Patents Issued in November 21, 2017
  • Patent number: 9821911
    Abstract: A trolley arrangement for a galley of an aircraft has a trolley container in which at least two trolleys can be arranged in a longitudinal direction and a trolley-handling device for pulling and pushing a trolley longitudinally into the trolley container. This device has a linear guide with a stationary guiding bar and a slide movable along the guiding bar longitudinally, a pulling and pushing bar extending along a longitudinal axis, axially fixed on the slide, but rotatable about the longitudinal axis, a hook at a distal end of the pulling and pushing bar remote from the slide, a handling bar axially fixed on the slide or on the pulling and pushing bar, and a joint between the handling bar and the slide or the pulling and pushing bar, so that the handling bar and the pulling and pushing bar are axially connected and are rotationally coupled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: SELL GmbH
    Inventors: Tim Wallbott, Samuel Klassen
  • Patent number: 9821912
    Abstract: An aircraft galley unit includes a housing defining an outer shell, and a rack area and a double deck area arranged within the housing, wherein the double deck area includes a hoist-way formed in an interior of the housing, a lifting mechanism moving up and down within an area of the hoist way, and a driving source for moving the lifting mechanism up and down, and the driving source is arranged on a ceiling portion of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: JAMCO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenji Nojiri, Yoshihisa Tsutsui
  • Patent number: 9821913
    Abstract: A monument mounted airbag system includes an airbag assembly including at least an airbag mounted directly forward of a passenger, and configured to deploy away from the passenger along an intercepting course with a predetermined path of travel of the passenger. Additionally, the airbag may be configured to substantially conform to a monument disposed in proximity thereto, and may include side support, lower support, and active vents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Schroth Safety Products LLC
    Inventors: Mark Edward Deevey, Bryant Earl Williams, Stephen Bryant Adkins, Ahad M. Zadeh, Brian Hansen
  • Patent number: 9821914
    Abstract: An aircraft air conditioning system comprises a process air source and an air conditioning unit being connected to the process air source via a process air line and being adapted to cool and expand process air supplied to the air conditioning unit from the process air source so as to provide conditioned air. A mixing chamber of the aircraft air conditioning system is connected to the air conditioning unit via a conditioned air line and is adapted to mix conditioned air supplied to the mixing chamber from the air conditioning unit with recirculation air recirculated from an aircraft region to be air conditioned to the mixing chamber via a recirculation air line so as to provide mixed air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Klimpel, Thomas Scherer, Markus Piesker
  • Patent number: 9821915
    Abstract: Methods and systems are generally described that inhibit debris (such as ice) accretions and/or remove debris (such as ice) accretions from the exterior surface of an aircraft. In some embodiments, the invention is a system for an aircraft comprising: a component of the aircraft having a surface; a plurality of piezo-kinetic actuators each positioned proximate to a portion of the surface; and a control unit coupled to the plurality of actuators, the control unit configured to actuate one or more of the actuators at one or more frequencies; wherein the actuators are each configured to introduce a displacement of the surface in three dimensions to inhibit a formation of ice on at least the portion of the surface and to break up existing ice formations on at least the portion of the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: General Atomics
    Inventors: Alan M. Giles, James T. Machin, John A. Geriguis
  • Patent number: 9821916
    Abstract: A method of managing a loss of power from a power plant having three engines. During a monitoring step, each engine is monitored in order to detect whether the engine is suffering a loss of power. During a verification step, it is determined whether the power plant is overpowered. During a signalling step, a first alert is generated when an engine has lost power but the power plant is in fact overpowered, and a second alert different from the first alert is generated when an engine has lost power and the power plant is not overpowered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Airbus Helicopters
    Inventor: Lucie Massot
  • Patent number: 9821917
    Abstract: A propulsion system for an aircraft is provided having an aft engine configured to be mounted to the aircraft at an aft end of the aircraft. The aft engine includes a fan rotatable about a central axis of the aft engine having a plurality of fan blades. The aft engine also includes a nacelle encircling the plurality of fan blades with one or more structural members extending between the nacelle and the mean line of the aircraft at a location forward of the plurality of fan blades when the aft engine is mounted to the aircraft. The aft engine may increase a net thrust of the aircraft when mounted to the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Thomas Lee Becker, Kurt David Murrow, Patrick Michael Marrinan, Brandon Wayne Miller
  • Patent number: 9821918
    Abstract: The subject of the disclosure is an aircraft comprising at least one left motor generator, at least one right motor generator, a control device for a jet pipe nozzle with variable cross-section of the aircraft comprising at least one control member powered by a first airplane electrical power supply linked to at least one right or left motor generator, the control member powered by a second electrical power supply linked to an electrical power source of the aircraft independent of the first airplane electrical power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Airbus Operations (S.A.S.)
    Inventors: Guillaume Bulin, Pierre Calvairac, Nicolas Lecointre, Paul-Emile Roux
  • Patent number: 9821919
    Abstract: A toggle assembly includes a first joint member having a first lug and a second lug, a second joint member, and a third joint member. The second joint member has a first arm that receives a first rolling element, a second arm that receives a second rolling element, a third arm, and a fourth arm. The second joint member is pivotally connected to the first joint member via a first pin that extends through the first lug, the first rolling element, the second rolling element, and the second lug. The third joint member has a third lug and a fourth lug disposed opposite the third lug. The third joint member is pivotally connected to the second joint member via a cross rod pin that extends through the third lug, the third arm and the fourth arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Stephen Michael Bortoli, Gary Sasscer
  • Patent number: 9821920
    Abstract: A head mounted virtual reality (VR) device including an inertial measurement unit (IMU) is located in a vehicle which may be, and sometimes is, moving. Detected motion attributable to vehicle motion is filtered out based on one or more or all of: vehicle type information, information derived from sensors located in the vehicle external to the head mounted VR device, and/or captured images including a reference point or reference object within the vehicle. An image portion of a simulated VR environment is selected and presented to the user of the head mounted VR device based on the filtered motion information. Thus, the image portion presented to the user of the head mounted VR device is substantially unaffected by vehicle motion and corresponds to user induced head motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: NextVR Inc.
    Inventors: David Cole, Alan McKay Moss
  • Patent number: 9821922
    Abstract: A method for atmosphere modification in a container during the sealing process that includes deploying a closure head on the container so as to enclose at least the container-opening and create an air-tight seal such that an interior volume of the closure head is isolated from the ambient atmosphere. The closure head having at least one conduit providing fluid communication between the interior volume and at least one of a vacuum source and a pressure source. The method also includes creating at least a partial vacuum inside the container, inserting a replacement atmosphere into the container by means of the pressure source, sealing the container; and removing the closure head from the container. Devices for implementing this method are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: VP SHEETS LTD.
    Inventor: Shlomo Uri Haimi
  • Patent number: 9821923
    Abstract: A package of product units includes an entirely wrapped first product unit including a first product unit completely enveloped in a cover. An entirely wrapped second product unit (i) includes a second product unit completely enveloped in a cover and (ii) is disposed adjacent to the wrapped first product unit. A band disposed around the wrapped first product unit and the wrapped second product unit creates a secured product arrangement A wrapper completely envelopes the band, the wrapped first product unit, and the wrapped second product unit of the secured product arrangement to create a wrapped secured product arrangement, such that the wrapper directly contacts the band The wrapped secured product arrangement consists essentially of wrapped product units, the band, and the wrapper. The cover of the first product unit, the cover of the second product unit, the band, and the wrapper each comprises a plastic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products LP
    Inventors: Gregory D. Moore, Tracey L. Meckley, Michael S. Dwyer
  • Patent number: 9821924
    Abstract: Various apparatus embodiments include first, second, third and fourth idler shafts, and further include a first movable idler shaft having a first movable axis that is movable between a first axis position and a second axis position, and a second movable idler shaft having a second movable axis that is movable between a third axis position and fourth axis position. At least one linkage connects the first movable idler shaft to the second movable idler shaft. A motor linkage connects the at least one linkage to at least one motor for providing simultaneous movement of the first and second movable idler shafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Delta Industrial Services, Inc.
    Inventor: David Schiebout
  • Patent number: 9821925
    Abstract: A base sheet and a cover sheet are supplied, the height of at least one product which is placed on the base sheet is measured, and second fold lines are formed on the base sheet and the cover sheet such that the second fold lines are spaced from respective first fold lines formed on the respective side portions of the base sheet and the cover sheet and such that the space between each of the first fold lines and the corresponding one of the second fold lines is adjusted based on the value of the measured height of the product. The base sheet is folded, the base sheet and the cover sheet are arranged so that the base sheet crosses the cover sheet, the cover sheet is placed on the base sheet, and the cover sheet is folded to bond the cover sheet to the bottom sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: RENGO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Naho Yamazaki, Takafumi Makiuchi, Takahiro Yagoshi, Masayuki Handa
  • Patent number: 9821926
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of making and applying threaded twist-off neck finishes for metal containers is provided. More specifically, the present invention relations to apparatus and methods used to form metallic bottles with threaded necks adapted to receive selectively removable threaded closures. The threaded neck may be formed by interconnecting a threaded outsert to a metallic bottle. Alternatively, the threaded neck may be formed as an integral portion of the neck of the bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Ball Corporation
    Inventors: Greg Robinson, David J. Bonfoey, Dean L. Johnson, Anthony J. Scott
  • Patent number: 9821927
    Abstract: A suspension pad for suspending a workpiece with respect to a corrugated enclosure having a closure flap that is moveable between an open position, wherein an opening is defined in the corrugated enclosure, and a closed position, wherein the opening is obstructed by the closure flap. The suspension pad has a mid-section that is engageable with the workpiece, and at least one end portion moveable between a raised position, wherein the end portion is disposed within the corrugated enclosure, and a lowered position, wherein the end portion extends through the opening to hold the closure flap in the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Security Packaging, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian C. McLaughlin
  • Patent number: 9821928
    Abstract: A can end has a public side and an opposing product side. A circumferential curl is located about a center axis and defines an outer perimeter of the can end. A circumferential wall extends downwardly from the curl. A circumferential, generally U-shaped countersink extends radially inwardly from the circumferential wall relative to the center axis and upwardly. A center panel extends radially inwardly from the countersink relative to the center axis and has a displaceable tear panel defined by frangible score and a hinge segment on the public side and a tab fixed to the public side which has a nose portion overlying a portion of the displaceable tear panel. A circumferential panel joins the countersink with the center panel and has a first panel radius joined to a second panel radius by a short wall extending upwardly and inwardly. The circumferential panel has a bead formed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: REXAM BEVERAGE CAN COMPANY
    Inventors: Randall G. Forrest, Michael R. Gogola
  • Patent number: 9821929
    Abstract: Described herein are packaging systems having a receptacle and one or a plurality of expandable members that are configured to move from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration. In some variations the expandable member includes one or a plurality of folded pieces of material (e.g., tissue paper or fabric (e.g., tulle)), which are attached to the receptacle. In the expanded configuration, the expandable member(s) obscure an object (e.g., a gift) placed within the receptacle without closing the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Erin Borges Designs LLC
    Inventor: Erin Colleen Borges
  • Patent number: 9821930
    Abstract: The utilitarian function of the engagement features on a lidded vessel is at least partially camouflaged so that the engagement features' utilitarian function is less apparent to the consumer after the lid is removed. The lidded vessel may be, for example, a lidded drinking glass—such as a lidded wine glass, beer glass, whiskey tumbler or soda glass—that is sold pre-filled and sealed with the wine, beer, whiskey or soda already inside. The camouflaging may be accomplished using one or more camouflaging techniques, some of them involving the presence of so-called non-engagement elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: CELEBRATE EVERYWHERE, LLC
    Inventors: John R. Bergida, Marvin M. Bergida, Justin D Eakes
  • Patent number: 9821931
    Abstract: A seal and method of forming a seal for a resealable container includes a removable cap that is selectively received over a pour opening formed in a can body. A seal is adhered to the end wall of the cap and includes a continuous, first axial region extending outwardly from the inner surface of the cap. The seal first region is dimensioned for engagement with the opening in the container and sealing the container along an inner diameter thereof. Reduced on-torque/off-torque are required since the seal is formed on the inner diameter, and a down force is substantially reduced to assemble the cap to the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: DSG TECHNOLOGY LLC
    Inventors: Dale Conley, Mark Broerman
  • Patent number: 9821932
    Abstract: The dispensing cap/cup (26) has a sidewall (100) and a transverse web (102) spanning the sidewall to create a cup structure. The sidewall has an interior surface and an exterior surface. The sidewall has a plurality of fill level indicia (140, 142) along the interior surface. The fill level indicia comprise a raised boundary (150) and texturing (152) within the boundary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Church & Dwight Co., Inc.
    Inventors: H Stephen Quinn, Albert H. Lund
  • Patent number: 9821933
    Abstract: A portable drinking vessel assembly removably engages an open end of a bottle neck to enable drinking directly from a bottle while aerating the liquid. The assembly comprises a vessel defined by a side wall, a bottom portion forming a bottom opening, and a top portion forming a top opening. A tapered conduit defined by a wide end and a narrow end integrally joins with the vessel through the wide end, and detachably attaches to the bottle through the narrow end. The liquid is aerated while flowing from narrow end, to wide end, and finally into the vessel. A silicone sleeve having ribs encapsulates a longitudinal portion of the conduit. The ribs engage an inner surface of the bottle neck to create a self-tapping rotatable action in the bottle neck, and a seal against the inner surface of bottle neck. The vessel joins a stand to remain upright.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: J JO MARKET LLC
    Inventors: Jennifer Jo Sullivan, Randall Allen Rothfus
  • Patent number: 9821934
    Abstract: A closure (10,30) attachable to a container having an opening. The closure (10,30) comprising a top portion (11) and a skirt portion (12) depending from the top portion (11). A tamper evident band (13,33) is joined to the skirt portion (12) by one or more frangible connectors (14,34). The band (13,33) comprises a first portion (15,35) extending generally away from the skirt portion (12) and a second portion (16,36) hingedly connected to the first portion (15,35) and movable between a first moldable orientation and at least a second operable orientation. For closure (10), the second portion (16) comprises a plurality of curved undercuts (18) extending at least partially into a cavity of the closure (10) when it is in its operable orientation. For closure (30), the inner surface (35a) of the first portion (35) can have a plurality of inwardly extending protuberances (40) positioned thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: CREANOVA UNIVERSAL CLOSURES LIMITED
    Inventors: David Bevan, Rodney Druitt
  • Patent number: 9821935
    Abstract: In a state where an engaging tab and a tab receiver are engaged with each other, the engaging tab is elastically deformed and thus a first end of a second portion applies a force to the tab receiver, the force applied toward a first side of a case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: FUJITSU TEN LIMITED
    Inventors: Toshihiko Fujii, Yasuaki Takeda
  • Patent number: 9821936
    Abstract: A bottle cap includes a cap body for covering an opening of a bottle. A bottle opener is integrally formed into the cap body for removing a crimped, twist-off or pop-off type cap from another bottle. The cap body includes an outer surface and the bottle opener is formed as a groove in a portion of the outer surface. The bottle cap need not be removed to access the bottle opener and the cap may be removed from another bottle while cap body is covering the opening of its associated bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Inventor: Huitzilo Arriaga
  • Patent number: 9821937
    Abstract: Universal fluid dispensing container cap assemblies having a closure in which is disposed an integrated externally pointing LED light, a battery power source, circuit with switch actuatable to automatically turn-ON the LED when the cap closure is actuated to open an aperture for portion dispensing. This permits one-handed dispensing in low light environments. The LED may be located in or on the cap lid, so that it is automatically oriented to point in the direction of dispensing and at the surface location on which the dispensing is directed, in order to illuminate the target area so that the contents are accurately disposed directly from the container in terms of target location and amount. In Pop-up cap embodiments, the LED may be positioned to shine through a clear cap wall or positioned on the cap exterior, pointing in the direction of the target area. White or colored LEDs may be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: FLIP-LIGHTS, LLC
    Inventors: James Aaron Staeben, Erin M. Staeben
  • Patent number: 9821938
    Abstract: A universal bottle cap capable of threadably engaging two or more bottles of a different thread arrangement having a substance retained therein. The universal bottle cap threadedly engages a bottle containing a beverage therein. Such universal bottle cap includes a cylindrical member closed at a first end thereof and open at a second end thereof. There is a threaded portion disposed on an inner surface of the cylindrical member for engaging a threaded end of such bottle. A capsule like device is disposed inside the cylindrical member adjacent the closed end for retaining a substance to be dispensed into a beverage in such bottle. A device for piercing the capsule engages each of the threaded portion of the bottle cap and the capsule for piercing the capsule as the universal bottle cap is threaded onto such bottle thereby releasing contents of the capsule into such beverage for mixing therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Inventor: Craig R. Valentine
  • Patent number: 9821939
    Abstract: A composite package includes a preliminary package (70) and a carrying handle structure (60). The preliminary package includes a group of articles (C), contained and secured together as a unit by a wrapping film (80) disposed around the group. The carrying handle structure (60) is wrapped around the preliminary package and is provided with at least one foldable tab (100) that is forcibly pushed and folded inwardly of the carrying handle structure such that the wrapping film is punctured and at least part of the at least one foldable tab is disposed within the preliminary package for interlocking the carrying handle structure to the preliminary package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: WestRock Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Patrick Blin
  • Patent number: 9821940
    Abstract: A packaging unit for hygiene articles is formed from a sheet of material having an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface includes an edge zone including an inner edge portion and an outer edge portion. The sheet has at least one folding axis dividing the sheet into a first region and a second region. The inner edge portion and the outer edge portion of the edge zone of the first region is provided with adhesive, and the other of the inner edge portion and the outer edge portion of the edge zone of the first region is adhesive-free. Further, one of the inner edge portion and the outer edge portion of the edge zone of the second region is provided with adhesive, and the other is adhesive-free in a complementary manner to the edge zone of the first region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: SCA HYGIENE PRODUCTS AB
    Inventor: Sofia Ekstedt
  • Patent number: 9821941
    Abstract: A packaging sheet (1) which is intended for packaging a cheese product. The packaging sheet (1) comprises an internal membrane (5) and a printable external surface (10). The internal membrane comprises at least one internal plastic layer (7) intended to be oriented towards the cheese product and at least a first water-absorbing layer (12) made of a first water-absorbing material. The external surface (10) is intended to be oriented away from the cheese product. The or each internal plastic layer (7) has a plurality of microperforations (8, 9) arranged in a random fashion on the or each internal plastic layer (7) in such a manner that the aft permeability of the internal membrane (5) is comprised between 5 mL/min Bendtsen and 500 ml/min Bendtsen, the first water-absorbing material having a water absorption rate comprised between 1 and 30 g/m2 as measured using the COBB test C3600.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: AMCOR FLEXIBLES FRANCE
    Inventors: Agnès Durin-France, Donatien Coulon, Jean-Jacques Provost, Jean-Marie Nicolas Bonifacy
  • Patent number: 9821942
    Abstract: A retail display card holds a product such as a flashlight in a tilted or skewed orientation with respect to the general plane of the top and bottom surfaces of the display card. In this manner, substantially the entire front lens of the flashlight is held above the plane of the card and substantially the entire rear on-off switch of the flashlight is held below the plane of the card. This allows a potential purchaser to easily access the on-off switch and view a substantially unobstructed beam of light produced by the flashlight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Inventor: Douglas Kaye
  • Patent number: 9821943
    Abstract: A fitment for a sachet includes a body having a slot that extends from a lower surface of the body toward an upper surface of the body. The upper surface caps the slot in a first portion of the body such that fluid flow is prevented through the first portion of the body in a direction from the lower surface toward the upper surface. The slot connects to an opening in the upper surface in a second portion of the body. A flow path exists through the slot and the opening in the second portion of the body in the direction from the lower surface toward the upper surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY
    Inventors: Phillip Dalo, Derek M. Samaroo, Brian G. Worthington
  • Patent number: 9821944
    Abstract: This disclosure describes, in part, systems and methods for package deceleration and protection while packages are loaded into a bulk box. The packaging assembly includes an interference mechanism attached to a bulk box (e.g., a Gaylord container) by multiple elastic members. As packages are dropped into the bulk box, each package contacts the interference mechanism and the elastic members dampen the kinetic energy of the falling package, thereby reducing its velocity before the package continues into the bulk box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Grady Russell, Paul Clayton Marchetti, Alexander James Parker, Joselito Tansingco Crespo, John Kelly Cornell, Patrick Dean Lewis
  • Patent number: 9821945
    Abstract: A transport container is made of a trough-like lower part which is open towards the top and an upper part which is arranged on the lower part and closes the open upper side of the lower part. The upper part can be removed or pivoted in order to open the lower part, and the lower part and the upper part preferably consist of a dimensionally stable plastic material. The lower part has a base, longitudinal walls, and transverse walls, and the upper part correspondingly has a cover, longitudinal faces, and transverse faces. The lower part has transversally running flat recessed package-band cutouts at least on the longitudinal walls and preferably on the base as well, and the upper part has transversally running flat recessed package-band cutouts at least on the longitudinal faces and preferably on the lid as well, the recesses being flush with one another and facing one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: VA-Q-TEC AG
    Inventors: Joachim Kuhn, Fabian Eschenbach, Martin Heinemann, Thomas Taraschewski, Tobias Bock
  • Patent number: 9821946
    Abstract: A beverage container with closure and integrated straw comprises a lower body container, an upper body cap, an integrated straw and a swivel handle. The container includes a hollow interior space to receive a beverage and is reusable. The upper body cap and swivel handle are configured to bend and fold the straw providing a closure for beverage container and preventing spillage. The swivel handle is configured to serve as a base for the beverage container and as a handle for the beverage container. The straw is configured to be bended and folded to seal and to be removed for easy cleaning and replacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Inventor: Eric Pisarevsky
  • Patent number: 9821947
    Abstract: A method and a receptacle for storing and supplying a liquid, especially a liquid medical preparation. It is an object of the invention to provide a suitable receptacle and method for storing and supplying a desired liquid quantity. It is solved by a liquid tight and preferably gas-tight receptacle, comprising a compressible tube (7) or foil bag. A rigid opening portion (6) is sealingly mounted to one end of the tube (7). The diameter of the opening portion (6) is the same as the diameter of the tube (7). The tube (7) diameter is not more than 10 mm The liquid has a volume of not more than 1.5 ml, preferably of not more than 1.3 ml. The tube (7) contains additionally a gas having a volume of 10 to 15% of the liquid volume. The tube (7) or foil bag comprises a flat portion having an inscription.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Vifor (International) AG
    Inventor: Ludwig Daniel Weibel
  • Patent number: 9821948
    Abstract: A bicycle transport bag (1) comprising a bicycle supporting frame structure (10) and a covering (6), wherein the supporting frame structure (10) comprises frame elements which are arranged to be assembled in a first bicycle supporting configuration inside the covering (6). The frame elements are removable from the covering (6) and are arranged to be reassembled into a second different bicycle supporting configuration outside of the covering (6). In the second bicycle supporting configuration, the bicycle supporting frame structure (10) may take the form of a bicycle work stand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Inventors: Michael Noer, Patrick Maguire, Timothy Armstrong, Gary Gibson
  • Patent number: 9821949
    Abstract: The present invention relates to rupturable containers comprising a planar flange and a lidding film secured to the flange, and comprising a self-rupturing continuous inner seal, a first and a second appendicle seal; wherein each of the appendicle seals is spaced apart from the inner seal and positioned between the inner seal and a peripheral edge of the container, and a discharge channel configured to regulate the direction of discharge of the contents of the container upon rupturing of the inner seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Bernis Company, Inc.
    Inventors: John F. Negus, Alison J. Umbarger, Kevin D. Glaser
  • Patent number: 9821950
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a container (C) for the preparation of flowable food or beverage compositions, adapted to be functionally inserted in a food or beverage preparation machine (M), said container comprising walls defining at least one cavity (27) for containing at least one precursor ingredient, and a dispensing channel (15) through which the food or beverage composition can flow to a consumer receptacle, characterized in that it further comprises a foaming whisk element (29) located at least partially into the dispensing channel (15) so as to be able to whip said product when the latter exits said channel (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventor: Christian Talon
  • Patent number: 9821951
    Abstract: Methods and systems for producing a food product having a liquid component and an insoluble component, such as soups or stews. A food product assembly may include a cartridge containing a liquid component medium that is usable by a beverage forming machine to produce a liquid component of the food product. A second container, to which the cartridge may be removably attached, may contain the insoluble component of the food product, and may receive the liquid component so as to hold both the insoluble component and liquid component together, e.g., for consumption by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Keurig Green Mountain, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Estabrook, Marc Angotti, Thomas J. Novak
  • Patent number: 9821952
    Abstract: A circulation chamber for a cargo container comprises a cargo container extension including a housing, a cargo container aperture, and an interior volume; the cargo container extension is structured and dimensioned to be attached to an opening of the cargo container, thereby placing the interior volume in fluid communication with an interior of the cargo container. The housing, cargo container aperture, and interior volume may be cooperatively structured and dimensioned to allow at least a portion of the cargo container to be disposed and projected through the cargo container aperture, and furthermore, allow, at least partially, the opening of a door of the cargo container while the circulation chamber is attached to the cargo container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Inventors: Alexander Elias Napoles, Alexander Alfred Napoles
  • Patent number: 9821953
    Abstract: An apparatus for sealing a vacuum tank door. The apparatus comprises a circular flange attached to a door panel of a vacuum tank, a horizontal crossbar connected to the center of the door panel and a lifting assembly. The lifting assembly comprises an upper linkage arm, a lower linkage arm, and a hydraulic cylinder. Activation of the hydraulic cylinder causes the linkage assembly to move downwards pulling on the horizontal crossbar and pulling the vacuum tank door towards the tank. Activation of the hydraulic cylinder also causes a connection point of the lower linkage arm and the upper linkage arm to move over-center of the connection between the lower linkage arm to the to the tank creating a tight seal between the vacuum tank door and the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: The Charles Machine Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Cody L. Sewell, David A. Bural
  • Patent number: 9821954
    Abstract: A system for transporting fluid cargo within a shipping container, the system comprising an open topped box having side walls and end walls and a flexible membrane which either independently or in combination with the box contains the fluid cargo. The box supports the portion of the cargo within the box and is designed to flex and absorb at least part of the horizontal forces generated within the cargo during its transportation thus preventing overloading of the walls of the surrounding container. The membrane may be a bladder which completely encloses the cargo and is disposed partially within the box to contain the cargo independently of the box. The box may have a floor pan which can seal the box against leakage of any cargo.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Inventors: Martin Clive-Smith, Brendan Paul McKenna
  • Patent number: 9821955
    Abstract: A refuse collection apparatus is disclosed. A refuse collection apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention a main body unit into which a refuse is inserted, a refuse compression unit installed in the main body unit and configured to compress the refuse inserted into the main body unit and a movement range detection unit located inside of the main body unit and configured to detect a movement range of the refuse compression unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: ECUBE LABS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sun Beom Gwon, Gil Rok Do
  • Patent number: 9821956
    Abstract: A latch for a container is disclosed. The latch can comprise a body, which can be mounted to a lid of the container. The latch can further comprise a wheel that is rotatable relative to the body. The latch can engage the receptacle of the container. For example, the wheel can protrude under the rim of the receptacle when the lid is in a closed orientation relative to the receptacle. In other instances, the latch can be mounted to the receptacle of the container, and can releasably engage the lid of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: WASTEQUIP, LLC
    Inventor: Todd Wright
  • Patent number: 9821957
    Abstract: A locking apparatus for use in securing a pivotably mounted lid of a refuse container includes a clamp assembly rotatably mounted to the container's handle and having a fork member, an arm coupled to the clamp assembly and in contact with the lid, a ring slidably mounted to the arm and clamp assembly, a mounting bracket coupled to the container's handle and connected to the clamp assembly by at least one spring, the mounting bracket having a base plate and an upper portion of the mounting bracket having at least one bumper, a rod fastener coupled to the base plate and fork member, and a rod member slidably mounted to the rod fastener. The rod member adjusts to permit the clamp assembly and arm to rotate such that the bumper releases the ring from the arm and clamp assembly upon contact, thereby enabling the container's lid to open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Inventor: David Robert Hurst
  • Patent number: 9821958
    Abstract: Utilities (e.g., systems, apparatuses, methods) that reduce robotic assembly contention in media element storage libraries by translating (e.g., displacing) a robot arm of a first robotic assembly mounted over a first storage array of a storage library away from a central reference plane as the robot arm is being pivoted into a first position adjacent the first storage array to allow a robot arm of a second robotic assembly to slide or otherwise move past the robot arm of the first robotic assembly, even when the robot arms of the first and second robot arms are disposed at the same height (e.g., along a z-axis) within the storage library. For instance, a pivot member of the robot arm may be mounted on a carriage that is configured to translate between the first and second storage arrays in response to the pivot member being pivoted about a pivot axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Oracle International Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph Paul Manes, Daniel James Plutt, Timothy Craig Ostwald
  • Patent number: 9821959
    Abstract: A remotely operated vehicle assembly for picking up storage bins from a storage system includes a vehicle body that displays a cavity for receiving a storage bin situated somewhere within the storage system, a vehicle lifting device at least indirectly connected to the vehicle body for lifting the storage bin into the cavity, driving mechanisms or components connected to the vehicle body allowing remotely controlled movements of the vehicle assembly within the storage system, a wireless communication link that provides wireless communication between the vehicle assembly and a remote control unit such as a computer, one or more main power sources supplying electrical power to the driving mechanisms or components and vehicle coupling means for operational and releasable coupling of the main power source to the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Autostore Technology AS
    Inventor: Ingvar Hognaland
  • Patent number: 9821960
    Abstract: A storage and picking system including racks having a multiplicity of rack locations; vertical conveyors adjacent laterally to longitudinal sides of corresponding racks or arranged within the corresponding racks; transfer locations arranged for material-flow-related uncoupling between the vertical conveyors and storage-and-retrieval units; storage-and-retrieval units in aisles between the racks; and a conveying level free of rack locations. The vertical conveyors are assigned respective transfer locations in the conveying-means level. A material-flow computer (MFR), which has access to a topology made up of a multiplicity of waypoints and segments, provides article-specific, sequence- or distribution-weighted transport orders to transport the articles between the rack locations and starting points/destinations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: SSI Schäfer Noell GmbH Lager- und Systemtechnik
    Inventor: Elmar Issing
  • Patent number: 9821961
    Abstract: A device and method of adjusting a spacing of holders located on first and second endless loop includes releasing a clutch to allow the endless loops to be adjusted and operating an adjustment assembly to simultaneously move the first endless loop a distance in a first direction and the second endless loop an equal distance in a second direction opposite the first direction. After the adjustment the timing and pitch of the center of articles gripped by the holders is unchanged relative to the system in which the device is located.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Robert C. Beesley, Chad Jones