Patents Examined by Mark Shulman
  • Patent number: 6418639
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method and a device in the dryer section of a paper/board machine. In the dryer section a normal single-wire draw is applied at least partly, in which method the web (W) is passed through the dryer group on support of a drying wire (H). The drying wire (H) presses the web (W) on the drying cylinders (Kn, Kn+1 . . . ) against the heated cylinder faces, and on the reversing cylinders or rolls (Sn, Sn+1 . . . ) between the drying cylinders (10) the web (W) remains at the side of the outside curve. There is one integrated device, through which a support suction and/or blowing is produced in order to improve the runability of the web (W) and to keep the web (W) in contact with the face of the wire, and through which same device, additionally, impingement blowing is produced in order to dry the web (W) and/or to control its tendency of curling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Metso Paper, Inc.
    Inventors: Raimo Virta, Pekka Saarikivi, Juha Kaihovirta, Kari Juppi, Nenad Milosavljevic
  • Patent number: 6418729
    Abstract: The invention relates to refrigerating installations of which the operation is based on the combination of Peltier effect producer elements and thermosyphons with liquid-vapor phase change. Basically it is comprised of: 1) Refrigeration container, 2) Heat dissipator, 3) Closed and fluid-tight circuit containing a fluid which boils or evaporates in the hot focal point situated in the low zone and condenses in the high zone, and then returns due to the gravity action (evaporative thermosyphon); 4) Peltier effect elements (first step); 5) Thermosyphon which transports the heat to the cold faces of the Peltier effect pastilles of the first step; 6) Thermosyphon which exchanges the heat with the prior thermosyphon and transports said heat from the hot faces to the Peltier pastilles of the second step; 7) Peltier effect elements (second step). 8) Thermosyphon which transports the heat from the container at low temperature or at frozen good temperature to the cold faces of the Peltier plates of the second step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas
    Inventors: Manuel Dominguez-Alonso, Juan Manuel Pinillos Perez, Carmen Garcia Rodriguez, Pedro Gutierrez Guardiola
  • Patent number: 6415624
    Abstract: A thermally-regulated bottle has a generally cylindrical body portion defining a first chamber for containing a drinking fluid and defining a central longitudinal axis. A passage is provided for accessing the drinking fluid. A secondary thermal-regulating container contains a thermal-regulating material, such as ice water, or heated water. According to a first embodiment of the invention, the bottle includes a recess which is positioned generally parallel to and remote from the central longitudinal axis, along the side of the bottle. The recess being sized and shaped to selectively receive the secondary thermal-regulating container so that the thermal-regulating material may thermally interact with the drinking fluid located within the chamber and either keep the drinking fluid heated or chilled with respect to the ambient temperature for a prolonged period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Inventors: Frank R. Connors, Caroline Connors
  • Patent number: 6415622
    Abstract: An air outlet opening apparatus for air conditioners is provided. The air outlet opening apparatus includes a shutter for selectively opening and closing the air outlet formed on an air conditioner body. A pair of support plates is mounted beside the shutter to guide the elevation and lowering of the shutter. The air outlet opening apparatus further includes elevation means for selectively elevating and lowering the shutter. The elevation means includes a pair of elevation members positioned to be slid on the support plates, a drive motor for generating power to move the elevation members, and power transmission means for converting the rotating movement of the drive motor to the simultaneous linear movements of the elevation members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: SamSung Electronics, Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jong-Whal Kim, Do-Yeon Kim
  • Patent number: 6408538
    Abstract: A method of sterilizing musical instruments is provided. More particularly, a method of sterilizing musical wind instruments and accessories related thereto is provided for sterilizing, or at least sanitizing, musical wind instruments and accessories without damaging or degrading components of such instruments and accessories constructed of cloth, wood, plastic, rubber or fibrous materials. The method of the invention uses a gas diffusion process and a gas sterilant, such as ethylene oxide. A musical wind instrument and/or an accessory is placed in a gas diffusion bag and a sterilizing atmosphere is created within the gas diffusion bag by releasing ethylene oxide into the gas diffusion bag at a sufficient concentration to act as a sterilant. Ethylene oxide is heated to an appropriate temperature and maintained at such temperature for a sufficient time to achieve sterilization, or at least sanitization, of the musical wind instrument and/or accessory contained therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Inventor: Lorenzo Lepore
  • Patent number: 6408536
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for drying protein crystals starting from an aqueous protein crystal suspension, which comprises drying the protein crystal suspension in a centrifugal dryer, where the protein crystals, after they have been filtered off from the protein crystal suspension, are brought into contact with a drying medium which consists of a mixture of water and a nonaqueous solvent which is miscible with water in any ratio and which has a lower vapor pressure than water. In the process, a drying gas which has been moistened with water is advantageously used. The protein crystal suspension is advantageously converted into a fluidized bed for the purpose of drying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Aventis Pharma Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Rolf Deusser, Peter Kraemer, Horst Thurow
  • Patent number: 6408535
    Abstract: A machine for processing semiconductor wafers and similar articles has an ozone remover connected to a processing chamber. The ozone remover has a light chamber surrounded by reflectors. Ozone and other processing gases and vapors flow out of the processing chamber and into the light chamber. Ultraviolet lights in the ozone remover flood the light chamber with ultraviolet light, converting ozone into oxygen. The amount of ozone released into the environment is reduced. A recirculation line receives the gases and vapors flowing out of the ozone remover. Oxygen and any remaining ozone are separated from other gas and vapor components and are recycled back to an ozone generator, to increase the ozone generator efficiency in supplying the machine with ozone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Semitool, Inc.
    Inventor: Ralph Wayne Thomas
  • Patent number: 6408636
    Abstract: To prevent ice build up around the door of a walk in freezer a heater is provided under the threshold of the door to heat a column of air between the inner surface of the door and the flexible thermal barrier inside the freezer. The heater is operated continuously regardless of whether the door is open or closed to maintain the surfaces around the door, and the thermal barrier, at above freezing temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Inventors: Larry Backes, Chris Butz
  • Patent number: 6405551
    Abstract: A heating apparatus having a refrigeration cycle includes a compressor, a condenser and an evaporator. The heating apparatus has a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger, where the first heat exchanger is selected as a heat source, and the second heat exchanger is selected as either a cooling or heating source. The first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger are connected in series with each other in a refrigerant circuit. A heating medium is circulated in a heat transfer device which is connected to the first heat exchanger. Bathwater of a bathtub and water of a hot-water storage tank are heated through the heat transfer device indirectly by the first heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Science, Inc.
    Inventors: Katumi Kuwabara, Junji Wakikawa, Mitiyuki Takahashi, Akihiro Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 6405555
    Abstract: A method of cooling bulk or draught beverages prior to dispensing comprising: (i) introducing the beverage from a bulk container into a circulation loop that incorporates a pump, and a cooling unit, and (ii) returning cooled beverage as a heat exchange medium to a heat exchange unit associated with the container, whereby the residual beverage in the container is itself cooled by the returning cooled beverage, whereby after a period of time, both the residual beverage in the container and the beverage and the loop are at the same, or generally the same, temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Eventemp Limited
    Inventors: John Stafford Rowland, Douglas Richard Leeming, Brian John Colin Brown
  • Patent number: 6401363
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved drum assembly for washing and drying machines, in which the section of the wedge elements (8) facing the drum ring (3) and provided for engaging with the latter is formed, before the drum assembling, with an edge (9) defined by an inwardly turned wall of the wedge element and parallel to the surface of the front ring (3). This front ring is in turn provided, at each wedge element (8) with a window (10) the contour of which is so deformed as to provide a deformed portion (11) adapted for firmly engaging the edge (9). The invention provides a direct mechanical coupling between the wedge elements and front ring element, i.e. a mechanical coupling which does not comprise any welding spots susceptible to favor oxidation and sealing failure problems of the made connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Inventor: Pietro Miramondi
  • Patent number: 6401479
    Abstract: A container for cooling/refrigerating produce comprising at least one panel made from metal foam for storing a cryogenic fluid under pressure and means for discharging said fluid into the container in order to reduce/maintain the temperature within the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: The BOC Group, plc
    Inventor: Michael Ernest Garrett
  • Patent number: 6393725
    Abstract: Compact microwave clothes dryer and method in which the dryer is small enough to be placed on a countertop, and air is circulated past microwave generator and power supply components to the drying chamber to transfer heat from the components to clothes in the chamber to supplement the microwave drying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard D. Smith, John F. Gerling, Stephen D. Schultz
  • Patent number: 6393862
    Abstract: An adsorbent unit including first and second porous containers connected by a yoke, adsorbent in the containers, first side edges on the first container containing indentations, second side edges on the second container, an end on the second container having a strap formed thereon for encircling the first container and passing through the indentations when the first and second containers are mounted on opposite sides of a U-bend of a refrigerant accumulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Multisorb Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen F. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 6393856
    Abstract: In a ceiling recessed type air conditioner including a case body hung from a ceiling slab via hanging bolts and a panel base mounted on the lower face side of the case body, a decorative frame can be selectively installed at different height positions on the side wall of the panel base via an installation position changing device. Thereby, even when the height space in the ceiling in which the case body is installed is limited and a part of the case body projects from the ceiling surface, a front panel portion can be installed with good appearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Fujitsu General Limited
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Gunji, Akimasa Shirai, Masamitsu Sahara
  • Patent number: 6393842
    Abstract: Air condition for individual cooling/heating including a front compartment and a rear compartment separated by a partition plate made of an insulating material for forced inlet and outlet of external air therethrough respectively, at least two heat exchanger parts each in upper parts of the front and rear compartments and lower parts of front and rear compartments for making heat exchange with external air passing through the front compartment and the rear compartment respectively, first drawing means and second drawing means mounted in an upper portion or a lower portion of the front compartment or the rear compartment respectively for forced circulation of the external air through respective compartments, and driving means for driving the first and second drawing means, each of the heat exchanger parts includes thermoelectric modules each connected to a power source for absorbing heat at a heat absorptive part and discharging the heat from a heat dissipative part provided opposite to the heat absorptive par
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Cheol Min Kim, Yoon Jel Hwang, Yun Ho Ryu
  • Patent number: 6393854
    Abstract: The present invention refers to a new construction for the evaporation tray for the defrost water in refrigeration systems of refrigerators and freezers and, more especifically, to a new construction for the evaporation tray of the type which is affixed onto the shell of the hermetic compressor of said refrigeration systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Empresa Brasileira de Compressores S.A.-Embraco
    Inventors: Ilário José Scheuer, Valter Gamba, Gilberto Heinzelmann
  • Patent number: 6389831
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an air conditioner that is capable of increasing its cooling capacity with its improved evaporator and control box. The air conditioner includes an indoor air inlet formed on an air conditioner body. An evaporator is disposed in the air conditioner body behind the indoor air inlet. A control box including various electric and electronic parts is situated in the indoor portion of the air conditioner body. The control box is positioned over the evaporator and the evaporator is extended relatively wide. The width of the evaporator may be substantially analogous to the width of the air conditioner body. The width of the indoor air inlet may be substantially analogous to the width of the evaporator. The condenser of the electric and electronic parts may be provided with terminals, the portion of the condenser including the terminals is preferably situated in the control box, and the remaining portion is downwardly projected from the control box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Byong-Hwa AN
  • Patent number: 6389834
    Abstract: The invention includes a liquid pumping system. The liquid is preferably condensate and the condensate pumping system may include a tank having an upper reservoir and a sump disposed below the upper reservoir. The upper reservoir may include an orifice and may be positioned to receive condensate from an evaporator. The condensate pumping system may also include a device to seal the orifice, a condensate tube connected to the sump, and an air pump attached to the sump through an air tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas David LeClear, Guolian Wu, Kenneth Scheffler Scheffler, Jim J. Pastryk
  • Patent number: 6389833
    Abstract: An evaporator having defrosting capabilities for space-saving and hard-to-reach installations and for connecting to a condensing unit with a condensing coil and a compressor. The evaporator includes a center tube, a middle tube, and an outer tube. The center tube has a refrigerant inlet for supplying a refrigerant before being evaporated, and conducting the refrigerant in a first direction opposite to the refrigerant inlet of the center tube. The middle tube concentrically receives the center tube and defines a first passage therebetween for conducting a hot injected gas for performing a mild, but positive, defrost of the evaporator as the evaporator continues to operate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Inventor: Jose B. Bouloy