Patents Represented by Attorney Herrell & Skillman, P.C.
  • Patent number: 6316289
    Abstract: In the construction of electronic devices with one or more flip chips and, in some cases, one or more leadless components, mounted on a substrate, the interconnections are made with conductive adhesive or solder paste deposited using specialized stencils or masks, including suitable snap-back stencils and direct-contact masks without snap back. A metal stencil (or mask) is placed temporarily onto the face of a substrate, such as a semiconductor wafer, circuit board or other substrate, and is spaced apart therefrom by standoff features. When the stencil is properly positioned with respect to the wafer or substrate, as by relational alignment holes or optical alignment methods, conductive adhesive material is deposited onto the substrate through holes or openings in the stencil. The metal stencil includes on the side thereof facing the substrate a flexible standoff layer having standoff features to space the stencil apart from the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Amerasia International Technology Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin Kwong-Tai Chung
  • Patent number: 6315184
    Abstract: A stapling device for use as an attachment to an electromechanical device driver comprises an upper jaw and a lower jaw, the upper jaw having staple guides corresponding to one or more staples in a removable staple tray disposed within a lower jaw, whereby a wedge having a threaded bore travels upon a matching threaded shaft in a channel disposed in the lower jaw behind the staple tray, such that rotation of the threaded shaft causes movement of the wedge through the channel while a sloped surface of the wedge contacts the staples to push the staples against the staples guides, closing the staples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Powermed, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael P. Whitman
  • Patent number: 6315105
    Abstract: A conveyor belt scraping apparatus comprises a blade having a blade edge biased against a conveyor belt. The blade is supported at its base and has a web extending from the base to support the blade edge. The web has at least one groove therein substantially parallel to the blade edge to define a tensioning region at the narrowed region of the web, whereby the blade may be biased and tensioned without need for external biasing and tensioning arrangements. Preferably, there are plural grooves in the web. Also preferably, the plural grooves are of different sizes so as to provide a progressive rate to the spring characteristic of the tensioning region of the web. In addition, a groove may have a cushioning material therein so as to provide cushioning of the blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: ASGCO Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: A. Todd Gibbs, George T. Mott
  • Patent number: 6312353
    Abstract: A chain guide for guiding a chain includes an elongated chain guide body pivotally connected at one end to a fixed support member and having an aperture formed in an opposite end of the chain guide body, and a collar loosely fitted in the aperture in such a manner that a clearance is defined between the chain guide body and the collar at least on that side of the collar which is aligned with a direction of pivotal movement of the chain guide body. The collar is firmly secured to the fixed support member so that the chain guide body is allowed to pivot within the range of the clearance. With the clearance thus provided, the chain is protected against excessive tightening or loosening which may otherwise occur when the chain guide is mounted on the fixed support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventor: Fumiaki Oba
  • Patent number: 6308393
    Abstract: The remote control assembly 10 is characterized by a terminal mechanism 34 including a tubular anchor member 36 slidably supported on a tubular fitting 22 extending from the conduit 14. The anchor member 36 is secured to the outer end 30 of a rod 26 extending form the core element 12 and is disposed in close sliding relationship about the tubular fitting 22. The terminal mechanism 34 also includes a tubular connector member 44 and a coil spring 46. The connector member 44 is in telescoping relationship with the anchor member 36 and the spring 46 biases the connector member 44 in an extending direction yet for provides lost motion between the rod 26 and the control member in response to a predetermined collapsing force. A resilient cushion 48 is disposed in the connector member 44 for cushioning collapsing movement of the connector member 44 over the anchor member 36.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Triumph Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Haynes, Ronnie Benditt
  • Patent number: 6307874
    Abstract: A heating element for a vacuum heat treating furnace, a hot zone for a vacuum heat treating furnace, and a vacuum furnace are disclosed. The heating element includes a first heating element portion formed of a thin form of conductive, refractory metal or alloy, and an expansion loop formed in or attached to the first heating element portion, to absorb expansive and contractive forces on the element due to thermal cycling. The heating elements are disposed around the interior surface of the hot zone, which includes a sidewall formed of thermally insulating material. The vacuum heat treating furnace includes a pressure vessel and a hot zone disposed within the pressure vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: Ipsen International, Inc.
    Inventor: Craig A. Moller
  • Patent number: 6297564
    Abstract: Electronic devices formed by bonding and interconnecting one or more electronic components to an electronic circuit substrate employ specialized adhesives comprising gold-plated, platinum-plated and/or palladium-plated particles in a polymeric adhesive system which may include thermoplastic or thermosetting resins. These plated particles beneficially provide electrical conductivity through the polymeric adhesive for electrically interconnecting contact pads on the electronic components with contact pads on the electronic circuit substrate and provide resistance to migration of metal, thereby enabling interconnection and bonding at very fine pitch and spacing. Polymers with substantial flexibility and a low glass transition temperature are preferred over more rigid resins. Particles having a morphology and shapes that include higher aspect ratios are preferred because lesser volume fraction loading is needed to establish good electrical conductivity through the polymeric adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Amerasia International Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin Kwong-Tai Chung
  • Patent number: 6293791
    Abstract: An orthodontic instrument includes a pair of complementary mating die movable together and apart for forming a Z-shaped bend in an orthodontic arch wire. A Z-shaped bend in an orthodontic arch wire is utilized in conjunction with an orthodontic appliance for applying force to a tooth through a bracket thereon to change its inclination and/or rotation respecting the long axis of the tooth, e.g., to upright an angulated tooth or derotate a rotated tooth. Different embodiments of the instrument are utilized in a sideways or an end-on orientation relative to the arch wire to form a Z-bend therein in situ in a patient's mouth, or may operate on the arch wire outside the mouth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: Albert Einstein Healthcare Network
    Inventor: Martin Weinstein
  • Patent number: 6289995
    Abstract: A rough terrain, large water volume, track driven firefighting vehicle with tracked running gear for all terrain capability, having a large onboard water tank, a universal nozzle and heat shields cooled by a system of standoff sprinklers behind the shields, a forward spraying sprinkler and an operator's compartment having controls for operating the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Inventor: Homer M. Fuller
  • Patent number: 6287111
    Abstract: A heating system according to the present invention is divided into two interconnected compartments, the first having at least one burner feeder and the second having at least one receiver burner. The thermal output of these units may be equal or unequal to match the heat recovery requirements and requirements of the receiver burner for feeder flue gas. Fuel is fed to both the feeder and receiver burners. Heat from both burners heats the fluid to be heated within the heating system. The flue gas exiting from the feeder compartment is introduced and mixed into the receiver burners air supply, similar to conventional flue gas recirculation (FGR) type low NOx burners. The feeder may use a lean premix or rich burn quench technique to achieve low-NOx. Only one combustion air fan is required. The Ductwork is not exposed or the external exposure is very short as compared to much greater lengths of external duct work in conventional flue gas recirculation systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Inventor: Wayne Gensler
  • Patent number: 6289235
    Abstract: A system for constructing image slices through a selected object, the system comprising an identifiable fiducial reference in a fixed position relative to the selected object, wherein the fiducial reference comprises at least two identifiable reference markers. A source of radiation is provided for irradiating the selected object and the fiducial reference to form a projected image of the selected object and the fiducial reference which is recorded by a recording medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Wake Forest University
    Inventors: Richard L. Webber, Roger A. Horton
  • Patent number: 6288905
    Abstract: A module, such as a contact module for embedding an electronic device into a credit card, smart card, identification tag or other article, comprise a pattern of metal contacts having a first and a second surface and electrically-conductive vias built up on the first surface of the metal contacts. A layer of dielectric adhesive on the first surface of the pattern of metal contacts surrounds the electrically-conductive vias except the ends thereof distal from the metal contacts. An electronic device has electrical contacts connected to the exposed ends of the conductive vias, as by wire bonds or by flip-chip type connections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Amerasia International Technology Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin Kwong-Tai Chung
  • Patent number: 6284798
    Abstract: The invention concerns new guanidine derivatives of formula (I), methods of preparing them and their use in drugs containing compounds, of formula (I), wherein wherein x is —NH—NH—CH2R1 and R1 denotes C8 to C20 alkyl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Cancer Research Ventures Limited
    Inventors: Eberhard Amtmann, Norbert Frank, Gerhard Sauer, Gerhard Schilling
  • Patent number: 6283611
    Abstract: A flashlight is provided having a housing and a head. A molded member including a grip and an actuator button is molded into the housing as one piece to the housing of the flashlight to seal the flashlight and prevent infiltration of water, gases and small particles. Preferably, the materials of the housing and the molded member are selected of materials that form a chemical bond. Also preferably, the housing and molded member are formed by a two-step molding operation of a two-step molding machine. The actuator may be utilized to turn the flashlight on and off, is preferably located at the rear of the flashlight, and has a limited travel distance to preclude the actuator button from turning the flashlight on under certain conditions. In addition, the head of the flashlight is movable with respect to the housing to turn the flashlight continuously on and continuously off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Streamlight, Inc
    Inventors: Raymond L. Sharrah, Charles W. Craft
  • Patent number: 6279584
    Abstract: A system and method for removing a coating from an elongated metal part or a bundle of such parts is described. The disclosed system includes a soaking vessel that contains a solution suitable for degreasing the metal part and softening the coating thereon. An ultrasonic cleaning vessel containing an aqueous cleaning solution cleans the coating off of the metal part by ultrasonic agitation. The system further includes at least one rinsing vessel for rinsing the cleaning solution of the cleaned part, and a drying vessel for rapidly and thoroughly drying the part after it has been rinsed. In the disclosed process, the elongated metal part, or a bundle of such parts, is/are soaked in a solution that is maintained at an elevated temperature for a time sufficient to soften the coating. The elongated metal part is then subjected to ultrasonic agitation in an aqueous cleaning solution bath at an elevated temperature for a time sufficient to loosen and dislodge the coating from the elongated metal part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: CRS Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Stanley S. Huffman
  • Patent number: 6279581
    Abstract: A portable, flexible humidor for cigars is provided. A flexible cigar storage compartment and a flexible moisture control compartment are connected by a passageway having a staggered series of channels which permit moisture-laden air to flow from one compartment to another while deterring the flow of liquid. Cigars are stored in the flexible cigar storage compartment and a moist sponge is inserted in the flexible moisture control compartment. Both compartments have resealable openings which permit the user to repetitively open and close the compartments to gain access to the cigars and the sponge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Inventor: William D. Knepper
  • Patent number: 6280637
    Abstract: An electrocatalytic process for treating liquid waste material containing at least one environment-polluting substance, comprising causing the liquid waste material to be treated to pass between and to contact at least one pair of spaced apart electrodes, across which a dc potential difference is applied, to cause the at least one environment-polluting organic substance to be at least partially decomposed into a gaseous or liquid form. The invention also relates to a treatment unit for performing the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Inventor: Christopher Robert Eccles
  • Patent number: 6277478
    Abstract: A container mouth (21) is sealed with an inner seal which comprises a reseal liner (9) fitted inside of a cap (23) and a seal cover (10) separably laminated to the reseal liner and remaining on the container mouth after the container (20) is uncapped. The seal cover comprises a metal foil (5), a glassine paper (7) layered on the underside of the metal foil, and a hot-melt adhesive layer (8) coated on the underside of the glassine paper by gravure roll coating process. A polyethlene film (6) is preferably layered between the metal foil and the glassine paper to provide a better peel-off strength therebetween. The glassine paper may be replaced with an easy-peelable plastic film, such as a PET (polyethlene terephthalate resin) film. The inner seal fitted in the cap is placed onto the container mouth, and then the cap is subjected to a high frequency of 20-600 KHz to melt the hot-melt adhesive layer, whereby the seal cover hermetically seals the container mouth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Taihei Paper Manufacturing
    Inventors: Keigo Kurita, Kiromi Soutome
  • Patent number: 6271255
    Abstract: Erythromycins, particularly with C-13 substituents R1 (e.g. C3-C6 cycloalkyl or cycloalkenyl groups) are prepared by fermenting suitable organisms in the presence of R1CO2H. A preferred organism is Saccharopolyspora erythraea preferably containing an integrated plasmid capable of directing synthesis of desired compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignees: Biotica Technology Limited, Pfizer, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Francis Leadlay, James Staunton, Jesus Cortes, Michael Stephen Pacey
  • Patent number: 6271373
    Abstract: A compound produced by the process comprising the step of reacting a starting compound of the formula: with FeCl3 in the presence of acetic acid, wherein the reaction mixture is heated and the temperature of the reaction mixture is about 85° C.to about reflux temperature, R1 and R2 in the above formula being as defined in the present specification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: ViroPharma Incorporated
    Inventors: Guy D. Diana, Thomas R. Bailey, Theodore J. Nitz, Dorothy C. Young, William P. Gorczyca