Patents Examined by Thien S Tran
  • Patent number: 12042876
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for fastening dissimilar metals like steel and aluminum utilizes a steel rivet and a spot welding machine. The rivet and metals are stacked and the heat from the welder's electric current softens the lower melting point aluminum allowing the rivet to penetrate the aluminum and weld to the steel layer. The fastener may be used to join stacks with several layers of different materials and may be used to apply a threaded socket or stud made from steel or titanium to an aluminum or magnesium alloy structure. Layers of non-conductive materials like plastic and ceramics may also be affixed to a conductive layer using the fastener made from a compatible material that extends through a pilot hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: Howmet Aerospace Inc.
    Inventors: Donald J. Spinella, Daniel Bergstrom
  • Patent number: 12042081
    Abstract: The invention concerns filter holder for coffee machines comprising a substantially cylindrical body, inside which a perforated filter (14) is provided, the cylindrical body forming a cup-shaped container (12) for containing coffee powder, the filter holder (10) further comprising identification means for identifying the type of filter holder (10), characterized in that said identification means for identifying the type of filter holder (10) comprise at least one diametral magnet whose diametral orientation can be detected outside the filter holder (10). The invention further concerns a coffee machine and a grinder for coffee beans usable with the filter holder (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: CARIMALI S.P.A.
    Inventor: Andrea Doglioni Majer
  • Patent number: 12046459
    Abstract: A heater component has a substrate part and a thin coating heater which is equipped outside this substrate part and generates heat by power supply. The thin coating heater is formed of a thermal sprayed coating. The thin coating heater has a heater body and a heater extension part. The heater body is arranged on a first end face of the substrate part. The heater extension part is extended from the heater body to a second end face of the substrate part through a side surface of the substrate part. A tip part of the heater extension part is a heater power supplying part for supplying electric power to the heater body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: TOCALO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shikou Abukawa, Kensuke Taguchi, Yu Asakimori, Ryutaro Kawamura
  • Patent number: 12030244
    Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a three-dimensional object by selective additive manufacturing comprises: a support (140) suitable for supporting at least one layer (150) of additive manufacturing powder, a laser source (110) suitable for emitting a laser beam (111), a scanning device (130) suitable for directing the laser beam onto the powder layer so as to scan at least a portion of the powder layer, and a device (120) for modulating the scanning trajectory, arranged upstream of the scanning device, the modulating device comprising a modulating mirror (121) suitable for reflecting the laser beam emitted by the laser source and for directing it towards the scanning device, the angle of incidence of the laser beam emitted by the laser source on the modulating mirror being between 20 and 45°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: ADDUP
    Inventors: Gilles Walrand, Franck Denavit
  • Patent number: 12035426
    Abstract: An infrared energy supply system is disclosed including an infrared (IR) energy emitter device including a heat dissipating housing including an internal cavity that houses an IR bulb, an interior reflection unit and a cooling fan, an outer reflection unit coupled to the heat dissipating housing that includes a curved reflection component extending outwardly from the heat dissipating housing and side reflection components that extend outward from the heat dissipating on opposite sides of the curved reflection component, and a guide rail disposed on both sides of the outer reflection unit. The infrared energy supply system further includes a control unit coupled to the infrared energy emitter device via a coupling device. In some instances, the internal cavity houses multiple IR bulbs where emitted IR rays reflect off of the interior reflection unit and the curved reflection component to culminate at a first focal point and a second focal point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Inventor: John D. Corsaut
  • Patent number: 12029345
    Abstract: A cooking system positionable on a support surface including a housing including at least a top wall, bottom wall, and side walls, said housing defining a hollow chamber including a cooking chamber and a convecting chamber. A convection heater is disposed within the convecting chamber. At least one fluidly communicable opening extends between the convecting chamber and the cooking chamber. The at least one fluidly communicable opening fully extends between the top wall and the bottom wall of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: SharkNinja Operating, LLC
    Inventors: Ethan T. Brown, Joshua D. Anthony, Nathaniel R. Lavins, Christopher T. Martin, John M. Steinmetz, David Hensel
  • Patent number: 12022982
    Abstract: A method for operating an automated food making apparatus having a motor, actuator arm, and an apparatus. The apparatus may be a paddle with flexible fins. The method rotates the paddle with a pin-shaft mechanism to dispense an ingredient placed in a canister, controls the motor automatically based on weight sensor readings, and locates a position of the actuator arm with position sensors. The same motor dispenses ingredients from a plurality of canisters. The method may have a plurality of paddle rotation and weight measurement steps until a target weight is reached. The plurality of paddle rotation steps may be unidirectional or bidirectional paddle rotation. The paddle may be rotated according to one or more paddle rotation algorithms, an error recovery algorithm, or different algorithms based on the amounts of ingredients remaining in the canister. The paddle may be rocked until the target weight is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: DOORDASH, INC.
    Inventors: Deepak Chandra Sekar, Kathirgugan Kathirasen, Brian Richardson, Sanath Bhat, Levi Lalla
  • Patent number: 12020912
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to apparatus for radio frequency (RF) grounding in process chambers. In one embodiment, a heater is disposed in a substrate support. The heater is surrounded by a ground shield assembly. The substrate support also includes a multi-zone electrode disposed therein. The multi-zone electrode includes one or more portions of an electrode disposed in a plane. One or more portions of a multi-zone ground plane are interposed with the one or more portions of the electrode. That is, the multi-zone ground plane and the multi-zone electrode are coplanar with the one or more portions of the electrode alternating with one or more portions of the multi-zone ground plane throughout a plane of the substrate support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Inventor: Vijay D. Parkhe
  • Patent number: 12016092
    Abstract: Embodiments of a lid heater for a deposition chamber are provided herein. In some embodiments, a lid heater for a deposition chamber includes a ceramic heater body having a first side opposite a second side, wherein the ceramic heater body includes a first plurality of gas channels extending from one or more first gas inlets on the first side, wherein each of the one or more first gas inlets extend to a plurality of first gas outlets on the second side; a heating element embedded in the ceramic heater body; and an RF electrode embedded in the ceramic heater body proximate the second side, wherein the first plurality of gas channels extend through the RF electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Pingyan Lei, Dien-Yeh Wu, Jallepally Ravi, Manjunatha Koppa, Ambarish Toorihal, Sandesh Yadamane, Vinod Konda Purathe, Xiaoxiong Yuan
  • Patent number: 12013130
    Abstract: An induction heating type cooktop includes a case, a cover plate that is coupled to an upper end of the case and that includes an upper plate configured to seat an object on an upper surface of the upper plate, a working coil disposed in the case and configured to heat the object, a thin film attached on the upper plate, and a thermal insulating member disposed vertically between a lower surface of the upper plate and the working coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Wontae Kim, Seongho Son, Jaekyung Yang, Yongsoo Lee, Hyunwoo Jun
  • Patent number: 12004565
    Abstract: The method includes defining a duct within a capillary medium, first forming an air impingement structure, the air impingement structure including electrically conductive filaments, and connecting a first surface of the capillary medium to a second surface of the air impingement structure to form an assembly, a first end of the duct abutting the second surface, at least one first portion of the air impingement structure extending into the first surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventor: Michel Thorens
  • Patent number: 11997765
    Abstract: The application relates to food preparation apparatus with an electrical heating device comprising at least two electrical PTC thermistors for heating a food in a food preparation space, wherein the electrical PTC thermistors are electrically connected in parallel. The parallel-connected PTC thermistors are electrically connected to each other by one or more electrical bridges. Using designs in accordance with the present application, local heating during the preparation of a food may be avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: Vorwerk & Co. Interholding GmbH
    Inventors: Kevin Schmitz, Sebastian Tietz
  • Patent number: 11997776
    Abstract: A heat diffuser for use with an electrically-operated aerosol-generating device is configured to be removably coupled to the aerosol-generating device. The heat diffuser includes a non-combustible porous body configured to absorb heat from an electric heating element. The porous body is formed from a heat storage material such that, in use, air drawn through the porous body is heated by the heat absorbed by and stored in the porous body. Example embodiments also provide heated aerosol-generating article and an aerosol-generating system, both comprising the heat diffuser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventor: Michel Thorens
  • Patent number: 11988450
    Abstract: A cooking appliance assembly includes a cooking appliance having a heat source for heating at least one food item, a temperature sensing device, an imaging device for collecting data relating to the temperature sensing device, and a controller communicatively coupled with the cooking appliance assembly, the temperature sensing device, and the imaging device. The controller includes at least one processor for performing one or more operations, including but not limited to determining a type of the temperature sensing device based, at least in part, on the collected data relating to the temperature sensing device from the imaging device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Sabrina Marie Hannah, Amelia Lear Hensley
  • Patent number: 11985753
    Abstract: An oven includes a housing that defines a cooking space and that includes an upper frame defining an upper wall that faces the cooking space, a heating unit that is disposed adjacent to the upper frame and configured to transfer heat to the cooking space and that extends along a predetermined pattern to define a closed area, a support member in contact with a plurality of points of the heating unit, and a plurality of antennas disposed at the upper frame and configured to emit, toward the cooking space, radio waves transmitted from a radio wave generator that is electrically connected to an external power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Junghyeong Ha, Sunghun Sim, Yunbyung Chae, Chaehyun Baek
  • Patent number: 11985734
    Abstract: A cooking system positionable on a support surface includes a housing having a hollow chamber including an internal cooking chamber for receiving a food item, at least one radiative heating element arranged within the hollow interior and operable to heat said cooking chamber and a convection heater disposed within the hollow chamber and operable to heat the cooking chamber. The cooking system is operable in a convection cooking mode and during the convection cooking mode, the at least one radiative heating element is selectively energized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: SharkNinja Operating LLC
    Inventors: Ethan S. Kramer, Abhilash Shah, Ethan T. Brown, Joshua D. Anthony, Linden Zlotea
  • Patent number: 11980323
    Abstract: A method for operating an automated food making apparatus having a motor, actuator arm, and an apparatus. The apparatus may be a paddle with flexible fins. The method rotates the paddle with a pin-shaft mechanism to dispense an ingredient placed in a canister, controls the motor automatically based on weight sensor readings, and locates a position of the actuator arm with position sensors. The same motor dispenses ingredients from a plurality of canisters. The method may have a plurality of paddle rotation and weight measurement steps until a target weight is reached. The plurality of paddle rotation steps may be unidirectional or bidirectional paddle rotation. The paddle may be rotated according to one or more paddle rotation algorithms, an error recovery algorithm, or different algorithms based on the amounts of ingredients remaining in the canister. The paddle may be rocked until the target weight is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: DOORDASH, INC.
    Inventors: Deepak Chandra Sekar, Kathirgugan Kathirasen, Brian Richardson, Sanath Bhat, Levi Lalla
  • Patent number: 11975143
    Abstract: An electronic smoking article includes an outer tube extending in a longitudinal direction, an inner tube within the outer tube and including a pair of opposing slots, a liquid supply comprising a liquid material, a coil heater, a wick and a mouth end insert. The coil heater is located in the inner tube. The coil heater is formed of an iron-free, nickel-chromium alloy and has substantially uniformly spaced windings. The wick is surrounded by the coil heater such that the wick delivers liquid material to the coil heater and the coil heater heats the liquid material to a temperature sufficient to vaporize the liquid material and form an aerosol in the inner tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Christopher S. Tucker, Geoffrey Brandon Jordan, Barry S. Smith, Ali A. Rostami, Michael J. Mullins
  • Patent number: 11975406
    Abstract: A moving mechanism relatively moves a machining head emitting a laser beam, with respect to a sheet metal along a surface of the sheet metal. A beam vibrating mechanism vibrates the laser beam for irradiation on the sheet metal, while the machining head is relatively moved by the moving mechanism. A machining condition setting section sets pattern selection information to select a vibration pattern of the laser beam by the beam vibrating mechanism, and a parameter to determine a vibrating way in the vibration pattern, in accordance with machining conditions specified for each machining command to machine the sheet metal in a machining program generated to machine the sheet metal, and including a machining velocity of the sheet metal associated with relative movement of the machining head by the moving mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: AMADA CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoichi Tanaka, Chiaki Kawahara, Koji Funaki, Hideyuki Watanabe
  • Patent number: 11969007
    Abstract: A heated aerosol-generating article for use with an electrically-operated aerosol-generating device includes an outlet end and a distal end. The article may include a heat diffuser at the distal end of the article. The article may include an aerosol-forming substrate between the heat diffuser and the outlet end. The heat diffuser may include a non-combustible porous body configured to absorb heat from an electric heating element such that the heat diffuser is configured to heat air drawn through the aerosol-generating article from the distal end to the outlet end based on the heat absorbed in the porous body. The heated aerosol-generating article may be included in a heated aerosol-generating system that includes an electric heating element configured to generate heat. The heat diffuser may heat air drawn through the aerosol-generating system, based on absorbing heat generated by the electric heating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventor: Michel Thorens