Patents Issued in February 26, 2019
  • Patent number: 10214341
    Abstract: The present invention has as its object the provision of an aerosol product for forming a cooling gel composition for the human body. The aerosol product can easily and stably form a cooling gel composition for the human body which has high storage stability and which provides comfort during use and a sufficient cooling effect. The aerosol product for forming a cooling gel composition for the human body of the present invention has a double-structure container including a propellant filling space and two liquid concentrate filling spaces and having a discharging mechanism for simultaneously discharging the contents filled in these two liquid concentrate filling spaces. The propellant filling space is filled with a propellant composed of a compressed gas. A first liquid concentrate filling space is filled with a first liquid concentrate composition containing a hydrated endothermic substance dispersed in a liquid medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Toyo Aerosol Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasutomo Nakajima, Makoto Tsubouchi, Hokuto Kamijyo, Tomoyuki Niinomi, Remi Ikeda
  • Patent number: 10214342
    Abstract: A dispenser carton for cigarette tubes having a cutout shaped to outline a flap that is folded on one panel of the carton making it possible, after the cutout has been broken, to open the carton at the flap to access the tubes, while at the same time making it possible to re-close the carton by replacing the flap in its initial closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: REPUBLIC TOBACCO L.P.
    Inventor: Philippe Parcevaux
  • Patent number: 10214343
    Abstract: A pack provided with: a group of tobacco articles; and a sealed wrap, which encloses the group of tobacco articles, has a pull-out opening for the tobacco articles, has an inner pressure that is different from the atmospheric pressure, and consists of a heat-sealable sheet of wrapping material, which is folded around the group of tobacco articles and is stabilized by means of heat-sealing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: G.D. SOCIETA'PER AZIONI
    Inventors: Angelo Li Vigni, Luca Federici
  • Patent number: 10214344
    Abstract: A cartridge for extracting a beverage by injecting a fluid, comprising a containment body which is adapted to contain a substance from which the beverage is to be extracted and is adapted to receive the fluid, the containment body comprising at least one opening for the outflow of the beverage, which is adapted to prevent an increase in hydraulic pressure inside the cartridge when the fluid is injected, the containment body further comprising a plurality of raised portions for hindering the flow of the beverage, which are arranged in a mutually offset arrangement around the outflow opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: ILLYCAFFE' S.P.A.
    Inventors: Luca Mastropasqua, Ferruccio Seganfreddo, Giuseppe Cutuli, Gianluca Giamba
  • Patent number: 10214345
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to a protective collar that covers the edges of a manhole or other personnel entryway. One device comprises at least two pieces and a hinge that connects the two pieces, which allows the device to be folded for storage. Another device includes a skirt portion that extends further into the manhole. A further device includes at least one light to provide light into the manhole. A still further device includes a surface port that provides a connecting point for a line, and a subsurface port that provides a connecting point for another line. A still further device includes another portion to cover any equipment that has been inserted into the manhole. A still further device includes at least one rung to assist in personnel in entering and exiting the manhole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Inventor: Cameron Gordon Howie
  • Patent number: 10214346
    Abstract: A method and system for monitoring cargo conditions, includes at least one environmental sensor (50) to monitor at least one environmental parameter associated with the cargo (30), a controller (60) to log a plurality of readings from each of the at least one environmental sensors (50), and a sensor interface (51) to facilitate communication between the at least one environmental sensor (50) and the controller (60).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Paul V. Weyna, Malcolm N. Fleming, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10214347
    Abstract: A waste storage device is provided comprising a waste storage compartment for storing waste and a lid. The device further comprises a dispenser for dispensing an agent inside the waste storage device and an actuator arranged to activate the dispenser. A waste cartridge is also provided comprising a relatively rigid upper portion and a relatively flexible lower portion. The relatively flexible lower portion is arranged for storing waste items and the relatively rigid upper portion is arranged to be folded about an axis in a direction substantially towards the relatively flexible lower portion of the waste cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Sangenic International Limited
    Inventors: Steven Hammond, Scott Rontree, Adam Clarke, Paul Schofield, David Akerman, Nicholas Cudworth, Richard Sharp
  • Patent number: 10214348
    Abstract: An air-ventilated trash container suitable for supporting a collapsible trash bag having an open-top hollow container body that includes an integrated sidewall joined to a closed bottom is provided. The integrated sidewall includes an upright inner sidewall configured with a plurality of upper air release orifices and a plurality of laterally spaced apart, generally vertical ribs disposed extending outwardly from the inner sidewall. The ribs define between themselves a plurality of narrow channels that extend longitudinally to provide a passage during bag installation for the escape of air trapped between the inner sidewall, during bag filling to allow the bag to fully expand, and during bag removal to prevent the formation of a vacuum that would tend to cause the retention of the bag inside the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Inventor: Sandor Andro-Vasko
  • Patent number: 10214349
    Abstract: A lid for a refuse container is moveable between a closed position in which the lid overlies an open upper end of the refuse container and an open position in which the refuse container may be emptied. The lid has an openable port operable between a closed position in which the lid closes the upper end of the refuse container and an open position in which a dirt collection region of an air treatment member of a surface cleaning apparatus is positioned in the port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Omachron Intellectual Property Inc.
    Inventor: Wayne Ernest Conrad
  • Patent number: 10214350
    Abstract: An intelligent and information multi-vehicle collaboratively operating municipal refuse collection and transfer system and method are provided. The system comprises an automated system with multiple-degree of freedom intelligent dustbin grabbing, an operating system with two types of refuse vehicles collaborating, a multi-vehicle collaborative operation information system, and a fixed-point refuse collection operation confirmation and remote monitoring information management system for coordinating overall operation of the systems. The automated system with multiple-degree of freedom intelligent dustbin grabbing system is used for the refuse vehicles to automatically collect dustbins; the operating system with two types of refuse vehicles collaborating comprises a plurality of small- and medium-sized refuse vehicles and large capacity refuse vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: HUNAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Keli Liu, Guilin Wen
  • Patent number: 10214351
    Abstract: A barrier panel assembly includes a barrier sheet formed from a plurality of barrier wires arranged in a grid pattern and interconnected with one another by a plurality of flowed-material joints. Support brackets are secured to the barrier sheet along a common side thereof. The support brackets are configured to engage a rail of a storage rack structure that defines a storage bay disposed at a non-zero height above a base surface on which the storage rack structure is supported. A support deck that is dimensioned to form a floor of the storage bay and capture the support brackets between the storage deck and the rail to secure the barrier panel assembly on the storage rack structure. A method of assembly is also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: J&L WIRE CLOTH, LLC
    Inventor: James A. Duppong
  • Patent number: 10214352
    Abstract: A carrier system capable of rapidly carrying a cargo includes: a circulation rail which is hung from above and includes a curved part; a plurality of carriers, each of which includes a travelling vehicle that travels along the circulation rail and a lift stage that is liftably hung on the travelling vehicle and serves to hold a cargo, and each of which lifts and lowers the lift stage while traveling along the circulation rail; a plurality of racks which are arranged in parallel along the circulation rail, and each of which includes a plurality of placement parts arranged in parallel in a vertical direction; and a controller which selects any of the plurality of placement parts as a storing position of the cargo and instructs the carrier that holds the cargo out of the plurality of carriers, about the storing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Murata Machinery, Ltd.
    Inventor: Satoru Izumi
  • Patent number: 10214353
    Abstract: A warehouse for items in the form of raw materials or basic components. The warehouse includes a plurality of item storage areas, at least one upper storage area and at least one lower storage area and at least one carrier able to move items from the upper storage area to the lower storage area. The warehouse further includes at least one manipulator robot able to transfer an item between the storage areas the carrier and a workstation. Each manipulator robot is able to move over a storage area during the transporting of an item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Inventor: Jean-Pierre Solignac
  • Patent number: 10214354
    Abstract: An automated distribution center includes an array with storage locations arranged along aisle(s) having a floor, and a mezzanine platform above the floor, the floor and mezzanine being configured for human picker access to the storage locations, an automated guided vehicle (AGV) configured for traverse of the floor and mezzanine to the storage locations, and for transporting a storage container to and from the storage locations, the floor and mezzanine each having an undeterministic traverse surface for the AGV, the AGV is configured so that the surface provides holonomic selectable paths for the AGV substantially everywhere on the surface, each path being selectable by the AGV, and an order filling station, where one or more goods are picked from container(s) to fill order(s), wherein the AGV is configured to pick the container from a storage location and transport the container on the surface between the storage array and the station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: NEXTSHIFT ROBOTICS, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen C. Toebes
  • Patent number: 10214355
    Abstract: In accordance with one or more aspects of the disclosed embodiment, a lift includes at least one load handling device configured so as to reciprocate along a lift axis, the load handling device including a frame forming a payload section with a payload support surface having a common elevation configured to hold one or more pickfaces at the common elevation of the payload support surface, at least one transfer arm movably mounted to the frame, and a drive section connected to the load handling device and being configured to move the load handling device along the lift axis, wherein the one or more pickfaces carried in unison by the payload support surface of the at least one load handling device, define an order sequence of pickfaces on the at least one load handling device according to a predetermined case out order sequence of mixed cases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Symbotic, LLC
    Inventors: Kirill K. Pankratov, Juergen D. Conrad, Robert Hsiung, William Johnson, Jr., Edward A. MacDonald, Larry M. Sweet
  • Patent number: 10214356
    Abstract: A transporting element for accommodating and for transporting spherical, cylindrical or egg-shaped articles, in particular foodstuffs, in particular eggs, along a conveying route, has a plurality of mounts arranged one beside the other along the longitudinal extent. The transporting element is designed in the form of a channel-like body with an accommodating space curved in the form of part of a circle, as seen in cross section, and encloses an angle of at least 180°. The mounts are designed in the form of slot-form apertures in that region of the channel-like body that is curved in the form of part of a circle. The apertures extending parallel to one another, and transversely to the longitudinal extent of the channel-like body, as far as longitudinal crosspieces on either side, these forming a respective longitudinal periphery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Inventor: Gerd Bergmeier
  • Patent number: 10214357
    Abstract: A lift roller may include a hub having a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, and a radially outward surface. The hub may define a channel extending through the hub from the first surface to the second surface. The lift roller may also include a rim portion rotatably disposed about the radially outward surface of the hub and a boss disposed on one of the first surface and the second surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: GOODRICH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Wesley K. Stegmiller, Justin D. Williams
  • Patent number: 10214358
    Abstract: A conveyor system comprising a series of rollers coupled to a side of a frame and configured to convey a plurality of conveyed articles thereacross along a direction of travel. Each of the rollers has a drive end. The series of rollers including a directly driven roller and a plurality of slave driven rollers disposed after the directly driven roller with respect to the direction of travel. The conveyor system includes a plurality of sheaves. Each of the sheaves is coupled to a drive end of one of the rollers. Each of the sheaves includes a plurality of V-shaped grooves formed in an outer surface thereof. The grooves are divided into an inner portion and an outer portion. An outer diameter of the inner portion of each of the sheaves is unequal to an outer diameter of the outer portion of each of the sheaves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: LEWCO, INC.
    Inventor: Gerald T. Guerra
  • Patent number: 10214359
    Abstract: A belt and belt connector is provided for forming a continuous belt loop. The belt connector includes a first element insertable into a first end of the belt and a second element insertable into a second end of the belt. The first element may include exterior threads for positively engaging the interior of the belt. Additionally, the belt connector may include a connecting link that connects the first and second elements so that the first and second elements are pivotable relative to one another. Additionally, the connecting link may be configured to that the first element is pivotable relative to the connecting link about a first pivot axis and the connecting link may be pivotable relative to the second element about a second pivot axis that is transverse the first pivot axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: FENNER U.S., INC.
    Inventors: Sunil Ramachandra, Stephen F. Heston, Brian M. Pursel
  • Patent number: 10214360
    Abstract: A conveyor assembly for moving material includes a plurality of chains each defining a longitudinal axis, and a plurality of flights coupled to the at least two chains and configured to contact and move the material in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axes. Each of the plurality of flights extends along a central axis oriented oblique with respect to the longitudinal axes. Each flight includes a first portion offset from a second portion in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Joy Global Underground Mining LLC
    Inventor: Gareth Rimmington
  • Patent number: 10214361
    Abstract: We disclose an apparatus for maintaining a flow of grain moving toward a rotating sweep conveyor. A rake extends longitudinally along the sweep. The rake is disposed along the leading sidewall of the sweep such that the rake is in the path of movement of the sweep as the sweep rotates within the bin. The rake has a plurality of projections that protrude from a shaft. A reciprocating drive assembly is connected to the driven roller and to the shaft. The reciprocating drive assembly causes the shaft to move forward and backward along the longitudinal axis of the sweep. The reciprocating shaft movement causes the projections to engage grain piles in the path of the sweep, causing the pile to collapse into a flowable particulate to be received by the sweep.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Illinois Grain & Seed, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd W. Kaeb, Andrew L. Stock, Nathan L. Kaeb
  • Patent number: 10214362
    Abstract: An agricultural device for unloading of grain including an unloader conveyor includes a first enclosed housing having an inlet end including an opening for receiving grain. A second enclosed housing having an opposite outlet end includes a discharge opening through which the grain can be discharged. An unloader conveyor element extends through the housing between the ends and is operable for conveying the grain through the housing from the inlet end and discharging the grain through the discharge opening. The unloader conveyor element has a first unloader conveyor segment in operative association with a second unloader conveyor segment downstream of the first unloader conveyor segment. A directional transition region is positioned between the first unloader conveyor segment and the second unloader conveyor segment. At least a portion of the second housing near the directional transition region includes a region having reduced cross-sectional area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Herbert M. Farley, Denver R. Yoder
  • Patent number: 10214363
    Abstract: A pneumatic material handling slide assembly and method is provided to accommodate work pieces of various sizes at a manufacturing site. The assembly includes a lower base plate fixed to the floor and an upper plate slidably mounted on top of the lower plate. An air pocket is provided in the lower surface of the upper plate. Compressed air can be supplied to the air pocket to lift the upper plate and associated material handling equipment for sliding along the lower base plate. Locks are provided on the upper plate to secure the upper plate in a desired position along the lower plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Inventor: Joshua Arden Clare
  • Patent number: 10214364
    Abstract: A working machine for conducting a roadworking operation includes a conveyor that is adapted to move roadworking material as a part of the roadworking operation. The working machine also includes a sensor which is adapted to determine if a condition exists that is indicative of the conveyor's operating under a load, and a controller which includes at least one timer. The controller is adapted to receive input information including a predetermined operating run-time for a wear part that is associated with the conveyor. The controller is also adapted to receive a signal from the sensor that a condition exists which is indicative of the conveyor's operating under load. The timer of the controller is adapted to use the signal received from the sensor to measure a period of time during which the conveyor is operating under load, and the controller is adapted to compare the measured period of time that the conveyor is operating under load with the predetermined operating run-time for the wear part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Roadtec, Inc.
    Inventor: Kyle E. Grathwol
  • Patent number: 10214365
    Abstract: The invention relates to a conveying arrangement comprising at least one mover (20) which has at least one magnet (19), preferably a permanent magnet, and cooperates with a drive surface (13) so that the mover (20) can be slidably and/or rotatably moved with respect to the drive surface (13) in at least two degrees of freedom, at least one protective device (40) being provided and arranged between the drive surface (13) and the mover (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Alfred Wipf, Heike Raatz
  • Patent number: 10214366
    Abstract: A drop batch builder is provided for organizing a plurality of glass sheets into a desired batch arrangement on a conveyor. The drop batch builder includes an upper conveyor line and a lower conveyor line. The upper conveyor has a drop region configured to drop a first glass sheet from the upper conveyor line downwardly onto the lower conveyor line, whereupon the lower conveyor line is configured to convey the first glass sheet along the lower path of substrate travel to the overpass region where the first glass sheet is positioned under the upper conveyor line. Methods of using a drop batch builder are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Cardinal IG Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Milewski, Robert C. Buchanan, Jonathan D. Wyman
  • Patent number: 10214367
    Abstract: Some manufacturing processes include forming stacks of manufactured objects for handling and/or processing. While some such manufactured objects are consistent in thickness, other are more irregular. Some manufactured objects are generally flat, but are also generally thicker along one edge. When objects having these characteristics are stacked, the cumulative effect of such inconsistent thickness results in an unbalanced stack. The disclosed apparatus and method utilize a novel rotating stacker that rotates the stack of manufactured objects as each new object is added to the stack, thereby distributing the thickness inconsistency of individual objects throughout the stack, producing a more uniform stack without manual intervention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: GRUMA S.A.B. DE C.V.
    Inventors: Felipe A. Rubio Lamas, Miguel Angel Gonzalez Reyna, Greg Stroud, Rhett Eugene Craig
  • Patent number: 10214368
    Abstract: A system for moving a receptacle. The system includes: a coupling wall; an internal carriage provided substantially adjacent the coupling wall, the internal carriage being movable along the coupling wall along a predetermined path; an external carriage provided substantially adjacent the coupling wall and substantially in register with the internal carriage with the coupling wall extending between the internal and external carriages, the external carriage being movable along the coupling wall, the external carriage including a receptacle attachment for securing the receptacle thereto; and a carriage actuator operatively coupled to the internal carriage for moving the internal carriage along the predetermined path. The internal and external carriages are magnetically coupled to each other across the coupling wall so that when the internal carriage is moved along the predetermined path, the external carriage follows the internal carriage and remains substantially in register therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: NJM PACKAGING INC.
    Inventors: Maxime Demers, Alexandre Lebel
  • Patent number: 10214369
    Abstract: An unstacker device comprises a floor and a retaining paddle that are designed to move a stack of mailpieces from a feed magazine towards an unstacker head under the action of a monitoring and control unit as the mailpieces are being unstacked from the front of the stack. The device further comprises a vision system suitable for forming a profile digital image of said stack of mailpieces in the magazine, and said unit is arranged to evaluate a certain inclination of the mailpieces in the stack on the basis of said profile image and to cause the floor and the paddle to move so as to present the mailpiece at the front of the stack in a satisfactory position on edge so that it can be unstacked by the unstacker head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: SOLYSTIC
    Inventors: Hicham El Bernoussi, Jean-Marc Teluob, Stèphane Ambroise
  • Patent number: 10214370
    Abstract: A sheet feed portion feeds a sheet by performing a pickup operation in a cycle in which a pickup rotary member is switched from a released state to a contact state and then switched to the released state. A detection unit detects the sheet at a position downstream of the sheet feed portion in the sheet feeding direction. A control unit is capable of executing a first feed mode in which a first feed process of carrying out a pickup operation is executed, or a second feed mode in which the first feed process is executed and then a second feed process of carrying out an additional pickup operation is executed. The mode to be executed is determined based on a time when the sheet is detected by the detection unit and a length of the sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yuta Sakurai
  • Patent number: 10214371
    Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing folded paper towels is described. The dispenser includes several ribs near the dispensing throat. The ribs are uniquely configured to guide the paper towels towards the throat in a bowed fashion, thus reducing the frequency of tears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: SOLARIS PAPER, INC.
    Inventor: Charles Agnew Osborne, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10214372
    Abstract: A sheet feeder device includes: a pickup roller that separates paper sheets placed on a manual feed tray from one another, and transfers a paper sheet; a pair of sheet feed rollers that include an upper feed roller and a lower feed roller, form a sheet nip portion when the upper feed roller and the lower feed roller are pressed against each other, and transfer the paper sheet transferred from the pickup roller; a top edge vibrator that vibrates a top edge of the paper sheet, the top edge vibrator being located on an upstream side of the pair of sheet feed rollers; and a hardware processor that controls sheet feeding of the paper sheets placed on the manual feed tray, wherein, when a predetermined condition is satisfied in the sheet feeding, the hardware processor controls the top edge vibrator, to vibrate the top edge of the paper sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Takahiro Okubo, Yasuo Shiokawa
  • Patent number: 10214373
    Abstract: A sheet feeding device comprising: a stacking member on which a sheet is stacked; a first conveying portion that conveys a sheet stacked on the stacking member; a second conveying portion that separates and conveys a sheet conveyed by the first conveying portion; a stopper member that stops a sheet whose front end is abutted against the stopper member at an upstream of the second conveying portion in a sheet conveying direction, wherein the stopper member can be at a first position where the sheet can be stopped and a second position where the sheet can pass the stopper member, and wherein the stopper member can move from the first position toward the second position such that a sheet conveyed by the first conveying portion reaches the second conveying portion while maintaining a state where the front end of the sheet is abutted to the stopper member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Junichi Sata
  • Patent number: 10214374
    Abstract: A sheet feeder comprises a sheet stacking unit which stacks sheets, a sheet pickup unit which picks up a sheet from one side of the stacked sheets on the sheet stacking unit, a sheet separating and feeding unit which separately feeds sheets one by one to a conveyance path, an orientation holding unit which holds a feed orientation of a sheet, and a biasing unit which biases the orientation holding unit from a retracted position to a projecting position. A projection amount of the orientation holding unit from an inclined surface increases as the number of stacked sheets decreases, and the projection amount from the inclined surface decreases as the number of stacked sheets increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Canon Denshi Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Machida, Yoshifumi Okamoto
  • Patent number: 10214375
    Abstract: A banknote storage device includes a housing member having a loading region in which a banknote is loaded; a storage which is disposed to be adjacent to the housing member and in which the banknote is stored; a temporary accumulation region provided between the loading region and the storage so as to temporarily accumulate the banknote to be stored in the storage; and a push-in mechanism that pushes the banknote loaded to the loading region, into the temporary accumulation region and that pushes a plurality of the banknotes accumulated in the temporary accumulation region, into the storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: FUJITSU FRONTECH LIMITED
    Inventors: Hiroshi Yanagida, Shohei Koizumi, Ryo Fujiwara, Tomoyuki Tamahashi
  • Patent number: 10214376
    Abstract: A sheet medium flattening device includes a mounting frame configured to mount and support following components; an annular passage, including an annular inner passage plate and an annular outer passage plate, a heating module arranged in a hollow inner cavity of the inner passage plate to supply heat for the inner passage plate; at least one pinch roller arranged at an outer side of the annular guiding plate and realizing clamping with the inner passage plate through a hole slot arranged in the annular guiding plate; a reversing mechanism configured to selectively convey banknotes between the conveying passage and the annular passage of the flattening device; a driving device configured to drive the inner passage plate to rotate; and a control system configured to control a temperature of the heating module and control a selectively switchover of the reversing mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: GRG BANKING EQUIPMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yang Chang, Yin Xia, Zhiwen Jiang, Zhuang Jiang, Hongjun Wu, Zhiqiang Sun, Dong Tan
  • Patent number: 10214377
    Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus includes a processing tray, a conveyance roller, an extrusion member, a pinch roller and a controller. The conveyance roller is arranged at a downstream side of the processing tray in a sheet conveyance direction, and conveys the sheet. The extrusion member extrudes an end of an upstream side in the sheet conveyance direction of the sheet placed on the processing tray to the downstream side. The pinch roller moves to a rotation position at the time of conveying the sheet by the conveyance roller to sandwich the sheet with the conveyance roller. The controller controls the pinch roller and the conveyance roller to convey the sheet using the pinch roller and the conveyance roller when the sheet placed on the processing tray is conveyed to the downstream side in the sheet conveyance direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shoichi Dobashi, Yoshihisa Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 10214378
    Abstract: The cable coiling device automatically coils heavy-duty electrical cable into a coiled bundle having a predetermined coil diameter. This device matches the over/under coiling method used to manually coil cables that eliminate unnecessary twists and knots in cables. The cable coiling device has a first roller and a second roller that is angularly offset from the first roller. The angular offset adds a twist to the cable as it passes between the rollers. The device maintains the first and second rollers at a predetermined distance away from each other so that the cable does not slip out of the opening between the rollers. When the coil exits the rollers, the resulting cable is coil bundled and has a specific predetermined coil bundle diameter. Guide wheels positioned at specific locations guide the cable through the device, which prevents cable looping before and after the cable passes through the rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: DDJM LLC
    Inventor: Daniel R. Bortz
  • Patent number: 10214379
    Abstract: An apparatus is described herein that may generally include an air pump, a rotatable drum, a flexible hose, and first and second housings. The drum may draw in and let out the flexible hose. The pump may be connected to the flexible hose. The first housing may enclose in inner portion of the drum, and may include a first air intake. The pump may be disposed within the first housing. The second housing may surround the drum and may include a second air intake. The flexible hose may pass through the second air intake. The first intake may be aligned perpendicular to the second air intake. Alternatively, the first intake may be aligned parallel to the second air intake on a side of the drum opposite the second air intake. Sound emitted from the pump may pass over, and be absorbed by, the flexible hose within the second housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Hall Labs LLC
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Jerome Miles, Davido Hyer, Jedediah Knight
  • Patent number: 10214380
    Abstract: A device for the coiling, storage and payout of cable, hose, cord and wire having a bucket creating a storage space defined by a round bucket bottom, a peripheral wall cylindrically extending from the round bucket bottom and terminating in a round open top and a bucket longitudinal axis passing through its geometric center. A spool having a cylindrical core, spaced apart top and bottom flanges and a spool longitudinal axis passing through its geometric center. A nub extends between and spaces the bottom flange from the bucket bottom, the bucket further having an opening in its peripheral wall, the opening having elongated sides extending longitudinally and parallel to the bucket longitudinal axis and extending the distance between the top and bottom flanges and relatively low friction contour rails positioned along the elongated sides and an extendible handle secured to the top flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Plews, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward M. Edler
  • Patent number: 10214381
    Abstract: An elevator system includes an elevator car, at least one elevator drive arranged in an elevator shaft and a support strap, wherein the elevator car is arranged in the elevator shaft for movement via the support strap by the elevator drive. A brake system includes a car braking unit associated with the elevator car and a drive braking unit associated with the elevator drive. The car braking unit and the drive braking unit can together be controlled from a common brake control device. The brake system can be used for new elevator system installations and for retrofitting existing elevator systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: INVENTIO AG
    Inventors: Christian Studer, Raphael Bitzi
  • Patent number: 10214382
    Abstract: An elevator brake disk assembly is provided. The elevator brake disk assembly includes a brake disk which is keyed to and rotatable with a shaft of an elevator machine, a machine frame and dampers. The dampers are respectively anchored to the machine frame and biased to symmetrically hold the brake disk during rotations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Wei Wei, James L. Hubbard
  • Patent number: 10214383
    Abstract: A method for commissioning an elevator system, the system having a control unit, a bus, and a plurality of bus nodes, which nodes are connected with the control unit through the bus, wherein the method includes the following steps: for each bus node, node-specific data are registered by the control unit; for each bus node, the registered node-specific data are compared with a participant list; and for each deviation between the participant list and the registered node-specific data, a message is issued for an operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: INVENTIO AG
    Inventors: Astrid Sonnenmoser, Martin Hess, Reto Tschuppert, Ivo Lustenberger
  • Patent number: 10214384
    Abstract: A method for operating a safety system including a control unit, a bus, a plurality of bus nodes connected to the control unit via the bus, and a plurality of participants connected to the control unit via the bus nodes, wherein at least one participant is designed as a temporary participant. The method includes the step of enabling the safety system for operation by the control unit when either a first temporary participant or a second temporary participant is connected to the bus. An elevator system can be provided with a safety system for carrying out the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: INVENTIO AG
    Inventors: Astrid Sonnenmoser, Ivo Lustenberger, Martin Hess
  • Patent number: 10214385
    Abstract: An elevator brake wedge is provided and includes an elongate body having first and second generally opposed major surfaces and first and second generally opposed minor surfaces. The second minor surface has a greater length than the first minor surface. Each of the first and second major surfaces extends between corresponding first and second ends of the first and second minor surfaces, respectively. The second major surface defines low-friction film securing grooves extending from a plane of the second major surface into the elongate body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Scott Alan Eastman, Brad Guilani, Chen Qian Zhao, Randall S. Dube
  • Patent number: 10214386
    Abstract: The invention is an elevator. The elevator is driven by a rack and a chain. The elevator also comprises a transportable frame, a floor, and an elevator shaft. The purpose of the invention is, by using a rack and chain lifting device to drive the elevator, to allow the elevator to be driven from the bottom. Driving the elevator from the bottom makes the structural integrity of the elevator box unnecessary, so that the elevator box can be replaced with an elevator box façade and a fabric door, making the elevator lighter and more economical. In addition, the design of the elevator allows for adjacent doors, battery power, and voice control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Hall Labs LLC
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Jackson Priddis, Andrew Priddis, Eimi Priddis
  • Patent number: 10214387
    Abstract: An illustrative example method of making a magnetic drive component includes inserting a plurality of metal teeth into a metal tube. The teeth respectively have a first portion received against an inner surface of the tube. The teeth respectively have a second portion and a third portion spaced apart and projecting toward a center of the tube. The method includes securing the plurality of teeth to the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Richard N. Fargo
  • Patent number: 10214388
    Abstract: A rope storage unit includes a rope reel, formed by a rope wound in a spiral form and a support body provided with an inner space inside which the rope reel is positioned supported by the support body. The rope is a rod having a straight form when in rest state and elastically bendable away from the straight form, the rope being under substantial bending tension in the spiral form. The support body includes one or more support members delimiting the inner space and surrounding radially the rope reel. The outer rim of the rope reel radially compresses against the one or more support members as an effect of the bending tension. A method is provided for installing an elevator rope implementing the rope storage unit, as well as to a method for fabricating the rope storage unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: KONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hannu Lehtinen, Antti Ikonen, Riku Lampinen, Toma Cornea, Antti Koskinen
  • Patent number: 10214389
    Abstract: A drive chain (2a, 2b) for a chain drive comprises a plurality of chain links (10, 20) and joints (30) respectively connecting two of the chain links (10, 20) forming the drive chain (2a, 2b). The drive chain (2a, 2b) further comprises a plurality of carrier elements (40), each of said carrier elements (40) being linked to one of the chain links (10, 20) or joints (30) and supporting at least two support/engagement elements (43, 44), which are configured for supporting the drive chain (2a, 2b) and/or for engagement with an appropriate turnaround element (50; 90) for driving the drive chain (2a, 2b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Alexander Turek, Walter Srb-Gaffron
  • Patent number: 10214390
    Abstract: A plurality of steps are linked by endless step chains. Each of the steps includes: a step main body; first shafts that are disposed on the step main body; first step rollers that are disposed on the first shafts, and that are guided by the first guide rails; second shafts that are parallel to the first shafts; and second step rollers that are disposed on the second shafts, and that are guided by the second guide rails. The first shafts move along first pathways, and the second shafts move along second pathways. The second pathways are positioned inside the first pathways when viewed parallel to respective shaft axes of the first shafts. The step chains link each of the steps by joining the second shafts of each of the steps, and are disposed within a range of the step main body in an axial direction of the first shafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Shingo Doi