Patents by Inventor William D. Finch
William D. Finch 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: 11858752Abstract: A modular transfer system with a primary flow system and a diverter system. The primary flow system includes a primary flow belt for conveying an article along a primary flow path from an infeed side of the modular transfer system to a pass-through side of the modular transfer system. The diverter system includes one or more diverter belts for diverting an article from the primary flow path towards a divert side of the modular transfer system. The primary flow belt includes multiple movable components contacting the diverter belt. The movable components can have one or more rotational degrees of freedom.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2022Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Assignee: Regal Beloit America, Inc.Inventors: John William Kuhn, Robert D. Lundahl, Robert W. Cutlip, Mark G. Bankard, William D. Finch
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Patent number: 11806761Abstract: A transfer module assembly includes a frame, a conveyor belt with internal rotating elements, where the conveyer belt is supported by the frame, conveyor drive rollers supported by the frame and configured to drive the conveyor belt, a flat transfer belt mounted beneath the conveyor belt and configured to contact undersides of the internal rotating elements of the conveyor belt in operation, and flat transfer belt drive rollers supported by the frame and configured to drive the flat transfer belt. The conveyor drive rollers are friction-based and operate without use of a sprocket, and comprise depressions for receiving the internal rotating elements of the conveyor belt.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2022Date of Patent: November 7, 2023Assignee: Regal Beloit America, Inc.Inventors: Robert D. Lundahl, Robert W. Cutlip, Mark G. Bankard, William D. Finch
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Patent number: 11724891Abstract: A modular transfer system with a primary flow system and a diverter system. The primary flow system includes a primary flow belt for conveying an article along a primary flow path from an infeed side of the modular transfer system to a pass-through side of the modular transfer system. The diverter system includes one or more diverter belts for diverting an article from the primary flow path towards a divert side of the modular transfer system. The primary flow belt includes multiple movable components contacting the diverter belt. The movable components can have one or more rotational degrees of freedom.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2022Date of Patent: August 15, 2023Assignee: Regal Beloit America, Inc.Inventors: John William Kuhn, Robert D. Lundahl, Robert W. Cutlip, Mark G. Bankard, William D. Finch
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Publication number: 20230089817Abstract: A modular transfer system with a primary flow system and a diverter system. The primary flow system includes a primary flow belt for conveying an article along a primary flow path from an infeed side of the modular transfer system to a pass-through side of the modular transfer system. The diverter system includes one or more diverter belts for diverting an article from the primary flow path towards a divert side of the modular transfer system. The primary flow belt includes multiple movable components contacting the diverter belt. The movable components can have one or more rotational degrees of freedom.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2022Publication date: March 23, 2023Inventors: John William Kuhn, Robert D. Lundahl, Robert W. Cutlip, Mark G. Bankard, William D. Finch
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Publication number: 20230090623Abstract: A transfer module assembly includes a frame, a conveyor belt with internal rotating elements, where the conveyer belt is supported by the frame, conveyor drive rollers supported by the frame and configured to drive the conveyor belt, a flat transfer belt mounted beneath the conveyor belt and configured to contact undersides of the internal rotating elements of the conveyor belt in operation, and flat transfer belt drive rollers supported by the frame and configured to drive the flat transfer belt. The conveyor drive rollers are friction-based and operate without use of a sprocket, and comprise depressions for receiving the internal rotating elements of the conveyor belt.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2022Publication date: March 23, 2023Inventors: Robert D. Lundahl, Robert W. Cutlip, Mark G. Bankard, William D. Finch
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Publication number: 20220396434Abstract: A modular transfer system with a primary flow system and a diverter system. The primary flow system includes a primary flow belt for conveying an article along a primary flow path from an infeed side of the modular transfer system to a pass-through side of the modular transfer system. The diverter system includes one or more diverter belts for diverting an article from the primary flow path towards a divert side of the modular transfer system. The primary flow belt includes multiple movable components contacting the diverter belt. The movable components can have one or more rotational degrees of freedom.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2022Publication date: December 15, 2022Inventors: John William Kuhn, Robert D. Lundahi, Robert W. Cutlip, Mark G. Bankard, William D. Finch
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Publication number: 20220395864Abstract: A transfer module assembly includes a frame, a conveyor belt with internal rotating elements, where the conveyer belt is supported by the frame, conveyor drive rollers supported by the frame and configured to drive the conveyor belt, a flat transfer belt mounted beneath the conveyor belt and configured to contact undersides of the internal rotating elements of the conveyor belt in operation, and flat transfer belt drive rollers supported by the frame and configured to drive the flat transfer belt. The conveyor drive rollers are friction-based and operate without use of a sprocket, and comprise depressions for receiving the internal rotating elements of the conveyor belt.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2022Publication date: December 15, 2022Inventors: Robert D. Lundahl, Robert W. Cutlip, Mark G. Bankard, William D. Finch
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Patent number: 11247849Abstract: A modular transfer system with a primary flow system and a diverter system. The primary flow system includes a primary flow belt for conveying an article along a primary flow path from an infeed side of the modular transfer system to a pass-through side of the modular transfer system. The diverter system includes one or more diverter belts for diverting an article from the primary flow path towards a divert side of the modular transfer system. The primary flow belt includes multiple movable components contacting the diverter belt. The movable components can have one or more rotational degrees of freedom.Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 2020Date of Patent: February 15, 2022Assignee: Regal Beloit America, Inc.Inventors: John William Kuhn, Robert D. Lundahl, Robert W. Cutlip, Mark G. Bankard, William D. Finch
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Patent number: 11235356Abstract: A transfer module assembly includes a frame, a conveyor belt with internal rotating elements, where the conveyor belt is supported by the frame, conveyor drive rollers supported by the frame and configured to drive the conveyor belt, a flat transfer belt mounted beneath the conveyor belt and configured to contact undersides of the internal rotating elements of the conveyor belt in operation, and flat transfer belt drive rollers supported by the frame and configured to drive the flat transfer belt. The conveyor drive rollers are friction-based and operate without use of a sprocket, and comprise depressions for receiving the internal rotating elements of the conveyor belt.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2018Date of Patent: February 1, 2022Assignee: Regal Beloit America, Inc.Inventors: Robert D Lundahl, Robert W Cutlip, Mark G Bankard, William D Finch
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Publication number: 20180257110Abstract: A transfer module assembly includes a frame, a conveyor belt with internal rotating elements, where the conveyor belt is supported by the frame, conveyor drive rollers supported by the frame and configured to drive the conveyor belt, a flat transfer belt mounted beneath the conveyor belt and configured to contact undersides of the internal rotating elements of the conveyor belt in operation, and flat transfer belt drive rollers supported by the frame and configured to drive the flat transfer belt. The conveyor drive rollers are friction-based and operate without use of a sprocket, and comprise depressions for receiving the internal rotating elements of the conveyor belt.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2018Publication date: September 13, 2018Inventors: Robert D. LUNDAHL, Robert W. CUTLIP, Mark G. BANKARD, William D. FINCH
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Patent number: 8561381Abstract: A system for unstrapping and unsleeving a tray is provided. The system comprises a tray-transport configured to transport a tray in the system, a strap cutter configured to cut a strap on the tray, a strap-removal portion configured to remove the strap cut by the strap cutter, and an unsleeving station configured to remove a sleeve from the tray. The unsleeving station is configured to remove the sleeve from the tray after the strap-removal portion removes the cut strap.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2010Date of Patent: October 22, 2013Assignee: United States Postal ServiceInventors: Donald R. Close, Robert D. Lundahl, William D. Finch, Robert Cutlip, Dwight Koogle, Mark Bankard
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Publication number: 20110135440Abstract: A system for unstrapping and unsleeving a tray is provided. The system comprises a tray-transport configured to transport a tray in the system, a strap cutter configured to cut a strap on the tray, a strap-removal portion configured to remove the strap cut by the strap cutter, and an unsleeving station configured to remove a sleeve from the tray. The unsleeving station is configured to remove the sleeve from the tray after the strap-removal portion removes the cut strap.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2010Publication date: June 9, 2011Inventors: Donald R. Close, Robert D. Lundahl, William D. Finch, Robert Cutlip, Dwight Koogle, Mark Bankard
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Patent number: 7758292Abstract: A system for unstrapping and unsleeving a tray is provided. The system comprises a tray-transport configured to transport a tray in the system, a strap cutter configured to cut a strap on the tray, a strap-removal portion configured to remove the strap cut by the strap cutter, and an unsleeving station configured to remove a sleeve from the tray. The unsleeving station is configured to remove the sleeve from the tray after the strap-removal portion removes the cut strap.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2006Date of Patent: July 20, 2010Assignee: United States Postal ServiceInventors: Donald R. Close, Robert D. Lundahl, William D. Finch, Robert Cutlip, Dwight Koogle, Mark Bankard
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Patent number: 7021033Abstract: A device is disclosed that can automatically remove lids from trays and place lids on trays. Further the device can sense the presence of a lid on a tray and can sense the dimensions of the tray. Based on the sensed dimensions of the tray, the device can select an appropriate sized lid to place on the tray. In one embodiment of the invention, a device holds a lid with a lid manipulator having lid holders. At least one end mechanism is attached to at least one end of the lid manipulator, and the end mechanism folds the lid flaps of an appropriate lid. Guided by the lid manipulator, lids are then positioned on the tray.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2003Date of Patent: April 4, 2006Assignee: United States Postal ServiceInventors: Donald R. Close, Mark Bankard, William D. Finch, Robert Cutlip, Robert D. Lundahl, Dwight Koogle
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Publication number: 20040194428Abstract: A system for unstrapping and unsleeving a tray is provided. The system comprises a tray-transport configured to transport a tray in the system, a strap cutter configured to cut a strap on the tray, a strap-removal portion configured to remove the strap cut by the strap cutter, and an unsleeving station configured to remove a sleeve from the tray. The unsleeving station is configured to remove the sleeve from the tray after the strap-removal portion removes the cut strap.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2004Publication date: October 7, 2004Inventors: Donald R. Close, Robert D. Lundahl, William D. Finch, Robert Cutlip, Dwight Koogle, Mark Bankard
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Publication number: 20030196417Abstract: A device is disclosed that can automatically remove lids from trays and place lids on trays. Further the device can sense the presence of a lid on a tray and can sense the dimensions of the tray. Based on the sensed dimensions of the tray, the device can select an appropriate sized lid to place on the tray. In one embodiment of the invention, a device holds a lid with a lid manipulator having lid holders. At least one end mechanism is attached to at least one end of the lid manipulator, and the end mechanism folds the lid flaps of an appropriate lid. Guided by the lid manipulator, lids are then positioned on the tray.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2003Publication date: October 23, 2003Inventors: Donald R. Close, Mark Bankard, William D. Finch, Robert Wesley Cutlip, Robert D. Lundahl, Dwight Koogle
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Patent number: 6604337Abstract: A device is disclosed that can automatically remove lids from trays and place lids on trays. Further the device can sense the presence of a lid on a tray and can sense the dimensions of the tray. Based on the sensed dimensions of the tray, the device can select an appropriate sized lid to place on the tray. In one embodiment of the invention, a device holds a lid with a lid manipulator having lid holders. At least one end mechanism is attached to at least one end of the lid manipulator, and the end mechanism folds the lid flaps of an appropriate lid. Guided by the lid manipulator, lids are then positioned on the tray.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2002Date of Patent: August 12, 2003Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Postal ServiceInventors: Donald R. Close, Mark Bankard, William D. Finch, Robert Cutlip, Robert D. Lundahl, Dwight Koogle
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Publication number: 20030009985Abstract: A device is disclosed that can automatically remove lids from trays and place lids on trays. Further the device can sense the presence of a lid on a tray and can sense the dimensions of the tray. Based on the sensed dimensions of the tray, the device can select an appropriate sized lid to place on the tray. In one embodiment of the invention, a device holds a lid with a lid manipulator having lid holders. At least one end mechanism is attached to at least one end of the lid manipulator, and the end mechanism folds the lid flaps of an appropriate lid. Guided by the lid manipulator, lids are then positioned on the tray.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2002Publication date: January 16, 2003Inventors: Donald R. Close, Mark Bankard, William D. Finch, Robert Wesley Cutlip, Robert D. Lundahl, Dwight Koogle