Patents Issued in April 14, 2015
  • Patent number: 9004282
    Abstract: A nestable container and lid are provided. A first container may be received by a second container such that the first container nests in the second container. The lid of the first container is also nestable in the open lid of the second container when the lids of the first container and the second container are opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Inventor: William Van Ness
  • Patent number: 9004283
    Abstract: The device is a holder. Within the holder is a cleaning solution for cleaning the face of the golf club. Attach to the holder is a bristle brush. The holder clips to a golf bag. The golfer after each shot takes the container of clean solution and puts some solution on the face of the club and cleans the face of the club with the bristle brush. On the holder is a place to hold golf tees and a divot fixer and ball marker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Inventor: Roberto Lozano
  • Patent number: 9004284
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for reducing moisture in mineral slurries, particularly mineral slurries containing minerals of small particle diameter, using a granular drying material. The invention also relates to novel mineral products and intermediates useful in connection with the process. The method and system reduced moisture by contacting the mineral slurry with the granular drying material. The granular drying material is selected to be readily separated from the dried minerals using a size separation technique such as a sieve screen. The granular drying material is the regenerated, preferably using a process involving heat exchange and cross-flow air. The granular drying material is preferably capable of regeneration and recycling in a continuous process with minimal attrition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Vitrinite Services, LLC
    Inventors: Richard W. Bland, Bruce McDaniel
  • Patent number: 9004285
    Abstract: A classifying apparatus including: a rotor with a plurality of annularly disposed blades, which rotates; and a louver with a plurality of blades which are disposed at an outer circumferential portion of the rotor so as to supply from the outer circumferential portion a fluid for dispersing and classifying a powder material, wherein the powder material is supplied to a gap between the rotor and the louver and centrifugally classified into fine powder and coarse powder, and wherein at least one of the following relationships is satisfied: Relationship (1): ??50° Relationship (2): D2/D1?1.17 where ? denotes an angle formed between imaginary lines connecting the center of the rotor with both ends of each blade of the louver, D1 denotes a diameter of the rotor, and D2 denotes an inner diameter of the louver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Tanaka, Hiroki Morioka, Kaoru Aoki, Makoto Hirai, Shinya Hanatani
  • Patent number: 9004286
    Abstract: A process for concentrating manganese from the tailing of a manganese-carrying mineral including removing a coarse particle size fraction from the tailing, desliming and conducting an acidic or a basic reverse cationic flotation. The manganese-carrying minerals are typically minerals with low manganese content from the lithologies “Tabular Pelite” (or PETB), Pelite Siltite (or PEST), Detritic (or DETR), Rich Pelite (or PERC) and Metallurgical Bioxide (or BXME). In another aspect, the present invention also relates to a reverse cationic flotation used to concentrate manganese which is carried out using depressor agents and collector agents as flotation reagents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Vale S.A.
    Inventors: Laurindo de Salles Leal Filho, Helder Silva Souza, André Soares Braga
  • Patent number: 9004287
    Abstract: An apparatus for sorting agricultural products, including: a conveyor line (1) to convey products (P) along an advancement direction (A); an entry section (3), where the products are arranged on the conveyor line; an unloading section (4); a control section (6), interposed between the entry section and the unloading section to attribute a signal indicative of predefined physical characteristics to each product. The conveyor line includes: a first conveyor device (9) to convey the agricultural products forward; a second conveyor device (20), to convey the products forward and to cause the products to roll over, extending from the entry section to at least as far as an intermediate tract of the control section and that is movable between a first operating configuration, wherein it supports the products, and a second operating configuration, wherein it releases the products onto the first conveyor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Inventor: Charlotte Anna Maria Liedl
  • Patent number: 9004288
    Abstract: A system for separating components from a slurry of drilling fluid and drill cuttings on a shaker screen having an upper side and a lower side within a shaker. The system also has a pressure differential generator to pull an effective volume of air through a section of the shaker screen to enhance the flow of drilling fluid through the section of the shaker screen and the separation of drilling fluid from drill cuttings and further maintain an effective flow of drill cuttings off the shaker. A method of separating components of a slurry of drilling fluids and solids has the steps of delivering the slurry to a shaker, flowing the slurry over a first screen and applying an effective amount of vacuum to a first portion of the first screen to remove the drilling fluids from the slurry without stalling the solids on the first screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventor: Brian S. Carr
  • Patent number: 9004289
    Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a filter device for filtering out of solid substance from a solid-liquid-mixture, including a bearing shaft extending along a rotation axis; a rotation body detachable from the bearing shaft and supported by the bearing shaft to be rotatable about the rotation axis; one or more filter cells formed on the rotation body and each includes a filter structure attached to the rotation body for filtering out the solid substance and allowing the liquid to pass from an inlet side to an outlet side, and a connection channel formed in the rotation body and that extends from the outlet side to an outlet opening which is formed on an axial side of the rotation body in a radial distance to the rotation axis; and a control device having a structural control unit for providing a connection between the respective outlet opening and a plurality of lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: ANDRITZ KMPT GmbH
    Inventors: Bruno Hegnauer, Gunnar Grim
  • Patent number: 9004290
    Abstract: A faucet-mounted filter system that includes a body forming a fluid chamber having a water inlet, a quick connect device positioned adjacent the water inlet for mounting the filter system to a water faucet such that the water inlet is placed in fluid communication with the water faucet, a filtered water flow path disposed within the body and in fluid communication with the water inlet, an unfiltered water flow path disposed within the body and in fluid communication with the water inlet, a diverter valve disposed within the fluid chamber and operable to open and close the filtered and unfiltered water flow paths, a seal for sealing the fluid chamber, an actuator engaging the diverter valve to open and close the filtered and unfiltered water flow paths without having to interrupt the seal, a flow meter connected to the body and in fluid communication with the filter flow path, a filter housing connected to the body and having a reservoir, and a filter cartridge disposed within the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: PUR Water Purification Products, Inc.
    Inventors: John Tanner, David Emmons, Matthew L. Newman, Brian D. Andres, Simon Leung, Steven J. Schroeck, Armin Schwarz-Hartmann, Peter Stoeffel, Richard P. Riedel
  • Patent number: 9004291
    Abstract: A fluid filter including: an upper case member having a flow outlet; a lower case member having a flow inlet; a filter element having a folded filter material and a holding frame which holds the circumferential part of the filter material and is sandwiched between the upper case member and the lower case member; and a reinforcing member provided to extend in a direction crossing the ridge line direction of the folds of the filter material, the reinforcing member is provided in such a manner that, when the height of the folds is defined as h1, the lower end thereof is positioned above a position of 0.6 h1 from the upper end of the folds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Saito, Haruaki Sakata, Toshiaki Mori
  • Patent number: 9004292
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure could generally provide a relatively easily squeezable beverage bottle that allows control of the flow rate of the liquid being dispensed to the user. The bottle could provide sufficient radial rigidity—or resistance to squeezing—to return to its original shape (or “bounce back”) at a suitable rate without experiencing permanent deformation or denting and to withstand the rigors of filling, shipping, transporting, dispensing, etc. The present disclosure generally provides a beverage bottle filtering system that provides adequate filtering of water taken from the bottle at a suitable rate. In one embodiment, the present disclosure could include a support system to adequately secure the filter media within a filter housing while ensuring a sufficient compression fit and seal of filter media within filter system to eliminate “bypass flow” (i.e., water that might leak past filter system) and prevent consumption of unfiltered water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Seventh Generation Ventures, Inc.
    Inventors: Randy E. Carter, Brian D. Schumacher, Edward A. Kidston, Karim Rashid, Richard Smiedt
  • Patent number: 9004293
    Abstract: A semi-permeable film includes a nanoporous material and a polymer matrix. The nanoporous material includes a nanoporous core and a coating layer that is disposed on a surface of the nanoporous core. The coating layer may include a particle selected from a metal hydroxide particle, a metal oxide particle, and a combination thereof. A separation membrane may include the semi-permeable film. Example embodiments also relate to a method of manufacturing the semi-permeable film and the separation membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: You Hwan Son, Hye Young Kong, Sung Soo Han
  • Patent number: 9004294
    Abstract: A feedwell for a gravity separation vessel for introducing a feed stream such as oil sand slurry to the gravity separation vessel is provided comprising a walled member having an upper perimeter edge, a lower perimeter edge and a substantially continuous wall extending from the upper perimeter edge to the lower perimeter edge; an inlet for introducing the feed stream into the walled member positioned adjacent the substantially continuous wall; and a bottom floor having an opening and extending generally beneath the lower perimeter edge; whereby a perimeter of the opening is less than a perimeter of the walled member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Syncrude Canada Ltd.
    Inventors: Barry Bara, Jonathan Spence, Jim Lorentz, Trevor Lloyd Hilderman, Chadwick Robert Larson, Darwin Edward Kiel
  • Patent number: 9004295
    Abstract: An equipment rack assembly having a member; a first securing assembly, where the first securing assembly is operationally connected to the member; a second securing assembly, where the second securing assembly is operationally connected to the member; and an equipment pulling assembly having a first part and a second part, where the first part of equipment pulling assembly is operationally connected to the first securing assembly and the second part of equipment pulling assembly is operationally connected to the second securing assembly; and where the equipment pulling assembly includes a movable cable and a hanger that is operationally connected to the cable, where equipment is attached to the hanger so that the equipment can be moved between the first part and the second part of equipment pulling assembly while being hanged on the equipment rack assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Inventor: Edward Dovner
  • Patent number: 9004296
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a display apparatus. More specifically, the invention relates to an apparatus that displays large items, such as bicycles, safely and in a manner that enhances sales experience. The present invention also relates to associated kits and packages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Inventors: Justin Huntington, Randal Huntington
  • Patent number: 9004297
    Abstract: Example embodiments relate to a rotatable gravity feeding shelf unit having a bracket onto which a rotatable shelf is arranged. The shelf is arranged having an inclination angle for providing gravity feeding in a forward direction in a display position when a front side of the shelf is accessible. The shelf unit further includes a tilting device arranged for providing tilting of the plane of rotation of the shelf during rotation, thereby controlling the inclination angle of the shelf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Enjoy Group AB
    Inventors: Håkan Sjölander, John Andersen
  • Patent number: 9004298
    Abstract: A plant propagation and display tray, capable of interlocking alignment with at least one other tray and capable of receiving and holding at least one plant pot, comprises a back wall and a bottom ledge forwardly projecting from said back wall. The ledge is inclined towards the back wall and comprises alternating projections and troughs, each trough inclining towards a trough point of abutment with the back wall and being of a conformation to securably hold one plant pot such that an open proximal end of the pot is exposed to view and a distal end of the pot is adjacent to the back wall. Each projection has an upper surface inclining towards a projection point of abutment with the back wall. The projection point of abutment is higher than the trough point of abutment with the back wall. The tray is capable of being attached to a wall surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: GSKY—Plant System Inc.
    Inventor: Chad Sichello
  • Patent number: 9004299
    Abstract: A rotating storage rack including a base and a plurality of vertically stacked shelves allows high storage density for shoes, boots, and other footwear, as well as miscellaneous wardrobe accessories, including purses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Inventor: William R. Hardin
  • Patent number: 9004300
    Abstract: A display rack and display rack shelf. The display rack includes a frame which supports one or more of the shelves. The frame has first, second and lateral sides and defines a plurality of vertically-spaced pairs of horizontally-aligned apertures. The shelf includes first and second end portions. The first end portion includes a movable support element with a single piece cross member and a pair of movable engagers at opposite lateral sides of the shelf for engagement with a selected pair of apertures along the first or second sides of the frame. The single-piece cross member and each movable engager of the movable support element is slidable toward and, alternatively, away from the second end and is rotatable about a corresponding axis to permit setting of the angular position of the shelf. The second end portion side is configured for pivotal engagement with one of the front and rear sides of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Chicago Display Company
    Inventor: Jordan Morrell
  • Patent number: 9004301
    Abstract: A container having an first chamber; a second chamber; an upper seal forming a lower portion of the upper chamber; a lower seal adjacent the upper seal, the lower seal forming an upper portion of the lower chamber; a plurality of upper seal apertures in the upper seal; and a plurality of lower seal apertures in the lower seal, the upper seal apertures and the lower seal apertures rotatable between an open position with the upper and lower seal apertures aligned and a closed position with the upper and lower seal apertures nonaligned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Inventor: Matthew Wahlstrom
  • Patent number: 9004302
    Abstract: Improved packages, methods for manufacturing the packages and methods for producing beverages using the packages are provided. The packages (10) include a cap (60), a container (20), and an adapter (30) positioned between and connected to the cap and container. The adapter (30) is configured to penetrate seals (28, 66) on the cap and the container by means of a spike member (50) to allow contents (p) of the cap (60) to mix with contents (d) of the container (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-daniel Ginzburg, Martinas Jurgis Kuslys
  • Patent number: 9004303
    Abstract: The invention relates to a housing (1) for an electrical operating means such as a light, plug-in device, measuring instrument, switch, distributor, or the like, having at least one first and one second housing part (2,3) that can be assembled with one another in an explosion-proof fashion. Each housing part has one joining surface (4,5); when the housing parts are assembled, said joining surfaces are in contact with one another, forming a penetration-proof gap (6). In order to provide a novel structure of joining surfaces by means of which a corresponding penetration-proof gap is formed independently of the cross-sectional shape of the housing parts and to be able to substantially unite the advantages of both joining surfaces and the housing mentioned above, the joining surfaces run substantially perpendicular relative to the rest of the housing parts and surface profiles (7, 8) are formed in said joining surfaces, the penetration-proof gap being formed between said surface profiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Cooper Crouse-Hinds GmbH
    Inventors: Gerhard Schwarz, Reiner Naumann
  • Patent number: 9004304
    Abstract: A device includes a first body having a curved wall with a top surface that slopes away from the first body and a second body having an interior configured to receive the curved wall of the first body, the interior including a curved ramp with a sloped bottom ramp surface. The second body is mounted on the first body with the bottom surface of the curved ramp resting on the top surface of the curved wall. A compressible seal extends from the first body bottom, and a shaft projects from the second body through a passage in the first body and into the interior of the compressible seal. Rotating the bodies relative to each other causes the shaft to pull the seal against the first body and radially expand the seal against an interior wall of an opening in which the device is placed to form a seal therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Lincoln Industrial Corporation
    Inventors: Scott Allen Sanders, David Mark Allen
  • Patent number: 9004305
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a container cover produced from a plastics film, having a rotating closure which has a rotatable cylindrical cutting device (100, 300), wherein the latter has a lower rim (110) on which at least one cutting edge section (120) is arranged, and wherein said at least one cutting edge section (120) has at least three teeth (130) which are located on a line extending in an inclined manner in relation to the bag, and wherein the front-most tooth in the direction of rotation comes first into contact with the plastics film during the cutting operation. The cutting device (100, 300) is characterized in that the inclination of the line on which the teeth (130) of each cutting edge section are located is selected such that, in the case of at least approximately maximum deformation of the plastics film before the latter is perforated by the front-most tooth, at least two following teeth of the same cutting edge section (120) are in direct contact with the plastics film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Dan Barron
  • Patent number: 9004306
    Abstract: A convertible storage container and methods are provided for the remediation of environmentally damaged articles. The container defines an interior chamber for receiving the environmentally damaged articles therein, the container having at least one container door for closing an access opening into the container. A conversion door is removably positionable with respect to the access opening so as to close the access opening with the container door in an opened condition. The conversion door includes a conversion door panel and a plurality of access ports through the door panel for connection of ducts to permit remediation of the environmentally damaged articles within the interior chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Pack-Rat Mini-Mover, LLC
    Inventors: Donald Platt, James Barbour, Shawn Potwin
  • Patent number: 9004307
    Abstract: A container for holding product therein during shipment and being returned for reuse has a body, horizontal and vertical tracks attached to opposite sides of the body, and a plurality of support member assemblies extending between the tracks. Each support member assembly includes sliders or end members located at the ends of tubular supports, the sliders being movable in the tracks. The support member assemblies support dunnage for supporting products for storage or shipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Bradford Company
    Inventors: Judson A. Bradford, Allen L. Burns, Matthew S. Sanger, Brian T. Dobrinski
  • Patent number: 9004308
    Abstract: A lined transport tank for mounting to a truck is provided. The tank has a lined tank body. The tank body has an inner surface. A baffle is removably connected to the inner surface of the tank body. A retaining system is removably connecting the baffle to the inner surface of the tank body. The retaining system has a pair of elongated members fixedly connected to the inner surface of the tank body. The pair of elongated members is restraining movement of the baffle in a first direction. A retainer is connected to the pair of elongated members. The retainer is restraining movement of the baffle in a second direction. The second direction is different from the first direction. A retaining system for removably connecting an element to a surface is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Ferus Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Eugene Spencer, Zachary B. Spencer, Travis Balaski
  • Patent number: 9004309
    Abstract: A bucket stabilizer including a disk-shaped base with an annular wall having a top perimeter, an inner surface, an outer surface, and a lower perimeter continuously disposed on the base. A plurality of securement tines are disposed on the inner surface proximal the top perimeter and are configured to removable secure a bottom portion of a five gallon mixer bucket. Right angled brackets configured to support the mixer bucket are disposed on the inner surface. A hemispherical opening configured to receive a user's foot to stabilize the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Inventor: George R. Gardner
  • Patent number: 9004310
    Abstract: A transport and storing container for liquids includes a pallet-type base frame for an inner container made of plastic with side walls, a lower wall and an upper wall. A closable filler neck is formed on the upper wall. A draining neck with a tapping armature is formed on a lower section of a side wall. A cage mantle with horizontal and vertical bars made of metal receives the inner container, wherein the vertical bars comprise between a connection section and a linear longitudinal section with a tubular cross section a bent section, and at least the upper ends of the vertical bars comprise a convex cross section outline on their inner side facing the inner container in the transition of the connection section to the bent section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Protechna S.A.
    Inventor: Udo Schütz
  • Patent number: 9004312
    Abstract: A roller shutter type storage container includes a container body, a roller shutter accommodating portion, a pair of guide grooves, and a roller shutter. Each of the guide grooves extends linearly in an opening of the container body and is curved in the roller shutter accommodating portion. The roller shutter is configured by connecting a plurality of slats each having shafts formed in the widthwise direction at two ends of the slat in a bendable manner. As the two shafts slide in the corresponding guide grooves, the roller shutter slides between an open position and a close position. Each one of the shafts is spaced from a vertical wall surface of the corresponding one of the guide grooves. A projection formed of soft material projects outward from each shaft of each slat in the widthwise direction and contacts the corresponding vertical wall surface in an elastically deformed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Kodama, Masataka Inoue
  • Patent number: 9004313
    Abstract: A stack of hygiene sheet products including first and second webs that are interfolded with each other. The stack includes a top panel of the first web and a top panel of the second web, wherein the top panel of the first web overlays the top panel of the second web but has been cut away so that the top panel of the second web is revealed by the top panel of the first web. An adherence layer is placed on the top panel of the first web and the top panel of the second web and is exposed at the top of the stack so that it can adhere to an adjacent stack so that when the last sheets of the adjacent stack are pulled through a dispenser opening of a dispenser, the first and second sheets are pulled securely through with it as a result of the direct adherence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventors: Anders Andersson, Björn Larsson
  • Patent number: 9004314
    Abstract: A dispenser is disclosed for flat items such as disposable gloves that are contained within a dispensing bag that has an at least partially-open front side. The dispenser includes a base that has a rear wall and a pair of opposing side walls. A non-opaque cover with a dispensing aperture therethrough is pivotally fixed between each side wall and adapted to swing between an open and a closed position. At least one elastic cord is stretched between each side wall to urge the dispensing bag towards the cover when the cover is in the closed position and the dispensing bag is between the cover and the at least one elastic cord. The front side of the dispensing bag may be non-opaque and open at a dispensing bag aperture therethrough, a temporary adhesive being fixed proximate a periphery of the dispensing bag aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Inventor: David Cohen
  • Patent number: 9004315
    Abstract: A medicine feeding device is configured by providing a first rotor that rotates around a first shaft, a second rotor that rotates around a second shaft, a partition wall extending from the second rotor towards the first rotor, a medicine discharge port provided on the outside of the second rotor, a medicine guide section located in the downstream of a movement section in the medicine transport direction, and a height regulator disposed between the movement section and medicine guide section. In addition, the width regulator that is disposed between the medicine guide section and the height regulator is further provided. Also, a medicine counting device is further provided with a medicine detection means for detecting the medicine that is supplied from the medicine discharge port, and a counting means (central control unit) for counting the medicines based on the detection performed by the medicine detection means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Yuyama Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Yuyama, Naoki Koike, Mitsuhiro Mitani, Masao Fukada
  • Patent number: 9004316
    Abstract: A composition for forming an acoustic texture material on a surface has a propellant material and acoustic texture material. The propellant material includes di-methyl ether. The acoustic texture material includes a coating portion including a base, a filler, and a binder and chips of chip material having a physical structure. When the propellant material and the acoustic texture material are mixed together, the propellant material does not substantially alter the physical structure of the chip material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Homax Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Lester R. Greer, Jr., Floyd R. French
  • Patent number: 9004317
    Abstract: A device for packaging and dispensing a flowable product comprises a casing comprising a nozzle for dispensing the product and a container designed to contain the product to be packaged. The casing comprises a rigid bottom, an air renewal and filtration assembly, a filter element, and an air inlet passage located in said rigid bottom. The nozzle comprises a tapered portion that defines a free end of the nozzle, an actuating portion resiliently movable between an engagement position and a rest position. A dose-defining chamber may be isolated from the air contained in the container and may have a determined volume in the rest position. The engagement position may be obtained by engaging the actuating portion against a stationary wall portion, so as to empty the chamber and expel a dose exactly corresponding to the determined volume of the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Sivel
    Inventor: Jacques Pozzi
  • Patent number: 9004318
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a foam dispensing container that can homogenize foam quality and can discharge foam of stable quality. By providing a plurality of liquid intake paths for delivering the foaming liquid into the air-liquid mixing chamber and a plurality of air intake paths for delivering air, the air-liquid mixing efficiency can be improved significantly, stable volumes of air and foaming liquid can be delivered into the air-liquid mixing chamber, without the possibility of delivering a great volume of liquid with a single press, and consequently the foam quality can be homogenized and foam of stable quality can be discharged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Kao Corporation; Daiwa Can Company
    Inventors: Daisuke Kodama, Shoii Uehira, Hiroya Morita, Daisuke Saito
  • Patent number: 9004319
    Abstract: Disclosed is a foaming pump. The foaming pump includes a cylinder which receives contents discharged from a container and air introduced from outside, an open/close unit which opens or closes the cylinder, a head unit which is movable up or down and operates the open/close unit, and a cover unit coupled to the cylinder and the head unit to allow the head unit to move up or down therein. Thus, it is possible to generate and provide soft and minutely uniform foam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Inventor: Tae Hyeon Kim
  • Patent number: 9004320
    Abstract: A pour spout for dispensing a beverage from a bottle including a bottle adapter for attaching to a bottle to receive a beverage from the bottle, a housing having a chamber into which a housing inlet and a housing outlet open, the housing inlet connected to the bottle adapter for receiving the beverage, a valve carriage moveably received within the chamber and having a carriage passage, a resilient first tube providing a first passageway for beverage to flow from the housing inlet to the carriage passage, a resilient second tube providing a second passageway for beverage to flow from the carriage passage to the housing outlet, a valve operatively connected to the valve carriage to control flow of the beverage through the housing from the housing inlet to the housing outlet; and a valve actuator for moving the valve carriage within the chamber to operate the valve open or closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Berg Company, LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Keating, Donald R. Lamond, Ronald F. Faust, Thomas E. Giles, Albert H. Dorsey
  • Patent number: 9004321
    Abstract: A reusable pour-on gun system is disclosed that is comprised of a pour-on gun component that does not need an inlet valve, a cap assembly including a one-way valve system, the cap assembly adapted to be coupled to a liquid reservoir container, and a hose component coupled on one end to the pour-on gun component and on the other end to the cap assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Neogen Corporation
    Inventors: Kimberly Quinn, Mitchell D. Rivenbark, James B. Holland
  • Patent number: 9004322
    Abstract: A hand held spray bottle for use in the downward application of a liquid onto a horizontal surface. The spray bottle generally comprises a liquid spray device and a liquid storage bottle with an open threaded top to which the spray device is attached. The liquid spray device contains an internal pump assembly, trigger, and nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Inventor: Nicholas Christian Graham
  • Patent number: 9004323
    Abstract: A system for forming an acoustic texture coating on a surface, the system having an aerosol dispenser, a liquid portion of a propellant material, a gas portion of the propellant material, a base material, and a plurality of discrete particles of at least one of urethane foam and melamine foam, where the discrete particles define a physical structure. The liquid portion of the propellant material, the gas portion of the propellant material, the base material, and the plurality of discrete particles are disposed within the aerosol dispenser. The propellant material does not alter the physical structure of the discrete particles when combined within the aerosol dispenser. When the aerosol dispenser is operated, the base material and the discrete particles are deposited on an uncoated portion of the surface such that the base material dries to adhere the discrete particles to the uncoated portion of the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Homax Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Lester R. Greer, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9004324
    Abstract: An actuator cap includes a housing and an actuator. The actuator has first and second actuating members and a manifold in fluid communication with a dispensing orifice. The actuator is hingedly attached to the housing at a pivot. The pivot is located on an interior surface of the housing and positioned at or above a base of the manifold. The actuator resiliently deforms about the pivot when one of the first and second actuating members is actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Mary Beth Adams, Jeffrey J. Christianson, Daniel A. Andersen, Han Xin, Matthew Grossman, Kit R. Morris
  • Patent number: 9004325
    Abstract: An ice dispenser for a domestic refrigerator includes a lever having a housing with a passageway defined therein and a flapper door configured to pivot between a closed position in which ice is prevented from advancing into the passageway and an open position in which ice is permitted to advance into the passageway. A linkage is coupled to the lever and the flapper door such that movement of the lever causes the flapper door to move from the closed position to the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin E. Licht, Garett L. Strandemo
  • Patent number: 9004326
    Abstract: The beverage dispensing system includes a dispensing faucet defining a flow path, a valve head in the flow path movable between a closed position in sealed contact with a valve seat, and an open position. An actuator is manually movable to operate the faucet, and a biasing element is cooperable with the actuator and valve head such that an initial movement of the actuator will automatically cause sufficient energy to be stored or loaded in the biasing element for moving the valve head to the open position but without doing so. Occurrence of a subsequent predetermined event such as a further movement of the actuator will cause the stored energy to be automatically released to rapidly or nearly instantaneously move the valve head to the open position. As a result, no instruction or skill is required to operate the faucet to uniformly dispense pressurized beverages such as draught beer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Anheuser-Busch, LLC
    Inventors: James A. Trulaske, Stephen M. Schmitt
  • Patent number: 9004327
    Abstract: Disclosed is a paw insertion device. In one embodiment, the device includes two pivotally interconnected arms. Each of the arm can include a paw insertion guide at a distal end. The insertion guides are designed to be inserted into an article of animal footwear. The opposite grip ends of the arms can then be brought together to spread apart the insertion guide and permit the animal paw to be easily positioned within the footwear. A lock subassembly is also included for permitting the insertion device to be locked in the opened position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: WFK & Associates, LLC
    Inventor: Waldemar F. Kissel, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9004328
    Abstract: A quick-draw, stealth of movement, cross draw holster with stealth of movement for use specifically with revolvers. A pair of adjustable jaws having segmented faces grips the revolver only in the cylinder region. This support arrangement allows a very quick withdrawal of the revolver from the holster, typically requiring movement on the order of between one and two inches before the revolver is totally clear of the holster. The cylinder clamping support arrangement easily accommodates revolvers having scopes or other similar attached accessories. The holster may be either belt worn or strap-supported for over-the-shoulder mounting and can be used by either right- or left-handed shooters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Inventor: Daniel Galuppo, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9004329
    Abstract: A wearable device includes a main body, a housing, and two connection elements fixed to the housing. The connection element includes a body and at least one elastic protrusion protruding from one side of the body. When mounting the main body to the housing, the elastic protrusion of the connection element is deformed to generate elastic force to fix the main body to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fang-Keng Hsieh, Yi-Ping Zhou
  • Patent number: 9004330
    Abstract: A holder for holding an electronic device includes a frame and a harness pivotably connected to the frame. The harness has a pair of parallel elongated bars and at least one bracing member extending between the elongated bars. The frame has one or more side tabs for retaining an electronic device within the frame. A holder for holding an electronic device has a retaining member including a plurality of retaining tabs; and a harness member rotatably connected to the retaining member and rotatable between a stowed position and an inclined position. A holder for holding an electronic device has a harness having two parallel elongated bars; a frame having a base member and two parallel arms each having an opening therein; and a pivotable retaining member pivotably connected to the parallel arms. The retaining member releasably holds the electronic device. The elongated bars are slidably inserted into the openings of the arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Inventor: Shawn White
  • Patent number: 9004331
    Abstract: A fixture apparatus for vehicle air-conditioner vent outlet is provided, including a fixing unit, a dial, a traction element, a clamp and a support element. The fixing unit is installed with the dial and limits the dial to only rotate at location. The clamp includes two coupled clips. The traction element is disposed with outer screw thread at some segment extending into the fixing unit and contacts the dial in a screw-like manner. When the dial rotates, the traction element moves linearly. One end of traction element outside of the fixing unit is coupled to the coupling position of the two clips of the clamp. The support element is coupled to outer wall of fixing unit, located on a same side of the clamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Inventor: Eagle Fan
  • Patent number: 9004332
    Abstract: A cup holder includes one or two supporting members that support a container inserted into a receiving portion of a holder main body, and is arranged in a circumferential direction of the holder main body. A container having the protrusion and recess pattern on a side surface can smoothly be taken out from the receiving portion with a low risk of the supporting members interfering with other members around the holder main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignees: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd., Kojima Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Kodama, Naoyuki Fukui, Daiichiro Nakano, Makoto Yokota