Patents Represented by Law Firm Factor and Shaftal
  • Patent number: 6076881
    Abstract: A support frame for a rail-based tonneau cover for open-topped vehicle enclosures, such as the beds of pick-up trucks, is provided having a pivotable portion, for permitting access to the truck bed without removing the cover from the rails. The support frame includes a latching mechanism for releasably latching the pivotable portion. The latching mechanism is itself accessible only upon lowering of the tailgate. A support is provided for holding up the pivotable portion in a raised position. The latching mechanism and the support are interconnected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Design Automotive Group, Inc.
    Inventor: W. David Tucker
  • Patent number: 6051123
    Abstract: A gas sensor is provided, having an electrolyte membrane, a sensing electrode, a counter electrode, a diffusion barrier for controlling access of gases to the sensing electrode, and in situ means for removing molecular oxygen from the gases to which the sensing electrode is being exposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: Gas Research Institute
    Inventors: Ashok Joshi, Liang Jun Li, Anil Virkar, Meilin Liu
  • Patent number: 6045055
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a device for delivering a fluid to the surrounding environment. The device includes a housing having an interior region and at least one opening, a fluid contained within the interior region, and a device means to force the fluid through the opening, and against gravity. Such a forcing device preferably comprises a gas generating pump, designed to force fluid positioned below the opening through a channel or conduit and out of the housing. Moreover, the opening in the housing may be associated with a member for controllably releasing fluid from the housing, for instance one or more porous plugs, an emanator pad, a decorative element or an adjustable valve. Additionally, the invention contemplates the use of a moveable member, such as a piston, flexible bladder, or expandable bladder, to separate the fluid from the gas generating pump and assist is forcing fluid out of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: Ceramatec, Inc.
    Inventors: Ashok V. Joshi, John Joseph McEvoy, Truman Christian Wold, II
  • Patent number: 6045937
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell, and an associated process, wherein the cell includes a controlled electrode surface comprising an electrode with a carbonaceous surface, an electrolyte and a reduced additive. The reduced additive is formulated from an additive which is either soluble or insoluble in the solvated electrolyte prior to reduction. The invention further includes a passivating layer at the carbonaceous electrode/electrolyte interface. The passivating layer includes the additive and/or the reduced additive. This passivating layer substantially precludes contact between electrolyte solvent and the carbonaceous surface of the electrode to, in turn, substantially prevent gas formation within the cell, which would otherwise result from decomposition of the solvent upon contact with the carbonaceous surface. Also, the additive and/or the reduced additive will likewise be substantially precluded from generating a gas upon its decomposition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Eric S. Kolb, Martin Van Buren, Denis G. Fauteux
  • Patent number: 6042704
    Abstract: A storage stable fluid delivery device including a gas generator in which moisture (water) is involved in the gas generation reaction in which moisture containment is utilized to prevent or retard water loss as disclosed. The moisture containment may be a moisture impermeable membrane as a permanent part of the device and may be utilized in conjunction with the gas generator when the membrane has high gas permeability for the gas being generated. The fluid delivered by such device is typically a liquid having some particular utility in its environment. The liquid dispensed may be a pharmaceutical or some other liquid having a beneficial or curative effect upon an animal or human patient or it may be a liquid such as an insecticide, fumigant, fragrance or other liquid having a relatively high vapor pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: Ceramatec, Inc.
    Inventors: Ashok V. Joshi, John H. Gordon, John J. McEvoy
  • Patent number: 6040078
    Abstract: A battery apparatus comprising a casing and at least one stacked lithium ion cell which does not require springs, windings, etc. and a member for precluding inadvertent deformation of the casing. Each of at least one stacked lithium ion cell is positioned within the casing. The deformation precluding member is associated with each of the at least one lithium ion cell, and, substantially precludes inadvertent deformation of the casing by the at least one lithium ion cell, during cell cycling and storage. The invention further includes a process for fabricating a battery apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Denis G. Fauteux, Robert Rounds, III, Michael Farina
  • Patent number: 6030719
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a lithium ion electrolytic cell having a controlled electrode surface interface, and, an associated electrochemical process. The lithium ion electrolytic cell includes an electrode with a carbonaceous surface and a passivating layer, and, an electrolyte having a solvent. The passivating layer includes lithium, carbon and at least one of an additive or the product of interaction of the additive with the carbonaceous surface. The passivating layer has, as measured by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, a relative thickness index within the range of about from 10 to about 90, and a lithium ion content index in the range from about 0.1 to about 0.7.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Denis G. Fauteux, Jie Shi, Kazuko Otani, Eitaro Takahashi, Kenji Okahara
  • Patent number: 6027676
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of forming ornamented plastics articles and to articles formed by the method and relates especially but not exclusively to manufacture of items of furniture, building components and picture frame members. The method comprises firstly extruding a plastics article then re-moulding it in a hot stamp press. This enables highly complex forms of article to be manufactured with large dimensions and at much lower cost than is currently possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Robobond Limited
    Inventor: Robert Detenon
  • Patent number: 6027774
    Abstract: A liquid-filled display globe is provided. The globe has a central dry chamber allowing objects to be displayed without immersion, while giving the appearance of being immersed. Particulate matter is suspended in the liquid, giving the appearance of swirling snowflakes when the liquid is agitated. A removable base provides access to the display chamber so that the object displayed therein can be easily replaced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Neil Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil Fine, Cliff Lam
  • Patent number: 6017046
    Abstract: The invention comprises a drive system for use in association with a wheelchair. The drive system includes at least one input gear system, a structure for powering at least one input gear system, at least one transfer gear system, a positioning member, and a structure for transferring movement of the transfer gear system to a wheel. The positioning member positions the desired one of at least two sets of gears of the at least one transfer gear with at least one of the two sets of gears of the at least one input gear system through slidable movement of the at least one of the transfer gear system and the input gear system along their respective axes of rotation. This, in turn, engages the desired gear of the transfer gear system to the desired gear of the input gear system during continuous rotation of these gears. Additionally, the invention includes a handle member for use with a linear conversion system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Inventor: Vladimir Markovic
  • Patent number: 6007325
    Abstract: A gas fired burner is provided for use in applications such as chemical process furnaces for process heaters in refineries and chemical plants, and the like. The burner is provided with a plurality of fuel gas inlets for enabling manipulation of the flame shape and combustion characteristics of the burner, based upon variation in the distribution of fuel gas between the various fuel gas inlets.A combination pilot and flame holder for a burner, such as may be used in process heaters and furnaces for refineries, chemical plants and the like, is also provided. The pilot is mounted atop a supply pipe for premixed fuel and air, which is positioned in the bore of a burner quarl. The pilot includes a radially outwardly extending flange which is upstream of a surface combustion flame holder for establishing a radially directed surface combustion flame.The present invention also provides a low-emissions burner and pilot system for use in such process heaters and furnaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Gas Research Institute
    Inventors: Peter J. Loftus, Charles E. Benson, Roberto O. Pellizzari, Richard R. Martin
  • Patent number: 6004412
    Abstract: A sealing system for repairing an aperture or notch of a damaged plastic pipe. The sealing system comprises a patch member and an attachment tool. The patch member includes a top side, a bottom side, and comprises, in part, a thermoplastic material. The attachment tool includes a housing, a power source associated with the housing, a base member, attachment members for attaching the base member to the patch member, and members which facilitate positioning to the power source relative to the housing. The invention further includes a method of repairing an aperture or notch of a damaged plastic pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Gas Research Institute
    Inventors: Stephen Cecil Grigory, Glen William Deel, Jesse Abergo Villarreal, Rolf Glauser
  • Patent number: 6003937
    Abstract: A safety seat for use in passenger transport and advantageously provides sufficient strength to withstand maximum loading during collision. The seat comprises a rear portion comprising a plurality of sections having different relatively controllable deformable and/or collapsible properties and suitable energy absorbing capacity so that during collision an individual seated rearwardly of the seat is protected. Additionally the safety seat suitably restrains a seated individual during collision. The safety seat therefore provides a safety seat and frame which is adapted to accommodate maximum load, which load is provided when an individual seated therein is thrown forwardly within a restraining device such as a seat belt and when an individual seated rearwardly thereof is thrown against same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Henlys Group PLC
    Inventors: Alan James Dutton, Dusan Kecman
  • Patent number: 5997785
    Abstract: A molded body is produced on the basis of a raw material, the main content of which is material which is left after remolding pulp from paper and extraction of fibers from the pulp mass for remanufacturing of paper. This raw material which mainly consists of water, short fibers, and fine, mineral particles is drained by pressing in a first pressing stage between filter belts for production of a coherent body, is dried partially in a first drying stage is pressed and in a second pressing stage, and dried finally in a second drying stage. The invention concerns a similar method for separation of fibers and particles from waste water which results from repulping paper and reclaiming of fibers from the pulp mass for remanufacturing of paper, whereby an enviromental problem is solved in a very suitable way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Inventor: Frank Ivan Skjelmose
  • Patent number: 5997821
    Abstract: A fluid delivery device (10) operated by a first gas delivery device (12) (e.g. electrochemical pump) that takes advantage of sequential gas production methods. The fluid delivery device includes a container (14) with an interior surface. An first gas delivery device for producing or delivering a first gas is placed in one end of the container. A moveable member (e.g. piston, bladder (18) or membrane) is positioned within the container, which moveable member, together with the container's interior surface and the electrochemical cell, structurally define a fluid-tight chamber. The moveable member may abut a first reactive material. Unreacted material (34), chemically reactive with the either the first gas or the first reactive material to generate a second gas, is contained within the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Ceramatec Corporation
    Inventor: Ashok V. Joshi
  • Patent number: 5993193
    Abstract: A gas fired burner is provided for use in applications such as chemical process furnaces for process heaters in refineries and chemical plants, and the like. The burner is provided with a plurality of fuel gas inlets for enabling manipulation of the flame shape and combustion characteristics of the burner, based upon variation in the distribution of fuel gas between the various fuel gas inlets.A combination pilot and flame holder for a burner, such as may be used in process heaters and furnaces for refineries, chemical plants and the like, is also provided. The pilot is mounted atop a supply pipe for premixed fuel and air, which is positioned in the bore of a burner quarl. The pilot includes a radially outwardly extending flange which is upstream of a surface combustion flame holder for establishing a radially directed surface combustion flame.The present invention also provides a low-emissions burner and pilot system for use in such process heaters and furnaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Gas Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter J. Loftus, Charles E. Benson, Roberto O. Pellizzari, Richard R. Martin
  • Patent number: 5992648
    Abstract: A display device comprising at least one accepting member capable of accepting a product, and at least one view enhancing member associated with the at least one accepting member, at least a portion of the at least one view enhancing member comprising a reflective surface, so as to reflect at least a portion of a product accepted by the accepting member to, in turn, enhance the viewing of same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Inventor: Todd Robert Saunders
  • Patent number: D417956
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Stack-On Products Co.
    Inventors: Dave Story, Jon Fiscus, Shelley Nehrt
  • Patent number: D419701
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: Custom Accessories, Inc.
    Inventor: Arthur Schifrin
  • Patent number: D424297
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Stack-On Products Co.
    Inventors: Dave Story, Jon Fiscus, Shelley Nehrt