Patents Examined by Arlyn I Rivera-Cordero
  • Patent number: 11040378
    Abstract: A dosing apparatus for dosing a powder product inside containers includes a hopper provided with an inner cavity for containing the product, a lower portion provided with a supply duct with a terminal aperture for the outflow of the product, a metering screw rotating inside the supply duct and a washing manifold provided with an inlet opening and containing at least a sonotrode. In a cleaning configuration of the dosing apparatus, the washing manifold is connected to the hopper coupling the inlet opening to the supply duct, so as to receive and contain a washing liquid introduced in the hopper. The sonotrode is activated to produce alternate pressure waves capable of generating in the washing liquid air bubbles adapted to propagate towards the inner cavity through the supply duct, and to implode thus creating shock waves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: I.M.A. INDUSTRIA MACCHINE AUTOMATICHE S.P.A.
    Inventor: Claudio Trebbi
  • Patent number: 11028474
    Abstract: A method of cleaning a SiC monocrystal growth furnace provided with an in-furnace substrate composed of a 3C-SiC polycrystal having at least a surface in which an intensity ratio of a (111) plane with respect to other crystal planes is at least 85% but not more than 100% according to powder XRD analysis, the method including flowing a mixed gas of fluorine gas and at least one of an inert gas and air in a non-plasma state through the inside of the SiC monocrystal growth furnace, thereby selectively removing a SiC deposit deposited inside the SiC monocrystal growth furnace, wherein the mixed gas comprises at least 1 vol % but not more than 20 vol % of fluorine gas, and at least 80 vol % but not more than 99 vol % of an inert gas, and a temperature inside the SiC monocrystal growth furnace is from 200° C. to 500° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: SHOWA DENKO K.K.
    Inventors: Yosuke Tanimoto, Hideyuki Kurihara
  • Patent number: 11007032
    Abstract: The invention relates to devices, systems and methods for cleaning medical tools having an elevator mechanism; for example, duodenoscopes, linear echoendoscopes, and side viewing endoscopes. The device includes two nozzles for being positioned near and/or inserted in spaces around the elevator mechanism. The system includes the device and a pump to supply liquid to the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
    Inventor: Kapil Gupta
  • Patent number: 10993779
    Abstract: A method of pre-treating a contaminated medical instrument that is to undergo decontamination involves inserting a distal tip of the instrument into a distal tip protector. The distal tip of the instrument is inserted through a rupturable resilient seal into an internal cavity of the protector that contains a fluid. The distal tip protector thereby maintains a fluid around the distal tip of the instrument until the distal tip protector is removed to allow reprocessing of the instrument to take place, facilitating decontamination of the instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Medisafe UK Limited
    Inventor: Lawrence Ralph Dawson
  • Patent number: 10957529
    Abstract: A method for drying a wafer is provided. The method includes providing or receiving the wafer and applying a rinsing liquid in a liquid state to the wafer. The rinsing liquid has a boiling point. The method also includes drying the wafer by applying a drying fluid in a gaseous state to the wafer. The drying fluid has a higher temperature than the boiling point of the rinsing liquid, and the rinsing liquid is evaporated and removed by the drying fluid. After the removal of the rinsing liquid, the drying fluid remains in a gaseous state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chung-Chieh Lee
  • Patent number: 10935825
    Abstract: A substrate processing method includes a first discharge step of discharging, from the first discharge port which faces a predetermined first region including the rotating center of the upper surface, a low surface tension liquid containing gas containing steam of a low surface tension liquid having a larger specific gravity than air and lower surface tension than the processing liquid and not discharging the low surface tension liquid containing gas from the second discharge port which faces a predetermined second region surrounding the outside of the first region on the upper surface of the substrate, and a second discharge step of discharging the low surface tension liquid containing gas from the second discharge port after the first discharge step and not discharging the low surface tension liquid containing gas from the first discharge port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Inventor: Masayuki Otsuji
  • Patent number: 10933450
    Abstract: A vent hole cleaning method for cleaning a vent hole provided on a molding surface of a mold for vulcanizing a rubber product includes a step of detecting a shape of the molding surface; a step of calculating a position of the vent hole by comparing the shape of the molding surface obtained in the step of detecting with molding surface information stored in a controlling device in advance and including a position of the vent hole; a step of moving a cleaning means to the vent hole based on the calculated position of the vent hole; and a step of cleaning the vent hole by the cleaning means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Yuichiro Amaiwa
  • Patent number: 10859331
    Abstract: A method for cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting commercial and residential HVAC system includes applying low pressure cleaning foam to heat-exchange coils of the HVAC system, the cleaning foam including one or more agents that break down organic and/or inorganic fouling dirt or debris, the foam removing and carrying away dirt or debris from the coils. Moving air, such as from the air handler of the HVAC system, pushes or draws the cleaning foam from the first side of the coils toward a second side, the cleaning foam and removed dirt or debris exiting the second side of the coils. The moving air and cleaning foam move co-currently in the same direction through spaces in the coils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: BLUE BOX AIR, LLC
    Inventor: James Peter Metropoulos
  • Patent number: 10858612
    Abstract: The invention relates to a detergent composition comprising at least one cationic derivate of a polysaccharide. The cationic derivate has an average molecular weight of less than 30000 g/mol, a degree of substitution ranging between 0.01 and 3. The invention further relates to a method of reducing, limiting or preventing the occurrence of spotting and/or filming on hard surface substrates during rinsing or washing and to the use of a detergent composition to reduce, limit or prevent the occurrence of spotting and/or filming on hard surface substrates during rinsing and/or washing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: COÖPERATE KONINKLIJKE COSUN U.A.
    Inventors: Harry Raaijmakers, Tom Brooijmans, Robbert de Boer, Khalid Mahmud, René Mol
  • Patent number: 10814364
    Abstract: Embodiments relate generally to systems and methods for decommissioning a pipeline. The system may comprise a mechanical assembly and chemical assembly. The mechanical assembly may include a main body and contact assembly. When the mechanical assembly is provided in the pipeline, the contact assembly is configurable to contact with the pipeline's interior wall. The chemical assembly may be arranged serially in line with the mechanical assembly. The chemical assembly may include a front section having a cross-sectional portion configurable to resemble the cross-section of the pipeline. The chemical assembly may also include a rear section having a cross-sectional portion. The front and rear sections may be arranged in such a way that, when the chemical assembly is provided in the pipeline, the cross-sectional portions of the front and rear sections cooperate with the pipeline's interior wall to form a chamber operable to receive and house a removal medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: PTT EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION PUBLIC COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Suchada Punpruk, Chatawut Chanvanichskul, Passaworn Silakorn, Patara Limpanachaipornkul, Chanya Thammawong
  • Patent number: 10808942
    Abstract: In a method for carrying out a cleaning procedure for a cooking appliance, a first tank of the cooking appliance is filled by a user with water. A first portion of water in the first tank is moved into a buffer store and then moved from the buffer store into a cooking chamber to provide a first treatment agent therein. The first treatment agent remains in the cooking chamber for a first time period. A second portion of water in the first tank is moved into the buffer store and the first treatment agent is moved into the first tank. The second portion of water in the buffer store is into the cooking chamber to provide a second treatment agent in the cooking chamber. The second treatment agent remains in the cooking chamber for a second time period and the second treatment agent is then moved into the first tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: BSH Hausgeräte GmbH
    Inventors: Stéphane Clauss, Sebastien Flesch, Nicolas Chabut, Julien Adam
  • Patent number: 10792841
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for washing sheets of plastic material originating from industrial and agricultural waste, for subsequent reuse thereof as a raw material. The sheets of plastic material, precut into soiled pieces of large dimensions, and a water flow are supplied to a washing tank containing a water bath; a screw stirrer generates intense stirring of the water bath and recirculation, inside the tank, of the soiled plastic pieces that causes the contaminating material to be detached and separated by sedimentation from the plastic pieces. The cleaned pieces of plastic material of large dimensions, devoid of contaminant, which float in the water bath are removed by dragging, in a floating condition, along a discharging channel by the combined action of a dragging device and of a water flow that exits the washing tank; the dragging device, consisting of an endless belt, extends from one side of the washing tank along the discharging channel, supported in a freely tiltable manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Previero N. S.r.l.
    Inventor: Flavio Previero
  • Patent number: 10793988
    Abstract: A radiology garment storage and cleaning system, for storing and cleaning radiology garments, each garment including a radiology apron and a radiology collar. The radiology garment storage and cleaning system includes a storage apparatus, which is divided into a number of compartments for accepting a radiology garment, the compartments extending from the first side to the second side. Each compartment is equipped with a cleaning system, a door with a lock and at least one status light. The storage apparatus also includes an ID card and a monitoring system which is in electronic communication with the ID card reader, the lock of each compartment, each of the cleaning mechanisms, and the status light of each compartment. The monitoring system is configured to monitor when the radiology garment is placed in one of the compartments, automate the cleaning of the garment, and track the garment's usage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Inventors: Nikia Gordon, Tashma Watson
  • Patent number: 10766120
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a compressor scroll that appropriately impinges cavitation bubbles on target regions of a scroll. The method includes the step of water jet peening by jetting cavitation bubbles generated underwater by a water jet at a first side of an end plate (13A) of the scroll (13), with a center (P1, P2, P3) of the cavitation bubbles being offset from a center (O) of the spiral shape of a wall portion (13B) on the end plate (13A) and the step portion (13Aa) and the stepped portion (13Ba) positioned at an outer peripheral portion of the cavitation bubbles (C).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES AUTOMOTIVE THERMAL SYSTEMS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takayuki Hagita, Takaharu Maeguchi, Masafumi Hamasaki, Yukio Michishita, Yukihiro Kawai, Hiroshi Ogawa, Makoto Takeuchi, Kazuhide Watanabe, Takayuki Kuwahara, Masaki Kawasaki, Katsuhiro Fujita
  • Patent number: 10745308
    Abstract: A system for descaling apparatus is described. The system provides for: a water inlet feedstream; a reverse osmosis system in fluid communication with the water inlet feedstream, in which the reverse osmosis system produces a water permeate output feedstream; and a pressurised carbon dioxide feedstream. The pressurised carbon dioxide feedstream and water permeate output feedstream are arranged in use to combine to produce a pressurised carbonic acid input feedstream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Linde Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Darren Gurney
  • Patent number: 10737303
    Abstract: A system includes a laser configured to conduct a cleaning cycle that includes producing a laser beam capable of cleaning a faying surface of each of a plurality of nutplates, and conducting a first pass to clean each of the faying surfaces, wherein the laser is at a first position having a first angle relative to an axis orthogonal to the faying surfaces during the first pass. The system also includes a nutplate tray configured to hold the plurality of nutplates such that each faying surface is oriented such that the laser beam is capable of contacting each faying surface at least once during the cleaning cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: David Haynes Coleman, Caroline Rebecca Mitchell, Michael Bryan Stoddard, Steven E. Twaddle
  • Patent number: 10703510
    Abstract: A system and method of cleaning an aircraft APU entails positioning an elevated platform beneath the APU compartment, suspending a curtain from the doors of the APU compartment, positioning a basin beneath the curtain, attaching the curtain to the basin and pressure washing the APU or a portion thereof with steam and/or hot water. Runoff collected in the basin is transferred to a storage container for industrial wastewater treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: DELTA AND SIERRA HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: David Allen, Joseph S. Showalter, II
  • Patent number: 10699895
    Abstract: A substrate processing method includes a forcing member disposing step of disposing a facing member such that the facing member faces an upper surface of a horizontally held substrate; a space forming step of forming a space where movement of the atmosphere in from and out to an outside is restricted by the substrate, the facing member, and a guard that surrounds the substrate and the facing member in plan view; an inert gas supplying step of supplying an inert gas to the space; an interval adjusting step of adjusting an interval between the upper surface of the substrate and the facing member by relatively raising/lowering the facing member with respect to the substrate while maintaining the space; and a processing liquid supplying step of supplying a processing liquid to the upper surface of the substrate after the interval adjusting step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: SCREEN Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Taiki Hinode, Sadamu Fujii, Rei Takeaki
  • Patent number: 10695803
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus configured and adapted to provide less carryover in an automated clinical analyzer are disclosed. The methods include immersing a pipette into a neutralizing liquid vessel and aspirating a neutralizing liquid (e.g., a hypochlorite solution) into an interior of a pipette. The aspirated portion of the neutralizing liquid used to cleanse the pipette interior is then dispensed back into the neutralizing liquid vessel, rather than disposing of the used neutralizing liquid to a waste station. Apparatus and systems configured to carry out the methods are provided, as are other aspects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc.
    Inventors: Carl Gebauer, Moses Peter
  • Patent number: 10694912
    Abstract: A system has at least two floor treatment apparatuses for treating a surface in an automatically controlled fashion based on defined adjustment parameters of the floor treatment apparatus, wherein each of the floor treatment apparatuses features at least one detection device for detecting at least one detection parameter of the floor treatment apparatus and/or of an environment of the floor treatment apparatus. In order to enhance a system of this type in such a way that the floor treatment apparatuses advantageously cooperate and support one another, the system features a common database that is assigned to the floor treatment apparatuses. Detection parameters of at least two floor treatment apparatuses are stored in the database in association with the adjustment parameters of the respective floor treatment apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: VORWERK & CO. INTERHOLDING GMBH
    Inventors: Georg Hackert, Martin Helmich, Lorenz Hillen, Christian Holz, Gerhard Isenberg, Hendrik Koetz, Andrej Mosebach, Roman Ortmann, Robin Dulinski