Patents by Inventor Christopher J. Ball
Christopher J. Ball has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
-
Publication number: 20240082017Abstract: An implant delivery device may include an implant holding portion proximate the distal end, the implant holding portion being configured to retain a sheet-like implant during implantation of the implant. In addition, the implant holding portion may be configured to receive the implant with a fixed implant supporting flange member configured to support the implant on one side, and a movable implant supporting flange member. The movable implant supporting flange member may be configured to be slidable between a distal position and a proximal position, wherein, in the distal position, the movable implant supporting flange member and secures the implant against the fixed implant supporting flange member, and in the proximal position, the movable implant supporting flange member is withdrawn from the distal end of the implant delivery device, thus enabling release of the implant.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2023Publication date: March 14, 2024Inventors: R. Sean Churchill, Robert J. Ball, Douglas Snell, Isaac Running, Christopher K. Jones, Brandon Bryant
-
Patent number: 10112128Abstract: An underdrain filter block for use in draining and backwashing a filtering media in a filter bed including a top wall, a pair of side walls extending from the top wall, a bottom wall extending between the pair of side walls, and a transverse wall extending from one of the pair of side walls to the other of the pair of side walls. The top wall, the pair of side walls, and the bottom wall define an upper portion and a lower portion. The lower portion includes a grout chamber positioned between the bottom wall and the transverse wall and at least one of the bottom wall and said side walls contains an opening.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2015Date of Patent: October 30, 2018Assignee: Xylem Water Solutions Zelienople LLCInventors: Dean T. Berkebile, Christopher J. Ball, Daniel E. Bruce
-
Patent number: 10052572Abstract: An underdrain filter block includes a top wall, a pair of side walls extending from the top wall, a bottom wall extending between the pair of side walls, first and second ribs, and a wall segment extending between the first rib and the second rib to define a grout chamber configured to receive grout during installation of the underdrain filter block.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2014Date of Patent: August 21, 2018Assignee: XYLEM WATER SOLUTIONS ZELIENOPLE LLCInventors: Dean T. Berkebile, Daniel E. Bruce, Christopher J. Ball
-
Patent number: 9480939Abstract: An underdrain system for transferring forces and directing flow includes at least one underdrain block having a top wall, a bottom wall, and two side walls connecting the top wall to the bottom wall to define a block interior. An insert is disposed in the interior of the underdrain block. The insert includes force-transmitting buttresses spaced along an exterior of the insert that contacts the two side walls of the underdrain block and act to transfer downward forces acting on the top wall of the underdrain block and internal fluid forces acting on the insert to the side walls of the underdrain block. The force-transmitting buttresses can also direct hydraulic flow.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2014Date of Patent: November 1, 2016Assignee: XYLEM WATER SOLUTIONS ZELIENOPLE LLCInventors: Christopher J. Ball, Brian J. Bates, Howard J. Sweeney
-
Publication number: 20150343335Abstract: An underdrain filter block for use in draining and backwashing a filtering media in a filter bed including a top wall, a pair of side walls extending from the top wall, a bottom wall extending between the pair of side walls, and a transverse wall extending from one of the pair of side walls to the other of the pair of side walls. The top wall, the pair of side walls, and the bottom wall define an upper portion and a lower portion. The lower portion includes a grout chamber positioned between the bottom wall and the transverse wall and at least one of the bottom wall and said side walls contains an opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2015Publication date: December 3, 2015Inventors: Dean T. Berkebile, Christopher J. Ball, Daniel E. Bruce
-
Patent number: 9199186Abstract: An underdrain flume plate for use in a filter including at least one central opening having an upstanding flange to interface with a cut-out in an underdrain lateral to form a passageway for connecting the lateral to the flume. The flume plate may also include at least one raised channel at each end of the plate with a solid or cut-away top surface, and/or holes and/or slots for connection of the flume plate to anchor rods and may be configured to overlap one another when placed side by side. The present invention also includes a method of installing underdrain laterals in a filter, including arranging a grid of anchor rods on a filter floor such that anchor rods are provided on both sides of the flume, and providing at least one underdrain flume plate adapted for attachment to the anchor rods such that the flume plate covers the flume.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2011Date of Patent: December 1, 2015Assignee: Xylem Water Solutions Zelienople LLCInventors: Daniel E. Bruce, John L. Geibel, Christopher J. Ball
-
Patent number: 9138665Abstract: A filter system for filtering particles from a liquid includes an underdrain assembly having an underdrain defining at least one underdrain chamber and a media retainer assembly. The media retainer assembly includes an upper filter media retainer plate defining a plurality of hopper-shaped cavities and a lower filter media retainer plate defining a plurality of hopper-shaped cavities corresponding to the plurality of hopper-shaped cavities on the upper plate. The plates are in a nested arrangement such that the hopper-shaped cavities on the upper plate are in alignment with the corresponding plurality of hopper-shaped cavities on the lower plate to define a plurality of passages therebetween and allow for the passage of the liquid while preventing the passage of a filter media. During a backwash operation, the upper and lower plates are relatively moveable such that the backwash fluid releases any particles lodged in the passages between the plates.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2012Date of Patent: September 22, 2015Assignee: XYLEM WATER SOLUTIONS ZELIENOPLE LLCInventors: Christopher J. Ball, Brian J. Bates, Howard James Sweeney
-
Publication number: 20150196858Abstract: An underdrain filter block includes a top wall, a pair of side walls extending from the top wall, a bottom wall extending between the pair of side walls, first and second ribs, and a wall segment extending between the first rib and the second rib to define a grout chamber configured to receive grout during installation of the underdrain filter block.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2014Publication date: July 16, 2015Inventors: Dean T. Berkebile, Daniel E. Bruce, Christopher J. Ball
-
Patent number: 9072990Abstract: An underdrain filter block for use in draining and backwashing a filtering media in a filter bed includes a top wall, a pair of side walls extending from the top wall, a bottom wall extending between the pair of side walls, and a transverse wall extending from one of the pair of side walls to the other of the pair of side walls. The top wall, the pair of side walls, and the bottom wall define an upper portion and a lower portion. The lower portion includes a grout chamber positioned between the bottom wall and the transverse wall and at least one of the bottom wall and said side walls contains an opening.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2011Date of Patent: July 7, 2015Assignee: Xylem Water Solutions Zelienople LLCInventors: Dean T. Berkebile, Daniel E. Bruce, Christopher J. Ball
-
Publication number: 20150014259Abstract: A dual parallel underdrain lateral for use in a filtration system having a filtration media includes a primary conduit extending along the underdrain lateral, which has a plurality of metering orifices for providing gas and liquid thereby; a secondary conduit, where the secondary conduit has a plurality of dispersion apertures in an upper side thereof to deliver the gas and liquid from the secondary conduit to the filtration media; and at least one gas conduit extending along the underdrain lateral, where the at least one gas conduit is connected to a gas source and is configured to provide the gas from the gas source directly to the primary conduit, or the secondary conduit, or any combination thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2013Publication date: January 15, 2015Inventors: Christopher J. Ball, Robert L. Wiley, III, John L. Geibel, Randon L. Callen, Brian J. Bates, Ivan X. Zhu
-
Patent number: 8889003Abstract: An underdrain filter block for use in draining and backwashing a filtering media in a filter bed includes a top wall, a pair of side walls extending from the top wall, and a bottom wall extending between the pair of side walls. The top wall, the pair of side walls, and the bottom wall define an upper portion and a lower portion. The lower portion includes a grout chamber having a plurality of openings defined by at least one of the bottom wall and the pair of side walls.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2011Date of Patent: November 18, 2014Assignee: Xylem Water Solutions Zelienople LLCInventors: Dean T. Berkebile, Daniel E. Bruce, Christopher J. Ball
-
Patent number: 8871093Abstract: A filter system for filtering a liquid containing particles including a single media retainer plate having a top and bottom surface, and defining at least one hopper-shaped compartment having a sloped wall defining a slot spanning the top and bottom surfaces is disclosed. The plate also includes at least one baffle extending from the bottom surface and filter media disposed on the top surface. During a filtering operation of the filter system, the filter media captures the particles, such as dirt, from the liquid as the liquid passes through the filter media to an underdrain system. During a backwash operation of the filter system, the baffle is adapted to direct a backwash fluid in a vertical direction through the slot so that the backwash fluid actuates the filter media to scour the top surface of the plate and prevent the build-up of biological scaling on the plate.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2012Date of Patent: October 28, 2014Assignee: Xylem Water Solutions Zelienople LLCInventors: Christopher J. Ball, Brian Bates
-
Publication number: 20140251439Abstract: An underdrain system for transferring forces and directing flow includes at least one underdrain block having a top wall, a bottom wall, and two side walls connecting the top wall to the bottom wall to define a block interior. An insert is disposed in the interior of the underdrain block. The insert includes force-transmitting buttresses spaced along an exterior of the insert that contacts the two side walls of the underdrain block and act to transfer downward forces acting on the top wall of the underdrain block and internal fluid forces acting on the insert to the side walls of the underdrain block. The force-transmitting buttresses can also direct hydraulic flow.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2014Publication date: September 11, 2014Applicant: Xylem Water Solutions Zelienople LLCInventors: Christopher J. Ball, Brian J. Bates, Howard J. Sweeney
-
Publication number: 20140217039Abstract: A media retainer assembly for retaining filter media in a filter assembly includes a top plate for supporting the filter media, the top plate having a top surface, a bottom surface and a plurality of openings extending therethrough; a bottom plate having a top surface and a plurality of openings extending therethrough; and scouring media, the scouring media being adapted to abrade the surfaces of the top and bottom plates. The top plate is connected to the bottom plate such that the top surface of the bottom plate is spaced from the bottom surface of the top plate to define at least one chamber between the top plate and the bottom plate. The top surface of the top plate is in fluid communication with the chamber via the openings in the top plate. The scouring media is supported by the bottom plate within the at least one chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2014Publication date: August 7, 2014Applicant: Xylem Water Solutions Zelienople LLCInventors: John L. Geibel, Christopher J. Ball
-
Publication number: 20140091489Abstract: Systems and methods of processing polymer foam materials are provided. The methods involve introducing blowing agent downstream of an extruder. For example, the blowing agent may be introduced into a static mixing device positioned between the extruder and a mold. The methods may be used in connection with injection molding systems to produce high quality injection molded polymer foam articles.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2012Publication date: April 3, 2014Applicant: Trexel, Inc.Inventors: Roland Y. Kim, Christopher J. Ball, Theodore A. Burnham, Levi A. Kishbaugh
-
Patent number: 8657122Abstract: A media retainer assembly for retaining filter media in a filter assembly includes a top plate for supporting the filter media, the top plate having a top surface, a bottom surface and a plurality of openings extending therethrough; a bottom plate having a top surface and a plurality of openings extending therethrough; and scouring media, the scouring media being adapted to abrade the surfaces of the top and bottom plates. The top plate is connected to the bottom plate such that the top surface of the bottom plate is spaced from the bottom surface of the top plate to define at least one chamber between the top plate and the bottom plate. The top surface of the top plate is in fluid communication with the chamber via the openings in the top plate. The scouring media is supported by the bottom plate within the at least one chamber.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2010Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Assignee: Xylem Water Solutions Zelienople LLCInventors: John L. Geibel, Christopher J. Ball
-
Publication number: 20140021121Abstract: A filter system for filtering particles from a liquid includes an underdrain assembly having an underdrain defining at least one underdrain chamber and a media retainer assembly. The media retainer assembly includes an upper filter media retainer plate defining a plurality of hopper-shaped cavities and a lower filter media retainer plate defining a plurality of hopper-shaped cavities corresponding to the plurality of hopper-shaped cavities on the upper plate. The plates are in a nested arrangement such that the hopper-shaped cavities on the upper plate are in alignment with the corresponding plurality of hopper-shaped cavities on the lower plate to define a plurality of passages therebetween and allow for the passage of the liquid while preventing the passage of a filter media. During a backwash operation, the upper and lower plates are relatively moveable such that the backwash fluid releases any particles lodged in the passages between the plates.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2012Publication date: January 23, 2014Applicant: XYLEM WATER SOLUTIONS ZELIENOPLE LLCInventors: Christopher J. Ball, Brian J. Bates, Howard James Sweeney
-
Publication number: 20130199990Abstract: An underdrain filter block for use in draining and backwashing a filtering media in a filter bed includes a top wall, a pair of side walls extending from the top wall, a bottom wall extending between the pair of side walls, and a transverse wall extending from one of the pair of side walls to the other of the pair of side walls. The top wall, the pair of side walls, and the bottom wall define an upper portion and a lower portion. The lower portion includes a grout chamber positioned between the bottom wall and the transverse wall and at least one of the bottom wall and said side walls contains an opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2011Publication date: August 8, 2013Applicant: XYLEM WATER SOLUTIONS ZELIENOPLE LLCInventors: Dean T. Berkebile, Daniel E. Bruce, Christopher J. Ball
-
Publication number: 20130180906Abstract: A filter system for filtering a liquid containing particles including a single media retainer plate having a top and bottom surface, and defining at least one hopper-shaped compartment having a sloped wall defining a slot spanning the top and bottom surfaces is disclosed. The plate also includes at least one baffle extending from the bottom surface and filter media disposed on the top surface. During a filtering operation of the filter system, the filter media captures the particles, such as dirt, from the liquid as the liquid passes through the filter media to an underdrain system. During a backwash operation of the filter system, the baffle is adapted to direct a backwash fluid in a vertical direction through the slot so that the backwash fluid actuates the filter media to scour the top surface of the plate and prevent the build-up of biological scaling on the plate.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2012Publication date: July 18, 2013Applicant: Xylem Water Solutions Zelienople LLCInventors: Christopher J. Ball, Brian Bates
-
Patent number: D687861Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2012Date of Patent: August 13, 2013Assignee: Xylem Water Solutions Zelienople LLCInventors: Christopher J. Ball, Brian Bates