Patents Issued in June 11, 2019
  • Patent number: 10315759
    Abstract: A vehicle with superior performance and reliability. The vehicle, such as an unmanned aerial vehicle, is capable of vertical takeoff and landing, uses three swashless, variable-pitch vertical lift main rotors with a yaw tail rotor system. Two rear main rotors are optionally tiltrotors, which pivot to increase forward speed without the increased coefficient of drag inherent in tilting the entire vehicle. The three main rotors are positioned in an equilateral triangular configuration, improving balance, increasing load-bearing strength, and making it more compact in size. Movements are controlled through changes in pitch of the rotors, allowing the motors to maintain constant governed rotations per minute, maximizing drivetrain efficiency. Various embodiments allow for smaller vehicle size with greater performance than prior art vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Reza Nemovi, Robert Bartlett
  • Patent number: 10315760
    Abstract: An aerial vehicle adapted for vertical takeoff and landing using pivoting thrust producing elements for takeoff and landing. An aerial vehicle which is adapted to takeoff with thrust units providing vertical thrust and then transitioning to a horizontal flight path. An aerial vehicle with pivoting thrust units with propellers, wherein some or all of the propellers are able to be stowed and fully nested during forward flight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Joby Aero, Inc.
    Inventors: JoeBen Bevirt, Alex Stoll
  • Patent number: 10315761
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a propulsion assembly for an aircraft includes a nacelle, at least one self-contained fuel tank disposed within the nacelle operable to contain a liquid fuel, an engine disposed within the nacelle operable to run on the liquid fuel, a drive system mechanically coupled to the engine and operable to rotate responsive to rotation of the engine, a rotor hub mechanically coupled to the drive system operable to rotate responsive to rotation of the drive system and a proprotor mechanically coupled to the rotor hub and operable to rotate therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: John Richard McCullough, Paul K. Oldroyd
  • Patent number: 10315762
    Abstract: An unmanned vehicle including a body and a frame structure extending from the body and supporting a plurality of propeller assemblies, each propeller assembly including at least one propeller and a corresponding motor with the motor housed in a watertight housing or coated and made corrosion resistant. The propellers comprise a first subset of propellers of the propeller assemblies and a second subset of propellers of the propeller assemblies which rotate in a plane positioned below a plane in which the first subset of propellers rotate, wherein said first and second subset of propellers are configured for independent operation of one another as the vehicle transitions from an air medium to a water medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW JERSEY
    Inventors: Francisco Javier Diez-Garias, Marco M. Maia
  • Patent number: 10315763
    Abstract: Various methods for performing package deliveries by a robotic vehicle may include determining whether an individual at a package delivery location is a requester or an authorized recipient of a package to be delivered by the robotic vehicle at the package delivery location, sending a notification to the requester of the package in response to determining that the individual at the package delivery location is not the requester or an authorized recipient, and delivering the package to the individual at the package delivery location in response to receiving authorization from the requester to deliver the package to the individual.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Shankar Anand, Ashutosh Gupta, Ankit Banaudha, Amandeep Singh Bedi, Michael Franco Taveira
  • Patent number: 10315764
    Abstract: Described herein are apparatuses for passively releasing a payload of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). An example apparatus may include, among other features, (i) a housing; (ii) a swing arm coupled to the housing, wherein the swing arm is operable to toggle between an open position and a closed position; (iii) a spring mechanism adapted to exert a force on the swing arm from the open position toward the closed position; (iv) a receiving system of a UAV adapted to receive the housing, wherein the receiving system causes the swing arm to be arranged in the open position; and (v) a spool operable to unwind and wind a tether coupled to the housing, wherein unwinding the tether causes a descent of the housing from the receiving system, and wherein winding the tether causes an ascent of the housing to the receiving system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Wing Aviation LLC
    Inventors: Trevor Shannon, Zhefei Li
  • Patent number: 10315765
    Abstract: A service box for storing in a storage rack arrangement of a cargo container of a vehicle, in particular an aircraft, including a rectangular bottom wall, a rectangular upper wall, side walls and narrow end walls and forms an interior space adapted to receive a trolley for catering goods. The service box is provided with a door at at least one of its narrow ends, the door forming at least the main part of the narrow wall and in the open state permits insertion and removal of the trolley and in the closed state provides for an essentially closed space for the trolley.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Ingo Roth, Andreas Köhler, Sassa Nadine Boos, Arne Stoldt, Sascha-Jay Salvador, Engin Özkan, Lasse Jensen
  • Patent number: 10315766
    Abstract: A monitor is configured to be detachably fixed to a wall surface and includes an attaching-detaching device configured to be positioned between the monitor and the wall surface and detachably fix the monitor to the wall surface. The attaching-detaching device includes a swing member having a distal end and a proximal end, a hinge mechanism configured to be attachable to the wall surface and support the proximal end of the swing member such that the distal end of the swing member is swingable toward or away from the wall surface, a swing member engagement portion on a rear surface of the monitor opposite to a display screen of the monitor, the swing member engagement portion being engaged with the swing member, and a lock mechanism on the rear surface of the monitor, the lock mechanism being configured to lock the swing member in engagement with the swing member engagement portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Yokota, Kaname Tomita
  • Patent number: 10315767
    Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a vertically stowable aircraft storage unit for providing additional storage in a cabin area of an aircraft can include a storage compartment and a vacuum lift mechanism for lifting and lowering the storage compartment between a stowed position and a deployed position. The vacuum lift mechanism can include at least one vacuum actuator in fluid communication with a vacuum source. The aircraft storage unit can further include an overhead mounting frame for mounting the vacuum lift mechanism to an upper structure of an interior of the aircraft, and a storage compartment frame configured to releasably receive the storage compartment. The vacuum lift mechanism may be releasably attached, at an upper end, to the overhead mounting frame, and at a lower end, to the storage compartment frame. The upper structure of the interior of the aircraft can be above a ceiling of the cabin area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: Shawn A. Claflin, James B. Hauser
  • Patent number: 10315768
    Abstract: The invention relates to an overhead luggage compartment for an aircraft, comprising an upper luggage compartment element, a lower luggage compartment element movable between a locked and an open position, a holding device for holding the lower luggage compartment element in the closed position, a lifting spring for supporting the movement of the lower luggage compartment element from the open position to the closed position, and a retaining device for fixing the lifting spring in the tensioned state in the open position of the lower luggage compartment element. An operating handle for releasing the retaining device in the open position of the lower luggage compartment element is provided, wherein the lower luggage compartment element is movable, optionally with support by the lifting spring or with the lifting spring fixed in a tensioned state, from the open position to the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: FACC AG
    Inventor: Jakob Schörkhuber
  • Patent number: 10315769
    Abstract: An aircraft-installed hand dryer including an air for air conditioning supplied from an air conditioning equipment inside a cabin of an aircraft applied as an air for drying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: JAMCO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kouichi Ooi, Yoshihisa Tsutsui
  • Patent number: 10315770
    Abstract: In an illustrative embodiment, electromechanical actuation systems and methods for use in an aircraft passenger suite include aircraft suite actuators for allowing passenger-initiated adjustment of a passenger seat and other suite components, a LRU coupled to each of actuators including control circuitry for controlling actuation of a given actuator in response to a passenger-initiated adjustment request, and wireless communication circuitry configured to: initiate communication links with LRUs creating a communication network, establish master/slave relationships with LRUs, and communicate actuation commands via the communication network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel I. Udriste, Catalin Bunea
  • Patent number: 10315771
    Abstract: A lumbar support system for an aircraft seat includes a deformable lumbar support basket having a proximate end and a distal end. The system includes a shape memory alloy tension cable in communication with the proximate end of the deformable lumbar support basket, and the distal end of the deformable lumbar support basket. The shape memory alloy tension cable has a changeable tension length with an electric current through the cable. The system also includes a controller operatively connected with the shape memory alloy tension cable. The controller transmits the electric current through the shape memory alloy tension cable based on the user actuation. The electric current causes the shape memory alloy tension cable to deform the lumbar support basket by tension force applied to the proximate end of the deformable lumbar support basket and the distal end of the deformable lumbar support basket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: AMI INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Sreekanth Koti Ananda Rao, Mahesh Virupaxi Hosmani, Satya Swaroop Panda, Pradeep Acharya
  • Patent number: 10315772
    Abstract: Described are seat units having at least one seat (12) with an upper seat back cushion (32), a lower seat back cushion (34), and a seat pan cushion (36). The at least one seat is configured to transition between a seat position and a bed position. The upper seat back cushion and the lower seat back cushion are separated by a gap (56) located between an end of each cushion when the at least one seat is in the seat position. In contrast, the ends of the cushions are flush with each other when the at least one seat is in the bed position. The seat pan cushion is positioned below a passenger's buttocks when the at least one seat transitions between the seat position and the bed position without additional adjustment by the passenger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Zodiac Seats France
    Inventors: Charles Ehrmann, Bastien Bonnefoy, Victor Carlioz, Laurent Ligonnière, Felix Lorsignol
  • Patent number: 10315773
    Abstract: A seat system for a passenger aircraft includes at least one passenger seat and an adjustable headrest attached to the passenger seat. The adjustable headrest includes a plurality of panels including a center panel and at least two pairs of side panels; a plurality of vertically articulated joints each separating each of the pairs one from another; a sliding mechanism such as a rail to facilitate vertical displacement of the plurality of panels, the sliding mechanism connected to the center panel; and a quick release mechanism to facilitate removal of the plurality of panels from the passenger seat, the quick release mechanism engaged with the sliding mechanism. A seat back tray table may further be attached to the back of the passenger seat. The headrest is vertically adjustable, and configured to curve around a passenger's head to provide comfort and stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: HAECO Americas, Inc.
    Inventor: Sam J. Ahad
  • Patent number: 10315774
    Abstract: A vehicle seat comprising a stand and a bucket having a seat pan and a seat back. Said stand serves to fasten said bucket to a floor of said vehicle and to absorb deformation of said floor while limiting the mechanical stresses that are transmitted to said bucket. Said pan is connected to said bucket via a revolute joint for pivoting about a transverse direction and by energy absorber devices. The stand has two first legs forming a fork and connecting the front of said bucket to said floor via ball joint connections. The bucket is connected to said floor at the rear of the seat via two ball joint connections. The stand is thus connected to said bucket via three points and to said floor via four points making it possible to avoid twisting said bucket as a result of deformation of said floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: AIRBUS HELICOPTERS
    Inventors: Pierre Crozat, Jean-Francois Joffre, Marcin Stawiak
  • Patent number: 10315775
    Abstract: An aircraft duct structure includes a first duct through which exhaust air from a front-side equipment compartment flows, and a second duct through which exhaust air from a rear-side equipment compartment flows. The first duct has a terminal end part where the exhaust air inside the second duct flows into the exhaust air inside the first duct at a substantially right angle, and a flow straightening plate located inside the terminal end part. The terminal end part has a jet opening which faces, across a clearance, an air pressure regulating port where an air pressure regulating valve is disposed. The inside of the terminal end part is divided by the flow straightening plate into an upper region and a lower region. The exhaust air inside the first duct and the exhaust air inside the second duct merge together in the upper region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masatoshi Morishita, Yoichi Uefuji, Toshiyuki Ishida, Gento Ichikawa, Yasunari Tanaka, Fumio Kondo
  • Patent number: 10315776
    Abstract: Vehicle navigation methods, systems and computer program products are provided that create a composite video image of a scene from video images of the scene generated by a plurality of video image sensors. The video image from each image sensor includes a respective array of pixels. The composite video image is created by selecting for a composite image pixel at a given position in an array of composite image pixels a pixel at the given position from one of the respective pixel arrays having the highest signal level or highest signal-to-noise ratio. The selecting is repeatedly performed for a plurality of given positions in the array of composite image pixels. The composite video image can be displayed via a display, such as a head-up display utilized in a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Vu Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Sidney A. Connor, J. Stedman Stevens
  • Patent number: 10315777
    Abstract: A safe takeoff monitoring system checks the actual physical parameters of an airplane during takeoff, determines the actual takeoff weight, and warns the pilot to interrupt the takeoff if any dangerous situation is developing, before a high energy abort is necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Embraer S.A.
    Inventors: Reinaldo Martins, Nelson Seibert
  • Patent number: 10315778
    Abstract: A flight deck display that represents the overall health of the airplane by combining energy state, system state and configuration state into one integrated representation that is triggered by the on-board engine indication and crew alerting system. The computer system for controlling the display unit is configured to display an airplane status indicator in the form of a symbolic representation of the airplane that persists across displays. The status indicator shows the energy state of the airplane and how energy is being added or subtracted from it in terms of altitude, airspeed, thrust, wind, etc. As the airplane gains energy, there is a projection of excess energy shown in front of the airplane. As the airplane loses energy, an alerting indicator will appear around the airplane symbol if the performance of the airplane becomes is too low.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: The Beoing Company
    Inventor: Barbara E. Holder
  • Patent number: 10315779
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a rotorcraft includes: tail rotor blades; a tail rotor actuator coupled to the tail rotor blades such that the pitch of the tail rotor blades varies according to a current extension of the tail rotor actuator; pilot flight controls electrically coupled to the tail rotor actuator; and a flight control computer electrically coupled to the tail rotor actuator and the pilot flight controls, the flight control computer configured to: determine the current extension of the tail rotor actuator; determine whether the current extension of the tail rotor actuator is within a margin of a maximum extension of the tail rotor actuator; and indicate a first warning to a pilot in response to the current extension of the tail rotor actuator being within the margin of the maximum extension of the tail rotor actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Christopher M. Bothwell, Robert Earl Worsham, II, Sung Kyun Kim, Brandon Jeffrey Thomas
  • Patent number: 10315780
    Abstract: A touchdown control system for a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft including a detection controller receptive to aircraft state signals including one or more of an altitude signal, an aircraft attitude signal, an external environment signal, an aircraft velocity signal, an attitude rate signal, and a proximity signal. An enable controller is operatively connected to the detection controller. The enable controller selectively provides a touchdown control signal based on one or more of the altitude signal, the aircraft attitude signal, the external environment signal, the aircraft velocity signal, the attitude rate signal, and the proximity signal. A regulation controller is operatively connected to the enable controller. The regulation controller selectively adjusts aircraft control surfaces based on the touchdown control signal to facilitate final touchdown of the VTOL aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Peter J. Waltner, Nikolas A. Macko, Daniel Bazzani
  • Patent number: 10315781
    Abstract: A gimbal comprises a carrying plate, a quick release assembly detachably mounted on the carrying plate and configured to detachably mount the gimbal on an unmanned aerial vehicle, and an angle adjusting mechanism rotatably disposed on the carrying plate and configured to connect with a load and to drive the load to rotate. The quick release assembly and the angle adjusting mechanism are arranged side by side on the carrying plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: SZ DJI OSMO TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tao Zhao, Qilong Yan
  • Patent number: 10315782
    Abstract: Self-contained mobile solar-powered escalator systems for aircraft entry comprising a security canopy and safety walls for protection, an electric cargo vehicle, an escalator, a lift system, exiting platform, leveler/stabilizers, heavy duty front and rear suspension, formal arriving platform, handrails, repair compartments, expandable waterproof and bulletproof canopy, distance light indicator, inflatable rubber bumper, and emergency brakes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: ESME, LLC.
    Inventor: Daniel E. Guajardo
  • Patent number: 10315783
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for ply blending. A desired thickness and a desired stiffness distribution for a composite structure are received. A model of the composite structure is split into a plurality of panels. Lamination parameters and a quantity of plies for each panel of the plurality of panels are determined using the desired thickness and the desired stiffness distribution for the composite structure. Ply shapes for each ply of the plurality of panels are determined using an objective function. A fiber angle is determined for each ply of the plurality of panels. Each ply of a first half of a panel of the plurality of panels has a different fiber angle value than each other ply of the first half of the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Adriana Willempje Blom, Laura Sumi Kang, Michael Andrew Epton
  • Patent number: 10315784
    Abstract: A CubeSat side panel with an additional storage compartment includes a satellite endcap, a hinge assembly, and at least one CubeSat component. A plurality of lateral lips and a top extremity of the satellite endcap delineate a storage compartment within the satellite endcap. The storage compartment allows the Cubesat component to be mounted upon an inner surface of the satellite endcap. The hinge assembly connects the satellite endcap to a frame of the CubeSat thus allowing the CubeSat side panel to open upward and away from the CubeSat. Resultantly, the hinge assembly provides easy access to the Cubesat component of the satellite endcap and other existing components that are positioned within the frame of the CubeSat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Inventor: Matthew J Leonard
  • Patent number: 10315785
    Abstract: Described is a unit for filling containers (2) forming single-use capsules (3) with a dose (33) of product for extraction or infusion beverages, comprising: a line (4) for transport of the containers (2); a station (SR) for filling the containers (2) with a dose (33) of product and comprising: a first containing seat (S1) designed to receive a dose (33) of product; a device (10) for moving the first seat (S); a device (11) for adjusting the position of the first containing seat (S1) between a position (P1) for receiving the dose and a position (P2) for releasing the dose; a substation (ST1) for forming the dose (33) inside the first containing seat (S1); a substation (ST3) for releasing the dose (33) of product from the first containing seat (S1) to a container (2) transported by the transport line (4), the adjusting device (11) being configured to place the first containing seat (S1) in the receiving position (P1) at the substation (ST1) for forming the dose (33) and in the release position (P2) at the subst
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: GIMA S.p.A.
    Inventors: Dario Rea, Pierluigi Castellari
  • Patent number: 10315786
    Abstract: A machine for processing containers is disclosed. The machine has a conveying device and at least one processing unit coupled to the conveying device to be carried along a processing path. The processing unit is provided with: a winding element, having an outer lateral surface designed to receive, and cause winding of, a portion of labelling material in a tubular configuration with opposite ends overlapped, and a top surface designed to support a bottom portion of a container to be processed; a sealing device including a sealing element having a functional surface adapted to cooperate with said portion wound about said winding body for performing a welding process of the overlapped ends, as the processing unit is carried along the path, to form a sleeve label; and a displacement device, operable to cause a relative displacement between the sleeve label and the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: SIDEL S.P.A CON SOCIO UNICO
    Inventors: Mattia Giuliani, Mirko Rossi, Andrea Forzenigo
  • Patent number: 10315787
    Abstract: A manual check valve for use when priming a fluid supply for a spray gun includes an orifice that opens from the fluid supply into a storage chamber, the storage chamber captures any fluid that is expelled from the fluid supply during priming, and the storage chamber is sealed with a closure. Sealing the storage chamber traps any expelled fluid in the storage chamber and prevents any of the expelled fluid from leaking onto another surface, which keeps the priming operation clean.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventor: Mariusz J. Luczak
  • Patent number: 10315788
    Abstract: A closure system and method of forming containers comprising a closing element. The closing element is integrally sealable to the container at one of the openings to be closed, and a preferential separation zone between the container and the closing element, the closure system comprising a first guiding and/or coupling portion for guiding and controlling the movement of the closing element from a first blocking position, wherein the closing element is integral to the container, to a second unblocking position, wherein the closing element is separated from the container via the preferential separation zone. The closure system further includes a first thread on the insert and a second thread formed within the closing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: BREVETTI ANGELA S.R.L.
    Inventor: Roberto Consolaro
  • Patent number: 10315789
    Abstract: An apparatus for packing articles, wherein the packing is formed by at least one web material, wherein typically a plurality of individual juxtaposed runs of web material and a number of more or less packed articles are conveyed on the runs, wherein the apparatus includes first mechanism which, during packing of articles, joins the web material continuously in its longitudinal direction, as well as other mechanisms for producing individual joints and for separation of the articles in a transverse direction of the web material, wherein the mentioned other mechanisms are arranged on moving means adapted to move in the same direction and at the same speed as the web material and the articles being packed, called the X-axis, and in a direction towards the web material and the articles arranged thereon, called the Y-axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: GRAM EQUIPMENT A/S
    Inventor: Steen Pedersen
  • Patent number: 10315790
    Abstract: A method of producing packages from a tube of packaging material for a liquid food product, comprises reforming a flat web of packaging material into a cylindrical tube, feeding the tube of packaging material in first direction, filling the tube with a liquid food product, transversally sealing the tube, at regular intervals, into separate package volumes, wherein a longitudinal axis of every second transversal seal being parallel to each other, and a longitudinal axis of each adjacent transversal seal being perpendicular to each other, and wherein a longitudinal axis of each transversal seal is angled in a range between 15-30° in relation to a plane which is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the tube of packaging material. Also disclosed is a packaging material for use in the method, a package produced with the method, and a filling machine performing the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: TETRA LAVAL HOLDINGS & FINANCE S.A.
    Inventors: Mattias Lennartsson, Mårten Andersson
  • Patent number: 10315791
    Abstract: A method for making a single use capsule (1) for extraction or infusion beverages includes the step of: arranging a first strip (S1) of thermoformable filtering material above rigid bodies (2); joining the first strip (S1) of thermoformable filtering material to the rigid bodies (2) at respective rims (7); forming the first strip (S1) of thermoformable filtering material to achieve a filter (8) that defines a chamber (5); filling the chamber (5) with a dose (D) of product; closing the chamber (5) and the rigid body (2) with a closing lid (6). A machine for making single use capsules (1) for extraction beverages includes: a feeding system (40); a transport system (50); a joining station (60); a forming station (70); a filling station (80); and a closing station (90).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: GIMA, S.P.A.
    Inventors: Dario Rea, Fabio Franceschi
  • Patent number: 10315792
    Abstract: An appliance for dispensing, forming and vacuum packaging a container is provided including a base, a vacuum motor disposed in the base, a vacuum sealing compartment formed in the base including a vacuum trough fluidly connected to the vacuum motor, a sealing element disposed in the vacuum sealing compartment adjacent the vacuum trough, and a storage compartment formed in the base vertically disposed above the vacuum sealing compartment configured to store a roll of flexible container material. At least one section of the container material may be dispensed from the storage compartment and cut from the roll of container material and sealed on a first free end with the sealing element to form an unsealed container. The unsealed container may then be evacuated by the vacuum motor through a second free end inserted into the vacuum trough and/or sealed on the second free end with the sealing element to form a hermetically sealed container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Sunbeam Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Augusto Picozza, Richard Neil Tobin, Andrew L. Hall, Jeffery A. Smith
  • Patent number: 10315793
    Abstract: A product packaging system includes a tipping system that tips a product stack after the product stack is formed. The tipping system may have a turn plate that is selectively pivotable about a horizontal axis to tip a product stack onto a discharge platform located upstream from the product stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Valley Tissue Packaging, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Rooyakkers
  • Patent number: 10315794
    Abstract: A bag mouth opening device for continuously conveyed bags including suction cups (16, 17) continuously rotated in mutually opposite directions along substantially symmetrical elliptical moving paths (24, 25) on ether side of a conveying path (1) for bags. The time the suction cups take to make their single rotation along the moving paths matches the time a bag (20) takes to be conveyed for an inter-bag distance(s). The major axes (26, 27) of both moving paths of the suction cups are inclined at almost the same angles relative to the conveying path and digress from the bag conveying path toward their anterior side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Toyo Jidoki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tohru Yoshikane, Masafumi Ueno
  • Patent number: 10315795
    Abstract: The invention relates to a packaging system comprising a work station with a tool component, a loading station with a side panel component, and a thermal system conveying heatable fluid. The thermal system comprises cooling section and/or a heating section. The cooling section conveys the heatable fluid to the tool component and has an actuator configured for regulating the flow volume of the heatable fluid to the tool component. The heating section conveys the heatable fluid to the side panel component and is coupled at least in sections to the side panel component in order to heat the side panel component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Multivac Sepp Haggenmüller SE & Co. KG
    Inventor: Elmar Ehrmann
  • Patent number: 10315796
    Abstract: A plastic container comprises an upper portion including a finish adapted to receive a closure, a lower portion including a base, and a sidewall extending between the upper portion and the lower portion. The upper portion, the lower portion, and the sidewall define an interior volume for storing liquid contents. The plastic container further comprises a pressure panel located on the container and moveable between an initial position and an activated position. The pressure panel is located in the initial position prior to filling the container, and is moved to the activated position after filling and sealing the container. Moving the pressure panel from the initial position to the activated position reduces the internal volume of the container and creates a positive pressure inside the container. The positive pressure reinforces the sidewall. A method of processing a container is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: CO2 PAC LIMITED
    Inventors: David Murray Melrose, Paul Kelley, John Denner
  • Patent number: 10315797
    Abstract: Embodiments of a reusable stackable shipping box are provided herein. The reusable stackable shipping box may be reused and cleaned without causing harm to the integrity of the box. In addition, the box is slightly tapered in shape such that the box may be stacked upon and within other boxes for ease in shipping and organization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventor: Jim E. Lee
  • Patent number: 10315798
    Abstract: A stackable pallet display system includes a tray portion having a rectangular bottom wall, corner posts extending upward from corners of the tray portion and an interior divider panel extending upward from the tray portion. The tray, corner posts and interior divider wall of the system can be folded from blanks of material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignees: Menasha Corporation, PepsiCo, Inc.
    Inventors: Mike Pfeifer, William Garrett Ehlebracht, Sunitha Nair, Daniel Lee Mathews, Roberto Carlos Guerrero Kees
  • Patent number: 10315799
    Abstract: An integrated container with a box and pallet is provided that is made entirely of corrugated materials, and is fully compatible with automated systems and methods for the safe collection, transfer, and treatment of infectious and hazardous waste. The integrated box and pallet made entirely of corrugated materials provides an improved high strength packaging solution that allows for safe transport of waste to a disposal location. The corrugated pallet and box are compatible with shredders and does not require metal fasteners. The corrugated pallet and box are completely recyclable, and may be made of a cardboard or of plastic. Separate waste collection containers may be collected and placed in the box of integrated container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Aemerge, LLC
    Inventors: Scott Behrens, Landon C. G. Miller
  • Patent number: 10315800
    Abstract: A container having a center portion and two side portions each situated at an angle to the center portion and extending in opposite directions such that the a left half of the container is substantially identical to a right half of the container but rotated 180 degrees to form a “Z” shaped profile of the container. This “Z” shaped profile allows containers to be stacked upon each other to provide space savings in storage and shipping of the container and the container when filled with liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Stackcan LLC
    Inventor: Alvaro Mauricio Olarte
  • Patent number: 10315801
    Abstract: A collapsible box has a bottom with a plurality of foldable walls, each of which is hinged to the bottom. Each wall is displaceable between a collapsed state and an erected state, in which the walls are connected by locking means. The bottom and the walls in the erected state define a space. The bottom includes a guiding element configured to receive at least a part of an upper rim of another collapsible box stacked underneath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Frametray Tech AB
    Inventor: Henrik Molander
  • Patent number: 10315802
    Abstract: A collapsible bottle with a channelway provided in a side wall which, in collapsed conditions of the bottle, the channelway becomes engaged with opposed portions of the side wall and define a flow passageway therethrough toward a discharge opening at one end of the bottle and a closed other end of the bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: OP-Hygiene IP GmbH
    Inventor: Ali Mirbach
  • Patent number: 10315803
    Abstract: Provided is a manufacturing method for a double container that allows easy manufacturing with a molding device not significantly different from conventional devices and that can, at a lower cost than the processing cost of conventional technology, very easily and reliably form, in a comparatively rigid outer container and in a double container that allows, inside the outer container, capacity to be varied with respect to the amount of content, an opening for allowing external air to enter. When a pair of partial molds are brought near each other in order to form a split mold, at least part of the mating faces of the pair of partial molds forms a projection by sandwiching a small outer diameter portion of a parison, a gap that passes between the double container is created by cutting off the projection, and the gap is opened and expanded by screwing on a cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: HEIWA KAGAKU INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Hatakeyama, Harumasa Hatakeyama
  • Patent number: 10315804
    Abstract: A method for making a film bag with reinforced bag seams includes a film extruder that produces a continuous tube of film. A flattener produces a continuous web of flattened film which has an upper surface and a lower surface. A fold maker has a receiving portion positioned above the web and a displacing portion is positioned below the web that moves cyclically upward to a first position to locate a portion of the web into the receiving portion, thereby forming a fold. A fold retention device prevents the fold from opening. A presser flattens the fold against the web. A sealer seals through the fold, forming a reinforced bag seam. A cutter severs a sealed portion from an unsealed portion of the web. A transport mechanism moves the film from the extruder, through the flattener, into the fold maker, beneath the presser, into the sealer and to the cutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Inventors: Daniel Brian Tan, David H. G'Sell, Sr.
  • Patent number: 10315805
    Abstract: A dunnage bag and load strap hanger apparatus includes a dunnage bag and load strap hanger and a handle mounted applicator block operative to support and affix the dunnage bag and load strap hanger. The dunnage bag and load strap hanger is fabricated from three distinct and separate parts: a generally planar support substrate and two release papers covering adhesive patches or regions on the support substrate. The support substrate in one embodiment is a sheet that is further divided into two contact members separated by a resilient coupler. Each contact member preferably has a contact body, a hanging loop distal to the resilient coupler, and in alternative embodiments an adhesive coating or other fasteners and affixers. In one alternative embodiment there is one affixing surface, and a fastener to couple two contact members together to support a load strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Inventors: John R. Wilson, William M. Wilson
  • Patent number: 10315806
    Abstract: A coupling and uncoupling apparatus for closing a bag or a package in the form of a clamp. The clamp has a latching assembly for closing the bag or package. The clamp can have at least one lock assembly. The at least one lock assembly is configured so that if breached or missing can be reasonably be expected to provide visible evidence that tampering has occurred. The clamp has a passage configured for a bag neck to pass through. The latching assembly may have two long complementary members, one on each arm that latch when closed or a plurality of short complementary latching members pairs disposed on each arm that latch when closed. this coupling and uncoupling apparatus is suitable not just for closing and sealing food bags and packages, but also for sealing tubing such as used in medical applications, as well as coupling and uncoupling wiring and cords.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Inventor: Leonid Taratuta
  • Patent number: 10315807
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a closure for a reclosable package wherein the product side flanges include opposing air pockets thereby allowing a user to more easily grab the product side flanges or the package walls. In a second embodiment of the disclosure, the opposing air pockets are adjacent to the interlocking elements of the closure. In a further aspect of the disclosure, a closure includes a small sack or air or other fluid adjacent to the closure profiles. When closed, the closure creates a leak resistant configuration. By pressing the air sack, the user separates the closure profiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Jose Manuel Septien-Rojas, Murray Leighton, Martin Offa-Jones
  • Patent number: 10315808
    Abstract: A tamper indicating closure cap or overseal comprises a top wall, and an annular top wall skirt attached to a periphery of the top wall. A locking member is attached to the top wall skirt so as to be movable between: i) a first position projecting inwardly with respect to the top wall for application of the closure cap or overseal to a container opening and/or to a container closure plug and ii) a second position projecting inwardly and upwardly towards the top wall, thereby to lock the closure cap or overseal to the container closure and/or closure plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: GREIF INTERNATIONAL HOLDING BV
    Inventors: Dale Taylor, Cornelis Van De Klippe, Steven Talaga