Patents Issued in March 1, 2018
  • Publication number: 20180057248
    Abstract: The present invention addresses the problem of turbophoresis and provides a relatively simple and low cost solution for a metered dose inhaler, in particular, a pressure-actuated metered dose inhaler. A metering valve (100) comprises a valve body (110), a valve stem (130) mounted within the valve body (110) and a spring element (140) for biasing the valve stem (130) in an “at rest” position. A pre-metering region (170) is formed in the valve stem (130) which is provided with a miniature valve seal (210) at its inlet (180). The miniature valve seal (210) effectively isolates the pre-metering region (170) from surrounding bulk formulation (4) within a canister (1) in which the metering valve (100) is mounted when the valve stem (130) is in the “at rest” position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventor: PHILIP A. JINKS
  • Publication number: 20180057249
    Abstract: The packaging structure for containers for pharmaceutical use comprises a support surface (2) for the containers (3), a tray (4) configured to support the support surface (2) inside it, and demarcation elements (6) which extend on the support surface (2) and delimit with the support surface (2) a plurality of cells (5), in each of which a container may be positioned (3), each cell (5) having a bottom wall (9) for supporting the container (3) and side walls (10) for containing the lateral movement of the container (3), said bottom wall (9) of the cell (5) having along its entire perimeter solid portions (11) for the container (3) to rest on, alternating with empty portions (12) enabling the passage of a device (13) for handling the container (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: NUOVA OMPI S.R.L.
    Inventor: Gianpaolo BERTOLIN
  • Publication number: 20180057250
    Abstract: Provided is a reusable tie down storage case including a housing having a tie down storage area and first and second strap storage areas, at least one tab in the tie down area for engaging a tie down, a first movable flap covering the first strap storage area to prevent removal of a first strap, and a second movable flap covering the second strap storage area to prevent removal of the second strap. The reusable case can be used as a retail package and as a reusable case after purchase to hold the tie downs in the case without an additional fastener.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: WINSTON H. BREEDEN, III, CURTIS P. TAYLOR, MATTHEW G. HANSON, RYAN CHEPLA, COLLEEN KURNIAWAN, DAVID DRABOUSKY
  • Publication number: 20180057251
    Abstract: The present invention provides a container having a bottom frame; the bottom frame includes a pair of bottom side rails, a plurality of cross member and a floor. The pair of bottom side rails are located at both sides of the bottom of the container respectively. The plurality of cross members are located between and connected to the bottom side rails. The floor is laid on the cross members and extends along the longitudinal direction of the container; the floor comprises a first steel floor. The bottom frame further includes a grit discharging structure configured to discharge the grits, collected on the upper surface of the first steel floor after the inner surface and/or the welding seam on the inner surface of the container is shot-blasted, from the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicants: NANTONG CIMC-SPECIAL TRANSPORTATION EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURE CO., LTD., CIMC CONTAINERS HOLDING COMPANY LTD., CHINA INTERNATIONAL MARINE CONTAINERS (GROUP) LTD.
    Inventors: Jinghua CHEN, Zhijun HUANG, Xinlin LU, Xiya LI, Sidong HE, Xinming CHEN, Jianbin ZHU, Xiaoli ZHAO, Suwen WU
  • Publication number: 20180057252
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include an apparatus to support a proppant container including a frame to receive and support the proppant container, the frame having a top surface that receives and positions the proppant container above a conveyor to carry proppant disposed thereon away from the proppant container. The apparatus also includes a box guide assembly positioned on the top surface including a corner assembly having two wall segments, and a guide member extending upwardly and positioned adjacent the corner assembly, the guide member including tapered portion of the guide member, the taper having a first width at a top portion of the guide member smaller than a second width at a bottom portion of the guide member. The tapered portion contacts and directs the proppant container to a desired location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: John Oren, Joshua Oren
  • Publication number: 20180057253
    Abstract: A trash bin with a liner to dump trashes is provided. The trash bin includes (i) a plastic sheet that is adapted to get folded by a user, (ii) a tripod stand holding slot that is adapted to hold a tripod stand, (iii) a plurality of liner holding slots that are adapted to lock the liner, and (iv) a plurality of velcros that are attached to both sides of the plastic sheet. The tripod stand holds the trash bin in upright position. The trash bin is covered by the liner from outside or inside of the trash bin. The plurality of velcros is adapted to form a cylindrical structure by rolling the plastic sheet of the trash bin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventor: DeWayne Bates
  • Publication number: 20180057254
    Abstract: A rigid trash receptacle with retractable strap for receiving a trash can liner and securing it to the upper rim of a rigid trash receptacle in order to keep the trash can liner from falling into the rigid trash receptacle when it is being filled. Such a securing system includes a rigid trash receptacle with a protruding upper rim, a retractable strap and a rigid hook on the protruding end of a strap that is contained in a strap retractor mechanism which the strap can be spooled out of and retracted back into with the help of a torsion spring, and a pointed stake protruding from the outside of the rigid trash receptacle that is mounted close to the upper rim of the rigid trash receptacle enabling the retractable strap to wrap around the upper rim of the rigid trash receptacle and eventually be hooked onto the pointed stake pinning the open end of the trash can liner to the upper rim of the trash can.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventor: Jamshed Erich Lawyer
  • Publication number: 20180057255
    Abstract: A receptacle venting and freshening device for facilitating removal of liners from trash cans includes a tube, which has a first surface that is complementary to a face of a receptacle. A top of the tube is positioned proximate to an upper end of the receptacle and a bottom of the tube rests on a lower end of the receptacle. A plurality of fasteners is coupled to the first surface and is configured to couple the tube to the receptacle. A hanger, coupled to an interior surface of the tube proximate to the top, is configured to retain an air freshener unit. A plurality of cutouts, positioned in the tube proximate to the bottom, is configured to allow air to flow over the air freshener unit to exit from the tube through the cutouts as a liner positioned in the receptacle is withdrawn from the receptacle to freshen the receptacle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventor: Michael Wright
  • Publication number: 20180057256
    Abstract: A container is provided. The container comprises a cover, a base, and a body, which includes one or more spine structures and one or more door panels which may open and allow substantially lateral access to the interior of the container. The one or more door panels may be secured in a closed position by a latch mechanism. In a first mode, the latch mechanism is not released. In a second mode, the latch mechanism is released. The first mode and the second mode may operate concurrently and can be accessed separately via different mechanisms. A switch mechanism may alternate between the first mode and the second mode. Alternatively, a pedal includes a first pedal mechanism corresponding to the first mode and a second pedal mechanism corresponding to the second mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventor: Sam Hon
  • Publication number: 20180057257
    Abstract: A deodorizing waste receptacle for disposal of soiled adult diapers includes a housing. The housing comprises an annular wall that is coupled to and extends upwardly from a bottom to define both a top and an internal space. A funnel is coupled to the housing and positioned in the internal space. A drawer is insertable into a lower chamber of the housing through an opening in the housing. A lid is reversibly and sealably couplable to the top to cover an aperture. An actuator is coupled to the housing positioned to motivate the lid between a closed to an open configuration. A plunger, which is coupled to the lid, is configured to compressibly motivate a soiled diaper through the funnel into the drawer. Deodorizers and dispensers are positioned in the housing to absorb and mask, respectively, odiferous gasses generated by soiled diapers positioned in the internal space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventor: Alice Campbell
  • Publication number: 20180057258
    Abstract: A filling ramp for attachment to and filling of a receptacle is described. The filling ramp includes: an attachment end for attachment to a receptacle, the attachment end including connectors configured to interface with the rim of the receptacle; a sheet extending from the attachment end at a proximal end to terminate at a distal end and forming a slide between the distal and proximal ends, the distal end forming a substantially linear edge having a thickness that facilitates movement of material from a surface in contact with the distal end onto the filling ramp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: VALENCIA PIPE COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Andrew DERVIN, Joe DVORACEK, Kenrick James DURAPAU
  • Publication number: 20180057259
    Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments that relate to apparatus for compacting materials. The apparatus comprising a mechanical linkage designed to be mounted within the interior of an existing waste receptacle, a compression surface operably connected to the mechanical linkage, and a motor operably connected to the mechanical linkage, wherein the motor is capable of extending and retracting the mechanical linkage, thereby lowering and raising the compression plate. Some embodiments will take advantage of integrated sensors and processors in order to capture and analyze large amounts of data related to the compactor operations. This data may lead to refinements and greater efficiency in the waste disposal processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Chung Wah Chan, Ricardo J. Perez
  • Publication number: 20180057260
    Abstract: An collection and method of use for collecting material, such as for example, waste, garbage, or other material. The collection cart includes an upper feed section spaced from a lower base section. The collection cart has and open side intermediate the upper teed section and lower base section. The upper feed section has a collection bag channel or tubular section through which a collection bag or other material collecting container can be inserted, with the upper end of the bag or container removably secured to the upper teed section. The bag or container can be removed from the upper feed section and removed through the open side, and the collection cart can be moved by grasping handles or other grippable structure space from each other and extending from the open side of the collection cart.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventor: Mario R. Ramirez
  • Publication number: 20180057261
    Abstract: A transport vehicle controller causes a travel speed of the corresponding one of the plurality of article transport vehicles to which the transport vehicle controller is provided to be reduced based on position information of corresponding one of the plurality of article transport vehicles to which the transport vehicle controller is provided and the position information on another of the plurality of article transport vehicles if a separation distance between the corresponding one of the plurality of article transport vehicles to which the transport vehicle controller is provided and the another of the plurality of article transport vehicles is less than, or equal to, a set separation distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Natsuo Takagawa, Toshikazu Kato
  • Publication number: 20180057262
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes an acquisition module that acquires information related to an ordering candidate product based on a relationship between a current time and an ordering timing stored in a first storage module that stores ordering timing information of a product, an extraction module that extracts the ordering candidate product or person-in-charge information who manages a location in which the ordering candidate product is located from a second storage module that stores the product or the person-in-charge information who manages a location in which the product is located, and a transmission processing module that transmits the acquired information related to the ordering candidate product to a mobile apparatus of a person in charge who is indicated by the extracted person-in-charge information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Norihisa MITSUYU, Shinichi KUBORI
  • Publication number: 20180057263
    Abstract: A method for operating a transport robot (1) in a storage rack (27) having at least one horizontal rack travel path (33-34), to which is assigned at least one storage level (35, 35a-35c) on which a plurality of objects are stored in the form of packages and/or cardboard boxes (59, 61) and/or pallets (60) and/or individual packaging units (25, 25a-25c), wherein the transport robot (1) has at least one working plane (53) on which is mounted at least one destination container (6, 6a), wherein the same can be loaded with the different objects (25, 59, 60, 61) by means of a loading means (8, 40, 44, 46) on the robot, in the manner of a pick and place process, wherein a.) in a first method step, the transport robot (1) is brought into a position in the storage rack opposite the object (25, 59, 60, 61) being picked, in front of a marking (62) fixed to the object, b.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventor: Christian BEER
  • Publication number: 20180057264
    Abstract: A material handling system automatically each picking orders using a put wall. A controller determines whether any of more than one removable intermediate holders in a put wall that are within the reach of a first robotic arm contain one or more articles that are ready for transporting away from the put wall. The controller directs the first robotic arm to: (i) engage the selected removable intermediate holder, (ii) move the selected removable intermediate holder to an empty order container, and (iii) reorient the selected removable intermediate holder to transfer the one or more articles from the selected removable intermediate holder to the empty order container. In one or more embodiments, the articles can be placed in the put wall by conveying donor totes to an each picking robotic arm that places picked articles into an end effector of a second robotic arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Matthew R. Wicks, David E. Franklin, Thomas Michael Ferner
  • Publication number: 20180057265
    Abstract: Techniques for optimizing movement of robotic drive units (RDUs) in a warehouse are described. The optimization involves assignment of a task of delivery of plurality of products to a destination location a first RDU of a plurality of RDUs in the warehouse. Then, an analysis is performed for each product whether its retrieval is to be assigned to an RDU other than the first RDU. Based on the analysis, a task of retrieval of one or more products is assigned to one or more RDUs other than the first RDU. Further, an intersection point between a future path of the first RDU and a future path of each of the one or more RDUs is determined. Based on the determination, each RDU is instructed to deliver its respective retrieved products at the intersection point. The first RDU is then instructed to retrieve products delivered at intersection points.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventor: Rajesh MANPAT
  • Publication number: 20180057266
    Abstract: A novel puck and cover assembly and method for retaining the contents of a container, such as a prescription bottle, during processing and order-filling operations. The puck and cover assembly allows access to the opening of a container when required to perform operations, and automatically returns to cover the opening of a container when operations are completed, to prevent loss of any container contents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: Innovation Associates
    Inventors: Thomas P. Boyer, Timothy William Limer, Thomas J. Donovan, Wayne D. Klossner, Todd E. Bower, Mark Jones, David Timothy Royce
  • Publication number: 20180057267
    Abstract: A disc for a cable conveyor comprised of a polymer formed from a resin including a blend of siloxane, and polyethylene. The siloxane may be a high molecular weight siloxane having a viscosity ranging from 10,000 cst. to 1,000,000 cst., preferably about 500,000 cst., and the polyethylene may be an ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene having a molecular weight ranging from 3 million grams/mol. to 8 million grams/mol., preferably about 3.5 million grams/mol. The siloxane is present in the blend from 0.5 percent to 30.0, preferably about 3.0 percent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventor: Eric L. Nicholson
  • Publication number: 20180057268
    Abstract: A transportable system for packaging items in a container is mounted to and enclosed by a truck. The system includes an item tote having a base and at least one sidewall extending from the base. The system also includes a conveyor configured to transport the item tote within the truck. The conveyor has an actuatable portion that is configured to tilt the item tote. The system also has dispensing carts located above the conveyor and removable from the truck for loading items into the dispensing carts while the dispensing carts are outside of the truck. The system also has a container chute. In operation, items are dispensed from the dispensing carts into the item tote and transported by the conveyor to a container disposed in the container chute.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Eric J. Blatstein, Ronald M. Falocco, Thomas A. Hillerich, JR., Gabriel A. Difurio
  • Publication number: 20180057269
    Abstract: A conveyor pulley design incorporates a plow design that forces tramp material away from the belt and discharges material down and away from the belt, bearings, take-up assembly, maintenance equipment and personnel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: DOUGLAS MANUFACTURING CO. INC.
    Inventors: Paul Ross, Benjamin Brewer, Alberto Chamorro, Dennis Grizzell, Jeffery Carlisle
  • Publication number: 20180057270
    Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for detecting a belt tear in a conveyor belt, comprising a trigger (1) which is arranged below the conveyor belt (2) transversely to the conveying direction of the conveyor belt and which is connected to a load limit switch (3). The arrangement also comprises a signalling device (4) for indicating and/or signalling a belt tear to a control unit (5). The invention is characterized in that a chain (6) which is suspended below the conveyor belt (2) is used as the trigger (1), said chain transmitting forces produced in the event of a belt tear to the load limit switch (3). In an advantageous embodiment, the load limit switch (3) has an inductive proximity switch (7), and in an additional advantageous embodiment, the load limit switch is connected to a control unit (5) via an actuator sensor interface (8) as a bus participant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: IFM Electronic GmbH
    Inventors: Hansjörg HOPP, Conrad Marius DU PLESSIS
  • Publication number: 20180057271
    Abstract: A conveying system transports items, such as postal items, along a main conveying direction. A conveying route includes segments that are arranged one behind the other along the main conveying direction. The segments have conveyors arranged parallel to one another and the segments are offset relative to one another in a transverse direction. The conveyors are driven and activated individually by a control unit. The items are conveyed along the main conveying direction by transferring an item from a preceding segment to a following segment that is offset relative to the preceding segment and then transporting the item on the following segment. Items with small dimensions, which rest on just one conveyor can also be manipulated during the transportation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventor: MICHELE VITALINI
  • Publication number: 20180057272
    Abstract: An improved feeder/conveyor includes a flexible rotating open helix screw inside a cylindrical sheathing. A motor drive is attached to the flexible rotating open helix screw above at a delivery end, and such provides the rotational speeds necessary to generate the centrifugal and lifting forces necessary. The improvements include a conical bullnose tip as a feeder that attaches to the flexible rotating open helix screw with a curved and tapered support feeder gusset. Such attachment mechanically supports and aligns the conical bullnose tip to the distal end of the flexible rotating open helix screw and a central turning axis. A nose opening in the conical bullnose tip allows either exit or entry of material freely to or from the supply bed, depending on the conveying conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Otis Raymond Walton, Hubert J. Vollmer
  • Publication number: 20180057273
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a display panel turnover device. The display panel turnover device includes: a holder comprising two inverted-V shaped supports arranged oppositely and a rotating shaft pivotally assembled on top ends of the two inverted-V shaped supports, wherein each inverted-V shaped support comprises a front leg and a rear leg; an adjustment lever having a first operating position and a second operating position, located between two front legs and two rear legs and substantially parallel to the rotating shaft; a frame configured to retain a periphery of a display panel therein, wherein a top of the frame is secured to the rotating shaft, and a bottom of the frame is secured to the adjustment lever; and a front door and a rear door respectively arranged at a front side and a rear side of the frame and capable of being opened and closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicants: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD., HEFEI BOE DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xikui HAO, Zhiyu QIAN, Yong SUN, Fangqing LI, Wei MIN, Anlong XU
  • Publication number: 20180057274
    Abstract: A packaging dispenser, for dispensing stacks of nested trays to a packing device, has a frame, a first conveyor for conveying and supporting a first plurality of stacks of nested trays in a first level, and a second conveyor downstream of the first conveyor for receiving stacks of nested trays from the first conveyor. The packaging dispenser also includes a vertical chute underneath the second conveyor for dispensing stacks of nested trays to a packing device. The second conveyor has a pair of laterally spaced conveyor elements for supporting only lateral edge regions of a stack of nested trays. The laterally spaced conveyor elements are retractable to allow a stack of nested trays, supported thereon, to be released into the chute. The packaging dispenser can further be provided with a tray separator upstream of the chute for loosening individual trays of a stack, while keeping the trays in a stacked and nested arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventor: Marinus Hendrikus Petrus Wouters
  • Publication number: 20180057275
    Abstract: A vehicle production assembly line includes a conveyor system to support a vehicle. The conveyor system includes a first side conveyor chain, a second side conveyor chain, and a middle conveyor chain positioned between the first side conveyor chain and the second side conveyor chain. The first side conveyor chain, the second side conveyor chain, and the middle conveyor chain are laterally aligned with each other and can be mechanically synchronized with a single motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventor: Jeremy Adam Pych
  • Publication number: 20180057276
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for changing pallets delivered to a machining center. Different workpieces are connected or attached to different pallets. A first workpiece corresponding to a first pallet is delivered to or near an indexer or indexer assembly and the indexer is moved into an engaged position and performs a work operation on the first workpiece. The indexer is then moved to a disengaged position and the first pallet and the first workpiece are exchanged or switched out with a second pallet having a second workpiece. The indexer is then moved to an engaged position and works the second workpiece and when completed, the indexer moves to the disengaged position and the second workpiece is exchanged or switched out with a third pallet having a third workpiece. The indexer system of this invention can quickly and cost-effectively cycle through different pallets and thus different workpieces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Michael Paul Cayley, SR., Malcolm E. KEITH
  • Publication number: 20180057277
    Abstract: A material handling system includes a belted conveyor that longitudinally transports low profile articles. An actuating mechanism selectively positions a counter rotating cylindrical roller brush diagonal across the conveyor surface to divert the low profile articles to a lateral destination off a side of the belted conveyor and can position the cylindrical roller brush away the belted conveyor to allow the low profile articles to transport to a longitudinal destination at a terminal end of the belted conveyor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Justin J. Zimmer, David E. Franklin, Jacob D. Wieneke, William M. Saurber, III
  • Publication number: 20180057278
    Abstract: A pallet device which can prevent a hook fixed to a pallet from interfering with a workpiece or a tool for a machine tool. The pallet device includes a pallet including a pallet main body which clamps a workpiece, and a replacement hook movably provided in the pallet main body, the replacement hook being movable between a projection position at which the replacement hook projects outside the pallet main body and a retraction position to which the replacement hook is retracted from the projection position to the pallet main body, and a jig to and from which the pallet is attached and detached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keisuke Kunihiro, Naoki Akagawa
  • Publication number: 20180057279
    Abstract: A work transferring system includes: a hand including a body and at least one attracting part configured to hold a work with a gap maintained between the work and a surface of the body by attracting the work to a distal end protruding from the surface; a transfer mechanism configured to transfer the work to a predetermined transfer destination by moving the hand; a work releasing member disposed above the transfer destination to which the transfer mechanism transfers the work and configured to release the work from the attracting part; and an lifting mechanism configured to move up and down the work releasing member or the work. The work releasing member includes a claw arranged in a substantially horizontal cantilever manner and having a shape that allows insertion of the claw into the gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: Fanuc Corporation
    Inventor: Hajime OONO
  • Publication number: 20180057280
    Abstract: An end effector for the packaging industry comprises has a frame, a bridge on top of the frame, a rack and pinion assembly, actuation rods, carrier assemblies, and vacuum ports. The rack and pinion assembly is configured to be operatively connected to a robot's rotatable shaft, and to the actuation rods. The actuation rods are fixedly connected to one or more of the carrier assemblies. As the robot's shaft rotates, the rack and pinion assembly is actuated, which actuates the actuation rods, which causes the carrier assemblies fixedly connected to the actuation rods to move longitudinally along the frame. Each carrier assembly includes a carrier block and at least one pick-up member. Each carrier block has at least one arm with a grabber to cooperate with an adjacent arm with grabbers of an adjacent carrier block(s) of the same subgroup.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: Propack Processing and Packaging Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin George Crosby
  • Publication number: 20180057281
    Abstract: A tubular conveyance system includes a pressure sensor, a blower, a material feeder, and a flow control apparatus. The pressure sensor is configured to be associated with a conveyance tube. The blower is configured to accelerate a carrier fluid into the conveyance tube. The material feeder is disposed downstream of the blower and configured to add a conveyance material to the conveyance tube to be conveyed by the carrier fluid. The flow control apparatus is configured to control an amount of carrier fluid provided to the blower. The flow control apparatus includes a mobile plate having a mobile plate opening therein, and a drive mechanism configured to selectively place the mobile plate into an open position and a closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Richard Garvin Powers, Greggory Scott Karr, Dennis Aaron Irvin
  • Publication number: 20180057282
    Abstract: A pipeline transportation method of coal is provided. The coal is pulverized and then subjected to a waterproofing treatment, so that a time needed for precipitating the pulverized coal in water is longer than a time needed for transporting the pulverized coal by flowing water to a destination. The waterproof pulverized coal is transported by water through a pipeline. After reaching the destination, the waterproof pulverized coal can be separated from the water in a static pool, collected by a cyclone separator, and then stored in a warehouse.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Xiangshu Zheng, Yusong Zheng, Jun Zhang, Yongmei Lai, Luyang Xie
  • Publication number: 20180057283
    Abstract: An autonomous robot and methods are provided for lifting and stacking packages, such as on a shelf in a warehouse. The robot comprises a base, an elevator assembly that raises and lowers an elevator platform, an engagement mechanism for attaching the robot to a shelf, and steerable drive mechanisms for driving the robot in any direction (e.g. both forward and laterally) on a warehouse floor. The robot is navigated to a storage location of a package. The robot is driven laterally towards the shelf without rotating the robot or elevator platform, and is then clamped to the shelf. The elevator platform is then raised to the height of the package. The package is moved from the storage location to the elevator platform with a gantry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Robert PETERS, Ken GIESBRECHT, Chris LYDDIATT, Sean SEMPLE, Matthew PLUMB, Chanh Vy TRAN, Andrew BARKER, Matthew James SERGENESE
  • Publication number: 20180057284
    Abstract: A parcel processing system and method. A method includes receiving a plurality of items to be sorted. The method includes receiving a plurality of parcels by a parcel processing apparatus and producing parcel data corresponding to each of the parcels, the parcel data including physical dimensions and a weight for each parcel. The method includes designing a virtual stack of the plurality of parcels to occupy a working volume according to the parcel data by a volumetric modeling engine. The method includes building a physical stack of the parcels that corresponds to the virtual stack by a working volume builder, wherein the physical stack is thereafter transferred into the working volume in a container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Michael D. Carpenter, Saul Stawar
  • Publication number: 20180057285
    Abstract: The invention describes a suction gripper for elastic slices sticking to each other, such as slices of food. The suction gripper has a suction cup, to which reduced pressure is applied in a controlled manner. The suction gripper is characterized by a tube, which projects at least into the plane of the suction opening of the suction cup, optionally projects over the plane of the suction opening, and to which pressured gas may be applied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: Deutches Institut fuer Lebensmitteltechnik e.V.
    Inventor: Bernhard Hukelmann
  • Publication number: 20180057286
    Abstract: Features for systems and methods for loading items into a tray are disclosed. The system may have an item conveyor configured to move the items towards a tray conveyor. The tray conveyor may be configured to move trays to receive items from the item conveyor into the tray. One or more sensors may detect the height of the items on the item conveyor and/or in the tray, and/or the position of the trays on the tray conveyor. A controller may receive data related to the one or more detected heights of the items and/or the position of the trays on the tray conveyor and correspondingly control movement of the item and/or tray conveyors for efficient loading of items into the tray and efficient movement of the trays for further processing. Tray conveyor movement sensors may detect movement of the trays or tray conveyors for further control or reliability of the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Dongliang Yang, Shao C. Yang, Christopher R. Simpson, James E. Goodbar, III, Marina E. Khazanov, George Coupar
  • Publication number: 20180057287
    Abstract: A method of bulk handling includes providing a sealed and partially full bulk container; suspending the bulk container within a frame; and rotating the frame about an axis in order to rotate the bulk container through multiple revolutions of 360 degrees. During rotation of the frame, an uppermost end of the frame or bulk container becomes lowermost after a first 180 degrees of rotation and is returned to an uppermost position after a further 180 degrees of rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventor: George William Snape
  • Publication number: 20180057288
    Abstract: A sheet conveying device includes a sheet stacking part, a conveying path and a conveying roller. The conveying roller includes a drive roller and a driven roller which is pressed against the drive roller and is driven by the drive roller to be rotated. The drive roller has a rotating drive shaft and a drive roller body rotatable together with the rotating drive shaft. The driven roller has a rotating shaft and a driven roller body supported by the rotating shaft in a rotatable manner. The driven roller body has a plurality of roller parts which are arranged in an axial direction of the rotating shaft and pressed against the drive roller body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Keisuke MIZUGUCHI
  • Publication number: 20180057289
    Abstract: A sheet conveyer, including a tray, a pickup roller, a separator roller, a separator pad, a driving source, a roller holder with an arm, an engagement member engageable with the arm, a load applier lever, and a first urging member coupled with the load applier lever, is provided. The load applier lever is movable between a first position, wherein the load applier lever supports the first end of the first urging member at a position where the first urging member causes the engagement member to be urged against the arm and to apply a load that acts in a direction to cause the pickup roller to be pressed against the sheets to the arm; and a second position, wherein the load applier lever supports the first end of the first urging member at a position where the first urging member is in the natural length thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Okamoto
  • Publication number: 20180057290
    Abstract: A paper sheet handling apparatus (for example, a banknote handling apparatus (10)) includes a first transporting unit (30) configured to transport a plurality of paper sheets in a stacked state in a horizontal state, a feeding unit (40) configured to feed the paper sheets one by one, and a second transporting unit (50) configured to transport to the feeding unit (40) the stacked paper sheets transported by the first transporting unit (30). The second transporting unit (50) causes the stacked paper sheets being in the horizontal state to be inclined at angle to a horizontal plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Toshiyuki KURODA, Shuji ONISHI
  • Publication number: 20180057291
    Abstract: A sheet feeding device includes a side face of a device body and a bypass tray. The bypass tray is supported turnably around a fulcrum part in the side face between a close position along the side face and an open position held at a predetermined angle with the side face. The bypass tray includes a locked piece having a locked hole. The side face includes a locking hook engaging with the locked piece when the bypass tray is at the close position. The locking hook includes an elastically deformable arm part, an engaging protrusion part protruded inwardly from a distal end of the arm part in a width direction of a sheet to insert into the locked hole, and a regulating part coming into contact with an opening edge of the locked hole to regulate an insertion amount of the engaging protrusion part to the locked hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Long Dang BUI
  • Publication number: 20180057292
    Abstract: A method for fixing a tail end of a toilet paper roll and the toilet paper roll therefrom. The end of the toilet paper roll is not adhered with glue, but the circumference of the toilet paper roll is wrapped by a paper sheet except the toilet paper roll. The head and the tail ends of the paper sheet are not adhered with glue, but joined together in a mechanical combination way, so that the tail end of the toilet paper roll is hooped onto the paper roll by the paper sheet. In this way, there is no need to apply a pressure or any other treatments between the tail end and the external layer of the paper roll when fixing the tail end of the paper roll, the damage of the external layer of the paper roll is avoided, and the quality of the finished paper roll is improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: Foshan Baosuo Paper Machinery Manufacture Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Jinchao Peng, Jinhui Chen
  • Publication number: 20180057293
    Abstract: An accumulation device is provided with a first roller group which comprises multiple first rollers that can rotate, and a second roller group which comprises multiple second rollers that can rotate and that can move in the direction towards or away from the first roller group. Substrates are conveyed alternately between the first rollers and the second rollers so as to go back and forth in a wound state, and the substrates are accumulated by relative movement of the first roller group and the second roller group in the direction away from each other. The second rollers are supported by a support member which is capable of moving relative to the first roller group, and are independently biased in the direction away from the first roller group by elastic members which are provided on the support member corresponding to each of the second rollers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Tsukasa Shigehara, Tsutomu Iwakawa, Takanori Tanaka, Masanobu Tatsumi
  • Publication number: 20180057294
    Abstract: Provided is a bag making and packaging machine having superior workability in film joining work. A bag making and packaging machine is a bag making and packaging machine that uses film having at least one character or a figure printed on its front side, and is equipped with a film roll support unit, a conveyance unit, a bag making unit, and a light emitting component. The film roll support unit supports a film roll in which the film is wound in a roll. The bag making unit processes the film to make bags. The conveyance unit is positioned between the film roll support unit and the bag making unit. The conveyance unit feeds the film to the bag making unit. The light emitting component illuminates, from the direction of the front side of the film, the film positioned between the film roll support unit and the conveyance unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: ISHIDA CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Makoto ICHIKAWA, Satoshi HASHIMOTO
  • Publication number: 20180057295
    Abstract: In one example in accordance with the present disclosure a device to detect media being wound around a wheel is described. The device includes a reel that collects the media and a movable arm pivotally coupled to the reel to provide tension to the media being wound around the reel. The device also includes a controller that detects media is being wound around the reel by 1) determining an angular position of the movable arm and 2) calculating, based on the angular position of the movable arm, when an output of a motor that rotates the reel is non-zero.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, L.P.
    Inventors: David Toussaint, Lluis Valles Casanova, Abel Martinez-Guillen, Jerry Claesson
  • Publication number: 20180057296
    Abstract: Provided is a paper-discharge apparatus that suppresses operating sound of the paper-discharge apparatus. A contact member changes the posture of the introduction guide by coming in contact with the introduction lever and rotating the introduction lever. A control unit sets a state in which paper is introduced to the paper-discharge-conveying unit to a non-contact state of the introduction lever and contact member, and sets a state when conveyed paper is guided to another discharge destination to a contact state of the introduction lever and the contact member. The control unit rotates the motor at a first speed and moves the contact member, and brings the contact member in contact with the introduction lever after setting the rotating speed of the motor to a second speed that is slower than the first speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Seiichi SHIRASAKI.
  • Publication number: 20180057297
    Abstract: A sheet binding device according to an embodiment includes a tape attachment unit and a sheet support unit. The tape attachment unit includes a tap holding unit configured to hold tape that is to be applied to an edge portion of a sheet bundle at a tape attachment region of the edge portion. The sheet support unit holds the sheet bundle in a state where multiple sheets forming the sheet bundle are shifted relative to each other in the edge portion when the tape is applied by the tape attachment unit. The sheet support unit also presses, in a sheet bundle thickness direction, a pressing region of the edge portion different from the tape attachment region so that there is substantially no slack along the edge portion of the sheet bundle between the pressing region and the tape attachment region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventor: Katsuya SASAHARA