Thomas P Potter

US Patent:

D510383, Oct 4, 2005

Filed:

Oct 17, 2003

Appl. No.:

29/191991

Inventors:

Thomas C. Potter - Oak Hill VA, US
Christopher M. Stratton - Springfield VA, US
Hernan A. Borja - Merrifield VA, US

Assignee:

United States Postal Service - Merrifield VA

International Classification:

1901

US Classification:

D19 3

US Patent:

D536375, Feb 6, 2007

Filed:

Sep 30, 2004

Appl. No.:

29/214217

Inventors:

Thomas C. Potter - Oak Hill VA, US
Christopher M. Stratton - Springfield VA, US
Hernan A. Borja - Merrifield VA, US

Assignee:

United States Postal Service - Washington DC

International Classification:

1901

US Classification:

D19 3

US Patent:

7686290, Mar 30, 2010

Filed:

Sep 21, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/902389

Inventors:

Thomas C. Potter - Merrifield VA, US

Assignee:

United States Postal Service - Washington DC

International Classification:

B65H 3/04

US Classification:

271 35, 271121

Abstract:

Described herein is a system and device for singulating mail pieces during mail processing and sorting. A double inhibit mechanism, mounted opposite a feed belt assembly and having at least two degrees of freedom at its downstream end, can maintain contact with mail in the mail path while separating overlapping mail pieces and allowing only single pieces to pass thereby.

US Patent:

7798392, Sep 21, 2010

Filed:

Sep 30, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/953452

Inventors:

Thomas C. Potter - Oak Hill VA, US
Christopher M. Stratton - Springfield VA, US
Hernan A. Borja - Merrifield VA, US

Assignee:

United States Postal Service - Washington DC

International Classification:

B65D 27/06
B65D 27/34
B65D 27/00
B65D 27/08
B65D 85/30

US Classification:

229305, 229313, 229 70, 229 72, 2063081

Abstract:

A one and two-way disc mailer for mailing DVDs, CDs, video game discs, or other discs from a sender to a recipient via first class mail. The disc mailer provides improved protection to the disc during mail processing while weighing less than or equal to 1 ounce, including the weight of the disc, for first-class compatibility.

US Patent:

7802672, Sep 28, 2010

Filed:

Sep 11, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/853587

Inventors:

Todd M Schimmel - Annandale VA, US
Thomas C Potter - Oak Hill VA, US

Assignee:

United States Postal Service - Washington DC

International Classification:

B65G 29/00
B65G 47/84
B65G 47/86
B65G 47/00
B65G 47/10
B65G 47/46
B65G 47/26

US Classification:

198367, 1984634, 1984636, 198452, 19837007, 1983671, 198442, 19845707, 198598

Abstract:

A diverter gate generally includes a bracket which connects to an actuator and a flag which releasably engages with the bracket via cooperating engagement members. The cooperating engagement members may be symmetrical, and may comprise one or more tabs and one or more corresponding receptacles. The tabs may be dimensioned slightly larger than the receptacles so as to create a positive interference fit. The bracket and the flag may include openings to receive a fastener extending substantially across the length of the gate. Tightening the fastener compresses the tab(s) against the receptacle(s) to result in a compression fit between the flag and the bracket. The two-piece design allows the flag to be easily removed and reversed or replaced, without disassembling or removing the bracket or the actuator.

US Patent:

7954622, Jun 7, 2011

Filed:

Jul 23, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/842800

Inventors:

Todd M Schimmel - Annandale VA, US
Thomas C Potter - Fairfax VA, US

Assignee:

United States Postal Service - Washington DC

International Classification:

B65G 47/84
B65G 47/00
B65G 47/10
B65G 47/46
B65G 47/26
B65G 47/82

US Classification:

1983671, 1984634, 1984636, 198452, 19837007, 198442, 19845707, 198598

Abstract:

A diverter gate generally includes a bracket which connects to an actuator and a flag which releasably engages with the bracket via cooperating engagement members. The cooperating engagement members may be symmetrical, and may comprise one or more tabs and one or more corresponding receptacles. The tabs may be dimensioned slightly larger than the receptacles so as to create a positive interference fit. The bracket and the flag may include openings to receive a fastener extending substantially across the length of the gate. Tightening the fastener compresses the tab(s) against the receptacle(s) to result in a compression fit between the flag and the bracket. The two-piece design allows the flag to be easily removed and reversed or replaced, without disassembling or removing the bracket or the actuator.

US Patent:

8342390, Jan 1, 2013

Filed:

Aug 16, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/856880

Inventors:

Thomas C. Potter - Oak Hill VA, US
Christopher M. Stratton - Springfield VA, US
Hernan A. Borja - Bealeton VA, US
Nan K. McKenzie - Garrett Park MD, US

Assignee:

United States Postal Service - Washington DC

International Classification:

B65D 27/06
B65D 27/34
B65D 27/00
B65D 85/30

US Classification:

229305, 229313, 229 70, 2063081

Abstract:

Two-way disc mailers for mailing DVDs, CDs, video game discs, or other discs from a sender to a recipient via first class mail. The disc mailer provides improved automated mail processing while weighing less than or equal to 1 ounce, including the weight of the disc.

US Patent:

20200354169, Nov 12, 2020

Filed:

Jul 24, 2020

Appl. No.:

16/938795

Inventors:

- Washington DC, US
Gregory J. Smith - Arlington VA, US
Thomas C. Potter - Oak Hill VA, US
Wayne R. Perry-Eaton - Leesburg VA, US

International Classification:

B65G 65/34

Abstract:

Features for loading, transporting and unloading of items are disclosed. Systems, devices and methods for such operations using a tray are described. In some embodiments, a tray having a moveable bottom allows for switching between a configuration for loading and unloading items in and out of the tray and a configuration for transportation of items inside the tray. The trays may also be stacked, for transportation of multiple trays at once, and nested, for saving space when storing the trays. In some embodiments, the trays may be used in conjunction with loading and unloading systems.