Patents by Inventor Robert A. Sparks

Robert A. Sparks 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).

  • Publication number: 20240027707
    Abstract: Advanced computing applications have evolved to include servers submersed in dielectric oils to provide efficient cooling. Transceiver-fiber optic cable interface assemblies that support data communications may not be sealed adequately to be submersed, and require sealing before they can be used in such applications. A mold may be three dimensionally (3D) printed or additively manufactured (AM) and used to form a sealing material around the assembly to provide such protection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2022
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Applicant: RF Scientific, LLC
    Inventors: Nathan Bosch, Robert Sparks, Daniel Hogberg
  • Patent number: 11742951
    Abstract: Certain network switch device can use pluggable transceivers to send and receive data. Transceiver may be capable of operating in multiple different operating modes defined by parameters such as speed. Application data indicating one or more operational modes supported by the transceiver may be read from a memory of a transceiver. An interface may be provided by a network switch device that indicates the one or more operational modes and identifiers of the one or more operational modes. The transceiver may be configured by the network switch device to operate in a selected operational mode based on a selection of an identifier corresponding to the selected operational modes. The selected operational mode, which may require multiple parameters to be configured on the transceiver, may be set using a single command based on the identifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: ARISTA NETWORKS, INC.
    Inventors: Aditya Bhiday, Radu Handolescu, Alex Volinsky, Hacene Chaouch, Robert Spark
  • Publication number: 20220267270
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to compounds of Formula (I), or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof and compounds of Formula (II), or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, that modulate stimulator of interferon genes (STING), compositions comprising such compounds, and methods of using same for the treatment of disorders such as cancer and autoimmune disease.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2020
    Publication date: August 25, 2022
    Inventors: Wayne Charles Guida, Kenyon Gregory Daniel, Wesley Harrell Brooks, Linette Harding, Rainer Scott Metcalf, Sam G. Shrivastava, James William Leahy, Robert Sparks
  • Publication number: 20220055466
    Abstract: A protective vehicle cover apparatus for preventing snow buildup and freezing includes a main cover and a pair of side covers. The main cover comprises a main cover body. The main cover body has a wiper portion, a windshield portion, and a roof portion to cover a vehicle. A plurality of main flaps is coupled to the main cover body. The plurality of main flaps is coupled to a pair of outer edges of the main cover body. A plurality of first fasteners is coupled to the plurality of main flaps. Each side cover comprises a side cover body to cover a window portion of the vehicle. A plurality of second fasteners is coupled to the pair of side covers. The plurality of second fasteners is selectively engageable with the plurality of first fasteners to secure each side cover to the main cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2020
    Publication date: February 24, 2022
    Inventor: Robert Sparks
  • Patent number: 9962014
    Abstract: A refrigerated case includes a case body including a top panel, a rear panel, and a bottom that cooperate to define a display space, a portion of a refrigeration system disposed in the case and operable to cool a flow of air, and a first air passage positioned to direct the flow of air near the top panel from the rear panel generally toward a front of the case. A one piece holder is positioned to receive the flow of air adjacent the front of the case, the one piece holder formed as a unitary component using a PVC foam material and arranged to accelerate and redirect the flow of air in a downward direction toward the bottom, and a filter member is at least partially supported by the holder and positioned to receive the flow of air in the downward direction and to redirect that flow into the display space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Zero Zone, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Sparks
  • Publication number: 20170280897
    Abstract: A refrigerated case includes a case body including a top panel, a rear panel, and a bottom that cooperate to define a display space, a portion of a refrigeration system disposed in the case and operable to cool a flow of air, and a first air passage positioned to direct the flow of air near the top panel from the rear panel generally toward a front of the case. A one piece holder is positioned to receive the flow of air adjacent the front of the case, the one piece holder formed as a unitary component using a PVC foam material and arranged to accelerate and redirect the flow of air in a downward direction toward the bottom, and a filter member is at least partially supported by the holder and positioned to receive the flow of air in the downward direction and to redirect that flow into the display space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2016
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Inventor: Robert Sparks
  • Patent number: 9232873
    Abstract: A brewing apparatus including a fluid reservoir having a first end and a second end. The brewing apparatus can include a lid portion configured to removably engage the first end of the fluid reservoir and a cartridge holder configured to removably engage the second end of the fluid reservoir. A spring-loaded plunger can slidably connect to the lid portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Starbucks Corporation
    Inventors: Amanda L. Juris, Dervala A. Hanley, Charles B. Cook, Sung Hoon Kim, William Sauway Law, Joel Frederic Jensen, David A. Holcomb, Joseph Gray, Robert Sparks
  • Publication number: 20140356501
    Abstract: A brewing apparatus including a fluid reservoir having a first end and a second end. The brewing apparatus can include a lid portion configured to removably engage the first end of the fluid reservoir and a cartridge holder configured to removably engage the second end of the fluid reservoir. A spring-loaded plunger can slidably connect to the lid portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: Starbucks Corporation D/B/A Starbucks Coffee Company
    Inventors: Amanda L. Juris, Dervala A. Hanley, Charles B. Cook, Sung Hoon Kim, William Sauway Law, Joel Frederic Jensen, David A. Holcomb, Joseph Gray, Robert Sparks
  • Publication number: 20120290654
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method, apparatus, and computer-readable medium of rewarding a user for sharing digital content are described. The method facilitates an effective way of sharing commercial digital content via a network, such as the Internet, while the users who share the content are provided with a real or virtual reward. The method may comprise receiving, from a user, a request to share digital content, retrieving the digital content to be shared, with the digital content being associated with a user, transmitting the digital content to one or more destinations for sharing, and providing a reward to the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Inventors: Dennis Detwiller, Robert Sparks
  • Publication number: 20120290308
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method, apparatus, and computer-readable medium of rewarding a user for sharing digital content are described. The method facilitates an effective way of sharing commercial digital content via a network, such as the Internet, while the users who share the content are provided with a real or virtual reward. The method may comprise receiving, from a user, a request to share digital content, retrieving the digital content to be shared, with the digital content being associated with a user, transmitting the digital content to one or more destinations for sharing, and providing a reward to the user. The one or more destinations may comprise a social networking website, a blog, a microblog, a website, an e-mail server, a web server, and a database.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Inventors: Dennis Detwiller, Robert Sparks
  • Publication number: 20070297486
    Abstract: A temperature sensor including a housing and a temperature sensing element at least partially disposed in the housing. A particulate media, which may include a blend of differently sized particles, is disposed in the housing and at least partially surrounds the temperature sensing element. The particulate media may entrain oxygen to avoid a reducing atmosphere in said housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Applicant: STONERIDGE, INC.
    Inventors: Ronald Landis, Robert Sparks, Jeffrey Norris
  • Publication number: 20070121502
    Abstract: A system and method for handling network overload includes receiving one or more requests, wherein an originating client originates the one or more requests. It is determined if a network element processing the one or more requests is overloaded. If the network element is overloaded, a pushback message is generated. The pushback message is sent with request gapping information to a previous hop in a network, wherein the previous hop is one or more network elements operable to route the one or more network requests to the network element processing the one or more requests.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2005
    Publication date: May 31, 2007
    Inventors: Steven Donovan, Ben Campbell, Adam Roach, Robert Sparks, Ajay Deo
  • Publication number: 20070121515
    Abstract: A system and method for handling network overload includes receiving one or more requests, wherein an originating client originates the one or more requests. It is determined if a network element handling the one or more requests is overloaded. If the network element is overloaded, a pushback message associated with a specific request of the one or more requests is generated. The pushback message is sent to the originating client.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2005
    Publication date: May 31, 2007
    Inventors: Steven Donovan, Ben Campbell, Adam Roach, Robert Sparks, Ajay Deo
  • Publication number: 20060243411
    Abstract: A system and method for producing foundry quality sand from non-conventional starting materials through the combination of oolitization and classification. Incoming particulate matter is first directed into a controlled energy attrition unit where the particles are made to collide with one another. Such collisions clean and round the particles by chipping away surface projections and coatings without crushing the particles. The particle stream is then directed through a multi-fraction classifier where it is separated into two or more useable grades of foundry sand. An air classifier is preferred for the classification stage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Publication date: November 2, 2006
    Inventors: Robert Sparks, Kenneth Harris
  • Publication number: 20050283477
    Abstract: A system and method for optimizing inter-domain event services includes receiving a first subscription request to receive an event state of an event source. A view associated with the first subscription request is determined. A notify message is sent that reflects a first defined view into the event state of the event source that corresponds to the first subscription request. A second subscription request is received to receive the event state of the event source. A view associated with the second subscription request is determined. It is determined if the first defined view corresponds to the second subscription request.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2005
    Publication date: December 22, 2005
    Inventors: Steven Donovan, Ben Campbell, Adam Roach, Robert Sparks, Ajay Deo
  • Publication number: 20050034832
    Abstract: A system and method for producing foundry quality sand from non-conventional starting materials through the combination of oolitization and classification. Incoming particulate matter is first directed into a controlled energy attrition unit where the particles are made to collide with one another. Such collisions clean and round the particles by chipping away surface projections and coatings without crushing the particles. The particle stream is then directed through a multi-fraction classifier where it is separated into two or more useable grades of foundry sand. An air classifier is preferred for the classification stage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2003
    Publication date: February 17, 2005
    Inventors: Robert Sparks, Kenneth Harris
  • Patent number: 5964800
    Abstract: Methods for rotating a heart valve body rotatably mounted within a sewing ring. The valve body includes a plurality of drive surfaces on an inner periphery, and a rotator has a plurality of drive surfaces on an exterior periphery. The drive and driven surfaces are in registration only in discrete relative orientations of the two parts about a common axis of rotation. The drive surfaces may be greater in number than the driven surfaces, to reduce the rotational angle that the rotator must be turned before registering with the valve body. The drive and driven surfaces may be formed as flats on each respective part. In one embodiment, the rotator includes a cylindrical distal end with three pairs of diametrically opposed external flats, and the valve body includes a single pair of diametrically opposed internal flats. The rotator is designed so that a surgeon need only rotate it a maximum of 90.degree. in either direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: Baxter International, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Sparks, Chris Kingsbury, David Wieting
  • Patent number: 5716398
    Abstract: A valve rotator comprising a body having a generally annular peripheral surface at one end of the body and a central cavity opening at such end. The annular peripheral surface substantially surrounds the central cavity and has an interlocking surface region configured to interlock with a rotor of a rotatable valve. The body had a generally annular shoulder adjacent such one end which generally faces such end of the body. The annular peripheral surface extends toward that end of the body from the annular shoulder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: Baxter International, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Sparks, Chris Kingsbury, David W. Wieting
  • Patent number: D696564
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Chef'n Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Sparks, Adam A. Jossem
  • Patent number: D952538
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Inventor: Robert Sparks