Patents Issued in May 28, 2002
  • Patent number: 6393681
    Abstract: PZT crystals are peripherally coated in manufacture by cutting a series of intersecting first kerfs in a wafer comprising a plurality of PZT crystal precursors, filling the kerfs with a coating resin, and cutting a second, narrower kerf in the locus of the first kerfs to separate the crystals while providing them a peripheral coating of the coating resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Magnecomp Corp.
    Inventor: Robert Summers
  • Patent number: 6393682
    Abstract: A spring loaded mud flap tool (10) includes a hook element (20) carried by one a first of a drive rod (30). The hook end of the hook element is sized to grasp the end of the spring carried within the hanger tube of the mud flap assembly. A handle assembly (80) is carried by a second end of the drive rod. The handle assembly allows the user to manipulate the hook until it successfully grasps the spring. A bearing assembly (40) is carried on the threaded surface of the drive rod (30), and supports a pair of diametrically opposed crank handles (70). In operation, the bearing assembly rests on the open end of the hanger tube. Revolution of the crank handles turns the drive rod, which retracts the hook element and therefore retracts the spring. The force of the spring pulling the tool (10) into the hanger tube is offset by an equal force exerted by the bearing assembly on the rim of the hanger tube. A safety chain (90) connects the hanger tube and the bearing assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Inventor: Donald L. O'Kane
  • Patent number: 6393683
    Abstract: A masking device that masks the fitting on a tube assembly. The masking device includes a clamping assembly that supports the fitting of the tube assembly once it is inserted into the device. The masking device also includes an extension assembly that moves relative to the clamping assembly and has a plurality of stretching members that stretch an elastic sleeve to a diameter equal to or greater than the fitting. The masking device also has a drive assembly that moves the extension assembly relative to the housing and the clamping assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Randolph E. Howard
  • Patent number: 6393684
    Abstract: An upper and a lower rubber plug holders are provided with fixed arms to be inserted and held in upper and lower fixed blocks, and operatively pushed parts at ends of the fixed arms. The upper and lower fixed blocks are provided with slots in which the fixed arms are inserted and held and from which the operatively pushed parts are protruded on the side opposite to the insertion side. The slots are provided with balls and coil springs which fix the fixed arms inserted into the slots by the insertion of the fixed arms into the slots and allow the fixed arms to be pulled out of the slots by a push of the operatively pushed parts. This structure shortens time to change the parts and ensures easy and positive change of the parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshimi Masuda, Yoshiaki Nomoto
  • Patent number: 6393685
    Abstract: A wafer level interconnecting mechanism for assembling and packaging multiple MEMS devices (modules), using microfabricated, interlocking, mechanical joints to interconnect different modules and to create miniature devices. Various devices can be fabricated using these joints, including fiber-optic switches, xyz translational stages, push-n-lock locking mechanisms, slide-n-lock locking mechanisms, t-locking joints, fluidic interconnects, on/off valves, optical fiber couplers with xy adjustments, specimen holders, and membrane stops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventor: Scott D. Collins
  • Patent number: 6393686
    Abstract: A universal assembly machine manufactures button medallions. The machine comprises a rotatably indexable die table to which are mounted pickup and crimp dies. The die table indexes about a center column of the machine frame. A ram die is advancable and retractable in a pickup stroke and a crimp stroke by means of a handle. The ram die includes a ram outer ring that is rotatable by means of a shifter post joined to the die table. Indexing the die table causes the shifter post to rotate the ram outer ring into a pickup mode or a crimp mode to suit the ram pickup and crimp strokes, respectively. The universal assembly machine also manufactures buttons with flat backs. To make a button medallion a flat back button is loaded into the pickup die. The ram die is advanced in a third press stroke to bend the shell frusto-conical wall of the flat back button inwardly to be flat and parallel to the flat back. The thin edge of the button medallion enables it to be used as an attractive embellishment on flat surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Tecre Company Inc.
    Inventor: Benjamin A. BRaunberger
  • Patent number: 6393687
    Abstract: A machine tool for selectively machining workpieces with cutting tools and a laser beam having a machining unit including a motor-driven work spindle for machining workpieces with cutting tools, a laser beam source including a beam guiding arrangement for machining workpieces with a laser beam, and a work table movable by means of a motor for clamping at least one workpiece thereto. To enable machining by means of cutting tools as well as machining by means of a laser beam with a construction of simple design without complicated exchange operations, the beam guiding arrangement is arranged on the machining unit so that it is displaced with respect to the work spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Deckel Maho GmbH
    Inventor: Wilfried Friedrich
  • Patent number: 6393688
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for de-wiring bales tied by metal wires. The method includes moving the bales along a conveyor, stopping movement of the bales and clamping opposite sides of the bales between a pair of clamping units moving perpendicularly to the direction of the conveyor to clamp the opposite sides of the bales therebetween, cutting the metal wires on one side of the bales by means of a cutting tool forming part of one of the clamping units, seizing the metal wires on the other side of the bales and winding up the seized metal wires by means of a gripping and winding tool forming part of the other clamping unit, and discharging the wound-up metal wires from the gripping and winding tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Valmet Fibertech AB
    Inventor: Per-Olof Axner
  • Patent number: 6393689
    Abstract: A system for fitting pins into a connector, wherein the pins are formed by portions including an end portion of a continuous wire, which portions are arranged one after another and linked together by and separable at frangible regions. The continuous wire is fed to a first unit which advances the wire and guides the end portion of the wire in a rectilinear direction of advance toward a second unit. The second unit is mounted on a rotary shaft perpendicular to this rectilinear direction and rotated so that the end portion of the continuous wire is introduced into the second unit by the first unit and then the second unit is further rotated to cause separation of the end portion from the continuous wire by bending. The second unit then inserts the separated portion into the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: S. M. Contact
    Inventor: Christophe Roshardt
  • Patent number: 6393690
    Abstract: The invention provides a multifilamentary superconducting composite article comprising multiple substantially electrically decoupled domains, each including one or more fine, preferably twisted filaments of a desired superconducting oxide material. In a preferred embodiment, the article comprises a matrix, which substantially comprises a noble metal, a conductive jacketing layer surrounding the matrix, a plurality of discrete filament decoupling layers, each comprising an insulating material, disposed within the matrix to separate the matrix into a plurality of substantially electrically decoupled domains; a plurality of filaments, each comprising a desired superconducting oxide, which are disposed within and essentially encapsulated by the matrix and chemically isolated thereby from the decoupling layers, each of the electrically decoupled domains containing at least one filament.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: American Superconductor Corpration
    Inventors: Gregory L. Snitchler, Gilbert N. Riley, Jr., Alexis P. Malozemoff, Craig J. Christopherson
  • Patent number: 6393691
    Abstract: The present invention provides an electronic chip component (e.g., a chip inductor) small in size, and a manufacturing method thereof capable of shaping of the outer dimensions of the component into a desirable shape. The method involves press-fitting a chip inductor element into a component storage section of a mold plate comprised of a heat resistant rubber elastic member including the component storage section, while a resin coating material is coated on the element and dried to a dry-to-touch state, thereby hardening the resin coating material and automatically shaping the chip inductor element into a desired outer shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Taiyo Yuden Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideki Ogawa, Nobuhiro Umeyama, Hideo Aoba
  • Patent number: 6393692
    Abstract: A merged read/write magnetic recording head comprises a low magnetic moment first magnetic shield layer over a substrate. A read gap layer with a magnetoresistive head is formed over the first shield layer. A shared pole comprises a low magnetic moment second magnetic shield layer plated on a sputtered seed PLM layer over the read gap layer, a non-magnetic layer plated over the PLM layer and a HMM lower pole layer plated over the second magnetic shield layer. A write gap layer is formed over the first high magnetic moment pole layer of the shared pole. An upper pole comprises a high magnetic moment pole layer over the write gap layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Headway Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kochan Ju, Cherng-Chyi Han, Po-Kang Wang, Mao-Min Chen, Chun Liu, Jei-Wei Chang
  • Patent number: 6393693
    Abstract: An apparatus for the maintenance of a needle-bearing plate of a needle-punching machine equipped with an operating head movable in two perpendicular directions in a parallel relation to the plate mounted on the apparatus. The operating head includes a unit for extracting a damaged or worn needle, a unit for positioning a new needle in the respective seat of the plate, a data processing and storage unit for the operating control and for storing the needle map of each plate. The apparatus further has a unit for detecting the position of the needle seats cooperating with the data processing unit for carrying out the mapping of each plate. The apparatus also has a unit for detecting the presence of a needle in the respective position on the plate to indicate whether the needle is damaged or not.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Montenero O.M.T.P. Officina Meccanica di Finocchi Paolo & C.s.n.c.
    Inventor: Paolo Lodovico Finocchi
  • Patent number: 6393694
    Abstract: A gripping device for positioning a component (47) on a substrate, comprising three fingers (1, 2, 3) arranged in a triangle (7), and a drive device for moving the fingers along parallel paths (4, 5, 6) relative to each other to grip or release a component. A middle finger (2) is movable in opposite directions with respect to the outer fingers (1, 3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Cornelis J. G. Roovers
  • Patent number: 6393695
    Abstract: Automatic assembling method and apparatus using a plurality of pallets on a conveyer belt for assembling photographic film cassettes, or the like. Each pallet has a secondary work holder and a primary work holder. Parts of a secondary assembly are sequentially fed to the secondary work holder and are assembled into the secondary assembly in the secondary work holder. The secondary assembly and other parts of a primary assembly are sequentially fed to the primary work holder and are assembled into the primary in the primary work holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshiro Esaki
  • Patent number: 6393696
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a printed circuit board is disclosed. When a metal is plated on an upper board to form a circuit, bonding fingers for being bonded with a semiconductor chip are prevented from being electroplated with a metal. That is, a slot with an ink layer formed therein is formed in each of a plurality of boards. Then window regions of different sizes are defined, and a working is carried out on the portion where the slots are not formed. That is, the copper clad laminates are subjected to a working to form slots, and an ink layer is formed within each of the slots. In this manner, during the plating of the upper face of the printed circuit board, the metal is prevented from intruding into the window region, thereby preventing the formation of a short circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyung-Ro Yoon, Keon-Yang Park, Byung-Kook Sun
  • Patent number: 6393697
    Abstract: A first cable conductor portion is placed on a first connector terminal. The first cable conductor portion is accommodated in a pressing recessed portion formed in an applying member. Ultrasonic vibration is applied to the first cable conductor portion and the first connector terminal and the first cable conductor portion and the first connector terminal are pressed, and thereby to be welded to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Hideki Adachi, Taro Imai
  • Patent number: 6393698
    Abstract: A coaxial connector ensures positive, stable contact and permits sufficiently reduced size and thickness. The coaxial receptacle (1) is equipped with: a synthetic resin insulating case (2) which has a hexahedron shape; an internal terminal (30) composed of a metallic fixed terminal (4) and a movable terminal (5) made of a flexible metal material, which are provided in a cavity or internal space (3) of the insulating case (2); a rubber elastic member (51) disposed under the movable terminal (5) in the cavity (3) of the insulating case (2); and an external terminal or outer conductor (40) provided to cover an essential section of the insulating case (2). The cavity (3) of the insulating case (2) is a vertical columnar space; and the upper side thereof has an annular opening to form an inlet (7) through which the central contact of a mating coaxial connector is introduced downward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshitaka Kuriyama, Takekazu Okada
  • Patent number: 6393699
    Abstract: A bearing assembly comprises a pair of relatively rotatable bearing components, where at least a portion of one of the bearing components is journalled to at least a portion of the other one of the bearing components. One of the first bearing component includes an outer, annular journalled surface and the second bearing component includes an inner, annular journalled surface, and one of the outer or inner and inner journalled surfaces include a plurality of recesses disposed there about. Each of the plurality of recesses are filled with an insert formed from a solid, abrasion resistant, self lubricating material; and the insert protrudes outwardly from the recesses, thereby providing a bearing surface for wearing against the other one of the annular journalled surfaces. Preferably, the solid, abrasion resistant, self-lubricating material is a polyamide resin material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Inventor: Larry E. Koenig
  • Patent number: 6393700
    Abstract: A tube cutter for cutting a circular tube having a central tube axis, the cutter comprising: a housing with first and second parallel rollers defining a cradle for receiving a tube cut with the tube axis generally parallel to the axes of the rollers, a cutter head reciprocally mounted on the housing for sliding linearly in a direction toward and away from the rollers, the cutter head having a base and an upstanding arm supporting a cutter wheel rotatable about an axis generally parallel to the axes of the rollers and facing the tube in the cradle, a spring element biasing the cutter wheel in the stated direction and toward the rollers, and a threaded shaft between the housing and cutter head, and rotatable to move the cutter head linearly toward the housing, whereby the cutter wheel engages the tube and the spring element creates a cutting force pushing the cutter wheel against the tube for cutting the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventor: Larry F. Babb
  • Patent number: 6393701
    Abstract: An electrical manual power saw includes a machine housing that has a housing shaft and a housing head (102) holding an interchangeable tool, and an electrical drive for driving the tool in an oscillating reciprocating motion. The housing shaft, for the sake of attaining an ergonomically defined gripping position in the vicinity of an on/off switch, has a rod-like shape, and in the transition region between the rod-shaped housing shaft and the housing head, a construction is provided. The on/off switch is disposed laterally offset on the housing head, below the axis of the shaft in such a way that when the constriction is grasped by a hand of a user the thumb of the grasping hand rests on its actuation knob.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Fuchs, Eduard Gansel, Uwe Engelfried
  • Patent number: 6393702
    Abstract: The disposable cutting head is basically a four element clip together assembly with a base, lower and upper cutting blades, and spring. The base serves as the support for the entire assembly and incorporates the attachment elements for retention to a clipper. The spring holds the elements together, forces the cutting blades together and includes the runner under which the upper blade slides. The entire assembly is such that the head assembly with blades is of the disposable type, but uses metal blades. If desired the blades alone may be disposed and the head assembly reused; however, the structure is not intended for long wear and use. The head and blades are constructed such that the common problems encountered with existing removable/disposable heads and blades as for example heat retention in the blades and head and the catching and pulling of hair are minimized. Use with clipper comb elements is also accommodated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Inventor: Kim Laube
  • Patent number: 6393703
    Abstract: A pair of gardening shears includes a primary handle and a fixed secondary handle. The primary handle is formed of a shaft rod and a rotary grip. The shaft rod is provided with an annular slot and a flat edge. The rotary grip is provided with a locating member which has a locating arm and an angle-confining block. The rotary grip is positioned by the locating arm which is received in the annular slot of the shaft rod. The rotary grip is rotationally confined by the angle-confining block in conjunction with the flat edge of the shaft rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Jiin Haur Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shih-Piao Wu
  • Patent number: 6393704
    Abstract: A self-leveling eating utensil having a handle and a food carrier rotatably coupled to the handle. The food carrier may be coupled to a shank which is, in turn, rotatably coupled to the handle. The food carrier is positioned offset from the handle and the shank to weight itself into a self-leveling position with the food-carrying surface thereof positioned to carry food without spillage. A weight is preferably provided on the shank to further weight the food carrier into the self-leveling position. The weight may be formed at the free end of the shank opposite the food carrier. In a preferred embodiment, the weight is formed as a bend in the free end of the shank in a direction toward the food carrier. Preferably, the handle is formed to permit decoupling to clean the interior thereof and recoupling to use the eating utensil once again after cleaning. Such handle is formed from first and second handle halves which are readily coupled, decoupled, and recoupled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Inventors: David Tompkins, Gerard D. Byrne, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6393705
    Abstract: A cosmetic pencil and sharpener comprises a cap and pencil portion having a sharpened head on a first end portion, an elongated body and a second end portion. The cap includes a recess at one end to engage and cover the pencil head, an intermediate portion and a second closed end portion. The intermediate portion includes a raised angular section located adjacent a longitudinal slot in the cap wall. A blade is mounted to the angular section and extends downwardly into the slot. Rotation of the pencil sharpens the head against the blade while shavings drop outwardly from the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Inventor: Yu Jing Song
  • Patent number: 6393706
    Abstract: A disposable razor unit having a razor head is assembled with a handle. The handle has attachment means comprising at least one prong which extends outward from the handle. The prong has a tooth on the underside of the end opposite the handle. The razor head has a chamber which receives the attachment means of the handle when the razor head and the handle are fastened together. The chamber has a clearance slot and a locking shoulder at its innermost, central point into which the tooth of the prong fits to fasten the razor head and handle together. The fit between the handle and the razor head is such that the razor head may be removed by a forward force exerted on the top of the chamber by the user, however the fit is sufficient that the handle and the razor head will not become separated by normal forces encountered during shaving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Warner-Lambert Company
    Inventor: Frank A. Ferraro
  • Patent number: 6393707
    Abstract: A cursor (151), designated to slide in a case formed by two thicknesses lying alongside the cursor, is formed by cuts parallel to the direction of sliding and by weak links designed to be broken by action on the cursor (151) in the direction of f1 which causes its initial sliding; cuts parallel to the direction of sliding form elongate slots (153) running alongside the cursor (151) and each terminating in a stop (151X) formed by the cursor and in a stop (121x) formed by the material of the intermediate thickness (121) from which the cursor is formed; the two stops (121X; 151X) interact to limit the sliding of the cursor with respect to the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Promo Service di Michele Maffei & C. S.A.S.
    Inventor: Michele Maffei
  • Patent number: 6393708
    Abstract: A projection apparatus for projecting the axis of a plumbing fixture or an existing opening in a construction member onto a remote member, for locating an opening to be made in the remote member, has a body having at least a first cylindrical portion with a first diameter ending in a shoulder, the first cylindrical portion having an axis, and a laser pointer constrained in a cavity of the body such that the laser, when activated, projects along the axis. The apparatus is useful for projecting a center point from a plumbing fixture onto a remote member, such as for vent installation, and for aligning openings in construction members for pipes and other conduits. In an alternative embodiment the projection apparatus has a vertical-seeking element associated with the laser pointer, so a vertical line may be determined for an upward-facing open pipe that does not point perfectly vertical, but faces generally upward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Inventors: Timothy James Culver, Brian Paul Goodman
  • Patent number: 6393709
    Abstract: A chalk collector is provided which can be easily affixed to a conventional wheel type chalk line assembly. The collector includes a fine passageway which gathers excess chalk as the chalk line is withdrawn from the housing. Apertures or conduits are provided for returning the chalk to the chalk line assembly housing for reuse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Inventor: Gary W. Jones
  • Patent number: 6393710
    Abstract: A combination tape measure and straight edge apparatus includes a first straight edge segment which includes an outer edge and an inner edge which includes first hinge members. A tape measure assembly support unit includes second hinge members that engage the first hinge members. A tape measure assembly is provided, and a connector is provided for attaching the tape measure assembly to the tape measure assembly support unit. The second hinge members of the tape measure assembly support unit permit the tape measure assembly support unit and the attached tape measure assembly to be rotated around the first hinge members so that the tape measure assembly can selectively be moved to and from a storage orientation and a plurality of in-use orientations. A second straight edge segment and a third straight edge segment form an isosceles right triangle along with the first straight edge segment. The tape measure assembly support unit includes riser members which support the second hinge members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Inventor: Michael R. Hastings
  • Patent number: 6393711
    Abstract: The present invention includes a gauging tool for attachment to a fastener gun which dispenses fasteners. The gauging tool includes a positioning shoulder that is placed against the shoulder of siding that is to be secured to the wall of a building. The siding includes an attaching lip through which fasteners are driven for fastening the siding to the wall. The gauging tool of the present invention automatically positions the fastener a selected distance from the shoulder of the siding and automatically drives the fastener a selected depth into the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Inventor: Todd Freund
  • Patent number: 6393712
    Abstract: A jig for grinding gouges in cooperation with a grindstone or the like. The jig includes a support, which can be fixed positionally in relation to the grindstone. The support includes a supportive part that extends generally parallel to the grindstone axle. A bearing sleeve is mounted on the supportive part for pivotal movement in a plane generally perpendicular to the grindstone axle. A rod is included for displacement in the plane of the bearing sleeve. The rod includes a pivotal locking stirrup for locking the gouge to the jig.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Tormek AB
    Inventor: Torgny Jansson
  • Patent number: 6393713
    Abstract: This invention is a gage for aiding a lathe or milling machine operator in determining whether the centerline of the lathe tool is in alignment with the workpiece. The gage is inserted in the lathe tool holder and pressed against a test bar installed in the lathe. If any gap exists between the test bar and one of the sloping surfaces on the front face of the gage, the gage and test bar centerlines are not in alignment. The gap is equal to the variation between the centerlines because of the geometric relationship established between the angle between the sloping front surfaces and the test bar. This gap is measured with a conventional automotive type feeler gage and the lathe tool is adjusted vertically by this amount using pre-cut shims supplied with the gage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Inventor: Garland French
  • Patent number: 6393714
    Abstract: Described are mask-alignment detection structures that measure both the direction and extent of misalignment between layers of an integrated circuit using resistive elements for which resistance varies with misalignment in one dimension. Measurements in accordance with the invention are relatively insensitive to process variations, and the structures using to take these measurements can be formed along with other features on an integrated circuit using standard processes. One embodiment of the invention may be used to measure misalignment between two conductive layers. Other embodiments measure misalignment between diffusion regions and conductors and between diffusion regions and windows through which other diffusion regions are to be formed. A circuit in accordance with one embodiment includes row and column decoders for independently selecting mask-alignment detection structures to reduce the number of test terminals required to implement the detection structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Xilinx, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin T. Look, Shih-Cheng Hsueh
  • Patent number: 6393715
    Abstract: A log length measuring device for marking uniform lengths in logs. The log length measuring device includes an adjustable length arm. The arm is a telescoping arm. The arm has first portion and a second portion. A pair of marking members marks a log. Each of the marking members is coupled to one of an end of the arm. Each of the marking members comprises a block. Each of the blocks has a front surface, a first end and a second end. The first and second ends are opposing ends. Each of the first edges forms a pointed edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Inventor: Emil Ihle
  • Patent number: 6393716
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for transporting substrates in an organic light emitting diode (OLED) process is disclosed, which has a transferring chamber provided for transporting substrates between processing modules and the atmosphere condition therein is able to be adjusted to be the same as the processing module by an atmosphere conditioner unit. According to the present invention, the substrates are not contaminated by moisture and the process operation and the factory layout are more flexible. Moreover, the OLED yield is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Ritek Display Technology Co.
    Inventors: Yih Chang, Jung-Lung Liu, Chih-Jen Yang, Chih-Ming Kuo, Jih-Yi Wang, Tien-Rong Lu
  • Patent number: 6393717
    Abstract: A foot dryer device for completely drying the feet of the user that utilizes a heat/blower mechanism in connection with an air diffusion assembly that diffuses a heated air stream so as to prevent uncomfortable hot spots from occurring on the feet of the user. The heater/blower mechanism is activated by the user when he/she steps onto a user support grate positioned above the air diffuser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Inventors: Victor M. Santos, Maria C. Zapata
  • Patent number: 6393718
    Abstract: A hand-held hair dryer which includes a negative ion generator and a corona discharge operating between a pin in the ion chamber and the grid at the outlet of the barrel for injecting a continuous supply of ions into the heated air stream. The hair dryer has an infrared on/off sensor switch which automatically activates the device when picked up by the user and a separate cooling switch to lower the heat level while maintaining the same air volume. The hair dryer includes a self-contained cord retractor which employs a fail-safe microswitch preventing operation unless electric cord is fully unreeled. Separate push button controls and readouts covered by a single membrane are attached on the body of the unit to control speed and ionizer function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Brookstone Company, Inc.
    Inventors: David Harris, Rudy Woodard
  • Patent number: 6393719
    Abstract: A process and an apparatus for removing water from a fibrous web are disclosed. The process comprises providing a fibrous web having a moisture content from about 1% to about 99%; providing an oscillatory flow-reversing impingement gas having a pre-determined frequency; providing a gas-distributing system comprising at least one discharge outlet designed to emit the oscillatory flow-reversing impingement gas onto the web; and impinging the oscillatory flow-reversing gas onto the web through the plurality of discharge outlets, thereby removing moisture from the web. The apparatus comprises a web support designed to receive a fibrous web thereon and to carry it in a machine direction; at least one rotary valve pulse generator designed to produce oscillatory flow-reversing air or gas; and at least one gas-distributing system in fluid communication with the pulse generator for delivering the oscillatory flow-reversing air or gas to the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Gordon Keith Stipp
  • Patent number: 6393720
    Abstract: A spreader apparatus (10) designed to evenly spread pellets or the like across an inlet deck (20) of a dryer or cooler is provided which includes a plurality of elongated, telescoping, pivotally supported delivery tubes (12) arranged in side-by-side relationship to form an array (14) extending across the deck (20). A drive assembly (16) is coupled with the tube array (14) so as to sequentially move the array (14) fore and aft to spread product thereon. A distributor (18, 152) is positioned above the array (14) in order to deliver product thereto. The distributor (18) includes a stationary, annular, multiple-pocket tray (76) as well as a spout (98) mounted for 360° rotation about an upright axis. As the spout (98) rotates, successive quantities of product are delivered to each pocket (84) of the tray (76). A ducting assembly (86) is provided between the tray (76) and the upper ends of the tubes (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Wenger Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas Clark
  • Patent number: 6393721
    Abstract: A device which is employed in drying of particulate, granular or powdered material, substantially fish-related material. The device has a drying chamber designed substantially as a vertical standing container. The drying chamber may be circular cylindrical and has a conically shaped tapering shape over its entire or parts of its height. The conically tapering shape may be directed towards the drying chamber's upper or lower portion. The material may be inserted in the bottom area or in the top of the standing container (1), through an inlet (5). In the drying chamber's bottom area there is placed a movement device (3) which sets the material in the drying chamber in rotary motion, thereby flinging the material towards the drying chamber's vertical wall, which is heated by means of a heating jacket (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Articare AS
    Inventor: Trond Sunde
  • Patent number: 6393722
    Abstract: The invention concern a chamber for drying animal waste, in particular poultry manure, adapted to receive a mixture (M) of fresh waste and dry waste, the floor thereof being adapted to retain the mixture (M) while being permeable to air (A), said floor consisting of an assembly of elements (60, 60′) each capable of forming means for retaining the waste and including means (T) which periodically enable to transfer outside the chamber (1) and through said floor (6) a fraction of the dry waste.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Industries Agrigesco Inc.
    Inventor: Raymond Chardine
  • Patent number: 6393723
    Abstract: A kiln chamber has an air moving device for circulating air in the chamber interior space along a flow path, and pipe banks positioned in the chamber interior space. Each pipe bank includes finned pipes for having a heated medium flow interiorly therethrough, and each pipe bank is positioned in the flow path so that air circulated by the air moving device flows exteriorly across the finned pipes. Each finned pipe has an elongate portion having opposite ends and extending in a longitudinal direction between the opposite ends, with the longitudinal direction being at least generally perpendicular to the portion of the flow path that is proximate the finned pipe. The pipe banks are spaced apart from one another and arranged side by side with respect to one another so that a portion of the flow path extends between adjacent ones of the pipe banks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Inventor: Robert T. Nagel
  • Patent number: 6393724
    Abstract: The present invention has a heater, a blower and connecting hoses to provide hot air to one or more vent boxes. The vent boxes have multiple, directional hoses to direct hot air to the desired parts of the vehicle. A separate vent box rack is provided to allow the floor mats to be dried at the same time as the rest of the interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Inventors: Ori Apple, Ehed Cafri
  • Patent number: 6393725
    Abstract: Compact microwave clothes dryer and method in which the dryer is small enough to be placed on a countertop, and air is circulated past microwave generator and power supply components to the drying chamber to transfer heat from the components to clothes in the chamber to supplement the microwave drying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard D. Smith, John F. Gerling, Stephen D. Schultz
  • Patent number: 6393726
    Abstract: A method for absorbing the moisture of a composite material, which can absorb the moisture of the composite material in a short period of time and which can provide a moisture absorption distribution which is equal to that of a composite material placed under actual environment. At time table, having a plurality of different environment conditions for pressure, temperature and humidity, and periods of time corresponding to the environment conditions, is previously prepared. Then, a composite material is put in a pressure vessel, and the environmental conditions in the pressure vessel are changed on the basis of the time table. Thus, the moisture absorption state of the composite material can be equal to that after the elapse of predetermined years under actual environment. In addition, it is possible to absorb the moisture of the composite material in a short period of time by absorbing the moisture of the composite material under an environment condition of high pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yutaka Momose, Shunichi Bandoh, Hirohito Hira
  • Patent number: 6393727
    Abstract: A system for drying wood particles and a method of operation wherein the wood particles are introduced into a dryer and contacted directly with a combustion system exhaust stream. VOC's emitted from the wood particles during drying are recycled to the combustion system for destruction. In one method according to the invention, a portion of the VOC-laden dryer exhaust stream is recycled to the dryer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Louisiana-Pacific Corporation
    Inventors: Keith David Seelig, Robert Carl Middlesforf, Wu-Hsiung Ernest Hsu, Jim Evensen
  • Patent number: 6393728
    Abstract: A fiber containing pulp, such as chemical pulp, mechanical pulp, thermomechanical pulp, TMP, de-inked water, or fiber containing sludge, is dried in an effective and efficient manner. The wet pulp is first dewatered mechanically, such as by using a drum or screw press. Then dewatered pulp is passed to a dryer. The dryer has first and second apertured cylindrical surfaces defining a gap between them, and drying gas is blown through one of the apertured surfaces, then through a pulp layer moving in the drying gap between the cylindrical surfaces, and then through the apertures in the other cylindrical surface, to evaporate water from the pulp and dry it to a dry matter content of over 80%, preferably about 85-90%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Metso Paper, Inc.
    Inventors: Paavo Sairanen, Olli Huhtala
  • Patent number: 6393729
    Abstract: A method and device for controlling a process gas (10) during drying of a product in a drying chamber, in which the process gas is brought into contact with the product so that a substance, for instance water, is taken up by the process gas and transported out from the drying chamber and makes use of a control paradigm for controlling process variables of the process gas (10). In the process, and by the device, a first group of process variables including the process gas content (x) of the substance removed from the product and the pressure conditions (z) inside the dryer hood are monitored and controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: ABB AB
    Inventors: Krister Forsman, Roger Sigvant
  • Patent number: 6393730
    Abstract: The drying assembly includes a drying apparatus with a far-infrared-ray radiator and ultraviolet irradiator. This ultraviolet irradiator is provided in the rear of the drying apparatus and the irradiation amount irradiated from the device is about 300 to about 600 mJs/cm2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Daito Seiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akira Suzuki