Patents Examined by Paul J. Lee
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Patent number: 6012473Abstract: A fluid mixer and roller cleaner is described. The device comprises a frame that can be sized to receive and retain rollers. The frame is operably, and perhaps removably, coupled to an elongated, power-driven shaft. The device further includes at least one mixing vane operably coupled to the elongated shaft. Typically, the frame is flexible in a spring-like manner to help retain the roller in a desired position about the frame. The diameter of the frame, as well as its length can be adjusted to accommodate rollers of different sizes. And, the frame members can be oriented so that the major planar surfaces thereof are substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft, or at least one of the frame members can have its major planar surfaces canted relative to the major longitudinal axis of the elongated shaft. The frame, whether formed from plural frame members or a continuous sheath, may be of virtually any geometric shape. A currently preferred shape for the frame is substantially cylindrical.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 1998Date of Patent: January 11, 2000Assignee: Takehiko KoyamaInventor: Takehiko Koyama
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Patent number: 6006768Abstract: A device for cleaning an optical fiber includes a body having a surface. A cleaning substance is deposited on the surface of the body. The body is selectively positionable for selectively contacting the cleaning substance with the optical fiber.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 1997Date of Patent: December 28, 1999Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventor: Larry R. Cox
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Patent number: 6008053Abstract: A method for determining in vivo the nutritional value of animal feed during the transit of the feed in the digestive system of ruminant comprising analysing said feed, more particularly ensilage, by near infrared spectrophotometry.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 1998Date of Patent: December 28, 1999Assignee: Rhone-Poulenc Nutrition AnimaleInventor: Peter Williams
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Patent number: 6003530Abstract: A washing apparatus for spray guns and their components wherein a washing operation is provided which is realized by feeding clean liquid and air.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 1998Date of Patent: December 21, 1999Assignee: Rosauto S.R.L.Inventor: Rosa Giuseppe
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Patent number: 6003531Abstract: There is disclosed a pipette-washing device for use with an automatic biochemical analyzer. The pipette-washing device includes a wash fluid-ejecting block for ejecting a wash fluid toward pipette. An upwardly spreading groove is formed in the top surface of the body of the block and extends along the trajectory of the front end of the pipette. The groove is connected at its lower end with the vertical wash fluid channel. A lateral draining channel is formed in the body of the block and connected with the lower end of the vertical wash fluid channel. When the pipette moves, the front end of the pipette moves through the groove. The block is inclined at an angle to the vertical within a plane in which the groove extends.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 1997Date of Patent: December 21, 1999Assignee: JEOL Ltd.Inventors: Akio Kimura, Shin Saito
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Patent number: 5996599Abstract: The invention relates to cleaning equipment for puncture-resistant gloves and the like and to a support, which accommodates one or several holding mechanisms for puncture-resistant gloves, the support being constructed movably, so that each holding mechanism can be brought into the sphere of activity of a washing nozzle, which is connected with a supply of cleaning liquid.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 1997Date of Patent: December 7, 1999Inventor: Jan Henkrik Hulskotte
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Patent number: 5992432Abstract: A hydrodynamic nozzle for the cleaning of pipes and channels exhibits a distribution chamber (7), joining to the pressurized water-entrance opening (4), wherein the pressurized water-discharge opening (5a, 5b) join into the distribution chamber (7) through channels (6a and 6b). The distribution chamber (7) exhibits a cone-shaped water subdivider (8), to which a defined radius (r1) follows, wherein the curvature of the radius (r1) is opposite to that of the pressurized water-entrance opening (4). The channels (6a and 6b) are merging tangentially at this radius (r1). Furthermore, the nozzle body (1) can be subdivided into an upper part (2) and a lower part (3), and can exhibit a separate form element (14), which forms the water subdivider (8) and the radius (r1), in the lower part (3). The degree of effectiveness is substantially increased with the nozzle according to the invention and thus the axial pressure of the exiting beam of liquid and the cleaning effect is substantially increased.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 1997Date of Patent: November 30, 1999Inventors: Kurt Horger, Hans Lutze
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Patent number: 5988193Abstract: An ultrasonic cleaner for instruments is provided with at least one tank suitable for holding the medical instruments and a cleaning solution therein. A source of ultrasonic waves, such as ultrasonic transducers, is mounted on the exterior of the tank and is connected to a source of electrical power. The cleaning tank has a bottom plate with a drain opening connectable to a municipal sewage line, allowing to drain the cleaning solution along with impurities discharged after the cleaning cycle has been completed. In an alternative embodiment, the cleaning solvents are recycled via a Y-type connector into a second high-pressure hose and then into a storage receptacle with a cover. The alternative embodiment is designed for industrial applications only, where contamination does not pose a risk.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 1998Date of Patent: November 23, 1999Inventor: Teresita V. Hernandez
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Patent number: 5970995Abstract: A kit for removing calcium deposits in a shower head extending from a shower arm without removing the shower head from the shower arm. The kit includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is replaceably attached to the shower arm, adjacent the shower head. The second portion is replaceably suspended from the first portion and receives the shower head and is filled with a mild acid, with the shower head submerged therein, so as to allow the mild acid to dissolve the calcium deposits in the shower head soaking in the mild acid in the second portion, without having to remove the shower head from the shower arm.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 1998Date of Patent: October 26, 1999Inventor: William W. Schy
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Patent number: 5967159Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a substrate conveying apparatus for loading/unloading a substrate to/from a processing section, including an arm for holding the substrate on an upper surface thereof, an arm drive mechanism for driving the arm such as to load/unload the substrate to/from the processing section, first and second suction members each having an opening communicating to a suction hole of the suction passage, for supporting the substrate by at least an edge portion of the opening, and a switching mechanism for selectively switching a mode between the support of the substrate by the first suction member and that by the second suction member.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 1998Date of Patent: October 19, 1999Assignee: Tokyo Electron LimitedInventor: Kiyohisa Tateyama
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Patent number: 5967160Abstract: Retractable doors 22 to a washing chamber 20 of a washer 10 open automatically to allow a load to be processed to be wheeled into the chamber. The doors are fitted with blowout panels 42, 44. In an emergency, a worker trapped in the washing chamber can escape by pushing the blowout panels outward. A tilting floor assembly 70 includes a floor 76 supported on a frame 74 and a lifting mechanism 90 for selectively raising and lowering a side of the frame to tilt the floor. The floor is tilted automatically during a cleaning cycle to allow cleaning fluids to drain from the load, then leveled before opening of the doors for ease of removal of the load.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 1997Date of Patent: October 19, 1999Assignee: Steris CorporationInventors: Daniel Rochette, Michel Lemay, Yves-Andre Theriault, Michel Emond, Mario Duchaine, Ghislain Parent, Nathalie Thibault
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Patent number: 5964229Abstract: A device for or in a garbage truck, particularly a vehicle for receiving and transporting so-called biological or organic garbage, includes tilting arrangements at the end of the vehicle for tilting a can containing garbage upwardly for emptying the can and for tilting the can backwardly into its initial position after the can has been emptied. The garbage dropped into the hold of the vehicle and the emptied can are sprayed with a disinfecting agent for treating the garbage and cleaning the can. The spraying device includes a spray nozzle which is movable between a first spray position for spraying in the direction of the garbage in the hold of the garbage truck and a second spray position for spraying in a second spray direction in which the spray jet is directed into the interior of the can which is in its upwardly tilted position.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 1997Date of Patent: October 12, 1999Assignee: Baier & Koppel GmbH & Co.Inventor: Jurgen Brendel
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Patent number: 5964955Abstract: An operating system (20) for a washer (1) is mounted on a moveable trolley (52). The trolley carries all of the failure prone elements such as pumps (24, 28, 40) solenoid valves 80, electrical heaters (48), an electrical control circuit (50) and the like. Quick-release couplings (58, 59,60 62), between the operating system and plumbing associated with a washing chamber (10), allow the operating system to be quickly disconnected from and reconnected with the chamber. The trolley is then wheeled a distance away from the chamber, providing ready access to all the operating equipment for maintenance and repair.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 1997Date of Patent: October 12, 1999Assignee: Steris CorporationInventors: Daniel Rochette, Michel Lemay, Yves-Andrebec Theriault, Michel Emond, Mario Duchaine, Ghislain Parent, Nathalie Thibault
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Patent number: 5960804Abstract: A method of selecting a washing cycle for an intelligent appliance uses several factors to make a cycle selection. The first factor is a combination of the water turbidity, conductivity and temperature as well as the wash arm speed. The other factors are the average of previously selected cycles, the number of times the appliance door has been opened, and the time between wash cycles. The appliance also allows the user to bump up the selected cycle to a higher cycle if the user is unsatisfied with the performance of the appliance. If a failure has occurred with any of the sensors or in the communications routine, the appliance selects the average of previously selected cycles as the wash cycle.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 1996Date of Patent: October 5, 1999Assignee: Maytag CorporationInventors: Randall L. Cooper, Mitchell N. Corbett, Douglas W. Gardner
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Patent number: 5960648Abstract: The invention refers to a process and a device for the treatment of fibrous material. In order to provide a process for the treatment of fibrous material which allows for cleaning and preparing fibrous material, the invention provides that fibrous material, especially combed sliver, textiles, non-woven fabrics and wool fiber bunches, are at first cleaned in a cleaning phase with support from a solvent, then dried in a vacuum drying phase, and then surface modified in a plasma treatment phase. The device (100,200) proposed according to the invention for the treatment of fibrous material comprises a cleaning vessel (102,202), a vacuum drier (104,204) and a plasma treatment vessel (106,206) for this purpose.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 1997Date of Patent: October 5, 1999Inventor: Siegfried Straemke
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Patent number: 5957144Abstract: The dishwasher of the present invention is adapted to skip a drain cycle if the water in the dishwasher is clean enough. The invention uses a turbidity sensor to sense the turbidity of the water. If the sensed turbidity is below a threshold value, the drain motor and the water valve are disabled to prevent the water from being drained and to prevent additional water from being introduced into the dishwasher.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 1998Date of Patent: September 28, 1999Assignee: Maytag CorporationInventors: Mark B. Neff, Thomas M. Johnson
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Patent number: 5950648Abstract: An application brush cleaning apparatus which prevents the handle of an application brush from contacting a bristle cleaning solution. Provided are an elongated container, a hollow pier situatable within the container and a resilient support washer having a brush seat characterized by a center hole and a plurality of radial slits communicating therewith. The container is preferably composed of clear glass. The pier is any structure which defines a rest and a central hollow, as for example a coil spring or an apertured pedestal. The pier is placed into the container and then the container is filled with a bristle cleaning solution to no more than the level of the rest of the pier. The handle is thrust into the brush seat of the support washer until the ferrule is frictionally held thereat. The washer and application brush combination is placed into the container, bristles first, wherein the bristles pass into the central hollow of the pier and into the bristle cleaning solution.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 1998Date of Patent: September 14, 1999Inventors: Renee' M. Skrocki, Rose M. Kerekes, Michael A. Kerekes
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Patent number: 5950644Abstract: A denture cleaner is provided including a housing adapted to contain a cleaning fluid. Also included is an agitator assembly for forcing the cleaning fluid upwardly when actuated. Next provided is a lid mounted on the housing with clamps for connecting dentures thereto. The lid is removably mounted on the housing thereby cleaning the dentures when the agitator assembly is actuated.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 1998Date of Patent: September 14, 1999Inventor: Edward N. Brewer
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Patent number: 5946950Abstract: A pump has a bearing stand (3) in which a pump shaft (1) is mounted to be driven by an electric motor. The shaft (1) mounts an impeller (9) having blades (10) which cause fluid entering through an axial inlet nozzle (11) to flow, by rotation of the impeller in one direction, through a centrifugal exit nozzle (12) formed by a suitably located quarter toroid (13a), and a half toroid (14), formed as sheet metal pressings. When the impeller (9) is rotated in the opposite direction, the centrifugal nozzle (12) acts as an entry nozzle and the axial nozzle (11) acts as a discharge nozzle. The pump is particularly suitable for treating textile yarns since said one direction of rotation can be used for out-to-in treatment dye liquor flow where relatively high resistance is encountered and said opposite direction of rotation can be used for in-to-out treatment dye liquor flow where resistance is relatively lower.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 1997Date of Patent: September 7, 1999Assignee: Palmer Investments LimitedInventors: William Tak Ming Tsui, Graham Frank Clifford
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Patent number: 5946945Abstract: A pressure vessel for receiving and storing pressurized fluid in a pressurized dense phase liquid dry cleaning apparatus is provided. The dry cleaning apparatus generally includes a cleaning vessel within which garments or the like are cleaned and a solvent recovery device which takes the contaminated cleaning fluid from the cleaning vessel and separates out the contaminants. The pressure vessel comprises a plurality of interconnected hollow structures and as such is substantially self-supporting and occupies less space within dry cleaning apparatus. The pressure vessel can also serve as the support structure for the other components of the dry cleaning system to provide a further cost and space savings.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 1997Date of Patent: September 7, 1999Inventors: Andrew Kegler, Gregory L. Malchow, Stephen L. Harris