Patents Examined by Timothy Cleveland
  • Low-carbon, material consumption-free air cleaner
    Patent number: 9039978
    Abstract: A low-carbon, material consumption-free air cleaner includes a rectangular box body, a fan, a negative ion generator unit and a dielectric barrier discharge actuator respectively arranged at upper part, middle part and lower part of the rectangular box body, an air input port disposed at the bottom side of the dielectric barrier discharge actuator, and air output port disposed at the top side of the rectangular box body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Inventor: Kun-Liang Hong
  • Agitator for abrasive media
    Patent number: 9033572
    Abstract: An agitator, particularly for abrasive media includes a support disk to which agitator blades are connected substantially perpendicular to the support disk. The blades are arranged substantially in a radial direction. The support disk also includes a hub that receives an agitator shaft which is preferably motor-driven. The trailing faces of the blades of the agitator and/or the area of the blade connections to the support disk are designed to largely prevent vortex shedding. This is accomplished by implementing a specific geometry for the agitator blades, the support disk, and the connection of the blades to the support disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: EKATO Rühr- und Mischtechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Wolfgang Keller
  • Method and apparatus for concentrating platelets from platelet-rich plasma
    Patent number: 9033858
    Abstract: An apparatus for use with a centrifugal cellular separation device that comprises a rotor rotatable about an axis of rotation is provided that comprises a fluid separation chamber having a first port, a second port spaced apart from the first port, and a third port located intermediate the first port and the second port. The fluid separation chamber has a cross sectional area generally transverse to a radius extending from the axis of rotation that varies between the first port and the second port. The fluid separation chamber is adapted to be mounted to the rotor so as to be rotatable therewith, with the first port located at a greater radial distance from the axis than the second port, and the third port located radially intermediate the first port and the second port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Fenwal, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven R. Katz
  • Multi-unit blood processor with volume prediction
    Patent number: 9028388
    Abstract: Method and Apparatus for predicting the volume of a component separated from a composite fluid by predicting the volume of the composite fluid from sensed pressure and predicting the volume of other separated components from sensed movement of the other components to collection bags.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Terumo BCT, Inc.
    Inventors: Victor D. Dolecek, Darryl Hudock
  • Container system
    Patent number: 9010989
    Abstract: A method and system for providing a homogenized slurry output comprises a container body defining an interior portion, a discharge for supplying the slurry from the container body to a downstream source and at least one inlet in fluid communication with a pressurized supply of slurry for introducing the slurry into the interior portion of the container body in a circulation pattern that creates a homogenized mixture of slurry in the interior portion of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Josh Rayner, Michael Woodmansee, Laurent Coquilleau, Philip Zsiga
  • Pyrolysis furnace and process tubes
    Patent number: 9011791
    Abstract: A cracking furnace construction includes a firebox defining a chamber having a high emissivity thermal protective coating disposed on at least part of the refractory walls and/or on process tubes disposed within the chamber. The coating contains an inorganic adhesive for metal/alloy tubes or colloidal silica and/or colloidal alumina for refractory walls or ceramic tubes, a filler, and one or more emissivity agents. A method of coating the firebox chamber includes preparing the surface of the tubes/refractory walls, preparing the coating, and applying the coating to the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Emisshield, Inc.
    Inventors: John W. Olver, Jason Andrew Simmons
  • Compressor with an internal disinfecting UV light source
    Patent number: 9005530
    Abstract: The air compressor has an air intake, a tank, means for pressurizing the air in the tank and an air outlet connected to the tank. High power 365 nm UV LED light sources are mounted within the tank to disinfect the interior tank surface. The light source has a cover for protecting the light source which may take the form of a quartz diverging lens for directing the output of the light source toward the portion of the interior tank surface where fluid tends to accumulate, such as the bottom of the tank. Air flow is directed through the area proximate the light source to remove particles from the light source cover. The effect of this air flow can be amplified by creating turbulence proximate the light sources utilizing a member with an arcuate profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Inventor: Donald Nevin
  • Device for hand disinfection
    Patent number: 8999261
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for hand washing and disinfection by nebulization of an in-situ electrolyzed active solution. The dispensed solution contains active chlorine optionally added with ozone or peroxides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Industrie de Nora S.p.A.
    Inventor: Mariachiara Benedetto
  • Methods and systems for monitoring sterilization status
    Patent number: 8992837
    Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring sterilization status are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, LLC
    Inventors: Edward K. Y. Jung, Royce A. Levien, Robert W. Lord, Mark A. Malamud, John D. Rinaldo, Jr., Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Cartridge and centrifuge having a cartridge
    Patent number: 8992403
    Abstract: A cartridge (1) for accommodating blood bags (35) to be inserted into a centrifuge is used for the separation of blood components. Said cartridge (1) is provided with a partition wall (3) which separates a blood bag section (5) positioned radially inside from a product section (7) positioned radially outside, wherein a fixture (29) for a filter (31) is provided in the product section (7), a product transport path (36) which leads from the blood bag section (5) via the fixture (29) for the filter (31) to the product section (7). The product transport path (36) coming from the blood bag section (5) leads into the fixture (29) for the filter (31) radially from the outside and from below.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignees: Terumo BCT, Inc., Andreas Hettich GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Klaus-Günter Eberle, Roland Biset
  • System for blood separation with side-tapped separation chamber
    Patent number: 8992402
    Abstract: A disposable blood separation set and a centrifugal blood processing system comprising a blood processing chamber adapted to be mounted on a rotor of a centrifuge; a frustro-conical cell separation chamber in fluid communication with the processing chamber, the cell separation chamber having an inlet, and outlet and a side tap outlet adjacent the inlet. The inlet may protrude into the cell separation chamber forming a circumferential well surrounding the protruding inlet. The side tap outlet may connect to the well. The set and system comprise means for selectively drawing fluid from either the outlet or the side tap outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Terumo BCT, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian M. Holmes
  • Chemistry for effective microbe control with reduced gas phase corrosiveness in pulp and paper processing systems
    Patent number: 8986606
    Abstract: Processes for biofilm or microorganism growth control in an aqueous system such as a pulp, paper or board manufacturing system are described in which a halogenated hydantoin is added to the aqueous system in combination with haloamine, chlorine dioxide or a combination thereof. The halogenated hydantoin is preferably a fully or partially halogenated dialkyl hydantoin, and more preferably 5,5-dimethyl hydantoin or 5-methyl-5-ethyl hydantoin. The haloamine is preferably a monohaloamine, dihaloamine, trihaloamine, or a combination thereof, and more preferably monochloramine, monobromamine, bromochloroamine or a combination thereof. The halogenated hydantoin is preferably added to the aqueous system in portions of the system susceptible to gas phase corrosion, such as the short loop of the system, and the haloamine and chlorine dioxide are preferably added to other portions of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Kemira Oyj
    Inventors: Mark Nelson, Marko Kolari, Juhana Ahola
  • Centrifuge
    Patent number: 8974362
    Abstract: Centrifuges are useful to, among other things, remove red blood cells from whole blood and retain platelets and other factors in a reduced volume of plasma. Platelet rich plasma (PRP) and or platelet poor plasma (PPP) can be obtained rapidly and is ready for immediate injection into the host. Embodiments may include valves, operated manually or automatically, to open ports that discharge the excess red blood cells and the excess plasma into separate receivers while retaining the platelets and other factors in the centrifuge chamber. High speeds used allow simple and small embodiments to be used at the patient's side during surgical procedures. The embodiments can also be used for the separation of liquids or slurries in other fields such as, for example, the separation of pigments or lubricants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Kensey Nash Corporation
    Inventors: John E. Nash, William T. Fisher
  • Volatile article and method of use
    Patent number: 8974736
    Abstract: A dispenser for a volatile material may be a cover that may be selectively attached to a base to form an internal cavity between them. A method is described for providing a visual indication when an item, such as the cover, needs to be replaced. The cover has a first initial size condition. The volatile material is permitted to evaporate from the cover into the air. The cover is permitted to shrink to a second size condition to provide a visual indication that the cover needs to be replaced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Fresh Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas S. Brown, Jeffrey A. Smith
  • Multi-stage catalytic air purification system
    Patent number: 8961881
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for the production of a secure supply of breathable air are important under conditions where threats from chemical and biological weapons may be present. A method and a multi-stage CATOX system for producing a purified air flow from ambient air which may have nitrogen containing toxicants is provided. The multi-stage CATOX system has a first stage and second stage, at least one of the first or the second stage has a first catalytic heat exchanger with a cold side supporting a first catalyst and a hot side configured to transfer heat therefrom to the first catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Bijan Hagh, Mahmoud Adel Elsayed, Russell W. Johnson, Peter M. Michalakos, Melissa Dopkins
  • Heat recovery in biowaste sterilization
    Patent number: 8961874
    Abstract: According to the present invention a method for heat recovery in a device for the sterilization of biological material is provided. The present method eliminates the risk of contaminating the sterilized effluent with unsterilized biological material via the heat recovery system. In a device according to the invention, a heat recovery circuit is provided for transferring heat from the sterilized effluent stream to the biologically hazardous feed stream. Protection against contamination through leaks is obtained by maintaining at all times a pressure difference preventing biologically hazardous material from bypassing the heat treatment and flowing in the direction of the sterilized material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Steris Europe, Inc. Suomen sivuliike
    Inventor: Juha Mattila
  • Centrifuge for separating of whole blood into blood components as well as fluidically communicating containers for insertion into the centrifuge, as well as a method for obtaining a highly enriched thrombocyte concentrate out of whole blood
    Patent number: 8951180
    Abstract: The invention refers to a centrifuge for separating whole blood into its blood components and a method for extracting a highly enriched thrombocyte concentrate out of whole blood. For this purpose, the centrifuge comprises a closed loop and/or open-loop control unit as well as a drive unit coupled to the closed loop and/or open-loop control unit, a rotor (12) having at least two container receptacles (14a, 14b; 16a, 16) for removably holding containers (18, 20, 22, 24) being in fluid communication with each other, at least one sensor arranged between the container receptacles (14a, 14b; 16a, 16b) and coupled with the closed loop and/or open-loop control unit for detecting a separation layer. Herein, a motor/gear unit (30a, 30b, 32a, 32b) coupled to the closed loop and/or open-loop control unit is associated with each of the container receptacles (14a, 14b; 16a, 16b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Andreas Hettich GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Klaus-Günter Eberle
  • Transfer port and method for transferring items
    Patent number: 8951469
    Abstract: A sterile enclosure contains a transfer module defining a window. A port covers the window to maintain the inside of the enclosure as a sealed and sterile environment. A sliding, heated cutting element mounted on the port serves to sterilize and sever a portion of a sterile transfer bag assembly attached to the port. Preferably, the excised portion of the sterile transfer bag assembly is affixed to the port when the port opens. The sliding cutting element remains extended and heated to prevent contamination when the port is open. Further, a heating element is mounted about the window in order to sterilize around the opening when the port is open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: MedInstill Development LLC
    Inventor: Daniel Py
  • Apparatus and method for sterilizing items
    Patent number: 8945468
    Abstract: A sterilizing apparatus includes an enclosure defining an interior chamber and a door for accessing the interior chamber. A fluid source communicates with the chamber to supply a working fluid thereto. A heater heats the fluid in the chamber and a pump moves the fluid in the chamber by the heater. A valve communicates with the chamber and with the exterior of the chamber and is configured to vent the fluid in the chamber to the exterior at a pressure of approximately one atmosphere. Such provides superheating and concentrating of the working fluid in the chamber. A method of sterilization includes introducing a working fluid into an interior chamber and circulating the fluid through at least one recirculation loop having a heater for heating the fluid to an operational temperature suitable for killing microorganisms. The method further provides for killing of very high temperature resistant microorganisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Micropyretics Heaters International, Inc.
    Inventors: Ganta S. Reddy, Ramgopal Vissa, Jaingesh A. Sekhar
  • Multi-unit blood processor with isolated valves for radio frequency sealing
    Patent number: 8944983
    Abstract: An apparatus for separating at least two discrete volumes of a composite liquid into components, comprising a valve design that facilitates loading and unloading of sets of blood bags. The valves comprise a jaw mounted on a shaft, the jaw being adapted to apply radio frequency energy to seal a tube, a stepper motor section, and at least two position sensors. The valve sections are mounted on an upper plate, and the stepper motor sections are mounted on a lower plate. A main radio frequency coil is selectively electrically coupled to each of the valves through a multiplexing switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Terumo BCT, Inc.
    Inventors: Hong Duc Nguyen, Bruce Ellingboe, Darryl Hudock