Patents Issued in May 2, 2017
  • Patent number: 9636583
    Abstract: A game in which a first user and a second user do battle includes storing a first panel database that includes a plurality of panels that the first user possesses, and a second panel database that includes a plurality of panels that the second user possesses; selecting one or more panels to be disposed in one or more divisions of a game display screen including a display region formed by the divisions, from the first panel database and the second panel database; disposing the panels selected by the panel section function in the divisions; and displaying the game display screen on a screen display unit, wherein the data storage function further stores points set for the first user, which are decreased by disposing a panel, and the panel selection function selects a panel from the first panel database according to the points set for the first user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: GREE, Inc.
    Inventor: Hirohiko Atobe
  • Patent number: 9636584
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates games and applications in general and in particular to computer-implemented online games playable on mobile devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Serena Lam, Kathleen Auterio, Deniz Ersever, Jackson Wang, Benjamin Mullin, Hardik Kheskani
  • Patent number: 9636585
    Abstract: A gaming system includes a game console that executes an application that creates and plays soundtracks through the gaming system. The application allows a user to create soundtracks by copying audio tracks from one or more audio sources. A user-created soundtrack can be associated with a particular game such that the user-created soundtrack is played during execution of the game instead of the game's default soundtrack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventor: Victor Keith Blanco
  • Patent number: 9636586
    Abstract: In a method for selecting a game element of a game and adjusting the game element during execution of the game, a processor retrieves a plurality of received game element feedback data from a plurality of users of a game, wherein the plurality of received game element feedback data was selected from a list of possible game elements. A processor selects the game element to be adjusted, based upon the plurality of received game element feedback data. A processor causes the game element to be adjusted during execution of the game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Corville O. Allen, James P. Brancato, Tamera L. Davis, John E. Diller, Ollie J. Hales
  • Patent number: 9636587
    Abstract: There is a system and method for gamification of real-life events over a computerized network. The system includes an observer module configured to generate real-life data in response to observation of a real-life event. The system includes an interface engine module configured to operate an ongoing computerized game that includes game objects. The system includes an implementation module configured to receive an implementation instruction and automatically effect a real-world occurrence associated with the implementation instruction. The system includes a control module, including a processor, configured to convert real-life data from the observer module into a game object, provide the created game object to the interface engine module for injection into an ongoing computer game, and convert a player interaction into an implementation instruction and provide the same to the implementation module. The system includes a player module configured to permit a player to play the ongoing game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Inventors: Andrew Jack Thomas, Jane Dudley
  • Patent number: 9636588
    Abstract: Systems and methods for extracting an image of a physical object constructed of for example bricks are presented. The method and system may detect boundaries and edges of a background using an edge detection operator, perform a perspective transformation calculation to compute a corrected virtual grid that is substantially aligned with the physical object's image, locate a color calibration palette in the digital image and extract color value information for pixels of the color calibration palette, and discern bricks as part of the physical object's image, the discernment being based in part on a determination of the brick's color compared to the color palette and the background color, the discerned bricks forming the extracted image. A computer readable medium may include instructions causing a system to extract an image of a physical object constructed of bricks according to the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: EYECUE VISION TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
    Inventors: Ronen Horovitz, Ran Kaftory
  • Patent number: 9636589
    Abstract: Detecting lag switch cheating in a gaming network is disclosed. Data packets are received from a client. The data packets have tracking data including at least one of a sequence number and a time stamp. The tracking data is monitored to determine that a cheat-detection event has occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT AMERICA LLC
    Inventors: Vinod Tandon, Jake Devore
  • Patent number: 9636590
    Abstract: In an embodiment there is provided a device having a user interface configured to display a game board having a plurality of first objects, each first object having one or more characteristics stored in at least one memory, said user interface being configured to receive user input, and at least one processor in connection or communication with at least one memory configured to display a game board having a plurality of first game objects, each object having one or more characteristics, detect a selection sequence of at least one first game object with respect to said displayed game board in response to user input, generate a second object having default second object characteristics, alter the second object characteristics in dependence on at least one predetermined rule, and display said second object. The rule may comprise determining a game state comprising game data that is monitored to alter the second object characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: KING.COM LTD.
    Inventors: Sebastian Knutsson, Mihai Alin Dindareanu, Hinrik Asgeirsson
  • Patent number: 9636591
    Abstract: A game system includes a game progresser, a storage, a game reproducer, and a changer. The game progresser is configured to control game progress in accordance with a player's instruction information. The storage is configured to store a game-play-history of a first-player in accordance with a first instruction information of the first-player. The game reproducer is configured to reproduce a first game progress of the first player based on the game-play-history, during a second game progress progressed by the game progresser in accordance with a second instruction information of a second-player. The changer is configured to change at least one of: control on the first game progress of the first-player reproduced by the game reproducer; and control on the second game progress of the second-player to be progressed in accordance with the second instruction information, with reference to at least one of first and second player's game situations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: KONAMI DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shinsaku Inukai, Hideo Ueda
  • Patent number: 9636592
    Abstract: A server includes a storage unit storing characteristic data objects of each user, each characteristic data object having a first parameter value representing an ability of the characteristic data object to exert power, a second parameter value representing an ability to reduce the first parameter value of each characteristic data object of another user different from the user having the characteristic data object, and one of attributes having a superiority-inferiority relationship relative to each other. The server further includes a receiving unit receiving a game proceeding instruction from a device of each user, and a parameter adjusting unit adjusting the second parameter value of each characteristic data object of the user of the device, based on a first number of characteristic data objects of the user that have an attribute superior to a first attribute assigned among characteristic data objects of a second user different from the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: GREE, INC.
    Inventor: Masaru Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 9636593
    Abstract: A doll is in a configuration to simulate a pet. The doll has a mouth with an opening with upper, lower, front and side edges. The upper and lower edges are in a U-shaped configuration. A clasp has an upper component with upper teeth and a lower component with lower teeth. A clasp has upper and lower handles. The upper handle is formed as an extension of the upper component and the lower handle formed as an extension of the lower component. The handles are located in the doll and diverge to form an angle. The upper and lower components are essentially parallel while the system is at rest with the upper and lower teeth in contact. The clasp has a hinge. The hinge pivotally couples the upper and lower components. Coil springs urge the handles away from each other while urging the components and teeth toward each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Inventor: David A. Dexter
  • Patent number: 9636594
    Abstract: A toy character is provided including a body supporting an eye assembly. The eye assembly may include a base, a plate and three or more segments connecting the base and plate. The three or more segments may define two cavities therebetween. Two light emitting sources may each be arranged with the base and oriented within their respective cavities such that activation of the light emitting sources directs light output toward the plate. The plate may include two regions corresponding to the two cavities which may illuminate when the respective light emitting sources are activated. The toy character may include two eye assemblies. The toy character may include a control system configured to direct operation of the light emitting sources. The control system may direct illumination sequences according to software instructions included within the control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Rehco, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Rehkemper, Jeffrey Rehkemper, Jackson Wilson
  • Patent number: 9636595
    Abstract: An articulating toy figure having a body and one or more body segments coupled to the body. The one or more body segments are each independently and translationally movable between a first position proximal to the body and a second position distal to the body. One or more detents are provided to secure the position of the one or more body segments in one of the first and second positions. The one or more body segments are each movable between the first and second position by applying a force on the one or more body segments that overcomes the biasing force of the one or more detents. The one or more body segments may be selected from the group consisting of a head, an arm, a leg, and a tail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Leo Shen, Toby Zeng, Kar Wah Wong, Josiah T. S. Li, Matthew D. Press
  • Patent number: 9636596
    Abstract: A balloon display device configured to create displays representative of digital images. The device may comprise a processor configured to transmit instructions for creating the display to a display panel, which comprises one or more balloon boxes. Each balloon box may comprise at least one balloon coupled to a pneumatic control. An electronic control can be configured to receive instructions for turning on or off specified valves to inflate or deflate the balloon. An associated method may comprise converting a digital image into readable instructions for creating a balloon display. The instructions, which may comprise commands for inflating or deflating a balloon, may then be transmitted to the display device and executed to create the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Deeplocal, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory D. Baltus, Nathan Michael Martin, Matthew A. Pegula, Michael B. Schwerin, Justin C. Lacey, Patrick Miller, Zachary G. Olshenske
  • Patent number: 9636597
    Abstract: A toy character includes a body, a first propeller assembly, a second propeller assembly, and a motor. The body extends in a longitudinal direction and has a longitudinal axis. The first propeller assembly is mounted to the body to rotate in a first direction about the longitudinal axis and positioned at a mid-portion of the body. The second propeller assembly is mounted to the body to rotate in a second direction about the longitudinal axis and spaced apart from the first propeller assembly. The second propeller assembly is mechanically linked to the first propeller assembly for counter-rotation in the second direction when the first propeller assembly rotates in the first direction. The motor is in communication with the first and second propeller assemblies to drive rotations in the first direction and the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Rehco, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Rehkemper, Steven Rehkemper, John Peach, Ana Sessler
  • Patent number: 9636598
    Abstract: The present invention provides a sensing control system for an electric toy, characterized in that it comprises a signal detection module for receiving an external sensing and then generating a sensing signal; a calculation and control module for receiving the sensing signal and counting a number of the sensing signal, and then sending out different control signals corresponding to different numbers of the sensing signals; and an electric driving module for receiving the control signal and then sending a driving signal to the electric toy, so as to control the electric toy to work. Therefore, according to different numbers of sensing signals, the electric toy is able to perform different actions or speed changes of the same action. In this way, the toy equipped with the sensing control system of the present invention can go beyond the limitation of a remote control, and thus becomes suitable as a toy for children of different ages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignees: Guangdong Alpha Animation & Culture Co., Ltd., Guangdong Auldey Animation & Toy Co., Ltd., Gangzhou Alpha Culture Communications Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Dongqing Cai
  • Patent number: 9636599
    Abstract: A toy is controlled by a smart device with wireless communication network connection capability, a display screen and programmed to generate optical control signals transmitted through the screen. The toy includes a main body, a control circuit, a holder configured to receive and releasably hold the smart device, and an optical signal receiver supported facing the display screen of the smart device in the holder and operably connected with the control circuit. The control circuit responds to optical control signals transmitted through the screen and detected by the optical signal receiver to control at least one operation of the toy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: MATTEL, INC.
    Inventors: Bruce Cannon, Justin Rigling, Paul Briskey, Eric Stutzenberger
  • Patent number: 9636600
    Abstract: A magnetic tile construction set is disclosed that may be used to construct extended 3-dimensional structures. In one embodiment, plastic magnets are attached to multiple edges of a lightweight core. The magnets have a width and length comparable to the thickness of the core and a length that is an order of magnitude longer than the thickness of the core. Tiles may be attached to one another at the tile edges through magnetic forces that do not vary by more than a factor of two over the range of angles from 45 degrees to 180 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: APEX TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Charles A. Rudisill, Daniel John Whittle
  • Patent number: 9636601
    Abstract: In a first aspect, a construction toy element is provided and includes a body and a first circumferential row of arms extending from the body. The body has an axis, and has a first axial end and a second axial end. A first circumferential row of arms extends from the body. Each arm includes a root end and a free end, and has a first connecting member thereon that is configured for connecting the construction toy element to another construction toy element. The root end projects from the body in a direction that is angled towards one of the first and second axial ends relative to a normal direction to a surface of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: SPIN MASTER LTD.
    Inventor: Paul Andrew Reynolds
  • Patent number: 9636602
    Abstract: The building components of the present invention provide building components which are compatible with high-stress and/or high-impact devices or mechanisms due to at least their composition or their configuration. Consequently, the building components of the present invention provide a more robust building component. In some embodiments, the building components of the present invention are be die-cast, metal building components manufactured from any desirable metal, such as zinc. Alternatively or additionally, the building components may include a configuration that provides for at least one offset coupling configuration such that building components may be coupled together in a structurally secure configuration. Thus, in some embodiments, the building components of the present invention provide a building component for constructing toy vehicles that is compatible with wheeled boosters typically provided for die cast toy vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Jebraeil Samo, Kevin Kai Cao
  • Patent number: 9636603
    Abstract: A hand-held cracker snap for spraying projectile includes a main unit, a button, a disk, an air cylinder and a nozzle. The button is loosely disposed in the main unit. The disk is disposed in the main unit and is connected to the button. The air cylinder is disposed in the main unit and is provided with a central tube that can be extended or compressed along an axis repeatedly to suck or squeeze air to or from the air cylinder. The nozzle is a tubular element in the connecting pipe. An end of the nozzle is connected to the interior part of the air cylinder, allowing air to enter or exit the air cylinder via the nozzle. The nozzle guides air into the bullet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Inventor: Yu-Jen Wang
  • Patent number: 9636604
    Abstract: The present invention aims at limiting the pressure loss and smoothly discharging water treated by ion exchangers to the outside of the apparatus. Ion exchanging apparatus 1 has outer vessel 3 that has inner space 2; and ion exchanger support 4 that separates at least a part of inner space 2 into upper space 2a and lower space 2b and that can support ion exchangers to be loaded in upper space 2a. At least a part of an upper surface of the ion exchanger support is made from at least one screen which supports the ion exchangers and which has a flow path allowing water treated by the ion exchangers to flow into the lower space 2b.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: ORGANO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mitsuru Yoden, Mikio Sugano, Kazuhiko Saiki, Reo Matsutani, Kazuhiro Nishikawa
  • Patent number: 9636605
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for separating a multiphase fluid stream that includes a heavier fluid component and a lighter fluid component. The fluid flows along a first helical flowpath with a first pitch. The first helical flowpath is sufficiently long to establish a stabilised rotating fluid flow pattern for the stream. The uniform rotating fluid also flows along a second helical flowpath, the second helical flowpath having a second pitch greater than the first pitch. The lighter fluid is removed from a radially inner region of the second helical flowpath. The method and apparatus are particularly suitable for the separation of oil droplets from water, especially from water for reinjection into a subterranean formation as part of an oil and gas production operation. The method and apparatus are conveniently applied on a modular basis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: OneSubsea IP UK Limited
    Inventor: Hans Paul Hopper
  • Patent number: 9636606
    Abstract: The invention relates to a multi-phase distribution system, a sub sea heat exchanger provided with such a multi-phase distribution system, the use of such a multi-phase distribution system and a method of temperature control for hydrocarbons. The invention provides an improved control over multi-phase mixtures comprising hydrocarbons and improvements in the controlling of heat exchanging processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Statoil Petroleum AS
    Inventors: Baard Kaasa, Bernt Henning Rusten, Knut Arild Maråk, Arne Olav Fredheim
  • Patent number: 9636607
    Abstract: The separation apparatus for separation of material from a liquid includes a tank (10) through which the liquid can be passed and a conveying device (20). The tank has a bottom (10c) on which material collects during operation. The conveying device has a conveying element (21) that can be moved along the bottom (10c) by a drive (25). The conveying element is set up for picking up material that has collected on the bottom and for conveying it out of the tank (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: LASERJET 2000 AG
    Inventor: Juerg Mueller
  • Patent number: 9636608
    Abstract: A filter element may include a tubular member including an end portion at least partially defining an inlet port configured to provide flow communication to a filter medium of the filter element, and at least partially defining an outlet port configured to provide flow communication from the filter medium. The filter element may further include a filter medium associated with the tubular element, and an end cap associated with the end portion of the tubular member and the filter medium. The end cap may include a plate transverse to the longitudinal axis of the tubular member, and a sealing wall coupled to the plate and extending transverse to the plate. The sealing wall may include a seal portion configured to be compressed between a filter canister and a portion of a filter base to provide a seal between the filter canister and the portion of the filter base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Bryant A. Morris, Jeffrey R. Ries
  • Patent number: 9636609
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus to continuously monitor and control acoustic energy and vacuum pressure to maintain a net unidirectional flow of multi-phase heterogeneous fluids through a porous filter or membrane. The heterogeneous fluid may come form a variety of sources including biological sources such as, blood, bone marrow aspirate (BMA), adipose tissue (lipoaspirate), urine, saliva, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew PLC
    Inventors: Stephen John Curran, Jonathan Nicholas Ridgway, Pei-Sheng Chen, Michael Pratt, Marc Tanner, Stephen Latham, Nick Reback
  • Patent number: 9636610
    Abstract: The brine filtering device includes a pre-filtering unit having first and second pre-filtration drums arranged to rotate coaxially about a horizontal axis and a safety filtering unit having a safety filter sleeve submerged in a tank and connected to an outlet. The first and second pre-filtration drums have their lower regions submerged in brine contained in a tub. An inlet hopper receives brine to be filtered and forces it into the first pre-filtration drum through an upper region of its filtering wall. Brine exits a lower region of the first pre-filtration drum and is collected in the tub. Brine enters into the second pre-filtration drum through a lower region of its filtering wall. Brine is poured into tank through an open side wall of the second pre-filtration drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: METALQUIMA, S.A.
    Inventor: Narcis Lagares Corominas
  • Patent number: 9636611
    Abstract: A method associated for treating a precoat on a rotating filtering surface of lime sludge filter including: accumulating a precoat of lime sludge on the filtering surface by rotating the filtering surface in a first direction through a lime sludge slurry; after accumulating the precoat, rotating the filtering surface in an opposite direction to the first direction; while rotating the filtering surface in the opposite direction, spraying a liquid onto the precoat on the filtering surface wherein the spraying is applied to the precoat above a scraper adjacent the filtering surface and the spraying removes at least a portion of the precoat from the filtering surface, and flowing the removed precoat over the scraper and into a basin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Andritz Oy
    Inventor: Pentti Luukkanen
  • Patent number: 9636612
    Abstract: The invention relates to a filter housing for exchangeable filters, having a housing base for accommodating the filter and having a housing dome which engages over the filter, wherein the housing base and the housing dome are connected to one another by means of an aseptic clamping connection which has a groove-type clamping fitting on the housing base and has a flange-type clamping fitting on the housing dome, these being fixed against one another in their connected position by means of a clamp, wherein the groove-type clamping fitting has a seal groove with a seal by means of which the groove-type clamping fitting can be sealed off with respect to the flange-type clamping fitting, wherein the housing base has a port for the supply of liquid to be filtered and has a port for the discharge of filtered liquid, and wherein the housing base has, transversely with respect to the housing longitudinal axis, a base surface which is adjacent to the face surface of the inserted filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Sartorius Stedim Biotech GmbH
    Inventors: Theo Meyer, Christian Weber
  • Patent number: 9636613
    Abstract: A portable bottle for filtering drinking water is disclosed that includes a bottle having a threaded opening, a cover for cooperating with the threaded opening of the bottle and including a top wall having a plurality of internal engagement lugs depending downwardly from an interior surface of the top wall, a filter cartridge including an end cap having a circumferential side wall that includes a plurality of engagement ribs for cooperating with the engagement lugs of the cover, and a spout including a compressible circumferential flange configured to be positioned between the interior surface of the top wall of the cover and the upper surface the end cap of the filter cartridge to provide a resilient biasing force therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Liquidity Corporation
    Inventors: David Hayslett, Tomás Colussi, Michael Hawes
  • Patent number: 9636614
    Abstract: The present invention provides a device for removing solids from a gas stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: FMC Separation Systems, BV
    Inventors: Mohamed Reda Akdim, Tarig Mukthar Abdalla
  • Patent number: 9636615
    Abstract: Air cleaner assemblies, components therefor, and features thereof are described. Also described are methods of assembly and use. In depicted examples, the air cleaner assemblies and components optionally use advantageous housing seal features. Also, an advantageous resonator/sonic choke arrangement, which is optional and which can be used without the advantageous housing seal, is described. Methods of assembly and use are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Donaldson Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Osendorf, Joseph Einberger
  • Patent number: 9636616
    Abstract: A water-proof air-permeable filter (1) includes: a resin film (2) having formed therein a plurality of through pores (21); and a treated layer (3) having hydrophobicity and oil repellency, and formed on at least one of both surfaces in the thickness direction of the resin film (2) such that the treated layer (3) has openings (31) at positions corresponding to the through pores (21). The through pores (21) each have a predetermined size larger than or equal to 0.01 ?m and smaller than or equal to 10 ?m, and are uniformly distributed such that a density of the through pores falls within specific limits included in a range from 10 to 1×108 pores/mm2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: NITTO DENKO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Satoru Furuyama, Yozo Nagai, Junichi Moriyama
  • Patent number: 9636617
    Abstract: An air purifier device is provided including a fan arranged to produce an air flow through the air purifier device, and a fan duct for guiding the air flow produced by the fan. The fan duct extends in an upright direction of the air purifier device. The air purifier device further includes an air intake arranged below a lower end of the fan duct, and an exhaust arranged at an upper end of the fan duct so as to exhaust purified air in an upward direction from the air purifier device when the air purifier device is in use. The fan duct is flared in direction from an intermediate portion of the fan duct towards both it ends, and the fan is arranged at least partly in the intermediate portion. A facilitated circulation of air through the room and through the air purifier device standing in the room is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: BLUEAIR AB
    Inventors: Johan Wennerström, Elin Engberg
  • Patent number: 9636618
    Abstract: A cooking appliance includes a lower housing having a lower heating surface, an upper housing operatively connected to the lower housing and having an upper heating surface, and a smoke exhaust system. The smoke exhaust system includes an air inlet in a lower surface of the upper housing adjacent to the upper heating surface, an exhaust vent formed in the upper housing, and a fan disposed in the upper housing. The fan is configured to draw air through the inlet, into the upper housing, and expel the air through the exhaust vent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Conair Corporation
    Inventors: Kam Fai Fung, Kin Man Lai
  • Patent number: 9636619
    Abstract: Apparatus for separating ash particles from a flue gas. The apparatus includes a screen that has a plurality of semi-elliptical cylinder surfaces. The semi-elliptical cylinder surfaces having holes through which said flue gas flows and through which the ash particles will not pass. The screen has a single layer for performing the separation in a manner such that the ash particles fall away from the screen and collect outside of the screen. A method of reducing velocity of a flue gas passing through screening apparatus for separating flue gas from ash particles. The method includes replacing a first screen of the screening apparatus with a second screen that has a plurality of semi-elliptical cylinder surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Integrated Global Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Buzanowski, Richard B. Crawford, Iain Stuart Hall, Jake King
  • Patent number: 9636620
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a porous alpha-SiC-containing shaped body with a gas-permeable, open-pored pore structure comprising platelet-shaped crystallites which are connected to form an interconnected, continuous skeletal structure, wherein the skeletal structure consists of more than 80 wt.-% alpha-SiC, relative to the total weight of SiC, a process for producing same and its use as a filter component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Inventor: Leif Stiholt
  • Patent number: 9636621
    Abstract: The air separation unit includes a single adsorption bed downstream of a reversing blower and configured to operate on the principle of vacuum swing adsorption. An optimal ambient air pressure to vacuum pressure ratio within an adsorber vessel downstream of the reversible blower is identified. When the air separation unit is operated at ambient conditions where ambient air pressure is different, such as at higher altitude (or lower altitude) a pressure ratio across the blower when drawing a vacuum on the adsorption bed is maintained for optimal blower power to oxygen production performance. Time for recovery of the adsorption bed can also be modified due to the lower absolute pressure achieved within the adsorption bed when the pressure ratio across the blower is maintained. An ASU is thus provided which is optimized for performance at various different altitudes without requiring modification of equipment within the ASU.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Pacific Consolidated Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Wimmer, Jason Burns, Thomas J. Saari, Tarik Naheiri
  • Patent number: 9636622
    Abstract: An accumulator has a tank and a desiccant. The tank separates refrigerant flowing to the tank into vapor-phase refrigerant and liquid-phase refrigerant, therein stores the liquid-phase refrigerant, and emits the vapor-phase refrigerant toward a suction side of a compressor. The desiccant is disposed in the tank and removing a water content from the refrigerant. Liquid-phase refrigerant included in the refrigerant flowing to the tank drops downward from a location that is located above the desiccant, and is stored in a lower portion in the tank. Vapor-phase refrigerant included in the refrigerant flowing to the tank is drawn through a suction port that is located above the desiccant to flow out of the tank. At least a part of the desiccant is exposed to vapor-phase refrigerant under a normal condition, and the desiccant is located at a location that is away from a dropping route of liquid-phase refrigerant in the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kurato Yamasaki, Teruyuki Hotta, Kazuhisa Makida, Hajime Itoh
  • Patent number: 9636623
    Abstract: A multilayer composite for reversible sorption of mercury, with a carrier core made of a metal or an alloy based on transition metals, has isolating layers of a transition metal nitride and externally located sorptive layers, made of a mixture of sulfides and nitrides of transition metals, the layers being deposited on both sides of the core. A method for sorption of mercury from a gaseous phase during an exposition of the multilayer composite to the influence of multicomponent gaseous mixtures that contain mercury vapors or compounds for a time period of 0.5 to 24 hours, while the temperature of the multilayer composite is maintained in the range from 20 to 150° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: POLITECHNIKA LODZKA
    Inventors: Piotr Kula, Robert Pietrasik, Malgorzata Iwona Szynkowska, Ewa Leśniewska, Jacek Góralski, Piotr Niedzielski, Jadwiga Albińska, Slawomir Szafran, Tomasz Maniecki
  • Patent number: 9636624
    Abstract: An oxygen generator, including an upper casing, a base and a lower casing, has a large opening on both sides of the base for installing a molecule tube whose upper and lower plugs are inserted and positioned into engaging slots of the upper and lower casings respectively. An air pump is installed at the bottom of the lower casing and has a motor to drive a cam to drive high-pressure air into the molecule tube through a flow channel and the lower plug of the lower casing. High-pressure oxygen produced after the action of the molecular sieve material passes through flow channels inside the upper plug and the upper casing and remains in the oxygen storage tank. During use, high-pressure oxygen is outputted from an oxygen output regulating valve, converted by an oxygen output solenoid valve, and discharged from a locking slot of the upper casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Inventor: Ta Hai Kao
  • Patent number: 9636625
    Abstract: A drying device includes a desiccant cartridge having a desiccant to reduce a moisture content of a gas located in an inner chamber of a housing. The drying device has a protective chamber which is configured to be introduced into the housing in a liquid-tight manner with respect to the inner chamber and which is connected to the internal space in a gas-conducting manner. The desiccant cartridge is arranged in the protective chamber. A battery system includes the drying device and a motor vehicle includes the battery system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignees: Robert Bosch GmbH, Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Michael Gless
  • Patent number: 9636626
    Abstract: A fluid storage and dispensing apparatus including a fluid storage and dispensing vessel having a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and an integrated gas cabinet assembly including such fluid storage and dispensing apparatus and/or a point-of-use ventilation gas scrubber in the vented gas cabinet. By the use of physical adsorbent and chemical sorbent media, the gas cabinet can be enhanced in safety of operation, e.g., where the process gas supplied from the gas cabinet is of a toxic or otherwise hazardous character.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Entegris, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis Brestovansky, Michael J. Wodjenski, Jose I. Arno, J. Donald Carruthers, Philip A. Moroco
  • Patent number: 9636627
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and a device for recovering ethylene during the process for producing vinyl acetate, wherein a double solvent absorption method composed of an absorbent solution and deionized water is adopted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Tianjin University
    Inventor: Yingjin Yuan
  • Patent number: 9636628
    Abstract: Disclosed is an aqueous solution for absorbing and recovering carbon dioxide from a carbon dioxide-containing gas, the aqueous solution containing an amino alcohol compound represented by Formula 1 and an amine compound represented by Formula 2, wherein R represents an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms; and n represents 1 or 2, wherein X represents —NR1R2; Y represents —NR3R4; R1, R2, R3 and R4 may be the same or different, and each represents an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms; and m represents an integer of 3 to 7.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignees: Research Institute of Innovative Technology for the Earth, Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation
    Inventors: Takayuki Higashii, Firoz A. Chowdhury, Kazuya Goto, Masami Onoda, Yoichi Matsuzaki
  • Patent number: 9636629
    Abstract: The present invention is to provide processes, apparatuses, and systems for monitoring and/or controlling caustic concentrations in caustic scrubbers. In various aspects, the processes, apparatuses, and systems comprise a real-time online method for measuring the concentration of caustic in process scrubbers wherein a probe is coupled to a spectrometer; collecting absorption data with wavelength range from about 1000 to about 2000 nm. In a further aspect, this technique tracks the use and recharge of caustic in process scrubbers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: SABIC GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES B.V.
    Inventors: Derek Lake, Yusuf Sulub, Zhensheng Ding
  • Patent number: 9636630
    Abstract: A gas separation method includes contacting a membrane filter with gas feed, permeating the gas from the gas feed through the membrane, and producing filtered gas from the filter. The filtered gas is produced from the filter as a result of the membrane removing any hydrocarbons containing six or more carbon atoms to produce a total of 0.001 ppm w/w or less. A gas separation method includes feeding gas into a filter containing a hollow fiber membrane that exhibits the property of resisting degradation due to exposure to hydrocarbons containing six or more carbon atoms. The filter exhibits a pressure drop across the membrane of less than 5 psi. The method includes feeding the filtered gas into a gas separation module that exhibits a susceptibility to degradation from exposure to hydrocarbons containing six or more carbon atoms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Barbara J Evosevich, Ivana Jojic
  • Patent number: 9636631
    Abstract: The disclosure provides an apparatus and method for the separation of a paramagnetic component from a mixture using a mechanical membrane apparatus. The mechanical membrane comprises a supporting material having a plurality of pores where each pore is surrounded by a plurality of magnetic regions. The magnetic regions augment a magnetic field on one side of the supporting material while mitigating the field to near zero on the opposite side. In operation, a flow of fluid such as air comprising a paramagnetic component such as O2 is directed toward the mechanical membrane, and the paramagnetic component is typically attracted toward a magnetic field surrounding a pore while dimagnetic components such as N2 are generally repelled. As some portion of the fluid passes through the plurality of magnetic apertures to the opposite side of the mechanical membrane, the mechanical membrane generates a fluid enriched in the paramagnetic component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: U.S. Department of Energy
    Inventor: David Maurice
  • Patent number: 9636632
    Abstract: A process for separating components of a gas mixture using gas-separation copolymer membranes. These membranes use a selective layer made from copolymers of an amorphous perfluorinated dioxolane and a fluorovinyl monomer. The resulting membranes have superior selectivity performance for gas pairs of interest while maintaining fast gas permeance compared to membranes prepared using conventional perfluoropolymers such as Teflon® AF, Hlyflon® AD, and Cytop®.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignees: Membrane Technology and Research, Inc, New York University
    Inventors: Timothy C Merkel, Hao Zhang, Zhenjie He, Yoshiyuki Okamoto