Patents Issued in April 8, 2014
  • Patent number: 8689938
    Abstract: A collapsible safety rail system for providing a portable or permanent protective barrier to provide for fall prevention from elevated or other work areas. Lockable pivot assemblies are located between heavy bases and the end posts of collapsible safety rail assemblies. Removable detent pins are utilized to lock the pivot assemblies to maintain the erected position of the collapsible safety rail assemblies in protective vertical orientation or are removed to allow maneuvering of the collapsible safety rail assemblies to a minimum viewable profile position when not required for personnel protection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Inventors: Gregory S. Kenton, Anthony J. Mertes
  • Patent number: 8689939
    Abstract: A step apparatus for heavy construction equipment and tree harvester having a leveling system for controlling a horizontal level of a cab and an upper frame is provided, which includes a step protector including a main body fixedly installed on one side of an upper frame, a step guide hole opened from an inside of the main body to an outside, a guide rail formed along a length direction of an inner side wall of the main body, and an insert hole formed on one side of the guide rail and open toward a vertically upward direction of the guide rail; a side step including a plurality of foot steps arranged at specified intervals on a step frame to form stairs, a step drawer formed on an upper part of the step frame and seated in the step guide hole, and a guide pin positioned adjacent to the step drawer and projected toward the side wall of the main body, wherein when the guide pin is slid along the guide rail, the step frame is seated in the main body or is drawn out from the inside of the main body; and a folding
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Volvo Construction Equipment Holding Sweden AB
    Inventors: In Woo Kim, Young Ok Park
  • Patent number: 8689940
    Abstract: A lubrication system for a work tool, such as a demolition hammer, that is powered by a drive fluid. The lubrication system including a valve member movable from a first position to a second position in response to receiving an input indicative of a low level of a lubricant, wherein in the second position, the valve member is configured to divert the drive fluid to shutdown or derate the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Rakesh D. Jagdale, Lauritz D. Pillers, II
  • Patent number: 8689941
    Abstract: A lubricating apparatus for lubricating a panel assembly prior to vehicle installation includes a lubricating jig assembly. The lubricating jig assembly includes a front guard wall and a rear guard wall connected to the front guard wall defining a panel receiving volume therebetween. At least one nozzle opening is located in the receiving volume. A pump is fluidly connected to the at least one nozzle opening for delivering a lubricant fluid thereto. A lubricant reservoir is in fluid communication with the receiving volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd N. Eggleston, David R. Morgan, Patrick D. Behrens
  • Patent number: 8689942
    Abstract: The technology is directed to an energy storage and release system that stores energy and enables a repeatable and accurately timed release of energy. A shaft member supports a drive assembly, a locking assembly and a lever member there between. The lever member and locking assembly are attached to the shaft. The drive assembly rotates freely about the shaft and loads energy into a torsion spring in communication with the lever member. The torsion spring connects at one end to the drive assembly and at the other end to the lever member without contacting the shaft member. The locking assembly provides a triggered release mechanism for selective release of stored energy from the torsion spring that accordingly rotates the lever member. The system can automatically reload the torsion spring once a signal is received from any number of events including, when the rotating lever member contacts a stop member or limit sensor that signals the end of travel for the lever member in either rotational directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventor: Richard A. McGrail
  • Patent number: 8689943
    Abstract: A lift truck includes a secondary rechargeable energy storage device on a vertically movable platform that is separate from a primary rechargeable energy storage device on the lift truck's main tractor unit without the use of wires or hoses for transfer of power or controls between the main tractor unit and the platform. The quantity of energy stored in the secondary rechargeable energy storage device is sufficient to power platform electrical loads for a predetermined amount of time until the platform is lowered. When the platform is lowered, the secondary rechargeable energy storage device is recharged by the primary energy storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: The Raymond Corporation
    Inventor: Paul P. McCabe
  • Patent number: 8689944
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electricity supply apparatus, an elevator system and a method for limiting the electricity consumption of an elevator system. The electricity supply apparatus according to the invention is fitted to supply electricity to one or more devices in an elevator system. The minimum value of the permitted supply voltage with which the apparatus still operates is determined for one or more appliances of the elevator system, and the electricity supply apparatus is equipped to change the supply voltage of the one or more appliances of the elevator system towards the minimum value of the permitted supply voltage for limiting electricity consumption of the elevator system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Kone Corporation
    Inventors: Mirco Manfredi, Sara Maria Rosaria Ruggieri, Alessandro Pilone, Claudio Donghi, Francesco Burroni
  • Patent number: 8689945
    Abstract: An exemplary device for preventing travel of an elevator car when a car door is open includes a receiver that remains in a fixed position relative to a hoistway wall. A stop member moves responsive to the car door moving toward an open position such that the stop member engages the receiver to prevent movement of the elevator car when the door is open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Hideki Arai, Yasunobu Uchino, Shunji Imai
  • Patent number: 8689946
    Abstract: A system for blocking an output shaft of the engine of an automobile, of a type that includes a toothed wheel coaxially mounted on the shaft, and a first finger mobile between a shaft releasing position and a shaft blocking position in which the first finger is engaged in a gap formed between two teeth of the wheel. The system includes an alignment mechanism capable of aligning a gap between two teeth of the wheel and the first mobile finger, and the first mobile finger is configured to be inserted into the gap without any substantial circumferential clearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Renault S.A.S.
    Inventor: Arnaud Villeneuve
  • Patent number: 8689947
    Abstract: In a disc brake device, a piston is movably supported to a cylinder portion of a caliper, friction pads are operable to push a disc rotor as the piston moving frontward during pressurization, a seal mechanism arranged at the cylinder portion is operable to return the piston to an initial position during depressurization, and the seal mechanism is constituted with a movable element arranged between the cylinder portion and the piston (15) as being movable frontward in the same direction of the piston, a first seal member elastically arranged between the piston and the movable element to make the movable element accompany the piston, a low elasticity member being compressively deformable with initial pressurization of the piston via the movable element, and a high elasticity member being compressively deformable with pressurization of the piston via the movable element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Isono, Michio Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8689948
    Abstract: A machine tool having an emergency braking system for abruptly braking a rotating shaft of the machine tool to protect a user of the machine tool, the emergency braking system having a brake drum that can be forced into engagement with the at least one brake shoe to brake the shaft. The brake drum and the at least one brake shoe are designed and configured in a way that allows the braking engagement therebetween to take place under the influence of a centrifugal force or centrifugal acceleration resulting from the rotation of a shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Winkler
  • Patent number: 8689949
    Abstract: A connection of a brake lining, preferably a disc brake of a railway vehicle, having a lining mount, wherein the brake lining includes a guide bar on the back side thereof lying in a guide track of the lining mount and held on the lining mount by means of a clamping element of at least one clamping device engaging behind the guide bar under spring load and pressing against the guide track, designed so that the clamping element can be brought out of engagement by an actuating element rotatably or displaceably mounted on the lining mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Knorr-Bremse Systeme fur Schienenfahrzeuge GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Mosbach, Michael Mathieu, Michael Lehneis, Christian Ebner, André Stegmann
  • Patent number: 8689950
    Abstract: An electromagnetic type retarder comprises a main portion consisting of a stator having a plurality of magnetic coils arranged along a circle and spaced apart from one another, and of a steel rotor surrounding the stator and rotated according to the rotation of a tire; a driving device for the main portion to be controlled by an operation signal; and an output terminal for an additional device; the magnetic coils consisting of three-phase or two-phase connections. Each of the magnetic coils is connected with a capacitor so as to form a resonance circuit, respectively. The driving device has transistors connected in series to each of the connections and controlled so as to be opened and closed by the operation signal. The revolution speed of a rotary magnetic field generated by AC voltage induced in the magnetic coils forming the resonance circuits by the rotation of the steel rotor is set smaller than the revolution speed of the steel rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: TBK Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuichi Tashiro, Mitsuyoshi Oba, Akihiro Miyoshi
  • Patent number: 8689951
    Abstract: A torsional vibration damper comprises an outer housing, an inner part that is concentric relative to the outer housing, a plurality of chambers formed between the outer housing and the inner part, which are filled with a damping medium and are connected to one another through overflow channels, and a plurality of leaf spring assemblies that are arranged in the chambers and join the outer housing and the inner part with one another in a torsionally flexible manner. The leaf spring assemblies have machining-induced deflections. Two leaf springs with substantially similar deflections are each arranged within a chamber. The leaf spring pairs may be arranged in a mirror-image array or in parallel to one another. Thus, the manufacturing cost of a torsional vibration damper can be reduced, while its compact outer dimensions can be maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Ellergon Antriebstechnik Gesellschaft m.b.H.
    Inventors: Matthias Geislinger, Cornelius Geislinger, Christian Huber
  • Patent number: 8689952
    Abstract: A damper includes a housing, a cap, a rotor portion, and blade portions projecting from the rotor portion. The blade portions include deformation portions in which the blade portions expand the diameter in one rotational direction in response to a resistance received from a viscous fluid, and in which the blade portions reduce the diameter in the other rotational direction. The blade portions engage a ring member provided on an inner circumference of the housing at a time of diameter expansion, and drag the ring member around.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Nifco Inc.
    Inventor: Toshihisa Sato
  • Patent number: 8689953
    Abstract: A gas spring assembly is used to control movement of a vehicle body panel relative to a vehicle body member. The gas spring assembly includes a rod and piston that are received within a tube or cylinder. A first rod end is coupled to the piston to move the piston back and forth within the cylinder. A second rod end is mounted to one of the vehicle body panel or the vehicle body member. The cylinder is mounted to the other of the vehicle body panel or the vehicle body member. The gas spring assembly includes a resilient cover that covers the rod and cylinder and extends from the second rod end to a distal cylinder end. The resilient cover extends and retracts with rod movement and is sealed at each end of the resilient cover to provide a completely sealed gas spring assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: AVM Industries
    Inventors: Walter Douglas Bauman, Benjamin Seth Adams, Mark M. Rose, Daniel J. Virga, Alton Dale Elvis, Hernan Dario Perin
  • Patent number: 8689954
    Abstract: A vehicle suspension system that inhibits a pressure within a gas chamber from reducing below a threshold value. In one arrangement, the suspension system includes a shock absorber associated with a motorcycle. The shock absorber includes an upper gas chamber that is filled with air. An air pressure adjustment valve operates to supply air into the upper gas chamber from a supply of air outside of the shock absorber when the air pressure in the upper gas chamber becomes smaller than a lower threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takamasa Kamioka
  • Patent number: 8689955
    Abstract: There is provided a shock absorbing structure that can improve shock absorption performance by stabilizing the compressive deformation of a shock absorbing member in an axial direction. High-strength portions controlling deformation and low-strength portions controlling deformation are alternately disposed. Accordingly, when a shock is applied to a front side member from the front side of a vehicle, the front side member can be deformed in the shape of a bellows. Further, the respective low-strength portions, which are disposed closer to a rear end side in a longitudinal direction, have higher strength. Therefore, the front side member can be sequentially deformed from a front end side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takeo Mori
  • Patent number: 8689956
    Abstract: A torsional vibration damper with a receptacle for several absorber masses pivotally held relative to the receptacle disposed around an axis of rotation in radial and circumferential direction. To be able to increase the mass of the absorber masses, the absorber masses have outside contours formed by several outside contour radii that remain within the receptacle over their entire swivel angle, and swivel over the entire swivel range near the outer circumference of the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Parviz Movlazada
  • Patent number: 8689957
    Abstract: A two-wheel drive motorcycle having a drive train that supplies power to the front wheel and includes a series of rigid shafts or other internalized drive systems. The front wheel drive consists of components located on the axis of steering within the head tube and positioned symmetrically in a counterbalancing fashion within the front fork in order to counteract the torque reactions from the rotating front wheel drive while providing a full range of steering. The front wheel drive lengthens and shortens in parallel with the shock-absorbing front fork. An engagement clutch, a one-way hub, and torque limiting clutch operatively engaged with the front wheel drive are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Christini Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven J. Christini, Michael J. Dunn
  • Patent number: 8689958
    Abstract: A dual-clutch transmission with individual clutches, which are axially arranged one behind the other and are hydraulically actuated, with one drive-side individual clutch, one gearbox-side individual clutch, one drive-side clutch housing and two cylinder/piston pairs, whereby the first of the individual clutches connects by switch the clutch housing with one of the first gearbox input shafts and the second of the individual clutches connects by switch the clutch housing with one of the second gearbox input shafts, whereby the clutch housing is connected drive-side with a drive shaft and gearbox-side with internally arranged input lamellae supports relating to the single clutches and torque conducted to the dual-clutch transmission via the clutch housing can be conducted to both individual clutches, whereby the clutch housing supports an actuating force from the gearbox-side single clutch and a second support area supports the actuating force from the drive side clutch is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Oliver Noehl, Johannes Arnold, Dirk Hofstetter
  • Patent number: 8689959
    Abstract: A fully contained, drop-in clutch assembly, which includes a clutch cover which has slots, a moveable pressure plate with radially outwardly directed tabs that engages the slots of the clutch allowing axial movement, a fixed pressure plate which is fastened to the clutch cover by fastening elements, a clutch disc disposed between the movable pressure plate and the fixed pressure plate, and a diaphragm spring. By fastening the fixed pressure plate to the clutch cover, the clutch assembly is fully contained, allowing easy assembly to transmission housing and a flexplate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Steven Olsen
  • Patent number: 8689960
    Abstract: A torque limiter in which an area of a region where an area of a region where an inner face of a circumferentially extending chamber intersects an oil pressure expanding chamber in an extended plane extended toward the oil pressure expanding chamber is larger than a sectional area of an opening of the oil removing hole which is opened to the circumferentially extending chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Akihide Nagayama, Takeshi Miyachi
  • Patent number: 8689961
    Abstract: The present invention provides an arrangement of a vehicle with a clutch release bearing and a lubrication path through a bell housing of a transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Kingston Jennings, Mahesh Shashidhar Nesari, Clinton Lee McClellan, Daniel Vern Gochenour, Chad Louis Davis
  • Patent number: 8689962
    Abstract: A banknote handling apparatus includes at least a depositing and dispensing unit that performs depositing and dispensing of banknotes, a storage and feed unit that stores or feeds the banknotes, and a storage unit that stores therein the banknotes. Unlocking conditions of a locking mechanism included in the storage and feed unit can be set different from that of a locking mechanism included in the storage unit. With this structure, three or more different concerned parties can handle a part allowed to the party concerned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Glory Ltd.
    Inventor: Tsuguo Mizoro
  • Patent number: 8689963
    Abstract: A system and method for integrating devices and equipment into self-service kiosk devices is disclosed. Hardware configuration kits are provided which allow for a less complicated implementation of specific and customized functionality for quick service restaurant (QSR) environments. In certain embodiments a kiosk door is coupled to the kiosk body to form a kiosk cabinet in which devices and equipment used to operate the kiosk are housed. Certain interior kiosk components and devices, such as coin dispensers, bill acceptors, and the like, may be configured to extend or protrude through the kiosk door so that they may be accessed by the customer. The kiosk door may have a hollowed out center or aperture which allows access to the interior cabinet. The aperture may be substantially covered by a removable door inlay which cooperatively includes cutouts corresponding to the components protruding through the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: EMN8, Inc.
    Inventor: David Georgens
  • Patent number: 8689964
    Abstract: A piece goods conveyance system has individual containers for transporting luggage on a conveyor belt and an unloading and loading station for loading the containers. The storage space is formed by an endless stable carrier belt spanning each container and driven guided perpendicular to the transport direction of the container. There is a stationary drive for driving the carrier belt in the region of the loading and/or unloading station. In order to create a functional drive for the container that undertakes the transport and sorting of luggage in a cost-effective and low-maintenance manner, a drive element is configured as flat belts circulating endlessly around deflection wheels parallel to the transport direction. At least one deflection wheel is positively connected to the carrier belt and can be frictionally engaged to a second flat belt of a stationary drive station driven endlessly circulating parallel to the first flat belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Mato Bacic
  • Patent number: 8689965
    Abstract: A conveyor belt system is provided for enabling rotation of a number of packages, such that every second package is rotated clockwise, and every other package is rotated counter clockwise. A computer program product is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventors: Magnus Sjögren, Jessica Elmehav
  • Patent number: 8689966
    Abstract: A device for the elimination of trimmings of rolls or logs of ribbon-like material associated downstream with a shearing machine of at least one roll or log (11), fed by a feeding plane (13) of rolls (10) and head and/or tail rolls (24), consecutively. The device comprises a conveyor group (14) for carrying the rolls (10) and eliminating the head and/or tail rolls (24,24?), wherein the feeding plane (13) comprises rests (15) and the conveyor group (14) comprises flaps (21), both shaped, facing each other and spaced between each other to define central longitudinal openings (16 and 22) for the passage of pushers (17) which allow at least one roll or log (11) to advance; the conveyor group (14) having chains (20) on which flaps (21) are positioned, and having a length of chains (20) without flaps (21) that define a movable opening (23) between adjacent chains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Gambini International S.A.
    Inventor: Giovanni Gambini
  • Patent number: 8689967
    Abstract: A belt driving device that drives a belt includes a plurality of rollers, an endless belt tensioned on the plurality of rollers, a belt guide member that is mounted on at least one end of at least one roller of the plurality of rollers and that guides a side edge part of the belt, and a belt displacement device that is mounted on the same end of the one roller as the belt guide member in order to displace the side edge part of the belt in a direction away from the belt guide member. Wherein a portion of the belt displacement device is located on a downstream side of the belt guide member in a traveling direction of the belt, and the portion continuously contacts the side edge part of the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Oki Data Corporation
    Inventor: Makoto Kitamura
  • Patent number: 8689968
    Abstract: The invention relates to a conveyor device having an endless conveyor which revolves between deflection rollers and on which a receiving device for conveying goods to be conveyed is provided. The conveyor device also includes a power supply line. The conveyor element is a conveyor chain having chain links hinged together. Each link has a section of the power supply line, and the sections of adjacent chain links are coupled to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Inventor: Eckhard Polman
  • Patent number: 8689969
    Abstract: A belt (2), forming a conveyor or a transmission belt, comprising at least one, but possibly a plurality of substantially inextensible but elastically flexible planar strips, typically of spring steel, rigidly fixed together lengthwise to form an endless belt. The belt is typically provided with drive slots for accurately driving the belt. The belt may support carriers such as buckets (to form a bucket conveyor) or scrapers (to form a scraper conveyor).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Inventor: George Terah Gough
  • Patent number: 8689970
    Abstract: A cover for a pair of glasses comprising: a sleeve, the sleeve comprising: a main body portion, the main body portion sized to generally be able to enclose the lens portion of a pair of glasses; a first stem portion, the first stem portion configured to generally enclose at least a portion of the glasses' first stem; a second stem portion, the second stem portion configured to generally enclose at least a portion of the glasses' second stem; an opening located generally in the main body portion and configured to allow entry and exit of the glasses with respect to the cover. A method of using an eyeglass cover and glasses as a headband, the method comprising: inserting glasses into an eyeglass cover; placing the glasses and eyeglass cover on a user's head, generally above the forehead, with the stems of the glasses over the user's ears, such that the cover and glasses look and act as a headband.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Inventor: Kelly Stutzman
  • Patent number: 8689971
    Abstract: The present invention relates to improved contact lens products which not only have initial insertion comfort. The contact lens product of the invention comprises a soft hydrogel contact lens immersed and autoclaved in a packaging solution including a low molecular weight polyethylene glycol (PEG) (or glycerin) and a homopolymer or copolymer of vinylpyrrolidone. The present invention also provides methods for making contact lens products of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventors: Kasey Jon Minick, Fiona Patricia Carney, Karen Belinda Sentell, George Edward Minno
  • Patent number: 8689972
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a packaging for a liquid, powdery or pasty product, comprising a first packaging part and a second packaging part which are connected to each other along a connecting area to define between them a hollow space to receive the product, wherein a channel is provided between the first packaging part and the second packaging part, which is to be opened by opening a sealing element to dispense the product from the packaging. The disclosure is characterized in that the sealing element is a sealed seam between the first packaging part and the second packaging part, which seals the channel, and that the sealed seam comprises inside the channel at least one portion which projects in a longitudinal direction of the channel. The disclosure also relates to a packaging machine for manufacturing such a packaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Multivac Sepp Haggenmueller GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jesus Sanchez, Paul Roland
  • Patent number: 8689973
    Abstract: The present invention includes methods and apparatus in which a reusable bag is provided for the collection and return of soiled garments, laundry and/or other clothing items. The bag may be provided in the form of a hamper that is open at the top, with one or more hooks that allow the bag to be hung from a clothing rod, and is provided with engagement devices that allow the bag to be folded up when not in use, and then unfolded to various levels for containment and protection of clean items that have been hung on standard hangers. In some embodiments, garment protection flaps are provided inside the bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Inventor: Stephen Berglund
  • Patent number: 8689974
    Abstract: An article sorting apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a container having a bottom and a longitudinally extending sidewall extending therefrom and a panel positioned proximal the container. The panel includes a cylindrically shaped shoulder extending therefrom and that defines a channel in alignment with the shoulder and that extends through the panel for allowing pass-through of a matched pair of socks. The cylindrically shaped shoulder is configured for receiving an open end of a first sock. A second sock is positioned proximal the first sock and inserted into and through a respective channel and disposed into the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: CreateSmart, LLC
    Inventor: Andrew N. Riad
  • Patent number: 8689975
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a bulk wire container comprising coiled wire and an isolator. The isolator includes an attachment means to said bulk wire container, an inlet, an outlet, and a wire engaging means. The wire engaging means translates longitudinal axial movement of the wire in the inlet into circumferential tangential movement about the wire engaging means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Lincoln Global, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Burke
  • Patent number: 8689976
    Abstract: An improved sealable pouch has an interior volume for receiving products for sterilization and an integral, foldable flap sealable to the pouch to provide a fully enclosed interior volume. Included on one or more portions of the pouch are indicia, preferably at least a first and second spaced apart indicia, to aid in proper folding of the flap. The indicia provide alignment means so that when the flap is properly folded to provide a leak proof seal, a predetermined portion of the indicia is covered by the flap. An improper seal can be visually determined to exist if all of the indicia or none of the indicia is visible after the seal is made. A proper seal is evidenced by only a portion of the first and second indicia being covered by the flap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Dux Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Wittrock
  • Patent number: 8689977
    Abstract: The invention relates to a product and method for dispensing and packaging items comprising at least two nestable complementary components. The complementary components are provided in stacks where each stack comprises a nested portion of each of the complementary components. One stack will have one complementary component located on the top end of the stack and the other complementary component will be present on the bottom end of that stack. As presented for use in a carton, each stack will have a different complementary component on the respective top end of the stack. A user will select a complementary component from each stack to provide a completed item for use. The invention is particularly suited for lidded cups or containers where the cups or containers and lids are packaged together for complementary use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Dixie Consumer Products LLC
    Inventors: Lynda L. Rutledge, Prateek Lal, Lynn Collins
  • Patent number: 8689978
    Abstract: There is shown in three embodiments a pill blister pack container for holding a pill blister pack. The container having a first portion highedly attached to a second portion. The first portion being sized to fit within the second portion when the container is closed. Both the first and second portions have defined side walls and a front wall. In addition, the first portion includes flanges in the side walls that engage apertures in the second portion to lock the two portions. Furthermore, at least one support post extends between the two portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Berlin Packaging, LLC
    Inventors: Nora Flood, Liam Hawry, Brett Niggel, Scott Jost
  • Patent number: 8689979
    Abstract: A cutlery tray assembly having a first tray and a cover. The first tray has a plurality of partitions defining a plurality of compartments for holding cutlery. The cover has a first cover section hingedly attached to one end of the first tray, and a second cover section attached to the first cover section by a living or piano hinge. At least one side tab is positioned on the first cover section and is adapted to releasably attach to a respective point on the tray to hold the first cover section in a closed position. At least one other tab is positioned on the second cover section and is adapted to releasably attach to a respective point on the tray to keep the second cover section in a closed position independent of the at least one side tab. Furthermore, a second tray may be hingedly attached to the bottom of the first tray for holding household items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Inventor: Grant M. Rowe
  • Patent number: 8689980
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of separating a particle fraction from a particle stream making use of gravitational force and which is performed in a fluid. This provides particle fractions that are collected in respective collecting means. According to the invention the fluid and the collecting means are moved in relation to each other defining a relative direction of movement. There are means provided to limit the movement of the particles to be separated with respect to the fluid in the relative direction of movement. The invention also relates to an apparatus for carrying out the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Technische Universiteit Delft
    Inventors: Peter Carlo Rem, Laurens Anton Van Kooy
  • Patent number: 8689981
    Abstract: Systems and methods for the manipulation of particles within channels such as microfluidic channels are provided. In one set of embodiments, magnets are positioned around a channel. As a fluid containing magnetic and non-magnetic particles flows through the channel, the magnetic field created by the magnets can be used to transport the magnetic and/or non-magnetic particles to desired locations within the channel, which may useful in some cases for causing some separation of the particles. For example, the magnetic field may be used to transport magnetic or non-magnetic particles from a core fluid to a surrounding sheath fluid. In some cases, the magnetic field is used to transport non-magnetic particles to a small volume within the channel (e.g., a single-file row within the channel).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Howard A. Stone, Mara G. Prentiss, Pierre Striehl, Efraim Feinstein
  • Patent number: 8689982
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (2) for separating magnetic particles comprising several substantially aligned magnets (3). Some of the magnets (3) are inversely oriented. This array reduces any magnetic interference with the collection area of an adjacent magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Thermo Fisher Scientific Oy
    Inventors: Timo Karmeniemi, Jukka Tuunanen
  • Patent number: 8689983
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for vacuum operated sorting. The apparatus may include a plurality of casing members each having a passageway with a filter member across the passageway. The casing members may be removably coupled to one another in a desired order and/or quantity and attached to a vacuum source to provide sorting of objects such as beads into a plurality of size ranges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Inventor: Heather Lynn Ripley
  • Patent number: 8689984
    Abstract: A device for separating components of a mixture, particularly industrial fluids but also gases including air, allows for targeted components of the mixture to be attached onto a separating bar and removed from the mixture. The separating bars traverse a track formed within the body of the separating device and through respective tank, cleaning, free roll, and compression regions in a controlled cleaning system. The separating bars are detached from one another and allowed to move through the separating device independently of one another. The device removes the use of chains to connect cleaning bars traversing through a cleaning system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Exactration, LLC
    Inventors: Richard E. Fogel, Brent D. Terrell
  • Patent number: 8689985
    Abstract: Filtration media including at least one layer of nanofibers having average diameters less than 1000 nanometers with optional scrim layer(s) are disclosed for filtering particulate matter in liquid. The media achieve flow rates of at least 0.055 L/min/cm2 at relatively high levels of solidity. The media have also advantageously been found to have non-diminishing flow rates as differential pressures increase between 2 psi (14 kPa) and 15 psi (100 kPa).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: E I du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: W. Douglas Bates, III, Henricus Jacobus Cornelis Gommeren, Hageun Suh
  • Patent number: 8689986
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system for bracing a telescopic crane, in particular a mobile crane, with a bracing unit which can be mounted on the jib. The bracing unit comprises erectable bracing supports and a holding frame for securing the bracing unit to the jib. The holding frame has a cross-section which is open at the top and allows the jib to be inserted from above the bracing unit The invention also relates to a method of positioning and mounting such a bracing unit on the jib of a telescopic crane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Manitowoc Crane Group France SAS
    Inventor: Frank Richter
  • Patent number: 8689987
    Abstract: A container adapter for use in feeding human infants and animal infants is shown. The container adapter has an internal threaded portion that can comprise a set of thread segments sized and configured to match the external threads of a commercially available soda or bottled liquid container, and can have an external threaded portion sized to match the internal threads of a standard nipple ring for an infant feeding bottle. The container adapter includes a funnel that provides a user with assistance in inserting infant feeding ingredients into the liquid container by placing the container adapter on the liquid container to use the funnel of the container adapter to place infant feeding ingredients into the liquid container. The container adapter is then inverted and installed onto the liquid container. A nipple within a collar is attached to the container adapter thus converting the liquid container to an infant feeding bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Inventor: Linda A. Lewis