Patents Examined by Kenneth W. Noland
  • Patent number: 6739476
    Abstract: An ampoule storage container 1 stores a plurality of ampoules 2 in a laterally orientated state with respect to a discharge direction. A belt conveyor 5 is disposed at the bottom of the ampoule storage container 1 so that the ampoule 2 can be conveyed in the laterally orientated state. An ampoule regulating member 10 is disposed above the belt 6 of the belt conveyor 5 to form a gap through which only one of the ampoule 2 can pass. A stopper 13 which comes into contact with the one end of the ampoule 2 passing through the gap is provided so that the ampoule 2 can be changed to a longitudinally orientated state. According to the present invention, the direction of the ampoule 2 can be changed and a desired number of ampoules 2 can be discharged one by one in spite of simple construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Yuyama Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Shigeyama, Hiroyuki Yuyama, Tsuyoshi Kodama
  • Patent number: 6736270
    Abstract: Screens and screen assemblies for a vibratory separator or shale shaker, such screens and screen assemblies made by a method including applying glue in a glue pattern to at least one layer of screening material, said applying done by powered moving mechanical glue application apparatus; in one aspect moving with powered mechanical screen movement apparatus the at least one layer of screening material beneath the powered moving mechanical glue application apparatus; in one aspect, using hot melt moisture-curing glue, and in one aspect facilitating the cure of moisture-curing glue by applying moisture to it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Varco I/P, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas C. Adams, Kerry Ward, Kenneth W. Seyffert, David W. Largent, David L. Schulte, Jr., Charles N. Grichar, Vincent D. Leone, Jefrey E. Walker, Guy L. McClung, III
  • Patent number: 6736287
    Abstract: A product comprising an absorbent paper material and a dispenser adapted to hanging from a support such as a towel bar or a hook is disclosed. The dispenser can be optionally located on a surface instead of hung from a support, and a space at the bottom of the dispenser protects the absorbent paper material from damage due to liquid spills on the surface. The dispenser has an advantage of two distinct dispensing modes, and protection of the unused absorbent paper material from liquid spills.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Barbara O. Sauer, Richard Frederick House, Paul Roy Schmidt, Herb F. Velazquez
  • Patent number: 6736286
    Abstract: The present invention provides a tablet feeder in which a rotor can smoothly rotate to discharge tablets in spite of a large volume type of tablet containing case having a simple construction. A support portion 11 is provided in the tablets containing case 4 and positioned above at least one of the pocket portions 9 for preventing the weight of the tablets acting on the pocket portions 9 from resisting the rotation of the rotor 8.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Yuyama Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Hashimoto, Tasuku Minami, Hiroyasu Hamada
  • Patent number: 6729498
    Abstract: A dispenser for wipes. The present dispenser comprises a unitary living hinge and a pop-up cover. The unitary hinge allows for simplicity of construction, processing, and use. It also eliminates the need for a secondary mechanical hinge. The pop-up cover permits easy one-handed wipe dispensing without requiring that the lid be manually held in an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Donald William Yelton, Gary Gerard Fores, Ernest Accuco Pedicano
  • Patent number: 6726054
    Abstract: A package arrangement is provided. The package arrangement in general includes a blister pack having a backing construction secured thereto. In preferred arrangements, a removable header is provided. The backing construction preferably includes a flexible film having resealable pressure sensitive adhesive on a side thereof, by which the backing portion is secured to the blister pack. A portion of the backing construction is formed as a hinged cover portion, by two cuts, preferably parallel, extending through the backing construction portion and overlapping a selected section of the blister pack. In a preferred arrangement, each cut terminates at a stop structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Tapemark
    Inventors: Constance L. Fagen, Steven Blake Fisher
  • Patent number: 6726055
    Abstract: The combination of a door and a dispenser for storing hand shields including a door for a generally enclosed area with a front side and a back side and the dispenser including a plurality of housings is disclosed. The dispenser is mounted in the vicinity of the back side of the door. A plurality of hand shields are stored within each of the housings and each of the housings has an opening through which the shields are dispensed. A disposal passage extends from inside the enclosed area to outside the enclosed area and has an opening in the vicinity of the front side of the door. A receptacle is in communication with the disposal passage and has a vacuum source for collecting and housing used shields. In one embodiment the receptacle is mounted to the door. In another embodiment the receptacle is positioned at a location remote from the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Inventor: Horace L. Jackson
  • Patent number: 6726053
    Abstract: A child resistant multiple dosage blister pack dispenser includes a main housing bottom component having walls and a bottom panel for supporting a blister pack, and a main top component. The bottom panel has a plurality of orifices located so as to position a blister pack thereabove, with individual dosages of the blister pack located above the orifices. These orifices are of sufficient size and shape to push individual dosages from the blister pack therethrough. The main housing top component is permanently connected to the bottom component and is laterally moveable relative to the bottom component. The top component has a first position, being a rest position, and having a second position, being a dispensing position. There is a biasing spring connected to at least one of the bottom component and the top component, that biases the top component relative to the bottom component so that the top component is in its first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Inventor: John E. Harrold
  • Patent number: 6722525
    Abstract: A medicating device for a hospital or nursing home that provides the correct medication for each individual occupant of a portion of the institution, at the right time of the day. The medicating device includes a control computer that sends instructions to a dispensing device. The dispensing device is then caused to discharge a particular tablet stored therein. The device contains a series of parallel, annular, arcuately shaped plates that are stacked closely together. Resting on each plate are multiple curved tablet trays that are arcuately disposed thereupon. Each tray contains a number of tablets or capsules disposed within individual cells of the arcuate plate. The plates are rotated under the control of the computer by a motor drive. A retrieval mechanism then rises or descends to address one of the plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Innovation Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph H. Boyer, William S. Bennett
  • Patent number: 6719168
    Abstract: A controlled output automatic product dispensing machine, comprising a fixed structure (13) with at least one shelf (10) holding at least one product-carrying drawer (11) and with at least one door (12) to collect the selected product. Said machine provides at least one guide (15) to slide a container (14) which collects the selected product near the corresponding product carrying drawer (11) and moves it to a collecting position accessible to the user after opening the door (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Officine Meccaniche F.lli Manea S.r.l.
    Inventor: Antonio Nicolini
  • Patent number: 6719124
    Abstract: A vibratory conveyor drive is provided that is operatively connected to a vibratory conveyor tray for use in generating reciprocating movement in the tray so that a variety of goods may be transported along the tray. The conveyor drive includes a drive wheel having a radial slot formed in it. The drive wheel is supported for rotation about a first axis of rotation and is operatively connected to a source of rotational motive force, such as an electric motor. A transfer wheel is supported for rotation about a second axis of rotation, and is positioned in substantially parallel-spaced relation to the drive wheel. the transfer wheel includes a first shaft projecting outwardly from a first surface, with a drive-follower positioned on an end of the first shaft. The drive-follower is received within the radial slot of the drive wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Vibro Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Karl M. Sahlberg
  • Patent number: 6719167
    Abstract: A ticket roll detection arrangement using a photo-grid wheel for synchronous rotation with the ticket roll supply reel of a ticket vending machine, and a photo transmitter receiver assembly on two sides of the photo-grid wheel to detect the revolving speed of the photo-grid wheel upon delivery of the ticket roll out of the ticket vending machine and to measure the diameter of the rest ticket roll on the ticket roll supply reel subject to the detected revolving speed of the photo-grid wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: International Currency Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Hung-Yi Chang
  • Patent number: 6715750
    Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing flexible media such as cut sheets (1) from a stack has a rotatable separating member (4) which engages and reverse buckles one end of the top sheet (2) so that that end is lifted away from the stack and positioned between transport rollers (9, 10). The transport rollers (9, 10) are driven independently from the separating member (4) so that multiple sheets may be separated from the stack before being transported. The frictional engagement between the separating member (4) and the stack varies as the separating member rotates, so that only one sheet is separated with each rotation. The center of the top sheet (2) is held against the stack by a holding member (3) so that the top sheet buckles only over part of its length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Mars Incorporated
    Inventors: Andre Gerlier, Roberto Polidoro, David Charles Deaville
  • Patent number: 6715639
    Abstract: A carton with an improved dispenser at one of the carton which preserves the integrity of the carton when the carton is opened by permitting a bottom end flap attached to the bottom panel to remain in place and also a portion of each side end flap that is adjacent to the bottom end flap. This dispenser may also provide a safety net for the first container that is automatically dispensed when the carton is opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Raymond Rudolph Spivey
  • Patent number: 6715633
    Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing interfolded disposable sheets is disclosed. The dispenser includes a removable top that is releasably attached to the first sheet in the stack contained in the container. In accordance with the present invention, when the removable top is pulled off the container, the first sheet in the stack is partially withdrawn from the container. After being partially withdrawn, however, the sheet releases from the removable top.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Craig M. Thoms
  • Patent number: 6715600
    Abstract: Device for gripping containers in single file and for feeding them to a plurality of pathways parallel to each other and to a feeding direction, which comprises a frame supporting belts for gripping and force-feeding the containers inside the device, the frame being connected to a slide for moving it in a direction transverse to the feeding direction, there also being provided a pin for rotationally connecting the device to a deviating arm for guiding the containers, arranged upstream of the feeding device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Ronchiteck, S.r.l.
    Inventor: Cesare Ronchi
  • Patent number: 6715638
    Abstract: A pneumatic mail delivery system includes a carrier having first and second open ends and corresponding hinged covers for selectably covering the open ends. The system includes first and second carrier terminals each having front openings selectively covered by hinged doors. The terminals may be positioned at a mail deposit location and a residential location. A pneumatic conduit connects the terminals through which the carrier may be guided therebetween. The conduit is connected to a blower for conveying the carrier. Spring-biased buttons attached to respective terminals are electrically connected to the blower for actuating the blower upon detecting a closure of a respective door. A photoelectric light sensor is attached to each terminal and is electrically connected to a light source mounted on the front of each terminal. Respective lights are energized when a respective light sensor detects mail in the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Inventor: Joseph L. Moeks
  • Patent number: 6715634
    Abstract: A box formed from a blank of stiff but foldable board material, the box including a top (2) panel, a bottom panel (3), two side panels (4,5) and two end panels (6,7) connected together at fold lines (8-8xi) to form an enclosure, wherein the top panel (2) is formed by end panel flaps (9,10) extending from the end panels (6,7) towards each other and by side panel flaps (11,12) extending from the side panels (6,7) towards each other, the side panels flaps (11,12) are connected to each other by a tape (13) extending from one of the end panels (6) to the other end panel (7). The side panel flaps (11,12) are each provided with perforations defining a dispensing opening (17,18), wherein portions (19, 20) of each side panel flap (11,12) separating the dispensing openings (17,18) together with the tape (13) are adapted to form a handle (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventor: Will Knol
  • Patent number: 6715637
    Abstract: A combination storage/dispenser (FIG. 1D) for toilet paper comprising: a hopper (10) for holding a plurality of rolls stacked co-axially with and inside said hopper (10); a base (42) having at its center, a shaft (44) with a smaller-diameter extension (44a) is directly and precisely positioned below said hopper (10); a shield (48) projecting from its edge normally to its plane, and a plurality of shallow slots (50) around its periphery connected by channels (52) in a circular path; a starwheel (22) mounted on and supported by said shaft extension (44a) through its hub (26) has a plurality of cutouts (24) around its periphery; a toilet paper holder rod (28) stands at the bottom of each said cutouts (24); a sleeve (56) projecting from the backside (FIG.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Inventor: Amando C. Ramos
  • Patent number: 6712235
    Abstract: Apparatus for dispensing a wiping material of the type comprising a housing, a cover, a drum, a cutter device built into the drum, and drum cocking and returning means incorporating, arranged on a lateral side of the drum, a crank and a cocking spring, the side plates being constructed to support the reel holder, is noteworthy in that it comprises an anti-looping device for preventing looping of the material coming from the reel (B) of material including at least on mechanism acting on the reel holder to lock it in position, this mechanism being arranged ton one of the side plates of the housing, and being actuated by a flyweight device built into the movement of the rotating drum and either causing or not causing the reel holder lock to be operated in the case of application of a large force and traction on the strip of material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Inventor: Maurice Granger