Patents Examined by Andrew D StClair
  • Patent number: 10634283
    Abstract: A gas supply system—includes a compressor unit, an accumulator unit, a pre-cooling system and a housing. In the gas supply system, the compressor unit is vertically arranged and the pre-cooling system is arranged above the accumulator unit in the housing. The compressor unit and the accumulator unit are covered by one rectangular parallelepiped housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Nagura, Tetsuya Kakiuchi, Takashi Okuno, Koji Noishiki, Akitoshi Fujisawa, Shinichi Miura
  • Patent number: 10631462
    Abstract: A spout is operably connected to a transferring material for transferring the agricultural material to the receiving vehicle. An imaging device faces towards the storage portion of the receiving vehicle and collects image data. A container module is adapted to determine a container position of the storage portion, or its container perimeter. A spout module is adapted to identify a spout of the transferring vehicle in the collected image data, or to determine a spout position. An alignment module is adapted to determine the relative position of the spout and the container position based on the collected image data and to generate command data or user interface data to facilitate placement of the spout and storage container in relative cooperative alignment for transferring of material from the transferring vehicle to the receiving vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventor: Zachary T. Bonefas
  • Patent number: 10625286
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a portable liquid dispenser, preferably for perfume or the like, which can be easily refilled. Many portable perfume dispensers are disposable instead of being refillable. We have invented a system that has all of the functionality of a portable dispenser—such as an atomizer or a roll-on applicator—but also provides access so that the dispenser is easily refilled from a larger container. Therefore, we have also invented a method for refilling a portable liquid dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Heinz-Glas USA Inc.
    Inventors: Armin Detsch, Alexander Heinz
  • Patent number: 10625919
    Abstract: A closure element for liquid containers, in particular bottles, includes a stopper engaging the opening of the liquid container (e.g., a neck of a bottle) and a cap (5) covering the edge of the neck opening, the stopper including an inlet channel passing therethrough and optionally an outlet channel, the inlet channel and optionally the outlet channel (42) are respectively provided with an inlet valve or outlet valve, which may be a pressure relief valve (21).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Innveri AG
    Inventor: Manfred Jüni
  • Patent number: 10618950
    Abstract: Provided are methods and devices for dissolving solid protein compositions, such as solid compositions comprising fibrinogen, in an aqueous solvent. The methods comprise use of a closed container containing a volume of solid fibrinogen composition and a head space wherein the pressure within the headspace is sub-atmospheric. Aqueous solvent is introduced into the container while maintain the sub-atmospheric pressure, and subsequent to addition of the solvent, the size of the headspace is decreased to bring the pressure to atmospheric pressure. The devices are suitable for use in the disclosed method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignees: Omrix Biopharmaceuticals Ltd., Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Erez Ilan, Kfir Regev, Dana Leitman, Israel Nur, Moti Meron, John Goodman
  • Patent number: 10597277
    Abstract: A fill valve assembly for use in association with a filler device including: a vent tube; a valve housing; a valve sleeve; and a quick start seal member, wherein: (1) the vent tube is positioned at least partially within the valve housing and the valve sleeve, (2) the valve housing is in communication with the filler device, (3) the valve sleeve is positioned at least partially within the valve housing, (4) the quick start seal member is positioned within the valve housing; and (5) the fill valve assembly is configured for precluding filling start lag during normal operation of the filler device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Fogg Filler Company
    Inventors: Michael Fogg, Lon Eding
  • Patent number: 10571076
    Abstract: A method for refueling of gas into a pressurized gas tank with repeated adjustment of a target pressure (Ptarget) for the refueling is disclosed, said method comprising the steps of: recording starting conditions for the refueling, establishing a mathematical relation between the recorded starting conditions, the actual refueling time (t_refueling) passed and the target pressure for the refueling, starting the refueling, and repeatedly calculating the target pressure corresponding to the actual refueling time passed and measuring the nozzle pressure of the refueling station, until the calculated target pressure has been reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: NEL HYDROGEN A/S
    Inventor: Morten Wistoft-Ibsen
  • Patent number: 10563820
    Abstract: A gas supply device includes a first compressor that compresses hydrogen gas, an accumulator disposed downstream of the first compressor and supplying the hydrogen gas to a dispenser that fills the hydrogen gas in a vehicle, and a gas flow passage that connects the first compressor, the accumulator, and the dispenser, and a control device. The gas flow passage includes a lead-in line for leading the hydrogen gas into the accumulator, a lead-out line for leading out the hydrogen gas from the accumulator, a lead-in side valve, and a lead-out side valve. The control device is capable of simultaneously bringing the lead-in side valve and the lead-out side valve into an open state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Nagura, Hitoshi Takagi, Takuro Uba
  • Patent number: 10548813
    Abstract: A pill crushing device pulverizes pills and then transfers the pulverized pills out of the device with minimal transfer loss and spillage. The device includes a pill chamber and may include a storage portion. The pill chamber forms a threaded connection with the storage portion that enables detachment. The storage portion stores the pill and operates the crushing mechanism. The pill is pulverized in the pill chamber. The pill chamber is disposed beneath the storage portion. A first spoon retains the pill and carries the pulverized pill out of the chamber along a longitudinal opening of the pill chamber. An optional second spoon detachably attaches to the first spoon to carry supplemental compositions to the pulverized pill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Inventor: Ann Evans
  • Patent number: 10533788
    Abstract: A scoop includes a rear wall and a pair of spaced apart side walls; a gripping portion disposed on at least one of the rear wall or side walls; a floor portion connected to the rear wall and the pair of spaced apart side walls, the floor portion having a front edge portion; and a recessed portion formed in the floor portion adjacent to at least one of the spaced apart side walls and dipping below a level of the floor portion, the recessed portion being configured to guide a material contained in the scoop toward the front edge portion of the scoop while dispensing the material from the scoop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignees: BSH Home Appliances Corporation, BSH Hausgeräte GmbH
    Inventors: William Gutkowski, Andy Mok, Benjamin Spradley
  • Patent number: 10526195
    Abstract: In an example, a method of supplying fuel to a fuel tank of a vehicle includes supplying, via a fuel line, fuel to a fuel tank of a vehicle at an initial rate of fuel flow. The act of supplying the fuel causes an electrostatic charge to accumulate on a surface of the fuel in the fuel tank. The method also includes determining a level of ionization of an air medium in the fuel tank, and determining an increased rate of fuel flow based on a difference between the determined level of ionization and a baseline level of ionization. The electrostatic charge accumulated on the surface of the fuel dissipates at an increased rate when the determined level of ionization of the air medium is higher than the baseline level of ionization. The method further includes supplying the fuel to the fuel tank at the increased rate of fuel flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Brian Tillotson, Carol Elizabeth Anway
  • Patent number: 10495257
    Abstract: According to one or more aspects, a hydrogen fueling station is provided and includes one or more hydrogen fuel storage tanks, a pressure control device positioned downstream from the hydrogen fuel storage tanks, a dispenser positioned downstream from the pressure control device, and a heat load reduction line which forms a circulation loops from a first point downstream of the pressure control device to one or more of the hydrogen fuel storage tanks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Steven R. Mathison
  • Patent number: 10486653
    Abstract: A filling device for a fluid container of a vehicle is provided. The filling device comprises at least a motorized drive, a filling component which can be extended by means of the drive from a rest position to a filling position on the vehicle, and on which a filling opening is provided which is accessible in the filling position for filling a fluid container with fluid and a filling element which is adjustably mounted on the filling component and defines at least one edge portion on the perimeter of the filling opening when the filling component is in its filling position. The filling opening is in the filling position accessible for filling of fluid irrespective of a position of the filling element on the extended filling component. Only the perimeter of the filling opening can be enlarged by the filling element when the filling component is in its filling position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: BROSE FAHRZEUGTEILE GMBH & CO. KOMMANDITGESELLSCHAFT, COBURG
    Inventors: Michael Hoeppel, Maik Rienecker, Christian Herrmann
  • Patent number: 10480242
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (100) for providing a crossover point between a first region (1) and a second region (2) hermetically delimited from the first region (1) by means of a wall (10), wherein the device comprises:—a lock chamber (12), which can be inserted into an opening (11) provided in the wall and which has a first opening (13) forming a crossover point between the first region and the lock chamber and which has a second opening (14) forming a crossover point between the second region and the lock chamber;—at least one peripherally circulating element (15), which has at least one passage opening (15.1; 19.1; 15.2; 19.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: AMRONA AG
    Inventor: Peter Bernhard Stehr
  • Patent number: 10473267
    Abstract: A method is provided for filling a fuel storage system of a motor vehicle with fuel at a relatively high pressure. The fuel storage system has a main tank, which can be filled by way of a main filling line until a limit pressure has been reached, and an auxiliary storage device. If the filling line is connected to a supply station, which provides fuel at a pressure exceeding the tank limit pressure, a tank shut-off valve provided in the filling line will be closed in time before the limit pressure is reached in the main tank and an auxiliary tanking valve is opened in an auxiliary storage device filling line branching off from the main filling line upstream of the tank shut-off valve and leading to the auxiliary storage device. The auxiliary storage device is configured to receive fuel at a higher pressure than the above-mentioned tank limit pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Andreas Pelger, Klaus Szoucsek, Klaas Kunze
  • Patent number: 10465850
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for compressing gases and supplying fuel to a gaseous fuel consuming device, such as a gaseous fueled vehicle or the like. One embodiment includes a gas compressor for compressing the gaseous fuel to an array of tanks having predetermined initial set points which are increasing for tanks in the array. One embodiment provides a selecting valve having first and second families of ports wherein the valve can be operated to select a plurality of ports from the first family to be fluidly connected with a plurality of ports with the second family, and such fluid connections can be changed by operation of the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: New Gas Industries, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Walter H. Killeen, Bryan Killeen, Carl Guichard
  • Patent number: 10463512
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for filling a therapeutic substance or drug within a hollow wire that forms a stent. The stent is placed within a chamber housing a fluid drug formulation. During filling, the chamber is maintained at or near the vapor-liquid equilibrium of the solvent of the fluid drug formulation. To fill the stent, a portion of the stent is placed into contact with the fluid drug formulation until a lumenal space defined by the hollow wire is filled with the fluid drug formulation via capillary action. After filling is complete, the stent is retracted such that the stent is no longer in contact with the fluid drug formulation. The solvent vapor pressure within the chamber is reduced to evaporate a solvent of the fluid drug formulation. A wicking means may control transfer of the fluid drug formulation into the stent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.
    Inventors: Justin Peterson, James Mitchell, Abby S Pandya, Nate Glucklich, Joseph Berglund, Ya Guo
  • Patent number: 10465849
    Abstract: A hydrogen gas filling method includes: a step for acquiring a pre-supply upstream pressure that is a pressure in a station side of a piping at time t0, a step for starting the supply of hydrogen gas from the station at time t1 that is after the pre-supply upstream pressure is acquired, a step for acquiring a post-supply upstream pressure at time t2 that is immediate after the supply of hydrogen gas starts, a step for acquiring a start-time flowrate that is a flowrate of hydrogen gas at the same period as the step for starting, a step for estimating the pressure loss generated in the piping at the time of the supply by using the pre-supply upstream pressure, post-supply upstream pressure, and the start-time flowrate, and a step for stopping the supply of hydrogen gas so that a tank pressure conforms with a predetermined target pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kiyoshi Handa
  • Patent number: 10462986
    Abstract: A shower water collection device configured to capture pre-shower water which once full may easily be sealed to prevent contamination of the collected water until the water can be used for another purpose. A shower water collection device further including an inverted umbrella type funnel for increased surface area and enhanced water collection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Inventor: William Field Wales
  • Patent number: 10442289
    Abstract: An opening/closing apparatus for a fuel tank of a vehicle includes: a fuel passage forming portion forming a fuel passage guiding a liquid fuel to the fuel tank; an insertion-side opening/closing valve mechanism opening and closing a filler port of the fuel passage; a liquid discharge path allowing an internal region of the fuel passage forming portion to communicate with the outside through a liquid discharge port formed in a portion of the fuel passage forming portion, the portion closer to the fuel tank than the insertion-side opening/closing valve mechanism; an opening/closing valve mechanism opening and closing the liquid discharge port by a valve body; and a valve body regulating mechanism regulating the valve body to close the liquid discharge port when the insertion-side opening/closing valve mechanism opens the filler port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Hagano