Patents Issued in April 6, 2021
  • Patent number: 10966540
    Abstract: A remote-control device for controlling an appliance having a plurality of appliance components is provided. The remote-control device includes a plurality of pushbutton units, each pushbutton unit including at least one physical operating pushbutton configurable to control at least one appliance component. Each of the pushbutton units is provided with a visually detectable distinguishing feature for visually distinguishing one pushbutton unit from another pushbutton unit. The remote-control device also includes a display unit configured to display representations of each controllable appliance component. Each representation of an appliance component includes the same visually detectable distinguishing feature as a corresponding pushbutton unit to which the appliance component is assigned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: MAQUET GMBH
    Inventors: Thomas Krickeberg, Roland Hopp, Tim Golde, Fred Held
  • Patent number: 10966541
    Abstract: A protective cover for weight training benches structured and arranged to permit a user to place and remove the cover from on the bench thereby protecting users from germs such as bacteria, sweat, that are transferred to the bench when in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Inventors: George Sosa, Craig Sydette Piper, II
  • Patent number: 10966542
    Abstract: An elastic virus-repellant, body-shield formed from a virus-repellant fabric for isolating people from surfaces of public seating. The body-shield is deployed through fitting and securing the shield to a public seat through the elastic nature of the shield and anchoring drawstrings until retrieved and packed into an attached carrying pouch. Certain embodiments include analogous supplementary shields for armrests, fold-down tables, leg-supplements, headrests, and other surfaces from which users need to be shielded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: GermaGuard LLC
    Inventor: Barbara Lauer-Listhaus
  • Patent number: 10966543
    Abstract: The present floor seat apparatus includes a base, a seat removably seatable in the base, and a tray engagable to the base. The base may be used as a seat by itself, with or without the seat and with or without the tray. The base includes a post. The seat includes a post through opening that engages the post and positions the seat in the seat receptacle of the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Regalo International, LLC
    Inventors: Mark A. Flannery, Gary T. Schultze
  • Patent number: 10966544
    Abstract: A travel bassinet includes a first side structure, a second side structure, a fixed end structure and a pivoting end panel. The fixed end structure is disposed between ends of the first side structure and the second side structure. The pivoting end panel is movably disposed between the first side structure and the second side structure and opposite to the fixed end structure. The pivoting end panel is utilized to switch between a first operation mode and a second operation mode for adjusting an accommodating space of the travel bassinet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Wonderland Switzerland AG
    Inventors: Andrew Horst, Curtis M. Hartenstine, Patrick J. Bowers, Ryan N. Miller
  • Patent number: 10966545
    Abstract: A baby activity center comprising a foldable mat and a pair of bendable wings connected to the foldable mat. Each bendable wing has an opening. An arch is further coupled to the foldable mat and is positionable in an upright position and a recumbent position. While in the upright position, the arch is engaged with the openings in the pair of bendable wings. While in the recumbent position, the arch is disengaged from the openings in the pair of bendable wings. The baby activity center transforms to a gym configuration where the foldable mat is expanded and the arch is positioned in the upright position across the foldable mat. The baby activity center further transforms to a transport configuration where the foldable mat is folded and the arch is positioned in the recumbent position between the folded mat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Mary G. Mastrosimone-Gese, Rachel Elizabeth Ruth-Klos, Kevin Gastle, Benjamin M. Cerny
  • Patent number: 10966546
    Abstract: A product management display system for merchandising product on a shelf includes a divider secured to a support structure, a pusher to move product, a barrier, and a low product indicator device. The low product indicator device may be visible when an amount of product positioned on the top surface of the divider floor or on the shelf is low.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen N. Hardy
  • Patent number: 10966547
    Abstract: A refrigerator has an open front, an air curtain system having at least one upper air egress having an outer edge and at least one lower air-recovery ingress. The air curtain system is adapted to produce a substantially vertical air curtain over at least part of the open front of the refrigerator. The refrigerator has a plurality of shelves between the egress and the ingress a plurality of shelves between the egress and the ingress including a first shelf that has an aerofoil positioned in front of it, the first shelf being located in the upper half of the open front of refrigerator. The refrigerator also includes a second shelf that does not have an aerofoil positioned in front of it, the second shelf being located below the first shelf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Aerofoil Energy Limited
    Inventors: Paul Francis McAndrew, Matthew Piers Burke, Ian Stuart Turner
  • Patent number: 10966548
    Abstract: An adjustable truss structure is provided and includes a truss member, a first channel having a first slot, the first channel being attached to the truss member, a rail having a second slot, and an anchor attached to the rail, the anchor having a member rotatable to a first position where the member is insertable into the first slot and rotatable to a second position to engage with a surface of the first channel, enabling the rail to be selectively moved relative to the first channel and locked into a selected fixed position relative to the first channel. A support member having a second channel with a U-shaped cross-section, the second channel being hooked into the second slot and being slidable in the second slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Behr Process Corporation
    Inventors: Michael E. Alarcon, Gregory James Warren
  • Patent number: 10966549
    Abstract: A planar display assembly is provided with a planar display pane. A frame is provided with a dado sized to receive the planar display pane. A plurality of retainers mounts to the frame about an inner periphery of the frame to retain the planar display pane within the frame. At least one of the plurality of retainers is elastically deformable to deform during installation of the planar display into the frame, and to expand to retain the planar display pane within the frame. A plurality of apertures or a channel may be formed in the frame about the dado. The plurality of retainers may mount to the frame within the plurality of apertures or the channel of the frame to retain the planar display pane within the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: LIBERTY HARDWARE MFG. CORP.
    Inventors: Earl David Forrest, Norman Dax Allen, Jeffrey John Mathison
  • Patent number: 10966550
    Abstract: A device and method that support and animate a plant disposed in an inner plant pot having an inner plant pot interior volume in such a way that the inner plant pot moves relative to an outer plant pot having an outer plant pot interior volume, and a gimbal mechanism disposed within the outer plant pot interior volume, controlling and instantiating, vertical longitudinal movement and rotational movement of the inner plant pot relative to the outer plant pot, programmable to provide physical response in the form of animation of the gimbal mechanism and the inner plant pot in response to receipt of predetermined data by the electronic processor control module from a plurality of sensors in communication with the electronic processor control module providing data collected by the plurality of sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: HELLO TOMORROW INC.
    Inventors: Richard J. Maddocks, Leif J. Askeland, Eduardo J. Rodriguez, Shelley M. Smith
  • Patent number: 10966551
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a pillow cover (10) and pillow having a plurality of compartments (22). The pillow cover (10) includes a top sheet (12) and a bottom sheet (14) that are connected to define a chamber (16). The plurality of compartments (22) is located on the top sheet (12) opposite the chamber. An envelope (30) is located on the bottom sheet (14) adjacent to the chamber (16). A releasable fastener (40) is connected to and located between the top sheet (12) and the bottom sheet (14). The pillow includes a pad (52) located in the envelope and may include an insert (62) located in the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Fabrictech 2000, LLC
    Inventor: Jeffrey Bergman
  • Patent number: 10966552
    Abstract: A cushioning posterior fulcrum back shaper is an apparatus that supports and guides the back and neck of a user. The apparatus encourages the proper form throughout stretches and exercises, positioning each engaged body parts. The apparatus includes a back shaper that supports the arch of the back, and a neck shaper which supports the spine of the user, and consequently the neck. The first grooved channel positions and guides the spine. The back shaper includes a semicircular prismatic body, a sacrum-supporting depression, and a pelvis-supporting depression. The neck shaper includes an elongated body, a first interlocking arm, and a second interlocking arm. The semicircular prismatic body supports the arch of the back. The sacrum-supporting depression and the pelvis-supporting depression position the sacrum and the sacrum and head, respectively. The elongated body is rotatably mounted to the semicircular prismatic body with the first interlocking arm and the second interlocking arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: CREATRIX SOLUTIONS LLC
    Inventor: Eileen Durfee
  • Patent number: 10966553
    Abstract: A system and method for a blanket that is convertible into a pillow by a series of folds where the body of the blanket is eventually positioned inside of a pocket positioned at the ends of the top side and bottom side of the blanket such that the pillow remains intact until the user removes the remainder of the blanket from the pocket and unfolds the blanket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Inventor: April R. Wilson-Brown
  • Patent number: 10966554
    Abstract: A drinking dramatization glass (1) incudes: a glass body (10) being a bottomed cylinder with a top opening (11); a fixing mechanism (16) for fixing an image display device (80) on the side face of the glass body; a transparent part (12) for viewing, from the exterior of the glass body, an image displayed on an image display part (101) of the image display device; and a beam splitter (30) placed inside the glass body; wherein the image displayed on the image display part is spectrally dispersed into two images (a reflected image 83 and a transmitted image 84) by the beam splitter, and the two images pass through the transparent part and reach the exterior of the glass body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: NETAPPLI CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Makoto Nishida
  • Patent number: 10966555
    Abstract: A drinking dramatization glass 1 includes: a glass body 10; a storage part 20 placed inside the glass body for storing a communication device 100 having an image display part 101; and a transparent part 12 through which to view, from the exterior, images displayed on the image display part; wherein a dielectric substance 32 capable of letting radio waves pass through is filled inside the storage part, and a first radio-wave transmission surface formed on a side face of the glass body and a second radio-wave transmission surface formed on a side face of the storage part are placed at a close-enough distance from each other for letting radio waves pass therethrough when a drink is present between them, wherein the storage part manifests, when its periphery is surrounded by the drink, a waveguiding function of letting radio waves pass through the interior thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: NETAPPLI CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Makoto Nishida
  • Patent number: 10966556
    Abstract: A set of interlocking hangers includes a frame portion, a hook portion coupled to the frame portion for suspending the frame portion, and a support portion coupled to the frame portion. The support portion includes opposed front and back sides. A lock includes a catch, defines an aperture, and includes an actuator. The catch has an extension and a lip, the catch extending from the front side of the support portion and is disposed between the lip and front side of the support portion. Further, the aperture has a front perimeter on the front side of the support portion, the front perimeter being contained in a first plane and a back perimeter on the back side of the support portion. The hangers are movable between a separated configuration at which the hangers are spaced apart and a joined configuration at which the first hanger is adjacent the second hanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Inventor: Jacqueline Christakis
  • Patent number: 10966557
    Abstract: An eating utensil organizer is provided having a base providing a lower support surface adapted to provide a stabilized surface for placement on a table or high chair tray. The housing forms an outer perimeter, and a vertical housing support connects the housing to the base. A plurality of utensil supports each connect a utensil to the outer perimeter in a cantilevered fashion. The lower support surface may include an attachment mechanism such as a suction cup or a weighted ballast. A rotatable hinge allows the housing to rotate radially relative to the base in a manner adapted to allow access to each of said utensil supports. Each utensil support is tethered between the housing and a utensil to a length sufficiently short such as to prevent the utensil from hitting a floor if dropped from a table top or high chair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Inventor: Kristin Gieck
  • Patent number: 10966558
    Abstract: A curtain assembly for hanging a shortened, lighter curtain from existing curtain ceiling tracks. The assembly uses adjustable height hangers to connect the commercially available track to existing curtain systems and a lightweight disposable curtain to hang therefrom. The brackets to attach the track to the room walls and one bracket allows for the vertical insertion of the curtain hooks onto the track. A quick load bracket gathers the curtain hooks for vertical installation through the brackets. The curtain can be installed simply and quickly by one person without a ladder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: KLEENEDGE, LLC
    Inventor: Karen Goelst
  • Patent number: 10966559
    Abstract: A multifunctional juicing net structure of a juicing device includes a juice cup, a juicing net cup, a spiral pushing and extruding body and a feeding cup cover. The juicing net cup is received into the juice cup; the spiral pushing and extruding body is received into the juicing net cup, and the feeding cup cover is covered onto the juice cup. The juice cup and the juicing net cup are provided for juicing and filtering food residue and make selective adjustments according to different squeeze food to achieve the effect of separating the juice and the residue during a juicing process. No dead spot exists after the juicing net cup is detached from the juice cup to facilitate the cleaning and preventing the residue from being stuck at the corners during the cleaning process, so as to achieve the effects of good functionality and high convenience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Inventors: Chin Jui Lien, Yi Wang Kuo
  • Patent number: 10966560
    Abstract: A fully automated cooking system achieves unmanned and fully automated meal cooking through a mobile transport device, multiple cooking devices, multiple heating devices and other peripheral devices. The mobile transport device uses a circulating conveyor belt to form a cyclic travel path, along which a feeding station area, a heating station area, a discharging station area and a cleaning station area are defined. Each station area is provided with corresponding equipment, such as feeding device, heating device and cleaning device. Each cooking device includes a swivel mechanism disposed on the circulating conveyor belt, and a heating container coupled to the swivel mechanism. The heating container can stir the ingredients when heated and pour out food when cooking is complete. The heating device can be an electric heating device or a fuel gas heating device for heating the heating container to cook food, thereby achieving fully automated cooking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Inventors: Po-Lin Hsu, Chien-Yu Hsu
  • Patent number: 10966561
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods, systems, and devices for portably brewing tea, coffee, or other beverages in a container that regulates the temperature and diffusion during and after brewing. For example, the present technology allows people to prepare and consume tea, coffee and other beverages while on the go. In some aspects, a portable brewing device includes a container having a specialized canister system in the interior of the container that encloses the beverage material and controls the diffusion of water in/out of the canister; an intelligent heating and cooling system to continuously regulate the temperature of water in the device; and a data processing unit in communication with the canister and heating and cooling systems to control operational features and store user-specialized settings for the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: TEANGO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Alexander Boone, Raphael Lozano
  • Patent number: 10966562
    Abstract: A machine which contains a housing (14) having a placement surface for the beverage container (13), wherein a removable brewing container (8) having a drain stub (19) and having a drain valve (10) that can be electrically or electromagnetically opened and closed is arranged in the housing (14). The actual brewing process is automatically controlled by a control unit (11). The water is pumped by a vibrating armature pump (16) through a heating system (15) and through a water outlet in the cover (4) having an integrated temperature sensor (24) through the cover (5) into the brewing container (8). A pressure sensor (12) ensures that the water is not heated above the pressure-dependent current boiling point. The control unit (11) can be programmed by means of a control panel (7) on the housing, for at least the brewing temperature, the brewing duration, and the start of a brewing cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Inventor: Bogdan Krinitchko
  • Patent number: 10966563
    Abstract: The invention concerns a beverage preparation apparatus (10), said apparatus having at least one chamber (1) for receiving and mixing an aqueous liquid and at least one soluble beverage ingredient, said chamber having: a cylindrical lateral side wall (11) having a liquid inlet (2), a bottom wall (12) having a beverage outlet (3), and wherein the liquid inlet (2) is positioned close to the bottom of the chamber, and wherein the liquid inlet (2) is configured so that the liquid is introduced in the chamber as a straight jet of liquid, and wherein said chamber includes a first bump (4) separating the bottom wall in two areas (121, 122), and wherein said chamber includes a second bump (5) rising from the bottom and lateral side walls of the chamber and presenting a shape designed to convert the jet of liquid into a swirl and to guide said swirl so that it flows along the line L in front of the liquid inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Societe des Produits Nestle S.A.
    Inventors: Flavien Dubief, Olivier Paillard
  • Patent number: 10966564
    Abstract: A system for preparing a quantity of beverage suitable for consumption, including an apparatus including a first brew chamber part having a cavity bounded by a chamber inner wall and a chamber bottom of the first brew chamber part wherein the cavity is arranged for selectively holding one of a first and second exchangeable capsules, wherein the first brew chamber part is further provided with an alignment cap which is movable in an axial direction of the first brew chamber part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V.
    Inventors: Peter Rijskamp, Judith Margreet Hanneke Ogink, Jarno Beekman, Gerbrand Kristiaan De Graaff
  • Patent number: 10966565
    Abstract: An automated frothing assembly. The automated frothing assembly has a wand module that includes an elongate member having an inlet, one or more outlets, and a fluid passageway extending between and in fluid communication with the inlet and the plurality of outlets. At least one of the one or more outlets extends parallel to a vertical plane that includes the centerline of the elongate member and at an acute angle relative to a horizontal plane that is perpendicular to both the vertical plane and the centerline of the elongate member. The assembly further includes an actuator configured to be operatively coupled to the wand module and to drive the movement of at least a portion of the wand module along an axis, and an electronic controller configured to be electrically coupled to the actuator and to control the operation of the actuator to control the movement of the wand module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: BRIGGO, INC.
    Inventors: Charles F. Studor, Brent Clafferty, Stephen A. Miller, Marwan Hassoun, Pete P. Garcia, Lynn Warren Hamrick
  • Patent number: 10966566
    Abstract: Pumping and foaming device (100) comprising a pumping and foaming unit (102) rotatable around a shaft (130) by driving means (104), the pumping and foaming unit (102) comprising a pumping element (110) whose rotation pumps both air and fluid and mixes them; the pumping and foaming unit (102) further comprising a foaming element (120) whose relative rotation in a foaming chamber (121) drives the mixture of air and fluid coming from the pumping element (110) under a certain level of shear stress which allows this mixture to be foamed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Societe des Produits Nestle S.A.
    Inventor: Gregory Savioz
  • Patent number: 10966567
    Abstract: A beverage preparation apparatus and method are provided, the apparatus including a brewing chamber, at least one pump configured to supply a diluent to the brewing chamber, two heaters configured to heat the diluent, at least one heater of the two heaters being a pipe heater, a controller configured to independently supply power to one or both of the heaters as a function of a flow rate and of a temperature of the diluent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: TUTTOESPRESSO S.r.l.
    Inventor: Luca Doglioni Majer
  • Patent number: 10966568
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an air-based fryer apparatus (10) for preparing food. The apparatus (10) comprises a base part (12) comprising an upper support (14) and a gearing system (16) to generate a rotation force around a vertical rotation axis (18). The apparatus (10) further comprises a container (20) arranged on the upper support (14) and a food basket (22) with an air-permeable bottom part (24). The food basket is placed inside the container (20) such that a lateral gap (26) is arranged between walls of the container and walls of the food basket (22), and such that a bottom gap (32) is arranged between the bottom part of the container and said air-permeable bottom part (24). The apparatus (10) further comprises an upper lid device (34) arranged on top of the container (20). The upper lid device comprises a system (36) with primary heating means (38) and air ventilation means (40) for generating a flow of hot air in the lateral gap (26), in the bottom gap (32), and in the food basket (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventor: Marcel Sladecek
  • Patent number: 10966569
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a grill system is provided with a grill assembly and a first side assembly. The grill assembly can include a grill cart and a burner box coupled to a top portion of the grill cart. The first side assembly can include a first side cart, first panel, and a second panel. The grill assembly is coupled to the first side assembly such that the first side of the grill assembly is adjacent to the first side of the first side cart, and the front side of the grill cart faces in the same direction as the front side of the first side cart. The first panel and the second panel are each configured to be coupled to the second side of the grill cart or the second side of the first side cart. Other embodiments are also included herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: OHC IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Michael L. O'Shaughnessy, James A. Mitlyng, Thomas E. Mckinney
  • Patent number: 10966570
    Abstract: A high efficiency heating apparatus for heating fluids and cooking mediums, such as oil or shortening within a fryer, includes a natural draft (non powered) combustion chamber with internal baffles that is affixed to an exterior surface of a fry tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Hyper Fryer, LLC
    Inventors: David H. McFadden, David A. Bolton
  • Patent number: 10966571
    Abstract: An herb or tobacco grinder is provided in which the cutting surfaces line a series of elongated, curved grooves. The slots or grooves are laterally elongated such as to easily receive leaf material, as well as stem, seed or the like. The slots or grooves are slightly curved in opposite directions and intersect to form an impingement cutting region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: WAREHOUSE GOODS, LLC.
    Inventors: Jason Barrett, Gabriel Alvarez-Jacobo, Aaron LoCascio
  • Patent number: 10966572
    Abstract: Surfaces suitable for cutting boards, cheese boards or other food preparation activities. In certain embodiments, the surfaces are wood that has been subjected to torrefaction. In certain embodiments, the surfaces are substantially planar, and include one or more pegs that have antimicrobial activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Inventor: Lawrence Berndt
  • Patent number: 10966573
    Abstract: A multi-function kitchen tool is disclosed herein. The multi-function kitchen tool includes a rolling pin, a base, and a handle cover configured in a compact combination. In some embodiments, the multi-function kitchen tool includes a mixing bowl, a rolling pin, a cheese grater, a pizza slicer, a juicer, etc., combined together into one kitchen tool. The multi-function kitchen tool is useful for providing a multi-function kitchen tool for compact storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Inventor: Quilton Yarnell McGee
  • Patent number: 10966574
    Abstract: A multi-function draining basket for kitchen sink: includes a basket body, having a pair of supporting rods oppositely extended from the basket body adapted to be rested on two opposite edge portions of a kitchen sink, and at least a clamping panel pivotally secured on the basket body for clamping or holding a kitchen-waste bag on the clamping panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Inventor: Yu-Shu Chen
  • Patent number: 10966575
    Abstract: A bathing system, includes a transfer system having a carrier base and a transfer seat. A sliding of the transfer seat relative to the carrier base may facilitate transfer of the transfer seat toward or away from the tub. A first arm and a second arm of the carrier base extends into and overlaps with a first support surface and a second support surface of the tub respectively. A controller may be in operative communication with a plurality of sensors and determine whether the bathing system is in a state where it is permissible to transfer the transfer seat toward or away from the tub and if so, actuate components of the transfer system to permit the transfer of a patient in the transfer system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Apollo Corporation
    Inventors: Corey Allen Bateman, Nicholas Vernon Peterson
  • Patent number: 10966576
    Abstract: A bath tub 100 for neonatal bathing including a backrest 112 that provides support for the baby at an inclined position, and a seat 152 to cooperate with the backrest 112 to flex the baby's hips to suppress the baby's urge to sit up or squirm. Embodiments may include side supports 136, 138 and/or stabilizer ribs 166, 168 to resist baby rotation about the seat 152. The tub 100 may be structured to reduce leverage to the baby to resist baby's turning over during a bath. A drain path 180 is desirably provided to maintain thermal equilibrium in the water during a bath. A system 240 may include a plurality of bathing accessories and a disposable sterile liner 264 to permit reuse of the tub 100, and/or an optional storage bag 268 to store the tub 100, and even a system 240, at a convenient location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Catapult Products, LLC
    Inventors: Dana L. Denton, Daniel B. Blanchard, Marshall T. Denton
  • Patent number: 10966577
    Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing portions of a continuous web of tissue from a tissue roll is disclosed. Further, the invention relates to a method for dispensing portions of a continuous web of tissue from a tissue roll. The dispenser comprises a first tissue roll position for receiving a tissue roll and a second tissue roll position for receiving a tissue roll; an output mechanism for supplying portions of tissue; a transfer mechanism for releasably holding and transferring an end of a tissue roll in the first tissue roll position to the output mechanism; wherein the transfer mechanism is adapted to transfer the end of the tissue roll in the first tissue roll position to the output mechanism when the second tissue roll position is empty.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: CWS INTERNATIONAL GMBH
    Inventors: Christoph Zimmermann, Markus Rückheim
  • Patent number: 10966578
    Abstract: A holding arrangement for holding a tissue roll in a dispenser, to a dispenser and a method is disclosed. The holding mechanism comprises a holding mechanism for holding a tissue roll in a first tissue roll position; wherein the holding mechanism comprises a first holding element for engaging a first end of an axle of the tissue roll and a second holding element for engaging a second end of the axle of the tissue roll; a diameter sensor; and a shift mechanism adapted for shifting the holding mechanism, in particular the first and second holding elements, from a hold position to a release position and vice versa; wherein a distance between the first holding element and the second holding element in the release position is larger than a distance between the first holding element and the second holding element in the hold position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: CWS INTERNATIONAL GmbH
    Inventors: Christoph Zimmermann, Markus Rückheim
  • Patent number: 10966579
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for cleaning a surface with a cleaning device having a body with a handle, a connector, and one or more cleaning heads that are removably attached to the cleaning device. Each cleaning head include a lower surface arranged to contact a surface to be cleaned and a dirt collection chamber permanently attached to the cleaning head. The cleaning head may include a support structure to support the dirt collection chamber and a cleaning sheet. The cleaning head also may include a suction nozzle. At least a portion of the dirt collection chamber may be made of a filter material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: SharkNinja Operating LLC
    Inventors: Samuel Emrys James, Michael James Douglas, David Stephen Clare, Chris Pinches, Nicholas James Sardar, Hugh James Croggon, Damian Lee
  • Patent number: 10966580
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for cleaning a surface with a cleaning device having a body with a handle, a connector, and one or more cleaning heads that are removably attached to the cleaning device. Each cleaning head include a lower surface arranged to contact a surface to be cleaned and a dirt collection chamber permanently attached to the cleaning head. The cleaning head may include a support structure to support the dirt collection chamber and a cleaning sheet. The cleaning head also may include a suction nozzle. At least a portion of the dirt collection chamber may be made of a filter material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: SharkNinja Operating LLC
    Inventors: Samuel Emrys James, Michael James Douglas, David Stephen Clare, Chris Pinches, Nicholas James Sardar, Hugh James Croggon, Damian Lee
  • Patent number: 10966581
    Abstract: Vacuum cleaning devices include foldable wands to provide a storage configuration and/or facilitate use. A vacuum cleaning device includes a wand having a first end coupled to a vacuum unit and a second end coupled to a vacuum head or surface cleaning head. The wand defines an air passage allowing air to pass from the surface cleaning head to the vacuum unit and includes a flexible air passage along at least a portion of the wand. The wand also includes a plurality of segments pivotably connected together such that the wand is foldable about 180° in a forward direction until the vacuum unit is positioned proximate a top of the surface cleaning head, thereby providing a storage configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: SharkNinja Operating LLC
    Inventors: Daniel John Innes, Jason Thorne, Andre David Brown, Gary Palladino, Catriona C. A. Sutter, Lee Cottrell, Scott Niedzwecki, Junghwan Chei
  • Patent number: 10966582
    Abstract: A cyclone assembly for a surface cleaning apparatus has a first cyclonic cleaning stage and a second cyclonic cleaning stage downstream from the first cyclonic cleaning stage. The second cyclonic cleaning stage has more air inlets than the first cyclonic cleaning stage. The second cyclonic cleaning stage has a second stage air inlet cross-sectional area in a direction transverse to a direction of air flow entering the second stage cyclone chamber that is 1.1-2 times larger than a first stage air inlet cross-sectional area in a direction transverse to a direction of air flow entering the first stage cyclone chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Omachron Intellectual Property Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne Ernest Conrad, Dave Petersen
  • Patent number: 10966583
    Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus comprises a cyclone with an external dirt collection chamber and a vertically extending member is provided in the dirt collection chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Omachron Intellectual Property Inc.
    Inventor: Wayne Ernest Conrad
  • Patent number: 10966584
    Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus provides a lower profile surface cleaning head by moving at least the suction motor out of the surface cleaning head. The suction motor may be located in an upper portion (e.g., in a wand) pivotably coupled to the surface cleaning head and fluidly connected to a cyclone assembly located in the surface cleaning head. The cyclone assembly may include first and second opposing cyclones with smaller diameters (e.g., as compared to a single cyclone used in existing “all in the head” vacuums) to provide a lower profile with substantially the same or better performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: SharkNinja Operating LLC
    Inventor: Jason B. Thorne
  • Patent number: 10966585
    Abstract: A cleaner includes a main body having a suction port, a cleaning unit provided in the main body to suck a cleaning object through the suction port, a driving unit moving the main body, a camera provided in the main body and photographing an image, and a controller detecting a vanishing point related to the image and detecting information related to a posture of the main body based on the detected vanishing point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Yongmin Shin, Donghoon Yi, Ilsoo Cho, Dongil Cho, Taejae Lee
  • Patent number: 10966586
    Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus includes include at least a recovery system for removing the spent cleaning fluid and debris from the surface to be cleaned and storing the spent cleaning fluid and debris. The recovery system is provided with a recovery tank having a removably strainer that is configured to strain large debris and hair out of the recovery tank prior to emptying the recovery tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: BISSELL Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Luyckx, Jacob Resch
  • Patent number: 10966587
    Abstract: This document describes a mobile cleaning robot that includes a chassis that supports a drive system, a debris collection volume; and a cleaning head formed to complete a bottom of the robot. The cleaning head includes a frame for affixing the cleaning head to the chassis, a monolithic housing having an interior cavity, a suspension linkage movably suspending the monolithic housing from the frame, the suspension linkage being configured to lift the monolithic housing, a diaphragm formed of a flexible material and mated to the monolithic housing, a rigid duct mated the frame to form a pneumatic path between the monolithic housing and the rigid duct through the diaphragm, and cleaning extractors disposed in the interior cavity of the monolithic housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: iRobot Corporation
    Inventors: William Farmer, Thomas P. Schregardus, Eric Burbank
  • Patent number: 10966588
    Abstract: The inventors of the present disclosure recognized that, surprisingly, the antimicrobial treatments used on cellulosic sponges do not work in hydrophilic polyurethane sponges. As such, the inventors of the present disclosure discovered a need for an antimicrobial treatment for use on hydrophilic polyurethane foam sponges. The present inventors invented one antimicrobial composition for use on hydrophilic polyurethane foam sponges including an acetate salt solution humectant. The present inventors invented another antimicrobial composition for use on hydrophilic polyurethane foam sponges including a non-halogen humectant comprising a salt solution having a pH between about 3 and 10 and a water activity of less than 0.9 at 25° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Myhanh T. Truong, Ibrahim S. Gunes, Irem Bolukbasi, Tony R. Carrozzella, Markus A. Wicki
  • Patent number: 10966589
    Abstract: Debris pans and debris pan assemblies are provided. A debris pan includes a bin with an open end for receiving debris and a closed interior for containing debris. A plurality of baffles protrude from a floor of the closed interior, and the plurality of baffles may be configured to slow debris flow inside the closed interior. A debris pan assembly includes a bin, a yoke attached to the bin, and an elongated shaft attached to the yoke. The debris pan assembly also includes a latch on the bin that is selectively pivotable between a first position and a second position. The first position of the latch is configured to engage the yoke such that the bin and the yoke are rigidly positioned relative to one another. The second position of the latch is configured to disengage the yoke from the bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Rubbermaid Commercial Products LLC
    Inventors: Mike Gregory, Marcel Arantes Souza, Josh Hansen, Allen Wong, Hillary Pullen