James E Kesterman

US Patent:

6523581, Feb 25, 2003

Filed:

Jun 5, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/874864

Inventors:

David R. Pendleton - Fairfield OH
James E. Kesterman - Cincinnati OH

Assignee:

Delaware Capital Formation, Inc. - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

B65B 104

US Classification:

141 86, 141311 A, 220571

Abstract:

A fuel fluid communication assembly cooperates with a reservoir configured to contain fuel fluids, and includes a spill restrictor that may act as a secondary containment system and which is configured to restrict leakage to the environment of any liquid fuel present in the interior of the spill restrictor. The fuel fluid communication assembly has a first hollow body with an inwardly facing surface, a restrictor end and a reservoir end. The fuel fluid communication assembly may also have a second hollow body having an outwardly facing surface. The second hollow body is received telescopingly within at least the reservoir end of the first hollow body. The inwardly facing surface of the first hollow body and the outwardly facing surface of the second hollow body define an interstitial space. The fuel fluid communication assembly further has an interstitial space seal.

US Patent:

6729797, May 4, 2004

Filed:

Aug 15, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/219102

Inventors:

Peter E. Manger - Westchester OH
James E. Kesterman - Cincinnati OH
Michael T. McCann - Florence KY
Tod W. Miller - Cincinnati OH

Assignee:

Delaware Capital Formation, Inc. - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

F17C 1300

US Classification:

405 52, 40512945, 73 492, 22056003

Abstract:

A testable sump apparatus comprises a body wall including a first wall with a first wall portion and a second wall with a second wall portion. The first wall portion is spaced from the second wall portion to at least partially define a body wall interstitial space therebetween. The testable sump apparatus can optionally include at least one spacer located in the body wall interstitial space between the first wall portion and the second wall portion. The sump apparatus can also include an optional test port and an optional fitting mounted to the body wall adjacent the through hole. The fitting, if provided, can at least partially define a fitting interstitial space, wherein the fitting interstitial space may be in fluid communication with the body wall interstitial space.

US Patent:

6834892, Dec 28, 2004

Filed:

Dec 20, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/027097

Inventors:

Joshua R. Kornau - Greenville SC
James E. Kesterman - Cincinnati OH

Assignee:

Delaware Capital Formation, Inc. - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

F16L 2300

US Classification:

285364, 285367, 285406, 285920

Abstract:

A self-aligning coupling for mating a pair of corresponding flanged fittings, generally for pipe couplings. The self-aligning coupling includes a first arm, a second arm, and a rotational assist mechanism adapted to mechanically synchronize the closing of the first and second arms relative to the flanged fittings to be connected. The rotational assist mechanism is further adapted to provide motion between the first arm and the second arm to receive and secure the flanged fittings in axial alignment.

US Patent:

6913047, Jul 5, 2005

Filed:

Apr 30, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/835664

Inventors:

Kristopher A. Kane - Cincinnati OH, US
James E. Kesterman - Cincinnati OH, US

Assignee:

Delaware Capital Formation, Inc. - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

B65B001/04

US Classification:

141198, 137409, 137434, 137446

Abstract:

Drop tube assemblies are provided and adapted for use with a liquid reservoir. One exemplary drop tube assembly includes a first conduit, a second conduit and a valve assembly. The valve assembly includes a valve member, a float, and a linkage device pivotally connected with respect to the valve member. The linkage device is adapted for communication with the float such that the float may facilitate in adjusting the position of the valve member with respect to a first end portion of the second conduit in response to a liquid level in a liquid reservoir. The drop tube assembly further includes an adjustable stop member engaging the second conduit and adapted to engage the linkage device to limit a movement of the linkage device.

US Patent:

7069965, Jul 4, 2006

Filed:

Apr 30, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/836978

Inventors:

David R. Pendleton - Fairfield OH, US
James E. Kesterman - Cincinnati OH, US
Kristopher A. Kane - Cincinnati OH, US

Assignee:

Delaware Capital Formation, Inc. - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

B65B 1/04

US Classification:

141 88, 141 86

Abstract:

Drop tube inserts and apparatus adapted for use with a riser pipe of a liquid reservoir are provided. Apparatus include a drop tube insert at least partially disposed within an end portion of a drop tube. The drop tube insert includes a wall with inner and outer surfaces wherein the wall of the drop tube insert is devoid of any opening extending between its inner and outer surfaces.

US Patent:

7128102, Oct 31, 2006

Filed:

Apr 30, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/836759

Inventors:

David R. Pendleton - Fairfield OH, US
James E. Kesterman - Cincinnati OH, US
Kristopher A. Kane - Cincinnati OH, US

Assignee:

Delaware Capital Formation, Inc. - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

B65B 1/30

US Classification:

141205, 141192, 141198, 141301, 141374, 137434

Abstract:

A drop tube segment includes a conduit with a first end portion and a second end portion. The drop tube segment further comprises a valve assembly with a valve member associated with the first end portion, a float, and a linkage device pivotally connected with respect to the valve member. The linkage device is adapted for communication with the float such that the float may facilitate in adjusting the position of the valve member with respect to the first end portion of the conduit in response to a liquid level in a liquid reservoir. The drop tube segment further includes a fastening section located at the second end portion of the conduit for fluid tight fastening with an end portion of another drop tube segment. The fastening section comprises a sealing surface and a threaded portion adapted for threaded engagement with a threaded portion of another drop tube segment. The drop tube segment still further includes a sealing member that engages the sealing surface of the fastening section and is adapted to engage a sealing surface of another drop tube segment.

US Patent:

7174784, Feb 13, 2007

Filed:

Jan 15, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/757812

Inventors:

Brandon P. Grote - Cincinnati OH, US
James E. Kesterman - Cincinnati OH, US
Eugene E. Schneider - Cincinnati OH, US

Assignee:

Delaware Capital Formation, Inc. - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

G01F 23/42

US Classification:

73322

Abstract:

An apparatus for measuring a fluid level includes a housing with a level indicator adapted to display a measured fluid level. A float is associated with the level indicator and an elongated flexible member is provided with a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is attached to the float. The apparatus further includes a spool adapted to store at least a portion of the elongated flexible member, wherein the second end of the elongated flexible member is attached to the spool. A biasing member is adapted to urge the spool to automatically uptake portions of the elongated flexible member as the float travels towards the housing and adapted to allow the elongated flexible member to unwind from the spool as the float travels away from the housing. Additional apparatus include a housing with a level indicator having first and second level indicating gears and a first indexing device adapted to prevent its movement away from one of the indexing gears. The apparatus and a float guide member may be installed on a tank.

US Patent:

7213610, May 8, 2007

Filed:

Apr 30, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/836783

Inventors:

David R. Pendleton - Fairfield OH, US
James E. Kesterman - Cincinnati OH, US
Kristopher A. Kane - Cincinnati OH, US

Assignee:

Delaware Capital Formation, Inc. - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

F16K 31/18

US Classification:

137448, 137445, 137 1518, 141198, 285404

Abstract:

Drop tube segments are provided. Each drop tube segment may be attached to another drop tube segment of a drop tube assembly. The drop tube segments include a wall with a fastener receiving structure that is devoid of any opening extending between inner and outer surfaces of the wall. Methods of making a drop tube assembly are also provided. The methods include the step of inserting a second end portion of a first conduit over a first end portion of a second conduit while edges of an aperture extend radially outwardly away from an outer surface of a first wall of the first conduit.