Patents Examined by William E. Dondero
  • Patent number: 12023721
    Abstract: A rotary body including a drum and a wire support member winds a wire by rotation. A spacer is provided on the rotary body and is displaceable to a first position and a second position in the rotary body. When the spacer is in the first position, the wire is wound on the rotary body not via the spacer, and hence the wire is wound with the first diameter. When the spacer is in the second position, position, the wire is wound on the rotary body via the spacer, and hence the wire is wound with a second diameter larger than the first diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: Neturen Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshifumi Uemoto
  • Patent number: 12006181
    Abstract: A textile machine for producing cross-wound packages, which has a plurality of workstations on the two longitudinal sides of the machine and is equipped with a tube magazine arranged at an end of the machine, the tube magazine having a plurality of empty-tube transport rows, driven by electric motor and loaded with empty tubes of different yarn lots. In order to avoid the fixed division of the empty-tube transport rows that hitherto was defined by the construction of the tube magazine and thus to avoid limited variations in the yarn lot management, the invention provides for the empty-tube transport rows to be equipped with electric drives, which are connected to a control unit of the textile machine, the machine control system being designed in such a way that different lot management programs are set by software.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: Saurer Spinning Solutions GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Eduard Prediger, Michael Spitzer, Heiko Toepke, Jonathan Sprecher, Philipp Schiffers, Wolfgang Doerner, Harald Wassen
  • Patent number: 11936169
    Abstract: An apparatus for the movement of a barrel pack containing spooled wire or cable. The apparatus comprising a frame, a handle attached to the frame, a plurality of wheels rotatably attached to the frame, securing structures attached to the frame, the securing structures securing the barrel pack to the frame and a footage counting assembly attached to the handle. The footage counting assembly counts the amount of footage of wire or cable passing through the footage counting assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Encore Wireless Corporation
    Inventors: Justin Abraham Hrbacek, John Lamar Rhoads, David Wayne Maxey
  • Patent number: 11919739
    Abstract: An automatic cut and transfer coiler and spooler apparatus, system and method for use generally comprising a rotatable turret with two independently driven spindles thereon wherein the drives for the independent spindles are attached to the turret for selectively rotating the spindles about their own axis independently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Reel Power Licensing Corp.
    Inventors: David Lasswell, Christopher David Rekieta, Gary Donald Thompson, Joseph Henry
  • Patent number: 11912527
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for dispensing wire or cable from a reel assembly. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises an inner flange assembly and an outer flange assembly. The inner flange assembly is capable of freely rotating relative to the outer flange assembly for dispensing wire from any surface. In another embodiment, the apparatus includes an inner flange assembly, an outer flange assembly, and an external bay. The inner flange assembly is capable of freely rotating relative to the outer flange assembly and the external bay. The external bay is capable of freely rotation relative to the outer flange assembly and the inner flange assembly. In another embodiment, wire is dispensed from a reel assembly comprising an inner flange assembly and an outer flange assembly. In yet another embodiment, wire is dispensed from a reel assembly comprising an inner flange assembly, an outer flange assembly, and an external bay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Encore Wire Corporation
    Inventors: William T. Bigbee, Jr., John L. Rhoads
  • Patent number: 11905135
    Abstract: A heat setting apparatus feeding assembly can comprise a yarn package rack having a first side and an opposing second side. A plurality of yarn package engagement elements can be positioned on each of the first side and the second side of the yarn package rack. The yarn package rack can be configured to rotate about a pivotal axis to orient one of the first side or the second side toward a yarn package loading area and to orient the other of the first side and the second side toward a feed direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Columbia Insurance Company
    Inventor: Larry B. Sims
  • Patent number: 11873185
    Abstract: A textile machine producing cross-wound packages with a plurality of identical workstations which are arranged in the area of the longitudinal sides of the textile machine and each of which has a winding device, and equipped with a tube supply device which includes a central tube magazine and at least one tube conveyor belt installed in the area of the longitudinal sides of the machine, in which case a cross-wound package can be removed, if necessary, from the winding device of the relevant workstation on the textile machine producing cross-wound packages and can be transferred to a cross-wound package transport device running the length of the machine, and an empty tube provided on the tube conveyor belt of the tube supply device can be inserted by means of a tube gripper into the winding device of the relevant workstation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Saurer Spinning Solutions GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Philipp Schiffers, Eduard Prediger, Harald Wassen, Michael Spitzer, Dirk Brakensiek, Jonathan Sprecher
  • Patent number: 11844402
    Abstract: A tensioning system for articles of footwear and articles of apparel is disclosed. The tensioning system includes a spool system that can be engaged or disengaged from a driveshaft through the use of a cam device. The motorized tensioning device includes a torque transmitting system that allows for incremental tightening, incremental loosening and full loosening of the tensile element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Tiffany A. Beers, Ryan Frederick, Clayton Lindsay, Austin J. Orand, Andrew A. Owings
  • Patent number: 11840420
    Abstract: Techniques are directed to a method and a device for monitoring a yarn tension of a running yarn in a yarn treatment process. To this end, the yarn tension of the yarn is continuously measured and the measurement signals for the yarn tension are compared with a threshold value of an admissible yarn tension. In the event of an inadmissible tolerance deviation of the measurement signals, a short-term signal path of the yarn tension is detected as a fault graph. In order to enable a fault diagnosis, the fault graph of the yarn tension is analyzed using a machine learning program. The fault graph is then allocated to one of the existing fault categories or to a new fault category. A device for this purpose may include a diagnosis unit, which cooperates accordingly with the yarn tension evaluation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Oerlikon Textile GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Jörg Huthmacher
  • Patent number: 11834293
    Abstract: A bobbin loader apparatus and method includes a bobbin connected with a first motor. A thread holder is connected with a second motor where the thread holder is configured to hold thread. A thread guide is connected with a third motor where the thread guide directs thread from the thread holder to the bobbin. A motor controller is connected with the first motor, the second motor and the third motor where the motor controller operates the first motor to turn the bobbin in a first direction and the second motor to turn the thread holder in a second direction such that tension is applied to the thread as thread is added to the bobbin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Inventors: John D. Martelli, Chris Beaty
  • Patent number: 11834294
    Abstract: Provided is a wound body of a commingled yarn, the wound body being capable of effectively suppressing fraying and sagging, disorder of a lower layer, or breakage of the commingled yarn during winding or use. Also provided is a method for manufacturing the wound body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Asami Nakai, Masataka Kaji, Mitsuro Takagi, Toshihiro Motochika, Nobuhiko Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 11820622
    Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing wire or cable, the apparatus including an enclosure with a top and a bottom portion and at least three side portions of a first height, a plurality of holes located in both the top and bottom portions of the enclosure, and a core of a second height located within the enclosure, wherein the core forms an area, wherein at least one of the plurality of holes has a first hole diameter and is located in the top and bottom of the enclosure and is located within the area formed by the core, and wherein the wire or cable is placed around the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Encore Wire Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin L. Weatherford, William T. Bigbee, Jr., Clifton S. Thompson
  • Patent number: 11814262
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a reusable yarn carrier tube around which yarn may be wound at high speeds (e.g., within winding machines). The yarn carrier tube may include a pick-up groove having structural features configured to better snag yarn to initiate winding of the yarn around the cylindrical body of the yarn carrier tube. The structural features may include an adaptable snagging feature that is adaptable to many different yarn types (e.g., diameter, denier, texture, material). The structural features may include projections (e.g., teeth) with incremental narrowing therebetween in the direction opposite to the rotational winding direction. The teeth may increase in sharpness (e.g., decreasing radii of curvature) as the yarn moves further into the pick-up groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: SONOCO DEVELOPMENT, INC.
    Inventors: Brian P. Couchey, Edmond Fratianni
  • Patent number: RE49730
    Abstract: A method for generating power from a heat source includes mixing a refrigerant in a liquid phase with a lubricating oil, heating the mixture to evaporate the refrigerant, mixing the heated mixture with additional refrigerant in a superheated phase, and atomizing the lubricating oil to disperse the lubricating oil within the refrigerant. The atomized lubricating oil and the refrigerant are passed through a decompressor to generate an electrical current. The refrigerant may be an organic material having a boiling point below about ?35 C. Related systems and heat engines are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Heat Source Energy Corp.
    Inventor: Keith Sterling Johnson
  • Patent number: RE49842
    Abstract: Embodiments provide improved flaring and swaging bits, and methods for flaring and swaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: DiversiTech Corporation
    Inventor: Bruno Anjos
  • Patent number: RE49883
    Abstract: A water heater includes a heat exchanger. A controllable three-way proportional valve provides a proportionally controllable flow to the hot water inlet of the heat exchanger and a boiler return water outlet. A mixing tank mixes a cold water and a hot water. The mixing tank provides a time delayed mixed water. A temperature sensor is disposed in or on the mixing tank to measure a temperature of the time delayed mixed water to provide a time delayed mixed water temperature. A feedforward control process running on a processor adjusts a proportional operating position of the controllable three-way proportional valve to regulate a temperature of hot water at the hx domestic hot water outlet based on the temperature of the time delayed mixed water temperature. A method for controlling a hot water temperature of a water heater a water heater using a flowmeter based feedforward control are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Watts Regulator Co.
    Inventors: Mark Daniels, Adrian Voicu
  • Patent number: RE49947
    Abstract: A system for supplying hydrogen gas to a lighter-than-air (LTA) vehicle includes a manifold having multiple vessels. Each vessel has a first chamber that is separated from a second chamber by a barrier. A trigger assembly integrated with the barrier allows a liquid to be combined with a reactant and a catalyst in the second chamber to form a chemical reaction to generate hydrogen gas. A pressure relief valve located on each vessel opens to allow the hydrogen gas to exit when a predetermined pressure is reached, and the hydrogen gas is supplied to the LTA vehicle connected to the manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Pamela A. Boss, Gregory W. Anderson, Brandon J. Wiedemeier, Carol A. Becker, Brooke Bachmann, Mark Gillcrist, Jeffrey M. Lloyd, Charles Ringer
  • Patent number: RE49972
    Abstract: A poultry barn robot for robotically preforming various poultry barn operation tasks that includes a chassis, a collection platform pivotally mounted to the chassis, and an conveyor connected to the chassis, wherein the conveyor includes conveyor system for conveying at least one of dead birds and manure cakes from a bedded floor of a poultry barn to the collection platform. The robot additionally includes at least one equipment cabinet mounted to the chassis, and at least one controller that is structured and operable to control: movement of the robot through the poultry barn; movement of the conveyor system; and movement of the collection platform between a Collection position and a Disposal position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: Energy Americas, LLC
    Inventor: Yunsheng Xu
  • Patent number: RE49995
    Abstract: A trampoline includes a frame and a jumping bed which preferably has hook elements on its underside. The jumping bed is connected to the frame via a plurality of annular strap sections, which each extend at least partially around the frame and are inserted into the hook elements. The hook elements have a first receiving section and a second receiving section. These are arranged separated from one another in such a way that the two loop ends of the strap section, which are produced by the looping of the strap section around the frame and are inserted into the hook element, do not, or substantially do not, come in contact with one another. This structure considerably extends the life in comparison with conventional trampolines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: Bellicon AG
    Inventor: Heinz-Konrad Pieper Genannt Schmauck
  • Patent number: RE50019
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system, apparatus, and method for a modular food tray system having a plurality of food trays that can be used for heating, cooling, or a combination thereof. The system can include a first food tray for heating and a second food tray for cooling, generally mounted at a different elevation from the first food tray. Alternatively, one or both of the food trays can be designed for cooling through temperature elements coupled thereto and the tray can be heated by overhead radiant heating elements for dual temperature capabilities. The first food tray can be mounted above the second food tray. The first food tray can include a thermal shield between a heating element in the first food tray and the second food tray. In other embodiments, the second food tray can be mounted above the first food tray with a thermal shield therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: Duke Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Alvis Lloyd Hartsfield, Jr., Charles Horace Camp, Jr.