Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Pearne & Gordon
  • Patterning method
    Patent number: 8168375
    Abstract: Disclosed is a patterning method including: forming a first film on a substrate; forming a multi-layered film including a resist film on the first film; forming a patterned resist film having a preset pattern by patterning the resist film by photolithography; forming a silicon oxide film different from the first film on the patterned resist film and the first film by alternately supplying a first gas containing organic silicon and a second gas containing an activated oxygen species to the substrate; etching the silicon oxide film to thereby form a sidewall spacer on a sidewall of the patterned resist film; removing the patterned resist film; and processing the first film by using the sidewall spacer as a mask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Shigeru Nakajima, Kazuhide Hasebe, Pao-Hwa Chou, Mitsuaki Iwashita, Reiji Niino
  • Feedback compensation in a sound processing device
    Patent number: 8170248
    Abstract: There is disclosed a sound processing device (300) configured to apply a frequency shift to at least one frequency component of a received sound signal and to amplify at least part of the received sound signal. The processing device (300) is also adapted to generate an estimated feedback signal for combination with the received sound signal via a phase inverting feedback canceller (314). Associated methods (400, 600) of processing a sound signal are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Phonak AG
    Inventors: Adam Hersbach, Ralph Peter Derleth
  • Avoiding unintentional withdrawal of access device from a vessel
    Patent number: 8167865
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a device for avoiding that any of at least one first or at least one second access device (20, 30) is unintentionally withdrawn from a vessel (11). According to the present invention this is achieved by inserting the first access device in a first direction in the vessel, inserting the second access device in a second direction in the vessel, the second direction being different from the first direction and interconnecting the first and the second access device by providing a fixed length of an interconnecting device (50).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Gambro Lundia AB
    Inventor: Jan Sternby
  • Adjustable hinge for pivoting door
    Patent number: 8166612
    Abstract: A hinge assembly is provided for a pivoting door mounted about an opening, and may include a hinge plate, an internally threaded adjuster, a locking element, a first cam element, a second cam element, and a limiting plate. The hinge plate is mounted about the opening and includes a pivot projecting therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Nilton Carlos Bertolini, Cory Dale Simpson
  • Folic acid producing bifidobacterium bacterial strains, formulations and use thereof
    Patent number: 8168171
    Abstract: The present invention relates to folic acid-producing bacterial strains belonging to the genus Bifidobacterium, pharmaceutical, veterinary or food formulations containing them and the use thereof. In particular, the invention relates to new bacterial strains of human origin belonging to the genus Bifidobacterium, adolescentis species (2), the genus Bifidobacterium, breve species (1) and the genus Bifidobacterium, pseudocatenulatum species (2) deposited in the DSMZ collection center (Deutsche Sammlung von Mikroorganismen und Zellkulturen GmbH; Braunsweig, Germany), in accordance with the Treaty of Budapest, on 21 Jul. 2004.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Probiotical S.p.A.
    Inventors: Giovanni Mogna, Gian Paolo Strozzi
  • Monitoring camera device
    Patent number: 8164626
    Abstract: The present invention provides a monitoring camera apparatus which can measure camera installation height easily with a simple configuration. The monitoring camera apparatus includes a distance detecting unit and direction detecting unit. The distance detecting unit detects subject distance D to a subject using an autofocus function. The direction detecting unit detects a shooting direction ? of the imaging unit rotated by a rotating mechanism. A height calculating unit calculates camera installation height H by converting the detected subject distance D into vertical length using the shooting direction ? in which the subject distance D is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Satoru Oyabu, Yasuyuki Michimoto
  • Flexible unbonded pipe and a method for producing such pipe
    Patent number: 8163364
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a flexible unbonded pipe comprising an inner liner capable of forming a barrier against outflow of a fluid which is conveyed through the pipe, and one or more armouring layers on the outer side of the inner liner. The flexible unbonded pipe comprises at least one polymer layer and at least one film layer, the polymer layer being bonded to the film layer via one or more bondings selected from the group of chemical bondings and physical bondings. The film layer may preferably be a metal film layer. The polymer layer may preferably be cross-linked polyethylene. The interfacial bonding between the polymer layer and the film layer should preferably be sufficiently strong to prevent creation of gas pockets between the layers when subjected to an increased pressure of aggressive fluids on the film side of the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: NKT Flexibles I/S
    Inventors: Poul Erik Braad, Inger Margrete Procida
  • Bulk component feeder
    Patent number: 8162571
    Abstract: A bulk component feeder includes a conveying channel 42 through which the electronic components P are conveyed, a ventilation channel 43 that is formed along the conveying channel 42, and a partition 44 by which postures of the electronic components P conveyed through the conveying channel 42 are maintained and by which the conveying channel 42 is separated from the ventilation channel 43. The conveying channel 42 communicates with the ventilation channel 43 through an upper part 45 of the partition 44. It is possible to increase a size of an air channel A which acts as a flow channel for airflow and through which the electronic components P are conveyed with no respect to sizes of the electronic components P, thus, a desirable conveying speed is assured even though the conveyed electronic components P are micro-components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Akifumi Wada, Takeshi Nishiguchi
  • Electronic component, lead-wire and their production methods
    Patent number: 8163997
    Abstract: A lead-wire includes a led-out electrode made of metal and a cap. The cap is put over an end of the led-out electrodes, and is made of metal harder than the metal forming the led-out electrodes. An electronic component includes a functional element and the lead-wire. The led-out electrodes is led out of the functional element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Kouhei Harazono, Hiroshi Kurimoto, Douyuu Hachisu, Takanao Saitou, Masami Kobayashi
  • Drive apparatus
    Patent number: 8164233
    Abstract: A drive apparatus includes a first, a second, and a third frame, and a first and a second drive mechanism. The second frame is supported movably in a first direction with respect to the first frame. The third frame is supported movably in a second direction that intersects the first direction with respect to the second frame. The first drive mechanism is provided between the first and the second frames, and configured to move the first and the second frames relative to each other. The second drive mechanism is provided between the second and the third frames, and configured to move the second and the third frames relative to each other. Each of the first and second drive mechanism has a drive generator configured to generate drive with a piezoelectric element, and a drive receiver pressed relative to the drive generator and receive the drive generated by the drive generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Hideaki Mukae
  • Sanitary washing toilet seat device and toilet device
    Patent number: 8161580
    Abstract: A sanitary washing toilet seat device according to the invention comprises a nozzle head having a water discharge port; a first cylinder capable of housing at least part of the nozzle head; a second cylinder capable of housing at least part of the first cylinder; and a driver configured to advance or retract at least one of the nozzle head and the first and second cylinder. The driver includes a flexible rack with one end connected to the nozzle head; a motor; and a transmission mechanism configured to transmit rotation of the motor to the flexible rack. At least one of the nozzle head and the first and second cylinder is advanced or retracted in accordance with the rotation of the motor. In a sanitary washing toilet seat device and a toilet device equipped therewith, a multistage washing nozzle can be accurately advanced/retracted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Toto Ltd
    Inventors: Kenji Hashidume, Hideki Takada, Michinori Yananose, Nobutake Sakumoto
  • Electrode and its use in a metal disintegrator
    Patent number: 8164020
    Abstract: A graphite electrode and a holder for the electrode for use in a metal disintegrator, the electrode having a hollow columnar body with a skirt wall open at one end, the skirt wall having a plurality of holes extending between one end and an opposite end, the holes being adapted to conduct liquid coolant from said opposite end to said open end, the holder being proportioned to engage and support the electrode at its opposite end when the electrode is installed on a metal disintegrator, the electrode and holder being constructed and arranged to vent a portion of the volume of said liquid coolant through a space between a part being disintegrated and an interior surface of the skirt wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Cammann, Inc.
    Inventor: Henry R. Cammann
  • Method of individually fitting a hearing device or hearing aid
    Patent number: 8166312
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of providing parameters for the fitting process of individually shaped or customized hearing devices by collecting and storing fitting parameters during a fitting process by a local fitting computer; generating an individual encryption key related to the hearing device; sending the stored fitting parameters encrypted with the encryption key to a remote database; storing the encryption key in the memory of the hearing device; reading out the encryption key from the hearing device; reading out data from the remote database using the encryption. Thus, the privacy of the individual fitting data of a hearing device is secured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Phonak AG
    Inventor: Bernd Waldmann
  • Imaging apparatus, imaging apparatus body and reporting terminal
    Patent number: 8164671
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus capable of assisting such shooting that a designated subject is accommodated in a predetermined reference range without user's continuing gazing at a display screen. Imaging apparatus 100 has: imaging optical system 310 that forms an optical image of a subject; solid-state image sensor 330 that converts the optical image into an electrical signal; video signal processing section 350 that carries out a predetermined processing for the electrical signal and generates image data; tracking processing section 390 that decides whether or not the designated subject is in a predetermined range within a trackable range, using the image data generated in video signal processing section 350; and reporting section 410 that reports a decision result in tracking processing section 390 by means of light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Yoichi Sugino, Takuma Masuda
  • Method for laying pipeline using motorized elements
    Patent number: 8162201
    Abstract: The present invention consists in a system and a method for installation of duct lines and/or pipelines comprising a pipe shop, supporting, rolling and guiding elements previously provided along a path of duct line/pipeline designed to be formed, the quantity of elements varying according to the length and the characteristics of the path, the said pipe shop comprising within the same a facility for welding, inspection and finishing of the pipes for forming the duct line/pipeline, the elements comprising a supporting base and a roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Inventor: Paulo Roberto Gomes Fernandes
  • Method of producing a suspended membrane device
    Patent number: 8163586
    Abstract: A method for producing a device with at least one suspended membrane, including the following steps: Producing a trench through a first sacrificial layer and a second layer deposited on the first sacrificial layer, the trench completely surrounding at least a portion of the first sacrificial layer and at least a portion of the second layer, filling all or a portion of the trench with at least one material capable of resisting at least one etching agent, and etching the portion of the first sacrificial layer with the etching agent through at least one opening made in the second layer, the portion of the second layer forming at least one portion of the suspended membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique
    Inventors: Patrice Rey, Mouna Salhi
  • Signal modulator
    Patent number: 8164395
    Abstract: A signal modulator that can control transmission power if level adjustment of a continuous signal from an oscillator is executed is provided. A pulse generator of one example of a signal modulator includes an oscillator, a control signal generator, a multiplier, a filter, and a control section. The oscillator and the multiplier are active circuits formed of active elements. A continuous signal is output from the oscillator and is input to the multiplier and the multiplier intermittently operates by a control signal output from the control signal generator, whereby a pulse signal is generated and the power level is easily adjusted by a signal from the control section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Shigeru Kobayashi, Michiaki Matsuo, Junji Sato
  • Dish-washing machine
    Patent number: 8161986
    Abstract: Dish-washing machine comprising a chamber (2) for washing articles (3), an air inlet line and an air outlet line both communicating with the chamber, air circulating means for forcing an inlet airflow sucked from the atmosphere into the chamber (2) via said air inlet line and exhausting an outlet airflow saturated with moisture after passing over said articles (3) to the atmosphere via said air outlet line; heating means are provided for heating said outlet airflow before exhausting to the atmosphere in order to reduce the relative humidity of the discharged air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Inventor: Roberto Alessandrelli
  • Direct accumulation tank for heating water with solar energy
    Patent number: 8161964
    Abstract: A direct accumulation tank, defining a closed volume (2), comprising an inlet (3) for filling the tank with a fluid, and an outlet (4) for emptying the tank of the fluid, and exhibiting an upper surface (Ia) exposed to solar rays. The upper surface (Ia) exhibits a plurality of reliefs (5, . . . 5n) for defining a greater surface extension exposed to the solar rays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: G.F. S.R.L.
    Inventor: Giorgio Gaiti
  • Platform for footwear
    Patent number: D657944
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Calzaturificio Casadei S.p.A.
    Inventor: Cesare Casadei