Ashbaugh, US

Ben Ashbaugh, Folsom, CA US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20150161758	BLOCK OPERATION BASED ACCELERATION - Apparatuses, systems, and methods may implement a block operation on a data block. The block operation may include a data transfer event involving system memory to be performed by an element block independently of shared local memory. The block operation may also include a data transfer event involving system memory to be performed by the element block using one memory address for the element block. In addition, the block operation may include a data transfer event including a data register and/or excluding shared local memory to be performed by the element block. The block operation may include a data transfer event involving one or more rows of data. The width of the data block may be implicitly defined, based on the number of elements in the element block. In one example, the block operation may be implemented for a scalar, or single instruction multiple thread program as a built-in function.	06-11-2015

Ben J. Ashbaugh, Folsom, CA US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20110209127	Register Allocation With SIMD Architecture Using Write Masks - A single instruction multiple data processor may accomplish register allocation by identifying live ranges that have incompatible write masks during compilation. Then, edges are added in an interference graph between live ranges that have incompatible masks so that those live ranges will not be assigned to the same physical register.	08-25-2011
20120254497	METHOD AND APPARATUS TO FACILITATE SHARED POINTERS IN A HETEROGENEOUS PLATFORM - A method and apparatus to facilitate shared pointers in a heterogeneous platform. In one embodiment of the invention, the heterogeneous or non-homogeneous platform includes, but is not limited to, a central processing core or unit, a graphics processing core or unit, a digital signal processor, an interface module, and any other form of processing cores. The heterogeneous platform has logic to facilitate sharing of pointers to a location of a memory shared by the CPU and the GPU. By sharing pointers in the heterogeneous platform, the data or information sharing between different cores in the heterogeneous platform can be simplified.	10-04-2012
20140071144	METHOD AND APPARATUS TO FACILITATE SHARED POINTERS IN A HETEROGENEOUS PLATFORM - A method and apparatus to facilitate shared pointers in a heterogeneous platform. In one embodiment of the invention, the heterogeneous or non-homogeneous platform includes, but is not limited to, a central processing core or unit, a graphics processing core or unit, a digital signal processor, an interface module, and any other form of processing cores. The heterogeneous platform has logic to facilitate sharing of pointers to a location of a memory shared by the CPU and the GPU. By sharing pointers in the heterogeneous platform, the data or information sharing between different cores in the heterogeneous platform can be simplified.	03-13-2014
20150186273	METHOD AND APPARATUS TO FACILITATE SHARED POINTERS IN A HETEROGENEOUS PLATFORM - A method and apparatus to facilitate shared pointers in a heterogeneous platform. In one embodiment of the invention, the heterogeneous or non-homogeneous platform includes, but is not limited to, a central processing core or unit, a graphics processing core or unit, a digital signal processor, an interface module, and any other form of processing cores. The heterogeneous platform has logic to facilitate sharing of pointers to a location of a memory shared by the CPU and the GPU. By sharing pointers in the heterogeneous platform, the data or information sharing between different cores in the heterogeneous platform can be simplified.	07-02-2015

Douglas Ashbaugh, Nokomis, FL US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20090313116	DISTRIBUTED CONTENT EXCHANGE AND PRESENTATION SYSTEM - An Internet-oriented advertising exchange controller presents website content in a plurality of frames as well as support search criteria and other flexible forms of inventory formatting and delivery. Applications include Internet protocol request coordination or relay, cooperative frame based or interstitial advertising, and support for a local search or dataless metasearch system. The controller operates in a cookieless environment, has logic to protect advertiser's investment from AutoSurf equivalent systems, and protects against other inappropriate stimuli including denial of service or IP blast attacks. As such, an advertiser's credits are affected only by human stimuli. Communication with and among exchange controllers for sharing or delivering information about inventory occurs by a number of protocols with optional encryption. The controller provides a foundation for a robust, advertiser protective, web based advertising and network search system with economic support by use of unstoppable framesets, and ultimately frame-based advertising and presentation methods.	12-17-2009
20140089109	DISTRIBUTED CONTENT EXCHANGE AND PRESENTATION SYSTEM - An Internet-oriented advertising exchange controller presents website content in a plurality of frames as well as support search criteria and other flexible forms of inventory formatting and delivery. Applications include Internet protocol request coordination or relay, cooperative frame based or interstitial advertising, and support for a local search or dataless metasearch system. The controller operates in a cookieless environment, has logic to protect advertiser's investment from AutoSurf equivalent systems, and protects against other inappropriate stimuli including denial of service or IP blast attacks.	03-27-2014

Floyd Ashbaugh, Irvine, CA US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20160072444	COMPLEMENTARY METAL OXIDE SEMICONDUCTOR RADIO FREQUENCY POWER AMPLIFIERS WITH HIGH LINEARITY ACROSS A WIDE RANGE OF BURST SIGNALS IN WIFI APPLICATIONS - An RF power amplifier biasing circuit has a start ramp signal input, a main current source input, an auxiliary current source input, and a circuit output. A ramp-up capacitor is connected to the auxiliary current source input. A ramp-up switch transistor is connected to the start ramp signal input and is selectively thereby to connect the auxiliary current source input to the ramp-up capacitor. A buffer stage has an input connected to the ramp-up capacitor and an output connected to the main current source input at a sum node. A minor transistor has a gate terminal corresponding to the circuit output and a source terminal connected to the sum node and to the gate terminal.	03-10-2016

Jack Ashbaugh, Lafayette, LA US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20140041946	FRICTION REDUCTION DEVICE FOR DRILL PIPE - A device to couple to a rotatable drill pipe to control pressure of a drilling system is disclosed. The device includes an inner surface to wrap around a portion of a rotatable drill pipe and having an inner diameter. A first tapered portion is opposite a second tapered portion, with a middle portion therebetween including an outer diameter greater than the inner diameter. The first and second tapered portions each taper from the outer surface to the inner surface. The middle portion, the first tapered portion, and the second tapered portion form an outer surface to sealingly pass through a seal element of a controlled-pressure drilling system. At least a portion of the outer surface corresponding to the middle portion includes a low-friction material.	02-13-2014

John Ashbaugh, Houston, TX US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20090029098	Resin Composition for Improved Slit Film - Slit films and processes of forming the same are generally described herein. In one embodiment, the slit films include an impact copolymer (ICP) formed of polypropylene and less than about 8 wt. % total ethylene, wherein the slit film exhibits less shrinkage and higher tenacity than a slit film formed from an ICP having greater than 10 wt. % ethylene. In one embodiment, the slit films include an impact copolymer including propylene and ethylene, wherein the slit film is absent another polymer.	01-29-2009
20090155614	Polypropylene Materials and Method of Preparing Polypropylene Materials - A polypropylene material may be prepared from a blend of heterophasic propylene copolymers and propylene homopolymers. The material may be prepared by blending the polymers while they are in a molten state, and forming a film or sheet from the polymer blend. The materials may also be formed as coextruded materials or as ternary blends with a polyethylene or a single phase random propylene copolymer. The blends and neat polymers have particular application to forming slit film tapes and similar materials. The resultant materials may exhibit increased tenacity, elongation and toughness and greater surface roughness as compared to those materials prepared solely from propylene homopolymers.	06-18-2009
20100081767	Articles Formed from Nucleated Polyethylene - Polymer articles and processes of forming the same are described herein. The processes generally include providing an ethylene based polymer, blending the ethylene based polymer with a modifier to form modified polyethylene and forming the modified polyethylene into a polymer article, wherein the polymer article exhibits a haze that is at least about 10% less than a polymer article prepared with a similarly modified polyethylene.	04-01-2010
20100129579	Rapid Crack Properties in High Performance Pipe - Pipe articles and methods of forming the same are described herein. The pipe articles generally include a bimodal polyethylene including a greater amount of high molecular weight fraction than low molecular weight fraction and wherein the pipe article exhibits a critical temperature of less than about 0° C. at 5 bar.	05-27-2010
20100136310	Polyethylene Fibers and Processes of Forming the Same - Fibers and methods of forming the fibers are described herein. The fibers generally include an ethylene based polymer exhibiting a molecular weight distribution of from about 2 to about 8.	06-03-2010
20100159173	Polyethylene Polymerization Processes - Polymer articles and processes of forming the same are described herein. The processes generally include providing a bimodal ethylene based polymer, blending the bimodal ethylene based polymer with a nucleator to form modified polyethylene and forming the modified polyethylene into a polymer article, wherein the polymer article is selected from pipe articles and blown films.	06-24-2010
20110105691	Blends of Polypropylene and Polyethylene and Methods of Forming the Same - Polymer blends and methods of forming the same are described herein. The polymer blends generally include a single site transition metal catalyst formed polypropylene, a single site transition metal catalyst formed polyethylene and a polyethylene compatible nucleator.	05-05-2011
20110132519	POLYOLEFIN POLYLACTIC ACID BLENDS FOR EASY OPEN PACKAGING APPLICATIONS - Easy open packaging films and methods of forming the same are described herein. The films generally include a polymeric composition, wherein the polymeric composition includes an olefin based polymer and polylactic acid.	06-09-2011
20110144273	POLYPROPYLENE AND POLYLACTIC ACID FORMULATIONS FOR HEAT SEAL APPLICATIONS - Films (or a cap layer of co-extruded films) and methods of forming the same are described herein. The films generally include a modified olefin based polymer including polypropylene and from 1 wt. % to 30 wt. % polylactic acid (PLA), wherein the modified olefin based polymer exhibits a seal initiation temperature (SIT) that is at least 5° C. less than a seal initiation temperature of the polypropylene absent the PLA and a hot tack range of at least 20° C.	06-16-2011
20110174413	Modification of Polyethylene Pipe to Improve Sag Resistance - Methods of forming pipe articles and pipe articles are described herein. The methods generally include providing a bimodal ethylene based polymer, blending the bimodal ethylene based polymer with up to about 50 ppm peroxide to form modified polyethylene and forming the modified polyethylene into a pipe.	07-21-2011
20110190447	COMPATIBILIZED POLYPROPYLENE HETEROPHASIC COPOLYMER AND POLYLACTIC ACID BLENDS FOR INJECTION MOLDING APPLICATIONS - Injection molded articles and process of forming the same are described herein. The processes generally include providing a polyolefin including one or more propylene heterophasic copolymers, the polyolefin having an ethylene content of at least 10 wt. % based on the total weight of the polyolefin; contacting the polyolefin with a polylactic acid and a reactive modifier to form a compatiblized polymeric blend, wherein the reactive modifier is produced by contacting a polypropylene, a multifunctional acrylate comonomer, and an initiator under conditions suitable for the formation of a glycidyl methacrylate grafted polypropylene (PP-g-GMA) having a grafting yield in a range from 1 wt. % to 15 wt. %; and injection molding the compatibilized polymeric blend into an article.	08-04-2011
20110195210	POLYPROPYLENE AND POLYLACTIC ACID BLENDS OF INJECTION STRETCH BLOW MOLDING APPLICATIONS - Injection stretch blow molded (ISBM) articles containing a bio-based polymers and methods of forming the same are described herein. The method generally includes providing a propylene-based polymer; contacting the propylene-based polymer with polylactic acid to form a polymeric blend; injection molding the blend into a preform; and stretch-blowing the preform into an article.	08-11-2011
20110251346	Biodegradable Polymeric Compositions and Methods of Making and Using the Same - Biodegradable polymeric compositions and processes for making such are described herein. The processes generally include providing an olefin based polymer selected from polypropylene, polyethylene, combinations thereof and copolymers thereof and contacting the olefin based polymer with polylactic acid in the presence of a reactive modifier to form the biodegradable polymeric composition, wherein the reactive modifier is selected from oxazoline-grafted polyolefins, maleated polyolefin-based ionomers, isocyanate-functionalized polyolefins and combinations thereof.	10-13-2011
20110313104	Polypropylene Compositions for Oriented Films - Oriented films and methods of forming the same are discussed herein. The oriented films generally include a propylene based polymer and an additive selected from fluoropolymers, fluoroelastomers and combinations thereof, wherein the additive is present in an amount of from about 50 ppm to about 20,000 ppm.	12-22-2011
20120065333	CROSSLINKABLE HIGH MELT STRENGTH POLYPROPYLENE RESINS - Crosslinkable silane-grafted polypropylene compositions and processes of forming the same are described herein. The processes generally include contacting a polyolefin, a multifunctional monomer and a silane compound in the presence of a radical initiator, wherein the polyolefin is selected from polypropylene, polyethylene, combinations thereof and copolymers thereof.	03-15-2012
20120065334	POLYMERIC BLENDS FOR SLIT FILM APPLICATIONS AND METHODS OF MAKING THE SAME - Films and processes of forming the same are described herein. The processes generally include providing a propylene-based polymer; contacting the propylene-based polymer with polylactic acid in the presence of a modifier to form a polymeric blend, wherein the modifier is selected from epoxy-functionalized polyolefins, maleic anhydride modified polyolefins, ethylene-methacrylate copolymers, styrene-ethylene-butadiene-styrene (SIBS) polymers, and combinations thereof; forming the polymeric blend into a film; and monoaxially orienting the film.	03-15-2012
20120108863	Depolymerizatin of Plastic Materials - A styrene monomer reclamation process and system is disclosed. The styrene monomer reclamation process includes providing a waste plastic. The waste plastic includes styrenic polymers. The waste plastic is formed into polymer particles. At least a portion of the polymer particles are dissolved in a solvent to form a polymer stream. The dissolved polymer particles are depolymerized to form a styrene monomer stream.	05-03-2012
20120175008	POLYETHYLENE COMPOSITION FOR LARGE DIAMETER PIPE STABILITY - Pipe articles and methods of forming the same are described herein. The methods generally include providing an ethylene based polymer; contacting the ethylene based polymer with a secondary stabilizer including a diphosphite to form a modified polyethylene; and forming the modified polyethylene into a pipe.	07-12-2012
20120189860	POLYMERIC COMPOSITIONS COMPRISING POLYLACTIC ACID OLIGOMERS AND METHODS OF MAKING THE SAME - Process of modifying polylactic acid and compositions formed therefrom are described herein. The process generally includes providing a first polylactic acid, wherein the first polylactic acid includes a carboxylic acid end group and unsaturating the first polylactic acid to form a second polylactic acid.	07-26-2012
20120208037	COMPATIBILIZED POLYMERIC COMPOSITIONS COMPRISING POLYOLEFIN-POLYLACTIC ACID COPOLYMERS AND METHODS OF MAKING THE SAME - Polymeric compositions and processes of forming the same are described herein. The processes generally include contacting a polyolefin with a polylactic acid in the presence of at least 800 ppm of radical initiator under extrusion conditions to produce a polyolefin-polylactic acid copolymer.	08-16-2012
20120211927	MODIFIED POLYLACTIC ACID, POLYMERIC BLENDS AND METHODS OF MAKING THE SAME - Polymeric compositions and processes of forming the same are discussed herein. The processes generally include contacting a polylactic acid with a reactive modifier selected from epoxy-functionalized polybutadiene, ionic monomer, and combinations thereof.	08-23-2012
20120214944	POLYOLEFIN POLYLACTIC ACID IN-SITU BLENDS - Polymeric compositions and methods of forming the same are described herein. The methods generally include contacting a polyolefin and a lactide in the presence of a catalyst within an extruder under conditions sufficient to polymerize the lactide and form a polymeric composition including polyolefin and polylactic acid.	08-23-2012
20120220730	High Melt Strength Polypropylene and Methods of Making Same - A high melt strength polypropylene is formed using maleated polypropylene and a combination of coupling agents and acid neutralizers. The maleated polypropylene can be formed using multi-functional monomers. The high melt strength polypropylene can be useful for foaming, sheet extrusion thermoforming, extrusion blow molding, extrusion coating, fiber, film, and the like.	08-30-2012
20130165571	USE OF NUCLEATION IN ICP RESINS - A blown film composition including an impact copolymer polypropylene component and a nucleating agent, wherein the blown film has improved processing and physical properties.	06-27-2013
20130165590	METHODS FOR IMPROVING MULTIMODAL POLYETHYLENE AND FILMS PRODUCED THEREFROM - A blown film composition including a first high density polyethylene component and a second high density polyethylene component, wherein the blown film contains a mixture of three or more discrete molecular weight distributions, and wherein the second high density polyethylene component has at least one more discrete molecular weight distribution than the first high density polyethylene component.	06-27-2013
20130216750	Process for Cross-Linked Polyethylene Production - A method of producing a silane cross-linked polyethylene is disclosed which includes maleating a polyethylene polymer to form a maleated polyethylene and reacting the maleated polyethylene with a primary or secondary amino silane to form a silane-grafted polyethylene. The method further includes treating the silane-grafted polyethylene in a moisture curing process to form the silane cross-linked polyethylene.	08-22-2013
20130253121	SINGLE PELLET POLYMERIC COMPOSITIONS - A pellet composed of a polymeric blend having a composition of between 99.5-51 wt % polyolefin and 0.5-49.9 wt % polylactic acid.	09-26-2013
20130317173	COMPATIBILIZED POLYPROPYLENE HETEROPHASIC COPOLYMER AND POLYLACTIC ACID BLENDS FOR INJECTION MOLDING APPLICATIONSCOMPATIBILIZED POLYPROPYLENE HETEROPHASIC COPOLYMER AND POLYLACTIC ACID BLENDS FOR INJECTION MOLDING APPLICATIONS - Injection molded articles and process of forming the same are described herein. The processes generally include providing a polyolefin including one or more propylene heterophasic copolymers, the polyolefin having an ethylene content of at least 10 wt. % based on the total weight of the polyolefin; contacting the polyolefin with a polylactic acid and a reactive modifier to form a compatiblized polymeric blend, wherein the reactive modifier is produced by contacting a polypropylene, a multifunctional acrylate comonomer, and an initiator under conditions suitable for the formation of a glycidyl methacrylate grafted polypropylene (PP-g-GMA) having a grafting yield in a range from 1 wt. % to 15 wt. %; and injection molding the compatibilized polymeric blend into an article.	11-28-2013
20130331503	Methods for Improving Multimodal Polyethylene and Films Produced Therefrom - A blown film composition including a first high density polyethylene component and a second high density polyethylene component, wherein the blown film contains a mixture of three or more discrete molecular weight distributions, and wherein the second high density polyethylene component has at least one more discrete molecular weight distribution than the first high density polyethylene component.	12-12-2013
20140023869	Compatibilized Polymeric Compositions Comprising Polyolefin-Polylactic Acid Copolymers and Methods of Making the Same - Polymeric compositions and processes of forming the same are described herein. The Processes generally include contacting a polyolefin with a polylactic acid in the presence of at least 800 ppm of a radical initiator under extrusion conditions to produce a polyolefin-polylactic acid copolymer.	01-23-2014
20140048963	Polyethylene Fibers and Processes of Forming the Same - Fibers and methods of forming the fibers are described herein. The fibers generally include an ethylene based polymer exhibiting a molecular weight distribution of from about 2 to about 8.	02-20-2014
20140072746	MODIFIED POLYLACTIC ACID, POLYMERIC BLENDS AND METHODS OF MAKING THE SAME - Polymeric compositions and processes of forming the same are discussed herein. The processes generally include contacting a polylactic acid with a reactive modifier selected from epoxy-functionalized polybutadiene, ionic monomer, and combinations thereof.	03-13-2014
20140141189	POLYPROPYLENE AND POLYLACTIC ACID BLENDS OF INJECTION STRETCH BLOW MOLDING APPLICATIONS - Injection stretch blow molded (ISBM) articles containing a bio-based polymers and methods of forming the same are described herein. The method generally includes providing a propylene-based polymer; contacting the propylene-based polymer with polylactic acid to form a polymeric blend; injection molding the blend into a preform; and stretch-blowing the preform into an article.	05-22-2014
20140235791	POLYPROPYLENE AND POLYLACTIC ACID FORMULATIONS FOR HEAT SEAL APPLICATIONS - Films (or a cap layer of co-extruded films) and methods of forming the same are described herein. The films generally include a modified olefin based polymer including polypropylene and from 1 wt. % to 30 wt. % polylactic acid (PLA), wherein the modified olefin based polymer exhibits a seal initiation temperature (SIT) that is at least 5° C. less than a seal initiation temperature of the polypropylene absent the PLA and a hot tack range of at least 20° C.	08-21-2014
20140377492	PROCESS FOR PRODUCTION OF CROSS-LINKED POLYETHYLENE ARTICLES - A method of producing a sliane cross-linked polyethylene is disclosed which includes maleating a polyethylene polymer to form a maleated polyethylene and reacting the maleated polyethylene with a primary or secondary amino silane to form a silane-grafted polyethylene. The method further includes treating the silane-grafted polyethylene in a moisture curing process to form the silane cross-linked polyethylene.	12-25-2014
20140378613	PROCESS FOR CROSS-LINKED POLYETHYLENE PRODUCTION - A method of producing a silane cross-linked polyethylene is disclosed which includes maleating a polyethylene polymer to form a maleated polyethylene and reacting the maleated polyethylene with a primary or secondary amino silane to form a silane-grafted polyethylene. The method further includes treating the silane-grafted polyethylene in a moisture curing process to form the silane cross-linked polyethylene.	12-25-2014
20150031838	METALLIC ACRYLATE SALTS TO INCREASE POLYMER MELT STRENGTH - A composition can include a polyolefin, a styrenic polymer, or a polylactic acid. The composition can include a metallic acrylate salt. A method of making a composition can include melt mixing a polyolefin, a styrenic polymer, or a polylactic acid with a metallic acrylate salt.	01-29-2015
20150210611	Depolymerization of Plastic Materials - A styrene monomer reclamation process and system is described. The styrene monomer reclamation process includes providing a waste plastic. The waste plastic includes styrenic polymers. The waste plastic is formed into polymer particles. At least a portion of the polymer particles are dissolved in a solvent to form a polymer stream. The dissolved polymer particles are depolymerized to form a styrene monomer stream.	07-30-2015
20150218356	COMPATIBILIZED POLYPROPYLENE HETEROPHASIC COPOLYMER AND POLYLACTIC ACID BLENDS FOR INJECTION MOLDING APPLICATIONS - A method of forming a compatibilized polymeric blend may include providing a polyolefin that includes a propylene heterophasic copolymer. The polyolefin may have an ethylene content of at least 10 weight percent based on a total weight of the polyolefin. The method may include melt blending the polyolefin with a polylactic acid and a reactive modifier to form the compatiblized polymeric blend. The reactive modifier may be a glycidyl methacrylate grafted polypropylene (PP-g-GMA). The reactive modified may be produced by contacting a polypropylene, a glycidyl methacrylate, a multifunctional acrylate comonomer, and an initiator under conditions suitable for the formation of PP-g-GMA having a grafting yield in a range from 1 wt. % to 15 wt. %.	08-06-2015
20150290862	SOLID-STATE STRETCHED HDPE - An ISBM article is disclosed wherein the ISBM article is made from an HDPE resin having a MI2 of 0.1 to 5.0 dg/min as measured by ASTM D-1238; 190° C./2.16 kg, a density of from 0.940 to 0.970 g/cc as measured by ASTM D792, a peak molecular weight of greater than 40,000 g/mol and a zero shear viscosity between 15,000 and 250,000 Pa·sec.	10-15-2015
20150307639	High Melt Strength Polypropylene and Methods of Making Same - A high melt strength polypropylene is formed using maleated polypropylene and a combination of coupling agents and acid neutralizers. The maleated polypropylene can be formed using multi-functional monomers. The high melt strength polypropylene can be useful for foaming, sheet extrusion thermoforming, extrusion blow molding, extrusion coating, fiber, film, and the like.	10-29-2015
20150315349	POLYMER FOAMS - A polymer composition that includes a polyolefin having a molecular weight distribution of greater than or equal to 8 as measured by GPC and a metallic acrylate salt.	11-05-2015
20150337130	Single Pellet Polymeric Compositions - A pellet composed of a polymeric blend having a polyolefin and polylactic acid.	11-26-2015
20150361231	POLYMERIC BLENDS AND ARTICLES MADE THEREFROM - A biaxially oriented film includes a PLA and polyolefin (PLA/PO) blend. The film has a haze of 80% or greater as measured by ASTM-D1003 and a 45° gloss of less than 50% as measured by ASTM-D-2457.	12-17-2015

Kurt E. Ashbaugh, Rockford, MI US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20090113658	SURFACE CLEANING WITH CLEANING FLUID SUPPLY SHAPE MEMORY ALLOY ACTUATOR - A surface cleaning apparatus comprises a fluid delivery system including a supply of cleaning fluid and a fluid recovery system for drawing dirty cleaning fluid from the surface to be cleaned. The apparatus can comprise a passageway that passes heated motor cooling air in heat exchange with the cleaning fluid to heat the cleaning fluid. The apparatus can further comprise a mixing manifold that mixes first and second cleaning fluids at different concentrations for different cleaning modes. The apparatus can further comprise a fluid valve having a shape memory alloy actuator.	05-07-2009
20120137465	UPRIGHT STEAM MOP WITH AUXILIARY HAND TOOL - An upright bare floor cleaner with a handle assembly pivotally mounted to a base assembly. The handle includes a water tank to store a quantity of water and a fluid distribution system that includes a heater and a spray nozzle. Steam is generated by the heater and is distributed to a removable cleaning cloth that applies the steam to the surface to be cleaned. The fluid distribution system further includes an auxiliary hand tool for steam cleaning above-floor surfaces.	06-07-2012
20120204377	ACCESSORY TOOL FOR A VACUUM CLEANER - An accessory tool can include a recovery tank assembly for removing fluid and dirt from a surface to be cleaned and store the recovered fluid and dirt. The accessory tool can be used in connection with a vacuum cleaner including an extraction cleaner. The accessory tool can include a housing assembly having a suction outlet opening adapted to be connected to a vacuum hose in fluid communication with the suction source of the vacuum cleaner and a recovery tank can be in fluid communication with the suction nozzle to store liquid drawn in through the suction nozzle.	08-16-2012
20150033495	UPRIGHT STEAM MOP WITH AUXILIARY HOSE - A steam mop with an upright handle assembly pivotally mounted to a foot includes a fluid distribution system having a distributor in the foot that applies steam to a floor surface and an auxiliary hose for steam cleaning above-floor surfaces. The auxiliary hose is mounted to the steam mop by an articulating joint.	02-05-2015
20150327741	MULTI-FUNCTION CLEANING TOOL - A multi-function cleaning tool for use with a suction cleaner having a suction source includes a nozzle body rotatably coupled to a housing assembly, where the nozzle body includes multiple suction nozzles and/or agitators that are configured to clean different portions of a surface to be cleaned, such as a stairway.	11-19-2015