Patents Represented by Law Firm Andrus, Sceales, Starke and Sawall
  • Reed switch arrays
    Patent number: 8027140
    Abstract: An array of reed switches (13) is assembled on a circuit board (11) having a plurality of through-apertures (12) with one reed switch (13) disposed in each aperture with the axis of the switch envelope (14) extending perpendicularly to the plane of the board. A plurality of coils (16) is provided on the board so that each switch (13) is surrounded by a respective coil, the coils being connected to conductors on the board for operation of the switches. Also disposed is a control circuit wherein the reed switch drive coils (26) are connected in series across a constant-current voltage source and a respective solid-state switch TR1, TR2 . . . connected across each coil, with divers for each solid-state switch to permit operation of a selected reed switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Pickering Interfaces Limited
    Inventors: David Paul Owen, Keith Thomas Moore, Adam Charles Mitchell
  • Drying system for personal hydration systems
    Patent number: 8024870
    Abstract: A drying system for drying a personal hydration system having a fill opening and a supply tube includes a dryer assembly providing a flow of forced air to be introduced into the fill opening of the personal hydration device. The dryer assembly includes seal-forming structure engageable with the fill opening to form a seal between the dryer assembly and the fill opening to enhance the pressurization and inflation of the personal hydration system. The dryer assembly also includes a channel defining a relief valve for permitting exhaust of air flow from the fill opening upon pressurization and inflation of the personal hydration system. The dryer assembly further includes a resilient cam arm for enabling the dryer assembly to sealingly fit variously sized fill openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Simple Matter, Inc.
    Inventors: Trent Ballentine, Jason Scott Andrews, Dennis Matthew Turner
  • Food processing apparatus and method
    Patent number: 8020487
    Abstract: A food processing system includes a food processing chamber for processing a food product, such as meat products such as hot dogs, sausages, poultry, fish, and other food items. A high speed serial to parallel loading station delivery system is provided. The food product is loaded onto a conveyor in the processing chamber having a plurality of two-piece food product cradles having openings receiving the food product at the loading station and discharging the food product at the unloading station and having gaps between food product carriers distally oppositely spaced from the openings and defining food product cavities therebetween, the width of the openings varying during traversal of the conveyor through the chamber from the loading to the unloading stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Alkar-RapidPak-MP Equipment, Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Nordby, Dennis F. Conohan, Noel R. Johnson, Andi J. Mikelsons, Steve O. Schultz, Jerome P. Lehman, Seth T. Pulsfus
  • Oil fill cap with air/oil separator
    Patent number: 8016904
    Abstract: An oil fill cap for an internal combustion engine replaces a standard cap and provides separation of air and oil in a separation zone within the cap body. The cap body defines a plurality of passages therethrough, including an upstream passage, and first and second downstream passages meeting at a separation junction. The cap body defines a separation zone at the separation junction and receiving the air/oil mixture from the engine through the upstream passage, and sending separated air to the first downstream passage, and sending separated oil to the second downstream passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Cummins Filtration IP Inc.
    Inventors: Jared M. Gwin, Thomas J. Braun, Thom H. Steger, Roger L. Zoch, Kurt M. A. Badeau, Jeffrey A. Fedorowicz
  • Food product carrier
    Patent number: 8015917
    Abstract: A food processing system includes a food processing chamber for processing a food product, such as meat products such as hot dogs, sausages, poultry, fish, and other food items. A high speed serial to parallel loading station delivery system is provided. The food product is loaded onto a conveyor in the processing chamber having a plurality of two-piece food product cradles having openings receiving the food product at the loading station and discharging the food product at the unloading station and having gaps between food product carriers distally oppositely spaced from the openings and defining food product cavities therebetween, the width of the openings varying during traversal of the conveyor through the chamber from the loading to the unloading stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Alkar-RapidPak-MP Equipment, Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Nordby, II, Dennis F. Conohan, Noel R. Johnson, Andi J. Mikelsons, Steve O. Schultz, Jerome P. Lehman, Seth T. Pulsfus
  • Method and apparatus for automated flow mediated dilation
    Patent number: 8016761
    Abstract: A method and system for use in measuring the endothelial dysfunction in a patient utilizing flow mediated dilation. The system includes both a non-invasive blood pressure monitor and an ultrasound system that communicate with each other to perform the flow mediated dilation. Initially, the ultrasound transducer and blood pressure cuff are positioned on an arm of the patient and the blood pressure cuff is inflated to occlude an artery for an occlusion period. Following the occlusion period, the ultrasound system is automatically signaled to begin determining both the diameter of the artery and the flow rate of blood through the artery without any operator intervention. Based upon the detected characteristics of the artery before and after occlusion, the system can determine the endothelial dysfunction of the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: The General Electric Company
    Inventors: Bruce A. Friedman, Kai E. Thomenius, Aaron M. Dentinger
  • Broadcasting medical image objects with digital rights management
    Patent number: 8015032
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for efficiently and securely handling of patient medical images and data. In one particular embodiment, an acquisition service and picture archive communication system (PACS) architecture are provided that facilitate the transmission and storage of medical image objects using reliable IP multicasting, packet encoded transmission, and digital rights management (DRM). The system effectively creates a broadcast signal in which all listening computers can securely receive medical image objects at once for purposes of interpretation/diagnosis, assisting in surgery, and other such appropriate medical uses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Ronald Keen
  • Treatment apparatus for applying electrical impulses to the body of a patient
    Patent number: 8014876
    Abstract: The present invention provides a treatment device for applying electrical impulses to a living body through the skin, for treating a variety of clinical conditions. The device comprises a pair of electrodes for contact with the skin, and a waveform generator for repeatedly generating an AC waveform for applying electrical impulses through the electrodes to the skin. A detector detects changes in the skin impedance and generates detector output signals representing the skin impedance. Means responsive to the detector output signals for monitor the responsivity of the skin, and indicator means activated by the monitoring means generate a first indication when a predetermined level of responsivity is reached and a second indication when a pre-determined treatment has been administered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Fenzian Limited
    Inventor: James Colthurst
  • Treatment apparatus for applying electrical impulses to the body of a patient
    Patent number: 8014877
    Abstract: The present invention provides a treatment device for applying electrical impulses to a living body through the skin, for treating a variety of clinical conditions. The device comprises a pair of electrodes for contact with the skin, and a waveform generator for repeatedly generating an AC waveform for applying electrical impulses through the electrodes to the skin. A detector detects changes in the skin impedance and generates detector output signals representing the skin impedance. Means responsive to the detector output signals for monitor the responsivity of the skin, and indicator means activated by the monitoring means generate a first indication when a predetermined level of responsivity is reached and a second indication when a pre-determined treatment has been administered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Fenzian Limited
    Inventor: James Colthurst
  • Immunogenic compositions for activating ?? T cells
    Patent number: 8012466
    Abstract: Disclosed are compositions, kits, and methods for activating, expanding, or stimulating ?? T cells that include recombinant attenuated microbes. The compositions may include pharmaceutical compositions that are used as ?? T cell stimulating immunogenic compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: University of Iowa Research Foundation
    Inventors: Craig T. Morita, Bradley D. Jones
  • Marine drive with break-away mount
    Patent number: 8011983
    Abstract: A marine drive has a break-away mount mounting first and second sections of the drive and breaking-away in response to a given underwater impact against the second section to protect the first section and the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Richard A. Davis, David T. Creech, Michael P. Mihelich, Jay Lee Cummings
  • Edge detect system
    Patent number: 8006403
    Abstract: An edge detect system, using a torch height control system based on the use of a free floating probe in contact with the workpiece, uses a drop in pressurized air supplied to the probe tip in contact with the workpiece when the probe moves off the plate edge to generate a signal that prevents the torch from following the free floating probe downwardly and thereby prevents the cutting tool from crashing into the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Messer Cutting Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Alan E. Anderson
  • Method and apparatus with reduced electrode system specific ECG interpretation
    Patent number: 8005531
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing electrocardiographic signals of a patient. The apparatus comprises ten or fewer electrodes connected to a patient at at least one of the standard twelve lead ECG electrode positions. The apparatus further comprises a plurality of ECG interpretation algorithms, each of the algorithms specifically tailored for analyzing a twelve lead ECG comprising both measured and derived ECG leads. The method of the present invention comprises determining whether an ECG lead is measured or derived and selecting an ECG interpretation algorithm based upon this determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: The General Electric Company
    Inventors: Joel Q. Xue, Donald E. Brodnick
  • Bovine polymorphisms and methods of predicting bovine traits
    Patent number: 8003328
    Abstract: Methods of predicting the phenotype of a trait in a bovine subject are provided. The methods include obtaining information about polynucleotide sequences specifically regarding the identity of the nucleotides present at one or more identified single nucleotide polymorphisms and using this information to make predictions regarding the trait in the subject. Also provided are kits for and methods of determining the nucleotide present in a bovine subject at a position in which a single nucleotide polymorphism is correlated with a trait.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas
    Inventor: Charles F. Rosenkrans, Jr.
  • Chair
    Patent number: D643652
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Pro-Cord S.p.A.
    Inventor: Giancarlo Piretti
  • Chair
    Patent number: D643653
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Pro-Cord S.p.A.
    Inventor: Giancarlo Piretti
  • Chair
    Patent number: D643654
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Pro-Cord S.p.A.
    Inventor: Giancarlo Piretti
  • Lounge seating
    Patent number: D644048
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Krueger International, Inc.
    Inventor: John K. Blomstrom
  • Kiwi plant named ‘Au Golden Tiger’
    Patent number: PP22140
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of the species Actinidia chinesis Planch is described. This cultivar named ‘AU Golden Tiger’ was developed from seeds collected from an open pollinated ‘AU Golden Dragon’ fruit. The seedling has been reproduced by rooted cuttings and grafting and tested in replicated cultivar trials. It maintains all of its unique characteristics after each propagation. Its bloom period overlaps the bloom period of ‘AU Golden Sunshine’ and is the pollinizer for ‘AU Golden Sunshine’.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Auburn University
    Inventors: William Alfred Dozier, Jr., Bryan Shelton Wilkins, Jim Pitts, Curtis Jay Hansen, James D. Spiers
  • Kiwi plant named ‘AU Golden Sunshine’
    Patent number: PP22159
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of the species Actinidia chinesis Planch is described. ‘AU Golden Sunshine’ has a low chilling requirement, fruit is early maturing, excellent flavor with a non acid sweet taste and a high percent solube solids and dry matter content. ‘AU Golden Sunshine’ matures about 20 days after ‘AU Golden Dragon’ and 30 days before ‘Hort 16A’ (patented), the industry standard for golden flesh kiwi cultivars. ‘Au Golden Sunshine’ fruit quality indices are similar to fruit quality indices of ‘AU Golden Dragon’ and ‘Hort 16A’ (patented). There have been no differences in plant performance and fruit quality of ‘AU Golden Sunshine’ plants grown in China and Alabama.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Auburn University
    Inventors: William Alfred Dozier, Jr., Bryan Shelton Wilkins, Jim Pitts, Curtis Jay Hansen, Floyd M. Woods, James D. Spiers, Qinghong Chen, Zhongqi Qin, Yingchun Jiang, Xia Gu, Aichun Xu