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U.S. Patents Awarded to Inventors in Massachusetts (Aug. 2)(Targeted News Service Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Targeted News Service Targeted News Service ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 2 -- The following federal patents were awarded to inventors in Massachusetts. *** iRobot Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 2 -- iRobot, Bedford, Mass., has been assigned a patent (7,761,954) developed by seven co-inventors for an "autonomous surface cleaning robot for wet and dry cleaning." The co-inventors are Andrew Ziegler, Arlington, Mass., Duane Gilbert, Goffstown, N.H., Christopher J. Morse, Malden, Mass., Scott Pratt, Cary, N.C., Paul Sandin, Brookline, Mass., Nancy Dussault, Weymouth, Mass., and Andrew Jones, Roslindale, Mass. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "An autonomous floor cleaning robot includes a transport drive and control system arranged for autonomous movement of the robot over a floor for performing cleaning operations. The robot chassis carries a first cleaning zone comprising cleaning elements arranged to suction loose particulates up from the cleaning surface and a second cleaning zone comprising cleaning elements arraigned to apply a cleaning fluid onto the surface and to thereafter collect the cleaning fluid up from the surface after it has been used to clean the surface. The robot chassis carries a supply of cleaning fluid and a waste container for storing waste materials collected up from the cleaning surface." The patent application was filed on Aug. 7, 2007 (11/835,363). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=5&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=7,761,954&OS=7,761,954&RS=7,761,954 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** Avery Dennison Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 2 -- Avery Dennison, Pasadena, Calif., has been assigned a patent (7,762,503) developed by John R. Franks, Hopkinton, Mass., for a "cable tie with oxygen sensor connector fastener." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A one-piece cable tie includes a locking head and an attached strap, the locking head being adapted to receive and selectively engage a portion of the strap when the tie is formed into a closed loop. The cable tie additionally includes a fastener formed onto the locking head that is designed for connection with the electrical connector for an oxygen sensor for an automotive emissions control system. The fastener includes a flattened platform that is spaced away from the top surface of the locking head by an inverted T-shaped standoff, the flattened platform being sized and shaped to be slidably disposed within a corresponding slot formed in the electrical connector. A ratchet tooth is formed onto the flat top surface of the platform and is shaped to engage the electrical connector in order to retain the fastener secured within the slot in the electrical connector." The patent application was filed on April 19, 2006 (11/407,533). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=7,762,503&OS=7,762,503&RS=7,762,503 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** Staples The Office Superstore Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 2 -- Staples The Office Superstore, Framingham, Mass., has been assigned a patent (7,762,486) developed by six co-inventors for a shredder. The co-inventors are William J. Mussig, Seekonk, Mass., David Logan Baker, Greene, R.I., Darren W. Abrams, East Greenwich, R.I., Benoit Devinat, Providence, R.I., Daniel A. Barry, Berlin, and TC Wang, Taipei, Taiwan. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A shredder including a shredding mechanism, a housing at least partially enclosing the shredding mechanism, and a receptacle that receives and contains shredded material is provided. The shredder may further includes a compactor including a ram that, when actuated, moves through the receptacle to compress shredded material in the receptacle. The shredder may further include a foot operated lever coupled to the compactor to actuate the ram. The compactor may also include a scissor mechanism that guides the ram through the receptacle." The patent application was filed on Jan. 30, 2008 (12/011,813). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=7,762,486&OS=7,762,486&RS=7,762,486 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** Digimarc Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 2 -- Digimarc, Beaverton, Ore., has been assigned a patent (7,762,468) developed by Robert L. Jones, Andover, Mass., and Alastair M. Reed, Lake Oswego, Ore., for a "readers to analyze security features on objects." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "The present invention provides readers to analyze emerging security or authentication feature for physical objects (e.g., identification documents, product packaging, banknotes, etc.). One claim recites a reader including: an excitation source to excite an object with first non-visible light, the object comprising first indicia provided with a first ink or dye and second indicia provided with a second ink or dye, the second ink or dye comprising an emission decay time that is relatively longer than an emission decay time of the first ink or dye, the first indicia and the second indicia collectively conveying a first machine readable feature when illuminated with the first non-visible light, with the second indicia individually conveying a second machine readable feature after emissions attributable to the first indicia fall to a first level; and a code reader to read at least the second machine readable feature after emissions attributable to the first ink or dye fall to the first level and before emissions attributable to the second ink or dye fall to a second level. Other claims and combinations are provided as well." The patent application was filed on Sept. 22, 2008 (12/234,938). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=14&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=7,762,468&OS=7,762,468&RS=7,762,468 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** Chrysler Group Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 2 -- Chrysler Group, Auburn Hills, Mich., has been assigned a patent (7,762,313) developed by Eric Darby, Boston, for a "coolant sensor and bleed valve." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A coolant sensor doubles as a bleed valve for purging trapped air from a cooling system. The sensor slides into a port placing a sensor element in contact with the coolant. The sensor includes a pair of encircling o-rings for sealing the system from atmosphere in one position and permitting bleeding in a second position. The bleed channel is in the sensor port between the o-rings. The sensor is moved so the innermost o-ring clears the narrow opening into the cooling system. The outermost o-ring maintains a seal to keep the coolant from leaking out of the sensor port. The sensor is held in either position by a horseshoe clip or by a bayonet arrangement, the horseshoe clip arrangement including multiple apertures for each position, the bayonet having a position to provide for safe bleeding of air from the cooling system without completely removing the sensor from its retention port." The patent application was filed on Feb. 7, 2008 (12/027,295). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=7,762,313.PN.&OS=PN/7,762,313&RS=PN/7,762,313 Written by Arpi Sharma; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Alliance Tire Americas Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 2 -- Alliance Tire Americas, Malden, Mass., has been assigned a patent (7,762,296) developed by five co-inventors for an agricultural vehicle tire. The co-inventors are David Ganz, Belmont, Mass., Alain Courtemanche, Drummondville, Canada, Domenic E. Mazzola, Concord, Mass., Steven Coetzee, Port Elizabeth, South Africa, and Tian Blomerus, Lowell, Mass. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "This invention provides a tire for agricultural vehicles that employs a tread design having a flattened contact surface across the width and a plurality of curved lugs that alternately extend from each sidewall to a location nearly adjacent to the opposing side wall. Each lug curves so that a central section at the center of the tire width is located on the surface ahead on the circumference of adjoining sections of the lug that extend toward each of the opposing sidewalls. In this manner, each lug appears to have a curved "banana" shape that extends across the width of the tire contact surface in a generally axial alignment. The grooves between lugs extend generally axially across the width, as a result. They are narrowed, having a circumferential width that is between approximately 20% and 30% of the average circumferential width of a lug. This geometry places more lug surface in contact with the road for better handling and longer tread life and provides less groove space to retain mud and detritus. This geometry also causes more accumulated mud and detritus to be squeezed from, and ejected out of, the tire prior to the transition onto hard road from soft ground, thereby reducing undesirable tracking on the road surface." The patent application was filed on Nov. 20, 2007 (11/943,331). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=7,762,296.PN.&OS=PN/7,762,296&RS=PN/7,762,296 Written by Arpi Sharma; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Massachusetts Institute of Technology Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 2 -- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Mass., has been assigned a patent (7,762,233) developed by Daniel R. Cohn, Chestnut Hill, Mass., Leslie Bromberg, Sharon, Mass., and John B. Heywood, Newton, Mass., for a "fuel management system for variable ethanol octane enhancement of gasoline engines." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Fuel management system for efficient operation of a spark ignition gasoline engine. Injectors inject an anti-knock agent such as ethanol directly into a cylinder of the engine. A fuel management microprocessor system controls injection of the anti-knock agent so as to control knock and minimize that amount of the anti-knock agent that is used in a drive cycle. It is preferred that the anti-knock agent is ethanol. The use of ethanol can be further minimized by injection in a non-uniform manner within a cylinder. The ethanol injection suppresses knock so that higher compression ratio and/or engine downsizing from increased turbocharging or supercharging can be used to increase the efficiency of the engine." The patent application was filed on Dec. 8, 2008 (12/329,729). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=77,62,233.PN.&OS=PN/77,62,233&RS=PN/77,62,233 Written by Rajat Puri; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Ethanol Boosting Systems Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 2 -- Ethanol Boosting Systems, Cambridge, Mass., has been assigned a patent (7,762,243) developed by four co-inventors for a "single nozzle direct injection system for rapidly variable gasoline/anti-knock agent mixtures." The co-inventors are Leslie Bromberg, Sharon, Mass., Paul Blumberg, Southfield, Mich., Daniel R. Cohn, Cambridge, Mass., and John Heywood, Newtonville, Mass. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Engine management system for operation of a direct injection spark ignition gasoline engine. The system includes a gasoline engine, a source of gasoline and a source of an anti-knock agent. Gasoline and anti-knock agent are introduced into a proportioning valve that delivers a selected mixture of gasoline/anti-knock agent to a high pressure pump. At least one injector receives the selected mixture from the high pressure pump and delivers the mixture into a cylinder of the engine. The engine management system provides a rapidly variable mixture of directly injected anti-knock agent and gasoline which prevents knock as the engine torque increases." The patent application was filed on Jan. 28, 2010 (12/695,547). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=77,62,243.PN.&OS=PN/77,62,243&RS=PN/77,62,243 Written by Rajat Puri; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Sensata Technologies Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 2 -- Sensata Technologies, Attleboro, Mass., has been assigned a patent (7,762,140) developed by Jared E. Girroir, Attleboro, Mass., and Nicholas Moelders, Norton, Mass., for a "combined fluid pressure and temperature sensor apparatus." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A combined fluid pressure transducer and temperature sensor (10) has a housing (12) containing a variable capacitor (14) having a rigid substrate (14a) and attached flexible diaphragm (14b) in sealed, spaced apart relation. The capacitor is mounted in the housing so that the outer face surface of the diaphragm is exposed to a fluid pressure chamber (12k). A temperature responsive sensor element (28) is disposed on the outer face surface of the diaphragm and covered by a thin protective layer. A fluid flow diffuser (30) is disposed in the fluid pressure port (12b) for directing fluid flow across the temperature sensor." The patent application was filed on Dec. 11, 2008 (12/332,401). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=7,762,140.PN.&OS=PN/7,762,140&RS=PN/7,762,140 Written by Anjali Jha; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Vectrix International Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 2 -- Vectrix International, Hong Kong, has been assigned a patent (7,762,231) developed by David Dugas, Mansfield, Mass., Craig Bliss, Taunton, Mass., and Peter S. Hughes, South Harwich, Mass., for a "vehicle with contactless throttle control." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A vehicle power control that includes a throttle mounting portion and a throttle that is movably mounted to the throttle mounting portion and configured for manipulation and operation by a rider. The power control also includes a sensor in contactless association with at least one of the throttle and throttle mounting portion. The sensor is configured for sensing a position of the throttle with respect to the mounting portion, in the contactless association, and generating a signal based on the sensed position for controlling motive power of a vehicle." The patent application was filed on June 13, 2007 (11/762,596). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=77,62,231.PN.&OS=PN/77,62,231&RS=PN/77,62,231 Written by Rajat Puri; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Lucky Litter Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 2 -- Lucky Litter, Chicago, has been assigned a patent (7,762,213) developed by seven co-inventors for a self-cleaning litter box. The co-inventors are Alan Jay Cook, Skokie, Ill., Kristin William Grube, Bloomington, Ind., Thomas Edward Devlin, Somerville, Mass., Jeff Reed Greason, Portsmouth, N.H., Karl Thatcher Ulrich, Narbeth, Pa., Nathan Thatcher Ulrich, Lee, N.H., and Chi Lam Yau, Dover, N.H. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A self-cleaning litter box is disclosed which provides various advantages over the prior art. In particular, in one embodiment, the self-cleaning litter box is configured to use a cartridge which may include a litter compartment and a waste compartment. In another embodiment, the cartridge may be non-compartmentalized. The cartridge may be disposable, thus eliminating the need for the user to clean the litter tray and handle heavy litter containers. In other embodiments, the system includes a rake assembly configured with a drive assembly that is protected from contamination. In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the self-cleaning litter box is configured to be used with all types of litter including crystal type litter." The patent application was filed on Sept. 30, 2004 (10/574,068). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=77,62,213.PN.&OS=PN/77,62,213&RS=PN/77,62,213 Written by Rajat Puri; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Timberland Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 2 -- Timberland, Stratham, N.H., has been assigned a patent (7,762,008) developed by Douglas E. Clark, Durham, N.H., David E. Miller, Dayton, Maine, and Peter Dillon, Topsfield, Mass., for an extreme service footwear. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "The present invention provides articles of footwear adapted for use in extreme and hazardous environments by members of the military, law enforcement personnel and others who require durable and functional footwear. The footwear include protective coverings that may be proof, puncture proof, fire retardant or water repelling. Drainage holes can be positioned in the toe region and along the outsole to enable a wearer to quickly drain water from the article of footwear. Single use or replaceable drainage plugs may cover the holes to prevent entry of water into the boot or other article of footwear. Removable and/or replaceable footbeds may be employed, and such footbeds may provide adjustable sizing of the article of footwear using interchangeable cartridges. A support saddle may be employed with the footbed to enhance foot support under heavy loads. These and other features herein are suited for use in a wide variety of footwear." The patent application was filed on Sept. 7, 2006 (11/516,859). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=7,762,008.PN.&OS=PN/7,762,008&RS=PN/7,762,008 Written by Shabnam Sheikh; edited by Jaya Anand. *** General Electric Assigned Patent for Inspection Tool for Measuring Bucket Z Notch Position ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 2 -- General Electric, Schenectady, N.Y., has been assigned a patent (7,762,004) developed by five co-inventors for an "inspection tool for measuring bucket Z notch position." The co-inventors are Graham D. Sherlock, Greenville, S.C., Paul L. Kalmar, Zirconia, N.C., Christopher E. Thompson, Danvers, Mass., Benjamin E. Baker, Simpsonville, S.C., and Todd Moran, Greenville, S.C. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "An inspection tool for a turbine bucket shroud includes: a clamp device for clamping a dovetail portion of a turbine bucket; a template plate provided with an aperture defined by a edge shaped to conform to a specified shape of the turbine bucket shroud, wherein the template is moveable to a location over the turbine bucket shroud in a direction toward the clamp device, and wherein, at the location, the aperture represents a design specification location for the turbine bucket shroud relative to the dovetail portion of the bucket. A measurement gauge is provided for measuring gaps between edges of the shroud and edges of the template aperture." The patent application was filed on Jan. 25, 2008 (12/010,513). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=7,762,004.PN.&OS=PN/7,762,004&RS=PN/7,762,004 Written by Shabnam Sheikh; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Playtex Products Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 2 -- Playtex Products, Westport, Conn., has been assigned a patent (7,762,423) developed by Joshua S. Lieberman, Pompton Lakes, N.J., Frank Manganiello, Centreville, Mass., and Michael Maloney, Bolton, Canada, for a "flow control element for use with leak-proof cup assemblies." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "There is provided a flow control element for use with a drinking cup cap having a first mating member in fluid communication with a spout aperture. The flow control element has a first stack and a first valve. The first stack has an upper portion that can be positioned to be removably sealed in or with the cap. The first valve is defined in a sidewall of the first stack and is configured to provide selective fluid communication with the spout aperture." The patent application was filed on Jan. 30, 2006 (11/342,403). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=7762423.PN.&OS=PN/7762423&RS=PN/7762423 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Polytop Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 2 -- Polytop, Slatersville, R.I., has been assigned a patent (7,762,438) developed by Clifford W. Skillin, Blackstone, Mass., for a "dispensing closure with latch back." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A closure body has a closure deck with a dispensing orifice. A lower peripheral skirt depends from the closure deck and is configured to be mounted on a container. A closure cap has an upper wall and a wall flange which depends from the upper wall. A hinge structure joins the wall flange to the lower peripheral skirt. A latch recess is defined within the lower peripheral skirt. A latch protrusion is located on the wall flange of the cap and positioned respectively positioned above the latch recess when closure cap is in a closed position. The latch protrusion and the latch recess define interfitting mating formations which engage to secure the cap to the closure body when the closure cap is in an open position." The patent application was filed on Oct. 9, 2009 (12/576,509). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=7762438.PN.&OS=PN/7762438&RS=PN/7762438 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. 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