Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Fredrikson & Byron
  • Infrared and visible-light image registration
    Patent number: 7924312
    Abstract: Methods and thermal imaging cameras are provided for registering visible-light and infrared images within a thermal imaging camera to reduce a parallax error in the images. Registration generally includes detecting a first feature set in the visible-light image data, detecting a second feature set in the infrared image data and generating a plurality of overlapping alignments of the infrared image data and the visible-light image data. A similarity figure is calculated as a function of the relative alignment of the first feature set and the second feature set for each alignment and the alignment with the desired similarity figure is selected. The images are aligned and the camera displays at least a portion of the visible-light image data and/or at least a portion of the infrared image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Fluke Corporation
    Inventor: Corey D. Packard
  • Hydrophilic coatings, methods for depositing hydrophilic coatings, and improved deposition technology for thin films
    Patent number: 7923114
    Abstract: The invention provides certain embodiments that involve sputtering techniques for applying a mixed oxide film comprising silica and titania. In these embodiments, the techniques involve sputtering at least two targets in a common chamber (e.g., in a shared gaseous atmosphere). A first of these targets includes silicon, while a second of the targets includes titanium. Further, the invention provides embodiments involving a substrate bearing a hydrophilic coating, which can be deposited by sputtering or any other suitable thin film deposition technique. The invention also provides techniques and apparatuses useful for depositing a wide variety of coating types. For example, the invention provides thin film deposition technologies in which sputtering apparatuses or other thin film deposition apparatuses are employed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Cardinal CG Company
    Inventors: Kari Myli, Gary Pfaff, James Brownlee, John German, Annette Krisko, Klaus Hartig
  • Optical product detection sensor
    Patent number: 7924424
    Abstract: An optical detection sensor detects presence or absence of a product within a fluid delivery medium. An emitter directs radiation into the fluid delivery medium and detectors detect transmitted light at a plurality of wavelengths. The output of each detector and combinations of outputs of multiple detectors are associated with at least one out-of-product threshold. In addition, a color ratio is established. A controller compares the detector outputs and combination outputs with the associated out-of-product threshold(s). If any of the thresholds are satisfied, the controller compares the color ratio with an associated out-of-product threshold to verify an out-of-product event has occurred and reduce errors due to batch-to-batch variation of the product. The sensor is able to determine presence or absence of a variety of products having different color, transparency or turbidity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Erickson, Eugene Tokhtuev, Christopher Owen
  • Machine tool cartridge with information storage device, smart cartridge systems, and methods of using smart cartridge systems
    Patent number: 7913533
    Abstract: A cartridge for a machine tool is provided. The cartridge has a main body, two punch-retention arms, and two die-retention arms. Preferably, the cartridge also has a stripper locator base. In some embodiments, the cartridge is provided with an electronic information storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Wilson Tool International Inc.
    Inventors: Brian J. Lee, Richard L. Timp
  • Slow release pharmaceutical preparation and method of administering same
    Patent number: 7914804
    Abstract: A pharmaceutical preparation adopted for sustained release of an active agent(s) over an extended period of time at a therapeutic rate without an initial burst release of the agent(s) upon administration, wherein the preparation comprises: (i) an outer portion prepared from one or more layers of a biodegradable polymer, which is selected to release an active agent over an extended period of time when positioned in situ in a patient, and (ii) an inner portion comprising a plurality of micro-capsules formed from at least a biodegradable polymer, said micro capsules containing at least an active agent, wherein the micro-capsules are compressed into the form of a tablet under suitable pressure to suppress the rate of release of the active agent from the micro-capsules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Palmaya Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Alexander George B. O'Neil, Yandi Liu
  • Hot runner nozzle for an injection molding device
    Patent number: 7909598
    Abstract: The embodiments of invention relate to a hot runner nozzle including at least one nozzle duct for a plasticized plastic, which ends in a nozzle tip and which can be temperature-controlled by a heater, wherein the hot runner nozzle can be attached to an injection molding tool or the like and wherein the heater and the nozzle duct are provided in a common housing of the hot runner nozzle laterally next to one another. The housing encompasses at least one material recess, which divides the housing adjacent to the nozzle duct and adjoining to the heater into housing regions, which are spaced apart from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Heitec-Heisskanaltechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Hans Schreck
  • High infrared reflection coatings
    Patent number: 7906203
    Abstract: The invention provides low-emissivity coatings that are highly reflective of infrared radiation. The coating includes three infrared-reflection film regions, which may each comprise silver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Cardinal CG Company
    Inventor: Klaus Hartig
  • Fragrance emitting snow globe
    Patent number: 7905426
    Abstract: A snowglobe assembly for emitting a fragrance to an ambient environment. A motor may be provided to agitate particulate material inside the globe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: For Your Ease Only, Inc.
    Inventor: Lori Greiner
  • High capacity length grading machine
    Patent number: 7891498
    Abstract: A liftings trough for mounting in an interior space of a rotatable member of a length grading machine is defined by walls that are contoured to provide a maximum clearance between the mounted trough and an inlet opening through which grain flows into the interior space of the rotatable member, while maintaining a maximum capacity of the trough to receive granules in a particular size range, which are lifted by pockets located along an interior surface of the rotatable member, when the grain flows into the interior space of the member and the member rotates about the trough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Carter Day International, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew J. Ernst
  • Low molecular weight fuel additive
    Patent number: 7892301
    Abstract: The invention includes a method of improving the combustion efficiency of a fuel-burning device. The method includes the steps of adding a low molecular weight polymer to the fuel of the fuel-burning device and burning the fuel with the polymer in the fuel-burning device. The invention also includes fuel compositions containing such polymers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Himmelsbach Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Paul F. Waters, John B. Waters
  • Method and device for purification of effluent
    Patent number: 7892431
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the purification of effluent, in particular, effluent from the paper industry, comprising the following method steps: a) aerobic purification of the effluent using activated sludge in an activated sludge tank (1), b) settling of at least a part of the effluent/activated sludge mixture exiting the activated sludge tank (1) in a settling tank (2), c) separation of a part of the effluent/activated sludge mixture exiting the settling tank in a separating device (3) and d) recycling of at least a part of the activated sludge separated off in steps b) and/or c) into the activated sludge tank (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Papierfabrik August Koehler AG
    Inventors: Harald Kraft, Hans-Thomas Armbruster, Wendelin Benz
  • Stand system and method
    Patent number: 7887014
    Abstract: Embodiments of a stand are provided with continuous adjustability within a range of travel. In one embodiment, a stand includes a movement mechanism adapted to allow a tray to move along a range of travel relative to a stand base. The movement mechanism is in some embodiments further adapted to position the tray at an infinite number of locations along the range of travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Ergotron, Inc.
    Inventors: Shaun C. Lindblad, Joel Hazzard, Scott Trish, Robert W. Fluhrer, John Cain
  • Ferroelectric thin film device and method of manufacturing the same
    Patent number: 7888138
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a ferroelectric thin film device, and, more particularly, to a method of manufacturing a ferroelectric thin film device having high crystallinity, good surface roughness and high deposition efficiency through on-axis type sputtering, and to a ferroelectric thin film device manufactured using the method. The method of manufacturing a ferroelectric thin film device includes: depositing an SrRuO3 (SRO) thin film on an SrTiO3 (STO) substrate; and depositing a BiFeO3 (BFO) thin film on the deposited SRO thin film, wherein each of the thin films is deposited in a state in which the STO substrate is isolated from the ground. The method of manufacturing a ferroelectric thin film device is advantageous in that a ferroelectric thin film has a uniform surface, thus greatly decreasing the amount of leakage current and increasing remnant polarization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Sung-Chul Shin, Sang-Hyun Kim
  • Method and system for cultivating fruit
    Patent number: 7877925
    Abstract: A method of growing fruit such as papaya commercially, the method including the use of a structure having a covering adapted to permit sufficient light, nutrients and moisture, while substantially precluding access by potentially virus-carrying insects; together with seeds that are obtained, germinated, planted, and grown in a manner that permits plants to grow and bear seedless fruit suitable for harvest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Inventor: Jorge Mendoza-Sosa
  • Method and device for heat treatment, especially connection by soldering
    Patent number: 7878386
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and device (10) for the temperature treatment of workpieces (19) or components, in particular for producing a solder connection between a solder material and at least one component or workpiece used as a solder material carrier by means of melting the solder material arranged on the solder material carrier, where a heating and, in a subsequent method step, a cooling of at least one component is carried out in a process chamber (13, 14) which is sealed from the surrounding area, wherein the heating and the cooling of the component (19) are carried out in two chamber regions (13, 14) of the process chamber (12), which can be separated from one another by means of a condensation device (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Pink GmbH Thermosysteme
    Inventor: Stefan Weber
  • Method for fixed pattern noise reduction in infrared imaging cameras
    Patent number: 7880777
    Abstract: Methods and systems for correcting fixed pattern noise (FPN) in infrared (IR) imaging cameras. The methods and systems include correcting IR sensor data different strength levels of FPN data and selecting the particular strength level that produces corrected data with the least amount of FPN. The correction may occur over several frames of IR sensor data in order to find an optimal strength level for correction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Fluke Corporation
    Inventor: Shane M. Anderson
  • Cup holder
    Patent number: D632908
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Inventor: Sidney Tincher
  • Candlestick
    Patent number: D634038
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Seidel GmbH & Co
    Inventor: Andreas Ritzenhoff
  • Cosmetic holder
    Patent number: D634476
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: For Your Ease Only, Inc.
    Inventor: Lori Greiner
  • Multi-component retaining wall block
    Patent number: D636897
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Allan Block, LLC
    Inventor: Timothy A. Bott