Patents Represented by Attorney Joel D. Skinner, Jr.
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Patent number: 6091989Abstract: A method and apparatus for pretreating a patient prior to a therapeutic painful stimulus, comprising the application of pain inhibiting stimuli to a patient prior to an application of the therapeutic painful stimulus. Applying pain inhibiting stimuli comprises the steps of sensing a need for the therapeutic painful stimulus, preparing to deliver the pain inhibiting stimuli to the patient prior to applying the therapeutic painful stimulus, and delivering the pain inhibiting stimuli to the patient prior to applying the therapeutic painful stimulus. The method and apparatus are embodied in modem, fully automatic, fully implantable, single or dual chamber atrial or ventricular cardioverter-defibrillators. The pain inhibiting prepulse method is intended primarily for use in conscious patients but may also be used in sleeping patients.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 1998Date of Patent: July 18, 2000Inventors: Charles D. Swerdlow, Neal R. Swerdlow, James E. Brewer
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Patent number: 5771658Abstract: An apparatus and method of forming stacked article groups by supplying at least two streams of articles; forming a stream of first article groups having at least one article; placing a support base on a top surface of each first article group; and forming a second article group, having at least one article, on top of the support base of each first article group, whereby stacked article groups are formed. The stacked article groups are subsequently packaged.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 1997Date of Patent: June 30, 1998Assignee: Riverwood International CorporationInventors: Allen L. Olson, Kelly W. Ziegler, Jeffrey A. Lashyro
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Patent number: 5758474Abstract: An apparatus for loading stacked article groups into cartons in a continuous motion cartoner assembly. The barrel cam loading apparatus or article group transport mechanism is particularly suited to loading article groups that are unstable or whose articles tend to spin and kick article out of the carton.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 1997Date of Patent: June 2, 1998Assignee: Riverwood International CorporationInventor: Kelly W. Ziegler
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Patent number: 5755074Abstract: A down-article indicator which automatically adjusts for the height difference of articles, such as bottles, when article size is changed for a new run on a machine conveying articles. A pivotably mounted height sensing arm, located on one lane of the machine, down stream from an array of freely pivoting detecting arms, is connected by an adjustable mechanical linkage to a pivoting bracket holding a retro-reflective photo eye in proper location with respect to the detecting arms so that the detecting arms do not break a light beam from the photo eye during normal operation. A non-upright article will cause a detecting arm to pivot and break the light beam to stop the machine. As a new group of articles having a different height moves into the down-article indicating station, the height sensing arm automatically moves the photo eye to its proper location for the new height articles.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 1997Date of Patent: May 26, 1998Assignee: Riverwood International CorporationInventor: Shawn M. Fetters
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Patent number: 5737898Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the input of articles at the start-up phase of a packaging machine of the type having at least one article conveyance lane and an article grouping mechanism constructed and arranged to meter articles moving in the conveyance lane into predetermined groups, comprising:(a) at least one stop post aligned for extension into the conveyance lane, the stop post further being disposed at an infeed end of the article grouping mechanism;(b) means to actuate the stop post, whereby the stop post is extendible and retractable in the article conveyance lane, the stop post impeding travel of articles in the lane when extended and permitting travel of articles in the lane when retracted; and(c) means to coordinate actuation of the means to actuate with operation of the article grouping mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 1995Date of Patent: April 14, 1998Assignee: Riverwood International CorporationInventors: Dennis C. Grimm, Mitch Lowe, Bruce D. Domino
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Patent number: 5697201Abstract: A method for halting the function of a high speed packaging machine of the type having a conveyor based article infeed line conveying articles to a flight bar based selection line. The method is useful for performing a clean out procedure used during maintenance, and product or packaging change over. The method comprises the steps of terminating the operation of the infeed line conveyor at a predetermined position; placing an article follower behind a terminal article in each input lane; activating the operation of the infeed line conveyor whereby the articles in each input lane are conveyed to the selection line; and halting the conveyance of the article follower in the input lane prior to the selection line. An article follower and follower system are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 1997Date of Patent: December 16, 1997Assignee: Riverwood International CorporationInventors: Bruce D. Domino, Richard E. Balder
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Patent number: 5693173Abstract: An atomic hydrogen source. The source has an elongated cylindrical structure with proximal and distal or inner and outer ends. A head structure is disposed at the proximal end for communicative connection with electrical power, gas, temperature control and related systems. A mounting flange is disposed along the length of the source for connection with an MBE or other apparatus. A tube structure is disposed at the distal end for extension into the apparatus. The tube structure includes gas and power conduction elements, including a high temperature resistive filament for cracking gas.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 1994Date of Patent: December 2, 1997Assignee: Chorus CorporationInventors: Paul E. Colombo, Scott W. Priddy
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Patent number: 5692361Abstract: A method for continuously forming stacked article groups, comprising the steps of supplying at least two streams of articles, each at a predetermined vertically distinct level; forming and longitudinally transporting a stream of first article groups having at least one article, at a first level; placing a support base on a top surface of each first article group; and forming a second article group, having at least one article, at a second level on top of the support base of each longitudinally moving first article group, whereby stacked article groups are formed. The stacked article groups are subsequently processed for packaging.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 1995Date of Patent: December 2, 1997Assignee: Riverwood International CorporationInventors: Kelly W. Ziegler, Jeffrey A. Lashyro, Gary J. Vulgamore
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Patent number: 5683444Abstract: An implantable assembly for defibrillation and monitoring and/or regulating the beat of a heart. The defibrillation electrode is flexible and preferably made of braided carbon fiber and conductive metallic wire. It provides a low polarization, low capacitance and low impedance electrical interface with body fluid and/or excitable tissue. The conductivity of the defibrillation electrode is increased over electrodes made only of carbon fiber by the presence of the conductive metallic wire in the preferred embodiment, or by a thin exterior coating of titanium and silver in another embodiment. This electrode delivers energy more efficiently to body tissue than conventional defibrillation electrodes, resulting in lower energy needed to achieve defibrillation, which allows batteries powering the defibrillator to last longer.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 1995Date of Patent: November 4, 1997Inventors: Steve Huntley, Duane J. Zytkovicz, Manfred Geiger
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Patent number: 5681252Abstract: An apparatus for constructing multi-piece carton pre-forms, comprising a wrap member supply hopper, a wrap/pre-form conveyor, a glue station, a web placement and compression station including a web supply magazine and a reciprocating placer, and an output station. The apparatus processes paperboard pre-forms which are subsequently erected into cartons for fresh produce and the like. An improved packaging member conveyor is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 1995Date of Patent: October 28, 1997Assignee: Riverwood International CorporationInventor: Kelly W. Ziegler
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Patent number: 5666789Abstract: A cartoning apparatus for loading stacked article groups into carton sleeves. The cartoning apparatus comprises at least two article infeed mechanisms, each supplying at least one stream of articles at a predetermined height or level, an article selection and transport mechanism intersecting the article infeed mechanisms to form and move a stream of stacked article groups of a predetermined pattern, a carton supply and transport mechanism synchronized and moving parallel with said article selection and transport mechanism to provide cartons with open ends facing the moving article groups, and an article group transfer mechanism constructed and arranged to move article groups into the open ends of the carton sleeves.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 1995Date of Patent: September 16, 1997Assignee: Riverwood International CorporationInventor: Kelly W. Ziegler
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Patent number: 5664379Abstract: A stairway step assembly for use as an aid in climbing a stairway. The assembly is particularly useful to elderly and handicapped users who have difficulty climbing a standard stairway due to the height or rise of the steps thereof. The assembly provides a means of quickly, economically, and safely altering the step arrangement of the standard stairway with minimal or no modification to the permanent structure of the stairway. The assembly comprises a plurality of step members having predetermined horizontal dimensions and a predetermined height which is approximately one-half the height or rise distance of a standard step. The assembly further comprises an attachments mechanism for connecting the step members in place on the top or horizontal section of standard steps.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 1995Date of Patent: September 9, 1997Assignee: Protector Care, Inc.Inventors: William P. Kroll, Paul C. Probst, Karl J. F. Kroll
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Patent number: 5656007Abstract: An apparatus for constructing multi-piece cartons, comprising a tray member supply hopper, a tray conveyor, a glue station, a web placement and compression station including a reciprocating placer, a preform conveyor, a forming station having at least three vertically aligned mandrels and a carton output conveyor. The apparatus process paperboard cartons for fresh produce and the like. The apparatus is operable in a cartoning mode and a preform mode wherein flat unerected carton preforms are output.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 1994Date of Patent: August 12, 1997Assignee: Riverwood International CorporationInventors: Allen L. Olson, Kelly W. Ziegler, John E. Cragun
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Patent number: 5646376Abstract: A portable aircraft weighing scale, comprising:(a) a base having load cell mounting structures;(b) a plurality of shear beam load cells mounted to the base via the mounting structures;(c) a platform for supporting an aircraft wheel or wheel set; and(d) a mechanism for mounting the platform to the load cells.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 1994Date of Patent: July 8, 1997Assignee: Intercomp CompanyInventors: William Kroll, Mark Browne, Tom Bartsch, Randie Evenson
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Patent number: 5628735Abstract: A flexible, sterile, trimable device which gently and continuously removes unwanted fluid from an operating field during surgery by wicking the fluid into a mat having a high wicking property. A flexible suction tube having one end embedded in the mat removes fluid from the mat, thereby preventing the mat from becoming saturated. One embodiment of the invention is as a surgical swabber where one end of a length of semi-rigid tube is embedded in the mat and the other end is connected to a flexible suction tube. Another embodiment of the invention is as a platform for microsurgery where a membrane having a plurality of holes is applied to one side of the mat. The membrane supports the tissue being worked on and is preferably a contrasting color. Fluid passing into the holes is wicked into the mat where it is subsequently removed by the suction tube. The platform can be oriented in any position and does not slip on the tissue on which it is placed.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 1996Date of Patent: May 13, 1997Inventor: Joseph I. Skow
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Patent number: 5618214Abstract: An apparatus for permitting the periodic introduction of a fluid into a marine plumbing system for zebra mussel control and winterization purposes, comprising:a) a "T" shaped member having first second and third external apertures and a continuous interior passage which is communicatively connected to each aperture, the first and a second aperture further being permanently communicatively coextensive with flexible conduit members of the marine plumbing system;b) a valve, connected to a third aperture, for controlling the ingress of zebra mussel killing fluids and antifreeze fluids, through the third aperture, into the marine plumbing system, the valve having a first end connected to the third aperture of the branched member and a second end which is connectable to an external fluid source, the valve further having a closure member and a control arm connected to the closure member;c) a cap for connection to the valve second end; andd) clamps for connecting flexible conduit members of the marine plumbing systemType: GrantFiled: June 15, 1995Date of Patent: April 8, 1997Inventors: Frederick B. Wyss, Joseph Harings
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Patent number: 5606848Abstract: A method for halting the function of a high speed packaging machine of the type having a conveyor based article infeed line conveying articles to a flight bar based selection line. The method is useful for performing a clean out procedure used during maintenance, and product or packaging change over. The method comprises the steps of terminating the operation of the infeed line conveyor at a predetermined position; placing an article follower behind a terminal article in each input lane; activating the operation of the infeed line conveyor whereby the articles in each input lane are conveyed to the selection line; and halting the conveyance of the article follower in the input lane prior to the selection line. An article follower and follower system are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 1994Date of Patent: March 4, 1997Assignee: Riverwood International CorporationInventors: Bruce D. Domino, Richard E. Balder
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Patent number: 5600098Abstract: An organizer for securing a plurality of insulated electrical conductors such as PC interconnect and power cables. The organizer comprises a body constructed of a single piece of thin, flat, flexible fabric having a rectangular configuration with first and second end edges and first and second side edges. A fastening mechanism is attached to the side edges to bring them together as the body is wrapped around the cables. The fastening mechanism is preferably a zipper, straps or a hook and loop type fastener. One of more access apertures may be disposed in the body.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 1994Date of Patent: February 4, 1997Inventor: Alexander Kazaks
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Patent number: 5595349Abstract: A continuous flow, rotary processing apparatus for horizontal transport of material at a predetermined rate. Material from an infeed conveyor enters a continuous system including at least one rotary drum operating about a horizontal axis. Each drum has a perforated circumferential wall with lateral lifters to induce flow and tumbling motion to the enclosed material. A flow control mechanism at the discharge end of each drum controls residence time of the material being processed. Material is fed and discharges from each drum through axial openings in which the flow control devices are mounted.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 1992Date of Patent: January 21, 1997Inventors: David A. Bergstrom, Carl W. Loff
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Patent number: D388615Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 1996Date of Patent: January 6, 1998Inventor: Joseph E. Phillips