Patents Examined by Andrew D StClair
  • Patent number: 11358853
    Abstract: A soda gun holster assembly having a holster housing with a mounting bracket operably configured to selectively couple with a countertop and a sidewall that defines a soda gun storage zone where a liquid dispensing gun can be inserted therein from the front of the holster housing. The holster housing includes a flexible U-shaped clip disposed within the soda gun storage zone that is operably configured to receive and retain the soda gun, namely the nozzle portion of the soda gun, therein. The soda gun holster assembly may also include a liquid capturing basin selectively removably coupled to the holster housing for retaining and directing errant and/or dripped liquid from the soda gun to another area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: SODA LOCK LLC
    Inventor: James Brandon Wells
  • Patent number: 11345587
    Abstract: Various multifunctional dispensing systems with overhead fuel/air delivery and methods for using the same are provided. Such a system can include a dispenser system and an overhead delivery unit suspended on tracks above a vehicle drive aisle at a fueling station. The overhead delivery unit can include a fuel dispensing nozzle and an air dispensing nozzle that can be moved about the tracks so as to optimally position the nozzles to be approximately overhead the fuel doors and tires, respectively. Such an arrangement allows a customer to refuel their vehicle and inflate their tire(s) without moving their car between each transaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: WAYNE FUELING SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventors: Vinod Krishnappa, Sangamesh Gundappa
  • Patent number: 11331849
    Abstract: A bottom-up powder conveying mechanism for a powder bed-based laser melting (PBLM) system includes a powder reservoir having a movable floor operable as a piston to convey powder towards an upper opening in the powder reservoir opposite the floor and through the upper opening to a working plane of the PBLM system. The bottom-up powder conveying mechanism further includes an external reservoir connected, via a sloping conduit, to the powder reservoir for conducting powder to the powder reservoir. The powder reservoir includes a side wall with a lower opening that is lower than the upper opening in the powder reservoir and through which the powder reservoir can be filled with the powder. The lower opening is connected in a gas-tight and releasable manner to the sloping conduit in order to be able to conduct the powder in a gravity-driven manner from the external reservoir into the powder reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Aconity GmbH
    Inventors: Yves-Christian Hagedorn, Andreas Görres
  • Patent number: 11326786
    Abstract: An air conditioner comprises a compressor configured to have an inlet, through which a refrigerant is sucked in, the sucked refrigerant being compressed by the compressor, and an outlet, through which the compressed refrigerant is discharged, a four-way valve configured to switch flow paths in cooling and heating operations, the four-way valve having a valve body, a D port protruding from the valve body in a first direction to be connected to the outlet, and an S port 26 protruding from the valve body in a second direction, which is opposite to the first direction, to be connected to the inlet, and a compressor pipe having a discharging pipe to connect the outlet and the D port and a sucking pipe to connect the inlet and the S port, one of the discharging pipe and the sucking pipe has two curved portions and the other has one curved portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Mun Sub Kim, Hyeong Joon Seo, Hyeong Jin Lee, Du Han Jung
  • Patent number: 11293592
    Abstract: A hydrogen gas supply system comprises a storing unit that stores hydrogen, a communication unit that receives at least either of burden information indicative of an environmental burden exerted during manufacturing of hydrogen externally received by the storing unit and quality information indicative of quality with respect to the hydrogen externally received by the storing unit, a user interface unit that provides an output in accordance with the at least either of the burden information and the quality information with respect to the hydrogen supplied from the storing unit to the user, and a controller that controls the user interface unit based on an amount of the hydrogen received by the storing unit and the at least either of the burden information and the quality information, which is received by the communication unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takahiko Hasegawa, Shunji Inoue, Kenji Tsubosaka, Kimihiko Teshima, Takanori Kito
  • Patent number: 11292022
    Abstract: A fluid filling apparatus for filling containers with a fluid is provided. An ultrasonic frequency is used to vibrate a filling nozzle between successive container filling cycles. The vibrations break a liquid string filament formed at a discharge end of the filling nozzle at the end of each filling cycle. Methods and a fluid filling nozzle for filling containers with a fluid are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Ke-ming Quan, Eric Shawn Goudy
  • Patent number: 11267687
    Abstract: An automatic animal watering assembly includes a base that has a bowl section therein and a receiver section. A container is removably inserted into the receiver section of the base. The container contains water and the container releases the water into the bowl section. The container has an opening extending through a top end of the container for filling the container. A plug is movably positioned within the container. The plug is positionable in a closed position and an open position. A lid is hingedly coupled to the top end of the container. A lever is pivotally coupled to the container and the plug rests on the lever. The lever lifts the plug when the lever is lifted and the lever lowers the plug when the lever is lowered. The lever is in mechanical communication with the lid such that the lid lowers and lifts the lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Inventor: Michael Goodman
  • Patent number: 11247894
    Abstract: A fuel delivery system automatically selects one out of several available fuels for a vehicle having a specialized fuel filler neck. A dispenser pump assembly includes a pump base, a hose assembly and a nozzle assembly which includes a nozzle spout and a cylindrical collar member slidably mounted on the nozzle spout. A sensor on the nozzle assembly generates a signal, based on a position of the collar when the spout is fully inserted into a fuel filler neck of the vehicle. The signal is transmitted via wires, wireless signal, fiber-optic cables or other medium. An electronic controller in the pump base selects an appropriate fuel, based on the signal received from the sensor. If the available fuels include percentages of ethanol or other additives, a precision blending system ensures that the correct amount of additive is provided. Methods of selecting a fuel using the system hereof are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Inventor: Dean A. Drake
  • Patent number: 11225405
    Abstract: A water dispenser is provided. The water dispenser may include a main body, a rotator installed to be rotatable in a horizontal direction in the main body and including a water discharger, a rotation guide rail having a predetermined curvature within the main body, and a rotation guide protrusion provided in the rotator and slidably coupled to the rotation guide rail to guide rotation of the rotator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Shic Yoon
  • Patent number: 11215127
    Abstract: Present invention optimizes utilization of different fuels in various single and multi-fueled engines. The fuel system and optimization controller links fuel properties (physical, reactionary, combustion etc.) to on-board computer systems during the refueling process. This link enables fuel and additive producers an opportunity to optimize combustion parameters of their proprietary fuel blends to increase performance, fuel efficiencies and reduce emissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Optimus Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Colin N. Huwyler, David S. Rosenstraus
  • Patent number: 11203520
    Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a fill gun apparatus for interconnection of a pump truck and a pressurized liquid delivery system. The fill gun apparatus can be easily attached and detached from an inlet port to deliver a pressurized fluid, for improved delivery, increased efficiency, increased safety, and decreased waste.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Inventors: Daniel E. Schneider, David L. Schneider
  • Patent number: 11186265
    Abstract: This device for collecting and supplying brake fluid has a gas-liquid separation tank divided into a lower chamber and an upper chamber with a partition wall interposed therebetween. Connected to the gas-liquid separation tank are: a collection line for collecting brake fluid from the brake system of a vehicle in the gas-liquid separation tank; a circulation line for extraction of brake fluid from the lower chamber and the return thereof to the lower chamber; and a replenishment line for replenishing the gas-liquid separation tank with fresh brake fluid. Air intake for the brake system is performed via a main intake line, and air intake for the gas-liquid separation tank is performed via an auxiliary intake line. Both the main intake line and auxiliary intake line are connected to an auxiliary tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignees: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD., JAPAN MACHINERY COMPANY
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Ueno, Eiji Shiga, Tomoyasu Ito
  • Patent number: 11148838
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a product dispenser comprising a tank for storing a flowable product and a conveyor for conveying storage containers along a longitudinal direction from an entry position to an exit position. The product dispenser further comprises a dosing mechanism extending in the longitudinal direction above the conveyor. The dosing mechanism comprises an inner cylindrical part and an outer cylindrical part enclosing and sealing against the inner cylindrical part. The inner cylindrical part defines a circumferential groove and a helically shaped groove extending between the entry position and the exit position. The outer cylindrical part defines an elongated opening extending in the longitudinal direction and an inlet opening for establishing a fluid path from the tank via the circumferential groove and the helically shaped groove to the elongated opening. The inner cylindrical part is rotatable for dispensing the flowable product into the storage containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: CABINPLANT INTERNATIONAL A/S
    Inventor: Niels Ulrik Lund Thrane
  • Patent number: 11104448
    Abstract: A fluid nozzle includes an inlet housing configured for connection with a tanker aircraft boom, an outlet housing connected with the inlet and configured for connection with a receiving aircraft receptacle, and/or a sensor configured for determining at least one of a ready status, a contact status, and an articulation angle. The sensor may include a ready sensor, a contact sensor, and/or an articulation angle sensor. A method of connecting a fluid nozzle with a receptacle may include providing a fluid nozzle, providing a receptacle, moving the fluid nozzle toward the receptacle, sensing contact between the fluid nozzle and the receptacle via a contact sensor, and/or sensing, via a ready sensor, that the receptacle is latched with the fluid nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Jason Miner, Stephen E. Sipprell
  • Patent number: 11083857
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems, apparatuses, and methods for assembling cartridges for aerosol delivery devices. The cartridges may be assembled by transporting carriages between various substations at which parts are added to a base. In another assembly method, the base may be moved between a plurality of robots which direct the base downwardly into contact with components to couple the components therewith. An inspection system may inspect the cartridges at various stages of completion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederic Philippe Ampolini, Timothy Brian Nestor, Jack Gray Flinchum, Jr., Wayne Douglas Brown, Nicholas Harrison Watson, Charles Jacob Novak, III, Paul Andrew Brinkley, James Robert Covino, John DePiano, Edward Louis Dickinson, Eugene R. Harris, Kevin Edward Keough, David Jay Smith, John Hook, Michael LaCourse, Robert Metcalf, Steven Hart, David Pelletier, Marc Bourque, Nathaniel Cambray, John William Wolber, James William McClellan, Steven R. Mongillo, Frank S. Silveira, Michael Laine, Quentin Paul Guenther, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11079072
    Abstract: Provided is a gas supply system for supplying hydrogen to a vehicle, the vehicle including: a tank loaded with a hydrogen storage alloy, storing and releasing hydrogen; and a thermal medium distribution unit attached to the tank and configured such that a thermal medium for heating or cooling the hydrogen storage alloy is distributable from outside, includes: a reservoir reserving hydrogen at a pressure of 0.2 MPa or greater and less than 3.0 MPa; a hydrogen flow path connectable to the vehicle for supplying hydrogen from the reservoir to the tank; a cooling medium reservoir reserving the thermal medium for cooling; and a thermal medium flow path connectable to the vehicle for distributing the thermal medium to the thermal medium distribution unit in the vehicle, in which the hydrogen flow path and the thermal medium flow path are combined at least at an end portion connectable to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventors: Akitoshi Fujisawa, Yukinobu Taniguchi, Kento Ogata, Hiroo Hangai
  • Patent number: 11079071
    Abstract: A hydrogen station operation method capable of adjusting pressure in a reservoir to the pressure suitable for liquid hydrogen replenishment while cutting hydrogen waste is for replenishing liquid hydrogen into the reservoir in a hydrogen station including: a gasification path partially gasifying liquid hydrogen out of the reservoir and returning it; and a gas delivery path delivering gasified hydrogen in the reservoir into a path between a vaporizer and a compressor or the vaporizer, when the remainder of liquid hydrogen in the reservoir becomes a first threshold or less, by reducing the liquid hydrogen amount flowing through the gasification path by a valve therein, reducing the gasification amount of liquid hydrogen in the reservoir, and increasing the hydrogen gas amount delivered through the gas delivery path from the reservoir by a valve therein, pressure in the reservoir is reduced, thereby performing operation where suction pressure of the compressor is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Nagura, Tomohiro Ootsuka
  • Patent number: 11079154
    Abstract: An ice machine, comprising a pressure source configured to provide a gas above ambient pressure. The ice machine comprises an evaporator grid comprising a evaporator back board and an elastic substrate disposed over the evaporator back board, configured to elastically contract in thickness towards the evaporator back board. The evaporator grid comprises a gas valve in fluid communication with the pressure source. The ice machine comprises one or more controllers configured to initiate separation between the elastic substrate and an ice block that is formed in the evaporator grid. The gas valve is configured to inject the gas into a space formed by the separation, where the gas has a pressure above ambient pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: ICEBOW LTD.
    Inventor: Elad Mor
  • Patent number: 11079156
    Abstract: An ice bagger is provided. The ice bagger includes an ice hopper into which ice is disposed from an ice manufacturer. The ice hopper further includes an ice agitator. The ice hopper defines an ice trough positioned beneath the ice hopper. An ice auger is housed inside the ice trough. The ice auger transports ice to an ice delivery chute. A hatch is positioned beneath the ice delivery chute, upon which the bag rests while filling. The ice delivery chute and the hatch define a bag filling area such that, when bags are present in the bag filling area, the bags are positioned to be filled. A scale is positioned on the hatch. The scale weighs the ice being deposited into the bag. When the bag is full, the bag is sealed by a sealer. When the bag is sealed, the hatch opens and the bag of ice is deposited in an bag depository. This Abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Aspen Ice, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Witt, Margaret Lowan Benezra, Craig Anderson, Martin Rathgeber, King Ya Moy, Natan Pheil, Daniel A. Peterson, David Chesley
  • Patent number: 11060666
    Abstract: A method for filling tanks with pressurized gas via a filling station comprising at least one source of pressurized gas and a fluid circuit for transferring the gas, comprising a first end linked to the at least one gas source and a second end provided with a transfer line intended to be removably connected to the tanks to be filled, the circuit comprising a first isolation valve, a flow or pressure regulation member, a heat exchanger for cooling the gas transferred to the tank to be filled and a second isolation valve, the method comprising successively filling a first tank then a second separate tank, characterized in that, on completion of the filling of the first tank, the first and second isolation valves are closed to trap a reserve supply of pressurized gas in the circuit between said two valves and in that the reserve supply of gas is used to fill the second tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme Pour L'Etude Et L'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Baptiste Ravinel, Julie Flynn