Patents by Inventor Stephen Spencer

Stephen Spencer 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: 20200147252
    Abstract: Seal integrity indicators for sterilization containers are provided. For example, a seal indicator may indicate whether the container is sufficiently sealed to prevent an ingress of contaminants into the container. If the container is sufficiently sealed, the seal indicator is visible, but if not, the seal indicator is not visible. Thus, the seal indicator undergoes a change in state when the sterilization container transitions from unsealed to sealed, or vice versa, such that a user may ascertain whether the container is properly sealed to maintain the container's sterility. An exemplary seal indicator includes an invertible projection formed with the container gasket that is not visible from outside the container until inverted, due to force applied by the lid, to extend through an opening in the container body. Closure mechanisms for sterilization containers also are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Inventors: Namita A. Mithani, Anthony Stephen Spencer, Tracy J. White, Edward B. Madsen, Marshall R. Dean
  • Publication number: 20200147250
    Abstract: Closure mechanisms for closing and sealing sterilization containers and indicators for indicating the seal integrity sterilization containers are provided. For example, a container closure mechanism may be configured to distribute a closure force along a gasket to seal a container lid to a container body. Further, a seal indicator may visibly indicate at the container exterior whether the container is sufficiently sealed to prevent an ingress of contaminants into the container. If the container is sufficiently sealed, the seal indicator is a first state, and if the sterilization container is not sufficiently sealed, the seal indicator is in a second state. Thus, the seal indicator undergoes a state change when the sterilization container transitions from unsealed to sealed or from sealed to unsealed, such that a user can ascertain whether the container is properly sealed to maintain sterility or whether the seal and sterility of the container have been compromised.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2019
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Inventors: Brian E. Lin, Joseph D. Hurdle, Sharon Shuh-Shin Chang, Anthony Stephen Spencer, Prasad Shrikrishna Potnis
  • Publication number: 20200147253
    Abstract: Closure mechanisms and seal integrity indicators for sterilization containers are provided. For example, a closure mechanism comprising at least one handle and at least two arms is provided with a sterilization container lid to apply a more uniform or evenly distributed force to a container gasket. A container body defines an inner lip on which the gasket and lid are received such that the sealing interface is recessed within the container. Further, a seal indicator may indicate whether the container is sufficiently sealed to prevent an ingress of contaminants into the container. If the container is sufficiently sealed, the seal indicator is visible, but if not, the seal indicator is not visible. Thus, the seal indicator undergoes a change in state when the sterilization container transitions from unsealed to sealed, or vice versa, such that a user may ascertain whether the container is properly sealed to maintain the container's sterility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2018
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Inventors: Anthony Stephen Spencer, Namita A. Mithani, Tracy J. White, Edward B. Madsen, Marshall R. Dean
  • Patent number: 10575916
    Abstract: A surfactant treatment is provided that can result in a sterilization wrap that can have a bacterial filtration efficiency of at least 94 percent as determined according to ASTM F2101. The surfactant treatment includes a surfactant consisting essentially of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms. Wrapping packs in a wrap treated with said surfactant treatment in an amount ranging from greater than 0 to 2 weight percent based on the dry weight of the wrap results in the production of fewer wet packs after steam sterilization compared to when packs are wrapped with an identical wrap without said surfactant treatment. A sterilization wrap comprising a nonwoven fabric and a dried residue surfactant treatment that is essentially free of silicon, potassium, phosphorus, and sulfur is also provided, where wrapping packs to be sterilized in the surfactant treated wrap reduces the occurrence of wet packs after steam sterilization compared using an untreated wrap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: O&M Halyard, Inc.
    Inventors: Catherine J. Turnbow, Roger B. Quincy, III, Anthony Stephen Spencer
  • Publication number: 20200048823
    Abstract: A clothes steamer for an aircraft cabin, having a closable case fixed to an internal surface of the aircraft cabin. A steam generator is fluidly coupled to the clothes holding cavity configured to selectively increase the humidity of air within the clothes holding cavity. A temperature and humidity sensors are configured to produce a first signal indicative of a temperature within the clothes holding cavity. A cold finger configured to remove water from the air within the clothes holding cavity. A controller is provided which is configured to receive temperature and the humidity sensor signals and to selectively produce at least one of a steam generator control signal and a cold finger control signal to selectively operate the steam generator and the cold finger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2018
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Inventor: Stephen Spencer
  • Publication number: 20200039719
    Abstract: Indicators for indicating the integrity of a seal of a sterilization container are provided. For example, a seal indicator may indicate whether the container is sufficiently sealed to prevent an ingress of contaminants into the container. If the container is sufficiently sealed, the seal indicator is in one state and displays a first indicium, and if the sterilization container is not sufficiently sealed, the seal indicator is in another state and displays a second indicium. Thus, the seal indicator undergoes a visible change in state when the sterilization container transitions from unsealed to sealed, such that the user may be assured that the container is properly sealed to maintain sterility of the articles post-sterilization. Further, the seal indicator undergoes a visible change in state if the seal is subsequently broken, to signal to the user that the seal and the sterility of the container interior has been compromised.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2019
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Inventors: Ruoya Wang, Anthony Stephen Spencer, Kun-Chi Wu, Tracy J. White, Edward B. Madsen, Justin J. Coker, Nathan C. Griffith
  • Patent number: 10533342
    Abstract: Examples described herein include handles with extended and retracted positions. In some examples, a handle comprises a housing and a knob. The knob may have a first surface and a circumferential sidewall. The knob may have a retracted position in the housing and an extended position. In the extended position, the circumferential sidewall protrudes from the housing and the knob is rotatable between a first position and a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP
    Inventors: Stephen Spencer, Kevin Peter Bold
  • Patent number: 10534411
    Abstract: A hard drive carrier and a method for removing a hard drive carrier from an enclosure are provided herein. In one example, the hard drive carrier includes a platform located in a center position on a front face of the hard drive carrier. The hard drive carrier includes a first pinch point and a second pinch point, where the second pinch point is located opposite of the first pinch point. The hard drive carrier also includes a first tab disposed adjacent to the first pinch point and a second tab, where the second tab is located opposite of the first tab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP
    Inventors: Stephen Spencer, Belgie B McClelland, Earl W Moore
  • Patent number: 10468879
    Abstract: A digital power distribution system comprises a digital power transmitter configured to accept analog electrical power and to convert the analog electrical power into discrete energy packets for distribution across a common set of transmission lines; a plurality of digital power receivers with parallel connections to the transmission lines, wherein the digital power receivers are configured to accept the energy packets from the digital power transmitter and to convert the packets back into analog electrical power for use by the load device; a load device electrically coupled with at least one of the digital power receivers and configured to receive analog electrical power from the digital power receiver with which it is electrically coupled; and a termination module with parallel connections to the transmission lines, wherein the termination module includes at least a capacitor configured to establish the characteristic capacitance of the transmission lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: VoltServer, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen Spencer Eaves
  • Patent number: 10353443
    Abstract: An example carrier module may include a carrier board. The carrier board may include a storage drive interface and an adapter connector in electrical communication with the storage drive interface. The adapter connector may engage with a complementary adapter receiver. The adapter connector may include a plurality of signal pins, at least one ground pin that is longer than the signal pins, and at least one power pin that is longer than the signal pins. The plurality of signal pins, the at least one ground pin, and the at least one power pin may engage with the adapter receiver to facilitate electrical communication between the adapter receiver and the adapter connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP
    Inventors: Andrew Potter, Michael S. Bunker, Timothy A. McCree, Stephen Spencer
  • Patent number: 10264696
    Abstract: A top loading cartridge is provided herein. The top loading cartridge includes a support member and a lock mechanism. The support member to receive an electronic component. The lock mechanism includes a handle and an engagement member. The handle to connect to the support member and move between a first position and a second position. The engagement member to extend from the support member to engage with a chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP
    Inventors: Pinche Tsai, Stephen Spencer, Kevin D. Conn
  • Patent number: 10225940
    Abstract: Example implementations relate to a handle made of a single metal sheet. In one example, the handle includes a plurality of chamfered edges where each edge includes a first side and a second side. The handle includes a rolled-over top cover and a rolled bottom edge disposed between each of the plurality of chamfered edges. The handle also includes a latching extension disposed adjacent to each of the plurality of chamfered edges. The latching extension of the handle includes a pivot hole, an engaging indentation, and a hook located at an endpoint of the latching extension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP
    Inventors: Stephen Spencer, Belgie B. McClelland, David A. Selvidge
  • Publication number: 20180228565
    Abstract: A sterilization wrap system with features for protecting a sterilization wrap and/or a sterilization tray of the sterilization wrap system is provided. Such features include strap or belt protectors, edge protectors, corner protectors, and/or expandable protectors, which each may provide protection of one or more areas of the sterilization wrap and/or tray when positioned against an outer surface of the wrap and/or between an inner surface of the wrap and a container for holding implements to be sterilized. A size-selectable protection system also is provided. The size-selectable protection system provides a material having a plurality of perforations such that a length of the material may be selected and detached from the rest of the material. The selected length of material may be used with a sterilization wrap system to protect a sterilization wrap and/or sterilization tray from cuts, tears, or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2015
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Inventors: Wendy TAKKEN, Ajay HOUDE, Audra WRIGHT, Khoa LIEN, Joe CESA, Anthony Stephen SPENCER, Paige O'SHEA
  • Publication number: 20180221104
    Abstract: A sterilization wrap system with features for protecting a sterilization wrap and/or a sterilization tray of the sterilization wrap system is provided. Such features include strap or belt protectors, edge protectors, corner protectors, and/or expandable protectors, which each may provide protection of one or more areas of the sterilization wrap and/or tray when positioned against an outer surface of the wrap and/or between an inner surface of the wrap and a container for holding implements to be sterilized. A size-selectable protection system also is provided. The size-selectable protection system provides a material having a plurality of perforations such that a length of the material may be selected and detached from the rest of the material. The selected length of material may be used with a sterilization wrap system to protect a sterilization wrap and/or sterilization tray from cuts, tears, or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2015
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Inventors: Wendy Takken, Ajay Houde, Audra Wright, Khoa Lien, Joe Cesa, Anthony Stephen Spencer, Paige O'Shea
  • Publication number: 20180203489
    Abstract: An example carrier module may include a carrier board. The carrier board may include a storage drive interface and an adapter connector in electrical communication with the storage drive interface. The adapter connector may engage with a complementary adapter receiver. The adapter connector may include a plurality of signal pins, at least one ground pin that is longer than the signal pins, and at least one power pin that is longer than the signal pins. The plurality of signal pins, the at least one ground pin, and the at least one power pin may engage with the adapter receiver to facilitate electrical communication between the adapter receiver and the adapter connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Publication date: July 19, 2018
    Inventors: Andrew Potter, Michael S. Bunker, Timothy A. McCree, Stephen Spencer
  • Patent number: D814517
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Sanford, L.P.
    Inventors: Bram Boot, Stephen C. Gohde, Stephen Spencer, Robby Carlier
  • Patent number: D818485
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Sanford, L.P.
    Inventors: Bram Boot, Stephen Spencer
  • Patent number: D825569
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP
    Inventors: Stacy L. Wolff, Keith J. Kuehn, Brooks Vaughan, Stephen Spencer, Bjoern Frank, Nick Ross
  • Patent number: D840403
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP
    Inventors: Stacy L. Wolff, Keith J. Kuehn, Brooks Vaughan, Stephen Spencer, Bjoern Frank, Nick Ross
  • Patent number: D858573
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Sanford L.P.
    Inventors: Bram Boot, Stephen C. Gohde, Stephen Spencer, Stefaan Van Den Broecke, Robby Carlier