Patents by Inventor Wendell A. Thomas

Wendell A. Thomas 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: 20110139372
    Abstract: Vacuum processing chambers having provisions for thermal expansion and contraction. Specific embodiments provide a plasma processing chamber having a showerhead that enables thermal expansion and contraction without imparting structural stress on the chamber body and without breaking any vacuum seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Inventors: Wendell Thomas BLONIGAN, Michael Allen Renta
  • Publication number: 20110142573
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for concurrent processing of several substrates. The system employs a novel architecture which, while being linear, may autonomously sequence processing and move substrates in different directions as necessary. The system moves several substrates concurrently; however, unlike the prior art it does not utilize trays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Inventors: Wendell Thomas BLONIGAN, Masato TOSHIMA, Kam S. LAW, David Eric BERKSTRESSER, Steve KLEINKE, Craig Lyle STEVENS
  • Publication number: 20110142572
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for concurrent processing of several substrates. The system employs a novel architecture which, while being linear, may autonomously sequence processing and move substrates in different directions as necessary. The system moves several substrates concurrently; however, unlike the prior art it does not utilize trays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Inventors: Wendell Thomas BLONIGAN, Masato Toshima, Kam S. Law, David Eric Berkstresser, Steve Kleinke, Craig Lyle Stevens
  • Publication number: 20110088847
    Abstract: A showerhead for a plasma process apparatus for processing substrates, comprising a showerhead body comprising a top plate and a bottom plate defining a cavity in between; a gas inlet formed in the top plate; a perforated plate positioned between the top plate and the bottom plate and dissecting the cavity into an upper gas compartment and a lower gas compartment; and, wherein the bottom plate comprises a plurality of elongated diffusion slots on its lower surface and a plurality of diffusion holes on its upper surface, each of the diffusion holes making fluid connection from the lower gas compartment to more than one of the diffusion slots.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Inventors: Kam S. LAW, Masato Toshima, Wendell Thomas Blonigan, Linh Can, Robin K. F. Law
  • Publication number: 20100091955
    Abstract: A method for providing a notification includes receiving a notification request at a central location. The notification request includes an audible message, a notification time, and a destination. The audible message is stored at the central location and associated with the notification time and destination. A current time is determined and compared with the determined notification time. The method further includes connecting a telephone call to the destination based on the determination and transmitting the stored audible message to the destination during the telephone call based on the connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Inventor: Wendell A. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20090127829
    Abstract: A folding cart (20) includes a frame (22) having a first extendable leg and a second extendable leg. A bag support (30) connects the first extendable leg with the second extendable leg and defines a first plate (44) adjacent the first extendable leg. A second plate (46) is defined on the bag support (30) adjacent the second extendable leg. A vertical hinge (48) rotatably connects the first plate (44) with the second plate (46) such that the first plate (44) can rotate relative to the second plate (46) about a bag support (30) axis of rotation such that the cart (20) is can be folded when not in use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2008
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventor: Wendell A. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20070240535
    Abstract: A handlebar extension includes a handlebar connector including a compressible locking portion and a grip portion rotatably connected to the handlebar connector; wherein the compressible locking portion is inserted within an opening in the handlebar, and wherein the connector is rotated to compress the compressible locking portion within the handlebar opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2006
    Publication date: October 18, 2007
    Inventor: Wendell Thomas
  • Patent number: 7152599
    Abstract: A nasal mask for delivering gas to a mammalian nasal passage includes a body portion including an inlet opening and an outlet opening as well as a facial contact portion having an opening in communication with the outlet opening and a shroud positioned over the facial contact portion opening, wherein the shroud expands to contact the face of a user when gas is delivered through the inlet opening. A method for delivering gas includes identifying a user having a mammalian nasal passage to wear a nasal mask, and preparing a facial contact portion. The facial contact portion is placed on the user's face to contour a facial contact surface to the user's face and the facial contact portion is set. The facial contact portion is attached to a gas delivery system; and gas is delivered to the mammalian nasal passage through the gas delivery system via the facial contact portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Inventor: Wendell A. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20060260615
    Abstract: A nasal mask for delivering gas to a mammalian nasal passage includes a body portion including an inlet opening and an outlet opening as well as a facial contact portion having an opening in communication with the outlet opening and a shroud positioned over the facial contact portion opening, wherein the shroud expands to contact the face of a user when gas is delivered through the inlet opening. A method for delivering gas includes identifying a user having a mammalian nasal passage to wear a nasal mask, and preparing a facial contact portion. The facial contact portion is placed on the user's face to contour a facial contact surface to the user's face and the facial contact portion is set. The facial contact portion is attached to a gas delivery system; and gas is delivered to the mammalian nasal passage through the gas delivery system via the facial contact portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2005
    Publication date: November 23, 2006
    Inventor: Wendell Thomas
  • Patent number: 6351908
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for scaring deer and other unwanted animals away from agricultural crop production areas using unnatural audible and visual stimuli. The invention generally comprises a substantially hollow housing having a removable top portion mounted atop a rigid support frame member. The exterior of the housing includes a plurality of light and sound emitting devices attached thereto, in addition to at least two rotatably mounted elongated arms having a hollow interior portion with a flowable metal particulate contained therein for producing unnatural sounds upon rotation of such for scaring deer and other unwanted animals away. The interior portion of the housing includes an electronic controller in electrical connection with a power relay for energizing the aforementioned electrical components, along with a motor assembly for imparting rotational motion to the rotatably mounted elongated arms on the exterior of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Inventor: James Wendell Thomas