Patents Issued in March 6, 2001
  • Patent number: 6196448
    Abstract: A hot food carton having a heat-retention structure comprising a unitary plurality of hingedly connected heat-retention panels disposed interior to the walls, cover, and bottom panel of the carton. Also included with the carton is a cover closure retention means providing for secure cover closure without use of a cover front flap. Intended uses include packaging of pizza, breadsticks, chicken wings, and fried foods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Inventor: John D. Correll
  • Patent number: 6196449
    Abstract: A partition for a box includes at least two flat walls, at least one corrugated wall, and a baseboard. The corrugated wall has a plurality of alternating box-like formations. The baseboard has two central portions symmetrically separated by a first folding line, two opposed outer flaps, and two opposed end flaps. Combined rows of flat and corrugated walls are adhered to inner faces of the outer flaps by outer faces of the outermost flat walls. The combined baseboard, corrugated walls and flat walls can be folded to a very compact state by folding the baseboard about the first folding line such that the corrugated and flat walls are compressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Inventor: Chao-Te Chen
  • Patent number: 6196450
    Abstract: An easy-open composite container has a membrane-type closure and includes a laminated tubular body member of composite materials having a predetermined laminated strength. The body member includes a bodywall portion and a liner portion positioned inside the bodywall portion and forming an inside surface of the body member. An outwardly-rolled rim portion is formed at the upper area of an open upper end of the tubular body member and the liner portion forms a top surface of the body member open upper end and an outside surface of the outwardly rolled rim portion. A cut extends circumferentially around a segment of the outside surface of the rim portion and extends radially-inwardly through at least a part of the liner portion. A membrane closure covers the open upper end of the body member and has an outwardly extending tab portion positioned over the cut in the rim portion of the body member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Krishnaraju Varadarajan, Michael T. Drummond, Alan D. Williams
  • Patent number: 6196451
    Abstract: A composite lid formed of plastic resin and paperboard is disclosed along with a method of making the lid. The lid has a primary panel of paperboard defining its center and a plurality of secondary panels, also of paperboard, continuously attached to the perimeter of the primary panel and oriented perpendicularly to its plane. A skirt of plastic resin is attached to the inside surfaces of the secondary panels, the secondary panels being in edge abutting relationship and totally covering the skirt. The primary and secondary panels thus form a lid having a continuous outer surface capable of receiving a print media, the continuous outer surface extending entirely over the lid. A bar of resin is provided around the inside surface of the primary panel and resin spokes connect the bar to the skirt. Raised segments are positioned intermittently around the inside surface of the skirt, the segments engaging a container to hold the lid in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Double “H” Plastics, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles R. Helms
  • Patent number: 6196452
    Abstract: A container including an outer shell, a flexible bag within the outer shell, a mouth and a handle. The outer shell has a top, a bottom and sidewalls. The outer shell also defines an opening. The flexible bag within the outer shell defines an aperture. The mouth is secured to said flexible bag surrounding said aperture and defines a fluid passageway. The mouth is sized and shaped such that fluid can be poured through the mouth from a source having an outlet spaced above the mouth. The handle extends outward from said top of said outer shell and has sufficient strength to provide essentially all support for said container when the bag is filled with liquid in either of two positions, with the first position being where the opening is facing upwards and the second position being where opening is facing sidewards. Desirably, the mouth and opening are sized and shaped such that when the opening is facing upwards the human eye can detect when a level of fluid in the container is approaching the mouth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Inventors: Jared P. Andrews, Sr., John W. Goodin
  • Patent number: 6196453
    Abstract: A mailer type business form intermediate is specifically constructed for use with a popular simple pressure sealer so that a mailer type business form with a built in reply envelope may be easily produced from the intermediate simply by feeding it through the conventional sealer. The intermediate is constructed with the first and second lines of weakness located more inwardly than conventional, so that the patterns of pressure sensitive cohesive forming the reply envelope are, and those sealing the mailer, each have an effective width of about ⅜ of an inch or less and are spaced from each other in a first dimension parallel to the top and bottom edges of the intermediate a distance greater than about a quarter of an inch and less than about one inch, preferably so that the center lines of the cohesive pattern are spaced from each other substantially the same distance that center lines of parallel sealing rollers of a conventional sealer are spaced from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Moore North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Wilbur Hutchinson
  • Patent number: 6196454
    Abstract: An insulating cup or container (50) and a method of manufacturing it comprises (first embodiment) providing a sidewall blank (12B) having two sections separated by a fold score (15), and a separate insulating sheet (18)(corrugated, ribbed, embossed, foamed, perforated, etc.) which is adhesively fastened to one of the sections. The blank is folded in half along the fold score, to form a three-layered assembly with the insulating sheet in the middle. To reduce the thickness of the seam, the blank is thinned in the area adjacent a fold score prior to folding. The assembly is wrapped around a mandrel to bring the outer edges together at a side seam (22S) to form a sidewall 12. The side seam is sealed, the bottom is added, and the rim is formed. In a second embodiment, the insulating layer can be a coating on one or both of the sections of the two-section starting blank. In a third embodiment, the insulating section (40) can be integral with, and extend from, one edge of the starting blank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Insulair, Inc.
    Inventor: Claus E. Sadlier
  • Patent number: 6196455
    Abstract: A hand-held analog calculator apparatus, and method for use thereof in the field, in association with firearms. The apparatus permits the user of a high-powered rifle equipped with a telescopic sight having a mildot reticle to quickly determine the range to target and the necessary elevation adjustment to compensate for bullet drop. Various logarithmic scales are disposed upon two rule members which slide parallel past each other. The scales display values corresponding to the mildot measurement, estimated target size, known bullet drop, and the like. By manipulating the rule members to align certain selected marks on particular scales, first the range to target value and then the necessary gun sight elevation adjustment and/or sight hold-over values are displayed on other scales. An interchangeable alternative rule member is provided to permit the invention to be used to calculate in either metric or English dimensional units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Inventor: Bruce N. Robinson
  • Patent number: 6196456
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an automated teller machine including a secure enclosure (25) within which is a secure autoteller subsystem (24) comprising a currency dispenser (30) and a depository (32) for the deposit of currency, cheques or other financial instruments. The secure enclosure (25) encloses an input data port (24a), a hub (26) in data communication with the input port, and a plurality of downstream ports (29,31) in data communication with the hub. The currency dispenser and depository are in data communication with the downstream ports respectively. A hub controller (34) is in data communication with the input port to control data communications from the hub to the downstream ports, the hub controller being adapted to authorize access from the hub to the downstream ports in response to an exchange of authentication codes between the hub controller and the input port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventor: Michael Taylor
  • Patent number: 6196457
    Abstract: A cash dispensing mechanism of an automated teller machine (ATM) includes a safe inside which are housed first and second units. The first unit includes currency cassettes and an associated pick mechanism. Bills are transported from the pick mechanism to a bill validator included in the first unit. If a bill is rejected then a divert gate directs it into a purge bin also included in the first unit. The second unit is mounted on the first unit with a selected orientation relative to said first unit dependent on whether the cash dispensing mechanism has a front loading or a rear loading configuration. Bills accepted by the validator are transported upwardly out of the first unit and into the second unit via a single transfer station, regardless of whether the cash dispensing mechanism has a front or rear loading configuration. The second unit stacks bills received from the first unit into a bunch and transports the bunch to a bill dispensing port of the safe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventor: David L. Patterson
  • Patent number: 6196458
    Abstract: A central controller such as one operating for a credit card account issuer receives one or more billing items which are to be printed on an account holder's billing statement. The central controller determines if the billing items, which typically specify purchases, satisfy any merchant-specified upsell offer conditions. Some upsell offer conditions include the purchase of a predetermined product, or a purchase which exceeds a predefined price. Such upsell offer conditions, when satisfied, direct the central controller to offer an upsell on the billing statement. If any of the upsell offer conditions are satisfied, the central controller determines one or more upsells that correspond to the upsell offer condition. The upsells may be, for example, products complementary to previously-purchased products. The upsells are offered to the account holder by printing onto the billing statement indicia that specifies the upsells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Walker Digital, LLC
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, Daniel E. Tedesco, Andrew S. Van Luchene, Dean Alderucci
  • Patent number: 6196459
    Abstract: A smart card personalization system provides an interface to smart card personalization stations and to external computing or data resources which normally are not available directly to personalization station. A card issuer management systems prepares card objects and assigns a unique card object identifier. A smart card personalization server receives the card objects from the card issuer management system. A smart card personalization controller receives the unique card object identifiers and routes the card object identifiers to waiting personalization stations. The personalization stations use the card object identifier to request data and services from the smart card personalization server in order to personalize the smart card. The services provided by the smart card personalization server include data services, security services and support services. The smart card personalization server supports multiple active personalization station sessions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: UBIQ Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert Neal Goman, Denis C. Burand, Thomas L. Younger, Robert S. Ehrlich
  • Patent number: 6196460
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electronic age verification device that reads data stored on a data carrier or readable medium, such as a driver's license or identification card, then calculates and displays information such as the license or cardholder's age and the expiration status of the license or identification card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Cardcom, Inc.
    Inventor: Min Chul Shin
  • Patent number: 6196461
    Abstract: A value charging apparatus for writing value data to an electronic storage device includes an apparatus main body having a processor, a cash inserting portion for accepting cash, and an interface through which the value charging apparatus communicates with an electronic storage device and a count unit, the count unit being removably attached to the apparatus main body for storing therein upper limit value data representing an upper limit of an amount which can be charged in value information stored in the electronic storage device. The processor of the apparatus main body executes, in accordance with the result of comparison of an amount which a user intends to charge in the count unit with the upper limit value data, when it is judges that charging amount is within the range of the upper limit value data, the processing of adding the charging value data to value information of the electronic storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventor: Manabu Miyatake
  • Patent number: 6196462
    Abstract: Optical device for reading and decoding bars of different reflectivity arranged in accordance with a barcode and adjoining one another, comprising an optical scanning device for scanning the bars by means of a light beam, a sensor for receiving the reflected light beam and the conversion thereof into an electrical sensor output signal, a transition detector for detecting the level transitions in the sensor output signal and a decoding device which decodes the scanned barcode on the basis of the output signals from the transition detector. The transition detector is provided with a comparator and a flipflop connected to the output thereof. The sensor output signal is fed to one of the inputs of the comparator. The output of the flipflop is coupled via at least a number of first integrators to the other input of the comparator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Scantech B.V.
    Inventor: Gerrit Boersma
  • Patent number: 6196463
    Abstract: The invention provides for a card reader, and a self-service terminal employing the same, the reader comprising a card receiving means for receiving a card having stored data to be read and card reading means for reading the stored data, the reader being arranged to deliver a card received at the card receiving means to the card reading means via a delivery path, and including a signal source arranged to provide an output signal that can cover the complete width of the path, and detecting means arranged to receive the output signal and serving to detect the presence of an object in the path in response to the object interfering with the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas S. Ferry
  • Patent number: 6196464
    Abstract: When selected documents traveling along a first feed path (46) are to be fed to a second feed path (48), a solenoid is energized causing pivotal movement of a pair of flipper arms (56a, 56b) so as to direct the documents onto the second feed path (48). When the solenoid is de-energized, documents on the first feed path (46) may proceed to the continuation portion thereof i.e., path (46a), or documents from the second feed path (48) may be fed to the continuation portion (46a) of the first feed path (46). The flipper arms (56a, 56b) are coupled by gearing mechanisms so that they are moveable relative to each other, pivotal movement of one flipper arm (56a, 56b) causing pivotal movement of the other arm (56a, 56b). Such relative movement between the flipper arms (56a, 56b) allows for a compact and reliable structure and activation of the mechanism is required only when documents are to be fed from the first feed path (46) to the second feed path (48).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: David L. Patterson, Andrew R. B. Halket
  • Patent number: 6196465
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an improvement of a capacitive data card in which a fuse is built in a circuit of the card and a data bit is represented by a state of the fuse and to a reader of the capacitive data card. An object of the present invention is to provide a capacitive data card having high utility value and high reliability and a reader thereof. The capacitive data card comprises a capacitive memory area for storing bits relative to capacitive data in accordance with a resistance state of a fuse which is built in a circuit of the card, that is, a state for flowing an electric current through the circuit is set when the fuse is intact, and resistance of the circuit is substantially increased when the fuse blows out, and a magnetic memory area for storing magnetic data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Tokyo Mechatoronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kouichi Awano
  • Patent number: 6196466
    Abstract: A data compression method is defined, which achieves high efficiency when encoding source data drawn from two or more data subsets of differing sizes, and where these subsets are distributed throughout the source message. Methods for encoding and decoding these subsets are disclosed, and a typical bar coding application is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Frederick Schuessler
  • Patent number: 6196467
    Abstract: The present invention allows the user to quickly and repeatedly program one receiver controller device at least controlling one or more heating or cooling devices for one desirably separate zone of occupation to another such receiver controller device set at least controlling another separate set of heating or cooling devices for another desirably separate zone of occupation. The realities of present day industrial and commercial buildings is that they comprise many such separate zones of occupation with separate heating or cooling devices controlled with separate controllers due to the diverse nature of the desired temperatures, dead bands for controlling such temperatures, temperature and device operation ramping, times of occupation, economization measures imposed for each zone, and the many similar aspects of thermostatic control described herein and in the prior art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Inventors: Steve Dushane, Terry Zimmerman, Grant Bohm, John Staples
  • Patent number: 6196468
    Abstract: A device for controlling an HVAC system in which opening a door or window for more than a shutdown delay period causes the fan and compressor to be deactivated, but opening and closing the door or window for less than the shutdown delay period does not affect the fan and compressor. Reactivation of the compressor is delayed for a startup delay, in order to avoid overcycling of the compressor and the additional wear and tear and maintenance that would be caused thereby. Preferably, the door/window sensors are wireless for ease of installation and maintenance. Optionally, an occupancy sensor and occupancy timer are provided to turn off the system if the room is unoccupied for an unoccupied delay time. Optionally, a secondary thermostat with energy saving settings is provided so that if the room is unoccupied for the occupancy delay, then instead of being shut off, the HVAC system will be operated at energy saving settings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Inventor: Dennis Guy Young
  • Patent number: 6196469
    Abstract: An air handling system including at least one terminal unit for maintaining a serviced volume at a predetermined temperature with constant or variable volume control wherein a thermal energy wheel provides heat transfer between the outgoing and inflowing air streams provided by the air handling system via the terminal unit. The heat transfer between air streams is regulated as a function of air velocity and temperature differentials as measured at various points in system which are related specifically to the serviced volume. The regulation is exercised by controlling the angular velocity of the means for transferring thermal energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Inventor: Frederick J Pearson
  • Patent number: 6196470
    Abstract: A level cover for tracks (1), wherein the space (4) present between the two rails of a track is bridged by slabs (5, 6) arranged in pairs, which slabs are merely supported on the rails (2, 3) and bridge the distance (13) between the rails self-supportingly, the two slabs of the slab pairs being assembled in hinge-like manner. At their facing rims (15, 16), the slabs (5, 6) of each slab pair have carrying portions (17) and resting portions (18) alternatingly following each other in meander-like fashion, the carrying portions being formed by indentations (20) originating from the slab upper side (19) and extending as far as to the rim facing the other slab, upwardly directed indentations (22) originating from the slab lower side (21) being formed below the resting portions (18), which indentations are shaped complementary to the indentations of the carrying portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Gmundner Fertigteile Gesellschaft m.b.H. & Co. KG
    Inventor: Bernhard Neumann
  • Patent number: 6196471
    Abstract: An apparatus for creating a multi-colored illuminated waterfall includes a waterfall vessel, a clear tube disposed within the vessel, LED bulbs mounted on a circuit board strip which is disposed within the clear tube and a controller circuit which sequentially activates predetermined arrays of different colored LED bulbs. The waterfall vessel has baffles for suppressing turbulence and optional reflective film for enhancing emitted light. A controller circuit is included to sequentially light predetermined arrays of different colored LED bulbs. A rectifier circuit is included to convert a 12 volt ac circuit to a 12 volt dc circuit and a transformer reduces a 110 volt ac power source to a 12 volt ac supply. In an embodiment for a water fountain, the circuit board strip with the LED bulbs are instead disposed within a branch of a tee with a clear lens separating the LED bulbs from the water flow portion of the tee.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Inventor: Douglas Ruthenberg
  • Patent number: 6196472
    Abstract: A fuel injector comprises a valve needle slidable within a bore and engageable with a seating to control the supply of fuel to an outlet opening, an end surface of the valve needle being exposed to the fuel pressure within a control chamber defined, in part, by a piston member moveable under the influence of a piezoelectric actuator. The control chamber may be supplied with fuel under pressure, in use, through a restricted flow path. The piston member may have an effective area exposed to the pressure within the control chamber which is greater than that of the needle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Lucas Industries
    Inventor: Michael Peter Cooke
  • Patent number: 6196473
    Abstract: Spray nozzle for a spray boom to be fixed to a crop protection machine or the like. The spray nozzle is fixed on a supply line for spraying a fluid. The spray nozzle consists of a spray nozzle holder and a spray nozzle head. The passage of the inflow aperture to the outflow channel is regulated by means of an electromagnetic coil. Each spray nozzle holder can be controlled individually in a very accurate manner by means of such an electromagnetic shut-off valve situated in the spray nozzle holder. Connection between electric coil and spray nozzle holder is achieved by means of a connecting piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Machinefabriek Gebr. Douven B.V.
    Inventors: Joseph Marie Henrie Beeren, Theodorus Antonius Douven
  • Patent number: 6196474
    Abstract: A pressurized cycling water spraying apparatus adapted to be mounted on a cycling device having at least one rotating wheel. The apparatus includes a reservoir having an interior adapted to contain a fluid, an electric generator adapted to generate electric power from the rotation of the wheel, and an electric pump powered by the electric generator and adapted to pressurize the interior of the reservoir by a flow of air from the pump through an air tube and into the reservoir. Pressurized fluid is conveyed from the reservoir through a first tube to a fluid valve adapted to block or pass the pressurized fluid. With the valve in an open position, fluid is further conveyed through a second fluid tube to a spray nozzle adapted to provide a stream of fluid to the rider of the cycling device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Inventor: Michael Hillerson
  • Patent number: 6196475
    Abstract: The invention relates to a rotor nozzle, in particular for high pressure cleaning aggregates, comprising a nozzle housing having at its axial end an inlet opening and an outlet opening at the other end for the cleaning liquid, and comprising a rotor which is arranged in the nozzle housing so as to be inclined with respect to its longitudinal axis, which is rotationally driven, which is supported at the housing inner wall and which is provided at its end which points to the outlet opening with a nozzle which is supported in a pan bearing and which has an inflow opening which is formed in a connection member at the opposite end, with the connection member being connected to the nozzle housing such that it is sealed off and axially displaceable and carrying at its end facing the rotor a funnel-shaped fixing element for the centered holding of the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Inventor: Anton Jaeger
  • Patent number: 6196476
    Abstract: An improved dispenser head structure for a garden watering sprinkler is integrally combined with a base plate by ultrasonic welding. The dispenser head is secured to the head portion of a sprinkler gun by a screw. The dispenser head is provided with a plurality of radially distributed full discharge openings on the periphery thereof. The dispenser head has a round board on which are equipped with 4 discharge outlets at the central area thereof. A ring area disposed adjacent to those peripherally located full discharge openings is provided with a plurality of bores. A round area is disposed at the center area circled by the 4 discharge outlets. There are a small C-shaped partition wall area and a large C-shaped partition wall area on the rear side of the round board, that are continually connected to the tubular extension of the 4 discharge outlets by vertical walls so that a closed area is defined at the center thereof. There are 6 inlet holes and 4 full discharge outlets on the base plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Yuan Mei Corporation
    Inventor: King-Yuan Wang
  • Patent number: 6196477
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a spray device which comprises a nozzle for ejecting a jet of fluid. According to the invention, the spray device comprises a nozzle holder which is adapted to be gripped manually when using the spray device and which is movable relative to the nozzle essentially in parallel with the direction of the jet of fluid. The spray device further comprises a valve which is connected in front of the nozzle and is adapted to open when moving the nozzle holder in the direction of the jet of fluid relative to the nozzle. The nozzle is biased in the direction of the jet of fluid relative to the nozzle holder and the relative position of the nozzle holder to the nozzle is affected by the reaction power of the jet of fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Sven Erik Ingemar Halltorp
    Inventors: Sven Erik Ingemar Halltorp, Sven Jonas Modell, Jan Torgny Staffan Thuresson
  • Patent number: 6196478
    Abstract: A fluid supply cylinder with improved flusbability, useable for supplying paints to a dispenser in electrostatic coating systems. The fluid supply cylinder having generally a piston reciprocatingly disposed in a chamber of a body member, the piston having a head with a face opposite an end wall of the chamber, a plurality of chamber fluid ports disposed in the end wall of the chamber, and a plurality of fluid conduits between a corresponding one of the plurality of chamber fluid ports and a common outer fluid port, whereby the reciprocating piston draws fluid into the cylinder chamber and supplies fluid from the cylinder chamber through the plurality of chamber fluid ports in the end wall thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Jerry L. McPherson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6196479
    Abstract: In a method for granulating and comminuting liquid slags, especially metal-oxide-containing slags, coal, hydrocarbons, carbon dioxide (CO2) and/or coal/water mixtures or coal slurries are driven into the slag or the slag jet. The liquid slag is transferred into an expansion and granulation chamber and subsequently into a mill, especially a jet or impact mill. In the device for carrying out the method provided with a slag tundish and a lance arranged coaxially to the axis of the tundish tube the tundish tube is designed as a hole-type nozzle. Devices for applying carbon carriers and/or water nozzles are arranged radially outside of the mouth of the tundish tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: “HolderBank”Financiere Glarus AG
    Inventor: Alfred Edlinger
  • Patent number: 6196480
    Abstract: There is provided a ball mill having a milling chamber into which metal powder is fed. The ball mill is also provided with milling means for milling metal powder into fine metal powder having a particle size less than a predetermined size. When the ball mill operates, a quantity of heat (Q0) is generated in the milling chamber. The milling chamber is cooled by liquid cooling means and gas cooling means according to the present invention. The liquid cooling means causes cooling liquid to flow along the outside wall of the milling chamber to remove a quantity of heat (Q1) during the ball mill operation. The gas cooling means causes cooling gas to flow through the milling chamber to remove a quantity of heat (Q2) during the ball mill operation. The generated quantity of heat (Q0) can be counterbalanced with the sum of the removed quantities of heat (Q1) and (Q2) so as to prevent the inside of the milling chamber from overheating, so that the ball mill can operate in the condition of Q0/V≧0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Fukuda Metal Foil & Powder Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Fukuda, Kensuke Hidaka, Tamiho Mizutani, Motonori Nishida, Yoshio Kohira
  • Patent number: 6196481
    Abstract: A grinding device for grinding dried spices and herb, as well as other materials, is disclosed. In particular, the grinding device has a movable member which rotates about an axis and a fixed member. The movable member has a closure surface having a plurality of apertures and a grinding surface having a first series and a second series of ribs. The ribs of the second series have a pitch and a height which are less than those of the ribs of the first series. The fixed member has a complementary grinding surface. The complementary grinding surface has a first series of complementary ribs at the level of the first series of ribs of the movable member, and a second series of complementary ribs at the level of the second series of ribs of the movable member. The ribs of the second series of complementary ribs have a pitch and a height which are less than those of the ribs of the first series of complementary ribs. The complementary grinding surface has ribbed zones alternating with smooth zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Drogheria E Alimentari S.r.l.
    Inventor: Costantino Barbagli
  • Patent number: 6196482
    Abstract: The invention provides a jet mill which comprises a hollow disk-shaped turning and crushing chamber; a plurality (“m”) of crushing nozzles, to form turning flows by jetting a high pressure gas, in which the jetting ports are inclined to the peripheral wall side and disposed at the sidewall of the turning and crushing chamber; a plurality (“n”) of venturi nozzles, disposed at the side wall of the turning and crushing chamber, which leads materials to be crushed, in line with the high pressure gas; a solid and gas blending chamber which is formed at the upstream side of the venturi nozzles; a crushed material supplying portion communicating with the solid and gas blending chamber; a press-in nozzle disposed in the solid and gas blending chamber coaxially with the venturi nozzles; and an outlet, disposed at the upper part of the middle portion of the turning and crushing chamber, through which micro powder is discharged; wherein the dependency of materials to be crushed for collision with
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Vishnu Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shoichi Goto
  • Patent number: 6196483
    Abstract: The subject matter of the invention is a straw-cutting machine which is disposed behind the grain separating devices of a combine harvester and whose separating devices cut up the stalks falling down from the straw walkers into short pieces. In this process, due to an innovative, special disposition of the generally conventional deflector which, under the straw walkers, deflects the stalks from falling down from these to the cutter tray at the inlet into the cutter, receiving the stalks by the cutting drum is made more secure and, on the other hand, due to an innovative, special design of the distribution hood following the cutter, ejection and distribution of the chopped up stalks over the field soil is essentially improved over existing designs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Biso B.V.
    Inventor: Wilhelm Jakobi
  • Patent number: 6196484
    Abstract: An improvement of a photographic film roll composed of a spool which has a spool core having a slit therein and a flange at both ends of the spool core and a photographic 120-size film which is placed and fixed on a continuous light-shielding backing paper in which one end of the backing paper is inserted into the slit of the spool and other portion of the backing paper is wound on the spool to form multiple convolutions, resides in that the backing paper has at the center in its longitudinal direction a width less than the distance between the two flanges measured at the position of ½ of height of the flanges and has two wide areas of at least 10 cm long one of which is within 50 cm area measured from its one end and another of which is within 50 cm area measured from its another end, the width of each wide area being larger than the distance between the two flanges measured at the tops of the flanges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunichi Hosaka, Masayoshi Nagata, Yukiyoshi Ishii
  • Patent number: 6196485
    Abstract: A centrifugal braking mechanism of a dual-bearing reel for braking under centrifugal force the reel spool fitted rotatively in the body of the reel. The centrifugal braking mechanism achieves simple adjustment of braking force, by which adjustment distinctly perceptible differences in braking force are gained. The centrifugal braking mechanism includes shifting members (52), a brake element (53), an urging member (54), a restricting member (55), and an urging force adjusting mechanism (56). The shifting members are provided on a rotary member (51) that rotates with the spool, and are shifted under centrifugal force arising from rotation of the spool. The brake element is non-rotatably provided on, and permitted to shift axially with respect to, the reel body. The brake element comes into contact with the shifting members shifted under centrifugal force. The urging member urges the brake element towards the shifting members, which movement is controlled by the restricting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Jun Sato
  • Patent number: 6196486
    Abstract: A coil-laying head for a wire-coiling apparatus has a tubular body centered on and rotatable about an axis, a generally spiral guide tube having an inlet end at the axis and an outlet end opening generally tangentially of the axis at a radial spacing from the axis, and a helicoidal mounting plate having an inner edge fixed to the body and an outer edge secured to the tube. A helicoidal counterweight plate is fixed to the tubular body diametrally opposite the mounting plate and has radial and axial dimensions, at least one of which varies such that any section of the counterweight plate counterbalances a corresponding diametrally opposite section of the guide tube and mounting plate. The counterweight plate has a resonant frequency and the body has a nominal maximum rotation speed that is less than the resonant frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: SMS Schloemann-Siemag AG
    Inventors: Siegfried David, Karl Keller
  • Patent number: 6196487
    Abstract: A coupling device transmits a torque from a rotatable driving member to a driven member connected to a belt reel of a seat belt retractor for driving the belt reel in the belt winding direction. The coupling device is held in a disengaged state by a spring force in a rest position. The coupling device is mounted on a driving member and can be engaged in the driven member during rotation of the driving member as a result of its inert mass and of guide means acting between the driving member and the coupling element. In particular, tightening of the seat belt is achieved in this way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Breed Automotive Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Specht, Andreas Knych
  • Patent number: 6196488
    Abstract: A sound-absorbing material and a cable reel including the same are produced inexpensively and are able to attenuate sliding noise and vibration noise. A sound-absorbing material 20 is made of a polyethylene film 20a and is formed into a thin waved sheet having continuous wave crests and wave troughs. A synthetic paper 20b having a lubricative surface is attached to the wave crests on a front side of the polyethylene film 20a through an adhesive. As an air layer 21 is defined in a space surrounded by the wave crests and wave troughs, any sounds which are transmitted to the polyethylene film 20a collide on the wave crests and wave troughs thereby being effectively attenuated and absorbed. The sound-absorbing material 20 is struck on a bearing surface 12a of a stationary member 11 by way of an adhesive. A lateral lower edge of a flat cable 15 slides on the lubricative surface of the synthetic paper 20b, thereby suppressing generation of sliding noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignees: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd., Harness System Technologies Research, Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Sakata, Tetsuya Iizuka, Akihito Maegawa
  • Patent number: 6196489
    Abstract: An umbrella wire-winding device includes a casing fixed to a shank of an umbrella. A crank arm is manually operable and has an axle rotatable received in an opening defined in the casing. The axle defines a central bore for drivingly receiving a reel shaft therein. The reel shaft extends through holes defined in the shank for winding a wire extending through the shank to move a runner. The reel shaft has a threaded end and a nut engages with the threaded end of the reel shaft. The nut is axially movably received in a bore defined in the casing whereby the rotation of the reel shaft causes an axial movement of the nut in the bore. The bore has a bottom that limits the axial movement of the nut and thus the rotation of the reel shaft for avoiding over-tensioning the wire. A toothed section is formed on the axle and at least one spring plate is fixed in the casing and engaging with the toothed section thereby serving as a ratchet between the casing and the reel shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Inventor: Joen-Shen Ma
  • Patent number: 6196490
    Abstract: An elastic yarn winder for winding large-diameter elastic yarn packages onto a plurality of tubes without leaving broken yarn ends in the core of the packages is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Dupont Toray Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryoji Gotoh, Hiroshi Fujita
  • Patent number: 6196491
    Abstract: In a method for winding a yarn onto a spool body, the conical spool body is driven about a longitudinal axis by a first drive unit. A yarn is guided onto the spool body by a reciprocating yarn guide thereby winding the yarn onto the spool body. A constant yarn winding speed is provided along the length of the spool body during the entire yarn winding process by adjusting the revolutions per minute of the spool body synchronously with a movement of the reciprocating yarn guide. The revolutions per minute are controlled by a computing and control unit based on the instant position of the reciprocating yarn guide and the diameter of the spool body at the instant position. The device for performing this method has a sensor for detecting the changing diameter of the spool body, and the reciprocating yarn guide has a detection device for detecting the instant position of the reciprocating yarn guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Volkmann GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Stefan Kross, Paul Schroers, Hans Raasch, Guido Spix
  • Patent number: 6196492
    Abstract: Roll winder and process for operating the same. The roll winder includes a roll retainer adapted to hold a wound roll in the region of a wound roll pivot axis, and a support apparatus that includes a plurality of roll bodies having axes extending substantially parallel to the pivot axis of the wound roll. The plurality of roll bodies are formed into a plurality of roll pairs, and the roll pairs are pivotably mounted for movement around a shaft extending substantially parallel to the pivot axis of the wound roll. The process includes positioning one of the roll pairs against a winding tube, pressing the winding tube against a central roll with the one roll pair, guiding a web onto the winding tube and rotating the winding tube to form a wound roll, and pivoting the one roll pair so that all of the plurality of roll pairs are positioned beneath the wound roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Voith Sulzer Papiertechnik Patent GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Baumeister
  • Patent number: 6196493
    Abstract: An apparatus for conveying photosensitive material includes a core for holding a roll of photosensitive material in a paper magazine, drive rollers disposed in a conveyance path of the photosensitive material, two sets of nip rollers disposed to oppose the drive rollers at upstream and downstream locations relative to the forward direction of photosensitive material conveyance, rewind nip rollers disposed to oppose the upstream set of nip rollers, and a controller for controlling the drive rollers. When the photosensitive material is wound back into the paper magazine after use, the control means causes the drive rollers to rotate in reverse until the leading end portion of the photosensitive material is located between the upstream nip rollers and the rewind nip rollers. This enables the leading end portion of the photosensitive material to be held straight (without bowing), thereby protecting it from curling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tetsuya Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6196494
    Abstract: A cylindrical shaft has a plurality of radially disposed slots extending longitudinally thereof and opening at the outer surface of the shaft. A radially movable mechanism is disposed within each of the slots. Each mechanism is moved outwardly by an expandable tube. One of the slots opens at a side face of the shaft to provide a side opening through which a track can be inserted into and removed from the slot. Springs bias the track radially inwardly. The track includes an open end through which a support can be inserted into and removed from the track. A two piece retainer retains the track and support in operative position. A plurality of core stops are carried by the support and can be either adjustable longitudinally of the support or fixed to the support. The core stops engage side edges of tubular supports disposed around the shaft for spacing the tubular supports for a winding operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Goldenrod Corporation
    Inventors: James W. Rollins, John McKechnie
  • Patent number: 6196495
    Abstract: Disclosed is a reel for winding photosensitive film (6) which stabilizes the winding shape of the film and minimizes the deformation of a photosensitive layer caused by the winding tension. The winding reel is easily carried and stored, and has a sufficient strength to stand against the winding tension of the wound photosensitive film. The user can check the amount of the wound photosensitive film. The winding reel has a cylindrical reel member (10) for winding the photosensitive film around a circumference thereof with a predetermined tension, and flange members (20, 30) detachably coupled to both sides of the reel member. The flange members (20, 30) have inner surfaces which are disposed in opposition to each other and are closed to both edges of the photosensitive film wound around the reel member. By the winding reel, it is possible to wind the photosensitive film around the reel member (10) with a proper tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Kolon Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Jae-Young Hwang, Woo Choi, Byeong-Il Lee, Kie-Jin Park, Hyun-Seuk Choi, Chang-Hoon Na
  • Patent number: 6196496
    Abstract: A method for assigning a target within a cluster of targets to a specific one of a plurality N of weapons launched from M airplanes is provided. The method includes providing the specific weapon with an index (m,n) based on the weapon bay n and the airplane m from which it is to be launched, receiving the central location and determining the shape of the cluster; dividing the cluster shape into N sub-clusters wherein each sub-cluster n has M sectors m, determining the center of gravity of each sector; associating the specific weapon with the sector having index (m,n); and assigning a target from among the targets in the associated sector to the specific weapon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: State of Israel Ministry of Defense Armament Development Authority Raeael
    Inventors: Yigal Moskovitz, Izhak Saban, Rami Fabian
  • Patent number: 6196497
    Abstract: An infrared seeker head for target tracking missiles has a main detector and an imaging optical system generating an image of a field of view on the main detector. The field of view contains a target such as an enemy aircraft. The missile is guided to the target in accordance with signals from the main detector. The target, if attacked by the missile, emits high-intensity laser radiation towards the missile as a counter-measure. This is to disturb the operation of the seeker head by dazzling or even destroying the main detector. The seeker head contains a device for defending against such disturbances. Various types of such defending devices are described. Incident light is deviated from the main detector. A second-quadrant-detector of reduced sensitivity guides the missile along the disturbing laser beam. Another embodiment uses attenuating optical elements in front of the main detector under the control of one or more second detectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Bodenseewerk Gerätetechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Simon Lankes, Michael Gross, Reiner Eckhardt, Heinz Hoch