With Fluid Contact (e.g., Jetting) Patents (Class 141/70)
  • Patent number: 11932433
    Abstract: A gassing device for gassing a container includes a rotatable gassing rotor with a container receptacle for receiving the container and a feeding area for feeding a gas via a feed opening. The container receptacle includes a gassing nozzle flow-connected to the feed opening via a channel for gassing the container, and a stationary gas supply with a stationary supply opening arranged on the feeding area such that the supply opening can be flow-connected to the feed opening. The gassing rotor can be supplied with the gas from the gas supply in the operating state by moving the feed opening to the stationary supply opening by rotating the gassing rotor. The feeding area is connected without contact to the gas supply in the form of a labyrinth seal, so that the gassing rotor is rotatable relative to the gas supply in the operating state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: FERRUM PACKAGING AG
    Inventor: Philippe Derendinger
  • Patent number: 11905157
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are a water purifying device and a method for controlling the same. The water purifying device is characterized in that a water discharge module capable of moving vertically is provided with a sensor. Specifically, in the water purifying device of one embodiment, the sensor may measure a height of a container, by transmitting and receiving a signal for measuring a distance at a first point of the water discharge module, and may detect both a height of the inlet of the container and a water level, by transmitting and receiving the signal and measuring a water level at a second point of the water discharge module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Junsang Yun, Kyungsoo Oh, Heesang Yoon
  • Patent number: 11772953
    Abstract: A method for automatically filling a container with water and/or ice from a dispenser in a refrigerator door or within a refrigerator cavity includes the steps of: placing a container adjacent the dispenser; determining a volume of the container by using a camera associated with the dispenser, capturing a picture of the containing, visually estimating a volume of the container via a microprocessor associated with the camera or a cloud-based application associated with the camera, and converting the estimated container volume to an estimated weight based on densities of water and/or ice; filling the container with water and/or ice from the dispenser based on the estimated weight; and terminating filling of the container based on the estimated weight. And the refrigerator carrying out the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.
    Inventors: John W. Taylor, Stephen Smith
  • Patent number: 11718432
    Abstract: The invention relates to a packaging machine and a method for the production of individual packagings. Each package may include a planar product carrier and a top film which encloses a product disposed on the product carrier in a gas-tight manner. The packaging machine may include a sealing station with a tool upper part having an outer frame and at least one sealing tool movably mounted for a sealing operation, and a tool lower part that comprises a belt conveying module with at least one conveyor belt mounted thereon. The tool upper part and the tool lower part are moved toward each other to form a sealing chamber in a closed position of the sealing station. In the closed position, the sealing tool may be lowered within the sealing chamber from a resting position to a sealing position to seal the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: MULTIVAC SEPP HAGGENMÜLLER SE & CO. KG
    Inventor: Lars Ickert
  • Patent number: 11667509
    Abstract: A water purifier or other liquid dispenser may sense a height of the inlet of a container accurately through an infrared transmitter and an infrared receiver that are disposed at different positions of a water discharge module moving vertically. Additionally, in the water purifier, the water discharge module may discharge purified water at a point spaced a certain distance apart from the inlet of the container, based on infrared sensing, thereby preventing the inlet of the container from contacting the lower surface of the water discharge module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jaehoon Lee, Kyuchun Choi, Dong Seong Kim, Daewoo Kim
  • Patent number: 11523705
    Abstract: A water ejecting apparatus includes a case and a water ejection unit connected to one side of the case. The water ejection unit includes a fixed cover, a lifting cover, a lifting motor, a water ejection nozzle, a touch bar, a detection sensor, and a controller. The fixed cover is connected to the case. The lifting cover is movably received in the fixed cover and coupled to the lifting motor. The water ejection nozzle is installed at a lower end of the lifting cover and configured to eject water. The touch bar is at least partially received in the lifting cover and moves when in contact with a container placed below the water ejection nozzle. The detection sensor detects movement of the touch bar. The controller changes operation of the lifting motor when the detection sensor detects movement of the touch bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Dongkoo Han, Minho Kim, Heesang Yoon, Hoon Jang, Hyeonggeun Kim, Keunho Roh, Jongho Park, Younggwan Song
  • Patent number: 11518666
    Abstract: A water ejecting apparatus includes a case and a water ejection unit connected to the case. The water ejection unit includes a fixed cover connected to the case, having atop dead point and a bottom dead point, and including a lifting gear provided between the top dead point and the bottom dead point, a lifting cover movably coupled to the fixed cover, a lifting motor coupled to the lifting cover and a gear module interworking with the lifting motor and the lifting gear, a water ejection nozzle for ejecting water, a signal detecting unit that detects a frequency generation (FG) signal generated by the lifting motor during an operation of the lifting motor, and a controller configured to control the operation of the lifting motor upon determining that the lifting cover reaches the top dead point or the bottom dead point based on the FG signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jongho Park, Minho Kim, Heesang Yoon, Hoon Jang, Dongkoo Han, Hyeonggeun Kim, Keunho Roh, Younggwan Song
  • Patent number: 11317641
    Abstract: A method for preserving wine or other oxygen sensitive items is disclosed. In some embodiments, the method involves injecting 0.15 gram to 0.5 gram of an inert gas into a container comprising wine and oxygen, without raising a pressure within the container above 10 psig, to form a barrier layer of the inert gas between the wine and the oxygen in the container without displacing all of the oxygen from the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Inventor: Ryan Frederickson
  • Patent number: 10835451
    Abstract: An apparatus for dosing solid particulate material into one or more receptacles, the apparatus comprising: a reservoir for containing an amount of solid particulate material; a dosing unit comprising a dose collection position for collecting a predetermined dose of solid particulate material from the reservoir, and a dose release position for releasing the solid particulate material into the one or more receptacles; a receptacle handling unit for retaining the one or more receptacles, arranged to at least periodically align at least one of the one or more receptacles with the dosing unit when in the dose release position; and optionally a receptacle closing unit for closing the one or more receptacles once filled with the solid particulate material; wherein the dosing unit comprises one or more dosing chambers arranged to displace relative to said reservoir, and/or vice versa, along a perpendicular axis Y such that at least a portion of the chamber(s) is capable of being immerged into, and emerged out of, the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Capsugel Belgium NV
    Inventors: Gunther Van Goolen, Stefaan Jaak Vanquickenborne
  • Patent number: 10741432
    Abstract: Embodiments provide systems, apparatus, and methods for an improved load port operable to purge air trapped between the substrate carrier door and the carrier door opener. Embodiments include a docking tray adapted to receive a substrate carrier including a carrier door; a door opener adjacent the docking tray and adapted to couple to the carrier door and to open the carrier door, wherein the door opener includes a purge gas inlet port; at least one exhaust outlet port, and a ridge wall defining a perimeter channel in cooperation with a docked substrate carrier, wherein the ridge wall includes openings proximate the ports and wherein the door opener further includes a diverter structure disposed to direct purge gas from the inlet port to at least one of the openings in the ridge wall. Numerous additional aspects are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventor: David T. Blahnik
  • Patent number: 10138011
    Abstract: A filling device and method for filling a container with floating and/or suspended products, in particular for apples and pears. The device has a frame provided with a supply tank fillable with aqueous liquid, and a vacuum chamber for realizing an underpressure in at least a part of the supply tank; immersion means operatively connected to the frame for the purpose of placing the container into or removing the container from the supply tank; and feeder for feeding to the supply tank the aqueous liquid in which the floating and/or suspended products are entrainable. The feeder includes a flow tube or flow channel with which the floating and/or suspended products are carriable into the vacuum chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: De Greef's Wagen-, Carrosserie-en Machinebouw B.V.
    Inventors: Hendrik Krijn Ruissen, Arjen Johannes Wilhelmus Van Kleef, Hendrik Jan Van Ooijen
  • Patent number: 8893752
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for filling bottles or similar containers with a liquid product at a filling position, using a filling element for the controlled delivery of the product into the respective container, the foam formation of the product inside the respective container already being reduced and/or suppressed during the formation stage by a treatment or by influencing the product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: KHS GmbH
    Inventor: Ludwig Clüsserath
  • Publication number: 20140326361
    Abstract: A device (1) for extracting an ingredient in a cartridge (9) by supplying an extraction liquid such as heated water into such cartridge, comprises: upstream and downstream cartridge enclosing parts (7,8) relatively movable between an open position for inserting and/or removing such cartridge and a closed position for forming an extraction chamber (11) enclosing such cartridge during extraction; and at least one piercer selected from an upstream piercer (34) borne by the upstream part (7) for opening an upstream portion of such cartridge and a downstream piercer (30) borne by the downstream part (8) for opening a downstream portion of such cartridge. The at least one piercer (30,34) has a generally tapered shape, in particular a tapered shape that has a truncation surface (35) delimiting a piercing edge (34?).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2012
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Inventors: David Larzul, Julien Chalencon, François Besson, Blaise Rithener
  • Publication number: 20140007976
    Abstract: A granular material feeder for feeding a granular material into an at least partially breathable container includes: a storage receptacle configured to store the granular material; and a granular material discharger, and the granular material discharger has a granular material discharger portion configured to discharge the granular material in the storage receptacle into the container, and an air blower portion configured to blow air through a region surrounding the granular material discharger portion into the container during discharge of the granular material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventors: Shinichi Kajikawa, Hiroaki Kaneda
  • Publication number: 20120255642
    Abstract: The invention relates to containers or bags for chromatographic media and methods of packing chromatography columns using such containers. The bags may be used for storing and/or transporting chromatographic media and can be inserted directly into the chamber of a chromatography column in readiness for use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: GE HEALTHCARE BIO-SCIENCES AB
    Inventor: Klaus Gebauer
  • Patent number: 8220505
    Abstract: Powder dispensing and sensing apparatus and methods are provided. The powder dispensing and sensing apparatus includes a tray support structure to receive a cartridge tray holding cartridges, a powder dispenser assembly including powder dispenser modules to dispense powder into respective cartridges of a batch of cartridges in the cartridge tray, a powder transport system to deliver powder to the powder dispenser modules, a sensor module including sensor cells to sense respective fill states, such as the weights, of each of the cartridges in the batch of cartridges, and a control system to control the powder dispenser modules in response to the respective sensed fill states of each of the cartridges of the batch of cartridges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: MannKind Corporation
    Inventors: Trent A. Poole, David F. Bonneau, Per B. Fog
  • Patent number: 8083945
    Abstract: A method of storing and dispensing a fluid includes providing a vessel configured for selective dispensing of the fluid therefrom. The vessel contains an ionic liquid therein. The fluid is contacted with the ionic liquid for take-up of the fluid by the ionic liquid. There is substantially no chemical change in the ionic liquid and the fluid. The fluid is released from the ionic liquid and dispensed from the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Matheson Tri-Gas, Inc.
    Inventors: Carrie L. Wyse, Robert Torres, Jr., Tadaharu Watanabe, Joseph V. Vininski
  • Patent number: 8082955
    Abstract: A curtain nozzle is located above an opening portion (10) in a FIMS. A gas curtain formed of inert gas for closing the opening portion is formed. A cover is so provided as to cover a part of the curtain nozzle so as to prevent peripheral gas around an opening of the curtain nozzle from being involved in the gas curtain of the inert gas emitted from the curtain nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventor: Tsutomu Okabe
  • Patent number: 7950423
    Abstract: Powder dispensing and sensing apparatus and methods are provided. The powder dispensing and sensing apparatus includes a tray support structure to receive a cartridge tray holding cartridges, a powder dispenser assembly including powder dispenser modules to dispense powder into respective cartridges of a batch of cartridges in the cartridge tray, a powder transport system to deliver powder to the powder dispenser modules, a sensor module including sensor cells to sense respective fill states, such as the weights, of each of the cartridges in the batch of cartridges, and a control system to control the powder dispenser modules in response to the respective sensed fill states of each of the cartridges of the batch of cartridges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: MannKind Corporation
    Inventors: Trent A. Poole, David F. Bonneau, Per B. Fog
  • Publication number: 20110062052
    Abstract: A Front Opening Unified Pod (FOUP) having a purgeable supporting module disposed at the junction of each sidewall and the backwall of the container, the characteristic of the FOUP being in that: the purgeable supporting module has a buffer gas chamber and a gas inlet is disposed at one end of the buffer gas chamber and connected to a gas valve on the bottom surface, an outgassing channel is disposed on the purgeable supporting module facing the opening of the FOUP, and a long slot is disposed on one side of the outgassing channel, an airflow channel being disposed between and thus connecting the outgassing channel and the buffer gas chamber, and a plurality of supporting ribs being vertically disposed on one side of the long slot at intervals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Inventors: Chen-Wei KU, Shao-Wei Lu, Ming-Long Chiu
  • Patent number: 7810426
    Abstract: A device for preparing froth, in particular for preparing milk froth by means of hot steam output by a domestic coffee machine, contains an elongate nozzle body having a rear end and a front end, which can be connected in the region of its rear end to a hot steam source and which has an outlet nozzle in the region of its front end. A casing sleeve having a rear end and a front end surrounds the nozzle body and has an air intake opening in the region of its rear end and an outlet opening in the region of its front end, an intermediate space being formed between the nozzle body and the casing sleeve. An outer sleeve surrounds the casing sleeve at least in the region of the rear end of the casing sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Tchibo GmbH
    Inventors: Walter Balkau, Rüdiger Ternité, Hartwig Meyer-Ruhstrat
  • Patent number: 7811532
    Abstract: Fluid flow valve assembly comprising a valve body having an external port and an inlet end having at least a first port, a second port, and a third port; a first valve disposed within the valve body and adapted to control fluid flow between the first and second ports; and a second valve disposed within the valve body and adapted to control fluid flow between the third port and the external port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Stuart Alexander Kerr, Benjamin James Arthur, Athanasios Georgios Tsirukis, James Robert Leenhouts, Jeffrey Ronald Phillips
  • Patent number: 7670490
    Abstract: A method of storing and dispensing a fluid includes providing a vessel configured for selective dispensing of the fluid therefrom. The vessel contains an ionic liquid therein. The fluid is contacted with the ionic liquid for take-up of the fluid by the ionic liquid. There is substantially no chemical change in the ionic liquid and the fluid. The fluid is released from the ionic liquid and dispensed from the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Matheson Tri-Gas, Inc.
    Inventors: Carrie L. Wyse, Robert Torres, Jr., Tadaharu Watanabe, Joseph V. Vininski
  • Publication number: 20090283177
    Abstract: A method and device for the controlled foaming of a product introduced in bottles or similar containers. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Inventors: Gernod HAAS, Olaf MUSZINSKI
  • Patent number: 7588061
    Abstract: A body (1), feeding a group of enlarged pipes (2) in which straight pipes (6) slide so as to control the discharge of particles. At the exit of these tubes, the particles are propelled towards the periphery by gas jets that originate from perforated tubes (4). A rotating set of plates (3) whose periphery is fitted with brushes (30) having bristles of various dimensions, scatters the particles in such a way so as to distribute them uniformly according to a horizontal plane. A correcting device (9, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 16) that gets its feed of particles from the top of the device enables to set right any mal-distribution by directing an additional partial flow of particles towards an area where the height of the bed is low or uneven. Such a machine can also be used for the loading of silos or of catalytic reactors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Inventor: Bernard Poussin
  • Patent number: 7562681
    Abstract: Sandbags are filled with sand with a minimum of manual lifting. A truck has a sandbag filling unit thereon with a large sand hopper. The sand hopper has a sand holding tank underneath with one or more funnels for feeding the sand to sand blowers underneath. One or more compressors drive the sand into one or more hoses that are used to feed the sand into empty sandbags on a first conveyor located in close proximity so that workers can use the hoses to fill empty sandbags thereon. When the filled sandbags reach the end of the first conveyor, other workers would seal the bags. As the filled and sealed bags reach the end of the first conveyor, a second conveyor may be positioned to load the sandbags onto a transporting device or a pallet. One or more large sandbags are dropped into a breach of a levee.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Inventor: David W. Hermansen
  • Patent number: 7540308
    Abstract: A method of conditioning a compacted polymeric powder to a flowable and meterable state. The polymeric powder is compacted during transport such that the flowability is hindered. To increase flowability, gas is introduced into the polymeric powder to condition the same to an improved flowable and meterable state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Jean-Louis Pessin, Ismail El Kholy, Gregoire Jacob
  • Patent number: 7485163
    Abstract: There are provided a nozzle capable of enhancing the straight-advancing capability of jetted fluid to increase the back wash effect of a filter member, and a filter-type dust collector capable of effectively carrying out dust removal from a filter member with such a nozzle. To this end, the nozzle has a Laval nozzle section secured to the inside of an outer tube at its proximal end and a fluid guide section disposed at the leading end of the outer tube. The fluid guide section has a plurality of suction holes elongated in the flowing direction of the pressurized fluid. This nozzle is mounted on a pulse header tube of a dust removal device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Takuma Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Satoshi Yoshimoto
  • Patent number: 7168459
    Abstract: A feed bag includes a body bounding a compartment, the compartment being adapted to hold a feed material. The body has a first end with an outlet formed thereat and an opposing second end. A vent port is formed on the body so as to communicate with the compartment. In one embodiment a filter is coupled with the vent port. A fluid port is formed on the body so as to communicate with the compartment. The fluid port is adapted to receive a fluid line for delivering a fluid into the compartment of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Hynetics LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Bibbo, Gregory P. Elgan, Michael Goodwin, Bradley H Buchanan, Jim A Austin
  • Patent number: 7156372
    Abstract: A non-contact valve (24, 26) for controlling the flow of particulate material (M) includes a body (102) and a gas-porous element (106) associated with the body (102). A first orifice (122) is defined by the gas-porous element (106). The gas-porous element (106) directs a flow of pressurized gas into the first orifice (122). A plug member (104) receivable within the first orifice (122) is movable into and out of the first orifice (122). A channel (C) is conjunctively defined at least in part by the first orifice (122) and the plug (104). The channel (C) defines a flow path (124) for the particulate material (M). The length of the channel (C) is adjusted to thereby adjust the velocity of gas flowing through the channel (C) and, thereby, adjust the flow of material (M) therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Jeffery P. Kelsey, Thomas M. Bragg
  • Patent number: 6889725
    Abstract: A system for strengthening containers in a high-speed filling operation is disclosed. The system includes a solenoid-driven injector apparatus positioned at an angle to the containers being filled. The injector apparatus includes a chamber connected via an intake line to a supply tank. A solenoid is adapted to open an injector valve, allowing liquefied gas within a chamber to forcibly flow through an outflow line into the container. The solenoid is also adapted to close the injector valve, thereby blocking the liquefied gas within the chamber from entering the outflow line. The injector apparatus also includes a heater positioned adjacent to the outflow line and an adjustment device for the injector valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Coors Global Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert H. Schultz, Christopher S. Derks, Elizabeth J. Sandidge
  • Patent number: 6883558
    Abstract: A method for filling a muffler shell with a fibrous material includes providing an outer muffler shell, applying a temporary form to the outer shell to define a muffler chamber within the outer muffler shell, and wetting the fibrous material by forcing moisturized compressed air into contact with the fibrous material. The wetted fibrous material is inserted into the muffler chamber, and the temporary form is removed from the outer muffler shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Owens Corning Composites, S.P.R.L.
    Inventor: Michael H. Jander
  • Patent number: 6851459
    Abstract: An air sampler for use in analyzing biological or other analytes, comprizes an airflow chamber having an air inlet and an air outlet. An extract from an air mover draws ambient air in through the inlet, and then through the chamber, to discharge it back to atmosphere by way of an outlet. The airflow chamber houses a cyclone air/liquid separator through which the inflowing air is caused to pass. An injector introduces liquid into air flowing through the air inlet. The cyclone separator extracts this liquid and any entrained particles therein and discharges it from the airflow chamber, initially by way of a duct, where it is then conveyed to a collection vessel, by way of a three channel peristaltic pump, and a duct. The collection vessel is housed within a Peltier-cooled holder to maintain the contents of the vessel within the 2-8 degree Celsius range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: The Secretary of State for Defence in Her Britannic Majesty's Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
    Inventors: David James Squirrell, William Hunter Symonds, Hilary Anne Bird, Martin John Berry
  • Patent number: 6810929
    Abstract: A transportable container for fluidizable solids includes a storage container adapted to contain the fluidizable solids is disclosed. The storage container defines an air inlet port for introducing fluidizing air into the storage container and a solids outlet port for discharging the solids from the storage container. A solids outlet conduit may be connected to the solids outlet port for supplying the solids to a downstream process or apparatus. An agitator is provided at the bottom end of the storage container for mixing and maintaining homogeneity of the solids in the fluidizing air. A fluid permeable fluidization membrane is disposed in the storage container below the agitator. The fluidization membrane defines an air chamber below the solids for introducing the fluidizing air into the solids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard S. Tansey, Joseph M. Ferencz
  • Patent number: 6796341
    Abstract: A filling spout for distributing a liquid in a receptacle, delivering an umbrella-shaped jet, the distribution passage for the liquid being defined by two parallel truncated partition walls, one outer wall belonging to the body of the spout and the other inner wall belonging to a central core. The central core is conical, widens towards the outlet and is disposed coaxially in a cylindrical conduit of the body of spout, terminating in the truncated outer wall. A supporting foot for the central core is placed in between the central core and the wall of the cylindrical conduit, the foot being used to support the conical core in a coaxial manner in relation to the cylindrical conduit and extending from the tip of the core towards the outlet, taking the form of a diheydron wherein the edge coincides with the axis of the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Sidel
    Inventor: Cyrille Durand
  • Patent number: 6782925
    Abstract: According to certain embodiments of the present invention, there is disclosed herein a method and system of recovering concrete which includes admitting a concrete slurry to a tank, pressurizing the tank with a fluid under pressure, discharging through a discharge line the pressurized fluid-slurry from the tank, cleaning the tank by admitting a cleaning liquid into the tank after discharging fluid-slurry therefrom, and discharging the cleaning liquid from the tank through the discharge line for cleaning purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: BMP Environmental Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Manuel Marques Raposo, Ilmud Dean, Rudie Allen Dobchuk
  • Patent number: 6772801
    Abstract: Encapsulated oral dosage pharmaceutical products are produced utilizing a system including a hopper and a dosator, where the hopper receives particles having irregular geometries and sizes greater than about 100 &mgr;m for delivery to the dosator. A gaseous fluid is directed into the hopper to fluidize particles within the hopper so as to minimize or eliminate the formation of voids within the bed of particles disposed within the hopper. The fluidization of the particles within the hopper maintains a substantially continuous and uniform flow of particles from the hopper to the dosator, which results in the formation of encapsulated products with desirable weights and particle size distributions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Shire Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Amir H. Shojaei, Benjamin Thomas Kibalo, Scott A. Ibrahim
  • Patent number: 6763858
    Abstract: A system for strengthening containers in a high-speed filling operation is disclosed. The system includes a solenoid-driven injector apparatus positioned at an angle to the containers being filled. The injector apparatus includes a chamber connected via an intake line to a supply tank. A solenoid is adapted to open an injector valve, allowing liquefied gas within a chamber to forcibly flow through an outflow line into the container. The solenoid is also adapted to close the injector valve, thereby blocking the liquefied gas within the chamber from entering the outflow line. The injector apparatus also includes a heater positioned adjacent to the outflow line and an adjustment device for the injector valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Coors Global Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert H. Schultz, Christopher S. Derks, Elizabeth J. McTeer
  • Publication number: 20040118480
    Abstract: A filling spout (1) for distributing a liquid in a receptacle, delivering an umbrella-shaped jet, the distribution passage (6) for the liquid being defined by two parallel truncated partition walls, one outer wall belonging to the body (1) of the spout and the other inner wall belonging to a central core (5). The central core (5) is conical, widens towards the outlet and is disposed coaxially in a cylindrical conduit (3) of the body of the spout (1), terminating in the truncated outer wall. A supporting foot (7) for the central core (5) is placed in between the central core (5) and the wall of the cylindrical conduit (3), said foot being used to support the conical core in a coaxial manner in relation to the cylindrical conduit and extending from the tip of the core towards the outlet, taking the form of a diheydron wherein the edge coincides with the axis of the core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2003
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Inventor: Cyrille Durand
  • Patent number: 6748985
    Abstract: An inlet device for a reactor vessel (5) intended for a separation method comprising retaining a substance on a separation medium from a liquid passing through the reactor vessel (5) which contains the separation medium. The device comprises (a) a distributor block (7) enabling a liquid flow to pass through the block into the reactor vessel (5), (b) an inlet block (3), (c) a distribution chamber (1) defined by a space between the distributor block (7) and the outlet side (11) of the inlet block (3), (d) at least one conduit (I; 13a,13b . . . ) passing through the inlet block (3) from the inlet side (10) to the outlet side (11) of said inlet block (3) and ending in the distribution chamber (1), said at least one conduit being able to distribute liquid into the distribution chamber (1), (e) a gross liquid flow direction going perpendicular to the plane of the interface between the distribution block (7) and the distribution chamber (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Amersham Biosciences AB
    Inventors: Joachim Walter, Uwe Striffler, Jan Feuser
  • Patent number: 6715515
    Abstract: A chemical loading system includes a venturi located at the top of the solution tank to reduce the fluid mass that has to be lifted into the tank. An anti-bridging nozzle at the outlet of the eductor hopper assures that material is pushed into the vacuum created by the venturi. To reduce air space in the granular material and increase pull by the venturi vacuum, fluid is directed to the material through the anti-bridging nozzle and through a rinse ring around the top of the hopper. The rinse ring, also used to rinse the hopper after loading the material and provide structural rigidity, includes a rolled edge at the top of the hopper walls with notches in the edge of the ring to provide improved placement of rinsing solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Kent Alvin Klemme, Joshua Jacob Engelbrecht
  • Patent number: 6698473
    Abstract: A filling tube for dispensing a liquid into a container, wherein the tube (10) includes an orifice (36, 40) for dispensing the liquid which conditions a cone-shaped jet, and wherein the tube includes an axial cannula provided with a gas discharge conduit (24) emerging inside the space defined by the cone-shaped jet. The cannula includes a gas intake pipe (28) which emerges inside the space defined by the cone-shaped jet and which sprays a gas stream which flows substantially parallel to the liquid cone-shaped jet, on the inner side thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Sidel
    Inventor: Patrick Decarne
  • Patent number: 6698467
    Abstract: A system for strengthening containers in a high-speed filling operation is disclosed. The system includes a solenoid-driven injector apparatus positioned at an angle to the containers being filled. The injector apparatus includes a chamber connected via an intake line to a supply tank. A solenoid is adapted to open an injector valve, allowing liquefied gas within a chamber to forcibly flow through an outflow line into the container. The solenoid is also adapted to close the injector valve, thereby blocking the liquefied gas within the chamber from entering the outflow line. The injector apparatus also includes a heater positioned adjacent to the outflow line and an adjustment device for the injector valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Coors Brewing Company
    Inventors: Robert H. Schultz, Christopher S. Derks, Elizabeth J. McTeer
  • Patent number: 6695018
    Abstract: A scoop is used to collect a liquid slurry upstream of an internal collection tank. The scoop is in fluid communication with a downcomer, which receives at least part of the collected slurry, thereby maintaining a continuous flow of liquid slurry through the scoop to prevent plugging. Collected slurry can be removed for treatment from the scoop or the downcomer. In an application to a wet flue gas desulfurization (FGD) scrubber, the scoop collects an effluent slurry of partially reacted liquid scrubbing reagent and scrubbing byproducts before they drain into an internal reaction tank. Partially reacted liquid scrubbing reagent and scrubbing byproducts can therefore be withdrawn for treatment before the addition of fresh reagent alters the pH of the treatment stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventors: Dennis W. Johnson, David W. Murphy, Robert B. Myers
  • Patent number: 6668877
    Abstract: A filling system having a discharge unit to fill still beverages under an open ambience into containers. The filling system has an annular nozzle from which blows a sterile gas in the direction of filling. The nozzle is mounted on the filling system concentrically with the discharge unit such that sterile gas encircles beverages being discharged from the discharge unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Alfill Engineering GmbH & Co KG
    Inventors: Jorn Richard Fehland, Jens H. Popplau
  • Patent number: 6659144
    Abstract: A system for strengthening containers in a high-speed filling operation is disclosed. The system includes a solenoid-driven injector apparatus positioned at an angle to the containers being filled. The injector apparatus includes a chamber connected via an intake line to a supply tank. A solenoid is adapted to open an injector valve, allowing liquefied gas within a chamber to forcibly flow through an outflow line into the container. The solenoid is also adapted to close the injector valve, thereby blocking the liquefied gas within the chamber from entering the outflow line. The injector apparatus also includes a heater positioned adjacent to the outflow line and an adjustment device for the injector valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Coors Brewing Company
    Inventors: Robert H. Schultz, Christopher S. Derks, Elizabeth J. McTeer
  • Publication number: 20030111132
    Abstract: A system for strengthening containers in a high-speed filling operation is disclosed. The system includes a solenoid-driven injector apparatus positioned at an angle to the containers being filled. The injector apparatus includes a chamber connected via an intake line to a supply tank. A solenoid is adapted to open an injector valve, allowing liquefied gas within a chamber to forcibly flow through an outflow line into the container. The solenoid is also adapted to close the injector valve, thereby blocking the liquefied gas within the chamber from entering the outflow line. The injector apparatus also includes a heater positioned adjacent to the outflow line and an adjustment device for the injector valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Inventors: Robert H. Schultz, Christopher S. Derks, Elizabeth J. McTeer
  • Publication number: 20030089420
    Abstract: A system for strengthening containers in a high-speed filling operation is disclosed. The system includes a solenoid-driven injector apparatus positioned at an angle to the containers being filled. The injector apparatus includes a chamber connected via an intake line to a supply tank. A solenoid is adapted to open an injector valve, allowing liquefied gas within a chamber to forcibly flow through an outflow line into the container. The solenoid is also adapted to close the injector valve, thereby blocking the liquefied gas within the chamber from entering the outflow line. The injector apparatus also includes a heater positioned adjacent to the outflow line and an adjustment device for the injector valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2002
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Inventors: Robert H. Schultz, Christopher S. Derks, Elizabeth J. McTeer
  • Patent number: 6505656
    Abstract: A system for strengthening containers in a high-speed filling operation is disclosed. The system includes a solenoid-driven injector apparatus positioned at an angle to the containers being filled. The injector apparatus includes a chamber connected via an intake line to a supply tank. A solenoid is adapted to open an injector valve, allowing liquefied gas within a chamber to forcibly flow through an outflow line into the container. The solenoid is also adapted to close the injector valve, thereby blocking the liquefied gas within the chamber from entering the outflow line. The injector apparatus also includes a heater positioned adjacent to the outflow line and an adjustment device for the injector valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Coors Brewing Company
    Inventors: Robert H. Schultz, Christopher S. Derks, Elizabeth J. McTeer
  • Publication number: 20020134459
    Abstract: A system for strengthening containers in a high-speed filling operation is disclosed. The system includes a solenoid-driven injector apparatus positioned at an angle to the containers being filled. The injector apparatus includes a chamber connected via an intake line to a supply tank. A solenoid is adapted to open an injector valve, allowing liquefied gas within a chamber to forcibly flow through an outflow line into the container. The solenoid is also adapted to close the injector valve, thereby blocking the liquefied gas within the chamber from entering the outflow line. The injector apparatus also includes a heater positioned adjacent to the outflow line and an adjustment device for the injector valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2002
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Inventors: Robert H. Schultz, Christopher S. Derks, Elizabeth J. McTeer