Internal Patents (Class 53/330)
  • Patent number: 10065232
    Abstract: A device to bend a tab on a container that is already filled and sealed. The device includes a brace for contacting against the tab and a number of lever arms arranged to extend around the tab from multiple different sides. The lever arms are configured to move between a first orientation that are spaced away from the tab, and a second orientation in contact with the tab. The lever arms are further configured to apply a force to the end of the tab to bend a second end upward away from a top side of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Station 4 LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Lee Arthur, Leia Barnwell
  • Patent number: 10020084
    Abstract: A system and method for managing spent nuclear fuel includes a small capacity canister that preferably encloses or encapsulates a single spent nuclear fuel rod assembly but can enclose up to six spent nuclear fuel rod assemblies. The canister is air tight and prevents radioactive material from escaping. The canister is loaded by positioning a single spent nuclear fuel rod assembly in the canister and then closing the canister to make it air tight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: EnergySolutions, LLC
    Inventors: Robert A. Lehnert, Brandon D. Thomas, Steven E. Sisley
  • Patent number: 9845230
    Abstract: A closing device, in particular for bottles, jars, pots or similar packaging containers for pharmaceutical or cosmetic products, having a rotationally drivable screw head for screwing a closure, for example a screw cap, onto the container which screw head has on a carrier a gripping part for grasping a closure and is actuable between a release position and a clamping position. The gripping part is embraced by a sliding cage for actuation by relative movement. Both the gripping part and the sliding cage are configured as a monolithic component and the two are intertwined in such a way that parts of the sliding cage reach through openings in the gripping part into the interior thereof and as far as a lifting apparatus in the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: GRONINGER GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Volker Groninger, Ralf Glock
  • Patent number: 7439231
    Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds, pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds and methods for their use. In particular, the compounds of the invention are useful for the treatment or prevention of diseases associated with T cell proliferation such as autoimmune diseases and disorders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Provid Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Olson, Charles Cook, Christopher Self
  • Patent number: 7328549
    Abstract: A process by which low viscosities liquids are filled into syringes without gas bubbles utilizing lowered temperature and valves to isolate the filling system from the vacuum. The liquid may be drug, device, pharmaceutical, and/or biotech products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Hyaluron, Inc.
    Inventors: Shawn Kinney, Andrea Wagner
  • Publication number: 20020062627
    Abstract: Process for the fastening of objects into a box made of a bottom (1e) and of at least four lateral sides (1a, 1b, 1c, . . . ), characterized in that introduced into this box (1) is a sheet (2) of a flexible material, for example, made of cardboard, this sheet consisting of a central part (2k) having dimensions that are approximately the same as the bottom (1e) of the box (1), in a manner so as to be able to be displaced in a direction to the bottom of it, and, on at least two opposing sides of this central part (2k), at least one flexible folding panel (2d, 2e, . . . ), these flexible folding panels being folded up to the top, the fastening sheet (2), shaped and prepared in this way being then inserted and pushed into the box (1) until it contacts the upper surface of the objects (3) housed in the box and its folding panels (2d, 2e, . . . ) being pushed back, applied and fixed, for example, by gluing, against the internal side of the lateral walls (1a, 1b, 1c, . . .
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2001
    Publication date: May 30, 2002
    Applicant: B PLUS DEVELOPMENT (S.A.)
    Inventors: Christian Esnault, Claude Durand
  • Patent number: 6167682
    Abstract: Drums or vessels with bungs or orifices having generally cylindrical walls with edges capable of being sealed-against are sealed with closures that deform into contact with those edges and provide seals that are tamper-proof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Inventor: Robert B. Moon
  • Patent number: 5946883
    Abstract: A drug filling machine has a plurality of feeders containing a plurality of different kinds of drugs. A plurality of drugs are discharged from one or some or the feeders into a vial. A sealing unit is provided for sealing the mouth of the vial with a transparent sheet. The sealing unit includes a sheet presser for pushing the transparent sheet into the mouth of the vial to form a sealing sheet having a tray-shaped section, a cutter for cutting the transparent sheet into a predetermined shape, and a heater for fusing the transparent sheet to the top end of the vial to seal the mouth of the vial.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Yuyama Seisakusho
    Inventors: Shoji Yuyama, Hiroyasu Hamada
  • Patent number: 5857308
    Abstract: A double lid system is provided with an electric motor (44) to actuate mechanisms to release the lid (20) from a drum (18) and simultaneously clamp the lid (20) to a door (14) of a port (or vice versa), and with an electric motor (74) to withdraw the door (14) from the port to open the port (or to close it). The system is monitored by sensors (60,62,64,82) associated with an electronic logic interlock to ensure the correct sequence of operations of the motors (44,74). The sensors (60,62,64,82) and the motors (44,74) are readily demountable for remote maintenance or replacement. The door-opening motor (74) may he a linear actuator cooperating with a part-helical slot (80) to open the door (14) and then swing it clear of the port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: AEA Technology plc
    Inventors: Timothy John Dismore, Donald John Michael Drew
  • Patent number: 5636784
    Abstract: A pack for liquids having a flat top wall portion of plastics-coated cardboard in which a pouring device is arranged. A method of manufacturing an improved pouring device, economically and in a technically simple way, and which pouring device can be opened easily by the end user and closed again in such a way that it is even liquid-tight. The pouring device having a bottom part containing two holes and a cover connected thereto in hinge-like manner and containing two closure caps, with a collar surrounding each hole outwardly, the respective closure cap having a sealing lip which can be engaged with the collar, and arranged on the inside, oppositely disposed to the respective collar, of the bottom part is a shoulder which projects through a corresponding hole in the top wall portion to the inside of the pack, with the bottom part welded to the outer face and inner face of the top wall portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Inventor: Pierre Huser
  • Patent number: 5577370
    Abstract: A food container includes a recessed film membrane which seals the container. The recessed film membrane is applied with an apparatus which includes a container holder and a film membrane applicator. The film membrane applicator applies the film membrane to the container and seals the film membrane to the container. The applicator includes a sealing head which places the film membrane into the container. The sealing head seals an edge of the film membrane to an inner wall of the container using heat. The film membrane is moved through the applicator and cut. The sealing head includes two lips to provide a double seal between the film membrane and the inner wall of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Assignee: The Pillsbury Company
    Inventors: Bernard W. Pajak, Richard A. Kennedy, Paul K. Bowers
  • Patent number: 5491955
    Abstract: A suture winder machine and, more particularly, a semi-automated suture winding station of the machine adapted to facilitate the high-speed winding of multiple sutures, which are each attached to needles, into a peripheral channel of a tray utilized for packaging the needles and attached sutures. A substantially flat suture tray loaded with multiple needles and sutures extending therefrom is mounted on a rotatable platform incorporating registration structure for ensuring the appropriate mounting and positioning of the suture tray thereon, and with the winding machine containing operative structure adapted to rotate the suture tray about an axis perpendicular to the planar surface thereof so as to enable the extending multiple sutures to be bundled and wound for depositing in a channel formed along the periphery of the suture tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1996
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventor: Martin Sobel
  • Patent number: 5074034
    Abstract: An end cap staking apparatus comprises a frame (28) with a slide rail (34) on which a staking mechanism is slidably mounted, the mechanism including a base plate (32) from which a mounting flange (72) extends, a quill shaft (82) supported by the mounting flange, a pivot ring (92) mounted on the free end of the quill shaft, a plurality of elongated staking fingers (102) pivotably supported between their ends around the pivot ring, an outwardly flaring portion (110) on one end of each staking finger, a cam follower (118) on the opposite end of each staking finger, a cam (88) engaged with the cam followers and an actuator (130-158) for the cam to move the flaring portions radially for staking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1991
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: William C. Lebbon
  • Patent number: 5056293
    Abstract: An annular container mounted at the base of a passage between a layering tube and a central mandrel is charged with a layered tube of flexible tubing delivered over a floating mandrel when coaxially in contact with mandrel by driving rollers coacting with pinch rollers on the floating mandrel. The tubing passes over the mandrel and gathers in the layering tube while being compacted by two sets of shoes reciprocated 180.degree. out of phase by rotating discs and connecting rods. When sufficient tubing has been delivered the floating mandrel is raised to enable a hot wire to pass between the mandrels to sever the tubing. The layering tube and central mandrel with the container can then be carried by a turntable through further stationary positions where the layered tubing is further compressed by reciprocable rings, a lid is put on the container to form a cassette and the cassette is discharged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1991
    Assignee: Process Improvements Limited
    Inventors: David C. Richards, Maurice S. Williams, Brian Ward
  • Patent number: 5016422
    Abstract: Apparatus to screw heavy lids very sensitively on thick-walled receptacles n order to avoid damaging the threads includes a stationary member centered on the receptacle and of an axially movable platform which is guided such that torques can be transmitted and the common axis always remains the same. Resilient members of adjustable length transmit mass forces in vertical direction exactly on the stationary member and prevent additional forces from acting on the flanks of the threads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1991
    Assignee: Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Wiederaufarbeitung Von Kernbrennstoffen mbH
    Inventors: Franz-Wolfgang Popp, Erwin Krammer, Wolfgang Genannt, Dietmar Flehr
  • Patent number: 4989394
    Abstract: A radially expansible press plunge comprising two main parts named formation part (1) and expansion part (2) which are movable in relation to each other, and in which the expansion part (2) is arranged to provide an expansion of at least some part (16) of the press plunge when the said main parts (1, 2) are moved together, and in which the expansion part (2) comprises a cup formed expansion body (16), and in which the formation part (1) is designed with a formation surface (12) against which at least parts of the expansion body (16) is adapted to slide when the formation part (1) and the expansion part (2) are moved axially towards each other, and in which the expansion part (2) is materially composed of two different portions, namely an outer press portion (19) for executing the actual radially outwards directed contact pressure of the press plunge and consisting of a wear resistant, temperature resistant and elastic material, and an inner carrier portion (20) of a relatively hard, elastic material, preferab
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1991
    Assignee: Akerlund & Rausing Licens Aktiebolag
    Inventors: Gunnar Berg, Torkel Johansson, Bo Sjogren
  • Patent number: 4938000
    Abstract: A crimper head for use in introducing a fluid product under pressure into the mouth of a container provided with a closure and thereafter crimping the closure to the container mouth. A container, such as for an aerosol package, with a closure resting freely in the mouth of the container is delivered to the crimper head. The head has a lower bell which forms a seal with the upper end of the container when the head is lowered. While the bell remains stationary, other parts of the head are actuated so that vacuum is applied to the bell and the container while the closure is lifted by vacuum from the mouth. Thereafter, the head is actuated to shut off the vacuum and admit a metered quantity of fluid under pressure, such as aerosol propellant, into the bell and container. When the pressurized fluid is admitted it lifts the closure from the container mouth and also acts to lift as a unit all parts of the head except the bell which remains stationary and engaged with the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1990
    Assignee: The Kartridg Pak Co.
    Inventors: Rodney P. Smith, Donald E. Cohrs
  • Patent number: 4875324
    Abstract: A crimper head for use in introducing a fluid product under pressure into the mouth of a container provided with a closure and thereafter crimping the closure to the container mouth. A container, such as for an aerosol package, with a closure resting freely in the mouth of the container is delivered to the crimper head. The head has a lower bell which forms a seal with the upper end of the container when the head is lowered. While the bell remains stationary, other parts of the head are actuated so that vacuum is applied to the bell and the container while the closure is lifted by vacuum from the mouth. Thereafter, the head is actuated to shut off the vacuum and admit a metered quantity of fluid under pressure, such as aerosol propellant, into the bell and container. When the pressurized fluid is admitted it lifts the closure from the container mouth and also acts to lift as a unit all parts of the head except the bell which remains stationary and engaged with the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1989
    Assignee: The Kartridg Pak Co.
    Inventor: Donald E. Cohrs
  • Patent number: 4854110
    Abstract: A method for the design of a pressure vessel which incorporates two ends of a straight wall cylinder which are capped and sealed to form a container capable of holding the vessel contents under pressure. This method is applicable to metal as well as non-metal vessels and to vessels having unusual shapes or combinations of such geometries, such as square, oval, triangular, complex and irregular curves or combinations. The vessel may be made on a continuous basis from endless lengths of vessel stock continuously cut to length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1989
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventor: William H. Korcz
  • Patent number: 4785608
    Abstract: An apparatus 10 for effecting sealing of a fused quartz ampoule 24 while maintaining a vacuum on the ampoule via system 12 is disclosed. A plug 28 of fused quartz is lowered into the vertically disposed ampoule 24 (while maintaining the vacuum thereon) and heat sealed therein to prevent any vapor escape from, or contamination of, the contained semiconductor growth charge 29 during subsequent semiconductor crystal growth processes. A rotary vacuum feed-through mechanism 16 selectively rotates axle 34 and spool 32 to unwind wire 30 for lowering of plug 28 into the reduced diameter portion 24b of ampoule 24. Ampoule 24 is hermatically connected to vacuum housing 18 by quick release flange 20 wherein O-ring 22 retains ampoule 24.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1988
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: William J. Debnam, Jr., Ivan O. Clark
  • Patent number: 4777874
    Abstract: A container used for compacting materials such as low level radioactive waste has a device used to keep the compacted material from springing out of the container when the compacting force is removed, thus resulting in a significant increase in the final compacted density. The device develops its restraining force by using the beam strength of its members. The device includes a louvre attached to the container, enabling the cross beams to be snapped into place with a wedge shape of the cross beam end or a hydraulic clamping device external to the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1988
    Assignee: Phelps Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas E. Manning
  • Patent number: 4760784
    Abstract: Apparatus useful as a compacting device adapted to be inserted into a barrel or similar container either singularly, or in combination with a plurality of similar devices and generally comprising one or more compacting plates which plates are adapted to fit within such container and disposed therein for movement in a direction generally parallel to the axis of such container. A plurality of resilient locking tabs are secured to the upper surface of such compacting plates each by means of an angle bracket and in a manner so as to extend beyond both the peripheral surface of such compacting plate and the outermost edge of said angle bracket to thereby provide for engagement of said tabs with the inside of such container. When loose material is placed in the container, and a compacting plate is inserted thereinto and pressed downwardly, the material within the container and under said plate will be compacted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1988
    Assignee: Tennessee Valley Authority
    Inventor: Richard W. Whiteside
  • Patent number: 4724654
    Abstract: A plunger (4) for joining an inner workpiece (7) to an outer tubular workpiece (2) is disclosed. The plunger includes an expansion element (9) which engages the inner workpiece and crimps it to the outer workpiece. The expansion element (9) is an annular cup-shaped resilient element which is mounted on a part (21) which is movable relative to a body (8) and to a bottom plate (16). The body (8) and its bottom plate (16) are provided with guide surfaces which are spaced apart to provide a space through which the expansion element may pass upon movement of member 21. The guide surfaces constrain the resilient expansion element to move into pressure applying engagement with the inner workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1988
    Assignee: Akerlund & Rausing Licens Aktiebolag
    Inventors: Rune Dahlin, Gustaf Linderoth
  • Patent number: 4608809
    Abstract: The apparatus incorporates a conveyor having a generally horizontal upper run which includes container receiving and supporting apertures, at a first station. At a second station along the conveyor path, the containers are each filled with a predetermined amount of a flowable product which is dispensed into each of the containers during relative vertical separating movement of a filler nozzle with respect to each container. Thereafter, each of the product-filled containers is conducted to a third station along the conveyor path wherein a closure fitment is positioned within the opening of the filled conical container. At a fourth station along the conveyor path, a crimping device mechanically crimps the upper edge of the container about an upturned annular flange of the closure fitment to thereby form a mechanical connection between the closure fitment and the conical container. The flange of the closure fitment is sealed, to the container to form a liquid-tight sealed packaging container structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1986
    Assignee: General Foods Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald R. Francis, Martin Mueller
  • Patent number: 4564469
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process and an apparatus for storing contaminated waste material by compacting. The waste material is placed in a drum, it is compressed by forcing a precover into the drum and whose edges are made deformable in order to prevent the rising of the precover, by its edges locking on the walls of the drum, particularly by engaging in grooves made in these walls. The cycle is then repeated until the drum is completely full. Application to the storage of radioactive waste.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1986
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie
    Inventors: Andre Cochet, Roger Droussent, Marcel Jurado
  • Patent number: 4301640
    Abstract: A machine and process useful for fastening a closure member to a container with an upstanding tubular wall, an end edge of which is folded over onto itself to form a folded-over, reinforced portion of double thickness at that end, the closure member having an upstanding tubular inner wall conforming to the inner surface of the folded-over, reinforced portion and a downstanding tubular outer wall connected thereto and conforming to the outer surface of the folded-over, reinforced portion, thereby forming a tubular channel in which the folded over, reinforced portion is seated in frictional engagement, which comprises a dish-shaped fastening head adapted to be positioned around the closed end of the container between the jaws of a pincer, one end of which comprises a punching point and the other of which comprises an anvil, and a wedge or a wedging toggle arranged to wedge a plurality of said punching points into selected portions of the upstanding tubular inner wall of the channel into the inner surface of the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1979
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1981
    Assignee: Brown Company
    Inventor: Richard G. Haas
  • Patent number: 4293354
    Abstract: A machine and process useful for fastening a closure member to a container with an upstanding tubular wall, an end edge of which is folded over onto itself to form a folded-over, reinforced portion of double thickness at that end, the closure member having an upstanding tubular inner wall conforming to the inner surface of the folded-over, reinforced portion and a downstanding tubular outer wall connected thereto and conforming to the outer surface of the folded-over, reinforced portion, thereby forming a tubular channel in which the folded-over, reinforced portion is seated in frictional engagement, which comprises a dish-shaped fastening head adapted to be positioned around the closed end of the container with an upstanding side wall in contact with the side wall of the closure member and functioning as an anvil, and radially-moveable punching points for punching selected portions of the upstanding tubular inner wall of the channel into the inner surface of the folded-over, reinforced portion against the po
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1979
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1981
    Assignee: Brown Company
    Inventor: Richard G. Haas
  • Patent number: 4075786
    Abstract: A low cost arrangement for displaying a small, rooted plant in a highly attractive manner, with such arrangement also serving as a moisture-retaining shipping container for the plant. The construction of the container is such that without modification from the mode used for displaying the plant, it can serve to hold the plant and a small quantity of associated earth in a safe and intact condition throughout a shipping procedure. This invention also includes a novel method of packaging a small living plant for display and/or shipment at minimal cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1976
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1978
    Inventor: Bernard van Zyl
  • Patent number: 3961463
    Abstract: Interchangeable internally gripping chucks for use in a machine applying non-rotative closures to containers, the machine having a multi-station rotary turret arrangement for receiving the containers from a feed conveyor. Each chuck is attached to a spindle in the rotary turret and includes spring loaded jaws for gripping a closure and seating it into or onto the upper portion of a container. The jaws are respectively biased radially outward by the spring loading means, and as the chuck descends and engages the inner edge of the closure, the jaws slip to grip the closure for pick-up and transport to the capping zone. The chuck further includes a releasing mechanism which is activated upon a "bottoming-out" of the chuck upon the top of the container. The releasing mechanism forces the jaws radially inward, disengaging them from the closure so that the chuck can be upwardly retracted from the closed container without any tendency to withdraw the closure, even when the closure has a loose fit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1975
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1976
    Assignee: A-T-O Inc.
    Inventors: George H. Dimond, deceased, by Frederick C. Jensen, executor
  • Patent number: H617
    Abstract: A pressure resistant seal for a metallic container is formed between a cylindrical portion having one end open and a cap which seals the open end of the shell. The cap is in the form of a frusto-conical flange which is inserted narrow end first into the open end of the shell and the container is sealed by means of a capping tool which pulls the flange against a die, deforming the flange and forcing the edge of the flange into the wall of the shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1989
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United Stats Department of Energy
    Inventor: Nicholas A. Hertelendy