Patents Represented by Attorney Thompson Hine LLP
  • Patent number: 8151697
    Abstract: A self-cleaning rotisserie oven includes a cooking cabinet comprising an internal bottom wall, an internal top wall and internal side walls thereby defining a cooking chamber. A self-cleaning system is provided for cleaning the cooking chamber. A convection system includes a heating element and ventilation system configured to heat the cooking chamber. The ventilation system includes a motor, a fan including a fan shaft connected to the motor such that the motor drives the fan and a bushing including a central channel that receives the fan shaft. The central channel includes an inner surface having a variable inner diameter along an axial length of the bushing such that a first portion of the inner surface is near the fan shaft and a second portion of the inner surface is further from the fan shaft than the first portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Premark FEG L.L.C.
    Inventors: Richard D. Valentine, Matthew A. Weber, James M. Heiser
  • Patent number: 8152825
    Abstract: Several embodiments of medical ultrasound handpieces are described each including a medical ultrasound transducer assembly. An embodiment of a medical ultrasound system is described, wherein the medical ultrasound system includes a medical ultrasound handpiece having a medical ultrasound transducer assembly and includes an ultrasonically-vibratable medical-treatment instrument which is attachable to a distal end of the transducer assembly. An embodiment of a medical ultrasound system is described, wherein the medical ultrasound system has a handpiece including a medical ultrasound transducer assembly and including a housing or housing component surrounding the transducer assembly. A method for tuning a medical ultrasound handpiece includes machining at least a distal non-threaded portion of an instrument-attachment stud of the transducer assembly to match a measured fundamental frequency to a desired fundamental frequency to within a predetermined limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Ashvani K. Madan, Foster B. Stulen, Eitan T. Wiener, Karen M. Kowalski, Michael J. Stokes, Mark E. Tebbe, Mark D. Mihal, Michael R. Lamping
  • Patent number: 8153001
    Abstract: A liquid vacuuming and filtering device may include a container having an interior sealed from the ambient, a vacuum pump in communication with the interior, a two-way valve connected to the container interior, a flexible hose connected to the valve, a filter positioned within the container interior and connected to the valve and a standpipe positioned within the interior and connected to the valve. The vacuum pump may be adjusted to a filling configuration in which the pump evacuates the container interior to a pressure below ambient, which causes fluid to be drawn through the hose, valve and through the filter, which may collect particulates that contaminate the fluid. Filtered fluid then collects within the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Exair Corporation
    Inventor: Bryan Peters
  • Patent number: 8154788
    Abstract: An energy efficient, thermochromic device that may be used to allow sunlight or solar radiation into a building or structure when sunlight is absent or at high sun angles and substantially blocks solar radiation when sunlight is directly on the window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Pleotint, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Frederick A. Millett, Michael D. Broekhuis, Jr., Harlan J. Byker, Paul H. Ogburn, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8147746
    Abstract: An apparatus for depositing and separating excess copper dissolved in molten lead-free solder containing tin as the main element is provided. An apparatus 1 deposits excess copper in the molten lead-free solder as an intermetallic compound and separates it from the molten solder. The apparatus includes a deposition bath 2 for causing an intermetallic compound in the molten solder, a metal added from the outside and copper in the molten solder to be deposited, a granulation bath 4 including plates 31 32 and 33 for allowing the molten solder to pass through the plates to merge the intermetallic compounds into particles having a larger diameter, and a separation bath 5 for causing the enlarged intermetallic compounds to precipitate and separate in the molten solder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Nihon Superior Sha Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tetsuro Nishimura
  • Patent number: 8147508
    Abstract: Several embodiments of medical ultrasound handpieces are described each including a medical ultrasound transducer assembly. An embodiment of a medical ultrasound system is described, wherein the medical ultrasound system includes a medical ultrasound handpiece having a medical ultrasound transducer assembly and includes an ultrasonically-vibratable medical-treatment instrument which is attachable to a distal end of the transducer assembly. An embodiment of a medical ultrasound system is described, wherein the medical ultrasound system has a handpiece including a medical ultrasound transducer assembly and including a housing or housing component surrounding the transducer assembly. A method for tuning a medical ultrasound handpiece includes machining at least a distal non-threaded portion of an instrument-attachment stud of the transducer assembly to match a measured fundamental frequency to a desired fundamental frequency to within a predetermined limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Ashvani K. Madan, Michael R. Lamping
  • Patent number: 8146612
    Abstract: A warewash machine sump collects hot cleaning water that is recirculated in the chamber during cleaning. A drain line is for draining cleaning water from the sump. A fresh water input system includes at least a hot water input and a cold water input. The fresh water input system has a common input line in communication with the hot water input and the cold water input. A cold water input valve and hot water input valve are provided. The drain line and the common input line are arranged in a heat exchange relationship. A temperature sensor arrangement is associated with the drain line for determining temperature of the cleaning water traveling through the drain line. A controller controls the hot water input valve and cold water input valve based upon the temperature sensor arrangement output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Premark FEG L.L.C.
    Inventors: Brian A. Brunswick, Matthew D. Naveau, Gregory L. Caylor, Stephen T. Miranda, Steven J. Kirk
  • Patent number: 8147688
    Abstract: A stormwater detention system includes a containment row for removing and collecting solids from stormwater. The containment row may be surrounded by a water-impermeable membrane, and designed to receive incoming water before other rows of the detention system. The containment row collects solids from the stormwater before the water is redirected into one or more additional rows, which are water permeable and buried in water permeable media. Filter structure may be associated with a flow system that delivers water from the containment row to the additional rows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Contech Engineered Solutions LLC
    Inventors: David R. Adams, Daniel W. Aberle, Daniel P. Cobb, Gregory W. Byrne
  • Patent number: 8141557
    Abstract: A method for thermotherapy of a biological tissue by determining the temperature at which to heat a target site to be treated to provide a temperature to the site to effect therapy, the temperature above body temperature but below a protein denaturation temperature, as determined by a patient's experience of a sensation of pain. Thermotherapy is effected in the absence of coagulative effects by providing oscillatory energy at the predetermined temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Inventor: Gholam A. Peyman
  • Patent number: 8138459
    Abstract: A dual-heating oven includes a cavity heated by both microwaves and at least one of convection or steam, a source for lighting the cavity and a door for closing the cavity. The door includes a first internal sealing glazing, a second intermediate internal glazing, a metal screen sandwiched between the first internal sealing glazing and the second intermediate internal glazing and a third external glazing for general protection. The lighting source is mounted on the door substantially in the plane of the second intermediate glazing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Premark FEG L.L.C.
    Inventor: Gerard Beausse
  • Patent number: 8137698
    Abstract: A method and composition for hyperthermally diagnosing and monitoring treatment of cells in an animal with photoacoustic sound and nanoparticles. The heat (temperature) and photoacoustic sound wave production inside the target tissue is measured. The desired temperature is achieved using a laser and photoacoustic imaging technique. Hyperthermia treatment of tissue in a target site applies a heat source to kill cells without protein denaturation. The method introduces an encapsulated dye that is released at a selected temperature in the target site to indicate that a threshold temperature has been reached to hyperthermally treat the tissue. In one embodiment, the composition releases the dye at a temperature of 42° C. to 56° C., and preferably about 45° C. to 49° C. The composition which can be a liposome composition encapsulating the dye can be introduced to the bloodstream of the patient to flow through the target site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Inventor: Gholam A. Peyman
  • Patent number: 8136435
    Abstract: A food product slicer knife includes a circular knife body with a peripheral cutting edge. A central opening passes through the knife body and includes a pair of diametrically opposed outwardly extending slots. The knife body also includes at least one set of diametrically opposed drive pin receiving openings spaced outwardly of the central opening and circumferentially offset from the diametrically opposed outwardly extending slots. A tool assembly is adapted to facilitate knife installation and removal and holds the knife when removed from a slicer. A food product slicer includes a knife mount hub adapted to cooperate with the knife to hold the knife on the slicer during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Premark FEG L.L.C.
    Inventors: Guangshan Zhu, Shahram Shariff
  • Patent number: 8137641
    Abstract: A method of making a microfluidic module is disclosed that includes forming a fluid flow channel in a self-bonding rebondable polyimide film to provide a channel sheet, the self-bonding rebondable polyimide film having a first mask layer self-bonded thereto; removing the first mask layer from the channel sheet after forming the fluid flow channel; and self-bonding the surface of the channel sheet exposed by removal of the first mask layer to a cover sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: YSI Incorporated
    Inventor: Donald R. Moles
  • Patent number: 8140894
    Abstract: A method including: displaying operation icons representing operations to be performed, a user selecting and arranging the operation icons to define a flow of data between operations and to form a graphical representation of a process, the user specifying an operation icon as a transaction boundary node at the end of a transaction region, and compiling instructions to execute the arranged operations wherein the beginning of a transaction region acts as a roll back point in the event of an error occurring in the transaction region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Microgen Aptitude Limited
    Inventors: Neil Thomson, Grzegorz Roman Pusz
  • Patent number: 8137658
    Abstract: A liquid, substantially anhydrous tooth whitener composition for delivery of a tooth-whitening amount of active whitening ingredient onto teeth, with effective bioadhesion and retention thereof, and, thereupon, sufficient penetration of the ingredient through the tooth enamel, providing efficacious bleaching of stained teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: ISP Investments Inc.
    Inventor: William E. Prosise
  • Patent number: 8129954
    Abstract: A battery charging and pulsating system including a battery having a positive terminal and a negative terminal, a charger electrically connected to the positive and the negative terminals of the battery, the charger including a controller, a pulsator electrically connected to the positive and the negative terminals of the battery, the pulsator including a controller, and a voltage measuring circuit electrically connected to the positive and the negative terminals of the battery, the voltage measuring circuit being adapted to measure a voltage across the positive and the negative terminals of the battery, wherein the controller of the pulsator is adapted to activate the pulsator when the measured voltage is at least one of (1) at or below a predetermined threshold voltage and (2) at or above a predetermined gassing voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Canadus Power Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Daniel C. Biggs, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8125849
    Abstract: A system and method for measuring the flow of water in cross-section of a body of water is presented. The system and method comprises a housing having a first transducer and a plurality of second transducers, wherein the first transducer produces an acoustic signal for determining the depth of the body of water, and the second transducers each produce an acoustic signal for determining the velocity of a volume of water by measuring the Doppler frequency shift in the returned echo.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: YSI Incorporated
    Inventors: Ramon Cabrera, John Sloat, Steve Maier, Matthew J. Hull
  • Patent number: 8123640
    Abstract: A tensioner for tensioning a belt includes a support housing at least in part defining a spring cavity. A damping member having a first friction bearing surface is at least partially disposed in the spring cavity. An arm pivotally attached to the support housing has a second friction bearing surface. A spring is located in the spring cavity and operatively connected to the arm and damping member to pivot the damping member about a pivot location such that the first friction bearing surface of the damping member is biased against the second friction bearing surface of the arm to dampen relative movement between the arm and the support housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Dayco Products, LLC
    Inventors: James G. Quintus, Robert C. Joslyn
  • Patent number: 8123953
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention there is provided a method of removing acidic and/or aromatic contaminants, such as benzene, xylene, toluene, phenols and polyphenols, from produced water of an oil or gas well. The method comprises the step of contacting the produced water with polyvinylpolypyrrolidone (PVPP) to remove the contaminants from said water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: ISP Investments Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Gibbison
  • Patent number: 8117806
    Abstract: A vertical bagging machine including a spindle for receiving and supporting a roll of stock material, the spindle defining a spindle axis, wherein the stock material is unwindable as a sheet, a folding plate defining a folding plate plane that is substantially parallel with the spindle axis, the folding plate including a first edge and a second edge, wherein the first and second edges are generally equal in length and connect at a central peak, a spreader chute including a first guide plate and a second guide plate, the second guide plate being generally parallel with and spaced apart from the first guide plate, wherein the first and second guide plates are substantially perpendicular to the folding plate plane, and first and second folding rollers defining a nip therebetween, the first and second folding rollers being generally parallel with the folding plate plane and disposed between the folding plate and the spreader chute, wherein the sheet is moveable over the central peak, through the nip, and over the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Rennco LLC
    Inventors: Robin G. Thurgood, Brian C. Bowerman, Dale R. Vincent