IP Library Granted Patent US 9,816,236
Granted Patent B2
US 9,816,236 · App. 15/070,530 · Granted Nov 14, 2017

Device for reinstatement of a micro-trench

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,816,236
App. No.
15/070,530
Granted
Nov 14, 2017
Kind
B2
Abstract

A device for reinstatement of a micro-trench that includes a hopper. The hopper includes a top opening and a bottom opening, the top opening being larger than the bottom opening. The device also includes a valve portion connected to the bottom opening of the hopper and a tube connected to the valve portion. The device also includes a dynamic plate portion including a top opening, a bottom opening, and a conduit between the top and bottom openings. The top opening of the plate portion is connected to the tube, and the bottom opening includes a length and a width. The dynamic plate portion allows the device to maintain positive contact with the pavement even when the surface of the pavement is angled or uneven.

Claims (38)

1. A device for reinstatement of a micro-trench comprising:

a hopper comprising a first opening and a second opening, wherein the first opening is at a location higher than the second opening within the hopper;

a valve portion connected to the second opening of the hopper;

a tube connected to the valve portion; and

a dynamic plate portion comprising a top opening, a bottom opening, and a conduit between the top and bottom openings, the top opening connected to the tube and the bottom opening comprising a length and a width, whereby the tube allows the dynamic plate portion to move.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the valve portion comprises a top portion, a bottom portion, and a valve positioned between the top portion and the bottom portion, the top portion connected to the second opening of the hopper and the bottom portion connected to the tube.

3. The device of claim 2 , wherein the valve of the valve portion is mechanically-actuated.

4. The device of claim 1 , wherein the device is machine-powered.

5. The device of claim 1 , wherein the device further comprises a frame support; and

wherein the hopper is positioned within the frame support and is rotatably connected to the frame support.

6. The device of claim 5 , wherein the device further comprises one or more shafts connected to the frame support and the plate portion.

7. The device of claim 5 , wherein the device further comprises a camera mounted to the frame support.

8. The device of claim 1 , wherein the device is non-machine-powered.

9. A machine-powered device for reinstatement of a micro-trench comprising:

a hopper comprising a first opening and a second opening, wherein the second opening is at a location lower than the first opening within the hopper;

a valve portion connected to the second opening of the hopper;

a flexible tube connected to the valve portion; and

a plate portion comprising a top opening, a bottom opening, and a conduit between the top and bottom openings, the top opening connected to the flexible tube, whereby the flexible tube allows the dynamic plate portion to move.

10. The device of claim 9 , wherein the valve portion comprises a top portion, a bottom portion, and a valve positioned between the top portion and the bottom portion, the top portion connected to the second opening of the hopper and the bottom portion connected to the tube.

11. The device of claim 10 , wherein the valve of the valve portion is mechanically-actuated.

12. The device of claim 9 , wherein the device further comprises a frame support; and

wherein the hopper is positioned within the frame support and is rotatably connected to the frame support.

13. The device of claim 12 , wherein the device further comprises one or more shafts connected to the frame support and the plate portion; and

wherein the plate portion is dynamic.

14. The device of claim 12 , wherein the device further comprises a camera mounted to the frame support.

15. The device of claim 9 , wherein the bottom opening of the plate portion comprises a length and a width.

16. A machine-powered device for reinstatement of a micro-trench comprising:

a frame support;

a hopper positioned within the frame support and rotatably connected to the frame support;

a valve portion connected to the hopper;

a flexible tube connected to the valve portion; and

a plate portion comprising a top opening, a bottom opening, and a conduit between the top and bottom openings, the top opening connected to the flexible tube and the bottom opening comprising a length and a width, whereby the flexible tube allows the dynamic plate portion to move.

17. The device of claim 16 , wherein the valve portion comprises a top portion, a bottom portion, and a valve positioned between the top portion and the bottom portion, the top portion connected to the hopper and the bottom portion connected to the tube.

18. The device of claim 17 , wherein the valve of the valve portion is mechanically-actuated.

19. The device of claim 16 , wherein the device further comprises a camera mounted to the frame support.

20. The device of claim 16 , wherein the device further comprises one or more shafts connected to the frame support and the plate portion; and

wherein the plate portion is dynamic.

21. The device of claim 20 , wherein the frame support comprises a mount.

Assignments (9)
SECOND LIEN PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 5, 2026
From: FLOW POLYMERS, LLC; POLYMER SOLUTIONS GROUP, LLC; THE WILLAMETTE VALLEY COMPANY LLC
To: ROYAL BANK OF CANADA, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 075547/0402 →
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 22, 2026
From: ARCLIN USA LLC; THE WILLAMETTE VALLEY COMPANY LLC; ECLECTIC PRODUCTS LLC; RG DISPERSANTS USA LLC; POLYMER SOLUTIONS GROUP; FLOW POLYMERS, LLC; ARCLIN SURFACES INC.; SASCO CHEMICAL GROUP, LLC; POLYMER SOLUTIONS GROUP FINANCE, LLC
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 075436/0160 →
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 22, 2026
From: ARCLIN USA LLC; THE WILLAMETTE VALLEY COMPANY LLC; ECLECTIC PRODUCTS LLC; RG DISPERSANTS USA LLC; POLYMER SOLUTIONS GROUP; FLOW POLYMERS, LLC; ARCLIN SURFACES INC.; SASCO CHEMICAL GROUP, LLC; POLYMER SOLUTIONS GROUP FINANCE, LLC
To: GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 075436/0117 →
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS - REEL FRAME 044126/0509 Recorded Feb 20, 2026
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
To: THE WILLIAMETTE VALLEY COMPANY LLC
Reel/Frame 075014/0208 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 8, 2026
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: THE WILLAMETTE VALLEY COMPANY LLC
Reel/Frame 073725/0314 →
ENTITY CONVERSION Recorded Aug 14, 2018
From: THE WILLAMETTE VALLEY COMPANY
To: THE WILLAMETTE VALLEY COMPANY LLC
Reel/Frame 047321/0438 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE ASSIGNEE NAME INSIDE THE ASSIGNMENT PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 040698 FRAME: 0747. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Nov 9, 2017
From: LOOMIS, ROBERT; GOODWIN, JACOB
To: THE WILLAMETTE VALLEY COMPANY
Reel/Frame 045877/0553 →
NOTICE OF GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Oct 4, 2017
From: THE WILLIAMETTE VALLEY COMPANY LLC
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 044126/0509 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 9, 2016
From: LOOMIS, ROBERT; GOODWIN, JACOB
To: WILLAMETTE VALLEY COMPANY
Reel/Frame 040698/0747 →