Patents Examined by Ira S. Lazarus
  • Patent number: 6523278
    Abstract: The invention concerns a dryer section, comprising at least one dryer group (R) that makes use of single-wire draw and/or twin-wire draw and at least one suction roll (10) with which the web (W) to be dried is in direct contact. The surface construction of the suction roll (10) is of a fine structure so that the web (W) can be passed to run over the suction roll (10) in direct contact with the roll so that the web (W) is not damaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Metso Paper, Inc.
    Inventors: Laurie Coulson, Kari Juppi, Jaakko Kallioniemi, Pekka Koivukunnas, Antti Komulainen, Juha Lipponen, Petri Norri
  • Patent number: 6523277
    Abstract: Apparatus for drying and stacking treated workpieces includes a housing defining a drying chamber; a workpiece carrying assembly mounted to the housing for moving the workpieces along a travel path through the drying chamber, including an endless strand trained around a plurality of wheels, and a plurality of pins spaced along and projecting outwardly from the strand for supporting and carrying workpieces; a workpiece removal assembly for removing workpieces from the pins including a ramp formed with an abutment surface and a slot formed therein through which the pins can pass to engage workpieces being carried on the pins wherein each workpiece is forced off its respective pin as the respective pin advances through the slot; a workpiece collection arrangement for receiving workpieces removed from the pins, with the travel path being generally vertically oriented and the pins being generally horizontally oriented wherein workpieces fall into the workpiece collection arrangement; and a workpiece ejector assemb
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Inventor: Jimmie D. Claggett
  • Patent number: 6520098
    Abstract: A method of disposing of combustible materials. The method includes the steps of: providing a heating space; providing a first source to generate heat to a first predetermined level at a first location in the heating space sufficient to reconstitute the combustible materials to a molten slag at the first location and so that heat generated by the first source elevates the temperature at a second location within the heating space to a second predetermined heat level that is below the predetermined heat level and high enough to cause combustion of the combustible materials; directing combustible materials to the second location at which the combustible materials are combusted to produce ash; and causing the ash to be directed to the first location to be reconstituted as molten slag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignees: Tokyo Electric Power Company, Tokyo Densetsu Services, Prometron Technics Corp.
    Inventors: Ichiro Suzuki, Shinichi Nakazawa, Kenji Katagiri, Hitoshi Kumata, Hirokuni Matsuda, Tokuyoshi Kawai, Shuji Tada
  • Patent number: 6519872
    Abstract: A plurality of pairs of telescoping tubes (20) and (22) interconnect a support plenum (12) and a nozzle system (14) for delivering air from the plenum (12) to the nozzle system (14) while allowing the nozzle system (14) to move in an adjustment direction toward and away from the plenum (12). The nozzle system (14) is elongated and includes a fixed shell (24) and a movable shell (26) movably supported by the fixed shell (24). The assembly (10) is characterized by actuators (42) for moving the nozzle system (14) between the various vertical-operating positions and a motor (46) for rotating the nozzle (16). The nozzle system (14) may be moved up and down to accommodate the changing longitudinal configuration of the vehicle (18) and the nozzle (16) may be rotated about the nozzle axis to efficiently direct air against the contour of the vehicle (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Proto-vest, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Patrick McElroy, Christopher Patrick McElroy, Lucian G. McElroy
  • Patent number: 6520097
    Abstract: Method and Apparatus for high intensity infrared burn-off of contaminants on articles moving continuously through an in-line production process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Inventor: James Thomas Shiveley
  • Patent number: 6520099
    Abstract: Provided are a method of treating coal ash by mixing it with water, in which the coal ash and water undergo a temperature difference therebetween while they are mixed; and a method of desulfurization in a coal combustion boiler system, which comprises mixing coal ash that has been separated from a ash collector in the system, with water on the condition that the two undergo a temperature difference therebetween while they are mixed, and circulating the resulting mixture that serves as a desulfurizing agent into the coal combustor in the system. The desulfurization capability of the desulfurizing agent used in the desulfurization method is higher than that of the desulfurizing agent obtained through hydration of coal ash with water or steam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Osamu Furuya
  • Patent number: 6516536
    Abstract: An apparatus for drying “dry suits”, HAZ MAT suits, cleanroom suits and the like utilizes a blower and heating elements mounted through a neck, wrist or ankle seal of the suit. The heated and compressed air is discharged into the suit to absorb moisture from the internal suit surfaces, then is discharged through the suit seals, rapidly drying the suit. Inserts for establishing a desired discharge rate from the suit seals are described. The inserts also serve to stretch the neck and arm seals to the proper diameter for maintaining comfortable wear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Inventor: Michael V. Ryden
  • Patent number: 6516535
    Abstract: A dual purpose implement can be used as a hair dryer or flatiron. The implement includes a barrel, a barrel grille, a hot plate, a hot air obstruction plate, and a barrel cap. Without the use of the barrel cap, the implement serves as the hair dryer. With the use of the barrel cap in place of the barrel grille, and with the removal of the hot air obstruction plate, the implement serves as the flatiron.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Inventor: Shou Mao Chen
  • Patent number: 6513446
    Abstract: In an incineration plant with combination air being fed to its furnace via a pipeline, a mixing chamber, an extractor and an air-preheating device are provided in the direction of flow of the combination air. Heated air is fed from the air-preheating device into the mixing chamber, so that the sucked-in incineration air and, in particular, the moist dust particles entrained by it are dried.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Martin GmbH für Umwelt-und Energietechnik
    Inventors: Johannes Martin, Horst Augstein, Henner-Siegbert Schloms
  • Patent number: 6513445
    Abstract: A plant for the thermal treatment of waste materials. The plant has a grate, on the surface of which the waste materials lie. The grate has gas passages which are connected to a gas supply for the grate surface. The gas supply has at least one oxygen feed system, the discharge openings of which are arranged at the end faces in cooled grate blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Von Roll Umwelttechnik AG
    Inventors: Stefan Forsberg, Klaus Zoss
  • Patent number: 6514228
    Abstract: A balloon catheter and method of use for inflating the balloon more effectively, particularly during stent deployment. The balloon catheter includes a catheter shaft and a balloon, wherein the proximal end of the balloon is connected to the distal end of the shaft. A tip is disposed in the interior of the balloon, with the proximal end of the tip extending from the distal end of the catheter shaft and the distal end of the tip connected to the distal end of the balloon. The tip includes a fluid path to facilitate the passage of inflation fluid from the inflation lumen to the interior of the balloon, and the tip may further include a guide wire lumen extending therethrough. The fluid path may be configured to inflate the balloon uniformly or to initially inflate the distal end of the balloon such that a stent loaded on the balloon will not have a tendency migrate distally during deployment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: SciMed Life Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Hamilton, Jane Riley, Donna Lin
  • Patent number: 6513236
    Abstract: Bump components mounted on a circuit board on a supporting substrate is covered with a flexible separation wall. A pressure difference is provided between the inner and outer sides of the separation wall and thus the bump components are pressed against the circuit board. When heating is carried out in this state, the bump components and the circuit board are connected with a conductive adhesive or solder. During the heating, the circuit board is not deformed. Therefore, a bump-component mounted body can be manufactured with high yield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masahide Tsukamoto
  • Patent number: 6511457
    Abstract: A syringe having an air release assembly slidingly clamped to a syringe barrel, the air release assembly having a lower portion with a slider valve insert and an upper portion with a rearward facing chamber. The syringe barrel has an opening at the juncture of the barrel and a front wall and the air release assembly upper and lower portions define an opening. Forward movement of the air release assembly closes the barrel opening and prepares the syringe for fluid filling and fluid ejection. Rearward movement of the air release assembly aligns the barrel opening with the air release assembly opening so that slight plunger pressure ejects barrel liquid trapped air bubbles to an outside environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Inventor: Garey Thompson
  • Patent number: 6508014
    Abstract: A method of removing water from the surface of a silicon wafer or other substrate subjected to wet processing which includes a step of water rinsing. In this method a silicon wafer whose surface includes liquid water is disposed in an atmosphere saturated with water vapor. The water vapor is removed from the surface of the silicon wafer by a stream of water-saturated gas. Upon removal of liquid water from the surface of the silicon wafer the water vapor in the water vapor saturated atmosphere is removed by evaporation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Russell H. Arndt, Glenn Walton Gale, James Willard Hannah, Kenneth T. Settlemyer, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6510347
    Abstract: Various stimulation catheters are disclosed to lie along and stimulate tissue. The electrodes on the leads are various sizes to conserve the battery as well as allowing a more defined area of stimulation. It may also include multiple channels or passages for delivery of drugs, thermal or photonic energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Inventor: William N. Borkan
  • Patent number: 6505567
    Abstract: A circulating fluidized bed steam generator 10 and a method for operating the circulating fluidized bed steam generator are provided which offer the flexibility to use carbon dioxide (CO2) both as a desirable end product and as support to the combustion process. The method includes the step of introducing a substantially pure oxygen feed stream into the circulating fluidized bed steam generator 10 and the step of combusting a fuel in the presence of the substantially pure oxygen feed stream to produce a flue gas having carbon dioxide and water vapor as its two largest constituent elements by volume. The method also includes the step of passing the flue gas through an oxygen feed stream pre-heater 144 at which heat from the flue gas is transferred to the oxygen feed stream. Furthermore, the method includes the step of separating the flue gas into an end product portion and a recycling portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: ALSTOM (Switzerland) Ltd
    Inventors: David K. Anderson, Greg N. Liljedahl, John L. Marion
  • Patent number: 6505419
    Abstract: A drying compartment for drying a printed web, consisting of a housing with intake and outlet openings for the web and with at least one infrared radiator directed at the web and/or with blower nozzles which blow hot air onto the web. In order to remove layers of air entrained by the web, turbulence generators are positioned above the web, or above and below the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Windmoeller & Hoelscher
    Inventor: Dietmar Poetter
  • Patent number: 6505418
    Abstract: A clothes dryer having a fire protection system. The clothes dryer chamber has an inlet which receives drying air and an exhaust for removing moisture laden air. The temperature within the drying chamber is monitored, and a determination is made from the dryer electronic controller whether or not a fire exists in the tumbler. The fire detection conditions are based on determining whether a certain temperature rise exists within the tumbler when the drying air ceases. The fire suppression system when activated will inject a fire suppressing substance into the tumbler for suppressing the fire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: American Dryer Corporation
    Inventors: Michael W. Confoey, Dennis Slutsky
  • Patent number: 6505415
    Abstract: A vacuum processing apparatus which includes a cassette mount table for holding at least one cassette, a conveying structure which includes a robot for conveying a wafer held on the cassette mount table, a vacuum loader which includes an additional robot, an additional conveying structure and a plurality of lock chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigekazu Kato, Kouji Nishihata, Tsunehiko Tsubone, Atsushi Itou
  • Patent number: 6502327
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a sterilizing liquid remover and a method of removing the sterilizing liquid which can easily remove/dry the sterilizing liquid which remains at the step portion formed by the sealing tape and the web which forms the container's interior side in the packing material web having the sealing tape adhered to its side end portion. Driblets on the surface of the web are squeezed by squeeze rollers 30 disposed such that they can open and close while sandwiching the transfer route of the web W having the sealing tape adhered to its side end portion therebetween, the heated air is blasted at the step portion formed by the sealing tape and the web by the second air knife 20, then the heated air is blasted at the whole width of both faces of the web by the first air knives 10, and the sterilizing liquid is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Shikoku Kakoki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Kume, Hiroshi Katayama, Shigenori Tawa, Michio Ueda