Patents Represented by Attorney Watts Hoffman Co.
  • Patent number: 6780391
    Abstract: A method of producing surgical grade calcium sulphate suitable for use as resorbable osteoconductive bone void filler material. The method comprising forming an initial calcium sulphate di-hydrate from synthetic constituents; dehydrating the initial calcium sulphate di-hydrate to form calcium sulphate anhydrite; and subsequently rehydrating the calcium sulphate anhydrite and allowing subsequent calcium sulphate di-hydrate to crystallize out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Biocomposites Limited
    Inventor: John Joseph Cooper
  • Patent number: 6774377
    Abstract: A lens structure for use with an ion beam implanter. The lens structure includes first and second electrodes spaced apart along a direction of ion movement. The lens structure extends on opposite sides of a beam path across a width of the ion beam for deflecting ions entering the lens structure. The lens structure include a first electrode for decelerating ions and a second electrode for accelerating the ions to cause ions entering the lens structure to exit said lens structure with approximately the same exit trajectory regardless of the trajectory ions enter the lens structure. In an alternate construction the lens structure can include a first electrode for accelerating ions and a second electrode for decelerating ions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Axcelis Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Rathmell, Victor M. Benveniste
  • Patent number: 6745460
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the invention concerns a process for forming two tone muntin bars. Method and apparatus of the invention uses an elongated preformed muntin bar member that has a treated portion of an exposed surface of the muntin bar member. An elongated strip of covering material is provided for controlled application onto a specified portion of the treated portion of the muntin bar material. The elongated strip of covering material includes an adhesive that causes the covering material to adhere to the muntin bar member. The muntin bar member and the covering material are brought into contact with each other to cause the covering material to overlie and adhere to the muntin bar member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Glass Equipment Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy Bryan McGlinchy
  • Patent number: 6742285
    Abstract: An air knife constructed in accordance with the present invention directs a curtain of air across a region and most typically is used to direct the stream of air against a surface. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention the air knife includes an elongated housing having an inlet for receiving air into the housing. The housing includes an elongated gap that extends along the housing that allows air entering the housing through the inlet to exit the housing and form a curtain of air. The elongated housing is made from a piece of sheet metal bent to define a hollow region into which air is forced. The sheet metal defines a gap along a length of the housing from which the air exits. The elongated air knife forms an angle with respect to a direction of travel of glass sheets passing the air knife so that a leading edge of those glass sheets passes progressively different parts of the air knife.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Glass Equipment Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert R. Shepard
  • Patent number: 6710360
    Abstract: An ion beam implanter includes an ion beam source for generating an ion beam moving along a beam line and a vacuum or implantation chamber wherein a workpiece is positioned to intersect the ion beam for ion implantation of a surface of the workpiece by the ion beam. The ion beam implanter further includes a workpiece support structure coupled to the implantation chamber and supporting the workpiece. The workpiece support structure includes a rotation member rotatably affixed to the implantation chamber. Rotation of the rotation member with respect to the implantation chamber changes an implantation angle of the workpiece with respect to the portion of the ion beam beam line within the implantation chamber. The workpiece support structure further includes a translation member movably coupled to the rotation member and supporting the workpiece for linear movement along a path of travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Axcelis Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph Ferrara
  • Patent number: 6698474
    Abstract: An apparatus for use in handling a bag. The apparatus includes a center support member, a bag tensioner mounted to the support member and a pair of spaced apart tines mounted to the tensioner and extending downwardly with respect to the tensioner. The tines have a length greater than a length of the bag sides and a width for defining an opening in a bag. The tensioner is adjustable from a bag tensioning position to a bag release position, such that in the release position the first and second tines are disposed at the bag release distance such that the tines are insertable into the open end of the bag. When a bag is mounted on the tines and the apparatus is set upon a flat surface, the support member and the tines locate the apparatus such that an opening in the bag is readily accessible for loading food.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Inventor: William J. Trsek
  • Patent number: 6698821
    Abstract: A vehicle having an occupant space within a cab is disclosed. The cab has an access door providing access to the space. The door includes a novel hinge mounting construction including a hinge mounting plate. The plate is moveable over a limited adjustment range. A hinge plate locator sized to mate with complemental surfaces of a hinge leaf is provided. The locator is connected to the plate and moveable with the plate as the plate is moved within its adjustment range. A fastener is provided to fix the locator and plate in an adjusted position such that the door may be removed and remounted without repeating an initial locating adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Volvo Trucks North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Nikolaus G. Racz
  • Patent number: 6694649
    Abstract: A rotary knife comprising, an annular blade having a central axis, a blade supporting head assembly supporting the blade for rotation about the axis, a manually grippable handle assembly connected to the head assembly, and a flex shaft drive transmission for driving the blade about the axis. A depth of cut limiting device engages material as an operator moves the rotary knife across a surface to trim material from that surface. The depth of cut limiting device has particular utility in trimming fat from meat while leaving a controlled thickness of fat on the meat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Bettcher Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Whited, Robert L. Leimbach, Robert R. Bolin
  • Patent number: 6666847
    Abstract: A surgical device for injecting a chemical agent within a subject for use in endoscopic injection therapies is disclosed. The device includes a support body, a motion transmitting unit, an agent delivery system and a guide housing. The motion transmitting unit is movable relative to the support body. The agent delivery system includes a needle for extending into a subject and structure defining a conduit between the support body and the needle. The guide housing has a flexible elongated body, an internal elongated passage and friction reducing material lining the passage. At least a portion of the motion transmitting unit adjacent the needle is slideably housed within the guide housing. The device offers a surgeon improved ease of needle extension and retraction when the distal end of the endoscope is bent at acute angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: US Endoscopy Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Dean J. Secrest, Marlin E. Younker, William Greuloch
  • Patent number: 6630028
    Abstract: A system for controlled dispensing of a material onto an elongated window component. A nozzle dispenses the material into contact with a surface of the elongated window component at a delivery site located along a path of travel of the elongated window component. A conveyer moves the elongated window component along the path of travel relative to the nozzle at a controlled speed. A metering pump delivers controlled amounts of the material to the nozzle. A pressurized bulk supply delivers the material to an inlet to the metering pump. A controller regulates the speed of the metering pump to control the flow rate of the material dispensed by the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: Glass Equipment Development, Inc.
    Inventors: William A. Briese, Timothy Bryan McGlinchy
  • Patent number: 6622822
    Abstract: An adjustable ladder with self-storing features and suitable for installation in the sleeping berth of an over-the-highway tractor. The ladder includes an upper and lower member. The upper member includes first and second side rails and at least one step rung rigidly disposed between the side rails. The first side rail includes a mounting end, an open end, and a center portion. One end of the first and second side rails are rotateably mounted to a mating surface. The lower member includes a first end, a second end, and a center portion extending between the first and second ends. The lower member first end is slideably engaged within the upper member open end to define a ladder length. The length is adjustable over a range by sliding the lower member with respect to the upper member. The range may be from an application length to a stored length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Volvo Trucks North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard V. Langhoff, David M. Glorio
  • Patent number: D496314
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Volvo Trucks North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Ruben Perfetti, John Martin, Michael Sorrells