Patents by Inventor James M. Wittes

James M. Wittes has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10006816
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for indicating when a container has reached a predefined temperature are disclosed. An activatable temperature indicator can include a first indicator portion with a first material with a melting point, and a second indicator portion with a second material configured to change color when combined with the first material of the first indicator portion when the first material reaches the melting point. A separation member can be removeably positioned between the first indicator portion and the second indicator portion, and a biasing mechanism can be configured to bias the first indicator portion and the second indicator portion into contact when the separation member is removed. An attachment mechanism can also be used to place the first indicator portion and the second indicator portion into contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: TEMPTINE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Philip J. Blyskal, James M. Wittes, Richard P. Carney, Nicholas A. Maas
  • Publication number: 20160220442
    Abstract: A reversible massage tool which has two opposing massage surfaces formed on opposite sides of a frame. A hard massage surface is provided by a plurality of acupressure massage bumps in sets of two each the height of each pair of bumps is lowest at the ends of the tool and increases with each pair towards the center of the tool. This variation in height created a curved massage surface. The bumps are formed above hollow chambers or pockets which may receive a ball such as a tennis ball. Placements of these balls serve to adjust the massage position of the acupressure bumps in height above a surface and in angle and rocking motions. The tool is reversible. If desired, the tennis balls may be employed as a second massage surface by turning the device over so that the massage bumps are now the base surface and the tennis balls are applied to the body. The balls are engaged by friction fit in the hollow chambers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2015
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Inventors: James M. Wittes, Glenn R. Halvorsen
  • Publication number: 20160097683
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for indicating when a container has reached a predefined temperature are disclosed. An activatable temperature indicator can include a first indicator portion with a first material with a melting point, and a second indicator portion with a second material configured to change color when combined with the first material of the first indicator portion when the first material reaches the melting point. A separation member can be removeably positioned between the first indicator portion and the second indicator portion, and a biasing mechanism can be configured to bias the first indicator portion and the second indicator portion into contact when the separation member is removed. An attachment mechanism can also be used to place the first indicator portion and the second indicator portion into contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2015
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Inventors: Philip J. BLYSKAL, James M. Wittes, Richard P. Carney, Nicholas A. Maas
  • Patent number: 6419548
    Abstract: The breast shield is concave in shape, preferably molded of a soft flexible material with a central opaque portion and edges which can easily expand and contract to facilitate conforming the shield to the breast of the wearer. The central portion of the shield is opaque and relatively thicker than the outer periphery of the shield . It covers the nipple and the aureola of the breast to prevent it from being seen through the sheer material of brassieres and outer clothing. Preferably, the shield has generally radially-extending gaps in the outer periphery so as to make the shield conform easily to the shape of the wearer, and to be less visible and more comfortable to the wearer. A centrally located pad is provided, in one embodiment, to enhance the comfort of the wearer. A pair of the shields are fitting into a bra and worn by a person for modesty purposes. A kit is provided which includes a plurality of shields and replacement pads and/or adhesive to use the shields without a bra.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: OME LLC
    Inventors: James M. Wittes, Anne Zuckerman
  • Patent number: 5966278
    Abstract: A kit is provided for cleaning the tape-contacting parts of a tape transport device, particularly a data tape transport device. In the kit, separate cleaning cassettes are provided for cleaning the magnetic record/reproduce head, and for cleaning the capstan wheel. The capstan wheel of the tape transport is used as a drive source to drive a wiper arm in the first of the two cassettes, and the second cassette cleans the capstan wheel. Parts of the separate cassettes are made the same so as to minimize the manufacturing and design costs, and the two cassettes use the same replaceable cleaning elements, thus minimizing costs and making the kit easy to use. The cleaning elements used in the cassettes are high-density springy, absorbent foam pads each having an indented linear fused section or groove transverse to the direction in which wiping forces tend to remove the cleaning element from its holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: AccTech, LLC
    Inventor: James M. Wittes
  • Patent number: 5729644
    Abstract: A multi-fiber receptacle that aligns and mates an MT or similar multi-fiber ferrule of a connector to an active device or to a lightguide means. The receptacle contains a lower chamber that houses a lightguide means that may be provided on a circuit board containing electronic components needing connection to the outside world via optical means. Above the lower chamber, the receptacle has an upper chamber which receives a connector employing a multi-fiber ferrule. The receptacle and connector are designed such that when the connector is received by the upper chamber, the ferrule fits into the lower chamber and is automatically aligned and mated with the lightguide means. Further, the receptacle and connector can be keyed in a manner that limits reception of a transmitter connector in a transmitter receptacle and a receiver connector in a receiver receptacle. The transmitter and receiver receptacles are preferably identical except for the keying feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Assignee: Alcoa Fujikura Limited
    Inventors: Elbert O. Shiflett, James M. Wittes
  • Patent number: 5665294
    Abstract: The cleaning elements are used in cleaning cassettes for cleaning the tape-contacting parts of a tape transport device, particularly a data tape transport device. The cleaning elements are high-density springy, absorbent foam pads each having an indented linear fused section or groove transverse to the direction in which wiping forces tend to remove the cleaning element from its holder. Ridges are provided in the holder to engage the grooves so as to securely hold the cleaning elements in place, and make it relatively easy to remove and replace them. The pads are made by partially die-cutting a foam sheet to form individual pads which can be torn free from the sheet along perforation lines, and forming the linear fused section in each of a plurality of pads simultaneously by contacting the sheet with a linear heated die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Assignee: AccTech, L.L.C.
    Inventor: James M. Wittes
  • Patent number: 5619604
    Abstract: A connector using an multi-fiber ferrule, such as the MT ferrule or similar ferrule, that can be plugged into and received by an optical receptacle. Multiple alignment features help align and mate the connector to another multi-fiber object. The connector has a guide prong or forward extension beneath which is mounted the ferrule. The prong provides a reference surface that functions as a precise pre-alignment mechanism for the ferrule. Also, the prong has a groove that mates with a corresponding rail of the receptacle when the connector is plugged into the receptacle ensuring that the connector is properly seated within the receptacle. Further, the ferrule has apertures that align with and receive guide pins of the lightguide means or active device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1997
    Assignee: Alcoa Fujikura Limited
    Inventors: Elbert O. Shiflett, James M. Wittes
  • Patent number: 5295966
    Abstract: A belt driven infusion pump for emptying the contents of a syringe is disclosed. The pump includes a syringe pusher including an antisiphon catch and a pressure detector which is used for detecting occlusions or the end of infusion. A syringe clamp for locking a syringe in place is also provided. The syringe clamp is spring loaded and lockable. A syringe position detector is provided to ensure the proper placement of the syringe prior to and during pumping. A control knob is provided on the face of the pump for controlling both the locking of the syringe barrel clamp and the coupling of the drive belt with a d.c. motor. The pump includes a housing having an elongated slot through which the syringe pusher is connected to the drive belt. A sealing band is connected to the syringe pusher and is moveable with the syringe pusher for sealing the slot against moisture or other contaminants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1994
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Carl M. Stern, James M. Wittes
  • Patent number: 5261884
    Abstract: A belt driven infusion pump for emptying the contents of a syringe is disclosed. The pump includes a syringe pusher including an antisiphon catch and a pressure detector which is used for detecting occlusions or the end of infusion. A syringe clamp for locking a syringe in place is also provided. The syringe clamp is spring-loaded and lockable. A syringe position detector is provided to ensure the proper placement of the syringe prior to and during pumping. A control knob is provided on the face of the pump for controlling both the locking of the syringe barrel clamp and the coupling of the drive belt with a d.c. motor. The pump includes a housing having an elongated slot through which the syringe pusher is connected to the drive belt. A sealing band is connected to the syringe pusher and is moveable with the syringe pusher for sealing the slot against moisture or other contaminants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1993
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Carl M. Stern, James M. Wittes
  • Patent number: 5232449
    Abstract: A belt driven infusion pump for emptying the contents of a syringe is disclosed. The pump includes a syringe pusher including an antisiphon catch and a pressure detector which is used for detecting occlusions or the end of infusion. A syringe clamp for locking a syringe in place is also provided. The syringe clamp is spring-loaded and lockable. A syringe position detector is provided to ensure the proper placement of the syringe prior to and during pumping. A control knob is provided on the face of the pump for controlling both the locking of the syringe barrel clamp and the coupling of the drive belt with a d.c. motor. The pump includes a housing having an elongated slot through which the syringe pusher is connected to the drive belt. A sealing band is connected to the syringe pusher and is moveable with the syringe pusher for sealing the slot against moisture or other contaminants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1993
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Carl M. Stern, Edward Rosen, James M. Wittes
  • Patent number: 4781960
    Abstract: The indicator light, preferably a LED, is mounted in a insulating housing secured by a pair of legs with relatively broad feet which are soldered to conductive pads on the surface of a printed circuit board. Preferably, the printed circuit board uses "surface mount" technology. The leads of the LED are spot welded to the legs to make electrical connections between the LED and the circuit board. The structure elevates the LED above the board surface, and/or allows mounting the LED close to the edge of the circuit board, and/or allows the light from the LED to be directed parallel to the board surface. A particularly advantageous use of the structure is one in which printed circuit boards are arranged in an array with the boards parallel to one another and the LED mounting structures near the end of each board so as to provide maximum visibility of the LEDs from many angles so as to quickly indicate equipment functional status to an operator or trouble-shooter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1988
    Assignee: Industrial Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: James M. Wittes
  • Patent number: 4627129
    Abstract: The sponge has a flat washing surface and a round back. It is shaped so as to minimize the bending of the fingers when gripping it, thus facilitating its use by people with arthritic or crippled hands. The sponge also has a notch for a finger to fit into. This makes the sponge easier to grip and control, and allows the application of greater scrubbing pressure to a small area by applying finger pressure against a thin section of sponge material at the end of the notch. This facilitates washing crevices of the body and other difficult-to-reach surfaces. Although the sponge can be used for a wide variety of washing jobs, it is especially useful as a bath sponge. Preferably, the sponge is made of fully-reticulated polyurethane foam, and is formed by compressing a thick sheet of foam against a plate with a shaped hole or cavity in it, and slicing off the protruding mass of material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1986
    Assignee: Stiefel Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: James M. Wittes
  • Patent number: 4557825
    Abstract: An upwardly pyramidal frame, formed of angularly spaced legs converging to a point, is mountable on a holder that extends about a fill opening of the pressure tank of a blast cleaning system. The frame is so disposed as to break open the end of a bag containing an abrasive media, when the bag is dropped onto the frame, with the break occurring at a location confined to the area of the fill opening. A screen supported upon a shoulder of the holder extends across the opening. At the bottom of the frame, outwardly directed feet on the legs extend into a space between the shoulder on which the screen is supported, and opposing, downwardly facing shoulders. Screws threaded in the feet bear against the peripheral portion of the screen, to clampably engage the feet and the screen against the opposed shoulders. When a screen is to be replaced, the screws are backed off, to loosen the frame and screen and permit their removal and replacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1985
    Assignee: Empire Abrasive Equipment Corporation
    Inventors: James M. Wittes, Cecilia Sweeney
  • Patent number: 4486065
    Abstract: The connector or bushing fits into a "knock-out" hole in the wall of a junction box or the like in order to protect the cable or wires from contact with the box and to provide "strain relief", that is, to hold the cable or wire securely to prevent its conductors from being pulled loose from the electrical terminals to which they are connected. The connector has a first body member or "yoke" and a second body member or "wedge", both of which are formed in a single molding operation and are attached to one another temporarily. The yoke is fitted into the knock-out hole but only partially fills the hole. The cable is inserted through a hole in the yoke. The wedge slides in slots in the yoke and is shaped and positioned so that pressure applied to it by means of a screwdriver will cause it to break loose from the yoke, slide in the slots, and become wedged between the cable and one edge of the hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 4, 1984
    Inventor: James M. Wittes
  • Patent number: 4451713
    Abstract: The pushbutton lock is used to lock one or more selected pushbuttons on a pushbutton type of telephone in order to prevent the making of unauthorized calls from that telephone. The locking of pushbuttons in other types of keysets also is described. A cover for one or more pushbuttons is secured in place by a gripping mechanism which grips at least two opposite sides of one or more of the pushbuttons when a lock cylinder is turned. The lock actuating mechanism is located vertically above the gripping mechanism so that the cover can be made small enough to fit around one or two of the pushbuttons and leave the others exposed for use, if desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 29, 1984
    Inventor: James M. Wittes
  • Patent number: 4393611
    Abstract: An improved permanent calendar assembly is disclosed which is to display any month of any year. The construction includes a flat main body with forwardly protruding tracks for removable mating with date columns. For flexibility of display, end pieces carrying one of the dates "29", "30" and "31" on one surface and a blank on an opposed surface are rotatably or pivotally mounted at the bottom of the date columns so that either side of any of the end pieces may be selected for display. The calendar also features a construction that allows easy removal and rearrangement of the vertical date columns and yet prevents their disengagement when, for example, when the calender is tilted forward. At least one lipped horizontal track extends across the rear of the date column area. Defined in the back wall of each date column are at least two openings or grooves that can mate with the track, as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1983
    Assignee: Ronald S. Lane
    Inventors: Ronald S. Lane, James M. Wittes
  • Patent number: 4213667
    Abstract: An electrical connector having a tubular support through which a power cable extends, and a contact housing within which the cable is connected to male or female contacts. The support and housing have mating quick threads facilitating their assembly after connection of the cable to the contacts. A lock means on the support automatically responds to connection of the support and housing to each other, to prevent their accidental separation. Normal operation of a cable clamping device on the support clamps and strain-relieves the cable within the support. Deformation of the cable to offer strain relief acts upon the lock means to prevent its movement from the position in which it locks the housing and support against accidental separation.A cable-clamping and strain-relieving device is disclosed, including a screw threadable laterally through an opening of a wiring device body into a power cable-receiving passage formed in the body. A swiveled head on the screw bears against the insulation of the conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1978
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1980
    Assignee: GTE Sylvania Wiring Devices Incorporated
    Inventor: James M. Wittes
  • Patent number: D649653
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Inventors: Glenn M. Halvorsen, James M. Wittes
  • Patent number: D737989
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Inventors: James M. Wittes, Glenn R. Halvorsen