Having Means For Maintaining Load In Suspension Along Flow Path Patents (Class 406/86)
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Patent number: 11422141Abstract: A slide rack clamp apparatus that secures a slide rack in a digital slide scanning apparatus. In an embodiment, the slide rack clamp apparatus includes an upper clamp and a lower clamp. Each clamp comprises one or more clamp projections, which are configured to engage one or more recesses in engagement surfaces of a plurality of different slide racks from different manufacturers. The lower clamp is driven by a motor along a linear axis to engage the lower clamp projections with the one or more slide rack recesses of the bottom surface of the slide rack. The motor drives the lower clamp and the engaged slide rack upward to engage the one or more slide rack recesses of the top surface of the slide rack with the clamp projections of the upper clamp to fully engage the slide rack between the upper clamp and the lower clamp.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2021Date of Patent: August 23, 2022Assignee: Leica Biosystems Imaging, Inc.Inventor: Nicholas Newberg
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Patent number: 10928408Abstract: A slide rack clamp apparatus that secures a slide rack in a digital slide scanning apparatus. In an embodiment, the slide rack clamp apparatus includes an upper clamp and a lower clamp. Each clamp comprises one or more clamp projections, which are configured to engage one or more recesses in engagement surfaces of a plurality of different slide racks from different manufacturers. The lower clamp is driven by a motor along a linear axis to engage the lower clamp projections with the one or more slide rack recesses of the bottom surface of the slide rack. The motor drives the lower clamp and the engaged slide rack upward to engage the one or more slide rack recesses of the top surface of the slide rack with the clamp projections of the upper clamp to fully engage the slide rack between the upper clamp and the lower clamp.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2018Date of Patent: February 23, 2021Assignee: LEICA BIOSYSTEMS IMAGING, INC.Inventor: Nicholas Newberg
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Patent number: 10745215Abstract: A noncontact support platform system is configured to support a workpiece and includes pressure ports and vacuum ports that are interspersed on a top surface of a table. The ports are arranged along columns such that a pressure port alternates with a vacuum port along each column. The columns include at least one longitudinal column that is oriented substantially parallel to a direction of motion of the workpiece. Mutually parallel rotated columns are each oriented at an oblique angle to the direction of motion. At least one transition column is located between a longitudinal column and its proximal rotated column and has an orientation that is intermediate between the two columns that are adjacent to that transition column. Each vacuum port and pressure port is located at an intersection of a column with a row that is oriented substantially perpendicular to the direction of motion.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2018Date of Patent: August 18, 2020Assignee: Core Flow Ltd.Inventor: Rina Gorra
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Patent number: 10446426Abstract: The invention is an atmosphere formation apparatus that is provided in a floatation conveyance apparatus, the floatation conveyance apparatus conveying a workpiece while performing floating support of the workpiece by gas injection, the atmosphere formation apparatus including a small-range atmosphere formation device that forms a small-range atmosphere B in a large-range atmosphere A, the large-range atmosphere A being an atmosphere in a large-range region containing a conveyance path along which the conveyance is performed, the small-range atmosphere B being an atmosphere in a small-range region containing the conveyance path, the small-range atmosphere B being different from the large-range atmosphere A.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2016Date of Patent: October 15, 2019Assignee: THE JAPAN STEEL WORKS, LTD.Inventors: Takahiro Fuji, Ryo Shimizu
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Patent number: 10338365Abstract: A slide storage, retrieval, transfer and scanning system for a slide scanner presents multiple components which work together in an automated fashion to streamline slide scanning in digital pathology. A slide storage assembly stores several slide baskets and can deliver a particular basket through a rotation mechanism. A slide basket transfer assembly retrieves the basket from the slide storage assembly and transfers the basket to a secondary location, where a slide transfer assembly retrieves a single slide from the basket and delivers the slide to a slide scanning stage for scanning.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2017Date of Patent: July 2, 2019Assignee: OPTRASCAN, INC.Inventors: Abhijeet Gholap, Anagha Jadhav, Isha Doshi, Suraj Somwanshi
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Patent number: 9505245Abstract: The present teachings disclose various embodiments of a printing system for printing a substrate, in which the printing system can be housed in a gas enclosure, where the environment within the enclosure can be maintained as a controlled printing environment. A controlled environment of the present teachings can include control of the type of gas environment within the gas enclosure, the size and level particulate matter within the enclosure, control of the temperature within the enclosure and control of lighting. Various embodiments of a printing system of the present teachings can include a Y-axis motion system and a Z-axis moving plate that are configured to substantially decrease excess thermal load within the enclosure by, for example, eliminating or substantially minimizing the use of conventional electric motors.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2015Date of Patent: November 29, 2016Inventors: Robert B. Lowrance, Alexander Sou-Kang Ko, Justin Mauck, Eliyahu Vronsky, Aleksey Khrustalev, Karl Mathia, Shandon Alderson
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Patent number: 9187255Abstract: A vacuum conveyor apparatus stabilizes multiple single file lanes of objects conveyed on a conveying surface of the apparatus by directing vacuum pressure through multiple slots beneath the conveying surface where the multiple slots are aligned with the multiple lanes of objects on the conveying surface.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2012Date of Patent: November 17, 2015Assignee: Ouellette Machinery Systems, Inc.Inventors: Joseph F. Oullette, Richard J. Oullette
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Patent number: 9169086Abstract: An air conveyor segment for conveying articles along a conveyor path includes a main air duct extending the length of the segment and a wall dividing the air duct into upper and lower air ducts. The wall includes an opening that extends the length of the main air duct. A valve assembly includes a valve member attached to the wall that opens and closed the wall opening to regulate the speed of articles being conveyed along the conveyor segment.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2014Date of Patent: October 27, 2015Assignee: SEETECH Systems, Inc.Inventors: Victor Howard Burchell, James Harper Moffitt
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Publication number: 20150117966Abstract: In order to improve workability of an operation to adjust the interval between two members, leveling devices (3) support an air rail (2) on base frames (1), and adjust the height of the air rail (2) with respect to the base frames (1). The leveling devices (3) have: disc spring groups (31) which expand and contract in the height direction of the air rail (2) with respect to the base frames (1); a columnar indenter (32), in which a stepped through-hole (324) for inserting a bolt (4) is formed from one end face (321) to the other end face (323), with a first edge part (322) formed outward on the one end face (321) side; a columnar spring guide (33), in which a through-hole (334) for inserting the bolt (4) is formed from one end face (331) to the other end face (333), with a flange part (332) formed outward on the one end face (331) side; and a tubular housing (34) in which a second edge part (342) is formed inward at one opening (341) thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2013Publication date: April 30, 2015Inventors: Hideo Ozawa, Koichi Tsunoda, Takahiro Yasuda, Toshiyuki Ikeda
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Patent number: 8851806Abstract: An apparatus (1) for the conveying of plastics material pre-forms (10) along a pre-set conveying path (P) with a first guide rail (2) and a second guide rail (4) for guiding the plastics material pre-forms (10), wherein the plastics material pre-forms (10) are guided between the guide rails (2, 4) and the guide rails (2, 4) have in each case first support faces (12, 14) which extend along the conveying path (P) and which support the plastics material pre-forms (10) during the conveying thereof. The apparatus (1) has a stressing device (42, 44) for acting upon the plastics material pre-forms (10) with a gaseous medium. The plastics material pre-forms are conveyed along their conveying path by being acted upon with the gaseous medium, and a geometrical position of the guide rails is capable of being altered with respect to each other.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2012Date of Patent: October 7, 2014Assignee: Krones AGInventors: Jürgen Beutl, Andreas Seidl, Florian Geltinger, Carsten Schröter
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Patent number: 8794877Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for transporting and holding of touch-sensitive structural elements or materials, the device comprising the following features: At least an oscillatory plate-like take-up 2 for receiving the object to be transported or held, on which at least an oscillation generator 3 is fixed, and at least two supporting members 4, wherein the oscillation generator 3 is arranged on the plate-like take-up 2 at a predetermined position thereof to set the plate-like take-up into flexural vibrations, and the supporting members 4 are arranged at positions where the amplitude of the flexural vibration is lower than the maximum amplitude by at least 50%, and the oscillation generator 3 is operated with a frequency setting the plate-like take-up 2 into vibrations so that the structural elements or the material are (is) levitating in a contact-free way.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2008Date of Patent: August 5, 2014Assignee: Zimmerman & Schilp Handhabungstechnik GmbHInventors: Michael Schilp, Josef Zimmermann, Adolf Zitzmann
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Patent number: 8529161Abstract: A microfabricated sheath flow structure for producing a sheath flow includes a primary sheath flow channel for conveying a sheath fluid, a sample inlet for injecting a sample into the sheath fluid in the primary sheath flow channel, a primary focusing region for focusing the sample within the sheath fluid and a secondary focusing region for providing additional focusing of the sample within the sheath fluid. The secondary focusing region may be formed by a flow channel intersecting the primary sheath flow channel to inject additional sheath fluid into the primary sheath flow channel from a selected direction. A sheath flow system may comprise a plurality of sheath flow structures operating in parallel on a microfluidic chip.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2011Date of Patent: September 10, 2013Assignee: Cytonome/ST, LLCInventors: John R. Gilbert, Manish Deshpande, Bernard Bunner
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Publication number: 20130156512Abstract: An apparatus for the conveying of plastics material pre-forms along a preset conveying path with a first guide rail for guiding the plastics material pre-forms, with a second guide rail for guiding the plastics material pre-forms, wherein the plastics material pre-forms are capable of being guided between the guide rails and the guide rails have in each case first support faces which extend along the conveying path and which support the plastics material pre-forms during the conveying thereof. According to the invention the apparatus has a stressing device for acting upon the plastics material pre-forms with a gaseous medium, which stressing device is designed in such a way that the plastics material pre-forms are conveyed along their conveying path by being acted upon with the gaseous medium, and wherein a geometrical position of the guide rails is capable of being altered with respect to each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2012Publication date: June 20, 2013Applicant: KRONES AGInventor: Krones AG
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Publication number: 20130129427Abstract: A pipe of an apparatus has a first gas in a first space and a second gas in a second space. The first gas is in the amount to generate a buoyancy force that exceeds at least a gravity force to position the apparatus in a stationary state at a predetermined distance relative to a reference surface. A fixture is coupled to the apparatus to secure the apparatus in the stationary state relative to the ground without supporting the apparatus. The first gas is lighter than the second gas. The pipe is capable of creating a flow of the second gas.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2011Publication date: May 23, 2013Inventor: Sergey Nikolayevich Ermilov
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Patent number: 8403602Abstract: A flow splitter for distributing solid particles flowing in a fluid through a piping system includes a divider housing. The divider housing has an inlet configured to connect to an upstream pipe and has a plurality of outlets, each outlet being configured to connect to a respective downstream pipe. A divider body is mounted within the divider housing. A plurality of divider vanes are included, each extending from the divider body to the divider housing. The divider housing, divider body, and divider vanes are configured and adapted to reduce non-uniformity in particle concentration from the inlet and to supply a substantially equal particle flow to each outlet.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2011Date of Patent: March 26, 2013Assignee: Babcock Power Services, Inc.Inventor: Vlad Zarnescu
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Patent number: 8377387Abstract: A system includes a fluidization device including a flow passage configured to convey a flow of solid fuel particles in a downstream direction, and a body disposed within the flow passage. The body is configured to direct the flow of solid fuel particles between the body and an outer wall of the flow passage. The fluidization device also includes a carrier gas injection port positioned radially outward from the body. The carrier gas injection port is configured to provide a flow of carrier gas in the downstream direction to break up agglomerations within the flow of solid fuel particles.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2010Date of Patent: February 19, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Constantin Dinu, Steven Craig Russell, Yichuan Fang
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Publication number: 20130011210Abstract: Various systems, methods, and devices are provided for focusing particles suspended within a moving fluid into one or more localized stream lines. The system can include a substrate and at least one channel provided on the substrate having an inlet and an outlet. The system can further include a fluid moving along the channel in a laminar flow having suspended particles and a pumping element driving the laminar flow of the fluid. The fluid, the channel, and the pumping element can be configured to cause inertial forces to act on the particles and to focus the particles into one or more stream lines.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2012Publication date: January 10, 2013Inventors: Mehmet Toner, Dino Dicarlo, Jon F. Edd, Daniel Irimia
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Publication number: 20120292233Abstract: Various systems, methods, and devices are provided for focusing particles suspended within a moving fluid into one or more localized stream lines. The system can include a substrate and at least one channel provided on the substrate having an inlet and an outlet. The system can further include a fluid moving along the channel in a laminar flow having suspended particles and a pumping element driving the laminar flow of the fluid. The fluid, the channel, and the pumping element can be configured to cause inertial forces to act on the particles and to focus the particles into one or more stream lines.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2012Publication date: November 22, 2012Inventors: Mehmet Toner, Dino DiCarlo, Jon F. Edd, Daniel Irimia
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Patent number: 8256370Abstract: A coating apparatus includes a liquid film forming mechanism configured to form a liquid film of a process liquid for preventing a contaminant derived from a coating liquid from being deposited or left on a back side peripheral portion of a substrate. The liquid film forming mechanism includes a counter face portion facing the back side peripheral portion of the substrate and a process liquid supply portion for supplying the process liquid onto the counter face portion. The coating apparatus further includes a posture regulating mechanism disposed around the substrate holding member and configured to damp a vertical wobble of the peripheral portion of the substrate being rotated. The posture regulating mechanism includes delivery holes arrayed in a rotational direction of the substrate and configured to deliver a gas onto a back side region of the substrate on an inner side of the peripheral portion.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2009Date of Patent: September 4, 2012Assignee: Tokyo Electron LimitedInventors: Takahiro Kitano, Koichi Obata, Hiroichi Inada, Nobuhiro Ogata
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Patent number: 8226332Abstract: A method for transporting dispersion, includes: introducing dispersion containing particles into a liquid transporting channel from a dispersion introducing port; transporting the dispersion in a laminar flow through the liquid transporting channel; and discharging the dispersion from a downstream of the liquid transporting channel, and the liquid transporting channel has a bent portion in a vertical direction, and a Dean vortex which cancels an exchange flow that is produced by movement of the particles caused by gravitational force is generated in the bent portion.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2010Date of Patent: July 24, 2012Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hiroshi Kojima, Seiichi Takagi, Kazuya Hongo
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Publication number: 20120171085Abstract: The present invention relates to a device (24) for transporting magnetic or magnetizable beads (10) over a transport surface (12). It comprises a chamber (26) comprising magnetic or magnetizable beads (10) in a fluid (28), a transport element (14) including said transport surface (12) within said chamber (26) over which said beads (10) shall be transported, a current wire structure (20) comprising at least two sets (20a, 20b, 20c) of meandering current wires arranged on a side of said transport element (14) opposite to said transport surface (12), said at least two sets (20a, 20b, 20c) being displaced with respect to each other in at least two directions, and a switching unit (32) for individually switching currents (1a, 1b, 1c) individually applied to said sets of current wires according to a current driving scheme resulting in a transport of said beads (10) over said transport surface (12).Type: ApplicationFiled: September 6, 2010Publication date: July 5, 2012Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.Inventors: Jacob Marinus Jan Den Toonder, Pieter Jan Van Der Zaag, Hao Chieh Chao
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Patent number: 8209814Abstract: There is provided an air intake for a vacuum-conveyance waste collection system, to form a high-speed air flow by allowing air to enter a conveying line through which waste being put into a waste receiving device is conveyed to a central waste collection station.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2009Date of Patent: July 3, 2012Assignees: Kolon Global Corporation, Eunsang Plant Co., Ltd.Inventors: Seung-Hyun Kang, Jong-Kyu Hwang, Yun-Ho Jung, Sang-Bong Chang
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Patent number: 8205740Abstract: A conveyor device for containers having a receiving rail for receiving a neck area of the containers, the containers being held by the receiving rail and are movable within this receiving rail. Guide mechanisms are provided with guide elements that are arranged beneath the receiving rail and guide the movement of the containers. The guide elements are movable in the longitudinal direction of the containers and the movements in the longitudinal direction of the containers of a plurality of different guide elements are mechanically linked to one another.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2007Date of Patent: June 26, 2012Assignee: Krones AGInventors: Christoph Dragon, Markus Sigler, Andreas Seidl, Christian Paul
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Publication number: 20120107057Abstract: A transport apparatus includes a bearing assembly for transporting an article. The bearing assembly includes a support structure for receiving the article, and a plenum housing for receiving the support structure. The plenum housing and the support structure define a plenum cavity, the plenum cavity being configured to receive and direct a flowing gas for floatingly supporting the article above the support structure. The bearing assembly further includes at least one sensor assembly, which includes a sensor for transmitting and receiving energy emissions for determining a location of the article relative to the support structure. The sensor assembly may determine the location of the article relative to the support structure substantially through at least one aperture located on the bearing assembly. The article location determined by the sensor assembly may be communicated to a display panel or a control unit for adjusting the location if necessary.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2010Publication date: May 3, 2012Inventors: John C. Duroe, Shawn M. Huyler, Julie M. Koski, Kevin L. Wasson
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Patent number: 8142111Abstract: Provided is a support platform of a non-contact transfer apparatus. The support platform is arranged horizontally and includes first and second members adding a lift force to a first force for lifting peripheral portions of a transferred object, wherein the first force is lower than a second force lifting a central portion of the transferred object.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2011Date of Patent: March 27, 2012Assignees: LG Display Co., Ltd., Avaco Co., Ltd., LG Electronics, Inc.Inventors: Sung Eun Kim, Hyun Joo Jeon, Hwan Kyu Yoo, Ji Young Oh, Tae Kyun Kwon
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Patent number: 8087669Abstract: The present invention provides a method of suitably conveying a sheet-shaped member 32. The method of the present invention is performed in an equipment 20 including: a blower duct 22; a sheet feeding unit 28 for feeding the sheet-shaped member 32 to the blower duct 22; and an air stream unit 24 for generating an air stream in the blower duct 22, and the method comprises the steps of: forming a temporary deformity 32b in the sheet-shaped member 32; feeding the sheet-shaped member from the sheet feeding unit 28 to the blower duct 22; and conveying the sheet-shaped member by applying a wind pressure to the deformity 32b.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2007Date of Patent: January 3, 2012Assignee: Wintec Co., Ltd.Inventor: Toshikatsu Terashima
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Publication number: 20110311320Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for transporting and holding of touch-sensitive structural elements or materials, the device comprising the following features: At least an oscillatory plate-like take-up 2 for receiving the object to be transported or held, on which at least an oscillation generator 3 is fixed, and at least two supporting members 4, wherein the oscillation generator 3 is arranged on the plate-like take-up 2 at a predetermined position thereof to set the plate-like take-up into flexural vibrations, and the supporting members 4 are arranged at positions where the amplitude of the flexural vibration is lower than the maximum amplitude by at least 50%, and the oscillation generator 3 is operated with a frequency setting the plate-like take-up 2 into vibrations so that the structural elements or the material are (is) levitating in a contact-free way.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2008Publication date: December 22, 2011Applicant: Zimmermann & Schilp Handhabungstechnik GMBHInventors: Michael Schilp, Josef Zimmermann, Adolf Zitzmann
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Publication number: 20110222972Abstract: A package sorting system. The package sorting conveyor system includes a conveying track, at least one unloading station and an air-film lubricated entrance chute upstream of the unloading station to receive the package. In one embodiment, the entrance chute includes a plenum including a plurality of spaced apart apertures and an opening for communicating with an air supply; and a segmented conveying surface in communication with the apertures, wherein the segmented conveying surface includes at least one air-film lubricated bottom surface and at least one air-film lubricated side wall substantially perpendicular to the at least one bottom surface. In one embodiment, the apparatus further includes a positioner assembly for selectively positioning the outlet of the entrance chute.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2010Publication date: September 15, 2011Inventors: David Patrick Erceg, Leroy A. Winkler, III, Gonzalo Sotelo, Richard D. Carwile
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Patent number: 7997831Abstract: A microfabricated sheath flow structure for producing a sheath flow includes a primary sheath flow channel for conveying a sheath fluid, a sample inlet for injecting a sample into the sheath fluid in the primary sheath flow channel, a primary focusing region for focusing the sample within the sheath fluid and a secondary focusing region for providing additional focusing of the sample within the sheath fluid. The secondary focusing region may be formed by a flow channel intersecting the primary sheath flow channel to inject additional sheath fluid into the primary sheath flow channel from a selected direction. A sheath flow system may comprise a plurality of sheath flow structures operating in parallel on a microfluidic chip.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2009Date of Patent: August 16, 2011Assignee: Cytonome/St, LLCInventors: John R. Gilbert, Manish Deshpande, Bernard Bunner
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Publication number: 20110142553Abstract: A conveyor device is used for the pneumatic conveying of bulk material. The conveyor device has a main conveyor pipe and a plurality of bypass conveyor pipe sections which are separate from one another and arranged one behind the other within the latter. The main extent direction of the bypass conveyor pipe sections runs along the main conveyor pipe. The bypass conveyor pipe sections in each case have an inlet opening and an outlet opening for conveyor gas. The inlet opening, when the main conveyor pipe is horizontally installed, is arranged in a cross sectional portion of the main conveyor pipe, which is located above a cross sectional portion of the main conveyor pipe, in which the outlet opening is arranged. The result is a conveyor device, of which the efficiency, in other words the ratio of the conveying power and the conveyor gas quantity used, is improved.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2010Publication date: June 16, 2011Applicant: COPERION GMBHInventors: Michael Dürr, Reinhard Ernst, Klaus-Peter Lang, Heiko Schwibode, Friedrich Straub, Egon Zechner
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Publication number: 20110135405Abstract: A roller apparatus includes a roller apparatus that is used to transport a transportation target, the roller apparatus including: a roller body which is adapted to be rotatable; and a flow forming apparatus which forms a flow of a fluid between a surface of the roller body and the transportation target.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2010Publication date: June 9, 2011Inventors: Akira MIYAJI, Takashi Masukawa
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Publication number: 20110097160Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatuses for the transporting of substantially flat, freely movable objects, wherein at least the holding and guiding takes place by use of a streaming liquid. The apparatus according to the invention comprises at least one treatment surface with at least one inflow region with a multitude of pass-through openings, at least one discharge region for discharging the liquid after provision of the inflow, but no non-fluidic edges, limiters, or other mechanical guiding aids for guiding the flat object. A transport device which bases on the invention can preferably be used within and between treatment plants for flat objects or substrates. Further; a preferably wet chemical treatment can take place simultaneously to the transport, provided that the transport liquid has according characteristics or involves according substances or active agents, respectively.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 19, 2009Publication date: April 28, 2011Applicant: RENA GMBHInventors: Vitalij Potofeew, Dirk Bareis, Konrad Kaltenbach, Franck Delahaye
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Patent number: 7927045Abstract: Provided is a support platform of a non-contact transfer apparatus. The support platform is arranged horizontally and includes first and second members adding a lift force to a first force for lifting peripheral portions of a transferred object, wherein the first force is lower than a second force lifting a central portion of the transferred object.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2006Date of Patent: April 19, 2011Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.Inventors: Sung Eun Kim, Hyun Joo Jeon, Hwan Kyu Yoo, Ji Young Oh, Tae Kyun Kwon
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Patent number: 7908995Abstract: A stage apparatus in which a rectangular substrate which is levitated over a stage is transferred such that a pair of sides of the rectangular substrate are substantially parallel to a transfer direction and the other pair of sides of the rectangular substrate are substantially perpendicular to the transfer direction. The stage includes a plurality of gas spray ports to spray a gas and a plurality of suction ports to attract the rectangular substrate by suction. The rectangular substrate is levitated at a predetermined height from the surface of the stage in a substantially horizontal posture by means of suction of a suction mechanism through the plurality of suction ports and gas spray of a gas spray mechanism through the plurality of gas spray ports.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2006Date of Patent: March 22, 2011Assignee: Tokyo Electron LimitedInventors: Toshifumi Inamasu, Tsuyoshi Yamasaki, Kazuhito Miyazaki
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Patent number: 7905195Abstract: The present invention provides a floating-type substrate conveying and processing apparatus that floats a substrate to be processed. The device includes a floating stage that floats the substrate, a liquid supplier placed above the floating stage via the substrate to supply a process liquid to a surface of the substrate, and a moving mechanism for holding the substrate as detachable at opposite ends of the substrate, at a floating height of the substrate, and for moving the substrate on the floating stage. The floating stage is formed of a porous member and has a plurality of suction apertures airtightly defined in a porous portion of the porous member. The floating stage injects gas through the porous portion and sucks gas through the suction apertures to float the substrate placed on the porous portion.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2006Date of Patent: March 15, 2011Assignee: Tokyo Electron LimitedInventors: Tsuyoshi Yamasaki, Toshifumi Inamasu, Kenya Shinozaki, Kimio Motoda
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Patent number: 7798749Abstract: An improved pneumatic particulate conveyance system including a particulate diffuser plate is disclosed. The assembly includes a pipeline with one or more particulate inlets for introducing solid particulates to a prime mover, wherein the pipeline has at least one particulate diffuser plate located within the pipeline. The particulate diffuser plate has a length which runs parallel to the prime mover and occludes at least a portion of a particulate inlet so as to increase the surface area exposed to the conveying air, thus resulting in a more efficient momentum transfer to the particulate. The plate used in the assembly further includes an arcuate trailing edge so as to encourage more particulate falling into the middle (i.e., the higher velocity portion of the profile) of the prime mover.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2008Date of Patent: September 21, 2010Assignee: United Conveyor CorporationInventors: Daniel E. Charhut, Saurabh Rastogi, Stanley R. Tryba, Robert T. Jones
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Patent number: 7690870Abstract: To ensure that the support force which is dependent on the pressure of a support fluid is essentially the same also in the edge area of an article (9), especially sheets of (flat) glass, which is to be held or transported, as the support force in the middle area of the surface of the article (9), the device (1) as claimed in the invention on at least one support wall (3 or 5) provides for feed openings (21) to which drain openings (23) are directly assigned.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2005Date of Patent: April 6, 2010Inventor: Peter Lisec
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Patent number: 7611309Abstract: A microfabricated sheath flow structure for producing a sheath flow includes a primary sheath flow channel for conveying a sheath fluid, a sample inlet for injecting a sample into the sheath fluid in the primary sheath flow channel, a primary focusing region for focusing the sample within the sheath fluid and a secondary focusing region for providing additional focusing of the sample within the sheath fluid. The secondary focusing region may be formed by a flow channel intersecting the primary sheath flow channel to inject additional sheath fluid into the primary sheath flow channel from a selected direction. A sheath flow system may comprise a plurality of sheath flow structures operating in parallel on a microfluidic chip.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2007Date of Patent: November 3, 2009Assignee: Cytonome/ST, LLCInventors: John R. Gilbert, Manish Deshpande, Bernard Bunner
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Patent number: 7604439Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a stationary or moving substantially flat object without physical contact on an fluid-cushion. The object floats on a fluid cushion gap, the apparatus aimed for globally or locally adjusting the gap.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2005Date of Patent: October 20, 2009Assignee: Coreflow Scientific Solutions Ltd.Inventors: Yuval Yassour, Arie Harnik, Hilel Richman
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Patent number: 7588410Abstract: In a pneumatic conveyor comprising multiple, assembled conveyor sections, a conveyor section provides a curved conveyor path with a plenum through which pressurized air is delivered. The conveyor section includes a top plate including a series of apertures extending therethrough for delivering pressurized air from the plenum to an upper surface of the top plate. The apertures are arranged and configured to direct the pressurized air to move an article along the top plate in a conveying direction. A bottom plate is located beneath the top plate. A first stack of vertically aligned, individual strips are clamped together between the top plate and the bottom plate to define a first sidewall of the plenum. A second stack of vertically aligned, individual strips are clamped together between the top plate and the bottom plate to define a second sidewall of the plenum.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2007Date of Patent: September 15, 2009Assignee: Fowler Products Company, LLCInventor: Dan Davis Hinsley
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Publication number: 20090010719Abstract: A method of, and apparatus for, transferring material, which may be hydrocarbon exploration and production industry by-products in the form of drill cuttings, from a first location to a second location. A container is provided containing fluid and the material is transferred from a first location outside of the container to a second location inside the container. Fluid, which is typically air, is at least partially evacuated from within the container in order to facilitate progression of the material into the container.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2005Publication date: January 8, 2009Inventor: Ronald George Morris
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Patent number: 7392984Abstract: Guiding a printing medium that is being conveyed along a travel path in a printing machine, whereby the printing medium is not making contact along at least one edge. A stream of sucked air (9) is directed at least partially outward, with respect to at least one edge (5) of the printing medium. A printing media guide with at least one air suction mechanism (8) for sucking air out of the area of the travel path of the printing medium (1) in order to create a suction air stream (9) is directed at least partially outwards.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2004Date of Patent: July 1, 2008Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Domingo Rohde, Lars Seimetz
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Patent number: 7311476Abstract: A microfabricated sheath flow structure for producing a sheath flow includes a primary sheath flow channel for conveying a sheath fluid, a sample inlet for injecting a sample into the sheath fluid in the primary sheath flow channel, a primary focusing region for focusing the sample within the sheath fluid and a secondary focusing region for providing additional focusing of the sample within the sheath fluid. The secondary focusing region may be formed by a flow channel intersecting the primary sheath flow channel to inject additional sheath fluid into the primary sheath flow channel from a selected direction. A sheath flow system may comprise a plurality of sheath flow structures operating in parallel on a microfluidic chip.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2004Date of Patent: December 25, 2007Assignee: Cytonome, Inc.Inventors: John R. Gilbert, Manish Deshpande, Bernard Bunner
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Patent number: 7260449Abstract: In a device for conveying and positioning structural elements at a conveying track, a structural element is brought into pending state at the conveying track and the conveying track is tilted in conveying direction so that the structural element slides downwards to approach a target point. The position of the structural element is detected. The device further includes a control unit wherein the position of the structural element is detected within a predetermined range of the target point to be reached, and a time, at which the conveying track is tilted and re-tilted at a predetermined angular speed by a predetermined angle, is determined by using a calculation and control algorithm, so that the structural element is intercepted.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2005Date of Patent: August 21, 2007Assignee: Technische Universität MünchenInventors: Josef Zimmermann, Dirk Jacob, Adolf Zitzmann
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Patent number: 7182553Abstract: Disclosed is a method of delivering a fine particle dispersion in the state of laminar flow from an inlet port to an outlet port of a microflow channel having the inlet port and the outlet port, the fine particle dispersion containing fine particles having a volume average particle size of from about 1.5 ?m to about 1000 ?m dispersed in its liquid medium, the specific gravity of the fine particles being from approximately 0.10 to 0.99 times that of the liquid medium, wherein the microflow channel is disposed such that the outlet port is disposed above the inlet port in the buoyant force direction, and the angle of the flow channel from the inlet port to the outlet port is set to from approximately 0 to 45° relative to the buoyant force direction, and wherein the fine particle dispersion is introduced into the inlet port and the introduced fine particle dispersion is delivered to the outlet port. Also disclosed is a device for delivering the fine particle dispersion.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2005Date of Patent: February 27, 2007Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.Inventors: Seiichi Takagi, Kazuki Inami, Tetsuo Ohta
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Patent number: 7182552Abstract: Provided are a method for delivering a fine particle dispersion which makes it possible to flow the fine particle dispersion, as a stable flow, in a microflow-channel without sedimentation, being deposited on the bottom face of the inner surface of the channel or blocking up or clogging the channel, so as to give a high efficiency for recovering the fine particles; and a device for delivering a fine particle dispersion which can be used for a long period of time and which makes it possible to flow the fine particle dispersion as a stable flow in a microflow-channel without sedimentation, being deposited on the bottom face of the inner surfaces of the channel or blocking up or clogging the channel.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2004Date of Patent: February 27, 2007Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.Inventors: Seiichi Takagi, Tetsuo Ohta
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Patent number: 7108474Abstract: It is an object to provide a plate-shaped work piece transporting apparatus provided with a blowing mechanism for contactlessly supporting a plate-shaped work piece that is transported, where the blowing mechanism is provided with a dust-removal filter and a blowing mechanism for sending air to the lower surface of the plate-shaped work piece via the dust-removal filter. In a first embodiment, a driving mechanism for contacting the plate-shaped work piece and moving it in the transporting direction is provided.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2004Date of Patent: September 19, 2006Assignee: Daifuku Co., Ltd.Inventors: Susumu Moriya, Shigeto Murayama, Yuichi Morimoto, Yoshiteru Ikehata, Takayoshi Ohno
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Patent number: 6974279Abstract: An ejector is configured to generate a high negative pressure capable of sucking and conveying fine metal pieces or chips, such as machinings or cuttings, for example, when using the ejector as a driving source for a fluid conveyor. The ejector includes a convergent-divergent nozzle having a throat formed between a suction port and a discharge port. Jet blowing holes are formed in the convergent-divergent nozzle to direct a jet stream from upstream of the throat to downstream of the throat, thereby forming a negative pressure. Pressure control holes open to the downstream of the jet blowing holes and are configured to communicate with a pressure space at a pressure level higher than a negative pressure formed by the jet stream and lower than a static pressure of the jet stream and the inside of the convergent-divergent nozzle.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2003Date of Patent: December 13, 2005Assignee: Trinity Inudstrial CorporationInventors: Yasuo Morohashi, Hidetoshi Omori, Toshihiro Naruse
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Patent number: 6905300Abstract: A slide loading mechanism utilizes compressed air as the transport medium to move the slides from a magazine to the stage of a microscope. The stage is provided with a carriage moving horizontally along a direct path between the stage and the magazine. A conveyor coupled to the carriage includes a tongue suitable for positioning under the slide of interest in the magazine when the carriage is at one end of its travel path, so that the slide may be picked up for translation to the stage of the microscope. When the carriage is moved to the opposite end of its travel path, the tongue is completely removed from the magazine, which may be freely moved vertically by an elevator to align another slide for processing.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2004Date of Patent: June 14, 2005Assignee: DMetrix, Inc.Inventor: William C. Russum
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Patent number: 6843367Abstract: A conveyor for transporting articles includes an upper surface for transporting the articles and a top guide that is resiliently supported relative to the upper surface for preventing the articles from tipping over as they are transported. A plurality of resilient supporting mechanisms, such as gas springs, is provided on each of the opposite sides of the conveyor. A mechanism is provided to selectively move the top guide toward the upper surface of the conveyor against the urging of the gas springs to position the top guide at a predetermined distance relative to the upper surface of the conveyor. The mechanism includes a plurality of flexible cables having first ends that are connected to the top guide and second ends that are connected to a pair of actuating members that are supported on the conveyor for sliding movement.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2004Date of Patent: January 18, 2005Assignee: Dillin Engineered Systems Corp.Inventors: Steven S. Gentile, Michael J. Gladieux, Stephen L. Cechner