Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Steven P. Shurtz
  • Patent number: 6541048
    Abstract: A method of making coated chewing gum products containing an acid blocker comprises the steps of providing chewing gum cores; providing a coating syrup comprising a bulk sweetener, providing an acid blocker, applying the coating syrup and acid blocker to the cores and drying the syrup to produce a coating on the cores, the coating containing the acid blocker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: WM. Wrigley Jr. Company
    Inventors: Daniel J. Zyck, Michael J. Greenberg, David G. Barkalow, Scott W. Marske, Philip G. Schnell, Philip Mazzone, David L. Witkewitz
  • Patent number: 6516828
    Abstract: A snap-type safety relief valve is provided that is designed for use under specified operating conditions on a pressure vessel or a flow line having a pressurized gas therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Mercer Valve Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy R. Choate, Michael J. Easton
  • Patent number: 6501616
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a high speed spindle motor comprising a stator assembly including a stator having multiple conductors that create a plurality of magnetic fields when electrical current is conducted by the conductors and a body of a phase change material such as a thermoplastic substantially encapsulating the stator. A rotatable hub having a magnet connected thereto is in operable proximity to the stator. The high speed motor also includes a shaft, a bearing surrounding the shaft and one of the bearing or shaft being fixed to the stator assembly and the other of the bearing or shaft being fixed to the rotatable hub. Hard disc drives using the motor, and methods of developing and constructing the motor and hard disc drives are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Encap Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Griffith D. Neal
  • Patent number: 6487873
    Abstract: An apparatus for cooling at least one fluid includes separable cold plate and dispenser units. The cold plate unit includes a coolant system, a fluid system and a metallic unit. The coolant system defines a cold plate portion and a tower portion. The cold plate portion of the coolant system has a primary inlet manifold and a primary outlet manifold, and the tower portion has a secondary inlet manifold and a secondary outlet manifold. The coolant system further includes a first plurality of coolant line segments connecting the primary and secondary inlet manifolds and a second plurality of coolant line segments connecting the secondary and primary outlet manifolds. The fluid system also defines a cold plate portion and a tower portion, the portions being in heat exchange relationship with the coolant system. The metallic unit includes unitary cold plate and tower portion which respectively incorporate the cold plate and tower portions of the coolant system and fluid system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Manitowoc Foodservice Companies, Inc.
    Inventor: Melvin D. Kyees
  • Patent number: 6485678
    Abstract: A unique iron base alloy for wear resistant applications, characterized in one aspect by its hardening ability when exposed to a certain temperature range, is useful for valve seat insert applications. The alloy also possesses excellent wear resistance, hot hardness and oxidation resistance. The alloy comprises less than 0.1 wt % carbon; about 18 to about 32 wt % molybdenum, about 6 to about 15 wt % chromium, about 1.5 to about 3% silicon, about 8 to about 15 wt % cobalt and at least 40% iron, with less than 0.5 wt % nickel. In another aspect, for lower temperature applications, the cobalt is optional, the nickel content can be up to 14 wt %, but the molybdenum must be in the range of about 29% to about 36%. In one further aspect, for higher temperature applications, the cobalt is optional, but may be used up to 15 wt %, nickel must be used at a level of between about 3 and about 14 wt %, and the molybdenum will be in the range of about 26 to about 36 wt %.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Winsert Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Xuecheng Liang, Gary R. Strong
  • Patent number: 6481202
    Abstract: A crane having an upper works rotatably mounted on a lower works and a boom pivotally mounted on the upper works includes a hydraulic boom hoist cylinder and a hydraulic circuit for controlling the hydraulic boom hoist cylinder. The hydraulic cylinder is pivotally connected to a mast on the upper works and pendently connected to the boom. The boom hoist cylinder preferably comprises two double-acting hydraulic cylinders. The hydraulic circuit includes a closed loop pump and a hydraulic controller connecting the closed loop pump and the double-acting cylinders such that fluid from the pump can be directed either to extend or retract the cylinders, with the hydraulic fluid exiting the cylinders being directed to return to the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Manitowoc Crane Companies, Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur G. Zuehlke, Charles R. Wernecke, David J. Pech
  • Patent number: 6479082
    Abstract: The present invention is a method of increasing the flavor release of chewing gum using hydroxypropyl cellulose, as well as the chewing gum containing hydroxypropyl cellulose and having increased flavor release. The increase in flavor release is obtained by incorporating hydroxypropyl cellulose in a powder form directly into the chewing gum composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Wm. Wrigley, Jr. Co.
    Inventors: Sonya S. Johnson, Robert J. Yatka, Michael J. Greenberg
  • Patent number: 6472000
    Abstract: A method for producing a chewing gum with a controlled release of a bitterness inhibitor, as well as the chewing gum so produced, is obtained by physically modifying the release properties of the bitterness inhibitor by coating and drying. The bitterness inhibitor is coated by encapsulation, partially coated by agglomeration, entrapped by absorption, or treated by multiple steps of encapsulation, agglomeration, and absorption. The coated bitterness inhibitor is preferably then co-dried and particle sized to produce a release-modified bitterness inhibitor for use in chewing gum. When incorporated into the chewing gum, these particles are adapted to produce a fast release or a delayed release when the gum is chewed. The preferred bitterness inhibitor is sodium gluconate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: WM. Wrigley Jr. Co.
    Inventors: Victor V. Gudas, Michael A. Reed, Philip G. Schnell, Henry T. Tyrpin, David L. Witkewitz, Michael J. Greenberg, Fred R. Wolf
  • Patent number: 6450722
    Abstract: A method of making a head for a semisolid product dispenser, such as a gel deodorant dispenser, comprises the steps of: providing a piece of porous media having a desired shape with a perimeter and openings through the media in the area inside of the perimeter, compressing at least the portion of the media inside of the perimeter between two parts of a hard tool so as to crush the media, thereby reducing the size of the openings, and affixing the porous media to a head frame to form the semisolid product dispenser head. Preferably the porous media is affixed to the head frame by an insert injection molding process, and the media is crushed in the same mold tool as is used to mold the head frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Filtertek Inc.
    Inventors: Rick R. Ruschke, Brian J. Franzene, Edward Kandel
  • Patent number: 6451205
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a filter comprises the steps of assembling multiple layers of filtration material on top of one another to form an assembly; holding the assembly between an ultrasonic weld horn and a weld nest so that the assembly has a marginal area outside of an edge formed on either the nest or the weld horn; and operating the weld horn so as to cause the marginal area to be cut off from the assembly at the edge and to simultaneously seal together the layers of filtration material of the remaining assembly at the edge. A filter made by the process and an apparatus used to practice the process are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Filtertek Inc.
    Inventor: Steven B. McGaw, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6444241
    Abstract: A method for producing a chewing gum with a controlled release of caffeine, as well as the chewing gum so produced, is obtained by physically modifying caffeine's properties by coating and drying. Caffeine is coated by encapsulation, partially coated by agglomeration, entrapped by absorption, or treated by multiple steps of encapsulation, agglomeration, and absorption. The coated caffeine is then preferably co-dried and particle sized to produce a release-modified caffeine for use in chewing gum. When incorporated into the chewing gum, these particles are adapted to produce a fast release or a delayed release when the gum is chewed. Also disclosed is a chewing gum pellet having a coating including caffeine or a caffeine salt compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company
    Inventors: Henry T. Tyrpin, Michael P. Russell, David L. Witkewitz, Sonya S. Johnson, Ronald L. Ream, Christine L. Corriveau
  • Patent number: 6444240
    Abstract: A method of coating comestibles comprises the steps of providing cores of comestibles to be coated; applying a coating syrup to the cores to build up a layer of coating on the cores; the coating syrup comprising a suspension made from a liquid solution of hydrogenated isomaltulose that is enriched to contain an excess of alpha-D-glucopyranosido-1,6-sorbitol (GPS) compared to alpha-D-glucopyranosido-1,1-mannitol (GPM) and a powder solid phase hydrogenated isomaltulose that is not enriched in GPS compared to GPM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company
    Inventors: David G. Barkalow, Lindell C. Richey, Julius W. Zuehlke
  • Patent number: 6437464
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a high speed spindle motor comprising a stator assembly including a stator having multiple conductors that create a plurality of magnetic fields when electrical current is conducted by the conductors and a body of a phase change material such as a thermoplastic substantially encapsulating the stator. A rotatable hub having a magnet connected thereto is in operable proximity to the stator. The high speed motor also includes a shaft, a bearing surrounding the shaft and one of the bearing or shaft being fixed to the stator assembly and the other of the bearing or shaft being fixed to the rotatable hub. Hard disc drives using the motor, and methods of developing and constructing the motor and hard disc drives are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Encap Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Griffith D. Neal
  • Patent number: 6428827
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for improving the flavor duration in chewing gum. In a preferred form, the present invention provides matrix compositions comprising a hydroxypropylcellulose cross-linked with a multi-functional carboxylate to yield a matrix having a lower water solubility than the original cellulosic material. This matrix may be ground up, have a flavor incorporated therein and used in gum compositions in which it facilitates a prolonged release of the flavoring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company
    Inventors: Joo H. Song, Donald J. Townsend, James R. Maxwell
  • Patent number: 6412299
    Abstract: An apparatus for cooling at least one fluid includes separable cold plate and dispenser units. The cold plate unit includes a coolant system, a fluid system and a metallic unit. The coolant system defines a cold plate portion and a tower portion. The cold plate portion of the coolant system has a primary inlet manifold and a primary outlet manifold, and the tower portion has a secondary inlet manifold and a secondary outlet manifold. The coolant system further includes a first plurality of coolant line segments connecting the primary and secondary inlet manifolds and a second plurality of coolant line segments connecting the secondary and primary outlet manifolds. The fluid system also defines a cold plate portion and a tower portion, the portions being in heat exchange relationship with the coolant system. The metallic unit includes unitary cold plate and tower portions which respectively incorporate the cold plate and tower portions of the coolant system and fluid system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: Manitowoc Foodservice Companies, Inc.
    Inventor: Melvin D Kyees
  • Patent number: 6362554
    Abstract: A high speed spindle motor is constructed from a stator assembly that includes a stator having multiple conductors that create a plurality of magnetic fields when electrical current is conducted by the conductors and a body of a phase change material, such as a thermoplastic, substantially encapsulating the stator. A rotatable hub having a magnet connected thereto is in operable proximity to the stator. The high speed motor also includes a shaft, a bearing surrounding the shaft and one of the bearing or shaft being fixed to the stator assembly and the other of the bearing or shaft being fixed to the rotatable hub. Hard disc drives using the motor, and methods of developing and constructing the motor and hard disc drives are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Encap Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Griffith D. Neal
  • Patent number: 6350480
    Abstract: A method for producing a chewing gum with an improved release of a lipophilic active agent, as well as the chewing gum so produced, is obtained by using a hydrophilic gum base. The preferred and novel gum base includes hydrophilic polymers, hydrophilic softeners/emulsifiers and fillers, but is essentially free of hydrophobic elastomers and hydrophobic softeners, as well as waxes and elastomer solvents. The lipophilic active agent is preferably added to a coating on a chewing gum pellet made using a hydrophilic gum base, such as by being mixed into a coating solution. The coating solution may contain a high-intensity sweetener. An active agent may also be used in the gum core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company
    Inventors: Philip W. Urnezis, Philip Mazzone, Michael J. Greenberg, Michael T. Bunczek, David G. Barkalow, George W. Monen
  • Patent number: 6327870
    Abstract: An apparatus for cooling at least one fluid includes separable cold plate and dispenser units. The cold plate unit includes a coolant system, a fluid system and a metallic unit. The coolant system defines a cold plate portion and a tower portion. The cold plate portion of the coolant system has a primary inlet manifold and a primary outlet manifold, and the tower portion has a secondary inlet manifold and a secondary outlet manifold. The coolant system further includes a first plurality of coolant line segments connecting the primary and secondary inlet manifolds and a second plurality of coolant line segments connecting the secondary and primary outlet manifolds. The fluid system also defines a cold plate portion and a tower portion, the portions being in heat exchange relationship with the coolant system. The metallic unit includes unitary cold plate and tower portions which respectively incorporate the cold plate and tower portions of the coolant system and fluid system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Manitowoc Foodservice Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Melvin D Kyees
  • Patent number: 6322214
    Abstract: A colored contact lens comprising a non-opaque pupil section, an iris section surrounding the pupil section. A colored, opaque, intermittent pattern is deposited over the iris section using opaque elements which are indiscernible to the ordinary viewer. The elements of the pattern are of a shade which provides a contact lens capable of making subtle changes or enhancements to the color of the iris of a dark-eyed person while imparting a very natural appearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Wesley Jessen Corporation
    Inventors: Barry L. Atkins, Michael H. Quinn
  • Patent number: D455427
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Reachin Technologies AB
    Inventor: Ulrika Vejbrink