Patents Examined by Kevin P. Shaver
  • Patent number: 9321558
    Abstract: An insert assembly (fitment) includes a container mounting element, a spout element carried by the mounting element, at least one support element and a grasp element suspended by the support element(s) below the mounting element. The grasp element provides a skeleton within a pouch-type flexible container, against which a user can grasp and squeeze the flexible container for mixing or drinking Optionally or alternatively, a mixing element is suspended by the support element(s). The mixing element impinge upon at least a portion of fluid within the container to create turbulence, thereby promoting mixing of powdered material disposed within the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Perimeter Brand Packaging, LLC
    Inventors: Steve Callahan, David Honan, Shane Yellin, Mark A. Nichols
  • Patent number: 9315314
    Abstract: An aerosol actuator having a button actuator on a top surface thereof and a lever actuator extending away from the button actuator may be assembled with an aerosol container and valve to provide ergonomic application of a product utilizing the aerosol actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: WestRock Dispensing Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven A. Sell
  • Patent number: 9315371
    Abstract: A water dispenser includes a baffle which interferes with the downward flow of water introduced into a cold water tank through a water supply line. The baffle has a water transfer passage formed by a downwardly recessed surface portion formed on the top surface of the baffle and having a distal edge, and an edge portion having a predetermined thickness and located over the distal edge so as to overlap the distal edge. The water transfer passage is configured such that the recessed surface portion deflects the flow of water flowing down through the water transfer passage in a horizontal direction or a direction close to a horizontal direction. Water is thus discharged from the terminal end opening defined by the distal edge and the edge portion into the lower portion of the cold water tank in a direction close to a horizontal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA COSMO LIFE
    Inventor: Yoshinori Orita
  • Patent number: 9314137
    Abstract: A water amount controlling device includes a control unit for controlling an amount of water to be supplied, and a washing agent receptacle including a detection unit , wherein the detecting unit is adapted for detecting and identifying e.g. a type, a consistency or an amount of washing agent dispensed from a washing agent reservoir to be received in the washing agent receptacle, and wherein the control unit is adapted for controlling an amount of water based on the detected and identified property of the quantity of washing agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventor: Andreas Dannenberg
  • Patent number: 9310238
    Abstract: The present technology allows for substances contained within containers to be transferred to a measuring cup so as to allow for a clean, efficient, and accurate transfer of a substance from a container in to a measuring cup. The measuring cup can be reversibly attached to the lid such that when the container is inverted, the measuring cup can fill with the substance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Inventor: Joseph Kelly
  • Patent number: 9303420
    Abstract: A portable restroom system that includes: a utilities trunk; a waste water holding tank; and a plurality of restroom units. The utilities trunk and the waste water holding tank each extend through each one of the plurality of restroom units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Inventor: Peter van der Linde
  • Patent number: 9297683
    Abstract: A portion distribution device for portioning substances from a container in pre-defined increments is disclosed. The portion distribution device includes a portion divider having a portion opening, and a measurement chamber body rotatively coupled to the portion divider. The measurement chamber body includes a plurality of chambers equal in volume and a base joined to the plurality of chambers, with the base constructed to be selectively connected to the container. The portion distribution device also includes a lid rotatively coupled to the measurement chamber body, with the lid further including a top surface having at least one lid opening formed therethrough, at least one flap operative to close the at least one lid opening, and a rod extending downward from the top surface, through the measurement chamber body, and coupled to the portion divider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Inventor: Brett J. Blackburn
  • Patent number: 9290036
    Abstract: A roller ball pen for use with metallic inks, and a method for assembling the roller ball pen for use with metallic inks, is described herein. The pen body includes a housing that encloses a reservoir, a collet, a feed rod, and a tip. The feed rod transfers ink from the reservoir to a roller ball tip at a tapered end of the pen housing. In embodiments, the feed rod is embedded at a threshold distance inside the reservoir to provide an increased surface area for transfer of a metallic ink suspension. In further embodiments, a method of assembling the roller ball pen includes saturation of the reservoir with a metallic ink based on inserting a particular injection needle at a particular depth inside the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: CRAYOLA LLC
    Inventors: Linda J. Smith, Luis Rodrigo Pineiro
  • Patent number: 9290318
    Abstract: A hopper having a passage through which a medicine can be passed downward is provided. The hopper is configured to cause rippling vibration on an inner surface thereof by an external force applied to the hopper. According to this configuration, the rippling vibration applies a force to the medicine to separate the medicine away from the inner surface of the hopper. This prevents the medicine from easily adhering to the hopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Takazono Technology Incorporated
    Inventor: Kenji Kawata
  • Patent number: 9289920
    Abstract: A method for dispensing epoxy comprising the step of degassing an epoxy. The method further comprises the step of associating the epoxy with an epoxy injector comprising a dispensing end. The method further comprises the step of a computer receiving data representative of a selected container to receive the epoxy. The method further comprises the step of a computer determining a dispensing rate and a dispensing amount, based on the received data. The method further comprises the step of a computer causing the epoxy injector to dispense the determined dispensing amount of epoxy, via the dispensing end, at the determined dispensing rate. The method further comprises the step of a computer causing a dispensing arm, supporting the dispensing end, to retract the dispensing end while the epoxy injector is dispensing the epoxy. The method further comprises the step of curing the dispensed epoxy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: North American Interconnect LLC
    Inventors: Keith Van Duinen, Miguel Rodriguez, Alejandro Leon
  • Patent number: 9285065
    Abstract: An assembly and a method for reinforcing or repairing one or more segments of an existing pipeline, without taking the pipeline out of service and without the need for disassembling the existing pipeline segments that are to be repaired. The assembly incorporates a metallic reinforcement pipe, a front seal ring, a rear seal ring, a front seal ring retention assembly, a rear seal ring retention assembly, and a self-hardening medium receiver. The reinforcement pipe and the seal rings create an annular space between the respective ends of the reinforcement pipe and the external surface of the existing pipeline. The seal rings, seal ring retention assemblies, and the flexible reinforcement pipe, accommodate out-of-round and joint angular displacement conditions of the existing pipeline. A self-hardening medium is injected into the annular space and pressure is maintained on the medium until the medium has set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Inventor: B. Nash Williams
  • Patent number: 9279642
    Abstract: The portable multi-use self-defense device can include a trigger; a housing; two or more canisters, said canisters containing at least one of gas and liquids; and an engagement mechanism coupled to said trigger and to said canisters, said engagement mechanism being capable of actuating the discharge of the at least one of gas and liquids from the two or more canisters substantially simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Inventor: Larry D. Rowlett
  • Patent number: 9272834
    Abstract: A volumetric displacement preservation system for preserving a volume of flowable substance in a vessel. A fluid exchange structure has a stopper, a head portion, and a fluid exchange valve with a first condition where fluid inlet and exhaust pathways in the fluid exchange structure are simultaneously closed and a second condition where the fluid inlet and exhaust pathways are simultaneously opened by conduit joining portions in the fluid exchange valve. A chamber retains a volume of preservative gas and is connected to the fluid inlet pathway externally to the vessel. The preservative gas can be supplied from the chamber into the vessel through the fluid inlet pathway as liquid is exhausted through the fluid exhaust pathway. The chamber can be replenished from preservative gas displaced from the vessel in a reverse volumetric displacement process or from preservative gas supplied by a preservative gas production canister.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Inventor: Carlos Fernando Bazoberry
  • Patent number: 9273806
    Abstract: An elongate metallic or polymeric or composite tape is disclosed along with a method of manufacturing such tape. The tape is of a type suitable for forming at least one helically wound layer of interlocked windings in a flexible pipe body for transporting production fluids. The tape is configured for interlocking of adjacent windings in the layer of tape by nesting a hooked region of a winding in a valley region of an adjacent winding. The tape comprises first and second elongate tape elements arranged in contacting relation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: GE Oil & Gas UK Limited
    Inventor: Geoffrey Stephen Graham
  • Patent number: 9265281
    Abstract: A pet chew forming apparatus for dispensing a medicament comprising a plunger having an elongated piston operable with a piston cylinder of a housing. The piston is extendable from and retractable into the piston cylinder by sliding movement, and includes a receptacle having an opening. The plunger is positionable in a first loading position relative to the housing to expose the opening to the receptacle such that a medicament is insertable into the receptacle through the opening, and positionable in a second loading position relative to the housing to expose the opening to the receptacle such that an edible composition is insertable into the receptacle through the opening. The plunger is also positionable in an ejection position relative to the housing to eject a pet chew comprising the edible composition and medicament from the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: T.F.H. PUBLICATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Glen S. Axelrod, Nancy S. Rivadeneira
  • Patent number: 9267637
    Abstract: An assembly of two coaxial pipes of the PiP type, having at least two coaxial pipe unit elements each with an inner pipe and an outer pipe, defining an annular space, filled with an insulating material, and assembled end to end by welding, including a sleeve with a hollow tubular wall made of rigid or semirigid material, preferably of plastics material or composite material, surrounding the pipe in register with the welded junction zone between the two coaxial pipe unit elements, the hollow tubular wall of the sleeve having an outer casing and an inner casing connected together at their longitudinal ends in leaktight manner, thereby defining an internal volume that is completely filled with a quasi-incompressible thermally insulating material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Saipem S.A.
    Inventors: Francois-Regis Pionetti, Loic Delebecque
  • Patent number: 9265383
    Abstract: A soap dispenser can be configured to dispense an amount of liquid soap, for example, upon detecting the presence of an object. Certain embodiments of the dispenser include a housing, reservoir, pump, motor, sensor, electronic processor, and nozzle. In certain embodiments, the sensor can be configured to generate a signal based on a distance between an object and the sensor. In certain embodiments, the electronic processor can be configured to receive the signal from the sensor and to determine a dispensation volume of the liquid. The dispensation volume can vary as a function of the distance between the object and the sensor. The processor can be configured to control the motor to dispense approximately the dispensation volume of the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: simplehuman, LLC
    Inventors: Frank Yang, David Wolbert, Joseph Sandor, Orlando Cardenas
  • Patent number: 9260283
    Abstract: Multi-flavored beverage dispensing may be achieved by a variety of systems, processes, and techniques. In certain implementations, a system for dispensing a combination of externally supplied flavor concentrates and water may include a housing, a lid, a base, a valve, and a flow control assembly. The valve may include a dispensing nozzle, a handle, and a sensor activated by movement of the handle, the valve adapted to separately receive a flavor concentrate and water and mix the two fluids in the nozzle before dispensing. The flow control assembly may include a multiplicity of paired mechanically adjustable flow control elements and dispensing controllers. The flow control assembly may be controlled by a touch-sensitive control panel and a computer. The touch-sensitive control panel may be adapted to receive user flavor selections, and the computer may control the dispensing controllers responsive to user touches of the control panel and manipulation of the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Schroeder Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Minica, Deborah Absalon, A. A. Jud Schroeder, David Santy
  • Patent number: 9254501
    Abstract: A paint supply method supplies a paint into a paint cartridge by using a filling valve that has: a paint supply channel that is linkable in communication with a supply portion provided for supplying the paint into the paint cartridge; a branch channel that branches from the paint supply channel near a site of linkage in communication between the supply portion and the paint supply channel; and a trigger valve as an open-close valve of the paint supply channel which is disposed in the paint supply channel upstream of the site of linkage in communication. After a filling liquid is filled into the branch channel, the trigger valve (open-close valve) is opened, and the paint is supplied into the paint cartridge via the paint supply channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, TRINITY INDUSTRIAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Atsuo Nabeshima, Shinji Tani, Takanobu Mori, Isamu Yamasaki, Shinichi Nakane, Koji Fukuzawa, Tomohiro Hasuike
  • Patent number: 9250571
    Abstract: An approach is provided for filling a toner container useful in printing. The approach involves causing, at least in part, a toner container to be coupled to a base member, the base member being configured to contact a lift mechanism. The approach further involves causing, at least in part, the toner container to be moved to a filling position by the lift mechanism. The approach also involves causing, at least in part, a predetermined amount of a toner to be input into the toner container by a filling process when the toner container is in the filling position. The approach additionally involves causing, at least in part, at least the toner inside the toner container to be agitated by way of the base member during the filling process, at least until the toner container is filled with the predetermined amount of toner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Acquaviva, Paul M. Wegman, Joseph Barbisan, Fumii Higuchi