Patents Issued in April 21, 2020
  • Patent number: 10624382
    Abstract: High Specific Mechanical Energy extruder screw assemblies (14, 88, 98) and complete extruders (10, 86, 96) are provided, which include wide-flight intermediate screw sections (104) having axial flight widths greater than the flight widths of the inlet and outlet screw sections (102, 106) on opposite sides of the intermediate sections (104). The intermediate sections (104) provide increased friction and shear serving to enhance the SMEs imparted to comestible food materials during processing thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Wenger Manufacturing Inc.
    Inventors: Marc L. Wenger, Philip B. Wiltz
  • Patent number: 10624383
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for an extrusion horn including an inner compression chamber having an interior channel extending from an open infeed port to an open exit port, where a top inner surface of the interior channel progressively tapers down with an initial slope having an initial downward taper to a target thickness, then top inner surface abruptly steps to an increased thickness of the channel, and then progressively tapers down with a secondary slope where the secondary slope has a steeper downward taper than the slope of the initial downward taper. An apparatus and method for extruding extrudate through an extruding horn conducive for producing bacon bits and jerky.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: TYSON FOODS, INC.
    Inventors: Mark Christie, Anthony J. Cardarelli, James A. Ruff, Dejing Fu
  • Patent number: 10624384
    Abstract: A leaf removal assembly including a frame comprising a front plate having a feed opening, a leaf stripping assembly mounted on said front plate in front of said feed opening and an upper sprocket wheel comprising a plurality of upper socket grippers extending radially outward of the upper sprocket wheel and being disposed behind the front plate. The leaf removal assembly further includes a lower sprocket wheel comprising a plurality of lower sprocket grippers extending radially outwardly of the lower sprocket wheel and being disposed behind the front plate. At least one of the upper sprocket wheel and the lower sprocket wheel may be adjustably attached to the frame. A process for separating a leaf from a stalk comprising at least one leaf is also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: James David Evans, Ashish Jain, Loren Theodore Duvekot, David C. Haller
  • Patent number: 10624385
    Abstract: A rod for use in a smoking article comprises a gathered sheet of homogenised tobacco material circumscribed by a wrapper. The sheet of homogenised tobacco material may comprises one or more aerosol-formers and have an aerosol former content of greater than 5% on a dry weight basis or of between 5% and 30% by weight on a dry weight basis. The rod may comprise a continuous element to which one or more additives have been applied, which is incorporated into the gathered continuous sheet of homogenised tobacco material. A method of forming the rod comprises the steps of: providing a continuous sheet of homogenised tobacco material; gathering the continuous sheet of homogenised tobacco material transversely relative to the longitudinal axis thereof; circumscribing the gathered continuous sheet of homogenised tobacco material with a wrapper to form a continuous rod; and severing the continuous rod into a plurality of discrete rods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.
    Inventor: Pierre-Yves Gindrat
  • Patent number: 10624386
    Abstract: Pellet substrates configured for use with a vapor delivery device to vaporize and deliver an aerosol to a user include a semi-porous base material formed of activated alumina pellets, activated carbon pellets, hulled millet grains that have a generally rounded shape or cellulose paper that has a generally disc shape. The pellet substrates are formed by mixing the base material with a liquid solution of an aerosol former and at least one of a tobacco extract mixture and a tobacco powder blend until the liquid solution is absorbed onto the exposed surfaces of the base material with or without drying by applying heat. The base material may be coated with a liquid hydrocolloid gum solution, namely a water soluble gum, such as sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, and distilled water to reduce fracturing, cracking, chipping and dusting of the pellet substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Inventor: Jackie L. White
  • Patent number: 10624387
    Abstract: A producing method of a tobacco raw material containing a flavor constituent, comprises: a step A for heating a tobacco raw material in a closed space which is treated with alkali and for taking a flavor constituent released in the gas phase from the tobacco raw material to an outside of the closed space; a step B for allowing a first solvent to capture the flavor constituent by bringing the flavor constituent released in the gas phase in the step A into contact with the first solvent which is a liquid substance at normal temperature on the outside of the closed space; a step C for supplying a second solvent to the tobacco raw material in the closed space after the step A and for taking a normal component which is released as the liquid phase from the tobacco raw material to the second solvent, together with the second solvent to the outside of the closed space; and after the steps B and C, the step D for adding the first solvent capturing the flavor constituent in the step B to the tobacco raw material from
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: JAPAN TOBACCO INC.
    Inventors: Yoshinori Fujisawa, Takeshi Akiyama, Shinya Osuga, Manabu Takeuchi, Manabu Yamada
  • Patent number: 10624388
    Abstract: Disclosed is a novel single dose smoking device that provides advancement to the traditional pipe bowl design, and these advancements translate exceedingly well to the unique applications of an expanding smokers market, where discerning smokers are increasingly refining their preferences. More specifically, the single dose smoking device includes a stem with a first end and a second end, and a bowl with a draw end and pack end. The stem and bowl are formed from an organic or inorganic material with a draw end and pack end. The draw end includes a hole or series of holes therethrough for allowing gases to pass therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Model Row Investments, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Anthony Born, Christopher M. Davis
  • Patent number: 10624389
    Abstract: A combination storage container, scale, and rolling paper dispenser having an airtight storage container, a scale, a rolling paper dispenser, a cigarette roller, a magnifying glass, a light, and a lighter. There is a battery compartment having a plurality of batteries which powers the scale and a digital readout for said scale, as well as a light to illuminate the contents of the storage container. An integrated rechargeable battery and a USB charging port power the lighter. The present combination storage container, scale, and rolling paper dispenser is portable and offers a sleek design which incorporates each of the elements into a single cylindrical profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Inventor: Manuel Salgado
  • Patent number: 10624390
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for making a fuel element for a smoking article comprising forming a combustible carbonaceous material into a fuel element adapted for use in a smoking article; incorporating a metal-containing catalyst precursor into the fuel element or onto the surface thereof to form a treated fuel element, the incorporating step occurring before, during, or after said forming step; and optionally heating or irradiating the treated fuel element at a temperature and for a time sufficient to convert the catalyst precursor to a catalytic metal compound. Examples of metal-containing catalyst precursors include iron nitrate, copper nitrate, cerium nitrate, cerium ammonium nitrate, manganese nitrate, magnesium nitrate, and zinc nitrate. Fuel elements treated according to the invention, and smoking articles including such fuel elements, are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Chandra Kumar Banerjee, Stephen Benson Sears
  • Patent number: 10624391
    Abstract: An atomizing assembly has an inhaler, an atomizing assembly and an atomizing core. The atomizing assembly has a shell. The atomizing core joins with the shell. The shell has a gas flow passage and a liquid storage cavity which encircles the gas flow passage and serves for liquid storage. The atomizing core has a core body, an exhaust tube and an atomizing element. The core body is provided with an atomizing cavity, and the exhaust tube is disposed at a gas outlet. The atomizing element is disposed within the atomizing cavity and is used for liquid atomization; at least a part of the exhaust tube extends into the gas flow passage, and a through hole or a gap communicates with the interior of the exhaust tube. The gas flow passage is disposed on the sidewall of the exhaust tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: SHENZHEN SMOORE TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
    Inventor: Zhiping Chen
  • Patent number: 10624392
    Abstract: An aerosol-generating system may include a liquid storage portion configured to hold aerosol-forming substrate, a vaporizer, and a pump. The liquid storage portion includes a movable wall and an outlet. The vaporizer includes a heating element having a structure that at least partially defines an internal passage. The pump may deliver liquid aerosol-forming substrate from the outlet of the liquid storage portion to the internal passage of the heating element. The pump may include a micro stepper motor with a drive shaft that is configured to rotate a particular amount based on performing an individual step, a piston connected to the movable wall, and a lead screw connecting the drive shaft to the piston and configured to translate rotation of the drive shaft into axial movement of the piston and the movable wall. The vaporizer may at least partially vaporize the delivered liquid aerosol-forming substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Rui Nuno Batista, Ben Mazur
  • Patent number: 10624393
    Abstract: There is provided a method of controlling aerosol production in an aerosol-generating device, the device comprising: a heater comprising at least one heating element configured to heat an aerosol-forming substrate; and a power source for providing power to the heating element, comprising the steps of: controlling the power provided to the heating element such that in a first phase power is provided such that the temperature of the heating element increases from an initial temperature to a first temperature, in a second phase power is provided such that the temperature of the heating element drops below the first temperature and in a third phase power is provided such that the temperature of the heating element increases again. Increasing the temperature of the heating element during a final phase of the heating process reduces or prevents the reduction in aerosol delivery over time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.
    Inventor: Arkadiusz Kuczaj
  • Patent number: 10624394
    Abstract: An e-cigarette PV that includes an air pressure valve or device so that excess air can escape from an e-liquid reservoir in the PV when that reservoir is being filled under pressure with e-liquid from a parent reservoir. The valve or device is a barrier made of an air-porous material, such as a sintered polymer or metal, coated with or otherwise including a barrier or layer of an air-porous substance that is not porous to e-liquid, such as an oleophobic material or a hydrophobic or super-hydrophobic material. The oleophobic material is one of: sintered phosphor bronze, sintered stainless steel and sintered PU plastic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: AYR LTD.
    Inventors: Kaveh Memari, Adrian Bennett, Ian Murison, Stephen Marsh
  • Patent number: 10624395
    Abstract: A sock with zones of varying numbers of layers is formed as a single tube on a circular knitting machine. At least one end of the tube is doubled back over a portion of the remainder of the tube to form a double layer first zone. The sock further includes a single layer zone adjacent to the double layer first zone, where no such folding occurs. Optionally, a second end of the tube may also be folded to create a third zone having two layers of material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth T. Craig
  • Patent number: 10624396
    Abstract: A velvet sheath for bra wire rings and a bra using the velvet sheath, the sheath comprises a main body holding a hollow part and formed by an upper fabric and a lower fabric, both sides of the hollow part of main body interweave and connect the upper fabric and the lower fabric to form velvet woven grid surfaces by velvet warp threads crossed up and down, respectively, and the sheath is sewn under the bra cup. The velvet sheath for bra wire rings according to the present invention will not appear rough surface and uneven elasticity caused by wire rings pulling the sheath after wire rings inserted into the curvedly sewn sheath or when users wear such bras later, and may ameliorate deformation, wrinkles and tightness of the sheath caused by the uneven tension formed by bending of wire rings and can cushion the compression induced by bending of wire rings without affecting the effect of the sheath on fixing the wire rings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: KAIPING KELIAN KNITTERS DEVELOPMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Suilung Cheung
  • Patent number: 10624397
    Abstract: The invention discloses a sheath for bra wire ring. It includes a hollow sheath body made of cloth, and there is a hollow part for holding the wire ring to be inserted in the hollow sheath body; it also comprises a core wire inserted in the hollow part, and the core wire slides relative to the hollow sheath body. Such design solves the problem of resistance when the wire rings are inserted into a flat bra wire ring sheath, resulting in that in the process of manufacturing bra, the phenomena of wrinkles and holes left on the surface of the sheath and the tightness of the sheath caused by inserting wire rings can be obviously improved, and making the product more beautiful and simultaneously enhancing the comfort of wearing the bra for females.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: KAIPING KELIAN KNITTERS DEVELOPMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Suilung Cheung
  • Patent number: 10624398
    Abstract: A golf garment for reinforcing a connection between a body and an arm has a shoulder joint support which fills a gap between the upper arm and the body at a golf posture, thereby enhancing a swing mechanism and reducing a possible injury. The shoulder joint support also mitigates the concentration of shock on the shoulder and thus the risk of injury is further reduced. Although designed specifically for golf, the present invention can be also effective for sports requiring a firm, yet tensionless connection of the arm to the body, such as tennis, hockey and baseball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignees: EIGEN INNOVATION AG
    Inventor: Thomas Kyung Ha Cho
  • Patent number: 10624399
    Abstract: A garment having accommodation for the driveline and support peripherals of a LVAD is shown and described. The garment is preferably formed in two sections including an upper body sheath and a lower body tube. These sections may overlap. The garment includes a slot for passing a driveline of the LVAD, and pockets for containing each of the support peripherals such as controller and batteries. The pockets hold the support peripherals close to the body with even distribution of weight of the support peripherals with respect to right and left sides of the body, compared with prior art practice of containing the peripherals in a bag slung over the shoulder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Inventor: John Stratton
  • Patent number: 10624400
    Abstract: An improved safety helmet is a safety helmet for an emergency responder such as a policeman or a fireman that has a plurality of light emitting diodes that are able to flash in various combinations of sequences and in standard emergency light colors to make the emergency responder more visible to others in the vicinity. The safety helmet has a battery power source, a video camera, a transmitter, a receiver, a solar panel for charging the battery, and a thermal imaging scope formed into the safety helmet. There may also be a USB port and cable for recording and downloading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Inventor: Alvin Shrouder
  • Patent number: 10624401
    Abstract: A jacket has a torso portion, a pair of underarm portions adjacent the torso portion, and a pair of arms, one of each of the arms being adjacent one of each of the underarm portions, at least one of the torso portion and the pair of arms defining a first area and the pair of underarm portions defining a second area. The article further includes a first assembly including one or more scent control materials provided within the first area defined by a cloth and a second assembly including one or more scent control materials provided within the second area defined by the cloth, the second assembly having a different composition than the first assembly. The first assembly and the second assembly together include activated carbon and at least one of carbon treated to adsorb hydrogen sulfide, zeolite, ammonia stone, and carbon treated to adsorb mercaptan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: ScentLok Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory J. Sesselmann
  • Patent number: 10624402
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a curled hair braid apparatus comprising: providing a length of artificial hair; forming a loop section, a first hair prong and a second hair prong, wherein the first hair prong comprises a first hair prong end and the second hair prong comprises a second hair prong end; rotating the first hair prong; rotating the second hair prong; wrapping the first hair prong around the second hair prong along at least a portion of the length of the artificial hair; separating a third hair prong from the second hair prong; wrapping the first hair prong behind the third hair prong and in front the second hair prong; wrapping the third hair prong behind the second hair prong and in front of the first hair prong; and wrapping the second hair prong behind the first hair prong and in front of the third hair prong.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: SHAKE-N-GO FASHION, INC.
    Inventors: James K. Kim, Peter Ough, Hye Sun Kim
  • Patent number: 10624403
    Abstract: A protective insert for headgear includes a malleable main body member having an inside facing surface, an outside facing surface and an impact resistant material that is disposed between the inside and outside facing surfaces. A plurality of connectors are disposed along the insert, and removably engage complementary connectors positionable inside a traditional hat. A plurality of air vents are disposed throughout the main body, and the impact resistant material includes polyurethane foam and polyborodimethylsiloxanea, which is malleable in a non-compressed state, and becomes firm and rigid when receiving an impact force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Inventor: Rithvik Seela
  • Patent number: 10624404
    Abstract: A helmet is provided that comprises a contoured external surface; a controller positioned on the contoured external surface; one or more channels embedded within the contoured external surface and defining two or more elongate pathways travelling over at least a portion of the contoured external surface; at least one electroluminescent (EL) wire located within and extending along at least a portion of the one or more channels, the EL wire being further selectively electrically connected to the controller; and a plurality of pairs of retaining elements periodically positioned adjacent the one or more channels. Each retaining element within each pair is located on an opposing side of the one or more channels, and an opening defined between a portion of each of the plurality of pairs of retaining elements has a dimension less than a diameter of the EL wire. Associated method and computer program product are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Inventor: Dana Ruth Weigen
  • Patent number: 10624405
    Abstract: An aerodynamic control device includes a void opening. The void opening decreases a resistance of a turbulence generated by a component part located behind a center of a longitudinal width of a helmet and is formed so that one end is connected to the helmet and the other end protrudes backward from the helmet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: SHOEI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masayuki Shida, Eiji Isobe
  • Patent number: 10624406
    Abstract: The present helmet invention combines lightweight, impact absorption materials, force distribution structures, and means for affixing a facemask and straps to the helmet for reducing the risk of head injury. The internal construction of the helmet uses the combination of three or more elliptically shaped rings, each referred to as a “halo ring.” The halo rings are rigidly affixed to u-shaped torsion bars, and together form a cage. The cage covers areas of the head and skull vulnerable to injury, operating to disperse and thereby dissipate external impacts at any point where forces on the helmet's external surface are transferred to the ovoid-like cage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Inventor: Richard Todaro
  • Patent number: 10624407
    Abstract: A pad assembly is provided for use with a protective sports helmet in a contact sport, the helmet having an opening. The pad assembly includes a pad member within a pad housing, and a retainer having a projection that fits within the helmet opening. The pad assembly also includes a cap detachably coupled to the retainer, the cap including a base portion that fits within the helmet opening and a flange portion that fits within a countersunk recess disposed around the helmet opening, the cap detachably receiving the projection of the retainer. A protective sports helmet having a pad assembly is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Riddell, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph J. Infusino, Vittorio Bologna, Thad M. Ide
  • Patent number: 10624408
    Abstract: A system for creating a covered hat using an upper form having a top surface, a bottom edge, and side walls having an elongated cylindrical shape between the top surface and bottom edge. A stand having an upper block is inserted into the upper form against the top surface. A rigid ring insert is placed within the form and aligned with the bottom edge. A covering sheet made of a textile material having outer edges is centered over the top surface of the upper form. A rope band secures the covering sheet tightly against the upper form and is aligned with the ring insert. The outer edges are pulled downwardly to remove wrinkles, the covering sheet is stitched in place to the upper form, and the upper form is severed just above the ring for subsequent attachment to a hat lower part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Inventor: Solomon Ettinger
  • Patent number: 10624409
    Abstract: A method is providing for manufacturing an integrally formed cap, the method comprising: in step 1, providing a shell fabric B and a thermoplastic lining fabric C, superposing the shell fabric on a surface of the lining fabric and tightly attaching the shell fabric to the lining fabric, to obtain the fabric A needed, and providing the shaping mold matched with the shape of a cap; in step 2, cutting the fabric A obtained in Step 1 into set dimensions; and in step 3, tightly attaching the fabric A cut in Step 2 onto the shaping mold obtained in Step 1, thermally shaping the fabric A by a container, so as to integrally shape the fabric A into the cap. With the method of the invention, the production speed and quality stability can be increased, the production cost reduced, and the production process is energy-saving and environment-friendly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Inventor: Yi Shiang Chan
  • Patent number: 10624410
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to head ventilation devices and systems. A shell which may be worn as a hat includes a gap along at least a portion of a user's hatline defined by one or more spacer assemblies. An airflow assembly disposed at an upper end of the shell and spaced apart from the user's scalp causes airflow through the gap and an upper opening to ventilate a user's head. Additional protection features for sun shading, inclement weather, and/or safety may also be included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Inventor: Stephen C. Carr
  • Patent number: 10624411
    Abstract: A wearable article, a system, and methods include a structural material configured to enable the wearable article to the worn on a body, a piezoelectric generator, positioned with respect to the structural material in a configuration to be flexed to output a voltage, a data translator, coupled to the piezoelectric generator, configured to output electronic data based on the voltage, and an electronic data storage, coupled to the data translator, configured to store the electronic data from the data translator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith A. Folske, Vikram Malhotra, Holli Pheil, Summer L. Schneider
  • Patent number: 10624412
    Abstract: Stitching is applied to a shoe or shoe component and then printed. The stitching may be formed from a continuous thread. After printing, a portion of the continuous thread may have a different color or appearance from other portion(s) of the continuous thread.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Kassio Figur, Bruce J. Kilgore, Christina M. Wood
  • Patent number: 10624413
    Abstract: A sole for a sports shoe comprises a plurality of profile elements and a friction element. The profile elements are distributed such that the friction element can contact a sports ball to increase the friction between a lower side of the sole and the sports ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: adidas AG
    Inventors: Robert Frank Kirk, Constantin Zwick, Benjamin Turck, Zachary Clinton Coonrod
  • Patent number: 10624414
    Abstract: An athletic skate body has an integrated leather vamp main body, a heel accessory piece, multiple strengthening pieces, a tongue, a shoe lining, an inner board, and a sole. The integrated leather vamp main body has a seamless toe box surface portion and a first lateral surface portion and a second lateral surface portion extending rearward from two sides of the toe box surface portion. The first and the second lateral surface portions are sewed with a heel accessory piece and thus a heel portion is formed. With the seamless toe box surface portion, strength of a head portion of the athletic skate body is enhanced, and a vamp base can be cut into shape by automation equipment. Thus, with the plane and integral vamp base attached with multiple strengthening pieces precisely, the manpower is saved and the quality of the athletic skate body is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: SAKURAI SPORTS MFG. CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hsin-Chih Yang
  • Patent number: 10624415
    Abstract: An insole with heat generating system is disclosed, which comprises an insole, a piezoelectric module disposed inside the insole and electrically connected with each other to form an electrical circuit, two flexible conductive strips having a first conductive copper piece and a second conductive copper piece disposed thereon, and at least one resistive heating chip. Wherein the piezoelectric module generates the electrical energy through stepping on the insole, and then turns into the heat energy through the resistive heating chip, thereby generating a temperature for the insole, so the insole with heat generating system can adjust the temperature appropriately, its safety is high, most importantly, the invention does not need to add the battery to generate heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Inventor: Chih-Hua Hsieh
  • Patent number: 10624416
    Abstract: An insole board for a high-heel shoe, said insole board includes a heel supporting area having a concave heel cup adapted to underlie a heel of the wearer, a medial arch support area adapted to underlie the arch of the wearer's foot and extending toeward of but short of the ball of the wearer's foot, and a forefoot area adapted to underlie the ball of the foot and forefoot of the wearer. The medial arch support area has a raised contour for supporting a portion of a sole of the wearer's foot underlying the wearer's arch, and the forefoot support area includes a hollow having a resiliently deformable material therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: VIONIC GROUP LLC
    Inventor: Terence Mitchell
  • Patent number: 10624417
    Abstract: An article of footwear comprises a sole structure having a cushioning component defining an enclosed, fluid-filled chamber. The cushioning component has a top wall, a bottom wall, a medial side wall at a medial side of the article of footwear, and a lateral side wall at a lateral side of the article of footwear. The cushioning component includes a unitary outsole having a bottom portion, a medial side portion, and a lateral side portion. The bottom portion is bonded to the bottom wall, the medial side portion is bonded to the medial side wall, and the lateral side portion is bonded to the lateral side wall. A method of manufacturing includes disposing the first and second polymer sheets and the outsole in a mold assembly and thermally bonding the outsole to the second polymer sheet, and the first and second polymer sheets to one another to form a chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick J. Dojan, Brandon H. Workman
  • Patent number: 10624418
    Abstract: A shoe includes a sole, an upper, and a welt. The sole and upper define a seam. The welt overlies the seam. The sole includes flex grooves. The upper includes perforations. The welt includes flex slits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: COLE HAAN LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Mokos, Scott Patt
  • Patent number: 10624419
    Abstract: A shoe sole comprises a first array of interconnected void cells that is oriented adjacent to a second opposing array of interconnected void cells, wherein the second opposing array of interconnected void cells is geometrically different from the first array of void cells and includes at least one void cell with an asymmetrical perimeter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: SKYDEX TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Jerod Dahl, Peter Foley, Collin Metzer, Trevor Kanous, Eric William Sugano
  • Patent number: 10624420
    Abstract: A shank for an article of footwear including a substantially planar base portion extending within a first plane in the longitudinal and lateral directions and a substantially planar ramp portion designed to absorb footwear loads in a vertical direction, the ramp portion extending, in an uncompressed state, within a second plane that is oblique to the first plane. The base portion and the ramp portion are arranged such that they do not overlap in the vertical direction. A sole assembly is also described and includes an outsole divided into a first portion located at a forefoot portion of the sole assembly and a second portion located at an arch portion of the sole assembly. The second portion is designed to contact the midsole in a compressed state and form a gap between when a load is removed. Related methods of manufacturing are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: K-SWISS, INC.
    Inventors: Brian Keating, David Bond
  • Patent number: 10624421
    Abstract: A method for inflating a chamber in an article composed at least partially of polymer layers, such as thermoplastic layers, is provided. The methods can allow for forming an aperture in a polymer layer, inflating a chamber or volume in fluid communication with the aperture, and then sealing the chamber so that the inflation fluid is substantially retained in the chamber and/or does not escape via the aperture. The formation of the aperture, inflation of the chamber, and sealing of the chamber or aperture may be performed by a single tool and/or based on a single registration of the thermoplastic article with a tool. In some aspects, formation of the aperture is enabled in part by using a punch with a cupped surface that allows the top layer of a thermoplastic article to be breached without forming a hole in at least one lower layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventor: Dale E. Jacobs
  • Patent number: 10624422
    Abstract: The invention is intended to provide silicone elastomer laces that are improved in terms of branding and/or ornamentation and/or tear strength and/or additional novel functions other than the mechanical properties and external appearance thereof, as well as a novel lacing solution. For this purpose, the invention relates first to a lace (1) for a shoe (2) equipped with a lace passage (3), the two edges (4, 5) of said passage having through-holes (7). The lace (1) essentially comprises at least one silicone elastomer that is at least partially cross-linked and includes one or more silicone polymers and fillers and, optionally, at least one of the following compounds: catalyst(s), cross-linking agent(s), pigment(s), parting agent(s), plasticiser(s), adhesion promoter(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: ALPURNA DEVELOPMENT
    Inventor: Laurence Jugeau
  • Patent number: 10624423
    Abstract: A tensioning system for use with an article of footwear includes a pulley assembly. The pulley assembly may include a first disc and a second disc connected by a central shaft. A tensioning element can be engaged around the central shaft. A ring element can be used to prevent the tensioning element from disengaging the pulley when there is slack in the tensioning element. The pulley assembly can include a guide portion that guides a tensioning member so as to restrict the entry angle of segments of the tensioning member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Austin Orand, Timothy P. Hopkins
  • Patent number: 10624424
    Abstract: While purchasing shoes via an online shopping store, a user may use a foot measuring machine according to the invention to automatically download and print an insole which is adapted to the particular user's foot dimensions as well as the particular shoe which is being bought. Hence, a different insole is printed for every different user foot and shoe combination. This enables the user to try out the insole (or insoles for both feet) and make out an idea of the adaptability of the particular shoe to their feet. The foot measuring machine with a user interface facilitates the user the virtual purchase of shoes, generating an insole of the shoe it wants to purchase, so that the user can print the insole of the selected shoe and try it out by super-posing the foot on the insole outline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Inventor: Montserrat Exposito Ledesma
  • Patent number: 10624425
    Abstract: A belt buckle structure includes a buckle body and a plate-based controller. The buckle body is provided with a coupling section and a connection section at two ends thereof. The coupling section is formed with a pivoting notch in a top side and a recess in a bottom side. A pin hole is formed in each of two sides of the buckle body. The plate-based controller includes a coupling axle having a pawl. The coupling axle is arranged in the coupling section. A fixing member has a protruding section fit into the recess. A pin is received through the pint hole to penetrate through the recess and extend into a positioning hole of the fixing member. A primary constraint frame has two side portions collaborating with the pin to attach to two sides of the buckle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Inventor: Hsi-Hsin Chen
  • Patent number: 10624426
    Abstract: A key ring includes a body having an upper ring and a lower ring, the upper ring having a closable opening. The upper ring and the lower ring are separated by a pinch point. The pinch point includes a first and second side of the body, the first and second sides of the body in very close proximity at the pinch point, such that a key sliding along the lower ring of the body may not easily pass the pinch point to the upper ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Nite Ize, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory M. Adelman
  • Patent number: 10624427
    Abstract: A smart zipper includes a zipper, a voltage generator, a voltage detector, and a processor. The zipper includes a first left tooth and a first right tooth. The first left tooth is electrically connected to a first left wire and is supplied with a supply voltage. The first right tooth is electrically connected to a first right wire. The voltage generator generates the supply voltage. The voltage detector detects the voltage of the first right wire to generate a first detection signal. The processor determines first coupling information about whether the first left tooth is electrically connected to the first right tooth, according to the first detection signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: QUANTA COMPUTER INC.
    Inventors: Cheng-Han Huang, Mao-Chen Hsiao, Jen-Chih Shih, Tse-An Lin
  • Patent number: 10624428
    Abstract: A slider, includes a slider base, a pull-tab, a connecting shaft and a spring; the slider base includes an upper blade, a lower blade, and a connecting pin connecting the upper blade and the lower blade; said pull-tab is integrated with the connecting shaft; the pull-tab includes a pull-tab body, with a spring mounting part and a locking part set at the anterior-end-face of the pull-tab body; the anterior-end-face of the pull-tab body is set as a locking vertical plane and the bottom of the pull-tab body is set as cambered surface; the connecting shaft is fixed to the anterior-end of the pull-tab body and the length of the connecting shaft is larger than the width of the anterior-end-face of the pull-tab body; the connecting shaft runs through the spring mounting part and the locking part and extends to both sides of the anterior-end of the pull-tab body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: IDEAL FASTENER (GUANGDONG) INDUSTRIES LTD.
    Inventors: Franklin Chi Yen Hung, Guoliang Qiu, Wei Qiu, Zongjian Lyu, Fukang Wu
  • Patent number: 10624429
    Abstract: A shade umbrella includes a top structure, an umbrella stand structure and a pole. The pole enables the separation of umbrella top structure into two components and posit of each other for ease of carrying and storing, and the umbrella stand structure attached to lower end of an umbrella pole which provides stability by parting horizontal and vertical loads. Further, the shade umbrella is portable, detachable and collapsible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Inventor: Steve Lake
  • Patent number: 10624430
    Abstract: A storage and carrying case comprises an upper housing and a lower housing connected by a locking hinge mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: CRED HOLDING COMPANY
    Inventors: Edward Bradley Godwin, III, Edward Willis Harmon, IV, Jason DeFrancesco
  • Patent number: 10624431
    Abstract: Luggage systems that better address the ways in which many people like to travel, in a style they feel most comfortable, while enjoying an unprecedented level of convenience which they will naturally welcome. Such improvement include a hinged front panel supporting storage pouches recessed within the front hard-shell housing portion, for storing a mobile computing device and other articles, that can be simply accessed while traveling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: JRSK, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephanie Korey, Jennifer Rubio, Bret Recor, Seth Murray, Charles Weber, Ahyoung Park