Patents Examined by Kevin Weldon
  • Patent number: 6318645
    Abstract: A fluid distribution system is especially useful in agricultural apparatus for delivering liquid agricultural chemicals to agricultural fields. The system includes a flow divider with a cylindrical stator with a ring of collection chambers around the bottom of the stator and a rotor having a flow passage from the center of the top end to the bottom end above the ring of collection chambers. The flow dividers may be cascaded to provide multiple outlets. The system may include plural liquid supplies and a mixer for mixing the liquids from the plural supplies to provide a desired blend upstream of the flow divider. It is preferred that the flow of each liquid can be varied to vary the blend. The system may also include a control that varies the blend according to requirements as distribution proceeds. This may include a recorded mapping of a field being treated and a position sensor, for example a global position sensor (GPS) for monitoring the position of the apparatus in the field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Inventor: John Rodger Robinson
  • Patent number: 6231929
    Abstract: A slide coating apparatus for coating liquid with a first slide member having a first slide surface onto which a first liquid may flow, and a second slide member having a second slide surface over which the first liquid may flow, the first slide member being positioned relative to the second slide member to form a first slot through which the first liquid may flow before flowing over the second slide surface, the first slide surface being positioned relative to the second slide surface such that at least a portion of the first liquid flowing from the first slot may flow onto the first slide surface rather than to flow directly from the first slot over the second slide surface, the first slide surface having a low surface energy region positioned such that it may come in contact with the first liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Thomas M. Milbourn
  • Patent number: 6193169
    Abstract: A spray nozzle head is rotated directly by a turbine which is driven by the pressure of liquid at the inlet of the nozzle. The turbine is supported by a thrust bearing which also acts as a friction brake to cause the rotational speed of the nozzle head to remain substantially constant as the inlet pressure increases through a predetermined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Spraying Systems Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Ernst Steinhilber, Heinz Kutterer
  • Patent number: 6189805
    Abstract: The present invention includes an automatic portable misting apparatus for providing a comfortable region within a relatively hot, dry environment. The misting apparatus includes a pressurizable fluid tank, an automatic air compressor mounted to the fluid tank, a fluid conduit having a plurality of nozzles spaced at intervals along the conduit for distributing water in the form of a corresponding number of fine spray streams, and a valve for controlling the flow of fluid from the fluid tank to the fluid conduit. The misting apparatus of the present invention is fully portable, easy to operate, easy to maintain, unobtrusive and economical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Inventors: Scott West, Jason West
  • Patent number: 6179227
    Abstract: A fuel injector with a valve body having an inlet, an outlet, and an axially extending fuel passageway from the inlet to the outlet. An armature located proximate the inlet of the valve body. A needle valve operatively connected to the armature. A valve seat proximate the outlet of the valve body. A swirl generator disk located proximate the valve seat. The swirl generator disk having at least one slot extending tangentially from a central aperture. A flat guide disk having a first surface, a second surface adjacent the flat swirl generator disk, a guide aperture, and at least one fuel passage having a wall extending between the first surface and the second surface. The wall includes an inlet, an outlet, and a transition region between the inlet and the outlet that defines a cross-sectional area of the at least one passage. The transition region is provided by a surface of the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Siemens Automotive Corporation
    Inventors: Wei-Min Ren, David Wieczorek
  • Patent number: 6179230
    Abstract: A bin for a sand spreading vehicle is provided with curved lower sidewalls that deliver sand to a central conveyor. The curvature of the sidewalls lowers the center of gravity of the vehicle for a given load; or permits carriage of a greater load for a given height for the center of gravity of the loaded bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignees: Cives Corporation, Monroe Truck Equipment
    Inventors: Paul Geroux, Larry Cole, Irwin Plested, Achim Martin, Larry Magill
  • Patent number: 6173908
    Abstract: A foam generating nozzle is disclosed comprising a cylindrical housing, a first inlet at one end of the housing for connection to a supply of foamable liquid under pressure, a second inlet at the first end for air supply, a foam discharge outlet at the other end of the housing, a diffuser associated with the first inlet and a conical screen of a non-corrosive material disposed in said housing between the ends with its apex directed toward the discharge outlet, to provide a screen surface area larger than the inlet air supply area, such that in operation the foamable liquid is sprayed onto the screen by the diffuser in a pattern which matches the conical shape of the screen, while air is dragged through the screen thereby generating the foam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Her Majesty the Queen in right of Canada, as represented by the Solicitor General actions through the Commissions RCMP
    Inventors: John G. Bureaux, George Cowan
  • Patent number: 6173909
    Abstract: A portable fire extinguishing nozzle arrangement has a nozzle head provided with fire extinguishing nozzles that may be connected to a supply pipe. A plurality of fire extinguishing nozzles are mutually spaced apart at the free front side of the nozzle head. When supplied with fire extinguishing fluid, each fire extinguishing nozzle generates a mist of fire extinguishing fluid. The fire extinguishing nozzles may be selectively supplied with fire extinguishing fluid individually and/or in groups through a valve combination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Kamat-Pumpen GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Dirk Sprakel, Jan Sprakel, Jesper Lindenberg Olesen
  • Patent number: 6170426
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for producing dry, wet or partially wet and partially dry segments of tissues. The tissue dispenser generally comprises a housing having a tissue egress passage, a tissue source of a predetermined quantity of dry tissue located in the housing, a fluid source of a predetermined volume of fluid located in the housing, and an actuatable application mechanism in fluid communication with the fluid source and operationally positioned proximate to the tissue egress passage. The application mechanism can be actuated to dispense fluid onto the tissue as the tissue passes through the tissue egress passage. A partially wet and partially dry tissue can be used to clean and dry an article. The tissue may generally comprise a cleansing pad having an impermeable membrane positioned between two tissue segments to form a wet tissue area and a dry tissue area. The impermeable membrane prevents fluid from bleeding into the dry tissue area. The tissue may also comprise a pad attached to a bubble of fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Inventor: Arden L. Thorsbakken
  • Patent number: 6168098
    Abstract: A solenoid actuated fuel injector comprises a valve body having a longitudinal axis. A valve seat subassembly is mounted in one end of the valve body. The valve seat subassembly includes a valve seat having a seating surface and a circumferential sealing surface surrounding the seating surface. The valve seat subassembly also includes a lower needle guide and swirl disk welded to the valve seat. The lower guide includes a flange portion and a tube portion having an axially disposed tubular bore for guiding the needle in a tight tolerance relationship. The tubular bore provides a longer length interface with the needle and a smoother wear surface than a conventional pierced hole thin lower guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Siemens Automotive Corporation
    Inventor: Benjamin F. Brinn, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6168661
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for coating both sides of a thin metal strip with electrochemically active material by the use of coating rod mechanism acting on a single side of the metal strip. The method is preferably carried out by applying the coating to one face of the strip drawn from the supply roll, changing the orientation of the strip, coating the opposite side of the strip and drying the coated sides. The dried and coated strip may be wound up on a take up reel. In the preferred embodiment, the strip from the feed roll first passes a web guide which reverses the direction of travel of the strip before the first side is coated. The strip then passes around a second web guide which again reverses the strip direction of travel before the second side of the strip is coated and the coated strip is dried.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventor: John P. Dinkelman
  • Patent number: 6168662
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for use with powdered resin feeders that provide a continuous stream of powder to a plurality of spray nozzles for the application of powder to a plurality of work-pieces. In one preferred embodiment, the apparatus converts a single powder stream into a plurality of uniform powder streams through the use of a multi-tiered system having dividers and receptacles that accurately divide a single powder stream into a plurality of powder streams. In another preferred embodiment, a double-ended stud having ends with differing break-away torques may be created by the device's ability to distribute different amounts of powder to the spray nozzles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Nylok Fastener Corporation
    Inventors: Richard J. Duffy, Eugene Sessa
  • Patent number: 6168781
    Abstract: An apparatus for spraying pseudo hair increasing material including a first container 3 for storing therein pseudo hair increasing material 2, and a second container 4 detachably coupled to the first container 3 through a coupler 30, the second container 4 being provided therein with an injection mechanism 9 for injecting the propellant gas into the first container 3 through an injection nozzle 5, the first container 3 being formed with a discharge port 31 for discharging the pseudo hair increasing material therethrough, the discharge port 31 having an axis in alignment with that of the injection nozzle 5, a bore of the discharge port 31 being larger than that of an injection port 50 formed on a distal end of the injection nozzle 5, through operation of the injection mechanism 9, the propellant gas from the injection nozzle 5 being injected to thereby cause the pseudo hair increasing material to be discharged from the discharge port 31 towards a predetermined area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignees: Kao Corporation, Rhythm Watch Co., LTD
    Inventors: Kazuo Ukaji, Mamoru Shibuya
  • Patent number: 6164557
    Abstract: A new fluid temperature control for a heated fluid cleaner with multiple outlets for maintaining the temperature of the discharge fluid when multiple outlets of the heated fluid cleaner are opened. The inventive device includes a fluid reservoir for containing a supply of fluid, at least one pump for suctioning fluid from the fluid reservoir. A heater is also in fluid communication with the pump for heating a flow of fluid received therefrom. The heater preferably comprises a combustible fuel heater and has a fuel conduit fluidly connecting the heater to a fuel reservoir. An outlet conduit is fluidly connected to the heater for receiving heated fluid therefrom. The outlet conduit has a plurality of outlets for discharging fluid therefrom. A heater control device is provided for controlling the temperature of the fluid exiting the heater such that it is maintained at a constant predetermined temperature when more than one outlet is opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Sioux Steam Cleaner Corporation
    Inventor: Arden L. Larson
  • Patent number: 6164558
    Abstract: A recirculating paint supply system having a supply conduit, a return conduit and a push to connect fluid coupling assembly. The supply conduit supplies a liquid coating composition received from a supply to a spray nozzle. The return conduit returns the excess liquid coating composition supplied to the spray nozzle to the supply. The push to connect fluid coupling assembly receives an end portion of at least one of the supply conduit and the return conduit. The push to connect fluid coupling assembly includes a connector housing defining a bore having a first annular groove to retain an annular lock ring positioned within the groove. The lock ring is operable to grip and engage the outer periphery of the conduit to securably retain the conduit in the connector housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Inventor: Earl R. Holt
  • Patent number: 6164570
    Abstract: The reconfigurable self-supporting hose allows the user to select the position of the sprayer, as well as the direction of the water spray from the sprayer, or shower head. The position of the shower head and the direction of spray from the shower head can be adjusted to remain in the desired position until modified by the user. A self-supporting arm structure is selectively configurable along at least portions of its length to temporary fixed positions, the structure having a first end and a second end, and having a fluid transport path for transporting fluid from the first end to the second end. The first end of the arm structure is connected to the liquid source in fluid communication with the fluid transport path. The second end of the arm structure can be connected to a sprayer. The self-supporting outer structure can include a plurality of interconnected bead members each moveable with respect to adjacent bead members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Water Pik, Inc.
    Inventor: Steve Norman Smeltzer
  • Patent number: 6161780
    Abstract: A fuel jet adjusting plate has first nozzle holes arranged along a first circle coaxial with a central axis of a valve body and second nozzle holes arranged along a second circle coaxial with the central axis and having a diameter larger that the first circle. The second nozzle holes have an opening area smaller than that of the first nozzle holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomojiro Sugimoto, Keiso Takeda
  • Patent number: 6161774
    Abstract: The injector has a hollow body having an injection nozzle controlled by a ntrol rod movable axially by a metering valve controlled by an armature of an electromagnet. The metering valve has a control chamber having a pressurized-fuel inlet conduit and a surplus fuel drain conduit. To reduce the length of the injector, the inlet conduit is coaxial with the rod and communicates with a coaxial cavity fed with fuel from the top; the drain conduit is radial with respect to the axis of the rod, and the armature is also movable radially; the armature and the electromagnet are housed in an arm which is also radial with respect to the axis of the rod; and the cavity has a conical portion in which a bulb-shaped portion of a fitting of a supply conduit is fitted by means of a ring nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Elasis Sistema Ricerca Fiat Nel Mezzogiorno Societa Consortile per Azioni
    Inventor: Mario Ricco
  • Patent number: 6162502
    Abstract: In the method for curtain coating a moving support with any kind of coating solution, the air which is carried along by the moving support is extracted in front of the curtain as seen in the running direction of the support in a gap which extends concentrically to the support, and air is continuously supplied in a controlled manner. In the process, the supplied air is regulated in function of the extracted air in such a manner that a parabolic velocity profile develops which comprises a point P at a distance d from the support where the air velocity is equal to zero. In the device implementing the method, this adjustment is essentially enabled by a porous layer which is disposed on the support side in a cavity to which a suction resp. an air supply channel is connected. In this manner, a uniform coating of high quality can be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Troller Schweizer Engineering AG
    Inventors: Peter M. Schweizer, Urs Troller
  • Patent number: 6159292
    Abstract: A taper ruler coating nylon resin forming structure that includes mainly a forming structure body, a guide locator stem body, a positioning block, a forming die, and a stopper. The structure provides an improved forming structure for producing pre-printed tape ruler strips that are coated with a layer of nylon resin. The coating give the strips improved suppleness and increased wear resistance against frictional abrasion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Inventor: Cheng-Hui Hsu