Condition Responsive Control Means Including Sensing Condition Of Source Or Destination Patents (Class 198/358)
  • Patent number: 11325789
    Abstract: A sorting facility for sorting articles by a plurality of connected conveyance carriages. The sorting facility includes a supervisory controller managing a position of each of the conveyance carriages, a trigger sensor detecting each of the conveyance carriages, and a belt conveyor provided on each of the conveyance carriages. The supervisory controller identifies each of the conveyance carriages that should deliver the articles to the chute based on the managed position of each of the conveyance carriages. The supervisory controller instructs the belt conveyor provided in each of the conveyance carriages identified to start a delivery operation of each of the articles at timing when each of the conveyance carriages identified is detected by the trigger sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: DAIFUKU CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuichi Ueda, Osamu Matsui, Hiroyuki Koide, Atsushi Ishikura
  • Patent number: 11254516
    Abstract: An inventory container diverter system is described. The system includes a conveyor to move totes through a shipment processing area and a redirection device to push totes perpendicularly off the conveyor at predetermined locations. Adjacent the redirection device is a chute which the tote slides down to present the tote to a user at an easily accessible height and tilted at such an angle to enable simple and efficient access to the interior of the tote. The chute includes a door to help prevent totes from falling out of the chute. A tote sensor detects when the chute is occupied by a tote or when it is clear and a door sensor detects when the door of the chute is closed. When the door is closed and the chute is clear the system directs a new tote to the redirection device and pushes it into the chute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Sayeedur Rahman, Sivan Almosnino, Dan Lorne Robin, Lisa Garamella
  • Patent number: 11198579
    Abstract: A switching device (130) for transferring and ejecting a plate element (20) in a sorting unit (100), comprises: transport means (132), capable of transporting (A) the plate element (20) from upstream to downstream; a pivot (134), positioned in an upstream portion of the transport means (132), and allowing the transport means (132) to tilt relative to a horizontal transverse axis (R2); and raising means (135), secured in a downstream portion of the transport means (132), for tilting the downstream portion of the transport means (132) between a high first position and a low second position, and vice versa, so as to switch the plate element (20), respectively upward and downward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Bobst Mex SA
    Inventor: Pascal Marciano
  • Patent number: 11120669
    Abstract: A media depository is described. The media depository comprises: a media item validation module; a diverter for routing a received media item via either a storage path or a return path; an escrow for temporarily holding received media items; and a printer located between the diverter and the escrow so that the printer can print on any media items transported via the return path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: Joshua Bruce, Fredrik L. N. Kallin, Robert Ross, Abhay Fernandez, Mathew Joseph, Ahmed Mezil
  • Patent number: 11091326
    Abstract: A luggage conveyor device for efficiently supplying a plurality of inspection objects to be inspected or individual items in general to an inspection device (4) is provided. The conveyor device (1, 2, 3) is particularly efficiently designed such that an inspection object inspection is carried out quickly and smoothly. A correspondingly designed method for operating the conveyor device (1, 2, 3), and to a computer program product including control commands for implementing the method or operating the conveyor device (1, 2, 3) are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Smiths Detection Germany GmbH
    Inventors: Alexandra Seifert, Andreas Busch
  • Patent number: 11092613
    Abstract: A method of operating a laboratory sample distribution system is presented. The laboratory sample distribution system comprises a number of sample container carriers. The sample container carriers are adapted to carry one or more sample containers. The sample containers comprise samples to be analyzed by a number of laboratory stations. The laboratory sample distribution system also comprises a transport plane. The transport plane is adapted to support the sample container carriers. The method comprises allocating an area of the transport plane as a buffer area. The buffer area is adapted to store a variable number of sample container carriers. The method also comprises controlling the buffer area using a puzzle-based control scheme or using an aisle-based control scheme as a function of a storage density of the buffer area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Mohammadreza Mahmudimanesh, Sophia Bruntsch, Soraya Garcia Bustos, Walter Ebner, Shubin Ren, Mohsin Reza, Daniel Diez Diaz-Calonge
  • Patent number: 10933445
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for automated gates to secure mobile carrier unit payloads. In one embodiment, an example system for a mobile carrier unit of a sortation system may include an automated gate configured to block an open end of the mobile carrier unit in a first position, and to unblock the open end of the mobile carrier unit in a second position, and a controller configured to control operation of the gate. The controller may be configured to determine that the conveyor belt is activated, cause the automated gate to move to the second position, determine that the item is off the conveyor belt, and cause the automated gate to move to the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Emily R. Parrish, Akshay Rajendra Tilekar, Larry Robb, Jon S. Battles, Kevin W. Keck, Jacqueline T. Underberg, Justin Stone, Thomas Felis
  • Patent number: 10723564
    Abstract: A method for moving a rotor onto a segment, a linear drive, a production machine, a machine tool, and a packaging machine comprising such a linear drive, wherein the actual speed of the rotor is ascertained using a sensor paired with the segment when the rotor is moved onto the segment, where the actual speed is selected by a control unit as the first target speed for the rotor, and after the target speed has been determined for the rotor, the regulation of the actual speed is activated for the rotor, and where the actual speed of the rotor is then regulated in accordance with a conventional rule, wherein a rule variable is the ascertained actual speed and/or the position of the rotor such that jerking or an undesired acceleration is prevented during transition of the rotor onto the segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Michael Jaentsch, Carsten Spindler
  • Patent number: 10322883
    Abstract: An object is to provide a conveyor that enables the number of information read-out devices to be largely reduced and that can be easily constructed. An object identifying device (45) is installed in the first zone. The object identifying device (45) is a bar code reader. Information read by the bar code reader is transmitted to a host control device (46). The host control device (46) identifies an object from information described in a bar code, makes an inquiry about a conveyance destination of an object, transmits the address of the target place to a zone controller (10) of the second zone, and inputs the address to a conveyance destination storage unit of the zone controller (10) of the second zone. The conveyance destination information input to the conveyance destination storage unit is passed on to the downstream zone controller (10) with the conveyance of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Itoh Denki Co.
    Inventors: Kazuo Itoh, Toshiyuki Tachibana, Akira Takanaga, Yoshiyuki Kujihashi
  • Patent number: 10233034
    Abstract: A product distribution unit removes rows of products from a production flow conveyed on a main conveyor and conveys them by a distribution device to a packaging machine. A waiting belt, which is arranged beneath the main conveyor and can be displaced in the main direction of conveyance, is used for taking over rows of products from the main conveyor and delivering the rows of products to a discharge belt desynchronized from the main conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: ROTZINGER AG
    Inventor: Kurt Philipp
  • Patent number: 10214366
    Abstract: A drop batch builder is provided for organizing a plurality of glass sheets into a desired batch arrangement on a conveyor. The drop batch builder includes an upper conveyor line and a lower conveyor line. The upper conveyor has a drop region configured to drop a first glass sheet from the upper conveyor line downwardly onto the lower conveyor line, whereupon the lower conveyor line is configured to convey the first glass sheet along the lower path of substrate travel to the overpass region where the first glass sheet is positioned under the upper conveyor line. Methods of using a drop batch builder are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Cardinal IG Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Milewski, Robert C. Buchanan, Jonathan D. Wyman
  • Patent number: 10054936
    Abstract: A manufacturing execution system (MES) for providing an indication of the performance of the line. The MES includes a configuration module for modeling entities and lines containing the entities. The MES also includes a runtime module configured to determine the entities on the line whose production can be extrapolated to evaluate the performance of the line. In some cases, the MES determines which of the entities on the line limits the performance of the line; in other cases, the MES determines which of the entities has a production amount that best represents that of the line. The MES is operatively connected to field inputs associated with the entities that provide production data for the entities. Using the production data for the entities chosen to represent the line, the MES generates production metrics representative of the performance of the line and displays them to MES users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Schneider Electric Software, LLC
    Inventors: Raghavendran Gobalakrishnan, Keith Richard Frantz, Jeffrey Kohen Barkehanai
  • Patent number: 9878855
    Abstract: A method and device for feeding at least one receiving surface between two consecutive stations in a production line for handling products on an assembly line, the device having a pick-up zone from where the products are transferred to the surface, and including an input conveyor to receive and maintain a compact flow of products received from an upstream station, a receiving conveyor, extending along a conveying direction in the pick-up zone to receive and then stop the flow of products there delivered by the input conveyor, an a transfer unit, to move, transversely to the conveying direction, toward the receiving surface, the products stopped in the pick-up zone. The device further includes at least one buffer conveying element, able to receive the compact flow of products from the input conveyor when the products are stopped on the receiving conveyor for their transfer, and maintain the compactness of the flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: GEBO PACKAGING SOLUTIONS FRANCE SAS
    Inventor: Anthony Gehin
  • Patent number: 9824318
    Abstract: Disclosed are various implementations for a labor recommendation application. Historical worker assignments and work buffer states for materials processing facilities are selected. Lost labor times are determined as a function of the historical worker assignments and buffer states. A statistical analysis is performed on the lost labor times, the historical worker assignments, or the work buffer states. A labor recommendation for a materials processing facility to minimize estimated lost labor time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Lusthaus, Kashif Usmani, Borys Derevyanchenko, Julien Samuel Lord
  • Patent number: 9773173
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for screening luggage are provided. X-ray images derived by scanning the luggage with X-rays are received and processed with an automated threat detection (ATD) engine. A determination is then made whether to subject respective ones of the X-ray images to further visual inspection by a human operator at least in part based on results obtained by the ATD engine. In certain cases, visual inspection by a human operator is by-passed and the ATD results are relied upon in order to mark luggage for further inspection or to mark luggage as clear. In another aspect, X-ray images derived by scanning the luggage using two or more X-ray scanning devices are pooled at a centralized location. ATD operations are applied to the X-ray images, which are then provided “on-demand” to a human operator for visual inspection. Results of the visual inspection are entered by the human operator and then conveyed to on-site screening technicians associated with respective X-ray scanning devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Optosecurity Inc.
    Inventor: Luc Perron
  • Patent number: 9771222
    Abstract: A camera based vision system that recognizes and maximizes belt area utilization. A plurality of cameras are positioned at flow entry points of feed conveyors and at the singulator. The control algorithm recognizes individual items area, the rate at which individual objects are passing, and the area utilization of the collector belt. The video camera and computer based conveyor package management system monitor and control the number and size of the packages present on the infeed conveyors, collector conveyor, singulator conveyor and sorting conveyor in a package handling system wherein the camera data is used to measure the available area or space on the conveyors to maintain a desired density of packages on selected conveyor(s). The conveyor speed is controlled as a function of occupancy on a collector or just prior to a singulator or receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Fives Intralogistics Corp.
    Inventor: Steven Vann Schroader
  • Patent number: 9745141
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for addressing/sequencing at least one control component (170 . . . 177) of a group comprising multiple control components (170 . . . 177) of a conveying system (1), said components being linearly interlinked via a daisy-chain selection line (23). The addressing process starts at any point in the chain and continues to the end of the respective branch of said chain. Subsequently, in one of the two branches the numbering of the control components (170 . . . 177) is reversed. Also disclosed is a conveying system (1) on which said method can be carried out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: TGW Mechanics GmbH
    Inventor: Josef Reischl
  • Patent number: 9598243
    Abstract: A laboratory sample distribution system is presented. The system comprises a plurality of container carriers. The container carriers each comprise at least one magnetically active device such as, for example, at least one permanent magnet, and carry a sample container containing a sample. The system also comprises a transport device. The transport device comprises a transport plane to carry the plurality of container carriers and a plurality of electro-magnetic actuators stationary arranged below the transport plane. The electro-magnetic actuators move a container carrier placed on top of the transport plane by applying a magnetic force to the container carrier. The transport device also comprises a control device to control the movement of the container carriers on top of the transport plane by driving the electro-magnetic actuators. The control device controls the movement such that more than two container carriers are movable simultaneously and independently from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Oliver Denninger, Michael Heise, Hans Schneider
  • Patent number: 9496815
    Abstract: A method for operating a linear motor assembly includes: open-loop controlled introduction of electric energy to a first stator segment provided with solenoids for an open-loop controlled provision of a magnetic field for a permanent magnet arrangement of a conveying means for a generation of drive forces, and closed-loop controlled introduction of electric energy to a second stator segment provided with a measuring device for a detection of a position of a conveying means and with solenoids for a closed-loop controlled provision of a magnetic field acting on the conveying means, wherein a controlling device effects a temporary switch-over of the second stator segment from a closed-loop controlled state to an open-loop controlled state at a transition of the conveying means from the first stator segment to the second stator segment, and/or at a transition of the conveying means from the second stator segment to the first stator segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: FESTO AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Dominic Kadynski, Jan Reimer, Benjamin Klein, Ralf Hartramph
  • Patent number: 9352927
    Abstract: A stacking system for stacking paper from a linear feed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: VITS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: John Salamone
  • Patent number: 9220276
    Abstract: An improved spiral oven and method for its use includes the step of using a forward/reversing fan to produce a first airflow and a second inverted airflow in the cooking chamber. The proportion of time each airflow occurs may be unbalanced within an oven residence time or cook cycle, and either airflow may begin the cycle. The first airflow creates a flow across the cook belt predominantly at the top and bottom tiers, whereas the second airflow creates this flow predominantly in the middle tiers. A braking resistor allows the fan to quickly changeover between full-forward and full-reverse directions. Because of the reversing airflow pattern, the product cooks more evenly across the cook belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Unitherm Food Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: David Howard
  • Patent number: 9022199
    Abstract: A machining module includes a molding system, a painting system and a transporting system. The transporting system is positioned between the molding system and the painting system. The transporting system automatically transports a plurality of blank members produced by the molding system to the painting system. The transporting system defines a detecting station for detecting the blank members and an assembly station for assembling the detected blank members to the painting system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ming-Wei Hong, Chien-Ming Chang
  • Patent number: 9010517
    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 track that guides the delivery vehicles to/from the destination areas, which are positioned along the track. Once at the appropriate destination area, an item is transferred between the delivery vehicle and the destination area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Opex Corporation
    Inventors: George Hayduchok, Robert R DeWitt
  • Publication number: 20150101908
    Abstract: The present subject matter relates to article carriers and related methods for use in grading apparatus and in particular, but not exclusively, for use in grading fruit. The present subject matter provides an article carrying apparatus comprising a plurality of carrier lanes each for receiving and conveying a number of articles; one or more diverters arranged to control the distribution of received articles into the lanes; a sensor arranged to determine a capacity use parameter for each lane; and a controller arranged to control the position of each diverter dependent on the determined capacity use parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: Lee Adrian Cook, Jonathan Patrick Jackson
  • Publication number: 20150083549
    Abstract: Described herein is a method for configuring a sorting system with multiple carriers. A sensor is provided on one of the sensors and the sensor is passed across a number of divert locations. An index feature at each divert location is detected by the sensor and the logical position of each divert location is determined. The divert locations are then indexed to the logical position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventor: Mukesh Ram
  • Publication number: 20150053530
    Abstract: A system and a method for processing of optical lenses in which the processing takes place by means of different processing apparatus between which there is a respective transfer apparatus. The transfer apparatus are used both for longitudinal and also cross conveyance. Each processing apparatus has its own conveyor apparatus which is controlled by the processing apparatus itself. The transfer apparatus are controlled by a central transfer control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventor: Gunter Schneider
  • Patent number: 8909369
    Abstract: A transport device is configured to transport different kinds of articles which have different lengths from the held portion or a position corresponding to the held portion to one end portion along the fore and aft direction. There are provided an article detection device for detecting an article, end detection device for detecting the one end portion, along the fore and aft direction, of the article detected by the article detecting device, and a determination device for determining the kind of the article based on detected information from the article detecting device and detected information from the end detection device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Daifuku Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinsuke Kawamura, Takahiro Horii
  • Patent number: 8899404
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems, methods, and devices for efficient passenger belonging screening at security checkpoints. In certain embodiments, the present invention provides systems, methods, and devices for tracking, analyzing, and collecting information in order to improve efficiency at security checkpoints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Smiths Heimann GmbH
    Inventors: Hans Joachim Schoepe, Stefan Aust, Kristofer Roe, Jason Dylan Gash
  • Patent number: 8880217
    Abstract: A picking system includes a conveyer, a robot, a main camera, and a control device. The conveyer conveys workpieces. The robot performs a holding operation and a moving operation on the workpieces. The main camera captures the transport path of the conveyer. The control device detects the workpiece on the basis of the image captured by the main camera and instructs the robot to perform the holding operation on the detected workpiece. Moreover, the control device instructs the robot to perform the holding operation on the overlapped workpieces when the overlapping of the workpieces is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Yaskawa Denki
    Inventors: Tetsuro Izumi, Kenichi Koyanagi, Kenji Matsukuma, Yukio Hashiguchi
  • Patent number: 8833541
    Abstract: A package handling device includes a conveyor, a sensor system and a reject system. The conveyor transports a product along a product handling line. The sensor system is proximate to the conveyor system to determine at least one characteristic of the product for comparison to product acceptance criteria. Failure of the product to meet product acceptance criteria generates a reject signal. The reject system directs the product to a reject bin responsive to the reject signal via a movable assembly that moves a portion of the conveyor to create a gap in the product handling line. The reject system includes a retract slide adjustment bracket that has at least one mounting position to which a selected retraction device is attachable to define a size of the gap based on the selected retraction device and the at least one mounting position limiting a movement range of the movable assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Carlos A. Aillon, Craig R. Scachitti
  • Patent number: 8827066
    Abstract: Provided is a package automation apparatus including: a detection unit configured to detect package information of a package conveyed to a tray; a chute operation unit configured to operate a package loading chute so that the package is loaded on at least one of a plurality of sorting spaces formed at a pallet adjacent to the tray; and a control unit configured to transfer an operation control signal of the package loading chute to the chute operation unit so that the package is loaded on any one of the plurality of sorting spaces, based on the package information, in order to easily sort the package automatically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Young Won Kim, Dong Gil Na, Hoon Jung
  • Publication number: 20140231217
    Abstract: A laboratory sample distribution system is presented. The system comprises a plurality of container carriers. The container carriers each comprise at least one magnetically active device such as, for example, at least one permanent magnet, and carry a sample container containing a sample. The system also comprises a transport device. The transport device comprises a transport plane to carry the plurality of container carriers and a plurality of electro-magnetic actuators stationary arranged below the transport plane. The electro-magnetic actuators move a container carrier placed on top of the transport plane by applying a magnetic force to the container carrier. The transport device also comprises a control device to control the movement of the container carriers on top of the transport plane by driving the electro-magnetic actuators. The control device controls the movement such that more than two container carriers are movable simultaneously and independently from one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Oliver Denninger, Michael Heise, Hans Schneider
  • Patent number: 8782875
    Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a component mounting apparatus which includes a plurality of substrate conveying lanes and which efficiently controls the order of carrying in of substrates, thereby capable of improving productivity, and also is to provide a substrate conveyance method in the component mounting apparatus. In a configuration which includes: component supplying units (20A, 20B) positioned lateral to conveyor lines including conveyors (10A, 10B, 10C, 10D) arranged in parallel; and a substrate distributing unit (M3B) configured to distribute substrates (13) delivered from an upstream apparatus, in the case where a substrate request signal (R) is output for a plurality of conveyors, a new substrate (13) is carried in from the substrate distributing unit (M3B) into conveyors (10A, 10D) which are closest to the component supplying units (20A, 20B) among the conveyors (10A, 10B, 10C, 10D).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Takeyuki Kawase, Yoshiyuki Kitagawa, Shuzo Yagi
  • Patent number: 8682480
    Abstract: An arrangement (1) and to a method is for detecting and controlling piece goods (2), having a code, in a commissioning system. The piece goods are fed on a conveyor line (3) through a scanning device (15), and are identified as actual data and are compared or captured to target data of the piece goods quantity stored in a central computer. The piece goods are separated out if the target data do not match the actual data. The invention proposes that a plurality of ejection devices (13) are provided. Each of the ejection devices (13) fills a positioned order container (25) of a particular commissioning order with piece goods, and piece goods that are not detected or sorted out are discharged to the longitudinal end of the conveyor line (3). The piece goods of various commissioning orders are randomly distributed on the central belt (27) of an automated commissioning machine and fed to the arrangement (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Knapp AG
    Inventor: Karl Freudelsperger
  • Patent number: 8678169
    Abstract: A checkpoint system, wheeled bins for a checkpoint system, and methods for conveying articles in wheeled bins through a checkpoint system. Each bin has four wheels that do not extend below the bin's flat bottom. In this way, the bin can be slid on its bottom along a shallow, troughed divesting table while it is being filled and conveyed on its bottom through a checkpoint and rolled on its wheels along a deeper troughed discharge lane. A bin return beneath the discharge lane returns bins to a bin storage queue beneath the divesting table. A sorter at the output of the checkpoint selectively diverts bins to one or more discharge lanes, such as individual lanes for cleared and for suspect bin contents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Andrew N. Baker, Matthew L. Fourney
  • Publication number: 20140054130
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an egg transport device for a packaging device for eggs, comprising a distribution conveyor which extends in a direction of transport from a feed outer end to a discharge outer end and which, as seen in the direction of transport, is bounded on either side by guides extending at least substantially in the direction of transport, which egg transport device is adapted to deliver eggs over at least two discharge tracks of a discharge conveyor (12) which are distributed in a width direction extending at right angles to the direction of transport, wherein the feed conveyor comprises at least over a part of its length at least two distribution belts (17) extending parallel to each other and drivable independently of each other by drive devices, and distributing sections (9) lying in the line thereof, and sensors (7,10) are further provided which during use detect the delivery of an egg to a distributing section (9).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: Moba Group B.V.
    Inventor: Berend Derk Grootherder
  • Publication number: 20140044507
    Abstract: Method of controlling the amount of material delivered by conveyor belt includes measuring the speed of the conveyor belt or a drive pulley that drives the conveyor belt. A weighing device weighs material dispensed onto the conveyor belt from at least one material dispenser. Based at least in part upon such speed and weight measurements, an electronic controller maintains or changes the speed of the conveyor belt by dictating the output of at least one motor that drives the drive pulley.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Brent Naizer, Ronnie Hughes
  • Patent number: 8631923
    Abstract: A device sorting apparatus 100 is disclosed herein. In a described embodiment, the device sorting apparatus 100 comprises a plurality of bin connectors 120 for coupling to respective bins for storing sorted devices and a rotary distribution module 102 for receiving a device 200 to be sorted and for discharging the device 200 selectively into one of the bin connectors 120 to enable the device 200 to be unloaded to the respective bin. The device sorting apparatus 100 further comprises a sensor 110 coupled to the rotary distribution module 102 for detecting the discharge of the device 200, and which is rotatable together with the rotary distribution module 102; and a rotary transformer 400 for powering the sensor 110.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: ASM Technology Singapore Pte Ltd
    Inventors: Chak Tong Sze, Pei Wei Tsai, Wai Hong Sizto, Chunbai Wang, Wai Chuen Gan, Shing Wai Tam
  • Patent number: 8622194
    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 track that guides the delivery vehicles to/from the destination areas, which are positioned along the track. Once at the appropriate destination area, an item is transferred between the delivery vehicle and the destination area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Opex Corporation
    Inventors: Robert R DeWitt, George L Hayduchok
  • Publication number: 20130299308
    Abstract: A letter processing apparatus has a first transporting passage, a first detection unit, a second transporting passage, a second detection unit, a third transporting passage, and a sorting control unit. The first detection unit detects the letter transported in the first transporting passage. The second detection unit detects the letter transported in the second transporting passage. The third transporting passage causes the letter to pass. The sorting control unit directs a first letter to the first transporting passage and directs a second letter transported after the first letter to the second transporting passage. On the basis of the inter-letter distance between the two letters being transported, the transporting speed of each letter, and the preparation time from end time for the first detection to the start time of the second detection, a third letter is sorted to the first transporting passages, the second transporting passages or the third transporting passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Takayuki MIMURA
  • Patent number: 8567586
    Abstract: In a transport system, a plurality of carriers are attached to an endless belt configured to rotate in a circulating manner. The carriers hold articles for transportation. Each of the carriers includes an identification target for carrier identification. A plurality of stations are provided, and each of the stations includes a hand configured to load articles to or unload articles from the carriers and a sensor configured to detect the identification target at a predetermined position upstream of the hand along a rotation direction of the belt. The carrier is identified, and an appearance of the carrier is recognized based on a signal from the sensor to operate the hand for a desired carrier. The carrier can be identified using the sensor to detect the position of the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Murata Machinery, Ltd.
    Inventor: Tomoya Kimata
  • Publication number: 20130270064
    Abstract: The invention is relates to an arrangement for carrying out steps in connection with a distribution of print products, so-called print product distribution. In this arrangement, devices for commissioning and devices for remission of print products are combined, with at least one of the devices being involved both in the commissioning and the remission so that error-free commissioning and a correct remission are performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: TWI GmbH
    Inventor: Hans-Joachim Eberhard
  • Publication number: 20130270063
    Abstract: A goods transport facility provided with a detected body installed on the ground side for providing stop control. A detected-body detector on a mobile assembly detects the presence of the detected body. The goods transport facility is switchable between a first and a second control status so that when a fire detector means detects that no goods are on fire, the first control status is maintained. Once the fire detector detects a fire, the status is switched to the second control status. In the first control status, a mobile assembly control provides travel control using an optical distance-measuring sensor to control the actuation of the mobile assembly. In the second control status, the actuation of the mobile assembly travels until detected by the detected-body detector for a goods storage section to which goods are to be transferred, and brought into alignment with the target travel position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: DAIFUKU CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kazuharu Yoshinaga
  • Patent number: 8528720
    Abstract: Utility of a circuit-substrate working machine including a substrate conveyor device and a shuttle conveyor designed to shift a circuit substrate in a direction intersecting a conveying direction is improved. Based on transmission of a deliverable-state advance notification signal for one of conveyor lanes of an upstream printer, a movable conveyor lane of an intermediate shuttle conveyor is moved to a position continuous to the one conveyor lane. The circuit substrate is delivered to the movable conveyor lane in a state in which the movable conveyor lane is located at a circuit-substrate receiving position, a receivable-state advance notification signal is produced for a receiving lane for receiving the circuit substrate supplied from one of conveyor lanes of a downstream printer which has transmitted a deliverable-state advance notification signal, and a receivable-state signal and a deliverable-state signal are obtained. The circuit substrate is then delivered to the receiving lane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Fuji Machine Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Mizukoshi, Mitsuaki Kato
  • Patent number: 8499920
    Abstract: In a conveyor device including a branch path, the number of articles sorted to the branch path is counted accurately. The conveyor device conveys a plurality of articles and includes a main conveyor, a first branch path, a first detector, a second detector, a detection information processing section, and a charging conveyor. The first branch path branches from the main conveyor at a first branch point. The first detector and the second detector are arranged upstream and downstream, respectively, of the branch point along a conveyance direction and are arranged to detect articles on the main conveyor. The detection information processing section is configured to calculate the number of articles sorted to the first branch path based on a difference between the number of articles detected by the first detector and the number of articles detected by the second detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Murata Machinery, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuhiko Ogawa
  • Patent number: 8474595
    Abstract: A system for screening carry-on baggage and other items carried by individuals is provided that includes a screening device, especially an X-ray screening device, a conveyor for conveying the items to be screened through the screening device, a support surface arranged upstream of the conveyor, a removal position for the items, arranged downstream of the conveyor, transport trays that are to be placed on the conveyor and in which small objects and items of clothing can be placed and conveyed through the screening device for screening, and a return conveyor for the empty transport trays. The return conveyor leads to a tray lift, the exit of which leads to a tray transfer path extending in parallel to the support surface, the transfer path tapering towards the support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Smiths Heimann GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias Crass, Sebastian Haak
  • Patent number: 8418830
    Abstract: At present, the removal the sticks from the mineral feeding lines, as a result of the mineral extraction, is carried out manually or using mechanical equipment, which means a loss of efficiency of the grinding and crushing system, high exposure to the risks associated to the removal of foreign elements of grinding material, this method does not guarantee problems from this cause in the subsequent stages in the grinding and crushing process. Due to the above, a robot system and method have been developed for the removal of sticks from the conveyor belts. The robotic system is composed mainly of an anthropomorphous robotic manipulator of at least 5 degrees of freedom, and a gripping mechanism which is supported by a vision system allowing, in a sequential and programmed way, to remove the sticks. In this regard, most of the problems associated to the safety of the personnel and the productivity of the current manual and/or mechanical process are eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: MI Robotic Solutions (MIRS)
    Inventor: Hugo Salamanca
  • Patent number: 8360230
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus measure a quantity parameter during the transport of objects. The objects are in particular flat mail items and are tipped onto a conveyor component of a transport device and are transported by the latter. At least one recording time, in each case at least one photograph of a measurement sector of the conveyor component is taken. For each recording time, the value which a quantity parameter which describes the quantity of objects in the measurement sector has at the recording time is calculated. For this purpose, the proportion of the area of the measurement sector which is covered by objects is measured. A prescribed functional relationship between the quantity parameter and the measured proportion is evaluated. The speed at which the conveyor component transports the objects is changed depending on the quantity parameter value measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Andre Rompe
  • Patent number: 8245834
    Abstract: A transport system of this disclosure includes a transporter for forming a plurality of transport paths from a transport source to a transport destination and transporting a work via a transport path selected from the plurality of transport paths, a controller for controlling the transport, and a reader for, when the work has arrived at a branch point in the transport path, reading out, from a storage medium, transport path information representing a transport direction of the work at the branch point in the transport path, the storage medium being provided on the work and storing the transport path information. The controller controls the transport to transport the work in the transport direction of the work at the branch point represented by the transport path information read out by the reader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Hirata Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Okubo, Hirofumi Kinoshita, Hiroshi Hori, Tsugumitsu Kandabashi
  • Publication number: 20120118945
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for verifying stack size are disclosed wherein measured length and width dimensions of a stack of paperboard sheets are compared with length and width values of a label associated with the stack. The dimensions are typically measured as the stack travels along a conveyor. A no-match indicator is produced if there is not a match between the dimensions and values, and may include an alarm or a display on a video screen. The stack may be diverted to allow application of a correct label whereby the stack will be shipped to the correct customer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventors: DAVID W. CASEY, GREGG A. BRYAN, KARL U. WUERMINGHAUSEN