Patents Issued in March 14, 2017
  • Patent number: 9591825
    Abstract: A wheat variety designated W050216N2, the plants and seeds of wheat variety W050216N2, methods for producing a wheat plant produced by crossing the variety W050216N2 with another wheat plant, and hybrid wheat seeds and plants produced by crossing the variety W050216N2 with another wheat line or plant, and the creation of variants by mutagenesis or transformation of variety W050216N2. This invention also relates to methods for producing other wheat varieties or breeding lines derived from wheat variety W050216N2 and to wheat varieties or breeding lines produced by those methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: PIONEER HI-BRED INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Kyle Jay Lively, Gregory Charles Marshall, William Joseph Laskar
  • Patent number: 9591826
    Abstract: The present invention provides an inbred corn line designated IAX3317, methods for producing a corn plant by crossing plants of the inbred line IAX3317 with plants of another corn plant. The invention further encompasses all parts of inbred corn line IAX3317, including culturable cells. Additionally provided herein are methods for introducing transgenes into inbred corn line IAX3317, and plants produced according to these methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Syngenta Participations AG
    Inventor: Brent Delzer
  • Patent number: 9591827
    Abstract: A soybean cultivar designated 57160653 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 57160653, to the plants of soybean cultivar 57160653, to the plant parts of soybean cultivar 57160653, and to methods for producing progeny of soybean cultivar 57160653. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. The invention also relates to soybean cultivars or breeding cultivars, and plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 57160653. The invention also relates to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines, or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 57160653, and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing cultivar 57160653 with another soybean cultivar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignees: Monsanto Technology LLC, Stine Seed Farm, Inc.
    Inventor: William H. Eby
  • Patent number: 9591828
    Abstract: An indoor livestock confinement system includes a plurality of hollow plastic panels. One of the hollow plastic panels defines a U-shaped door frame. The door frame is open at the top and includes an attachment for a door at one edge. The door frame includes a reinforcement inside the panel that extends across a bottom threshold and sides of the door frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: L.T. Hampel Corp.
    Inventors: Lance T. Hampel, Edward G. Wolk
  • Patent number: 9591829
    Abstract: An animal restraining chute having a four sided cage with a closeable front and rear opening and two sides constructed from a series of ribs made from a single bent component to provide structural support. A partially closable front gate closes the front opening and restrains the head of the animal, and a curved rear pusher gate secures the hindquarters of an animal. A rotatable belly restraint pins the animal to one of the sides. The chute is rotatably mounted on a vehicle or platform to lay the animal on its side. The chute includes four hydraulic activated leg latches for securing the legs of the animal. There is a movably attached staging area located at the rear of the chute to allow for the positioning of animals waiting to enter the chute. Each of the movable components of the chute are hydraulically and remotely controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Inventor: Brandon Beavers
  • Patent number: 9591830
    Abstract: Single or multiple jointed bit (1) with at least two mouthpieces (10), characterized by the fact that at least one mouthpiece (10) comprises at least one channel (100) which extends longitudinally with or without slope through this mouthpiece from one end to the other end, to enable the sending of a viscous and/or liquid substance (72) directly into the middle of the mouth of an animal (2) without changing the feeling in the animal's mouth or on its tongue (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Inventor: Heidi Hall
  • Patent number: 9591831
    Abstract: Disclosed is a pet grooming device that allows a pet to groom itself by passing through an annular tunnel having a plurality of grooming elements disposed therewithin. The tube-shaped device comprises an elongated tunnel having a first and second opening with wire grooming bristles attached within its interior. The pet is able to walk through the opening and as the animal passes through the device wire bristles brush the pet's hair in the natural direction, from head to tail. The distance the animal must pass through while traversing the device ensures that the animal's fur is sufficiently engaged by the bristles to promote a thorough grooming with each pass through the device, while a pathway free of grooming elements is provided for the pet to walk through the tunnel with ease and less trepidation. A barrier crossing and stand alone embodiment are disclosed, along with a method of construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Inventor: Mike Chura
  • Patent number: 9591832
    Abstract: A pet amusement device formed in two halves, with a scratching pad removably attached to one half and an interior space accessible through openings in the second half. A ball with a bell may be contained in the interior space, allowing a pet to reach through the openings to play with the ball. A continuous track may surround the device, and a ball may be contained within the track, allowing the pet to bat the ball around the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Coastal Pet Products, Inc.
    Inventors: David Price, Todd Stolte, Kirk Dixon
  • Patent number: 9591833
    Abstract: A storage apparatus for a chicken feeder includes a body section, a coupling member and a feeder contacting section. The coupling member is positioned on a first end of the body section for securing the body section to a chicken feed tube. The feeder contacting section is positioned on a second end of the body section and includes angled arms to support a feeder above the feed tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Southwest Agri-Plastics, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael A. McGregor
  • Patent number: 9591834
    Abstract: The removable seed tray is quickly and easily removable from a removable bird feeder base that is attached to the main tubular body of a bird feeder. The seed tray effectively serves the function of a seed tray while also permitting access to the portions of the removable base to permit the removable base to be detached from the tubular bird feeder body while the seed tray remains attached thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: ASPECTS, INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth M. DiOrio, Marco Wo, Dana Chicca, Joseph Cacciola
  • Patent number: 9591835
    Abstract: The invention provides genetically modified non-human animals that express chimeric human/non-human MHC I polypeptide and/or human or humanized ?2 microglobulin polypeptide, as well as embryos, cells, and tissues comprising the same. Also provided are constructs for making said genetically modified animals and methods of making the same. Methods of using the genetically modified animals to study various aspects of human immune system are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventors: Lynn MacDonald, Andrew J. Murphy, Cagan Gurer, John McWhirter, Vera Voronina, Faith Harris, Sean Stevens, Yingzi Xue
  • Patent number: 9591836
    Abstract: A fishing line guide includes an attachment portion, a support leg frame, a support leg portion and a guide ring portion. The support leg frame extends from a base end of the attachment portion and is integrally formed with the attachment portion. The attachment portion and the support leg frame are made of a metallic material. The support leg portion extends from the base end of the attachment portion and is composited with the support leg frame throughout the overall length of the support leg frame. The guide ring portion is located at a tip end of the support leg portion. A fishing line passes through the guide ring portion. The support leg portion and the guide ring portion are partially or wholly made of a plastic material. A sectional area of the support leg frame gradually decreases toward the tip end of the support leg frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: FUJI KOGYO CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kazuhito Omura
  • Patent number: 9591837
    Abstract: A dual-bearing reel includes a reel unit, a spool and a handle. The reel unit includes a frame having an opening portion and a first side cover capable of being disposed in the opening portion. The spool is rotatably attached to the frame. The handle is configured to rotate the spool. The first side cover includes a cover body having an aperture and a blocking member blocking intrusion of a foreign object through the aperture. The blocking member is configured to be attached to the cover body on a side of the cover body facing the interior of the frame by elastic deformation. Further, the blocking member is retained on the cover body by a resilient force of the blocking member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Satoshi Ikebukuro
  • Patent number: 9591838
    Abstract: A clutch operating member for a dual-bearing reel is disposed at a rear of a reel body of the dual-bearing reel and casts a fishing line in a forward direction. The clutch operating member includes a movable part and a first operating unit. The movable part is movably disposed on the reel body, and is configured to be selectively disposed between a clutch-off position which sets the clutch mechanism in the clutch-off state and a clutch-on position which sets the clutch mechanism in the clutch-on state. The first operating unit has a first end and a second end, is pivotably coupled to the movable part at the first and second ends, and is configured to return the movable part from the clutch-off position to the clutch-on position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Hitoshi Haraguchi
  • Patent number: 9591839
    Abstract: A braking operation lever includes a lever main body, an operating section, a brake shoe, and an elastic member. The lever main body has a first end part and a second end part, and is rotatably supported by the reel body. The operating section is configured to cause a braking operation, and is disposed on the first end part of the lever main body. The brake shoe is disposed on the second end part of the lever main body, and is configured to be pressed by the rotor while operating the operating section. The elastic member is disposed between the brake shoe and the lever main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Takuji Takamatsu, Keigo Kitajima, Kei Saito, Shingo Matsuo
  • Patent number: 9591840
    Abstract: An umbrella fishing rig can include a head piece, a cap, and at least one dual teaser arm piece. The head piece can include an arm retention portion. The at least one dual teaser arm piece can have two arms extending from the bent central portion. The cap can be removably coupled to the head piece. The arm retention portion can be configured to receive the bent central portion and the cap can retain the bent central portion in the arm retention portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Inventor: Troy LeHew
  • Patent number: 9591841
    Abstract: A fly fishing float and/or strike indicator is attached by an interference fit to a leader, by sliding the float up the leader to a thicker-diameter portion of the leader for a tight fit, and preferably a leader-compressing fit, between the leader and an axial bore in the float. A bore surface, that is non-compressible and/or less compressible than the leader, may be supplied as an insert around which a buoyant main body of the float is formed. The insert may also have features that prevent separation of the main body from the insert and that help transmit force on the main body to the bore surface for quick and efficient securement of the float to the leader by the interference fit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Inventor: Larry Schoenike
  • Patent number: 9591842
    Abstract: A passive volatile dispensing device includes a housing having first and second curved walls and sidewalls between the curved walls. A volatile-bearing substrate is disposed within an internal cavity of the housing. The first and second curved walls each include at least one aperture and at least two opposing sidewalls include a vent therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul E. Furner
  • Patent number: 9591843
    Abstract: Some embodiments provide an illumination system with an outer housing including a base, a central housing pivotably coupled to the base including a fluid inlet, and an upper housing including a fluid outlet. The inner housing defines a chamber and is coupled to the base, and includes a fluid aperture adjacent to the base, and a fluid aperture adjacent to the upper housing and a viewing aperture. The chamber houses an evaporator system not visible through the outer housing, and an illumination device. Some embodiments include a repellent system with a base including a fluid inlet pivotably coupled to a main housing enclosing an inner region, and including an upper portion with at least one fluid outlet. In some embodiments, an evaporator system within the inner region is not visible through the main housing. Some embodiments include an evaporator assembly that includes a lockable evaporator support to render the system non-refillable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Broan-NuTone LLC
    Inventors: Karen Formico, Jeffery Emmerich
  • Patent number: 9591844
    Abstract: A game call for the producing of sounds that mimic animal sounds better than conventional game calls. The call may include various structures of that mimic or correspond to various features found in the mouth, nasal passageways, and/or trachea opening of an animal. The body of the call may be connected to a mouth piece to enable a user to provide a sound by blowing air through the call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: COPPER BASIN, LLC
    Inventor: Kelly William Squires
  • Patent number: 9591845
    Abstract: The invention relates to the treatment of blood, blood products and organs for the removal and/or detoxification of amyloid-beta oligomers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: FORSCHUNGSZENTRUM JUELICH GMBH
    Inventor: Dieter Willbold
  • Patent number: 9591846
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for separating individual human reproductive material from a fertilization dish and storing the material in a cryotank for future fertilization and implantation. The apparatus includes an elongate cryostraw having a first open end and second heat-sealable open end, a channel extending between said ends, and an internal, calibrated volume VC. A displacement bulb is connected to the first end of the cryostraw for admitting and emitting the material into said cryostraw. The bulb has a total volume VB1, an internal cavity with a compressible end volume VB2, a first seal with the first end of said cryostraw; and, means for limiting the intake volume displacement produced in said cryostraw to an amount less than VC no matter how far the bulb is squeezed. The bulb produces less than a unit volume of displacement in the cryostraw when the bulb is squeezed and its volume VB1 is reduced by a unit volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Inventors: Michael Drummond, Jack A. Walker, Jr., Scott Ferguson
  • Patent number: 9591847
    Abstract: Methods of controlling the maturation of plants and/or plant products (e.g. fruit, vegetable, ornamentals, etc.) by manipulating Alternative Oxidize (AOX) activity. An increase in activity hastens the maturation process while a decrease in activity slows or stops maturation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Washington State University
    Inventors: Amit Dhingra, Christopher Hendrickson
  • Patent number: 9591848
    Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds and materials that reduce the accumulation of microorganisms on a surface by interfering with the attachment of the organisms to the surface. The compounds and materials of the present invention are thus useful in preventing the formation of biofilms. The compounds of the present invention may be either adhered to a surface or integrated within a polymer. Surfaces coated by the present invention are resistant to biofilm formation, in part due to the smoothness of the surface coated with the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Abilene Christian Univ.
    Inventors: T. Brian Cavitt, Rebecca Ann Herrington Faulkner
  • Patent number: 9591849
    Abstract: Provided is a matrix type antimicrobial vehicle, including: a matrix layer comprising an antimicrobial agent and an adhesive; an antimicrobial agent-releasing layer formed on one surface of the matrix layer; and a release liner formed on the other surface of the matrix layer, and a method for preparing the same. The matrix type antimicrobial vehicle is incorporated into a package having a medical kit so that the antimicrobial agent is released to the surface of medical kit or package continuously. Therefore, it is possible for the surface of the medical kit or package to maintain a constant concentration of antimicrobial agent continuously even when the medical kit or package is stored for a long time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: SAMYANG BIOPHARMACEUTICALS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hye Sung Yoon, Hyun Kyoon Kim, Wang Soo Shin, Sun Woo Kim
  • Patent number: 9591850
    Abstract: This invention relates generally to disinfection and cleaning systems for medical devices. In a preferred embodiment, the invention relates to compositions, methods and articles for simultaneously cleaning and disinfecting contact lenses. The present invention is directed to ophthalmic compositions containing one or more block copolymers referred to as (polyoxyethylene)-(poly-oxybutylene) block copolymers (“PEO-PBO”). The invention is particularly directed to the use of PEO-PBO di-block copolymers as non-foaming wetting agents in peroxide-based compositions for disinfecting contact lenses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: NOVARTIS AG
    Inventors: Leroy Wainaina Muya, Howard Allen Ketelson
  • Patent number: 9591851
    Abstract: Methods of eliminating spores of spore forming bacteria from the genus Clostridium on a surface comprise contacting the surface with an effective amount of an acidic aqueous composition having an acidic pH of from about 1 to about 4 and comprising from about 100 to about 2000 ppm dissolved chlorine dioxide, and a surfactant system having wetting effect and a spore solubilizing effect. The surfactant system comprises at least two hydrocarbon ionic surfactants stable for oxidation at the acidic pH, of which at least two surfactants have a difference in hydrocarbon chain length of at least four carbon atoms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: LIFECLEAN INTERNATIONAL AB
    Inventors: Staffan Sandström, Carl-Gustav Millinger
  • Patent number: 9591852
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to compounds, compositions, and methods for disrupting biofilms. In some embodiments, the compounds and compositions comprise unsaturated long chain alcohols and/or aldehydes, or combinations of such compounds. In further embodiments, the present invention contains therapeutic actives to help reduce and/or eradicate the bacteria in the biofilm once the film is disrupted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: McNeil-PPC, Inc.
    Inventors: Carolyn J. Mordas, Robert J. Gambogi
  • Patent number: 9591853
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to jellyfish polymer comprising jellyfish protein and at least one additive, wherein the jellyfish protein comprises mucin and collagen. Further embodiments relate to hydrogels, antibacterial polymers, composite polymers and methods of making the polymers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: RAMOT AT TEL-AVIV UNIVERSITY LTD.
    Inventors: Bogdan Belgorodsky, Ludmila Fadeev, Netta Hendler, Elad Mentovich, Michael Gozin, Shachar Richter, Liron Reshef-Steinberger, Roman Nudelman, Tamilla Gulakhmedova
  • Patent number: 9591854
    Abstract: The present invention relates to composition comprising a pesticide and an alkoxylate of the formula (I) as defined below. The invention further relates to said alkoxylate. The invention further relates to a method of preparing said composition by bringing the alkoxylate and the pesticide into contact. Finally, the invention relates to a method of controlling phytopathogenic fungi and/or undesired plant growth and/or undesired insect or mite attack and/or for regulating the growth of plants, wherein said composition is allowed to act on the respective pests, their environment or the crop plants to be protected from the respective pest, on the soil and/or on undesired plants and/or on the crop plants and/or on their environment; and to seed containing said composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Murat Mertoglu, Rainer Berghaus, Andreas Kunst, Benedikt Crone, Christian Koenig
  • Patent number: 9591855
    Abstract: The present invention provides high potency 3,3?-diindolylmethane (DIM) and analogue compounds as antifouling agents. The present invention further provides methods of preventing or reducing settlement and/or fouling of marine fouling organisms on surfaces of submerged objects by coating the surfaces with the 3,3?-diindolylmethane (DIM) and analogue compounds provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignees: THE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, CHINA OCEAN MINERAL RESOURCES R&D ASSOCIATION
    Inventors: Peiyuan Qian, Ying Xu, Kailing Wang, Changyun Wang
  • Patent number: 9591856
    Abstract: The present invention relates to novel fungicide compositions comprising (A) fluopyram, (B) at least one further succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) inhibitor and optionally further (C) at least one triazole fungicide, whereas the invention especially comprises such novel fungicide compositions of (A) fluopyram, (B) bixafen and (C) at least one triazole fungicide, which is preferably prothioconazole. The present invention also relates to the use of such novel fungicide compositions for improving growth in crops, comprising preventively and/or curatively controlling pathogenic fungi and/or nematodes, resistance management, and improving plant physiology effects by enhancing root growth, improving greening, improving water use efficiency, improving nitrogen-use efficacy, delaying senescence and enhancing yield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: BAYER INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY GMBH
    Inventors: Ulrich Krieg, Damien Viollet, Andreas Görtz
  • Patent number: 9591857
    Abstract: This document discloses molecules having the following formula (“Formula One”): and processes related thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Dow AgroSciences LLC
    Inventors: Ann M. Buysse, Noormohamed M. Niyaz, Yu Zhang, Martin J. Walsh, Asako Kubota, Ricky Hunter, Tony K. Trullinger, Christian T. Lowe, Daniel I. Knueppel, David A. Demeter, Akshay Patny, Negar Garizi, Paul Renee LePlae, Jr., Frank J. Wessels
  • Patent number: 9591858
    Abstract: At least one novel virus capable of infecting crazy ants (Nylanderia fulva) is isolated, along with polynucleotide sequences and amino acid sequences of the virus. The virus is capable of be used as a biopesticide to control populations of crazy ants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture
    Inventors: Steven M. Valles, David H. Oi
  • Patent number: 9591859
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for separating meat from bone parts, comprising the successive method steps of: placing the bone parts in a press; exerting a pressure on the bone parts so that meat is separated from the bones; re-orienting the bone parts; and exerting a pressure on the re-oriented bone parts again. The invention also relates to a device for separating meat from bones by subjecting the bones to a pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Marel Meat Processing B.V.
    Inventors: Gerardus Frederikus Jozef Leenen, Franciscus Theodorus Henricus Johannes Van Der Steen
  • Patent number: 9591860
    Abstract: A preservative composition includes a source of ascorbate or erythorbate ions, or a mixture thereof, a source of calcium ions and one or more food grade sequestrants, wherein the molar ratio of ascorbate or erythorbate ions, or a mixture thereof, to calcium ions is of from 0.5:1 to 1.4:1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Orgacure Holding B.V.
    Inventors: Roger Bierwas, Julian Willem Vrolijk, Jan Paul Schirmer
  • Patent number: 9591861
    Abstract: Provided is a fat or oil composition, comprising 50 mass % or more of diacylglycerols whose constituent fatty acids comprise 12 mass % or more of fatty acids having 20 or more carbon atoms and 5 mass % or less of a total content of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, and having an iodine value of a fat or oil of 120 or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: KOA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Rika Homma, Yoshihide Asabu
  • Patent number: 9591862
    Abstract: One variation of an apparatus for brewing a beverage includes: a reservoir containing fluid; a boiler including a heating element and a fluid pickup, a portion of the boiler arranged vertically below the reservoir; a brew chamber, a portion of the brew chamber arranged vertically above the boiler; a first contactless valve operable in a first mode and in a second mode, the first contactless valve open in the first mode to communicate fluid from the reservoir into the boiler and closed in the second mode; a second contactless valve operable in the first mode and in the second mode, the second contactless valve open in the first mode to vent gas from the boiler and closed in the second mode; and an air pump configured to displace air into the boiler in the second mode to displace fluid from the boiler, via the fluid pickup, into the brew chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Blossom Coffee, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy Kuempel, Matt Walliser
  • Patent number: 9591863
    Abstract: The present invention provides a foaming instant coffee composition comprising particles having a bulk density of from 0.16 to 0.45 g/cm3, said particles comprising a continuous phase comprising an instant coffee matrix and a non-continuous phase comprising particles of a foamable component containing a gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Kraft Foods R & D, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Philip Imison
  • Patent number: 9591864
    Abstract: A system for creating an aerated food product, whereby a decreased electrical and thermal load may be obtained is disclosed. Furthermore, a method of producing an aerated food product comprising the steps of separately preparing a first food product portion and a second food product portion, transferring the first food product portion to a first aseptic surge tank, transferring the second food product portion to a second aseptic surge tank, mixing a combination of the first food product portion and the second food product portion to create a mixed food product, aerating the mixed food product to create the aerated food product, and dispensing the aerated food product from a filling apparatus into a container is also disclosed. An aerated food product is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: STEUBEN FOODS, INC.
    Inventors: Ira Allen Nadel, Ajay Kaul
  • Patent number: 9591865
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a container (20) designed for being inserted into a device (1) for preparing a frozen confection (17), said container (20) comprising a sealed flexible casing (25) and said container (20) containing ingredients (15) for producing a frozen confection (17) when being cooled and mechanically forced. The present invention further relates to a device (1) for preparing a frozen confection (17) from a container (20) inserted into the device (1). The present invention further relates to a method for preparing a frozen confection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Sejal Jayantilal Ravji, Thomas Koob, Sven Zwicker
  • Patent number: 9591866
    Abstract: The present invention relates to stable frozen aerated products manufactured by low-temperature extrusion. In particular, the invention is concerned with a stabilizer system comprising native starch which can be used to impart stability on low-temperature extruded frozen products. A method of producing such frozen aerated confectionery product and the products obtainable from said method are also part of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Steffen Dose, Maylis Quessette, Wilhelm Karl Silberzahn
  • Patent number: 9591867
    Abstract: The invention relates to compositions comprising abscisic acid, and/or salts, derivatives and analogs thereof, and methods of using the same for improving the health and survival of animal offspring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Valent BioSciences Corporation
    Inventors: Maria Pilar Herrero, Warren E. Shafer
  • Patent number: 9591868
    Abstract: The present invention involves methods for improving the quality of the hair of a non-human animal and for increasing the 18-methyleicosanoic acid content of the hair of a non-human animal comprising feeding to the animal an edible composition comprising an effective amount of an amino acid selected from the group comprising isoleucine, threonine, and mixtures thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc.
    Inventors: Shiguang Yu, Joseph Greitl
  • Patent number: 9591869
    Abstract: A consumption-regulated feed block for controlled consumption of animal feed, comprises a mass of controlled feed material, the consumption of which is to be controlled, in compressed block, chemical block or hybrid block form; and an intake control matrix of low moisture block material positioned in the controlled feed material and forming consumption control pockets to regulate consumption of the controlled feed material by requiring an animal to consume by licking portions of low moisture block material in order to consume controlled feed material in an adjacent consumption control pocket. Methods of making such a block are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Ridley USA Inc.
    Inventors: Dan Dhuyvetter, Chunjiang Fu, Mark Allen Robbins
  • Patent number: 9591870
    Abstract: Cellulose ethers are described herein which are useful in food compositions. In these cellulose ethers the ether substituents are methyl groups, hydroxyalkyl groups, and optionally alkyl groups being different from methyl, the cellulose ether has a DS(methyl) of from 1.65 to 2.20, an MS(hydroxyalkyl) of from 0.10 to 1.00, and hydroxy groups of anhydroglucose units are substituted with methyl groups such that [s23/s26?0.2*MS(hydroxyalkyl)] is 0.35 or less, wherein s23 is the molar fraction of anhydroglucose units wherein only the two hydroxy groups in the 2- and 3-positions of the anhydroglucose unit are substituted with methyl groups and wherein s26 is the molar fraction of anhydroglucose units wherein only the two hydroxy groups in the 2- and 6-positions of the anhydroglucose unit are substituted with methyl groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Inventors: Britta Huebner-Keese, Carol E. Mohler, Meinolf Brackhagen, Roland Adden, Robert L. Sammler, Jonathan D. Moore, Matthias Knarr
  • Patent number: 9591871
    Abstract: A machine for producing and dispensing products such as ice cream, frozen beverages or granita has a transparent product container which is provided with a tap for dispensing the product and which contains an evaporator of a refrigerating circuit or cooling the product in the container and a mixer element for stirring the product. The machine is configured for diffusing a thin stream of moving air over the outer walls of the container. The machine may have a fan which emits an air flow inside a diffuser element which is arranged above the container and which defines a mouth around the top of the container and blows downwards the thin stream of air onto the outer walls of the container. The diffuser element may be advantageously formed in the lid the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Ugolini SPA
    Inventor: Marco Corrado Ugolini
  • Patent number: 9591872
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an infant formula specially designed to reduce episodes of regurgitation, colic and constipation that occur in infants fed on infant formula. The composition represents a needed improvement to the art because it contains in a single composition substances that simultaneously addresses these three problems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Nucitec S.A. de C.V.
    Inventors: Jorge Luis Rosado Loria, Miguel Angel Duarte-Vázquez
  • Patent number: 9591873
    Abstract: An agricultural product treatment system. A preferred embodiment of the invention includes a truncated conical section which has a small diameter at one end in fluid communication with a conduit array conveying particulate matter from the DT. An open large diameter end of the structure is axially coextensive and coaxial with an expanded diameter conduit portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Crown Iron Works Company
    Inventor: George E. Anderson
  • Patent number: 9591874
    Abstract: A mold for forming at least one food product with a measurement unit, wherein the mold has a filling side and a back side opposite to said filling side. Further, the measurement unit comprises: measuring means configured to measure at least one parameter while the mold is used in a production line or testing facility and a data transfer interface configured to transfer data to an external processing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Kraft Foods R & D, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Talmon-Gros, Bernard Rocklage, Rudolf Hauger