Patents Represented by Law Firm Rhodes, Coats & Bennett, L.L.P.
  • Patent number: 5857500
    Abstract: A vapor recovery system used with fuel dispensers and having error detection capabilities incorporated therein for detecting vapor leaks and performance deficiencies in the vapor recovery system. The vapor recovery system includes a fuel nozzle connected to a fuel source for pumping fuel into a vehicle. A vapor transfer line is connected to the nozzle and has a connected pump which pumps fuel vapor from the nozzle through the vapor transfer line and into a vapor holding tank. A pair of test valves are connected in the vapor transfer line on opposite sides of the pump and are used to isolate selected sections of the vapor recovery system for test purposes. Connected between each test valve and pump is a pressure sensor for measuring pressure in the vapor transfer line. A digital processor is connected to the vapor recovery system to control the vapor recovery system and to place the vapor recovery system in various test modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: Gilbarco Inc.
    Inventors: Edward A. Payne, Hal C. Hartsell, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5855076
    Abstract: A template system is provided for laying out the location of telecommunication switching cabinets in a switching center. The template system includes a plurality of fixture templates and a plurality of connector pieces for joining the fixture templates to one another. Each fixture template includes pre-formed marking holes and pre-formed marking slots to mark the layout of the cabinet. The marking holes are used to mark the location of mounting holes in the floor. Marking slots are used to mark the location of access openings for wiring in suspended floor systems. The connector pieces interlock with the fixture templates so that the fixture templates are always spaced a predetermined distance from one another. The interlocking fixture templates and connector pieces minimize the reliance on measurements thereby reducing the number of errors likely to occur when laying out the cabinets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Assignee: Ericsson, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Lee Warner, Jr., Andre L. de la Garrigue
  • Patent number: 5853852
    Abstract: A decorative glass sheet including a glass panel having an upper surface and a lower surface. An applique overlies a portion of the upper surface of the glass panel and has a periphery, an upper surface and a lower surface. An adhesive coupler is interposed between the upper surface of the glass panel and the lower surface of the applique. The applique is secured to the glass panel by the adhesive coupler. The decorative glass sheet may also include one or more grooves formed in the glass panel. Further, one or more coatings may be disposed on the surface of the glass panel. Preferably, the applique covers the entirety of the portion of the glass panel underlying the applique.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Assignee: Glass Unlimited of High Point, Inc.
    Inventor: Keith L. Eichhorn
  • Patent number: 5851469
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for making a dimensionally stable wood-thermoplastic composite material composed of a wood component and a thermoplastic component comprising the steps of forming a wood-thermoplastic mass at a temperature above the melting temperature of the thermoplastic component. The mass is then passed through a converging die to form a shaped extrudate profile having a cross sectional shape wherein at least a part of the converging die is maintained at a substantially higher temperature than that of the mass. The profile is then fed through a low friction thermally insulating land section, the land section having the substantially the same cross sectional shape as the exit end of the converging die. The profile is then quenched in a non-oxidizing environment to form a substantially dimensionally stable outer shell around the profile, the shell having a temperature below the melting temperature of the thermoplastic component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1998
    Assignee: Trex Company, L.L.C.
    Inventors: John J. Muller, Roger A. Wittenberg
  • Patent number: 5851234
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for wet washing wool fabric and woolen articles. The process permits wet washing of articles such as aircraft seat covers while substantially eliminating shrinkage and preserving the fire retardant characteristics of the seat covers. The process includes washing the articles in an aqueous solution using a bi-directional intermittent wash cycle. The wash cycle includes agitating in a first direction for about two minutes, pausing agitation for about four minutes, agitating in a second opposite direction for about two minutes, and pausing agitation for four minutes. This wash cycle may be repeated up to three times. The articles are then tumbled dried to a moisture level of about 20 percent. The drying process is completed by static drying the articles without mechanical action until all remaining moisture in the articles is removed. The static drying step is conducted at a temperature between about 280 degrees F and about 300 degrees F.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1998
    Assignee: Elite Textiles, Ltd.
    Inventor: Ted Eugene Huneycutt
  • Patent number: 5848484
    Abstract: An athletic shoe is convertible from a low-top shoe to a high-top shoe. The convertible shoe includes a sole portion, an upper attached to the sole portion, and a detachable high-top. A securing strap secures the high-top to the upper. Both the upper and the detachable high-top include a series of slots through which the securing strap extends. To secure the high-top to the shoe, the securing strap is fed through each of the slots in the high-top and the upper respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Inventors: Tony L. Dupree, Hal G. Abbott, Linwood J. Jones
  • Patent number: 5845476
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a yarn core construction suitable for forming a flexible composite yarn having a fiberglass component. The resulting yarn has good cut and abrasion resistance qualities without sacrificing knittability, flexibility and suppleness. A normally hard to knit fiberglass strand is wrapped with a sheath strand at a rate of at least 8 turns per inch. The core thus formed provides all of the benefits of a fiberglass supported yarn without experiencing any of the manufacturing difficulties normally associated with fiberglass yarns. The core may also be provided with a multi-layer covering to balance the yarn and to further improve knittability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Inventor: Nathaniel H. Kolmes
  • Patent number: 5843593
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a leak resistant battery cover for storage batteries. The battery cover provides a labyrinth of passages which provide a path from each cell vent to the atmospheric vent. The labyrinth is configured to provide a portion of each path above a level in which the electrolyte in the respective cells attains when the battery is tipped on any one of its sides or rotated ninety (90) degrees from an upright position. The labyrinth configuration prevents electrolyte from reaching the atmospheric vent and spilling out of the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: Douglas Battery Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Robert W. Fritts, David M. Revak
  • Patent number: 5843212
    Abstract: An apparatus reduces the pressure in a fuel tank ullage including a first conduit for connection to the fuel tank ullage, a vapor extractor, a pressure sensor to detect the pressure in the fuel tank ullage, a separation module having an inlet connected to the first conduit, a separation membrane, a permeate outlet separated from the inlet by the separation membrane, and a retentate outlet, a second conduit connected to the permeate outlet for connection to the fuel tank, a vapor pump associated with the second conduit for creating a low pressure in the separation module near the permeate outlet as to induce selected vapors to pass through the separation membrane, a vent associated with the retentate outlet to vent retentate to atmosphere, a hydrocarbon detector to detect hydrocarbon concentrations in the vent, and a controller to receive inputs from the pressure sensor and the hydrocarbon detector and output control signals to the vapor extractor and the vapor pump to pull vapor from the ullage when the press
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: Gilbarco Inc.
    Inventor: Seifollah S. Nanaji
  • Patent number: 5843546
    Abstract: A decorative glass sheet and a method and apparatus for forming the same. The decorative glass sheet includes a glass panel having opposed surfaces with at least one decorative band formed in at least one of the surfaces. The decorative band includes a roughed band which provides a frosted appearance. A remaining portion of the surface is not covered by the decorative band. The decorative band contrasts with the remaining portion of the surface to provide a unique visual effect including the simulation of a muntin on the glass panel. In preferred embodiments, one or more straight walled grooves are formed in the surface parallel to and immediately adjacent the roughed band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: Glass Unlimited of High Point, Inc.
    Inventor: Keith L. Eichhorn
  • Patent number: 5840383
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a fabric capable of reflecting electromagnetic waves. The fabric contains metal-coated (preferably aluminum) glass fibers bonded together with sheath-core binder fibers. The glass fibers are typically less than 11/4 inches long and the binder fibers are originally approximately 2 inches long. The glass and binder fibers are thoroughly mixed and spread across a flat surface, such as a conveyor, prior to heating. After heating, the mixture is compressed to form the reflective fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: BGF Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul A. Kotz, Gary T. Starr
  • Patent number: 5840439
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a leak resistant battery cover for storage batteries. The battery cover sealably engages a conventional battery housing having multiple cells separated by internal housing walls. The cover has a substantially flat interior area, a portion of which extends over part of each battery cell when the cover is placed upon a battery housing. The cover includes a cell chamber for each battery cell. Drain-back/vents communicate each cell chamber with its corresponding battery cell. The drain-back/vent, whether separate or integrated allows escape of electrolyte gases from the battery cells into the corresponding battery chamber and provide for the return of liquid electrolyte back to the cells from the cell chambers. None of the cell chambers communicate directly through the battery cover to atmosphere.One or more additional chambers are provided in the cover above the central cells of the battery housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: Douglas Battery Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Robert W. Fritts, David M. Revak
  • Patent number: 5840391
    Abstract: A decorative glass sheet simulating a multi-pane, camed window or door, and a method for forming the same. The decorative glass sheet includes a glass panel having an outer surface. At least one groove is formed through the outer surface and into the glass panel. Each groove includes a first wall extending from a first peripheral edge to a groove bottom apex and a second wall extending from the apex to a second peripheral edge. The second wall has a width greater than a width of the first wall. At least one decorative caming strip is adhered to the outer surface of the glass panel and is disposed adjacent and along the first peripheral edge of the at least one groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: Glass Unlimited of High Point, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith L. Eichhorn, Lars Richter
  • Patent number: 5840232
    Abstract: Large, multi-layer parisons with an inner layer, an intermediate layer, and an outer layer for use in intermittent extrusion blow molding are formed using a die head including a housing, an annular inner conduit having a first resin inlet with a horizontal axis, an intermediate conduit having a second resin inlet with a horizontal axis, and an annular outer conduit having a third resin inlet with a horizontal axis, a closable, tubular extrusion orifice in communication with the inner, intermediate and outer conduits, the first inlet being in a plane above the second inlet and the second inlet being in a plane above the third inlet; and first, second and third reciprocating screw extruders, each extruder including a cylinder with a resin inlet and a resin discharge outlet, a screw rotatable within the cylinder to convey the resin from the resin inlet to the discharge outlet, the screw being axially movable away from the outlet when the screw is rotating, and drive means for moving the screw rapidly toward the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: Wilmington Machinery, Inc.
    Inventor: Russell J. La Belle
  • Patent number: 5837371
    Abstract: A process for lubricating acrylic fibers before dyeing in which packages of acrylic yarn formed by winding acrylic yarn about a dye tube are treated immersed in an aqueous lubricating bath containing a polyethylene, a low melting paraffin wax emulsion; and a high melting paraffin wax emulsion, followed by raising the temperature of the bath, to sequentially coat the fibers of the yarn with the polyethylene, the low melting paraffin wax emulsion, and the high melting paraffin wax emulsion. The yarn packages are then separated from the lubricating bath, and immersed in a dye bath to dye the yarn. In commercial application, the lubrication and subsequent dyeing is conducted in the chamber of a dye machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Amital Spinning Corporation
    Inventor: Dominick J. Rivas
  • Patent number: RE35964
    Abstract: A process and feed composition for supplying fatty acids to ruminant animals which comprises feeding saturated fatty acids in the form of triglycerides to the animals. These highly saturated triglycerides may be added in an amount preferably between 2-5% of the total dry matter of the ratio. The highly saturated fatty acids according to the present invention have an iodine value of less than 25.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: CBP Resources, Inc.
    Inventor: Fred H. Wellons
  • Patent number: D401803
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: Sara Lee/DE N.V.
    Inventor: Johannes Raymundus Alferink
  • Patent number: D402489
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Inventor: Eliezer Levy
  • Patent number: D403172
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Assignee: Marge Carson, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew C. Gibson
  • Patent number: D403173
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Assignee: Ferguson Copeland, LLC
    Inventors: Darrell C. Ferguson, David H. Vanderbloemen