Patents Examined by Qingzhang Zhou
  • Patent number: 11407000
    Abstract: A volatile material dispenser includes a base that houses a printed circuit board, a stand assembly that is coupled with the base, the stand assembly including a platform, a stand that extends from the platform, and a manifold that extends from the stand, the manifold containing a circular piezoelectric element. The dispenser further includes a shroud that is coupled with the stand assembly and defines a chimney, and a refill comprising a wick, the refill being removably coupled with the manifold. The manifold includes a cylindrical wall that extends upward from the manifold, a spring is disposed within the manifold and is coaxial with the cylindrical wall, and a top end of the spring is wrapped around the cylindrical wall and a bottom end of the spring applies a force against the piezoelectric element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Sebastian D. Hasik, Gregory G. Pieper, Katherine Cusatis, James T. Walker, Brian T. Davis, Timothy R. Ordiway
  • Patent number: 11400462
    Abstract: Described are embodiments of a shower assembly that includes modular components that can be removably attached and may be replaced or interchanged with corresponding components having different form factor or design. In some embodiments, the shower assembly includes a diverter unit fluidly coupled to a fluid source and the diverter unit is configured to selectively direct flow of fluid from the fluid source to one or both of a shower head and a hand shower. The shower head includes a first plurality of nozzles configured to dispense fluid and the shower head is configured to be removably fluidly coupled to the diverter unit. The hand shower includes a second plurality of nozzles configured to dispense fluid and fluidly coupled by a hose to the diverter unit and the hand shower is configured to be removably attachable to the diverter unit by a connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: AS America, Inc.
    Inventors: Jean-Jacques L'Henaff, Walter Pitsch, Verne Myers, Xiaojing Ye, Greg Reinecker, Brian Kalember, Gabriela Ravassa, Emilie Williams, Alanna Wing Libbrecht
  • Patent number: 11395861
    Abstract: A device including a receptacle that defines a neck. A liquid that impregnates diffusion means is housed inside the receptacle. The diffusion means includes a flexible band and a rigid band in contact with each other, the flexible band being in contact with the liquid inside the receptacle. The device also includes an inner closing element that fits tightly inside the neck and a regulation element complementary to the inner closing element. The rigid band is associated with the regulation element, the position of which determines the surface of the rigid band arranged on the outside of the receptacle. The device facilitates accurate regulation of the exposed surface of the rigid band, thereby regulating the intensity of the perfume in a room.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: ZOBELE HOLDING SPA
    Inventors: Moisés Caballero Tapia, Jordi Masó Sabaté, Joaquim Llorente Alonso
  • Patent number: 11389680
    Abstract: An integral valve arrangement may comprise a housing. The housing may comprise a main valve and a relief valve. The main valve may comprise an inlet and a first outlet. The relief valve may comprise a relief inlet in a side wall of the inlet, a relief outlet in a side wall of the first outlet, and a pressure relief system. The inlet and the first outlet may be substantially axially perpendicular. The relief inlet and the relief outlet may be substantially axially perpendicular. The pressure relief system may comprise a body abutting walls of the housing, a relief member disposed within the body, and a lever. The relief member may comprise an interior end and an exterior end. The lever may be rotatably coupled to the exterior end of the relief member by a connecting mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: AGF Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: George J. McHugh, IV, James P. McHugh, Bentley F. Gleeson
  • Patent number: 11383112
    Abstract: A fire extinguisher includes a body defining a storage chamber containing an extinguishing agent, a gas generator configured to pressurize the extinguishing agent in order to dispense it outside the body through an exit opening. The exit opening is equipped with a misting nozzle, and the extinguishing agent has a solidification temperature less than ?10° C., the saturating vapor concentration of the extinguishing agent taken at ?10° C. and at 1 bar being less than the extinguishing concentration of the extinguishing agent determined according to the ISO 14520 standard for a heptane fire at 1 bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: ARIANEGROUP SAS
    Inventors: Gilles Gonthier, Frédéric Marlin
  • Patent number: 11383256
    Abstract: A powered water dispenser is plugged into a vehicle or uses a rechargeable battery. The powered water dispenser is connected to a pump and a portable water source. The powered water dispenser may use a prepackaged water container that contains sterilized, distilled or potable water. Additionally, the transparent water container may use an LED light to view water level in the dark. There may also be notches that indicate water level. Also included may be a heating element to warm the water prior to use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Inventor: Timothy F. Brown
  • Patent number: 11375834
    Abstract: A coupling including a first elongate member and a second elongate member. The first elongate member includes a first tube and a first magnet. The first tube has a first end and a second end. The first magnet secures to the first end of the first tube. The second elongate member includes a second tube and a second magnet. The second tube has a first end and a second end. The second magnet secures to the first end of the second tube. The first and second magnets are cooperatively configured to attract one another and secure the first end of the first tube to the first end of the second tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Inventor: Ryan Barrett
  • Patent number: 11376610
    Abstract: Disclosed is a water outlet switching mechanism and an operating mechanism for water outlet switching, wherein a sealing member is disposed on a water dividing member and spaced in a moving direction of a activating member at intervals. The sealing member is provided with sealing units corresponding to water dividing holes of the water dividing member. The activating member is provided with a transmission mechanism which is coupled with the sealing units. The transmission mechanism comprises a first transmission member and a second transmission member. The sealing units are divided into first sealing units and second sealing units, wherein the first sealing units are respectively provided with a first transmission fitting member which is used to open a corresponding water dividing hole. The second sealing units are respectively provided with a second transmission fitting member which is used to open a corresponding water dividing hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Xiamen Solex High-Tech Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fengde Lin, Wenxing Chen
  • Patent number: 11376375
    Abstract: Nebulizers are used to deliver a medicine to a patient's lungs in the form of an airstream, with fluid comprising the medicine entrained in the airstream. To enable the fluid to be entrained in the airstream, a nebulizer contains an aerosol generator typically comprising a vibratory element (28) with a piezoelectric actuator. There is a need to frequently sterilize the nebulizer. This involves dipping the nebulizer in boiling water for a significant time. It has been found that repeated sterilization cycles can force water through gaps in the vibratory element, and its encapsulation (26), and damage the piezo element. The present invention proposes to more effectively seal the piezo of the vibratory element (28) from the effects of water ingress. In particular, it is proposed to create, at an interface of the vibratory element (28) and the encapsulating element (26), a discontinuity which provides a barrier geometry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventor: Markus Hijlkema
  • Patent number: 11376380
    Abstract: An adjustable aerosol delivery device includes an active liquid container, a carrier liquid container, a piezo disc mounted with a flexible gasket relative to the carrier liquid container, an oscillator configured to generate an ultrasonic wave that causes the piezo disc to oscillate and transmit the oscillations through the carrier liquid to the active liquid to cause at least a portion of the active liquid to become an aerosol, a bushing fixed relative to the carrier liquid container via a fixing portion that conforms to and mates with an entire perimeter of a fixing section of the bushing, and a fastener extending through the piezo disc housing and into the bushing. The fastener is configured to be loosened or tightened to manipulate a compression of the gasket to adjust a particle size of the aerosol. A pull force of the bushing is greater than a counter force of the gasket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: United Therapeutics Corporation
    Inventor: Doug Biette
  • Patent number: 11376611
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a water outlet device comprising a water outlet portion and a moving portion disposed in the water outlet portion. The water outlet portion comprises a body portion and a cover portion. The cover portion comprises a first water outlet nozzle, and the moving portion is movable relative to the cover portion. A transmission mechanism is disposed between the moving portion and the water outlet portion, and the transmission mechanism drives the moving portion to move toward the cover portion and away from the cover portion. The moving portion comprises an insertion portion. Movement of the moving portion controls the insertion portion to insert or pull out from the first water outlet nozzle, and the first water outlet nozzle discharges different water spray patterns when the insertion portion is inserted into or pulled away from the first water outlet nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Xiamen Solex High-Tech Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Qihua Fan, Wenxing Chen, Fengde Lin
  • Patent number: 11369820
    Abstract: A system for detecting and extinguishing fires occurring within a predetermined observation area in response to commands received from a monitoring center. The system includes a source of fire retardant liquid and a monitor for selectively directing liquid to the observation area. A valve is disposed in fluid communication between the source and the monitor and is selectively movable between a closed position wherein liquid is prevented from flowing through the valve, and an open position wherein liquid can flow through the valve. An infrared camera generates a signal in response to temperature changes occurring in the observation area. A network switch is provided for communicating with the monitoring center. A control unit in communication with the valve, the camera, and the network switch relays the signal to the monitoring center and moves the valve between the positions in response to commands received from the monitoring center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Fire Rover LLC
    Inventors: Bradley Steven Gladstone, Jeremy Douglas Dusing, Peter John Marry
  • Patent number: 11364509
    Abstract: A nozzle including a plurality of moveable nozzles configured to transition between a first state in which streams produced by the nozzles combine to form a collective stream, or the appearance of a collective stream, and at least one second state in which the nozzles produce separate respective streams; and a drive mechanism configured to transition the nozzles between the first and second states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Sturdy Corporation
    Inventors: David R. Sturdy, Melvin R. Phillips, James T. Carter, Ethan T. Ogburn, Daniel B. Eaddy
  • Patent number: 11364315
    Abstract: An air freshener for vehicles including a casing housing a receptacle containing volatile substances and at least one fixing element, which can be fixed to an interior vent grille of a vehicle. The casing and the at least one fixing element are made of cardboard, enabling the obtainment of an air freshener at low cost compared to conventional air fresheners, since it does not require investment in moulds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Zobele Holding S.p.A.
    Inventors: Cedric Gobber, Jordi Guiu Pont
  • Patent number: 11358158
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a novel flexible spray nozzle sprayer face cap, rotatably installed at a head part of a garden water gun, configured to switch sprayed water types and structurally including a water division plate, a spray seat, and a main body sequentially fixed in a coaxial way. The novel flexible spray nozzle sprayer face cap is mainly characterized in that an embedded and fixed flexible spray nozzle is disposed in each water outlet small hole formed in the main body, and an outer end of each of the flexible spray nozzles respectively extends out of the water outlet small hole to be exposed, so that when the sprayer face cap rotates and switches to communicate passing water to a plurality of water outlet small holes, the passing water can be sprayed out from the flexible spray nozzle in each of the water outlet small holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: NINGBO DAYE GARDEN INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xiaodong Ye, Fei Gong, Jifeng Huang, Mingming Cao
  • Patent number: 11353896
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for operating and calibrating a paint mixture delivery system includes a positive displacement fluid cylinder and a linear transducer that monitors operation of the positive displacement fluid cylinder. A controller is connected to a servo drive whose operation manipulates the performance of the positive displacement fluid cylinder. Operation of the fluid delivery system is controlled such that the ratio of paint or resin to catalyst or hardener can be accurately controlled and calibration of the discrete fluid flow sensors can be quickly and conveniently calibrated to assure delivery of the respective fluids are the desired mixture ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Autoquip, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael D. Elberson
  • Patent number: 11343960
    Abstract: An agitation unit for use in a lawn spreader and other dispensing equipment, and oscillating agitation systems therefor comprising such an agitation unit. The agitation unit includes a hub, an arm extending from the hub, and an extension on the arm configured to project downwardly to an extent relative to the arm and the hub to protrude into, but not through, the outlet passageway of the hopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Perma-Green Supreme, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Beal, Thomas F. Jessen
  • Patent number: 11344906
    Abstract: Disclosed is a needle-type vibrate-to-nebulize apparatus and nebulizer for nebulizing fluids, in particular essential oils. The needle-type vibrate-to-nebulize apparatus mainly comprises the air passage designed in the module, the steel needle and the vibrating unit. Fluid is delivered from the rear end to the front end, then nebulized at the front end by high-frequency vibration. The nebulized mist is blown out through the air passage. The nebulizer mainly comprises the needle-type vibrate-to-nebulize apparatus and the peristaltic pump with rollers. The peristaltic pump with rollers is capable of sucking and supplying essential oil to the steel needle, as well as reversing the oil back when power off to prevent clogging. High-frequency vibrating action of the vibrating unit is generated by the piezoelectric disk and induced to the steel needle. As a result of resonation, essential oil is nebulized at the front end and blown out through the air passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Shenzhen Loxim Technologies Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Biaoqi Liu, Yunfang Zheng
  • Patent number: 11346307
    Abstract: Various embodiments include a fluid injector comprising: an injector housing defining a fluid path; a needle within the housing and movable to a closed position and an open position. The needle comprises two axial ends, an end face on the second, and an axial needle section surrounded by the housing. Between the axial section and the surrounding housing, there is a gap comprising at least part of the fluid path. The needle includes a hole extending from the end face and a connecting hole providing fluid connection between the hole and the gap. The valve also includes a plate defining a through-hole. A first valve seat is defined at a surface of the plate facing the end face and adjoining the through-hole and when the needle is in the closed position the through-hole is closed by the end face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: VITESCO TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventors: Mauro Grandi, Michael J. Hornby, Valerio Polidori
  • Patent number: 11338306
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a showerhead including a body, a stationary plate, a spring, and an insert fitting member. The body has an upper body and a lower body. The upper body and the lower body form an accommodation space. A water inlet for supplying water into the accommodation space is provided at the upper body, and a plurality of water outlets for spraying water from the showerhead are provided on the lower body. The stationary plate is located in the accommodation space and movable up and down in the accommodation space along a direction of the water flow. The spring is disposed between the stationary plate and the lower body, for applying a force to the stationary plate away from the lower body. The insert fitting member is fitted to the stationary plate. The position of the insert fitting member corresponds to the plurality of water outlets on the lower body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: XIAMEN SOLEX HIGH-TECH INDUSTRIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ruosheng Ning, Fengde Lin, Wenxing Chen