Patents Examined by Nicholas A Arnett
-
Patent number: 11056367Abstract: Embodiments of the inventive concept provide an apparatus and method for storing a substrate. A buffer unit for storing a substrate includes a housing having an entrance formed at one side and a buffer space inside, a substrate support unit that supports one or more substrates in the buffer space, a pressure adjustment unit that adjusts pressure in the buffer space, and a controller that controls the pressure adjustment unit. The pressure adjustment unit includes a gas supply line that supplies a gas for pressurizing the buffer space and a gas exhaust line that reduces the pressure in the buffer space. At least one of the gas supply line and the gas exhaust line includes a plurality of lines.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2019Date of Patent: July 6, 2021Assignee: SEMES CO., LTD.Inventors: Dukhyun Son, Sang-Kee Lee
-
Patent number: 11040861Abstract: The invention relates to a filling device for filling a container to be filled with a filling product in a filling product filling plant, comprising at least one filling valve for dosing the filling product into the container that is to be filled, as well as a sterilization device for sterilizing at least a portion of the at least one filling valve, wherein a contactless temperature sensor is provided for contactlessly measuring the temperature of the filling valve.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2017Date of Patent: June 22, 2021Assignee: KRONES AGInventors: Sebastian Baumgartner, Juergen Soellner, Thomas Weber, Thomas Knitl, Bernd Schafaczek
-
Patent number: 10357062Abstract: A user-replaceable e-liquid reservoir for dispensing e-liquid, the reservoir being inserted into, or otherwise attached to, a portable, personal e-cigarette device and engaging with an electrical or electronic pump fluid transfer system in the device, the device including: an electrical or electronic pump, being configured to transfer e-liquid from the e-liquid reservoir to an atomizing unit in the device, the pump delivering a pre-defined or variable quantity of e-liquid from the reservoir; and in which the reservoir is not user-refillable.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2018Date of Patent: July 23, 2019Assignee: AYR LTD.Inventors: Kaveh Memari, Adrian Bennett, Ian Murison, Stephen Marsh
-
Patent number: 10134619Abstract: A connecting mechanism includes a mounting unit, a substrate transfer port, a door closing or opening the substrate transfer port, a coupling mechanism coupling a cover of the substrate container mounted on the mounting unit with the door, and a gas exhaust/purge unit. First, second and third seal members respectively seal a first space between a peripheral portion of the substrate transfer port and the door, a second space between the door and the cover of the substrate container, and a space between the peripheral portion of the substrate transfer port and the main body. The gas exhaust unit exhausts the first space and a second space. The purge gas, which has been supplied into the substrate container by the gas exhaust/purge unit, is supplied into the first and the second space by allowing the gas exhaust unit to exhaust the first and the second space.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2017Date of Patent: November 20, 2018Assignee: Tokyo Electron LimitedInventors: Keisuke Kondoh, Norihiko Tsuji
-
Patent number: 9994340Abstract: The present application provides an automated beverage dispenser for dispensing a beverage and ice into a cup. The automated beverage dispenser may include an ice dispensing station with an ice auger and a weight sensor, a beverage dispensing station, and a control device. The control device instructs the ice auger to fill the cup with a predetermined amount of ice and instructs the beverage dispensing station to fill the cup with a predetermined amount of the beverage in response to a weight of the cup as determined by the weight sensor.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2015Date of Patent: June 12, 2018Assignee: The Coca-Cola CompanyInventors: Andrew Mark Angus, Kenneth Andrew Nicoll, Mark David Rob, Sean Pickett, Mark Brian Dockrill, Ravisha Sellahewa, Stephen Houghton, Scott Alexander Anderson
-
Patent number: 9873324Abstract: A fuel dispensing system is disclosed to be equipped to a vehicle and to dispense fuel from the vehicle. The system includes a fuel tank, a selectively activated dispensing pump, a retractable flexible fuel line connected to the pump enabling storage of the fuel line within a body of the vehicle, and a dispensing nozzle attached to the fuel line.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2016Date of Patent: January 23, 2018Inventor: David L. Pichan
-
Patent number: 9868420Abstract: An air compressor includes a box and a compressor unit installed in the box. The box is provided with a connection socket. The compressor unit has an air outlet exposed to the connection socket of the box. An external device, such as a hose or a sealant bottle, can be firmly and detachably assembled onto the connection socket of the box, and can be connected between the outlet of the compressor unit and the air nozzle of a tire, so that the tire can be inflated or repaired safely and effectively.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2016Date of Patent: January 16, 2018Inventor: Wen-San Chou
-
Patent number: 9677711Abstract: The disclosure relates to a sealed and thermally insulating tank for storing a fluid, said sealed tank comprising an outer support structure, a thermal insulating barrier retained on the support structure, and a sealing barrier supported by the thermal insulating barrier. In one embodiment, the thermal insulating barrier comprises a corner structure positioned at an intersection between a first and a second wall of the support structure, the corner structure comprising a first and a second insulating panel, each having an outer surface positioned facing the support structure, an inner surface provided with a member for securing the sealing membrane, and lateral edges, the first panel having an outer surface resting against the first wall of the support structure and a lateral edge resting against the second wall of the support structure, the second panel having an outer surface resting against the second wall of the support structure and a lateral edge resting against the outer surface of the first panel.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2014Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: Gaztransport Et TechnigazInventors: Marc Boyeau, Sebastien Delanoe, Johan Bougault
-
Patent number: 9642812Abstract: The invention relates to a dosator which comprises a tapered elongate cavity; a stationary plunger disposed within the cavity; a removable mesh screen disposed between the stationary plunger and the bottom of the dosator; a dosator chamber defined between the mesh screen and the bottom of the dosator for receiving powder from a powder source and holding the powder until it is expelled into the capsule; at least one vacuum pump operably linked to the dosator and capable of drawing dry powder into the dosator chamber from a powder source, compacting the powder into a slug of powder having a predetermined bulk density; and at least one source of positive pressure operably linked to the dosator and capable of providing positive pressure to expel the powder slug from the dosator and methods of filling capsules.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2015Date of Patent: May 9, 2017Assignee: Civitas Therapeutics, Inc.Inventors: Ernest D. Penachio, Kyle LaVigne
-
Patent number: 9630595Abstract: A manifold for inflating tubeless tires that efficiently directs pressurized air to a void between a tire bead and a rim edge. Manifold is fan shaped with a center face and angled side faces. Side faces have a first plurality of apertures at a predetermined centerline and the center face has a second plurality of apertures that are offset from the predetermined centerline. The offset second plurality of air flow apertures are directed to the widest void between the tire bead and rim edge while the first plurality of air flow apertures are directed to the narrow void on either side of the widest void. A two contact point stop or rest assembly is used to abut against two points on the rim edge to provide and maintain a predetermined distance between the center face and the widest void and to provide an optimum angle of the manifold for inflation.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2016Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Inventor: Sandy Ochoa
-
Patent number: 9567201Abstract: A refrigerator includes a main body, a storage space defined within the main body, a door configured to open and close at least a portion of the storage space, a dispenser provided in the door and defining a space in which water is dispensed, a water nozzle extending downward into the space, where the water nozzle is movably mounted at the dispenser and configured to dispense water, a manipulation detection device provided at the dispenser, the manipulation detection device being configured to detect movement of the water nozzle, and a control unit configured to open and close a water supply valve connected to the water nozzle according to a detection signal generated by the manipulation detection device.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2015Date of Patent: February 14, 2017Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Woonkyu Seo, Jaeyoung Kim, Daesung Lee
-
Patent number: 9561156Abstract: A coinfusion apparatus including a coinfusion operation section; a coinfusion processing room; a supply section; and a transfusion bag retention section. The coinfusion operation section consists of first and second robot arms. The first robot arm retains a medical agent container. The second robot arm performs an operation to insert a syringe needle of a syringe to a mouth section of the medical agent container and an operation to insert the syringe needle of the syringe to a coinfusion mouth of the transfusion bag. The coinfusion processing room holds the coinfusion operation section. The supply section supplies the medical agent container and the syringe into the coinfusion processing room. The transfusion bag retention section retains the transfusion bag at the outer side of the coinfusion processing room and positions the coinfusion mouth of the transfusion bag at the coinfusion communication mouth formed in the coinfusion processing room.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2014Date of Patent: February 7, 2017Assignee: YUYAMA MFG. CO., LTD.Inventors: Naoki Koike, Akifumi Tanaka
-
Patent number: 9169114Abstract: An automated fueling system in which an operator remains in their vehicle. The fueling system is configured to obtain transaction information from the operator, align the vehicle relative to a fuel pump, and to deliver the fuel to the vehicle. Once the process is complete, the operator can drive their vehicle away from the station.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2013Date of Patent: October 27, 2015Inventor: Charles Roland Butler, Jr.
-
Patent number: 8931524Abstract: A fluid transferer, including a volume changing part; a reciprocating member configured to reciprocate to expand a volume of the volume changing part to draw a fluid from an upstream side of a transfer direction and compress the volume thereof to transfer the drawn fluid to a downstream side thereof with pressure; and a drive controller configured to control reciprocation of the reciprocating member such that a time for compressing the volume of the volume changing part is longer than a time for expanding the volume thereof.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2012Date of Patent: January 13, 2015Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Kazuyoshi Morii, Tatsushi Umayahara, Yusuke Uchida
-
Patent number: 8863788Abstract: A medical liquid filling system and associated methods are provided, the system comprising a disposable and a drive system. The disposable includes a tubular member and a piston slidably disposed within the tubular member for retraction and advancement within at least a first portion of the tubular member. The disposable may include a seal member for sealing the first portion of the tubular member and may be interconnected to the piston for co-movement therewith. The drive system may include a piston drive member selectively interconnectable to the piston for driven advancement and retraction of the piston within the tubular member. The drive system may be interconnected to a controller, which may be operable to automate or semi-automate various filling operations. A user interface may be interconnected to the controller for providing input of various system operation parameters, which may be communicated to the controller to facilitate automated or semi-automated operation of the filling system.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2013Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Assignee: Baxter Corporation EnglewoodInventors: Joseph Vincent Ranalletta, Loren Havener Hutchins, Joshua Nathan Aumiller
-
Patent number: 8479785Abstract: A collar for a dispensing connector and a fitment assembly are disclosed. The connector collar engages a valved fitment for a container for holding and dispensing fluid. The fitment includes a spout connected to the container and a sliding internal valve body and an external valve body securely positioned within the spout. The connector collar has a fitment end mateable with the fitment so as to compress the top edge of the external valve body so as to form a seal between the external valve body and the dispensing connector.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2012Date of Patent: July 9, 2013Assignee: Liqui-Box CorporationInventor: James Johnson
-
Patent number: 8261785Abstract: A gripper used in, for instance, a bag filling apparatus including a pair of gripper arms provided with chuck holders. Each chuck holder includes first and second tubular portions, first and second tubular members slidably inserted therein, and first and second air cylinders installed within the tubular portions. An inside fixed chuck element is affixed to the tip end of the first tubular member, and an inside movable chuck element is attached to the tip end of the piston rod of the first air cylinder; in addition, an outside fixed chuck element is affixed to the tip end of second tubular member, and an outside movable chuck element is attached to the tip end of the piston rod of the second air cylinder; and the movable chuck elements are opened and closed with respect to the fixed chuck elements by the advance and retreat motions of the respective piston rods.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2009Date of Patent: September 11, 2012Assignee: Toyo Jidoki Co., LtdInventors: Shoichi Koga, Kenji Kawamura
-
Patent number: 7967038Abstract: A method for installing lock levers for a beverage filling machine includes supplying a plurality of lock levers, including a plurality of regular size lock levers with a first dimension associated with the height of an engagement surface relative to the axis of rotation of the lever, and at least one other lock lever having a second dimension for the height such that the second dimension is reduced or increased relative to the first dimension, installing a plurality of regular size lock levers on the beverage filling machine, determining if the engagement surface of any of the regular size lock levers is not positioned at a predetermined position and thereby non-conforming, then installing at the location of any non-conforming regular size lock lever one of the at least one other lock lever having a second dimension to position the engagement surface thereof substantially at the predetermined position.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2007Date of Patent: June 28, 2011Assignee: Bevcorp LLCInventor: Richard D. Jenne
-
Patent number: 7958912Abstract: Freeze protection of an on-board emissions treatment substance storage and distribution system in a vehicle includes moving the emissions treatment substance away from a primary fuel/vapor area after filling of the emissions treatment system. In one embodiment an on-board emissions treatment system has a fill tube with a portion extending into a primary fuel fill tube to facilitate co-fueling of the primary fuel and emissions treatment substance. A pressure differential or vacuum is created in the emissions treatment fill tube after filling to move the emissions treatment substance away from a check valve disposed at the terminal end of the fill tube to prevent freezing of the check valve after filling. The emissions treatment substance may be moved out of the co-located portion of the fill tube to an area where passive or active heating of the fill tube may be applied to further reduce susceptibility to freezing.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2009Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Michael Levin
-
Patent number: 7802593Abstract: A food dispensing apparatus includes a refrigerated cabinet having a dispense aperture, a hopper, an accumulator assembly, a weighing system, and a flap door. The hopper is positioned in the cabinet and configured to hold food articles. The accumulator assembly is positioned vertically below the first hopper and includes an accumulator bin and a door assembly. The accumulator door is positioned in the cabinet and arranged to receive food articles dispensed from the first hopper. The door assembly is configured to retain the food articles in the accumulator bin and is actuatable between an open position and a closed position. The weighing system is configured to determine an amount of food articles held in the accumulator bin. The flap door is positioned adjacent to the door assembly and is movable between a closed position substantially sealing closed the cabinet dispense aperture, and an open position. The flap door automatically closes upon actuation of the door assembly into the closed position.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2007Date of Patent: September 28, 2010Assignee: Automated Equipment LLCInventors: Bruce H. Koerner, Richard J. Curtin, Gordon G. Erickson, Adino S. Quiboloy, Kevin M. Riester