Patents by Inventor Drew F. Meincke

Drew F. Meincke 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).

  • Patent number: 7223255
    Abstract: A portable, hands-free and user friendly breast pump for facilitating breast-feeding, incorporates a dome-shaped housing having a servomotor mechanism; a hat-shaped flange having a chamber portion, a brim portion and an outlet, the chamber portion being formed so as to be placed over a nipple on a breast so as to define a chamber between the flange and the breast, and the brim portion being formed to surround the nipple and thereby form a suction seal therebetween; and a one-way venting element formed to operatively communicate with the chamber so as to vent pumped milk from the chamber via the outlet. The housing, the flange and the venting element are connected into an integral device held against the breast and underneath clothing so as to keep the integral device hidden. Breast milk is collected via a plastic collection bag that connects directly with the pump underneath clothing such that the milk is isolated from any contaminants in the air and may be easily stored immediately after being collected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Whisper Wear Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Myers, Ellen Lundy, Drew F. Meincke, Sharon Birdseye
  • Publication number: 20020193731
    Abstract: A portable, hands-free and user friendly breast pump for facilitating breastfeeding, incorporates a dome-shaped housing having a servomotor mechanism; a hat-shaped flange having a chamber portion, a brim portion and an outlet, the chamber portion being formed so as to be placed over a nipple on a breast so as to define a chamber between the flange and the breast, and the brim portion being formed to surround the nipple and thereby form a suction seal therebetween; and a one-way venting element formed to operatively communicate with the chamber so as to vent pumped milk from the chamber via the outlet. The housing, the flange and the venting element are connected into an integral device held against the breast and underneath clothing so as to keep the integral device hidden. Breast milk is collected via a plastic collection bag that connects directly with the pump underneath clothing such that the milk is isolated from any contaminants in the air and may be easily stored immediately after being collected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2002
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Applicant: Whisper Wear, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Myers, Ellen Lundy, Drew F. Meincke, Sharon Birdseye
  • Patent number: 5463910
    Abstract: A housing pivotally supports a door which is interconnected with an arm carrying a hollow probe. A fillport module is slidable into operative position within the housing. The module supports a resilient fillport having an opening through which fluid passes. The opening has a tapered outer end for sealingly engaging a capillary tube. The probe is disposed within the opening and has an open outer end to receive fluid from a syringe. The probe is movable between an inner position where the outer end of the probe is within the opening when fluid is received from a capillary tube to an outer position where the outer end of the probe is disposed outwardly of the fillport when fluid is received from a syringe. A shoulder on the fillport sealingly engages the outer surface of the probe at all times, and a stop limits inward movement of the probe. A cleaner is carried by the door and is moved into sealing engagement with the fillport module so that a cleaning solution may be passed through the fillport and probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1995
    Assignee: AVL Scientific Corporation
    Inventors: Rickey D. Burns, Drew F. Meincke, Bernhard H. Heitz
  • Patent number: 5279797
    Abstract: A disposable liquid reagent cartridge for use with an analytical instrument includes a permanently closed hollow housing, a plurality of separate sealed flexible bags which are preformed independently of the housing and which are subject to damage and tampering if unprotected, at least some of the bags having reagents therein, the bags being supported in operative position within the housing, the housing being formed of the material sufficiently rigid to retain its outer shape and protect the bags supported therein from damage or tampering, connectors supported by the housing and being exposed to the exterior of the housing, and a flexible tube connected between each of the bags and the connectors to provide communication of the reagents between the bags and the connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Assignee: AVL Scientific Corporation
    Inventors: Rickey D. Burns, Bernhard H. Heitz, Drew F. Meincke, Karl H. Wentzel