Patents Issued in April 7, 2015
  • Patent number: 8997953
    Abstract: A shock absorber includes a piston assembly disposed within a pressure tube. The piston assembly has a first and a second housing and a valve assembly located adjacent the first housing. The valve assembly has a valve disc which engages the first housing to close at least one of a first plurality of passages extending through the first and second housings and a biasing member for applying a load to the valve disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventor: Stefan Deferme
  • Patent number: 8997954
    Abstract: A variable semi-active damping assembly comprising a shock body defining a fluid-filled chamber; a piston tube having a first end slidably disposed within the shock body; an inner rod slidably disposed within the piston tube and the shock body, the inner rod having a first end connected to a lower piston mount and a second end extending outward from the piston tube and engaging an adjustment mechanism that is configured to move the inner rod with respect to the shock body; an upper piston mount slidably disposed within the shock body and connected to the piston tube; and a deformable member disposed between the lower piston mount and the upper piston mount, the deformable member being configured to transition between a compressed state and a non-compressed state in response to movement by the lower piston mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Inventor: Phillip D. Rodenbeck
  • Patent number: 8997955
    Abstract: A system for transferring electric energy to a vehicle, wherein the system comprises an electric conductor arrangement for producing a magnetic field and for thereby transferring the energy to the vehicle, wherein the electric conductor arrangement comprises at least one current line, wherein each current line is adapted to carry the electric current which produces the magnetic field or is adapted to carry one of parallel electric currents which produce the magnetic field and wherein: the at least one current line extends at a first height level, the system comprises an electrically conductive shield for shielding the magnetic field, wherein the shield extends under the track and extends below the first height level, and a magnetic core extends along the track at a second height level and extends above the shield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Bombardier Transportation GmbH
    Inventors: Robert Czainski, Juergen Meins, John Whaley
  • Patent number: 8997956
    Abstract: A rotary electric drive device for a vehicle configured to couple a combustion engine to a wheel. The drive device includes an engagement device selectively drivingly connecting the input member with the rotary electric machine and a fluid coupling. The engagement device includes a differential pressure generating chamber that receives oil supply so as to apply hydraulic pressure to a side of the pressing member opposite to a side to which hydraulic pressure for operation is applied. A body portion housing chamber housing a body portion of the fluid coupling and the differential pressure generating chamber are structured as oil chambers independent of each other. The drive device includes a coupling supply oil passage supplying oil to the body portion housing chamber and a differential pressure supply oil passage supplying the oil to the differential pressure generating chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignees: Aisin AW Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mikio Iwase, Tomohide Suzuki, Naoya Jinnai, Tatsuya Okishima, Toshihiko Kamiya, Terufumi Miyazaki, Yukihiko Ideshio
  • Patent number: 8997957
    Abstract: A coupling arrangement for a drive train of a motor vehicle includes at least one clutch which is arranged on a rotating shaft in order to couple the rotating shaft optionally with a drive element of the drive train, in which to couple the rotating shaft with the drive element, a first clutch part and a second clutch part can be brought into a form-fit engagement with each other by moving one of the clutch parts along the axis of the rotating shaft. To prevent jerks and vibrations in the drive train, a hydraulic damping device is provided which acts between the first clutch part and the second clutch part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: MAGNA Powertrain AG
    Inventors: Klaus Eder, Markus Kohlböck, Johannes Quehenberger, Reinhard Weingartshofer
  • Patent number: 8997958
    Abstract: A dual clutch transmission, in particular of a motor vehicle, includes a hydraulic circuit for cooling the dual clutch transmission, wherein the hydraulic circuit includes at least one pump for conveying a hydraulic medium flow, at least one cooler for cooling the hydraulic medium flow, and a volume control valve for adjusting the hydraulic medium flow for at least one cooling system associated with clutches of the dual clutch transmission. The volume control valve is designed to convey the hydraulic medium flow in a first switching state to a first cooling system associated with a first of the clutches, and in at least one second switching state to a second cooling system associated with a second of the clutches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventors: Dietmar Schuller, Hans-Peter Fleischmann, Stephan Herold
  • Patent number: 8997959
    Abstract: Clutch arrangement for a motor vehicle gearbox. The clutch arrangement has a housing and a clutch. The clutch is arranged in the housing and is arranged concentrically with a shaft, which extends in a longitudinal axis. The shaft is supported on the housing by means of a first shaft bearing adjacent to the clutch and by means of a second shaft bearing spaced at an axial distance from the clutch. The clutch arrangement has an actuator arrangement for actuating the clutch. The actuator arrangement is designed to exert an actuating force on the clutch in a first longitudinal direction. The actuator arrangement here being axially braced on the housing and a force flux being introduced into the shaft as a result of the actuating force. The first shaft bearing is arranged so that the force flux introduced into the shaft can be axially braced on the housing by way of the first shaft bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: GETRAG Getriebe—und Zahnradfabrik Hermann Hagenmeyer GmbH & Cie KG
    Inventors: Guenter Ruehle, Jochen Bausch, Harald Sodemann, Stefan Anspann
  • Patent number: 8997960
    Abstract: A cavity 135 having a closed end wall 135a facing an end of a rotational shaft 71 and receiving the end of the rotational shaft 71 therein is defined in an inner surface of a case cover 55 such that supply oil passages 125, 126 are open at inner circumferential surfaces of the cavity 135. At least one radial joint hole 138 is defined in an end portion of the rotational shaft 71 and extends radially of the rotational shaft 71, the radial joint hole 138 having an inner end connected to another oil passage 111 in the rotational shaft 71 than a particular oil passage 112 in the rotational shaft 71. The radial joint hole 138 is connected to a corresponding supply oil passage 125 of the supply oil passages 125, 126, in the cavity 135.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasushi Fujimoto, Kinya Mizuno, Yoshiaki Tsukada
  • Patent number: 8997961
    Abstract: A dual clutch arrangement for a transmission that is provided with a first input shaft and a second input shaft has a clutch housing that is connectable to a drive train in a rotationally fixed fashion. The first and second friction clutches can transmit a torque between the clutch housing and the first and the second input shafts, respectively. The first and second friction clutches are nested in the radial direction with respect to each other and actuated by a first and a second actuating unit that have pistons for pressuring clutch disk packs. The compressive force exerted by the piston of the first actuating unit and the compressive force exerted by the piston of the second actuating unit are directed in axially opposite directions with respect to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Getrag Ford Trasmissions GmbH
    Inventors: Marc Absenger, Friedel Lauscher, Matthias Doelling, Andreas Hegerath, Hansi Gremplini
  • Patent number: 8997962
    Abstract: A clutch apparatus includes a clutch outer member for supporting friction discs, which are nonrotatable relative to the clutch outer member, and are axially slidable along a clutch axis; a clutch inner member for supporting clutch discs, which are nonrotatable relative to the clutch inner member, and are axially slidable along the clutch axis, and a pressure plate having a deep recess for accommodating a clutch spring engaged with the clutch inner member. The deep recess includes a bottom portion having a spring seat for receiving the clutch spring, and a partially cylindrical shape wall portion having an axis parallel to the clutch axis. The wall portion is oriented towards the clutch axis. The deep recess has a communicating portion formed therein for establishing the communication between the inner and outer surfaces of the wall portion so as to discharge oil towards the friction and clutch discs during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaya Yazaki, Atsushi Kobayashi, Akio Senda, Seiji Anzai
  • Patent number: 8997963
    Abstract: A dry friction clutch is provided having an innovative baffle design wherein the baffle has a tab that sets the limit for maximum adjustment of an adjustment mechanism of the dry clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Troy Scott Reinoehl, Steven Michael Peterson, James Lee Whitaker, Clinton Lee McClellan, Steven Joe Rynearson, Jr., James Robert Hockemeyer, John Alan Schenkel, III
  • Patent number: 8997964
    Abstract: A load sensitive magnetic clutch device includes: a magnetic pole rotating body having magnetic poles arranged on the circumference thereof and provided with a clutch projection of a claw clutch at an end thereof; a yoke rotating body configured to rotate about an axial center of rotation identical to that of the magnetic pole rotating body; and a high-torque input member configured to rotate about the identical axial center of rotation and having a clutch engaging portion engaging the clutch projection. The clutch projection is formed of a magnetic body. The clutch engaging portion includes a clutch retaining magnetic body configured to attract the clutch projection by a magnetic force. The clutch projection is attracted by the clutch retaining magnetic body by an application of a load torque exceeding a torque which is transferrable between the magnetic pole rotating body and the yoke rotating body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: KITO Corporation
    Inventors: Takayuki Kasai, Kazumitsu Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 8997965
    Abstract: A friction clutch device, in particular for a drive train of a motor vehicle which is driven by internal, combustion engine, having a rotational axis, a housing, at least one pressure plate which can be displaced in the direction of the rotational axis relative to the housing for an actuation, and a spring device for loading the at least one pressure plate, in which friction clutch device the spring device has a first element for generating a pressure force which acts on the at least one pressure plate, and a second element which is separate structurally from the first element for transmitting an actuating force, in order to improve the friction clutch structurally and/or functionally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Sebastian Aberle, Patrick Weydmann, Gerhard Gander, Alexander Obitz
  • Patent number: 8997966
    Abstract: A sliding parking switch assembly and method for a vehicle includes a transmission operating mode selector for an automatic transmission moveable between a park position and a drive position and a parking switch slidably moveable between a parking brake engaged position and a parking brake disengaged position. The parking switch blocks movement of the transmission operating mode selector from the park position to the drive position when the parking switch is in the parking brake engaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hajime Yamada
  • Patent number: 8997967
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a banknote handling machine includes a recognition unit configured to recognize a kind of each banknote taken in a take-in unit, a plurality of stacking units, respectively configured to stack therein the banknotes, a transport unit configured to transport the banknotes, respectively recognized by the recognition unit, to any of the plurality of stacking units, an instruction accepting unit configured to accept an instruction concerning an automatic decision mode provided for deciding the kind of the banknotes to be stacked, by utilizing a recognition result obtained by the recognition unit, for each of the plurality of stacking units, and a control unit configured to control the transport unit to transport each banknote to a destination, which destination is decided based on the instruction accepted by the instruction accepting unit and on the recognition result obtained by the recognition unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Glory Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshihide Asada
  • Patent number: 8997968
    Abstract: A device and method for automatically adjusting safety control parameters of a conveyor are disclosed. The safety device may include various sensors and a safety control module. The safety control module may be preprogrammed with a learn-run method configured to learn operational and mechanical characteristics of a conveyor, validate the operational characteristics of the conveyor based on predefined nominal specifications, and determine a safety function with calibrated safety control parameters by which to monitor conveyor operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Burkhard Braasch, Peter Herkel, Ruediger Loeb, Ingo Engelhard, Michael Wilke
  • Patent number: 8997969
    Abstract: A production cell for automated processing of workpieces has a protective fence and, arranged therein, at least one production device, for example a bending press, and at least one handling device. A workpiece transfer device for part carriers or workpieces is arranged in the production cell which workpiece transfer device forms a supply position and a delivery position. Here, a delivery device of the workpiece transfer device forms a first delivery path and a second delivery path which extends parallel to the former, wherein, furthermore, a conveyor for optional transfer of a part carrier between the delivery paths is provided on an actuating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: TRUMPF Maschinen Austria GmbH & Co. KG.
    Inventor: Juergen Plakolm
  • Patent number: 8997970
    Abstract: A storage device for products includes parallel transport elements configured to convey product in opposite directions, and storage sections formed on corresponding transport elements and defining a transport plane. A transfer element includes a transfer section that extends over the transport elements. An actuating drive is arranged beneath the transport plane and coupled to the transfer element to change receiving capacities of the storage sections. The actuating drive is configured to adjust the transfer element by movement along the transport elements. At least one of the transport elements is controllable independently of adjustment of the transfer element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: KHS GmbH
    Inventors: Wilfried Ehmer, Ulrich Scholz
  • Patent number: 8997971
    Abstract: A postal sorting machine for flat articles on edge, said machine comprising first belt conveyor means suitable for conveying said flat articles along a first path, a plurality of sorting outlets, each of which is associated with a separator flap mounted to move about a pivot axis between a first position in which it does not interfere with said first path and a second position in which it intersects said first path so as to direct said flat articles along a second path, said separator flap being suspended by a pivot rod extending on one side of said flap only, so that the zone under said separator flap is left free.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Solystic
    Inventors: Francois Agier, Damien Berliet, Emmanuel Delbe, Olivier De Sousa
  • Patent number: 8997972
    Abstract: An automated checkout system for reading optical data, such as barcode labels, on a bottom surface of an item using a data reader. The automated checkout system includes a housing supporting a leading conveyor section and a trailing conveyor section separated by a gap. The housing movably supports a transition element positioned across the gap for helping items transition between the conveyor sections. The transition element is movable between a first position and a second position. A sensor is in communication with the transition element and is configured to sense the position of the transition element, where movement of the transition element from the first position to the second position activates the sensor. When activated, the sensor may send a signal to a terminal to display a warning message to a user. Alternatively, the sensor may send a signal to an automatic shut-off mechanism to stop operation of the conveyors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Datalogic ADC, Inc.
    Inventors: Stepan Ryabinin, Jeffrey J. Hoskinson, Paul R. Huss, Michael P. Svetal
  • Patent number: 8997973
    Abstract: Conveying systems and method for detecting the presence of static electric charge on a conveyor. The conveyor system includes a conveyor with an outer conveying surface. Embedded or external static-electricity sensors make measurements of static electricity on the belt's conveying surface. A controller uses the measurements to control the level of electric charges on the belt by transferring charge to or from the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Joseph M. DePaso
  • Patent number: 8997974
    Abstract: An endless conveyor belt for a conveyor device, includes a planar body (2) that is transversely deformable into a tubular configuration, the body having a plurality of longitudinal reinforcing members built into the body thereof. The body has an upper layer (10), a portion of the lower surface of which is combined with a lower layer (11). The two layers are made of two different elastomer materials, with the lower layer made of a first elastomer material, whose hardness is greater than that of the second elastomer material constituting the upper layer, and the lower layer includes a plurality of softening recesses (13) that are distributed across the entire length of the lower layer and each of which extend over at least a portion of the body thereof so as to reduce the resistance thereof to longitudinal deformations in order to reduce the resistance to the bending of the conveyor belt into the tubular configuration thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Liftvrac
    Inventor: Marcel Boursier
  • Patent number: 8997975
    Abstract: A sprocket is provided, the sprocket having a body with a central opening for engaging a shaft and rotating about an axis. The sprocket has a plurality of teeth disposed around the periphery of the body. The teeth are angularly spaced about the axis such that each tooth is spaced from the adjacent teeth by a first opening. Each tooth has a belt-contacting surface which is convex in shape such that the outer-most periphery of the sprocket is generally circular. The belt-contacting surfaces of the teeth guide the belt around the periphery of the sprocket in order to minimize the ability of the belt to buckle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Habasit AG
    Inventor: Marco Lucchi
  • Patent number: 8997976
    Abstract: The invention relates to a supporting and guiding assembly for conveyor belts comprising a frame (1) which comprises at least one base element (1a), and at least one substantially flat structure (33a) supported by said at least one base element (1a); wherein said at least one substantially flat structure (33a) is projecting with respect to said at least one base element (1a) and is open on one of its sides through which said at least one conveyor belt (2) can be introduced/removed; and wherein said assembly additionally comprises at least one supporting and guiding mechanism of at least one conveyor belt from at least one perimetric guiding profile; such that it allows considerably simplifying the maintenance, repair and replacement of all the elements forming the assembly, minimizing the downtimes and saving in waiting costs and costs of parts to be replaced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Inventors: Cecilia Vila Torra, Jordi Gavalda Monedero
  • Patent number: 8997977
    Abstract: An apparatus for storing ammunition. The apparatus is comprised of a first member and a second member. The first member has an interior portion. The second member is configured so that at least a portion of the second member may enter the interior portion of the first member. The first member includes a first element of a securing device and the second member includes a second element of the securing device. The securing device releasably secures the first and second members together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Battenfeld Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Russell A. Potterfield, Adam Birk, Jim Gianladis, Robert J. Zara
  • Patent number: 8997978
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a medical device package including a container for receiving a medical device having an area configured for storing at least one agent and a port for permitting the passage of a contact material between the outside the container and the area configured for storing the agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Joshua B. Stopek, Matthew D. Cohen, Joseph Hotter, William Denman
  • Patent number: 8997979
    Abstract: A package of tobacco articles, having an inner container containing a group of tobacco articles; an outer container which houses the inner container in such a manner as to allow the inner container to slide, with respect to the outer container, between a closed position, in which the inner container is inserted inside the outer container, and an open position, in which the inner container is partly extracted from the outer container; and at least one lock member which, in releasable manner by user action from the outside, prevents the inner container in the closed position from sliding with respect to the outer container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: G.D Societa' per Azioni
    Inventors: Marco Ghini, Andrea Biondi
  • Patent number: 8997980
    Abstract: A slide-open package of tobacco articles, having a parallelepiped-shaped inner container housing a group of tobacco articles and having a bottom wall, an extraction opening opposite the bottom wall, two parallel opposite major lateral walls, and two parallel minor lateral walls interposed between the major lateral walls; a parallelepiped-shaped outer container, which houses the inner container to allow the inner container to slide between a closed position, in which the inner container is inserted inside the outer container, and an open position, in which the inner container is at least partly extracted from the outer container; and a coupon folded about the group of tobacco articles and located between the group of tobacco articles and the inner container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: G.D Societa' per Azioni
    Inventors: Marco Ghini, Andrea Biondi
  • Patent number: 8997981
    Abstract: A triangular golf bag cooler that includes a triangular longitudinal cross-section configured to fit the cooler within an extant golf bag pocket; the triangular golf bag cooler having a gel layer disposed between an outer liner and an interior liner; said gel layer freezable with a high specific heat capacity to provide extended cooling to items stored within an interior cavity; a drain plug disposed in a first side to drain condensation and melt water from the interior cavity; the triangular golf bag cooler collapsible when empty for easy portage and storage; to provide ready access to food items proximal to the golfer's clubs when playing on a fairway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Inventor: Daniel E. Gilkerson
  • Patent number: 8997982
    Abstract: A container of the present invention includes a bridging member disposed between a pair of inner side faces of a band insertion groove formed in a bottom wall. A rolling bearing is arranged above the bridging member and a band can be wound around the bearing and the bridging member together. Thus, since both a sideslip and jumping of the rolling bearing can be prevented without covers, the container is more superior in usability to a conventional container requiring a cover, and the stacking height can be suppressed as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignees: NTN Corporation, Sanko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsunori Makino, Tsutomu Hotta, Kazuhiko Miyata, Takashi Owashi
  • Patent number: 8997983
    Abstract: A combination protective case and stand for a tablet device and keyboard. The case includes a first panel configured to receive a tablet device on a first face of the first panel, a second panel pivotably coupled to the first panel and configured to receive a keyboard on a first face of the second panel, and a cover portion pivotably coupled to the first panel and configured to enclose the first panel and the second panel such that a first face of the cover portion is disposed in facing relation to the first panel and in facing relation to the second panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Inventor: Salman Sajid
  • Patent number: 8997984
    Abstract: A layered structure for a paper box includes an inner box, an outer cover and a carrying plate. The inner box is formed with a first opening, and a stepped surface is formed at the inner edge of the first opening. The outer periphery of the carrying plate is formed with a flange, and the carrying plate is disposed in the first opening and the flange thereof is supported by the stepped surface. The outer cover is formed with a second opening, the second opening is sleeved with the first opening, and the outer cover is served to cover the first opening and cover outer sides of the inner box. Because the stepped surface is integrally formed in the inner box, the manufacture procedure of the layered structure for a paper box can be simplified thereby reducing material stock and lowering production cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Golden Arrow Printing, Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chien-Kuan Kuo, Chun-Huang Huang
  • Patent number: 8997985
    Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for holding and organizing surgical instruments in a surgical environment. In one embodiment, a surgical instrument holder comprises an elongated body portion including a plurality of slots. Each of the slots may be configured so as to retain a surgical instrument in a fixed position. The elongated body portion may have a base surface configured to contact a table surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Nichols-Reeves Enterprises, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher L. Reeves, Markyia S. Nichols
  • Patent number: 8997986
    Abstract: A carton for carrying a plurality of articles. The carton having a plurality of panels at least partially extending around an interior of the carton, the plurality of panels comprising at least one bottom panel and at least one side panel foldably connected to the bottom panel. The carton further having at least one retention tab foldably connected to the at least one bottom panel. The at least one retention tab is for engaging at least a portion of an article of the plurality of articles, and the at least one retention tab comprises a first portion foldably connected to the bottom panel at a first fold line and a second portion foldably connected to the first portion at a second fold line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Raymond R. Spivey, Sr.
  • Patent number: 8997987
    Abstract: A carrier is constructed from paperboard and includes a rounded or non-rectangular top in combination with a non-rounded or rectangular bottom. Dust flaps which extend from the top and bottom of the carrier overlap one another to form a pair of opposing composite side panels. The dust flaps which are attached to the side panels include a crease or fold line adjacent to the bottom of the carrier which only extends partially along the height of the carrier so that the juncture between the side flap and the associated side panel adjacent the top of the carrier does not include a crease or fold line. As such, the side panel and adjacent side flap adjacent the top of the carrier can be tightly wrapped around the arcuate sidewall of the containers within the carrier to thereby provide a neat and tightly packed package configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: The C.W. Zumbiel Company
    Inventor: Steven J. Block
  • Patent number: 8997988
    Abstract: A liquid crystal module package box includes a box body, top and bottom lids coupled to top and bottom of the box body, a cushioning retention frame received in the box body, cushioning pads arranged at two sides of the cushioning retention frame, and a support unit arranged at a central portion of the box body. The cushioning retention frame includes two lower cushioning brackets and four upper cushioning brackets corresponding to the two lower cushioning brackets. The support unit includes two support boards. When liquid crystal modules are positioned on the lower cushioning brackets, every two of the upper cushioning brackets are set on the liquid crystal modules to correspond to each one of the lower cushioning brackets. The two support boards are retained between the two lower cushioning brackets to increase central compression strength of the liquid crystal module package box at the central portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Shenzhen China Star Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Qinjun Shi
  • Patent number: 8997989
    Abstract: A clamshell package for supporting an article is provided including a covered manufacturing hinge adapted to divide the clamshell into first and second parts adapted to form a cavity. The first and second parts partially overlap to form a flange adjacent the manufacturing hinge. The second part includes an uncovered operating hinge, about which the second part is adapted to pivot away from the first part to an open position. The clamshell package includes a panel adapted to engage the manufacturing hinge and flange to retain the manufacturing hinge in a folded position, with the panel being spaced from the operating hinge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Display Pack, Inc.
    Inventors: Victor D. Hansen, George E. Raimer, Kristie L. Vos, Brian J. Pankratz, Michael J. Cramblet, Elliott R. Eckert
  • Patent number: 8997990
    Abstract: A package including a container and a plurality of premoistened cleaning wipes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Jonathan David Gummow, Mark William Baize, Brian Joseph Roselle
  • Patent number: 8997991
    Abstract: The invention relates to a packaging unit comprising a container and hygroscopic or humidity softenable film-like materials. For this purpose, said film-like materials are stacked in the container and a separating material which is chemically inert and physically stable with respect thereto is arranged at time between said film-like materials. Each time, said separating material is brought into contact with two film-like materials and does not adheres or adheres less strongly to at least one film-like material that to the other film-like material. Said invention makes it possible to develop a packaging unit provided with a container which guarantees a reliable individual withdrawal of the hygroscopic film-like materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: LTS Lohmann Therapie Systeme AG
    Inventors: Bodo Asmussen, Markus Krumme
  • Patent number: 8997992
    Abstract: The invention relates to a package for flowable goods, in particular liquid, viscous and/or granular comestibles, such as baby food, pudding, sauce, oatmeal or the like. The package comprises a shallow tray and a cover which in closed condition slants towards a bottom wall of the tray thereby providing the package with a substantially wedge-shaped appearance. The package furthermore comprises two support faces to stand on alternately. A first support face is located at the bottom wall of the tray and a second support face is located at a bottom-surrounding wall of the tray, at the higher end of the wedge. During use, the package can be positioned on its second support face for presentation purposes, on its first support face for consumption purposes. During transport, pairs of packages may placed with their slanting covers against each other, in opposite lengthwise direction so that a high end of a wedge-shaped first package borders a low end of a wedge-shaped second package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: N.V. Nutricia
    Inventor: Alexander Josephus Marcius Van Puijenbroek
  • Patent number: 8997993
    Abstract: A stackable tray is provided that includes a tray having a bottom, a pair of side walls each having an upper edge, and a rear wall. A pair of support columns is provided on each side wall. Each of the support columns includes: a protrusion extending upwardly from a top portion of the support column; a first groove formed in a bottom portion of the support column, the first groove being aligned with the protrusion in the vertical direction; and a second groove formed in the bottom portion of the support column, the second groove being aligned with the upper edge of the respective side wall in the vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: E.M.I. Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Norman L. Shapiro
  • Patent number: 8997994
    Abstract: A portable kitchen storage cabinet sized appropriately to fit atop a tailgate of an extant pickup truck, the portable kitchen storage cabinet including a rectangular prismatic box having a triangular prismatic lid section hingedly disposed at a front surface of the box, the lid section imposable into the rectangular prismatic box when moved to a closed position, the lid section moveable into an open position disposed in front of the front surface of the box, wherein the interior of the box is partitioned by a first shelf, a second shelf, a vertically oriented first partition, and a vertically oriented second partition, whereby extant kitchen utensils and accoutrements are storable sorted inside the box and readily transportable and accessible therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Inventor: Jeffrey A. Jung
  • Patent number: 8997995
    Abstract: The beverage transport organizer is an apparatus system that provides a user with a facilitated means of transporting a plurality of different beverage vessels. The apparatus system utilizes a beverage carrier and an insert panel. The beverage carrier is a container that holds the plurality of different beverage vessels during transport. The insert panel is positioned within the beverage carrier and provides a means of organizing beverage vessels for transport. The insert panel uses particularly shaped holders that accommodate beverage vessels of varying shapes and sizes. The beverage holders of the insert panel prevent beverage vessels from hitting against each other during transport, reducing the broken or chipped glassware.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Inventor: Adam Chitsazan
  • Patent number: 8997996
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a drawer type cushioning packaging device for liquid crystal glasses, including several cushioning packing boxes and a rack. The rack includes a bottom plate and a pair of symmetrically configured supporting brackets, each of the supporting brackets includes at least one standing post and several supporting plates; a lower portion of each standing post is connected to the bottom plate; each of the supporting plates is connected to one side of the corresponding standing post and is located above the bottom plate; and each of the cushioning packing boxes is placed on the corresponding supporting plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Shenzhen China Star Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yi-cheng Kuo, Shih-hsiang Chen, Qinjun Shi, Jiahe Cheng, Chengwen Que, Jiaxin Li
  • Patent number: 8997997
    Abstract: A device, system, and method system for manually aligning merchandise items in a display box. The merchandise is supported above the base of the container with product support rails. A pull member is positioned between the support rails. Merchandise is pulled forward by pulling the pull member forward. The pull member may be positioned before or after merchandise is placed in the box or carton. Multiple rows of merchandise may be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Close-In Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: James Garth Close, Scott B. Duff
  • Patent number: 8997998
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus to continuously monitor and control acoustic energy and vacuum pressure to maintain a net unidirectional flow of multi-phase heterogeneous fluids through a porous filter or membrane. The heterogenous fluid may come form a variety of sources including biological sources such as, blood, bone marrow aspirate (BMA), adipose tissue (lipoaspirate), urine, saliva, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew PLC
    Inventors: Stephen John Curran, Jonathan Nicholas Ridgway, Pei-Sheng Chen, Michael Pratt, Marc Tanner, Stephen Latham, Nick Reback
  • Patent number: 8997999
    Abstract: A rotating pressure washing stand for spa or pool filter that includes an open-topped cylindrical housing having a vertical rod centrally disposed therein, a buoyant base disc insertable around said rod, said buoyant base disc configured to releasably support an extant pool or spa filter thereon, wherein water pressurized through a pressure washer is forcibly ejected from a plurality of nozzles disposed in a spiral around the housing into the interior of the housing, said plurality of nozzles including a lowermost nozzle oriented to directionally jet water and rotationally engage a plurality of fin members disposed on a bottom surface of the base disc, whereby a filter is rotated and cleaned inside the housing without a user having to scrub the filter or bend over so to do.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Inventors: Robert DeRenzis, Sharon DeRenzis
  • Patent number: 8998000
    Abstract: A mechanical separator for separating a fluid sample into first and second phases within a collection container is disclosed. The mechanical separator may have a separator body having a through-hole defined therein, with the through-hole adapted for allowing fluid to pass therethrough. The separator body includes a float, having a first density, and a ballast, having a second density greater than the first density. A portion of the float is connected to a portion of the ballast. Optionally, the float may include a first extended tab adjacent a first opening of the through-hole and a second extended tab adjacent the second opening of the through-hole. In certain configurations, the separator body also includes an extended tab band disposed about an outer surface of the float. The separator body may also include an engagement band circumferentially disposed about at least a portion of the separator body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Jamieson W. Crawford, Ravi Attri, Christopher A. Battles, Benjamin R. Bartfeld, Gregory R. Hires
  • Patent number: 8998001
    Abstract: A system for removing sludge from a collection area having at least one collection conduit for receiving and collecting sludge. The at least one collection conduit has at least one opening for receiving sludge. The system further includes a sludge collection control member operably associated with at least a portion of the at least one collection conduit for varying at least one sludge collection characteristic of the at least one collection conduit. The sludge collection control member for varying at least one sludge collection characteristic of the at least one collection conduit is preferably configured such that it can be readily added to an existing sludge removal system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Roberts Marketing DE, Inc.
    Inventor: R. Lee Roberts
  • Patent number: 8998002
    Abstract: A rack for holding hair extensions. A vertical member has a plurality of openings arranged along a length of the vertical member. Combs hold the hair extensions. The combs attach in a series of vertically arranged openings along a length of the vertical member. The openings in the vertical member are arranged in a spiral or other pattern as desired for an organization of hair extensions according to where they go on a head and adapt to right or left handed users or different styles and kinds of extensions on one or more heads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Inventor: Mandi B Milner