Patents by Inventor William Blue

William Blue 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: 11034487
    Abstract: Examples herein relate generally to reservoirs for use in water distribution systems within an appliance. The reservoir herein allows for the combination of various components prepared by separate manufacturing processes and for reducing waste of those manufacturing components. Specifically, the reservoir herein provides a stopper separable from and for use with a container and a cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Mercury Plastics LLC
    Inventors: Scott Raymond Gardner, Earl Christian, Jr., Donald Currey, William Blue
  • Patent number: 10889064
    Abstract: Examples herein relate generally to methods, and associated components, characterized by the laser welding of crosslinked polyethylene plumbing components so as to create a leak-proof connection with both mechanical and thermal fusion bonds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Mercury Plastics LLC
    Inventors: Donald Currey, Scott R. Gardner, William Blue
  • Patent number: 10082232
    Abstract: A quick-connect fitting includes a polymeric first connector in fluid communication with a first component, and a polymeric second connector in fluid communication with a second component. The first connector is either a male fitting or a female fitting, and the other of the male fitting and female fitting is the second connector. The female fitting includes a longitudinal cylindrical cavity having therein a retaining ring retaining an o-ring, and the male fitting includes a cylindrical body and a tubular sealing element extending longitudinally therefrom positionable within the polymeric female fitting and o-ring in sealing engagement. The quick connect fitting includes a clip pivotably connected to the second connector moving between a first position connecting the female fitting to the male fitting when the male fitting is positioned within the female fitting and a second position in which the male fitting is removable from the female fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignees: Mercury Plastics LLC, Delta Faucet Company
    Inventors: Earl Christian, Jr., William Blue, Scott R. Gardner, William Shane Hochstetler
  • Patent number: 9738018
    Abstract: A process for providing an overmolded waterway comprising inserting a shaft portion of a sacrificial core into an end of a tube, the shaft portion having a first opening therein, the sacrificial core having a second portion comprising a second opening and a contact surface about the second opening, the second opening in fluid communication with the first opening and the inside of the tube, in a mold cavity inserting a core pin transverse to the tube end, the sacrificial core contact surface engaging a mating surface of the core pin closing the second opening, injection overmolding over a portion of the tube end and core pin forming an overmolded waterway having an outlet portion in fluid communication with the second opening and the inside of the tube, and removing the core pin from the second opening through the outlet portion and removing the overmolded waterway from the mold cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Mercury Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard F. Seman, Earl Christian, Jr., William Blue, Scott R. Gardner, William Shane Hochstetler
  • Patent number: 9726309
    Abstract: A nut and ferrule assembly including a nut having an internal-threaded bore along a nut axis and a nut sealing surface, the threads of the internal-threaded bore having a nut thread pitch and a nut thread minor diameter, a ferrule having an annular body forming an axial bore and a ferrule sealing surface, the ferrule sealing surface corresponding to the nut sealing surface, the ferrule further having a protrusion extending outwardly from the body around at least a portion of the body, the outside diameter of the protrusion being greater than the nut thread minor diameter, and the ferrule positioned within the internal-threaded bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Mercury Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: William Rowley, Donald Currey, Earl Christian, Jr., William Blue
  • Publication number: 20160368192
    Abstract: A process for providing an overmolded waterway comprising inserting a shaft portion of a sacrificial core into an end of a tube, the shaft portion having a first opening therein, the sacrificial core having a second portion comprising a second opening and a contact surface about the second opening, the second opening in fluid communication with the first opening and the inside of the tube, in a mold cavity inserting a core pin transverse to the tube end, the sacrificial core contact surface engaging a mating surface of the core pin closing the second opening, injection overmolding over a portion of the tube end and core pin forming an overmolded waterway having an outlet portion in fluid communication with the second opening and the inside of the tube, and removing the core pin from the second opening through the outlet portion and removing the overmolded waterway from the mold cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2015
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Inventors: Richard F. Seman, Earl Christian, JR., William Blue, Scott R. Gardner, William Shane Hochstetler
  • Patent number: 9440395
    Abstract: A method for reshaping a tube end using a reshaping tool incorporating a tool head and clamp for reshaping the cross section of a tube constructed from one or more polymer materials. The clamp holds the tube in place while the head portion of the tool, which is moveable with respect to the clamp, engages the tube for reshaping its profile cross section. The tube may be crosslinked polyethylene tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Mercury Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: William Rowley, William Blue, Thomas K'Meyer
  • Patent number: 9364981
    Abstract: The invention described herein relates to capturing a covering such as a braid on a exterior profile of a plastic tube by overmolding onto a plumbing tube, wherein a circumferentially surrounding covering or braid is modified prior to the overmolding process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Mercury Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: William Blue, Thomas K'Meyer
  • Publication number: 20150338004
    Abstract: A quick-connect fitting includes a polymeric first connector in fluid communication with a first component, and a polymeric second connector in fluid communication with a second component. The first connector is either a male fitting or a female fitting, and the other of the male fitting and female fitting is the second connector. The female fitting includes a longitudinal cylindrical cavity having therein a retaining ring retaining an o-ring, and the male fitting includes a cylindrical body and a tubular sealing element extending longitudinally therefrom positionable within the polymeric female fitting and o-ring in sealing engagement. The quick connect fitting includes a clip pivotably connected to the second connector moving between a first position connecting the female fitting to the male fitting when the male fitting is positioned within the female fitting and a second position in which the male fitting is removable from the female fitting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Publication date: November 26, 2015
    Inventors: Earl Christian, JR., William Blue, Scott R. Gardner, William Shane Hochstetler
  • Patent number: 9103478
    Abstract: A quick-connect fitting includes a polymeric first connector in fluid communication with a first component, and a polymeric second connector in fluid communication with a second component. The first connector is either a male fitting or a female fitting, and the other of the male fitting and female fitting is the second connector. The female fitting includes a longitudinal cylindrical cavity having therein a retaining ring retaining an o-ring, and the male fitting includes a cylindrical body and a tubular sealing element extending longitudinally therefrom positionable within the polymeric female fitting and o-ring in sealing engagement. The quick connect fitting includes a clip pivotably connected to the second connector moving between a first position connecting the female fitting to the male fitting when the male fitting is positioned within the female fitting and a second position in which the male fitting is removable from the female fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignees: Mercury Plastics, Inc., Masco Corporation
    Inventors: Earl Christian, Jr., William Blue, Scott R. Gardner, William Shane Hochstetler
  • Patent number: 9096002
    Abstract: A process for providing an overmolded waterway comprising inserting a shaft portion of a sacrificial core into an end of a tube, the shaft portion having a first opening therein, the sacrificial core having a second portion comprising a second opening and a contact surface about the second opening, the second opening in fluid communication with the first opening and the inside of the tube, in a mold cavity inserting a core pin transverse to the tube end, the sacrificial core contact surface engaging a mating surface of the core pin closing the second opening, injection overmolding over a portion of the tube end and core pin forming an overmolded waterway having an outlet portion in fluid communication with the second opening and the inside of the tube, and removing the core pin from the second opening through the outlet portion and removing the overmolded waterway from the mold cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Mercury Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard F. Seman, Sr., Earl Christian, Jr., William Blue, Scott R. Gardner, William Shane Hochstetler
  • Patent number: 8789854
    Abstract: A flow regulated quick-connect fitting has a polymeric first connector and a polymeric second connector, the first connector being either a male fitting or a female fitting, and the other of the male fitting or the female fitting being the second connector. The female fitting has a longitudinal cylindrical cavity therein, and the male fitting has a generally cylindrical body having an end opening. The cylindrical body of the male fitting is positionable within the cylindrical cavity of the female fitting forming the connection. A clip is pivotably connected to the second connector moving between a first position connecting the female fitting to the male fitting when the male fitting is positioned within the female fitting and a second position in which the male fitting is removable from the female fitting. A replaceable flow regulator in the male fitting end opening regulates flow through the quick-connect fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignees: Mercury Plastics, Inc., Masco Corporation
    Inventors: Earl Christian, Jr., William Blue, Scott R. Gardner, William Shane Hochstetler, Matthew L. Kemp, DeWayne Davis
  • Publication number: 20140001751
    Abstract: A flow regulated quick-connect fitting has a polymeric first connector and a polymeric second connector, the first connector being either a male fitting or a female fitting, and the other of the male fitting or the female fitting being the second connector. The female fitting has a longitudinal cylindrical cavity therein, and the male fitting has a generally cylindrical body having an end opening. The cylindrical body of the male fitting is positionable within the cylindrical cavity of the female fitting forming the connection. A clip is pivotably connected to the second connector moving between a first position connecting the female fitting to the male fitting when the male fitting is positioned within the female fitting and a second position in which the male fitting is removable from the female fitting. A replaceable flow regulator in the male fitting end opening regulates flow through the quick-connect fitting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Inventors: Earl Christian, JR., William Blue, Scott R. Gardner, William Shane Hochstetler, Matthew L. Kemp, DeWayne Davis
  • Publication number: 20130147188
    Abstract: A quick-connect fitting includes a polymeric first connector in fluid communication with a first component, and a polymeric second connector in fluid communication with a second component. The first connector is either a male fitting or a female fitting, and the other of the male fitting and female fitting is the second connector. The female fitting includes a longitudinal cylindrical cavity having therein a retaining ring retaining an o-ring, and the male fitting includes a cylindrical body and a tubular sealing element extending longitudinally therefrom positionable within the polymeric female fitting and o-ring in sealing engagement. The quick connect fitting includes a clip pivotably connected to the second connector moving between a first position connecting the female fitting to the male fitting when the male fitting is positioned within the female fitting and a second position in which the male fitting is removable from the female fitting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Inventors: Earl Christian, JR., William Blue, Scott R. Gardner, William Shane Hochstetler
  • Publication number: 20130075952
    Abstract: A process for providing an overmolded waterway comprising inserting a shaft portion of a sacrificial core into an end of a tube, the shaft portion having a first opening therein, the sacrificial core having a second portion comprising a second opening and a contact surface about the second opening, the second opening in fluid communication with the first opening and the inside of the tube, in a mold cavity inserting a core pin transverse to the tube end, the sacrificial core contact surface engaging a mating surface of the core pin closing the second opening, injection overmolding over a portion of the tube end and core pin forming an overmolded waterway having an outlet portion in fluid communication with the second opening and the inside of the tube, and removing the core pin from the second opening through the outlet portion and removing the overmolded waterway from the mold cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: MERCURY PLASTICS, INC.
    Inventors: Richard F. Seman, SR., Earl Christian, JR., William Blue, Scott R. Gardner, William Shane Hochstetler
  • Patent number: 8277714
    Abstract: The invention described herein relates to capturing a covering such as a braid on a exterior profile of a plastic tube by overmolding onto a plumbing tube, wherein a circumferentially surrounding covering or braid is modified prior to the overmolding process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignees: Mercury Plastics, Inc., Masco Corporation
    Inventors: William Blue, Thomas K'Meyer
  • Patent number: 8147236
    Abstract: A reshaping tool incorporates a tool head and clamp for reshaping the cross section of a tube constructed from one or more polymer materials. The clamp holds the tube in place while the head portion of the tool, which is moveable with respect to the clamp, engages the tube for reshaping its profile cross section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignees: Mercury Plastics, Inc., Masco Corporation
    Inventors: William Rowley, William Blue, Thomas K'Meyer
  • Patent number: 4413316
    Abstract: A data processing system for pre-planning the flight of an aircraft includes a plotting board arranged to supply position coordinates of selected points on a route to a processor. Other inputs to the processor provide details of known aircraft parameters such as speed, fuel load, fuel consumption and bank angle. The processor determines from these inputs for each leg of the flight variable factors such as track heading, flight time, fuel used and fuel remaining. The inputs and outputs of the processor are recorded on a suitable medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1983
    Assignee: Ferranti plc
    Inventors: William Blue, George I. C. Bruce, Stephen E. Cowles