Patents Examined by Henry Yuen
  • Patent number: 9289091
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems and methods for providing a pressed beverage using a press and lid system. In one aspect, a beverage material is pressed to the bottom of a beverage container by means of a press ring including a filter. The walls of the beverage container exert a force on the press ring, folding flaps (perimeter portions) that are attached to the press ring by means of a flexible attachment member. Any beverage material or other debris that is not collected by the filter in the press ring is collected by a filter in the lid. Other variations and features consistent with the present invention exist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Smartcup, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeff Baccetti
  • Patent number: 9095929
    Abstract: A system and method of hybrid welding a dual fillet weld. The system includes a laser system that leads a first torch and preheats at least one workpiece. The system also includes a first welding power supply that supplies a first welding waveform to a first wire via the first torch. The first welding waveform creates a first arc between the first wire and the at least one workpiece. The system further includes a second welding power supply that supplies a second welding waveform to a second wire via a second torch. The second welding waveform creates a second arc between the second wire and the at least one workpiece. A controller in the system is operatively coupled to the first power supply, the second power supply and the laser system. The controller synchronizes the first welding waveform and the second welding waveform such that welding current pulses of the second welding waveform at the second torch are not in phase with welding current pulses of the first welding waveform at the first torch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Lincoln Global, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven R. Peters
  • Patent number: 9021940
    Abstract: A method of converting a conventional atmospheric frying device to a vacuum frying device is provided. The method includes positioning a hood on top of a conventional frying device to provide an enclosure for drawing a vacuum within the modified devices. In addition, the method can include strengthening the existing vat so that it is capable of withstanding the forces associated with vacuum frying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Inventors: John C. Julian, Jerome James Glantz, Jeffrey Schneider, Jeffery J. DeLapp
  • Patent number: 9024227
    Abstract: An apparatus for resistance welding with a welder includes a heat pipe including a hollow tube and a weld electrode fitted around a portion of the heat pipe. The weld electrode and heat pipe are conductively coupled to conduct heat across an inner surface of the weld electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Blair E. Carlson, Pei-Chung Wang
  • Patent number: 9018563
    Abstract: In consumable-electrode gas-shield arc welding, carbon dioxide gas is used as shield gas; the molten pool is formed using a pulsed arc as a leading electrode arc transferring one droplet per cycle by alternately outputting, in each cycle, pulses of two different pulse waveforms of which a pulse peak current level and/or a pulse width per period differ; the conductively heated filler wire is inserted into the molten pool as a trailing electrode; the distance between a tip of the filler wire inserted into the molten pool and a conductive point of the filler wire is set within a range of 200×10?3 to 500×10?3 m; and a leading-electrode base current value is set larger than a trailing-electrode filler current value. According to such a method, even when inexpensive carbon dioxide gas is used as shield gas, the amount of spatter can be reduced, and high weldability can be achieved in multipass welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kei Yamazaki, Reiichi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9012807
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method of remotely controlling a welding machine with command signals transmitted to the welding power source across a weld cable connecting the power source to a remote device, such a wire feeder. A transmitter transmits the control commands containing desired welding operational parameters to a receiver disposed in the power source across a weld cable also designed to carry welding power from the power source to the wire feeder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Brian L. Ott, Quinn W. Schartner
  • Patent number: 9012805
    Abstract: A converging point of processing laser light is made to accurately follow a laser light irradiation surface of an object to be processed. An object to be processed 1 is irradiated with measuring laser light along a line to cut 5, astigmatism is added to a reflected light component of the measuring laser light reflected by a front face 3 of the object 1 irradiated with the measuring laser light, a displacement sensor signal corresponding to a converged light image of the reflected light component having the astigmatism added thereto is detected, and the displacement sensor signal is made to become a feedback reference value corresponding to the quantity of the reflected light component, so as to locate the converging point of the processing laser light at a predetermined position with respect to the front face 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Atsumi, Koji Kuno, Tatsuya Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9010239
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system for the production of sandwich cookies, having a suction belt conveyor (2) disposed along a sandwiching path, the sandwich cookies being created on the suction belt (11) of said sandwiching path. Successively disposed over the suction band conveyor (2) are: a cookie depositing head (17) for depositing the lower cookies onto the suction belt (11), a first cookie feeding device (3), a first inspection device (4) for the lower cookies positioned on the suction belt (11), an application head (23) of an application device (5) for applying a filling mass onto the lower cookies, a cookie depositing head (31) of a second cookie feeding device (6) for depositing the upper cookies onto the filling mass applications of the lower cookies, a second inspection device (7) for the cookie sandwiches disposed on the suction belt (11), and a calibrating device (9) for the sandwich cookies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Franz Haas Waffel- und Keksanlagen-Industrie GmbH
    Inventors: Johann Haas, Stefan Jiraschek, Josef Haas, Johannes Haas, Christoph Jiraschek
  • Patent number: 9012821
    Abstract: A digital control type power converter for cooking utensils includes a rectifier; a power inverting circuit composed of an IGBT and an LC shunt-resonant circuit; and a SoC chip which internally integrates a MPU, a Programmable Pulse Generator (PPG), an ADC, a COM, wherein the PPG, the ADC and the COM are connected to the MPU. One output of the MPU is connected to the PPG through a first AND gate, and a pulse signal outputted by the PPG is transmitted to the IGBT through a second AND gate. The MPU calculates the present power value according to measured current and voltage signals, and compares the present power value with the required power of the host computer to change the set pulse width value of the PPG. When a magnetic energy conversion detecting circuit outputs an enabling signal, the PPG outputs the pulse signal with the setting pulse width to drive the IGBT and realize the regulation of power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Shenzhen CHK Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shouqing Qiu, Samson Xu
  • Patent number: 9012819
    Abstract: Improved induction heating of a rolling bearing without the risk of damaging or blocking the bearing is achieved by controlling the heating cycle as a function of the temperature difference between the inner and outer bearing rings and/or dividing the heating cycle into different portions using different power combinations of at least two induction coils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventors: Sébastien David, Sylvain Humbert
  • Patent number: 9003958
    Abstract: A single-use filtering capsule is provided for producing an alimentary infusion. The capsule includes a casing inside which is positioned a filtering sachet containing an aromatic essence. The sachet is perimetrally fixed to the casing in such a way as to separate two base extremities of the casing. A first perforable closure element allows the access of water to the aromatic essence. The first closure element is attached in closure of a first base extremity of the casing to which the sachet directs the inner side, a second closure element of a second base extremity of the casing to which the sachet directs the outer side. The capsule also includes dissociable member between the second closure element and the second base extremity of the casing, and gripping member for the second closure element for its dissociation from the second base extremity of the casing before the positioning of the capsule in an infusion apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Azionaria Construzioni Macchine Automatiche A.C.M.A. S.p.A.
    Inventor: Massimo Scrivani
  • Patent number: 9006623
    Abstract: A high-frequency induction hardening apparatus used for metal objects, including a heating coil holder (4) carrying a heating coil (40) for hardening a metal object (2), an eccentric rotor assemble housing a cam mechanism for allowing the heating coil to eccentrically rotate through the heating coil holder (4); and a pair of supporters (11), (12) for keeping the heating coil holder (4) in a desired position, the supporters (11), (12) limiting the movement of the heating coil holder (4) to a plane intersecting the axis (21) of the cam carried in an eccentric rotor mount (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Fuji Electronics Industry Co.
    Inventors: Takehiko Nagao, Noboru Tsukamoto
  • Patent number: 9008148
    Abstract: A method for refining and casting metals and metal alloys includes melting and refining a metallic material and then casting the refined molten material by a nucleated casting technique. The refined molten material is provided to the atomizing nozzle of the nucleated casting apparatus through a transfer apparatus adapted to maintain the purity of the molten refined material. An apparatus including a melting and refining apparatus, a transfer apparatus, and a nucleated casting apparatus, in serial fluid communication, also is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: ATI Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Robin M. Forbes Jones, Richard L. Kennedy, Ramesh S. Minisandram
  • Patent number: 9003961
    Abstract: A self adjusting rotisserie device utilizing multiple positions to achieve leveling on uneven surfaces and automatic alignment on each end of a spit through the use of rotational standards and rotational attachment of a hanging motor housing and a hanging bearing housing, each fixedly attached to rods and removably attached to two standards, and each removably attached to a base; a method of cooking food utilizing a self adjusting rotisserie.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Inventors: Peter T Snow, Julius K Rocco
  • Patent number: 9006619
    Abstract: A combination cooking appliance controls a radiant heating element provided in an oven cavity, both a blower and a convection heating element provided in an air plenum, and microwave energy sources to provide for numerous potential operating modes. The present invention is particularly concerned with the manner in which the various cooking components are configured and flexibly controlled to provide for short cook cycles in a variety of operational modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: ACP, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert McNamee, Robert A. Schulte, Thomas Miller, Roger W. Carlson, James A. Goranson, Edward R. Cook
  • Patent number: 9003963
    Abstract: A meat cutter, a blade head and an associated cutter blade (11, 12) are provided to reduce the complexity with respect to assembly and disassembly and the diversity of the parts, and the potential danger during assembly and disassembly. This is achieved according to the invention by providing the blade foot (2) of the cutter blade (1, 11, 12) with a toothing structure (8) with projections (9) and recesses (10), which point towards the drive shaft (19) and by means of which the cutter blade (11, 12) can be positioned in a rotationally secure manner in a matching toothing structure (14), by being pushed on in the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Knecht Maschinenbau GmbH
    Inventors: Manfred Knecht, Christian Eichert
  • Patent number: 9000336
    Abstract: A device for hardening the surface of a workpiece, wherein an energy supply part and a working part each include a magnetic core, wherein the magnetic cores are at a small distance from each other such that electrical energy is transmitted contactlessly from the energy supply part of the inductor to the working part of the inductor, and wherein the working part includes a heating conductor branch for inductive heating of a section of the surface of the workpiece; a control instrument coupled to the inductor, wherein the control instrument displaces the working part relative to the surface to be hardened and relative to the energy supply part, and wherein the magnetic core of the working part is displaced relative to the magnetic core of the energy supply part; and an electrical energy supply connected to the energy supply part of the inductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: SMS Elotherm GmbH
    Inventor: Stefan Dappen
  • Patent number: 9000337
    Abstract: A device for heating an object by an electromagnetic induction comprises at least one rotor, and the rotor comprises at least one permanent magnet. The device also comprises a stator for providing varying magnetic field arranged to interact with at least one magnet of the rotor and causing said rotor to rotate around the axis. The magnets of said rotor is arranged to provide varying magnetic field and eddy currents within the object when said rotor is rotated so that said object is heated by the electromagnetic induction generated by said varying magnetic field and eddy currents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: EFFMAG Oy
    Inventor: Pekka Suominen
  • Patent number: 8997637
    Abstract: A system for treating edible fluids under high pressure to reduce microorganisms. The system comprises a high pressure housing having an interior chamber containing two parallel flexible bladders adapted to hold the fluid to be treated under high pressure within the confines of the chamber. A pressurizing fluid fills the interior chamber outside the bladders. When one bladder is filled the other bladder is collapsed. In operation pressure is exerted throughout the interior chamber by means of the pressurizing fluid for a period sufficient to reduce microorganisms in the fluid within the filled bladder. Pressure will be released and the collapsed bladder will then be filled with an edible fluid causing treated fluid to be removed from the first bladder due to expansion caused by the filling of the second bladder such that the first bladder is collapsed. The process can then be repeated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Inventor: Elend S. LeBaron
  • Patent number: 9000328
    Abstract: A system, in one embodiment, may include an engine, a compressor coupled to the engine, and an oil fill assembly coupled to the compressor. The oil fill assembly relocates an oil fill location from a bottom region of the compressor to a top region of the compressor. A system, in other embodiments, may include a compressor retrofit kit. The kit may include a first tube configured to couple with a drain or an existing oil fill disposed in a base region of a compressor. The kit also may include a second tube coupled to the first tube, wherein the second tube is configured to couple with a vent in the compressor. The kit may include a relocated oil fill section coupled to the first tube, the second tube, or a combination thereof. A system having a compressor retrofit kit attached to the case of the compressor is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph N. Helf, Nathan J. Jochman, John P. Laitala, John C. Leisner