Patents Examined by Andrew Schmid
  • Patent number: 9321977
    Abstract: Disclosed are automated methods and systems for certifying the volatility of butane-enriched gasoline downstream of a butane blending operation. Such automated methods and systems provide significant advantages to comply with volatility requirements imposed by EPA or state regulations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: SUNOCO PARTNERS MARKETING & TERMINALS L.P.
    Inventor: Steven M. Vanderbur
  • Patent number: 9301902
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a container (1) for preparing of a nutritional composition from a powdered or concentrated liquid nutritional formula base, the container (1) comprising: —liquid inlet means (6) designed to be supplied with liquid from liquid dispensing means (20), —an adaptor (4) being provided with engagement means (2) for connecting the container (1) to matching engagement means (20a) of the liquid dispensing means (20), and —a flexible wall portion (31), connected to the liquid inlet means (6) and at least partially defining a compartment (3) for containing a predefined amount of powdered or concentrated liquid nutritional formula base (5) for the preparation of the nutritional composition (5a) upon hydration with the supplied liquid, wherein the flexible wall portion (31) is expandable in a manner that the volume of the compartment increases from a retracted position to an expanded position allowing a sufficient volume of liquid to be supplied into the compartment (3) through said liquid
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Yann Epars, Alain Meier
  • Patent number: 9272618
    Abstract: A misfuelling prevention device for a filler neck of a fuel tank includes a tubular element with an inflow side and an outflow side and a closure element, which, when in an open state, permits a flow of fuel through the outflow side, and, when in a closed state, prevents a flow of fuel through the outflow side. In a shell surface of the tubular element there is formed at least one opening which permits a flow of fuel from an inner side of the tubular element through to an outer side of the tubular element. The tubular element can be mounted such that at least a part of the shell surface in which the at least one opening is formed is arranged spaced apart from an inner surface of the filler neck such that fuel flowing through the at least one opening can flow via the filler neck into the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thorsten Breuer, Christian Scharping
  • Patent number: 9266132
    Abstract: A method of dispensing a fluid product by using a dispensing bottle which includes a rigid body in which a reservoir for packaging the fluid product is formed and a device for taking off the packaged fluid product that is mounted sealingly on the body, the body also being equipped with a valve for filling the reservoir, the method, prior to the initial filling of the reservoir with fluid product, making provision for putting the empty reservoir in communication with an air suction device and activating the device in order to create a negative pressure inside the reservoir; subsequently effecting the initial filling of the reservoir by putting a product source in sealed communication with the reservoir by means of the valve; dispensing the packaged fluid product by actuating the take-off device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: ALBÉA LE TREPORT S.A.S
    Inventors: Pierre Dumont, Jean-Luc Marcel Octau, Emmanuel Mauduit
  • Patent number: 9260286
    Abstract: A nozzle for dispensing fluid including a nozzle body having a fluid path through which fluid to be dispensed is configured to flow. The nozzle includes a main fluid valve positioned in the fluid path to control the flow of fluid therethrough, and a secondary fluid valve positioned in the fluid path to control the flow of fluid therethrough. The secondary fluid valve includes a secondary valve body and a secondary valve seat, the secondary valve body being movable between a closed position, wherein the secondary valve body sealingly engages the secondary valve seat, and an open position wherein the secondary valve body is spaced away from the secondary valve seat. The nozzle further includes an actuator operatively coupled to the main and secondary fluid valves. The actuator and main and secondary fluid valves are configured such that initial actuation of the actuator opens only the secondary fluid valve and not the main fluid valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: OPW FUELING COMPONENTS INC.
    Inventors: Timothy M. Garrison, Matthew R. Lauber, James E. Kesterman, Harold M. Schubert
  • Patent number: 9261238
    Abstract: A method for dispensing gas within a target temperature range wherein the gas exchanges heat with multiple thermal capacitors to cool the gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS, INC.
    Inventors: Joseph Perry Cohen, David John Farese, Nicholas Francis Mittica
  • Patent number: 9254501
    Abstract: A paint supply method supplies a paint into a paint cartridge by using a filling valve that has: a paint supply channel that is linkable in communication with a supply portion provided for supplying the paint into the paint cartridge; a branch channel that branches from the paint supply channel near a site of linkage in communication between the supply portion and the paint supply channel; and a trigger valve as an open-close valve of the paint supply channel which is disposed in the paint supply channel upstream of the site of linkage in communication. After a filling liquid is filled into the branch channel, the trigger valve (open-close valve) is opened, and the paint is supplied into the paint cartridge via the paint supply channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, TRINITY INDUSTRIAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Atsuo Nabeshima, Shinji Tani, Takanobu Mori, Isamu Yamasaki, Shinichi Nakane, Koji Fukuzawa, Tomohiro Hasuike
  • Patent number: 9248926
    Abstract: An apparatus for filling a produce tray with agricultural produce includes a tray loading station with a fill hopper for receiving the agricultural produce, a produce compression station including at least one tuck finger platen, and a conveyer including a plurality of tray carriers for moving the produce tray from the tray loading station to the produce compression station. Some embodiments of the invention also include a split chute for transferring the agricultural produce from the fill hopper to the produce tray and a trolley for selectively positioning the split chute under the fill hopper or tuck finger platen. Another embodiment of the invention includes a tuck finger platen for compressing agricultural produce near the center of the tray less than agricultural produce near the interior walls of the produce tray. Yet another embodiment of the invention includes steps in a method for loading agricultural produce into a produce tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: HEINZEN MANUFACTURING, INC.
    Inventors: Erick A. Davidson, Rudi C. Groppe
  • Patent number: 9234627
    Abstract: A system for the cold-weather storage of gaseous fuels includes a gas source having an inlet pressure, a compressor having an inlet and an outlet, the inlet selectively communicating with the gas source and the outlet having a discharge pressure greater than the inlet pressure, a heat exchange apparatus having an inlet and an outlet, the inlet selectively communicating with the compressor so as to receive pressurized gas therefrom, a high-pressure storage tank having an inlet and an outlet, the inlet selectively communicating with the compressor so as to receive pressurized gas therefrom, and a valve assembly for selectively directing the pressurized gas to the heat exchange apparatus and the high-pressure storage tank in dependence upon a temperature within the storage tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Inventors: Jose A. Cajiga, Arturo Cajiga Villar, Vicente Cajiga Villar
  • Patent number: 9234781
    Abstract: An automatic filling up spuit (100) screwed to an entrance (1a) of a cosmetics container (1) for suctioning and discharging liquid stored in the cosmetics container (1) includes: a spuit pipe (10); a cylinder member (20); a piston member (30); a cylindrical push button (50); and a top/bottom-opened cylindrical enclosure (60). The automatic filling up spuit has an advantage of convenient use in that it is capable of automatically filling up liquid contents in a cosmetics container by a certain amount precisely at all times through joining with the cosmetics container without requiring a separate filling up operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Inventors: Young Ju Lee, Jae Kwang Hwang
  • Patent number: 9156212
    Abstract: The invention allows the relaxation of the precision of fitting the inner lid to the cap body while making removal of the inner lid more reliable. In the bottle unit of the tire puncture repair kit that has an extraction cap attached to the mouth portion of the bottle container, the extraction cap is provided with: a first flow channel for taking in compressed air from a compressor into the bottle container; a second flow channel for successively taking out the puncture repair liquid and compressed air from the bottle container; and first and second closing means for closing the first and second flow channels in the pre-coupling state. The extraction cap is provided with a release means for releasing the second closing means and opening the second flow channel when connection occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Norio Taniguchi, Tsutomu Kono
  • Patent number: 9157784
    Abstract: A machine for dosing a plurality of products in capsules, or similar containers, includes a plurality of dosing units for filling the capsules with respective products and a turret arrangement that rotates intermittently and is arranged for housing and moving the capsules in sequence through the dosing units. The machine further includes a plurality of checking units, each of which is located downstream of a respective dosing unit for measuring a quantity of product dosed in the capsules by the respective dosing units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: I.M.A. Industria Macchine Automatiche S.p.A.
    Inventors: Roberto Trebbi, Salvatore Fabrizio Consoli
  • Patent number: 9151256
    Abstract: An overfill prevention valve includes: a valve housing having a first valve seat communicating with a fuel tank, and a second valve seat communicating with a canister; a parent valve disposed slidably within the valve housing, and having a base end opening communicating with a first opening, a front end opening communicating with a second opening and a third valve seat provided in the base end opening; a first urging unit which urges the parent valve toward the first valve seat; a child valve disposed slidably within the parent valve; a second urging unit which urges the child valve toward the third valve seat; and an air passage forming unit which forms an air passage between the parent valve and the first valve seat when the patent valve abuts on the first valve seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignees: PIOLAX, INC., TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shinichi Matsuo, Nobuhiro Hirata, Shinji Shimokawa
  • Patent number: 9145217
    Abstract: A filling device includes a first component and a second component. The first component includes a dosing cylinder having a high-viscosity material arranged therein. The second component includes a workpiece carrier and a receiving carrier. The receiving carrier is moveably connected to the workpiece carrier. The movement v of the receiving carrier during the filling process is determined by both the dynamic pressure exerted by the material and by a counterforce G generated by a unit having a pressurized fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: Dentsply International Inc.
    Inventor: Heinrich Spreizer
  • Patent number: 9138764
    Abstract: The present invention provides a container system for liquids such as spray fragrances. The system includes a parent container (110) and a child container (120). The parent container provides a first cavity (113) for confining a liquid, and couples detachably to the child container for refilling the child container through a supply opening (111) in the parent container. The child container has a cavity (126) for the liquid, a dispensing mechanism for dispensing liquid, and a valve assembly (124) for filling or topping up liquid into the child container from the parent. The valve (124) opens when the parent container is coupled to the child container. Either the parent or the child container system further includes a movable part (127) which automatically urges liquid from the parent container to the child container, so that when the two containers are together the child container is always full. However, when the child container is separated it can be operated as a self-contained dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: BREEZE PRODUCT DESIGN LIMITED
    Inventors: Peter Antony Farrar, John Hein
  • Patent number: 9138946
    Abstract: In the present invention, a difference between a pressure displayed by a manometer of a compressor device and an actual internal pressure of a tire can be reduced. A compressor device (2) and a bottle unit (3) are directly connected. A cap (6) attached to the bottle unit (3) comprises a unidirectional valve (14) for preventing a reverse flow of a flat tire sealing agent to the side of the compressor device. A cylinder (12) of the compressor device (2) is provided with a pump chamber (11), and a surge chamber (18) which receives the compressed air from the pump chamber through an exhaust valve (16), wherein a volume (Q2) of the surge chamber (18) is 1.0 to 3.0 times of the stroke volume of a piston (10) in the pump chamber (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshihide Kojima, Tsutomu Kono
  • Patent number: 9126817
    Abstract: A cartridge discharges paint in a paint chamber from a feed tube by displacing a piston in a tank. A waste liquid adjusting valve located on a downstream side of a waste liquid passage on-off valve and including a throttle passage is provided in a waste liquid passage to be connected to the feed tube. This waste liquid adjusting valve is opened at the time of washing clean the paint chamber and a paint supply passage of the feed tube to widely enlarge the passage cross-sectional area of the waste liquid passage. When paint is replenished into the paint supply passage, the waste liquid adjusting valve uses the throttle passage as a flow passage to narrowly throttle the passage cross-sectional area of the waste liquid passage. The amount of discarded paint which flows out from the feed tube is thereby reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: ABB K.K.
    Inventor: Kuniharu Yamauchi
  • Patent number: 9114974
    Abstract: A pressure-filling system (10) for filling a tank (2) and including a pressure-filling valve (11). The pressure-filling system (10) comprises a filling pipe (13) having a first end (13?) that is connected to said pressure-filling valve (11), and a second end (13?) that is connected to a check valve (14) that opens out into said tank (2), said filling pipe (13) being connected to a purge system (20) that opens out into said tank (2) so as to discharge a fluid contained in the filling pipe (13), said filling pipe (13) being connected to a branch pipe (15) that opens out to the open air (100) for dumping excess fluid from a tank in the event of excess pressure in the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Airbus Helicopters
    Inventors: Gregory Basset, Lionel Lollini
  • Patent number: 9091924
    Abstract: A photoresist delivery system includes a photoresist pump, a photoresist reservoir coupled to the photoresist pump, and a photoresist container. A control valve is between the photoresist reservoir and the photoresist container and is movable from a closed position to an open position upon engagement of the photoresist container with the photoresist reservoir to replenish photoresist therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS PTE LTD
    Inventors: Gino George, KeenYip Koh, CheeChiang Lee, Ditto Adnan
  • Patent number: 9067488
    Abstract: A filler neck apparatus may include a housing into which a fuel filling gun is selectively inserted, a rotation protrusion pivotally mounted on a side of the housing and elastically biased in a direction, wherein the rotation protrusion contacts with the fuel filling gun while the fuel filling gun is inserted into the housing, a slider slidably installed in the housing and elastically biased in a direction wherein the slider is selectively coupled to the rotation protrusion, and wherein a locked state of the slider is released by the rotation protrusion and is movable in a direction when the slider is released from the rotation protrusion, a flapper pivotally mounted on the housing and opening or closing the bottom end of the housing by the fuel filling gun, a stopper pivotally mounted on the housing and selectively locking the flapper, and a link pivotally connecting the slider and the stopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Bu Yeol Ryu, Pil Seon Choi, Bo Sung Lee