Patents Assigned to MARS Company
  • Publication number: 20220236098
    Abstract: A platform configured for evaluating metering technologies and generating meter profiles using information derived from a plurality of meters retrieved from a plurality of environments. The platform may include a centralized data storage system in communication with a fluid meter test bench system. A computing device automatically controls fluid meter test bench system to measure the accuracy of fluid meters and transfers meter data to at least one of the centralized data storage system or a local data silo in communication with the centralized data storage system. Exemplary meter data includes meter type data, meter test data and meter environmental data. Meter environmental data may comprise meter install location and at least one of fluid quality data or fluid meter mounting position. The platform is configured to provide a meter profile for each meter tested based at least in part on the meter data and the test system data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2021
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Applicant: OW Investors, LLC. (dba Mars Company)
    Inventors: David Bellamy Corey, Christopher Michael Mastic, Michael Louis Mastic, Jeffrey Brian Butt
  • Publication number: 20210148069
    Abstract: A device to slow down and/or stop means of transport on pavement, in particular a road pavement. The device includes a series of lamellar elements substantially parallel to each other, and provided with upper edges protruding from the upper part of the pavement, or substantially flush with the pavement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2019
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Applicant: MAR COMPANY S.R.L.
    Inventors: Luca Romanini, Marco Pasetto
  • Publication number: 20190390999
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosed inventions relate to a platform configured for evaluating and profiling metering technologies such as water meters using information derived from a plurality of fluid meter test systems deployed in a plurality of environments and in communication with a centralized data storage system. The inventions teach the establishment of an A Posteriori Database (APD) using “laboratory data” and “field data” derived from user entries and meter tests using a network of certified fluid meter test benches where the field data is based on evaluations of meters removed from a known metering environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2019
    Publication date: December 26, 2019
    Applicant: OW Investors, LLC. (dba Mars Company)
    Inventors: David Bellamy Corey, Christopher Michael Mastic, Michael Louis Mastic, Jeffrey Brian Butt
  • Patent number: 10337790
    Abstract: A refrigerated storage unit 1 includes: a refrigeration chamber S2, a refrigeration part 3 for cooling air inside the refrigeration chamber S2, a fan 4 for sending cold air cooled by the refrigeration part 3 into the refrigeration chamber S2, a temperature sensor 5 for detecting a temperature inside the refrigeration chamber S2, an infrared sensor 8 for detecting a temperature of a content provided inside the refrigeration chamber S2, and a control part 7 for controlling driving of the fan based on a result detected by at least one of the temperature sensor 5 and the infrared sensor 8.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: MARS Company
    Inventors: Motohiko Sato, Masaki Ohno, Tadao Izutsu
  • Publication number: 20190137321
    Abstract: The disclosed technology is a portable/mobile test bench apparatus and method for testing the accuracy of fluid flow meters. The system comprises an improved drain line system that better removes the test fluid after testing. The system is configured to automatically test the fluid meter at a plurality of flow rates and record the test data as well as transfer the test data to a centralized database.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Applicant: OW Investors, LLC (dba MARS Company)
    Inventors: Christopher Michael Mastic, David Allen Zook, Michael Louis Mastic, Floyd Stanley Salser
  • Patent number: 10085461
    Abstract: The present invention not only forms an electric field environment that can be controlled to differentiate between preservation of food freshness and promotion of ripening but also promotes fermentation by fermentative microbes, propagates plankton and inhibits bacterial reproduction. An electrode plate 2 is set inside a refrigerator 1 or an adjustable temperature box 6. Food 3 or a yogurt container 9 is place thereon. The electrode plate 2, 10 is connected to a power source 4, 11. Selection between food freshness preservation and promotion of ripening, and promotion of fermentation of fermented foods such as yogurt are performed by rectification, and voltage and frequency control of the power source. Additionally, propagation of phytoplankton and inhibition of bacterial reproduction are performed by controlling the frequency, voltage and ON/OFF timing of the power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: MARS COMPANY
    Inventors: Masaki Ohno, Motohiko Sato, Tadao Izutsu
  • Publication number: 20180010951
    Abstract: The disclosed invention is an apparatus for securely and adjustably associating a fluid meter a fluid meter test bench. The apparatus comprises two vertical support members each connected by a horizontal support element at one free end. The horizontal support element defines an adjustment interface mechanically associated with an adjuster element configured for adjustably securing a flow path element of a fluid meter test bench.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2017
    Publication date: January 11, 2018
    Applicant: OW Investors, LLC. (dba MARS Company)
    Inventors: Floyd Stanley Salser, David Zook
  • Publication number: 20160349100
    Abstract: The disclosed invention is a modular fluid meter test system configured for testing the accuracy of fluid flow meters. The modular test system is configured with an input module, an output module and zero or more center modules. The system is configured to be shipped disassembled so that it can be installed inside a test facility without the need to modify the entrances of the structure to house the test system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Applicant: OW Investors, LLC. (dba MARS Company)
    Inventors: Floyd Stanley Salser, Michael Louis Mastic, David Allen Zook, Andrew Douglas Jenkinson
  • Patent number: 7283063
    Abstract: Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) technology includes communication apparatus comprising a transmitter associated with an antenna wherein the transmitter is in communication with a utility meter installed in an underground enclosure. The communication apparatus includes a housing comprising a top-section and a depending base. The top-section at least partially houses the transmitter and the antenna with the depending base housing a power source operatively connected to the transmitter. The top-section is adjacent to an exterior side surface the underground enclosure. The depending base extends from the top-section, through an opening in said exterior side surface, and into the underground enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: MARS Company
    Inventor: Floyd Stanley Salser, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7259690
    Abstract: A reader (1) for a utility meter is disclosed. The reader (1) is capable of receiving data, in a variety different communication protocols, by either inductive coupling or by radio frequency transmission. The reader (1) is a hand-held device which comprises an inductive read nozzle (2), a RF module, a display (4), a keypad (5), a trigger switch (6), a handle (7), a communication port (8), a battery charging interface (9), a memory and a microprocessor. The reader (1) is capable of storing utility usage data in memory and/or downloading utility usage data to a computer through the communication port (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: MARS Company
    Inventors: Neil Furmidge, Richard Hall, Ian Harvey, Tim Baker
  • Patent number: 7245230
    Abstract: The present inventions relate to a method and apparatus for adding Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) capabilities to utility meters that generate a magnetic field comprising magnetic flux that varies proportionally with the rate of resource consumption. The apparatus comprises a dual magnetic field sensor unit for detecting variations in the magnetic flux density for the magnetic field. The sensor unit may be compact in size so that it can be positioned within a utility meter. The sensor unit may be operatively connected to a data-unit located outside the utility meter. The data unit may be further configured for storing processed or unprocessed sensor signals and is connected to a transmitter. To minimize power consumption, the magnetic field sensors may be configured to have sensor on times and sensor off times. The on/off state of the magnetic field sensors may be controlled by either a dedicated sensor controller or the data unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: MARS Company
    Inventors: Floyd Stanley Salser, Jr., Ian Phillip Harvey, Roger Allcorn