Patents Issued in December 20, 2016
  • Patent number: 9522712
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a coupling method for a separable bicycle, in which the front wheel and the rear wheel are easily separated from and coupled to each other such that the front and rear wheels are firmly coupled to each other even if the separable bicycle is operated for a long period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Inventors: Chong Chul Kim, Hwan Young Kim
  • Patent number: 9522713
    Abstract: A vehicle operable with human muscle power and/or motor power, e.g., an electric bicycle, includes: a crank drive through which a rider torque generated by a rider is introduced; an electrical drive system that can additionally apply a driving torque; and a control unit configured to shut off the electrical drive system when the rider torque is not present. The control unit encompasses a monitoring device which ensures that when the rider torque falls below a predetermined value, the electrical drive system continues to be operated for a specified time span, the duration of the time span being variable as a function of a pedaling frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Juergen Stegmaier
  • Patent number: 9522714
    Abstract: A bicycle operating system comprises an operating device. The operating device is configured to be mounted to a bicycle body. The operating device includes an operating switch, a signal controller, and a wireless transmitter. The signal controller is configured to generate a pairing demand signal in response to an input operation of the operating switch. The wireless transmitter is configured to wirelessly transmit the pairing demand signal to a bicycle component to establish a wireless communication with the bicycle component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Atsushi Komatsu, Shingo Sakurai
  • Patent number: 9522715
    Abstract: A deployment and recovery assembly for use on a vessel that includes a tiltable ramp section mountable to a vessel to tilt into and out of the water. The ramp section is configured to support the craft. A capture and release assembly that includes a rotatable tire and wheel assembly is mounted to the ramp section to tilt therewith and is disposed on the ramp section so as to engage a hull of the craft. The capture and release assembly further includes a one-way clutch assembly coupled to the tire and wheel assembly allowing free rotation of the tire and wheel assembly in a first direction and retarding or inhibiting rotation in a second direction opposite the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: PAR SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: Michael Gerard
  • Patent number: 9522716
    Abstract: An offshore wind turbine comprising a buoyancy structure intended to provide a buoyancy force to support the wind turbine, wherein said buoyancy structure comprises at least one floater tank and a damping structure extending radially outward from the floater tank to damp forces due to heave, pitch or roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: ALSTOM Renewable Technologies
    Inventor: Arturo Rodríguez Tsouroukdissian
  • Patent number: 9522717
    Abstract: An emergency signaling device allows a user to signal for help in an emergency. The device includes a lifejacket configured for being worn by a user to promote buoyancy in water. A tether is coupled to the lifejacket. The tether has a distal end with respect to the lifejacket. A balloon is coupled to the distal end of the tether. A gas storage tank is coupled to the lifejacket. The gas storage tank contains compressed lighter-than-air gas. The gas storage device is fluidly coupled to the balloon for injecting the balloon with the gas. The balloon extends above the lifejacket when the balloon is inflated with the gas to indicate a location of the lifejacket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Inventor: Lim Jones
  • Patent number: 9522718
    Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a fixed positively buoyant manned submersible that includes a plurality of vertical thrusters and a sealed enclosure(s) that can support one or more human passengers. The vertical thrusters can include vertically aligned propellers that are coupled to motors that control the rotational velocity of the propellers. The vertical thrusters to generate a negative vertical thrust to allow the submersible to dive within a body of water. Horizontal movement can be achieved through horizontal thrusters or directing the thrust vectoring of the vertical thrusters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Hawkes Ocean Technologies
    Inventor: Graham Hawkes
  • Patent number: 9522719
    Abstract: A watercraft for moving along a direction of movement on water includes a flexible fin with a front face and a rear face to be disposed in the water; and one end of the fin is movable along a line in a reciprocating motion along a direction transverse to the front and rear faces and the direction of movement of the watercraft, causing an opposite free end of the fin to flex back and forth in the water to propel the watercraft in the direction of movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Inventor: Robert Yonover
  • Patent number: 9522720
    Abstract: A vessel propulsion apparatus includes a dog clutch that selectively engages either a front gear or a rear gear, an intermediate shaft rotatably supported by the front gear and by the rear gear and that rotates together with the dog clutch, a propeller shaft to which rotation of the intermediate shaft is transmitted, a lower case containing a drive gear and other elements, and a thrust transmitting member that receives a forward-direction thrust from the propeller shaft and that transmits the thrust to the lower case without transmitting the thrust to the intermediate shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Daisuke Nakamura, Yoshihito Fukuoka
  • Patent number: 9522721
    Abstract: Watercraft automation and aquatic data utilization for aquatic efforts are utilized for providing a predictive suggestion. An electronic GPS mapping computer is in communication with a sonar device and a control mechanism for a trolling motor. An input of current aquatic effort data is received. Based upon the input, a predictive suggestion is provided. The predictive suggestion includes at least one location associated with a map stored on the electronic GPS mapping computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Garmin Switzerland GmbH
    Inventors: Ted V. Grace, Ryan T. Grace
  • Patent number: 9522722
    Abstract: A personal watercraft has a hull having an exhaust aperture and a longitudinal centerline, a deck disposed on the hull, a straddle seat, an engine, a driveshaft operatively connected to the engine and extending rearwardly thereof, a jet propulsion system operatively connected to the driveshaft, an exhaust manifold connected to a lateral side on the engine on a first side of the longitudinal centerline, the exhaust manifold having a manifold outlet, a muffler disposed generally transversely and rearwardly of the engine, the muffler having a muffler inlet on the first side of the longitudinal axis and a muffler outlet, a first exhaust pipe connected to the manifold outlet and to the muffler inlet, and a second exhaust pipe connected to the muffler outlet and to the exhaust aperture. The second exhaust pipe extends upwardly and rearwardly from the muffler outlet, then downwardly and rearwardly to the exhaust aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: BOMBARDIER RECREATIONAL PRODUCTS INC.
    Inventors: Steve Brouillette, Sebastien Clement
  • Patent number: 9522723
    Abstract: A method for controlling movement of drive units on a marine vessel includes receiving an operator request for a desired steering angle. A first drive unit's steering angle is set equal to the desired steering angle. A midpoint of a wetted surface area of the vessel hull is determined and a pivot line extending laterally through the midpoint and perpendicular to the hull's longitudinal axis is defined. A first intersection point of the pivot line and a line extending horizontally through the first drive unit's steering axis and parallel to the longitudinal axis and a second intersection point of the pivot line and a line representing perpendicular application of hydrodynamic force on the first drive unit are determined. A second drive unit's steering angle is set such that a line representing perpendicular application of hydrodynamic force on the second drive unit intersects the pivot line at the second intersection point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Steven J. Andrasko, Kenneth G. Gable
  • Patent number: 9522724
    Abstract: Roller covers for use with cylindrical rollers include an elongate flexible hollow body defining an interior space with an opening to the interior space for receiving the cylindrical roller via the opening, a first restrictive feature extending from the body and configured to restrict rotation of the body in a first rotational direction when the cylindrical roller is received in the interior space, and a second restrictive feature extending from the body and configured to restrict rotation of the body in a second and opposite rotational direction when the cylindrical roller is received in the interior space. Some embodiments further include a third restrictive feature positioned relative to the body and configured to restrict linear translation of the body relative to the cylindrical roller when the cylindrical roller is received in the interior space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Robert Dean Dixon, Maksim Adzhigirey, Isaac B. Schaff, Craig B. Morgan
  • Patent number: 9522725
    Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) can be deployed from a small stowed package for flight and stowed back into the package after the flight is complete is disclosed. The UAV is retracted to a volume that is less than half of it's fully deployed volume. This allows the UAV to be transported to any desired field position on a truck or other convenient transportation. The UAV may also be launched from a ship deck. In a further aspect, the flexible deployment of the UAV will allow a single UAV to be used in place of multiple types of UAVs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Northrup Grumman Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher N. Torre
  • Patent number: 9522726
    Abstract: A cockpit yoke assembly adapted for mounting on top of a RC transmitter for controlling the operation of a model airplane. The yoke assembly includes a first control arm with a throttle knob. The first control arm is attached to a first ball and socket linkage adapted for attachment a first joystick on the transmitter. A rudder control lever is attached to the first control arm. The yoke assembly includes a second control arm with an elevator knob. The second control arm is attached to a second ball and socket linkage adapted for attachment to a second joystick on the transmitter. An aileron control lever is attached to the second control arm. The first and second ball and socket linkage are used for moving the first and second joysticks fore or aft and left or right during the operation of the model airplane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Inventor: Richard A. Bowers
  • Patent number: 9522727
    Abstract: An air vehicle may include a body having forwardly-swept fixed wings or unswept fixed wings. The body may have a longitudinal axis continuously oriented parallel to a forward flight direction when the air vehicle is in flight. The air vehicle may include at least one of the following components being mounted on opposite sides of the body: longitudinally offset engine nacelles, asymmetrically lengthened engine nacelles, and longitudinally offset protruding aerodynamic surfaces comprising at least one of stabilizers, canards, empennage control surfaces, external stores, and high aspect ratio wings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: William Pflug, Brian J. Tillotson
  • Patent number: 9522728
    Abstract: A vehicle wheel drive assembly, particularly useful in an aircraft, is provided. The vehicle wheel drive assembly is mounted completely within a space defined by structural dimensions of a vehicle wheel and includes drive means controllable to power the wheel and move the vehicle autonomously on a ground surface, a gear assembly drivingly connected to the drive means, and a clutch assembly operatively connected to the gear assembly. The clutch assembly is operatively mounted with respect to the gear assembly completely within an interior portion of a vehicle wheel axle on which the wheel drive assembly is mounted, thereby maximizing the space functionally available for all of the other components of the wheel drive assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Borealis Technical Limited
    Inventors: Isaiah W. Cox, Jan Vana, Joseph Goldman
  • Patent number: 9522729
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to rate detection components, and more particularly, to a rate detection system that determines the update rate of commands. The update rate of the commands may be determined in response to the incidence of similarities and differences among samples of the commands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: GOODRICH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Efrem E. Ayichew, Michael Abbott
  • Patent number: 9522730
    Abstract: Embodiments refer generally to systems and methods for providing autorotative enhancement for helicopters using an autorotative assist unit coupled to the transmission of the helicopter. Methods of utilizing an autorotative assist unit as well as retrofitting an autorotative assist unit to an existing helicopter are also disclosed. By employing an autorotative assist unit, improved autorotation can be achieved without the need to increase the weight of the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Dudley E. Smith, Cory M. Hitte, Bryan Marshall, Carlos Alexander Fenny
  • Patent number: 9522732
    Abstract: A personal drone with much extended air time. A portable retractable-extendable clawed drone with automated perching function. Perching, landing on a target horizontal edge or a wire, a building trim, a lamp or sign, a shelf, almost any small horizontal edge with a little surface, for video streaming without using up power on hovering or flight, thus conserving power indefinitely. A veritable fly-on-the-wall multi-rotor drone having mechanical claws and automated perching function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Inventor: Walt Froloff
  • Patent number: 9522733
    Abstract: A method for launch of an airship includes connecting a cargo airship to a deflated second airship, launching the cargo airship, inflating the second airship with lifting gas carried by the cargo airship while aloft; and releasing the second airship from the cargo airship. A high-altitude airship launch system is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: STRATOSPHERIC AIRSHIPS, LLC
    Inventor: Stephen Heppe
  • Patent number: 9522734
    Abstract: A mounting system for objects in a transportation system includes a profile rail, at least one locking device with a base body that is bringable in surface contact with a supporting surface of the profile rail and at least one locking body which is interlockable with the profile rail, as well as an actuating device with an actuating element that extends parallel to the profile rail and a clamping body that is connected to the actuating element. The clamping body is realized in such a way that it exerts a compressive force, which results in the locking body being interlocked, upon a component of the locking device during a motion of the actuating element in a first direction parallel to the profile rail and releases the interlock during a motion of the actuating element in a second, opposite direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Seraj Mazidi, Frank Quatmann
  • Patent number: 9522735
    Abstract: An aircraft area comprises a first rib forming a component of an aircraft primary structure and extending in an arc shape along an outer contour of the aircraft area. A second rib is arranged at a distance from the first rib and parallel to the first rib, also forms a component of the aircraft primary structure and extends in an arc shape along the outer contour of the aircraft area. A luggage compartment is arranged between the first and the second rib such that a portion of a first side face of the luggage compartment that faces the first rib is arranged opposite a side face of the first rib that faces the luggage compartment, and/or that a portion of a second side face of the luggage compartment that faces the second rib is arranged opposite a side face of the second rib that faces the luggage compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Sabrina Moje, Matthias Breuer, Paul Vine, Uwe Schneider
  • Patent number: 9522736
    Abstract: A fixation device for an aircraft seat includes a base including an attachment for attaching the base on the rail of the aircraft. The attachment is movable according to a retracted assembly/disassembly position and active attachment position of the seat. The fixation device also includes a maneuvering lever for moving the attachment. The maneuvering lever is movable according to a retracted assembly/disassembly position and active position-blocking position of the attachment. The maneuvering lever includes a device for locking in the active blocking position. The maneuvering lever is associated with a toggle joint for crossing a hard point comprising articulation yoke for connecting rods articulated on the base. At least one of the connecting rods is associated with the attachment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: ATTAX
    Inventor: Romain Danet
  • Patent number: 9522737
    Abstract: A device for absorbing impacts of a parachutist or airdropped package upon landing, which can equip a harness, and/or a skydiver or dropping pallet for performing the aircraft jump without any risk of interferences, allows, during the aircraft exit and free fall, to hold, neutralized in a reduced volume, an air-inflatable airbag, for deployment during the canopy descent. It includes a container back pad hooked to the harness and/or to the user or to the dropping pallet, which can be made removable by straps and bridles, in which an airbag is arranged such that its air scoop is closed by flaps locked by a cutaway cable. When the user exerts an action on the opening handle or when the parachute opens, the cable separates the flaps, allowing to unballast the airbag and open the air scoop to the air flow from the movement of the harness during the descent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Inventor: Eric Fradet
  • Patent number: 9522738
    Abstract: An emergency evacuation assembly may comprise an inflatable slide, a soft cover containing the inflatable slide, a lace holding the soft cover closed, a pin retaining the lace, and a pneumatic actuator configured to release the lace by pulling the pin. In various embodiments, the pneumatic actuator may include a housing, a cylinder disposed within the housing, a plunger disposed within the cylinder, a seal disposed within the cylinder, and a spring disposed within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventors: Ryan Schmidt, Helperus Ritzema Rautenbach
  • Patent number: 9522739
    Abstract: An attachment structure for attaching a power plant including unducted propellers to a fuselage of an aircraft, the attachment structure being connected by first and second fasteners to respective front and rear spars penetrating into the fuselage and fastened to a carrier structure of the aircraft, and including a central longitudinal beam secured at its front end to a first frame, arranged in the plane of the front spar, that is secured at its rear end to a second rear frame, cantilevered out and arranged upstream from the unducted propellers, and that is secured to a third intermediate frame, arranged in the plane of the rear spar between the first and second frames. The first, second, and third frames are connected together by force-takeup beams, an assembly as constituted in this way forming a cradle for receiving the power plant via a standard attachment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Pierre-Alain Jean-Marie Philippe Hugues Chouard, Thomas Alain Christian Vincent
  • Patent number: 9522740
    Abstract: A method of stopping an overspeeding engine (4) of a rotorcraft (1). A protection device stops the overspeeding engine (4) on condition of a comparison between a mechanical power requirement (19) of the rotorcraft (1) and a predefined power threshold (22). Stopping of the overspeeding engine (4) is authorized by the protection device (8) on condition that said mechanical power requirement (19) is identified as being less than or equal to the predefined power threshold (22). The mechanical power requirement (19) of the rotorcraft (1) is calculated on the basis of at least one current or anticipated value for the opposing torque (15) of a main rotor (5) of the rotorcraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Airbus Helicopters
    Inventors: Benoit Domingo, Guillaume Dumur, Stephane Bailly
  • Patent number: 9522741
    Abstract: There is provided an aircraft tipping alarm system having a nose landing gear (NLG) shock strut containing hydraulic fluid and having an aperture. The system further has an elongated pressure chamber assembly configured to engage to the aperture. The elongated pressure chamber assembly has an elongated pressure chamber containing hydraulic fluid and having a pressure sensor device, a first check valve configured to restrict hydraulic fluid flow only into the NLG shock strut, a second check valve configured to restrict hydraulic fluid flow only into the elongated pressure chamber, and a reduced diameter breakable neck section. A potential aircraft tipping back position is indicated when a reduction of pressure of the hydraulic fluid in the NLG shock strut, sensed via the pressure sensor device, is greater than or equal to a pressure reduction threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Farid Piroozmandi
  • Patent number: 9522742
    Abstract: A method can include determining that an aircraft is on approach to a runway. The method can include determining a flight path vector (FPV) location of the aircraft based at least in part on a projected landing location with respect to the runway and determining a current airspeed of the aircraft. The method can also include performing at least one of the following: issuing a landing short alert to a pilot of the aircraft if the FPV location is at or before the runway threshold, issuing an airspeed caution alert if the FPV location is between the runway threshold and the target runway location and if the current airspeed is below a landing short envelope, and determining not to issue an alert if the FPV location is between the runway threshold and the target runway location and if the current airspeed is at or above the landing short envelope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Mark Hall Henderson
  • Patent number: 9522743
    Abstract: A parachute data recorder system is provided that includes a housing, the housing having a seal for resistance to moisture and environmental impact; a plurality of sensors mounted in the housing, including an accelerometer, an altimeter, a gyrometer, and a GPS; a microprocessor mounted in the housing for recording and processing data from the sensors; a wireless connection unit mounted in the housing for transmitting data in the microprocessor; and an electronic connection port. The parachute data recorder system may further include a second accelerometer, one of the accelerometers being a low-g accelerometer and the other being a high-g accelerometer. The initiation of recording can be started by stress or strain inducement from parachute deployment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Intelligent Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Devendra Kumar Tolani, Michael J. Clark, Jakob P. Henriksson, I, Jyotirmaya Nanda, Chujen Lin
  • Patent number: 9522744
    Abstract: A maintenance system for use with an aircraft and a method for management of a maintenance routine for an aircraft with a maintenance system comprising multiple communication terminals located physically about the aircraft and in data communication with each other, the method includes executing a maintenance software program for a maintenance routine comprising maintenance tests corresponding to components of the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: GE AVIATION SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventors: Eric Daniel Buehler, Sally Mae Ward, Brion Lee Frost, Allan Anderson McCurdy, III
  • Patent number: 9522745
    Abstract: Embodiments of the subject matter described herein relate generally to preparing aircraft maintenance application data for retrieval by portable devices. The method or system encompasses different components of the aircraft maintenance domain and meets the requirements of multiple stakeholders each seeking a customized record of aircraft maintenance application data. The method or system is also capable of expansion to support future requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Pradeep Mahalingaiah, Kannan Kathirvel, Michael Christensen, Rupa Rudrappa
  • Patent number: 9522746
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for attitude control of a space vehicle. The space vehicle includes a reaction wheel subsystem and a propulsion subsystem for attitude control. A slew controller for the space vehicle detects a failure of the reaction wheel subsystem. To perform an attitude slew, the slew controller identifies a pair of thrusters in the propulsion subsystem that will rotate the space vehicle about a desired axis. The slew controller determines burn parameters for the pair of thrusters, and initiates the burns to perform the desired attitude slew.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Che-Hang Charles Ih, Arunkumar Pursayya Nayak, Kangsik Lee
  • Patent number: 9522747
    Abstract: An apparatus for deceleration of a body may include a plurality of inflatable portions. The plurality of inflatable portions may be coupled together such that, when inflated, the plurality of inflatable portions defines a deceleration structure configured to decelerate the body. Each inflatable portion may include a first wall element, a second wall element opposite the first wall element, and a plurality of stitch members extending between and coupled to each of the first wall element and the second wall element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: ANALYTICAL MECHANICS ASSOCIATES, INC.
    Inventor: Michael Edward Coleman
  • Patent number: 9522748
    Abstract: An apparatus for blowing and filling a plastic container from a preform and using liquid as the blowing medium. The apparatus includes a mold encloses a preform so as to leave access to the mouth of the preform protruding from the upper surface of the mold. An injection head is provided for injecting a liquid into the preform and a liquid collecting member is provided for collecting any residual liquid present between the injection head and the neck of the blown and liquid filled container before opening the mold and/or moving the injection head away from the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: DISCMA AG
    Inventors: Guillaume Chauvin, Damien Kannengiesser
  • Patent number: 9522749
    Abstract: A container can have a body with an integrally formed base attached to the body. The base includes a concave annular wall extending from the container sidewall to a standing surface, and an inner wall extending from the standing surface to a substantially flat inner annular wall. The inner annular wall is recessed in the base and is substantially perpendicular to the container sidewall. The inner annular wall includes a centrally located dimple. The dimple includes a plurality of spaced apart and radially extending indented ribs. One or more of the ribs extend radially into a brace that tapers to meet the inner annular wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: GRAHAM PACKAGING COMPANY, L.P.
    Inventors: Greg Trude, John W. Tobias, Richard K. Ogg
  • Patent number: 9522750
    Abstract: A system for packaging mass-customized items includes a computer system including a database containing item identification information unique to each item; (2) outer container identification apparatus that applies the item identification information received from the database to each outer container in a plurality of outer containers; (3) inner pack identification apparatus that applies the item identification information received from the database to each inner pack in a plurality of inner packs; and (4) inner pack filling apparatus that fills each inner pack with a specific item matched to that inner pack by the item identification information received from the database. Each item is associated with its unique item identification information and is inserted into an inner pack with matching item identification information, and each outer container is presented for loading with one or more inner packs matched to that outer container by the item identification information received from the database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Stanley E. Sankaran, Eric Kuo, Kevin M. Conlon, Josh Van Riper
  • Patent number: 9522751
    Abstract: A filling machine includes a plurality of parallel-running conveyor lines, to which packaging jackets are supplied for producing the packaging containers and along which the packaging jackets or the packaging containers produced therefrom are conveyed in a conveying direction. The conveyor lines include a first section and a second section therebehind in the conveying direction the distance between at least two of the conveyor lines in the first and second section transverse to the course of the conveyor lines is different so that at least one of the two conveyor lines in the second section runs with a lateral offset to the first section. A handling apparatus is disposed in the conveying direction upstream of the second section, which apparatus takes the packaging jackets or packaging containers from the conveyor lines in the first section and transfers them to the conveyor lines in the second section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: ELOPAK SYSTEMS AG
    Inventors: Klaus Baltes, Thomas Ruelker
  • Patent number: 9522752
    Abstract: In a process and apparatus for treating or processing containers (2) that are used for storing substances for medical, pharmaceutical or cosmetic applications or contain the same, cylindrical containers open at least at one end are automatically led past or pass through processing stations for treatment or processing by means of a conveying device, while said containers are jointly held by a carrier (25; 134) in a regular two-dimensional arrangement. The carrier comprises a plurality of openings or receptacles (32; 39; 87; 120), which determine the regular arrangement. According to the invention, the treatment or processing of the containers is performed on or in at least one of the processing stations while the containers are supported by the carrier. This opens up new possibilities for treating or processing the containers, for example when crimping metal lids or during freeze-drying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: SCHOTT AG
    Inventors: Kai Wissner, Edgar Pawlowski, Gregor Fritz Deutschle, Kristopher Koch
  • Patent number: 9522753
    Abstract: A tray (100) for accommodating a coiled medical device, such as a catheter assembly (700), includes a first compartment (101), a second compartment (102), and a third compartment (103). The catheter assembly (700) and devices associated with a catheterization procedure, such as syringes (701,702) containing sterile water and lubricating jelly and a specimen container (703) can be disposed within the tray. Printed instructions (1001) can be included with the tray (100). One or more layers of wrap material (2200) can be folded about the tray (100) to enclose the tray (100) and other items, such as an additional layer of wrap material (2701), packaged liquid hand sanitizer (2401), and packaged gloves (2402). When a health care services provider (3101) unfolds the wrap material, the same can be used to create a sterile field beneath a patient (3201).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Medline Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Jennifer E. Tomes, Sarah Dickinson, Deborah Adler, Jack Maze, Alberto Savage, Kenneth Chua, Earl Wilson, John Kutsch
  • Patent number: 9522754
    Abstract: A processing device for processing at least one stack of bags including a plurality of bags, wherein at least one stacking device is provided on which the stack of bags can be arranged in a base position, wherein the bags in the stack of bags have a bag length and a bag width, including providing at least one centering device having at least two centering units disposed opposite one another and disposed so that a driving device can move them relative to one another, towards one another and away from one another, and that the centering unit provided on a first side is at least temporarily coupled with a return side of at least one continuous belt and wherein the centering unit provided on a second side is at least temporarily coupled with the carrying side of at least one continuous belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: HAVER & BOECKER OHG
    Inventor: Bernd Steppeler
  • Patent number: 9522755
    Abstract: An apparatus for sterilizing containers, comprises a transport device which transports the containers along a predefined transport path and at least one sterilization device which bombards the containers with charge carriers for sterilization during a transport of the containers along the transport path. The at least one sterilization device comprises a generating device for generating charge carriers. The apparatus further comprises a screening device for screening radiation. The screening device surrounds the transport path of the containers at least in portions. The screening device comprises: a first wall adjacent the transport path of the containers; and a second wall below the transport path of the containers, wherein the second wall is movable relative to the transport path of the containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Krones, AG
    Inventors: Hans Scheuren, Josef Knott, Katharina Seidenberg, Michael Neubauer
  • Patent number: 9522756
    Abstract: A fastening system and method to removably attach change part components to a capping or filling machine in order to adapt a general purpose machine for use with a specific size or shape container. The fastening system and method uses magnetic forces to pull component parts into alignment and to interlock portions of interchangeable components. In addition, a blocking component is interposed between two other interchangeable component parts or within mushroom slots, securing the components in place, aided by biasing magnets. This system and method relies on a combination of mechanical and magnetic forces by using mechanical forces to reinforce or supplement biasing magnetic forces, and vice versa, creating a durable connection that will withstand the rigors of the filling and capping process, yet which is simple to assemble and disassemble without tools. The less intricate component parts are less prone to damage during assembly, use or disassembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: PNEUMARIC SCALE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Paul Celli, Jr., John Toth, Robin Thompson, Patrick Reeves
  • Patent number: 9522757
    Abstract: An example includes a method for forming tubular lengths of linear web material. The example can include winding a portion of linear web material in a tubular configuration such that opposite vertical ends of said linear portion overlap. The example can include welding said overlapping ends to fix said linear portion of linear web material in sleeve configuration. This welding can include heating up at a first temperature a first region of said portion over the whole of which said ends overlap and heating up at a second temperature lower than said first temperature a second region of said portion adjacent to said first region, said ends of said portion of linear web material overlapping over only a part of said second region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: SIDEL S.p.A. con Socio Unico
    Inventors: Mattia Giuliani, Mirko Rossi, Antonio Secchi
  • Patent number: 9522758
    Abstract: An optoelectric detection system and method for detecting surface features on containers is disclosed herein. The system has an electronic camera arrangement and an illuminating arrangement configured to illuminate surfaces of containers. The illuminating arrangement comprises a strip-shaped light source that extends in the direction of movement of containers. The electronic camera arrangement and illuminating arrangement are adjustable relative to one another and configured to provide different angles of incidence of light on surfaces of containers and/or different angles of images of light reflected from surfaces of containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: KHS GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Joachim Grote, Carsten Buchwald
  • Patent number: 9522759
    Abstract: A plastic container is provided that includes a lower supporting base portion; a sidewall portion extending upwardly from the base portion; and a neck portion extending upwardly from the sidewall portion. The neck portion includes a support flange having an upper and lower surface, a tamper-evident formation, and a dispensing opening at the top of the neck portion. In an embodiment, the volume of the container is at least 500 ml; the weight of the neck portion is 3.0 grams or less; and the vertical distance from the top of the dispensing opening to the lower surface of the support flange, including the threads and the tamper-evident formation, is 0.580 inches or less. A preform and method for making a container are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Plastipak Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard C. Darr, Edward V. Morgan
  • Patent number: 9522760
    Abstract: The present invention provides a top frame made from a thermoset foam material. The top frame includes a pair of substantially parallel sides and a pair of substantially parallel ends connected to the sides to form a generally rectangular frame structure. The frame structure has an inner layer and outer surface defining a thickness. The thermoset foam material varies in density along the frame structure thickness such that the density of the thermoset foam material is greatest near the frame structure outer surface to form a hard outer shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: ORBIS Corporation
    Inventor: Jason Frankenberg
  • Patent number: 9522761
    Abstract: A box for receiving a food item is provided, and the box is usable with an additional box that is also configured to receive a food item. The box includes a bottom portion, and a top portion that is hingedly connected to the bottom portion and that forms a cover. The top portion includes a top panel and a side panel connected to the top panel, and the side panel has a bendable tab formed therein. The tab is bendable to an operative position and cooperable with the additional box to link the two boxes together when the additional box is placed on top of the box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: DOMINO'S IP HOLDER, LLC
    Inventors: Meredith Baker, Benjamin A. Bangser, Jason Eiseman, Jessica Glass, James E. McCay, Thomas Vanesley, Phillip Worley
  • Patent number: 9522762
    Abstract: A container includes a main body having a receiving space and an opening; and a cover covering the opening of the main body. The main body has a rib divided and a groove portion between the parts of the rib, the cover has at least two track-shaped coupling grooves into which a rib of a main body of another container of same shape is inserted and which are spaced apart from each other, and has a track-shaped airtight groove in an edge portion of an opposite surface of the cover to allow the coupling grooves to be put therein. An edge of the opening of the main body is inserted into the airtight groove, and a spaced portion between two track-shaped coupling grooves of a cover of another container is inserted into the groove portion of the rib of the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: SUNRISE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Sang-Kee Kim