Patents Issued in July 2, 2019
  • Patent number: 10336450
    Abstract: This disclosure describes a multi-wing manned or unmanned compact personal vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, comprising the integration of: a plurality of parallel wings forming a boxed planform multi-wing assembly with no dynamic airfoil control surfaces, statically affixed to a co-planar adjacent counter-rotating quad-rotor air propulsion system; and a fuselage free to rotate under servo control about an axial shaft, permitting dynamic orientation manipulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Inventor: Brendan Graham
  • Patent number: 10336451
    Abstract: Disclosed is an aerial vehicle. The aerial vehicle may include a removable battery. Various embodiments of removable battery assemblies include a pull-bar battery assembly, a latch battery assembly, and a lever battery assembly. The aerial vehicle may also include a propeller locking mechanism to which propellers may be removably coupled. The propeller locking mechanism may obviate the need for tools for coupling or decoupling propellers to the aerial vehicle. Vents in the arm of the aerial vehicle may provide an air pathway, providing convective cooling for the electronics aerial vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Inventors: Noriaki Saika, William H. Tolbert, Reza Yazdani
  • Patent number: 10336452
    Abstract: A drone having a main housing unit, wherein a set of turbines, a speed controller and an electrical controlling unit are located and is powered by an engine without the necessity for external propellers such that the “blade-less” engines allows the propellers (or blades) to remain hidden instead of removing them from the overall system. A power source is located within a main housing of the drone system that allows for accelerated airflow for the blade-less engine thus lifting the drone up in the air. The turbines facilitate air flow radially outward from a center of the main housing unit, wherein air is fed to the turbines through an air intake unit at the top of the main housing unit and is then accelerated by the turbines through a plurality of arm units, which force the air into an inlet tunnel located along the perimeter of a nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Inventor: Muye Jia
  • Patent number: 10336453
    Abstract: A system and method for payload management for an unmanned aircraft system is disclosed. The payload management system and method may comprise a containment system configured to contain payload carried by the UAV/aircraft. The UAV/aircraft may be configured to carry payload in an external pod as part of the containment system. The pod carried by the UAV/craft may be fillable/inflatable to contain payload and facilitate aerodynamic performance of the UAV/craft carrying payload (e.g. on a mission from originator to destination for delivery in operating conditions). Systems and methods may provide managing and monitoring for payload carried by UAV/aircraft (e.g. with instrumentation).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: Alistair K. Chan, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10336454
    Abstract: A bucket for use with an aircraft storage bin that includes a bottom and first and second opposing side walls extending upwardly from the bottom. The first and second side walls each include a top edge. The first side wall includes a first slot that is open to the top edge of the first side wall and is configured to receive a first pivot axle therein, and the second side wall includes a second slot that is open to the top edge of the second side wall and is configured to receive a second pivot axle therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: C&D ZODIAC, INC.
    Inventor: Scott Savian
  • Patent number: 10336455
    Abstract: A monument is configured to be positioned within an internal cabin of a vehicle. The monument includes a deployable portion. The deployable portion is configured to move from a non-deployed state into a deployed state when a force that meets or exceeds a predetermined threshold is exerted into the monument wall assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Darren Carl McIntosh, Jeff S. Siegmeth
  • Patent number: 10336456
    Abstract: A foldable seat bench comprises a seat, a seat area and a backrest, and a carrier arrangement comprising a carrier element carrying the seat and at least one leg. The backrest is movable between a deployed position extending at an angle of approximately 70° to 110° relative to the seat area and a stowed position extending at an angle of approximately 0° to 20° relative to the seat area. The leg is foldable relative to the carrier element between a unfolded position and a folded position. The foldable seat bench comprises a first locking mechanism which, in a locking state, is adapted to lock the backrest of the seat in both its deployed position and its stowed position, and a second locking mechanism which, in a locking state, is adapted to lock the leg of the carrier arrangement in both its unfolded position and its folded position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Ehlers, Stefan Behrens
  • Patent number: 10336457
    Abstract: A seat rail cover includes a retaining section, configured to be introduced at least partially into a part of the seat rail, and a cover section, configured to cover the seat rail when the retaining section is introduced into the seat rail. At least the cover section of the seat rail cover is formed in one piece by 3D printing. Geometry, surface texture, color composition and/or color pattern of at least a visible part of the cover section in the installed state of the seat rail cover are matched to a surface and/or a floor covering of a floor element next to a seat rail to which the seat rail cover is connectable. Furthermore, a floor element with a seat rail and a seat rail cover as well as an aircraft with such a floor element. A method for manufacturing a seat rail cover by 3D printing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Fritz, Felix Lohan, David Wottke
  • Patent number: 10336458
    Abstract: In order to reduce engine deformation, the subject matter disclosed herein provides an assembly for an aircraft, comprising an aircraft rear section, an engine, a nacelle, and a mounting strut for mounting the engine on the rear section, the assembly also comprising mounting for mounting the engine on a rigid structure of the strut, the mounting comprising two engine mounts designed to react the axial thrust forces generated by the engine. According to the subject matter disclosed herein, the rigid structure of the strut comprises a first portion partially enveloping the engine, this first portion comprising an external skin forming part of an external aerodynamic surface of the nacelle, and the two engine mounts are arranged diametrically opposite each other at the rear of the rigid structure, being attached to the first portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS (S.A.S.)
    Inventors: Julien Guillemaut, Sébastien Alby, Jérôme Colmagro, Pascal Pome, Jonathan Blanc, Thomas Robiglio, Tobias Sjostrom
  • Patent number: 10336459
    Abstract: An engine mount assembly for coupling an engine to an airframe. The engine mount assembly includes a torsion bar coupled between the engine and the airframe. The torsion bar includes an external spline. The engine mount assembly also includes a bell crank having a clamp forming an internal spline with the internal spline of the bell crank adapted to mate with the external spline of the torsion bar to secure the bell crank to the torsion bar such that the bell crank rotates with the torsion bar responsive to movements of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Bennett Bacon, Brett Rodney Zimmerman, Clegg Benjamin Brian Smith
  • Patent number: 10336460
    Abstract: An acoustic panel for an aircraft nacelle includes a cellular layer configured to trap noise, a backplate fixed to one surface of the cellular layer and a facesheet fixed to another, opposite, surface of the cellular layer. The facesheet includes a layer of a preimpregnated woven material containing weft yarns spaced apart from one another and warp yarns spaced apart from one another so that the facesheet exhibits openings between the yarns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Airbus Operations S.A.S.
    Inventors: Florian Ravise, Hassan Menay
  • Patent number: 10336461
    Abstract: An aircraft engine, an electric taxi system and a corresponding method are provided to facilitate taxiing without operation of the core gas turbine engine by driving the fan assembly with the electric taxi system during taxi operations. An aircraft engine is provided that includes a core gas turbine engine including a compressor, a combustor and a high pressure turbine. The aircraft engine also includes a fan assembly coupled to the core gas turbine engine. The aircraft engine further includes an electric taxi system coupled to the fan assembly. The electric taxi system includes an energy storage device and a motor responsive to energy provided by the energy storage device. The motor is coupled to the fan assembly and is configured to drive the fan assembly during taxi operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventor: Steve G. Mackin
  • Patent number: 10336462
    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: January 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Vu Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Sidney A. Connor, J. Stedman Stevens
  • Patent number: 10336463
    Abstract: This non-limiting technology proposes to modify the maximum angle of attack setting (?setting) of the Stall Protection or Stall Warning Systems continuously or continually, according to the elapsed time since icing is first detected and/or the deicing system was activated. A changing maximum angle of attack setting maintains approximately the same angle-of-attack margin to the stall angle-of-attack by taking into account improvements in the stall angle of attack due to inflight icing removal and icing prevention by operation of an inflight deicing system. The aircraft flying with an angle of attack closer to the critical angle of attack is capable of producing a higher coefficient of lift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Embraer S.A.
    Inventors: Murilo Pinto Ribeiro, Gustavo José Zambrano
  • Patent number: 10336464
    Abstract: An aircraft propulsion assembly includes an engine, a nacelle surrounding the engine, and a system for extinguishing a fire that may occur in the engine and/or in the nacelle. The extinguishing system has means for supplying an extinguishant to at least one extinguishant distribution pipe which opens into a cavity of the engine and/or a cavity of the nacelle. The extinguishing system also includes means for supplying said at least one pipe with air so as to ventilate the or each cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES
    Inventors: Pierrick Charlemagne, Delphine Leroux
  • Patent number: 10336465
    Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting ice crystals and volcanic ash in concentrations capable of causing power loss in aircraft jet engines. These hazard conditions are inferred from the detection of ice crystals or ash in air recently lifted from the lower atmosphere by convective updrafts. The detection systems can comprise subsystems for detecting air recently lifted from the lower troposphere by measuring radon activity along the aircrafts' flight track, as well as subsystems for detecting ice crystals or volcanic ash around the aircraft via multispectral measurements. The detection of ice crystals in air recently lifted from the lower troposphere indicates that the ice crystals are likely present in large concentration. The detection of volcanic ash in air recently lifted from lower atmosphere also indicates that volcanic ash is likely present in high concentration. These are hazards conditions that could cause power loss, jet engine flameout, and even damage jet engines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
    Inventor: Nilton O. Rennó
  • Patent number: 10336466
    Abstract: A navigation system for emulating navigation signals for an aircraft. The navigation system comprises a global-positioning system receiver configured to determine a geographic position of the aircraft. The navigation system additionally comprises a memory configured to store position data for at least one waypoint. The navigation system further comprise an emulation system configured to compare the geographic position of the aircraft with the position data of the waypoint and to generate a composite navigation signal indicative of a relative position between the aircraft and the waypoint. The navigation system is configured to provide the composite navigation signal to a course direction indicator having an integral converter unit for decoding the composite navigation signal into a control signal that drives an indicator needle of the course direction indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Garmin International, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher E. P. Schulte
  • Patent number: 10336467
    Abstract: A warning method for an aircraft includes receiving a first parameter indicative of an aircraft's flight path, calculating a stable approach value based on the first parameter, receiving a second parameter indicative of the aircraft's turbulence, calculating a turbulence factor based on the second parameter, calculating a safe landing value based on the stable approach value and the turbulence factor, comparing the safe landing value to a threshold value, and providing an aircraft warning when the safe landing value fails to meet the threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Safe Flight Instrument Corporation
    Inventors: Randall A. Greene, Shawn P. Beyer, Robert D. Teter
  • Patent number: 10336468
    Abstract: An aircraft vertical stabilizer illumination light unit, configured for being arranged in a rotatable horizontal stabilizer of an aircraft and for being oriented towards a vertical stabilizer of the aircraft for illuminating the vertical stabilizer, includes an LED group, having a plurality of LEDs, and an optical system, having at least one optical element, the optical system being associated with the LED group for shaping an output light intensity distribution from the light emitted by the LED group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: GOODRICH LIGHTING SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventor: Sascha Lueder
  • Patent number: 10336469
    Abstract: An arena includes a porous surface through which an airflow is output, thereby providing lift for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to push the UAV away from the porous surface. The airflow may also provide thrust to push the UAV in a direction that is parallel to the porous surface. The UAV may include one or more propellers that can provide lift, thrust, or both to the UAV. The airflow may be modified over a duration of time to modify lift or thrust to the UAV. The airflow may be modified based on regions of the arena to modify lift or thrust in different regions of the arena. The arena may include a scoreboard to display a score that may be modified as a result of actions undertaken by the UAV. Two or more UAVs may be used to play a game via the arena.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT INC.
    Inventor: Dominic Saul Mallinson
  • Patent number: 10336470
    Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) storage and launch system, including: a UAV pod having an interior; and a telescoping UAV landing surface disposed in the interior of the UAV pod; where the telescoping UAV landing surface may translate up toward a top opening of the UAV pod, translate down into an interior of the UAV pod, or rotate relative to the UAV pod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: AEROVIRONMENT, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher Eugene Fisher, Jason Sidharthadev Mukherjee, William Arden Lott
  • Patent number: 10336471
    Abstract: A method for designing an aircraft includes defining an initial catalog of requirements for at least one aircraft design. An optimization of the at least one aircraft design is carried out based on the catalog of requirements in terms of anticipated operating costs. A predefined total flight network is simulated with the at least one aircraft design and a total flight network efficiency is determined. It is then checked as to whether the determined total flight network efficiency constitutes an optimum. The catalog of requirements is adapted and an iteration is performed upon a determination that the determined total flight network efficiency does not constitute the optimum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: DEUTSCHE LUFTHANSA AG
    Inventors: Karl Echtermeyer, Werner Coenen
  • Patent number: 10336472
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing health of a motor in an aircraft is presented. A first group of motor parameters and a second group of external bias parameters in sensor data received from a sensor system associated with the aircraft in which the first group of motor parameters is for an environment affected by operation of the motor in the aircraft and the second group of external bias parameters modifies an effect of the first motor group of motor parameters in identifying a health of the motor is monitored. The health of the motor is identified based on the first group of motor parameters and the second group of external bias parameters. An action is performed based on the health of the motor identified, wherein a controller enables increasing a confidence level in indicating the health of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Eric Lee Nicks, David Allan Followell, Javier Cortez
  • Patent number: 10336473
    Abstract: A brake cooling period prediction system for predicting a brake cooling period following a braking event, and including a sensor apparatus in communication with a prediction apparatus. The sensor apparatus has a torque sensor for measuring the torque reacted by a brake during a braking event; a wear sensor for measuring a wear state of the brake; and an environmental sensor for measuring at least one ambient condition of the environment of the brake. The prediction apparatus includes a memory storing information relating to the thermal behavior of the brake; and a controller configured to receive a torque measurement, a wear measurement and an ambient condition measurement from the sensor apparatus; and predict a cooling period based on the received torque, wear and ambient condition measurements, and the information relating to the thermal behavior of the brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Airbus Operations Limited
    Inventor: Andrew Bill
  • Patent number: 10336474
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for deflecting space debris comprising steps of: launching (E2) a thruster (2) by means of a sounding rocket (1) at a target altitude close to that of the one or more debris to be deflected. generating (E3) by the thruster a gas cloud (G) above the sounding rocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: CENTRE NATIONAL D'ETUDES SPATIALES
    Inventor: Christophe Bonnal
  • Patent number: 10336475
    Abstract: A spacecraft propulsion system includes at least one chemical thruster operable with a liquid propellant, at least one electric thruster operable with an inert gas, and a first quantity ‘n’ of pressurant tanks, each of the ‘n’ pressurant tanks having a substantially identical volume. The propulsion system results from assembling a plurality of subassemblies, such that a first selectable number ‘e’ of the first quantity of pressurant tanks are manifolded together with the at least one electric thruster, and a second selectable number ‘c’ of the first quantity of pressurant tanks are manifolded together with the at least one chemical thruster. The first selectable number ‘e’ is an integer in the inclusive range of 1 to ‘n’, and c=n?e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Space Systems/Loral, LLC
    Inventors: Jorge Delgado, Jeff Aaron Baldwin, Ronald W. King, Bryan Bowdle, Michelle Karen Rahn
  • Patent number: 10336476
    Abstract: A method for monitoring a filled container, in particular a filled beverage container, which is conveyed on a conveyor, comprising the steps of taking up the container by a carriage, creating a spacing between the container and the conveyor, so that the entire weight of the container is retained by the carriage in a weighing region, and weighing the retained container in the weighing region using a load cell comprised by the carriage, the carriage being driven by a linear motor according to said method, and a monitoring system for filled containers, in particular filled beverage containers, for executing such a method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: KRONES AG
    Inventors: Karl Aichinger, Reinhard Klinger
  • Patent number: 10336477
    Abstract: A semi-automated system (100) suitable for use in a hospital setting for filling patient-specific liquid medication prescriptions from balk medicine containers (104) into oral syringes (S) for administration on a just-in-time basis. The system enables hospital pharmacists to simplify and streamline their task, increasing the number of prescriptions mat can be filled in a day, improving patient safety and care by minimizing medication errors and the consequences that ensue. The present invention also includes a novel adapter cap for use in interfacing between bulk medicine containers (104) and syringes (S) having a Luer-lock fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Inventors: Nicholas J. Perazzo, Robert A. Rosen, John G. Grosskopf, Jr., Mark Bennett, John M. Chopper
  • Patent number: 10336478
    Abstract: A method for transferring a viscous material from a container into a dispensing syringe having first and second ends, the second end being a discharge port smaller than the inner diameter of the main body portion, includes inserting into the syringe a plug configured to permit gas flow in only one direction to divide a chamber within the syringe into a first sub-chamber in communication with the discharge port and a second sub-chamber in communication with the first open end of the syringe. Then, a rod is inserted into the syringe from the first open end of the syringe to engage the plug, and the viscous material is extruded from the container and through the discharge port into the first sub-chamber of the syringe. While the first sub-chamber is being filled with the viscous material, the plug and the rod are moving away from the discharge port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: KAGA WORKS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Osamu Mizoguchi, Hitoshi Tsujikawa
  • Patent number: 10336479
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for packaging a plurality of containers for substances for medical, pharmaceutical or cosmetic applications in a packaging structure. The structure has a box-shaped upper part and a box-shaped lower part, forming a box-shaped receptacle in which the containers are accommodated. The plurality of containers are disposed directly on the bottom of the lower part that the containers are supported vertically on the bottom of the lower part, and the upper part is put onto the upper ends of the containers. The positions of the containers on the lower part are secured using side walls that project vertically from the bottom of the lower part and/or of the upper part, and the upper part and/or the lower part is configured and provided in a way that the containers are in direct contact with each other in the box-shaped receptacle and cannot be displaced relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: SCHOTT AG
    Inventors: Gregor Fritz Deutschle, Edgar Pawlowski, Jörn Wassenberg, Isabell Dubrau, Judith Auerbach
  • Patent number: 10336480
    Abstract: A tape-and-reel system for processing components is disclosed. In the embodiment, the tape-and-reel system includes a first carrier tape reel for holding unloaded carrier tape, a component loading system for loading components into pockets of the unloaded carrier tape, an air-guided cover tape feeder through which cover tape travels, an alignment tool for guiding the cover tape into alignment with the loaded carrier tape and adhering the cover tape to the loaded carrier tape to secure the components into the loaded carrier tape, and a second carrier tape reel for holding the loaded carrier tape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Nexperia B.V.
    Inventor: Antonius Johannes Hendrikus Vissers
  • Patent number: 10336481
    Abstract: An improved display pack that can hold products during shipping and display products at the point of sale. The display pack is separable into a display section and a removable upper section. The removable upper section is removed to expose the product, allowing the packaged product to be displayed in the remaining display section. A joined in-the-flat blank unit that can be assembled into the display pack is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: MID-ATLANTIC PACKAGING SPECIALTIES, INC.
    Inventors: Carl Jeffrey Jolley, Matthew Meehan
  • Patent number: 10336482
    Abstract: A system for preserving and capping tubes includes a compressed air reservoir for storing compressed air, a preservative reservoir containing a supply of a preservative, a nozzle in fluid communication with the compressed air reservoir and the preservative reservoir for injecting the preservative into the interior of a tube, and a capping device configured to insert a cap onto the end of the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC TECHNOLOGY GMBH
    Inventors: Ronald Francis Konopacki, Allan Gunn Ferry
  • Patent number: 10336483
    Abstract: A packaging device forms a cushioned package for securing and transporting fragile products, where the fragile products are secured within an inner bag that is coupled within a pressurized outer bag. In some embodiments, the inner bag and outer bag may be formed concurrently using an illustrative vertical form fill sealing device. The inner bag may include a first multi-layer material and the outer bag may include a second multi-layer material, each material having specific functional properties to protect the product contained within the package. During formation of the packaging, the first and second multi-layer materials may be sealed together, such as at ends of the package and/or along an edge seam created by an edge sealer. A width of the first multi-layer material may be less than a width of the second multi-layer material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Pankaj Kumar
  • Patent number: 10336484
    Abstract: A packaging apparatus (1) comprising: a wrapping material applicator (3) for helically wrapping articles (A); an inlet conveyor (2) for transporting unwrapped articles to the applicator; an outlet conveyor (4) for transporting wrapped articles away from the applicator; wherein the outlet conveyor comprises a first conveyor (11) and a second conveyor (12) adjacent to and downstream of the first conveyor (11), wherein the packaging apparatus (1) further comprises a controller (80) arranged to selectively vary the linear velocity of the second conveyor relative (12) to the linear velocity of the first conveyor (11) so as to separate, or increase the separation of, collations of one or more articles (A) on the outlet conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: OAKBRIDGE INVESTMENTS LIMITED
    Inventors: Christopher Timothy Haigh, Alan James Read
  • Patent number: 10336485
    Abstract: A binding machine for gardening includes a binding machine main body, a magazine attached to the binding machine main body and loaded with a tape, and a clincher arm rotatably attached to the binding machine main body and configured to draw the tape out of the magazine and bind an object to be bound which is wound by the tape. The magazine includes a housing in which the tape is loaded, a boss provided at a center of the housing and configured to support a reel around which the tape is wound, and an abutting member rotatably attached to the boss and abuts against an inner peripheral surface of the reel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: MAX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hajime Takemura, Hiroyuki Ohkawa
  • Patent number: 10336486
    Abstract: A machine core of a packing machine includes a packing strap ironing adhering and strap cutting mechanism, an ironing adhering sliding board mechanism, and a control mechanism. The machine core includes a strap feeding and returning and strap tightening device, including a drive roller, a first driven roller, and a second driven roller. According to the entry direction of a packing strap, the first driven roller is located down-stream from the second driven roller. The first and the second driven rollers are arranged eccentrically. The first driven roller and the drive roller are always in contact and cooperate for feeding and returning the strap. The second driven roller is a movable roller, and is controlled by the control mechanism to move to a first matching state with the drive roller and to move out of the first matching state. The machine core enables movement of simultaneous strap returning and tightening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Hangzhou Youngsun Intelligent Equipment Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Bangyi Luo
  • Patent number: 10336487
    Abstract: A process for the management of a flow of products along a plant for making and packing respective articles, in particular in the form of rolls, such as rolls of toilet paper or paper towels, an apparatus for making and packing the articles, in particular including one or more lines for making and packing the articles, a rewinding machine for making the semi-finished product and elements for accumulating or storing the semi-finished products, from which the making and packing apparatus, that is, the respective making and packing line, receives the semi-finished product and which, in turn, receives the semi-finished product from the rewinding machine for making a semi-finished product. According to the process, the respective operating speed of the respective line of the making and packing apparatus downstream is adjusted in such a way that the semi-finished product in the accumulation elements is kept around a predetermined filling level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: PULSAR S.R.L.
    Inventor: Massimo Franzaroli
  • Patent number: 10336488
    Abstract: A pressure sealing apparatus includes a hermetically sealable bag having an exit valve that allows air to exit the bag once sealed, and which prevents air from entering the bag. An item placed in the bag is vacuum sealed in the bag by the pressure sealing apparatus. The bag can be placed in, or integrally formed with a pressure container. The pressure container includes an exit port through which the exit valve passes, and is also sealed so that the interior of the pressure container can be pressurized. When pressurized, the pressure in the pressure container acts on the bag to squeeze air out of the bag through the exit valve, thereby vacuum sealing the item in the hermetically sealable bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Inventor: Michael Kjelson
  • Patent number: 10336489
    Abstract: An exemplary method of making packages includes advancing a web of connected bags to a position where an opening of the bag is below an engagement device and opening the engagement device. Additionally, the exemplary method includes blowing the opening of the bag to a partially opened configuration, and reverse indexing the web of connected bags so that a portion of the engagement device is disposed inside of the bag and a portion of the engagement device is disposed outside the bag. Subsequently, the exemplary method includes closing the engagement device so that the engagement device engages the bag and moving the engagement device to a position that causes the opening of the bag to have a rectangular shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: AUTOMATED PACKAGING SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Michael J. Riccardi, Robert S. Galosi, Lawrence Valenti, Larry Chuba, Donald P. Shook, Robert L. Ferrante, Jeffrey R. Imboden, David Romo, Mark David Stultz
  • Patent number: 10336490
    Abstract: A taping machine includes: a conveyor to convey the battery cell to a taping part and a finish processing part in this order; a tape supply part configured such that the insulation tape is wound therearound and is moved while being unwound in a direction corresponding to a moving direction of the conveyor; a taping part for attaching the insulation tape to the battery cell, the taping part being configured to cut the insulation tape positioned thereon into a length of 80% to 100% of the length of a to-be-insulated portion and temporality attach the cut insulation tape to the to-be-insulated portion; and a finish processing part for attaching the tape to the battery cell, the finish processing portion pressing the insulation tape in a state in which the battery is received from the taping part so that the insulation tape is attached to the entire to-be-insulated portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventor: Sung Ho Choi
  • Patent number: 10336491
    Abstract: An apparatus for wrapping a stack of objects vertical side faces and a horizontal top face has a unit for wrapping a film wrapper around the stack such that respective sections of the wrapper extend upward from each of the side faces. A first welder welds ends the film wrapper together at one of the side faces of the stack. A fold-over device folding the film sections over onto the top face of the stack. A second welder welds the folded-over film sections together on the top face of the stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: MSK-VERPACKUNGS-SYSTEME GMBH
    Inventors: Frank Michels, Enrico Czok, Markus Meunders
  • Patent number: 10336492
    Abstract: A bagging apparatus including a first jaw, a second jaw, at least one of the first jaw and the second jaw being movable. The first jaw and second jaw are movable relative to each other between a first position for joining at least a portion of two sheets together and a second position associated with release of the two sheets, the two sheets forming at least a portion of a bag. At least one of the first jaw and the second jaw being removable from the apparatus without tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: DYCO, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas M. Zurewich, Peter D. Yohe
  • Patent number: 10336493
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a device (1) for applying gripping handles (M) on films (P), being supplied on shrinkwrap packers (2) for making bundles of bottles (B), cans and/or similar containers (B). The device (1) comprises: an applying head (10) provided with a roller (11) for applying gripping handles (M); an abutment mechanism (14) for operatively supporting a series of heat-shrinkable packaging films (P), being supplied on a respective shrinkwrap packer (2). The applying roller (11) and the abutment mechanism (14) are mobile with respect to one another between a non-operating condition, in which they are spaced apart, and an operating condition, in which the applying roller (11) is arranged, at the abutment mechanism (14), against at least one of the films (P) being supplied to apply a respective gripping handle (M) on the latter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: OCME S.R.L.
    Inventor: Emanuele Gatteschi
  • Patent number: 10336494
    Abstract: A composite container having a paper label adhered without adhesives to a container body at at least one of the top end edge outer circumferential surface of the container body and the bottom end edge outer circumferential surface of the base part of the container body. Adherence of the paper label to the container body being effectuated by disposing the paper label in a mold and biaxial stretch blow shaping a preform into the container body with a liquid as a pressurized medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Discma AG
    Inventors: Tamotsu Toyoda, Shinichi Tabata, Mitsuru Shiokawa
  • Patent number: 10336495
    Abstract: A container of a plastic material is produced using a blow-fill-seal method, and has a container body (1) for receiving a fluid as well as a neck section (5) connected to the container body (1). At the container free end, a dispensing opening (13) for fluid is sealed via a separating region (15, 19) with a head section (17) that can be removed from the neck section (5) by actuating a movable sleeve section (35). By releasing the separating region (15, 19), the dispensing opening (13) is exposed. From the unactuated state to the actuated state in which the separating region (15, 19) is released, the sleeve section (35) is guided so as to be at least partially in contact with a guide path (23) that is part of the removable head section (17).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: KOCHER-PLASTIK MASCHINENBAU GMBH
    Inventor: Bernd Hansen
  • Patent number: 10336496
    Abstract: A beverage container assembly including a first beverage container having a first vessel body that has a first base having a first perimeter and a first side wall connected to the first base, wherein the first side wall includes a connecting member. The first beverage container including a first rim defined on the first side wall distal to the first base. The assembly further including a second beverage container that includes a second vessel body that has a second base having a second perimeter and a second side wall connected to the second base. The second side wall includes an engagement member that engages with the connecting member so that the first beverage container is attached to the second beverage container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: STACKED WINES LLC
    Inventor: Matt Zimmer
  • Patent number: 10336497
    Abstract: A core tray is provided, comprising a body including at least one channel arranged to hold at least one core sample, wherein the body includes at least one set of handles arranged to, in use, allow a user to grip the core tray to assist in moving the core tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Prospectors IP Holdings Pty Limited
    Inventor: Robert Mark Keast
  • Patent number: 10336498
    Abstract: The present description includes containers having an improved puncture design that can be punctured without substantial deformation of the container. Such containers are particularly suitable for use in preparing beverages using automatic machines, particularly those used for preparation of single serve beverages. Also provided are thermoplastic materials having improved punctureability for use in containers, containers for preparation of a beverage, and methods for preparing a beverage using such containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Printpack Illinois, Inc.
    Inventors: David T. Foster, Patrick L. O'Brien, David Cosgrove
  • Patent number: 10336499
    Abstract: Provided is a cup comprising a frusto-conical shaped wall that is narrower on top of the cup, the top of the cup having an opening for passage of liquid, the cup having a circular bottom made from a material that is different than material of the wall of the cup, the wall of the cup having at least two fold lines; wherein the cup has a stowed configuration where the cup is collapsed along the fold lines and the cup has a deployed configuration so that the cup can hold a liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Inventor: Charles Bernard Wambolt