Patents Examined by Timothy L. Maust
  • Patent number: 11280663
    Abstract: A weighing system for weighing particulate material such as powders, granules and the like, and particularly particulate foodstuffs. The system includes: a weighing device (9); a vibrator unit (11); a transfer receptacle (7) having an opening; a robotic arm (5) arranged to move the transfer receptacle (7); and a control system (13) arranged to control the robotic arm (5) and the vibrator unit (11); wherein the transfer receptacle (7) is arranged to receive a quantity of the particulate material through the opening; the control system (13) is arranged to actuate the robotic arm (5) to move the transfer receptacle adjacent the weighing device (9), and to actuate the vibrator unit (11) to vibrate the transfer receptacle (7) thereby causing particulate material located in the transfer receptacle (7) to dispense from the transfer receptacle onto the weighing device (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Inventor: Harry Norman
  • Patent number: 11274024
    Abstract: A filling member for filling a container with a filling product, for example in a beverage filling system, includes a product outlet which is designed to dispense the filling product into a container located thereunder; and an equipment portion which as a first equipment means includes a screen device with a screen and which is designed to transfer the screen as required into a screen state, in which the screen is located between the product outlet and the container so that the filling product is filtered by the screen when introduced into the container, and out of the screen state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: KRONES AG
    Inventors: Thomas Knitl, Juergen Soellner, Sven Fischer
  • Patent number: 11273463
    Abstract: A water ejecting apparatus includes a case and a water ejection unit coupled to one side of the case. The water ejection unit includes a rotator rotatably seated on an inner side of the front of the case, a first lifting cover coupled to one side of the rotator and allowing a lifting gear extending in an up-down direction to be fixed thereto, a second lifting cover movably accommodated inside the first lifting cover, a lifting motor coupled to the second lifting cover and configured to interwork with the lifting motor, a water ejection nozzle installed at a lower end of the second lifting cover and configured to eject water, and a water ejection pipe having one end accommodated in the second lifting cover and connected to the water ejection nozzle and the other end extending to the inside of the case by way of the rotator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Minho Kim, Heesang Yoon, Hoon Jang, Dongkoo Han, Hyeonggeun Kim, Keunho Roh, Jongho Park, Younggwan Song
  • Patent number: 11267025
    Abstract: Multiple-can aerosol puncturing systems that are capable of puncturing multiple aerosol cans in a single operation are disclosed. A can holder with multiple chambers and a movable lid are used to contain the aerosol cans. A vertically movable actuation plate with multiple hollow puncturing pins is raised toward the can holder to puncture the lids of the aerosol cans. The heights of the puncturing pins may be staggered in order to puncture the lids sequentially during the same draining operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: New Pig Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory R. Harpster, Daniel J. Gongloff, Dane R. Jackson
  • Patent number: 11267684
    Abstract: A liquid filling system is provided that contains a container and a nozzle, while such nozzle contains liquid flow passages that are configured to generate different liquid influxes that are directed differentially toward the bottom and the sidewall(s) of such containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Justin Thomas Cacciatore, Sebastian Vargas, Scott William Capeci, Eric Shawn Goudy, Hua Hu, Boon Ho Ng
  • Patent number: 11267688
    Abstract: A point-of-sale custom color system for tinting base paints and stains includes an array of water-only fluid colorants, including at least white, green, blue and red water-only colorants, which can be used to tint water-borne paints and stains. When tinting solvent-borne base paints or stains, a synergist containing one or more surfactants and optional dispersing agents or optional cosolvents is added to or is a part of the solvent-borne base paint or stains, and enables effective tinting using the water-only colorants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: SWIMC LLC
    Inventors: Mark W. Ellsworth, Benita L. Bush, Alison M. Collignon, Jacob S. Donlon, Mark R. Coward
  • Patent number: 11262026
    Abstract: A cryogenic liquid dispensing system having a tank that holds cryogenic liquid and a basin configured to hold cryogenic liquid at a height above a bottom portion of the tank. The system is configured to pump cryogenic liquid for dispensing from the bottom portion of the tank when the cryogenic liquid in the tank is of a sufficient level to provide an adequate liquid head to permit pump operation, and is configured to pump cryogenic liquid for dispensing from the basin when the liquid in the tank is of an insufficient level to provide an adequate liquid head to permit pump operation to dispense cryogenic liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Chart Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Lansky, Jan Kubica
  • Patent number: 11255485
    Abstract: A method of dispensing compressed natural gas (CNG) includes assigning a first priority to the filling of a first destination tank and assigning a second priority to the filling of a second destination tank. The second priority is lower than the first priority. The method also includes filling the first destination tank from a first CNG source while filling the second destination tank from a second CNG source. The second CNG source provides CNG at a lower pressure relative to the pressure at which the first CNG source provides CNG.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Inventors: Richard Allan Poorman, Paul Howison Bergthold, Bradley Wade Fontenot
  • Patent number: 11254484
    Abstract: An evacuated bottle system including a bottle defining a hollow interior, the bottle having a neck defining an opening that provides fluid communication with the interior; a cap assembly including a funnel having a first portion and a second portion, where the second portion extends radially outward from the first portion to form a floor on an interior thereof and a shoulder on an exterior thereof, the first portion defining a first bore and the second portion defining a second bore fluidly connected to the first bore; a self serum stopper having a self sealing membrane that extends radially outward to overlie at least a portion of the floor of the funnel; and a cap having a cap wall sized to fit over the funnel and a cover portion extending radially inward from the cap wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: CSCM Management Company LLC
    Inventors: Michael G. Marantis, Joshua W. Hubbard, Jonathan P. Richards, Richard A. Ponton
  • Patent number: 11255484
    Abstract: A device for filling a tank or tanks with pressurized gas comprising a circuit comprising a plurality of upstream ends connected respectively to separate pressurized gas sources, at least one compressor, at least one buffer storage, a set of controlled valves and at least one downstream end intended to be connected to the tank(s) to be filled, the device further comprising an electronic control member configured to control the valves and/or the compressor in order to ensure a transfer of gas into the tank from at least one source and/or at least one buffer storage and/or via the compressor, the device comprising a set of sensors for measuring the pressure in the sources and the buffer storages, the control member comprising member for receiving or generating signal representative of the filling demand from a relatively high demand to a relatively low demand, the control member being configured to ensure the transfer of gas into the tank according to at least a first transfer mode using the source having the h
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme Pour L'Etude Et L'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventor: Francois Thibaut
  • Patent number: 11253143
    Abstract: An endoscope reprocessor includes: a housing unit that houses a medicinal solution bottle such that a sealing portion is located on a top surface; a first guide that guides the housing unit such that the housing unit is capable of advancing and retreating between a first point and a second point; a movable unit that moves in cooperation with advancing of the housing unit; an unsealing member provided in the movable unit and arranged at a position higher than the sealing portion of the medicinal solution bottle housed in the housing unit at the first point, the unsealing member having a shape protruding toward the top surface at a predetermined length to pierce the sealing portion when the medicinal solution bottle reaches the second point by descending as the movable unit advances; and a second guide that guides an advancing direction of the movable unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tomokazu Iwasaki
  • Patent number: 11250659
    Abstract: A fluid filling station which has a supply tank, filter, transfer pump, a high pressure valve, an optional flow meter, a pressure relief valve, at least one muffler, a filling head, a control module, a purge head, cylinder dispensing mechanism, and its method of use are provided for. This fluid filling station is capable of refilling many types of fluids, but is preferably for the use with carbon dioxide. Additionally, this station is capable of housing and dispensing prefilled refillable fluid containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: FOUNTAIN MASTER, LLC
    Inventors: Francis X. Tansey, Jr., Gwenivere R. Tansey, Joseph F. Tansey
  • Patent number: 11246979
    Abstract: Embodiments herein describe tools, instruments and methods for aseptic loading, dispensing and/or delivering cells into an implantable device and aseptically and selectively sealing a device inside a sterile package as well as and storing and preparing for shipment the cell-filled device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: ViaCyte, Inc.
    Inventors: Chad Green, Laura Martinson, Erik Olson, Val Anthony Bellora, Leah Elliott, Richard Alexander Grant, Donald Koenig, Giacomo Strollo
  • Patent number: 11248943
    Abstract: A mobile fuel monitoring system (MMU) is disclosed. The fuel monitoring system may be skid mounted and is configured to monitor fuel transfers between a fuel source and a vessel, such as a ship. The disclosed MMU is a stand-alone, self-contained unit that can be easily moved from place to place. The MMU is configured to monitor and remotely report custody transfers of fuel performed at any location. Parameters of the fuel transfer operation, such as the amount of fuel transferred, the flow rate, the fuel density, and fuel temperature can be monitored and alarms may be issued if any of the parameters are out of specification. The parameter values may be transmitted to a remote location, for example, via a satellite link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Nautical Control Solutions, LP
    Inventors: Anthony George, Thomas Smith, Brian Doyle, Emerson Ornstein
  • Patent number: 11242185
    Abstract: An evacuated bottle system including a bottle defining a hollow interior, the bottle having a neck with a rim defining an opening; a cap assembly supported on the bottle, the cap assembly including a funnel having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being insertable within the interior of the bottle and the second portion engaging a portion of the bottle to support the funnel above the rim, the funnel defining a bore that fluidly communicates with the hollow interior of the bottle; a self-sealing membrane that covers the bore formed by the funnel to selectively seal the hollow interior of the bottle; a cap attachable to the bottle, the cap including a cover portion that extends at least partially over the self-sealing membrane to restrain movement thereof, the cover portion being axially spaced from the self-sealing membrane to define a gap that permits axial movement of the self-sealing membrane to selectively open the bottle to fluid communication outside of the bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: CSCM Management Company LLC
    Inventors: Michael G. Marantis, Joshua W. Hubbard, Jonathan P. Richards, Richard A. Ponton
  • Patent number: 11242955
    Abstract: This invention relates to a novel method and system for dispensing CO2 vapor without over pressurization from a system having multiple containers. The system includes one or more liquid containers and one or more vapor containers. The system is designed to operate in a specific manner whereby a restricted amount of CO2 liquid is permitted into the vapor container through a restrictive pathway that is created and maintained by a shuttle valve during the filling operation so that equalization of container pressures is achieved, thereby allowing shuttle valve to reseat when filling has stopped. During use, a pressure differential device is designed to specifically isolate the vapor container from the liquid container so as to preferentially deplete liquid CO2 from the vapor container and avoid over pressurization of the system until the vapor container becomes liquid dry. The system can be operated so that at least 50% of the CO2 vapor product is dispensed from the vapor container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Xuemei Song, Shawn M Cecula, William R Gerristead
  • Patent number: 11235966
    Abstract: A fluid dispensing nozzle including a nozzle body having a fluid path and a suction path therein. The nozzle includes a suction generator configured to generate a suction force in at least part of the suction path when fluid to be dispensed flows through the fluid path. The nozzle further includes a shut-off device including a suction chamber fluidly coupled to the suction path and configured such that when the suction path is blocked during fluid dispensing the shut-off device moves to a closed configuration to prevent the nozzle from dispensing fluid through the fluid path. The suction path includes a terminal portion in fluid communication with the suction chamber, and the terminal portion has a cross sectional area of at least about 0.015 square inches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: OPW FUELING COMPONENTS, LLC
    Inventors: John M. Gray, Timothy M. Garrison, Brenton T. Hershner
  • Patent number: 11236981
    Abstract: A dual-barrel powder dispenser is provided. The dual-barrel arrangement may offer a highly-accurate, and highly efficient system and method for dispensing a consistent amount of powder. A controller in communication with the interface may determine the speeds at which each barrel rotates in order to dispense a volume and weight of powder from a hopper to a receptacle. A scale may monitor and determine the total weight of powder dispensed into the receptacle resting on the scale. The entire assembly may be self-contained in a single integrated body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Bushnell, Inc.
    Inventors: William Clark Hemeyer, Joe Dunning
  • Patent number: 11235578
    Abstract: A liquid supplying system includes a tank, a first tubular portion, a second tubular portion, a sleeve portion, and a liquid bottle. The first and second tubular portions have inner ends positioned inside a storage chamber of the tank, and outer ends positioned outside of the storage chamber. The first and second tubular portions are positioned inside the sleeve portion. The sleeve portion includes a first screw portion and a first engagement portion. The liquid bottle includes an outer sleeve connectable to the sleeve portion. The sleeve portion includes a second screw portion threadingly engageable with the first screw portion, and a second engagement portion engageable with the first engagement portion. The first engagement portion can guide the second engagement portion to move in a direction parallel to a center axis of the sleeve portion during connection of the outer sleeve to the sleeve portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takuya Tsuji, Yoshinori Osakabe
  • Patent number: 11231215
    Abstract: An injection device (10) injects a dispensable fluid material (32), for example, a liquid sealant, into refrigerant lines of an air conditioning or refrigeration pressurized system, by utilizing the pressure difference between high and low pressure zones of the pressurized system. The device comprises a tube (12) which contains the dispensable fluid material (32) and is closed by an outlet valve (26). A movable member (34) houses a spring-loaded check valve (38) and is disposed downstream of and spaced from the outlet valve (26). The movable member (34) is movable within a passageway (24e) formed in an outlet tube connector (24). Upon being connected to a service port (17) of a pressurized system by an installation nut (28), movable member (34) is forced into engagement with the outlet valve (26) to open it to dispense fluid material (32) into service port (17).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: ZYNON TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Floyd Kent Matlack, Brian E. King, Adam Eckenroth, Jay S. Tourigny