Patents Examined by Andres Kashnikow
  • Patent number: 6230990
    Abstract: The invention comprises an injector for feeding additives into a polymer melt stream. The injector comprises a body with a curved surface and a longitudinal axis having an inlet opening for the additives in the upper portion, opening into a channel running along the longitudinal axis and having a 90 degree deflection to a side injector outlet and having two groove-shaped recesses in the outer wall arranged parallel to the channel on both sides at the level of the injector outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Lurgi Zimmer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Heinz-Dieter Beeck
  • Patent number: 6220530
    Abstract: A water spray nozzle control device has a main body, a rotatable collar, a positioning shaft, a water check collar, a plunger, a water sieve device, and a water stopping washer. The main body has a channel, a hollow threaded head, a handle, and a neck disposed between the handle and the hollow threaded head. The channel receives the water check collar, the plunger, the water sieve device, and the water stopping washer. The hollow threaded head engages with a water spray nozzle. The neck has a through hole receiving the positioning shaft. The rotatable collar encloses the neck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Inventor: Sheng-Li Wu
  • Patent number: 6220531
    Abstract: The invention is a mobile bin with two conveyors with each mounted on a main frame and with the main frame having wheels for rotatably supporting the vehicle along the ground. The bin has an opening along its bottom and the first belt conveyor is mounted beneath the opening in the bin and its remote ends extend to the opposite ends of the bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Inventors: Kevin J. Pierce, Michael J. Pierce, Karen Dufault, Wayne A. Pierce
  • Patent number: 6213409
    Abstract: Described is a time release fragrance sachet for air freshening, particularly for use in clothing storage cabinets. The sachets comprise a container fabricated from a substance either sufficiently porous for perfumes to pass therethrough or having openings capable of permitting fragrances to pass through the walls thereof. The sachets each contain thermoplastic particles which have contained in the interstices thereof fragrance materials. The polymer particles can be foamed particles produced using chemical blowing agents or direct gas extrusion processes. Also described are methods for fabricating such sachets and methods of using same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignees: International Flavors & Fragances Inc., Unilever Patent Holdings B.V.
    Inventors: Craig B. Warren, John Ramsbotham, Marcel Belt
  • Patent number: 6209655
    Abstract: An original method and products are described for fire quenching in all substrata such as forests, cultivated areas, city areas, industrial units, transport vehicles, etc. Aqueous suspensions of fire quenching special products contain endomolecularly water up to 300 g water/g of polymeric product, and the water is kept very strongly so that pressure is needed to take the water out. These products are used in quantities of 1-3%, and to the quenching water are added complimentary other products such as detergents, emulsifiers, adhesion promoters, and inorganic products such as carbonates, sulfates silicones etc. Quenching fires utilizes the solution containing these or a selection of these products, and the solution is thrown in the fire edges to rapidly extinguish the fires, because the water contained in the special organic products is liberated in the fire edges, where quenching immediately occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Innoval Management Limited
    Inventor: George N. Valkanas
  • Patent number: 6209803
    Abstract: The invention is a lawn sprinkler head protector that is placed around the sprinkler head and pressed into the grass and/or soil in which the sprinkler head is located. The protector has multiple nesting center inserts. Inserts may be moved to accommodate the size of the sprinkler head. The top surface of the protector has patterned indentations which resemble grass leaves. The top surface is also textured to provide a non-slip surface. A plurality of openings extend around the surface to provide opening through which grass can grow to hide the protector. The lower edges as well as the plurality of openings have a taper edge which provides a cutting edge which helps the protector to cut through grass and soil as it is pressed into the ground around a sprinkler head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Inventor: Arthur D. Colo'n
  • Patent number: 6206306
    Abstract: A discharge apparatus is disclosed for discharging materials from a container onto an open area such as a field. The apparatus includes a power discharge device which is disposed adjacent to a discharge outlet defined by the container. The arrangement is such that when the apparatus is being used to spread the materials onto the open area such as the field, the materials move from the container through the outlet towards the power discharge device for discharging the materials at a location on the field. A power source is drivingly connected to the power discharge device for rotating the power discharge device. A power sensor is provided for sensing the power supplied by the power source which is approximately the power used by the power discharge device, the power sensor generating a first signal which is correlated to the spread rate of the materials discharged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Knight Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventor: Claude L. McFarlane
  • Patent number: 6206301
    Abstract: A reversible spray nozzle for use in a fluid dispersing system which consists of a nozzle portion defining a cylindrical channel therewithin, the nozzle portion having opposing ends, the opposing ends threaded for communicating with the fluid dispersing system, the cylindrical channel extending the length of the nozzle portion, the cylindrical channel for receiving a cylindrical flow tube; and the flow tube defining a delivery channel, the delivery channel extending the length of the flow tube, the delivery channel for providing a flow path for a fluid. The spray nozzle can be configured such that the flow tube is slideably disposed within the nozzle portion, and where the length of the flow tube is less than half of the length of the cylindrical channel of the nozzle portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Inventor: Phillip E. Pruett
  • Patent number: 6206303
    Abstract: A manually operated spray device for spraying a liquid in a vessel comprises a cylinder member which includes an upper air cylinder and a lower liquid cylinder, an air piston slidably fitted in the air cylinder, and a suction pipe connected to the liquid cylinder within the vessel toward the bottom thereof. An actuator member is urged upwards and vertically movable relative to the cylinder member; and includes a hollow stem protruding upwards from the liquid cylinder and fitted at its center portion with the air piston, a press head fitted onto the upper portion of the stem, a nozzle hole opening at the side surface of the press head, and first and second passages merging with each other on the upstream side of the nozzle hole. The first passage is communicated with the air chamber on one side of the air piston, and the second passage is communicated with the liquid cylinder through the interior of the stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Yoshino Kogyosho Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Natsuo Shinozaki, Katsuhito Kuwahara, Risa Iwata, Masami Chiku
  • Patent number: 6206299
    Abstract: A system for deployment of traction enhancing agents uses an infrared detecting sensor to receive ambient IR from a roadway, whereby the road surface temperature is determined. The determined temperature is supplied to a traction enhancing agent deployment controller, so that the amount and selection of particular agents can be governed based on the particular road surface temperature. Variations are thereby accommodated, so the most appropriate agent or agents in an appropriate combination and density can be applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Commercial Vehicle Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne L. Mann, Dennis R. Partlow
  • Patent number: 6202938
    Abstract: Scent emitting blind operating apparatus including a hollow rod, defining an inner chamber, with a closed end and an open end, with the inner chamber of the rod being designed to receive and hold scented material. A blind engaging plug is removably positioned in the open end of the hollow rod for operative engagement with a blind so as to position the inner chamber generally vertically with the closed end directed downwardly. A sleeve of absorbent material is frictionally engaged over the closed end of the hollow rod and an opening is formed through the hollow rod and positioned to communicate the inner chamber with the absorbent material for directing scented material from the inner chamber into the absorbent material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Inventor: Michael A. Collier
  • Patent number: 6202941
    Abstract: An agricultural/viticultural sprayer including a pair of curved arms to partially encircle a row of crops such as vines to be sprayed. Each arm carries a plurality of fan spray heads, and each arm is mounted on a support arm rotatable about a vertical pivot, whereby each of the curved arms can be rotated from a transport position to a spread operating position while remaining symmetrical about a plane generally normal to the path of travel when in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Inventor: Bent Baek
  • Patent number: 6202939
    Abstract: A feedstock injector for connection to a plasmatron or to a fuel combustion chamber comprises a plurality of major channels arranged symmetrically about a core member, the channels leading from the upstream end of the injector towards a downstream region of convergence. In a preferred embodiment of the core member, a plurality of minor channels are provided, each minor channel leading from the inner wall of a major channel towards a minor region of convergence located inside the core. A feedstock-input passage is located axially inside the core, the passage communicating at its upstream end with the minor region of convergence and opening at its lower end through the tip of the core and a feedstock-supply passage opens into the side of the feedstock-input passage. In an alternate preferred embodiment of the core member, a minor channel extends axially from the upstream end to the downstream end of the core and feedstock-supply passage opens into the side of the minor channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Inventor: Lucian Bogdan Delcea
  • Patent number: 6202945
    Abstract: While plural kind of powder paints of different hues are mixed with each other without melting for preparation of a powder paint of a desire hue, a fluidity improver possessing a charge control function is simultaneously mixed into the powder paints without melting. The mixed powder paint containing the fluidity improver is charged, and then electrostatic powder coating is performed by the charged powder paint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Kao Corporation
    Inventors: Shinichiro Yasuda, Masayuki Maruta, Yukiya Sato
  • Patent number: 6202944
    Abstract: A versatile and easily serviceable material spreading apparatus of the type for movement over a ground surface while broadcasting a material along a path on the ground surface. The apparatus includes a belt cartridge which can be slid into or pulled out of a chassis compartment having ledges for supporting the cartridge. The belt cartridge provides an upper flight on which material is carried from a hopper supported on the chassis to a broadcasting unit carried at one end of the chassis. A plurality of broadcasting units each of which has an attachment component, which in combination with a mating attachment component carried by the chassis, permits quick fastening and removal of each unit relative to the chassis. One of the broadcasting units mounts an elongated rotatable member below a drop-offend of the upper flight of the belt cartridge, and the rotatable member is driven in a direction so that the upper rotating periphery of the rotating member propels the material upward and away from the chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Ty-Crop Manufacturing Ltd.
    Inventor: Kevin Richard McCrory
  • Patent number: 6199766
    Abstract: A method of killing flying insects which method comprises spraying into the air in which insects are flying liquid droplets of an insecticidal composition, a unipolar charge being imparted to the said liquid droplets by double layer charging and charge separation during spraying, the unipolar charge being at a level such that the said droplets have a charge to mass ratio of at least +/−1×10−4 C/kg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignees: University of Southampton, Reckitt Benckiser (UK) Ltd.
    Inventors: Rodney Thomas Fox, Neale Mark Harrison, John Farrell Hughes, Lindsey Faye Whitmore
  • Patent number: 6199774
    Abstract: The metering valve has a shutter for a discharge conduit, and an electromagnet for controlling an armature disconnected from the respective stem and sliding along the stem by means of a sleeve. The stem is guided by a fixed sleeve and is pushed by a first spring to hold the shutter in the closed position, and a second spring keeps a shoulder of the armature resting axially against a C-shaped ring fitted to the stem. To reduce the overtravel of the armature with respect to the travel of the stem to move the shutter into the closed position, and to damp oscillation of the armature, provision is made, between the two sleeves, for a bush of calibrated thickness, which slides along the stem and is such as to form a small axial clearance with the sleeves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Elasis Sistema Ricerca Fiat Nel Mezzogiorno Societa Consortile per Azioni
    Inventor: Mario Ricco
  • Patent number: 6199773
    Abstract: Fluid and air nozzle assemblies are capable of propelling streams of a cleaning fluid and air mixture onto a vehicle headlight. These nozzle assemblies are mounted on a vehicle adjacent to the headlights and positioned such that liquid and air jets from the nozzles intersect prior to engaging the headlight to form a spray mixture that cleans the headlight. These nozzle assemblies have an adjustment feature for the purpose of aiming the fluid-air spray toward the headlight lens. The nozzle assemblies are associated with a control valve capable of connection in a pressurized air system on the vehicle and in the pressurized washer system for the windshield wipers and also capable of automatically directing liquid from the vehicle washer system and pressurized air on the vehicle to the liquid and air nozzles to form a headlight cleaning function upon manual activation of the pressurized windshield washer system of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Commercial Vehicle Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E. Holt, Chester E. Lundberg
  • Patent number: 6199771
    Abstract: The present invention provides a fluid discharging apparatus that delivers fluid in a substantially uniform distribution. The movement of the apparatus is a wobbling motion, preferably combined with some rotational motion. The wobbling motion is generated by disposing a wobble inducing member or wobble turbine in the path of the fluid supply. The water flowing over the wobble turbine causes the turbine to wobble. In certain embodiments, the wobbling turbine then causes the body or housing to wobble.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Moen Incorporated
    Inventors: Joseph H. Clearman, Jack F. Clearman
  • Patent number: 6199769
    Abstract: A crop sprayer includes a chassis and a differential assembly secured to the chassis. The crop sprayer also includes a hub assembly having a hub support plate with a wheel hub rotatably secured thereto. The crop sprayer further includes a first telescoping support assembly having a first outer tube and a first inner tube which is positioned within the first outer tube. The first inner tube is movable relative to the first outer tube. The crop sprayer moreover includes a second telescoping support assembly having a second outer tube and a second inner tube which is positioned within the second outer tube. The second inner tube is movable relative to the second outer tube. The crop sprayer yet further includes a telescoping drive shaft assembly. Both the first outer tube and the second outer tube are secured to the chassis. Both the first inner tube and the second inner tube are secured to the hub support plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Equipment Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth E. Weddle