Patents Issued in September 14, 2021
  • Patent number: 11117727
    Abstract: A system and method for storing, shipping, preserving and ripening produce. Packaging of respiring produce, particularly avocados, in sealed tray systems. The tray systems include a lower bowl-shaped tray having an upper lip to which a flexible film is adhered. The flexible film has an aperture covered by a breathable membrane. The film permits passage of water vapor to reduce the chance of mold formation during packaging and shipping. The breathable membrane controls gaseous exchange at different temperatures and has pores that open above the threshold temperature. The breathable membrane alters the O2 and CO2 within the tray above the threshold temperature, thus slowing up the ripening process at elevated temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Mission Produce, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles Nelson
  • Patent number: 11117728
    Abstract: A blister and package system made of a blister card and an outer package with unique interacting locking mechanisms. The blister card or strip is inserted into the outer package or sleeve and locks immediately without having to further process the outer package or the blister card or strip. The user is able to expose the blisters from the outer package by disengaging the lock. The blister card or strip includes a formable, pliable sheet material, into which one or more individual cavities or blisters are formed. The separated cavities are loaded with product and sealed with one or more layers of puncturable or tearable sheet material, such as aluminum foil. The blister card or strip contains a plastic rivet assembly that forms an interference mechanism. The rivet is trapped by an internally formed panel and stopped by a catch flap included in the outer package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Key-Pak Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael H. Weston, Frank Edward Smith
  • Patent number: 11117729
    Abstract: A bottom surface member of a container defines an xy-plane, and a side surface member defines an xz-plane and aan yz-plane. A protective member includes a receiving part that has a first receiving surface parallel to the xz-plane and a second receiving surface parallel to the yz-plane, and a supporting part formed with the receiving part. The supporting part has a first flat plate section parallel to the xz-plane, a second flat plate section parallel to the yz-plane, and a third flat plate section parallel to the xy-plane. The receiving part has a fourth flat plate section that has the first receiving surface and is parallel to the xz-plane, a fifth flat plate section parallel to the yz-plane, a sixth flat plate section facing the fourth flat plate section with a gap therebetween, and a seventh flat plate section that has the second receiving surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: SAKAI DISPLAY PRODUCTS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takashi Uchida
  • Patent number: 11117730
    Abstract: a vacuum container and a system which includes a complementary base, including a three-part airway, a sealing lid, and a lid release button. The three-part airway features an internal air chamber, an extraction airway, and a one-way check-valve preventing ambient air from penetrating the internal air chamber through the extraction airway when vacuum sealed. The extraction airway extends between the top and the bottom of the container and includes an internal air extraction outlet, disposed at the top of and within the internal air chamber, and an external air extraction outlet outside the container, disposed at the bottom of the container, and configured to be coupled to an external air pump. A complementary method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Inventor: Tal Lapidot
  • Patent number: 11117731
    Abstract: A method for insulating a box including positioning at least one insulation batt in facing contact with at least one side panel of an inner cardboard layer, the at least one side panel at least partially defining an inner cavity; and adhesively coupling the at least one insulation batt to the at least one side panel, the at least one insulation batt at least partially insulating the inner cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Pratt Retail Specialties, LLC
    Inventors: Jamie Waltermire, Paul Ott, Greg Sollie
  • Patent number: 11117732
    Abstract: An insulating device can include an aperture having a waterproof closure which allows access to the chamber within the insulating device. The closure can help prevent any fluid leakage into and out of the insulating device if the insulating device is overturned or in any configuration other than upright. The closure also prevents any fluid from permeating into the chamber if the insulating device is exposed to precipitation, other fluid, or submersed under water. This construction results in an insulating chamber impervious to water and other liquids when the closure is sealed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: YETI Coolers, LLC
    Inventors: Roy Joseph Seiders, Christopher M. Keller
  • Patent number: 11117733
    Abstract: A plurality of integrally interconnected wipes collectively define a web. The plurality of wipes includes a first wipe, a second wipe, and a third wipe. A first transverse intermittent cut line defines a right side major tie that connects the first wipe to the second wipe, and the right side major tie has a width. A second transverse intermittent cut line defines a left side major tie that connects the second wipe to the third wipe. In particular embodiments, the first wipe and the second wipe are connected to each other only within the right side of the web, and the second wipe and the third wipe are connected to each other only within the left side of the web. In certain embodiment, the wipes are also connected to each via minor ties that are transversely narrower than the major ties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Inventors: Kristina Marie Price, Sarah Elizabeth Knight, Finbarr Charles Ronald Williamson
  • Patent number: 11117734
    Abstract: A puffer device includes a cabinet having a printed circuit board and a gear train assembly coupled to the printed circuit board. The gear train assembly includes a motor and a gear driven by the motor. A cam is coupled to the gear. The cabinet further includes a plunger configured to be contacted and driven by the cam. The puffer device further includes an aerosol can assembly configured to be releasably coupled to the cabinet, wherein movement of the plunger is configured to dispense a material from the aerosol can assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Suterra, LLC
    Inventors: Zachary Clark, Scott Lindbloom, Daniel Senatore
  • Patent number: 11117735
    Abstract: A valve assembly for a dispenser. The valve assembly includes a valve body that extends about a longitudinal axis and defines an outer surface and an inner passageway. A valve stem extends through the inner passageway and includes an outer stem surface, an inner stem surface opposite the outer stem surface, a fin extending radially outward from the outer stem surface, and a first orifice extending from the outer stem surface to the inner stem surface. The fin operatively engages a portion of the inner passageway forming a first seal and providing controlled dispensing through the orifice. A valve seal may be joined to the valve steam. The vale seal may operatively engage a portion of the valve body forming a second seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Robert Paul Cassoni, David Andrew Dalton, Matthew David Fitts, Andrew William Franckhauser, Paul Owen Nutley, Scott Edward Smith, Kerry Lloyd Weaver
  • Patent number: 11117736
    Abstract: A valve assembly for a dispenser. The valve assembly includes a valve body that extends about a longitudinal axis and defines an outer surface and an inner passageway. A valve stem extends through the inner passageway and includes an outer stem surface, an inner stem surface opposite the outer stem surface, a fin extending radially outward from the outer stem surface, and a first orifice extending from the outer stem surface to the inner stem surface. The fin operatively engages a portion of the inner passageway forming a seal therebetween and providing controlled dispensing through the orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Robert Paul Cassoni, Scott Edward Smith, Andrew William Franckhauser, David Andrew Dalton
  • Patent number: 11117737
    Abstract: Consistent with embodiments of the invention, a cable package may be provided. The cable package may comprise a cable and a chamber. The cable may comprise a winding and at least one free end. The chamber may define an internal volume containing the cable. The chamber may comprise a continuous opening. The continuous opening may comprise at least one surface arranged to apply pressure to a portion of the cable located proximate to the continuous opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Southwire Company, LLC
    Inventors: Juan Alberto Galindo Gonzalez, Richard Mike Temblador, Laurentiu Dan Dragomir, Allan W. Daniel, James Phillip Tuggle
  • Patent number: 11117738
    Abstract: A drinkware flavor applicator comprising a housing with an opening, an internal reservoir, a stop plate, a filter and a seal. Flavoring is stored in the reservoir and/or in the filter. The flavor applicator is placed over the drinking end of a bottle and flavoring stored in the reservoir and/or filter is transferred to the bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Inventor: Richard White
  • Patent number: 11117739
    Abstract: A compostable multilayer membrane may include: a first barrier layer containing a compostable barrier film; a first metallization layer; an intermediate layer containing at least one adhesive; a second barrier layer containing a compostable barrier film; a layer adjacent to the first barrier layer, on a side opposite to the first metallization layer, the adjacent layer comprising heat-resistant lacquer; a second metallization layer between the intermediate layer and the second barrier layer; and a filter made of nonwoven fabric. The compostable barrier film of the first barrier layer may not be made of cellulosic material. The compostable barrier film of the second barrier layer may not be made of cellulosic material. The compostable multilayer membrane may have an Oxygen Transfer Rate (OTR) value lower than 0.5 cc/m2/day/atm. The filter may be adjacent to the second barrier layer on a side opposite to the intermediate layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: GOGLIO S.P.A.
    Inventors: Osvaldo Bosetti, Andrea Maccagnan, Roberto Galbasini, Giuseppe Gullo
  • Patent number: 11117740
    Abstract: A blast aerator (20) having a discharge end (23) connected internally to a rigid output tube (24) includes a removable aerator control module (15) that internally, sealingly interacts with the output tube (24). A tank discharge pipe (28) directs air blasts into an external application. The aerator control module (15) comprises an external actuator (30) with a trigger valve (85) that controls a reciprocating plunger assembly (50) that interacts with an internal plunger seat (77) to block or unblock air discharge. A plunger seat adaptor assembly (70) fitted to the aerator output tube (24) comprises a resilient plunger seat (77), that is blocked or unblocked by a plunger element (52) reciprocating within a cage (73), being controlled by a slidable piston (38) that is pneumatically displaceable between tank-filling and tank discharge positions within the actuator (30). The plunger seat adaptor assembly (70) mechanically compensates for output tube misalignment to insure proper sealing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Global Mfg. Inc.
    Inventor: Rodney D. Treat
  • Patent number: 11117741
    Abstract: An object handling device handles a first object and a second object. A lower support beam, a first side frame and a second side frame define a lower object holding channel for supporting the first object. A first upper support beam and a second upper support beam define an upper object holding channel. An object lift vertically lifts the first object from the lower object holding channel to the upper object holding channel. A beam lift pivots the lower support beam and the first object. A lower hoist positions a second object within the lower object holding channel. A first telescoping support beam and a second telescoping support beam define an angled object displacement channel. An upper hoist links with the first object for displacing the first object along the angled object displacement channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Inventor: Mark D. Curley
  • Patent number: 11117742
    Abstract: A pallet storage system and method are provided. A rack for storing pallets loaded with goods is constructed with a corresponding pair of left and right rails. Carts for supporting the pallets ride on those rails. The rails can have an I-beam shape cross section, include a lower horizontal wall, a vertical wall extending up from the lower horizontal wall and an upper horizontal wall at the top of the vertical wall. The lower and upper horizontal walls include an outer flange extending from the vertical wall in a sideways direction away from the corresponding other rail and an inner flange, extending sideways towards the corresponding other rail. The carts can nest, until loaded and the front of the carts can be flush at the front of the rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Frazier Industrial Company
    Inventors: Domenick Iellimo, Aaron Iellimo
  • Patent number: 11117743
    Abstract: A storage array system including an open undeterministic transport surface, a navigation array disposed in connection with the transport surface, the navigation array includes a distributed feature, a first waypoint at a first position of the distributed feature, a second waypoint displaced from the first waypoint along the distributed feature and offset with respect to the first waypoint in a direction angled to the distributed feature, and a guided bot, arranged to traverse the transport surface, with a non-holonomic steering system, the guided bot having a bot pose determination system employing sensor data detecting the distributed feature, wherein the guided bot includes a controller configured to generate a substantially smooth curved bot traverse path on the transport surface connecting the first and second waypoints with a predetermined optimal trajectory of the guided bot along the traverse path determined based on a bot dynamic model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Symbotic LLC
    Inventors: Edward A MacDonald, Forrest Buzan, John F. Keating, Juergen D. Conrad, Armin Ataei-Esfahani
  • Patent number: 11117744
    Abstract: A user may place an item at an inventory location in an incorrect location, such as the wrong lane on the shelf. An untidy score is generated that is indicative of whether an item is where it is supposed to be. A correct item verification (CIV) score is determined that is indicative of how similar the returned item is to the type of item that is supposed to be stored at that location. An invalid item recognition (IIR) score is determined that is indicative of similarity of the returned item to a set of items associated with the user, that set excluding the item that is supposed to be stored at that location. The CIV and the IIR are combined to generate an untidy score. Based on the untidy score, someone may be dispatched to clean up the inventory location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: AMAZON TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Gerard Guy Medioni, Haichao Zhang, Saurabh Sehgal, Liefeng Bo
  • Patent number: 11117745
    Abstract: A method of sequencing loads in an automated distribution system having sources, at least one destination, a collector having successive nodes, and a control system to process customer orders. The method includes, for an analyzed node, injection including, to decide whether a load C having a sequential order number of destination for a given destination can be injected into the collector: creating, among the loads to be collected by at least one node downstream to the analyzed node, a list LI1 of loads having an order number of destination lower than the given order number of destination and a list LI2 of loads that are interposed between a load of the list LI1 and the collector; determining whether “the list LI1 is empty” and/or “the list LI1 is not empty and the list LI2 is empty”; if one of the two conditions is verified, then injection of the load C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: SAVOYE
    Inventor: Jean-Michel Collin
  • Patent number: 11117746
    Abstract: A transfer or distribution chute for conveying bulk material by gravity flow includes an elongated chute casing defining a flow path for bulk material and a wear-resistant lining arrangement covering at least part of a flow path facing an upper side of the elongated chute casing. The wear-resistant lining arrangement includes a perforated plate affixed to the chute casing and has a plurality of perforations through which wear-resistant inserts having a body and an enlarged base are fitted in the perforations from a side opposite the flow path, such that their body protrudes through the perforation within the flow path, and their enlarged base abuts the borders of the perforation from the side opposite the flow path on one side and is held in place by the chute casing on the other side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: PAUL WURTH S.A.
    Inventors: Eric Biehler, Christian De Gruiter, Paul Tockert, Fabien Aldegani
  • Patent number: 11117747
    Abstract: The invention relates to a feed unit for a processing plant, in particular for a crushing or screening station, having a feed chute which has a chute beam (90), wherein the chute beam (90) has a bottom (92), wherein the bottom (92) extends in the conveying direction (V) of the feed chute, wherein at least one beam (130) extending in the conveying direction (V) is arranged in the area of the underside of the bottom (92) and supports the bottom (92), wherein furthermore a bracket (140) is provided, which supports at least one vibration exciter (150), and wherein the bracket (140) is connected to the beam (130).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Inventors: Reiner Köpf, Christian Knoblich, Wolfgang Schmid
  • Patent number: 11117748
    Abstract: A cleat for ferrying materials on a conveyor belt line includes a top portion having a height, a width, and an overall material thickness, a material interfacing side, and a lateral opening extending there through for accepting a pin axle. A bottom portion having a length, a width, and material thickness, and a vertically extending wall, the bottom portion supporting the pin axle in a fixed manner, and a counter weight encapsulated in, embedded in, or attached to a lower portion of the top portion on the gravity side of the pin axle opening. The cleat top portion rotating to an upright position on the top of the conveyor line and to a prone position on the bottom of the conveyor line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: CLEASBY LLC
    Inventors: Darren L De Graw, Chad Tyler Porter
  • Patent number: 11117749
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus (1) with at least two modules that are selectively transferable into a specific operating position (BL) for handling of individual articles or article sets. The apparatus (1) comprises at least one transport module (3) that moves individual articles or article sets with a first packaging type and at least one work module (5) that moves individual articles or article sets with a second, different, packaging type. The work module (5) can handle packaging material during the movement, with the packaging material being in contact with the individual articles or article sets. The apparatus (1) has an operating position (BL) and a waiting position (W1), into which operating position (BL) the transport module (3) or the work module (5) can be selectively inserted, and into which waiting position (W1) the transport module (3) is transferable by removing it from the specific operating position (BL).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: KRONES Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stephan Wittmann, Juergen Werner, Herbert Spindler
  • Patent number: 11117750
    Abstract: A transport device for transporting containers having a first transport section configured to convey containers in and a second transport section configured to convey containers out. The transport device includes a transfer device having a rotary cylinder, a clamping belt and a compensation device. The clamping belt can be adjusted in the area of the transfer device. The rotary cylinder and/or the clamping belt are configured to be drivable. The rotary cylinder and the clamping belt are configured to hold the containers between the rotary cylinder and the clamping belt and to transfer them from the first transport section to the second transport section. The rotary cylinder has one or more container support rings and at least one belt support element, wherein the belt support element is arranged such that the clamping belt abuts against it when there are no containers on the transfer device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Heuft Systemtechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Bernhard Heuft, Olga Kasdorf
  • Patent number: 11117751
    Abstract: An enclosed belt conveyor system has a rail track (1) and spaced apart carriages (35) that run on wheels (40) supported by the trail track. A continuous carry belt (10) is supported by the carriages (35) and has an enclosed configuration where the carry belt (10) encloses a bulk material for transport by the system. One or more belt guides (45) are positioned along the rail track (1) and engage the continuous carry belt to maintain it in its enclosed configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Inventors: Craig Anthony Wheeler, Michael Carr, Bin Chen
  • Patent number: 11117752
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to automated dolly assemblies having loading and unloading racks and traveling along a track secured to a floor. In one embodiment, an automated dolly assembly includes a moveable frame having a mobility mechanism, one or more loading racks, one or more unloading racks, a receiver arm connected to the moveable frame and a moveable pulley connected to the receiver arm. The moveable pulley has weights. The mobility mechanism is coupled to a bottom surface of the moveable frame. The one or more loading racks and the one or more unloading racks are proximate to a top surface of the moveable frame. The receiver arm is rotatably moveable between a horizontal position and a vertical position and configured to engage the automated dolly assembly with an overhead conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Scottie L. Foster, Bradley J. Garcia, Lloyd R. Holland, Michael C. Greenlee, Eric F. Cornett, Randall L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 11117753
    Abstract: Parts merge smoothly without any stopper at a branching region. A determining and sorting unit determines, between an introduction passage and a branching region, whether weld nuts at rest are facing up or down. The weld nuts determined as facing up are fed to a first branch passage, whereas the weld nuts determined as facing down are fed to a second branch passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Seki Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kouji Sakota, Yoshiharu Horiuchi, Seiji Miura
  • Patent number: 11117754
    Abstract: The invention includes a method (100) and an apparatus to handle irregularly conveyed and/or irregularly aligned and/or non-upright articles of an article stream under prevention of disturbances. The method (100) comprises the following steps: identifying at least one non-upright article in an article stream as an error; performing a correction step to resolve the error, the correction step comprising removal from the article stream of the at least one irregularly aligned article, or transfer to an upright orientation of the at least one irregularly aligned article, with a defined action being exerted temporally before and/or in temporal overlap with the correction step upon the at least one irregularly aligned article or upon regularly conveyed articles of the article stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: KRONES Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Simon Berger, Richard Eschlbeck, Thomas Hensel, Herbert Spindler, Martin Bauer, Lucas Kiefer, Georg Goetz
  • Patent number: 11117755
    Abstract: There is provided an electronic component handler for transporting an electronic component, the handler including a shuttle having a placement surface on which the electronic component is placed and moving from a first position to a second position, and a positioning unit provided in the shuttle and positioning the electronic component by coming into contact with the electronic component placed on the placement surface, in which the positioning unit has a first positioning member and a second positioning member that are driven to move or rotate with respect to the shuttle, when the shuttle is located at the first position, the electronic component is placed on the placement surface, and a distance between the first positioning member and the second positioning member when the shuttle is located at the first position is longer than a distance between the first positioning member and the second positioning member when the shuttle is located at the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: NS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Fuyumi Takata, Noriaki Kotani
  • Patent number: 11117756
    Abstract: A feeding unit to feed components in an automatic manufacturing machine; the feeding unit has: a plurality of sucking holding heads, which are each designed to receive and hold a corresponding component; a closed curved guide, which is arranged in a fixed position along the application path; a plurality of equipment, each supporting a corresponding holding head and provided with at least one slide, which is coupled to the guide so as to freely slide along the guide by a plurality of wheels; a suction chamber, which is mounted so as to rotate around a rotation axis; and a flexible connection system, which pneumatically connects the suction chamber to each holding head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: GDM S.p.A.
    Inventors: Federico Tordini, Massimo Pallavera, Marco Rosani, Matteo Piantoni
  • Patent number: 11117757
    Abstract: A linear conveyor device is installed on a platform having an upper surface which serves as a predetermined installation surface. The linear conveyor device includes a linear motor stator; a slider which includes a linear motor mover; a straight-line conveyance part formed by linearly connecting a plurality of modules to each other, the modules each including a base frame that has an upper surface having guide rails for guiding the movement of the slider and a lower surface facing the platform; and a base member disposed between the upper surface of the platform and the lower surfaces of the modules at a connecting portion between the modules, and configured to position and support the pair of modules to be connected to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Satoshi Urata, Hirokatsu Muramatsu
  • Patent number: 11117758
    Abstract: A linear motor conveyor system having a moving element comprising a first and a second magnetic element on opposite sides; a first track comprising a first linear motor configured to generate a dynamic magnetic field which acts on the first magnetic element to provide a first dynamic lateral force and a first dynamic longitudinal force; a second track with a transfer region adjacent to the first track, the second track configured to generate a magnetic field that acts on the second magnetic element to provide a second lateral force; and a controller to control the first linear motor such that the first dynamic lateral force is configured to bias the moving element toward the first linear motor until the moving element reaches a switch point in the transfer region, after which the dynamic lateral forces are selectively adjusted to bias the moving element toward the first or second track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: ATS AUTOMATION TOOLING SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Albert Kleinikkink, Roger Hogan
  • Patent number: 11117759
    Abstract: An automated robotic depalletizing system includes at least one robot for transferring inventory that arrives on a pallet to different storage locations within a warehouse. The robot may perform the automated depalletizing by moving to the pallet having a stacked arrangement of a plurality of objects, identifying, via a sensor, a topmost object of the plurality of objects, aligning a retriever with the topmost object, engaging the topmost object with the retriever, and transferring the topmost object from the pallet to the robot by actuating the retriever. The automated depalletizing may also be performed via coordinated operations of two or more robots. For instance, a first robot may retrieve objects from the pallet, and a second set of one or more robots may be used to transfer the retrieved objects into storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: inVia Robotics, Inc.
    Inventors: Lior Elazary, Randolph Charles Voorhies, Daniel Frank Parks, II
  • Patent number: 11117760
    Abstract: An object processing system is disclosed that includes a plurality of track sections, and a plurality of remotely actuatable carriers for controlled movement along at least portions of the plurality of track sections, wherein each of the remotely controllable carriers is adapted to support and transport an object processing bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Berkshire Grey, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Wagner, Kevin Ahearn, John Richard Amend, Jr., Benjamin Cohen, Michael Dawson-Haggerty, William Hartman Fort, Christopher Geyer, Jennifer Eileen King, Thomas Koletschka, Michael Cap Koval, Kyle Maroney, Matthew T. Mason, William Chu-Hyon McMahan, Gene Temple Price, Joseph Romano, Daniel Smith, Siddhartha Srinivasa, Prasanna Velagapudi, Thomas Allen
  • Patent number: 11117761
    Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus includes a sheet stacker to stack at least one sheet; a sheet feed roller disposed at one side of the sheet stacker and to feed a sheet fed from the sheet stacker; a multi-feed prevention roller disposed to face the sheet feed roller and to prevent multi-feed of the sheet fed from the sheet stacker; a magnetic torque limiter disposed coaxially with the multi-feed prevention roller; a hall sensor disposed at one side of the magnetic torque limiter and to detect rotation of the magnetic torque limiter; and a controller configured to rotate the sheet feed roller in a state in which the sheet feed roller and the multi-feed prevention roller are in contact with each other without a sheet and to identify a lifetime of the multi-feed prevention roller by using a signal output from the hall sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, L.P.
    Inventors: Eiji Aoki, Jin Soo Lee
  • Patent number: 11117762
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes: a memory configured to store a machine-learned model produced by performing machine learning using teaching data associating image data generated by reading a document by an image reading device with device abnormality information on abnormality of the image reading device; and when the image reading device reads a document, a processor configured to obtain the device abnormality information based on generated image data and the machine-learned model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Kentaro Kanada
  • Patent number: 11117763
    Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus includes a sheet conveyor, a processing tool, a tool contact separation device, a tool moving device, and a tool facing device. The sheet conveyor is configured to convey a sheet. The processing tool is configured to perform processing to the sheet. The tool contact separation device is configured to contact and separate the processing tool with respect to the sheet. The tool moving device is configured to move the processing tool in a direction intersecting a conveyance direction of the sheet. The tool facing device includes a tool facing portion and a sheet gripper. The tool facing portion includes a rotary member supported by a shaft and is disposed at a position facing the processing tool via the sheet. The sheet gripper includes a rotary member supported by a shaft and is configured to grip the sheet with the tool facing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Keisuke Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 11117764
    Abstract: A vacuum roller system and a method of operating the vacuum roller system can include a group of vacuum rollers operable to move a sheet of media through a dryer. The vacuum rollers do not require a vacuum to be drawn between the vacuum rollers. Each vacuum roller can include a plenum operable to direct the vacuum to a top portion of the vacuum roller to drive the sheet of media from one roller to the next roller. The plenum can engage vacuum holes in a rotating vacuum roller when the vacuum holes in the vacuum roller are aligned with the plenum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas K. Herrmann, Seemit Praharaj, Michael J. Levy, Jason M. Lefevre, Paul McConville, Chu-Heng Liu, Linn C. Hoover, David A. VanKouwenberg
  • Patent number: 11117765
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Seung Sup Lee, Hyun Woo Kim, Young Kee Cho, Yong Jae Kim
  • Patent number: 11117766
    Abstract: A multi-feed detection device includes a transmission circuit substrate to which an ultrasonic transmitter transmitting an ultrasonic wave is installed, and an ultrasonic receiver receiving the ultrasonic wave. The ultrasonic transmitter has arrayed ultrasonic transmission elements and transmits ultrasonic waves with different phases from the ultrasonic transmission elements to transmit the ultrasonic waves in a direction diagonally intersecting a thickness direction of the transmission circuit substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Inventor: Eiji Osawa
  • Patent number: 11117767
    Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a feeding roller configured to feed a printing sheet stacked on a stacking unit, a conveyance roller configured to convey the printing sheet fed by the feeding roller, a printing unit configured to print the printing sheet conveyed by the conveyance roller, a conveyance control unit configured to control conveyance of printing sheets so that the trailing edge of a preceding sheet as a printing sheet precedingly fed from the stacking unit and the leading edge of a succeeding sheet as a printing sheet succeedingly fed from the stacking unit overlap each other, and a determination unit configured to determine whether to convey the succeeding sheet to a position facing the printing unit while keeping an overlap state between the preceding sheet and the succeeding sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomofumi Nishida, Noriyuki Sugiyama, Yasuyuki Asai, Motoyuki Taguchi, Tetsuya Saito, Yoshiaki Suzuki, Syunichi Kunihiro
  • Patent number: 11117768
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a feeding roller that includes a first roller and a second roller provided at an interval in a width direction intersecting a medium feeding direction, and feeds a sheet from a placing section; and a skew detection section that detects skew of the sheet fed from the feeding roller. Skew is corrected by giving a difference between a rotation speed of the first roller and a rotation speed of the second roller with respect to at least one of the relevant sheet detected by the skew detection section and subsequent sheets fed following the relevant sheet based on a skew amount in the sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Tokujiro Okuno, Hiromichi Kitsuki
  • Patent number: 11117769
    Abstract: A sheet conveyance device correcting skew of a sheet being conveyed includes: a rotational shaft extending perpendicularly to a sheet conveyance direction; conveyance rollers disposed at predefined intervals and into which the rotational shaft is inserted; gate members being coaxial with the conveyance rollers and disposed between the conveyance rollers along the rotational shaft, the gate members each having an arc-shaped part partially surrounding the rotational shaft and a stopper protruding radially outwards from the arc-shaped part; and a mounting plate elongated along the rotational shaft and being supported rotatably around the rotational shaft and holding the gate members in a same orientation. After the sheet abuts against at least one of the stoppers, the stoppers are pushed out of the conveyance path by the sheet. When the stoppers are positioned on the conveyance path, openings of the arc-shaped parts face toward a downstream side in the conveyance direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Fumiaki Murakami, Katsumi Kuroyanagi, Shigeru Sawano
  • Patent number: 11117770
    Abstract: A sheet stacking apparatus includes an ejector, a stacker, a wall, and an upper surface detector. The ejector ejects a sheet, and the stacker stacks the sheet ejected from the ejector. The wall contacts a trailing end of the sheet ejected from the ejector in an ejection direction to align the sheet. The upper surface detector detects an upper surface on a trailing end side of the sheet stacked on the stacker in the ejection direction. When the sheet moves toward the wall, the upper surface detector moves from a home position in which the upper surface detector detects the upper surface of the sheet to a retracted position in which the upper surface detector does not contact the sheet moving toward the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Hisayoshi Sugawara, Kei Sasaki, Junya Suzuki, Koji Furuta, Yasuo Niikura, Kazuki Mishina, Kenji Hari, Yuuta Mori, Yuusuke Shibasaki
  • Patent number: 11117771
    Abstract: The current invention is generally directed to apparatuses and methods for controlling tension and tension disturbances in a web being continuously unwound from a roll of spirally wound web material. In accordance with the present disclosure, a rotary dancer mechanism is used for applying active and variable forces to a moving web in response to irregularities, such as variations in tension. In one aspect, the apparatus and method of the present disclosure may be used to attenuate undesired disturbances in the web as the web is being fed into a process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Inventors: Frank S. Hada, Mark G. Dollevoet
  • Patent number: 11117772
    Abstract: A medium ejection apparatus includes an ejection roller pair configured to eject a medium, a driving device configured to rotate at least one roller of the ejection roller pair, a processor for detecting a size of the medium, and controlling the driving device to increase a rotation speed of the at least one roller to be higher than a previous rotation speed, from a predetermined timing after a rear edge of the medium passes through a nip position of the ejection roller pair. The processor changes the predetermined timing in accordance with the size of the medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: PFU LIMITED
    Inventor: Kazuhito Seki
  • Patent number: 11117773
    Abstract: A cutting apparatus includes a blade configured to cut a sheet that is conveyed along a sheet conveyance path, a scrap path through which scrap generated when the sheet is cut by the blade passes, a guide member configured to guide the sheet conveyed, and a blowing unit configured to blow air such that the air crosses the sheet conveyance path from a side opposite the scrap path with the sheet conveyance path therebetween, wherein the blowing unit blows air such that the air flows along the guide member positioned at a second position at which the scrap is allowed to enter the scrap path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shigeo Doi
  • Patent number: 11117774
    Abstract: A system for controlling curl in sheets passing beneath a camera includes applying a thin layer of high velocity air to a curved baffle positioned beneath the camera. The high velocity air layer, which will have a tendency to follow the curved baffle (Coanda effect), will divert sheets (Bernoulli effect) towards the curved baffle. By positioning the curved baffle along the media paper path and by applying a uniform air stream to it, a lower pressure area will be created. This will flatten the trajectory of the sheets and thereby remove curl before the sheets pass the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Rachel Lynn Tanchak, Erwin Ruiz, Carlos M Terrero, Roberto A Irizarry, Glenn Batchelor, Ali R Dergham
  • Patent number: 11117775
    Abstract: Disclosed is a cutting apparatus for a roll zebra. The cutting apparatus includes: a main body portion; a mounting portion provided at one side of the main body portion to wind or unwind a fabric; a cutting portion provided at one side of the main body portion to cut the fabric with a required length; and a discharge portion provided at one side of the main body portion to convey the fabric cut by the cutting portion to the outside. The cutting portion includes a longitudinal cutting portion cutting the fabric in a longitudinal direction, and a transverse cutting portion cutting the fabric in a transverse direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: BMO INC.
    Inventor: Kyu Su Choi
  • Patent number: 11117776
    Abstract: A squeegee device for applying a film material to a surface includes a selection of squeegee card components formed of a rubber, rubberized plastic or other rubber-like composition; the selection of squeegee card components being provided in varying degrees of hardness (i.e., durometer) and each squeegee card component including a blade portion with a working edge having a specific length and configuration (e.g., straight, curved, V-shaped) and an attachment portion structured for cooperating interlocked attachment with the attachment portion of another select one of the squeegee card components, with no tools or additional fastening elements required, to provide a double-sided squeegee card with interchangeable card components having two different working edges which may be the same or different length, shape and/or hardness and the same or different durometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Inventor: Jay Mendez