Patents Issued in May 6, 2003
  • Patent number: 6557748
    Abstract: A mailer type business form, including: first, second, third and fourth panels defining a sheet prior to folding the form, the first, second and third panels being substantially the same size and shape and being interconnected at first and second panel fold lines in a manner that enables the first, second and third panels to be z-folded onto each other. The first panel includes outgoing address indicia on a lower portion of the front surface of the first panel. The fourth panel is interconnected to the third panel at a third fold line, and the fourth panel is shorter than the first panel by an amount that causes the fourth panel to extend to a location that is just slightly above the outgoing address indicia on the first panel when folded against the first panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Moore North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Darvin R. Bethke
  • Patent number: 6557749
    Abstract: Exhibiting favorable attributes of both a regular slotted container (“RSC”) and an automatic bottom container, a sheet material container is quickly and easily erectable from a knocked-down-flat (“KDF”) container precursor. The precursor collapses to a uniform two-layer KDF condition which permits stable, even stacking of multiple precursors for bulk shipping and storage of the same. The precursor is formed from a blank including a plurality of wall panels hingedly attached to each other along fold lines to form a closed loop of wall panels, and a plurality of end flap panels hingedly attached along fold lines to ends of the respective wall panels. A pair of adjacent end flap panels lie in face-to-face relation with each other in the KDF condition. One of the adjacent pairs of panels has a diagonal fold line defining a corner attachment region that attaches to the other end flap panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Corporation
    Inventor: Walter S. Gill
  • Patent number: 6557750
    Abstract: A direct mail package is provided. The package includes a transparent cylindrical tube with two press-fitted end caps. An enclosure certificate is folded along orthogonal fold lines to provide four plies. As folded, the length of the enclosure is substantially equal to the length of the tube and the height of the folded enclosure is greater than the diameter of the tube but less than the inside circumference of the tube. When the folded certificate is deformed to fit inside the tube, it conforms substantially to the inside curvature of the transparent tube. The exposed convex quadrant contains postal information visible through the transparent tube. The arc of the plane thus formed frames a gap between its opposite lineal edges. This gap frames a window allowing display of a promotional token inside the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Xtreme Traffic Builders, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald R. Druse, Frank A. Colacino, Robert A. Hovey, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6557751
    Abstract: A recyclable beverage container handle is disclosed, fabricated from sheet material, such as cardboard or any other recyclable or biodegradable material. The handle comprises a cylindrical portion for receiving a beverage container and an “A” shaped handle portion. Both of these portions are fabricated from the same single continuous sheet. A method of manufacturing the container handle includes handle members that are continuous with the cylindrical portion which wraps around the outer walls of a container held therein. Thus, the handle is uniquely rigid, providing the user with a sense of firmness. A person using the handle need not have direct contact with the beverage container held therein, thus increasing his or her comfort level. Disclosed herein is a method of manufacturing and compacting the handle for easy storage and access of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Inventor: Russell Anthony Puerini
  • Patent number: 6557752
    Abstract: A computerized “smart card” which has a read/write memory and formatted data storage blocks is used to track the life history of one or more associated machine(s) (e.g., vehicles, medical instrumentation and apparatus, business and copying machines, etc.). The smart card can store a variety of information including machine identification, hardware/software specifications, debit/credit, regulated performance, warranty/insurance, maintenance/service and operational transactions that might impact the hardware, software or the intended operation or performance of the machine. The smart card will be equipped to interact with any of a plurality of autonomous reader/writer smart card units and computer-based reader/writer smart card units that may be equipped to interact with any of the plurality of computer databases through the utilization of land or wireless communications links.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Q-International, Inc.
    Inventor: Yaser Yacoob
  • Patent number: 6557753
    Abstract: A method for effecting transactions through a telecommunication network by smart cards and telecommunication terminals provided with at least two smart card reading interfaces, one for receiving a subscriber identification smart card dedicated to telephony, the other for receiving a smart card dedicated to one or more applications other than telephony. Communication facilities are added to the subscriber identification card to enable it to control any application card through the telecommunication terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Gemplus
    Inventors: Olivier Beaujard, Patrick Imbert
  • Patent number: 6557754
    Abstract: One aspect of the present invention is a method and apparatus of providing a card and/or reader that recognizes a communication mode of a corresponding reader and/or card. The card reader comprises a memory and a card interface circuit to detect a mode of a card. A processor coupled to the card interface circuit and the memory, communicates with the card in the detected mode if the detected mode matches a communication mode of the processor. The card comprises a memory and a reader interface circuit to detect a mode of a reader. A processor coupled to the reader interface circuit and the memory, communicates with the reader in the detected mode if the detected mode matches a communication mode of the processor. Another aspect of the present invention is a method and apparatus of providing a card and/or reader that is operable in two communication modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Litronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Gray, Lee Gudmundsen, Charles E. Frasier
  • Patent number: 6557755
    Abstract: Methods and systems for tracking and controlling mailpiece processing utilize one or more postal service mailpiece codes. The postal service mailpiece codes can include a United States Postal Service POSTNET code and a PLANET code. Using the same code or codes for mailpiece processing that the postal service uses to track mailpieces in a mail stream simplifies reader design and decreases the number of codes required to be printed on a mailpiece. In addition, the number of different types of readers for reading the codes is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Bell & Howell Mail and Messaging Technologies Company
    Inventors: William V. Pickering, Jr., Edward J. Kapturowski, Mark G. Paul, Steven John Krejcik
  • Patent number: 6557756
    Abstract: A domestic appliance (1) such as a microwave oven is adapted for interaction with a communications network (75) such as the Internet by the addition of a substantially self-contained discrete communications module (12) connectable to the communications network (75), the communications module (12) including display means (20) and command entry means that optionally interact with the appliance (1). The appliance (1) is provided with mounting hardware (6) and an adaptor (7) including means for attachment to the mounting hardware (6) and means (10, 13-16) for mounting the communications module (12) to the appliance (1) via the adaptor (7). The communications module (12) is adapted for connection to broadband cable or xDSL networks. Thus equipped, the appliance (1) becomes an element of a communications system (1, 72, 73) providing multiple functionality including television and Internet browsing functions within the home.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventor: Graeme Smith
  • Patent number: 6557757
    Abstract: A media cassette (10) for a self-service terminal (SST) comprises a body (20) for receiving media to be dispensed in the form of a bundle of media (12) having end faces and side faces. At least one movable guide member (16, 17, 18, 19) is provided for locating the media within the body (20) and for engaging a respective side face of the media bundle (12). The guide member (16, 17, 18, 19) is urged towards the respective side face of the media bundle (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventor: John A. Peebles
  • Patent number: 6557758
    Abstract: A passive RFID tag is provided in a product, and then the product is packaged. Rather than printing a high-quality label that must be optically scanned, and applying the label on the package, shipping and tracking data are encoded in the RFID tag. Then the only thing that needs to be applied to the package is human readable address information, which may be imaged directly on the package, such as by an ink jet printer. The final package need have no label at all, let alone one with shipping and tracking information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Moore North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Dominick L. Monico
  • Patent number: 6557759
    Abstract: A method for a cardholder to request fulfillment of an obligation associated with the card and for the issuer to acknowledge this obligation, which method allows a remote interaction of the parties and ensures their security. The issuer issues cards each of which has an identifier and the corresponding verifier, the latter being concealed by a masking device. A cardholder sends the identifier of the card and directions specifying fulfillment of the obligation to the issuer. The issuer checks that he has never issued to anybody a signed reply binding the presented identifier and directions different from the presented directions, signs the reply binding the identifier and the directions, and sends the signed reply to the cardholder. The cardholder verifies the issuer's signature on the reply and checks that the reply binds the identifier and directions he has sent to the issuer, after which he sends the verifier of the card to the issuer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Inventors: Oleg Anatolievich Zolotarev, Ivan Vladimirovich Kuznetsov, Andrei Gennadievich Moshonkin, Alexandr Leonidovich Smirnov, Ildar Magafurovich Khamitov
  • Patent number: 6557760
    Abstract: A system and method of managing expired products which uses an electronic price label system to convey expiration information. The system includes a product label affixed to the time-sensitive product, an electronic price label system including an electronic price label and a product label interrogator controlled by the electronic price label which obtains the expiration information from the product label, and a computer which identifies the electronic price label as being associated with the product, causes the electronic price label to activate the product label interrogator to interrogate the product label, and receives the expiration information from the electronic price label. The computer may additionally compare the expiration information to current date information and cause the electronic price label to display a message indicating that the product has expired if the current date information is after expiration information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventor: John C. Goodwin, III
  • Patent number: 6557761
    Abstract: A predetermined contact pressure required between the two metal pieces 60, 70 when they are come into contact with each other is produced by a pressing force of the two metal pieces 60, 70 acting in the direction of height or width of the connector 1. This arrangement prevents the inserted card from coming off and reliably and stably holds the inserted card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Yamaichi Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaaki Oya, Eiji Matsuda
  • Patent number: 6557762
    Abstract: Before assembling a scanning module, the type of the scanning module is predetermined. When the scanning module is predetermined, the shape of MTF-DF curve is therefore fixed. The scanning module includes a glass plate, lens and an image generating means. During the assembly, the image generating means and the glass plate are mounted. A correction document is placed on the glass plate. The position of the lens is adjusted in order to reflect a point at the lowest point of the tolerant range of the depth of scanning field in the MTF-DF curve. The position of the lens is then fixed. An increased depth of scanning field in a scanning device is thusly obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Mustek Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Jenn-Tsair Tsai, Albert Lu
  • Patent number: 6557763
    Abstract: The present invention has an object to provide an optical reader which is compatible with every environment irrespective of installation and usage environments, thereby enabling uniform manufacturing, satisfactory reading reliance, and operative safety and user-friendliness. The optical unit is mounted on the stage, and there is provided an inclination apparatus which inclines the stage at a desired angle. Thereby, without changing a preset optimal scanning pattern, only its emitting direction becomes changeable freely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Hiroaki Kato, Mitsuharu Ishii, Toshitaka Aoki
  • Patent number: 6557764
    Abstract: A method and apparatus that allows the adjustment of the intensity of the illumination source in a barcode reader, using the barcode reader as the measuring device, to give a predetermined amount of light from a known target. The adjustment of the intensity of the illumination source in the barcode reader compensates for the manufacturing tolerances of the barcode reader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Kelly J Reasoner, Richard L Gardner, Jr., Richard A Irwin
  • Patent number: 6557765
    Abstract: A data processing terminal sends control commands to an external device to control the external device. The data processing terminal has a control command sending unit and an external device determining unit. The control command sending unit is used to send a control command to the external device. The external device determining unit is used to determine a type of the external device according to a response returned by the external device in response to the control command. Therefore, the data processing terminal is capable of determining the type of an external device such as a bar code reader connected thereto and of converting a control command in a predetermined format into one in another format, so that the data processing terminal can employ a single program to control bar code readers which use different command systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Masaru Kito
  • Patent number: 6557766
    Abstract: A hybrid plastic card, such as a radio frequency identification card, including at least one electronic element embedded therein and a hot lamination process for the manufacture of radio frequency cards and other cards including a micro chip embedded therein. This card has an application on the surface of security overlaminate and a laser photo optical memory strip with the CD-ROM disk technology. The process results in a card having an overall thickness in the range of 0.028 inches-0.033 inches with a surface suitable for receiving dye sublimation printing—the variation in card thickness across the surface is less than 0.0005 inches. A card manufactured in accordance with the present invention also complies with all industry standards and specifications. Also, the hot lamination process of the present invention results in an aesthetically pleasing card. The invention formed in accordance with a hot lamination process and the continuation of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Inventor: Keith R. Leighton
  • Patent number: 6557767
    Abstract: An antenna frame for IC card includes a plane coil (10) formed by punching or etching a thin metallic sheet in which a conductor (12) is wound by a plurality of times on a substantially same plane. The plane coil (10) has an outermost conductor (12a) provided with an outer end portion (34a) and an innermost conductor (12b) provided with an inner end portion (34b). An outside and inside frames (16, 22) are arranged along the outermost and inner most conductors, respectively, and spaced therefrom by a predetermined interval (20a, 20b). The outer and inner end portions (34a, 34b) define outer and inner terminals (35a, 35b), respectively, which are used as bonding areas. Supporting sections (18, 18a, 18b) extending from an end edge of the outer and inner terminals or a position in the vicinity thereof to the outside and inside frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Shinko Electric Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shintaro Hayashi
  • Patent number: 6557768
    Abstract: A method is described whereby a user may interact with control indicia (22, 24) of a smartcard (10) to modify data stored in a volatile portion of a memory chip (19). A possible source of data may be from the smartcard 10 itself, whereby an incident where a region on a pressure sensitive membrane (8) of a controller (2) associated with a specific index (22, 24) has been pressed is stored on the memory chip (19). This enables the occurrence of this incident to be extracted later. Another possible source of the data is a software application, running on a computer. A user may save a state of the application, enabling the user to return to that state of the application later by activation of a region on the pressure sensitive membrane (8) associated with the same control index (22, 24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Sue-Ken Yap, William Simpson-Young
  • Patent number: 6557769
    Abstract: Flip-chip bumps (solder bumps) are applied on the contact-connection points of a semiconductor chip. These bumps extend from there through a covering compound (mold) that is applied as a protective layer. The end of each one of the bumps that is remote from the semiconductor chip forms a pad. This pad lies approximately plane-parallel in the surface of the covering compound that is remote from the semiconductor chip. At least during the encapsulation process, the chips are preferably arranged on a carrier element, in particular a carrier strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Frank Püschner, Erik Heinemann, Jürgen Fischer
  • Patent number: 6557770
    Abstract: To obtain an exact regulation of temperature, a strong flow, and a moderate cost, the cartridge comprises a first disc having two transverse hot fluid passages and two transverse cold fluid passages as well as a groove, the base of which forms a seat for a regulating valve which is joined to a thermostatic element, and a second disc having two passages for hot and cold fluid respectively, and which is coupled and rotatable relative to the first disc, between a communicating position and a non-communicating position of the two hot fluid passages on the one hand and the two cold fluid passages on the other of the first disc. The cartridge may be used for thermostatic water mixer taps, in particular for sinks, washbasins, showers and bathtubs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Vernet S.A.
    Inventors: Christian Mace, Jean Chamot
  • Patent number: 6557771
    Abstract: A controller for a climate control system has a humidity temperature sensor as well as a dry-bulb temperature sensor. A humidity temperature value is used in connection with a dry-bulb temperature value to generate an error signal that is a function of either the dry-bulb or the humidity temperature values. This permits control of both enclosure temperature and enclosure humidity without abnormal cycling of the climate control system. The humidity temperature can synthesized from the relative humidity and dry-bulb temperature within the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Dipak J. Shah
  • Patent number: 6557772
    Abstract: Heat exchange unit for vehicles, comprising the components the cooling system of a vehicle internal combustion engine and the components of a system for treating an air flow directed to the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The unit (20) forms a preassembled unit intended to be mounted between the engine (16) and the passenger compartment (12) of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Denso Thermal Systems Spa
    Inventors: Maurizio Pettigiani, Aurelio Molari
  • Patent number: 6557773
    Abstract: A heating system for heating the interior of a motor vehicle including a combustion heater for burning fuel in order to heat air supplied to the vehicle interior and/or liquid in the vehicle in the cooling circuit of the engine. An electrical heating device is integrated into the combustion heater in order to supply heat to the air or liquid to be heated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Webasto Thermosysteme International GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Stemmler, Ingrid Lanzl
  • Patent number: 6557774
    Abstract: A non-pressurized hydronic space heating system for circulating heated fluid through coils placed within a dwelling or structure. The system includes a heat tank for heating liquid, and piping connected to the heat tank for receiving the heated liquid and circulating the liquid throughout coils and back to the heat tank. The heat tank is positioned above the coils. The system includes a releasing means for releasing air contained within the piping. The releasing means or auxiliary fluid isolation ballast allows for the release of air within the piping so that continued circulation of the liquid throughout the system may occur and so that the fluid within the system is isolated from the atmosphere to seal the system from introduction of air bubbles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Inventor: Gregory A. Krueger
  • Patent number: 6557775
    Abstract: A portable, folding camera dolly track is assembled from a number of folding track sections, each track section having a parallel pair of rails, each rail having a base and a cylindrical wheel-supporting rail element, and a transverse spacer. A continuous, removable, resilient cap is provided on each wheel-supporting rail element to provide a smooth ride over joints formed by adjoining rail elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Inventors: John Dillard Brinson, Gil Forrester
  • Patent number: 6557776
    Abstract: A closed needle injector assembly and method are provided which effectively extending injection duration and improving fueling accuracy at part load conditions, providing a low quantity detached pilot injection at all operating conditions and controlling the duration of, and dwell time between, the pilot injection and one or more higher flow rate primary injections independent of fuel injection pressure. The closed needle injector assembly includes first and second needle valve elements, respective control volumes and a single injection control valve to control the movement of the needle valve elements. A sequencing device is mounted on the injector to permit movement of only the inner needle valve element to define a low fuel injection rate event and permit selectively, controlled movement of both the inner and outer needle valve elements to open positions to define a subsequent primary fuel injection event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: John T. Carroll, III, Donald J. Benson, Yul J. Tarr
  • Patent number: 6557777
    Abstract: A method and system for maintaining desired water levels in a gravity flow fountain. The fountain includes manifolds that define reservoirs for storing water. The fountain is capable of generating displays by expelling variably sized and arranged water droplets, at varying rates, from the reservoirs. The expelled water must be replaced in the reservoir to continue sustained operation of the fountain. Even though the volume of water needed at each reservoir as the fountain operates is non-constant and varying, the water is controllable, and therefore, predictable. The fountain uses a programmable logic device, in combination with a variety of components, to anticipate the need for water in the reservoirs. The fountain can also use programmable logic devices, in combination with sensors and a variety of components, to historically determine the need for water in the reservoirs or meet water supply demands on a real time basis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Pevnick Design, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen H. Pevnick
  • Patent number: 6557778
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are strips for dispensing insecticidal actives and fragrances. The strips are stored in vapor impermeable pouches where a part of the pouch is pre-interlocked with the strip. A strip can be torn away from most of the pouch using another part of the pouch as a handling portion. Also disclosed are methods of making such assemblies, strips obtained from such assemblies, and methods of using such strips to control flying insects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventor: Benjamin N. Shiffler
  • Patent number: 6557779
    Abstract: An improved closed nozzle injector assembly for injecting high pressure fuel into the combustion chamber of an engine is provided which includes a first needle valve element associated with a first set of injector orifices, a first needle valve control device for controlling the opening and closing of the first needle valve, a second needle valve associated with a second set of injector orifices and a second needle valve control device for controlling the opening and closing of the second needle valve. Each needle valve control device includes a control volume positioned at one end of the respective needle valve, a control volume charge circuit for supplying high pressure fuel to the respective control volume and the respective injection control valve for controlling the flow of high pressure fuel from the respective control volume to a low pressure drain thereby controlling the movement of the respective needle valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Cummins Engine Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Julius P. Perr, J. Victor Perr, Lester L. Peters, Donald J. Benson, John T. Carroll, III
  • Patent number: 6557780
    Abstract: A padding is placed around an underground irrigation pipe which allows the irrigation pipe to flex and bend when the irrigation pipe is struck or compressed. The padding is preferably a synthetic polymer that substantially reverts back to its original size after the compressing force is removed and is not affected by the elements. The padding is used over the irrigation pipe in areas of heavy traffic over the pipe or areas where the pipe may be struck. The pipe can be inserted into apertures in the padding or slits can be made in the padding to allow insertion of the pipe into the apertures. These channels can be prefabricated or cut into the padding as needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Inventor: Manford L. Mora
  • Patent number: 6557781
    Abstract: A main body (12) of a rotary atomizing head is provided with a hub fitting groove (13) on and around an inner peripheral surface (12F), while a hub member (14) is provided with a lid portion (15) of a circular disc-like shape, a plural number of leg portions (17) to be brought into fitting engagement with he hub fitting groove (13) through resilient deformation, and notched grooves (18) provided between the respective leg portions (17). Upon pushing in the hub member (14) against the main body (12), the leg portions (17) are fitted into the hub fitting groove (13) and the hub member (14) is mounted in position on the main body (12). In this assembled state, channel-like paint passages (19) are formed between the hub fitting groove (13) and the notched grooves (18), and an annular paint passage (20) is formed between the inner peripheral surface (12F) and the lid portion (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: ABB K.K.
    Inventor: Masatoshi Kon
  • Patent number: 6557782
    Abstract: A perfumed shower head includes a body conduit that has a perimeter wall for defining a lumen. The coupler member is for coupling to a water supply line. A cap member is removably couplable to the body conduit. The cap member has a plurality of apertures that extend through the cap member. The apertures are for dividing water passing through the lumen of the body conduit into a plurality of streams to bathe a user. A scenting member is removably positionable within the lumen of the body conduit. The scenting member includes a porous material. The porous material includes a scenting agent such that the scenting agent is for transferring to the water and onto the bathing user when water flows through the scenting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Inventor: Eleodoro Urra
  • Patent number: 6557783
    Abstract: A nozzle assembly including a nozzle member, a cap member, a spinner and a foam tube. The cap member is rotationally mounted on the nozzle member and may be rotated from an “off-position” to a “foam-position” with continued rotation bringing the cap member to a “spray-position” and then to a second “foam-position” and then to the “off-position.” Rotation of the cap member drives foam tube from a retracted position to an extended position extending forward of the nozzle member when the cap member is in the “foam-position.” The spinner rotates to atomize liquid flowing through the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Continental Sprayers International, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald D. Foster, Philipp Nelson, Jeffrey Stark
  • Patent number: 6557784
    Abstract: The invention provides a mixer for forming a thin oil film on a surface of a drop of water which can effectively form a drop of water with an oil film. A mixer for forming a thin oil film on a surface of a drop of water is constituted by an oil mist forming chamber for forming an oil supplied from an outer portion in a mist shape by an air stream, a drop of water forming chamber for forming a water supplied from the outer portion by the air stream containing the oil formed in a mist shape in the oil mist forming chamber in a drop of water shape so as to form a drop of water with an oil structured such that a thin oil film is formed on a surface of the drop of water, and a top nozzle for discharging the drop of water with the oil film formed in the drop of water forming chamber to an outer portion. In accordance with the structure mentioned above, it is possible to effectively form the drop of water with the oil film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Daido Metal Company Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Nakamura, Kosaburo Niwa, Hiroshi Yoshimura
  • Patent number: 6557785
    Abstract: The showerhead (10) includes a main housing (12) that forms the central supply inlet (16), a supply passage section (20) for the central inlet and a peripheral deflector (22). A disc (26) is applied to the main housing (12). The Venturi passages (40) are made up between housing (14) and the disc (26). A showerhead (10) is intended to deliver an aerated stream of water that has passed through and has been aerated by Venturi passages 40. The Venturi passages (40) radially extend from the supply inlet (16) toward the periphery (22) of the head (14). An air intake passage (44) communicates with the ambient exterior and also communicates with the Venturi passage between its nozzle (50) and diffuser (52). The deflector (22) is arranged to divert the aerated stream of water coming out of the individual Venturi passages in order to deliver them in substantially axial direction perpendicular to the plane (29) of the showerhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Masco Corporation
    Inventor: Alfons Knapp
  • Patent number: 6557786
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a high-pressure fuel reservoir for a common rail fuel injection system of an internal combustion engine, having a hollow base body (1) which is equipped with a plurality of connection openings (3). In a simple method that can be performed inexpensively, a connection bore (4) is predrilled. The communication between the connection bore (4) and the interior (2) of the base body (1) is created with the aid of a further machining method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Kurt Frank
  • Patent number: 6557787
    Abstract: A nozzle for delivering fluid evenly over a wide swath is disclosed. The nozzle has an elongated tip which has a stepped slot. Air eduction is also provided to reduce drift of the fluid being delivered through the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Hypro Corporation
    Inventor: Trevor William Bartlett Swan
  • Patent number: 6557788
    Abstract: A hose connector includes a connection body and a lock ring. The connection body is provided at one end with a fastening portion engageable with a lawn sprinkler or the like, and at the other end with a tubular protrusion which is provided with an outer threaded portion, an annular groove, and a toothed edge. The lock ring is provided with an inner threaded portion, and a sloped portion located in the inner wall of the outer end thereof. The lock ring is joined with the tubular protrusion such that the inner threaded portion of the lock ring is engaged with the outer threaded portion of the tubular protrusion. The lock ring can be turned counterclockwise to move toward the fastening portion, or clockwise to move away from the fastening portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Inventor: Dustin Huang
  • Patent number: 6557789
    Abstract: A manual spray-coating gun comprising at least one manual setting/operating element (40, 42) to manually change operational values and transmitting the desired operational values to a control unit (4) situated outside the gun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: ITW Gema AG
    Inventor: Gerald Haas
  • Patent number: 6557790
    Abstract: In order to further develop a circuit grinding apparatus with a roller mill or roller press for material bed disintegration of granular material and with at least one integrated sifter, where the mill and the sifter are disposed within two stationary side walls between which a material conveyor ring is rotatably seated and can be set into rotation for an internal circulation of material in such a way that the rotatably seated material conveyor ring, which has a very large diameter and rotates in operation, is as light as possible and the rotary actuator is configured as simply as possible, it is proposed in accordance with the invention to dispose around the bottom circumferential area of the material conveyor ring more than two, for example four rolls supporting the ring on the bottom, where two adjacent bearing rolls in circumferential direction of the ring are positioned at the ends of at least one common rocker lever which, in turn, is supported on the machine frame via a tilting joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: KHD Humboldt Wedag AG
    Inventor: Christian Splinter
  • Patent number: 6557791
    Abstract: A plant waste disposal system is further includes a wood chipper apparatus having plant waste fragmenting elements and having a plant waste receiving hopper; an elongate push member having a member first end for gripping by hand and having a member second end of at least twice the width of the member first end for abutting and pushing plant waste into the plant waste receiving hopper. The elongate push member preferably is formed of tool material which is biodegradable. The elongate member preferably is constructed to fracture when subjected to tensile force in excess of five pounds, for preventing the elongate member from pulling a worker hand into the plant waste fragmenting elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Inventors: Brian Mulgrew, Michael M. Anthony
  • Patent number: 6557792
    Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for storing and handling holiday light strings such as icicle lights. The device in accordance with the invention includes a vertically disposed rotatable spindle. The icicle light string can be conveniently wound on the spindle by rotating the spindle in the direction of winding. The device allows for ease of storage and handling of such light strings without any substantial tangling of the strings. When it is desired to mount the lights after a period of storage, the light strings can be readily unwound from the rotatable spindle and directly mounted at desired locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Inventor: Mark Snow
  • Patent number: 6557793
    Abstract: A toroidal core automatic winding apparatus has a winding ring positioned concentrically around a supply ring. The rings are C-shaped, by virtue of a through-slit on each ring. Wire wound on the supply ring is drawn out towards a toroidal core, via a wire guide on the winding ring. A ring rotation mechanism rotates the supply ring and winding ring in the same direction as that in which the supply ring was rotated when being loaded with the wire, but at mutually different speeds, to wind the wire around the toroidal core. The difference in the rotation amounts of the supply ring and winding ring equals the length of the wire that is wound on the toroidal core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Harmonic Drive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Masaru Nakazawa, Takashi Kawamura, Masayasu Shimaru
  • Patent number: 6557794
    Abstract: A shield apparatus for use in conjunction with a well tool to selectively attenuate one or more electromagnetic energy field components as the components interact with the shield. The shield composed of a flexible strip or conductive body and comprising at least one sloped slot or sloped conductive element therein. The shield being adapted to surround an antenna mounted on a well tool. A method for rotating the axis of the magnetic dipole of a transmitter or receiver coil. A method for winding and shielding an electric coil such that the resultant coil emits or receives selected electromagnetic energy field components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Richard A. Rosthal, Dean M. Homan, Dzevat Omeragic, Stephen D. Bonner, Brian Clark, Scott S. Chesser, Thomas D. Barber
  • Patent number: 6557795
    Abstract: A take-up reel has a diameter equal to or more than 85 times a thickness of a veneer sheet wound thereon and equal to or more than 300 mm so as to be of a curvature of the take-up reel to reduce cracking in parallel to fiber orientations that occurs in winding a veneer sheet after drying on a winding surface of the take-up reel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Kabushikikaisha Taiheiseisakusho
    Inventors: Youichi Ohshio, Yasuyuki Ohdaira, Akihiro Mizuno, Shinichi Nakagawa, Yasuyuki Kohara, Mitsumasa Narita, Hideki Kawamori, Reiji Yamada, Masanori Murakami, Kazumi Sugiyama, Tomoharu Okada
  • Patent number: 6557796
    Abstract: A desoldering wick dispenser includes a conventional wick package in the form of a bowl with a central hub and a flat cover mounted on the hub and having a gap between the edge of the cover and the outer edge of the bowl. A desoldering wick is coiled in the bowl around the hub and an end portion passes through the gap is drawn through a tube so that an end of the wick extends beyond the end of the tube. The wick is manipulated by the tube when used. In an embodiment of combined package and tube, the package has a funnel shaped housing containing a coil of desoldering wick. An end portion of the desoldering wick extends through a tube extending from the center of the housing. The coil of desoldering wick is a spiral having a conical shape approximately complementary to the end of the housing. Alternatively, the coil may be a helically wound spool of wick in a somewhat more elongated tubular housing. The end of the wick extending through the tube is drawn from the center of the coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Plato Products, Inc.
    Inventor: William H. Strater
  • Patent number: 6557797
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for constructing an integral toilet paper roll and mounting spindle. The integral toilet paper roll and spindle includes a guide tube with the strip disposed around a longitudinal axis of the guide tube and a mounting peg moveably disposed within the guide tube and resiliently urged towards an engaged position. The integral toilet paper roll and spindle further includes a detent within the guide tube adapted to secure the mounting peg in a retracted position until the toilet paper roll is inserted into a toilet paper holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Inventor: Stephen J. Bonamarte