Thomas A Hillerich

US Patent:

7726460, Jun 1, 2010

Filed:

Feb 23, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/709830

Inventors:

Mark Thomas Neebe - Catonsville MD, US
Thomas Anthony Hillerich - Columbia MD, US
Randall Keith Neilson - Crownsville MD, US
Robert Lee Schlender - Baltimore MD, US
Matthew Gene Good - Marriotsville MD, US
Jacob L. Timm - Ellicott City MD, US

Assignee:

Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation - Los Angeles CA

International Classification:

B65G 37/00

US Classification:

1983461, 1983462, 4147959, 4147965

Abstract:

The present invention relates to a tray transfer system (TTS). This system is designed to automatically transfer trays of mail between dollies and conveyor belts. The TTS is an efficient method for shipping, moving, storing, loading, and unloading mail trays. It allows mail-processing centers to physically and temporally separate the process of sorting mail and the process of moving mail into automation compatible trays (ACT).

US Patent:

8091885, Jan 10, 2012

Filed:

Jul 10, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/500760

Inventors:

Brant A. Conaway - Marriottsville MD, US
Thomas A. Hillerich - Louisville KY, US
Jacob L. Timm - Pasadena MD, US

Assignee:

Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation - Los Angeles CA

International Classification:

B65H 3/34

US Classification:

271104, 271 2, 271260

Abstract:

A mail doubles detection and correction system for a mail processing system with a feeder includes a mail support configured to support at least two mail pieces in a detection space downstream of the feeder, a pair of vacuum belt assemblies disposed on opposite sides of the detection space, and one or more sensors positioned about the detection space to detect a position of one or more mail pieces in the detection space. Each vacuum belt assembly includes a vacuum port facing the detection space and a perforated belt movable across the vacuum port in a mail transport direction. The system detects a mail double when the sensors indicate that more than one mail piece is disposed in the detection space and corrects the situation by moving one of the belts and holding the other belt stationary to advance only one of the mail pieces, and subsequently moving both of the belts to advance the remaining mail piece. The system detects a normal feed when the sensors indicate only one mail piece in the detection space, in which case both of the belts are moved to advance the mail piece. The system can also be configured to automatically adjust a width of the detection space to accommodate mail pieces having a range of widths.

US Patent:

20040193554, Sep 30, 2004

Filed:

Aug 27, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/649337

Inventors:

Thomas Hillerich - Shepherdsville KY, US
Mark Neebe - Catonsville MD, US

International Classification:

G06F017/00

US Classification:

705/401000

Abstract:

In some embodiments, a system for automated loading of a side-by-side stack of thin objects to a feeder is provided. The system can include, e.g.: a) a transporter having a transport surface upon which a side-by-side stack of thin objects can be conveyed; b) a carrier, configured to carry a side-by-side stack of thin objects, over the transport surface; c) a pusher over the transport surface; d) the pusher and the carrier being movable relative to one another between a first position in which the pusher is inside the carrier behind a side-by-side stack of thin objects on the carrier and a second position in which the pusher is laterally displaced from the carrier, such that the side-by-side stack of thin objects on the carrier is laterally slid off of the carrier by the pusher.

US Patent:

20040245714, Dec 9, 2004

Filed:

May 13, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/844431

Inventors:

Patrick Ryan - Wildwood MO, US
Daryl Mileaf - Hanover MD, US
Thomas Hillerich - Shepherdsville KY, US
Stephanie Lauretano - Ellicott City MD, US
William McConnell - Woodstock MD, US

International Classification:

B65H005/00

US Classification:

271/264000

Abstract:

In some embodiments, a system and/or method includes pre-processing objects (such as, e.g., mail or other thin-objects) that are delivered to an object feeder. Various embodiments disclosed herein can have various advantages, such as enhancing processing, improving ergonomics and/or other advantages.

US Patent:

20050077217, Apr 14, 2005

Filed:

Aug 27, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/927542

Inventors:

Thomas Hillerich - Columbia MD, US
William McConnell - Woodstock MD, US
Mark Neebe - Catonsville MD, US

International Classification:

B42F017/00
B07C005/00

US Classification:

209630000, 211010000

Abstract:

Preferred embodiments pertain to a carrier for carrying side-by-side stacked mail. The carrier preferably includes: a floor upon which side-by-side stacked mail can be supported; a rear wall having spaces configured to receive a pusher inserted behind side-by-side stacked mail in the carrier; and a front wall movably mounted between a side-by-side stacked mail retaining position and a side-by-side stacked mail releasing position in which stacked mail can slide with respect to the floor and past the stacked mail retaining position.

US Patent:

20070201968, Aug 30, 2007

Filed:

Feb 23, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/678344

Inventors:

Matthew Gene Good - Marriotsville MD, US
Robert Lee Schlender - Baltimore MD, US
Thomas Anthony Hillerich - Louisville KY, US
Jacob L. Timm - Ellicott City MD, US
Charles Michael Miller - Seven Valleys PA, US
Mark Thomas Neebe - Catonsville MD, US

Assignee:

NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION - Los Angeles CA

International Classification:

B65G 67/00

US Classification:

414265

Abstract:

An automated flats handling system is provided that includes mail shuttles, a tray unloading section, a quality control area, a shuttle tilter, a shuttle return section and a stacker/loader. The tray unloading section has a conveyor and unloads mail from a standard tray into one of the shuttles. The quality control area also has a conveyor and facilitates grooming the mail in the shuttle. The shuttle tilter tilts each shuttle prior to unloading the mail from the shuttle. The shuttle return section also has a conveyor and returns the shuttles to the tray unloading section. The stacker/loader cooperates with the shuttle tilter and unloads the mail from the shuttles, creates a mail stack from the unloaded mail, and loads a portion of the mail stack into an automation compatible tray.

US Patent:

20090254212, Oct 8, 2009

Filed:

Nov 6, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/266000

Inventors:

Mark T. NEEBE - Catonsville MD, US
Randall K. Neilson - Crownsville MD, US
Matthew G. Good - Marriotsville MD, US
Mark D. Bittenbender - Columbia MD, US
Thomas A. Hillerich - Columbia MD, US

Assignee:

Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation - Los Angeles CA

International Classification:

B07C 5/00
G06F 7/00

US Classification:

700224, 209584

Abstract:

A method and system for transferring flats mail from palletized bundles into a flats sorting system. The bundles are loaded into a system in which they are scanned for delivery zone information. The bundles are transported to a tray loading station based on delivery zone. The flats mail is unbundled and placed into system trays at the tray loading stations. The system trays are then transported to a flats sorting system.

US Patent:

20130206652, Aug 15, 2013

Filed:

Feb 1, 2013

Appl. No.:

13/757535

Inventors:

Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation - , US
Randall K. Neilson - Crownsville MD, US
Matthew G. Good - Marriotsville MD, US
Mark D. Bittenbender - Columbia MD, US
Thomas A. Hillerich - Columbia MD, US

Assignee:

Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation - Los Angeles CA

International Classification:

B07C 3/00

US Classification:

209584, 209 10

Abstract:

A method and system for transferring flats mail from palletized bundles into a flats sorting system. The bundles are loaded into a system in which they are scanned for delivery zone information. The bundles are transported to a tray loading station based on delivery zone. The flats mail is unbundled and placed into system trays at the tray loading stations. The system trays are then transported to a flats sorting system.

Address:

1974 Bells Ml Rd, Shepherdsvlle, KY 40165

VIN:

2G1WC58R279282782

Make:

CHEVROLET

Model:

IMPALA

Year:

2007