Patents Issued in March 26, 2019
  • Patent number: 10239707
    Abstract: A substrate processing system including at least two vertically stacked transport chambers, each of the vertically stacked transport chambers including a plurality of openings arranged to form vertical stacks of openings configured for coupling to vertically stacked process modules, at least one of the vertically stacked transport chambers includes at least one transport chamber module arranged for coupling to another transport chamber module to form a linear transport chamber and another of the at least two stacked transport chambers including at least one transport chamber module arranged for coupling to another transport chamber module to form another linear transport chamber, and a transport robot disposed in each of the transport chamber modules, where a joint of the transport robot is locationally fixed along a linear path formed by the respective linear transport chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Brooks Automation, Inc
    Inventor: Robert T. Caveney
  • Patent number: 10239708
    Abstract: A laboratory sample distribution system in which a sample container carrier can be centered at a specific position is presented. A laboratory automation system with such a laboratory sample distribution system is also presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Achim Sinz
  • Patent number: 10239709
    Abstract: A veneer feeder head used to peel a veneer sheet from a stack of veneer. A stationary head and an actuating head both contact the top veneer sheet and the actuating head moves into a peel state, where the one portion of the top veneer sheet is raised higher than another portion of the top veneer sheet. This peeling action separates the top veneer sheet from the next veneer sheet in the stack of veneer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: SWEED MACHINERY INC.
    Inventors: Tyler W. Casebeer, Chris J. Salyer
  • Patent number: 10239710
    Abstract: A method for loading a pallet with different individual packs of a picked order includes a first method step in which the individual packs to be palletized are delivered in a conveyor cart, a second method step in which the individual packs are separated, positioned and prepared for palletizing in such a way that a palletizing station has access to all of the individual packs and a third method step in which the individual packs are picked in a sequence predetermined by the palletizing station and stacked on the pallet. A device for performing the method includes one or more palletizing stations with a storage device for the individual packs and with a continuous conveying loop acting as a conveying path for the conveyor cart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: ATLANTIC C Handels—und Beratungs GmbH
    Inventor: Rolf Gaenz
  • Patent number: 10239711
    Abstract: A system has a surge bin, a distribution conveyor assembly, an elevating conveyor assembly, and a receiving conveyor assembly. The surge bin has an internal storage compartment, a top input opening, and a bottom output opening. The distribution conveyor assembly has a distribution frame attached at an input end thereof to an upper portion of the surge bin, and a distribution conveyor mounted on the distribution frame. The elevating conveyor assembly has an elevating conveyor configured to receive granular material at an elevating input and discharge the received granular material selectively to the top input opening of the surge bin or to the distribution conveyor input. The receiving conveyor assembly has a receiving station configured to receive granular material from a discharge of a transport vehicle, and a receiving conveyor operative to transfer the received granular material from the receiving station into the elevating input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Quickthree Technology LLC
    Inventors: Alvin Herman, Erin Herman
  • Patent number: 10239712
    Abstract: A transfer terminal is shown for off-loading dry, flowable, granular material from large transportation vehicles such as trucks or barges to smaller transport trucks. A pouch within a tank is provided for receiving the material, which material is distributed to storage silos. A single elevator is used to load the pouch and all storage silos. By aeration of the materials, a very low angle of repose is created for the material, which allows the material to flow at a very low angle, both to and from the various silos. Material being loaded into a transport truck flows through the pouch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Robert Ober & Associates, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Lloyd Garcia, Robert Wayne Ober
  • Patent number: 10239713
    Abstract: A drive-over conveyor for receiving material from a bottom-discharge material transport vehicle features a belt conveyor spanning a loading section, a transition section feeding into a secondary conveyor, and a cleanout section for clearing debris that may collect the space between upper and lower runs of the belt. At the cleanout section, the belt is entrained about one or more augers that convey such debris laterally outward from between the belt runs. The loading section features a low-profile framework of resiliently flexible beams that is normally carried in slightly spaced relation above the ground by ground wheels of the section, and that temporarily flexes downward when the vehicle is driven over. Accordingly, the loading section can be wheeled between different positions without any lifting, enabling quick and convenient repositioning of the loading section between different outlets of a parked stationary vehicle, and the need for dedicated drive-over ramps is avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Soaring Eagle Grain Equipment Inc.
    Inventors: Henry Elias, Tim Penner
  • Patent number: 10239714
    Abstract: An adjustment method for adjusting the heights of the nipping belts in a transport conveyor that moves flat articles in series and on edge, so that a transport height is substantially constant for the flat articles. The method causes the conveyor to operate empty in such a manner that the nipping belts of heights that are to be adjusted run without any flat article in the conveyor, emits two parallel and superposed light beams towards a belt of height to be adjusted, spaced apart by a certain distance equal to the width of the belt between the two opposite edges of the belt to be adjusted, the light beams emitted from a portable tool, and manipulate a tensioner adjusting the belt so as to move the belt heightwise while it is running empty until the two light beams intersect respective ones of the two opposite edges of the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: SOLYSTIC
    Inventors: Jean Michel Reboul, Olivier De Sousa, Bruno Cartal
  • Patent number: 10239715
    Abstract: A sheet folding device, which is included in an image forming system and uses a sheet folding method, includes first and second drive motors, a first sheet conveyor driven by the first drive motor and configured to receive and convey a sheet toward a downstream side of a sheet conveying direction, a second sheet conveyor driven by the second drive motor and configured to receive the sheet conveyed from the first sheet conveyor and to convey the sheet to the downstream side of the sheet conveying direction, and a controller configured to fold the sheet to a predetermined folding length set according to an amount of conveyance of the sheet by the second sheet conveyor while the sheet is being held between the first and second sheet conveyors, and to perform a feedback control with an integral gain to the second drive motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Michitaka Suzuki, Tomohiro Furuhashi, Yuuki Nakagawa, Tomomichi Hoshino
  • Patent number: 10239716
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is to propose a novel device and a novel method to allow the transportation of printable substrates precisely, suited to substrates of various types, sizes and thicknesses. Furthermore, the invention is suited to printing machines that involve no contact with the substrate, such as inkjet printing machines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: MGI Digital Technology
    Inventor: Edmond Abergel
  • Patent number: 10239717
    Abstract: Provided is an image forming apparatus including a manual feed tray for placing a sheet subjected to image formation, a sheet sensor configured to detect whether or not the sheet is placed on this manual feed tray, a pickup roller configured to feed the sheet placed on the manual feed tray, and a controller. When a size of a sheet to be fed is designated by a user, and it is determined that the sheet is placed, the controller causes at least one of the pickup roller and the manual feed tray to start movement to a position of enabling the pickup roller to feed the placed sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Teruhito Kai, Shinnosuke Iwadate, Hiroto Nishihara, Hiromi Shimura, Keita Takahashi, Kentaro Tamura
  • Patent number: 10239718
    Abstract: A contact member swingably moves about a swing axis to contact a recording medium stacked on a medium tray, and shifts to different states depending on volume of medium. A controller performs: a detection process of detecting the stacked volume based on signals of M times outputted from the sensor, the M times being a number of times that is larger than or equal to two times; a stack determination process of determining whether the recording medium is stacked on the medium tray based on signals of N times, the signals of N times being a part of the signals of the M times outputted from the sensor, the N times being a number of times that is smaller than M; and a sheet feeding process of controlling the feed roller to feed the recording medium, in response to determining that the recording medium is stacked on the medium tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yuki Matsui
  • Patent number: 10239719
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a roll spindle comprises two roll supports and a differential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Raimon Castells De Monet, Jose Antonio Alvarez Tapia, David Claramunt Morera
  • Patent number: 10239720
    Abstract: The present invention provides an improved belted reel which is particularly well suited for the winding of soft, bulky tissue webs and overcomes the limitations of the prior art. The belted reel is capable of providing coordinated web tension and nip control by providing the winding parent roll with two nip points—the first nip formed between the winding roll and the second between the winding roll and a second support drum. Preferably the drum encircled by the endless belt lies above the second support drum and the first and second nip points lie in the same vertical plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventor: Robert James Seymour
  • Patent number: 10239721
    Abstract: A sheet conveyance apparatus includes: a guide member configured to guide a sheet in a first direction in a first state, and in a second direction in a second state; a driving source configured to generate a driving force; a transfer member configured to change the state of the guide member from the first state to the second state by being moved by the driving force; and a control unit configured to control the driving force. The control unit is further configured to set the driving force to a value smaller than a force necessary to move the transfer member to change the guide member from the first state to the second state, and subsequently cause the driving force to increase to a value larger than the force necessary to move the transfer member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideaki Yamaguchi, Hiroharu Tsuji, Genki Takahashi
  • Patent number: 10239722
    Abstract: The invention provides a punching system that has a relatively simple structure to provide an apparatus reduced in overall size and having a low profile, and can produce a high-quality punched hole while conveying a sheet. The punching system includes a punching device that has a punching member moving back and forth perpendicularly to the sheet being conveyed, a frame, and a sheet conveyance mechanism. The punching device is attached to the frame by an attachment unit in such a manner that it is movable in the sheet conveyance direction. The sheet conveyance mechanism includes carry-out rollers that sandwich the downstream end of the sheet at the start of sheet punching motion of the punching member and that are installed at positions downstream from and transversely corresponding to the punching position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: SEIKO LTD.
    Inventors: Kenji Baba, Chiaki Osada, Koutaro Yamanaka
  • Patent number: 10239723
    Abstract: There is provided a sheet processing apparatus with improved visibility of a sheet bundle discharged without post-processing thereto. The CPU circuit receives the conveyed sheet, drives and controls the sheet-returning paddle, the rack part, the rear end regulation part, the alignment plate and the like and forms sheet bundle comprising of a plural number of sheets as received. Further, the CPU circuit drives and controls the alignment plate when discharging the sheet bundle S from the processing tray, the sheet bundle S exceeding the number of sheets which can be post-processed by the stapler. Therefore, the sheet bundle S which includes sheets equal to the allowable number of sheets for post-processing of the sheet processing unit is discharged to the second discharge position which is different from the first discharge position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shigeo Hongu
  • Patent number: 10239724
    Abstract: Systems and methods for folding a stack of substrate sheets are provided. The system may include a roller assembly and a positioning mechanism. The roller assembly is configured for folding the stack of substrate sheets and the positioning mechanism is configured to position the substrate or stack for entry into the roller assembly. The positioning mechanism includes an upper curved form and a lower curved form to guide the stack of substrate sheets into a curved position for folding. The positioning mechanism further includes a folding blade positioned to extend through the gap between the upper and lower curved forms. The roller assembly can move the folded stack of substrate sheets in at least two directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: EXPRESS SCRIPTS STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT, INC.
    Inventor: Thomas C. Pegg
  • Patent number: 10239725
    Abstract: A resilient cable caddy comprising a portable housing for storing reels of cable that has a lower base with a hinged top forming an enclosure for the reel. A reel of cable is rotatably mounted within the interior. A handle formed by abutting base and top portions enables carrying. Each reel comprises a spool with a central axle coupled at each end to spaced apart end caps, being retained by mounting rings. The spindles have bearing rings journaled to bearing races defined in the end caps. Both spindles comprise hubs disposed within case gudgeons. A two-piece spindle has a removable hub portion fitted to an internal socket. When reels are transported they may be stacked vertically atop one another with the one piece spindle engaging the empty and exposed spindle hub socket of an upper reel. Caddies may also be opened and stacked vertically for transportation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: PERFECTVISION MANUFACTURING, INC.
    Inventors: Robert J. Chastain, Denton McDonald, James S. Carter, Chrispin A. Bowen, David A. Kelly, Glen David Shaw
  • Patent number: 10239726
    Abstract: A ribbon self-orienting device that is to be interposed between the source and the target of a traveling ribbon, either during winding of a ribbon into a traversed roll or during pay-off of a ribbon from a traversed roll. A pivoting frame is pivotally coupled to a frame support, at a pivot axis. First and second direction changing means coupled to the pivoting frame serve to change the direction of the traveling ribbon. A force transfer means transfers a transversely directed force, imparted by the traveling ribbon due to the ribbon traversing its traversed roll while under tension, to the pivoting frame causing the pivoting frame to move about the pivot axis. Other embodiments are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: DYNAMEX CORPORATION
    Inventor: Ben Bravin
  • Patent number: 10239727
    Abstract: An automated method to control and evaluation of the operation of a lift installation, where at least one load of unknown weight is weighed by means of a weighing machine; the sum of the weights detected on site in the lift installation where the maintenance work is being performed is transmitted to a portable control console, which transmits the sum of the weights detected associated with the loads introduced to the lift cabin to a load weighing device; to receive command signals associated with the control and maintenance tasks transmitted from the portable control console, in response to operating parameters of the lift cabin loaded with the sum of the weights detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Dinacell Electronica, S.L.
    Inventor: Rafael Gonzalez Gallegos
  • Patent number: 10239728
    Abstract: A system and/or method for detecting an occupancy of an elevator cab of an elevator to generate occupancy information is provided. The system and/or method further generates anonymized occupancy information based on the occupancy information and provides the anonymized occupancy information to enable the occupancy of the elevator cab to be presented with anonymity for occupants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alan Matthew Finn, William A. Veronesi, Arthur Hsu, Hui Fang
  • Patent number: 10239729
    Abstract: A safety circuit for an elevator system includes a first circuit having a plurality of switching contacts and a second circuit having a plurality of switching contacts. The switching contacts of the first circuit are connected in series, and the switching contacts of the second circuit are connected in parallel. Each switching contact of the first circuit is associated with a different switching contact of the second circuit. The switching contacts that are associated with each other are in opposite switching states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: INVENTIO AG
    Inventor: Ivo Lustenberger
  • Patent number: 10239730
    Abstract: An exemplary building sway operation system (10) for an elevator includes an acceleration sensor (11), and a data receiving unit (12) for receiving a sensor output from the acceleration sensor (11). The acceleration sensor (11) is designed to be mounted on a movable mass (6) of an active vibration control device (5) for a building, in order to detect the reciprocating motion of the movable mass (6) of the active vibration control device (5) responsive to the occurrence of earthquakes or strong winds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Hisanori Seki
  • Patent number: 10239731
    Abstract: A belt for an elevator system and a method for making the same is provided. The belt includes a plurality of tension members that extend along a length of the belt and a jacket. The jacket substantially retains the plurality of tension members. The jacket maintains a desired spacing and alignment of the tension members relative to each other. The jacket includes a plurality of first fibers and a plurality of second fibers. The jacket defines at least one exterior, traction surface of the belt. The first fibers are at least partially disposed between the tension members and the traction surface of the belt. The second fibers are fill fibers. The first fibers have at least one property that distinguishes them from the second fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Wenping Zhao, Gopal R. Krishnan, John P. Wesson
  • Patent number: 10239732
    Abstract: A conveyor device includes a truss; a conveyance element, which is movable with respect to the truss in a longitudinal direction and which includes at least one groove extending along said longitudinal direction. The conveyor device further includes a comb plate having at least one tooth extending into the at least one groove. For minimizing the effects resulting from a comb crash, the conveyor device further includes at least one compensation device fixing the comb plate in the longitudinal direction during normal operation, but allowing the comb plate to move in the longitudinal direction in case of a comb crash.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Chan-Jong Park
  • Patent number: 10239733
    Abstract: The invention relates to a lifting tool for lifting or upending a flanged object, the lifting tool extending along a central longitudinal tool axis and comprising; a hoisting member for coupling the lifting tool to a hoisting line and applying a hoisting force to the lifting tool, a main frame for guiding a moveable flange engagement member, said flange engagement member moveably coupled with the main frame for supporting the flanged object, and moveably with respect to the main frame, a driving device coupled with the flange engagement member and the main frame for driving the flange engagement member radially with respect to the central longitudinal tool axis between a flange releasing position for introducing the lifting tool at least partly in said flanged object and past the flange thereof and a flange supporting position wherein the flange engagement member supports the object, wherein the driving device comprises a linkage system coupled with the hoisting member and the flange engagement member such
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: IHC Holland IE B.V.
    Inventors: Cornelis Belder, Quintus Wilhelmus Petrus Maria Zuijdgeest
  • Patent number: 10239734
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for lowering a subsea structure to be installed on the seabed into the water through the splash zone, said subsea structure comprising subsea equipment arranged on a substantially flat support base for preventing the subsea equipment to sink into the seabed. The method according to the invention comprises: lifting the subsea structure into the air in a horizontal position in which the flat support base extends substantially parallel to the horizontal plane; tilting the subsea structure while suspended in the air from the horizontal position into a tilted position in which the flat support base is angled with respect to the horizontal plane; lowering the subsea structure into the water through the splash zone in the tilted position; and tilting the subsea structure while suspended in the water below the splash zone back into the horizontal position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: BLUEMARINE OFFSHORE YARD SERVICE B.V.
    Inventor: Klaas Wout Mastebroek
  • Patent number: 10239735
    Abstract: A method for assembling a crane that comprises erecting an upright ballast mast with a back mast top slide that is movable along the ballast mast and constructing a back mast using the upright ballast mast. This comprises the steps of providing a back mast upper section, multiple back mast intermediate sections, and a back mast lower section. The method also comprises connecting a part of the back mast including at least the back mast upper section, and possibly further including one or more pre-connected intermediate sections, to the back mast top slide. The part of the back mast that has been connected to the back mast top slide is stepwise extended by attaching further back mast intermediate sections and the back mast lower section. During the extension of the back mast the back mast top slide is stepwise raised along the upright ballast mast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Mammoet Engineering B.V.
    Inventors: Peter Paul Thomas Cornelia Stoof, Pieter Maria Stoof
  • Patent number: 10239736
    Abstract: An apparatus assists in retaining a rope in connection with a sheave on a boom. The apparatus includes a retainer supported by the boom for swinging outwardly relative to the sheave from a first position adjacent to the sheave for assisting in retaining the rope therein and a second position for facilitating removing the rope from the sheave. A holder may be provided for holding the retainer in the second position, so that the operator's hands are freed for other tasks. A receiver may also be provided for temporarily receiving a locking pin once removed from the retainer, thus helping to guard against loss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: LINK-BELT CRANES, L.P., LLLP
    Inventors: Phillip Chaney, John P. Jones
  • Patent number: 10239737
    Abstract: A modular automobile lift is arranged in a compact bundle for the purpose of transportation of the modular automobile lift to a lift assembly site. The modular automobile lift includes a pair of separate runways meant ultimately for the support of an automobile and a pair of cross beams meant ultimately for the lifting of the pair of runways by means of lift columns. Each runway is constructed and arranged in separate runway segments and meant to be connected together at the lift assembly site. The bundle further includes at least a mounting member with each runway being formed at the lift assembly site by securing the separate runway segments in series by means of the mounting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Inventor: Richard E. Nickerson, III
  • Patent number: 10239738
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for use in monitoring product placement within a shopping facility. Some embodiments provide an apparatus configured to determine product placement conditions within a shopping facility, comprising: a transceiver configured to wirelessly receive communications; a product monitoring control circuit coupled with the transceiver; a memory coupled with the control circuit and storing computer instructions that when executed by the control circuit cause the control circuit to: obtain a composite three-dimensional (3D) scan mapping corresponding to at least a select area of the shopping facility and based on a series of 3D scan data; evaluate the 3D scan mapping to identify multiple product depth distances; and identify, from the evaluation of the 3D scan mapping, when one or more of the multiple product depth distances is greater than a predefined depth distance threshold from the reference offset distance of the product support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC
    Inventors: Donald R. High, Shuvro Chakrobartty, Robert C. Taylor
  • Patent number: 10239739
    Abstract: Some embodiments provide systems and methods to assist product stocking on a sales floor of a retail shopping facility. In some implementations, a system comprises a plurality of motorized transport units that are each configured to perform multiple different types of tasks at a retail shopping facility; and a central computer system configured to coordinate the plurality of motorized transport units in performing the multiple different tasks comprising instruct a motorized transport unit to retrieve a specified stocking cart that is carrying a plurality of products that are to be restocked onto product supports that are positioned on the sales floor where customers travel in shopping for products, and further instruct the motorized transport unit to autonomously transport the stocking cart to a specified stocking location on the sales floor corresponding to at least one of the plurality of products carried by the stocking cart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC
    Inventors: Donald R. High, Michael D. Atchley, David C. Winkle
  • Patent number: 10239740
    Abstract: A shopping facility assistance system includes a plurality of motorized transport units, a plurality of user interface units, and a central computer system having a network interface such that the central computer system wirelessly communicates with one or both of the motorized transport units and the user interface units. The central computer system is configured to control movement of the motorized transport units through a shopping facility space based at least on inputs from the user interface units. More particularly, the central computer system controls movement of the motorized transport units such that a given one of the plurality of motorized transport units selectively leads a user to a destination within the shopping facility or follows the user within the shopping facility as determined by the central computer system. By one approach, the motorized transport units move through the shopping facility via a plurality of preferred pre-determined path segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC
    Inventors: Brian G. McHale, David C. Winkle, Michael D. Atchley, Shuvro Chakrobartty, Donald R. High
  • Patent number: 10239741
    Abstract: A suspension stacker crane includes an upper truck frame, a pair of mast units, a transferring device, and an upper base. The upper truck frame includes driving trucks arranged side by side in a travelling direction, and a bogie structure that couples the driving trucks. Each of the pair of mast units is suspended from the bogie structure, and includes a lifting drive motor and a lifting drive transmission. The pair of mast units is arranged side by side in the travelling direction. The transferring device is driven to be lifted or lowered by the lifting drive motor and the lifting drive transmission. The upper base links the pair of mast units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: MURATA MACHINERY, LTD.
    Inventors: Junichi Masuda, Akito Tai
  • Patent number: 10239742
    Abstract: Food product dispensing machines and methods for dispensing food product into a cup. The food product dispensing machine includes a cup holder having a target element, a sensor that senses the target element, and a controller. The cup holder is configured to hold a cup such that the cup prevents the sensor from sensing at least a portion of the target element. The controller determines whether a cup is present in the cup holder and/or a size of the cup based on a remaining portion of the target element that is sensed by the sensor when the cup is held by the cup holder. Drive mechanisms are configured to move the first and second cup holders along first and second radial paths, respectively, with respect to the common dispensing position. An indicator is configured to indicate a remaining number of cup dispenses to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Cornelius, Inc.
    Inventors: Zachary Dresser, Slawomir Kielian, Anthony Caringella
  • Patent number: 10239743
    Abstract: A fitting arrangement for a cask is disclosed having a fitting sleeve with a riser pipe arranged therein, and resiliently moveable relative thereto. The fitting sleeve has a conically extending inner sealing surface tapering toward an upper end, and a seal is incorporated between the inner sealing surface and the upper end of the riser conduit. The riser pipe is pressed with the seal against the sealing surface with a spring force, and the seal is arranged internally in the upper end of the riser pipe, wherein a sealing body is arranged in the upper end of the riser pipe and is resiliently moveable relative thereto, which sealing body comes to bear with form-fit engagement on an internal sealing surface of the seal as a result of the spring force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: DSI GETRAENKEARMATUREN GMBH
    Inventors: Harald Steinmetz, Philipp Sommer, Mirco Wolter
  • Patent number: 10239744
    Abstract: A fluid feeding device utilizes one or more fluid driving devices to cause pressure changes in an outer container of one or more fluid transfer units to change the pressure in a fluid delivery inner container within the outer container in order to expel or intake a transmitted fluid from or into the inner container, exempting the fluid feeding device from directly contacting the transmitted fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Inventors: Longyuan Mei, Longzhi Mei, Longyu Mei
  • Patent number: 10239745
    Abstract: Systems and methods for preventing biocorrosion of fuel handling components located in a sump in a fuel dispensing environment. One method includes exposing a hygroscopic material to moisture-laden air in the sump such that the hygroscopic material deliquesces into a liquid solution and exposing a buffer material to ethanol-blended fuel vapors in the sump. The method also includes collecting the liquid solution in a reservoir and monitoring the level of the liquid solution in the reservoir using a liquid level sensor. Further, the method includes notifying service personnel of the level of the liquid solution in the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Veeder-Root Company
    Inventors: Kenneth D. Cornett, Kent Reid
  • Patent number: 10239746
    Abstract: Capped microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) devices are described. In at least some situations, the MEMS device includes one or more masses which move. The cap may include a stopper which damps motion of the one or more movable masses. In at least some situations, the stopper damps motion of one of the masses but not another mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Jinbo Kuang, Gaurav Vohra
  • Patent number: 10239747
    Abstract: A semiconductor pressure sensor includes a fixed electrode placed at a principal surface of a semiconductor substrate, and a diaphragm movable through an air gap in a thickness direction of the semiconductor substrate at least in an area where the diaphragm is opposed to the fixed electrode. The diaphragm includes: a movable electrode; a first insulation film placed closer to the air gap with respect to the movable electrode; a second insulation film placed opposite to the air gap with respect to the movable electrode, the second insulation film being of a same film type as the first insulation film; and a shield film that sandwiches the second insulation film with the movable electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Kimitoshi Sato
  • Patent number: 10239748
    Abstract: A microelectromechanical device includes: a substrate; a semiconductor die, bonded to the substrate and incorporating a microstructure; an adhesive film layer between the die and the substrate; and a protective layer between the die and the adhesive film layer. The protective layer has apertures, and the adhesive film layer adheres to the die through the apertures of the protective layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Luca Maggi, Sebastiano Conti
  • Patent number: 10239749
    Abstract: An electrical cross-point switch N inputs, each at least 10 Gbps, connected to input transmission lines; M outputs, each at least 10 Gbps, connected to output transmission lines; at least two Radio Frequency (RF) Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) switches selectively interconnecting each input transmission line and each output transmission line; and control and addressing circuitry configured to selectively control interconnection of each input transmission line and each output transmission line via the at least two RF MEMS switches. The at least two RF MEMS switches can be embedded in each input transmission line and each output transmission line. The input transmission lines and the output transmission lines can each be partially shielded microwave transmission lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Ciena Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Y. Frankel, John P. Mateosky
  • Patent number: 10239750
    Abstract: In a method of inferring ambient atmospheric temperature, an acoustic signal is emitted from a speaker. A first sample of the acoustic signal is captured with a first microphone spaced a first distance from the speaker. A second sample of the acoustic signal is captured with a second microphone spaced a second distance from the speaker. The second distance is greater than the first distance, and a difference between the first distance and the second distance is a known third distance. A time delay in the acoustic signal is determined between the first sample and the second sample. An ambient temperature of the atmosphere through which the acoustic signal traveled is inferred based on a relationship between the time delay and temperature for the acoustic signal over the third distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: InvenSense, Inc.
    Inventor: William Kerry Keal
  • Patent number: 10239751
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a wafer-level package that includes a first thinned die, a multilayer redistribution structure, a first mold compound, and a second mold compound. The first thinned die includes a first device layer formed from glass materials. The multilayer redistribution structure includes redistribution interconnects that connect the first device layer to package contacts on a bottom surface of the multilayer redistribution structure. Herein, the connections between the redistribution interconnects and the first device layer are solder-free. The first mold compound resides over the multilayer redistribution structure and around the first thinned die, and extends beyond a top surface of the first thinned die to define an opening within the first mold compound and over the first thinned die. The second mold compound fills the opening and is in contact with the top surface of the first thinned die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Qorvo US, Inc.
    Inventors: Jan Edward Vandemeer, Jonathan Hale Hammond, Julio C. Costa
  • Patent number: 10239752
    Abstract: Surface plasmon-based nanosensor, comprising: at least one first element of metal, preferably silver or gold, or of semiconductor, the first element being excitable to surface Plasmon resonance, in particular localized surface plasmon resonance, in the presence of electromagnetic radiation from a source, and at least one second element preferably near the first element that in the presence of the electromagnetic radiation is exciton-plasmon coupled to the first element and emits electromagnetic radiation representative of the exciton-plasmon coupling, and systems and methods for sensing photons and chemical or biological agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: KING SAUD UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Talal Ghannam
  • Patent number: 10239753
    Abstract: The invention relates to compact and lightweight disposable accumulators for generating electric energy with extremely high energy densities (>1 kWh/kg and >k Wh/liter), which are of immense interest in many areas of application. One possibility for implementing such energy accumulators consists in using metal hydrides in hydrogen generators in which hydrogen is generated by hydrolytically splitting off a proton from water in conjunction with the metal hydride. The chemical energy stored in the hydrogen can then be converted into electric energy in a fuel cell in a second step. Only half of the generated hydrogen originates from the metal hydride during the hydrolysis reaction; the water used for the hydrolysis process supplies the other half.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Marcus Tegel, Lars Röntzsch, Bernd Kieback
  • Patent number: 10239754
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for reducing loss of hydrogen in solution to the fractionation section of a hydroprocessing unit. The hot liquid stream is stripped with an inert gas in a hot flash stripper to urge hydrogen into the hot flash vapor stream. Substantial conservation of hydrogen gas is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Neeraj Tiwari, Richard K. Hoehn, Kiran Ladkat
  • Patent number: 10239755
    Abstract: A method for preparing chlorine gas through catalytic oxidation of hydrogen chloride is carried out by one-time hydrogen chloride feeding and multi-stage oxygen feeding, one-time oxygen feeding and multi-stage hydrogen chloride feeding, or both, returning a product gas stream without separation thereof, and optionally carrying out heat insulation means. In the present invention, excessive reaction heat concentration is prevented, therefore, the method of the present invention is a chlorine gas recovery method implemented through the Deacon catalytic oxidation of hydrogen chloride that may be industrialized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: FININGS CO. LTD.
    Inventors: Nongyue Wang, Xiongwei Qu, Guohua Li, Quanzhong Zhao, Jianming Shao, Guoqiang Wen
  • Patent number: 10239756
    Abstract: A method to recover sulfur from hydrogen sulfide in an acid gas stream comprising the steps of reacting the hydrogen sulfide and oxygen in the combustion furnace, transferring heat from the furnace effluent to produce a boiler effluent, reducing the temperature of the boiler effluent in the sulfur condenser, separating the water vapor from the non-condensed gases stream, reacting the sulfur dioxide and the hydrogen gas to produce hydrogen sulfide in the first hydrogenation reactor, reacting the hydrogen sulfide and oxygen in the reactor furnace to produce a reactor effluent, transferring heat from the reactor effluent to produce a cooled effluent, reducing the temperature of the cooled effluent in the sulfur cooler to produce a gases stream, separating the water vapor from the gases stream, reacting the sulfur dioxide and the hydrogen gas to produce hydrogen sulfide in the second hydrogenation reactor to produce a treated tail gas stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Yuguo Wang, Rashid Othman, Qi Xu, Ismail Alami