Patents Issued in October 3, 2017
  • Patent number: 9776767
    Abstract: A packaging combination is disclosed that includes a box and at least first and second planar objects in the box. At least first and second shock absorbing clips are attached to the planar objects in the box. At least one of the first clips is fastened to the first planar object and the clip is positioned between one wall of the box and the second planar object. At least one of the second clips is fastened to both planar objects and is positioned between opposite walls of the box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Third Dimension, Inc.
    Inventors: Louis G. DeJesus, Doug Dean
  • Patent number: 9776768
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a container for a beverage having an inner coating layer containing resveratrol, a process for preparing such a container, the use of said container for the storage of a beverage and the use of resveratrol as an additive to coating layers of such containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Barokes PTY LTD
    Inventors: Gregory John Charles Stokes, Steven John Anthony Barics
  • Patent number: 9776769
    Abstract: A steam release standing pouch has a structure in which the sealing portion is reliably peeled, and a content sealing standing pouch formed using the pouch. The steam release standing pouch has a first vapor passage portion. The distance between the inner edge of the tip of the vapor passage portion and the center of maximum expansion, which is the center of the portion where expansion is expected to be maximal, is shorter than either the distance between the inner edge of the first upper side portion and the center of maximum expansion or the distance between the inner edge of the first intermediate side portion and the center of maximum expansion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: TOPPAN PRINTING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hideya Kondo, Hirofumi Kawai
  • Patent number: 9776770
    Abstract: A child resistant zipper closure for a plastic bag includes a double slider, including a first slider and second slider. The first and second sliders are oriented on the zipper closure such that when at least one of the first slider and second slider is moving in a direction toward the other of the first slider and second slider, the zipper is interlocking; and when at least one of the first slider and second slider is moving in a direction away from the other of the first slider and second slider, the zipper is unlocking. The first and second sliders can be realeasably connected together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Reynolds Presto Products Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory L. Petkovsek, Roger E. Dowler, Gregg Thompson, Samuel D. Aversa
  • Patent number: 9776771
    Abstract: A screw cap lidded container for laboratory use includes a container body defining a chamber, a tubular section of the container body that is connected at the rear to the chamber and has a container opening in the front and an external thread on the outer periphery of the tubular section. There is a circumferential first sealing surface on the tubular section and at least one first projection, which projects from the container body at a peripheral position of the tubular section, and a screw cap having an internal thread on the inner periphery that can be screwed onto the external thread with thread play, a second sealing surface on the screw cap can be brought into sealing contact with the first sealing surface, and at least one second projection, which projects at a peripheral position of the screw cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Eppendorf AG
    Inventor: Martin Seippel
  • Patent number: 9776772
    Abstract: A bayonet connection structure between a container mouth portion and a cap is disclosed. The cap includes multiple slip prevention claws spaced apart from each other. One of the slip prevention claws is elastically displaceable in a radial direction. A rotation prevention projection is provided between the elastically-displaceable slip prevention claw and the other slip prevention claws. The mouth portion has a hollow cylindrical portion with an outer circumferential surface provided with multiple slip prevention claw (SPC) engagement portions for the slip prevention claws. The SPC engagement portions are as many as the slip prevention claws. Each of the SPC engagement portions has an end in a clockwise direction provided with a rotation prevention stopper. The mouth portion includes a rotation prevention rib to be got over by the rotation prevention projection of the cap when the cap is rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: CANYON CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Atsushi Tada, Mitsuaki Shaduki
  • Patent number: 9776773
    Abstract: The fastener container in the present invention includes a receptacle base and a lid as main components combined together. Said receptacle base and lid are connected by a hinge. So that, the container utilizes the integrally formed receptacle base and lid, the user does not need to worry about that the lid missing during use, and the container can be made in any size and the structure of the container does not affect the use of the user. Moreover, the special structure of receptacle base and lid of this invention can effectively solve the problem that the screws or items fall from the opening on the side of the container to the outside when the locked container be extruded deformation by external force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: CHENG YU ENTERPRISES CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Min-Chien Chen
  • Patent number: 9776774
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a container lid, comprising a lid surface having an area for an outlet opening that is defined by a circumferential edge, a lifting tab for opening the area, said lifting tab being fastened to a top side of the lid surface by a fastening means, possibly in the form of a rivet. The lid surface has a first locking element protruding from the lid surface or protruding into the lid surface, wherein the lifting tab has a second locking element that interacts with the first locking element such that a rotation of the lifting tab about the fastening means is prevented. The fastening means is configured to interact with element and/or the second locking element such that a rotation of the fastening means is prevented. The disclosure further comprises a container and a method for producing a container lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Red Bull GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias Rinderer, Roland Concin
  • Patent number: 9776775
    Abstract: A fastener device for closing a fluid reservoir (1) having a neck (10) with outer peripheral reinforcement (11) that co-operates with the neck to define a bottom shoulder (12). The fastener device includes a fastener ring (2) for holding a closure member (4) on the neck (10), and which includes a peripheral skirt (21) extending around the neck below the bottom shoulder (12). The skirt (21) is provided with fastener elements (26a, 26b) forming contact zones (27a, 27b) for coming into engagement with the neck (10) below the bottom shoulder (12). A blocking hoop (3) is provided that is engaged around the peripheral skirt (21) in a final mounted position. The peripheral skirt (21) forms vertical blades (22) separated by axial slots (23), the blocking hoop (3) forming vertical branches (33) that are arranged in the axial slots (23) between two vertical blades (22), in the mounted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: APTAR STELMI SAS
    Inventors: Ghislain Fournier, Mickael Swal
  • Patent number: 9776776
    Abstract: A liquid dispensing device for allowing a user to drink liquid therefrom in a hands-free manner. The liquid dispensing device includes a container having a spring-loaded stopper therein, and further including an elongated tube having a mouthpiece thereon that extends from an end of the container. In operation, a user can fill the container with a liquid causing the spring loaded stopper to retract so that it is under tension. When the user wishes to drink the liquid, the user can bite the bite valve of the mouthpiece which enables water to be released from the container and into a tube connected to the mouthpiece. The spring pushes the stopper towards the mouthpiece and thus the liquid within the container is pushed through the tube to the mouthpiece so the user may drink therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Inventor: Walter Yamasaki
  • Patent number: 9776777
    Abstract: An embodiment of a cap for a bottle may comprise a body and nozzle. The body may include an annular wall, an aperture configured to receive a nozzle, and a plug rigidly attached within the aperture. The nozzle may be movable between a retracted position in which fluid cannot pass between plug and nozzle, and an extended position in which fluid can pass between plug and nozzle. The nozzle may include an inner wall and an outer wall. The outer wall may have at least one longitudinal recess. The longitudinal recess may allow selective passage of air. The longitudinal recess may allow air to flow through the recess and into the bottle when the nozzle is in the extended position, and is contained within the aperture and is thus configured to prevent air from flowing through the recess and into the bottle when the nozzle is in the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Helen of Troy Limited
    Inventor: Timothy Dryden Gorbold
  • Patent number: 9776778
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device (10) for emptying a canister (12) with a nozzle (14) with a first opening (16), comprising an adapter (18) to be at least partially arranged inside the nozzle (14), in particular inside the first opening (16), a connector (34) connectable to the adapter (18) for connecting a suction machine to the adapter (18), and a reclosable fitment (36) comprising a first fitment part (38) and a second fitment part (40), wherein the first fitment part (36) is arranged on the adapter (18) and the second fitment (40) part is arranged on the connector (34). Thus, the safety of handling an emptied canister (12) with a residue fluid may be increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Haworth, Thomas Mai
  • Patent number: 9776779
    Abstract: A closure for a container has an integral tether section of the closure skirt attached to a tamper band at frangible sections. In the open position, the tether section has a free length providing for a plurality of resiliently docked closure positions retaining the closure on the container and not interfering with the transfer of contents therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Inventor: Phillip John Campbell
  • Patent number: 9776780
    Abstract: The invention relates to shrink packaging (1) for packing a series of containers (2), said packaging comprising a first zone (3) and, in this zone, at least one incision line including a series of perforations forming at least one partially detachable section (4) arranged to allow the extraction of at least one container (2) in a direction extending substantially from the lower part of the container (2) to the upper part thereof, said partially detachable packaging section (4) being larger than the cross-section of the at least one container (2) to be extracted. Moreover, the partially detachable section (4) is located on the periphery of the first zone (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: DIOPASS SPRL
    Inventors: Henry Frederic Schloesser, Paula Mireille Fluzin
  • Patent number: 9776781
    Abstract: A storage bag includes first and second sidewalls each having a top edge, a top portion, and a bottom portion. The bottom portion of the first sidewall includes at least one shift region about which the bag is capable of shifting. The shift region includes a score line, an indentation, or a crimp formed into the first sidewall. The top portions of the sidewalls include a cuff line about which the bag is capable of shifting. The bag shifts between (i) a flat configuration with the sidewalls positioned adjacent to each other, and (ii) a stand-up configuration with the sidewalls separated from each other. In the stand-up configuration, the bag has a substantially flat base. The bag also can be shifted to a cuffed position with the bag being folded over the cuff line of each of the sidewalls such that the cuff region forms an opening to the bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Jose Porchia, Keegan E. Burggren, Brian C. Dais
  • Patent number: 9776782
    Abstract: The present invention relates to improved packages which include a rigid or semi-rigid tray having a single thermoplastic overwrap comprising a polymeric laminate surrounding the tray and having a front panel and an opposing back panel. The inventive packages also include a continuous seal circumscribing a recessed cavity of the tray which comprises a heat seal formed by heat sealing a portion of the front panel to the peripheral flange of the tray. Advantageously, when the tray is removed from the overwrap, a portion of the first film separates from the laminate and remains peelably sealed to the flange of the tray and thus, may serve as a lidding film for the container. Since the recessed cavity is still covered, the container may then be placed directly in a microwave or conventional oven to thaw and/or cook the food container within the package without first removing the lidding film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Bemis Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Keith A. Klipstine
  • Patent number: 9776783
    Abstract: A foldable sleeve for retaining a surgical instrument is presented. The foldable sleeve includes a first panel having a first set of lock tabs, a second panel hingedly connected to the first panel, the second panel having a first pair of openings and a second pair of openings, and a third panel hingedly connected to the second panel, the third panel having a second set of lock tabs. The first panel and the third panel are each selectively movable over a portion of the second panel to retain the surgical instrument within the foldable sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Divya Vijaya Vittala Nadig, Dharani Gandhi
  • Patent number: 9776784
    Abstract: A packaging system and method for securing a product within a shipping container includes providing a shipping container appropriately sized for the product, attaching at least a first shock absorption member to the shipping container for serving as a locator for the product and for positioning the product on the shipping container. Attaching at least a second shock absorption member to the shipping container for, together with the at least a first shock absorption member, securing the product on the shipping container. The shipping container is closed about the product, which is itself suspended by the at least a first shock absorption member and the at least a second shock absorption member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Third Dimension, Inc.
    Inventor: Louis G. DeJesus
  • Patent number: 9776785
    Abstract: An aerosol dispensing system has a container assembly, an actuator assembly, and a trigger member. The container assembly has a valve assembly. The actuator assembly has an actuator housing defining a rail portion, a trigger member pivotably attached to the actuator housing, and an outlet assembly defining an outlet opening. The outlet assembly is slidably supported relative to the actuator housing by the rail portion. The trigger member engages the outlet assembly such that application of deliberate manual force on the trigger member causes pivoting movement of the trigger member relative to the actuator housing and such that pivoting movement of the trigger member relative to the actuator housing causes linear movement of the outlet assembly relative to the actuator housing. The outlet assembly engages the valve assembly such that linear movement of the outlet assembly alters the valve assembly from a closed configuration to a fully open configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: PPG Architectural Finishes, Inc.
    Inventors: Randal W. Hanson, Carson Massie, Robert A. Kinzle, Jane D. Wasley, Scott Jackson, David Bourlier
  • Patent number: 9776786
    Abstract: An actuator for dispensing the liquid contents of a container in the form of a spray includes an actuator cap, an axial spray channel with an orifice for spraying the contents of the container, and an axial feed channel for connection a container outlet to the spray channel. A breakup wedge is provided in the feed channel such that it splits the feed channel into two sub channels, each connected via a side inlet opening with an inlet portion of the spray channel. Thus, in use, a flow of content is split into two sub flows by the breakup wedge, which sub flows subsequently collide in the inlet portion of the spray channel causing a turbulent flow of the liquid product in the inlet portion of the spray channel, which turbulent flow is guided by the spray channel towards and out of the dispensing opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Plasticum Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Henricus Johannes Cornelius Nuijen, Antonetta Johanna Maria Schoenmakers, Hermanus Jacobus Vos
  • Patent number: 9776787
    Abstract: A foam forming aerosol product including a double structure container having a propellant filling space, two liquid concentrate filling spaces, and a discharging mechanism for simultaneously discharging contents filled in the two liquid concentrate filling spaces. The propellant filling space is filled with a propellant containing a compressed gas. A first liquid concentrate filling space is filled with a first liquid concentrate composition containing 0.5 to 15.0% by mass of an organic acid, and a second liquid concentrate filling space is filled with a second liquid concentrate composition containing 0.5 to 15.0% by mass of a hydrogen carbonate. The first liquid concentrate composition discharged from the first liquid concentrate filling space and the second liquid concentrate composition discharged from the second liquid concentrate filling space are mixed to form a foam. The foam forming aerosol product can be safely used, has an excellent storage stability and is capable of readily forming a foam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: TOYO AEROSOL INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yasutomo Nakajima
  • Patent number: 9776788
    Abstract: Capsule (1) for the preparation of a beverage in a centrifugal extraction device (50) by feeding liquid in the capsule and rotating the capsule along a rotational axis (I) in the device to produce centrifugal forces on the liquid, wherein the capsule (1) comprises containment walls forming an interior cavity (2) containing beverage ingredients (3); said containment walls comprising a lid (4) and a side wall (5) extending substantially revolutionary around a central axis (I) and a peripheral flange (8) extending peripherally in radial direction to said axis (I), said flange (8) comprising an annular base (9) extending outwardly and a valve means (10) connected to said annular base, said valve means (10) extending in a direction (A) transversal to said radial direction (B) and being configured with at least one deflectable valve portion (11) which deflects for leaving a transversal passage upon the centrifugal pressure exerted by liquid flowing thereon when the capsule is rotated about the axis (I) during the c
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Nestec S. A.
    Inventors: Arnaud Gerbaulet, Jean-Francois Tinembart, Daniel Abegglen, Bruno Bizet, Nicolas Jean-Guy Bezet
  • Patent number: 9776789
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a food capsule (100, 300) comprising a cup-shaped capsule body (101, 301) enclosing a cavity (102, 302) with an opening (105, 305) at a first end (103, 303), a second end (104, 304) comprising at least one outlet (106a, 106b, 310, 311) communicating with said cavity (102, 302); an injection wall (112, 314) closing said opening (105, 305); and at least one partition (107, 306) within said cavity (102, 302) extending from said injection wall (112, 314) to said second end (104, 304) of said capsule body (101, 301) and dividing said cavity (102, 302) into a plurality of chambers (108, 109, 308, 309); characterized in that each chamber houses a quantity of an alimentary substance (110, 111, 315, 316) and communicates with at least one outlet comprising an independently-operable closure means (106a, 106b, 310, 311) in said second end (104, 304).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventor: Christian Talon
  • Patent number: 9776790
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a height-extensible container-type warehouse that is manufactured in a container type at a factory, can be transported to a desired place, and can be increased in height at the place by coupling a section, which exceeds a height limit under the Road Traffic Act and is separately manufactured, to an opening of the warehouse in order to increase the height thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Inventor: Yeong-Jong Kwon
  • Patent number: 9776791
    Abstract: A cargo supporting structure made of a liner, mounted inside a container cargo, comprising a plurality of pre-tensioned belts coupled to an elastically deformable and not extensible element shaped like a circular ring, made of composite material and reinforced with steel stiffening elements; and comprising one ratchet tensioning means, mounted on one of the pre-tensioned belts to tension all pre-tensioned belts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: ECEPLAST, S.R.L.
    Inventor: Giuseppe Altobelli
  • Patent number: 9776792
    Abstract: A valve system for a container or vat, such as a food cooking vat. The valve system includes a valve body and stem having a valve head with a sealing member. The valve body has an outlet configured to be in fluid communication with the vat, and the sealing member is in fluid communication with the outlet and the chamber and is selectively operable between a discharge position, allowing the vat's contents to drain from the chamber, and a closed position, allowing the contents to remain in the chamber. The sealing member preferably is comprised of polymer and has an O-type sealing ring interposed between a first portion and a second portion, where the diameter of the second portion is smaller than the diameter of the first portion. Embodiments may also include a snap-fit connection of the sealing member to the valve head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Inventor: James H. McCarter
  • Patent number: 9776793
    Abstract: A method and a device for moving objects (44) on shelves (14;16) of a storing systems by operating a shuttle (42) between a plurality of ends of said shelves comprising the steps of engaging a first strip (30) at a first side of a support head (46) of said shuttle, engaging a second strip (30?) at a second side of said support head of said shuttle (42) opposing said first side, and displacing said shuttle (42) along said shelves (14; 16) by pushing and retracting said strips (30, 30?). Propelling means (38) are arranged to displace said shuttle (42) along said shelves (14; 16) by pushing and retracting said strips (30; 30?).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: KNAPP AG
    Inventor: Bo Lindblom
  • Patent number: 9776794
    Abstract: An automated storage and retrieval system including a storage structure with storage racks having a seating surface configured to support case units where a position of each case unit is non-deterministic for each storage location on the storage racks, each case unit has a predetermined storage position and a controller is configured to determine the predetermined storage position, a picking aisle configured to provide access to the case units within the storage structure, and a seismic disturbance restorative system including seismic disturbance motions sensors disposed on the storage racks, a seismic disturbance control module in communication with the seismic disturbance sensors and configured to identify a seismic disturbance, and an automated case mapper configured to traverse the picking aisle, the automated case mapper being in communication with and initialized by the seismic disturbance control module to identify a seated position of at least one case unit within the storage structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Symbotic, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Sullivan, Stephen C. Toebes
  • Patent number: 9776795
    Abstract: A pressing pulley is formed of a tapered roller having an angle same as a taper angle of a head pulley and having a length in a rotation axis direction of a tapered outer tube which is set to be shorter than a length in a rotation axis direction of a taper-shaped outer tube of the head pulley, and the pressing pulley is arranged in a state where a large-diameter-side end portion of the tapered outer tube is positioned in a vicinity of an outer peripheral edge portion of a fan-shaped belt and the pressing pulley is inclined so that a peripheral surface of the tapered outer tube presses a portion close to the outer periphery in a length from a pivot to the outer peripheral edge portion of the fan-shaped belt wound around the head pulley against a peripheral surface of the taper-shaped outer tube of the head pulley.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: SANKI ENGINEERING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Nobuya Hishinuma
  • Patent number: 9776796
    Abstract: A system and a method for destacking and conveying articles disposed in stacks include a conveying device which is constructed for transporting the articles in a conveying direction. The conveying device is inclined relative to the horizontal at an angle of inclination and has a drive device and adhesion elements. The adhesion elements exert an adhesion force on articles with which they are in contact. The system also includes a controller which is connected to the drive device of the conveying device. In order to provide for more effective destacking for the system and the method, the adhesion elements are connected to the controller and constructed to be activated by the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Torsten Tanz
  • Patent number: 9776797
    Abstract: Material processing apparatus (20) includes a housing (22) with a plurality of vertically stacked inverting pan conveyors (42, 44) therein. Each conveyor (42, 44) includes a plurality of conveyor pans (50) traveling between and around aligned front and rear sprocket pairs (90, 92) to define upper and lower conveyor runs (52, 54). Each pan (50) has a perforated base plate (56) presenting a pair of opposed material-supporting surfaces (58, 60). As the pans (50) traverse the sprocket pairs (90, 92), they are inverted, and material (110) carried by the upper run pans (50) is transferred to the lower run pans (50) by passage of the material around and/or between the sprocket pair (90).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Wenger Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Eugene Van Dalsem, Eric Rokey, Dennis Howard Baumgartner, Jim Painter, Keith Erdley
  • Patent number: 9776798
    Abstract: Disclosed is an assembly set for a slat-band conveyor including lateral rims which are formed by two lateral parts, the lateral rims being hinged together, and including plates which are connected to the lateral rims. The lateral parts have substantially the same geometry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Kabelschlepp GmbH—Hünsborn
    Inventors: Michael Diebel, André Kleinhans
  • Patent number: 9776799
    Abstract: A conveyor belt system includes a conveyor belt and a sensor assembly integrated in the conveyor belt. The conveyor belt includes a plurality of wickets, and a plurality of interconnecting rods about which the wickets hinge. The sensor assembly includes a load-bearing member and a sensor fitted in the load-bearing member. The load-bearing member is coupled to two adjacent rods such that a belt tension is sustained between the adjacent rods. A method of using a conveyor belt system include pinging the sensor assembly using a reader with an antenna positioned on a conveyor frame, collecting a signal from the sensor assembly using the reader, and processing the collected data to determine a history of belt tension and to estimate overall belt elongation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Ulchak, Robert E. Maine, Jr., Thomas O. Perdue
  • Patent number: 9776800
    Abstract: A modular conveyor is assembled from a kit of standard components, said conveyor having a length, width and height, and wherein the conveyor comprises: (a) four end side plates each having an aperture suitable to accommodate a sprocket wheel axle; (b) two sprocket wheel axles wherein at least one axle is suitable to be connected to a drive means, wherein each axle may accommodate one or more sprocket wheels; (c) web elements attachable to one side of the side plates in order to keep pairs of side plates at a determined lateral distance, wherein said web elements further comprise means for supporting an endless conveyor belt; and (d) an endless conveyor belt arranged around the sprocket wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: AMMERAAL BELTECH MODULAR A/S
    Inventor: Kenneth Westergaard Andersen
  • Patent number: 9776801
    Abstract: A system has a telescopic conveyor 20 and at least one guiding element 40. The at least one guiding element 40 may be fixed at a location by means of securing components 43. The telescopic conveyor 20 can be moved in or counter to the conveying direction of the telescopic conveyor 20 from a parking position into an operating position, with the telescopic conveyor 20 being guided by the at least one guiding element 40, in order to allow operation of the telescopic conveyor 20. The telescopic conveyor 20 can be moved in or counter to the conveying direction of the telescopic conveyor 20, with the telescopic conveyor 20 being guided by the at least one guiding element 40, from an operating position into a parking position in order to clear a space which is occupied by the telescopic conveyor 20 in the operating position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignees: Deutsche Post AG, Sovex Limited
    Inventors: Bernd Hartmann, Martin Henderson
  • Patent number: 9776802
    Abstract: A drive device for a belt conveyor device includes a drive pulley, a first pulley, a second pulley, a support frame, and a drive motor. The drive pulley has a drive shaft direction length less than a plurality of previously set belt widths of the endless belt and has the driving shaft direction length being set to a same length regardless of the plurality of previously set belt widths of the endless belt. Axial lengths of the first pulley and the second pulley are set to the same length as the axial lengths of the head pulley and the tail pulley. The support frame is rotatably attached to the first pulley and the second pulley. The drive motor hung from a lower surface of the support frame in order for the drive pulley to be positioned at an approximately center portion in a width direction of the endless belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: SANKI ENGINEERING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yoshiteru Yamaji
  • Patent number: 9776803
    Abstract: A conveyor for a mining system. The conveyor includes a sprocket, a chain, a drive mechanism, a hydraulic cylinder, and a controller. The chain is associated with the sprocket and has a top chain portion and a bottom chain portion. The drive mechanism is coupled to the sprocket and is operable to drive the sprocket. The controller includes a processing unit and a memory. The controller is configured to receive a first signal related to a characteristic of the drive mechanism, receive a second signal related to a reaction force of the sprocket, calculate a tension of the top chain portion based on the first signal and the second signal, and generate a control signal for controlling a position of the hydraulic cylinder based on the determined tension of the top chain portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Joy MM Delaware, Inc.
    Inventor: Gareth Rimmington
  • Patent number: 9776804
    Abstract: Vibration device for a conveying apparatus (21) to convey a metal charge in a longitudinal direction (X) comprising at least two vibration mechanisms (25, 26) each disposed on opposite sides of the conveying apparatus (21) so as to feed the metal charge. The vibration mechanisms (25, 26) comprise at least a first plurality of eccentric masses (31, 32, 33) having their mass barycenters (B) oriented in parallel directions to each other, and a second plurality of eccentric masses (34, 35) having their mass barycenters (B) disposed angularly offset with respect to the disposition of the barycenters of the first plurality of eccentric masses (31, 32, 33).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: DANIELI & C. OFFICINE MECCANICHE S.P.A.
    Inventors: Andrea De Luca, Marco Ansoldi
  • Patent number: 9776805
    Abstract: A linear motion conveyor is described and which includes an elongated conveyor bed having a product transporting surface for supporting and transporting a product between the opposite first and second ends thereof, and a drive assembly oriented in force transmitting relation relative to the elongated conveyor bed, and where the elongated conveyor bed, when reciprocated by the drive assembly is operable to move product alternatively between the opposite ends of the product elongated conveyor bed in a first direction; a second direction; and which is further rendered operable to substantially stop the movement of the product located between the opposite ends of the elongated conveyor bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Key Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Eugene Groenewald
  • Patent number: 9776806
    Abstract: The invention relates to a conveying roller (1), wherein a first end of a shaft (2) in the part protruding from a roller body (3) has a shoulder (4) between a first section located on the roller side (5) having a larger first cross-section and a second section (6) located opposite therefrom having a smaller second cross-section. Finally, the invention also relates to an assembly (15) comprising a pivot bearing (18) and a conveying roller (1) of said type, and a conveyor system for the oblique and straight mounting of conveying rollers (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: TGW Mechanics GmbH
    Inventor: Josef Reischl
  • Patent number: 9776807
    Abstract: The objective of the invention is to arrange the articles on the conveyor so that the bundle can be easily stacked on top of each other. This problem can occur when the articles have caps on one side of the bundle causing a sloped surface that hinders stacking the bundles. The problem can be solved by arranging the articles so that the caps are always on the outside of the bundle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Inventor: Alain Cerf
  • Patent number: 9776808
    Abstract: This article transfer apparatus comprises a disk member, an article supply apparatus which changes at least positions of the respective articles at a predetermined circumferential position of the rotating disk member, a rotation sensor which detects a rotational position of the disk member, a visual sensor which obtains information for identifying at least positions of the respective articles on the disk member, and a robot which picks up the articles on the disk member in a state in which the disk member is rotating, by using an article position information in which the information obtained by the visual sensor corresponds to a detected result of the rotation sensor at the time of obtaining the information, and a detected result of the rotation sensor at the time of picking up the articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Fanuc Corporation
    Inventor: Masafumi Ooba
  • Patent number: 9776809
    Abstract: A system for conveying a substrate includes a noncontact support platform for supporting the substrate. A vacuum wheel is located adjacent to the support platform. A rim of the vacuum wheel includes perforations that open between an exterior of the rim and an interior of the vacuum wheel. A fixed suction surface is interior to the vacuum wheel and includes an opening of a conduit that is connectable to a suction source. A chamber is formed by the suction surface, walls of the vacuum wheel, and a section of the peripheral rim that is adjacent to the suction surface and that extends outward from the support platform. When suction is applied to the conduit, the suction is applied via the chamber to the perforations in the rim section so as to exert a pull on the substrate toward the rim such that rotation of the vacuum wheel conveys the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Core Flow Ltd.
    Inventors: Isaac Naor, Ronen Lautman
  • Patent number: 9776810
    Abstract: The disclosed method, and corresponding system, for controlling items on a production/distribution line relies on secure identification of items transported arranged according a given disposition along a transport path at different sites of the line and checking operation according to a protocol which allows reducing processing load while ensuring high reliability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: SICPA HOLDING SA
    Inventors: Yvan Collombet, Daniel Cotsford, Rodrigo Lorca, Luciano Torres, Christian Fefin
  • Patent number: 9776811
    Abstract: A conveying device includes a carrier which includes a holder side member; a conveying passage which guides conveyance of the carrier; a spirally-shaped spiral member which is arranged below the carrier and extends along the conveying passage, the spiral member causing between the spiral member and the holder side member a first force which acts in a direction away from the holder side member or a second force which acts to draw in the holder side member; a partition wall portion which is provided between the carrier and the spiral member and partitions the carrier and the spiral member; and a rotary unit which rotates the spiral member axis-wise thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: AOI SEIKI CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Teruaki Itoh
  • Patent number: 9776812
    Abstract: A device and method for automatically stacking packages on a roll container in a predetermined spatial arrangement for forming a stack, comprising at least one feed conveyor which arranges the individual packages in a predetermined order; a lifting and lowering unit for lifting and lowering of the roll container in the Y-direction; at least one sliding plate and one pusher in order to transport the packages in the Z-direction to the predetermined position in the stack; moveable journals being provided in order to separate the lateral walls of the roll container. In a particular embodiment the journals are arranged on rotating disks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Dematic GmbH
    Inventor: Jörg Cavelius
  • Patent number: 9776813
    Abstract: A system that can be assembled at a well drilling or other site for storing bulk material such as sand includes a plurality of storage bins configured as trailers, a skid that includes a lower conveyor, a bucket elevator and a top conveyor system. At the site, the bins and the elevator are vertically oriented and stood on the skid, resulting in discharge outlets on the bins becoming positioned over the lower conveyor. The top conveyor is installed on top of the bins. In operation, the elevator lifts the material and discharges it onto the top conveyor system. The top conveyor system discharges the material into the bins for storage. The stored material is controllably discharged from the discharge outlets of the bins onto the lower conveyor from which the material is conveyed to one end of the skid for transport to a new location or directly into a blender.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: SOURCE ENERGY SERVICES CANADIAN LOGISTICS LP
    Inventor: Jim McMahon
  • Patent number: 9776814
    Abstract: Material is removed from a storage silo that has a conveyor outlet, a system for supporting the outlet within the silo comprising removable legs mounted in deployed positions, and a sweep comprising bumpers. The material is extracted until one leg is accessible out of the material, which is then removed from the deployed position thereof. The sweep is then operated to continue extracting more material until one bumper thereof bumps into another of the deployed legs. The sweep is then stopped, and that other leg is also removed from the deployed position thereof. This sequence of operating and stopping the sweep, and removing each deployed leg, is continued for each of the deployed legs until all of the legs are removed from the deployed positions. Each removed leg may be placed onto the supporting system in a stored position thereof. The sweep is then operated to continue extracting more material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Inventor: Phillip Douglas
  • Patent number: 9776815
    Abstract: A feeding device includes a roller configured to feed an uppermost sheet of a plurality of sheets stacked in a stacking unit, and an inclined separator located downstream of the roller in a feed direction and configured to separate one sheet from another sheet. The inclined separator includes a first separator and a second separator that are arranged along the feed direction. Resistance imparted to each sheet by the first separator is greater than resistance imparted to each sheet by the second separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Motoyuki Taguchi, Kenji Soya
  • Patent number: 9776816
    Abstract: Provided is a transport device including a transport unit that transports a recording medium by interposing the recording medium, a driving unit that drives the transport unit, a detection unit that detects a peak value of a load of the driving unit when the recording medium is discharged from the transport unit, and a derivation unit that derives a thickness of the recording medium based on the peak value detected by the detection unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hideki Moriya, Hidehiko Yamaguchi, Takanori Morino, Tsuyoshi Sunohara, Takahito Chiba