Patents Issued in September 27, 2016
  • Patent number: 9451834
    Abstract: The invention provides a portable baby supporting device designed to be used anywhere for taking care of a baby and can be easily moved and stored to anywhere. The portable baby supporting device includes a base and a platform rotatably coupled to the base. The platform can either be stowed to be in parallel with the base or opened to be perpendicular to the base. When opened to a use status, the platform provides a first supporting surface for diaper changing, food feeding, or entertaining, etc. Necessary supplies can be stored in the compartments of the base in hand. The portable baby supporting device may also be collapsed to a minimized size for storage purpose, or oriented upside down, so that a higher changing table provided by the platform is accessible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Wonderland Nurserygoods Company Limited
    Inventor: Jonathan M. Pacella
  • Patent number: 9451835
    Abstract: An integrated padded mesh material may be used in pillows or pillowcases for improved air flow around a user of the pillow or pillowcase during rest. When used in a pillow, the material may substantially cover the side of the pillow that a user's head rests upon. Other materials, such as mesh and satin materials, may be used to complete construction of the pillow. The pillow may take on familiar shapes, such as a dog. When the integrated padded mesh material is used in a pillowcase the pillowcase may be wrapped around a conventional pillow to increase air flow during rest. The pillowcase may include several layers such as the integrated padded mesh material and an allergy-blocking fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: BreathableBaby, LLC
    Inventors: Dale Richard Waters, Susan Marie Waters
  • Patent number: 9451836
    Abstract: A merchandising security system includes a support adapted to be secured to a first associated merchandising structure and at least one product barrier movably mounted to the support. The at least one product barrier extends away from the support so as to approach a second associated merchandising structure spaced from the first associated merchandising structure. The product barrier is at least one of slidably mounted in relation to the support and pivotably mounted in relation to the support, wherein the product barrier includes first and second members which cooperate to retard a forward movement of an associated object supported on the first associated merchandising structure. At least one of the first and second members is mounted in relation to the support via a hinge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Fasteners For Retail, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald Matthew Szpak, Gregory M. Bird, Shane Obitts, Matthew Grubbs, Robert Govia, James J. Kopco
  • Patent number: 9451837
    Abstract: A temperature controlled display cabinet (20), in particular a freezer island, for a grocery store includes a frame structure (30) surrounding at least one openable product space (23) for food products, at least one gravitationally closable door (26) that is in inclined position in relation to vertical direction such that from the view of the customer side the main direction of the main surface of the door (26) is backwards and upwards inclined. The door (26) is formed as a door arrangement including the door (26) and an opening and closing mechanism (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: NORPE OY
    Inventors: Kimmo Heinavaara, Mikko Mykkanen
  • Patent number: 9451838
    Abstract: A snap-in card top riser is provided having a riser and a display module. The riser has a hook profile that is adapted to be received into a channel on the display module so that the riser is secured to the display module in a manner that restricts removal of the riser from the display module. The channel has one or more tabs that are configured to cause the hook profile to compress while the tabs are engaging with the hook profile. The hook profile, once fully received into the channel, returns to an original or uncompressed position to prevent removal of the hook profile from the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: HALLMARK CARDS, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Craig William Cayce, Brian Lee Wegstein
  • Patent number: 9451839
    Abstract: The comforter includes a core portion which has dimensions approximately the same as the top of the mattress on which it is to be placed. A border member portion is attached to two longitudinal sides and a foot end of the comforter. The border member comprises two layers of fabric with little or no fill therebetween, with the inner edges thereof attached to the core portion and the outer edges attached together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Pacific Coast Feather Company
    Inventors: Laura A. Regan, Tamara Soreano
  • Patent number: 9451840
    Abstract: A novelty device for generating bubbles is disclosed. Disclosed is a bubble generation drinking cup that includes a vacuum cavity within a cup sidewall, where the vacuum cavity is partially filled with one or more fluid. The fluid generates bubbles continuously in response to a temperature differential within the vacuum cavity, brought on by a cold or hot liquid being present in the cup. A vial bubble generation ornament is disclosed that includes a tubular vial enclosing a vacuum cavity and a bubble generation capsule. The vacuum cavity is partially filled with a fluid. The bubble generation capsule generates bubbles in response to receiving sunlight. A bubble generation panel is disclosed that includes a vacuum cavity enclosed between two glass panes. The vacuum cavity includes a fluid which generates bubbles in response to receiving heat. The bubbles and fluid in the vacuum cavity create a visually appealing novelty device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Inventor: Jonas Richert
  • Patent number: 9451841
    Abstract: Beverage container lid with a container side and a consumer side, wherein the lid has a fastening portion running about a lid axis in a circumferential direction, which fastening portion defines a reference plane, wherein the lid has a drinking opening, wherein the lid has a lid face inclined with respect to the reference plane in such a way that, at least in a diametric strip, which contains the drinking opening, of the lid face, a nose tip receiving region of the lid face diametrically opposing the drinking opening is set back axially with respect to the drinking opening in the direction of the container side, the drinking opening and a tab being dimensioned and arranged in such a way that the nose tip region, even when the drinking opening is opened in accordance with intended use, remains uncovered by the tab on the consumer side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: HUHTAMAKI OYJ
    Inventor: Stephen Knipe
  • Patent number: 9451842
    Abstract: An insulated drinking vessel, e.g., a wine glass, and a method of making the same is disclosed. The vessel basically comprises a pre-molded outer vessel formed of a plastic material having a sidewall, a pre-molded ring formed of a plastic material, and an inner vessel having a sidewall. The ring includes a bottom end at which the vestige of a molding gate may be located. The inner vessel is formed of a plastic material molded in-situ on the bottom end of the ring to cause portions of the ring's plastic to melt and intermingle with the plastic material of the inner vessel to form a subassembly including a non-superficial homogenous joint between the ring and the inner vessel. The sidewall of the inner vessel of the subassembly is disposed within the sidewall of the outer vessel and the ring is welded to a top portion of the outer vessel to form the rim or lip of the insulated drinking vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Tervis Tumbler Company
    Inventors: Thomas Melton, Thomas Fulton
  • Patent number: 9451843
    Abstract: A device for assisting the introduction of a body part into a tightly-fitting garment or footwear, comprising an elongate flexible laminar element of low friction material having load spreading means at one end of the element, operable, when a force is applied thereto, to spread the force across substantially the entire width of the laminar element, and handle means for manually gripping the load spreading means to assist in effecting withdrawal of the said laminar element from the interspace between a body part and a garment or footwear into which it has been introduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Inventor: Peter Francis George Levelle
  • Patent number: 9451844
    Abstract: The invention includes a tubular elongated body with suction openings determining a filter, intended to be inserted into the fruit, the tubular elongated body being provided with a device for grinding the pulp of the fruit, an insertion stop and a top opening, the top opening ending in a coupling arrangement of a juice-dispensing member, such as a spraying head, a brush or a drop-by-drop juice-dispensing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Lekue, SL
    Inventors: Jordi Olucha Soler, Alberto Arza Moncunill
  • Patent number: 9451845
    Abstract: The invention relates to a brewing or preparation chamber (1) of a beverage preparation device, which is suitable for receiving and extracting a portion capsule (17) filled with powdered or liquid base beverage materials and which consists, completely or partly, of electrically conductive material, and the brewing or preparation chamber (1) comprises a stationary first chamber part (2), and a second chamber part, wherein two electrically conductive contacts are arranged in the first chamber part and in the second chamber part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventor: Gotthard Mahlich
  • Patent number: 9451846
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a capsule (1) for containing a food ingredient, adapted for use in a food preparation machine able to inject a fluid under pressure inside said capsule to prepare a food product, said capsule comprising a capsule body with side walls (2), a top wall (3), and an impermeable flexible pierceable bottom membrane (4), characterized in that it further comprises a rigid support structure (5, 7) located adjacent and outside of said flexible pierceable bottom membrane, such that said structure covers and supports partially said membrane (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: NESTEC S.A.
    Inventor: Christian Talon
  • Patent number: 9451847
    Abstract: A cartridge for use in a beverage preparation machine, the cartridge containing one or more beverage ingredients and being formed from substantially air- and water-impermeable materials, the cartridge comprising an inlet for the introduction of an aqueous medium into the cartridge and an outlet for discharge of a beverage produced from the one or more beverage ingredients, wherein the one or more beverage ingredients is a liquid chocolate ingredient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V.
    Inventors: Andrew Halliday, Colin Ballard, Satwinder Panesar, Geoff Rendle, Maria Gomez
  • Patent number: 9451848
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a beverage dispenser comprising a larger container for accommodating the beverage to be dispensed, a smaller container for accommodating the beverage dispensed and a connecting channel connecting the larger container and the smaller container. The beverage dispenser further comprises a rationing vessel, which has an upper opening and a lower opening; the upper opening of the rationing vessel opens to atmosphere; the lower opening of the rationing vessel is disposed in or communicates with an inner cavity of the smaller container; and the larger container has a vent opening to atmosphere. The beverage in the larger container flows into the smaller container through the connecting channel. The beverage in the smaller container is dispensed based on theories of static physics rather than relying on electronic control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Elec-Tech International Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tony Wang
  • Patent number: 9451849
    Abstract: A cooking device for roasting and basting food. The cooking device includes a roasting pan and lid forming a defined interior volume. The roasting pan includes a base, one or more sidewalls, and an open upper end. Along the interior of the sidewalls of the roasting pan, one or more tubes extend upwardly onto the lid and towards a centrally located reservoir. A pump is disposed on the exterior of the lid and allows a user to selectively baste food during the cooking process. The tubes and reservoir are operably connected to the pump, wherein the pump, once actuated, draws fluids through each tube and into the reservoir. The reservoir includes one or more openings for dispersing the fluids therefrom for basting food located within the roasting pan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Inventor: Dominique Howard
  • Patent number: 9451850
    Abstract: An ice shaving machine includes a bottom board, a drive unit located above the bottom board, a limit bracket secured on the bottom of the drive unit, a shaving frame detachably connected with the limit bracket, and a base frame detachably connected with the shaving frame. The limit bracket has a bottom provided with a plurality of first locking grooves. The shaving frame has an interior provided with a receiving chamber. The shaving frame has an upper end provided with a plurality of first locking pieces that are detachably locked in the first locking grooves of the limit bracket and a lower end provided with a plurality of second locking pieces. The base frame has a top provided with a plurality of second locking grooves that are detachably locked onto the second locking pieces of the shaving frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignees: Global Bear Corp.
    Inventor: Kun-Wei Sung
  • Patent number: 9451851
    Abstract: A tissue dispenser with a tissue advancement features includes a multi-sided dispenser with a hollow interior. Tissues are supported upon an advancement plate within the interior. A dispensing opening is disposed in a top of the dispenser and the advancement plate lies on the bottom of the interior. The bottom of the dispenser includes two advancement flaps, or legs that are frangible formed with the dispenser bottom by way of perforated lines. The perforated lines are broken by a user and the advancement flaps rotated into the interior and into contact with the bottom of the advancement plate. Further pushing of the flaps engages them with tabs on the advancement plate to hold it in place within the dispenser at a level nearer the dispenser opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Inventor: Edward Z Lukawski
  • Patent number: 9451852
    Abstract: An upright surface cleaning apparatus comprises an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet, a surface cleaning head having the dirty air inlet, a support structure moveably mounted to the surface cleaning head, the support structure comprising a cleaning unit The cleaning unit comprises a suction motor and an air treatment member positioned in the air flow path The cleaning unit is removably mountable wherein the cleaning unit is retained on the support structure when in a storage position under the influence of gravity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Omachron Intellectual Property Inc.
    Inventor: Wayne Ernest Conrad
  • Patent number: 9451853
    Abstract: A hand carryable surface cleaning apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a main body housing a suction motor, and a cyclone bin assembly removably mounted to the main body. The actuator for unlocking the cyclone bin assembly is provided on the cyclone bin assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Omachron Intellectual Property Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne Ernest Conrad, Jason Boyd Thorne, Sam Liu, Kai Xu
  • Patent number: 9451854
    Abstract: A repositionable fluid suction device is disclosed. The device includes a central body and a suction channel located on an underside of the central body extending at least partially around a periphery of the central body. A rim extends downward from the central body, and may define a portion of the suction channel. A fluid collection trough extends at least partially around the periphery of the central body to collect fluids that fall on the upper surface of the central body. The outermost peripheral edge of the suction device may comprise at least one concave portion extending radially inward toward the central body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Inventors: Anthony Scott Diminick, R. Douglas Evans, Jr., Dane R. Jackson, Brian Dennis Kratzer, Matthew A. Romito
  • Patent number: 9451855
    Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus wherein a body comprises a scalloped wall that defines a suction motor chamber that houses a suction motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Omachron Intellectual Property Inc.
    Inventor: Wayne Ernest Conrad
  • Patent number: 9451856
    Abstract: A surface treating head comprising a first body defining an inner aperture, and a support body defining an outer aperture, the outer aperture surrounding the inner aperture, and the support body being moveable relative to the first body to allow for relative movement between the inner and outer apertures in a substantially vertical direction, wherein the surface treating head further comprises a bellow seal provided between the first body and the support body that maintains a substantially airtight seal between the first body and support body irrespective of their relative positions and movements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: DYSON TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
    Inventors: Jonathan James Gray, Simon Peter Cross
  • Patent number: 9451857
    Abstract: A rotating brush roller for a floor cleaning device has its ends supported via a bearing in a support arrangement of a brush housing. A brush strip is received in a spiral groove in an outer circumferential surface of the brush roller. The support arrangement includes a stationary cover and defines an access opening. A removable cover is releasably secured to the brush housing by a catch element, and selectively covers or uncovers the access opening, allowing access to the brush strip at an end of the spiral groove. A first deflector element on the stationary cover and a second deflector element on the removable cover together form a thread deflector that cooperates with a counter element on the end of the brush roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Stein & Co. GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Stein, Achim Liffers
  • Patent number: 9451858
    Abstract: A cleaning appliance comprising a body that is connectable to a separating apparatus at an interface that defines an axis. The interface includes a first interface portion and a second interface portion that are connected to one another by a connector, wherein the connector includes at least one radially interlocking region extending about at least a portion of the interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: Timothy Nicholas Stickney, James Louis Freakley, Remco Douwinus Vuijk
  • Patent number: 9451859
    Abstract: A cyclonic separator comprising a first cyclone stage, a second cyclone stage, an inlet duct, and an outlet duct. The first cyclone stage comprises a first dirt collection chamber. The second cyclone stage is located downstream of the first cyclone stage and comprises a second dirt collection chamber. The inlet duct carries fluid to the first cyclone stage, and the outlet duct carries fluid from the second cyclone stage. The first dirt collection chamber then surrounds at least partly the inlet duct and the outlet duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: DYSON TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
    Inventors: Peter David Gammack, Simon Edward Ireland, Jeremy William Crouch
  • Patent number: 9451860
    Abstract: A cyclone separator is provided. The cyclone separator includes: a cyclone, an end cover of the cyclone separator, a filter and a wind guiding cylinder. The cyclone has an open end and a bottom wall defining an inlet of the cyclone separator therein. The end cover of the cyclone separator is disposed over the cyclone and defines an outlet of the cyclone separator therein. The filter has an upper end communicating with the outlet of the cyclone separator and a lower end extended into the cyclone. The wind guiding cylinder has a lower end communicating with the inlet of the cyclone separator, a closed upper end and a side wall defining a vent communicating with the cyclone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Jiangsu Midea Cleaning Appliances Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shenghui Liu, Quan Xu
  • Patent number: 9451861
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to an apparatus for cleaning or otherwise treating a floored surface that includes a platform adapted to support the weight of an operator. In addition, one embodiment of the present invention is capable of generally performing 360° turns to facilitate the treatment of difficult to access portions of the floored surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Kärcher North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger Pedlar, Daniel Pearson, Eric L. Shark, Daniel C. Venard, Brian J. Doll, Rusty Simmon, Nevin Green, Loi X. Tran, Robert S. Gorsky
  • Patent number: 9451862
    Abstract: A dishwasher for treating dishes according to at least one automatic cycle of operation and having a tub at least partially defining a treating chamber and defining an access opening, a sprayer providing a spray of liquid into the treating chamber, a liquid recirculation system defining a recirculation flow path for recirculating the sprayed liquid from the treating chamber to the sprayer and a drive system operable to control at least a position of the liquid diverter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Rodney M. Welch
  • Patent number: 9451863
    Abstract: A wine-glass polisher includes a housing having at least one cleaning chamber defined by a bottom wall and at least one sidewall. Extending from the sidewall is a wine-glass holder including a horizontal arm having a C-shaped gripping member at a distal end for holding the stem of an inverted wine glass. Immediately above the gripping member is a motorized disc for engaging the base of a wine glass to rotate it during a cleaning and drying cycle. Mounted on the sidewall, below the wine-glass holder, is an upper dispensing nozzle for projecting either drying air or steam onto the exterior surface of a wine glass. Upwardly extending from the bottom wall of the cleaning chamber is a lower dispensing nozzle for projecting drying air or hot water onto the interior surface of a wine glass. Hot water and air are sequentially delivered to the nozzles to clean and subsequently dry a wine glass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Inventors: Jeffrey Larson, Danielle L. W. Barringer, Jerry Vance Foster, III, David M. W. Hemming, Jonathan Schweiger, Noah McNeely
  • Patent number: 9451864
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a dishwasher. The dishwasher (10) comprises a washing chamber (11) and a water filtering system arranged in the lower part of the washing chamber (11). The water filtering system comprises a filter (20) and a central filter unit (30) that are removable arranged in said washing chamber (11). The filter (20) has a substantially flat shape and is supported around its outer periphery (21) by a contact surface (22) of a recess (24) in the lower part of the washing chamber (11) and is secured in the washing chamber by the central filter unit (30). The unit (30) is arranged in an opening (31) in the filter (20) and comprises a surface (35) that is pressing on the inner periphery (36) of the opening (31) in the filter (20) to secure the filter (20) in the intended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V.
    Inventors: Sarah Tempelmann, Gerhard Haider, Niklas Nordin
  • Patent number: 9451865
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a dishwasher (1) produced without mounting the water softener unit (Y) that is offered for use in places where water hardness is low, but when the water hardness level increases and the water softener unit (Y) is desired to be adapted, only the stopper (10) closing the outlet of the accumulative chamber (6), the lid (11) closing the opening (7) under the tub (2) and the insulations at the electrical connection terminals (8) are removed and the hydraulic, mechanical and electrical connections of the water softener unit (Y) can be easily made by the serviceman.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
    Inventors: Ayla Kuran, Tolga Akin
  • Patent number: 9451866
    Abstract: The invention relates to a water-using domestic appliance comprising a tub for accommodating articles to be cleaned and at least one interior surface containing a catalytically active substance, said catalytically active substance being a polyoxometalate and the interior surface being likely to come into contact with water during operation of the domestic appliance. The invention further relates to a method for operating said domestic appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH
    Inventors: Antonio Barrado Franco, Andreas Hanau, Hartmut Schaub, Klaus Schepers
  • Patent number: 9451867
    Abstract: A dishwasher comprising a tub at least partially defining a treating chamber in which liquid may be sprayed from at least one sprayer for the treating of dishes within the treating chamber. A liquid recirculation system may be provided for recirculating the sprayed liquid back to the at least one sprayer. An ozone generator may be provided in communication with the treating chamber to supply ozone to the treating chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Paul E. Beshears, Jr., Jacob R. Karhoff, Prithi Rao, Mark M. Senninger, Elliott V. Stowe, Tremitchell Wright
  • Patent number: 9451868
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for detecting a water level in a dishwasher comprising a circulation pump and a TRIAC connected to the circulation pump for providing electrical power to a motor (20) of the circulation pump. According to the invention, a firing angle condition (18) of the TRIAC is used to derive the water level in the dishwasher. The invention further relates to a dishwasher comprising a circulation pump and a TRIAC connected to the circulation pump for providing electrical power to a motor of the circulation pump, a drain pump connected to a sump of the dishwasher, means for detecting a firing angle condition of the TRIAC. Control means are provided for starting the drain pump and/or supplying additional water when predefined conditions of the TRIAC firing angle are reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V.
    Inventors: Maurizio Ugel, Enrico Brambilla
  • Patent number: 9451869
    Abstract: A washing machine with a direct drive system including a tub, a drum rotatably mounted inside the tub, a shaft connected to the drum at a first end for transmission of a driving force of a direct drive motor, a coaxial support connected to a rear portion of the tub and having a first seat for a first bearing supporting a second end of the shaft opposite the drum, a stator secured to the coaxial support and having a plurality of magnetic cores, a rotor including permanent magnets and connected to the shaft, and a second bearing for supporting the shaft between the second end and the first end. The tub is made of polymeric material in which a second seat for said second bearing is co-molded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Gerd Maentele, Antonio F. Chiriatti, Pavol Petracek, Kurt Werner
  • Patent number: 9451870
    Abstract: A dishwasher having a washing container, a sorption dryer device connected to the washing container in an air-conducting fashion, and at least one flow-conditioning device to homogenize a flow cross-section profile of an airflow as the airflow flows through the sorption dryer device. The flow-conditioning device is provided for the sorption unit between at least one heating element and the sorption unit of the sorption dryer device when viewed in the direction of the airflow such that essentially every point of an intake cross-section area of the sorption unit of the sorption dryer device is permeated by a volumetric airflow with essentially the same intake temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: BSH Hausgeräte GmbH
    Inventors: Daniel Delle, Ulrich Ferber, Helmut Jerg, Hans-Peter Nannt, Kai Paintner
  • Patent number: 9451871
    Abstract: The disinfecting floor mat is a mat that heath care workers and health care visitors step onto when entering or leaving a health care facility. When stepped on the disinfecting floor mat coats the bottom of the footwear of the heath care workers and health care visitors with a disinfecting solution. This disinfecting solution helps to prevent the spread of bacteria within the health care facility. The disinfecting floor mat comprises a top layer, an absorbent layer, a bottom layer, and a disinfecting gel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Inventors: Maureen Seaberg, Yvonne Makilya
  • Patent number: 9451872
    Abstract: An endoscope configured to measure a specimen using a pattern projection image of the specimen on which a light and shade pattern of light is projected, the endoscope may include: an insertion unit; an image capturing unit installed at a tip section of the insertion unit and configured to acquire an image of the specimen; an illumination unit having a first light source configured to emit illumination light to illuminate an observation field of vision of the image capturing unit; a pattern projection unit having a second light source configured to emit projection light to project the light and shade pattern on the specimen; and a control unit configured to control an operation of acquiring the image by the image capturing unit, an operation of emitting the illumination light from the illumination unit, and an operation of emitting the projection light from the pattern projection unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masayoshi Yokota
  • Patent number: 9451873
    Abstract: A processing device receives an intraoral image of a first intraoral site and determines an identity of the first intraoral site. The processing device then locks the intraoral image and selects a portion of the intraoral image depicting a portion of the first intraoral site based at least in part on the identity of the first intraoral site. The processing device may then generate a model comprising the first intraoral site based at least in part on the locked intraoral image, wherein the portion of the locked intraoral image is used for a first region of the model, and wherein data from one or more additional intraoral images that also depict the portion of the first intraoral site is not used for the first region of the model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Avi Kopelman, Michael Sabina
  • Patent number: 9451874
    Abstract: A scope adapter for coupling a phone to an endoscope includes a base having a phone receiving portion for receiving and releasably supporting a phone. A first base end and a second base end define extents of a base cavity. A shaft is connected at opposite ends to each of the first and second base ends and spans across the base cavity. A threaded shaft is rotationally supported at opposite ends to the first and second base ends and spans across the base cavity. An endoscope positioned within the cavity is movably disposed along the shaft in each of a first direction and an opposite second direction by axial rotation of the threaded shaft. The endoscope includes a lens aperture that is positioned with respect to the phone receiving portion by displacement of the endoscope in either the first or second directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Clearwater Clinical Limited
    Inventor: Matthew Bromwich
  • Patent number: 9451875
    Abstract: A flexible lens is mounted to the end of an elongate medical device having a camera, such as an endoscope. The lens is generally solid and is made from a translucent, flexible, and resilient material. In a medical environment, the lens can be pressed against a vessel wall in a patient to enlarge the area viewed by the camera, and can further adapt to the shape of the wall to limit trauma on the patient. When pressed against the vessel wall, the lens can become longitudinally compressed, while becoming wider. The wider and compressed shape of the lens will push blood away from the viewing area to increase the clarity of the camera's field of view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Cook Medical Technologies LLC
    Inventors: John C. Sigmon, Jr., Vihar Surti, Michelle D. Martinez, Tyler Evans McLawhorn
  • Patent number: 9451876
    Abstract: An endoscope system includes an in-focus object plane position switch section that switches an in-focus object plane position of an imaging section, a target in-focus position determination section that calculates an in-focus evaluation value, and determines a target in-focus position based on the in-focus evaluation value, and a change-in-scene detection section that detects whether or not a change in scene has occurred based on a captured image. The target in-focus position determination section determines whether or not the in-focus evaluation value satisfies a determination criterion until the change-in-scene detection section detects that the change in scene has occurred, and selects the first in-focus object plane position or the second in-focus object plane position that is not currently selected by the in-focus object plane position switch section when it has been determined that the in-focus evaluation value does not satisfy the determination criterion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Koichiro Yoshino
  • Patent number: 9451877
    Abstract: A laparoscopic port device includes a compliant port body having a distal and proximal end having a lumen extending therethrough. The lumen has a filtering agent configured to retain or treat particulate contaminates present in insufflation gases. The laparoscopic port device further includes a valve operatively connected with the lumen to selectively regulate flow of the insufflation gases therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Gregory G. Okoniewski
  • Patent number: 9451878
    Abstract: This invention is directed towards a medical image processing apparatus capable of providing effective information on glaucoma by integrating the tomographic image of the retina obtained by an optical coherence tomograph (OCT: Optical Coherence Tomography) and visual function information obtained by a perimeter. The medical image processing apparatus associates visual field measurement results with a fundus camera image (S420). The medical image processing apparatus registers, on the fundus camera image associated with the visual field measurement results, a layer thickness distribution which is obtained from an OCT tomographic image and indicates the thickness of the nerve fiber layer in the retina layer of an eye to be examined (S440). After that, the medical image processing apparatus presents information indicating glaucoma of the eye to be examined, based on the layer thickness distribution registered on the fundus camera image, and the visual field measurement results (S470).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Keiko Yonezawa
  • Patent number: 9451879
    Abstract: An optical apparatus applied to ophthalmology detection is disclosed. The optical apparatus includes an image capturing unit, a data comparing unit, a detection unit, a location determining unit, and a data output unit. The image capturing unit captures images of different portions of a face of a person to be tested to obtain a plurality of face images. The data comparing unit compares the plurality of face images with a built-in database. The detection unit detects on an eye of the person to be tested. The location determining unit automatically determines whether the eye detected by the detection unit is left-eye or right-eye. The data output unit selectively outputs a detection result of the detection unit, a comparing result of the data comparing unit, and/or a determining result of the location determining unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: CRYSTALVUE MEDICAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: William Wang, Chung-Ping Chuang, Meng-Shin Yen, Chung-Cheng Chou
  • Patent number: 9451880
    Abstract: A method for ophthalmic intervention on an eye of a patient includes: imaging a first and a second registration fiducial in reference to temporary geometric markers on the eye of the patient, the registration fiducials being formed on an inner annulus of a patient interface housing within a field of view of an imaging device; imaging a third registration fiducial formed on the inner annulus of the patient interface housing, the third registration fiducial being angularly spaced from the first and second registration fiducials; and processing image data generated via the image device so as to determine an angular orientation of the eye relative to the patient interface housing and an up or down orientation of the patient interface housing relative to the eye based on the location of the third registration fiducial.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Optimedica Corporation
    Inventors: Phillip Gooding, Michael Wiltberger, Christine Beltran, Jonathan Talamo
  • Patent number: 9451881
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining a user's static weight while standing as well as the user's load bearing weight. A sensor module with multiple sensors is placed inside a user's shoe and biometric data is gathered from the sensors when the user stands and when the user takes a step or walks. The data is used to generate data loops as the various sets of data are plotted against each other. The loops obtained from the data are then compared against stored loops previously obtained. Using the biometric loop baseline data, it can be determined whether the user has lost or gained weight, whether a specific load bearing weight condition is worsening while standing and while walking or running. The system can also determine whether a specific load bearing weight condition is improving or worsening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: AUTONOMOUS_ID CANADA INC.
    Inventors: Todd Gray, Vladimir Polotski, Barry Smale, Bernard F. Grisoni
  • Patent number: 9451882
    Abstract: According to one aspect, a system for intraoperatively providing anatomical guidance in a diagnostic or therapeutic procedure is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system includes: a first light source configured to emit a beam of visible light; second light source configured to emit a beam of near-infrared light; a handheld probe optically coupled to the second light source; a second imaging device configured to detect visible light; a third imaging device configured to detect near-infrared light having a first predetermined wavelength; a fourth imaging device configured to detect near-infrared light having a second predetermined wavelength; a display for displaying at least one visual representation of data; and, a controller programmed to generate at least one real-time integrated visual representation of an area of interest and to display the real-time visual representation on the display for guidance during the diagnostic or therapeutic procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: EMORY UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Shuming Nie, Aaron Mohs, Michael Mancini
  • Patent number: 9451883
    Abstract: Decoding and reconstructing a subjective perceptual or cognitive experience is described. A first set of brain activity data produced in response to a first brain activity stimulus is acquired from a subject using a brain imaging device. An encoding model is used to convert the brain activity data into a corresponding set of predicted response values. A second set of brain activity data produced in response to a second brain activity stimulus is acquired from a subject and decoded using a decoding distribution derived from the encoding model, and the probability the second set of brain activity data corresponds to said predicted response values is determined. The second set of brain activity stimuli is then reconstructed based on the probability of correspondence between the second set of brain activity data and the predicted response values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Jack L. Gallant, Thomas Naselaris, Kendrick Kay, Ryan Prenger