Patents Issued in April 17, 2003
  • Publication number: 20030071000
    Abstract: A holder of wrench sockets that has a carrying handle (40), and a main member (56). The main member (56) extends from the handle (40) and passes through the existing drive hole (62) in the sockets (58) to form a chain of sockets (60) that are retained in place by a stop (68). The handle (40) is easily removable so the sockets can be laid out on a tray (120) for easy access and deployment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2001
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventor: Donald C. Maser
  • Publication number: 20030071001
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention a formed channel includes a body portion having laterally spaced side walls, and a bottom portion having laterally spaced tracks for supporting truck wheels each including vertical walls for guiding the truck wheels. Means are provided to maintain depending clothing hooks spaced from the wheels and perpendicular to the axles. This may comprise a single piece clothing hook shank or an additional separate spacer. A groove is provided between the vertical walls for guiding the truck wheels. A slot is provided between the vertical walls for the hooks depending from the truck to pass through, for supporting clothes hangers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2001
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventor: Leonard M. Goldberg
  • Publication number: 20030071002
    Abstract: A face plate bracket of a computer rack assembled for shelving electronic equipments is in the form of a long plate body; the section thereof is disposed with a right-angle bended edge; the said bended edge extends to one side, bends reversely and back again to form a bended portion in a n-shape; lock holes are disposed at a certain distance on the plate surface of the face plate bracket; the face plate bracket is fixedly locked on the inner side of an aluminum extruded machine rack frame so as to fix an expansion rod bracket for shelving the main set between two expansion rod brackets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2001
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventor: Kuo-Chuan Hung
  • Publication number: 20030071003
    Abstract: A portable hoist has a U-shaped base, a tail assembly with at least a tail leg, an adjustable, telescoping mast secured to the base, a transverse lifting beam secured to the top of the mast and having a roller at each end, and a lifting system attached to a lower portion of the mast and adjacent the base. The lifting system has a winching mechanism and a lifting cable that extends vertically from the winching mechanism to one of the rollers of the lifting beam, across to the second roller and downwardly ending in a free end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2001
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventor: Wayne Eaton
  • Publication number: 20030071004
    Abstract: A multi-sectioned, telescopically extending column. This invention includes an extension mechanism to extend the column and support the column sections during extension, and a locking mechanism to lock each column section to the next when the column reaches its extended position. The column is particularly well suited for use as a crane boom, where individual boom sections are nearly fully extended each from within the other to minimize overlap between adjacent sections and reduce dead weight resulting from such overlap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventor: David J. Higgins
  • Publication number: 20030071005
    Abstract: A structural boom, as for a crane, including at least one corrugated section; a telescoping boom crane having a multi-sectioned, telescopically extending boom; and an extensible pendant support system including a plurality of pendants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventor: David J. Higgins
  • Publication number: 20030071006
    Abstract: A container for nursing infants, the container including an interior with a first end (or top end) opening into the interior. A flexible nipple attaches across the opening and is positioned such that at least a portion of the nipple extends into the interior of the container. A container lid is then positioned over the flexible nipple and encloses the interior of the container. Also, the present invention includes a second end (or bottom end) with internal walls extending upwards toward the top end and thereby forming an internal cavity in the container. A thermic module is then positioned in this internal cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2001
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventor: Kenneth W. Kolb
  • Publication number: 20030071007
    Abstract: A closure for sealing the opening of a container. The closure may include an angled plug. The container includes an external thread configuration and the closure includes an internal thread configuration which are adapted to pass over each other with one of the external and internal thread configurations having at least one thread lead and the other having at least twice as many thread leads. The closure includes an inwardly turned retaining rim extends at least partially upwardly. The retaining rim has an attachment boss and an upwardly extending line of weakness adjacent the attachment boss such that when the closure is removed from the container, the line of weakness tears allowing the tamper-evidencing band to remain with the closure upon removal from the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: Mike Xiaoli Ma, Brian M. Adams
  • Publication number: 20030071008
    Abstract: This invention discloses a storage vessel, namely a wine bottle having a liquid volumetric capacity of from about 750 milliliters to about 1,500 milliliters and including an integral pedestal base configured to fit typical glassware fixtures employed in restaurants and taverns. The stem and base portions of the pedestal may be solid or hollow. A hollow pedestal may be advantageous to capture sediments settling out of the wine when the bottle is in an upright position. Pigments may be included in the glass construction to minimize photochemical reactions with the wine contained within the bottle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: John Anthony Guido, Craig Dale Machado
  • Publication number: 20030071009
    Abstract: Apparatuses (10, 100), and methods of using same, for the simultaneous thinning of the backside surfaces of a plurality of semiconductor wafers (W) using a non-crystallographic and uniform etching process, are described. The apparatuses (10, 100) include a fixture (12, 102) having a plurality of horizontal receptacles (14, 16, 18, 20, 104, 106, 108, 110) for receiving the semiconductor wafers (W). The loaded fixtures (12, 102) are then immersed into an etchant solution (36, 146) that is capable of isotropically removing a layer of semiconductor material from the backside surface of the semiconductor wafers (W). The etchant solution (36, 146) is preferably heated to about 40° C.-50° C. and constantly stirred with a magnetic stirring bar (48, 158). Once a sufficient period of time has elapsed, the thinned semiconductor wafers (W) are removed from the etchant solution (36, 146).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2001
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: Richard Lai, Harvey N. Rogers, Yaochung Chen, Michael E. Barsky
  • Publication number: 20030071010
    Abstract: A method and composition for removing sodium-containing materials such as photoresist from microcircuit substrate material utilizes 1,2-Diaminocyclohexanetetracarboxylic Acid in an organic solvent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventor: George Schwartzkopf
  • Publication number: 20030071011
    Abstract: The method and apparatus manufacture a liquid drop ejecting head. The method and apparatus blast particles on a substrate having on an upper layer a patterned mask layer made of an organic material and on a lower layer a driver circuit for ejecting a liquid drop to thereby perform an etching process on parts of the substrate exposed from the mask layer. The etching process is performed in an ionic atmosphere ionized with a polarity opposite to a charged polarity generated in the substrate when the substrate is subjected to etching.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventor: Ryoichi Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20030071012
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a micro-electromechanical fluid ejecting device includes the step of forming a plurality of nozzle chambers on a wafer substrate. Sacrificial layers are deposited on the wafer substrate. A plurality of fluid ejecting mechanisms is formed on the sacrificial layers to be operatively positioned with respect to the nozzle chambers. The sacrificial layers are etched to free the fluid ejecting mechanisms. The fluid ejecting mechanisms are formed so that they are capable of ejecting fluid through both of a pair of fluid ejection ports defined in a roof of each nozzle chamber on one cycle of operation of the fluid ejecting mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Publication number: 20030071013
    Abstract: A PC board micro hole processing method using plasma technique to etch the substrate of the PC board, and then using chemical etching technique to remove residual material such as glass fibers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2001
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Applicant: S & S TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ching-Hua Tsao, Jou-Yuan Tseng, Kang-Tsun Liu
  • Publication number: 20030071014
    Abstract: A solder mask manufacturing method adapted to apply a solder mask on a surface of a substrate of a circuit board, said surface is provided with a conductor pattern having an unsheltered portion and a sheltered portion which is covered by said solder mask. The method comprises the steps of: a) disposing a layer of semi-solid solder mask material having an expansion coefficient substantially the same as that of the substrate on the surface of said substrate to cover said copper conductor pattern, and a metal foil covering the material layer; b) applying pressure to the metal foil and applying baking treatment to cure the solder mask material in to solid; c) utilizing chemical solution and plasma etching to remove the metal foil and the solid solder mask material above the unsheltered portion of said copper conductor pattern respectively such that the unsheltered portion can be exposed; and d) using chemical solution to remove the residual metal foil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Applicant: S&S Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Chong-Ren Maa, Wan-Kuo Chih, Ming-Sung Tsai
  • Publication number: 20030071015
    Abstract: A two-step method of releasing microelectromechanical devices from a substrate is disclosed. The first step comprises isotropically etching a silicon oxide layer sandwiched between two silicon-containing layers with a gaseous hydrogen fluoride-water mixture, the overlying silicon layer to be separated from the underlying silicon layer or substrate for a time sufficient to form an opening but not to release the overlying layer, and the second step comprises adding a drying agent to substitute for moisture remaining in the opening and to dissolve away any residues in the opening that can cause stiction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Applicant: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Chinn, Sofiane Soukane
  • Publication number: 20030071016
    Abstract: Novel nonstick molds and methods of forming and using such molds are provided. The molds are formed of a nonstick material such as those selected from the group consisting of fluoropolymers, fluorinated siloxane polymers, silicones, and mixtures thereof. The nonstick mold is imprinted with a negative image of a master mold, where the master mold is designed to have a topography pattern corresponding to that desired on the surface of a microelectronic substrate. The nonstick mold is then used to transfer the pattern or image to a flowable film on the substrate surface. This film is subsequently cured or hardened, resulting in the desired pattern ready for further processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: Wu-Sheng Shih, James E. Lamb, Mark Daffron
  • Publication number: 20030071017
    Abstract: There is provided an alarm apparatus for checking an amount of electric current supplied to each of the lamps of a wafer etching equipment and timely exchanging defective lamps if the amount of the current is less than a predetermined level, thereby minimizing process failures. The alarm apparatus includes a plurality of lamps provided above a dome cover of a reaction chamber to uniformly maintain a constant temperature of the dome cover, current quantity detecting devices provided on each of electric lines supplying electric power to each of the lamps, a controller for checking the amount of electric current through each of the current quantity detecting devices to compare the detected amount of electric current with a predetermined amount of electric current, and an alarm indicating a proper time to exchange lamps having an amount of electric current less than the predetermined amount of electric current in response to a comparison result from the controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventor: Il Kwon Sin
  • Publication number: 20030071018
    Abstract: A method for correcting characteristics of an attenuated phase-shift mask having an attenuated layer including (a) storing a data in a memory, which shows a correlation between characteristics and process conditions, (b) measuring the characteristics of the attenuated phase-shift mask, (c) calculating a appropriate process condition from the result of the step (b) and the data stored in the memory; and (d) soaking the attenuated phase-shift mask into a liquid solution for a certain time-that is calculated in the step (c) to change thickness and composition of the attenuated layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventor: Katsuhiro Takushima
  • Publication number: 20030071019
    Abstract: A method for removing metal cladding adhered to an airfoil, such as a turbine blade, wherein the airfoil comprises a substrate and wherein at least a portion of the cladding is adhered to at least one surface of the substrate of the airfoil. In this method the cladding is treated with a chemical etchant of the metal that the cladding is made of for a period of time sufficient to remove at least the portion of the cladding adhered to the at least one surface of the substrate. The substrate is made of a material that is chemically resistant to the etchant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: Larry Dean Cline, Gerald Alexander Pauley
  • Publication number: 20030071020
    Abstract: A method of laser marking, suitable for the marking of hard transparent materials without causing microcracking, comprises arranging a sample of target material and a sample of markable material such that they are spaced apart; directing irradiation having an energy fluence above the ablation threshold of the target material onto the target material so that some of it is ablated and thrown onto a surface of the markable material; and subjecting the surface of the markable material to irradiation having an energy fluence below the ablation threshold of the markable material to induce an interaction between the ablated material and the surface which marks the surface with the ablated material. Different colours of mark can be obtained by using different target materials, and the tone of the mark can be controlled as desired. Apparatus for implementing the method permits control of the method in real time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: Minghui Hong, Yongfeng Lu
  • Publication number: 20030071021
    Abstract: A method of inscribing an indicium on a girdle of a gemstone, by producing a profile of the girdle by performing measurements of the gemstone, determining one or more locations on the girdle to inscribe the indicium by comparing the indicium with the profile and inscribing the indicium on the girdle at one of the locations. Also included is a system configured to perform the above method. The system includes a stage configured for mounting the gemstone thereon, a light detection apparatus, a drive mechanism configured to provide relative movement between the stage and the light detection apparatus, an inscription apparatus and a processor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Applicant: Danog Properties & Investments Ltd.
    Inventor: Daniel Benjano
  • Publication number: 20030071022
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an antivibration device for motor vehicles, the device comprising at least one metal insert having at least one fixing surface bonded to an elastomer, the method including a cleaning step during which the fixing surface is scanned with a laser beam that is sufficiently powerful to eliminate the impurities present on said surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: Andre Girard, Victor Zarife
  • Publication number: 20030071023
    Abstract: This invention relates to an SBB machine and method used in a magnetic head assembly process of HGA production for hard disk drives. The SBB comprises a laser head with a focus system, a monitor with a camera positioning system and a flex cable sheet station with a conveyer system. The laser head can be controlled from the monitor to move vertically and horizontally by the camera positioning system, and the conveyer belt of the transport system can be controlled to move step by step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventor: Ping Shang
  • Publication number: 20030071024
    Abstract: An arc welding apparatus (10) for performing a waveform-controlled arc welding process includes an arc welding torch (14) that interacts with an associated weld. A power supply (12) applies a selected waveform-controlled power to the welding load via the arc welding torch (14) and a grounding cable over a process interval (Tweld). The power supply (12) includes a sampling circuit (34) for sampling instantaneous current and voltage values of the power during a snip portion (Tsnip) of the process interval (Tweld). A processor (40) is designed to (i) compute a true heat over the snip portion (Tsnip) of the process interval (Tweld), and (ii) extrapolate a true heat over the process interval (Tweld) based thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Applicant: LINCOLN GLOBAL, INC.
    Inventor: Christopher Hsu
  • Publication number: 20030071025
    Abstract: A method of designing a series of waveforms for current cycles generated by a waveform generator to control the waveforms of a welding process performed by an electric arc welder, where the waveforms are stored in a memory stack by work points. The method comprises: integrating the arc current of the waveform designed for each of the many work points to obtain an integrated amount; plotting the integrated amounts for each of the work points; creating a regression curve statistically matching the plotted amounts to reveal outlier amounts; selecting an outlier amount; and, changing the waveform corresponding to the selected outlier amount to decrease the deviation of the integrated amount of the changed waveform from the regression curve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Applicant: LINCOLN GLOBAL, INC.
    Inventor: Christopher Hsu
  • Publication number: 20030071026
    Abstract: A system for creating an actual waveform at the output of an electric arc welder and caused by a waveform generator where the welder has a display and customizing screen to design a commanded waveform for processing by the waveform generator. The system includes a program to display a target waveform on the screen, a program to display the commanded waveform on the screen, a computer terminal to manually customize the commanded waveform to generally match the target waveform controlling the waveform generator to cause the actual waveform produced by the welder to match with the target waveform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Applicant: LINCOLN GLOBAL, INC.
    Inventor: Christopher Hsu
  • Publication number: 20030071027
    Abstract: An electric hair waver includes a handle and a clip. The clip is hinged to the handle and forms a clamp with the handle by means of the spring. A sealed lower semi-barrel is fixed on the forward end of the handle. An upper semi-barrel and the clip are all hinged to the handle, and the clip is also joined with the upper semi-barrel by a flexible connection. A heater that is connected to the power cord is installed respectively inside the upper semi-barrel and lower semi-barrel, and the front of them links with the lower temperature head through the insulation sheath. The flexible connection includes a strip keyhole with a large circle that locates on the clip and a joint-pin fitted on the upper semi-barrel that matches the strip keyhole. The push button fixed on the handle is connected to the joint-pin through a drawbar, and there is reset spring between the push button and the handle. The hair waver can heat hair uniformly and permanently set not only curled hair, but also straight hair.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Applicant: Hexagear Industries Limited
    Inventor: Hou On Lo
  • Publication number: 20030071028
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for melting and conveying material such as plastic or metal. Said device comprises a conveying channel, which contains an admission opening for the material as well as a discharge opening for the at least partially melted material. The device also comprises heating devices that, between the admission opening and discharge opening, heat the conveying channel and/or the material, and comprises a slide that can move to-and-fro while conveying the material from the admission opening to the discharge opening. According to the invention, the conveying channel is provided with a tubular shape and with two walls and has an inner tube and an outer tube. The slide is provided as a sliding sleeve, which is placed between the inner tube and the outer tube, and is provided in two pieces. In addition, said slide comprises a closing sleeve for opening or closing the conveying channel and comprises a conveying sleeve that can be moved independent of the closing sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventor: Christian Boehnke
  • Publication number: 20030071029
    Abstract: A vacuum oven for decontaminating items, a system incorporating multiple vacuum ovens and a method of operating such system are provided. The ovens are portable. They can have a vacuum drawn in them and can be heated by being coupled to a vacuum and a power source, respectively at a first location and then be decoupled from the vacuum and power sources and moved to a second location such as a glove box or clean room while still maintaining a vacuum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: Dmitry Vernik, Christopher B. Dreike, Terry D. Wolfson
  • Publication number: 20030071030
    Abstract: A heating device (1; 100; 200; 300; 400) for electrodiffuser (9; 409) comprises a housing shell (2, 4; 402, 404) including resistive means (R1, R2) which are heated when a current passes through them in order to heat, by heat exchange, said housing shell which is in contact with a porous element (83; 480) soaked with active ingredients, which are diffused when said porous element is heated. The resistive means comprise at least two resistances (R1, R2) connected in series by a connecting conductor element (7) having good characteristics of electricity and heat conduction to realise the electric connection of the resistive means (R1, R2) and, at the same time, to act also as a heating element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: Franco Zobele, Andrea Pedrotti
  • Publication number: 20030071031
    Abstract: A cooking hob comprising a glass ceramic plate and an underlying plurality of electrical heating elements disposed in matrix configuration and controlled by static switches in order to be able to use at will any region of said hob for heating the contents of one or more cooking utensils, in which a diode is present in series with each electrical heating element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2001
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: Davide Gerola, Cristiano Pastore
  • Publication number: 20030071032
    Abstract: A heating system 25 has a main heating element 3 generating heat be supplying an electric power supplied and having a heating surface 4a for heating an object, auxiliary heating elements 5A to 5D generating heat by supplying an electric power, and a main power source 1 for supplying the to the main heating element 3. The system 25 further has an auxiliary power source 2 supplying the power to the auxiliary heating elements 5A to 5D, and a power source controller 2 for controlling the power supplied to the main heating element and the power supplied to the auxiliary heating elements respectively and independently. The power supplied from the main power source 1 to the main heating element 3 is controlled by the controller 2 within a first power range. The power supplied from the auxiliary power source to the auxiliary heating elements is controlled by the controller 2 within a second power range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Applicant: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinji Yamaguchi, Yoshinobu Goto, Hisakazu Okajima, Yutaka Unno
  • Publication number: 20030071033
    Abstract: An apparatus and system for using magnetic fields to heat magnetically susceptible materials within and/or adjacent to adhesives, resins, or composites so as to reversibly or irreversibly bond, bind, or fasten opaque or non-opaque solid materials to one another. The system makes use of the effect that alternating magnetic fields induce eddy currents and generate heat within susceptors, and the effect that alternating magnetic fields additionally induce magnetic hysteresis that occurs in magnetic materials and thereby generate heat. An induction heating tool is used to emit the magnetic field at its work coil, and an electronic controller measures the energy being used by a power converter that generates the alternating current driving the work coil which creates the magnetic field. The distance between the susceptor and work coil is repeatedly analyzed based upon the power converter's input energy, and the work coil is driven at a repeatedly corrected power level during the heating cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: Edward A. Riess, Adam G. Malofsky, John P. Barber, Gary L. Claypoole, Robert Carl Cravens, David R. Pacholok, Charles A. Kuecker
  • Publication number: 20030071034
    Abstract: An RF power supply that is capable of tracking rapid changes in the resonant frequency of a load and capable of quickly responding to varying load conditions so as to deliver the desired amount of power. The present invention also provides an RF power supply capable of delivering a wide range of power over a broad frequency range to a load that is remotely located from the power supply.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: Leslie L. Thompson, Gary A. Schwenck, Daniel J. Lincoln
  • Publication number: 20030071035
    Abstract: The invention is a plasma-generating device useful in a wide variety of industrial processes. The plasma is formed in a chamber having a toroidal topology, and is heated inductively. As with all inductive plasmas, a primary coil carries an applied AC current, which, in turn, generates a corresponding applied AC magnetic flux inside the plasma. This flux induces current to flow through the plasma in closed paths that encircle the flux, thereby heating and maintaining the plasma. In this invention, the applied AC current flows through the primary coil around substantially the short poloidal direction on the torus. Accordingly, the applied magnetic flux is caused to circulate through the plasma along the larger toroidal direction. Finally, the current induced within the plasma will flow in the poloidal direction, anti-parallel to the applied primary current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventor: Adam Alexander Brailove
  • Publication number: 20030071036
    Abstract: A packaged food product suitable for microwave heating includes a microwave susceptor and a sealed container that encloses the food product and the microwave susceptor. A gas is sealed within the container and the container has at least one releasably sealed opening that is adapted to vent gas from the package during heating. The susceptor is disposed adjacent the food product to shield at least a portion of the food product against microwave heating, whilst simultaneously heating said portion by infrared radiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: Sean Savage, Paul Baldwin
  • Publication number: 20030071037
    Abstract: A microwave sintering furnace and a microwave sintering method are disclosed, in which the object to be sintered develops no cracking or deformation in the degreasing process. A microwave sintering furnace (1) comprises a furnace body (2) containing an object (S) to be sintered, a unit (3, 4) for generating and introducing microwaves into the furnace body, a unit (8) for supplying a degreasing gas into the furnace body (2), and a unit (11) for heating the degreasing gas before it reaches the object (S) to be sintered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: Motoyasu Sato, Sadatsugu Takayama, Masatoshi Mizuno, Kazunari Okumura, Akira Kagohashi, Akira Nishio, Toshio Sato, Hiroyuki Matsuo, Hiromichi Ohtaki, Yukio Kishi
  • Publication number: 20030071038
    Abstract: A collapsible container has a bottom formed of a plastic preform with grooves along the peripheral edge wall of the plastic preform. The side walls of the container are inserted into the grooves. A supporting base is fastened as a folding part or as folding parts to one or more side walls. The number of parts to be manipulated is reduced by the fact that the supporting base is no longer provided as a separate part. The labor associated with the supporting base is limited to folding the folding part or parts against the side wall or walls when collapsing the container, and is limited to folding out the folding part or parts when assembling the container. In addition, the container is stabilized when filled. The items placed therein press against the folding part or parts such that the side walls are pressed into the grooves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: Reinhard Tanzer, Arnd Serbin, Georg Bill Wyzisk
  • Publication number: 20030071039
    Abstract: A storage system in which a base is preferably molded of a lightweight polymeric material and includes a peripheral raised edge for hingedly receiving front, rear, and end walls. The end walls of one embodiment are foldable, such that they collapse integrally with the front and rear walls. Each of the front, rear and end walls can be folded flat for compact storage of the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: David J. Spykerman, Bradford J. Burrows
  • Publication number: 20030071040
    Abstract: An improved jar and method of making the same. The double walled jar comprises a single piece double walled container, bottom plug, and lid. The container comprises an inner wall structure with open top and a closed bottom. A shoulder portion extends from the outer surface of the inner structure. Sets of threads are located above the shoulder portion about the outer surface of the inner structure. An outer wall structure extends from the shoulder portion, forming a gap between the structures. The terminal end of the outer structure extends past the closed bottom and has a notched channel within the inner surface of the outer structure below the closed bottom. A bottom plug having a portion shaped for a snap fit into the notched channel is used to cover the bottom of the container. A lid is used to complete the container as a jar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2001
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Applicant: Olcott Plastics
    Inventors: Joseph M. Brodner, John R. Brodner, Joseph F. Brodner
  • Publication number: 20030071041
    Abstract: A plastic cap has one or more hinged flaps that cover openings in the cap, as well as a stepped sealing ring against which the top of a plastic bottle seals. The sealing ring is stepped, much like the rows of seats in a circular stadium. This stepped arrangement permits the cap to be used with many different bottle rim diameters and automatically corrects any ovality of the bottle rim by forcing it to flex into a more circular shape as it engages the steps of the stepped ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Applicant: Gateway plastics incorporated
    Inventor: William C. Vogel
  • Publication number: 20030071042
    Abstract: A fitment including a spout flange, a spout, a frangible membrane and a gripping member. The spout projects upward from the spout flange and has upper and lower ends and an inner wall. The frangible membrane seals off the spout and has a peripheral edge joined to the inner wall surface along a line of weakness. The gripping member is adapted to facilitate removal of the frangible membrane from the spout.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventor: Brian M. Adams
  • Publication number: 20030071043
    Abstract: A molded plastic container and closure is provided with a double lock, the top lock being formed by the container rim and a protrusion on the inside of the closure channel. The bottom lock is formed by a segmented flange on the container sidewall and a second annular protrusion on the inside of the closure skirt. A zig-zag tear line allows the second lock to be removed thereby to create alternating areas of greater and lesser clearance between the newly formed skirt edge and a second, lower flange on the container sidewall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2001
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventor: Christopher L. Davis
  • Publication number: 20030071044
    Abstract: An end closure for a container, such as a beverage or food can, includes a transverse central body panel and a surrounding outer margin joined to the longitudinal side wall of the container body. The margin portion has a support section, and a plurality of spaced rib structures are located on the margin and have portions that extend longitudinally along the support section to reinforce the margin. The end closure can be a lid or an integrally formed bottom for a can body. The margin can have a U-shaped profile with the rib structures located on either the inner or outer wall portion thereof. The rib structures may be flutes defining tear-dropped shaped depressions. The invention contemplates a can body with the end closure forming the bottom thereof. A method is described for forming such end closures and containers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2001
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: Elmer D. Werth, Roger A. Hahn
  • Publication number: 20030071045
    Abstract: A beverages holder, comprising a disposable cup (200) for containing the beverage and a carrier (100) for enabling a user to carry or support the cup, the holder being configurable in at least two of:
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventor: Clare Louise Taylor
  • Publication number: 20030071046
    Abstract: A plug for covering an opening of an electronic device includes an elongated member and either one protruding member containing two tabs or two protruding members, each containing one tab. The elongated member and protruding members are sized and positioned to substantially fill or cover an opening of an electronic device. Preferably, the plug also includes two gripping wings to facilitate insertion of the plug into the opening and removal of the plug from the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2000
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventor: Durval S. Ribeiro
  • Publication number: 20030071047
    Abstract: A damping mechanism for an opening and closing member that opens and closes an opening while changing a center of rotation has an arm with damped rotational speed to support a shaft part of the opening and closing member. A position of the shaft part with respect to the arm is changed along with the opening and closing operation of the opening and closing member by a guide member. The arm is urged toward an opening direction of the opening and closing member by a forcing member, and the opening and closing member is maintained in a closed state against the force of the forcing member by a locking member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Applicant: NIFCO INC.
    Inventor: Akinori Harada
  • Publication number: 20030071048
    Abstract: A cassette (10) for storing media in sheet form is described. The cassette (10) has urging means (26) for urging a stack of media items (34) to one end (24) of the cassette (10), such as a media pick area (22). The cassette (10) also has sensing means (52) for determining the size of the stack of media items (34) remaining in the cassette (10). The cassette (10) includes display means (50) for displaying to an external viewer, such as a replenisher, an indication of the size of the stack of media items (34) remaining within the cassette (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Applicant: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan S. Black, Scott P. Mackenzie
  • Publication number: 20030071049
    Abstract: An improvement in the design of gumball dispensing mechanisms is described, and, more specifically, resides in the size and shape of the gumball dispensing openings formed through the dispensing wheel. In one embodiment, the openings are generally arcuate shaped, and in another embodiment they are generally “peanut” shaped. In either case, the openings are designed to dispense two large gumballs, relatively jam-free, for each use of the gumball machine by a customer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2001
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventor: James Gregory Sutcliffe