Patents by Inventor Michael Fritz

Michael Fritz 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).

  • Publication number: 20130239390
    Abstract: The invention concerns an analytical device containing a lancet comprising a lancet needle and a lancet body, the lancet needle movable relative to the lancet body and the lancet body composed, in the area of the tip of the lancet needle, of an elastic material in which the tip of the lancet needle is embedded, and an analytical test element connected to the lancet body. The invention also concerns an analytical device containing a lancet comprising a lancet needle and a lancet body in the form of a hollow body in the area of the tip of the lancet needle and surrounds the tip of the lancet needle, the lancet needle movable relative to the lancet body and the hollow body composed at least partially of an elastic material, and an analytical test element connected to the lancet body. The invention concerns a process for manufacturing an analytical device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Hans-Juergen Kuhr, Michael Fritz, Thomas Weiss, Richard Forster
  • Patent number: 8523784
    Abstract: The invention concerns an analytical device containing a lancet comprising a lancet needle and a lancet body, the lancet needle being movable relative to the lancet body and the lancet body being composed, at least in the area of the tip of the lancet needle, of an elastic material in which the tip of the lancet needle is embedded, and an analytical test element which is permanently connected to the lancet body. In addition the invention concerns an analytical device containing a lancet comprising a lancet needle and a lancet body which is in the form of a hollow body in the area of the tip of the lancet needle and surrounds the tip of the lancet needle, the lancet needle being movable relative to the lancet body and the hollow body being composed at least partially of an elastic material, and an analytical test element which is permanently connected to the lancet body. Finally the invention concerns a process for manufacturing such an analytical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Hans-Juergen Kuhr, Michael Fritz, Thomas Weiss, Richard Forster
  • Patent number: 8178211
    Abstract: The invention is directed to the use of a specific class of compounds in the treatment of wood, to a method of treating wood, and to the wood obtained by said method. The black insoluble polymer which forms after oxidative polymerisation of this class of compounds is able to color the wood through and through in a homogeneous fashion and cannot be rinsed off or leached with water or solvent and is stable upon UV radiation. In addition it was found that the treated wood of the present invention has a strong resistance against wood degrading fungi.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Nederlandse Organisatie Voor Toegepast-Natuurwetenschappelijk Onderzoek Tno
    Inventors: Jacobus Eversdijk, Michael Fritz Sailer
  • Patent number: 8118729
    Abstract: An endoscopic instrument with a hollow shank which on the proximal side is provided with a connection part with at least one suction connection and/or rinsing connection, with a coupling part for fixing a working insert. The coupling part is mounted rotatably with respect to the connection part and the coupling part is detachably connected to the connection part. The endoscopic instrument further includes an annular axial seal which is arranged between the connection part and the coupling part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Richard Wolf GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus-Peter Hipp, Ludwig Bonnet, Michael Fritz, Thomas Ernst, Hubertus Riedmiller
  • Patent number: 8113496
    Abstract: Annular bearing member for supporting a support element that comprises elastic material and that when installed is under pressure and that is in the area of a suspension strut, whereby the bearing member comprises a material that has a greater hardness than the material of the support element and whereby the bearing member includes a bearing surface upon which the support element with a counter-surface is supported, whereby elevations are arranged encirclingly on the surface of the bearing surface and concentric to one another and form an integral component of the bearing member, whereby every two adjacent elevations limit an encircling receiving space for elastic material of the support element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: ThyssenKrupp Bilstein Suspension GmbH
    Inventor: Michael Fritz
  • Publication number: 20120035505
    Abstract: The present invention includes a system for withdrawing body fluids. The system includes a drive unit having a plunger which is moved from a resting position into a lancing position in order to carry out a lancing process and a lancing unit containing a lancet with a needle. The plunger and lancet are coupled together by a form fit in order to carry out a lancing process. The invention additionally concerns a method for temporarily extending a needle from a device for withdrawing body fluid as well as a lancing unit that can be attached to the drive unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventors: Michael Fritz, Klaus-Dieter Sacherer, Hans List, Thomas Weiss, Frank Deck, Claudio Immekus
  • Publication number: 20120024849
    Abstract: A refueling device (1) for refueling a fuel tank (2) of an internal combustion engine (3) in a motor vehicle (4) has a filler connector (5) for feeding fuel to the fuel tank (2). An integrated fuel feed device (10) feeds the fuel from the filler connector (5) to the fuel tank (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: DR. ING. H.C.F. PORSCHE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Michael Fritz, Josef Oesterle, Horst Petri
  • Patent number: 8043317
    Abstract: The present invention includes a system for withdrawing body fluids. The system includes a drive unit having a plunger which is moved from a resting position into a lancing position in order to carry out a lancing process and a lancing unit containing a lancet with a needle. The plunger and lancet are coupled together by a form fit in order to carry out a lancing process. The invention additionally concerns a method for temporarily extending a needle from a device for withdrawing body fluid as well as a lancing unit that can be attached to the drive unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Fritz, Klaus-Dieter Sacherer, Hans List, Thomas Weiss, Frank Deck, Claudio Immekus
  • Patent number: 7951363
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an ecological protected material, comprising a base material (4) provided with a water-insoluble substance, a growth substrate and a microorganism layer. The invention further relates to a method for preparing a material according to the invention, comprising providing a base material with a water-insoluble substance, a growth substrate and a microorganism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Nederlandse Organisatie voor toegepast-natuurwetenschappelijk Onderzoek TNO
    Inventor: Michael Fritz Sailer
  • Publication number: 20110094023
    Abstract: A flush toilet includes a bowl assembly defining a bowl. The bowl assembly has a discharge outlet at a lower end and a ledge circumferentially extending about a substantial portion of the bowl. The bowl has a rear surface that is generally flat and vertical. The rear surface transitions to the ledge as the bowl continues clockwise and counter clockwise from the rear surface. A horizontal dimension of the ledge increases as the ledge continues from the rear surface to a front of the bowl. An angle of the ledge increases as the ledge continues from the rear surface to the front. A maximum slope of the ledge is located proximate the front. A nozzle is mounted to the bowl assembly for pressurizing a source of flush water and delivering the source of flush water to the bowl for rinsing and flushing of the bowl.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: THETFORD CORPORATION
    Inventors: George Grech, Michael Fritz, Michael Harris, Jason Smith, Steve Meyer, Craig Karagitz, Eric Krupp, Brian Kelly
  • Publication number: 20110094024
    Abstract: A flush toilet includes a base and a bowl assembly defining a bowl. The bowl assembly is mounted to the base and defines a discharge opening at a lower end of the bowl. A waste ball valve assembly is mounted to the flush toilet for selectively opening and closing the discharge opening of the bowl assembly. A common sealing member operates to seal the bowl to the base and to wipe a ball of the waste ball valve assembly as the waste ball valve assembly is selectively opened and closed. The common sealing member has a generally horizontal portion for wiping the ball of the ball valve assembly and a compressible cylindrical portion upwardly extending from the generally horizontal portion. The cylindrical portion is compressed between the base and the bowl to define a seal therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: THETFORD CORPORATION
    Inventors: George Grech, Michael Fritz, Michael Harris, Jason Smith, Steve Meyer, Craig Karagitz, Eric Krupp, Brian Kelly
  • Patent number: 7892849
    Abstract: A test strip having a small sample-receiving chamber on the order of less than 1 microliter. The inventive test strip includes a reagent layer that extends across the width of the test strip and also extends to the sample-receiving end, such that the edges of the reagent layer are aligned with the side and dose receiving edges of the test strip. The hydrophilic reagent extending to the dosing edge of the strip promotes wicking of the sample into the test strip. The end and side edges of the reagent layer are preferably formed as part of a cutting process that forms individual test strips from a larger web, which results in a smooth and thin reagent layer with a uniform thickness, substantially covering the entire floor of the sample-receiving chamber. The inventive mass production process helps improve the reproducibility of the quantity, location, thickness and other properties of the reagent layer, which in turn improves the accuracy of the test result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignees: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc., Roche Operations Ltd.
    Inventors: David W. Burke, Michael Marquant, Udo Zapf, Michael Fritz, Dan Mosoiu, Chris Wilsey
  • Patent number: 7861331
    Abstract: A reduced water consumption flush toilet for a motor vehicle includes a bowl assembly, a waste ball valve assembly and a water valve assembly. The bowl assembly defines a bowl and a discharge opening at a lower end of the bowl. The waste ball valve assembly is mounted to the flush toilet for selectively opening and closing the discharge opening of the bowl assembly. The water valve assembly delivers a source of flush water to the bowl. The water valve assembly includes a water valve operable in a water valve open condition and a water valve closed condition. The flush toilet further includes a common actuator for controlling both the waste ball valve assembly and the water valve assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Thetford Corporation
    Inventors: George Grech, Michael Fritz, Michael Harris, Jason Smith, Steve Meyer, Craig Karagitz, Eric Krupp, Brian Kelly
  • Patent number: 7727467
    Abstract: A test strip having a small sample-receiving chamber on the order of less than 1 microliter. The inventive test strip includes a reagent layer that extends across the width of the test strip and also extends to the sample-receiving end, such that the edges of the reagent layer are aligned with the side and dose receiving edges of the test strip. The hydrophilic reagent extending to the dosing edge of the strip promotes wicking of the sample into the test strip. The end and side edges of the reagent layer are preferably formed as part of a cutting process that forms individual test strips from a larger web, which results in a smooth and thin reagent layer with a uniform thickness, substantially covering the entire floor of the sample-receiving chamber. The inventive mass production process helps improve the reproducibility of the quantity, location, thickness and other properties of the reagent layer, which in turn improves the accuracy of the test result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignees: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc., Roche Operations, Ltd.
    Inventors: David W. Burke, Michael Marquant, Udo Zapf, Michael Fritz, Dan Mosoiu, Chris Wilsey
  • Publication number: 20100047603
    Abstract: The invention is directed to the use of a specific class of compounds in the treatment of wood, to a method of treating wood, and to the wood obtained by said method. The black insoluble polymer which forms after oxidative polymerisation of this class of compounds is able to color the wood through and through in a homogeneous fashion and cannot be rinsed off or leached with water or solvent and is stable upon UV radiation. In addition it was found that the treated wood of the present invention has a strong resistance against wood degrading fungi.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: Nederlandse Organisatie voor toegepast-natuurweten schappelijk onderzoek TNO
    Inventors: Jacobus Eversdijk, Michael Fritz Sailer
  • Patent number: 7661663
    Abstract: A vibration damper is disclosed which includes a damper tube filled with a damping medium; a piston rod which can move in an oscillating and reciprocal manner in the damper tube and one end of which protrudes into the damper tube and which comprises at this end a piston rod extension and a shoulder. A piston divides the interior of the damper tube into a working chamber remote from the piston rod and a piston rod-side working chamber and which is disposed coaxially with respect to the piston rod extension and comprises restrictor openings and at least one spring washer covering these restrictor openings in each working chamber. A buffer spring is disposed in the piston rod-sideworking chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Thyssenkrupp Bilstein Suspension GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Fritz, Uwe Klein
  • Publication number: 20100021277
    Abstract: A supplier for dispensing dry mix construction materials, with a size and features for convenient and efficient use at a construction site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2008
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Inventors: Michael Fritz, Brian Carney
  • Publication number: 20090189363
    Abstract: The invention relates to a gas pressure shock absorber for vehicle chassis having a damper tube (1) and a piston rod (3) which supports a working piston (2) and is disposed in a reciprocally moveable manner in the damper tube (1), wherein a first partial volume (1a) of the inner space of the damper tube (1) can be filled with a damping fluid and a second partial volume (1b) of the inner space of the damper tube (1) can be filled with a gas, and wherein the gas pressure shock absorber has a device for regulating the vehicle level, which is actuated by the introduction of a gas under pressure into the inner space of the damper tube (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2009
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Applicant: ThyssenKrupp Bilstein Suspension GmbH
    Inventor: Michael FRITZ
  • Publication number: 20090189360
    Abstract: The invention relates to a spring strut for wheel suspension systems of vehicles, having a vibration damper (1) and a helical spring (2) partially surrounding the vibration damper (1), wherein the helical spring (2) is supported via a spring plate (3) on an outer pipe (4) of the vibration damper (1) and the spring plate (3) can be adjusted relative to the outer pipe (4). In order to develop such a spring strut in such a way that the standing height of vehicles with different unladen weights can be adjusted to always be the same by adjusting the spring plate, without the friction between the piston rod and the sealing and guiding assembly being disadvantageously increased, it is proposed in accordance with the invention that the line of application of force (5) of the helical spring (2) forms an acute angle (?) with the longitudinal axis (6) of the vibration damper (1) and the position of the spring plate (3) can be adjusted in the direction of the line of application of force (5).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Applicant: Thyssenkrupp Bilstein Suspension GmbH
    Inventor: Michael Fritz
  • Patent number: RE43786
    Abstract: A digital observation system and method for processing and transmitting video data between a video camera, or video cameras, and a base unit. The video data is transmitted, for example, by a communication protocol that is compliant with Ethernet physical drivers for transmitting and receiving data at around 100 Mbps. Video is captured at a sensor in the video camera, digitally processed and transmitted, thus overcoming limitations associated with analog processing and allowing unique features to be added. Images and other data may be transmitted efficiently in their native format, with reduced overhead, and in a non-compressed format due to the data transmission rate at or below 100 Mbps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Immersive Media of Texas, LLC
    Inventors: Alan Neal Cooper, Christopher Michael Fritz, James Walter Exner