Patents Issued in February 19, 2019
  • Patent number: 10207802
    Abstract: A method and system for separating and releasing component parts of a payload of a floating platform in response to a high collision probability is disclosed. The method includes, determining if an in-flight aircraft is within at least a safety zone associated with a floating platform, wherein the floating platform comprises releasably-coupled component parts; and activating, responsive to a determination that the in-flight aircraft is within at least the safety zone, a release mechanism, wherein the release mechanism is configured to uncouple the component parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Space Data Corporation
    Inventors: Gerald Mark Knoblach, Eric A Frische
  • Patent number: 10207803
    Abstract: A computer program product for automatically delivering a physical mail includes receiving, by an unmanned aerial vehicle from an unmanned aerial vehicle management system, a delivery information, the delivery information includes information about a first secure mailbox and information about a second secure mailbox, the first secure mailbox being related to a first target user, delivering the physical mail to the first secure mailbox, and rerouting the unmanned aerial vehicle carrying the physical mail from the first secure mailbox to the second secure mailbox in response to the physical mail being delivered to the first secure mailbox.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Simone Bonazzoli, Marco Borgianni, Claudio Falcone, Alessio Fioravanti, Giuseppe Longobardi, Silvano Lutri, Luigi Presti, Paolo Salerno, Alessandro Tomasi, Francesca Ziantoni
  • Patent number: 10207804
    Abstract: A temperature-controlled payload container that may be used by an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to transport perishable items and/or items desired to be at or near a specific temperature upon arrival at a destination. The temperature-controlled payload container may be used to maintain or adjust a temperature of a delivery item, such as a food item. In some embodiments, the temperature-controlled payload container may be capable of heating items in a first portion of the container and cooling items in a second portion of the container. For example, the container may be divided by a Peltier junction, which is an electrified junction of two different conductors. In some embodiments, the temperature-controlled payload container may receive heat generated from operation of the UAV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Nicholas Kristofer Gentry
  • Patent number: 10207805
    Abstract: A drone transport system has a carrier pod adapted for carrying a passenger or parcels with the passenger or parcels enclosed, the carrier pod having a first attachment interface at an uppermost extremity, the attachment interface having one or first physical attachment elements, and a flight-enabled drone having a downward-facing second attachment interface having one or more second physical attachment elements compatible with the first physical attachment elements of the carrier pod. The flight-enabled drone is controllable to approach the carrier pod from above, to align and engage the second physical attachment elements with the first physical attachment elements, to lift and carry the pod from one place to another, and to land and disengage the first and second physical attachment elements, leaving the carrier pod at a new place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Inventor: Michael Steward Evans
  • Patent number: 10207806
    Abstract: A method of installing an aircraft overhead stowage system includes installing a plurality of bin support rail fittings onto a plurality of bin support rails disposed above a ceiling of a cross-aisle galley complex; positioning a stowage compartment housing supported by a stowage support structure above the ceiling of the galley complex, the stowage compartment housing including a first stowage compartment and a second stowage compartment each movably engaged with and disposed inside the stowage compartment housing; aligning the stowage compartment housing and the stowage support structure with the bin support rails; and fastening the stowage support structure to the bin support rails using the bin support rail fittings such that the stowage compartment housing is structurally supported above the ceiling of the galley complex.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: Shawn A. Claflin, Robert Papke, James B. Hauser, Jefferey McKee
  • Patent number: 10207807
    Abstract: An aircraft includes a cooling compartment and an evaporative chiller configured to cool the cooling compartment. The evaporative chiller includes a compressor, an evaporator having airflow to the cooling compartment, and a condenser. The condenser has an exhaust airflow to cool the condenser. The evaporative chiller has a condensate removal system removing condensate produced by the evaporator using the exhaust airflow of the condenser to discharge the condensate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Thomas Joseph Moran, David Andrew Lutz
  • Patent number: 10207808
    Abstract: A seat structure for a passenger seat, and a passenger seat. In one embodiment, the seat structure comprises a seat pan for mounting on a frame structure of the passenger seat in a manner such that the seat pan is moveable in forward and backward directions relative to the frame independently from movement of a seat back of the passenger seat; and biasing means for biasing the seat pan in a default position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignees: ST ENGINEERING AEROSPACE LTD., TENRYU AERO COMPONENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Guo Ying Zheng, Charles Fakhri Baz, Teruo Sawada
  • Patent number: 10207809
    Abstract: A cooling system in which an ACS (air cycle system) turbine may be driven by high pressure air from a turbo-fan engine and a VCS (vapor cycle system) having an evaporator and a VCS refrigerant compressor may be driven by the ACS turbine. Fluid of the chilled fluid reservoir, which may be chilled fuel, may be circulated through and cooled in the evaporator. In some embodiments, the ACS turbine may be coupled to the VCS refrigerant compressor by a magnetic coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Mike Koerner, Allen MacKnight, Siamak Nikbin, Myron Quan, Daniel R Robles
  • Patent number: 10207810
    Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to determining metrics of water particles in clouds by directing light pulses at a cloud and measuring a peak, a post-peak value and a high-frequency fluctuation of light signals reflected from the cloud. The light pulses include: a first pulse having circularly polarized light of a first wavelength; and a second pulse of a second wavelength. The reflected light signals include: a first reflected light signal having left-hand circular polarization of the first wavelength; a second reflected light signal having right-hand circular polarization of the first wavelength; and a third reflected light signal of the second wavelength. An extinction coefficient and a backscatter coefficient are determined based on the measured peak and post-peak slopes of the first and second reflected light signals. The measured high-frequency fluctuations of the three reflected light signals can be used to calculate cloud particle sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Rosemount Aerospace Inc.
    Inventors: Kaare Josef Anderson, Mark Ray
  • Patent number: 10207811
    Abstract: A carrier system for carrying out interception maneuvers of a loadbearing paraglider which has a glider having a trailing edge for carrying out the maneuver with at least one interception line is fixed to said edge includes at least one carried load unit, which is connected to the carrier system via a first, short load carrier belt and a second, longer load carrier belt. A carried load connected to the carried load unit is carried by way of the first, short load carrier belt. The trailing edge is adjusted to carry out the maneuver by the gravitational force of the carried load, in that the first, short load carrier belt is separated and the carried load is carried by way of the longer, second load carrier belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Airbus Defence and Space GmbH
    Inventor: Jukka Biehl
  • Patent number: 10207812
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a main body and a gas generator producing a gas stream. At least one fore conduit and tail conduit are fluidly coupled to the generator. First and second fore ejectors are fluidly coupled to the at least one fore conduit. At least one tail ejector is fluidly coupled to the at least one tail conduit. The fore ejectors respectively include an outlet structure out of which gas from the at least one fore conduit flows. The at least one tail ejector includes an outlet structure out of which gas from the at least one tail conduit flows. First and second primary airfoil elements have leading edges respectively located directly downstream of the first and second fore ejectors. At least one secondary airfoil element has a leading edge located directly downstream of the outlet structure of the at least one tail ejector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: JETOPTERA, INC.
    Inventor: Andrei Evulet
  • Patent number: 10207813
    Abstract: An onboard aircraft inerting system includes an apparatus and method for regenerating an activated carbon media of a filter module while the aircraft is in flight. In regeneration mode, the activated carbon media is heated to a temperature sufficient to desorb the VOC contaminants adsorbed thereon and the air stream passing through the filter module is at a pressure lower than the air pressure of the air stream passing through the filter in normal inerting mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: Bryan D. Jensen, Brian A. Ault
  • Patent number: 10207814
    Abstract: A heating system for a ram air turbine includes a heated screen that is disposed across an air inlet defined by a strut. The strut has a first end that is connected to a generator that is operably connected to a turbine that is connected to a second end of the strut. The heated screen has a heating element embedded therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventor: Scott J. Marks
  • Patent number: 10207815
    Abstract: An aircraft interface device is configured to communicate with an aircraft avionics system that includes a plurality of sensors for an aircraft includes a tablet interface module configured to communicate with the aircraft interface device and with one or more tablets. The tablet interface module includes a user interface that is configured to establish, via a wireless transceiver, a communications channel between the tablet interface module and the one or more tablets and an indicator configured to indicate if the tablet interface module is connected to the one or more tablets. The tablet interface module provides the one or more tablets with information received from the aircraft interface device and wherein the tablet interface module comprises a power supply configured to connect to a power system of the aircraft and to provide power to the one or more tablet devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: ROSEMOUNT AEROSPACE, INC.
    Inventors: Michael J. Haukom, William J. Baumgarten, Thomas J. Horsager, Daniel L. McDowell
  • Patent number: 10207816
    Abstract: A distributed sensor module system comprises a plurality of sensor modules configured to be aerially deployable from a deployment device, the deployment device including an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) or an aeronautically deployable unitized container, the plurality of sensor modules configured to communicate with each other. A first sensor module comprises a first sensor configured to obtain first sensor information from a first environment proximate to the first sensor, a processor coupled to the first sensor, the processor configured to process the first sensor information to obtain locally processed first sensor information, and a communication transceiver coupled to the processor, the communication transceiver configured to communicate the locally processed first sensor information to a second sensor module, the first sensor module and the second sensor module configured to be aerially deployable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: SparkCognition, Inc.
    Inventors: Syed Mohammad Amir Husain, John Rutherford Allen
  • Patent number: 10207817
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a static discharger, an aircraft, and an installation process for the static discharger. According to an aspect of the present invention, a static discharger is provided which includes: a basement; and a discharger body installed to the basement. An installation orientation adjusting mechanism is provided between the basement and the discharger body, and the installation orientation adjusting mechanism allows the discharger body to be rotationally orientated, with respect to the basement, to a predetermined installation orientation during an on-site-installation of the static discharger. The static discharger further includes a first fixing mechanism adapted to fix the discharger body, which has been oriented to the predetermined installation orientation, to the basement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: AIRBUS (BEIJING) ENGINEERING CENTRE COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Long Wang, Zengli Han
  • Patent number: 10207818
    Abstract: A system and method for displaying the external environment of the airplane. The system includes a camera mounted on the door of the airplane. The camera having lens for capturing the external environment illuminated by a illumination source in order to provide a video signal, and at least one display screen connected with the camera for receiving the video signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: LATECOERE
    Inventors: Cyrille Besettes, Laurent Groux, Christophe Perrier
  • Patent number: 10207819
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a shooting device and an unmanned aerial vehicle. The shooting device includes: a first reflector; a second reflector arranged to be opposite to a reflecting surface of the first reflector; a bracket, wherein the bracket includes: a connecting plate, a first rotating seat, which is fixedly connected with one end of the connecting plate in a rotatable manner and is used for clamping the first reflector, and a second rotating seat, which is fixedly connected with the other end of the connecting plate in the rotatable manner and is used for clamping the second reflector; driving parts, including a first driving part and a second driving part used for respectively driving the first rotating seat and the second rotating seat to rotate; and a camera arranged to be opposite to the reflecting surface of the second reflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: EWATT TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Guocheng Zhao, Yong Wan, Kai Zhang
  • Patent number: 10207820
    Abstract: A housing for a ground vehicle-mountable aerial vehicle is provided. The housing includes a base portion defining a cavity and an opening leading into the cavity. The cavity is structured to receive an unmanned aerial vehicle therein. The cavity is configured so as to open upwardly when the housing is mounted on the vehicle. The housing also includes a drafting wall structured to extend from the base portion at a location forward of at least a portion of the cavity when the housing is mounted on the ground vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard M. Sullivan, Paxton S. Williams, Danil V. Prokhorov
  • Patent number: 10207821
    Abstract: A coupling module for coupling a passenger boarding bridge with an aircraft has a floor assembly and a canopy roof spanning the floor assembly. The coupling module and/or the floor assembly is configured to be received at a cabin of a passenger boarding bridge such that the coupling module and/or the floor assembly can swivel relative to the cabin around a horizontal swivel axis. A position sensor is operable to measure an inclination of the floor assembly relative to a geodetic horizontal position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Hübner GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Heinz Schuster, Frank Klöckl
  • Patent number: 10207822
    Abstract: A fixture is provided for securing an annular drone module to a test stand. The fixture includes a rear outside annulus, a front inside annulus, a plurality of tabs, and a plurality of flanges. The rear outside annulus extend radially to an outer rim and longitudinally from an aft surface and a lip surface. The front inside annulus extends radially to a mezzanine rim and longitudinally from the lip surface to a fore surface. The tabs extending radially from the mezzanine rim on the front inside annulus. The plurality of flanges extending from the outer rim on the rear outside annulus. The drone module is disposed facing the lip surface between the tabs and the mezzanine rim by first mechanical fasteners, and the flanges mount to the test stand by second mechanical fasteners, such as screws. The fixture can be a unitary construction and be composed of thermoset plastic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Troy S. Newhart, Joshua D. Taylor, Jonathan U. Crook, John W. Gawalt, Jordan C. Lieberman, Jessica L. Hildebrand, Charles T. Miller
  • Patent number: 10207823
    Abstract: A deployable assembly comprises a supporting structure, a set of panels, each being linked to the adjacent panel by a hinge defining an intermediate axis of rotation, capable of switching from a stowed configuration in which the panels are folded one on top of the other to a deployed configuration, by rotation of the panels about the respective intermediate axes of rotation, wherein the panels are arranged substantially in the same plane, an articulation device defining a main axis of rotation of the set of panels relative to the supporting structure. The set of panels is rotationally mobile about the intermediate axes of rotation and the main axis of rotation to switch from the stowed configuration to the deployed configuration and the set of panels is only rotationally mobile about the main axis of rotation in deployed configuration to orient the set of panels relative to the supporting structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: THALES
    Inventors: Julien Ducarne, Julien Grave, Xavier Reutenauer
  • Patent number: 10207824
    Abstract: A photovoltaic generator deployable for a satellite stabilized on three axes. The photovoltaic generator includes an assembly of planar panels articulated with respect to each other, and an attachment arm to the structure of the body of the satellite. In a first or launch position of the photovoltaic generator, the planar panels are folded one over the other. In a second or deployed position of the photovoltaic generator, the planar panels are fully deployed with at least a part of the planar panels being photovoltaic panels. At least one planar panel consists of a thermal radiator, with the radiative face thereof being orientated to be opposite the face of the photovoltaic panels carrying the photovoltaic sensors when the photovoltaic generator is in the deployed position. This radiative face is termed the “shade” face, and the face opposite the panel shaped radiator is termed the “sun” face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignees: AIRBUS DEFENCE AND SPACE SAS, THALES, CENTRE NATIONAL D'ETUDES SPATIALES CNES
    Inventors: Jérôme Lemaire, Yann Miegeville
  • Patent number: 10207825
    Abstract: A telecommunications satellite stabilized on three axes includes a set of dissipative equipment constituting a payload of the satellite. The satellite includes support data transmission antennas and is substantially parallelepipedal in shape with the panels forming two opposite faces, east and west faces. The panels form two additional opposite faces, north and south faces, and include radiator surfaces on their external faces. The radiator surfaces are configured to cool the electronic equipment of the satellite. The equipment installed on the north and south panels dissipate thermal power corresponding to less than 25% of the total dissipated power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignees: AIRBUS DEFENCE AND SPACE SAS, THALES, CENTRE NATIONAL D'ETUDES SPATIALES CNES
    Inventors: Raphaël Hache, Bruno Trancart, Andrew Walker
  • Patent number: 10207826
    Abstract: A habitation module that provides an artificial gravity environment. In one embodiment, the habitation module includes a stationary structure and a rotating structure that rotates about an axis in relation to the stationary structure. The rotating structure includes a cylindrical body that is substantially hollow and closed at both ends, where the ends represent gravity chambers of the habitation module. There are center openings in the cylindrical body that are coaxially aligned on opposing sides of the cylindrical body along an axis of rotation. First and second hub members are permanently affixed to the cylindrical body on the opposing sides of the cylindrical body about the center openings. Radial seals that span gaps between the rotating structure and the stationary structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Raju Dharmaraj, Ian Falkinham
  • Patent number: 10207827
    Abstract: A habitation module that provides an artificial gravity environment. In one embodiment, the habitation module includes a rotating structure that rotates about an axis in relation to a stationary structure. The rotating structure includes a first gravity chamber that projects radially from the rotating structure, and a second gravity chamber that projects radially from the rotating structure in an opposite direction than the first gravity chamber. The first gravity chamber and the second gravity chamber are each comprised of a plurality of ring members that form side walls of the first gravity chamber and the second gravity chamber. The ring members are concentric so that the side walls of the first gravity chamber and the second gravity chamber radially extend and radially contract in upon themselves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Raju Dharmaraj, Thomas Hoffman, Craig Stanton, Patrick A. Swartzell
  • Patent number: 10207828
    Abstract: A habitation module that provides an artificial gravity environment. In one embodiment, the habitation module includes a rotating structure configured to rotate about an axis in relation to a stationary structure, and attachment assemblies configured to rotatably couple the rotating structure to the stationary structure. The attachment assemblies comprise bearings installed coaxially between a cylindrical housing of the rotating structure and a cylindrical body member of the stationary structure, and dynamic radial seals installed coaxially between the cylindrical housing and the cylindrical body member. The attachment assemblies further comprise a static seal assembly that includes an end cap movable between a locked position and an unlocked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Raju Dharmaraj
  • Patent number: 10207829
    Abstract: A funnel component is manufactured by the following processes: forming a first intermediate product that is tapered, by rolling the blank material; forming a second intermediate product by folding back and welding a narrow opening side portion of the first intermediate product; forming a third intermediate product having the side wall portion by folding the wide opening side portion of the second intermediate product back outward; forming a cylindrical discharge portion forming the narrow opening side portion, a first tapered portion that connects to the discharge portion and has a tapered shape, and a second tapered portion that has a tapered shape having a taper angle less than the first tapered portion, by performing a drawing process on the third intermediate product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: TOPPAN PRINTING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takeshi Saito, Shinji Kaneyuki, Noriyuki Sasaki, Jyun Sada
  • Patent number: 10207830
    Abstract: A food product handling device is provided. The food product handling device can include a movable loading head having a plurality of rails and a vacuum system operatively associated with the head. In addition, a plurality of suction devices carried by the head and configured to pick up and transport a food product as the head is moved can be provided. A plurality of mounting blocks can be slidably coupled to the rails where at least one suction device is coupled to each mounting block. An actuating device can be operatively associated with the mounting blocks such that each mounting block is configured to slide between a first position and a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: F.R. Drake Company
    Inventors: Andre Richards, Thomas Ivy, Keith Wayne Hopkins, George Reed
  • Patent number: 10207831
    Abstract: An apparatus for closing a container includes closer stations. Each closer station has a closer tool, a coupling element, and a driver. The coupling element, with height-control, is positively guided to rotate about a machine axis thereof. Additionally, the coupling element, by way of the driver, drives the closer tool in a required vertical motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: KHS GmbH
    Inventor: Matthias Naaber
  • Patent number: 10207832
    Abstract: A supporting structure for supporting a plurality of sealed medical cartridges is disclosed, comprising a planar supporting plate having a plurality of receptacles for accommodating the sealed cartridges. Retaining protrusions are formed at the bottom ends of the receptacles protruding inward, which are mated with the shoulder portions of the sealed cartridges in such a manner that the shoulder portions of the sealed cartridges are supported on the retaining protrusions of the receptacles and that the upper ends of the sealed cartridges protrude from the upper ends of the receptacles at an upper side of the planar supporting plate, when the sealed cartridges are accommodated upside-down in the receptacles. The inventive nest will be suitable for any nested liquid filling machine without much changes in filling table and general settings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: SCHOTT KAISHA PVT., LTD.
    Inventors: Anil Narayan Narvekar, Pratul Prakash Potdar, Rishad Kairus Dadachanji
  • Patent number: 10207833
    Abstract: The invention provides a packaging container for plate shaped articles and a packaging method using the same. The packaging container comprises a container sole plate, a container lid plate and container side plates. Each of them is provided with detachable assembling parts which allow the container sole plate, the container lid plate and container side plates to be detachably assembled to form the packaging container. The arrangement of detachable assembling parts on the container sole, the container lid and the container side plates may realize the detachable assembly among them. That is, any side of the cubic packaging container can be separately detached during the packaging operation, such that it is possible to more easily and promptly package or obtain the plate shaped articles, while the plate shaped articles are hardly to be damaged when being packaged, thereby fulfilling the demand on automatic packaging for plate shaped articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignees: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD., HEFEI BOE OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xuan Cheng, Xingguang Jin, Lei Jin, Yimin Wang, Hao Li
  • Patent number: 10207834
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically rolling a napkin around a set of dining utensils, wherein the apparatus can repeat the method quickly to individually wrap a plurality of sets of utensils in napkins. The apparatus comprises a housing for a first transfer unit for receiving a set of unwrapped utensil and a napkin and configured to automatically deliver the unwrapped utensils and napkin to a platform for wrapping. A lift plate holds a plurality of napkins and delivers a single napkin to unwrapped silverware. A rolling assembly rotatable around the unwrapped utensils and the napkin is configured to hold the utensils and to roll the napkin around the unwrapped utensils and to deliver the wrapped utensils to a second transfer unit configured to provide the wrapped utensils to a bin for storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Inventor: Michael Beck
  • Patent number: 10207835
    Abstract: A capping machine in a beverage bottling plant configured to cap beverage bottles with beverage bottle crown caps or beverage bottle screw caps and a capping machine configured to cap containers with container caps. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. § 1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. § 1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: KHS GmbH
    Inventors: Lothar Wilhelm, Heinz Hillmann
  • Patent number: 10207836
    Abstract: A foldable support sleeve that is deployable inside of a waste bag to support the waste bag includes a first side foldably connected to a second side, the second side foldably connected to a third side, the third side foldably connected to a fourth side, and the fourth side foldably connected to a fifth side. The foldable support sleeve may be foldable into a pre-deployed state and into a deployed state. The pre-deployed state may be associated with a first cross section that is smaller than a second cross section associated with the deployed state. The second cross section may be approximately equal to a cross section associated with the waste bag. The fifth side may help retain the foldable support sleeve in the deployed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Inventors: Larry V. Weathers, Linda H. Weathers
  • Patent number: 10207837
    Abstract: A method and device for labeling packages and containers. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. § 1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. § 1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: KHS GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Zwilling, Gunnar Clausen, Klaus Kraemer, Nikolaus Alexander Habers, Andreas Ullrich
  • Patent number: 10207838
    Abstract: A packaging insert formed from a one-piece blank including a main body panel having opposing first and second longitudinal edges and opposing first and second lateral edges. The folded blank further includes a pair of column panels, each column panel including a first side panel, a front panel, a second side panel, and an overlap tab connected to the lateral edges of the main body panel in series at first, second, third, and fourth lateral score lines. The front panel of each column panel is folded about a respective second lateral score line with the overlap tab overlapping and attached to the main body panel. Each column panel can be erected to form a rectangular column adjacent to each of the lateral edges of the main body panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY
    Inventor: Sean M. Morrison
  • Patent number: 10207839
    Abstract: A flexible configuration system, method equipment and aircraft are disclosed. This system may use a pallet that includes a load bearing member; and a pallet data network system carried by the load bearing member. The data network system includes at least one external data connection configured to connect the pallet data network to an external network; and at least one pallet data connection configured to connect the pallet data network to devices, equipment, workstations, or seats carried by the pallet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: John D. Hearing, Edward A. Froese, Charlotte R. Lin
  • Patent number: 10207840
    Abstract: A package includes a container and a closure cap for mounting on the container. The closure cap is coupled to a neck of the container to block selectively removal of product stored within the container at the selection of a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Berry Plastics Corporation
    Inventors: William D. Sprick, Todd D. Faubion, Mark A. Deutsch, Jason A. Bragg, Karla S. Koring
  • Patent number: 10207841
    Abstract: A first embodiment of a secure food transport bag has front and rear walls. An upper portion of the front wall has an attached tamper-proof compound affixed to its interior surface. To seal the bag, a protective strip is removed from the compound and the upper portion is pivoted upwardly and pressed to an interior surface of the back wall of the bag. A folded strip handle is attached to the back wall and sealed between the front and back walls. A second embodiment of the bag has a tamper-proof adhesive compound affixed to an interior portion of the back wall and covered with a protective strip. A folded portion of the front wall is sealed to the front wall at side edges and two center seals adjacent the center of the bag. These center seals form a handle opening when the back wall is sealed to the folded portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: GRAND PACKAGING, INC.
    Inventor: Albert Halimi
  • Patent number: 10207842
    Abstract: An animated toy box assembly for stimulating a child to put away toys includes a box that may contain toys. A lid is hingedly coupled to the box such that the lid selectively closes the box. A pair of eyes is coupled to the lid to resemble monster eyes. An interaction unit is coupled to the box and the interaction unit selectively emits audible sound. The interaction unit detects motion thereby detecting when toys are positioned in the box. Moreover, the interaction unit emits the audible sound when the interaction unit detects motion. In this way the interaction unit stimulates a child to place toys in the box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Inventors: Sara Sullivan, Chris Mikhelotti
  • Patent number: 10207843
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a container stopper having a multi-lock structure in which a multi-lock structure is applied to the inner circumferential surface of an opening of a lower stopper, and to the outer circumferential surface of a sealing protrusion of an upper stopper coupled thereto, thereby preventing the coupled stoppers from being easily opened due to shock or other external force generated during the distribution process or storage of a product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: CJ Cheiljedang Corporation
    Inventor: Min Seok Choi
  • Patent number: 10207844
    Abstract: A package includes a container and a lid. The container includes a body formed to include an interior product-storage region and neck coupled to the body and formed to include a mouth opening into the interior-product storage region. The lid is coupled the neck of the container and formed to include a portion of a droplet passageway therein which is arranged to extend along a longitudinal axis of the lid. The droplet passageway is adapted to communicate a droplet of fluid from the interior region to environment surrounding the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Berry Plastics Corporation
    Inventors: Preeti Thukral, Alok Das, Lovwin Banna
  • Patent number: 10207845
    Abstract: A closure with a self-resealing elastomeric septum has a shutter slidable between a closed position over the septum and an open position for exposing the septum. The shutter is spring biased towards the closed position, and may be pushed and held away from the closed position with the tip of an oral syringe to gain access for penetration of the elastomeric septum. The closure may have an upper portion mounted to a lower portion fastened for closing a container. A conduit extends through the upper and lower portions to the interior of the container. A break-away connection is adapted to preferentially break or separate when a sufficient bending or twisting force is applied to the upper portion relative to the lower portion. The conduit may be normally closed by a self-resealing elastomeric septum provided in the lower portion and a slidable shutter may be provided on the upper portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Inventor: Natalie Levy Sarraf
  • Patent number: 10207846
    Abstract: An insert is disclosed for use with a container having an end wall, and sidewall that together form an internal cavity, and an opening opposite the end wall that communicates with the internal cavity. The insert includes a body having first and second ends spaced apart along a first axis. A portion of the body is dimensioned for receipt in the opening of the container. A passage extends through the body from the first end to the second end for communicating with the internal cavity of the container. An elongated recess extends inwardly from the first end of the body and is sealed from the cavity of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Inventor: Kenneth Anthony Loritz
  • Patent number: 10207847
    Abstract: A lockable enclosure includes a housing and an access door. The access door includes a hinge portion connected with a first side wall of the housing and is pivotable about the hinge portion between closed and open positions. When the access door is in the closed position, the hinge portion of the access door is slideable for sliding movement of the access door between a latching position in which a first latch portion of the access door engages a corresponding second latch portion of the housing to secure the access door in the closed position, and a release position in which the first interlock portion disengages from the second interlock portion to permit pivoting movement of the access door from the closed position to the open position. The access door further comprises at least one locking feature configured to secure the closed access door in the latching position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: MASTER LOCK COMPANY LLC
    Inventors: Robert Hollis, Trey Roeser
  • Patent number: 10207848
    Abstract: A carton for containing at least one article. The carton comprises a plurality of panels at least partially forming an interior of the carton. The plurality of panels comprises a top panel. The carton comprises an article protection flap foldably connected to at least one panel of the plurality of panels. The article protection flap is moveable between a first position that is substantially parallel to the top panel and a second position wherein the article protection flap is folded relative to the top panel. The at least one access feature in the top panel is for positioning the article protection flap from the first position to the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, LLC
    Inventors: O'Neal Alexander, Raymond R. Spivey, Sr., Mark Baldino, Ana Gonzalez, John Murdick Holley, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10207849
    Abstract: An anti-theft hangtag includes a body adapted to attach to a tool. The body includes a plate, two engaging portions integrally connected with the plate, a flexible portion located between and connected with the two engaging portions, and a linkage portion connected with the plate and the flexible portion. The two engaging portions are respectively elastically deflectable relative to the plate. The two engaging portions have two faces parallel to each other. When the body is attached to the tool, the two engaging portions are inserted into the tool and are respectively elastically deflected to actuate the flexible portion to elastically abut against the two engaging portions. One of the two engaging portions is engaged with the tool so that the tool is unable to detach from the body to achieve an anti-theft function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Hong Ann Tool Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Cheng-Wei Su
  • Patent number: 10207850
    Abstract: A re-closable packaging assembly includes a container formed at least partially by a first film, and the container has a plurality of walls that cooperate to define an interior volume. The container has an opening through at least one of the plurality of walls. A closure assembly is secured to the container adjacent the opening and comprises a second film and a portion of the first film. The closure assembly includes a lid member pivotable about a hinge portion between a first position in which the lid member releasably engages the container surrounding the opening and a second position in which the lid member is pivoted away from the opening. A first engagement feature may be disposed on the container and a second engagement feature may be disposed on the lid member to removably secure the lid member to the container when the lid member is in the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: PRIMAPAK, LLC.
    Inventors: James J. Sanfilippo, John E. Sanfilippo, Jeanne M. Skaggs, Francisco Javier Soria, Milorad Radenovic, Bohdan Wyslotsky, Paul Georgelos, Pat Montefusco, Roy Speer, Roman Forowycz
  • Patent number: 10207851
    Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for a container that comprises multiple interlocking panels. According to various embodiments, a first panel includes a first notch, a second notch, a third notch, and a fourth notch. A second panel includes a first tab that is configured to be inserted into the first notch of the first panel. A third panel includes a second tab that is configured to be inserted into the second notch of the first panel. A fourth panel includes a third tab that is configured to be inserted into the third notch of the first panel. A fifth panel includes a fourth tab that is configured to be inserted into the fourth notch of the first panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Patricia Terumi Yoshida Shigihara, William Anthony Lopes, David Dzung Lu