Patents Examined by Alexander M Valvis
  • Patent number: 10287069
    Abstract: A vaporizing/discharging container 100 is provided that can properly vaporize and discharge a volatile substance in use, and prevent tampering by children, etc. The vaporizing/discharging container 100 for vaporizing and discharging a volatile substance into the outside, includes a main body 10 configured to contain the volatile substance, and a closure member 20 having a vapor discharging hole 21 for the volatile substance, and configured to be screwed and attached onto the main body 10. A pair of temporary lock mechanisms 30 (31, 32) configured to engage with each other so that resistance occurs against a direction in which the closure member 20 is rotated backward after the closure member 20 is screwed onto the main body 10, are provided between the closure member 20 and the main body 10, and at least one of the temporary lock mechanisms 30 (31, 32) is formed in the shape of steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignees: ZHONGSHAN FUJI CHEMICAL CO., LTD., DAINIHON JOCHUGIKU CO., LTD., THE YANKEE CANDLE COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Chi Wai Chan, Koji Nakayama, Frederick A. Enko, Cheriyan B. Thomas
  • Patent number: 10287049
    Abstract: A bag opener is presented as an accessory component for bag roll dispensers, which is suitable for multiple-ply bags (such as “star sealed” bags) that are dispensed from a continuous roll and allows bags to be dispensed to the user in a partially opened state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Inventor: Arthur Julius Beutler
  • Patent number: 10288022
    Abstract: In an electromagnetic fuel injection which is structured such that both end surfaces of an inner circumferential iron core portion and an outer circumferential iron core portion face a movable iron core, and a non-magnetic portion made of a metal material is provided between both end surfaces, an object of the present invention is to realize a structure of the electromagnetic fuel injector in which a surface of a target object is unlikely to be affected by a heat treatment with the surface facing the movable iron core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihito Yasukawa, Hideharu Ehara, Tohru Ishikawa, Kiyotaka Ogura, Motoyuki Abe, Ryo Kusakabe, Akiyasu Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 10285342
    Abstract: An irrigation drip emitter, and methods relating to same, are provided for delivering irrigation water from a supply tube to an emitter outlet at a reduced and relatively constant flow rate. The emitter having at least one moveable member for compensating for fluctuations in supply line fluid pressure. In one form the emitter further includes a root growth inhibiting member for hindering roots from obstructing fluid flow through the emitter. In another form, the emitter includes an inlet protrusion so that fluid entering the emitter comes from a position closer to the central or center portion of the conduit in order to avoid larger obstructions that may be located near the periphery of the conduit. In another form, the emitter includes a carrier for assisting in mounting the emitter into conduit. In another form, more than one of the above features are present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Rain Bird Corporation
    Inventors: Mark M. Ensworth, Jae Yung Kim, Mark Richard Edris, Joseph Nazari, Samir Shah
  • Patent number: 10287045
    Abstract: A shrink sleeve apparatus is disclosed herein that includes a shrink sleeve applicator, a downstream heat shrink station, and a horizontal conveyor having side-by-side rollers that have a circumscribing outer portion with at least one high traction segment and at least one low traction segment. A method of applying a shrink sleeve to an article is disclosed that includes providing a conveyor having rollers as disclosed herein, positioning the rollers such that low traction segments of the rollers support the article as it passes a shrink sleeve applicator, which applies a shrink sleeve. The high traction segments of the rollers do not interfere with sleeve application. As the conveyor moves the article and sleeve through a downstream heat shrink zone, the rollers are rotated so that the high traction segments contact the article and sleeve to assure rotation of the article and sleeve during heat shrink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: AXON LLC
    Inventor: Adam W. Duncan
  • Patent number: 10286583
    Abstract: A unit for carrying out operations on first and second areas of packaging material which are spaced a first distance along direction when a portion of packaging material comprising first and second areas is flat; unit comprising: a feeding group feeding a packaging material web along a direction and in a first sense; a first tool to carry out first operation on first area arranged in a first desired position; a second tool to carry out second operation on second area arranged in a second desired position; first and second tool spaced for a second distance along direction; feeding group comprises: advancing device controllable to arrest web in a position, at which second area is spaced an intentional offset from second desired position; and an actuator controllable for moving second area towards second desired position to recover offset; absolute value of difference between first and distances being equal to offset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: TETRA LAVAL HOLDINGS & FINANCE S.A.
    Inventor: Marco Ricco'
  • Patent number: 10278696
    Abstract: A surgical fastener applying apparatus for applying fasteners to body tissue. The apparatus includes an anvil half-section having a distal anvil portion and a proximal handle portion and a cartridge receiving half-section having an elongated channel member. A firing assembly is releasably supported in the cartridge half-section and includes a locking member. A clamping lever having an engagement member engages a latch portion of the locking member to releasably retain the clamping lever in a clamped position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Aditya Nanditale Gurumurthy, Arvind Kumar Gupta, Kiran Garikipati, Nagaraju Dongala, Nikhil R. Katre
  • Patent number: 10278703
    Abstract: The present invention relates to circular anastomosis stapler and kits comprising reinforcing buttress materials and fixation tools that are slidably installed on the anvil shaft of such staplers which provides a temporary mechanical fixation of a reinforcing buttress to the anvil surface of a circular stapler during the insertion of the anvil into the tubular tissue. When the anvil, loaded with the buttress, is in the desired location, the fixation tool is pulled back along the anvil shaft and removed. The shaft is then connected to the stapling head and the stapling is performed. The present invention also relates to methods for using the kits and devices therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Nir I. Nativ, Yufu Li, John Matonick, Glenn Cook, Michael Logue
  • Patent number: 10279360
    Abstract: A steam atomizing liquid spraying system which in the preferred embodiment includes a spray nozzle assembly having a central liquid passageway for coupling to a liquid supply and a plurality of spray nozzles each removably mounted in the nozzle body and having a respective central steam passage communicating with a steam supply. The spray nozzles each further have a plurality of circumferentially spaced liquid accelerating passages that communicate with a respective angled passage of the nozzle body which in turn communicates with the central liquid supply passageway for directing liquid into the central steam passage of the spray nozzle for interaction with steam directed through the central steam passage and atomization of liquid discharging from the spray nozzle. In an alternative embodiment, a single spray nozzle insert is utilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Spraying Systems Co.
    Inventor: Bandish Patel
  • Patent number: 10280600
    Abstract: A jet regulator (100) including a jet regulator housing (2) is disclosed, in the housing interior of which a perforated plate (5) is provided with a plurality of flow-through holes (6) for dividing the through-flowing water. The jet regulator described is characterized in that at least one flow-through hole (6) extends conically towards its outflow side in at least one outflow-side hole section. It is also possible for flow obstacles to be provided on the outflow side of the perforated plate (5) in the jet regulator housing (2) and/or on the outflow front face of the jet regulator housing, which are arranged or concentrated there in a central or middle region and which deflect the through-flowing water into an outer annular zone. This jet regulator (100) enables an aerated and thereby sparkling-soft water jet to be generated even with low flow-through performance and low water pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Neoperl GmbH
    Inventor: Marc Tempel
  • Patent number: 10278780
    Abstract: A surgical instrument for use with a robotic system is disclosed. The robotic system comprises a drive assembly and a control unit. The drive assembly is configured to provide rotary output motions to a rotatable member supported by the drive assembly. The surgical instrument comprises an end effector, an elongate shaft assembly, an instrument mounting portion, and a closure system. The effector comprises a closable jaw. The elongate shaft assembly comprises a longitudinal axis, a distal end, and a proximal end comprising a gear segment. The instrument mounting portion comprises a transmission assembly including a rotational gear assembly. The closure system comprises a first portion engaged with the closable jaw to close the closable jaw at a first speed and a second portion engageable with the closable jaw to close the closable jaw at a slower speed than the first speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventor: Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Patent number: 10272277
    Abstract: An apparatus, system and method have a sensor positioned above a rear axle attached to a brake of a trailer. The sensor detects whether the temperature of the brake exceeds a threshold temperature. A light is mounted on the trailer and activates in response to the temperature of the brake exceeding the threshold temperature. A handle is pulled to distribute a fluid on the rear axle of the trailer. A conduit extends across the underside of the trailer wherein the conduit carries the fluid. A nozzle sprays the fluid over the rear axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: HLS Industries, LLC
    Inventor: Jason Heath
  • Patent number: 10267279
    Abstract: A control valve assembly for controlling fuel pressure in a control chamber of a fuel injector. The control valve assembly comprising a valve member arranged in a bore provided in a valve housing, at least one of the valve member and the valve housing being moveable with respect to the other, wherein the valve member comprises a fuel-receiving cavity arranged to receive fuel that distorts at least a portion of the valve member so as to increase an external dimension thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES IP LIMITED
    Inventors: Ludovic Sauvetre, David Bonneau, Philippe Barbier, Philippe Legrand
  • Patent number: 10265710
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a massage mode assembly for a showerhead is disclosed. The massage mode assembly includes a drive element, a cam, and a shutter. The drive element has a drive element length or diameter, depending on the shape of the drive element, and is rotatable about an axis by fluid flowing through the showerhead. The cam is connected to the drive element and rotates with the drive element. The shutter is operably engaged with the cam and has a shutter length that is longer than the drive element length and the rotation of the cam causes the shutter to move correspondingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: WATER PIK, INC.
    Inventors: Joseph W. Cacka, Craig P. Rogers
  • Patent number: 10265557
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fire fighting system, in particular for a railway vehicle, with a supply line for supplying at least one extinguishing nozzle with extinguishing fluid, wherein at least one section valve is arranged between the extinguishing nozzle and the supply line, wherein the section valve includes a signal processing means for controlling an adjustment means of the section valve, wherein the signal processing means can be electrically connected via a data communication network to a central control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: FOGTEC Brandschutz GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Andreas Volk, Roger Dirksmeier
  • Patent number: 10266291
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for reliably vacuum packing any size bottle, jars or bowl. The method being to stack progressively larger overlapping vacuum lids atop one another to fit size opening of a food storage container. The apparatus consisting of an assembly of overlapping circular vacuum lids wherein the bottom surface of each circular vacuum lid is covered with a flexible elastomeric gasket that can form an air-tight seal with either a mating overlapping circular vacuum lid or the opening of a food storage container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Inventor: Thomas Calvin Cannon, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10265709
    Abstract: An inductive shower head, comprising an outer shell which is provided with a water inlet and multiple groups of water outlet holes; a third water outlet cavity and a first water outlet cavity which are independent of each other inside the outer shell can be communicated with the corresponding groups of the water outlet holes respectively, a third water inlet cavity is arranged between the first water inlet cavity and the third water outlet cavity; the first water inlet cavity is communicated with the third water inlet cavity; the position where the third water inlet cavity is communicated with the third water outlet cavity is correspondingly provided with a control assembly which uses an electromagnet to control the two cavities to communicate with or block from each other; the shower head also comprises a first inductor and a power supply unit which is used for supplying power to the electromagnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Zhejiang Huale Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hongxin Lin
  • Patent number: 10265069
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an end effector with a staple cartridge. The end effector and staple cartridge extend along a centerline and have an arcuate portion. The staple cartridge includes a deck and a plurality of staples. The plurality of staples include an outer set of staples and an inner set of staples for respective receipt within outer and inner rows of staple openings formed through the deck. At least one staple of the outer set of staples has an elongated crown relative to the inner set of staples such that the outer set of staples are configured to overlap with the inner set of staples in a direction transverse to the centerline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Charles J. Scheib, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Patent number: 10259607
    Abstract: In one general aspect, a system for aseptically filling a tray of pharmaceutical containers with a pharmaceutical product is disclosed, which consists of an aseptic chamber, one or more articulated arms within the chamber, a sensor aseptically disposed with respect to the chamber, and a controller. The controller determines the locations of openings of the containers based on the image information from the sensor, and automatically guides one of the arms to fill the containers with the product. In order to obtain suitable contrast for accurately identifying the openings, an illuminator illuminates the tray with substantially collimated light. The sensor images the tray and containers using collimated light reflected from a reflective surface such as a retroreflector under the tray. To this end, the sensor may be disposed at a large enough distance from the retroreflector to collect largely the retroreflected light, or the sensor may employ a telecentric lens or a Fresnel lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: VANRX PHARMASYSTEMS INC.
    Inventor: Carlos Alberto Diaz Guerrero
  • Patent number: 10258028
    Abstract: A sprayer boom for use with an agricultural sprayer has perforated outer walls. The perforated outer walls may connect boom frame tube stringers to each other by way of stringer connecting plates with cutouts. The perforated outer walls may be defined by webs of material extending between the tube stringers and multiple openings defined between the webs of material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventor: Brian J. Pilney