Patents Issued in March 14, 2017
  • Patent number: 9592931
    Abstract: A storage apparatus having a plurality of panels that can be placed into corresponding grooves forming a plurality of compartments having an enclosed interior volume and an open upper in which items, such as potato chip bags, can be stored therein. The interior panels may further comprise centrally located cutout holes in which an elastic cord can be inserted therethrough, which is connected to a pair of closure clips that are used to ensure the user has access to a closure clip when securing closed opened potato chips bags within the compartments. The storage apparatus is detachable, wherein each of the plurality of panels can be disconnected from one another and placed in a mesh bag for storage thereof. The plurality of panels can connect to one another via a sliding channel groove mechanism and/or a stopped dove tail or through dove tail channel groove mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Inventors: Donna M Kilgore, Samuel A. Kilgore, William L. Woodruff
  • Patent number: 9592932
    Abstract: A lifting device for lifting a container engages fittings at the corners, and a mechanism which releasably engages a lid of the container such that it can be lifted while the container is being lifted. said device, including a second lifting means which operates to releasably engage a lid associated with said container, wherein the lid can be lifted from the container while thed container is being lifted. The lid and lifting arrangement includes an apertured receiving formation on an upper side of a lid to receive a lift member which can engage the formation and unlock a locking mechanism holding the lid to a container. The lift member can also be rotated to unlock the locking mechanism which locks the lid to the container while simultaneously locking the lift member to the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: LOAD AND MOVE PTY LTD
    Inventors: Matthew William Chalmers, Garry Mark Pinder
  • Patent number: 9592933
    Abstract: An apparatus for containing a gift includes an outer container, such as a gift bag, having an opening for receiving the gift and an insert, such as a flexible packet, for containing a particulate material. The insert is adapted for attaching to the outer container to release the particulate material upon opening of the outer container to retrieve the gift. Related methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Inventor: Derek Jorge Campbell
  • Patent number: 9592934
    Abstract: A device for dispensing liquid including an opening for dispensing liquid, a pad for absorbing residual liquid and a removable cap including a shape in the immediate vicinity and opposite the dispensing opening, referred to as a shape for expelling residual liquid, configured to discharge the residual liquid toward the pad when the cap is mounted on the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Nemera La Verpillière S.A.S.
    Inventors: Gaetan Painchaud, Xavier Julia, Thierry Decock, Guillaume Grevin, Benjamin Quaglia
  • Patent number: 9592935
    Abstract: A screw-type closure system comprising a container and closure. The closure comprises a screw-threaded inner cap, a customized wand that depends from the inner cap and supports an applicator surface, an overcap that is enabled to translate axially relative to the inner cap, and one or more magnetic elements. The container comprises a specialized shoulder, a neck having a specialized screw thread profile, a customized wiper that engages the customized wand, an overshell that houses one or more magnetic elements that tend to attract the one or more magnetic elements of the closure. The closure is screwed onto the container until the inner cap comes to a hard stop, at which point the magnetic elements of the closure are aligned with the magnetic elements of the container. At that point, the overcap (15) of the closure (11) is drawn toward the overshell (4) of the container until they make contact, so that there is no unsightly gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: ELC Management, LLC
    Inventors: Christophe Jacob, Herve Bouix
  • Patent number: 9592936
    Abstract: A crown for a bottle or other container has a top portion and an annular skirt that descends contiguously from the top portion. An opener assembly and an arrangement of frangible scoring lines on the crown allow for ease of opening the bottle or container. Corrugated embodiments provide material strengthening for a reduced gauge crown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: World Bottling Cap, LLC
    Inventor: Abe Frishman
  • Patent number: 9592937
    Abstract: Disclosed is a tamper-evident container for food storage that uses a round male to female post lock on a single corner. After the cover is locked to the tray base, it requires breaking the corner tray tab to open the container. This tab tear off provides positive evidence of container opening to indicate the container has been opened or tampered with.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: SOUTH PLASTIC INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tong-Chang Wang
  • Patent number: 9592938
    Abstract: To provide a novel rotation mechanism having a smaller number of components or parts. A double-sided tape applicator in which a rotation mechanism is incorporated includes a case and a closure 200 rotated relative to the case. A spiral sloped surface 212 is formed on a side of the closure 200. The case has an abutted member 131 provided at an end of a push member 130. When a user pushes the push member 130 to abut or compress the abutted member 131 against the sloped surface 212, the closure 200 is rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Plus Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshihiko Kobashi, Ryota Yokoto
  • Patent number: 9592939
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a container comprising an opening, a cap to detachably enclose the opening, and a conduit, attached to the cap, comprising a first passageway and a second passageway, both the first passageway and the second passageway connecting an interior space of the container to an exterior space of the container, wherein a length of the first passageway is greater than a length of the second passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Inventor: Fred Mesina
  • Patent number: 9592940
    Abstract: The present application provides an ingredient release spout with an ingredient therein for use on a container. The ingredient release spout may include a cap with the ingredient therein and a nozzle. The cap may include a diaphragm with a capsule insert extending therefrom. The nozzle may include a cutting device therein such that rotating the cap pulls the diaphragm and the capsule insert towards the cutting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
    Inventors: Samuel Ombaku Nyambi, Fritz Seelhofer
  • Patent number: 9592941
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a thermoplastic product that includes packaging therefore. Implementation of the present invention takes place in association with packaging of one or more ingredients of a thermoplastic product, wherein the packaging is used to contain the ingredients during storage and/or transportation, and wherein at least a portion of the packaging itself is an ingredient for inclusion into the thermoplastic product. In some implementations, the entire packaging is incorporated into the thermoplastic product for utilization thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: MAXWELL PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Michael P. Guymon, Ted E. Maxwell, Ken W. Maxwell
  • Patent number: 9592942
    Abstract: A carton has panels including a top panel (12/20), a base panel (16), a first side panel (14) and a second side panel (18) forming a tubular structure. One of the panels includes a handle structure (h) defined in it. The handle structure includes a first pair of folding structures (R, R) each having at least one first fold line (X, Y, Z) defining a first edge of a handle strap and a second pair of folding structures each having at least one second fold line defining a second edge of the handle strap. Each of the at least one first fold lines and the at least one second fold lines is defined, at least in part, in the one of the panels, wherein the carton includes a mandrel panel (22) disposed in face contacting relationship with the inner surface of the one (20) of the panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: WestRock Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Bradford J. Walling
  • Patent number: 9592943
    Abstract: Disclosed is an advertising package that consists of two trays that are hingedly attached along a longitudinal and transverse axis. One tray includes two compartments formed from substantially rectangular shapes to allow inclusion of items that are not distinctive in shape such as a coin, key or the like. The compartments are depressions which eliminates the need for upstanding side walls and the need for a circumscribing channel or coupling passageways. Printed material can be placed on the entirety of the first tray which provides a background to the compartments and allows viewing through the package sidewalls. The package is constructed and arranged to be sent as non-machinable flat through the United States Postal Service (USPS).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: American Sales Industries, LLC
    Inventor: Pasquale J. Talerico
  • Patent number: 9592944
    Abstract: A fitment for use with a collapsible bag for dispensing liquids or semi-solids having a spout of a generally cylindrical body attached to a collapsible bag, an aseptic flip-cap attached to the spout having positioned therein a flexible cap duckbill that allows for the flow of fluid when engaged with a probe assembly, wherein the flip-cap forms an aseptic seal with the spout on the collapsible bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: LIQUI-BOX CORPORATION
    Inventor: James Johnson
  • Patent number: 9592945
    Abstract: A rectangular, flexible butt-seamed package bag and a method for using the same is provided in which the pouring of a single type of a liquid packing material filled and packed in the filling space for the packed material from the package bag can be easily performed. A butt-seamed package bag formed by joining both side portions of a sealant layer of a laminate film for packing to each other at a butt state and joining bottom portions or top portions thereof to define a filling space for a single packed material, characterized in that a pouring path for the packed material is disposed in a middle part of a butt-seamed joint portion in an extending direction thereof, and at least a part of the pouring path is provided with an easily separable portion having a joint strength relatively lower than that of the butt-seamed joint portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: TAISEI LAMICK CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hidenori Kogure
  • Patent number: 9592946
    Abstract: A packaged product which comprises a solid object and a packaging that seals and holds the solid object, wherein a replacement gas is contained in a space sealed by the packaging when the packaging is sealed and wherein the solid object has absorbed a part of or all of the replacement gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: MEIJI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yutaka Sekiba, Yasuhiro Hayashi
  • Patent number: 9592947
    Abstract: An interior portion of a container (e.g., a lid portion, a base portion, etc.) includes one or more walls of a body of material (e.g., in a hexagonal configuration, a spiral configuration, a concentric circular configuration, etc.) that define one or more reservoirs. The one or more reservoirs are open to receive fluid composition therein (e.g., when the lid is positioned to close the container).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: VALSPAR SOURCING, INC.
    Inventors: Stephan Domburg, George Onderdelinden
  • Patent number: 9592948
    Abstract: A dispenser is provided that includes a base and a container. The container is positioned above the base for holding articles to dispensed, such as candy. The base includes a channel in communication with the container to dispense the articles. The channel has, near a first end, an internal opening for receiving the articles held in the container and an external opening near the opposing end for dispensing the articles. An advancement mechanism, such as an auger, for example, is located within the channel for moving the articles from the internal opening of the channel to the external opening of the channel. At least one gear, driven by a motor, is connected to the advancement mechanism for moving the advancement mechanism in response to the activation of the motor. A stir stick is attached to at least one side of the at least one gear and extends upward from the base and into the container at a position adjacent the internal opening of the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: MerchSource, LLC
    Inventor: Barry Messner
  • Patent number: 9592949
    Abstract: A fluid dispenser device comprising: a fluid dispenser orifice (31); an air duct (32, 51, 52) for air under pressure, said air duct including an upstream end and a downstream end that opens out in the proximity of the orifice (31); an air expeller (4) that is suitable for being subjected to elastic squeezing and relaxation stages, the air expeller (4) being connected to the air duct (32, 51, 52) so that, during elastic squeezing stages, it delivers a flow of air through the air duct until it reaches the orifice (31); and a fluid channel (25, 33) that is connected to the air duct (32, 51, 52), the fluid in the channel (25, 33) being sucked up by the flow of air under pressure by the Venturi effect; the device being characterized in that the air expeller (4) has only a single opening (43) that is provided with a connection sleeve (5) that includes an incoming-air passage (53) that is provided with an air-inlet valve (56; 56b; 56c; 56d) that is suitable for allowing outside air to enter into the air expeller dur
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: APTAR FRANCE SAS
    Inventor: Alain Behar
  • Patent number: 9592950
    Abstract: A bottle container includes: a tubular inner container 2 including a cap at an upper portion thereof; and an outer container 3 mounted so as to extend along a trunk 5 and a bottom 6 of the inner container 2, the inner container 2 includes a shoulder 8 at the upper portion which is not covered with the outer container 3, an outer peripheral portion 13b of a bottom 13 of the outer container 3 is made thicker than a side wall 14 of the outer container 3, a center portion 13a of the bottom 13 of the outer container 3 is made thinner than the outer peripheral portion 13b to form a space 13c, and the outer container 3 mounted to the inner container 2 and the shoulder 8 of the inner container 2 are covered with a heat-shrinkable film 4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: IWATA LABEL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hironori Iwamatsu
  • Patent number: 9592951
    Abstract: A combination of a container and a plurality of food items nested within the container may include base and a first cavity in the base. A first food item may be nested in the first cavity. The first food item may include a decorated section. The first food item may include a disposable wrapper having an exposed upper wrapper edge. The container may include a lid moveable between a closed position and an open position. A first retainer may be on the lid. When the lid is in the closed position the first retainer may overlie a first portion of the upper wrapper edge. When the container is inverted with the lid in the closed position relative axial movement between the first food item and the first cavity may be limited by contact between the first retainer and the upper wrapper edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: GIVE AND GO PREPARED FOODS CORP.
    Inventors: Doug Brummer, Samir R. Parikh
  • Patent number: 9592952
    Abstract: The present invention relates to improvements in the preparation of beverage and food products and, in particular, to an improved composition for preparing beverage and food products in machines. The composition is 10 prepared by the addition of a liquid to said composition and comprises one or more beverage or food ingredients and at least one preparation aid. The preparation aid comprises a plurality of bodies formed from a substantially insoluble material and the preparation aid is selected to have a 15 predetermined effect on the interaction between the liquid and the composition. The bodies have a diameter in the range of 0.1 mm to 200 mm, and preferably in the range of 1 to 20 mm or in the range of 100 to 200 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V.
    Inventors: Ian Denis Fisk, Ayse Tulay Massey
  • Patent number: 9592953
    Abstract: Pod for the preparation of a beverage in a centrifugal brewing device by feeding liquid through said pod and rotating the pod along a rotating axis “I” in the device to produce centrifugal forces on the liquid traversing the pod thereby forcing a beverage out of the pod by such centrifugal forces, wherein the pod comprises containment walls containing beverage ingredients; said containment walls being essentially made of porous filtering material and comprising a top wall from which a central funnel (10) comprising liquid inlet openings extends inwardly in the pod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Arnaud Gerbaulet, Daniel Abegglen, Alexandre Perentes, Jean-Francois Tinembart
  • Patent number: 9592954
    Abstract: A sachet assembly, includes a closed bag which is formed from water-permeable filter paper, and a solid substance which is contained in the bag and is at least partially water-soluble. The water-soluble solid substance comprises a preparation for cut flowers. In particular, the preparation comprises a foodstuff and/or conditioning agent and/or disinfectant and/or biocide and/or growth inhibitor. The packaging assembly includes a waterproof, or at least moisture-proof, outer packaging containing a large number of sachets. The invention also relates to the use of a sachet made from water-permeable filter paper for administering a preparation to cut flowers which are standing in water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Chrysal International BV
    Inventors: Tjerk Pier Van Der Schaaf, Ewald Groenewoud, Paul Thomas Dirk Herman
  • Patent number: 9592955
    Abstract: A container is provided herein. The container may include a container joint structure, wherein the container joint structure may include a top side rail provided along a top edge of the container, and provided with a groove-shape having an open top; and corner castings respectively provided at end points of the top edge of the container to be in contact with both ends of the top side rail, wherein a hole may be formed at an abutment surface of each corner casting to the top side rail, and the hole may allow an internal space of the top side rail and an inside of the corner casting to communicated with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Urbantainer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ji Won Baik
  • Patent number: 9592956
    Abstract: A waste device including a container having a bottom and a circumferential wall, wherein the container has a container-opening on the end remote from the bottom and closing means positioned near the container opening for substantially closing the container opening in such a way that odor release is prevented. The closing means includes a drum housing and a drum body being pivotable between an insertion position wherein refuse is placeable in a transport container, and a transit position wherein the transport container is aligned with the drum opening. The waste device further including a flexible sealing member having a connection part that is located radially outwards, and that is connected to the drum housing, and having a sealing part that extends radially inward from the connection part and which may be brought into sealingly contact with the external surface of the drum body for sealing the container opening in a substantially odor-free manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: CTP INNOVATIONS B.V.
    Inventor: Thomas Alan Garland
  • Patent number: 9592957
    Abstract: This invention includes embodiments which disclose a collection and delivery vehicle with a cab portion, a chassis and a container box. The container box includes a lift mechanism, a material storage area which may include multiple individual storage areas, some dual use, and a conveyor, auger or other desirable material handling mechanism to receive the material from bins and move it to the material storage area and/or storage containers from above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Inventors: David Rajewski, Rocky Rajewski
  • Patent number: 9592958
    Abstract: A method of assembling a weldment for a refuse truck loading arm includes providing a left-handed C-section and a right-handed C-section and at least one buttress, welding a first buttress into a concave end portion of the left-handed or right-handed C-section, welding a first edge of the left-handed C-section to a matching edge of the right-handed C-section, welding another matching edge of the left-handed C-section to a matching edge of the right-handed C-section, the edge welding steps defining a slot between the edges, said slot being at an end portion of said weldment, and welding a joint section into the slot, with the joint section having an inner face, bolt holes and a key recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: WAYNE INDUSTRIAL HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Richard Mezera, Kevin Watje, Doug Halbur, Dean Steege
  • Patent number: 9592959
    Abstract: An intermediate transfer device is located upwardly of an article delivering and receiving portion and downwardly of a ceiling transport vehicle. A transfer device grip is provided such that the intermediate transfer device is in vertical alignment with the ceiling transport vehicle and the article delivering and receiving portion and is capable of traveling, while guided and supported by a guiding support, to and among a transfer position for the delivering and receiving portion, a transfer position for the intermediate rack, a transfer-time retracted position, and a temporary-storage-time retracted. The guiding support is configured to form a space through which the grip portion and an article can pass in the vertical direction when the ceiling transport vehicle transfers the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Daifuku Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomotaka Kinugawa, Suguru Shibata, Daisuke Ogawa
  • Patent number: 9592960
    Abstract: A storage rack (30) for use in an order-picking system (100) includes a plurality of rack planes (44) being arranged on top of each other, which respectively comprise a plurality of rack compartments (46, 48) being arranged side-by-side, a filling side (34) and a removal side (32), being different to the filling side (34), wherein the removal side preferably is arranged oppositely, wherein the rack compartments (46, 48) are filled with articles (66-70) at the filling side (34), wherein the articles in term are removed at the removal side (32) for the purpose of order-picking, and a plurality of serving units (52), each of which comprises at least a display element (54), a transmitter (62) and a receiver (64) and is at least arranged such at the filling side (34) that each of the rack compartments (46, 48) is assigned to one serving unit (52).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: SSI Schäfer Noell GmbH Lager- und Systemtechnik
    Inventor: Gerhard Schäfer
  • Patent number: 9592961
    Abstract: A robot-enabled method of picking cases in a warehouse is provided. A robotic vehicle includes a processor configured to access a memory, a user input device, an output device, and a load platform, and has access to an electronically stored representation of a warehouse. The representation includes a map that defines aisles for storing items arranged as pick faces within the warehouse. A pick list is generated from an order; the pick list provides identifications of items to be picked to fulfill the order. Determined from the pick list is a plurality of stops at pick faces associated with the items. A route within the map is generated that includes the plurality of stops. The robotic vehicle iteratively guides itself along the route and automatically stops at each of the plurality of stops to enable loading of the items from the pick list onto the load platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Seegrid Corporation
    Inventor: Mitchell Weiss
  • Patent number: 9592962
    Abstract: An apparatus for arranging and transferring ammunition, includes a slope conveyor, which is configured into an endless track structure so as to lift cartridges placed on a transfer track thereof using magnetic force, a plurality of permanent magnets, which are arranged on the slope conveyor so as to create a magnetic field outside the transfer track, one or more hole sifters, which are disposed near an outer surface of the transfer track and which have cartridge passage holes formed at locations through which the plurality of permanent magnets pass, and magnetizing controllers including electromagnets, which are disposed above and under the hole sifters and are assigned to the plurality of permanent magnets, wherein the magnetizing controllers detect a position of the permanent magnet when the permanent magnet passes through the cartridge passage hole, and controls the electromagnets to create a magnetic field, having polarity, orientation and density at least one of which is controlled, above or under the ho
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: POONGSAN CORPORATION
    Inventor: Dong Hee Lee
  • Patent number: 9592963
    Abstract: An outlet tube for a material transfer system. The outlet tube comprises a body and at least one restrictor. The body is adapted to be connected to a feed system. The body has an inner wall that defines an opening adapted to receive material from the feed system such that the body is adapted to allow a flow of the material through the opening and out of the tube. At least one restrictor extends inwardly from the inner wall of the body into the opening. The restrictor(s) is adapted to extend into the flow of the material to impede the flow. In addition, the restrictor(s) is configured to enable the material to flow around it to exit out of the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Inventors: Mark E. Koenig, Larry E. Koenig
  • Patent number: 9592964
    Abstract: Techniques are described with regard to determining and controlling a location and status of assets directly and/or indirectly. The techniques may be used to track and control the respective locations and status of any number of objects. Applications include but are not limited to tracking dry and refrigerated trailers and their status in a supply-chain yard; tracking pallets and boxes and their status in a warehouse; tracking items in a retail environment; tracking finished goods and work in progress in and around a manufacturing plant; tracking vehicles in a parking lot; tracking cargo and equipment at an airport; tracking equipment in a lay down yard; etc. In all cases the laborious and error prone data gathering is replaced with automated data collection methods reducing cost, increasing accuracy, and increasing efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: PINC SOLUTIONS
    Inventor: Aleks Göllü
  • Patent number: 9592965
    Abstract: A conveying apparatus that increases the conveying speed of a conveyance object, and improves reliability and conveyance efficiency at low cost. Acceleration/deceleration sections, each of which includes a plurality of variable-speed conveyance sections, are provided among constant-speed conveyance sections. The conveying speed of a conveyance object is continuously accelerated or decelerated while the conveyance object passes through the acceleration/deceleration sections. This changes the conveying speed from the conveying speed of the upstream constant-speed conveyance section to the conveying speed of the downstream constant-speed conveyance section. Thus, it is controlled that the conveying speed and the conveyance acceleration/deceleration is identical between the upstream conveyance section and the downstream conveyance section when the conveyance object is transferred from the upstream conveyance section to the downstream conveyance section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Daifuku Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazushi Tsujimoto, Shinji Inatomi
  • Patent number: 9592966
    Abstract: In a conveyor system, a conveyor having a conveyor surface transports items. An optional lubricant dispensing device dispenses a lubricant composition on the conveyor surface. A friction coefficient measuring device measures a quantity proportional to the friction coefficient of the conveyor surface and provides a signal indicative for the measured quantity proportional to the friction coefficient. A control receives the signal indicative for the measured quantity. In one embodiment, the control provides a further signal when the measured quantity exceeds a threshold value or for regulating the lubricant amount to be dispensed based on the measured quantity in order to maintain the measured quantity proportional to the friction coefficient within a predetermined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: REXNORD FLATTOP EUROPE B.V.
    Inventors: Rick Wilhelmus van den Berg, Cornelis Hendrik Mijndert Menke
  • Patent number: 9592967
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for conveying preforms, to a blow molding machine. The apparatus includes a conveying device which conveys preforms away from a supply of preforms, a feeding device that receives preforms from the conveying device, and a sorting device that sorts the preforms and conveys them in a direction of travel. The conveying device ends above the sorting device. The inlet end of the feeding device has a holding zone which the preforms reach as they arrive from the conveying device, and the discharge end of the feeding device has a transfer zone via which the preforms reach the sorting device. The feeding device has an orienting zone with an orienting device designed so that the flow of preforms is oriented in the direction of the flow of the preforms in the sorting device (direction of travel), and the oriented preforms run through the transfer zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: KHS CORPOPLAST GMBH
    Inventors: Alexander Heller, Dieter Holler
  • Patent number: 9592968
    Abstract: A nozzle system that includes an improved air nozzle is provided. In one embodiment, the nozzle has an inlet and an outlet. An air source is connected with the nozzle through a conduit and generates an air flow using a high flow centrifugal blower. The nozzle is connected with and part of an air-driven orientation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS, INC.
    Inventor: Allen S. Pucciani
  • Patent number: 9592969
    Abstract: A system and method for tracking/controlling access to transported articles, includes a computing module in signal communication with sending and receiving stations. A first input device at the sending station receives identifying information identifying a carrier (“carrier ID”) and an item (“item ID”) placed within the locked carrier. The carrier ID and the item ID are transmitted to the computing module. A second input device at the receiving station receives the carrier ID for a carrier received at the receiving station and identifying information for an individual (“user ID”) at the receiving station provided access to the locked carrier. The carrier ID and the user ID are transmitted to the computing module, which unlocks the carrier and allows access to the item inside, and records the user ID of the individual provided access and the associated carrier ID and/or item ID to provide chain of custody information for the item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Aethon, Inc.
    Inventors: David G. Wolfe, Spencer W. Allen
  • Patent number: 9592970
    Abstract: A robotic gantry system, end-effector for a robotic gantry system and method of transporting products using a robotic gantry system is provided. The end-effector includes a movable floor that can be positioned below picked products to prevent products from being dropped during transport. The movable floor also permits selecting individual rows of products from a given layer of products of a product stack. The end-effector may include a vacuum assembly for vacuum adhering to the products. The method permits selection of varying portions of a stack of products with the end-effector and protecting the selected portions of products using the movable floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Inventor: Toby D. Henderson
  • Patent number: 9592971
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for transferring formed adhesive elements from a reservoir (30) containing plural formed adhesive elements (12) to a bonding part attachable to a glass surface or other substrate through the use of adhesives. Transfer of the formed adhesive element to the bonding part (14) is accomplished by use of a vacuum tool (10) having a vacuum outlet, an internal plenum, and a series of vacuum lines formed in an adhesive element holding face. The vacuum tool is positioned over a reservoir of formed adhesive elements. Once the formed adhesive elements have been captured by the vacuum tool (10) the tool is used to place them into contact with the heated bonding part (14) directly or indirectly by intermediate placement onto a matrix (60) having a plurality of ejector pins (72) movably fitted therein. The ejector pins move the formed adhesive elements into position against the bonding part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: A. Raymond Et Cie
    Inventor: Mathias Hansel
  • Patent number: 9592972
    Abstract: Example lateral sealing members for use with weather barriers are disclosed. An example lateral sealing member includes a lateral sealing member being vertically elongate. The lateral sealing member has a J-shaped cross-section extending between an attached end and a tip of the lateral sealing member. The lateral sealing member has a groove along the tip. The lateral sealing member is movable between an activated configuration and a relaxed configuration. The tip to extend farther into a vehicle pathway when the lateral sealing member is in the relaxed configuration than when the lateral sealing member is in the activated configuration. A tip seal is provided along the tip of the lateral sealing member. The tip seal is to protrude in the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Rite-Hite Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Charles Digmann, Charles J. Ashelin, Frank Heim, Gary Borgerding, Ryan Withrow
  • Patent number: 9592973
    Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus includes a stacking portion, a lifting portion, a feeding portion, and a control portion. The sheet feeding apparatus further includes a first height detecting portion configured to output a signal corresponding to a position in a height direction of the topmost sheet of sheets stacked on the stacking portion, a sheet presence detecting portion configured to output a signal corresponding to presence or absence of the sheets stacked on the stacking portion, and a second height detecting portion configured to output a signal corresponding to a position in a height direction of the stacking portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hideki Kushida, Tomohito Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 9592974
    Abstract: A sheet feeder including a driving mechanism moving a stopper, an end of the stopper in a first position being closer to a pickup roller axis than a part of a roller surface of a pickup roller, the end of the stopper in a second position being farther from the pickup roller axis than the part of the roller surface, and a movable set guide having a first surface facing in a particular direction to become farther from the roller surface, the first surface being farther from the pickup roller axis than all the roller surface when the set guide is in a third position and contacts the stopper in the first position, the first surface being closer to the pickup roller axis than the part of the roller surface when the set guide is in a fourth position and separated away from the stopper in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yutaka Saito, Masatsugu Mizuno
  • Patent number: 9592975
    Abstract: A paper transfer device includes a first paper transfer path that transfers a paper from a first paper feeder, a second paper transfer path that transfers a paper from a second paper feeder, a first paper guide plate fixed on the first paper transfer path, a rotatable second paper guide plate provided so as to faces the first paper guide plate with the first paper transfer path interposed therebetween when closed, a third paper guide plate fixed on the second paper transfer path, a rotatable fourth paper guide plate provided so as to face the third paper guide plate with the second paper transfer path interposed therebetween when closed, a cooperative mechanism that opens the fourth paper guide plate synchronously with opening of the second paper guide plate, and closes the fourth paper guide plate synchronously with closing of the second paper guide plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: RISO KAGAKU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Mitunori Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 9592976
    Abstract: A system for singly dispensing fibrous coffee filters from bulk includes a grasping tool having a handle with a working end and a container with an edge trim member for preventing bulk fibrous filters from passing freely through the opening in the container. The edge trim member comprises interlocking parts and has a planer platform for rotating the trim member relative to the container. The planer platform has a cutout extending therethrough. The handle of the grasping tool is configured to be releasably secured to the platform. The system accommodates large and small cup- and cone-style filters and may be built-in to a coffee brewing machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Coffco, LLC
    Inventor: Jeffrey G. Roberts
  • Patent number: 9592977
    Abstract: A first actuator is detected at a first detection position by a detecting unit when no sheet is held on a feed tray, and is not detected at a first non-detection position by the detecting unit when the first actuator is in contact with a sheet held on the feed tray. A second actuator is detected at a second detection position by the detecting unit when the second actuator is in contact, at a predetermined position downstream of the first actuator in a conveying direction, with a sheet conveyed, and is not detected at a second non-detection position by the detecting unit when the second actuator is out of contact, at the predetermined position, with the sheet conveyed. A restricting member restricts the first actuator from moving from the first non-detection position to the first detection position when the second actuator is at the second detection position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuhira Ota, Noriyuki Kawamata, Takashi Omura
  • Patent number: 9592978
    Abstract: The present invention provides a medium protection device and a medium separating and stacking device capable of avoiding damage to a medium when moving the medium along a guide. In a banknote cassette, a guide body is attached to a circumferential side face of a central body of a tongue piece roller in a range not provided with tongue pieces. When feeding out banknotes, the banknote cassette stops the tongue piece roller in a retracted state, thereby positioning an outer circumferential face of the guide body in the vicinity of the surface of a front upper curved portion of a hole in the conveyance guide, such that the hole can be placed in an almost completely blocked state. The present invention can accordingly prevent the vicinity of a corner of a banknote from entering the hole, enabling creasing during conveyance to be forestalled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Michio Suetaka, Takamoto Yokote, Satoru Iwasaki, Hajime Togiya
  • Patent number: 9592979
    Abstract: A sheet feeder includes a tray, a paper feed member, a first detection section, and a second detection section. The tray has a placement surface having an upper surface on which a sheet is placed. The paper feed member is arranged on an entrance side of a sheet conveyance path and conveys the sheet in a conveyance direction. The first detection section detects a leading end side in the conveyance direction of the sheet placed on the placement surface. The second detection section detects a trailing end side in the conveyance direction of the sheet placed on the placement surface. The second detection section is arranged at an end section of the tray on a trailing end side in the conveyance direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventor: Masayuki Kakuta
  • Patent number: 9592980
    Abstract: There is provided the paper conveying apparatus, jam determining method, and computer program, which can suppress the mistaken determining of the occurrence of a jam by sound due to a sound generated by a moving member driven in relation to conveyance of a paper. The paper conveying apparatus according to an embodiment includes a moving member driven in relation to conveyance of a paper, a drive module for driving the moving member, a sound signal generator for generating a sound signal corresponding to a sound generated by a paper during conveyance of the paper, a sound jam detector for determining whether a jam has occurred based on the sound signal, and a control module for stopping conveyance of a paper when the sound jam detector determines that a jam has occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: PFU LIMITED
    Inventor: Masanobu Hongo