Patents Examined by Jason K Niesz
  • Patent number: 11826308
    Abstract: A filling device for dosed filling of a product from a product storage container into product dose receiving containers provided in a disposable isolator so to be protected against contamination. The device includes means for holding the product storage container together with the contents outside of the disposable isolator. The device includes a controllable product removal device for a dosed removal of the product from the product storage container. The device includes a product dispensing device for the dosed dispensing of the product to the product dose receiving containers. The device includes a line assembly interconnecting the product storage container and the product dispensing device to conduct the product to the product dispensing device. The device includes at least one ultrasonic flowmeter outside of the disposable isolator fixed to the outside of the line assembly to detect the flow rate. The device includes a controller for measuring the product dose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: BAUSCH + STRÖBEL MASCHINENFABRIK ILSHOFEN GMBH + CO. KG
    Inventor: Markus Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 11820274
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for offloading cargo from a tank trailer, which has at least interior compartments, to one or more discharge points. The apparatus includes two or more T-connectors each of which is connected, via a valve, to an outlet of a respective one of the interior compartments of the tank trailer. Each T-connector has an axis defined by a pair of opposing arms and, contrary to conventional apparatus and methods, the T-connectors are positioned with their axes oriented perpendicularly or obliquely relative to the length of the tank trailer. Additionally, for each T-connector, a discharge conduit is connected to one of the opposing arms so that all of the discharge conduits extend from the same side of the tank trailer, perpendicularly or obliquely relative to the length of the tank trailer. A blower conduit is also connected to each T-connector, to the other of the pair of opposing arms, and extend from the other side the tank trailer, opposite the discharge conduits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: RPOD Tech, LLC
    Inventors: Joby Dee Rickman, Ryan Matthew Swaner, Galen Jon Childress
  • Patent number: 11815227
    Abstract: Scalable greenhouse gas capture systems and methods to allow a user to off-load exhaust captured in an on-board vehicle exhaust capture device and to allow for a delivery vehicle or other transportation mechanism to obtain and transport the exhaust. The systems and methods may involve one or more exhaust pumps, each with a multi-function nozzle assembly including an exhaust nozzle corresponding to a vehicle exhaust port and a fuel nozzle for supplying fuel to a vehicle fuel tank. Upon engagement with the vehicle exhaust port, the exhaust nozzle may create an air-tight seal between the exhaust nozzle and the vehicle exhaust port. An exhaust conduit may be configured to transport captured exhaust therethrough from the exhaust nozzle to an exhaust holding tank connected to and in fluid communication with the exhaust conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: MARATHON PETROLEUM COMPANY LP
    Inventor: Zachary D. Thobe
  • Patent number: 11814277
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for handling a container, comprising filling the container with a filling product, for example with a beverage in a beverage bottling plant, wherein the apparatus has: a valve main body with an outlet for introducing the filling product into the container and with a swirl chamber which is fluidically connected to the outlet and is configured to induce a swirling motion in the filling product as the latter is being introduced into the container; a valve cone which is at least partially arranged in the valve body, defines an axial direction and through which a gas duct penetrates in the axial direction; and a sensor device with a sensor head which is configured to detect at least one signal and is arranged in the gas duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: KRONES AG
    Inventor: Valentin Becher
  • Patent number: 11807514
    Abstract: A product delivery vehicle system includes a product delivery vehicle with at least one tank compartment. The system includes an internal valve fluidly coupled to the tank compartment, a control valve, and an air system comprising a main air valve and a solenoid valve fluidly coupled to the main air valve and to the internal valve. The solenoid valve is operable to open and close the internal valve. The system includes an electronic control unit communicatively coupled to the control valve, the main air valve, and the solenoid valve. The system includes a tank tag reader operable to read a tank tag and transmit a tank tag indicator associated with the tank tag, the tank tag indicator indicative of a stored liquid type in a distribution tank. The electronic control unit may maintain the internal valve closed and the control valve locked when a product type mismatch is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Knappco, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Dudley, Erik Bjornebo, Randy Robinson
  • Patent number: 11801955
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for the production of bags (8) filled with infusible material having a base plate (50) which separates a drive side (54) from an operating side (52), where a bag-production device is provided on the operating side (52) in which a batch of the infusible material is placed onto the bag material (25) which is shaped into a tube and the tube sections are processed to form closed bags (8), where the bag production device is provided in a work space (68) between the base plate (50) and at least one protective door (56). In order to improve the cleanliness within the work space, the present invention proposes a ventilation device (74) for generating an air flow in the work space (68).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Teepack Spezialmaschinen GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Holger Vetter, Thomas Heidtmann
  • Patent number: 11796257
    Abstract: A filling system that has a chamber, at least one heat pipe used for heat transfer and extending along the chamber, at least one ammonia tube that pure ammonia is able to be stored at room temperature as saturated vapour, at least one delivery line that enables to deliver ammonia from the ammonia tube to the heat pipe and the heat pipe is removably engaged, at least one valve is located on the delivery line and allows ammonia flow to controlled, at least one detector located on the delivery line and providing seal control, at least one heater to heat the heat pipe, and at least one cooler to cool the heat pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: TUSAS—TURK HAVACILIK VE UZAY SANAYII ANONIM SIRKETI
    Inventors: Cem Omur, Ahmet Bilge Uygur, Hasan Gurguc Isik, Ilhami Horuz
  • Patent number: 11787683
    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: December 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: PepsiCo, Inc.
    Inventors: Gurmeet Bhutani, Rahul Sadashiv Kamble
  • Patent number: 11788025
    Abstract: A real time additive processing system for crude oil or refined fuel products is coupled to a fuel transport line that transfers fuel from one storage tank to another storage tank. The fuel additive processing system includes a fuel additive storage tank coupled to a liquid conduit having a liquid pump with a speed/stroke controller that regulates the liquid pump. The liquid conduit is coupled to the fuel transport line at a fuel additive injection nozzle. The fuel additive processing system also includes a flow rate transmitter and a chemical or physical property analyzer coupled to the fuel transport line downstream of the additive injection nozzle. The fuel additive processing system includes a flow controller that communicates with the liquid pump speed/stroke controller, flow rate transmitter and chemical or physical property analyzer. A remote system allows selective control of the flow controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Cajun Technology Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Brett Hughes, Stuart Folse, Jay Prince
  • Patent number: 11780625
    Abstract: Funnels and gas lances are disclosed for use with filling packages with bulk product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Sargento Foods Inc.
    Inventors: James Abston, Tim Veldman, Jon Sommer, Aaron Strand
  • Patent number: 11772484
    Abstract: A fully-integrated flow-control module is designed to fit within a filler neck of a DEF tank that conforms to ISO (International Organization for Standardization) Standard 22241-4:2009(E). The flow-control module includes a breather cap that locks the flow-control module within the mouth of the ISO filler neck. A spring-biased valve piston, which is controlled by a bleed path within a bleed and float body, opens and closes to control fluid flow into the DEF tank. A fluid level float is mounted on a control rod. The control rod and a bleed valve poppet are rigidly secured to a connector beam. When fluid levels in the tank raise the float, the bleed valve poppet seals a bleed circuit escape port, thereby enabling the valve piston to close, increase fluid pressure at the nozzle, and cause the nozzle to shut off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Inventor: Robert Charles Cooley
  • Patent number: 11771288
    Abstract: An evacuation station for collecting debris from a cleaning robot includes a controller configured to execute instructions to perform one or more operations. The one or more operations includes initiating an evacuation operation such that an air mover draws air containing debris from the cleaning robot, through an intake of the evacuation station, and through a canister of the evacuation station and such that a receptacle received by the evacuation station receives at least a portion of the debris drawn from the cleaning robot. The one or more operations includes ceasing the evacuation operation in response to a pressure value being within a range. The pressure value is determined based at least in part on data indicative of an air pressure, and the range is set based at least in part on a number of evacuation operations initiated before the evacuation operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: iRobot Corporation
    Inventors: Ellen B. Cargill, Douglas Dell'Accio, Benjamin Pheil, Flavia Pastore, Paul Schmitt, John P. O'Brien
  • Patent number: 11774042
    Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods for transporting fuel and carbon dioxide (CO2) in a dual-fluid vessel thereby minimizing transportation between locations are disclosed. In an embodiment, the dual-fluid vessel has an outer shell with two or more inner compartments, positioned within the outer shell, including a first inner compartment for storing CO2 and a second inner compartment for storing fuel. The dual-fluid vessel may connect or attach to a transportation vehicle to thereby allow transportation of the fuel and CO2. Insulation may provide temperature regulation for the fuel and CO2 when positioned in the respective first and second inner compartments. One or more ports having an opening in and through the outer shell and a fluid pathway to one or more of the first inner compartment or the second inner compartment may provide fluid communication through the opening and fluid pathway for loading/offloading the fuel and/or CO2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: MARATHON PETROLEUM COMPANY LP
    Inventor: Zachary D. Thobe
  • Patent number: 11763621
    Abstract: A system for controlling the dispensing of fuel or the like in a vending apparatus, particularly for private use, comprising one or more dispensing assemblies, one or more mobile processing devices, and a central remote processing device, the mobile devices being configured to transmit data originating from the dispensing assemblies toward the central remote device. Each dispensing assembly comprises an electronic controller and dispensing element which comprise an electric pump, the electronic controller being configured to control electronically the electric pump of the dispensing element on the basis of the occurrence of an operating condition of the electrical and/or hydraulic type of the dispensing element of the dispensing assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: PIUSI S.P.A.
    Inventor: Otto Varini
  • Patent number: 11761366
    Abstract: Scalable greenhouse gas capture systems and methods to allow a user to off-load exhaust captured in an on-board vehicle exhaust capture device and to allow for a delivery vehicle or other transportation mechanism to obtain and transport the exhaust. The systems and methods may involve one or more exhaust pumps, each with an exhaust nozzle corresponding to a vehicle exhaust port. Upon engagement with the vehicle exhaust port, the exhaust nozzle may create an air-tight seal between the exhaust nozzle and the vehicle exhaust port. A first pipe may be configured to transport captured exhaust therethrough from the exhaust nozzle to. The captured exhaust may be at least temporarily stored in an exhaust holding tank connected to and in fluid communication with the first pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: MARATHON PETROLEUM COMPANY LP
    Inventor: Zachary D. Thobe
  • Patent number: 11756368
    Abstract: An improved dispenser unit for dispensing bulk food items, including a cabinet having at least one hopper having a drum with product compartments, a deflector and flexible gate valve, a dispense assembly, and a control system. The dispense assembly may or may not include one or more belts and/or sensors. The product compartments include flexible and/or elastic membranes, which dynamically change the effective product storage volume within a compartment, and eliminate rigid or semi-rigid pinch points between the drum and drum compartment. A product flow divider may be positioned above the receiving container in the dispense assembly, said divider configured to cause the dispensed product to divide into two or more flow streams into the receiving container. The receiving container may be vibrated or oscillated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: FRANKE FOODSERVICE SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Mark E. Allegra, Khalil Chmayssani, Ireneusz Czapp, Tomasz Robaszkiewicz, Marek Ormanin, Brian Phillips
  • Patent number: 11754225
    Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods for transporting fuel and carbon dioxide (CO2) in a dual-fluid vessel thereby minimizing transportation between locations are disclosed. In an embodiment, the dual-fluid vessel has an outer shell with two or more inner compartments, positioned within the outer shell, including a first inner compartment for storing CO2 and a second inner compartment for storing fuel. The dual-fluid vessel may connect or attach to a transportation vehicle to thereby allow transportation of the fuel and CO2. Insulation may provide temperature regulation for the fuel and CO2 when positioned in the respective first and second inner compartments. One or more ports having an opening in and through the outer shell and a fluid pathway to one or more of the first inner compartment or the second inner compartment may provide fluid communication through the opening and fluid pathway for loading/offloading the fuel and/or CO2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: MARATHON PETROLEUM COMPANY LP
    Inventor: Zachary D. Thobe
  • Patent number: 11754228
    Abstract: A dry vaporizer, the dry vaporizer including a plurality of passages for accommodating a heating means each, at least two channels passing through the body wherein the channels are configured for passing a vaporized fluid, and a thermostat expansion valve configured to operate based on temperature of the body. The heating means are removable heaters placed in three passages of the body arranged in an equilateral triangle to enable equal heat distribution in the body and a method thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Inventors: Sriram Vedagiri, V. Sudarshan Chandrasekhar
  • Patent number: 11751666
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a Hair Pigment Dispensing (“HPD”) device that may be connected to the internet and intended for professional hairstylists to prepare their hair color formulations. Hair dying is a process that can take several hours and requires precise measurements, high attention to detail, and informed decision making. Not to mention, hair dying requires a large inventory of products to be readily available to the hairstylist. The present invention aims to decrease errors in product measurement, inventory size, and time spent mixing hair color ingredients to improve the overall experience for both the hairstylist and the client. Furthermore, the present invention provides the advantage of storing data from various client mixtures either locally or within a cloud server so that a customer can receive uniform coloring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: YUV BEAUTY, INC.
    Inventor: Francisco Gimenez
  • Patent number: 11753289
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for refilling fluid containers. A fluid container may include a bottle and a valve assembly. The valve assembly may include two valves and be configured to engage with the bottle and a filling head or dispensing head. A system is configured to provide pressurized fluid to the refillable container, monitor filling, determine when to stop filling, and determine how much fluid was provided. The valve assembly may include a float mechanism coupled to one of the valves of the valve assembly to ensure fluid flow is stopped when the fluid container is full. The fluid, which can include carbon dioxide, is stored in a storage tank. A flow system provides the fluid to a filling head, which engages with the fluid container. The flow system includes a transfer pump, valves, and sensors configured to provide the fluid to the filling head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: FOUNTAIN MASTER, LLC
    Inventors: Francis X. Tansey, Jr., Gwenivere R. Tansey