Patents Issued in December 26, 2017
  • Patent number: 9850048
    Abstract: A container seal cutting device for removing the seal of a container. The container seal cutting device includes a cap having a top wall, one or more sidewalls, and an open lower end that can receive the mouth of a container therein. The upper surface of the top wall includes a cutting blade pivotally secured thereto. The cutting blade is movable between a stored configuration and an upright configuration. In the stored configuration, the cutting blade rests within a recessed area on the cap so that it remains substantially flush with the upper surface thereof. In the upright configuration, the cutting blade extends substantially perpendicular from the upper surface of the cap so it can be utilized to remove the seal of a container. The device further includes a protrusion disposed on the cutting blade in order to safely move the cutting blade between the stored and upright configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Inventors: Daniel P. Burbank, Brian W. Burbank
  • Patent number: 9850049
    Abstract: A twist tie assembly has a flexible wire tie with an end cap component configured to retain the flexible wire tie in the base. Various embodiments of the end cap component provide means for releasably securing the flexible wire tie to a base or support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: LAGPULL INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Eric Gallup, Dino Kasvikis
  • Patent number: 9850050
    Abstract: A beverage container holding device and methods for the storage and dispensing of beverages. Embodiments of the beverage container holder include two spaced apart parallel and aligned triangular planes each with rounded vertices and with three equal side lengths between the rounded vertices. The corresponding sides of the triangular planes are connected by sides extending across the space between the triangular planes and perpendicular to them. One corner of the three sides extending in the spaced apart location comprises an articulated panel opening into an interior region of the beverage container holder. In some embodiments the parallel planes are trapezoidal in shape. Beverage containers are arranged, perpendicular to the triangular planes, in rows within the beverage container holder. The beverage container holder is filled by inserting beverage containers through the opened articulated panel and beverages are dispensed through the same portal. In some embodiments the beverage containers can be stacked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Inventor: Banmali Banerjee
  • Patent number: 9850051
    Abstract: This invention relates to a strengthened blister pack for the packaging of solid pharmaceutical forms and/or food supplements, in particular solid pharmaceutical forms and/or food supplements that are not very hard and are highly friable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: E-PHARMA TRENTO S.p.A.
    Inventor: Massimiliano Rossi
  • Patent number: 9850052
    Abstract: The press-through pack package of the invention has a covering material composed of a stretched film with at least one layer comprising a thermoplastic resin and an inorganic filler at 5 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the thermoplastic resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: ASAHI KASEI CHEMICALS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masahiro Yagi, Hiroaki Kimura, Yutaka Matsuki, Hideki Hayashi
  • Patent number: 9850053
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a packaging device (1) for a wiper blade (100) comprising a curved blade (110) and an integrated flexible structure (120), said packaging device (1) comprising a shell (14) delimiting a housing (10) intended for receiving the blade (100) and defining holding means (20) intended for securing said blade (100) inside said housing (10) in a position that can be at least partially upright in relation to its rest position, the holding means (20) comprising: a first bearing surface (21) capable of engaging by contact with a portion (141) of the upper part (140) of the blade (100), second and third bearing surfaces (22, 23) formed in the base of the housing (10) and capable of engaging by contact with the flexible structure (120) of said blade (100), the first bearing surface (21) extending facing an area located between the second bearing surface (22) and the third bearing surface (23), characterized in that at least one of the second and third bearing surfaces (22, 23) has a stop, ref
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Valeo Systèmes d'Essuyage
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Jehannet, Jocelyn Veret
  • Patent number: 9850054
    Abstract: The invention discloses a manifold arrangement for bulk handling of fluid material having an inner bag for holding fluid material, which includes a manifold member adapted to be located within the inner bag, the inner bag having a product inlet through which fluid material can be introduced into the inner bag and a product outlet through which the fluid material can flow from the inner bag, and being adapted to assist in forcing fluid material out of the inner bag through the product outlet and thereby reducing residue in the inner bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: VORTEX INNOVATION WORX (PTY) LTD
    Inventor: Bester Jacobus Pansegrouw
  • Patent number: 9850055
    Abstract: The first cushioning portion includes: a cushioning support portion that directly abuts the substrate storing container to support the substrate storing container; and a cushioning-portion connecting portion that is connected to the cushioning support portion, and extends downwards from the cushioning support portion. The second cushioning portion includes: a cushioning plate-like portion in which a through-hole is formed; and cushioning leg portions which are configured by a cushioning material which is softer than the cushioning-portion connecting portion of the first cushioning portion, and extend downwards from the cushioning plate-like portion. The cushioning plate-like portion supports the first cushioning portion in a state in which the cushioning-portion connecting portion penetrates through the through-hole of the cushioning plate-like portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Miraial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Nagashima
  • Patent number: 9850056
    Abstract: An ovenable package comprises an ovenable receptacle configured to hold a food product. The receptacle has an open face surrounded by a rim. An ovenable laminated film lid is attached to the rim of the receptacle by a welded seal between a lower face of the laminated film lid and the rim of the receptacle. The laminated film lid comprises a first layer, a second layer above the first layer and a resealable adhesive between the first and second layers. An unopened package is openable by separating the second layer from the first layer in a peripheral region. The opened package can be reclosed to a ventable state by reattaching the second layer to the peripheral region of the first layer by the resealable adhesive. The ventable state permits venting of gas from an interior of the receptacle between the second layer and the peripheral region of the first layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: PARKSIDE FLEXIBLES (EUROPE) LIMITED
    Inventors: Mark Shaw, Mark Hill
  • Patent number: 9850057
    Abstract: The universal insulating binder limits the heat transfer process of a variety of beverage containers. The universal insulating binder includes a coiled cuff body and an insulating layer. The coiled cuff body defines the configuration of the insulating layer and secures the insulating layer against the exterior of a variety of beverage containers. The insulating layer presses against an engaged beverage container and limits the heat transfer between the engaged beverage container and the surrounding environment. The coiled cuff body may include a bendable cuff-shaped shell and a torsion spring or the coiled cuff body may be the torsion spring. The bendable cuff-shaped shell houses the torsion spring. The torsion spring defines the configuration of the universal insulating binder. The universal insulating binder may further include a plurality of non-slip members. The plurality of non-slip members directly increases the friction between the engaged beverage container and the coiled cuff body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Inventor: Tom A. Navarrette
  • Patent number: 9850058
    Abstract: A telescoping syringe suitable for use with medications and other ejectable or injectable fluids is presented. The syringe includes a plunger, a barrel, and a valve. The plunger is extendible from and retractable into the barrel. The plunger defines a first reservoir. The barrel defines a second reservoir as the plunger is extended from the barrel. The valve is disposed at one end of the plunger adjacent to a nipple extending from the barrel. A first sealing interface is formed by the valve and a distal wall along the barrel adjacent to the nipple. A second sealing interface is formed by an annular flange along the one-way valve and an annular groove along the plunger. A third sealing interface is formed by the valve and a circumferential end along the plunger. The sealing interfaces are closed prior to extension of the plunger from the barrel thereby preventing a gas from entering and a fluid from existing the first reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: New Product Development Concepts LLC
    Inventors: Robert A. Kolonia, Brian J. Kolonia
  • Patent number: 9850059
    Abstract: A fluid product reservoir, for a dispensing system, is made of a container having walls that include an aperture formed at one end thereof. A reservoir cap seals the aperture from exposure to the atmosphere. A pump integrated into the reservoir cap allows fluid product to be dispensed from the dispensing system. A closed venting mechanism is included and incorporates one or more air channels that direct ambient air into a bladder positioned internal to the fluid product reservoir. The expansion of the bladder functions to displace fluid pumped from the reservoir thereby equalizing pressure while maintaining a sanitary seal of the fluid reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: GOJO INDUSTRIES, INC
    Inventor: Richard E. Corney
  • Patent number: 9850060
    Abstract: A dispenser system and method for creating and dispensing one or more solutions formed from a plurality of separate and distinct solid products which are eroded or dissolved in a liquid. The one or more solutions may include at least one of a first solid product and a second solid product, dissolved in the liquid. The dispenser system may include one or more dividers within a solution forming assembly of the dispenser system to maintain separation between the first solid product and the second solid product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Jared R. Freudenberg, Ryan Jacob Urban
  • Patent number: 9850061
    Abstract: A package has two panels, one of which is a base part having at least one bubble that is intended for storage purposes. The bubble projects from an underside of the panel of the base part and opens into an opening in the upper side thereof. The other panel is a cover that is connected with the base part via a hinge in order to be rotatable between a raised position, in which the interior of the bubble is accessible, and a lowered position in which the panel of the cover covers the opening of the bubble. The panels of the base part and cover are each formed with two seats that in the lowered position of the cover are laterally and equidistantly separated from the bubble. The package allows exposure of information of one or two storage objects, while being stacked together with other packages in a compact pile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: SANDVIK INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, AB
    Inventor: Claes Pålsson
  • Patent number: 9850062
    Abstract: Packaging with a double collar lid may be used for any type of consumer product, including electronic devices. The packaging includes a base, a tray disposed within the base, and a lid comprising an outer portion and a first inner collar. The tray is configured to support an electronic device to be raised relative to a bottom of the base with an available area for the electronic device disposed above a top of the base. The first inner collar is configured to constrain the position of the electronic device within the available area such that when the lid is removed from the base the electronic device is framed by the tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Ricardo Alba Mariano
  • Patent number: 9850063
    Abstract: A freight floor having a multilayer construction and that is formed as a composite material, comprising a core layer of carbon-fiber-reinforced and/or glass-fiber-reinforced plastic and a seating layer of a metal alloy, in particular an aluminum alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Telair International GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Huber
  • Patent number: 9850064
    Abstract: Disclosed is a combined trash receptacle and replacement receptacle liner storage compartment. The receptacle comprises a structure having upstanding sidewalls forming an interior adapted to store refuse within a disposable liner. The base of the interior forms a divider shelf having a removable lid, whereby access to a lower cavity below the divider is provided. The cavity is an enclosed volume bounded by the upstanding receptacle sidewalls, interior divider and receptacle base surface, wherein the cavity provides a sealable storage compartment for storing replacement liners while separating the cavity from the interior portion of the receptacle. The replacement bags are thus shielded from fluid or solid refuse that may leak from a liner within the receptacle, while access into the cavity is granted via a divider access door. The divider may be formed from the receptacle sidewalls or is removably attachable thereto via a latching means around the divider periphery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Inventors: Charles Christopher Egan, Lawrence DiRenzo
  • Patent number: 9850065
    Abstract: A retaining system for maintaining a refuse container in a substantially upright position, said retaining system comprising: a retaining device for removably receiving a handle bar of said container, said retaining device fixedly attached to a rigid mount; a platform for receiving a base of said container and elevating said container above a support surface; an enclosure disposed around said container, said enclosure having an enclosure opening to facilitate depositing of said refuse into said container and removal of said container from said retaining device and said enclosure, and placement of said container in said enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Inventor: Eric Decker
  • Patent number: 9850066
    Abstract: A storage system includes a rack with a plurality of layers, each layer including an aisle and a plurality of rows extending from the aisle defining storage locations for items. A shuttle usable with the rack includes a first cart movable along the aisle and a second cart configured to be carriable by the first cart and to be movable along a row. The second cart is configured to carry an item between the first cart and the storage locations. A conveyor is located on one of the first or second carts to move the item onto or off the first cart. Related methods of storing and/or retrieving items from a rack are also disclosed. A rack system is disclosed and is readily assembled without welding, transferring loading so that the weight of the rack and any item stored therein is supported by the upright elements via support brackets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Signode Industrial Group LLC
    Inventors: Rafael Salichs, Juan Carlos Tamayo
  • Patent number: 9850067
    Abstract: A dispensing system and associated method provides a turnkey solution for dispensing pharmaceutical products such as solid medications and nutritional supplements to be taken orally in health care settings, including but not limited to long term care (LTC) and assisted living settings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: REMEDI TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Kimberly Hawkes, Steven E. Schneider, Thomas P. Hayes, Richard W. Snodgrass, Roger J. Gerdeman, Wyatt Culbertson, Steven Hoenig, Justin J. Clark, Christopher J. Fisher
  • Patent number: 9850068
    Abstract: A detachable carrying-handle arrangement is for a building component, especially a window or a door including a frame which is to be fixed in a supporting structure surrounding an opening in a building structure. The carrying-handle arrangement includes a grip portion connected to a plate-shaped attachment portion which is provided with at least two cut-outs which is arranged to lockingly engage with a fixing bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Inventors: Frank Rob, Tom Toralv Roynestad
  • Patent number: 9850069
    Abstract: The present technology provides a rubber composition containing: a diene-based rubber containing a natural rubber and a butadiene rubber; a carbon black 1; and a carbon black 2. A nitrogen adsorption specific surface area of the carbon black 1 is from 60 to 100 m2/g; a dibutyl phthalate oil absorption of the carbon black 1 is 120 cm3/100 g or less; a nitrogen adsorption specific surface area of the carbon black 2 is from 20 to 40 m2/g; a dibutyl phthalate oil absorption of the carbon black 2 is from 70 to 95 cm3/100 g; and a total amount of the carbon black 1 and the carbon black 2 being from 25 to 50 parts by mass per 100 parts by mass of the diene-based rubber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., LTD.
    Inventors: Hidehiro Sasakuma, Ryotaro Suefuji, Gang Hou, Atsushi Miyajima
  • Patent number: 9850070
    Abstract: Belting for use in a conveyor. The belting includes a fabric base and an environmentally friendly rubber composition. The environmentally friendly rubber composition is applied to at least one surface of the fabric base. The environmentally friendly rubber composition includes a rubber component, a filler, a processing oil and a vulcanizing agent. The filler is provided at a concentration of between about 50 and 150 parts per hundred weight of the rubber component. The processing oil is substantially devoid of aromatic oil. The processing oil is provided at a concentration of between about 20 and 60 parts per hundred weight of the rubber component. The vulcanizing agent is provided at a concentration of between about 1 and 10 parts per hundred weight of the rubber component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: WCCO Belting, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Beyer
  • Patent number: 9850071
    Abstract: A roller-guided conveying element for a conveying facility, including a basis body, several rollers that are rotatably mounted on the basis body on two sides which are opposed to one another, as well as a holding member that is arranged on the basis body and is for holding an object to be conveyed. In each case, two rollers are arranged oppositely and equally offset in a crosswise manner at the two sides on the basis body. The conveying element with the rollers is designed such that a section of the conveying element, in each case with at least one roller of the two sides of the basis body, is rollingly movable in the guide channel of a longitudinal guidance body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: FERAG AG
    Inventor: Roberto Fenile
  • Patent number: 9850072
    Abstract: A cleaning-in-place system for use with an easily cleanable flexible belt. A sprocket is provided with a body having a first opening formed between adjacent pairs of teeth. The opening extends toward the center of the sprocket to provide access to the underside of the belt, when the belt engages with the sprocket, for application of cleaning medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Habasit AG
    Inventor: Marco Lucchi
  • Patent number: 9850073
    Abstract: A tensioning mechanism for a conveyor system includes a first end including a drive unit, an anchor structure, a continuous belt extending at least partially between the drive unit and the anchor structure, a first carriage, and a second carriage. The first carriage is coupled to the drive unit and supports a portion of the belt. The first carriage is supported for movement relative to the drive unit to adjust a tension in the belt, and the first carriage is movable between the drive unit and an intermediate position. The second carriage is releasably secured to the anchor structure and supports another portion of the belt. The second carriage is supported for movement relative to the anchor structure between a first position and a second position. A distance between the first end and the second carriage defining a take-up length, and movement of the second carriage changes the take-up length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Joy MM Delaware, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew P. de Lore, Travers T. Wood
  • Patent number: 9850074
    Abstract: A feeding apparatus for supplying electronic devices for pick-up comprises a guide track for guiding and feeding a plurality of electronic devices and a separator operative to receive electronic devices from the guide track for the electronic devices to be picked up from the separator. A protrusion is located on either of the guide track or the separator, and a cavity is located on the other of the guide track or the separator for receiving the protrusion. The protrusion and the cavity cooperate to form a substantially continuous surface for transferring the electronic devices to the separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: ASM TECHNOLOGY SINGAPORE PTE LTD
    Inventors: Shing Kai Yip, Yu Sze Cheung, Chi Wah Cheng
  • Patent number: 9850075
    Abstract: A method for processing containers in a container-processing machine includes identifying a first container behind an adjacent second container in a container flow, the first container being positioned within the container flow such that the first container will, absent intervention, occupy a first processing position that has been designated as not to be occupied by any container, holding the first container back, thereby causing the first container to move with a second velocity, that is less than the first velocity, forming a gap between the first and second containers, and releasing the first container. As a result of having been held back, will now occupy a second processing position instead of the first processing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: KHS GmbH
    Inventors: Manfred Härtel, Andreas Fahldieck
  • Patent number: 9850076
    Abstract: A conveyor system to convey objects is described, in which a conveyor belt moves while having a controlled speed to advance the objects, arranged in a row one after the other at a distance one from the other, toward a first rotating disc that rotates at a controlled speed in an independent manner from the speed of the conveyor belt and that has, on a perimeter thereof, a plurality of first cavities arranged mutually spaced apart angularly to receive the objects from the conveyor belt, a second rotating disc being arranged to receive the objects from the first rotating disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: SACMI Cooperativa Meccanici Imola Societa' Cooperativa
    Inventor: Danilo Albonetti
  • Patent number: 9850077
    Abstract: An exhaust system of an agricultural product container includes a first media screen configured to be coupled to the agricultural product container. The first media screen includes a first plurality of apertures. The first media screen is configured to block a granular product from entering the exhaust system and enabling an air flow into the exhaust system. The exhaust system includes a diffuser having a first diffuser aperture configured to diffuse the air flow in a downward direction. The exhaust system further includes a passage fluidly coupled between the first media screen and the diffuser. The passage is configured to selectively guide the air flow from the first media screen toward the diffuser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.
    Inventors: Robin Bruno Schilling, Graham Douglas Stuart, Martin J. Roberge
  • Patent number: 9850078
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for an oriented deposition of hexagonal profiled rods (2) with their longitudinal edges (5) pointing downward in the direction of a stacking table (9) in a stacking installation (1). In doing so, an initial number of n-profiled rods (2) is provided on a feed table (8) and a stacking shaft (11) is built with the corresponding width (14). Then, several first transfer arms (17) are adjusted as protruding over the stacking shaft (11) on the side facing away from the feed table (8) and the profiled rods (2) are placed by means of a transfer device (10) on the support surfaces (18) arranged on the transfer arms (17) as well as are held by the transfer device (10) lying adjacent to one another. The transfer arms (17) are re-adjusted and, in doing so, the first profiled rod (2) is placed in the guide areas (21) aligned sloping on the transfer arms (17) as well as swiveled along its longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: ASMAG-Holding GmbH
    Inventor: Johann Vielhaber
  • Patent number: 9850079
    Abstract: An autonomous transport vehicle includes a frame forming a payload section configured to hold one or more pickfaces, a transfer arm movably mounted to the frame, a drive section connected to the frame, and a controller connected to the drive section, the controller being configured to effect an on-the-fly sortation of pickfaces carried by the autonomous transport vehicle according to a predetermined case out order sequence where the controller commands the drive section so that two or more pickfaces are picked from one or more first case unit holding locations and placed at one or more different second case unit holding locations according to the predetermined case out order sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Symbotic, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Cyrulik, Todd E. Kepple, Scott Collins, Jason S. Sirois
  • Patent number: 9850080
    Abstract: A load handler is capable of loading and unloading tall unitary resilient loads such as large construction tires or other tall compressible loads such as bales normally considered incompatible for shipment in standard closed-top containers, to enable such compatibility economically. The load handler has a pair of vertically spaced load clamping arms, the upper arm being capable of rotating such a resilient load selectively onto or off of the lower arm while the load is compressed between the load clamping arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Cascade Corporation
    Inventors: Andrea Dal Dosso, Angelo Gambaretto
  • Patent number: 9850081
    Abstract: An automatic tire loader/unloader for stacking/unstacking tires in a trailer is disclosed. In one embodiment, a mobile base structure provides a support framework for a drive subassembly, conveyance subassembly, an industrial robot, a distance measurement subassembly, and a control subassembly. Under the operation of the control subassembly, tires advance through a powered transportation path to an industrial robot which places the tires within the trailer in a vertical stacking pattern or a rick-stacking pattern, for example. The control subassembly coordinates the selective articulated movement of the industrial robot and the activation of the drive subassembly based upon the distance measurement subassembly detecting objects, including tires, within a detection space, dimensions of the trailer provided to the control subassembly, and dimensions of the tires provided to the control subassembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignees: Wynright Corporation, Daifuku Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tim Criswell
  • Patent number: 9850082
    Abstract: The provided containers (100, 200) and methods provide for gravitational alignment of a plurality of stacked articles (120), in which at least two edges (140, 142) of each article align along inner walls (108, 114, 208, 214) of a respective container. The aligning walls of the container are provided with low-friction surfaces to facilitate sliding and alignment of the articles. By aligning the stack of articles along two edges, the articles can be registered relative to not only each other but the container itself, thereby facilitating loading, unloading, and conversion of articles in the stack. Optionally, a compressible layer (147) opposing one or both of the aligning walls conforms and distributes stress along the non-aligning edges, thereby preserving registration of the articles relative to each other when the container is transported.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Kevin B. Newhouse, Bruce E. Tait, Schoen A. Schuknecht
  • Patent number: 9850083
    Abstract: A sheet conveying apparatus includes a stacking unit, a feeding member, a conveyance guide, and a movement unit. The stacking unit is drawably mounted on an apparatus body and includes a stacking member on which a sheet is stacked. The feeding member feeds the sheet stacked on the stacking member. The conveyance guide is provided with an opening and disposed above the stacking unit. The conveyance guide configures a conveyance path through which the sheet is conveyed. The movement unit moves the feeding member between a first position on which the feeding member comes into contact with the sheet stacked on the stacking member and a second position disposed above the first position. The movement unit includes an entry portion configured to be located within the opening in a state where the feeding member is positioned at the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tatsuo Nishiyama
  • Patent number: 9850084
    Abstract: Sheet media jams are detected along a media transport path by one or more vibration sensors that capture mechanical movements of components along the path that interact with the sheet media for driving or guiding the sheet media along the transport path. The detected vibrations during the advancing of the sheets are analyzed for distinguishing between detected vibrations associated with normal handling of the sheets and detected vibrations associated with abnormal handling of the sheets. An error condition can be signaled to a control system in response to distinguishing the detected vibrations associated with the abnormal handling of the sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: KODAK ALARIS INC.
    Inventors: Thomas G. Middleton, Bruce A. Link, Daniel P. Phinney
  • Patent number: 9850085
    Abstract: There is described a sheet numbering process involving feeding of individual sheets (S) in succession, which individual sheets (S) each carry a plurality of imprints (P) that are arranged in a matrix of rows and columns, and providing unique serial numbers to multiple ones of the plurality of imprints (P) carried by the individual sheets (S). The sheet numbering process comprises numbering of at least some of the individual sheets (S), wherein numbering of the individual sheets (S) is selectively commutable between a first numbering scheme (N1) and at least a second numbering scheme (N2; N2?; N*), different from the first numbering scheme (N1), without interruption of the numbering process. The first numbering scheme (N1) involves providing all imprints (P) of a first subset (S0) of individual sheets (S) with a unique serial number (SN1) of the first numbering scheme (N1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: KBA-NotaSys SA
    Inventors: Thomas Türke, Matthias Gygi
  • Patent number: 9850086
    Abstract: The present invention provides a conveyor mechanism for conveying sheets. The conveyor mechanism comprises a movable conveyor body, a drive mechanism, and an adjustment system configured to detect and correct skewing of the conveyor body, comprising one or more markers provided on or in the conveyor body, a sensor arrangement for detecting each marker at two or more discrete positions, and a processor to determine the skewing of the conveyor body. The conveyor body and the drive mechanism of the conveyor mechanism are mounted on a movable conveyor frame, and the adjustment system includes a frame shifting device comprising one or one or more actuator for shifting or moving the conveyor frame relative to a fixed framework. The invention also provides a related method of correcting skewing in a conveyor mechanism for conveying sheets along a transport path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: OCE-TECHNOLOGIES B.V.
    Inventors: Johannes H. L. Smeyers, Antonius G. H. Albers, Roy H. R. Jacobs, Cornelius M. F. Janssen, Reinoldus F. Winarto, Ernest J. J. Clevers
  • Patent number: 9850087
    Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus includes a pair of belts, a water supplying unit, a curving unit and a controller. The pair of belts defines a conveying path for holding and conveying a paper sheet. The water supplying unit supplies water to outer surfaces of the belts. The curving unit curves the conveying path defined by the belts. The controller makes the water supplying unit supply water to the outer surfaces of the belts, and makes the belts convey the sheet between the belts in a state where the conveying path is curved by the curving unit to correct the curling of the sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventor: Shuanglong Wang
  • Patent number: 9850088
    Abstract: A sheet conveying device includes a sheet skew corrector to correct a skew of a leading end of a sheet inclining from a sheet conveyance direction and a pair of registration rollers disposed upstream of the sheet skew corrector in the sheet conveyance direction. The pair of registration rollers freely contacts and separates from each other. The pair of registration rollers conveys the sheet downstream of the sheet skew corrector in the sheet conveyance direction when driven at a prescribed time. A pair of conveyance rollers is placed upstream of the pair of registration rollers in the sheet conveyance direction. The pair of conveyance rollers continuously sandwiches the sheet from when the sheet with the skew corrected is sandwiched by the pair of registration rollers to when a trailing end of the sheet passes between the pair of conveyance rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takatsugu Maeda, Toshihiro Nakagaki, Takeshi Uchida, Satoshi Ueda
  • Patent number: 9850089
    Abstract: An apparatus (1) for controlling the unwinding of a web (2) wound on a core is disclosed. The apparatus (1) includes a turnbar (10), an actuator (20), a sensor (30), and a controller (70). The turnbar (10) includes a target location to receive the web (2). The actuator (20) is coupled to the turnbar (10) and includes an axis of movement (29). The sensor (30) measures transverse placement of the web (2) relative to the target location and transmits an input signal to the controller (70) when transverse placement of the web (2) differs from the target location. The controller (70) provides an output signal to the actuator (20 to move the turnbar (10) along the axis of movement (29) such that the web (2) maintains substantial alignment with the target location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Phillip J. Poisson, Aaron Gander, Daniel K. Buck, Suzanne Laughrin
  • Patent number: 9850090
    Abstract: The invention relates to a drum intermediate storage of yarn for a textile machine having a driven rotary drum with a working surface and a movable radial rotary arm. The driven rotary drum is coupled with a first drive and the arm is coupled with a second drive, whereby both drives are composed of motors and both motors are connected to a control system of the textile machine. The radial rotary arm is provided with a yarn guide, whose working portion upholds the yarn radially relative to the axis of rotation of the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Rieter CZ s.r.o.
    Inventor: Evzen Pilar
  • Patent number: 9850091
    Abstract: An arrangement of elongated material wound in a plurality of layers on a spool having a cylindrical core, a bottom flange and a top flange. A first series of layer form a conical basis of elongated material on the core where elongated material is present at the bottom flange in a larger amount than at the top flange. A second series of layers is wound over the conical basis. The conical basis is formed by a first layer being wound on the cylindrical core between the bottom flange and the top flange in a first number of windings, a second layer being wound on the first layer in a second number of windings being equal to or smaller than the first number of windings, the second layer reaching the bottom flange, where additional layers are wound on the second layer in numbers of windings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: NV BEKAERT SA
    Inventors: Lieven Pollet, Paul Harinck
  • Patent number: 9850092
    Abstract: This invention is about a string line holder, used by construction workers for aligning construction units, that is inexpensive to make because of its simplicity in structure and its material which string line holder, after the string line is used up or defrayed, can be completely disposed of and replaced by another inexpensive string line holder of the same structure. The string line holder is made from a cylindrically shaped reel or spool on which the string line is wound and has an elongated handle which can be entirely inserted within a cylindrical passageway through the reel or spool and can be partially withdrawn from the cylindrical passageway such that the reel or spool can be rotated around a portion of the elongated handle. The string line holder, including the reel or spool and the elongated handle, is constructed from an inexpensive material such as cardboard or plastic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Inventor: William Ralph Bond
  • Patent number: 9850093
    Abstract: An exemplary elevator system includes at least one elevator car. An access controller is configured to provide an access credential to a portable wireless communication device responsive to a request from that device indicating a desire for at least access to the elevator system. The access credential at least temporarily indicates that the desired access should be granted. A credential receiver is configured to obtain the provided access credential from the portable wireless communication device. An entry device allows the desired access responsive to the credential receiver obtaining the access credential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Peter DePaola, Matthew Joyce
  • Patent number: 9850094
    Abstract: An elevator installation braking device is actuated and reset by an electromechanical actuator including an energy store, a retaining device, a resetting device and at least one connecting element for connecting the actuator to the elevator brake. The resetting device retains the connecting element, via the retaining device and counter to the action of the energy store, in a first operating position, corresponding to a standby position of the brake, or guides the actuator back into this position. The energy store acts as required, upon release of the retaining device, on the connecting element to actuate the brake and to bring it into a corresponding engagement position. The resetting device has a recoil-prevention device to relieve recoil forces. The energy store can have a stop buffer to reduce the force impact when the energy store strikes an end position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: INVENTIO AG
    Inventor: Josef Husmann
  • Patent number: 9850095
    Abstract: Provided is an electricity generating elevator, which includes a cage installed in a shaft formed in a building in order to carry passengers or loads, a drive unit vertically moving the cage along the shaft, and an electricity generation unit including a coil section installed on the cage and a magnetic force generator that is installed in the shaft so as to face the coil section and provides a magnetic force to the coil section so as to generate an induced electromotive force according to a change in a position of the coil section while the cage moves up and down. Thereby, the electricity generating elevator includes the coil section attached to the cage and the magnetic force generator arranged in the shaft at a position facing the coil section, so that electric energy can be produced by the coil section according to a change in a position of the cage while the cage vertically reciprocates in the shaft, and the produced electric energy can be used as a power source for vertically moving the cage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Inventor: Hyeon Cheol Moon
  • Patent number: 9850096
    Abstract: The present disclosure is related to a travelling cable clamp assembly fixing an elevator travelling cable to a fixing base, such as to a first movable support structure in the hoistway for supporting said at least one elevator unit movable in the hoistway, including at least an elevator car.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Kone Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Peacock, Niki Backlund
  • Patent number: 9850097
    Abstract: A monitoring device for passenger transport systems, which systems are designed as elevators, escalators or moving walkways, includes at least one detecting device used to detect an external actuation of an equipment of the passenger transport system, a control device and at least one energy store for storing electrical energy. The energy store is kept in a charged state. The energy store is put into a discharged state when the detecting device detects the external activation of the equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: INVENTIO AG
    Inventors: Ivo Lustenberger, Astrid Sonnenmoser