Patents Issued in April 3, 2018
  • Patent number: 9930866
    Abstract: An automated animal feeding assembly includes a housing that may be positioned to be accessible to an animal. A turret is rotatably coupled to the housing. A plurality of tubes is provided and each of the tubes is positioned within the turret. Each of the tubes may contain animal food. A rotation unit is positioned within the housing. The rotation unit engages the turret such that the rotation unit selectively rotates the turret. A dispensing unit is positioned within the housing. The dispensing unit selectively urges the animal food outwardly from the tubes into the third well. Thus, the animal may consume the animal food. A control is coupled to the housing and the control may be manipulated. The control is electrically coupled to rotation unit and the dispensing unit. Thus, the control controls operational parameters of each of the rotation unit and the dispensing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Inventors: Matthew Deritis, Victoria Kidd
  • Patent number: 9930867
    Abstract: A water diffuser that extends from the discharge outlet of a pet fountain, for receiving water from the outlet of the pet fountain's water pump, wherein the diffuser includes a perforate tubular diffuser section that can be releasably coupled or otherwise anchored to part of the fountain by a connecting or coupling section that preferably is tubular and imperforate. The diffuser can include a water treatment disposed within the diffuser that is dispensed or released into water flowing through the diffuser. The diffuser may also include a filter for removing contaminants from water flowing through the water. Where used together with a water treatment, the filter can be disposed within the diffuser upstream of the water treatment for filtering water flowing through the diffuser before treating the flowing water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Pioneer Pet Products, LLC
    Inventor: John M. Lipscomb
  • Patent number: 9930868
    Abstract: A waste disposal device includes a waste container having a first compartment and a second compartment and a leash connected to the waste container at each of a first location of the waste container and a second location of the waste container, such that a portion of the leash between the first location and the second location define a first handle. The waste container may include an opening in a surface of the waste container that exposes a portion of the second compartment. The first compartment may further include a liner. The leash may further have a second handle at a location apart from the first handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Inventor: David Scott Cox
  • Patent number: 9930869
    Abstract: A package and system for holding and transporting small living beings, particularly, insects such as honeybees and the like, configurable in a robust, sturdy three-dimensional shape for handling and transport by mail and commercial carriers, which prevents stinging from within the package, allows escape of smaller accompanying insects such as hive beetles, is interlocking with others of the packages and strong enough to support other packages and items thereon; that provides for air flow through and about the package for heat dissipation for proper honeybee environment; that accommodates food and separately carrying a queen bee; and that can be easily and quickly broken down into a non-operational, generally flat configuration for initial sale, transport, and storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Inventors: Charles Linder, Bryan S. Claerhout
  • Patent number: 9930870
    Abstract: According to an example, artificial ovulation and spawning of freshwater eels may be induced to promote artificial ovulation without employing intraperitoneal injection, by feeding a feminization-inducing material (e.g., 17?-estradiol) for inducing feminization during a predetermined period into a raising bath in which broodfish are raised and, when an ovulation induction period arrives, adding pituitary extracts of catadromous fish as an artificial ovulation-promoting substance to the bath. Raising water of the raising bath may be prepared by selectively setting fresh water, brackish water and seawater conditions, a feminization-inducing material for inducing complete feminization of broodfish of the freshwater eels is fed to the raising bath, including the raising water under a fresh water condition, and pre-treatment for feminization is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: GOOGOL HOLDINGS CO., LTD
    Inventor: Soung Ho Lee
  • Patent number: 9930871
    Abstract: Non-human animals, e.g., mammals, e.g., mice or rats, are provided comprising an immunoglobulin heavy chain locus that comprises a rearranged human immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region nucleotide sequence. The rearranged human immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region nucleotide sequence may be operably linked to a heavy or light chain constant region nucleic acid sequence. Also described are genetically modified non-human animals comprising an immunoglobulin light chain locus comprising one or more but less than the wild type number of human immunoglobulin light chain variable region gene segments, which may be operably linked to a light chain constant region nucleic acid sequence. Also provided are methods for obtaining nucleic acid sequences that encode immunoglobulin light chain variable domains capable of binding an antigen in the absence of a heavy chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventors: John McWhirter, Cagan Gurer, Karolina A. Meagher, Lynn Macdonald, Andrew J. Murphy
  • Patent number: 9930872
    Abstract: A fishing pole including a handle, a lighting unit, a switch and a power storage unit. The lighting unit is located at least partially internal to the handle. The switch is configured to regulate operation of the lighting unit and the power storage unit is configured to energize the lighting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Inventor: Lukus Vermillion
  • Patent number: 9930873
    Abstract: A set of fishline guides which are configured to be attached to a rod in an axial direction of the rod, each of the set of fishline guides includes a frame including a fixing portion configured to be attached to an outer surface of the rod, a ring holding portion to which a guide ring through which a fishline passes is attached, and a support leg connecting the fixing portion to the ring holding portion, the fixing portion being in a plane transverse to a plane of the ring holding portion. The frame includes a plurality of fiber-reinforced resin layers foamed by laminating a plurality of fiber-reinforced prepregs in which a reinforcing fiber is impregnated with a synthetic resin. A normal line to a plane of each of the fiber-reinforced resin layers forming the ring holding portion coincides with an axial direction of the ring holding portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: GLOBERIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Masaru Akiba, Eiji Sugaya, Hideyuki Naitou, Atsushi Saitou, Hiroyuki Mori, Tomoyoshi Turufuji, Masayuki Watanabe
  • Patent number: 9930875
    Abstract: An anti-reverse device for a fishing reel according to an embodiment includes an anti-reverse gear provided on a rotator rotated by a handle operation, an anti-reverse pawl to be engaged with the anti-reverse gear, and a cam controlling engagement and disengagement of the anti-reverse pawl with the anti-reverse gear in accordance with a rotational direction of the rotator. The cam includes a friction clip attached to the rotator and rotating together with the rotator with a friction force between the rotator and the friction clip, and a bias member biasing the friction clip in a direction in which a clamping force of the clip member is increased. The friction clip includes two clip members clipping the rotator, a connecting portion connecting the two clip members so as to be openable and closable, and an engaging portion formed in one of the two clip members to engage with the anti-reverse pawl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: GLOBERIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Ryou Nagai, Takashi Shibata
  • Patent number: 9930876
    Abstract: The prospective invention is a side planing bobber when attached to the users fishing line the invention will side plane out to the right or left from a straight line on a surface of water when trolling by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Inventors: Dean Carl Solberg, Debra Lynn Sebastian
  • Patent number: 9930877
    Abstract: Novel devices and methods of capturing, controlling and preventing infestation of insects using microfabricated surfaces are provided. In particular, a mechanism of insect capture inspired by the microstructures of the leaf surfaces of plants and the key features of those surfaces with respect to the capture and control of pests have been determined and engineered into a variety of microfabricated surfaces capable of reproducing the effectiveness of these physical capture methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignees: The Regents of the University of California, The University of Kentucky Research Foundation
    Inventors: Catherine Loudon, Robert Corn, Megan Szyndler, Kenneth F. Haynes, Michael F. Potter
  • Patent number: 9930878
    Abstract: A method for killing pests in an affected area of a structure, comprises positioning a heat pump unit within an affected area of the structure, coupling a first end of an inlet hose to a faucet, and coupling a second end of the inlet hose to an inlet port of the heat pump unit. The inlet port supplies a flow of water received from the faucet to an evaporator component of the heat pump unit. The evaporator component transfers heat from the flow of water to a refrigerant and communicate the refrigerant to a condenser component of the heat pump unit. The condenser component generates heated air by transferring heat from the refrigerant fluid to air flowing through the condenser component. The heated air i emitted into the affected area in order to raise the temperature of the affected area to a target temperature greater than 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Therma-Stor LLC
    Inventors: Timothy S. O'Brien, Eric P. Camenga
  • Patent number: 9930879
    Abstract: A visual cue system associated with a plurality of consumer product packages includes a first visual cue with at least a first symbol and first text associated therewith and is further associated with a first consumer product. A second visual cue has at least a second symbol and second text associated therewith and is further associated with a second consumer product. A regimen key is associated with at least one of the first or second consumer products. Further, the first and second consumer product packages are different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: S.C. JOHNSON & SON, INC.
    Inventors: Gary D. Weintraub, Lynn Templeton
  • Patent number: 9930880
    Abstract: A rodent bait station for retention of sachet bait, which is a malleable bait retained within a porous bag or package having sidewardly protruding flaps. The bait station may be a molded plastic structure with a lid hinged to a base. Base walls define a bait compartment sized to receive the sachet bait such that the flaps overlie the opposed bait compartment base walls. The lid has downwardly protruding bait compartment walls which overlie the base bait compartment walls. Undulating or jagged teeth are formed on the lid and base bait compartment walls. When the lid is closed on the base, the teeth projecting from the lid cooperate with the teeth protruding from the base, thereby engaging and clamping a retained sachet bait package flaps to thus retain the package with the bait station even after a rodent has broken into the package to access the poison contained therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: BELL LABORATORIES, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel C. Johnson, James R. Walsh
  • Patent number: 9930881
    Abstract: A fish screen is presented having a porous surface made of two or more corrugations (e.g., elongated convex shapes) having an at least partially porous surface. The incorporation of a porous area on the corrugations allows increasing the total porous surface area compared to an underlying diversion area. The porous area is a magnification of an underlying diversion area, which reduces the fluid pressure (e.g., impingement forces) acting on the porous area of the screen. The valley between each pair of corrugations is solid, not porous. The solid valley(s) provide two important functions; they provide multiple small solid surface flow channels over the screen surface. These solid channels protect small or weak swimming aquatic organisms from impingement on the screen. That is, once organisms reach the solid channel, they may move along the solid channel free of impingement until they reach the edge of the screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Inventor: Brent W. Mefford
  • Patent number: 9930882
    Abstract: A turkey carrier and method of manufacture of a turkey carrier are described. The turkey carrier may be assembled from a single strip of material, a buckle, and a strip of comfortable padding. The assembled turkey carrier comprises two loops (a small loop and a large padded adjustable loop) and an intermediate area. During use, the intermediate area between the small loop and the large loop of the carrier is positioned under the turkey's legs, typically above the spurs of a male turkey, so that the two loops are on opposite sides of the turkey's legs and the larger loop is inserted through the smaller loop and pulled tight to secure the legs leaving the larger padded loop to be used as a wrist strap. The carrier is designed to tightly secure the turkey's legs while simultaneously providing the user with a comfortable method of transporting the turkey.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Inventor: Martin Dennis Owen
  • Patent number: 9930883
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and compositions including a sugar and a choline hydrogen phosphate salt for preservation and stabilization of materials in the amorphous state. The compositions and methods suppress the formation of crystals in materials in the amorphous state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLLINA CHARLOTTE
    Inventors: Gloria Elliott, Babak Bagheri
  • Patent number: 9930884
    Abstract: An abrasive article comprising a nonwoven substrate material impregnated with a first and second formulation. The first and second formulations have broad spectrum antimicrobial effectiveness against one or more microbial organisms. The first and second formulations include the same or different polymer compositions, which include one or more antimicrobial agents and abrasive particles uniformly dispersed in the polymer compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignees: SAINT-GOBAIN ABRASIVES, INC., SAINT-GOBAIN ABRASIFS
    Inventors: Soumyajit Basu, Kottotil Mohan Das, Rishwanth Sathyamurthy, Anindya Agasty, Abhay Jain
  • Patent number: 9930885
    Abstract: Provided are biocidal compositions comprising 2,2-dibromo-3-nitrilopropionamide and tris(hydroxymethyl)-nitromethane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Bei Yin, Michael V. Enzien, Donald J. Love
  • Patent number: 9930886
    Abstract: In one aspect, this invention relates to a nematode repellent composition comprising an effective nematode repellent amount of a fatty acid and an anthranilate ester. In another aspect, this invention relates to a method of repelling nematodes employing such composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce C. Black, Linda Varanyak
  • Patent number: 9930887
    Abstract: In order to develop a technique for increasing an amino acid content and to provide a technique for easily producing a plant having an increased amino acid content, an amino acid content in a plant is increased by an amino acid content promoting agent, a composition containing the amino acid content promoting agent, a kit including an amino acid content promoting agent, or a kit including a composition containing the amino acid content promoting agent, and a plant having an increased amino acid content is produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: OKAYAMA PREFECTURE
    Inventors: Kenichi Ogawa, Kenji Henmi, Aya Iwasaki
  • Patent number: 9930888
    Abstract: Antimicrobial composition comprising a lactam and a hydrotrope. Antimicrobial additive composition containing a lactam and a hydrotrope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil James Parry, Joanne Clare O'Keeffe, Christopher Francis Smith
  • Patent number: 9930889
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are herbicidal compositions comprising a synergistically herbicidal effective amount of (a) penoxsulam, or an agriculturally acceptable salt thereof, and (b) mefenacet, or an agriculturally acceptable salt thereof. Also disclosed herein are methods of controlling undesirable vegetation in rice, which comprise applying to vegetation or an area adjacent the vegetation or applying to soil or water to prevent the emergence or growth of vegetation (a) penoxsulam, or an agriculturally acceptable salt thereof, and (b) mefenacet, or an agriculturally acceptable salt thereof, wherein (a) and (b) are each added in an amount sufficient to produce a synergistic herbicidal effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Dow AgroSciences LLC
    Inventor: Richard K. Mann
  • Patent number: 9930890
    Abstract: Heteroarylpiperidine and -piperazine derivatives of the formula (I) in which the symbols A, X, Y, L1, L2, G, Q, p, R1, R2 and R10 are each as defined in the description, and salts, metal complexes and N-oxides of the compounds of the formula (I), and the use thereof for controlling phytopathogenic harmful fungi and processes for preparing compounds of the formula (I).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: BAYER INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY GMBH
    Inventors: Tomoki Tsuchiya, Pierre Wasnaire, Sebastian Hoffmann, Pierre Cristau, Thomas Seitz, Joachim Kluth, Stefan Hillebrand, Juergen Benting, Daniela Portz, Ulrike Wachendorff-Neumann
  • Patent number: 9930891
    Abstract: A synergistic mixture of penoxsulam and pyroxsulam controls weeds in rice, cereal and grain crops, tree and vine crops, pome, stone and citrus crops, pastures, rangelands, industrial vegetation management (IVM), and turf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Dow AgroSciences LLC
    Inventor: Richard K. Mann
  • Patent number: 9930892
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to the field of molecules having pesticidal utility against pests in Phyla Arthropoda, Mollusca, and Nematoda, processes to produce such molecules, intermediates used in such processes, compositions containing such molecules, and processes of using such molecules and compositions against such pests. These molecules and compositions may be used, for example, as acaricides, insecticides, miticides, molluscicides, and nematicides. This document discloses molecules having the following formula (“Formula One”).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Dow AgroSciences LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Barton, Xin Gao, Jim Hunter, Paul R. LePlae, Jr., William C. Lo, Joshodeep Boruwa, Raghuram Tangirala, Gerald B. Watson, John Herbert
  • Patent number: 9930893
    Abstract: Novel inhibitors of DXP synthase and methods of use thereof are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: The Johns Hopkins University
    Inventors: Caren L. Freel Meyers, Francine Morris, Ryan J. Vierling
  • Patent number: 9930894
    Abstract: A method and template for preparing small, tender cakes is provided. The method includes preparing sheet cakes and slicing them into sleeves of cake. Frosting is template and frozen, and then rolled around the narrow cake leaf. Fillings may be added inside the cake leaf before rolling. The cake is then rolled similarly to maki-style sushi, sliced into shorter segments, and presented vertically on a serving dish. Decorations and additional frosting may be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Inventor: Lori Shubert
  • Patent number: 9930895
    Abstract: A twisting apparatus comprising a loading device intended to load a food product into a casing, and a braking device, is described. The loading device comprises two tubular filling bodies, or filling tubes, intended to support the casing and a twisting device intended to rotate each filling tube about its axis, and a movable frame or carriage able to support the loading device. The twisting apparatus includes a rotation unit intended to cause rotation of the loading device and angularly displace the two tubular filling bodies with respect to the braking device. Also provided is a displacement drive member connected to said movable frame or carriage so as to move with an approaching and separating displacement, or to-and-fro movement, the two tubular filling bodies away from and towards the braking device. The rotation unit includes a rotation drive member fixed to said movable frame or carriage and is able to be moved by said displacement drive member together with the loading device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: RISCO S.P.A.
    Inventors: Giampietro Righele, Filippo Toniello
  • Patent number: 9930896
    Abstract: Methods and systems using a vision system to process shrimp. The vision system captures images of samples of shrimps. The processor produces a digital image of the shrimps in the samples. Shrimps exiting a peeler are imaged to determine the number of tail segments in each. The shrimps are classified by the number of intact segments, and quality, yield, and throughput computed from the classification results. The processor can control operational settings of the peeler based on the classification results. In a larger system including other shrimp-processing equipment besides the peeler, other points along the processing path can be imaged by camera or sensed by other sensors to determine processing quality and to make automatic operational adjustments to the equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Charles J. Ledet, Robert S. Lapeyre
  • Patent number: 9930897
    Abstract: A solid fuel smoker oven having a cooking chamber and a heat source chamber separated by a vertical divider. The heat source chamber includes a gas fired firebox to burn solid fuel. The cooking chamber comprises air channels defined by perforated wall panels comprising calibrated orifices that vary in size from the top of the channel to the bottom to allow air flow and temperatures inside the cooking chamber to be balanced. A fan in the cooking chamber draws heat and smoke emissions from the firebox and directs them into the air channels and recycles the heated air and smoke through the heat source chamber, which limits heat and smoke escape and maximizes temperature stability inside the oven. The fan also functions as a spark arrestor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Southern Pride Distributing, LLC
    Inventors: Samuel Ralph Blue, Jesse Dewayne Barger, Christopher Shane Needham, Rad Jasen Hunsley
  • Patent number: 9930898
    Abstract: A pasteurization system includes a liquid inlet configured to receive a liquid to be pasteurized. The system also includes a pump coupled to the liquid inlet for pressurizing the liquid. Further, the system includes a counter flow heat exchanger coupled to the liquid inlet and the pump, the counterflow heat exchanger configured to heat the liquid to a predetermined temperature for at least a predetermined time and configured to exchange heat between a flow of liquid in a first direction in a first channel with the flow of liquid in a second direction opposite the first direction in a second channel. A heating section that heats the liquid flow is integrated into the heat exchanger and heats at least a portion of the first channel or the second channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Inventors: Geoffrey F. Deane, William Gates, Roderick A. Hyde, Jordin T. Kare, Nathan P. Myhrvold, David B. Tuckerman, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Ozgur Yildirim
  • Patent number: 9930899
    Abstract: Variants of chymosin with improved milk-clotting properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: CHR. HANSEN A/S
    Inventors: Johannes Maarten Van Den Brink, Martin Lund, Jonas Jacobsen, Sari Charlotte Hansen, Iben Jeppesen
  • Patent number: 9930900
    Abstract: A coffee cherry is harvested, preferably in a sub-ripe state, and quick-dried to provide a basis for numerous nutritional products. Such coffee cherries and portions thereof may be particularly characterized by their extremely low concentration of mycotoxins, including various aflatoxins, fumonisins, ochratoxins, and/or vomitoxin (DON, deoxynivalenol).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: VDF Futureceuticals, Inc.
    Inventors: Dusan Miljkovic, Brad Duell, Vukosava Miljkovic
  • Patent number: 9930901
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of a liquid coffee concentrate that has an improved storage stability at ambient temperature. The process comprises treating a coffee concentrate to a heat treatment and a pH increasing step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V.
    Inventors: Gertjan Heijman, Harke Jan Bosma
  • Patent number: 9930902
    Abstract: At least one thermally conductive receptacle in thermal communication with the heat exchange engine, the thermally conductive receptacle is configured to receive and retain a volume of alcohol. The heat exchange engine is configured to extract heat from the thermally conductive receptacle and freeze solid the volume of alcohol when the volume of alcohol is received within the at least one thermally conductive receptacle. An extraction element is included and disposed within the housing, the extraction element configured to extract the frozen alcohol from the thermally conductive receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Beyond Zero, Inc.
    Inventor: Jason Sherman
  • Patent number: 9930903
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a flowable edible product dispensing apparatus, which includes: a programmable controller; a touchscreen interface including an indicator of at least one edible item for selection, the operator interface in communication with the programmable controller, a dispensing system in communication the operator interface. The programmable controller, being wirelessly connected to the internet, is operable to associate the at least one edible item with the least one flowable edible and/or inedible product. The dispensing system dispenses an amount of the at least one flowable edible and/or inedible product associated with the selected edible item when the at least one edible and/or inedible item is selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Inventor: Anthony V. Feola
  • Patent number: 9930904
    Abstract: A solid preparation ready for consumption is proposed, where the surface has edible particles proportionately, which are fixed by means of a substance system that has a glass transition temperature between about 45 and about 75° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Symrise AG
    Inventors: Sylvia Barnekow, Martina Batalia, Ingo Lindner
  • Patent number: 9930905
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition comprising lyophilized Lactobacilli and a plant-based food, wherein the composition is substantially free of animal products. The present invention also relates to methods of treating plant-based food by administration of a Lactobacilli and a plant medium composition. Methods of using the Lactobacilli and plant-based food composition to treat E. coli or Salmonella infection in an animal in need thereof and methods of using the Lactobacilli and plant-based food composition to reduce E. coli or Salmonella contamination in an agricultural product are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Michael Kiril Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiril Petkov, Michael Karsch, Petko Petkov
  • Patent number: 9930906
    Abstract: Provided herein are protein beverages. In particular, provided herein are protein beverages that are thickened, stable, and ready to drink beverages designed for consumption by subjects (e.g., subjects having a need for thickened beverages). In some embodiments, the subjects are subjects having dysphagia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: SWALLOW SOLUTIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Eric Horler, Jacqueline Hind, JoAnne Robbins, Elfi Anggreani, Marcus Brody, Malcond Valladares, Eric James
  • Patent number: 9930907
    Abstract: A cryogenic freezer includes a plurality of conveyor rail supports that rest upon side walls of a lower housing of the freezer. The conveyor rail supports include upper and lower bars that support upper and lower conveyor support rails extending perpendicular to the bars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Airgas, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Bilger, David C. Braithwaite
  • Patent number: 9930908
    Abstract: Nutritional compositions having high amounts of protein and low ratios of omega-6:omega-3 fatty acids, and methods of making and using the nutritional compositions are provided. The nutritional compositions include an increased amount of protein, and a low ratio of omega-6:omega-3 fatty acids to provide a patient with adequate amounts of protein for the preservation of lean body mass, while reducing inflammation associated with administration of pro-inflammatory drug formulations such as propofol. The nutritional compositions also help to avoid potential complications associated with overfeeding of an enterally-fed patient being treated, or having been treated, with high fat medications such as propofol. Methods of making and using such nutritional compositions are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Norman Alan Greenberg, Doug Bolster, Zamzam Kabiry (Fariba) Roughead
  • Patent number: 9930909
    Abstract: An oral product includes a body that is wholly receivable in an oral cavity. The body includes a mouth-soluble polymer matrix, cellulosic fibers embedded in the mouth-soluble polymer matrix, and nicotine or a derivative thereof dispersed in the mouth-soluble polymer matrix. The oral product is adapted to release the nicotine or a derivative thereof from the body when the body is received within the oral cavity and exposed to saliva.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: ALTRIA CLIENT SERVICES LLC
    Inventors: Feng Gao, Frank Scott Atchley, Gregory Griscik, Christopher Joseph DiNovi, Phillip M. Hulan
  • Patent number: 9930910
    Abstract: A rod for use in a smoking article is provided, the rod including a gathered sheet of homogenized tobacco material circumscribed by a wrapper. The sheet may include one or more aerosol-formers and have an aerosol-former content of greater than 5% on a dry weight basis or of between 5% and 30% by weight on a dry weight basis. The rod may include a continuous element to which one or more additives have been applied, which is incorporated into the gathered continuous sheet of homogenized tobacco material. A method of forming the rod includes providing a continuous sheet of homogenized tobacco material; gathering the continuous sheet transversely relative to the longitudinal axis thereof; circumscribing the gathered continuous sheet with a wrapper to form a continuous rod; and severing the continuous rod into a plurality of discrete rods. The sheet is preferably crimped or otherwise textured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.
    Inventor: Pierre-Yves Gindrat
  • Patent number: 9930911
    Abstract: A water pipe bowl assembly includes a hollow adapter having a connector and an opposed insert, and a bowl support extends radially outward from hollow adapter between the connector and the insert. A hollow bowl fixture is positioned on the bowl support and over the insert, and includes inwardly-directed upper flange encircling the closed outer end of the insert, an inwardly-directed lower flange encircling the inner end of the insert, and a smoke-collection chamber between the upper and lower flanges through which the insert extends from the inner end to the closed outer end. The upper flange and the closed outer end of the insert form a bowl for receiving a substance to be smoked and a smoke-inhalation pathway from the bowl to the smoke-collection chamber, and the opening through insert is for transferring inhalation smoke from the smoke-collection chamber to the hollow adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Inventor: Nathaniel M. Wright
  • Patent number: 9930912
    Abstract: A standard smoking lighter slides into a hole on top of a plastic sheath so that only the top of the lighter is exposed. The bottom of the sheath has a hammer like protrusion at one end to stuff tobacco or other herb into a pipe. The opposite end of the bottom has a pivot point for a poker which serves to mix the herb and ash within the pipe and/or clean the debris from the pipe. The poker folds up into the sheath when not in use. Thus, a three function pipe tool provides a lighter, a stuffer and a poker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Lifted Limited, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Robert Bodenchuk, Leslie Renea Reed
  • Patent number: 9930913
    Abstract: A carton for displaying articles attachable to a flip sign is disclosed, which includes a box structure having a back panel, a bottom panel, a top panel, a pair of side panels, a top front panel, a bottom front panel, a first inner panel and a second inner panel, the first inner panel having a pair of slots configured to receive a pair of tabs on an outer free edge of the second inner panel. The first and second inner panels rest adjacent to the back panel upon placing a plurality of articles within a recess, which is formed between the top front panel, the bottom front panel, the back panel, and the pair of side panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventor: Scott Fath
  • Patent number: 9930914
    Abstract: An oral pouch product has no seams or fewer seams than conventional pouch products. The pouch includes a seamless or single seam tube of a hosiery web material. An elastomeric thread is placed inside the tubular enclosure. One end of the tube is sealed and connected to one end of the elastomeric thread. A filling material, in one example including tobacco products or other plant materials, is also placed inside the tubular enclosure. The second end of the tubular enclosure is then fixed and connected to a stretched end of the elastomeric thread. The thread and attached ends of the enclosure are then sheared away and simultaneously released so that the ends of the tube are drawn inside the tubular space of the tubular enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Inventor: Read Fisher Goode, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9930915
    Abstract: The present invention describes articles, such as smoking articles, that can provide an inhalable substance in a form suitable for inhalation by a consumer. The article comprises a cartridge with an inhalable substance medium therein, control housing that includes an electrical energy source and an electrical power source, and a heating member that may be located in either the cartridge or the control housing. The control housing further may include puff-actuated current actuation components and current regulation components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven L. Worm, David Glen Christopherson, Stephen Benson Sears, Dennis Lee Potter, Frederic Philippe Ampolini, Balager Ademe
  • Patent number: 9930916
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are flocked shapewear garments. The flocked shapewear garments comprise a fabric, an elastomeric coating, and flocking fibers embedded in the elastomeric coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Spanx, Inc.
    Inventors: Tosha L. Hays, Sylma Colon-Otten