Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Michael L. Dunn
  • Patent number: 6110851
    Abstract: A method of producing a ceramic material based on calcium phosphate compounds for use in dental medicine by adding a phosphate solution to a calcium salt solution, separating the precipitation formed in the reaction solution from the mother liquor, drying, crushing and sintering is characterised in that at least one orthophosphate and at least one diphosphate, each in solution, are added to the calcium salt solution, wherein the molar ratio of diphosphate to orthophosphate is in the region of 0.001 to 0.03:1, and keeps the pH-value of the reaction solution in which the precipitation is formed in the region of 7.5 to 12 until the end of the reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Inventor: Wolfgang Wiedemann
  • Patent number: 6105634
    Abstract: A device for filling packages (10) with flowable products in low germ level conditions in a clean room (9) is described, with a product line (26), a filler valve (11) and a filler pipe (8) projecting into the clean room (9). In order that filling, with a low level of germs, of flowable contents into packages (10) is made possible without formation of condensation on filler pipes (8) and preferably in addition cleaning of the device directly in place without a great deal of assembly, the filler pipe (8), in its inlet area on the inlet aperture (15) in the top surface (14) of the clean room (9) is surrounded by a sleeve pipe (28) fitted at a distance coaxially, with inflow apertures (29) for air which is dry and has a low level of germs, and means (2-7) for producing and supplying the air which is dry and has a low level of germs are provided in the inflow apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventors: Udo Liebram, Peter Sattler
  • Patent number: 6103751
    Abstract: A carotene conjugate of the formula: ##STR1## where R.sup.1 is hydrogen or methyl; R.sup.2 is: ##STR2## R.sup.3, R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 are independently, hydrogen, methyl or ethyl; R.sup.6 and R.sup.7 are independently --R.sup.13, --OR , --C(R.sup.6)(O), --C(R.sup.16).sub.2 OR.sup.13, --CH.dbd.CHR.sup.13, or --(CH.sub.2)R.sup.14 ; R.sup.8 is --R.sup.13, --OR.sup.13, --C(R.sup.16)(O), --C(R.sup.16).sub.2 OR.sup.13, --CH.dbd.CHR.sup.13, or --(CH.sub.2)R.sup.14 or taken with R.sup.10 is .dbd.O; R.sup.9 is --R.sup.13, --OR.sup.13, --C(R.sup.16)(O), --C(R.sup.16).sub.2 OR.sup.13, --CH.dbd.CHR.sup.13, or --(CH.sub.2)R.sup.14 or taken with R.sup.10 is a chemical bond; R.sup.10 is --R.sup.13, --OR.sup.13, --C(R.sup.16)(O) , --C(R.sup.16).sub.2 OR.sup.13, --CH.dbd.CHR.sup.13, or --(CH.sub.2)R.sup.14 or taken together with R.sup.9 is a chemical bond or taken with R.sup.8 is .dbd.O; R.sup.11 is R.sup.13, or --OR.sup.13 ; R.sup.12 is --C(R.sup.13).sub.2 C(Y)--, --C(O)O(O)C--, --C(NR.sup.13)O(O)C--, or --C(O)N(R.sup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Health Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Ravindra K. Pandey, William R. Potter, Thomas J. Dougherty
  • Patent number: 6099728
    Abstract: A filter cartridge which can be filled with granular filter material, approximately in the shape of a cup open at the top which can be closed with a lid. This filter cartridge has a base (1) with at least one outlet aperture (2), has a sieve means (12) and side walls (3) and is for filtering liquids, in particular water. In order that even small granulate particles of, for example, .ltoreq.200 .mu.m wide cannot pass through the outlet apertures (2) in the base (1), and nevertheless good through flow of the liquid to be purified is ensured, it is provided according to the invention that 1-64 outlet apertures (2) are provided, each with a fabric insert (12) with plastics frames (11), with a pore size in the fabric of 50 .mu.m to 300 .mu.m, preferably 80 to 200 .mu.m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: BRITA Wasser-Filter-Systeme GmbH
    Inventor: Uwe Bairischer
  • Patent number: 6082890
    Abstract: A glass coated high axial flow impeller, including a hub and attached blades. The hub has a centrally located hole, where the hole has a central axis. The impeller has a plurality of angles and edges, all of which have a rounded configuration to permit glassing. The impeller further includes at least two variable pitch blades. Each blade has front and rear surfaces both defined by an inside edge having a leading end and a trailing end, an outside edge having a leading end and a trailing end, a leading edge connecting the leading end of the inside edge to the leading end of the outside edge and a trailing edge that connects the trailing end of the inside edge to the trailing end of the outside edge. The outside edge of each blade is from about 1.5 to 2.5 times the length of the inside edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Pfaudler, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthias Georg Heinzmann, Wayne N. Rickman, Philip E. McGrath
  • Patent number: 6084717
    Abstract: An apparatus that efficiently and accurately splits a laser beam input into eight or more outputs where the beam energies of the output beams are within ten and preferably within five percent of each other. The apparatus includes an arrangement of at least seven beam splitters each of which can split an incident laser beam into two exit beams of equal energy at a particular incident angle. At least some of the splitters have different particular incident angles but the particular incident angle of the first splitter is used as the incident angle for all splitters. The exit beams of the first splitter are directed to second and third splitters that have particular incident angles relatively close to the particular incident angle of the first splitter when compared with the relationship of the particular incident angle of the first splitter to the particular incident angles of the remaining splitters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Health Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Leroy M. Wood, William R. Potter
  • Patent number: 6074550
    Abstract: A device is described for indicating the depletion of a purifying agent contained in an insert of a water purifying apparatus (7). In order to produce such a device better, to improve it technically, to construct it so as to be user-friendly and also more moderate in price, provision is made according to the invention that an indicator apparatus (1) is arranged in order to indicate to the user the depletion of the purifying agent as a function of the quantity of water which has run through the purifying agent; or alternatively to indicate to the user the depletion as a function of the quantity of water which has run through the purifying agent and as a function of time; in which preferably the indicator apparatus is connected with an arrangement which is arranged on a part (3) movable relative to the insert and which on this movement triggers a switching process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: BRITA Wasser-Filger-Systeme GmbH
    Inventors: Uwe Hofmann, Knut Sauerbier
  • Patent number: 6059448
    Abstract: A baffle for insertion into a container. The baffle includes a concave surface defined by two essentially parallel line segments connected to each other at their ends by line segments subtending an angle. The baffle further includes structure for mounting to a container so that the line segments are essentially parallel to and offset from a side wall of the container. Preferably, structure for mounting is structure for suspending the baffle from a first end wall of said container without attachment to a container side wall. The concave surface is preferably a curvilinear concave surface and the contiguous line segments subtending an angle are in the form of an arc. The baffle is preferably glass coated and sized to pass through an opening in an end wall of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Pfaudler, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Franklin Reeder, Christopher Joseph Ramsey
  • Patent number: 6032701
    Abstract: A premoisturized food casing coated with alkali liquid smoke which does not cause color streaking on encased food product and does not cause smoke buildup on food stuffing equipment. Nevertheless, the premoisturized food casing of the invention still provides the same coloring power and flavor to encased food product, as traditional alkali smoke coated premoisturized food casings. The premoisturized tubular cellulose film food casing of the invention has a moisture content of greater than 24 weight percent and a coating of a smoke solution containing smoke tars and having a solution pH of at least 12 and preferably above about 12.5. The moisture content is preferably from 25 to 40 weight percent and most preferably from 25 to 30 weight percent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Teepak Investments, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald S. Kearby, John J. Wegman
  • Patent number: 6032696
    Abstract: Apparatus for repairing a breach in a lower nozzle of a glass lined vessel which includes an internal flange having an upper surface, a lower surface, an outside end surface and an inside end surface. The apparatus further includes an insert tube having an outside diameter sized to permit insertion through the nozzle and of sufficient length to extend completely through the nozzle and extend beyond a lowermost portion of the nozzle. The insert tube has an inside surface, and an external surface having an upper end portion. The upper end portion of the external surface of the insert tube is in contact with and integral with the inside end surface of the internal flange. The insert tube is usually welded to the internal flange at that location. The external surface of the insert tube is threaded below the lowermost portion of the nozzle. The apparatus of the invention also includes a liner of corrosion resistant metal, e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Pfaudler, Inc.
    Inventor: Keith A. Quintana
  • Patent number: 6032613
    Abstract: A biological treatment system for removal of gaseous waste materials. The system comprises a column containing microorganisms which break down components of the waste materials; a pond in series with the column containing life forms in addition to the microorganisms in the column, which life forms provide essential nutrients for the microorganisms in the column; a treatment bed containing a reaction medium for removing undesirable biological metabolic by-products from the action of said microorganisms upon the gaseous waste materials; a fluid distribution means for circulating water between the pond, column and bed and a means for delivering gaseous waste materials through the column before such gaseous waste materials reach the pond.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Teepak Investment, Inc.
    Inventors: Matiur Rahman, Mark D. Reeves
  • Patent number: 6017981
    Abstract: A coating material having reflective properties in two wavelength ranges and absorbent properties in a third wavelength range. The coating material comprises a binder, flaky first particles, and second particles. The binder has a transparency greater than 40% in the wavelength ranges of from 0.4 to 0.7 .mu.m and from 10 to 50 .mu.m and a refractive index n in the wavelength ranges less than 2.0. The coating material comprises from 20 to 30 percent by weight, based on the wet weight of the coating material, of the flaky first particles. The flaky first particles have a thickness less than 10 .mu.m and a surface area (length.times.width) greater than 100 .mu.m.sup.2 and a reflectivity R greater than 40% in the wavelength range of from 10 to 50 .mu.m. The second particles at least partially overlap the first particles. The second particles have a transparency greater than 40% only in the wavelength ranges of from 0.4 to 0.7 .mu.m and from 10 to 50 .mu.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Inventor: Gerd Hugo
  • Patent number: 6012232
    Abstract: Described is a through-flow cup which can be filled with a granule material and through which a liquid to be treated can flow, having side walls and sieves which are disposed at the ends thereof and by means of which the liquid can flow through the granule material in the interior of the through-flow cup and the granule material is substantially non-losably held.To improve such a through-flow cup to the effect that the incoming flow of liquid and at the same time any discharge flow of gases are offered the lowest possible level of resistance, it is provided in accordance with the invention that at least one sieve has a flat textile article in which plastic fibres of at least two different kinds are connected together to form a hybrid, wherein the one kind of plastic fibres contains hydrophilic components and the other kind of plastic fibres contains hydrophobic components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: BRITA Wasser-Filter-Systeme GmbH
    Inventor: Detlev Weyrauch
  • Patent number: 6003926
    Abstract: A stowing aid for the interior of motor vehicles. The stowing aid includes a retaining plate which is connected with elastic elements, usually in the form of cables, near the periphery of the retaining plate. The elastic elements are also connected to a fastening element attachable in the interior of the motor vehicle so that the elastic elements pull the retaining plate toward the fastening element. The fastening element is provided with a recess for receiving the retaining plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Peter Butz GmbH & Co. Verwaltungs-KG
    Inventor: Lucas Labeur
  • Patent number: 5992249
    Abstract: An electronic probe assembly having a probe for introduction into a vessel, which vessel has a corrosion resistant liner. The assembly comprises a ring having a body wherein the body is defined by a circumferential exterior surface, an upper sealing surface, a lower sealing surface and a central surface defining a central hole. The body also has a probe access hole passing through the body from the exterior surface to the central hole. The upper surface, lower surface and defining surfaces of the central hole are covered by a contiguous layer of a corrosion resistant metal, which is preferably tantalum. A probe is mounted in the probe access hole such that an end of a sensor portion of the probe is integral with said lining over the central surface and such that the probe may be connected with an electrical conductor through the probe access hole. The end of the sensor preferably comprises platinum which is welded to the tantalum to become integral therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Pfaudler, Inc.
    Inventor: Keith Quintana
  • Patent number: 5989605
    Abstract: A method for making a sausage product. The method comprises stuffing a wet sausage meat product into a food casing, vertically hanging the stuffed sausage meat product, and drying and curing the stuffed sausage meat product at least partly while the stuffed sausage meat product is vertically hung. In a unique aspect, the food casing comprises a tubular film precipitated from a solution of cellulose in amine oxide and water. The tubular film is longitudinally stretched by from 8 to 30 percent in a dryer and transversely stretched by from -3 to +10 percent while wet, and the stretch is maintained during drying. The transverse stretch is less than 75 percent of the longitudinal stretch. As a result of using the unique casing, dimensional stability of the vertically hung product is improved. The invention further includes a sausage product comprising wet sausage meat product stuffed in a food casing and vertically hung for curing and drying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Teepak Investments, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric M. J. Verschueren
  • Patent number: 5980743
    Abstract: A filter means for liquids with a filter cup (2) filled with filter material (1), the base (3) of which has at least one sieve-like outlet aperture (4) for the liquid, and with a lid (7) which is provided with at least one sieve-like inlet aperture (13) for the liquid, and is joined in a liquid-tight manner to the filter cup (2). In a preferred embodiment a fabric insert (9) is provided between the filter cup (2) and the lid (7). The fabric insert (9) is provided with at least one fabric piece (19) projecting into the filter cup (2) which fabric insert has a pore spacing sufficiently small to prevent passage of particles larger than 200 .mu.m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Brita Wasser-Filter-Systeme GmbH
    Inventor: Uwe Bairischer
  • Patent number: 5979509
    Abstract: A method for treating a shirred food casing strand, having a diameter, a circumference, a longitudinal axis, an external surface and a hollow bore along at least a portion of said longitudinal axis, which comprises smoothing said exterior surface by rolling said strand between at least three rollers, all of which simultaneously contact said surface at different lines of contact. It has been found that the simultaneous use of at least three different lines of contact during rolling, as opposed to two lines of contact, as might be applied by rolling between plates, helps preserve and even improve the roundness of the strand. The invention further comprises an apparatus for practicing the method of the invention which comprises at least three rollers arranged so as to contact the exterior surface of the strand and means for rolling the strand between said rollers. The invention further includes a shirred food casing strand having an external surface simultaneously rolled at at least three lines of contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Teepak Investments, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Arthur Watts, Robert William Hostetler
  • Patent number: 5976315
    Abstract: Anvil for an ultrasonic sealing unit for sealing at least two sections composed of a plastic coated support material; wherein the ultrasonic sealing unit comprises a sonotrode movable relative to the anvil. The anvil has an anvil body with a sealing surface at a front of the body. The sealing surface has raised and indented areas where the raised areas are configured as narrow ribs. One of the ribs is a lower retaining rib running along a free lower edge of the sealing surface. Another of the ribs is a central sealing rib, above and parallel to the lower retaining rib, which central sealing rib extends across the entire width of the sealing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventor: Peter Josef Martin
  • Patent number: D417481
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Inventors: Thomas A. Schwartz, Paul T. Schwartz