Patents Issued in December 15, 2015
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Patent number: 9211018Abstract: An inflatable product includes an inflatable body and an electric pump for pumping the inflatable body. The electric pump includes a pump body and an air outlet, wherein the pump body is wholly or partially recessed into the inflatable body and permanently held by the inflatable body. Preferably, the electric pump includes a fan and a motor connected to the fan, and the fan is rotated by the motor in a first direction to pump the inflatable body or in a second direction opposite the first direction to deflate the inflatable body.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2005Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Assignee: Team Worldwide CorporationInventor: Cheng Chung Wang
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Patent number: 9211019Abstract: Efficient systems and methods for inflating, deflating, or simultaneously inflating and deflating air mattress chambers using various pump and pump housing configurations are provided. Examples of the various pump and pump housing configurations include: boundary-layer pumps having single disk array or multiple disk array layouts, different disk geometries, different pressure recovery chamber geometries, adjustable components for switching between filling and powered dumping operations, and reversible and non-reversible motors; and pump housings having one or more dump channels for manifold-driven powered dumping, multiple sides or stages for pressure and/or flow compounding, various manifold chamber configurations for robust connectivity with air mattresses having multiple chambers, and various valve configurations for flexible control over filling, powered dumping, and simultaneous filling and powered dumping operations.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2012Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Assignee: RAPID AIR LLC.Inventors: David Delory Driscoll, Jr., John Joseph Riley, Susan Marie Hrobar
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Patent number: 9211020Abstract: The invention relates to interlocking compartments which are assembled to form a display unit. In some embodiments, the interlocking compartments include a first compartment and a second compartment having a top surface, a bottom surface and a rear surface. The bottom surface of the second compartment includes a tongue and the top surface of the first compartment includes a groove for receiving the tongue. The rear surface of the second compartment includes a projection and the rear surface of the first compartment and the top surface of the first compartment form a corner having an indentation for receiving the projection. In some embodiments, the length of the bottom surface of the first compartment is greater than the length of the bottom surface of the second compartment, and the length of the bottom surface of the second compartment is greater than the length of the bottom surface of the third compartment.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2010Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Assignee: PPG Architectural Finishes, Inc.Inventor: Gary Hodge
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Patent number: 9211021Abstract: A collapsible, easy-to-assemble corrugated hutch for shipping and displaying products is provided. The hutch comprises a back wall, two side walls, shelves and two side wall supports. The side walls are hingedly attached to the back wall and can be folded to capture the side wall supports. The shelves extend between the side walls and have front edges that are supported by the side walls and side wall supports.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2013Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.Inventor: Andre C. Smith
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Patent number: 9211022Abstract: A compartmentalized bed skirt assembly for use over a box spring of a bed being formed with a top portion generally configured in a rectangular shape that conventionally covers the box spring portion of a mattress set fitting between the box spring and the mattress. Vertically extended portions are secured to the top portion of the bed skirt and extends downward to the floor on two sides and at the foot end of the bed. The vertically extended portions forms a series of panels or flaps that touch or slightly overlaps an adjacent flap, each flap being totally independent from the adjacent flap to allow lifting of the flap to the point of touching the mattress that rests on top of the box spring. The lifting of a panel or flap does not cause lifting of the adjacent panel or flap.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2013Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Inventor: Zina L. Broussard
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Patent number: 9211023Abstract: A garment hanging system for safely hanging a long garment from a structure such as a door without the garment coming into contact with the floor or the surface of the door. The garment hanging system generally includes a bracket, a mounting portion extending from a first end of the bracket and an extension member extending from a second end of the bracket. The mounting portion extends downwardly from the bracket and includes a hook for holding a garment or accessory. The extension member extends upwardly and diagonally from the bracket such that any garment stored on a hook thereof will not contact the ground. An adjustment member may be positioned within the bracket to alter its effective width to match a wide range of doors.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2013Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Inventor: David P. Weiss
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Patent number: 9211024Abstract: Design and manufacture of tufted articles, carpet tile webs and carpet tiles, and installation of carpet tiles, having different color, pile height, pile texture or other characteristics that, together with similar other such tiles, may be installed to create borders, edges or other multiple-tile designs, usually without any of the tiles looking out of place or improperly oriented relative to nap or the direction the tile is “facing.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2013Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Assignee: Interface, Inc.Inventors: David D. Oakey, Carson Machell-Archer, Sydney D. Daniel
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Patent number: 9211025Abstract: A device configured to securely and automatically receive parcel is described. The device is equipped with a front door and an automatic top rolling door in order to accommodate parcel delivery via conventional parcel delivery personnel, or delivery via airlift from an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The device is also equipped with a secure internet connection which facilitates communication between recipient and delivery personnel, as well as expedites the delivery confirmation process upon parcel delivery. Audio and video capture and transmission equipment on-board the device permit the recipient to remotely provide access to the device upon authentication of identity and/or credentials.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2014Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Inventor: Walid Elhawwashy
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Patent number: 9211026Abstract: An attachment system is configured to connect a topper ornament to a tree having a center pole attached to branches. The attachment system includes a dome configured to contain a plurality of prongs. A topper receiver post is mechanically coupled to the dome and configured to receive the topper ornament. A tree post is mechanically coupled to the dome and configured to receive the center pole. Inserting the center pole into the tree post causes the branches attached to the center pole to hold the attachment system in place.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2014Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Inventor: Pat Dennis McLemore
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Patent number: 9211027Abstract: A coupler system for connecting elongate, horizontally disposed rods to vertical supports includes a top-cap component for attaching to the top of a vertical support and a ball-cap component for attaching to an end of a rod. The top-cap component includes a body formed with plural cavities, and the ball-cap component includes a ball region that is constructed to fit within one of the plural cavities. The body may be formed with four plural cavities, with each defined by beveled edges. The ball-cap components may include a ball region, a neck region, and an angled region located adjacent the neck region and away from the ball region. The top-cap and ball-cap components may also include insertion regions with opposing sets of ribs. The coupler system may further include a cover component.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2011Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Assignee: Grovist Innovations, LLCInventors: Vince Ovist, William T. Grohs
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Patent number: 9211028Abstract: A cooking and stirring machine having a machine base, a cup body for accommodating food, and a cup lid; the bottom of the cup body is installed with a heating element and an upper connector which drives a processing tool; the base bottom is installed with a fan and a motor; the upper end of the motor is provided with an output shaft, a drive shaft, and a lower connector which is installed on the drive shaft and matched with the upper connector; the output shaft and the drive shaft are connected through a one-way bearing. The cooking and stirring machine can heat food with stirring; in addition, the setting of the reduction gear set and plural one-way bearings realizes the function of outputting different rotation speeds when the motor rotates clockwise and anticlockwise.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2013Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Inventors: Shu Sang Cheung, To Yin Pang
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Patent number: 9211029Abstract: An electric grill pan device includes a heating pan detachably mounted above a base. A socket is mounted in the base and includes a seat and an upper cover. A compartment is defined between the upper cover and the seat. The upper cover includes a plurality of insertion holes aligned with terminals on the seat. The upper cover further includes a notch aligned with an abutment peg on the heating pan. A shield is pivotably mounted in the compartment and includes a guiding portion aligned with the abutment peg. The shield is biased to a position covering the insertion holes. When the heating pan is mounted to the base, the abutment peg presses against the guiding portion and pivots the shield to another position not covering the insertion holes, and conductive ends of a heating element on the heating pan is in electrical contact with the terminals.Type: GrantFiled: December 25, 2012Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Assignee: UNI-SPLENDER CORP.Inventor: Yu-Yuan Lin
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Patent number: 9211030Abstract: The present invention relates to a cooking apparatus, typically for microwave ovens and the like, that has separate compartments for different foods or food components. These separate compartments are such that food components are kept separate during storage, prior to cooking or heating, as well as during cooking or heating, avoiding unwanted mixing of the food components. The apparatus includes compartments configured such that steam, generated by the heating of a food component in a lower compartment is used to steam cook or heat a food component in an upper compartment.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2006Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Assignee: ConAgra Foods RDM, Inc.Inventors: David France, Steven Robert Baker
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Patent number: 9211031Abstract: An egg cooking system features a rectangular reservoir pan and an egg white pan with a cover. The egg white pan features one doubly pivoting handle located on an egg white pan first side top edge. The egg white pan nests in the reservoir pan and has a gap located between an exterior surface of the egg white pan and an interior surface of the reservoir pan. The system features a rectangular planar egg dicer having a plurality of dicer blades located on a perpendicular grid pattern. The system features a yolk cooker having a plurality of first hemispherical yolk holders located on a yolk cooker first side and a plurality of second hemispherical yolk holders are located on a yolk cooker second side. The yolk cooker first side is pivotally located on the yolk cooker second side.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2013Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Inventor: Rose Mary A. Paredez
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Patent number: 9211032Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing foamed milk. The method comprises passing milk from a bag-in-box container 1 through a conduit 3 by means of a pump 4 and heating the milk by passing it through a continuous-flow heater 5. At the end of the conduit 3, the milk is whipped to foam by an impeller in a mixer bowl. The invention also relates to a system for producing foamed milk. The system comprises a conduit 3, a heater 5, a pump 4 and a mixer bowl 7 with an impeller 8.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2010Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Assignee: CREM INTERNATIONAL AKTIEBOLAGInventors: Peter Larson, Patrik Olsson Stridsberg
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Patent number: 9211033Abstract: A heat-shrinkable food pan cover provides a safe, low cost way to cover a food service pan during food preparation, storage, cooking, transport, and reheating. The food pan cover can have first and second side panels. A gusset having first and second gusset panels can be formed between the first and second side panels. A width of each of the gusset panels can be greater than a width of each of the side panels. A first side seal can extend along a portion of a first end, sealing together a portion of each of the first side panel, second side panel, first gusset panel, and second gusset panel. A second side seal can extend along a portion of a second end, sealing together a portion of each of the first side panel, second side panel, first gusset panel, and second gusset panel.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2015Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Assignee: M & Q IP Leasing, Inc.Inventors: Timothy L. Blucher, Michael D. Schmal, Ernest E. Bachert, Joseph A. Radosta
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Patent number: 9211034Abstract: The invention relates to a kitchen utensil, comprising a base (4) including a bottom (14) and a peripheral wall (16) defining a space (18). The wall (16) has an edge (20) opposite said bottom (14) and two through-openings (22-24) in the vicinity of the edge (20), opposite one another. A container (10) is suitable for being housed in said space (18). Said container has two opposite peripheral lugs (44-46), received in one of the through-openings (22-24). At least one (24) of said through-openings (22-24) leads onto the edge (2) into a notch (28) for receiving one of said lugs (44). A grasping device (6) is provided with a bearing portion (8) at least partially covering the lug (44) that it receives. A fastening element (8) maintains the grasping device (6) in the position in which the lug (44) is at least partially covered.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2010Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Assignee: Mastrad, S.A.Inventors: Marc Venot, Mathieu Lion
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Patent number: 9211035Abstract: A cooking apparatus and method provide for relative movement between a first support member for food items and at least one stop member and/or relative movement between a first support member for food items and a second support member for food items. Relative lateral movement between a first support member and a stop member facilitates rolling movement of rollable food items. Relative up-and-down movement between first and second support members facilitates alternating support and attendant positioning of food items.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2012Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Inventor: Thomas W. Shilling
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Patent number: 9211036Abstract: A grill comprising a firebox assembly for mounting on a cart assembly, the cart assembly having first and second support assemblies interconnected by at least one linking member. A hinge or pivot in the mid-portion of the linking member divides it into first and second linking member portions, and the opposite ends of the linking member portions are pivotally connected by hinges to the first and second support assemblies. The linking member holds the support assemblies together in a partially pre-assembled state, and the pivotal connections of the linking member portions allow the two assemblies to be folded for packaging in a shipping container. When removed from the container, the pivotal connections of the linking member portions allow the support assemblies to be unfolded horizontally to convert the cart assembly to an assembled configuration in which the support assemblies are unfolded to a position suitable for supporting the firebox assembly.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2013Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Assignee: Outdoor Direct CorporationInventors: Randall L. May, Zhi Bing Gu, Liang Shen, Bin Lin, Wenguan Su, Lu Liang, Guolong Chen
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Patent number: 9211037Abstract: A compact, openable and closeable barbeque smoker box receives and encloses woodchips and is easily disposed within a barbeque and emits smoke from the woodchips while grilling food. The smoker box includes an open bottom pan and a openable and closeable lid pan. The lid is pierced by at least one hole to vent smoke from the smoker box while grilling food. A magnet included in the smoker box facilitates securing the lid together with the bottom pan attached thereto beneath a grilling surface of a barbeque. Also disclosed is a sealable container specifically adapted for receiving the smoker box together with a quantity of woodchips beneath the smoker box. The container facilitates removing a smoker box stored therein regardless of the amount of woodchips remaining in the container.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2008Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Assignee: Woodbridge Grilling Company IncInventors: David Warren Goehring, Mark Simor Edson, James Earl Blincoe
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Patent number: 9211038Abstract: A cooking appliance, particularly an electric fryer, having a vat and a lid enclosing a cooking chamber, the lid having a viewing window. The cooking chamber has an air inlet and an air and cooking vapor outlet connected to a suction device. Air introduced through the air inlet is directed toward the air and cooking vapor outlet while passing under the viewing window. An electric heating resistor is disposed inside the vat and is connected to a control box separable from the vat. Said suction device is supported by said control box.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2009Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Assignee: SEB S.A.Inventors: Jean-Marc Payen, Olivier Pellerin, Frédéric Seurat
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Patent number: 9211039Abstract: A cooking utensil has a food container, such as a cooking basket, and a lift bracket attached the sidewall of the food container. The lift bracket includes a riser portion having a catch opening and an outwardly extending upper ledge portion having an insertion opening in vertical plane alignment with the catch opening of the riser portion. A lift handle engages the lift bracket on the food container through the insertion opening in the lift bracket. An inwardly projecting catch tip on the engagement end of the lift handle can be made to catch the catch opening in the riser portion of the lift bracket when the lift bracket engagement end of the lift handle is fully inserted in the lift bracket. When the food container is lifted by the handle, the weight of the food container will maintain the engagement of the lift handle and lift bracket.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2014Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Assignee: Charcoal Companion IncorporatedInventors: Cory Thomas Borovicka, Kwame Phillips-Solomon
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Patent number: 9211040Abstract: A food jar has an insulated body with a wide-mouth opening for receiving food. A collar is affixed to the opening of the food jar by affixing a throat member to the collar and threading the throat into the wide-mouth body. The throat member includes a gasket at the lower end to seal the throat to the body. A lid is affixed to the collar by a hinge. The lid includes a central projection that extends into sealing contact with the gasket on the throat member to seal the lid to the throat member. A button is mounted in a channel in the lid and biased by a spring to move into an engaging position to engage the collar at an opening in the collar to secure the lid to the collar. A wire loop is provided to engage the button in an embodiment.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2013Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Assignee: THERMOS L.L.C.Inventor: Marvin Lane
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Patent number: 9211041Abstract: Embodiments of methods of controlling a motor for driving a load are disclosed herein. Exemplary methods include providing energy to a motor, sensing a parameter indicative of current. Determining the end of an inrush current and a start point that is after the inrush current and that is at about the beginning of a main current draw. Determining an end point at about the end of the main current draw. Continuing to provide energy to the motor for a time period that is a function of the time from the start point to the end point and de-energizing the motor.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2013Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Assignee: GOJO Industries, Inc.Inventors: Chip W. Curtis, Jackson W. Wegelin, Shelby J. Buell
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Patent number: 9211042Abstract: A pinch roller assembly for a sheet product dispenser includes a roller body and a plurality of clips. The roller body includes a plurality of grooves. The roller body is rotatably associated with the plurality of clips, each clip being disposed in one of the plurality of grooves.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2012Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products LPInventors: Roy J. Rozek, Abby C. Case
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Patent number: 9211043Abstract: An end plug to be inserted axially into the center of an end of a paper roll, and provided with a holding element for hold/guiding the end of the paper roll in correct position in a dispenser, the holding element being movable between a transport position, where the whole of the holding element is accommodated within the interior of an outer sleeve of the end plug, and an active position where a part of the holding element protrudes outwardly from an outer end of the outer sleeve, the outer sleeve includes a conical wall, whose base end defines the outer axial end of the outer sleeve, the holding element includes two opposite slide elements guided in diametrically opposite spoke elements projecting inwards in a radial direction in relation to the inner wall of the conical wall of the outer sleeve.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2008Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Assignee: SCA HYGIENE PRODUCTS ABInventor: Robert Kling
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Patent number: 9211044Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus comprises an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet. The surface cleaning apparatus may also comprise a main body comprising a suction motor provided in the air flow path. A cyclone bin assembly may be provided in the air flow path and may be removably mounted to the main body. The cyclone bin assembly may comprise a cyclone chamber. A hose connector may be provided on the main body. The hose connector may comprise a portion of the air flow path from the dirty air inlet to the cyclone bin assembly. The hose connector may be nested in the cyclone bin assembly when the cyclone bin assembly is mounted to the main body.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2011Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Assignee: Omachron Intellectual Property Inc.Inventor: Wayne Ernest Conrad
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Patent number: 9211045Abstract: Provided are an autonomous coverage vacuum cleaner and a roller brush frame unit for use therewith. The autonomous coverage vacuum cleaner includes a body, the roller brush frame unit, and at least a roller brush. The roller brush frame unit includes a roller brush frame, a connection frame, and a resilient connection element. The connection frame is disposed at a bottom of the body. The resilient connection element is connected between the roller brush frame and the connection frame. The roller brush frame moves vertically relative to the connection frame and the body when subjected to an external force. The roller brush is rotatably disposed at the roller brush frame. The roller brush frame unit enables the roller brush of the autonomous coverage vacuum cleaner to lift and drop resiliently and automatically according to the condition of the floor.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2013Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Assignee: Egenpower Inc.Inventors: Gary Li, Sheng-Chan Chiu
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Patent number: 9211046Abstract: A vacuum cleaner comprising a cyclonic separating apparatus including a dirty air inlet, a main body connected to the cyclonic separating apparatus and a motor and fan unit for generating an airflow through the cyclonic separating apparatus from the dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet, wherein the cyclonic separating apparatus includes at least a first cyclonic cleaning stage and an elongate filter arranged fluidly downstream from the first cyclonic cleaning stage, the elongate filter being housed in a duct at least partially surrounded by the first cleaning stage, and wherein the filter comprises an inlet portion and a filter portion defining a generally tubular filter chamber, the inlet portion including one or more radially facing inlets to permit air to flow into the inlet portion in a radial direction from where the air flows from the inlet portion to the filter chamber in an axial direction.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2012Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Assignee: Dyson Technology LimitedInventor: Michael James Peace
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Patent number: 9211047Abstract: A dishwasher with a tub at least partially defining a washing chamber, a liquid spraying system for spraying liquid within the washing chamber, a liquid recirculation system defining a recirculation flow path, and a liquid filtering system. The liquid filtering system includes a rotating filter disposed in the recirculation flow path to filter the liquid.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2014Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Jordan R. Fountain, Rodney M. Welch
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Patent number: 9211048Abstract: A dishwasher incorporates a dampened pump assembly including a housing having a base to which is mounted a pump and motor unit configured to develop a flow of washing fluid during operation of the dishwasher. A mass damper is mounted to the housing, with the mass damper substantially conforming to the shape, directly abutting and being rigidly fixed to a portion of the housing at a position offset from the pump and motor unit. The mass damper provides added weight, generally in the order of 1-6 lbs, to the pump assembly which reduces vibrations throughout the dishwasher caused by operation of the pump and motor unit.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2011Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventor: Aaron P. Bennett
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Patent number: 9211049Abstract: Provided is a dishwasher. The dishwasher includes a tub having a receiving space in which objects to be washed are received, a sump for storing wash water supplied into the tub, a heater that heats the wash water in the sump to generate steam, a steam nozzle for spraying the steam into the tub, a filter assembly that purifies the wash water supplied to the sump and communicates with the tub so that the steam generated in the sump is supplied into the tub and a barrier for dividing inner space of the sump into a first section communicating with the filter assembly and a second section communicating with the steam nozzle. The barrier allows the wash water flows between the first and second sections and suppresses flow of the steam from the second section to the first section.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2012Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Jongmin Lee, Taehee Lee, Haewoong Lee, Youmin Lee, Seongho Kim, Jungyoup Han
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Patent number: 9211050Abstract: A stationary household appliance having a door that is pivotably mounted on the stationary household appliance by a joint. The stationary household appliance also has a noise damper that is provided in a region of the joint.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2009Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbHInventors: Gerhard Fetzer, Dieter Hotz, Cengiz Kücük
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Patent number: 9211051Abstract: The present invention relates to a spray arm for distributing wash liquid in a dishwasher. The spray arm extends in a longitudinal direction and comprises at least one nozzle for ejecting wash liquid from the spray arm, wherein at least one spreading member adapted to spread wash liquid ejected from the nozzle is arranged on the spray arm in a vicinity of the nozzle.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2011Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Assignee: Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V.Inventors: Johan Billgren, Gustav Degerman, Willhelm Leissner, Lisa Warmegard
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Patent number: 9211052Abstract: An endoscope measures the topography of a surface. The endoscope contains a projection unit and an imaging unit. The endoscope is characterized in that an objective unit is provided as a component both of the projection unit and the imaging unit. By the integration of the projection unit and the imaging unit, which both use a common objective unit, the structural volume required by both units is reduced resulting in a smaller endoscope.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2010Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFTInventor: Anton Schick
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Patent number: 9211053Abstract: A medical apparatus is detachably connected with a disposable medical device to be inserted into a subject, and performs a specified treatment. The medical apparatus includes an alteration unit that performs an alteration process of altering the medical device, and a control unit that causes the alteration unit to perform the alteration process at the end of the treatment by the medical apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2013Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATIONInventors: Kenji Kamimura, Yoshimine Kobayashi, Seiki Toriyama
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Patent number: 9211054Abstract: An endoscope tip part has impact resistance even when applied to a thin endoscope, and the light distribution characteristics thereof can be improved even at a wide angle of view. An endoscope tip part includes a tip part main body that is attached to the tip of an insertion section of an endoscope and a positive-power transparent-plastic tip lens that is integrated with the tip part main body through two-color molding. The tip lens is a lens that is located closest to an object, among optical elements constituting an illumination optical system of the endoscope, and the tip part main body is provided with an insertion hole into which two positive-power rear lenses that will be disposed behind the tip lens are inserted.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2013Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Assignee: Olympus CorporationInventors: Hideyasu Takato, Yuji Kamo, Yoshifumi Tsuji
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Patent number: 9211055Abstract: A capsule type medical device having a substrate section that includes at least a single layer substrate; an antenna conductor that is arranged on and closely attached to at least one surface of the substrate section; a transmitting circuit that is arranged on the one surface of the substrate section within an area surrounded by the antenna conductor; and a plurality of lands that are arranged to another surface of the substrate section, and electrically connected with the transmitting circuit.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2009Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATIONInventors: Tomoya Takenaka, Masatoshi Homan
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Patent number: 9211056Abstract: A medical apparatus to support an endoscopic investigation that includes a housing with a base surface, a front surface and a rear surface, and a light source that is positioned in the housing to generate light to illuminate an object that is to be investigated with an endoscope. In addition the medical apparatus includes a coupling device to couple a proximal end of an endoscope on the medical apparatus and to transmit light from the medical apparatus to the endoscope. The medical apparatus includes a screen, which is positioned on the front surface of the housing to observe an image taken by means of the endoscope, where the front surface and rear surface are each inclined toward the rear at an angle between 5 and 15 degrees with respect to a plane perpendicular to the base surface.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2010Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Assignee: Karl Storz GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Romana Geisser, Clemens Rebholz, Fritz Hensler, Peter Schwarz
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Patent number: 9211057Abstract: An image pickup system of the present invention has a light emitting section that emits a first illuminating light and a second illuminating light to an object, an image pickup section that picks up an image of a first return light and an image of a second return light, and outputs the images as image pickup signals respectively, an image generating section that generates a first image and a second image respectively based on the image pickup signals, a differential value calculating section that calculates a first differential value corresponding to the first image and a second differential value corresponding to the second image respectively, a calculation section that performs calculation processing by using the first differential value and the second differential value, and a region discriminating section that discriminates between regions in the object by applying threshold processing to a calculation result of the calculation section.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2011Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATIONInventor: Shunji Takei
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Patent number: 9211058Abstract: A surgical site is simultaneously illuminated by less than all the visible color components that make up visible white light, and a fluorescence excitation illumination component by an illuminator in a minimally invasive surgical system. An image capture system acquires an image for each of the visible color components illuminating the surgical site and a fluorescence image, which is excited by the fluorescence excitation component from the illuminator. The minimally invasive surgical system uses the acquired images to generate a background black and white image of the surgical site. The acquired fluorescence image is superimposed on the background black and white image, and is highlighted in a selected color, e.g., green. The background black and white image with the superimposed highlighted fluorescence image is displayed for a user of the system. The highlighted fluorescence image identifies tissue of clinical interest.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2010Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.Inventors: Ian E. McDowall, Christopher J. Hasser
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Patent number: 9211059Abstract: A view optimizing assembly, method and kit for use in combination with a laparoscope having a lens located on the shaft tip of the laparoscope, and a source of insufflation CO2. The invention includes a multi-lumen sheath assembly, a deflector assembly in fluid communication with the lumens of the sheath assembly, wherein the flow of CO2 through the lumens forms a vortex when coming into contact with the deflector assembly, thereby preventing fogging of the laparoscope lens.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2011Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Assignee: Minimally Invasive Devices, Inc.Inventors: Gregory P Drach, Wayne L Poll
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Patent number: 9211060Abstract: The present disclosure describes systems and methods that utilize a tracheal tube with an integral visualization device, such as a camera. The tracheal tube system may include a camera apparatus or other visualization device that is associated with a lumen formed in the wall of the tube. In addition, the camera apparatus may be positioned within a holder associated with a distal end of the tracheal tube that functions to hold and position the optical components of the camera relative to the tube and provides an acceptable profile for comfortable intubation. Further, the camera apparatus and its associated holder may include additional components, such as integral light sources and flushing or cleaning devices to remove any buildup from the camera or optical components.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2011Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Assignee: Covidien LPInventors: Paul Waldron, Seamus Maguire
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Patent number: 9211061Abstract: Systems and methods for providing improved techniques for evaluating performance of intraocular lenses. Such techniques can be used to evaluate lens designs and can help reduce the need for multiple clinical trials that may otherwise be needed to evaluate multiple design iterations. In one embodiment, a method is provided for method for evaluating performance of an intraocular lens, where the method comprises capturing a plurality of images through the intraocular lens at different focus positions; displaying at least one selected image from the plurality of images to a test subject; receiving input from the test subject indicative of perceived acuity of the at least one selected image; and determining a measure of intraocular lens performance from the received input.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2013Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Assignee: Abbott Medical Optics Inc.Inventors: Sanjeev Kasthurirangan, Patricia Ann Piers, Hendrik A. Weeber
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Patent number: 9211062Abstract: An optical coherence tomographic imaging apparatus includes a movement amount acquisition unit configured to acquire the amount of subject's eye movement based on a plurality of images of the subject's eye acquired at different times, a determination unit configured to determine whether the amount of subject's eye movement before a scan by the scanning unit exceeds a threshold value, and a control unit configured to, in a case the amount of subject's eye movement before the scan is equal to or smaller than the threshold value, control the scanning unit to perform scanning position correction between a scan and the next scan based on the amount of movement.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2014Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Wataru Sakagawa, Yukio Sakagawa, Shigeaki Ono, Hiroki Uchida
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Patent number: 9211063Abstract: A compensation optical apparatus for obtaining and image of an object without reduction in image quality irrespective of aberration compensation, includes: a division unit for dividing a return beam from a measured object; an aberration measurement unit for measuring an aberration caused by the measured object, with a divided beam from the division unit; an aberration compensation unit for performing aberration compensation based on the aberration measured by the aberration measurement unit; a projection unit for projecting a beam obtained by the aberration compensation in the aberration compensation unit to the measured object; an acquirement unit for acquiring a value exhibiting a state of the measured object based on the return beam from the measured object, which is obtained by the beam projected from the projection unit; and a control unit for retreating the division unit from an optical path based on the value acquired by the acquirement unit.Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 2014Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Koji Nozato, Takeshi Kitamura
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Patent number: 9211064Abstract: A fundus imaging system includes: an image sensor array, where the image sensor array includes monochrome photodiodes and global shutter control, an illumination unit with one or more light-emitting diodes that have one or more dies, a computing system including a processor and memory, one or more lenses, one or more reflective mirrors, and a display. In an example method of use, a clinician positions a patient, initiates a focal adjustment, initiates a retinal imaging process, and the same or a different clinician views the image. In some embodiments, the imaging system is configured to analyze the image and identify detected physical attributes in the image relating to the diagnosis and treatment of diabetic retinopathy.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2014Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Assignee: Welch Allyn, Inc.Inventor: Ynjiun Paul Wang
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Patent number: 9211065Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques and apparatus for transmitting relatively more critical information between devices using a first wireless technology and transmitting relatively less critical information using a second wireless technology more susceptible to interference than the first wireless technology. One example method generally includes performing an association with a second apparatus via a first wireless technology, wherein the first wireless technology requires proximity between the first and second apparatuses; communicating first information with the second apparatus via the first wireless technology, a second wireless technology, or a combination of both the first and second wireless technologies, while the first and second apparatuses are still in proximity; and communicating second information with the second apparatus via the second wireless technology.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2012Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Assignee: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventors: Gene Wesley Marsh, Rahul Anand, Brad L. Vaughn, Jen Mei Chen, Tao Chen, Jin Guo, Navrina B. Singh, Joseph Doroba, Jiang Zhang
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Patent number: 9211066Abstract: A method is disclosed for detecting damage to silicone implants. In an embodiment, the method includes taking at least two computed tomography recordings at different X-ray spectra or different mono-energies of the X-ray radiation and reconstruction thereof. A data point is determined in a diagram for each voxel of interest, the X-ray attenuation values for different X-ray energies being plotted against one another; The data point, or another value for each voxel of interest determined from the X-ray attenuation values, is compared to known data points or values of body tissue and/or of silicone, and a note or warning is output if the data point or other value deviates from the known data points or values for body tissue by at least a first threshold value and/or in the event of simultaneous approximation to the known data point or value for silicone by less than a second threshold value.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2013Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Thorsten Johnson, Bernhard Krauβ
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Patent number: 9211067Abstract: A detection device (1) includes a light receiving unit (13a) which receives fluorescence; a light receiving intensity calculation unit (32) which calculates light receiving intensity of fluorescence which is received by the light receiving unit (13a) while changing a relative position (L) between the light receiving unit (13a) and a test subject (100); and a specifying unit (33) which specifies an optimal position of the relative position (L) where the light receiving intensity which is calculated by the light receiving intensity calculation unit (32) becomes a maximum, and in which fluorescence is detected using the optimal position which is specified by the specifying unit (33).Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2011Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Megumi Hijikuro, Mikihiro Yamanaka, Keita Hara