Patents by Inventor Don S. Minami

Don S. Minami has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8882254
    Abstract: Among other things, a device for use in printing is described. The device comprises a first chamber for receiving a liquid and a first filter member in the first chamber. The first filter member separates the first chamber into a first part and a second part laterally adjacent to the first part. The first filter member comprises pores having an average size. The pores are configured to filter the liquid passing from the first part to the second part. The first filter member further comprises an opening adjacent to a top of the first chamber for air to pass from the first part to the second part. The opening has a size at least 10 times larger than the average size of the pores. There is a first inlet in fluid communication with the first part and a first outlet in fluid communication with the second part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin Von Essen, John A. Higginson, Paul A. Hoisington, Don S. Minami
  • Publication number: 20130293642
    Abstract: Among other things, a device for use in printing is described. The device comprises a first chamber for receiving a liquid and a first filter member in the first chamber. The first filter member separates the first chamber into a first part and a second part laterally adjacent to the first part. The first filter member comprises pores having an average size. The pores are configured to filter the liquid passing from the first part to the second part. The first filter member further comprises an opening adjacent to a top of the first chamber for air to pass from the first part to the second part. The opening has a size at least 10 times larger than the average size of the pores. There is a first inlet in fluid communication with the first part and a first outlet in fluid communication with the second part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventors: Kevin Von Essen, John A. Higginson, Paul A. Hoisington, Don S. Minami
  • Patent number: 6928785
    Abstract: A freestanding portable partition panel system is provided for open office spaces and the like. Each panel includes a partition frame having vertical upright frame members positioned adjacent opposite side edges thereof, and multiple horizontal frame members attached to the upright frame members in a vertically spaced-apart relationship to rigidly interconnect the same. One or more horizontal rows of discrete slots are defined in each of the horizontal frame members. Cover panels are mounted on the partition frames that permit access to the slots, and off-module connectors with hooks are provided for engaging the slots for interconnecting furniture units in off-module positions. For example, the hooks of the connectors are engaged with selected slots to hold a furniture unit, such as a partition panel, perpendicular to a second partition panel in an off-module position on its face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation
    Inventors: David A. Shipman, Benjamin G. Shaw, Charles A. Seiber, Don S. Minami, David D. McClanahan, Robert J. Luchetti, Christopher O. Lada, Phillip M. Hobson, James B. Eldon, III, Gregg R. Draudt
  • Publication number: 20020112443
    Abstract: A freestanding portable partition panel system is provided for open office spaces and the like. Each panel includes a partition frame having vertical upright frame members positioned adjacent opposite side edges thereof, and multiple horizontal frame members attached to the upright frame members in a vertically spaced-apart relationship to rigidly interconnect the same. One or more horizontal rows of discrete slots are defined in each of the horizontal frame members. Cover panels are mounted on the partition frames that permit access to the slots, and off-module connectors with hooks are provided for engaging the slots for interconnecting furniture units in off-module positions. For example, the hooks of the connectors are engaged with selected slots to hold a furniture unit, such as a partition panel, perpendicular to a second partition panel in an off-module position on its face.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2002
    Publication date: August 22, 2002
    Inventors: David A. Shipman, Benjamin G. Shaw, Charles A. Seiber, Don S. Minami, David D. McClanahan, Robert J. Luchetti, Christopher O. Lada, Phillip M. Hobson, James B. Eldon,, Gregg R. Draudt
  • Patent number: 6397532
    Abstract: A freestanding portable partition panel system is provided for open office spaces and the like. Each panel includes a skeleton-like frame having two vertical uprights positioned adjacent opposite side edges thereof, and at least two pairs of horizontal stringers attached to the outer faces of the uprights in a vertically spaced-apart relationship to rigidly interconnect the same. One or more horizontal rows of slots are defined in each of the stringers. Cover panels are detachably mounted thereon to provide ready access to the frame. The cover panels permit access to the slots, and special off-module connectors with hooks for engaging the slots are provided for interconnecting adjacent panels in off-module positions. The hooks of the connectors are engaged with selected slots to hold a first partition panel perpendicular to a second partition panel in an off-module position on its face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation
    Inventors: David A. Shipman, Benjamin G. Shaw, Charles A. Seiber, Don S. Minami, David D. McClanahan, Robert J. Luchetti, Christopher O. Lada, Phillip M. Hobson, James B. Eldon, III, Gregg R. Draudt
  • Publication number: 20010035184
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for conditioning packaged powders. According to one method, a receptacle is provided having an enclosed chamber that contains a powder. At least one pulse of energy is applied to the receptacle to increase the efficiency at which the powder may be extracted from the chamber when flowing a gas through the chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2000
    Publication date: November 1, 2001
    Inventors: Carlos Schuler, Steve Paboojian, Andrew Clark, Andrea Rourke, Joanne Curley, Don S. Minami, Derrick J. Tuttle
  • Patent number: 6286276
    Abstract: A freestanding portable partition panel system is provided for open office spaces and the like. Each panel includes a skeleton-like frame having two vertical uprights positioned adjacent opposite side edges thereof, and at least two pairs of horizontal stringers attached to the outer faces of the uprights in a vertically spaced apart relationship to rigidly interconnect the same. One or more horizontal rows of slots are defined in each of the stringers. Cover panels are detachably mounted thereon to provide ready access to the frame. The cover panels permit access to the slots, and special off-module connectors with hooks for engaging the slots are provided for interconnecting adjacent panels in off-module positions. The hooks of the connectors are engaged with selected slots to hold a first partition panel perpendicular to a second partition panel in an off-module position on its face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation
    Inventors: David A. Shipman, Benjamin G. Shaw, Charles A. Seiber, Don S. Minami, David D. McClanahan, Robert J. Luchetti, Christopher O. Lada, Phillip M. Hobson, James B. Eldon, III, Gregg R. Draudt
  • Patent number: 6167676
    Abstract: A freestanding portable partition panel system is provided for open office spaces and the like. Each panel includes a skeleton-like frame having two vertical uprights positioned adjacent opposite side edges thereof, and at least two pairs of horizontal stringers attached to the outer faces of the uprights in a vertically spaced-apart relationship to rigidly interconnect the same. One or more horizontal rows of slots are defined in each of the stringers. Cover panels are detachably mounted thereon to provide ready access to the frame. The cover panels permit access to the slots, and special off-module connectors with hooks for engaging the slots are provided for interconnecting adjacent panels in off-module positions. The hooks of the connectors are engaged with selected slots to hold a first partition panel perpendicular to a second partition panel in an off-module position on its face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Steelcase Development, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Shipman, Benjamin G. Shaw, Charles A. Seiber, Don S. Minami, David D. McClanahan, Robert J. Luchetti, Christopher O. Lada, Phillip M. Hobson, James B. Eldon, III, Gregg R. Draudt
  • Patent number: 6134852
    Abstract: A freestanding portable partition panel system is provided for open office spaces and the like. Each panel includes a skeleton-like frame having two vertical uprights positioned adjacent opposite side edges thereof, and at least two pairs of horizontal stringers attached to the outer faces of the uprights in a vertically spaced-apart relationship to rigidly interconnect the same. One or more horizontal rows of slots are defined in each of the stringers. Cover panels are detachably mounted thereon to provide ready access to the frame. The cover panels permit access to the slots, and special off-module connectors with hooks for engaging the slots are provided for interconnecting adjacent panels in off-module positions. The hooks of the connectors are engaged with selected slots to hold a first partition panel perpendicular to a second partition panel in an off-module position on its face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Shipman, Benjamin G. Shaw, Charles A. Seiber, Don S. Minami, David D. McClanahan, Robert J. Luchetti, Christopher O. Lada, Phillip M. Hobson, James B. Eldon, III, Gregg R. Draudt
  • Patent number: 6134845
    Abstract: A freestanding portable partition panel system is provided for open office spaces and the like. Each panel includes a skeleton-like frame having two vertical uprights positioned adjacent opposite side edges thereof, and at least two pairs of horizontal stringers attached to the outer faces of the uprights in a vertically spaced-apart relationship to rigidly interconnect the same. One or more horizontal rows of slots are defined in each of the stringers. Cover panels are detachably mounted thereon to provide ready access to the frame. The cover panels permit access to the slots, and special off-module connectors with hooks for engaging the slots are provided for interconnecting adjacent panels in off-module positions. The hooks of the connectors are engaged with selected slots to hold a first partition panel perpendicular to a second partition panel in an off-module position on its face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Shipman, Benjamin G. Shaw, Charles A. Seiber, Don S. Minami, David D. McClanahan, Robert J. Luchetti, Christopher O. Lada, Phillip M. Hobson, James B. Eldon, III, Gregg R. Draudt
  • Patent number: 6044612
    Abstract: A freestanding portable partition panel system is provided for open office spaces and the like. Each panel includes a skeleton-like frame having two vertical uprights positioned adjacent opposite side edges thereof, and at least two pairs of horizontal stringers attached to the outer faces of the uprights in a vertically spaced apart relationship to rigidly interconnect the same. One or more horizontal rows of slots are defined in each of the stringers. Cover panels are detachably mounted thereon to provide ready access to the frame. The cover panels permit access to the slots, and special off-module connectors with hooks for engaging the slots are provided for interconnecting adjacent panels in off-module positions. The hooks of the connectors are engaged with selected slots to hold a first partition panel perpendicular to a second partition panel in an off-module position on its face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Shipman, Benjamin G. Shaw, Charles A. Seiber, Don S. Minami, David D. McClanahan, Robert J. Luchetti, Christopher O. Lada, Phillip M. Hobson, James B. Eldon, III, Gregg R. Draudt
  • Patent number: 6033060
    Abstract: A multi-channel ink supply pump includes a pump shaft with four associated rollers and a cam shaft with four cams evenly spaced longitudinally along the cam shaft. Four tube pinching arms are each hinged at one end to a fixed point. The free ends of the tube pinching arms are spring-biased toward the pump shaft. A first motor is configured through gears to rotate the pump shaft. A second motor is configured through gears to rotate the cam shaft. The pump shaft and the cam shaft are not simultaneously rotated. Tubes carrying ink run underneath the pump shaft and rollers, between the rollers and the tube pinching arms. The cam shaft is normally positioned to counteract the spring bias in all of the tube pinching arms, retracting all of the tube pinching arms away from the pump shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Topaz Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Don S. Minami
  • Patent number: 5601420
    Abstract: An interlock, latching and retaining mechanism for use in an infusion system, embodying a latch arm mounted to a rotatable shaft having a plurality of cams and gears attached thereto, a rectangular faceplate with a plurality of apertures formed therethrough, and a clamp. Rotating the latch arm functions to engage fluid monitoring, flow control and pumping structure of the infusion system with a pumping segment for control of fluid flow through the segment and also causes the clamp to hold the pumping segment in a required position. In another aspect, rotation of the latch arm additionally causes an air-in-line sensor to rotate into position on the pumping segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1997
    Assignee: IVAC Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric A. Warner, Don S. Minami, Paul L. Howard, Phillip M. Hobson
  • Patent number: 5575632
    Abstract: An engineered pumping segment for facilitating efficient and accurate peristaltic pumping of fluids, providing regulation of fluid flow and providing an effective interface for sensing fluid line pressure in a peristaltic pump system. The engineered pumping segment includes an elastomeric membrane sandwiched between a rigid base and a rigid cover and a slider adapted to slidably mount about the base and cover. The membrane and base define a channel for fluid flow and the membrane, base and cover cooperate to facilitate peristaltic pumping of fluids through the engineered pumping segment and to provide a pressure sensing interface, and in combination with the slider, cooperate to regulate fluid flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Assignee: IVAC Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew G. Morris, Charles E. Clemens, Stephen A. Martin, Don S. Minami, William R. George, Paul L. Howard, Lee H. Laiterman
  • Patent number: 5568912
    Abstract: A sliding flow controller for controlling flow through a pumping segment used in a fluid delivery system. The flow controller includes a slider that travels along a channel defined by an elastomeric membrane and a variable size groove formed in a rigid component. The slider includes a projecting ball that presses the membrane against the groove. At one end the groove has a maximum cross-sectional area for a maximum flow position and at another end, the groove has no cross-sectional area for a flow stop position. The slider and the pumping segment have respective click stops to impart sensory feedback to the operator when manually operated. A ramped thumb indentation is provided on the exterior of the slider to facilitate sliding movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1996
    Assignee: IVAC Corporation
    Inventors: Don S. Minami, Kevin S. Nason
  • Patent number: 5507058
    Abstract: An apparatus for automatically cleaning submerged surfaces, such as the bottom and side walls of a swimming pool. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes onboard sensors, and an onboard processor (preferably, a microprocessor) which controls operation of the apparatus in response to status information supplied from the sensors. Preferably, the apparatus has an onboard watertight battery and an adjustable inlet nozzle size, and includes left and right track treads which are controllable to cause the apparatus to turn or rotate (clockwise or counterclockwise), or translate in a forward or reverse direction, on a horizontal or vertically inclined submerged surface. A transmission assembly is provided for each track tread, including a cam wheel and a cam follower connected thereto within a sealed control assembly, and a shift link extending through a seal in the control assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1996
    Assignee: H-Tech, Inc.
    Inventors: Don S. Minami, Michael J. Shawver, Thomas P. Jensen, Lawrence G. Shubert, Kenneth N. Marshall
  • Patent number: 5478323
    Abstract: A removable manifold assembly for attachment to the outlet end of a multi-cartridge injection device. The manifold assembly comprises two rigid plastic housings which encapsulate a rubber septum. Check valves are formed by compressing the front surface of the septum against a seal face of the rear housing to form a fluid tight interface therebetween. A first fluid path is formed from each cartridge in the injector through the manifold assembly to a patient delivery needle. A second fluid path is formed in the manifold assembly from the first fluid path to a back surface of the septum in order to enable a residual fluid force to be exerted against the back surface of the septum, thereby forcing the respective check valve in its closed position. The manifold assembly includes a unique geometry that permits the manifold to be snapped into engagement with the housing only when properly oriented with the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Assignee: Eli Lilly and Company
    Inventors: Donald C. Westwood, Stephen J. Schoenberg, Don S. Minami
  • Patent number: 5435031
    Abstract: An apparatus for automatically cleaning submerged surfaces, such as the bottom and side walls of a swimming pool. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes onboard sensors, and an onboard processor (preferably, a microprocessor) which controls operation of the apparatus in response to status information supplied from the sensors. Preferably, the apparatus has an onboard watertight battery and an adjustable inlet nozzle size, and includes left and right track treads which are controllable to cause the apparatus to turn or rotate (clockwise or counterclockwise), or translate in a forward or reverse direction, on a horizontal or vertically inclined submerged surface. A transmission assembly is provided for each track tread, including a cam wheel and a cam follower connected thereto within a sealed control assembly, and a shift link extending through a seal in the control assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1995
    Assignee: H-Tech, Inc.
    Inventors: Don S. Minami, Michael J. Shawver, Thomas P. Jensen, Lawrence A. Shubert, Kenneth N. Marshall
  • Patent number: 5042553
    Abstract: A window blind headrail mounting a Venetian blind or pleated blind includes a headrail enclosure, preferably of extruded aluminum construction, having integrally spaced headrail hooks and a hook keeper extending from the enclosure edges. A pair of or more universal mounting brackets are alternatively attachable to either a horizontal surface at the top of a window opening or to a vertical wall or vertical top surface of a window frame, dependent upon the type of installation. The brackets thus can be mounted horizontally or vertically on these respective surfaces. The mounting bracket includes a hook extending from each end of a base portion fixed to a window-adjacent surface. One of the hooks of each bracket contains a discrete wave-like leaf spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1991
    Assignee: Levolor Corporation
    Inventors: John F. Schaffer, Sandra K. Young, David C. Burns, Don S. Minami
  • Patent number: D258394
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1978
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1981
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Charles D. Flanigan, Don S. Minami