Patents Issued in September 22, 2016
  • Publication number: 20160271485
    Abstract: A safety component for a skating rink. The safety component comprises a body portion connectable to a transparent barrier located above dasher boards of the skating rink, wherein upon impact the body portion is capable of at least partially absorbing impact forces. The safety component further comprises a curved rink-facing surface that provides a substantially convex curved surface facing the skating rink. The curved rink-facing surface has a radius of curvature suitable for redirecting the impact forces away from the convex curved surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2016
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Inventor: March-Andre Seguin
  • Publication number: 20160271486
    Abstract: A measurement device (16) and method for analyzing a billiards shot using an accelerometer (25) for generating acceleration data, an indication system (24), a microprocessor (26) for calculating statistical data, a power source (22), and a housing (20). The device (16), when powered, detects when the player has struck a billiards ball with a billiards cue. The microprocessor (26) then acquires acceleration data from the accelerometer (25) and outputs a signal if the data exceeds a predetermined threshold, thus alerting the player. The device (16) brings the player's attention to improper billiards cue movement, allowing the player to improve his or her stroke consistency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Inventor: Nathan Addison Rhoades
  • Publication number: 20160271487
    Abstract: Provided herein is a novel method of game play that provides for the fair and equitable exchange of certain game components occurring during game play, and more specifically, said method of game play that encompasses all variations of game play where the exchange of said game components occurs as the result of an auction or auction-like process. The present invention creates game play that allows for the acquisition of collectible game components, and more specifically, collectible cards, where ownership of said collectible game components is transferred from one player to another and is governed by rules that provide for the fair and equitable exchange of said components. Other novel features of the present invention include, among other things, infinite game length, game play without the determination of a winner, simultaneous game play, and the use and addition of an unlimited number of certain game components during game play.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Inventor: Donald Wayne Crouse
  • Publication number: 20160271488
    Abstract: A device for forming a random set of playing cards comprises a card in-feed area, a shuffling system, a card removal area, and a card reading system located within the device, the card reading system employing a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) sensor and a hardware component, the hardware component capable of converting signals from the CMOS sensor into vector sets and comparing the vector sets to known vectors to determine rank and suit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Inventors: Justin G. Downs, James D. Roberts, Vladislav Zvercov, Kapilkumar N. Kulakkunnath
  • Publication number: 20160271489
    Abstract: A kit including a game table, a game piece removably mountable to the game table, and a fishing rod is described. The game piece includes a game piece body defining two opposite sidewalls and a v-shaped notch. The game piece also includes a ring-shaped element mounted at least partially in the v-shaped notch. The fishing rod includes a pole, a line attached to the pole, and a hook attached to the line. The hook is shaped so as to be capable of hooking the ring-shaped element. Game play with elements of the kit allow both children and adults to compete to capture game pieces using the fishing rods in a manner that is competitive, challenging, and fun.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2016
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Inventor: Donald M. Estes
  • Publication number: 20160271490
    Abstract: There are provided an entertainment device, a display control method, a program, and an information storage medium for enabling command information arranged on a screen to be less of a nuisance for the user than before. A voice receiving section (56) receives a voice. When the voice represents prescribed information, a command information arranging section (68) arranges command information at a position on a screen in accordance with display content of the screen, the command information being indicative of a command and causing execution of a process corresponding to the command upon receipt of the voice represented by the information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2014
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Inventors: Keigo TAMURA, Tomoki TAKAICHI, Masaki HIGUCHI, Toshimasa AOKI, Ikuo KOBAYASHI
  • Publication number: 20160271491
    Abstract: The game program pertaining to the present invention receives selection operation input from a player by having the player select one of a plurality of characters. Then, it is determined whether the received selection operation input is a first selection operation input or a second selection operation input, and if the first selection operation input has been received, the character selected by the player is configured as a selectable object and a first action is configured for the character that is a selectable object, and if the second selection operation input has been received, the character selected by the player is configured as a selectable object and a second action that is different from the first action is configured for the character that is a selectable object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Inventors: Kyohei YAMAGUCHI, Tatsuya KOYAMA
  • Publication number: 20160271492
    Abstract: Handheld location based games are provided in which a user's physical location correlates to the virtual location of a virtual character on a virtual playfield. Augmented Reality (AR) systems are provided in which video game indicia are overlaid onto a user's physical environment. A landscape detector is provided that may obtain information about the user's landscape, in addition to the user's location, in order to provide overlaying information to an AR head-mounted display and control information to non-user controlled video game characters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2016
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Inventor: Jeffrey David Mullen
  • Publication number: 20160271493
    Abstract: A system and method for entering text within a video game application are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Inventor: Stephen G. Perlman
  • Publication number: 20160271494
    Abstract: Data processing method and apparatus for a network system are provided. The method includes collecting, by a recording module at a socket interface of a front apparatus of the network system, data packets transmitted between the front apparatus and a server, sequentially recording the collected data packets in a binary file in chronological order, and saving the binary file; and disconnecting, by a playback module, transmission communication between the front apparatus and the server, sequentially parsing the data packets in the binary file in chronological order, and sending the data packets to an upper-layer logic processing module of the front apparatus without using the socket interface. The present disclosure can implement a demonstration (Demo) technology of a network system in a simple processing manner, thereby reducing system complexity and storage space occupied, and improving universality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2016
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Inventors: Jun LI, Zhiyong ZHUO, Yiju MOU, Zhuo GONG, Liang SHANG
  • Publication number: 20160271495
    Abstract: A method of creating and encoding images, which comprises identifying a set of objects in a scene to be rendered; rendering the objects into at least two groups of images. Each of the groups of images comprises at least one image respective to that group. The method further comprises encoding the images in each group in accordance with an encoding process common to that group, and outputting the encoded images via an interface. Also provided is a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions for execution by at least one processor of at least one computing device, wherein execution of the instructions by the at least one processor of the at least one computing device causes the at least one computing device to implement the aforementioned method. Also provided is at least one video game server with components adapted to perform the aforementioned method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2014
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Applicant: SQUARE ENIX HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Cyril PERRIN
  • Publication number: 20160271496
    Abstract: An apparatus, method and computer-readable storage medium for guiding a player to the completion of a task during game play. The player selects a control device in a graphical user interface device generated by a processor. In response to the selection, a hint is provided to the user in the graphical user interface that presents a game board to a player. The player may use the hint to accomplish the task.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Inventors: Fareed Behmaram-Mosavat, Seth John Sivak, William Lazzaro
  • Publication number: 20160271497
    Abstract: Technologies are generally described to dynamically alter a game while a gamer is playing the game so as to affect the gaming experience experienced by the gamer. According to some examples, one or more physiological signals may be collected from a gamer as the gamer is playing a game. Based on the collected physiological signals, a Quality of Experience (QoE) vector that indicates the gaming experience of the gamer may be generated. The QoE vector may then be compared with a corresponding value of a predetermined QoE function, and the game may be altered based on the comparison.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2014
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Applicant: Empire Technology Development LLC
    Inventors: Daqi LI, Jun FANG
  • Publication number: 20160271498
    Abstract: A gaming system for training to modify behavior includes a trainer database for storing data input by a trainer that documents behavioral data corresponding to a player and is collected or observed by the trainer when the player is not playing a game offered through use of a gaming engine; a player device used by the player to play a game selected from a gaming database, used to generate player behavioral data uploaded to the gaming database and based on the player's interactions with the game, and used to interact with the trainer through the gaming engine; and an I/O device in communication with the player device or the gaming engine for collecting location or vitals data corresponding to the player as the player plays the game. Game settings can be changed based on the player's interactions with the game or based on the location or vitals data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Inventors: Miles Queller Lifton, Gary Bruce Lifton, Danielle Queller Lifton
  • Publication number: 20160271499
    Abstract: A game program when executed causes a computer to perform a process including storing a plurality of game areas each associated with one of a plurality of players including a subject player; receiving information concerning an own game area associated with the subject player and information concerning statuses of progress of the subject player and a plurality of other players different from the subject player through the game in the own game area; storing, in association with the own game area, the statuses of the progress of the subject player and the plurality of other players through the game in the own game area; comparing statuses of progress of the plurality of players through the game in the own game area; outputting display information for displaying a comparison result; and transmitting the display information to terminals of the plurality of players.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Applicant: GREE, Inc.
    Inventor: Yoshiyuki Higo
  • Publication number: 20160271500
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method (300) and system (102) for analyzing data associated with electronic games. The system (102) receives data associated with one or more types of electronic games from heterogeneous data sources, and the data is related to in-game activities performed by players playing electronic games. The system 102 normalizes the data into common schema to obtain normalized data and categorize normalized data into categories of electronic games to obtain categorized data, and classifies categorized data into sub-categories of the electronic games to obtain classified data. The system (102) partitions classified data based upon game attributes to generate partitioned data, and executes one or more analytical techniques on the partitioned data to obtain one or more user telemetry patterns related to in-game activities performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2016
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Inventors: Chitranjan Nath, Yogesh Gupta
  • Publication number: 20160271501
    Abstract: Methods and systems for establishing fantasy sports competitions. In one aspect, a method includes generating fantasy team rosters, each fantasy team roster including distinct individual athletes, where each fantasy team roster is balanced to the other fantasy team rosters based on historical data from a database of computed fantasy sports statistics and a database of predictive modeling of projected individual fantasy sports statistics; receiving selected teams within the at least two fantasy team rosters from users; obtaining real-time statistics of the athletes; creating a dynamic database including fantasy scoring of the athletes based on a fantasy scoring scheme; and displaying in real time the dynamic database comparing the fantasy sports statistics for each fantasy team roster to determine which fantasy team roster has amassed higher scoring fantasy sports statistics based on the fantasy scoring scheme.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Inventor: Michael Brian Balsbaugh
  • Publication number: 20160271502
    Abstract: To provide an ornament mechanism comprising a light-emitting element applied to an elastic material, and, a sports equipment and an amusement equipment decorated by the ornament mechanism. This ornament mechanism is provided with a transparent air cover and a light-emitting element. The transparent air cover is a cover that covers a core body and has air sealed inside. The light-emitting element is disposed between the core body and the transparent air cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Inventor: Yasushi Ochi
  • Publication number: 20160271503
    Abstract: A movable screen apparatus suitable for use in a themed entertainment environment. The movable screen apparatus includes a screen and a base configured for movement over surface. The movable screen apparatus includes a guidance arrangement and a drive arrangement, wherein said guidance and drive arrangements are operable, in use, to move the screen apparatus along a pre-defined looped path. The looped path is defined by a physical track which is contactable by the guidance arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Inventor: Gino De-Gol
  • Publication number: 20160271504
    Abstract: A squeezable tongue-wagging toy figure with a squeeze mechanism which includes a squeaker provided within a space defined by four hinged panels in elliptical cylinder shape, and a toothed rack meshed with a gear chain that is coupled with a bar with a toy tongue. When the panels are squeezed, the rack drives the gear chain in one direction and in turn pivot the bar towards one side and the squeaker produces a sound, and when the panels are released, the rack drives the gear chain in an opposite direction and in turn pivot the bar towards an opposite side and the squeaker produces another sound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2016
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Inventor: Chun Yuen Lau
  • Publication number: 20160271505
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing, a rotational motor situated within the housing, an eccentric load adapted to be rotated by the rotational motor, and a plurality of legs each having a leg base and a leg tip at a distal end relative to the leg base. The legs are coupled to the housing at the leg base and include at least one driving leg constructed from a flexible material and configured to cause the apparatus to move in a direction generally defined by an offset between the leg base and the leg tip as the rotational motor rotates the eccentric load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Applicant: Innovation First, Inc.
    Inventors: David Anthony Norman, Robert H. Mimlitch, III, Douglas Michael Galletti
  • Publication number: 20160271506
    Abstract: A rail clamp for model railroad track has a base having an upper surface and a lower surface. The upper surface has two spaced apart hooks, each hook having its open end facing away from the open end of the other hook. Male fasteners extend through holes formed in the base component, spaced apart from the hooks a suitable distance to fit a train rail, and each male fastener engages a corresponding female fastener. One of the bottom flanges of a standard train rail fits under the hook, and the other flange is clamped down by heads of the male fasteners. Two conductive sheets lie on the base, each trapped under a rail and between a hook and a pair of screws.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2015
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Inventor: Nico Corbo
  • Publication number: 20160271507
    Abstract: [Problem to be Solved]To provide an electrically-operated toy that uses an electric double-layer capacitor as a main power source and yet can secure an operation duration time per charge that is long enough to fully satisfy the users who are infants, younger school children, etc. [Solution]Provided is an electrically-operated toy that includes: an electric double-layer capacitor acting as a main power source; a movable mechanism for realizing toy functions; an electric motive power source for operating the movable mechanism; and a chopper-type step-up DC/DC converter that boosts a voltage received from the electric double-layer capacitor and supplies the voltage as a power source to at least the electric motive power source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2014
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Applicant: Tomy Company Ltd.
    Inventors: Kimitaka WATANABE, Yoshio SUIMON
  • Publication number: 20160271508
    Abstract: A building block, comprises a plurality of basic units and a plurality of connectors. Each connector is used to connect each two basic units. The basic unit is a hexahedron. Each face is set with a plurality of connecting holes and a slot. The connector inserts into one connecting hole on one face of the basic unit, and comes out from another connecting hole on the opposing face through the slot to connect with another basic unit. The connecting design not only increases the ways of connecting each two basic units, but also ensures that one basic unit has at least one connecting hole for connecting with another basic unit. The present invention is help to cultivate children's ability of multiple perspectives thinking and ability of 3D space thinking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2015
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Applicant: XIAMEN SUNNYPET PRODUCTS CO., LTD
    Inventor: Kongzhi LU
  • Publication number: 20160271509
    Abstract: A play mat system to which various objects may be removably mounted over a display. The play mat system generally includes a housing having a transparent upper surface or upper cover. A display is either integrated with the housing or provided by an electronic device such as a tablet computer which may be removably connected to the lower surface of the housing via one or more receiver brackets. The housing may include a plurality of projections extending from its upper surface or upper cover to which various objects such as toys or building blocks may be removably mounted. Multiple housings may be interconnected via links such that they function as a singular display unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Inventor: Edwin N. Arboleda
  • Publication number: 20160271510
    Abstract: An apparatus for forming instructional figures is disclosed. The apparatus includes a plurality of building blocks and a board. The plurality of building blocks has a predefined shape. The board has a plurality of spikes on a surface and holes surrounded by the plurality of spikes. The plurality of building blocks is mountable over the plurality of spikes to form the instructional figure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Applicant: Unique Trading Company
    Inventor: Chi Fai Wallace HO
  • Publication number: 20160271511
    Abstract: Toy kits and methods of using toy kits including a light-up object and near-invisible tether are described herein. The light-up objects can be of any suitable size and shape, and includes a plurality of light sources disposed along its inner or outer surface(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Inventor: William Mark Forti
  • Publication number: 20160271512
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) for dewatering fluids, comprising: a dewatering chamber (12) through which the fluid for at least partial dewatering, especially by means of a gas that dries the fluid, can flow, an inlet (30) for fluid to be dewatered from a fluid reservoir (80) to a fluid input (16) of the dewatering chamber (12), an outlet (32) for at least partly dewatered fluid from a fluid output (20) of the dewatering chamber (12) to the fluid reservoir (80), a common line (34) assigned alternately to the inlet (30) and the outlet (32), a fluid pump (36) disposed within the common line (34), and a control valve (40) which connects the common line (34) to the fluid reservoir (80) in a first position and to the fluid output (20) of the dewatering chamber (12) in a second position, is characterized in that a flow divider (82) disposed at the opposite end of the common line (34) from the control valve (40) divides the fluid stream coming from the fluid pump (36) into a first substream (t1) that leads to the fluid input (1
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Inventor: Martin BAUER
  • Publication number: 20160271513
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to microfluidics, and to spray drying and other drying techniques. Various embodiments of the invention are generally directed to systems and methods for drying fluids contained within a channel such as a microfluidic channel. For example, a fluid may be partially or completely dried within a microfluidic channel, prior to being sprayed into a collection region. In some embodiments, the fluids may be dried relatively rapidly, resulting in spray-dried particles that are partially or completely amorphous. For instance, the fluid may contain salts, drugs, small molecules, ceramics, inorganic species, metals, sugars, polymers, etc., which may be dried to form partially or completely amorphous nanoparticles containing these species.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Inventors: David A. Weitz, Esther Amstad, Frans Spaepen
  • Publication number: 20160271514
    Abstract: A reactor comprising a plurality of vessels, each having a heat exchange surface for processing a fluid as a thin film flow, the vessels arranged in a concentric manner; a plurality of annular spaces situated between the vessels; and a pathway for directing a heat exchange fluid from one vessel to an adjacent vessel for creating a temperature differential between the heat exchange surfaces and the fluid being processed. A system comprising a fluid source, a reactor, and a vapor outlet and a processed fluid outlet through generated vapor and processed fluid are directed out of the reactor, respectively. A method comprising providing a plurality of concentrically arranged surfaces in spaced relation, distributing a fluid to be processed against the surfaces in a controlled manner to form a substantially uniform thin film flow thereon, and evaporating at least a portion of the fluid being processed along the plurality of surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2015
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Inventors: Robert Campbell, Jeane A. Schalm
  • Publication number: 20160271515
    Abstract: A process-technology column including a novel liquid distributor which is to be as insensitive as possible to dirt or solids carried in the liquid and which can be operated over a load range as great as possible without the possibility of the delivered liquid being excessively easily entrained by the gas flow which rises in the column is provided. The liquid distributor includes a liquid feed for conducting a liquid and at least 2 nozzles connected thereto for producing a respective liquid jet. The nozzles are flat-jet nozzles for producing a respective flat jet. The flat-jet nozzles are so oriented that the flat jet produced by them impinges on a drain element which is arranged at the liquid distributor and at which the liquid of the flat jet can drain away.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2015
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Applicant: RVT Process Equipment GmbH
    Inventors: Uwe FRANZ, Werner GEIPEL
  • Publication number: 20160271516
    Abstract: The invention relates to a crossflow tray for a mass transfer column (27) in which a gas is conducted in countercurrent to a liquid, the crossflow tray (1) having passage orifices (3) for the gas and at least two downcomers (5), the downcomers (5) projecting beyond the top surface of the crossflow tray (1) and a collecting cup (13) being disposed beneath each downcomer (5). The downcomer (5) projects into the collecting cup (13), the minimum horizontal cross-sectional area of the collecting cup (13) is 1.2 to 4 times greater than the horizontal cross-sectional area of the downcomer (5) at the outlet, and the collecting cup (13) has a circumferential wall (15) having an overflow (19). The invention further relates to a mass transfer column comprising the crossflow trays and to a use of the mass transfer column.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Applicant: BASF SE
    Inventors: Tim BLASCHKE, Ulrich CREMER, Ulrich HAMMON
  • Publication number: 20160271517
    Abstract: The system and method spatially predict the condensation of water and acid from the flue gas in the condensing heat exchanger installed in fossil power plant flue gas treatment system or similar environment. By modifying the operational conditions, the heat exchanger can control rates and areas of condensations. The system and method adjust either the cooling water temperature or the flowrate ratio of flue gas to cooling water to control the condensation rates of water or acids. The system and method also estimate actual coverage areas to apply for anti-corrosive coating onto the tube or duct surfaces to resist corrosion due to acid condensation. The system and method also optimize or customize condensation rates of water and acids in boiler flue gas under operating conditions given at a power plant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2016
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Inventor: Kwangkook Jeong
  • Publication number: 20160271518
    Abstract: A multi-stage bubble-column vapor mixture condenser comprises at least a first stage and a second stage. Each stage includes a carrier-gas inlet and a carrier-gas outlet, as well as a condenser chamber containing a condensing bath in fluid communication with the carrier-gas inlet and the carrier-gas outlet. The carrier-gas inlet is positioned to bubble carrier gas from the carrier-gas inlet up through the condensing bath, overcoming a hydrostatic head of the condensing bath. The carrier-gas outlet is positioned with an opening for carrier-gas extraction above the condensing bath, wherein the first-stage carrier-gas outlet is in fluid communication with the carrier-gas inlet of the second stage to facilitate flow of the carrier gas through the condensing bath in the condenser chamber of the first stage and then through the condensing bath in the condenser chamber of the second stage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Applicants: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
    Inventors: Prakash Narayan Govindan, Gregory P. Thiel, Ronan K. McGovern, John H. Lienhard, Mostafa H. Elsharqawy
  • Publication number: 20160271519
    Abstract: A vacuum condenser adapted to reduce pressure in an enclosure containing a secondary liquid and thereby cause the accelerated production of vapor from the secondary liquid by the passage of a primary liquid through the vacuum condenser and whereby the vapor produced is absorbed by the primary liquid within the vacuum condenser by being entrained and condensed within the primary liquid wherein the vacuum condenser is configured to cause the operating temperature of the secondary liquid within the enclosure to maintain a stable minimum temperature for a predetermined substantial rate of production of vapor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Inventors: Jayden David HARMAN, Peter WOODGATE, Kimberly PENNEY, Bruce WEBSTER, Kasra FARSAD
  • Publication number: 20160271520
    Abstract: A separation column for expanded bed adsorption comprises a column tube (2), a base (15) carrying an inlet rotor structure (6) for pumping in process liquid, and a top cap (3). The top cap (3) is conical in form, and has a peripheral flange 31 by which it is rigidly fixed to the top edge flange (22) of the column tube (2). The angle of the convergent interior surface (35) of the conical top cap (3) may be between 10 and 25°. A vortex-inhibitor component (8) projects down below the outlet structure (4) at the top of the cap, projecting into the operating space (15) of the column to inhibit rotation of liquid in the column interior. An expanded bed adsorption process is done with upward flow of liquid in the column through a bed of media particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Inventor: Martin John HOFMANN
  • Publication number: 20160271521
    Abstract: The invention relates to filtering devices for purifying a liquid and can be used in household conditions for additional purification of mains water and other liquids for household needs. The filtering device consists of two working zones, at least, of one fixing means at least one adjusting element. The upper working zone is configured to enable an adjustment of the hardness value of the filtered liquid throughout the service life in the form of a container with the inner cavity filled with the filtering material configured with two groups of distributors of filtered liquid flows, where the adjusting element presents a conduit arranged in the upper working zone and a valve of the fixing means which is interconnected therewith during the liquid filtration process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2014
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Inventors: Joseph Lvovich Shmidt, Alexey Leonidovich Kuzmin, Denis Vladislavovich Baigozin
  • Publication number: 20160271522
    Abstract: A new device and method for separating all phases of a three-phase fluid of the crude oil type, by means of a two-phase fluid separating device provided with a “T” joint for splitting the feed flow. The invention allows the conversion of two-phase separator into a three-phase fluid separating device, updating its functionality, increasing service life, using most of the original parts and components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Inventor: Ruben Orlando ROSAS
  • Publication number: 20160271523
    Abstract: A solenoid operated unit for detecting and bleeding undesired liquid present in desired liquid of different resistivity and specific gravity, the two liquids being immiscible with each other; with an electrical arrangement having a pair of parallel sensor pins and a pair of serial sensor pins. A dual function diaphragm ensures suitability for use with contaminated fluids. A pressure equalization outlet ensures smooth and speedy bleeding of undesired liquid. A modular mechanical sensor, when provided, provides redundancy such that desired fluid is not drained in situations of any electro-mechanical failure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2015
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Inventor: Nirav R. Shah
  • Publication number: 20160271524
    Abstract: A fluid storage reservoir including a reservoir body and a filtration unit is provided. The reservoir body defines an internal cavity, an inlet and at least one outlet. The filtration unit is fluidly interposed between the inlet and at least one outlet of the reservoir body. The filtration unit includes a dispersion mechanism and a filter. The dispersion mechanism is positioned within the internal cavity. The filter is in fluid communication with the inlet and located within the dispersion mechanism. Fluid exiting the filtration unit passes through the dispersion mechanism as the fluid passes into a primary storage region of the internal cavity surrounding the filtration unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2016
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Applicant: Helgesen Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Schmidt, Robert E. Broman
  • Publication number: 20160271525
    Abstract: A deaerator shaft may have a tubular intake segment that forms an intake end of the deaerator shaft, a tubular sleeve attachment segment that is adjacent to the intake segment, a tubular central segment that is adjacent to the sleeve attachment segment, the central segment having a third diameter that is greater than the second diameter, the central segment comprising a protruding ring that radially extends from the central segment and divides the central segment, the protruding ring having opposing flat surfaces, and a tubular discharge segment that forms a discharge end of the deaerator shaft. A gear may have a central ring positioned along an axis, opposing tabs that extend from a first axial side of the central ring, and a shouldered ring that extends from a second axial side of the central ring, the shouldered ring having a lip that extends radially inward toward the axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2015
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Inventors: Andrew P. Grosskopf, Aaron M. Finke, Christine Lynn Ooyen
  • Publication number: 20160271526
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are described herein. An example embodiment may include a balanced diagonal sludge removal assembly configured for use in a basin, the balanced diagonal sludge removal assembly including a discharge pipe, a collection pipe configured to slideably receive the discharge pipe, one or more header pipes extending from the collection pipe to define a first sludge communication path between the one or more header pipes and the collection pipe, and one or more balancing diagonals extending between the collection pipe and the one or more header pipes to define a second sludge communication path between the one or more header pipes and the collection pipe, wherein the one or more balancing diagonals balance flow distribution throughout the one or more header pipes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2016
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Inventor: Kerry Dissinger
  • Publication number: 20160271527
    Abstract: A feedwell comprising a plurality of holes disposed in a bottom thereof, at least some of the holes having a tube disposed thereabout which extends downward or otherwise away from an interior of the feedwell. Optionally, a large center hole can be provided and it can have a tube disposed around it. By providing a plurality of holes spread across a large portion of the bottom of the feedwell, lower velocity flow rates from the feedwell to a sedimentation chamber can be provided, thus reducing induced turbulence in the fluid within the sedimentation chamber, while still providing sufficient separation of the feedwell from the sedimentation chamber so that the contents of the feedwell can be properly and adequately mixed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Inventors: Michael A. Cook, Christian Kujawa
  • Publication number: 20160271528
    Abstract: Disclosed is a tube/tube connector/capsule port assembly that eliminates a connection point in a filter capsule apparatus. A relatively soft tube is thermally or sonically bonded to a relatively hard tube connector that may have a tube receiving bore, frustoconical tube receiving channel or straight tube receiving channel. The tube connector is bonded to a filter capsule port. The manufacturing process can be either a one-step process bonding the tube, tube connector and capsule in one step, or a two-step process that binds the tube to the tube connector in the first step and they binds the tube/tube connector subassembly to a filter capsule housing during the housing's molding procedure. Single and dual-walled tubes may be used as well as single and dual-walled tubes having reinforcing material superposed about or embedded in the tube wall(s). A tube support collar is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Applicant: Saint-Gobain Performanc Plastics Corporation
    Inventors: ZhenWu Lin, Jacob Andrews
  • Publication number: 20160271529
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a filter from sheet metal uses two perforated sheets mounted at a distance from one another, between which is formed a space for a filtered liquid. In the method, on at least one edge of one of the sheets is formed a connecting groove by bending an edge of the sheet. In the connecting groove is placed a connecting part, of either a separate edge strip or of the opposite sheet, in such a way that the said connecting part can be moved to a correct location in the connecting groove, after which the connecting part is connected to the connecting groove by welding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Inventors: Tero SALMINEN, Tapani HANSKI, Eemelli TOIVANEN
  • Publication number: 20160271530
    Abstract: A cartridge filter includes a central core member having an axial dimension including a peripheral surface with a hollow interior, and a pervious filter material disposed about the peripheral surface of the core member. The filter material has a length substantially equal to the axial dimension of the core member and the core is an extruded non-woven tubular member having spaced-apart strand segments providing porous segments thereof. Axial ends of the core include solid band regions providing circumferentially continuous axial ends thereof, to thereby eliminate discrete, irregular edges that otherwise would be created by circumferentially spaced apart strand segments at each axial end of the core if the solid band regions were omitted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Inventors: James Milton DICKSON, Robert Benton NEWCOME
  • Publication number: 20160271531
    Abstract: This invention relates generally to a process and an apparatus therefor for recovering valuable or harmful non-aqueous process liquids from mixtures or slurries that contain such liquids and solid particles. In a first aspect there is provided a filtration process for recovering a substantially non-aqueous process liquid from a feed slurry that predominantly comprises a mixture of the process liquid and solid particles, the process employing a sweep liquid that is less dense than the process liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Applicant: PRIME SERVICES TRUSTEE LIMITED
    Inventor: CRAIG NAZZER
  • Publication number: 20160271532
    Abstract: A pleated filter includes a filter base having folds that repeatedly form peak portions and valley portions and having a shape of a cylinder whose axial direction is a ridge line direction of the folds, and a reinforcing sheet disposed in a valley portion viewed from the inside of the shape of the cylinder. The reinforcing sheet includes a first reinforcing sheet located on a back side of a fold forming a projection toward the outer circumferential side of the shape of the cylinder and a second reinforcing sheet located in a spacing between adjacent folds forming projections toward the inner circumferential side of the shape of the cylinder. The first reinforcing sheet and the second reinforcing sheet are disposed apart from each other in a depth direction of pleats of the pleated filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2014
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Inventors: Shinichi KANAZAWA, Satoshi YAHAGI
  • Publication number: 20160271533
    Abstract: A top load liquid filter assembly includes a filter lockout mechanism to ensure that the filter base and cover are not connectable unless there is a proper filter cartridge installed therein. The filter system can also include an automatic drain mechanism and a cartridge retention mechanism. One example embodiment further includes an air bleed vent. A filter cartridge usable in the topload liquid filter assembly includes first and second protrusions and cover-gripper members. Methods of use, installing, servicing, and retaining can be practiced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2015
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Inventors: Bradley S. Honermann, John R. Hacker, Kathryn A. Legault, Mark S. Emery, Kurt B. Joscher, Jason Johnson
  • Publication number: 20160271534
    Abstract: A heat transfer apparatus for cooling and/or heating engine lubricant, fuel, and engine oil is provided which includes a heat-transferring jacket. The heat transferring jacket includes a body having a plurality of fins. The body further includes an air-intake inlet, a plurality of air-exhaust outlets formed along the first lateral terminus and the second lateral terminus, and a means for securing the body to an oil filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Inventor: Ron Heidebrink