Patents Examined by Timothy L. Maust
  • Patent number: 11781805
    Abstract: A refrigerator water dispenser includes a shelf having a lower surface. A water dispenser tube is disposed adjacent to the shelf for dispensing water into a container. An actuator support is operably coupled to the lower surface of the shelf. A load cell is disposed on the actuator support, wherein the load cell sends a signal in response to movement by the actuator support. A controller is operably coupled to the load cell, wherein the controller activates a water dispensing sequence to dispense water via the water dispenser tube in response to the signal from the load cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Atishkumar S. Dhage, Vikas C. Mruthyunjaya, Caroline Ruella Paiva Torres, Henrique Keiji Arai Yamaki, Ravi Joshi
  • Patent number: 11780410
    Abstract: A fuel distribution station includes a first fuel tank for releasably holding a first fuel, and a second fuel tank for releasably holding a second fuel. A connection member extends between the first fuel tank and the second fuel tank, and provides a rigid connection between the first fuel tank and the second fuel tank. A support structure supports the first fuel tank and the second fuel tank in an elevated position a predetermined distance above ground, sufficient to allow for passage of land vehicles beneath the support structure during a fueling operation. A control system is utilized for selectively permitting and monitoring a discharge of fuel from the first fuel tank and the second fuel tank to the land vehicles during the fueling operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Capat LLC
    Inventors: Jose A. Cajiga, Arturo Cajiga Villar, Vincente Cajiga Villar
  • Patent number: 11772956
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for controlling a fuel delivery system to limit acidic corrosion. An exemplary control system includes a controller, at least one monitor, an output, and a remediation system. The monitor of the control system may collect and analyze data indicative of a corrosive environment in the fuel delivery system. The output of the control system may automatically warn an operator of the fueling station of the corrosive environment so that the operator can take preventative or corrective action. The remediation system of the control system may take at least one corrective action to remediate the corrosive environment in the fuel delivery system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: FRANKLIN FUELING SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: Nicholas Schultz, James Novak, Bill Nelson, Randall Boucher, Martin Turnidge, George Risch, Todd Breuer
  • Patent number: 11767211
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a beverage distribution system, in particular a system for preparing espresso coffee and similar aromatic beverages, comprising a drinking recipient (1, 1?), for example of the glass, cup or similar type, a beverage discharge disposition (2) operatively associated to a beverage pressurization device (3), whereby said beverage discharge disposition (2) is provided so that the beverage discharge flow impinges, with a given flow pressure, to a flow regulation disposition (12) in the base region (11) of said drinking recipient (1, 1?) along a direction opposite the gravity force, whereby said beverage apparatus (3) further comprises purge means (26) adapted so that provide the circulation of a purge flow through at least part of said beverage discharge disposition (2), optionally also through a drinking recipient (1, 1?) operatively engaged thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: NOVADELTA—COMÉRCIO E INDÚSTRIA DE CAFÉS S.A.
    Inventors: Rui Miguel Nabeiro, Jesús Medina Mundt
  • Patent number: 11767089
    Abstract: A depth selector or current depth provider for use by a variable speed air system. As a depth selector it is preferably in the form of a rotary switch on the user interface for the air system. The rotary switch can have 3 positions for maximum depth selections, such as, without limitation 15, 25, and 65 feet. Other depth values and number of depth selections provided can be used and all are considered within the scope of the disclosure. A microcontroller of the system reads the voltage from the voltage divider created by the rotary switch selection to determine which position the rotary switch is in. The microcontroller uses this information to set the upper and lower pressure limits for the dive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: BROWNIE'S MARINE GROUP, INC
    Inventor: Blake Carmichael
  • Patent number: 11761569
    Abstract: A breakaway assembly including a first connector and a second connector releasably coupleable to the first connector, wherein the assembly is movable between a first configuration in which the first and second connectors are releasably coupled and together define a fluid path through which fluid is flowable, and a second configuration in which the first and second connectors are not coupled together. The assembly is configured to move from the first configuration to the second configuration when a predetermined separation force is applied to the assembly. The assembly includes a closure valve positioned in one of the first or second connectors, wherein the closure valve is configured to be in an open position when the assembly is in the first configuration to allow fluid to flow therethrough, and to move to a closed position when the assembly moves to the second configuration to generally block the flow of fluid therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: OPW FUELING COMPONENTS, LLC
    Inventor: Bryan William Clever
  • Patent number: 11761584
    Abstract: An automatic obstruction device for closing a filling circuit for filling a tank with fluid includes: a movable element movable between a non-obstruction position of the filling circuit, in which the movable element offers resistance to the fluid compatible with the filling of the tank, and an obstruction position of the filling circuit, in which the movable offers a resistance to the fluid that is incompatible with the filling of the tank; a holding element of the movable element holding the movable element in the non-obstruction position, and allowing movement of the movable element toward the obstruction position; and a first device of non-reversible movement or of non-reversible modification of the holding element allowing movement of the movable element toward the obstruction position, and being controllable by a control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: PLASTIC OMNIUM NEW ENERGIES FRANCE
    Inventors: Ronan Bellec, Nicolas Hubatzeck, Ammar Aryan, Bjorn Criel
  • Patent number: 11753192
    Abstract: Filling device for filling an aerosol container with a liquid, such as paint, which device comprises a cup for the liquid for the aerosol container, which cup is provided with an injection opening at its bottom surface; a piston for pushing the liquid from the cup via the injection opening to the aerosol container; and a piston head that is adapted to be detachably fixed on the end of the piston to be in contact with the liquid in the cup when the liquid is transferred from the cup to the aerosol container, which piston head is in the form of a scraper in continuous contact with the side wall of the cup during the liquid transferring operation, wherein the detachable fixing of the piston head allows the piston head to be withdrawn together with the piston from the cup after the liquid transferring operation is done.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Wisespray International Oy
    Inventors: Ilkka Parviainen, Marcus Weckman
  • Patent number: 11745451
    Abstract: A method of using a device of inflating and repairing a broken tire contains a step of: placing the device on the ground. The device contains: an accommodation box, a sealant can, a cap, and at least one delivery hose. The accommodation box accommodates an air compressor for compressing air so as to produce compressed air. The accommodation box includes a first coupling orifice and a second coupling orifice. The sealant can includes a body in which sealant is received, and the cap is connected on an open end of the body. The cap includes an air inflow tube and a sealant supply tube), and the cap is engaged on the first coupling orifice or the second coupling orifice. The at least one delivery hose includes a first connector and a second connector connected with two components, thus inflating and repairing the broken tire diversely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Inventors: Wen-San Chou, Cheng-Hsien Chou
  • Patent number: 11745633
    Abstract: A beverage dispensing system for a vehicle includes a beverage dispenser and a drinking vessel. The beverage dispenser includes a nozzle having an upwardly directed nozzle tube for dispensing a beverage liquid. The drinking vessel is connectable to the nozzle tube and is fillable with the beverage liquid from a bottom side of the drinking vessel. The drinking vessel has a hollow dome which is opened on its bottom and top sides and is formed by a central section of the bottom side of the drinking vessel extending into the drinking vessel interior. The hollow dome is pushed onto the nozzle tube for the drinking vessel to be filled with the beverage liquid from its bottom side. The drinking vessel may be a cylindrical or truncated conical mug in which the central section of its bottom side is curved into the drinking vessel interior to form the hollow dome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Kostal Automobil Elektrik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Roland Drees
  • Patent number: 11745994
    Abstract: A vented funnel for transferring liquid from one container to another includes a base portion adapted for connection to the container, a converging portion connected to the base portion, and a vent portion located between the base portion and the converging portion. The vent portion has a plurality of vent openings extending between the base portion and the converging portion and a plurality of ribs located between the vent openings so that each vent opening is separated from an adjacent vent opening by one of the plurality of ribs. In this manner, air within the container flows through the vent openings when liquid discharged from the converging portion displaces air in the container. The ribs extend between the base portion and the converging portion so that the ribs solely support the converging portion on the base portion while defining the vent openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Inventor: Paul Michael Marcink
  • Patent number: 11746959
    Abstract: The invention relates to a gas container equipped with a gas distribution valve having an electronic device for measuring gas autonomy. Flow selection means allow a desired gas flow to be selected. The electronic device includes a pressure sensor. Signal processing means allow gas autonomies to be determined on the basis of the pressure signal and of the selectable gas flows. A selection component cooperates with the signal processing means in order to successively display, on data display means and in response to successive digital activations by the user of the selection component, the various selectable flow values and the various corresponding autonomies, with each flow value being simultaneously displayed with a corresponding autonomy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Société Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procédés Georges Claude
    Inventors: Federica Bellingeri, Adrien Campagnac, Alexis Mary
  • Patent number: 11738987
    Abstract: A beverage production system, comprising a cup dispensing station configured to dispense cups, a beverage dispensing station configured to dispense a beverage, and a turntable assembly. The turntable assembly comprising a central axis, an inner turntable including a first row of cup receptacles, and an outer turntable including a second row of cup receptacles. The outer turntable is disposed circumferentially about the inner turntable, and the outer turntable is configured to rotate about the central axis to align the cup receptacles of the second row with the cup dispensing station and the beverage dispensing station. The turntable assembly is configured to align an opening in a cup receptacle in the second row with an opening in a cup receptacle in the first row. A slide assembly includes an arm configured to slide a cup positioned in the cup receptacle in the second row into the aligned opening of the cup receptacle in the first row.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: YUM Connect, LLC
    Inventors: Nicholas Michael Degnan, Arthur Francois David Levy, Robert William Lyle, Joseph Park, Aaron Thomas, Karl Thomas Szatrowski, Won Suk You, Elvis Junior Palma, Sze Wun Wong
  • Patent number: 11738986
    Abstract: The refillable drinking vessel comprises a bottle, a bottle fitting structure, a base plate, and a fluid control structure. The base plate forms a fluidic connection between the bottle fitting structure and a pressurized fluid source. The bottle fitting structure forms a fluidic connection between the bottle and the base plate. The fluid control structure automatically controls the flow of fluid from the pressurized fluid source through the base plate and the bottle fitting structure into the bottle. The fluid control structure senses when the bottle is near the base plate. The fluid control structure measures and controls the amount of fluid contained in the bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Inventor: Thomas Mullenaux
  • Patent number: 11738990
    Abstract: Ullage float assemblies for fuel tanks are disclosed including a guide member with a retaining element mounted to a valve body which includes a first valve port and a second valve port in fluid communication. Methods of preventing spillage of fuel from a fuel tank during a refueling and a diurnal fuel volumetric expansion event are also disclosed. The assemblies and methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: WHITECAP INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher Brown, Du Sing-Long, Todd Moore, Christopher E. Tomao
  • Patent number: 11730312
    Abstract: The water-dispensing system with coffee maker comprises a water generation system, a condensate pump, a condensate filter, and a coffee maker. The coffee maker further comprises a water storage reservoir and a power circuit. The water generation system, the condensate pump, and the condensate filter are fluidically connected. The condensate filter fluidically connects to the water storage reservoir of the coffee maker. The water generation system and the condensate pump electrically connect to the power circuit. The water-dispensing system with coffee maker is powered using electrical energy provided by a power circuit provisioned through the coffee maker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Inventor: Thomas Mullenaux
  • Patent number: 11723839
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a magazine having a plurality of solution bags for dialysis received therein, wherein the plurality of solution bags are identical; wherein the plurality of solution bags are fixed in a stationary manner in an identical orientation at different, but identically designed holding positions of the magazine; and wherein the holding positions are configured such that the solution bags can be removed from the magazine. The invention furthermore relates to a method of filling the solution bags.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Peter Wabel, Robert Berlich, Marcus Breuninger, Birgit Staude, Stefan Weiss, Zdenek Cerman, Matthias Rau
  • Patent number: 11724022
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are novel procedures, systems and excipient solutions for in situ provision of a contrast media at a user defined concentrations. An automated procedure according to embodiments of the current invention provides increased user safety, flexibility and user friendliness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: GE HEALTHCARE AS
    Inventors: Karina Martha Langseth-Manrique, Duncan Wynn
  • Patent number: 11718438
    Abstract: A fuel additive bottle has a neck and thread pattern that allows insertion into a capless diesel fuel system so the bottle's contents can be poured by gravity into a fuel tank. The neck of the bottle is elongated and has a diameter of approximately 0.932 inches, and the novel thread pattern includes thread interruptions that form two or four threadless paths. In use, the spring loaded tabs of a capless fuel system are depressed by the threadless path portion of bottle, thereby triggering the self-sealing mechanism to open, so the fluid receiving aperture is exposed. The use of the threadless paths facilitates the safe and easy entry and removal of the bottle from the capless fuel system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Inventor: William Edward Baker
  • Patent number: 11718429
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for tamping the contents of a container are disclosed. An embodiment of an apparatus includes a tamp head for tamping the contents of the container; and a container support assembly structured and arranged to temporarily support the bottom surface of the container during tamping, the container support assembly comprising a support element having a protrusion extending upward from a substantially flat and horizontal upper surface, wherein the protrusion is sized and shaped to correspond to the size and shape of the bottom surface of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: James D. Evans, Herbert Cary Longest, Tamika S. Murrell, Robert V. Powell, Jr., Jeremy Straight, Jarrod Chalkley