Patents Examined by Christopher Harmon
  • Patent number: 10060110
    Abstract: A mechanized, light weight, and compact drain opener that is different and more effective than any present art device available, as it is easily portable, of low cost, and enables virtually anyone the ability to employ a powerful, easily operated, non-manual, thrusting and pumping action upon a clogged drain, by ability of the device to be easily placed immediate to a clogged drain, and powered by any common, inexpensive electric drill, commonly found in most homes, as opposed to existing art devices, that when portable, are generally manually operated, difficult to use, and only marginally effective, or when effective, are large, cumbersome, motor-driven devices, that are of a prohibitive cost to own, by the average person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Dynadrain LLC
    Inventors: Charles Dominic Bugni, Peter Anthony Bugni, John Augustine Bugni
  • Patent number: 9914600
    Abstract: An automated mail tray filling apparatus for taking envelopes from a vertical stacker output of an inserter machine and placing them in mail trays. A vertical stack of envelopes rests on a long stacker table. The mail tray filling apparatus has a track positioned next the vertical stacker table parallel to the length of the vertical stacker table. A mail tray transport is positioned beneath the track and arranged to transport mail trays beneath the track in a direction parallel to the vertical stacker table. A movable mail tray filler is movably mounted on the track to travel in parallel next to the vertical stacker table and above the mail tray transport, and is arranged to withdraw envelopes from the end of the vertical stack in a sideways direction. Envelopes are then redirected into a downward direction and fed into a mail tray positioned beneath the movable mail tray filler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph J Keane, Donato C Farole, Glenn A Nester
  • Patent number: 9908648
    Abstract: A control system for a wrapping apparatus may include a packaging material dispenser configured to dispense packaging material for wrapping a load. The control system may also include at least one sensor assembly configured to generate a signal based on instantaneous demand for packaging material at the load. The control system may further include a controller configured to control operation of the packaging material dispenser based at least in part on the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Lantech.com, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick R. Lancaster, III, Michael Mitchell, Thomas Harris, Robert D. Janes, Sr., Richard L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 9908304
    Abstract: A machine for forming a container from a blank of sheet material includes a forming station and a compression station. The forming station is configured to form a reinforcing corner assembly from first and second reinforcing panels extending from an end panel of the blank. The compression station is configured to rotate side panels and end panels of the blank to be substantially perpendicular to a bottom panel of the blank. The compression station includes a plurality of plows at least partially defining a plunger opening, and a plunger vertically movable through the plunger opening. The plurality of plows are configured to rotate the side panels and the end panels towards the interior surface of the bottom panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: WestRock Shared Services, LLC
    Inventors: Amer Aganovic, Thomas Dean Graham, Kenneth Charles Smith, John Hershcel Conley, Robert Bradley Teany, Gregory Scott Gulik, Paul Andrew Spurlock, Maureen Ann Armstrong
  • Patent number: 9902192
    Abstract: This invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a system and method for inserting contents into envelopes that generally reduces the number of operative device components, locates all components in a readily and accessible location, reduces the number of adjustments needed to change envelope size and contents size, provides an efficient and aesthetically pleasing design, allows for a highly flexible arrangement of backup hoppers to primary hoppers for feeding envelope contents and otherwise affords a substantial number of improvements over currently available envelope inserters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Inventor: H. W. Crowley
  • Patent number: 9896317
    Abstract: The present application is directed towards the handling of laboratory test tubes. More particularly to a specialized laboratory device that enables manual opening, closing and capping of multiple test tubes with integral sealing caps. The Laboratory Test Tube Handling Device permits the user to perform multiple processes simultaneously more efficiently and rapidly than current practice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Inventor: John Kenneth Alexander Bell
  • Patent number: 9873976
    Abstract: This device is used to decrease, roll, and wash hand wraps that boxers and martial artists use, the domes and their covers decrease the wraps, the axle rolls them inside the bag, and the mesh structure allows a thorough washing of the hand wraps inside the bag by placing it in a washing machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Inventor: Yazid Al Jaj Eid
  • Patent number: 9874041
    Abstract: An emergency access tool is designed to unfold into unique geometrical shapes that allow for the tool to act as a Class 1 lever to access a locked privacy partition stall door from the outside area thereof. The tool provides a handle to impart input force, a shaft rotatable out of a collapsed position of storage within the handle into alternative fixed operating positions with respect to the handle, a proximal portion of the shaft having a reduced diameter intermediate section, the intermediate section providing a fulcrum point where leverage is achieved while the tool is inserted within the door seam of the partition, and a distal end section which maintains a substantially perpendicular orientation with respect to the shaft during use of the tool. The end section of the tool is sized and adapted to make contact with the interior door lock of the partition and impart the output force necessary to unlock the lock latch and allow entry into the privacy partition stall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Inventor: James Dana Briscoe
  • Patent number: 9862512
    Abstract: A method for sealing a food storage bag includes providing a bag with walls formed of two facing sheets, at least one of the facing sheets is a multilayer sheet having an inner layer of polymer enabling the facing sheets to be joined by melt sea ng at less than 95° C.; providing a sealing device comprising an elongated bar with thermal conductivity greater than 5 W/(m K) and an insulating component affixed to the bar having a thermal conductivity less than 1 W/(m K); placing the sealing device into water; warming the bar to between 50° C. and 100° C.; removing the warmed bar from water; handling the sealing device by the insulating component; and pressing the warmed bar against a wall of the storage bag to join facing sheets. In one embodiment, a machine-readable image on the bag points to a video on the Internet that illustrates the sealing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Inventor: Carolyn Kay Jons
  • Patent number: 9856042
    Abstract: A method and a device for packaging of products (28) in bags (26) comprises the steps of “forming a chamber (4) around the bag (26) by closing a lid (5)” and “evacuating the chamber (4)” or is formed such, respectively, in order to carry out these steps. It is the object of the device and the method, respectively, to enable an increase of the cycle performance of a packaging machine. Therefore, simultaneously with sealing the bag (26) by a sealing bar (11), the chamber (4) is vented and the bag (26) is clamped by at least a first clamping bar (10, 12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: MULTIVAC SEPP HAGGENMUELLER SE & CO. KG
    Inventor: Konrad Moessnang
  • Patent number: 9829213
    Abstract: The present invention provides a large-scale water heater with a telescoping tower having a tower with a storage area proximal to the bottom of the tower; a portion of the tower that telescopes vertically that is pre-filled with a packing media; a nozzle designed to distribute a fluid that is located above the packing media; a firing chamber with a proximal end in fluid communication with the tower; and a burner in fluid communication with the distal end of the firing chamber for combusting fuels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: OIL, GAS AND INDUSTRIAL PROCESS EQUIPMENT
    Inventors: Scott S. Cook, Jose M. Pereira, Jeff K. Pruitt
  • Patent number: 9828755
    Abstract: An automatic bidet automatically washes a user, after they have eliminated, while sitting on a toilet. The bidet uses a camera connected to a computer, to identify a user's gender, and to identify elimination from the users front or back location, the information is used direct water to the user's elimination positions, after eliminating. When washing the user, an automatic water aiming device, can also be used, to automatically target and direct water, to the user's elimination positions, without the user, having to move their body, to the water stream. A bottom air drier automatically dries the user's bottom, after washing. The automatic bidet decreases the transmission, of possibly harmful bacteria and viruses, to the user, by relieving them of manually having to operate, a possibly bacteria contaminated bidet control panel. Bidet automation frees the user, from expending effort, and needing knowledge to operate a bidet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Inventor: Sigmund Lindsay Clements
  • Patent number: 9796061
    Abstract: A device for calibrating a drill bit of a chuck includes an intermediate sleeve including two rear curved elements, a front shoulder, internal threads rearward of the shoulder, and an externally threaded extension projecting out of a front end; a front window including a diametrical calibrating line; an externally threaded rim secured to the internal threads to urge the window against the shoulder; and a ring having internal threads secured to the extension. A fastening of the chuck and the device, a loosening of the retainer ring, and a rotation of the rear holding member to rotate the drill bit can align the drill bit with the calibrating line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Inventors: Chi-Kuo Lin, Chi-Wen Lin
  • Patent number: 9795165
    Abstract: Some embodiments of a tobacco product package device can be used to enhance freshness and other characteristics of tobacco products or other products contained therein. Certain features can improve product freshness both during shelf life and during consumer use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company LLC
    Inventors: David Karl Bried, James Arthur Strickland, Mark T. Nielsen, Frank Scott Atchley, Lamar Eugene Walters, II, Gregory A. Pace
  • Patent number: 9788575
    Abstract: A pack, and a method and apparatus for producing the pack, comprising an outer pack and an inner pack as a sealed block with an inner blank which encloses the pack contents, the inner pack having, in the region of an inner end wall, an opening aid which can be used a number of times and, in the region of side walls of the inner pack, folding flaps which are connected to one another by thermal sealing. Folding flaps in the region of an inner rear wall of the inner blank are configured as a fin fold and are connected to one another by thermal sealing outside the region of the cigarette group to form a fin seam, the fin seam being arranged at a spacing from regions of folding flaps which cover one another multiple times, in the region of the inner side walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Focke & Co. (GmbH & Co. KG)
    Inventors: Henry Buse, Reinhard Lohmann
  • Patent number: 9791236
    Abstract: The invention relates to a pneumatic toy gun recoil device, which uses pneumatic means to substitute mechanical means like springs for cushioning and retracting effect, so as to resolve technical problems of conventional techniques. Said resolved technical problems, such as, the springs serve as mechanical means are easy wearing or elastic fatigue, and are also difficult to assemble and mount. Furthermore, the invention not only provides recoil simulating the recoil of a gun firing gunpowder propelled projectiles, but also has advantages of good quality control and long life for toy gun products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Inventor: Tsung-Ming Lee
  • Patent number: 9783325
    Abstract: A bath water treatment dispensing packet comprising a substance containing body containing a composition of oils, salts, and herbs. The substance containing body comprises two sides of dispensing packet material joined along a peripheral edge forming a containment section therein. The bath water treatment dispensing packet can be provided in a strip having a plurality of containment sections. Each containment section can contain salt or herbs, in an alternating manner. The user would separate the desired quantity of containment sections from the strip and place the separated quantity into the bath water. The salts and/or herbs can be infused with different fragrances of essential oils and colored with natural minerals. The oils are combined with a carrier, such as baking soda, for dry portability until immersed into a fluid. The oils are released into the bath water and float to the surface, providing aromatherapy, as the carrier dissolves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Inventor: Christy Booth Hierholzer
  • Patent number: 9783264
    Abstract: A multi-hull variable aspect surf rescue boat is provided, which can support and contain occupant(s) and cargo and can be readjusted in shape and size to vary the boat's length overall (LOA), beam on center (BOC), the LOA/BOC ratio or OAR, thereby changing the boat's attitude, center of buoyancy and center of gravity without changing the boat's components or weight. The boat includes a frame assembly comprised of a centerline tube and three or more radiating, extendable and retractable telescoping tubes which intersect at a center line of the boat. A respective starling control assembly is attached to each telescoping tube, providing buoyancy to the boat. The frame assembly carries a platform for carrying the occupant(s) and cargo, and a means of propulsion for transporting the boat in surf or turbulent waterways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Inventor: Ben D. deVries
  • Patent number: 9767635
    Abstract: The medicament dispensing machine enables to use vials having various sizes and shapes without changing a part in the machine or without performing a special operation. The medicament dispensing machine contains a discharging unit that receives a vial filled with a medicament from a medicament filling means and discharges out of a vial discharging window. The discharging unit contains a vial gripping means having a pair of gripping arms that grip a vial, a body of gripping means having the vial gripping means, a moving means that moves the vial gripping means from the medicament filling means to the vial discharging window, and an orientation changing mechanism that changes the orientation of the body of gripping means. With a coordination of the movement of the body of gripping means toward the vial discharging window, the orientation changing mechanism makes the gripping arms orient to the vial discharging window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: YUYAMA MFG. CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shoji Yuyama, Naoki Koike, Takafumi Imai, Yoshinori Kumano, Akira Maeda, Mitsuhiro Mitani
  • Patent number: 9764524
    Abstract: A blank of sheet material for forming a polygonal container is provided. The blank includes a bottom panel, two opposing side panels, two opposing end panels, and a reinforcing panel assembly extending from a first side edge of a first end panel of the two end panels. The reinforcing panel assembly includes a corner panel extending from the first side edge of the first end panel, a first reinforcing side panel extending from a side edge of the corner panel, a second reinforcing side panel extending from a side edge of the first reinforcing side panel, a reinforcing corner panel extending from a side edge of the second reinforcing side panel, and an inner end panel extending from a side edge of the reinforcing corner panel. The corner panel and the reinforcing corner panel are configured, upon articulation of the blank, to be positioned into face-to-face relationship to form a corner wall of the container extending from a side edge of an end wall of the container to an end edge of a side wall of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: WestRock Shared Services, LLC
    Inventors: Maureen Ann Armstrong, Kenneth Charles Smith