Patents Issued in September 17, 2024
  • Patent number: 12091211
    Abstract: The invention includes a container for storing liquids, the container including a blending chamber for holding a larger volume of liquid, and an opening that can be selectively sealed or unsealed. The container also includes a sampling chamber for holding a smaller volume of liquid, and another opening that can be selectively sealed or unsealed. The blending chamber is located within and is at least partially surrounded by the sampling chamber. Fluidically connecting the blending chamber and the sampling chamber is a siphon having an upper opening in the blending chamber and a lower opening in the sampling chamber. The siphon includes a siphoning level, which is a fluid height in the blending chamber at which liquid will siphon from the blending chamber to the sampling chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Inventors: Jacob A. Bertrand, Richard J. Ponton
  • Patent number: 12091212
    Abstract: A packaging assembly includes an outer packaging unit, at least one to-be-packaged unit, and a loading unit configured to accommodate the at least one to-be-packaged unit to limit movement of the at least one to-be-packaged unit with respect to the loading unit. The outer packaging unit includes a receiving unit capable of receiving at least a part of the loading unit and the at least one to-be-packaged unit which are fit to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: Zhuhai Ninestar Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Weijian Chen, Huafeng Zhang
  • Patent number: 12091214
    Abstract: An example fluid container includes a main body and a support leg. The main body has a bottom wall and a sidewall that extends from the bottom wall. The bottom wall has a bottom wall first internal surface and the sidewall has a sidewall first portion, a sidewall second portion, and defines a passageway. The bottom wall first internal surface extends from the sidewall second portion toward the passageway at a downward slope. The support leg extends from the main body and is sized and configured to support the fluid container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: CarmodyIP LLC
    Inventor: Matthew Shane Carmody
  • Patent number: 12091215
    Abstract: A lid-spout assembly for a package intended to contain a pourable product and having a main body including a designated pour opening through which the pourable product can be poured, in use; the lid-spout assembly including a spout having a pouring outlet fluidly connectable with the designated pour opening; and a lid configured to be coupled to the spout to selectively close and open the pouring outlet; the spout including: a base frame configured to couple the spout to the main body about the designated pour opening and having a first wall configured to face, in use, the inner space of the main body, and a collar carrying the pouring outlet and protruding from the base frame; the base frame including a plurality of recesses obtained on the first wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventors: Daniele Palladino, Maurizio Filippini
  • Patent number: 12091216
    Abstract: Disclosed is a packaging container comprising a container body having a bottom end and a top end. The container body comprises a tubular container wall. The packaging container is closed at the bottom end by a base disc which is attached to the inner surface of the container body at the bottom end of the container body. The packaging container comprises a top end closure including a lid. The container body comprises a laminate body sheet material comprising a carton layer and a thermoplastic welding layer being arranged on an inner surface of the container body. The base disc comprises a laminate base sheet material comprising a carton layer and an inner thermoplastic welding layer being arranged on a surface of the base disc which is facing towards the interior of the container body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: AR Packaging Systems AB
    Inventors: Maria Siöland, Lennart Larsson
  • Patent number: 12091217
    Abstract: A beverage container includes a vessel and a stopper. The vessel includes a body with a neck portion. The body has an outer wall and an inner wall, and the neck portion defines an open end of the vessel body. The stopper selectively seals the open end of the vessel body in a closed, sealed position and selectively unseals of the open end of the vessel body in an open position. The stopper includes a body having an outer sidewall and a bottom wall. A seal is releasably connected to the body. The seal has a seal sidewall and a rim extending inwardly from the seal sidewall. The seal sidewall sealingly engages the outer sidewall and the rim sealingly overlaps the bottom wall. The outer sidewall together with the seal define an air pathway for the flow of ambient air into an interior of the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Inventors: Lev Wechsler, Martin Mutch
  • Patent number: 12091218
    Abstract: The present invention provides a snap-on cap that is useful with containers, and in particular, collection containers useful for dental amalgam recycling systems. The snap-on cap is useful for shipping and recycling of particles from a dental liquid effluent drawn, for example, from a suctioning device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Inventors: Robin Schofield, Richard Goulston
  • Patent number: 12091219
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a closure for a container with a base element and a flip-top lid attached to said base element by a hinge. The flip-top lid can be moved between an opened and a closed position. The base element has a skirt with attachment means for attaching the closure to the container, and said flip-top lid has a top cover and a sidewall. The closure comprises an actuating region with a latching element, wherein said actuating region is tiltable and/or deformable relative to the remaining regions of the sidewall between a latching position and a released position. The present invention also relates to a container with such a closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: Aptar Freyung GmbH
    Inventors: Bruno Koenigseder, Daniel Frey
  • Lid
    Patent number: 12091220
    Abstract: A lid having an excellent sealability of an opening part of a container is for attaching to an opening part of a container in a removable manner, characterized in including a cover wall and a side wall which surrounds the circumference of the cover wall, which is tapered from an upper end towards an lower end and which is made of a paper material, wherein the cover wall and the side wall are integrated with each other by a standing part formed on the circumference of the cover wall being joined to an inner surface of an upper wall of the side wall, wherein an engaging part for engaging with the opening part of the container is provided on an inner circumferential side of a lower wall of the side wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: KY7 INC.
    Inventor: Akira Takano
  • Patent number: 12091221
    Abstract: A plastic container comprises a container body having an opening to an interior of the container body; and a lid constructed and arranged for removably coupling to the container body The lid comprises a base portion covering a first region of the opening of the container body; a movable portion covering a second region of the opening of the container body in a closed position and exposing the opening to the interior of the container body in an open position; and a hinge arrangement between the base portion and the movable portion. The movable portion is constructed and arranged to rotate about an axis along which the hinge arrangement extends, and relative to the base portion. The base portion and the movable portion each extends at a predetermined height above the opening of the container body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: F & M TOOL & PLASTICS, INC.
    Inventors: Mark A. Gasbarro, Marie-Eve Quimper
  • Patent number: 12091222
    Abstract: A cap system for a refill capsule for a container for concentrated cleaning fluid is described. The cap system comprises a cap assembly (200) comprising a conduit (203) sealed by a closure member (208), frangibly connected to an inner surface of the conduit (203). The frangible connection extends in a first plane, which is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis (A) of the conduit (203). The cap system further comprises a plug (300), disposed at least partially within the conduit (203), the plug comprising an abutment surface (305) for bearing against the closure member (208), to break the frangible connection (210). The abutment surface (305) extends in a second plane, which is parallel to the first plane in which the frangible connection (210) extends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: Conopco Inc.
    Inventors: Sebastiaan Wilhelmus Josephus den Boer, Matthijs Lucas Bookelmann, Sjoerd Bastiaan Zwartkruis
  • Patent number: 12091223
    Abstract: A perforation pattern for multivarible adjustable height box is provided with improved folding, bending, and separation of adjacent panels. The multivariable perforated adjustable height box may include a box, columns, rows, glue tabs, column scores, row scores, perforations, cuts, skips, and bundle breakers. Perforation patterns may be irregular, angled, shifted, or otherwise configured to increase usability, strength, and/or other aspects of the packaging. A method to produce a packaging device with improved folding, bending, and separation of adjacent panels using the multivariable perforated adjustable height box is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Inventor: Barry Brandt
  • Patent number: 12091224
    Abstract: Packaging for protecting a brush comprises a box and a brush. The brush has bristles forming a particular shape, and the box defines a nose with a corresponding shape for accommodating the bristles without bending or impacting the bristles, whereby the brush holds its form while packaged. The brush preferably is an angular brush. The box includes a lid by which the brush is secured, with a handle of the brush extending through an opening in the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: ZIBRA, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Milton Sherman, William Lane Ball
  • Patent number: 12091225
    Abstract: A bottle packaging assembly includes a bottle packaging comprising a sidewall enclosure, the sidewall enclosure defining an interior cavity and comprising a first sidewall and a second sidewall opposite the first sidewall; a plurality of bottle insert assemblies arranged laterally side-by-side within the interior cavity, wherein each of the bottle insert assemblies comprises: a first bottle insert arranged proximate to the first sidewall and defining a first bottle opening configured to receive a first portion of a bottle; and a second bottle insert arranged proximate to the second sidewall and longitudinally aligned with the first bottle insert, the second bottle insert defining a second bottle opening configured to receive a second portion of the bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: Pratt Corrugated Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Austin Thomas Royal
  • Patent number: 12091226
    Abstract: A dual compartment box for dispensing two different pourable products, the box comprising a blank having an outer front panel, a back panel, an inner front panel, a separator panel, a top panel, and a first slide and a second slide positioned between the top panel and the inner front panel. The panels are foldably connected to form a box having a first compartment and a second compartment. The first slide is moveable laterally to form a first dispensing path, and the second slide is moveable laterally to form a second dispensing path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Inventor: David Hengami
  • Patent number: 12091227
    Abstract: A closure element for closing a container comprises an inner cap member coupled with a mouth of the container, an outer cap member movably coupled to the inner cap member, and a transponder having a chip and an antenna housed between the inner and outer cap members. The closure element further comprises two first capacitor plates connected with the chip, which are attached to one of a top wall of the inner cap member and a top wall of the outer cap member, and a second capacitor plate attached to the other of the top wall of the inner cap member and the top wall of the outer cap member, such that a relative movement of the outer cap member and the inner cap member switches the closure element between a first configuration and a second configuration having a different capacitance between the first and second capacitor plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: Guala Closures S.p.A.
    Inventors: Marco Giovannini, Davide Capra, Luca Viale, James Andrew Oldfield
  • Patent number: 12091228
    Abstract: A reusable dispensing device for dispensing contents into a container. The device including a body having a chamber configured to receive a capsule and configured to sit on an opening of the container. A portion of the body being movable between an unsealed first position and an engaged second position. Piercing means are configured to pierce the capsule, and sealing means are configured to seal the container in the engaged second position. Movement of the body from the unsealed first position to the engaged second position to seal the container engages the piercing means to pierce the capsule and dispense contents from the capsule into the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: ELIXA LIMITED
    Inventors: Peter John Ramsay, Benjamin Harry Alder
  • Patent number: 12091229
    Abstract: A modular aerial cargo aerodynamic encasement and a method for modular aviation cargo transport is provided. The aviation cargo aerodynamic encasement comprises a platform having a planar upper surface configured to accept cargo and a lower surface. The lower surface includes two or more ground supports displacing a portion of the platform from contact with a supporting surface. The platform includes two or more load transfer structures. The aviation cargo aerodynamic encasement further comprises a fairing configured to detachably couple to the platform, wherein the fairing, when coupled to the platform, forms an aerodynamic encasement, and wherein the aerodynamic encasement is detachably mountable to an aircraft by the two or more load transfer structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: ELROY AIR, INC.
    Inventors: Terik Weekes, Sean Belardo, Clint Cope, Colin Owen, Isaiah Jones, Shane Hills, David Merrill
  • Patent number: 12091230
    Abstract: A storage and display assembly for a shaving razor system. The assembly comprising has a case with a top portion and a bottom portion. The top and bottom portions being coupled together so as to be movable relative to one another between a closed position and an open position. The top and bottom portions, when in the closed position, define an inner cavity sized to receive the shaving razor system. A securement cover associated with the top and bottom portions to maintain the top and bottom portions in the to be moved to the open position. The securement cover comprises at least one of product indicia closed position. The securement cover being removable from the case to allow the top and bottom portions or product imagery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: The Gillette Company LLC
    Inventors: Rory Frederick Wellington McGarry, Brian Patrick Watson
  • Patent number: 12091231
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed toward a product package filter assembly that prevents ambient contaminates from entering into the sealable product container. In some embodiments, the product package filter assembly includes an optional support element, a filter element, and a surface film element that are layered together with the filter element between the support element and the surface film element. The perimeters of the support element, the filter element, and the surface film element are sealably joined together. The product package filter assembly is then sealably joined over an opening of a product container. During heating of a product residing in the product container, gases generated in the product container vent out through the product package filter assembly, while the filter element prevents entry of contamination particles into the product container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Inventors: Charlotte C. Squires, Cole Gunderson
  • Patent number: 12091232
    Abstract: A flexible, self-heating food container capable of withstanding high temperatures is provided. The container comprises a two-layer laminate structure having an air access flap that can be lifted by the consumer to allow air to enter the part of the container where an exothermic reaction takes place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott William Huffer
  • Patent number: 12091233
    Abstract: Product box for use in a shipping system for temperature-sensitive materials and shipping system including the product box. In one embodiment, the product box includes a front, a rear, a left side, and a right side. The upper edges of the front and the rear are higher than the upper edges of the left side and the right side. The box also includes upper flaps hingedly connected to the upper edges of each of the front, the rear, the left side, and the right side and further includes lower flaps hingedly connected to the lower edges of each of the front and the rear. When folded, the upper flaps of the front and the rear are spaced above the upper flaps of the left side and the right side, thereby forming an air gap. Wings at the upper edges of the four sides center the product box within a container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: COLD CHAIN TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Henry R. Melchor
  • Patent number: 12091234
    Abstract: A recyclable and environmentally friendly cornet cone package which does not contain an aluminum layer and only contains a paper layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Inventors: Umit Sahin, Ayse Engin
  • Patent number: 12091235
    Abstract: The technology relates to a beverage cartridge. The beverage cartridge may comprise a filter, an enclosure, a coating, and a supplement. The filter may have a predetermined permeability to permit a fluid to flow therethrough. The enclosure may at least substantially surrounding said filter. The coating may be arranged on at least one predetermined portion of the filter, wherein the coating decreases the permeability of the filter to control the flow of the fluid therethrough. The supplement may be arranged on the filter, the supplement adapted to be dissolved or dispersed in the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: Ideators, LLC
    Inventors: Terrance Kaiserman, Andrew Ferber, Joseph Diresta
  • Patent number: 12091237
    Abstract: An adjustable deck positioner includes a vertical member having means for attaching to a deck rim and having a pivot arm bracket; a pivot arm assembly having a pivot arm attached to the pivot arm bracket, wherein the pivot arm may pivot between a substantially vertical position within the pivot arm bracket and an extended position angled away from the vertical member; and a lock pin installed across the pivot arm bracket, for constraining movement of the pivot arm towards the vertical member, thereby setting the angle at which the pivot arm extends from the vertical member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Inventors: Dave Vallee, Elias Lopez
  • Patent number: 12091238
    Abstract: A photovoltaic power generation module installation support system according to the present invention comprises: a conveyor device, which assembles a plurality of photovoltaic power generation modules into one string and moves same in one direction; and a loading cart including an accommodation space in which the string moved from the conveyor device is loaded in the direction that is horizontal to the ground, wherein the conveyor device includes one or more end stoppers for providing a vertical alignment line of the photovoltaic power generation module first arranged at one end of the conveyor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: SAMSUNG C&T CORPORATION
    Inventors: Dong Shik Kim, Ji Hwan Yoon, Kuk Hwan Kim, Jae Seung Cho
  • Patent number: 12091239
    Abstract: A panel includes a first board, a second board, and an edge cap. The first board and the second board each including a core that is sandwiched between and bonded to a first skin and a second skin. The edge cap is positioned between and bonded to the first board and the second board such that a cavity is defined by the first board, the second board, and the edge cap. The cavity is configured to receive an insert and is isolated from forces transferred between the first board and the second board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: Advanced Composite Structures, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas R. Pherson, Michael Carter
  • Patent number: 12091240
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a thermoplastic film that includes dual fragrance odor control. For example, the thermoplastic can film include a first fragrance component, such as a neat oil applied directly thereon. The thermoplastic film can also include an encapsulated fragrance component applied thereon. The encapsulated fragrance component can include a fragrance encapsulated within a plurality of encapsulants and can be configured to delay a release of the fragrance, such as until there is a physical interaction applied to the thermoplastic film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: The Glad Products Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey S Stiglic, Dean A Ferracane, Edward B Tucker, Jacqueline E Yee, Christopher G Anderson
  • Patent number: 12091241
    Abstract: A trash box is a trash box including a trash box main body in which trash is accommodated. A top surface or a side surface of the trash box main body includes an input port via which the trash is put into the trash box main body. A bottom surface of the trash box main body includes an opening-closing portion. The trash box main body is placed such that the opening-closing portion faces a reference plane that is a floor face or ground. The trash box main body is changeable in height from the reference plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Nakamoto, Yuta Itozawa, Hirotaka Komura, Yutaro Takagi, Junya Ota, Kunihiro Iwamoto
  • Patent number: 12091242
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for transporting a waste container. The device comprises a mount for mounting the device to a vehicle, a central support for supporting the waste container, the central support being connected to the mount and being extendable to lift the waste container off the ground, an attachment element for attaching the waste container to the central support, and a lifting mechanism for raising and lowering the waste container when the waste container is attached to the central support, wherein the device is configured such that when the device is mounted to the vehicle, a waste container can be lifted and transported by the vehicle in a substantially upright position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: G H ENTERPRISE (WA) PTY LTD
    Inventor: Graham John Bee
  • Patent number: 12091243
    Abstract: A lock for a lid of a receptacle such as a trash can comprises a gravity pin, a torsion spring, a lower pin, and a latch. The lock can be mounted to the receptacle and lid. The gravity pin and latch operate to substantially prevent the receptacle lid from inadvertently opening, while automatically allowing the lid to open when the receptacle is inverted. Also provided are lids and receptacles comprising lid locks as provided herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: San Diego State University (SDSU) Foundation
    Inventors: David Arushanyan, Jacob Hoppe, Hector Cea, Collin Vizina
  • Patent number: 12091244
    Abstract: A high-density storage system for goods is described in which totes carrying the goods are storage in a storage structure and stored and retrieved by robotic carriers. The carriers move laterally and/or longitudinally along the exterior of the support structure and retrieve totes from the interior of the structure by manipulating rows of coupled totes. Totes at the ends of rows are quickly removed and stored in another row until the desired tote appears at the end of the row, at which point the carrier proceeds with the tote to the exit point of the storage system. Storing totes is also a quick action by pushing them into any row. As a tote is pushed into the row, it will automatically couple with a tote inside the row that it comes into contact with.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: Carnegie Mellon University
    Inventors: Herman Herman, Gabriel Goldman
  • Patent number: 12091245
    Abstract: A traveling platform includes a side arm, a first guide, and two or more travel auxiliary rollers. The side arm expands and retracts in a Y direction. The first guide extends in an X direction and includes a third inside surface to guide the side arm in the X direction. The two or more travel auxiliary rollers are provided to the first guide and restrict movement of the traveling platform in the Y direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: MURATA MACHINERY, LTD.
    Inventors: Akinori Miyagawa, Makoto Konishi
  • Patent number: 12091246
    Abstract: A storage device (1?) for storing transport units (3?) includes a number of transport units (3?), a number of storage lines (12a?-12g?) which are configured to store transport units (3?), a feeding line (11?) which is connected by a respective first switch point (111?) to the storage lines (12a?-12g?), a measuring device (15?) which is arranged on the feeding line (11?) and which is configured to determine a respective extent of a transport unit (3?), and a controller (16?) which is connected to the measuring device (15?) and to the first switch pointes (111?) and which is configured to select a storage line (12a?-12g?) for storing the transport unit (3?) on the basis of the extent of the transport unit (3?) determined by the measuring device (15?).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: FERAG AG
    Inventor: Heinz Altwegg
  • Patent number: 12091247
    Abstract: A product order fulfillment system of mixed product units, the system includes a storage array, an automated transport system, with at least one asynchronous transport system, for level transport, and a lift for between level transport, communicably connected to the storage array so as to automatically retrieve and output, from an output of the storage array, product units distributed in cases in a common part of the storage array. The at least one asynchronous transport system, and the lift are configured so as to form more than one transport echelon, each echelon being communicably connected with the common part and the output, and each effecting orthogonal sortation, corresponding to the transport echelon, of the product units distributed in the common part, so that sorted mixed output product units of the corresponding transport echelon are in predetermined sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: Symbotic LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Medford, Elizabeth Clark-Polner, Jeffrey Adam Traina, Edward Macdonald, Colton Ebersold
  • Patent number: 12091248
    Abstract: A bi-directional shuttle (10) includes: (i) a support platform (14) for supporting goods thereon; (ii) a carriage (12); (iii) at least two primary wheels (22) rotatably connected to the carriage; (iv) at least two secondary wheels (24) fixed against displacement relative to the support platform; the axes of rotation of the secondary wheels being perpendicular to the axes of rotation of the primary wheels; (v) a link (16) that is pivotally connected to the carriage about a link pivot axis, and that includes a bearing surface (30) that is spaced from the link pivot axis; and (vi) a limiter (32) that limits displacement of the bearing surface away from the support platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: PATOU INVESTMENTS (PTY) LTD
    Inventor: Theunis Jacobus Pretorius
  • Patent number: 12091249
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a warehouse shuttle vehicle, the warehouse shuttle vehicle comprising: a vehicle body; a pallet fork movable relative to the vehicle body to extend from or retract to the vehicle body, the pallet fork the two plate-like components being spaced apart and arranged oppositely to clamp goods therebetween; and a foldable shifting fork mounted on each plate-like component of the pallet fork and movable relative to the plate-like component to switch between a first state and a second state, the shifting fork comprising a first blocking component and a second blocking component connected to the first blocking component, wherein in the first state, the first blocking component and the second blocking component are in sequence in a first direction intersecting the plate-like component, and in the second state, the first blocking component and the second blocking component are stacked and both located at an inner side of the plate-like component, thus improving the problem that the heig
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: BEIJING JINGDONG QIANSHI TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Weiquan He
  • Patent number: 12091250
    Abstract: A parcel station including a housing having a front cover which is slidable along at least one side of the housing which further includes a plurality of segments, and wherein the front cover is configured so that two neighboring segments among the plurality of segments are separable from each other to form an opening in the front; and a plurality of storage plates, which are arranged one above the other in the interior space of the housing with respect to planar extensions thereof and which is movable in a direction perpendicular to the planar extensions and in the upper direction and/or the lower direction, wherein the opening extends between at least two neighboring storage plates among the plurality of storage plates and at current positions thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael Schreiber, Nico Munkler, Bahman Moarefi, Gerrit De Graag, Jelle Tjebbes, Joel Dammel, Vitto Bonnemayers, Frank Wolf, Vincent Laurent
  • Patent number: 12091251
    Abstract: A storage system includes: a storage device including a shelf, wherein the shelf includes at least two layers of article platforms; an article transport device, configured to access the articles on the article platforms; and a lifting drive mechanism disposed on the storage device and configured to have a power connection state with the article transport device to drive the article transport device to lift up or down along the shelf in the power connection state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: BEIJING JINGDONG QIANSHI TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Fengquan Huang, Guoku Song, Chen Liu, Mingfu Wu
  • Patent number: 12091252
    Abstract: An apparatus configured to determine a storage position of a plural type of parts to be assembled to a workpiece corresponding to a plural type of products produced in a predetermined period in accordance with a production schedule, in a storage section having a plural row of storage space facing a lane. The apparatus is configured to store a correspondence relationship between a type of the workpiece corresponding to the products and a type of the parts to be assembled to the workpiece, determine the storage position of the plural type of parts in the storage section based on the correspondence relationship, and to output the storage position. The apparatus determines the storage position so that each of the plural type of parts corresponding to the workpiece is respectively dispersed into each of the plural row of the storage section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Maiko Matsumoto, Kenichi Yamakami, Yuki Kitajima, Kaoru Shibata, Shunsuke Hashiguchi
  • Patent number: 12091253
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for sorting or retrieving items to/from a plurality of destinations areas. The items are loaded onto one of a plurality of independently controlled delivery vehicles. The delivery vehicles follow a path to/from the destination areas that are positioned along the path. Along the path, the vehicles are scanned to determine if any item on the vehicles extends beyond a dimensional constraint. If it is determined that an item on a vehicle extends above the pre-determined threshold, the vehicle is controlled, such as by stopping or re-directing the vehicle. Once at the appropriate destination area, an item is transferred between the delivery vehicle and the destination area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: OPEX Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher Lynch, Alexander Stevens, Robert R. DeWitt, William L. Heins, III
  • Patent number: 12091254
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for fulfilling orders by a picker utilizing multiple different levels of container-storage devices (tote-storage devices in some embodiments), all interconnected by at least one different type of conveyance device. The use of more than one level of tote-storage device is referred to as multi-level tote storage. The storage is utilized to hold containers and to sequence the containers in a preferred order that enhances the pick rate/performance. The performance and location of the container storage on the conveyance device(s) relative to the picker is determined by the required pick rate/performance of the system. The conveyance devices recirculate the containers between different levels of container storage at specific times based on a multi-level tote storage simulation control algorithm that provides the optimum pick rate/performance until such time the picker completes all the pick requests assigned to the picker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Inventor: Robert D. Ahmann
  • Patent number: 12091255
    Abstract: A conveyor system includes a conveyor belt having a plurality of article-diverting conveyor belt rollers. An underlying drive roller assembly includes a plurality of pivotable rollers carriers, each having a freely rotatable drive roller that contacts the conveyor belt rollers from below. An actuator engages an orientation device to pivot the carriers and change the orientation of the drive rollers. The drive rollers may also move into and out of engagement with the conveyor belt rollers as their orientation changes. The orientation device is sandwiched between three-dimensional support plates to adjust the orientation of the drive rollers relative to the belt rollers. A top support plate includes corrugated vertical walls forming wearstrip holders. The orientation device may raise or lower the drive rollers during pivoting of the roller carriers. The drive roller assembly may be a modular assembly that can be customized for varying sizes, shapes and configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Matthew L. Fourney, Joseph F. Kovacs, Angela Longo Marshall, Christopher B. Spicer, John E. Wenzel, Yorrick Mulder
  • Patent number: 12091256
    Abstract: A sprocket configured for use with a conveyor belt and capable of resisting material buildup up is disclosed. The sprocket includes a sprocket body including a hub, a webbing, and a plurality of teeth. In one form, at least one tooth of the plurality of teeth defines a thickness in an axial direction that varies between an inner portion and an outer portion of the tooth. In another form, at least one tooth extends radially from a sprocket root near the webbing, the sprocket root including a curved base that extends axially away from the webbing to a lateral surface of the at least one sprocket tooth. In yet another form, a hub height is greater than a tooth thickness and the tooth thickness is greater than a web thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: Cambridge International, Inc.
    Inventor: George H. Messick, Jr.
  • Patent number: 12091257
    Abstract: A travel path of an article transport facility provided with a plurality of article transport vehicles that travel along the travel path and transport articles, and a control device that controls operation of the article transport vehicles includes a path set in an inspection area for causing a target transport vehicle designated as an inspection target from among the plurality of article transport vehicles to travel along. The target transport vehicle includes a sensor that detects behavior of the target transport vehicle during travel. The control device controls the plurality of article transport vehicles such that only the one target transport vehicle is present in the inspection area, and causes the target transport vehicle to travel in the inspection area in an inspection travel pattern prescribed in advance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: Daifuku Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koichi Hagiwara, Shota Masamura
  • Patent number: 12091258
    Abstract: A system for monitoring conveyor belts is disclosed. The system includes a printed inductive antenna loop, a transmitter, a detector, and circuitry. The antenna is printed on and/or installed (inserted) into a conveyor belt. The transmitter is proximate the printed antenna and is configured to generate an electromagnetic field. The detector is configured to measure an induced electric field from the printed inductive antenna loop. The circuitry is configured to detect damage of the conveyor belt based on the measured induced electromagnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: ContiTech Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Jack Bruce Wallace, Janosch Kneer, Juerg Schleuniger, Sebastian Seibold, Andrey Minkin, Christel Bäuerle-Müller, Stavros Podias
  • Patent number: 12091259
    Abstract: A system and method for conveyor configuration and testing. The system is configured to execute the method, which includes: receive input data relating to configuration of a conveyor system; prepare a simulation of the configured conveyor system; operate the simulation of the conveyor system; determine at least one operational parameter related to the conveyor system to be monitored; monitor the at least one operational parameter during operation of the simulation of the conveyor system; determine if the configuration of the conveyor system needs to be adjusted based on the monitored operational parameter; if the configuration needs to be adjusted, automatically make an adjustment and return to operate the simulation of the conveyor system; and continue the simulation until otherwise terminated. In some cases, the monitoring operational parameters uses a machine learning model based on actual data from operating conveyors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Inventors: Stanley Kleinikkink, Javan Taylor, Imran Ahmed
  • Patent number: 12091260
    Abstract: A conveying device has an accumulation area for accumulating objects, and an operating method operates the conveying device. Using a measuring device, the object rear edge of a first object and the object front edge of a second object which follows the first object are detected. The position of the objects is determined using rotation signals from the drives of conveyor elements. For the second object, a continuous curve of a speed reduction of a target speed is calculated, wherein the calculated stop position of the object front edge of the second object is located at the position of the object rear edge of the stopped first object, or between the object front edge of the stopped first object and the object rear edge of the stopped first object. Subsequently, the second object is moved and stopped using the conveyor elements on the basis of the calculated speed reduction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: TGW Mechanics GmbH
    Inventors: Manuel Schoenbauer, Florian Georg Karer, Richard Grimminger, Simon Kaltseis, Martin Rausch
  • Patent number: 12091261
    Abstract: A conveyance apparatus, a conveyance method and a food production method that enable to accurately place a conveyance object on a conveyance body while enabling the conveyance object to be conveyed at high speed by the conveyance body are provided. A catcher is moved to be arranged in a raised position where a placement surface is located above a conveyance surface, and in a lowered position where the placement surface is located at a same height as the conveyance surface or where the placement surface is located below the conveyance surface. A conveyance object supply unit places a first conveyance object onto the placement surface in such a manner that the first conveyance object is received by the placement surface above the conveyance surface. The catcher is moved from the raised position toward the lowered position so that the first conveyance object is conveyed downstream by the conveyance body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: NICHIREI FOODS INC.
    Inventors: Ryuichi Itou, Minoru Mamiya, Suguru Hirayama
  • Patent number: 12091262
    Abstract: Provided is an article sorting device that can handle various containers without necessarily requiring a change of parts. The article sorting device includes a rotating table, a pocket, a guide, a position control unit, and a sorting unit. The position control unit controls a radial position of the pocket to a specified position that is a first position or a second position located radially outward relative to the first position. The sorting unit guides an article to different paths depending on whether the radial position of the pocket is at the first position or the second position when a circumferential position of the pocket reaches a sorting position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: IL PHARMA PACKAGING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Kureishi, Hironori Iwamatsu, Akira Sumitani, Shinichi Tanaka, Hiroyuki Ito, Akiyoshi Ando