Patents Examined by R. K. Arundale
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Patent number: 9878362Abstract: A press-forming tool comprising: a punch including a punch portion and a plate portion transferring shape to a blank material; a die paired with the punch and opposes the punch portion; a wrinkle suppression mold including a first surface opposing the plate portion and comes into contact with the plate portion at a press-forming ending point, a second surface opposing the die and holds the blank material along with the die, and a third surface continued between the first and second surface and opposes the punch portion, and disposed between the third surface and the punch portion via a gap; a pressure receiving portion including a groove portion on the first surface of the wrinkle suppression mold; and a wrinkle suppression force increasing portion disposed on a surface opposing the first surface of the plate portion, protrudes toward the pressure receiving portion, and generates a reaction force opposed to a pressing direction when pressed in the pressing direction in end-phase of a press-forming.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2012Date of Patent: January 30, 2018Assignee: NIPPON STEEL & SUMITOMO METAL CORPORATIONInventor: Tohru Yoshida
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Patent number: 9879407Abstract: A fitting for a faucet handle includes a body having an interior wall disposed within the body, the interior wall having a plurality of apertures. Each aperture has at least a first opening and a second opening fluidly connected by a channel, and the first opening is angularly offset relative to the second opening.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2015Date of Patent: January 30, 2018Assignee: KOHLER CO.Inventors: David E. Hansen, Perry D. Erickson
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Patent number: 9879830Abstract: A device and method for chemicals to be fed into a water system, treating the water system as it enters, for example, a fire protection mains and/or fire protection systems (FPS) to protect and maintain the longevity of the water system preventing damages to the water system or enhancing the operation characteristics of the system. This device is a treatment system that may be installed as a portable or permanent device with chemicals such as, corrosion inhibitors, wetting agents, polymeric dispersants, biocides, biostats or other water chemical enhancing effects with means for injecting the chemicals into the fire protection system or a bypass feed system utilizing the fluid means without the need for any electricity. Activation of the pump occurs when water enters the FPS mains and FPS sprinkler system from an outside source. Valving is included to isolate the pump and drums, storage tank to prevent backflow from the FPS.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2015Date of Patent: January 30, 2018Assignee: Huguenot LaboratoriesInventors: Michael John O'Leary, Tim James O'Leary
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Patent number: 9873147Abstract: A method for texturizing a workpiece uses a die assembly installed within a press having a press ram. The method includes (a) delivering the workpiece onto a center die plate; (b) forcing the press ram against an upper die plate mounted above the center die plate to descend a first contact surface associated with the upper die plate and a plurality of blades mounted to the upper die plate toward the center die plate; (c) actuating horizontal movement of the blades; (d) driving the blades down into the workpiece; and (e) contacting the first contact surface to a second contact surface associated with the center die plate to descend the center die plate in unison with the upper die plate.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2016Date of Patent: January 23, 2018Assignee: Nucap Industries Inc.Inventors: Ray Arbesman, Nghi Pham
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Patent number: 9873145Abstract: To provide a variant-can having a narrow part in the vicinity of a bottom part by performing a diameter-reduction process up to the vicinity of the bottom part on a trunk part of a can-body made of metal in a can-manufacturing device which processes the can-body being held by a pocket-shaped conveying part while conveying. It is provided with: a can-body pocket which holds a can-body by being in contact with a part of an outer circumference surface of a trunk part of the can-body; a base pad which presses a bottom part of the can-body along a can-axis direction; a die in which the trunk part of the can-body is press-inserted; and a clamping ring which protrudes from the base pad toward the die and is provided so as to move back and forth along the can-axis direction.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2013Date of Patent: January 23, 2018Assignee: Universal Can CorporationInventors: Masahiro Hosoi, Atsushi Yamashita
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Patent number: 9872588Abstract: A blender collar assembly including a plunger moveable between a lower position where a blade assembly is prevented from coupling with a motor, and an upper position where the blade assembly is able to couple with the motor. The plunger includes an arm extending upward and having a u-shaped feature, and a protrusion associated with the u-shaped feature. The assembly further includes a concentric interlock ring rotating responsive to rotation of a blender jar. The interlock ring including a first portion engaging the u-shaped feature preventing the plunger from moving upward, a second gap portion not engaging the u-shaped feature enabling the plunger to move upward and downward within the collar, and a key engaging a protrusion of the blender jar as the plunger moves upward preventing the interlock ring from rotating while the second portion is rotationally aligned with the u-shaped feature.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2016Date of Patent: January 23, 2018Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: David J. Gushwa, Jason P. Kachorek, Everett Sidney Kettle
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Patent number: 9868143Abstract: A paintless dent removal (PDR) tool includes a detachable head, tubing assembly and handle. The tubing assembly includes a plurality of tubing segments having different lengths that are detachable and interchangeable. The length of the tubing assembly may be adjusted by attaching together one or more of the tubing segments having different lengths. One or more different types of heads may be attached to the tubing assembly depending on the type of dent to be repaired. One type of head includes a t-bar with two ends, each end configured for attachment to one of a plurality of different types of tips.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2017Date of Patent: January 16, 2018Inventor: Todd Zimmerman
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Patent number: 9863540Abstract: A valve assembly comprises a housing, a chamber having a first product opening, a second product opening, a first closable secondary opening that can be connected to a steam line, and a second closable secondary opening. The assembly also includes a first closing element by which the first product opening can be closed, a second closing element by which the second product opening can be closed, and an outlet associated with the second secondary opening. A switching valve is arranged between the second secondary opening and the outlet such that a fluid connection between the outlet and the second secondary opening can be switched to a fluid connection between the outlet and an inlet provided on the switching valve. The inlet can be connected to a steam line, while simultaneously closing the second secondary opening. A system comprising the valve assembly and a method for operating the system are described.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2014Date of Patent: January 9, 2018Assignee: GEA Tuchenhagen GmbHInventor: Thomas Christian Hagnauer
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Patent number: 9862017Abstract: A workpiece is formed into a shape having curvatures in the longitudinal and width directions required for a final closed cross-sectional shape, and bend-facilitating lines are provided at positions corresponding to bent lines in the closed cross-sectional shape. The workpiece formed in the first step is bent in a direction that left and right side wall portions approach each other by clamping the bottom portions between a punch and pad in the plate thickness direction and by pressing a punch into a space between dies. A plug having an outer shape the same as the final closed cross-sectional shape is placed on the bottom portion of the workpiece formed in the second step, and the bottom portion and the left and right side wall portions are bent along the bend-facilitating lines by pressing the bottom portion and the left and right side wall portions against a periphery of the plug.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2013Date of Patent: January 9, 2018Assignee: JFE Steel CorporationInventors: Kazuhiko Higai, Toyohisa Shinmiya, Yuji Yamasaki
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Patent number: 9855928Abstract: Push On and Pull Off Schrader and Presta Valve Air Filler Pump Head is disclosed. By using a simple sliding motion and a complete redesign on how the nozzle engages the valve, the invention takes into account the natural action of a hand performing the action where the fingers would naturally be especially in a tight space like that of one that could be encountered between spokes. The invention also takes advantage of dominant muscle groups in the hand and fingers to make the motion of valve engagement and disengagement easier.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2016Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Inventors: Clifford Currie, Joseph Donoghue, Murray Learmonth, Shi-ze Liu
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Patent number: 9856041Abstract: A reinforcing bar binding machine is provided with a feed means for feeding a wire from a wire reel rotatably mounted on a binding machine body, a braking means for braking a rotation of the wire reel, and a control means that starts a braking to the rotation of the wire reel by the braking means after the wire is fed to a predetermined amount by the feed means.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2017Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: MAX CO., LTD.Inventor: Osamu Itagaki
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Patent number: 9856561Abstract: Apparatus and methods for supplying a gas to a processing chamber are described. The apparatus comprises an inlet line, an outlet line and a fill line in fluid communication an ampoule. The apparatus described, and methods of use, allow a precursor ampoule to be refilled during processing without removing or replacing the ampoule and interrupting the process.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2015Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Joseph Yudovsky, Kenric Choi
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Patent number: 9848738Abstract: A food processor is provided which includes a container, a blade assembly, and a base arranged such that the container is coupleable to the base. The base includes a housing and a motor configured to drive the blade assembly. The food processor further includes an actuator included with the container moveable between a first position and a second, extended position. When the container is coupled to the base and the actuator is in the second, extended position, the actuator is configured to actuate a switch to permit activation of the motor, and the base is constructed such that the container can be coupled to the base when the actuator is in the second, extended position.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2014Date of Patent: December 26, 2017Assignee: SHARKNINJA OPERATING LLCInventors: David M. Audette, Alexander J. Calvino, Waiman Chung, Aric Jennings, Daniel Stephen Potter, Andrea Stavrinou, August Alden Drufke
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Patent number: 9849010Abstract: A method of a forming a hollow, drug-eluting nitinol stent includes shaping a composite wire into a stent pattern, wherein the composite wire includes an inner member, a nitinol intermediate member, and an outer member. After the composite wire is shaped into the stent pattern, the composite wire is heat treated to set the nitinol intermediate member in the stent pattern. After heat treatment, the composite wire is processed to remove the outer member and the inner member without adversely affecting the intermediate member. Openings may be provided through the intermediate member and the lumen of the intermediate member may be filled with a substance to be eluted through the openings.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2016Date of Patent: December 26, 2017Assignee: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.Inventor: Dustin Thompson
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Patent number: 9849496Abstract: A hot press-forming method includes a forming step that clamps a steel sheet heated to a temperature not less than an austenite transformation temperature and press-forms the steel sheet into a desired shape by causing a forming concave of a die and a convex of a punch to be close to each other. A formed portion has side and top portions that merge. The side portion rises up from an inner circumferential edge of a flange portion having been clamped by the die and the blank holder. A cooling step cools a region of the steel sheet after the heating step has been completed and before the forming step is completed. The particular region is along an inter-edge area formed between an opening circumferential edge of the forming concave and a top circumferential edge of the forming convex before the forming step is completed.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2014Date of Patent: December 26, 2017Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA CHUO KENKYUSHOInventors: Eiichi Ota, Atsunobu Murata, Satoru Matsushima
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Patent number: 9849500Abstract: A method for manufacture of a metal can body is described in which two or more stretching operations are used so as to reduce the thickness of the central part of a cup base, prior to drawing the cup sidewall and forming a can body. By using two or more stretching operations, it has been found possible to control the thickness of the base without significantly reducing pressure performance of the finished can. Alternative embodiments of apparatus comprising tooling for carrying out this method are also described.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2012Date of Patent: December 26, 2017Assignee: Crown Packaging Technology, Inc.Inventors: Alain Presset, Keith Alan Vincent, Stuart Alexander Monro
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Patent number: 9849009Abstract: A method of a forming a hollow, drug-eluting nitinol stent includes shaping a composite wire into a stent pattern, wherein the composite wire includes an inner member, a nitinol intermediate member, and an outer member. After the composite wire is shaped into the stent pattern, the composite wire is heat treated to set the nitinol intermediate member in the stent pattern. After heat treatment, the composite wire is processed to remove the outer member and the inner member without adversely affecting the intermediate member. Openings may be provided through the intermediate member and the lumen of the intermediate member may be filled with a substance to be eluted through the openings.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2016Date of Patent: December 26, 2017Assignee: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.Inventor: Dustin M. Thompson
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Patent number: 9849499Abstract: A rotary slide moves blanks cyclically from stage to stage of a cutting and processing tool. Work pieces are transferred in and out of the tool, without moving the slide in and out of the tool. The slide has a plurality of transfer openings and a discharge opening. Individual processing stages, including a discharge stage, are designed as separate components that support one another. The stages are arranged about a rotating axis of the slide. The transfer openings and the discharge opening lie in a circular path that coincides with circular paths of active elements of the cutting stage, the processing stages and the discharge stage. The openings have a distance from one another that is identical to the distance of the active elements in the circular paths.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2014Date of Patent: December 26, 2017Assignee: FEINTOOL INTERNATIONAL HOLDING AGInventors: Andreas Marti, Patrick Hofer
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Patent number: 9844809Abstract: A forming tool stamps sheet metal blanks into a desired shape. A contoured surface is defined for the forming tool so that respective portions of the metal blank flow over the contoured surface during forming. An intrinsic material flow pattern resulting from the contoured surface is compared to a desired flow in order to identify regions of the contoured surface having an insufficient flow that creates areas in the formed metal blank receiving less than a desired amount of metal. A surface microtexture is applied onto the contoured surface in a pattern selected to increase metal flow along the identified regions by providing a coefficient of friction in the identified regions that is reduced relative to adjacent regions of the contoured surface.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2016Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignees: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC, THE BOEING COMPANY, NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITYInventors: Zhiyong Cedric Xia, Jian Cao, Qian Wang, Rajesh Talwar, Donald J. Grzina, Tiffany Davis Ling, Pinzhi Liu
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Patent number: 9839915Abstract: There is provided an impact grinding assembly. The assembly, according to one aspect, includes a pair of conveyors for conveying at least partially unground material. Each conveyor has a lower portion and an upper portion which is spaced-apart above its lower portion. The assembly includes a pair of vibrating impact plates aligning below the upper portions of respective ones of the conveyors to receive the at least partially unground material. A first one of the impact plates operatively directs material thereon to the lower portion of a second one of the conveyors. A second one of the impact plates operatively directs material thereon to the lower portion of a first one of the conveyors. The impact grinding assembly may further include a material-separation assembly for removing material from the conveyors which has a particle size no greater than a desired particle size.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2013Date of Patent: December 12, 2017Inventor: Carey Hunker