Patents Examined by Kevin L Lee
  • Coupler blow gun
    Patent number: 10557582
    Abstract: A coupler blowgun having a compact shape which can be used as a quick-release connector with pneumatic tools and also as a blow gun. The spray orifice does not protrude from the wall of the blow gun portion and is actuated by a mechanism such as a button or lever that is located on the opposite side from the spray orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: Coilhose Pneumatics, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Khaitov
  • Test cylinder of valve assembly and connection structure for the same
    Patent number: 10557771
    Abstract: A test cylinder of a valve assembly is mounted a body of the valve assembly, the body includes a holder containing an accommodation chamber, a bottom fence formed, and a cold-water inlet and a hot-water inlet which respectively communicate with a cold-water inflow pipe and a hot-water inflow pipe of the body. The accommodation chamber has a first mixing-water outlet and a second mixing-water outlet which individually communicate with a first outflow pipe and a second outflow pipe. The test cylinder includes a peripheral fence, a first orifice, an edge fence, and a first cavity defined. The peripheral fence has at least one second orifice, a second cavity, and an internal surround portion of the accommodation chamber. The edge fence has a closing portion extending from an outer wall thereof and has a conduit defined in the edge fence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: Globe Union Industrial Corp.
    Inventors: Tachun Chang, Yueping Xiao, Kaizhong He
  • System separator
    Patent number: 10544570
    Abstract: A pressure reducer for a system separator includes a seal element accommodated in a groove, which is subject on a first side to a pressure prevailing at an inlet-side connection stub of the system separator and on a second side to a pressure prevailing in an inlet chamber of the system separator. At least one recess is introduced into a wall delimiting the groove on the first side, into which recess the seal element partially enters, canceling out its sealing effect, when the pressure prevailing at the inlet-side connection stub falls below the pressure prevailing in the inlet chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Honeywell Technologies SARL
    Inventor: Pierre Friedrich
  • Brine generation system
    Patent number: 10544340
    Abstract: A brine generation system includes a tank unit having a tank body and a divider which separates the tank into an upper portion for holding salt crystals and a lower portion for holding brine. The divider is adapted to resist the movement of salt crystals greater than a predetermined size and to permit the brine solution to pass from the upper portion through the divider to the lower portion by the effect of gravity. The divider includes a sump channel having an opening in communication with the upper portion of the tank unit. The sump channel is adapted to collect non-soluble particles greater than a predetermined size and permit the brine solution in the sump channel to pass therethrough to the lower portion of the tank unit. The sump channel is in communication with a sediment discharge port defined in the tank body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: HENDERSON PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Gary Nesheim, Clay Hildreth, Grant Nesheim, Peter Nelles
  • Solenoid valve and manifold-type solenoid valve assembly
    Patent number: 10544875
    Abstract: First and second insertion holes and first and second recessed grooves are formed such that, on a plane that is perpendicular to a first side surface and a second side surface and that includes an axis of a spool-sliding hole, the shortest distance from the axis of the spool-sliding hole to a hole wall surface of the first insertion hole, the shortest distance from the axis of the spool-sliding hole to a hole wall surface of the second insertion hole, the distance from the axis of the spool-sliding hole to a bottom wall surface of the first recessed groove, and the distance from the axis of the spool-sliding hole to a bottom wall surface of the second recessed groove are equal to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: SMC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinji Miyazoe, Shinichi Yoshimura, Takashi Murakami
  • Anti-fracture expansion device
    Patent number: 10538425
    Abstract: Methods are devices are provided for preventing fracture of a fluid-filled chamber or tank. In general an anti-fracture expansion device can be disposed internally within a fluid-filled chamber such that during a freeze event displaced fluid can compress or flow into the anti-fracture expansion device, thereby reducing the likelihood that the chamber will rupture. The internal disposition of the expansion device prevents it from interfering with other components that may be connected to or adjacent to the fluid chamber, thereby conserving space. In certain embodiments, the expansion device can have a dual function wherein it can act as a flow control valve in addition to functioning as an anti-fracture expansion device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Wayne Fueling Systems LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Reiter, Artemus A. Shelton
  • Double seat valve for aseptic lines for product
    Patent number: 10539239
    Abstract: A double seat valve for aseptic lines for product is described, the valve comprising a valve housing, two line ports arranged on the valve housing for connecting the aseptic lines for product to the valve housing, two valve seats that are formed between the line ports on the valve housing and confine a safety chamber formed therebetween for leaks against the line ports, a first closure element which is actuatable by way of a first valve stem and acts against one of the two valve seats, and with a second closure element which is actuatable by way of a second valve stem and acts against the other of the two valve seats. T first valve stem at least in part surrounds the second valve stem, so that both are movable independently along a valve axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Evoguard GmbH
    Inventor: Johann Justl
  • Fluid governing system
    Patent number: 10533307
    Abstract: A fluid governing system including a fluid inlet and fluid inlet port coupleable to an upstream pipe segment; a fluid outlet and a fluid outlet port coupleable to a downstream pipe segment; a flow unit; a metering inlet path in flow communication with the fluid inlet; a metering outlet path in flow communication with the fluid outlet, the metering inlet path is in flow communication with the metering outlet path through the flow unit which is articulable between the metering inlet path and the metering outlet path; a pressure responsive sealing diaphragm for selective sealing a metering inlet port; an inlet chamber disposed at a face of the sealing diaphragm, the inlet chamber in flow communication with the fluid inlet; a control chamber disposed at an opposite face of the sealing diaphragm; and a control fluid duct extending between the inlet chamber and the control chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: WINT - WI LTD.
    Inventors: Alon Haim Gal, Lior Hertz, Shay Ravid
  • High-pressure vessel unit
    Patent number: 10525824
    Abstract: A high-pressure vessel unit includes: plural cylindrical vessels arrayed inside a case, with end portions of the vessels on one side in the axial direction thereof being equipped with openings; a coupling member connected to the openings of the vessels to couple the plural vessels and includes a flow passage that communicates the insides of the vessels; a lead-out pipe that is leads out to the outside of the case from the coupling member through a through hole formed in the case; securing members that secure the coupling member to the case; and a retention mechanism that retains portions of the vessels on the axial direction other side of the end portions on the one side in the axial direction such that those portions of the vessels on the axial direction other side are movable in the axial direction relative to the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Chiaki Kataoka, Shinsuke Kinoshita, Osamu Sawai
  • Valve body and method of transforming a valve body into a functioning valve
    Patent number: 10512950
    Abstract: A valve body with conduits on opposing sides having attachable pressure cover-plates and valve servicing assemblies that can be selectively installed onto the valve body while it is fully pressurized. The valve body includes simple isolators that allow access openings to be blocked and exposed that allow various style operating mechanisms and tools without the need for intermediate isolating mechanisms. Attachable subcomponents can provide pressurized fluid that is injected into the valve body from an external power source to move sand and debris away from seating surfaces while advancing and retracting various style gates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Inventor: Jeffrey L. Maichel
  • Shutoff system for water valve
    Patent number: 10508422
    Abstract: An automatic valve actuator unit and method for use with an associated manual shutoff valve configured to permit or restrict the flow of fluid through an associated supply pipe. The unit comprises a housing, an attachment mechanism for securing the housing to at least one of the associated supply pipe or manual shutoff valve, and an actuator at least partially supported in the housing and having an output shaft extending from the housing. The output shaft includes a locating member supported at a distal end thereof for non-rotatingly engaging a surface of a valve handle of the associated manual shutoff valve adjacent a point of attachment of the handle to the associated manual shutoff valve, the locating member configured to center the output shaft over an axis of rotation of the handle of the associated manual shutoff valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Waxman Consumer Products Group Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Sharratt, Tianzhe Wang, Martin Marsic
  • Self-closing bag connector
    Patent number: 10507318
    Abstract: A bag connector system includes a first coupling element, with a self-closing seal and a housing having a fluid inlet port and a fluid outlet port, and a second coupling element, with a housing having a fluid inlet end and a fluid outlet end. The fluid inlet end is configured to displace the self-closing seal when inserted into the fluid outlet port of the first coupling element. A bag connector system optionally includes a locking mechanism to maintain the first coupling element and second coupling element in a coupled state. Uncoupling of the first and second coupling elements results in minimal fluid contamination on the outer surfaces of the coupling elements. The bag connector systems provided herein are included in medical appliances for waste management.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: ConvaTec Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Yun Jin, Bret Alexander Weig, John Cline, Mingliang Lawrence Tsai
  • Delivering tap made of plastic material for connecting systems equipped with automatic closure
    Patent number: 10508015
    Abstract: A tap (1) for delivering liquids from a container is described, comprising a supporting body (4) with fitting means (4.8) with the container, and connecting means (4.7) connected to connecting means present on a connector (7); a central pin (3) connected to a central geometry (4.10) of the supporting body (4) and comprising at an end thereof a fastening geometry (3.1) and at an opposite end an abutment geometry (3.3) for opening the connector (7) when it is connected to the tap (1); a membrane-type elastic sealing valve (6) for the automatic closure of the tap (1) and its operating sealing with the main body (4); a control member (5) to open and close the tap (1) transmitting a force to the valve (6) connected to the control member (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Vitop Moulding S.R.L.
    Inventor: Diego Nini
  • Coupling device and a faucet assembly having the same
    Patent number: 10501914
    Abstract: A coupling device includes a metal fixing plate adjacent to a faucet body, a plastic connecting plate having a surrounding portion that is connected to the fixing plate, an extending portion that extends from the surrounding portion through the fixing plate, and an engaging portion that is formed with a plurality of engaging grooves adapted to be engaged with engaging portions of a switch base, and a metal reinforcing plate connected to the engaging portion and formed with a plurality of guiding holes being respectively in spatial communication with the engaging grooves. Each guiding holes is adapted for withdrawal of a respective engaging portion of the switch base therethrough from a respective one of the engaging grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Inventor: Ming-Shuan Lin
  • Pipe tapping saddle
    Patent number: 10502355
    Abstract: A pipe tapping saddle for a main pipe having a center axis and conveying a medium. The pipe tapping saddle includes a saddle piece; a branch pipe having a center axis, a drill socket having a center axis, and a drill with a thread being arranged displaceably in the drill socket for tapping the main pipe. The pipe tapping saddle is arranged on the main pipe. A center axis of the branch pipe runs horizontally and is arranged below an upper crown point of the main pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: GEORG FISCHER WAVIN AG
    Inventors: Jonas Weber, Jonas Huessy, Edwin Habluetzel
  • Ball valve with components integrated into the ball member
    Patent number: 10502333
    Abstract: Embodiments provide a ball valve with components integrated into a ball member of the ball valve. The ball member includes an integrated regulating element, which may be a check valve, a pressure or flow regulating valve, or a filter. The components integrated into the ball member are positioned entirely within ends of the ball member such that the ball member can rotate to assume open and closed positions of the ball valve. The components integrated into the ball member can be configured to be removable from the ball member, for example by hand and without the use of tools, or can be configured to prohibit removal once coupled to the ball member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: RED-WHITE VALVE CORP.
    Inventor: Giovanni Rizzio
  • Ball valve with visual stem-cap engagement
    Patent number: 10502339
    Abstract: A cap for a valve includes a mounting end defining a lower cavity and a stem engagement cavity therein; and an actuating end distal from the mounting end and comprising a rotation tab, the rotation tab defining a surface defining a window exposing the stem engagement cavity. A method of manufacturing a valve includes inserting a stem of the valve into a valve body of the valve through an end of the valve body; placing a cap of the valve over an end of the stem, the end of the stem engaging a mounting hole of the cap; and checking the vertical position of the stem relative to the cap through a window defined in a surface of the cap that exposes the stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Mueller International, LLC
    Inventors: Theodore Chad Harbour, Stephen L. Crawford
  • On-demand popcorn dispenser
    Patent number: 10499672
    Abstract: Embodiments of the system can relate to a popcorn dispenser system that may be configured for tracking popcorn and/or other items associated with the dispensement of popcorn. Some embodiments can include the use of markers to generate tracking information. Some embodiments can include use of modifiable markers to generate additional tracking information. The popcorn dispenser system can include devices that facilitate producing popped corn on-demand, which may include providing popped corn from un-popped kernels in specified amounts, at specified times, and/or with specified flavors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: ValidFill LLC
    Inventors: Jeremy Wade, Peter Dorney
  • Connector for transferring fluid and method of use
    Patent number: 10478607
    Abstract: A connector for transferring fluid and method therefor. The connector may have a first port and a second port which may be coupled together at a main channel with a valve element therein controlling fluid flow through the first port. The first port joins the main channel to provide a fluid path around the valve element and through the second port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: CareFusion 303, Inc.
    Inventors: Tim L. Truitt, Alex Truman Mazza, Cliff Colwell, Jonathan Yeh, Christopher J. Zollinger, Matthew Quach, George Michel Mansour
  • Pressure relief valve
    Patent number: 10465811
    Abstract: A pressure relief valve for a fluid power assist steering system. The valve includes a housing and a spool disposed in the housing. The spool defines a cavity and has a first end and a second end. The spool is movable in the housing to limit an output pressure of the pump. A poppet seat is secured to the second end of the spool. A poppet is disposed in the cavity. A poppet spring biases the poppet into engagement with the poppet seat. A set screw is received in the first end of the spool. The set screw is rotatable relative to the spool to adjust a compression level of the poppet spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: TRW AUTOMOTIVE U.S. LLC
    Inventor: Benjamin W. Schoon