Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Jeffrey T. Imai
  • Patent number: 5407342
    Abstract: An apparatus for injection molding plastics material has an injection unit for delivering a plasticized melt through a nozzle, a press unit for urging a mold together at a predetermined pressure, a mold mounted in the press unit and a programmable controller operably connected to the injection unit and the press unit for automatically controlling the operation of the apparatus for repetitively producing uniform articles. The mold has a stationary mold section and a moveable mold section. The press unit is adapted for reciprocating the moveable mold section between an open position and a closed position. The stationary mold section has a plurality of ports at pre-selected points. Each port has a controllable gate for selectively opening and closing the ports for passing melt to a mold cavity until the melt fully occupies the mold cavity while controlling and minimizing melt lines formed when a flow of melt from one of the ports meets with a flow of melt from another of the ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1995
    Inventors: Paul Y. Boucher, David J. Koscic, John R. Ford
  • Patent number: 5404688
    Abstract: An element for reinforcing concrete comprises a framed structure having a plurality of rods formed in a polyhedral shape defining a plurality of junctions. At least one junction extends into the framed structure of another of the elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Inventor: William S. Greaves
  • Patent number: 5405094
    Abstract: A size reduction machine for use in process industries to continuously and precisely reduce the size of particles, while controlling fines, has a rotatable spindle and a motor operably connected to the spindle for effecting rotation of the spindle. The spindle is mounted within a channel having an input and an output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Inventors: Kimberly Poser, Engelbert Hones
  • Patent number: 5391033
    Abstract: A tamper-proof, self activating nut lock apparatus comprises a threaded shank having an external screw thread of a first pitch and a coaxial threaded bore at one end of the threaded shank, with an internal screw thread of a second pitch, both the said external and internal screw threads having a same direction of rotation. A shank extension having the external pitch of the first pitch and a coaxial threaded projection of the second pitch is screwed into the threaded bore of the shank and a threaded nut is adapted to engage the external threads of the shank and the shank extension. A friction means, such as a nylon insert, is adapted to engage the shank extension and the threaded nut whereby reverse rotation of the nut to remove the nut from the shank without appropriate tools rotates the shank extension for jamming the nut on the threaded shank to prevent removal of the nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1995
    Inventor: Rodney M. Gibbons
  • Patent number: 5380265
    Abstract: An apparatus for manually folding sheets of paper comprises a base plate having edges with a plurality of cut outs, at least two guides extending about the base plate, said guides defining a right angled corner, and a tongue having one end mounted to one of said two guides for extending over said base plate in a spaced parallel relation. The tongue has a cut on the end opposite the mounting end. The tongue has a size and shape and is positioned relative to said corner to fold said at least one sheet of paper into thirds. The sheet of paper is inserted between said tongue and said base, positioned into said right angled corner, folded about the tongue and removed therefrom in a folded condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1995
    Inventors: Guido J. Giovinazzo, Anthony J. Giovinazzo
  • Patent number: 5380354
    Abstract: A process for recovering zinc and iron from zinc- and iron-containing sulphidic material, which also contains lead and silver, in which the sulphidic material is leached under oxidizing conditions in a two stage countercurrent pressure leach to produce a zinc-containing solution from which zinc can be recovered by conventional means such as electrowinning, followed by a reducing leach to produce a lead- and silver-bearing product containing substantially all of the lead and a substantial portion of the silver present in the zinc-containing sulphidic materials, and a high strength iron bearing solution having the iron in the ferrous state from which substantially pure, saleable or environmentally acceptable iron residue in the form of hematite which contains the majority of the soluble iron present in the zinc-containing sulphidic materials is produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1995
    Assignee: Sherritt Inc.
    Inventors: Michael E. Chalkley, Ian M. Masters, Barry N. Doyle
  • Patent number: 5381258
    Abstract: A laser projection system for projecting an image onto a surface comprises a laser projector operably connectable to a computer. The computer controls the operation of the system. The laser projector comprises a laser beam source for generating a laser light beam, a collimator comprising a focusing leans for focusing the laser light beam to a focal point, a collimating lens for collimating the laser light beam beyond the focal point and a wedge-shaped lens having an apertured interposed between the focusing lens and collimating lens. The aperture has a size for passing the laser light beam therethrough. Two scanners direct the light beam about a light path. A photo sensor receives light refracted by the wedge-shaped lens and generates a feedback signal. A plurality of target reflectors, each having a retroreflective material for retroreflecting light back to its source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1995
    Assignee: Virtek Vision Intelligence Robotics Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Richard M. Bordignon, Kurt Rueb, John Wieczorek
  • Patent number: 5377533
    Abstract: A method of taking erosion/corrosion measurements of a piping system for logging a history of the piping system over time comprises the steps of: (a) Wrapping a template about the pipe component; (b) Aligning the template with a reference marking on the pipe component; (c) Taking a wall thickness measurement at each of the spaced holes; (d) Recording at least the wall thickness measurement at each of the spaced holes and the indicia of the spaced hole location. The template extends circumferentially about the pipe component and has a plurality of spaced holes arranged in a grid pattern which holes extend through the template for receiving a probe for measuring wall thickness of the pipe component. The template has indicia for identifying each of the spaced holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1995
    Inventors: Larry Shaw, William Perrin
  • Patent number: 5374805
    Abstract: A novelty item is disclosed comprising a solid block of material having an slug having a first and second finger. The slug is surrounded by the block and adapted to be retained by the block. The first finger has divergent walls cut at a first angle to the top surface of the block. The second finger has convergent walls cut at a second angle to the top surface of the block and the remainder of the slug has walls cut at substantially right angles to the top surface freeing the slug from the block, whereby the thickness of the cut is less than the ratio of the thickness of the block to the tangent of the greater of the first and second angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1994
    Inventor: Domenico DiFranco
  • Patent number: 5370413
    Abstract: A towing device for front wheel drive vehicles in which support plates are attached to the two front axle hubs, the support plates are each connected to a strut of said vehicle whereby the respective axle of said vehicle is prevented from rotating, an ancillary axle depending from each said support plate has an axle hub adapted to receive a wheel for supporting said vehicle, and draw bars secured at one end to the support plates and converging at the other end to receive a coupler permit attachment to a towing vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1994
    Inventor: Leo Kulker
  • Patent number: 5366309
    Abstract: An apparatus for administering an adhesive for attaching carpet to undercushion and ceramic tiles and other flooring to a substrate. The apparatus includes a reservoir for holding the adhesive, support rails, a pressure tank, a conduit for conducting a gas from the pressure tank to the reservoir, a pressure regulator in series with the conduit and an applicator head for dispensing the adhesive to the substrate. The applicator head may be pivoted into an inoperative position for preventing discharge of adhesive therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1994
    Inventor: Ernest G. L. Springall
  • Patent number: 5365498
    Abstract: A sundial-like timepiece comprising a conventional clock mechanism including a surface having a plurality of time interval markings inscribed thereon. A light source is attached to the clock mechanism and is disposed a spaced distance from the surface. The light source is moved relative to the surface by the clock mechanism on either a twelve or twenty-four hour cycle. A gnomon is disposed in such a position relative to the surface that the light source causes a shadow of the gnomon to be cast onto the surface. As the light source moves relative to the surface, the shadow moves across the time interval markings, and time can be read off the timepiece by observing the position of the shadow relative to these markings. If the light source is not functional, the time cannot be read off the timepiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1994
    Inventor: Stephen Lazanyi
  • Patent number: 5360033
    Abstract: A hazardous fluid removal and storage apparatus for the fail-safe removal and storage of hazardous liquids. An electrically monitored and electro-pneumatically controlled system provides safe pumping and storage of hazardous liquids with automatic pump shut-down and warning signals for leak detection and full storage tank conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1994
    Assignee: Ecologic Waste Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Tom Williams, Larry Goertzen
  • Patent number: 5356590
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a moulded part using a first and second mould, wherein the first mould has a complementary design of the outer surface of the moulded part and the second mould has a complementary design of the inner surface of the moulded part and a boss cavity for forming an outer wall of a thin-walled boss to be moulded onto the inner face of the moulded part. The steps include seating a plug substantially co-planar with the complementary inner surface design and extending the plug into the boss cavity presenting an inner wall of the boss, wherein the thickness between the inner and outer wall of the boss is less than 60% of the thickness of the moulded part where the boss is moulded thereto. Closing the first and second mould forming a mould cavity. Injecting molten material into the mould cavity. Waiting a predetermined amount of time to allow the molten material to harden. Opening the first and second moulds. Extending the plug from the boss cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1994
    Assignee: Tooling Technology Centre Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Melanson
  • Patent number: 5356402
    Abstract: A reusable pad for the absorption, dispersion and retention of a liquid comprises an interior layer of hydrophobic material for receiving the liquid, a median layer consisting of a non-woven web of carded and cross-laid viscose rayon fibres and an outer layer of substantially waterproof polyurethane film. The fibres of the median layer have a cross-section of substantially rigid multilimbed configuration. The web is stitchbonded to form a cohesive layer for dispersing and absorbing the liquid. The web is stitchbonded with a thread under medium tension whereby uniform absorption characteristics are retained throughout said web. The interior layer, median layer and outer layer are joined to form a pad of unitary construction and capable of being washed for reuse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1994
    Inventors: Suzanne Gillies, John Gillies
  • Patent number: 5351579
    Abstract: A rechargeable electric corkscrew for removing a cork from a bottle comprises a reversible drive having a switch for switching the drive between rotation in a first sense and an opposite sense. A body houses the drive and a rechargeable power source and has a rotatably mounted auger extending in a longitudinal direction. A sleeve has a first end adapted for slidably mounting onto the body. The sleeve has a second end surrounding the auger comprising cantilevered members each having an abutment surface adapted to abut a mouth of the bottle. The cantilevered members are adapted to flex for positioning the abutment surfaces relative to each other about the mouth. The cantilevered members has a base end having a radial extent for stably supporting the corkscrew in an upright condition. The corkscrew is also provided with a cutter for cutting a foil wrapper which covers the mouth of the bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1994
    Inventors: Robert Metz, Dusan Nikolic
  • Patent number: D353460
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Inventors: James L. Reynolds, Michael O. Toll
  • Patent number: D353955
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1995
    Assignee: Krug Furniture Inc.
    Inventor: Colin E. Stewart
  • Patent number: D356488
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1995
    Inventor: Gary Gehiere
  • Patent number: D356948
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1995
    Inventor: Ursula Nahatchewitz