Patents Examined by David Sorkin
  • Patent number: 9855537
    Abstract: A fluid mixing system includes a flexible bag having an interior surface bounding a compartment. An elongated first tubular connector is disposed within the compartment of the flexible bag, the first tubular connector having a first end and an opposing second end, the first end of the first tubular connector being coupled with the flexible bag. An elongated second tubular connector is disposed within the compartment of the flexible bag, the second tubular connector being more rigid than the first tubular connector and having a first end coupled to the second end of the first tubular connector. A plurality of impeller are disposed on the elongated second tubular connector at spaced apart locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Life Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Trevor G. Williams
  • Patent number: 9848737
    Abstract: There is provided an appliance including a base having a housing, a motor-fan assembly disposed in the housing, a working implement which is operated by the motor-fan assembly when energized, a pocket integrally formed in a sidewall of the housing configured for use as a carrying handle, and one or more apertures formed in the pocket configured to allow cooling air to enter the housing to cool the motor-fan assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Sunbeam Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Moises Behar
  • Patent number: 9853282
    Abstract: Provided is an electrode paste production method that can produce a low-viscosity electrode paste which can be readily applied even if the solid content concentration is high, for example in excess of 65% by mass. The electrode paste production method, in which the paste contains an active material and a solvent, includes a micromixing treatment step in which a mixture of a solid fraction containing an active material blended at a high solid content concentration and a solvent is kneaded using a micromixer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Naoya Kishimoto
  • Patent number: 9839886
    Abstract: A fluid mixing system includes a container, such as a flexible bag, bounding a compartment. A flexible drive line is disposed within the compartment, the drive line having a first end rotatably connected to a first end of the container and an opposing second end rotatably connected to a second end of the container. At least one mixing element, such as an impeller, is coupled with the flexible drive line. Rotation of the drive line facilitates rotation of the impeller within the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: LIFE TEHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Clinton C. Staheli, Brandon M. Knudsen, Trevor G. Williams, Steven R. Kjar
  • Patent number: 9835068
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a mixer device for distributing and evaporating a liquid introduced into a gas flow, in particular into an exhaust-gas flow, wherein the mixer device comprises at least one mixer vane (14a) which influences the flow direction of the gas flow. The mixer vane has a first vane (14a?) portion and a second vane portion (14a?) which are arranged in series in the flow direction of the gas flow, which vane portions are designed so that the first vane portion diverts the gas flow approaching the mixer device such that said gas flow has a first swirl component imparted thereto, and so that the second vane portion subsequently diverts the gas flow such that said gas flow has a second swirl component imparted thereto, wherein the first swirl component and the second swirl component oppose one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: FRIEDRICH BOYSEN GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Michael Mueller
  • Patent number: 9827540
    Abstract: A method is described of mixing fluid materials, including solids and gases. The materials to be mixed are introduced between two cylindrical rotors mounted in parallel on a motorized shaft. The rotors have arrays of cavities on their cylindrical surfaces and rotate within close proximity to the interior of a cylindrical shell. Passage of the fluid between the rotating rotors and the interior surface of the cylindrical shell causes cavitation, which mixes the materials. The mixture is passed to outlets on the far sides of the rotors from the inlet. Apparatus is described for extending the flow path of the materials and thus increasing exposure to the cavitation process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Highland Fluid Technology, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kevin Smith
  • Patent number: 9827692
    Abstract: A double-screw extruder for thermoplastic materials, with a first and a second extruder screw, whereby the extruder screws have an inlet and an outlet and a core, helically extending screw flights being arranged through the core from the inlet to the outlet, so that the screw peaks and valleys are circumferential, and the peaks of the first screw penetrate into the valleys of the second screw, and vice versa. The screw flights may have a geometry which is step-shaped in cross section, whereby the steps may be provided such that the stepped course of the peaks is congruent with the stepped course of the valleys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: BATTENFELD-CINCINNATI AUSTRIA GMBH
    Inventor: Ramesh Kumar Selvasankar
  • Patent number: 9814245
    Abstract: A mixing apparatus has a mixing container disposed in the upper part of the mixing apparatus, preferably standing on a frame, which is open towards the top. The mixing container includes a single-shaft agitator disposed in the lower part of the mixing apparatus. The agitator has a vertically disposed agitator shaft to which is fastened an agitating tool configured as a rotor body which is disposed in the mixing container just above the container base. The single-shaft agitator is a statorless agitator and the rotor body fastened to the agitator shaft is surrounded by an external free space between the rotor body and the container wall of the mixing container. The agitator shaft is adjustable in its spacing distance from the cylinder axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Haas Food Equipment GmbH
    Inventors: Johannes Haas, Josef Haas, Stefan Jiraschek, Jozsef Budai
  • Patent number: 9814253
    Abstract: A method and system are provided for preparing micro-ingredient feed additives for use in designated feed rations. A micro-ingredient system of the invention includes a plurality of bins that store designated micro-ingredients therein. A master controller of the delivery system provides signals to control system components based on programmed commands corresponding to micro-ingredient batches to be prepared. Slide gate mechanisms are used to prevent loss of micro-ingredients delivered to a receiving receptacle of the system. During delivery of the micro-ingredients to the receptacle and during processing, the micro-ingredients can become airborne and subsequently lost. The slide gate mechanisms also provide controlled access to the receiving receptacle to prevent system errors such as contamination of ingredients in the receptacle, or improper batching of a prescribed micro-ingredient mixture to be delivered to a designated feed ration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Animal Health International, Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Freeman, Joshua A. White
  • Patent number: 9815037
    Abstract: A blending appliance includes a housing with a jar receiving area defined between an upper housing and a support base. A blender jar includes a base portion and a receptacle portion, and is configured to be laterally received within the jar receiving area of the housing. A magnetic coupling system includes an upper magnetic coupler disposed in the base portion of the blender jar and a lower magnetic coupler disposed in the support base of the housing. The upper and lower magnetic couplers are magnetically coupled to one another for driving a blade assembly disposed in the receptacle portion of the blender jar. A brake mechanism is disposed on the upper magnetic coupler and is configured to stop rotation of the upper magnetic coupler when the blender jar is removed from the jar receiving area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Whirlpook Corporation
    Inventors: Bernard J. Brotzki, Michael P. Conti, Steven C. Drees, Edward Haney, Paul S. Paget, Mitchell L. Robertson, Timothy Patrick Vanantwerp, Jeremy T. Wolters
  • Patent number: 9816063
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for: 1) the gentle, controlled mixing of solid and liquid botanical components during fermentation; and 2) the regulation of parameters in cap material and juice during primary fermentation to optimize attributes such as expressive organoleptic characteristics including bouquet, texture and flavor, while simultaneously and selectively monitoring and mitigating the deleterious effects of reduced sulfur compounds, harmful bacteria, multicellular fungi, and/or biogenic amines during the artisan creation of ultra-premium fine wines and other alcoholic libations according to a customized schedule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Loos Family Winery, LLC
    Inventor: Bradley Joseph Loos
  • Patent number: 9814251
    Abstract: An arrangement is disclosed for mixing of particulate filling material into a consumer ice mass. The arrangement includes a rotor cylinder having: a first rotor blade, a second rotor blade and a third rotor blade for the mixing-in of the consumer ice mass and the particulate filling material by rotation, wherein: the first rotor blade has a first notch configured to accommodate the second blade and the third blade, and a second notch configured to accommodate the front bearing, the second rotor blade has a first notch configured to accommodate the first rotor blade, a second notch configured to accommodate the third blade, and a third notch configured to accommodate the front bearing, and the third rotor blade has a first notch configured to accommodate the first rotor blade and the second rotor blade, and a second notch configured to accommodate the front bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: TETRA LAVAL HOLDINGS & FINANCE S.A.
    Inventor: Jonas Ubbesen
  • Patent number: 9808776
    Abstract: A mixing device for an application in a container including a rotatable shaft; a drive device through which the rotatable shaft is drivable; and at least one mixing element arranged at the shaft, wherein the mixing element is rotatable together with the shaft, wherein the shaft includes a support device connected with the shaft, wherein the support device is arranged in an end portion of the shaft that is oriented away from the drive device, wherein the shaft is rotatable about its longitudinal axis relative to the support device, wherein the mixing device is supportable through the support device in a receiving device connected with the container, wherein the support device is moveable by a straight bearing or a rolling element bearing along a guide device into the receiving device, wherein the straight bearing includes at least one sliding surface that is moveable on a corresponding sliding surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Inventor: Jean-Marc Peters
  • Patent number: 9808779
    Abstract: The invention discloses a hand-held blender including a handle, a motor, a switch for controlling the motor, an input shaft configured to rotate synchronously with the rotor of the motor, and an output shaft configured for outputting power to the stirring part. The motor and the switch are arranged in the handle. The output shaft is coaxially arranged under the input shaft. A deceleration component and output connectors are arranged between the input shaft and the output shaft. An active connector and a shift lever are sleeved on the output shaft, and the active connector is controlled by the shift lever so that the active connector can move up and down to selectively joint with different output connectors. The invention is convenient and reliable to change stirring speed in a manner that the active connector is controlled by the shift lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Inventor: Shu Sang Cheung
  • Patent number: 9809755
    Abstract: An extruder for processing hydrocarbon-containing material. The extruder includes a screw that is rotatably positioned in a barrel liner and a heating system positioned about at least a portion of the barrel liner that is designed to heat the hydrocarbon-containing material as the hydrocarbon-containing material moves through the barrel liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: The Bonnot Company
    Inventors: Kurt G. Houk, George Bain
  • Patent number: 9808960
    Abstract: One example of correlating energy to mix well cement slurry under laboratory conditions to field conditions can be implemented as a method to determine energy to mix cement slurry. Electrical power supplied to an electric mixer in mixing a specified well cement slurry is measured. An energy to mix the specified well cement slurry is determined from the measuring. The determined energy to mix the specified well cement slurry and specifications of field equipment for use in mixing the specified well cement slurry at a well site are compared. The field equipment is a different configuration than the electric mixer. Based on the comparing, it is determined whether the well cement slurry needs redesigning according to capabilities of the field equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Singh Sodhi, Pauline Akinyi Otieno, Vivek S. Goel, Benjamin John Iverson
  • Patent number: 9791362
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system that can mix deionized water and concentrated sheath fluid to provide sheath fluid in a flow cytometer system having a desired concentration. Flow rates are low, which substantially match the flow rate of sheath fluid through the nozzle, so that turbulence and air bubbles are not formed in the sheath fluid. The available deionized water is then used for back flushing and removal of sample cells and deposited salts from the sheath fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Nelson Fox, Nathan Michael Gaskill-Fox
  • Patent number: 9789452
    Abstract: A method is described of mixing fluid materials, including solids and gases. The materials to be mixed are introduced between two cylindrical rotors mounted in parallel on a motorized shaft. The rotors have arrays of cavities on their cylindrical surfaces and rotate within close proximity to the interior of a cylindrical shell. Passage of the fluid between the rotating rotors and the interior surface of the cylindrical shell causes cavitation, which mixes the materials. The mixture is passed to outlets on the far sides of the rotors from the inlet. Apparatus is described for extending the flow path of the materials and thus increasing exposure to the cavitation process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Highland Fluid Technology, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kevin Smith
  • Patent number: 9789454
    Abstract: Method and apparatus to agitate a liquid are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes a carrier having a base that includes a ridge extending from the base and a collar extending from the base. The example apparatus also includes a container supported on the base, the container movable between (A) a locked positon in which the ridge fixedly engages the container to non-rotatably couple the container to the base and (B) an unlocked position in which the container is disengaged from the ridge and the container is rotatable about the collar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: ABBOTT LABORATORIES
    Inventor: Robert Paul Luoma, II
  • Patent number: 9791107
    Abstract: A fluid supply system (150) adapted for metering two or more fluids in controlled proportions and for supplying a resultant mixture, the fluid supply system (150) comprising a plurality of solvent supply lines (104 to 107), each fluidically connected with a fluid source (100 to 103) providing a respective fluid, a pumping unit (110) comprising a reciprocating element (115) adapted for intaking fluid supplied at an inlet of the pumping unit (110) and for supplying the pressurized fluid at an outlet of the pumping unit (110), wherein the pumping unit (110) is adapted for taking in fluids from selected solvent supply lines (104 to 107) and for supplying a pressurized mixture of the fluids at its outlet, a proportioning valve (108) interposed between the solvent supply lines (104 to 107) and the inlet of the pumping unit (110), the proportioning valve (108) adapted for modulating solvent composition by sequentially coupling selected ones of the solvent supply lines (104 to 107) with the inlet of the pumping unit
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Klaus Witt, Konstantin Shoykhet, Hans-Georg Haertl