Patents Represented by Law Firm Dressler, Goldsmith
  • Patent number: 5806707
    Abstract: A removable inner compartment promotional closure includes a plastic closure cap having a circular top wall portion and a depending annular skirt portion depending from the top wall portion. A circular, resilient liner is positioned in the cap, and has a retaining element extending therefrom. A removable compartment member is positioned in the closure cap in engagement with the retaining element. The compartment defines an interior compartment adapted to receive promotional indicia, such as a promotional game piece, therein. The compartment is adapted to release from the cap after the cap is removed from the container. A sealed cover element may be positioned to extend over and close the compartment member, to isolate the compartment from the contents of the container. The promotional closure is used in conjunction with a simulated promotional closure, which configured to be is indistinguishable from the promotional closure cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Assignee: Alcoa Closure Systems International, Inc.
    Inventors: Ted W. Boehm, David L. Cerny, Wendell D. Willingham, Daniel J. Denman, Sheldon L. Wilde, Stephen W. McBride, Hugh C. Urmston, Ralph H. Whitney
  • Patent number: 5726633
    Abstract: A multiple sensor smoke detector includes at least an ionization and a photoelectric sensor. Outputs from the sensors are fed to circuitry for generating continuously variable coefficients. One coefficient corresponds to each sensor output. Respective coefficients and sensor outputs are multiplied in multiplier circuitry to produce processed outputs. The processed outputs are combined in a summing circuit to produce at least one output value indicative of a level of detected smoke. The coefficient generating circuitry, the multiplier circuitry and the combining circuitry could be implemented in a programmed microprocessor. The coefficient generating circuitry could be implemented using prestored membership functions indicative of various types of fires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Assignee: Pittway Corporation
    Inventor: James F. Wiemeyer
  • Patent number: 5659292
    Abstract: Outputs from a smoke detector and non-fire sensors such as temperature and humidity can be combined to produce a delay in a signal from the smoke sensor indicative of a potential fire condition. The signals can be combined locally and all of the sensors can be carried in a single housing. Alternately, the sensors can be carried in separate housings and combined at a remote control panel. The value output from the humidity and temperature sensor can be used in determining whether or not to produce a delay. Alternately, the rate of change of either or both parameters can be used to determine whether a delay is necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1997
    Assignee: Pittway Corporation
    Inventor: Lee D. Tice
  • Patent number: 5657585
    Abstract: Being extruded in one piece from a polymeric material, such as polyvinyl chloride, and being useful with a soffit panel and with a siding panel, a combination siding panel-trimming and soffit panel-mounting member has a back panel, an upper front flange for overlying a back edge portion of a soffit panel, a lower front flange for underlying the back edge portion of the soffit panel, and a back flange for engaging an upper edge portion of the siding panel. The upper front flange projects from the back panel frontwardly, generally horizontally, and approximately at a right angle. The lower front flange projects from the back panel, has a portion projecting frontwardly and upwardly toward the upper front flange, and has a generally horizontal distal edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1997
    Assignee: ZMC, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory R. Zaccagni
  • Patent number: 5656446
    Abstract: The ability of mononuclear leukocytes to respond to standard stimuli is measured based on the expression of activation antigens on mononuclear cell subclasses. In a preferred embodiment, a sample of mononuclear leukocytes is cultured for up to 24 hours with a standard stimulus known to activate such cells. After culturing, aliquots of the cells are incubated with fluorophore-conjugated monoclonal antibodies to antigenic determinants of a particular mononuclear subclass and different fluorophore-conjugated monoclonal antibodies to particular activation antigens. The incubated aliquots are analyzed on a flow cytofluorometer, whereby each cell is illuminated with a particular light (e.g. argon ion laser), which detects and measures forward light scatter, orthogonal light scatter and two different wavelengths of light emitted from the fluorophores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Inventor: Jeffrey E. Anderson
  • Patent number: 5642824
    Abstract: A closure is provided for a container opening. The closure includes a base for mounting to the container and a lid movable between a closed position and an open position. The lid and base are connected by a bistable, snap-action hinge structure of the type that includes a web having a central portion between two wider ends wherein an arcuate film hinge connects the base to the web along one side of the web between the ends and wherein an arcuate film hinge connects the lid to the web along another side of the web between the ends. The hinge structure includes an abutment surface located so that when the lid is in a closed position, the abutment surface extends adjacent the web's central portion from an elevation adjacent one of the film hinges to an elevation that is preferably adjacent or higher than the other film hinge. The abutment surface is contacted by the web's central portion as the lid is closed or opened whereby the position of the web is controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1997
    Assignee: AptarGroup, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Hess, III, Nicholas J. Jelich, Bruce M. Mueller
  • Patent number: 5634584
    Abstract: Various mechanisms are provided for use in a surgical instrument. A shaft and an engaged lost motion operating knob are provided for rotation relative to a handle portion. A latch system prevents rotation of the shaft unless the shaft is rotated by the knob. A cartridge is provided for rotation at the distal end of the shaft. Engaging structures are provided for preventing rotation of the cartridge relative to the shaft when axial forces are applied to the cartridge. A loading tool is provided for engaging the cartridge to install the cartridge on the instrument. The cartridge includes a washer for engaging a carrier on which the cartridge is mounted so as to prevent rotation of the washer. The washer is adapted to engage a fastener advancing member in a first angular orientation and is disengaged when the cartridge is rotated to establish a second relative angular orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Livyn O. Okorocha, Sean P. Conlon
  • Patent number: 5634250
    Abstract: A hobbing accessory is disclosed for a vertical milling machine of a type comprising a column, a knee mounted to the column so as to be vertically positionable with respect to the column, a saddle mounted to the knee so as to be horizontally positionable with respect to the knee, toward and away from the column, a table mounted to the saddle so as to be horizontally positionable with respect to the saddle, in opposite directions across the column, a head projecting from the column, an arbor mounted operatively to the head and rotatable about a generally vertical axis, and a motor for rotating the arbor about the generally vertical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Assignee: 2 M Tool Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Vladan Mihailovic
  • Patent number: 5633501
    Abstract: An ionization chamber for use in a smoke detector includes first and second outer electrodes and a non-reflective center electrode. The non-reflective center electrode can be formed as a metal electrode having a non-reflective coating or as a non-reflective, conductive plastic elements. The ionization chamber can be incorporated into combination smoke detector which includes a photoelectric sensor. A non-reflective center electrode, associated with the ion-type sensor is symmetrically located in the detector and displaced from the photoelectric sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1997
    Assignee: Pittway Corporation
    Inventors: Peerouz Amleshi, Derrick J. Hesser
  • Patent number: 5630541
    Abstract: A surgical stapler comprising at least one cam having a cam surface, an arrangement for actuating the cam for a longitudinal firing movement of the cam surface, a cartridge having a plurality of staple drive members driven by the longitudinal movement of the cam surface, and a plurality of surgical staples respectively associated with the staple drive members for being fired by the longitudinal movement of the cam surface. In one embodiment of the present invention, the staple drive members include at least a pair of alternating first and second staple drive members, the first staple drive member including a laterally spaced pair of staple driving surfaces, the second staple drive member including a single staple driving surface. The first and second staple drive members are disposed such that the staple driving surfaces thereof are arranged in laterally spaced three rows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1997
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Warren P. Williamson, IV, Thomas W. Huitema, James H. Chambers
  • Patent number: 5627515
    Abstract: A fire alarm system includes a control unit which communicates with a plurality of spaced apart smoke detectors by a bi-directional communications link. The smoke detectors are separate from one another, and spaced apart, and are associated together in different, overlapping groups. Each group of detectors is physically arranged with the members of the group adjacent to one another in a relatively localized area. Signals from the detectors are transmitted to the control element for processing. The control element squares each of the signals for a given group, sums those signals and then takes a square root. The resultant processed value is associated with a selected one of the detectors of the group. Similar processing takes place for each of the groups. As a result of the processing, each of the detectors has associated therewith a processed smoke value which takes into account not only values received from the associated detector, but also values received from one or more adjacent detectors in a group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1997
    Assignee: Pittway Corporation
    Inventor: Donald D. Anderson
  • Patent number: 5626587
    Abstract: Various mechanisms, and a method of operating them, are provided for use in a surgical instrument. A shaft and an engaged lost motion operating knob are provided for rotation relative to a handle portion. A latch system prevents rotation of the shaft unless the shaft is rotated by means of the knob. A cartridge is provided for rotation at the distal end of the shaft. Engaging structures are provided for preventing rotation of the cartridge relative to the shaft when axial forces are applied to the cartridge. A loading tool is provided for engaging the cartridge to install the cartridge on the instrument. The cartridge includes a washer for engaging a carrier on which the cartridge is mounted so as to prevent rotation of the washer. The washer is adapted to engage a fastener advancing member in a first angular orientation and is disengaged when the cartridge is rotated to establish a second relative angular orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1997
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory D. Bishop, Sean P. Conlon, Jorge Gutierrez, John A. Hibner, Michel A. Paul, Livyn O. Okorocha, Narinderjit Sambi, Edward Rhad
  • Patent number: 5623806
    Abstract: Apparatus for rapid interchanging of different ramping mechanisms for capping equipment. When capping equipment is to be changed from providing roll-on closures to glass bottles to providing threaded plastic closures to plastic bottles, the positions of the bottles relative to the capping turret mechanism must be altered by changing the ramping mechanisms guiding the bottles. The ramping mechanism is maintained in position by a locking plate engaging a resilient connection connected to the ramping mechanism. The apparatus is designed so that when the locking plate is slightly rotated, the ramping mechanism can be readily removed and a different one inserted. Rotation of the locking plate in the other direction locks the new ramping mechanism in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1997
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventors: David E. J. Larson, Cherie L. Wolfe, Patrick S. Reeves
  • Patent number: 5624045
    Abstract: In a storage rack, a beam is connected at one end to the column having a front wall with a vertical array of similar apertures and a side wall. Each aperture is wider at an upper region and narrower at a lower region. A flanged member has a side flange integral with the end of the beam and a front flange. A connecting pin mounted rigidly to the front flange and projecting through a selected aperture has an inner head narrower than the upper region of the selected aperture but wider than the lower region thereof and a shank narrower than the lower region thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1997
    Assignee: Unarco Material Handling, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles E. Highsmith, Joseph F. Benton
  • Patent number: 5624531
    Abstract: An evaporator operating on falling film principle, has a shell (1) with a system (2) of evaporating tubes therein, whereby a liquid to be concentrated is fed on the outer surface of the evaporating tube system (2) and vapor is led to flow inside the tubes of the evaporating tube system (2). The evaporating tube system (2) is formed of evaporating elements, each evaporating element being formed of evaporating tubes (9) substantially on the same level. The upper ends of the tubes are connected to a common collecting chamber (8) and the lower end, respectively, to a common collecting chamber (10) in such a manner that there is a connection between both collecting chambers (8, 10) through each tube (9) between them, due to which the collecting chambers (8) of the upper end of the evaporating elements are interconnected through the upper connecting chamber (12), and respectively, the collecting chambers (10) of the lower end are interconnected through the connecting chamber (13) of the lower end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1997
    Assignee: Tampella Power Oy
    Inventors: Matti Knuutila, Kalevi Nurminen, Jukka Vaistomaa, Anssi Makela
  • Patent number: D379103
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1997
    Inventor: Laurie S. Gallagher
  • Patent number: D379245
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1997
    Assignee: BRK Brands, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth R. Fenne
  • Patent number: RE35525
    Abstract: An endoscopic clip applying system as described which contains a venting system and a clip applying support system which prevents closure of the mechanism before firing. Also, the system ensures proper loading of the clips and prevents them from falling out during loading. Further, the system describes an easily manufacturable, positively opening system which has minimized size requirements. Furthermore, a lock-out mechanism is provided so that the mechanism may not be inadvertently fired. The shaft resists excessive torque as well as holds the clip in place during firing. There are provisions for sealant and non back-up of the clips, as well as features which make the clip properly placed for closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Assignee: Ethicon endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: David Stefanchik, Jerome E. Reckelhoff, Rudolph H. Nobis, Michael A. Murray, John E. Burbank
  • Patent number: D381509
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1997
    Assignee: B.H. Smith, Inc.
    Inventor: Shelley L. Miller
  • Patent number: D385491
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Assignee: AptarGroup, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce M. Mueller, Richard A. Gross, Nicholas J. Jelich