Patents Issued in December 20, 2001
  • Publication number: 20010052441
    Abstract: A shock absorber includes a housing, a piston slidable in the housing, a piston rod extending outwardly from the piston, a cup-shaped stop cap secured to the free end of the piston rod, and an adjusting ring which protrudes from the end of the housing and can be rotated to adjust the damping coefficient by adjusting the open cross-section of throttle openings through which a hydraulic fluid is displaced by the piston. When a load pushes against the stop cap, the maximum travel is limited by the stop cap bearing directly against a rigid end ring of the housing. The load forces are introduced directly from the stop cap into the housing, without applying any loads onto the adjusting ring or other components. The adjusting ring and a return spring coaxially on the piston rod are accommodated within the stop cap in the fully retracted position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2001
    Publication date: December 20, 2001
    Inventor: Armin Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20010052442
    Abstract: An apparatus (1A) for taking up the slack of a wire harness takes up the slack of a flexible, flat wire harness (4) which is accommodated in a housing (2A) having a second side plate (9) formed in an inclined manner with respect to a first side plate (5), and which is drawn out of the housing (2A). This second side plate (9) is provided in such a manner as to assume a gradual downward gradient from a first opening (7) side toward a second opening (11) side. The wire harness (4) which is inserted through the first opening (7) is partially bonded to the first side plate (5), is once folded back toward the introducing side, i.e., the first opening (7) side, in a state in which the curvature of bending is practically nil. The wire harness (4) is then turned back toward the second opening (11) side in a state of being curved arcuately by the resilient action of the wire harness (4) itself, and is drawn out of the housing (2A) through the second opening (11).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Publication date: December 20, 2001
    Applicant: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Masashi Tsukamoto
  • Publication number: 20010052443
    Abstract: A torque converter is provided with a lockup device that functions as a clutch and as an elastic coupling mechanism. In one embodiment, the lockup device is configured to eliminate an outer cylindrical portion from its piston. Preferably, a spring holder has an outer portion arranged radially outside the torsion springs, while a drive plate has a cylindrical portion restricting radial movement of the spring holder. In other embodiments, the elastic coupling mechanism is configured with a sufficient number of sets of elastic members that act together in the rotational direction as if they were arranged end to end. The elastic coupling mechanism has one set of springs disposed radially inward of another set of springs. A spring holder connects first and second sets of springs such that the first and second sets of springs act together in the rotational direction as if they were arranged end to end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2001
    Publication date: December 20, 2001
    Inventors: Naoki Tomiyama, Shinji Fujimoto
  • Publication number: 20010052444
    Abstract: In an actuation device for a friction clutch which is arranged in the drivetrain of a motor vehicle between a drive unit and a transmission, comprising a pressure medium force cylinder arrangement by means of which the friction clutch can be actuated via a release member, a measuring arrangement which detects an actual release, a control/regulating valve arrangement which is connected with a pressure medium source, with a pressure compensation opening or a pressure compensation reservoir and with the pressure medium force cylinder arrangement and which is controllable electrically, by means of which valve arrangement the pressure medium force cylinder arrangement can be actuated depending on the actual release and on a reference release which can be predetermined, the control/regulating valve arrangement can be actuated via control/regulating electronics depending on the actual release, on an electrically presettable command variable and on a characteristic line converting the command variable into the refere
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2001
    Publication date: December 20, 2001
    Applicant: Mannesmann Sachs AG
    Inventors: Hans-Jurgen Drexl, Thomas Otto, Hans Fliege, Hans-Jurgen Schmitt
  • Publication number: 20010052445
    Abstract: A reverse vending machine is configured to selectively accept bulk fed containers, the machine including an in-feed station with an in-feed door and a hopper accessible via the in-feed door, the hopper having a first mouth which is open when the in-feed door is in an open orientation and closed when the in-feed door is in a closed orientation. The in-feed door has a second mouth, which is smaller than the first mouth, and which remains open regardless of in-feed door orientation. The in-feed station thus is configured to simultaneously freely receive multiple disarrayed containers through the first mouth when the in-feed door is in the open orientation and is configured to receive containers through the second mouth when the in-feed door is in the closed orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2001
    Publication date: December 20, 2001
    Inventors: John A. Coyne, Stuart R. Aldrich, Griffin S. Hampson, Kris M. Kiva
  • Publication number: 20010052446
    Abstract: A chip component take-in apparatus takes in and guides downward prismatic chip components stored in a bulk state in a storage chamber one by one in a predetermined direction. When a first take-in member and a second take-in member are relatively moved up and down in each flat face contact state, the chip components in face contact with the flat faces of the take-in members are gradually guided to a center along guide ways. The guided chip components in the longitudinal direction thereof are taken into a passage constituted by grooves and are moved downward along the passage by self-weight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2001
    Publication date: December 20, 2001
    Applicant: Taiyo Yuden Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Saito, Taro Yasuda, Hiroyuki Matsui
  • Publication number: 20010052447
    Abstract: A conveyance-direction-changing device using a mechanism in which two rotational outputs caused by forward and reverse rotations of a single motor are extracted using first and second drive gears which are rotated in the same direction regardless of the rotational direction of the motor. A work-piece-conveying roller is held by a second driven gear which is rotated in an interlocked manner with the second drive gear, and the circumferential surface of the roller is set so as to be in contact with a first driven gear which is rotated in an interlocked manner with the first drive gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2001
    Publication date: December 20, 2001
    Applicant: ITOH ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tatsuhiko Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20010052448
    Abstract: In order to separate tin can bodies carried by a first conveyor belt at a high speed, a second conveyor belt is taken close to the first conveyor belt and individual bodies are transferred from the first conveyor belt to the second conveyor belt. It is thus possible to separate a sequence of tin bodies into two sequences, thus facilitating further processing. The process can also be reversed to form a single sequence from two sequences.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2001
    Publication date: December 20, 2001
    Inventors: Mathias Frei, Peter Bassler, Peter Schreiber, Peter Taiana
  • Publication number: 20010052449
    Abstract: Lightweight moulded pulp trays or the like are attracted upward from transport on the upper side of a first conveyor to contact with the underside of the lower run of the perforated conveyor belt of a vacuum transfer mechanism by means of vacuum conditions transmitted through groups of perforations in said perforated belt, the location of said perforations in each group, and the timing of vacuum conditions transmitted through each perforation in each group being arranged to lift the forward and rearward proportions of each said product simultaneously with continuous support during transport to a selected location for simultaneous release of vacuum support for said forward and rearward portions of each said product, whereby to provide a level lift and drop-off for each product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Publication date: December 20, 2001
    Inventor: Roy William Emery
  • Publication number: 20010052450
    Abstract: A dual belt conveyor includes a pair of flexible endless loop conveyor belts arranged at an incline with a lower flight of the upper belt in face-to-face conveying relationship with an upper flight of the lower belt to retain and convey granular material between the belts. Drive pulleys are connected to both belts to move the belts at the same speed, and the conveying flights of the belts are journaled through a trough which forces the belts into a curved concave orientation between the side edges with the upper belt biased downwardly into engagement with product on the lower belt to retain product therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2001
    Publication date: December 20, 2001
    Inventors: John N. Bohnker, David Hoffman
  • Publication number: 20010052451
    Abstract: A plastic conveyor belt module including a base member and an attachment member bonded together by an electromagnetically welded bond material that forms a fused joint between the base member and the attachment member. The joint is formed between a base weld region and an attachment weld region with the electromagnetically welded bond material forming a firm bond at the interface between the two regions. A welding workstation includes a high-frequency generator with its output coupled to a work coil. A fixture nests the base and attachment members together with the bond material at the joint close to the work coil. Ferromagnetic or other electrically conductive particles capable of carrying eddy currents embedded in the bond material are heated inductively by the high-frequency signal emitted by the work coil. The heat is also transferred to the adjacent weld regions of the base and attachment members to fuse them together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2001
    Publication date: December 20, 2001
    Inventors: Hans Ruoss, Terral A. Ridgell, Christopher G. Greve
  • Publication number: 20010052452
    Abstract: A dome portion of a contact piece has a plurality of circumferentially-spaced-apart marginal portions and a plurality of dome extensions provided between the marginal portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Publication date: December 20, 2001
    Inventor: Syuuya Yokobori
  • Publication number: 20010052453
    Abstract: In a dividing wall column comprising as segments
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2001
    Publication date: December 20, 2001
    Inventors: Harald Rust, Gerd Kaibel
  • Publication number: 20010052454
    Abstract: Disclosed herewith is a distillation apparatus for water purifiers. The distillation apparatus includes a purifier body, a boiler, a condensing coil and a water storage tank that are sequentially connected to each other. The front portion of the condensing coil is extended through a preheating tube comprised of a heat chamber, an inlet and an outlet. The inlet of the preheating tube and the purifier body is connected by a first purified water supply line. The outlet of the preheating tube and the boiler is connected by a second purified water supply line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2001
    Publication date: December 20, 2001
    Inventor: Oi-Seong Kim
  • Publication number: 20010052455
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for depositing a layer of a material which contains a metal on a workpiece surface, in an installation including a deposition chamber; a workpiece support providing a workpiece support surface within the chamber; a coil within the chamber, the coil containing the metal that will be contained in the layer to be deposited; and an RF power supply connected to deliver RF power to the coil in order to generate a plasma within the chamber, a DC self bias potential being induced in the coil when only RF power is delivered to the coil. A DC bias potential which is different in magnitude from the DC self bias potential is applied to the coil from a DC voltage source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 1997
    Publication date: December 20, 2001
    Inventor: LIUBO HONG
  • Publication number: 20010052456
    Abstract: A magnetron especially advantageous for low-pressure plasma sputtering or sustained self-sputtering having reduced area but full target coverage. The magnetron includes an outer pole of one magnetic surrounding an inner pole of the other polarity with a gap therebetween. The magnetron is small, primarily located on one side of the central axis, about which it is rotated. The total magnetic flux of the outer pole is at least 1.5 times that of the inner pole. Different shapes include a racetrack, an ellipse, an egg shape, a triangle, and a triangle with an arc conforming to the target periphery. The invention allows increased ionization of the sputtered atoms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2001
    Publication date: December 20, 2001
    Inventor: Jianming Fu
  • Publication number: 20010052457
    Abstract: An apparatus for electroplating a workpiece is disclosed in which the apparatus includes a workpiece holding structure. The workpiece holding structure includes a workpiece support having at least one surface that is disposed to engage a front side of the workpiece and at least one electrical contact disposed for contact with at least one corresponding electrical contact on a back-side of the workpiece. The workpiece includes one or more electrically conductive paths between the at least one corresponding electrical contact and a front-side of the workpiece to facilitate electroplating of the front-side surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2001
    Publication date: December 20, 2001
    Inventors: Daniel J. Woodruff, Kyle M. Hanson, Robert W. Batz, James T. Kuechmann
  • Publication number: 20010052458
    Abstract: The stray capacitance between the target and grounding member and the loss of high frequency electric current are reduced by arranging dielectric members and metal members with a particular configuration at the circumference of the cathode and target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Publication date: December 20, 2001
    Inventors: Yuka Kouyama, Shinya Hasegawa, Yoichi Numazawa
  • Publication number: 20010052459
    Abstract: The present invention is a gas component sensor comprising novel electrolyte compositions. The electrolyte compositions in bulk, sintered or thin film embodiments are capable of forming with different-metal sensing and reference electrodes a highly stable gas oxide sensors. The novel electrolyte composition changes electrochemical reactions at the sensing and reference electrodes and the overall reaction of the electrodes and electrolyte. The novel electrolyte compositions have: (1) excellent chemical stability and thermal compatibility as to the electrodes and a preferred ceramic substrate, (2) excellent chemical stability with the environment as to the reference and sensing electrodes, which need not be sealed against the atmosphere to be sensed, (3) effective adherence to the substrate and electrode metals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2001
    Publication date: December 20, 2001
    Applicant: Air Q, LLC
    Inventors: Abdeltif Essalik, John F. Currie, Howard Rosen
  • Publication number: 20010052460
    Abstract: Improved microfluidic devices, systems, and methods allow selective transportation of fluids within microfluidic channels of a microfluidic network by applying, controlling, and varying pressures at a plurality of reservoirs. Modeling the microfluidic network as a series of nodes connected together by channel segments and determining the flow resistance characteristics of the channel segments may allow calculation of fluid flows through the channel segments resulting from a given pressure configuration at the reservoirs. To effect a desired flow within a particular channel or series of channels, reservoir pressures may be identified using the network model. Viscometers or other flow sensors may measure flow characteristics within the channels, and the measured flow characteristics can be used to calculate pressures to generate a desired flow. Multi-reservoir pressure modulator and pressure controller systems can optionally be used in conjunction with electrokinetic or other fluid transport mechanisms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2001
    Publication date: December 20, 2001
    Inventors: Ring-Ling Chien, J. Wallace Parce, Andrea W. Chow, Anne Kopf-Sill
  • Publication number: 20010052461
    Abstract: A polychromic image is reproduced and transferred onto a substrate by (a) providing a positive electrolytically inert electrode having a continuous passivated surface moving at constant speed; (b) coating the positive electrode surface with an olefinic substance; (c) forming on the olefin-coated positive electrode surface a plurality of colored pixels representative of a desired polychromic image and each comprising juxtaposed dots of differently colored, coagulated colloid, by electrocoagulation of a colloid present in an electrocoagulation printing ink; and (d) bringing a substrate into contact with the colored pixels to cause transfer of the colored pixels from the positive electrode surface onto the substrate and thereby imprint the substrate with the polychromic image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2001
    Publication date: December 20, 2001
    Inventors: Adrien Castegnier, Guy Castegnier
  • Publication number: 20010052462
    Abstract: An apparatus for processing compounds in small volumes by electrophoresis, the apparatus comprising: (a) a cathode in a static cathode buffer zone or compartment; (b) an anode in a static anode buffer zone or compartment, the anode disposed relative to the cathode so as to be adapted to generate an electric field in an electric field area therebetween upon application of a voltage potential between the cathode and anode; (c) a first separation barrier disposed in the electric field area; (d) a second separation barrier disposed between a selected one of the cathode buffer zone and the anode buffer zone and the first barrier so as to define a first interstitial volume or chamber therebetween; wherein in use, electrophoretic buffer is disposed in the cathode buffer zone and the anode buffer zone, a sample constituent is provided to the first interstitial volume; wherein upon application of the voltage potential, a selected separation product is removed from the sample constituent through a selected one of the f
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2001
    Publication date: December 20, 2001
    Inventors: David Ogle, Dennis Rylatt
  • Publication number: 20010052463
    Abstract: A reactive solution with an amount of 250 mL is made of distilled water and LiOH·H2O (4M) melted in the distilled water. Then, the reactive solution is put in a flow-type reactor, and is flown in between an anode electrode and a cathode electrode set in the flow-type reactor at a given temperature and a given flow rate. Then, a given voltage is applied between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode with dropping an oxidizer of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) into the reactive solution to form a lithium-cobalt oxide thin film on the anode electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2001
    Publication date: December 20, 2001
    Inventors: Masahiro Yoshimura, Seung-wan Song, Tomoaki Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20010052464
    Abstract: An electrochemical reaction assembly and methods of inducing electrochemical reactions, such as for deposition of materials on semiconductor substrates. The assembly and method achieve a highly uniform thickness and composition of deposition material or uniform etching or polishing on the semiconductor substrates by retaining the semiconductor substrates on a moving cathode immersed in an appropriate reaction solution wherein a wire mesh anode rotates about the moving cathode during electrochemical reaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2001
    Publication date: December 20, 2001
    Inventors: Salman Akram, David R. Hembree
  • Publication number: 20010052465
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising an electrolyte cell, an anode, and a porous rigid diffuser. The electrolyte cell is configured to receive a substrate to have a metal film deposited thereon. An anode is contained within the electrolyte cell. A porous rigid diffuser is connected to the electrolyte cell and extends across the electrolyte cell. The diffuser is positioned between a location that the substrate is to be positioned when the metal film is deposited thereon and the anode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2000
    Publication date: December 20, 2001
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Yezdi N. Dordi, Joseph J. Stevens, H. Peter W. Hey, Donald J. K. Olgado
  • Publication number: 20010052466
    Abstract: A capacitor having an electrode formed by electroplating, and a manufacturing method thereof are disclosed. According to an embodiment of the invention, a conductive film is formed on a conductive plug connected to an active region of a semiconductor substrate, and on an interlayer dielectric (ILD) film formed around the conductive plug. Then, a non-conductive pattern exposing a part of the conductive film on the conductive plug is formed on the conductive film, and a lower electrode, which is formed of a platinum (Pt) group metal, is formed on the conductive film by electroplating. In addition, the lower electrode can have a rectangular, T-shaped, reverse trapezoid or barrel-shaped cross-section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 1999
    Publication date: December 20, 2001
    Inventor: HIDEKI HORII
  • Publication number: 20010052467
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus of fabricating electromagnetic coil vanes. The method involves photolithographically exposing high resolution, dense wire patterns in a flash coat of copper, on both sides of a ceramic vane substrate. The substrate can be pre-drilled with a through hole to connect the two copper coil patterns. Additional copper is then deposited on both high resolution patterns and in the through hole by plating until the desired thickness is obtained. A firing operation is then performed that eutectically bonds the copper to the ceramic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 1999
    Publication date: December 20, 2001
    Inventor: DAVID J. PINCKNEY
  • Publication number: 20010052468
    Abstract: The invention is relative to an electrode for gas evolution in electrolytic and electrometallurgical industrial applications, made of a metal substrate having a surface morphology characterized by a combination of micro-roughness and macro-roughness which favors high adherence of a superficial catalytic layer in order to prevent detachment of the same and passivation of the substrate even under critical operating conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2001
    Publication date: December 20, 2001
    Inventors: Ruben Ornelas Jacobo, Giuseppe Faita, Lawrence Gestaut, Corrado Mojana
  • Publication number: 20010052469
    Abstract: In the manufacturing of the cold cathode device which has a porous silicon portion as an emitter portion, the silicon layer is given an electric potential, while the gate electrode is given an electric potential lower than that of the silicon layer. And thereby, the predetermined portion of the silicon layer is subjected to anodic etching to be rendered into the porous silicon portion. With such anodic etching, the cold cathode device with the porous silicon portion is obtained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2000
    Publication date: December 20, 2001
    Inventor: Fuminori Ito
  • Publication number: 20010052470
    Abstract: A biosensor for use in determining a concentration of a component in an aqueous liquid sample is provided including: an electrochemical cell having a first electrically resistive substrate having a thin layer of electrically conductive material, a second electrically resistive substrate having a thin layer of electrically conductive material, the substrates being disposed with the electrically conductive materials facing each other and being separated by a sheet including an aperture, the wall of which aperture defines a cell wall and a sample introduction aperture whereby the aqueous liquid sample may be introduced into the cell; and a measuring circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2001
    Publication date: December 20, 2001
    Inventors: Alastair McIndoe Hodges, Thomas William Beck, Oddvar Johansen, Ian Andrew Maxwell
  • Publication number: 20010052471
    Abstract: Each gas sensing element, with a measured gas sensing electrode and a reference gas sensing electrode provided on opposite surfaces of a solid electrolytic body, is manufactured to have a limit current value whose initial value is offset from a target value. Electric power is supplied to each manufactured gas sensing element to adjust the limit current value from the initial value to the target value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2001
    Publication date: December 20, 2001
    Inventors: Kazuya Nakagawa, Kazuhiro Okazaki
  • Publication number: 20010052472
    Abstract: A biosensor includes: an insulating substrate; an electrode system formed on the insulating substrate which has a working electrode and a counter electrode; and a reaction layer formed on the insulating substrate which contains an oxidoreductase and an electron acceptor. The electron acceptor is ferricinium ion derived from ferrocene electrolyte.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 1999
    Publication date: December 20, 2001
    Inventors: SHIN IKEDA, TOMOHIRO YAMAMOTO, TOSHIHIKO YOSHIOKA, SHIRO NANKAI, SHIGEKI JOKO, JUNKO IWATA
  • Publication number: 20010052473
    Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided: a sensor element including an oxygen concentration detection section consisting of solid electrolyte for outputting a detection signal corresponding to an oxygen concentration in a hollow chamber to which an exhaust of an internal combustion engine is introduced and an oxygen pump section for controlling an electric current to be applied to a solid electrolyte wall that divides the hollow chamber from an exhaust side of the engine so that the oxygen concentration in the hollow chamber becomes a predetermined oxygen concentration, to flow oxygen into/out of the hollow chamber; an air-fuel ratio detection circuit for outputting an air-fuel ratio detection value based on the electric current applied to the solid electrolyte wall by the oxygen pump section; and a pump current cut off circuit for cutting off the power supply to the solid electrolyte wall by the oxygen pump section, and a detection value of air-fuel ratio is corrected based on an output value o
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2001
    Publication date: December 20, 2001
    Inventor: Shigeo Ohkuma
  • Publication number: 20010052474
    Abstract: A recording medium disc storage case (1) includes a holding plate (2) for covering a recording side of a recording medium disc (100) having a central hole (101), the holding plate (2) having a holding portion (5) to be removably fitted into the central hole (101) of the disc (100), the holding portion (5) having a base (10) extending from an inner periphery of a perforation (9) defined centrally of the holding plate (2), extensions (12) extending circumferentially from the base (10), and projections (13) each radially outwardly projecting from an end portion of each of the extensions (12), the projections (13) having respective tips defining a circular envelope having a diameter greater than that of the central hole (101) of the disc (100), and the extensions (12) having an outer diameter such as to be fitted in the central hole (101) of the disc (100).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 1999
    Publication date: December 20, 2001
    Inventors: MASAAKI KUREMOTO, KEI KUREMOTO
  • Publication number: 20010052475
    Abstract: An improved method of packaging bicycles for transport or retail is disclosed which involves a minimum of disassembly before packaging. The front wheel is removed and secured alongside the frame with a packing disk between to keep the frame and wheel from contacting. The wheel is affixed to the frame to reduce movement. The right pedal is removed, wrapped, and affixed to the bicycle. The left pedal is moved to the lowermost position, out of the way of the front wheel. The handle bars are turned and affixed in a position parallel to the frame, requiring the packaging to have a minimum width. The derailleur is set to the furthest inside position. A fork insert is positioned on the fork to keep it from breaking through the packaging. This provides for the use of a minimum of wrapping materials while still protecting the bicycle. The positioning of the wheel, right crank arm, and handle bars takes up the least area and protects the frame because it never touches the box.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2001
    Publication date: December 20, 2001
    Inventor: Mark McNeill
  • Publication number: 20010052476
    Abstract: The device for transporting medicinal containers includes a rigid plastic carrier plate (1) provided with a plurality of openings (2) for receiving the respective containers (3). The openings have respective open cross-sections adapted to corresponding cross-sections of the containers and the carrier plate (1) has a predetermined thickness, so that the containers (3) are held fixed and centered in the openings (2) without vibrating or rattling and so that no scratch marks are produced on the medicinal containers (3) during transport. Preferred embodiments include collars around the openings projecting from the carrier plate, especially to securely hold syringes with finger supports resting on the collars, tapering conical openings with a narrow portion and/or annular projections within the openings to engage and hold the containers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2001
    Publication date: December 20, 2001
    Inventors: Jochen Heinz, Michael Spallek, Arthur Fabian
  • Publication number: 20010052477
    Abstract: In a combination of a display sleeve and a dispensing container, the dispensing container has a hollow interior volume for holding and dispensing materials and a dispensing opening for allowing materials contained in the interior volume to be passed through the opening to outside the dispensing container. The display sleeve has a body with a hollow interior volume and an installation entrance to the hollow interior of the body. The hollow interior volume of the body is adapted to receive the dispensing container. The display sleeve has an access opening where the access opening is shaped to coincide and match with the dispensing opening when the dispensing container is inserted into the display sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2000
    Publication date: December 20, 2001
    Inventor: Allen R. McNeill
  • Publication number: 20010052478
    Abstract: A product display package that houses generally cylindrical products, such as batteries, and prevents rotation of the products. The product display package comprises a container having a housing defining a compartment adapted to house products. The container includes a plurality of parallel pockets having a length and width and each configured to receive a product. Inward protrusions are formed in the first and second ends to hold the products in place and prevent rotation of the products. Additional protrusions are formed in the package to contact side walls of the product to further prevent rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2001
    Publication date: December 20, 2001
    Inventors: Julio C. Casanova, Jean-Marie Weisskopf
  • Publication number: 20010052479
    Abstract: A retail package for round cell batteries is a transparent single sheet thermoformed clamshell having a cover connected along a hinge to a base which receives an array of upwardly extending batteries. The base has a side wall which extends upwardly from a flat bottom wall. The side wall has a lower section which is substantially perpendicular to the bottom wall and has a zero degree draft angle. Semicylindrical pockets are defined by the base wall lower portion and batteries are positioned in the pockets two abreast. Thus, each battery is engaged by a portion of the side wall and another battery. Hence, a partially emptied container will still retain most of the batteries upright. The cover has a downwardly extending skirt with an inwardly extending semicircular closure tab which engages beneath a lip formed on the base side wall. The lid closure may be released by pressing the base side wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 1999
    Publication date: December 20, 2001
    Inventors: ROBERT C. GAFFNEY, GERALD A. ALBRIGHT, RON G. HELLENBRAND, ROSS MACK
  • Publication number: 20010052480
    Abstract: In a paper container 10 having a hexahedral configuration which is formed by shaping paper into a box, the paper container 10 comprises a container main body 12 and a lid member 14 hingedly attached to a back side edge part of an upper end open surface 13 of the container main body 12 and adapted to open/close the upper end open surface 13, a front board 15 of the container main body 12 being formed with a concave cutout part 16 extending from the upper end open surface 13. The lid member 14 comprises an upper surface lid part 17 for covering the upper end open surface 13, a front surface lid part 18 large enough to cover the concave cutout part 16, and a pair of side lid parts 19 interposed between side edge parts of the upper surface lid part 17 and side edge parts of the front surface lid part 18 and adapted to vertically join the front surface lid part 18 with the upper surface lid part 17.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2001
    Publication date: December 20, 2001
    Inventors: Yuji Kawaguchi, Michiaki Fujita, Hidesato Kizaki, Kozo Ohira
  • Publication number: 20010052481
    Abstract: Popcorn polymer growth is inhibited in unstabilized materials comprising olefinically unsaturated organic compounds by adding thereto an effective amount of an aliphatic alcohol of the formula I
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 1999
    Publication date: December 20, 2001
    Inventors: MAIK ARON, MICHAEL BACHTLER, JURGEN KANAND
  • Publication number: 20010052482
    Abstract: The invention relates to a two-stage catalytic cracking process for converting cycle oils to more valuable products. More particularly, the invention relates to a process that includes interstage hydroprocessing and a tailored catalyst mixture in a second catalytic cracking stage where the hydroprocessed cycle oil is re-cracked.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2001
    Publication date: December 20, 2001
    Inventor: William E. Winter
  • Publication number: 20010052483
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a distributor that enables covers to be fitted automatically on containers in a chamber without requiring assistance from an operator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Publication date: December 20, 2001
    Applicant: Compagnie Generale des Matieres Nucleaires
    Inventors: Christian Orange, Philippe Hunaut
  • Publication number: 20010052484
    Abstract: A vibratory screening machine including an outer frame, an inner frame resiliently mounted on the outer frame, a plurality of screening units mounted in stacked and staggered relationship on the inner frame, each of the screening units including a screen-supporting surface and a chamber underlying the screen-supporting surface and an outlet duct in communication with the chamber, an undersize trough underlying the plurality of stacked and staggered screening units, a plurality of inlet ducts in the undersize trough with each of the inlet conduits in communication with one of the outlet conduits, and an oversize trough underlying the undersize trough and the stacked and staggered screening units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 1999
    Publication date: December 20, 2001
    Inventor: THOMAS M. FALLON
  • Publication number: 20010052485
    Abstract: An apparatus for sorting products, such as magazines, newspapers and books, CDs and/or diskettes, the apparatus comprising a separation station arranged for making single items of the products supplied in stacks, a conveyor arranged for conveying one by one the products coming from the separation station, and a number of sorting stations arranged adjacent the conveyor, the sorting stations being connected to the conveyor such that a product located on the conveyor can be supplied from the conveyor to a desired sorting station for forming a sorted collection of products in the respective sorting station, the apparatus further comprising a control, the control being arranged for controlling at least the conveyor and the sorting stations, such that at least two sorting functions can be performed, a first sorting function involving sorting an unordered collection of products according to type of product, which collection comes from a customer, such as a shopkeeper or a kiosk-keeper, whereby in a respective sortin
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2001
    Publication date: December 20, 2001
    Inventor: Tore Brandsaeter
  • Publication number: 20010052486
    Abstract: Hydrocyclone device including at least one hydrocyclone having at least one feeding connector, at least one accepted stock connector, and at least one rejected stock connector. The device also includes at least one distribution and collection device arranged for feeding fluids into and removing fluids from the at least one hydrocyclone, and at least one flange coupled to at least one of the at least one feeding connnector, the at least one accepted stock connector, and the at least one rejected stock connector, which is removably couplable to the at least one distribution and collection device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2001
    Publication date: December 20, 2001
    Applicant: VOITH PAPER PATENT
    Inventors: Michael Danger, Rolf Hartmann, Stefan Rippl, Peter Schweiss
  • Publication number: 20010052487
    Abstract: A dual filter apparatus and a process of making a dual filter apparatus that minimizes disruption to the normal flow pattern through the filter apparatus by forming a porous medium suitable to carry a water treatment composition thereon and placing a bacteria killing material proximate the porous filter medium for in situ killing of bacteria and removal of debris from the water by screening action of the porous filter medium that entraps debris thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2001
    Publication date: December 20, 2001
    Inventor: Joseph A. King
  • Publication number: 20010052488
    Abstract: A cost effective apparatus for preparing solutions is provided. The apparatus includes a chamber which is divided by a movable partition into two compartments, a dissolving solution supply line for supplying dissolving solution to a first compartment of the chamber, a solution tank, a solution preparing line connecting the solution tank and the first compartment of the chamber, a solution preparing line connecting the solution tank and a second compartment of the chamber, and a transporting pump provided between the solution tank and the second compartment, and a solution transporting line for transporting the solution prepared in the solution tank and that has been transported to the second compartment to the point of use. The transporting pump may alternatively be provided between the first compartment and the solution tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2001
    Publication date: December 20, 2001
    Inventor: Yoshihiko Sano
  • Publication number: 20010052489
    Abstract: A magnetic oil filtering apparatus includes a magnetic assembly apparatus which includes a magnet assembly base plate which includes base plate oil flow channels and an internally threaded connection channel for mounting on an externally threaded mounting. A magnetic assembly housing is connected to the magnet assembly base plate. A magnet module is connected to the magnetic assembly housing. The magnet assembly base plate can be connected to an oil filter mounting stem or a magnetic assembly mounting stem on an engine block. The magnet module can be mounted on a top or side portion of the magnetic assembly housing. Inside the magnetic assembly housing, an inlet-to-magnet-area flow director can be provided. The inlet-to-magnet-area flow director directs oil flow to the portion of the magnetic assembly housing which is adjacent to the mounted magnet module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2001
    Publication date: December 20, 2001
    Inventor: Joseph C. Caiozza
  • Publication number: 20010052490
    Abstract: A filter cartridge which removes particulate contaminants from liquids includes an annular filter element which, for example, may be a pleated paper filter element, as well as an array of fins which impart a spiral motion to the liquid prior to the liquid passing through the filter element. The spiral motion imparts a centrifugal force to the particulate contaminants causing heavier filter contaminants to move away from the filter media to proximity with the wall of a housing enclosing the filter media and to subsequently accumulate in an axial space disposed beneath the filter media. Since the filter media does not need to remove particles already precipitated out of the liquid, the life of the filter media is extended, the capacity of the filter media is increased, and the distribution of contaminant particles over the upstream side of the filter media is made more uniform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 1999
    Publication date: December 20, 2001
    Inventors: JOHNNY WONG, WILLIE L. STAMEY, GREGORY KEITH RHYNE