Patents Examined by Anthony Calandra
  • Patent number: 10588339
    Abstract: An apparatus for enrobing a product portion can include at least one polymer spray head adapted to create at least one flow of polymeric fibers to produce at least one polymer enrobing zone and a conveyor system adapted to move at least one product portion from at least one position below at least one polymer enrobing zone and to at least one position above at least one polymer enrobing zone to drop each product portion through one or more polymer enrobing zones a plurality times at different orientations to enrobe each product portion with polymeric fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Nathan Carroll, Shannon Maxwell Black, Yan Helen Sun, William J. Burke, Robert Smith
  • Patent number: 10568359
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an aerosol delivery device including a variable output flow sensor. The variable output flow sensor particularly can be a flex/bend sensor wherein output from the sensor varies based upon changes in electrical current flow (e.g., resistance) along an extension of the sensor relative to flexing or bending of the extension resulting from airflow across the extension. The disclosure further provides methods for controlling operation of an aerosol delivery device through utilization of a variable output flow sensor. In particular, control of functional elements (e.g., a heating member, a fluid delivery member, and a sensory feedback member) can allow for real-time changes in the operation of the aerosol delivery device relative to airflow through the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Raymond Charles Henry, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10570564
    Abstract: The method for preparing nanofibrillar cellulose comprises disintegrating (DIS1) fibrous cellulosic raw material to a first disintegration level to a half-fabricate, transporting (TRANS) the half-fabricate in the first disintegration level in concentrated form to a destination, and at the destination, disintegrating (DIS2) the half-fabricate from the first disintegration level to the second disintegration level to nanofibrillar cellulose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: UPM-KYMMENE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Isko Kajanto, Markus Nuopponen, Juha Tamper
  • Patent number: 10563352
    Abstract: A scalable, energy efficient process for preparing cellulose nanofibers is disclosed. The process employs a depolymerizing treatment with one or both of: (a) a relatively high charge of ozone under conditions that promote the formation of free radicals to chemically depolymerize the cellulose fiber cell wall and interfiber bonds; or (b) a cellulase enzyme. Depolymerization may be estimated by pulp viscosity changes. The depolymerizing treatment is followed by or concurrent with mechanical comminution of the treated fibers, the comminution being done in any of several mechanical comminuting devices, the amount of energy savings varying depending on the type of comminuting system and the treatment conditions. Comminution may be carried out to any of several endpoint measures such as fiber length, % fines or slurry viscosity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: University of Maine System Board of Trustees
    Inventors: Michael A. Bilodeau, Mark A. Paradis
  • Patent number: 10562289
    Abstract: Method for printing a three-dimensional part layerwise with an additive manufacturing system includes printing layers by depositing material from a print head onto a print foundation, incrementing a position of the print head relative to the print foundation after each layer is printed, and indexing the print foundation carrying the printed layers away from the print head along the printing axis after a number of layers are printed. Printing is performed with driven and fixed rails clamped against movement of the print foundation. Moving the print foundation includes moving the driven rails with respect to the fixed rails in a direction substantially perpendicular to the build plane. Additive manufacturing system includes a drive mechanism to index the print foundation on the printing axis using fixed and driven rails, the driven rails engaging the print foundation for moving the print foundation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: STRATASYS, INC.
    Inventors: Robert L. Skubic, John Bushey, Chad E. Beery, Michael D. Bosveld, Robert E. Styer
  • Patent number: 10557235
    Abstract: The problem of runaway smelt explosions due to a sudden influx of smelt into a dissolving tank is mitigated by a system comprising an ultrasonic transducer configured to emit ultrasonic waves toward the dissolving tank at a frequency above 20 kilohertz. A system comprising the ultrasonic transducer may further comprise sensors and a data processor configured to regulate the properties of the ultrasonic waves in response to process conditions affecting the smelt flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: Andritz Inc.
    Inventor: Mark LeBel
  • Patent number: 10549490
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a stiffened panel made from composite material comprising a skin and elongated reinforcing elements wherein some of the elongated reinforcing elements cross each other. The method comprises the steps of (a) laying up a flat laminate comprising stacked plies of composite layers for forming a structure comprising the elongated reinforcing elements of the panel, (b) cutting the flat laminate along intersection lines of planes defining the webs of two crossing reinforcing elements, (c) cutting in the flat laminate the outline of the elongated reinforcing elements, (d) forming the structure comprising the elongated reinforcing elements of the panel, (e) laying up plies of composite layers for forming the skin, and (f) curing the laid-up plies of the skin and the formed structure comprising the elongated reinforcing elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: AIRBUS DEFENCE AND SPACE S.A.
    Inventors: Pedro Nogueroles Viñes, Jose Cuenca Rincón, Aquilino Garcia Garcia, Bernardo Lopez Romano, Maria Mora Mendias
  • Patent number: 10538066
    Abstract: A topping sheet forming method includes: a feeding and division step of feeding a textile original fabric, obtained by weaving longitudinally aligned tire cords into a cord fabric by use of weft yarns, and cutting off the weft yarns in predetermined widthwise positions to divide the textile original fabric into a plurality of narrow textile original fabrics; a calender step of topping, with unvulcanized rubber, at least one surface of one narrow textile original fabric out of the divided narrow textile original fabrics; and a wind-up step of winding up the other narrow textile original fabrics out of the divided narrow textile original fabrics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: TOYO TIRE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masaya Fujimoto, Kazuhiro Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 10538011
    Abstract: In monitoring the machine space of a processing machine during the throughput of workpieces in order to detect workpieces that got stuck, the rear end of a workpiece with reference to the transport direction generates a start signal in the inlet region of the machine space, as well as an end signal in the outlet region thereof by sensors that are connected to a control unit. Beginning with the start signal, the control unit detects a feature that characterizes a theoretical feed travel and generates a release signal if the value of the detected characteristic feature has reached at the time, at which the end signal is generated, a predefined limiting value and not yet exceeded a predefined upper limiting value or if the end signal is generated at a time, at which the value of the detected characteristic feature has reached the predefined limiting value and not yet exceeded the upper limiting value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Michael Weinig AG
    Inventors: Rainer Gramlich, Hubert Klein, Rainer Kurz, Peter Martin, Walter Rapp, Ralf Wagner
  • Patent number: 10538031
    Abstract: Provided herein is a method of forming a three-dimensional object, comprising: (a) providing a carrier and a fill level having a build region therebetween; (b) filling said build region with a polymerizable liquid comprising a mixture of (i) a light polymerizable liquid first component, and (ii) a second solidifiable component; (c) irradiating said build region with light to form a solid polymer scaffold from said first component and also advancing said carrier away from said build surface to form a three-dimensional intermediate having the same shape as, or a shape to be imparted to, said three-dimensional object and containing said second solidifiable component carried in said scaffold in unsolidified and/or uncured form; and (d) solidifying and/or curing said second solidifiable component in said three-dimensional intermediate. The solidifying and/or curing step (d) may increase the elasticity and/or decrease the rigidity of said intermediate in forming said three-dimensional object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Carbon, Inc.
    Inventors: Kai Chen, Lloyd M. Robeson, Jason P. Rolland
  • Patent number: 10538038
    Abstract: An inkjet forming method is provided and is a three-dimensional object forming method for forming a three-dimensional object in which a target object and a removable portion are integrally formed by vertically stacking a plurality of forming layers in a vertical direction. The inkjet forming method includes: forming the forming layer to include a target layer to be the target object after shaping and a removable layer to be the removable portion after shaping; with respect to the forming layers being vertically stacked in the vertical direction, forming the removable layer to be arranged at an outside of the target layer, and forming an outer contour of the removable layer disposed at a lower side outward than an outer contour of the removable layer disposed at an upper side; and during forming the forming layers, forming the target layer and the removable layer simultaneously with ink droplets ejected by an inkjet printing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: MIMAKI ENGINEERING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kunio Hakkaku, Hiroyoshi Ohi, Masaya Nagahari
  • Patent number: 10531686
    Abstract: Disclosed is an anti-leakage liquid storage device for electronic cigarette, including a cylindrical liquid storage cup, at least two locking members arranged at an inner wall of a liquid outlet end of the liquid storage cup, a liquid percolation piece having a plurality of liquid percolation holes and having a circular edge which engages with an internal circumferential surface of the liquid outlet end of the liquid storage cup, and a filter piece with one side thereof abutting against the liquid percolation piece; wherein the other side of the filter piece abuts against an annular pressing plate, the annular pressing plate has a circular edge which engages with the internal circumferential surface of the liquid outlet end; the annular pressing plate is locked by the at least two locking members and tightly presses the filter piece and the liquid percolation piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: SHENZHEN HAPPY VAPING TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
    Inventor: Guangrong Lin
  • Patent number: 10531685
    Abstract: A method of enrobing a product portion in polymer strands includes mounting at least one product portion on a holding device and passing the at least one product portion through a polymer enrobing zone. The polymer enrobing zone can include a flow of polymeric fibers produced by a polymer spray head. The polymer fibers can wraparound the at least one product portion to produce an enrobed product portion. The holding device can hold the at least one product portion by passing at least partially through the body of the product portion. At least a portion of the holding device is removed from the enrobed product portion. In some cases, the at least one product portion includes smokeless tobacco.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Nathan Carroll, Shannon Maxwell Black, Yan Helen Sun, William J. Burke, Robert Smith
  • Patent number: 10525618
    Abstract: A controller of a rotary compression-molding machine is configured to detect, with a sensor, an amount of stuck molded products or a flow rate of molded products at an inlet configured to receive a molded product or an outlet configured to discharge the molded product subjected to predetermined post-treatment, of a peripheral device disposed downstream of the molding machine and is further configured to apply the post-treatment to the molded product discharged from the molding machine, and to regulate a rotational speed of a turret and punches of the molding machine in accordance with the detected amount of the stuck molded products or the detected flow rate of the molded products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: KIKUSUI SEISAKUSHO LTD.
    Inventors: Satoshi Shimada, Katsuhito Fujisaki, Toshihiro Nakaoka
  • Patent number: 10519598
    Abstract: Provided are a pitch-formation suppressor and the like which can be widely applied independently of the substance that causes a pitch and of the situation to generate a pitch in a paper manufacturing process, and which can effectively suppress and prevent the troubles due to the pitch, such as foreign spots and defects in a paper, breakage of a paper, and lowering of workability. This pitch-formation suppressor comprises an alkaline solution in which a phenol resin and/or a modified phenol resin is dissolved, or an acid solution in which a phenol resin and/or a modified phenol resin is dissolved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignees: KURITA WATER INDUSTRIES LTD., GUN EI CHEMICAL INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Satoshi Wada, Yuko Okusa, Chigusa Taguchi, Yukio Abe, Michiyasu Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 10513824
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for reducing pulp viscosity in production of dissolving pulp. The method comprises producing cellulose pulp, whereby the obtained cellulose pulp has a cellulose content of at least 90%, and bleaching the obtained cellulose pulp. The cellulose pulp is treated after bleaching with performic acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: Kemira Oyj
    Inventors: Leif Robertson, Veli-Matti Vuorenpalo, Jonas Konn, Kaisa Kaski
  • Patent number: 10513055
    Abstract: Disclosed is a master model (1) defining a useful surface having a complex shape, including a set of juxtaposed frames (2a, 2b, 2c), each frame including a panel having a useful edge (8), the frames being disposed parallel and held rigidly connected with predefined spacings such that the useful edges of same form the useful surface. The panel of each frame includes a blind slot (10) forming an opening passing through the thickness, and the frames are rigidly connected by a spar (3, 3a, 3b, etc.) suitable for being inserted (6) in the lengthwise direction (L) of same into the slots and including transverse notches (11) for receiving and holding the frames, each notch being arranged to receive, by a relative transverse translational movement (7) of the spar relative to the frames, the part in question of the panel of each frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: IXBLUE
    Inventor: Sebastien Grall
  • Patent number: 10507548
    Abstract: An apparatus for fabricating a part, comprising a curved shaft; a build plate connected to the curved shaft; a motor; and a transmission connecting the motor and the curved shaft. The build plate moves along a curved path having a radius of curvature originating on an axis when the transmission transfers power from the motor to the curved shaft. Material deposited on the build plate along the curved path forms the part comprising a solid of revolution around the axis. In one or more examples, the part is an aircraft engine inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventor: Eric D. Bol
  • Patent number: 10506828
    Abstract: A personal vaporizer having a pressure-induced liquid supply that allows a user to draw liquid from a liquid reservoir through applying a suction force on the mouthpiece. The amount of liquid drawn is proportional to the pressure induced, and proportional to the amount of vaporization a user may desire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: WESTFIELD LIMITED (LTD.)
    Inventors: Wei Dai, Yongjie James Xu
  • Patent number: 10499683
    Abstract: A method of enrobing a product portion in polymer strands includes mounting at least one product portion on a holding device and passing the at least one product portion through a polymer enrobing zone. The polymer enrobing zone can include a flow of polymeric fibers produced by a polymer spray head. The polymer fibers can wraparound the at least one product portion to produce an enrobed product portion. The holding device can hold the at least one product portion by passing at least partially through the body of the product portion. At least a portion of the holding device is removed from the enrobed product portion. In some cases, the at least one product portion includes smokeless tobacco.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Nathan Carroll, Shannon Maxwell Black, Yan Helen Sun, William J. Burke, Robert Smith