Patents Issued in March 6, 2018
  • Patent number: 9907412
    Abstract: An apparatus for preventing a baby from interfering with a diaper changing process. The apparatus includes an underlay segment and a barrier panel. The underlay segment is positionable underneath at least one of the shoulders, the head, the back, and the buttocks of the baby lying in the supine position. The barrier panel is coupled to the underlay segment and is extendable around the chest of the baby to form a partition between an upper body portion and a lower body portion of the baby. A proximal edge of the barrier panel is shaped to contour and rest on the chest or abdomen of the baby so that engagement between the proximal edge and the baby supports a distal edge of the barrier panel to extend outwardly and upwardly from the upper body portion of the baby. The barrier panel is foldable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Inventor: Michael J. Perry
  • Patent number: 9907413
    Abstract: A manual, bottom supporting, shelf allocation and management system allocates shelf space among rows of products and moves products toward the shelf front and includes a plurality of adjacent shelf allocating and managing units. Each unit includes a base and at least one removably attached side divider wherein at least one row of products may be positioned on the base immediately adjacent the side divider. Each unit is a modular tray which may be, while filled with at least a single row of products, lifted clear of the shelf and moved to another shelf location. The base and side divider are coupled to allow the side divider to move forward and backward relative to the base. A backstop is attached to the rear of the side divider so that the products may be moved towards the shelf front when the side divider is drawn forward relative to the stationary base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Inventor: William R. Goehring
  • Patent number: 9907414
    Abstract: A two component shelving system for shipping and displaying items. The system has a plurality of shelves, with each shelf comprised of a two fold-down flaps, one from each component, connected together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark H. Heuer
  • Patent number: 9907415
    Abstract: An article divider assembly is provided with a support bracket adapted to be mounted to a retail display. A divider member extends from the support bracket and is sized to extend between a pair of articles at an upper region of the pair of articles to divide the articles without blocking an outward face of the articles. The divider member comprises a proximal end mounted to the support bracket and a distal end extending away from the support bracket. A display bracket is mounted to the distal end of the divider member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: LIBERTY HARDWARE MFG. CORP.
    Inventors: Patrick William Boehnen, Matthew James Klein
  • Patent number: 9907416
    Abstract: A device configured to removably mount a point of sale terminal. The device includes an anchor portion with a base that is configured to anchor the device. A carriage support member with an upper section and a lower section is connected to the anchor portion. The carriage support member has a first connecting feature. A carriage with an upper side and a lower side is configured to be positioned on the upper section of the carriage support member and is configured to support an interface device operational as a point of sale terminal on the upper side. The carriage has a second connecting feature that is engageable with the first connecting feature of the carriage support member to removably connect the carriage to the carriage support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Inventor: Steven R. Taylor
  • Patent number: 9907417
    Abstract: Apparatus for displaying packaged collectables in a supportive and protective frame. A rear frame member is secured inside a front frame member with a latch. The front frame member has sidewalls that enclose the rear frame member. In one embodiment the latch relies upon magnetic coupling between the front and rear frame members. In another embodiment the latch includes a tab engaging a slot and at least one detent capturing the rear frame member inside the sidewalls of the front frame member. The front frame member has an opening to allow the protrusion of a blister if the collectable has a blister package. The rear frame member has a transparent pane or portion. The collectable is visible from the front and back of the frame. The front and rear frame members are separable by manipulating the rear frame member through at least one notch in the front frame member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Inventor: James Thomas Brown, III
  • Patent number: 9907418
    Abstract: A fitted bottom sheet is formed with opposing pockets adapted to receive the head end and foot end of a mattress or cot. A top covering assembly including a top covering, a heat-reflecting sheet, and a top sheet attaches securely to the foot end of the fitted bottom sheet. The top covering assembly and fitted bottom sheet may be installed simultaneously as an integral unit on a cot or mattress. The top covering assembly may be formed with a pocket for receiving additional thermal insulation such as another blanket. Embodiments may be securely and neatly placed on rectangular mattresses, nonrectangular mattresses, and bedding without mattresses such as folding camp cots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Inventor: Laura Dunwood
  • Patent number: 9907419
    Abstract: This invention is a fitted bed sheet that converts to a completely flat bed sheet by releasing the elastic and zippers placed on each corner. This allows this bed sheet to be easily folded like a flat sheet and easy to store. This bed sheet is designed to be reversible and convertible—one side creates a more traditional look and the other has a more ornamental design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Inventor: Yong C. Mun
  • Patent number: 9907420
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are food pouch containers comprising a back portion having an interior cavity; a front portion; a top hole; and a surface dividing the back portion into an upper cavity, inside the back portion, and a lower cavity. In some embodiments, the lower cavity is inside the back portion, while in other embodiments, the lower cavity is an exterior cavity. Also disclosed are food pouch containers comprising a back portion having an interior cavity; a front portion; a top hole; means for contouring the food pouch from a bottom thereof; and means for contouring the food pouch from at least a side thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Inventors: Jennifer Fellin, Timothy Fellin
  • Patent number: 9907421
    Abstract: A container insulating and cooling system includes a perimeter wall having an upper edge and a lower edge. The perimeter wall has an inner surface and an outer surface. The upper edge defines an opening extending into the perimeter wall. A plurality of cells is attached to the inner surface of the perimeter wall. Each of the cells is comprised of a water permeable and flexible material. The cells each have an absorbent material therein that expands when hydrated such that the absorbent material fills and expands the cells. The cells are hydrated and frozen such that the cells are abuttable against a container to cool the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Inventor: Robert V. Carson
  • Patent number: 9907422
    Abstract: A bootie application device that provides booties that slide along a rail system on tabs that releasably connect the booties to the rail system. A sensor detects when booties are not disposed at a position along the rail system and issues a bootie level signal. An alert indicates when the bootie level signal has been issued.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Protexer, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Heller
  • Patent number: 9907423
    Abstract: A tool has a lower component formed as a tool hook and an upper component formed as a handle. The handle has a configuration with a top, a bottom, a front, a back and sides. The handle has a chamber with a panel to provide access to the chamber. The tool hook extends downwardly from the bottom of the handle. The tool hook is fabricated of a rigid wire with parallel side portions and a semi-circular portion coupling the side portions. The side portions are spaced by a width. The semi-circular portion is spaced from the bottom by a length. The width is less than the length. An electrical assembly constitutes a portion of the handle. The electrical assembly includes a source of illumination, a source of potential, and a switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Inventors: Robert C. Thurmond, Jr., Valerie A. Slattery
  • Patent number: 9907424
    Abstract: An accessory used to assist a disabled person to put on an upper garment, such as a coat, sweater or vest with two armholes. The accessory includes a rigid round member and a flexible arm each securely attached to the opposite ends of a rigid elongated base. The round member is configured to vertically support the upper garment when draped thereon and still allow disengagement of the upper garment from the round member when the upper garment is pulled downward. Attached to the distal end of the flexible arm is a clamping member configured to temporarily grip the upper, front edge or the lapel of the upper garment. The flexible arm may be bent and twisted in three axes enabling the upper garment to be stretched and held with its two armholes open and oriented at different locations to accommodate the restricted arm and shoulder movements of different users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Inventor: Elisa P. Bassetti
  • Patent number: 9907425
    Abstract: A reusable brewing cartridge includes a lid having a permanent injection nozzle passage and includes an extraction nozzle pocket permanently open at the top of the cartridge allowing use in a coffee maker configured to puncture a single use disposable cartridge lid with both the injection and extraction nozzles. The cartridge thus avoids puncturing contact with the extraction needle. The reusable brewing cartridge includes at least one passage in a cartridge base allowing brewed drink to escape the reusable brewing cartridge into a coffee container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Inventor: Adrian Rivera
  • Patent number: 9907426
    Abstract: Assemblies, machines, systems, and methods for the generation of superheated are discussed A steam super-heat assembly is employed for generating superheated steam for the preparation of coffee-based beverages. The assembly includes a body that includes an internal cavity, a heating element that includes heating surfaces positioned within the internal cavity, and a flow path within the internal cavity. The body also includes an input that enables fluid access into the internal cavity and an output that enables fluid egress out of the internal cavity. The heating element heats the heating surfaces of the heating element. The flow path enables fluid to flow from the input, through the internal cavity of the body, and to the output of the body. The heating surfaces form a portion of the flow path. When the fluid flows through the internal cavity, the fluid is in direct physical contact with the heating surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Seattle Espresso Machine Corporation
    Inventors: Jason Camille Prefontaine, Devin Walker
  • Patent number: 9907427
    Abstract: A system and a method for making a beverage from a mixture of liquid and solid particles are disclosed. The liquid and solid particles are introduced into a chamber so as to allow the liquid to infuse with the flavor or quality of the solid particles. A piston having an integrated filter is in sealed contact with the chamber, and can be vertically displaced within the chamber. When the piston is displaced downward, air is forced from below the filter and into the mixture sitting above the filter, agitating the mixture. When the piston is displaced upward, the mixture is drawn from above the filter. This separates the spent solid particles from the infused liquid, which collects in the chamber, thereby making the beverage. Also described are a driving mechanism for displacing the piston, a dispensing mechanism for releasing the beverage, and a wiping mechanism for wiping spent solid particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Keurig Canada Inc.
    Inventors: Marc St-Germain, Stephen Grant, Marc-Andre Vaillant, Alain Boily, Jorge Barbales
  • Patent number: 9907428
    Abstract: A device for controlled dispensing of capsules containing beverage ingredients, as well as a system and a beverage preparation machine that include the device, are disclosed. Methods of use of the device are also disclosed. In addition, a package for holding beverage ingredients containing capsules is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Nestec S. A.
    Inventor: Marco Iotti
  • Patent number: 9907429
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a beverage preparation machine (1) for preparing a beverage from a food substance contained in a capsule (12) by injection of a fluid into said capsule (12), said machine comprising: —a capsule holder (8) for holding a capsule, said holder (8) having a cup-shaped body (27), a handle portion (28), and a dispensing opening (29) through the bottom portion (30) of said body (27); —a fluid conduction system comprising a fluid reservoir (2), a fluid pump, optionally a fluid heater, said reservoir, pump and heater being connected by fluid pipes; —a brewing head (3) having an aperture for receiving said capsule holder (8), and an injection support (17) connected to the fluid conduction system; —an injection plate (18) supported by said support (17), said injection plate (18) comprising an upper surface (23) with a fluid coupling (32) connected to the fluid conduction system through said support, said injection plate (18) further comprising a fluid conducting channel (24) connecting the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Christian Talon, Alfred Yoakim
  • Patent number: 9907430
    Abstract: Devices and methods for infusing liquids and/or brewing beverages are described. The present invention relates to an apparatus for brewing beverages comprising a vessel, said vessel comprising a sealable chamber for holding a brewing material and a liquid, and a filter assembly connected to the sealable chamber; a liquid supply and conduit for introducing at least a portion of said liquid supply into said sealable chamber; and a vacuum source and conduit for reducing pressure in said sealable chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: BKON LLC
    Inventors: Dean J. Vastardis, Lou Vastardis
  • Patent number: 9907431
    Abstract: A beverage preparation machine configured to dispense a beverage through an outlet nozzle assembly, the machine comprising: an outlet nozzle assembly having provided therethrough a first outlet and a second outlet; and one or more conduits arranged to deliver selectably fluid to the first outlet or the second outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V.
    Inventors: Nicholas Hansen, Mark Norton
  • Patent number: 9907432
    Abstract: A delivery head for a beverage preparation machine comprising a movable first part and a fixed second part, the first part being movable relative to the second part between an open position and a closed position, in the open position the first part being positioned to enable loading of a cartridge into the delivery head, in the closed position the first part and second part being positioned to hold said cartridge in a dispensing position, the delivery head further comprising an inlet piercer and an outlet piercer, the inlet piercer and the outlet piercer being orientated substantially in the same direction and being pivotable relative to the fixed second part between a retracted position and a piercing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V.
    Inventors: Roger Geoffrey Tanner, Andrew Michael Halliday
  • Patent number: 9907433
    Abstract: A water filter assembly for a beverage dispenser. The water filter assembly may generally include filter media positioned within a filter housing which may be attachable to a first fitting or a second fitting of a water storage reservoir to provide filtered water to a reservoir outlet. The filter housing includes an adapter sleeve that defines mounting features that correspond with the first fitting and the second fitting to enable the water filter assembly to connect to either of the first fitting or the second fitting. In this manner, a single water filter assembly may be used in beverage dispensers having different reservoir fittings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Wade Antoine Powell
  • Patent number: 9907434
    Abstract: A control element for a household appliance includes an antenna for communicating with an external data source. The antenna can be formed by a cap which is connected to a housing of the control element and is retractable in relation to the housing by a retraction mechanism accommodated in the housing. A transmit/receive unit is supported by the cap and is connected to flexible conductor paths for conveying received or transmitted data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: BSH Hausgeräte GmbH
    Inventor: Markus Gerl
  • Patent number: 9907435
    Abstract: The outdoor multifunction cooking set is composed of an oven mounted pivoting on a barbecue by means of a pivoting articulation. The barbecue includes an ashpit, a hearth and a cooking surface, while the oven includes a cooking bottom composed of refractory stones, and a door on the front face. The chamber of the oven has a double wall that is open at the bottom and is connected to a chimney mounted on the upper part of the oven and in communication with the hearth of the barbecue. This cooking assembly includes at least one temperature maintenance chamber to be mounted, by means of one of its sides, on one hot side of the barbecue. This chamber incorporates a thermometer and an air outlet to be able to allow the hot air contained in it to escape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: L'ART DU JARDIN
    Inventors: Christian Kohler, Kévin Kohler
  • Patent number: 9907436
    Abstract: Methods, ovens, and associated apparatus. Ovens and methods are adapted for maintaining the quality of a pre-cooked food product. Rapid temperature and/or relative humidity restoration may be used. Ovens may include a partition movable to vary sizes of oven cavities. Ovens may include removable interior panels. Humidification mechanisms are adapted for generating water vapor which may be used to maintain the quality of a pre-cooked food product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Duke Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Robert J. Reese, John Edward Wright, Philip Tiberio, Steven M. Shei, Ralph Lee Macy, Christopher Seay Green, Gregory Glen Stettes, Jeffrey Steven Markwardt
  • Patent number: 9907437
    Abstract: A ramekin dispenser including a platform that may be attachable to a commercial kitchen refrigerator and a ramekin holder removably attachable to the platform. The platform may include a base that stops ramekins from falling out of the ramekin holder and that facilitates removal of one ramekin at a time from a dispensing slot. The platform may be removably or permanently attachable to the commercial kitchen refrigerator. The ramekin holder may be removably attachable to the platform via a keyhole and pin arrangement. The ramekin holder may have a cylindrical or some other shape, possibly with a slot on one side. The platform and the ramekin holder may be made of plastic, wood, metal, or any other suitable material. Also, similarly configured dispensers for other items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Rameking Company LLC
    Inventor: Michael George Smith
  • Patent number: 9907438
    Abstract: An article for use in a water receiving structure is disclosed. The article is directed to keeping water inside a water receiving member and preventing water splash and water damage to adjacent surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Inventor: Jessica Ann Ross
  • Patent number: 9907439
    Abstract: A skin cleanser includes a surface, such as a silicone surface, with at least one textured portion for transmitting vibrational tapping to the skin. The skin cleanser includes at least one oscillating motor for generating the tapping motion to the skin. The textured portion includes touch-points or a wave that transmit the tapping motion to skin in contact with the textured portions. The touch-points may include thicker and thinner formations of the touch-points to provide firmer or softer vibrations to the skin. The touch-points are within about 0.5 to 2.5 mm in diameter. One configuration includes multiple oscillating motors configured to provide different vibration frequencies at around 50-300 Hertz and operable simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Inventor: Filip Sedic
  • Patent number: 9907440
    Abstract: A back scrubbing assembly includes a reservoir that may be filled with a liquid soap. The reservoir may be coupled to a wall in a shower. A plurality of couplers is provided and each of the couplers is coupled to the reservoir. Each of the couplers may engage the wall in the shower. A plurality of cleaning members is provided. A selected one of the cleaning members is removably coupled to the reservoir. Thus, the selected cleaning member may scrub a back of a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Inventor: Judie McClean
  • Patent number: 9907441
    Abstract: An automatic electronic dispenser for dispensing a roll of paper product that avoids refeeding of paper by retarding breaking on the high side of the roll. A dispenser module drives paper from the roll through a discharge chute at the bottom of the module. The dispenser module utilizes two floating pressing rollers and a belt drive that provides quiet and consistent operation by pressing of the two pressing rollers onto a main roll. The dispenser module including a main bar module which holds the roll and which is received on paper holder arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: VSI Import Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Charles Agnew Osborne, Jr., Tsu- Ling Chang
  • Patent number: 9907442
    Abstract: Dispenser apparatus for holding a roll of paper toweling or tissue sheet material and dispensing the sheet material, the apparatus including structure exerting drag forces on the roll to reduce overspin when pulling forces on the sheet material causing dispensing have been terminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Dispensing Dynamics International, LLC
    Inventor: Niko Anthony Cvjetkovic
  • Patent number: 9907443
    Abstract: A toilet seat that includes a seat support; a sanitary lifting mechanism securely attached to the lower surface of the seat support, with the lifting mechanism having a handle member that has a rearward portion that is received in the seat support and a forward portion that extends outside of the seat support to facilitate lifting of the seat, and a protective plate member configured and arranged to fit below and within the lower surface of the seat support subjacent the rearward portion of the handle member and extending on both sides thereof to secure the handle member to the seat support; a fastening system for attaching the protective plate member to the lower surface of the seat support; and two or more seat bumpers that minimize contact of the lower surface of the seat support with the toilet bowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Inventor: Zachary Vinal
  • Patent number: 9907444
    Abstract: An upright surface cleaning apparatus includes a surface cleaning head having a dirty air inlet. A support structure is moveably mounted to the surface cleaning head and a portable cleaning unit is removably mounted to the support structure. An above floor cleaning wand is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Omachron Intellectual Property Inc.
    Inventor: Wayne Ernest Conrad
  • Patent number: 9907445
    Abstract: A ground brush for a vacuum cleaner includes a ground brush body, brushroll cover, and brushroll. The ground brush body has a first locking member. The brushroll cover has a lower end rotatingly connected with the ground brush body through a rotating shaft, and an upper end provided with a snapping cooperating part. When the brushroll cover is rotated to be opened at a certain angle, the first locking member cooperates with a second locking member to lock the brushroll cover to the ground brush body. The brushroll is rotatably disposed on the brushroll cover, and has a lower end connected with the lower end of the brushroll cover and an upper end provided with a snapping part, in which the snapping part is configured to cooperate with the snapping cooperating part, such that the brushroll cover can drive the brushroll to rotate relative to the ground brush body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: JIANGSU MIDEA CLEANING APPLIANCES CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Bingxian Song
  • Patent number: 9907446
    Abstract: A floor tool for a vacuum cleaning appliance comprising a body including a suction nozzle, a neck coupled to the body so as to pivot relative to it about an axis ‘A’, wherein the neck includes a base portion that defines a rail formation located at least partially about its circumference and the body includes a runner formation that is engaged with a discrete part of the rail formation, the rail formation being slidable relative to the runner formation thereby coupling the base portion to the body but permitting the base portion to pivot relative to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: DYSON TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
    Inventors: Kyle Toole, David Andrew Isley
  • Patent number: 9907447
    Abstract: An electric vacuum cleaner in which a dust container inside an autonomous robotic vacuum cleaning unit can be fluidically connected to a station using propulsive force of the cleaning unit moving to a dust discharge position. The cleaning unit includes a body case, and a primary dust container including: a container body accumulating dust collected by the cleaning unit; a disposal port discharging dust from inside the container body; and a disposal lid opening and closing the disposal port. The station includes a dust transfer pipe connected to the disposal port of the primary dust container; a lever hooked by the disposal lid while the cleaning unit is homing, opening the disposal lid and connecting the disposal port and the dust transfer pipe; and a secondary dust container in which dust discharged from the primary dust container through the dust transfer pipe is accumulated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: TOSHIBA LIFESTYLE PRODUCTS & SERVICES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masatoshi Tanaka, Yukio Machida, Atsushi Morishita, Yuji Ohtsuka, Hiromitsu Ichikawa, Hiromitsu Murata
  • Patent number: 9907448
    Abstract: A dirt pick-up device for a floor cleaner is provided, including a carrying part fixable to the floor cleaner and a holding part releasably connectable to the carrying part with a suction strip held on the holding part, the carrying part and the holding part locked to each other by a locking device, the dirt pick-up device including an actuating element which is transferable from an unactuated position to an actuated position for transferring the locking device to an unlocked position in which the holding part is releasable from the carrying part. The dirt pick-up device can include or form a grip element held on at least one of the holding part and the suction strip, and in the unactuated position, the actuating element can be at a greater distance from the grip element than in the actuated position. A floor cleaner with a dirt pick-up device is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Alfred Kärcher GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventors: Christoph Waller, Joerg Brueckner
  • Patent number: 9907449
    Abstract: An autonomous floor cleaning robot includes a robot body defining a forward drive direction, a controller supported by the robot body, a drive supporting the robot body and configured to maneuver the robot across a surface in response to commands from the controller, a pad holder disposed on an underside of the robot body and configured to retain a removable cleaning pad during operation of the cleaning robot; and a pad sensor arranged to sense a feature of a cleaning pad held by the pad holder and generate a corresponding signal. The controller is responsive to the signal generated by the pad sensor, and configured to control the robot according to a cleaning mode selected from a set of multiple robot cleaning modes as a function of the signal generated by the pad sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: iRobot Corporation
    Inventors: Ping-Hong Lu, Dan Foran, Marcus Williams, Joe Johnson, Andrew Graziani
  • Patent number: 9907450
    Abstract: A dishwasher, a door assembly for the dishwasher and a method of drying the dishware in the dishwasher are provided. The dishwasher may include a tub portion adapted to hold dishware, a heating element proximate a bottom of the tub portion and configured to heat air inside the tub portion during a drying cycle, and a blower configured to direct the air and vaporized water into a duct having an inlet proximate the top of the tub portion. The heat causes the air to rise toward a top of the tub and collect vaporized water from the dishware. The duct is configured to receive the air and the vaporized water. The dishwasher includes a sensor configured to measure a humidity level. A control unit is in communication with the sensor and selectively actuates and de-actuates at least one of the heating element and the blower, based on the humidity level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: ELECTROLUX HOME PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Ashwin Jadhav, Jeffrey E. Nelson, Dennis A. Poyner, Van P. Beck
  • Patent number: 9907451
    Abstract: A dishwasher drying system includes an air inlet configured to receive hot, humid air from a tub of a dishwasher. The dishwasher drying system also includes an air outlet configured to discharge the air to an ambient environment outside the dishwasher. The dishwasher drying system further includes an air moving device configured to cause the air to move from the air inlet to the air outlet. In addition, the dishwasher drying system includes a thermal storage heat exchanger positioned within an airflow path of the moving air, the thermal storage heat exchanger configured to absorb heat and condense moisture from the moving air as the moving air contacts the thermal storage heat exchanger during a dishwasher drying cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Guolian Wu, Raveendran Vaidhyanathan
  • Patent number: 9907452
    Abstract: Dishwasher utensil caddies are disclosed. A disclosed example utensil caddy for a dishwasher having a tub and a door at least partially defining a treating chamber, and dish rack in the treating chamber, includes an attachment member configured to attach the utensil caddy to a side of the dish rack in a space between the dish rack and the tub or the door, and a slot oriented at an angle relative to the dish rack, and configured to receive a handle of a cooking utensil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Ryan K. Roth, Anthony B. Welsh
  • Patent number: 9907453
    Abstract: A combination dish drying mat and rack, including a mat and a rack. The mat has a top surface, bottom surface, and a plurality of sides. The rack has a base resting upon at least a portion of the top surface of the mat in an open position. The rack has a plurality of ribs extending upwardly from the base, which form a corresponding plurality of channels, and the plurality of ribs and channels are operatively arranged to hold kitchenware. The rack also has a plurality of protrusions extending upwardly from the base and arranged in pairs. Each protrusion of each pair is disposed opposite one another laterally across the base of the rack. The rack also has a plurality of slots recessed within the base that are co-planar and parallel to one another and the plurality of protrusions and slots are operatively arranged to hold kitchenware.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Umbra LLC
    Inventor: David Green
  • Patent number: 9907454
    Abstract: The present invention provides a gas water bottle adaptor that is suitable for attachment to a water bottle and to a bottle cap. The adaptor can include a gas inlet on one side thereof suitable for attachment to the gas connection of an endoscope. A sealing member can be affixed to the adaptor to prevent leakage of any fluid (e.g., liquid or gas) that is inside of the water bottle. The adaptor may be used in endoscopy methods and is particularly useful for adding a secondary gas source to a water bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: UNITED STATES ENDOSCOPY GROUP, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey B. Cushner, Kenneth E. Wolcott, Christopher R. Stebbins, James Burns
  • Patent number: 9907455
    Abstract: Medical systems are disclosed and may include an elongate member having a proximal end, a distal end, one or more channels extending between the proximal end and the distal end, and a handle operably coupled to the proximal end. The handle may include one or more ports in communication with the one or more channels. The medical systems may further include a docking station supporting the proximal end of the elongate member. The docking station may include a receiver adapted to receive and secure the handle and an adaptor guide unit having a distal end, a proximal end, and one or more passages formed therethrough, the one or more passages communicating with the one or more channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Smith, Gary Kappel, Naroun Suon, Samuel Raybin, Barry Weitzner, Eric Tat
  • Patent number: 9907456
    Abstract: An apparatus for accessing a bodily passageway includes: an endoscope including an insertion portion configured to inserted into the bodily passageway; a drive tube including a lumen configured to receive the endoscope; a helically-wound thread disposed on an outer wall of the drive tube and configured such that rotation of the drive tube causes the drive tube with the endoscope to move along the passageway; a flexible drive shaft configured to transfer rotary motion generated by a power supply; and a rotatable drive collar disposed on the endoscope and configured to rotate the drive tube relative to the endoscope, the rotatable drive collar including a stator, a rotor rotatable over the stator and detachably coupled to the drive tube, a rotary gear configured to transfer the rotary motion from the flexible drive shaft to the rotor to rotate the drive tube, and a watertight seal disposed between the stator and the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignees: OLYMPUS CORPORATION, OLYMPUS ENDO TECHNOLOGY AMERICA INC.
    Inventor: Hiroaki Miyoshi
  • Patent number: 9907457
    Abstract: An endoscope has a pannable camera at the distal end of its insertion shaft, the pannable camera assembly being pivotable to provide a range of a field of view that can be equal to or greater than 180 degrees. A terminal light emitting element may be mounted to the camera assembly in order to illuminate the immediate field of view of the camera sensor regardless of the rotational position of the camera assembly. A fluid-carrying conduit of the insertion section may also be used to house functional components, including the camera assembly, actuation cables, a communications cable connected to the camera sensor, and/or a fiberoptic cable providing light to the light emitting element. A distal section of the endoscope handle may be rotatable relative to a proximal hand-held section of the endoscope handle, a rotary encoder being provided to convert the rotational position of the insertion shaft relative to the handle into a signal for the purpose of image orientation correction by an electronic processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Kevin L. Grant, Jason A. Demers, Derek G. Kane, Peter K. Vondras, Stephen L. Fichera, Timothy D. Moreau, Brian D. Tracey
  • Patent number: 9907458
    Abstract: A robotic arm including a parallel spherical five-bar linkage with a remote center of spherical rotation. The robotic arm movably supports an endoscopic camera. Two outboard links are pivotally coupled together. At least one of the two outboard links supports the endoscopic camera. Two inboard links are respectively pivotally coupled to the two outboard links such that the two inboard links are able to cross over one another. The two inboard links moveably support the two outboard links. A ground link is pivotally coupled to the two inboard links. The ground link moveably supports the two inboard links.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce M. Schena
  • Patent number: 9907459
    Abstract: Embodiments of a hybrid imaging sensor that optimizes a pixel array area on a substrate using a stacking scheme for placement of related circuitry with minimal vertical interconnects between stacked substrates and associated features are disclosed. Embodiments of maximized pixel array size/die size (area optimization) are disclosed, and an optimized imaging sensor providing improved image quality, improved functionality, and improved form factors for specific applications common to the industry of digital imaging are also disclosed. Embodiments of the above may include systems, methods and processes for staggering ADC or column circuit bumps in a column or sub-column hybrid image sensor using vertical interconnects are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Laurent Blanquart
  • Patent number: 9907460
    Abstract: A device (100) for cleaning and method of cleaning an endoscope distal end (128) is disclosed. The device (100) may include a sealed longitudinal chamber (110) that may contain a porous structure (132) with fluid, and a brush and a spring (121) loaded brush. A removable substantially airtight closure (146) may be removed to allow an endoscope distal end (128) to be placed into the longitudinal chamber (110) and contact the porous structure (132) and the brush prior to a full cleaning, thereby preventing contaminates from drying and hardening on the endoscope distal end (128) prior to a cleaning and sanitization process. The spring (121) loaded brush may be moved to clean portions of the endoscope distal end (128) including cavities such and tools including an elevator or lifter. A cap may be removed from a airtight connector (120) and a fluid source may be connected to the airtight connector (120) to assist in the endoscope (127) cleaning process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Inventor: Michael J. Patzek, IV
  • Patent number: 9907461
    Abstract: A system and associated method are used for warming an endoscope, laparoscope, or other such instrument to minimize fogging. A flexible pad has a length, a width and a periphery for wrapping around the instrument. An activation disc and a mixture of water and sodium acetate are used to generate heat through an exothermic reaction initiated through manual manipulation of the disc. The disc may be exposed in a flexible tab in fluid communication with the pad. A housing includes an end bore to receive the instrument such that the instrument is surrounded by the folded or rolled pad within the housing. The housing may further include a slit or narrow opening enabling the tab and activation disc to extend therethrough and outside the housing for activation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Inventor: John Temple