Patents Issued in July 3, 2018
  • Patent number: 10010198
    Abstract: A sleeping bag has an elongate shell defining a longitudinal centerline and an inner volume sized and shaped to receive a user therein, the shell having a head portion, a foot portion, a middle portion extending longitudinally between the head and foot portions, an overlying portion adapted to overlie the user during use, and an underlying portion adapted to underlie the user during use. A blanket is coupled to the shell and configured to selectively move between a closed position within the inner volume and an open position beyond the shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Exxel Outdoors, LLC
    Inventors: Joe Dubois, Andrew Day, Scott Neilson, Jesse Anderson, Chris Grill
  • Patent number: 10010199
    Abstract: A vessel includes a first side and a second side, wherein at least a portion of the vessel is at least partially transparent. A plurality of brackets is coupled to the second side of the vessel. The plurality of brackets is configured to detachably retain a support base to the vessel. The support base is configured to retain an image between the support base and the second side of the vessel for allowing the image to be viewed though the portion of the vessel that is at least partially transparent. Each of the plurality of brackets has a lip portion made of a flexible material and configured to removeably retain the support base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Inventors: Carter T. Malcolm, Jacqueline K. Malcolm
  • Patent number: 10010200
    Abstract: A lid with a straw for a beverage container is described. The lid includes a supporting structure to house the straw. The lid includes a door structure to close the straw. The door structure is rotatably or pivotally connected to the supporting structure. The lid includes a vent to prevent a vacuum from forming in the interior of the beverage container. The door structure also bends the straw to cover the vent in order to close the vent. The supporting structure positions the straw at an optimal angle towards a user's mouth when the straw is released from the supporting structure by opening the door structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Thermos L.L.C.
    Inventors: Marvin Lane, Dwayne Boroski
  • Patent number: 10010201
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to reusable food covers. Such reusable food covers may be flexible so that they can create a seal with partially consumed foods, such as fruits and vegetables, to preserve these foods and extend the time of being suitable and desirable for consumption. Each cover may include a base and a flexible wall formed as a single unitary structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Food Huggers Inc.
    Inventors: Michelle Ivankovic, Adrienne McNicholas
  • Patent number: 10010202
    Abstract: A napkin holder including a base and a plurality of sides connected to the base and extending upwardly therefrom, wherein the sides are configured to induce rotation of a napkins in a stack of napkins dropped in a vertical orientation into said holder, the rotation proceeding a first direction on one side of the napkin stack and in an opposing direction on the other side of the napkin stack, such that the individual napkins are at least partially displaced from one another and presented in a fanned array, thereby facilitating selection and removal of individual napkins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Inventor: Andrew Flocchini
  • Patent number: 10010203
    Abstract: This is a drink coaster which incorporates a mechanical means to expel condensation collected from a cold drink that is supported by the coaster. This coaster compromises an injection molded non fragile plastic top surface with a plurality of drain holes, a highly porous insert in the middle and a base recessed for the insert and extra condensation that may be collected from the beverages. The base snaps into the top surface which allows this coaster to be disassembled for easy cleaning or for the insert to be replaced. This disassembly of the coaster allows a more effective way of cleaning the coaster thoroughly to prevent mold or musty odors with its use. The mechanical portion of the coaster allows pushing upwards from the bottom of coaster which contacts the insert to expel excess condensation out thru the drain holes at the top of the coaster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Inventor: William Harley Vaughn
  • Patent number: 10010204
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure include a device for simultaneously holding a personal item and a beverage container. The device may include a coaster portion configured to accommodate the beverage container; and a personal item holder portion attached to the coaster portion, the personal item holder portion configured to accommodate the personal item. The coaster portion and the attached personal item holder portion may be made from a flat blank having a tab at a first end and a slot positioned closer to a second end. The personal item holder portion may be formed by folding up a portion of the flat blank such that the tab is inserted into the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Inventor: James Barry Cronin
  • Patent number: 10010205
    Abstract: An apparatus for support and display of a sports memorabilia jersey features a body form having an upper body portion with an outline visually resembling a head, neck and shoulders of a human body, and a transparent facial area comprising a facial likeness or team logo of a particular athlete associated with said sports memorabilia jersey. A method of producing such apparatus includes obtaining a facial image of an athlete associated with said memorabilia jersey, obtaining an outline shape of said facial image at a generally life-size scale, producing the body form with the head, neck and shoulder areas, and applying the facial image onto the head area of the body form such that a perimeter shape of the head area of the body form generally conforms to the outline shape of the facial image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Inventors: Lee Sanders, Helen Sanders, David Simpson
  • Patent number: 10010206
    Abstract: A hanger organizer has a hanger portion with a rod hook that suspends the hanger organizer from a closest rod. An extension from the rod hook extends to a coupler portion from which a first and second hanger retainer arm extends. The first and second hanger retainer arms extend in opposing direction and have a bend that leads to the arms for retaining the hanger loop ends. A hanger hook retainer which may be a receptacle extends out perpendicularly to the vertical axis of the hanger organizer for hooking a clothes hanger there around. A plurality of ties may be placed in the receptacle and used to synch around a plurality of hangers for return to the dry-cleaners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Inventor: David A Schuff
  • Patent number: 10010207
    Abstract: The invention is a garment hanger with a collar clamping mechanism to secure a hung garment and prevent wrinkling of the collar and shoulder area thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Inventor: Myles Brown
  • Patent number: 10010208
    Abstract: A lighted artificial tree, including a first tree portion having a first electrical connector having a first electrical terminal positioned in line with a central vertical axis, and a second electrical terminal. The tree also includes a second tree portion that includes a second electrical connector having a first electrical terminal and a second electrical terminal, the second electrical terminal defining a ring shape that encircles the first electrical terminal. When the first tree portion is coupled to the second tree portion, the first electrical connector is coupled to the second electrical connector, such that the first electrical terminal of the first electrical connector is electrically connected to the first electrical terminal of the second electrical connector, and the second electrical terminal of the first electrical connector is electrically connected to the second electrical terminal of the second electrical connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Willis Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Johnny Chen
  • Patent number: 10010209
    Abstract: An apparatus for preparing fruit includes a main housing with a cutting area containing a cutting assembly and a drive assembly, a removable cup assembly for inserting the fruit into the apparatus, and a removable drawer and tray for removing cut pieces of fruit from the apparatus after a cutting operation. The apparatus includes a rinsing assembly for cleaning the fruit and the cutting assembly, and a deflector configured to route cut pieces of fruit into the tray and waste material through a disposal outlet. The cutting assembly is configured to perform one or more cutting operations depending on the type of fruit detected in the cup assembly: wedging for apples, lemons, limes, and pears, and cutting/peeling for oranges and grapefruits. The apparatus quickly prepares various fruits for consumption without requiring an operator to touch the cut pieces of fruit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Carrier Commerical Refrigeration, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Richard Tuchrelo, Jeffrey Quint Cahoon
  • Patent number: 10010210
    Abstract: A receptacle holding unit includes a first part and a second part cooperating with the first part; a cavity for receiving a receptacle containing an ingredient for preparing a beverage by a device, the cavity being delimited by at least one of the first and second parts; and a driving device for relatively moving the second part towards the first part into a closed position and relatively apart from the first part into an open position. The driving device includes an actuator and a transmission having a helicoidal ramp arrangement cooperating with a connector member for converting a translational movement into a rotational movement or vice versa. When the actuator actuates the transmission, the first and second parts are driven together or apart. The ramp arrangement includes two ramps spaced apart and generally parallel between which the connector member relatively moves along the ramp arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Michael Bachmann, Stefan Schai, Oliver Stephan
  • Patent number: 10010211
    Abstract: A system (1) for making beverages comprises a capsule holder (11) and a capsule (2) containing a powdered food substance which can be extracted to make a beverage; the capsule (2) comprises a body (3) comprising a lower wall (4), a lateral wall (5), a lid (7) and a filter bag (9). The system (1) also comprises injection means (13) for injecting water into the capsule (2) through the lid (7) and collecting means (16) comprising a piercing element (17) for piercing the lower wall (4). The inside of the capsule (2), at the lower wall (4), comprises a protection element (20) for preventing contact between the piercing element (17) and the filter bag (9). The protection element (20) together with at least the lower wall (4) forms an annular chamber (21), extending around an axis of extension (8) and being in fluid communication with the filter bag (9), and forms a seat (33) facing towards the lid (7), in which a lower part (37) of the filter bag (9) is inserted, and which is surrounded by the annular chamber (21).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Caffitaly System S.p.A.
    Inventor: Paolo Digiuni
  • Patent number: 10010212
    Abstract: A cooking accessory for a springform pan includes a reusable, expandable sleeve, with a demarcation cooking bath fill line. The cooking accessory for a springform pan may be useful for preventing liquid from a cooking bath from entering between the removable bottom and the clasped collar of a springform pan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Inventor: Cheryl A O'Reilly
  • Patent number: 10010213
    Abstract: An actively heated or cooled food container can have a lid movable between an open and a closed position and an insulated body to which the lid can be attached. The insulated body can have a sidewall that defines a perimeter of the container body and a base, the sidewall and base defining one or more chambers that can be sealed by the lid. The food container can have a temperature control system that can include one or more heating or cooling elements in thermal communication with one or both of the sidewall and the base and operable to heat or cool one or both of the sidewall and the base to thereby heat or cool the one or more chambers in the food container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Ember Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Clayton Alexander, Daren John Leith, Mikko Juhani Timperi, Christopher Thomas Wakeham
  • Patent number: 10010214
    Abstract: A collapsible pan tilt has two or more tilt bases connected to one another by a base hinge. The tilt bases can be relatively long and narrow members that have a flat bottom surface and an angled/tilted top surface. At a proximal end of the tilt bases can be a base hinge connecting the two or more tilt bases together. A single base hinge can connect all of the tilt bases together; alternatively, multiple base hinges can be utilized. A pan stop can be incorporated to stop the pan or other item that is placed on the tilted top surface from sliding down off of the pan tilt. A lid holder can be incorporated in the tilt bases. Additionally, one or more of the hinges can be attached at the distal ends of two or more of the tilt bases in some embodiments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Inventors: Shane D. Stewart, Joanie Steele Stewart
  • Patent number: 10010215
    Abstract: A cooking assembly is provided. The cooking assembly includes first, second, third, and fourth side walls defining an interior region. The cooking assembly further includes a skewer having a shaft, a handle, and a sprocket. The skewer is configured to be rotatably and removably coupled to the first and second side walls such that a portion of the shaft between the sprocket and the handle is rotatably disposed in a first groove of the first side wall, and the second end of the shaft extends through a first aperture of the second side wall, and the sprocket of the skewer is disposed in the interior region. The cooking assembly further includes a chain drive assembly coupled to the first side wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Inventor: Corey John Murray Brown
  • Patent number: 10010216
    Abstract: A small cooking appliance with a bottom housing, a top housing, and a ring assembly. An uppermost cooking cavity is defined in the top housing and may be used to cook or heat a top food layer. The uppermost cooking cavity includes a floor that forms an uppermost cooking surface. The uppermost cooking cavity may have an open top. The appliance may include a hinged or pivoting lid to selectively close off the open top of the uppermost cooking cavity. The uppermost cooking surface may be heated by one or more heating elements in the top housing. The appliance cooks a food item in an assembled manner save a top food layer of the food item needs to be manually removed from the uppermost cooking cavity and placed onto the other layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Hamilton Beach Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Garman, David L Jackson, Abraham S Longmire, George Stamper, Micheal M Pierce, Derek A McCullough, Mark C Steiner, Andrea L Radford
  • Patent number: 10010217
    Abstract: A grill has a cooking assembly positioned inside a heating chamber, where the cooking assembly is configured to slide along a track system positioned inside and extending out from the heating chamber such that the cooking assembly can be slidably removed from the heating chamber. An end plate attached to the slidable cooking assembly is configured to substantially seal the heating chamber when the cooking assembly is slidably removed from the heating chamber. The cooking assembly may comprise multiple cooking surfaces, with each of the cooking surfaces capable of being slidably removed from the heating chamber, with an end plate connected to each cooking surface configured to seal the appropriate end of the heating chamber when the cooking assembly is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Inventor: Gary D. Miller
  • Patent number: 10010218
    Abstract: A cooking apparatus includes a base including a lower heating plate an upper heating unit including an upper heating plate and a cleaning structure configured to move a cleaning blade along at least one of the lower heating plate and the upper heating plate. The apparatus also includes a control circuit configured to control movement of the cleaning blade across the one of the lower heating plate and the upper heating plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: CARRIER COMMERCIAL REFRIGERATION, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Sands, Ronald J. Glavan, Dennis J. Nelson, Otley D. Freymiller
  • Patent number: 10010219
    Abstract: An adjustable vent topper for the chimney of a kamado-style cooking smoker or oven. The vent topper allows for more precise control of temperature and smoke within the oven, and also allows for a decorative and entertaining display of smoke from a decorative article. The vent topper comprises a generally frustoconical body having alignable openings along the side of the frustocone for controlling the flow of air and smoke from within the oven. The vent topper further includes an opening in a chimney on the top surface of the frustoconical body for receiving a decorative article. The decorative article may be a nonventing plug or may be a decorative smoke-emitting article such as a smokestack, whistle, vehicle exhaust, gun, cannon, or other smoke-emitting object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Inventor: Cassady Vaughn Brewer
  • Patent number: 10010220
    Abstract: What is described is a new grinder, which serves to grind coffee beans and which is embodied as conical grinder. To improve the grinding process, the grinding cones and/or grinding ring encompass grinding surfaces that may define an angle of inclination, which may be in each case greater than 90° and smaller than 180°, relative to a tool reference plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: JURA Elektroapparate AG
    Inventors: Georg Sahli, Stephan Probst, Philipp Büttiker
  • Patent number: 10010221
    Abstract: A blender includes a base unit having a receiving well, a container assembly and an actuation arrangement. The container assembly includes a container body having a blending cavity and a rim, and a connector member detachably attached on the container body to selectively seal the blending cavity, a driven unit and a blending blade. The actuation arrangement includes a plurality of actuating members outwardly extended from the rim of the container body, a plurality of actuating slots indently and spacedly formed along a side wall of the receiving well, and a plurality of actuating switches. When the connector member is slightly rotated in the receiving well, each of the actuating members is arranged to circumferentially move along the corresponding actuating slot so as to actuate the actuating switches for actuating the driving head to rotate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Inventor: Guangshe Pan
  • Patent number: 10010222
    Abstract: A first responder decontamination system, method, and apparatus comprising of a fluid supply in fluidic connection with a pipe further connected to a fluid dispenser, a valve for providing the fluid to the fluid dispenser from the fluid supply, a mounting bracket for adjustably mounting the fluid dispenser to a vehicle, and a pump configured to control pressure of the fluid supply. The fluid supply can be used to decontaminate first responders exiting a contaminated area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Inventors: Robert Blaskovic, Richard M. Rochford, Joe Hackney
  • Patent number: 10010223
    Abstract: A water faucet system including a faucet having a neck comprising a water passageway and liquid soap delivery line, both integrated within the neck assembly. The water faucet system features a streamlined neck assembly that includes a water outlet or spout, located at the distal portion of the neck assembly, and additionally includes a separate soap outlet located at a predetermined location. The soap delivery (soap dispensing) is initiated by a user performing an activation event directed to a sensor system located in the neck assembly. In preferred embodiments, the sensor system utilizes touchless type sensors so to avoid any physical contact with the neck assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Inventors: Gary A. Burgo, Sr., Frank M. Burgo
  • Patent number: 10010224
    Abstract: An exemplary refill unit for a foam dispenser includes a container for holding foamable liquid and a liquid pump. The liquid pump includes a pump housing and an outlet nozzle with an elongated central axis. The pump housing has an arcuate shaped liquid pump chamber formed by a backing plate. The backing plate includes a liquid inlet and a flexible membrane. At least a portion of the elongated central axis of the nozzle extends through a central area defined, at least in part, by the arcuate shaped pump chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: GOJO Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Keith A. Pelfrey
  • Patent number: 10010225
    Abstract: A foam formulation and an aerosol assembly containing the foam formulation and a propellant where the foam formulation is produced as a shaped foam and/or as a foam that has a density less than that of air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Kokomo Limited
    Inventor: Gary Little
  • Patent number: 10010226
    Abstract: A package containing a stack of wet wipes moistened with aqueous lotion is disclosed. The package comprises a polymeric film wrap, the film wrap comprising a laminate with an inner layer of a first polymer and an outer layer of a second polymer, and a surface bearing scoring along a path defining a substantially closed shape, the scoring at least partially penetrating the outer layer and not entirely penetrating the inner layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Christopher Scott Cameron, Daniel Scott Ebert, Melissa Renee Hickman, Angela Pauly
  • Patent number: 10010227
    Abstract: A device for the self rising of a toilet seat includes a toilet seat, at least one torsion spring with a first and second end, a bar passing through the torsion spring, and a spacer located on the bar. The toilet seat has a base portion and a seat portion. The torsion spring second end is in communication with the seat portion. The first and second ends are biased relative to one another such that they operate between a resting state and a loaded state. The resting state locates the seat portion in an elevated raised position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Inventor: Doyle Lawhon
  • Patent number: 10010228
    Abstract: An apparatus for assisting a person in assumption of a squat position for evacuations when using a toilet, the apparatus including a platform adapted to raise a user's feet from the ground surface, and at least one foot member, each having an opening therein to at least partially receive a portion of the toilet or bowl, and at least one height adjustment assembly to adjust the height of the platform above the at least one foot member, the height adjustment assembly including an upper leg mounted to the platform, a lower leg mounted to the at least one foot member for slidable movement relative thereto, a resilient separator to bias the platform and the at least one foot apart, and a locking mechanism to at least temporarily lock the upper leg relative to the lower leg to fix the height of the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Inventor: Ajay Rane
  • Patent number: 10010229
    Abstract: A hose valve for central vacuum cleaning systems having retractable suction hoses that retract into a system vacuum pipe. The hose valve comprises a valve box, a chamber connection port, and a system pipe connection port arranged to securely engage the chamber connection port. A locking assembly is radially disposed about a locking assembly axis between the chamber connection port and the system pipe connection port. The locking assembly comprises a coaxially disposed compression cylinder having a radially outer cylinder surface arranged to define symmetrically disposed helical grooves. A cylindrical deformable sleeve is coaxially disposed adjacent the compression cylinder and is radially inwardly deformable responsive to an axial compressive force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Inventors: Rod Drivstuen, Robert Lee Rawls
  • Patent number: 10010230
    Abstract: A riding floor cleaning machine having an intelligent system including a main frame sub-assembly, a steering and drive wheel sub-assembly, a solution tank sub-assembly, a recovery tank sub-assembly, a recovery tank cover sub-assembly, a control panel sub-assembly, a main controller sub-assembly, a seat and detergent system sub-assembly, a battery sub-assembly, a scrub head sub-assembly, a scrub head lift sub-assembly, a squeegee sub-assembly, a solution and detergent sub-assembly, and an intelligent system associated with at least one of the above-identified sub-assemblies, wherein the intelligent system selectively gathers, obtains, monitors, stores, records, and/or analyzes data associated with components of the riding floor cleaning machine, and controllably communicates and/or disseminates such data with another system and/or user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: International Cleaning Equipment Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Nai Pong Simon Chen
  • Patent number: 10010231
    Abstract: A floor cleaning machine can comprise a chassis, a cleaning mechanism, a control system, and a cleaning operation sensing system connected to the chassis. The chassis can be configured for movement along a cleaning path. The cleaning mechanism can perform a cleaning operation. The liquid system can provide liquid to the cleaning mechanism. The recovery system can recover liquid from the cleaning operation. The control system can control performance of the cleaning operation. The cleaning operation sensing system can detect a condition of the cleaning operation. The cleaning operation sensing system can comprise a water trailing detection system comprising: a frame connected to the chassis aft of the recovery system, an absorbent medium connected to the frame; and a moisture sensor in communication with the control system to alter a signal in response to moisture in the absorbent medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: NILFISK A/S
    Inventors: Kipp Knutson, Stuart McDonald, Stephen Klopp, John Black, Dave Wood, Donald Joseph Legatt
  • Patent number: 10010232
    Abstract: A device for washing floors, comprising a handle that can be gripped by a user and is connected to a supporting element for at least one washing cloth that has at least one working portion arranged on a respective plane of arrangement, the device comprising a wringing device that is mounted so that it can slide on the handle and supports at least one friction tooth intended to act on the washing cloth, with the device placed in the wringing and cleaning condition, as a consequence of a relative sliding motion of the wringing device with respect to the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: SBD SUPERIOR BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AG
    Inventor: Veit Michael Heinzer
  • Patent number: 10010233
    Abstract: A cleaning pad structure of stitch bonded construction incorporating one or more substrate layers of an absorbent nonwoven material with an optional additional fluid blocking substrate layer of polymer film or other suitable material in juxtaposed relation to the absorbent nonwoven layers. Stitching yarns are introduced in stitching relation through the substrate layers. One face of the pad defines a cleaning surface of raised yarn loops formed by the stitched yarns. The pad further includes an attachment surface facing away from the cleaning surface. The stitches of yarns across the attachment surface define an engagement surface for attachment to cooperating hooking elements across a surface of a mop head to define a hook and loop attachment system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: TIETEX INTERNATIONAL, LTD
    Inventor: Martin Wildeman
  • Patent number: 10010234
    Abstract: A dishwasher for treating dishes according to an automatic cycle of operation and including a tub at least partially defining a treating chamber, at least one sprayer configured to emit a corresponding spray of liquid into the treating chamber, at least one liquid circuit supplying liquid to the at least one sprayer, a pump having a pump inlet fluidly coupled to the treating chamber and a pump outlet, and a diverter valve controlling a flow of liquid from the pump to the at least one sprayer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Juan I. Luciano, Antony M. Rappette
  • Patent number: 10010235
    Abstract: A dish treating appliance for treating dishes according to an automatic cycle of operation and including a tub at least partially defining a treating chamber receiving dishes for treatment according to the automatic cycle of operation, multiple sprayers emitting a liquid into the treating chamber, and a diverter valve having a manifold defining a plenum with an inlet and multiple outlets and a membrane movably mounted within the plenum and having at least one through opening, which is sequentially aligned with the multiple outlets upon movement of the membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan Gephart, Antony Rappette, Peter Richmond, Steven Vornsand, Rodney Welch
  • Patent number: 10010236
    Abstract: A method of opening a door of a household appliance having a cabinet with an open face providing access to a treating chamber where an article is received for treatment according to a useful cycle of operation is provided. The method includes: sensing a presence of at least a portion of a person, visually indicating and automatically opening the door in response to the sensed presence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Benjamin E. Alexander
  • Patent number: 10010237
    Abstract: A dish treating appliance for treating dishes having a tub at least partially defining a treating chamber with an access opening and a door movable between opened/closed positions to selectively open/close the access opening. The door having an inner door panel confronting the treating chamber in the closed position, and an outer door panel spaced from the inner door panel to define a door cavity there between. A foam panel located within the door cavity, the foam panel have areas of differing densities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Venkata S. Dirisala, Aaron P. Bennett, Amirkhan A. Modi
  • Patent number: 10010238
    Abstract: A fluid circulation component for a washing appliance may generally include a substrate defining a passageway therethrough for transporting fluid through the substrate. The fluid circulation component may also include a layered heating assembly formed directly onto an inner surface of the substrate. The layered heating assembly may include a heat insulating layer disposed directly on the inner surface, a heat conducting layer disposed radially inwardly from the heat insulating layer so as to form an outer wall of the passageway, first and second electrically insulating layers disposed between the heat insulating and conducting layers and a resistive heating layer positioned between the first and second electrically insulating layers. Additionally, when current is directed through the resistive heating layer, heat may be generated that is transmitted through the layered heating assembly to the heat conducting layer so as to increase a temperature of the fluid being transported through the passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Owen Miller, John Edward Dries
  • Patent number: 10010239
    Abstract: An apparatus for the rack assembly of a dishwasher that includes opposing side portions, at least two axles extending outwardly from each of the opposing side portions, and a roller wheel mounted to each axle, wherein each roller wheel has ball bearings that enable at least a portion of the roller wheel to rotate about the axle. The rack assembly apparatus may be used for the upper or lower rack of the dishwasher. In case of the lower rack, the assembly may roll on the surface of the door. In case of the upper rack, the assembly may roll along guide rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald M. Nowell, Jr., Daniel W. Southworth, Matthew M. Hansen, Joseph T. Ferencevich
  • Patent number: 10010240
    Abstract: A system for sanitizing footwear through the use of pulsed ultraviolet (UV) light. The system can include an area that receives footwear of a user and applies a PUV light to the footwear to eliminate pathogens residing on the footwear. The system may contain a protective housing to ensure that exposure to the PUV light is limited to the footwear received in the PUV light area. The system contains electrical circuitry or control mechanism for operation of the PUV light. The system may also contain a brush area so that a user may remove dirt or solid particles from the footwear by engaging bristles that contact the underside and sides of the footwear. The intensity and the duration of the PUV light may be predetermined depending on the requirements of the facility intending to use the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Inventor: Mark A. Cottone
  • Patent number: 10010241
    Abstract: A capsule endoscopic system is disclosed for receiving data from a capsule device and providing inductive power to the capsule device wirelessly, where the capsule endoscopic system incorporates a feature to automatically protect the capsule device and the docking device from damage if the capsule device is docked in a backward orientation. In one embodiment, the docking device comprises a current sense circuit to detect the current flowing through the primary coil or primary drive circuit. The occurrence of wrong orientation can be detected from the current. A detection/control circuit can be used to provide the needed control in order to prevent damage to the system. In another embodiment, a resonant circuit comprising a capacitor and the primary coil is used to provide the needed protection when the capsule device is docked with a wrong orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: CAPSOVISION INC
    Inventors: Gordon C Wilson, Jiafu Luo, Kang-Huai Wang, Chung-Ta Lee, James Blanc
  • Patent number: 10010242
    Abstract: There is provided an endoscope which can clean a distal end portion promptly and easily. An elevator housed in an elevator housing space of a distal end portion body is coupled with an erecting lever of an erecting lever housing chamber through a rotating shaft. A first shaft portion which is engaged with an engagement hole of the elevator and a second shaft portion which is provided on the distal end side of the first shaft portion and is loosely fitted to an engagement hole of the elevator are provided in the rotating shaft. The elevator is avoided from the elevator housing slit by loosely fitting the engagement hole of the elevator to the second shaft portion at cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Toshizumi Tanaka, Masayuki Iwasaka, Teruyuki Emura
  • Patent number: 10010243
    Abstract: A flexible tube for an endoscope includes a flexible tube base, an outer coating layer including a soft resin layer and a hard resin layer, a ratio changing portion, and a tapered portion. In the ratio changing portion, a percentage of a thickness of the hard resin layer decreases and a percentage of a thickness of the soft resin layer increases toward a distal side from a proximal side of the base. In the tapered portion, a ratio between the thickness of the hard resin layer and the thickness of the soft resin layer is maintained, which ratio is the same as that at a position in the ratio changing portion where the percentage of the thickness of the hard resin layer is a lower limit. In the tapered position, an outer diameter of the outer coating layer decreases toward a distal end of the flexible tube base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Shinya Abe, Nobuharu Takahashi, Shozo Iyama
  • Patent number: 10010244
    Abstract: A holder device is provided for use with endoscopy monitoring apparatus. The holder device includes a body portion with two or more apertures defined in said body portion. The apertures are a spaced distance apart and of such size and dimensions for the location of at least part of an indicator holding means and/or endoscopy monitoring apparatus therewith or therethrough in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: ALBERT BROWNE LIMITED
    Inventors: Richard Bancroft, Martin Owen
  • Patent number: 10010245
    Abstract: A subject irradiated with violet light and green light is imaged to obtain RGB signals, based on which a base image is produced. Frequency filtering processing is applied to the B signal to obtain a blood vessel extraction signal, in which a most superficial blood vessel, a superficial blood vessel, and a middle-layer blood vessel at different depths are extracted. Edge strength of each blood vessel in the blood vessel extraction signal is calculated. Display control processing based on the edge strength of each blood vessel is applied to the base image. Thereby, a first image or a second image is produced. In the first image, the most superficial blood vessel, the superficial blood vessel, and the middle-layer blood vessel are displayed in a distinguishable manner. In the second image, the most superficial blood vessel, the superficial blood vessel, and the middle-layer blood vessel are selectively enhanced or suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Yuki Terakawa
  • Patent number: 10010246
    Abstract: In one embodiment an apparatus for insertion in a body cavity (e.g., an endoscope) may include an elongate assembly, an instrument tip disposed at a distal end of the elongate assembly, and a terminal base disposed at a proximal end of the elongate assembly. The elongate assembly may include a first peripheral tube, a second peripheral tube spaced apart from the first peripheral tube and a plurality of collar members. Each collar member may include a first channel grasping the first peripheral tube, and a second channel grasping the second peripheral tube. The collar members may be spaced apart from one another along a length of the elongate assembly such that adjacent collar members do not contact one another. The terminal base may include a first control fitting attached to the first peripheral tube and a second control fitting attached to the second peripheral tube. The first control fitting may be configured to apply tension to the first peripheral tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Inventor: Roland Quaye
  • Patent number: 10010247
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing computer program instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to process image data defining an image of a retina to determine a location of an anatomical feature of the retina in the image by receiving the image data; calculating, for each of a plurality of pixels of the image data, a respective local orientation vector indicative of the orientation of any blood vessel present in the image; calculating a normalized local orientation vector for each of the plurality of pixels; operating on an array of accumulators, wherein each accumulator in the array is associated with a respective pixel of the image data; and determining the location of the anatomical feature in the image of the retina using the location of a pixel of the image data which is associated with an accumulator having accumulated an accumulated value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: OPTOS PLC
    Inventor: Alan Duncan Fleming