Patents Issued in August 12, 2003
  • Patent number: 6604527
    Abstract: A mandibular advancement device is disclosed. The upper jaw (12) has fitted to it an upper plate (30). The upper plate (30) is firmly received, and generally comprises a body component (32) and two opposed flange components (34), are located to be lying in an area beside and close to the posterior teeth, and particularly the buccal side of the upper posterior teeth. The leading edge (36) of the flanges (34) provide engagement surfaces complementing the engagement surfaces of the trailing edges (26) of the lower flanges (24). The relative lengths of the respective trailing edges (26) and leading edges (36) ensure that mandibular advancement is maintained over a desired range of jaw openings. The angle of inclination of the engaging edges (26, 36) provides a jaw opening path generally arcuate with the protrusive border path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Inventor: Richard George Palmisano
  • Patent number: 6604528
    Abstract: A breathing device that is positioned within the mouth between the teeth and inner lips to prevent breathing through the mouth and direct air through the nasal passages to deter snoring. The device also acts to stimulate saliva and is provided with passages at opposite edges of the mouth to direct saliva from the area of the passages to the throat for swallowing of saliva which tend to neutralize the effects of acid reflux. The device also is provided with guide elements to position the breathing control device relative to the mouth and teeth and at the same time prevents mating of the teeth and therefore gnashing or grinding of teeth during sleep.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Inventor: Lloyd P. Duncan
  • Patent number: 6604529
    Abstract: A method of aiding the compression and relaxation of a heart chamber using ferromagnetic and diamagnetic pellets inserted into the anterior and posterior walls of the chamber is provided. The pellets are inserted into the myocardial walls of the heart chamber by means of a delivery catheter. Electromagnetic fields, which are used to push and pull the pellets to compress and relax the hear chamber, are cyclically generated by electromagnetic field generators positioned on a patient's chest and back wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Inventor: Young D. Kim
  • Patent number: 6604530
    Abstract: A portable receptacle for extinguishing and storing cigarette ends is described, which comprises two distinct, functionally independent, unequally sized chambers, one smaller chamber being equipped with a fire extinguishing substance for extinguishing a cigarette after use and the other larger chamber providing the space of collection of ashes during smoking and of the cigarette ends which have been previously safely extinguished through their immersion into the chamber containing the fire extinguishing substance. Additionally, the fire extinguishing substance containing chamber may constitute a means for extinguishing cigarettes in table ashtrays of an otherwise conventional form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Inventors: Georgia Rogari, Panayiotis Rogaris
  • Patent number: 6604531
    Abstract: Natural bristles (animal hairs) are submerged in a solution containing at least one or more kinds of cationic surfactants selected from alkyl ammonium salts containing a quaternary nitrogen or alkylbenzyl ammonium salts containing a quaternary nitrogen, and alkylpyridinium salts to adsorb the cationic surfactants onto the natural bristles in an amount of 0.2-5% by weight by treating with heat, and a hair brush is produced using these natural bristles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Inventors: Kenji Nakamura, Koji Nakamura
  • Patent number: 6604532
    Abstract: A marcel curling iron featuring a short curling barrel and hair clamp for reducing burn risk and improving curl control, rounded edges on the hair clamp for making smoother curls, and freely rotatable handle covers having a thermally insuative bushing and one or more finger-notches or finger openings for greater user comfort. Also ensembles of long and short curling irons, which expand the toolset available to professional stylists. Other inventive aspects concern unique stoves for heating two or more curling irons of substantially different length, and stoves which include detachable curling-iron racks and a latch-on travel cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Inventors: Deborah A. McClendon, George B. Drake
  • Patent number: 6604533
    Abstract: A hair waving apparatus having at least two elements with undulations on each element for producing a wave in a lock of human hair is disclosed. The elements are pivotally connected and are biased toward each other and the elements are maintained in engagement with each other by a biasing means in the form of a spring to hold the lock of hair therebetween to impart a wave thereon. The undulations are dimensioned to allow each of the elements to nest within each other. A plurality of vents are disposed thereon the undulations to allow moisture to escape from the hair during hair styling and to hasten the hair drying process and subsequent wave formation in the hair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Wendy Innovations, LLC
    Inventors: Wendy A. Hardenbrook, Wesley J. Ishida, Brian Anderson, Ken Doucette, John Walsh
  • Patent number: 6604534
    Abstract: Disclosed are coated monofilament dental tapes with physical improvements including patient-friendly edges and self-indicating releasable coatings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: International Tape Partners, LLC
    Inventor: Ira D. Hill
  • Patent number: 6604535
    Abstract: A substrate cleaning apparatus includes a chamber having a substrate support capable of supporting and rotating a substrate in the chamber. A cleaning solution injector is provided to inject a cleaning solution onto the substrate in the chamber. A portion of the cleaning solution is thrown off the rotating substrate to form a cleaning solution mist in the chamber. A cleaning gas inlet introduces a cleaning gas into the chamber and an outlet exhausts the cleaning solution mist and cleaning gas from the chamber. This reduces the formation of residues from the cleaning solution mist on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventor: Yu Lei Shih
  • Patent number: 6604536
    Abstract: An apparatus and process for removing and recovering contaminants from a pipeline while containing and preventing the contaminants from spilling or leaking into the environment during said removal comprising. Specifically, the apparatus and method effectively and safely remove PCBs from a gas transmission pipeline. The apparatus and method implements a unique coupling system the prevents dangerous contaminants from escaping into the environment. Furthermore, the apparatus and method implements and system for recycling cleaning solution for continuous treatment of the pipeline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Miller Environmental Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Jim Davey, James C. Miller
  • Patent number: 6604537
    Abstract: A collapsible structure has first and second wall panels, each wall panel having a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, a frame retaining sleeve for retaining the respective frame member, and a fabric material substantially covering each frame member to form the panel for each frame member when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation. The fabric assumes the unfolded orientation of its associated frame member. The foldable frame member for each wall panel further includes a top side and a bottom side, with the frame retaining sleeve of the first wall panel stitched along the length of its top side to the frame retaining sleeve along the length of the top side of the second wall panel to form a hinged connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Patent Category Corp.
    Inventor: Yu Zheng
  • Patent number: 6604538
    Abstract: An improved adjustable fluid flow regulator having a regulator chamber, a moveable diaphragm within the regulator chamber, a spring that acts upon the diaphragm to regulate the flow of fluid, and a first adjustment member and second adjustment member for adjustably biasing the spring against the diaphragm. The improvement includes a tamper resistant feature for restricting adjustment above a predetermined limit. The first adjustment member is fully adjusted to a limit. The second adjustment member is adjusted to bias the spring to a predetermined maximum setting, and restricted from further adjustment. The first adjustment member would subsequently be adjustable to any setting up to the predetermined limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: John A. Schmotzer, Wilfred G. Soutiea, John J. Love, Mike C. Santinanavat
  • Patent number: 6604539
    Abstract: A known fuel tank for a motor vehicle, in which an expansion tank is arranged outside the fuel tank, requires a relatively large space. A fuel tank for a motor vehicle which requires little space is provided by having the expansion tank installed inside the fuel tank, and by having all valves for venting the fuel tank, for limiting a filling level, for controlling a limit pressure defined in the fuel tank, and/or for protecting against leakage in the event of a rollover arranged on the expansion tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Manfred Strohmayer, Norbert Linz
  • Patent number: 6604540
    Abstract: A gas control valve is provided with a unipolar overheat prevention terminal of which the connection structure is simplified in a magnetic circuit. In a flame-retention, storage type closed vessel gas water heater for automatically controlling the temperature of hot water in a tank to a desired level, the unipolar overheat prevention terminal 7 is mounted in the main body of an ignition/extinction unit A as held with a retaining projection 15 provided integrally on a cover 14 of the ignition/extinction unit so that it can hardly be detached while being separated from a gas shut off magnetic valve MV mounted at the upstream side of a gas flow passage 1. A burner flame detecting thermocouple TC and the gas shut off magnetic valve MV in the magnetic circuit are connected to each other by the unipolar overheat prevention terminal 7.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Paloma Industries, Limited
    Inventors: Tatsuo Kuriyama, Atsushi Tanahashi
  • Patent number: 6604541
    Abstract: A rupture disk assembly comprising two rupture disks which form a chamber. The chamber is connected by a first line to the interior of a vessel on which said rupture disk assembly is mounted and a valve in the line reduces the pressure in the chamber to less than 90% of the pressure of said vessel. A second line connects the vessel and a pilot valve, and a third line connects the chamber to the pilot valve and has a pressure reduction valve in the line to prevent flow from the pilot valve to the chamber. The pressure in the chamber is static and said pilot valve is closed while the pressure in the vessel is at or below the set pressure of the pilot valve and a flow is established through said chamber when the pressure in the vessel exceeds the set pressure of the pilot valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Inventor: David M. Denning
  • Patent number: 6604542
    Abstract: A modular EGR valve includes an actuator subassembly and a metering subassembly. The metering subassembly defines a metering port and a metering chamber. The metering port and the metering chamber have a predetermined relative configuration. The metering subassembly is configured for being coupled to the actuator subassembly and for being coupled to an engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Raul A. Bircann, Dwight O. Palmer
  • Patent number: 6604543
    Abstract: A hose supporting spool device includes a spool rotatably secured to a support device for winding a hose, a shaft secured to the support device and having a passage, a block formed on the shaft and having a peripheral slot and one or more grooves communicating the peripheral slot of the block with the passage of the shaft. A housing is rotatably engaged onto the block and the shaft and has a mouth coupled to a water reservoir. Two gaskets are engaged on the sides of the block and have curved recesses for receiving the curved outer portions of the block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Inventor: Wen Li Guo
  • Patent number: 6604544
    Abstract: Disclosed is a safety valve installed in a tank of a vessel carrying oil or chemical substance to discharge supersaturated gas produced in the tank and to adjust an internal pressure to a normal level when a negative pressure is produced in the tank. The valve comprises a lower body; an upper body mounted onto the lower body; a valve stem extended from the upper body to the lower body; and a disc provided on the valve stem and positioned between the upper and lower body to shut out a communication between the upper and lower body. The disc has a groove on an underside thereof, with a protruded portion being formed along an edge of the disc, a Teflon bushing is interposed between the disc and the valve stem, and the disc has a large diameter than an internal diameter of the lower body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Tank Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Joo Kwang Il
  • Patent number: 6604545
    Abstract: A vacuum demand valve for delivering a flowable material is disclosed. The valve has a housing having a proximal end, a distal end, an intermediate segment therebetween defining a passageway wherein the flowable substance can flow from the proximal end to the distal end. The housing can be a tubing. A valve member is located along the intermediate segment. The valve member has a closed condition wherein the flow of the flowable material from the proximal end to the distal end is stopped and an open condition wherein the flow of the flowable material from the proximal end to the distal end is unstopped. The valve member is biased in the closed condition and is responsive to a partial vacuum provided by the user through the passageway for placing the valve member in the open condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Mark E. Williamson, Scott R. Ariagno, Alan W. Marttila, Arnold C. Bilstad, Paul M. DiPerna, Michael R. Prisco, David W. Pennington, Atif M. Yardimci, Sidney T. Smith, Mark C. Perry, Marc Bellotti
  • Patent number: 6604546
    Abstract: A chemical delivery system having a body defining a main fluid flow passage through which a fluid passes and a storage tank for holding a chemical. An inlet nozzle delivers a quantity of the fluid in the main fluid flow passage to the storage tank to be mixed with the chemical and an outlet nozzle return a quantity of the fluid mixed with the chemical from the storage tank to the main fluid flow passage. An adjustment dial having a plurality of orifices of varying diameter that are capable of being individually placed into relation with the inlet nozzle may be used to control the amount of fluid that enters the first inlet nozzle from the main fluid flow passage. Furthermore, an outlet nozzle trap in fluid communication with a vent port of the outlet nozzle may be placed in fluid communication with a fill control port of the inlet nozzle. The fill control port is used to direct fluid to the outlet nozzle trap to control venting of air from the storage tank to the main fluid flow passage via the vent port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: E-Z Flo Injection Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Dan C. Gilmore
  • Patent number: 6604547
    Abstract: A control Valve system having a housing defining a first inlet, a second inlet, a first outlet, a second outlet, and an exhaust to define an intrinsically safe double valve. The double control valve system of the present invention further includes a pair of cross exhaust passages that eliminates the need for complicated timing devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Ross Operating Valve Company
    Inventor: Jose Carlos Bento
  • Patent number: 6604548
    Abstract: A safety valve limits but does not curtail flow of fluid from a source through the body of the safety valve upon release of a handle. A pivotable vane disposed within the body is urged to pivot from a first state not restricting fluid flow to a second state restricting fluid flow in response to the force of the fluid flow. A shaft supporting the vane is connected to the handle. Retaining the handle in a position commensurate with the first state of the vane will permit fluid flow through the safety valve, which fluid flow will become limited upon release of the handle due to a change in state of the vane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Vaporless Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Penrod Geisinger
  • Patent number: 6604549
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for fixing a tubular element in a cavity, which device is made up of hoops made of an elastically flexible material disposed in cross-sectional planes of said cavity, and means for retaining said element, said device being characterized in that, along the longitudinal axis of said cavity, said hoops are secured together by a flexible longitudinal support and are interconnected by a flexible membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Alcatel
    Inventors: Philippe Gauthier, Bernard Wurier, Peter Friedrich Herrmann
  • Patent number: 6604550
    Abstract: A spoolable composite tube capable of being spooled onto a reel for storage and for use in oil field applications. The spoolable tube exhibits unique anistropic characteristics that provide improved burst and collapse pressures, increased tensile strength, compression strength, and load carrying capacity, while still remaining sufficiently bendable to be spooled onto a reel in an open bore configuration. The spoolable composite tube can include an inner liner, an interface layer, fiber composite layers, a pressure barrier layer, and an outer protective layer. The fiber composite layers can have a unique triaxial braid structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Fiberspar Corporation
    Inventors: Peter A. Quigley, Stephen C. Nolet, Jerry G. Williams
  • Patent number: 6604551
    Abstract: A fuel hose wherein an electrically conductive fluororesin is used as an inner layer, and the inside surface thereof is smooth even when it is molded at a high speed, is provided. As the inner layer, a highly melt flowable fluororesin having an electrical conductivity and a melt flow rate of from 14 to 30 (g/10 min), is used to form a fuel hose wherein the inside surface of the inner layer is substantially smooth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Asahi Glass Company, Limited
    Inventors: Eiichi Nishi, Masako Nagashima
  • Patent number: 6604552
    Abstract: Metal-plastic multilayer pipe with a plastic inner pipe (30) and a metal sheath (32) around the plastic inner pipe (30), where the metal sheath (32) is of uniform thickness, is applied to the plastic inner pipe (30) so that it completely encircles the plastic inner pipe (30) and a practical plastic outer layer (38), with the feature that the thickness of the metal sheath (32) as compared to the total thickness of all layers of the multilayer pipe (32, 34 and 38), is sufficiently thin that the metal sheath (32) accounts for a negligible part of the overall strength and stiffness of the multilayer pipe and, as a consequence, when the multilayer pipe is bent in an arc, the metal sheath (32) offers negligible resistance to such bending as compared to the resistance offered by the inner pipe (30) and the practical cover layer (38), and when so bent, the multilayer pipe tends to remain bent in said arc, whereby, the multilayer pipe has “form stability”.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Inventors: Jorg Hansen, Reinhold Freermann, Alfred Feldkamp, Franz-Josef Riesselmann
  • Patent number: 6604553
    Abstract: A plurality of casing modules are mountable to a Jacquard weaving machine such as to enclose same. A first module encloses the weaving machine and comprises a device for supply fresh or conditioned air. A second module encloses the weaving area and harness, and comprises a device for evacuating used air. The arrangement reduces environmental pollution caused by noise, dust or process steam in a weaving shed, considerably improves operator comfort at the weaving machine and significantly decreases accident risk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Textilma AG
    Inventor: Francisco Speich
  • Patent number: 6604554
    Abstract: The device for the formation of skeined sections on thin metallic wires is of the type in which the wire to be skeined extends from an inlet point (9) to an anchor point (15) and is placed under traction by a wire-tightening device (2). A branch of said wire emerging from said anchor point is sent to a wire-tightening device (8) controlled by an electronic control system which controls the skeining operation. The wire-tightener being present the following parts: a pulley (28) connected to an electromagnetic brake (29) with electromagnetic hysteresis; a second pulley (27) located above the first pulley (28) sensitive to the load bearing and sending a signal signifying the load to the control system which regulates the braking action of the brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Inventor: Botton Giulio
  • Patent number: 6604555
    Abstract: A highly reliable and safe, modular automatic refill (bulk delivery) system for ultra-high purity pyrophoric metalorganic chemicals employing: a manifold that insures contamination-free operation; a liquid-level detection system with fail-safe redundancy; and an evacuation system which leaves the system's manifold and transfer lines relatively free of chemical fire hazards; leaves them free of oxygen contamination; and leaves the composition of the system's carrier gas unaffected, between refills.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Arch Specialty Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher S. Blatt, Richard H. Pearce, Graham Williams, Edward H. Wentworth, III
  • Patent number: 6604556
    Abstract: Particles are packed in a container. The container is either cylindrical-shaped or box-shaped. The container has a container inner wall and an inner bottom. A ramp is disposed on the container inner bottom. The ramp has a ramp base that is narrower than the container inner bottom. A conical-shaped inclined ramp surface extends upward from the ramp base at a substantially constant ramp surface angle with respect to horizontal and towards the container inner wall. The inclined ramp surface defines a ramp upper rim that is substantially proximate to the container inner wall. The particles have an angle of repose that is less than the ramp surface angle. The particles flow down the inclined ramp surface towards the ramp base. The particles are removed from the container using a vacuum feed nozzle that is disposed proximate to the particles in the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy L. Huss, William R. Enderle, Jr., Dale E. Boudreau
  • Patent number: 6604557
    Abstract: A method of replacing radiator fluid in an automotive radiator includes providing two gas tight containers, a fluid conducting hose with a gas tight nozzle fitted into a radiator fill pipe nipple. The method further includes the steps of filling one of the containers with a fresh radiator fluid, drawing a high vacuum on a second one of the containers, drawing spent radiator fluid into the second one of the containers using only suction from the container, thereby leaving the automotive radiator under a partial vacuum and then drawing the fresh radiator fluid, from the first one of the containers, into the radiator using only suction from the partial vacuum in the radiator. A radiator flush step may also be applied following the same method, using two additional containers, one with initial high vacuum and the other containing flush fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Inventor: Adam Awad
  • Patent number: 6604558
    Abstract: A multicomponent, ground based system for reducing the hazard of explosion of aircraft fuel in the on board tanks of aircraft. The system is adapted to provide a supply of scrubbed fuel having a low concentration of dissolved oxygen. The scrubbed fuel can be supplied from bulk storage tanks to dispensing stations nearby the aircraft loading and boarding positions at an airport. The system also includes equipment adapted to wash the ullage of the aircraft fuel tanks to remove excess oxygen above the fuel in the tanks. The system further includes a gas cleaning unit to strip excessive amounts of volatile organic compounds from gas exhausted during operation of the system thereby producing environmentally benign atmospheric emissions. The system also includes redundant sources of inert gas so that the system can continue to operate in the contingency that one of the inert gas sources temporarily ceases to operate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide Société Anonyme à Directoire et Conseil de Surveillance pour l'Étude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventor: Richard A. Sauer
  • Patent number: 6604559
    Abstract: A cutoff tool for severing a neck of a difficult-handling fluid material (a fluid material which is highly viscous, highly adhering, highly cohering, and/or shear thickening) includes a rotating whip, for example a string or a wire. The whip may be rotated at a sufficiently high rate, for example by a motor, so as to prevent adherence of the fluid material to the whip, for example by use of centrifugal forces to fling fluid material off of the whip. A system for filling containers includes a cutoff tool operatively coupled with a filling nozzle and a container clamp. A method of filling a container may include clamping the container, inserting a filling nozzle into the container, dispensing fluid material into the container, withdrawing the filling nozzle from the container during and/or after the filling, drawing back fluid material through the filling nozzle so as to thin a neck of fluid material between the filling nozzle and the filled container, and severing the neck, for example by using a cutoff tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Inventor: Shlomo Rubin
  • Patent number: 6604560
    Abstract: A packaging processing (liquid filling) apparatus, including a rising-and-lowering assembly attached to a pivot member and moved vertically and filling nozzles attached to the rising-and-lowering assembly. An endless chain having grippers at equal intervals is rotated continuously by a sprocket. A circular first raising-and-lowering cam that rotates with the sprocket is attached to the sprocket, and a circular-arc-shaped second raising-and-lowering cam is provided near the first raising-and-lowering cam; and a cam roller attached to the rising-and-lowering assembly is caused to roll on these cams. When the pivot member makes a forward motion to follow the bags held by grippers, the cam roller rolls over the second raising-and-lowering cam, and the rising-and-lowering assembly is lowered and then raised; when the pivot member makes a return motion, the cam roller rolls over the first raising-and-lowering cam, and the rising-and-lowering assembly is maintained in a raised position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Toyo Jidoki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Iwao Ikemoto, Shoichi Koga
  • Patent number: 6604561
    Abstract: A resealable cap for a medicament vial has a base portion formed of vulcanized rubber or like material known for providing a stable environment for the medicament contained within the vial, and a resealable portion overlying the base portion. The resealable portion is made of low-density polyethylene or like material, and can be punctured by a needle or like injection member for dispensing medicament into the vial. Prior to filling, the cap is assembled to the vial and the cap/vial assembly is sterilized. Then, a needle is inserted through the cap and medicament is introduced through the needle and into the vial. Upon withdrawal of the needle, the penetrated region of the cap is fused by laser or direct heat sealing to hermetically seal the needle hole in the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Medical Instill Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Py
  • Patent number: 6604562
    Abstract: A tree pusher for safely felling trees. The tree pusher controls and determines the direction in which the tree falls, using a base, a frame, a detachable head which engages the tree trunk, and an extendable screw-type trailer jack that is repairable/replaceable during operation and capable of bearing the weight of a large tree, for urging the frame and the head against the trunk of the tree. For use on uneven ground, the tree pusher is provided with a base extension. A chain is used to connect the base of the tree pusher to the trunk of the tree, to prevent movement of the base when the jack is activated. The tree pusher can be readily moved to the job site, and can be used on any type of terrain, including hard surfaces, and for any type of tree, including trees with rotten wood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Inventor: Wayne J. Smith
  • Patent number: 6604563
    Abstract: A wallet including a single strip of material including a plurality of oppositely folded and integrally attached panels which extend in directions opposite the adjacent panels to provide a series of outwardly opening paper currency receiving compartments. A closure, integral with at least one of the panels, is detachably coupled to one of the endmost panels in the stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Inventor: Johney L. Gray
  • Patent number: 6604564
    Abstract: A tire tread having grooves of transverse general orientation defining a plurality of blocks arranged so as to form a tread pattern having a preferred direction of travel, the blocks having a contact face, two lateral faces, a leading face forming an angle a greater than 90° with the contact face and a trailing face. For at least one tread pattern block, the trailing face of the block is formed of an upper part extending from the running face of the block which is extended towards the inside of the tread by a lower part. Furthermore, the upper part of the trailing face is undercut and forms an angle &bgr; of less than 90° with the contact face, whereas the lower part, which is inclined so as to form an angle &dgr; greater than 90° with the contact face, is provided with at least one recess which extends into the interior of the block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.
    Inventor: Philippe Thiebaud
  • Patent number: 6604565
    Abstract: A system for manufacturing large quantities of seamed belts for printing systems with controlled imageable seams, which belts require a defined circumference and width, from suitable belt material in a large roll thereof, by feeding a continuous web of that belt material from the roll in (or cut to) a width that is at least as wide as the defined circumference of the finished seamed belt into a seam cutting station, where the opposing side edges of the continuous web of belt material are cut as they move through the seam cutting station into opposing seam-forming mating edge patterns, preferably mating puzzle-cut patterns cut by small movement laser beams on each side of the moving web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Constance J. Thornton, Joseph A. Swift, Edward L. Schlueter, Jr., Theodore Lovallo
  • Patent number: 6604566
    Abstract: A laminator member for color proofing comprising a belt substrate; and a surface layer, said surface layer comprising: a polyamic-imide organic polymer binder; a fluorinated resin polymer; and a perfluoroalkylsubstituted fluororesin-reactive compound having the formula: where R5 is H or F; Q is OH, SiR6R7R8; R6, R7, and R8 being independently selected from the group consisting of Cl, OH, an alkyl group containing 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group containing 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, an acyloxy group containing 2 to about 4 carbon atoms, and an amino group containing 0 to about 4 carbon atoms; and n is an integer from 1 to about 15; with the proviso that, at least one of R6, R7, and R8 is Cl, OH, or an alkoxy, acyloxy, or amino group; and wherein said surface layer is adhered to said belt substrate by the polyamide-imide polymer binder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: NexPress Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Jiann-Hsing Chen, Biao Tan, Joseph A. Pavlisko, Robert A. Lancaster, Craig M. Cody
  • Patent number: 6604567
    Abstract: This invention relates to foundry binder systems, which will cure in the presence of sulfur dioxide and a free radical initiator, comprising (a) an epoxy resin; (b) an acrylate; (c) an alkyl silicate; and (d) an effective amount of a free radical initiator. The foundry binder systems are used for making foundry mixes. The foundry mixes are used to make foundry shapes (such as cores and molds) which are used to make metal castings, particularly ferrous castings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Ashland Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne D. Woodson, H. Randall Shriver
  • Patent number: 6604568
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a method of making a golf club head by casting a molten titanium alloy and thereafter removing the alpha case that is formed on the surface of the titanium by means of a conformal milling process. The conformal milling process uniformly dissolves the alpha case without distorting the underlying metal. The reduction in wall thickness caused by the conformal milling results in a concomitant reduction in the weight of the part without any loss in the critical impact strength of the part. In fact, impact strength is increased. This weight can then be redistributed as a supplemental weight member, which can be used to lower the center of mass of the club. The weight member can further be positioned on the sole plate or club body in such a way so as to permit fine tuning of the location of the center of mass of the club, as well as shaped so as to increase the polar moment of inertia of the club head about the golf club shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Kartsen Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventors: John C. Bliss, Gregory C. Sayler
  • Patent number: 6604569
    Abstract: Twin roll casting of metal strip (20) by rotation of parallel casting rolls (16) supplied with molten metal through distributor (19a) and delivery nozzle (19b). X-ray scanner (44) continuously scans the thickness of strip (20) to produce a signal which is a continuous measure of thickness variation along the strip due to eccentricities of the casting rolls (16). This signal controls operation of roll drive motors (53) to impose a pattern of speed variation on the rolls so as to reduce the amplitude of the thickness variations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Castrip, LLC
    Inventors: Nikolco S. Nikolovski, Peter A Woodberry, Brett Gray
  • Patent number: 6604570
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for continuously manufacturing metal filaments in mass production. In accordance with the present invention, molten metal is hung in a state freely depending from the tip of a metal bar by its surface tension without using any vessel. The metal filament manufacturing apparatus includes an induction coil upwardly bent in the form of a nose shape at regions thereof where metal filaments are discharged while being soared up, respectively, so as to prevent the molten metal of each of the metal bars from being affected by the induction coil during soaring of the metal filaments. The apparatus also includes wiping assembly for removing residual metal materials left on a spinning disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Fiber Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chang-Hwan Suk, Deck-Yui Lee, Man-Ho Park
  • Patent number: 6604571
    Abstract: The invention is a method for increasing the capacity of an electrical component, such as a bus bar, to carry an electrical current. The method comprises the step of exposing the electrical component to an evaporative fluid that is in fluid and thermal contact with the electrical component. Upon heating, fluid undergoes a phase change at least partially to a vapor state. Thus, electrical energy in the form of heat generated by the flow of current is dissipated at least partially by the evaporative fluid. As a result, the temperature of the electrical component is maintained within an acceptable range when carrying the electrical current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: General Dynamics Land Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Ernest J. Morrow, Sally M. Sellers, Gary D. Knudsen
  • Patent number: 6604572
    Abstract: A pipeline device which includes a metal pipe to be disposed on or connected to an appliance in a state wherein an outer periphery of the metal pipe is exposed to air or in contact with moisture or a corrosive gas, in which a refrigerant of a temperature lower than the temperature of the outside flows, and a corrosionproof coating containing a powdery material of a metal or a metal salt, coated on the outer periphery of the metal pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takao Kawamoto
  • Patent number: 6604573
    Abstract: A tube is provided with elastically deformable tube deforming sections (tube curved sections), and a fin is provided with the quality of spring so that the fin deforms in accordance to changes of dimension between the tubes. Accordingly, it is possible to weaken (absorb) stress by the tube deforming sections (tube curved sections), and to prevent the fin from separating from the tube even when the tube deforming section (tube curved section) deforms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Shingo Morishima, Tadayoshi Terao, Toshihiro Mafune
  • Patent number: 6604574
    Abstract: A header (10) for a heat exchanger (1). The header (10) has an outer elongate member (20) with a curved section that has a plurality of ferrules (30) projecting inwardly. An inner elongate member (60) is adapted to mate with the outer elongate member (20). The inner elongate member (60) has first and second ends (26, 28) and a plurality of teeth (72) proximate at least one of the first and second ends (26, 22). The teeth (72) at least partially cooperate with the ferrules (30) when the outer elongate member (20) engages the inner elongate member (60). A heat exchanger (1) incorporating the two-piece headers (10) is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Heatcraft Inc.
    Inventors: Roger A. Loomis, Paul L. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 6604575
    Abstract: A heat exchange apparatus comprising a coolant conduit or heat sink having attached to its surface a first radial array of spaced-apart parallel plate fins or needles and a second radial array of spaced-apart parallel plate fins or needles thermally coupled to a body to be cooled and meshed with, but not contacting the first radial array of spaced-apart parallel plate fins or needles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Southeastern Univer. Research Assn. Inc.
    Inventor: Pavel V. Degtiarenko
  • Patent number: 6604576
    Abstract: An air conditioning system for a vehicle has a first cycle including a compressor, a first condenser, a second condenser, a liquid tank, an expansion valve and an evaporator which are connected through pipes to form a first refrigerant circulation circuit through which a refrigerant flows from an outlet of the compressor to an inlet of the compressor while changing the phase. The first cycle causes the evaporator to act as a cooler when operated. The system further has a second cycle including the compressor, the second condenser, the liquid tank, the evaporator and the evaporator which are connected through pipes to form a second refrigerant circulation circuit through which the refrigerant flows from the outlet of the compressor to the inlet of the compressor while changing the phase. The second cycle causes the condenser to act as a heater and the evaporator to act as a cooler when operated. The first and second cycles are switched by switch means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Calsonic Kansei Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshitoshi Noda, Hiroyuki Yamaguchi, Tadayoshi Tajima, Hiroki Yoshioka, Toshio Ohashi, Kenichi Abe