Patents Examined by Jason K Niesz
  • Patent number: 12370355
    Abstract: An exemplary compounding system and method can include a transfer set that includes a manifold for assisting in transferring a plurality of ingredients from supply container(s) to a final container. The manifold can include a first channel in fluid communication with at least one primary ingredient, and a second channel in fluid communication with a plurality of secondary ingredients. The first channel and second channel can be in fluid isolation from each other such that the at least one primary ingredient does not mix with the plurality of secondary ingredients within the manifold. The transfer set can include a plurality of inlet lines in fluid communication with the manifold and two outlet lines configured for connection to two separate pumps and eventually being in fluid communication with the final container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2025
    Assignee: B.Braun Medical Inc.
    Inventors: Karl Konrad, Jr., Joel Bartholomew, Mike Janders, Linda M. Ammermann, Benjamin R. Lane, Mariano Mumpower, Aaron S. Pearl
  • Patent number: 12352391
    Abstract: A hydrogen refueling system includes a first vessel that stores hydrogen generated by a hydrogen generator, a first compressor that compresses the hydrogen generated by the first vessel, a second vessel that stores the hydrogen compressed by the first compressor, a hydrogen supply valve positioned between the first vessel and the second vessel, and a controller that identifies a pressure of the first vessel based on whether a charging target initiates charging and that the first compressor operates, and controls the hydrogen supply valve to supply the hydrogen from the second vessel to the first vessel, based on whether the pressure of the first vessel is less than or equal to set pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2025
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Dong Seok Ko
  • Patent number: 12344521
    Abstract: A pitcher with an alternate dispensing feature for use in an autofill pitcher system in a chamber of a refrigerator appliance is provided. The pitcher defines a height direction, a width direction, and a depth direction. The pitcher comprises a pitcher wall connected to a pitcher bottom defining a pitcher volume. The pitcher further comprises a spigot defining an axis, with the spigot disposed on the pitcher wall such that the axis is generally parallel to the width direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2025
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Lokesha Kodigenahalli Chinnappa Reddy, Jason Andrew May, Jarvis Ward
  • Patent number: 12330828
    Abstract: A bag hanger for bulk bag filler equipment. The bag hanger can include a plurality of support plates coupled together to form a body structure. Also, the bag hanger can include a hook that is integral with the body structure, wherein the hook at least partially defines a containment area and is configured to receive a bag strap. Further, the bag hanger can include an ejector plate, and an actuator. The ejector plate can be positioned between the plurality of support plates. The actuator can be coupled to the ejector plate and the body structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2024
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2025
    Assignee: THE YOUNG INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventor: Joseph A. Hauser
  • Patent number: 12330390
    Abstract: A system and method for inflating airbags include a series of pulleys arranged in two parallel rows. Each pulley has its periphery defined as a semicircular concave groove that extends between two edges, wherein the semicircular concave grooves form a tunnel. Each pulley in the first row can rotate clockwise, while each pulley in the second row rotates anticlockwise. A cylindrical air tube can be positioned in the tunnel wherein the air tube is connected to a compressed air source at an end. The air tube has spaced apertures along its length and an airbag with two flaps can be mounted on the inflation system, wherein the two flaps are pressed over the air tube by the pair of pulleys and each pair of pulleys can drag the flaps on the air tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2025
    Inventor: Michael G Kaminski
  • Patent number: 12330824
    Abstract: A sterile filling unit, of a basic container with contents that can be distributed in a fluid form and that is originally located in a source container in a sterile manner, includes a sterile chamber with at least one sterile entry port and/or outlet; a sterile fluid transfer and filling line with an intake and an outlet, such that for a filling stage the line passes through the wall of the sterile chamber in a sterile manner, with the intake located outside of the sterile chamber in sterile fluid communication with the source container, with the filling element at the outlet located inside the sterile chamber and positioned to be operating; and a unit that can introduce the disposable internal elements that, in a stage prior to the filling stage, were located outside of the sterile chamber, into the interior of the sterile chamber in a sterile manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2025
    Assignee: SARTORIUS STEDIM FMT
    Inventors: Isabelle Gay, Nicolas Mendyk
  • Patent number: 12325558
    Abstract: A fuel cap assembly according to an example of the present disclosure includes a fuel cap and a pipe stub that extends from the fuel cap and defines a first internal passage. A sensor element and a fuel tube are adjacent to each other and both extend from the fuel cap through the first internal passage. A cylindrical coupler is composed of an elastomer and defines a second internal passage that extends between an inlet port and an outlet port. The inlet port has a first inner diameter and the pipe stub is receivable into the inlet port. The outlet port has a second inner diameter that differs from the first inner diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2025
    Assignee: Fuel Automation Station, LLC
    Inventor: Ricky Dean Shock
  • Patent number: 12312231
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to systems and methods of extracting liquid from empty barrels. In one aspect, a method includes heating a barrel with less than about 10 ml of free liquid disposed therein to expand pores in the barrel. The method further includes applying, after the heating, a negative pressure to an interior of a vessel in which the barrel is disposed, such that an amount of liquid is extracted from the barrel. The method includes collecting, after the applying, the amount of liquid within a collection container. In some embodiments, collecting the amount of liquid includes pumping the liquid through a tube that is disposed between an outer surface of the barrel and the collection container. In some embodiments, heating the barrel is via a heated blanket wrapped around the barrel. In some embodiments, heating the barrel is via placing the barrel in an oven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2024
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2025
    Assignee: Ernst & Young U.S. LLP
    Inventor: Zachary James Hagan
  • Patent number: 12311824
    Abstract: A vehicle body. The vehicle body comprises a fluid transfer system integrated within the vehicle body. The fluid transfer system comprises a fluid evacuation system comprising a first fluid storage container, a fluid refill system comprising a second fluid storage container, a sensing system coupled to the fluid evacuation system and the fluid refill system, and a control circuit coupled to the sensing system, the fluid evacuation system and the fluid refill system. The control circuit is configured to (1) determine an amount of a first fluid in the first fluid storage container based on a first signal from the sensing system, and (2) determine an amount of a second fluid in the second fluid storage container based on a second signal from the sensing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2025
    Assignee: RPM INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventors: John K. Apostolides, William E. Ryckman
  • Patent number: 12297093
    Abstract: Described herein is an automated beverage dispensing system for dispensing a beverage into a cup based on an order. The automated beverage dispenser may include a conveyor and a plurality of functional stations along the conveyor route. Exemplary stations include a cup singulation or placement station, an ice dispensing station, a beverage dispensing station, and a sealing station for covering the top of the cup with a liquid tight film. Related methods are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2025
    Assignee: Miso Robotics, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan R. Wach, Ziwei Zheng, Benjamin Brinton Jordan, Troy M. Swartwood
  • Patent number: 12292749
    Abstract: Provided herein are systems and methods for generating gas and delivering the gas at multiple output pressures. The system includes a plurality of gas generators and a plurality of applications, each application having a different header pressure. A plurality of header valves directs the gas flow to the plurality of applications such that energy loss is minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2025
    Assignee: Ohmium International, Inc.
    Inventors: Arne Ballantine, Chockkalingam Karuppaiah, Rasool Aghatehrani, Roby Worster, Celeste Mueller
  • Patent number: 12285390
    Abstract: A metering device is for the volumetric metering of micro-tablets or the like and for transferring metered partial amounts of the micro-tablets into target containers. The metering device includes a metering unit with volumetrically specific metering chambers and a feed container, which is disposed above the metering unit in the direction of gravity. The feed container has an upper filling opening, lateral container walls and a lower container bottom with transfer openings for transferring the micro-tablets into the metering chambers. At least one retaining bottom is disposed in the feed container between the filling opening and the container bottom. The retaining bottom covers the transfer openings in the container bottom, at least one through-gap for the micro-tablets being formed at the side of the retaining bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2025
    Assignee: Harro Hoefliger Verpackungsmaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Marco Weigel, Marlon Weigle
  • Patent number: 12281004
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to systems and methods of extracting liquid from empty barrels. In one aspect, a method includes heating a barrel with less than about 10 ml of free liquid disposed therein to expand pores in the barrel. The method further includes applying, after the heating, a negative pressure to an interior of a vessel in which the barrel is disposed, such that an amount of liquid is extracted from the barrel. The method includes collecting, after the applying, the amount of liquid within a collection container. In some embodiments, collecting the amount of liquid includes pumping the liquid through a tube that is disposed between an outer surface of the barrel and the collection container. In some embodiments, heating the barrel is via a heated blanket wrapped around the barrel. In some embodiments, heating the barrel is via placing the barrel in an oven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2025
    Assignee: Ernst & Young U.S. LLP
    Inventor: Zachary James Hagan
  • Patent number: 12280012
    Abstract: A medicinal vial reconstitution and IV dispensing device includes a bifurcated receptacle adapted to engage a medicinal vial, and a valve or barrier for selectively opening and closing the medicinal vial from fluidic communication with the patient IV line. The reconstitution device mixes medication with saline solution from an IV bag through a dedicated channel. The reconstitution device receives a medication vial containing the powdered medication. The reconstituted medication is then passed back into the IV bag for uniform mixing. A flow control element ensures fluid flow only from the vial to the bag. Once mixed, the reconstituted medication achieves a desired concentration in the IV bag. The (now medicated) saline solution in the IV bag is dispensed back through the reconstitution device via an IV line to the patient, and the flow control element redirects fluid only to the IV line and prevents any backflow with the vial.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2025
    Assignee: Summit International Medical Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Merchant, Hsi Chin Tsai
  • Patent number: 12274951
    Abstract: Balloon retaining and inflating structures, assemblies, and methods which provide arrays of multiple balloons in any desired configuration, and wherein the balloons are simultaneously inflated and the array can be repeatedly inflated and deflated for re-use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2025
    Inventor: Blake Cantrell
  • Patent number: 12274406
    Abstract: A water tank assembly configured to be installed on a base station is provided. The water tank assembly includes: a tank body defined with a sewage cavity, the tank body being provided with a water inlet channel and a sewage discharging channel communicating with the sewage cavity; the sewage cavity being configured to receive sewage coming through the water inlet channel under a negative pressure inside the sewage cavity introduced by an external air source, and configured to discharge the sewage through the sewage discharging channel under a positive pressure inside the sewage cavity introduced by the external air source; and a one-way valve arranged in the water inlet channel, in case the sewage cavity is in a positive pressure state, the one-way valve being in a closed state, and in case the sewage cavity is in a negative pressure state, the one-way valve being in an open state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2024
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2025
    Assignees: YUNJING INTELLIGENCE INNOVATION (SHENZHEN) CO., LTD., YUNJING INTELLIGENCE (SHENZHEN) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xiaolong Lin, Churui Xu, Jin Chen, Weijie Zhu, Zhenxu Wang
  • Patent number: 12270514
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to controlling the fueling process for a space launch vehicle based on a composition of a Liquefied (LNG) propellant being loaded onto the space launch vehicle. According to one embodiment, controlling a fueling process for a launch vehicle can comprise monitoring a flow of a fuel being loaded into a tank of the launch vehicle during the fueling process. Loading of the fuel into the tank of the launch vehicle can then be controlled based on the determined mass of the fuel and a predefined mass loading target for the fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2025
    Assignee: United Launch Alliance, L.L.C.
    Inventor: John Pieter Van Pelt
  • Patent number: 12264057
    Abstract: A carbonated beverage dispenser includes a tank to store carbonated water, a carbon dioxide source, and a release valve configured to release gas from the tank. The release valve may be actuated to mix the contents of the tank to increase the temperature homogeny and carbon dioxide homogeny in the tank. The tank may include sensors to monitor the temperature of the water and the amount of carbon dioxide dissolved therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2025
    Assignee: PepsiCo, Inc.
    Inventors: Gurmeet Bhutani, Rahul Sadashiv Kamble
  • Patent number: 12258253
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system for introducing an additive into a container (2). The system comprises an automated device for transporting the container (2) in a horizontal plane (P), such as a rotary wheel. The system further comprises a static microdoser (5) having a nozzle from which a jet (7) of an additive issues upon passage of an opening of the container (2). Additive is so injected into said container (2). According to the invention, the nozzle of the static microdoser (5) is inclined relative to a direction orthogonal to said horizontal plane (P). This limits splashing, in particular when the jet (7) of additive hits an inner wall of the container (2) that is free of liquid. This can be facilitated by an acceleration applied on the container (2) which inclines the free surface (8) of the liquid material present in the container (2). A preferred application is the introduction of a flavored concentrate into a bottle of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2025
    Assignee: SOCIÉTÉ DES PRODUITS NESTLÉ S.A.
    Inventor: Andrea Comin
  • Patent number: 12258254
    Abstract: A filling apparatus configured to simultaneously fill multiple containers of different shapes and sizes. The filling apparatus including a feed conveyor mechanism including two or more feed conveyors, wherein each of the two or more conveyors is respectively configured to transport an empty fluid container of a different size along a manufacturing line, a turntable mechanism including two or more concentric rings, wherein each of the two or more concentric rings is configured to receive an empty fluid container from the respective two or more feed conveyors and rotate about a common axis while filling the empty fluid containers via at least to fill ports, and an output conveyor mechanism including two or more output conveyors, wherein each of the two or more output conveyors is respectively configured to receive a filled fluid container of a different size from the turntable mechanism for transport along the manufacturing line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2025
    Assignee: SWIMC LLC
    Inventor: Alan E. Dewerth, Jr.