Patents by Inventor Michael T. Baird

Michael T. Baird 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: 11654382
    Abstract: A filter cartridge with a longitudinal axis has mounting lugs engaging mating manifold flanges in an appliance to hold the cartridge in the appliance with fluid flowing through the cartridge at a line pressure of X psi while the lugs are designed for a greater, rated pressure Y. Each lug has a deformable portion and an aligned stop portion that are axially aligned. A distance d separates each stop portion from the axially aligned deformable portion. The deformable portion is below the stop portion and located to contact the manifold flange during use. The deformable portion permanently deforms above the rated pressure Y and below a qualification pressure Z that is at least twice the pressure X.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Inventor: Michael T. Baird
  • Patent number: 11072540
    Abstract: A water filter cartridge has a cap with radially oriented first and second (either inlet or outlet) flow channels on first and second generally cylindrical portions. First and second seals encircle the first flow channel on the first portion and third and fourth seals encircle the second flow channel on the second portion. The second and third seals form a void volume during use which may be accessed by a vent path to eliminate moisture or to test for or indicate leaks. The radial flow paths reduce axial, push out forces on the filter cartridge and allow smaller locking tabs to be used. The first seal forms a top void volume during use which may be accessed by a vent path to eliminate moisture or to test for or indicate leaks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Inventor: Michael T. Baird
  • Patent number: 10987618
    Abstract: A filter cartridge with a longitudinal axis has mounting lugs engaging mating manifold flanges in an appliance to hold the cartridge in the appliance with fluid flowing through the cartridge at a line pressure of X psi while the lugs are designed for a greater, rated pressure Y. Each lug has a deformable portion and an aligned stop portion that are axially aligned. A distance d separates each stop portion from the axially aligned deformable portion. The deformable portion is below the stop portion and located to contact the manifold flange during use. The deformable portion permanently deforms above the rated pressure Y and below a qualification pressure Z that is at least twice the pressure X.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Inventor: Michael T. Baird
  • Publication number: 20200254366
    Abstract: A water filter cartridge has an end cap with inlet and outlet nozzles extending from the end cap. A lateral support extends laterally from at least one of the nozzles. A projection extends from the lateral support toward a receiving manifold to cooperate with the manifold during use. The lateral support is offset from the end cap so the projection is vertically offset from an end of the cartridge and laterally offset from and supported from the nozzles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2020
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Inventor: Michael T. Baird
  • Patent number: 10682593
    Abstract: A water filter cartridge has an end cap with inlet and outlet nozzles extending from the end cap. A lateral support extends laterally from at least one of the nozzles. A projection extends from the lateral support toward a receiving manifold to cooperate with the manifold during use. The lateral support is offset from the end cap so the projection is vertically offset from an end of the cartridge and laterally offset from and supported from the nozzles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Inventor: Michael T. Baird
  • Publication number: 20200180977
    Abstract: A water filter cartridge has a cap with radially oriented first and second (either inlet or outlet) flow channels on first and second generally cylindrical portions. First and second seals encircle the first flow channel on the first portion and third and fourth seals encircle the second flow channel on the second portion. The second and third seals form a void volume during use which may be accessed by a vent path to eliminate moisture or to test for or indicate leaks. The radial flow paths reduce axial, push out forces on the filter cartridge and allow smaller locking tabs to be used. The first seal forms a top void volume during use which may be accessed by a vent path to eliminate moisture or to test for or indicate leaks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2020
    Publication date: June 11, 2020
    Inventors: Michael T. Baird, Randy L. Parmley, John J. Julos
  • Patent number: 10590006
    Abstract: A water filter cartridge has a cap with radially oriented first and second (either inlet or outlet) flow channels on first and second generally cylindrical portions. First and second seals encircle the first flow channel on the first portion and third and fourth seals encircle the second flow channel on the second portion. The second and third seals form a void volume during use which may be accessed by a vent path to eliminate moisture or to test for or indicate leaks. The radial flow paths reduce axial, push out forces on the filter cartridge and allow smaller locking tabs to be used. The first seal forms a top void volume during use which may be accessed by a vent path to eliminate moisture or to test for or indicate leaks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Inventors: Michael T. Baird, Randy L. Parmley, John J. Julos
  • Patent number: 10226722
    Abstract: A filter cartridge with a longitudinal axis has mounting lugs engaging mating manifold flanges in an appliance to hold the cartridge in the appliance with fluid flowing through the cartridge at a line pressure of X psi while the lugs are designed for a greater, rated pressure Y. Each lug has a deformable portion and an aligned stop portion that are axially aligned. A distance d separates each stop portion from the axially aligned deformable portion. The deformable portion is below the stop portion and located to contact the manifold flange during use. The deformable portion permanently deforms above the rated pressure Y and below a qualification pressure Z that is at least twice the pressure X.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Inventor: Michael T. Baird
  • Publication number: 20180362362
    Abstract: A water filter cartridge has a cap with radially oriented first and second (either inlet or outlet) flow channels on first and second generally cylindrical portions. First and second seals encircle the first flow channel on the first portion and third and fourth seals encircle the second flow channel on the second portion. The second and third seals form a void volume during use which may be accessed by a vent path to eliminate moisture or to test for or indicate leaks. The radial flow paths reduce axial, push out forces on the filter cartridge and allow smaller locking tabs to be used. The first seal forms a top void volume during use which may be accessed by a vent path to eliminate moisture or to test for or indicate leaks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Inventors: Michael T. Baird, Randy L. Parmley, John J. Julos
  • Patent number: 10087085
    Abstract: A water filter cartridge has a cap with radially oriented first and second (either inlet or outlet) flow channels on first and second generally cylindrical portions. First and second seals encircle the first flow channel on the first portion and third and fourth seals encircle the second flow channel on the second portion. The second and third seals form a void volume during use which may be accessed by a vent path to eliminate moisture or to test for or indicate leaks. The radial flow paths reduce axial, push out forces on the filter cartridge and allow smaller locking tabs to be used. The first seal forms a top void volume during use which may be accessed by a vent path to eliminate moisture or to test for or indicate leaks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Inventors: Michael T. Baird, Randy L. Parmley, John J. Julos
  • Patent number: 9901854
    Abstract: A water filter cartridge for refrigerators is configured to indicate leakage when a cartridge is installed in a manifold having a larger diameter, male inlet and a smaller diameter, coaxial, male outlet. The filter cap has a cylindrical recess that mates with an O-ring on the manifold inlet during use. A fluid passageway extends through the wall forming that recess and opens immediately adjacent that O-ring to carry any leaking water to the outside of the filter cap. The filter cap has a seal on a smaller diameter recess that mates with the sidewall of the male inlet at a distal end thereof. The smaller diameter recess may have slots that allow water to bypass seals on the male outlet member. Under normal water pressure the system will immediately visually exhibit a substantial leak if the filter cartridge is incorrectly coupled to the manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Inventor: Michael T. Baird
  • Patent number: 9737834
    Abstract: A water filter cartridge has an end cap with separate inlet and outlet nozzles connected to the end of a cylindrical tube that extends from the end cap. The nozzles are slanted and laterally offset from the cylindrical tube. A cam surface on the outer side of the nozzles actuates valves in a mating manifold. The passage in the nozzles is conical, expanding toward the nozzle end and opening onto a portion of the nozzle side to form a sharper tip. Expanding ice pushes itself out of the conical passage and facilitates ice removal. The narrow end of the conical passage facilitates breakage and removal of ice from the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: TST Water, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael T. Baird
  • Publication number: 20160175743
    Abstract: A water filter cartridge has an end cap with inlet and outlet nozzles extending from the end cap. A lateral support extends laterally from at least one of the nozzles. A projection extends from the lateral support toward a receiving manifold to cooperate with the manifold during use. The lateral support is offset from the end cap so the projection is vertically offset from an end of the cartridge and laterally offset from and supported from the nozzles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Inventor: Michael T. Baird
  • Publication number: 20150307365
    Abstract: A water filter cartridge has a cap with radially oriented first and second (either inlet or outlet) flow channels on first and second generally cylindrical portions. First and second seals encircle the first flow channel on the first portion and third and fourth seals encircle the second flow channel on the second portion. The second and third seals form a void volume during use which may be accessed by a vent path to eliminate moisture or to test for or indicate leaks. The radial flow paths reduce axial, push out forces on the filter cartridge and allow smaller locking tabs to be used. The first seal forms a top void volume during use which may be accessed by a vent path to eliminate moisture or to test for or indicate leaks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2015
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Inventors: Michael T. Baird, Randy L. Parmley, John J. Julos
  • Patent number: D750738
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Inventor: Michael T. Baird
  • Patent number: D750739
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Inventor: Michael T. Baird
  • Patent number: D759789
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Inventor: Michael T. Baird
  • Patent number: D759790
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Inventor: Michael T. Baird
  • Patent number: D785133
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: TST Water, INC.
    Inventor: Michael T. Baird
  • Patent number: D785752
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: TST Water, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael T. Baird