Patents Issued in March 8, 2016
  • Patent number: 9278786
    Abstract: A container has a lid that can be opened only by lifting and pulling a pull tab, with lifting of the pull tab resulting in an evident change. The pull tab is held down by attachment (interference fit, weld, glue) to a lid surface by a hold-down that is joined to the pull tab by a pair of bridges. When the pull tab is lifted, the bridges are broken. Thereafter, the pull tab springs up slightly from the lid plane, under the force of one or more spring walls and a hinge, which makes it evident that the container has been opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Smart-Tab, LLC
    Inventors: Jane N. Vovan, Leon D. Rosen
  • Patent number: 9278787
    Abstract: A single point hinge and a method of thermoforming a plastic container including a single point hinge include a lid, a tray, a single point hinge connecting the lid and the tray. The single point hinge includes an angle formed by a lid chamfer and a tray chamfer. The single point hinge further includes a lid well adjacent to the lid chamfer and a tray well adjacent to the tray chamfer, and the lid connects to the lid well and the tray connects to the tray well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Anchor Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Satya Garg, Brent Riales, David Smith, Tim Cimmerer
  • Patent number: 9278788
    Abstract: A gravity-feed bin includes a generally hollow main bin that has a storage reservoir and an open end. A first generally hollow extension section is selectably coupled to the open end of the main bin. The first extension section is in communication with the reservoir, and the storage capacity of the reservoir is increased by the first extension section. In some embodiments a seal element is intermediate the open end of the main bin and the first extension section, the seal element providing a substantially air-tight seal between the main bin and the first extension section. A plurality of extension sections and seal elements may be selectably coupled together in a stacked arrangement upon the main bin to increase the storage capacity of the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: TRADE FIXTURES, LLC
    Inventor: Ronald Brundick
  • Patent number: 9278789
    Abstract: A lockable cap, is a security feature for a medical prescription bottle. There is a three dial locking mechanism that is attached to the cap and the dial locking mechanism and the cap can be attached or removed from the bottle only when the user has the correct combination on the dial lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: GATEKEEPER INNOVATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Joseph C. Simpson
  • Patent number: 9278790
    Abstract: A lid assembly is provided for covering and sealing a lyophilizer tray that contains a material for freeze-drying into a product in a lyophilizer chamber. The tray has an opening defined by a peripheral lip. The lid assembly includes a first lid disposable to seal around the lip of the tray, second lid disposed on the first lid, and a filter paper disposed therebetween. The first lid includes an opening. The second lid covers the opening and includes a hole over the opening. The filter paper is disposed over the opening between the first and second lids for inhibiting the product from escaping the tray through the hole while permitting water vapor to pass therethrough. With a lyophilization stopper to seal the hole, the tray containing the product can be protected from environmental humidity even after removal from the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Derrell Craig McPherson, Christopher L. Hooban, Robert Michael Kinter, Dena H. Kota, Zachary A. Minter
  • Patent number: 9278791
    Abstract: A protective cover for covering an end of a reinforcing bar is provided. In some aspects, the protective cover includes a collar having a first end, a second end, and an impact absorbing portion disposed therebetween. The first end of the collar is configured to receive the end of the reinforcing bar. The impact absorbing portion of the collar is configured to withstand an impact without penetration of the reinforcement bar through the protective cover and is further configured to absorb at least a portion of the impact. The impact absorbing portion resides solely within the collar. The protective cover further includes a cap disposed at the second end of the collar. The cap has a surface area of about sixteen square inches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Inventor: Vasken Kassarjian
  • Patent number: 9278792
    Abstract: A package for products packed in blister packs comprises a housing, a tray-shaped slide which is slidably accommodated in the housing in a sliding direction as well as a number of blister packs stacked inside the tray-shaped slide. The tray-shaped slide comprises a bottom wall and side walls connected to the bottom wall. The tray-shaped slide is provided with a pen, while each blister pack is provided with an passage, wherein the pen of the tray-shaped slide extends through the passages of all blister packs stacked inside the tray-shaped slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: ECOBLISS HOLDING B.V.
    Inventor: Ronaldus Josephus Marie Linssen
  • Patent number: 9278793
    Abstract: A sealing member or inner seal for a sealing to a rim of a container is described herein that is capable of initially providing sealing for the container and subsequently for providing a dispenser or dispensing feature having a cleanly formed opening or other passage therethrough for dispensing container contents. The sealing members or inner seals herein are constructed from flexible sheets or laminates defining one or more integrated or preformed dispensing feature(s) or element(s) for dispensing contents from the container. The one or more integrated dispensing feature(s) or element(s) are initially covered on both sides to be exposed for use upon removal of a portion of the sealing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: SELIG SEALING PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Robert William Thorstensen-Woll, Steven A. Brucker
  • Patent number: 9278794
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a small food storage container including: a food storing body having a shape of a container having a food storing space in which food is stored; a food filling body detachably mounted on the food storing body and having one or more air inlets formed along the periphery thereof to allow the inside to communicate with the outside and a food filling space formed at the inside thereof to communicate with the food storing space to fill the food thereinto; and a food opening/closing part fitted to the inside of the food filling body and having a shape of dishes facing each other to define the food storing space and the food filling space to open and close the food filling space by suctioning and discharging pressures of air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Inventors: Wonseo Pang, Seongtaek Pang, Jaehui Pang
  • Patent number: 9278795
    Abstract: A multi-use construct includes a base and a plurality of walls defining an interior space. The base includes a line of disruption that defines a removable portion and a peripheral portion of the base. The construct is for being transitioned between a first configuration with the walls extending upwardly from the base, so that the construct is for containing a food item, and a second configuration with the removable portion underlying the food item and the peripheral portion overlying the food item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Kelly R. Fitzwater
  • Patent number: 9278796
    Abstract: A container is provided that has a compartment for storing an air-activated material for heating contents. The compartment is formed between a first web of material and a second web of material. The first web includes a first film layer laminated to a second film layer. A portion of the first film layer of the first web can be separated from the second film layer to reveal openings in the first film layer that allow air to enter the compartment. When the air contacts the air-activated material to activate the material, an exothermic reaction takes place that serves to produce heat, such as to heat the contents of the container. Prior to separation of the first and second film layers, the container is designed to allow ingress of oxygen into the compartment at a rate less than approximately 3 cc per 100 in2 per 24 hrs. at 23° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignees: Sonoco Development, Inc., Rechargeable Battery Corporation
    Inventors: Scott William Huffer, Adam Laubach, Darko Marquez, Christopher S. Pedicini
  • Cup
    Patent number: 9278797
    Abstract: Cup having a base and an adjoining shell, it being possible for the shell to be provided with a mouth roll at its opposite end to the base and to be configured with a single layer or multiple layers, at least one layer of the shell being produced from paper or cardboard or other comparable materials, at least one layer of the shell being provided with elevations and/or depressions substantially over its entire height and at least approximately the entire circumference, the difference in depth between the maximum elevation or depression and the material layer or the depression or elevation varying over the height of the shell and/or over the circumference, and it being possible for the mouth roll to be formed integrally on the inner layer or the only layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: HUHTAMAKI OYJ
    Inventors: Aad Hoekstra, Neil Marshall, Steve Knipe
  • Patent number: 9278798
    Abstract: A method and a system for dispensing bolts are provided. The system includes a dispensing cartridge including a dispensing tube and a dispensing section. The dispensing tube includes a first end, a second end, and a passage provided between the first end and the second end. The passage is configured to store a plurality of bolts to be supplied to the dispensing tube through the first end such that the bolts are moved through the passage. The dispensing section is located near the second end of the dispensing tube and is configured to dispense the bolts one at a time from the second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Samuel J. Neumeier, Ryan M. Johnson, Joseph E. Dukehart, Kurt Ehemann, Chris Evers
  • Patent number: 9278799
    Abstract: To provide wet tissue packing body with which drying of a wet tissue may be prevented by seal-packaging a tip portion of a following wet tissue that protrudes from a tissue hole when one wet tissue is taken out of the packing body. A wet tissue packing body of the present invention includes an airtight bag body accommodating a wet tissue, a wet tissue hole forming member disposed at an inner side around an opening of the bag body, and a cover member which seals the bag body opening. The wet tissue hole forming member includes a concave space to accommodate a wet tissue which protrudes from a wet tissue hole, and a flat cross section of the concave space is larger than the opening area of the bag body opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Inventor: Kikuo Yamada
  • Patent number: 9278800
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a cosmetic raw material capsule for separating and accommodating cosmetic raw materials, including: an accommodating portion (110) for accommodating at least two cosmetic raw materials; a protective film (120) arranged on the accommodating portion (110) so as to cover and seal the accommodating portion (110); and a separation film (130) arranged on the accommodating portion (110) so as to separate at least two cosmetic raw materials. Thus, cosmetic raw materials required for producing cosmetics can be contained in a single container so as to enable the simple production of cosmetics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Inventors: Woong Jin Seo, You Young Jang
  • Patent number: 9278801
    Abstract: An apparatus for preparing a beverage includes a housing, and one or more swirl-inducing sections positioned within the housing. A beverage medium, such as instant infant formula powder or a flavored drink mix, can be contained within the housing. Each swirl-inducing section can include a substantially arcuate channel having an entrance opening and an exit opening. When a liquid, such as water, is introduced into the housing, it can flow into the arcuate channel, which produces a swirling movement of the liquid that helps to thoroughly break up and evenly disperse the beverage medium throughout the liquid to produce a thoroughly mixed beverage that is ready for consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Inventor: Robert Gruder
  • Patent number: 9278802
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a detachable container comprising a base, side panels, corner posts and a roof panel, wherein the side panels are detachably connected to the base and to the roof panel, the corner posts are located between adjacent side panels and the side panels are detachably connected to the corner posts, respectively. A connection is employed for connecting the side panels with the base, the corner posts and the roof panel of the detachable container according to the present invention. Therefore, in the process of returning empty containers, each of the containers can be detached and form a whole piece, so as to reduce the space occupied. In addition, a modularized design may be employed for each component of the detachable container, so as to achieve universality of components of the container. Furthermore, this detachable container also has the advantages of convenient assembly, simple structure, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignees: CIMC VEHICLES (GROUP) CO., LTD., QINGDAO CIMC REEFER TRAILER CO., LTD., CHINA INTERNATIONAL MARINE CONTAINERS (GROUP) LTD.
    Inventors: Tianhua Huang, Xiaoyi Wang, Renyong Xu, Duanjun Ma, Zhengguo Gao, Xuri Gao, Dongfeng Zhao
  • Patent number: 9278803
    Abstract: A waste receptacle includes a housing with an opening at least on one side and a holding frame for refuse bags which is placed removably at least indirectly on an edge of the opening of the housing. The receptacle may further include a cover frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: HAILO-WERK RUDOLF LOH GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Alexander Fatrai, Kasem Phetkhajee
  • Patent number: 9278804
    Abstract: A control apparatus to automatically raise the collection mechanism of a side loading apparatus to a parked position spaced sufficiently above the roadway to prevent the collection mechanism from striking the roadway when raised or other uneven roadway surfaces are encountered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Kann Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth D. Goedken, Marlin Johnson
  • Patent number: 9278805
    Abstract: The disclosure describes a novel collection bin for a waste collection vehicle. The collection bin includes an automated cover system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS GROUP
    Inventor: John Domenic Curotto
  • Patent number: 9278806
    Abstract: A system for selectively disallowing unwinding of a storage library robotic mechanism cable assembly in a direction that would otherwise allow a platform of the robotic mechanism to move downwardly via the force of gravity while at the same time allowing for winding up of the cable assembly and the platform, such as during shipping, manual access, replacement of the robotic mechanism, and/or the like. The system may include a ratchet pawl for engaging between adjacent teeth of a drive assembly of the robotic mechanism and an actuator for selectively moving or allowing for movement of the ratchet pawl into and out of the engaged position. In one embodiment, the system may include an electric switch or the like to sense when the pawl is engaged with the drive assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Oracle International Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph P. Manes
  • Patent number: 9278807
    Abstract: A method and system for storing and supplying hydrogen to a hydrogen pipeline in which a compressed hydrogen feed stream is introduced into a salt cavern for storage and a stored hydrogen stream is retrieved from the salt cavern and reintroduced into the hydrogen pipeline. A minimum quantity of stored hydrogen is maintained in the salt cavern to produce a stagnant layer having a carbon dioxide content along the cavern wall and the top of a residual brine layer located within the salt cavern. The compressed hydrogen feed stream is introduced into the salt cavern and the stored hydrogen stream is withdrawn without disturbing the stagnant layer to prevent carbon dioxide contamination from being drawn into the stored hydrogen stream being reintroduced into the hydrogen pipeline. This allows the stored hydrogen stream to be reintroduced into the hydrogen pipeline without carbon dioxide removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: PRAXAIR TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventor: Raymond Francis Drnevich
  • Patent number: 9278808
    Abstract: An underground water storage system filled without pumps is provided. The underground water storage system comprises a water source at a first elevation and an underground water storage facility at a second elevation, less than the first elevation. The underground water storage facility is in fluid communication with the water source by a piping and valve system. The pressure difference between the water source at the first elevation and the underground water storage facility provides the motive force to fill the underground water storage system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of Colorado, a body corporate
    Inventors: William C. McIntyre, Kevin L. Rens
  • Patent number: 9278809
    Abstract: The invention provides a chute system (C1,C2,C3) for a sorting system arranged for transporting objects, e.g. for use for discharging luggage from a conveyor system. The chute system has one or more chute sections with an inlet (IL) in one end and an outlet (OL) in the opposite end. Displacement means, e.g. a pneumatic actuator, is arranged to adjust an angle of inclination of the one or more chute sections (C1,C2,C3) by displacing the chute section (C1,C2,C3) in a motion comprising pivoting around a pivot point positioned downstream of the inlet (IL). E.G. the pivot point can be positioned at the outlet, e.g. by means of a hinge. The adjustment of the angle of inclination may be controlled by a processor in response to various position and/or speed sensors and/or information about incoming objects from a vision based system or from the associated sorting system, e.g. identification of poly wrapped objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Crisplant A/S
    Inventors: Uffe Lykkegaard, Finn Lyng Pedersen
  • Patent number: 9278810
    Abstract: A frame (1, 101, 201) supports a conveyor belt system with a longitudinally circulating conveyor belt. Two plate-like carrier elements (2, 102), with principal planes extending at right angles to the longitudinal direction (L) are joined by at least two distance elements (4, 4?), disposed parallel to the longitudinal direction (L). The distance elements space the two carrier elements apart. A plurality of support elements (5) and machine feet (21) support the frame on the ground. At least one of the carrier elements defines a seating area (3), which is largely arranged horizontally. At least two first mechanical interface elements (6) run parallel to the distance elements, preferably extending over the carrier elements, and are fixed on the seating areas of the carrier elements. The frame also has at least two fixing elements (7), by which the first mechanical interface elements (6) are fixed to the seating areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo Garvens GmbH
    Inventors: Mario Meyer, Dirk Bettels, Axel Preussner, Michael Kusche, Frank Hamann
  • Patent number: 9278811
    Abstract: A transport apparatus with an endless belt-like transport member, which is guided circulating in a conveying direction via a plurality of rotating return rollers, there being formed between a first return roller and a second return roller a transport section in which articles to be conveyed can be picked up and transported by the transport member, and wherein the first return roller has a convex outer lateral surface with a diameter that reduces outwards from a central plane arranged perpendicularly to an axis of rotation of the first return roller, and the second return roller has a concave outer lateral surface with a diameter that increases outwards from a central plane arranged perpendicularly to an axis of rotation of the second return roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: BEUMER GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Heino Heitplatz, Philipp Schäfer
  • Patent number: 9278812
    Abstract: A wear strip assembly for a slat in a reciprocating conveyor system. The wear strip assembly includes a wear block underneath the end of the slat and wear strip member that covers the end of the slat. The slat is sandwiched between these two members, thus providing the end of the slat with protection as it reciprocates back and forth on the exit or off-load end of the conveyor system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Keith Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Michael Feigner, Troy Short
  • Patent number: 9278813
    Abstract: An apparatus for containing and dispensing material includes a container enclosing a quantity of the material and a discharge unit operably associated with the container. The discharge unit comprises an entry port, a rotational assembly, an impeller, and an exit port. The rotational assembly includes a rotatable plate that retracts away from the entry port when the plate and the impeller are rotating. The plate remains in an abutting relationship with the entry port when not rotating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Rick Meritt Investments, Ltd.
    Inventor: Rick Meritt
  • Patent number: 9278814
    Abstract: A gate comprising a frame and a blade. The frame defines an opening that is adapted to be opened and closed, and the blade is associated with the frame such that the blade is adapted to open and close the opening. For such purpose, the blade is adapted to move along a path defined by the frame between an open position and a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Inventors: Mark E. Koenig, Larry E. Koenig
  • Patent number: 9278815
    Abstract: An improved belt scraper assembly for belt conveyors includes a blade assembly and a hinge assembly mounted on either side of a supporting flexible member for facilitating twin blade cleaning. The blade assembly is operatively connected to the hinge assembly which is adapted to ensure limited rotational motion of the blade assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: TEGA Industries Limited
    Inventors: Kaushal Kishor, Saroj Kumar Roy, Imam Syed Yaver, Arunlal Panigrahi
  • Patent number: 9278816
    Abstract: A product-spreading hood assembly (10) for use with a die unit (128) includes a deflector (14) having wall structure defining a product inlet opening (90) and a product outlet opening (92); the deflector (14) is preferably generally frustoconical in shape and is supported by a housing (12). An optional air delivery assembly (16) allows air currents to be directed from the area of the inlet (90) towards outlet (92) to facilitate separation of discrete products. Advantageously, the air currents are delivered in a circumferential fashion about the die unit (128). Use of the hood assembly (10) serves to separate high moisture or “sticky” extrudates, thereby preventing agglomeration thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Wenger Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew James Edelman, Dennis Howard Baumgartner, Dennis R. Hartter, Jason Dean Selland, Marc L. Wenger
  • Patent number: 9278817
    Abstract: A product-spreading hood assembly (10) for use with a die unit (128) includes a deflector (14) having wall structure defining a product inlet opening (90) and a product outlet opening (92); the deflector (14) is preferably generally frustoconical in shape and is supported by a housing (12). An optional air delivery assembly (16) allows air currents to be directed from the area of the inlet (90) towards outlet (92) to facilitate separation of discrete products. Advantageously, the air currents are delivered in a circumferential fashion about the die unit (128). Use of the hood assembly (10) serves to separate high moisture or “sticky” extrudates, thereby preventing agglomeration thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Wenger Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew James Edelman, Dennis Howard Baumgartner, Dennis R. Hartter, Jason Dean Selland, Marc L. Wenger
  • Patent number: 9278818
    Abstract: A medium supply device includes a medium cassette that accommodates a medium, a dial that is rotatable around a predetermined rotation shaft, an angle-holding part to hold the dial, a subsidiary arm including arm parts that are independently displaceable, and a detection switch with switch parts that are pressed by arm parts of the subsidiary arm. The dial includes a display part on which display elements illustrating a medium size are arranged in a circumferential direction around the rotation shaft, a rotation lock part configured to be locked by the angle-holding part, and a projection formation part that includes projection parts configured to press the arm parts of the subsidiary arm in a circumferential direction around the rotation shaft. The projection parts selectively contact and displace the arm parts in accordance with the rotation angle of the dial to selectively press the switch parts of the detection switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Oki Data Corporation
    Inventor: Hitoshi Nagai
  • Patent number: 9278819
    Abstract: A paper feeder includes a recording-media container, a width regulating member, and a locking mechanism. The recording-media container is attachable to and detachable from a body of an image forming apparatus. The recording-media container stores a recording medium. The width regulating member regulates a position in a widthwise direction of the recording medium stored in the recording-media container. The locking mechanism steplessly changes a movable range of the width regulating member in the widthwise direction. The width regulating member includes a lever configured to cooperate with the width regulating member to hold the locking mechanism so as to bring the locking mechanism into an unlocked state. The locking mechanism in a locked state restricts movement of the width regulating member in the widthwise direction, and regulates wobbling of the width regulating member in a direction orthogonal to the widthwise direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventor: Yuki Doshida
  • Patent number: 9278820
    Abstract: A sheet stacking device includes sheet stacking portion, electric motor, current detecting portion, abnormality determining portion, and updating portion. The sheet stacking portion is supported to be movable in up-down direction and configured to stack sheets thereon. The electric motor outputs, to the sheet stacking portion, a driving force for moving the sheet stacking portion in up-down direction. The current detecting portion detects a current value of the electric motor. The abnormality determining portion determines that the sheet stacking portion is in abnormal state when the detected current value is greater than a predetermined threshold. The updating portion updates the threshold based on the current value that was detected by the current detecting portion while the sheet stacking portion with a predetermined set amount of sheets stacked thereon was being moved by the driving force received from the electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Yamaguchi, Katsuhiro Yoshiuchi
  • Patent number: 9278821
    Abstract: A device and a method for raising and positioning an object, for example a sheet from a sheet stack, uses a whirlwind to generate a negative pressure for generating a retaining force and uses interference air for releasing the retaining force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Manfred Haeussler, Burkhard Wolf, Andreas Mueller, Jochen Renner, Matthias Zapf
  • Patent number: 9278822
    Abstract: A sheet separator including a separation roller and a separation pad having a separation surface facing an outer circumferential surface of the separation roller in a nip position between the separation surface and the outer circumferential surface, the separation surface including a first surface disposed upstream relative to the nip position in a first direction perpendicular to the axis, the first surface including a curved surface that is curved to become closer to the axis in a direction toward the nip position from an upstream end portion of the separation surface in the first direction, and a second surface disposed downstream relative to the nip position in the first direction, the second surface flatly extending along a second direction parallel to the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Suganuma
  • Patent number: 9278823
    Abstract: A sheet feeding device, which is incorporated in an image forming apparatus, includes a sheet container that contains a sheet therein, an outer end part connectable to the sheet container, a sheet feeding member, a swing shaft, a sheet loading member supported by the swing shaft to swing according to an amount of sheets loaded on the loading surface, a rotary shaft, and a sheet amount indicator being rotatably supported by the rotary shaft and having a contact end contacting the sheet loading member swinging according to a remaining amount of sheets and a sheet amount display end moving in a given display range visible from the outside of the sheet feeding device. The sheet loading member has a sloped surface sloped to a loading surface of the loading member and disposed at a portion where the contact end of the sheet amount indicator contacts the loading surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ikuo Fujii, Ippei Kimura, Mizuna Tanaka, Hirofumi Horita
  • Patent number: 9278824
    Abstract: A recording apparatus includes a transportation section of a recording medium; a winding section of the recording medium; and a control section that controls transportation of the recording medium by controlling the transportation section and the winding section. The control section switches a threshold of a torque limit of the winding section when winding the recording medium at the winding section by synchronizing with an operation of the transportation section. According to the recording apparatus having such a configuration, an occurrence of defects is suppressed when winding the recording medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Ryo Hamano, Toru Hayashi, Yuya Saito, Takeshi Shiode
  • Patent number: 9278825
    Abstract: Provided is a post-processing device including a stacking member on which recording materials sequentially transported are stacked, a pair of discharge sections that nips and transports the recording material stacked on the stacking member, an accommodation section in which the recording materials are stacked and accommodated, and a moving member that moves between a contact position where the moving member comes into contact with the recording material stacked on the stacking member and a non-contact position where the moving member does not come into contact with the recording material, wherein when the recording material is transported to the stacking member, the recording material is supported from a rear surface at the contact position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takuya Ishikawa, Masatoshi Kimura
  • Patent number: 9278826
    Abstract: A preform forming machine for producing a three-dimensional dry fiber preform may include a forming block assembly and a clamping plate assembly. The forming block assembly may have a forming table and a forming block and may be positionable in a series of forming block assemblies. The clamping plate assembly may have a clamping table and a clamping plate and may be positionable in a series of clamping plate assemblies arranged in opposing relation to the series of forming block assemblies. Each forming block may be configured to fold a ply stack over onto itself to form a web of a preform. Each clamping plate may be configured to clamp the ply stack to the forming table during the folding of the ply stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Patrick J. Thrash, Chad L. Boger, Michael James Farrell
  • Patent number: 9278827
    Abstract: A cable reel for holding a cable wound thereon that includes a cylindrical drum having a longitudinal axis, a first end, and a second end spaced from the first end. The cable reel also includes a first flange that is coupled to the first end of the cylindrical drum and a second flange that is coupled to the second end of the cylindrical drum. The cable reel further includes a spacer that extends axially outward from the first flange. The spacer is configured to support the reel with the first flange spaced above a support surface when the longitudinal axis of the reel is in a substantially vertical orientation and with the reel being supported on the support surface by the spacer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Xiaokai Niu
  • Patent number: 9278828
    Abstract: Provided is a group management control device for elevator in which the occurrence of useless waiting time and lateness for boarding is reduced even when there is a difference in the distance from a hall call registration device to each car. For this purpose, the group management control device for elevator which manages a plurality of elevators as a bank includes a hall call registration device, a walking time prediction section which predicts the walking time of a user on the basis of the distance from the hall call registration device to each of the elevators, and a hall call assignment section which decides an elevator to be assigned to a hall call on the basis of an evaluation value calculated by using the predicted walking time. The plurality of elevators which are managed as a bank are divided into a plurality of groups according to the distance from the hall call registration device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Masaharu Eto, Naohiko Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9278829
    Abstract: A method controls an operation of an elevator system using a control law to stabilize a state of the elevator system using a tension of an elevator rope. A derivative of a Lyapunov function along dynamics of the elevator system controlled by the control law is negative definite. The control law is a function of amplitude of a sway of the elevator rope and a velocity of the sway of the elevator rope. The method determines the amplitude of the sway of the elevator rope and the velocity of the sway of the elevator rope during the operation, and determines a magnitude of the tension of the elevator rope based on the control law, and the amplitude and the velocity of the sway of the elevator rope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Mouhacine Benosman
  • Patent number: 9278830
    Abstract: A heavy load protective pad for use on industrial slings includes fasteners on a sleeve forming member which are secured together to encircle and secure the protective pad on an industrial sling at a desired location. Pockets formed in the protective pad house a pair of magnets which help the pad stay in place while attached to metal surfaces and a pair of block spacers which, in one configuration, serve to space the protective pad and underlying sling away from the load which is being lifted or pulled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: The Rigging Box, Inc.
    Inventor: Selina Conrad
  • Patent number: 9278831
    Abstract: The present invention disclosed an apparatus and for lifting and sliding object over barrier in horizontal direction, comprising two lifting beams that placed on supporting structures and located above object to be lifted and a barrier, and a lifter installed on the lifting beam. A hydraulic push instrument kit is installed on a lifting beam to move the shoulder beam and the lifter. The lifter connects with the object through the steel strand and a triangle transfer connector having three fixed-holds. When the steel strand encounters a barrier in horizontal direction, setting another lifting apparatus on the part of lifting beams located on the other side of the barrier, connecting another lifting apparatus with the third fixed-hold of transfer connectors 4 by steel strands, and lifting the object until whole load of the object has been transferred onto the second lifter and the object can move to the desired position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignees: GUANGZHOU CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING CO., LTD., SHANGHAI YESHENG MECHANICAL & ELECTRICAL CONTROL TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD
    Inventors: Junyue Gao, Long Wang, Wei Wei, Jianming Wen, Sui Yin, Yanfeng Jia, Yuantao Zhao
  • Patent number: 9278832
    Abstract: A method of reducing computational demand for image tracking includes first receiving a plurality of images of a load hoisted with hanging wire in a preset transitional space, setting at least one monitoring point each at the load and the hanging wire, respectively, providing a tracking frame at the outer periphery of each monitoring point, allowing each tracking frame to track on its corresponding monitoring point that each monitoring point is kept on a relative location within each corresponding tracking frame, and producing the same displacement as that of the monitoring point, and lastly computing the displacement of each tracking frame thus obtaining the displacement of each monitoring point in correspondence to the tracking frame to calculate various displacement of the hanging wire and the load, respectively. With this image tracking method, the processing quantity of whole image data is effectively decreased and computational demand of equipments is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: INSTITUTE OF NECLEAR ENERGY RESEARCH
    Inventors: Lun-Hui Lee, Yen-Nung Lai, Chung-Hao Huang, Cheng-Yuan Chang, Sung-Chih Ku
  • Patent number: 9278833
    Abstract: A lifting device sensor unit comprising a housing, a load monitor, and a wireless transceiver. The housing is configured to removably couple about a load line of a lifting device. The load monitor is coupled with the housing and configured for monitoring a load coupled with the load line, including monitoring a load position and a load orientation of the load. The wireless is transceiver coupled with the housing and configured for wirelessly providing information including the load position and the load orientation to a display unit located apart from the sensor unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: Kurtis L. Maynard, John F. Cameron
  • Patent number: 9278834
    Abstract: A lift crane includes a carbody; a rotating bed comprising a counterweight support frame; a boom; a counterweight unit supported on the counterweight support frame in a moveable relationship with respect to the counterweight support frame; and a counterweight unit movement device connected between the rotating bed and the counterweight unit to move the counterweight unit toward and away from the boom. The crane is configured such that during crane operation, the moment generated by the counterweight unit acts on the rotating bed predominantly through the counterweight support frame. Alternatively, the crane can include a mast. In some embodiments the same basic crane is configured to be set-up with two different counterweight options, i) a counterweight unit directly supported on the counterweight support frame and ii) a counterweight support beam moveably connected to the remainder of the rotating bed and a counterweight unit supported on the counterweight support beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Manitowoc Crane Group, LLC
    Inventors: David J. Pech, Joseph R. Rucinski
  • Patent number: 9278835
    Abstract: A hydraulic pushing device, including: a hydraulic unit, a rear seat, a front seat, a prying mechanism, an automatic adjustment mechanism, and a zero-torque pushing mechanism. The hydraulic unit and the rear seat are disposed on a platform. The zero-torque pushing mechanism includes two hydraulic cylinders, one end of each of the two hydraulic cylinders is hinged to the rear seat via a third hinge pin, and the other end of each of the two hydraulic cylinders is hinged to the front seat via a second hinge pin. The automatic adjustment mechanism includes a control lever and two locating pieces. One end of the control lever is in a fixed connection to the front seat, and the other end of the control lever is clamped by the two locating pieces. The prying mechanism includes two pawls, a pawl shaft, two prying guides, and two rows of equidistantly-disposed stop pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: DALIAN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Yan Lin, Ming Chen, Yanyun Yu, Zhuoshang Ji