The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 19, 2015
Filed:
Jul. 25, 2011
Adam Hartman, Denton, TX (US);
Paul Nguyen, Plano, TX (US);
David Cummings, Richardson, TX (US);
Nestec S.A., Vevey, CH;
Abstract
Air-in-line sensor systems and methods of using same are provided. In a general embodiment, the present disclosure provides an adapter including first and second cylindrical portions defining a fluid flow channel, the first cylindrical portion comprising two adjacent wedge-shaped protrusions. Each wedge-shaped protrusion is infrared transmittive and defines an outer surface and an inner surface. In another embodiment, an air-in-line sensor device includes a tube and an infrared reflective sensor having an infrared light emitter and an infrared light detector. The infrared light emitter and the infrared light detector are positioned at or near an adapter so that an infrared light can be transmitted to the adapter and at least a portion of the infrared light reflected off the adapter can be detected by the infrared light detector.