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: 20240082017
    Abstract: 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fixed implant supporting flange member, and in the proximal position, the movable implant supporting flange member is withdrawn from the distal end of the implant delivery device, thus enabling release of the implant.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: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Inventors: R. Sean Churchill, Robert J. Ball, Douglas Snell, Isaac Running, Christopher K. Jones, Brandon Bryant
  • Patent number: 10112128
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Xylem Water Solutions Zelienople LLC
    Inventors: Dean T. Berkebile, Christopher J. Ball, Daniel E. Bruce
  • Patent number: 10052572
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: XYLEM WATER SOLUTIONS ZELIENOPLE LLC
    Inventors: Dean T. Berkebile, Daniel E. Bruce, Christopher J. Ball
  • Patent number: 9480939
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: XYLEM WATER SOLUTIONS ZELIENOPLE LLC
    Inventors: Christopher J. Ball, Brian J. Bates, Howard J. Sweeney
  • Publication number: 20150343335
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Inventors: Dean T. Berkebile, Christopher J. Ball, Daniel E. Bruce
  • Patent number: 9199186
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Xylem Water Solutions Zelienople LLC
    Inventors: Daniel E. Bruce, John L. Geibel, Christopher J. Ball
  • Patent number: 9138665
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: XYLEM WATER SOLUTIONS ZELIENOPLE LLC
    Inventors: Christopher J. Ball, Brian J. Bates, Howard James Sweeney
  • Publication number: 20150196858
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Inventors: Dean T. Berkebile, Daniel E. Bruce, Christopher J. Ball
  • Patent number: 9072990
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Xylem Water Solutions Zelienople LLC
    Inventors: Dean T. Berkebile, Daniel E. Bruce, Christopher J. Ball
  • Publication number: 20150014259
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Christopher J. Ball, Robert L. Wiley, III, John L. Geibel, Randon L. Callen, Brian J. Bates, Ivan X. Zhu
  • Patent number: 8889003
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Xylem Water Solutions Zelienople LLC
    Inventors: Dean T. Berkebile, Daniel E. Bruce, Christopher J. Ball
  • Patent number: 8871093
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Xylem Water Solutions Zelienople LLC
    Inventors: Christopher J. Ball, Brian Bates
  • Publication number: 20140251439
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: Xylem Water Solutions Zelienople LLC
    Inventors: Christopher J. Ball, Brian J. Bates, Howard J. Sweeney
  • Publication number: 20140217039
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Xylem Water Solutions Zelienople LLC
    Inventors: John L. Geibel, Christopher J. Ball
  • Publication number: 20140091489
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2012
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: Trexel, Inc.
    Inventors: Roland Y. Kim, Christopher J. Ball, Theodore A. Burnham, Levi A. Kishbaugh
  • Patent number: 8657122
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Xylem Water Solutions Zelienople LLC
    Inventors: John L. Geibel, Christopher J. Ball
  • Publication number: 20140021121
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: XYLEM WATER SOLUTIONS ZELIENOPLE LLC
    Inventors: Christopher J. Ball, Brian J. Bates, Howard James Sweeney
  • Publication number: 20130199990
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: XYLEM WATER SOLUTIONS ZELIENOPLE LLC
    Inventors: Dean T. Berkebile, Daniel E. Bruce, Christopher J. Ball
  • Publication number: 20130180906
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: Xylem Water Solutions Zelienople LLC
    Inventors: Christopher J. Ball, Brian Bates
  • Patent number: D687861
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Xylem Water Solutions Zelienople LLC
    Inventors: Christopher J. Ball, Brian Bates