Patents Examined by Amanda Flynn
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Patent number: 6736341Abstract: A nozzle of an air supply device is accommodated in a hole (17) in a wall (15) of the device, such as to enable the nozzle to be rotated about a first axis extending through the center of the hole, and pivoted about a second axis that extends perpendicularly to the first axis through two engagement points (6a) on the nozzle. The nozzle includes two or more guide vanes or baffles in the form of tongues (2,3) that have rear deflecting parts (2a,3a) of mutually different curvature, and a front, generally flat outflow part (2b,3b). The nozzle also includes a central tongue-holding part (5) which has resilient hook-shaped engagement elements (6a) at opposite ends. The nozzle may also include a third guide vane or baffle (4) that lacks a curved deflecting part. The air flow exiting from the nozzle can be directed in different planes. The invention also relates to an air supply device provided with one or more such nozzles (1).Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2002Date of Patent: May 18, 2004Inventor: Leif Lind
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Patent number: 6732960Abstract: A system for blowing loose-fill insulation includes a loose-fill blowing machine including a discharge hose. An ionizer is disposed in the flow path of the insulation through the discharge hose, wherein the ionizer reduces the static charge developed on the insulation prior to discharge thereof. A method of reducing static charge developed on loose-fill insulation during blowing is also provided and includes the step of ionizing the insulation in the flow path of the insulation while the insulation is being discharged to reduce the static charge.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2002Date of Patent: May 11, 2004Assignee: Certainteed CorporationInventors: Wayne Shaw, Joseph Michetti
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Patent number: 6729559Abstract: A rotatable aerosol product 10 comprising an aerosol product 11 and a rotatable stand 12 attached to the bottom part of the aerosol product, wherein spray continues during rotation and the rotation frequency is 35 frequencies/minute or lower. A spray hole 13a of a nozzle 13 is positioned eccentrically from the rotation center and rotated by counteraction of spray from the nozzle 13. Rotation frequency is regulated by a friction force between a rotation member 31 and a fixed member 32 or a ball 33.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2002Date of Patent: May 4, 2004Assignee: Daizo Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shigekazu Zanma, Masazumi Tanaka
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Patent number: 6730127Abstract: A flanged interbody spinal fusion implant for insertion at least in part between adjacent vertebral bodies has opposed upper and lower surfaces adapted to contact each of the adjacent vertebral bodies from within the disc space, a leading end for insertion between the adjacent vertebral bodies, and a trailing end opposite the leading end. The trailing end has a height greater than the maximum height of the disc space forming a flanged portion adapted to overlie a part of the anterior aspects of the vertebral bodies adjacent and proximate the disc space to be fused. The flanged portion has at least two bone screw receiving holes, at least one each adapted to overlie each of the adjacent vertebral bodies at least in part. The implant has at least one locking element to lock one or more of the bone screws inserted in the bone screw receiving holes. Instrumentation for inserting the implant, forming screw holes in the vertebral body, and for locking the locking elements are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2001Date of Patent: May 4, 2004Inventor: Gary K. Michelson
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Patent number: 6721966Abstract: A transfer board includes an upper transfer surface, a lower surface, a first end and a second end. A hook extends from the first end and is removably securable around an interior rim of a toilet seat or bowl. A latch extends from the lower surface of the transfer board proximate the first end to assist in securing the transfer board to the toilet seat.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Inventor: Sherry Costonde
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Patent number: 6718569Abstract: A tub and shower valve assemble including a valve having a housing with an outwardly opening cup-like socket. A removable cartridge having an outwardly extending operating stem is installed in the cup-like socket. A plaster ground is provided for mounting the valve on a supporting wall structure. An escutcheon assembly is positioned over the valve housing and is removably attached to the plaster ground and to the valve housing and cartridge for removal and replacement of the cartridge. A transparent overlay is applied to the escutcheon with graphics and operating indicia applied to the underside of the overlay.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2002Date of Patent: April 13, 2004Assignee: Moen IncorporatedInventors: Terry L. Burger, Thomas L. Falencki, Darren S. Lopp, Brian J. Schwartz, Sharon M. Vilagi
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Patent number: 6718564Abstract: An apparatus for providing a secondary source of water upstream of a standard flushometer-type valve. The adapter comprises a water inlet, a primary outlet for supplying water to the flush valve and respectively to the toilet, and a secondary outlet for providing a source of water which may be used to rinse out bed pans in the vicinity of the toilet. The water flow to the secondary outlet is independent of that to the primary outlet, providing for less waste of water during use of the secondary source.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2002Date of Patent: April 13, 2004Inventors: Jack T. Duncan, Jacqueline R. Johnson
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Patent number: 6718567Abstract: A water level controller for a pool has a water level sensor immersed in the pool. A processor detects if the sensor senses low water. A transmitter sends a radio frequency signal to a receiver if the processor detects the low water. The receiver turns on a valve to add water to the pool. The transmitter and processor are contained in a waterproof housing. A main power switch is located internally in the housing, and moves between on and off positions by inverting the housing. A wave filter timer within the processor turns on for a selected interval when the processor detects low water. The receiver has an overfill counter that turns on for a selected interval when the receiver receives the low water signal. The receiver resets the overfill counter prior to reaching the selected count each time that the receiver receives a low water signal.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2002Date of Patent: April 13, 2004Assignee: Sons Design & Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: J. Clifton Gibson, J. James Seivert
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Patent number: 6711756Abstract: A toilet seat cover that includes a sheet of impermeable material and at least one section of adhesive material. The section of adhesive material having an upper surface and a lower surface, the lower surface of the section of adhesive material being attached to the sheet of impermeable material using an adhesive of a high peel strength that prevents the section of adhesive material from being easily removed from the sheet of impermeable material. The upper surface of the section of adhesive material having an adhesive of a low peel strength, so that the sheet may be folded upon itself to cover the upper surface of section of adhesive material, so that unfolding of the sheet of impermeable material exposes the upper surface of the section of adhesive material, so that the upper surface of the section of adhesive material may then be placed on the surface of a toilet seat to retain the toilet seat cover over the toilet seat.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2002Date of Patent: March 30, 2004Inventor: Sheila Mollendor
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Patent number: 6712070Abstract: The invention concerns a device (1) for the inhalation of at least one drug from a gas canister (98) having a nozzle (96) by a person suffering from asthma or bronchospasm, the device comprising a gas container (10) having at least one wall (12), the wall surrounding a gas containment chamber (14) adapted to contain gas at a pressure larger than atmospheric pressure, the gas container (10) further having an inlet (16) adapted for connection to the nozzle (96) of the gas canister (98), the gas container (10) further having an outlet (18) with an outlet valve (20) adapted to allow the person to inhale gas from the device through the outlet; wherein the outlet valve (20) is adapted to be activated by the inhalation of the person independent of the activation of the gas canister (98). This invention allows the person to activate the gas canister, and pause before inhalation. The invention is adapted to facilitate coordination for the patient inhaling.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2001Date of Patent: March 30, 2004Inventors: Bo Drachmann, Per Andersen
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Patent number: 6712287Abstract: A programmable odor-bearing substance diffusion device includes a number n of odor diffusion devices, where n is equal to or greater than 1, each odor diffusion device including a store of an odor source which is dispensed by the odor diffusion device, a device for independently controlling each odor diffusion device to emit a single odor or a mixture of odors from a by a combination of p of the n stores, and a programmable control device for establishing odor peak emission cycles and a predetermined interval between two successive emission cycles, the predetermined interval being based on an olfactory saturation and desaturation times of the olfactory system of a user.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2002Date of Patent: March 30, 2004Assignee: Osmooze S.A.Inventors: Jean-Pierre Le Pesant, Jean-Claude Millet
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Patent number: 6709379Abstract: The invention relates to an implant and a method for the production of an implant. The implant has a covering layer that is preferably made of aluminium oxide and provided with uniform cavities and separate openings on the surface side of the covering layer in order to receive a therapeutic agent which can be released according to requirements when the implant is in place.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2001Date of Patent: March 23, 2004Assignee: Alcove Surfaces GmbHInventors: Wolfgang Brandau, Alfons Fischer, Thomas Sawitowski, Güenter Schmid
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Patent number: 6708903Abstract: A two-fluid cleaning jet nozzle comprises a mixing part mixing two types of externally supplied fluids with each other for preparing a fluid mixture, a straight pipe linearly and tubularly formed along a prescribed accelerating direction toward the surface of a cleaned substance for accelerating the aforementioned fluid mixture received from the mixing part along the aforementioned accelerating direction, and a bent part connected to an outlet of the straight pipe. The bent part has an inner surface communicating with the inner surface of the straight pipe. The inner surface of the bent part defines a convexly bent curved surface to spread outward with respect to a space receiving the fluid mixture injected from the straight pipe.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2002Date of Patent: March 23, 2004Assignee: Renesas Technology Corp.Inventor: Itaru Kanno
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Patent number: 6705549Abstract: A constant flow apparatus for adapting a fluid flow passing through a pipe at constant value comprises a tubular body to be mounted inside the pipe, an orifice disposed at the output end side of the tubular body, a movable needle with a flat tip portion positioned opposite the orifice, a spring supporting the needle with appropriate elastic force, and an elastic tubular sealing member having a circumferential bulging portion provided on the outside of the tubular body to cover the tubular body. The constant flow apparatus can be fixedly mounted in the pipe irrespective of the diameter of the pipe, and adapt the fluid flow passing through the pipe, preventing the needle from vibration.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2002Date of Patent: March 16, 2004Assignee: Shodensha Corporation, Ltd.Inventor: Kenji Nakamura
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Patent number: 6701541Abstract: An odor trap having a cup-shaped housing, which has an inlet located on an upper end and an outlet on a lower end leading into a drain line. A siphon blocks the passage of gas from the outlet to the inlet. A urine collector is configured in the shape of an inlet funnel. The inlet funnel empties into an open tube with a relatively narrow inside diameter.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2002Date of Patent: March 9, 2004Assignee: Geberit Technik AGInventors: Jürg Romagna, Erwin Schibig
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Patent number: 6702208Abstract: A hopper spreader apparatus for spreading materials such as salt, sand or seed includes a motor for rotating a spinner for distributing particulate matter delivered to the spinner. The hopper spreader apparatus is adapted for mounting on a skid steer loader unit. In one embodiment, the drive motor is a hydraulic motor which obtains hydraulic power from the hydraulic system of the skid steer loader unit. A flow controller adapts the flow rate provided by the skid steer loader unit to the flow rate for the hydraulic motor. In one embodiment, a check valve limits the operation of the hydraulic motor to one direction. The hopper spreader apparatus includes a quick release mounting adapter for quickly mounting the hopper spreader apparatus to the skid steer loader unit.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2002Date of Patent: March 9, 2004Assignee: Sno-Way International, Inc.Inventors: Howard D. Hadler, Lynn W. Schultz, Terry C. Wendorff
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Patent number: 6701538Abstract: A toilet includes a toilet bowl having a rim bounding a mouth. An attached toilet seat confronts the rim and an attached odor collector is capable of being activated moving air from the toilet bowl through the mouth and deodorizing the air. Shield structure between the rim and the toilet seat inhibits air from transferring between the toilet seat and the rim and channels air from the toilet bowl to the odor collector. A sensor is capable of sensing objects and activating the odor collector in response thereto.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2002Date of Patent: March 9, 2004Inventors: Clyde J. Hunnicutt, Jr., George Couture, Billy McCreary, Earl W. Engle
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Patent number: 6701542Abstract: A floating weir skimmer (1) with a pivoting flap (2) that can be fixed to a flexible wall (3) of an above-ground pool, comprising: a flexible pouch (4) with an open front face (7) that can be sealed to the exterior face of the flexible wall (3) to correspond with an opening (8) therein, and a removable rigid cassette (9) in the flexible pouch (4), with two side walls (10) frontally defining a water inlet (11) facing the opening (8) and at the bottom a water outlet (12), this cassette containing a pivoting floating flap (2) with its axle (13) fixed to the base of the side walls (10) near the inlet (11).Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2002Date of Patent: March 9, 2004Assignee: Sevylor InternationalInventor: Gerard Marbach
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Patent number: 6702202Abstract: A fluid delivery device for delivering fluid to the backside of a substrate while minimizing waste. The device includes an inner cylindrical tube having a top opening and a bottom opening. An upper cap overlying a top portion of the inner cylindrical tube is included. The upper cap is moveably disposed over the inner cylindrical tube. The upper cap includes a top with at least one hole defined therein. The top includes a sidewall extending therefrom. A system and a method for reducing an amount of a cleaning chemistry applied to a backside of a wafer during a cleaning operation are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2002Date of Patent: March 9, 2004Assignee: Lam Research CorporationInventors: John M. Boyd, Carl Woods
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Patent number: 6702197Abstract: An anti-electrostatic discharge spray gun apparatus and method for preventing crystallization of particles formed as a result of electrostatic discharge from forming on a spray gun nozzle and an associated pair of oppositely charged electrodes disposed on the gun. The apparatus has a housing; a nozzle attached to the housing for dispensing gas; a device for dispensing a gas through the nozzle; a device for electrostatically discharging a gas dispensed through the nozzle; and a device for restricting the flow of a gas through the nozzle. The device for dispensing and restricting flow of a gas through the nozzle may be either a bypass piping having a flow control means or a stopper that operates to provide a constant but low volume flow of an inert gas such as nitrogen to the nozzle to prevent particle build up or crystallization from occurring.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2002Date of Patent: March 9, 2004Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Rong Hau Hsueh, Simon King, Yung-Dar Chen