Patents Examined by Daniel Robinson
  • Patent number: 7359629
    Abstract: The invention provides blower housings for air handlers and hot air furnaces which are made from molding compounds that allow for wide flexibility in molding complex configurations so as to improve blower efficiency, which improve manufacturing efficiency and safety and provide suitable mechanical properties, safety in use, and sound dampening. These compounds are generally liquid thermosetting molding resins which comprise a thermoset resin matrix such as a isophthalate polyester having a specific loading of glass reinforcing fibers. The compositions also include flame retardant additives. They are further formulated to meet the desired molding characteristics; to withstand the operating temperatures to which they will be exposed; and to have a predetermined strength and a desirable user interface including appearance, and odor. Typically, the compounds will have a glass transition temperature from about 160° C. (320° F.) to about 185° C. (365° F.).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Premix Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt I. Butler, Steven T. Searl
  • Patent number: 7359747
    Abstract: An apparatus for intravascular imaging to detect and characterize early stage, unstable coronary arty plaques. The detector works by identifying and localizing plaque-binding beta-emitting radiopharmaceuticals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Gamma Medica-Ideas, Inc.
    Inventors: Jan S. Iwanczyk, Bradley E. Patt, Edward J. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 7359748
    Abstract: Total Immersion Photography (TIP) is disclosed, preferably for the use of screening for various medical and cosmetic conditions. TIP, in a preferred embodiment, comprises an enclosed structure that may be sized in accordance with an entire person, or individual body parts. Disposed therein are a plurality of imaging means which may gather a variety of information, e.g., chemical, light, temperature, etc. In a preferred embodiment, a computer and plurality of USB hubs are used to remotely operate and control digital cameras. The photo information is then transferred via the USB to the computer for processing and aggregation. Subject information is gathered to configure the operation of the various parameters of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Inventor: Rhett Drugge
  • Patent number: 7351941
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and method for data transmitting/receiving between a microwave oven and an information appliance PDA. The apparatus includes a wireless data transmitting/receiving unit for conducting wireless data communication with an external system including an information appliance; a data storage unit for storing transmitted/received data through the wireless data transmitting/receiving unit and/or downloaded data from Internet; a display unit for displaying transmitted data from the wireless data transmitting/receiving unit; a load drive unit for driving a magnetron and/or a heater; and Micom interfaced with the above elements, and interpreting the transmitted data from the wireless data transmitting/receiving unit and/or checking a state of the microwave oven, and controlling the wireless data transmitting/receiving unit to transmit the data on the state of the microwave oven to an information appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Ji Woong Kim
  • Patent number: 7351940
    Abstract: The invention relates to a product, which may take a wide variety of forms but which is exemplified by a pipe or a panel. The product has a first function, such as that normally expected of a pipe or a panel, and a second function different from the first. The second function is chosen from a group consisting of: delivery of energy, for a first purpose, delivery of energy for a second purpose, delivery of data for a first purpose, delivery of data for a second purpose, switching. The product has incorporated in its means capable of enabling the product to be used as medium to perform the second function. The invention also concerns a method of manufacturing the products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Telezygology Inc.
    Inventor: Dickory Rudduck
  • Patent number: 7348525
    Abstract: A sealing jaw for manufacturing a sealing seam in a heat-sealable packaging material. The invention furthermore relates to an induction sealing device with a sealing jaw and to a packaging machine with induction sealing device. In order to provide a sealing jaw with which a sealed and durable sealing seam can be produced, even when solid components of the in-filled product are trapped between the jaws that have to be moved towards one another, a sealing jaw is proposed with means of a sealing jaw with a sealing surface that is provided in order to come into contact with the heat-sealable material, and a rod or bar-shaped heating device that is provided in order to heat up the heat-sealable material, wherein a pressure element is provided on the sealing surface, projecting above said sealing surface, and distanced from the heating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventors: Reinhard Kupfer, Roland Palmqvist
  • Patent number: 7348526
    Abstract: An instrument and associated method are disclosed for preparing samples for column chromatography.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: CEM Corporation
    Inventors: Michael John Collins, Sr., Wyatt Price Hargett, Jr., James Edward Thomas, Michael John Collins, Jr., E. Keller Barnhardt
  • Patent number: 7345262
    Abstract: Various microwave energy interactive display packages, blanks for forming such packages, and methods of displaying and heating a food item are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Dan Keefe
  • Patent number: 7345261
    Abstract: A wall-mounted microwave oven including a cooking chamber, a heater casing, a heater installed in the heater case, a blowing fan to supply hot air generated in accordance with a heating operation of the heater, first guide members to guide the hot air, supplied by the blowing fan, to be introduced into the cooking chamber, and second guide members to guide the hot air to circulate along the heater. The first and second guide members allow hot air to be rapidly introduced into the cooking chamber while being rapidly heated to a desired high temperature. Also, the hot air can effectively circulate in the cooking chamber. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce a cooking time and enhance cooking efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keun-Seuk Oh, Sang-Seok Seo
  • Patent number: 7342207
    Abstract: A carton for use in microwave ovens includes a base and a removable cover. The base has a cooking surface at least partially covered with a microwave susceptor material. The base defines an aperture arrangement. In preferred embodiments, the carton is triangular-shaped with an apex region. The apex region does not have a susceptor material, and can include a microwave shield. The removable cover can function as a cover, a platform, and a tray. A packaged food product includes a food product, such as a slice of pizza, oriented within the carton. Methods of packaging and use are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: Schwan's Sales Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Joey Hasse, David Rettey, James A. McGillivray
  • Patent number: 7339144
    Abstract: A magnetic heater is provided having a conductor assembly and a magnet assembly. The magnet assembly is adapted to rotate relative to the conductor assembly about an axis so as to induce eddy currents in the conductor assembly when relative motion is produced between the conductor assembly and first magnet assembly. The conductor assembly defines a fluid path therein for the transfer of heat from the conductor assembly to a fluid. The magnetic heater is a component of a heat generation system comprising an internal combustion engine having a drive shaft for rotating the magnet assembly. The heat generated by the magnetic heater, as well as the heat generated by the engine from the engine exhaust and engine cooling system, is combined to heat a fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: MagTec LLC
    Inventor: Timothy W. Lunneborg
  • Patent number: 7339145
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for induction heating of pieces or blanks (10) of electrically conducting and non-magnetic material, wherein a device creates a static magnetic field (3) and a second device is arranged to cause a relative movement (4) between the piece or blank (10) and the static magnetic field (3), so that current is induced (12) in the piece or blank (10) which thereby is being heated up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Sintef Energiforskning AS
    Inventor: Niklas Magnusson
  • Patent number: 7339146
    Abstract: Microwave oven components are formed of a conductively doped resin-based material. The conductively doped resin-based material comprises micron conductive powder(s), conductive fiber(s), or a combination of conductive powder and conductive fibers in a base resin host. The percentage by weight of the conductive powder(s), conductive fiber(s), or a combination thereof is between about 20% and 50% of the weight of the conductively doped resin-based material. The micron conductive powders are metals or conductive non-metals or metal plated non-metals. The micron conductive fibers may be metal fiber or metal plated fiber. Further, the metal plated fiber may be formed by plating metal onto a metal fiber or by plating metal onto a non-metal fiber. Any platable fiber may be used as the core for a non-metal fiber. Superconductor metals may also be used as micron conductive fibers and/or as metal plating onto fibers in the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Integral Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Aisenbrey
  • Patent number: 7335856
    Abstract: The invention includes an apparatus and method of determining the type of igniter for a burner at each stage of a boiler. The apparatus includes a controller operable to detect whether a first type of igniter or a second type of igniter is installed in the burner based on whether the first type of igniter or the second type of igniter transmits a response to the controller after receiving an activation signal from the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: AOS Holding Company
    Inventors: Andy Caves, Sohail Basheer, Richard Randals
  • Patent number: 7335863
    Abstract: In a fixing device according to this invention, a coil bobbin around which coils are formed into a predetermined shape is formed at an induction heating portion including a plurality of coils. To minimize the axial temperature difference of a heating roller, the coil bobbin has a shape with which the interval between coils is held at a predetermined interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Kikuchi, Akihiro Wasai, Osamu Takagi
  • Patent number: 7335862
    Abstract: A resistor heater includes an anode (10) arranged along one side and a cathode (20) arranged along the other side of a thin-line-shaped resistor (30). The anode (10) is connected to the resistor (30) at connections points (P2, P3) by a plurality of branches (13, 14) arranged at a certain interval along the resistor (30). The cathode (20) is connected to the resistor (30) at connection points (P1, P4) by branches (23, 24) arranged at a certain interval along the resistor (30). The connection points (P1, P4) are located at positions shifted from one another along the resistor (30). A portion (31) of the resistor (30) located between the connections points (P1, P2) and a portion (32) of the resistor (30) located between the connection points (P3, P4) function as effective regions of the resistor (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Morio Takahashi
  • Patent number: 7332697
    Abstract: A computer-based design methodology for photonic bandgap devices that permits determination of both the upper and lower bandgap edges in either a one-dimensional or two-dimensional photonic crystal. Using this methodology, a one-dimensional crystal may be created for use in a waveguide-fed microwave oven as a radiation reflector-suppressor, particularly for undesirable higher harmonic frequencies of about 12 GHz. By conceptually arranging multiple reflectors in a desired geometry, a two-dimensional crystal may be created that is particularly useful as a waveguide or splitter. The waveguide or splitter thus created has especially high efficiency for microwave wavelength ranges of about 9 GHz as compared with the prior art and is particularly useful in communications applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: National Research Council of Canada
    Inventor: S. Raj Vatsya
  • Patent number: 7332696
    Abstract: The present invention is a thermometer assembly adapted to be utilized to sense the temperature of a material within a container, such as a food item heating or cooling container. The assembly includes a spout connected to the container, a closure releasably engageable with the spout, and a temperature sensing element engaged with the closure. The closure and spout allow a food item to be inserted into and withdrawn from the container after preparation, while the temperature sensing element, when engaged with the closure, senses the temperature of the food item within the container and emits both visible and audible signals regarding the temperature of the food item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Inventor: Charles P. Hickey
  • Patent number: 7332690
    Abstract: A hot wire igniter for igniting a gaseous or atomized fuel is disclosed. The coil of the hot wire igniter is formed from a thin high temperature, iron, chromium, aluminum alloy having a center section that is tightly wound. The coil turns initially do not touch one another and each end of the coil is attached to a rod that is received within an insulator member. The rods are connected to a power source. The coil portion of the hot wire igniter is received within a gas collector box which is attached to the burner to be ignited. Application of the power source to the lead-in rods causes the coil of wire to reach a temperature in excess of the ignition temperature of the fuel mixture which surrounds same causing the ignition of the mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Channel Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark D. Schmiedlin, David J. Horvath
  • Patent number: 7333851
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for predicting and detecting epileptic seizure onsets within a unified multiresolution probabilistic framework, enabling a portion of the device to automatically deliver a progression of multiple therapies, ranging from benign to aggressive as the probabilities of seizure warrant. Based on novel computational intelligence algorithms, a realistic posterior probability function P(ST|x) representing the probability of one or more seizures starting within the next T minutes, given observations x derived from IEEG or other signals, is periodically synthesized for a plurality of prediction time horizons. When coupled with optimally determined thresholds for alarm or therapy activation, probabilities defined in this manner provide anticipatory time-localization of events in a synergistic logarithmic-like array of time resolutions, thus effectively circumventing the performance vs. prediction-horizon tradeoff of single-resolution systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania
    Inventors: Javier Ramón Echauz, Rosana Esteller, Brian Litt, George John Vachtsevanos