Patents Issued in February 20, 2024
  • Patent number: 11903399
    Abstract: Compositions comprising polysaccharides and oligosaccharides are provided. Methods for the formation of the compositions, including the enzymatic production of the oligosaccharides, and the uses of the compositions in foodstuffs, cosmetics, and nutraceuticals are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: CAMBRIDGE GLYCOSCIENCE LTD
    Inventor: Thomas J. Simmons
  • Patent number: 11903400
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for fast and homogeneously heating a liquid product to a predetermined temperature by means of resistive heating. Sufficient and effective microbial inactivation is achieved upon applying an electrical field strength of between 0.1-5.0 kV/cm for a prolonged period of time, thus by selecting a relatively low electrical field strength and a pulse duration of at least 10 microseconds while the maximum temperature of the liquid product autonomously remains below 92° C. during the resistive heating. The present invention further relates to said process wherein the liquid product is pre-heated prior to subjecting the liquid product to the process. The present invention also relates to the liquid product obtainable by the process according to the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: STICHTING WAGENINGEN RESEARCH
    Inventors: Rian Adriana Hendrika Timmermans, Ricardo Ermirio De Moraes, Hendrikus Cornelis Mastwijk
  • Patent number: 11903401
    Abstract: A method for increasing the yield of Amadori rearrangement products (ARP) based on a mechanism in which addition of tea polyphenols to deoxyosones inhibits degradation of the ARP. The method includes the following steps: dissolving and mixing amino acid, sugar and tea polyphenol in water, and adjusting a pH value; placing the obtained mixed solution in a reaction flask, and heating the mixed solution at a constant temperature in a water bath to obtain a reaction solution; and performing vacuum decompression dehydration reaction at a constant temperature; after the reaction is completed, using an ice bath to terminate the reaction to obtain a solid reactant, and redissolving the solid reactant in water to obtain an ARP solution. This method promotes the formation of ARP and inhibits degradation of ARP, so that ARP is accumulated and enriched in a large amount (80% and above yield).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: JIANGNAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Xiaoming Zhang, Junhe Yu, Heping Cui, Huan Zhan, Yun Zhai, Jingyang Yu, Shuqin Xia
  • Patent number: 11903402
    Abstract: A fruit press has shafts which are mounted in a frame for two pressing rollers, which can be driven in opposite directions, and for two ram heads, which are provided below the pressing rollers and form pressing rams that interact with pressing recesses of the pressing rollers. The fruit press has a blade, which is displaceable in a blade guide between the pressing rollers. The pressing rollers and the ram heads, which can be removed from their respective shafts, are held between a rear wall and a front mount of a handling unit detachably fastened to the frame. To achieve advantageous design conditions, the pressing rollers and the ram heads, which are supported axially on the front mount, are detachably held between bearing projections of the rear wall and receptacles in the region of the front mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Citrocasa GmbH
    Inventor: Engelbert Kaindl
  • Patent number: 11903403
    Abstract: An edible decoration is laser kiss cut from an edible decorating sheet by optically sensing at least one printed edible design on the edible decorating sheet relative to a laser cutting tool coordinate system and driving a laser along a circuit of cutting locations defined in the laser cutting tool coordinate system. The laser beam forms a separation channel by laser ablation of at least a portion of the edible decorating sheet at the cutting locations while leaving intact the non-adhesive releasable backing upon which the edible decorating sheet rests.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: THE LUCKS COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Richard Ellison, Ulrike M. Kogl, Megan Leifson
  • Patent number: 11903404
    Abstract: A flavouring dispenser for dispensing compacted doses of flavouring comprises a flavouring dosage unit configured to dispense a dose of flavouring and a plurality of compacting hoppers, each configured to receive and hold a dose of flavouring dispensed from the flavouring dosage unit and to subsequently dispense the dose of flavouring to a dispense position. The flavouring dosage unit and the plurality of compacting hoppers are configured such that the flavouring dosage unit sequentially supplies a dose of flavouring to each of the plurality of compacting hoppers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: ISHIDA EUROPE LIMITED
    Inventors: Andrew Geoffrey Potter, Lee Michael Vine
  • Patent number: 11903405
    Abstract: A food bar, and a method for making the food bar. The food bar includes a crust, the crust having a binding agent including a sesame component, the sesame component including a combination of sesame powder, sesame paste. The food bar also includes a filling within the crust, The crust to filling weight ratio between is about 1:1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: N'SHAPE BAR LLC
    Inventor: Nina Leona Delon
  • Patent number: 11903406
    Abstract: A method of preparing a tobacco material for use in a smokeless tobacco product is provided, the method including receiving a tobacco material, wherein the tobacco material has not been subjected to a fermentation process, blending the tobacco material with the final moist snuff product ingredients to form a tobacco composition having a moisture content of at least about 50%, packaging the tobacco composition in a final product packaging such that after a fermentation period of 7 to 28 days within the final product packaging the product is ready for direct sale and consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: American Snuff Company, LLC
    Inventors: Robert S. Reinbold, John E. Bunch
  • Patent number: 11903407
    Abstract: The inductively heatable tobacco product for aerosol-generation comprises an aerosol-forming substrate containing a susceptor in the form of a plurality of particles. The aerosol-forming substrate is a crimped tobacco sheet comprising tobacco material, fibers, binder, aerosol-former and the susceptor in the form of the plurality of particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.
    Inventor: Oleg Mironov
  • Patent number: 11903408
    Abstract: A method of constructing a cigar includes the providing of a plurality of frusto-conically shaped tubes, each tube being of a smokable material such as a spirally wrapped layer of tobacco material. The tubes are nested, one tube inside the other tube. The nested tubes are then attached to a mouthpiece having a socket that is internally threaded. The nested tubes and mouthpiece are packaged either filled with tobacco filler material, partially filled, or unfilled in a container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Inventor: Daniel S. Sinclair, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11903409
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for automatic infusion of concentrate and distillate material into cigarettes or other containers. In one embodiment, a thermally-controlled infusion system is provided. The system can maintain a selected temperature of the concentrate material throughout the infusion process, using a two-stage approach. In a first stage, the concentrate material is pressure-fed to a dosing chamber. In the second stage, the concentrate material is pumped into an insertion cannula and into a cigarette or container. A revolver houses the cigarettes or containers and vertically transitions them to an insertion position, where the insertion cannula can infuse the cigarettes or containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Sorting Robotics, Inc.
    Inventors: Nohtal Partansky, Paul Skaar
  • Patent number: 11903410
    Abstract: A smokable cannabis product and method for making the same are disclosed. The method includes providing a batch of cannabis containing cannabis flowers, stems, leaves and seeds and then grinding it. Then, the stems, leaves and seeds are removed from the ground batch so that it primarily contains ground cannabis flowers. The batch is then compressed to form a plurality of compressed cannabis pods having a desired shape for being smoked in a complementarily shaped bowl of a smoking device. The compressed pods are then dried to harden them so that they maintain their desired shape and so that each pod has a porosity which allows air to flow through the pod as it is smoked in the smoking device's bowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Inventor: Clifford VanVoorhees
  • Patent number: 11903411
    Abstract: Provided is an aerosol generating article including a plurality of flavoring capsules arranged inside at least one of a tobacco medium section and a filter section, wherein the plurality of flavoring capsules respectively include different flavor sources and respectively include susceptor materials configured to be heated at different rates as an alternating magnetic field passes through the susceptor materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: KT&G CORPORATION
    Inventors: Seung Won Lee, Sang Kyu Park
  • Patent number: 11903412
    Abstract: A breakable capsule such as a seamless breakable capsule useful in a smoking article or a smokeless tobacco product includes an outer shell formed of a cross-linked agar matrix including at least one filler, and an inner core surrounded by the outer shell which comprises a liquid or gel based composition of a flavorant and/or non-flavorant. The cross-linked agar matrix is reinforced with carboxymethyl cellulose that is dispersed throughout the agar matrix so as to fill empty spaces in the agar matrix and inhibit the composition from passing through the empty spaces of the agar matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: ALTRIA CLIENT SERVICES LLC
    Inventors: Munmaya K. Mishra, Alex Jordan, Kathryn M. Draper, Dwight D. Williams
  • Patent number: 11903413
    Abstract: A shisha consumable article (101) for use with an external assembly such as a shisha assembly is described. The shisha consumable article includes a housing (110) defining a first compartment (112) and a second compartment (114) being adjacent to the first compartment. The second compartment is adjacent to, and sealed or air impermeable from, the first compartment. A combustible heat source (120) is contained within the first compartment and an aerosol-forming substrate (130) is contained within the second compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.
    Inventors: Samuel Bonnely, Angelos Kolyris, Stuart Michael Ruan Jones, John Antony Stephenson, Yaan Thomas Kinally, Michael Paton, David Cross, Didier Goedertier, Francois Ceppi
  • Patent number: 11903415
    Abstract: Vaporization devices having portions to enable signal transmission therethrough. A vaporization device includes a body having a first end, a second end, and forming an internal cavity. At least a portion of the internal cavity forming a cartridge receptacle. The vaporization device includes a battery disposed within the internal cavity and a processor operatively coupled to the battery and disposed within the body. The processor is arranged to respond to a signal to switch the vaporization device between a first operational mode and a second operational mode. The vaporization device also includes a portion of the body arranged to permit transmission of the signal through the portion of the body from a location external to the body, thereby permitting the processor to switch the vaporization device between the first and second operational modes in response to the receipt of the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: GLAS, INC.
    Inventor: Sean Greenbaum
  • Patent number: 11903416
    Abstract: Vaporization devices having portions to enable signal transmission therethrough. A vaporization device includes a body having a first end, a second end, and forming an internal cavity. At least a portion of the internal cavity forming a cartridge receptacle. The vaporization device includes a battery disposed within the internal cavity and a processor operatively coupled to the battery and disposed within the body. The processor is arranged to respond to a signal to switch the vaporization device between a first operational mode and a second operational mode. The vaporization device also includes a portion of the body arranged to permit transmission of the signal through the portion of the body from a location external to the body, thereby permitting the processor to switch the vaporization device between the first and second operational modes in response to the receipt of the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: GLAS, INC.
    Inventor: Sean Greenbaum
  • Patent number: 11903417
    Abstract: A heater and a vaporization device using the same are provided. The heater comprises an end for insertion into a cartridge, a body having a sidewall and at least one opening on the sidewall, and a chamber inside the body. The end has an outlet. The chamber and the opening provide an airflow path for an aerosol to be vented outside the heater through the outlet. The aerosol is generated from the vaporizable material when the body is heated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: SHENZHEN GEEK VAPE TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xianghui Wang, Wenlong Lu
  • Patent number: 11903418
    Abstract: A composite wick is provided for use in a micro-vaporizer having a fluid reservoir and a heating element. The composite wick comprises a wick body positionable so that its upstream surface is in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir and the downstream surface is disposed in opposition to a surface of the heating element. The wick body comprises at least one base wick structure having a plurality of tortuous passages that collectively provide a capillary effect to draw fluid from the reservoir and transport it toward the downstream surface. The wick body further comprises an active material positioned within the wick body so that vaporizable fluid drawn through the wick body contacts and interacts with the active material. The active material is selected to impart a desired characteristic to the vaporizable fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Blackship Technologies Development LLC
    Inventors: Yongjie Xu, Donovan Phillips
  • Patent number: 11903419
    Abstract: An electronic cigarette and a heating assembly and a heating member thereof. The heating assembly comprises a capillary structure for absorbing an e-liquid and at least one heating member for heating and atomizing the e-liquid absorbed by the capillary structure. The heating member comprises an elongated heating portion. The elongated heating portion comprises at least one straight portion and at least one curved portion which are connected sequentially. A resistance at the at least one curved portion is less than a resistance at the at least one straight portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: SHENZHEN SMOORE TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
    Inventors: Xiaoping Li, Changyong Yi, Zhenlong Jiang
  • Patent number: 11903420
    Abstract: An aerosol-generating system includes a reservoir containing an aerosol-forming substrate. The system also includes first and second heating elements and first and second liquid transfer elements. The first and second heating elements are spaced apart from the reservoir. The first and second liquid transfer elements are configured to deliver aerosol-forming substrate from the reservoir to the heating elements. The first liquid transfer element has first and second end portions and a portion between the first and second end portions at the first heating element. The second liquid transfer element has first and second end portions and a portion between the first and second end portions at the second heating element. The portion of the first liquid transfer element at the first heating element may extend in a first direction. The portion of the second liquid transfer element at the second heating element may extend in a second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Eric Force, Yonglu Guo, Yonghai Li
  • Patent number: 11903421
    Abstract: A high-frequency heating device includes a housing, a thermal insulation sleeve and a magnetic induction coil. The housing includes a central through hole and an enclosure surrounding the central through hole. The enclosure includes a cavity and the magnetic induction coil is disposed in the cavity. The thermal insulation sleeve is fixed in the magnetic induction coil. When in use, the neck of a hookah passes through the central through hole, and a heating cup containing tobacco material is disposed around the neck. The enclosure is disposed around the heating cup so that the high-frequency heating device is able to heat the tobacco material in the heating cup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Inventor: Tuanfang Liu
  • Patent number: 11903422
    Abstract: An electrically heatable aerosol-generating device for an aerosol-generating article is provided, the device including a device housing including a receiving cavity within a proximal portion of the device to receive at least a portion of the aerosol-generating article; a separating wall disposed adjacent to a distal end of the cavity, separating the cavity within the proximal portion from a distal portion of the device; at least one electrical heating device configured to heat an aerosol-forming substrate within the article when the article is received in the cavity; and sensing circuitry including a field generator disposed within the distal portion adjacent to the separating wall, the sensing circuitry being configured to measure a change of at least one property of the field generator caused by a presence of an indicator arranged within the article when the article is received in the cavity. An aerosol-generating system is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.
    Inventors: Oleg Mironov, Jerome Christian Courbat, Enrico Stura
  • Patent number: 11903423
    Abstract: An atomizer includes a housing, an atomizing assembly and a movable assembly. The housing defines a mounting opening. The atomizing assembly includes an inner tube detachably mounted in the housing through the mounting opening. The inner tube is provided with a smoke outlet. The movable assembly includes a dustproof cover movably disposed on the housing and a locking member. The dustproof cover is rotatable relative to the locking member, rotating the dustproof cover can open the mounting opening to expose the smoke outlet or close the mounting opening to cover the smoke outlet. The inner tube is provided with a locking groove engaged with the locking member. When the dustproof cover opens the mounting opening and the dustproof cover is caused to slide, the locking member moves under the driving of the dustproof cover to disengage from the locking groove, such that the inner tube can be taken out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: CHANGZHOU PATENT ELECTRONIC TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD
    Inventors: Weihua Qiu, Hengcong Su
  • Patent number: 11903424
    Abstract: Vaporizers with protection are disclosed. The vaporizers include a built-in child protective mechanism adapted to connect and disconnect the power source from the heating element of the vaporizer thereby mitigating the ability of a child to activate the vaporizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: The Kanvas Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Gordon Doyle, Andy Fathollahi, Alexander Wayne Gordon
  • Patent number: 11903425
    Abstract: Described is provided a vapor provision system for generating a vapor for user inhalation, the system including a housing, a first user input mechanism configured to provide a first input to control a first aspect of vapor generation and located on a first side of the housing, and a second user input mechanism configured to provide a second input to control a second aspect of vapor generation and located on a second side of the housing, the second side of the housing opposite to the first side of the housing, wherein the first user input mechanism and the second user input mechanism are different types of user input mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: NICOVENTURES TRADING LIMITED
    Inventor: David Leadley
  • Patent number: 11903426
    Abstract: The disclosure provides an electronic cigarette controllable by mobile software and a controlling method thereof. The electronic cigarette comprises a vaporizer having a heating resistor for heating and vaporizing electronic cigarette liquid and comprises a battery assembly having a battery and a control circuit board, wherein the control circuit board is arranged with a microcontroller, a Bluetooth data transmission unit and an unlock switch unit, wherein the Bluetooth data transmission unit is configured with a mobile software controlling terminal which is the APP installed on a smart phone, the APP contains encryption information which can be sent through mobile Bluetooth to the Bluetooth data transmission unit and then to the microcontroller, and the unlock switch unit is configured to perform unlock and power on operation when the encryption information is identified by the microcontroller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: HUIZHOU HAPPY VAPING TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
    Inventors: Guangrong Lin, Xianbin Zheng, Xiyong Zhang
  • Patent number: 11903427
    Abstract: An aerosol-generating apparatus includes a mouthpiece, an aerosolizing thermal reactor, and an air preheating passage. The aerosolizing thermal reactor has an air inlet upstream of an aerosol outlet, and includes an aerosolizable substance chamber and a thermal distribution casing. The thermal distribution casing surrounds the aerosolizable substance chamber and includes a laminate material with an at least three-layer construction including a metal middle layer between a metal outer layer and a metal inner layer. The thermal conductivity of the metal inner layer is at least double that of each of the metal outer and inner layers. The air preheating passage is located downstream of the air inlet and upstream of the aerosolizable substance chamber, and surrounds the aerosolizable substance chamber. The air preheating passage is defined by an air gap between the chamber outer wall and the metal inner layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Inventor: John Robert Mumford
  • Patent number: 11903428
    Abstract: The sleep sack can include a back panel, a front panel, and a flap. The sleep sack is used by placing the front panel over the back panel. The front panel extends from the shoulder to under the arm of the infant or toddler. The sleep sack is used by placing the flap over the front panel once placed. The flap extends from the shoulder to under the arm of the infant or toddler. The flap can be releasably attached to an outer surface of the sleep sack to adjust the compression of the torso of the infant or toddler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Inventor: Hindi R. Zeidman
  • Patent number: 11903429
    Abstract: This present application discloses a turn direction indicating jacket having a plurality of directional indicators independently actuatable via a switch and a portable power supply. The invention illuminates the lights in sequential fashion from the wearer's shoulder to his or her wrist with an arrowhead at the base, there ensuring that other motorists and pedestrians alike are aware of the wearer's presence in traffic and the wearer's intended traffic movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Inventors: Melodie Watson, Astor Morrison
  • Patent number: 11903430
    Abstract: A protective face mask has a first panel, a second panel and a plurality of head attachment features. The first panel is configured to cover the facial area of a wearer below the eyes with a mouth opening for the mouth region of the wearer to allow the wearer to eat, drink or smoke. The second panel is configured to cover the mouth opening when not used for passing food, drink or smoking. The plurality of head attachment features are located at outer edges of the face mask panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Inventor: Roy C. Mallady, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11903431
    Abstract: A face protecting apparatus for protecting a user from droplets and solids containing bacteria, viruses, and other hazardous materials. The apparatus includes a face shield and a frame member. The face shield includes an elongated planar surface, a plurality of bilateral angled creases and a plurality of openings. The elongated planar surface creates a seal at the user's chest when the user bends forward thereby providing a protective barrier to ejected debris. The bilateral angled creases provide a concave configuration to the face shield that brings the face shield into close proximity to the face of the user. The openings enable a fiber optic LED light and a plurality of loupe magnifiers of a loupe device worn by the user to protrude therethrough thus enabling the user to wear the face protecting apparatus in combination with the loupe device and the fiber optic LED light without any obstruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Inventor: Monica Crooks
  • Patent number: 11903432
    Abstract: Face shields, eyewear, and kits which provide a user the ability to protect their face from solids or liquids while simultaneously providing the ability to manipulate any eyewear the user may desire to wear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Inventor: Julia Bornstein
  • Patent number: 11903433
    Abstract: A coating fabric and method of manufacturing the same are provided. A coated fabric includes a base coating layer. The base coating layer defines a smooth coating to resist liquid penetration to the fabric. The coated fabric also includes a middle foam coating layer that is deposited on at least a portion of the base coating layer. The middle foam layer defines a middle layer foam density and is configured to absorb at least a portion of liquid. The coated fabric further includes an outer foam coating layer that is deposited on at least a portion of the middle foam coating later. The outer foam layer defines an outer layer foam density and is configured with holes to allow liquid to penetrate to the middle foam layer. The middle layer foam density is less than the outer layer foam density. A corresponding method of manufacturing is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Tianshi Ye, Xiaowei Chen, Jing Zhang
  • Patent number: 11903434
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a garment liner that couples to the interior of a clothing article. The garment liner can replace typical underwear. The garment liner can shield clothing from a person's body, and can improve comfort by conforming to the shape of the clothing instead of to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Inventor: Patrick Miller
  • Patent number: 11903435
    Abstract: A bra including a closure system, the closure system including a first layered fabric body, a second layered fabric body, a loop assembly secured to the first layered fabric body, and a hook assembly secured to the second layered fabric body. The hook assembly is configured to interface with the loop assembly to secure the first layered fabric body to the second layered fabric body, and the first layered fabric body includes a flexible supporting layer, where the flexible supporting layer is configured to provide rigidity to the second layered fabric body such that the second layered fabric body maintains a flat configuration when it is secured to the first layered fabric body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: adidas AG
    Inventors: Stephanie K. Muhlenfeld, Kozet Mitchell
  • Patent number: 11903436
    Abstract: An elastic band for use with articles of clothing. The elastic clothing band is configured to attach or secure to two different portions of an article of clothing, such as shorts or pants, and provide a mechanism for holding up the article of clothing to a user's body. The elastic clothing band may comprise a first end comprising a first article of clothing securing member, a second opposing end comprising a second article of clothing securing member, and a main body separating the first end and the second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Inventor: Ricky Fusillo
  • Patent number: 11903437
    Abstract: Various embodiments herein provide a hard hat with a removable light assembly. The hard hat includes an outer shell with one or more windows. The removable light assembly is removably coupled to an interior surface of the outer shell. The removable light assembly includes a support structure and one or more lights (e.g., light emitting diodes (LEDs)) coupled to the support structure and positioned behind respective windows of the one or more windows. In embodiments, the light assembly may include an arm that extends from the support structure to an underside of a brim of the outer shell. A power control element may be disposed on the end of the arm to control the one or more lights. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Coast Cutlery Co.
    Inventors: Todd Ernst, Brian Sheehy, Song YangZhi
  • Patent number: 11903438
    Abstract: The invention discloses a helmet with associated rotation of a chin guard and a face mask, comprising a helmet body, wherein the face mask and the chin guard are symmetrically hinged to a mounting groove at a side surface of the helmet body, the mounting groove is provided with a face mask rotation limiter, a face mask mount, a linkage guide annular piece connected with the face mask mount, a driving rod matched with the annular groove on the linkage guide annular piece, a chin guard mount connected with the driving rod via hinging pieces, and a chin guard rotation guide clamped on the driving rod and the chin guard mount, wherein a double-track guide groove for guiding the rotation of the chin guard is formed in the chin guard rotation guide, and the hinging pieces provided at two ends of the driving rod respectively pass through the double-track guide groove and are connected with the chin guard mount; wherein the face mask rotation limiter is mounted on the mounting groove by a connector, and the linkage g
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Jiangyin Dafeima Automobile Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Luca Guazzerotti
  • Patent number: 11903440
    Abstract: Multi-layered structures and methods for producing them are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Diya Bandyopadhyay, Yihua Chang, Christopher J. Dimitriou, Fred Lamar, Richard L Watkins, John R. Wright
  • Patent number: 11903441
    Abstract: This disclosure is directed to articles of footwear with adjustable dimensions. More specifically, the articles of footwear disclosed herein include sole structures with adjustable dimensions. In some instances, an article of footwear includes one or more removable insert members configured for adjusting the dimensions of a foot-receiving cavity of the article of footwear. Additionally or alternatively, a sole structure can include one or more flexible portions that can move between compressed and expanded states to accommodate feet of various dimensions. To accommodate the adjustable dimensions of the sole structures, an upper of the article of footwear can be stretchable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Ami M. Davis, Daniel J. Gearhardt, Michelle Haines, George S. Kim, Ryan J. Maddox, Austin J. Orand, Richard S. Ramsay, Sarah E. Sowers, Peter P. Williams, II, Patrick D. Boyd
  • Patent number: 11903442
    Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a foam element having a top surface and a bottom surface. The foam element includes a recess (i) formed in one of the top surface or the bottom surface, (ii) extending from a first end in a forefoot region of the sole structure to a second end in a mid-foot region of the sole structure, (iii) having a first edge extending between the first end and the second end and disposed proximate to a peripheral region of the sole structure, and (iv) a second edge extending between the first end and the second end and disposed at an interior region of the sole structure. A cushioning arrangement is disposed within the recess and includes an outer surface that is substantially flush with the one of the top surface or the bottom surface of the foam element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Nick S Frank, Dolores S. Thompson
  • Patent number: 11903443
    Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a midsole with a bladder system having a forefoot region, a midfoot region, and a heel region. The bladder system defines a first sealed chamber retaining fluid as a first cushioning layer, the first sealed chamber extending over the forefoot region, the midfoot region, and the heel region. The bladder system further defines multiple discreet sealed chambers retaining fluid in isolation from one another, each of the multiple discreet chambers disposed at one side of the first sealed chamber, and fluidly isolated from the first sealed chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Case, Zachary M. Elder, Dervin A. James, Lee D. Peyton
  • Patent number: 11903444
    Abstract: An upper for an article of footwear is disclosed. The upper can include a plurality of layers, such as an inner layer, a middle knit layer, and an outer layer. Each of the plurality of layers can provide different functionalities to the upper. The combination of the inner layer, middle knit layer, and the outer layer can be effective at transferring a load from the underfoot region to a position above the biteline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Neil Crumbleholme
  • Patent number: 11903445
    Abstract: An upper of an article of footwear including a dynamic material configured for topographic transformation to alter at least one of a fit, an insulation, or a ventilation, of the article of footwear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: FAST IP, LLC
    Inventors: Craig Cheney, Seth Munger
  • Patent number: 11903446
    Abstract: A method for printing on an article can include positioning an article and a fiducial within a field of view of an image sensor. The method can also include generating an image of the article and the fiducial, using the fiducial to determine a print location on the article, and printing a graphic on the article at the print location. A method for printing on an article additionally or alternatively can include transforming a graphic using a shape model to produce a transformed graphic and printing the transformed graphic on the article. A method for printing on an article additionally or alternatively can include retrieving a shape model corresponding to a reference article, obtaining a configuration file corresponding to the article, transforming a graphic based on the shape model and the configuration file to produce a transformed graphic, and printing the transformed graphic on the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Collier, Amie Evans, Laurel Manville, Todd W. Miller
  • Patent number: 11903447
    Abstract: Stitching is applied to a shoe or shoe component and then printed. The stitching may be formed from a continuous thread. After printing, a portion of the continuous thread may have a different color or appearance from other portion(s) of the continuous thread.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Kassio Figur, Bruce J. Kilgore, Christina M. Wood
  • Patent number: 11903448
    Abstract: Described are shoes for ball sports including an upper having an outer surface. An actuator is configured to change at least one surface property of a portion of the outer surface of the upper, and a sensor is configured to be sensitive to movements of the shoe. A processing unit is connected to the actuator and the sensor and configured to process sensor data retrieved from the sensor and to cause the actuator to change the at least one surface property of the portion of the outer surface of the upper if a predetermined event is detected in the sensor data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: adidas AG
    Inventors: Constantin Zwick, Robert Frank Kirk, Christian DiBenedetto, Eva Andrea Dorschky, Bjoern Michael Eskofier, Dominik Schuldhaus, Peter Georg Laitenberger, Iain James Sabberton
  • Patent number: 11903449
    Abstract: An article of footwear and related method includes a midsole, an upper secured with respect to the midsole, and a lace extending through the upper. A motorized lacing system positioned within the midsole, configured to engage with the lace to increase and decrease tension on the lace. The motorized lacing system includes a motor, including a motor shaft, a spool, coupled to the motor shaft, configured to spool and unspool the lace based on the turning of the motor shaft, a processor circuit, and an optical encoder. The optical encoder comprises a three-dimensional encoder defining a major axis and having a surface having a first plurality of segments positioned between a second plurality of segments, and an optical sensor, positioned within optical range of the cylindrical encoder, configured to output a signal to the processor circuit indicative of a detected one of a first and second plurality of segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Holli Pheil, Summer L. Schneider
  • Patent number: 11903450
    Abstract: A selectively height adjustable platform shoe assembly for increasing perceived height and actual reach of a user includes a pair of articles of footwear, each comprising a sole to which an upper is attached. The upper and the sole define a cavity, into which a respective foot of a user is insertable. A recess extends into a lower face of the sole and from proximate to a first end and second ends of the sole. A plurality of nested rings is attached to the sole and is positioned in the recess. An actuator is attached to the sole, is operationally engaged to the plurality of nested rings, and can selectively extend the nested rings from the recess. A controller is attached to the sole and is operationally engaged to the actuator. The controller is enabled to selectively actuate the actuator to extend the nested rings from the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Inventor: Esbeyda Del Rio