Patents Examined by Gene O. Crawford
  • Patent number: 11585373
    Abstract: A pulley device provides a pulley, and a bearing. The pulley has at least one C-shaped pulley part having an inner portion mounted on the bearing, an outer portion having an outer cylindrical surface dedicated to interact with a belt or a chain, and an intermediate portion extending substantially radially between axial ends of inner and outer portions on one axial side of pulley device. A grip surface portion is provided to one surface among the outer cylindrical surface of the outer ring and the inner cylindrical surface of the inner cylindrical portion of the pulley part, the grip surface portion including a plurality of indentations and recesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventors: Benoît Hauvespre, Gwenael Hingouet, Kévin Lefort, Thomas Perrotin
  • Patent number: 11585414
    Abstract: To provide a simple-structured chain drive mechanism that can reduce the noise generated when the chain sits on the sprocket, prevent deterioration of power transmission efficiency, and retard the progress of wear on the sprocket or chain. The chain drive mechanism includes a sprocket having a plurality of teeth, and a chain having a plurality of link plates and configured to be put around the sprocket. The sprocket includes a pair of flanges protruding circumferentially around the sprocket such as to sandwich the plurality of teeth from sides. The chain includes a pair of seat portions on both sides of the chain so that the flanges abut on the seat portions from a circumferential direction of the sprocket when the chain sits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: TSUBAKIMOTO CHAIN CO.
    Inventors: Takahiro Kadono, Yuji Kurematsu
  • Patent number: 11583477
    Abstract: A pill dispensing apparatus includes a carousel with at least one removable bin for storing pills, a vision system for identifying pills within the bin, a vacuum nozzle for removing one or more pills identified by the vision system, and a dispensing area for receipt of the removed pills.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Papapill, LLC
    Inventors: Randy Herman, Connor Herman, Tyler Herman, Jarrod Eliason, Micah Somers
  • Patent number: 11577905
    Abstract: A storage and dispensing station for drugs is provided. The storage and dispensing station includes a receiving space for drug portions, the receiving space having a feed section with a base section and a dispensing opening, an ejection device for moving a drug portion through the dispensing opening, the ejection device having a slide which can be moved in the feed section towards the dispensing opening and a slide drive coupled to the slide for moving the slide, as well as a lock which can be moved in the feed section and which can be moved in the feed section such that when a drug portion is moved towards the dispensing opening, movement of drug portions in the feed section is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: BECTON DICKINSON ROWA GERMANY GMBH
    Inventors: Hardy Schmidt-Ellinger, Sebastian Josef Michael Illigen
  • Patent number: 11578999
    Abstract: Embodiments are generally directed to systems and apparatuses for tracking usage of an item. For example, an apparatus may be provided for tracking use of a packetized item. The apparatus may include a microprocessor, a power source, and a structural layer to which the microprocessor and power source are coupled. The structural layer may include a container that is configured to hold various items. The container may also include an opening that allows access to the items. The apparatus may further include a cover layer that is configured to cover the opening of the container. The cover layer may include at least one bendable sensor placed over the opening of the container. The microprocessor may be configured to determine, using detected movements in the bendable sensor, whether the container has been opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Counted, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Osborne Isom, Duane Michael Scott Johnson, Lance Squire, Joseph Arthur Harris, David Brewster Beck
  • Patent number: 11578793
    Abstract: A continuously variable transmission for a vehicle includes a drive clutch, a driven clutch operably coupled to the drive clutch, and a belt extending between the drive and driven clutches. The continuously variable transmission also includes an inner cover and an outer cover removably coupled to the inner cover. At least one of the inner and outer covers includes an air inlet for providing cooling air to the drive and driven clutches and the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen L. Nelson, Amery D. Kuhl, Narender Bejawada, Bruce E. Herrala, David J. Hicke, Paul Averillo, Giorgio Demetriou, Jeffrey I. Peterman
  • Patent number: 11579054
    Abstract: An extraction system for testing microbial contamination includes a biocompatible outer vessel that has a side wall and a biocompatible suspension system that is positionable within an interior of the biocompatible outer vessel. The biocompatible suspension system includes a horizontal member on which a sample may be supported and a securement mechanism that is engagable with the side wall of the biocompatible outer vessel to maintain the suspension system at a desired position within the biocompatible outer vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: ALLOSOURCE
    Inventors: Arthur Joslyn, Kenneth Blood, Jan Zajdowicz, Lauren Kapushion, Amy Kippen, Samantha White, Donald White
  • Patent number: 11576841
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a hand-held medicament dispenser. The invention further relates to a hand-held medicament dispenser with an exchangeable cartridge contained therein. The invention further relates to uses of the medicament dispenser for counting and dispensing solid medicinal units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
    Inventors: Brandon J. Pollack, Michael P. Stolz
  • Patent number: 11577803
    Abstract: A derailleur comprises a base member configured to be attached to a human-powered vehicle frame, a movable member movable with respect to the base member, a pulley assembly pivotally attached to the movable member in a first pivotal direction and a second pivotal direction opposite to the first pivotal direction and including a first pulley having a first pulley axis and a second pulley having a second pulley axis, a pulley assembly biasing member configured to bias the pulley assembly with respect to the movable member in the first pivotal direction, a pulley distance (centimeter) being defined between the first pulley axis and the second pulley axis, a biasing return force (newton) being defined by rotational force of the pulley assembly relative to the movable member, and a return value defined by the biasing return force multiplied by the pulley distance. The return value is 136 or larger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Kenji Kamada
  • Patent number: 11577277
    Abstract: The present invention provides a glass wool cutting device. The device includes a cutting section housing that has a cutting section chamber, a feed port that is connected to the cutting section chamber, and a discharge port that is connected to the cutting section chamber. A stationary knife is disposed on the cutting section housing to protrude into the cutting section chamber and a movable cutter that has a rotary support body is disposed in the cutting section chamber and a movable knife is supported on the rotary support body to apply a shearing force to the glass wool together with the stationary knife. Additionally, a cutter actuator provides a driving force to the rotary support body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation, Dae Ha Co., LTD.
    Inventors: Han Ki Lee, Mun Gyu Bak, Hak Soo Kim, Ju Seong Park, A Rom Oh, Seung Chan Baek, Song Woo Nam, Ju Hong Kim
  • Patent number: 11572660
    Abstract: Present embodiments relate to a tie plate orientation device. More specifically, but without limitation present embodiments relate to a tie plate orientation device that orients tie plates in a desired orientation for subsequent feeding, including an optional handheld magnetic device for manual assisted manipulation of the tie plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: B&B Metals, Inc.
    Inventor: Coty T. Coots
  • Patent number: 11565771
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electromechanical derailleur for mounting on a rear wheel axis. The derailleur has a stationary element, a pivoting mechanism, a movable element having a chain guide arrangement, and a gearing housing. The gearing housing receives an electromechanical drive for driving the pivoting mechanism. The stationary element defines a housing void in which the gearing housing is disposed, and has a fastener for a power source. The power source is fastened to the stationary element such that said power source is electrically connected to the electromechanical drive in the gearing housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: SRAM DEUTSCHLAND GmbH
    Inventors: Robert Boehm, Sebastian Dueweling
  • Patent number: 11566697
    Abstract: A drive sprocket can include a plurality of teeth for meshing with a drive member to transmit rotary motion. The drive member can include a plurality of engagement pockets engaging the teeth of the drive sprocket, where each tooth has a tooth profile defined by a first side comprising a first engagement surface and an opposite second side comprising a second engagement surface, which engagement surfaces are configured such that when driven, a tooth meshes to the engagement pocket at a first contact location on the first engagement surface and also at a second contact location on the second engagement surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: NEW MOTION LABS LTD.
    Inventors: Josh Daniel Palmer, Lucas Lobmeyer, Marcel Fowler
  • Patent number: 11566689
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a chain type stepless transmission, including: a box, a pair of active cone discs including a fixed cone disc and a moving cone disc, a pair of passive cone discs including a fixed cone disc and a moving cone disc, an input shaft, an output shaft and a chain, there are a group of pulleys in the middle of each pair of passive cone discs and in the middle of each pair of active cone discs respectively, and the number of the group of pulleys may be an arbitrary value, such as 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, etc. In the stepless transmission, the fixed cone disc and the moving cone disc then transmit power from the input shaft to the output shaft through the chain, thereby realizing a high power of power transmission and a high torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Inventor: Bo Tan
  • Patent number: 11565262
    Abstract: A microfluidic device comprising a channel within a substrate and a condenser or a hydrodynamic focusing chamber along the channel, configured to focus a fluid containing particles of a plurality of sizes. A negative angle deterministic lateral displacement (DLD) array is configured to receive the focused fluid and separate the particles in the focused fluid into three sizes ranges. The negative angle DLD array comprises a plurality of rows of pillars, wherein the rows of pillars are positioned to repeat a pattern every N rows with a shift of M columns, N and M are relatively coprime, and N is greater than 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sung-Cheol Kim, Stacey Gifford, Benjamin Hardy Wunsch, Joshua T. Smith
  • Patent number: 11560201
    Abstract: A bicycle drivetrain having a rear derailleur, a chain tensioner, and a chain guiding element which can be an idler pulley. The chain tensioner is separate from the rear derailleur and can be placed near the pedal crank. The bicycle to which the drivetrain is mounted has a drive chain, and the position of the lower portion of the drive chain (i.e. the portion of the drive chain that is not tensioned from pedaling forces) is elevated relative to that of bicycles with drivetrains having conventional rear derailleurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Inventor: Cedric Eveleigh
  • Patent number: 11560275
    Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed herein provide for an improved accumulation conveyor and systems and methods for controlling a high rate, high density tunable accumulation conveyor. In one embodiment, an accumulation conveyor system determines whether an item detection variable associated with a second zone of a plurality of zones is satisfied, wherein the second zone is downstream of a first zone. In an instance where the item detection variable and an operational characteristic variable are satisfied, the accumulation conveyor system is configured to set a zone operating state associated with the first zone to inactive and send a command signal comprising the zone operating state associated with the first zone to a control module associated with the first zone. In another embodiment, a method for adjusting aggressiveness is disclosed. In another embodiment, a tunable release rate accumulation conveyor is disclosed. In still another embodiment, a tunable crowding accumulation conveyor is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: INTELLIGRATED HEADQUARTERS, LLC
    Inventors: Jason-David Nitzberg, Jason A. Johnson, Raymond Neiser
  • Patent number: 11559174
    Abstract: A dispenser including two roll supports; and a housing, the dispenser configured such that the roll supports can assume the following positions relative to the housing: at least one dispensing position for a roll support of the two roll supports, and a storage position for a roll support of the two roll supports, the dispenser configured for allowing dispensing from a roll arranged on a roll support of the two roll supports which is in the dispensing position and for storage of a roll arranged on a roll support of the two roll supports which is in the storage position; the dispenser configured to provide a first state, wherein a first roll support of the roll supports is in the dispensing position and a second roll support of the roll supports is in the storage position, and a second state, wherein the second roll support is in a dispensing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: ESSITY HYGIENE AND HEALTH AKTIEBOLAG
    Inventors: Adam T. Elliott, Christian Kasilag, Brian Weingarth, Aaron Pavkov
  • Patent number: 11554924
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for transferring articles from a pick-up area to a delivery area, wherein there is provided a guide element having a guide surface which moves along a closed path at a base speed, and wherein there are provided a plurality of transfer elements, each of which is provided with a gripping surface for holding an article and is movable with respect to the guide surface with a relative speed, so that, with respect to a stationary reference system, each of the transfer elements moves along the closed path with a compound speed given by an algebraic sum of the base speed and the respective relative speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Inventors: Gabriele Sablone, Carlo Di Sabatino, Donato Crisante, Massimiliano Rossetti
  • Patent number: 11555445
    Abstract: Automatic cleaned drain piping system on crosshead type two-stroke engines. The invention is having a slow rotating centreless flexible spiral auger fixed mounted in the piping system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Thorhansa ApS
    Inventor: Hansa Maria Petersen