Patents Issued in September 4, 2018
  • Patent number: 10065720
    Abstract: A canister that acts as a pressure vessel that contains a payload and that can withstand pressures that may be generated by the payload internal to the canister in order to contain the payload contents. The canister can be launched from a submarine, with the canister being located internal to the pressure hull of the submarine prior to launch and the canister being launchable from the submarine into the surrounding water. After launching, the canister is designed to release or deploy the payload permitting the payload to perform its intended function(s). The payload contained in the canister can be an unmanned underwater vehicle such as an acoustic training target that is powered by one or more lithium batteries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Russell M. Sylvia, Martin C. Lewis
  • Patent number: 10065721
    Abstract: A personal watercraft has a hull and a deck. The hull defines at least in part a tunnel. A ride plate is connected to the hull and defines a bottom wall of the tunnel. The personal watercraft also has a motor, a jet propulsion system disposed at least in part in the tunnel, and a steering assembly. The deck has a pedestal, left and right gunnels, left and right foot-wells disposed laterally between the pedestal and their respective gunnel, and a rear platform. A straddle seat is disposed on the pedestal. Left and right footrests have left and right standing surfaces facing substantially forward and extending at least partially forward of the tunnel. The left footrest extends laterally between the pedestal and the left gunnel. The right footrest extends laterally between the pedestal and the right gunnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: BOMBARDIER RECREATIONAL PRODUCTS INC.
    Inventors: Etienne Girard, Jonathan Belanger, Julien Hardy-Pare
  • Patent number: 10065722
    Abstract: An outboard marine engine comprises an internal combustion engine; a lower gearcase, a set of gears disposed in the lower gearcase, the set of gears being configured to transfer power from the internal combustion engine to drive a propulsor to generate a thrust on the outboard marine engine, and a dipstick that extends into the lower gearcase. The dipstick is removable from the lower gearcase and configured to indicate a level of lubrication in the lower gearcase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Wayne M. Jaszewski, Randall J. Poirier, John A. Tuchscherer, Gary C. Plonske
  • Patent number: 10065723
    Abstract: A propulsion system for a boat includes a motor, a connecting arm, a fairing portion intended for being mounted on the boat, at least one propeller, a belt for transmitting the torque from the motor to the at least one propeller, the belt forming two belt sections between the motor and the propeller. The propulsion system further includes a first rotary assembly with the belt passing therethrough and capable of pivoting relative to the fairing portion about a geometrical axis directed towards the top, so as to orient the at least one propeller relative to the boat in order to turn the latter, and a second assembly capable of being translated relative to the first rotary assembly in order to retract the at least one propeller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Inventor: Charles Baumberger
  • Patent number: 10065724
    Abstract: An arrangement for sealing a propeller shaft of a marine vessel are specifically applicable in preventing oil leakage via propeller shaft sealing in cases where the draught of a marine vessel is, for some reason, reduced beyond its ordinary value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: WARTSILA FINLAND OY
    Inventors: Arnoud De Kruijf, Rik Roemen, Minoru Takayasu, Bart Van Der Ven, Joost Van Eijnatten, Masahiko Yotsuyanagi
  • Patent number: 10065725
    Abstract: A boat includes a planing hull, a propeller, a main rudder, and a pair of flanking rudders. The planing hull has port and starboard sides, a transom, a hull bottom, and a centerline running down the middle of the boat, halfway between the port and starboard sides. The propeller is positioned forward of the transom and beneath the hull bottom. The main rudder is positioned aft of the propeller. The main rudder has a rotation axis about which the main rudder rotates. The flanking rudders are positioned forward of the propeller. One of the flanking rudders is positioned on the port side of the centerline, and the other flanking rudder is positioned on the starboard side of the centerline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: MasterCraft Boat Company, LLC
    Inventors: Michael D. Myers, Michael J. Uggeri, David F. Ekern, Matthew J. Huyge
  • Patent number: 10065726
    Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle includes multiple rotor arms; a rotor disposed at an end of each of the multiple rotor arms; and an adjustment component configured to enable a first rotor arm to move relative to a second rotor arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Top Flight Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Long N. Phan, Anandrao Biradar, Luan H. Duong, Samir Nayfeh
  • Patent number: 10065727
    Abstract: The present invention sufficiently heats a repairing material while preventing change in quality of a base material provided with the repairing material so as to securely bond the repairing material to a repair target portion. The repair method of the present invention, in order to repair a repair target portion 14 existing in an outer panel 1, includes: a repairing material disposing step of disposing a repairing patch 21 including a resistance heating element 23 and a carbon fiber reinforced resin, and an adhesive 22A including a thermosetting resin before being hardened for bonding the repairing patch 21 on the repair target portion 14; and a heating-hardening step of heating and hardening the thermosetting resin of the adhesive 22A by causing the resistance heating element 23 to generate heat through supply of electricity thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kiwamu Arikawa, Masayoshi Suhara, Hiroyuki Iseki, Shuhei Muto
  • Patent number: 10065728
    Abstract: An actuator assembly having a primary load path for tightly coupling an actuated surface to a reference structure and a secondary load path having a backlash portion for coupling the actuated surface to the reference structure with backlash, wherein the secondary load path is unloaded during an operative state of the primary load path and loaded during a failure state of the primary load path. The actuator assembly includes at least one sensor configured to sense the failure state of the primary load path when a relative displacement between a portion of the primary load path and a portion of the secondary load path exceeds a predetermined value or is within a predetermined range of values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: PARKER-HANNIFIN CORPORATION
    Inventor: Luc P. Cyrot
  • Patent number: 10065729
    Abstract: A method of controlling the motion of a turning aircraft during taxiing on the ground, the aircraft having a steerable landing gear, for example a nose landing gear, operating in a free-to-caster mode, includes (a) ascertaining the rotational position (?) of the steerable landing gear relative to the longitudinal axis (L) of the aircraft (b) receiving a control instruction that would, if effected, continue turning of the aircraft in the same direction away from the longitudinal axis, and (c) modifying the control instruction so that the angle between the rotational position of the steerable landing gear and the longitudinal axis will be lower than the angle that would otherwise be observed had the control instruction been effected and not so modified. The risk of damage to the steerable landing gear through over-steering may thus be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignees: Airbus Operations Limited, Airbus Operationa (SAS)
    Inventors: George Howell, Louis-Emmanuel Romana
  • Patent number: 10065730
    Abstract: A vibration control system for a rotor hub provides vibration attenuation in an aircraft by reducing the magnitude of rotor induced vibratory. The system can include a force generating device attached to a rotor hub which rotates along with the rotor at the rotational speed of the rotor. Vibratory shear force is generated by rotating unbalanced weights each about an axis non-concentric with the rotor hub axis at high speed to create large centrifugal forces. The rotational speed of the weights can be a multiple of the rotor rotational speed to create shear forces for canceling rotor induced vibrations. The amplitude of the generated shear force is controlled by indexing the positions of the unbalanced weights relative to each other, while the phase of the shear force is adjusted by equally phasing each weight relative to the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: David E. Heverly, II, Jeremy DeWaters, Frank B. Stamps
  • Patent number: 10065731
    Abstract: A system for modifying a stiffness of a structure of a vehicle using vibrational energy of the vehicle includes a variable-stiffness layer, having a selectively controllable Young's modulus, attached to the structure, and a conversion layer, coupled to the variable-stiffness layer, the conversion layer configured to convert vibrational energy from the structure into electrical energy, and to supply the electrical energy to the variable-stiffness layer to adjust a stiffness of the variable-stiffness layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Sofya A. Suntsova, Christopher J. Felker
  • Patent number: 10065732
    Abstract: A blade tracking system including a detector having one or more sensors to detect radiation from at least one field of view of the detector, the one or more sensors generating signals based on changes in incident radiation to the one or more sensors as a rotor blade passes the field of view, and a processor to determine a pass time for the rotor blade to pass through the at least one field of view based on the generated signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Technology for Energy Corporation
    Inventors: William Simpkins, John Wilson, David Dorris
  • Patent number: 10065733
    Abstract: A flexbeam unit comprising a plurality of flexbeam elements, each defining a load passing member that is attachable to a rotor hub associated with a rotor shaft of the multi-blade rotor, the plurality of flexbeam elements defining a predetermined number of torsion elements that are connectable with associated rotor blades of the multi-blade rotor, wherein at least one of the predetermined number of torsion elements comprises at least one first flexbeam element defining a first longitudinal direction and at least one second flexbeam element defining a second longitudinal direction, wherein the at least one first and second flexbeam elements are interconnected by a beam connector in a direction transverse to the first and/or second longitudinal directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: AIRBUS HELICOPTERS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventor: Rupert Pfaller
  • Patent number: 10065734
    Abstract: The system is configured for automation of rotorcraft entry into autorotation. The system can provide a means to assist the flight crew of a rotorcraft in maintaining rotor speed following loss of engine power. The system can automatically adjust control positions, actuator positions or both to prevent excessive loss of rotor speed upon initial loss of engine power before the flight crew is able to react. The system uses model matching to provide axis decoupling and yaw anticipation; it includes pitch control initially to assist in preventing rotor deceleration; and it makes use of collective, pitch, roll and yaw trim functions to provide tactile cueing to the pilot to assist when the pilot is in the loop. The system can reduce workload by assisting the crew with controlling rotor speed and forward speed during stabilized autorotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Earl Worsham, II, John Joseph Schillings, Charles Eric Covington
  • Patent number: 10065735
    Abstract: A method of operating an aircraft having a rotor/wing assembly and a nozzle comprises vectoring the nozzle into a position for creating vertical thrust, and using the rotor/wing assembly and the nozzle together to create vertical thrust during a rotary mode of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Steven D. Richardson
  • Patent number: 10065736
    Abstract: A tiltrotor aircraft having a VTOL flight mode, a forward flight mode and a storage mode includes a fuselage having a wing rotatably mounted thereto. The wing has an orientation generally perpendicular to the fuselage, in the flight modes, and an orientation generally parallel to the fuselage, in the storage mode. First and second pylon assemblies are positioned proximate outboard ends of the wing. First and second mast assemblies are respectively rotatable relative to the first and second pylon assemblies and have generally vertical orientations, in the VTOL flight mode, and generally horizontal orientations, in the forward flight mode and the storage mode. First and second proprotor assemblies are respectively rotatable relative to the first and second mast assemblies. Each proprotor assembly includes a plurality of rotor blades and has a radially extended orientation, in the flight modes, and a stowed orientation, in the storage mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Edward Foskey
  • Patent number: 10065737
    Abstract: A flapping wing driving apparatus includes at least one crank gear capstan rotatably coupled to a crank gear, the at least one crank gear capstan disposed radially offset from a center of rotation of the crank gear; a first wing capstan coupled to a first wing, the first wing capstan having a first variable-radius drive pulley portion; and a first drive linking member configured to drive the first wing capstan, the first drive linking member windably coupled between the first variable-radius drive pulley portion and one of the at least one crank gear capstan; wherein the first wing capstan is configured to non-constantly, angularly rotate responsive to a constant angular rotation of the crank gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: AEROVIRONMENT, INC.
    Inventors: Matthew Todd Keennon, Alexander Andryukov, Karl Robert Klingebiel, Henry Thome Won
  • Patent number: 10065738
    Abstract: Tethered unmanned aerial vehicle (TUAV) includes at least one wing fixed to a fuselage. The wing is comprised of an airfoil shaped body capable of producing lift in response to a flow of air across a major wing surface, and can include at least one flight control surface, such as an aileron. One or more buoyancy cell is disposed within the fuselage for containing a lighter than air gas to provide positive buoyancy for the TUAV when the TUAV is disposed in air. A tether attachment structure facilitates attachment of the TUAV to a tether which is secured to an attachment point for securing the TUAV to the ground when aloft. A wind-powered generator is integrated with the TUAV and configured to generate electric power in response to the flow of air across the least one wing when the TUAV is aloft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: William R. Palmer, Daniel L. Schlig, Timothy F. McLellan
  • Patent number: 10065739
    Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle may be used to monitor and/or track airborne material in a plume. The unmanned aerial vehicle may be configured to eject a tracer material into the plume. The unmanned aerial vehicle may include a sensor for detecting the tracer material. The sensor may detect the position, the velocity, the concentration, amount reacted, etc. of the tracer material. The unmanned aerial vehicle and/or a remote vehicle or facility may include an electromagnetic radiation emitter to irradiate the tracer material. The sensor may measure the interactions of the electromagnetic radiation with the tracer material. The unmanned aerial vehicle and/or a remote system may determine characteristics of the plume and/or a substance of interest based on measurements by the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: Paul Duesterhoft, William David Duncan, Roderick A. Hyde, Jordin T. Kare, Eric C. Leuthardt, Tony S. Pan, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10065740
    Abstract: A system includes a dry floor assembly that is configured to be located within an interior space. The dry floor assembly includes a vacuum layer. A vacuum system is coupled to the vacuum layer. The vacuum system is configured to remove liquid from the dry floor assembly via the vacuum layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Jamie Childress
  • Patent number: 10065741
    Abstract: A passenger seat that includes a seat bottom and a seat back having a literature pocket extending across a width of the seat back above a stowed aircraft passenger tray table. A light fixture powered by an electrical circuit is mounted on the literature pocket and adapted to direct light into a space directly aft of the seat back for use by an aft-seated passenger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander N. Pozzi, Glenn A. Johnson, Jeffrey W. Hontz, Jara Freeman
  • Patent number: 10065742
    Abstract: A parachute system includes a release that detachably couples a self-propelled projectile and parachute canopy to each other. The release detaches the two from each other in response to a triggering of the release. There is also a first path between the release and a payload where the first path includes the parachute canopy and a suspension line between the parachute canopy and the payload. At least part of the suspension line is bound such that the first path is effectively shorter than a second path. In response to the first path being drawn taut, the suspension line becomes unbound so that the first path becomes effectively longer than the second path. In response to the second path being drawn taut after the suspension line becomes unbound, the release is triggered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Kitty Hawk Corporation
    Inventors: Peter A. Swan, Craig Western, Damon Vander Lind, Amy Qian
  • Patent number: 10065743
    Abstract: A pedestal assembly receives a pylon assembly of a tiltrotor aircraft having an airframe including a fuselage and a wing. The pedestal assembly includes inboard and outboard tip ribs that extend above the wing and respectively define inboard and outboard slots. The pedestal assembly also includes inboard and outboard bearing cartridges. The inboard bearing cartridge is received within the inboard slot, is coupled to the inboard tip rib and includes an inboard bearing assembly. The outboard bearing cartridge is received within the outboard slot, is coupled to the outboard tip rib and includes an outboard bearing assembly. The inboard and outboard bearing assemblies are operable to receive the pylon assembly therein such that the pylon assembly is rotatably mounted between the inboard and outboard tip ribs to selectively operate the tiltrotor aircraft between a helicopter mode and an airplane mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: James Elbert King, Jeffrey Matthew Williams, Christopher R. Jackson, Andrew G. Baines, James Everett Kooiman
  • Patent number: 10065744
    Abstract: Systems and methods for modelling an engine in a vehicle are provided. A method can include determining a first solver for modelling the engine. The first solver can include a first routine configured for determining one or more parameters of the engine. The method can further include obtaining a first set of inputs associated with the first solver. The first set of inputs can include one or more inputs obtained from the first solver and one or more previous engine states. The method can further include modelling the engine based at least in part on the first set of inputs to generate a first set of outputs. The first set of outputs can include one or more parameters of the engine and one or more engine states. The method can further include providing the one or more parameters to the solver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jacques Paul, Alejandro Aparicio, George Luo, Tarik Yardibi
  • Patent number: 10065745
    Abstract: This disclosure describes a system and method for operating an automated aerial vehicle wherein the battery life may be extended by performing one or more electricity generation procedures on the way to a destination (e.g., a delivery location for an item). In various implementations, the electricity generation procedure may include utilizing an airflow to rotate one or more of the propellers of the automated aerial vehicle so that the associated propeller motors will generate electricity (e.g., which can be utilized to recharge the battery, power one or more sensors of the automated aerial vehicle, etc.). In various implementations, the airflow may consist of a wind, or may be created by the kinetic energy of the automated aerial vehicle as it moves through the air (e.g., as part of a normal flight path and/or as part of an aerial maneuver).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian C. Beckman, Amir Navot, Daniel Buchmueller, Gur Kimchi, Fabian Hensel, Scott A. Green, Brandon William Porter, Severan Sylvain Jean-Michel Rault
  • Patent number: 10065746
    Abstract: A navigation security module of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) receives a combination of signals from a location technology, each signal comprising at least a signal identification and location data. The combination of signal identifications is processed against known identifications. If the identification is not found, or if the combination of signal identification is not possible, the signal may be a rogue signal, resulting in a quarantine protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Fortinet, INc
    Inventors: Naga Kishore Reddy Tarimala, Anil Kaushik
  • Patent number: 10065747
    Abstract: Lightning protected vent lines associated operatively with aircraft fuselage fuel tanks (i.e., on-board fuel tanks that are not physically located in an aircraft's wing but instead are physically located within the aircraft's fuselage structure) are provided which include a vent conduit, a coupling at a proximal end of the vent conduit for fluid connecting the vent conduit to the fuel tank, a vent opening positioned at a distal end of the vent conduit and at an external location of the fuselage and a flame arrestor positioned in the conduit between the coupling and the vent opening. The vent conduit will have an effective axial dimension (L) between the coupling and the vent opening and the flame arrestor will be positioned in the conduit at an effective separation distance (D) between an inlet of the flame arrestor and the vent opening such that L/D is greater than 5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: EMBRAER S.A.
    Inventors: Adriano Donizetti Nogueira Machado Cabral, Alessandro Da Rocha Mordente, Lollan Naru Nonaka, Lucas Mateus Machado Duarte Tavares, Sidney Osses Nunes, Valdeci Gomes De Oliveira, Wellington De Moura Aoki, Weber De Brito Barbosa
  • Patent number: 10065748
    Abstract: A mounting system for an aircraft galley that quickly and easily secures an insert while preserving an air gap between the insert and a work deck upper surface for venting purposes. The platform includes a linkage that can transform from a ā€œYā€ shaped configuration to a ā€œTā€ shaped configuration. When the linkage is in the ā€œYā€ shaped configuration, the outer extensions or locking pins do not extend to the side walls of the platform. However, once the insert is properly seated on the platform, the linkage can be transformed from the ā€œYā€ configuration to a ā€œTā€ configuration such that the locking pins extend through the side walls of the platform and through holes in the side walls of the insert. In this manner, the insert can be secured to the platform without screws or other permanent fixtures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventor: James R. Forbes
  • Patent number: 10065749
    Abstract: A method for lifting a wing of an aircraft. A plurality of lifting assemblies is attached to a mounting ring supporting the wing. A first plurality of base assemblies is attached to a plurality of fittings connected to the fuselage of the aircraft. The plurality of lifting assemblies is moved away from the first plurality of base assemblies using a plurality of biasing systems correspondingly attached to the plurality of lifting assemblies, the moving causing the mounting ring to move away from the fuselage. The first plurality of base assemblies is removed. A second plurality of base assemblies is attached to the plurality of fittings. Thereafter, moving the plurality of lifting assemblies away from the second plurality of base assemblies using the plurality of biasing systems is repeated, the repeating moving causing the mounting ring to move away from the fuselage to the first height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: David E. Scheerer, Patrick F. Joyce
  • Patent number: 10065750
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for managing maintenance activities of an aircraft using a wearable device. In one embodiment, a method comprises: receiving, at the wearable device, part data from at least one of a video recording device and an audio recording device of the wearable device; communicating by the wearable device with at least one of an onboard avionics system, an airline operations system, and an inventory management system based on the part data; and presenting maintenance information to a user via at least one of a display system, and an audio system of the wearable device based on the communicating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Kannan Kathirvel, Pradeep Mahalingaiah, Michael Christensen
  • Patent number: 10065751
    Abstract: Liquid storage systems for space vehicles include at least one storage tank including a tank inlet, a tank outlet, and a plurality of liquid storage compartments coupled to each other in series between the tank inlet and the tank outlet. Each liquid storage compartment includes an end plate including a porous outlet at an end of the liquid storage compartment adjacent to another liquid storage compartment. Propulsion systems for space vehicles include at least one such liquid storage tank. Methods of providing a liquid propellant to a thruster of a space vehicle include withdrawing a liquid propellant from a first compartment within a tank and flowing the liquid propellant from a second compartment into the first compartment through a porous element associated with an end plate separating the first compartment from the second compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Orbital ATK, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary H. Kawahara, Donald E. Jaekle, Jr., Paul Griffin, James Avramov, Walter Tam
  • Patent number: 10065752
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods of packing leaf tobacco preserve the integrity of tobacco, help retain freshness and moisture content of tobacco, and also help eliminate insect infestation. A method of packing tobacco includes supplying a quantity of tobacco into a plurality of open containers; closing the opening containers; inserting the closed containers within a flexible, non-porous bag having a closeable opening; closing the opening of the bag; and extracting air from the bag so as to create a sub-atmospheric pressure therein. The bag is configured to hold one or more tobacco containers, such as C48 or A48 cartons. In some embodiments the bag may be configured to hold up to six containers, such as C48 or A48 cartons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Alliance One International, Inc.
    Inventor: Marcos Andre Steffens
  • Patent number: 10065753
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include needle-free syringe and cap assemblies and filling tub systems. One embodiment of filling tub system includes a filling tub having exterior walls and a floor. The floor is formed into a plurality of sockets configured to receive and support a plurality of cap and syringe body assemblies, with each cap and syringe assembly received in a separate socket. Furthermore, each socket is configured to receive and support a syringe and cap assembly with contact only between one or more surfaces of the socket and selected outer surfaces of the cap. Methods of pre-filling a quantity of needle-free syringes are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: PHARMAJET, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Heath, Chris Cappello
  • Patent number: 10065754
    Abstract: An apparatus for filling a plurality of containers with a fluid. The apparatus including a connector configured to removably couple the apparatus to a fluid source, a flow path providing fluid communication between the fluid source and a plurality of containers coupled to the apparatus, a sealing element disposed within each of the plurality of containers, the sealing element configured to couple the container to the apparatus and automatically seal the container when the container is decoupled from the apparatus, a retaining member including a sleeve affixed to each of the plurality of containers, to position the sealing element in a neck of each of the plurality of containers, the sleeve being configured to prevent radial expansion of the containers, and, a mixing mechanism disposed in the flow path and configured to receive an additive and introduce the additive in to the flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Telebrands Corp.
    Inventors: Ajit Khubani, Paul Dowd, Ryan Kelly
  • Patent number: 10065755
    Abstract: A process of packaging a product (P) comprising driving at least the precursor body in a machine direction along the operating path, forming into it one or more longitudinal rows of adjacent tray-shaped elements (8), loading one or more of said products (P) into a respective cavity of said tray-shaped elements; forming a through opening at the corner regions of the tray-elements; tightly fixing a plastic film (11) to close the top opening of said tray-shaped elements (8); transversely separating the closed tray-shaped elements forming closed trays. An apparatus (1) for performing the above process is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Cryovac, Inc.
    Inventor: Riccardo Palumbo
  • Patent number: 10065756
    Abstract: Disclosed is a device for gas replacement capable of reducing the amount of replacement gas, improving a gas replacement rate, and reducing the amount of split liquid. In a replacement nozzle (11) which blows the replacement gas toward a container opening portion symmetrically about a center line in the container radial direction, the space between nozzle port outermost walls is divided with a plurality of wind direction adjustment plates (16a, 16b) to generate a plurality of blowout ports. The replacement gas flow blowing along the outermost walls of the nozzle opening are so blown inward as to form an angle of 100° to 130°. Moreover, the replacement gas is blown from the replacement nozzle to the range between the level lower than the end of the can opening by one third or more the height of the can neck portion and the level equal to or higher than the height of the can cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: TOYO SEIKAN KAISHA, LTD.
    Inventors: Toshirou Washizaki, Tomoho Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 10065757
    Abstract: The invention relates to a conveyor device (10) for conveying food products on a plurality of parallel conveyor tracks and for formatting the food products in a specific product format, especially for conveying and formatting stacks or interleaved units made of a plurality of slices of cheese or meat products. It is proposed that the conveyor device (10) fills a product gap on one of the conveyor tracks incoming on the input side with a food product so that on the output side all parallel conveyor tracks are supplied with the food products. The invention also includes a corresponding method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: PROVISUR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Jürgen Bialy
  • Patent number: 10065758
    Abstract: An apparatus that includes a support for one or more products. The one or more products have a wrapping thereabout, and a cutter is coupled to the support and moveable relative to the support for forming a window in the wrapping to allow access for placing one or more labels on the one or more products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: SICPA HOLDING SA
    Inventor: Alberto De La Serna
  • Patent number: 10065759
    Abstract: An apparatus including: a conveyor having a machine direction and a cross-machine direction and a pair of edges spaced apart from one another in the cross-machine direction; a roller mounted to an arm and engaged with a continuous drive, wherein the arm is pivotably mounted to a frame, wherein the roller has a first position and a second position, wherein the roller in the first position is located at a predetermined location above the conveyor and laterally within the pair of edges, wherein the roller in the second position is remote from the predetermined location, and wherein the roller and the continuous drive are separated from one another by an obstruction; a driver operatively engaged with the arm to move the roller from the first position to the second position; and a vacuum port proximal to the roller when the roller is in the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Ulrik Hoornaert
  • Patent number: 10065760
    Abstract: A labelling machine comprises a supply spool support for supporting a supply spool comprising label stock comprising a web and a plurality of labels attached to the web and which are separable from the web; a take-up spool support adapted to take up a portion of web; a first motive means configured to propel the web along a web path from the supply spool support towards the take up spool support, the first motive means comprising a first motor including a first stator and a first rotor; a labelling peel beak located along the web path and configured to peel the labels from label web as the label stock passes the labelling peel beak; and a printer for printing on the labels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: VIDEOJET TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventors: Martin McNestry, Gary Pfeffer, Philip Hart, James Butcher, Steven Buckby
  • Patent number: 10065761
    Abstract: A dual-opening carton has a front, rear, and opposing side panels. A flap extends over the top of the carton, allowing the top to be opened and re-closed. A score line extends around the carton to facilitate the removal of a top portion of the carton. The score line has segments extending along the front panel, the rear panel, and rear portions of the side panels that have a relatively low cut length to land length ratios that maintain relatively high structural integrity. The score line also has segments extending along the front of the side panels have a relatively high cut length to land length ratio to facilitate tear propagation. The score line extending along the side panels is angled so that a pull force vector removing the top portion of the carton runs along a plane generally parallel to the score line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Intercontinental Great Brands LLC
    Inventor: Mark Kansburg
  • Patent number: 10065762
    Abstract: The present invention provides a gravity fed dispenser. The gravity fed dispenser includes a tower portion including a front wall, a back wall, a top wall, a bottom wall, and a pair of side walls, and an insert portion located within the tower portion, the insert portion including a front wall, and a pair side of walls attached to opposite edges of the front wall. The dispenser also includes an opening in a lower portion of the tower portion, and at least one tab located in the opening. The tower portion and insert portion are preferably made from a single blank of material. In another embodiment, the insert portion includes a front wall, and a first wing and a second wing attached to opposite edges of the front wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: TIDI Products, LLC
    Inventors: Bradly Thomas Schultz, Brian Wilt, Katie Umentum, Rob Sweitzer
  • Patent number: 10065763
    Abstract: A container comprising walls. A first wall has a latch connected thereto by a flexible arm at a first lateral end. The latch comprises i) a latch body connected to the flexible arm and resiliently, outwardly movable, the latch body having an interior surface sloped to partially face a second lateral end of the first wall, and ii) a stop contact having a contact surface resiliently movable relative to the latch body. The stop contact is connected to the latch body at a location outward of where a stop contacts the contact surface. A second wall comprising a stop is located at the first lateral end, and is movable on a hinge. The stop is aligned to contact the contact surface as the second wall is rotated from an erected arrangement and to contact the interior surface as the second wall is rotated from the collapsed arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Arena Packaging, LLC
    Inventor: Donald E. Wilcox
  • Patent number: 10065764
    Abstract: A bakery tray includes a base and side walls extending upward from sides of the base, each side wall including an outer side rail and an inner side rail. Side drag rails extend downward from the base proximate sides of the base, with feet projecting outward from the side drag rails. An outer rib projects downward from an outer edge of each of the feet such that the side drag rail of an identical upper tray being stacked on the bakery tray contacts the flanges while the outer ribs of the upper tray are received between the outer side rail and the inner side rail. In another feature, the side walls include handle openings, the handle openings each partially defined by a convex outer wall. In another feature, an upper edge of the front wall includes finger corrugations for accommodating the fingers of a user's hand grasping the tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventors: Jon P. Hassell, Margaret McCanless, Kyle L. Baltz, Glenn E. Rindfleisch
  • Patent number: 10065765
    Abstract: A containment system includes a rotationally molded polymeric base unit in the form of a tub having an open top. The base unit includes a generally L-shaped rim at the open top comprised of an upwardly extending section that terminates in a cut edge and an inwardly extending section. The containment system also includes at least one perforated grate having a top side, a bottom side and a peripheral edge. The at least one perforated grate is supported, at least in part, by the inwardly extending section of the rim in such a manner that a container can be supported on the top side of the grate above the tub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: ENPAC L.L.C.
    Inventors: Lawrence Stanek, Scott Dragon, Robert D. Heintz, Scott R. Janda, Timothy D. Reed, Jay Wiley
  • Patent number: 10065766
    Abstract: A container made of plastic material, provided with a body and a bottom extending at a lower end of the body, the bottom including an annular seat extending substantially in the prolongation of the body and defining a seating plane; a concave arch that extends from a zone near the seat to a central zone, the arch including a series of stiffeners that extend radially from the central zone to the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: SIDEL PARTICIPATIONS
    Inventors: Michel Boukobza, Mikaƫl Derrien
  • Patent number: 10065767
    Abstract: A liquid sample bulk mailing packaging device includes a paperboard envelope blank assembled to form a hermetically sealed leakproof containment pocket that, in combination with proper alignment of a liquid containing packette enclosed inside, will prevent leakage in the event the enclosed liquid containing packette fails during mail processing. The device may include coupons printed on the envelope blank and seperable by perforations, and may be printed on both sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Inventor: Richard Clarence Bludorn
  • Patent number: 10065768
    Abstract: A plastic bag comprising a grip strip configured to assist with opening the bag, wherein the grip strip is formed from a material different from a material from which its associated panel is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Inteplast Group Corporation
    Inventors: Ben Tseng, Ter-Hai Lin, Joe Wang, Jerry Hsu
  • Patent number: 10065769
    Abstract: An easy open packaging pouch, including a packaging film, with a bonded peripheral edge section that has been formed by superimposing the packaging film such that two bonding layers are facing one another such that the peripheral edge of the packaging film is bonded. The package is designed to tear open from a notch formed in the peripheral edge, and a content is placed such that a tear starting from the starting point will intersect the content during opening. Opening includes tearing along a tear line that advances diagonally, with respect to the content, from the notch. Once the tear reaches the content, the tear diverges in two directions; one continuing in a substantially unchanged direction, and the other inflecting along the content. Opening will expose an end portion of the content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: PHC HOLDINGS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hirofumi Ezaki, Akihisa Higashihara