Patents Issued in March 2, 2021
  • Patent number: 10932572
    Abstract: The height-adjusting stool is a seat, which may change height between a minimum height and a maximum height by activating a motor to move a scissor jack located beneath the seat. The motor may be battery-operated. A plurality of wheels may allow the height-adjusting stool to be repositioned by rolling to one side or the other. One or more wheel locks may prevent the plurality of wheels from rolling when stationary positioning is desired. A three-position switch may allow the user to move the seat up or down or to cease motion of the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Inventor: Veronica Leggette
  • Patent number: 10932573
    Abstract: A backrest (7) includes: a tensile material (71) on which a load support surface (71f) configured to receive a load of a seated person is formed; a back front frame (80F) that supports an outer peripheral end portion (71e) of the tensile material (71); an attachment portion (87) which is formed in the back front frame (80F) and faces the tensile material (71) in a state where the attachment portion (87) is separated from the tensile material (71) in a direction intersecting the load support surface (71f); and a lumber support (200) that is attachable to and detachable from the attachment portion (87), in which the lumber support (200) includes an attaching portion (222) which extends in a direction along the load support surface (71f), is inserted into a gap (S) between the tensile material (71) and the attachment portion (87), and is fixed to the attachment portion (87).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: OKAMURA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi Masunaga, Shinpei Totsuka
  • Patent number: 10932574
    Abstract: An adjustable armrest includes a post and an armrest body. A sliding member is coupled to the post and has a non-circular contour on a horizontal plane. The armrest body receives a sliding seat. The sliding seat includes a track extending in a length direction. The sliding member is received in the track. The armrest body is movable relative to the post. The track includes a first section and a second section interconnected to the first section. The first and second sections are arranged in the length direction. The first section extends along a rectilinear line. The second section extends along a non-rectilinear line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: CHUAN HSING CHEMICAL INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Ching-Chang Wang
  • Patent number: 10932575
    Abstract: An armrest (8, 208) and a chair (100, 200) according to the present invention are provided with: an armrest body (8b, 208b) which is a movable member including a placing surface for supporting a limb of a seated person, and which is supported by a support rod (8a, 208a) from below so as to be movable in a horizontal direction; and a through-space (S, 200S) which is a guide portion indicating the position to be touched by the seated person when moving the armrest body (8b, 208b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: OKAMURA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi Masunaga, Ryo Igarashi, Syouichi Izawa
  • Patent number: 10932576
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to improved massage chairs. The massage chairs can include arms that are configured to transition between a closed position and an open position to assist individuals with entering or exiting the massage chairs. The massage chairs can also be configured to transition between an upright position and a reclined position. A locking mechanism can secure the arms of the massage chairs in the closed position when the massage chairs are in the reclined position or when the massage chairs are transitioning from the upright position to the reclined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: FlUS DISTRIBUTORS, LLC
    Inventors: Clifton Lee Levin, Kiyoyuki Okuyama, Yoichi Hirata, Kazuhide Maeda, Masaki Kagano
  • Patent number: 10932577
    Abstract: The ABS plastic made cup-holder is to be retrofitted to the Adirondack chair made of similar material i.e. ABS plastic. The cup-holder provides a cup holding area with two cutouts on either side of the walls of the cup-holder and two bases to accommodate the variety of the drinks. The cup-holder has a slot to contain a normal size cellular phone. The cup-holder arm grips hold the arm of the Adirondack chair with such a strength that can support drinks of 5 lb weight. The cup holding area has one and the cellular phone slot has two drain holes at their respective floors to empty any liquid in the cup holding area or cellular slot. These features make the present invention unique, inexpensive and have greater utility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Inventor: Jeffrey William Dobson
  • Patent number: 10932578
    Abstract: A cup holding device for a foldable seat includes a connecting part and a cup holder. The connecting part is provided on an armrest frame or a front leg frame of a foldable seat, and is located below a seat portion of the foldable seat. The cup holder is mounted on the connecting part, and has a receiving cavity adapted to receive the placement of a container. By placing the connecting part and the cup holder below the seat portion of the foldable seat, the present invention can make use of the space at the bottom of the foldable seat and prevent a drinking container from being accidentally hit by a person's swinging arm causing its tipping over.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Spec Seats Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Mei Chuen Lin
  • Patent number: 10932579
    Abstract: A seat occupancy indicator device and method; the seat occupancy indicator device includes a housing made of a rigid material (the housing has a housing-exterior and a housing-interior-volume); a plurality of indicator lights, the plurality of indicator lights disposed on the housing-exterior, the plurality of indicator lights viewable from a location outside of the housing; a control-circuit, the control-circuit located within the housing-interior-volume, the control-circuit communicatively coupled to the plurality of indicator lights. The seat occupancy indicator is useful for indicating occupancy of a seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Inventor: Terence Murphy
  • Patent number: 10932580
    Abstract: A modular sofa assembly described herein includes a plurality of seating modules each having a seat section, a backrest section, and side edge surfaces. The backrest section includes first and second portions coupled for movement between a folded configuration and an extended configuration. An armrest module has an armrest side edge surface configured for mating engagement with a side edge surface of a seating module. The modular sofa is assembled by aligning connectors of the seating modules and armrest module, with each respective connectors slidingly engaged along an axis. After bringing the modules together, these connections are secured with the side edge surfaces in abutting engagement. The modular sofa further may include a power cradle mounted at the sofa's bottom surface. The power cradle includes a cubic power outlet near the front of the sofa, and power cable extending beyond the back of the sofa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Burrow, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Kuhl, Kabeer Chopra, Leah K. S. Amick, Paul Koh, Alex Kubo
  • Patent number: 10932581
    Abstract: A metal seat stretcher that is configured for easy mounting to the seat box, and furniture items including the same. The disclosed stretcher may be mounted in such a way so as not be directly mounted to the forward or rearward rails, thus preserving the strength and integrity of the rails by not subjecting them to perforation from a multitude of staples. Instead, the front end of the metal seat stretcher mounts to a clip rail that is secured to the inside of the front rail, and back end of the stretcher is secured to a seat back upright. In some embodiments, securing of the disclosed seat stretcher is done with a single screw at the front end and a single self-tapping bolt at the back end (though more fasteners may also be utilized). This provides for rapid and easy assembly of the furniture item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Ashley Furniture Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: John Hawkins, Jason Lambert, Joe Kushner
  • Patent number: 10932582
    Abstract: Methods and devices for reading a memory cell using multi-stage memory sensing are described. The memory cell may be coupled to a digit line after the digit line during a read operation. A transistor may be activated to couple an amplifier capacitor with the digit line during the read operation. The transistor may be deactivated for a portion of the read operation to isolate the amplifier capacitor from the digit line while the memory cell is coupled to the digit line. The transistor may be reactivated to recouple the amplifier capacitor to the digit line to help determine the value of the memory cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Huy T. Vo, Adam S. El-Mansouri
  • Patent number: 10932583
    Abstract: An electric bed with an adjustable bed length, containing an upper head bed frame, an upper foot bed frame, a lower bed frame, and a plurality of bedboards. Wherein at least one of the plurality of bedboards is pivotable relative to the lower bed frame. Wherein either of the upper head bed frame and the upper foot bed frame is fixed/immobile relative to the lower bed frame while the other contains a moving component which moves back and forth relative to the lower bed frame between a rest position and an extension position. Wherein the at least pivotable bedboard keeps horizontal and the upper head bed frame is away from the upper foot bed frame by Distance 1 when the moving component is located at the rest position, while the at least one pivotable bedboard pivots and there is Distance 2 between the upper head bed frame and the upper foot bed frame when the moving part is located at the extension position. Wherein Distance 2 is longer than Distance 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Keeson Technology Corporation Limited
    Inventors: Huafeng Shan, Joseph Ermalovich, Chuanxiang Ji, Jinchun Yan, Thomas James Wells
  • Patent number: 10932584
    Abstract: The invention concerns an adjustable bed (10) having zero wall clearance and zero gravity functionality. The bed comprises a frame (20) and an adjustable mattress support platform (11) having a plurality of articulated support sections (12, 16, 18) pivotally mounted with respect to one another for relative angular adjustment, and actuator means (52) for effecting coordinated movement of the support sections to reconfigure the bed, between a flat lowered configuration and a raised configuration for supporting an occupant in a zero gravity recumbent position. The actuator means comprises a single actuator, preferably a single linear actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: MOTUS MECHANICS LIMITED
    Inventor: Paul Brown
  • Patent number: 10932585
    Abstract: A system and method of changing a sheet for a mattress of a bed is provided. More specifically, a bedding system includes a retention element sized to be retained on the mattress. A first bedding element is selectively interconnected to the retention system. Optionally, a second bedding element may be interconnected to the first bedding element. In one embodiment, at least one two-part closure interconnects the first bedding element to the retention element. In another embodiment, buttons interconnect the second bedding element to the first bedding element. In yet another embodiment, at least one two-part closure interconnects the second bedding element to the first bedding element. The two-part closure may be a zipper, a plurality of snaps, and a hook and loop system. In one embodiment, the retention element is removably interconnected to the mattress by at least one fastener or closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: THE QUICKZIP SHEET COMPANY
    Inventor: Elizabeth J. Sopher
  • Patent number: 10932586
    Abstract: The invention relates to the field of furnishing. In particular, the invention relates to a stiffness adjustment device movable between an interference position for imposing a restriction on the deformation of a seat, back or bedding spring, and a non-interference position for releasing the spring from the restriction. The stiffness adjustment device comprises a resilient element, e.g. such as a flexible blade and, as it moves between the interference and non-interference positions it passes through an intermediate position in which the resilient element is subjected to resilient bending that is greater than in the interference and non-interference positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: TOURNADRE SA STANDARD GUM
    Inventors: Géraud Cailley, Pascal Lobry, Jacques Lobry
  • Patent number: 10932587
    Abstract: Cylindrical foam body with a central cavity, whereby the foam body is formed by a curved flexible foam strip of which two opposite ends are fastened together, whereby the foam body has a height, whereby the strip 2 has a length, a height and a width, whereby after forming the foam body the longitudinal direction of the strip 2 is the height direction of the foam body, whereby the foam body has an outside and an inside. The foam body is provided on its outside with two or more grooves that extend over the height of the foam body and which only cut into the foam body over a part of the distance between the outside and the inside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: ROMERIKA NV
    Inventor: Willy Poppe
  • Patent number: 10932588
    Abstract: The convertible child high-chair and step stool can include a frame having a front leg stand and a rear leg stand. A height adjustment mechanism can be coupled to the front leg stand or the rear leg stand and can be adjustable along the vertical axis of the front leg stand or the rear leg stand from a raised position to a lowered position. The apparatus can also include a booster seat and removable platform step. In the raised position, the booster seat can be coupled to the height adjustment mechanism to provide a high chair. In the lowered position, the booster seat can be removed and the removable platform step can be coupled to the height adjustment mechanism and the frame to provide a step stool. The apparatus can also include wheel assemblies coupled to the frame that limit the potential for tip hazards in the step stool configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: GRACO CHILDREN'S PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel Emil Dziak, Connie Yuanfang Gu, Shahnaz Selena Kasam, Ming Cheng Hsu, Chiyuan Chen
  • Patent number: 10932589
    Abstract: A base unit includes first and fourth connectors that are obliquely positioned relative to each other such that a first connector of a first base unit is engagable to a fourth connector of a second base unit. The present base unit further includes second and third connectors that are obliquely positioned relative to each other such that a second connector of the first base unit is engagable to a third connector of the second base unit. A set of base units may form a self-standing playyard enclosure or one or more of the base units may be clamped by the jaws of a bracket that in turn is pivotably engaged to a wall mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Regalo International, LLC
    Inventors: Mark A. Flannery, Gary T. Schultze, Matthew A. Willms
  • Patent number: 10932590
    Abstract: A bed rail having a guard frame that prevents a child from rolling off a bed and a pair of legs that extend between the mattress and box spring. The guard frame swings between up and down positions and is pivotally connected to the legs via a first junction. A second junction locks the guard frame to the legs. The second junction includes a rotatable seat that engages a pin extending from the guard frame. The bed rail further includes a strap that engages a proximal end of a leg, a distal end of the leg, and an anchor, which engages the side of the bed opposite of the bed rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Regalo International, LLC
    Inventors: Mark A. Flannery, Porter R. Million
  • Patent number: 10932591
    Abstract: A utensil dispenser comprises a housing, a utensil support assembly and a utensil dispensing actuator. The utensil support assembly comprises a skewer for retaining a stack of utensils to be dispensed. The actuator provides for sequential dispensing of the utensils. The utensils are held in alignment on the skewer until they are sequentially dispensed. Dispensing occurs as the utensils are individually removed by the actuator from the skewer where the utensil falls by gravity to an opening at the bottom of the housing for presentation to a user. A retainer member keeps the utensils stored on the skewer until the utensil support assembly is mounted in the housing and the utensils are ready for dispensing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Inventor: Robert F. Hubbard
  • Patent number: 10932592
    Abstract: The present application provides an indexing cooler for a number of products. The indexing cooler may include an outer shell, a number of rotating product zones, and an indexing drive motor. The indexing drive motor rotates one of the rotating product zones into an exposed zone for a first predetermined length of a time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
    Inventor: Vinayak Godbole
  • Patent number: 10932593
    Abstract: A retention system is disclosed and includes a planar surface having first and second opposing sides. The planar surface has an array of spaced through holes defining a plurality of rows of through holes and a plurality of columns of through holes. The planar surface also has an array of spaced protrusions extending from the first side of the planar surface and defining a plurality of rows of protrusions and a plurality of columns of protrusions. Each row of protrusions is disposed between two adjacent rows of the through holes and each protrusion includes a through slot oriented in a column direction of the protrusion. An organizing set is further disclosed that includes the retention system and an attachment accessory configured to be selectively coupled to the planar surface of the retention system. A method of making the retention system is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: EDSAL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
    Inventor: John Altizer
  • Patent number: 10932594
    Abstract: A jewelry display apparatus includes a body having a lower base and an upper display portion. The apparatus also includes a clamp coupled to the body. The clamp is configured to retain the jewelry in a fixed position relative to the body. The clamp has at least one portion movable relative to the body and is configured for selective movement between a closed position and an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: David Yurman IP LLC
    Inventors: David M. Yurman, Peter Roth
  • Patent number: 10932595
    Abstract: A removable plant holder system in a first embodiment having at least one first plant holder assembly having a coupling-frame, an extension arm-member having a proximate end, and a distal end; wherein the plant holder system includes the at least one first plant holder assembly. The at least one first plant holder assembly is defined by the coupling-frame and the extension arm-member integrally combined for use. As such the extension arm-member is defined by the proximate end attached to the coupling-frame, and the distal end is thus able to act in a capacity for hanging a plant therefrom; the coupling-frame configured for removable attachment with a railed deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Inventor: Patrick Sullivan
  • Patent number: 10932596
    Abstract: Devices and methods that allow for rapid and efficient changing of duvet covers, comprising an upper section and a lower section of washable material that are sized to be significantly larger than a duvet that will be covered and isolated. The upper and lower sections are secured together along a single edge only, and that edge is positioned at the head of the bed. The duvet is placed between the upper and lower sections, isolating and enclosing the duvet, thereby preventing the duvet from becoming exposed while the bed is in use, and simultaneously allowing for easy and rapid changing of the duvet cover after use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Inventor: Lisa Phan
  • Patent number: 10932597
    Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method for storing and modifying information that is disposed along an outside surface of a container. Optionally, the information is stored onto one or more strips that are each marked with information that facilitates exercise and other types of activity planning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Inventor: Thomas Lingel
  • Patent number: 10932598
    Abstract: A rotational seasoning dispenser with a dispensing mechanism that applies a rotating disk which has equally separated cavities. When each cavity is in the container the stored seasoning drops into and loads the cavity. Next, the disk transfers and dispenses the seasoning outside by turning the loaded cavities from the container to a dispensing aperture. The disk has smooth, parallel and planar upper and lower planes which slide closely fitting container's planar planes above and below it. This configuration hermetically isolates the container from the environment by providing simultaneous airtight covering of each cavity while it approaches and overlaps the dispensing aperture. This isolation prevents atmospheric moisture absorption which results in lumping of seasoning. The rotating cavities also can loosen lumped seasoning into particulates. An electrically motorized version of the dispenser is also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Inventor: Jezekiel Ben-Arie
  • Patent number: 10932599
    Abstract: A constructible scoop is provided as a sheet of planar flexible material having front and back surfaces and bilateral symmetry along a center line that extends from a top edge through a bottom edge. The sheet includes elongate extensions that emanate from a center body, and include left and right lateral extensions, a base extension that terminates at the bottom edge of the sheet and is oriented at ninety degrees relative to the left and right lateral extensions, an optional handle extension that terminates at the top edge of the sheet opposite the base extension. The extensions form a periphery that is shaped so that each extension may be flexed from a planar configuration to a three-dimensional configuration and fixedly engaged to form a scoop having a backwall, opposing sidewalls, a receptacle, and a spout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Inventor: Avery M Jackson, III
  • Patent number: 10932600
    Abstract: An oyster shucker apparatus comprises a base element comprising a first indentation, a cover element connected at an angle to an end of the base element, either removably connected thereto or hinged thereto, the cover element having a second indentation, the first and second indentations sized and configured to hold an oyster therein. A user holds an oyster therein and, with a knife, is able to easily open the oyster with minimal risk of injury.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Inventor: Jinyi Scoggin Fiocchi
  • Patent number: 10932601
    Abstract: A clamping device for attaching a container and a mobile device to a handlebar of a stroller includes a clamp, a cup holder and a clamping assembly. The clamp has a first clamping arm and a second clamping arm. The cup holder is mounted to the first clamping arm for receiving a container and includes a positioning member and a receiving member, an outer wall of the container is positioned by the positioning member and the bottom portion of the container is supported by the receiving member. The clamping assembly has a connecting joint, a supporting member and a clamping unit. The upper and lower ends of the connecting joint are respectively pivotally connected to the bottom of the supporting member and the top of the second clamping arm, and the clamping unit is mounted on the supporting member and used for clamping a mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Inventor: Eagle Fan
  • Patent number: 10932602
    Abstract: A theft prevention package container having a package chute positioned in a top surface thereof and a slot positioned on a back surface thereof to receive a lower end of a garage door so as to hold the package container in a position where it is locked in place by the garage door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Inventor: Jerry L. Hauck
  • Patent number: 10932603
    Abstract: An electronic device, with a compartment for storing a religious script, activates playback of a stored audio file in response to a touch input. The electronic device includes power and timing components that can be isolated or disconnected so that the device will not operate during specified times, such as high holy days. Different audio files are available for selection on a server, and the desired audio file can be selected using an application that is running on a separate device, such as a cell phone or table. Provisions can also be made for storage and playback of video files in response to a touch input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: SHEMA ISRAEL MEZUZAH INC
    Inventors: Avraham BenShitrit, Alexander Winter
  • Patent number: 10932604
    Abstract: A masticating juicer (10), including a housing (20) with a mastication chamber (30) and a food chute (40), the food chute defining a feeding chamber (50) positioned above the mastication chamber. The food processing apparatus further includes a food pusher (60) configured to be insertable into, and removable from, the feeding chamber. The food chute includes a flexible sealing member (80) that extends from the food chute into the feeding chamber. The flexible sealing member configured to engage the outer circumference of the food pusher when the food pusher is inside the feeding chamber, thereby preventing the back flow of food and juice through the food chute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Johann Nikolaus Unteregger, Iris Krassnig
  • Patent number: 10932605
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a rice cooking device, which includes a base, a water storage assembly, a heating assembly, a steaming assembly, and a pressure regulating assembly. The water storage assembly includes a shell, a water storage container, and an energy gathering cover. The shell is disposed in the base, the water storage container is disposed in the shell, and the energy gathering cover is disposed in the water storage container. The energy gathering cover divides the water storage container into a first chamber positioned outside the energy gathering cover and a second chamber positioned inside the energy gathering cover. A water flow channel is formed between the first chamber and the second chamber. The heating assembly is disposed between the shell and the water storage container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: HANGZHOU XIANGTIAN TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Zhongliang Tian, Xin Li
  • Patent number: 10932606
    Abstract: A drip coffee apparatus includes a body of the drip coffee apparatus. The body includes a perforated top and notches at a bottom of the body of the drip coffee apparatus. A protruding handle is coupled with the body of the drip coffee apparatus. Furthermore a protruding tab is at the perforated top of the body of the drip coffee apparatus and a coffee filter is coupled to an interior of the body of the drip coffee apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Dripkit Inc.
    Inventors: Kara Cohen, Ilana Kruger, Stuart Harvey Lee, Caroline Kepley
  • Patent number: 10932607
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for brewing a beverage from precursor particulates. The apparatus comprises a liquid delivery system for delivering liquid into a brewing basket. The liquid delivery system comprises a showerhead disposed above at least a portion of the brewing basket. The showerhead has a plurality of outlet openings through which liquid flows outward from the showerhead into the brew basket. At least two of the outlet openings are oriented to direct the flow of liquid out of the showerhead at least in part transversely of the brew basket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Spectrum Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Karl Warner Marschke, Kurt Ryan Rottier, Daniele Rosati, John S. Reback, David William Everett
  • Patent number: 10932608
    Abstract: An air compressed coffee or tea making machine includes an air tank storing high pressure air; the air tank being connected to an air compressor for compressing external air so as to drive the high pressure air within the air tank; at least one liquid storage tank for storing liquid therein; a filtering tank installed below the air tank and connected to the liquid storage tank; a receiving tank installed below the filtering tank; the receiving tank serving for receiving coffee powders or tea powders therein. The liquid of the liquid storage tank is filled into the filtering tank; by the high pressure air from the air tank, liquid within the filtering tank suffers from a uniform air pressure and then flows to the receiving tank; as a result, the liquid is uniformly mixed with the coffee or tea powders within the receiving tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Inventor: Wen Pin Hsu
  • Patent number: 10932609
    Abstract: A brewing apparatus may include a chassis dimensioned to fit within a compartment of an aircraft galley. The chassis may include a front chassis section and one or more guide rails configured to engage one or more tracks in the aircraft galley compartment. The front chassis section may include a brew head assembly with one or more server restraints or one or more brew cup restraints and a brew cup panel assembly. The brew cup panel assembly may include a hinge assembly configured to engage the brew head assembly and a brew cup panel. The brew cup panel may be coupled to the hinge assembly and may be configured to adjust the brew head assembly in a selected direction via actuation of the hinge assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Luke E. Kelly, Brian P. Mills, Byron A. Devlin
  • Patent number: 10932610
    Abstract: A cartridge adaptor system may include a puncturing device; a nozzle adaptor including: a puncture port configured to receive the puncturing device; a nozzle coupling portion configured to releasably couple to a beverage dispenser nozzle; and a cartridge coupling portion configured to releasably couple to a cartridge containing a beverage ingredient; and a cartridge holster having a receiving portion for receiving a portion of the cartridge. The puncturing device may be configured to puncture the cartridge thereby releasing the beverage ingredient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: PepsiCo, Inc.
    Inventor: Maher Nachawati
  • Patent number: 10932611
    Abstract: A method for retrieving aroma from a quantity of coffee particles as present in a coffee chamber (20) for containing a quantity of coffee particles comprises steps of providing outside of the coffee chamber (20) a low pressure area (34) where underpressure with respect to the coffee chamber (20) is prevailing, and opening the coffee chamber (20) to the low pressure area (34). A device (1) for brewing coffee, which is adapted to carry out such method, comprises a low pressure chamber (30) besides the coffee chamber (20) as mentioned, an arrangement (40, 41, 42) for creating a significant difference between pressure prevailing in the low pressure chamber (30) and pressure prevailing at a quantity of coffee particles, and an arrangement (23) for setting one of a closed condition and an opened condition of a communication path (22) connecting the low pressure chamber (30) to the coffee chamber (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Jeroen Herman Lammers, Christianus Martinus Van Heesch
  • Patent number: 10932612
    Abstract: A milk container associated with a coffee machine includes a containment body for containing milk; a mixing unit for mixing milk with air and steam; an external dispenser of the mixed milk; and a movement mechanism for moving the external dispenser configured and disposed to subject the external dispenser to a combined movement for lifting it with respect to a resting surface and distancing it from the containment body without changing its own angular orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: De'Longhi Appliances S.R.L.
    Inventors: Giuseppe De'Longhi, Paolo Evangelisti, Enrico Zaratin, Nicola Nicoletti
  • Patent number: 10932613
    Abstract: An electrically operated food processor for preparing a cooked product, which exhibits a basic unit, a vessel with an agitator that can be inserted into the basic unit, a cooking container that sits on the vessel, a heating device allocated to the vessel, a temperature sensor, a transceiver device for communicating with the temperature sensor, and an evaluator for evaluating the measurement data received from the temperature sensor. In order to provide an electric food processor with an alternative connection between the temperature sensor and evaluator, the temperature sensor can be a surface acoustic wave sensor (SAW sensor).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Vorwerk & Co. Interholding GmbH
    Inventor: Hendrik Koetz
  • Patent number: 10932614
    Abstract: An electrically operated food processor for preparing a cooked product, which exhibits a basic unit, a vessel with an agitator that can be inserted into the basic unit, a cooking container that sits on the vessel, a heating device allocated to the vessel, a temperature sensor, a transceiver device for communicating with the temperature sensor, and an evaluator for evaluating the measurement data received from the temperature sensor. In order to provide an electric food processor with an alternative connection between the temperature sensor and evaluator, the temperature sensor can be a surface acoustic wave sensor (SAW sensor).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Vorwerk & Co. Interholding GmbH
    Inventor: Hendrik Koetz
  • Patent number: 10932615
    Abstract: An apparatus to speed the heating of a soup-type comestible and to assist in the heat retention of the comestible includes a lithic body that is microwavable and food safe. The apparatus when placed in a bowl, arranges a quantity of soup-type comestible into a form readily heated by microwaves, and the apparatus is capable of functioning as a heat absorber and thermal reservoir to lose heat to the surrounding soup-type comestible after removal from the microwave oven in order to maintain a temperature for the comestible that is desirable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Inventors: Jon C. Floyd, Eron Cavazos
  • Patent number: 10932616
    Abstract: A drinking/feeding container and method for delivering fluid to a user at a drinking/feeding temperature which is higher than a storage temperature of the fluid. The container includes a fluid storage compartment, a lid and a heating device. The heating device is positioned between the fluid storage compartment and the lid. The heating device has an inlet which accepts the fluid from the fluid storage compartment, an outlet which dispenses the fluid to the lid and a passageway which extends between the inlet and the outlet. A Peltier device is provided between the inlet and the outlet and cooperates with the passageway to heat the fluid as the fluid moves from the inlet to the outlet. A power source supplies power to the heating device. A pulsing member pulses the power to the heating device whereby the pulsing of the power prevents the heating element from overheating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Inventor: Christopher T. Moore
  • Patent number: 10932617
    Abstract: A rotisserie oven for cooking food, eg spatchcock chicken, comprises an oven enclosure (23), a solid fuel conveyor (2) for conveying a burning solid fuel (eg charcoal) bed through the oven enclosure, and a food conveyor (3) crossing the solid conveyor transversely within the oven enclosure. The charcoal is lit outside the oven enclosure by a gas burner (21) and high temperature combustion, eg at 250° C. to 450° C., is supported by a jet of hot air (c) injected by a hot air blower (19) into the oven enclosure. Hot combustion gas circulates within the enclosure and the speed of the solid fuel conveyor is controlled in response to the output signal of a thermocouple (17) to maintain a desired cooking temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: CHILLY CHARCOAL CHICKEN COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventor: Dhiren Master
  • Patent number: 10932618
    Abstract: A device for cooking food on a grill has opposed upper and lower platens wherein a gap spacing between the platens is automatically adjusted in an initial stage and in subsequent stages of the cooking time for the food. The food is caused to be located between two opposed platens, the opposed platens each having opposed cooking surfaces and the opposed cooking surfaces defining a gap spacing that is adjustable. A controller and drive mechanism adjust the gap spacing between the platens so that during an initial stage of the cooking the gap spacing is equal to or less than the nominal initial uncooked thickness of the food, and during one or more subsequent stages of the cooking, after the initial stage, the gap spacing between the platens is varied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Restaurant Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Manuel Calzada, Paul G. Simmons, Jerry Sus
  • Patent number: 10932619
    Abstract: An air-guide member (100) for guiding an air flow (AF) is provided for in a food preparation chamber of a cooking device that uses air flow (AF) to prepare food ingredients. The air-guide member (100) includes a plurality of air-deflecting arms (101) arranged symmetrically and extending in a horizontal plane (P) between an inner part (IP) and an outer part (OP) of the air-guide member (100). The air guide member configuration allows for directing the air flow upwards and more evenly between the outer part and the inner part of the air-guide. The food ingredients can thus receive a flow of hot air having a more uniform air pressure distribution, which results in a more even cooking of the food ingredients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Mingshuo Zhang, Andreas Kowalewski, Claudio Brenna, Stefan Hans Sauer
  • Patent number: 10932620
    Abstract: A lower housing has a fuel grate situated at a predetermined level within the lower housing for supporting a fuel source. The lower housing has a first wall defining a plurality of air intake openings proximate the level of the fuel grate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: W.C. Bradley Co.
    Inventors: Mallik Ahmed, Bruce Roberts
  • Patent number: 10932621
    Abstract: A cooking apparatus having a base member and a plurality of side members held together to form a container, a heating means inside the container for generating heat in the container, the container having an opening for placing food to be cooked in the container, and is capable of storing liquid, wherein the heating means is a gas burner and is positioned above a maximum liquid level, and further including a first shield member inside the container, spaced from a side wall of the container and surrounding the burner to restrict flame from the gas burner from contacting the side wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: WILD EARTH WINES LIMITED
    Inventor: Quintin Quider