Patents by Inventor Kyle R. Steele

Kyle R. Steele 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: 11103654
    Abstract: A tamper-evident closure assembly includes a connector, a tamper element removably affixed to the connector, and a cap having an interior surface defining a receptacle, where a portion of the connector is within the receptacle and the cap is configured to engage with the tamper element. The tamper element is configured to be separated from the connector upon application of a removal force and to be retained within the receptacle of the cap so that it can later be removed from the receptacle. A kit for a tamper-evident closure assembly includes a cap having an interior surface defining a receptacle, a tamper element configured to engage with the cap within the receptacle, and a housing configured to receive the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Kyle R. Steele, Peter D. Lewis, Douglas Kimmel
  • Publication number: 20210207748
    Abstract: A connector providing a rotating snap connection for connecting tubes, hoses and/or other conduits where the rotatable portion of the connector snap fits with the remaining portion of the connector is described. A first connector can include a body defining a first internal passage, a connecting end defining a second internal passage, and a connecting mechanism rotatably connecting the connecting end to the body such that the second internal passage of the connecting end is fluidly connected with the first internal passage. A second connector can include a first body, a second body rotatably connected to the first body via a connecting structure, and a connecting structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2021
    Publication date: July 8, 2021
    Inventors: Kyle R. STEELE, Peter D. Lewis
  • Patent number: 10955077
    Abstract: A connector provides a rotating snap connection for connecting tubes, hoses and/or other conduits where the rotatable portion of the connector snap fits with the remaining portion of the connector. A first connector can include a body defining a first internal passage, a connecting end defining a second internal passage, and a connecting mechanism rotatably connecting the connecting end to the body such that the second internal passage of the connecting end is fluidly connected with the first internal passage. A second connector can include a first body, a second body rotatably connected to the first body via a connecting structure, and a connecting structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Kyle R. Steele, Peter D. Lewis
  • Publication number: 20200282155
    Abstract: A tamper-evident closure assembly includes a connector having a receptacle defined by an outer surface of the connector, the receptacle having a depression and a wall adjacent the depression; a cap configured to attach to the connector and to rotate around the connector; a locking mechanism disposed on the cap, the locking mechanism having a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration, the locking mechanism having a tab movable between the locked configuration and the unlocked configuration; and a plug disposed on the tab, wherein when the locking mechanism is in the unlocked configuration, the plug is disposed outside of the receptacle on the connector, and when the locking mechanism is in the locked configuration, the plug is disposed at least partly within the receptacle, such that the cap is prevented from rotating around the connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2018
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Inventors: Peter D. Lewis, Kyle R. Steele
  • Publication number: 20200197685
    Abstract: A releasable connection assembly for connecting tubing sections is disclosed. The assembly includes a male bayonet connector including a shaft including a distal end portion comprising a lumen extending through the shaft, and a sealing surface configured to create a fluid-tight seal between the lumen and a female receiving lumen. The male bayonet connector also includes a latch member positioned adjacent to the shaft for coupling to a female latch structure. The female receiving member has a proximal end that defines at least two openings configured to receive at least part of the distal end portion of the shaft and the latch member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Publication date: June 25, 2020
    Inventors: Kyle R. STEELE, Peter D. Lewis
  • Patent number: 10627030
    Abstract: A fluid connector for securing a length of flexible tubing to a barbed fluid fitting is disclosed. The flexible tubing extends along a longitudinal direction. The fluid connector includes a single piece clamping body have a plurality of generally cylindrical clamping members spaced apart along the longitudinal direction, and a clasp. The clamping body defines a circumferential opening, and is flexed to further open the circumferential opening and receive the length of the flexible tubing over the barbed fluid fitting within the clamping body. The clasp closes the clamping body by closing the circumferential opening after the length of the flexible tubing over the barbed fluid fitting is received within the clamping body to form a fluid tight connection between the flexible tubing and the barbed fluid fitting. A fluid system including the length of flexible tubing, the barbed fluid fitting, and the fluid connector is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Peter D. Lewis, Kyle R. Steele
  • Publication number: 20190240425
    Abstract: A tamper-evident closure assembly includes a connector, a tamper element removably affixed to the connector, and a cap having an interior surface defining a receptacle, where a portion of the connector is within the receptacle and the cap is configured to engage with the tamper element. The tamper element is configured to be separated from the connector upon application of a removal force and to be retained within the receptacle of the cap so that it can later be removed from the receptacle. A kit for a tamper-evident closure assembly includes a cap having an interior surface defining a receptacle, a tamper element configured to engage with the cap within the receptacle, and a housing configured to receive the cap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2018
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Inventors: Kyle R. Steele, Peter D. Lewis, Douglas Kimmel
  • Publication number: 20190137020
    Abstract: A fluid connector for securing a length of flexible tubing to a barbed fluid fitting is disclosed. The flexible tubing extends along a longitudinal direction. The fluid connector includes a single piece clamping body have a plurality of generally cylindrical clamping members spaced apart along the longitudinal direction, and a clasp. The clamping body defines a circumferential opening, and is flexed to further open the circumferential opening and receive the length of the flexible tubing over the barbed fluid fitting within the clamping body. The clasp closes the clamping body by closing the circumferential opening after the length of the flexible tubing over the barbed fluid fitting is received within the clamping body to form a fluid tight connection between the flexible tubing and the barbed fluid fitting. A fluid system including the length of flexible tubing, the barbed fluid fitting, and the fluid connector is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2018
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Inventors: Peter D. Lewis, Kyle R. Steele
  • Patent number: 10203058
    Abstract: A fluid connector includes first and second clamping arms coupled together for movement between an open condition and a closed, clamping condition for clamping an end of a length of flexible tubing to a fluid fitting. The first and second clamping arms each have a curved interior surface and at least one barb on each curved interior surface. The barbs are configured to engage the exterior surface of the flexible tubing when the first and second clamping arms are in the closed, clamping condition to form a fluid tight connection between the fluid fitting and the flexible tubing. A fluid system and method of fluid connection using the fluid connector are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Peter D. Lewis, Kyle R. Steele
  • Publication number: 20170205005
    Abstract: A connector providing a rotating snap connection for connecting tubes, hoses and/or other conduits where the rotatable portion of the connector snap fits with the remaining portion of the connector is described. A first connector can include a body defining a first internal passage, a connecting end defining a second internal passage, and a connecting mechanism rotatably connecting the connecting end to the body such that the second internal passage of the connecting end is fluidly connected with the first internal passage. A second connector can include a first body, a second body rotatably connected to the first body via a connecting structure, and a connecting structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2017
    Publication date: July 20, 2017
    Inventors: Kyle R. Steele, Peter D. Lewis
  • Patent number: 9604046
    Abstract: A protective cap for use with a medical fluid fitting including a fitting thread and a sealing portion having a sealing surface. The protective cap includes a body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a cap thread extending axially. The cap thread is configured to threadedly engage the fitting thread for releasably coupling the protective cap with the medical fluid fitting, and defines a tapered engagement surface. The tapered engagement surface tapers axially relative to a longitudinal axis of the body, and is configured to frictionally contact the fitting thread for retaining the protective cap in coupling engagement with the medical fluid fitting. The protective cap is configured to peripherally surround the sealing portion such that no portion of the protective cap contacts the sealing surface when the protective cap is coupled with the medical fluid fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: NORDSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kyle R. Steele
  • Patent number: 9423062
    Abstract: A connector assembly may be formed by the combination of a latch member and a connector member. The latch member has an annular collar and an arcuate latch wall extending from a circumferential edge of the annular collar. A latch recess and a latch arm are defined within the latch wall. A wing grip extends from an exterior surface of the latch wall adjacent the latch recess and is configured to reinforce the latch arm by countering a tendency of the latch arm to flex radially outward when the connector assembly is subject to a tension load along a longitudinal axis of the connector assembly. A plurality of snap arms are arranged about a circumference of the interior surface of the annular collar to engage the connector member. The connector member receives and retains the latch member directly about an outer male insertion surface thereof rather than passing a barbed end of the connector member through the latch member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventor: Kyle R. Steele
  • Publication number: 20160121097
    Abstract: A protective cap for use with a medical fluid fitting including a fitting thread and a sealing portion having a sealing surface. The protective cap includes a body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a cap thread extending axially. The cap thread is configured to threadedly engage the fitting thread for releasably coupling the protective cap with the medical fluid fitting, and defines a tapered engagement surface. The tapered engagement surface tapers axially relative to a longitudinal axis of the body, and is configured to frictionally contact the fitting thread for retaining the protective cap in coupling engagement with the medical fluid fitting. The protective cap is configured to peripherally surround the sealing portion such that no portion of the protective cap contacts the sealing surface when the protective cap is coupled with the medical fluid fitting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2014
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Applicant: NORDSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kyle R. Steele
  • Patent number: 9327893
    Abstract: A sanitary fitting has a flange portion, a connector portion, and a parabolic entrance disposed therebetween. The flange portion has a planar ring surface that defines a central opening. The connector portion defines a lumen extending from the central opening toward an outlet port. The parabolic entrance surface extends from the planar ring surface and transitions into the connector portion to define a portion of the lumen. One or more suction-relief ribs may be arranged along the surface of the flange portion and extend into the parabolic entrance. The suction-relief ribs may have a twisting curvature for causing rotation of fluid flow through the sanitary fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Kyle R. Steele, Carl T. Whitaker, Ravikumar Narayanan, Douglas Kimmel
  • Patent number: D770598
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventor: Kyle R. Steele
  • Patent number: D771806
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventor: Kyle R. Steele
  • Patent number: D784529
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Kyle R. Steele, Jonathan Mayer
  • Patent number: D847984
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventor: Kyle R. Steele
  • Patent number: D852356
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Kyle R. Steele, Jonathan Mayer
  • Patent number: D859650
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Kyle R. Steele, Jonathan Mayer