Patents Issued in December 14, 2021
  • Patent number: 11198527
    Abstract: A method of packaging easel includes attaching an easel packaging fixture to a rotatable turntable of a stretch wrapping apparatus that includes a tower and a carriage movable along the tower. An easel bundle is positioned on the easel packaging fixture. Each easel bundle includes one or more easels with a lower portion inserted into a bottom cap and an upper portion inserted into a top cap. The turntable is rotated, causing rotation of the easel packaging fixture and the easel bundle with respect to the stretch wrapping apparatus. As the easel packaging fixture rotates, a wrapping material from the carriage of the stretch wrapping apparatus wraps around the easel bundle. The carriage moves along the length of the tower to wrap a length of the easel bundle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Syndicate Sales, Inc.
    Inventor: Troy L. Burnette
  • Patent number: 11198528
    Abstract: The invention relates to a packaging device (1) and method for fitting an external package (3) with a dividing element (2) and for filling a divided external package (3) with articles (4). The packaging device (1) comprises a first supply station (70) for external packages (3) that are open on one side, a second supply station (60) for expanded and/or unfolded dividing elements (2), a placement device (6) for placing the expanded and/or unfolded dividing element (2) into the external package (3), at least one holding device (9) that holds and/or stabilizes the expanded and/or unfolded dividing element (2) inside the external package (3) prior to the articles (3) being placed therein, and an article feed station (11) for placing the articles (4) into an external package (3) that is divided by the dividing element (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: KRONES Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Markus Prinz, Simon Aigner, Rolf Immanuel Trussina-Kaidel
  • Patent number: 11198529
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for filling a container with fragile fruit involving submerging the container in water to better distribute the fragile fruit within the container. The container may be filled with fragile fruit either before or after being submerged in water. The fragile fruit may be transported using a stream of water or other suitable fluid medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: HARVEST CROO, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Morrow, Paul Miller, Timothy Vernarsky, Robert Henry Pitzer
  • Patent number: 11198530
    Abstract: Herein described is a system and method for packaging packages (C), comprising the steps of: forming a row of packages (C) advancing, one following the other, along a pre-set advancement direction (A), picking up at least two first packages (C) from the row, superimposing each of said first packages (C) on a respective second package (C) of the row, releasing each of the first packages (C) resting on the respective second package (C), obtaining at least two stacks of packages, each of which comprises at least two mutually superimposed packages (C) and stabilising the stacks of packages (C).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: A.C.M.I—SOCIETA' PER AZIONI
    Inventor: Giorgio Oppici
  • Patent number: 11198531
    Abstract: A resin made container includes a spout portion to/from which a cap can be attached/detached, a shoulder portion continuous with the spout portion, a body portion continuous with shoulder portion and a bottom portion continuous with body portion and disposed at a lowermost portion of the bottle. Bottom portion includes a bottom face which comes into contact with a disposing surface and a sloped portion extending with a slope from the bottom face to the body portion. At least a portion of a vertical cross sectional shape of the sloped portion is a linear portion or a curved portion which protrudes to the inner side of the container. An angle formed between the linear portion of sloped portion and disposing surface or an angle formed between a straight line interconnecting an upper end and a lower end of the curved portion and disposing surface ranges from 15 to 70 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: SUNTORY HOLDINGS LIMITED
    Inventors: Ayumu Kitagaki, Shinya Ito
  • Patent number: 11198532
    Abstract: A box handling system is disclosed for use in an object processing system. The box handling system includes a box tray including a recessed area for receiving a box, and the recessed area includes a plurality of floor and edge portions for receiving the box that contains objects to be processed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Berkshire Grey, Inc.
    Inventors: John Richard Amend, Jr., William Chu-Hyon McMahan, Joseph Romano, Victoria Hinchey, Jennifer Eileen King, Thomas Wagner
  • Patent number: 11198533
    Abstract: A packaging material, including a laminate with a core material layer and having a plurality of delimited areas intended to form faces of a package is provided. At least one delimited area is provided with at least one pre-laminated hole and at least one compressed feature arranged adjacent to the pre-laminated hole. The at least one feature may include at least one line extending along at least a part of the perimeter of the pre-laminated hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventors: Gabor Benkö, Anders K. Gustafsson, Paul Trägårdh
  • Patent number: 11198534
    Abstract: A reinforced package comprising a carton comprising a plurality of panels that extends at least partially around an interior of the carton. The plurality of panels can comprise a front panel and a back panel disposed opposite to the front panel. The carton can comprise a bottom wall foldably connected to the front panel along a first curved fold line and to the back panel along a second curved fold line. The reinforced package further can include a bag at least partially attached to the carton. The bag can be at least partially defining an interior space for holding a product. The carton can be positionable in a non-erect position and in an erect position. At least the bottom wall and the first curved fold line can be configured to retain the carton in the erect position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, LLC
    Inventors: Raymond S. Kastanek, Kelly R. Fitzwater
  • Patent number: 11198535
    Abstract: A blank for constructing a container includes a front panel, a bottom panel foldably connected to the front panel along a lower front horizontal fold line, and a side panel having a front portion and a rear portion. The side panel is foldably connected to at least one of the bottom panel or the front panel. The blank includes a top panel that is foldably connected to the side panel, and a rear panel foldably connected to the rear portion of the side panel along a rear vertical fold line. The front and rear portions of the side panel are separable from one another along a separation line such that the rear portion of the side panel and the rear panel are configured and adapted for removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: WESTROCK SHARED SERVICES, LLC
    Inventors: David G. Couture, Kevin M. Simpkins
  • Patent number: 11198536
    Abstract: Described herein is a food holder including a multiple-panel, tapered sleeve that may include a forward panel, a rear panel, two front-side panels and two back-side panels that for an irregular shape. The multiple-panel sleeve includes a multiple-panel bottom member connected to the bottom edges of the forward and rear panels. The bottom member includes a foldline that allows the bottom member to project upwards into a space defined by the panels when the space between the forward and rear panels is reduced. The food holder includes a tear-away portion defined by a line of perforations which may be removed by a consumer to allow access to lower portions of the food product. The irregular, tapered shape and proportionality of the bottom member promote the structural integrity of the food holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: BML Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Bridgit Lombard, Michael Lewis, David Fowlkes, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11198537
    Abstract: A system and technique has been developed to print graphics on a pallet. In one form, the graphics are printed on one of the decks of the pallet. The graphics in one variation are printed on a deck that is in the form of a flat, contiguous surface via a flatbed printer. The flatbed printer has a printer head that forms a gap that is able to accommodate the deck of the pallet. After printing, the deck is assembled with the rest of the pallet. The graphics can include text and images. In one form, the graphics include a packing template that shows how at least one packing layer should be packed on the pallet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Artistic Composite Pallets LLC
    Inventor: W. A. Bastian, II
  • Patent number: 11198538
    Abstract: Clamping door trays are presented including: an open channel tray; a closed channel tray slidingly engaged with the open channel tray; a clamping mechanism positioned on an underside of the clamping door tray, the clamping mechanism for drawing the open channel tray and the closed channel tray together; and a support plate located along an inside bottom surface of the closed channel tray and secured through to the open channel tray. In some embodiments, the open channel tray includes: an L-shaped channel having a closed distal end and an open proximal end; and a rim located along a portion of a top edge of the L-shaped channel, the rim proceeding from the closed distal end, along an outside edge to the open proximal end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Inventor: Steven M. Goldstein
  • Patent number: 11198539
    Abstract: An inflatable packaging element is disclosed herein. The inflatable packaging element includes a first film ply and second film ply overlayed on the first ply, and a seal pattern. The seal pattern has a plurality of seals sealing the first and second plies to each other to define an inflation chamber between the first and second plies. The inflation chamber is inflatable with and configured to contain a fluid. An aperture extends through at least one of the first or second ply, and the seal pattern separates opposite side of the aperture from the inflation chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Pregis Innovative Packaging LLC
    Inventor: Thomas D. Wetsch
  • Patent number: 11198540
    Abstract: A closure clip for maintaining a bag closed is provided. The clip includes a planar body having a symmetry axis. The planar body defines a rear portion having a frontward border, a rearward border and lateral borders, a pair of shoulders, each extending outwardly and along one of the lateral borders and a pair of tabs projecting from the frontward border frontwardly and towards the symmetry axis, the tabs having free front extremities curving towards each other, the tabs and a portion of the frontward border delimiting an opening for receiving a portion of the bag. The planar body has a perimeter comprising an inflection point provided on each side of the symmetry axis, at a transition between one of the shoulders and a corresponding one of the tabs. The clip can include a displaying label projecting rearwardly from the rearward border. A strip of closure clips is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: KLR SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventor: Nicolas Hamel
  • Patent number: 11198541
    Abstract: A package with magnetic closure portions. The package can include a first flexible polymeric sidewall and a second flexible polymeric sidewall. The first and second flexible polymeric sidewalls can be joined by opposing first and second sides and a bottom portion and together defining an access opening. A first magnetic region can be disposed on the first sidewall. A second magnetic region can be disposed on the first sidewall. A third magnetic region can be disposed on the second sidewall. A fourth magnetic region can be disposed on the second sidewall. The first and third magnetic regions can be magnetically engageable with a magnetic force to urge at least a portion of the first and second sidewalls into contacting relationship, and the second and fourth magnetic regions can be magnetically engageable with a magnetic force to urge at least a portion of the first and second sidewalls into contacting relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Scott David Hochberg, Edward Daniel Theiss, III
  • Patent number: 11198542
    Abstract: An illuminated bottle stopper mainly includes a lighting, plug body and light transmission tube, where the lighting is a light transmission decoration of a preset shape with an optoelectronic unit configured on the bottom thereof, the plug body is tapered and assembled on the bottom of the base, a passage is longitudinally configured inside the plug body, one end of the light transmission tube is in connection with the passage of the plug body bottom, and a light source is configured to illuminate the light transmission tube, thereby allowing light to be scattered inside and outside a bottle when the plug body is inserted in the mouth of the bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Inventor: Hua-Cheng Pan
  • Patent number: 11198543
    Abstract: A closure (1) for sealingly closing a container neck (11) having a tubular body (2) with a top wall (4), an annular side wall (5), an intermediate wall (6) joining the side wall (5) to the top wall (4) and an annular tamper evidence band (3) frangibly connected to an open end (21) described by the side wall (5). The band (3) includes retaining cams (31) protruding from its inner surface (30). Each cam (31) has a lead-in ramp (32) for engaging, in use, the flange (12) of a container neck (11) as the neck (11) is introduced into the open end (21) of the body (2) and a stop (33) for engaging the flange (12) to separate the band (3) from the body (2) when the closure (1) is subsequently removed from the neck (11). Each lead-in ramp (32) has a central recess (34) therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: HUSKY INJECTION MOLDING SYSTEMS LTD.
    Inventors: Stephan Scherer, Patrick Gottschald
  • Patent number: 11198544
    Abstract: A cap for use with a container may include a body having an opening extending there through. The opening may include a product pathway extending from an upper surface of the body, a flow restrictor, and a coupling mechanism configured to removably couple the body to the container. The cap may also include a closure coupled to the body. The closure may selectively cover the opening and include a spoon shape having a concave surface. The body may further include a stop to limit rotation of the closure relative to the body. The body and/or a container configured for use with the body may further include a child lock feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Inventor: Heather Baird Loya
  • Patent number: 11198545
    Abstract: A system for packaging two liquid components, including a first container for receiving a first component and a lid, by means of which the first container can be closed. The system further includes a second container for receiving a second component, wherein the second container is arranged on the lid such that the second container lies in a volume of the first container when the first container is closed by the lid. The second container additionally has a specified opening which allows the second component to be transferred to the first container in an open state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: SIKA TECHNOLOGY AG
    Inventor: Dana Maiwald
  • Patent number: 11198546
    Abstract: A cartridge (1) which is suitable to cooperate with the neck (3) of a container (5) in order to allow a product contained in the cartridge (1) to flow out into said container (5), said cartridge (1) including at least one reservoir (7); moveable sealing means (13) to close the opening (9) of the reservoir (7), and a socket (23) wherein the moveable sealing means (13) comprises at least one ring (19, 21) configured to cooperate with the neck (3) of the container (5) in order to allow the moveable sealing means (13) to slide along the lower wall (11) of the reservoir (7) by a pressure exerted on said ring (19, 21) by the neck (3) of the container (5) causing the opening of the one or more flaps (17) and further wherein at least one ring (19, 21) of the moveable sealing means (13) comprises holding lugs (25) configured to cooperate with an internal relief (27) of the socket (23) in order to maintain the moveable sealing means (13) in position inside the socket (23), closing the opening (9) of the reservoir (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Inventors: Jean-Claude Guery, Corinne Herlin
  • Patent number: 11198547
    Abstract: A closure device for use with a container having a container neck comprises a cap member having a first fluid chamber and a housing having a second fluid chamber. The housing is arranged to move relative to the cap member between a first armed position and a second firing position. The housing includes a first plug member adapted to close a bottom aperture in the first fluid chamber in the first armed position. The cap member includes a second plug member adapted to close a bottom aperture in the second fluid chamber in the first armed position. In the second firing position the first plug member is removed from the aperture in the first fluid chamber and the second plug member is removed from the aperture in the second fluid chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Gizmo Packaging Limited
    Inventors: Jordan Maguire, Bernard Derek Frutin
  • Patent number: 11198548
    Abstract: A packaging card for a tool comprising a fixed member and a movable member that is selectively movable relative to the fixed member includes a tool engaging region coupling the packaging card to the movable member such that movement of the movable member relative to the fixed member moves the card relative to the fixed member. The card also includes a deformation region that tears or deforms upon application of a separation force sufficient to remove the packaging card from the tool. Another packaging card for a tool having a housing with front and side apertures includes a front flange receivable in the front aperture of the tool, a side flange insertable into the side aperture, and a hook catchable on an interior of the housing to deter removal of the packaging card from the tool until sufficient force is applied to overcome a holding power of the hook.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander Bates, Jonathan Miller
  • Patent number: 11198549
    Abstract: Provided is a sheet for container to be used in a flexible container, the sheet for container having a plurality of films layered in the sheet for container, the sheet for container including: a first film including a first base-material layer, which is coated with a first applying-type gas barrier layer and made of a single type of material having a heat-sealing property; and a second film including a second base-material layer, which is coated with a second applying-type gas barrier layer and made of a single type of material that is a same type of material as the first base-material layer, in which: the first film and the second film are attached to each other by heat sealing; and a gas enclosing portion, which is partially non-attached and in which gas is able to be enclosed, is formed between the first film and the second film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Kao Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Kuragano, Yoshinori Inagawa, Daisuke Kodama, Ryo Shibutani
  • Patent number: 11198550
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a flexible container. In an embodiment, the flexible container include (A) a front panel, a rear panel, a first gusseted side panel, and a second gusseted side panel. The gusseted side panels adjoin the front panel and the rear panel along peripheral seals to from a chamber. (B) Each peripheral seal has (i) an arcuate body seal inner edge (ABSIE) with opposing ends, (ii) a tapered seal inner edge (TSIE) extending from each end of the body seal. (C) The flexible container includes at least one ABSIE having a radius of curvature, Rc, from 1.0 mm to 300.0 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Marc S. Black, Simon Tage Jespersen, Chad V. Schuette, Muhammad Ali Siddiqui, Haley A. Lowry, Fabrice Digonnet, Brian W. Walther, Jeffrey E. Bonekamp
  • Patent number: 11198551
    Abstract: A dual chamber bottle includes a doser for mixing and dispensing two liquids. The bottle holds a first bulk liquid in a bulk chamber. The bottle holds a second additive liquid in a cartridge. The first and second liquid are segregated from each other. The doser is provided to dose the additive liquid into the bulk liquid. The second liquid is an additive that enhances a quality of the first liquid. The bulk chamber can be squeezed to dispense the bulk liquid out of the bottle while introducing the additive liquid to the bulk liquid in the process of dispensing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: L'Oreal
    Inventor: Jason Fyfe
  • Patent number: 11198552
    Abstract: This device is a flexible insulated beverage holder with a rigid arcuate plate and a rigid handle attached. This device allows a user to hold only the handle and insert a beverage container into the insulated beverage holder. This is achievable because the attached plate forces the insulated beverage holder to provide an expanded opening at its top. As the beverage is inserted into the opening created by the plate the user need only grip the handle as the beverage container is pushed to the bottom of the insulated beverage holder. This device provides the benefits of grasping a sturdy handle, while also providing significant portability with the flexible insulated beverage holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Inventors: Wesley Gronikowski, III, Wesley Gronikowski, IV
  • Patent number: 11198553
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a dispenser for use with a pill container. The dispenser comprises a base, a reciprocating element, a revolving distributor and a cam assembly, whereby the cam assembly translates a reciprocation of the reciprocating element into a rotation of the revolving distributor and allow dispensing a single pill at each reciprocation cycle. The dispenser of the present invention allows patients to be provided with medications by an easy-to-use means for dispensing of a single dosage by a simple press of a hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Inventors: Michel Poirier, Paul-André Bouchard
  • Patent number: 11198554
    Abstract: An insert for managing tie strings of a plurality of face masks within a dispenser package is provided. The insert is intended for use with face masks that include a face mask body and at least left and right tie strings. The insert includes a body having a lower portion, an upper portion, a neck connecting the lower portion and the upper portion, and a cut-out portion for the tie strings formed between the lower portion, the neck, and the upper portion. A method of managing the tie strings of a plurality of face masks using the insert is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: O&M Halyard, Inc.
    Inventor: Khoa T. Lien
  • Patent number: 11198555
    Abstract: A bag (100) for packaging fruit and vegetable products (2) having a casing (103) for housing the products to be packaged and at least one first band (104) and one second band (105), each arranged on the outer face of the casing so as to seal the casing, the first band (104) being joined to the casing only at its ends (104a, 104b) forming a handle (106) and the second band (105) joined along the length thereof to the associated face of the casing, forming a stable bottom (105c).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Girnet Internacional, S.L.
    Inventor: Ezequiel Giro Amigo
  • Patent number: 11198556
    Abstract: A capsule containing a substance for the preparation of a potable beverage. The capsule comprises an aluminum capsule body having a side wall and an outwardly extending flange and a sealing member at the outwardly extending flange for providing a fluid sealing contact with an enclosing member of a beverage preparation device. The beverage preparation device comprises an annular element having a free contact end which may be provided with a plurality of radially extending open grooves. The sealing member is integral with the outwardly extending flange and comprises at least one projection projecting from the outwardly extending flange. The projection comprising a projection top and is configured such that its projection top exerts a radial force on the free contact end of the annular element if the capsule is positioned in the enclosing member of the beverage preparation device and the enclosing member is closed by means of a closing member of the beverage preparation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V.
    Inventors: Hielke Dijkstra, Arend Hendrik Groothornte, Erik Pieter van Gaasbeek, Marc Henrikus Joseph Ottenschot, Ralf Kamerbeek, Armin Sjoerd Eijsackers, John Henri Flamand, Andrew Michael Halliday, Nicholas Andrew Hansen
  • Patent number: 11198557
    Abstract: Capsule containing a substance for the preparation of a potable beverage, the capsule having an aluminum capsule body having a side wall and an outwardly extending flange and a sealing member at the outwardly extending flange for providing a fluid sealing contact with an enclosing member of a beverage preparation device. The beverage preparation device comprises an annular element having a free contact end which may be provided with a plurality of radially extending open grooves. The sealing member is integral with the outwardly extending flange and comprises a projection. An annular trough between the inner projection foot and the side wall has a bottom axially spaced from the outer projection foot towards the bottom of the capsule body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V.
    Inventors: Ralf Kamerbeek, Arend Hendrik Groothornte, Hielke Dijkstra, Erik Pieter Van Gaasbeek
  • Patent number: 11198558
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a hollow elongated shaft defined by an opened top and bottom end. The tool can be made of steel or another strong material. Formed on the top end and the bottom end of the shaft are coupling members specifically designed to attach to twistlock disposed between stacked shipping containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Inventor: Artemio Roman
  • Patent number: 11198559
    Abstract: A method for mounting an inner support beam of a container, including: fixing a bottom support beam and a back support beam to a container body in a reusable and detachable manner; supporting the bottom support beam on a floor of the container body, and supporting the back support beam on a side wall corrugated plate. The back support beam is supported in a groove of the side wall corrugated plate, and the top end of the back support beam is connected to the side wall corrugated plate in the reusable and detachable manner. The end of the bottom support beam is jointed to the bottom end of the back support beam in the reusable and detachable manner and in a manner of restricting a movement of the bottom end of the back support beam in a direction away from the side wall corrugated plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: BEIJING HANDLER MULTIMODAL TRANSPORT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Lizhou Zhang
  • Patent number: 11198560
    Abstract: A material handling system has a vertical lift two vertically aligned carriages that are independently positionable on a vertical support structure by respective drive systems. A processor subsystem selects one of the two carriages to move an article from at least one in-feed conveyor to a selected level of an automated storage and retrieval system (AS/RS). The processor subsystem concurrently positions the other carriage to avoid a collision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Intelligrated Headquarters, LLC
    Inventors: Douglas K. Schack, Ralf Buerkle, Jonathon Cleary, Charles Christopher Lingamfelter
  • Patent number: 11198561
    Abstract: It is disclosed storage and order-picking system (10) operated in accordance with a rendezvous-picking principle, wherein goods to be picked are removed from source containers (18) and delivered to target containers (20) at locally variable picking stations (22) in accordance with customer orders, comprising: a plurality of vehicles (16) for transporting the source containers (18) and the target containers (20) within the system (10); a warehouse area (12), where a plurality of the source containers (18) is stocked, preferably in racks (34, 36); an action area (14) in which the vehicles (16) move, preferably in an autonomous manner; a locally variable picking station (22) having a variable relative position (P) within the action area (14) which changes again and again over time dependent on customer orders and at which a rendezvous-picking is performed by a picking person (24) and/or a picking robot (26); and a controlling device (30) configured for the rendezvous-picking by determining the relative position
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: SSI Schäfer Automation GmbH (AT)
    Inventor: Rainer Buchmann
  • Patent number: 11198562
    Abstract: A supply device for feeding of goods to be transported to a conveyor device has at least one conveyor belt (9) that extends around two deflection pulleys (4) of the supply device. The at least one conveyor belt (9) has, on its inner side (21), a guide strip (23) arranged approximately along a feed direction (13), and has a bed (11) for guiding the at least one conveyor belt (9) between the two deflection pulleys (4) by a guide groove (19) for the guide strip (23). The bed (11) has a base table (22) and at least one guiding device (20) attached to the base table (22). The guide groove (19) is formed at least partially by the at least one guiding device (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Inventor: Siegmund Dudek
  • Patent number: 11198563
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vibratory conveyor comprising a drive unit that generates a vibration movement during operation, and a conveying element arranged on the drive unit, wherein the drive unit comprises a support arrangement for the conveying element, which is mounted on a rear section on the carrier arrangement and has a freely extending section, and a spring-elastic vibration arrangement is provided on the front section of the conveying element, said vibration arrangement being arranged and designed in such a way that it oscillates with respect to the oscillation of the drive arrangement with phase displacement counter to the phase displacement of the conveying element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: K-Tron Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Urs Helfenstein
  • Patent number: 11198564
    Abstract: A transport system has a mobile carriage for transport of products along a guide path that has a first guide profile and a second guide profile. A first pair of rollers is mounted rotatably on a first rotation shaft borne by the carriage, so as to engage the first guide profile. A second pair of rollers rotatably mounted on the second rotation shaft engages the second guide profile. For each roller of the first pair of rollers and for each roller of the second pair of rollers, a reinforcing element is provided which is friction-coupled to at least a part of the main portions of external lateral walls of the rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: MARCHESINI GROUP S.P.A.
    Inventor: Giuseppe Monti
  • Patent number: 11198565
    Abstract: A conveyor system includes a frame, a plurality of rollers, a driving mechanism, a plurality of endless belts, and a lifting assembly. The plurality of rollers is rotatably attached to the frame. The driving mechanism is configured to rotate the plurality of rollers. The plurality of endless belts surrounds the plurality of rollers. The lifting assembly includes a plurality of surface and an actuator. The actuator is configured to move the plurality of surfaces between a raised position disposed above the plurality of belts and a lowered position disposed below the plurality of belts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: PROVISUR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Gage A. Fox, Glen F. Pryor, Ryan M. Torrenga, Ryan J. O'Connor
  • Patent number: 11198566
    Abstract: A method for transferring conveyed items from at least one feed conveyor onto an outgoing conveyor, in a transfer region, wherein the at least one feed conveyor includes a conveying member that is driven along a feed conveying stretch, for conveying conveyed items into the transfer region, and the outgoing conveyor includes conveying containers that are movable along a transfer conveying stretch for taking over the conveyed items that are delivered by the at least one feed conveyor. The conveyed items that lie on the conveying member are accelerated relative to the conveying member along the feed conveying stretch towards the transfer region via an acceleration device and for the purpose of delivery of the conveyed items are brought into a cyclically synchronous side-by-side conveying with a conveying container of the outgoing conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: WRH WALTER REIST HOLDING AG
    Inventor: Markus Bretz
  • Patent number: 11198567
    Abstract: A system and process for mixing and distributing building materials. This system and process can also include a way or a means for calibrating the mixing of these materials. This system and process can also include a system for tracking the materials that flow through the system, and for controlling the type of material used in the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: PUMP TRUCK INDUSTRIAL LLC
    Inventors: Stephen K. Degaray, Peter Larsen
  • Patent number: 11198568
    Abstract: A tray conveyor in which plastic trays with rows of embedded translators are driven by stators in multiple conveyor sections. Washing stations in cleaning zones in each conveyor section are provided to automatically clean empty trays in the conveyor's return path. Indicia on each tray identify the tray as belonging to a specific family of trays. Each of the conveyor sections conveys only conveyor trays that belong to a predetermined family assigned to that conveyor section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Bryant G. Ragan, Matthew L. Fourney
  • Patent number: 11198569
    Abstract: An agricultural system includes a carrier configured to transport an agricultural cart to a position proximate to or within an agricultural field. The carrier includes a rotatable base and is configured to receive the agricultural cart on the rotatable base in a docking position. The carrier is configured to move the agricultural cart from the docking position to an unloading position to unload agricultural product from within the agricultural cart to a storage bin via rotation of the rotatable base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Pinakin Desai, Kevin David Monk, Stephen Michael Faivre, Nathan Taylor, David W. Larson
  • Patent number: 11198570
    Abstract: A transfer device raises batteries of flat boxes inside a carton so that one battery at a time is in a waiting position beyond an open upper face of the carton at an inlet line of a boxing machine. A frame is predisposed to translate above the positioning station and the inlet line between a first position above the waiting position and a second position above the inlet line. Grippers on the frame both grip and retain a box battery at two ends thereof and release the battery. The grippers are activated, with the frame in the first position, to grip and retain the battery of boxes at its two ends and, with the frame in the second position, to release the battery into the inlet line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: MARCHESINI GROUP S.P.A.
    Inventor: Giuseppe Monti
  • Patent number: 11198571
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a control unit and an attachment detection unit to detect attachment of a cassette having a stacking portion that may be lifted by a motor. The control unit drives the motor to start lifting the stacking portion when cassette attachment is detected and stops when the stacked uppermost sheet is detected at a sheet feed position, at which time the presence or absence of the stored sheet is determined based on a detection signal output by a sheet presence/absence detection unit. In a case where there is no change in the detection signal output from the sheet presence/absence detection unit when the attachment of the cassette is detected, the control unit determines that a failure of the sheet presence/absence detection flag occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Sho Ota
  • Patent number: 11198572
    Abstract: A sheet conveying device includes a sheet feed tray. The sheet feed tray includes a first guide and a second guide. The first guide has a first end portion. The first end portion has a first area located in a central portion in a width direction, and a second area located closer to one end in the width direction than the first area. The first end portion is inclined such that the first area is downstream of the second area in the sheet conveying direction. The second guide has an upper end portion located downstream of the first end portion of the first guide in the sheet conveying direction and above the first end portion. The upper end portion has a third area located in a central portion in the width direction and a fourth area located closer to an end in the width direction than the third area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yuji Tokoro
  • Patent number: 11198573
    Abstract: Image forming apparatus have a plurality of models including a common control board and different in number of electrical components used. The image forming apparatus includes a wire harness including: a third connector removably connected to a first connector provided to the control board; fourth connectors removably connected to second connectors provided to the electrical components; and a plurality of cables connecting the third connector and the fourth connectors. In all of the plurality of models, cables are connected to pins located at both ends of the third connector. In a model in which the number of the plurality of cables is smaller than the number of pins of the third connector, pins of the third connector to which the plurality of cables are not connected are arranged at a central portion in a longitudinal direction of the third connector or near the central portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tadahiro Sako
  • Patent number: 11198574
    Abstract: According to the present disclosure, a first guide unit is provided with a first opening portion through which light in an optical path connecting a first optical element unit and a second optical element unit passes, a second guide unit is provided with a second opening portion through which light in the optical path connecting the first optical element unit and the second optical element unit passes, the first guide unit is provided with a duct for sending air to the first optical element unit, and the air coming out from the first opening portion hits the second optical element unit via the second opening portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takafumi Suzuki, Yasuhiko Okuma, Yusuke Jota
  • Patent number: 11198575
    Abstract: Provided is an image forming device including: an image heating portion which includes a heater including a plurality of heating blocks divided in a direction orthogonal to a conveying direction of a recording material and heats an image formed on the recording material; a temperature sensing element which senses a temperature of each of the heating blocks; and a control portion which controls electric power supplied to each of the heating blocks on the basis of the temperature sensed by the temperature sensing element, wherein the control portion determines whether or not the recording material is in a skewed state in which the recording material is conveyed in an obliquely inclined state with respect to the conveying direction on the basis of a variation of the electric power supplied to end heating blocks for heating end portions of the recording material among the plurality of the heating blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Atsushi Iwasaki
  • Patent number: 11198576
    Abstract: A technique that enables application of additional conveyance force to a print medium and conveyance of various sizes of print media without multi-feed is described. A conveyance device includes a feed unit, a first conveyance unit that conveys a print medium, and a second conveyance unit that conveys a print medium fed by the feed unit to the first conveyance unit, and is capable of correcting the skew of a print medium by causing the second conveyance unit to convey the print medium with its leading edge in abutment with the first conveyance unit. This conveyance device is configured to cause the feed unit to apply conveyance force to a print medium conveyed by the second conveyance unit, depending on the size of the print medium in the conveyance direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuki Matsuo, Seiji Ogasawara, Takaaki Ishida, Shuichi Tokuda, Masakazu Tsukuda, Masaaki Matsuura