Patents Issued in January 2, 2001
  • Patent number: 6168061
    Abstract: A golf ball holder comprising a member having a hook section attachable to the wearing apparel of a user thereof, including a pair of leg portions, and a tray section formed integrally with and projecting laterally from a leg portion of the hook section, the tray section having an upper surface provided with least one recess for receiving and supporting a golf ball therein, having a surface engageable by a ball supported in the recess in an interference-fit relation, and the recess having an opening extending to an underside of the tray section of sufficient cross sectional area to permit a portion of a finger of the user to be inserted therethrough and dislodge a ball supported in the recess to propel the ball into the hand of the user cupped around the tray section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Inventor: Robert S. Harrison
  • Patent number: 6168062
    Abstract: A slack puller has symmetrical sheave assemblies on each side of a cable path. The sheave assemblies each include a driven sheave mounted on an arm. When the sheaves are engaged with the cable by an actuator, tension in the cable pulls the sheaves in a way which tends to increase the compressional forces exerted by the sheaves on the cable. The self actuating nature of the slack puller allows compressional forces on the cable to be kept small until the cable comes under tension. The sheaves are driven by positive displacement hydraulic motors connected in series with a hydraulic pump. This permits the sheaves to turn quickly when the cable is not under tension and slows the sheaves as tension in the cable increases. The slack puller operates more quickly and causes less cable damage than conventional slack pullers. The slack puller has particular application in skyline logging operations where its compact size is an additional advantage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Enderby Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventors: William L. Varner, L. Daan Hengeveld
  • Patent number: 6168063
    Abstract: An ultrasonic vibration bonding machine which can simplify a suction passage structure. A resonator has a suction passage at the maximum vibration amplitude point where a bonding working portion is provided, the positions of the pads of a circuit board mounted on a mounting unit and the positions of the pads of a semiconductor chip absorbed and adsorbed to the bonding working portion are measured to align the pads accurately, and then the pads are bonded together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Ultex Corporation
    Inventors: Shigeru Sato, Seiya Nakai
  • Patent number: 6168064
    Abstract: The present invention relates to controls for a multi-zone reflow oven. In the present invention a plurality of infra red thermal scanners are located at critical points along the path which a substrate passes in a reflow oven so as to generate an actual solder paste time/temperature profile as a substrate passes through the zones of the reflow oven. The actual temperature of the solder paste is determined at critical zones for generating feedback control signals. The time/temperature profile is stored for transfer to a different reflow oven so as to effect the identical solder paste time/temperature curve on the same or a different oven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Quad Systems Corporation
    Inventor: George Michael Berkin
  • Patent number: 6168065
    Abstract: A debridging tool incorporated into an automated wave soldering system adjacent to and after a wave soldering station removes bridges and/or excess solder formed during the wave soldering process by emitting, at a desired temperature which can be set using a heater and one or more thermo measuring devices, a pressurized stream of air, inert gas or other fluid only under selected areas of a printed circuit board, including a flexible circuit. The tool comprises a movable nozzle from which the stream is emitted and a means for transporting the nozzle under the printed circuit board. The tool targets only those areas of the board where bridges or excess solder repeatedly form during the soldering process without disturbing solder joints where no bridges or excess solder form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Soltec B.V.
    Inventor: Lambertus P. Willemen
  • Patent number: 6168066
    Abstract: A seam (16) between juxtaposed workpieces (14) is welded or heat-treated by friction-stir using a pin tool (12) driven by an apparatus (18) which controllably positions the pin tool (12) in the vertical direction (8). The workpiece (14) is supported by an anvil (22). The joint is heated by rotation of the pin tool (12) inserted into the joint from the obverse side. In order to provide a good weld through the thickness of the workpiece, a sensor (34, 310) senses electrical characteristics near the heated or welded region, and generates a control signal which tends to control the position of the pin tool near the reverse side of the weld. The sensor is located adjacent the weld (16s) on the obverse side, and is preferably protected by mounting in a depression (22c) in the anvil (22). In one embodiment, the sensor (34) senses magnetic characteristics near the weld. In another embodiment, the sensor (310) senses conduction, conductivity, or eddy currents in the vicinity of the weld.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corp.
    Inventor: William John Arbegast
  • Patent number: 6168067
    Abstract: A method for reducing material property degradation during friction stir welding. More specifically, the method includes the steps of solution heat treating first and second structural members at a first predetermined temperature schedule. The first and second structural members are then quenched to a predetermined temperature at which the structural members are in a nonequilibrium state and have an incomplete temper. The first structural member is then positioned adjacent to the second structural member, thereby defining an interface therebetween. Thereafter, the first and second structural members are joined to form a structural assembly by friction stir welding the material along the interface prior to precipitation heat treating the structural assembly. The structural assembly is then aged, such as by precipitation heat treating, at a second predetermined temperature schedule to stabilize the material properties of the resulting structural assembly, thereby completing the temper of the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: McDonnell Douglas Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas J. Waldron, Richard G. Pettit
  • Patent number: 6168068
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of preventing a gold plate connector of a printed circuit board (PCB) from being contaminated during a soldering process. The disclosed method prevents the gold plate connector coupled with the printed circuit board from being contaminated during wave soldering of the printed circuit board after spreading flux over the printed circuit board on which electronic components are mounted, and the method includes the steps of: forming a strip mask in a form of a membrane by solidifying a masking solution after spreading the masking solution capable of being solidified over the gold plate connector of the printed circuit board, performing the spreading of the masking solution before the spreading of the flux; and removing the strip mask from the gold plate connector after performing the wave soldering. As a result, it is not necessary to perform a washing operation of the gold plate connector. The washing operation can be troublesome, time-consuming, and inconvenient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Samsung Electronic Co, Ltd.
    Inventors: Gun-Yong Lee, Masaharu Tsukue, Choul-Su Kim
  • Patent number: 6168069
    Abstract: Surprisingly, silver-copper-palladium brazing alloys, which have hitherto been used only for the brazing of components of the same material, are also very well suited for brazing directly titanium to stainless steel if, the latter component clasps the titanium component tightly, so that the cold joint is under constant compressive stress. In a method for forming the titanium-steel compound the titanium component is provided with a cylindrical end which has a smaller out-side diameter than an adjacent main portion whose external surface is a first surface to be brazed. The cylindrical steel component is a sleeve whose inside diameter is equal to the outside diameter of the main portion and whose internal surface is a second surface to be brazed. A silver-copper-palladium brazing alloy is placed around the end of the titanium component. The steel sleeve is slipped thereover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Endress +Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventor: Rainer Lorenz
  • Patent number: 6168070
    Abstract: There is disclosed herein a method for soldering an electronic component 10 having a heatspreader 14 on a bottom surface thereof and at least one lead 18 (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Joseph Sinkunas
  • Patent number: 6168071
    Abstract: A method for joining two elements using a silver-based alloy having a germanium content is described. The method comprises providing two elements to be joined together, at least one of the elements comprising a silver/copper/germanium alloy having a silver content of at least 77% by weight, a germanium content of between 0.4 and 7% by weight, typically from about 0.5% to about 3%, the remainder principally being copper apart from any impurities. The alloy also contains boron as a grain refiner at a concentration of greater than 0 parts per million and less than 20 parts per million, more typically less than about 10 parts per million, with working embodiments including boron in an amount of about 2 parts per million. The two elements are placed adjacent one another such that a portion of a free surface of the silver/copper/germanium alloy contacts a portion of a free surface of the other element without interposing a filler material between the two free surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Inventor: Peter Gamon Johns
  • Patent number: 6168072
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of diffusion bonding a first article containing a thermally activated expansion agent to a second article. The first article and the second article are placed adjacent to each other at a bonding area. The first article and the second article are constrained such that contact is maintained between the first article and the second article at the bonding area. The constrained articles are then heated at a temperature that causes the first article to expand, creating pressure between the articles at the bonding area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Daniel S. Schwartz, Donald A. Deuser
  • Patent number: 6168073
    Abstract: A storage container (20) having integrally formed inner and outer members (24, 22) is disclosed. The outer member (22) includes opposing top and bottom walls (71, 77), opposing side walls (73, 75), a back wall (79) and a front opening (80). The inner member (24) includes a bottom panel (26), opposing side panels (28, 30), a front panel (32) and a fan extension portion (34). The inner member (24) is slidably movable between a retracted position within the outer member (22) and an extended position where the inner member (24) extends from the front opening (80) of the outer member (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Allpak Container, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald J. Towle
  • Patent number: 6168074
    Abstract: An end opening bulk material container having a polygonal-shaped sleeve defined by a double sidewall and a plurality of sidewalls. The double sidewall is defined by a first sidewall overlapping a last sidewall. The sleeve has a depth dimension greater than its width dimension. A first end of the sleeve is closed by a first end wall and a second end of the sleeve is closed by a second end wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Packaging Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul F. Petriekis, Michael Wilford
  • Patent number: 6168075
    Abstract: An improved breakaway container for food and other perishable products comprising a simple construction and reliable breakage mechanism using a thumb cut scoring. By applying pressure to the thumb cut scoring, a tear is initiated in a circumferential scoring, thereby allowing for the separation of excess container wall from the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: RECOT, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph Paul Sagel
  • Patent number: 6168076
    Abstract: Unit items ordered by a customer are accepted. An automatic selection is given of unit items, from among the accepted unit items, which compose at least one of predetermined set-menu item combinations having respective predetermined discount prices. A price corresponding to a customer's order is calculated in response to the predetermined discount price of the previously-mentioned one of the predetermined set-menu item combinations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mayumi Yamamoto, Toshiaki Aoki
  • Patent number: 6168077
    Abstract: One aspect of the present invention is a method and apparatus of providing a card and/or reader that recognizes a communication mode of a corresponding reader and/or card. The card reader comprises a memory and a card interface circuit to detect a mode of a card. A processor coupled to the card interface circuit and the memory, communicates with the card in the detected mode if the detected mode matches a communication mode of the processor. The card comprises a memory and a reader interface circuit to detect a mode of a reader. A processor coupled to the reader interface circuit and the memory, communicates with the reader in the detected mode if the detected mode matches a communication mode of the processor. Another aspect of the present invention is a method and apparatus of providing a card and/or reader that is operable in two communication modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Litronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Gray, Lee Gudmundsen, Charles E. Frasier
  • Patent number: 6168078
    Abstract: A card reader reads data from a card which stores data in a plurality of files, and includes an input part including at least one key for inputting an instruction, and a data processor. The data processor successively outputs data of at least one of the files stored in the card depending on a key operation of the input part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Ryouichi Yanagi, Yoshio Hiramoto, Izumi Asoh, Masashi Kato
  • Patent number: 6168079
    Abstract: A customer information terminal system having a docking member for supporting a data collection device on a shopping cart, wall or the like. The docking member is dimensioned to receive the data collection device and allow for convenient storage thereof during and after use. The data collection device may take any number of forms, including a consumer assistant data terminal, a pen based data terminal, a scanning gun terminal or the like, and may communicate with a host computer system storing customer shopping data. The docking member may provide one or more degrees of movement, so that the data collection device may be situated in a convenient position. An interlock switch may also be provided to allow for the alternative selection of power sources. When the data collection device is located remote from the docking member, the interlock switch causes the device to be powered by an internal power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Telxon Corporation
    Inventors: Robert J Becker, Gregory R. Canda, David B. Vanhorn, Roger H. Ramsey
  • Patent number: 6168080
    Abstract: The contents of sealed envelopes are accessed by detecting and digitizing a change in capacitance produced when a pattern of dielectric or conductive ink is passed by a sensitive capacitance sensor. The capacitance changes are converted into corresponding electrical patterns for further processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Translucent Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gerrit L. Verschuur, Chauncey T. Mitchell, Jr., Corneliu C. Leordeanu
  • Patent number: 6168081
    Abstract: An invisible symbol reading apparatus includes a heating unit for heating an invisible symbol formed on a sample and containing a material which emits infrared light when heated, a detecting unit for detecting infrared light emitted from the invisible symbol, and an arithmetic operation unit for binarizing a detection signal from the detecting unit. The arithmetic operation unit calculates a differential coefficient of the detection signal, that corresponds to a position on the sample. On the basis of upper and lower threshold values set for the differential coefficient, the arithmetic operation unit determines a maximum value of the differential coefficient in a region exceeding the upper threshold value and a minimum value of the differential coefficient in a region smaller than the lower threshold value. The arithmetic operation unit binarizes the detection signal by using the maximum or minimum value as a leading or trailing edge of a binary function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Taeko I. Urano, Kenji Sano, Hideo Nagai, Tomokazu Domon, Hironori Fukuda
  • Patent number: 6168082
    Abstract: A card reader 10 includes a base 14 and a cover 60 securable together to define a card-receiving cavity 90 and a plurality of right angle terminals 102 therein disposed in a terminal housing 12. The base 14 defines a terminal-receiving section 32 of the terminal housing 12 and the cover 60 defines a terminal-securing section 74 of the terminal housing 12, the two sections together defining terminal-receiving passageways 79 within which the bodies of the terminals 102 extend. Upon assembling the base 14 and cover 60 together, the terminals 102 are secured in position in the terminal-receiving passageways and the terminal contact surfaces 106 extend into the cavity 90 proximate the cover 60, and a card 170 can be inserted into the cavity 90 with the contact pads 172 facing the cover 60.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation
    Inventors: Karen Elizabeth Benjamin, Dennis Leroy Kemmick
  • Patent number: 6168083
    Abstract: A chip card is operable in a contactless and contact-coupled mode. For operation in the contactless mode, the chip card has an antenna coil and rectifier. In the contactless mode, the chip card receives an AC signal. The rectifier provides a rectified received AC signal. The rectified signal is used for powering internal circuitry of the chip card. The chip card further has a recognition circuit that recognizes whether an AC signal is actually received by the antenna coil. If the AC signal is recognized, the recognition circuit switches the chip card to the contactless mode. If no AC signal is recognized, the recognition circuit switches the chip card to the contact-coupled mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventors: Dominik Berger, Wolfgang Eber, Gerald Holweg
  • Patent number: 6168084
    Abstract: Wireless communication devices and methods of forming the same are described. In one implementation, an integrated circuitry transceiver chip and an antenna are operably coupled and mounted within a housing member. A cover(s) is (are) disposed over the chip and antenna and effectively seals the chip and antenna therewithin. In a preferred implementation, the chip, antenna, and a power source are mounted on a printed circuit substrate which is nestedly received by the housing member and effectively sealed therewithin by the cover. The housing member preferably includes structure which receives at least one of the chip and/or power source to provide a nested, compact device which can be carried by or upon a person. In one aspect, the housing member is formed from a material which does not meaningfully, if at all, degrade the electrical performance of the device. The cover(s) is preferably formed from the same material as the housing member to facilitate assembly of the device through bonding therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: William Mish
  • Patent number: 6168085
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for controlling temperature and humidity of an environment for a process chamber for semiconductor manufacturing materials. A supply of filtered, temperature and humidity controlled gaseous working fluid is provided to a process chamber, and is controlled by cascade control based upon sensing of environmental parameters to be controlled both upstream and downstream of a chemical filter, which can be a charcoal filter. A controller determines a first control error output by comparing a desired process parameter set point for the controlled environmental parameter of the gaseous working fluid with the first sensed value, determines a second set point from the first control error, and controls the supply of the temperature and humidity controlled gaseous working fluid based upon the second set point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Semifab Incorporated
    Inventor: Kenneth P. Garcia
  • Patent number: 6168086
    Abstract: A dehumidifier comprising hot and cold water supply pipes interconnected to a showerhead in a bathroom, a hot heat exchanger interconnected to the hot water supply pipe, fan means to pull air from an adjacent room across the hot air exchanger and into the bathroom, and an exhaust fan to remove air from the bathroom
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Inventor: Aaron Tanenbaum
  • Patent number: 6168087
    Abstract: A valve comprises a valve member which is engageable with a first seating to control communication between first and second ports and a second seating to control communication between second and third ports. The second seating is provided upon a separate seating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Lucas Industries Limited
    Inventor: Michael Peter Cooke
  • Patent number: 6168088
    Abstract: A method for applying air freshener within an automobile is disclosed. The method includes the steps of retrieving an air freshener card, locating a substantially hidden position within the automobile, and placing the air freshener card at the substantially hidden position. An air freshener card and method for making the same is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Inventor: David Mobley
  • Patent number: 6168089
    Abstract: A snow making tower with a water and air precooling system. An elongated aluminum pipe snow making tower is supported above ground in an upright manner and is provided with snow making nozzles at its upper end for ejecting air and water under pressure into ambient atmosphere for manufacturing snow in subfreezing conditions. Water and air supply connections are provided at the lower end for connection to sources of water and air under pressure. A closed loop antifreeze cooling system is mounted adjacent this tower and includes a radiator, a circulating pump and tubing for continually recirculating antifreeze fluid through the radiator with the pump. This tubing includes metal tubing that passes within the interiors of the aluminum pipe snow making tower for thereby precooking water and air passing through the tower prior to ejection from the snow making nozzles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Inventor: Herman K. Dupre
  • Patent number: 6168090
    Abstract: A flame spray system employs splatter blocking and automated rod delivery apparatuses. The splatter blocking apparatus includes a barrier member and an actuation mechanism. The barrier member is adapted to be moved between a blocking position in which the barrier member is extended across a spray path from a flame spray gun of a flame spray system preventing travel of particles of fusible material from the flame spray gun to a product being coated and an unblocking position in which the barrier member is displaced from the spray path of the flame spray gun permitting travel of particles fusible material from the flame spray gun to the product being coated. The actuation mechanism is connected to the barrier member and adapted to be selectively actuated to move the barrier member between the blocking and unblocking positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Inventor: Edgar C. Baker
  • Patent number: 6168091
    Abstract: A hydraulically actuated fuel injector includes an injector body that defines a high pressure passage, a low pressure passage, a control passage, a fuel inlet, and a nozzle outlet. The injector body includes upper surface and a lower surface that partially define an armature cavity. The injector body also defines a fluid displacement passage that is separated from the upper surface and the lower surface and extends between the armature cavity and a low pressure area. The fluid displacement passage is positioned and sized such that an amount of oil is always maintained in the armature cavity at least to a level below the fluid displacement passage but above the lower surface. In addition, the fluid displacement passage is sized and positioned to ensure adequate drainage for cold start, yet provide a flow restriction especially at idle conditions to produce sufficient valve damping that a substantial reduction in impact noise occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Rodier, Haji Goudarz
  • Patent number: 6168092
    Abstract: A fence sprinkler system is described in which tubular posts include an interior cavity, a water line extends upwardly through the cavity, and a sprinkling unit is connected to the water line at the upper end of each post. The sprinkling unit can be recessed into the upper end of the post, and a cap is attached to the top of the sprinkling unit to close the upper end of the post when the sprinkling head is retracted into the post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Inventor: Mark L. Schneider
  • Patent number: 6168093
    Abstract: An airless sprayer adapted to spray both paint and texture material. The sprayer uses a reciprocating piston that mechanically forces the material to be dispensed out of a charging chamber. The piston is driven by a motor mounted within a motor chamber. A working surface of the piston has a surface area adapted to dispense texture material. The sprayer is gravity fed with an overhead hopper. The sprayer is provided with a detachable overflow member that defines an overflow chamber for capturing texture material that leaks around the piston. This overflow chamber is configured relative to the motor chamber such that material leakage is contained within the overflow chamber and does not reach the motor chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Homax Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Lester R. Greer, Jr., James A. Tryon
  • Patent number: 6168094
    Abstract: A fuel injection valve is is described. The fuel injection valve includes a swirl disk downstream from a valve seat, the swirl disk being made of at least one metallic material, having at least two swirl channels opening into a swirl chamber, and in which all layers are adheringly deposited directly one on top of the other by electroplating (multilayer electroplating). A perforated spray disk having an outlet opening shaped so that it directly influences the flow of the fuel exiting through the outlet opening of the swirl disk is arranged directly downstream from the swirl disk. The fuel injection valve is particularly well suited for direct injection of fuel into the combustion chamber of a compressed mixture externally ignited internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Schatz, G{umlaut over (u)}nter Dantes, Detlef Nowak, Jörg Heyse
  • Patent number: 6168095
    Abstract: A fuel injector for internal combustion engines, with a nozzle body in which a valve needle with a sealing face is movably supported. The sealing face of the valve needle comes into contact with a valve seat face that is adapted to the sealing face and is formed on an inner wall region of an end cup of the nozzle body. At least one injection opening is provided in the valve seat face, wherein both the inner wall region with the valve seat face of the nozzle body disposed on it and an outer wall region are hardened. The nozzle body is comprised of a rustproof martensitic steel that is hardened by means of case hardening with nitrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Max Seitter, Friedrich Muehleder
  • Patent number: 6168096
    Abstract: A fuel injection device for internal combustion engines which under the control of a control unit supplies fuel injection valves with fuel from a high-pressure fuel source. The fuel injection valve has an injection valve member, whose opening and closing position is determined by a pressure acting upon the injection valve member set in a control chamber. To perform an injection, the pressure in the control chamber must be relieved, which is accomplished with a control valve that opens two different outflow cross sections of an outflow conduit of the control chamber in succession. It is thus possible to accomplish an adapted opening of a fuel injection valve member for a preinjection and a main injection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Roger Potschin, Friedrich Boecking
  • Patent number: 6168098
    Abstract: A solenoid actuated fuel injector comprises a valve body having a longitudinal axis. A valve seat subassembly is mounted in one end of the valve body. The valve seat subassembly includes a valve seat having a seating surface and a circumferential sealing surface surrounding the seating surface. The valve seat subassembly also includes a lower needle guide and swirl disk welded to the valve seat. The lower guide includes a flange portion and a tube portion having an axially disposed tubular bore for guiding the needle in a tight tolerance relationship. The tubular bore provides a longer length interface with the needle and a smoother wear surface than a conventional pierced hole thin lower guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Siemens Automotive Corporation
    Inventor: Benjamin F. Brinn, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6168099
    Abstract: A method is provided for manufacturing an orifice disk. Metal foils are made available, opening geometries and auxiliary openings are introduced in the metal foils. The individual metal foils are superimposed in centered fashion. The metal foils are joined using a joining method, thus creating an orifice disk band having a plurality of rounds. Finally an isolation of the rounds or orifice disks is performed. The orifice disks manufactured in this manner are particularly suitable for use in fuel injection valves that are utilized in mixture-compressing, spark-ignited internal combustion engines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Wilhelm Hopf, Kurt Schreier, Siegfried Goppert, Kurt Schraudner, Henning Teiwes, Jörg Heyse, Dieter Holz
  • Patent number: 6168100
    Abstract: An improved method of preparing embossed metallic flakelets for a hologram pigment improves productivity through a simpler process. A metallic foil 12 is first pressed between a cooperative pair of dies 10 having mutually complementary embossed patterns to thereby transfer to the surfaces of the metallic foil 12 the embossed pattern of the dies 10. Finally, the pulverized metallic flakelets are mixed with predetermined other ingredients to make a hologram pigment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akira Kato, Masatsugu Nakanishi, Hidekazu Yamanakajima, Yoshihiro Yamamura, Yukio Okochi, Takatoshi Katsumata
  • Patent number: 6168101
    Abstract: A worm for a chopper is formed of an elongated stainless steel member having at least one convolution extending thereabout for contacting and moving meat when the elongated stainless steel member is rotated. A meat contacting outer surface portion of the elongated stainless steel member is coated in tin for reducing build up of fat on the meat contacting outer surface portion during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Premark FEG L.L.C.
    Inventor: Mark Mingjun Xie
  • Patent number: 6168102
    Abstract: A system and method for recycling a waste glass cullet includes a first screening station for separating large glass shards of approximately one inch in diameter from smaller glass shards in the cullet, a crusher to reduce the large glass shards to smaller glass shards smaller than approximately one inch in diameter, a second screening station to separate remaining large contaminants having a diameter of approximately one inch or greater from the cullet, a series of vacuum inlets disposed along a conveyor to remove light contaminants, a presoaking apparatus comprising a holding tank partly filled with a presoaking solution, a rotary washing apparatus comprising a drum with vanes disposed along an inner wall of the drum to toss the cullet in the washing solution, the vanes being oriented so that the cullet is tossed progressively forwardly toward a discharge outlet of the drum, to remove buoyant contaminants from the cullet, a dewatering apparatus to remove excess water from the cullet, and a dryer for reducin
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Inventor: David Bergart
  • Patent number: 6168103
    Abstract: An apparatus for processing articles such as types that include a metal reinforcement embedded in a rubber-based material. The apparatus continuously and sequentially disintegrates the rubber-based material in order to separate it from the metal reinforcement and forms a powder consisting of a mixture of rubber and metal or fabric particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Inventors: Sanzio Agostinelli, Daniel Dasilva
  • Patent number: 6168104
    Abstract: The present invention provides a shredding module of a paper shredder that can cut more paper with less noise. The shredding module comprises two parallel rotatable shafts and two sets of circular shredding knives installed separately on the two rotatable shafts. Each of the shredding knives is made by punching a thin metal plate with a punching die. The shredding knife comprises a circular plate with a plurality of saw teeth around its circular edge, a circular recess on the circular plate, and a mounting hole positioned at the center of the circular plate. The peripheral portion of the concave side of each shredding knife is rotatably engaged with the peripheral portion of the concave side of a corresponding shredding knife mounted on the other rotatable shaft for cutting intervening paper. Each of the shredding knives further comprises a sloping edge on the circular edge of the convex side for sharpening the saw teeth so that the shredding module can cut more paper with less noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Primax Electronics Ltd.
    Inventors: Shin-Fu Lin, Yung Feng Wen
  • Patent number: 6168105
    Abstract: In a fishing reel (1) for fly-fishing having a body (2), a line winder (3) joined to the body (2) rotating around an axis (x—x) and a handle (4) perpendicular to the axis of the fishing rod to rotate the line winder (3) between the handle (4) and the line winder (3), multiplier devices (5, 6) are incorporated to multiply the ratio between the rotation speed of the line winder (3) and that of the handle (4) to a preset degree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Inventor: Francis Nydegger
  • Patent number: 6168106
    Abstract: A fishing reel has a frame and an operating mechanism on the frame. The operating mechanism includes a spool assembly mounted to the frame for rotation around a first axis to direct fishing line onto the spool assembly. The operating mechanism also includes a brake assembly. The brake assembly includes a brake surface on the frame, a brake weight with a brake weight surface, and a first mechanism for mounting the brake weight to the spool assembly for movement between a) a first position wherein the brake weight surface on the brake weight is urged against the brake surface on the frame to generate a first braking force as an incident of the spool assembly rotating at a first predetermined velocity and b) a second position wherein the brake weight surface on the brake weight is not urged against the brake surface on the frame to generate a braking force as large as the first braking force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventor: Rayford Alan Cockerham
  • Patent number: 6168107
    Abstract: A restraining assembly for use in conjunction with a linear transducer. The restraining assembly comprises a plurality of spaced apart magnets positioned on a stationary frame, where the magnets provide a reverse torque and restrict excessive rotational speed on a spool when a copper disc or equivalent magnetic flux medium is rotated at a close proximity to the face of the magnets. When a cable is suddenly released and allowed to freely return on the rotating spool, the restraining assembly restrains the high rotational speed at which the cable can accelerate when returning or retracting to the spool, such that the restraining assembly prevents the cable from self-destruction and/or damage to the linear transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Celesco Transducer Products, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Bishop, Jack H. Malek, Glen M. Ennis
  • Patent number: 6168108
    Abstract: A web tension control and apparatus uses a lightweight dancer and a control system that detects web tension using the dancer position as well as downstream sensors to maintain a relatively constant web tension. The control system also adjusts the braking force to an unwind roll based on the diameter of the roll, allowing for greater web tension control. A two-phase braking system prevents the unwind roll from spilling excess paper into the production line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Hallmark Cards, Incorporated
    Inventor: Robert E. Morley
  • Patent number: 6168109
    Abstract: An applicator stores a boxer's hand wrap substantially without folds, creases, or wrinkles, all of which are especially severe if the hand wrap is relatively stiff with dried perspiration. By storing the hand wrap in a smooth, rolled configuration, it can be readily reapplied in a similarly smooth, non-wrinkled manner, as is optimal for boxing purposes. The applicator has a spool and outwardly extending spindles. The spool is non-rotatable relative to the spindle, permitting the wrap to be appropriately tensioned while it is being applied to the boxer's hand. The applicator has deodorant which permeates the wrap when it is stored on a receiving surface of the spool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Balazs Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew R. Laudenslager, Peter B. Pecsvaradi
  • Patent number: 6168110
    Abstract: An improved mandrel for use on a dual bobbin spindle apparatus, the mandrel being an expandable contractible cylindrical sleeve having a plurality of expansion members and at least one interstitial resilient member separating the expansion members, providing positive engagement of a plurality of reels or bobbins containing wound webs of flexible material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Philip Morris Management Corp.
    Inventors: William H. Stevens, Keith Richard Koenig, Robert Eugene Marcum
  • Patent number: 6168111
    Abstract: A fold-out fin has a fin geometry defined by two cross-sectional cuts through the cylindrical projectile body, both cuts being parallel to the boattail surface. This geometry insures that the stowed fin assembly fits within the gun tube. This geometry also exhibits low drag and good aerodynamic behavior. Upon launch, the fins are deployed and then locked in the fully open position with a spring loaded pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Lyle D. Kayser, T. Gordon Brown