Patents Examined by Joseph W. Drodge
  • Patent number: 11457616
    Abstract: A water purification system for an ornamental aquarium is easily assembled as either a canister or a hang-on-back type model with a water tank or aquarium without compromising with an aesthetic appearance and low noise. The filtration element includes filtration blocks connectible in series for function and can be disassembled into a plurality of blocks that are reassembled to form the canister model and the hang-on-back model with a secure positioning feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: QUABIT, INC.
    Inventor: Kiyofumi Saito
  • Patent number: 11457609
    Abstract: Illustrative configurations of a pet hydration system and methods are disclosed. The pet hydration system includes a bowl section configured to temporarily store water therein. In one configuration, a hydrogen-generation assembly is positioned in the bowl section. The hydrogen-generation assembly generates and introduces hydrogen into the water temporarily stored in the bowl section. In other configurations, methods related to pet hydration are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: GREEN LIFE LLC
    Inventor: Richard A. Mayer
  • Patent number: 11458427
    Abstract: Fine fiber products including fiber webs, as well as related assemblies, systems and methods, are described. In some embodiments, fiber webs described herein may include fine fibers and relatively low amounts of degraded polymer formed during a fiber extrusion process. The fiber webs may be used for filter media applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Hollingsworth & Vose Company
    Inventors: Stephen T. Cox, William S. Freeman, Abdoulaye Doucouré, John A. Wertz
  • Patent number: 11452948
    Abstract: An experiment system and method for accurate controlling of macromolecular crystallization process. The system has a platform-equipped horizontal moving slot and channel dedicated backwash module, a droplet adding control module, an observing module, a user observation computer system, and an experimental condition control module. A high-precision movement knob of the x-axis platform and the y-axis platform of the system and the accurate position control of a syringe needle are used to ensure that the macromolecular solution can be added into the correct positions of convex or concave. The crystallization induction period of the target crystal form is determined by the real-time data of the high-speed microcamera, and the crystal cultivation environment is adjusted in real time. This is simple and easy to operate, high in productivity, can be applied to the conventional experimental replication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: DALIAN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Xiaobin Jiang, Mingguang Han, Gaohong He, Jin Li, Xiangcun Li, Wu Xiao, Xuemei Wu
  • Patent number: 11453608
    Abstract: Sludge, for example primary sludge or waste activated sludge or both from a wastewater treatment plant, is pre-treated prior to anaerobic digestion. The pre-treatment includes an optional mechanical treatment to reduce the viscosity of the sludge and a biological hydrolysis treatment. The biological hydrolysis treatment may be performed in a series of reactors some of which are maintained at a temperature in the range of 50 to 70° C. The reactors provide a combined residence time in the range of 0.5 to 6 days. Optionally, measurements of the pH of the sludge during or after biological hydrolysis, or the production of biogas from a downstream anaerobic digester, may be considered in adjusting the temperature of one or more of the biological hydrolysis reactors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: BL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Michael David Theodoulou, Dorian Harrison, Marion Debacker
  • Patent number: 11452954
    Abstract: A method for determining an airflow volume through an air filter is presented. A negative pressure is created within a system housing of an air handling system. Particulate matter is filtered on a filter media of an air filter. A displaceable baffle is progressively moved baffle in proportion to an accumulation of particulate matter on the filter media, wherein the displaceable baffle is movably mounted within a bypass conduit of an airflow sensor device. An output voltage is identified from a magnetic field sensor, wherein the output voltage is proportional to a magnetic flux density of a magnetic field from an actuation magnet mounted on the displaceable baffle. A position of the displaceable baffle is determined based on the output voltage generated by the magnetic field sensor. An accumulation of particulate matter on the filter media is determined based on the position of the displaceable baffle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Inventor: Kent Lyon
  • Patent number: 11453921
    Abstract: A method of processing raw sugar cane juice, comprising: reducing the pH of the sugar cane juice to a pH at which microbiological activity is substantially eliminated; separating chlorophyll from the sugar cane juice; separating particles having a diameter greater than 0.5 microns from the sugar cane juice; denaturing polyphenol oxidase (PPO) in the sugar cane juice by pasteurisation; separating the denatured polyphenol oxidase from the sugar cane juice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: BIOMASS TECHNOLOGIES PTY LTD
    Inventors: Rodney A. Brown, Maxwell A. Scott, Mark Diamond
  • Patent number: 11448641
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and devices for the separation of blood components including separation by rapid sedimentation, including in an automated fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Canon Virginia, Inc.
    Inventors: Nabil Mikhaiel, Lindsay Sanford, Kelly Coughenour, Jeremy Schreiber
  • Patent number: 11439739
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a cytopheretic cartridge for use in treating and/or preventing inflammatory conditions that affect myocardial function and to related methods. The cartridge can be used in treating a subject with myocardial dysfunction, such as a subject with chronic heart failure and/or acute decompensated heart failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: SeaStar Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: H. David Humes, Deborah A. Buffington
  • Patent number: 11441297
    Abstract: A wastewater reuse system has a wastewater treatment system connected to a dwelling for receiving wastewater therefrom. The wastewater treatment system has a pump tank with an outlet that can be connected to a central wastewater collection system and/or a re-use recipient of treated wastewater such as an irrigation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Inventor: Jerry L. McKinney
  • Patent number: 11439925
    Abstract: An apparatus for extraction and recovery of components from biomass feedstocks with pressurized low polarity water. The apparatus is configured with four or more reaction columns, wherein each column is in separate communication with a supply of hot water, a first supply of pressurized heated water, a second supply of pressurized heated water, and a supply of pressurized cooling water. Components may be extracted concurrently from two or more batches of the biomass by, first placing the two batches of biomass into two selected columns, separately flooding the two columns with pressurized water, heating the columns and their contents to the point where the water becomes pressurized low polarity (PLP) water, recovering the PLP water comprising the extracted components from the two selected columns, cooling the columns with PLP water, and removing the spent biomass material from the columns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: SENSIENT NATURAL EXTRACTION INC.
    Inventors: Keegan Blank, Steve Tordiffe, Lisa Ranken
  • Patent number: 11440813
    Abstract: A faucet-mounted filter system includes a body forming a fluid chamber having a water inlet, a quick connect device positioned adjacent the water inlet for mounting the filter system to a water faucet, a filtered water flow path disposed within the body and in fluid communication with the water inlet, an unfiltered water flow path disposed within the body and in fluid communication with the water inlet, a diverter valve disposed within the fluid chamber and operable to open and close the filtered and unfiltered water flow paths, a seal, an actuator engaging the diverter valve to open and close the filtered and unfiltered water flow paths, a flow meter connected to the body and in fluid communication with the filter flow path, a filter housing connected to the body and having a reservoir, and a filter cartridge disposed within the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Helen of Troy Limited
    Inventors: John Tanner, David Emmons, Matthew Lloyd Newman, Brian David Andres, Simon Leung, Steven James Schroeck, Armin Schwarz-Hartmann, Peter Stoeffel, Richard Paul Riedel
  • Patent number: 11433326
    Abstract: A fluid filtration assembly includes a filter housing having first and second ends and a connector for fluid communication with a fluid storage vessel. A filter element is disposable within the filter housing, and first and second pumps are coupled at the first and second ends of the filter housing. A controller may coordinate the operation of the first and second pumps to induce alternating tangential flow of fluid between the filter housing and the first and second pumps. At least one of the first and second pumps is a diaphragm pump or a plunger pump. The fluid storage vessel can be a bioreactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: REPLIGEN CORPORATION
    Inventor: Rudolf Pavlik
  • Patent number: 11434464
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a filtration system for a cell culture apparatus and a method of cell culture. The filtration system comprises a bioreactor vessel and two or more alternating tangential flow (ATF) filters connected in parallel. A failure in either filter is detected by an in-line sensor, and an automated response system functions to sequester the malfunctioning filter by stopping the flow of liquid media through the filter. Media flow through the remaining operable filters can be increased so that the rate of perfusion through the bioreactor remains relatively unchanged. Such a system may prevent issues that arise from ATF filter failures in conventional perfusion bioreactors, thereby improving the long-term viability of cell cultures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Genzyme Corporation
    Inventors: Jiuyi Lu, Jason Walther, Jonathan Wang, Kevin Victor Chen
  • Patent number: 11426697
    Abstract: A fluid filtration assembly includes a filter housing having a first end for fluid connection with a fluid storage vessel. A filter cartridge is disposable within the filter housing, and a plunger pump is coupled at a second end of the filter housing. The plunger pump includes a housing having a rigid portion and a flexible portion. The flexible portion has a plunger-engaging portion for coupling to the plunger of an actuator. The flexible portion selectively movable with respect to the rigid portion via the actuator. The filter cartridge can be a hollow fiber filter. The plunger pump can be configured to induce alternating tangential flow in at least a portion of the assembly. The fluid filtration assembly can be provided as a disposable single-use arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: REPLIGEN CORPORATION
    Inventor: Rudolf Pavlik
  • Patent number: 11427484
    Abstract: A salt water chlorinator assembly along a closed loop water circuit incorporates a chlorinator cell subassembly and a flow switch subassembly into respective fluidly connected chlorinator assembly housing interior portions. The chlorinator cell subassembly includes an electrolysis cell controlled by a chlorinator printed circuit board. The flow switch subassembly includes a flow sensor mounted upon a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA). A flow switch cable selectively attaches to a PCBA connector. Water flow rate data generated by the flow switch sensor, communicated via an external controller to a smart circulation pump, is used to enable automatic adjustment of the pump speed based upon the flow rate data. The external controller may further alert an end user of undesirable flow rate deviations due to a condition (e.g. a clogged pump/skimmer basket and/or dirty filter) along the closed loop circuit requiring attention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: AQUACAL AUTOPILOT, INC.
    Inventors: Rakesh Reddy, Kevin Doyle, William Kent
  • Patent number: 11420885
    Abstract: The invention relates to a easily adaptable or DIY installation water cleaning device on any existing spa or pool, said cleaning device including an electrolysis module equipped with a particular boron-doped diamond electrode on silicon substrate. The inventions also relates to a method to clean water on spa or pools using a water cleaning device comprising said particular boron-doped diamond electrode present on the elecrolysis module. The invention also relates to electrolyzed bathing water for use in the treatment of inflammatory diseases of the skin and for use for use in the treatment of wound healing of the skin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Waterdiam Group LLC
    Inventors: Laurent Pupunat, Anthony Ginter
  • Patent number: 11420140
    Abstract: The disclosure provides an integrated separation unit for microplastics in the coastal sediments and a collection method of microplastics, belonging to the technical field of water treatment. The unit includes: a holder, a separation cylinder, a collection bottle, a central baffle plate, a baffle plate control knob, a stirring propeller, a motor, a cylinder switch, a filtration screen, a welding nozzle, a filter membrane and a vacuum pump. Using this unit for microplastic collection has the advantages of easy operation, economical and environment-friendly, high separation efficiency, and high durability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Inventors: Yin Lu, Wenyong Weng, Mingli Ye, Qing Ma, Xiaolu Xu, Deyong Zhang
  • Patent number: 11413582
    Abstract: A filtration device includes a continuous first unit including a first membrane that separates a liquid into first permeated and non-permeated liquids, a first adjuster that adjusts a flow rate of the first permeated liquid to be substantially constant, and a first liquid scale that detects a liquid amount, a second unit including a second membrane that separates another liquid into second permeated and non-permeated liquids, a second adjuster that adjusts a flow rate of the second permeated liquid to be substantially constant, and a second liquid scale that detects another liquid amount, a first controller that controls the liquid amount in the first storage tank based on measurement values from continuous two first units or from the continuous first and second units, and a second controller that controls the another liquid amount based on a measurement value from the second unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Toray Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuka Asahi, Atsushi Minamino, Hiroyuki Kurihara, Katsushige Yamada
  • Patent number: 11406914
    Abstract: Systems and methods for extracting a compound of interest from plant material, such as acannabidiol (CBD) from cannabis, are provided. Particularly, the disclosed systems and methods utilize a crude oil to separate water, fats, and proteins prior to preparation of a CBD distillate. The systems and methods are operable with conventional solvents containing between about 5 wt % and about 8 wt % water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Pacific Import Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Minyu Shi