Patents Examined by Robert W. Jenkins
  • Patent number: 5547277
    Abstract: A preheating screw for the simultaneous mixing and heating of fine-grained or paste-like substances, in which intensive heat transfer takes place during transport of the substance by use of a rotating hollow screw that is filled with a heat-transfer medium, preferably a fluid, heat being transfered from the heat-transfer medium to the product by way of the heated hollow screw. An electrical heating device is installed in a hollow screw shaft, and is supplied with electrical energy via sliding contacts positioned on the outside of the screw shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Assignee: Klockner-Humboldt-Deutz AG
    Inventors: Heinz Caspelherr, Ulrich Huwel
  • Patent number: 5544961
    Abstract: A passive injector including, a flow generator having a first inlet for gas or vapor at a first pressure and an outlet for gas or vapor, a mixing region having an inlet for the gas or vapor leaving the flow generator at supersonic velocity and a second inlet for a liquid at a second pressure, wherein liquid is incorporated into the flow of gas or vapor while maintaining supersonic velocity and a primary flow tube section aligned with an outlet of the mixing region and having an inlet and an injector outlet, the inlet of the flow tube being preceded by a gap surrounded by a cavity, wherein the flow velocity of the mixture is supersonic at the inlet of the primary flow tube section and the supersonic flow changes to subsonic flow within the primary flow tube section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Assignee: April Dynamics Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Efim Fuks, Vadim Fuks, Vladimir Lunev, Sergey Lunev
  • Patent number: 5542760
    Abstract: A device and method for filling a conventional disposable plastic syringe with a mixture of insulins. The mixing device includes a pair of disposable cartridge assemblies each containing a different type of medication to be mixed in the syringe and a pair of medication dispensing mechanisms for dispensing the medication out of a respective cartridge. Each dispensing mechanism permits one to specify the dose of medication to be dispensed and drives a plunger into its respective cartridge a specific distance based on the specified dose. The mixing device also includes a syringe holder assembly that holds a syringe until a mixed dose of medication must be dispensed and provides proper alignment of the cannula of the syringe with each cartridge assembly during mixing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Assignee: Becton Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Lawrence H. Chanoch, John B. Wilson
  • Patent number: 5542342
    Abstract: A coffee bean grinding and brewing apparatus having a control circuit for initiating grinding and brewing cycles. The control circuit has a brew basket sensing switch that is positioned adjacent the brew basket retaining arms and is engaged into an open position by one of the arms when no basket is positioned between the arms and becomes closed when a basket is positioned between the arms. The control circuit does not initiate any cycle as long as the sensing switch is open avoiding the problem of grounds being delivered accidentally when no basket is present. Additionally, the control circuit has a grind-only switch and a brew-only switch that respectively permit an operator to select a grind-only or a brew only cycle when a basket is held properly between the arms. Finally, the circuit may be provided with a partial and full brew selector switches that permit an operator to select a full and predetermined amount of ground coffee and/or hot water to be delivered to the brew basket or a lesser amount, e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Assignee: Grindmaster Corporation
    Inventors: Robert C. McNeill, Douglass Nance
  • Patent number: 5540496
    Abstract: A combination of a flow-cell with a rate of flow controllable and set to obtain and maintain a solvent or diluent predetermined low flow pressure from the flow-cell's inlet to the flow-cell's outlet, in which at-least an outlet thereof is alternately raised to a height above the inlet thereof sufficiently relative to mass of individual solute(s) and/or individual bead(s) (or other insoluble mass(es)) as to permit the mass of the individual solute(s) and/or individual bead(s) to move by gravity from a direction of the outlet end toward the inlet end of the flow-cell as part of a mechanism ascertainable of improved dissolving of solute and/or suspension of particles of insoluble matter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Inventors: Arnold H. Beckett, James F. Swon, Henry Z. Hofer
  • Patent number: 5537913
    Abstract: An improved container (45) for fermentation and/or maturation of liquid products such as wine or other liquors is disclosed comprising a liquid impervious outer wall defining a zone for retaining the liquid product and a plurality of tubes (1) manufactured from individual lengths (2) of a suitable wood in edge sealing contact, the tubes 1 having seal means at one or both ends co-operable with the liquid impervious outer wall such that the tubes extend through a substantial part of the zone retaining the liquid product whereby the liquid product surrounds each of the tubes (1) and air freely circulates within the tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Assignee: Intellection Pty. Ltd.
    Inventor: Robert W. Vowles
  • Patent number: 5538342
    Abstract: In an apparatus and a method of the invention, a large amount of fluid is processed in a short time, and it is possible to use even in a square tank without losing certain and desirable stirring. The apparatus includes a fluid tank for accommodating fluid therein, and at least one agitating device situated in the tank. The tank includes a bottom having a slope to allow the fluid to flow from one side of the bottom to the other side thereof, and a plurality of discharge ports disposed near the other side of the bottom. The agitating device includes a rotation axis suspended from an upper portion of the tank, a set of stirring blades attached to a lower part of the rotation axis and extending radially outwardly from the rotation axis, and a rotating device engaging the rotation axis. When the rotating device is actuated, the stirring blades can stir the fluid in the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Assignee: Aoshima Jjdosha Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masuo Aoshima
  • Patent number: 5538340
    Abstract: An inclined counterflow rotating drum mixer has a burner head intermediate an aggregate inlet at one end of the drum and an asphaltic concrete discharge at the opposite end of the drum. A fan supplies secondary air to the burner through a motive tube having an opening in communication with a mixing chamber between the burner head and the discharge end of the drum to aspirate gases from the mixing chamber for flow through the burner flame. The aspiration creates a negative pressure in the mixing chamber, causing a reverse flow of a portion of the combustion gases from the dryer chamber into the mixing chamber for preheating RAP input to the mixing chamber. RAP is also preheated by providing a preheat chamber adjacent the flame zone but segregated from direct contact with the flame to preheat the RAP. Hot and dried virgin aggregate is mixed with the RAP in the preheat chamber and valves are provided to prevent gases evolved from the RAP in the preheat chamber from flowing into the drying chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Assignee: Gencor Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: David F. Brashears
  • Patent number: 5537363
    Abstract: The effectiveness and/or hydrating ability of body care compositions, such as moisturizers, skin creams, body lotions, shampoo, hair conditioner, styling gel, styling mist, hair dye, bath additives, pedicure and manicure products, facial cleanser, facial mist, suntan lotions, and sunscreen lotions, are enhanced by the addition thereto of an aqueous suspension containing small concentrations of colloidal silica. The colloidal silica particles are charged and of a size between about 10 angstroms and 100 angstroms. An aqueous solution of colloidal silica particles is prepared by circulating the solution through a magnetic field so that the particles cut the field flux lines and build up a net negative charge thereon. It is preferred that the solution be passed through a magnetic void after passing through a magnetic field to allow the particles to configure themselves without the influence of external magnetic fields.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Assignee: Novatech, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert R. Holcomb
  • Patent number: 5535175
    Abstract: A stationary type mixing apparatus capable of mixing fluids having high viscosity and improving mixing efficiency of plural kinds of fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1996
    Assignees: Kankyokagakukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Hitoshi Imai
    Inventor: Tomio Niimi
  • Patent number: 5533800
    Abstract: A magnetic stirrer (1) with a magnet (3) driven in a rotating fashion by an electric motor (2) for the activation of a stirring bar magnet (7) inside a container (5) filled with a medium (6) has a digitally operated regulator (8), implemented with software, that is a software regulator. With this regulator, the rotational drive speed of the motor (2) can be held constant. At the same time, the change in the regulated quantity of this regulator (8) is detected and, in the event of a change in load, is reported to or displayed for the user as a trend or tendency of the viscosity change of the medium (6). In this way, the regulation of a constant rotational motor speed can be used at the same time for detecting changes in viscosity of the stirred medium (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1996
    Assignee: Janke & Kunkel GmbH & Co. KG IKA-Labortechnik
    Inventors: Rene Stiegelmann, Erhard Eble, Helmut Siegel
  • Patent number: 5533802
    Abstract: An improved paint can accessory that permanently replaces an original paint can lid is provided. The accessory includes a main body with three apertures therein. The first aperture is circular and provides access by a siphon hose from paint spraying machines. A releasable plug closes the first aperture when not in use. A semicircular second aperture receives an insert having a pouring spout to permit controlled pouring of liquid contained in the container. A third aperture receives a mixing shaft which is connected to a mixing plate to mix liquid within the container. A handle facilitates actuation of the mixing shaft and, by its rotational position, ensures that the mixing plate is properly positioned. The accessory also completely covers the sealing groove of the paint can to prevent flow of liquid therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1996
    Inventor: Richard S. Garganese
  • Patent number: 5533801
    Abstract: In an electrically operated hand mixer (10) including an attachment (1), the latter is provided with a bowl (2) closable by a lid (9). The hand mixer has at least two first (90) and second (77) drive shafts adapted for detachable coupling with various processing tools (76), such as whisk attachments or kneading blades. One of the drive shafts (90) can be non-rotatably coupled with an output shaft (16), extending upwardly through the lid (9), when the hand mixer (10) is placed on the lid (9) of the attachment (1). The output shaft (16) is connected with a drivable blade (21, 22) in the interior of the bowl (2) for chopping foods. The non-rotatable connection is established by engagement of a first toothing (71) provided in the drive shaft (90) and a mating second toothing (70) provided on the output shaft (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1996
    Assignee: Braun Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Vicente Safont, Jose Millan, Antonio Rebordosa, Alejandro Hernandez
  • Patent number: 5531519
    Abstract: A motorized mixer for mixing bone cement for use in attachment of prosthetics and method for using the mixer. The mixer comprises a mixing chamber, a liner in the mixing chamber, an impeller within the liner, a motor for driving the impeller and programmable means for regulating the operations of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Inventor: Michael L. Earle
  • Patent number: 5527108
    Abstract: An apparatus used to charge a pumping device with a slurry mixture such as cement is provided. A hollow funnel-shaped receptacle is equipped with a rotating shaft. Extending from the shaft are angled blades which keep the slurry mixture thoroughly mixed while pushing it toward the pumping device. The action of the blades in concert with gravitational forces charge a receiving chamber of a pumping device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1996
    Assignee: A-1 Concrete Leveling, Inc.
    Inventor: Grover W. Miller
  • Patent number: 5527106
    Abstract: A retruder (reverse extruder) (1) having at least one housing, with charging (10) and removal (11) ports, and at least two mutually meshing reversible screws (2, 3) running in opposite directions (12, 13) and conveying the medium at the same time in the direction (14) of conveying and in the reverse direction (15). The reversal of thrust reduces the axial bearing load ont he reversible screws (2, 3) and the pressure on the bearing seals. This makes it possible to increase the conveying pressure and to increase the frictional forces of such machines without reducing the service life and the availability thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1996
    Assignee: Antogi AG
    Inventor: Anton Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 5526733
    Abstract: The brewing device is composed of a housing part including a piston, vertically slidable in the housing part. On the housing part, a filter basket holder is mounted which is pivoted horizontally about the tilting axis and is provided with a filter basket to be filled with ground coffee. When the piston is lowered and reaches into the filter basket (i.e., its working position), the filter basket forms with it a pressure chamber, in which the ground coffee is enclosed, into which, on the piston side, hot water under pressure is urged through a conduit, and from which, on the filter basket holder side, the prepared espresso coffee beverage is discharged through at least one outlet opening. When the piston is lifted, the filter basket holder with the filter basket can be swung about a vertically extending tilting axis out of the range of effect of the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1996
    Assignee: Braun Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Manfred Klawuhn, Walter Hufnagl, Roland Muller, Gerhard Schafer
  • Patent number: 5524983
    Abstract: A device for delivering at least two fluids to be mixed to a mixing device with a drive with a coupling and with one feed pump for each fluid is proposed, in which the feed pumps (10) can be coupled individually to the drive (34). The feed pumps (10) with their housings can be mounted in such a way on a rotatable bracket (12) that their coupling ends point away from the center of rotation (14) of the bracket (12) in a star-like manner. In a device in which the drive has an additional coupling running simultaneously, an additional, rotatable bracket (12) is provided, at least two feed pumps (10) being installed in a star-like manner on this additional bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Company
    Inventors: Bernd Dittgen, Erhard Schroder, Georges Verberckmoes
  • Patent number: 5522305
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a wort kettle for boiling wort for brewing, the wort kettle comprising a vapor escape pipe and a vapor compressor, wherein vapor can escape to the outside via the vapor escape pipe during heating of the wort kettle and can be diverted by means of a shut-off device via the vapor compressor during boiling. In accordance with the invention, the shut-off device is formed by a water tank which is arranged in the direction of flow of the vapor in the vapor escape pipe behind the branch towards the vapor compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1996
    Assignee: Anton Steinecker Maschinenfabrik GmbH
    Inventor: Martin Widhopf
  • Patent number: RE35307
    Abstract: A separator bowl and blade assembly for a centrifugal separator device in which a rotatable separator bowl has a plurality of recesses therein and a blade assembly or blank is adapted to be releasably disposed in the recesses. The blade assembly includes a pad having a structural configuration which corresponds and mates with the bowl recess. A blade extends outwardly from the pad and is connected to a bottom pad portion and an outwardly extending pad portion with the blade assembly being either an integral or releasably connected assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Assignee: Inter-Source Recovery Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: William D. Nemedi