Patents Examined by Timothy L. Maust
  • 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
  • Patent number: 11718489
    Abstract: A crop input transfer system for transferring a crop input to an implement tank supported on an implement dispensing the crop input, the crop input transfer system includes a mobile supply vehicle powered independent of the implement. The mobile supply vehicle has a boom and a supply tank holding a crop input supply. The crop transfer system includes a coupler with a first coupler portion that matingly couples with a second coupler portion. The first coupler portion is mounted to the boom and the second coupler portion is mounted to the implement. The crop input supply in the supply tank is communicated to implement tank via the matingly coupled first and second coupler portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: 360 Yield Center, LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan T. Welte, Nowell Moore
  • Patent number: 11713143
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus (10) for placing mixing balls (1) into pharmaceutical containers (2), comprising a transport device (30) for conveying, preferably intermittently, the containers (2), and comprising a feed device (45) for the mixing balls (1), wherein the feed device (45) can be moved between a position for removing mixing balls (1) from a storage means (46) and a position for transferring the mixing balls (1) into the containers (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Syntegon Technology GmbH
    Inventors: Ulrich Krauß, Steffen Humpfer, Reiner Staeudle, Reinhold Schmieg
  • Patent number: 11708061
    Abstract: A product system for an agricultural sprayer includes a product tank configured to store a volume of an agricultural product. A fill station is configured to accept the agricultural product from an off-board source. A flow assembly is fluidly coupled with the fill station and is configured to direct the agricultural product into a product tank from the conduit. A reclaim system is configured to provide the agricultural product within the flow assembly to the product tank. A computing system is communicatively coupled to the reclaim system. The computing system is configured to receive inputs indicative of activation of a fill mode, detect termination of the fill mode, and activate a reclaim mode to move the agricultural product from at least the conduit to the product tank through activation of the reclaim system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Mitchell Sandey, Martin Louis Krohn, Nathan Paul Brooks, Jeremy A. Amundson
  • Patent number: 11708186
    Abstract: The present invention provides a filling nozzle obtained by using a resin selected from a cycloolefin polymer and a cycloolefin copolymer, or a filling nozzle including a tubular passage for supplying a pharmaceutical solution, and a filling port disposed at a lower end of the tubular passage, in which the tubular passage and the filling port have a circular peripheral cross-section, and an inner diameter of the passage of the filling port is larger than an inner diameter of the tubular passage disposed on an upstream side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Chugai Seiyaku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shaw Nishizawa
  • Patent number: 11702330
    Abstract: System for dispensing a beverage into a container (18) comprising at least one dispenser unit (10). The dispenser unit (10) comprises at least one beverage outlet port and a movable seal member (34) which is configured to form a sealing barrier between at least a portion of the container (18) and the dispenser head. In this way the container is pressurised before filling, so as to avoid excessive foaming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: EBAR Initiatives LTD
    Inventors: Samuel Pettipher, Nicholas Beeson, Daniel Godfrey, Nicholas Earl, Clive Edmonds, Keith Brookes, Kyle O'Callaghan
  • Patent number: 11702333
    Abstract: An additive injection system includes an additive injection controller operable to: (a) receive fuel data; (b) determine, from the fuel data, a total fuel amount corresponding to a total volume of fuel present in a fuel tank; (c) determine an untreated fuel amount corresponding to a delivered volume of untreated fuel delivered into the fuel tank, the untreated fuel amount determined based on the total fuel amount and a treated fuel amount corresponding to an expected volume of treated fuel expected to be present in the fuel tank; and (d) in response to determining that the untreated fuel amount exceeds an injection threshold, generate an injection signal to initiate injection of fuel additive into a fuel stream of untreated fuel being delivered into the fuel tank via the fuel tank inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: TOTAL METER SERVICES INC.
    Inventors: Dennis Swanek, Jonathan Catangui, Reem Fatahalla, Jasdeep Panag
  • Patent number: 11691866
    Abstract: A method of aseptically distributing fluid including fluidly connecting a primary vessel to a fluid distribution system via a feedline of the supply vessel to form a closed system, priming the feedline to purge trapped gases and fluid from the feedline via a purge valve, simultaneously distributing fluid from the primary vessel to a plurality of secondary vessels, sensing a complete fill of the plurality of secondary vessels with the control system, and stopping the distribution of fluid when the complete fill is sensed by the control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Sartorius Stedim North America Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Zumbrum, Kevin M. Perdue, William Kimmick, Jan Neuhaus
  • Patent number: 11691862
    Abstract: An apparatus for treating a container with a treatment fluid, for example in a beverage bottling plant, including: at least one treatment member with a switchable treatment valve, wherein the treatment member is configured to treat the container with the treatment fluid by opening the treatment valve and to end the treatment by closing the treatment valve; at least one motion sensor which is configured to detect a movement of the treatment member or a component that is mechanically coupled to the treatment member during switching of the treatment valve; and an electronic evaluation unit which is coupled in a communicating manner to the motion sensor and is configured to draw conclusions about the switching behavior of the treatment valve from processing the data that is detected by the motion sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: KRONES AG
    Inventor: Stefan Poeschl
  • Patent number: 11691865
    Abstract: A liquid dispensing system can intelligently dispense liquid from a liquid source to a receptacle via a spout. A controller may be connected to a sensor in a housing of the liquid dispensing system with the housing supporting a liquid dispensing spout connected to a liquid source. The controller can generate, and execute, a liquid dispensing strategy that alters an angle of the liquid dispensing spout with respect to a liquid receptacle to optimize liquid flow into the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Inventors: Chad W. Levin, Stefanee M. Nielson
  • Patent number: 11679972
    Abstract: There is provided a funnel having a body forming a conduit for a flowable material. The body has an inlet to receive the flowable material and an outlet to output the flowable material. The flowable material is to move from the inlet to the outlet along an axis of material movement. The body has a stem portion proximate the outlet, the stem portion for being at least partially received into a corresponding inlet of a receptacle for transferring the flowable material into the receptacle. The funnel also has one or more fins positioned in the stem portion, which fins extend from an outer surface of the body laterally to the axis of material movement. The one or more fins are to abut against an inner surface of the corresponding inlet of the receptacle when the stem portion is at least partially received in the corresponding inlet of the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Inventor: Omeed El-Zabet
  • Patent number: 11672367
    Abstract: The refillable drinking vessel is a fluid containment structure. The refillable drinking vessel forms a fluidic connection with a pressurized fluid source the refillable drinking vessel: a) opens a fluidic connection with the pressurized fluid source; and, b) received fluid from the pressurized fluid source until a previously determined volume of fluid is contained in the refillable drinking vessel. The refillable drinking vessel incorporates 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 the 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Inventor: Thomas Mullenaux
  • Patent number: 11667509
    Abstract: A water purifier or other liquid dispenser may sense a height of the inlet of a container accurately through an infrared transmitter and an infrared receiver that are disposed at different positions of a water discharge module moving vertically. Additionally, in the water purifier, the water discharge module may discharge purified water at a point spaced a certain distance apart from the inlet of the container, based on infrared sensing, thereby preventing the inlet of the container from contacting the lower surface of the water discharge module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jaehoon Lee, Kyuchun Choi, Dong Seong Kim, Daewoo Kim
  • Patent number: 11660904
    Abstract: A device for filling cartridges for a writing implement, the device including at least two separate connectors, a system for metering inks and a system for filling a cartridge, each connector being configured to connect a reservoir containing an ink to the cartridge. The invention also concerns an assembly comprising a device as previously defined and a plurality of ink reservoirs, each ink reservoir being connected to a connector of the device and a method for filling a cartridge using such an assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: SOCIÉTÉ BIC
    Inventors: Franck Rolion, Etienne Roudaut
  • Patent number: 11661330
    Abstract: A dispensing apparatus is described having a beverage source, containing a carbonated beverage liquid, and a dispensing tap. The dispensing apparatus includes a dispense tube disposing the beverage source in fluid communication with the dispensing tap and an infusion chamber arranged in connection with the dispense tube and configured to infuse an infusing ingredient with the carbonated beverage liquid. The dispensing apparatus includes a sensing unit configured to determine a level of carbon-dioxide in the liquid downstream of the infusion chamber. The dispensing apparatus includes a carbon-dioxide source coupled to the dispense tube via a valve. The dispensing apparatus further includes a control unit configured to operate the valve to allow flow of carbon-dioxide gas based on the determined level of carbon-dioxide in the carbonated beverage liquid, so as to bring the level of carbon-dioxide to a pre-defined level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Inventors: Stijn Vandekerckhove, Aaron Penn
  • Patent number: 11655075
    Abstract: Dispensing systems for delivering a product from the inside of a container to a receptacle, cup, or container include valve systems and other dispensing configurations to reduce mess, parts, and costs associated with such dispensing systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Silgan Dispensing Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Brandon L. Ramsuer, Kelly A. Harrigan, Niels F. G. Van Wieringen, Stefan Koster, Eelco Han De Man, Sara D. Falcon, William L. Driskell
  • Patent number: 11643322
    Abstract: The cleaning fluid supply system includes a first fluid storage device, a second fluid storage device, a pipeline assembly and at least one fluid drive device, and they are all mounted on the base. The pipeline assembly is provided with a main pipeline, a first branch and a second branch. The main pipeline is configured to supply the cleaning fluid to the cleaning robot. The first branch is communicated with the first fluid storage device, and the second branch is communicated with the second fluid storage device. The first branch and the second branch are both communicated with the main pipeline. The at least one fluid driving device is configured to drive the fluid in the first fluid storage device and the fluid in the second fluid storage device to flow to the first branch and the second branch, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Shenzhen Fly Rodent Dynamics Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Li, Linlin Zhou
  • Patent number: 11644290
    Abstract: A powder dispensing device is provided including a housing; a hopper sized and shaped to engage the housing to form a reservoir; a first barrel in fluid communication with the reservoir via one or more first apertures and having a first internal diameter; a second barrel in fluid communication with the reservoir via one or more second apertures and having a second internal diameter, wherein the first internal diameter is greater than the second internal diameter; at least one motor coupled to the first barrel and the second barrel, the at least one motor configured to rotate the first barrel and the second barrel; a scale electrically coupled to a scale plate, the scale plate disposed on the housing and below the first barrel and the second barrel; and a user interface in electrical communication with the at least one motor and the scale, the user interface configured to receive a user-input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Bushnell Inc.
    Inventors: William Clark Hemeyer, Joe Dunning
  • Patent number: 11643319
    Abstract: Beverage dispensing system comprising a pressure housing comprising a first housing part 12, 12? having a connector aperture 22, and a second housing part 14, 14?. The system further comprises a pair of connectors 24, 24? connectable to the connector aperture in a pressure-tight sealing connection. The pair of connectors 24, 24? comprises a first connector 24 having a through-going hole for allowing guiding a first tapping line 20 through the through-going hole and a second connector 24? being connectable to a second tapping line. The system further comprises a pair of beverage containers 16, 16?, both accommodating a carbonated beverage and having a beverage outlet. A first beverage container 16 of the pair of beverage containers comprises the first tapping line 20 communicating with the beverage outlet. A second beverage container 16? of the pair of beverage containers has an openable seal for establishing connection from the beverage outlet to the second connector 24?.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Carlsberg Breweries A/S
    Inventor: Jonas Christiansen