Processes Of Dispensing Patents (Class 222/1)
  • Patent number: 11465170
    Abstract: A dispensing control system includes a dispensing device and a remote device. The dispensing device includes a dispenser configured to dispense material from a cartridge disposed in the dispensing device, a first receiver configured to receive information related to the cartridge, a transmitter configured to transmit the information related to the cartridge, and an electronic controller configured to cause the transmitter of the dispensing device to transmit the information related to the cartridge. The remote device includes an electronic controller, a receiver and a transmitter, the receiver of the remote device is configured to receive the information related to the cartridge, the controller of the remote device is configured to monitor the information related to the cartridge and to cause the transmitter of the remote device to transmit the information related to the cartridge to a remote server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: MEDMIX SWITZERLAND AG
    Inventors: Hayden Turner, Victor Clemens
  • Patent number: 11446696
    Abstract: Technical Problem Provide is a discharge device capable of easily controlling an operation of a plunger at the time of supplying a viscous material to a cylinder and a liquid supply method capable of forming a desired overlap portion. Solution to Problem The discharge device 10 includes the supply valve 40 which controls the supply of the viscous material M to the cylinder 30, the plunger 50 which applies a pressure to the viscous material supplied to the cylinder, the ball screw 60 which is movable in the same direction as the back-and-forth direction of the plunger, and the motor 120 which is connected to the ball screw through the power transmission mechanism 110, wherein the plunger and the ball screw are not connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: THREEBOND CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ryota Suzuki, Naoya Saito
  • Patent number: 11447385
    Abstract: A novel disposable beverage dispenser is provided. The present invention provides a beverage dispenser that allows a user to easily serve several bagged beverages from a single container that is more convenient, presentable and pleasing for use in parties, meetings, and other social gatherings. The invention is particularly suited to serving wine and spirits. The invention presents multiple dispensing pockets and corresponding tap configurations for bagged beverages in a single, easy to carry container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Inventor: Hynek Chaloupka
  • Patent number: 11446206
    Abstract: A container for medical liquids comprises an inner container having a distal end and a proximal end, a first porous separating element being arranged at the proximal end, the first porous separating element delimiting a holding volume for holding a medical liquid, and comprising an outer container, in which the inner container is arranged with the proximal end and with at least portions of the holding volume. The outer container extends around the inner container gas-tight such that a gas under positive pressure can be arranged in a peripheral volume arranged between an outer surface of the inner container and an inner surface of the outer container. An outlet channel section is connected to the distal end of the inner container. At least portions of the outlet channel section are arranged outside of the outer container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: VETTER PHARMA-FERTIGUNG GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Ulrich Härtel
  • Patent number: 11445853
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a refrigerator, comprising a cabinet, a door and a water dispenser, wherein the water dispenser comprises a water tank, a drain path, a beverage making chamber and a dispenser, the beverage making chamber is communicated with the dispenser, the water dispenser further comprises an integration module provided between the water tank and the beverage making chamber, and the integration module comprises any one, two or all of the flow meter, the water pump and the heater. The refrigerator with the integration module may heat, pressurize the beverage and/or adjust the concentration of the beverage when the beverage is prepared, so that the user may make beverages of various flavors as required, and the diversification of drinking functions of the refrigerator is realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: QINGDAO HAIER JOINT STOCK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Lihua Zuo, Yanqing Zhang, Weishou Sun, Jianjun Xue, Chuan Cui
  • Patent number: 11433363
    Abstract: The invention relates to a mixer system for producing a cosmetic product. The invention also relates to a bottle for dispensing a cosmetic product. The mixer system is used to produce a cosmetic product from capsules (7, 8, 9) containing the raw materials needed in the composition of such a cosmetic product, namely the cosmetic texturiser, the cosmetic active ingredient and, optionally, a cosmetic fragrance. The invention is intended to be used in the cosmetics industry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: B2B COSMETICS
    Inventors: Julien Gros, Grégoire Tutenuit
  • Patent number: 11420432
    Abstract: A method of dispensing an adhesive on a substrate includes flowing an extrudate of the adhesive through a flow control valve and an application nozzle, and introducing a non-adhesive fluid into the extrudate within the flow control valve upstream from a distal end of the application nozzle such that the non-adhesive fluid interrupts a boundary layer of the extrudate and a non-contact cut of the extrudate is provided. The non-adhesive fluid can be air that forms a bubble in the extrudate of the adhesive flowing through the application nozzle and adhesive dispensed onto the substrate is free of a string and/or a teardrop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ahmad Mojdehi, David John Hill, Anthony J. Grima
  • Patent number: 11389377
    Abstract: A filling aid. The filling aid includes a needle housing portion including at least one tab having a starting position and a filling position, and a filling needle cradle including a filling needle, the filling needle cradle slidable connected to the needle housing portion and having a starting position and a filling position, wherein when the at least one tab on the needle housing moves from a starting position to a filling position, the filling needle cradle slides from a starting position to a filling position, and wherein when the at least one tab on the needle housing moves from a filling position to a starting position, the filling needle cradle slides from a filling position to a starting position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Richard J. Lanigan, Dean Kamen, Bright C. K. Foo, Kevin L. Grant, Lisa A. Gustin
  • Patent number: 11385088
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a dosing system (100) with an actuator unit (60) and a fluidic unit (10) which can be coupled thereto in a detachable manner, wherein the fluidic unit (10) has a nozzle (20) an element (30), mounted in a movable manner, and the actuator unit (60) has an actuator system (90), in order to actuate the movable element (30) of the fluidic unit (10), wherein the fluidic unit (10) has a first plug coupling part (11) and the actuator unit (60) has a second plug coupling part (61), which can be plugged into one another for coupling the fluidic unit (10) to the actuator unit (60) along a plugging axis (S) and can be coupled to one another integrally. The invention additionally relates to a fluidic unit (10) and an actuator unit (60) for such a dosing system (100) and also a method for the detachable coupling of a fluidic unit (10) to an actuator unit (60) of a dosing system (100).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: VERMES MICRODISPENSING GMBH
    Inventor: Mario Fliess
  • Patent number: 11372432
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a remote monitoring system for a fluid applicator system is disclosed. The fluid applicator system is disposed to heat and pump spray fluid, and to transmit reports including sensed temperatures, pressures, and other operational parameters of the fluid applicator system via a wireless network. The remote monitoring system comprises a data storage server, and an end user interface. The data storage server is configured to receive and archive the reports. The end user interface is configured to provide a graphical user interface based on the reports. The graphical user interface illustrates a status of the fluid handling system, sensed and commanded temperatures of the fluid handling system, sensed and commanded pressures of the fluid handling system, and usage statistics of the fluid handling system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher M. Lange, Nicholas A. Pagano
  • Patent number: 11357313
    Abstract: A plurality of caps are provided each with a visual coding of color and/or indicia for use with different sizes of bottles at least in accordance with a height of the bottles from a closed bottom end to an open top end for engaging each of the caps. Each of the caps has a tube mounted to, or through, an aperture extending through a top closed end of the cap to extend a selected length enabling one end of the tube to reach or extend along an interior surface of the bottom end of any of the bottles of the height to which the cap is coded for use therewith. The other end of tube is extendable to a bioreactor container. Each of the caps has another tube or port to another aperture of the cap to provide an air vent with an optional air filtering device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: ULTRAFAB, INC.
    Inventors: Alan P. Radcliffe, Alan J. Demello
  • Patent number: 11357363
    Abstract: A liquid soap dispensing device with a soap dispensing apparatus and a timer, and associated methods, are disclosed herein. The soap dispensing apparatus includes a housing and a soap dispensing element. The timer includes a traveling object (e.g., a ball), a track, and a mover. The track is configured to receive the traveling object at a start position and release the traveling object at an end position. The track is also configured to carry the traveling object from the start position to the end position in a time interval. The mover is configured to displace the traveling object from a first position to a second position. Displacement of the traveling object from the first position to the second position initiates the release of the traveling object onto the track at the start position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Inventor: Betty Ko Wong
  • Patent number: 11345582
    Abstract: A fluid integrating system (10) includes an integrating manifold (30) having two or more input fluid inlets (132) disposed at oblique angles relative to a center axis of the integrating manifold (30). The two or more input fluid inlets (132) intersect in the integrating manifold (30) to define an integrating chamber (112). The fluid integrating system also includes a pressure sensor (110) fluidly connected to the integrating chamber (112) that is operable to send a pressure signal indicative of the pressure of the fluid in the integrating chamber (112). A integrating controller (22) is operatively coupled to the two or more valves (60) and to the pressure sensor (110) and is operable to selectively control the flow of input fluids into the integrating chamber (112) by actuating the two or more valves (60) based on the pressure signal received from the pressure sensor (110).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: ConceptR Partners LLC
    Inventors: Nathaniel Joel Radcliffe, Clark Jeffrey Radcliffe
  • Patent number: 11344474
    Abstract: Container connector includes a base in which a flow path is formed, an engagement section disposed on a circle set to the base, a guiding section disposed continuously with the engagement section, and having a guide surface formed as a curved surface to guide the container to the engagement section and facing a side of an axis of the circle, and an arm provided in the base, and movably supporting the guiding section in a direction toward the axis of the circle and a direction away from the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Daiwa Can Company
    Inventors: Toshihiro Asano, Toshio Iino, Mio Hattori, Naoyuki Takahashi, Naoki Sunaga
  • Patent number: 11338256
    Abstract: Disclosed is an automatic sealant production line, including a sealant preparation apparatus and a packaging apparatus. The sealant preparation apparatus includes a material storage device, a liquid storage device, a material sending device, a lateral material feeding device, a first-order screw unit, a first liquid feeding device, a heat exchanger, a second-order screw unit, a pigment feeding device, a cooler and a buffer tank device. The packaging apparatus includes a filling device and a packaging device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Guangzhou Baiyun Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xiaohua Shi, Xueqing Hu, Xuexin Pang, Mingsong Miao, Zhenhai Liu, Jianjin Lin, Haolin Hu
  • Patent number: 11332357
    Abstract: A liquid quality management device capable of being added to a liquid supply system which can supply a liquid within a storage container to a dispensing device in order to cool the liquid, and can dispense the liquid to a drinking container. The liquid quality management device includes an actual flow rate preparation unit including a flow rate sensor for determining an actual measured flow rate of the liquid; a dispensing liquid temperature sensor for measuring a temperature of the liquid dispensed into the drinking container; and a determination unit electrically connected to the actual flow rate preparation unit and the dispensing liquid temperature sensor, for determining an integrated flow rate of the liquid when the liquid temperature is equal to or higher than a set temperature, and for determining whether or not coolability of the dispensing device is suitable by comparing the integrated flow rate with a determination value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignees: ASAHI GROUP HOLDINGS, LTD., ASAHI BREWERIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Naoyuki Yamashita, Junichi Kitano, Takashi Wada, Kenji Kusunoki
  • Patent number: 11312610
    Abstract: A beverage dispenser and method for operating a beverage dispenser may include receiving a handshake request from a mobile device of a user. A communications link may be established with the mobile device. Responsive to receiving control data associated with a beverage order from the mobile device, a physical function may be caused to be performed by the beverage dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
    Inventors: Arthur G. Rudick, Rabab Saqib Karori, John Boyd, Keith A. Gibson, Damian J. Mycroft, Scott Cuppari, David Mulcahey
  • Patent number: 11293551
    Abstract: A monolithic break-seal includes a membrane that separates an outer ring from an inner ring. The inner ring is bonded to a vacuum cell and the outer ring is bonded to a vacuum interface. To protect against unintentional breakage of the membrane, a surface of the outer ring not bonded to the vacuum interface contacts the vacuum cell. An external vacuum system evacuates the vacuum cell through an aperture of the break-seal. Once a target vacuum level is reached for the vacuum cell, a cap is bonded to the inner ring, blocking the aperture and hermetically sealing the vacuum cell. The membrane is broken so that the hermetically sealed vacuum cell can be separated from the vacuum interface to which the outer ring remains bonded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: ColdQuanta, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven Michael Hughes
  • Patent number: 11230466
    Abstract: A beverage dispenser includes an inlet for drawing a liquid from a source and an outlet for outputting a beverage to a portable user vessel. A demineralization device demineralizes the liquid from the source and has an input and an output. The input of the demineralization device is coupled with the inlet. A beverage preparation device has an input and an output. The input of the beverage preparation device is coupled with the output of the demineralization device and the output of the beverage preparation device is coupled with the outlet. The beverage preparation device, the outlet, all active components and all passive components downstream of the demineralization device contacting the beverage are made of a biological inert material, particularly a biological inert metal, on any surface contacting the water. All couplings of the beverage dispenser are manufactured such that stagnation even of small quantities of beverage is avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: RIPRUP Company S.A.
    Inventors: Monique Bissen, Josef Schucker
  • Patent number: 11224851
    Abstract: A plug (10) for plugging a port (P) in a flow reactor comprises a metal guide (12) having first and second ends (14,16) and a wall (18) surrounding a cylindrical interior volume (20) having an opening (22) at the first end (14); a plug body (40) having a first face (42) and an opposing second face (44) and a side surface (46) and positioned partially within the interior volume (20) with the first face (42) protruding from the opening (22); wherein the plug body (40) comprises a chemically resistant first polymer constituting at least the first face (42) and a thermally resistant second polymer constituting at least the second face (44) and at least a portion of the side surface (46).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: CORNING INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Sylvain Maxime F Gremetz, Olivier Lobet, Alexis Maury
  • Patent number: 11207810
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems are disclosed including a method of filling a container with substantially only a liquid. The method can include the removal of a gas from the container prior to, during or after the filling of the container with the liquid. According to one embodiment, the container includes an inner liner and a lid. The method includes providing a volume defined by at least the inner liner and the lid of the container. In such embodiment, the liquid can initially be contained within a first portion of the volume and a remaining portion of the volume can contain a gas. The method can include removing substantially all the gas from the volume via one or more ports that communicate with the volume while retaining substantially only the liquid within the volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Mark F. Schulz, Brian S. Boothman, Scott D. Gullicks
  • Patent number: 11195364
    Abstract: A method for the operation of a drinks preparation machine, for producing a total product while using a portion package includes the following steps, which are carried out by the drinks preparation machine: a receiving step for receiving, by a communication unit, an activation command for activating a certain action in the drinks preparation machine, and authentication information; an examination step for examining, on the basis of the authentication information, whether the activation command originates from an operating appliance that is authorized for activating the certain action in the drinks preparation machine; and only in the case that the operating appliance is authorized for this. carrying out the action, particularly a production step for producing the total product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: TCHIBO GMBH
    Inventors: Doreen Hartmann, Hosun Lee, Dominik Franke
  • Patent number: 11180309
    Abstract: Devices and methods for dispensing beverage from a container, such as a wine bottle, using a dispensing device. The device may automatically purge at least one conduit used to deliver gas to a beverage container or to carry beverage from the beverage container in response to detecting that a dispensing operation is about to begin, or in response to detecting that a dispensing operation is complete. Visual or other displays may be provided to the user to indicate that the device is ready for use in dispensing, that a conduit is in fluid communication with the container interior and/or that the device is controlling components to dispense beverage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Coravin, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Rider, Andrew S. Sweezey, Chris Vogt
  • Patent number: 11166877
    Abstract: A fill adapter for filling a reservoir and a related method are disclosed herein. The fill adapter includes a button assembly actuator and a pump chamber plunger actuator hingably attached to the button assembly actuator, wherein the actuation of the button assembly actuator actuates the pump chamber plunger actuator and wherein the pump chamber plunger actuator actuates a pump chamber membrane before the at least one button assembly is actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Gregory R. Lanier, Jr., Richard J. Lanigan, Stephen L. Fichera, Dean Kamen, Larry B. Gray
  • Patent number: 11155424
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the present invention is directed to an apparatus for emptying material from a container on a vehicle. The apparatus has a container with a bottom surface and a sidewall. A membrane being mounted within the container proximate the sidewall and the bottom surface. The apparatus further includes an engine and ducts having a first end and a second end. The first end connected to the engine so as to receive gas from the engine and connected at the second end to the membrane so as to direct the gas into the membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Denver R. Yoder, Matthew Gyenes, Mark D. Dilts
  • Patent number: 11155758
    Abstract: A method of dosing a system with HCL is provided. The method includes at least two parallel trains. The method utilizes a first operating mode, wherein at least one primary train is actively providing HCL to an end user, and at least one secondary train is either inactive or also providing HCL to the end user. The method utilizes a second operating mode, wherein the least one primary train is evacuating the contents of the train to a disposal system, and the at least one secondary train is providing HCL to the end user. And the system utilizes a third operating mode, wherein the at least one primary train is purging the train, and the at least one secondary train is providing HCL to the end user. The first operating mode, the second operating mode, and the third operating mode are controlled by an electronic monitoring and control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Airgas, Inc.
    Inventors: Andy Shurtleff, Mark Joseph Doore, Andrew Slaugh
  • Patent number: 11135654
    Abstract: This invention teaches a quality assurance system for additive manufacturing. This invention teaches a multi-sensor, real-time quality system including sensors, affiliated hardware, and data processing algorithms that are Lagrangian-Eulerian with respect to the reference frames of its associated input measurements. The quality system for Additive Manufacturing is capable of measuring true in-process state variables associated with an additive manufacturing process, i.e. those in-process variables that define a feasible process space within which the process is deemed nominal. The in-process state variables can also be correlated to the part structure or microstructure and can then be useful in identifying particular locations within the part likely to include defects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: SIGMA LABS, INC.
    Inventors: Vivek R. Dave, R. Bruce Madigan, Mark J. Cola, Martin S. Piltch
  • Patent number: 11135585
    Abstract: The present technology is mainly directed to providing a technology that enables smooth setting of sheath liquid. Provided is a fluid control device including at least a support portion that supports a sheath liquid storage unit and a sealed portion that houses the support portion. The support portion is detachable from the sealed portion, and the sealed portion is controlled by pressurization in order to feed sheath liquid stored in the sheath liquid storage unit to a microparticle measurement device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshitsugu Sakai, Ichiro Fujii, Ryoichi Kubota, Shinichi Hasegawa, Takashi Miyata, Emi Ikeda
  • Patent number: 11110696
    Abstract: A color 3D printer and its method of use are disclosed. The color 3D printer uses a number of chambers to dye a filament to a given color. This colored filament is then extruded, pursuant to an associated 3D model of an object, to produce varying colored physical objects, on demand, with the use of a single filament and a single print head. Further, the color 3D printer features a waste management apparatus which provides a number of ways to dispose of waste fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: R3 Printing, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Sieradzki, Daniel Downs
  • Patent number: 11104528
    Abstract: A storage bin sweep system including a sweep assembly having an inboard end, an outboard end, a forward side and a rearward side and including a sweep housing extending between the inboard and outboard ends, a plurality of paddles movable on a path extending along at least a portion of the sweep assembly between the inboard and outboard ends, and an endless loop member mounted on the sweep housing and on which the plurality of paddles are mounted at spaced locations along the endless loop member. At least one of the paddles may have a front surface contoured in a manner to urge particles located forward of the paddle toward the rearward side of the sweep assembly as the paddle moves toward the inboard end of the sweep assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Sioux Steel Company
    Inventors: Brent J. Bloemendaal, Brian Schuelke
  • Patent number: 11104568
    Abstract: Non-electric fountain beverage dispensers for dispensing a variety of beverages without the use of electricity. The non-electric fountain beverage dispenser may include a gas container for storing a pressurized gas, a base liquid storage container for storing a base liquid, and a gas supply line that communicates pressurized gas from the gas container to the base liquid storage container and to a syrup storage container. Non-electric beverage dispenser further includes a mechanical dispensing valve in fluid communication with the base liquid storage container and the syrup storage container by means of a base liquid supply line and a syrup supply line, respectively, such that the mechanical dispensing valve is capable of selectively dispensing a mixture of the base liquid and the syrup. Non-electric fountain beverage dispenser further includes a non-electric cooling unit for cooling the base liquid without the use of electricity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: PepsiCo, Inc.
    Inventors: Amandeep Singh Gulati, Gurmeet Singh Bhutani, Rahul Sadashiv Kamble
  • Patent number: 11098779
    Abstract: Disclosed is an electromechanical disc brake. The electromechanical disc brake includes a piston slidably disposed in a cylinder of a caliper housing to press a pad plate, an actuator including a motor and a speed reduction device for reducing a rotation speed of the motor, an output conversion device for converting a rotational motion from the speed reduction device into a linear motion and imparting a thrust to move the piston, an elastic member for moving the output conversion device to the original position when releasing braking, and a clutch device for releasing a torque acting on the speed reduction device such that the output conversion device is moved to the original position by the elastic member when releasing the braking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Jae Jin Hur
  • Patent number: 11083208
    Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing a dispensable product can include a flexible inner container and an outer container. The inner container can have a cavity configured to receive a dispensable product, a top end defining or configured to define a sealable opening in fluid communication with the cavity, and a closed bottom end that defines one or more corners. The outer container can have a cavity configured to receive the inner container, a top end that is open or is configured to be opened, and a closed bottom. The inner container can be sized such that, when the top end of the outer container is open, the inner container is disposable within the cavity of the outer container such that the corner(s) are disposed within the cavity of the outer container and the top end of the inner container is foldable over the top end of the outer container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Inventor: Eva Brown
  • Patent number: 11087376
    Abstract: A system and method may present, by a first application being executed by an electronic device, a first user interface that enables a user to select a food item and/or non-food item for purchase at a retail establishment. In response to receiving, by the first application, a request from the user using the first user interface to purchase a beverage at the retail establishment, a second application may be linked with the first application. A data repository inclusive of selectable beverage options available for dispensing by a beverage dispenser at the retail establishment may be accessed. The second application may present a second user interface for selection of a selectable beverage option. A selected beverage instruction code representative of a selected beverage may be generated and communicated to the beverage dispenser at the retail establishment to cause the beverage dispenser to be configured for dispensing the selected beverage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
    Inventors: Scott Cuppari, Steven Hilton
  • Patent number: 11077023
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a system for synthesizing a medical preparation, a peristaltic pump being used for pumping liquid from a plurality of source containers. According to the invention, micro-amounts are extracted only in the linear region of the peristaltic pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Fresenius Kabi Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Biehl, Michael Hock, Henrik Schaake, Martin Bohm, Ulla Schöbel
  • Patent number: 11066180
    Abstract: A refuelling system is disclosed having a fuel conduit, a variable-position valve for controlling a rate of flow of fuel leaving the conduit, and a controller. The controller is configured to receive from a sensor arrangement a measurement of an electrostatic condition in a fuel tank being fuelled by the system. The controller is configured to control the variable-position valve to control the rate of flow of fuel based at least in part on the measurement received from the sensor arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS LIMITED
    Inventor: Richard Mills
  • Patent number: 11059711
    Abstract: A beverage apparatus, the beverage apparatus being hand-holdable by a user of the beverage apparatus to be portable, can include a beverage chamber housing that includes a chamber for storing a consumable liquid. The beverage apparatus can include a dispensing assembly that includes a receptacle. The receptacle can retain a vessel. The vessel can include an electronic tag and can contain an additive. The dispensing assembly can be operatively controllable by a controller to output the additive from the vessel into the consumable liquid. The beverage apparatus can include one or more sensors, devices, or assemblies that can be used to detect a volume of liquid in the chamber or a liquid level in the chamber. The beverage apparatus can include an apparatus processing portion (ACP) and an apparatus database portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Infuze, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Mark Lyons, Abraham Maclean
  • Patent number: 11059664
    Abstract: A compressed air cleaning system for removing particles carried and transported in large containers, which includes a container having an upper portion and a lower chute portion for dispensing particles therethrough, a refillable compressed air tank adaptably connecting to an air compressor, and an air hose assembly in communication with the air tank and container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Inventor: Thomas Dale Schroeder
  • Patent number: 11054354
    Abstract: Disposition of a wrong liquid for analysis or a liquid for analysis connected to a wrong pipe is detected as abnormal use. A liquid-for-analysis monitor includes: a weighing scale that weighs a container that contains a liquid as a liquid for analysis that needs to be used in analysis; a density storing part that stores a density ? of the liquid for analysis; and a liquid-for-analysis determining part configured to obtain a variation ?M between a weight of the container weighed by the weighing scale before a decreasing operation that decreases the liquid for analysis and a weight of the container weighed by the weighing scale after the decreasing operation, and determine whether the liquid for analysis has been normally used in the decreasing operation or not, based on the obtained variation ?M, a volume V of the decrease in the liquid in the container in the decreasing operation, and the density ? of the liquid for analysis stored in the density storing part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: SHIMADZU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takuya Isoi
  • Patent number: 11040377
    Abstract: A device for packaging and dispensing a chemical product is provided. The device may include a first portion connected to a second portion. Counterpoising locking features may secure the first portion and the second portion. A support member is disposed within the lower portion and adapted to support the product. The device may include a flexible enclosure contoured to and enclosing the rigid body and the product. The flexible enclosure may enclose a portion of the housing and the product, after which heat is applied to shrink the flexible enclosure. A handle may provide for ease of installation and/or removal of the device from a solid chemical dispensing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Scott Conrad, Sarah Elise Gilbertson, Scott R. Limback, Daniel Osterberg, Gretchen King, Jeffrey Michael Schultz, Peter Swenson, Timothy Meier
  • Patent number: 11021360
    Abstract: An apparatus for making a beverage includes a housing, a first receptacle, a second receptacle, a cutting assembly, a water source, and at least one water outlet. The first receptacle is positioned in the housing for accepting a first beverage container containing a liquid. The second receptacle is positioned in the housing for accepting a second beverage container containing a liquid. The cutting assembly has a cutting blade that is movable relative to the first and second receptacles for opening the first and second containers substantially simultaneously so that liquid stored therein can be at least in part evacuated. The water source is coupled to the housing The at least one water outlet is associated with one or more of the first and second receptacles for adding water to the liquid from the first and second beverage containers from the water source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Bibo Barmaid LLC
    Inventors: Douglas F. Melville, Jr., Gary M. Barch, Craig Bures, Debra L. Walker
  • Patent number: 11009518
    Abstract: There is provided an automated analyzer which can eliminate static charge on receptacles storing analytes or reagents to thereby offer improved accuracy of analysis. The automated analyzer comprises: a receptacle carrier mechanism operative to hold a plurality of receptacles storing liquid and to carry the held receptacles in a given direction; a reader device for reading identification information of the receptacles carried by the receptacle carrier mechanism; a static eliminator for eliminating static charge on the receptacles carried by the receptacle carrier mechanism; and an input/output controller for causing the static eliminator to carry out the elimination of the static charge in synchronism with successive reading by the reader device of the identification information of the receptacles carried by the receptacle carrier mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Inventor: Takeshi Kitamura
  • Patent number: 10994979
    Abstract: A beverage apparatus, the beverage apparatus being hand-holdable by a user of the beverage apparatus to be portable, can include a beverage chamber housing that includes a chamber for storing a consumable liquid. The beverage apparatus can include a dispensing assembly that includes a receptacle. The receptacle can retain a vessel. The vessel can include an electronic tag and can contain an additive. The dispensing assembly can be operatively controllable by a controller to output the additive from the vessel into the consumable liquid. The beverage apparatus can include one or more sensors, devices, or assemblies that can be used to detect a volume of liquid in the chamber or a liquid level in the chamber. The beverage apparatus can include an apparatus processing portion (ACP) and an apparatus database portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: LifeFuels, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Lyons, Abraham Maclean
  • Patent number: 10981772
    Abstract: A beverage apparatus, the beverage apparatus being hand-holdable by a user of the beverage apparatus to be portable, can include a beverage chamber housing that includes a chamber for storing a consumable liquid. The beverage apparatus can include a dispensing assembly that includes a receptacle. The receptacle can retain a vessel. The vessel can include an electronic tag and can contain an additive. The dispensing assembly can be operatively controllable by a controller to output the additive from the vessel into the consumable liquid. The beverage apparatus can include one or more sensors, devices, or assemblies that can be used to detect a volume of liquid in the chamber or a liquid level in the chamber. The beverage apparatus can include an apparatus computer processor portion (ACP) and an apparatus database portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: LifeFuels, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Lyons, Robert Lawson-Shanks, Abraham MacLean, Justin Toelle, Filipe Aguiar, Aleksander Drozdetski
  • Patent number: 10977926
    Abstract: Method for the disinfection and the quality control of the disinfection of the hands of a user comprising the steps of: dispensing a predetermined amount of the mixture of a disinfectant substance and a light reflection modifying substance on the hands to be disinfected, allowing the user to smear and rub the mixture on his/her hands, inserting the hands one after the other into an imaging compartment (11) of an apparatus (10) for disinfection quality control; illuminating the inserted hand with light sources (14) emitting light having a predetermined spectral distribution and intensity; recording the image of the hand (9) from both sides by cameras (16); processing the recorded image to provide distinction between areas of the hand contacted and non-contacted by the mixture, wherein the light reflection modifying substance is a substance that absorbs light in at least a predetermined range a wavelength which is added to the disinfectant substance in an amount that decreases light absorption of areas treat
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Inventors: Tamás Péter Haidegger, Péter Szerémy, Ákos Lehotsky, Gergely Major, Bence Takács, Péter Róna
  • Patent number: 10976754
    Abstract: A method of a method of controlling a volume of material dispensed by a constant pressure adhesive and sealant dispensing system controlled by a controller during shots includes automatically adjusting a proportional valve control setting for an orifice size of a controlled pressure regulator. An orifice size control pressure corresponding to the proportional valve control setting is applied to an orifice size control inlet of the controlled pressure regulator. A volume of the material dispensed during each shot is monitored and when the volume of material dispensed during each shot of a predetermined number of successive shots is outside a target range, the proportional valve control setting is automatically adjusted by the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: FCA US LLC
    Inventors: Michael D Mitchell, Phillip M Markison, John Macdonald, Michael M Zupancic
  • Patent number: 10968031
    Abstract: A piston for a collapsible cartridge for dispensing a material, the piston includes a rigid portion and a flexible portion. The rigid portion has a first diameter, a first end and a second end. The first end is configured to be disposed in a material dispensing direction. The flexible portion has a second diameter less than the first diameter, a first end disposed in the material dispensing direction and a second end disposed in an opposite direction. The flexible portion is disposed on the first end of the rigid portion such that the second end of the flexible portion is disposed to face the first end of the rigid portion. The flexible portion is configured to radially expand and longitudinally compress upon a force applied to the first end of the flexible portion to compress the collapsible cartridge between the flexible portion and an interior surface of a support cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: SULZER MIXPAC AG
    Inventors: Hayden Turner, Evan Travers
  • Patent number: 10961101
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a body shell including a proximate end, a distal end, and a cylindrical passage. The apparatus also includes a piercing tube, which is slidably positioned within the cylindrical passage of the body shell. The piercing tube includes a proximate end including a piercing element with a central opening. The piercing tube also includes a distal end including a drinking spout. The piercing tube also includes a drink passage between the central opening of the piercing element and the drinking spout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Chug Co, LLC
    Inventor: Kyle Alan Clark
  • Patent number: 10961111
    Abstract: The invention relates to removal equipment for removing fuel from a fuel container for fuel cells, wherein the removal equipment comprises: a sealing element for sealing an opening in the fuel container; a fuel line for establishing a first fluid connection between a fuel removal opening in the sealing element and a liquid fuel inside the fuel container; a float suitable for floating on the liquid fuel within the fuel container; and a flexible pressure equalisation line for establishing a second fluid connection between a gas region inside the fuel container, more particularly above the liquid fuel, and a pressure equalisation opening in the sealing element; wherein an end section of the pressure equalisation line is connected to the float. The removal device according to the invention is characterised in that the float is equipped with a damping device for damping impacts of the float against a wall of the fuel container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: SFC ENERGY AG
    Inventors: Oliver Meixner, Matthias Wienke, Florian Taschke
  • Patent number: 10946784
    Abstract: A tank and a method of holding a load and discharging a load therefrom. The tank includes a body having a first wall that bounds and defines a first compartment for holding a load therein and a second wall spaced outwardly from at least a portion of the first wall; wherein a second compartment is defined between the first wall and the second wall. The tank assembly includes an air piping system that is selectively actuated to place the first compartment and the second compartment under substantially similar or substantially equal air pressure. In one example the air piping system pumps air into the first compartment and the second compartment. In another example the air piping system evacuates air from the first and second compartments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Mac Trailer Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott A. Kibler, Allen Gordon