Patents Issued in February 19, 1991
  • Patent number: 4993522
    Abstract: In a hydraulically blockable gas spring a hydraulic chamber and a gas chamber are provided one behind the other within a cylinder. The chambers are separated from each other by a separating wall. A first section of a piston rod is sealingly guided through one end of the hydraulic fluid chamber and is connected with a separating piston within the hydraulic fluid chamber. The separating piston divides the hydraulic fluid chambers into two hydraulic fluid compartments. The fluid compartments are interconnected by a hydraulic flow path. The hydraulic flow path can be selectively opened and closed by a valve. A second piston rod section extends from the separating piston through the separating wall and sealingly enters into the gas chamber. The pressurized gas within the gas chamber provides a biasing action onto the second piston rod section. The hydraulic chamber is completely filled with a hydraulic fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Assignee: Stabilus GmbH
    Inventor: Udo Wagner
  • Patent number: 4993523
    Abstract: The fluid circuit when in a first condition permits relatively free fluid flow in a first direction between variable volume chambers of the damper, while permitting only relatively restricted flow in an opposite, second direction. When in a second condition, the circuit permits relatively free flow of fluid in the second direction and only relatively restricted flow in the second direction. The circuit condition is changed by changing the position of a control valve which is subjected to fluid pressure differentials that may at times delay change in the position of the valve, and therefore change in the condition of the circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Assignee: Lord Corporation
    Inventors: Leonard J. Schwemmer, Robert H. Marjoram
  • Patent number: 4993524
    Abstract: According to an illustrative example of this invention, the piston of a hydraulic oscillation damper is provided with a traction valve, i.e. a valve which is intended to damp the outward movement of the piston rod. This traction valve includes two valve discs and a valve member. The valve member is biased towards a closed position and urges the valve discs against a valve face of the piston. In response to a predetermined pressure difference between the two working chambers on both sides of the piston, a flow passage is opened by lifting the valve discs and the valve member from the valve face. Below said predetermined pressure difference, a preliminary restricted flow passage exists. This preliminary restricted flow passage extends in series across the radially inner circumferential edge of a first valve disc adjacent to the piston and through radially inner edge recesses and through radially outer edge recesses of a second valve disc adjacent to the first valve disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Assignee: Fichtel & Sachs AG
    Inventors: Manfred Grundei, Hans Reimer
  • Patent number: 4993525
    Abstract: Each of a pair of wire springs has a loop end fitting on an anchor mount for a leading-trailing shoe assembly. Each spring has an arm extending from its loop end along the web of a shoe and terminates in a hook end which fits within a slot in the associated shoe web. The springs will return the brake shoes to their retracted position after serice or parking brake operation by cantilever spring bias force stored in the spring arms as the springs are installed, reengaging the adjuster/strut assembly after actuation of the wheel cylinder during service brake operation; retain the lower ends of the shoes against the anchor plate; and hold the shoes down against the backing plate by torsional spring bias forces of the springs which are stored in the spring loop ends and are directed onto the web of each shoe toward the backing plate through the spring arms and the arm outer portions which are immediately adjacent to the spring arm hook ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Robert W. Hyde
  • Patent number: 4993526
    Abstract: A protective pad for an article of luggage and an article of luggage with a protective pad are disclosed. The pad has a foot section spacing the base from any surface luggage, the foot section spacing the base from any surface underlying the article of luggage when rested thereon. A side guard is integral with the foot section and extends from the foot section, the side guard having a proximal leg to be disposed on the base of the luggage, adjacent the foot section, and a distal leg oriented at an angle to the proximal leg such that the side guard defines a protective projection extending from the luggage at the feet around a lower corner of the article of luggage and up a sidewall. A shank can be embedded in a connecting section molded between the feet, and holes can be provided for receiving fasteners extending through the feet and also through the distal end of the side guard. At least some of the holes and fasteners can be aligned to the side guard, for bearing a tensile load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Assignee: Lenox Incorporated
    Inventor: David C. Morrison
  • Patent number: 4993527
    Abstract: A method of determining and controlling a lock-up of a torque converter in a four-speed automatic transmission for full or partial frictional coupling between the torque converter and the vehicle engine. The method includes the steps of checking conditions that preclude partial lock-up operation and unlocking the torque converter if partial frictional coupling is precluded. The method also includes setting initial conditions for going from unlock to partial frictional coupling and checking for conditions that allow full frictional coupling operation. The method further includes fully frictional coupling the torque converter if conditions allow full frictional coupling operation, otherwise, partially frictionally coupling the torque converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Assignee: Chrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Howard L. Benford, Francis M. Fodale
  • Patent number: 4993528
    Abstract: A specially designed roller control car for a roller clutch retains a pair of rollers to the clutch prior to installation, and continually applies a substantially equal share of the force of a single spring to each of the pair of rollers after installation, so as to allow each roller to independently seek its own, unique ready position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Frederick E. Lederman
  • Patent number: 4993529
    Abstract: The hydraulic clutch actuator for a motor vehicle of the concentric type in which the actuator is mounted concentrically around the transmission input shaft of the vehicle within the housing of the clutch. The actuator includes a housing structure defining a central quill shaft surrounding the input shaft of the vehicle and slidably supporting the hub portion of the bearing carrier and further defines an annular piston bore spaced radially outwardly from the quill shaft to define an annular bore between the piston bore and the quill shaft into which the rear end of the hub portion of the bearing carrier may move during the operation of the actuator so as to provide overlap as between the annular piston and the bearing carrier and minimize the axial dimension of the actuator. The preload spring is also positioned in the annular bore between the quill shaft and the piston bore so as to further optimize the compact packaging of the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Assignee: Automotive Products plc
    Inventors: Keith V. Leigh-Monstevens, David L. Wrobleski, Paul M. Regula
  • Patent number: 4993530
    Abstract: A clutch disk assembly is provided with a continuously variable hysteresis mechanism which reduces noises or vibrations of the driving system. The continuously variable hysteresis mechanism includes a plate member, a spring member and a friction lining member operably disposed between the hub member and the disk member. The spring member is normally out of contact with said plate member to minimize wear. The spring member and plate member carry first and second projections, respectively, which come into contact after a certain amount of relative rotation occurs between those members, to produce the continuously variable hysteresis between the disk member and the hub member. The plate member is connected to the disk member in a manner preventing relative radial movement therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Naoyuki Maki
  • Patent number: 4993531
    Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a carrier disc for clutch friction pads comprising a central portion and radial blades. Each blade is joined individually to the central portion by a generally radial blade foot, and is cantilevered asymmetrically from either side of this foot. Each blade is divided into zones by transverse shoulders. For a given diameter, the terminal zone of that portion of the blade that is cantilevered to the greatest extent with respect to the blade foot, and which is intersected by the endmost shoulder, is joined to the central zone by a second foot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventor: Gino Villata
  • Patent number: 4993532
    Abstract: An automatic air gap readjusting assembly in a clutch or brake unit is operated by electromagnetic and spring forces. A drive shaft 3 frictionally mounts, by a plurality of O-rings, an adjustment member. The adjustment member is readjusted by a contact or armature plate such that the air gap between the armature plate and the electromagnetic mechanism attracting the armature plate will remain constant, i.e. the stroke of the armature plate will remain constant. Torque is transmitted from the drive shaft to the armature plate via a radial flange having a plurality of axially movable torque transmitting bolt assemblies, which are clamped to an annular spring member secured to the armature plate. This arrangement allows for continuous readjustment for wear of the air gap between the armature plate and the electromagnetic mechanism; furthermore, the readjustment always takes place under uniform force conditions despite increasing wear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Assignee: Chr. Mayr. GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Harald Weiss, Winfried Hofler, Karl Schilling, Gunter Klinger
  • Patent number: 4993533
    Abstract: Difficulty in achieving the disconnection of two relatively rotatable elements (14) and (30) is avoided in a simple manual connect-disconnect operator which includes a coupling shaft (42) for interconnecting the rotary members (14), (30) and a translatable carrier (38) which journals the coupling shaft (42) for rotation about an axis and further mounts the coupling shaft (42) for movement between connect and disconnect positions. A yoke (60) is mounted on a pivot (66), (100) and is connected to the carrier (38) to move the coupling shaft (42) upon pivotal movement of the yoke (60). The support shaft (108) is mounted for reciprocating movement along its longitudinal axis and a handle (132) is pivotally mounted on the support shaft (108).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Assignee: Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: Neil L. Brown
  • Patent number: 4993534
    Abstract: A system for producing integrated circuit devices includes first and second integrated circuit processing stations. The first station produces an output stream of individual, separate devices for delivery to the second station. A drum buffer receives the individual devices from the first station, selectively stores the individual devices, and dispenses the stored devices on a substantially last-in first-out basis to the second station. The drum buffer includes a plurality of device carrying channels axially along the length of the drum to receive the devices being selectively stored by filling the respective channels as the drum is rotatably indexed in one direction, and to empty the stored devices from the respective channels as the drum is rotatably indexed in an opposite direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Anthony L. Adams, John G. Stewart
  • Patent number: 4993535
    Abstract: A bidirectional travelling device for side sorting of articles in a flexible path transporting system made of at least one support fastened to a guide tow element of the system. Each support is made of a channel iron which is positioned to transversely with respect to the flexible path. The travelling device also includes a swiveling member positioned on each support for loading the article to be sorted. The swiveling member is made of two complementary, fork-shaped elements facing and interpenetrating one another. The fork-shaped elements pivot on sideboards of the channel iron. Due to gravity, the elements are in a horizontal, stable equilibrium position to define a plane for supporting the article. The travelling device further includes a scheme for actuating and resetting the swiveling member for rotating and raising the respective fork-shaped elements causing the downward discharge of the article transverse to the flexible path transporting system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Assignee: Meccanizzazione Postale e Automazione S.p.A.
    Inventor: Mario Scata
  • Patent number: 4993536
    Abstract: A case turning assist attachment for a palletizing machine of the type including a linear live roller conveyor for conveying cases to a pallet loading rake, includes a push member operably connected to a double acting air cylinder controlled by an air switch. The air switch includes an abutment member for activating an air valve upon contact with a forward end of a case. The case turning attachment allows a faster and more efficient operation of a conventional type of palletizing machine by more rapidly orienting cases to be palletized in a correct position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Inventor: Michael J. Bell
  • Patent number: 4993537
    Abstract: Apparatus for correctly positioning dispensers to be applied to containers, wherein containers and dispensers are fed in succession to an aligning conveyor which comprises a plurality of housings adapted to receive respective dispensers and to support them rotatably about their respective axes. A fixed abutment element is arranged adjacent to the aligning conveyor and is adapted to interfere with a portion of the peripheral surface of the dispensers to cause a rotation of the dispensers about their respective axes during their movement on the aligning conveyor. A photocell is provided for sensing the position assumed by a given portion of each rotating dispenser, and suckers are also provided and controlled by the photocell in order to lock each dispenser within the related housing when a given position is reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Assignee: Azionaria Costruzioni Macchine Automatiche A.C.M.A. S.p.A.
    Inventors: Ivo Bianchini, Carlo Corniani, Claudio Sogliani
  • Patent number: 4993538
    Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning the wheels of a trolley of an overhead conveyor, particularly overhead conveyors used in poultry processing, where the apparatus is positioned in-line and coextensive with the guide rail, wherein said apparatus is comprised of an I beam which has been modified such that a spray of high pressure heated water emanates from both lateral faces of the vertical structural component of the I beam, wherein said spray deluges the wheels with water when a trolley passes through the cleaning apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Inventor: Fritz Norbury
  • Patent number: 4993539
    Abstract: The invention provides a length of feed screw for connection between two straight lengths of screw conveyor, the length of feed screw being of a material which can be flexed, but being slotted to facilitate bending of the length of feed screw so that the length of feed screw can continue to operate in the bent condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Assignee: Stockrail International Limited
    Inventor: Edward C. Duce
  • Patent number: 4993540
    Abstract: A conveyor having a carrying surface formed by rollers (12, 13) which are freely rotatably mounted on bars (5) extending transversely between the links (3, 4) of side chains (1, 2). The chain links (3, 4) are slidable one into another to enable the inside-bend chain (2) to temporarily contract when moving through a bend. The rollers (12) of a plurality thereof are mounted next to each other on each roller-carrying bar (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Assignee: Gebr. Van Capelleveen B.V.
    Inventor: Pieter van Capelleveen
  • Patent number: 4993541
    Abstract: A triple conveyor includes a chain gear, a coaxial roller, and end wheels of a coaxle whereby the conveyor can transport products quickly and accurately, and reduce the noise and vibration of the conveyor so as to allow for the use of robots and the elimination of manpower in the factory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Inventor: Jae Y. Roh
  • Patent number: 4993542
    Abstract: A belt conveyor in which a housing is provided at each longitudinal end of the main frame for accommodating a pulley therein. An endless belt is passed around the pulleys and extend along the upper and lower surfaces of the main frame. Each of the housings consists of a pair of housing blocks attached to either side surface of each end portion of the main frame to rotatably received the pulley therebetween. Each of the housing blocks is provided with a pair of L-shaped pawls which are slidably received by slots provided in the upper and lower surfaces of the main frame, and guide projections slidably received by slots provided in lateral surfaces of the main frame. The slots in the lateral surfaces may have a T-shaped cross section so that the housing block may be secured to the side surface of the main frame by passing a threaded bolt through the housing block and threading it with a nut longitudinally slidably but otherwise unremovable received by the slots in the side wall surfaces of the main frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Assignee: NIC Autotec Company, Limited
    Inventor: Ryouichi Nomura
  • Patent number: 4993543
    Abstract: A chain belt formed of a plurality of pivotally connected preassembled parallel links. Each link includes a driving tooth protruding from one surface of the link midway between the pivotal axes of the link. The tooth is preferably formed so that its faces are a pair of intersecting, convex, cylindrical segments of like radii of curvature, the cylindrical axes of the segments being located such that the curvature of the faces insures that there if no scrubbing action where the belt is driven by a sprocket, the teeth of which are shaped to provide an inversely curved mating surface with the link teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Assignee: The Laitram Corporation
    Inventor: James M. Lapeyre
  • Patent number: 4993544
    Abstract: A plastic conveyor belt is formed of a plurality of non-reversible modules having inter-fitting link ends connected together and hinged by pivot rods having a rod capturing arrangement at each end of the outermost link ends of end module assemblies which is a blocking member insertable into a slot in the widest and outermost link end with the flat surface of the blocking member facing the rod and a projection for cooperating with the rod hole for holding the blocking member in place but allowing it to be removed. The belt also has internal modules in addition to end modules and all modules are constructed such that the narrowest link ends of unequal width link ends are adjacent sprocket cavities but are offset in a direction of another link end to provide additional strength and rigidity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Assignee: Cambridge Wire Cloth Company
    Inventors: Peter K. Bailey, Michael L. Spangler
  • Patent number: 4993545
    Abstract: A ring display system for showing rings on a shelf of a showcase. The display system comprises a support structure, which includes a first flat surface having a first plurality of ring slots for mounting a first plurality of the rings and a second flat surface angled relative to the first flat surface and having a second plurality of ring slots for mounting a second plurality of the rings. The support structure is movable between first and second display positions, the first display position being when the first flat surface is oriented facing upward and angled toward customers for viewing and the second flat surface is oriented facing downward. The second display position is when the second flat surface is oriented facing upward and angled toward customers for viewing and the first flat surface is oriented facing downward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Inventor: Robert J. Feiler
  • Patent number: 4993546
    Abstract: A soap dish construction including a planar rear wall with an integral floor and generally S-shaped sides, each of the sides includes a forward portion directed interiorly of a rear portion wherein the forward portion projects beyond and below the floor. The floor includes a tapered upper surface to direct fluid directed up to the upper surface towards the forward portion of the side walls defining a trough including a trough floor. The trough floor angulates forwardly and downwardly relative to the inclined upper surface of the floor and is generally coextensively arranged therewith. The upper surface of the floor includes a plurality of spaced ribs defined by a predetermined spacing therebetween. A modified construction of the invention includes a tool receivable within a slot within the dish construction where a tool is defined by a first leg of a width substantially equal to the predetermined spacing between the upstanding ribs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Inventor: Stanley R. Southard
  • Patent number: 4993547
    Abstract: A piggy-back package for holding a basketball backboard and rim with positioning tabs on the package of the basketball backboard, which tabs position and hold a rim package on the backboard package. The rim package is off-set and at one end of the backboard to allow for tight stacking of two piggy-back packages (one upside down and rotated 180.degree. from the other).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Assignee: Porter Athletic Equipment Company
    Inventors: James Pallasch, Robert Floresch
  • Patent number: 4993548
    Abstract: A carrying case comprising a bottom member having four openings formed in its upper surface adapted to receive the lower ends of four game stakes therein. The bottom member is also provided with a central cavity positioned between the four stake openings to permit the storage of a measuring cord therein and to partially receive the lower portion of the lowermost ball of four balls stacked one upon the other within the confines of the four stakes. A top member is joined to the bottom member by a pair of rubber cords and has openings formed in its underside adapted to receive the upper ends of the game stakes. The top member also is provided with a central cavity adapted to partially receive the upper portion of the uppermost ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Inventor: Vernon L. Peterson
  • Patent number: 4993549
    Abstract: Packaging for a ski and a process of packaging the ski. The packaging provides an attractive envelope for the ski and protects the ski from the time it is manufactured until its retail sale, and further, until the ski is first used, i.e., even after the bindings are mounted thereon. The packaging protects and surrounds all parts of the ski and includes a sleeve of thermo-shrinkable plastic material. At areas upon which the ski bindings are to be mounted, zones of reduced resistance to tearing are produced so that, at the place of distribution of the skis, such zones can be conveniently removed without the removal of the remainder of the packaging. The process includes the steps of introducing a ski into a sleeve; closing the ends of the sleeve by, e.g., welding; and passing the ski wrapped in the sleeve through a thermo-shrinking tunnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Assignee: Salomon S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Luc Diard, Yves Gagneux
  • Patent number: 4993550
    Abstract: In order to provide a suitable packaging system, mesh pieces are deposited across the width of a moving run of flexible wrapping material and are deposited in longitudinally overlapping relationship along the length of the wrapping material, by feeding the mesh pieces on a belt which moves more quickly than the wrapping material; the mesh pieces are ejected from the end of the belt onto the wrapping material. The direction of movement of the wrapping material is inclined downwards so that the trailing ends of the mesh pieces contact the wrapping material before the leading ends contact the preceding mesh piece. The wrapping material, with the mesh pieces on it, is then rolled up under tension into a spiral bale so that the overlapping edges curl down and prevent the mesh pieces slipping out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Assignee: Nelton Limited
    Inventors: Frank B. Mercer, Brian Orr, Keith F. Martin
  • Patent number: 4993551
    Abstract: A tool holder and storage device to interfit over the upper rim of a five gallon bucket is provided. The device includes a tubular cloth panel which drapes and conforms over the inside and outside surfaces of the bucket with inner pockets sewn on the panel to drape on the inside of the bucket and outer pockets sewn on the panel to drape on the outside surface of the bucket with slots cut lengthwise from an end of the cloth panel of sufficient length to allow the panel to drape downwardly around the handle ends of the bucket on the outside surface with ties between the edges of the slots to fix the device under the handle ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Inventor: Brian K. Lindsay
  • Patent number: 4993552
    Abstract: A packaging device for packaging both magnetic and compact disk media used in the micro-computer industry. The device of the invention permits secure placement and storage and attractive packaging of 31/2 inch and 51/4 inch magnetic diskettes and compact disks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Inventors: Marc Bugbey, Michelle Agul
  • Patent number: 4993553
    Abstract: An electric hotplate has a hot plate body and plugging pieces for connection to connecting members of supply lines. A stacking aid is provided for receiving a plurality of hotplates in a multilayer stack, the stacking aid having pallet plates providing receptacles for receiving the plugging pieces of each single hotplate laterally outside of each single hotplate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Assignee: E.G.O. Elektro Gerate Blanc u. Fischer
    Inventors: Robert Kicherer, Felix Schreider, Stefan Reif
  • Patent number: 4993554
    Abstract: A beverage case that can be nested or stacked is disclosed. The beverage case has two later sides of full height and two longitudinal sides. The longitudinal sides extend upwardly from the bottom of the case to a height less than one-half the height of the lateral sides, and have central panel sections of a length greater than the length of the lateral sides. The central panel sections each have an intermediate recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Assignee: Spectrum International, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Box
  • Patent number: 4993555
    Abstract: Pack.Packs consisting of a multilayer composite sheet are frequently used for holding aroma-sensitive commodities, particularly ground roasted coffee. The pack is composed of a central (coffee) block (10) and of fin folds projecting at both ends. In the region of the fin folds a tear-open strip (17) is provided under a closure seam (11) to facilitate the opening of the pack.The tear-open strip (17) likewise consists of a composite sheet and is connected to the pack-composite sheet by heat sealing to ensure that there is no impairment of taste of the pack's contents while at the same time guaranteeing a high-strength connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Assignee: Jacobs Suchard AG
    Inventor: Gerhard Hemm
  • Patent number: 4993556
    Abstract: A turning device which receives randomly oriented sheet-like items, such as bank notes, and delivers them in a predetermined orientation comprises a testing station which determines the initial orientation of the items, a control device which receives signals emitted by the testing station indicative of the initial orientation, and a conveying system which is responsive to the control device for re-orienting the items. The turning device includes a service station having a conveying path therein. The service station is rotatable about an axis of rotation into first and second rest positions which are separated by 180.degree. by arc. The conveying path of the service station is operable in forward and reverse directions. The conveying path of the service station also includes two openings through which it receives the items and discharges them after they have been reoriented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Assignee: Landis & Gyr Betriebs AG
    Inventor: Andre Gerlier
  • Patent number: 4993557
    Abstract: Cap storing devices, particularly a stand for supporting a plurality of caps of the type having a deformable crown and an extended visor. The stand includes a base and upstanding back, together with a curvate shelf which engages the inner periphery of a folded crown, while the cap visor extends vertically in engagement with the back. A plurality of folded caps thus may be stacked one upon the other in storage mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Inventor: Bert Davis
  • Patent number: 4993558
    Abstract: A book and cassette file system for coordinating books and companion audio transcription cassettes includes a base and a pair of book ends. Each book end includes compartments for storing audio cassettes. A base is provided for supporting the books and the book ends and various mechanisms are illustrated for preventing the book ends from being displaced laterally. A projection extends from either the base or the book end and is received in one of a plurality of receptacles for securing each book end in a desired position along the base. Optionally, a keyway is provided in the base and a key projecting from a book end is engaged in the keyway. In a further embodiment, a spring anchored to one end of a keyway formed in the base is secured at its opposite end to one of the book ends. Another spring is anchored at the other end of the base and secured to the opposite book end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Inventor: Daniel C. Assael
  • Patent number: 4993559
    Abstract: An improved carrier for holding semiconductor wafers at a predetermined angle during processing is described having side rails with slots for holding lateral edges of the wafer and bottom slots having a curved floor for supporting the wafer edge without substantially contacting the corners of the wafer where the wafer edge and principal wafer surfaces join. This reduces yield loss due to wafer edge chipping. The side slots are desirably off-set from corresponding bottom slots so that the wafers will be consistently oriented at the predetermined angle and have uniform spacing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventor: Marlo E. Cota
  • Patent number: 4993560
    Abstract: A shaped card holder having a plurality of slots and adjacent protrusions formed therein to hold a plurality of cards. The card holder may have a shape, for example, corresponding to a symbol of a holiday, such as a Christmas tree. The card holder can be self-supporting or supported through an opening formed in the top portion of the card holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Inventor: Sidney Jaffe
  • Patent number: 4993561
    Abstract: A low cost modular merchandising system includes vacuum-formed feature racks with a rectangular array of front pocket recesses which can be used to support graphic inserts, products displayed for sale, and a wide variety of merchandising accessories including support pedestals, shelves, product/graphics support elements, backlit display elements, and microswitches that respond to removal of a supported article to control lights, burglar alarms, inventory computer, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Assignee: Design Sciences International, Inc.
    Inventor: Randall W. Stultz
  • Patent number: 4993562
    Abstract: A wall-mountable grid-support alternatively accommodates hook-type and slat-type garment brackets. The grid-support includes: a plurality of parallel and directionally transversely extending spacer members located at alternating small and large separations, the spacer members at colinar terminal-lengths defining a wall-abuttable first-plane and at a medial-length defining a second-plane; a plurality of parallel and directionally longitudinal linear members attached along the second-plane to widely separated locations of the spacer members medial-lengths and which, by virtue of a preferably elliptical cross-sectional shape for each bridger member, provides a third-plane; and along the first-plane, wall attachment grommets that are desireable stationed between terminal-lengths of proximal spacer members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Inventor: Joel H. Alperson
  • Patent number: 4993563
    Abstract: An apparatus for stacking and bundling scrap cardboard and similar materials which includes an adjustable base frame with extensible sections to accommodate varying sizes of scrap material and a plurality of selectively removable uprights distributed about the perimeter of the base frame to confine such scrap material in the apparatus, the invention further contemplating strap guide means adapted to receive elongated binding straps for passing thereof about a quantity of such scrap material for binding or baling thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Inventor: Ambrose Bolling
  • Patent number: 4993564
    Abstract: A quick disconnect tooling mount having integral fluid conduits for use with lower tooling nests having changeable tooling assemblies. The coupling uses a rotary locking member, having an eccentric cam disposed thereon which rigidly clamps the lower tooling mount to the upper tooling mount by engaging a guide rod configured in a male/female arrangement and inserted from a first coupling block attached to the upper tooling mount into the second lower tooling mount attached to the tool nest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Inventor: John A. Blatt
  • Patent number: 4993565
    Abstract: A blow-molded bottle-shaped container of biaxially oriented thermoplastic synthetic resin includes a pair of recesses depressed inwardly on the right and left side parts of a rear half portion substantially at the central height position of a cylindrical container body to form a grip to be grasped by one hand. The bottle-shaped container can enhance the buckling stiffness of an integrally molded grip by providing parallel grooves and/or reinforcing ribs in and around the grip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Assignee: Yoshino Kogyosho Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akiho Ota, Hiroichi Ishii
  • Patent number: 4993566
    Abstract: An improved base configuration for a plastic container used in hot-fill applications. The base is concentric with the side walls of the container and an outer ring of the base is connected to a central dome portion which extends upwardly into the body cavity of the container and terminates in a central disk region, which is also generally concentric with the side walls of the container. Radiating in a substantially spiral fashion, from the central disk downward along the dome to the outer ring, are a number of reinforcement ribs and slides which increases the amount of material in the base which is sufficiently oriented and able to resist the deformation induced by unrelaxed retractive stresses during filling of the container with a liquid of elevated temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Assignee: Hoover Universal, Inc.
    Inventor: Theodore F. Eberle
  • Patent number: 4993567
    Abstract: An improved base configuration for a blow molded plastic container used in hot-fill applications. The base consists of a peripheral support ring that is generally concentric with the container side walls and connected to a central dome portion. The dome extends upwardly into the body cavity of the container and terminates in a central disk region that is also concentric with the container side walls. A number of raised involute embossments radiate about the central disk in a substantially spiral fashion downward along the dome. The embossments are limited to that area of the dome where unrelaxed retractive stresses may be formed during blow molding of the container. The embossments increase the amount of material in the base which becomes sufficiently oriented so as to resist the deformation induced by the unrelaxed retractive stresses during hot filling of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Assignee: Hoover Universal, Inc.
    Inventor: Theodore F. Eberle, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4993568
    Abstract: A nipple (3) for a nursing bottle (1) is made from a soft elastic material, such as plastic. The nipple comprises a front end portion (7) serving as a mouthpiece, a bottle mouth fitting portion (9) to be removably fitted to the opening (5) in the bottle body (2) by a clamping ring (4), and an inverted funnel-shaped intermediate portion (8) disposed intermediate between these portions. A partition wall (11) having a milk sucking hole (12) is integrally formed in the interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Assignee: JEX Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuo Morifuji, Yoshifumi Takao
  • Patent number: 4993569
    Abstract: This invention is concerned with a closure which permits the sterile opening of a membrane sealed container in a single-action motion which also maintains a hermetic seal under retort conditions. This closure includes a generally cylindrical side wall having threads along the inner surface thereof, a top with an upper surface having a protective rim extending upwardly therefrom, with the top also having a dome assembly with the protective rim extending above such dome assembly. The dome has a top and bottom surface, with at least one plow member projecting downwardly from the bottom surface of the dome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
    Inventors: Thomas W. Osip, Jerold W. Montgomery, Paul A. Pezzoli
  • Patent number: 4993570
    Abstract: A tamper indicating container and container-closure package in which the tamper indicating band is integrally molded on the container neck with connecting frangible webs. The tamper indicating band has circumferentially spaced pawls on its top which co-act with a circumferential array of ratchet teeth at the lower end of the closure cap skirt to prevent removal of the cap upon application of opening torque without fracture of the frangible webs indicating tampering or initial opening. The closure of the container-closure package includes a cap skirt having a wall portion which recesses the cap ratchet teeth and overlaps the tamper indicating band of the container so as to keep the ratchet locking mechanism out of the view of a person endeavoring to tamper with the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Assignee: Sunbeam Plastics Corporation
    Inventors: Randall K. Julian, J. Wayne Halfacre
  • Patent number: 4993571
    Abstract: An improved plastic tamper-evident cap is molded on an internal mold member. The cap is adapted for use with a container having a threaded neck portion at a radially inwardly extending shoulder disposed below the threaded neck portion and facing axially away therefrom. The cap has a top wall, a depending skirt with an internal threading for engagement with the threaded neck portion of the container and a tamper-evident ring connected to the lower end of the skirt by frangible means. The tamper-evident ring has radially inwardly extending locking means adapted to slide over the shoulder. The improvement comprises a trapazoidal frangible member having a narrow top and a wide base. The top adjoins the skirt of the cap at sharp corners. The frangible member has curved adjoining portions between the frangible member at its base and the tamper-evident ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Assignee: American Safety Closure Corp.
    Inventor: Vincent N. Conti