Patents by Inventor John M. Gray
John M. Gray 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: 12227408Abstract: A nozzle for dispensing fluid including a nozzle body having a fluid path therein through which fluid is configured to flow in a downstream direction. The nozzle further includes a valve having a valve body positioned in the fluid path and movable between a closed position wherein the valve body sealingly engages a valve seat to generally block fluid from flowing therethrough, and an open position wherein the valve body is spaced away from the valve seat to generally allow fluid to flow therethrough. At least part of a surface of the valve body positioned upstream of the valve seat is configured to be fluidly isolated from a pressure of fluid in the fluid path upstream of the valve seat when the valve is in the closed position.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2023Date of Patent: February 18, 2025Assignee: OPW FUELING COMPONENTS, LLCInventor: John M. Gray
-
Publication number: 20240228260Abstract: A nozzle for dispensing fluid including a nozzle body having a fluid path therein through which fluid is configured to flow in a downstream direction. The nozzle further includes a valve having a valve body positioned in the fluid path and movable between a closed position wherein the valve body sealingly engages a valve seat to generally block fluid from flowing therethrough, and an open position wherein the valve body is spaced away from the valve seat to generally allow fluid to flow therethrough. At least part of a surface of the valve body positioned upstream of the valve seat is configured to be fluidly isolated from a pressure of fluid in the fluid path upstream of the valve seat when the valve is in the closed position.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2023Publication date: July 11, 2024Applicant: OPW Fueling Components, LLCInventor: John M. Gray
-
Patent number: 11745999Abstract: A fluid dispensing nozzle including a nozzle body having a fluid path and a suction path therein. The nozzle has a valve positioned in the fluid path and configured to selectively prevent or allow a flow of fluid through the fluid path, and a manually operable actuator operatively connectable to the valve. The nozzle also includes a suction generator configured to apply a suction force in the suction path at a suction location. The suction path includes an expansion chamber located upstream of the suction location with respect to a direction of flow in the suction path. A bottom surface of the expansion chamber and a bottom surface of a portion of the suction path positioned immediately upstream of the expansion chamber are generally aligned.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2020Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: OPW FUELING COMPONENTS, LLCInventors: John M. Gray, Timothy M. Garrison, Brenton T. Hershner
-
Patent number: 11673793Abstract: A fluid dispensing nozzle system including a nozzle body having a fluid path therein and a fluid valve positioned in the fluid path and configured to selectively prevent or allow a flow of fluid through the fluid path. The nozzle further includes a manually operable actuator operatively connectable to the fluid valve, and a spout coupled to the nozzle body, the spout having a cavity to allow fluid flowing through the fluid path to pass through the spout. The spout includes a first segment having a first cross sectional area at at least a portion thereof and a second segment having a second cross sectional area at at least a portion thereof that is different than the first cross sectional area. The first segment has transition portion which transitions along a length thereof from the first cross sectional area at one end thereof to the second cross sectional area at a second opposite end thereof, wherein the first segment is made of a separate piece of material than the second segment.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2020Date of Patent: June 13, 2023Assignee: OPW FUELING COMPONENTS, LLCInventors: John M. Gray, Timothy M. Garrison, Brenton T. Hershner
-
Patent number: 11554949Abstract: A fluid dispensing nozzle including a nozzle body having a fluid path therein and a valve positioned in the fluid path and configured to selectively prevent or allow a flow of fluid through the fluid path. The nozzle further includes a manually operable actuator operatively connectable to the valve, a spout shell coupled to the nozzle body, and a fluid tube at least partially positioned in the spout shell and in fluid communication with or at least partially defining the fluid path. The nozzle further has a spacer at least partially positioned in the spout shell, a spout tip at least partially positioned in the spout shell, and a seal positioned between the spout tip and the spacer.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2020Date of Patent: January 17, 2023Assignee: OPW Fueling Components Inc.Inventors: John M. Gray, Timothy M. Garrison, Brenton T. Hershner
-
Patent number: 11235966Abstract: A fluid dispensing nozzle including a nozzle body having a fluid path and a suction path therein. The nozzle includes a suction generator configured to generate a suction force in at least part of the suction path when fluid to be dispensed flows through the fluid path. The nozzle further includes a shut-off device including a suction chamber fluidly coupled to the suction path and configured such that when the suction path is blocked during fluid dispensing the shut-off device moves to a closed configuration to prevent the nozzle from dispensing fluid through the fluid path. The suction path includes a terminal portion in fluid communication with the suction chamber, and the terminal portion has a cross sectional area of at least about 0.015 square inches.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2020Date of Patent: February 1, 2022Assignee: OPW FUELING COMPONENTS, LLCInventors: John M. Gray, Timothy M. Garrison, Brenton T. Hershner
-
Publication number: 20200354212Abstract: A fluid dispensing nozzle including a nozzle body having a fluid path therein and a valve positioned in the fluid path and configured to selectively prevent or allow a flow of fluid through the fluid path. The nozzle further includes a manually operable actuator operatively connectable to the valve, a spout shell coupled to the nozzle body, and a fluid tube at least partially positioned in the spout shell and in fluid communication with or at least partially defining the fluid path. The nozzle further has a spacer at least partially positioned in the spout shell, a spout tip at least partially positioned in the spout shell, and a seal positioned between the spout tip and the spacer.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2020Publication date: November 12, 2020Applicant: OPW Fueling Components, LLCInventors: John M. Gray, Timothy M. Garrison, Brenton T. Hershner
-
Publication number: 20200354213Abstract: A fluid dispensing nozzle including a nozzle body having a fluid path and a suction path therein. The nozzle has a valve positioned in the fluid path and configured to selectively prevent or allow a flow of fluid through the fluid path, and a manually operable actuator operatively connectable to the valve. The nozzle also includes a suction generator configured to apply a suction force in the suction path at a suction location. The suction path includes an expansion chamber located upstream of the suction location with respect to a direction of flow in the suction path. A bottom surface of the expansion chamber and a bottom surface of a portion of the suction path positioned immediately upstream of the expansion chamber are generally aligned.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2020Publication date: November 12, 2020Applicant: OPW Fueling Components, LLCInventors: John M. Gray, Timothy M. Garrison, Brenton T. Hershner
-
Publication number: 20200317501Abstract: A fluid dispensing nozzle including a nozzle body having a fluid path and a suction path therein. The nozzle includes a suction generator configured to generate a suction force in at least part of the suction path when fluid to be dispensed flows through the fluid path. The nozzle further includes a shut-off device including a suction chamber fluidly coupled to the suction path and configured such that when the suction path is blocked during fluid dispensing the shut-off device moves to a closed configuration to prevent the nozzle from dispensing fluid through the fluid path. The suction path includes a terminal portion in fluid communication with the suction chamber, and the terminal portion has a cross sectional area of at least about 0.015 square inches.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2020Publication date: October 8, 2020Applicant: OPW Fueling Components, LLCInventors: John M. Gray, Timothy M. Garrison, Brenton T. Hershner
-
Publication number: 20200277182Abstract: A fluid dispensing nozzle system including a nozzle body having a fluid path therein and a fluid valve positioned in the fluid path and configured to selectively prevent or allow a flow of fluid through the fluid path. The nozzle further includes a manually operable actuator operatively connectable to the fluid valve, and a spout coupled to the nozzle body, the spout having a cavity to allow fluid flowing through the fluid path to pass through the spout. The spout includes a first segment having a first cross sectional area at at least a portion thereof and a second segment having a second cross sectional area at at least a portion thereof that is different than the first cross sectional area. The first segment has transition portion which transitions along a length thereof from the first cross sectional area at one end thereof to the second cross sectional area at a second opposite end thereof, wherein the first segment is made of a separate piece of material than the second segment.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2020Publication date: September 3, 2020Applicant: OPW Fueling Components LLCInventors: John M. Gray, Timothy M. Garrison, Brenton T. Hershner
-
Patent number: 10669149Abstract: A fluid dispensing nozzle including a nozzle body having a fluid path and a suction path therein. The nozzle includes a suction generator configured to generate a suction force in the suction path when fluid to be dispensed flows through the fluid path. The nozzle further includes a shut-off device having a suction chamber fluidly coupled to the suction path. The shut-off device is configured such that when the suction path is blocked during fluid dispensing the shut-off device prevents the nozzle from dispensing fluid through the fluid path. The suction chamber includes a lip extending around a perimeter thereof. An opening is formed in or extends through the lip, the opening providing fluid communication between the suction chamber and the suction path to enable liquid to flow from the suction chamber to the suction path.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2016Date of Patent: June 2, 2020Assignee: OPW FUELING COMPONENTS, LLCInventors: John M. Gray, Timothy M. Garrison, Brenton T. Hershner
-
Patent number: 10273137Abstract: A nozzle for dispensing fluid including a nozzle body having a spout and fluid path through which fluid to be dispensed is flowable. The nozzle includes an actuator configured to detect when the spout is sufficiently inserted into a fluid receptacle, and a shut-off device configured to selectively terminate or prevent fluid dispensing operations through the fluid path. The nozzle further includes an interlock operatively coupling the actuator to the shut-off device. The interlock includes a slider that is operatively coupled to the actuator and a pivotable arm that is operatively coupled to the shut-off device, and the slider is slidable along the arm.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2016Date of Patent: April 30, 2019Assignee: OPW FUELING COMPONENTS, LLCInventors: Timothy M. Garrison, John M. Gray, Brenton T. Hershner
-
Patent number: 10081532Abstract: A nozzle system including a nozzle body having a fluid path through which fluid to be dispensed is flowable. The system includes a fluid valve positioned in the fluid path and movable between a first position and a second position, and a manually operable lever operatively coupleable to the fluid valve and movable between a first position and a second position. The system further has a biasing mechanism configured to apply a force biasing at least one of the valve or the lever to one of the associated first or second positions, and a magnetic assist system configured to apply a magnetic force opposing the biasing force applied by the biasing mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2016Date of Patent: September 25, 2018Assignee: OPW FUELING COMPONENTS, LLCInventors: John M. Gray, Timothy M. Garrison, Matthew R. Lauber
-
Patent number: 10010667Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for reducing the accumulation of gases in an implantable infusion device. In one example, an implantable infusion device (IID) includes a housing, an expandable and contractible reservoir, and a standoff member. The expandable and contractible reservoir is configured to store a therapeutic agent and is arranged within the housing. A first end of the reservoir is configured to collapse toward a second end of the reservoir as the reservoir contracts. The standoff member is interposed between the first end and the second end of the reservoir and is configured to hold at least a portion of the first end offset from the second end when the reservoir is in a contracted state.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2011Date of Patent: July 3, 2018Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: James M. Haase, Ronald L. Mezera, John M. Gray, Nicholas R. Whitehead
-
Publication number: 20180037452Abstract: A fluid dispensing nozzle including a nozzle body having a fluid path and a suction path therein. The nozzle includes a suction generator configured to generate a suction force in the suction path when fluid to be dispensed flows through the fluid path. The nozzle further includes a shut-off device having a suction chamber fluidly coupled to the suction path. The shut-off device is configured such that when the suction path is blocked during fluid dispensing the shut-off device prevents the nozzle from dispensing fluid through the fluid path. The suction chamber includes a lip extending around a perimeter thereof. An opening is formed in or extends through the lip, the opening providing fluid communication between the suction chamber and the suction path to enable liquid to flow from the suction chamber to the suction path.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2016Publication date: February 8, 2018Applicant: OPW Fueling Components Inc.Inventors: John M. Gray, Timothy M. Garrison, Brenton T. Hershner
-
Publication number: 20180029872Abstract: A nozzle for dispensing fluid including a nozzle body having a spout and fluid path through which fluid to be dispensed is flowable. The nozzle includes an actuator configured to detect when the spout is sufficiently inserted into a fluid receptacle, and a shut-off device configured to selectively terminate or prevent fluid dispensing operations through the fluid path. The nozzle further includes an interlock operatively coupling the actuator to the shut-off device. The interlock includes a slider that is operatively coupled to the actuator and a pivotable arm that is operatively coupled to the shut-off device, and the slider is slidable along the arm.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2016Publication date: February 1, 2018Applicant: OPW Fueling Components Inc.Inventors: Timothy M. Garrison, John M. Gray, Brenton T. Hershner
-
Publication number: 20170240416Abstract: A nozzle system including a nozzle body having a fluid path through which fluid to be dispensed is flowable. The system includes a fluid valve positioned in the fluid path and movable between a first position and a second position, and a manually operable lever operatively coupleable to the fluid valve and movable between a first position and a second position. The system further has a biasing mechanism configured to apply a force biasing at least one of the valve or the lever to one of the associated first or second positions, and a magnetic assist system configured to apply a magnetic force opposing the biasing force applied by the biasing mechanism.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2016Publication date: August 24, 2017Applicant: OPW Fueling Components Inc.Inventors: John M. Gray, Timothy M. Garrison, Matthew R. Lauber
-
Patent number: 9211170Abstract: A projectile syringe has a barrel, a spring loaded power assembly with an attached plunger, a notched plunger shaft terminating in a knob and a breach plug secured to the barrel. The spring loaded power assembly has a cylindrical sleeve with four dissected fingers, two projections on the sleeve's outer cylindrical surface securing a compressed compression spring. A cylindrical weight is captured within the sleeve by four fingers. The user attaches a needle and draws a desired amount medicament. The plunger shaft is broken flush against the breech plug. The user attaches a stabilizing tail to the breech plug end and the projectile syringe is aimed at a target animal. Stopping the syringe displaces the cylindrical weight, allowing the four fingers to displace. The proximal projections move inward, allowing the compressed compression spring to expand to the fixed breech plug, pushing the piston to deliver medicament to the animal.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2014Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Inventor: John M. Gray
-
Publication number: 20150282914Abstract: A projectile syringe has a barrel, a spring loaded power assembly with an attached plunger, a notched plunger shaft terminating in a knob and a breach plug secured to the barrel. The spring loaded power assembly has a cylindrical sleeve with four dissected fingers, two projections on the sleeve's outer cylindrical surface securing a compressed compression spring. A cylindrical weight is captured within the sleeve by four fingers. The user attaches a needle and draws a desired amount medicament. The plunger shaft is broken flush against the breech plug. The user attaches a stabilizing tail to the breech plug end and the projectile syringe is aimed at a target animal. Stopping the syringe displaces the cylindrical weight, allowing the four fingers to displace. The proximal projections move inward, allowing the compressed compression spring to expand to the fixed breech plug, pushing the piston to deliver medicament to the animal.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2014Publication date: October 8, 2015Inventor: John M. Gray
-
Patent number: D845771Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2017Date of Patent: April 16, 2019Assignee: Chobani LLCInventors: Ricardo Daniel Davila Bracho, John M. Gray, Jean-Yves Latour, Christopher Ryan, Niel Sanfort