Cleaning device with single tank recycling system
Patent No. 9,028,617
A cleaning device may include a solution tank configured to store cleaning solution. The solution tank may include an inlet and an outlet. The cleaning device may include at least one discharge line filter in fluid communication with the solution tank and a pump having a pump intake and a pump discharge. The pump may be configured to direct cleaning solution from the solution tank outlet through the at least one discharge line filter. The cleaning device may include a cleaning head in fluid communication with the pump discharge and a bypass line in fluid communication with the pump discharge and the inlet. The bypass line may be configured to divert cleaning solution received from the pump discharge away from the cleaning head and toward the solution tank.
Inventors: Stephen J. Balas (Midlothian, Va.), Stephen D. Herr (Richmond), Henry L. Hillman, Jr. (Vancouver, Wash.), Victor Chi-Chih Huang (Henrico, Va.), Ralph McCann (Richmond), Kevin L. Thomas (Richmond)
Assignee: Diversey Inc. (Portland, Ore.)
May 12, 2015
Oral pouch product with multi-layered pouch wrapper
Patent No. 9,027,567
An oral pouch product includes a dual layer pouch wrapper and an inner botanical filling material contained within the pouch wrapper. The pouch wrapper includes an inner web, an outer web and a coating, such as a water soluble flavorant containing coating there between.
Inventors: Diane L. Gee (Richmond), Gregory J. Griscik (Midlothian, Va.), Mark S. North (Richmond), Robley Eugene Pitts Jr. (Midlothian, Va.), Yahaira R. Ramos (Chester, Va.)
Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc. (Richmond)
May 12, 2015
Cut flower shipping container
Patent No. 9,027,277
The invention is directed toward a spill- and leak-proof container for floriculture items including cut flowers, stems, other horticultural items, and the like. More specifically, the invention includes a receptacle having funnel-like primary closure. The funnel-like primary closure includes a wider opening generally adjacent to and contiguous with the mouth of the receptacle. The narrower opening of the funnel-like primary closure is positioned in the interior of the receptacle. A secondary closure atop the wider opening of the primary closure ensures no liquid can spill.
Inventors: Wayne Castleberry (Richmond)
Assignee: Chrysal International BV (Naarden, Netherlands)
May 12, 2015
Automated migration to a new copy services target storage system to manage multiple relationships simultaneously while maintaining disaster recovery consistency
Patent No. 9,032,173
A method according to one embodiment includes receiving instruction to change from an original target storage subsystem in a disaster recovery configuration-to a new target storage subsystem. Second copy services relationships are created between one or more new target volumes on the new target storage subsystem and one or more source volumes on a source storage subsystem using multi-target functionality. Existing first copy services relationships between the source storage subsystem and the original target storage subsystem are terminated after all of the second copy services relationships are full duplex.
Inventors: Amy N. Blea (Round Rock, Texas), David R. Blea (Tucson, Ariz.), Gregory E. McBride (Vail, Ariz.), John J. Wolfgang (Midlothian Va.)
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp. (Armonk, N.Y.)
May 12, 2015
Method for mobile underwater acoustic communications
Patent No. 9,030,918
A method for mobile underwater acoustic communications includes double differentially (DD) encoding a communication signal to produce a DD-encoded communication signal, applying direct sequence spread spectrum (SS) to the DD-encoded signal to produce a DD-SS communication output signal, and transmitting the DD-SS communication output signal. The method i) increases the SNR via processing gain, ii) eliminates the ISI through multipath suppression, and iii) enables bandwidth efficiency improvement via data multiplexing. The method is shown capable of facilitating simple receiver processing and offering performance robustness against unpredictable channel fluctuations.
Inventors: Zhiqiang Liu (Henrico, Va.)
Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy (Washington, D.C.)
May 12, 2015
Sulfated oxysterol and oxysterol sulfation by hydroxysterol sulfotransferase promote lipid homeostasis and liver proliferation
Patent No. 9,034,859
Methods and compositions for the prevention and treatment of liver damage or disease in a subject in need thereof are provided. The methods involve providing the sulfated oxysterol 25-hydroxycholesterol-3-sulfate (25HC3S) to the subject e.g. by 1) administering 25HC3S to the subject; or 2) overexpressing, in the subject, the hydroxysterol sulfotransferase enzyme SULT2B1b, which catalyzes the sulfation of 25-hydroxycholesterol (25HC) to form 25HC3S.
Inventors: Shunlin Ren (Richmond)
Assignee: Virginia Commonwealth University (Richmond)
May 19, 2015
Preparation of intermetallics by metallo-organic decomposition
Patent No. 9,034,431
A metallo-organic decomposition process for the preparation of intermetallic powders and films. A liquid mixture containing a first metal precursor and a second metal is heated to a temperature in a first temperature range so as to convert the first metal precursor to a first metal followed by heating to a temperature in a second temperature range so as to form an intermetallic compound by a solid state reaction between the first and second metals. The intermetallic compound can be used as a catalyst in cut filler and/or the filter of a cigarette.
Inventors: Sarojini Deevi (Midlothian, Va.), Yezdi B. Pithawalla (Richmond)
Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc. (Richmond)
May 19, 2015
Process for making a continuous structure of an encapsulated material
Patent No. 9,034,107
A method for providing an encapsulated flavorant or chemesthetic agent in a smoking article includes forming an emulsion including: (i) a first aqueous solution, comprising one or more cross-linkable polysaccharides; and (ii) a hydrophobic additive comprising one or more flavorants or chemesthetic agents. The method also includes extruding the emulsion into a second aqueous solution in the form of an elongated structure, cross-linking at least a portion of the one or more cross-linkable polysaccharides, removing the cross-linked elongated structure from the second aqueous solution, introducing the cross-linked elongated structure into a filter, or into a rod including a smoking composition, or both; and forming the filter or the rod of the smoking composition into a smoking article. The method can include a drying step.
Inventors: Shuzhong Zhuang (Richmond), Yi Zeng (Richmond), Georgios D. Karles (Richmond)
Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc. (Richmond)
May 19, 2015
Smoking article including alkanoylated glycoside
Patent No. 9,034,106
A smoking composition for inclusion in a combustible smoking article includes a combustible organic material, such as tobacco and/or tobacco substitutes and at least one alkanoylated glycoside for enhancing the flavor of mainstream smoke. Optionally, dry hops extract can also be included in the smoking composition.
Inventors: W. Geoffrey Chan (Henrico, Va.), Christophe Galopin (Rye Brook, N.Y.), Andreas Czepa (Richmond), Mike Nuckols (Midlothian, Va.), Beverley Woodson (Ruther Glen, Va.)
Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc. (Richmond)
May 19, 2015
Moist tobacco product and method of making
Patent No. 9,032,971
A portioned moist tobacco product with a super-hydrated membrane coating and method of manufacturing is disclosed. The super-hydrated membrane coating is formed by ionic cross-linking using two polymers. The soluble component of the super-hydrated membrane coating dissolves upon placement in the mouth, while the insoluble component maintains the tobacco within the coating for the duration of the use of the product. The moist tobacco product is soft and flexible so as to fit comfortably in an oral cavity when placed therein.
Inventors: Munmaya K. Mishra (Richmond), William R. Sweeney (Richmond), Shensheng Liu (Richmond), Kenneth A. Newman (Prince George, Va.), Steven J. Hovjacky (Chesterfield, Va.)
Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc. (Richmond)
May 19, 2015
Leak detection system for uniform vacuum packaged products
Patent No. 9,037,421
A leak detection system and method are characterized by scanning a surface of a vacuum package, generating a contour signal corresponding with the contour of the scanned surface, and comparing the contour signal with a stored contour signal of a similar package which is known to be free of leaks. The system includes a sensor such as a scanning device which scans a surface of the package and generates the contour signal. A signal processor connected with the scanning device processes the signal to generate a profile of the package surface. This profile is compared with a stored profile corresponding to a normal configuration for the package surface. When the scanned profile deviates from the stored profile, a leak within the scanned package is indicated.
Inventors: Kevin J. Jones (Mechanicsville, Va.), Johannes J. M. de Koning (Glen Allen, Va.), Geoffrey J. Parnell (Moseley, Va.)
Assignee: Flexicell Inc. (Ashland, Va.)
May 19, 2015
Waste disposal apparatus
Patent No. 9,033,176
A waste disposal apparatus, such as a waste disposal container or unit that is configured to receive used personal care products in a discreet and sanitary manner. Instances of incontinence, menstruation or uncontrollable bodily functions can be a personal situation that is otherwise unknown to others. However, current receptacles aVa.ilable to dispose of used personal care products fail to provide for a hygienic, easily accessible and discreet that is designed for small spaces, such as a home bathroom or public restroom stall.
Inventors: Brenda O’Grady Liistro (Westport, Conn.), Marta Lorenzoni-Loeb (Hingham, Mass.), Joseph M. Clark (London, Ohio), Paul David Maguire (Goochland, Va.), David Stowers (Morristown, N.J.), Jeffrey Joss (Union City, N.J.), Henry Mack (Phillipsburg, N.J.), Michael Zambelli (Basking Ridge, N.J.)
Assignee: Moderntake Product Solutions (Doylestown, Penn.)
May 19, 2015
Cleaning device with single tank recycling system
Patent No. 9,028,617
A cleaning device may include a solution tank configured to store cleaning solution. The solution tank may include an inlet and an outlet. The cleaning device may include at least one discharge line filter in fluid communication with the solution tank and a pump having a pump intake and a pump discharge. The pump may be configured to direct cleaning solution from the solution tank outlet through the at least one discharge line filter. The cleaning device may include a cleaning head in fluid communication with the pump discharge and a bypass line in fluid communication with the pump discharge and the inlet. The bypass line may be configured to divert cleaning solution received from the pump discharge away from the cleaning head and toward the solution tank.
Inventors: Stephen J. Balas (Midlothian, Va.), Stephen D. Herr (Richmond), Henry L. Hillman, Jr. (Vancouver, Wash.), Victor Chi-Chih Huang (Henrico, Va.), Ralph McCann (Richmond), Kevin L. Thomas (Richmond)
Assignee: Diversey Inc. (Portland, Ore.)
May 12, 2015
Oral pouch product with multi-layered pouch wrapper
Patent No. 9,027,567
An oral pouch product includes a dual layer pouch wrapper and an inner botanical filling material contained within the pouch wrapper. The pouch wrapper includes an inner web, an outer web and a coating, such as a water soluble flavorant containing coating there between.
Inventors: Diane L. Gee (Richmond), Gregory J. Griscik (Midlothian, Va.), Mark S. North (Richmond), Robley Eugene Pitts Jr. (Midlothian, Va.), Yahaira R. Ramos (Chester, Va.)
Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc. (Richmond)
May 12, 2015
Cut flower shipping container
Patent No. 9,027,277
The invention is directed toward a spill- and leak-proof container for floriculture items including cut flowers, stems, other horticultural items, and the like. More specifically, the invention includes a receptacle having funnel-like primary closure. The funnel-like primary closure includes a wider opening generally adjacent to and contiguous with the mouth of the receptacle. The narrower opening of the funnel-like primary closure is positioned in the interior of the receptacle. A secondary closure atop the wider opening of the primary closure ensures no liquid can spill.
Inventors: Wayne Castleberry (Richmond)
Assignee: Chrysal International BV (Naarden, Netherlands)
May 12, 2015
Automated migration to a new copy services target storage system to manage multiple relationships simultaneously while maintaining disaster recovery consistency
Patent No. 9,032,173
A method according to one embodiment includes receiving instruction to change from an original target storage subsystem in a disaster recovery configuration-to a new target storage subsystem. Second copy services relationships are created between one or more new target volumes on the new target storage subsystem and one or more source volumes on a source storage subsystem using multi-target functionality. Existing first copy services relationships between the source storage subsystem and the original target storage subsystem are terminated after all of the second copy services relationships are full duplex.
Inventors: Amy N. Blea (Round Rock, Texas), David R. Blea (Tucson, Ariz.), Gregory E. McBride (Vail, Ariz.), John J. Wolfgang (Midlothian Va.)
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp. (Armonk, N.Y.)
May 12, 2015
Method for mobile underwater acoustic communications
Patent No. 9,030,918
A method for mobile underwater acoustic communications includes double differentially (DD) encoding a communication signal to produce a DD-encoded communication signal, applying direct sequence spread spectrum (SS) to the DD-encoded signal to produce a DD-SS communication output signal, and transmitting the DD-SS communication output signal. The method i) increases the SNR via processing gain, ii) eliminates the ISI through multipath suppression, and iii) enables bandwidth efficiency improvement via data multiplexing. The method is shown capable of facilitating simple receiver processing and offering performance robustness against unpredictable channel fluctuations.
Inventors: Zhiqiang Liu (Henrico, Va.)
Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy (Washington, D.C.)
May 12, 2015
Sulfated oxysterol and oxysterol sulfation by hydroxysterol sulfotransferase promote lipid homeostasis and liver proliferation
Patent No. 9,034,859
Methods and compositions for the prevention and treatment of liver damage or disease in a subject in need thereof are provided. The methods involve providing the sulfated oxysterol 25-hydroxycholesterol-3-sulfate (25HC3S) to the subject e.g. by 1) administering 25HC3S to the subject; or 2) overexpressing, in the subject, the hydroxysterol sulfotransferase enzyme SULT2B1b, which catalyzes the sulfation of 25-hydroxycholesterol (25HC) to form 25HC3S.
Inventors: Shunlin Ren (Richmond)
Assignee: Virginia Commonwealth University (Richmond)
May 19, 2015
Preparation of intermetallics by metallo-organic decomposition
Patent No. 9,034,431
A metallo-organic decomposition process for the preparation of intermetallic powders and films. A liquid mixture containing a first metal precursor and a second metal is heated to a temperature in a first temperature range so as to convert the first metal precursor to a first metal followed by heating to a temperature in a second temperature range so as to form an intermetallic compound by a solid state reaction between the first and second metals. The intermetallic compound can be used as a catalyst in cut filler and/or the filter of a cigarette.
Inventors: Sarojini Deevi (Midlothian, Va.), Yezdi B. Pithawalla (Richmond)
Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc. (Richmond)
May 19, 2015
Process for making a continuous structure of an encapsulated material
Patent No. 9,034,107
A method for providing an encapsulated flavorant or chemesthetic agent in a smoking article includes forming an emulsion including: (i) a first aqueous solution, comprising one or more cross-linkable polysaccharides; and (ii) a hydrophobic additive comprising one or more flavorants or chemesthetic agents. The method also includes extruding the emulsion into a second aqueous solution in the form of an elongated structure, cross-linking at least a portion of the one or more cross-linkable polysaccharides, removing the cross-linked elongated structure from the second aqueous solution, introducing the cross-linked elongated structure into a filter, or into a rod including a smoking composition, or both; and forming the filter or the rod of the smoking composition into a smoking article. The method can include a drying step.
Inventors: Shuzhong Zhuang (Richmond), Yi Zeng (Richmond), Georgios D. Karles (Richmond)
Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc. (Richmond)
May 19, 2015
Smoking article including alkanoylated glycoside
Patent No. 9,034,106
A smoking composition for inclusion in a combustible smoking article includes a combustible organic material, such as tobacco and/or tobacco substitutes and at least one alkanoylated glycoside for enhancing the flavor of mainstream smoke. Optionally, dry hops extract can also be included in the smoking composition.
Inventors: W. Geoffrey Chan (Henrico, Va.), Christophe Galopin (Rye Brook, N.Y.), Andreas Czepa (Richmond), Mike Nuckols (Midlothian, Va.), Beverley Woodson (Ruther Glen, Va.)
Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc. (Richmond)
May 19, 2015
Moist tobacco product and method of making
Patent No. 9,032,971
A portioned moist tobacco product with a super-hydrated membrane coating and method of manufacturing is disclosed. The super-hydrated membrane coating is formed by ionic cross-linking using two polymers. The soluble component of the super-hydrated membrane coating dissolves upon placement in the mouth, while the insoluble component maintains the tobacco within the coating for the duration of the use of the product. The moist tobacco product is soft and flexible so as to fit comfortably in an oral cavity when placed therein.
Inventors: Munmaya K. Mishra (Richmond), William R. Sweeney (Richmond), Shensheng Liu (Richmond), Kenneth A. Newman (Prince George, Va.), Steven J. Hovjacky (Chesterfield, Va.)
Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc. (Richmond)
May 19, 2015
Leak detection system for uniform vacuum packaged products
Patent No. 9,037,421
A leak detection system and method are characterized by scanning a surface of a vacuum package, generating a contour signal corresponding with the contour of the scanned surface, and comparing the contour signal with a stored contour signal of a similar package which is known to be free of leaks. The system includes a sensor such as a scanning device which scans a surface of the package and generates the contour signal. A signal processor connected with the scanning device processes the signal to generate a profile of the package surface. This profile is compared with a stored profile corresponding to a normal configuration for the package surface. When the scanned profile deviates from the stored profile, a leak within the scanned package is indicated.
Inventors: Kevin J. Jones (Mechanicsville, Va.), Johannes J. M. de Koning (Glen Allen, Va.), Geoffrey J. Parnell (Moseley, Va.)
Assignee: Flexicell Inc. (Ashland, Va.)
May 19, 2015
Waste disposal apparatus
Patent No. 9,033,176
A waste disposal apparatus, such as a waste disposal container or unit that is configured to receive used personal care products in a discreet and sanitary manner. Instances of incontinence, menstruation or uncontrollable bodily functions can be a personal situation that is otherwise unknown to others. However, current receptacles aVa.ilable to dispose of used personal care products fail to provide for a hygienic, easily accessible and discreet that is designed for small spaces, such as a home bathroom or public restroom stall.
Inventors: Brenda O’Grady Liistro (Westport, Conn.), Marta Lorenzoni-Loeb (Hingham, Mass.), Joseph M. Clark (London, Ohio), Paul David Maguire (Goochland, Va.), David Stowers (Morristown, N.J.), Jeffrey Joss (Union City, N.J.), Henry Mack (Phillipsburg, N.J.), Michael Zambelli (Basking Ridge, N.J.)
Assignee: Moderntake Product Solutions (Doylestown, Penn.)
May 19, 2015