Patents Examined by Stephen Gravini
  • Patent number: 6928745
    Abstract: An appliance with an internal working space has a door to provide access to the working space. A control panel is operatively mounted on the appliance. A seal mounted on the door sealingly engages with an upright wall on the control panel when the door is closed to prevent migration of moisture toward the components of the control panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: Chris P. Lickiss, Curtis J. Tremel, Joseph M. Keeler, Troy A. Johnson, Michael C. Roberts, Burton R. Vander Schel, Dale D. Vander Heiden
  • Patent number: 6928753
    Abstract: The preferred quality requirements postulated by producers for the product cold-rolled strip include, among good flatness and optimum thickness tolerances, also dryness of the strip in the outlet of strip rolling mills. Already existing devices that are disposed in the outlet of roll stands comprise stationarily installed and mobile partitions, a roll barrel and a roll strip venting device and a vapor escape. The aim of the invention is improve the aforementioned device by disposing above the rolled strip (10) a strip deflector (3) with an integrated fan-operated strip venting device (4) by means of a low-pressure nozzle (7) and an upper roll barrel gap seal (5) in the form of a slotted nozzle (6) and below the rolled strip (10) an extraction device (16) with integrated lower strip deflector (17).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: SMS Demag AG
    Inventors: Hans-Peter Richter, Armin Klapdor
  • Patent number: 6928746
    Abstract: A method for drying an object, having a polymeric film, wherein the object is submerged in a rinse liquid. The object is removed from the rinse liquid and the object is placed in a solvent bath before a sufficient amount of the rinse liquid can evaporate from the object. The density of a solvent in the solvent bath depends on a direction of orientation of the polymeric film with respect to a force. The object is removed from the solvent bath. A drying process is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Chantal J. Arena-Foster, Allan Wendell Awtrey, Nicholas Alan Ryza, Paul Schilling
  • Patent number: 6928747
    Abstract: A method and a device for decorating objects made of a material such as glass or metal, which includes coating at least part of the surface of the objects with a substance adapted to form patterns during polymerization. The method also includes drying and dusting the objects by blowing; conditioning the objects so as to place them in specific physical conditions, for a certain time interval; applying, on the surface of each of the objects, the polymerizable substance; and placing the objects in an environment suitable for their polymerization by drying while forming the desired patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Sarl LB de la Rosiere
    Inventor: Fabien Lecart
  • Patent number: 6928748
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing a semiconductor process wafer drying process, the method provides a semiconductor wafer having a process surface disposed in an enclosed drying space following exposure of the process surface to water; supplying a solvent vapor to the drying space at a predetermined concentration from a solvent vapor source and at least one solvent vapor supply line; determining at least one of a solvent vapor concentration and a solvent vapor temperature in the drying space; and heating in response to the determined solvent concentration at least one of at least a portion of one of the solvent vapor source, the at least one solvent vapor supply line, and at the drying space to alter the solvent vapor concentration in the drying space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Jia-Ren Chen, Li-De Hsu, Chin-Chia Kuo, Hann-Huei Tsai
  • Patent number: 6926519
    Abstract: A lighter extension assembly includes an elongated extension member, a holster for holding a conventional disposable lighter, a main gripping portion, and a lighter ignition mechanism for providing linear movement by a lighter actuation assembly upon squeezing a trigger. The elongated extension member is telescopic and a supplemental handle may also be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Inventor: Gregory Lusson
  • Patent number: 6925731
    Abstract: A cleaning process for cleaning a thermal processing apparatus includes: a heating step of heating an interior of a reaction tube at 300° C., and a cleaning step of removing deposits deposited in the thermal processing apparatus. In the cleaning step, a cleaning gas containing fluorine gas, chlorine gas and nitrogen gas is supplied into the interior of the reaction tube heated at 300° C. to remove silicon nitride so to clean an interior of the thermal processing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Kazuaki Nishimura, Yukio Tojo, Phillip Spaull, Kenji Tago
  • Patent number: 6925729
    Abstract: A combination hair dryer and mounting assembly includes a hair dryer having a switch movable between an OFF position in which the hair dryer is not energized and an ON position in which the hair dryer is energized. A receptacle is configured for receiving the hair dryer therein when the switch is in the OFF position. The receptacle prevents insertion of the hair dryer therein when the switch is in the ON position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Hamilton Beach/Proctor-Silex, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian R. Sullivan, Roy B. Bates
  • Patent number: 6926518
    Abstract: The safety lighter includes contact wheels requiring rotation to rotate a spark wheel for generating a spark and, hence, a flame in the lighter. An extension, preferably part of the windscreen, includes a top wall overlying the majority of the circumferences of the contact wheels. Only a small portion of the contact wheel surfaces are therefore exposed for engagement by a user's thumb, thus increasing the strength and dexterity required to actuate the lighter and inhibiting actuation of the lighter by children.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Inventor: Aman K. M. Chung
  • Patent number: 6923645
    Abstract: A gas-mixing device includes a store tank, a mixing chamber provided in the store tank, an air intake tube provided in the mixing chamber and having an intake, and an outlet tube connected with the mixing chamber. Properly pressured air is pumped through the air intake tube in the store tank to add pressure and vaporize liquid fuel oil in the store tank. Vaporized fuel oil is sent to a nozzle through the fuel oil outlet tube. An air outlet valve is provided in the store tank for pressured air therein to flow through into the nozzle, wherein vaporized fuel oil is mixed with pressured air and further intensely vaporized to produce further vaporizing and pressure-adding function for use in a burning appliance and installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Inventors: Teng-Mao Chiu, Chin-Hsiang Lin
  • Patent number: 6923644
    Abstract: A radiant panel provided with a frame on which at least one pair of projections, each comprising a first and second projection, are disposed, the first and second projections being in each case disposed at a distance from each other on a longitudinal edge of the frame, each projection being provided with an orifice, said radiant panel also comprising, per pair of projections, a movable bar having a first and second end situated opposite to each other, said bar being arranged so that each of the ends can be engaged in one of the respective orifices, said bar serving to press a grille against the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Inventors: Daniel Lavigne, Koen Van Overbeke
  • Patent number: 6923173
    Abstract: Disclosed is a high efficiency hot air furnace including a heat exchanger assembly located in a heat exchange chamber through with comfort air is passed to be heated. The heat exchanger assembly includes a drum like combustion member located in the flow path of comfort air. A supplemental heat exchanger or condenser is disposed in the flow path of comfort air upstream from the combustion member. A transfer channel extends from one end of the combustion member and communicates combustion products to the condenser. The combustion member includes an insulating material on the inside portion of the cylindrical wall. A diffuser is located within the combustion member which prevents the burner flame from extending into the transfer channel. The burner includes a blower for urging combustion gases through the heat exchanging assembly. Intake air for the blower is provided by an air intake chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Inventor: Marty L. Schonberger, Sr.
  • Patent number: 6920704
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for drying a web of media in a printer such as a wallpaper printer. The method includes the step of loading the web in a path that traverses a compartment in a dryer in the printer. The compartment has an opening across the top. The web is allowed to descend into the comparetent, as required, to lengthen the path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Tobin Allen King, Janette Faye Lee
  • Patent number: 6920701
    Abstract: A chamber for a freeze-drying device with storage surfaces, whose temperature can be regulated, for containers containing the product that is to be freeze-dried. The chamber includes an optical shield comprised of shield components, whose temperature can be regulated. The shield is positioned between the storage surfaces and the interior wall surfaces of the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: Steris GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Haseley, Georg-Wilheim Oetjen
  • Patent number: 6920703
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a microstructure drying treatment method by which a substrate having a microstructure has a fine pattern of less than 30 nm and a large-caliber substrate of 100 mm or more can be dried uniformly and in a short time without generating pattern collapse, and its apparatus and its high pressure vessel. The present invention is a microstructure drying treatment method of introducing a fluid that is gas at normal temperature and pressure and is liquid under high pressure inside a high pressure vessel in which a substrate having a microstructure in a state immersed in or wet with a rinsing liquid in a liquid or supercritical state. The method forms a specific gravity difference between the rinsing liquid and fluid inside the high pressure vessel and collects the rinsing liquid to the upper side or lower side of the high pressure vessel by changing at least one side of the temperature and pressure of the fluid and changing the specific gravity of the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: Hitachi Science Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisayuki Taktsu, Toru Iwaya, Koichi Miyazawa, Sakae Koubori
  • Patent number: 6918755
    Abstract: A fuel-fired burner for use with an emission abatement device comprises a pair of electrodes. Each electrode comprises an arc-contact rod to generate an electrical arc therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Arvin Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall J. Johnson, Wilbur H. Crawley, Stephen P. Goldschmidt
  • Patent number: 6918194
    Abstract: A heating configuration for a drier, particularly for a laundry drier, has a burner with a burner head, a first heating channel with an inlet opening and an outlet opening, and a second heating channel with an inlet opening and an outlet opening. The cross-sectional area of the second heating channel is greater than the cross-sectional area of the first heating channel. The burner head projects into the inlet opening of the first heating channel and the outlet opening of the first heating channel projects into the inlet opening of the second heating channel. The first heating channel is disposed in the lower section of the second heating channel so that a uniform temperature distribution is achieved in the second heating channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH
    Inventors: Heinz Werner Freese, Thomas Nawrot, Günter Steffens
  • Patent number: 6915797
    Abstract: A portable kitchen, which includes a case having at least one cover movable between closed and open positions, the closed position being for compact containment of contents therein, and the open position exposing the contents for use. A plurality of functional food preparation and storage devices are supported within the case, including: a refrigerator unit capable of containing and storing foods a conventional refrigerator storage temperatures; and a microwave power unit for microwave heating of foods; a cooking unit having cooking burners for heating cookware or the like for preparing heated foods. A power connecting device is provided for connecting an outside source of power to the food preparation and storage devices to provide functioning power to the devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Inventor: Dilton A. Lightbourne
  • Patent number: 6915799
    Abstract: A damper control device suitable for use in a fireplace comprises a flue, wherein products of combustion from the fireplace enter the flue, a damper positioned in a damper pipe which is connected to the flue, with the damper movable between open and closed positions, a motor having a shaft connected to the damper, and a control circuit which initiates combustion and which receives a damper signal which indicates whether the damper is in the open or closed position. In response to a request for heat, the control circuit initiates combustion after receiving the damper signal indicating that the damper is in the open position. The damper control device can also have a mounting ring extending generally perpendicularly form the damper pipe for connecting the damper pipe to the flue. For air-cooled flues, an adapter can be added to allow passage of air along the flue. A status module may be provided for operational or troubleshooting purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Flue Sentinel, Inc.
    Inventor: Cory A. Weiss
  • Patent number: 6913011
    Abstract: A combination grill, smoker and fireplace device having a tapered configuration, where heat, smoke and/or gas upwardly passes through a tapered interior chamber and exits through a vent system. The tapered chamber collectively includes a heat source, a grate, one or more racks and a rack support means; and is configured to effectively reflect the heat smoke and/or gas at an optimal angle inhibiting the occurrence of radial bounce, reducing thermal bottlenecking, alleviating pressure buildup and increasing thermal efficiency. In an embodiment, the device incorporates a storage compartment to house equipment, accessories and/or materials therein. Alternatively, the device includes screen doors positioned behind the second set of doors being attached to an enclosure. The enclosure may act as a fireplace, grill or smoker and the chamber acts as an elongated chimney.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Inventor: Ronald B. Snider