Patents Assigned to Prince
  • Pinch valve
    Patent number: 8636180
    Abstract: A pinch valve for use with a liquid dispensing cabinet is comprised of a tube pinching device configured to translate between an open position and a closed position and an electrically powered linear actuator configured to provide a valve opening force to the tube pinching device, The pinching device is coupled to a spring device configured to apply a valve closing force to the tube pinching device. The pinch valve is additionally comprised of an operator handle facilitating manual opening of the tube pinching device. The pinching device is rotatable in the valve body. The valve body has a front surface heat sink against which a tube pinching force is applied by a tube pinching device and a rear surface with a concavity configured to receive a tube carrying a heat transferring fluid. The tube pinching device can be operated electrically or manually.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Prince Castle, LLC
    Inventors: Loren Veltrop, Christopher Lyons
  • Conveyor oven with adjustable air vents
    Patent number: 8637792
    Abstract: A conveyor oven has several heating zones. Each heating zone is comprised of one or more infrared emitters that are configured to emit a spectrum of infrared wavelengths that varies in intensity and spectrum over time. The spectra of emitted infrared wavelengths in each zone can have the same or different profile. Zones are regions wherein infrared emitters are configured and operated to emit the same or substantially the same infrared energy wavelengths and intensity levels across an IR spectrum. Access to the infrared emitters and the conveyor is provided by one or more access or maintenance ports formed into a side of the conveyor oven. Temperature control inside the oven is effectuated by venting hot air through air vents formed into the oven sides and/or top.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Prince Castle, LLC
    Inventors: Frank Agnello, Loren Veltrop, Thomas Serena, Nathaniel Howard
  • Liquid dispenser pinch valve
    Patent number: 8636176
    Abstract: A two-piece pinch valve is disclosed. A first piece or part of the valve is fixedly installed into a dispensing cabinet. A second piece or part having a movable pinch bar that pinches and un-pinches a tube is installable into and removable from the first piece by hand. Removal of the second piece from the first pieces allows a tube to be directly installed into the pinch valve. Installation of the second piece into the first piece configures the valve for operation. The second piece is installed into slots in the first piece. The slots and engaging protuberances on the second piece enable the second piece to be locked in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Prince Castle, LLC
    Inventors: Joel Otto Malin, Jerry Tauer, Loren Veltrop
  • Refrigerated point-of-use holding cabinet
    Patent number: 8607587
    Abstract: A refrigerated point-of-use food holding cabinet keeps food products cold in compartments having cross sections that are substantially U-shaped. Food products are kept refrigerated using heat-absorbing, heat-exchangers thermally coupled to the U-shaped compartment. Refrigeration is provided by either a conventional reversed-Brayton cycle, one or more Peltier devices or a chilled, re-circulating liquid that does not change phase as it circulates but which is chilled by another refrigeration system, such as a conventional refrigeration system. An optional cover helps prevent food flavor transfers between compartments. Semiconductor temperature sensors and a computer effectuate temperature control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Prince Castle LLC
    Inventor: Loren Veltrop
  • Frame structure for skates
    Patent number: 8567794
    Abstract: A skate frame comprises a lower frame portion comprising gliding means for running on a gliding surface and an upper frame portion comprising one or more support surfaces for supporting the user's boot. Both the frame portions comprise protruding arms that are mechanically coupled. The mutual interlock between the coupling surfaces of said protruding arms prevent relative movements between the frame portions along predefined directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Prince Sports, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen J. Davis, Stefano Conte, Roberto Gazzara, Mauro Pezzato, Mauro Pinaffo, Michel Pozzobon
  • Dispensing method and apparatus utilizing a sensor to determine a time that a dispensing valve is open
    Patent number: 8534497
    Abstract: Relatively small, fixed-volumes of liquid are measured and dispensed from a bulk container by empirically determining the liquid surface height and opening a dispensing valve for a time period that is calculated using a volume of liquid specified to be dispensed and the empirically-determined liquid surface height. The liquid surface height in the container is determined empirically for subsequent volumes of liquid that are dispensed. Dispensing accuracy is maintained whether the container is full or nearly empty.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Prince Castle, LLC
    Inventors: Loren Veltrop, Christopher Lyons
  • Holding cabinet for separately heating food trays
    Patent number: 8522675
    Abstract: A food holding cabinet having one or more food-holding compartments has two or more zones in a compartment, wherein holding temperatures can be different from each other. A shelf made of glass-ceramic passes infrared energy from two or more heating elements attached to the glass-ceramic shelf. Energy emitted from the different heating elements effectuate different temperatures of localized regions of the glass-ceramic and impart different amounts of heat energy into a food item or food holding trays above the heating elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Prince Castle, LLC
    Inventor: Loren Veltrop
  • Food heating device
    Patent number: 8522673
    Abstract: A food heating device includes a platen (101) and a pair of conveyor segments (103). A first conveyor segment is arranged and spaced to transport a food product (201, 203, 205) between a first side of the platen (101) and the first conveyor segment (103). A second conveyor segment (103/703/903) is arranged and spaced to transport the food product between a second side of the platen (101) and the second conveyor segment (103/703/903). A transfer device (505/705) may be disposed at one end of the platen (101) such that the transfer device transfers the food product (203) from the first side of the platen (101) to the second side of the platen (101).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Prince Castle, LLC
    Inventors: Terry Tae-Il Chung, Loren Veltrop, Brian Hee-Eun Lee, Donald Van Erden, Christopher B. Lyons
  • Protective tapered member
    Patent number: 8522771
    Abstract: An edge guard for use adjacent an edge. The edge guard comprises a cushion member and an edge attachment. The cushion member includes a first face, a second face, and a cushion edge portion disposed between them. Both faces have inner portions extending away from the cushion edge portion towards end portions. The inner portions are positioned adjacent surfaces surrounding the edge. The edge attachment includes an upper surface, an attached end, and a distal end. The attached end is attached to one of the end portions of the cushion member. The edge attachment is stiffer than the cushion member. The upper surface of the edge attachment is separated a distance from the surface it is positioned adjacent that tapers from a larger distance at the attached end to a smaller distance at the distal end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Prince Lionheart, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas E. McConnell, Francois P. Hacquard
  • Method of protecting a seat from a child safety seat positioned thereon
    Patent number: 8458873
    Abstract: There is provided a seat cover for accommodating a child safety chair upon a seat. The seat cover comprises a lower protective member which is disposable upon a seating portion of the seat. This lower member can accommodate the child safety chair when positioned in a rearward-facing direction to prevent it from permanently compressing the seating portion. The seat cover further comprises an upper protective member that is disposable against a seat-back portion of the seat. This upper member is selectively attachable with and detachable from the lower member. By doing so, the upper member can further prevent the chair from permanently compressing the seat-back portion when it is repositioned in a forward-facing direction and placed in contact therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Prince Lionheart, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas E. McConnell, Michael E. Henley
  • Identification of immunoglobulin (lg) disorders using fourier transform infrared spectroscopy
    Patent number: 8421019
    Abstract: A method and a corresponding system for obtaining a serum mid-infrared spectroscopic profile using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) are described. The method comprises acquiring FTIR spectra for dried sera and preprocessing the FTIR spectra of sera by differentiation and smoothing to enhance weak spectral features and to remove baseline variations. The preprocessed FTIR spectra are normalized to a common intensity range, the normalization being performed in a spectral sub-region defined by strongest infrared (IR) absorption for a protein to obtain the serum spectroscopic profile. The serum spectroscopic profiles provide a basis to diagnose immunoglobulin disorders or to quantify serum immunoglobulin levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignees: University of Prince Edward Island, National Research Council of Canada
    Inventors: Christopher B. Riley, J. Trenton McClure, R. Anthony Shaw
  • Apparatus and method for maintaining cooked food in a ready-to-use condition
    Patent number: 8404292
    Abstract: A food warming apparatus includes a heating compartment that can hold one or more trays containing previously cooked food portions. A cover for a tray has a horizontal section and a vertical section extending downwardly from one side of the horizontal section. A rack in the heating compartment includes a channel and a stop that blocks the front end of the channel. The vertical section of the cover fits securely in the channel behind the stop such that the rack supports the cover substantially only through the vertical section. When a tray is inserted into the receiving space cooperatively defined by the cover and rack, the cover is lifted up so that the horizontal section rests on the tray and at least partially blocks the open top of the tray, thereby restricting evaporation of liquids from the previously cooked food portions contained in the tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Prince Castle, Inc.
    Inventors: Loren J. Veltrop, Jeffrey Schroeder, Charles Hartfelder, Jack Guasta
  • Apparatus and a method and a system for dispensing goods
    Patent number: 8397947
    Abstract: The invention relates to a dispenser apparatus for goods, said apparatus comprising a storage unit (1) for storing goods in a number of storage passages (7), a unit (8) for conveying one or more goods from the storage unit (1) to a conveyor unit (2, 20), said conveyor unit (2, 20) conveying, via an air pressure, goods to a dispensing station, wherein the storage passages (7) of the storage unit (1) forms an angle to the horizontal which is larger than or smaller than 90°, and wherein the unit (8) in the form of a fetcher mechanism comprises one or more ejectors for pushing one or more goods conveyed into one or more transfer chambers (19) into a conveyor pipe (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: House of Prince A/S
    Inventor: Ole Cramer Nielsen
  • Peptides for development of diagnostic and therapeutic agents and methods of using same
    Patent number: 8399202
    Abstract: Novel immuno-interactive fragments of the ?C portion of a mammalian inhibin ? subunit, together with their variants and derivatives, produce antigen-binding molecules that are interactive with the ?C portion, and which are chemically well defined and which can be produced in commercially significant quantities. The antigen-binding molecules of the invention can be used for the detection of a mammalian inhibin and for the treatment and/or prevention of conditions associated with aberrant levels of a mammalian inhibin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Prince Henry's Institute of Medical Research
    Inventors: David Mark Milne-Robertson, Peter Gordon Stanton, Nicholas Francis Cahir
  • Piston and piston rod for a rodless dispenser
    Patent number: 8381950
    Abstract: A piston and piston rod for a rodless dispenser for extrudable material are configured such that compressive force exerted on the piston from a push chain causes a reactive torque to be created that locks the links of the chain together. The push rod is located away from the piston's geometric center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Prince Castle, LLC
    Inventors: Loren Veltrop, Eric Schmidt, Scott Rote, Daniel Somen, Mark Kurth, Aaron Eiger, Timothy Payne, Paulette Van Erden
  • Drop-in passive thermal insert for food service counters
    Patent number: 8381641
    Abstract: Passive temperature control is provided to vessels too tall to be stored in a shallow, temperature-controlled tray or basin by a vertically oriented thermally-conductive tube. In one embodiment, an insulative collar covers the tray and insulates portions of the tube that extend above the top of the tray. Optional heat sinking fins and air convection holes increase heat transfer between the tube and the tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Prince Castle, LLC
    Inventors: Korey V. Kohl, Robert A. Iverson, Loren Veltrop, Christopher B. Lyons, Donald Van Erden
  • Pinch valve
    Patent number: 8376310
    Abstract: A pinch valve has a pinch bar constructed and arranged to translate between two different positions when the pinch bar lies in any orientation. The pinch bar is comprised of two orthogonal legs, one of which extends through and rotates inside a hole formed into a body for the valve. Having the pinch bar rotatable enables the pinch bar to be rotated away from where it would open and close a flexible tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Prince Castle, LLC
    Inventors: Loren Veltrop, Christopher Lyons, Mark Kurth, Tim Payne, Kyle Koning, Jim Stango
  • Rodless dispenser
    Patent number: 8376193
    Abstract: A push chain is used to drive a piston into a canister of extrudable material. The push chain is stored in an elongated chain magazine, withdrawn from the magazine and into the canister by actuation of a trigger connected to a sprocket for the chain. The push chain obviates the need for an elongated piston rod used in conventional extrudable material dispensers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Prince Castle, LLC
    Inventors: Loren Veltrop, Eric Schmidt, Scott Rote, Daniel Somen, Donald Van Erden
  • Sports racquet structure
    Patent number: 8371968
    Abstract: A sports racquet comprising a handle portion, a paddle portion, which is provided with at least a solid ball striking surface, and a neck portion, which rigidly connects said handle portion and said paddle portion. The paddle portion comprises at least a first cavity having a first longitudinal axis, which is substantially unperpendicular to said main reference plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: ABG Prince Italy SRL
    Inventors: Roberto Gazzara, Mauro Pinaffo, Michele Pozzobon, Mauro Pezzato
  • String bed design for a tennis racquet
    Patent number: D698879
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Prince Sports, LLC
    Inventors: Mauro Pinaffo, Roberto Gazzara, Mauro Pezzato