Patents Issued in March 21, 2017
  • Patent number: 9598197
    Abstract: Provided is a double-decker tube dispenser that is not only compact but also highly portable, can be set easily on a cart, a desk, and the like, is capable of responding immediately in case of emergency such as disaster, and enables blood sampling tubes of different types to be prepared in response to blood sampling instructions from doctors. A blood sampling tube stocker device is arranged in an overlapping manner above a printing-and-pasting device, and hence a horizontal width can be extremely reduced. With this, the double-decker tube dispenser, which is not only significantly compact but also highly portable, and applicable not only to medium and small hospitals and hospital wards for inpatients, but also, for example, to facilities specializing in blood sampling, and enables use beside a sickbed, desktop use, and use on a mobile cart and the like in a state in which the dispenser is simply mounted thereon, is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: TECHNOMEDICA CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Mitsuru Sato
  • Patent number: 9598198
    Abstract: Disclosed is a rotary table machine for container treatment, comprising a carousel with container receptacles for conveying containers, wherein the container receptacles are arranged at a regular spacing along a circular path about an axis of rotation of the carousel by means of a machine pitch, characterized in that the carousel and a rotary transducer are connected via a transmission such that, when the carousel rotates about a machine pitch, the rotary transducer emits and/or processes a whole-number multiple of a periodic value increment as a position signal, a signal transmitter is designed to detect a reference mark on the carousel and for emitting a reference mark signal on the basis thereof, and a signal processing device is designed to process the position signal and the reference mark signal in order to regulate the position of the carousel and to control the container receptacles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: KRONES AG
    Inventors: Georg Gertlowski, Uwe Hasler, Helmut Schneider, Jörg Triebel
  • Patent number: 9598199
    Abstract: A labelling apparatus for the labelling of containers includes at least one first labelling device, a storage device and a control device. The at least one first labelling device applies a label from a first strip of labels to a container. The control device controls the labelling of the containers based on a detection result of a first detection device which detects a pattern of containers and container-absence points in a supply flow of the containers to the first labelling device, and/or on the basis of a detection result of a second detection device which detects a filling state of the labels in the storage device. The control interrupts the labelling of the container if the first detection device detects a pre-determined pattern of containers and container-absence points and/or if the second detection device detects a pre-determined filling state of the labels in the storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: KRONES AG
    Inventors: Juergen Koller, Thomas Zech, Dieter Leykamm
  • Patent number: 9598200
    Abstract: Disclosed is a connection device to be coupled with a container neck in different standards for use. The connection device is formed with a mouth part at the upper side and a screw thread part at the lower side. The mouth part at the upper portion of the connection device is formed in a screw thread or other shape in the standard corresponding to a bottle lid, and the inside of the screw thread part is formed with a screw thread corresponding to the standard of the container neck. The screw thread is integrally formed or an elastic screw thread is additionally added for the coupling with the necks of a plurality of containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Inventors: Jeong-Min Lee, Seong-Jae Lee
  • Patent number: 9598201
    Abstract: A container of plastic material, having a body extending along a principal axis and a bottom in the extension of the body at a lower end thereof. The bottom has an annular seat defining a seating plane; and a conical arch that extends from near the seat towards the interior of the container to a central apex, the arch having in transverse cross-section a star-shaped profile inscribed between two circles, the ratio of the diameters of which is greater than or equal to 0.7.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: SIDEL PARTICIPATIONS
    Inventors: Michel Boukobza, Laurent Penet
  • Patent number: 9598202
    Abstract: A carton for containing a flowable material. The carton comprises a plurality of panels that extends at least partially around an interior of the carton. The plurality of panels comprises at least a top panel. At least two end flaps are respectively foldably attached to respective panels of the plurality of panels. The at least two end flaps comprise a top end flap foldably connected to the to panel. An integrated handle comprises a handle panel extending in the top panel and into the top end flap and a handle closure at least partially in face-to-face contact with at least the top panel. The handle panel overlaps at least a portion of the handle closure, and the handle closure at least partially forms a barrier in the top panel adjacent the handle panel for at least partially preventing flowable material from exiting the carton at the integrated handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven M. Oliveira, Kelly R. Fitzwater
  • Patent number: 9598203
    Abstract: An injection container storage box device that stores a plurality of cylindrical injection containers randomly loaded includes: a housing of which the upper and lower ends are open; and an opening/closing plate disposed in a lower end portion of the housing so as to freely slide to open and close a lower end opening, on which the injection containers are placed, wherein the opening/closing plate includes a corrugated surface in which a plurality of convex portions and a plurality of concave portions alternate continuously in a predetermined direction and the injection containers are put into a toppled state using the corrugated surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: OOKUMA ELECTRONIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Keiji Okuma
  • Patent number: 9598204
    Abstract: A lid for a container for bulk material includes a flange for sealing the lid to the container, the flange having an internal peripheral edge. The lid further includes a skim plate having an outer peripheral edge and an aperture sized to receive a barrel of a device for dispensing bulk material. A first tear strip is disposed between the outer peripheral edge of the skim plate and the internal peripheral edge of the flange to release the skim plate from the flange. A small disk portion is disposed in the aperture of the skim plate. A second tear strip is disposed between the outer peripheral edge of the small disk portion and the aperture to release the small disk portion from the skim plate. The flange, skim plate, small disk portion, the first annular tear strip and the second annular tear strip all comprise a unitary molded article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Albion Engineering Company
    Inventor: Mark C. Schneider
  • Patent number: 9598205
    Abstract: A single sheet unitary molded plastic pallet has nine open top molded plastic leg structures extending to a common floor plane wherein the leg structures are arranged in three columns and three rows and include a center leg structure. The pallet also has connector structures arranged between the leg structures and having corner ribs extending therefrom to the leg structures so as to provide a floor plane which is substantially continuous in all directions, and a load plane which is substantially continuous in all directions. The side surfaces of the connector structures having opening for forklift tangs. The pallet has a continuous peripheral lip which can accept an elasticized load cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Shuert Technology, LLC
    Inventor: Lyle H. Shuert
  • Patent number: 9598206
    Abstract: The invention relates to a container made of a plastic material, provided with a body (5) and a bottom (6) extending at a lower end of the body (5), wherein the bottom (6) includes: an annular seat (7) extending substantially away from the body (5) and defining a support surface (8) and an inner annular flange (11) substantially perpendicular to the support surface; a concave arch (13) which extends from an area adjacent to the seat (7) towards a central area (14). The axial dimension H of the flange and the radial dimension L of the support surface are such that: formula (I). 0.6 ? L H ? 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: SIDEL PARTICIPATIONS
    Inventors: Michel Boukobza, Mikaël Derrien
  • Patent number: 9598207
    Abstract: A waste-disposal device for use with a bag unit of the type having an annular component from which a free end of tube extends to form a bag. The waste-disposal device comprises a bin having an open top end for accessing an inner cavity of the bin. A support is in the bin adjacent to the open top end and adapted to support the annular component of the bag unit for waste to be received in the bag of the bag unit extending in the inner cavity of the bin, by passing through a central opening thereof. A closing mechanism comprises a door pivotally connected to the support by at least one pivot and an abutment surface in the bin, a pivot axis of the at least one pivot being located at a same height or higher than a bottommost edge of the annular component of the bag unit when received in the support and when the bin has a bottom thereof on the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL REFILLS COMPANY LTD
    Inventor: Michel Morand
  • Patent number: 9598208
    Abstract: The disclosure provides apparatus and methods of use pertaining to disposable bucket liners for storing solid or liquid content. One embodiment provides a flexible bag configured to conform to an interior of a common painting bucket and overlap an open top end of the bucket so as to provide stability for the bag and protection for the bucket. The bag includes a reusable closing member that allows the bag to be removed from the bucket and stored to facilitate repeated use before disposal. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Inventor: Brannon K. Aki
  • Patent number: 9598209
    Abstract: A food containment and dispensing system includes a collapsible pouch forming a cavity to contain a food product. A spout fitment is coupled to the collapsible pouch and includes a spout that extends from the collapsible pouch. A spout thread extends radially from the spout. The spout thread starts at a spout rib, which defines a spout rib contact surface. A cap is in threaded engagement with the spout, and it includes a cylindrical wall. A cap thread extends radially from the cylindrical wall and terminates at a cap rib, which defines a cap rib contact surface that is in contact with the spout rib contact surface to prevent further rotation of the cap with respect to the spout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Daisy Brand, LLC
    Inventor: Jorge Maldonado
  • Patent number: 9598210
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to equalizing pressure in a reservoir containing fluidic media, possibly due to imperfect installation of the reservoir or an external influence such as an altitude or a temperature change. In various embodiments, fluidic media may be expelled from the reservoir through a needle and contained in an interior volume of a pierceable member before the needle pierces the pierceable member to establish a flow path to a user. In other embodiments, fluidic media may be expelled through a port of the reservoir into a chamber or to the outside environment. In further embodiments, fluidic media may be expelled through a channel in a plunger head and out a passage in the reservoir when the channel and passage are aligned. In other embodiments, fluidic media may be expelled through a valve, and the valve may be pierceable by a needle to establish a flow path to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic MiniMed, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric M. Lorenzen, Edgardo Halili
  • Patent number: 9598211
    Abstract: A beverage container that includes a main body portion having an open top and a closed bottom, an interior, a circular rim and a first set of threads on an inside surface thereof that are positioned adjacent the rim at a first height. The rim includes a downwardly depending portion that extends below the first set of threads. The container also includes a removable cover with a bottom, a generally cylindrical side wall, an annular flange extending outwardly from the generally cylindrical side wall and an annular collar. The collar, the annular flange and the side wall define a first channel that receives the rim, and the bottom and the generally cylindrical side wall cooperate to define a cover cavity. The side wall includes a second set of threads on an outside surface thereof that are matingly engaged with the first set of threads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: MIDEAS, LLC
    Inventors: James Christopoulos, Martin Todd Belle, David Huang, Fernando Pardo, Adil Ali, Matthew Hern, Etienne Iliffe-Moon, Praveen Penmetsa, Matthew O'Brien
  • Patent number: 9598212
    Abstract: A method of forming a confined crystallization multilayer film includes coextruding a plurality of first polymer layers and a plurality of second polymer layer to form a multilayer film wherein each first polymer layer is sandwiched between second polymer layers and axially orienting the multilayer film at a temperature below the melting temperature (Tm) of the second polymer layer and to a thickness such that each first polymer layer forms a high aspect ratio substantially crystalline lamellae.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Case Western Reserve University
    Inventors: Anne Hiltner, Eric Baer, Yijian Lin, Joel Carr
  • Patent number: 9598213
    Abstract: A collection of articles is disclosed. Each article can be generally provided as a parallelepiped container having a bottom, sidewalls, and a top. The collection of articles comprises a supporting medium, a first slip sheet disposed upon a surface of the supporting medium, and a first plurality of the parallelepiped containers arranged in a first layer upon the first slip sheet. Each parallelepiped container of the first plurality of parallelepiped containers is disposed adjacent each other to define a first space therebetween. A first portion of the first sidewall of the first parallelepiped container disposed within the first space is bonded to a first portion of the first sidewall of the second parallelepiped container disposed within the first space when the first parallelepiped container and the second parallelepiped container are placed into contacting engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Steven Dan Dapper, Gustav André Mellin, Paul Dennis Trokhan
  • Patent number: 9598214
    Abstract: A carton for holding a plurality of containers. The carton can comprise a plurality of panels that extends at least partially around an interior of the carton. The plurality of panels comprises a first top panel, a second top panel, and a side panel. The first top panel at least partially overlaps the second top panel. A crown retention panel can be foldably connected to the second top panel, and an attachment flap can be foldably connected to the crown retention panel. At least a portion of the crown retention panel can be spaced apart from the side panel in the interior of the carton, and at least a portion of the attachment flap can be at least partially in face-to-face contact with the side panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: GRAPHIC PACKAGING INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: John Murdick Holley, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9598215
    Abstract: A flexible package including a package body including a first side-surface film and a second side-surface film sealed in a peripheral portion. The package body has sealed portions formed in side edge portions such that a non-sealed portion is formed in at least one of the sealed portions. The non-sealed portion has a gas injection portion containing a gas which has a specific heat at constant volume of 0.67 kJ/kg·deg or higher at 0° C. and 1 atm. The gas injection portion has a diameter of from 3 to 50 mm and is formed such that a repelling force is from 4 to 30 N at 23° C. and 1 atm when an entire gas injection portion is nipped from both sides of the first and second side-surface films and squeezed until a nipped gas injection portion has a width equal to a half of the diameter of the gas injection portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Toppan Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Araki, Motoo Yanagiuchi, Noriyuki Sasaki, Shunsuke Yajima, Masashi Goto
  • Patent number: 9598216
    Abstract: A web, method, and apparatus for forming dunnage units. The web includes first and second elongated layers. A plurality of seals that hermetically join the first elongated layer to the second elongated layer to form a plurality of inflatable pouches and an inflation channel that is in fluid communication with pouches and is disposed outside of the pouches. An inflation side line of perforations, a gap forming area, and an opposite side line of perforations are arranged in a line between pair(s) of the pouches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Automated Packaging Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Rick Steven Wehrmann
  • Patent number: 9598217
    Abstract: A packaging for edge-sensitive cargo. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Inventor: Thomas Giller
  • Patent number: 9598218
    Abstract: A system for maintaining a biological sample within a desired temperature range during transport. Preferably, the system includes a container defining an inner chamber; a specimen receptacle for housing a biological sample, wherein the specimen receptacle is configured to be placed within the inner chamber of the container; a heat source configured to be placed within the inner chamber of the container; and a heat sink. The heat sink is configured to be positioned between the heat source and the specimen receptacle, thereby preventing direct heat transfer between the heart source and the specimen receptacle. Certain embodiments also relate to a method for maintaining biological samples within a desired temperature range during transport, using at least some of the system components. Preferably, the components used with the method are configured to maintain the sample at a temperature greater than 0° C. and less than approximately 37° C. during shipping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: ORTHOPEDIC ANALYSIS LLC
    Inventor: Nadim J. Hallab
  • Patent number: 9598219
    Abstract: An enclosure, wherein the enclosure is at least partly formed of a layered material (3), the inner layer (1) of the layered material being formed of porous metal and the outer layer (2) of the layered material being formed of hygroscopic porous material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: ABB Technology Oy
    Inventors: Christoph Schroedl, Anssi Lehtonen
  • Patent number: 9598220
    Abstract: Disclosed is a dissimilar content mixing cosmetic container, including a dual container body, an airless pump, and a push button, wherein, a dissimilar content receiving means, which raises a mixing member by a repulsive force of a resilient member caused by releasing of a catching boss of the mixing member, damages a sealing plate of a first content receiving means, presses contents2 received in the dissimilar content receiving means, and discharges the contents2 within contents1 received in the dual container body to be mixed, is provided, and contents3 are discharged by a push operation of the airless pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: AMOREPACIFIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joon Young Kim, Oh Soo Lee, Sung il Kang
  • Patent number: 9598221
    Abstract: In an insulating element (1) for bounding spaces to be thermally insulated, e.g. for transport or packaging containers, comprising an in particular plate-shaped substrate element (2) made of a material having a low thermal conductivity, such as a polymer, the substrate element (2) is provided with a metallic coating (3) having a low emissivity in order to reduce the thermal radiation, yet is applied in a layer thickness of <80 nm, preferably <50 nm, such that the thermal conduction of the metallic coating will only insignificantly reduce the thus optimized insulating value. The metallic coating in the nanometer range does not only reduce the thermal radiation, but also enables optimal gas tightness with minimal thermal conduction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: REP IP AG
    Inventors: Nico Ros, Richard Ettl
  • Patent number: 9598222
    Abstract: Provided is a medicine dispensing device including: a medicine mounting portion that transports medicines mounted thereon; a dispensing portion that moves between a receiving position at which the medicines transported by the medicine mounting portion are received and a dispensing position at which the received medicines are dispensed; and a position movement preventing portion that prevents position movement of the medicines to be received later on when the medicines are received by the dispensing portion. The medicine dispensing device further includes a guide portion that guides the medicines mounted on the medicine mounting portion to a position corresponding to the receiving position, defines a space in which the medicines enter the dispensing portion at the receiving position, and causes a size of the entrance space to be adjusted based on sizes of the medicines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: JVM CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jun Ho Kim
  • Patent number: 9598223
    Abstract: A plunger is fittable within a cylinder of a pneumatic dispenser that discharges a viscous material. The plunger has a first portion located at the front, and a second portion located at the rear. The second portion is a hollow structure and has a circumferential wall. An inner circumferential surface of this circumferential wall has a tapered surface. The circumferential wall has a thickness dimension that decreases in the axial direction moving away from the first portion. Therefore, the circumferential wall easily displaces in the radial direction, because the bending stiffness decreases in the axial direction moving away from the first portion. The first portion is a solid structure that is more rigid than the second portion. The first portion also has a partition wall surface that separates the inner chamber of the second portion from the solid section of the first portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: KAGA WORKS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Osamu Mizoguchi, Hitoshi Tsujikawa, Kyota Imai
  • Patent number: 9598224
    Abstract: A component feeder includes a distributor for distributing components from a bulk storage on a pick surface, and a retaining wall preventing the components from escaping the pick surface. The retaining wall is flexible such that it deforms when a force is applied on it, and it assumes its original shape when the force is no longer applied. The flexible retaining wall allows a robot gripper to push the retaining wall aside when picking a component close to the retaining wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: ABB Research Ltd.
    Inventors: Daniel Sirkett, Per Nylen, Ivan Lundberg
  • Patent number: 9598225
    Abstract: A child-resistant feature or lock for a sprayer including a collar and a sleeve wherein the sleeve may be rotated from a locked position to an unlocked position to allow actuation of an actuator and pump for distribution of a product from a container to which the child-resistant feature is mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: WestRock MWV, LLC
    Inventors: Bipin Raman Patil, Douglas B. Dobbs
  • Patent number: 9598226
    Abstract: A disposable dispenser unit is disclosed. The disposable dispenser unit comprises a fluid reservoir, a tag for storing information, a dispenser head having a pump chamber and at least one injector nozzle, and a means disposed at the dispenser head for attachment thereof to a diagnostic system, wherein the pump chamber comprises a piston and the piston comprises a volume which can be filled with fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: STRATEC, Biomedical AG
    Inventors: Oliver Kuehn, Martin Trump, Michael Burkart
  • Patent number: 9598227
    Abstract: A valve for an aerosol container has a valve plate adapted to close an axial end of the container, a valve subassembly having at least one dispensing element, a seal ring, and a compression spring, and a valve holder containing the valve subassembly and having an axially open assembly hole through which the valve subassembly can pass. A cover closes the assembly hole and is formed with an axially throughgoing cover hole through which the dispensing element projects and with which the dispensing element forms an annular and axially extending passage. A seal ring surrounds the dispensing element and is engaged between the holder and the cover. A spring biases the dispensing element axially outward against the seal ring and presses an axial outer face of the seal ring against the axially inner face of the cover. Passages extend axially between an interior of the container and the seal ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: THOMAS GMBH
    Inventors: Walter Franz, Kerstin Seling
  • Patent number: 9598228
    Abstract: A carrier, such as a food carrier, may include a single sheet of material having a base section, a first end flap connected to the base section at a first end, the first end flap including first and second slots, a second end flap connected to the base section at a second end, the second end flap including third and fourth slots, a first lower section connected to the base section along a first line and including first and second tabs, a second lower section connected to the base section along a second line and including third and fourth tabs, a first upper section connected to the first lower section along a third line, a second upper section connected to the second lower section along a fourth line, wherein the single sheet of material is configured for arrangement in a flat configuration in which the single sheet of material is a substantially flat layer, and an assembled configuration in which the first and second end flaps are substantially perpendicular to the base section, the first tab engages the fir
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Brothers Donuts LLC
    Inventors: Mitchell P. Magdovitz, Brett N. Magdovitz
  • Patent number: 9598229
    Abstract: A container for transporting an item is provided having an outer case member and a pair of partition members. The container is erectable from a collapsed configuration, in which the container is substantially flat, to an erected configuration in which the partition members form a support structure within an interior cavity of the outer case member to support a portion of the item to be transported. Methods of packaging and transporting an item in a container are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Alliance Packaging, LLC
    Inventors: Lawrence L. Rutstrom, George Jamison
  • Patent number: 9598230
    Abstract: A cartridge containing one serving of coffee powder for preparing a coffee beverage comprises a cartridge body having a cup-like shaped lower portion and a cover portion; the cup-like shaped lower portion having a bottom portion and a upper region; and a lower filter element located inside the cup-like shaped lower portion between the coffee powder and the bottom portion; in which the interior of the cup-like shaped lower portion of the cartridge is provided with engaging means, and in which the lower filter element is provided with a peripheral edge portion engaging the engaging means for clampingly fix the lower filter element to the cup-like shaped lower portion of the cartridge. In the preferred embodiments the engaging means are constituted by a groove provided in the interior or the exterior of the cup-shaped lower portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: CAFFITALY SYSTEM S.P.A.
    Inventors: Arthur Schmed, Roberto Degli Esposti Venturi
  • Patent number: 9598231
    Abstract: A cup-shaped body comprises a circumferential wall and a first end wall. The first end wall comprises a deepened portion, forming a first recessed space. The first end wall further comprises a projection protruding from said deepened portion into said first recessed space. The body is formed such that identical specimens of the body are slidable into one another. The deepened portion is formed to comprise abutment structure having an abutment condition in which the extent of said slidability of a first one of said specimens into a second one of said specimens is limited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V.
    Inventor: Ralf Kamerbeek
  • Patent number: 9598232
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a Card for containing food or beverage ingredients comprising: a substantially planar and rigid base portion, at least two ingredient compartments for storing the ingredients and at least two discharge portions, each discharge portions being linked to one of the compartments and extending along the plane of the base portion, and at least one sealing member provided on the base portion covering the compartments and discharge portions on the base portion side of the card, wherein the card is designed for insertion in a food and beverage preparation device in order to dispense the ingredients from the compartments via the discharge portions. The invention further relates to a food and beverage preparation system, comprising a card according to the invention and a food and beverage preparation device, as well as to a method for preparing food or beverages using the card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventor: Jean-Marc Flick
  • Patent number: 9598233
    Abstract: In accordance with one implementation, a floating cover system includes a plurality of cover-tethering mounts mounted along the periphery of a holding tank. Each of the cover-tethering mounts includes a guide portion insertable through a cover-holding element that is attached along a periphery of a holding tank cover. When secured to the plurality of cover-tethering mounts, the holding tank cover can rise and fall within the holding tank responsive to volumetric changes in the liquid and/or gas contained in the holding tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Colorado Lining International, Inc.
    Inventor: Andre Alan Harvey
  • Patent number: 9598234
    Abstract: Systems and methods for efficiently collecting and disposing waste from disparate locations within a facility, the method including coupling a series of empty waste receptacles to a tow vehicle and transporting the receptacles to a first location. At the first location, identifying a first full waste receptacle and exchanging it with one of the empty receptacles coupled to the vehicle. The full waste receptacle and remaining empty receptacles are thereafter transported via the tow vehicle to a second location, where a second full waste receptacle is exchanged with one of the remaining empty receptacles. Thereafter, the first and second full waste receptacles are transported to a waste processing location. In some embodiments, the process may be repeated until all the empty waste receptacles on the vehicle have been exchanged with full waste receptacles, at which point the vehicle transports the full waste receptacles to the waste processing location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: CONRAC Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Anthony Wayne Criddle, Matthew Reed Fairbanks
  • Patent number: 9598235
    Abstract: A motor vehicle for collecting and sorting material includes at least one container disposed in a material-storage compartment of the motor vehicle, a bin tipper configured to receive a collection bin containing the material, and a hopper configured to receive the material from the collection bin and transport the material to a selected location in the material-storage compartment of the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: SHRED-TECH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Constantin Vasilescu, Justin Johns
  • Patent number: 9598236
    Abstract: A transfer device includes an arm and a controller. The arm includes a first hook capable of entering and exiting a first abutment position, a second hook capable of entering and exiting a second abutment position, and a third hook capable of entering and exiting a third abutment position. After the articles placed on the first and second placement areas are unloaded onto the shelf, the controller retracts the arm so that the second hook is spaced apart from the front end of the article unloaded from the first placement area and the rear end of the article unloaded from the second placement area, and removes the second hook from the second abutment position with the second hook being spaced apart from the front end of the article unloaded from the first placement area and from the rear end of the article unloaded from the second placement area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: MURATA MACHINERY, LTD.
    Inventor: Akitoshi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 9598237
    Abstract: A maintenance access system for a storage and retrieval system having a storage and retrieval space and automated transport vehicles disposed in the space. The system includes at least one maintenance access control unit associated with a portion of the space, at least one barrier in the space and defining a boundary of the portion of the space and configured to substantially prevent the passage of the vehicles past the at least one barrier, and a controller connected to the control unit, the controller being configured to receive a signal from the at least one control unit for isolating the portion of the space associated with the at least one control unit, were the controller in response to the signal closes the at least one barrier isolating the portion of the space and effects the removal from or shutting down of vehicles within the portion of the space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Symbotic LLC
    Inventors: Michael Cyrulik, Robert Sullivan
  • Patent number: 9598238
    Abstract: Computer program products, methods, systems, apparatus, and computing entities are provided for automated loading and retrieval of items. In various embodiments, items are received at a loading station where identification data may be captured for each item and handling instructions may be generated. In some embodiments, a label having indicia associated with the item may be generated and affixed to the item. The items may then be deposited through an access door into the vehicle identified in the handling instructions. Once the items are loaded into the access door, an automated load/unload device may deposit the item in the appropriate storage location. The automated load/unload device may also retrieve and rearrange items as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: United Parcel Service of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Nagesh Kadaba, Erik Peterson, Thomas Ramsager
  • Patent number: 9598239
    Abstract: An automated warehouse storage system including a multilevel storage array with storage distributed along multiple aisles. Each aisle of which has a set of storage levels and each level has storage locations distributed along the aisle. The guideway network extending through the multilevel storage array and configured for autonomous vehicles to move along the guideway network within the multilevel storage array. The guideway network including an inter-aisle guideway spanning at least two of the multiple aisles and a set of guideway levels extending in an aisle of the multiple aisles and disposed so that each guideway level is at a different one of the storage levels and the vehicles on the guideway level can access the storage locations distributed along the aisle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Alert Corporation
    Inventor: John Lert, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9598240
    Abstract: A conveyor device (10) for the transport of goods, comprising individual modules (12) which form in their entirety a conveyor line (14) and each have a belt (20) circulating between a start section (16) of the module (12) and an end section (18) of the module (12), is configured and modified in regard to a reliable conveyance, including that of small objects in particular, such that the modules (12) are coupled together and able to swivel against each other so that the conveyor line (14) is adjustable in length by swiveling of the modules (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: J.SCHMALZ GmbH
    Inventor: Jonas Mast
  • Patent number: 9598241
    Abstract: A reversing station of an apron conveyor is disclosed. The reversing station may have a machine frame including a base having a recess. The reversing station may also have a slide construction movable relative to the machine frame by means of an adjusting device and having a guide base displaceably guided in the recess. The reversing station may have a chain wheel fastened to the slide construction. The reversing station may also have guide elements fastened to a front region of the guide base of the slide construction and cooperating with guide rails fixedly fastened to the base of the machine frame. The reversing station may have a fixing device mountable to a front region of the slide construction. The chain wheel may be disposed on the slide construction in a middle portion between a stop for the adjusting device and the front region of the guide base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Global Mining Europe GmbH
    Inventor: Robert Voigt
  • Patent number: 9598242
    Abstract: A moving floor system that includes a moving work surface to move work products from an upstream end to a downstream end. The moving work surface is formed from a plurality of individual carts joined to each other. The stack of carts is moved along upper support rails located at an upper level. When each individual cart reaches the downstream end, a downstream lift conveyor moves the individual cart from the upper level to a lower level. When at the lower level, each individual cart is returned from the downstream end to the upstream end. When each individual cart reaches the upstream end, an upstream lift conveyor returns the individual carts from the lower level to the upper level. An upper drive mechanism provides the motive force to move the stack of carts along the upper level at the working speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Inventors: Mark Webster, David Konopacki, Michael Reilly
  • Patent number: 9598243
    Abstract: A laboratory sample distribution system is presented. The system comprises a plurality of container carriers. The container carriers each comprise at least one magnetically active device such as, for example, at least one permanent magnet, and carry a sample container containing a sample. The system also comprises a transport device. The transport device comprises a transport plane to carry the plurality of container carriers and a plurality of electro-magnetic actuators stationary arranged below the transport plane. The electro-magnetic actuators move a container carrier placed on top of the transport plane by applying a magnetic force to the container carrier. The transport device also comprises a control device to control the movement of the container carriers on top of the transport plane by driving the electro-magnetic actuators. The control device controls the movement such that more than two container carriers are movable simultaneously and independently from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Oliver Denninger, Michael Heise, Hans Schneider
  • Patent number: 9598244
    Abstract: Conveyor chain support for an easy to clean conveyor, where the conveyor chain support comprises an outer peripheral sliding surface adapted to glidingly support a conveyor chain in a return path of the conveyor, where the conveyor chain support is adapted to be attached on a transverse axle of the conveyor in a support position and where the conveyor chain support is a single piece comprising a first jaw and a second jaw joining each other at one end and forming a mouth at the other end, where the conveyor chain support is adapted to be attached on the transverse axle through the mouth. In this way, a conveyor chain support that allows for an easy cleaning of a conveyor is provided for. Such conveyors are e.g. used in the food industry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Flexlink AB
    Inventors: Josef Snabb, Daniel Kubiak
  • Patent number: 9598245
    Abstract: The invention comprises a transfer unit (34) for horizontal movement of a group or layer of articles (10) between at least two adjacent modules (12, 14, 30) while substantially maintaining the relative positions of a plurality of articles (16) constituting the group or layer of articles (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: KRONES AG
    Inventors: Erhard Beer, Martin Osterhammer, Johann Haas, Florian Hertel
  • Patent number: 9598246
    Abstract: A fluid-based radial distribution system includes an internal passageway and a plurality of openings radially spaced around the internal passageway. A plurality of gate members are associated with at least some of the plurality of openings, with the gate members are configured to move between an open position that allows product to move through the opening associated with that gate member and a closed position that restricts product from moving through the opening associated with that gate member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: ConAgra Foods Lamb Weston, Inc.
    Inventors: William T. Hockett, Frederick D. Webb, Michael C. Metcalf, Ronald R. Huff, Charles D. Kirkbride, Greg R. Lambier, David Hufford