Patents Issued in February 16, 2016
  • Patent number: 9258995
    Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for decreasing oxidative damage to an organ during cold storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS
    Inventor: Lee Ann MacMillan-Crow
  • Patent number: 9258996
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition comprising a pesticide and an alkoxylate. Moreover, the invention relates to the alkoxylate, to a process for its preparation and to its use as adjuvant in pesticide-comprising spray mixtures. The invention furthermore relates to a method of controlling phytopathogenic fungi and/or undesired vegetation and/or undesired insect or mite attack and/or for regulating the growth of plants, wherein the composition is allowed to act on the respective pests, their environment or the plants to be protected from the respective pest, on the soil and/or on undesirable plants and/or the crop plants and/or their environment. Furthermore, the invention relates to seed comprising the composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Paul Klingelhoefer, Sophie Vogel, Kevin Huyghe, Gerd Haderlein, Gerhard Schnabel, Marc Nolte, Richard Roger Evans
  • Patent number: 9258997
    Abstract: Grease-like compositions are provided for repelling rodents. The compositions utilize nontoxic mineral, synthetic, or vegetable oil based gels containing silica, clay, urea, polytetrafluoroethylene, or metallic soap thickeners and capsaicin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Pacific Tech Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Numata, Ryan Willey
  • Patent number: 9258998
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of controlling the sexuality of a plant comprising treating the plant with a composition comprising a compound selected from the group consisting of jasmonic acid, a jasmonic acid derivative, and a salt thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Yale University
    Inventors: Stephen L. Dellaporta, Ivan F. Acosta
  • Patent number: 9258999
    Abstract: Provided are liquid compositions comprising inactive biopesticide precursors comprising a glucosinolate concentrate, a plant material comprising a myrosinase enzyme complex, and a water soluble polyol. Further provided are methods of making and using such compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: MPT Mustard Products & Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Andrew Hetherington, James Robinson
  • Patent number: 9259000
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an auxin biosynthesis inhibitor superior to L-AOPP. The object can be attained by a compound represented by general formula (I): wherein, R1 to R5 and X are the same as defined in the specification or a salt or solvate thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignees: Riken, Public University Corporation Yokohama City University
    Inventors: Yukihisa Shimada, Ko Kikuzato, Megumi Narukawa, Tadao Asami, Kazuo Soeno
  • Patent number: 9259001
    Abstract: 5-phenyl-substituted N-(tetrazol-5-yl)- and N-(triazol-5-yl)arylcarboxamides of the general formula (I) are described as herbicides. In this formula (I), W, X, Y, Z and R are radicals such as hydrogen, organic radicals such as alkyl, and other radicals such as halogen. A and B are N and CY.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: BAYER INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY GMBH
    Inventors: Ralf Braun, Hartmut Ahrens, Andreas Van Almsick, Stefan Lehr, Isolde Häuser-Hahn, Hansjörg Dietrich, Elmar Gatzweiler, Ines Heinemann, Christopher Hugh Rosinger
  • Patent number: 9259002
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a herbicidal composition comprising mesotrione and a pyridine herbicide such as dithiopyr, triclopyr, fluoroxypyr or thiazopyr. The invention also relates to methods of controlling the growth of weeds, and to the use of this composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Syngenta Crop Protection LLC
    Inventors: Cheryl Lynn Dunne, John Robert James
  • Patent number: 9259003
    Abstract: Insecticidal compositions, characterized by an effective amount of a combination of active compounds comprising (a) at least one compound of the formula (I) in which Het, A, R and X are as defined in the description, and (b) at least one crop plant compatibility-improving compound from the group of compounds listed in the description, which are used for controlling arthropods, and also methods for controlling arthropods by treating plants and their seed with the compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Bayer Intellectual Property GmbH
    Inventors: Reiner Fischer, Wolfram Andersch, Heike Hungenberg, Wolfgang Thielert, Lothar Willms
  • Patent number: 9259004
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of improving grass quality comprising applying an effective amount of a composition containing a phthalocyanine to the grass in the substantial absence of phosphorous acid, monoalkyl esters of phosphorous acid, or salts thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: BAYER INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY GMBH
    Inventors: Lawrence H. Norton, Richard Hanrahan, David R. Spak
  • Patent number: 9259005
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for inhibiting growth of pathogens and to substrates with selenium nanoparticles or selenium nanoclusters having antipathogenic properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Brown University
    Inventors: Thomas J. Webster, Phong Anh Tran
  • Patent number: 9259006
    Abstract: The invention provides antimicrobial compositions comprising one or more acid and one or more organic diol. In one embodiment, the invention's compositions have an acidic pH. The compositions may optionally further contain one or more oxidizing agent (including stabilized oxidizing agent and/or unstabilized oxidizing agent), and/or one or more surfactant. In particular embodiments, the acid lacks one or both of —NH group and —NH2 group. The invention's compositions are useful in all stages of handling agricultural products, in hospitals, and in commercial and household applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: SmartWash Solutions, LLC
    Inventor: Kel Eugene Lemons
  • Patent number: 9259007
    Abstract: Stabilized biological pesticides comprising Chromobacterium species, filtrate, supernatant, extract or pesticidally active substance derived therefrom with pesticidal activity having improved shelf life due to maintenance of physical uniformity and longer insecticide activity after use due to higher resistance to degradation when exposed to sunlight are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Marrone Bio Innovations, Inc.
    Inventors: Ratnakar Asolkar, James Namnath, Pamela Marrone
  • Patent number: 9259008
    Abstract: A hollow body is made from a flat baked wafer cake by first juxtaposing the wafer cake with a cavity of a deep-drawing mold and then forming edge regions of the cake with a plurality of deformations out of a plane of the cake at a uniformly spacing around a periphery of the cake. Then the cake is pushed by a deep-drawing punch into the cavity to it into a hollow body and to form each of the deformations into a multilayer fold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: HAAS FOOD EQUIPMENT GMBH
    Inventors: Johannes Haas, Josef Haas, Stefan Jiraschek, Fritz Obermaier
  • Patent number: 9259009
    Abstract: A restraining pen for livestock is provided for humane, safe and efficient handling of livestock. A restraining or knocking pen is provided that has features for securely receiving an animal such that the animal may be subject to knocking or veterinary operations and subsequently released from the pen without danger to the animal or human operators. A novel design provides for a compact footprint of the pen and an economical use of space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Inventor: Teegan Callicrate
  • Patent number: 9259010
    Abstract: A method for producing a plait-like portion on a tubular packaging casing which accommodates a filling material, wherein the plait-like portion is at least approximately free of filling material and comprises a longitudinal plait-axis, including the steps: constricting a filled tubular packaging casing by moving a first pair of displacer elements of a first displacer unit and a second pair of displacer elements of a second displacer unit from an opened into a closed position by use of a first drive unit, creating a displacer clearance between the first and second pair of displacer elements, producing a plait-like portion by moving the second displacer unit parallel to the longitudinal plait-axis away from a narrow position in which the second displacer unit is adjacent to the first displacer unit, into a spread position in which the second displacer unit is away from the first displacer unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Poly-clip System GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Detlef Ebert, Michael Hummel
  • Patent number: 9259011
    Abstract: A shredding assembly includes a shredder having a plurality of interspersed, rotational, shredding blades. A shredder block supports the shredder and shredding blades, and further includes a first set of a plurality of vertical counter plates which are intercalated between the blades. Each counter plate has a top surface, and the top surfaces of the counter plates forms a platform. The platform serves to support pieces of a food product during shredding, and helps in the shredding process by providing a pinching action to the pieces of the product when the blades engage the pieces of the product on the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Tyson Foods, Inc.
    Inventors: Russell Thomas, James Walthers
  • Patent number: 9259012
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices are disclosed for removing lesion material from poultry feet. The systems, for example, can include ax least one spray head located along a travel path of a plurality of movable shackles within a poultry processing line. Each shackle can be configured to hold a poultry member in a processing position as the shackles are moved along the processing line. The spray head configured to spray feet of the poultry members held by the plurality of shackles to remove the lesion material from the feet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Inventor: Wayne Allen Jefferson
  • Patent number: 9259013
    Abstract: Method of and system for automatically deboning poultry breast caps containing meat and a skeletal structure to obtain breast fillets. The method includes providing a mandrel with a plane of symmetry in a vertical orientation and supporting a breast cap with its skeletal structure including a keel bone on top of the mandrel. The breast cap being held to the mandrel with the keel bone aligned with the plane of symmetry. By moving the mandrel through a conveying path extending through a substantially horizontal plane in a direction of travel it passes a cutting implement of a breast cutter engaging the meat along the keel bone. The cutting implement causes at least one incision along the area where the meat is attached to the keel bone and a breast fillet remover downstream of the breast cutter engages between the skeletal structure and the meat and separates the meat as a pair of single fillets from the skeletal structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Foodmate B.V.
    Inventors: Rijk Slagboom, Jacobus Eliza Hazenbroek
  • Patent number: 9259014
    Abstract: A device for serving and preserving food items, the device including an open container for holding the food items having one or more side walls and a floor, wherein when the food items are immersed in fluid, typically a preserving fluid, the device is in a preserving state; a liquid-holding compartment, having a tubular form, for holding the fluid when the device is in a serving state; and a liquid-transfer mechanism for transferring the preserving fluid from the open container into the liquid-holding compartment and back. One or more passageways, interconnecting the open container and the liquid-holding compartment, facilitate the transfer of fluid between the open container and the liquid-holding compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: BRINEE HOME SOLUTION LTD.
    Inventor: Shahar Weiss
  • Patent number: 9259015
    Abstract: A fat blend comprises: (i) a first fat having a solid fat content at 25° C. of at least 75% and comprising combined SOS and SSO fats in an amount of greater than 86% by weight, wherein S is saturated fatty acid having from 16 to 18 carbon atoms and O is oleic acid; and (ii) a second fat having a SOS content of greater than 75% by weight and a StOSt content of greater than 70% by weight. The fat blend has a solid fat content at 20° C. of greater than 80% and a solid fat content at 35° C. of less than 5%. The fat blend is useful as a cocoa butter replacer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Loders Croklaan B.V.
    Inventors: Krishnadath Bhaggan, Jeanine Werleman, Thomas Louis François Favre
  • Patent number: 9259016
    Abstract: An automatic frozen food product vending machine includes a first freezer barrel configured to produce a first frozen food product, a first spigot fluidly connected to the first freezer barrel, the first spigot for dispensing the first frozen food product, a second freezer barrel configured to produce a second frozen food product, a second spigot fluidly connected to the second freezer barrel, the second spigot for dispensing the second frozen food product, a third spigot fluidly connected to both the first freezer barrel and the second freezer barrel, the third spigot for dispensing a mixture of the first and second frozen food products, and a movable platform for supporting a container to receive frozen food product, the movable container movable among a home position, a first fill position below the first spigot, a second fill position below the second spigot, and a third fill position below the third spigot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: PW Stoelting, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Aamer Mohammed, Dave Wattenford, Jeff Pagel, Ken Wetenkamp
  • Patent number: 9259017
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for manufacturing soluble and functional plant proteins, characterized in that it comprises at least one functionalizing step that consists of a treatment of 0.01 s to 1 s constituted of a step of heating plant proteins at a temperature of 100° C. to 160° C. and a step of cooling the heated plant proteins. The invention also relates to a process for converting non-functional plant proteins to functional proteins. Another subject of the invention is a plant protein, characterized in that it has a solubility in water of greater than 50% (with the exception of a potato protein for which the solubility in water is 25%), an emulsifying capacity between 700,000 mPa·s and 1,200,000 mPa·s for a sample directly placed at 4° C. for 24 h (with the exception of a potato protein for which the emulsifying capacity for a sample directly placed at 4° C. for 24 h is between 400,000 mPa·s and 600,000 mPa·s) and between 500,000 mPa·s and 1,100,000 mPa·s for a sample treated at 75° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: ROQUETTE FRERES
    Inventors: Claire Dhalleine, Damien Passe
  • Patent number: 9259018
    Abstract: A composition is disclosed comprising a partially hydrolyzed cereal protein. The partially hydrolyzed cereal protein is characterized in that 20% to 80% by weight has a molecular weight of 25 kDa or greater 8% by weight or less has a molecular weight of 1.4 kDa or lower and in that it has a nitrogen solubility index of 90% or greater at pH 1 to 10. The preferred cereal protein derives from wheat. Also disclosed is a process for producing the composition comprising providing a slurry having a degree of hydrolysis of 3 to 8, determining the pH, adjusting the pH of the slurry and separating the aqueous-soluble portion of the slurry. Compositions according to the invention find use as milk protein replacements and as components in nutritional supplements, sports drinks, or food products including beverages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: CARGILL, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Jos Willy Ghislain Corneel De Sadeleer, Daniele Marie-Antoinette Karleskind, Catharina Hillagonda McCrae, Elisa Margriet Maria Meheus
  • Patent number: 9259019
    Abstract: Bifidobacterium strain AH121A is significantly immunomodulatory following oral consumption. The strain is useful as an immunomodulatory biotherapeutic agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignees: Mars, Incorporated, Alimentary Health Ltd.
    Inventors: Liam O'Mahony, Barry Kiely
  • Patent number: 9259020
    Abstract: A process for making a fruit or vegetable extract including diffusing, screening, and pressing the pomace, and spinning, filtering and concentrating juice from the pomace to form an extract. Also, the pomace may be hydrated at various points during this process by water or by reclaimed condenser condensate. Also included is an extract made using the present inventive methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Inventors: David L Luther, Bruce DeJong, Eric Johnson
  • Patent number: 9259021
    Abstract: The present invention provides sugar beet pectin (modified sugar beet pectin) having improved or enhanced emulsifying properties and emulsion stability, compared to natural sugar beet pectin. Also provided is a method for producing the modified sugar beet pectin. The modified sugar beet pectin contains a water-insoluble component, and has a higher molecular weight after high-pressure homogenization than ordinary sugar beet pectin. The water-insoluble component absorbs water to form a hydrogel when the modified sugar beet pectin is dispersed in water at 25° C. to a final concentration of 0.1 mass %.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: SAN-EI GEN F.F.I., INC.
    Inventors: Makoto Nakauma, Sayaka Ishihara, Takahiro Funami
  • Patent number: 9259022
    Abstract: A low calorie sweetener composition with sweetness synergy, providing a reduction in off-taste and a desirable temporal profile. The sweetener composition is suitable for use as a substitute for high calorie sugars. The sweetener composition is for use in food and beverage products, pharmaceutical products, nutritional product and cosmetic products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: TATE & LYLE INGREDIENTS AMERICAS LLC
    Inventors: Ryan D. Woodyer, Jason C. Cohen, John R. Bridges
  • Patent number: 9259023
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an enzymatic process for making a milk-based protein hydrolysate and use of such hydrolysate, e.g., in an infant formula composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Novozymes A/S
    Inventors: Peter Rahbek Oestergaard, Steffen Ernst, Gitte B. Lynglev
  • Patent number: 9259024
    Abstract: Compositions and methods relating to high caloric enteral formulations are disclosed herein. The invention provides a dietary composition comprising hydrolyzed soy protein and having a low viscosity and acceptable shelf life. Methods of using the dietary compositions of the invention are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: SOLAE LLC
    Inventors: Yadilka Maldonado, William C. Smith, Minhthy Nguyen
  • Patent number: 9259025
    Abstract: Sugar premix containing crystal sugar particles comprising a sugar core which is coated with a mixture of one or more polysaccharides and/or one or more oligosaccharides said coating further containing one or more nutrients, processes for their manufacture and uses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: DSM IP ASSETS B.V.
    Inventors: Sylvain Diguet, Georg Steiger, Torsten Wieprecht
  • Patent number: 9259026
    Abstract: A method and a device for leading media in a thermal treatment system for a liquid product where, determining the led-in volume of the expelling medium while a medium is being expelled from the treatment system and by setting the determined volume of the expelling medium in a ratio to a nominal capacity of the treatment system, the shutting off of a product pipe on the outlet side following a medium change on the inlet side can be accomplished independent in time of the performance of the medium change on the inlet side. This reduces product losses and permits the treatment of residual amounts remaining in the treatment system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventors: Ludger Rickert, Dirk Recktenwald, Katja Enzmann
  • Patent number: 9259027
    Abstract: Disclosed are flavored and juice beverages sweetened with Rebaudioside A (RebA) comprising an organic acid and glucono delta lactone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Givaudan S.A.
    Inventor: Mariaelena Zuniga Hayes
  • Patent number: 9259028
    Abstract: A continuous system for the heat treatment of divided solids, combined with a gas-solid reaction for the debacterization especially of food products, such as herbs, spices, powders. The system includes a unit for supplying the product a debacterization unit having a fluidized bed moving the particles by means of vibration associated with a feed of steam or other gas, a cooling drying unit, and a packaging unit. The debacterization unit comprises a vibro-fluidized stepped bed for enabling the transport of the product that is carried out successively according to a generally horizontal first transport phase, and at least one second vertical transport phase during which steam or another gas is injected, acting in such a way as to decontaminate the product as it moves from the horizontal phase to the vertical phase and to the following horizontal phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: FCD
    Inventor: Florent Cheinet
  • Patent number: 9259029
    Abstract: A system providing for on-site reclamation and re-use of reclaimed antimicrobial solution includes a dispenser, at least one receptacle, piping, and at least one pump. The dispenser sprays antimicrobial solution toward moving raw food products. Unspent antimicrobial solution that did not contact the moving raw food products and rebound antimicrobial solution that did contact the raw food products combine to form a reclaimed antimicrobial solution. The reclaimed antimicrobial solution is collected in the receptacle and is pumped through the piping to a location for reuse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Chandler Adams, Cayce Warf, Roger J. Tippett
  • Patent number: 9259030
    Abstract: Multi-shelled capsules are made by co-extruding a first liquid flavorant composition and a first shell-forming polymeric material to form droplets which are hardened to form an inner shell containing a first liquid flavorant composition, and then coated with a second shell-forming polymeric material which is hardened to form an outer shell. The result is a capsule where the inner surface of the outer shell is separate and/or separable from the outer surface of the inner shell to define a space, wherein a second liquid flavorant composition may be located.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: PHILIP MORRIS USA INC.
    Inventors: Hongwei Liu, Georgios D. Karles, Shuzhong Zhuang, Jose Nepomuceno
  • Patent number: 9259031
    Abstract: A filter for a smoking article comprises a monolith. The monolith is produced forming particles of a partially cured resin into a dough, shaping the dough to produce a monolith, sintering the particles, carbonizing and activating the sintered monolith, and incorporating the monolith into a smoking article filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO (INVESTMENTS) LIMITED
    Inventors: Peter Branton, Martin Duke, Stephen Tennison, Dinah Blanche Winter
  • Patent number: 9259032
    Abstract: The cigarette mouthpiece with filter provides ease in smoking and enables the filtration of harmful substances like nicotine, tar, etc. contained in the cigarette smoke. The cigarette mouthpiece includes a hollow body having a positioning portion inside where the cigarette is fixed and an extension entering the mouth region of the smoker, and a filter with multiple filter holes placed inside of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Inventor: Fahrettin Atas
  • Patent number: 9259033
    Abstract: A cigarette snuffing, cutting and storage system for extending the life of a cigarette through multiple smoking events has a generally cylindrical storage receptacle with a storage tube with a storage lid. The storage lid is pivotally connected to a storage tube top and rotates about an axis located on and in line with a storage tube side wall. A storage lid bottom has an annular cutting blade for severing a cigarette located, inside. The annular cutting blade has a cutting edge located on an interior edge that has a shape of a circle. For operation, a cigarette is inserted into the storage receptacle from a storage tube bottom. The cigarette extends through a storage component cavity and into a storage lid cavity. Upon rotation of the storage lid, an end is removed from the cigarette using the cutting blade, preparing it for use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Inventor: Robert A. Livingstone
  • Patent number: 9259034
    Abstract: A pack for smoking articles including an outer housing (11) having an open end and an inner casing (12) telescopically received within the outer housing and moveable between an open position in which the inner casing (12) at least partially extends out of the open end of the outer housing (11), and a closed position in which the inner casing (12) is retracted further into the outer housing than in the open position. The inner casing (12) includes an elongate access aperture (29) configured to enable elongate smoking articles to be laterally dispensed therefrom in a direction transverse to their longitudinal axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignees: BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO (INVESTMENTS) LIMITED, BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO JAPAN, LIMITED
    Inventors: Steven Holford, Aaron McKenzie, Mike Simpson
  • Patent number: 9259035
    Abstract: A personal vapor inhaling unit is disclosed. An electronic flameless vapor inhaler unit t may simulate a cigarette. A flow of electrical power may be coupled through solderless pressure contacts to activate a heating element. When the unit is activated, and the user provides suction, the liquid to be vaporized may be vaporized by an atomizer assembly. Vapors may then be aspirated by the user through an oral aspiration tube, where they may be inhaled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Nathan Andrew Terry, Noah Mark Minskoff
  • Patent number: 9259036
    Abstract: A formal shirt that allows for increased athletic movement and a method for production of such a shirt. Increased movement is achieved by sewing a “pivot panel” between the front and back shirt panels. The pivot panel moves the side seam away from the major stress concentrations caused by common lumbar and brachial rotations. The pivot panel avoids binding at the shoulders, tends to reduce wrinkling, and prevents the shirttails from coming untucked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Outlier Incorporated
    Inventors: Abraham Burmeister, Tyler Clemens
  • Bra
    Patent number: 9259037
    Abstract: In one aspect a bra is provided, and includes a pair of cups that are self-supporting, a strap connected to each cup, a bridge connecting the inboard ends of each cup, and a band extending from the outboard end of each cup and configured to extend around the back of a wearer of the bra. Each cup is foldable along a fold line between an unfolded position wherein the cup covers a nipple of the wearer and a folded position wherein the cup exposes the nipple of the wearer, wherein, when the bra is worn by the wearer, each cup is stable in both the unfolded position and the folded position. In another embodiment a bra is provided with cups that are stable in both the folded and unfolded positions wherein the cups are not self supporting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Inventor: Nadine Woods
  • Patent number: 9259038
    Abstract: A bra cup molded by thermoforming comprises a layer of thermoformable polyurethane foam as well as an inner fabric and an outer fabric bonded to the foam layer. The outer fabric is composed of a three-dimensional knitted fabric comprising a first face and a second face separated from one another by a thickness of the three-dimensional knitted fabric that is greater than 1 mm. The method for manufacturing the cup comprises a molding step, and in a bonding step preceding the cup molding step, said first face and the foam layer are bonded together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: CHANTELLE
    Inventors: Gervais Cholet, Thierry Blin
  • Patent number: 9259039
    Abstract: A garment includes a waist portion that is elastic and that is configured to be worn at a waist of the wearer. The waist portion includes a diametral surface that extends longitudinally in the circumferential direction. The garment also includes an adhesive tape that is elastic. The adhesive tape is adhesively attached to and layered continuously on the diametral surface of the waist portion. Moreover, the garment includes an elastic band that is adhesively attached to and layered on the adhesive tape to attach the elastic band to the waist portion. The elastic band, the adhesive tape, and the waist portion of the shell are collectively and resiliently stretchable to thereby bias the garment inward in the radial direction to retain the garment on the waist of the wearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Margaret C. Okies, Irina M. Armstrong
  • Patent number: 9259040
    Abstract: Disclosed is a taekwondo uniform. At least a portion of the taekwondo uniform has the shape corresponding to that of the human body, and the taekwondo uniform is prevented from being loosed, so that women and men put on the uniform in common with improved wearability and convenient use. Gap adjusting unit mutually corresponding to each other at the back part and the front part of the uniform are provided, so that the wearability of the uniform is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Inventor: Seng-Gyu Ryu
  • Patent number: 9259041
    Abstract: A bath towel bib including a collar adapted to form a releasably securable loop around a user's neck, an actuatable means for releasing the loop from around the user's neck, and an absorbent cloth fixedly attached to the collar and operatively arranged to hang from the collar in front of the user's torso when the loop is releasably secured around the user's neck, wherein the actuatable means for releasing the loop from around the user's neck is operatively arranged to actuate when the absorbent cloth is pulled in a direction away from the user's neck. Further, the invention relates to a combination bath towel and bib with a built-in tote bag that allows a user to easily fold and carry the combination bath towel and bib with built-in tote bag in the nature of a backpack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Inventor: Mary Kenney Purcaro
  • Patent number: 9259042
    Abstract: An agrichemical spray mask according to the present invention comprises: a main body (114) which is worn hermetically attached to the face and has an inhalation inlet port (110) and an exhalation outlet port (112); an anti-dust and anti-toxin filter tube (120) which is provided on the outside of the inhalation inlet port (110) of the main body (114) of the mask so as to link to the inhalation inlet port and is provided with an anti-dust and anti-toxin filter (113); and a spray filter tube which is separably fastened to the anti-dust and anti-toxin filter tube (120), has a spray filter (223) provided on the inside thereof, and has a respiration port (220a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Inventor: Young Sang Lee
  • Patent number: 9259043
    Abstract: A fastening device configured for an easy removable attachment to fabric that is employable with one hand to form a compressive engagement with a mounting point on fabric that is easy to use and non-damaging to fabric. The device can be easily operated by users with limited hand or finger dexterity or only having a single useable hand. The engagement provides a compressive gripping engagement means which is easily positioned to a mounting position on fabric which can be sighted through a gap in a central area of the body of the device. The enhanced gripping means are provided by a toothed gripping means or a friction enhancing means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Inventor: Aaron Jones
  • Patent number: 9259044
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a package for a hair product having hair strands which include curls. The package includes a substantially planar panel for mounting the hair product thereto. The panel is elongated along a longitudinal axis. The package also includes a plurality of forms attached to the panel. The forms are arranged on the panel and spaced from each other along the longitudinal axis. Each of the forms has a curved portion for engaging and maintaining a corresponding set of the curls of the hair strands of the hair product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Shake-N-Go Fashion, Inc.
    Inventors: James K. Kim, Peter Ough, Hye Sun Kim