System and method for redeeming a reward
Patent No. 10,242,382
Systems and methods for redeeming a reward held by an individual are described. A method for redeeming a reward includes determining threshold criteria for provision of a targeted reward redemption offer, identifying at least one individual based upon the threshold criteria, determining the targeted reward redemption offer, and providing the targeted reward redemption offer to the identified individual. A response to the provided targeted reward redemption offer may be received, and an account of the identified individual may be adjusted in accordance with the targeted reward redemption offer and the received response.
Inventors: Gregory Willard Lambert (Richmond), Philip John Spiegel (Richmond)
Assignee: Capital One Services (McLean, Va.)
March 26, 2019
Optical communication system
Patent No. 10,242,324
The present disclosure describes an automated, cognitive based computing system using artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning algorithms to sense, predict, and infer network conditions, configured to dynamically manage transmission of information between communication nodes. The communication nodes comprise orbital nodes positioned in orbit above earth and terrestrial nodes coupled with earth interconnected via a hybrid mesh network topology. One or more automated, cognitive based physical computing processors, using artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning algorithms to sense, predict, and infer network conditions, determine a target terrestrial node to receive information initially stored on a first orbital node; determine transmission conditions between the target terrestrial node and the first orbital node based on output signals from sensors; dynamically determine whether transmission conditions between the first orbital node and the target terrestrial node prevent optical transmission of the information directly from the first orbital node to the target terrestrial node; and, responsive to a determination that transmission conditions prevent optical transmission of the information to the target terrestrial node from the first orbital node, automatically transmit the information along an alternate route between the first orbital node and the target terrestrial node, wherein the alternate route includes transmission between some orbital node and an alternative target terrestrial node other than the target terrestrial node.
Inventors: Robert H. Brumley II (Weems, Va.), Robert H. Brumley III (Richmond), Richard Rosenthal (Leesburg, Va.), Steven Birrell (Charles Town, W.Va.), Michael J. Reedy (Kingsport, Tenn.), Fletcher W. Brumley (Washington, D.C.)
Assignee: Laser Light Communications (Reston, Va.)
March 26, 2019
User behavior segmentation using latent topic detection
Patent No. 10,242,019
The features relate to artificial intelligence directed compression of user event data based on complex analysis of user event data including latent feature detection and clustering. Further features are described for reducing the size of data transmitted during event processing data flows and devices such as card readers or point of sale systems. Machine learning features for dynamically determining an optimal compression as well as identifying targeted users and providing content to the targeted users based on the compressed data are also included.
Inventors: Honghao Shan (San Diego, Calif.), Mason L. Carpenter (Richmond), Gregor Bonin (Wimberley, Texas), Shanji Xiong (San Diego, Calif.), Christer DiChiara (Carlsbad, Calif.)
Assignee: Experian Information Solutions Inc. (Costa Mesa, Calif.)
March 26, 2019
Process for preparing aramid copolymer yarn using a halide acid wash
Patent No. 10,240,282
The present invention concerns methods for removing sulfur from yarn comprising the steps of: a) contacting never-dried polymeric yarn with an aqueous base, the polymer comprising imidazole groups and said polymer comprising sulfur atoms characterized as being in the form of sulfate anions; b) contacting the yarn with an aqueous acid comprising a halide; and c) rinsing the yarn.
Inventors: Steven R. Allen (Midlothian, Va.), Vlodek Gabara (Richmond), Joseph Lenning Lowery (Midlothian, Va.), Christopher William Newton (Richmond), David J. Rodini (Midlothian, Va.), Andrew J. Sitter (Mechanicsville, Va.)
Assignee: E I Du Pont De Nemours and Co. (Wilmington, Del.)
March 26, 2019
Product portion enrobing process and apparatus
Patent No. 10,239,089
An apparatus for enrobing a product portion can include a polymer spray head arranged to direct a plurality of polymeric fibers in an upward direction and levitate product portions in a polymer enrobing zone above the polymer spray head. Polymeric fibers produced by the polymer spray head can wrap around the product portions levitated in the polymer enrobing zone to create an enrobed product. Side guide structure(s) and/or air knife(s) can be provided adjacent to the polymer enrobing zone to inhibit levitated product portions from falling out of the polymer enrobing zone and/or to guide levitated product portions along a desired path. Exemplary enrobed products include smokeless tobacco products.
Inventors: James David Evans (Chesterfield, Va.), Andrew Nathan Carroll (Chester, Va.), Shannon Maxwell Black (Richmond)
Assignee: Altria Client Services (Richmond)
March 26, 2019
Pre moistened wipes for use in treating anal rectal irritations and disorders
Patent No. 10,238,704
Many people who suffer from anal rectal discomfort and disorders need fibrous sheet materials which are pre-moistened with a solution for improved cleansing without excessive skin irritation. The invention particularly concerns wet wipes, such as anal-rectal wipes, which comprises a solution comprising hamamelis water or witch hazel, to effectively treat anal-rectal disorders.
Inventors: Gary Robert Agisim (Henrico, Va.), Robert Alan Friedline (Richmond), Richard John Kenny (Glen Allen, Va.)
Assignee: Pfizer Inc. (New York, N.Y.)
March 26, 2019
System and method for ablating a tissue site by electroporation with real-time monitoring of treatment progress
Patent No. 10,238,447
A medical system for ablating a tissue site with real-time monitoring during an electroporation treatment procedure. A pulse generator generates a pre-treatment (PT) test signal having a frequency of at least 1 MHz prior to the treatment procedure and intra-treatment (IT) test signals during the treatment procedure. A treatment control module determines impedance values from the PT test signal and IT test signals and determines a progress of electroporation and an end point of treatment in real-time based on the determined impedance values while the treatment progresses.
Inventors: Robert Neal II (Richmond), Rafael V. Davalos (Blacksburg, Va.)
Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties Inc. (Blacksburg, Va.)
March 26, 2019
Mountable fixture for absorbing recoil
Patent No. 10,240,884
A fixture is provided for supporting load from weapons recoil, being mountable on a flat bed of a road vehicle disposed on ground. The flat bed can receive a weapons mount. The vehicle has longitudinal, lateral and vertical orientation directions. The fixture includes a horizontal deck, a slide assembly, a dampener housing, port and starboard lateral beams, together with first, second and third posts. The horizontal deck receives the weapons mount. The slide assembly supports the deck. The dampener housing receives the slide assembly. The port and starboard lateral beams extend laterally from the dampener housing. The first and second posts extend vertically downward from their corresponding beams to engage the ground. The third post extends vertically downward from the housing to engage the ground. Brackets on the slide assembly extend longitudinally from the platform for enabling the vehicle to drive away from the fixture. The posts are retractable for stowage and extendible for raising the flat bed above the ground.
Inventors: Jorge David De Leon (Ben Alton, Md.), James F. Cahill (Fredericksburg, Va.), Ishankumar Patel (Glen Allen, Va.), Reginald Heggie (Fredericksburg, Va.), Gregorio Morales-Caez (Fredericksburg, Va.), Nelson C. Hall (Fredericksburg, Va.),Arnold R. Hamlet III; (Montross, Va.)
Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy (Washington, D.C.)
March 26, 2019
Pharmaceutical suspension composition
Patent No. 10,238,640
An aqueous oral liquid pharmaceutical composition system with reduced propensity for agglomeration and phase separation which is particularly amendable to the suspension of one or more pharmaceutical actives that are substantially insoluble in water. The oral liquid pharmaceutical composition may further comprise pharmaceutical actives that are soluble in water and dissolve in the aqueous medium. In the composition of the invention both suspended and any dissolved active agents are distributed homogeneously.
Inventors: Jay Dickerson (Midlothian, Va.), William Mark (Glen Allen, Va.), Annabelle Trimmer (Manakin-Sabot, Va.), David Jaeger (Chester, Va.), Amanda Alley (Midlothian, Va.)
Assignee: Wyeth (New York, N.Y.)
March 26, 2019
Systems and methods for percutaneous intravascular access for arteriovenous fistula
Patent No. 10,238,449
A device for extending, elongating, or repairing a previously created arteriovenous fistula between a first blood vessel and an adjacent second blood vessel includes a main body having a primary lumen and an articulating jaw member disposed at the distal end of the main body. The jaw member is configured with two elements to allow rotation of one element about a pivot point to grasp tissue while being rotated. The jaw member is also configured to allow thermal energy delivery to one or both elements of the jaw member that allow tissue welding and cutting. A second lumen located within one element of the jaw member is configured to allow advancement over a guidewire into the second vessel while the other element of the jaw member remains within the first blood vessel at the position where the arteriovenous fistula, or aperture, exists between the first and second blood vessel.
Inventors: Jeffrey E. Hull (Midlothian, Va.), Mark A. Ritchart (Dana Point, Calif.)
Assignee: Avenu Medical Inc. (San Juan Capistrano, Calif.)
March 26, 2019
Antimicrobial and antiviral polymeric materials
Patent No. 10,238,117
The present invention relates to an antimicrobial and antiviral polymeric drawn fiber and polymeric fiber-based materials comprising same, wherein the drawn fiber is a polymer fiber containing cuprous oxide particles dispersed therein, with particle size ranges from about 0.25 to about 0.65 micron. The invention also relates to processes for preparing the same.
Inventors: Vikram Kanmukhla (Henrico, Va.)
Assignee: Cupron Inc. (Richmond)
March 26, 2019
Medicament delivery devices for administration of a medicament within a prefilled syringe
Patent No. 10,238,806
An apparatus includes a housing, a medicament container and a movable member. The medicament container is configured to move within the housing between a first position and a second position in response to a force produced by an energy storage member. A proximal end portion of the medicament container includes a flange and has a plunger disposed therein. A first shoulder of the movable member is configured to exert the force on the flange to move the medicament container from the first position to the second position. A portion of the first shoulder deforms when the medicament container is in the second position such that at least a portion of the force is exerted upon the plunger. A second shoulder of the movable member is configured to exert a retraction force on the flange to move the medicament container from the second position towards the first position.
Inventors: Eric S. Edwards (Moseley, Va.), Evan T. Edwards (Charlottesville, Va.), Mark J. Licata (Doswell, Va.), Paul F. Meyers (Fishers, Ind.)
Assignee: kaleo Inc. (Richmond)
March 26, 2019
System and method for providing a driverless portable ATM
Patent No. 10,248,935
The disclosed technology includes a plurality of driverless mobile automated teller machines (ATMs), a communication interface configured to receive, from a user device, a request for a driverless mobile ATM to complete facilitate a transaction, a location processor configured to determine a first driverless mobile ATM of the plurality of driverless mobile ATMs that is closest to the user device, wherein the communication interface is further configured to transmit, to the first driverless mobile ATM, an alert including the request such that the first driverless mobile ATM can provide cash to a user associated with the user device or can receive cash or a check from the user, and a transaction processor of a backend system of the financial institution configured to process the transaction.
Inventors: Brian DeLuca (Midlothian, Va.), Harish Chavan (Glen Allen, Va.), Jamie Warder (Bethesda, Md.), Max Doerfler III (Richmond), William Grisaitis (Arlington, Va.), Mayank Pande (Glen Allen, Va.), Robert Kania (Falls Church, Va.)
Assignee: Capital One Services (McLean, Va.)
April 2, 2019
System and method for developing and utilizing a contactability profile
Patent No. 10,248,917
Systems and methods for developing and utilizing a contactability profile are disclosed. Contact information may be managed by receiving activity data associated with an entity, processing the received activity data, generating at least one contactability profile associated with the entity based upon a result of the processing, and storing the generated contactability profile.
Inventors: Anthony Paul Reynolds (Richmond, Va.), Daniel J. Welker (Boise, Idaho)
Assignee: Capital One Services (McLean, Va.)
April 2, 2019
Portable alcohol tester
Patent No. 10,247,650
A portable electronic alcohol-testing device is provided that uses vaporization and sensitive pressure guages to approximate the alcohol content of a solution. The device may be used, for example, to determine the relative alcohol content of a mixed beverage.
Inventors:Illya Kajan (Richmond), David Saul (Richmond), Boris Solomonov (Henrico, Va.), Alex Ucci (Richmond), Matthew Leccadito (Richmond)
Assignee: Virginia Commonwealth University (Richmond)
April 2, 2019
Adjustable dosing dispensers and methods for using the same
Patent No. 10,247,592
Embodiments of the invention relate to dosing dispensers and in particular to dosing dispensers that may be operated using one hand by raising and filling a dosing chamber followed by lowering and dispensing a product from the dosing chamber and wherein the dose may be selected or adjusted and a user may visually confirm that the proper dose is being loaded and delivered by the dispenser.
Inventors: Sara D. Falcon (Richmond), Kelly A. Harrigan (Richmond), David L Dejong (Ogden, Utah), Eelco H. DeMan(Vlijmen, Netherlands), Niels F. G. Van Wieringen (‘s-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands)
Assignee: Silgan Dispensing Systems Corp. (Grandview, Mo.)
April 2, 2019
Blanks for display package containing cartomizer blister pack and methods of forming display package for cartomizer blister pack
Patent No. 10,246,216
The package includes a front panel, a back panel opposing the front panel, the back panel defining at least one first cut line in a semi-circular shape at an upper portion of the back panel, a bottom panel forming a lower end of the package, a first side panel forming a first side of the package, a second side panel forming a second side of the package, and an upper panel forming a top end of the package. The first cut line is configured to form a tear line on an outermost surface of the package, the tear line being configured to be torn to open the top end of the package. The blank is capable of being assembled into the package. The method includes providing a blank, and assembling the package from the blank.
Inventors: Scott A. Fath (Richmond)
Assignee: Altria Client Services (Richmond)
April 2, 2019
Centripetal aerodynamic platform spacecraft
Patent No. 10,246,200
An aerodynamic platform or spacecraft including a habitable 1G centripetal force rotating gravity producing interior corridor within an aerodynamic shell and an aerodynamic drone booster launch system with reentry and reuse capability.
Inventors: Lawrence Ellis Williams Sr.(Richmond)
Assignee: N/A
Soft, chewable and orally dissolvable and/or disintegrable products
Patent No. 10,245,227
A soft, chewable and orally dissolvable and/or disintegrable product includes a biopolymer-sugar based matrix and botanical powder dispersed throughout the biopolymer-sugar based matrix. The biopolymer-sugar based matrix includes at least one biopolymer, at least one sugar and optional additives. Soft, chewable and orally dissolvable and/or disintegrable product can also include flavor beads.
Inventors: Feng Gao (Richmond), Shalva Gedevanishvili (Richmond), Shengsheng Liu (Richmond), Munmaya K. Mishra (Manakin Sabot, Va.), William R. Sweeney (Richmond), Randall Baren (Glen Allen, Va.), Qinglin Li (Richmond), Darin Colassaco (Midlothian, Va.), Salem Chouchane (Midlothian, Va.)
Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc. (Richmond)
April 2, 2019
Electroporation with cooling to treat tissue
Patent No. 10,245,105
The present invention provides methods, devices, and systems for in vivo treatment of cell proliferative disorders. Included is a method of treating tissue with electrical energy, the method comprising: delivering electrical energy to tissue using one or more electroporation devices comprising one or more electrodes; and cooling the tissue, surrounding tissue, one or more of the electrodes, or one or more of the electroporation devices to minimize heating. In embodiments, the invention can be used to treat solid tumors, such as brain tumors, and in some embodiments, exemplary methods rely on non-thermal irreversible electroporation (IRE) to cause cell death in treated tumors.
Inventors: Rafael V. Davalos (Blacksburg, Va.), Paulo A. Garcia (Cambridge, Mass.), John L. Robertson (Floyd, Va.), John H. Rossmeisl (Blacksburg, Va.), Robert E. Neal II (Richmond)
Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties Inc. (Blacksburg, VA)
April 2, 2019
Beverage carafe with improved liquid flow
Patent No. 10,244,879
A beverage carafe comprises a beverage reservoir and a channel for directing a flow of liquid from the reservoir when the carafe is tilted for dispensing the liquid. The channel has a floor and an elongated protrusion projecting upward from the floor. The protrusion is transverse to the flow of the liquid through the channel and has a curved distal face and curved sides.
Inventors: Patrick T. Mulvaney (Richmond)
Assignee: Hamilton Beach Brands Inc. (Glen Allen, Va.)
April 2, 2019
Soft oral product
Patent No. 10,244,787
An oral product includes a body that is wholly receivable in an oral cavity. The body includes a polymer matrix and one or more flavorants and/or active ingredients embedded in the polymer matrix. The polymer matrix can include a copolymer of ethylene and one or more vinyl monomers or zein. For example, the polymer can be ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer and/or ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer. In some cases, the oral product can include tobacco and/or nicotine.
Inventors: Munmaya K. Mishra (Manakin Sabot, Va.), Georgios D. Karles (Richmond)
Assignee: Altria Client Services (Richmond)
April 2, 2019
Tobacco lozenge
Patent No. 10,244,786
A tobacco lozenge provided herein includes a body that is partially or wholly receivable in an oral cavity. The body includes a soluble-fiber matrix and tobacco plant tissue dispersed in the soluble-fiber matrix. In some cases, a tobacco lozenge provided herein includes at least 40 weight percent of soluble fiber. In some cases, soluble fiber in tobacco lozenge provided herein can include maltodextrin. The tobacco lozenge is adapted to release the tobacco plant tissue from the body when the body is received within the oral cavity of an adult tobacco consumer and exposed to saliva. A method of making tobacco lozenges provided herein includes forming a molten mixture of at least 40 weight percent soluble fiber, tobacco, and less than 15 weight percent water, while maintaining a mixture temperature of less than 200.degree. C. and portioning the molten mixture into a plurality of tobacco lozenges. In some cases, the ingredients can be mixed to form the molten mixture in an extruder.
Inventors: Feng Gao (Midlothian, Va.), Diane L. Gee (Chesterfield, Va.), Shuzhong Zhuang (Glen Allen, Va.), Phillip M. Hulan (Midlothian, Va.), William J. Burke (Nashville, Tenn.)
Assignee: Altria Client Services (Richmond)
April 2, 2019
Systems and methods for providing variable haptic feedback
Patent No. 10,248,207
A system is provided for generating variable haptic feedback. The system comprises a first haptic feedback device configured to generate haptic feedback according to a received output signal, an input device configured to receive instructions from a remote source, the instructions comprising a haptic feedback output identifier, and a memory device for storing a plurality of haptic feedback profiles, the haptic feedback profiles defining unique haptic feedback patterns characterized at least by a duration and intensity of feedback to be generated by the first haptic feedback device, and said haptic feedback profiles being associated with a haptic feedback output identifier. The system also includes a processor configured to generate and transmit an output signal to the first haptic feedback device according to a haptic feedback profile associated with a received haptic feedback output identifier, said output signal comprising a haptic feedback pattern defined by said haptic feedback profile.
Inventors: James R. Dillon Jr. (Midlothian, Va.), Todd McPherson (San Francisco, Calif.)
Assignee: Capital One Services (McLean, Va.)
April 2, 2019
Composite ballistic resistant laminate
Patent No. 10,247,522
An unconsolidated impact and penetration resistant laminate comprises a plurality of cross-plied sheets, each cross-plied sheet further comprising (i) first and second layers of fibrous or non-fibrous ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene and (ii) first and second layers of thermoplastic adhesive, each adhesive layer having a basis weight of no greater than 5 gsm, wherein (a) the layers of polyethylene and thermoplastic adhesive alternate within the sheet, (b) at least 50 percent of the polyethylene layers are arranged such that the orientation of the first polyethylene layer is offset with respect to the orientation of the second polyethylene layer, and (c) the plurality of cross-plied sheets form a stack that, when subjected to compaction at a pressure of 255 bar and a temperature of 132 degrees C., will not suffer a pressure loss greater than 8 bar within the first two minutes as measured by Test Method B.
Inventors: James Neal Singletary (Midlothian, Va.), Leopoldo Alejandro Carbajal (Newark, Del.), William George Kampert (Wilmington, Del.), Timothy A. Libert (Hockessin, Germany), Bryan Benedict Sauer (Wilmington, Del.), Kenneth C. Harding (Boone, N.C.)
Assignee: E I Du Pont De Nemours and Co. (Wilmington, Del.)
April 2, 2019
Sandwich making appliance and method of making a sandwich with the same
Patent No. 10,244,893
An appliance for cooking a food item comprises a bottom housing, a top housing, and a cooking assembly. The cooking assembly comprises a top heated plate, a bottom heated plate, and a center ring therebetween. The top heated plate is selectively movable between (i) an open position and (ii) a closed position in which a top cooking cavity is selectively formed by the top heated plate and the top housing when the top housing is in a closed position. The bottom heated plate is selectively movable between (i) an open position and (ii) a closed position in which a bottom cooking cavity is selectively formed by the bottom housing and the bottom heated plate. A center cooking cavity is selectively formed by the top heated plate, the center ring, and the bottom heated plate when the top and bottom heated plates are in their respective closed positions.
Inventors: Michael Garman (Moseley, Va.), David L. Jackson (Mechanicsville, Va.), Abraham S. Longmire (Ashland, Va.), George Stamper (Quinton, Va.), Micheal M. Pierce (Henrico, Va.), Derek A. McCullough (Henrico, Va.), Mark C. Steiner (Midlothian, Va.), Andrea L. Radford (Montpelier, Va.)
Assignee: Hamilton Beach Brands Inc. (Glen Allen, Va.)
April 2, 2019
System and method for redeeming a reward
Patent No. 10,242,382
Systems and methods for redeeming a reward held by an individual are described. A method for redeeming a reward includes determining threshold criteria for provision of a targeted reward redemption offer, identifying at least one individual based upon the threshold criteria, determining the targeted reward redemption offer, and providing the targeted reward redemption offer to the identified individual. A response to the provided targeted reward redemption offer may be received, and an account of the identified individual may be adjusted in accordance with the targeted reward redemption offer and the received response.
Inventors: Gregory Willard Lambert (Richmond), Philip John Spiegel (Richmond)
Assignee: Capital One Services (McLean, Va.)
March 26, 2019
Optical communication system
Patent No. 10,242,324
The present disclosure describes an automated, cognitive based computing system using artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning algorithms to sense, predict, and infer network conditions, configured to dynamically manage transmission of information between communication nodes. The communication nodes comprise orbital nodes positioned in orbit above earth and terrestrial nodes coupled with earth interconnected via a hybrid mesh network topology. One or more automated, cognitive based physical computing processors, using artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning algorithms to sense, predict, and infer network conditions, determine a target terrestrial node to receive information initially stored on a first orbital node; determine transmission conditions between the target terrestrial node and the first orbital node based on output signals from sensors; dynamically determine whether transmission conditions between the first orbital node and the target terrestrial node prevent optical transmission of the information directly from the first orbital node to the target terrestrial node; and, responsive to a determination that transmission conditions prevent optical transmission of the information to the target terrestrial node from the first orbital node, automatically transmit the information along an alternate route between the first orbital node and the target terrestrial node, wherein the alternate route includes transmission between some orbital node and an alternative target terrestrial node other than the target terrestrial node.
Inventors: Robert H. Brumley II (Weems, Va.), Robert H. Brumley III (Richmond), Richard Rosenthal (Leesburg, Va.), Steven Birrell (Charles Town, W.Va.), Michael J. Reedy (Kingsport, Tenn.), Fletcher W. Brumley (Washington, D.C.)
Assignee: Laser Light Communications (Reston, Va.)
March 26, 2019
User behavior segmentation using latent topic detection
Patent No. 10,242,019
The features relate to artificial intelligence directed compression of user event data based on complex analysis of user event data including latent feature detection and clustering. Further features are described for reducing the size of data transmitted during event processing data flows and devices such as card readers or point of sale systems. Machine learning features for dynamically determining an optimal compression as well as identifying targeted users and providing content to the targeted users based on the compressed data are also included.
Inventors: Honghao Shan (San Diego, Calif.), Mason L. Carpenter (Richmond), Gregor Bonin (Wimberley, Texas), Shanji Xiong (San Diego, Calif.), Christer DiChiara (Carlsbad, Calif.)
Assignee: Experian Information Solutions Inc. (Costa Mesa, Calif.)
March 26, 2019
Process for preparing aramid copolymer yarn using a halide acid wash
Patent No. 10,240,282
The present invention concerns methods for removing sulfur from yarn comprising the steps of: a) contacting never-dried polymeric yarn with an aqueous base, the polymer comprising imidazole groups and said polymer comprising sulfur atoms characterized as being in the form of sulfate anions; b) contacting the yarn with an aqueous acid comprising a halide; and c) rinsing the yarn.
Inventors: Steven R. Allen (Midlothian, Va.), Vlodek Gabara (Richmond), Joseph Lenning Lowery (Midlothian, Va.), Christopher William Newton (Richmond), David J. Rodini (Midlothian, Va.), Andrew J. Sitter (Mechanicsville, Va.)
Assignee: E I Du Pont De Nemours and Co. (Wilmington, Del.)
March 26, 2019
Product portion enrobing process and apparatus
Patent No. 10,239,089
An apparatus for enrobing a product portion can include a polymer spray head arranged to direct a plurality of polymeric fibers in an upward direction and levitate product portions in a polymer enrobing zone above the polymer spray head. Polymeric fibers produced by the polymer spray head can wrap around the product portions levitated in the polymer enrobing zone to create an enrobed product. Side guide structure(s) and/or air knife(s) can be provided adjacent to the polymer enrobing zone to inhibit levitated product portions from falling out of the polymer enrobing zone and/or to guide levitated product portions along a desired path. Exemplary enrobed products include smokeless tobacco products.
Inventors: James David Evans (Chesterfield, Va.), Andrew Nathan Carroll (Chester, Va.), Shannon Maxwell Black (Richmond)
Assignee: Altria Client Services (Richmond)
March 26, 2019
Pre moistened wipes for use in treating anal rectal irritations and disorders
Patent No. 10,238,704
Many people who suffer from anal rectal discomfort and disorders need fibrous sheet materials which are pre-moistened with a solution for improved cleansing without excessive skin irritation. The invention particularly concerns wet wipes, such as anal-rectal wipes, which comprises a solution comprising hamamelis water or witch hazel, to effectively treat anal-rectal disorders.
Inventors: Gary Robert Agisim (Henrico, Va.), Robert Alan Friedline (Richmond), Richard John Kenny (Glen Allen, Va.)
Assignee: Pfizer Inc. (New York, N.Y.)
March 26, 2019
System and method for ablating a tissue site by electroporation with real-time monitoring of treatment progress
Patent No. 10,238,447
A medical system for ablating a tissue site with real-time monitoring during an electroporation treatment procedure. A pulse generator generates a pre-treatment (PT) test signal having a frequency of at least 1 MHz prior to the treatment procedure and intra-treatment (IT) test signals during the treatment procedure. A treatment control module determines impedance values from the PT test signal and IT test signals and determines a progress of electroporation and an end point of treatment in real-time based on the determined impedance values while the treatment progresses.
Inventors: Robert Neal II (Richmond), Rafael V. Davalos (Blacksburg, Va.)
Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties Inc. (Blacksburg, Va.)
March 26, 2019
Mountable fixture for absorbing recoil
Patent No. 10,240,884
A fixture is provided for supporting load from weapons recoil, being mountable on a flat bed of a road vehicle disposed on ground. The flat bed can receive a weapons mount. The vehicle has longitudinal, lateral and vertical orientation directions. The fixture includes a horizontal deck, a slide assembly, a dampener housing, port and starboard lateral beams, together with first, second and third posts. The horizontal deck receives the weapons mount. The slide assembly supports the deck. The dampener housing receives the slide assembly. The port and starboard lateral beams extend laterally from the dampener housing. The first and second posts extend vertically downward from their corresponding beams to engage the ground. The third post extends vertically downward from the housing to engage the ground. Brackets on the slide assembly extend longitudinally from the platform for enabling the vehicle to drive away from the fixture. The posts are retractable for stowage and extendible for raising the flat bed above the ground.
Inventors: Jorge David De Leon (Ben Alton, Md.), James F. Cahill (Fredericksburg, Va.), Ishankumar Patel (Glen Allen, Va.), Reginald Heggie (Fredericksburg, Va.), Gregorio Morales-Caez (Fredericksburg, Va.), Nelson C. Hall (Fredericksburg, Va.),Arnold R. Hamlet III; (Montross, Va.)
Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy (Washington, D.C.)
March 26, 2019
Pharmaceutical suspension composition
Patent No. 10,238,640
An aqueous oral liquid pharmaceutical composition system with reduced propensity for agglomeration and phase separation which is particularly amendable to the suspension of one or more pharmaceutical actives that are substantially insoluble in water. The oral liquid pharmaceutical composition may further comprise pharmaceutical actives that are soluble in water and dissolve in the aqueous medium. In the composition of the invention both suspended and any dissolved active agents are distributed homogeneously.
Inventors: Jay Dickerson (Midlothian, Va.), William Mark (Glen Allen, Va.), Annabelle Trimmer (Manakin-Sabot, Va.), David Jaeger (Chester, Va.), Amanda Alley (Midlothian, Va.)
Assignee: Wyeth (New York, N.Y.)
March 26, 2019
Systems and methods for percutaneous intravascular access for arteriovenous fistula
Patent No. 10,238,449
A device for extending, elongating, or repairing a previously created arteriovenous fistula between a first blood vessel and an adjacent second blood vessel includes a main body having a primary lumen and an articulating jaw member disposed at the distal end of the main body. The jaw member is configured with two elements to allow rotation of one element about a pivot point to grasp tissue while being rotated. The jaw member is also configured to allow thermal energy delivery to one or both elements of the jaw member that allow tissue welding and cutting. A second lumen located within one element of the jaw member is configured to allow advancement over a guidewire into the second vessel while the other element of the jaw member remains within the first blood vessel at the position where the arteriovenous fistula, or aperture, exists between the first and second blood vessel.
Inventors: Jeffrey E. Hull (Midlothian, Va.), Mark A. Ritchart (Dana Point, Calif.)
Assignee: Avenu Medical Inc. (San Juan Capistrano, Calif.)
March 26, 2019
Antimicrobial and antiviral polymeric materials
Patent No. 10,238,117
The present invention relates to an antimicrobial and antiviral polymeric drawn fiber and polymeric fiber-based materials comprising same, wherein the drawn fiber is a polymer fiber containing cuprous oxide particles dispersed therein, with particle size ranges from about 0.25 to about 0.65 micron. The invention also relates to processes for preparing the same.
Inventors: Vikram Kanmukhla (Henrico, Va.)
Assignee: Cupron Inc. (Richmond)
March 26, 2019
Medicament delivery devices for administration of a medicament within a prefilled syringe
Patent No. 10,238,806
An apparatus includes a housing, a medicament container and a movable member. The medicament container is configured to move within the housing between a first position and a second position in response to a force produced by an energy storage member. A proximal end portion of the medicament container includes a flange and has a plunger disposed therein. A first shoulder of the movable member is configured to exert the force on the flange to move the medicament container from the first position to the second position. A portion of the first shoulder deforms when the medicament container is in the second position such that at least a portion of the force is exerted upon the plunger. A second shoulder of the movable member is configured to exert a retraction force on the flange to move the medicament container from the second position towards the first position.
Inventors: Eric S. Edwards (Moseley, Va.), Evan T. Edwards (Charlottesville, Va.), Mark J. Licata (Doswell, Va.), Paul F. Meyers (Fishers, Ind.)
Assignee: kaleo Inc. (Richmond)
March 26, 2019
System and method for providing a driverless portable ATM
Patent No. 10,248,935
The disclosed technology includes a plurality of driverless mobile automated teller machines (ATMs), a communication interface configured to receive, from a user device, a request for a driverless mobile ATM to complete facilitate a transaction, a location processor configured to determine a first driverless mobile ATM of the plurality of driverless mobile ATMs that is closest to the user device, wherein the communication interface is further configured to transmit, to the first driverless mobile ATM, an alert including the request such that the first driverless mobile ATM can provide cash to a user associated with the user device or can receive cash or a check from the user, and a transaction processor of a backend system of the financial institution configured to process the transaction.
Inventors: Brian DeLuca (Midlothian, Va.), Harish Chavan (Glen Allen, Va.), Jamie Warder (Bethesda, Md.), Max Doerfler III (Richmond), William Grisaitis (Arlington, Va.), Mayank Pande (Glen Allen, Va.), Robert Kania (Falls Church, Va.)
Assignee: Capital One Services (McLean, Va.)
April 2, 2019
System and method for developing and utilizing a contactability profile
Patent No. 10,248,917
Systems and methods for developing and utilizing a contactability profile are disclosed. Contact information may be managed by receiving activity data associated with an entity, processing the received activity data, generating at least one contactability profile associated with the entity based upon a result of the processing, and storing the generated contactability profile.
Inventors: Anthony Paul Reynolds (Richmond, Va.), Daniel J. Welker (Boise, Idaho)
Assignee: Capital One Services (McLean, Va.)
April 2, 2019
Portable alcohol tester
Patent No. 10,247,650
A portable electronic alcohol-testing device is provided that uses vaporization and sensitive pressure guages to approximate the alcohol content of a solution. The device may be used, for example, to determine the relative alcohol content of a mixed beverage.
Inventors:Illya Kajan (Richmond), David Saul (Richmond), Boris Solomonov (Henrico, Va.), Alex Ucci (Richmond), Matthew Leccadito (Richmond)
Assignee: Virginia Commonwealth University (Richmond)
April 2, 2019
Adjustable dosing dispensers and methods for using the same
Patent No. 10,247,592
Embodiments of the invention relate to dosing dispensers and in particular to dosing dispensers that may be operated using one hand by raising and filling a dosing chamber followed by lowering and dispensing a product from the dosing chamber and wherein the dose may be selected or adjusted and a user may visually confirm that the proper dose is being loaded and delivered by the dispenser.
Inventors: Sara D. Falcon (Richmond), Kelly A. Harrigan (Richmond), David L Dejong (Ogden, Utah), Eelco H. DeMan(Vlijmen, Netherlands), Niels F. G. Van Wieringen (‘s-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands)
Assignee: Silgan Dispensing Systems Corp. (Grandview, Mo.)
April 2, 2019
Blanks for display package containing cartomizer blister pack and methods of forming display package for cartomizer blister pack
Patent No. 10,246,216
The package includes a front panel, a back panel opposing the front panel, the back panel defining at least one first cut line in a semi-circular shape at an upper portion of the back panel, a bottom panel forming a lower end of the package, a first side panel forming a first side of the package, a second side panel forming a second side of the package, and an upper panel forming a top end of the package. The first cut line is configured to form a tear line on an outermost surface of the package, the tear line being configured to be torn to open the top end of the package. The blank is capable of being assembled into the package. The method includes providing a blank, and assembling the package from the blank.
Inventors: Scott A. Fath (Richmond)
Assignee: Altria Client Services (Richmond)
April 2, 2019
Centripetal aerodynamic platform spacecraft
Patent No. 10,246,200
An aerodynamic platform or spacecraft including a habitable 1G centripetal force rotating gravity producing interior corridor within an aerodynamic shell and an aerodynamic drone booster launch system with reentry and reuse capability.
Inventors: Lawrence Ellis Williams Sr.(Richmond)
Assignee: N/A
Soft, chewable and orally dissolvable and/or disintegrable products
Patent No. 10,245,227
A soft, chewable and orally dissolvable and/or disintegrable product includes a biopolymer-sugar based matrix and botanical powder dispersed throughout the biopolymer-sugar based matrix. The biopolymer-sugar based matrix includes at least one biopolymer, at least one sugar and optional additives. Soft, chewable and orally dissolvable and/or disintegrable product can also include flavor beads.
Inventors: Feng Gao (Richmond), Shalva Gedevanishvili (Richmond), Shengsheng Liu (Richmond), Munmaya K. Mishra (Manakin Sabot, Va.), William R. Sweeney (Richmond), Randall Baren (Glen Allen, Va.), Qinglin Li (Richmond), Darin Colassaco (Midlothian, Va.), Salem Chouchane (Midlothian, Va.)
Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc. (Richmond)
April 2, 2019
Electroporation with cooling to treat tissue
Patent No. 10,245,105
The present invention provides methods, devices, and systems for in vivo treatment of cell proliferative disorders. Included is a method of treating tissue with electrical energy, the method comprising: delivering electrical energy to tissue using one or more electroporation devices comprising one or more electrodes; and cooling the tissue, surrounding tissue, one or more of the electrodes, or one or more of the electroporation devices to minimize heating. In embodiments, the invention can be used to treat solid tumors, such as brain tumors, and in some embodiments, exemplary methods rely on non-thermal irreversible electroporation (IRE) to cause cell death in treated tumors.
Inventors: Rafael V. Davalos (Blacksburg, Va.), Paulo A. Garcia (Cambridge, Mass.), John L. Robertson (Floyd, Va.), John H. Rossmeisl (Blacksburg, Va.), Robert E. Neal II (Richmond)
Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties Inc. (Blacksburg, VA)
April 2, 2019
Beverage carafe with improved liquid flow
Patent No. 10,244,879
A beverage carafe comprises a beverage reservoir and a channel for directing a flow of liquid from the reservoir when the carafe is tilted for dispensing the liquid. The channel has a floor and an elongated protrusion projecting upward from the floor. The protrusion is transverse to the flow of the liquid through the channel and has a curved distal face and curved sides.
Inventors: Patrick T. Mulvaney (Richmond)
Assignee: Hamilton Beach Brands Inc. (Glen Allen, Va.)
April 2, 2019
Soft oral product
Patent No. 10,244,787
An oral product includes a body that is wholly receivable in an oral cavity. The body includes a polymer matrix and one or more flavorants and/or active ingredients embedded in the polymer matrix. The polymer matrix can include a copolymer of ethylene and one or more vinyl monomers or zein. For example, the polymer can be ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer and/or ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer. In some cases, the oral product can include tobacco and/or nicotine.
Inventors: Munmaya K. Mishra (Manakin Sabot, Va.), Georgios D. Karles (Richmond)
Assignee: Altria Client Services (Richmond)
April 2, 2019
Tobacco lozenge
Patent No. 10,244,786
A tobacco lozenge provided herein includes a body that is partially or wholly receivable in an oral cavity. The body includes a soluble-fiber matrix and tobacco plant tissue dispersed in the soluble-fiber matrix. In some cases, a tobacco lozenge provided herein includes at least 40 weight percent of soluble fiber. In some cases, soluble fiber in tobacco lozenge provided herein can include maltodextrin. The tobacco lozenge is adapted to release the tobacco plant tissue from the body when the body is received within the oral cavity of an adult tobacco consumer and exposed to saliva. A method of making tobacco lozenges provided herein includes forming a molten mixture of at least 40 weight percent soluble fiber, tobacco, and less than 15 weight percent water, while maintaining a mixture temperature of less than 200.degree. C. and portioning the molten mixture into a plurality of tobacco lozenges. In some cases, the ingredients can be mixed to form the molten mixture in an extruder.
Inventors: Feng Gao (Midlothian, Va.), Diane L. Gee (Chesterfield, Va.), Shuzhong Zhuang (Glen Allen, Va.), Phillip M. Hulan (Midlothian, Va.), William J. Burke (Nashville, Tenn.)
Assignee: Altria Client Services (Richmond)
April 2, 2019
Systems and methods for providing variable haptic feedback
Patent No. 10,248,207
A system is provided for generating variable haptic feedback. The system comprises a first haptic feedback device configured to generate haptic feedback according to a received output signal, an input device configured to receive instructions from a remote source, the instructions comprising a haptic feedback output identifier, and a memory device for storing a plurality of haptic feedback profiles, the haptic feedback profiles defining unique haptic feedback patterns characterized at least by a duration and intensity of feedback to be generated by the first haptic feedback device, and said haptic feedback profiles being associated with a haptic feedback output identifier. The system also includes a processor configured to generate and transmit an output signal to the first haptic feedback device according to a haptic feedback profile associated with a received haptic feedback output identifier, said output signal comprising a haptic feedback pattern defined by said haptic feedback profile.
Inventors: James R. Dillon Jr. (Midlothian, Va.), Todd McPherson (San Francisco, Calif.)
Assignee: Capital One Services (McLean, Va.)
April 2, 2019
Composite ballistic resistant laminate
Patent No. 10,247,522
An unconsolidated impact and penetration resistant laminate comprises a plurality of cross-plied sheets, each cross-plied sheet further comprising (i) first and second layers of fibrous or non-fibrous ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene and (ii) first and second layers of thermoplastic adhesive, each adhesive layer having a basis weight of no greater than 5 gsm, wherein (a) the layers of polyethylene and thermoplastic adhesive alternate within the sheet, (b) at least 50 percent of the polyethylene layers are arranged such that the orientation of the first polyethylene layer is offset with respect to the orientation of the second polyethylene layer, and (c) the plurality of cross-plied sheets form a stack that, when subjected to compaction at a pressure of 255 bar and a temperature of 132 degrees C., will not suffer a pressure loss greater than 8 bar within the first two minutes as measured by Test Method B.
Inventors: James Neal Singletary (Midlothian, Va.), Leopoldo Alejandro Carbajal (Newark, Del.), William George Kampert (Wilmington, Del.), Timothy A. Libert (Hockessin, Germany), Bryan Benedict Sauer (Wilmington, Del.), Kenneth C. Harding (Boone, N.C.)
Assignee: E I Du Pont De Nemours and Co. (Wilmington, Del.)
April 2, 2019
Sandwich making appliance and method of making a sandwich with the same
Patent No. 10,244,893
An appliance for cooking a food item comprises a bottom housing, a top housing, and a cooking assembly. The cooking assembly comprises a top heated plate, a bottom heated plate, and a center ring therebetween. The top heated plate is selectively movable between (i) an open position and (ii) a closed position in which a top cooking cavity is selectively formed by the top heated plate and the top housing when the top housing is in a closed position. The bottom heated plate is selectively movable between (i) an open position and (ii) a closed position in which a bottom cooking cavity is selectively formed by the bottom housing and the bottom heated plate. A center cooking cavity is selectively formed by the top heated plate, the center ring, and the bottom heated plate when the top and bottom heated plates are in their respective closed positions.
Inventors: Michael Garman (Moseley, Va.), David L. Jackson (Mechanicsville, Va.), Abraham S. Longmire (Ashland, Va.), George Stamper (Quinton, Va.), Micheal M. Pierce (Henrico, Va.), Derek A. McCullough (Henrico, Va.), Mark C. Steiner (Midlothian, Va.), Andrea L. Radford (Montpelier, Va.)
Assignee: Hamilton Beach Brands Inc. (Glen Allen, Va.)
April 2, 2019