Patents Represented by Attorney Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, PLLC

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  • Methods of making cotton blend glue brassieres
    Patent number: 7690965
    Abstract: A method of forming an undergarment is provided. The method includes inserting an adhesive layer between a first fabric layer and a second fabric layer to form a fabric sub-assembly, the sub-assembly having a periphery that is larger than an outer periphery of the undergarment; causing the adhesive layer to form a laminate from the sub-assembly; and removing a trim from the laminate at the outer periphery to form a finished edge of the undergarment, wherein the first and second fabric layers comprise at least one cotton material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: HBI Branded Apparel Enterprises, LLC
    Inventors: Gloria Falla, Roger Warren
  • Package for containers
    Patent number: 7690507
    Abstract: A package is formed from a carton and containers extending through a bottom panel of the carton. Engaged upper and lower strut pairs and brace apertures in the carton sidewalls provide support for the containers accommodated within the carton.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert L. Sutherland
  • System and method for caching and utilizing flight availability data
    Patent number: 7693894
    Abstract: A system and method operable to cache and retrieve flight availability data. System components are a cache database for storing flight availability data, an airline cache control for configuring the cache database for a plurality of airlines, a subscriber cache control for configuring the cache database for a plurality of subscribers, and a cache query utility for interacting with the cache database. Additional system components are a data display utility for displaying flight availability data stored in the cache database, a success rate utility for tracking statistics associated with use of the cache database, and a dual mode processing utility that allows access to flight availability data from either the cache database or a real-time response. The system is provided as an intermediary between the subscribers and a plurality of airline servers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Travelport, LP
    Inventors: Diane Fay, Lori Senn
  • Fishing rod and reel holder
    Patent number: 7686276
    Abstract: A holder is provided for a fishing rod and reel combination and comprises a base and a locking mechanism. The base includes opposed side edges, front and rear ends, and a length. A guide is formed in the base and extends a selected distance along the base. The locking mechanism, which is slidably mated to the guide, is shaped and dimensioned to slide within the guide. The locking mechanism includes opposed sides edges and a latch hingedly connected to each of the opposed side edges. The latch is movable between an open position and a closed position. When the latches are moved to the closed position and the locking mechanism is slidably moved within the guide, the locking mechanism is retained in the closed position by the base so that the fishing rod and reel combination cannot be inadvertently removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Inventor: Steven R. McCauley
  • Ball jointed pedicle screw and rod system
    Patent number: 7686833
    Abstract: A pedicle screw assembly includes pedicle screw having a plurality of spaced-apart posts. A ball collet having a ball collet bore is seated on the pedicle screw between the posts and a rod is gripped by an inner surface of the ball collet bore. The assembly also includes a cap that is coupled to the posts, the cap applying a compressive force to the ball collet against a seat of said pedicle screw. A free end of the rod may be provided with various structures to enable such free end to be retained by another pedicle screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Inventors: Nabil L. Muhanna, David L. Schalliol
  • Electromagnetic flow-through valve
    Patent number: 7681863
    Abstract: An electromagnetic valve assembly for controlling the flow of a fluid in a sprinkler system. The electromagnetic valve includes a valve core including a plurality of orifices for a passage of fluid therethrough; a directional housing enclosing the valve core and enabling a controllable, lateral movement of the valve core from a closed position to an open position; a plurality of seals positioned within the directional housing to prevent leakage of the fluid; and a plurality of magnet cores attached adjacent to the directional housing, each magnet core including a wire winding for generating an electromagnetic field when actuated by means of an electrical current. When the generated electromagnetic field is applied to a first magnet core, the valve core slides laterally into the first magnet core to an open position enabling the flow of water through the orifices and an opening of the directional housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Inventor: Dana Soderlind
  • Undergarments made from multi-layered fabric laminate material
    Patent number: 7682219
    Abstract: Feminine undergarments, particularly brassieres and other body shaping garments that are fabricated using a multi-layered fabric laminate that is formed by gluing multiple fabric layers together, preferably to permit body shaping garments to be substantially fabricated from a single main piece of material or blank cut from the multi-layered fabric laminate and which has finished edges which do not require separate binding or narrow edge finishing, together with a method of making such garments, both on an individual, batch basis, as well as an automated process for making the fabric laminate and multiple garments on a continuous basis, are disclosed. Multi-layer composite fabric laminate materials wherein different portions of at least one fabric layer thereof are made of different fabrics, and a method for making them, are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: HBI Branded Apparel Enterprises, LLC
    Inventor: Gloria Falla
  • Fitting for a vehicle seat
    Patent number: 7677667
    Abstract: A fitting has a first fitting part, a second fitting part which is rotatable about an axis relative to the first fitting part, a drivable eccentric mounted rotatably about the axis, locking elements moved radially outward by the eccentric to interact with the second fitting part to lock the fitting, a disc cam which pulls the locking elements radially inwards to unlock the fitting, and a free-pivoting control element which, in a certain free-pivoting angular range corresponding to a relative angular range of the fitting parts, prevents the fitting from locking. The free-pivoting control element has at least one first stop track, and at least one second stop track which is offset axially and/or radially with respect to the first stop track. The locking elements comprise first locking elements which interact with the first stop track, and second locking elements which interact with the second stop track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: KEIPER GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Christoph Peters, Ulrich Lehmann
  • Haptic stylus utilizing an electroactive polymer
    Patent number: 7679611
    Abstract: Haptic feedback interface devices using electroactive polymer (EAP) actuators to provide haptic sensations. A haptic feedback interface device is in communication with a host computer and includes a sensor device that detects the manipulation of the interface device by the user and an electroactive polymer actuator responsive to input signals and operative to output a force to the user caused by motion of the actuator. The output force provides a haptic sensation to the user. In an embodiment, a stylus including a body having a first end and a second end opposite from the first end, a moveable member coupled to the body and capable of being in contact with a user's hand; and an electro active polymer actuator coupled to the moveable member, wherein the electroactive polymer moves the moveable member from a first position to a second position with respect to the body upon being activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventor: Bruce M. Schena
  • Base layer apparel
    Patent number: 7678718
    Abstract: A base layer apparel is provided that is formed from a single or double-knit fabric. The fabric is formed of ring spun fire resistant yarns that are an intimate blend of at least 60 percent modacrylic fibers and up to 40 percent fire-resistant viscose fibers. Anti-microbial and wicking treatments may be applied to the knit fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Longworth Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: William W. Harris, Tony G. Connor
  • Carrier for containers
    Patent number: 7677387
    Abstract: A carrier for holding a plurality of containers. The carrier has panels that extend at least partially around an interior of the carrier. The panels comprise at least one bottom panel, a front panel, a back panel, and at least two side panels. A divider flap is foldably attached to the back panel and the front panel. The side panels, the back panel, the divider flap, and the front panel are arranged to at least partially define at least two container-receiving spaces of the interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Kirsten Laura Brand, Colin P. Ford
  • Fitting for a vehicle seat
    Patent number: 7677665
    Abstract: A compound fitting (18) for a vehicle seat, especially for an automotive seat, comprises two individual fittings (10, 50) that are arranged axially juxtaposed and in parallel in relation to the flow of force, and that each have at least two fitting parts (11, 12, 40, 51, 52) that can be rotated in relation to one another, the inner fitting parts being interlinkable and the outer fitting parts being interlinkable. One of the individual fittings is a adjusting fitting (10) for adjusting the compound fitting (8), and the other individual fitting is a locking fitting (50) for locking the compound fitting (8). Two fitting parts (11, 12) of the adjusting fitting (10) can be interlinked by way of a non-self-locking eccentric epicyclic gear. At least to a large extent, the locked locking fitting (50) bridges the adjusting fitting (10) in terms of the flow of force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: KEIPER GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Dietmar Eppert, Jürgen Stemmer, Ulrich Lehmann
  • Torque sensor for electric power steering system
    Patent number: 7677114
    Abstract: A torque sensor, which is for an electric power steering system that has an output shaft for rotating in response to rotation of an input shaft, may include a first rotor for rotating with the input shaft, a second rotor for rotating with the output shaft, a first pinion gear mounted for rotating in response to rotation of the first rotor, a first magnet mounted for rotating with the first pinion gear, a second pinion gear mounted for rotating in response to rotation of the second rotor, a second magnet mounted for rotating with the second pinion gear, a first sensor positioned for sensing an angular position of the first magnet, and a second sensor positioned for sensing an angular position of the second magnet. The first rotor and the second rotor are mounted so that there can be relative rotation between the first rotor and the second rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Sona Koyo Steering Systems Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiran Manohar Deshmukh, Ravindra Nath Sharma, Anudeep Garg, Nitin Jain, Jose Jimmy, Atul Bishnoi
  • Carton with opening feature and blank
    Patent number: 7673789
    Abstract: A dispensing carton includes a dispenser section having a deformation pattern provided therein. The deformation pattern facilitates removal of the dispenser section during opening of the carton.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick James DeBusk, Jean-Manuel Gomes
  • Hsp70 from
    Patent number: 7674892
    Abstract: The hsp70 gene from an Arthrobacter species has been isolated and sequenced. The encoded protein is believed to be highly immunogenic, especially in fish, and also has utility as a non-specific adjuvant, and as an adjuvanting carrier for heterologous antigens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventors: Steven Gareth Griffiths, Rachael Jane Ritchie, Nathalie C. Simard
  • Compositions and methods for restoring sensitivity to treatment with HER2 antagonists
    Patent number: 7674460
    Abstract: Methods and compositions for restoring growth inhibition sensitivity to a tumor cell resistant to growth inhibition by HER2 antagonists. The methods involve administering a PCDGF antagonist to the cell in an amount effective to stimulate or restore growth inhibition sensitivity to HER2 antagonists. The invention also provides treatment regimens, and therapeutic compositions comprising an HER2 antagonist and a PCDGF antagonist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: A&G Pharmaceutical, Inc.
    Inventor: Ginette Serrero
  • Carton with hinged lid
    Patent number: 7669755
    Abstract: A blank capable of being formed into a carton to define a volume for receiving articles is provided. The carton includes a lid formed hingedly connected at a fold at one end and including a line of weakening to facilitate separation of the lid from the main body of the carton. The volume can accommodate introduction of ice or other substance with and/or between the articles and the lid can be hinged between open and closed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Leslie Smalley
  • Twisted carton
    Patent number: 7665653
    Abstract: A carton has a plurality of panel strips that extend around the periphery of the carton as well as along a length or height of the carton. The panel strips are defined by oblique fold lines extending along the height of the carton. The panel strips provide the carton with a rotated or “twisted” shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Kelly R. Fitzwater
  • Microwave food heating package with removable portion
    Patent number: 7667167
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Kelly R. Fitzwater
  • Resistive and hybrid control schemes for haptic feedback interface devices
    Patent number: 7667687
    Abstract: A method is disclosed that includes outputting haptic feedback based on a movement of an object in a first direction from a first position to a second position. The haptic feedback is discontinued when the object is moved in a second direction opposite the first direction subsequent to the movement in the first direction. The haptic feedback is output again when the object moves past the second position in the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Danny A. Grant, Alex S. Goldenberg, Daniel H. Gomez