Patents Examined by Charles E. Cooley
  • Patent number: 8534906
    Abstract: A vacuum kneading and deaerating device has a rotatable body provided in a chamber held under a closed or pressure-reduced condition, and which is rotated in a horizontal plane around a basic driving rotation axis. A container holder is provided in the chamber rotationably on an operating rotation axis parallel to the basic driving rotation axis in a revolution edge portion of the rotatable body, and detachably holds a paste container such that a central axis of the paste container obliquely intersects the operating rotation axis. A driving mechanism rotates the rotating body and the container holder. A deaeration valve for opening an internal space of the paste container to an internal space of the chamber by the action of centrifugal force attending on the rotation of the paste container, or a paste material-impermeable and gas-permeable membrane, is provided in an opening portion of the paste container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Marukomu
    Inventor: Manabu Harada
  • Patent number: 8534905
    Abstract: An orbital shaker apparatus is provided, including a first shaft connected to a first bearing assembly at a first end and a mounting portion at the other. The first shaft is rotatable about a first shaft axis, and is connected to a motor. The second shaft has a bearing assembly on the mounting portion at one end and a platform at the other, and is aligned parallel to and offset from the first shaft by a distance. A counterweight rotor assembly is coupled to the mounting portion, and rotated by a belt driven by a pulley connected to the rotating shaft of a counterweight motor. The counterweight assembly includes two counterweight bearings, each having a counterweight wedge. The platform also includes supports for objects to be secured thereto. In use, as the counterweight rotor rotates, the second shaft, second bearing assembly, and platform describes a circular orbit with diameter 2R.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: New Brunswick Scientific Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Erik Zamirowski, Ashvin Joshi, Heinz G. Koehn, Joel Johnson, Jeffrey A. Douglas
  • Patent number: 8529425
    Abstract: A horizontal centrifugal separator is configured such that a groove formed along a joint surface between an upper casing and a lower casing constituting the casing is outwardly bent near an opening of the casing, and that an elastic sealing member is disposed in the groove and an end portion thereof abuts against a sealing surface provided on a ring member which is provided so as to surround the outer circumference of the opening of the casing and is pressed against the casing. In this case, surface sealing is constituted by the end portion of the elastic sealing member and the sealing surface of the ring member. In this manner, the hermeticity can be improved without using a sealing member having a complicated structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Tomoe Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Onodera, Keishiro Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 8529119
    Abstract: A mug body has an open top. A lid is fitted to the open top. The lid has first and second top to bottom holes formed therein. An arm extends down from the bottom of the lid into the mug body. An actuator handle extends out from the top of the lid, through the second hole. The actuator handle is coupled to the arm to move the arm relative to the mug body. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Inventors: Sharron Swartz, John M. Serra
  • Patent number: 8529424
    Abstract: There is provided a centrifuge that includes a motor, a rotor chamber accommodating a rotor that is rotated by the motor, a vacuum pump that sucks air from the rotor chamber to reduce a pressure therein, a controller that controls the centrifuge to operate selectively in one of a normal centrifuge operation mode and a pulsed operation mode in which the rotor is rotated for a short time at a speed equal to or lower than a predetermined set value, and an interface device connected to the controller to input information regarding the operation mode of the centrifuge, wherein the controller controls the vacuum pump to turn on when the centrifuge operation mode is selected by the interface device and to turn off when the pulsed operation mode is selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi Koki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8529117
    Abstract: Apparatus for mixing of a first gas and a second gas, including (i) a linear first tube for supply of the first gas, the first tube having an inlet for the first gas at an upstream end and tapering to form a nozzle at a downstream end, and (ii) a linear second tube for supply of the second gas. The second tube has an inlet for the second gas at an upstream end, a first portion which forms an annulus around the outer surface of the first tube upstream of the nozzle, and a second portion which forms a sheath around the nozzle of the first tube and which forms an area of expanded cross-section compared to the annulus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Ineos Europe Limited
    Inventors: Trevor John Hesketh, Rune Peter Lindstedt, Ian Allan Beattie Reid
  • Patent number: 8523749
    Abstract: A three-phase solid bowl screw centrifuge includes a rotatable drum, a screw arranged in the drum, a solid material discharge located at the fist axial end of the drum, and two liquid outlets are located at a second axial end of the drum. A first of the liquid is for a lighter liquid phase and a second of the liquid outlets is for a heavier liquid phase. One of the liquid outlets includes a skimmer disk arranged in a skimmer chamber and the other of the liquid outlets is formed as an overflow. Two regulating disks are located in the front of the skimmer disk. The regulating disks extend radially from an outside of the drum toward an inside of the drum. A siphon disk extends between the regulating disks and into the skimmer chamber from a interior circumference of the skimmer chamber to an exterior circumference of the skimmer chamber. An annular chamber is formed during an operation and is located between the siphon disk and the skimmer disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: GEA Mechanical Equipment GmbH
    Inventors: Wolf-Diethard Sudhues, Tore Hartmann, Ulrich Horbach
  • Patent number: 8523751
    Abstract: The invention relates to an endless screw of a centrifuge for discharging centrifuged material from a centrifuge, comprising a series of thin ceramic plates which are fixed next to one another at the outer edge of the screw, characterized in that at least two formed ceramic projections, particularly ceramic pins, protrude from the thin ceramic plates and are arranged in one or two lateral faces of the edge of the screw, i.e. in recesses which are profiled according to the protrusions or pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Siebtechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Horst Dietschreit
  • Patent number: 8517904
    Abstract: A mounting structure is provided for mounting a device comprising at least one mounting shield, a pivot bearing arranged in the mounting shield and a rotor mounted in the pivot bearing and having an axis of rotation. The mounting structure has resilient properties that are dependent on directions perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Thermo Electron LED GmbH
    Inventor: Sebastian Henne
  • Patent number: 8511889
    Abstract: A mixer for mixing a fluid having a property varying along a flow direction of the fluid includes an inlet configured for receiving an inlet flow, an outlet configured for providing an outlet flow, and a plurality of flow channels coupled between the inlet and the outlet. The mixer also includes a flow distributor for distributing the inlet flow into the plurality of flow channels so that each flow channel receives a partial flow from the inlet flow, and a flow combiner for combining the partial flows from the plurality of flow channels to the outlet flow. Each flow channel has a first flow section having a hydraulic resistance substantially representing a hydraulic resistance of the flow channel. One or more of the flow channels each have a second flow section coupled in series with the first flow section of the respective flow channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Konstantin Choikhet, Klaus Witt, Martin Baeuerle
  • Patent number: 8500322
    Abstract: The present invention consists of a closed presterilized bag having a disposable mixing element within it, a drive mechanism outside of the bag for rotating the mixing element without voiding sterility and a vortex breaker in the form of one or more plastic sheet materials that are attached to various inner surfaces of the bag and disrupt the formation of vortices within the bag. Preferably the sheet(s) are formed of the same material as the bag and are sealed to the bag surfaces. More preferably, the sheet(s) extend across a diameter of the bag. Most preferably, the sheet(s) are perforated with one or more slits or openings to allow for good flow and mixing without a vortex being formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: EMD Millipore Corporation
    Inventors: Martin Morrissey, David DeCoste
  • Patent number: 8500321
    Abstract: A collapsible water circulation system for relatively small, enclosed tanks such as used by municipalities, fire districts, and industries. The system in its collapsed configuration is designed to fit through the often small access opening in the tank and then to automatically expand to its extended operating configuration, all without the need for any personnel to enter the tank. The system includes a draft tube extending downwardly from a distribution dish to an inlet anchored on the floor of the tank. The system also includes at least three, elongated flotation arms that can be deployed to extend substantially horizontally and outwardly of the dish. An impeller within the dish is operated to draw water up from the anchored inlet through the draft tube to the dish. The water subsequently passes upwardly through the dish over its upper lip and substantially radially outwardly of it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Medora Environmental, Inc.
    Inventors: Corey M. Simnioniw, Gary A. Kudrna, Willard R. Tormaschy, Jonathan L. Zent, Joel J. Bleth
  • Patent number: 8485959
    Abstract: A centrifugal separator comprises a bowl rotating in use around an axis of rotation. The axis of rotation extends in a longitudinal direction, and a radial direction extends perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. A base plate provided at one longitudinal end of the bowl, said base plate having an internal and external side, an outlet opening being provided in the base plate. A casing is projecting at the outlet opening on the external side of said base plate, said casing comprising a casing side, a normal to said casing side extending at an acute angle relative to a circumferential direction of the bowl at said casing and a discharge opening is provided in said casing side. The discharge opening is radially outwardly limited by a weir with an overflow edge and said discharge opening extending radially inwardly to a position above a highest intended level of liquid in the bowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Alfa Laval Corporate AB
    Inventors: Bent Madsen, Klaus Dircks
  • Patent number: 8485957
    Abstract: A chuck for rotating around a rotation axis XA a centrifugal separation bowl secured thereto includes a vat-shaped body for receiving a lower end portion of the separation bowl secured therein with a peripheral rim of the chuck surrounding an outer flank of the separation bowl. The chuck includes a plurality of clutching systems to cooperate with the flank of the separation bowl in securing it to the chuck. The clutching systems include a channel formed in the chuck body with an arcuate path in the peripheral rim of the chuck body. A chain of translatory bodies arranged within the channel includes a proximal translatory body and a distal translatory body in the chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Sorin Group Italia S.r.l.
    Inventors: Giampaolo Simonini, Ivo Panzani, Andrea Galavotti
  • Patent number: 8485716
    Abstract: An agitation apparatus and an agitation method that ensure rapid and homogeneous agitation/mixing of fluids with a wide spectrum of viscosities from low to high levels and fluids with high thixotropy throughout an agitation vessel are provided. In an agitation apparatus, a lowest upper agitation blade is arranged to be vertically adjacent to a lower blade. As viewed from above, a line on a plane connecting a lower end portion of the lowest upper agitation blade to the center of an agitation shaft is arranged by a predetermined angle with respect to the center line of the lower blade in a blade radial direction. As viewed from the side, a horizontal cross section including the lower end portion of the lowest upper agitation blade is located below a horizontal cross section including an upper end portion of the lower blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: DIC Corporation
    Inventor: Haruhisa Handa
  • Patent number: 8485717
    Abstract: Stirring apparatuses for stirring molten glass are disclosed. The method includes stirring a molten glass with a stirrer comprising a layer containing at least about 50% iridium. An apparatus comprising an iridium-containing layer is also presented. In one embodiment, an apparatus for stirring molten glass includes a cylinder comprising a bore. A stirrer may be disposed in the bore. The stirrer may include a platinum or platinum alloy shaft coaxial with the cylinder. A plurality of impellers may project radially from the shaft into close proximity of a wall of the cylinder. Each impeller may include an arcuate distal end portion farthest from the shaft. The distal end portion of each impeller consists of iridium or an iridium alloy and the remainder of the impeller consists of platinum or a platinum alloy. The stirring apparatuses reduce metal loss from the refractory metal of the stirring apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Lee Martin Adelsberg, Martin Herbert Goller, David Myron Lineman, James Patrick Murphy
  • Patent number: 8480290
    Abstract: A high-pressure mixing apparatus for producing and discharging a composite material resulting from a reactive mixture of at least a first and a second chemical components and from a filler material. The apparatus includes a main body, provided with a discharge duct for the composite material, at least one high-pressure mixing chamber for the chemical components and a first cleaning member axially displaceable between a forward and a rearward position within the discharge duct. The apparatus also comprises a second cleaning member with a control device selectively actuable to sequentially move the first and the second cleaning member between the rearward position, in which the first cleaning member opens the discharge duct, and the forward position in which the facing annular surfaces of the discharge duct and the second cleaning member are mutually abutting to eject the residual reactive mixture and close the exit port of the mixing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Afros S.p.A.
    Inventors: Carlo Fiorentini, Maurizio Corti
  • Patent number: 8475351
    Abstract: The present invention provides a zonal centrifuge which has superior workability and functionality when a sample is filled and extracted. An oil bearing fitted to an outer circumference of a lower tube of a rotor is arranged on an internal face of a bearing housing fixed over a door adapter of the centrifuge. As the oil bearing and the lower tube are lubricated, a vacuum environment in a rotor rotating chamber is maintained. A rotating seal located at an upper leading end of the lower tube of the rotor and a fixing seal facing the rotating seal are arranged and provided in a sealed space formed by a mechanical seal member and the bearing housing, and the fixing seal is so manipulated as to be able to freely join and separate from the rotating seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi Koki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masaharu Aizawa
  • Patent number: 8475352
    Abstract: A hermetically sealed solids discharge centrifugal separator having a separator bowl with a cylindrical upper portion and a conical lower portion, an inlet port at the bottom of the bowl and an outlet port at the top of the bowl. A disposable liner assembly includes a bowl liner having a cylindrical upper portion and conical lower portion, such that the bowl liner can conform to the interior surface of the separator bowl. The liner assembly further includes a piston within the bowl liner, the piston having an upper portion that conforms to the bowl liner cylindrical upper portion and a lower portion that conforms to the bowl liner conical lower portion. A fluid pathway extends through the piston, with a shuttle valve disposed within the fluid pathway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Wagner Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert B. Carr
  • Patent number: 8469870
    Abstract: A swing rotor for a centrifugal separator, the swing rotor including: a hub; and a rotor body disposed around the hub, wherein a plurality of pairs of arms are disposed at the rotor body, wherein a holding pin configured to hold a bucket is disposed to the arm, wherein an engagement portion which is configured to be supported by the holding pin is formed to the bucket, and wherein a sliding surface of the holding pin with an engagement portion of the bucket is formed such that a width of a contact area, which is an area that the holding pin contacts with the engagement portion of the bucket, in an axial direction when the bucket does not swing differs from a width of the contact area in the axial direction when the bucket reaches a horizontal position by swinging during a centrifugal separation operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi Koki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenichi Nemoto