Patents Issued in February 1, 2024
  • Publication number: 20240034548
    Abstract: The invention relates to a capsule (1) for preparing a beverage, comprising—a core material (3) having a pressed product and—a shell (2) enclosing the core material, the capsule (1) having in a breaking strength test a maximum percentage expansion of at least 15% in a direction transverse to a pressing direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2021
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Applicant: Delica AG
    Inventors: Roland AFFOLTER, Markus BRÖNNIMANN, Olivia KURTZ, Caroline SIEFARTH, Kathrin STEINBRÜCKNER, Tim THILLA, Patrick TSCHOPP, Martin WÜTHRICH, Micha ZWEIFEL
  • Publication number: 20240034549
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for shipping of fabricated rectangular wooden modules used for construction of a wood frame structure and for shipping of other bulky items are described. In particular, the disclosure features a modified shipping container for shipping the fabricated rectangular wooden modules and methods of loading, transporting, and unloading the fabricated rectangular wooden modules. The modified shipping container features a removable header system and a removable cover. The fabricated rectangular wooden modules include a module length axis, a module width axis, a bounded wood perimeter, and joists or rafters oriented perpendicularly to the module length axis, and are stacked as cargo in the interior of the container such that joists or rafters of the fabricated rectangular wooden modules are substantially vertical and the length axes of the modules are substantially parallel to a length axis of the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Kyle Tompane, Garrett Moore
  • Publication number: 20240034550
    Abstract: A tailgate assembly for a roll-off container includes a tailgate hinge that is operable to attach a tailgate to a container such that the tailgate is movable between an open position and a closed position. A sealing material located between the container and the tailgate when the tailgate is in the closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventor: Ryan A. Peterkin
  • Publication number: 20240034551
    Abstract: A hopper of a pharmaceutical counter comprises a housing defining an interior sized to hold a plurality of pharmaceuticals. The housing defines an outlet in communication with the interior that is sized and shaped to permit the plurality of pharmaceuticals to move therethrough. The hopper also includes a baffle supported by the housing and disposed in the interior. The baffle is disposed between upper and lower ends of the interior. The baffle is arranged to support a portion of the plurality of pharmaceuticals above the baffle when the plurality of pharmaceuticals is held in the interior of the housing. This relieves the head pressure of the pharmaceuticals at the outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2022
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventor: Robert E. Hoffman
  • Publication number: 20240034552
    Abstract: A prefabricated mobile structure (e.g., substantially in the shape of a rectangular prism) that is substantially shorter than a standard 20-foot shipping container. The mobile structure includes an extension member extending outwardly from each respective upper corner of the structure substantially parallel to the structure's primary axis. Each extension member comprises an attachment point that is adapted to connect with a support portion of a spreader configured to engage with corner fittings of a standard 20-foot freight container. The respective extension members effectively extend the length of the attachment profile of the mobile structure while maintaining a shorter primary body portion. This may allow the prefabricated mobile structure to, for example, be lifted by a lifting device, such as a spreader, that is adapted for lifting a standard 20-foot shipping container while the prefabricated mobile structure's body remains compact enough to be loaded onto a CROP sled for transport.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventor: Harry Ralph Ford, III
  • Publication number: 20240034553
    Abstract: A container docking device is disclosed, including: a container connector comprising: a tension mechanism that is configured to engage a container at an attachment point, wherein a portion of the container connector conforms to an end portion of the container; and a support member that is configured to engage a bottom portion of the container to lift the container; and a towing device connector that is configured to engage a lifting unit of a towing device such that lifting force from the lifting unit is transmissible to the support member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2022
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventor: Camden Nahorniak
  • Publication number: 20240034554
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a plurality of secondary containment panels and assembling and installing the panels in a secondary containment system of an above-ground liquid storage tank or other retention facility includes forming a plurality of flexible substrate pieces. A liquid impermeable coating is applied to the upper surface of each piece such that an edge segment of the piece remains uncoated. The coating is applied to the substrate piece in an indoor enclosure using a computer controlled robotic sprayer that applies a uniform coating. A system for coating secondary containment panels. An apparatus for spraying a coating on secondary containment panels. The apparatus may be computer controlled and operate automatically to coat the surface of the panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventor: Michael Whitener
  • Publication number: 20240034555
    Abstract: A refuse collection vehicle includes a grabber that is operable to engage a refuse container, at least one sensor that is arranged to collect data indicating a relative positioning of a first arm of the grabber and a second arm of the grabber, and a controller having one or more control elements for selecting a target positioning of a first arm of the grabber and a second arm of the grabber. The first arm and the second arm automatically move to the target positioning in response to a signal received by an onboard computing device of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: David G. Lewis, Stanley L. Maroney, Chad R. Blanchard
  • Publication number: 20240034556
    Abstract: A supply device (4) includes a first conveyor (4A) arranged to be adjacent on a first side (Y1) in a second direction with respect to the first transfer device (30A), a second conveyor (4B) arranged to be adjacent on the first side (Y1) in the second direction with respect to a second transfer device (30B), and a third conveyor (4C) including a first connection portion (5A) connected to an end on the first side (Y1) in the second direction of the first conveyor (4A) and a second connection portion (5B) connected to an end on the first side (Y1) in the second direction of the second conveyor (4B). A plurality of articles (W) can be arranged side-by-side in a second direction (Y) on the first conveyor (4A), and a plurality of articles (W) can be arranged side by side in the second direction (Y) on the second conveyor (4B).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2021
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Wataru Kiyokawa, Daisuke Katagiri
  • Publication number: 20240034557
    Abstract: A control device performs selection processing for determining a selected conveyor that is to be the destination of a target article. The selection processing is processing for, if a second conveyor in which an article of the same type as the target article is the most-upstream article and there is no adjacent same-type article group, and a second conveyor in which an articles of the same type as the target article is the most-upstream article and there is an even number of articles in the adjacent same-type article group, are pairing target conveyors and there is a pairing target conveyor, determining the pairing target conveyor as the selected conveyor, and if there is no pairing target conveyor, determining a second conveyor selected according to a predetermined basic selection rule as the selected conveyor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2021
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Wataru Kiyokawa, Daisuke Katagiri
  • Publication number: 20240034558
    Abstract: A gripping device for being suspended from a load handling device for lifting and moving containers stacked in stacks in a grid storage structure including a plurality of tracks arranged in a grid pattern above the stacks of containers. The gripping device includes a frame; a gripping mechanism mounted on the frame configured to releasably grip a container from below the frame; a fixing device mounted on the frame configured to fix a free end of a reeled cable; and a cable tensioner configured to put the cable under tension in use. The cable tensioner includes a track; a carriage slidably mounted on the track; and a biasing device configured to bias the carriage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2021
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Applicant: Ocado Innovation Limited
    Inventors: Marek HAVEL, Matthew HARMAN
  • Publication number: 20240034559
    Abstract: An access station, which is for presentation of a storage container from an automated storage and retrieval system to a picker, has a receiving area for receiving storage containers, forward of the receiving area a picking position for picking products from the storage container. The access station includes a guiding frame, a primary carriage, and a secondary carriage. The guiding frame is arranged in a horizontal plane and extends between the picking position and the receiving area. The primary carriage, which is for transporting a storage container, includes a primary carriage base, a primary carriage displacement motor, a first storage container support, and a transfer device. The primary carriage base is movable along the guiding frame. The primary carriage displacement motor is configured to move the primary carriage along the guiding frame. The first storage container support is connected to the primary carriage base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2021
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Applicant: Autostore Technology AS
    Inventor: Trond Austrheim
  • Publication number: 20240034560
    Abstract: Disclosed is an Object Recognition Warehousing Method for STORE or FETCH an object through a pretrained Object Recognition Model (ORM). Image of an object is taken by an image sensor for Object Recognition, and system automatically provides options of classification and labelling A physical object without package is recognized for STORE according to the present invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2022
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventor: Yu-Chen HSIEH
  • Publication number: 20240034561
    Abstract: A method and an electronic device for handling a material are provided. The method may include: obtaining a picking task for a target material at a target warehouse; using, in response to determining that a target person arrives at an exit location of the target warehouse, material information of a material held by the target person as target material information, the material information including a material identifier and a material quantity; and comparing material information of a to-be-picked material in the picking task with the target material information, and subtracting the material information of the to-be-picked material from stock information of the target warehouse if a comparison result is that the material information and the target material information are consistent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2021
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Applicant: Beijing Jingdong Zhenshi Information Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Bin MA, Jian GONG, Zhuo MENG
  • Publication number: 20240034562
    Abstract: A system may include a vehicle for delivering items and a moveable track that cooperates with the vehicle. The moveable track may cooperate with a storage system having storage locations for storing items. The vehicle may drive into the moveable track and lift the track using a vertical drive mechanism. The vehicle may include a horizontal drive system operable to drive the vehicle horizontally along the ground to carry the moveable track to a position adjacent the storage location. The vehicle may operate the vertical drive system to drop the moveable track adjacent the storage system. Additionally, the vehicle may operate the vertical drive to drive up the moveable track to an elevated position adjacent one of the storage locations in the storage system. The vehicle may include a transfer mechanism for transferring items between the vehicle and the storage location while the vehicle is in the elevated position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Joseph Valinsky, Alexander Stevens
  • Publication number: 20240034563
    Abstract: A picking system has a plurality of transport modules having a transport means for transporting goods and includes a plurality of transport lines comprising at least one of the transport modules. The transport lines include a first transport line for transporting goods along a transport route, a second transport line for temporarily storing the goods, and a third transport line for transporting shipping containers of the goods along the transport route. A transport module for picks takes out the goods transported from the first transport line. The transport module for picks can perform a first operation for accommodating the goods transported from the first transport line in the shipping containers, a second operation for placing the goods transported from the first transport line onto the second transport line, and a third operation for taking out the goods from the second transport line and accommodating the goods in the shipping containers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2022
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Toshio MORIYA, Nobutaka KIMURA, Fumiko BENIYAMA
  • Publication number: 20240034564
    Abstract: Various devices for providing various forces on a patient torso. One device includes a belt, a pubic pad, and a rear pad. Another device includes two “clamshell”-type members which capture the torso of a patient (aka user), and includes smaller sub portions within windows in at least one of the clamshell portions, for particular bracing purposes. Another device includes a type of “scuba suit” base garment which includes adjustable straps attached thereto for particular bracing purposes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventor: Maria Gaudio
  • Publication number: 20240034565
    Abstract: A compact modular mobile aggregate processing system configured with no stand-alone inter-plant conveyors for decreasing the footprint of the system and an infinitely adjustable flow diverter(s) for increasing the control of and variation of output characteristics of the system; the system further including specialized folding conveyors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Edwin J. SAUSER, Albert D. BOTTON, Gregory YOUNG
  • Publication number: 20240034566
    Abstract: A spiral conveyor includes a mesh chain spirally wound around and rotate synchronously with an outer circumference of each rotary drums. The inner side of each chain link of the mesh chain close to the rotary drum is provided with a drive head extending towards a drum body of the rotary drum. The drive head is provided with a convex-arc edge and includes an arc slot provided on each of two sides or on a single side of the drive head. Driving poles are evenly distributed around the outer circumference of the rotary drum and engage with the drive heads of each layer. When the inner side of the mesh chain adapts to the perimeter of the outer side of the mesh chain, the drive head on the inner side of the mesh chain engages with the driving pole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2021
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Applicant: YANGZHOU WELDON TRANSMISSION EQUIPMENT CO., LTD
    Inventor: Baodong WU
  • Publication number: 20240034567
    Abstract: The invention relates to a conveyor having a driven roller chain and a driveable drive face oriented transversely thereto, wherein, in one conveying direction, the rollers of the roller chain run transversely to the underlying drive face, which means that the rollers do not roll thereon but are only pulled thereover, and only when the conveyed goods are to be moved transversely to said conveying direction is the drive of the roller chain switched off and the drive of the drive face switched on, this having the effect that the rollers then rotate in the rotational direction of their longitudinal axis and move the conveyed goods transversely to the previous conveying direction, so that surprisingly friction of the rollers during their movement over the stationary drive face is permitted when the conveyed goods are moved in one conveying direction, and then, when said goods are to be rotated, the drive face is moved and the drive of the roller chain is switched off so that the drive face then causes the rollers
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2021
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventor: Peter DUECKER
  • Publication number: 20240034568
    Abstract: In order to improve transport efficiency of an object transport system, an object transport system includes: a ceiling carrier configured to travel on at least travel rail and transport an object; and a transfer device including a hanging part configured to hang the object and configured to be capable of being raised and lowered, the transfer device being disposed so as to be separated from the ceiling carrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Applicant: DAIFUKU CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Keita YAMADA
  • Publication number: 20240034569
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for providing sorted closure elements in the form of crown caps, comprising a space for bulk storage of the caps, a lifting conveyor in the form of a belt entering the space and comprising, on an outer face, a plurality of cleats oriented transversely and spaced in order to define a recess between a lower cleat and an upper cleat, each recess collecting a plurality of the caps as the recess passes through the storage space, means for sorting unbalanced caps present inside the recess. The lower edge of the upper cleat has a convex section opposite the belt. The means cooperates with the movement of the lifting conveyor so as to cause the incorrectly oriented caps to fall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2020
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventor: Daniel SPIESSER
  • Publication number: 20240034570
    Abstract: Provided is a device for transferring products in a longitudinal direction of movement from upstream to downstream, having a transfer region and a structure supporting the transfer region. The structure has at least two parallel and contiguous rows of rollers mounted in rotation so as to be aligned along transverse axes, including a first row of first rollers and an adjacent second row of second rollers. The transfer region is inclined with a slope decreasing longitudinally. The rollers have bearings mounted in rotation about the axes and the first rollers of the first row are mounted in staggered fashion with respect to the second rollers of the second row, forming a generally planar transfer face. Also provided is conveying installation equipped with the transfer device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2021
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Alain BERENBACH, Olivier DOUXAMIS
  • Publication number: 20240034571
    Abstract: The invention relates to a thermal treatment device, such as a pasteurizer, cooler or heater, having at least one container feed device for feeding containers each to one mass flow conveyor comprised by the thermal treatment device. The treatment device adjoins the at least one container feed device. The container feed device comprises: an at least one-track infeed conveyor; a first group of a plurality of parallel first conveyors; a second group of a plurality of parallel second conveyors which are arranged so as to be parallel and adjoining the first group. The containers can be transferred from the second group to a mass flow conveyor transversely to the second direction, in the direction. The invention furthermore relates to a method for operating the thermal treatment device with the at least one container feed device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2021
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Christian DEPNER, Jens LUECKE, Niels CLAUSEN, Johannes LEDDERER
  • Publication number: 20240034572
    Abstract: A transfer conveyor for transferring products from the end of a first product conveyor onto a second product conveyor comprises transfer conveyor belts including movable flaps for lifting and carrying the product over a transfer gap between the first product conveyor and the second product conveyor. A frame guides the transfer conveyor belts and moves the flaps between a deployed and retracted position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2022
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventor: Bryant G. Ragan
  • Publication number: 20240034573
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system for handling containers suitable for containing a medicinal substance, comprising a wheel movable in rotation about an axis; container handling clamps, the clamps being hinged to the wheel and being movable between a closed configuration for gripping a container and an open configuration for releasing a container, each pair of clamps comprising ramps suitable for lifting or depositing a container as the clamps move from one configuration to another. The invention also relates to a method for handling containers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Patrick BALERIAUX, Alain THIRY
  • Publication number: 20240034574
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for discharging mushrooms from a conveyor, comprising a mushroom conveyor, in particular a conveyor belt and/or an endless conveyor, for conveying the mushrooms in a direction of conveyance; wherein the mushroom conveyor has a surface for carrying the mushrooms; and the mushroom conveyor being guided along a trajectory from a charging location such as a picking location to a discharging location, such as a filling station for mushroom containers, as well as a twister, located at the discharging location, for at least locally twisting a plane in which the surface of the mushroom conveyor lies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2022
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Jacobus Alexander Jozef LEMMEN, Marcus Gerardus Maria VAN DOREMAELE
  • Publication number: 20240034575
    Abstract: A gripper including: an orientation sensor configured to generate an orientation reading for a target object; a first grasping blade and a second grasping blade configured to secure the target object in conjunction with the first grasping blade and at an opposite end of the target object relative to the first grasping blade; a first position sensor, of the first grasping blade, configured to generate a first position reading of the first grasping blade relative to the target object; a second position sensor, of the second grasping blade, configured to generate a second position reading of the second grasping blade relative to the target object; and a blade actuator configured to secure the target object with the first grasping blade and the second grasping blade based on a valid orientation of the orientation reading and based on the first position reading and the second position reading indicating a stable condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventor: Lei Lei
  • Publication number: 20240034576
    Abstract: A docking plate apparatus is provided for motorized floor conveyor vehicles, such as conveyance tuggers, that is particularly structured to provide tactile feedback at a determined stop position for improved docking and/or stopping placement. The docking plate apparatus has a structure and dimensions to ensure that the motorized floor conveyor vehicle is docked exactly in a determined stop position that is deemed most optimal for interaction with a delivery system. The docking plate apparatus can comprise body, which is a flat panel structure, and a docking aperture that is structured in a portion of the body. The docking aperture receiving at least one wheel of a motorized floor conveyor vehicle to dock the motorized vehicle in a determined stop position for interaction with the delivery system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2022
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Applicants: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ronald Scott Friend, Brian McElroy, Robert Aaron Allex, David A. Britton, Billy D. Dooley
  • Publication number: 20240034577
    Abstract: A feeding device includes a supply unit that supplies air between plural stacked media and that floats the media, a feeding unit that makes the media floated by the supply unit stick thereto and that feeds the media, a separating unit that supplies the air obliquely downward to a front surface side of a second medium positioned immediately below a first medium stuck to the feeding unit from a downstream side to an upstream side in a medium feeding direction and that separates the second medium from the first medium, and a blasting unit that blasts the air obliquely downward to the front surface side of the second medium from the downstream side to the upstream side in the medium feeding direction and that has a blasting angle of the air with respect to the medium feeding direction larger than a supply angle of the air of the separating unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Applicant: FUJIFILM Business Innovation Corp.
    Inventors: Kei TANAKA, Masato Matsuzuki, Kiyotaka Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20240034578
    Abstract: A sheet feeder includes a sheet loading tray, an air blower, a side air blower, and processing circuitry. The sheet loading tray loads sheets. The air blower blows air to the sheets to float and separate the sheets. The side air blower blows air to the sheets to separate the sheets. The processing circuitry controls a tray elevator to rise the sheet loading tray to move the sheets to an upper limit position, after a predetermined time has elapsed from a time when the sheets are loaded on the sheet loading tray. The processing circuitry causes the air blower and the side air blower to blow air to the sheets to perform sheet separation and controls the tray elevator to lower the sheet loading tray to a position at which an intermediate remaining-sheet sensor is disposed, after the sheet separation ends.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yohsuke Edo, Tatsuya Sugawara, Yohsuke Takamiya, Hidetoshi Kojima
  • Publication number: 20240034579
    Abstract: A rotary carton feeder includes a planetary drive having two sun rings with angular phase, cam surfaces on each ring about a common axis. Planetary members rotate about the common axis with a number of said planet members in operative engagement with one of the cams and another number of planet members in operative engagement with a second one of said sun rings. Spindles are selectively combined with selected planet members to selectively accommodate handling variably sized cartons of 1, 2, 3 or 4 count. Suction cups on spindle ends traverse an enclosed path having four cusps. Variations are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2021
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Robert M. Kalany, Andrew James Nelson, Robert Todd Gatman
  • Publication number: 20240034580
    Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus includes a first guide plate and a second guide plate facing with a given space in a thickness direction and having second and third openings, a sheet conveyance passage between the first and second guide plates, and a sheet conveyor including a drive source, a drive roller, a first driven roller, and a second driven roller. The drive roller protrudes from the first guide plate toward the sheet conveyance passage through the first opening. The first driven roller faces the drive roller and protrudes from the second guide plate toward the sheet conveyance passage through the second opening. The second driven roller protrudes from the second guide plate toward the sheet conveyance passage through the third opening. The second driven roller is disposed at a position shifted from the drive roller in a width direction orthogonal to the sheet conveyance direction and the thickness direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yusuke Tanaka, Kentaroh Fukami, Shigeyuki Itoh, Atsushi Kuriyama, Yuuki Nakagawa, Yiru Chen, Ken Sawada, Takuya Fukuhara, Ryoh Suzuki, Yasuo Ohba, Akikazu Iwata
  • Publication number: 20240034581
    Abstract: A conveyance rollers pair includes a first roller and a second roller. The first roller has a uniform outer diameter and rotates around an axis. The second roller conveys a medium held between the first roller and the second roller while rotating around an axis. The second roller includes a shaft part, a plurality of columnar elastic members and a plurality of tube members. The shaft part extends in an axial direction and is supported rotatably around the axis. The elastic members are fixed to an outer circumferential surface of the shaft part at intervals in the axial direction. Each of the tube member has heat-shrinking property and water-repellency, adheres closely to an outer circumferential surface of the elastic member, and has both end portions which are protruded outward from both axial ends of the elastic member and have a diameter smaller than an outer diameter of the elastic member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Applicant: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Naoto MIYAKOSHI, Hironori DAIGO
  • Publication number: 20240034582
    Abstract: A medium conveying apparatus includes a drive roller, a driven roller, and a supporting portion. The drive roller includes a drive body portion and a drive contact portion. The drive contact portion is formed of a material having a smaller friction coefficient or a higher surface hardness than the drive body portion, and is formed with a groove portion along a circumferential direction. The driven roller includes a driven contact portion which comes into contact with the drive contact portion at a non-conveying position, and a plurality of protrusion portions which protrude outwardly in a radial direction. The plurality of protrusion portions are arranged in the groove portion at the non-conveying position. The drive contact portion is formed with a pair of guide portions which guide, to the groove portion, the protrusion portions of the driven roller moving from a conveying position to the non-conveying position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventor: Ryo Matsuyama
  • Publication number: 20240034583
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first execution circuit, a second execution circuit, and a display circuit. The first execution circuit is configured to execute a first calibration. The second execution circuit is configured to execute a second calibration. The first display circuit is configured to, in a first notification related to a setting of a calibration, display a first object for prompting the execution of the first calibration and not display a second object for prompting the execution of the second calibration, in a first notification related to a calibration setting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventor: YOKO TAKENAKA
  • Publication number: 20240034584
    Abstract: A medium conveying apparatus includes a conveying roller to convey a medium, an overlap detection sensor, a processor to detect an overlap portion in which it is determined that an overlap has occurred on the medium based on a detection output by the overlap detection sensor for the medium conveyed by the conveying roller, calculate an overlap length where the overlap portion is continuous based on a detection result of the overlap portion, determine whether a multi-feed has occurred based on the overlap length, and execute an abnormal processing for the multi-feed based on a determination result of the multi-feed. The processor determines that a first overlap portion and a second overlap portion are continuous when a distance between the first overlap portion and the second overlap portion is within a predetermined distance in calculating the overlap length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventor: Masaaki SAKAI
  • Publication number: 20240034585
    Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus for feeding sheets is provided with a delivery roller for delivering sheets on a stack tray, and an air blower mechanism for blowing air to the sheets on the stack tray, and selects to execute one of first operation for blowing air to the sheets to handle the sheets on the stack tray in a state in which the delivery roller is brought into contact with the sheets stacked on the stack tray, and second operation for blowing air to the sheets on the stack tray to handle the sheets in a state in which the delivery roller is retracted from the sheets stacked on the stack tray.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Applicant: CANON FINETECH NISCA INC.
    Inventors: Seiji NISHIZAWA, Kazunori HATAKAWA
  • Publication number: 20240034586
    Abstract: A sheet conveyance apparatus includes a first skew correcting portion, a second skew correcting portion, an acquisition unit, a control unit. The first skew correcting portion corrects skew of a sheet by abutting a leading edge of the sheet against the first roller pair to form a bend in the sheet. The second skew correcting portion corrects skew of a sheet by conveying the sheet with a turning motion. When a first sheet with a length of a first length is conveyed, the control unit corrects the skew of the first sheet by the second skew correcting portion. When a second sheet with a length of a second length longer than the first length is conveyed, the control unit corrects the skew of the second sheet by the first skew correcting portion, and configured not to correct the skew of the second sheet by the second skew correcting portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventor: AKIHIRO ITO
  • Publication number: 20240034587
    Abstract: A sheet processing machine with a transfer mechanism for moving sheets along a handling direction of the sheet processing machine and with a waste evacuation device (36) for releasing the sheets. The transport mechanism comprises at least one sheet handling element (28) for moving a sheet. The waste evacuation device (36) further comprises a passage (46) formed between an opening surface (48) and a restraint surface (50). The at least one sheet handling element (28) comprises a first sliding element (68) and a second sliding element (70) being in contact with the opening surface (48) and the restraint surface (50), respectively, when passing the waste evacuation device (36).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2021
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Applicant: BOBST MEX SA
    Inventors: Stéphane CHESAUX, Carles SAGUÉS MITJANA
  • Publication number: 20240034588
    Abstract: A medium conveying apparatus includes a driving roller, a plurality of driven rollers, a support part, a plurality of upstream restriction parts and a plurality of downstream restriction parts. The support part supports the driven rollers. The upstream restriction parts are provided in the support part between the adjacent driven rollers. The downstream restriction parts are provided in the support part between the adjacent driven rollers. The upstream restriction parts and the downstream restriction parts are arranged on an upstream side and a downstream side in a conveyance direction of the medium across a rotational center of the driven rollers respectively. When the driven rollers are tilted with respect to the conveyance direction, at least one of the upstream restriction parts and the downstream restriction parts comes into contact with side surfaces of the driven rollers to restrict tilting of the driven rollers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Applicant: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Naoto MIYAKOSHI, Shuji OSAKI
  • Publication number: 20240034589
    Abstract: A paper sheet handling apparatus includes an accumulation and storage unit that accumulates and stores paper sheets conveyed by the conveyance unit while aligning the paper sheets, the accumulation and storage unit having an accumulation unit that accumulates the paper sheets so that a first direction which is one of a vertical width direction and a horizontal width direction and a second direction which is the other of the vertical width direction and the horizontal width direction are oriented in predetermined directions, a first alignment unit that is movable between a first retracted position spaced apart from the paper sheets and a first alignment position in contact with one end edge of the paper sheets positioned in the first direction; and a second alignment unit that is movable between a second retracted position spaced apart from the paper sheets and a second alignment position in contact with other end edge of the paper sheets positioned in the first direction, with a control unit that causes the p
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2021
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventor: Tadaaki MORITA
  • Publication number: 20240034590
    Abstract: Various embodiments of a hand tape applicator and system including such applicator are disclosed. The hand tape applicator includes a body, a spindle connected to the body that is configured to receive a tape roll that includes tape, and an ergonomic handle connected to the body. The applicator further includes a roller mechanism connected to the body that is configured to apply the tape to a substrate. The roller mechanism includes a head and a tape roller extending along a roller axis between a first end and a second end of the tape roller. The tape roller is connected to the head at each of the first and second ends. The applicator further includes a force sensor connected to the head. The force sensor is configured to detect a force between the tape roller and the head and provide a signal indicative of the force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2022
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Rolf W. Biernath, James J. Kobe, Victor F. Vance, Bridget E. Nyland, Marti Marie Joyer Platta, Kaitlyn M. Lahti, Taylor J. Kobe, Damien Latron, Anne Marie Przepasniak, Chase M. O'Brien
  • Publication number: 20240034591
    Abstract: Separator for separating a film web region by region, having an anvil plate which has a working surface for laying out an end region of a film web, a conveyor which is mounted such that it can be moved linearly with respect to the anvil plate along a conveying axis and which is designed to carry out a laying-out movement for the end region of the film web, the laying-out movement being aligned parallel to the working surface, and a cutting unit which has at least one cutting edge for carrying out a separating operation for an end region of the film web received between the cutting edge and the working surface. The conveyor and the cutting alternately carry out the lay out movement and the separating operation for the end region of the film web.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2021
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Ralf-Hendrik BORN, Gerald GLAAS, Rene KOSTEWA, Uwe SCHWEIZER
  • Publication number: 20240034592
    Abstract: A medium processing apparatus includes a conveyor, a receptacle, an aligner, a crimp binder, and circuitry. The conveyor conveys a medium. The receptacle holds the medium. The aligner contacts a downstream end of the medium and aligns a position of the medium in a conveyance direction of the medium. The crimp binder faces the downstream end of the medium to press and deform a binding position on media of which the position is aligned, to bind the media. The aligner and the crimp binder are movable in a main scanning direction orthogonal to each of the conveyance direction and a thickness direction of the medium. When determining that the aligner overlaps the binding position when the receptacle is viewed in the thickness direction, the circuitry moves the aligner in the main scanning direction away from the binding position and causes the crimp binder to crimp and bind the media.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuta Yanai, Yuji Susaki
  • Publication number: 20240034593
    Abstract: An elevator includes a shaft, a car movable in the shaft, a drive operatively connected to the car and by which the car can be moved, a brake, a plurality of shaft doors and a safety control system. The safety control system has a secure safety control unit of a first type and at least one secure safety control unit of a second type. The safety control unit of the first type and the at least one safety control unit of the second type are interconnected. The at least one safety control unit of the second type collects a state of any of the shaft doors. The safety control system is adapted such that the state of each of the shaft doors can be collected directly only by one of the safety control unit of the second type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2021
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventor: Valerio Villa
  • Publication number: 20240034594
    Abstract: An elevator device includes: a car which travels through a hoistway; a code tape suspended in the hoistway; a code read sensor which reads a code described in the code tape; a code tape elongation/contraction detection unit which detects an amount of elongation or contraction of the code tape; a reference marker which is installed in the hoistway and which indicates a reference position of the car; a reference sensor which is installed in the car and which detects the reference marker; and a control unit which, when a condition based on the amount of elongation or contraction is satisfied, moves the car to the reference position in accordance with a detection result of the reference sensor, causes position information of the car to be read as reference position information, calculates compensatory position information based on the reference position information, and controls the car using the compensatory position information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2020
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Takuo KUGIYA, Masayuki KAKIO, Eiji YOKOYAMA, Hidetaka ISHIGURO
  • Publication number: 20240034595
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, a state estimation apparatus for a brake apparatus for a hoisting machine, includes a processor. The processor is configured to acquire waveform information of an elastic wave generated in a case where a brake material fixed to a brake plate connected to a rotation shaft of the hoisting machine and a metal plate holding the brake material and restraining movement of the brake plate come into contact with each other using a sensor provided on the metal plate; and estimate at least one of a surface state of the brake material, a surface state of the metal plate, and a contact state between the brake material and the metal plate based on a feature amount of the waveform information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventor: Yoshinori MORI
  • Publication number: 20240034596
    Abstract: An elevator system has an installation bracket fixed in an aligned manner in a region of a door-side shaft wall of an elevator shaft, wherein guide rails for guiding an elevator car arranged in the elevator shaft are fixed on the installation bracket. The installation bracket is fixed exclusively by at least one floor fixing section, wherein the at least one floor fixing section is fixed on a horizontal surface of the floor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2021
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Alessandro D'Apice, Romeo Lo Jacono
  • Publication number: 20240034597
    Abstract: A sliding guide shoe for guiding a counterweight includes a single-piece guide element made of a plastic material. The guide element has an engagement element that extends in the longitudinal direction and can be brought into interlocking engagement in a cutout formed in a yoke of a counterweight frame. The guide element further includes a collar engaging around the cutout and forming a stop for positionally securing the guide element, the collar adjoining the engagement element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2021
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Romeo Lo Jacono, Alessandro D'Apice