George N Bliss

US Patent:

20020005646, Jan 17, 2002

Filed:

May 4, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/849006

Inventors:

George Bliss - Birmingham MI, US
Anthony Accettura - Farmington Hills MI, US

International Classification:

B66C001/42

US Classification:

294/088000

Abstract:

An automated actuation device for releasing items within a confined space, particularly an automated pickup head and gripping plate assembly which is used to grip egg cartons or trays and place those egg cartons or trays in stacks in a shipping container or basket. The actuation device includes a pickup head which may be mounted on any known or conventional apparatus for moving and orienting the pickup head and gripping plates to grasp individual items such as, e.g., egg cartons or trays, and to transfer those items to, and insert those items within, a confined space such as, e.g., a shipping container or basket.

US Patent:

6237978, May 29, 2001

Filed:

Jan 18, 2000

Appl. No.:

9/484340

Inventors:

George Nelson Bliss - Birmingham MI

Assignee:

Diamond Automations, Inc. - Farmington Hills MI

International Classification:

B66C 142

US Classification:

294 88

Abstract:

An automated actuation device for releasing items within a confined space, particularly an automated pickup head and gripping plate assembly which is used to grip egg cartons or trays and place those egg cartons or trays in stacks in a shipping container or basket. The actuation device includes a pickup head which may be mounted on any known or conventional apparatus for moving and orienting the pickup head and gripping plates to grasp individual items such as, e. g. , egg cartons or trays, and to transfer those items to, and insert those items within, a confined space such as, e. g. , a shipping container or basket. Mounted on the actuation device is a pickup head and gripping plate assembly. This assembly is actuated by an air cylinder connected to the assembly by a spider arm and an actuating bar. The gripping plate itself is connected to the pickup head by a first link and a second link.

US Patent:

47654872, Aug 23, 1988

Filed:

Jul 30, 1986

Appl. No.:

6/891907

Inventors:

George N. Bliss - Franklin MI

Assignee:

Diamond Automations, Inc. - Farmington Hills MI

International Classification:

B07C 538
B65G 5730

US Classification:

209510

Abstract:

An automatic article stacking system wherein a plurality of articles to be stacked are arranged in layers prior to being stacked. The layers are advantageously arranged horizontally orthogonal to one another so as to enhance the stability of the stack. A measurement system is provided for determining whether any of the articles exceeds a predetermined size limit. In one embodiment which is arranged for stacking egg cartons, a determination that the egg carton exceeds the predetermined size limit signifies that the egg carton is open and, therefore, not in a form suitable for stacking. The open egg carton is conveyed under an elevator which accumulates the articles to be stacked, and to a discharge area. Thus, closed egg cartons are accumulated in layers and stacked. Successive layers of articles are stacked under prior stacked layers.

US Patent:

44873212, Dec 11, 1984

Filed:

Jul 1, 1982

Appl. No.:

6/394444

Inventors:

George N. Bliss - Franklin MI

Assignee:

Diamond Automations, Inc. - Farmington Hills MI

International Classification:

A01K 4304
B07C 900

US Classification:

209510

Abstract:

An article coding and separating system such as for instance, in which articles or defective eggs which are randomly dispersed in a plurality of similar articles are coded and their location identified. An elongated pivotally mounted pointer is disposed so as to be pivotable over an inspection area in mutually orthogonal directions, parallel and transverse to the longitudinal axis of a conveyor, and axially movable towards and away from the articles being conveyed. The pointer generates signals for simultaneously indicating the position of articles on the conveyor within the inspection area, and the type of article being identified.

US Patent:

45694443, Feb 11, 1986

Filed:

Jul 1, 1982

Appl. No.:

6/394162

Inventors:

John C. McEvoy - Canton MI
George N. Bliss - Franklin MI
Leslie P. Thomas - Canton MI

Assignee:

Diamond Automations, Inc. - Framington MI

International Classification:

A01K 4308
B65G 4746

US Classification:

209510

Abstract:

An apparatus for transferring eggs continuously conveyed in spaced-apart, aligned relationship by a conveyor to a receiving station at which eggs are packaged according to their individual physical characteristics. A frame on which solenoid-actuated plungers are mounted is disposed adjacent the conveyor at the receiving station for releasing eggs having the same physical characteristics from the conveyor in a predetermined sequence at the receiving station. The frame is movable with respect to the receiving station according to the speed of the conveyor.

US Patent:

47503165, Jun 14, 1988

Filed:

Jun 29, 1987

Appl. No.:

7/068149

Inventors:

George N. Bliss - Franklin MI

Assignee:

Diamond Automations, Inc. - Farmington Hills MI

International Classification:

B65B 3558
B65B 510

US Classification:

53475

Abstract:

An egg packing apparatus includes an endless conveyor including a plurality of rotatable parallel rollers each provided with a plurality of abutments in the form of annular flanges. The flanges of any one roller are aligned with flanges on other rollers to form a plurality of transport channels or feed paths extending to respective guide chutes. The guide chutes are each defined by a pair of opposing side walls, a pivotably mounted plate member and an additional wall opposite the plate member 36, the additional wall being provided with a V-shaped portion extending inwardly towards the plate member so that the guide chute has a decreased width in a central region. Upon the deposition of an egg on the plate member with the narrow end of the egg is contact with one of the side walls of the guide chute, the plate member is pivoted and the large end of the egg is temporarily held between the additional wall and the plate member, allowing the narrow end of the egg to swing downwardly. The egg is then placed narrow end down into a transfer device and transferred to a carton.

US Patent:

43559360, Oct 26, 1982

Filed:

Aug 28, 1980

Appl. No.:

6/182134

Inventors:

Leslie P. Thomas - Canton MI
George N. Bliss - Franklin MI

Assignee:

Diamond International Corporation - New York NY

International Classification:

B65G 5904

US Classification:

414118

Abstract:

An apparatus for transferring individual trays of eggs from the top of adjacently spaced stacks onto a conveyor member. A lifting head is provided for each stack of egg trays and includes thereon vacuum cups which are engagable with each of the individual eggs in the uppermost tray. A vacuum actuated gripper is further provided with each lifting head assembly for engaging and lifting the uppermost tray away from the remainder of the stack. Each lifting head assembly is associated with a rotatable drive to effect rotation during transfer while also moving adjacently spaced lifting head assemblies with respect to one another in order to avoid contact during simultaneous rotation of adjacent lifting head assemblies. Relative movement between each head assembly and the respective support platform is also provided to accommodate variations in height between adjacent stacks to insure proper engagement with the uppermost tray to be transferred.

US Patent:

47764651, Oct 11, 1988

Filed:

Dec 20, 1985

Appl. No.:

6/811640

Inventors:

John C. McEvoy - Canton MI
George N. Bliss - Franklin MI
Leslie P. Thomas - Canton MI

Assignee:

Diamond Automations, Inc. - Farmington Hills MI

International Classification:

A01K 4308
B65G 4746

US Classification:

209510

Abstract:

An apparatus for transferring eggs continuously conveyed in spaced-apart, aligned relationship by a conveyor to a receiving station at which eggs are packaged according to their individual physical characteristics. A frame on which solenoid-actuated plungers are mounted is disposed adjacent the conveyor at the receiving station for releasing eggs having the same physical characteristics from the conveyor in a predetermined sequence at the receiving station. The frame is movable with respect to the receiving station according to the speed of the conveyor.