Patents Examined by Marc C Howell
  • Patent number: 10798948
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for processing a foodstuff comprises a closed conveyor path, a conveyor device, and a treatment chamber. The conveyor path includes an inlet and an outlet. The conveyor device is positioned within the closed conveyor path and configured to receive the foodstuff from the inlet. The conveyor device is further configured to convey the foodstuff along the closed conveyor path toward the outlet. The treatment chamber is positioned within the closed conveyor path downstream of the conveyor device for receiving the foodstuff from the conveyor device. The treatment chamber includes a rotatably driven first kneading shaft configured to collide the foodstuff within the treatment chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: VEMAG MASCHINENBAU GMBH
    Inventors: Andreas Bruns, Mirko Drescher, Kersten Nilsson, Tobias Kiel
  • Patent number: 10786810
    Abstract: Provided is a multichannel pipette whose number of channels can be arbitrarily set and managed to improve usability of the multichannel pipette and improve productivity, quality control, and maintainability in a research site. A multichannel pipette includes a pipette main body, a lower part attached to a lower end portion of the pipette main body, and a plurality of chip holder units housed inside the lower part, wherein each of the chip holder units has a connecting portion attachable to and removable from any of a plurality of to-be-connected portions provided in a unit case inside the lower part, and each of the chip holder units is attachable to and removable from the lower part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: A&D COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventors: Naoto Izumo, Hisanori Oda
  • Patent number: 10786790
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a static mixer for mixing together at least two components. The static mixer comprises a mixer housing; a mixing element having an upstream end with at least two entry openings and a downstream end, the mixing element being arranged at least partly within the mixer housing; a mixing head having at least two inlets provided at an input side and at least two outlets provided at an output surface, wherein each of the at least two inlets is in fluid communication with one of the at least two outlets; and a separating wall disposed between the output surface and the upstream end of the mixing element for separating the components leaving the outlets. The separating wall comprises a free downstream edge which is disposed with respect to at least one of the entry openings so as to allow at least partial flows of the components separated by the separating wall to combine after exceeding the downstream edge and to jointly enter said at least one of the entry openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: SULZER MIXPAC AG
    Inventors: Andreas Hiemer, Joachim Schöck, Percy Leue
  • Patent number: 10783678
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus, system, and method for the bulk blending of dry component materials to produce a blended product mix. The apparatus utilizes a special construction that allows multiple bulk dry materials to be added simultaneously to create a blended mix compliant with a desired or specified mixture of cement components. The system is automated by use of a controller, and provides real-time data to a user as to rates and amounts of materials blended and delivered over time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: BJ Services, LLC
    Inventors: Lucas Albrighton, T J McClure, Aaron James
  • Patent number: 10774301
    Abstract: A syringe device for separating liquids of different densities is provided with a hollow syringe barrel, a perforated plunger seal with a seal hole, and a hollow plunging tube with a closed bottom with at least one tube hole. The perforated plunger seal has an outer perimeter that resides flush against an interior surface of the hollow syringe barrel. The tube hole is in operational relationship with the seal hole. Optionally, a relief hole is provided on a top portion of the hollow plunging tube to allow a user to create vacuum pressure as necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Board of Trustees of Southern Illinois University
    Inventors: Ashim Gupta, Michael W. Neumeister, Sohyung Cho
  • Patent number: 10766011
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a blending system including a blending mechanism, wherein said blending mechanism comprises a mixing chamber including at least a submersible motor, at least a high shear mixer, at least an impeller and at least a multistage retention time cup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Inventor: Adalberto Mercado Alvarado
  • Patent number: 10751678
    Abstract: A system for continuously processing materials. The system includes a continuous process vessel (CPV) and an acoustic agitator coupled to the CPV and configured to agitate the CPV along an oscillation axis. The CPV includes at least one inlet configured for introducing first and second process ingredients into an upper portion, with respect to the oscillation axis, of the CPV. The CPV includes an outlet for discharging the product of mixing the ingredients from a lower portion, with respect to the oscillation axis, of the CPV. The CPV includes a plurality of mixing regions, each defined by an upper angled surface and a lower angled surface. The surfaces of each mixing region are angled such that the distance between the surfaces is greater towards the upper portion of the continuous process vessel than the distance between the surfaces towards the lower portion of the continuous process vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Rosodyn Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence C. Farrar, Grayson Sperry, Peter A. Lucon, Robb L. LaTray, Christopher Michael Miller
  • Patent number: 10737837
    Abstract: A method and a device used to store a product inside a receptacle. The product includes a first liquid component and at least a second component. Inside the receptacle, the product is circulated by a conveying apparatus which is positioned in the region of a tubular guide element arranged inside a receptacle. At least one component of the product fed to the receptacle flows first into an internal space of the guide element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: SIG TECHNOLOGY AG
    Inventors: Franz-Willi Spelten, Bernd Kluth
  • Patent number: 10737227
    Abstract: A static mixer includes a tubular body having a sidewall with an upstream end, a downstream end opposite the upstream end, and an inner surface. The upstream end has a surface defining an upstream opening into the body. The downstream end has a surface defining a downstream opening exiting the body. The upstream opening, the downstream opening, and inner surface define a passageway through the body for transport of a first fluid therethrough. A primary fin may depend from the inner surface of the body and into the passageway. The primary fin may have a curved fin with a flow surface. A secondary fin may extend into the passageway adjacent to the primary fin, the secondary fin may have a curved flow surface that curves opposite to the flow surface of the primary fin. The secondary fin may be offset upstream or downstream from the primary fin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Westfall Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Robert W. Glanville, James M. Daniel, Kimbal Hall, Scott A. Olson
  • Patent number: 10722855
    Abstract: A storage and mixing device for two-component polymethyl methacrylate bone cements having a cylindrical interior of a cartridge that is delimited on a front side by a cartridge head, a plunger arranged to be axially movable in the cylindrical interior of the cartridge and spaced from the cartridge head, a powdery first parent component of the bone cement, that is contained in the interior between the plunger and the cartridge head, a feed-through arranged in the cartridge head or in the cylinder barrel of the cartridge between the plunger and the cartridge head. The feed-through is connectable to a fluid line, a receptacle for a monomer liquid, wherein the fluid line connects the feed-through to the receptacle in a liquid-permeable manner, and a press-out device pushable into the receptacle, so that monomer liquid is pressable out of the receptacle into the fluid line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: HERAEUS MEDICAL GMBH
    Inventors: Sebastian Vogt, Thomas Kluge
  • Patent number: 10722854
    Abstract: A sink is configured to attach to a bottom surface of a flowline that is configured to flow a mixture of at least two immiscible fluids. One of the immiscible fluids is water. The water is more dense than the other of the at least two immiscible fluids. An outlet formed at a bottom portion of the sink. A valve system is connected to the opening. The valve system is configured to open the outlet in response to the water occupying at least a portion of the sink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Alwaleed Abdullah Al-Gouhi, Nabil S. Alkhanaifer, Abdullah M. Al-Zahrani, Mutaz Al Daas, Rayid S. Al-Anazi, Yaseen Abdulhameed Bokhamseen, Abdullah S. Alsaddah, Jana Mohammed Aljindan
  • Patent number: 10703613
    Abstract: A frame support includes an extensible carrier having a free end, a guide configured to guide the extensible carrier in an axially-movable manner, and a vertical support unit. The vertical support unit is arranged eccentrically at the free end of the extensible carrier. The frame support is adapted to be coupled to a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: SCHWING GMBH
    Inventors: Mykola Oleksyuk, Heinrich Scheffer
  • Patent number: 10682618
    Abstract: Embodiments of the method disclosed regard use of a torque sensor (e.g., transducer) and using the measured torque to detect the different fluid and mixing properties, conditions, and abnormalities in a mixing process. The torque produced in the mixing process relates to different fluid properties such as viscosity and density. It also relates to different mixing conditions such as presence of obstacles and changes or issues with gas sparging. Moreover, torque measurements enable determination of power transmitted to fluid by actual measurement, in contrast to using solely empirical impeller power number and speed, and allowing for actual mass transfer determination (i.e., gas transfer calculations).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Inventors: Ashraf Said Atalla, Klaus Gebauer, Sima Didari
  • Patent number: 10674872
    Abstract: A hand mixer has a detection mechanism for discriminating between beaters and other rotating accessories. The operation of the mixer may be altered depending on the type of accessory that is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: BREVILLE PTY LIMITED
    Inventors: Richard Hoare, Garth Ryan
  • Patent number: 10674873
    Abstract: A cooking appliance for processing food, more specifically a cooking appliance of the type that include a body housing an electric motor, a shaft for actuating a processing tool, and an integral handle, the various processing tools being coupled to the body by means of an arm that comprises an implement, such as a grinding, whisking or mixing implement, where the operating control of the appliance (on, off, rotating speed of the implement, etc.) is carried out by means of a sensor system that can detect a characteristic or predetermined movement performed on the appliance and can interpret said movement as an operating instruction, for example, turning the implement on, turning it off, and establishing and controlling the rotating speed thereof, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: SAMMIC, S.L.
    Inventors: Aitor Gogorza Segurola, Chao Chen
  • Patent number: 10675600
    Abstract: A multi-shaft kneading machine includes a channel and two screws rotatable around first axes of rotation. A pair of gate rods sandwich the two screws and are rotatable around second axes of rotation. Each of the pair of gate rods has two recess parts that form respective spaces through which the two screws penetrate. Each of the pair of gate rods has a first contact surface, which comes into surface contact with a screw when a gate rod is rotated to a minimum degree-of-opening position. Large diameter parts are fitted into the groove of the cylinder, and a small diameter part have a radius of curvature equal to half a distance between two second axes of rotation and smaller than a radius of curvature of the large diameter parts. The small diameter parts of the pair of gate rods are in contact with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: The Japan Steel Works, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takuya Hamada, Manabu Ikeya, Makoto Ishikawa, Kazuhiro Kodate, Takayuki Yamazawa, Seiji Takamoto
  • Patent number: 10654016
    Abstract: There is provided an apparatus and a method for producing a play compound and the play compound itself which, in one embodiment is a compound which sufficiently fluid to be pliable and is typically cold and slimy to the touch. The apparatus and a method provide a powder and liquid to a user, which can be a non-skilled person and thereby allow the mixing of the powder and liquid together by that person to form the play compound outside of a factory environment whilst ensuring that the play compound which is formed has the desired characteristics. Most typically the user which performs the mixing can be the end user, such as a child, who will play with the compound and so the formation of the play compound forms a new part of the play experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: WECOOL TOYS INC.
    Inventors: Ross Alber, Jeffrey Osnato
  • Patent number: 10654011
    Abstract: A hydrofoil impeller includes a central hub connected to a shaft, and being in the form of a flat plate and being perpendicular to the central axis. The central hub has first bolt holes arranged to form a pattern, the number of groups of first bolt holes corresponding to a number of blades attached to the central hub. At least three blades extend radially outwardly from the central hub, and have a group of second bolt holes arranged in a corresponding pattern to the first bolt holes so that the group of second bolt holes can be aligned with the group of first bolt holes and bolts can be placed through the first and second bolt holes to form bolted joints. The pattern in which the first holes and second holes are arranged in each of the respective groups of holes has a form of a closed curved shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: OUTOTEC (FINLAND) OY
    Inventors: Ville Strömmer, Markus Lehtonen
  • Patent number: 10638886
    Abstract: A blending device is shown and described. The blending device may include a blending container and a power source operatively connected to the blending container. The power source may be configured to supply power to the blending container. The blending container may also include a feature that is powered by the power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: VITA-MIX MANAGEMENT CORPORATION
    Inventor: David Kolar
  • Patent number: 10625224
    Abstract: A mixing device, system and method of use for mixing liquids in a container using a separate magnet in a wearable. The mixing device receives a magnet insert that is magnetically coupled with the separate magnet. The separate magnet is placed in a wearable and can be actuated by a finger or a hand, and the actuation causes the mixing device to move and rotate. An insertable stem on the mixing device can have different shapes or functional attachments for enhancing function of the mixing device in different embodiments. In some embodiments, the magnet insert can be stored together with the wearable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Inventor: Maluki Takumah