Patents Examined by Elizabeth McKane
  • Patent number: 6385811
    Abstract: A suction head for floor vacuum cleaners has a unitary plastic housing (1) containing a suction channel (2), and a bottom plate (7) arranged on the underside of the housing and having a suction mouth (13). The suction mouth adjoins a vertically aligned, box-shaped connection element (14) of the suction channel and feeds into a bottom channel (15) of the bottom plate (7). The bottom plate (7) is pivot-mounted both on the connection element (14) of the suction channel and also at the end side on the inner surfaces of the plastic housing (1). For this purpose, the box-shaped connection element (14) contains transverse bridges (17) that define the suction channel laterally and which have bottom edges designed as bearing surfaces (18) rounded in a curved manner. The bottom plate (7) is supported on the curved, rounded support surfaces (18) of the connection element (14), and rotatably interlocked with the wall surfaces of the connection element (14) extending parallel with the transverse bridges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Wessel-Werk GmbH
    Inventors: Horst Dilger, Dieter Kaffenberger, Thomas Lind, Hans-Joachim Steudtner
  • Patent number: 6372186
    Abstract: A germicidal lamp for harsh environments is disclosed. The germicidal lamp is suited for outdoor installation on an HVAC system or related components. The germicidal lamp is made from materials resistant to splashing water, etc., and includes plural seals to protect the interior of the fixture and prevent leakage or contamination into or out of the HVAC system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Steril-Aire USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Forrest B. Fencl, Robert M. Culbert
  • Patent number: 6368565
    Abstract: A sterilization system for dental and orthodontic tools is provided with a transport rack dimensionally sized to hold a plurality interchangeable cassettes. The interchangeable cassettes are designed and intended to hold kits of dental or orthodontic tools and are provided with top opening, double-hinged covers which lay flat on the surface when opened and used at a dental workstation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Inventors: Dennis J. Michaelson, Jeffrey W. Mix
  • Patent number: 6368556
    Abstract: An apparatus for operative cleaning and preparation of dental handpieces is made as an integrated unit having holding stubs (6) for receiving the handpieces inside a treating chamber (1, 30), which is designed in a pressure resisting manner and with heating means (12, 56) such that it is directly usable for autoclave treatment of the handpieces. Through the holding stubs (6) and in accordance with a control program it is possible to supply warm water and oil to the respective channels in the handpieces. The apparatus may appear as a table unit (32) holding all what is required for a complete cleaning lubrication and sterilization cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Akeda Dental A/S
    Inventor: Per Morgenstjerne
  • Patent number: 6365099
    Abstract: A process and system for reducing the concentration of odorous contaminants, primarily hydrogen sulfide, in the vapor spaces of sewage handling and treatment systems, primarily the vapor spaces of sewage trunk lines, by injecting a fine spray, mist or fog of a dilute solution of hydrogen peroxide and a base selected from a group consisting of sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, ammonium hydroxide and sodium carbonate to mix intimately with the vapor flow. The peroxide and base solutions may be pre-mixed and diluted with water and injected through atomizing nozzles utilizing compressed air as an atomizing fluid. The system may also provide for separate storage of the peroxide and base solutions, mixing of the peroxide and base solutions with dilution water with in-line mixing devices and direct injection with or without compressed air atomization into the vapor space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: Harry M. Castrantas, Scott W. Duggan
  • Patent number: 6361751
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for disinfecting an endoscope with a disinfecting solution, and that minimizes the surface area and air exposure of the disinfecting solution. In architecture, the endoscope disinfecting apparatus includes a disinfecting basin, an endoscope body section, an insertion tube section and a basin lid. The disinfecting basin is for disinfecting the air/water and light tube of the endoscope. The endoscope body section is for disinfecting a body and eye piece of the endoscope, and is connected to the disinfecting basin. The insertion tube section is connected to the endoscope body section and is for disinfecting a insertion tube of the endoscope. A basin lid connects to the disinfecting basin and provides a watertight seal over the disinfecting basin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Next Step Medical Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventor: H. Thomas Hight, III
  • Patent number: 6358478
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for treatment of fluids, the invention being characterized in that ozone is generated in the medium, which ozone is exposed to UV radiation at the same time as it is being generated, so that the ozone is broken down and free radicals are obtained. The invention also relates to an apparatus in accordance with the method, which apparatus comprises an enclosure (1) provided with at least one inlet (2) and at least one outlet (3). The apparatus is characterized in that an oxidizing member (4) is arranged in the enclosure (1) and generates ozone and at the same time breaks down the ozone to free radicals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: Benrad Aktiebolag
    Inventor: Rune Söremark
  • Patent number: 6358469
    Abstract: A deodorizing composition formed by an aqueous solution of divalent metal ions, preferably zinc ions, and i) an anionic alkylaryl alkoxy carboxylate/carboxylic acid surfactant and/or ii) an anionic alcohol alkoxy carboxylate/carboxylic acid surfactant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Anne M. Brun, Wayne M. Rees
  • Patent number: 6346216
    Abstract: A method for sterilizing products to inactivate biological contaminants such as viruses, bacteria, yeasts, molds, mycoplasmas and parasites is disclosed. The method involves irradiating the product at a low dose rate from about 0.1 kGy/hr. to about 3.0 kGy/hr. for a period of time sufficient to sterilize the product. The method does not destroy sensitive materials such as blood and blood components. Further, the method does not require pre-treatment of the product such as freezing, filtration or the addition of chemical sensitizers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Assignee: Clearant, Inc.
    Inventor: Randall S. Kent
  • Patent number: 6338819
    Abstract: A method and corrosion inhibitor for inhibiting corrosion of metal equipment in an aqueous medium comprising components selected from the group consisting of Skeletonema costatum, fish, other algae, and a combination thereof. The method comprises incorporating into the medium a corrosion inhibiting amount of a water soluble corrosion inhibitor comprising an N-ethoxy, 2-substituted imidazoline. The N-ethoxy substituent comprises a quantity of ethylene oxide effective to render the imidazoline water soluble. The corrosion inhibitor is rendered more environmentally compatible by shortening the number of carbon atoms in the fatty acid chain at the 2-position of the imidazoline. The fatty acid chain consists essentially about 18 carbon atoms or less, preferably about 10 carbon atoms or less, most preferably from about 6 to about 8 carbon atoms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Thomas G. Braga, Richard L. Martin, Jo Ann McMahon, Bernardus A. Oude Alink, Benjie T. Outlaw
  • Patent number: 6338829
    Abstract: An apparatus for breaking garbage bags comprises a bag breaking and a liquid waste processor. The breaker mechanism breaks the input garbage bags containing waste materials. The liquid waste processor includes a removable liquid waste absorbent sheet. This liquid waste absorbent sheet is arranged to absorb liquid waste coming out of the broken garbage bags. The liquid waste absorbent sheet containing the liquid waste is removed for appropriate treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Kouzou Kodama, Takekazu Takagi, Makoto Meguro, Shoko Hiwatashi
  • Patent number: 6333006
    Abstract: A sterilized chemical composition is stored in a sterile environment for a prolonged period of time, hermetically scaled in successive enclosures and a shipping enclosure. The third sealing layer is removed prior to entering a storage area. The second layer is removed prior to taking the container to the sterile environment. The storage area may also be sterile. The innermost container may be an aerosol container and the composition a disinfectant liquid such as alcohol. The entire shipping enclosure and contects is preferably sterilized with gamma radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2001
    Inventor: Arthur L. Vellutato
  • Patent number: 6333003
    Abstract: A treatment apparatus for treating a substrate in an isolated treatment space in an air-conditioned clean room, comprising a removing unit including a plurality of removing sections for recovering at least some of air in the treatment space and removing impurities from the recovered air, the removing sections being arranged in series and each including a supply mechanism for supplying an impurity remover capable of removing the impurities by touching the recovered air, a temperature adjustment unit for adjusting the temperature of the air cleared of the impurities by the removing unit, and a return circuit for returning the air, adjusted in temperature by the temperature adjustment unit, to the treatment space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2001
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Takayuki Katano, Junichi Kitano, Masami Akimoto, Norio Semba
  • Patent number: 6325971
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for disbursing ozone throughout a poultry house in order to disinfect the same and to reduce the concentration of pathogens found within the poultry house. An ozone generator is associated with the poultry house and ozone produced by the generator is directed through a lower main duct that disburses ozone upwardly through litter disposed on the poultry house floor. In addition, the same generator directs the produced ozone through an upper main duct and ozone is disbursed from conduits leading from the upper main duct into the air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Inventor: Charles Hayes
  • Patent number: 6325972
    Abstract: A method for sterilizing a device, includes the following steps: contacting the device with liquid sterilant outside or inside a sterilization chamber at a first pressure, placing the device in the chamber before or after the contacting step, and decreasing the pressure of the chamber to a second pressure below the vapor pressure of the liquid sterilant. At least the decrease in pressure below about the vapor pressure of the liquid sterilant occurs at a pumpdown rate of less than 0.8 liters per second, calculated based on the time required to evacuate the chamber from atmospheric pressure to 20 torr when the chamber is empty and dry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Jacobs, Suz-Min Lin, Jenn-Hann Wang
  • Patent number: 6322749
    Abstract: A synergistic composition and method for inhibiting microbiological growth which comprises a combination of stabilized sodium hypobromite with a mixture of 5-chloro-2-methyl 4-isothiazolin-3-one and 2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Nalco Chemical Company
    Inventors: Robert E. McCarthy, Anthony W. Dallmier, William F. McCoy
  • Patent number: 6319480
    Abstract: A sterilized article is within the interior of a diffusion-restricted container. The container substantially prevents entry of microorganisms into the interior thereof. The container has at least one entry/exit port which permits entry/exit of gas and/or vapor into/out of the interior, but prevents entry of microorganisms into the interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Tralance O. Addy, Paul Taylor Jacobs, Szu-Min Lin, Jon Morrell Jacobs
  • Patent number: 6315949
    Abstract: A composition for deodorizing and refreshing surfaces such as carpets, upholstery, furniture etc. The composition disclosed is a highly friable foam that rapidly evaporates upon contact with the surface to be refreshed. Therefore, the composition does not require removal by vacuuming after application to the surface. A method for using the composition to deodorize and refresh a surface is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Inventors: Robert Carmello, Ernest Bernarducci, Kenneth Ward, Isabel Lopes, Karen Mack
  • Patent number: 6312644
    Abstract: Fluorescent monomers of the formula wherein M is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, sodium, potassium, cesium, rubidium, lithium and ammonium, and n is selected from the group consisting of 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 9; are provided which are useful in the production of pyranine-tagged polymers which can be detected using a fluorometer and can be used in industrial water systems as treatment polymers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Nalco Chemical Company
    Inventors: Barbara E. Moriarty, Mingli Wei, John E. Hoots, David P. Workman, Jeffrey P. Rasimas
  • Patent number: 6309597
    Abstract: A method for reducing the level of hydrogen sulfide in water containing sulfur-reducing bacteria and hydrogen sulfide-metabolizing bacteria by addition of an aqueous solution of metallic nitrogen oxides and small particles of water-insoluble polycyclic quinones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Arkion Life Sciences
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Ballinger, Jr., Edward D. Burger, Robert F. Knauer