Patents Issued in July 1, 2003
  • Patent number: 6584948
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a level plate that is arranged between a cylinder head and a cylinder, is adjacent to a combustion chamber and is provided with at least one opening for at least one inlet valve and/or one outlet valve and/or at least one injection equipment or the like, the plate bordering on a level cylinder head bottom. In order to reduce the introduction of heat into the cylinder head in the easiest possible way, the diameter of the opening is larger than the valve seat for the inlet valve and/or for the outlet valve and the valve seat for the inlet valve and/or for the outlet valve is formed by the cylinder head or by a valve seat ring that is solidly connected thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: AVL List GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Auer, Robert Roithinger
  • Patent number: 6584949
    Abstract: There is provided a wire guide for guiding and protecting wires from moving parts underneath the valve cover in a diesel engine. The wire guide has a channel portion connected to a base for securing the wire guide to the cylinder head. The base may be comprised of a retaining clip having two prongs that form an assembly that “snaps-on” to an injector clamp holder to secure the wire guide to the cylinder head. The channel portion is configured to cross a rocker arm when the wire guide is mounted on the cylinder head. The channel portion creates a conduit for holding the wires. The conduit is partially closed on at least one side and has an open side with intermittently spaced retaining tabs. The retaining tabs may be intermittently spaced as a series of pair tabs or alternating opposing singular tabs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: International Engine Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventors: Franco Franchi, Andrew D. Merrick, Kenneth R. Seymour, II
  • Patent number: 6584950
    Abstract: An oil pan which includes a shell of plastic material (e.g., of thermoplastic polyamide), and a support structure (e.g., of metal), having a plurality of perforations, that is fixedly attached to the exterior surfaces and/or the interior surfaces of the plastic shell, is described. More particularly, the oil pan (2) comprises: (a) a shell (11) of plastic material having interior and exterior surfaces, the interior surfaces of the shell defining a hollow interior (40); and (b) a support structure (12) in abutting relationship with and being fixedly attached to at least one of, (i) at least a portion of the exterior surfaces of the shell (11), and (ii) at least a portion of the interior surfaces of the shell (11), the support structure (12) has a plurality of perforations (20) having edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Bayer Corporation
    Inventor: Robert R. Cunningham
  • Patent number: 6584951
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes hydraulically-controlled cylinder deactivation and has an engine block with a plurality of cylinders formed therein. At least one-half of the cylinders are deactivatable by collapsible lifters. An individual hydraulic circuit module is positioned adjacent each deactivatable cylinder. Each hydraulic circuit module includes a valve and is configured to receive a supply of oil from the engine block and to selectively provide pressurized oil to the respective collapsible lifters for cylinder deactivation. A solid cover plate is positioned adjacent each cylinder which is not deactivatable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Vimesh M. Patel, William Conrad Albertson
  • Patent number: 6584952
    Abstract: Device for controlling the mode of combustion of a controlled-ignition four-stroke petrol engine (1) equipped with a system (2) for the direct injection of fuel into the combustion chamber, with at least one catalytic converter (3) placed in the exhaust line (4) of the engine (1) and with a control system (5) receiving information from sensors (6, 7, 9, 10) relating to the rotational speed and to the load of the engine, to the position of the accelerator pedal, and to the temperatures of the engine and of the exhaust gases, characterized in that the control system (5) includes a device for choosing a priority mode of combustion taking account of the said information and on the basis of an estimate of the combustion efficiency of the various modes available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Peugeot Citroen Automobiles SA
    Inventor: Marc Lagier
  • Patent number: 6584953
    Abstract: This invention provides a common rail fuel injection device, which ensures the functions of pilot injection even at high fuel pressure in the common rails, by changing the injection end delay period of the pilot injection in accordance with the fuel pressure in the common rail. The period displacement &Dgr;SOCp to be applied to the pulse start time of the pilot injection command pulse CPp, with respect to the top dead centre T7, is set to a timing that is advanced by the interval period Tint, pilot injection end delay period Tdpe and injection pulse width Pwp for pilot injection, with respect to the main injection start time T6.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Isuzu Motors Limited
    Inventor: Koichiro Yomogida
  • Patent number: 6584954
    Abstract: In an internal combustion engine comprising a gas recirculation passage connecting an exhaust manifold to an intake manifold, a compression release valve, and at least one gas pulse created during a first event, a method for retarding the engine comprising the steps of opening the compression release valve, releasing at least one gas pulse into the gas recirculation passage after a first event, redirecting the at least one gas pulse into the intake manifold, and using the at least one gas pulse to increase air charge in a cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Inventors: Robb Janak, Neil Fuchs
  • Patent number: 6584955
    Abstract: A device and a method for detecting phase in four-stroke engines, in which an electronic control unit (ECU) detects a spark current as a measuring signal and determines whether ignition occurred for ascertaining the compression cycles of the cylinders, whereby the electronic control unit is able to cause the injection to be performed in a correct phase relation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Ketterer, Klaus-Juergen Wald, Achim Guenther, Juergen Foerster
  • Patent number: 6584956
    Abstract: In an electronically controlled fuel injection apparatus of a speed density type, a new air intake efficiency correction value for correcting an intake pressure is calculated based on the intake pressure, an engine rotation speed, and an advance angle amount of valve timing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Unisia Jecs Corporation
    Inventor: Kenichi Machida
  • Patent number: 6584957
    Abstract: A contactless ignition system is provided with an ignition charge discharge condenser for charging an induced voltage of a generating coil, a first switching element, triggered to conduct when an induced voltage of a trigger coil reaches an initial trigger level, for supplying a voltage charged into the ignition charge discharge condenser into an ignition coil, and a trigger control condenser for charging induced voltages of the generating coil and the trigger coil, and triggering of the first switching element caused by an induced voltage of the trigger coil is inhibited by a second switching element during a specified discharge time following charging of the trigger control condenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Oppama Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masao Iwata, Kiyoshige Enomoto, Yoshiki Kitamura, Shigeyuki Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6584958
    Abstract: A directly actuated injection valve comprises a hollow valve housing, a valve needle disposed within the hollow interior, a needle spring and a tubular magnetostrictive actuator assembly disposed in an annular space around a portion of the valve needle. A magnetic field activates the magnetostrictive material to change its length to cause a corresponding movement of the valve needle that actuates the valve. The valve needle is formed from a ferromagnetic material and extends through the tubular magnetostrictive actuator assembly without interfering with the flux field that is directed through the magnetostrictive member. A passive hydraulic link assembly is preferably employed to compensate for component wear, temperature effects and manufacturing variations within design tolerances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Westport Research Inc.
    Inventors: Irawan Rahardja, Mike Hebbes
  • Patent number: 6584959
    Abstract: A convoluted tubing assembly for use in essentially fluid-tight connection with a suitable connector body which includes a multi-layer or single layer tubing having an elongated cylindrical wall having an outer surface and inner surface parallel to the outer surface. The inner surface defines an essentially unobstructed circular interior opening extending longitudinally through the tube. The tubing includes a first region in which the cylindrical wall is essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis running coaxially through the cylindrical interior. The tubing includes another region continuous to the first region, wherein the other region includes at least one corrugation in the cylindrical wall. The corrugated region has a cross sectional diameter which varies depending on position with respect to the corrugations longitudinal length and has a diameter different from the essentially uniform cross section diameter of the first region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: David Carl Stieler
  • Patent number: 6584960
    Abstract: An atmospheric pressure detecting method for controlling an internal combustion engine, which can detect atmospheric pressure and takes the atmospheric pressure as one of control conditions of the internal combustion engine without using a throttle sensor and an atmospheric pressure sensor, is provided; wherein a maximum value and a minimum value of intake pipe pressure generating while the internal combustion engine performs one combustion cycle are detected; wherein an absolute value of a difference between the maximum value and the minimum value of the intake pipe pressure is detected as an intake pipe pressure change quantity; and wherein the maximum value of the intake pipe pressure is taken as a detection value of atmospheric pressure when the intake pipe pressure change quantity is equal to or less than a set value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Kokusan Denki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Kishibata, Yuichi Kitagawa, Hiroyasu Sato
  • Patent number: 6584961
    Abstract: A method and device for driving an injector in an internal combustion engine in which a current wave which is variable over time, which comprises an initial section substantially of a pulse type and having a relatively high current intensity, an intermediate section during which the current intensity is rapidly reduced to substantially zero values and a final section having a substantially constant and relatively low current intensity, is caused to circulate through a control circuit of the injector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Magneti Marelli Powertrain S.p.A.
    Inventors: Paolo Marceca, Luca Poggio, Michele Cagnoni, Piero Carbonaro, Andrea Nepote
  • Patent number: 6584962
    Abstract: In an engine control apparatus for a multicylinder engine including an injection pulse width-setting unit for setting an injection pulse width for an injection valve situated in each cylinder based on signals output from an engine operational condition-detection system situated in a vehicle; the injection pulse width-setting unit includes an engine starting injection pulse-setting unit for setting an injection pulse width for each cylinder in the engine starting operation, and the engine starting injection pulse-setting unit includes an injection pulse width-correction unit for determining a correction coefficient to a basic injection pulse width, for each cylinder at each cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Car Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeyuki Nonomura, Masami Nagano, Minoru Ohsuga, Toshiharu Nogi
  • Patent number: 6584963
    Abstract: A throttle loss recovery turbine and supercharger device (10) comprises a housing (12) having a movable intake port (36) and a separately movable exhaust port (38). An outer drum is rotatably placed within the housing. An inner drum (24) is rotatably disposed within the housing, and within an inside diameter of the outer drum (18). The inner drum has an axis of rotation (30) eccentric to an axis of rotation of the outer drum, defining a variable volume annular space (26) therebetween. The inner and outer drum are configured to rotate within the housing at a 1:1 ratio with one another, and the intake and exhaust ports are each in air flow communication with some portion of the annular space. A number of vanes (20) are each interposed radially between the inner and outer drums. Each vane is pivotably attached at one end (22) to the outer drum, and is attached at an opposite end to the inner drum. At least one drum is coupled to an engine crankshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Steven Don Arnold
  • Patent number: 6584964
    Abstract: A breather and separator assembly for an engine. The engine includes a crankcase, a cylinder communicating with the crankcase, and a piston coupled for reciprocation in the cylinder. The engine includes a rotating shaft and a crankcase wall that includes a stationary aperture fluidly connected to an air/fuel induction system. The breather and separator assembly is separate from the shaft and adapted to be rotatable with the shaft. The breather and separator assembly includes a first side, an opposite second side, and an outer edge between the first and second sides. The first side is adapted to face the crankcase wall and has an annular groove adapted to be in fluid flow communication with the aperture during rotation of the rotating shaft. The breather and separator assembly also includes at least one radial passageway extending between the annular groove and the outer edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Seilenbinder, Robert K. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 6584965
    Abstract: Capacitive discharge system for ignitors of internal combustion engines with one ignition coil (T) per ignitor with one or more capacitors (6) and shunt switch means (5) associated with each such coil, together forming a coil primary ignition circuit of Type II topology and resonance oscillation capability, each switch means being a series combination of shunt diode (D) means and switch (SD) across the coils primary winding, with a voltage drop element (Vdb) across switch SD, the system constructed to produce capacitive ignition initial spark discharge of duration less than a quarter period of the resonance oscillation of the primary ignition circuit followed by an essentially triangular distribution decaying spark discharge of longer duration than the initial discharge, with switch SD to be turned off near or after spark circuit zero to divert residual primary discharge circuit through the voltage drop element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Inventor: Michael A. V. Ward
  • Patent number: 6584966
    Abstract: A triggerless back tension release for use with a bow string includes a handle portion including at least two finger grooves with a post extending substantially perpendicularly away from the handle portion; a two-link release head assembly secured to a free end of the post remote from the handle portion, the two-link release head including an intermediate link pivotably mounted on said post and a forward link pivotably mounted to said intermediate link; a rope loop having two free ends secured to the forward link; and a sear pivotably secured to the forward link, the sear having a hook adapted to receive the rope loop. The free ends of the rope loop are secured to the forward link at a location closely adjacent the hook and forward of the pivot axis, such that, when the rope loop is wrapped about a bow string and slipped over the hook, a gap between doubled-back strands of the rope between the bow string and the release head remains substantially constant or increases in a direction toward the bow string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Inventors: Gregory E. Summers, Marc T. Rentz, Randy Summers
  • Patent number: 6584967
    Abstract: An apparatus for use as a cooking aid. The apparatus includes a bar, an arm, and a holder. A preferred embodiment of the apparatus has a holder that includes a biased member operably coupled to the holder. The biased member is shiftable between a resting position and a moving position. The biased member exerts a bias against the bar in the resting position and allows movement of the bar in the moving position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Inventors: Stephen P. Paumen, Robert J. Borell, SueAnne M. Borell
  • Patent number: 6584968
    Abstract: A ventilator includes a hood structure having an air inlet slot and a multi-position damper baffle within the hood structure. The damper baffle is movably positioned adjacent the air inlet slot for movement between (i) an exhaust cycle position in which the damper baffle allows gases to flow through the hood structure, (ii) a wash cycle position in which the damper baffle closes off the air inlet slot; and (iii) a fire cycle position in which the damper baffle divides the hood structure into an upper section and a lower section. A manifold and associated water control valve may also be provided, along with a motor for controlling damper baffle positioning, an exhaust fan for air flow, and with a controller being provided for automated operation. In an internal fire mode of the controller the damper baffle is moved to the fire cycle position, the exhaust fan is turned off and the water control valve is opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: ITW Food Equipment Group LLC
    Inventor: Philip O'Farrell Morton
  • Patent number: 6584969
    Abstract: The inhalation therapy assembly and method of use described herein increases the efficiency of metered dose inhalers by allowing delivery of the doses to a collapsible reservoir which can be manually pumped, ensuring that medicants contained therein are properly and completely delivered to the patient. Terminal and proximal valves of the one-way diaphragm type allow flow of the aerosol medicants while preventing improper expulsion. An exhalation valve is adjustable to ensure the patient exhales suitably to permit proper medicant absorption. A conventional metered dosage inhaler having an approved FDA canister provides proper dosage to the patient and is joined to the collapsible reservoir by a connector having a plurality of apertures for receiving the MDI and an accessory T-fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Inventor: Michael W. Farmer
  • Patent number: 6584970
    Abstract: The present invention provides a plug for a respiratory suction catheter and manifold assembly that protects or maintains at least one internal component, such as the flap, of an assembly during nonuse. In a preferred embodiment, the interior plug element functions or contains a spring or similar expanding mechanism. This provides for additional security for the internal components. Further, the plug may contain an exterior plug element as well as an interior plug element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Ballard Medical Products
    Inventors: Chet M. Crump, Edward B. Madsen
  • Patent number: 6584971
    Abstract: A nebulizer has structure for determining the duration of a pulse of atomization during inspiration, the determination structure including components for measuring the tidal volume of a patient, measuring the duration of inspiration, for storing estimates of the volume of a patient's upper airway, and for calculating the duration of the pulse. The duration of the pulse is calculated on the basis of the tidal volume, the duration of inspiration, and the stored estimated volume of patient's upper airway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Medic-Aid Limited
    Inventors: Jonathan Stanley Harold Denyer, Anthony Dyche, Ivan Richard Prince
  • Patent number: 6584972
    Abstract: A flow probe for use in a humidification system is disclosed. The flow probe is adapted to be positioned in a humidified gases flow (for example oxygen or anaesthetic gases) such as that which is provided to a patient in a hospital environment. The flow probe is designed to provide both temperature and flow rate sensing of the gases flow by incorporating two sensors (preferably thermistors) and the shape and alignment of the probe enables accurate readings by reducing the occurrence of condensation on the sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Limited
    Inventor: Stephen William McPhee
  • Patent number: 6584973
    Abstract: The invention features an exhalation assist device for adjusting the airway resistance in an exhalation circuit of a medical ventilator. The device includes a set of pressure, airflow and airway sensors, a controlling processor, a user interface, and a ventilatory unit in communication with a medical ventilator. Data relating to pressure within the ventilatory unit and data relating to exhalation airflow, exhalation circuit pressure and exhalation circuit resistance are provided to the controlling processor by the sensors. The controlling processor compares measured and calculated values for airway pressure, airflow, airway resistance and applied negative pressure with desired values that have been entered by a clinician. Based on these calculations, the controlling processor transmits a signal that will change the applied negative pressure applied to the exhalation circuit by the ventilatory unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Cardiopulmonary Corporation
    Inventors: James W. Biondi, Douglas M. Johnson, Donald D. Gilmore, Robert Reynolds
  • Patent number: 6584974
    Abstract: The CO2 detector has a disc attached to a rim which in turn is attached to a third port on a esophageal detector housing. A baffle rises from an interior surface of the housing to slightly below an opening to the third port. A first and second port of the housing on each side of the third port are in axial alignment. The first port is attached to an elastomeric bulb and the second port is adapted to be connected to an adapter which in turn is attached to an intubation tube. A colorimetric indicator paper is shown through a clear plastic cover after removing backing on the indicator paper through the second port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Mercury Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey B. Ratner
  • Patent number: 6584975
    Abstract: A respirator mask for filtering breathed air including a mask portion dimensioned for covering the mouth of the user. The mask portion includes an inner portion, an outer portion, and an air chamber therebetween. The mask portion includes a generally circular peripheral edge. The peripheral edge includes a top edge, a bottom edge, and opposed side edges. The mask portion includes a recessed mouth section on the inner portion thereof. The recessed mouth section includes a central aperture in communication with the air chamber. The mask portion includes a pair of air vents secured to the outer portion thereof. The pair of air vents each have open inner and outer ends. The open inner ends are in communication with the air chamber. A mouthpiece portion is removably coupled with respect to the mask portion. The mouthpiece portion includes a shield portion dimensioned for positioning within the recessed mouth section of the mask portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Inventor: Eldridge Taylor
  • Patent number: 6584976
    Abstract: A filtering face mask that covers at least the nose and mouth of a wearer and that includes an exhalation valve. The exhalation valve opens in response to increased pressure when the wearer exhales to allow the exhaled air to be rapidly purged from the mask interior. An exhale filter element is placed in one of several locations in the exhale flow stream to remove contaminants from the exhaled air. The face mask is beneficial in that it provides comfort to the wearer by allowing warm, moist, high-CO2-content air to be rapidly evacuated from the mask interior through the valve and also protects the wearer from splash fluids and polluted air while at the same time protecting other persons or things from being exposed to contaminants in the exhale flow stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Daniel A. Japuntich, Nicole V. McCullough, Jane K. Peterson, Nicholas R. Baumann, John W. Bryant, Christopher P. Henderson, Bruce E. Penning
  • Patent number: 6584977
    Abstract: A combined patient interface and integrated exhaust assembly that passes a controlled flow of gas from an interior of a patient interface to ambient atmosphere at a predetermined flow rate irrespective of variations of pressure in the interior of the patient interface device relative to ambient atmosphere. Control of the flow of exhaust gas is achieved by varying the effective cross sectional area of the exhaust path communicating the interior of the patient interface with ambient atmosphere based on the pressure in the interior of the patient interface relative to ambient atmospheric pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Respironics, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew Serowski
  • Patent number: 6584978
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a bilayer mouthguard fabricated from a high impact thermoplastic polymer blend having the ability to absorb, attenuate, and dissipate shock forces and a method of fabricating a mouthguard. The present invention utilizes a polymer blend comprising ethylene vinyl acetate and a thermoplastic urethane. The bilayer mouthguard has a U-shape base and is defined by inner lingual and outer labial walls, a channel for receiving the upper jaw and teeth, cushion pads laying within the U-shape base, and in certain designs a transition support portion extending forward from the posterior cushion pads connecting with an anterior impact brace that extends into the outer labial wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Sportsguard Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel J. Brett, Michael C. Geiger
  • Patent number: 6584979
    Abstract: This invention is a highly efficient filter containing fibers that contain small particle size adsorbents/absorbents such as carbon and/or silica to selectively reduce targeted components in mainstream cigarette smoke. The invention relates to a novel class of highly efficient cigarette smoke filters made from much smaller solid fine particles (preferably 1-50 micrometers in diameter) impregnated in shaped fibers that possess open or semi-opened micro-cavity. The invention further relates to a cigarette having a plug/space/plug or plug/space configuration and having the impregnated filters resided in the space in bonded non-woven or freely unbounded manner to allow controlled TPM delivery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Philip Morris Incorporated
    Inventors: Lixin Luke Xue, Kent B. Koller, Qiong Gao
  • Patent number: 6584980
    Abstract: A substantially pure stabilized compound having Vitamin E activity is added to smokable or smokeless tobacco or non-tobacco products to achieve less irritation and antioxidant benefits. In a preferred embodiment, a substantially pure “dry” powdered ester analog of Vitamin E, such as Vitamin E acid succinate, Vitamin E acetate or d-alpha-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate is mixed directly with the tobacco during the curing or manufacturing process. For cigarette applications, these Vitamin E compounds can also be inserted into a cigarette filter, holder and/or paper, either in powdered form or in microencapsulated form. Although not preferred, a common oily form of Vitamin E can be used in the present invention so long as it is stabilized and does not ruin the appearance and function of the tobacco or non-tobacco products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Rousseau Research, Institute
    Inventor: Joseph D. Russo
  • Patent number: 6584981
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for improving the ash characteristics of a paper wrapper for a smoking article and for improving the ash characteristics of the smoking article itself. Specifically, it has been unexpectedly discovered that the ash cohesiveness of a paper wrapper is noticeably improved when carbon fibers having an average length less than about 0.75 inches are incorporated into the paper in an amount up to about 60% by weight. Paper wrappers made with carbon fibers in accordance with the present invention have superior ash characteristics in comparison to paper wrappers incorporating only flax or other cellulosic fibers. Further, the ash cohesiveness of the paper is improved without resulting in the decline in the quality of other ash characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Schweitzer-Mauduit International, Inc.
    Inventor: Vladimir Hampl, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6584982
    Abstract: An apparatus for marking cigarettes with a mark to terminate operation of a smoking machine includes a jig for holding at least 40 cigarettes and maintaining the cigarettes' position with a seam side of each cigarette facing a given direction. A scannable laser having a laser light output at an intensity and frequency makes a scorch mark on the seam of each cigarette paper without perforating the cigarette paper. A software control system for the scannable laser is programmed to cause the laser to scan over the cigarettes in the jig to etch and make a circumferentially-oriented line segment mark no longer than 1.5 millimeter and no wider than 0.5 millimeter on the cigarettes at a predetermined position along the length of the cigarettes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Lorillard Licensing Company, LLC
    Inventors: Gerald Clay, Grayland Sizemore
  • Patent number: 6584983
    Abstract: Wig or hairpiece having a flexible antislip system (2) which allows a user to non-adhesively and removably attach the wig or hairpiece to the user's head. The wig or hairpiece includes a drawable fabric (3) impregnated with a thin drawable film (4). The thin drawable film is arranged on a surface of the drawable fabric which contacts the skin of the user's head when the wig or hairpiece is positioned on the user's head. The thin drawable film prevents the wig or hairpiece from slipping on the user's head when positioned on the user's head. The thin drawable film has at least one of a non-sticky and a non-gummy antislip surface at temperatures lower than a softening temperature of the thin drawable film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: NJ Diffusion S.A.R.L. (Societe A Responsabilite Limitee)
    Inventors: Jérôme Nicot, Nicole Denelle
  • Patent number: 6584984
    Abstract: A headband sized to wrap around a user's forehead and extend past the user's ears to prevent the dripping of hair treatments into a user's face and eyes. The headband includes a base band, a resilient seal band extending upwardly and inwardly from the base band, and a channel extending therebetween along the base band such that conditioner dripping down toward the user's forehead will flow across the seal band and into the channel whereupon the liquid will exit the channel behind the user's ears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Inventor: Paula L. Kelly
  • Patent number: 6584985
    Abstract: A beauty appliance includes a steam ejection device and a mist ejection device. The steam ejection device includes a steam ejection nozzle through which steam is configured to be ejected. The mist ejection device includes a mist ejection nozzle through which the liquid is configured to be ejected as mist and which is positioned in relation to the steam ejection nozzle such that ejection flow of the steam in the steam ejection nozzle causes a flow of the liquid toward the mist ejection nozzle from a mist liquid tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.
    Inventor: Shingo Omura
  • Patent number: 6584986
    Abstract: A container for health and beauty aids having a novel cap and a cap therefor are disclosed. The cap has a recess in which an entertainment device is disposed. The entertainment device may include a touch activated light and/or sound package. When the user depresses an element on the cap, a touch switch is activated, and the light package lights up and/or the sound package generates a sound or noise. Alternatively, the cap may include one or more fluids disposed in the cap; the fluids are preferably immiscible. Small items such as glitter or confetti may be suspended in the fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Inventor: Isaac Gindi
  • Patent number: 6584987
    Abstract: A method for cleaning residual material from a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) apparatus in situ employing dry etching. There is first employed a high density plasma chemical vapor deposition (HDP-CVD) method to deposit layers of silicon oxide material upon substrates within a chemical vapor deposition reactor apparatus. After removal of substrates, the reactor chamber is closed off. The interior of the reactor is then filled with a gas and a plasma formed therewithin, to which oxygen is added and the reactor allowed to come to an increased temperature and bake for a period of time. The reactor power is then turned off and the reactor evacuated. There is then carried out a normal cleaning step within the reactor chamber employing a reactive gas such as NF3, with greater cleaning efficiency due to the increased temperature caused by the baking step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Yi-Lung Cheng, Chun-Ching Tsan, Wen-Kung Cheng, Yin-Lang Wang
  • Patent number: 6584988
    Abstract: A process for the remediation of soil, rock or water contaminated with volatile organic compounds involving: (1) forming an emulsifier comprising: (a) a sugar surfactant; and (b) a nonionic surfactant, other than the sugar surfactant which, when combined with the sugar surfactant, provides a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance of from about 8.0 to about 13.0; (2) mixing the emulsifier with the volatile organic compounds to form a stable emulsion; and (3) removing the stable emulsion from the soil, rock or water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Cognis Corp.
    Inventor: Virginia Lazarowitz
  • Patent number: 6584989
    Abstract: An apparatus and method is described for cleaning semiconductor wafers using a dilute aqueous solution including at least 80% deionized water, sulfuric acid, an oxidant such as hydrogen peroxide, and a small amount of hydrofluoric acid (HF), preferably in the range of about 5 ppm to about 12 ppm. The automated system mixes the water, sulfuric acid, hydrogen peroxide, and HF to form a cleaning solution having a target HF concentration within the preferred range, for example at 8 ppm. Subsequently, the system maintains the HF concentration at least within about 0.5 ppm to about 1 ppm of the target HF concentration. Thus the system allows effective and predictable cleaning of semiconductor wafers while minimizing damage to metal features, and minimizing cost and waste disposal impacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Charles J. Taft, Kenneth J. McCullough, George F. Ouimet, David L. Rath, Robert W. Zigner, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6584990
    Abstract: A steam mop. A housing contains a water reservoir for storing water and a heating plate outside the water reservoir. The reservoir dispenses water to the heating element which heats the dispensed water to produce steam substantially instantaneously. The reservoir preferably includes a mechanism for dispensing additional water to the heating element on demand to produce a “burst of steam.” Preferably an absorbent cloth to which is attached a relatively stiff perimeter frame adapted to fit around the bottom of the housing is provided, the cloth assembly being easily removable for cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Dervin International Pty. Ltd.
    Inventor: Robin Roger Shaw
  • Patent number: 6584991
    Abstract: A washer for use in industrial applications includes a housing with a series of opposing spray nozzles. Material to be processed entering the housing is suspended between the opposing spray nozzles under fluid pressure and, by virtue of the angle of the opposing spray nozzles, the material is both transported and cleaned on its way through the washer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Hi-Per Wash Limited
    Inventor: Kevin Lyall Ries
  • Patent number: 6584992
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a conveyor assembly for carrying an item that has been painted by over-spray or dipping to a cleaning chamber where a cleaning means, typically a high pressure water cleaning device, is used to remove paint layers from an inadvertently painted item. The cleaning chamber further comprises a pool having an elongated drainage element such that water may be drained off from the top of the surface of the pool while the paint layers are deposited into the pool. The paint layers may subsequently be removed from the pool and disposed of properly. The invention further comprises a method of using the cleaning chamber, high pressure water cleaning device, pool and drainage device to clean items used to hold items to be painted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Patent Holding Company
    Inventor: Russell Brynolf
  • Patent number: 6584993
    Abstract: A portable-type cleaning device for internal combustion engine comprising a container containing a cleaning solution and a guiding tube connected to the container and the internal combustion engine, and an opening being provided at the top end of the container for the insertion of the guiding tube, wherein, the middle section of the guiding tube is provided with a pressurizing hole for the entry of air, and the height of the pressurizing hole is at least higher than that of the level of the cleaning solution within the container. The other end of the guiding tube is directly inserted into the air-inlet tube of the internal combustion engine. The vacuum suction created by igniting the internal combustion engine drives the cleaning solution and air to enter respectively through the bottom end and the pressurizing hole of the tube. At the same time, the air and the cleaning solution are mixed forming into bubbles or atomized, entering the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Inventor: Yen-Hsi Chang
  • Patent number: 6584994
    Abstract: A system for servicing a fluid system can employ a pressure-reducing source to perform the desired service. The fluid system can be an engine cooling system or other fluid system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Prime Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Steven M. Knowles, John R. Burke
  • Patent number: 6584995
    Abstract: Currently, there are no products available which allow a user to treat microbial and bacterial growth inside a HVAC condensate drain line or clear a clogged line without cutting into the drain line. Our valve is an in-line condensate drain line valve that can be installed easily, quickly and economically, either during new construction or onto existing HVAC systems. The HVAC user can add household bleach to the condensate line, which inhibits microbial and bacterial growth without cutting into or disassembling the drain line. The design of our valve allows the user to perform safe routine maintenance to the HVAC drainage system without having to resort to expensive and repetitive service call repairs over the lifetime of the HVAC system. The valve is further designed to prevent undesirable reverse airflows into the HVAC system and home or building, caused by a dry water trap in the condensate drain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Inventors: Atwood M. Kimbrough, Carl Brian Kimbrough
  • Patent number: 6584996
    Abstract: A fuel tank has a recess formed on the inner surface of the upper wall. A vent valve has a mounting portion extending therefrom with a resiliently deflectable disc formed thereon and a guide disc spaced from the deflectable disc. Upon insertion into the recess the deflectable disc is deflected and the periphery thereof frictionally engages the inner surface of the tank wall recess. The guide member slidably fits into the recess to prevent lateral movement of the mounting portion and removal from the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth M. Spink
  • Patent number: 6584997
    Abstract: An overflow prevention mechanism for use in association with liquid transfer systems of the type including an electrically controllable flow control device such as a pump connected between a source of liquid and a liquid tank, the mechanism including a backup liquid level sensor and a shunt trip breaker or other normally-closed switching device. The backup liquid level sensor senses if the level of liquid within the tank reaches an extreme high level. When the liquid level within the tank reaches the extreme high level the backup liquid level sensor produces an output indicative of the liquid having reached such extreme high level. The shunt trip breaker is connected between the source of electrical energy and the flow control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Blichmann, Scott A. Kloeblen