Patents Issued in May 24, 2001
  • Publication number: 20010001329
    Abstract: A combined receptacle and waterfall unit for a pool or the like includes a receptacle portion and a water dispensing unit positioned in a recessed portion of the rim of the receptacle. The water dispensing unit dispenses water like a waterfall laterally outward from the rim of the receptacle. The receptacle may be shaped to be used as a planter. A lighting device may be positioned on or near the water dispensing unit to illuminate the water being dispensed therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 1999
    Publication date: May 24, 2001
    Inventor: STEFAN T ZANKOW
  • Publication number: 20010001330
    Abstract: A combination play pen, bassinet and changing table includes a bassinet assembly removably supported on the upper frame assembly of the play pen. The bassinet assembly includes a pair of bassinet frame assemblies, each consisting of a pair of J-tube assemblies joined by a cross tube. The J-tube assemblies include outer ends adapted to overly the upper frame. Bassinet side panels and end panels extend upwardly from the floor panel to form a coffer-like enclosure. An adapter supports the J end of the bassinet tube that overlies a collapsible joint assembly at the midpoint of one upper rail assembly. A changing table assembly includes a tubular frame comprised of paired side tubes and end tubes joined in a rectangular configuration. Two vertices of the changing table frame are adjacent to the adapters of the bassinet assembly. A keyed elbow connector at each vertex includes a T-shaped key received in a key slot of an adapter in supporting fashion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2001
    Publication date: May 24, 2001
    Inventors: Robert J. Warner, Richard Essex
  • Publication number: 20010001331
    Abstract: Cellulosic fiber-containing fabrics are made wrinkle resistant by a durable press wrinkle-free process which comprises treating a cellulosic fiber-containing fabric with formaldehyde, a catalyst capable of catalyzing the crosslinking reaction between the formaldehyde and cellulose and a silicone elastomer, heat-curing the treated cellulose fiber-containing fabric, preferably having a moisture content of more than 20% by weight, under conditions at which formaldehyde reacts with cellulose in the presence of the catalyst without a substantial loss of formaldehyde before the reaction of the formaldehyde with cellulose to improve the wrinkle resistance of the fabric in the presence of a silicone elastomeric softener to provide higher wrinkle resistance, and better tear strength after washing, with less treatment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 1999
    Publication date: May 24, 2001
    Applicant: George L. Payet
    Inventor: GEORGE L. PAYET
  • Publication number: 20010001332
    Abstract: Azo compounds of the 2-(4-amino)phenyldiazinecarboximidamide type and 2-(4-amino)phenylhydrazinecarboximidamide type, a process for their synthesis, their use for dyeing keratin fibers, dye compositions containing them, and dyeing processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2000
    Publication date: May 24, 2001
    Applicant: L'Oreal S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Christophe Henrion, Michel Philippe
  • Publication number: 20010001333
    Abstract: The invention relates to a dye composition, in particular a lightening dye composition, for keratin fibers, in particular for human keratin fibers such as the hair, comprising, in a medium which is suitable for dyeing, at least one direct dye to be mixed at the time of use, at basic pH, with an oxidizing agent, and characterized in that it has a basic pH and in that it contains, as direct dye, at least one dye containing an optionally delocalizable quaternized nitrogen atom and a —Z═N— bond in which Z denotes a nitrogen atom or a —CH— radical.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 1999
    Publication date: May 24, 2001
    Applicant: Henri Samain
    Inventor: HENRI SAMAIN
  • Publication number: 20010001334
    Abstract: In a toothbrush (1) having a brush member (3) which carries a bristle holder (7) with a bristle field (10) and an interdental bristle holder (11) with an interdental bristle field (14), the bristle field (10) comprises a first field portion (15) and a second field portion (16), the first field portion (15) being disposed nearer the interdental bristle field (14) than the second field portion (16) and the bristles (17) of the first field portion (15) being shorter than the interdental bristles (13) and the bristles (18) of the second field portion (16) being longer than the bristles (17) of the first field portion (15) and thus at the same time form interdental bristles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 1999
    Publication date: May 24, 2001
    Applicant: Paul Gruber et al
    Inventors: PAUL GRUBER, STEIN EDVARDSEN
  • Publication number: 20010001335
    Abstract: A toothbrush includes a handle, a head extending from the handle, and a tuft of bristles extending from the head. The tuft is inclined such that the angle of inclination is an acute angle relative to a surface of the head through which the tuft extends. The bristles have free ends which define a plane, the plane being other than perpendicular to a direction in which the tuft extends from the head. The plane is inclined towards the same direction in which the tuft is inclined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 1999
    Publication date: May 24, 2001
    Applicant: Donna Beals
    Inventor: DONNA BEALS
  • Publication number: 20010001336
    Abstract: A wiper device for a vehicle disclosed is provided with a wiper motor, a wiper pivot connected to the wiper motor, and a pivot holder having a base portion attached to the vehicle body and a bearing hole pivotally supporting the wiper pivot in a rotatable manner. Here, the wiper pivot can rotate around the pivot axis thereof by using a drive force from the wiper motor and has a cutout portion, and the wiper pivot extends so as to project toward an outer side of the vehicle body. In such a structure, it is further structured such that a C ring engaged with the cutout portion of the wiper pivot is released from the cutout portion when a load equal to or more than a predetermined value acts on the wiper pivot. In this case, as a result, the wiper pivot is moved to an inner side of the vehicle body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 1998
    Publication date: May 24, 2001
    Applicant: Toshio Kobayashi et al
    Inventors: TOSHIO KOBAYASHI, MASAMI GOTO, HIROSHI OHSAKI, HIROSHI KOJIMA, MASAAKI SHIMIBA
  • Publication number: 20010001337
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a receptacle, a motor assembly in air flow communication with the receptacle, and a lid on the receptacle. The vacuum cleaner also includes a hose inlet on the receptacle, a debris opening, and a door opening and closing the debris opening. The debris opening may be on the receptacle or in the lid of the vacuum cleaner. Alternatively, the vacuum cleaner may include an adaptor that is attached to the hose at one end and removably connected to the hose inlet at the other end, where the debris opening is on the adaptor. The vacuum cleaner may have an adaptor that is removably connected to the hose at one end and removably connected to the hose at the other end, where the debris opening is on the adaptor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 1999
    Publication date: May 24, 2001
    Applicant: Charles M. Storrs Et Al
    Inventors: CHARLES M. STORRS, ROBERT C. BERFIELD
  • Publication number: 20010001338
    Abstract: Disclosed is a dust-collecting barrow according to the invention. The dust-collecting barrow has a layer of silicon oil on the bottom thereof. The silicon oil is stable; that is, it is difficult for it to react with chemical compounds. The dust-collecting barrow has a plurality of alternately-arranged dividers. When chemical materials and/or particles are sucked into the dust-collecting barrow, heavier materials are first deposited in the silicon oil while lighter materials continuously move forward, and then are deposited in the silicon oil. Furthermore, the dust-collecting barrow is divided by the alternatively-arranged dividers into a plurality of open spaces which are used to absorb various chemical materials or particles, thereby preventing the various chemical materials or particles from reacting with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 1999
    Publication date: May 24, 2001
    Applicant: Yi-Jen Wu
    Inventor: YI-JEN WU
  • Publication number: 20010001339
    Abstract: A removable grip for an ultrasound probe. The grip may be an integrated or unitary hand-held device having a circular or C-shaped cross-section that, when located at a predetermined operative position on the probe, removably surrounds a substantial portion of the probe to provide an exterior shape and size optimal for a desired application. The probe is generally an elongated instrument having proximal and distal ends and an external casing that is grasped by a sonographer. An ultrasound transducer is generally disposed at the distal end and a cord for transferring data and power typically extends from the proximal end of the probe. The grip includes proximal and distal ends and, in one disclosed aspect, a channel for receiving the cord. The channel is defined by opposing edges of the grip that longitudinally extend between the proximal and distal ends. The channel extends through the grip from an exterior surface to an interior surface of the grip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2001
    Publication date: May 24, 2001
    Inventors: Brevard S. Garrison, Michael G. Verga, Julie A. Beberman
  • Publication number: 20010001340
    Abstract: An adjustable elastic tie-down cord having an elongated stretchable elastic cord with a hook secured to one end. A line adjusting retainer bar is provided with two spaced through passages in which the cord is slidably received whereby an adjustable loop in the cord is formed on one side of the bar for selectively adjusting the overall length of the cord. The other cord end is provided with a stop knot so that it will not slip through its adjacent passage in the line adjusting retainer bar and a hook is slidably received on the cord in the loop section. The passage through which the cord is slidably received for adjustment is provided with protrusions at appropriate positions to engage the stretch cord thereby penetrate the elastic cord for assisting and locking it in position within the passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2001
    Publication date: May 24, 2001
    Inventor: Denis E. Libecco
  • Publication number: 20010001341
    Abstract: A process for the production of a homogenized material of metals and alloys from a slab, and the material has a fine microstructure or fine nonmetallic inclusions and has less segregation of alloying elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Publication date: May 24, 2001
    Inventors: Masashi Ishida, Akihiro Tomita, Daisuke Imai, Seiichi Takeda
  • Publication number: 20010001342
    Abstract: A safety mirror lens assembly includes a mirror unit with a mirror lens that has a three-dimensional convex/ellipsoid reflective surface which terminates in an oval or round or other shape peripheral edge. The reflective surface is such that a notional line traced to coincides with the major axis has a first constant radius of curvature and a second notional line traced to coincide with the minor axis has a second constant radius of curvature. The first radius of curvature is substantially greater than the second radius of curvature. The mirror lens is usable for a cross-over mirror for a vehicle, for example, a school bus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Publication date: May 24, 2001
    Applicant: Rosco, Inc.
    Inventor: Benjamin Englander
  • Publication number: 20010001343
    Abstract: A microwave coupler is constructed in a multilayer, vertically-connected stripline architecture provided in the form of a microwave integrated circuit that has a homogeneous, multilayer structure. Such a coupler has a vertically-connected stripline structure in which multiple sets of stripline layers are separated by interstitial groundplanes, and wherein more than one set of layers has a segment of coupled stripline. A typical implementation operates at frequencies from approximately 0.5 to 6 GHz, although other frequencies are achievable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2001
    Publication date: May 24, 2001
    Inventor: James Logothetis
  • Publication number: 20010001344
    Abstract: Indoor air conditioner units are manufactured by pre-assembling evaporators and supplying the evaporators to a plurality of unit assembling stations, whereby at each unit assembling station, the evaporators are assembled with other air conditioner elements to form finished indoor air conditioner units. The evaporators can be assembled at an evaporator assembling station which supplies all of the unit assembling stations with evaporators. Alternatively, the evaporators can be assembled at each of the unit assembling stations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 1999
    Publication date: May 24, 2001
    Inventors: JAE-JIN CHA, DOO-NAM MYUNG
  • Publication number: 20010001345
    Abstract: A wire harness is made up of a plurality of partial harnesses. Each of the partial harnesses is arranged such that opposite end portions of a plurality of electric wires having terminals at ends thereof are retained in advance in U-shapes with predetermined intervals provided so as to correspond to a plurality of connectors into which the terminals are inserted, by a plurality of wire clamps juxtaposed at equal pitches on a wire clamping bar. The terminals at the ends of the plurality of electric wires in each of the partial harnesses are inserted into terminal accommodating chambers of predetermined connectors selected from the plurality of connectors, thereby aggregating the partial harnesses into a combined unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2001
    Publication date: May 24, 2001
    Inventors: Yutaka Miyamoto, Shigeji Kudo, Hiroo Suzuki, Tsutomu Nakayama, Jiro Aikawa
  • Publication number: 20010001346
    Abstract: A modular vehicle window assembly is provided which has attached thereto interior vehicle accessories. In a preferred embodiment, the window panel assembly includes a window panel disposed within or covering a window opening formed in the vehicle. The window panel may optionally contain a conventional gasket or sealing structure to provide a weather-tight seal in the window opening. Supported on and interconnecting to the interior surface of the window panel are any one of a number of different accessory configurations, including centerline, island, and peninsular overhead consoles providing storage space, overhead lighting, and air conditioning vents for use by the occupants. Other accessories which may be used include an instrument display assembly, a control assembly, a window shade assembly, and a hand-hold assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2000
    Publication date: May 24, 2001
    Inventors: John W. Carter, Jeffrey A. Lewno, Daniel J. Fisher, Joseph D. Rankin
  • Publication number: 20010001347
    Abstract: In this method, a ground wire 2 is overlaid on a shield wire 1 in cross. Next, overlapping portions of the shield wire 1 and the ground wire 2 are interposed between an upper resin tip 13 and a lower resin tip 14. By executing a first ultrasonic oscillation while inserting a projection 7a of an ultrasonic horn 7 into a through hole 13b of the tip 13, outside rinds 1d, 2b of the wires 1, 2 are removed in the vicinity of the overlapping portions. Next, by arranging a low-melting metal 15 and a resin piece 16 on a contact between the braided wire 1c and the core line 2a and executing a second ultrasonic oscillation, the contact can be brazed with the mutual welding of the tips 13, 14.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2001
    Publication date: May 24, 2001
    Applicant: Yazaki Corp.
    Inventors: Satoshi Tanikawa, Takashi Ishii
  • Publication number: 20010001348
    Abstract: Disclosed are bulk lyophilization containers including aseptic closure portions or heat flux equalization portions that promote improved bulk lyophilization. Also disclosed are methods of using the bulk lyophilization containers and improved lyophilization stoppers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2000
    Publication date: May 24, 2001
    Inventor: Richard Wisniewski
  • Publication number: 20010001349
    Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for the hot air roasting of coffee beans is provided and includes structure for inhibiting contaminants from entering the hot air stream used in the roasting of coffee beans, structure for obtaining a uniform roast of the coffee beans, unitary structure for mounting a handle to a roasting chamber and removably and releasably mounting a cover to the roasting chamber, structure for initiating a roasting cycle and terminating the roasting cycle for a predetermined cooling period at any point during the roasting cycle, structure for double sealing a cover to a roasting chamber, structure for assembling a vessel, a metallic base, and a plastic mount ring into an integral roasting chamber, structure for releasably and removably mounting a roasting vessel to a main housing, dual filters for preventing the blockage of a hot air stream through a hull and chaff collector, and a “fan based” method for controlling the roasting temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Publication date: May 24, 2001
    Inventors: Jung S. Moon, Rong Liu, Alan R. Kelley
  • Publication number: 20010001350
    Abstract: A convertible slide and method for slide-type sandals typically used in the out-of-doors includes rubber and synthetic materials and exhibits a lightweight robust, high-strength, flexible construction including a midsole for supporting a foot. A vamp is securely attached to the midsole for covering the foot and includes a pair of outwardly extending studs for providing a pair of pivot points. A rear heel strap is provided for securing the convertible slide to the foot. The heel strap is rotatively connected to the pair of outwardly extending studs for rotating between a first lowered position about the heel of the foot and a second raised position above the vamp. Finally, an outsole is bonded to the midsole for contacting the ground surface. In a first alternative embodiment, the pair of outwardly extending studs is replaced by a pair of rivets while in a second alternative embodiment, the pair of outwardly extending studs is replaced by a pair of threaded screws.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 1999
    Publication date: May 24, 2001
    Inventor: SANTIAGO J. AGUERRE
  • Publication number: 20010001351
    Abstract: An insole insert for application into a shoe, and which is formed as a laminar material of various layers of paper, polymer, stranded thermoplastic or thermosetting material, foams of select consistencies and texture, in addition to a felt or microfiber type of upper layer, to add to the cushioning and softness of the insert, when applied. The insert, when subjected to heat and pressure, particularly pressure applied by the foot, conforms to the contours of the foot, and sustains such, even after prolonged usage after application into a shoe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2001
    Publication date: May 24, 2001
    Inventor: Wayne R. Dieckhaus
  • Publication number: 20010001352
    Abstract: Coupling for the teeth of excavators and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2001
    Publication date: May 24, 2001
    Applicant: METALOGENIA, S.A.
    Inventors: Roberto Fernandez Munoz, Francisco Perez Soria, Lorenzo Navarro Romero, Jose Antonio Laforet Alvarez
  • Publication number: 20010001353
    Abstract: A trap for small insects and rodents has a shallow tray with a bottom plate and a continuous side wall. A contiguous lip extends along the periphery of the side wall and substantially perpendicularly thereto. A narrow protuberance extends from the lip to elevate one side of the tray above a mounting surface when the tray is placed with an outer surface of the bottom plate facing upwardly. A layer of adhesive substance is deposited on an inner surface of the bottom plate. A small amount of bait is placed on the adhesive layer. When the trap is placed with the inner surface facing down, the upper surface becomes inclined to trap even smaller insects trying to escape. The higher portion of the tray adjacent the protuberance forms the widest entryway for the crawling insects and small rodents, such as house mice.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2001
    Publication date: May 24, 2001
    Inventor: Robert Jones
  • Publication number: 20010001354
    Abstract: Gasoline engines equipped with three-way catalysts emit less NOx, hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide when operated on fuels containing a bimetallic catalyst comprising rhodium acetylacetonate and a fuel-soluble platinum compound such as diphenyl cyclooctadiene platinum(II) or platinum acetyl acetonate. The total metals in the additive will be dosed at a concentration of less than about 2 ppm (milligrams of metal to liter of gasoline) based on the amount of gasoline burned in the engine. Preferred dosages will be from about 0.15 to about 1.5 ppm, with a ratio of platinum to rhodium of from about 3:1 to about 15:1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2001
    Publication date: May 24, 2001
    Inventors: Jeremy D. Peter-Hoblyn, James M. Valentine, Barry N. Sprague
  • Publication number: 20010001355
    Abstract: A seal structure for sealing between a through hole and a conduit located in the through hole. The seal structure includes a conduit located in the through hole and a foaming material. A wire is inserted in the conduit. The foaming material is located between the outer surface of the conduit and the inner surface of the through hole. The foaming material expands when heated and seals the space between the outer surface of the conduit and the inner surface of the through hole. Both ends of the conduit are sealed with a fireproof material between the inner surface of the conduit and the outer surface of the wire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 1999
    Publication date: May 24, 2001
    Applicant: J. RODMAN STEELE, JR. AKERMAN, SENTERFITT & EIDSON, P.A.
    Inventor: SHOHACHI SHIMIZU
  • Publication number: 20010001356
    Abstract: Compression molded pigmented door skins fabricated by compression molding a pigmented, curable, unsaturated polyester sheet molding compound containing a co-curable unsaturated monomer, a low profile additive, and a microvoid-reducing thermoplastic polymer, exhibit uniform stainability while maintaining a low linear thermal coefficient of expansion. Such door skins are suitable for preparing wood grain textured exterior insulated doors which exhibit minimal thermal deflection when exposed to interior/exterior temperature differentials, even at eight foot door heights. The doors may be stained without first applying a seal coat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2001
    Publication date: May 24, 2001
    Applicant: Therma-Tru Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth J. West, Greg W. Scheffel, G. Daniel Templeton, Eugene R. Davis
  • Publication number: 20010001357
    Abstract: An insert for a glazing unit includes a body having a width and a height. The insert is configured to fit within the spacer of the glazing unit. A typical glazing unit has at least two outer glazing sheets separated by a substantially rigid, U-shaped spacer disposed about the perimeter of the sheets to create an interior cavity between the outer sheets and the spacer. The width and height of the body of the insert are adapted to allow the insert to fit within the U-shaped spacer. The spacer has a longitudinal length dimension substantially equal to the perimeter of the glazing sheets. The body of the insert also has a longitudinal length dimension substantially equal to the length of the spacer. The body of the insert is fabricated from a non-flowable material having substantially stable dimensions. In one embodiment of the invention, the insert includes an inwardly facing, intermediate glazing sheet-receiving channel that is adapted to slidably receive and position an intermediate glazing sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2001
    Publication date: May 24, 2001
    Inventor: Gerhard Reichert
  • Publication number: 20010001358
    Abstract: A drug filling machine having a plurality of feeders containing a plurality of different kinds of drugs. A plurality of the drugs are discharged from one or some of the feeders into a vial. A sealing unit is provided for sealing the mouth of the vial with a transparent sheet. The sealing unit includes a sheet presser for pushing the transparent sheet into the mouth of the vial to form a sealing sheet having a tray-shaped section, a cutter for cutting the transparent sheet into a predetermined shape, and a heater for fusing the transparent sheet to the top end of the vial to seal the mouth of the vial. A method of inspecting the drugs contained in the vial includes preparing the transparent sheet a sealing portion for covering the mouth of the vial, and a printed portion that protrudes outwardly of the mouth of the vial. After inspecting the drugs in the vial, the printed portion is separated from the sealing portion, and a cap is secured on the mouth of the vial.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2001
    Publication date: May 24, 2001
    Inventors: Shoji Yuyama, Hiroyasu Hamada
  • Publication number: 20010001359
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and a method to produce magazines, books, catalogues, brochures, periodicals, or the like on a collation or binding line, transport these products in a single stream of products towards a packaging line, divide the single stream of products into distinct streams of products where one such stream comprises products requiring wrapping and another such stream comprises products which do not require wrapping, transport the products requiring wrapping to a wrapping machine and sending these products through a wrapping process, transport the products that do not require wrapping around the wrapping machine, and merge the separate streams of products back into a single stream of products such that the products are arranged in a predetermined output order, such as demographic order.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 1999
    Publication date: May 24, 2001
    Inventors: WILLIAM T. GRAUSHAR, JOHN C. GERES
  • Publication number: 20010001360
    Abstract: The invention concerns an acoustic igniter for igniting a mixture of rocket fuels in a liquid propellant rocket engine combustion chamber comprising a cylindrical precombustion chamber (101) including a cylindrical wall (111) and first and second end walls (112, 113), a rocket fuel injection nozzle (103) emerging into the precombustion chamber (101) through the first end wall (112) via an orifice of diameter dn, a rocket fuel injector (104) arranged inside said nozzle (103) along the axis thereof, at least an outlet orifice (102) of minimum diameter df provided in the cylindrical wall (111), an acoustic resonator (105) defining a cavity opening into the precombustion chamber (101) opposite the nozzle (103), through the second end wall (113), via an orifice (151) of diameter dr. The acoustic resonator (105) is enclosed by a housing (106) which defines around the acoustic resonator (105) a closed auxiliary chamber (160) which communicates only with the precombustion chamber (101) by at least one conduit (107).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2001
    Publication date: May 24, 2001
    Applicant: SOCIETE NATIONALE D'ETUDE ET DE CONSTRUCTION DE MOTEURS D'AVIATION - S.N.E.C.M.A.
    Inventors: Khoze Kessaev, Vassili Zinoviev, Vladimir Demtchenko
  • Publication number: 20010001361
    Abstract: In a cylinder injection spark-ignition engine having a spark plug to ignite an air mixture fuel within a corresponding cylinder; a fuel injector to inject fuel into a combustion chamber; a catalytic converter interposed in an exhaust passage; and a controller, the controller being programmed to: command the fuel injector to inject a main fuel into the combustion chamber for a first time duration within at least one of a suction stroke and a compression stroke and to inject an additional fuel for a second time duration within at least one of an expansion stroke and an exhaust stroke, the controller is programmed to set a target value of a total air-fuel mixture ratio to a value of the air-fuel mixture ratio which is leaner than a stoichiometric air-fuel mixture ratio for a warm-up condition of the catalytic converter and the controller is programmed to calculate respective injection quantities (Ti1 and Ti2) of the main fuel and the additional fuel in such a manner that the total air-fuel mixture ratio based on
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 1999
    Publication date: May 24, 2001
    Inventors: YASUYUKI ITOU, TAKASHI FUKUDA
  • Publication number: 20010001362
    Abstract: An air bottoming powertrain, suitable for use in automobiles includes an internal combustion engine, a compressor which receives gaseous working fluid and compresses it to an elevated pressure, a cooler for operating the compressor isothermally, an expander for deriving work from the compressed gas and a heat exchanger located in the compressed gas line for indirect heat exchange between the compressed working fluid and exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine. The expander may have a cylindrical barrel with a plurality of cylinders arranged in the circle and open at one end face of the cylinder barrel, which end face is sealed closed by a valve plate. The cylinder barrel and valve plate allow relative rotation therebetween to drive an output shaft, driven by compressed gas from the compressor. An alternative expander is a Scotch Yoke piston motor which includes plural paired and axially aligned cylinders on opposing sides of an output shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2001
    Publication date: May 24, 2001
    Inventor: Charles L. Gray
  • Publication number: 20010001363
    Abstract: In a marine vessel (such as a yacht or other boat) in the range of 45-75 feet a chilled water air conditioning system is provided having a significant advantage over split central systems. Utilizing two-four water chilling modular units the chilled water capacity only needs to accommodate about 75-90% of the calculated BTU heat load for the vessel, while the air handlers are rated at about 100% of the calculated BTU heat load. Each modular unit has no refrigerant connection exterior of the casing containing all of its components, including a condenser coil, evaporator coil, compressor, reversing valve, and expansion tubing, all operatively connected to each other by refrigerant lines within the casing. Chilled water is circulated into and out of the evaporator coil by an exterior pump and expansion tank operatively connected to each of the modular units, the chilled water passing through a coil unit of an air handler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2001
    Publication date: May 24, 2001
    Applicant: Taylor Made Environmental Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Dodge, Frank A. Marciano, Mason C. Heydt, James C. Harper
  • Publication number: 20010001364
    Abstract: A plant for separation of a gas mixture comprises at least two columns which are of the same length. The tops of two of the columns are at the same height.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Publication date: May 24, 2001
    Applicant: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour L'Etude et L'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Olivier Bruder, Bernard Darredeau, Jean-Yves Lehman
  • Publication number: 20010001365
    Abstract: A block assembly for a lehr includes a plurality of blocks extending longitudinally, each of the blocks having a seal surface for mating and overlapping with an adjacent one of the blocks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 1998
    Publication date: May 24, 2001
    Inventor: PREMAKARAN T. BOAZ
  • Publication number: 20010001366
    Abstract: Natural or synthetic silica is deposited on a preform set into rotation in front of a plasma torch which moves back and forth substantially parallel to a longitudinal direction of the preform, a first feed duct feeds the plasma with grains of natural or synthetic silica while a second feed duct feeds the plasma with a fluorine or chlorine compound, preferably a fluorine compound, mixed with a carrier gas Any sodium or lithium contained in the grains of natural or synthetic silica react with the fluorine or chlorine of the fluorine or chlorine compound, thereby making it possible to improve the optical quality of fibers drawn from a preform built up with natural or synthetic silica, and to do so at reduced cost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 1998
    Publication date: May 24, 2001
    Inventors: ALAIN DROUART, BENOIT GOUEZ, YVES LUMINEAU, PIERRE RIPOCHE, JEAN-FLORENT CAMPION
  • Publication number: 20010001367
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for working or forming a workpiece by flow-forming, particularly for the manufacture of internal teeth on the workpiece, in which a cup-shaped preform or blank is axially fixed against a tool chuck and pressed by means of at least one rolling body onto said tool chuck and the blank is rotated relative to the rolling body, the at least one rolling body, at the start of forming, at the open end of the blank is pressed against the cylinder wall area thereof and in axial relative movement is guided in forming contact over the cylinder wall area to the base of the blank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 1999
    Publication date: May 24, 2001
    Inventor: KARL-HEINZ KOESTERMEIER
  • Publication number: 20010001368
    Abstract: A wire bending device includes an upright frame and a wire feed hopper for dispensing wire rods. A wire bending section is mounted on the frame, and at least one transport arm is pivotally mounted on the frame, the transport arm operative to transport wire rods from the hopper to the wire bending section. The wire bending section includes a wire securement device mounted on the frame, the rotatable wire securement device operative to secure one end of a wire rod and rotate the wire rod about its longitudinal central axis and a wire bending unit movably mounted on the frame. The wire bending unit includes a wire bend head aligned with the center longitudinal axis of the rotatable wire securement device, the wire bending unit adapted to move on the frame such that the wire bend head remains aligned with the center longitudinal axis of the rotatable wire securement device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2001
    Publication date: May 24, 2001
    Inventors: David Benes, Delmar D. Kosch, Vincent C. Kieffer
  • Publication number: 20010001369
    Abstract: Cathode cans for use in air depolarized cells, and cells made with such cans. The side wall is stronger than the bottom wall, and has a smoother outwardly-disposed surface than the respective bottom wall surface. Strength, and thus hardness, of the side wall relates to strength, and thus hardness, of the bottom wall, as hardness of 130-185 relates, to hardness of 93-117, on the Vickers scale. Preferred hardness of the side wall is about 130 to 185; and of the bottom wall is about 93 to 117. The side wall is drawn, and an outwardly-disposed surface of the side wall is ironed. As ironed, the surface finish is related to surface finish of the bottom wall, at the same stage, as surface finish RA of less than 2, preferably about 0.5 to about 1.5, microinches, is related to surface finish RA of about 2 to about 5, preferably about 2.5 to about 4.5, microinches. Thickness of the side wall is generally up to about 85 percent as great as thickness of the bottom wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Publication date: May 24, 2001
    Inventors: Robert Adey, John David Burns, John Edward Oltman
  • Publication number: 20010001370
    Abstract: Detection of an evolving or diffusing gaseous substance emanating from an irradiated or thermolyzed layer of polymeric composition in semiconductor processing or similar processes is disclosed. The evolving or diffusing gaseous substance is detected by spatially disposing from the irradiated or thermolyzed layer a detector layer that includes a compound having leaving groups that are sensitive to the gaseous substance being detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2001
    Publication date: May 24, 2001
    Inventors: James Patrick Collins, Laird Chandler MacDowell, Wayne Martin Moreau, Michael Santarelli
  • Publication number: 20010001371
    Abstract: A compact tension testing apparatus for determining the peel strength of a circuit line or film bonded to a substrate. A force gauge is mounted on an apparatus using low friction air bearings to allow the force gauge to self-align with the peeling location of the circuit line or film, thereby providing essentially orthogonal positioning relative to the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2001
    Publication date: May 24, 2001
    Inventors: Edward Lee Arrington, Richard Ronald Hall, Charles J. Maira
  • Publication number: 20010001372
    Abstract: A variable-ratio transmission device. A first translational member is pivotally intercoupled to a first rotational member by at least one connecting arm. The connecting arm has a first portion pivotally connected to the first translational member at a first pivot point, and a second portion pivotally and adjustably connected to the first rotational member at a first radial attachment point removed from the center of rotation of the first rotational member. The first radial attachment point and the center of rotation thereby define a first attachment radius. The location of the first radial attachment point with respect to the first rotational member is variable to thereby increase and decrease the first attachment radius, which in turn modifies a ratio of movement between the first rotational member and the first translational member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2001
    Publication date: May 24, 2001
    Inventor: Bret J. Park
  • Publication number: 20010001373
    Abstract: In a cutting apparatus for cutting a printed metal sheet (1) into a number of individual sheet metal blanks (A1-A6, B1-B6, C1-C6), a conveyor-path switch (9) for removing blanks with defective printing from the conveyor path is provided for separating each blank chosen at the blank discharge point. The conveyor-path switches are selectively activated by a control unit (6). This enables individual blanks to be discarded, thus reducing machine down time and waste of material due to sheets with defective printing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2001
    Publication date: May 24, 2001
    Inventors: Peter Schreiber, Felix Van Der Schaar
  • Publication number: 20010001374
    Abstract: A splitting apparatus includes a splitter member with a plurality of blades, and a splitting guide configured to anchor articles so that an article to be split is anchored on a splitting guide when the splitter member is moved across the splitting guide. The apparatus includes a gate which is controlled by a gate controller that selectively opens and closes the discharge aperture positioned adjacent the splitting guide so that the split article can be discharged from the splitting guide. A staging platform is provided adjacent the splitting guide for aligning the articles to be split with the splitting guide and a staging advancer is provided to move articles from the staging platform to the splitting guide, and to discharge the split articles after splitting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 1998
    Publication date: May 24, 2001
    Inventor: JACEK GUZOWSKI
  • Publication number: 20010001375
    Abstract: An improved sliding saw includes a base, a rotatable table rotatably disposed within the base, a first rail fixedly attached at least partially underneath and extending forwardly from the table, and a saw unit slidably disposed on the first rail, wherein a user moves the saw unit along the first rail towards the table to perform a cutting operation. A second embodiment of the saw includes a table having a top surface, the top surface having a first plane, a fence attached to the table, the fence having a front surface extending along a plane substantially perpendicular to the first plane, a first rail fixedly attached at least partially underneath and extending forwardly from the table along a first direction, and a saw unit slidably disposed on the first rail, wherein a user moves the saw unit along the first direction towards the table to perform a cutting operation. Preferably, the fence is rotatably attached to the table.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2001
    Publication date: May 24, 2001
    Applicant: Black & Decker Inc.,
    Inventors: Daryl Meredith, D. Scott Evans, Robert Gifford, Sean Flickenger
  • Publication number: 20010001376
    Abstract: A high-speed shear with a knife, particularly a chisel-type knife with a knife edge, arranged on at least one of two oppositely arranged drums, wherein the knife can be accelerated to the feeding speed of the rolled strip and the drums can be adjusted relative to each other for carrying out a cut. At least one drive unit provided for the drums serves to accelerate the drums to the speed of the rolled strip to be cut and at least one of the drums may be provided with a separately controllable adjusting device. The chisel-type knife of the knife drum is mounted so as to protrude from the cutting circle towards the anvil or the surface portion of the second drum acting as an anvil and to mount the chisel-type knife of the knife drum so as to be resiliently supported against a predetermined restoring force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 1998
    Publication date: May 24, 2001
    Inventors: GUNTER KNEPPE, JOCHEN MUNKER, JURGEN MERZ, HORST GRAFE
  • Publication number: 20010001377
    Abstract: Method for the rapid cleaning of produce with minimal loss, and apparatus to perform the method. The cleaning method taught in the present application enables the rapid cleaning of produce by removing an extraneous portion therefrom, by separating the extraneous portion from the body of the produce, and by urging the cleaned produce towards a collection device. These steps are attainable, using the principles of the present invention, by a working using only one motion and one hand. To perform the method, a novel aperture knife is taught which, rendered attachable to an agricultural processing implement by an integral attachment device, enables one-handed operation by a user. The knife includes a generally planar knife body in operative combination with an elevated blade which not only enables the severing of the extraneous portion from the produce body, but separates the extraneous portion therefrom, and guides the cleaned produce body towards a collection device, for instance a picking box.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 1998
    Publication date: May 24, 2001
    Inventors: EDWARD ORTEGA, CARLOS ORTEGA
  • Publication number: 20010001378
    Abstract: A fabric reinforced, resilient brake diaphragm for use in a fluid pressure operated braking system is provided. The diaphragm comprises an annular outer flange for engaging the housing of the braking system, a bottom planar wall having an interior surface for engaging the piston of the braking system, an annular sidewall connecting the outer flange and the bottom planar wall and a plurality of spaced planar tabs disposed on the interior surface of the bottom planar wall extending radially from the intersection between the annular sidewall and the bottom planar wall toward the center of the interior surface. The diaphragm has a thin-walled construction with the bottom planar wall and annular sidewall having a thickness of between approximately 0.06 inches and approximately 0.10 inches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2001
    Publication date: May 24, 2001
    Inventors: Robert M. Savel, Tracy Burcham, Niranjan Haralalka