Patents Assigned to Systems, LLC
  • Apparatus, system, and method for an asset-backed purchase card
    Patent number: 7752108
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for an asset backed purchase card. The present invention includes a house account comprising one or more assets, each of the one or more assets having a substantially continually updated spot purchase price. The invention receives funds from a consumer in exchange for a portion of the one or more assets from the house account based on an internal spot price of the asset, increasing a balance in a purchase account of the consumer. The purchase account is debited by selling a quantity of the asset backing the purchase account balance to the house account based on the internal spot price of the asset in response to a transaction based on a purchase card purchase by the consumer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Liberty Payment Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Jason W. Pratt, Bernard von NotHaus
  • Optical tube assembly having a dry insert and methods of making the same
    Patent number: 7751666
    Abstract: An optical tube assembly having at least one optical waveguide, at least one dry insert, and a tube. The at least one optical waveguide is disposed within the tube and generally surrounds the at least one optical waveguide. In one embodiment, the dry insert has a first layer comprising a felt having at least one type of non-continuous filament. The dry insert may also include a plurality of water-swellable filaments. In another embodiment, a dry insert has a first layer, a second layer, and a plurality of water-swellable filaments. The first and second layers are attached together at least along the longitudinal edges thereof, thereby forming at least one compartment between the first and second layers and the plurality of water-swellable filaments are generally disposed in the at least one compartment. The dry insert also is advantageous in tubeless cable designs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Corning Cable Systems LLC
    Inventors: Alan T. Parsons, Jody L. Greenwood, Kenneth D. Temple, Jr., Jason C. Lail
  • Tiered progressive gaming system
    Patent number: 7744462
    Abstract: A gaming system includes at least one progressive server and a plurality of gaming machines configured to present wagering games to players for play. The at least one progressive server is configured to generate a plurality of progressive jackpots funded at least partially from funds transactions at the gaming machines. Each gaming machine is configured to present at least a first game play option permitting a player to play for a first of the progressive jackpots and a second game play option permitting a player to play for a second of the progressive jackpots, the player permitted to select from the game play options to play for the opportunity to win the progressive jackpot associated therewith. In one embodiment, the system has a tiered configuration where progressive servers are “layered” and associated with different groups or sets of gaming machines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Rocket Gaming Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Ted Grav, James MacIntosh
  • Carton with reinforced end handles
    Patent number: 7743970
    Abstract: A reinforced handle is provided in an end wall closure of a sleeve type carton by forming a handle aperture in a top end flap, and by aligning the handle aperture with corresponding cutouts formed in respective side end flaps, each cutout being reinforced with one or more reinforcing panels that align with at least its weight bearing edge. Each reinforcing panel is hingedly attached to the respective side end flap to be foldable along the hinged connection and secured in a face contacting arrangement, whereby the reinforcing panel overlies the cutout as an overlay panel, or aligns its edge with the weight bearing edge of the cutout. In this manner, the material at the weight bearing edge of the cutout is at least two plies thick. When the carton is fully erected and sealed, the reinforced cutout is in registry with the handle aperture, thereby creating the reinforced handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: MeadWestvaco Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Aaron Bates, John M. Holley, Jr.
  • Vertical foregrip leg extender
    Patent number: 7743545
    Abstract: Devices, and methods of extending legs from vertical fore grip handles on firearms, such as rifles, to different height positions. The vertical fore grip can include expandable bipod legs. The legs can be individually extended to different lengths by moving telescoping rod members in leg housings from retracted positions to extended positions. A lever switch can allow for the legs to be locked into the different extended positions, and depressing the switch can allow for the legs to go back to the retracted positions. Anti-rotation pins and slots can prevent the telescoping members from rotating relative to the legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Grip Pod Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph R. Moody, Joseph D Gaddini
  • Method and device for manufacturing extremely fine particles and porous materials by controlled low temperature drying
    Patent number: 7744786
    Abstract: A method and device for manufacturing extremely fine particles and porous materials by controlled low temperature drying. An ambient-pressure and ambient-temperature atomizer atomizes a particle precursor solution to create a precursor mist. The precursor mist and dryer gas are fed into a dryer tube through a tangential inlet (swirl generating inlet). The mixed stream forms a helical flow structure within the dryer tube. The swirling mist undergoes drying and particle formation at a relatively low temperature. The flow continues to swirl and drying process continues with repeated passes until the required drying duration is reached. This dryer structure allows for a compact dryer with full control of residence time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Nanomist Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Kayyani C. Adiga
  • Brake control system
    Patent number: 7744168
    Abstract: A brake disabling device for a vehicle includes an electronic control unit (ECU) for receiving a signal indicative of a direction of the vehicle. A control device communicates with the ECU for disabling brakes associated with a steer axle of the vehicle as a function of the direction of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC
    Inventors: Charles E. Eberling, Ron R. Stahl, Kenneth A. Grolle, William P. Amato
  • Carton with upright handle and multi-ply reinforced top wall
    Patent number: 7743969
    Abstract: A wrap-around style or end-loaded carton for enclosing articles such as cans in multiple rows is formed from a single blank of sheet material, and includes a three-ply top wall and an integrated composite handle that is centrally located so as to balance the load in the carton when the handle is raised to an upright position. The top wall includes an outer panel, and intermediate panel, and an inner top panel, each hingedly connected to another. The composite handle is struck from the outer panel and the intermediate panel and is liberated or partially detachable therefrom so as to be hingedly connected to the top wall, and rotatable to an upright position. When the handle is raised, at least a portion of each edge of the top wall is reinforced by at least one additional layer of carton material, and thus, is at least two plies thick.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: MeadWestvaco Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Tom Von Bokel
  • Optical tube assembly having a dry insert and methods of making the same
    Patent number: 7747117
    Abstract: An optical tube assembly having at least one optical waveguide, at least one dry insert, and a tube. In one embodiment, the dry insert has a first layer and a second layer. The first layer is a polyurethane foam and the second layer is a water-swellable layer, wherein the dry insert is disposed within the tube and generally surrounds the at least one optical waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Corning Cable Systems LLC
    Inventors: Jody L. Greenwood, Douglas S. Hedrick, Jason C. Lail, W. Welch McCollough, Kenneth D. Temple, Jr.
  • Devices useful in system and method for dispensing prescriptions
    Patent number: 7743943
    Abstract: An automated method for dispensing pharmaceuticals, particularly tablets and capsules, and other small discrete objects, includes: receiving prescription information, selecting a container, labeling the container, dispensing the tablets or capsules into the labeled container, applying a closure to the filled, labeled container, and offloading the container to a designated location. Preferably, the tablets are dispensed with high speed dispensing bins that employ forced air to agitate and singulate the tablets. The other functions within the system are typically carried out at stations designed to offer speed, flexibility and precision to the dispensing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Parata Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey P. Williams, Richard D. Michelli, Jasper Pollard, Joseph C. Moran, Jr.
  • Arrangement for improving the operational performance of cement mixing truck
    Patent number: 7740396
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for improving the operational performance of a moving cement mixer vehicle with a rotatable mixing drum by automatically stopping the rotation of the mixing drum at select moments. The system may include a sensor adapted to deliver a signal indicative of an operational parameter, such as steering angle of the vehicle, and a processing unit adapted to receive the signal from the sensor and deliver a control signal based on the signal for stopping rotation of the mixing drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC
    Inventors: Charles E. Ross, William P. Amato, Michael D. Tober, Timothy J. Frashure
  • Index-matching gel for nanostructure optical fibers and mechanical splice assembly and connector using same
    Patent number: 7742670
    Abstract: A polymer based index-matching gel for use with nanostructure optical fibers is disclosed. The index-matching gel has at least one polymer component having a viscosity ? at 25° C. of 3 Pa-s???100 Pa-s, which prevents the index-matching gel from wicking into the voids and down the nanostructure optical fiber to a depth where the fiber performance and/or device performance is compromised. The gel is suitable for use when mechanically splicing optical fibers when at least one of the optical fibers is a nanostructure optical fiber. The gel is also suitable for use in fiber optic connectors wherein at least one of the optical fibers constituting the connection is a nanostructure optical fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Corning Cable Systems LLC
    Inventors: Seldon David Benjamin, Dana Craig Bookbinder, Timothy Edward Myers, Michael Heath Rasmussen
  • Multi-port optical connection terminal
    Patent number: 7740409
    Abstract: An optical device includes at least one optical fiber cable receiving area for receiving at least one optical fiber cable, the receiving area being sized to receive a covering for covering at least a portion of the transition area, and at least one optical fiber cable transition portion disposed at the receiving area, the optical fiber cable transition portion being responsive to and supporting the covering when pressure from the covering is applied to the transition area and the covering and said transition area together form a buffer zone associated with at least a portion of the cable receiving area. Methods include providing a multi-port optical connection terminal having a stub cable port; connecting a stub cable assembly including a stub cable to the stub cable port; and forming a sloped buffer zone between the stub cable port and the stub cable to relieve stress in the stub cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Corning Cable Systems LLC
    Inventors: Albert Martin Bolton, Kevin Lee Strause
  • Packaging machine with gluing station and folding station
    Patent number: 7739856
    Abstract: An apparatus for forming an end closure structure of a carton. The end closure structure is formed from minor end flaps and major end flaps. The apparatus includes a carton conveyor for transferring the carton in a flow direction along a carton conveyor path, a major end flap retaining guide assembly for retaining the major end flaps in an outwardly upright position, a minor end flap retaining guide assembly for retaining the minor end flaps in an inwardly folded position, and a gluing station for applying adhesive to the major and minor end flaps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: MeadWestvaco Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventor: John W. Cash, III
  • Method and system for issuing, aggregating and redeeming merchant loyalty points with an acquiring bank
    Patent number: 7742943
    Abstract: A loyalty reward point system that utilizes the pre-existing infrastructure of network such as a credit card network. A user makes a purchase at a merchant using a token such as a credit card. As part of the purchase transaction, the user is awarded reward points from the merchant based on the purchase, which are stored in an account associated with the merchant and the user by the acquiring bank. The reward account is maintained on the acquiring bank server on behalf of the merchant and the user, and the number of reward points in the user's account for that merchant is increased accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Signature Systems LLC
    Inventor: Richard Postrel
  • Portable electronic display device with automatic lockout of message selection switches to prevent tampering with selected message
    Patent number: 7737912
    Abstract: A portable electronic display device includes an electronic display surface having at least one display panel that displays a graphical and/or textual message, memory that stores a plurality of the messages, and one or more switches on the device that allow user selection of one of the messages. The device further includes a controller that disables the one or more switches if none of the switches are selected after a predetermined period of time after power is turned on to the display device, or if none of the switches are selected after a predetermined period of time subsequent to the last switch selection occurrence. In this manner, a person is prevented from subsequently changing the message via the one or more switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Intuitive Control Systems, LLC
    Inventors: John T. Graef, Eric Kline, Philip R. Hall
  • Packaging machine with gluing station and folding station
    Patent number: 7735299
    Abstract: An apparatus for forming an end closure structure of a carton. The end closure structure is formed from minor end flaps and major end flaps. The apparatus includes a carton conveyor for transferring the carton in a flow direction along a carton conveyor path, a major end flap retaining guide assembly for retaining the major end flaps in an outwardly upright position, a minor end flap retaining guide assembly for retaining the minor end flaps in an inwardly folded position, and a gluing station for applying adhesive to the major and minor end flaps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: MeadWestvaco Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventor: John W. Cash, III
  • Encapsulated water treatment system
    Patent number: 7736503
    Abstract: A water treatment system is provided having an encapsulate manifold with a reverse osmosis cartridge and one or more filter cartridges. The filter cartridge includes a detent for being received within a slot in the manifold head for secure locking engagement. The water treatment system further includes a single probe conductivity monitoring system for monitoring the performance of a reverse osmosis membrane. The water treatment system is also provided in a modular arrangement wherein manifold heads are physically and fluidly coupled together via a clip which interfaces with the modular manifold heads. The water treatment system also allows for a retrofit application to include a permeate pump. The cartridges are also designed to provide a minimum annular inlet gap to minimize spillage during changing of the cartridges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Eco Water Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Kennedy, Chaouki Khamis
  • Vertical fore grip top, handle and bipod
    Patent number: D617863
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Grip Pod Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph R. Moody, Joseph D. Gaddini
  • Valve body
    Patent number: D617875
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC
    Inventors: Brian Bobby, Travis Ramler