Patents Examined by W. L. Walker
  • Patent number: 6598750
    Abstract: A micromachined membrane particle filter is formed by making holes in a silicon and coating over the holes with Parylene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Yu-Chong Tai, Xing Yang
  • Patent number: 6596168
    Abstract: The invention relates to a filter element and its manufacture to be used in removal of liquid from solids containing material to be dried in a capillary suction dryer which filter element contains a ceramic microporous layer having the pore size under 5 micrometer and supported by a ceramic internal layer having recess areas for liquid flowing. The internal layer is made of at least one substrate which continuously surrounds at least one recess area and which ceramic internal layer is surrounded by at least one essentially continuous microporous surface layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Outokumpu Oyj
    Inventors: Kerry Johnson, Olli Högnabba, Bjarne Ekberg
  • Patent number: 6595765
    Abstract: The invention concerns a device for homogenizing, mixing and/or granulating chemicals which consist of at least one component, particularly additives, by means of an extruder consisting of several housing segments, at least one worm, a nozzle arrangement and at least one cutting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Buhler AG
    Inventors: Bernhard Van Lengerich, Bernhard Stadler, Alfred Zünd, Konrad Munz, Federice Innerebner, Fritz Feurer
  • Patent number: 6592759
    Abstract: To pot membranes in a header, a dense, viscous liquid, suspension or, preferably, a thixotropic, water soluble gel, is placed in a header pan in space reserved for a permeate channel. A plurality of hollow fiber membranes are collected together and their open ends are inserted into the gel. A fixing liquid, typically a resin, is placed over the gel. The fixing liquid surrounds each membrane and then solidifies, simultaneously sealing the outer surfaces of the membranes and forming a plug in the opening of the header to complete the permeate channel. After the fixing liquid has solidified, the gel is removed by various means. The space initially occupied by the gel becomes part of the permeate channel after the gel is removed. In one embodiment, membranes are grouped by a cushioning adhesive which later surrounds the membranes where they exit the completed header.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Zenon Environmental Inc.
    Inventors: Hamid Rabie, Marshal Deane, Robert Langerak, Steven Pedersen
  • Patent number: 6589155
    Abstract: A belt-driven blood centrifuge with side-mounted drive motor for rotating the centrifuge at a rotation speed selected to separate blood components. The centrifuge includes a drive shaft assembly rotated at an input rotation speed and a rotor assembly rotatably linked to the drive shaft assembly rotated at an output rotation speed twice the input rotational speed. A drive motor is provided with a drive pulley to drive a belt, a chain, and the like to provide the motive force to rotate the drive shaft at the input rotation speed. In one embodiment, a belt is provided to contact both the pulley of the drive motor and an outer surface of a rotatable shell of the drive shaft assembly. A base is included in the centrifuge upon which the drive shaft assembly is mounted. The drive motor is positioned adjacent the drive shaft assembly and mounted on the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Victor D. Dolecek
  • Patent number: 6589036
    Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for repairing a flaw in a surface, partcularly in the field of vehicle glass repair. The apparatus has a housing adapted to engage the surface to be repaired, a repair seal for sealing between the housing and around the flaw to be repaired to define a repair space over the flaw. A reservoir communicates with the repair space and, in use, contains liquid repair material. A vacuum pump communicates with the repair space and the reservoir to apply a partial vacuum to the repair space and to the reservoir without repair liquid from the reservoir being drawn into the repair space in order to degas separately the flaw and repair liquid in the reservoir. After appropriate degassing, repair liquid from the reservoir is caused to flow into the repair space to fill the repair space with repair liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Carglass Luxembourg S.a.r.l.
    Inventors: Philip Rawlins, Douglas Scott MacArthur, Robert Ian Lister, Graham Scott Gutsell
  • Patent number: 6582659
    Abstract: A clinical test apparatus includes a reaction table (1) for placing a test piece thereon for reaction of the test piece with an analyte at a predetermined temperature to perform analysis. The clinical test apparatus includes a primary coil (3) fixed, as molded and sealed in resin, on a base facing the reverse surface of the reaction table (1) and supplied with alternating power, a secondary coil (4) mounted, as molded and sealed in resin, on the reverse surface of the reaction table (1) in facing relation to the primary coil (3) for inducing an electromotive force due to the alternating power supplied to the primary coil and a heater (5) built in the reaction table (1) for generating heat due to the electromotive force induced in the secondary coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Kyoto Daiichi Kagaku Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasuhito Murata
  • Patent number: 6579458
    Abstract: A screening device includes a screening element connected to a reinforcing element by a frictionally engaging clamping connection. Spacers located between the screening element and the reinforcing element provide a radial clearance therebetween. The screening element can be replaced when worn out, while the reinforcing element and associated parts can be reused with a new screening device. For this purpose, the screening element can be detached from the reinforcing element, which provides the actual support function, as a single unit by way of the frictionally engaging clamping connection. The clamping connection can be implemented by way of wedges or a conical seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: Heinrich Fiedler GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Mickelat, Maximilian Baier, Hubert Gassmann
  • Patent number: 6579453
    Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for separating magnetic particles in suspension in a liquid contained in a reaction vessel of the type used in an automatic apparatus for processing biological samples. The apparatus comprises a rotatable carrier holding an array of magnet elements positioned on the carrier at different distances from the rotation axis of the carrier and at different azimuth angles. The carrier and the array of magnet elements can be positioned at a plurality of predetermined angular positions and heights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Corporation
    Inventors: Guido Bächler, Patrick Hunziker, Werner Rey
  • Patent number: 6578715
    Abstract: A product, capable of treating contaminated fluids, preferably gases, is disclosed. The product contains a carrier, an activated metal oxide, an odor counteractant, a carrier for the odor counteractant, and an agent which limits diffusion of the odor counteractant. The product removes sulfur contaminants, such as hydrogen sulfide and mercaptans, while also reducing and/or neutralizing other common odor causing compounds in fluids, preferably gases. Methods of making and using the product are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: M-I, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Delbert C. Scranton, Jr., Thomas G. Braga
  • Patent number: 6576182
    Abstract: A process for producing a composite, containing at least one shrinkage-matched ceramic layer, wherein a starting material for the ceramic layer(s) has shrinkage behavior on sintering which is matched to remaining layer(s), and which is selected such that the ceramic-forming constituent of the same contains at least one ceramic powder of a specific size, and which process entails joining the layers of the composite by sintering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Institut Fuer Neue Materialien gemeinnuetzige GmbH
    Inventors: Alberto Ravagni, Rüdiger Nass, Helmut Schmidt, Bernhard Walter
  • Patent number: 6575309
    Abstract: The invention relates to a filter for fluids, comprising a plastic supporting body for supporting a filter material. The outer surface of the filter is provided with a pump connection piece, which has a lower end extending in an inner space of the filter, which exhibits an inlet opening. The supporting body is composed of a first part comprising the pump connection piece and of at least a second part, both parts being movably linked to each other through a hinge section so that the at least second part can be positioned angularly in relation to the first part, along with the filtration material, and the first and the at least second parts being initially aligned in a same plane. A locking device is provided to lock the second part in the angular position in relation to the first part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Filtertek Inc.
    Inventor: Antonio Chiga
  • Patent number: 6576131
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process where a wetting agent of solids, such as pigments, is to be changed from a first (e.g. aqueous) agent of a lower affinity to the solids to a second (e.g. oily) agent of a higher affinity to the solids. Solids, e.g. pigments, and agents are introduced into an extruder at a predetermined volume rate per time unit. The extruder includes an extruder barrel, with at least one screw which has screw threads over its length, a helical space between adjacent screw threads, and a drive for rotating the screw at a predetermined speed. The supply rate and the discharge speed of the extruder screw are selected in such a manner as to fill only part of the space between adjacent screw threads by solids and by the first and second agents, thereby retaining a free helical space to allow the first agent to segregate. At least one lateral opening is provided in the barrel for the first agent to escape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Flint Ink Corporation
    Inventor: Christian Millauer
  • Patent number: 6575727
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for roughing surfaces and edges of concrete casted blocks, comprising a block support surface having a plurality of surface sections. A first of the surface sections has a rear end thereof above an adjacent front end of a second of the surface sections to create a ledge for projecting a leading edge portion of concrete blocks conveyed over the first surface section. A first roughing device has a plurality of impacting elements thereon for roughing concrete blocks. The first roughing device is disposed generally above the rear end of the first surface section for abrading a projecting leading edge portion of each concrete block as they are conveyed over the rear end. A conveyor displaces concrete blocks over the first and second surface sections, the blocks being tilted when reaching a predetermined position over the ledge to avoid being abraded by the roughing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Techo-Bloc, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Ciccarello, Yvon Laporte, Hugo Laporte
  • Patent number: 6569329
    Abstract: A bottle mountable filtration system typically includes a plurality of different filter elements or filtering and treatment elements having a substantially common central axis that are mounted to extend into a bottle from a cap with a manual valve. Mounting structures may be provided, by screw threads, or by an interference fit, and connect the filter treating elements to the cap. An outer filter treating element may comprise a chlorine removal primarily radial flow outer filter, and an inner treatment element comprising a flavoring, vitamin, mineral, or medication adding component including a mixing chamber which provides an axial flow chamber radially surrounded by the flavoring, etc., adding component. Conversely, the inner treatment element may be a radial flow carbon composite filter used independently or in conjunction with one of several independent outer water treatment elements which may be radial or axial flow in design for the removal of a variety of biological, organic, or inorganic contaminants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Innova Pure Water Inc.
    Inventor: John E. Nohren, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6569330
    Abstract: A filter coalescer cartridge for treating jet fuels comprising spaced apart filter/coalescer layers to effectively remove particulate contaminants and water from the transient fuel being treated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Velcon Filters, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory S. Sprenger, Michael J. Gish
  • Patent number: 6565346
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing a plastic molded article or product for use in an optical device is a mold assembly. The mold assembly includes a pair of molds having an inner mold surface forming a cavity with a preselected volume into which a molten molding material is injected via a gate or sprue to fill the cavity and thereby form a molded product having a sink surface and at least one mirror surface after the molten molding material has cooled. The inner mold surface includes at least one transfer surface portion against which the at least one mirror surface of the molded product is formed, and at least one non-transfer surface portion against which the sink surface portion of the molded product is formed. The mold assembly also includes at least one vent hole, at least one bore in communication with the vent hole so that a preselected air pressure is applied to the molten molding material in the cavity via the bore and the vent hole, and at least one exhaust hole adjacent to, but spaced from the vent hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihiro Kanematsu, Yasuo Yamanaka, Akira Fukushima, Kiyotaka Sawada, Motoyasu Murai
  • Patent number: 6561786
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for roughing surfaces of concrete casted blocks are provided. A horizontally disposed surface roughing device, having impacting elements secured thereto, is driven to impact on blocks supported thereunder on a support table. The support table has a flat support upper surface. Block tilt support pins project from the upper surface at predetermined locations for supporting some of the blocks tilted at a predetermined angle. The block tilt support pins are displaceable from a retracted position below the upper surface to a projecting block tilting position above the upper surface. A displacement mechanism imparts translationary displacement between the impacting elements and the support table to abrade the blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Techo-Bloc Inc.
    Inventor: Charles Ciccarello
  • Patent number: 6558544
    Abstract: A pressure vessel designed to hold a plurality of cylindrical cartridges in the form of cross-flow semipermeable membrane filtration elements having central permeate tubes that are interconnected to form a composite permeate passageway that extends axially of the pressure vessel. Several constructions are shown for compensating for assembly clearance and potential pressure vessel growth and uniquely biasing the column of cartridges towards the downstream end of the pressure vessel to prevent axial shuttling movement that could cause wear and deterioration of seals which would result in leakage and deterioration of product while providing for absorption of shock potentially promulgated from the downstream end should feed pressure be suddenly lost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Progressive Composite Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas W. Eisberg, Andrew Panlasigui, Robert A. Uhlinger, Terry E. Gilbertson
  • Patent number: 6558536
    Abstract: A liquid filter, especially including an oil filter cartridge (12) which is contained in a pot-shaped or cylindrical housing (10) with threaded cover (11), into which a cooler (13) is preferably installed. An outlet opening (37a) is contained in the oil cooler (13) which facilitates complete emptying of the cooler when the filter is changed. In this way, a complete replacement of the oil can be performed, so that the replaced oil is not contaminated from the outset by residues of the old oil. Thus, service intervals can be lengthened. To prevent a short circuit of the outlet opening (37a) during operation, the opening is closed by a valve stem (33) coupled to the threaded cover (11) and opened by unscrewing the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Filterwerk Mann & Hummel GmbH
    Inventors: Herbert Jainek, Martin Weindorf, Herbert Dreher