Patents by Inventor Christopher R. McLean
Christopher R. McLean 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).
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Publication number: 20170181569Abstract: A steaming pitcher comprising a flow receiving surface adapted to receive an incoming flow of steam at a substantially oblique angle provides enhanced control of fluid flow inside the steaming pitcher to enhance mixing and heating of the fluid by the incoming steam. The steaming pitcher may also comprise flow directing and launching surfaces to assist in control of fluid flow patterns. A flow control kit with a flow receiving surface may be installed in an existing flat-bottom steaming pitcher to provide aspects of fluid flow control. The flow receiving, flow directing and launching surfaces of the steaming pitcher may be substantially smooth, faceted, or a combination thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2017Publication date: June 29, 2017Inventors: Bruce Constantine, Christopher R. McLean
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Patent number: 9629496Abstract: A steaming pitcher comprising a flow receiving surface adapted to receive an incoming flow of steam at a substantially oblique angle provides enhanced control of fluid flow inside the steaming pitcher to enhance mixing and heating of the fluid by the incoming steam. The steaming pitcher may also comprise flow directing and launching surfaces to assist in control of fluid flow patterns. A flow control kit with a flow receiving surface may be installed in an existing flat-bottom steaming pitcher to provide aspects of fluid flow control. The flow receiving, flow directing and launching surfaces of the steaming pitcher may be substantially smooth, faceted, or a combination thereof.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2013Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: ESPRO, INC.Inventors: Bruce Constantine, Christopher R. McLean
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Publication number: 20170071399Abstract: A Beverage press apparatus includes a substantially cylindrical container, a protruding element fixedly coupled to an external side of the container and a housing laterally enclosing the container, the housing having an aperture. The container may be inserted or removed from the housing when the protruding element is aligned with the aperture of the housing; and when the protruding element is not aligned with the aperture, axial movement of the container with respect to the housing is restricted and/or prevented.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2016Publication date: March 16, 2017Inventors: Bruce A. CONSTANTINE, Christopher R. MCLEAN
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Publication number: 20170071396Abstract: Embodiments of an infusion extractor are provided including a plunger to be inserted into an infusing container containing the infusion mixture that can have vertical inner walls oriented parallel to a vertical axis of the container. In some implementations, the plunger includes a first surface with a seal situated at an edge of the surface. The seal is adapted for sealing against the inner walls of the infusing container as the plunger moves within the container. The plunger also includes a second surface extending from the first surface and defining a second chamber. At least a portion of the extract flow openings are situated at a depth either above or below the first surface along the vertical axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 3, 2016Publication date: March 16, 2017Inventors: Christopher R. McLean, Bruce A. Constantine
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Patent number: 9408490Abstract: An infusion extractor is provided including a plunger to be inserted into an infusing container containing the infusion mixture that has vertical inner walls oriented parallel to a vertical axis of the container. The plunger includes a first surface with a seal situated at an edge of the surface. The seal is adapted for sealing against the inner walls of the infusing container as the plunger moves within the container, to define a first chamber containing the mixture of infusible material and extract. The plunger also includes a second surface extending from the first surface and defining a second chamber; the second surface includes extract flow openings which permit flow of extract from the first chamber into the second chamber. At least a portion of the extract flow openings are situated at a depth either above or below the first surface along the vertical axis.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2014Date of Patent: August 9, 2016Assignee: ESPRO, INC.Inventors: Christopher R McLean, Bruce A. Constantine
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Patent number: 9392900Abstract: An infusion extractor is provided including a plunger to be inserted into an infusing container containing the infusion mixture that has vertical inner walls oriented parallel to a vertical axis of the container. The plunger includes a first surface with a seal situated at an edge of the surface. The seal is adapted for sealing against the inner walls of the infusing container as the plunger moves within the container. The plunger also includes a second surface extending from the first surface and defining a second chamber. At least a portion of the extract flow openings are situated at a depth either above or below the first surface along the vertical axis.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2015Date of Patent: July 19, 2016Assignee: ESPRO, INC.Inventors: Christopher R. McLean, Bruce A. Constantine
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Publication number: 20160037960Abstract: An infusion extractor is provided including a plunger to be inserted into an infusing container containing the infusion mixture that has vertical inner walls oriented parallel to a vertical axis of the container. The plunger includes a first surface with a seal situated at an edge of the surface. The seal is adapted for sealing against the inner walls of the infusing container as the plunger moves within the container. The plunger also includes a second surface extending from the first surface and defining a second chamber. At least a portion of the extract flow openings are situated at a depth either above or below the first surface along the vertical axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2015Publication date: February 11, 2016Inventors: Christopher R. MCLEAN, Bruce A. CONSTANTINE
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Publication number: 20150182060Abstract: An infusion extractor is provided including a plunger to be inserted into an infusing container containing the infusion mixture that has vertical inner walls oriented parallel to a vertical axis of the container. The plunger includes a first surface with a seal situated at an edge of the surface. The seal is adapted for sealing against the inner walls of the infusing container as the plunger moves within the container. The plunger also includes a second surface extending from the first surface and defining a second chamber. At least a portion of the extract flow openings are situated at a depth either above or below the first surface along the vertical axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2015Publication date: July 2, 2015Inventors: Christopher R. MCLEAN, Bruce A. CONSTANTINE
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Patent number: 9050553Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a rotary gas separation device, such as a rotary pressure swing adsorption device. The rotary pressure swing device can include, for example, a rotor with a plurality of adsorber elements, a stator with a plurality of conduits, and a rotary valve comprising a seal assembly positioned between the rotor and the stator.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2013Date of Patent: June 9, 2015Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.Inventors: Soheil Alizadeh-Khiavi, Jeffrey Alvaji, Christopher R. McLean
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Publication number: 20140311353Abstract: An infusion extractor is provided including a plunger to be inserted into an infusing container containing the infusion mixture that has vertical inner walls oriented parallel to a vertical axis of the container. The plunger includes a first surface with a seal situated at an edge of the surface. The seal is adapted for sealing against the inner walls of the infusing container as the plunger moves within the container, to define a first chamber containing the mixture of infusible material and extract. The plunger also includes a second surface extending from the first surface and defining a second chamber; the second surface includes extract flow openings which permit flow of extract from the first chamber into the second chamber. At least a portion of the extract flow openings are situated at a depth either above or below the first surface along the vertical axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2014Publication date: October 23, 2014Inventors: Christopher R. MCLEAN, Bruce A. CONSTANTINE
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Patent number: 8858689Abstract: A gas separation device is disclosed. In particular, seal assemblies and adsorbent element constructions for a gas separation device such as a pressure swing adsorption device are disclosed. The seal assembly can be part of a rotary valve and can include a seal backer and a floating seal positioned within a bore in the seal backer. The floating seal is configured to press towards and seal against an adjacent rotor. Valve action is provided as apertures in the floating seal and rotor are brought into and then out of alignment as a result of relative rotation therebetween. The seal assembly can include two types of gas chambers to apply balanced sealing pressures over the sealing surface of the valve, one type configured to receive pressurized process gas from within the device and the other configured to receive gas from an independently controlled pressurized gas source.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2012Date of Patent: October 14, 2014Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.Inventors: Christopher Stoner, Christopher R. McLean, Daryl Musselman
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Patent number: 8770097Abstract: An infusion extractor is provided including a plunger to be inserted into an infusing container containing the infusion mixture that has vertical inner walls oriented parallel to a vertical axis of the container. The plunger includes a first surface with a seal situated at an edge of the surface. The seal is adapted for sealing against the inner walls of the infusing container as the plunger moves within the container, to define a first chamber containing the mixture of infusible material and extract. The plunger also includes a second surface extending from the first surface and defining a second chamber; the second surface includes extract flow openings which permit flow of extract from the first chamber into the second chamber. At least a portion of the extract flow openings are situated at a depth either above or below the first surface along the vertical axis.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2009Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignee: Espro, Inc.Inventors: Christopher R. McLean, Bruce A. Constantine
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Publication number: 20140016429Abstract: A steaming pitcher comprising a flow receiving surface adapted to receive an incoming flow of steam at a substantially oblique angle provides enhanced control of fluid flow inside the steaming pitcher to enhance mixing and heating of the fluid by the incoming steam. The steaming pitcher may also comprise flow directing and launching surfaces to assist in control of fluid flow patterns. A flow control kit with a flow receiving surface may be installed in an existing flat-bottom steaming pitcher to provide aspects of fluid flow control. The flow receiving, flow directing and launching surfaces of the steaming pitcher may be substantially smooth, faceted, or a combination thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2013Publication date: January 16, 2014Applicant: Espro, Inc.Inventors: Bruce Constantine, Christopher R. McLean
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Patent number: 8616233Abstract: A typical rotary face seal employs a seal ring rotating relative to a sealing surface and also employs means to urge the seal ring towards the sealing surface in order to effect a seal. The seal ring may itself comprise a seal face bonded to a backing ring. In certain applications, the seal face may deform significantly as a result of the temperature variations experienced and an undesirable crowning of the seal face may occur. Such crowning may be reduced by employing an improved seal ring with anti-crowning features in which the thickness of an edge of the seal face is different from that in the middle of the seal face, or in which a relief slot is employed in the seal face. The improved seal ring is particularly suited for rotary face seals used in a rotary valve in a rotary gas separation device.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2009Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.Inventors: Christopher R. McLean, Michel P. LeBlanc, Michael J. McKerrow, Bowie G. Keefer, Xiang Lu Kong, Alan O. Lebeck
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Publication number: 20130247762Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a rotary gas separation device, such as a rotary pressure swing adsorption device. The rotary pressure swing device can include, for example, a rotor with a plurality of adsorber elements, a stator with a plurality of conduits, and a rotary valve comprising a seal assembly positioned between the rotor and the stator.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2013Publication date: September 26, 2013Applicant: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.Inventors: Soheil Alizadeh-Khiavi, Jeffrey Alvaji, Christopher R. McLean
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Patent number: 8470395Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a rotary gas separation device, such as a rotary pressure swing adsorption device. The rotary pressure swing device can include, for example, a rotor with a plurality of adsorber elements, a stator with a plurality of conduits, and a rotary valve comprising a seal assembly positioned between the rotor and the stator.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2011Date of Patent: June 25, 2013Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals Inc.Inventors: Soheil Alizadeh Khiavi, Jeff Alvaji, Christopher R. McLean
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Publication number: 20130019752Abstract: A gas separation device is disclosed. In particular, seal assemblies and adsorbent element constructions for a gas separation device such as a pressure swing adsorption device are disclosed. The seal assembly can be part of a rotary valve and can include a seal backer and a floating seal positioned within a bore in the seal backer. The floating seal is configured to press towards and seal against an adjacent rotor. Valve action is provided as apertures in the floating seal and rotor are brought into and then out of alignment as a result of relative rotation therebetween. The seal assembly can include two types of gas chambers to apply balanced sealing pressures over the sealing surface of the valve, one type configured to receive pressurized process gas from within the device and the other configured to receive gas from an independently controlled pressurized gas source.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2012Publication date: January 24, 2013Applicant: AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS, INC.Inventors: Christopher Stoner, Christopher R. McLean, Daryl Musselman
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Patent number: 8272401Abstract: A pressure balanced rotary valve can be made more compact if the ports on the stator within can be located on a port pitch circle of smaller diameter. In certain circumstances for rotary valves used in pressure swing adsorption devices, it is acceptable for the spacing between the ports to be made smaller than the ports themselves. In a rotary valve comprising variable loading means (e.g. pistons) and fixed loading means (e.g. springs), this can involve reducing the piston size and increasing the load provided by the springs.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2009Date of Patent: September 25, 2012Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.Inventor: Christopher R. McLean
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Patent number: 8262783Abstract: A gas separation device is disclosed. In particular, seal assemblies and adsorbent element constructions for a gas separation device such as a pressure swing adsorption device are disclosed. The seal assembly can be part of a rotary valve and can include a seal backer and a floating seal positioned within a bore in the seal backer. The floating seal is configured to press towards and seal against an adjacent rotor. Valve action is provided as apertures in the floating seal and rotor are brought into and then out of alignment as a result of relative rotation therebetween. The seal assembly can include two types of gas chambers to apply balanced sealing pressures over the sealing surface of the valve, one type configured to receive pressurized process gas from within the device and the other configured to receive gas from an independently controlled pressurized gas source.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2008Date of Patent: September 11, 2012Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.Inventors: Christopher Stoner, Christopher R. McLean, Daryl Musselman
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Patent number: D761624Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2014Date of Patent: July 19, 2016Assignee: ESPRO, INC.Inventors: Christopher R. McLean, Bruce Constantine