Patents Examined by Qingzhang Zhou
  • Patent number: 11969741
    Abstract: A device for dispensing liquids to a shower head that has a container and valve assembly that are inverted and secured to a wall surface above the shower head with a bracket. The outlet of the valve has a semi-flexible hose that extends down and out from the valve. A diffuser cap is positioned over the shower head. The hose is placed through an opening in the diffuser cap. When the valve is opened, a slow drip of liquid is dispensed through the hose directly into the water stream in the diffuser cap. What is dispensed from the diffuser is a soapy mixture that can be directly applied to a user's body. When done, the valve is closed and the diffuser cap is easily rinsed. In this way, the efficient delivery of soap to showers can be done cheaply and easily without the cost or need for replacement shower heads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Inventor: Patrick Faherty
  • Patent number: 11964290
    Abstract: In a compressed-fluid discharge control device, there are formed a valve chamber communicated with a discharge channel and supply channels for supplying a compressed fluid, and a pilot chamber into which the compressed fluid is introduced from the supply channels. A diaphragm valve for communicating or cutting off communication of the supply channels and the discharge channel seats on or separates from a valve seat provided in the valve chamber. Pilot channels through which a compressed fluid supplied to the pilot chamber passes are formed in the diaphragm valve. The compressed-fluid discharge control device has a pilot chamber opening/closing valve for opening or closing the pilot chamber. The pilot chamber opening/closing valve includes a solenoid valve which is opened in response to energization thereof and closed in response to de-energization thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: SMC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshitada Doi, Hiroaki Sasaki, Masayuki Oshima
  • Patent number: 11958064
    Abstract: Various implementations include a fluidic oscillator having at least one control port. The at least one control port is for introducing a control fluid into the fluidic oscillator or suctioning the fluid stream from the fluidic oscillator. The introduction of a control fluid into the fluidic oscillator or suction of the fluid stream from the fluidic oscillator alters the frequency and sweeping angle of the oscillating fluid stream as it exits the fluidic oscillator. Various other implementations include a fluidic oscillator having a first control port defined by the first portion of the outlet nozzle and a second control port defined by the second portion of the outlet nozzle. The introduction of a control fluid into the fluidic oscillator or suction of the fluid stream from the fluidic oscillator through the control ports alters the exit angle of the oscillating fluid stream as it exits the fluidic oscillator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Ohio State Innovation Foundation
    Inventors: Mehmet Tomac, James Gregory
  • Patent number: 11958065
    Abstract: A water delivery device includes an inlet connector, a sprayface assembly, and a selection engine. The inlet connector is configured to couple the water delivery device to a water supply. The sprayface assembly includes a plurality of nozzles that are configured to produce a plurality of spray patterns. The selection engine fluidly couples the inlet connector to the sprayface assembly and controls flow to each one of the plurality of nozzles to determine the spray pattern produced at the sprayface assembly. The selection engine is configured to switch directly from any one of the plurality of spray patterns to any other one of the plurality of spray patterns in response to a single actuation of the selection engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Evan Yee, Brian S. Core
  • Patent number: 11957941
    Abstract: A fire suppressing insulation. This insulation will create a barrier that blocks a fire to protect a structure from damage and will assist in suppressing the fire. Also, a fire suppression system including two walls, such as an interior wall and an exterior wall or two interior walls. The walls are spaced apart from each other by a divider to define an interior volume. At least a portion of the interior volume includes fire suppressing insulation that will form a fire suppressing intumescent barrier between the walls when exposed to the heat of a fire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: Emily Margaret Gray, Brian Francisco Shipley, Justin Dax Haslam, Robert Wiseman Simpson, Donnette Moncrief Brown, Eric David Schroeder, Michael J. Maciolek, Bobby Lawrence Mohs, Manfred Amann, Rochelle Ann Tijerina, Meredith Beveridge
  • Patent number: 11951492
    Abstract: A system and method for monitoring a dispensed fluid jet with an oscillation nozzle, comprising a main channel and at least one secondary channel surrounding the main channel, wherein the nozzle has an inlet and an outlet for an air flow defining a flow axis running centrally through the main channel, characterized in that the secondary channel comprises a drill hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: STRATEC SE
    Inventors: Fabian Hinderer, Igor Polushkin
  • Patent number: 11951491
    Abstract: A spray applicator is disclosed. The spray applicator can include a carrier body including a number of contact surfaces and at least two nozzle bodies. Each nozzle body can be fastened on one of the contact surfaces and have a spray slit for producing a spray jet fanned out transversely to a center plane. the center planes can cross one another along a straight line. The straight line can extend outside the carrier body. The contact surfaces can face the straight line and be offset with respect to one another in the direction of the straight line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventor: Frederik Vandepitte
  • Patent number: 11952759
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a switching device for shower system and a shower system including same. The switching device for shower system includes a shell main body, a valve, a handle kit, and a sealing cover. The shell main body is internally provided with a partition, the partition is provided with a plurality of water passing holes, and a side of the partition is provided with a plurality of water chambers. The valve is located inside the shell main body, and a first end of the valve abuts on a side of the partition and communicates with the water passing holes. The handle kit is connected to a second end of the valve. The sealing cover is configured to block the water chambers at an outer end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: XIAMEN DELMEI SANITARY WARE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wenjun Li, Weilong Luo, Chunhua Wang
  • Patent number: 11947011
    Abstract: A sensor apparatus includes a cylindrical sensor window defining an axis and a ring fixed relative to the sensor window and centered around the axis. The ring includes a liquid chamber, at least one nozzle, and an air chamber. The liquid chamber is elongated circumferentially around the axis. The at least one nozzle is fluidly connected to the liquid chamber and has a direction of discharge aimed at the sensor window. The air chamber is elongated circumferentially around the axis alongside the liquid chamber. The air chamber lacks inlets and outlets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Brian Glickman, Venkatesh Krishnan, Darshan Arun Nayak, Kunal Singh
  • Patent number: 11946207
    Abstract: A portable water spreader has a water tank with a coupler to couple to and be elevated and tilted by a front-end loader. Discharge pipes are coupled to the tank with spray heads. Vent pipes are coupled to the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Inventor: Steve Watson
  • Patent number: 11938501
    Abstract: A nozzle device 1 includes a main body 10 that is formed of a main-body first member 11 and a main-body second member 22 and that has an internal accommodation space 21 in which members are accommodated, a movable nozzle portion 30 that is accommodated in the accommodation space 21, and a coil spring 2 that is disposed between the movable nozzle portion 30 and the main body 10. When air is supplied to a main-body flow-path portion 23 from below, the flow path of the air is changed by the Coanda effect in an air guiding portion 27 such that the air flows along the air guiding portion 27, and the air flows into a gap between an air receiving portion 36 and the air guiding portion 27 and is guided to the air receiving portion 36. The air is pressurized in the air receiving portion 36 and pushes up the movable nozzle portion 30.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: NIFCO INC.
    Inventor: Mikio Nezu
  • Patent number: 11931609
    Abstract: A forest fire spread prevention device as an automatic fire extinguishing device for a forest fire may suppress an occurrence of property loss and loss of lives by blocking the forest fire in the middle so that it does not spread to nearby private houses when a forest fire occurs. The forest fire spread prevention device can include a burlap bag-shaped outer skin member which is woven with a thermoplastic plastic tape having a melting point of 160 to 280° C. as a weft and a warp; and an inner skin member of a cylindrical container which is accommodated in the outer skin member and formed in a film shape prepared by extruding a thermoplastic plastic material having a thickness of 15 to 50 microns and a melting point of 110 to 130° C. in a cylindrical shape, and has an inner space filled with water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Inventor: Kwangho Ahn
  • Patent number: 11931764
    Abstract: A kit for a spray gun including a sleeve delimiting an inner volume provided to contain a pressurized fluid, the sleeve being configured to be connected to a main body of a spray gun, the sleeve having a radial periphery delimiting a fluid outlet of the sleeve and at least one orifice emerging on the radial periphery and fluidly connecting the inner volume and the radial periphery, a connector having an intake end connected to the fluid outlet and a connecting end suitable for being connected to a cup so as to fluidly connect the cup to the inner volume of the sleeve, and a ring surrounding the sleeve and covering the fluid outlet outside the intake end of the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: EXEL INDUSTRIES
    Inventors: Mazen Zaki, Saman Shohoudi
  • Patent number: 11931755
    Abstract: A tool including a deflector, a rod comprising a first end and a second end, and a spring configured to pivot the deflector from a first position to a second position when compressed. In many embodiments, the rod can be coupled to the deflector at the first end. Other embodiments of related apparatuses are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Inventors: Hector Placencia, Marcus Mario Moreno
  • Patent number: 11927000
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a structure for rapidly picking and placing a hand shower comprising a fixed portion, a shower body, and a trigger element. The fixed portion is movably disposed with a locking member, and the shower body is disposed with a locking matching portion. When the locking matching portion is locked to and matched with the locking member, the shower body is fixed relative to the fixed portion. The trigger element is movably disposed on the shower body. When the shower body is fixed relative to the fixed portion, the trigger element contacts the locking member, and movement of the trigger element is configured to drive the locking member to move to enable the locking member to be separated from the locking matching portion and to enable the shower body to be rapidly separated from the fixed portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Xiamen Lota International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xuedong Wang, Jinyong Chen, Xiaofei Guo, Chuanbao Zhu
  • Patent number: 11918838
    Abstract: Disclosed is a fire suppressant system for a cargo container, the system having: a pressure vessel disposed within the cargo container, an exterior surface of the pressure vessel defining a fire suppressant-opening; a seal member that covers the fire suppressant-opening; and a connection feature connects the seal member to the pressure vessel, wherein the connection feature that releases the seal member when exposed to a predetermined minimum temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: KIDDE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Harlan Hagge
  • Patent number: 11912245
    Abstract: A device for distributing washer fluid, which includes a case including one or more discharge holes, a rail part located in the case, a pipe assembly moved along the rail part and configured to discharge a washer fluid to the one or more discharge holes, a motor assembly configured to apply a driving force to allow the pipe assembly to be moved along the rail part, a hose engaged with the pipe assembly and integrally moved with the pipe assembly along the rail part, and a controller configured to control the driving force of the motor assembly in response to a cleaning request such that the pipe assembly discharges the washer fluid to a selected discharge hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation, DY Auto Corporation
    Inventors: Jong Min Park, Nak Kyoung Kong, Seung Sik Han, Ki Hong Lee, Jong Wook Lee
  • Patent number: 11913202
    Abstract: A therapeutic substance dispensing shower head system has a shower head and a therapeutic substance carrying cartridge that is removably inserted into the shower head to diffuse the therapeutic substance into the water flowing through the shower head. The cartridge is configured for single hand manipulation and is inserted into a cartridge socket that is provided in the face of the shower head to make operation simple. The diffusion rate of the substance into the water flow is variably controlled by turning the cartridge while it is inserted in the cartridge socket. The diffusion is not predicated on aspiration or venturi concepts and thus is not sensitive to different water pressures and flow rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Inventor: James Slaughter
  • Patent number: 11890636
    Abstract: A spray gun and a detachable liquid reservoir releasably attached to the spray gun by engagement of mateable, non-threaded formations provided on the spray gun and the reservoir. The spray gun has an integral connector boss with a socket for reception of a connector tube of the reservoir. The boss has an external flange at the distal end and the reservoir has hook members separate from the connector tube. The hook members are co-operable with the flange when the connector tube is received in the socket to secure releasably the reservoir to the spray gun. In another arrangement, the connector tube is an interference friction-fit in the socket to secure releasably the reservoir to the spray gun. In yet another arrangement, the connector tube has bayonet lugs co-operable with bayonet grooves in the wall of the socket when the connector tube is received in the socket to secure releasably the reservoir to the spray gun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Stephen C. P. Joseph, Michael J. R. Adams, Neil Delbridge, Michael W. Howcroft
  • Patent number: 11890631
    Abstract: An improved showerhead assembly is provided for securely holding a handheld showerhead within a mount. The handheld showerhead includes an elongate handle and a showerhead face including one or more nozzles for spraying water. The mount includes a tubular section for receiving the handheld showerhead's handle, and a mounting surface which affixes to an underlying surface such as shower stall wall. The handle includes a circumferential groove and the mount includes a “C” shaped locking clip capable of locking within the handle's groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: ETL, LLC
    Inventor: David Hofman