Patents Issued in April 3, 2018
  • Patent number: 9930967
    Abstract: Collapsible self-supporting canopy are presented including: two U-shaped bows pivotally coupled by a pair of locking hinges, each locking hinge positioned along outward ends of each of the U-shaped bows; a first panel supported by the U-shaped bows, the first panel extending beyond the shaped bows, where the first panel includes a cutout that defines a pivot point; a flexible panel support for supporting a second panel coupled with the first panel; a back edge U-shaped bow for supporting a third panel, the third panel coupled with the second panel and a portion of the first panel; a back panel removably coupled with the third panel, the back panel including at least a circular head support adjustably coupled thereto; and a front panel removably coupled with the first panel, the front panel including a neck cutout defining a substantially circular opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Inventor: Lorenzo Gilbert
  • Patent number: 9930968
    Abstract: Apparatus for lifting and supporting the lower leg and foot of a seated patient comprising a heel or an ankle support adapted to fit beneath the patient's heel or ankle, lifting means for raising said support, and in which the support is releasable from the lifting means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Genie Care Ltd.
    Inventor: Mike Wilkinson
  • Patent number: 9930969
    Abstract: To provide a bed apparatus in which the user's posture can be easily adjusted, which can be divided into lightweight and compact sections and is easy to convey, assembly and disassemble, and has improved work efficiency and maintenance performance. The bed apparatus includes: an upper frame including a back-raising mechanism and a knee-raising mechanism; and link type lifting mechanisms for moving up and down the upper frame, and is constructed such that the link type lifting mechanisms are arranged under the upper frame on the head side and on the foot side, respectively, a connection frame that integrally joins the link type lifting mechanisms to one another, is arranged between the head-side link type lifting mechanism and the foot-side link type lifting mechanism, and the operations of the back-raising mechanism and knee-raising mechanism, the head-side link type lifting mechanisms can be controlled individually or in cooperation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: PARAMOUNT BED CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Shimada, Dan Kageyama, Eita Hirai, Shinnosuke Kubota
  • Patent number: 9930970
    Abstract: An adjustable bed is provided. The adjustable bed can include an outer support perimeter that provides structural support to various components of the adjustable bed. The outer support perimeter can include a plurality of panels, where two panels can be coupled together by a panel connecting member which can be received inside a void of both panels. The panel connecting member can be secured to the two panels using one or more fasteners in such a manner that the fasteners are not visible on the outside surface of the outer support perimeter. The adjustable bed can include a storage compartment positioned beneath a foot segment of a mattress support member. The storage compartment can be accessed by pivoting the foot segment of the mattress support member up and away from the adjustable bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: L&P Property Management Company
    Inventors: Vinod Kumar Gopalakrishnan, Jacob J. Neuenswander
  • Patent number: 9930971
    Abstract: The invention is a mattress insert comprising supporting blocks (10, 12, 14) made of a foam material and arranged on a base body, said supporting blocks (10, 12, 14) are formed integrally with the base body, and said supporting blocks (10, 12, 14) comprise first supporting blocks (10) arranged with spacings from one another, and second supporting blocks (12, 14) arranged in the spacings, wherein a height of the second supporting blocks (12, 14) relative to the base body is lower than that of the first supporting blocks (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Inventors: András Péter Dóczi, László Mihály Pálinkás
  • Patent number: 9930972
    Abstract: The legless, planar, rectangular platform may consist of a top that will be the primary play surface. In addition to the rectangular platform, additional members may be included. A front member may be attached to the primary platform and may run along the width of the invention. A second member, considered one side of the invention, may be attached in like manner to the primary platform as the front member, as well as being attached at a 90 degree angle to the front member with slots for drawers. The four members when attached together may form a rectangular shaped structure to which the primary flat member is attached. Removable bins may also be included. Each bin may attach along the periphery of the primary flat platform for ease of access and secure storage. Each bin may be comprised of five (5) members; a bottom and four (sides).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Inventor: Cindy Janay
  • Patent number: 9930973
    Abstract: A product management display system for merchandising product on a shelf includes using a trackless pusher mechanism that travels along a surface on which product is placed and one or more dividers for separating product into rows. The one or more dividers may be engaged to a front rail in two different conditions, locked and unlocked. In a locked condition, the relationship between the divider and the front rail resists alteration in any direction with respect to each other. In the unlocked condition, the dividers may be freely slid laterally along the front rail, while remaining perpendicular to the front rail. The one or more dividers may lock to the front rail through the use of corresponding teeth, resilient surfaces, a locking tab, a locking bar and/or a cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen N. Hardy, Joel Barenbrugge
  • Patent number: 9930974
    Abstract: A cooling unit having, on two sides, supporting C-shaped lateral frames. The lateral frames are formed from frame profiles having a rear-sided vertical profile and a lower and an upper forward-projecting horizontal profile. A rear wall group having a heat-insulating outer covering is mounted on the vertical profiles, a base group is mounted on the lower horizontal profile and an upper group is mounted on the upper horizontal profile, and the groups surround a cooling chamber from behind, below and above. The construction has at least the outer covering of the rear wall group arranged on the inner side, facing the cooling chamber, of the vertical profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: AHT COOLING SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventor: Reinhold Resch
  • Patent number: 9930975
    Abstract: Suspension apparatus (1) for a sales item (2), in particular for a drinking bottle (2?), having a suspension opening (4) for suspending the suspension apparatus (1), having a base part (5) which has a holding opening (6) for carrying the sales item (2), and having side parts (8) which, together with the base part (5), form a recess (11) for receiving a portion of the sales item (2), which portion projects through the holding opening (6), wherein an insert part (13) for displaying product and sales information is arranged in the recess (11) such that it can be exchanged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: MAM BABYARTIKEL GESELLSCHAFT M.B.H.
    Inventor: Peter Röhrig
  • Patent number: 9930976
    Abstract: The disclosure includes in one aspect a mounting sticker comprising a non-adhesive front side defined by a planar sticker body and a rear side defined by the planar sticker body and including a planar magnetically receptive member disposed thereon with the magnetically receptive member completely peripherally surrounded by a portion of the sticker body, at least a portion of the sticker body defining the rear side comprising an adhesive. The sticker body can define a teardrop shape having a circular head portion with a peeling tip extending from the head portion and terminating at a point defined by an acute angle or can be circular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Inventor: Leslie Pierson
  • Patent number: 9930977
    Abstract: An inflatable pillow, having a predetermined shape when inflated, such that the bottom face of the pillow sits securely on an airplane table tray, the pillow's back face, above the arm space, leans fully against the seat back that the table tray is mounted on, providing lateral stability for the upper region of the pillow, unique over the prior art, and an angled front face upon which the confined traveler can lean forward from their seated position and get full support for their upper torso and head so they can comfortably rest or sleep. The pillow is composed of flexible, air-retentive material and has a valve for inflating and deflating the pillow. In its deflated state the pillow is compact enough to fit in most carry-on bags for ease of transport and storage. A simple bellows is provided with the pillow for inflating the pillow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Inventor: Jeffrey Lorrin Jennings
  • Patent number: 9930978
    Abstract: A vacuum sealable container for baked or cooked food including a base section to receive the food in its entirety, the base section having at least one runner where the at least one runner divides the base section into equally sized portions and a lid shaped to fit the base section, the lid having at least one blade where the at least one blade slots into the at least one runner when the lid is placed over the base to close the container and where the at least one blade performs at least one of: cutting the food into the equally sized portions and holding the food in place between the at least one blade and the at least one runner and where the container is at least one of: sealed with a vacuum when used with a vacuum sealing bag and a vacuum machine and self-sealing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Timeless Food Technologies Ltd.
    Inventor: Michel Habib
  • Patent number: 9930979
    Abstract: A cylindrical container having a plastic overcap and flexible panels that can be assembled into a serving bowl are provided. The cylindrical container may hold snack foods or other items. The flexible bowl panels lock together and may mate with the overcap to form the serving bowl. The flexible bowl panels may be packaged outside one or more cylindrical containers or may fit inside a container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Edward Miller, Jamie Lynn Ackerman, Lawrence Robert Carpenter, Steven Kubilius
  • Patent number: 9930980
    Abstract: A beverage container includes a container body, a plurality of sensors arranged to determine information associated with liquid contained in the container body, and a processor operably coupled with the plurality of sensors for determining a beverage consumption routine of a user based on the information determined by the plurality of sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: GROKING LAB LIMITED
    Inventor: Sze Ring Pau
  • Patent number: 9930981
    Abstract: A cup lid for use with a drinking cup containing a liquid, the cup having a base and a sidewall extending upwardly from the base, the sidewall including an inner surface, a top end, and a rim extending along the circumference of the top end. A first part lying in a first plane and having a top surface. Means on said first part for releasably mounting said first part to the top end of the cup to form a substantially liquid tight seal between the cup lid and the cup. A second part depends radially outwardly from said first part and lies in a second plane. A longitudinal axis and a distal end on said second part. Means on the second part for movement relative to said first part. Compartment means is formed between the inner surface of the cup and the second part for allowing liquid in the cup to flow into the compartment and out of the compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Inventors: David C Wheeler, Jeffrey M Morris
  • Patent number: 9930982
    Abstract: The current disclosure is directed to housings for beverage containers. The housings may be used to protect, insulate, and/or display beverage containers. The housings can include an outer shell and an inner shell that are releasably attached together with a coupling. The outer shell may be transparent. The inner shell may be opaque. A beverage container may be housed between the inner shell and the outer shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: MISAINE TRADE, INC.
    Inventor: Hirotaka Matsui
  • Patent number: 9930983
    Abstract: Described is a hat holding device having a pair of arms pivotally secured to a housing such that the arms can pivot towards or apart from one another. The opposing ends of the arms attach to gripping members adapted to support the brims of one or more hats arranged in a stacked configuration. A rectangular loop is disposed around the arms of the hat holding device and is used to maintain the holding device in a closed or open configuration. The arms include exterior ridges therealong and are curved such that they are further apart from one another at the gripping member ends. By sliding the loop along the arms and towards the gripping members, the gripping members are forced together in a closed configuration and the ridges resist movement of the loop once positioned. Further provided is a hook pivotally secured to the housing for hanging the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Inventor: Rodney Ballard
  • Patent number: 9930984
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a garment hanger that is especially suited for life vests. The hanger may include a hanger body having a central portion with angled left and right legs that meet at an apex, generally flat left and right shoulders, and left and right ends that extend from the left and right shoulders, respectively, toward the apex. The hanger may also include a hook located adjacent to the apex of the hanger body. Hangers with an aperture at the top of the hanger and a cable to secure the hanger to an object are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Inventor: John Anthony Holmes
  • Patent number: 9930985
    Abstract: An article for magnetically attaching a purse to a vertical magnetized surface such as a public restroom stall partition. The article includes enclosed magnet(s) joined to a clasp or ring, which is removably attached to a purse strap or purse hardware. Once attached to the purse, the article may be removably adhered to a magnetized surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Inventor: Kelley Ann Daring
  • Patent number: 9930986
    Abstract: The present invention has an object to provide a vacuum electric cooker as can be easily worked by an operator and as can minimize a stress to be applied to the container. The vacuum electric cooker of this invention includes a cooker body having a horizontal base and a stand section, a cooker container including a cooking tool, a cover member having a discharge nozzle, a connecting arm having a base end attached to the stand section as to rock in a vertical plane between a horizontal active position and a vertical inactive position. A connecting nozzle is attached to the connecting arm and connected to the discharge nozzle when the connecting arm is at the active position. A vacuum pump is disposed in the cooker body, and a tube is connected to the vacuum pump and the connecting nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: TESCOM Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Rie Arai, Maro Tokushige, Sachio Tsukuda, Kenji Kakuta, Fumiyasu Maruyama
  • Patent number: 9930987
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for brewing a desired portion of a beverage, such as a single-cup portion of coffee, are provided. The system can include one or more hopper assemblies configured to provide a controlled dose of beverage material to a brew chamber. The system can also include a water input system configured to wet the ground beverage material as the grinds enter the brew chamber and substantially prevent steam from reaching grinder components of the system. Further, the system can include an automatic cleaning mechanism such that a user does not need to manually clean components of a brewing machine between brew cycles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Starbucks Corporation
    Inventors: Randy Hulett, David Doucette, Dan Apone, Izaak Koller, Amanda L. Juris, Jeff Allison, Brian Shay, John Andrew Johnson, Roland Horth, Steve Frankovich, Glenn Klecker, Stephen Hoyt Hancock, Marc Singer
  • Patent number: 9930988
    Abstract: Accordingly, there is provided a portafilter having an internal compartment that is adapted to receive a capsule. In one embodiment, an upper compartment has a puncturing component that is free to rotate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: BREVILLE PTY LIMITED
    Inventors: Simon James Chalk, Gerard Andrew White, David Gubbin
  • Patent number: 9930989
    Abstract: In a beverage brewing apparatus and method for brewing a beverage from a ground ingredient, a filter is configured for containing the ground ingredient. A distribution system is coupled in fluid communication with a source of liquid. A showerhead is disposed above the filter and is coupled in fluid communication with the distribution system for receiving liquid from the source of liquid. The showerhead is rotatable about a rotation axis thereof and has an exit nozzle through which liquid delivered to the showerhead by the distribution system exits the showerhead for delivery to the filter. The exit nozzle is located other than at the rotation axis of the showerhead such that liquid is channeled into the filter in a generally circular pattern upon rotation of the showerhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Spectrum Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniele Rosati, Mia Cheeseman, Kurt Rottier
  • Patent number: 9930990
    Abstract: The disclosed device is a heat-emitting lid for use on top of a standard cooking pan. The device comprises a body including a heat element that radiates heat downward during use. By radiating heat downward, the food item within the pan may be cooked or browned more evenly by heating simultaneously from the top and bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Inventors: Chhavi Gupta, Sanjiv Sahoo
  • Patent number: 9930991
    Abstract: A customized grill lid system, including a grill lid removably coupled to a grill where an inside of the grill lid defining a grilling area below which grill racks are positioned, is described. An example system comprises an aluminum skin having a shape conforming to the grill lid and is shaped to fit over the grill lid, with a printed plastic layer positioned on an exterior of the metal skin that supports customized printing in color. A gasket may be positioned along at least part of an edge of the skin, such that the skin is a distance away from the grill lid so as to create a gap between an exterior of the grill lid and an interior side of the metal skin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Q LIDS, LLC
    Inventor: Patrick Traeger
  • Patent number: 9930992
    Abstract: A cooking apparatus comprises a heated compartment to warm cooking media that may be packaged in metal containers or the like. The heater system includes at least one heater disposed at a location to heat the bottom of the unused cooking medium container. The heater system may also include at least one heater disposed at a location to heat at least one side of the unused cooking medium container. A cooking apparatus comprises at least one supply reservoir, a fluid motive device, various enclosed cooking medium conductors or lines, a three-way valve that introduces air for purging the lines, and a cooking medium receiving system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Henny Penny Corporation
    Inventor: Edward J. Florkey
  • Patent number: 9930993
    Abstract: A food and beverage warming device. The warming device comprises a housing that preferably resembles a thermos or a pot. The housing includes an interior volume defining a heating chamber in which food can be placed for heating. The housing includes a heating element operated via a control switch for electrically heating the food within the heating chamber. The control switch allows the user to adjust the temperature of the heating element. The housing further includes a lid having a hollow interior volume so that the lid can be used as a bowl or cup. Further, the housing may removably enclose a serving tray on which food can be heated and served. The warming device may include its own power source or may be powered via an electrical connection to a wall outlet or other conventional power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Inventor: Lorene Dunlap
  • Patent number: 9930994
    Abstract: The electrically powered butter storage device is adapted for use in storing butter. The electrically powered butter storage device is designed to cool and warm butter while it is being stored within the electrically powered butter storage device. The electrically powered butter storage device is adapted to use one or more commonly available butter dishes that may or may not have a lid. Each of the one or more butter dishes are placed upon one or more electrically controlled heating and cooling elements which can be used to chill or warm the individual butter dishes as desired. The electrically powered butter storage device comprises a housing, one or more temperature elements, a control system, a fan, and a power connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Inventors: Terrance Skarda, Marilyn Skarda
  • Patent number: 9930995
    Abstract: A cooking utensil handling device is provided. The device comprises a covering body that defines a receiving space, an opening to the receiving space adapted for insertion of a hand of a user, a first aperture in communication with the receiving space and adapted for extension of a first portion of a utensil therethrough, and a second aperture in communication with the receiving space and adapted for extension of a second portion of the utensil therethrough. The receiving space is adapted to receive a handling portion of the cooking utensil such that the handling portion of the cooking utensil can be grasped by the hand of the user within the receiving space. The covering body comprises a flexible intermediate portion disposed between the first aperture and the second aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: HGN PTY LTD
    Inventor: Harry Nikolitsis
  • Patent number: 9930996
    Abstract: A closure for a container for storing granulated powder. The closure includes a collar and a lid, a locking portion on the collar, and a locking portion on the lid, the collar locking portion operable to releasably engage the lid locking portion when the lid is in a closed position on the collar. The closure further includes a latch element on the collar and a latch element on the lid, the collar last element operable to releasably engage the lid locking portion. Some embodiments are operable to provide two audible sounds verifying the lid has been properly closed. Some embodiments include a modified elongated scoop having a length equal to the diameter of the inner perimeter of the lid for improved user experience scooping product from the bottom of a container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Mead Johnson Nutrition Co.
    Inventors: Robin P. Wiggins, Johanna Kahn
  • Patent number: 9930997
    Abstract: A portable container includes flexible walls defining an interior compartment and a support feature within the interior compartment providing a surface to support an item within the interior compartment, where the item is suspended above a wall. In at least some implementations, one of the walls is a lower wall and the support feature holds the item above the lower wall. In other implementations, a container includes a plurality of walls connectable together to define an interior compartment. At least two separate walls are selectively movable to and from open and closed positions. One movable wall is an upper wall and another movable wall is a wall adjacent to the upper wall. This permits, for example, items to be loaded into and unloaded from the container both through the top and through a front, rear or side wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Check Corporation
    Inventors: Richard D. Larpenteur, John M. Stephenson
  • Patent number: 9930998
    Abstract: A magnetic sink accessory system for use with a sink having interior and exterior surfaces. The magnetic sink accessory system includes a ferromagnetic accessory belt configured to be disposed at least partially surrounding the exterior surface of the sink. The accessory belt includes an elongate flexible band and a plurality of ferritic metal pieces disposed in spaced relation along at least a portion of the flexible band so as to allow for the accessory belt to conform to contours of the exterior surface of the sink. The system includes a magnetic accessory attachment device including a body and a magnet disposed within the body such that when the body is placed near the interior surface of the sink in the vicinity of the ferromagnetic accessory belt, the magnet draws the body against the interior surface of the sink due to a magnetic attraction between the magnet and the accessory belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Elkay Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Salvatore Palazzolo, Raymond T. Hecker
  • Patent number: 9930999
    Abstract: The disposable sink cover is a hygienic cover that is adapted for use with a sink. The disposable sink cover is adapted for personal grooming use. The disposable sink cover is a water-impermeable sheeting that is placed over the sink. The disposable sink cover further comprises drain aperture. The drain aperture is an aperture that allows water to drain through the water impermeable sheeting into the sink. The drain aperture is lined with a mesh filter that removes the detritus resulting from the personal grooming activities. The disposable sink cover attaches to the sink with an adhesive. The disposable sink cover comprises a sheeting, a mesh, a mesh collar, and a plurality of adhesives. The mesh collar secures the mesh to the sheeting. The plurality of adhesives attaches the sheeting to the sink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Inventor: Felipe De La Hoz
  • Patent number: 9931000
    Abstract: The toothbrush and toothpaste holder is a storage device intended for use with toothbrushes and toothpaste. The toothbrush and toothpaste holder comprise a plurality of toothbrush storage compartments and a toothpaste storage compartment. Each of the toothbrush storage compartments is fitted with an ultraviolet light for sanitation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Inventor: Ambrose H. Calderon
  • Patent number: 9931001
    Abstract: The present invention provides a housingless liquid soap dispenser, comprising: a) an elongated chamber in which liquid soap is contained, wherein the length of the chamber is at least 25 cm and its width or diameter is ranging from 28-45 mm; b) a shoulder protruding laterally from the chamber at an upper end thereof; c) a neck portion extending upwardly from the shoulder; d) a manual pumping device fitted on top of the neck portion and in fluid communication with the chamber; and e) a discharge tube extending from the pumping device for dispensing a dose of liquid soap from the chamber. The shoulder has a slanted profile for enhancing the stability of the dispenser after its installation in removable abutting relation with, but not coupled to, a planar support surface of a countertop or a sink, such that the shoulder rests on top of the support surface while the chamber is inserted by a maximum extent through an aperture formed in the support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Inventor: Shlomo Cohen
  • Patent number: 9931002
    Abstract: A soap holding cleaning cloth with soap holding pockets located thereon. The cleaning cloth further comprises a top layer overlying a bottom layer of absorbent fabric with a compartment formed there between. The compartment segmented into adjacent pockets for holding various soap elements. Each pocket has an opening that allows the user to place a bar of soap into the cloth. The opening of each pocket has a fastener to close the pocket, so that the soap bar remains inside the cloth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Inventor: Michael Morgan
  • Patent number: 9931003
    Abstract: A first head of a beauty device includes a stirring mechanism stirring bubbles, and a head case provided with an opening for allowing the bubbles stirred by the stirring mechanism to pass through. When the first head is used while being mounted to the body of the beauty device, bubbles are supplied to the stirring mechanism from the body of the beauty device. In a state where bubbles supplied to the stirring mechanism are present between the stirring mechanism and the skin, the bubbles are stirred and moved between the stirring mechanism and the skin by the stirring mechanism, and thus impurities of the skin are removed by the bubbles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hidekazu Sueyoshi, Kazuyasu Ikadai, Kenichi Muraki, Tetsuro Hashiguchi, Natsumi Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 9931004
    Abstract: The hand-held cleaning device, especially the hand-held cleaner for smooth surfaces, comprising a supporting unit, a wiper blade, a guiding device and a capture unit, wherein the wiper blade is fixed to the supporting unit, wherein the wiper blade at least in certain areas has a guiding element, which is designed for guiding fluid present at wiper blade in the direction of the guiding device, and wherein the guiding device is arranged adjacent to the wiper blade and is directly adjoining to the capture unit in order to transport the fluid from the wiper blade across the guiding element and the guiding device to the capture unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Inventor: Karl Göttler
  • Patent number: 9931005
    Abstract: A reconfigurable upright vacuum cleaner has a portable surface cleaning unit removably mounted to an upper portion and is securable thereto by a portable surface cleaning unit lock. The portable surface cleaning unit has the operable members of the portable surface cleaning unit lock provided on the portable surface cleaning unit and removable with the portable surface cleaning unit from the upper portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Omachron lntellectual Property Inc.
    Inventor: Wayne Ernest Conrad
  • Patent number: 9931007
    Abstract: An evacuation station includes a base and a canister removably attached to the base. The base includes a ramp having an inclined surface for receiving a robotic cleaner having a debris bin. The ramp defines an evacuation intake opening arranged to pneumatically interface with the debris bin. The base also includes a first conduit portion pneumatically connected to the evacuation intake opening, an air mover having an inlet and an exhaust, and a particle filter pneumatically the exhaust of the air mover. The canister includes a second conduit portion arranged to pneumatically interface with the first conduit portion to form a pneumatic debris intake conduit, an exhaust conduit arranged to pneumatically connect to the inlet of the air mover when the canister is attached to the base, and a separator in pneumatic communication with the second conduit portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: iRobot Corporation
    Inventors: Russell Walter Morin, Faruk Halil Bursal, Harold Boeschenstein
  • Patent number: 9931008
    Abstract: A cleaning robot and a control method thereof include a main body traveling on a floor, and a first sub-cleaning tool and a second sub-cleaning tool mounted at left and right sides of the main body so as to be protruded from the inside to the outside of the main body and selectively performing cleaning Insertion of at least one of the first sub-cleaning tool and the second sub-cleaning tool is controlled when the main body is rotated under the condition that an obstacle is detected. Side brushes of the sub-cleaning tools are inserted into the main body according to the rotation direction of the main body when the main body is rotated during traveling, thus preventing collision with the obstacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kyung Hwan Yoo, Joo Sung Moon, Jeong Gon Song, Seung Il Han
  • Patent number: 9931009
    Abstract: Provided is a self-propelled cleaning robot that can efficiently clean a flat surface even if a step is formed. The self-propelled cleaning robot that self-travels on a structure to clean a flat surface of the structure, the structure being installed in an outdoor location, the robot includes: a robot main body (2) in which a self-propelled moving mechanism (4) is provided; a cleaning unit (10) that is provided in a front portion and/or a rear portion of the robot main body (2); and a controller (30) that controls activation of the moving mechanism (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: MIRAIKIKAI, INC.
    Inventors: Tohru Miyake, Hideto Matsuuchi, Kazuo Morita
  • Patent number: 9931010
    Abstract: In an autonomously traveling floor washer, a position estimating unit estimates position data. When a manual operation teaching mode is being executed, a taught data obtaining unit obtains taught position data and a taught cleaning condition at a taught data obtaining time. A cleaning schedule generation unit generates a cleaning schedule. When an autonomous cleaning mode is executed, a cleaning reproduction unit calculates and outputs a reproduced travel control command and a reproduced cleaning condition in an elapsed time based on the cleaning schedule. An elapsed time determining unit determines the taught data obtaining time and the elapsed time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: MURATA MACHINERY, LTD.
    Inventors: Shoji Tanaka, Tsuyoshi Nakano, Yoshinori Itou
  • Patent number: 9931011
    Abstract: A cleaning robot includes a main body; a plurality of pad assemblies mounted on the bottom of the main body for doing cleaning; a drive assembly for applying drive power for each of the plurality of pad assemblies; and a detection unit for detecting an obstacle. The drive assembly adjusts slopes of the plurality of pad assemblies individually based on the height of the obstacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: In Joo Kim, Jeong Ki Yoo, Dong Hyun Lee, Dong Hun Lee, Jin Sung Kim
  • Patent number: 9931012
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes: a body case having an outer circumferential surface formed along either a circular arc or a polygon; a drive wheel allowing travel of the body case on a cleaning target surface; a side brush provided to the body case to be movable in a certain direction. The side brush: projects from the outer circumferential surface of the body case by an amount that changes in response to movement; includes a brush body movable to retreat toward the outer circumferential surface of the body case in response to external force acting in a direction crossing the certain direction; and includes a cleaning unit rotatably provided to the brush body. The cleaning unit rotates to clean the cleaning target surface. The side brush projecting from an outer circumferential surface of a body case can retreat readily and reliably when the side brush contacts an obstacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: TOSHIBA LIFESTYLE PRODUCTS & SERVICES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiromitsu Ichikawa, Masatoshi Tanaka, Atsushi Morishita, Yukio Machida, Hiromitsu Murata
  • Patent number: 9931013
    Abstract: A manually guided floor cleaning machine is provided, including a chassis with a front end and a rear end in relation to a straight ahead forward travel direction, a wheel arrangement, which is arranged on the chassis in the region of the rear end, and a cleaning head, which is pivotably arranged on the chassis in the region of the front end, wherein there is provided a steering rod device, which is articulated on the cleaning head, which is supported on the chassis and which extends upwardly in a direction away from the chassis toward the rear end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Alfred Kärcher GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Frank Nonnenmann, Melanie Ritscher
  • Patent number: 9931014
    Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus includes a fluid delivery system having a manifold with a plurality of release openings for delivering a cleaning fluid to the surface to be cleaned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: BISSELL Homecare, Inc.
    Inventor: Steve M. Johnson
  • Patent number: 9931015
    Abstract: Hydraulically-driven dishwasher diverters are disclosed herein. An example hydraulically-driven dishwasher diverter includes a diverter housing having a plurality of wash zone openings defined therethrough corresponding to respective wash zones of a dishwasher, and a rotating cylindrical diverter valve including a valve outlet to fluidly couple a fluid flowing through the cylindrical diverter valve through one of the wash zone openings, a flexible portion adjacent the valve outlet to seal another one of the wash zone openings in response to fluid pressure in the cylindrical diverter valve while the valve outlet is fluidly flowing the fluid through the one of the wash zone openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Juan I. Luciano, Antony M. Rappette, Rodney M. Welch
  • Patent number: 9931016
    Abstract: A dishwasher includes a tub with a sidewall. A vent is attached to the sidewall of the tub. An inlet line is disposed outside the sidewall and is attached to the vent. The inlet line provides water to the tub through the sidewall. An insulation blanket is disposed over the tub sidewall and the vent. A water vapor path extends from the vent to at least an edge of the insulation blanket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Owens Corning Intellectual Capital, LLC
    Inventor: Anthony L. Rockwell
  • Patent number: 9931017
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for washing and drying objects includes a rotating washing fluid sprayer having several nozzles to direct washing fluid, e.g., water, at an object being washed in a chamber. A drying fluid is directed at the object in the chamber to dry the object. The drying fluid, e.g., air, is directed in a spiral pattern against the object to urge washing liquid away from the object to dry the object and to push the drying liquid away from edges of the object. The air may be directed at the object simultaneously with the water to increase the energy with which the water impinges on the object and to urge dirt from the object being washed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Inventors: Martin A. Alpert, Mark Goodman, Charles H. Smoot