Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Sandridge & Rice, PLLC
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Patent number: 7988391Abstract: An aircraft cargo restraint has a base configured for attachment to a cargo deck. A housing is rotatably mounted to the base about a first axis and is movable between an erect position and a stowed position. A head is movably disposed in the housing, and is movable between an extended position and a contracted position in directions that are substantially parallel to the first axis. The restraint includes a lock configured to releasably secure the housing in the erect position when the head is in the contracted position, and to permit movement of the head from the erect position to the stowed position when the head is in the extended position.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2009Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: Goodrich CorporationInventor: Greg Schulze
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Patent number: 7984844Abstract: A carton for holding a dispensable material. The carton has a dispenser panel including a spout for dispensing the material. An outer spout panel overlaps the spout in the dispenser panel and is at least partially detachable from the dispenser panel to facilitate opening the spout.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2009Date of Patent: July 26, 2011Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.Inventor: Edward W. Jones
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Patent number: 7984681Abstract: A system for automatically attaching a flanging material to the edges of a panel such as for a mattress, including a work table on which the panel is supported and a sewing assembly having a sewing machine located along a path of travel of the panel across the work table. The flanging material is fed from a supply of flanging material located adjacent the sewing assembly, and is attached to the side edges and about the corners of the panel by the sewing machine of the sewing assembly. A clamp mechanism engages and holds the panel as the sewing machine of the sewing assembly attaches the flanging material about the corners of the panel.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2008Date of Patent: July 26, 2011Assignee: Atlanta Attachment CompanyInventors: Warren Oxley, John S. Chamlee, Van H. Nguyen, Danny V. Murphy, John P. Phillips
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Patent number: 7984843Abstract: A carton for containing a plurality of articles. The carton comprises a top panel, a bottom panel, a first side panel, a second side panel, a top end flap foldably connected to the top panel, and a side end flap foldably connected to one of the first side panel and the second side panel. The carton includes a handle in the closed end of the carton for grasping and carrying the carton. The side end flap comprises a main panel for closing the closed end of the carton and an extension panel foldably attached to the main panel an the top end flap.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2009Date of Patent: July 26, 2011Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.Inventors: Leonard M. Cooper, Andrea Coltri De Paula
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Patent number: 7984719Abstract: A filtered cigarette possesses at least one breakable capsule in its filter element. The filter element can possess a central cavity extending from the cigarette tobacco rod towards the middle of the filter element. The central cavity may be defined by an inner filter portion. The inner filter portion can be surrounded by an outer filter portion comprised of filter tow material that is generally permeable to the smoke generated by the cigarette. At least one breakable capsule is disposed in the central cavity of the filter element. The breakable capsules are spherical in shape, and are composed of a gelatin outer shell that encloses a payload of triglycerides and flavoring agents. The breakable capsules are adapted to rupture in response to pressure applied by the smoker to the outside region of the filter element.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2010Date of Patent: July 26, 2011Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco CompanyInventors: Michael Francis Dube, Kenneth Wayne Smith, Vernon Brent Barnes
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Patent number: 7984647Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting ice particle accumulation is disclosed herein. In one exemplary implementation, a method for detecting ice is described in which a parameter within an interior volume of a heated conduit is measured. The method also includes detecting the presence of an accumulation of ice particles based on the parameter measured within the interior volume of the heated conduit.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2010Date of Patent: July 26, 2011Assignee: Rosemount Aerospace Inc.Inventors: John Albert Severson, Darren Jackson, Matthew J. Hansen
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Patent number: 7981336Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein relates generally to the production of a predetermined ratio of multicomponent fibers in combination with monocomponent fibers or other multicomponent fibers, preferably through a spunbonding process. After extrusion, these fibers can produce a fiber network that is subsequently bonded to produce a nonwoven fabric comprising multiple types of fibers. The multicomponent fibers within the network may be processed to remove one component by dissolution or to split the individual components into separate fibers. As a result, the fabric will be comprised of fibers with a range of diameters (micro- or nano-denier fibers as well as higher denier fibers) such that the fibers will not pack as tightly as in a homogeneous nonwoven fabric produced from one type of monocomponent or multicomponent fiber. The present invention additionally relates to methods for producing nonwoven fabrics with increased loft, breathability, strength, compressive properties, and filtration efficiency.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2008Date of Patent: July 19, 2011Assignee: North Carolina State UniversityInventor: Behnam Pourdeyhimi
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Patent number: 7981946Abstract: The present invention relates to a substrate having one or more antimicrobial or antistatic properties. Such properties are imparted by applying a coating or film formed from a cationically-charged polymer composition. The polymer composition includes a noncationic ethylenically unsaturated monomer and an ethylenically unsaturated monomer capable of providing a cationic charge to the polymer composition. Optionally, the polymer composition includes a steric stabilization component incorporated into the cationically-charged polymer composition. The present invention also relates to a personal care product and polymeric material comprising a base polymer blended with the above cationically-charged polymer composition.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2008Date of Patent: July 19, 2011Assignee: Mallard Creek Polymers, Inc.Inventor: Venkataram Krishnan
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Patent number: 7982167Abstract: Various blanks are provided for forming sleeves, containers, and other constructs for heating, browning, and/or crisping of a food item in a microwave oven, and for holding and/or transporting the food item after heating. The various blanks, sleeves, containers, and other constructs include a removable portion defined by one or more lines of disruption that enable the removable portion to be separated from the remainder of the blank, sleeve, container, or other construct.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2006Date of Patent: July 19, 2011Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.Inventor: Kelly R. Fitzwater
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Patent number: 7982720Abstract: A haptic feedback planar touch control used to provide input to a computer. A touch input device includes a planar touch surface that inputs a position signal to a processor of the computer based on a location of user contact on the touch surface. The computer can position a cursor in a displayed graphical environment based at least in part on the position signal, or perform a different function. At least one actuator is also coupled to the touch input device and outputs a force to provide a haptic sensation to the user contacting the touch surface. The touch input device can be a touchpad separate from the computer's display screen, or can be a touch screen. Output haptic sensations on the touch input device can include pulses, vibrations, and spatial textures. The touch input device can include multiple different regions to control different computer functions.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2007Date of Patent: July 19, 2011Assignee: Immersion CorporationInventors: Louis B. Rosenberg, James R. Riegel
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Patent number: 7982168Abstract: Various constructs that absorb exudates and enhance browning and crisping of a food item during heating in a microwave oven are provided.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2007Date of Patent: July 19, 2011Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.Inventors: Scott W. Middleton, Terrence P. Lafferty, William J. Schulz
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Patent number: 7981226Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein relates generally to fabrics composed of micro-denier fibers wherein said fibers are formed as bicomponent fibrillated fiber. The energy is sufficient for fibrillating as well as entangling (bonding) the fibers. These fabrics can be woven or knitted and made from made from bicomponent islands in the sea fibers and filaments or can be nonwovens and formed by either spunbonding or through the use of bicomponent staple fibers formed into a web by any one of several means and bonded similarly to those used for the spunbonded filament webs.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2006Date of Patent: July 19, 2011Assignee: North Carolina State UniversityInventors: Behnam Pourdeyhimi, Nataliya V. Fedorova, Stephen R. Sharp
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Patent number: 7975871Abstract: A container has a base panel, at least one side panel extending upwardly from the base panel, and at least one end panel extending upwardly from the base panel. At least one corner is formed at a junction between the side panel and end panel. A flange extends laterally outward from the upper edges of at least one of the side panel, end panel, and corner. An injection-molded structure extends along at least a portion of the flange, the injection-molded structure includes a base portion adjacent the upper edges of the side wall and the end wall, a distal portion extending laterally outward from the base portion, and an indentation in the distal portion extending along at least a portion of the flange of the container. An apparatus for forming the container and a method of manufacturing are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2008Date of Patent: July 12, 2011Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.Inventors: Patrick H. Wnek, James B. Kluz, Ronald P. Marx
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Patent number: 7978183Abstract: A haptic feedback planar touch control used to provide input to a computer. A touch input device includes a planar touch surface that inputs a position signal to a processor of the computer based on a location of user contact on the touch surface. The computer can position a cursor in a displayed graphical environment based at least in part on the position signal, or perform a different function. At least one actuator is also coupled to the touch input device and outputs a force to provide a haptic sensation to the user contacting the touch surface. The touch input device can be a touchpad separate from the computer's display screen, or can be a touch screen. Output haptic sensations on the touch input device can include pulses, vibrations, and spatial textures. The touch input device can include multiple different regions to control different computer functions.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2007Date of Patent: July 12, 2011Assignee: Immersion CorporationInventors: Louis B. Rosenberg, James R. Riegel
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Patent number: 7977050Abstract: A method mediated with in-vitro transcription (“IVT”) which permits miniaturization of multiplexed DNA and RNA analysis, and in which elongation-mediated multiplexed analysis of polymorphisms (eMAP®) is used as the analysis step, is described. Also described is a method mediated with IVT is for selecting a designated strand from T7-tagged double stranded DNA: wherein, the selected strand forms the template for RNA synthesis. In one embodiment, double stranded DNA incorporating the T7 (or other) promoter sequence at the 3? end or the 5? end is produced, for example, by amplification of genomic DNA using the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Also disclosed are nested PCR designs permitting allele analysis in combination with strand selection by IVT.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2005Date of Patent: July 12, 2011Assignee: Bioarray Solutions, Ltd.Inventors: Michael Seul, Nataliya Korzheva, Jiacheng Yang, Yi Zhang
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Patent number: 7977316Abstract: Disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions and methods for preventing or treating a number of amyloid diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, prion diseases, familial amyloid neuropathies and the like. The pharmaceutical compositions include immunologically reactive amounts of amyloid fibril components, particularly fibril-forming peptides or proteins. Also disclosed are therapeutic compositions and methods which use immune reagents that react with such fibril components.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2007Date of Patent: July 12, 2011Assignee: Elan Pharmaceuticals, Inc.Inventor: Dale B. Schenk
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Patent number: 7971773Abstract: A carton for containing a dispensable material. The carton has a plurality of panels that extends at least partially around an interior of the carton. The plurality of panels comprises at least a first panel and a second panel foldably connected to the first panel at a fold line. A spout is at least partially formed in the first panel and the second panel. The spout is moveable between a closed position substantially preventing the removal of the dispensable material from the carton and an open position allowing removal of the dispensable material from the carton. The spout comprises a first spout panel formed from a portion of the first panel and a second spout panel formed from a portion of the second panel. The second spout panel is foldably connected to the first spout panel at at least a portion of the fold line.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2008Date of Patent: July 5, 2011Assignee: Graphic Packing International, Inc.Inventors: Todd A. Wagner, Sean Alan Moss
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Patent number: 7972254Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a rod member for a cigarette filter element, is provided. Each rod member defines a longitudinal axis and includes a generally longitudinally-extending filter material and a plurality of objects disposed therein along the longitudinal axis. Such an apparatus comprises a rod-forming unit configured to form a continuous supply of a filter material into a continuous cylindrical rod member. An object insertion unit is configured to introduce a plurality of objects into engagement with the rod member. A rod-dividing unit is configured to divide the rod member into a plurality of rod portions such that each rod portion includes a plurality of the objects. Associated method are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2007Date of Patent: July 5, 2011Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco CompanyInventors: Cynthia Stewart Stokes, John Larkin Nelson, Vernon Brent Barnes, Michael Francis Dube
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Patent number: 7968165Abstract: A textile motif comprises an arrangement of substantially square, substantially identical modules variously oriented with respect to one another in fixed positions within the motif. Each module includes at least two visually distinct hues. The motif may be repeated to form an overall textile pattern.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2009Date of Patent: June 28, 2011Assignee: Tandus Flooring, Inc.Inventor: Jhane Barnes
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Patent number: 7969416Abstract: A man-machine interface which provides tactile feedback to various sensing body parts is disclosed. The device employs one or more vibrotactile units, where each unit comprises a mass and a mass-moving actuator. As the mass is accelerated by the mass-moving actuator, the entire vibrotactile unit vibrates. Thus, the vibrotactile unit transmits a vibratory stimulus to the sensing body part to which it is affixed. The vibrotactile unit may be used in conjunction with a spatial placement sensing device which measures the spatial placement of a measured body part. A computing device uses the spatial placement of the measured body part to determine the desired vibratory stimulus to be provided by the vibrotactile unit. In this manner, the computing device may control the level of vibratory feedback perceived by the corresponding sensing body part in response to the motion of the measured body part. The sensing body part and the measured body part may be separate or the same body part.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2007Date of Patent: June 28, 2011Assignee: Immersion CorporationInventors: Marc R. Tremblay, Mark H. Yim