Patents Examined by Henry Yuen
  • Liquid cooled glass metal electrode
    Patent number: 8743926
    Abstract: In various embodiments, an electrode has a shaft extending from an electrode head and a cooling passage extending from an open end disposed at an attachment end of the shaft to a closed end disposed within the electrode head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: H.C. Starck Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Hirt, John Eiler
  • Food processor
    Patent number: 8733239
    Abstract: A food processor includes a base, a container having a side wall and an open end including a rim, and a lid for engaging the open end of the container in an operating position and a storage position. The lid has a top wall with a first and second principal surface, an annular ledge with a first and second side, and a food chute extending from the first principal surface generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the top wall. The food chute has a length and extends away from the container with the second side of the annular ledge contacting the rim of the container when the lid is in the operating position. When the lid is in the storage position, the food chute extends into an interior of the container with the first side of the annular ledge contacting the rim of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Hamilton Beach Brands, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael W. Allen
  • Electric induction heating and stirring of an electrically conductive material in a containment vessel
    Patent number: 8735783
    Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for electric induction heating and/or stirring of a molten electrically conductive composition in a containment vessel with the apparatus being removably insertable in the molten composition. An induction coil embedded in refractory or a coating is submerged in the composition and used to heat and/or stir the molten composition either externally or internally to the refractory or coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Inductotherm Corp.
    Inventors: Jean Lovens, Michel Fontaine, Bernard M. Raffner
  • Apparatus for manufacturing confectionery products
    Patent number: 8733237
    Abstract: Apparatus manufactures thin confectionery products with uniform shapes and has first and second drying apparatuses between shape cutting and baking apparatuses for adjusting water content of raw dough pieces. The first drying apparatus has upper and lower levels, the upper level having conveyor belts at plural stages for transporting the dough pieces under hot air atmosphere and the lower level having conveyor belt for cooling, and conveyor belt for maturing the cooled pieces. The second drying apparatus has atmosphere at lower temperature than the first drying apparatus and plural rotary drums each having an inlet and an outlet and being rotatably mounted in the second apparatus. A chute transports the raw dough pieces from uppermost to lowermost ones of the rotary drums.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Arai Foods Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seiichi Arai
  • Laser machining method
    Patent number: 8735771
    Abstract: A laser processing method which can reduce the chipping generated when a plate-like object to be processed formed with a modified region is turned into small pieces in steps other than its dividing step. In a part extending along a line to cut in an object to be processed, laser light is oscillated in a pulsing fashion in an intermediate portion including an effective part, and is continuously oscillated in one end portion and the other end portion on both sides of the intermediate portion. Since the laser light intensity becomes lower in continuous oscillation than in pulse oscillation, modified regions can be formed in the intermediate portion but not in one end portion and the other end portion. This keeps the modified regions from reaching the outer face of the substrate, thus making it possible to prevent particles from occurring when forming the modified regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Hamamatsu Photonicks K.K.
    Inventors: Koji Kuno, Tatsuya Suzuki
  • Welding unit for welding rails of a track
    Patent number: 8735761
    Abstract: A welding unit for welding rails of a track includes two unit bodies that can be moved in relation to each other by displacement cylinders along unit guides running parallel to the rails. The displacement cylinders are connected both to pull rods and to a crossbeam. Thus a simple design having high tensile forces is possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Franz Plasser Bahnbaumaschinen- Industriegesellschaft mbH
    Inventors: Josef Theurer, Bernhard Lichtberger, Heinz Mühlleitner
  • Minimizing thermal effect during material removal using a laser
    Patent number: 8729427
    Abstract: A process to cut sheet material using a laser is improved by performing a first plurality of routings using a first toolpath for the laser and performing at least a second routing using a second toolpath for the laser after performing the first plurality of routings using the first toolpath, the second toolpath traverse from a kerf formed by the laser as a result of performing the first plurality of routings. A z-height shift can be simultaneously implemented with the transverse shift. By shifting the toolpath, interference of plasma generated during laser processing is minimized by maximizing the coupling of the laser and the material, resulting in less discoloration and/or burning of the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Electro Scientific Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Yasu Osako
  • Hybrid welding with multiple heat sources
    Patent number: 8729424
    Abstract: A method of welding a joint includes directing a first output from a high energy density heat source, such as a laser, against a first side of the joint. The method further includes directing a second output from an arc welding heat source, such as a gas metal arc welding torch, against a second side of the joint. The first output produces a keyhole surrounded by a molten metal pool which extends from the first side of the joint toward the second side of the joint. In some embodiments a third output from a second arc welding heat source may also be directed at the first side of the joint. A second molten metal pool produced by the arc welding heat source joins with the first molten metal pool and the third molten metal pool to form a common molten metal pool which solidifies to form the weld.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: The ESAB Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Dechao Lin
  • Method of storing and displaying heated food
    Patent number: 8729429
    Abstract: A heated food storage and display cabinet including a flow inducer and heater arranged in an upper region thereof, the flow inducer being operable to draw air from an upper portion of the cabinet, to direct the air over the heater, and subsequently urge the heated air down the rear wall of the cabinet and across the floor of the cabinet towards the open front of the cabinet. The heated air is subsequently directed upwardly and rearwardly across the open front of the cabinet by an airflow direction member of the cabinet so as to provide a heated air curtain across the open front of the cabinet, and a portion of the heated air is also passed into the cabinet as the heated air moves down the rear wall and across the floor so as to pass over and around packs of food stored therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Alan Nuttall Limited
    Inventors: Alan David Nuttall, Michael James Steele, Gareth Richardson
  • Sliding grill fixing apparatus
    Patent number: 8726796
    Abstract: Provided is a sliding grill fixing apparatus, which is installed on a sliding grill. The sliding grill fixing apparatus includes an actuating lever that runs across a sliding grill in a horizontal direction between opposite inner faces of the sliders and has a grip in the middle thereof, actuating legs that protrude downward from opposite ends of the actuating lever, actuating hinges that are disposed between the actuating legs and the opposite inner faces of the sliders in a horizontal direction, driving brackets that are moved in one direction by rotation of the actuating legs, actuating brackets that move together with the driving brackets to be inserted into the fixing recesses, and fixing hinges, each of which is disposed between each actuating bracket and the outer face of each slider and is hinged to the outer face of each slider such that each actuating bracket can rotate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Segos Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoon Sig Park, Yong Won Choi, Duc Hoi Kim
  • Food processor with a lockable adjustable blade assembly
    Patent number: 8720325
    Abstract: A food processor includes a bowl with a removable lid. Food items are advanced into the bowl through a feed tube formed in the lid where they are cut by a blade assembly. A rotating disk is adjustable relative to the blade assembly to vary the thickness of the food items cut by the blade assembly. A user-operated pin is positioned below the rotating disk and is moveable between a first position in which the rotating disk is prevented from moving upwardly and downwardly, and a second position in which the rotating disk is permitted to move upwardly and downwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Joao Paulo M. Goncalves, Alex R. Oliveira, Fernando R. Oliveira, Eric G. Tauzer
  • Atmospheric shield with a continuous channel seal for isolating welding components
    Patent number: 8723071
    Abstract: An atmospheric shield for isolating a component from an external atmosphere is provided. The atmospheric shield includes an envelope and a base carrying a continuous channel. The base and the envelope are arranged to define an enclosure within which the component to be isolated is located, and such that a portion of the envelope extends within the continuous channel. A seal is provided within the continuous channel to seal between the envelope and the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventors: Daniel Clark, Jeffrey Allen
  • Device for transporting a welding wire
    Patent number: 8723082
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for transporting a welding wire (13), comprising at least one pair of rollers (55) consisting of drive roller (32) and a pressure roller (31) and a device (28) which is used to clamp a welding wire (13), in addition to a roller, in particular a drive roller (32), an intermediate piece (49), a threading device (74), a automatically centering device (80) and a device (85) which is used to detect the transportation speed of the welding wire (13). The pressure roller (31) is mounted in a pivotable pressure lever (29) in order to produce the most smallest, compact and easy to handle wire transporting device (27) possible and the clamping device (28) comprises a clamping bar (37) which can be connected to the pressure lever (29) in order to fix and pressurize.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Fronius International GmbH
    Inventor: Alfred Spiesberger
  • Barbeque smoker with heated reverse flow exhaust
    Patent number: 8720322
    Abstract: A barbeque smoker has an angled front with a heated exhaust that increases draft and air circulation, resulting in a more even heat and smoke distribution than conventional smokers. By heating an internal chimney directly over the smoker's fire, the temperature in the exhaust is higher than it is inside the cooking chamber, thus increasing draft/air circulation. The chimney intake is positioned below the cooking grates and runs on an upward angle through the cooking chamber. The chimney terminates outside the top of the smoker. This configuration forces the chamber to uniformly fill with heat and smoke before any heat or smoke can exit the cooking chamber. The increased draft aids efficient circulation of the heat and smoke, creating a very uniform cooking environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Inventor: Terry John West
  • Full glass oven door
    Patent number: 8716631
    Abstract: An oven door comprises a structure with internal glass plates, the external glass plate being bigger than the internal glass plates. The door further comprises a housing of polymeric material for electrical and/or electronic components of an user interface integral with the door, the housing being shell-shaped and being mounted on an internal face of the external glass plate, above the internal glass plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Michele Venezia, Marco Giuliani, Cristina Mazzetti
  • Induction melting furnace having asymmetrical sloping bottom
    Patent number: 8718114
    Abstract: An induction melting furnace having an asymmetrical sloping bottom. The melting furnace includes: an induction coil member provided on the melting furnace so as to melt waste contained in the furnace by vitrification; a bottom unit provided in a lower part of the melting furnace, the bottom unit asymmetrically sloping downward in a direction toward a glass discharge port that is formed through the bottom unit; and a cooling member integrated with the bottom unit. Due to the asymmetrical sloping bottom of the furnace, waste in the furnace can be completely melted and can be easily discharged to the outside and, accordingly, the time and cost required to treat the waste are reduced and this improves work efficiency when treating the waste. Further, due to the insulation material, the melting furnace can be protected from electric damage that may be caused by electric arc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyun Jun Jo, Deuk Man Kim, Seok Mo Choi, Hyun Je Cho, Seung Chul Park, Cheon Woo Kim, Tae Won Hwang
  • Fluidized bed heat treating system
    Patent number: 8716637
    Abstract: Systems for heat treating materials are presented. The systems typically involve a fluidized bed that contains granulated heat treating material. In some embodiments a fluid, such as an inert gas, is flowed through the granulated heat treating medium, which homogenizes the temperature of the heat treating medium. In some embodiments the fluid may be heated in a heating vessel and flowed into the process chamber where the fluid is then flowed through the granulated heat treating medium. In some embodiments the heat treating material may be liquid or granulated heat treating material and the heat treating material may be circulated through a heating vessel into a process chamber where the heat treating material contacts the material to be heat treated. Microwave energy may be used to provide the source of heat for heat treating systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Babcock & Wilcox Technical Services Y-12, LLC
    Inventors: Edward B. Ripley, Glenn L. Pfennigwerth
  • Stock pot with fitted strainer-basket
    Patent number: 8707859
    Abstract: Apparatus for cooking foods such as stock or pasta, rice including a container which receives a liquid to be heated and a cooking strainer-basket partially submerged in the liquid for cooking within the container, the container and the strainer-basket configured with cooperating selectively engaging support members for alternatively positioning of the strainer-basket in the liquid for cooking of the food and repositioning of the strainer-basket above the liquid to provide for straining of the food.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Inventor: Agostino Difante
  • Cooking device to deep fat fry foods
    Patent number: 8707857
    Abstract: A cooking device include an outer housing and a cooking cavity disposed within and separate from the outer housing. The cooking cavity accommodates a volume of cooking liquid therein. The device includes a heater positioned adjacent the cooking cavity to heat the cooking liquid. A lid is movably attached to the device and is used to form a seal with the cooking cavity. The lid includes a transparent portion positioned along a top surface to enable viewing inside of the cooking cavity. A controller can be used to heat the cooking fluid for an amount of time designated by user input. A moving mechanism can be used to move a food article into and out of the cooking liquid. The moving mechanism can be automated. The device can include a drainage system for removing the cooking liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Inventors: Ronald M. Popeil, Alan Lester Backus, Kathryn Popeil, Lauren Popeil, Shannon Popeil-Stairs
  • Austenitic stainless steel welding wire and welding structure
    Patent number: 8710405
    Abstract: A welding wire for austenitic stainless steel welding contains, in percent by mass, C: 0.005 through 0.05%, Si: 0.1 through 1.0%, Mn: 1.0 through 3.5%, Cr: 25.0 through 28.0%, Ni: 16.0 through 23.9%, Mo: 1.6 through 3.0%, Cu: 0.1 through 0.5%, Al: 0.001 through 0.02%, and N: more than 0.30 through 0.50%, limiting O to 0.03% or less, P to 0.03% or less, and S to 0.005% or less, and having a ratio of a Cr equivalent to Ni equivalent (Cr equivalent/Ni equivalent) within a range between 0.85 and 1.2 and a PI value of 35 or more, the remainder being iron and unavoidable impurities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Nippon Steel & Sumikin Stainless Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshige Inoue, Ryuichi Honma, Manabu Mizumoto, Yuusuke Oikawa, Ryo Matsuhashi, Shinji Tsuge, Shigeo Fukumoto