Patents Issued in April 6, 2021
  • Patent number: 10966437
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to isolated microorganisms—including novel strains of the microorganisms—microbial consortia, and compositions comprising the same. Furthermore, the disclosure teaches methods of utilizing the described microorganisms, microbial consortia, and compositions comprising the same, in methods for modulating the production and yield of milk and milk components in ruminants. In particular aspects, the disclosure provides methods of increasing desirable components of milk in ruminants. Furthermore, the disclosure provides for methods of modulating the rumen microbiome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Native Microbials, Inc.
    Inventors: Mallory Embree, Luke Picking, Grant Gogul, Janna Tarasova
  • Patent number: 10966438
    Abstract: The present invention includes methods for producing an extruded food particle by extruding through an extruder having a screw within a barrel, a composition containing nutritional food components, and gelatin in an amount sufficient to act as a binder when the composition exits the extruder, where the binder has essentially no starch. The present invention also includes extruded food particles that do not use starch as a binder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: PURINA ANIMAL NUTRITION LLC
    Inventor: Kent Lanter
  • Patent number: 10966439
    Abstract: A concentrated fruit juice powder obtained by a convection current vacuum freeze drying process that includes: selecting and preparing fruits by predetermined quality guideline; extracting fruit juice by inserting the fruits into a screw press juicing apparatus having a precutter and a screw press whose body surface varies non-linearly, which is configured to achieve a maximum extraction efficiency; adding probiotics into the extracted fruit juice; freezing the fruit juice mixed with the probiotics in molds using an individual quick freezer (IQF) to obtain frozen fruit juice blocks; and vacuum freezing the frozen fruit juice blocks using a convection current vacuum freeze drying apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: VINAMIT USA LLC
    Inventor: Vien Lam Nguyen
  • Patent number: 10966440
    Abstract: The present invention relates to high pressure processing (HPP) methods of and containers for preparation of food products such as solid or semi-solid foods, beverages and food supplements containing high-pressure sensitive probiotics and other high-pressure sensitive substances, which maintain their viability, biological activity and other beneficial properties in the prepared food product. The present invention also relates to pasteurized food products containing biologically active high-pressure sensitive probiotics, other high-pressure sensitive substances, or their combinations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Foremost Technologies and Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Leonid Akhumyan, Inga Hakhumyan, Yana Mkrtichyan
  • Patent number: 10966441
    Abstract: A food-grade, all-natural cold storage anti-bacterial filter is disclosed. The filter may control moisture, gaseous contaminates, mold, and bacteria within a cold storage unit; improve food safety; and improve the life of cold storage equipment. Reduced food spoilage, reduced energy usage, and increased cold storage shelf life may result from use of the filter. The filter includes a mixture of effective amounts of a base mineral, hygroscopic plant botanicals, and anti-bacterial plant botanicals, wherein the mixture is disposed in an FDA-approved food grade material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Inventors: Roger W. Stepic, Rebecca W. Stepic
  • Patent number: 10966442
    Abstract: The present invention provides a refrigerator, comprising: an adsorption container, an air compressor and a nitrogen storage tank. A sealed storage space is formed in a storage compartment of the refrigerator. The adsorption container with carbon molecular sieves disposed therein is disposed in the storage compartment. The air compressor is directly connected to the adsorption container through an air inlet pipe and configured to supply compressed air for the adsorption container in a controlled manner so as to allow the carbon molecular sieves to prepare nitrogen by means of the compressed air. A gas inlet end of the nitrogen storage tank is connected to the adsorption container, and a gas outlet end thereof is communicated with the storage space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: QINGDAO HAIER JOINT STOCK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xiaobing Zhu, Haoquan Liu, Bo Jiang, Liyan Wang
  • Patent number: 10966443
    Abstract: The present invention describes compositions for disinfection and/or effective preservation of food, for example fresh food, which allows the effective removal of microorganisms from these. The disclosed compositions contain derived extracts from plants with antimicrobial activity, which can act on their own or in combination with other disinfecting agents such as organic acids and chlorine compounds. The compositions of the invention are able to remove microbial contamination, including pathogenic microorganisms in seeds and sprouts obtained therefrom without changing the germination properties and nutritional and/or alimentary properties of the sprouts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Universidad Autonoma del Estado de Hidalgo
    Inventors: Javier Castro Rosas, Carlos Alberto Gómez Aldapa, José Roberto Villagómez Ibarra
  • Patent number: 10966444
    Abstract: Method for freezing olive oil which achieves the sustaining of the polyphenols until the time of its consumption. The method is performed immediately after the collection of the fruit olives from the tree, with the addition of nitrogen, the cold extraction of the oil and the remaining of the oil pulp in water of 27° C. temperature at the softening for 30 minutes. The product is being transferred in stages at storage tanks with nitrogen supply and gradual at stages reduction of the temperature by 5° C. and remaining in each storage tank for 12 hours until its temperature reaches 6-7 degrees, after which it is being packaged and frozen with slow in stages freeze to ?18° C. to ?23° C. Due to this method the product maintains during the whole internal of freezing the color and aroma and the taste it has during its transformation into oil, organic characteristics that reappear exactly the same after it has been defrosted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Inventor: Asterios Volonakis
  • Patent number: 10966445
    Abstract: Technologies for controlling food dehydration in a low-oxygen environment include a control device and an enclosed drying chamber. The control device receives sensor data from environmental sensors disposed within the drying chamber. A concentration of oxygen within the drying chamber is determined based on the received sensor data. The control device controls a valve to selectively feed an amount of a combustible gas to a burner assembly disposed within the drying chamber. The burner assembly is ignited by the control device and a flame is produced. The flame depletes the concentration of oxygen within the drying chamber to an initial oxygen concentration level. The control device controls another valve to feed an amount of non-reactive gas into the drying chamber to flush the drying chamber and further deplete the concentration of oxygen within the drying chamber to a lower oxygen concentration level. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Inventor: Joshua Butler
  • Patent number: 10966446
    Abstract: A process for producing an infused honey composition having a moisture content of 15% to 19% w/w is described. The process generally includes adding an infusing agent to honey to form an infused honey composition. The honey may be dried prior to addition of the infusing agent, after addition of the infusing agent, or both before and after addition of the infusing agent. The infusing agents are generally not-from-concentrate components of a plant including an extract or juice, fruit, seeds, skin, stems, roots, or leaves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Inventor: Steven Eisele
  • Patent number: 10966447
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides novel sweetener compositions comprising a compound having a structure according to Formula I: wherein R1, R2, R3, and R4 are described herein. Also provided are methods of modulating sweetness profile of a product by adding a compound of Formula I to the product, such as a beverage product or a food product. For example, the compound described herein can be added to increase the overall sweetness of a nutritive sweetener sweetened beverages; decrease the sweetness time-of-onset for high potency sweeteners such as rebaudioside A; decreasing bitter, metallic and licorice off-notes of high potency sweeteners; and improve the sweet quality of sweetened products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: PepsiCo, Inc.
    Inventors: Shawn Erickson, Yu-Wen Feng, Christophe Galopin, Stephen Gravina, Yuliya Kurash, Thomas Lee, Laura Nattress, Ting Wang
  • Patent number: 10966449
    Abstract: A handheld bean end cutting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Inventor: Glenn Caldarola
  • Patent number: 10966450
    Abstract: The invention relates to an in-line multi-mode coating machine adapted to coat food products with a particulate coating material, the machine comprising in-line with each other and in succession: an infeed conveyor assembly, a rotary tumbling drum, an elevator device and a discharge conveyor assembly. In a drum-mode, the rotary tumbling drum is adapted to be supplied with particulate coating material and to tumble the food products and particulate coating material together. In a conveyor-mode of the coating machine the infeed conveyor assembly and the discharge conveyor assembly are arranged to adjoin each other whilst extending through the rotary tumbling drum, so that food products bypass the rotary tumbling drum and the elevator device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: MAREL FURTHER PROCESSING B.V.
    Inventors: Tihomir Tubic, Johannes Martinus Meulendijks, Stephanus Andreas Bouwman, Thomas Willem Dekker
  • Patent number: 10966451
    Abstract: A process is provided for the treatment of tobacco. The process comprises securing the tobacco within a moisture-retaining material and exposing the tobacco material to an ambient processing temperature of above 55° C., with the tobacco having a packing density of at least 200 kg/m3 on a dry matter weight base at the start of the process and a moisture content of between about 10% and 23%. The treated tobacco may have desirable organoleptic properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO (INVESTMENTS) LIMITED
    Inventors: Denis Benjak, Pedro Field, Alcindo Glesse, Matthias Link
  • Patent number: 10966452
    Abstract: A tobacco humectant, which is a metal-organic framework material with a three-dimensional structure obtained by a self-assembly of Zr4+ and terephthalic acid or 2-aminoterephthalic acid. The metal-organic framework material with the three-dimensional structure obtained by the self-assembly of the Zr4+ and the terephthalic acid is Uio-66, and the metal-organic framework material with the three-dimensional structure obtained by the self-assembly of the Zr4+ and the 2-aminoterephthalic acid is Uio-66-NH2. A preparation method of the tobacco humectant and a use thereof in tobacco is further provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: CHINA TOBACCO YUNNAN INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD
    Inventors: Jingmei Han, Xudong Zheng, Hangxing Li, Shanzhai Shang, Ru Wang, Ping Lei, Zhiqiang Li, Chengya Wang, Zhiyong Sun, Jianguo Tang, Yongkuan Chen
  • Patent number: 10966453
    Abstract: A flavouring component (43) for a smoking article (50) comprising a rod (33) of flavouring material (17). The flavouring material (17) comprises a carrier material (15) and flavouring particles (14) adhered to the carrier material (15) by means of a binder (13). The flavouring material (17) is formed by passing the carrier material (15) through a mixture (12) comprising the binder (13) and the flavouring particles (14). Also disclosed is a smoking article (50) including such a flavouring component (43), and an apparatus (10) and method for manufacturing such a flavouring component (43).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO (INVESTMENTS) LIMITED
    Inventors: Gary Fallon, Kie Seon Park
  • Patent number: 10966454
    Abstract: A device and system for packaging, storing, and smoking an organic smoking material, and a method of using same. In one embodiment, the system includes a container that includes a housing defining a chamber, a first compartment within the chamber, the first compartment having a first depth, a second compartment within the chamber adjacent the first compartment, the second compartment having a second depth that is less than the first depth, and a lid configured to provide an airtight seal to at least the second compartment. In one embodiment, the system further includes a smoking device having a bowl portion with a sharpened free edge that can be used to simultaneously cut organic smoking material within the second compartment and load the cut organic smoking material into the bowl portion. The system may also include a loading funnel and a pushing device for inserting organic smoking material into the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: BUDDY BOX, LLC
    Inventor: Harold Scot Goradesky
  • Patent number: 10966456
    Abstract: A cartridge for an electronic smoking device. A housing includes a first reservoir configured to store a first liquid vaporizable material, a second reservoir configured to store a second liquid vaporizable material. A first and/or a second heating element is configured to be selectively heated by electrically energizing one or both of a first and/or a second terminal, respectively, so as to selectively produce an inhalable vapor of single flavor or of a blend of flavors. A base member between the first and second terminals may be electrically engaged by a capital assembly. The base member may define a first and second air aperture in fluid communication with the first and second heating elements, respectively. A third and a fourth terminal may be in electrical communication with the first and heating elements, respectively. The base member maybe configured to electrically energize the third and the fourth terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Cegnum LLC
    Inventors: Randy Hermiz, Nianzhong Li
  • Patent number: 10966457
    Abstract: Provided are an atomizing head (1), an atomizer (100) and an electronic cigarette. The atomizing head (1) comprises a shell (12) provided with a liquid inlet (121) and an inner cavity (17), and an atomizing head base (81) provided with an air inlet channel (151), where the liquid inlet (121) and the air inlet channel (151) are both in communication with the inner cavity (17); a bottom end of the shell (12) is fixedly connected to the atomizing head base (81); an elastic element (16) encloses an air outlet end of the air inlet channel (151); the elastic element (16) has a first state and a second state; in the first state, the air inlet channel (151) is in communication with the inner cavity (17); and in the second state, the air inlet channel (151) and the inner cavity (17) are blocked up against each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: CHANGZHOU JWEI INTELLIGENT TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Weihua Qiu
  • Patent number: 10966458
    Abstract: There is provided an aerosol-generating article including at least one blister capsule including a volatile liquid, the article further including a rupturing system including a first tube and a second tube both arranged in operational engagement defining a volume; the first and second tubes being movable relative to each other along a first motion path from a first position to a second position, such that the defined volume is larger in the first position than in the second position; the first tube including a first rupturing member arranged at least partially inside the first tube, such that in the first position the first rupturing member is contained completely in the defined volume; and, in the second position, the first rupturing member at least partially protrudes from the defined volume and is configured to rupture the capsule and to form an aperture extending through the capsule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.
    Inventors: Frederic Ulysse Buehler, Rui Nuno Batista
  • Patent number: 10966459
    Abstract: An electrically heated smoking system for receiving an aerosol-forming substrate. includes at least one heating element for heating the substrate to form an aerosol, a power supply for supplying power to the heating element, electrical hardware connected to the power supply and the heating element, and an interface for establishing a communications link with a host. The communications link can be a USB link and the host can be a personal computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Felix Fernando, Fredrik Stahle, Jean-Pierre Cordey, Laurent Manca
  • Patent number: 10966460
    Abstract: A control body is coupleable with a cartridge to form an aerosol delivery device, with the cartridge being equipped with a heating element. The control body includes first and second positive conductors connectable with respectively a power supply and the heating element. The control body includes a series pull-up resistor and switch connected to and between the first and second positive conductors. A microprocessor is configured to operate the switch in a closed state in a standby mode in which the pull-up resistor causes a logical high level of voltage at the second positive conductor when the control body and cartridge are uncoupled, and in which the heating element is unpowered causes a logical low level of the voltage when the control body and cartridge are coupled. The microprocessor is configured to measure the voltage and control operation of functional element(s) of the aerosol delivery device based thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Frisbee, Paul Stapleton, Milton G. Carawan, Frederic Philippe Ampolini
  • Patent number: 10966461
    Abstract: A heating element module for an aerosol-generating device is provided, including an elongate heating element having a heating portion; a heating element mount, wherein the heating element extends substantially perpendicularly from a first surface of the heating element mount; and first and second projections extending substantially perpendicularly from the first surface of the heating element mount and abutting first and second sides of the heating element. An aerosol-generating device incorporating the heating element module is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.
    Inventors: Julien Plojoux, Dani Ruscio
  • Patent number: 10966462
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for controlling dosing of an electronic smoking device. An electronic smoking device comprises a body through which a flow path at least partially extends, an air inlet in the body that is fluidly connected to the flow path, a liquid compartment for storing a liquid within the body, a vaporizer positioned in the body and configured to receive liquid from the liquid compartment and air from the flow path to generate vaporized liquid, an outlet in the body configured to receive vaporized liquid from the vaporizer, and circuitry connected to the vaporizer and configured to control dosage of vaporized liquid. A method for controlling dosage in an electronic smoking device comprises sensing an airflow, releasing a liquid into the airflow, activating a vaporizer to generate vaporized liquid, and controlling flow of airflow, liquid or vaporized liquid to control dosage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Fontem Holdings 4 B.V.
    Inventors: Ramon Alarcon, Jason Healy
  • Patent number: 10966463
    Abstract: This invention is an e-cigarette phone case and battery that allows for powering a filter component of an e-cigarette while also recharging the battery component of the e-cigarette. This invention may also be used with powering the filter component and the battery component of a vape pen or other similar nicotine or non-nicotine delivery devise. This invention may also be used for recharging a phone or other mobile electronic communication device secured within the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Inventor: Marlon Valdez-Gibson
  • Patent number: 10966464
    Abstract: A vapor generating system includes a mouthpiece housing including an air outlet at a first side of the mouthpiece housing. The vapor generating system further includes a liquid storage portion, a filamentary wick extending into the liquid storage portion, a heating coil at least partially surrounding a portion of the filamentary wick and a chamber between the heating coil and the air outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: PHILIP MORRIS USA INC.
    Inventors: Michel Thorens, Jean-Marc Flick, Olivier Yves Cochand
  • Patent number: 10966465
    Abstract: A non-combustion-type flavor inhaler includes a first unit including a battery configured to store electric power, a generator configured to generate an inhalant ingredient from an inhalant ingredient source by electric power provided from the battery, and a controller configured to electrically control the generator; a second unit configured to detachably connect to the first unit; and a resistor configured to conductively connect to the generator by parallel connection or serial connection when the second unit is connected to the first unit. The controller is configured to detect a connection between the first unit and the second unit based on a difference between an electric resistance value (R1) of the generator and a combined resistance value (Rc) of the generator and the resistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: JAPAN TOBACCO INC.
    Inventors: Manabu Takeuchi, Takuma Nakano, Manabu Yamada
  • Patent number: 10966466
    Abstract: An electronic smoking article includes a liquid supply region including liquid material and a heater-wick element operable to wick liquid material and heat the liquid material to a temperature sufficient to vaporize the liquid material and form an aerosol. The heater-wick element comprises a plurality of fused metal beads or particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Jason Andrew Macko, James Anthony Skapars
  • Patent number: 10966467
    Abstract: An e-vapor apparatus may include a pod assembly and a dispensing body configured to receive the pod assembly. A vaporizer may be disposed in the pod assembly and/or the dispensing body. The pod assembly may include a vapor precursor compartment, a device compartment, and a vapor channel extending from the device compartment and traversing the vapor precursor compartment. The pod assembly is a smart pod configured to receive, store, and transmit information that can be communicated with the dispensing body and/or another electronic device. The proximal portion of the dispensing body includes a vapor passage and a through-hole. The vapor passage may extend from an end surface of the proximal portion to a side wall of the through-hole. The through-hole is configured to receive the pod assembly such that the vapor channel of the pod assembly is aligned with the vapor passage of the dispensing body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Eric Hawes, Raymond W. Lau, Alistair Bramley
  • Patent number: 10966468
    Abstract: A female undergarment including a first fabric layer having an abdominal region and a crotch region and a second fabric layer secured to the first fabric layer at the crotch region and at the abdominal region. The crotch region is defined by first and second leg openings. The second fabric layer, secured to the first fabric layer at the crotch region and at the abdominal region, defines a first opening between the first fabric layer and the second fabric layer proximate the first leg opening and a second opening between the first fabric layer and the second fabric layer proximate the second leg opening. Manufacturing the undergarment includes forming a first fabric layer having an abdominal region and a crotch region, and securing a second fabric layer to the first fabric layer at the crotch region and at the abdominal region, thereby defining the first opening and the second opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: HBI Branded Apparel Enterprises, LLC
    Inventors: Sandra Ann Waitz, Catherine Shannon
  • Patent number: 10966469
    Abstract: An apparatus including a first surface configured to attach the apparatus to a second surface of another object, and a plurality of elongated nanofibers. Each nanofiber has one end connected to the first surface and an opposite end extending away from the first surface. The plurality of elongated nanofibers is configured to adhere to the second surface by nanoadhesion when brought into contact with the second surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: UNDER ARMOUR, INC.
    Inventor: Jason Berns
  • Patent number: 10966470
    Abstract: Aspects herein are directed to an apparel item having an integrated lighting system and method of forming the apparel item having the integrated lighting system. The integrated lighting system comprises a power supply unit affixed to the apparel item, one or more light arrays having visible light sources affixed to the apparel item, and one or more conductive traces affixed to the apparel item, where the conductive traces extend from the power supply unit to the light arrays and electrically couple the two such that the light arrays are powered when the power supply unit is operating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Inventors: Jorge E. Carbo, Jr., Iustinia Koshkaroff, Amir H. Morgan, Luke A. Pezzimenti
  • Patent number: 10966471
    Abstract: A soft medical silicone edged cushion may significantly reduce air leakage and provide comfort to a wearer of a face mask, for example, when the face mask is continually worn by a healthcare worker for a twelve hour shift of medical duty. The cushion may preferably be U-shaped and comprise a cross-section for holding an extra soft silicone gel, yet be sufficiently hard and elastic and of predetermined circumference to be adaptable to self-installation to the lateral edges of a face mask and coatable to protect from the escape of air and to fit comfortably despite the use of elastic straps with the face mask or the presence of solid plastic lateral edges of an oxygen mask or a ventilator mask. The cushion may be used to cushion a solid plastic laterally edged oxygen or ventilator mask against the use of elastic ties to tie the face mask around a patient's head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: ASLAN MEDICAL EQUIPMENT, LLC
    Inventor: Suat Yelken
  • Patent number: 10966472
    Abstract: A chest protector includes a structure for protecting at least a portion of a cardiac silhouette of a user. The structure may include a base assembly, a pivot plate assembly, and a fulcrum block positioned between the pivot plate assembly and the base assembly. The pivot plate assembly is positioned to pivot on the fulcrum block. In some embodiments, the pivot plate assembly and the fulcrum block may include compressible and resilient material. The structure may be shaped, sized, and positioned to coextend with a region of the user's cardiac silhouette. In some embodiments, the pivot plate assembly includes two pivot plate portions oriented at an angle relative to one another. The pivot plate portions may be connected with a flexible hinge, such as a living hinge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: EASTON DIAMOND SPORTS, LLC
    Inventor: Ryan Melofchik
  • Patent number: 10966473
    Abstract: A facial barrier assembly includes a liner including distinct sheets and a barrier including distinct face masks. The face masks are removably coupled to the sheets. Common perforations extend through the liner and the barrier to define the distinct sheets and, in some cases, the distinct face masks. The liner and the barrier are arranged as roll or a fanfold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: TRI-STATE MEDIA, LLC
    Inventors: John David Clary, Diana Sue Clary, Christian Reece Clary, Joshua James Clary, Olivia Noel Clary, Abigail Brooke Clary
  • Patent number: 10966474
    Abstract: A pair of gloves for removing calluses and dry skin including a first glove (11) having an abrasive surface of 100 to 150 grit (7) on at least one finger portion (3) of the glove for removing calluses and dead skin from the heel and other parts of the foot, hand, elbow and knees; and a second glove (12) having an abrasive surface of 200 to 250 grit (8) on at least one finger portion (3) of the glove to remove excess dead skin and to smooth/polish the heel and other parts of the foot, hand, elbow and knees; wherein both gloves have an abrasive surface of 220 to 320 grit on the palm/heel portion (4) of the glove for further polish and smoothing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Inventor: Mary K Johnson
  • Patent number: 10966475
    Abstract: A fixture, system, and method for coating a glove with a coating material are described. A fixture includes a support member and a clamping member movable relative to the support member to a closed position. The clamping member is configured to be at least partially received in a cuff of the glove. In the closed position, the cuff is captured between the clamping member and the support member. In this configuration, a majority of an external surface of the glove is exposed for being coated. A glove-coating system can include one or more fixtures on a conveyor that move the fixture around various processing stages of the glove-coating system. In certain methods of coating a glove, coating material is applied to the glove while the glove is suspended from the fixture. The coated glove can be removed from the fixture without being everted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Inteplast Group Corporation
    Inventors: Ben Tseng, Chih Jen Hsu, Wenchao Hsieh, Jyh-Yao Raphael Li, Kelvin Yang
  • Patent number: 10966476
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides, in some examples, a method, a system, and a computer program for vectorizing a QR code with an image in an online store or platform, digitizing the QR code with associated image, printing the QR code with the image on a sublimation/heat transfer paper, placing the paper onto a fabric, loading a cutter machine with the fabric, cutting the fabric into a patch with design details of QR code, and placing the patch onto a garment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Inventors: Veronica Ramos, Alejandro Carrillo
  • Patent number: 10966477
    Abstract: A puffer jacket configured to provide improved temperature regulation through graduated venting. In one embodiment, the jacket includes a back panel with baffles and insulation arranged to provide reduced insulation and increased venting of heat and humidity toward the center of the back. The back panel may include an alternating arrangement of insulation baffles (containing insulation) and vent baffles (free of insulation). The insulation baffles and vent baffles may be formed by joining inner and outer layers of fabric with laterally extending lines of stitching. The lines of stitching may follow paths selected to progressively change the relative size of the vent baffles and the insulation baffles toward the center of the back. For example, the lines of stitching may give the insulation baffles a somewhat hourglass shape shortening toward the center of the back resulting in increasingly greater venting of heat and humidity toward the center of the back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Wolverine Outdoors, Inc.
    Inventor: Neil Baker
  • Patent number: 10966478
    Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning a helmet has a container with a hollow interior, a lid and a base. The lid is detachable from the base. The base has a body and a removable bottom panel. The body of the base has a shoulder and the removable bottom panel has a lip that rests on the shoulder of the body of the base. A magnet is provided for attaching the container to a ferromagnetic surface and a cleaning device is positioned within the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Inventor: Ryan Wyers
  • Patent number: 10966479
    Abstract: The present technology relates generally to protective helmets with non-linearly deforming members. Helmets configured in accordance with embodiments of the present technology can comprise, for example, an inner layer, an outer layer, a space between the inner layer and the outer layer, and an interface layer disposed in the space. The interface layer comprises a plurality of filaments, each having a height, a longitudinal axis along the height, a first end proximal to the inner layer, and a second end proximal to the outer layer. The filaments are sized and shaped to span the space between the inner layer and the outer layer. The filaments are configured to deform non-linearly in response to an external incident force on the helmet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON THROUGH ITS CENTER FOR COMMERCIALIZATION
    Inventors: Samuel R Browd, Jonathan D Posner, Per G Reinhall, David L Marver, John T Dardis, II
  • Patent number: 10966480
    Abstract: The safety helmet with a ball-type anti-lateral impact protection has an outer protective body, an inner liner, an activity gap, at least one elastic ball, at least one retaining element, and at least one elastic recovery traction member. The activity gap is formed between the outer protective body and the inner liner. The at least one elastic ball is rollably disposed between the outer protective body and the inner liner. The at least one retaining element holds the at least one elastic ball. The at least one elastic recovery traction member is connected to an outer end portion of the outer protective body and an inner end portion of the inner liner. The at least one elastic ball is freely and rollably connected to the outer protective body and the inner liner for reducing an impact force and improving the anti-lateral impact protection performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Inventor: Yen-Chao Liu
  • Patent number: 10966481
    Abstract: A charging system can include provisions for providing power to various systems or components associated with the article of footwear. A charging system may include a charging device dimensioned to be used with one or more articles of footwear, where the articles of footwear can include different sizes. In some cases, the charging system can be used to facilitate the transfer of power to components in a motorized tensioning system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Tiffany A. Beers, Andrew A. Owings
  • Patent number: 10966482
    Abstract: An article of footwear is provided and includes an upper having a bottom surface and a length and a sole secured to the bottom surface of the upper and including a midsole and an outsole, the outsole including a peripheral stabilizing member extending outwardly from the upper along a periphery of the upper from a medial side to a lateral side of the upper, the peripheral stabilizing member having a width and a length that are each at least 20% of the length of the upper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Deckers Outdoor Corporation
    Inventors: Christophe Aubonnet, Jean Luc Diard, Thibaut Poupard, Vincent Bouillard
  • Patent number: 10966483
    Abstract: A midsole for a shoe, in particular a running shoe, is described which midsole is asymmetric in a midfoot area, has an upper heel portion embracing the calcaneus of a wearer and has an upwardly extending toe end. In the midfoot area a vertical medial support structure originates from the midsole and supportively embraces the arch. Correspondingly, a vertical lateral support structure supports the lateral side of the foot in the midfoot area. The medial support structure covers a larger area than the lateral support structure, and is connected to the vertically extending upper heel portion of the midsole. The toe end of the midsole is extended upwardly, and provides in combination with the vertically extending upper heel portion and the vertically extending medial and lateral arch support structures a midsole which firmly embraces the foot. The resulting shoe reduces the risk of injury during running.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: ECCO SKO A/S
    Inventors: Ejnar Truelsen, Frank Jensen
  • Patent number: 10966484
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a shoe sole including a first base component, at least one second top component connected to the first base component, as well as at least one third intermediate component, interposed between the first base component and the second top component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: JV INTERNATIONAL S.R.L.
    Inventor: Ambrogio Merlo
  • Patent number: 10966485
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper, a sole attached to the upper, and an impact absorber attached to the upper at least along a midfoot region of the upper and capable of absorbing a portion of a lateral impact when the impact absorber is moved into contact with a top surface of the sole. The impact absorber is be integrally formed with the sole and has a width that varies along a length of the impact absorber. The width of the impact absorber decreases in a forefoot region and a heel region. The upper rolls to contact the top surface of the sole upon lateral impact. The sole and the upper may be attached asymmetrically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: James C. Meschter, Matthew A. Nurse, Benjamin A. Shaffer
  • Patent number: 10966486
    Abstract: A convertible shoe may include a sole and a plurality of interchangeable heel portions, each selectively attachable to the sole. The heel portions may each include a mounting surface configured to interface with a heel receiver of the sole. The heel receiver may include a fixed hook and a movable hook, with the movable hook being operable by an actuator coupled to a bottom surface of the sole. In some examples, an upper is secured to the sole of the shoe by one or more clamping plates. In some examples, the sole of the shoe is configured to be biased into a default bend corresponding to a high-heeled state even when a low heel is attached to the heel receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: High-Low Heel, LLC
    Inventors: Maria Mercedes Berberian, Allen Nejah
  • Patent number: 10966487
    Abstract: A method of making a knitted shoe includes the steps of: (A) preparing a tube main body having opposite first and second openings; (B) closing the first opening to form a front joined part; (C) cutting an oval shaped opening in the tube main body and closing the same to form a side joined part proximate to the front joined part; (D) preparing and sleeving a three-dimensional rigid foam sleeve on a shoe last; (E) adhering the tube main body to an outer surface of the foam sleeve so as to form a tubular knitted upper; (F) placing the shoe last in an oven for heating; (G) removing the shoe last from the oven; (H) adhering a sole to a bottom side of the tubular knitted upper; and (I) removing the shoe last from the tubular knitted upper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: SHUANG BANG INDUSTRIAL CORP.
    Inventor: Chung-Tang Chang
  • Patent number: 10966488
    Abstract: A shoe accessory system and methods can include: an accessory connector having a male accessory mount and a female accessory mount: the male accessory mount including a base, a protrusion mounted above the base, an outwardly protruding lip extending from the protrusion, the outwardly protruding lip having a slope extending down toward an abutment, and the female accessory mount having inwardly extending flanges, the inwardly extending flanges extend in toward a center of the female accessory mount, the inwardly extending flanges spaced apart allowing the protrusion to fit therebetween; a shoe affixed to the male accessory mount; and an accessory affixable to the female accessory mount for allowing the accessory to be placed over the male accessory mount, pressed down, and twisted to lock the accessory onto the shoe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Inventors: Thuy Duong Nguyen, Duc Antoine Nguyen