Patents by Inventor Fong-Li Chou

Fong-Li Chou 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: 11969393
    Abstract: In some embodiments, an affixed group of pharmaceutical vials with frangible connectors includes: a plurality of pharmaceutical vials arranged as a group of pharmaceutical vials, each of the plurality of pharmaceutical vials shaped and positioned to minimize a total volume of the group of pharmaceutical vials, each of the pharmaceutical vials including at least one external side with a surface configured to reversibly mate with a corresponding external side and a surface of an adjacent pharmaceutical vial; and a plurality of frangible connectors, wherein at least one frangible connector is affixed to the surface of at least two of the plurality of pharmaceutical vials within the group of pharmaceutical vials, and at least one frangible connector is affixed to each of the plurality of pharmaceutical vials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Inventors: John Boomgard, Fong-Li Chou, Philip A. Eckhoff, Fridrik Larusson, Shieng Liu, Krishnan Natarajan, Nels R. Peterson, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11867464
    Abstract: Portage storage containers including controlled evaporative cooling systems are described herein. In some embodiments, a portable container including an integral controlled evaporative cooling system includes: a storage region, an evaporative region adjacent to the storage region, a desiccant region adjacent to the outside of the container, and an insulation region positioned between the evaporative region and the desiccant region. A vapor conduit with an attached vapor control unit has a first end within the evaporative region and a second end within the desiccant region. In some embodiments, the controlled evaporative cooling systems are positioned in a radial configuration within the portable container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Tokitae LLC
    Inventors: Fong Li Chou, Philip A. Eckhoff, Lawrence Morgan Fowler, Shieng Liu, Peter K. Maier-Laxhuber, Nels R. Peterson, Ralf W. Schmidt, Clarence T. Tegreene, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Reiner M. Wörz, David J. Yager
  • Patent number: 11285079
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a medicinal carrier device includes: one or more sections of thermal insulation positioned to form an internal space with an adjacent first side region and an adjacent second side region; a first panel including a first phase change material positioned within the first side region of the internal space, the first side region of a size and shape to firmly contain an integral number of portable cold packs in thermal contact with the first panel; and a second panel including a second phase change material positioned within the second side region of the internal space, the second side region of a size and shape to firmly contain an integral number of portable cold packs in thermal contact with the second panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Tokitae, LLC
    Inventors: Fong-Li Chou, Brian L. Pal, Matthew W. Peters, Nels R. Peterson, David J. Yager
  • Publication number: 20210381772
    Abstract: Portage storage containers including controlled evaporative cooling systems are described herein. In some embodiments, a portable container including an integral controlled evaporative cooling system includes: a storage region, an evaporative region adjacent to the storage region, a desiccant region adjacent to the outside of the container, and an insulation region positioned between the evaporative region and the desiccant region. A vapor conduit with an attached vapor control unit has a first end within the evaporative region and a second end within the desiccant region. In some embodiments, the controlled evaporative cooling systems are positioned in a radial configuration within the portable container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2021
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Applicant: Tokitae LLC
    Inventors: Fong Li Chou, Philip A. Eckhoff, Lawrence Morgan Fowler, Shieng Liu, Peter K. Maier-Laxhuber, Nels R. Peterson, Ralf W. Schmidt, Clarence T. Tegreene, Lowell L. Wood, JR., Reiner M. Wörz, David J. Yager
  • Patent number: 11105556
    Abstract: Portage storage containers including controlled evaporative cooling systems are described herein. In some embodiments, a portable container including an integral controlled evaporative cooling system includes: a storage region, an evaporative region adjacent to the storage region, a desiccant region adjacent to the outside of the container, and an insulation region positioned between the evaporative region and the desiccant region. A vapor conduit with an attached vapor control unit has a first end within the evaporative region and a second end within the desiccant region. In some embodiments, the controlled evaporative cooling systems are positioned in a radial configuration within the portable container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Tokitae, LLC
    Inventors: Fong Li Chou, Philip A. Eckhoff, Lawrence Morgan Fowler, Shieng Liu, Peter K. Maier-Laxhuber, Nels R. Peterson, Ralf W. Schmidt, Clarence T. Tegreene, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Reiner M. Worz, David J. Yager
  • Patent number: 10941971
    Abstract: Portage storage containers including controlled evaporative cooling systems are described herein. In some embodiments, a portable container including an integral controlled evaporative cooling system includes: a storage region, an evaporative region adjacent to the storage region, a desiccant region adjacent to the outside of the container, and an insulation region positioned between the evaporative region and the desiccant region. A vapor conduit with an attached vapor control unit has a first end within the evaporative region and a second end within the desiccant region. In some embodiments, the controlled evaporative cooling systems are positioned in a radial configuration within the portable container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Tokitae LLC
    Inventors: Fong Li Chou, Philip A. Welkhoff, Lawrence Morgan Fowler, Shieng Liu, Peter K. Maier-Laxhuber, Nels R. Peterson, Ivan Poleshchuk, Ralf W. Schmidt, Clarence T. Tegreene, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Reiner M. Wörz, David J. Yager
  • Patent number: 10707683
    Abstract: Generally, this disclosure relates to methods of prioritizing or directing available power to a main device, such as a temperature-stabilized and/or temperature-controlled storage container. In an embodiment, the method may include measuring electrical power available from a solar photovoltaic module array that is electrically coupled to the main device, and modulating the electrical power drawn by the main device based on the available electrical power. Available power unused by the main device may be diverted to one or more secondary devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: TOKITAE LLC
    Inventors: Brian L. Pal, Roderick T. Hinman, Shieng Liu, Jennifer Ezu Hu, Fridrik Larusson, Fong-Li Chou, Nels R. Peterson, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10619916
    Abstract: A refrigeration device includes a thermal transfer unit with an evaporative region, an adiabatic region, and a condensing region with a reversible valve attached to the adiabatic region. The device includes a container sealed around PCM, with a set of refrigeration coils of a compressor unit in thermal contact with the PCM. A storage region is in thermal contact with the evaporative region of the thermal transfer unit. A controller is operably connected to the reversible valve and the refrigeration compressor unit. The storage region can be used to store cold packs within a predetermined temperature range for medical outreach.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Tokitae LLC
    Inventors: Fong-Li Chou, Roderick T. Hinman, Jennifer Ezu Hu, Fridrik Larusson, Shieng Liu, Brian L. Pal, Matthew W. Peters, Nels R. Peterson
  • Patent number: 10342735
    Abstract: Multi-monodose containers are described including a row of at least two vials, a first vial connected to an adjacent second vial through an articulating joint, the articulating joint sufficiently flexible to reversibly mate a planar outer surface of the first vial with a planar outer surface of the adjacent second vial; wherein the row of the at least two vials is configured to form a first rectangular packing cross-sectional area in an expanded configuration and configured to form a second rectangular packing cross-sectional area in a folded configuration, the second rectangular packing cross-sectional area smaller than the first rectangular packing cross-sectional area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Tokitae LLC
    Inventors: Fong-Li Chou, Philip A. Eckhoff, Lawrence Morgan Fowler, Shieng Liu, Krishnan Natarajan, Nels R. Peterson, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10278895
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include portable devices for cold chain storage and methods of fabricating portable devices for cold chain storage. In an illustrative embodiment, a portable device for cold chain storage includes a container defining therein a storage region. The container includes an inner cylinder, and the storage region is defined coaxially inwardly of the inner cylinder. The inner cylinder includes phase change material disposed therein, and the phase change material is in thermal communication with the storage region. The inner cylinder also includes evaporative coils disposed therein. The evaporative coils are embedded in the phase change material. The container also includes a thermally insulated outer cylinder. An outer wall of the outer cylinder is disposed radially outwardly of an outer wall of the inner cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Tokitae LLC
    Inventors: Fong-Li Chou, Lawrence Morgan Fowler, Fridrik Larusson, Shieng Liu, Nels R. Peterson, David J. Yager
  • Patent number: 10260819
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a thermosiphon configured for use within a temperature-regulated storage device includes: a condenser region, including a plurality of evenly spaced condenser channels with horizontally symmetrical bifurcated branches connected to an adiabatic channel, each of the plurality of condenser channels connected at a top position to an upper channel; an evaporator region, including a plurality of evaporator channels, wherein each of the plurality of evaporator channels has a flow channel formed in a serpentine channel pattern and each subunit of the serpentine channel pattern is attached to a vapor return channel at a top of the subunit, and wherein the evaporator region has at least one lowest position connected directly to a vapor return channel; and an adiabatic region including at least one adiabatic channel connecting the evaporator channels and the condenser channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Tokitae LLC
    Inventors: Fong-Li Chou, Fridrik Larusson, Brian L. Pal, Nels R. Peterson, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20180353379
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a medicinal carrier device includes: one or more sections of thermal insulation positioned to form an internal space with an adjacent first side region and an adjacent second side region; a first panel including a first phase change material positioned within the first side region of the internal space, the first side region of a size and shape to firmly contain an integral number of portable cold packs in thermal contact with the first panel; and a second panel including a second phase change material positioned within the second side region of the internal space, the second side region of a size and shape to firmly contain an integral number of portable cold packs in thermal contact with the second panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2018
    Publication date: December 13, 2018
    Inventors: Fong-Li Chou, Brian L. Pal, Matthew W. Peters, Nels R. Peterson, David J. Yager
  • Patent number: 10077122
    Abstract: Methods are described for packaging a foldable container including covering a multi-monodose container in an expanded configuration with a hermetically-sealable overwrap, the multi-monodose container including a row of interconnected monodose pharmaceutical vials, each of the monodose pharmaceutical vials enclosing at least one pharmaceutical agent, the interconnected monodose pharmaceutical vials connected to one another by one or more articulating joints sufficiently flexible to form a folded configuration of the multi-monodose container; exerting a force on at least one of the monodose pharmaceutical vials; bending the one or more articulating joints to form the folded configuration of the multi-monodose container in response to the exerted force; and sealing the hermetically-sealable overwrap to form a hermetic seal around the folded configuration of the multi-monodose container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: Tokitae LLC
    Inventors: Fong-Li Chou, Philip A. Eckhoff, Lawrence Morgan Fowler, Shieng Liu, Krishnan Natarajan, Nels R. Peterson, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20180090939
    Abstract: Generally, this disclosure relates to methods of prioritizing or directing available power to a main device, such as a temperature-stabilized and/or temperature-controlled storage container. In an embodiment, the method may include measuring electrical power available from a solar photovoltaic module array that is electrically coupled to the main device, and modulating the electrical power drawn by the main device based on the available electrical power. Available power unused by the main device may be diverted to one or more secondary devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2017
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Inventors: Brian L. Pal, Roderick T. Hinman, Shieng Liu, Jennifer Ezu Hu, Fridrik Larusson, Fong-Li Chou, Nels R. Peterson, Lowell L. Wood, JR.
  • Publication number: 20180087831
    Abstract: A refrigeration device includes a thermal transfer unit with an evaporative region, an adiabatic region, and a condensing region with a reversible valve attached to the adiabatic region. The device includes a container sealed around PCM, with a set of refrigeration coils of a compressor unit in thermal contact with the PCM. A storage region is in thermal contact with the evaporative region of the thermal transfer unit. A controller is operably connected to the reversible valve and the refrigeration compressor unit. The storage region can be used to store cold packs within a predetermined temperature range for medical outreach.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Inventors: Fong-Li Chou, Roderick T. Hinman, Jennifer Ezu Hu, Fridrik Larusson, Shieng Liu, Brian L. Pal, Matthew W. Peters, Nels R. Peterson
  • Publication number: 20180031327
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a thermosiphon configured for use within a temperature-regulated storage device includes: a condenser region, including a plurality of evenly spaced condenser channels with horizontally symmetrical bifurcated branches connected to an adiabatic channel, each of the plurality of condenser channels connected at a top position to an upper channel; an evaporator region, including a plurality of evaporator channels, wherein each of the plurality of evaporator channels has a flow channel formed in a serpentine channel pattern and each subunit of the serpentine channel pattern is attached to a vapor return channel at a top of the subunit, and wherein the evaporator region has at least one lowest position connected directly to a vapor return channel; and an adiabatic region including at least one adiabatic channel connecting the evaporator channels and the condenser channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2016
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: Fong-Li Chou, Fridrik Larusson, Brian L. Pal, Nels R. Peterson, Lowell L. Wood, JR.
  • Publication number: 20170290741
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include portable devices for cold chain storage and methods of fabricating portable devices for cold chain storage. In an illustrative embodiment, a portable device for cold chain storage includes a container defining therein a storage region. The container includes an inner cylinder, and the storage region is defined coaxially inwardly of the inner cylinder. The inner cylinder includes phase change material disposed therein, and the phase change material is in thermal communication with the storage region. The inner cylinder also includes evaporative coils disposed therein. The evaporative coils are embedded in the phase change material. The container also includes a thermally insulated outer cylinder. An outer wall of the outer cylinder is disposed radially outwardly of an outer wall of the inner cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2016
    Publication date: October 12, 2017
    Inventors: Fong-Li Chou, Lawrence Morgan Fowler, Fridrik Larusson, Shieng Liu, Nels R. Peterson, David J. Yager
  • Patent number: 9726418
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a refrigeration device includes: walls substantially forming a liquid-impermeable container configured to hold phase change material internal to the refrigeration device; at least one active refrigeration unit including a set of evaporator coils positioned at least partially within the liquid-impermeable container; a unidirectional thermal conductor with a condensing end and an evaporative end, the condensing end positioned within the liquid-impermeable container; a first aperture in the liquid-impermeable container, the first aperture of a size, shape and position to permit the set of evaporator coils to traverse the aperture; a second aperture in the liquid-impermeable container, the second aperture including an internal surface of a size, shape and position to mate with an external surface of the unidirectional thermal conductor; and one or more walls substantially forming a storage region in thermal contact with the evaporative end of the unidirectional thermal conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Tokitae LLC
    Inventors: Fong-Li Chou, Philip A. Eckhoff, Lawrence Morgan Fowler, William Gates, Jennifer Ezu Hu, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Fridrik Larusson, Shieng Liu, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Nels R. Peterson, Clarence T. Tegreene, Maurizio Vecchione, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y. H. Wood
  • Publication number: 20170198960
    Abstract: Portage storage containers including controlled evaporative cooling systems are described herein. In some embodiments, a portable container including an integral controlled evaporative cooling system includes: a storage region, an evaporative region adjacent to the storage region, a desiccant region adjacent to the outside of the container, and an insulation region positioned between the evaporative region and the desiccant region. A vapor conduit with an attached vapor control unit has a first end within the evaporative region and a second end within the desiccant region. In some embodiments, the controlled evaporative cooling systems are positioned in a radial configuration within the portable container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Publication date: July 13, 2017
    Inventors: Fong Li Chou, Philip A. Eckhoff, Lawrence Morgan Fowler, Shieng Liu, Peter K. Maier-Laxhuber, Nels R. Peterson, Ivan Poleshchuk, Ralf W. Schmidt, Clarence T. Tegreene, Lowell L. Wood, JR., Reiner M. Wörz, David J. Yager
  • Patent number: 9657982
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a medicinal storage container includes: a desiccant unit including external walls forming a gas-impermeable barrier around an interior desiccant region and including an aperture; a heating element; a controller operably attached to the heating element; a cooling unit; a compressor system including at least one evaporator coil unit, the compressor operably connected to the controller; a vapor conduit, the vapor conduit attached to a the desiccant unit at a first end, the vapor conduit attached to the evaporative cooling unit at a second end, the vapor conduit forming an internal, gas-impermeable passageway between the desiccant unit and the cooling unit; a vapor control unit attached to the vapor conduit and operably attached to the controller; and a medicinal storage unit including external walls encircling a medicinal storage region including a temperature sensor operably connected to the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Tokitae LLC
    Inventors: Fong-Li Chou, Philip A. Eckhoff, Lawrence Morgan Fowler, Fridrik Larusson, Shieng Liu, Nels R. Peterson, Clarence T. Tegreene, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.