Patents Issued in February 10, 1998
  • Patent number: 5715624
    Abstract: A shooting stick for supporting a hand-held pistol, includes a post, one end of which is adapted to touch the ground, and the other end is adapted to support the barrel of a pistol. The post is adjustable in length so that the height of the pistol-supporting end above the ground can be adjusted to accommodate the stature of the user of the pistol. A shelf is slidably supported near the upper end of the post in such a way that the butt of a pistol resting on the shelf can be properly positioned in the upper-supporting end of the post. The shelf is pivotally connected to the sliding support, and the post can consist of two pieces slidably interconnected so that the arrangement of shelf and the post parts can be collapsed so as to occupy a minimum space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Inventors: Glen P. Hilbelink, deceased, by Mary S. Hilbelink, executrix
  • Patent number: 5715625
    Abstract: A portable shooter's bench which includes a seat carried by a pivotable leg assembly and from which assembly a firearm support rest is adjustably mounted. In the preferred embodiment, the seat functions as a carrying handle and the bench automatically folds when lifted to carry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Inventor: David T. West, III
  • Patent number: 5715626
    Abstract: An interchangeable rib assembly for rifles includes engagement portions (207) adapted to cooperate with respective posts (205) provided on the barrel (203) of a rifle so as to detachably fix the rib to the barrel. The rib can be advantageously made of plastic, carbon fiber, or the like, and have different shapes, each shape being appropriate for the contingent requirements (hunting, target practice, et cetera).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: Benelli Armi S.P.A.
    Inventor: Sergio Scaramucci
  • Patent number: 5715627
    Abstract: A fishing lure comprises a natural stone as a lure body and has fracture surfaces randomly oriented. Preferably a pair of fishing hook and fishing line attachment fittings are securely fastened to opposite ends of the lure body, and a feather may be optionally glued to the lure body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Inventor: Phillip Jones
  • Patent number: 5715628
    Abstract: A landscaping cap for use as a protective or ornamental covering for landscaping dividers. In one embodiment an elongated extruded plastic cap has an internal shape adapted to substantially conform to an exterior shape of an upper section of a landscaping divider, said cap having a longitudinal slit along its bottom to allow the cap to fit over and enclose the upper section of the landscaping divider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Inventor: Trifon Beladakis
  • Patent number: 5715629
    Abstract: A vertically extending column of soil is supported by a suspendable bag structure. This includes multiple cylindrical walls (12, 14, 18; 112, 114) the innermost one being of mesh or net. In use, openings (20; 120) are formed through the walls, for plants to grow through. The bottom of the wall assembly is within a dish (22; 122) for retaining water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: The Foxmoor Flower Tower Company Limited
    Inventor: David Neil Hawkins
  • Patent number: 5715630
    Abstract: In a vehicle door with a cross-arm type window lift and a lock assembly, which can be produced more easily and cost-effectively by employing modular construction and by using individual components for several different functions. The invention is distinguished by the guide rail of the cross-arm window lift simultaneously functioning as the support for the lock assembly, by the guide for guiding the window being integrated in the base body of the lock assembly and by the outer edge of a base plate supporting a window lift having a circumferential profiled sealing section in the interior sheet metal door panel for sealing a mounting opening, so that the protection of electrical/electronic components is provided in the dry space without additional steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Ferenc Szerdahelyi, Barry Edwards, Hans-Dieter Lieb, Rolf Heinemann, Horst Seiler, Eberhard Pleiss
  • Patent number: 5715631
    Abstract: Disclosed is a multiple position window latch which includes a latch housing attached to a top rail of a window sash. A stem extends through the latch housing and a latch handle is positioned above the latch housing and is attached to an upper end of the stem. A sweep cam is positioned within the latch housing and is attached to the stem. The sweep cam rotates into and out of the latch housing and engages a keeper on an adjacent window sash. An elongated slide is positioned beneath the latch housing and extends within the top rail toward an adjacent side of the window sash. A driving member on the stem, such as a plurality of gear teeth around a lower end thereof, engages a driven member on the slide, such as a plurality of gear teeth forming a slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: Appleby Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Nourhan Kailian, Darwin B. Dosch
  • Patent number: 5715632
    Abstract: A weather strip is secured to an outer peripheral surface of a door frame of a motor vehicle by a double-sided adhesive tape. The weather strip has a bottom surface on a base portion with at least one continuous rib thereon extending in a longitudinal direction of the weather strip. The at least one projecting rib enables a continuous and aligned seal line to be formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masahiro Nozaki
  • Patent number: 5715633
    Abstract: A space partition having an inner volume for accommodating electrical wires and the like, and providing convenient access thereto. The space partition is generally formed by a framework having a pair of vertical members with a cross member connecting therebetween. The cross member includes a pair of connectors, each engaging one of the vertical members, and a linking element connecting the connectors to each other, the linking element including a pair of parallel rods. Features are provided for facilitating temporary removal of panels and covers of the space partition, thereby enabling easy access to the inner volume of the space partition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: Finish Group Ltd.
    Inventors: Dan Raz, Anatoly Konik
  • Patent number: 5715634
    Abstract: An existing glazing system using small rectangular plastic or glass glazing panels or using thin films, plastic glazing panels may be converted in an inexpensive manner to an elongated rigid, plastic glazing panel system having a condensate removal system. Very long glazing panels of plastic, preferably corrugated, are laid across several purlins in the vertical direction. The glass glazing panels or the thin film glazing panels are removed to expose the roof members. Purlins are laid across the roof members with ends of the purlins positioned intermediately adjacent roof rafters. Condensate collector channels on the purlins convey moisture to the ends of the purlins and discharge collected moisture to an underlying drain, which is fastened to and carried by the purlins. The drain is spaced from the rafter roof members. Very long glazing panels of plastic, preferably corrugated, are laid across several purlins in the vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: SPS Corporation
    Inventor: Hans Schultz
  • Patent number: 5715635
    Abstract: An improved modular building unit (1-6, 1A) including a building block (10, 10A) having lower and upper faces (9, 9A, 11, 11A), side faces (12, 12A, 13, 13A) and end faces (14, 14A). At least the lower and upper faces are provided with mounting strips (21-24, 53A, 54A) interfit with mating mounting strips (21-24, 53A, 54A) on similar adjacent modular building units (1-6, 1A) to join the adjoining building block units (1-6, 1A) in predetermined dimensionally accurate relationships. A method of securing the mounting strips (21-24, 53A, 54A) to the building block or brick (10, 10A) and the method of interlocking and securing adjacent modular building units (1-6, 1A) to each other are disclosed. A preferred embodiment of mounting strips (53A, 54A) is shown in FIGS. 8-10. A mold (203) is shown in FIG. 12 for the preferred method of forming a building block or brick (200).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Inventor: Don T. Sherwood
  • Patent number: 5715636
    Abstract: A light transmitting roof, skylight or interior floor/ceiling includes plural panels each having a light transmitting plate assembly formed of a glass plate laminated to a plastic plate having a lower thermal conductivity or a glass plate supported on a grid of glass blocks. The glass and plastic plates are secured together by a silicone adhesive disposed in a peripheral ledge or channel formed in one of the plate members. A perimeter frame is secured to the plate assembly, is inset from the side edges of the plate assembly and may include a grid of divider members for aesthetic and light transmitting purposes or for supporting the glass blocks. The perimeter frame is secured to the laminated plate assembly by angle members and the frame is secured to a substructure such as a grid of beams by respective angle members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: Innovative Building Products, Inc.
    Inventor: John R. Taylor
  • Patent number: 5715637
    Abstract: A prefabricated composite panel of the type comprising a supporting plywood board, a foamed sheet of polyurethane and a covering layer on the front face of the polyurethane comprising a plurality of brick slices with an aggregate in the spaces between the brick slices which is bonded into the front face of the foam is improved in its fire retardancy by providing a plurality of vertical support metal strips on the inside face of the brick slices at spaced positions across the width of the panel. Each metal strip includes a hanger element at the top which engages over a portion of the foam and a plurality of punched tabs each of which engages under a respective one of the brick slices. The support strips prevent sagging of the brick slices when heat is applied to the front face of the panel since that sagging can allow the heat to penetrate cracks in the covering aggregate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: Pan-Brick, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry C. Hesterman, Rolf C. Holzkaemper
  • Patent number: 5715638
    Abstract: A fabric wall panel system which mounts wall panels by means of releasable hanger. The fabric wall panel system includes a wall panel and a hanger. The fabric wall panel comprises a frame and a flat filler insert. The frame comprises a plurality of linear frame members. Each frame member has a spine with an elongated opening, a side edge, and a front edge which together define a groove. The flat filler insert is fitted within the groove of each frame member. Fabric is stretched over the frame and insert and is bonded to the back of each frame member to complete the finished fabric wall panel. The hanger has a flat base and a perpendicularly extending tongue with an enlarged head. A number of hangers are affixed on the wall using an adhesive. The slit on the fabric wall panel is aligned with the tongue of hanger on the wall, and the fabric wall panel is affixed to the wall by pressing the slit over the tongue on the hanger. The fabric wall panels can be prefabricated or installed in situ.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Inventor: Andy Anderson, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5715639
    Abstract: A metal roof board connecting structure for connecting metal roof boards includes a raised-up flat lock seam portion formed by bending flatly and seamly raised-up regions of two metal roof boards which are arranged adjacently to each other, and a cap member capped on the raised-up flat lock seam portion. A part of the raised-up region of one of the two metal roof boards forms a first cap engaging projection and a bent portion of the raised-up flat lock seam portion forms a second cap engaging projection so as to be arranged in symmetrical with the first projection. The cap member has a two elastic side walls a center portion of each of which has an engaging recess and a lower end portion of each of which is extended downwardly and outwardly to extend away from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: Yamada Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yukio Yamada
  • Patent number: 5715640
    Abstract: A clamp for controlling uplift on a metal roof. The clamp includes a unitary mounting body having a slot extending therethrough. This slot may be positioned over/about a standing seam on a metal roof and be appropriately secured thereto, such as by the use of blunt-nosed screws which engage the seam material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Inventor: Robert M. M. Haddock
  • Patent number: 5715641
    Abstract: An improved modular wall panel system for enclosing towable trailers such as horse trailers and livestock trailers, but equally applicable to recreational vehicles. The present system includes at least two elongated wall panels that are attached to the frame of the trailer in adjacent side by side relationship with their edges cooperating to define a seam therebetween. The panels are typically constructed of extruded aluminum, and have a pair of ends and elongated top and bottom edges extending between said ends. The top edge of the lower panel includes a longitudinally extending top lip which includes a longitudinal groove, and the bottom edge of the higher adjacent panel includes a downwardly extending bottom lip extending along the bottom edge and includes a bottom groove. The top and bottom edges include a series of abutment surfaces that cooperate to align the adjacent panels. The top lip groove and the bottom lip groove cooperating to define an enclosed longitudinal channel extending along said seam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: Sundowner Trailers, Inc.
    Inventor: Roland K. Hall, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5715642
    Abstract: An innovative steel-framing system and method of construction utilizing structural beams having preformed rotating hole patterns therein. The structural beams can be coupled together at various angles by virtue of the rotating hole pattern. The entire framing system is constructed using the same gauge of steel-framing members and without unique connectors. Furthermore, the preformed holes in the structural members allows the use of standard sharp-pointed screws, rather than self-tapping screws which are more time-consuming and costly. The structural members are formed as C-channels and may be coupled together to form stronger members. In this manner, a relatively small inventory of steel members is used, greatly reducing mistakes in the framing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: Steel Framing Supply
    Inventor: George P. Buers
  • Patent number: 5715643
    Abstract: An automotive space frame joining system. The joining system includes a pair of extruded aluminum alloy lineal hollow rectangular members, the first lineal member having a top end, a bottom end and two opposing sides, each opposing side including a plurality of substantially similar longitudinal grooves running from the bottom end towards the to end of the first lineal member, the second lineal member having a top and a bottom longitudinal surface, the bottom end of the first lineal member abutting the top lineal surface of the second lineal member; and two pair of universal joining members, each joining member comprising a span and an interlocking member attached to the span, each pair fastened to opposing sides of the second lineal member and positioned such that each interlocking members of each joining member provides interlocking engagement within the opposing grooves of the first lineal member, thereby providing a space frame exhibiting great strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Corporation
    Inventor: Raymond D. Parkinson
  • Patent number: 5715644
    Abstract: SPF/DB structures having diagonal reinforcement webs and processes for the formation of the structures allow greater vertical web height to spacing to be formed. The diagonal webs are constructed by adding at least two additional sheets in the center of a prior art four sheet SPF/DB process. The additional sheets are welded to sheets that will become vertical webs centrally between the webs. When the core assembly so formed is superplastically deformed, the additional sheets are stretched into diagonal webs, which may be longitudinal, lateral, at an angle, or a combination to form truncated pyramidal reinforcements contained in rectangular cells, truncated hexagonal reinforcements of hexagonal cells or diagonally reinforced rows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: McDonnell Douglas Corporation
    Inventor: Ken K. Yasui
  • Patent number: 5715645
    Abstract: A bag maker-packaging machine uses three heaters to make bags, one for longitudinal sealing and two for transverse sealing. A device for automatically setting the temperatures of these three heaters includes a memory which stores temperature data from which an operator can retrieve a standard temperature, to which the longitudinal seal heater is to be set, by specifying the characteristics of the material to be used for making bags. Different temperatures, to which the two transverse seal heaters are to be set, are uniquely determined on the basis of the standard temperature. The standard temperature and the other temperatures thus determined may be displayed in different ways on one or more display devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: Ishida Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masao Fukuda
  • Patent number: 5715646
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for aseptically producing, harvesting and packaging a pharmaceutical product. A section of the apparatus includes an aseptic reactor and structure for introducing a reactant thereinto so that a reaction can be conducted for the purpose of producing a pharmaceutical product. The pharmaceutical product is subsequently introduced into a filter/dryer for the purpose of recovering the pharmaceutical product. Thereafter, the filtered/dried pharmaceutical product is delivered to a hammer mill for delumping or a micronizing mill for calibration and sizing the recovered product to produce a final powdered product. Thereafter, the final powdered product is introduced into a dosing device and aseptically introduced into a transportable bin. The small bins are encased inside of a sterile bag for transport and further aseptic handling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: Pharmacia & Upjohn Company
    Inventor: Daniel P. Smekens
  • Patent number: 5715647
    Abstract: In a device for the formation of the longitudinal seam of a tubular foil, a flexible foil is placed around a formatting tube by means of a formatting shoulder. The device has a transporting device for moving of the foil and the formed tubular foil. The invention provides two opposingly rotating sealing bands which are pressed against one another clamping the two longitudinal edges o the foil for welding of the longitudinal seam of the tubular foil. One of the sealing bands can be heated by means of a heating device. Both sealing bands can be heated and the device designed as a tubular bagging machine. The invention has the advantage that the deflection of the longitudinal seam from its true path is avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: Rovema Verpackungsmaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Dieter Keim, Harald Braun, Werner Schneider, Walter Baur
  • Patent number: 5715648
    Abstract: Apparatus for opening an envelope having a front panel, a back panel and a closing flap. The apparatus includes: a device for supporting the envelope in a substantially horizontal plane wherein the back panel is situated above the front panel; a pair of pivotable paddles located beneath the closing flap and the front panel, each of the paddles having an interior end and an exterior end; a pair of pivotable, hold-down fingers located above and spaced from the pivotable paddles; a device for rotating the interior ends of the paddles downward; and a device for pivoting the hold-down fingers into engagement with the paddles when the ends of the paddles are rotated downward, whereby the front and back panels of the envelope is caused to separate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventor: Keith Yates
  • Patent number: 5715649
    Abstract: A wrapping material for wrapping a floral arrangement, a flower pot, or for forming a flower pot, comprising a sheet of material, an extension of the sheet of material attached to the sheet of material, the extension having design indicia thereon, wherein the sheet of material is sized to wrap about and substantially surround and encompass a floral arrangement, a flower pot, or contain a floral arrangement or potted plant. Methods of using the wrapping material to wrap a floral arrangement, a flower pot, and to form a flower pot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E. Weder, Lisa A. Straeter
  • Patent number: 5715650
    Abstract: A flower pot cover consisting of a base and a skirt. The base has an upper end, a lower end and a pot receiving space. The skirt is connected to the upper end of the base and the skirt extends a distance outwardly from the base. A bonding material is disposed on the skirt. A flower pot is disposed in the pot receiving space and the portion of the skirt having the bonding material thereon is crimped to provide a bonded crimped portion in the skirt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E. Weder, Joseph G. Straeter, William F. Straeter
  • Patent number: 5715651
    Abstract: A process for fitting stretchable labeling sleeves on bottles or the like, according to which at least one pair of stretchers is introduced into the sleeve, the stretchers are moved apart in order to stretch the sleeve, and the bottle and the stretchers are displaced relative to one another in order to postion the stretched sleeve on the bottle, which process is characterised in that, during relative displacement of the attached sleeve and the bottle, suction is effected in the area of contact between the sleeve and the stretchers in order to maintain the sleeve on the stretchers while it is being fitted on the bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: Protection Decoration Conditionment
    Inventor: Philippe Thebault
  • Patent number: 5715652
    Abstract: For an opening for a container wall, a rivet-shaped protective covering is made and applied by an apparatus. A sheet-like piece of foil is laid down by all applying device on a first wall area bordering the opening. The section overlapping the opening is formed into the opening by a first forming device. A part of the section projects out of the opening at a second wall area bordering the opening. The part of the foil piece projecting out of the opening is formed against the second wall area by a second forming device, whereby the rivet-shaped form of the foil piece is maintained. The rivet-shaped protective covering is affixed permanently to the container wall by an affixing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: Ruediger Haaga GmbH
    Inventor: Werner Stahlecker
  • Patent number: 5715653
    Abstract: A method of bringing together and joining cards, which are provided with an identification mark, and printed card carriers associated with the respective cards, comprises the steps of: providing the card; detecting the identification mark of the card; associating a print job number with the card; reading a data base by means of the identification mark; printing on the card carrier data read from the data base as well as the print job number; detecting the print job number of the card carrier prior to joining the card carrier to the card; determining whether the print job number of the card, which is about to be joined to the card carrier, corresponds to the print job number detected in the preceding step; and, provided that the print job number of the card and that of the card carrier correspond, bringing together and joining the card and the card carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: Boewe Systec AG
    Inventors: Karlheinz Weinmann, Eduard Schmid, Thomas Watzek
  • Patent number: 5715654
    Abstract: A process of continuously packaging a thermoplastic composition such as a pressure sensitive hot melt adhesive. The method includes the steps of (a) forming a thermoplastic film to a rigid mold wherein said film becomes molten at or below the usage temperature of a hot melt adhesive composition, and the mold is in contact with ambient air; (b) dispensing hot melt adhesive into the lined mold; (c) disposing a thermoplastic film on the surface of the mold to form a packaged hot melt adhesive; (d) allowing the hot melt adhesive to reach a state in the presence of ambient air such that the packaged hot melt adhesive is removable from the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: H. B. Fuller Licensing and Financing Inc.
    Inventors: Malcolm Taylor, George Bateson, Brian Posner, Glenn Heuer
  • Patent number: 5715655
    Abstract: A method for packaging bodies (1), primarily bales (1) of moist or wet animal-feed, by wrapping the body in a thin plastic film band (2), wherein a plastic web is wound onto the body in successive turns (3) while maintaining the web in tension. The web is taken from a magazine (4) while rotating the body about its longitudinal axis (5), which is preferably essentially horizontal, with the turns extending generally parallel with and transversely to the longitudinal axis, wherein wrapping of the body is terminated by gripping the web at a web part located between the magazine and the body, therewith severing the web. The method is mainly characterized in that the plastic web (2) is caused to extend transversely to the longitudinal axis (5) and herewith run from the magazine (4) essentially tangentially to the body (1) and transversely to the longitudinal axis, before the web is gripped at the web part located adjacent the body. This invention also relates to a body wrapping arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Inventor: Staffan Soderberg
  • Patent number: 5715656
    Abstract: A form-fill-seal machine in which any of a selection of change parts assemblies can be slid into and out of mounting slots and secured in proper alignment by a hand operated toggle lock mechanism. A pair of stops are provide on the forming shoulder of the change part that correspond to the diameter of the forming tube. An articulated floating vacuum pull belt arrangement, having stops that engage the stops on the forming shoulder, automatically aligns itself with the change parts assembly. The film cage is adjustable for film tracking and can be tilted to a position that permits the film roll to be loaded without the need of a power hoist. The film tracking and film cage tilting are on a common axis, which simplifies the design and reduces the parts. The tiltable film cage has the added advantage of improving the access to the inside area of the machine when the film cage is tilted to the load position. This feature of the invention also reduces the overall size of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: Triangle Package Machinery Corporation
    Inventor: Larry N. Pearce
  • Patent number: 5715657
    Abstract: A method of expanding and feeding cartons to a filling line; the cartons being made of sheet material, presenting four walls defined by preformed bend lines, and being expanded as of an initial flattened configuration wherein each carton is arranged in two superimposed, substantially contacting layers, each defined by two adjacent walls of the carton; each carton being expanded by rotating each wall of each layer about an arc of over 90.degree. in relation to the other wall of the same layer and into a configuration causing yielding of the bend lines; and by only permitting each carton to assume its final parallelepiped-section configuration inside the conveyor pocket of the filling line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: Azionaria Costruzioni Macchine Automatiche A.C.M.A. S.p.A.
    Inventors: Alberto Mondani, Luciano Nannini, Giulio Strazzari
  • Patent number: 5715658
    Abstract: A pipelined system for removing the contents of sealed coin-collection boxes, wherein each box requires a set of different operations to be performed in seriatim to remove the box contents. The operations include removing a seal, opening a box lid, removing the box contents, resetting the lid and resealing the box. The pipelined system comprises a rotary surface for supporting a plurality of the boxes at spaced locations. Stationary surfaces mount a plurality of box-processing units at spaced stations to form a pipeline. The box-processing units, which are serially arranged and operate in parallel, include a seal-removal tool, a lid-opener tool, a box-inverter that dumps the box contents into a coin sorter/counter system, a lid-reset tool and a seal-insert tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: Nynex Science & Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Howard M. Citron, David K. Asano, Henry R. Baietto, Sullivan S. Chen, Alexis W. De Frondeville, Jeffrey H. Hahn, Thomas J. Probst, Jr., John E. Massucci, Dinu Costin, Ralph E. Peragine
  • Patent number: 5715659
    Abstract: A transfer system for transferring objects into a barrier isolator is provided. The transfer system includes a port opening located in a barrier wall to provide access to an isolated space. A port barrier film is sealingly located over the port opening, with the port barrier film having a first, decontaminated side which faces the isolated space and a second side which is exposed. A container adapted to hold the objects to be delivered through the port opening and into the isolated space is provided. A container barrier film is sealingly engaged to the container opening such that decontaminated objects sealed within the cavity in the container remain decontaminated. The container barrier film has a first, decontaminated side which faces the cavity and a second exposed side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: The West Company, Incorporated
    Inventor: Paul H. Norton
  • Patent number: 5715660
    Abstract: An automated product collection apparatus comprising two vertical, endless belt conveyor systems and a horizontal conveyor. One vertical conveyors (the load station) is loaded with a number of empty containers which are transferred sequentially to the horizontal conveyor (the fill station). The horizontal conveyor moves an empty container into position to collect parts from process and production equipment. Sensing circuitry counts the parts loaded into each container to determine when each container is full or reaches a predetermined product count. The full container is moved to the second vertical conveyor system (the unload station) which accumulates the full containers until unloaded from the second vertical conveyor. Individual parts may be counted, the accumulated total of parts can be weighed, and inputs may be obtained from other automated production equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Inventor: Paul Balentine
  • Patent number: 5715661
    Abstract: A first panel is adapted to cover a bottom of a horse's hoof. A second panel extends upwardly from the perimeter of the first panel and includes a front portion, two opposing side portions and a back portion. The front portion is adapted to cover a front of a horse's hoof; the side portions are each adapted to cover a side of a horse's hoof; and the back portion is adapted to cover a back of a horse's hoof. The second panel forms an opening positioned opposite the first panel for insertion of a horse's hoof there-through. The back portion includes two sides and a triangular foldable portion at each of the sides, the foldable portions each connected to one of the side portions. A plurality of strap loops are distributed circumferentially about the second panel near the opening. A strap is configured to be inserted through the loops, and includes a buckle for securing the strap about the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Inventor: Carol Ann Meyers
  • Patent number: 5715662
    Abstract: Each knife-carrying disk of a rotary cutterbar has a hub connected to a drive shaft through means of a shear device. In a first embodiment of the invention, the shear device is in the form of either a collar or a clamping member having internal splines received on a splined upper end of the drive shaft and having shearable cylindrical drive lugs engaged with complementary shaped openings provided in an upper surface of the disk hub. In another embodiment of the invention, the shear device is in the form of a ring-like shear insert having shearable inner splines received on the splined upper end of the drive shaft and having outer splines engaged with a splined mounting hole of the disk hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: James C. Walters
  • Patent number: 5715663
    Abstract: A modular disc cutterbar utilizes self-contained cutter modules clamped between alternating spacer modules by fasteners engaged with the spacer modules. Each cutter module has detachably mounted thereon a disc member carrying a pair of opposingly mounted cutting knives pivotally supported on a pivot member to sever standing crop material by impact action upon rotation of the disc member. The disc member also carries on each pivot member above the corresponding cutting knife, but independently movable, a crop mover operable to move the severed crop material away from the corresponding cutting knife. The crop mover has a tapered leading edge that terminates in an outer tip that is narrower than the outer tip of the corresponding cutting knife so as to not interfere with the cutting action of the knife. The crop mover also includes a vertical portion for aggressively moving the severed crop material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: New Holland North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Barry L. Getz
  • Patent number: 5715664
    Abstract: An improved hydraulic drive system is provided for a vehicle having a plurality of ground engaging wheels which are each individually driven by a hydraulic motor to provide all wheel drive. The ground engaging wheels include a first pair of such wheels at or adjacent a first end of the vehicle and at least one other such wheel at or adjacent a second end of the vehicle. The hydraulic drive system includes a hydraulic flow circuit that connects the hydraulic motors for the wheel(s) at the second end of the vehicle in series to each other, to the fluid source, and to the drive motors for the wheels at the first end of the frame, which latter drive motors are connected in parallel to each other. Such a vehicle will provide superior traction ability as at least one wheel on each end of the vehicle must slip to bring the vehicle to a halt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Steve A. Sallstrom, Gerald E. Goman, Joel M. Dunlap
  • Patent number: 5715665
    Abstract: The locating device for an agricultural machine controlled by an automatic steering system includes a first locating device component (OV1) directed at a first portion of a field on which agricultural material is not present, but adjacent an edge (GK) of the agricultural material and producing a first locating signal (OS1), a second locating device component (OV2) directed at a second portion of the field containing the material and adjacent, but not including, the edge of it and producing a second locating signal (OS2), a third locating device component (OV3) directed at a third portion of the field including the edge of the material and producing a third locating signal (OS3), a device for transmitting the first, second and third locating signals (OS1, OS2, OS3) to a regulating device (ST) for generating at least one hydraulic steering signal (SHL,SHR) from a standardized locating signal (NOS) to control the steerable wheels (HR) according to a predetermined locating criterion and a device for generating th
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: Claas Kommanditgesellschaft Auf Aktien
    Inventors: Norbert Diekhans, Ludger Autermann, Stefan Hagedorn, Helmut Homburg
  • Patent number: 5715666
    Abstract: A reflex locating device on an agricultural machine or the like, in particular a harvested material edge locating device, has a transmitter and a receiver with a locating beam region oriented on the agricultural machine so that it is slightly inclined toward the ground and, when the grain edge side position is correct, detects a part of the standing grain in front of the harvesting mechanism and detects with a remaining part the stubble field. The locating device for this purpose is arranged at a distance above the grain, and the locating beam region is oriented substantially perpendicular to the harvesting mechanism and detects inclinedly from above partially the grain field and partially the stubble field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: Claas Kommanditgesellschaft auf Aktien
    Inventors: Jochen Huster, Norbert Diekhans, Helmut Homburg
  • Patent number: 5715667
    Abstract: A mechanism for mounting a mower deck to a vehicle, the mechanism including a first member which pivots about a first pivot mechanism as the mower pivots to ride over ground undulations. When raised by the operator, the deck will pivot about the first pivot mechanism until the first member abuts a second member supported by a second pivot mechanism. As the deck continues to be raised it will pivot about the second pivot mechanism. A link coupled between the vehicle frame and the second member causes the second member to also pivot about a third pivot mechanism which swings the deck rearwardly as it is raised.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Gerald Eugene Goman, Marlyn Lee Jerke
  • Patent number: 5715668
    Abstract: A rake, in which its tines are inserted and moved between the parallel, uniformly spaced, bars of a grating for debris removal. The rake includes a base and plurality of equally spaced parallel tines forming blades integrally moulded with the base out of a thermoplastic with memory characteristics. The thickness of each blade is about 1/16 its width, each blade is easily flexible thicknesswise, that is in a direction transverse to the grating bars but has practically no flexibility in the direction of the grating bars. The distance between the grating bars is two to four times the rake tines thickness so that at least two rake tines can be inserted between two adjacent grating bars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: John Meunier Inc.
    Inventors: Gilles Filion, Martin Couture
  • Patent number: 5715669
    Abstract: A bobbin transporting system are overhead transporting rail for the flyer frames and an overhead transporting rail for spinning machines are disposed independent of each other. The bobbin transporting carrier running on the transporting rail for the flyer frames suspends the bobbin hangers at a pitch equal to that of bobbin wheels of the flyer frame arrayed in one of two rows in which the bobbin wheels are disposed in a zigzag pattern. The bobbin transporting carrier running on the transporting rail for the spinning frames suspends bobbin hangers at a pitch equal to that of reserve roving bobbins disposed at both sides of a spinning machine. A bobbin exchanging apparatus is disposed at a location where both the transporting rails extend in parallel and close to each other. In the bobbin exchanging apparatus, bobbins suspended at different pitches from the respective bobbin transporting carriers travelling on the transporting rails in opposite directions, respectively, are exchanged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyoda Jidoshokki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Toshinori Hasegawa, Kengo Ohashi, Takayuki Morita, Masuo Hayakawa
  • Patent number: 5715670
    Abstract: A cooling apparatus and method for cooling an advancing yarn, which includes an elongate cooling rail along which the advancing yarn is guided. At each end of the cooling rail, the yarn and the cooling rail are reciprocated relative to each other in a direction transverse to the direction of the advancing yarn, so that the yarn sweeps over the cooling surface of the cooling rail, thus facilitating the removal of a possibly developing condensate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: Barmag AG
    Inventor: Klaus Bartkowiak
  • Patent number: 5715671
    Abstract: An integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) process and plant are provided in which an improvement in overall thermodynamic efficiency can be achieved by increasing the proportion of power generated by gas turbine(s) to that generated by steam turbine(s). This is achieved by placing an exothermic catalytic reactor downstream of the gasifier to pre-heat the gas turbine fuel gas which is supplemented by the addition of non-combustible gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: Jacobs Engineering Limited
    Inventor: John Griffiths
  • Patent number: 5715672
    Abstract: An improved silencer panel construction for use in the exhaust gas stream of power generation equipment is described. The silencer panel has an outer periphery of U-shaped channel. Perforated webbing is attached within the outer periphery to strengthen the outer periphery and reduce thermal gradients building up within the web during operation. Acoustical insulation is provided within the silencer panel and held in place by screening as well as perforated cladding. A plurality of silencer panels are spaced apart within the silencer chamber to attenuate the noise produced by the exhaust gas stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: Braden Manufacturing
    Inventors: Gene F. Schockemoehl, Leland Matt Farabee, Thomas Richard Mills, David W. Daniels
  • Patent number: 5715673
    Abstract: Five embodiments of Pollution-Free, Efficient, Large Scale Electrical Power Generation Systems, using thermal energy are illustrated herein. Each embodiment is composed of subsystems and/or individual elements which tailor each system to an operating environment that requires different implementation modes or applications.Also illustrated are two embodiments configured to adapt smaller scale power plants to applications such as platform mounted portable power applications, large vehicle propulsion, and other applications.Also illustrated is an embodiment configured to produce high quality fluid at controlled pressures and temperatures as required by a wide range of industrial applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: Clean Energy Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Rudi Beichel