Patents Examined by John C. Hong
  • Patent number: 10926392
    Abstract: A construction and demolition bar and associated methods of use are shown. In one example, a construction and demolition bar is shown that includes a pulling fork located at an end of an arced portion. In one example the pulling fork is oriented at substantially 90 degrees from a rotation plane defined by the bar and the arced portion. In one example, a notch of the pulling fork is within a width of the arced portion, to provide stable pulling force for removing fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Inventor: Ricardo Moreno
  • Patent number: 10926920
    Abstract: The present invention provides a block protector assembly including a protector contoured to conform to a block of pallet where the pallet includes a plurality of blocks, and an attachment mechanism coupled to the protector, where the attachment mechanism is configured to secure the protector to the block of the pallet, where the protector includes a rigid material. The present invention also provides a method including determining a contour of a block of a pallet, fabricating a protector to follow the contour of the block, and securing the protector to the block. In addition, the present invention provides a protector configured to prevent damage to a block of a pallet, where the protector includes a first side contoured to a first side of the block, a second side contoured to a second side of the block, and a third side contoured to a third side of the block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ryan R. Anderson, William J. O. Green
  • Patent number: 10928792
    Abstract: The invention provides methods, equipment and apparatuses for a highly flexible assembly system. The system may include at least one item of mobile equipment, at least one mobile container and at least one manufacturing management system (MMS). Because it is so flexible, the system may allow for efficient simultaneous processing of multiple dissimilar products. The system may also accommodate manufacturing processes requiring hybrid methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Inventor: Yong Jin
  • Patent number: 10926946
    Abstract: Capsule intended for receiving a substance for preparing a beverage using a coffee machine or infusion machine, to be held by a piston during the passage of the extracting liquid after piercing of the base by the pins of the piston. The capsule made from injected plastic material has a base (1) and a side wall (3) together forming part of a frustrum of a cone, as well as a rim (4) covered by a lid (5) after the filling of the capsule with the substance. The side wall (2) is shaped as a single cone frustrum between the rim (3) and the open (12) base (1), formed as a flattened ring (11), connected to the side wall (2). The side wall (2) is covered by a label (23) and the open base (1), including the ring (11) thereof, is covered by a sealed lid (14) inside the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Brain Corp SA
    Inventor: Olivier Brivois
  • Patent number: 10919176
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing wall elements from nailable and/or stapleable materials, in which a wall element frame is positioned on a horizontal worktable. Wall panels are placed on the frame and the wall panels are fastened to the frame by nails and/or staples, which are driven by a compressed air setting device. A mobile robot—in particular an autonomous mobile robot—has a compressed air setting device and/or at least one milling unit and is movable on the surface formed by the wall panels. The robot motion is automatically controlled along the surface formed by the wall panels. At predetermined positions, the milling unit and/or the compressed air setting device is actuated to process the wall panels and/or to fasten them to the wall element frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Raimund Beck Nageltechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Stefan Siemers
  • Patent number: 10919201
    Abstract: What is presented is a system for blind securing injection mold components to an injection molding machine. The system comprises a shuttle plate that has at least one locking mechanism mounted to it. Each locking mechanism has a larger installation area and a smaller lock area. Each injection mold component has a notch that has a corresponding geometry to the lock area such that the said injection mold component is configured to be inserted into the installation area and the shuttle plate is configured to move to seat the notch into the lock area and secure the injection mold component to the shuttle plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: F&S Tool, Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Faulkner, Casey Jones
  • Patent number: 10918516
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an intrauterine device (IUD) for contraception that has a desired copper elution rate is described. The method may involve selecting an elongate shape memory member comprising a first metal having a first galvanic potential, selecting at least one attachment member comprising a second metal having a second galvanic potential that is different from the first galvanic potential, attaching the attachment member(s) to the shape memory member, and shaping the shape memory member to form a frame of the intrauterine contraceptive device. The first metal and the second metal are specifically selected as materials for the shape memory member and the attachment member(s), in order to achieve the desired copper elution rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: SEBELA VLC LIMITED
    Inventors: Michael Tal, Bob H. Katz, Scott M. Russell
  • Patent number: 10888194
    Abstract: A kettle grill heat dispersion device provides a grill insert particularly shaped for placement within an existing kettle-type outdoor grill. A circular top plate having a center cup-shaped cylinder is positioned under the upper cooking rack portion of the outdoor grill. A fuel such as charcoal may be positioned within the center cylinder or beneath the circular plate to enable respective direct and indirect cooking of food stuffs correspondingly positioned upon the cooking rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Inventor: Michael D. Hammack
  • Patent number: 10889976
    Abstract: Various decoupler tools are described for disengaging drain cleaning equipment couplings. Such couplings typically include a component secured at an end of a drain cleaning cable and a cutter or other accessory used in a drain cleaning operation. The decoupler tools include one or more pins which are used to retract a spring-actuated plunger in one of the coupling components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: RIDGE TOOL COMPANY
    Inventors: Robert Skrjanc, Ben Azzam, Scott Kruepke, Glen R. Chartier, Brandon Moherman
  • Patent number: 10882267
    Abstract: A sealing pin includes a distal end portion that is inserted into the cylindrical body and that presses the sealant in the sealing step and a slit that is provided to allow the sealing pin to avoid the sensor element when the sealing pin is inserted into the cylindrical body, that extends through the distal end portion in a direction perpendicular to an axial direction of the distal end portion, and that has a width larger than a thickness of the sensor element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: NGK INSULATORS, LTD.
    Inventors: Kenji Isaka, Nobukazu Ikoma, Koji Egawa
  • Patent number: 10883528
    Abstract: Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention operate to structurally interrelate two components using inserts made from metallic glass-based materials. In one embodiment, a method of structurally interrelating two components includes: forming an insert from a metallic glass-based composition; where the formed insert includes a metallic glass-based material; affixing the insert to a first component; and structurally interrelating the second component to the first component using the insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Douglas C. Hofmann, Samuel C. Bradford
  • Patent number: 10875150
    Abstract: An automatic tire replacement apparatus is disclosed that has a hydraulic fluid line connected to a hydraulic fluid reservoir via a reservoir at one end a hydraulic fluid retainer at the other end. At least one hydraulic piston is provided that has a hollow barrel with an inner volume and an outer volume, a piston, and a piston rod with a first end and a second end within the inner volume of the hydraulic piston. The apparatus also contains a power rod, with a spiral thread, partially within the hollow barrel outer volume. The hollow barrel is connected to the hydraulic fluid retainer via an inner piston actuator and an outer piston actuator. The power rod is connected to the piston rod. A power bolt that has a set of inward facing pins is engaged with at least the power rod spiral thread.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Inventor: Paul Rivera
  • Patent number: 10874256
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a cooking pot for a food processor with a heating element, wherein the heating element includes a heating device for generating heat and a heat exchanger with a heat-absorbing side at which the heat exchanger is heatable by the heating device and a heat emission side for heating of foodstuff in the food processor. The heat exchanger includes an opening for a stirrer and a first functional layer at the heat emission side. The heat exchanger includes at least partially a metallic heat conducting layer, which is arranged with the first functional layer such that the heat generated by the heating device is transferable extensively from the heat conducting layer to the first functional layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Vorwerk & Co. Interholding GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Kraut-Reinkober, Sebastian Tietz, Jan-Martin Loth
  • Patent number: 10876352
    Abstract: A fire rated door includes a core, a first decorative panel and a second decorative panel. The core includes: (a) a gypsum-based fire resistant center panel having a bottom, a top, a first side, a second side, a first end and a second end, wherein the gypsum-based fire resistant center panel is made of a first gypsum-based fire resistant material, and (b) an extruded gypsum-based fire resistant border attached to the first side, the second side, the first end and the second end of the gypsum-based fire resistant center panel, wherein the extruded gypsum-based fire resistant border is made of a second gypsum-based fire resistant material having a higher density than the first gypsum-based fire resistant material. The first decorative panel is attached to the top of the gypsum-based fire resistant center panel and the extruded gypsum-based fire resistant border.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: The Intellectual Gorilla GmbH
    Inventors: Evan R. Daniels, Jonathan Newton
  • Patent number: 10875081
    Abstract: A method of reducing the cycle time required for flow-drill screw operations by providing a dimple on a part that is engaged by a flow-drill screw. A tip of the flow-drill screw engages a contact band at a location spaced from the tip of the distal end of the flow-drill screw and base portion of the dimple. Friction between the flow-drill screw tip and dimple creates a heat concentration area and results in displaced material fanning a threaded collar. The flow-drill screw is secured by the threads of the threaded collar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Norton, Amanda Kay Freis, Anthony J. Grima, Garret Sankey Huff
  • Patent number: 10875592
    Abstract: An automobile manufacturing plant for manufacturing automobiles has a series of manufacturing sites including a part forming shop, a body shop, a paint shop and an assembly shop. Each manufacturing site is associated with a respective inspection site. The respective inspection sites provide inspection data representing at least one of dimensional characteristics, shape characteristics or surface characteristics of the car body parts, the car body, the painted car body and the car-on-wheels produced in the series of manufacturing sites. The inspection data from the plurality of inspection sites is correlated in a common data base server. Inspection sites at a later stage of the manufacturing process can use inspection data from previous stages and automatically decide whether or not a car body part, the car body, the painted car body or the car-on-wheels has to be reworked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignees: Carl Zeiss Industrielle Messtechnik GmbH, Carl Zeiss Industrial Metrology, LLC
    Inventors: Gleiton Luiz Damoulis, Marcin B. Bauza
  • Patent number: 10875159
    Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter is directed a hand-held wrench device that is advantageously sized and shaped to be used in confined locations (e.g., in the space immediately below a sink or behind a toilet). Particularly, the disclosed wrench device comprises a base portion and a body portion positioned aligned therewith. The body portion includes at least one cavity sized and/or shaped to accommodate at least a portion of the wing extension of a wing nut. In use, once the disclosed device is coupled to a nut, the nut can be tightened or loosened simply by rotating the device by hand about its own axis in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Inventor: David N. Banko
  • Patent number: 10875063
    Abstract: Process for rolling aluminum foils includes: providing first and second laminates each having two aluminum foils overlapped one to another between which a lubricant is interposed; lubricating one face of one laminate between the first and second laminate; coupling the first laminate with the second laminate obtaining a double laminate. The lubricated face is a contact face between the first and second laminate; or it is a non-contact face between the first and second laminate, in this case being provided the intermediate steps of winding the double laminate obtaining a wound double laminate having n coils; partially separating the wound double laminate by unwinding, by one coil, both the aluminum foils of one of the first and second laminate, obtaining an at least partially wound double laminate having an end portion constituted by a respective portion of both the aluminum foils of only one of the first and second laminate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: GUASTA, FABRIZIO
    Inventor: Fabrizio Guasta
  • Patent number: 10865036
    Abstract: A drawn and wall ironed beverage can body, method for forming same, and a sealed and filled can, include a through-hole or aperture in the base. A grommet for charging a propellant in can is located in the aperture. The aperture has a burr that is located on the inboard side of the rim of the aperture. A method of forming a valve in the drawn and ironed beverage can body includes positioning a first tool in an interior of the can body, contacting an exterior surface of the base with a second tool such that the first and second tools are aligned, forming the aperture in the base, and inserting the grommet into the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Crown Packaging Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Mark Orlando Golding
  • Patent number: 10857635
    Abstract: A rotary-drive sub-assembly includes a tool and a tool retainer. The tool includes a first body and a second body. The first body includes a tool-change-engagement portion and a first threaded portion that is fixed relative to the tool-change-engagement portion. The second body includes a fastener-engagement portion. The second body is translatable relative to the first body, co-axially with the first body, and is co-axially rotationally fixed relative to the first body. The tool further includes a keeper, fixed within the first body, and a resilient member, captured between the second body and the keeper. The tool also includes a tool retainer, including a second threaded portion, configured to be threadably fastened with the first threaded portion of the first body, and a key, fixed relative to the second threaded portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Dennis R. Mathis, Jason Kerestes, Rachel M. Chow