Patents Issued in June 7, 2016
  • Patent number: 9359116
    Abstract: A fluid dispenser member, including a chamber and an outlet valve having an actuator rod that is axially movable down and up, and on which a sleeve slides, under the effect of a pre-compression spring and the pressure of the fluid, over a maximum axial stroke. The effective axial stroke of the sleeve is dependent on the force of the spring and the pressure of the fluid in the chamber. The actuator rod includes side outlet mechanism that is suitable for being closed and uncovered selectively by the sleeve, the side outlet mechanism extending over an axial height that is greater than their radial width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: APTAR FRANCE S.A.S.
    Inventors: Stephane Beranger, Frederic Duquet
  • Patent number: 9359117
    Abstract: A canister includes a container and a closure. The container is formed to include a product-storage region to receive products and the closure is configured to seal off a brim of the container to block access to the product-receiving container when the closure is rotated in a clockwise direction. The closure includes a lid-retainer ring and a floating lid that covers a mouth of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Berry Plastics Corporation
    Inventors: Mark N Russell, Charles E Luker
  • Patent number: 9359118
    Abstract: A packaging material comprising a plurality of magnetisable portions thereon comprising at least one spot per package to be formed from the packaging material is disclosed. At least one of the magnetisable portions provides a first magnetic mark carrying a magnetic field pattern providing position information related to finishing of respective package to be formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: TETRA LAVAL HOLDINGS & FINANCE S.A.
    Inventors: Tommy Nilsson, Lars Bergholtz, Ann-Charlotte Klint
  • Patent number: 9359119
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a multilayer composite system, suited for the manufacture of foil packaging, for example for food. The multilayer composite system is in particular suited for the manufacture of stand-up pouches which are suited for the packaging of liquid food, in particular beverages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: DEUTSCHE SISI-WERKE BETRIEBS GMBH
    Inventors: Carsten Kaisig, Torsten Byl, Erhard Schwartz, Thomas Stumpf
  • Patent number: 9359120
    Abstract: In selected embodiments, a product packaging container includes a rectangular blister card including an aperture that is positioned in a widthwise direction and near an end in the lengthwise direction. A blister can be arranged in a diagonal lengthwise direction of the blister card and is sealed to the blister card. The blister further includes a blister shell that secures a product therein and a flange that extends from the perimeter of the blister shell out. An edge of the flange on a first end of the blister can include an indentation to avoid a hang hole on the blister card. A second end of the blister is shaped the same as the first end whereby the blister has point symmetry about a center point of the blister.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: L'OREAL
    Inventor: Maxim Kovell
  • Patent number: 9359121
    Abstract: A food container is provided with a container body; a retaining ring; an inlet and outlet mechanism; and a cover. In response to securing the retaining ring to the inlet and outlet mechanism, securing the retaining ring to the container body, and connecting a second conductor to a second terminal of a micro switch, a pressure sensor pushes a resilient member to close the micro switch to supply power from a power source to a motor, a vacuum pump is activated by the motor, a plunger moves to block an open end of a second stop on a second pipe so as to remove air from the container body through a first pipe, the air is drawn into a closed space via an air inlet and a second opening, and the air enters the pressure sensor via a bossed hole, thereby producing a vacuum in the container body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Inventor: Kuo Chin Hsieh
  • Patent number: 9359122
    Abstract: A discharging system (100, 200, 300, 400, 500) for discharging liquid to pasty compounds (107, 207, 30, 507) out of cavities (106, 206, 306, 506) of at least two containers (105, 205, 305, 405, 405?, 505), comprising a delivery end (109, 209, 309, 409, 509) at which the compounds (107, 207, 307, 507) are discharged; a receiving unit (101, 201, 301, 401, 401?, 501) for at least two containers (105, 205, 305, 405, 405?, 505) comprising the cavities (106, 206, 306, 506) filled with the compounds (107, 207, 307, 507) to be discharged; for each container, a respective advancing rod (103, 203, 303, 403, 403?, 503) with a pusher element (104, 204, 304, 504) provided on that side of the advancing rod (103, 203, 303, 403, 403?, 503) facing toward the delivery end (109, 209, 309, 409, 509); for each container, a respective advancing device for advancing the advancing rod (103, 203, 303, 403, 403?, 503), with the pusher element (104, 204, 304, 504), toward the delivery end (109, 209, 309, 409, 509) in order to discharge
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Henkel AG & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Christoph Schmid, Thomas Daum
  • Patent number: 9359123
    Abstract: The present invention relates to improved child resistant carton and methods for using the same. The improved child resistant carton comprises housing (1) and an insert (4). The housing comprises a locking mechanism (3). The housing (1) may be made from multiple panels. The panel may be of any shape and may be more than one. The housing (1) may be made of card board. The locking mechanism (3) is characterized in that the locking and releasing of the carton has improved child resistance characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: WOCKHARDT LIMITED
    Inventors: Tirtharup Bhattacharjee, Parvez Akhtar
  • Patent number: 9359124
    Abstract: A reclosable container for consumer items includes a box, a lid hingedly connected to the box, an inner liner wrapped around the consumer items, the inner liner including a section defining an opening for allowing access to the consumer items, means to open and reclose the opening, and an inner frame attached to the box. The inner frame includes a free inner frame portion protruding from the box towards the opening in the inner liner. The free inner frame portion includes a cut out and the inner frame is attached to the inner liner proximate to the cut out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventor: Bodo-Werner Lutzig
  • Patent number: 9359125
    Abstract: A gift box is described for housing a plurality of pop-up elements that are automatically presented to a user when a lid of the box is removed. The box includes an interior portion enclosed by a base and sidewalls around its outer periphery. The interior portion of the gift box contains a central tower coupled to four levers that each pivot on a respective sidewall. The central tower and/or the four levers additionally have one or more paper pop-up elements attached thereto that are presented to a user when the box is opened. A band passing through the interior portion of the box stores the mechanical energy necessary to cause the four levers to pivot on the sidewalls, thereby generating the force to move the central tower out of the box when the lid is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: HALLMARK CARDS, INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Robert R. Pavlu, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9359126
    Abstract: A system, method and capsule for preparing a predetermined quantity of beverage suitable for consumption using an extractable product includes an exchangeable capsule, and an apparatus including a receptacle for holding the exchangeable capsule, and a fluid dispensing device for supplying a fluid to the exchangeable capsule. The exchangeable capsule includes a circumferential wall, a bottom, and a lid. The wall, bottom and lid enclose an inner space including the extractable product. The bottom includes an entrance layer for supplying an amount of a fluid by the fluid dispensing device through the entrance layer to the capsule. The lid includes an exit layer for supplying a prepared beverage through the exit layer from the capsule to a container. The capsule includes an additional wall element extending towards the inner space for providing additional stiffness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V.
    Inventors: Kon Euan Gerard Wong, Guido Brandt, Hendrik Cornelis Koeling, Ralf Kamerbeek, Arend Cornelis Jacobus Biesheuvel
  • Patent number: 9359127
    Abstract: There is disclosed a capsule for the preparation of a beverage using an extractable and/or dissolvable product and a quantity of hot and/or pressurized liquid. The capsule comprises a circumferential wall having on one end a bottom adapted to allow entrance of the liquid, and on an opposite end a lid closing said end of the circumferential wall. The circumferential wall, bottom and lid enclosing an inner space containing the product. At least one of the lid and/or bottom comprises at least one first portion and at least one second portion separated by at least one slit and having different moving mechanics when under pressure. At least a layer of tearable material covers said slit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Ahold Coffee Company B.V.
    Inventors: Laurentius Gerardus Meelker, Erwin Bartelds, Jozef Henricus Pollmann, Freerk Van Oudheusden, Marlies Van Dullemen
  • Patent number: 9359128
    Abstract: A portion capsule for producing a beverage is proposed, having a capsule body with a capsule base and a filling side, with a cavity for accommodating a pulverulent or liquid beverage base being formed between the capsule base and the filling side, with a filter element being arranged between the beverage base and the capsule base, and with the filter element having a non-woven which is arranged in the region of the capsule base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: K-Fee System GMBH
    Inventor: Gotthard Mahlich
  • Patent number: 9359129
    Abstract: An automatic lock for interconnecting cargo containers. The lock includes a pin assembly located in, and extending from, each of the bottom corner fittings of the container. The lock further includes a receiver assembly located in each of the top corner fittings of the container for engaging the pin assembly, thereby securing the upper container to said lower container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Peck & Hale, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Joseph Royt
  • Patent number: 9359130
    Abstract: A sealed and thermally insulative tank includes thermal installation including a plurality of juxtaposed insulation blocks on the supporting structure and a seal including a plurality of sealing metal plates disposed on the insulation blocks and welded to each other. Mechanical coupling members extend through the thermal insulation at the level of the edges of the insulation blocks and hold the insulation blocks in bearing engagement on the supporting structure. The metal plates are disposed so that the edges of the metal plates are offset relative to the edges of the underlying insulation blocks. The metal plates are held in bearing engagement on the insulation blocks only by the coupling members. The mechanical coupling members are attached to the metal plates at the level of attachment points away from the edges of the metal plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: GAZTRANSPORT ET TECHNIGAZ
    Inventors: Pierre Jean, Bruno Guelton, Mickael Herry, Matthieu Malochet
  • Patent number: 9359131
    Abstract: Floating roof tank for a volatile liquid have an outer roof and an internal floating roof with a primary seal with a support such that when the tank is empty, the floating roof will rest on the support whether the tank is in a vertical or horizontal position. The support enables the tank to be transported in a horizontal position without damage to the seal. The floating roof tank with support can be configured as a conical tank, flat bottom tank or slant bottom tank. The floating roof tank can also include a cleaning system and a flush mounted manway cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Vertical Tank, Inc.
    Inventor: Stanley W Ellis
  • Patent number: 9359132
    Abstract: A liner sump dispensing system (10) is disclosed which is used in conjunction with a liner (11) and an intermediate bulk container (12). The liner sump dispensing system includes a liner cassette (40) and a tilting device (41). The liner cassette is mounted to the bottom of the liner. The tilting device includes a tray (51) and a reciprocating pneumatic arm (52) having a pneumatic cylinder (63) and a piston rod (64) pivotally coupled to a rear end (54) of the tray. The tray has a trapezoidal shaped floor (58) and a pair of inclined wings (60) extending upwardly along an incline from the floor. A L-shaped mounting flange (65) adapted to be coupled to the top end of the container is coupled to the end of the pneumatic cylinder opposite from the tray. The actuation of the pneumatic cylinder tilts the tray to tilt the liner bottom end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Grayling Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Randy R. Sullinger, Tony R. McKee
  • Patent number: 9359133
    Abstract: There is provided a method of constructing a tank which provides an improvement in the strength of the tank. Therefore, tanks can be constructed from thinner materials providing lighter tanks which are more capable of withstanding explosions or other trauma. In addition, the tank is more suited for use in vehicles as it effectively controls unwanted movement of fluid within the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Inventor: James Robert Rea
  • Patent number: 9359134
    Abstract: A garbage can retaining device adapted to retain garbage cans and to mount to any substantially planar surface such as natural ground or man-made materials. The device including includes: a mount member adapted to mount the garbage can retaining device to any substantially planar surface, wherein the mount member is adapted to receive a shaft and base assembly within an interior region and to fixedly secure the shaft and base assembly to the mount member, the shaft and base assembly including a shaft having a plurality of attachments attached thereto; a garbage can contacting portion secured to the shaft; and a base securely formed with the shaft adapted to be slidably received within the interior region of the mounting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Inventor: David L. Atkinson
  • Patent number: 9359135
    Abstract: A storage shelf reduces vibration while maintaining load-carrying capacity and includes placement units on which a FOUP is placed, and a frame unit that supports the placement units. The placement units include frames that are arranged on the frame unit with first elastic bodies interposed therebetween, and a shelf plate that is arranged on the frames with second elastic bodies interposed therebetween and is configured to place thereon the FOUP.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: MURATA MACHINERY, LTD.
    Inventor: Shohei Nagamine
  • Patent number: 9359136
    Abstract: A pharmacy picking device including a housing with a plurality of shelf bases disposed one above the other, at least one operating device, a conveyor device, a housing-coupling interface, and a universal supply-and-control module is described herein. This universal supply-and-control module includes a feed device, an identification and measurement device, operator input/output devices, an electronic controller and a voltage supply assembly, as well as a housing-coupling interface and an electrical interface, the supply-and-control module being arranged adjacent to the housing such that a mechanical coupling is produced by said housing-coupling interface and module-coupling interface, in such a manner that drug packages in or on the supply-and-control module, which are to be deposited, are delivered to a position on the conveyor device which is known to the electronic controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: CAREFUSION GERMANY 326 GMBH
    Inventor: Christoph Hellenbrand
  • Patent number: 9359137
    Abstract: A system for high-pressure natural gas storage includes at least one underground bored tunnel, suitable for holding natural gas under pressure and a process for storing natural gas under pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: TECTONA LTD.
    Inventor: Yossef Ram
  • Patent number: 9359138
    Abstract: An assembly/transport apparatus includes: a carrier on which a transport object is mounted; a transport track; a return track that overlies the transport track in a top/bottom direction; a first transfer device that transfers the carrier between the transport track and the return track; a second transfer device that transfers the carrier between the transport track and the return track; and a frame that supports the transport track, the return track, the first transfer device and the second transfer device. The transport track includes transport driving devices that cause the carrier to travel and stop. The return track includes return driving devices that cause the carrier to travel and stop. The first transfer device includes first transfer driving devices that cause the carrier to travel and stop. The second transfer device includes second transfer driving devices that cause the carrier to travel and stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: TSUBAKIMOTO CHAIN CO.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Hamada, Isao Takatori
  • Patent number: 9359139
    Abstract: A chute system includes a pair of support rails, each having a bent reinforcement member secured to it. The chute is made up of multiple chute panels, which nest within one another for ease of storage and transportation. A spacer bar sets the system width and provides overall support. The system also includes a pair of hinged anchors for adjustably securing the system to the edge of a roof. There is also a roof eave debris stop for preventing debris from sliding off the roof onto landscaping, humans and animals below.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Inventor: Edward R. Faulkner
  • Patent number: 9359140
    Abstract: The invention provides a component feed device (2) enabling metered delivery of components to a workstation, the device comprising a conveyor belt (6) having an upper strand (7) and a lower strand (8), drive means (9, 10, 13, 14, 16) for driving the conveyor belt (6) in a loop, and holder means configured to contain the components on the upper strand (7) of the conveyor belt (6). The upper strand (7) is configured to form a container, in particular a bowl-shaped container, having an upstream face (11a), a bottom (11b), and a downstream face (11c), said upstream and downstream faces being configured to encourage components to move down under gravity into the bottom. The conveyor belt (6) has an outside face (6a) and an inside face (6b), the outside face having component retaining means (19) configured to retain the components resting on said outside face (6a) at least when they are situated on the downstream face (11c).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Inventor: Hervé Deflandre
  • Patent number: 9359141
    Abstract: Components of a conveyor system designed to facilitate tight transfer of products onto and off a positively-driven, low tension conveyor belt. The conveyor system includes a tension amplifier in a returnway of a conveyor belt circuit for selectively increasing tension in the conveyor belt prior to infeed without increasing the low tension in the returnway prior to the tension amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Michael Hendrik DeGroot, Daniel Robert Hendrickson, James R. Honeycutt, Jr., Brian A. Trapani, Wayne A. Pertuit, Jr., Paul E. St. Pierre, Philipp J. Hortig
  • Patent number: 9359142
    Abstract: A drum motor optimized for the hygienic requirements in the food industry; in particular the drum motor is used for driving conveyor belts. One embodiment of the invention discloses a drum motor comprising a drum shell accommodating a geared rim secured to the drum shell, a first inner end cap attached to the geared rim, a second inner end cap attached to a locking flange having an expanding element adapted to secure the second inner end cap to the drum shell when attaching the second inner end cap to the locking flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: P. Ellegaard A/S
    Inventors: Erik Lund Jepsen, Jais Ask Hansen
  • Patent number: 9359143
    Abstract: A conveyance device has a carriage drive for driving and propelling a pair of left and right carriage units which individually support left and right sides of an object to be conveyed. A pair of left and right screw shafts is pivotally supported in a rotatable manner along the movement path of the carriage units. Driven rollers are pivotally supported in a rotatable manner by the carriage units and engage with the screw shafts. A transmission connects the pair of left and right screw shafts through the outside of a conveyance path such that the left and right screw shafts are linked and coupled; and a single motor drives the pair of left and right screw shafts through the transmission means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: DAIFUKU Co., LTD.
    Inventors: Kouetsu Ishii, Shinji Katsuta, Akio Kimura, Shigeyoshi Nishihara, Toshiyuki Iba, Yutaro Hyogo
  • Patent number: 9359144
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a multi-piece shaft for an idler roller. The method includes providing a tube having a first end and a second end, mechanically crimping the first end of the tube to a first stub to secure the first stub to the first end of the tube with a mechanical interlock, and mechanically crimping the second end of the tube to a second stub to secure the second stub to the second end of the tube with a mechanical interlock. The first stub extends from the first end of the tube and the second stub extends from the second end of the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Joy MM Delaware, Inc.
    Inventors: David R. White, Todd W. Kirkpatrick
  • Patent number: 9359145
    Abstract: A roller driven device for roller conveyors includes a cylindrical and tubular roller configured to rotate around its geometric axis, and having at each end a respective first lateral wheel and a second lateral wheel. At least the first lateral wheel has a tubular cylindrical element having at its end facing the second lateral wheel a first flange and at the opposite end a second flange. The device further includes a ring whose axial length ranges from two thirds to one twentieth of the axial distance between the first flange and the second flange of the first lateral wheel. An end of the ring is positioned between the first flange and the second flange and the end is fixed to the outer surface of the roller, where the end portion of the roller is fixed at the central hole of the second flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Dugomrulli S.r.l.
    Inventor: Giorgio Gamberini
  • Patent number: 9359146
    Abstract: Monitoring system for a conveyor of articles (100). The conveyor of articles comprises at least one transport chain (105) adapted to be moved along a movement direction, and a guide structure (132) of the transport chain comprising a lower guide element (135) adapted to support the chain from below and a higher guide element (140) adapted to insist on the chain from above and facing toward the lower guide element. The system comprises at least one first magnetic field generator element (155) located in a first guide element, at least one magnetic field sensor (160) located in a second selected guide element for sensing the magnitude of a measure magnetic field, and processing means (165) for quantifying a reduction of the overall thickness of the chain based on a time variation of the measure magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: REXNORD FLATTOP EUROPE S.R.L.
    Inventors: Fabio Salice, Carlo Moroni, Roberto Mariani, Roberto Galli
  • Patent number: 9359147
    Abstract: As a tubular conveyor belt advances through a conveyor system longitudinal rips can be detected and the orientation of the belt can be monitored, wherein the tubular conveyor belt has a width, a length, a longitudinal centerline, a first longitudinal edge, an opposing second longitudinal edge, and a load bearing region, wherein during use the first longitudinal edge and the second longitudinal edge overlap to form an overlap region forming the belt into a tube-like shape, wherein the load bearing region is located evenly about the belt longitudinal centerline throughout the length of the belt; this method comprising monitoring the position of the centerline by detecting the position of a plurality of equally spaced magnetically permeable elements embedded therein, wherein the magnetically permeable elements are situated across the width of the load bearing region of the tubular conveyor belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Covititech Transportbandsysteme
    Inventors: Jack Bruce Wallace, Jacques Frederick Basson
  • Patent number: 9359148
    Abstract: In some implementations, a banded discharge removes or rejects comestibles from a production line when the comestibles have a diameter less than a minimum value. The banded discharge may include two or more support members and each pair of adjacent support members may be spaced apart a distance W. When a comestible with a diameter about the same as or less than the distance W moves onto the banded discharge, the banded discharge may remove the comestible from the production line. For example, the comestible may fall between two adjacent support members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Lawrence Equipment, Inc.
    Inventor: Pedro Armando Arevalo
  • Patent number: 9359149
    Abstract: The invention relates to a conveyor work station comprising an endless conveyor chain adapted to carry product carriers in a hanging manner from a loading position to a release position, where the conveyor work station comprises an upper driven chain wheel positioned at the release position, and a loading arrangement at the loading position, wherein the conveyor work station further comprises a guide track arranged between the upper chain wheel and the loading arrangement, where the guide track is adapted to support the conveyor chain, thereby allowing the conveyor chain to be pushed from the upper chain wheel to the loading arrangement. The advantage of the invention is that a simple and reliable conveyor work station is provided, which only comprises one chain wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: ETON INNOVATION AB
    Inventor: Mikael Davidson
  • Patent number: 9359150
    Abstract: The problem of singulating products that are provided in a pallet layer is solved by breaking up the pallet layer so that each product can be handled separately by a robot tool and outputted in at least one line according to a predetermined orientation. The singulator includes a layer drop zone that receives a pallet layer of products, a break-up system that separates the products by creating gaps therebetween, yielding separated products, a vision system that determines characteristics and position of each separated product; and a robot equipped with a tool that receives information indicative of the characteristics and position of said each separated product to grip and position each separated product onto an output station within at least one line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: AXIUM Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Jodoin, Sylvain Morency, Nicolas Durand, Marc Ducharme, Régis Métivier, Philippe Hakier, Christian Simon, Jean-François Forget
  • Patent number: 9359151
    Abstract: A fluid-based radial distribution system includes an internal passageway and a plurality of openings radially spaced around the internal passageway. A plurality of gate members are associated with at least some of the plurality of openings, with the gate members are configured to move between an open position that allows product to move through the opening associated with that gate member and a closed position that restricts product from moving through the opening associated with that gate member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: ConAgra Foods Lamb Weston, Inc.
    Inventors: William Thomas Hockett, Frederick D. Webb, Michael Christopher Metcalf, Ronald R. Huff, Charles Denio Kirkbride, Greg Robert Lambier, Dave Hufford
  • Patent number: 9359152
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided which will provide over-pressure protection for an underground storage cavern by reducing the pressure of a pressurized gas stream originating from the an underground storage cavern to form a lower pressure gas stream, monitoring the pressure of a lower pressure gas stream and stopping the flow of the lower pressure gas stream to the pipeline should the pressure of the lower pressure gas stream exceed a threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Air Liquide Large Industries U.S. LP
    Inventor: Phillip James
  • Patent number: 9359153
    Abstract: A grain bin vacuum tube extension system with (i) an extension tube comprising a bottom surface and a plurality of slots on the bottom surface of the extension tube, (ii) a sealing strip that is slidably secured to the bottom surface of the extension tube and that comprises a plurality of slots, and (iii) a butterfly valve that is configured to close when the slots on the bottom surface of the extension tube are aligned with the slots in the sealing strip and to open when the slots on the bottom surface of the extension tube are not aligned with the slots in the sealing strip. The sealing strip is slidably secured to the bottom surface of the extension tube such that the slots on the bottom surface of the extension tube align with the slots in the sealing strip when the sealing strip is slid to an open position. The sealing strip creates and airtight seal against the bottom surface of the extension tube when the butterfly valve is in an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Inventor: Steven L. Bahnmiller
  • Patent number: 9359154
    Abstract: A transfer trailer for loading bales of forage into a transport vehicle includes a press wall mounted on a horizontal deck to be movable between a loading position and a transfer end of the trailer, and the transfer trailer has a sizing structure disposed at the transfer end formed of a hinged door arrangement such that motive means moving the press wall along the deck of the transfer trailer causes the hinged door arrangement to engage a stack of bales loaded onto the deck of the transfer trailer to force the stack of bales into standardized dimensions prior to delivery to a transport vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Inventor: Michael Jason Grady
  • Patent number: 9359155
    Abstract: A loading system comprising: a loading arm, said loading arm having a process pipe which provides a conduit to carry fluid during a process of loading the fluid by said loading arm; a control unit coupled to said loading arm, to direct a free end of said loading arm; an electronic logic controller coupled to said control unit; a first electronic sensor electronically coupled to said logic controller, said first electronic sensor adapted to detect movement of a first structure when said loading arm is mounted to said first structure, said movement relative to another second structure or the stationary world.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: EMCO WHEATON GMBH
    Inventor: Martin Dicke-Kuenitz
  • Patent number: 9359156
    Abstract: Provided is a paper feeding apparatus that commonalizes mechanisms for detecting paper feed cassette attaching/detaching, recording paper presence/absence, and lift plate reaching rising stop position. When paper feed cassette is removed, a contact piece has first inclination, a light shielding piece has first position, and a first sensor and a second sensor are OFF. When paper feed cassette having no recording paper is inserted, contact piece has second inclination by an opening edge part; light shielding piece has second position; and a first sensor is OFF, a second sensor being ON. When recording paper is on lift plate, contact piece has third inclination by recording paper, light shielding piece having third position, and first sensor and second sensor being ON. When lift plate is raised to rising stop position, contact piece has fourth inclination, light shielding piece having fourth position, first sensor being ON and second sensor being OFF.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Kozo Shimazu
  • Patent number: 9359157
    Abstract: A sheet feeding device includes: a sheet feeding tray attached to a casing in a manner slidable into and out from the casing and including a stacking plate on which sheets are stacked; a conveying unit configured to convey the sheets in a direction orthogonal to both a sliding direction of the sheet feeding tray and a stacking direction of the sheets; an optional extension unit configured to be removably attached to an upstream side of the stacking plate in a conveying direction, and including an extension plate configured to extend the stacking plate; and a first locking unit configured to be capable of being held in a first lock position where the sheet feeding tray cannot be slide when the optional extension unit is attached while, when the optional extension unit is removed, held in a first unlock position where the sheet feeding tray can be slid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuo Niikura, Hidetoshi Kojima, Yuuta Mori, Takashi Fukumoto, Kiyotake Nakamura, Munehisa Fuda, Hideaki Takahashi, Hisayoshi Sugawara, Kazunori Konno, Tatsuya Sugawara, Kohjiroh Haga, Toshihiro Okutsu
  • Patent number: 9359158
    Abstract: A sheet feeding device includes: a sheet stacking member; an air blowing unit configured to blow air onto the sheet bundle placed on the sheet stacking member to suspend multiple sheets of the sheet bundle; a lifting/lowering unit configured to lift/lower the sheet stacking member; an optical reflection sensor configured to detect a suspended sheet suspended by the air blowing unit; and a control unit configured to control the lifting/lowering unit based on an output value of the optical reflection sensor. The optical reflection sensor is configured to be capable of detecting an area corresponding to multiple sheets in a sheet suspension zone extending between a non-suspended sheet bundle and a conveying member configured to convey an uppermost sheet of the multiple suspended sheets. The non-suspended sheet bundle is made up of sheets not suspended during a period when air is blown by the air blowing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventors: Yasunori Hino, Chikara Akata, Tomoki Tamate, Hideaki Takahashi, Munehisa Fuda, Toshihiro Okutsu, Takashi Fukumoto, Yasuo Niikura, Masaki Ishizaki, Kiyotake Nakamura, Hidetoshi Kojima, Hisayoshi Sugawara, Kazunori Konno, Tatsuya Sugawara, Kohjiroh Haga, Masato Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 9359159
    Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus includes a stacking portion, a feed portion, a moving amount detecting portion provided downstream of the feed portion and configured to detect a moving amount of the sheet, and a control portion. The control portion is configured to change a timing for starting a sheet feed operation by the feed portion in feeding a n+1th sheet by the feed portion based on a detection result of the moving amount detecting portion detected when a nth sheet has been fed by the feed portion in feeding the sheets consecutively by the feed portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinya Noda, Takashi Yano
  • Patent number: 9359160
    Abstract: A printing device executes processes (a)-(c). In the process (a), first and second rollers convey a sheet a first amount, and a print head executes a printing operation while the sheet is in a state where the sheet is supported by the first and second rollers and a supporting unit disposed between the first and second rollers. In the process (b), the second roller conveys the sheet a second amount that is no larger than the first amount, and the print head executes a printing operation while the sheet is in a state where the sheet is supported by the supporting unit and the second roller. In the process (c), the second roller conveys the sheet a third amount that is larger than the first amount, and the print head executes a printing operation while the sheet is in a state where the sheet is supported by the second roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasunari Yoshida, Tsuyoshi Ito
  • Patent number: 9359161
    Abstract: An interleaving element is adapted to interleave a roll of glass substrate. The glass substrate includes at least one active area, a plurality of spacing zones and two edge zones. The plurality of spacing zones and the edge zones define the active area. The interleaving element includes two elongated side elements and a plurality of bridging elements. The elongated side elements correspond to the two edge zones. Each of the plurality of bridging elements is connected with the elongated side elements. The plurality of bridging elements corresponds to the spacing zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Chia-Sheng Huang, Hsin-Yun Hsu, Jyun-Kai Ciou
  • Patent number: 9359162
    Abstract: A conveyance mechanism by which a recording medium can be conveyed intermittently; a recording mechanism for recording by reciprocatingly scanning a recording head in a direction that intersects with a direction of conveyance of the recording medium by the conveyance mechanism; a turret to which a plurality of take-up spindles for taking up the recording medium are provided; rotational mechanisms of the take-up spindles; a rotational mechanism of the turret; and a control unit for controlling the rotational mechanisms of the take-up spindles and the rotational mechanism of the turret so as to cause the take-up spindles and/or the turret to be rotated intermittently so as to correspond to the intermittent conveyance by the conveyance mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hidemasa Kanada, Masato Mitsuhashi, Koji Higuchi, Toshimitsu Hirai, Mitsuhiro Isobe
  • Patent number: 9359163
    Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus (3) includes a pressing lever (46) turnable between a first position where the pressing lever (46) abuts with the sheet bundle on a stacking tray (34) and a second position where the pressing lever (46) is displaced on a side of a discharging part (44) side from the first position. The discharging part (44) has an upper roller (56) and a lower roller (57). The lower roller (57) abuts with a lowermost sheet of the sheet bundle and an upper roller (56) is configured to separate upward from the lower roller (57) during the shifting and to be displaced in a direction approaching the lower roller (57) during the discharging. The pressing lever (46) is configured to project upward from above an apex portion of the lower roller (57) at the second position and to turn into the second position during the shifting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Masahiko Miyazaki, Yasunori Ueno
  • Patent number: 9359164
    Abstract: A system is provided for stacking mail having an escort assembly for handling each mailpiece. The system comprises a containment device, a transport mechanism and a detachment mechanism. The containment device includes a base, vertical walls extending from the base and an open end for accepting the mailpieces therein. The containment device, furthermore, has a slot formed in at least one of the vertical walls thereof. The transport mechanism includes first and second transport segment, the first transport segment conveying escort assemblies and respective mailpieces over an open end of the containment device and the second transport segment lowering the escort assemblies and respective mailpieces into the open end of the containment device. The transport mechanism furthermore aligns the edges of the mailpieces along one of the vertical walls of the containment device and positions the escort assembly through the slot of the containment device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION
    Inventor: Denis J. Stemmle
  • Patent number: 9359165
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, there is provided a sheet processing apparatus including a contactless type detection magnetic sensor for detecting magnetism of a sheet, correction magnetic sensors for detecting a magnetic field near the detection magnetic sensor, coils arranged near the detection magnetic sensor, and a cancel device for generating a cancellation magnetic field for cancelling a magnetic field near the detection magnetic sensor from the coils based on a detection result of the correction magnetic sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Toshiba Corporation
    Inventor: Youyang Ng