Patents Examined by Lisa Douglas
  • Patent number: 6557777
    Abstract: A method and system for maintaining desired water levels in a gravity flow fountain. The fountain includes manifolds that define reservoirs for storing water. The fountain is capable of generating displays by expelling variably sized and arranged water droplets, at varying rates, from the reservoirs. The expelled water must be replaced in the reservoir to continue sustained operation of the fountain. Even though the volume of water needed at each reservoir as the fountain operates is non-constant and varying, the water is controllable, and therefore, predictable. The fountain uses a programmable logic device, in combination with a variety of components, to anticipate the need for water in the reservoirs. The fountain can also use programmable logic devices, in combination with sensors and a variety of components, to historically determine the need for water in the reservoirs or meet water supply demands on a real time basis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Pevnick Design, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen H. Pevnick
  • Patent number: 6557784
    Abstract: The invention provides a mixer for forming a thin oil film on a surface of a drop of water which can effectively form a drop of water with an oil film. A mixer for forming a thin oil film on a surface of a drop of water is constituted by an oil mist forming chamber for forming an oil supplied from an outer portion in a mist shape by an air stream, a drop of water forming chamber for forming a water supplied from the outer portion by the air stream containing the oil formed in a mist shape in the oil mist forming chamber in a drop of water shape so as to form a drop of water with an oil structured such that a thin oil film is formed on a surface of the drop of water, and a top nozzle for discharging the drop of water with the oil film formed in the drop of water forming chamber to an outer portion. In accordance with the structure mentioned above, it is possible to effectively form the drop of water with the oil film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Daido Metal Company Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Nakamura, Kosaburo Niwa, Hiroshi Yoshimura
  • Patent number: 6557787
    Abstract: A nozzle for delivering fluid evenly over a wide swath is disclosed. The nozzle has an elongated tip which has a stepped slot. Air eduction is also provided to reduce drift of the fluid being delivered through the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Hypro Corporation
    Inventor: Trevor William Bartlett Swan
  • Patent number: 6554201
    Abstract: A method for producing an aerosol generator utilizes a vibratable member having a plurality of apertures for producing liquid droplets upon vibration of the vibratable member. A support member is injection molded about the vibratable member, and a vibratable element is placed in vibrational communication with the vibratable member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Aerogen, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Klimowicz, Brian S. Thornton
  • Patent number: 6554077
    Abstract: The sprinkler arrangements described in the specification include a sprinkler body with an axial passage and an axially movable assembly movable between a sealing position and an open position and including a Belleville washer engageable with a shoulder in the sprinkler body to seal the axial passage in the sealing position and a deflector to distribute water emerging from the passage when the movable assembly is in the open position. A locking assembly which is separable from the sprinkler body normally retains the axially movable assembly in the sealing position and is releasable by a temperature sensitive apparatus at an elevated temperature to permit the movable assembly to move to the open position. In one embodiment the axially movable member has a central post which is slidably guided by a tripod at the outer end of the axial passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: The Reliable Automatic Sprinkler Co., Inc.
    Inventor: George S. Polan
  • Patent number: 6554211
    Abstract: A container vent control for a manually operated sprayer has a short flexible tubing section mounted within a cylindrical housing of the sprayer having a vent port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Calmar Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Prueter, William L. Driskell
  • Patent number: 6554213
    Abstract: A sprinkling nozzle structure a fixation body, a hose connecting body, a hand grip, a spout member, and a barrel member. The hose connecting body is fastened to one end of the fixation body. The fixation body is fastened at the other end to the barrel member which is in turn fastened to the spout member. The barrel member is pliable to facilitate the directing of the spout member at a hard-to-reach area which is intended to be washed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Shin Tai Spurt Water of the Garden Tools Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chin-Yuan Chen
  • Patent number: 6554207
    Abstract: A pressurized system for the preparation and mixing of two or more component solutions comprising a cleaning solution to produce a prepared cleaning solution for use with various applicators in common use in the cleaning industry. The system is made up of a mobile frame for supporting a plurality of pressurized tanks which are connected through feed lines to a mixing tee fitting to produce the output mixed cleaning solution. An inline heater can be optionally added in one or more of the feed lines to provide heat to the component solution before mixing, and an inline heater can be optionally added after mixing to heat the prepared solution. Pressure is supplied to the system by an air compressor directly connected to each of the pressurized tanks so that the same pressure is applied to all tanks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Inventor: Jeffrey N. Ebberts
  • Patent number: 6550693
    Abstract: An atomizer for coating materials is provided. The atomizer includes two opposing discs connected by a central hub. Each disc includes an inwardly extending flange about its perimeter. The central hub has an exterior surface defining a v-shaped surface. When assembled in a coating apparatus, a fluid material, such as batter, may be dispensed toward the exterior surface of the hub while the disc is spinning. The resulting spray of fluid may be used to coat material effectively, while minimizing waste.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Wilevco, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark R. Lohkamp
  • Patent number: 6550689
    Abstract: An animal scent dispensing apparatus and method for dispensing animal scent. The animal scent dispensing apparatus provides for laying a scent trail, while a user is walking to a selected location in order to lure an animal. The animal scent dispensing apparatus provides the capability to refresh the scent trail while walking to the selected location. The animal scent dispensing apparatus includes a staff, a housing unit, a liquid absorbing dragging material and a container of animal scent. The housing unit is attached to the staff. The housing unit provides a chamber for the insertion of the container and for securing the dragging material. The container includes a spraying mechanism to release the scent from the container and onto the dragging material, when pressure is applied downward on the housing unit by the staff. Thereby, providing an easy method of making and refreshing a scent trail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Inventors: David A. Hoyes, Brock A. Hoyes
  • Patent number: 6547164
    Abstract: The present invention provides a vapor-liquid (V-L) ejector with a removable nozzle (2) in which the internal structure has been modified and improved concerning the clearance that exists to enable said nozzle (2) to be engaged in the body (10) of said ejector (1). The invention also provides a nozzle (2) for such an ejector (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Compagnie Generale des Matieres Nucleaires
    Inventors: Pierre Miquel, François Poncelet, Philippe Bretault, Didier Michel
  • Patent number: 6547155
    Abstract: A cold-gas coolant nozzle which limits the amount of turbulence induced in the flow of cold gas due to interaction with ambient air by creating a intermediate temperature buffer zone between the cold gas and the ambient air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Rigaku/MSC, Inc.
    Inventor: G. Keith Crane
  • Patent number: 6547161
    Abstract: This invention relates to an improved pressure regulation structure at the tip of the spray gun connected to the nozzle. A screw hole is formed in the front section of a passage where a regulation shaft extends from the tip of the spray gun. An inner recess and an outer recess are formed on the front surface of the spray gun respectively with an air outlet. A gasket with slots is inserted between the spray gun and the nozzle. A hollow screwed tube formed in the rear of the nozzle to receive insertion of the gasket before being engaged to the screw hole of the spray gun. An inner recess and an outer recess with air ventilating holes and air outlets formed in the nozzle. A groove is formed around a nozzle tip at the front side of the nozzle. The inner and outer recesses of the nozzle abutted to the inner and outer recesses of the spray gun to form a pressure regulation air port; and outer threads provided on the nozzle to receive a nut for the spray head connected to a nut to hold against the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Inventor: Tiao-Hsiang Huang
  • Patent number: 6549796
    Abstract: A method of monitoring the concentration of an analyte in a host or portion thereof over a given period of time. The method includes the steps of: (a) making a first analyte concentration measurement at a first point of time using a single use analyte concentration measuring device; (b) making a second analyte concentration measurement at a second point in time using a single use analyte concentration measuring device; and (c) making one or more additional analyte concentration measurements using another single use measuring device, wherein the analyte concentration measurements are made according to a selected schedule to monitor the concentration of analyte in a host over a given portion of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: LifeScan, Inc.
    Inventor: Borzu Sohrab
  • Patent number: 6543708
    Abstract: A spraying apparatus without electrical connections comprising means for controlling air supplies with signals generated with compressed air. The apparatus may further include a metering device which delivers metered amounts of powder to a spray gun and which may be controlled by the same compressed air which controls the air supplies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: International Paper Company
    Inventor: Everett H. Stephenson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6543704
    Abstract: A protecter for a riser connected to an underground water pipe and sprinkler head attached at a top portion thereof includes an elongate hollow body member having an upper portion with an upper opening and a lower portion with a lower opening, each opening being defined by a rim on respective upper and lower portion. The body defines an interior space for housing a riser and sprinkler head therein and has a lower portion including a pair of slots formed therein for fitting the body over an underground water pipe, and an upper portion further including a concave hood member extending laterally outwardly and downwardly of the rim of the upper opening and defining a cavity. The hood member has a lower edge portion for engaging a ground surface to limit downward travel of the protecter. The slots have an open lower portion and an arcuate upper portion for engaging the upper surface of an underground water pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Inventor: Michael A. Stephens
  • Patent number: 6540154
    Abstract: A method for controlling the supply of liquid to an aerosol generator comprises operating a liquid supply system to supply a liquid to a vibratable aperture plate of an aerosol generator which senses an amount of liquid adhering to the vibratable aperture plate, and controls operation of the liquid supply system to adjust the amount of liquid adhering to the vibratable aperture plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Aerogen, Inc.
    Inventors: Yehuda Ivri, Markus Flierl
  • Patent number: 6540159
    Abstract: A pistol-type nozzle includes a handle and a spray nozzle head fastened adjustably to a top end of the handle. The top end of the hand is provided with a first fastening seat, whereas the spray nozzle head is provided at an inner end with a second fastening seat. The first fastening seat is provided with a tubular projection and a locating pin. The second fastening seat is provided with a fastening hole and a plurality of locating slots corresponding in location to the locating pin. The first fastening seat is rotatably fastened to the second fastening seat such that the tubular projection of the first fastening seat is rotatably retained in the fastening hole of the second fastening seat, and that the locating pin of the first fastening seat is removably retained in one of the locating slots of the second fastening seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Inventor: Hsin-Fa Wang
  • Patent number: 6540109
    Abstract: Rechargeable containers and dispensers, in particular spray bottle dispensers including at least one chemical reservoir for recharging the spray bottle dispenser. Preferably, a plurality of separate chemical reservoirs containing chemical concentrate are provided within the spray bottle dispenser to fully contain any inadvertent spillage of chemicals, and to insure a high degree of safety against accidental spills, and/or accidental ingestion by children.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Sunpat L.L.C.
    Inventors: William L. Klima, Walter F. Klima, Jr.
  • Patent number: RE38077
    Abstract: A microdispensing ophthalmic pump is provided for repeatedly delivering doses as small as 5 microliters within an angular operating range. The pump basically comprises a reservoir, a dispensing cap, an actuator and a pump body with a pump mechanism disposed therein. The pump mechanism is regulated by a limited-travel inlet check valve and a biased-closed outlet check valve. A failsafe mechanism is formed between the actuator and dispensing cap to prevent operation of the pump outside the operating range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Inventors: Ben Z. Cohen, Nigel Kelly