Patents by Inventor Robert C. Larsen
Robert C. Larsen 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).
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Publication number: 20240246741Abstract: One-way pressure relief valves with structure providing high pressure opening and closing functionality are disclosed. Valves of the types described herein may be applied to a product package with flexible walls, for example a package containing dry roasted coffee, to allow gas to escape from the package while preventing entry of ambient air into the package. The valve structure provides a high-pressure valve which both opens and closes at high pressure internal to the package. The valve structure eliminates or reduces excessive expansion of the flexible-walled package caused by pressure increases within the package and eliminates or reduces excessive contraction or paneling of the flexible-walled package caused by increases in ambient pressure outside the package providing for an aesthetically improved package while also maintaining the quality of the packaged product.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2024Publication date: July 25, 2024Applicant: Plitek, L.L.C.Inventors: Karl K. Hoffman, Robert C. Larsen, JR., Jenine Rivera
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Patent number: 11352183Abstract: One-way pressure relief valves with wetting fluid reservoirs are disclosed. Valves of the types described herein may be applied to a product package, for example a package containing dry roasted coffee, to allow gas to escape from the package while preventing entry of ambient air into the package. A wetting fluid is provided within the valve to facilitate formation of the seal blocking entry of ambient air through the valve and into the product package. The wetting fluid reservoirs hold wetting fluid to limit or prevent leakage of the wetting fluid from the valve providing benefits such as improved application of the valves to the packages, improved retention of the valves to the packages, and appearance improvements resulting from avoidance of leakage of wetting fluid onto the valve and the package to which the valve is attached.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2020Date of Patent: June 7, 2022Assignee: Plitek, L.L.C.Inventors: Karl K. Hoffman, Robert C. Larsen, Jr.
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Publication number: 20210276780Abstract: One-way pressure relief valves with wetting fluid reservoirs are disclosed. Valves of the types described herein may be applied to a product package, for example a package containing dry roasted coffee, to allow gas to escape from the package while preventing entry of ambient air into the package. A wetting fluid is provided within the valve to facilitate formation of the seal blocking entry of ambient air through the valve and into the product package. The wetting fluid reservoirs hold wetting fluid to limit or prevent leakage of the wetting fluid from the valve providing benefits such as improved application of the valves to the packages, improved retention of the valves to the packages, and appearance improvements resulting from avoidance of leakage of wetting fluid onto the valve and the package to which the valve is attached.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2020Publication date: September 9, 2021Applicant: Plitek, L.L.C.Inventors: Karl K. Hoffman, Robert C. Larsen, JR.
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Patent number: 10358275Abstract: One-way pressure relief valves having a plural-part dry strap are disclosed. One-way pressure relief valves may be applied to a product package to evacuate gas from the package. In embodiments, the plural-part dry strap comprises overlapping dry strap parts which impart improved operation to the valve.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2017Date of Patent: July 23, 2019Assignee: Plitek, L.L.C.Inventors: Ivan Cramer, Monserrat Rodriguez, Robert C. Larsen
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Patent number: 9187229Abstract: A self contained one-way pressure relief valve for application to product packaging that does not require the addition of a sealing lubricant. Atop a base with an opening extending through the base is an adhesive-like material layer, and a dry strap of a silicone or other release film coated membrane, all of which are of gas impervious materials. The release film coated material layer covers the opening with the release film in contact with the adhesive-like material creating a surface attraction between the release film and the adhesive-like material. An intermediate layer of gas impervious material with an opening extending through such layer may be provided. A gas pervious filter material layer may be provided to block passage of fine particulates or liquid.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2014Date of Patent: November 17, 2015Assignee: Plitek, L.L.C.Inventors: Karl K. Hoffman, Robert C. Larsen, Keith P. Hoffman, Douglas A. Wielunski
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Publication number: 20150135967Abstract: An improved single-serve cartridge with a one-way gas pressure relief valve for beverage brewing, preferably in an automatic single-serve beverage brewer device such as the Keurig® Single Cup Brewing System, and cartridge components are described. In embodiments, the improved cartridge contains ground coffee or other particulate beverage medium. A one-way gas pressure relief valve permits gas produced by the ground coffee to escape from the cartridge before use of the cartridge in a brewer, thereby avoiding certain disadvantages associated with excessive pressure within the cartridge. The one-way gas pressure relief valve is also essentially liquid-tight to liquid injected into the cartridge by the brewer avoiding problems associated with liquid leakage and allowing the cartridge to function in the brewer in the same manner as an unmodified cartridge.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2013Publication date: May 21, 2015Applicant: Plitek, L.L.C.Inventors: Karl K. Hoffman, John Ozcomert, Robert C. Larsen
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Publication number: 20140318653Abstract: A self contained one-way pressure relief valve for application to product packaging that does not require the addition of a sealing lubricant. Atop a base with an opening extending through the base is an adhesive-like material layer, and a dry strap of a silicone or other release film coated membrane, all of which are of gas impervious materials. The release film coated material layer covers the opening with the release film in contact with the adhesive-like material creating a surface attraction between the release film and the adhesive-like material. An intermediate layer of gas impervious material with an opening extending through such layer may be provided. A gas pervious filter material layer may be provided to block passage of fine particulates or liquid.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 14, 2014Publication date: October 30, 2014Applicant: PLITEK, L.L.C.Inventors: Karl K. Hoffman, Robert C. Larsen, Keith P. Hoffman, Douglas A. Wielunski
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Patent number: 8783292Abstract: A self contained one-way pressure relief valve for application to product packaging that does not require the addition of a sealing lubricant. Atop a base with an opening extending through the base is an adhesive-like material layer, and a dry strap of a silicone or other release film coated membrane, all of which are of gas impervious materials. The release film coated material layer covers the opening with the release film in contact with the adhesive-like material creating a surface attraction between the release film and the adhesive-like material. An intermediate layer of gas impervious material with an opening extending through such layer may be provided. A gas pervious filter material layer may be provided to block passage of fine particulates or liquid.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2011Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: Plitek, L.L.C.Inventors: Karl K. Hoffman, Keith P. Hoffman, Robert C. Larsen, Douglas A. Wielunski
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Patent number: 8636034Abstract: A one-way pressure relief valve having an integrated filter. One-way pressure relief valves may be applied to a product package to evacuate gas from the package. The integrated filter prevents materials within the package from interfering with closure or operation of the pressure relief valve. Certain pressure relief valve embodiments can be configured for optimal valve operation without need for a wetting agent while other pressure relief valve embodiments operate optimally with a wetting agent.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2012Date of Patent: January 28, 2014Assignee: Plitek, L.L.C.Inventors: Karl K. Hoffman, Keith P. Hoffman, Robert C. Larsen, John Ozcomert, Douglas A. Wielunski
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Publication number: 20130048635Abstract: A self contained one-way pressure relief valve for application to product packaging that does not require the addition of a sealing lubricant. Atop a base with an opening extending through is an adhesive-like material layer, and a dry strap of a silicone or other release film coated membrane, all of which are of gas impervious materials. The release coated material layer covering the opening with the release film in contact with the adhesive-like material creating a surface attraction between the release film and the adhesive-like material. An intermediate layer of gas impervious material with an opening extending through provides for including a gas pervious filter material layer that may be for fine particulates or liquid proof.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2011Publication date: February 28, 2013Inventors: Karl K. Hoffman, Keith P. Hoffman, Robert C. Larsen, Douglas A. Wielunski
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Patent number: 7125317Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided to simplify sandblasting processes while increasing applied coverage areas in sandblasting operations. The method and apparatus provide a manifold assembly having a plurality of nozzles and that is rigidly attached to an air supply. The manifold is supplied with abrasive material via a plurality of angularly attached sand supply hoses which are coupled to an abrasive material supply. The manifold assembly is pressurized with the supply of air. An article is sandblasted by drawing sand through the hoses and out of the plurality of nozzles using the pressurized air through the manifold assembly.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2006Date of Patent: October 24, 2006Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Mark F. Gabriel, Robert C. Larsen
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Patent number: 7044831Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided to simplify sandblasting processes while increasing applied coverage areas in sandblasting operations. The method and apparatus provide a manifold assembly having a plurality of nozzles and that is rigidly attached to an air supply. The manifold is supplied with abrasive material via a plurality of angularly attached sand supply hoses which are coupled to an abrasive material supply. The manifold assembly is pressurized with the supply of air. An article is sandblasted by drawing sand through the hoses and out of the plurality of nozzles using the pressurized air through the manifold assembly.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2004Date of Patent: May 16, 2006Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Mark F. Gabriel, Robert C. Larsen
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Patent number: 6655268Abstract: The present invention is a portable, compact hot press. The hot press includes a frame that has a press unit attached thereto. The press unit has a crown plate, a bolster plate, and a base plate. An upper press unit is attached to the crown plate and a lower press unit is attached to the bolster plate. The lower press unit is configured to contact the upper press unit when the press is in a closed position. The press further includes a control unit attached to the frame. The control unit is configured to manually or automatically control press operation. Additionally, the press includes a hydraulic unit that is attached to the frame and is configured to facilitate motion of the press operation.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2001Date of Patent: December 2, 2003Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Peter N. Comley, Robert C. Larsen, Alan T. Potter, Noel A. Spishak
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Publication number: 20030079619Abstract: The present invention is a portable, compact hot press. The hot press includes a frame that has a press unit attached thereto. The press unit has a crown plate, a bolster plate, and a base plate. An upper press unit is attached to the crown plate and a lower press unit is attached to the bolster plate. The lower press unit is configured to contact the upper press unit when the press is in a closed position. The press further includes a control unit attached to the frame. The control unit is configured to manually or automatically control press operation. Additionally, the press includes a hydraulic unit that is attached to the frame and is configured to facilitate motion of the press operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2001Publication date: May 1, 2003Inventors: Peter N. Comley, Robert C. Larsen, Alan T. Potter, Noel A. Spishak