Patents Issued in July 30, 2020
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Publication number: 20200239232Abstract: A method for assigning orders to a plurality of robots fulfilling orders in a warehouse with the assistance of a plurality of operators. The method includes providing a first robot of the plurality of robots to a be assigned an order set, including one or more orders to be fulfilled and assessing the locations of at least one of the plurality of robots or at least one of the plurality of operators in the warehouse. The method also includes selecting an anchor location in the warehouse and generating an order set for the first robot correlated to the anchor location in the warehouse. The method also includes assigning the order set to the first robot for fulfillment.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2019Publication date: July 30, 2020Inventors: Michael Charles Johnson, Bruce Welty, Sean Johnson, Luis Jaquez
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Publication number: 20200239233Abstract: A method for recommending a tote type for an operator to select for use in robot induction process, wherein the robot operates under the control of a warehouse management system to fulfill orders, each order including one or more items and each item being located in a warehouse. The method includes grouping one or more orders from an order queue to form at least one order set. The method also includes identifying, based on a characteristic of the at least one order set, a preferred tote type to be assigned to the robot to carry the order set on the robot. The method further includes communicating to an operator the preferred tote type to enable the operator to select from a plurality of totes a tote of the preferred tote type to assign to the robot for execution of the order.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2019Publication date: July 30, 2020Inventors: Michael Charles Johnson, Sean Johnson, Luis Jaquez, Bruce Welty
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Publication number: 20200239234Abstract: A method and a device for sorting cargo. The method includes: acquiring a to-be-allocated order; determining, for each target sorting unit, at least one of: a number of to-be-sorted orders of the target sorting unit, a number of types of to-be-sorted cargo, or a coincidence number of types of cargo between the target sorting unit and the to-be-allocated order; selecting a target sorting unit based on at least one of following items of each target sorting unit: the number to-be-sorted orders, the number of types of to-be-sorted cargo, or the coincidence number of types of cargo; and allocating the to-be-allocated order to the selected target sorting unit, such that the selected target sorting unit sorts out the cargo indicated by the to-be-allocated order.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2018Publication date: July 30, 2020Inventor: Kun Chen
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Publication number: 20200239235Abstract: A chute includes at least one wall defining a conveying surface, and an abrasion resistant wear liner being attached the at least one wall to cover at least part of the conveying surface. The wall includes one or more apertures therein, which are covered by the abrasion resistant wear liner when attached to the at least one wall, whereby the one or more apertures expose at least a portion of the wear liner to an exterior of the chute.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2020Publication date: July 30, 2020Inventor: Anthony Convery
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Publication number: 20200239236Abstract: A feeder apparatus for conveying articles, comprises a first, gap-closing conveyor, and a second, lugged conveyor positioned downstream of said first, gap-closing conveyor. The gap-closing conveyor accepts randomly or irregularly spaced articles from an upstream conveyor or other feeder. The gap-closing conveyor is operated at a speed which is sufficient to always provide a gap between articles received on the gap-closing conveyor from an upstream conveyor or associated feeder. The second, lugged conveyor is operated at a speed which is the same as the downstream wrapper or other packaging device to which the regularly spaced articles are being supplied. The apparatus includes upper and lower moving junction carriages which respectively join opposite ends of said first, gap closing conveyor and said second, lugged conveyor.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2020Publication date: July 30, 2020Inventors: Jeffrey Ginzl, Michael Jarmuskiewicz, Michael Klasen
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Publication number: 20200239237Abstract: A feeding device for feeding products from a storage container on to a conveyor belt moving in a conveyor direction is provided wherein a feeding belt at a storage container opening on a lower side of the storage container receives products to be conveyed and transports them to an upper side of the conveyor belt, in order to deliver the products on to the conveyor belt in a feeding region on the upper side of the conveyor belt, the feeding belt has a number of holes, the dimensions of which are adapted to the products to be conveyed such that a respective product can fall through an associated hole.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 5, 2018Publication date: July 30, 2020Inventor: Nils DICKFELD
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Publication number: 20200239238Abstract: Apparatus to bend bars, comprising: a bending unit (35) of at least one bar (B, B?) and a drawing unit (46) configured to define at least a direction of feed (A) of the bar (B, B?) to the bending unit (35). The bending apparatus is provided with: a support plane (11) on which the bars (B, B?) to be bent are put; a removal unit (19) to remove at least one bar (B, B?) from the support plane (11), a feed unit (33) configured to receive the bar (B, B?) removed by the removal unit (19) and to transfer it to the drawing unit (46).Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2018Publication date: July 30, 2020Inventor: Giorgio DEL FABRO
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Publication number: 20200239239Abstract: In accordance with presently disclosed embodiments, systems and methods for sequencing portable containers of bulk material to provide continuous bulk material usage at an outlet are provided. The disclosed sequencing techniques may involve identifying a sequence for opening different portable containers of bulk material (or identifying the “next” portable container to open) and automatically actuating the discharge gates of the portable containers in the desired sequence to provide a continuous flow of bulk material to the outlet (e.g., blender unit). The identified sequence may be executed through a control system communicatively coupled to actuators used to open/close the discharge gates of the portable bulk material containers. A GUI may be communicatively coupled to the control system to allow an operator to select the desired sequence for execution by the control system and to display information regarding the portable bulk material containers.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2020Publication date: July 30, 2020Inventors: Donald Anthony Belcher, Wesley John Warren, Bryan Chapman Lucas, Bryan John Lewis, Timothy Hunter
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Publication number: 20200239240Abstract: A conveyor sled assembly is utilized to supply proppant in support of oilfield hydraulic fracturing operations. The conveyor sled assembly includes precisely positioned components where tolerances between components are so small as to prevent significant spillage at component junction boundaries. This manner of fitting proppant pods onto the conveyor sled assembly increases predictability of which pods will discharge their proppant load first. This enhances reliability of the overall proppant delivery system.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2020Publication date: July 30, 2020Inventors: Mark John D'Agostino, Scott Joseph D'Agostino, Chad Michael McEver, Marc Kevin Fisher
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Publication number: 20200239241Abstract: A pool cleaning robot that may include a filtering unit for filtering fluid; a housing that at least partially surrounds the filtering unit; an impeller configured to induce fluid to pass through the filtering unit when rotated at a first direction; a pump motor for rotating the impeller; a drive system; first interfacing elements that are configured to interface with the pool during at least a part of a cleaning process of the pool; and at least one second interfacing element that extends outside a bottom of the housing without reaching a virtual plane defined by bottoms of at least two of the first interfacing elements.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2020Publication date: July 30, 2020Applicant: Maytronics Ltd.Inventor: Shay Witelson
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Publication number: 20200239242Abstract: An autonomous dock station system having an automated material lift truck (AMT), a pallet conveyor, and a facility guidance system can automatically load and/or unload a trailer at a dock station. The autonomous dock station system can coordinate these components according to a workflow procedure. In some embodiments, the workflow procedure can begin with the pallet conveyor supplying a loaded pallet to a specified position. The AMT, initially guided by fixed guidance elements of the facility guidance system, can lift the pallet off the conveyor and transport it to a trailer entrance where the AMT switches from the facility guidance system to a trailer guidance system. The AMT can then carry the pallet to an unloading position, move the pallet to one side of the trailer as needed, unload the pallet and return to the pallet conveyor. The workflow procedure can repeat until the trailer is full.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2019Publication date: July 30, 2020Inventors: Richard K. Hoofard, Daryl Day, L. Blake Whitley
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Publication number: 20200239243Abstract: A system for loading/unloading solid materials from an open top rail car is described. The system may comprise suitable safety features, structural reinforcement and loading features to permit operation of the system by a single operator in a safe manner. In some examples, the system comprises a crawler excavator reversibly coupled to a sled attachment to permit movement of the crawler excavator along a top surface of an open top rail car.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2019Publication date: July 30, 2020Inventors: Gerald W Connor, Melvin A. Richardson
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Publication number: 20200239244Abstract: A system for removing carryback material from within a dump body of a haul truck includes a clean out implement. A controller is configured to determine the pose of the dump body, determine the pose of the clean out implement, determine a path of the clean out implement to remove carryback material from the interior surface of the dump body based upon a map of the carryback material, the pose of the dump body, and the pose of the clean out implement, and generate movement command signals to move the clean out implement along the path to perform a clean out operation on the interior surface of the dump body.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2019Publication date: July 30, 2020Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: Carl F.B. Hendricks
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Publication number: 20200239245Abstract: A standalone adjustable transportation system that is designed to be positioned on a platform of a vehicle that consists of a cargo carrier basket that consists of a basket with four connecting means that each one of them includes a locking means, a frame that consists of four horizontal rods that each one of them includes a locking means that corresponds with the locking means of the connecting means, and four adjustable legs that each one of them has a trailer jack that is designed to control a length of the adjustable leg to which it is assembled, and by that to enable a user to control separately a precise length of each one of the adjustable legs.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 10, 2020Publication date: July 30, 2020Applicant: EZ PACK WATER LTDInventors: Alex Harel, Shalom Green, Ohad Zecharia
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Publication number: 20200239246Abstract: There is disclosed a sheet media processing machine comprising a media inlet to receive sheet media along a feed direction from a first side of the machine and a media outlet to discharge sheet media along a discharge direction towards the first side of the machine. There is a feed mechanism to convey sheet media from the media inlet to the media outlet, and a re-feed prevention element disposed upstream of the media inlet with respect to the feed direction to inhibit recirculation of discharged sheet media along an external recirculation path between the media outlet and the media inlet. The re-feed prevention element is exposed to contact with sheet media and comprises an elastomer. There is also disclosed a feed guide comprising a re-feed prevention element, and a method in which such a feed guide is installed on a sheet media processing machine.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 21, 2016Publication date: July 30, 2020Applicant: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Oscar Moya Rojo, Javier Onecha, Andreu Oliver, Dorkaitz Alain Vazquez, Nuria Fabregat, Felix Ruiz Martinez
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Publication number: 20200239247Abstract: In an example, a tray cover extender may include a cover rack attached to a movable tray cover such that movement of the cover rack is transferred to a movement of the movable tray cover. Further, the tray cover extender may include a pinion gear operably engaged with the cover rack so as to actuate or move the cover rack if the pinion gear is actuated. The example tray cover extender may also include a tray rack attached to a media tray. The tray rack may actuate or move the pinion gear as the media tray is moved past the pinion gear. The cover rack may extend the movable tray cover from a first position to a second position if the pinion gear actuates the cover rack.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2017Publication date: July 30, 2020Inventors: Xiaoxi Huang, Deming Xu
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Publication number: 20200239248Abstract: A sheet feeding device includes a contact member and a lock member. The contact member is configured to rotate from a retracted position to a contact position while a sliding portion of the lock member is sliding on a sliding target portion of the contact member and to rotate to the contact position to release the sliding portion of the lock member from the sliding target portion of the contact member. The lock member is configured to rotate between a locked position and a lock released position by a lock biasing force when the lock member moves in a lock direction of the lock member from the lock released position toward the locked position. The contact member has the lock target body and the sliding target portion at different positions from each other in a rotation center axial direction of the contact member.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2020Publication date: July 30, 2020Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventor: Junichi SUGITA
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Publication number: 20200239249Abstract: A vacuum plate lifting system for lifting sheet material articles, comprises a vacuum lifter apparatus for lifting sheet material articles, a lifter actuation system configured to lift and/or move the vacuum lifter apparatus during use and a control system, the control system being configured to control the lifter actuation system during said movement. The vacuum lifter apparatus comprises: a substantially horizontal suction plate; an airflow suction system for conveying vacuum air pressure to said perforated suction lifting surface; at least one mount for connection of the suction plate to at least one actuator of the lifter actuation system for lifting and/or moving the suction plate during use. At least one elongate bar is movably mounted along an edge of the suction plate. A bar actuation system is configured to drive movement of said bar between a raised orientation and a lowered orientation.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 10, 2018Publication date: July 30, 2020Inventor: Colin Maxwell WADE
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Publication number: 20200239250Abstract: A medium conveyance device includes a first separator that separates a first medium from a plurality of mediums, a processor that processes the first medium and sends the processed first medium as a second medium, a second separator that when a non-separation mode is set, conveys the second medium to a next processor, and when a separation mode is set, conveys a third medium, which is separated from the second medium, to the next processor, and a controller that switches between the non-separation mode and the separation mode based on information obtained as a result of processing the first medium.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2020Publication date: July 30, 2020Inventors: Yoshito Hirai, Naoto Yamaguchi
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Publication number: 20200239251Abstract: Provided is a transport device including a feeding unit on which a roll-type medium is set and which feeds the medium by rotating the medium, and an endless transport belt that transports the medium in a transport direction by supporting the medium fed out from the feeding unit and rotating. When seen from a support direction in which the transport belt supports the medium, the feeding unit is configured to change the posture thereof so as to incline a rotating shaft of the medium with respect to a width direction that is a direction intersecting the transport direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2020Publication date: July 30, 2020Inventors: Manabu SUZUKI, Tsutomu SASAKI
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Publication number: 20200239252Abstract: A recording apparatus includes a first medium transport path, a reverse path for reversing a surface of a medium, a third medium transport path that guides the medium to the reverse path, a first drive roller configured to rotate in a forward rotation direction that sends the medium toward a discharge port and in a reverse rotation direction opposite to the forward rotation direction, and a second drive roller provided in the third medium transport path and configured to rotate only in the forward rotation direction for sending the medium toward the reverse path, in which a transport force applied to the medium by the first drive roller when the first drive roller rotates in the forward rotation direction is stronger than a transport force applied to the medium by the second drive roller when the second drive roller rotates in the forward rotation direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2020Publication date: July 30, 2020Inventors: Shintaro KOMURO, Shingo Waki
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Publication number: 20200239253Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes a paper-feed unit, a developing unit to form an image in a printing medium, an insertion unit including first and second rollers configured to insert the printing medium conveyed from the paper-feed unit into the developing unit, and a guide unit rotatably disposed about a rotation shaft of the first roller and configured to guide the printing medium moving from the paper-feed unit to the insertion unit and selectively press the first roller to the second roller.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2018Publication date: July 30, 2020Inventors: Seung Sup LEE, Hyun Woo KIM, Young Kee CHO, Yong Jae KIM
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Publication number: 20200239254Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a first feeding portion including a first cassette and a first feed roller; and a second feeding portion including a second cassette and a second feed roller and disposed below the first feeding portion. The sheet fed by the second feed roller is conveyed toward an image forming portion through an intermediate path provided in the first cassette. The image forming apparatus further includes a controller configured to operate a display unit to display information that inhibits drawing of the first cassette, in a case where a first detection portion detects that the first cassette is empty and where the second feeding portion is performing a sheet feeding operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 3, 2020Publication date: July 30, 2020Inventor: Masayuki Oike
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Publication number: 20200239255Abstract: A sheet supporting apparatus includes a sheet supporting portion, a regulating portion, and a positioning unit, wherein the positioning unit includes first and second teeth portions provided on the sheet supporting portion, a third teeth portion provided on the regulating portion and being capable of transiting to a first state and to a second state, a fourth teeth portion provided on the regulating portion and being capable of transiting to a third state and to a fourth state, and an operating portion configured to cause a force which the fourth teeth portion receives from the second teeth portion to act as a force in a direction in which the third teeth portion engages with the first teeth portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 3, 2020Publication date: July 30, 2020Inventor: Shunsuke Okazaki
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Publication number: 20200239256Abstract: A sheet conveying device includes a blocking member having a blocking surface with which a leading end of a sheet that is being conveyed comes into contact for obliquity correction. The blocking member is rotated by being pushed by the sheet against an urging force of a positioning unit that positions the blocking member to be in the standby position. The blocking member is rotatable to be in a sheet-passage-allowing orientation in which the sheet is allowed to pass. When a trailing end of the sheet that is being conveyed has passed the blocking member, the blocking member that is in the sheet-passage-allowing orientation rotates in a same direction as a sheet conveyance direction and is positioned to be in a standby position.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2020Publication date: July 30, 2020Inventors: Kenji Watanabe, Minoru Kawanishi, Motohiro Furusawa, Hiroki Yamaguchi, Shigeo Murayama
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Publication number: 20200239257Abstract: A printing system includes: a first printing unit that performs printing on a medium on the basis of first printing data; a first inventing unit that is located downstream from the first printing unit in a transportation direction specific to the medium and performs an inverting operation that is an operation of inverting front and back sides of the medium; a second printing unit that is located downstream from the first inverting unit in the transportation direction and performs printing on the medium on the basis of second printing data; and a control unit that determines whether the first inverting unit needs to perform the inverting operation, on the basis of whether the second printing data indicates a printing page for the front or back side of the medium.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2019Publication date: July 30, 2020Applicant: RISO KAGAKU CORPORATIONInventor: Hideaki OGAWA
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Publication number: 20200239258Abstract: A paper roll dispenser can be installed with a paper roll, which is parallel to a long press plate, which has an upper side connected with a hold-down strip. When the paper of the paper roll contact with the hold-down strip, the paper exceeds the paper roll can produce cutting effect. A guide roller is provided beneath the paper roll and if change the direction of the paper roll, the paper of the paper roll can be connected to a crumpled paper device by means of the guide roller, able to produce an effect of constriction of the paper, thus tallying with demand of ergonomics.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2019Publication date: July 30, 2020Inventor: Hsiu-Man Yu Chen
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Publication number: 20200239259Abstract: An unpowered, manually operable apparatus for dispensing cushioning wrap material drawn concurrently from a roll of separator material and a self-contained cartridge that includes a roll of expandable sheet material. The rolls are supported on a stand for rotation about respective parallel, spaced-apart axes. In addition to the roll, the cartridge includes a tensioning assembly and support panels that abut respective ends of the roll. The tensioning assembly and the support panels cooperate with the stand to control rotational resistance of the roll. The rotational resistance causes the expandable sheet material to expand in length and thickness as it is manually pulled from the stand with the separator material, and support surfaces on the stand hold the cartridge and the separator roll in position. When the cartridge containing the expandable sheet material is depleted, the cartridge is readily removed and replaced.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2019Publication date: July 30, 2020Inventors: Brandon Page, Marcelo Passos
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Publication number: 20200239260Abstract: A printing device includes a holder including: a first movable portion including a first support portion; a second movable portion including a second support portion; a pinion; a spring; an adjustment screw; a handle rotatable with the adjustment screw; and a stopper threadingly engaged with the adjustment screw. The first movable portion is movable in a first direction and a second direction opposite the first direction. The second movable portion is movable in the first direction and the second direction in accordance with movement of the first movable portion in the second direction and the first direction. The handle is positioned outside of a region defined between the first and second support portions positioned remotest from each other in the first direction. The stopper is in abutment with one of the first and second movable portions to restrict movements of the first and second movable portions.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2019Publication date: July 30, 2020Inventors: Masashi Tanizaki, Yushi Kato
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Publication number: 20200239261Abstract: A sheet handling device includes a shaft, a roller, and a joint. The roller is detachably attached on an end portion of the shaft. The joint is mounted on the end of the shaft and has a claw at a tip of the joint. The claw of the joint is configured to position the roller in a thrust direction along the shaft while an inner circumferential surface of the roller is in contact with an outer circumferential surface of the shaft. The inner circumferential surface of the roller has a cylindrical shape.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2020Publication date: July 30, 2020Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventor: Ippei Kimura
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Publication number: 20200239262Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, an image forming apparatus comprises a first cassette configured to accommodate a first sheet; a second cassette configured to accommodate a second sheet different from the first sheet in at least one of a size and an orientation; a controller configured to perform control to feed the first sheet to a conveyance path from the first cassette and feed the second sheet to the conveyance path from the second cassette to insert the second sheet between respective copies if a printing instruction for a plurality of copies is issued; and a sheet discharge section configured to stack the first sheet and the second sheet.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2019Publication date: July 30, 2020Inventors: Koji Imamiya, Katsutoshi Mita
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Publication number: 20200239263Abstract: A sheet stacking device includes a pair of first sheet stackers, a pair of sheet alignment members, a second sheet stacker, a sheet removal portion, and control circuitry. The first sheet stackers stack both end portions of a sheet in a direction orthogonal to a sheet ejecting direction. The sheet alignment members contact both ends of the sheet in the orthogonal direction to align the sheet on the first sheet stackers. The second sheet stacker is disposed lower than the first sheet stackers and stacks the sheet dropped from between the first sheet stackers. The sheet removal portion is disposed on one side in the orthogonal direction. The control circuitry causes one of the first sheet stackers and one of the sheet alignment members to move toward an opposite side of the sheet removal portion in the orthogonal direction after the sheet is dropped from between the first sheet stackers.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2020Publication date: July 30, 2020Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Hiroshi Hirako, Kentaroh Fukami
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Publication number: 20200239264Abstract: A sheet sorting apparatus includes a first tray detachable from an apparatus main body, a second tray arranged below the first tray, a discharge unit to discharge a sheet to the first or second tray, a tray detecting unit to detect that the first tray is detached from the apparatus main body, a full stack detecting unit to detect a fully stacked condition of the first tray, and a control unit to control the discharge unit. In a case where the tray detecting unit detects that the first tray is detached from the apparatus main body, the control unit controls the discharge unit not to discharge a sheet to the second tray when a number of sheets discharged to the second tray reaches a threshold number of sheets, even though the full stack detecting unit does not detect the fully stacked condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2020Publication date: July 30, 2020Inventors: Kazuhisa Sato, Genki Takahashi
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Publication number: 20200239265Abstract: A sheet folding system includes a plurality of sheet folding apparatuses configured to receive and perform a folding process on a sheet and circuitry configured to distribute sheets to the plurality of sheet folding apparatuses. Each of the plurality of sheet folding apparatuses includes a folding device configured to fold the sheet, a first conveyance passage configured to convey the sheet downstream in a sheet conveyance direction without passing through the folding device, a second conveyance passage configured to convey the sheet to the folding device, a third conveyance passage configured to convey the sheet from the folding device downstream in the sheet conveyance direction, and a junction between the first conveyance passage and the third conveyance passage. The circuitry controls sheet conveyance to prevent an interference, at the junction, between the sheet conveyed from the first conveyance passage and the sheet conveyed from the third conveyance passage.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2019Publication date: July 30, 2020Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Michitaka SUZUKI, Tomohiro FURUHASHI, Tomomichi HOSHINO, Fumiharu YONEYAMA, Makoto HIDAKA, Koki SAKANO, Akira KUNIEDA, Takahiro WATANABE, Takuya MORINAGA, Yohsuke HARAGUCHI
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Publication number: 20200239266Abstract: A vehicle includes: an electrical slip ring; a motor-driven cable reel for dispensing and retracting an electrical power cord, wherein the electrical power cord has an electrical plug for connection to an electrical socket, and is electrically connected to the electrical slip ring; a sensor for producing sensor data in response to changes in a rotational position of the motor-driven cable reel; a processor for receiving the sensor data as feedback for commands sent by the processor to the motor-driven cable reel to control a length of the electrical power cord which is dispensed by the motor-driven cable reel; a guide roller, disposed axially parallel to the cable reel, for exerting a force that presses an outermost layer of the electrical power cord against an adjacent layer of the electrical power cord wound around the cable reel, or the cable reel itself; and a level wind assembly for providing transverse movement along an axis parallel to an axis of the cable reel, for controlling the winding, and unwindiType: ApplicationFiled: January 21, 2020Publication date: July 30, 2020Inventor: Brett Aldrich
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Publication number: 20200239267Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus, system and method for use of an offshore hose loading station comprising multiple modular reel assemblies that may be selectively configured to a frame attached to a ship and or vessel wherein the reel assemblies may be powered by one motor and engaged for rotation by one shaft and provides a jumper shaft for when a module is taken out of line.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2020Publication date: July 30, 2020Inventors: Christopher David Rekieta, Gary Donald Thompson, Michael Leroy Spence, Benton Frederick Baugh
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Publication number: 20200239268Abstract: An illustrative example elevator system includes a plurality of elevator cars. A dispatch controller assigns a first one of the elevator cars to travel to a landing in response to a first request for elevator service at that landing. At least one call button is operative to place a second request while the first one of the elevator cars is situated at the landing in response to the first request. The dispatch controller assigns a second one of the elevator cars to travel to the landing in response to the second request.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2019Publication date: July 30, 2020Inventors: Bradley Armand Scoville, Sandeep Sudi
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Publication number: 20200239269Abstract: Elevator system includes a hoistway extending between a plurality of landings; an elevator car configured for moving along the hoistway between the plurality of landings; an elevator drive configured for driving the elevator car; a position determining system configured for determining the position of the elevator car within the hoistway; at least one switch; and an elevator controller. The elevator controller is configured for detecting an activation of the at least one switch; controlling the elevator drive to move the elevator car in a predetermined direction after the switch has been activated; determining the current position of the elevator car within the hoistway and comparing the determined position of the elevator car with at least one predefined positional limit (LUP, LLOW), while the elevator car is moving.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2019Publication date: July 30, 2020Inventors: Peter Herkel, Dirk H. Tegtmeier
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Publication number: 20200239270Abstract: An illustrative example elevator sensor device includes at least one sensor supported on a door of an elevator car. The sensor provides an output including an indication of at least movement of the door along at least one axis and movement of the elevator car along at least one axis. A processor associated with the at least one sensor receives the output and determines at least one characteristic of the movement of the door based on the indication of the movement of the door. The processor also determines a location of the elevator car where the movement of the door occurs based on the indication of movement of the elevator car.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2019Publication date: July 30, 2020Inventors: Tadeusz Pawel Witczak, Craig Drew Bogli, Derk Oscar Pahlke, Nikola Trcka, Yrinee Michaelidis
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Publication number: 20200239271Abstract: An illustrative example embodiment of a method of remotely maintaining a connection status of a connection port of a passenger carrying system includes determining that the connection port is not connected to an authorized device, determining whether at least one criterion is satisfied while the connection port is not connected to an authorized device, and providing a notice to an authorized individual when the at least one criterion is satisfied and the connection port is not connected to an authorized device.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2019Publication date: July 30, 2020Inventor: Tadeusz Pawel Witczak
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Publication number: 20200239272Abstract: The invention relates to an elevator system having a mobile communication network. The elevator system comprises: an elevator shaft, and a mobile communication base station arranged to the elevator shaft to a close vicinity of top of a building. The base station is configured to receive and transmit signals with an external mobile communication system and to receive and transmit the signals inside the elevator shaft. The invention relates also to a method for providing a mobile communication network for an elevator system.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2020Publication date: July 30, 2020Applicant: Kone CorporationInventors: Ari HANNINEN, Jouni RATIA, Mikko PURANEN, Tommi HUOTARI
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Publication number: 20200239273Abstract: The invention relates to an elevator system having a multichannel mobile communication functionality. The elevator system comprises: an elevator shaft, and a mobile communication base station arranged the elevator shaft to a close vicinity of top of a building. The base station is at least configured to receive and transmit signals with an external mobile communication system and to receive and transmit the signals inside the elevator shaft. The signals comprise multiple channels and at least one of the multiple channels is configured to provide a first high-speed functionality for the at least one elevator related unit of the elevator system. The invention relates also to a method for providing a multichannel mobile communication functionality for an elevator system.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2020Publication date: July 30, 2020Applicant: Kone CorporationInventors: Ari HANNINEN, Jouni RATIA, Mikko PURANEN, Tommi HUOTARI, Jani HAUTUKORPI, Jukka SALMIKUUKKA
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Publication number: 20200239274Abstract: An illustrative example elevator control system includes a plurality of sway sensors situated within a hoistway of the building. The sway sensors respectively include a contact surface situated to be contacted by a vertically extending elongated member of an elevator when the elongated member moves laterally in the hoistway. The sway sensors respectively provide an indication of contact between the contact surface and the elongated member. A controller receives an indication of building movement and the indications from the sway sensors. The controller determines whether at least one condition exists in the hoistway based on the indications and implements an adjustment to elevator movement control when the at least one condition exists.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2019Publication date: July 30, 2020Inventors: Mark R. Gurvich, Mark Steven Thompson
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Publication number: 20200239275Abstract: An elevator system having a controller configured for: receiving a communication from the mobile device for a passenger, the communication including first data, wherein the first data is position data obtained by the mobile device executing a multilateration (MLAT) process with one or more proximately located telecommunication devices, rendering a first determination, from the first data, that the mobile device is proximate a first distance from the lobby, rendering a second determination, from the first determination, arrive at the lobby proximate a first time, and transmitting a communication to an elevator instructing the elevator to arrive at the lobby proximate the first time to provide elevator service.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2020Publication date: July 30, 2020Inventors: Srinivasa Rao Ladi, Ramesh Akula
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Publication number: 20200239276Abstract: A passenger transport system includes a plurality of passenger transporters controlled by a transport system control, and further comprises at least one parameter memory configured to store at least one parameter or parameter set for the function of at least one transport system component, which transport system comprises a first wireless interface. The first interface may input data regarding at least one stored parameter or parameter set for the function of the related transport system component(s). The passenger transport system comprises mobile devices carried by users, which mobile devices may communicate wirelessly with the first interface, which communication is based on a short range transmission. The mobile devices may be prompted by the first interface to transmit data regarding the parameter or parameter set of the correlated transport system component. A passenger system interaction with a user to individual user requirements may be customized.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2020Publication date: July 30, 2020Applicant: Kone CorporationInventors: Jussi HILTUNEN, Otto MIETTINEN, Timo TIAINEN, Kim BERGMAN, Stefano VACCARI, Visa RAUTA, Tommi SALONEN, Minna PIIRONEN, Jukka KORPIHETE, Dipti SONAWANE
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Publication number: 20200239277Abstract: The present invention relates to the guidance for a passenger to enter a correct elevator car, belonging to the field of elevator intelligent control technologies. In a method for guiding a passenger to enter a correct elevator car provided in the present invention, the movement of the passenger relative to one of a plurality of elevator cars is determined based on a change in the signal strength of a received first wireless signal; and whether the movement is a movement corresponding to entering a correct elevator car is judged based on a recognition result. The present invention can realize that a passenger is automatically guided to enter a correct elevator car by means of the change in a vibration signal and/or a voice prompt signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2018Publication date: July 30, 2020Inventors: Adriaan Joris H. Larmuseau, Changle Li
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Publication number: 20200239278Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method for monitoring hoisting ropes in an elevator system comprises measuring tension of each hoisting rope, calculating a mean value of the tension in the hoisting ropes, determining if the tension in any rope is significantly higher than the mean value and providing a signal that rope snag has been detected if the tension in any rope is significantly higher than the mean value.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2019Publication date: July 30, 2020Inventor: Jiro Murata
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Publication number: 20200239279Abstract: An elevator provided with an arrangement for making an opening through the roof of an elevator car. The arrangement includes a marking on the roof for marking a portion, which is arranged to be cut off from the roof to form an opening to the roof.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2020Publication date: July 30, 2020Applicant: KONE CorporationInventors: Markku HAAPANIEMI, Matti RÄSÄNEN, Janne MIKKONEN, Ari KATTAINEN, Esko AULANKO
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Publication number: 20200239280Abstract: An elevator system includes a travelling cable connected to an elevator car and to a hoistway wall. The travelling cable includes an electric conductor and/or a data carrier operatively connected at a first end to a feed source and at a second end to service appliances of the elevator car. A protective layer includes an outer diameter and surrounds the electric conductor and/or data carrier. A duct is connected at a first open end to a fluid source and at a second openable end to the elevator car. A sensor system is configured for detecting swaying amplitude of the travelling cable. A microprocessor is associated to the sensor system and to the fluid source. The microprocessor is configured for receiving swaying amplitude data from the sensor system and for operating the fluid source when the swaying amplitude exceeds a predetermined threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2020Publication date: July 30, 2020Inventors: Luca Giorgio Maria De Rai, Davide Sarchi
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Publication number: 20200239281Abstract: An illustrative example elevator sheave cleaner includes a base configured to be situated on a first side of load bearing members that wrap at least partially around a sheave. A plurality of fingers extend from the base and are configured to be received between adjacent load bearing members. A plurality of cleaning pads are respectively supported by the fingers and spaced from the base. The cleaning pads are configured to contact and clean a surface of the sheave when the cleaning pads are on a second, opposite side of the load bearing members.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2019Publication date: July 30, 2020Inventors: Ethan Kent Grainger, James O'Neal Creel, JR., Ronnie D. Forrest, JR.