Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090056146 | Knife blade opening mechanism - A folding knife incorporates an opening assist mechanism that functions to drive the blade from the closed to the open position. The mechanism of the present invention relies upon a pair of torsion springs held axially on the blade axis pin and within a pair of bushings that are stationary relative to the knife handle. There is one spring and one bushing on each lateral side of the blade. One leg of each spring is fixed to the bushing. The opposite leg of the spring rides in a pocket formed in the surface on the blade axially around the opening through which the blade axis pin is inserted. When the blade is in the closed position the torsion springs are “loaded” but do not apply their spring force to the blade, instead applying their force against the stationary bushing. As the blade rotates from the closed position toward the open position, the legs of the springs rotate through and cooperate with structures formed on the bushings to transfer the spring pressure instantly to the blade to drive the blade open. As the blade is thus rotated from the closed position toward the open position, once a predetermined rotational point, or “threshold” point in the rotational movement of the blade is passed, the mechanism of the present invention rotationally drives the blade into the fully open position. This is accomplished with the paired springs, which act on the blade and thereby impart sufficient rotational kinetic energy to the blade to drive the blade into the fully open position. A locking mechanism locks the blade in the open position. | 03-05-2009 |
20090277015 | Release Button for Folding Knife - In a folding knife in which a release button is used to lock the blade in the open and/or closed positions, and to release the blade from being locked, the release button has a shank portion that does not extend past the axial centerline through the button. The tang of the blade may therefore be made long enough that the lockup between the tang and the release button is more secure. | 11-12-2009 |
20100236078 | Knife Blade Opening Mechanism - A folding knife incorporates an opening assist mechanism that functions to drive the blade from the closed to the open position. A pair of torsion springs held axially on the blade axis pin and within a pair of bushings are stationary relative to the knife handle. One leg of each spring is fixed to a bushing. The opposite leg of the spring rides in a pocket formed in the surface on the blade axially around the opening through which the blade axis pin is inserted. As the blade rotates from the closed position toward the open position, the legs of the springs rotate through and cooperate with structures formed on the bushings to transfer the spring pressure instantly to the blade to drive the blade open. | 09-23-2010 |
20130145598 | Knife Blade Opening Mechanism - A folding knife incorporates an opening assist mechanism that functions to drive the blade from the closed to the open position. A torsion spring is retained axially on the blade axis pin and within a bushing that is stationary relative to the knife handle. One leg of the spring is fixed relative to the handle. The opposite leg of the spring extends through and rides in a partial annular groove in the bushing and acts on the blade as it is moved between the open and closed positions. | 06-13-2013 |
20150239134 | Folding Knife With Dual Operational Modes - A folding knife has dual operational mode. In a first modality, the knife is opened and closed manually. In a second modality, the knife is fully automatic. The user is able to switch between modalities with manipulation of a slider bar in the space between handle halves. The user is able to switch from the automatic mode into the manual mode, and vice versa, only when the blade is in the open position. A torsion spring around the pivot shaft connects the blade to the handle. The spring drives the blade open in the automatic operational mode and a switch mechanism is used to alternately engage and disengaged the spring from the blade. One end of the spring is fixed to the handle and the other end interacts with a groove in the tang of the blade when the switch mechanism is in the automatic position. A spacer bar that is part of the switch mechanism has a surface that is operable to laterally displace the spring relative to the blade groove when the switch is in the manual position. The knife also has dual modes of closed-stop functionality. | 08-27-2015 |
20150352730 | Knife With Ambidextrous Actuators and Locking Mechanism - A folding knife has ambidextrously accessible trigger mechanism for releasing the blade from its open and locked position so that it may be moved to the closed position, and when the knife is fitted with an automatic opening mechanism, for releasing the blade from its closed and locked position to the open and locked position. When the blade reaches the open position a novel locking mechanism securely locks the blade open. The trigger mechanism comprises a button on each side of the knife handle. The user may fire the automatic opening mechanism by depressing either the right or left hand trigger button, or both simultaneously. The release mechanism may be incorporated in an auto-assist or manual knife. The locking mechanisms described herein may be incorporated into a manual opening knife or a knife with an auto-assist opening mechanism and in all cases, the knife incorporates a locking mechanism that locks the blade open in a highly secure manner. | 12-10-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080292514 | Fluid Treatment System - The present invention relates to a fluid treatment system comprising: an inlet; an outlet; and a fluid treatment zone disposed between the inlet and the outlet. The fluid treatment zone has disposed therein: (i) an elongate first radiation source assembly having a first longitudinal axis, and (ii) an elongate second radiation source assembly having a second longitudinal axis. The first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis are non-parallel to each other and to a direction of fluid flow through the fluid treatment zone. The present fluid treatment system has a number of advantages including: it can treat large volumes of fluid (e.g., wastewater, drinking water or the like); it requires a relatively small “footprint”; it results in a relatively lower coefficient of drag resulting in an improved hydraulic pressure loss/gradient over the length of the fluid treatment system; and it results in relatively lower (or no) forced oscillation of the radiation sources thereby obviating or mitigating of breakage of the radiation source and/or protective sleeve (if present). Other advantages are discussed in the specification. | 11-27-2008 |
20120248329 | FLUID TREATMENT SYSTEM - The present invention relates to a fluid treatment system comprising: an inlet; an outlet; and a fluid treatment zone disposed between the inlet and the outlet. The fluid treatment zone has disposed therein: (i) an elongate first radiation source assembly having a first longitudinal axis, and (ii) an elongate second radiation source assembly having a second longitudinal axis. The first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis are non-parallel to each other and to a direction of fluid flow through the fluid treatment zone. The present fluid treatment system has a number of advantages including: it can treat large volumes of fluid (e.g., wastewater, drinking water or the like); it requires a relatively small “footprint”; it results in a relatively lower coefficient of drag resulting in an improved hydraulic pressure loss/gradient over the length of the fluid treatment system; and it results in relatively lower (or no) forced oscillation of the radiation sources thereby obviating or mitigating of breakage of the radiation source and/or protective sleeve (if present). Other advantages are discussed in the specification. | 10-04-2012 |
20130277571 | FLUID TREATMENT SYSTEM - A fluid treatment system having an inlet, an outlet, and a fluid treatment zone therebetween. The zone has an array of rows of radiation source assemblies. Each radiation source assembly has a longitudinal axis disposed at an oblique angle with respect to a direction of fluid flow. Each row has a plurality of radiation source assemblies in spaced relation in a direction transverse to the direction of fluid flow, to define a gap through which fluid may flow between an adjacent pair of assemblies. Preferably, all rows in the array are staggered with respect to one another in a direction orthogonal to the direction of fluid flow, such that the gap between an adjacent pair of radiation source assemblies in an upstream row of assemblies is partially or completely obstructed in the direction of fluid flow by a serially disposed radiation source assembly in at least one downstream row. | 10-24-2013 |
20140360947 | FLUID TREATMENT SYSTEM - A fluid treatment system having an inlet, an outlet, and a fluid treatment zone therebetween. The zone has an array of rows of radiation source assemblies. Each radiation source assembly has a longitudinal axis disposed at an oblique angle with respect to a direction of fluid flow. Each row has a plurality of radiation source assemblies in spaced relation in a direction transverse to the direction of fluid flow, to define a gap through which fluid may flow between an adjacent pair of assemblies. Preferably, all rows in the array are staggered with respect to one another in a direction orthogonal to the direction of fluid flow, such that the gap between an adjacent pair of radiation source assemblies in an upstream row of assemblies is partially or completely obstructed in the direction of fluid flow by a serially disposed radiation source assembly in at least one downstream row. | 12-11-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100264158 | AUTOMATED DISPENSARY APPARATUS FOR DISPENSING PILLS - A pill dispensing apparatus has a pill delivery station, a pill receiving station, and a pill singulator. The singulator receives and supports pills delivered from the delivery station and is spun to drive pills supported on the tray around the tray axis. A wiper guide guides the driven pills towards the pill receiving station and at the same time singulates the pills by establish spacing between them. The singulated pills are then deflected to a pill drop zone where they drop into a container. | 10-21-2010 |
20110014018 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PICKING A PACKAGE FROM A DISPENSING SYSTEM - A storage apparatus has an rack of storage bins, a a pick head drive unit to drive a pick head to an access location for a selected bin, and a platform drive unit to drive a platform forming part of the pick head into and out of the rack to pick or load packages at a selected bin of the rack. The platform has a cam formation which, in the course of entry of the platform into the rack acting to lift a desired package until the platform reaches a clearance position at which the cam formation clears the package. Subsequent withdrawal of the platform from the rack acts to drag the desired package from the selected bin. | 01-20-2011 |
20110036856 | RACK ARRANGEMENT FOR KIOSK DISPENSER - A rack assembly of storage bins has a back wall, series of vertical slots in the back wall, partition members having tongues for fixing the partition member to the back wall. Extending between the partition members are bin floors, the edges of the floor members located in slots in the partition members. The spacing of the slots in the back wall and of the slots in the partition members is selected to permit a range of spacings of horizontally adjacent partition members and a range of spacings of vertically adjacent floor members. By suitable selection of the spacings, a large variety of bin sizes can be obtained. | 02-17-2011 |
20110229296 | APPARATUS, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR STORAGE AND DISPENSING OF ITEMS - A method and apparatus for picking items from a stack of items stored in one of a number of bins in a kiosk dispensary. Each bin has a bin identifier identifying its position in the rack and each bin accommodates one or more items with multiple items in a bin arranged in a stack. Each item in the stack has an order identifier corresponding to its position in the stack. An item to be picked is identified by its bin identifier and order identifier. Items between the item to be picked and an access position of the stack are removed from the stack and parked until the item to be picked is in the access position whereupon it is removed from the bin and an index of order identifiers and bin identifiers is updated to match the repositioning of the items. | 09-22-2011 |
20120004770 | VENDING MACHINE FOR STORAGE, LABELING AND DISPENSING OF A CONTAINER - A vending machine, in communication with a remote station, delivers a labeled container to a user from storage holding containers of different sizes and shapes and containing different products such as medicaments. A control system is operable to select a specific unlabeled container from among the other containers in storage, and to move the selected unlabeled container to a labeling module where a label is applied after the position of the label and/or the selected unlabeled container are/is adjusted so as to result in the label being applied at a desired position and angular orientation with respect to the selected unlabeled container. The control system is further operable to move the labeled container to a delivery zone accessible to the user. | 01-05-2012 |
20120061338 | Method of configuring rack storage and a rack assembly so configured - A method of configuring storage in a dispensing kiosk and an assembly of rack modules forming a rack, the assembly selected using the configuration method. The selection uses one or more rack modules from a set of rack modules, each having an array of bins having a range of bin sizes and a range of quantities of bins of each size, so as to present a predetermined bin size distribution. The bin size distribution of one rack module of the set differs from the bin size distribution of the other rack modules of the set so that different combinations of members of the set can be assembled to maximize efficiency of stocking of items in the rack. A target inventory of items for stocking the dispensing kiosk is picked, the inventory having a range of item sizes and a range of quantities of each item size. Combinations of the rack modules are then investigated as candidates for mounting to form the rack, and the rack module combination is selected that, according to stocking rules, will maximize efficiency of stocking of the target inventory in the rack. | 03-15-2012 |
20120081225 | MEDICATION DELIVERY AND VALIDATION SYSTEM, METHOD AND APPARATUS - A system, method and apparatus for validation of medication for consumption by a patient. A patient unit, which is one node on a communication network, is operated to present medication elements stored at the patient unit in an order corresponding to the order of a prescribed course of treatment for the patient. Indicia on the medication elements are inspected to derive characterizing data such as nature of drug and scheduled time of consumption. The derived data is compared to stored data corresponding to a next scheduled medication element. If there is a match, the patient is informed that validated medication is ready to be consumed. The patient then arranges for the medication to be delivered from the patient unit and for a notification to be sent to a compliance agent at a remote network node. | 04-05-2012 |
20130140257 | RACK ARRANGEMENT FOR KIOSK DISPENSER - A rack assembly of storage bins has a back wall, series of vertical slots in the back wall, partition members having tongues for fixing the partition member to the back wall. Extending between the partition members are bin floors, the edges of the floor members located in slots in the partition members. The spacing of the slots in the back wall and of the slots in the partition members is selected to permit a range of spacings of horizontally adjacent partition members and a range of spacings of vertically adjacent floor members. By suitable selection of the spacings, a large variety of bin sizes can be obtained. | 06-06-2013 |
20140154044 | Method For Picking A Package - A storage apparatus has an rack of storage bins, a pick head drive unit to drive a pick head to an access location for a selected bin, and a platform drive unit to drive a platform forming part of the pick head into and out of the rack to pick or load packages at a selected bin of the rack. The platform has a cam formation which, in the course of entry of the platform into the rack acting to lift a desired package until the platform reaches a clearance position at which the cam formation clears the package. Subsequent withdrawal of the platform from the rack acts to drag the desired package from the selected bin. | 06-05-2014 |
20150019008 | VENDING MACHINE CONTAINER LABELING AND DISPENSING METHOD - A vending machine, in communication with a remote station, delivers a labeled container to a user from storage holding containers of different sizes and shapes and containing different products such as medicaments. A control system is operable to select a specific unlabeled container from among the other containers in storage, and to move the selected unlabeled container to a labeling module where a label is applied after the position of the label and/or the selected unlabeled container are/is adjusted so as to result in the label being applied at a desired position and angular orientation with respect to the selected unlabeled container. The control system is further operable to move the labeled container to a delivery zone accessible to the user. | 01-15-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100294496 | LOW DENSITY CEMENTITIOUS COMPOSITIONS - A manufactured cementitious binder including a hydraulic binder in an amount in the range of from about 40 to 75% by weight of the cementitious binder; metakaolin in an amount greater than about 5% by weight of the cementitious binder; silica fume in an amount up to about 15% by weight of the cementitious binder; and cement kiln dust in an amount greater than about 10% by weight of the cementitious binder, the cement kiln dust including chlorine in an amount of at least 0.1% by weight of the cement kiln dust, the cementitious binder providing a cementitious settable composition, when added with water and without a lightweight additive, that has a density lower than about 13 pounds per gallon and greater than about 11 pounds per gallon and a 24 hour compressive strength at 100 F, as hardened, of at least 500 psi. | 11-25-2010 |
20120012314 | LOW DENSITY CEMENTITIOUS COMPOSITIONS USING LIME KILN DUST - A manufactured cementitious binder including a hydraulic binder in an amount in the range of from about 40 to 75% by weight of the cementitious binder; metakaolin in an amount in the range of from about 1 to 30% by weight of the cementitious binder; silica fume in an amount up to about 15% by weight of the cementitious binder; lime kiln dust in an amount of from about 5 to 30% by weight of the cementitious binder, and a cementitious accelerator in an amount greater than about 0.1% by weight of the cementitious binder, wherein the cementitious binder provides a cementitious settable composition, when added with water and without a lightweight additive, that has a density lower than about 13 pounds per gallon and greater than about 11 pounds per gallon and a 24 hour compressive strength at 100 F, as hardened, of at least 500 psi. | 01-19-2012 |
20120012315 | LOW DENSITY CEMENTITIOUS COMPOSITIONS USING LIMESTONE - A manufactured cementitious binder includes a hydraulic binder in an amount in the range of from 40 to 75% by weight of the cementitious binder; metakaolin in an amount in the range of from 1 to 30% by weight of the cementitious binder; silica fume in an amount up to 15% by weight of the cementitious binder; limestone in an amount of from 5 to 30% by weight of the cementitious binder, and a cementitious accelerator in a controlled amount of at least 0.5% by weight of the cementitious binder, the cementitious binder providing a cementitious settable composition when added with water, wherein for a density lower than 13 pounds per gallon and of at least 11 pounds per gallon obtained without a lightweight additive, said cementitious settable composition exhibits a 24 hour compressive strength at 100 F, as hardened, of at least 500 psi. | 01-19-2012 |