Patents Examined by Charles E. Cooley
  • Patent number: 8147120
    Abstract: A disposable shaker (1) made of synthetic material having a cup-like cover (3) and a cup-like base (2) which can be removably connected together and have or form the one or the other (2; 3) a container with a plurality of bins (4) which contain the ingredients for a desired cocktail and are closed by a membrane (6) which is tearable by means of tearing teeth (7) in one-piece with said cover (3) or base (2) inside thereof. In a preferred embodiment the shaker (1) is provided with unambiguous guiding manipulation means (20) for the membrane tearing stroke and shaker opening stroke after the mixing or shaking phase for the cocktail preparation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Club Seven S.r.l.
    Inventors: Egidio Renna, Roberto Marino
  • Patent number: 8147392
    Abstract: A centrifuge rotor includes a rotor body having first and second axial ends and a circumferential sidewall extending therebetween. The rotor body has a plurality of wells for receiving sample containers to be processed in the rotor. The rotor further includes an elongate reinforcement extending around the circumferential sidewall of the rotor body along a helical path. At least two portions of the elongate reinforcement interlock at one or more specific points on the surface of the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Fiberlite Centrifuge, LLC
    Inventors: Sina Piramoon, Alireza Piramoon
  • Patent number: 8147393
    Abstract: A centrifuge rotor includes a rotor body having a central hub and first and second bucket receiving spaces defined on diametrically opposed sides of the rotor body. A first pair of bucket supports is supported by the rotor body for pivotally supporting a swing bucket in the first bucket receiving space, and a second pair of bucket supports is supported by the rotor body for pivotally supporting a swing bucket in the second bucket receiving space. The rotor further includes reinforcing material wound around oppositely disposed ones of the first and second pairs of bucket supports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Fiberlite Centrifuge, LLC
    Inventors: Sina Piramoon, David Sebio, Alireza Piramoon
  • Patent number: 8137255
    Abstract: Centrifugal separator devices, systems and related methods are described. More particularly, fluid transfer connections for a centrifugal separator system having support assemblies with a movable member coupled to a connection tube and coupled to a fixed member, such that the movable member is constrained to movement along a fixed path relative to the fixed member are described. Also, centrifugal separator systems including such fluid transfer connections are described. Additionally, methods of installing, removing and/or replacing centrifugal separators from centrifugal separator systems are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC
    Inventors: David H. Meikrantz, Jack D. Law, Troy G. Garn, Terry A. Todd, Lawrence L. Macaluso
  • Patent number: 8133164
    Abstract: A system for well fluid treatment, the system being transportable, the system including a base, a support structure on the base, a brace apparatus connected to the base and to the support structure for bracing the support structure during movement of the system, the brace apparatus releasably secured to the support structure and releasably secured to the base, at least one holding tank on the base for holding well fluid to be treated, from an active rig well fluid system and the well fluid to be treated including solids, centrifuge apparatus for centrifuging a mixture of well fluid and solids from the at least one holding tank, producing reusable fluid, a first pump apparatus for pumping well fluid and solids from the at least one holding tank to the centrifuge apparatus, and a centrifuge support on the base for supporting the centrifuge apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: National Oilwell Varco L.P.
    Inventors: Randy Charles Beebe, Donald Tracey Crosswhite, Larry Jona Kellert, James Joseph Tait, Dean Mitchell Bird
  • Patent number: 8132959
    Abstract: A monomer handling unit for storing a ampoule of monomer and releasing the monomer from the ampoule when desired is provided. The monomer handling unit can be used to attach to an enclosed mixer and release a monomer component of the bone cement into the mixer to be mixed with a powder component of the bone cement. The monomer handling unit can also be used to release the liquid monomer into another mixer, such as one that is not enclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Stryker Corporation
    Inventor: Karen L. Smit
  • Patent number: 8128277
    Abstract: A contactlessly, inductively, or magnetically drivable agitator (1) for fluids, in particular for agitating sterile fluids which is equipped with a separating vessel (10) and an agitator head (2), which is supported thereon in an axially and radially movable fashion and is for supporting agitating elements (5). The novel agitator (1) includes structures for hydrodynamically generating a fluid film from the medium to be agitated and during operation, the fluid film is formed between at least one stationary part of the separating vessel (10) or a container bottom (11) and at least one part of the rotationally movable agitator head (2) that is equipped with the hydrodynamically acting structures. During operation, the fluid film eliminates essentially all of the pressure on the bearing, drastically reduces the wear, and as a result, practically no further abraded material gets into the fluids to be agitated. Such agitators permit maximum speeds of up to 3000 rpm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Zeta Biopharma GmbH
    Inventor: Hans Peter Meier
  • Patent number: 8128548
    Abstract: Centrifugal separators and related methods and devices are described. More particularly, centrifugal separators comprising a first fluid supply fitting configured to deliver fluid into a longitudinal fluid passage of a rotor shaft and a second fluid supply fitting sized and configured to sealingly couple with the first fluid supply fitting are described. Also, centrifugal separator systems comprising a manifold having a drain fitting and a cleaning fluid supply fitting are described, wherein the manifold is coupled to a movable member of a support assembly. Additionally, methods of cleaning centrifugal separators are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC
    Inventors: David H. Meikrantz, Jack D. Law, Troy G. Garn, Lawrence L. Macaluso, Terry A. Todd
  • Patent number: 8123394
    Abstract: A mixer having a mixing pipe (1), a rotatable mixing unit (3) having back-mixing action, and a supply of the liquid colorant (4, 5) through the wall of the mixing pipe in the area of the mixing unit allows uniform mixing of liquid colorants of differing viscosities even with fixed-cycle supply of the liquid colorants. Mixing liquid colorants using this mixer allows direct dosing of the mixed liquid colorant into a plastic processing machine in the event of volumetric dosing of the employed liquid colorants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Evonik Degussa GmbH
    Inventors: Simon Becht, Andreas Kluge, Maurice Weelen, Martin Welp
  • Patent number: 8123397
    Abstract: A disposable container is provided for mixing media. The container has at least one closable opening for introducing and/or removing media and has sensor mounts at spaced apart locations on the wall of the container. Each sensor mount has a front surface facing into the container and a rear surface sealed against the wall of the container. Sensors are embedded in the respective sensor mounts at positions adjacent the front surfaces. The sensors measure at least one specified parameter of the media at spaced apart locations in the container. The seals between the rear surfaces of the sensor mounts and the wall of the container ensure sterility for the media in the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Sartorius Stedim Biotech GmbH
    Inventors: Reinhard Baumfalk, Oscar-Werner Reif, Stefan Obermann, Dieter Schmidt
  • Patent number: 8123398
    Abstract: A fluid-processing device is provided for bringing two kinds of fluids into contact to mix or react with each other. The device comprises a first supply path connected to a first feed inlet for feeding a first fluid for supplying the first fluid, and plural second supply paths connected to a second feed inlet for feeding a second fluid for supplying the second fluid; the second supply paths being arranged along supply direction of the first fluid, the second supply paths being surrounded by the first fluid, the second fluid discharged from fluid outlets of the second supply paths being brought into contact with the first fluid in the first supply path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takayuki Teshima, Takeo Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 8123667
    Abstract: A separator includes a rotatable centrifugal drum having a vertical axis of rotation. The separator includes a rotatable drive spindle to drive the drum, an hydraulic system located in an interior of the drum and at least one feed line to feed a control fluid to the drum, the at least one feed line having an outlet region. Further included is a ring non-rotatably connected to the drum, a gap located between one of the drive spindle and the drum and the drive spindle and the ring. The feed line leads out radially in front of the drive spindle in the outlet region. The outlet region is oriented and configured such that emerging control fluid is spread directly against the drive spindle, and a portion of the control fluid enters through the gap into the hydraulic system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Westfalia Separator AG
    Inventors: Johannes Droste, Norbert Wegener
  • Patent number: 8123395
    Abstract: A method is provided for mixing media in a container. The method includes introducing a first media into the container and then introducing a second media into the container while mixing the media to form a mixture. The method continues by measuring the values of two parameters of the mixture at spaced apart locations in the container. The introduction of the second media into the container may be interrupted based on a comparison of the measured values to a preselected intended value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Sartorius Stedim Biotech GmbH
    Inventors: Reinhard Baumfalk, Oscar-Werner Reif, Stefan Obermann, Dieter Schmidt
  • Patent number: 8118475
    Abstract: Provided is a kneading degree adjusting apparatus, which can have a wide adjusting range for a kneading degree even if a gate member and a cylindrical segment are not made so close as to invite a fear of metallic contacts. The kneading degree adjusting apparatus is disposed in a kneading treatment equipment, which includes a cylindrical segment formed at a predetermined portion and a kneading screw for kneading a material while feeding the same to the downstream side, thereby to adjust the kneading degree of the material. The kneading degree adjusting apparatus comprises a gate member having an opposed face confronting the outer circumference of the cylindrical segment and moved toward and away from the outer circumference of the cylindrical segment thereby to change the area of the material passage to be formed between the opposed face and the outer circumference of the cylindrical segment. The outer circumference and the opposed face are corrugated to form the passage into a bent shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventors: Sayaka Yamada, Kazuo Yamaguchi, Yasuaki Yamane, Koichi Honke, Kazuhisa Fukutani
  • Patent number: 8118477
    Abstract: One or more turbulent jet flows of fluid are discharged from inlet nozzles communicating with an inlet pipe to mix fluid in a reservoir, such as a water storage tank. The turbulent jet flows are directed to reach the surface of the fluid already existing in the reservoir. A horizontally disposed outlet section includes low loss contraction nozzles distributed throughout a lower portion of the reservoir to induce draining from all areas of the lower portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Landmark Structures I, L.P.
    Inventor: Douglas Lamon
  • Patent number: 8118473
    Abstract: A system for calculating and reporting slump in a delivery vehicle having a mixing drum (14) and hydraulic drive (16) for rotating the mixing drum, including a rotational sensor (20) configured to sense a rotational speed of the mixing drum, a hydraulic sensor (22) coupled to the hydraulic drive and configured to sense a hydraulic pressure required to turn the mixing drum, and a communications port (26) configured to communicate a slump calculation to a status system (28) commonly used in the concrete industry, wherein the sensing of the rotational speed of the mixing drum is used to qualify a calculation of current slump based on the hydraulic pressure required to turn the mixing drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Verifi, LLC
    Inventors: John I Compton, Roy Cooley, Michael Topputo
  • Patent number: 8109668
    Abstract: The blender includes a motor housing that has an outer surface surrounding an electric motor. The motor housing has a first end and a second end. The outer surface has a first mounting member. The motor housing includes a control electrically connected to the motor. A jar has an open end and a blending end and an interior surface. The jar includes a blade assembly proximate to the blending end. The jar is removably mountable to the first end of the motor housing in a operable position. The interior surface of the jar has a second mounting member. The second mounting member is in releasable registry with the first mounting member when the open end of the jar is placed over the first end of the motor housing in a storage position such that the motor housing is at least partially contained within the jar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Hamilton Beach Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Garman, Benjamin Henry Branson, III
  • Patent number: 8096933
    Abstract: A centrifuge with an electric motor (46), composed of a centrifuge outer frame (47), a heavy liquid collecting tank (18), a lower hollow shaft (22), centrifugal units, an upper hollow shaft (38), and a light liquid collecting tank (41). The heavy liquid collecting tank, the lower hollow shaft, the upper hollow shaft, and the light liquid collecting tank are all fixed to the centrifuge outer frame, the centrifugal units are fixed between the upper hollow shaft and the lower hollow shaft, the motor is connected to the upper hollow shaft and drives the upper hollow shaft to rotate, the upper hollow shaft is fixed to two or more centrifugal units connected in series and drives the centrifugal units to rotate, a hollow portion of the upper hollow shaft communicates with the light liquid collecting tank, centrifugal units are fixed to the lower hollow shaft and drive the lower hollow shaft to rotate, the heavy liquid collecting tank is a casing formed between the centrifuge outer frame and the centrifugal units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Inventor: Shujiang Song
  • Patent number: 8092362
    Abstract: A separator arrangement includes a separator having a drum with a vertical rotation axis. The drum is placed on a rotatable drive spindle and is surrounded by a shroud. A separating wall separates the separator arrangement into a sanitary area that includes the drum and the shroud and a drive area that includes the drive device. The separator and the drive device are decoupled as a unit, in terms of vibration, by at least one of the separating wall and a foundation attachment. The drive device includes a motor, a coupling, at least one bearing device, and a flange section around the drive spindle underneath a drive cover, and a sealing device. A membrane arrangement is formed in a region of the drive cover and, for vibration purposes, decouples the drive cover from the machine frame in a region around the drive spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Westfalia Separator AG
    Inventors: Werner Kohlstette, Olaf Müller, Thomas Homann
  • Patent number: 8092074
    Abstract: The invention relates to a rotary pump (1) including a rotor (3) arranged in a closed pump housing (2) which is in operative connection with a drive (5) for the pumping of a fluid (4), wherein an inlet opening (6) is provided at the pump housing (2) for the intake of the fluid (4) into the pump housing (2) and an outlet opening (7) is provided at the pump housing (2) for conveying the fluid (4) out of the pump housing into a storage container (8) which is at least partially filled with the fluid (4). In accordance with the invention the outlet opening (7) is arranged and designed at the pump housing in such a way that the fluid (4) can be conveyed out of the pump housing (2) through the outlet opening (7) to the storage container (8) directly and free of ducting. The invention further relates to a hydrodynamic mixer (100) with a rotary pump (1) in accordance with the invention and also to the use of the rotary pump (1) and of the hydrodynamic mixer (100) for the processing of a fluid (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Levitronix Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Juergen Hahn, Shui-Yuan Yu