Patents Examined by Peter DeVore
  • Patent number: 6886608
    Abstract: The invention relates to a filling device for oil level regulation on oil pans in engines and transmissions, with an opening 1 in the base of the oil pan 2 which is closable with an oil drain screw 10, an oil filling collar 3 being arranged over the opening 1, the oil filling collar 3 projecting into the interior 4 of the oil pan, and a filling pipe 5 as an extension of the oil filling collar 3 being releasably attached to the oil filling collar 3, the free end 6 of the filling pipe 5 representing an overflow opening 7; the invention also relates to an oil pan containing the inventive filling device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: IBS Filtran Kunststoff-/Metallerzeugnisse GmbH
    Inventor: Michael Jacob
  • Patent number: 6886607
    Abstract: A function liquid filling device includes: a feed unit for feeding a function liquid in a function liquid tank toward head caps coupled to function liquid droplet ejection heads through the function liquid droplet ejection heads; a detection unit for detecting that the fed function liquid reaches the head caps; and a control unit for stopping the drive of the feed unit based on a result of detection by the detection unit. The detection unit includes: a crystal oscillator disposed in the head cap and/or a waste liquid passage; and a detector for detecting the presence or absence of the function liquid based on a change in a resonance frequency of the crystal oscillator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Yutaka Takano
  • Patent number: 6887008
    Abstract: There is provided a ballpoint pen tip that minimizes thin spots such as impact thin spots even if upward writing or an impact causes entry of air, allows rapid return to normal writing, and minimizes manufacturing costs. A writing ball and a check ball included in the ballpoint pen tip are placed close to each other with a slight clearance therebetween to leave an inner space with a slight capacity. Thus, even if air enters from a caulking portion, the volume of the air stored inside is slight, and an air pool can be rapidly eliminated. Further, both the writing ball and the check ball can be provided in a front end of the ballpoint pen tip, and assembly operations can be easily performed without inverting the ballpoint pen tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Pencil Kabushikikaisha
    Inventors: Toru Kitao, Hiroyuki Muto
  • Patent number: 6883565
    Abstract: An air pump for bicycles comprises: an air storage tank 5 for storing compressed air which is charged thereinto from a manual pump 30 through tank-charging passages 43b and 43a; an air-charge valve 44 or 49 for preventing air stored in the air storage tank 5 from reversely flowing toward the manual pump 30 through the tank-charging passages 43b and 43a; air passages 43a and 43c which extends from the air storage tank 5 and which is formed at its tip end with an air discharge port which charges air into a bicycle tire; and an opened and closed valve for opening and closing the air passages 43a and 43c. With this structure, it is possible to provide an air pump for bicycles capable of swiftly charging a large volume of high-pressure air into a bicycle tire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Marui Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinji Marui
  • Patent number: 6880586
    Abstract: A fuel filler assembly collar comprising: a first semicircular shaped structure having a first pair of terminal ends which lie in a common vertical plane, each of the terminal ends including at least two locking means, a top edge forming an upper semicircular rim, a bottom edge forming a lower semicircular rim, the top edge and the bottom edge lying in spaced apart horizontal planes with respect to each other, a chamber duct in the top edge of the first semicircular structure, and an outer circumferential side separating the top edge and the bottom edge, and an elbow-shaped tubular structure connected to a fuel vapor vent tube; and a second semicircular shaped structure having a second pair of terminal ends which lie in a common vertical plane, the two terminal ends including at least two locking means, a top edge forming an upper semicircular rim, a bottom edge forming a lower semicircular rim, the top edge and the bottom edge lying in spaced apart horizontal planes with respect to each other, and one or mor
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Dayco Products, LLC
    Inventors: Allen G. Crowley, David D. Chen, Mingchi Michael Tsai
  • Patent number: 6880592
    Abstract: A canister guard for preventing liquid contamination of an oulet to a canister containing liquid. The canister guard may include baffles extending from a sidewall. Additionally, the canister guard may be configured to be replacable or for retrofitting to conventional liquid chemical containing canisters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Advanced Technology Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: John N. Gregg, Donn Naito
  • Patent number: 6880999
    Abstract: The invention concerns an applicator device comprising a storage means for storing a product to be applied, and an increased pressure-producing device having an elastic device, wherein the elastic device is designed to press with its elastic return force against a boundary means of the storage means, to produce an increased pressure in the storage means. In accordance with the present invention it is provided that the increased pressure-producing device is controllable to provide a reduction in the pressure in the storage means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Schwan-Stabilo Cosmetics GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Friedrich Biegel, Rene Heinlein, Georg Roeder
  • Patent number: 6877923
    Abstract: A flowable media dispensing device is shown that includes a removable sealing device that seals a dispensing opening of the dispensing device when not in use, and is removed to expose the dispensing opening during application of the flowable media. The use of a sealing device permits the user to leave unused media such as drywall joint compound inside the dispensing device when not in use. The time consuming step of cleaning the dispensing device after every use is therefore eliminated. Further, media such as drywall joint compound that would previously have been wasted during the cleaning process is saved, providing more efficient use of the dispensing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Inventor: Monte Grayden
  • Patent number: 6877531
    Abstract: A servicing apparatus for exchanging fluid between a serviceable automobile component and new and used fluid tanks and including a manifold with a fluid circuit defining a plurality of pathways connecting a plurality of ports whereby fluid is directed through the fluid circuit and ports by selectively operating first and second valves and circulated using a common pump to exchange fluid, recirculate fluid, and drain both the used and new fluid tanks as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Norco Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey P. Few
  • Patent number: 6877534
    Abstract: A portable and collapsible apparatus for facilitating the collection and disposal of debris, including leaves and other material, which includes a stand for supporting or for straddling a collection receptacle and which stand includes an inclined guide chute by way of which debris may be swept, raked, or otherwise conveyed from a surface upwardly to a point of discharge into the collection receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Inventors: Collins L. Hendrickson, Jr., Thomas H. Sheffield
  • Patent number: 6866070
    Abstract: The bag insert of the present invention is an apparatus for aiding in the management of a waste collection bag during waste collection. In one embodiment, the bag insert is placed inside the waste collection bag and then expanded. Once expanded, the bag insert maintains the bag in an upright and open position. Further, the bag insert forms a hollow rectangular tube such that waste can be placed inside the bag by dropping the waste through the open top of the bag insert. The waste collection bag may be placed inside the expanded bag insert, wherein the bag insert maintains the bag in an upright and substantially open position. After waste collection is complete, the bag insert is capable of being folded along several axes such that the size of the bag insert is reduced for storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Glen Ellyn Industries LLC
    Inventors: Patrick F. King, Myron P. Andersen
  • Patent number: 6860301
    Abstract: An apparatus for filling containers, said apparatus comprising a feed nozzle which may be placed over the feed orifice of the container, the feed nozzle being so constructed that the solids may be introduced under pressure and the container being surrounded by a cage, as well as a process for filling containers, in particular with finely divided solids having a high air content by arranging an air-permeable large container in an apparatus according to the invention, air-tight connection of the large container to the feed nozzle, filling of the container under pressure, removal of the filled container and container with air-permeable plies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: DeGussa AG
    Inventors: Roland Schaffer, Johannes Andreas Joze Middelman, Gerd Theodor Brand, Thomas Riedemann, Frank Dieter Hünig, Hans-Jürgen Strempel, Hans-Joachim Seydel, Michael Hirschhäuser
  • Patent number: 6857455
    Abstract: A continuous strip bag feeder and loader that includes an integrated printer assembly for printing information on each individual bag of the continuous strip. The printer assembly is mounted to a support frame and receives a continuous strip of bags from a feed assembly. The printer assembly includes a print head that prints the desired information on each individual bag of the continuous strip. The printer assembly is positioned relative to the loading assembly such that after each individual bag is printed, the bag is immediately loaded with a product at the loading assembly. Thus, no printed bags are positioned between the loading assembly and the printer assembly, thereby assuring each bag is loaded with a product prior to the printing of another bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Sharp Packing Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy E. Brahier, James W. Gleesing
  • Patent number: 6848167
    Abstract: A head gimbal assembly, which is a component of a hard disk drive, has a bending portion that has elasticity and is bent at a predetermined angle under an unloaded condition, and a slider is bonded to a holding portion thereof by mounting the head gimbal assembly on a bonding jig in a state in which the bending portion is stretched. When the head gimbal assembly is separated from the bonding jig after bonding, the bending portion is not restored freely, so that the head gimbal assembly is caught by the bonding jig during the separating process and a locked state is sometimes established.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Mita, Kohichiroh Naka, Takuya Satoh, Tatsumi Tsuchiya, Tatsushi Yoshida
  • Patent number: 6839918
    Abstract: A collapsible wheel chair with displaceable seat panels includes a first side frame member, a second side frame member, a seat frame, a first pivoting support member, a second pivoting support member, a first pair of wheels and a second pair of wheels. The first side frame member is retained relative to the second side frame member with the first and second pivoting members. One side of the seat frame is pivotally attached to one of the side frame members. The seat frame includes at least one seat section, which may each be independently raised or lower on one end thereof. The first pair of wheels are pivotally retained by the first and second side frame members. The second pair of wheels are pivotally retained by the first and second side frame members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Inventor: Neil B. Jensen
  • Patent number: 6835015
    Abstract: Jelly pens are disclosed that may use a unitary elongate pen body made from an elastomer gel, the pen body having a longitudinal bore for insertion of an ink reservoir and writing tip therein. The use of elastomer gel for the entire pen body may provide a more desirable gripping surface on the pen and can provide a pen with a soft, floppy feel during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: EdiZONE, LC
    Inventor: Tony M. Pearce
  • Patent number: 6830404
    Abstract: An input pen is capable of being held in any one of input pen holding parts, respectively having different shapes, of various personal digital assistants. The input pen has a barrel, and stopping members fitted in opposite end parts of a metal tube. An elastic member is placed between the stopping members so as to push the stopping members outwardly. The metal tube is fitted in openings formed in the barrel. When the input pen is inserted into an input pen holding part of the personal digital assistant, the stopping members, properly projecting exteriorly through the openings of the barrel, are pressed against an inner surface of the input pen holding part. Thus, the input pen will not move even if there is a space between the barrel and the inner surface of the input pen holding part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Pilot Precision Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toshimasa Nagaoka
  • Patent number: 6830082
    Abstract: A fluid servicing apparatus with new and used fluid tanks for exchanging fluid with a serviceable vehicular subsystem having a fluid reservoir includes a control system with dielectric sensing capabilities to monitor the fluid level within the tanks and, based upon such fluid levels or relative changes thereto, regulate the flow of fluid between the vehicular subsystem and the tanks through selective operation of a fluid flow rate control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Norco Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffery P. Few
  • Patent number: 6827516
    Abstract: In a cosmetic unit comprising two different cosmetic products and two different applicators, provision is made, with a view to cost-saving manufacture based on a minimum of components and simplicity of assembly, for a central sleeve; a threaded plug which is fixable in the central sleeve; a threaded spindle which reaches through a hole, with a female thread, of the threaded plug and on the outer end of which is provided a cup that houses a cartridge, the cup being mounted, via axial projections, non-rotatably, but axially displaceably in a protective guide section; an insert which is plugged into the central sleeve in the vicinity of the threaded spindle and which includes the protective guide section that is formed outside the central sleeve; an applicator handle which adjoins the inside end of the threaded spindle; and a helical spring which extends between the threaded plug and the inner front end of the applicator handle, forcing the applicator outwards against a cosmetic compound contained in the screw c
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: h&m gutberlet GmbH
    Inventor: Detlev Gutberlet
  • Patent number: 6827113
    Abstract: The present invention provides highly automated fluid delivery systems and related methods with significantly improved throughput relative to preexisting technologies. In particular, the invention relates to a fluid dispensing system that simultaneously produces multiple fluid mixtures on-the-fly in multiple multiwell plates. The invention also includes control system and machine software in addition to various systems and related methods for performing assorted downstream processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: IRM, LLC
    Inventors: Robert C. Downs, Mark R. Weselak