Patents Issued in April 6, 2021
  • Patent number: 10967347
    Abstract: A chute type monomer dispenser is provided in the present disclosure. The chute type monomer dispenser includes a chute dispenser installed to be slanted in a direction of a polymerization apparatus, the chute dispenser is configured to inject a monomer to the polymerization apparatus through an injection pipe having an injection portion having an opening at an upper portion of the chute dispenser; and an injector configured to inject an initiator and a foaming agent to the injection portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Inventors: Sunyoung Kim, Young Cheol Jung, Ye Hoon Im, Youngsoo Song, Kyunghoon Min
  • Patent number: 10967348
    Abstract: Provided are a heat treatment apparatus for carbonaceous grains and a method therefor allowing drifts and internal clogging in a direct energizing furnace to not occur, allowing heat treatment of the carbonaceous grains to be continued uniformly at high temperatures for a prolonged period of time, and allowing productivity and workability to be improved. A conductive tubular structure 14 is electrically connected to an upper part of a lower electrode 13 in a manner of surrounding an upper electrode 12. The rate of change between the specific electrical resistivity of grains when grains are lightly filled and the specific electrical resistivity of grains when the grains are tap filled is defined (1-tap filling/lightly filling)×100, and the rate of change is equal to less than 70%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: NIPPON ELECTRODE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hironaga Suzuki, Yuichi Kaba, Shinjiro Toda
  • Patent number: 10967349
    Abstract: The machinery and methods disclosed herein are based on the use of a specialized extruder configured to continuously convey and plasticize/moltenize selected lignocellulosic biomass and/or waste plastic materials into a novel variable volume tubular reactor, wherein the plasticized/moltenized material undergoes reaction with circumferentially injected supercritical water—thereby yielding valuable simple sugar solutions and/or liquid hydrocarbon mixtures (e.g., “neodiesel”), both of which are key chemical commodity products. The reaction time may be adjusted by changing the reactor volume. The machinery includes four zones: (1) a feedstock conveyance and plasticization/moltenization zone; (2) a steam generation and manifold distribution zone; (3) a central supercritical water reaction zone; and (4) a pressure let-down and reaction product separation zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Inventors: Thomas Erik Loop, James D Flynn, G. Graham Allan
  • Patent number: 10967350
    Abstract: Disclosed are a fluidized bed gas distributor and a fluidized bed reactor, the fluidized bed reactor comprising a first distributor (1) and a second distributor (2), wherein the first distributor (1) is located at the bottom of a fluidized bed, and second distributor (2) is located downstream of a gas from the first distributor (1). Also disclosed is a method for producing a para-xylene and co-producing light olefins, the method comprising the following steps: material stream A enters a reaction zone (3) of a fluidized bed reactor from a first gas distributor (1); material stream B enters the reaction zone (3) of the fluidized bed reactor from a second gas distributor (2); and the reactants are brought into contact with a catalyst in the reaction zone (3) to generate a gas phase stream comprising para-xylene and light olefins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: DALIAN INSTITUTE OF CHEMICAL PHYSICS, CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
    Inventors: Tao Zhang, Mao Ye, Jinming Jia, Zhongmin Liu, Jinling Zhang, Hailong Tang, Changqing He, Xiangao Wang, Cheng Zhang, Hua Li, Yinfeng Zhao, Chenggong Li
  • Patent number: 10967351
    Abstract: A fluid catalytic cracking unit (FCCU) for production of petrochemical feedstock fractions comprises a first reactor to receive a stream of desalinated crude oil and produce a first cracked product stream; a second reactor to receive a stream of light cracked naphtha (LCN) and produce a second cracked product stream; a third reactor to receive a bottom stream and produce a third cracked product stream; and a fractionating column and gas concentration section to separate components of the first cracked product stream, the second cracked product stream, and the third cracked product stream to produce, upon further fractionation, Ethylene, Propylene, Butylene, Benzene, Toluene and Xylene as the petrochemical feedstock fractions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited
    Inventors: Pramod Kumar, Hrishikesh Shriram Shidhaye, Peddy Vendata Chalapathi Rao, Sri Ganesh Gandham
  • Patent number: 10967352
    Abstract: An assembly comprises a first liquid guide having an inlet, an outlet, and a liquid-conducting layer comprising a first material. The liquid-conducting layer extends between the inlet and the outlet. A second liquid guide has an inlet, an outlet, and a liquid-conducting layer comprising a second material. The liquid-conducting layer extends between the inlet and the outlet. At least a portion of the liquid-conducting layer of the second liquid guide overlaps the liquid-conducting layer of the first liquid guide such that, when a first liquid flows along the liquid-conducting layer of the first liquid guide and a second liquid flows along the liquid-conducting layer of the second liquid guide, the second liquid contacts the first liquid along the portion of the liquid-conducting layer of the second liquid guide that overlaps the liquid-conducting layer of the first liquid guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Triad National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Quinn McCulloch, Stephen Yarbro, Rebecca Chamberlin, Quintessa Guengerich
  • Patent number: 10967353
    Abstract: A fuel composition and fluid regulation apparatus are provided for an improved fuel composition and distribution. The fuel composition may include or relate to a fluid regulation apparatus, flow component, electronic controller, regulator covers, roller clip mechanism, filling head, feeder stem and distributor. A method to operate an improved fuel composition and/or fluid regulation apparatus is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: United EE, LLC
    Inventors: Venu Dikshitulu Kottaru, Srinivas Paspulla
  • Patent number: 10967354
    Abstract: A reactor and process for the production of bio-diesel. The reactor includes one or more coiled reaction lines. The lines are positioned within a tank containing a heat transfer media such as molten salt, maintained at about 750° F. A pump circulates the media within the tank. An emulsion of alcohol; refined feed stock, including glycerides and/or fatty acids; and preferably water is pumped through the reaction lines at temperatures and pressures sufficient to maintain the alcohol in a super-critical state. The curvature of the coils, pump pulsing, and the flow rate of the emulsion keep the emulsion in a turbulent state while in the reactor, ensuring thorough mixing of the alcohol and feed stock. The alcohol reacts with the glycerides and fatty acids to form bio-diesel. The reaction is fast, efficient with regard to energy input and waste generation, and requires minimal alcohol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: LOUISIANA ECO GREEN
    Inventors: Kemper J McSpadden, Gerard M Thomassie
  • Patent number: 10967355
    Abstract: A continuous acoustic chemical microreactor system is disclosed. The system includes a continuous process vessel (CPV) and an acoustic agitator coupled to the CPV and configured to agitate the CPV along an oscillation axis. The CPV includes a reactant inlet configured to receive one or more reactants into the CPV, an elongated tube coupled at a first end to the reactant inlet and configured to receive the reactants from the reactant inlet, and a product outlet coupled to a second end of the elongated tube and configured to discharge a product of a chemical reaction among the reactants from the CPV. The acoustic agitator is configured to agitate the CPV along the oscillation axis such that the inner surface of the elongated tube accelerates the one or more reactants in alternating upward and downward directions along the oscillation axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Resodyn Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence C. Farrar, Grayson Sperry, Zachary Ruprecht Martineau
  • Patent number: 10967356
    Abstract: A dual ligand sol-gel sorbent and method of manufacture is provided herein. The dual ligand sol-gel sorbent provides superior enrichment effects through simultaneous exploitation of superhydrophobicity of one of the ligands and the ability of the other ligand to undergo ?-? interaction with hydrophobic aromatic analytes. Sorbent performance is enhanced both in terms of analyte enrichment and sorbent stability, such as pH stability and solvent stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: University of South Florida
    Inventors: Abdul Malik, Emre Seyyal
  • Patent number: 10967357
    Abstract: A mercury sorbent and method for enhancing mercury removal performance of activated carbon from flue gas by the addition of non-halogen ammonium-containing compounds are provided herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: CALGON CARBON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Richard A. Mimna, Walter G. Tramposch
  • Patent number: 10967358
    Abstract: Composite granules that contain a binder and a polymeric sorbent material for capturing aldehydes such as formaldehyde are provided. Additionally, methods of making the composite granules, methods of using the composite granules to capture aldehydes, and compositions formed by reacting the composite granules with aldehydes are provided. The polymeric sorbent material included in the composite granules is a reaction product of a divinylbenzene/maleic anhydride precursor polymeric material with a nitrogen-containing compound. This reaction results in the formation of nitrogen-containing groups that are covalently attached to the polymeric sorbent. Aldehydes can react with the nitrogen-containing groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Michael W. Kobe, Michael S. Wendland
  • Patent number: 10967359
    Abstract: Polymeric sorbents for reactive gases are provided. More particularly, the polymeric sorbents are a reaction product of a divinylbenzene/maleic anhydride precursor polymeric material with a nitrogen-containing compound. The polymeric sorbent has nitrogen-containing groups that are covalently attached to the polymeric sorbent. The nitrogen-containing groups include a primary amino group, a secondary amino group, a tertiary amino group, or a combination thereof. Additionally, methods of sorbing reactive gases on the polymeric sorbents and compositions resulting from the sorption of reactive gases on the polymeric sorbents are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Michael S. Wendland, Michael W. Kobe
  • Patent number: 10967360
    Abstract: Gels that can react with air pollutants in air and methods for making said gels, are provided. The gels are useful for removing air borne pollutants from indoor environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Kai Huang, Marilyn Wang, Xingping Wang, Jack Yu, Wesley Nie, Hailin Liu
  • Patent number: 10967361
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are carbon doped tin disulphide (C—SnS2) and other SnS2 composites as visible light photocatalyst for CO2 reduction to solar fuels. The in situ carbon doped SnS2 photocatalyst provide higher efficiency than the undoped pure SnS2. Also disclosed herein are methods for preparing the catalysts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignees: ACADEMIA SINICA, NATIONAL TAIWAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Kuei-Hsien Chen, Indrajit Shown, Wei-Fu Chen, Li-Chyong Chen Lin
  • Patent number: 10967362
    Abstract: A catalyst for purification of exhaust gas containing a phosphorus compound includes: a lower catalyst layer containing at least one of noble metal provided on a refractory three-dimensional structure; and an upper catalyst layer at an inflow side of exhaust gas and an upper catalyst layer at an outflow side of exhaust gas provided on a surface of the lower catalyst layer. The upper catalyst layer at the inflow side and the upper catalyst layer at the outflow side have different concentrations of noble metal. The catalyst has an intermediate zone with a length of 3 to 23% of the overall length of the refractory three-dimensional structure provided between the upper catalyst layer at the inflow side and the upper catalyst layer at the outflow side. The intermediate zone starts from a position 10 to 38% from an end face of the catalyst at the inflow side of exhaust gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: UMICORE SHOKUBAI JAPAN CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hirotaka Kuno, Masashi Nakashima, Yuzo Hamada, Masanori Ikeda
  • Patent number: 10967363
    Abstract: Metal-support interaction offers electronic, geometrical and compositional effects to tune and maneuver catalytically active sites. Here we report the first example of a reactive metal support interaction (RMSI) between Pt and various MXenes, which are two-dimensional (2D) metal carbides, nitrides, or carbonitrides. The invention thus provides intermetallic Pt/MXene nanoparticle catalysts comprising platinum and MXene moieties. Pt3Ti and Pt3Nb intermetallic nanoparticle catalysts were prepared by RMSI of Pt nanoparticles supported on Ti3C2 and Nb2C MXenes. The intermetallic structures were verified by XAS, ARSTEM, and XPS. Experimental analysis showed that the extent of alloy formation is temperature dependent. Kinetics analysis revealed that in contrast to Pt/Al2O3, Pt supported by Nb2CTx exhibits weaker CO adsorption and the alloy-MXene interface shows enhanced ability of H2O dissociation for a water gas shift (WGS) reaction at 300° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignees: Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc., Purdue Research Foundation
    Inventors: Zhe Li, Yue Wu, Jeffrey T. Miller, Fabio Henrique Ribeiro, Zhenwei Wu, Yanran Cui, Garrett Mitchell
  • Patent number: 10967364
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for Rh(I) catalysts, methods of making alkenyl substituted arenes (e.g., allyl arene, vinyl arene, and the like), methods of making alkyl substituted arenes, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: University of Virginia Patent Foundation
    Inventors: Thomas B. Gunnoe, Benjamin Austin Vaughan, Michael S. Webster-Gardiner
  • Patent number: 10967365
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a photocatalyst composition having visible light activity for hydrogen production through water splitting. More particularly, the present invention discloses a photocatalyst composition comprising a zinc oxide nanoparticles and a conjugated organic moiety selected from the group consisting of oligothiophenes, azo dyes, and perylenes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Council of Scientific & Industrial Research
    Inventors: Radhamonyamma Nandini Devi, Leena George
  • Patent number: 10967366
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for producing an exhaust gas purifying catalyst, in which fine Rh—Pd particles exhibiting high catalytic activity are produced such that a variation in the Pd composition can be reduced. The present disclosure relates to a method for producing an exhaust gas purifying catalyst having fine composite metal particles containing Rh and Pd, comprising: preparing a starting material solution containing Rh and Pd, in which the atomic percentage of Pd to the total of Rh and Pd is 1 atomic % to 15 atomic %; and allowing the prepared starting material solution to react with a neutralizer by a super agitation reactor having a rotation number of 500 rpm or more, to generate fine composite metal particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shogo Shirakawa, Masahide Miura
  • Patent number: 10967367
    Abstract: Provided is a method of cleaning a collection of resin beads, wherein the method comprises bringing the collection of resin beads into contact with an aqueous solution, wherein the aqueous solution comprises one or more dissolved amine compounds, wherein the collection of resin beads comprises polymer that comprises attached carboxylic acid groups or sulfonic acid groups or a mixture thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: DDP SPECIALTY ELECTRONIC MATERIALS US, LLC
    Inventors: Chunxia Costeux, Liu Yang, Chengli Zu
  • Patent number: 10967368
    Abstract: In embodiments there is described a method for reducing false positives and negatives in the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in suspected patients using mass spectroscopy employing the steps of mixing samples of collected saliva and nasopharyngeal secretions in a single sample container; adding universal transport medium to the mixed samples in said single sample container; transporting the single sample container at a temperature above 0° C. to a remote location; deactivation of viral content of the mixed sample; protein digestion of the mixed sample; concomitant separation of peptides, ionization by mass spectroscopy of the separated peptides, and comparison of peptide patterns to known SARS-CoV-2 peptides. Also set forth in an embodiment is a collection container for collecting saliva and/or sputum, as well as a swab member, with universal transport medium and/or virus inactivating agent housed in separate compartment communicable with sample compartment through a one-way valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Inventors: Timothy S. Moore, Cullen Thomas Moore
  • Patent number: 10967369
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a pillar structure for a biochip and includes a substrate which has a plate-shaped structure, and pillar members, each of which has one side detachably coupled to the substrate and the other side on which a sample is disposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: MBD CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Bo Sung Ku, Don Jung Lee
  • Patent number: 10967370
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a microfluidic device (1) comprising at least one flow channel (21) connecting an inlet opening (22) with an outlet opening (23), and an array of wells (24) in fluid communication with the flow channel (21), wherein the flow channel (21) comprises an inlet portion (211) at the inlet opening (22), an outlet portion (212) at the outlet opening (23), and a middle portion (213) between the inlet portion (211) and the outlet portion (212), wherein at least the middle portion (213) comprises the array of wells (24) and is provided with a hydrophilic surface, and the flow channel (21) further comprises a transition area (214) provided at least between the middle portion (213) and the outlet portion (212), which transition area (214) is constituted by providing a hydrophobic surface. Furthermore, a method for manufacturing such a microfluidic device is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Roche Molecular Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander Meier, Chris Steinert, Michael Zeder
  • Patent number: 10967371
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling flow in a microfluidic arrangement are disclosed. In one arrangement, a microfluidic arrangement comprises a first liquid held predominantly by surface tension in a shape defining a microfluidic pattern on a surface of a substrate. The microfluidic pattern comprises at least an elongate conduit and a first reservoir. A second liquid is in direct contact with the first liquid and covers the microfluidic pattern. A flow of liquid is driven through the elongate conduit into the first reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: OXFORD UNIVERSITY INNOVATION LIMITED
    Inventors: Edmond Walsh, Alexander Feuerborn, Peter Richard Cook
  • Patent number: 10967372
    Abstract: An apparatus for an electro-fluidic flow probe includes a body portion including an electro-fluidic bias tee for receiving (i) a fluid electrolyte and (ii) an electrical connection for providing an electrical potential to the fluid electrolyte; a first inlet including a tube extending from the first inlet to an outlet through the electro-fluidic bias tee; and a second inlet including the electrical connection having a wire that extends from the second inlet to the outlet through the electro-fluidic bias tee to transfer the electrical potential to a device under test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yann Andre Nicolas Astier, Jingwei Bai, Young Hoon Kwark, Stanislav Polonsky, Joshua T. Smith
  • Patent number: 10967373
    Abstract: An apparatus for an electro-fluidic flow probe includes a body portion including an electro-fluidic bias tee for receiving (i) a fluid electrolyte and (ii) an electrical connection for providing an electrical potential to the fluid electrolyte; a first inlet including a tube extending from the first inlet to an outlet through the electro-fluidic bias tee; and a second inlet including the electrical connection having a wire that extends from the second inlet to the outlet through the electro-fluidic bias tee to transfer the electrical potential to a device under test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yann Andre Nicolas Astier, Jingwei Bai, Young Hoon Kwark, Stanislav Polonsky, Joshua T. Smith
  • Patent number: 10967374
    Abstract: A method for analyzing biological samples is disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the method includes receiving a fluid sample into a cartridge device, which comprises: a fluidic chamber; at least one microfluidic channel in fluid communication with the fluidic chamber; and a venting port configured to apply a pneumatic force to the fluidic chamber; and inserting the cartridge device into a reader device to perform measurements, wherein the cartridge device is positioned in a vertical or tilted position such that at least a portion of the fluid sample inside the fluidic chamber is pulled by gravity in a direction away from the venting port or towards the bottom of the fluidic chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: CytoChip Inc.
    Inventors: Wendian Shi, Yuzhe Ding
  • Patent number: 10967375
    Abstract: Techniques regarding nanofluidic chips with a plurality of inlets and/or outlets in fluid communication with one or more nanoDLD arrays are provided. For example, one or more embodiments described herein can comprise a nanoscale deterministic lateral displacement array between and in fluid communication with a global inlet and a global outlet. The nanoscale deterministic lateral displacement array can further be between and in fluid communication with a local inlet and a local outlet. Also, the nanoscale deterministic lateral displacement array can laterally displace a particle comprised within a sample fluid supplied from the global inlet to a collection region that directs the particle to the local outlet. An advantage of such an apparatus can be the expanded versatility of the nanoscale deterministic lateral displacement array for sample preparation applications involving nanoparticles not accessible to other higher throughput microscale microfluidic technologies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joshua T. Smith, Benjamin Wunsch, Stacey Gifford
  • Patent number: 10967376
    Abstract: A deterministic lateral displacement array that includes a channel, within a substrate, having a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and a channel length. A condenser portion that includes an entry port and an exit port. A first array of pillars is disposed between the entry port and the exit port of the condenser portion along the channel length, the first array of pillars operative to drive a first material particle and a second material particle towards the first sidewall of the channel. A separator portion that includes an entry port and an exit port, and a second array of pillars disposed between the entry port and the exit port of the separator portion along the channel length, the pillars operative to drive the first material particle towards the second sidewall of the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Huan Hu, Sung Cheol Kim, Joshua T. Smith, Benjamin H. Wunsch
  • Patent number: 10967377
    Abstract: A multi-well plate allows for improvement in accuracy of experiments or tests. The present invention relates to a multi-well plate comprising: a top portion placed in a horizontal direction; a bottom portion opposing the top portion in a direction crossing the horizontal direction; and wells each recessed from the top portion toward the bottom portion, wherein the wells are horizontally arranged in a matrix with rows and columns, and each well has an opening formed at the top portion, and a peripheral wall extending from a periphery of the opening to the bottom portion. In the multi-well plate, at least two wells respectively include marks each containing at least one symbol, and each mark is placed at an opening peripheral wall end portion close to the corresponding opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED INDUSTRIAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventor: Yoshio Kato
  • Patent number: 10967378
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sample collection kit (100) for collecting plant samples, in particular algae samples for biomedical applications, which sample collection kit comprises at least one sample container for holding plant samples, a plurality of sensors, by means of which sample data can be captured, a data-recording apparatus for recording the sample data, an arrangement of tools, which has collection tools designed for harvesting the plant samples and processing tools designed for processing the plant samples, an arrangement of devices, which has auxiliary devices that can be used in the collection, transport, and processing of the plant samples, a container apparatus (70), which is designed to hold the arrangement of tools and the arrangement of devices in isolation from the environment, and identification markings (80), which contain identification data and are applied to the at least one sample container (70) to the collection tools, and to the processing tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e. V.
    Inventor: Heiko Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 10967379
    Abstract: An incubator stand for holding a plurality of incubators in a stacked arrangement, the incubator stand comprising: a stand base; a shaft element upstanding from the stand base; and a plurality of incubator bases rotatably received on the shaft element, each incubator base forming a support for or forming part of an incubator. A stop element is also provided which prevents or limits angular displacement of each incubator base, so that each incubator base can be pivoted out from a stack of said incubator bases to in use access an incubator associated therewith without causing the stack to topple. An incubator docking system and incubator system for transferring incubators between different environmental conditions are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Planer Limited
    Inventors: Stephen James Butler, Stephen Mark Joseph Wilkins
  • Patent number: 10967380
    Abstract: Heavy-duty material processors (e.g., shears, concrete crushers) include a jaw that pivotally connects to another jaw. A hydraulic cylinder extends between the jaws to open and close the jaws in a shearing motion. Cutting/shearing/crushing blade inserts mount to detachable blade holders, which in turn mount to one of the jaws. Wedge blocks securely and detachably attach the blade inserts to the remainder of their associated jaw, and rely on force-amplifying wedge surfaces to ensure a secure attachment. The detachable blade holders may include lateral flanges that extend across an otherwise exposed face of their respective underlying jaw bodies to protect the jaw bodies during use. A blade on one of the jaws is laterally adjustable, which helps to free a jam if one of the jaws gets jammed into the space between blades in the other jaw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: STANLEY BLACK & DECKER, INC.
    Inventors: Karl Johnson, Clayton Sederberg, Shane Bubacz, Matthew George Mecklin
  • Patent number: 10967381
    Abstract: A transmission (1) for a feed and foodstuff roller mill (2) with a plurality of rotatably drivable rollers. The transmission (1) has a bearing housing (3) in which an input shaft (4), a first output shaft (5) and a second output shaft (6) are accommodated. The input shaft (4) and the first output shaft (5) are arranged perpendicular to one another and the first output shaft (5) and the second output shaft (6) are arranged parallel to one another. The input shaft (4) and the first output shaft (5) are operatively connected to one another via a bevel gearwheel pair (7, 7?), and the first output shaft (5) and the second output shaft (6) are operatively connected to one another via a torque transmitting arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: BÜHLER AG
    Inventors: Daniel Rickenbach, Daniel Mark, Philippe Holenstein, Kaspar Schindler
  • Patent number: 10967382
    Abstract: A vertical roller mill includes a housing, a chute that supplies materials to be grinded to a center portion of the housing, a grinder that is provided below the chute and grinds the materials to be grinded, an exhaust pipe that is provided above the grinder, a transport mechanism that forms an air flow for transporting, to the exhaust pipe, grinded materials grinded by the grinder, and a flow-constricting flow path provided between the grinder and the exhaust pipe and narrows a flow path area for the air flow, in which the flow-constricting flow path is formed between a first flow-constricting ring provided in the center portion of the housing and a second flow-constricting ring provided to protrude from the housing toward the center portion of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: IHI Corporation
    Inventors: Kentaro Nariai, Emi Ohno, Kazuhiro Watanabe, Takahiro Kozaki, Akira Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 10967383
    Abstract: In a method for detaching a frozen charge from an inner wall of a grinding tube of a tube mill, a motor of a drive system is operated in a first mode to rotate the grinding tube for grinding. In a second mode, the motor of the drive system is operated to remove the frozen charge from the inner wall of the grinding tube such that operation of the motor to effect a rotational movement of the grinding tube is repeatedly disturbed by a disturbance signal to cause a repeated disturbance within a variable time interval, with the time interval of the repeated disturbance being shortened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Dan Niculae Fodor, Andreas Procksch, Kurt Tischler
  • Patent number: 10967384
    Abstract: An open-ended grinding mill (1) includes a drum (2) including a cylindrical shell (3), wherein the longitudinal axis (4) of the drum is arranged in a substantially horizontal position in a use position of the grinding mill (1). The drum (2) includes a first end (5) at the feed end of the shell and a second end (6) at the discharge end of the shell. The grinding mill further includes a bearing (8) supporting the drum at the second end, and a support structure (9) to connect the drum (2) to the bearing (8). The support structure is configured to provide a wall external to the shell, whereby the shell and the support structure provide a double-wall structure separating the bearing from the inside of the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: OUTOTEC (FINLAND) OY
    Inventors: Nicholas Green, Brian Berger, Damon Bordi, Kjell Winther, Bjoern Holshagen
  • Patent number: 10967385
    Abstract: A method for making a shell plate that is mountable to a shell of a grinding mill for grinding ore, said shell plate includes a shell plate body having a first portion including a fixing surface for fixing the shell plate body to the shell and a second portion including a wear surface facing toward interior of the grinding mill, said first portion and said second portion forming a continuous shell plate body, the second portion includes polyurethane such that the wear surface is made of polyurethane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: OUTOTEC (FINLAND) OY
    Inventor: Kari Lauermaa
  • Patent number: 10967386
    Abstract: A method of producing titanium cobbles includes: a preparation step of preparing a scrap material containing 50% by mass or more of metal titanium; a first crushing step of roughly crushing the scrap material using a first crusher; a second crushing step of crushing the scrap material, which has been roughly crushed in the first crushing step, using a second crusher; a dust collection step of collecting fine dust of the scrap material generated in the second crushing step; and a first classification step of classifying products obtained by crushing the scrap material, which have been generated in the second crushing step, into medium particles with particle sizes within a predetermined particle size range, large particles with particle sizes larger than the particle size range, and small particles with particle sizes smaller than the particle size range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: METALDO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shingo Nomura, Keigo Kobayashi, Kazumi Takenaka
  • Patent number: 10967387
    Abstract: A 3-dimensional PDMS cell sorter having multiple passages in a PDMS layer that follow the same path in a DEP separation region and that are in fluid communication with each other within that region. The passages may differ in width transverse to the flow direction within the passages. Flat plates may sandwich the PDMS layer; each plate may have a planar electrode used to generate a DEP field within a sample fluid flowed within the passages. The DEP field may concentrate target cells or particulates within one of the passages within the DEP separation region. The passages may diverge after the DEP-separation region, leaving one passage with a high concentration of target cells or particulates. Techniques for manufacturing such structures, as well as other micro-fluidic structures, are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Pei-Yu E. Chiou, Kuo-Wei Huang, Yu-Jui Fan, Yu-Chun Kung
  • Patent number: 10967388
    Abstract: A centrifugal separator for separating a liquid phase from crankcase gases of an internal combustion engine includes a separation chamber, a rotor shaft, a rotor inside the separation chamber, an inlet for crankcase gases, a gas outlet, and a liquid outlet for separated liquid phase. The centrifugal separator also includes a liquid outlet chamber, a check valve, and a rotating member. The liquid outlet chamber forms an individual chamber and is arranged in fluid communication with the separation chamber via a liquid passage. The rotating member is connected to the rotor shaft and is arranged inside the liquid outlet chamber. The liquid outlet forms an outlet of the liquid outlet chamber. The check valve is arranged in the liquid outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: ALFDEX AB
    Inventors: Anders Örtegren, Mats Olsson, Per Stjernswärd, Pedro Hernandez Fraczek, Mikael Walter
  • Patent number: 10967389
    Abstract: A centrifuge rotor assembly includes a chamber assembly, a bearing support, and a counterweight that is substantially diametrically opposed to the bearing support with respect to the chamber assembly. The chamber assembly receives a processing chamber of a fluid circuit, while the bearing support receives a portion of an umbilicus that is fluidly connected to the processing chamber. The bearing support and counterweight are rotated about a central axis of the chamber assembly by an electric drive of the centrifuge rotor assembly, with the bearing support and counterweight remaining substantially diametrically opposed to each other with respect to the chamber assembly while being rotated about the central axis. The electric drive may rotate the bearing support and counterweight at a plurality of different speeds, with the counterweight automatically moving with respect to the bearing support between radially innermost and radially outermost positions to balance the centrifuge rotor assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Fenwal, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L. West, Daniel R. Lynn
  • Patent number: 10967390
    Abstract: A showerhead system with a normally open, temperature controlled first water valve coupled between a hot water source supply inlet and a purge outlet. The first water valve is configured to move from its normally open position to a closed position to restrict water passing from the hot water source supply inlet to the purge outlet when the temperature controlled water valve reaches a predetermined temperature. In a first mode, the first water valve purges water from the hot water source supply inlet through the purge outlet until the thermal actuator reaches the predetermined temperature. In a second mode, the first water valve blocks water entering the first water valve from passing through the purge outlet toward the showerhead outlet. In an optional third mode, a normally closed, manual second water valve is open and passes water through the showerhead outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Evolve Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Charles Lord, Jason Swanson, Troy Sherman, Jeffrey Doss
  • Patent number: 10967391
    Abstract: A rotary sprinkler in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a riser with a nozzle assembly rotatable mounted thereon. The nozzle assembly includes a pressure regulator and flow control element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Inventor: Carl L. C. Kah, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10967392
    Abstract: A trigger sprayer is described which utilizes a ball valve to control the flow of a carrier fluid such as water. The ball valve is actuated by a trigger which is biases to the open position by a torsion spring. Provision is made for the trigger sprayer to draw a chemical solution from a supply container and meter it through one or more outlet devices for providing streams in the form of fan or mist sprays, or other shaped sprays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Silgan Dispensing Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph K. Dodd
  • Patent number: 10967393
    Abstract: A spray system allows operation of two spray guns from a single two-component spray system. The system includes a fluid block defining a first chemical fluid passageway which connects a first chemical inlet, a first chemical spool valve, and two first chemical outlets, and second chemical fluid passageway which connects a second chemical inlet, a second chemical spool valve and two second chemical outlets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: BOSS SPRAY TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventors: Gerald M. Lubeck, Gordon J. Maginnis
  • Patent number: 10967394
    Abstract: A fluid atomizer and methods of atomizing fluids are disclosed. The fluid atomizer may comprise an inner member and one or more outer members. The inner member defines an interior conduit for providing a first-fluid flowpath from a supply end of the atomizer to a discharge end of the atomizer along a central axis. The one or more outer members are positioned radially outward of the inner member from the central axis. The inner and outer members define a second-fluid flowpath extending from a second-fluid supply conduit to a second-fluid discharge plenum. The second-fluid flowpath comprises a tangential conduit spiraling along the axis from the second-fluid supply conduit to a terminal end; an annulus downstream from and in fluid communication with the tangential conduit; and a second-fluid discharge plenum downstream from and in fluid communication with the annulus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignees: Rolls-Royce Corporation, Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventors: Neal Thomson, Christopher Walters
  • Patent number: 10967395
    Abstract: A modular irrigation controller has a robust ground path with high conductivity that can accommodate lightning induced power surges on field valve wires and common wires that are connected to a plurality of station modules. Sensitive electronic components in the station modules are thereby protected from damage. The robust ground path extends from conductors on circuit boards within the station modules through captive mounting screws to a metallic backplane and then through metallic grounding brackets within a pedestal enclosing the modules and the backplane. The grounding brackets are in turn grounded to both an earth ground stake and to a ground wire associated with the incoming one hundred and ten volt AC power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Hunter Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard C. Stange, David M. Hurrle, Kok Huat Chong
  • Patent number: 10967396
    Abstract: A system for dispensing a substance in a form of a bead on a surface in a progression direction includes a dispenser having: a leading edge, a contact portion comprising two contact points with the surface, and a trailing edge that extends between the two contact points and terminates therein. The system is configured to move the dispenser along a virtual travel plane, which is parallel to the path and passes through the two contact points, while maintaining the contact portion in communication with the surface as the substance is being dispensed. The system is also configured to monitor a leading portion of the bead and to generate a signal responsive to at least one characteristic of the leading portion, wherein the leading portion is located ahead of a portion of the leading edge in the progression direction along the path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Angelica Davancens, Branko Sarh, Don D. Trend