Patents Issued in April 3, 1990
  • Patent number: 4913162
    Abstract: The nocturnal penile tumescene and rigidity sensor device includes a flexible, foldable member that supports a relatively soft foam material and a relatively hard foam material. In one embodiment of the invention the relatively soft foam material and the relatively hard foam material cooperate with corresponding force-sensing resistors to detect changes in penile tumescence and rigidity. The relatively soft foam material detects changes in penile tumescence whereas the relatively hard foam material and its corresponding force-sensing resistor detect the presence and/or changes in penile rigidity. In another embodiment of the invention, a relatively soft foam material and a relatively hard foam material, formed of conductive foams, are shaped to contact a conductive strip with preselected different areas of surface contact in response to different levels of tumescence and rigidity. The change of contact area between the conductive foams and the conductive strip is detected and recorded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignee: Medical Engineering Corporation
    Inventors: William N. Leang, Larry J. Brick
  • Patent number: 4913163
    Abstract: A device (10) for measurement of laxity of the knee includes a thigh support (12) and foot support (13) so arranged that the leg of the patient will be bent at the knee when the patient's thigh is resting in the thigh support (12) and his foot is strapped to the foot rest (13). A potentiometer (26) measures movement of the tibial tuberosity of the patient's leg relative to the patella, and a strain gauge mounted on plate (15) measures the force applied by a patient seeking to straighten the leg such as by tensioning the quadriceps muscle. A computer (9) plots and displays a graph (8) or other output of the force applied against the relative movement between the tibial tuberosity and the patella.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Inventors: Gregory J. Roger, Mervin J. Cross
  • Patent number: 4913164
    Abstract: An implantable lead for a cardiac stimulator has an electrode at its distal end, and resilient, non-penetrating, tissue-contacting elements integral with the lead in the vicinity of the electrode. The resilient elements are movable from a first unextended position for ease of insertion or withdrawal of the lead through the vein of a patient to a second extended position for contacting tissue to retain the electrode in a selected location in the heart of the patient. A device operable along the lead serves to selectively move the resilient elements from the unextended to the extended position or vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignee: Intermedics, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald R. Greene, James I. Bradshaw
  • Patent number: 4913165
    Abstract: An underwater eardrum protector for use in underwater diving by a person having a perforated eardrum includes an inflatable bladder insertable in an ear canal of the person; a tube for supplying a non-compressible fluid to the bladder so as to inflate the same; a housing fluidly connecting the bladder to the tube; and a pump which supplies the non-compressible fluid to the tube, the pump including a cylinder having an inner wall, a piston slidable in the cylinder so as to define a variable volume chamber with the inner wall of the cylinder, the chamber being in fluid communication with the tube, O-rings connected with the piston for providing a fluid seal between the piston and the inner wall of the cylinder so as to seal the variable volume chamber, and a piston rod for slidably moving the piston in the cylinder so as to reduce the volume of the chamber and force the non-compressible fluid in the chamber through the tube and into the bladder, the piston rod being connected with the piston in a freely rotatab
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignees: Michael Fishgoyt, Elena Heimur
    Inventor: Michael Fishgoyt
  • Patent number: 4913166
    Abstract: In order to provide when smoking a cigarette a substantially uniform concentration of the flavoring substance or substances supplied to the tobacco rod (23) in the form of at least one flavoring substance, the flow of flavoring substance is controlled, in accordance with the invention, periodically between a maximum and a minimum flow. The maximum flow is applied to those parts (36) of the tobacco rod which each include the tip-end of a cigarette, whereas the minimum flow is applied to the opposite end part (37) of the cigarette.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignee: Svenska Tobaks AB
    Inventors: Eje Christensson, Erik Falke
  • Patent number: 4913167
    Abstract: A filter fitting machine, in which an advancement roller conveys into equidistant sucker seats respective groups each consisting of two cigarette portions separated by a double filter; one edge of a gummed band is made to adhere to each group along the double filter and along part of the two cigarette portions, and is kept in contact with the group by a retention element; a roller provided with equidistant sucker seats then withdraws each group from the advancement roller and feeds it to a rolling station, in which each band is wrapped about the relative group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignee: G.D. Societa per Azioni
    Inventor: Mattei Riccardo
  • Patent number: 4913168
    Abstract: A flavor delivery article provides volatilized flavor by heating a flavor carrying substrate, but not burning any material. A heat source which includes a metal oxide (e.g., calcium oxide), an anhydrous metal sulfate (e.g., magnesium sulfate), an inorganic salt and a sugar, generates heat upon contact of water therewith. The heat produced by the heat source heats flavor in a heat exchange relationship therewith. Flavors volatilize and are drawn into the mouth of the user of the article. Typical heat sources heat the flavor to a temperature within 70.degree. C. to 200.degree. C. for 4 to 8 minutes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Dennis L. Potter, Mark L. Raker, Henry T. Ridings, Andrew J. Sensabaugh, Jr., Amos E. Westmoreland, Donna K. Woods, Chandra K. Banerjee
  • Patent number: 4913169
    Abstract: A smoking article includes a fuel rod, an insulation section at one end of the fuel rod, a tobacco plug at the end of the insulation return, a cooling chamber at the end of the insulation section, and a filter at the end of the chamber. A tube extends concentrically through the fuel rod to the tobacco plug. The tube is filled with an air permeable substrate including an aerosol generating substance. A heat conducting strip extends concentrically in the substrate in the tube and into the tobacco plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignee: Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation
    Inventor: Leroi K. Templeton
  • Patent number: 4913170
    Abstract: A device for axially displacing cigarettes arranged side by side in two substantially parallel rows traveling routes substantially perpendicularly in relation to the cigarette axes; which device includes an input roller and an output roller arranged parallel with each other and designed to feed the cigarettes along routes which are separated by a given distance in a direction parallel with the axes of the cigarettes and, for at least one of the aformentioned rows, comprises a roller mounted for rotation about an axis inclined in relation to the axes of the input and output rollers; at least one of the rollers being an adapted roller having seats for cigarettes, each of whose seats is formed on a support designed to swing in a radial plane of the adapter roller and about an axis perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the adapter roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignee: G.D Societa Per Azioni
    Inventor: Igino Conti
  • Patent number: 4913171
    Abstract: An improved cigarette and method of manufacture utilizes a specialized paper incorporating a narrow air tube portion along one of its longitudinal edges, and an elongated, generally rod-shaped rolling bar inserted into and through the air tube, used to roll up and capture tobacco spread over the paper's surface. The specialized cigarette paper incorporates a strip of small filter "flaps" into the construction of the air tube. The resultant cigarette emplaces the tobacco within a single, continuously spiraling envelope of cigarette paper about the central, longitudinal air-tube axis, with the filter flaps extending radially inward to filter the cigarette smoke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Inventor: Leonard J. Lasko
  • Patent number: 4913172
    Abstract: A comb structure that includes a handle, and a hollow housing having a number of hollow teeth extending away from the handle. Communicating cavities in the handle and housing provide storage for a liquid ointment that can infiltrate out through holes at tip areas of the teeth. The comb structure can be drawn through fur on a live animal (pet) or fur on a leather pelt, such that the ointment is directed onto the skin surface of the animal or leather pelt, so as to prevent skin diseases or provide lubrication against fur loss or leather cracking. In one form of the invention the handle is adjustably connected to the tooth housing so that the structure can be used either in rake-like fashion or in comb-like fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Inventor: Fargo Chou
  • Patent number: 4913173
    Abstract: The strengthening of a finger or toe nail includesproviding a package that includes a fabric layer to be applied to the nail, and a flexible plastic overlay sheet that includes a first portion positioned in overlying relation to a first part of the fabric layer and a second portion retained to a second part of the fabric layer,positioning the package to apply the first part of the fabric layer onto the nail and in the presence of liquid adhesive adjacent the first part of the fabric layer,and rubbing that first portion of the plastic layer against and relative to the first part of the fabric layer, thereby to smooth the first part of the fabric layer on the nail causing the adhesive to smoothly bond that first part of the fabric layer to the nail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignee: International Beauty Distributors, Inc.
    Inventors: Yosh Hokama, Luis Romero
  • Patent number: 4913174
    Abstract: Hair fasteners which can be coupled together. Each fastener of the illustrated embodiment has a stub and a socket so as to allow the stub of one fastener to be inserted into the socket of another thereby to couple the fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignee: Cusenza Partnership
    Inventor: John M. Cusenza
  • Patent number: 4913175
    Abstract: In a liquid-applying tip assembly in which the liquid-applying member is pushed to operate the valve to allow the liquid to flow to the liquid-applying member, the liquid-applying member is a plastic member which comprises: a plurality of ribs extending radially and axially from an axial core in such a manner as to form a plurality of axial liquid passageways therebetween. A barrier is provided between the valve and the cylinder of the tip assembly, the barrier having a hole whose diameter is slightly larger than the outside diameter of the liquid-applying member to control the flow of liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignee: Pilot Ink Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takehiko Yokosuka, Osami Yamauchi, Hiroshi Kato
  • Patent number: 4913176
    Abstract: A dental pick having an enlarged head for removing plaque between teeth is disclosed. The pick has a handle portion and an operational portion. The handle portion has two gripping portions to provide two different operational lengths for the pick. The operational portion includes a flexible neck portion and an enlarged head portion. Advantageously, the operational portion of the pick is of a substantially continuous, non-tapering thickness which enables the pick to be inserted into the interproximal spaces between adjacent teeth without the risk of becoming impacted. The pick is adapted to slide between adjacent teeth while in a vertical orientation, and is then rotated so that the larger vertical portion of the head assumes a generally horizontal orientation. Once the device is substantially horizontally oriented, the pick is agitated both vertically and horizontally so as to disrupt food, plaque and bacteria residing therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Inventor: Richard G. DeNiro
  • Patent number: 4913177
    Abstract: Tube wiping apparatus includes upper and lower reversely canted pinch rollers spaced along respective upper and lower sides of a first path along which the tube is moved and rotated by pairs of the upper and lower pinch rollers located at infeed and exit ends of the first path. The wiping apparatus also includes a toweling drive roll having an exterior surface engaging a toweling roll and carrying a continuous web of toweling along a second path, and a toweling pinch roll having an exterior surface pinching the toweling web between it and the drive roll for causing movement of the toweling web along the second path, across the first path and into contact with the tube so as to perform wiping of the exterior surface of the tube by the toweling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventors: Stuart L. Rieben, Joseph J. Scherpenberg
  • Patent number: 4913178
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for removing polychlorinated biphenyls from electrical apparatus, particularly transformers, to achieve concentration levels of 50 ppm or less as required by the EPA. A dielectric fluid having a relatively low boiling point as compared to polychlorinated biphenyls and other contaminants and in which PCB's are soluble is selected. There is an external cooling loop through which the dielectric fluid is circulated maintaining the temperature and pressure of the transformer within its design limits. There is an external distillation loop where the liquid removed from the transformer is heated to boiling point of the selected dielectric fluid thereby vaporizing the dielectric fluid and leaving the polychlorinated biphenyls in liquid phase in the distillation vessel. The dielectric fluid vapor is then condensed and returned to solubilize remaining PCB's in the transformer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignee: Quadrex HPS Inc.
    Inventor: David E. Fowler
  • Patent number: 4913179
    Abstract: The present invention provides a device for washing off the inner surface of a reaction vessel and/or of the outer surface of at least one spherodial reagent body present in the reaction vessel, the device comprising a small tube (6) connectable to a washing liquid suction device having a suction opening (2) and being pressable by means of a spring (4) in the direction of the bottom of the reaction vessel, a mantle (8) radially surrounding the small tube (6) at an axial distance from its suction opening (2), which mantle bounds between its inner surface and the outer surface of the small tube (6) a washing liquid inlet canal (10) connectable to a washing liquid supply device, holes (12) being provided in an end section of the mantle (8) facing the suction opening (2) for the exit of the washing liquid and two electrodes (14,16) arranged outside the mantle (8) at a distance from one another, axially further remote from the suction opening (2) than the holes (12) in the mantle (8), the electrodes (14,16) being
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignee: Boehringer Mannheim GmbH
    Inventors: Wolf D. Engel, Johann Karl, Friedrich Stabler
  • Patent number: 4913180
    Abstract: A control system and method for chemical injectors includes a controller which outputs multiple feed set point signals and associated driver signals, each set point signal defining a desired injection capacity for a chemical injector and the associated driver designation signal designating the injector to receive the set point signal. A driver assembly is associated with each injector. The driver assembly receives a capacity signal from the injector which defines the volumetric injection capacity of the injector, compares the capacity signal to the feed set point signal, and outputs a drive signal to adjust the volumetric injection capacity of the injector. An adjustment assembly is provided for receiving the drive signal and positioning a stop to limit the reciprocal motion of the piston of the injector, thereby adjusting the volumetric injection capacity of the injector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignee: BAHM, Inc.
    Inventor: Herbert E. Anderson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4913181
    Abstract: A priority valve (10) useful in, for example, an aircraft constant speed drive system controls sump oil level and prioritizes oil flow to several critical components during periods of oil supply interruption. The priority valve (10) includes a movable spool (17) which has a reduced portion (19) surrounded by a spring (18) to urge the spool (17) toward a closing position in which oil is supplied directly from an accumulator (80) to a deaerator (20). The spool (17) is caused to move against the bias of the spring (18) by output oil pressure of the deaerator (20) which is input into the valve (10). The member (17) has an axial passageway (101) with branch radial passageways (103, 104, 105, and 106) for selectively prioritizing the flow of oil to critical system components such as a generator rotor (52), a generator stator (53), and a hydraulic case (90) so that whatever oil is available in the system is made available to the most critical system components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignee: Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: Jerome A. Mortenson
  • Patent number: 4913182
    Abstract: A check stop for use at the inlet of a plumbing fixture such as a flush valve includes a conduit and a sleeve attached at the inlet of the conduit. The sleeve has an inlet and an outlet and there is a valve member movable to close the sleeve inlet. There are water passages formed between the exterior of the valve member and the interior of the sleeve. A spring urges the valve member into a closure position with the sleeve inlet. There is an adjustment member accessible from outside the conduit and having a interior portion positioned within the spring and movable toward and away from the valve member. Water pressure acting on the valve member causes movement thereof away from the sleeve inlet as determined by the position of the adjustment member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignee: Sloan Valve Company
    Inventor: John F. Whiteside
  • Patent number: 4913183
    Abstract: A rigid thermoplastic manifold for the distribution of pressurized carbonated water has an elongate tubular thermoplastic body with a plurality of apertures spaced along its length, a plurality of identical thermoplastic outlet fittings which each have at inlet spud with a sonic energy director and a pair of arcuate sonic energy directors spaced one on each side from the spud, each outlet fitting being fastened and sealed to the tube with three discrete sonic welds. A method of making the manifold is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignee: Schneider Metal Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: James D. Vogel, Kenneth W. Schneider
  • Patent number: 4913184
    Abstract: A safety flow control device in a beverage distribution system using pressurized gas to dispense the beverage from its containers for ensuring that the containers are not accidentally overpressurized. The device is adapted to be placed in the line which connects the pressure source to the container for the beverage. The device includes a base assembly having an internal chamber in communication with a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet and a replacement unit removably connected with the base assembly. The replacement unit embodies a rupture disc having a first side exposed to the gas used in pressurizing the containers and a second side exposed at atmosphere. Strategically positioned between the pressure inlet of the device and the pressure side of the rupture disc is a valving mechanism which is maintained in an open configuration by the rupture disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Inventor: Merton R. Fallon
  • Patent number: 4913185
    Abstract: A valve device for use in a transfer line for sterile fluid production material that communicates fluid from a supply pipe for the sterile fluid production material by opening and closing the flow path for the operating line including a first valve operatively connected to the supply pipe and a second valve operatively connected to a delivery pipe for at least communicating fluid to processing stages for the above-mentioned sterile fluid production material. A first valve plug is operatively mounted within the first valve. A second valve plug is operatively mounted within the second valve. A steam inlet pipe and a steam outlet pipe is positioned substantially perpendicular to a common axis of the first and second valves and on a line dividing substantially in half the gap between facing first and second valve plugs of the first and second valves and opening on opposite sides of the gap so as to form a chamber between the first and second valve plugs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignee: Tetra Dev-Co
    Inventor: Vittorio Mattei
  • Patent number: 4913186
    Abstract: The invention relates to a slide valve for flow lines that carry fluid. The slide valve includes a stationary valve plate and two separately movable sealing plates, which like the valve plate have a plurality of flow openings formed by ribs. Oppositely disposed pressure plates, moving toward one another, each close off one-half the area of the flow openings. The division of the closing motion considerably shortens the closing time of the slide valve and also allows flow openings that can be approximately twice as large in area as the ribs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Inventors: Hermann Brennecke, Horst Liere
  • Patent number: 4913187
    Abstract: A sealing apparatus for use in a compressor suction or pressure plate valve having a seat member with a plurality of fluid passage ports therethrough. The sealing apparatus comprises a movable plastic plate member having a like plurality of sealing members for juxtaposed sealing engagement with the plurality of fluid passage ports and at least one projection integrally formed on at least one of the sealing members and extending outwardly from the plate member in a direction away from the seat member for receiving a resilient flat spring member urging the plate member against and sealing the fluid passage ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignee: Dresser Industries
    Inventors: Derek Woollatt, George J. Safford
  • Patent number: 4913188
    Abstract: This invention relates to a process and apparatus for supplying additives at very low, exactly controlled rates to a liquid or gaseous fluid by means of a rate control element consisting of a highly porous sintered material. Such an apparatus is simple in structure and can be used for a reliable supply at very low rates, which are exactly controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Inventor: Kurt M. Selk
  • Patent number: 4913189
    Abstract: A control module for controlling the operation of multiple fluid pressure actuated devices and electrical devices, as in an automotive heating/cooling system, includes a one-piece sheet metal frame or bracket upon which a plurality of solenoid valves, circuit boards and a manifold are assembled in a compact, tightly, but easily assembled, package. The assembled package is of a generally rectangular box-shaped configuration with electrical and fluid flow connections located at one end to connect with electric and fluid connectors fixedly mounted on the vehicle to provide a simple plug-in-type installation of the module on the vehicle assembly line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignee: Colt Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Loren H. Kline, Eddie L. Johnson, John G. Berent, James T. McIntyre
  • Patent number: 4913190
    Abstract: A control valve includes a main valve spool movable to a plurality of positions. A detent mechanism with a plurality of operational modes operates to releasably hold the main valve spool in displaced positions. An operator-controlled selector mechanism is coupled to the detent mechanism and is operable to selectively place the detent mechanism in a selected one of its operational modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Uwe H. Kugler
  • Patent number: 4913191
    Abstract: A four way directional control valve comprises a valve body having a sleeve formed therein, a spool slidable in the sleeve, two output ports, two pump ports and a tank port formed in the valve body so that the output ports can be a pressure side and an exhaust side by operation of the spool. The four way directional valve further comprises a communicating passage formed in the valve body to provide communication of the output ports with each other, a fixed orifice disposed in the communicating passage, a control passage, formed in parallel with the communicating passage, a control spool disposed in the control passage movable in response to a differential pressure between the output ports to block the communicating passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignee: Teijin Seiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hidenobu Ako
  • Patent number: 4913192
    Abstract: Gas flow control apparatus for controlling the flow of a process gas through a conduit system to a process site, for halting the flow of gas when the process is completed, and for then developing a partial vacuum in the conduit system sufficiently high to reduce the concentration of process gas and maintain it in a gaseous state. The partial vacuum is developed by carrier gas flowing through a venturi in communication with the conduit system supplying the process gas. The carrier gas also expels any remnants of the process gas from all points between the venturi and the process site. Further, the system can be used for vaporizing gases from liquids for use in an atmospheric process at the process site, the carrier gas flowing through the venturi and vaporizing a liquid in a chamber upstream of the venturi. The vaporized gases can then be regulated by a mass flow controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignee: Unit Instruments, Inc.
    Inventor: Randall J. Vavra
  • Patent number: 4913193
    Abstract: A heddle bar having a cross-sectional profile for supporting heddles in a heddle frame. The heddle bar has a supporting rib for engaging a heddle bar support channel in each of the slats making up the heddle frame assembly in an interference fit therewith to make its removal difficult but not impossible. The heddle support bar is not bonded or glued to the slat.The heddle bar may be shaped to support any type heddle, and may be T-shaped or shaped to support J-shaped heddles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignee: Steel Heddle Mfg. Co.
    Inventor: Gene E. Faasse
  • Patent number: 4913194
    Abstract: A lightweight frame slat for use in a heddle frame assembly. Each of said slats comprises an upper hollow portion and a heddle bar support portion integral with and extending from the hollow elongated portion. The hollow portion is made up of a vertically extending back portion and a vertical front portion so that when the front portion is in place three longitudinal cavities are formed. Adjacent each of the edge of the hollow elongated upper portion is disposed elongated stiffening bars of a carbon fiber reinforced stiffening element. The intermediate cavity between the edge cavities is filled with a strip of ridged foam to add structural stability to the slat without greatly increasing its weight.Extending from, and integral with the back portion of the slat is a heddle bar support portion which has extending from it near its bottom edge two horizontal ledges which define a heddle bar support channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignee: Steel Heddle Mfg. Co.
    Inventor: Charles F. Kramer
  • Patent number: 4913195
    Abstract: A filling thread feeding device (2) comprises a thread guide (4) for placing at least one filling thread (S.sub.1) into the entrainment region of a gripper (6) which can be extended into and retracted out of a shed (8). A pair of scissors (22) open against a weaving reed (14) is incorporated at the insertion side externally of the fabric edge (20) in the region of a looping edge (16). The scissors serve for cutting off a previously inserted filling thread (S.sub.1, S.sub.2, S.sub.3, S.sub.4) during renewed insertion into the shed (8). The scissors (22) are designed and arranged in order to improve the operational security and achieve a simpler construction of the gripper loom. The scissors are, on the one hand, closed during the looping motion of the weaving reed and, on the other hand, an inserted filling thread (S.sub.1) can be conducted above and past the upper scissor blade (24) into a catching hook (32) lying in front (FIG. 2 ).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignee: Textilma AG
    Inventor: Francisco Speich
  • Patent number: 4913196
    Abstract: A cassette containing a group of sealed cells is used for delivering doses of fluid to be injected into a sterilizing chamber. After the cassette is automatically positioned over a piercing mechanism, the cassette is moved downwardly so that a cell is pierced. Fluid is then forced out of the cell by pneumatic pressure into an injector valve, which opens in a manner which does not adversely affect a vacuum within the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignee: Surgikos, Inc.
    Inventors: Harold R. Williams, Robert M. Spencer
  • Patent number: 4913197
    Abstract: In order to fill a container having a check valve with a spontaneously foaming filling material, the latter is introduced through the check valve already mounted at the container. In a piston arrangement as the filling device, filling material to be filled in is sucked into a mixing chamber (65) by means of a metering piston (60), foam gas is injected through the piston rod (58) of this piston, filling material and gas are mixed by means of a mixing piston (56), then forced by means of the metering piston (60) through the check valve into the container. This prevents frothing of the filling material, intermixed with foam gas, at any point in time between mixing and filling. During mixing, slight foaming is desirable in order to increase the absorption capacity for the foam gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignee: Hafesto AG
    Inventor: Richard Friedrich
  • Patent number: 4913198
    Abstract: A system for the automatic dispensation of dye solutions characterized in that it is provided with a plurality of weighing devices for converting weight changes of dye solution materials supplied to receiving containers into electric signals. A control system for controlling the quantities of material supply, and for repeating a dispensing operation continuously for a plural number of times, the dispensing operation forming one cycle consisting of [I] setting the receiving container in a fixed position, [II] placing the receiving container onto the weighing device, [III] supplying the material to the predetermined receiving container and weighing the material, [IV] releasing the receiving container from the weighing device, and [V] transferring the receiving container. This system increases to a maximum, the range of the dye solutions that can be dispensed and the dispensing speed so as to reduce the cost and floor space occupied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignees: Japan Exlan Company, Ltd., Excom Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takuro Hayahara, Keijiro Kuratani, Takumi Yukiue, Hiroshi Inoue
  • Patent number: 4913199
    Abstract: A method and device for the complete emptying of flat quartz tanks or crucibles filled with silicon melt is provided. The apparatus includes an open outlet nozzle located in a floor of the tank and a tube-shaped, rod-shaped, or channel-shaped member composed of a material that is well-wettable by silicon melt that is brought into contact with the outlet nozzle after the conclusion of the drawing process. The member is in fluid communication with a collecting vessel. The outlet nozzle is so constructed and arranged that the silicon melt adjacent at the nozzle aperture is prevented from running out during the band drawing due to the curvature pressure of its downwardly, convexly arced surface. The apparatus can be used in continuous, horizontal band-drawing of silicon for solar cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Richard Falckenberg, Gerhard Hoyler, Bernhard Freienstein, Josef Grabmaier
  • Patent number: 4913200
    Abstract: A liquid dispensing nozzle (10) with a pump pressure responsive automatic shut-off mechanism. The nozzle (10) comprises a body (12) with an internal passageway (13) therethrough defining an inlet port (14) for being connected to a dispensing pump and an outlet port (16). A main valve (18) is mounted in the body (12) for selectively opening and closing the passageway (13) to the flow of liquid, and a latch mechanism (29) is provided for selectively closing, and prohibiting the opening of, the main valve (18). The nozzle (10) further comprises automatic shut-off mechanism for releasing the latch mechanism so as to close, and prohibit the opening of, the main valve when supply pressure from the dispensing pump falls below a preselected value. Such automatic shut-off mechanism includes an actuator member ( b 43) operatively associated with the latch mechanism (29) and movably responsive to fluid pressure within the passageway between the inlet port (14) and the outlet port (16) reaching a preselected value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignee: Richards Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Walter M. Carow
  • Patent number: 4913201
    Abstract: The liquid fuel funnel features a no-drip configuration which includes an elongated generally horizontal fuel-receiving rear portion with an open top, which may bear a closeable lid, and a front, fuel-dispensing, spout portion which is preferably oval in transverse cross-section and which curves and tapers downwardly and forwardly to an open exit end which may bear a removable plug. That end may be generally vertical or at an angle thereto. The funnel can include one or more detents for releasably holding the funnel in a proper pouring position with the spout portion within and against a fuel container opening such as a vehicle gasoline tank opening. The detents can be on the bottom and top of the spout portion. The top detent can be on a long angled leaf spring or the like connected to and extending about the top of the spout portion. The funnel is preferably of metal and can be made economically of one-piece durable construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Inventors: Ronald C. Lucero, Nick V. Agnoletto
  • Patent number: 4913202
    Abstract: A machine for filling packaging containers with a flowable product comprises a control valve in the form of a plug valve having a body defining a bore forming a frusto-conical valve seat, a plug having a complimentary frusto-conical surface, and a valve chamber for pressurized fluid formed at the wider end of the plug. The chamber communicates with the bore. The plug is axially displaceable between a first position, in which the frusto-conical surface seals against the valve seat and in which it is rotatable to control flow through the valve, and a second position, in which it is withdrawn into the chamber to provide clearance between the mating surfaces of the plug and the seat but retaining clearance between its wider end and the opposite surface of the chamber so that all surfaces of the plug are exposed for cleaning and sterilization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignee: CMB Packaging (UK) Limited
    Inventors: John D. Miller, Peter D. Hardy
  • Patent number: 4913203
    Abstract: A tree shear is disclosed which has a frame on which is mounted a pair of blades for pivotal movement relative to one another in scissors fashion; the blades being pivoted by hydraulic jacks. Each blade pivots on a rotary shaft having an eccentric center portion, each blade being mounted on the eccentric portion so that, as the shaft rotates, it causes the blade to oscillate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignee: Less Micanik Inc.
    Inventor: Michel Lessard
  • Patent number: 4913204
    Abstract: A biscuit jointer cutter for making segment shaped cuts by plunge cutting has a shoe assembly reciprocally movable relative to a housing containing a motor. The shoe assembly houses a cutter blade rotatably driven by the motor, and has a front opening through which the blade is movable in a forward direction for cutting and retractable in a rearward direction after cutting. A fence assembly is mounted on the shoe assembly above the front opening. The fence assembly is adjustably movable upwardly and downwardly relative to the front opening by means of a rack and pinion mechanism, and also has a fence adjustably pivotable through 90 degrees. A depth of cut adjustment mechanism is operatively connected between the shoe assembly and the housing, and includes a movable rod cooperative with a stop. The stop is a turret selectively rotatable about an axis eccentric of the rod and having recesses of different axial length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory E. Moores, Scott D. Price
  • Patent number: 4913205
    Abstract: A continuously moving lathe knife is provided which can be retrofit to an existing lathe carriage. The knife assembly includes a chain bar secured to the knife carriage with a pair of sprockets at either end of the chain bar. An endless loop chain extends around the sprockets. The chain includes knife tips with angularly disposed serrations which engage the surface of the log from which veneer is being cut. As the log is rotated about its longitudinal axis, the friction between the log and knife tip serrations imparts longitudinal movement of the chain with respect to the log. The chain thereby moves around the chain bar so as to cut a layer of veneer from the log. No separate power source is required for rotating the chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Inventor: Leonard L. Hayes
  • Patent number: 4913206
    Abstract: A router guide assembly for cutting quarter circles and annular pieces from a workpiece comprising: a guide frame comprising a first locking means, a first arm and a second arm, the first arm positioned at a right angle to the second arm; a guide bar adjustably connected to the guide frame by the first locking means, wherein the first locking means permits radial reciprocal movement of the guide bar; a radius bar; and means for adjustably and pivotally connecting said radius bar to the guide bar, including a second locking means for adjustably restraining said radius bar, wherein the second locking means permits both sectoral and radial movement of the radius bar; a router stand connected to the radius bar; and a first stop and a second stop attached to the guide bar for limiting the sectoral movement of the radius bar about a pivot point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Inventor: Ilhan Altinbasak
  • Patent number: 4913207
    Abstract: A pneumatic radial tire for use in heavy duty vehicles such as an airplane and so on comprises at least one carcass ply as a tire body reinforcement, at least two belt layers as a tread reinforcement, and a tread provided with a pair of main grooves extending circumferentially of the tread at a position ranging from the side end of the tread within 15.about.40% of tread ground contact width. In this tire, the tread is composed of a tread rubber satisfying a requirement that modulus at 100.degree. C. under 100% elongation of tread rubber constituting each side portion of the tread is lower by a range of 30.about.80% than that of tread rubber constituting a central portion of the tread.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventors: Katsuyuki Harakon, Ken Kijima
  • Patent number: 4913208
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire (10) having a tread (12), carcass (70), sidewalls (14), bead portions (18) and an annular reinforcing structure or belt structure (76). The tread (12) has two different types of circumferential grooves. Two circumferential straight grooves (20) divide the tire into three circumferentially extending portions (24,26,28). Each portion is further divided by a circumferentially extending zig-zag groove (22) or an "S" shaped groove. Each portion is then divided into blocks (30) by a plurality of axially extending grooves (32). The tread-reinforcing structure (76) has two belt plies (78,80) of steel cords (82), the cords of one are oriented at an angle A, with respect to the mid-circumferential centerplane (MC), while the cords of the other are oriented at an angle B, where angle B is less than angle A. The difference between angle A and angle B is greater than one degree and less than or equal to four degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Norman D. Anderson, Harold D. Fetty, Deborah K. Vaughn
  • Patent number: 4913209
    Abstract: A carcass for a self-sealing pneumatic tire is constructed by starting with an extruded thin flat strip of puncture sealant both surfaces of which are detackified. The strip is place on a building drum and its upper surface is wiped clean so that an inner liner may be adhered to it. Thereafter, the carcass is conventionally completed with superimposed successive layers of belts, and tread along with bead rings, etc. The carcass is then cured in a conventional curing press so that the sealant is cured by contact with the curing bladder. The curing sealant is not restrained in any way, but does not flow. Alternatively, a laminate of the sealant is formed with the inner liner, with only the exposed surface of the sealant detackified so that it adheres neither to the building drum nor to the curing bladder. The detackifier remains on the sealant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignee: The Uniroyal Goodrich Tire Company
    Inventors: Sung W. Hong, Philip J. Cangelosi
  • Patent number: 4913210
    Abstract: An improved cord lock for a window shade is described. The cord lock comprises a molded body member in which are formed first and second cord bearing surfaces and a locking dog support. The cord bearing surfaces are shaped to direct the cords laterally outwardly of the shade member and so that the cords tend to avoid becoming tangled. The locking dogs are arranged such that the cord is secured automatically upon release, thus providing "crash-proof" operation. A shroud formed of a different material than the molded body member encloses its periphery. This provides a particularly attractive appearance for the completed unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventors: Wendell B. Colson, Terry Akins
  • Patent number: 4913211
    Abstract: The foldable automobile window shade generally includes a first plurality of substantially rigid, planar elements joined together by hinges such that they form a first accordion fold portion of the shade. The shade also includes a second plurality of rigid, planar elements forming a second accordion fold portion of the shade. The shade also includes a hinge that links the first and second accordion fold portions. The hinge may be a pop-out tab in one of the elements forming the first accordion fold portion which cooperates with a through passage in one of the elements forming the second accordion fold portion. In another embodiment, the hinge may be a clip having depending and upstanding U-shaped legs that grip the elements in either the horizontal expansion mode or the vertical expansion mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Inventors: Ezra D. Eskandry, Eli Weinberg