Patents Examined by James R. Hakomaki
  • Patent number: 10619752
    Abstract: Provided is a pressure equalizing device for facilitating drug reconstitution in a closed system. The pressure equalizing device includes a container for attachment to a receptacle, to permit pressure equalization between the container and the receptacle. The container includes a first chamber and a second chamber. The device further includes a vent channel extending between the first chamber and a distal opening of the vent channel. In accordance with the invention, when the receptacle is connected to the pressure equalizing device, the vent channel establishes direct fluid communication between the first chamber and the receptacle. Additionally, a longitudinal axis of the pressure equalizing device is configured to be aligned with or parallel to a longitudinal axis of the receptacle when the pressure equalizing device is attached to the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Becton Dickinson and Company Limited
    Inventor: Alexander Cederschiöld
  • Patent number: 10597284
    Abstract: A non-pressure valve is provided, and includes a tubular housing having an inlet and an outlet. The tubular housing forms a fluid flow path. The non-pressure valve also includes a sliding sleeve coupled with the outlet, a spring disposed between the sliding sleeve and the tubular housing, and a flow-through mount disposed within the tubular housing adjacent the sliding sleeve. The flow-through mount is coupled with a bulb. The bulb is configured to engage the sliding sleeve and impede the flow of fuel. The non-pressure valve also includes a hose fluidly coupling the non-pressure valve with a remote fuel vent. The flow-through mount may include a plurality of bypass openings positioned in the fluid flow path and configured to divert a portion of the fuel flow through a hose to the remote fuel vent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Flomax International, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Paul Ballard, Carl Paul Ballard, John Trent Kendrick
  • Patent number: 10596069
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a multi-compartment medical device for segregated storage and on demand mixing of at least two components and expression of the resulting mixture from the device. The mixing device comprises a syringe having an open end and outlet and containing a first component; and a cap with a fixed outer body and an expandable chamber contained therein, wherein said cap is removably attached to the outlet of the syringe and a cross-section of the cap is larger than a syringe cross-section and the cap is shorter than the syringe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: John Goodman, Leo B. Kriksunov, Robert J. Tannhauser
  • Patent number: 10589826
    Abstract: A system for transferring liquid natural gas from a ship to a facility, the transfer system comprising: a hoisting device which is designed to be secured on the deck of the ship; a mobile chassis, which is supported by the hoisting device; a first on-board pipe, for transferring liquid natural gas from the ship to the facility, said first on-board pipe being supported by the mobile chassis; and a second on-board pipe for the transport of inert gas, said second on-board pipe being supported by the mobile chassis comprising a first connection element which is associated with the second duct, and being connected to the first on-board pipe between the valve and the second connection element of the first on-board pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: GAZTRANSPORT ET TECHNIGAZ
    Inventors: Guillaume Gelin, Bertrand Bugnicourt, Nicolas Vilmen, Benjamin Charpentier, Arnaud Landure
  • Patent number: 10589881
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for filling flowable materials such as fluids and bulk goods into flexible open-mouth bags, the apparatus including a stationary part and a movable part wherein the movable part is provided with multiple filling stations. Each filling station has a retaining device fastened to the movable part. A plurality of handling stations are received and distributed at the stationary part. A handling station is configured to take over empty open-mouth bags and a handling station is configured for filling a bag. One handling station is provided with a weighing unit. A bag receiving unit is configured to receive and guide the bag. The bag receiving unit at the handling station equipped with a weighing unit can be temporarily decoupled from force transmission to the retaining device to enable separate weighing of the bag receiving unit with the bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: HAVER & BOECKER OHG
    Inventors: Willi Vollenkemper, Christian Westarp
  • Patent number: 10571077
    Abstract: The present invention is a hydrogen cooling apparatus comprising: a air-cooled condenser disposed on a part of a first coolant passage so as to enable cooling of a first coolant by driving an air-cooling fan; a first heat exchanger enabling cooling of a second coolant by the first coolant, between another part of the first coolant passage and a part of a second coolant passage; and a second heat exchanger enabling cooling of hydrogen by the second coolant, between another part of the second coolant passage and a part of a hydrogen passage. A driving rotational speed of the air-cooling fan is inverter controlled in such a manner that a pressure of the first coolant from the air-cooled condenser to the first heat exchanger is maintained between 1.5 MPa and 1.7 MPa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Shinwa Controls Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Seki, Katsutoshi Sakai, Hirofumi Inoue
  • Patent number: 10569555
    Abstract: A liquid material filling device and method are provided which are intended to prevent air bubbles from remaining along an entire length of a flow passage extending from a liquid material reservoir (51) to a discharge port (53). The liquid material filling device includes a chamber (10) of an airtight structure, a pressure regulator (70) for regulating pressure in the chamber (10), and a control device (100). The liquid material is filled as follows. A negative pressure supply source (71) is communicated with a chamber communication pipe (90) and with a discharge device communication pipe (91) to reduce the pressure in the chamber (10) and pressure in an upper space of the reservoir (51) to a vacuum or a low pressure level close to a vacuum, and a resulted low-pressure state is maintained for a certain time to expel out air bubbles in the liquid material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: MUSASHI ENGINEERING, INC.
    Inventor: Kazumasa Ikushima
  • Patent number: 10562390
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an operating liquid container system comprising at least one operating fluid container, a quality and/or filling level sensor arranged in the operating liquid container, for determining at least one quality characteristic of the operating liquid contained in the operating liquid container and/or a filling level of the operating liquid container, and a display device arranged in a tank recess and/or tank flap of the operating fluid container system, wherein the display device is connected to the quality and/or filling level sensor by means of a data line for transmitting data from the quality and/or filling level sensor to the display device, wherein the data represents at least one quality characteristic of the operating liquid contained in the operating liquid container and/or the filling level of the operating liquid container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Kautex Textron GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventors: Dirk Eulitz, Hartmut Wolf, Theodor Ossege, Klaus Gebert, Ulrich Karsch, Christian Erben
  • Patent number: 10555635
    Abstract: A connector for connecting a powder refilling container including at least one flexible wall with a storing powder tank of a beverage preparation machine wherein the connector is a tube, the tube presenting two ends, one first end being configured for piercing the flexible wall of the powder refilling container and for being attached to the flexible wall, and one second end being configured for being attached to the powder inlet of the storing tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: Societe des Produits Nestle S.A.
    Inventors: Flavien Dubief, Marco Iotti
  • Patent number: 10549979
    Abstract: A method for controlling a filling operation of a vehicular liquid storage system including a tank including a fill level limiting valve. The method includes: detecting start of a first filling event; measuring a first fill level of the tank; verifying whether the measured first fill level has reached a predetermined fill level; if the verifying is positive, starting a first timer for a first amount of time; upon expiry of the first timer, closing the fill level limiting valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: PLASTIC OMNIUM ADVANCED INNOVATION AND RESEARCH
    Inventors: Ed Furmanczyk, David Hill, Bjorn Criel
  • Patent number: 10533708
    Abstract: The present invention is to properly manage life of an accumulator and extend the life of the accumulator. A gas supply system includes a control section, an acquiring section, a classifying section, and a judging section. The acquiring section acquires stress amplitude of accumulators from a pressure difference between first pressure on the gas storage side and second pressure on the gas lead-out side. The classifying section classifies the stress amplitude into a plurality of groups. The judging section divides the calculated acquirement number ni of the stress amplitude for each of the groups by the predetermined breaking cycle number Ni, and determines a fatigue degree ?ni/Ni. In a case where this value becomes a predetermined threshold value or more, the judging section judges that the accumulator comes to the end of the life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Okuno, Kenji Nagura
  • Patent number: 10519019
    Abstract: A radiator funnel assembly facilitates filling refrigerant liquids in different radiators. The assembly provides various sizes and types of adapters and caps, with each adapter and cap having a unique identifier to facilitate assemblage and indicate a matching radiator fill opening. The assembly includes a funnel configured to receive a radiator fluid and carries the radiator fluid through a spout. Multiple conduits detachably attach in series to the spout. Multiple adapters receive the conduits and engage a specific radiator fill opening. Each adapter has a unique identifier that enables identification of the connecting conduit, and also identifies the specific type of radiator fill opening that is operable with the adapter. Multiple caps fasten the adapters to the radiator opening. Each cap has a unique identifier to identify and match to the appropriate adapter. This is useful for matching the adapter and cap to different types of radiators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Inventor: Hung-Chih Kuo
  • Patent number: 10494245
    Abstract: A container-treatment machine includes a rotatable transport element having container holders and arranged to be pivotable by a pivoting device about a horizontal axis to pivot the container holders between feeding and treatment positions. In the feeding position, container openings of containers held by the container holders point upward. In the treatment position, they point downward. A pivot drive pivots the pivot arm, which holds the transport element so that it is rotatable by a rotary drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: KHS GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Bruch, Ludwig Clüsserath
  • Patent number: 10497531
    Abstract: A method for replacing a volume of coolant fluid in a circulating system in diesel engine system that includes the steps of establishing pneumatic connection with at least one location in the diesel engine coolant fluid circulating system; establishing fluid connection with at least one point in the diesel engine coolant fluid circulating system, the fluid connection location being different from the pneumatic connection; and after pneumatic and fluid connection is established, drawing a vacuum pressure through said pneumatic connection and introducing the volume of coolant fluid into the through said fluid connection as well as a device for accomplishing the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: K.J. Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Ram D. Bedi, George Blundy
  • Patent number: 10479678
    Abstract: A cryogenic hydrogen storage system reduces hydrogen loss by providing an initial supply of hydrogen wherein the initial hydrogen has an initial para/ortho hydrogen ratio. The initial hydrogen having an initial para/ortho hydrogen ratio is adjusted to produce final hydrogen having a final para/ortho hydrogen ratio with a greater amount of ortho hydrogen, The cryogenic hydrogen storage system is refueled with the final hydrogen having a final para/ortho hydrogen ratio with a greater amount of ortho hydrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Guillaume Petitpas, Salvador M. Aceves
  • Patent number: 10472217
    Abstract: An apparatus for filling containers with a product, includes a product supply, a pre-filling chamber having a controlled outlet, a movable sealing arrangement having a closed position for isolating the product supply from the pre-filling chamber, and a displacer arrangement that extends into the pre-filling chamber and that has an elastically deformable wall. The displacer arrangement is interactively connected to a control medium in such a way that an elastic volume change in the displacer arrangement changes a volume of the pre-filling chamber, thereby permitting control over an amount of product delivered through the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: KHS GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Fahldieck, Ludwig Clüsserath
  • Patent number: 10471197
    Abstract: The invention relates to a connector for a container with a spiking solution for individual adjustment of dialysis solutions and/or dialysis concentrates. The connector ensures a contamination-free introduction of the spiking solution into the container of the dialysis solution and/or of the dialysis concentrate and reliable labeling of same as soon as the original contents have been altered by adding a spiking solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventor: Winfried Brehm
  • Patent number: 10464060
    Abstract: Vials for loading a fluid system are provided. The illustrative vials are configured to minimize air bubbles from being transferred into the fluid system. Certain vial embodiments are provided with filters to allow microbes to pass into the fluidic system, while retaining larger particulate matter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: BioFare Diagnostics, LLC
    Inventors: David E. Jones, Kirk Max Ririe, Stephanie Anne Thatcher, Jarrett Avery Killpack
  • Patent number: 10451220
    Abstract: In at least some implementations, a device for filling a fuel gas storage tank includes a nozzle body having an inflow passage arranged to communicate a fuel gas source with the storage tank and an outflow passage arranged to receive an outflow of fuel gas from the storage tank. The inflow passage may be communicated with an inlet passage to admit fuel gas into the storage tank and the outflow passage may be communicated with an outlet passage through which fuel gas exits the storage tank. The outflow passage may be communicated with a downstream component for treatment of the outflow fuel gas, such as filtering, drying, and/or cooling. The outflow fuel gas may be rerouted into the fuel gas storage tank through the inflow passage and inlet passage, if desired. The disclosure also relates to a fitting for a storage tank and a method of filling a storage tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Alternative Fuel Containers, LLC
    Inventor: Joong-Kyu Lee
  • Patent number: 10442145
    Abstract: By the present invention, an inner lid is easily removed by upward thrusting of a sheath tube while detachment of the inner lid during storage is suppressed. An extraction cap is provided with: a cap body provided with a barrel part, a top-end part of which attaches to a mouth of a bottle container, and an air supply tube standing from a bottom portion of the barrel part and forming a first flow channel; and a sheath tube arranged and retained around an exterior of the air supply tube so as to be able to slide up and down. An inner lid is fitted on a top-end part of the air supply tube. An annular first retaining protrusion extending in the circumferential direction is formed on an external peripheral surface of the air supply tube, and a second retaining protrusion retained by the first retaining protrusion and comprising a plurality of retaining protrusions arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction is formed on an internal peripheral surface of the inner lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Akihiko Kawatani, Tsutomu Kono