Patents Represented by Attorney Bernhard Kreten
  • Patent number: 7207292
    Abstract: An improved automated litter box system which provides increased storage capacity of a waste receptacle which receives animal waste and clumped litter. The increased capacity of the waste receptacle is achieved by elevating the automated litter box system with an elevating apparatus so that a replacement waste receptacle of larger volume can replace the waste receptacle of the litter box system. The invention provides improved automated litter box systems which incorporate such a large volume waste receptacle as a component thereof. The elevating apparatus includes an elevated platform on which the lifter box system is placed. A ramp is provided to provide animal access to the system placed on the elevated platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Inventor: Steven K. Colten
  • Patent number: 7148455
    Abstract: The invention includes a toploading weighing instrumentality which determines loss on drying by a cylindrical microwave. The cylindrical cavity of the microwave includes a power supply, a magnetron, a power module operatively coupled between the power supply and the magnetron for driving the magnetron, a wave guide communicating with the magnetron and with a microwave containment chamber for delivering energy, and at least one microwave energy sensor for sensing microwave energy or magnetic and/or electric field strengths within the chamber for controlling, inter alia, the loss on drying process of the sample being assayed and determining when the drying process is complete. A precision electronic balance is operatively disposed within the microwave chamber for allowing a specimen being assayed to be weighed. In addition, a ventilation chamber is provided for venting moisture from the microwave chamber. A processing unit provides for data acquisition, processing and storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Denver Instrument Company
    Inventors: Robert F. Scalese, Thomas B. Taylor, Tim Holzschuh, Douglas E. Harbert, Thomas G. Plaven, Martin L. Maple, Jan Claesson
  • Patent number: 7056722
    Abstract: A sterile method for preparing stable thrombin component from a single donor's plasma in which the thrombin component is harvested simultaneously from the clotting and adhesive proteins component from the same donor plasma in less than one hour. The combined components provide an improved biological hemostatic agent and tissue sealant by virtue of its freedom from the risk of contaminating viruses or bacteria from allogenic human or bovine blood sources. The thrombin provides polymerization of the clotting and adhesive proteins in less than five seconds, and is sufficiently stable to provide that fast clotting over a six hour period. Further, the clotting times can be predictably lengthened by diluting the thrombin with saline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: ThermoGenesis Corp.
    Inventors: Philip Henry Coelho, Phil Kingsley, Jim Brausch, James H. Godsey, Gail Rock
  • Patent number: 6931848
    Abstract: The present invention provides heat exchanging elements for use in Stirling engines. According to the present invention, the heat exchanging elements are made from muliple platelets that are stacked and joined together. The use of platelets to make heat exchanging elements permits Stirling engines to run more effiecient because the heat transfer and combustion processes are improved. In one embodiment, multi-stage combustion can be introduced with platlets, along with the flexibility to use different types of fuels. In another embodiment, a single component constructed from platelets can provide the heat transfer rquirements betweeen the combustion gas/working gas, working gas in the regenerator and the working gas/coolant fluid of a Stirling engine. In another embodiment, the platelet heat exchanging element can recieve solar energy to heat the Stirling engine's working gas. Also, this invention provides a heat exchanging method that allows for multiple fluids to flow in opposing or same direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Power Play Energy L.L.C.
    Inventors: Joseph P. Maceda, Randall L. Peeters, Felix F. Chen, Ross A. Hewitt, Jackson I. Ito, Kenneth P. Klaas, John L. Grimes, Svein Hestevik
  • Patent number: 6918418
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for the storage and transfer of a lyophilisate is disclosed. An ampule prior to its sealment has an orifice at one end for the addition of the lyophilisate. The ampule has a body portion formed with flexibly deformable walls and defines a blind bore. After placement of the lyophilisate, the orifice is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Inventor: Barry Farris
  • Patent number: 6915747
    Abstract: A cardboard pallet that is constructed of a laminate, such that the top and bottom of the pallet have two plies of material, with the plies mutually orthogonal to one another. The pallet is assembled by attaching stringers and ribs to an inner skin, rotating the inner skin 90° and attaching to an outer skin, and wrapping the inner and outer skins about the stringers. Apertures on the end regions and portals in the bottom region of the pallet accommodate forklift tines or wheels on various material-handling devices. The apertures may be formed to create wear cuffs, to lengthen the life of the pallet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Inventor: James D. Sewell
  • Patent number: 6899848
    Abstract: A sample treatment system for automated extraction of compounds is disclosed. The system includes a housing defining an enclosure including a top cover having open ended chambers to receive sample plates on an interposed carriage frame, an automated shuttle means for lateral transportation and vertical lifting of the carriage frame to selectively address the chamber below the sample plate for the throughpassage of fluid from the sample plate and urged by a vacuum pump for evacuating air from a chamber to a degree below atmospheric pressure for through passage of fluid from the sample plate to either a waste plate or a collection plate. The shuttle means includes motor drives for precisely laterally and vertically positioning the carriage frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Hamilton Company
    Inventors: Chih-Chung Chen, Gregory Gulla, Sean Patrick Kelley
  • Patent number: 6893035
    Abstract: A wheelchair which shifts between forward and reverse by virtue of a roller mechanism which grabs in one direction and slips an opposite direction, thereby preventing binding. The shift mechanism is initiated by rotation of a shift paddle which is located on a extremity of a lever arm remote from the roller mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Inventors: Brian M. Watwood, Duane DeJong, Errol C. Armstrong
  • Patent number: 6884231
    Abstract: A dual-chambered dispensing device having a single piston. The device is driven by an electric precision motor. Each chamber is capable of aspiration and dispensation. When one chamber is aspirating, the other is dispensing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Hamilton Company
    Inventors: Rod Mitchell Walters, Chih-Chung Chen
  • Patent number: 6880331
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling hydraulic systems. The control apparatus (module) accepts a variety of input forms, and the output is user-configurable to control both sides of an attached coil. The master module is programmable via a graphical user interface defining states and conditions triggering transitions between states. The master module may be combined with slave modules on a connection bus to control many subsystems. Reprogramming of the master module may occur in the field by use of flash memory, and input/output characteristics may be adjusted during operation of the system, allowing adjustment of systems exhibiting nonlinear response characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: High Country Tek, Inc.
    Inventors: Rob Hulse, Bruce Rasmus, Brian Tetzlaff
  • Patent number: 6875106
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for a gaming device in which a player is awarded outright for a winning combination and is eligible for a reward if the displayed outcome can be manipulated by the gaming device to produce a winning combination. A special bar symbol can be coupled with a certain bar subset of the universe of symbols to initiate a further award, perhaps coupled with a multiplier. Preferably, a bonus is provided which includes overlapping exhibitors such as wheels having a sector defining the overlap indicating a bonus element which is placed on an array. A series of elements on the array, when forming a pattern which is recognized by the game results in added credits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence Weiss, Steven A. Weiss, Jay Stone, Kim Tempest
  • Patent number: 6855052
    Abstract: A gaming device having a first chance opportunity and a second, serially dependent, chance opportunity is provided. The first chance opportunity is preferably a multiple reel game having a special outcome for triggering the second chance opportunity. The second chance opportunity is preferably a plurality of wheels rotatably coupled to a tower atop the reel game. The first of the wheels will spin and provide an outcome upon a specified outcome of the reel game. Each successive wheel will spin when a specified outcome is depicted on a previous wheel. This will continue until either the specified outcome does not occur or the last wheel is spun. In another version, plural wheels are each uniquely related—one to a given reel, such that a certain reel outcome will energize its associated wheel only. Multiple wheels, when synchronized to a certain outcome, lead to a bigger wheel for a jackpot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Ltd.
    Inventors: Steven A. Weiss, Jay Stone, Rex Carlson, Robert M. Dickenson
  • Patent number: 6808675
    Abstract: A bag, method of manufacture and process are disclosed for the cryopreservation of thermolabile substances. The bag is characterized as having substantially uniform thickness throughout its length and height. The bag features a radiused peripheral edge wall for stress relief and to provide the constant cross-section. A peripheral flashing circumscribes the radiused edge wall and provides a suitable purchase area for sealing so that the thus formed bag is less susceptible to fracture particularly when exposed to cryogenic temperatures. The uniform thickness of the bag promulgates uniform heat transfer to and from the contents of the bag in relation to any surrounding medium at a different temperature. The bag affords more space for efficient storage and reduces heat invasion into the contents of the bag when a plurality of bags are placed with their larger planar surfaces in contact with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: ThermoGenesis Corp.
    Inventors: Philip Henry Coelho, Pablo Rubinstein
  • Patent number: 6805629
    Abstract: A method and device for gaming, in which an initial game is played toward an ultimate winning outcome, but with several intermediate winning outcomes possible before achieving the ultimate winning outcome. Several of these games may be played concurrently on the same device in pursuit of the ultimate winning outcome. Achieving the ultimate winning outcome may result in an award or in a subsequent gaming event. Play of a single gaming session need not take place in one sitting; the state of the current session may be saved, dispensed to the player in a physical form, and resumed at a later time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Casino Data System
    Inventor: Steven A. Weiss
  • Patent number: 6802854
    Abstract: A tanning bed formed a plurality of modular components that are integrated in a knock-down fashion that allows easy shipment of tanning beds in less than complete form, but allows the rapid assembly without the need of special training or tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Indoor Sun Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin Mark McFarland
  • Patent number: 6802774
    Abstract: A video gaming device in which a first game having a first award structure is influenced by a second game having an award structure enhancement operatively coupled to the first game all of which are integrally found on a video display monitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Casino Data Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Rex R. Carlson, Rich Schneider, Scott Boyd, Miles Patceg
  • Patent number: 6800078
    Abstract: An orthopedic stabilization structure including a threaded fastener capable of articulation to accommodate various skeletal geometries, a rod, and a cup supporting the threaded fastener and the rod to be subsequently held in fixed position with respect to the skeletal structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: Lock-N-Stitch, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary Jack Reed
  • Patent number: 6800079
    Abstract: An orthopedic stabilization structure including a threaded fastener capable of articulation to accommodate various skeletal geometries, a rod, and a cup supporting the threaded fastener and the rod to be subsequently held in fixed position with respect to the skeletal structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: LOck-N-Stitch, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary J. Reed
  • Patent number: D500920
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Inventors: Thomas L. Koenig, Margaret M. Raible
  • Patent number: D497254
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Applied Sewing Resources
    Inventors: Thomas L. Koenig, Margaret Mary Catherine Raible