Patents Issued in July 2, 2019
  • Patent number: 10336500
    Abstract: A tray for holding a food product. The tray includes a plurality of panels that extend at least partially around an interior of the tray. The plurality of panels includes a bottom panel, a side panel foldably connected to the bottom panel, and an end panel foldably connected to the bottom panel. The tray includes a reinforcing structure having a first reinforcement panel foldably connected to at least one panel of the plurality of panels, and a second reinforcement panel foldably connected to the first reinforcement panel. The tray further includes a gusset panel foldably connected to the side panel. The gusset panel and the end panel at least partially overlapping one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, LLC
    Inventor: Bradley J. Burke
  • Patent number: 10336501
    Abstract: A blank for forming a polygonal container and the container formed therefrom are described herein. The blank includes a plurality of side panels, including a first side panel and a second side panel, a corner panel connected to the first side panel and the second side panel by fold lines, a bottom panel extending from the first side panel, and an engagement member defined on bottom panel. The engagement member is configured to engage an interior surface of the corner panel to prevent movement of the corner panel relative to the first and second side panels when the container is formed from the blank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: WestRock Shared Services, LLC
    Inventor: Kenneth C. Smith
  • Patent number: 10336502
    Abstract: Containment systems, containers, and methods can be comprised of first through fourth sidewalls; a bottom wall connected to the first through fourth sidewalls; and first through fourth lid flaps connected to respective first through fourth sidewalls via respective first through fourth hinges. A single sheet of paperboard can make up the sidewalls, the bottom wall, and the lid flaps. In a fully open configuration, the third lid flap can be folded at the third hinge such that a flap body thereof is adjacent to the third sidewall, the fourth lid flap can be folded at the fourth hinge such that a flap body thereof is adjacent to the fourth sidewall, and a flap wing of each of the third lid flap and the fourth lid flap can be under the bottom wall such that each of the flap wings is against the bottom wall and maintained under the bottom wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: AJINOMOTO WINDSOR, INC.
    Inventors: Koichi Kunishima, Craig Epperson, Masashi Sekine
  • Patent number: 10336503
    Abstract: Container includes a top portion, a body portion and a bottom portion. The body portion includes a front wall, a rear wall and first and second side walls, the first side wall disposed opposite the second side wall, opposing grip areas formed in the first and second side walls, a first circumferential rib disposed above the opposing grip areas and extending horizontally about an entire outer circumferential perimeter of the body portion, a second circumferential rib disposed below the opposing grip areas and extending horizontally about the entire outer circumferential perimeter of the body portion, at least one horizontal body rib disposed between and spaced circumferentially from the opposing grip areas, a first vertical strut formed in the first side wall and a second vertical strut formed in the second side wall, each strut disposed between the first and second circumferential ribs and spaced a distance from each grip area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Graham Packaging Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Sheldon E. Yourist, Raymond A. Pritchett, Jr., Eric B. Ungrady
  • Patent number: 10336504
    Abstract: A storage device is provided. That storage device includes a sidewall defining a storage compartment and a storage divider system including a hub. That hub is held in the storage compartment and a plurality of telescoping panels extend between the hub and the sidewall to divide the storage compartment into individual chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Leonard Gus Prezecki, II
  • Patent number: 10336505
    Abstract: A package for a product has a rigid package body and a handle for carrying the package. The rigid package body has at least six faces and a reclosable opening on a face of the rigid package body. The handle is positioned over the reclosable opening and has a first strap, a second strap, and a connection portion. The first strap includes a first end and a second end. The first end of the first strap is attached to one face of the package body. The second strap includes a first end and a second end. The first end of the second strap is attached to another face of the package body that is opposite to the face that is attached to the first strap. The connection portion is located on the second end of the second strap and is detachably engaged to the second end of the first strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: GPCP IP Holdings LLC
    Inventor: Gregory D. Moore
  • Patent number: 10336506
    Abstract: A lid consisting of fibrous material, in particular of fibrous material containing cellulose fibers, for at least partly covering an opening of a container is provided. The lid comprises a domed portion which is configured to at least partly cover the container opening and an attachment portion which externally surrounds the domed portion at least in portions. The lid attachment portion is configured to attach the lid to a counter attachment portion in the region of the opening of the container, preferably on an opening edge delimiting the container opening of the container. The lid can be formed at least in portions, preferably completely, from a uniform material with respect to its constituents, and the lid can have material characteristics which differ in different regions within a portion of a uniform material composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: HUHTAMAKI OYJ
    Inventors: Aad Hoekstra, RaiMangat Sharma, Stephen Knipe
  • Patent number: 10336507
    Abstract: A plastic closure embodying the principles of the present invention comprises a closure cap having a top wall portion, and an annular skirt portion depending from the top wall portion. The skirt portion includes an internal thread formation for threaded engagement with the external thread formation of an associated container. In order to facilitate high-speed application, and minimize the use of polymeric material, the closure is configured to exhibit a variation in retention force which decreases in a direction away from the top wall portion of the closure cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Closure Systems International Inc.
    Inventors: Sohail Sadiq, John C. Edie, David E. Gevers, William Moll, Navaneeth Bashyam, Pranav Bhatt, Russell L. Tartock
  • Patent number: 10336508
    Abstract: A cover for sealing a container having an interior chamber that holds a quantity of material therein. A first channel provided on a base of the cover receives a rim on the container's side wall. A first sealing member is provided on the base. A second sealing member provided on the lid is complementary to the first sealing member and is engageable therewith when the lid is moved to a closed position. A flexible bridge extends between the base and the lid. One of the first or second sealing members is a protrusion and the other is a second channel. The protrusion may be received within the second channel when the lid is closed. Pressure may be progressively applied to the lid to zipper the cover into a sealed position. When the lid is in the sealed position material cannot be accidentally or purposefully removed from the interior chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Inventor: William Battaglia
  • Patent number: 10336509
    Abstract: A two piece thermoformed container comprising a tray and a lid for holding a product or products is provided. The container is portable, recloseable and provides easy access to the contents. The tray includes a front wall, rear wall and opposing side walls. The lid is moveable in a sliding fashion between a fully closed position in which the lid is substantially aligned with the tray and an opened position in which the contents of the tray are accessible. The tray has a flat top wall that can be sealed with flexible film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Diana Kay Rud
  • Patent number: 10336510
    Abstract: A drink bottle may include a container, a lid connected to the container and including a lid housing, a spout coupled to the lid housing, and an actuator assembly movably connected to the lid housing. The spout is movable between a stowed configuration and a dispensing configuration, the spout defining a passageway in fluid communication with an interior of the container when disposed in the dispensing configuration. The actuator assembly is operatively coupled to the spout when the spout is disposed in the stowed configuration to retain the spout in the stowed configuration, and the spout moves from the stowed configuration to the dispensing configuration responsive to actuation of the actuator assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: IGNITE USA, LLC
    Inventors: Sami El-Saden, Daniel M. Wodka, Robert C. Coon, Paul D. Hurley
  • Patent number: 10336511
    Abstract: A dosing cap is configured for fitting on a dosing bottle and has a dosing channel which extends in a longitudinal direction and which has, at one end, an outlet opening for a liquid that is to be dosed. The dosing channel contains a first dosing portion, which tapers in the longitudinal direction to a dosing diameter, wherein the dosing diameter is in the range from 0.2 mm to 1.2 mm. Moreover, the dosing channel contains a second dosing portion, which adjoins the first dosing portion in the longitudinal direction to form a first step and which has a diameter greater than the dosing diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: SHB GmbH
    Inventor: Hans-Werner Stolle
  • Patent number: 10336512
    Abstract: A closure system can include a body member, cap member, and flexible hinge member joining the body and cap members. The hinge member includes a pair of hinge portions with an opening between them. The hinge portions can include substantially planar segments of uniform thickness, providing hinge portions with uniform thickness along their lengths when the closure system is in open and closed configurations. When the closure system is fully opened, the hinge portions can extend axially between the body and cap members when viewed from above, the substantially planar segments can include end segments that are substantially coplanar to each other and a central segment that occupies another plane parallel to that occupied by the end portions, giving the central portion of the hinge portion an elevated orientation relative to its end portions, or the appearance of a hump when viewed from the side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: PHOENIX CLOSURES, INC.
    Inventor: Thomas Stoneberg
  • Patent number: 10336513
    Abstract: A lid includes a lid lever and a seal arm assembly that stage opening of a vent hole relative to a drink hole so that vapor within the liquid container may be vented to the atmosphere before the drink hole is opened. As the lid lever is rotated a first direction, beginning from a closed position, the lid lever rotates a small amount independently of the seal arm assembly to open a vent hole before contacting the seal arm assembly to open a drink hole. As the lid lever is rotated in a second direction, from an open position, the lid lever and the seal arm assembly rotate in unison until the drink hole is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: IGNITE USA, LLC
    Inventor: Daniel M. Wodka
  • Patent number: 10336514
    Abstract: A container including a container body, a liquid composition contained in the container body, and a fitment. The fitment includes a timer and a spout oriented at an angle from the phreatic surface of the liquid composition contained in the container body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Nicole Lynn Briggs, Scott Eugene Mizer
  • Patent number: 10336515
    Abstract: A short rotation safety lock for containers has a fixed internal structure (1) linked to locking cap (3) and includes a clamping frame (12) that acts over an annular cordon or protrusion (61,62) of the container (6) of application. This internal structure (1) gives rotating assembly (4) to an external structure (2) which rotation movement, limited by a rotation limiter device (5), determines the movement of some mobile blocking members (24) between an active position behind said grip fingers (13) and a passive position in said intermediate spaces (14). In some variations a safety system of the kind of a seal that links the upper wall (23) of the external structure (2) with the internal structure (1) is incorporated. The detachable sector (70) acts as a safety seal and, even after the detachment, the link member (76) maintains it as cover of the upper part of the lock. The bottle (200) has an annular entrance (204) compatible with the grip position of the safety lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Inventor: Eduardo Juan Rosson
  • Patent number: 10336516
    Abstract: Childproof safety cap has two opposite bead-like threads on its inner wall. Each thread has a widened end region, a stop surface thus being formed. The associated bottle has two opposite groove-like threads on a connecting piece of the bottle, each of which threads has a widened region in the end region, an undercut thus being formed in the groove by the widened region. When the safety cap is screwed on, the stop surfaces on the two bead-like threads hook in behind the undercuts on the groove-like threads. The stop surfaces can be released from each other only if the safety cap is pressed down toward the bottle onto the connecting-piece neck. Connecting-piece neck forms a slipping surface that conically expands downwards. The safety cap can then be unscrewed while simultaneously being rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: AERO PUMP GMBH
    Inventors: Ralf Heim, Andreas Mersmann
  • Patent number: 10336517
    Abstract: A tamper-proof insert for use with a liquid container. The insert is of the foam liner venting type. The insert is designed to be inserted into the throat of a container such as a bottle. A retention lug ring is secured to the lower end of the insert. The retention lug ring includes a plurality of spaced-apart retention lugs, having upper and lower ends, which extend upwardly and outwardly from a base ring. The upper ends of the retention lugs of the retention lug ring engage the inside surface of the container to prevent the insert from being manually pulled upwardly and outwardly from the throat of the container. If the insert is pulled from the container against the resistance of the retention lugs, the lugs will break-away from the insert and it will be evident that the insert has been subjected to tampering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Inventor: Rodney Laible
  • Patent number: 10336518
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a cap assembly and a container assembly. The cap assembly may be unscrewed from the container assembly by simultaneously pressing a predetermined combination of buttons available on the top of the cap assembly. If the predetermined combination of buttons is not precisely and exclusively selected, the cap assembly resists being unscrewed from the container assembly and a beverage inside remains inaccessible. A user of the apparatus who knows the correct combination of buttons will thereby be able to readily access the beverage in the container assembly, but one without that knowledge will not. Tampering is avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Inventor: Keith T. Barnett
  • Patent number: 10336519
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for an elastomer lined self-locking tie which includes an elongated strap, at least one cavity disposed in the elongated strap, an elastomer segment, and a locking head. The elongated strap includes a head end positioned opposite a tapered end. The tapered end includes a first surface positioned opposite a second surface. The cavity is positioned in either the first surface or the second surface. The elastomer segment is positioned within the cavity and extends beyond either the first surface or the second surface. The locking head extends from the head end of the elongated strap and includes an orifice shaped to receive the tapered end of the elongated strap and the elastomer segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Lock Right, LLC
    Inventor: Creighton King
  • Patent number: 10336520
    Abstract: A material for decorative wrap including a sheet of non-corrugated material having a first side, a second side, a first edge, and a second edge; a plurality of scores formed into the first side extending from the first edge to the second edge; and a plurality of scores formed into the second side extending from the first edge to the second edge. The plurality of scores formed into the first side and the plurality of scores formed into the second side may alternate such that every other score is formed into the first side and the remaining scores are formed into the second side. Each score formed into the first and second sides may extend substantially perpendicular to at least one of the first and second edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: THE IMAGINE GROUP, LLC
    Inventor: Mark Richard Popp
  • Patent number: 10336521
    Abstract: It is provided that a film for packaging and a packaging bag that can suppress diffusion of odor to hold the twisted state even after placing an object at the center of a film, wrapping the object, twisting the upper part of the object and leaving it for a certain time. The film of the present invention is the film for packaging comprising a resin film, wherein the twist holding angle is 400 degrees or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOBO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Hashida, Yosuke Otani
  • Patent number: 10336522
    Abstract: A shaped package formed of a blank of paper card stock. The blank may be a single panel which is cut to have two shaped, substantially symmetrical portions, which when bent along a hinge, forms the shaped package. The panel includes tongues or flaps extending from one end of the panel that secure the product within the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Consolidated Graphics, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Scott Jones, Adam Mitchell Geerts, Craig Lowery Lombardi, Andrew Cunningham Charters
  • Patent number: 10336523
    Abstract: A tape and reel packing material for packaging a plurality of chips is provided. The tape and reel packing material includes a carrier tape and a cover tape. The carrier tape includes a plurality of recesses. The recesses are configured to receive the chips respectively. The cover tape is attached to the carrier tape. The cover tape includes a plurality of restriction structures, and the restriction structures respectively are inserted into the recesses to restrict the freedom of the movement of the chips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: WINBOND ELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventor: Ting-Ming Fu
  • Patent number: 10336524
    Abstract: A container is provided with a body portion. The body portion includes a first vacuum panel, a second vacuum panel, a third vacuum panel, a first diagonal column between the first vacuum panel and the second vacuum panel, and a second diagonal column between the second vacuum panel and the third vacuum panel. The second vacuum panel and the third vacuum panel are oriented in opposite directions. In response to a change in an internal container pressure, the body portion flexes at the first vacuum panel such that a surface of the first vacuum panel increases in concavity in response to an increasing pressure change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: PepsiCo, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Andrew Lohmeier, Toby Richard David Wingfield, Lori Evans Bartman, Robert Jon Groll
  • Patent number: 10336525
    Abstract: A retail planogram display includes a series of display cards of varying heights, having a protruding hole at the top for inserting the cards on a hook, but where cards of varying heights can be provided so that the longest one is the most interior one, with a medium sized one in front of that and a third smaller one on top of the two cards, wherein the actual product, such as toy cars, are in exposed, transparent bubble boxes, then nest one on top of each other on the same hook. In an alternate embodiment, a dispensing storage sleeve can be provided, where the packages of varying heights can be dispensed from the sleeve, wherein the sleeves have retaining means, such as coil springs or other flexible detents to keep the display cards in place until pulled out by a consumer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Inventor: Steven Goldmeier
  • Patent number: 10336526
    Abstract: A sparkling wine sprayer configured to spray a sparkling wine for recreational activities includes a bottle top sealing system pivotally and operatively coupled to a quick release lever to provide an airtight seal to a sparkling wine bottle. The bottle top sealing system is further connected to a tube that carries a sparkling wine through the sprayer. To use the sprayer, a top of the bottle is sealed by pulling the lever towards a user, attaching a top of the bottle to the bottle top sealing system and then pushing the lever back. The trigger is then pressed to that opens a valve in the tube and aligns the tube sections, allowing the sparkling wine to flow through the tube and spraying the sparkling wine through the nozzle. On the other hand, depressing the trigger stops spraying of the sparkling wine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Inventor: Stason Strong
  • Patent number: 10336527
    Abstract: A shower wall system is mounted to a wall frame having a plurality of vertical studs. The system comprises a plurality of attachment pieces, a lower piece, and an upper piece. Each attachment piece is attached to a stud, and either the lower or upper piece is attached to attachment pieces. The lower piece is aligned to the upper piece by a wall alignment assembly. The wall alignment assembly comprises a first alignment member proximate the top portion of the lower piece that mates with a second alignment member near the bottom portion of the one upper piece. The alignment members are configured to mate together in at least a partially interlocking manner, and the plurality of attachment pieces are positioned relative to the wall frame so that the upper piece is aligned with the lower piece regardless of whether the wall frame studs are co-planar and plumb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Inventor: Danny Wallis
  • Patent number: 10336528
    Abstract: Racks for shipping loose or packaged glass sheets. A rack includes spaced-apart upright members that taper in thickness such that they are thicker at their lower ends compared to their upper ends. Base members extends outwardly and generally perpendicularly from respective upright members. The base members also taper such that they become thicker moving outwardly from the upright members. An acute or right angle is formed between innermost surfaces of the upright members and uppermost surfaces of the base members. The rack, when used alone, is self-standing as if an L-frame like rack and is arrangeable back-to-back with another rack of the same type to form a mutually-supporting A-frame like rack. The racks are easily loadable onto/removable from rail cars, trucks, and/or the like. Racks include features accommodating forks of a forklift/fork truck, further facilitating their movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Guardian Glass, LLC
    Inventors: Bryan Matthew Fuller, Maximo Rivera Zapata, Drew Alexander Kirk
  • Patent number: 10336529
    Abstract: The present invention is a polyolefin packing container having on the inner surface thereof an olefin resin layer that contains an ethylenebis fatty acid amide, wherein the ethylenebis fatty acid amide is bleeding in the inner surface in an amount of 12.5 to 200 mg/m2. Without using unstable compound such as organic peroxide, the packing container, even when hot-filled with a content, assures very improved content fall-down performance when inverted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: TOYO SEIKAN GROUP HOLDINGS, LTD.
    Inventors: Yosuke Akutsu, Takayuki Ishihara, Hiroko Hosono, Keiko Narita
  • Patent number: 10336530
    Abstract: A disassembleable, reusable plastic container that can be used for the manufacture, storage and transportation of cheese products. The container may utilize wrap-around interlocks. The endwalls of the container may be flexible to allow the container to undergo minimal deformation when filled with cheese products. The container may also have a recessed pressboard that allows for increased capacity in the container. The container may also utilize positive corner interlocks that minimize unintentional disengagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: A.R. Arena Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E. Wilcox, Charles S. Arena
  • Patent number: 10336531
    Abstract: A capsule is provided for use in a machine for preparing a consumable product from capsules. The capsule includes a body that defines an interior space with an opening. A cover is disposed over the opening and is adapted to shrink sufficiently when pierced by the injection system to allow pressure to build beneath the cover up to a maximum pressure. A filter is disposed in the interior space to define a steeping chamber between the filter and the cover and is adapted to restrict the flow of fluid sufficiently to cause the steeping chamber to fill with fluid without exceeding the maximum pressure. Ingredients are disposed in the interior space for preparing a desired product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: 2266170 Ontario Inc.
    Inventors: Liberatore A. Trombetta, Yucheng Fu, Shelby Parkinson
  • Patent number: 10336532
    Abstract: A pack for preparing a food or beverage product is disclosed, as well as methods of use thereof. The pack includes an insert comprising at least one primary fluid inlet with aqueous and gaseous fluid injection inlets, as well as a container where the ingredient or ingredients are stored, wherein the aqueous fluid injection inlet and the gaseous fluid injection inlet communicate with the inner volume of the container. Also disclosed is a machine for use with the pack in preparing a food or beverage product, a system containing the pack and the machine, and methods of use of the system containing the pack and machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Nestec S. A.
    Inventors: Stéphane Pellegrini, David Nordqvist, Christian Jarisch
  • Patent number: 10336533
    Abstract: In accordance with presently disclosed embodiments, a collapsible and optionally stackable storage container for bulk material is provided. The disclosed storage container includes a collapsible frame defined by a rigid upper support structure, a rigid lower support structure and a support member coupled at one end to the upper support structure and coupled at another end to the lower support structure. An actuator is also provided which is coupled to the support member at one end. The disclosed storage container further includes a storage sack having an upper portion coupled to the upper support structure and a lower portion coupled to the lower support structure. The lower portion of the storage sack is generally taper-shaped and may be equipped with a discharge opening that enables release of the bulk material onto a conveyor, which may be employed when the collapsible storage container is integrated into a bulk storage system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jim Basuki Surjaatmadja, Tim H. Hunter, Calvin L. Stegemoeller, Bryan John Lewis, Austin Carl Schaffner, Bryan Chapman Lucas
  • Patent number: 10336534
    Abstract: A tank, such as a fermentation tank, includes a scraper blade assembly slideably coupled to a bottom surface of the tank. The scraper blade assembly includes a blade arranged to displace solids deposited on the bottom surface of the tank out through an aperture arranged flush with the bottom surface of the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Spokane Industries
    Inventors: Nathan Hayes Owen, Nathan Scott Batson, Thomas Raymond Rodgers
  • Patent number: 10336535
    Abstract: The present invention relates to improvements for the manufacturing of a wave-cut bag of polymeric film, more specifically a wave-cut bag with a body having improved shock, tear and puncture resistance. The polymeric film has an embossed pattern of a plurality of embossed regions that are comprised of a plurality of parallel, linear embosses. Further disclosed is a process for intermittently applying the embossed pattern to a collapsed tube of a blown film extrusion process. The collapsed tube with the intermittently applied embossed pattern is particularly well suited for constructing wave-cut trash bags with the embossed pattern applied to a central body of the wave-cut bags.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Poly-America, L.P.
    Inventor: Brad A. Cobler
  • Patent number: 10336536
    Abstract: The invention provides a closed system for collecting, mulching and storing natural yard waste in a manner that saves time and labor. Storage of the natural yard waste is enabled by use of off the shelf bags instead of customized bags that must be later dumped into a generic storage housing. The system is empowered by a device that is attachable to such off the shelf bags and fully uses their volume so that maximum storage is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Inventor: Joseph Malik Glisson
  • Patent number: 10336537
    Abstract: A device and associated method for lifting leaves from a pile in larger quantities that is traditionally possible using a shovel or rake is described. Broadly, the device comprises a plastic or fabric flexible rectangular sheet having at least a pair of parallel elongated rods affixed to opposing sides of the sheet. At least some embodiments further include an elongated handle, often in the form of a rod, connected with and extending outwardly from one of the elongated rods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Inventor: Mark E Scott
  • Patent number: 10336538
    Abstract: The invention relates to a portable side-loader system which is built as a kit and can be retrofitted on to any container. The adjustable side loader may be detached from a fixed position and moved along the container as it fills up. The side-loader includes an integral bucket which may be activated to dump debris into the container. The side loader kit is a standalone system with its own hydraulics and 12 volt battery with an on board charging system. A control box holds the electrical components including the switches that activate and control the hydraulic system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Inventor: Ken VandenBerg
  • Patent number: 10336539
    Abstract: An automated cryogenic storage system includes a freezer and an automation system to provide automated transfer of samples to and from the freezer. The freezer includes a bearing and a drive shaft though the freezer, the drive shaft being coupled to a rack carrier inside the freezer and adapted to be coupled to a motor. The automation module includes a rack puller that is automatically positioned above an access port of the freezer. The rack puller engages with a sample rack within the freezer, and elevates the rack into an insulating sleeve external to the freezer. From the insulating sleeve, samples can be added to and removed from the sample rack before it is returned to the freezer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Brooks Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert T. Caveney, Frank Hunt, Lingchen Sun, Julian D. Warhurst, Bruce S. Zandi, Anthony C. Bonora
  • Patent number: 10336540
    Abstract: Bins or other storage units contained within a three-dimensional grid structure are arranged in cells, each of which has multiple storage units surrounding a central void or space on different sides thereof. This void space is slightly larger than each storage unit, enabling the unit to be pulled into the void by mechanical means, and allowing access to the bins on all sides of the void. The storage units are stacked within the three-dimensional grid structure, which can be built or expanded to a predetermined footprint. The aligned voids of stacked cells create vertical shafts spanning between upper and lower tracks of the grid structure on which robotic retrieval vehicles can horizontally travel to and from any given shaft. The robotic retrieval vehicles can directly access any storage unit via the vertical shafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Attabotics Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Gravelle, Robert Guy Cowley, Anthony Brian Woolf
  • Patent number: 10336541
    Abstract: The invention is an automated storage and retrieval system. Positionable objects are stored in columns within a frame. When a user requests an object, the objects are selectively relocated until the requested object is brought to an access point. The objects are relocated by planar motion mechanisms attached to the walls of the frame. When not moving, the objects are suspended from mountings that extend from the same walls that the planar motion mechanisms are attached to. The mountings are controlled by actuators within the walls. The mountings are retractable to allow the planar motion mechanisms to pass. Each of the objects is supported by more than one mounting so that support is not withdrawn when any one mounting is retracted to allow a planar motion mechanism to pass. The design allows objects to be arranged in more than two columns within an automated storage and retrieval system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Hall Labs LLC
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Joseph Blanch, Andrew Priddis, Eimi Priddis, Kevin Cheatham, Justin Robinson
  • Patent number: 10336542
    Abstract: An example system includes a conveyor configured to move a plurality of items, a ramp configured to support at least one item of the plurality of items as the at least one item is transferred from the conveyor to a tote, and a platform supported on a support surface and configured to support the tote at a location proximate the ramp. In some examples, the tote includes a base having a top surface defining at least part of an interior space of the tote. Further, the platform positions the tote such that the top surface of the base extends at an angle, relative to a horizontal plane, greater than approximately 5 degrees and less than approximately 10 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel Gardner Garrett, John Stuart Battles, Timothy Alan Talda, Tyson Wittrock
  • Patent number: 10336543
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for worksite automation. One example method includes receiving a work request indicative of at least one of a first item or one or more work request parameters, where the first item is one of a plurality of items stored in an item-storage environment, and where each item is associated with a co-located identifier device; in response to receipt of the work request: identifying the first item; determining a target location corresponding to the first item; selecting an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) from a plurality of encoder UAVs in the item-storage environment, where each encoder UAV includes an encoder device configured to encode data to the identifier devices associated with the plurality of items; and causing the selected UAV to: (a) travel to the target location, and (b) while hovering near to the location, encode particular identification data to the device associated with the first item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Wing Aviation LLC
    Inventors: Maxwell Andrew Sills, Ian Wetherbee, Robert Samuel Gordon
  • Patent number: 10336544
    Abstract: A water storage and management system takes water from a water source, such as captured run-off, and through a piping system, directs a flow of the water into an aquifer for storage and future utilization. Using moisture detectors, the system ascertains the water content of different layers or zones of the aquifer and reports this information to a digital processor. The digital processor may utilize this information to issue instructions to one or more control valves to direct the flow of the water into portions of the aquifer which have additional storage capacity. The digital processor may also instruct a submersible pump to withdraw from the aquifer as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Next Tier Agribusiness, LLC
    Inventor: Jeffrey S. Fabbri
  • Patent number: 10336545
    Abstract: A transport chute is suitable for use as a store for articles that are able to be laid one on top of another, in particular packages and items of luggage. The chute contains a chute portion which has an inclined chute surface with a dropping direction along the chute surface. The chute portion is interrupted by an interruption such that the chute surface is subdivided into at least an upper chute surface and lower chute surface. The interruption is configured to make it easier to form at least two layers of articles lying one on top of another below the interruption. The lower chute surface has a driver, which is drivable and actuable counter to the dropping direction, for transporting the articles, the articles of the bottommost layer being able to rest at least in part on the driver in order to be transported.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Oliver Schitthelm
  • Patent number: 10336546
    Abstract: A windrow chute assembly includes a plurality of movable chute sections. A first chute section has a first proximal end for receiving material, and a first distal end opposite the first proximal end. The second chute section has a second proximal end for receiving material, and a second distal end opposite the second proximal end. The first and second proximal ends define a transverse axis therebetween. The first and second chute sections are displaceable toward one another to a closed or partially closed configuration to control the width and placement of each windrow. The first and second chute sections are also displaceable away from one another to an open configuration to provide access to rear areas of the combine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Mark D. Dilts, Nathan E. Issac
  • Patent number: 10336547
    Abstract: A sample container handling device is presented. The device comprises a linear transport unit and a release unit comprising a release blade segment. The release blade segment is rotated in a constant rotational direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Reto Andrin Meier, Alina Iwan
  • Patent number: 10336548
    Abstract: A method for filling the pockets of a transport device in the form of a suspension conveyor, the transport device including one or more trolleys which are movably mounted on a trolley track and on each of which a pocket hanging downwards for receiving transported goods is arranged, the pocket formed by at least one flexible material web that is planar when open and that is fastened at both ends to the trolley, forming a carrying loop or transport loop hanging downwards. The material web is releasably fastened by at least one end to the trolley. The method includes: a) advancing a closed pocket, b) opening the pocket by releasing the fastening of the material web to the trolley, c) filling the opened pocket with goods to be transported, d) closing the pocket by fastening the material web to the trolley, and e) transporting away the filled and closed pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: FERAG AG
    Inventors: Roberto Fenile, Erich Kälin
  • Patent number: 10336549
    Abstract: A quick release roller for a conveyor system is configured to permit easy maintenance and replacement of the rollers in the system. The roller includes first and second roller segments that may be cooperatively joined together around a mounting shaft carried by the conveyor. The segmented roller permits the quick release to be removed and attached to the conveyor without disassembly of other conveyor components supporting the roller. The quick release roller facilitates maintenance and service of the conveyor system while limiting operational downtime for the conveyor while being serviced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Inventor: Terry Michael Brown, Sr.