Patents Examined by Timothy L. Maust
  • Water-dispensing system for use with an icemaker
    Patent number: 11566831
    Abstract: The water-dispensing system with ice maker comprises a water generation system, a condensate pump, a condensate filter, and an ice maker. The ice 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 ice maker. The water generation system and the condensate pump electrically connect to the power circuit. The water-dispensing system with ice maker is powered using electrical energy provided by a power circuit provisioned through the ice maker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Inventor: Thomas Mullenaux
  • Auto-water shut-off for an external door water dispenser
    Patent number: 11560299
    Abstract: A refrigerator including a refrigerated compartment and a door to open and close at least a portion of the refrigerated compartment. A dispenser unit is positioned on the door that is configured to dispense content into a receptacle. The dispenser unit includes a receptacle support, a dispensing system, a sensor system with at least a first sensor and a second sensor. A control unit electrically coupled to the dispensing system and sensor system. The dispensing system is configured to operate the first sensor to determine the receptacle height and the second sensor to determine the liquid height within the receptacle. The control unit determines when to stop filling the receptacle based on the two measurements. A method for detecting when to shut off the dispensing unit when dispensing liquid into a receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.
    Inventor: John Gracki
  • Evacuated bottle system
    Patent number: 11560267
    Abstract: A cap assembly including a self-sealing membrane that overlaps an opening to an interior of a container. The cap assembly further includes a cap having a cover portion that includes an annular wall that defines a central opening, and at least one evacuating opening located radially outward of the central opening. The cover portion defines a gap above the self-sealing membrane. The gap is configured to allow the self-sealing membrane to be at least partially displaced from the opening to allow fluid communication between the interior of the container and an outside atmosphere when a suction is applied to the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: CSCM MANAGEMENT COMPANY LLC
    Inventors: Michael G. Marantis, Joshua W. Hubbard, Jonathan P. Richards, Richard A. Ponton
  • Enteral bag system for nutritional composition
    Patent number: 11547629
    Abstract: An enteral bag system constructed of two welded panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Kate Farms, Inc.
    Inventor: Christina Phreaner
  • Refrigerator
    Patent number: 11543173
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes an outer case, an inner case configured to define a storage space, an insulation material between the outer case and the inner case, a tank provided inside the storage space to store liquid, a rear guide provided at a rear through which a supply tube configured to supply liquid to the tank passes, a dispenser provided inside of the storage space to dispense liquid from the tank, and a tube guide embedded in the insulation material between the inner case and the outer case to define a passage through which a discharge tube configured to connect the tank to the dispenser passes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Taehoon Choi
  • Hydration bladder refill system without bladder removal
    Patent number: 11540614
    Abstract: In embodiments, the invention is a novel hydration pack refill system that comprises a fluid bladder, a bag for carrying the fluid bladder, a bladder nozzle for refilling the fluid bladder, a clip for sealing the end of the bladder nozzle, and a refill port for accessing the bladder nozzle through the bag and methods for its use. The invention may further comprise a water tube and a mouthpiece to allow a user to drink from the fluid bladder while wearing the bag. In preferred embodiments, the bag may be worn on a user's back, held in place by a pair of shoulder straps, and may be rapidly refilled by reorienting the bag from a vertical orientation to a horizontal orientation, opening the refill port, extending the bladder nozzle, removing the clip to unseal the bladder nozzle, and refilling the fluid bladder via the bladder nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Inventor: Thomas Zachary Worcester
  • Purging tool with integrated pneumatic valve
    Patent number: 11543125
    Abstract: A purging tool is disclosed that is operable to enable a user to utilize a pumping device to create an influx of air/pressure within a fuel tank to purge blockages with a fuel tank and associated fuel lines, herein after referred to as the fuel system. The purging tool comprises an integrated pneumatic valve operable to interface with a pumping device. The purging tool may further comprise a shape operable to be easily adapted to standardized fuel inlets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Inventor: Jose Rosario Cervantes
  • Device and process for stoppering from below
    Patent number: 11540975
    Abstract: A device is provided that accommodates elongate receptacles and charges. The device includes a superior surface, a first positioning device, a detaining device, and either a pusher or a second positioning device. The first positioning device is adapted and arranged to accommodate a pairing of a charge and a corresponding elongate receptacle. The pusher is moveable along a direction towards the superior surface to introduce the charge into the elongate receptacle. The second positioning device accommodates the pusher with the second positioning device and the pusher being moveable along the direction towards the superior surface to introduce the charge into the elongate receptacle. The detaining device limits the extent of movement of the pusher towards the superior surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: SCHOTT Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Arne Kloke, Anil-Kumar Busimi, Dominique Bauert
  • Funnel based on bivariate normal distribution
    Patent number: 11542141
    Abstract: A funnel based on bivariate normal distribution is provided, and belongs to the field of daily tools. The funnel is formed by connecting a funnel body in a shape of a bivariate normal distribution with an outlet tube. The funnel body can be formed by rotating a normal distribution curve around the axis of symmetry z with a positive direction pointing to a deep part of the funnel, towards which the fluid flows. An outlet tube is a conical structure with a wide upper part and a narrow lower part. The surface of the funnel body has arbitrary order smoothness at everywhere. The design is simple and the fluid experiences little resistance when it flows through the inner surface. Thus, the funnel can effectively prevented blockage during the transport of fluid, powder and granules and the transport efficiency is remarkably improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Inventors: Yizhi Sun, Zhilin Sun, Haolei Zheng, Chunhong Hu
  • Filling apparatus for a vehicle, and vehicle having such a filling apparatus
    Patent number: 11535198
    Abstract: A filling apparatus for a vehicle, in particular for a motor vehicle, includes a body flap, which forms an outer skin of the vehicle, at least in some sections, and is designed to be pivoted between a first position and a second position which is different from the first position. The body flap has an opening. A device opens and closes the opening by way of a pivotable cover element which is provided at the opening. A filler neck or a container, which is arranged in relation to the opening such that the filler neck or the container, or the container via the filler neck, can be filled with a fluid via the opening when the body flap is in the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Thorsten Hambusch
  • Personal liquid cannabis 6D oil printer and smart cartridges
    Patent number: 11535409
    Abstract: A liquid cannabis blending and dispensing oil printer system. The 6D Liquid Cannabis Printer (6 cartridges) enables a user to create and save a unique blend of cannabis oils (THC, CBD terpenes, etc.) online, based on their cartridge set, and print it to the 6D oil printer at home via proprietary print driver. By enabling the user the ability to select and load the unit with personal favorites (THC, CBD terpenes, etc.), the 6D oil printer offers infinite combinations. This empowers users with a variety of combinations to accommodate the wide range of personal formulas and or recipes as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Inventor: Richard James DeMartini
  • Fluid vent adapter for reservoir
    Patent number: 11535199
    Abstract: A fluid vent adapter for filling a reservoir is disclosed. The vent adapter includes a primary body having an upper portion and a lower portion, a central fill conduit for delivering a fluid into the reservoir, and a plurality of vent channels for permitting the egress of air from the reservoir during filling. The central fill conduit is connected to a plurality of radially spaced dispensing holes arranged on the lower portion. Upon inserting the vent adapter into an inlet port on the reservoir, a least a portion of the radially spaced dispensing holes are blocked. An outside diameter of the lower portion is dimensioned for a close tolerance fit relative to an inside diameter of the inlet port of the reservoir, to establish a substantially sealed relationship between the inside diameter and the dispensing holes being blocked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: ABC TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventor: Rani Kharbutli
  • Fuel additive bottles compatible with capless fuel systems
    Patent number: 11535507
    Abstract: A bottle body comprises: a main body extending from a base to a shoulder; a neck extending from the shoulder to a mouth a thread along the neck; and one or more recesses along an exterior of the neck and extending along a longitudinal span of at least 30 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: 3 Ring Packaging, LLC
    Inventor: Barry J. Margulis
  • Drug-filled synthetic resin ampule and synthetic resin ampule body used for same
    Patent number: 11534370
    Abstract: A drug-filled synthetic resin ampule includes an ampule body and a drug 8 filled in the ampule body. The ampule body includes a tip-side sealing portion, a hollow portion, and an annular breakable portion provided between the tip-side sealing portion and the hollow portion. The tip-side sealing portion includes a flat plate portion for grasping formed at an upper portion thereof, and an internal ceiling portion exposed to the interior of the hollow portion. The breakable portion includes an annular smallest diameter portion, and the smallest diameter portion is located near an annular circumferential edge portion of the internal ceiling portion and is located above the annular circumferential edge portion of the internal ceiling portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: TERUMO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Naomi Harada, Akira Chiba, Masahide Yamagami, Taeko Masuda
  • Fluid plug for sterile processes and methods of using the same
    Patent number: 11530772
    Abstract: A fluid plug for use with sterile processes such as the manufacture or production of pharmaceuticals and biologics is disclosed. The fluid plug is made of a material or materials that will tolerate sterilizing processes such as gamma irradiation. The fluid plug is used to selectively plug the ends of flexible polymer conduits that may be connected to fluids, reagents, or products used or generated as part of the manufacturing process. Also disclosed is the use of the plugs in combination with a series of valves in a block-and-bleed arrangement to enable the sterile transfer and connection of fluids, reagents, or products within a process flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: Repligen Corporation
    Inventor: Michael C. Gagne
  • Manifold for automatic drug compounder
    Patent number: 11530055
    Abstract: A manifold for control of fluid and/or vapor flow between a container and a pump cartridge for a compounder system is provided. One or more manifolds may be disposed in a magazine configured to secure and align the manifolds with a plurality of ports in the cartridge. Each manifold may include a needle having forward and rear openings to a central bore. A needle housing may include a slot configured to receive a push rod for actuating the needle forward and backward. In a forward, engaged position, the openings in the needle may be disposed on opposite sides of a sealing member of the manifold to form a fluid pathway through the manifold. In a rearward, disengaged position, both the forward and rear openings in the needle may be disposed on the same side of the sealing member to prevent fluid and vapor from flowing through the manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: CAREFUSION 303, INC.
    Inventors: Ray Feith, Vincent Fuji Wang, Neil Alan Quitoviera, George Michael Mansour, Christopher J. Zollinger, Matthew Quach
  • Septa
    Patent number: 11529287
    Abstract: A septum includes a disc made of an elastomeric material that is capable of being pierced by a needle and resealing itself when the needle is withdrawn. Embedded in the middle of the disc, from top to bottom, is a ring made of a material that is more rigid than the elastomeric material of the disc. The ring has a center circular opening that is filled by the elastomeric material of the disc. The outer circumference of the ring is greater than the circumference of the disc and extends outwardly beyond the circumference of the disc. The outer part of the ring interacts with the inner screw threads of a cap and supports the septum in the cap. A plurality of additional openings equally spaced about the ring adjacent its outer circumference are also filled with the elastic material of the disc to provide additional support for the septum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: QIS, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel B. Lodge, Alexander Mutin
  • Beverage distribution system with ergonomic retention of drinking recipients, and process of operation thereof
    Patent number: 11524884
    Abstract: A beverage distribution system for preparation of espresso coffee and similar aromatic beverages, including a drinking recipient (1, 1?), for example of glass, cup, or similar type, a beverage discharge disposition (2) operatively associated with a beverage preparation device (3), whereby the beverage discharge disposition (2) is provided so that the beverage discharge flow impinges, along a direction opposite to the gravity force and with a given flow pressure, and a flow regulation mechanism (13) on the drinking recipient (1, 1?), whereby the drinking recipient (1, 1?) presents a recipient retention mechanism (17) provided so that the drinking recipients (1, 1?) can only be placed on the recipient placement support (22) in one or two previously defined angular extensions with relation to the beverage discharge disposition (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: NOVADELTA—COMÉRCIO E INDÚSTRIA DE CAFÉS, LDA
    Inventors: Marco Filipe Gonçalves Martins, Rui Miguel Nabeiro, João André De Figueiredo Branco
  • Tamper evident shield
    Patent number: 11523970
    Abstract: A shield for a port closure of a medical container includes housing comprising two movably connected housing segments, each having a hollow interior and an open end, movable between open and closed orientations. A lock assembly is structured to define a fixed locked connection between the housing segments in the closed orientation and includes first and second lock members connected within different ones of the housing segments in a non-accessible location when the housing segments are in the closed orientation. A retainer is disposed within the housing in a capturing orientation relative to the closure therein, concurrent to the closed orientation. A latch assembly is connected to the housing segments and structured to retain said housing segments in said closed orientation, independently of and concurrently with the fixed locked connection of the lock assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Inventors: Jonathan Vitello, Patrick Vitello
  • Vapor recovery system for mobile fuelers
    Patent number: 11524888
    Abstract: A system for recovering fuel vapor during delivery of fuel by a mobile fueler includes a storage tank covered with a layer of insulation, a supply pump connected to the storage tank for delivering fuel therefrom, and a fuel dispensing assembly, preferably a coaxial hose and nozzle, including a supply outlet for delivering fuel to a vehicle being fueled, and a vapor recovery inlet proximate the supply outlet. A diverter valve diverts a portion of the fuel in the supply line, and a vacuum jet pump is connected to the storage tank and, by a vapor line, to the vapor recovery inlet, which is driven by the diverted fuel to create a vacuum in the vapor line to draw vapor into the vapor recovery inlet, through the vapor line, and into the storage tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Inventor: Bob J. Hill