Patents Issued in December 23, 2014
  • Patent number: 8915352
    Abstract: Not only the cracking of granular reduced iron materials is reduced, but also reduced iron materials are fed uniformly onto a furnace floor regardless of a width of the furnace floor. A feeding system for reduced iron material includes a plurality of material feeding equipments 4 provided in a furnace width direction of a mobile furnace floor type reduction melting furnace, wherein each of the material feeding equipments 4 is constructed by a hopper 10 configured to receive reduced iron materials and discharge the materials from a discharge port 10a, a trough 14 configured to connect the discharge port 10a and a material charging portion of the mobile furnace floor type reduction melting furnace configured to receive the reduced iron materials discharged from the discharge port 10a, an exit portion provided on an exit side of the trough 14, and a vibration applying unit configured to cause the trough to vibrate along a furnace floor moving direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventors: Osamu Tsuge, Tomoki Uemura
  • Patent number: 8915353
    Abstract: A conveyor system having a roller-engagement mechanism and a method for conveying articles. The conveyor system includes an infeed conveyor feeding articles to a conveyor belt advancing in a direction of belt travel. The conveyor belt comprises obliquely rotatable rollers—single rollers or stacked sets of rollers—selectively activated by the roller-engagement mechanism. The roller-engagement mechanism has a rack supporting a plurality of flat belts. The flat belts advance in the direction of travel of the conveyor belt. The rack is movable between a first position in which the flat belts advancing with the conveyor belt contact the belt rollers to inhibit their rotation and carry articles atop the belt in the direction of belt travel and a second position in which the flat belts are out of contact with the belt rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Matthew L. Fourney
  • Patent number: 8915354
    Abstract: A foldable and collapsible jewelry storage device including a flexible substratum having a top portion and two opposing substantially planar surfaces, a plurality of pockets disposed on at least one of the surfaces, and an attachment clasp disposed adjacent to a top edge of at least one of the pockets. A hanger is attached to the top portion of the substratum to provide a point of attachment to a rigid body, such as a closet rod. Each of the pockets comprises a flexible translucent strip attached to the substratum along at least the lower edge and sides of the strip, leaving the top edge open, forming a storage pocket. The pockets are spaced apart and arranged in a matrix or grid. The attachment clasp provides enhanced organization for longer jewelry pieces and prevents kinking and tangling. The substratum may comprise two layers with a hanger disposed between the two.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Inventor: Dorothy A. Smith
  • Patent number: 8915355
    Abstract: A system for applying a pipe joining agent, such as flux, primer or adhesive, to pipe structure surfaces. The system includes a male brush that cooperates with a female brush that is removably mounted on a container than contains the agent to be applied. The male brush can be inserted through the female brush and into the container to pick up the agent. As the male brush is withdrawn from the container, the female brush wipes excess agent from the male brush so that the female brush picks up agent thereon. The male brush can then be inserted into the end of a pipe structure to apply the agent to the interior surface of the pipe structure. Also, the female brush can be removed from the container and then inserted over the end of a pipe structure to apply the agent to the exterior surface of a pipe structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Inventor: Robert Monson
  • Patent number: 8915356
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure include a key management system and organizer for storing a plurality of keys. The key management system and organizer may include a first component and a second component, which together form a case. The first component may have a first clearance opening, a first magnet proximate to the first clearance opening, and a second magnet distal from the first clearance opening. The second component may have a second clearance opening, a first compatible magnet proximate to the second clearance opening, and a second compatible magnet distal from the second clearance opening. Each of the first component and the second component may have a pad adhered to an interior surface thereof. The first magnet and the second magnet may engage with the first compatible magnet and the second compatible magnet, creating a case having an interior configured to accommodate a plurality of keys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Inventors: Sungwhan Cha, Yoonjung Kim
  • Patent number: 8915357
    Abstract: A transformable carrying case includes a first cover and a second cover pivotably coupled to the first cover. The transformable carrying case may be transformable between at least three distinct positions including a closed position in which the first cover is disposed substantially on top of the second cover, an open position in which the first cover is substantially coplanar with the second cover, and a stand position in which the second cover is in a folded condition defining a prop surface to prop an object at an oblique angle relative to the first cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Monica Liane Mecchella
  • Patent number: 8915358
    Abstract: A moist wipes dispenser has a top attached to a bottom along a hinge. The top is adapted to pivot about the hinge's axis of rotation. The top is adapted to assume a closed position and a dispensing position. In one embodiment, the top can assume a warning position adapted to warn a user that the top is not shut. The top is urged to the warning position if the top is angularly disposed in a red zone that extends between the closed position and the warning position. The warning position is angularly displaced from the closed position by at least five degrees. In another embodiment, the hinge includes a pin integrally molded with the top or bottom, and an open knuckle integrally molded with the other of the top and bottom. The hinge is adapted to urge the top into closed and dispensing positions in selected angular ranges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Kroy D. Johnson, Linda J. Van Dyke, Robert Schlaupitz
  • Patent number: 8915359
    Abstract: Disclosed is a multi-compartment container including a tearable inner packet, as well as methods for its use and manufacture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Inventors: David DiLiberto, Katherine Adele Bukys, Christopher Roy Pinto, Mitchell Francis Rovito, Thomas E. Van Epps
  • Patent number: 8915360
    Abstract: A case for holding a portable digital device is disclosed. The case includes a body comprising a first panel and a second panel which are fastened together. The first panel comprises a first pocket to hold the portable digital device, wherein the top cover of the first pocket is made using a transparent material, wherein the first panel flips open to enable a user to operate the portable digital device though the transparent or semi-transparent top cover. The second panel includes a flexible elongated segment to secure the case to an object on which the case is mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Imagine Management, LLC.
    Inventor: Marybeth Oliver
  • Patent number: 8915361
    Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to an apparatus for retaining an electronic device as well as for methods for using the device for the purpose of doing the same. In various instances, the electronic device includes a housing including top and bottom members, and having a membrane region configured to facilitate interaction with a biometric scanner on the electronic device. In certain instances, the housing for the electronic device is adapted for protecting the device from one or more of shock, liquid, dust, snow, and the like. The electronic device may be any suitable electronic device, such as a computer, mobile computer, notebook computer, tablet computer, telephone, personal digital assistant, or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Treefrog Developments, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary A. Rayner
  • Patent number: 8915362
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a multifunctional sharps container having a first dispensing compartment for storing unused sharps and a second compartment for receiving used sharps. The first and second compartments are separated by a generally liquid impermeable partition fixed to the walls of the container. In addition, the first and second compartments are provided with apertures and structures for conveying the sharps, out of and into the compartments respectively, which are functional in at least two orientations of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Ultimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas E. Erickson, James J. Erickson, Thomas Sauro
  • Patent number: 8915363
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for retaining medical instruments is disclosed. The apparatus includes a medical instrument tray having a substantially planar, rigid interior section, wherein the interior section has a plurality of holes formed therein. A flexible grommet sheet is positioned abutting a first side of the medical instrument tray, the flexible grommet sheet having a plurality of openings therein, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of openings are substantially axially aligned with the plurality of holes formed within the interior section. A substantially rigid back plate is removably attached to the medical instrument tray, wherein the flexible grommet sheet is positioned between the first side of the interior section and the back plate, and wherein the back plate has a plurality of holes positioned therein, wherein the plurality of holes are substantially axially aligned with the plurality of holes formed within the interior section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Symmetry Medical Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Hawkes, George P. Hannafin
  • Patent number: 8915365
    Abstract: A sleeve operable to at least partially contain a cylindrical article, the sleeve including opposing planar side panels; bowed dust flaps extending upwardly from said side panels; front and back panels, each having rounded, upper corner portions; and overlapping top panels in superposing relation to upper portions of said bowed dust flaps, said overlapping top panels being mutually secured, whereby said bowed dust flaps are retained in a bowed condition that conforms with said rounded upper panel portions of said front and back panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Altria Client Services Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Fath, Ryan J. Sousa, Steven R. Rinehart
  • Patent number: 8915366
    Abstract: A package is configured to hold an information carrying card. The package includes a first panel connected to a second panel via a first fold line. The first panel includes a first opening. A third panel is connected to the second panel via a second fold line, the third panel includes a second opening. In a state where the first panel has been folded to overlap the second panel via the first fold line and the second panel has been folded to overlap the third panel via the second fold line, the first opening at least partially overlaps the second opening. The package may include a card on which data is stored. The data is exposed through the first and second opening to an environment outside the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Blackhawk Network, Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis Roy Smith
  • Patent number: 8915367
    Abstract: A zipper-type loading container for transporting glass substrates in which an increased number of glass substrates can be loaded for transport, thereby increasing the convenience of workers. The loading container for transporting glass substrates includes a loading frame having a loading surface, which supports the lower end of the glass substrates, and a backing surface, which supports the rear surface of a batch of the glass substrates. A cover frame is provided on the loading frame, and slides on the loading frame in forward and backward directions of the loading frame, and cover the upper end and the sides of the glass substrates. A zipper-type opening/closing sheet is provided on the front portion of the cover frame, and opens and closes the front portion of the cover frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Corning Precision Materials Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: BumRo Lee, Seok-Woong Kim, YoungTaek Kim
  • Patent number: 8915368
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display (LCD) glass substrate storage tray includes a frame. Each surface of the frame is configured with a plate, the frame and the plates enclose to form a closed box, and the plate on surface of the frame where an opening for the LCD glass substrate to be selected and placed is located forms a box door that is installable or removable from the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Inventor: Rui Fang
  • Patent number: 8915369
    Abstract: The present invention provides a jointed liquid crystal glass panel package box, which includes a box body and a plurality of brackets mounted to the box body. The box body includes a frame and a hollow plate arranged inside the frame. The frame includes two opposite first frame members, two opposite second frame members, and four L-shaped connection members connecting between the first frame members and the second frame members. The first and second frame members are of a linear configuration. Each first frame member includes a plurality of first frame member units and a plurality of first couplers each connecting between two first frame member units. Each second frame member includes a plurality of second frame member units and a plurality of second couplers each connecting between two second frame member units. A plurality of water-resistant pads is arranged between the first couplers and the first frame member units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Shenzhen China Star Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yicheng Kuo, Shihhsiang Chen, Jiahe Cheng
  • Patent number: 8915370
    Abstract: A blister-type packaging unit having a front wall (2) and a rear wall (1) defining an article-receiving space (6) between them. The front wall (2) and the rear wall (1) have a circumferential joint (4). Inwardly of said circumferential joint (4) a weakened region (7) is present in at least one of the front and rear walls (1,2), which weakened region (7) is tearable by a user to separate the front and rear walls (1,2). Said weakened region (7) has two end portions which are located inwardly of said peripheral region, so that the weakened region (7) can be torn after the user has made a cut in the walls (1,2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Niels Arno Prinsen, Rhonda Kay Parton, Clay Steven Stricklin, Caroline Van Hoff-Brekelmans
  • Patent number: 8915371
    Abstract: A dual compartment dispenser for pill or other item storage includes a larger outer compartment container and an auxiliary smaller pocket container configured to accommodate a predetermined daily dosage of items, which the user can carry in a clothing pocket, backpack or handbag, without having to carry the entire bottle container of items. The smaller auxiliary pocket container compartment nests on an interior collar ledge within the outer compartment container It is loosely supported by a ledge within the neck of a bottle neck container. The daily dose container gyrates and pivots upward when pushed against on one side of a top edge thereof, so that the daily dose container is up-ended and provides a portion extending upward above a top of the neck of the main housing container housing, for manual grasping without the need to invert the main housing container to release the smaller auxiliary pocket container therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Inventor: James Giocastro
  • Patent number: 8915372
    Abstract: A plurality of stacked polyethylene film bags comprising about 40-48 wt. % high density, high molecular weight polyethylene, 12-20 wt. % high density, medium molecular weight polyethylene, 20-30 wt. % linear low density polyethylene, 0-8 wt. % color concentrate, are releasably adhered together in substantial registration. Each of the bags includes front and rear polyethylene film walls and each of the front and rear walls have first and second side edges, a top edge and a bottom edge. The front and rear walls are integrally joined at their first and second side edges and secured together at their bottom edges. An open mouth portion is defined adjacent the top edges of the bag. At least an upper portion of the outer surface of the front and rear walls of each of the bags has been corona treated. T-shirt style bags using the above formulation are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Inventor: Gregorio Lim Tan
  • Patent number: 8915373
    Abstract: A solid particle flow distribution controller includes an extension skirt configured to be mounted to a discharge skirt at a division between an upstream solid particle conveyance pipe and a plurality of downstream pipes. The extension skirt includes a plurality of circumferential segments. Each segment is movably mounted to the discharge skirt for movement in an upstream and downstream direction with respect to the discharge skirt. The segments of the extension skirt are configured and adapted for motion in the upstream and downstream direction independent of one another to extend upstream of the discharge skirt as needed to improve solid particle distribution among the downstream pipes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Babcock Power Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Qingsheng Lin, Joseph Bianca, Jilin Zhang, William Freeman, John W Rath, III
  • Patent number: 8915374
    Abstract: This invention relates to particulate and/or liquid droplet separation processes from liquids containing the same and the use of specific chemical additives to control surface wetting, hydrophobicity and surface forces in such processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: The University of Melbourne
    Inventors: George Vincent Franks, Haihong Li
  • Patent number: 8915375
    Abstract: A compact mobile variable angle vibrating screen with a suspension and dampening system configured to accommodate variable angles and exhibit acceptable vibration levels; especially during power up and power down surge vibration at the variable angles. The system comprises a group of bi-directional dual pivot leg vibration damper mechanisms which are effective only during times of excessive vibration such as during the power up and power down vibration surges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Terex USA, LLC
    Inventors: Edwin J. Sauser, Jason Kreider
  • Patent number: 8915376
    Abstract: A mobile collapsible screen and cone crusher combination where the screen is pivoted forward and downward for transport and a rubber hopper is coupled to the fines conveyor so as to permit a hinged connection and a sliding connection between the flexible hopper and the fines conveyor. A plurality of flexible matter edge plates are used at the rear of the flexible hopper to facilitate proper compression and expansion of the flexible hopper. A selectable maintenance catch is used to allow the screen to be elevated to an intermediate height for maintenance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Terex USA, LLC
    Inventor: Dan L. Garland
  • Patent number: 8915377
    Abstract: A method of determining the length distribution in the population of glass or plastic fibers in, for example, a fiber reinforced polymeric article wherein the fibers recovered from a representative article are immersed in a non-polar liquid and the combination of the liquid and fibers is passed through a sieve stack while an applied high electric field produces a relatively uniform alignment of the fibers as they pass through the sieves thereby improving the accuracy of the filtering process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Umesh N. Gandhi
  • Patent number: 8915378
    Abstract: A hollow fiber type reverse osmosis membrane including cellulose acetate, characterized in that the filtration rate and the salt rejection rate when an aqueous solution having sodium chloride concentration of 1,500 mg/L is filtered from outer side to inner side of the hollow fiber type reverse osmosis membrane at 25° C. and 1.5 MPa pressure are 180 to 350 L/m2/day and 90.0 to 99.0%, respectively and the outer diameter, the inner diameter and the hollow rate of the hollow fiber type reverse osmosis membrane are 100 to 280 ?m, 50 to 200 ?m and 24 to 42%, respectively. The hollow fiber type reverse osmosis membrane preferably has a dense layer near the outer surface, and thickness of the dense layer is 0.1 to 7 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Toyobo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinobu Tokimi, Toshiyuki Yagi, Yuji Ito
  • Patent number: 8915379
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a novel method to improve the selectivities of polybenzoxazole (PBO) membranes prepared from aromatic polyimide membranes for gas, vapor, and liquid separations. The PBO membranes that were prepared by thermal treating aromatic polyimide membranes containing between 0.05 and 20 wt-% of a poly(styrene sulfonic acid) polymer. These polymers showed up to 95% improvement in selectivity for CO2/CH4 and H2/CH4 separations compared to PBO membranes prepared from corresponding aromatic polyimide membranes without a poly(styrene sulfonic acid) polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Chunqing Liu, Raisa Minkov, Man-Wing Tang, Lubo Zhou, Jeffery C. Bricker
  • Patent number: 8915380
    Abstract: A separator 252 for immiscible liquids comprises a tank having an inlet, a separation chamber and an outlet chamber 262, with the inlet 12 feeding effluent into the separation chamber 28 at or below a maximum acceptable flow rate. The effluent is separated into a more dense and less dense fractions in the separation chamber 28. The separation chamber 28 is in communication with the outlet chamber 262, where the more dense fraction exits. An outlet 260 for the less dense fraction is in communication with the separation chamber 28 and has a lowermost exit level at which the less dense fluid exits. The more dense fluid cannot rise to the level of the lowermost level, and the height of the less dense fluid is such that it will exit through the outlet as the more dense fluid passes over the weir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Goslyn, LP
    Inventors: John Sowerby, Richard Sowerby, Douglas F. Samuelson, Jonathan Owen
  • Patent number: 8915381
    Abstract: A vertical roll wrap tray kit of the present invention includes at least one product tray, a plurality of spacer clips, a plurality of wire dividers and a plurality of push clips. The product tray can be attached to various types of retail display units. The product tray contains two slot walls which are sized to accommodate insertion of the wire dividers. The dividers are used to divide the tray into segments or compartments in which the roll wrap material is stored and displayed in a vertical arrangement. The width of the rows or compartments can be varied based on the diameter of the roll wrap product. Spacer clips are used to hold two adjacent dividers into place. The tray is angled slightly in a backwards direction to avoid accidental removal of the vertical roll wrap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: American Greetings Corporation
    Inventors: Emory Brozak, Anthony Santarelli
  • Patent number: 8915382
    Abstract: An apparatus and system are disclosed for supporting a ski on a support structure. The apparatus includes a ski support member, a spacer, and a coupling element. The ski support member includes a ski engaging portion and a binder engaging portion. The binder engaging portion is positionable within a receiving space in a binder toe piece. The ski engaging portion includes a substantially flat surface engageable with one of a deck surface of the ski and an element disposed on the deck surface of the ski to maintain the ski in a desirable orientation. The spacer is positioned between the ski support member and a the support structure. The coupling element is configured to couple the ski support member to the support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Inventor: Peter Totman
  • Patent number: 8915383
    Abstract: A plant stand includes a first support having a first tier, a second tier and a third tier and a second support having a first tier that corresponds with the first tier of the first support, a second tier that corresponds with the second tier of the first support and a third tier that corresponds with the third tier of the first support. The third tier of the second support has a height that is substantially equal to a height of the third tier of the first support. The plant stand also includes a plurality of shelves. The height of the third tiers substantially corresponds to a length of each shelf. In addition, the first support, the second support and the plurality of shelves are configured into one of a flat pack state having a flat pack height and an assembled state having an assembled height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Target Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Sara L. Pedersen, Samuel J. Clavette, Daiying Huang, Stephanie A. Grotta
  • Patent number: 8915384
    Abstract: An implement for use in a bathroom or a kitchen which is composed of at least one rod which is oval in cross section, the rod being aesthetic in appearance and providing an advantageous force distribution over rods with circular cross sections. The implement can be a hanging device, such as a hanger, a hanger for ties and belts, and many other variations having a hook portion for engaging a cylindrical support, an over-the-door/vertical wall device also including the rods with the oval cross section, the latter devices being, for example, clothes supporting hooks, hooks for articles made from fabric; wire metal baskets having a rim and/or transition device made from a rod with an oval cross section; paper or magazine holders comprising parallel racks separated by upstanding walls; bag dispenser and handles for implements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: InterDesign, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Immerman, Russell Benton Snell, Philip C. Dretzka, Radu Alexandru Ghiorghie
  • Patent number: 8915385
    Abstract: A coupler head for a coupling arrangement is shown, which coupler head includes a coupler head housing (6) extending in a longitudinal direction from a first end (6a), attachable to a drawbar, to a second end (6b), which is arranged to carry a coupling interface between coupled rail vehicles, which coupler head housing houses mechanical coupling components (8,9) effective for automatic coupling to the corresponding components of a connecting coupling arrangement. The coupler head is characterized in that the coupler head housing has at least one notch (11, 11?) for a predetermined and primarily axial compression thereof with absorption of energy from a deforming compressive force that is applied to the coupler head in the longitudinal direction thereof. The coupler head has preferably at least one notch (11, 11?) for a predetermined folding of the coupler head housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Ego International B.V.
    Inventors: Johan Hansson, Mattias Hjort, Fredrik Hiswåls, Daniel Larsson, Anders Svedbo, Anders Westman
  • Patent number: 8915386
    Abstract: A disposable baby bottle kit (10) that is easy to assemble with lowered risk of contamination of the baby bottle. The disposable baby bottle kit comprising a container that has a first portion (1) and a second portion (2), a collapsible baby bottle (3) positioned within the first portion of the container and a teat unit (4) fitted to the second portion of the container. The first portion and the second portion of the container are coupled to each other enclosing the collapsible baby bottle and the teat unit therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Asian Mos Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Amonrat Limwanawong
  • Patent number: 8915387
    Abstract: In accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure, a nursing bottle is provided. The bottle includes a body having a hollow interior and defining an upper opening. The bottle further includes a nipple joined to the body and disposed over the upper opening. The bottle also includes a means for generating negative pressure within a portion of the interior of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: University of South Carolina
    Inventors: Arash Kheradvar, Wilfried Karmaus
  • Patent number: 8915388
    Abstract: A child-resistant package includes a vial and a closure configured to mount on the vial to cover a mouth opening into a product-storage chamber of the vial. A child-resistant feature cooperates with the closure and the vial to prevent unwanted removal of the closure from the vial.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Berry Plastics Corporation
    Inventor: Chad E. Rice
  • Patent number: 8915389
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to a large vacuum chamber body that has been welded together. The chamber body may have a high emissivity coating on at least one surface therein. Due to the large size of the chamber body, the chamber body may be formed by welding several pieces together rather than forging the body from a single piece of metal. The pieces may be welded together at a location spaced from the corner of the body, which may be under the greatest stress during evacuation, to ensure that the weld, which may be the weakest point in the body, does not fail. At least one surface of the chamber body may be coated with a high emissivity coating to aid in heat transfer from incoming, heated substrates. The high emissivity coating may increase substrate throughput by lowering the time that may be needed to reduce the substrate temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Shinichi Kurita, Mehran Behdjat, Makoto Inagawa
  • Patent number: 8915390
    Abstract: A joint for use in making a shipping crate includes a base and a pair of orthogonal channels which extend upwardly from the base and are open from above. Each channel has an inner closed end and an outer open end, and has a width, along a length of the channel between the inner and outer ends, which is greater than the width at the inner and outer ends. The channel is preferably defined by an outer wall, an inner wall, and a pair of reinforcement members located at the inner and outer ends to define the region of smaller width at each end. The reinforcement members are preferably hollow vertical members which are rectangle or square in cross-section and which extend from the inner wall towards the outer wall. Preferably, at their inner ends, the channels share a reinforcement member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Groupe Dusogat
    Inventor: Félix Meyer-Horn
  • Patent number: 8915391
    Abstract: A drinkware rimming apparatus including a wetting receptacle, a cutout, and a rotatable tray having a plurality of spice receptacles. The tray is rotatable relative to the cutout (or vice-versa) to align and provide downward access to a desired spice receptacle or to the wetting receptacle. A cover may be included and the cutout can be in the cover and/or the tray. The cover can have beverage garnish compartments on a top surface thereof. The wetting receptacle can be positioned in a tray or on the cover. The cutout can be in another tray also having one or more spice receptacles and above the first-mentioned tray and rotatable independently of the lower tray. A method of applying spice to rims of drinkware is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Roxi Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Marc Radow
  • Patent number: 8915392
    Abstract: A rotatable adjustment knob has a knob body mountable to an optical or electronic device for rotation about an axis extending outwardly from the device. The knob body has an opening into a battery compartment sized to receive a battery. A lid is pivotably attached to the knob body for movement between a closed position in which the lid covers the opening, and an open position in which the lid is pivoted away from the opening to provide access to the battery compartment. The lid remains attached to the knob body while in both the open and closed positions for rotation with the knob body about the axis. A resilient seal confronts the knob body and the lid while the lid is in the closed position to thereby seal the opening and the battery compartment. A latch releasably retains the lid in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Leupold & Stevens, Inc.
    Inventors: Quint Crispin, Xuyen Huynh
  • Patent number: 8915393
    Abstract: A child resistant container (10) has a container cavity (20) for the receipt of one or more items to be stored therein. The container cavity (20) is defined by a pair of lids (14, 16) which are hingedly connected to one another. Primary lock means (50) includes a first lock assembly on one lid (14, 16) which engages with a second lock assembly on the other lid (14, 16). A primary lock actuation includes an externally open topped pocket (60) formed in the body of said one lid (14, 16). The pocket (60) has a pocket side wall (62) which is resiliently deflectable from a lock position to an unlock position. The pocket (60) is shaped and sized to permit a finger of an operative to enter the pocket (60) to effect deflection of the pocket side wall (62) to its unlock position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Archimedes Development Ltd.
    Inventors: Paul Hayton, Philip Walsh, Tom Walker, Christopher Althorpe
  • Patent number: 8915394
    Abstract: When cleaning water hits a lower wall 33h of a first waterproof portion 33 of an upper cover 15, and the water is thrown up to the upper cover 15, a tapered outer wall 30b of the first waterproof portion 30 and a tapered inner wall 33g of the first waterproof portion 33 come into contact with each other, and are engaged with each other to close an entrance side of a tiny passage 27. Even if the water enters, the water enters a blind passage 33b to reduce the force of the water. The water of which force is reduced falls down. It is effective for improving waterproof performance to reduce the force of the water by the blind passage 33b.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Sunsoku I, Yasuhito Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8915395
    Abstract: A multi-unit storage device wherein two separate compartments are attached together at their bottom portions. The containers are vacuum or otherwise sealed at their top portions such that when the top portions are opened, the seal is broken and access to theproducts contained therein is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Inventor: Gerry Gersovitz
  • Patent number: 8915396
    Abstract: A grip device has an element that can be moved in relation to fixed element between an open position and a closed position in which the two elements are adapted in such a way as to grip a wall, a displacement device which enables the displacement of the mobile element and the adjustment of the distance separating the two elements in a closed position to the thickness of the gripped wall, and a blocking device, which are adapted in such a way as to immobilize the mobile element in the adjusted closed position. The blocking device can be moved between a release position and a blocking position in which they immobilize the mobile element by friction in the adjusted closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: SEB SA
    Inventor: Christophe Lorthioir
  • Patent number: 8915397
    Abstract: A center support structure between a drop door and a side wall of a bulk bin container is provided. The center support structure can be an extension from a lower portion of the drop door contacting the side wall, or an extension of the side wall contacting a lower portion of the drop door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Orbis Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Petersen, Scott Krebs
  • Patent number: 8915398
    Abstract: A powder dispensing container is provided, the container divided into a powder storage chamber and a powder dispensing chamber with an opening between the two controlled by a valve mechanism. A cap or closure member is disposed over an upper open end of a powder dispensing chamber and when opened, causes a closure of the valve mechanism. When the cover is returned to its closed position, the valve will automatically open allowing for new charge of powder form the storage chamber to enter into the dispensing chamber. The closure member is provided with an actuator that extends through the powder dispensing chamber and engages and causes operation of the valve mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: David M. Deans and Jerilyne T. Deans
    Inventor: David Deans
  • Patent number: 8915399
    Abstract: A medical fluid injection system may include a powered injector and a fluid reservoir that contains a simulated contrast medium. The simulated contrast medium may exhibit a fluid flow property substantially equal to that of an active contrast medium but be devoid of any active contrast agent that provides contrast during diagnostic imaging. During operation, a syringe in the powered injector may be filled with the simulated contrast medium and then evacuated to discharge the simulated contrast medium from the syringe. The simulated contrast medium may be used to test and evaluate the performance of the powered injector prior to use in a medical procedure without exposing personnel to an active contrast agent or creating medical waste that contains the active contrast agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: ACIST Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Sidney D. Nystrom
  • Patent number: 8915400
    Abstract: A fluid dispenser having a fluid reservoir including a shoulder from which there extends a neck defining an opening; and a dispenser member, such as a pump or a valve, including a body that is held in stationary manner in the opening of the reservoir. At least one source of radiation is disposed in the proximity of the neck, outside the neck, above the shoulder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Aptar France SAS
    Inventor: Patrick Muller
  • Patent number: 8915401
    Abstract: A dosage-dispensing unit with an interior space, delimited by a lateral wall and a bottom portion. The bottom portion further includes an outlet orifice. The dosage-dispensing unit can be connected to a holder device of a dosage-dispensing device. The holder device is supported by constraints that allow movement in a prescribed direction. The outlet orifice has a central longitudinal axis that is oriented at a predetermined angle relative to this prescribed direction of movement. The internal surface of the bottom portion facing towards the interior space includes a surface region having at least a line segment that starts at the outlet orifice and extends in the prescribed direction of movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo AG
    Inventor: Paul Lüchinger
  • Patent number: 8915402
    Abstract: The invention is a depositing device (5) for depositing flowable food containing gas comprising a pressurized feed line conveying flowable food containing gas under pressure into the food; piston (60) means operatively connected to the feed line comprising a piston and a chamber (61); an outlet to deliver food at the atmospheric pressure into molds (85). The device comprises a pressure retaining means (9) arranged to retain the product in the chamber at the same pressure as the line pressure and to deliver the product through the outlet as pressure in the chamber increases from the line pressure upon descent of the piston in the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Roy B. Nelson, William Walter Coatesworth, John Howard Walker, Jonathan Sutton, Richard Johnson Craggs