Patents Issued in April 5, 2016
  • Patent number: 9301629
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a sleeping bag having a removable book located in a cavity in the top cover of the sleeping bag. The book is accessed by unzipping the opening of the cavity. The book is removably attached to the interior of the cavity using fastening means such as a hook and loop connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Inventor: Simcha Brown
  • Patent number: 9301630
    Abstract: An improved composite cup structure, which comprising: an inner plastic cup and an outer paper cup; of which the composite cup is manufactured from paper and plastics by a ratio of 7:3; the rims of both inner plastic cup and outer paper cup are provided with outwards curled edges, in particular, the curled edge of the inner plastic cup is slightly larger than that of the outer paper cup, and a flat surface is formed on the top; besides, an extension sheet of any shape is formed on the curled edge towards the cup bottom; when the inner and outer cups are overlapped, the curled edge of the inner plastic cup could cover the curled edge of the outer paper cup, thus forming a heat-insulating, leak-proofing composite cup of excellent strength; the extension sheet contributes to the separation of inner and outer cups for classification and recycling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Inventor: Tzer-Huang Guo
  • Patent number: 9301631
    Abstract: The invention relates to a scoop (1) used in cooking and/or portioning food, comprising a plate-like, elongated handle (10) and a plate-like scoop blade (20) as its extension. The handle (10) is provided with at least one weakening line (11) in the longitudinal direction of the handle (10), which allows the handle (10) to be bent into a chute by pressing the handle (10). The scoop blade (20) is provided with two or more weakening lines (21, 22), which join the longitudinal weakening line (11) or weakening lines of the handle (10) in such a way that the scoop blade (20) bends into a chute, cup, spoon or dish forced by the bending of the handle (10) into a chute. The weakening lines (11, 21) are formed of elastic material (13), which is more elastic than the scoop material. At the weakening lines there are slots (14) in the scoop material, which are filled up with the said elastic material (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: MAGISSO OY
    Inventor: Juhani Siren
  • Patent number: 9301632
    Abstract: A zipper closure device for assisting in the closing of a zipper on a garment. The device has spring operated jaws which close on a zipper pull and grip the zipper pull by pressure on the sides of the zipper pull, until released. Attached to the clamp is a pull strap which allows the zipper to be pulled from above or below to more easily close or open the zipper, without the need to reach a zipper in the middle of a user's back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Inventor: Cory Harris
  • Patent number: 9301633
    Abstract: A multi-piece ceremonial sculpture and a method of assembly. The method of assembling the sculpture is to fasten a heart-shaped outer piece to a base by way of a peg and an indented hole. Once the outer piece has been secured, an inner piece will be inserted within the outer piece and securely fastened within. A topper pin is placed through aligned openings on the top of both the outer and inner pieces. Once assembled, the heart sculpture represents love, unity and commitment between two parties together in a union.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Inventor: Michael James Letney
  • Patent number: 9301634
    Abstract: A system and method of fabricating a partition curtain. The partition curtain is made from non-woven synthetic material. The partition curtain is made without sewing. Accordingly, the partition curtain has no seams that can harbor contaminants or initiate tearing. A mesh pattern is cut into the non-woven material. The mesh pattern runs parallel to the top edge and bottom edge of the curtain. The partition curtain is solid both below the mesh section and above the mesh section. Grommets are set into the partition curtain above the mesh section so that the curtain can be hung from a curtain track. Graphics can be printed onto the front and rear surfaces of the partition curtain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Inventor: Ellis Toder
  • Patent number: 9301635
    Abstract: According to a method of producing a drink, a cold drink, in particular iced coffee is produced from a hot drink, in particular a coffee/espresso, which is produced in a drinks machine by means of a hot-drinks-preparing device (2-6). In order for optionally the hot drink or the cold drink to be produced in portions with a high taste quality, as are typical for catering and domestic use, in the case of the cold drink desired the latter is produced on a continuous basis directly after the hot drink has been prepared, without the direct addition of cooling agents, in particular ice, iced water or cooling bodies, in the same drinks machine using a cooling device (16, 23, 23?, 37, 39).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: EUGSTER/FRISMAG
    Inventors: Dieter Stutz, Daniel Fischer, Marcel W. Hüppi
  • Patent number: 9301636
    Abstract: A beverage press is shown and described. The beverage press may include a lid, a liquid containing member having upper and lower portions, where the upper portion of the liquid containing member is selectively engaged with the lid. The beverage press may also include a press operatively secured with the lid and extending within the liquid containing portion, where the press is microwaveable, and a solid retaining member selectively engaged with the lower portion of the liquid containing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Inventor: Grant Varnum
  • Patent number: 9301637
    Abstract: A compacting auger for ground coffee has an automatic cut off that responds to either timing signals or to the torque resistance to the augur offered by the coffee that has been compacted. The automation of the cut off increases the consistency of compaction and reduces the amount of skill required to compact ground coffee for making espresso.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Breville Pty Limited
    Inventors: Richard Hoare, Robert Grassia
  • Patent number: 9301638
    Abstract: Provided is a drink preparation machine with an outer housing, which contains at least one ventilation element for ventilating an interior which is enclosed by the outer housing. In order to reduce the likelihood of penetration by dust, water and/or small objects, to allow simple and quick cleaning with reduced use of detergents and to achieve energy-saving operation of the drink preparation machine, the at least one ventilation element can be actuated to open and close.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Jura Elektroapparate AG
    Inventor: Shahryar Reyhanloo
  • Patent number: 9301639
    Abstract: A beverage foams making device includes a base having a shaft rotatably extending therethrough. A stirring member and a driving member are respectively connected to two ends of the shaft. The stirring member has multiple holes and at least one protrusion extends from the stirring member. The driving member is cooperated with a driving device which drives the shaft to rotate. A cup has a connection portion connected to the base and the stirring member is located in the cup. The stirring member generates foams when the beverage in the cup is stirred by the stirring member. Ice cubes are not broken when making the beverage. The device is mainly suitable for making beverages such as green tea and black tea, alternative, milk, coffee and/or juice is also available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Inventors: Hsien-Ming Wang, Wei-Hsiang Wang
  • Patent number: 9301640
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a beverage preparation machine (1) with a machine body (2) and a machine dispensing head (3), characterized in that said dispensing head (3) and machine body (2) comprise cooperating means (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, ghd, gmb, gil, cmb) that allow movement of said head (3) relative to said body (2) along a non-linear path, and such that the trim of the dispensing head (3) is constant whatever its position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Christian Talon, Pierre Struzka
  • Patent number: 9301641
    Abstract: The invention concerns a beverage dispenser comprising: a housing (1), at least one refillable container (2) for storing bulk beverage ingredient, said container comprising a tank (22), a discharge port (5) at the outlet (23) of the tank, at least a beverage preparation unit (3) operatively linked to the container for preparing a beverage from the stored bulk beverage ingredient, a door, wherein the discharge port (6) of the container (2) is configured for being automatically closed due to the opening movement of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Cedric Rey, Sven Zwicker, Michel Hess, Silvio Lardelli
  • Patent number: 9301642
    Abstract: A method for operating a hot beverage maker includes the steps of infusing fresh water and storing the resulting beverage in a removable brewed beverage tank. An actuator is engaged for dispensing the brewed beverage from the tank. The tank is placed on a platform in a relationship so as to engage a warmer plate to keep the contents of the tank warm. Accordingly, the hot beverage maker produces a brewed beverage that is stored in the tank until it is dispensed by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Hamilton Beach Brands, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Garman
  • Patent number: 9301643
    Abstract: A lid for a cooking vessel, in particular, of a cooking pot includes a plurality of shaped elements projecting downwards at the underside of the lid. The shaped elements are flat or curved concavely and respectively form a planar lower surface that accumulates condensate, is enclosed in a U-shaped manner, slopes towards the edge of the lid, and leads to a drip off edge at its lowest location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Zwilling J.A. Henckels AG
    Inventor: Sebastian Mader
  • Patent number: 9301644
    Abstract: A dry cooking fryer (1) comprising a main body (2) receiving food items that are to be fried, and a stirrer (6) automatically coats the items with a film of fat by mixing the food items with fat. The coated food items are cooked within the fryer without immersion in a cooking fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: SEB S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Marc Payen, Jean-Claude Bizard
  • Patent number: 9301645
    Abstract: A cooking rack for bacon, or other food products, includes several articulated planar members defining a series of connected V-shaped structures. Each planar member, which may be defined by a plurality of generally parallel wires or other members, is generally porous. Bacon strips are placed on the planar members, and the rack is placed in a cooking vessel. The porosity of the planar members allows air to flow around the bacon during cooking, and allows liquids to fall from the bacon into a vessel below. The V-shaped structures may include spacers which prevent adjacent strips of bacon from touching each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Jameson Consulting, LLC
    Inventor: Paul G. Jameson
  • Patent number: 9301646
    Abstract: The modular grill of the present disclosure contains a plurality of removably connected sub-unit grills, each having their own associated control system. This allows for easy servicing and removal of each sub-unit. In addition, each sub-unit can be set to different cooking parameters if desired, thus allowing for the cooking of different products within the same grill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: GARLAND COMMERCIAL INDUSTRIES LLC.
    Inventors: Paulo J. Rosa, Douglas S. Jones
  • Patent number: 9301647
    Abstract: A knife for a cutting disc in a cutting machine, which disc includes a centrally arranged, penetrating hole and an opening extending in a radial direction. The disc is manufactured from sheet metal and includes a dike-shaped section with a sloping part extending radially from the center of the disc. An attachment element for attaching the knife is arranged along the sloping part. The knife is bent along a bend line running along the longitudinal direction of the knife. The attachment element is present in a section of the knife on one side of the bend line, and a cutting edge is present running along the free edge of the knife. The angle of bend between the sections is such that the section of the knife at which the cutting edge is present is parallel to the plane of the cutting disc when the knife is mounted on the disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: AB HALLDE MASKINER
    Inventor: Ulf Ekström
  • Patent number: 9301648
    Abstract: A shaker including a vessel and an agitator. The vessel includes a container wall. A rounded bottom closes off the container wall, wherein a border of the bottom is formed radially towards a center axis of the vessel such that the bottom transitions from the container wall to be outwardly domed. An agitator is for use in combination with the vessel, the agitator further comprising a tetrahedral body having four planar faces, four vertices, and six edges, each edge traveling between each of the vertices. Each vertex is rounded off and configured to forcibly contact the container wall and an entirety of the bottom upon shaking the vessel. These rounded vertices create a propeller-like spinning and tumbling motion through the liquid-powder mixture when the vessel is vigorously shaken up and down, and scalloped edges of the agitator produce additional turbulence to efficiently blend a liquid/powder mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Inventors: David A. Aliberti, Joshua Lederer
  • Patent number: 9301649
    Abstract: A sharpened edge spatula device facilitates food preparation and serving by providing a spatula device having a sharpened edge. The device includes a handle and a head coupled to and extending from the handle. The head has a first edge, a second edge, and a pair of side edges extending between the first edge and the second edge. The side edges taper extending from the first edge to the second edge and the first edge is sharpened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Inventor: Laerte X. Costa
  • Patent number: 9301650
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein describe systems and methods for a rotatable coffee pod storage device. The rotatable coffee pod storage device may have a plurality arms that are configured to receive coffee pods. The arms of the coffee pods may be configured to receive coffee pods in a direction that is perpendicular to the angle of rotation of the rotatable coffee pod storage device. Accordingly, a user may be able to easily and effectively insert and remove a plurality of coffee pods, while also conveniently storing the coffee pods and reducing the amount of space required to store the coffee pods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Inventor: Bryan Knowlton
  • Patent number: 9301651
    Abstract: A bathtub assembly includes a tub body and a positionable shelf including a substantially planar platform and a mounting post disposed in a corner portion of the platform. A mount for the positionable shelf defines a socket for the mounting post and includes a flanged, outwardly threaded, hollow tubular portion open at both ends and a flanged sleeve therewithin. The mounting post can be slidably received within the flanged sleeve such that mounting post can rotate relative to the socket. Accordingly, the positionable shelf can rotate relative to the tub body 360 degrees in a horizontal plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Ella's Bubbles, LLC
    Inventor: Laimonis Magone
  • Patent number: 9301652
    Abstract: A portable, walk in type bathtub includes an entrance and a door attached thereto to allow someone to walk into the bathtub without stepping over a wall. A replaceable water tank is attached to the tub such that clean water is directed from the water tank to the tub. Once the water has been used, the dirty or black water is directed to a separate tank within the water tank attachment. Once all of the clean water from the water tank has been used, the water tank is detached from the tub housing and a new tank containing clean water is attached to the tub to further facilitate bathing. The tub and water tank include wheels attached to the bottoms thereof to facilitate movement of the tub and water tank. The wheels may be raised and lowered to facilitate movement and locking of the tub in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Chet Millerd
    Inventor: Chet Millerd
  • Patent number: 9301653
    Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing a diluted form of a concentrated product includes: a supply of concentrated product; a dilution chamber; an actuation assembly and a product pump mechanism having a water staging chamber. The actuation assembly receives water under pressure from a pressurized water supply. In a staging state, water from the pressurized water supply is fed to the water staging chamber, increasing the volume thereof and causing the actuating of the pump mechanism thereby driving a dose of product into the dilution chamber. In a return state, (a) water within the water staging chamber exits the water staging chamber, (b) water is advanced to the dilution chamber and mixes with the dose of product to create diluted product, and (c) a dose of concentrated product is drawn from the supply of concentrated product into the product pump mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: GOJO Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Nick E. Ciavarella, Paul R. Metcalfe
  • Patent number: 9301654
    Abstract: A sanitary liquid dispenser having a spherical housing with a discharge port and a fluid reservoir positioned within the dispenser. The fluid reservoir includes a disposable deformable bag with a nozzle projecting downwardly from the bag. The dispenser includes a proximity detector for activating a discharge mechanism when detecting the proximity of an object beneath the dispenser. The discharge mechanism includes a valve within the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: SOAPTRONIC INTERNATIONAL, LLC
    Inventors: Horst Binderbauer, Renato S. Franchetto, Drew S. Abejon
  • Patent number: 9301655
    Abstract: A hands free washing assembly for washing a user's back includes a primary frame that may be coupled to a support surface. A coupler is coupled to the primary frame. The coupler engages the support surface so the primary frame is retained on the support surface. A plate is selectively operationally coupled to the primary frame. A user rubs the user's back on the plate so the plate scrubs the user's back. A secondary frame is operationally coupled to the primary frame. The secondary frame retains the plate on the primary frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Inventor: Curtis Coleman
  • Patent number: 9301656
    Abstract: A full back scrubbing apparatus for allowing a user to scrub his entire back area simultaneously while in the shower. The a full back scrubbing apparatus comprises a front surface defined by a scrubbing body sized to be at least as long as a user's body from his waist to his neck and at least as wide as a user's shoulders and a back surface defined by a plurality of fasteners. The front surface includes a plurality of ridges disposed around the perimeter and a plurality of bristles disposed throughout its interior. The ridges and bristles provide the on surface friction is generated when a user rubs his back against the full back scrubbing apparatus. The back surface includes a suction cup fastener disposed on the exterior area of the back surface and a hook and loop fabric fastener is disposed on the interior area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Inventor: Willie Frank Lee
  • Patent number: 9301657
    Abstract: A cleansing workpiece suitable for use with a personal care appliance. The cleansing workpiece includes a cleanser and a cleansing component, such as a number of tufts each having a plurality of bristles. In use, the cleansing workpiece can be rotated, reciprocated, oscillated, etc., over a subject's skin in order for the cleansing workpiece to dispense or apply a quantity of the cleanser onto the subject's skin and/or for the cleansing component to clean, massage, and/or exfoliate a subject's skin with the aid of dispensed cleanser. The cleanser may be continuously applied to the subject's skin as the cleansing component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: L'Oreal
    Inventors: Zane Bowman Allen Miller, Kenneth A. Pilcher
  • Patent number: 9301658
    Abstract: Embodiments include, in combination with a ball joint relievable hanger having an moveable rod in which movement is facilitated by a ball portion within a complementary cavity, the ball portion having a bore containing a spring which bears on a locking member and urges the locking member into a detent in the complementary cavity, thereby retaining the rod in position unless a release weight is placed on the hanger, resulting in the downward movement of the rod, the improvement comprising, the extension of the bore in the ball portion to the end of the rod, a threaded screw which interacts with threads on the bore extension to allow distal-proximate movement of the screw, and seat means for conveying distal-proximate movement of the screw to the spring. Embodiments include means for adjusting the release weight of the relievable hanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Acorn Engineering Company
    Inventor: Darryl Boeltl
  • Patent number: 9301659
    Abstract: A high efficiency evaporative toilet provides a unique air introduction and exposure/utilization system providing a unique air flow pattern that draws hot air over solids and then over liquids for absorption of moisture in three different technological options. An expansion of the liquid surface exposed to hot air is achieved through the use of wicking in the carousel and microwave applications. An air exhaust system provides a unique exhaust flow system that draws saturated air out of the system and is operated nonstop, using minimal amounts of electricity with the added option of being compatible with the use of solar panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Inventors: Jerry Duane Wilburg, Lawrence James Losoncy, Ted Knight
  • Patent number: 9301660
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a laminate composite toilet lid and seat and a method of manufacturing thereof. The toilet lid includes a core structural layer having a shape and size associated with the toilet lid. The toilet lid also includes first and second resilient layers disposed on first and second surfaces of the core structural layer. The toilet lid further includes a plurality of exterior layers disposed on exterior surfaces of the core structural layer and the first and second resilient layers, the exterior layers configured to envelop the toilet lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Topseat International, Inc.
    Inventors: Chengdong Wu, Jie Zhang
  • Patent number: 9301661
    Abstract: A compact machine for cleaning floors includes a solution tank and dispensing system for dispensing solution onto the surface to be cleaned, a deck assembly for guiding dirty solution to a recovery pickup point, a mechanically operated pump for collecting the dirty solution from the recovery pickup point, and a recovery tank for receiving the collected fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Kärcher North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel C. Venard, Adam Bearup
  • Patent number: 9301662
    Abstract: Several embodiments of an upright surface cleaning apparatus are disclosed. The surface cleaning apparatus has a first cyclonic cleaning stage and comprises a surface cleaning head having a dirty fluid inlet. A fluid flow path extends from the dirty fluid inlet to a clean air outlet of the upright surface cleaning apparatus. A support member is mounted to the surface cleaning head. A portable cleaning unit is removably mounted to the surface cleaning apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Omachron Intellectual Property Inc.
    Inventor: Wayne Ernest Conrad
  • Patent number: 9301663
    Abstract: An upright surface cleaning apparatus comprises a surface cleaning head having a dirty air inlet. A support structure is moveably mounted to the surface cleaning head and a portable cleaning unit is removably mounted to the support structure. An above floor cleaning wand is provided. The wand is removable from the support structure without removal of the cleaning unit from the support structure and the cleaning unit is removable from the support structure without disconnecting the wand from the support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Omachron Intellectual Property Inc.
    Inventor: Wayne Ernest Conrad
  • Patent number: 9301664
    Abstract: A system and method for capturing dust from debris transportation are disclosed. The system comprises at least one piece of hollow tubing comprising a plurality of air intake passages and configured to transport debris and capture dust when coupled to a negative pressure source, the air intake passages further configured such that an air curtain of suction emanates from the plurality of air intake passages when the negative pressure source is engaged in generating a negative pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Skitter & Squirt Adventures, LLC
    Inventor: Jack Marion King, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9301665
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner that includes a suction source, a cleaner head, and a controller. The suction source includes an impeller and a first motor for driving the impeller, and the cleaner head includes an agitator and a second motor for driving the agitator. The controller is configured to generate control signals for controlling simultaneously the excitation of the first motor and the second motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: Andrew Charlton Clothier, James Douglas Chisholm
  • Patent number: 9301666
    Abstract: A hand vacuum cleaner is provided with a wand mounted to the dirty fluid inlet of the hand vacuum cleaner and the wand has a distal inlet that is mounted on a surface cleaning head. The hand vacuum cleaner has a cyclonic cleaning stage. The dirty fluid inlet has a passage with a passage axis and the cyclonic cleaning stage has a longitudinal axis. The fluid flow motor is displaced from the passage axis in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Omachron Intellectual Property Inc.
    Inventor: Wayne Ernest Conrad
  • Patent number: 9301667
    Abstract: A dishwasher with a tub at least partially defining a treating chamber, a liquid spraying system supplying a spray of liquid to the treating chamber, a liquid recirculation system defining a recirculation flow path, and a liquid filtering system having a rotating filter. A chopping system is included to macerate foreign objects within the recirculation flow path and includes a blade mounted to the rotating filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Todd M. Jozwiak
  • Patent number: 9301668
    Abstract: A dishwasher capable of efficiently washing dishes is provided. A dishwasher includes a washing tub, a rack, an area input unit and a spray module. The washing tub forms a space in which dishes are washed. The rack has the dishes loaded thereto, being provided inside the washing tub. The area input unit receives an area selected from a plurality of areas into which the rack is divided. The spray module sprays washing water toward the selected area input to the area input unit in the plurality of areas of the rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sanghoon Lee, Jongmin Lee, Kiyoung Kang, Minhan Kim
  • Patent number: 9301669
    Abstract: A rail assembly for a dishwasher basket that may include a rail to be connected to a side wall of the dishwasher basket; at least one support roller for guiding a front portion of the rail; a pair of guide rollers for guiding a rear portion of the rail, the pair of guide rollers may include a lower guide roller located to engage a lower guide face of the rail, and an upper guide roller located to engage an upper guide face of the rail; a lever element on which at least one of the guide rollers is mounted and which is rotatable about an axis extending generally in parallel to the axis of rotation of the at least one guide roller; and may include a spring element for rotationally biasing the lever element to urge the at least one guide roller against the rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag
    Inventor: Henrik Nygren
  • Patent number: 9301670
    Abstract: According to embodiments of the present invention, a dishwasher may provide an intensified wash effect. The dishwasher may include a rack defining a bottom and a sidewall, wherein the rack is adapted to receive dishware therein. A dishwashing fluid supply channel may be configured to supply dishwashing fluid to a spray assembly. The spray assembly may comprise at least one nozzle member. Thereby, the spray assembly may be adapted to receive the dishwashing fluid from the dishwashing fluid supply channel and to dispense the dishwashing fluid therethrough. The spray assembly may be coupled to the sidewall of the rack. Further, the nozzle member may be attached to an arm which is moveable between at least a first position wherein the arm is adjacent the sidewall of the rack and a second position wherein the arm is adjacent the bottom of the rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: ELECTROLUX HOME PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Troy A. Dalsing, David E. House, Mark D. Montgomery, Daniel Clay White, Virgil J. Francisco, Niklas Olson
  • Patent number: 9301671
    Abstract: A dish rack including a cassette intended to be attached to the underside of a cabinet or a shelf. The cassette is arranged, in a first position, to house a folded wire shelf that can be pulled out of and folded down from the cassette and that is arranged in at least two sections. In a second, folded-down position of the wire shelf, the cassette supports the rear edge of a first section of the wire shelf so that the first section hangs down at a first predetermined angle relative to the underside of the cabinet/shelf, and a second section of the wire shelf rotatably connected to the first section at the front edge thereof and capable of being folded outwards from the first section so that the second section, in a folded-out state, forms an angle with the upper side of said first section by a second predetermined angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: J GRUPPEN AB
    Inventor: Christopher Jarl
  • Patent number: 9301672
    Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) scanner device for generating a three dimensional (3D) surface model of shaped objects, such as dental structures, applicable for use in the field of dentistry, particularly to dental prosthetics manufacturing. Methods and systems relating to the device are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: APOLLO ORAL SCANNER, LLC
    Inventors: Alfonso Fernandez Pulido, David De Pablos Garcia
  • Patent number: 9301673
    Abstract: A vaginal dilator for use in gynecologic examination. The vaginal dilator comprises an upper dilating member and a lower dilating member that are hinged to each other, the upper dilating member comprising an upper dilating leaf and an upper press rod arranged at a tail portion of the upper dilating leaf, the lower dilating member comprising a lower dilating leaf and a lower press rod arranged at a tail portion of the lower dilating leaf. The upper dilating leaf is hinged to the upper press rod, and the upper rod is hinged to the lower dilating member, and the upper press rod is provided with a light emitting element, a switch and a power source, the switch being connected with the light emitting element. The upper dilating leaf is pressed down to contact and mate with the upper press rod or the upper dilating leaf is disengaged from the upper press rod to coordinately control the switch to be connected to or disconnected from the power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Inventors: Changchun Sun, Minglei Zhang, Lei Ge
  • Patent number: 9301674
    Abstract: A tissue retractor generally includes a pair of arms that are pivotally coupled to each other and each have a finger grip portion on a first end and a working portion arranged on an opposite second end. Each of the second ends comprises an elongated shaft that extends along an axis. A pair of paddles each having a planar engagement body and a mounting portion are pivotally coupled to a corresponding elongated shaft. The paddles are selectively rotatable around the respective axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: BIOMET MANUFACTURING, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel D. Fritzinger, Hill Hastings
  • Patent number: 9301675
    Abstract: A method and associated apparatus for validating testing procedure in objective ophthalmic eye testing is implemented for eye evaluation applications requiring subject compliance with eye fixation to a visual target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: NEURO KINETICS, INC
    Inventors: Alexander D Kiderman, Yakov Eydelman, John Howison Schroeder
  • Patent number: 9301676
    Abstract: Improved systems and methods for determining ocular scattering are provided. These systems and methods can be used to quantify ocular scattering before and/or after a wide variety of different ophthalmic diagnostic procedures, and various surgical and non-surgical treatments. One embodiment provides a system and method for determining ocular scattering that uses two light detectors, with one detector configured to detect light over a relatively narrow angular range, and the other detector configured to detect light over a relatively large angular range. The data from the narrow angular range and the large angular range can then be analyzed to determine a measurement of ocular scattering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Abbott Medical Optics Inc.
    Inventors: Huawei Zhao, Li Chen
  • Patent number: 9301677
    Abstract: Systems and methods for designing and implanting a customized intra-ocular lens (IOL) is disclosed. In one embodiment, a system includes an eye analysis module that analyzes a patient's eye and generates biometric information relating to the eye. The system also includes eye modeling and optimization modules to generate an optimized IOL model based upon the biometric information and other inputted parameters representative of patient preferences. The system further includes a manufacturing module configured manufacture the customized IOL based on the optimized IOL model. In addition, the system can include an intra-operative real time analyzer configured to measure and display topography and aberrometry information related to a patient's eye for assisting in proper implantation of the IOL.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: WaveTec Vision Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Stefano Salvati, Cesare Tanassi, Gianluigi Meneghini, Renato Frison, Walter Zanette
  • Patent number: 9301678
    Abstract: The invention is directed to quantification of the effects of drugs on a patient using pupillometric measures. Apparatus and processes for obtaining control and patient measures and deriving relationships from same are provided. The methods of the invention provide doctor quantitative feedback on patient symptoms and on the effects of a drug or dosage of same on a patient, as well as provide assessment capability to patients and law enforcement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Drexel University
    Inventor: Robert A. Hirsh