corresponding receptacles. The tabs may be dimensioned slightly larger than the receptacles so as to create a positive interference fit. The bracket and the flag may include openings to receive a fastener extending substantially across the length of the gate. Tightening the fastener compresses the tab(s) against the receptacle(s) to result in a compression fit between the flag and the bracket. The two-piece design allows the flag to be easily removed and reversed or replaced, without disassembling or removing the bracket or the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Todd M Schimmel, Thomas C Potter
  • Patent number: 7798392
    Abstract: A one and two-way disc mailer for mailing DVDs, CDs, video game discs, or other discs from a sender to a recipient via first class mail. The disc mailer provides improved protection to the disc during mail processing while weighing less than or equal to 1 ounce, including the weight of the disc, for first-class compatibility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Thomas C. Potter, Christopher M. Stratton, Hernan A. Borja
  • Publication number: 20100176547
    Abstract: Described herein is a system and device for singulating mail pieces during mail processing and sorting. A double inhibit mechanism, mounted opposite a feed belt assembly and having at least two degrees of freedom at its downstream end, can maintain contact with mail in the mail path while separating overlapping mail pieces and allowing only single pieces to pass thereby.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Inventor: Thomas C. Potter
  • Patent number: 7686290
    Abstract: Described herein is a system and device for singulating mail pieces during mail processing and sorting. A double inhibit mechanism, mounted opposite a feed belt assembly and having at least two degrees of freedom at its downstream end, can maintain contact with mail in the mail path while separating overlapping mail pieces and allowing only single pieces to pass thereby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventor: Thomas C. Potter
  • Publication number: 20090078613
    Abstract: Described herein is a system and device for singulating mail pieces during mail processing and sorting. A double inhibit mechanism, mounted opposite a feed belt assembly and having at least two degrees of freedom at its downstream end, can maintain contact with mail in the mail path while separating overlapping mail pieces and allowing only single pieces to pass thereby.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Inventor: Thomas C. Potter
  • Publication number: 20090064817
    Abstract: A diverter gate generally includes a bracket which connects to an actuator and a flag which releasably engages with the bracket via cooperating engagement members. The cooperating engagement members may be symmetrical, and may comprise one or more tabs and one or more corresponding receptacles. The tabs may be dimensioned slightly larger than the receptacles so as to create a positive interference fit. The bracket and the flag may include openings to receive a fastener extending substantially across the length of the gate. Tightening the fastener compresses the tab(s) against the receptacle(s) to result in a compression fit between the flag and the bracket. The two-piece design allows the flag to be easily removed and reversed or replaced, without disassembling or removing the bracket or the actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2007
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Applicant: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Todd M. Schimmel, Thomas C. Potter
  • Patent number: 5395940
    Abstract: An improved process is provided for selectively synthesizing pyridine and 3-alkylpyridine in high yield by reacting ammonia and a carbonyl reactant selected from the group consisting of formaldehyde, an aldehyde containing from 2 to 4 carbon atoms, a ketone containing from 3 to 5 carbon atoms, and mixtures thereof under effective conditions in the presence of a catalyst comprising an active form of a synthetic porous crystalline MCM-49 or synthetic porous crystalline material characterized by an X-ray diffraction pattern including interplanar d-spacings at 12.36.+-.0.4, 11.03.+-.0.2, 8.83.+-.0.14, 6.18.+-.0.12, 6.00.+-.0.10, 4.06.+-.0.07, 3.91.+-.0.07, and 3.42.+-.0.06 Angstroms, e.g., MCM-22, and recovering from the resulting reaction mixture a product enriched in pyridine and 3-alkylpyridine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corp.
    Inventors: Philip J. Angevine, Cynthia T-W. Chu, Thomas C. Potter
  • Patent number: D510383
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2005
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Thomas C. Potter, Christopher M. Stratton, Hernan A. Borja
  • Patent number: D536375
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Thomas C. Potter, Christopher M. Stratton, Hernan A. Borja
  • Patent number: D780452
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Christopher M. Stratton, Gregory J. Smith, Thomas C. Potter