Robert L Fitzgerald

US Patent:

6502718, Jan 7, 2003

Filed:

Mar 19, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/812041

Inventors:

Robert M. Fitzgerald - Norcross GA
Ward P. Broom - Snellville GA
Warren Lee Williams - Grayson GA

Assignee:

Innovative Product Achievements, Inc. - Duluth GA

International Classification:

B65G 5900

US Classification:

221131, 312 42

Abstract:

A dispenser for dispensing articles such as scrub garments. The dispenser includes a housing that defines an interior portion, a foldable, wheeled distribution cartridge defining an orthogonal array of receptacles for receiving items to be distributed from the dispenser; and a main door for controlling access to the interior of each of the various receptacles. The main door defines a plurality of rectangular horizontal openings, each of which aligns with a horizontal row of receptacles within the distribution cartridge. Access to each of these horizontal openings is controlled by a lockable main door. A flexible receptacle door having a vertical opening is mounted on mechanically-driven rollers on the interior of the main door. The receptacle door may be moved laterally relative to the receptacles so that the vertical opening aligns with any column of receptacles within the distribution cartridge. The dispenser allows a user access to the interior of a target receptacle while simultaneously preventing access to all other receptacles in the cartridge by laterally aligning the vertical access slot of the receptacle door with the target receptacle and then unlocking only the user door that covers the row of receptacles that includes the target receptacle.

US Patent:

7134242, Nov 14, 2006

Filed:

Sep 24, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/671301

Inventors:

Robert M. Fitzgerald - Norcross GA, US

Assignee:

Innovative Product Achievements, Inc. - Duluth GA

International Classification:

E05D 15/26
A47F 1/00
A47B 88/00

US Classification:

49125, 312 97, 312 971, 312322

Abstract:

A dispenser that includes one or more sliding user doors for selectively restricting access to items disposed within the dispenser. In one embodiment, the dispenser includes a unique locking and drive mechanism that allows a single actuator to both: (1) lock and unlock a sliding user door; and (2) move the user door into and out of driving engagement with a drive mechanism that may be used to open and close the user door. In a particular embodiment, the dispenser further includes a door support that supports the weight of a downward-opening sliding user door when the downward-opening user door is in a closed position, but that may be selectively repositioned to facilitate the movement of the user door from a closed to an open position.

US Patent:

7320412, Jan 22, 2008

Filed:

May 20, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/851859

Inventors:

Robert M. Fitzgerald - Norcross GA, US

Assignee:

Innovative Product Achievements, Inc. - Duluth GA

International Classification:

G07F 11/00

US Classification:

221 25, 221 75, 221 86, 221154

Abstract:

A dispenser comprising a first barrier, and a second barrier that is spaced apart from the first barrier. These two barriers define a first item-receiving space between the barriers, and the second barrier at least partially defines a second item-receiving space behind the second barrier. The first barrier is adapted to move between: (A) a first-barrier-closed position in which the first barrier restricts access to the first item-receiving space, and (B) a first-barrier-open position in which the first barrier permits access to the first item-receiving space. Similarly, the second barrier is adapted to move between: (A) a second-barrier-closed position in which the second barrier restricts access to the second item-receiving space, and (B) a second-barrier-open position in which the second barrier permits access to the second item-receiving space. The dispenser may comprise a third barrier, and the first, second, and third barriers may be positioned in a substantially horizontal array.

US Patent:

7407238, Aug 5, 2008

Filed:

May 3, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/122285

Inventors:

Robert M. Fitzgerald - Norcross GA, US

Assignee:

Innovative Product Achievements - Duluth GA

International Classification:

A47B 96/00

US Classification:

312311, 3122499

Abstract:

A dispenser comprising: (1) a dispenser housing that includes: (a) a dispenser body that defines both an interior portion and an access opening, and (b) an access door that is mounted to selectively restrict access to the interior portion through the access opening; (2) a storage cartridge that is mounted on wheels to roll adjacent the dispenser body; and (3) a storage cartridge positioning system that is adapted to facilitate moving the storage cartridge into a “loading position” in which the storage cartridge is positioned to be loaded into the dispenser. The motion of the access door from an open position to a closed position may serve to urge the storage cartridge from the “loading position” into a “loaded position” in which the storage cartridge is disposed substantially within the dispenser housing.

US Patent:

7428447, Sep 23, 2008

Filed:

Sep 26, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/236214

Inventors:

Robert Stonikas - Duluth GA, US
Daniel E. Weyen - Duluth GA, US
Ward P. Broom - Snellville GA, US
Robert M. Fitzgerald - Norcross GA, US

Assignee:

Innovative Product Achievements, Inc. - Duluth GA

International Classification:

G06F 17/00

US Classification:

700244, 700236, 700240, 700241

Abstract:

An inventory management system for use, for example, in automatically distributing items (such as laundered items) to users within a particular facility (e. g. , a hospital), and for monitoring the amount (e. g. , weight) of items distributed by the system. The system may include, for example, at least one automated dispenser having a weighing mechanism (e. g. , a scale) for measuring the weight of its inventory and for periodically transmitting this information to a computer system associated with a particular item processing facility (e. g. , a laundry facility). The computer system may then use this information, for example, to predict the amount of incoming items (e. g. , dirty laundry) to be processed by the item processing facility during an upcoming time period. The computer system may also use this information for other purposes, such as predicting the amount of items that will need to be loaded into the system's dispensers during an upcoming time period.

US Patent:

7628410, Dec 8, 2009

Filed:

May 4, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/744387

Inventors:

Robert M. Fitzgerald - Norcross GA, US
Kyle Joiner - Roswell GA, US
Ward P. Broom - Snellville GA, US

Assignee:

Innovative Product Achievements, Inc. - Duluth GA

International Classification:

B62B 3/00
B62B 5/00

US Classification:

280 4735, 280651, 280647, 280650, 280 4719, 280 4726, 280 4734, 280 8701

Abstract:

A method of loading a cart into an enclosure, according to various embodiments of the invention, comprises the steps of: (A) providing a cart having a first end and a second end, the cart comprising at least one swiveled wheel adjacent the first end, and at least two non-swiveled wheels adjacent the second end, the swiveled and non-swiveled wheels being adapted to facilitate the rolling movement of the cart over a surface; (B) positioning the at least two non-swiveled wheels on a wheeled platform so that the non-swiveled wheels are supported by the wheeled platform; and (C) while the non-swiveled wheels are supported by the wheeled platform, and while the at least one swiveled wheel is disposed on a support surface adjacent an interior portion of the enclosure, using the wheeled platform and the at least one swiveled wheel to roll the cart into the interior portion of the enclosure.

US Patent:

7798021, Sep 21, 2010

Filed:

Dec 18, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/640502

Inventors:

Kimberly R. Gamble - Suwanee GA, US
Robert W. Fitzgerald - Apex NC, US

International Classification:

G01N 1/20

US Classification:

7386371, 7386414

Abstract:

A sample processing/injection device for liquid chromatography comprises a septum at one end of the device, a processing chamber and injection needle disposed on a second end of the device. A fluid sample is transferred into the device by a transfer needle penetrating the septum of the device. The sample device may be positioned to a receiving component such as an injection valve of an instrument by movement of the transfer needle. The sample is injected into the receiving component through the injection needle of the sample processing/injection device through motive pressure supplied by the transfer needle. The sample processing/injection device reduces sampling steps and improves automation by performing sample processing and injection with a single device.

US Patent:

7874562, Jan 25, 2011

Filed:

Jul 16, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/778422

Inventors:

Robert M. Fitzgerald - Norcross GA, US
Kyle Joiner - Roswell GA, US
Ward P. Broom - Snellville GA, US

International Classification:

B62B 3/00

US Classification:

280 4734, 280 7911, 280761

Abstract:

Various embodiments of the wheel positioning assembly are adapted for facilitating the insertion of a cart into an enclosure. In certain embodiments, the cart comprises: (1) first and second fixed front wheels that are disposed adjacent opposite front lateral sides of the cart; and (2) first and second swiveled rear wheels disposed adjacent opposite lateral side of the cart. In various embodiments, the wheel positioning assembly comprises: (1) a first wheel guide for physically guiding the first, fixed front wheel into a desired first-front-wheel position in which the first front wheel is disposed within the dispenser and adjacent a first wheel barrier; and (2) a locking mechanism for selectively maintaining the second rear wheel in a desired second-rear-wheel position within the dispenser. The first wheel barrier and the locking mechanism may selectively cooperate to physically prevent removal of the cart from the enclosure.