Patents Examined by Andrew D StClair
  • Patent number: 10871319
    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 and defines an ice trough there beneath. An ice auger, housed inside the ice trough, transports ice to an ice delivery chute. A hatch is positioned beneath the ice delivery chute, upon which the bag rests while filling. 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: August 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    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: 10857493
    Abstract: A fluid extractor device including a ring with a circumference capable of fitting around an oil filter; a bracket affixed to the ring; and a valve including a base attached to the bracket, an extendable pin extending through the base, and a vacuum extension extending perpendicularly from the base and terminating in a vacuum aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Inventor: Wayne Arthur Swanson
  • Patent number: 10850964
    Abstract: A system and method for filling containers with a precise amount of fluid is disclosed. The system and method use artificial neural network logic to sense conditions and to control the two-valve dispensing unit based on the sensed conditions to fill containers with a precise amount of fluid. Using neural network logic combined with sensors and controllers for equipment eliminates the significant human effort and human errors associated with manually filling containers with fluid. Furthermore, the neural network can log data quicker and with more accuracy than a human manually logging data. The system and method use a two-valve dispensing unit to precisely fill and to prevent and clear clogs caused by fluid solidifying within the dispensing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Accenture Global Solutions Limited
    Inventors: Dokiparti Vudaya Bhaskar, Ashish Bhatia, Prashant Sanghvi, Priyank Bajpai
  • Patent number: 10829290
    Abstract: A pump mechanism for vacuum sealing an airtight cavity formed by a container and a lid, including a bore having a first one-way seal allowing air from the airtight cavity to enter the bore and blocking air inside the bore from returning to the airtight cavity and a second one-way seal allowing air inside the bore to leave the bore without returning to the airtight cavity and blocking air outside of the bore from entering the bore, a piston disposed inside the bore, and a chamber of air enclosed by the bore, the first and second one-way seals, and the piston, wherein actuation of the piston in a first direction causes air to evacuate the airtight cavity and enter the chamber through the first one-way seal, and wherein actuation of the piston in a second direction causes air to exit the chamber through the second one-way seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: HBL HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventor: Andrew D. Cosgarea
  • Patent number: 10823073
    Abstract: A fuel supply assembly for a gas turbine engine includes at least one fuel transfer tube, at least one fuel nozzle, and at least one retaining bracket. The transfer tube and the nozzle are assembled in fluid communication with one another. The retaining bracket is fixedly attached to one of the nozzle and the transfer tube and displaceable relative thereto between a first position and a second position. A free end of the bracket is engageable with the other of the fuel nozzle and the transfer tube to retain the transfer tube to the fuel nozzle when the bracket is in the second position. The retaining bracket is disengaged from one of the fuel nozzle and the transfer tube in the first position so that the fuel nozzle and the transfer tube are disengageable from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Oleg Morenko, Ryan Miskie
  • Patent number: 10806304
    Abstract: A dispenser is provided including a reservoir, a stem extending from the reservoir, a funnel within the reservoir having a funnel portion and a conduit, the conduit extending within the reservoir and along a major length of the reservoir, and a dispensing spout extending above the funnel, allowing the reservoir if filled from the funnel. A method of filling a fluid dispenser is provided and a method for operating power driven pump in a dispenser is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Bobrick Washroom Equipment, Inc.
    Inventor: Dikran Babikian
  • Patent number: 10801671
    Abstract: A gas supply system (2) includes a compressor unit (21), an accumulator unit (23), a pre-cooling system (24) and a housing (4). In the gas supply system (2), the compressor unit (21) is vertically arranged and the pre-cooling system (24) is arranged above the accumulator unit (23) in the housing (4). The compressor unit (21) and the accumulator unit (23) are covered by one rectangular parallelepiped housing (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Seiko Sho (Kobe Steel, Ltd.)
    Inventors: Kenji Nagura, Tetsuya Kakiuchi, Takashi Okuno, Koji Noishiki, Akitoshi Fujisawa, Shinichi Miura
  • Patent number: 10793299
    Abstract: A method for the sterile filling of at least one final basic container, includes: providing at least one sterile chamber having at least one sterile entrance port and providing a source container containing the content, located outside the chamber; providing a communication element, a dispensing element and at least one filling member, to form when all are assembled, a sterile fluid filling and transfer line; inserting at least one final container into the chamber; structurally combining at least one final container with at least one filling member; providing inner members and elements in sterile condition for a single-use; inserting the inner element and members which were previously outside the chamber in the chamber in a sterile manner, such that after filling, a new filling process can be performed without sterilizing the inside of the chamber; transferring in a filling step content from the source container into the final container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: SARTORIUS STEDIM FMT SAS
    Inventors: Isabelle Gay, Nicolas Mendyk
  • Patent number: 10793415
    Abstract: A water dispensing apparatus may include a dispenser housing at which a container accommodation part accommodating a container is formed to be recessed; a water nozzle provided at an inner surface of the dispenser housing which defines an upper surface of the container accommodation part; a water level detecting member provided at the inner surface of the dispenser housing close to the water nozzle and configured to detect a level of water filled in the container; a target water level input part provided to input the level of water filled in the container; and a water level indicating unit provided at an inner surface of the dispenser housing which defines a side surface of the container accommodation part to indicate a water level on the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Byoungsuk Choi, Shinhyun Park, Sun Kim
  • Patent number: 10759644
    Abstract: The disclosure concerns a dispensing system, having at least one dispense location with at least one dispensing head configured to dispense a beverage through a bottom portion of a container. In one aspect, the dispensing head may dispense a plurality of different beverage ingredients which a user may select to dispense a custom beverage. In another aspect the dispensing system comprises a modular dispensing system having a plurality of dispense locations each connected through piping to a central, remote ingredient system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: PepsiCo, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Lim, Martin Eduardo Broen
  • 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: 10738945
    Abstract: It is object of the invention to reduce the technical expenditure for refilling of gas bottles. For solving the problem, a claimed fitting comprises a gas tap for gas withdrawal and an opening for refilling a liquid gas bottle. The opening for refilling a liquid gas bottle can be connected, in particular by opening a valve, in a gas-conducting manner to a hose-shaped or tubular line of the fitting, which can extent into a liquid gas bottle by at least 300 mm, preferably at least 400 mm, if the fitting is connected with such a gas bottle. Hereby, it can achieved that the line extents into the liquefied part of the gas, which especially enables a very fast emptying though pumping. Emptying is necessary when a refilled gas bottle proves to be untight. A speed advantage is thereby achieved. Basically, there is an opening at the bottom side of the fitting adjacent to the hose-shaped or tubular line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: CleanTech Swiss AG
    Inventor: Eckhard Tilhof
  • Patent number: 10731783
    Abstract: Connection device for connecting two fluid circuits having two connectors, each designed to be mounted on one of the circuits, wherein each connector has a fluid conduit designed to cooperate with the conduit of the other connector to form a fluid passage between the connectors, a first valve and a second valve located in the conduit and capable of selectively sealing or opening the conduit, wherein the conduit has a buffer space defined by an inner wall of the fluid conduit, the first valve and the second valve, a first actuator of the first valve and a second actuator of the second valve the connection device further having a coupling element capable of sealingly coupling the conduits of the connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: GAZTRANSPORT ET TECHNIGAZ
    Inventor: Guillaume Gelin
  • Patent number: 10718468
    Abstract: A method and apparatus fueling vehicle with gaseous fuel includes storage vessels, dispensing sub-stations and a controller. The storage tanks or vessels can be at different pressures. The plurality of dispensing sub-stations each include a dispensing hose and a control valve. Each dispensing sub-station is in controllable fluid communication with the storage vessels so that fluid can flow from the storage vessels through the dispensing sub-station to a vehicle tank. A dispensing hose, and a control valve of the dispensing sub-stations are in the fluid flow paths. The controller receives feedback indicative of a filling parameter from the dispensing sub-stations, and provides control signals to the control valves of the first and second dispensing sub-station to implement one or more desired fill schemes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: CMD Corporation
    Inventors: Rock J. Petit, Mitchell J. Hein, Paul A. Selle
  • Patent number: 10683967
    Abstract: A hydrogen refueling system including a hydrogen center enclosure fluidly connected to a dispenser by a supply pipe, a first portion of the supply pipe disposed within the hydrogen center enclosure and a second portion of the supply pipe extending between the hydrogen center enclosure and the dispenser, a cooling system having a first cooling circuit for cooling the supply pipe and a second cooling circuit for cooling the second portion of the supply pipe, and a controller, where the second cooling circuit has a return path fluidly connected to a forward path, where the second cooling circuit is thermally connected to the second portion of the supply pipe, and the controller initiates cooling of the supply line by the forward path or return path of the second cooling circuit when the temperature of the supply line is higher than a threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: NEL HYDROGEN A/S
    Inventors: Leif Kappel Petersen, Jesper Nissen Boisen
  • Patent number: 10683148
    Abstract: A tank filling device for a liquid container has a base body with mounting end to secure the base body on a liquid container. An actuating section is disposed in the base body interior and slidable lengthwise relative to the base body. A liquid valve is connected to an outlet opening for liquid and controls the outlet opening by being coupled to the actuating section such that the liquid valve is manually opened or closed by moving the actuating section. An air channel with air inlet and air outlet supplies air into the liquid container for pressure compensation. The air channel extends from the liquid valve toward the mounting end and has an air valve at the air outlet. The air outlet is provided between the actuating section and the base body and is a slot control valve formed by actuating section and base body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Roland Adam, Steffen Joos, Benjamin Wichtler, Klaus-Martin Uhl, Jonas Lank
  • Patent number: 10677513
    Abstract: A refrigeration appliance includes a body, an external door that can pivot relative to the body, and an internal door which can pivot relative to the body and the external door and which is immobilized between the body and the external door in the closed position of the external door. A dispensing or output recess of a dispenser is provided in the internal door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Ralph Staud, Thomas Tischer, Philipp Kleinlein, Andreas Kessler, Graham Sadtler, Heather Kamper, Karl-Friedrich Laible, Bernd Brabenec
  • Patent number: 10675655
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a device and method for powder distribution and an additive manufacturing method, wherein different size or kind of powders could be chosen to be accommodated within a receptacle. The receptacle can uniformly mix the powder by a rotation movement, pour out the powders by the rotation movement and distribute the powders for forming a layer by a translation movement. In another embodiment, the receptacle further comprises a heating element for preheating the powders. Not only can the present disclosure uniformly mix the powders so as to reduce the thermal deformation and distribute the powder layer compactly, but also can the present disclosure distribute different kinds of powder in different layer so as to increase the diversity in additive manufacturing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Chuan-Sheng Zhuang, Ching-Chih Lin, Steven Lin, Wei-Lun Tai, Wen-Peng Tseng, Ji-Bin Horng
  • Patent number: 10663114
    Abstract: A home-based, low-cost, self-contained, fast-fill natural gas refueling station for providing compress natural gas (CNG) fuel for motor vehicles. The station compresses utility supplied natural gas and stores the CNG in a CNG storage facility located inside the station. In preferred embodiments the refueling station is located adjacent to a driveway at a home. The compressor preferably is a multi-stage gas compressor having at least three stages of compression. Applicant estimates that savings based today prices for CNG as compared to gasoline, a typical family with only one car could pay for the station in three years. If the family has several cars the station could pay for itself much earlier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Inventor: Michael J. Luparello
  • Patent number: 10654603
    Abstract: The invention relates to an inflating station for inflating of film bags with a first and a second suction bar arm and with an inflating bar with inflating spouts arranged on it. The first/second suction bar arm is movable with a first/second drive shaft. A servo engine is disposed on the first drive shaft. A drive movement of the first drive shaft is transferred from a first gear wheel to a second gear wheel and from the second gear wheel to the second drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: INDAG POUCH PARTNERS GMBH
    Inventors: Rolf Harth, Frank Lechert