Patents Issued in August 19, 2003
  • Patent number: 6606962
    Abstract: A livestock feeder particularly suited as a horse feeder. This feeder has a grille on a front face and hangs on an outside of an enclosure with the front face resting on horizontal bars of the enclosure. The animal is able to pull feed through the vertically disposed grille on the front face. With the feeder on the outside of the enclosure, it is easily accessible for cleaning, filling with feed, or relocation while providing safe access on the outside of the enclosure. The feeder also allows a horse to eat at a natural gazing position by having a lower portion of the grille located near the ground. By providing feed at a natural grazing position, the feeder prevents gorging, boredom and waste while allowing the horse to feed with its head lower than its heart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Inventor: Richard Elliott
  • Patent number: 6606963
    Abstract: A shark repellent system for repelling sharks away from an individual during a water activity. The shark repellent system includes a band member and a transmitter unit attached to the band member that transmits underwater sound waves at a frequency undesirable to sharks. The band member is preferably comprised of an elastic material for snugly fitting about an ankle or wrist of an individual. The transmitter preferably includes a control knob connected to a frequency generator for allowing manipulation of the frequency of the sound waves generated by the transmitter unit underwater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Inventor: Brian M. Wynne
  • Patent number: 6606964
    Abstract: A modular cage comprising a bottom surmounted by, and associated with, grille-like walls which are mutually connected by connecting means; the connecting means comprise a first corner joint constituted by a first component that has a hollow corner body in which there are first seats for positioning three convergent grille-like walls, the first component being associated, by way of reversible interlocking anchoring means, with a complementary substantially plate-like second component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Marchioro S.p.A. Stampaggio Materie Plastiche
    Inventor: Domenico Marchioro
  • Patent number: 6606965
    Abstract: A pet shelter that enables efficient stacking of multiple shelters in a bottom-top-bottom-top-bottom-etc. arrangement is provided. The shelter comprises a bottom section and a top section. Both the top and bottom sections are,preferably hollow rectangular boxes with one missing side. Both sections have sloping sidewalls and a substantially U-shaped opening in one sidewall. The sidewalls of the top and bottom sections slope at roughly equal angles. The legs of the U-shaped openings are bent at roughly equal angles on both the top and bottom sections. The height of the top section is roughly equal to the height of the bottom section. The roof of the top section has a very gradual slope, such that the peak of the roof does not obstruct insertion of a top section into a bottom section. Thus, the top and bottom sections are configured such that an inverted top section fits snugly within an interior of a bottom section, and a bottom section fits snugly within an interior of an inverted top section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Firstrx, Inc.
    Inventors: Lucas Saxe, Patrick Douglas
  • Patent number: 6606966
    Abstract: An apparatus is described for dispensing precise quantities of particulate medication to livestock, in particular sows during gestation. The apparatus includes a medication hopper having a lower discharge opening; a mechanically or electrically actuated measuring valve including a chamber having a volume corresponding to the volume of the desired medication dosage. The chamber is movable between a first position in which the chamber inlet is aligned with the hopper discharge opening and a second position for discharging medication from the chamber. A discharge conduit extends downwardly from the chamber discharge opening, and has outlet end positionable adjacent the area where the medication is to be dispensed. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes wheels and a counter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Inventors: Jim F. Teachey, Ben D. Pratte
  • Patent number: 6606967
    Abstract: An interlocking collar element (10) apparatus and method includes a collar element (12) with a base section (14), the base section (14) including a first end (16), a second end (18) and a mid section (20). An attachment end (22) is connected to the first end (16), the attachment end (22) including a transverse locking arm (24). A receiving end (26) is connected to the second end (18) of the base section (14), the receiving end including a transverse locking bar (24). A projection (32) is attached to the mid section (20). In other aspects of the invention, a plurality of interlocking collar elements (12) are connected together to form a collar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Triple Crown Dog Academy Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry Joe Wolfe, Jr., Harold Keith Benson, Robert Troy Dunn, Jessy B. Gabriel, James Vincent Haines, Jr., Brenda Lea Monson, David John Kroyer
  • Patent number: 6606968
    Abstract: There is provided a water heater unit realizing antifreezing of a water tube and the like of a heat exchanger without providing a backwind stopper on an exhaust tube. The water heater unit comprises a heat exchanger for heating water by a combustion heat of combustion means, water temperature sensors for detecting the temperatures of the water tube connected to the heat exchanger and an air supply fan for supplying air to a combustion chamber in which the combustion means is installed. When temperatures detected by the temperature sensors reach a temperature at which freezing of the heat exchanger is expected, the air supply fan is driven to supply air to the combustion chamber and the air is exhausted toward an exhaust port, thereby effecting heat exchange and antifreezing of the water tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Takagi Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazushi Iwama, Akihito Yamashita
  • Patent number: 6606969
    Abstract: A thermal processing plant having heating tubes that are arranged in a zigzag or undulating line in an oven chamber. Burners generate a gas stream which is directed against a wall of the oven opposite the wall in which the burners are positioned. The burners direct a gas stream at each of the wave or zigzag crests and in each of the wave or zigzag troughs. The thermal radiation of the oven wall and of the reaction zone (combustion heat) heats the heating tubes uniformly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: WSOWarmeprozesstechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Joachim G. Wunning
  • Patent number: 6606970
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine and method is disclosed wherein a separate compression cylinder and an adiabatic power cylinder are used and a regenerator or pair of regenerators is mounted between them to provide heat for hot-air ignition. The single regenerator embodiment operates as a two-stroke cycle engine and the embodiment with an alternating pair of regenerators operates as a four-stroke cycle engine. Improvements include a power transfer valve with an anti-backflow design using a recessed valve seat, a rapid leakdown lifter, and ceramic coatings to minimize blow-by, seal the power cylinder during the combustion process, and protect the valve. Additionally, the power cylinder piston, power cylinder head and power transfer valve are all either made from ceramics or have ceramic coatings to insulate the gases and prevent loss of heat from the gases to the cooling system. The lower pressures allows the soft spray of fuel without forming soot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Inventor: Richard Patton
  • Patent number: 6606971
    Abstract: A fuel injection system injects a rich mixture of fuel-and-air directly into a cylinder of a two cycle engine through an intake port for combustion. A charge forming device of the fuel injection system carries a primary air intake passage which flows air into the crankcase of the engine, and a rich fuel-and-air mixing passage which flows the majority of fuel into the cylinder, preferably via a tuned injector tube. To control air flow through the air intake passage and simultaneously control fuel flow into the fuel-and-air mixing passage, a rotary throttle valve rotateably and axially moveably traverses both passages. A mixture of fuel and oil is drawn into the air intake passage via a fuel bleed passage only during wide open throttle conditions for lubrication of moving parts and bearings contained within the crankcase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Walbro Japan, Inc.
    Inventor: Takashi Abei
  • Patent number: 6606972
    Abstract: In a switching element (1) for a valve train of an internal combustion engine for switching to different valve lifts, said switching element (1) comprising an outer element (2) having an inner element (4) arranged for axial displacement therein, each of the outer and the inner element (2, 4) comprising a reception (11, 9) aligned to each other in a relative position, at least one piston (10) being arranged in at least one of the receptions (11, 9) for sliding toward the other of the receptions (9, 11) to couple the inner element (4) to the outer element (2) in said relative position, and a high-position stop for defining said relative position being arranged between the inner and the outer element (4, 2), at least one part of the high-position stop is configured as an adjustable, separate element (13). This element (13) cooperates through a preferably conical section (15) of its outer periphery with a complementary chamfer (18) on one end (17) of a guide (16) in the outer element (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: INA Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Hermann Wenisch, Mario Kuhl, Peter Sailer, Oliver Schnell
  • Patent number: 6606973
    Abstract: A rotary engine utilizes an expansion chamber and an oscillating rotary piston to capture the energy of expanding combustion gases through out substantially all of each revolution of the piston. The movement of the oscillating rotary piston is guided by the combined action of a hub having a saddle supporting the rotary piston and a cam track. The invention bums fuel in a separate combustion chamber charged from a coaxially mounted compressor and controlled by a pass gate sentry valve. The rotary engine of the invention is cooled by an internal coolant injection system. The injection fluid coolant solution may contain a alkaline reagent to react with and neutralize acidic components of the combustion gases which would otherwise remain in the exhaust and contribute to air pollution. The rotary engine of the present invention is adaptable to compression ignition fuels and spark ignition fuels. The invention may be constructed of conventional metallic materials as well as composites and ceramics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Inventor: Cordell R. Moe
  • Patent number: 6606974
    Abstract: A fuel injection control system and method for delivering multiple fuel injections to a cylinder of an engine during a fuel injection event based upon engine operating conditions, the control system including an electronic controller coupled to an electronically controlled fuel injection device, and a plurality of sensors coupled to the controller for inputting certain signals representative of certain engine operating conditions of the engine, the controller being operable to output a fuel injection signal to the fuel injection device to deliver pilot, main, and anchor fuel shots to the cylinder during a fuel injection event based upon the sensor signals. The controller also divides the desired fuel quantity between the three shots. In dividing the total fuel set by the governor system between the three shots, the controller determines desired pilot and anchor fuel shot amounts and also determines minimum pilot, main, and anchor fuel shot amounts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Kevin P. Duffy, Brian G. McGee
  • Patent number: 6606975
    Abstract: A passive turbulent control assembly 10 having a generally flat plate member 30 which is movably disposed within an intake port member 12 by the use of a pin 36 and a pair of selectively compressible or tuning assemblies 48, 50. The member 30 always allows air 17 to flow through the member 12 and occupies a position, within the member 12, which is determined by the amount of air 17 entering the member 12, effective to increasingly constrict the interior cavity 52 as the amount of air 17 entering the member 12 decreases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ari Garo Caliskan, Gary Steven Strumolo, Ronald Hugh Miller
  • Patent number: 6606976
    Abstract: A fuel supply system for use in an internal combustion engine, comprising: an intake passage; a downstream fuel injection valve near the port of each cylinder of the engine and downstream of the intake passage; and a controller, wherein the intake passage includes a fuel injection/evaporation device which has an upstream fuel injection valve; a heater for evaporating injected fuel; and an air passage for supplying the injected fuel with air. The controller is adapted to control the amount of fuel injected from the downstream fuel injection valve and the upstream fuel injection valve, thereby controlling the fuel-air ratio of the injected fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masami Nagano, Takanobu Ichihara
  • Patent number: 6606977
    Abstract: A method for optimizing the geometry of a line providing fluid communication between an outlet of a pump and an inlet, the pump and inlet each having a fixed location, where the pump imposes a periodic pressure pulse on the tubing composing the line. The method comprises the steps of identifying a basic design of the line using conventional industry practices for the specific application and making an initial determination as to the minimum number of bends which are required by the basic line design. If the tubing must be bent, the bend routing is established to best fit the installation constraints set by the design layout, the radii of the bends is maximized within installation constraints using one common radius, a finite element analysis is performed to determine the minimum and maximum loading on the tubing imposed by the expected pressure pulse and the material of the tubing is selected to satisfy design safety factors with the minimal material cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Stanadyne Corporation
    Inventors: Robert S. Trotter, Richard Rustic
  • Patent number: 6606978
    Abstract: A fuel injection apparatus of an internal combustion engine includes a valve body movably disposed for back and forth movement in a fuel passage to open and close a fuel injection hole of the fuel injection apparatus. An armature is attached to the valve body. A valve-opening solenoid coil drives the armature in a valve-opening direction. A valve-closing solenoid coil drives the armature in a valve-closing direction. A controller that sets an overlap time, which is a time by which starting of electrifying of the valve-closing solenoid coil precedes stopping of electrifying of the valve-opening solenoid coil, controls the solenoid coils in accordance with a fuel pressure supplied to the fuel injection apparatus such that a valve-closing force on the valve body does not exceed an open valve holding force on the valve body prior to the time when stopping of the electrifying of the valve-opening solenoid coil occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomojiro Sugimoto, Keiso Takeda, Susumu Kojima
  • Patent number: 6606979
    Abstract: A combustion control system for a diesel engine provided with a fuel injection system and a sensor for detecting an ignition timing. The combustion control system comprises a control unit which is configured to control the ignition timing to be restored to a target value when the ignition timing shifts from the target value owing to circumferential factors such as cetane number of fuel. Preferably, the ignition timing is controlled to generally coincide with or be retarded relative to a fuel injection termination timing. This regulates an ignition delay period to be longer than a fuel injection period in a predetermined engine operating region, thereby effectively accomplishing so-called low temperature premix combustion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shuji Kimura
  • Patent number: 6606980
    Abstract: A fuel tank for a motor vehicle is provided with a reservoir, which is accessible through a closable opening in the wall of the fuel tank. In order to be able to select the size of the reservoir independently of the size of the opening, the reservoir comprises at least two modules (126, 127) which can be connected to each other and which are assembled within the tank to form the reservoir. At least one module of the reservoir can already be inserted into the tank when producing the tank. Additional modules can be inserted into the finished tank through the opening in the wall of the tank. It is also possible for all modules forming the reservoir to be subsequently inserted into the tank through the opening in the wall of the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Kautex Textron GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Rüdiger Walter
  • Patent number: 6606981
    Abstract: A control unit (41) sets a target opening of a variable nozzle (53) of a turbocharger (50) according to a running condition of a diesel engine (1), and controls the opening of the variable nozzle (53) to the target opening. The control unit (41) calculates a target opening area of an exhaust gas recirculation valve (6) using the target opening of the variable nozzle (53) and a target exhaust gas recirculation amount determined according to the running condition. Control of an exhaust gas recirculation amount is performed according to the variation of turbocharging pressure by using the target opening of the variable nozzle (53) as a parameter representing the differential pressure upstream and downstream of the exhaust gas recirculation valve (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Itoyama
  • Patent number: 6606982
    Abstract: A crankcase ventilation system for an internal combustion engine includes a first valve for controlling air flow into the engine's crankcase, a second valve for controlling air flow out of the crankcase, and a separator for receiving air flowing from the second valve and for removing oil entrained in the air. The first and second valves may be spring-operated valves, such as reed valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: William F. Stockhausen, Robert Jay Natkin, Lowell Reams
  • Patent number: 6606983
    Abstract: A corrosion resistant piston for use in an exhaust gas recirculation diesel engine. The piston includes a crown portion having ring grooves formed around a periphery of the crown portion. The ring grooves are separated by ring lands. The piston also includes a piston rod connecting portion that extends from the crown portion. The piston is made of steel and includes an electroless coating of nickel having a maximum thickness of 8 micrometers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Federal-Mogul World Wide, Inc.
    Inventors: Tom Bedwell, Carmo Ribeiro, Miguel N. D. De Azevedo
  • Patent number: 6606984
    Abstract: A pneumatic time delayed bowstring release apparatus for use with a bowstring affixed to a bow. The bowstring release apparatus comprises a release mechanism operated by a trigger that is time delayed by a pneumatic vacuum cylinder. The time delay of the pneumatic vacuum cylinder is dependent upon the rate of air flow into the vacuum cylinder, which is controlled by an adjustable air intake valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Inventor: David Ross Mugg
  • Patent number: 6606985
    Abstract: Disclosed is a dual-cutting method devoid of useless strokes of cutting blades across a workpiece. The work piece has cross lines drawn in the form of lattice, and it is divided into the intermediate and opposite side zones. Two lines of substantially equal length are selected in the intermediate zone to be cut simultaneously every time the two cutting blades have been moved line-to-line distance for indexing. One of the two cutting blades is allotted to one of the opposite side zones, and the other cutting blade is allotted to the other side zone. As is the case with the cutting in the intermediate zone, two lines of substantially equal length are selected in the opposite side zones to be cut simultaneously every time the two cutting blades have been moved line-to-line distance for indexing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Disco Corporation
    Inventor: Katsuharu Negishi
  • Patent number: 6606986
    Abstract: A barbeque grill including a lower housing, heating means and food support means positioned within the lower housing, an upper housing or hood adapted to enclose the lower housing, a smoke exhaust means provided in said upper and/or lower housing for allowing smoke to escape from within the barbeque grill, wherein said smoke exhaust means is retractable/collapsible in order to allow the oven or grill to take up the least amount of space when being stored or transported.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: The Holland Company, Inc. of the Carolinas
    Inventors: Robert Braxton Holland, Jeffrey Alan McCulloch, Stephen Earl Southers
  • Patent number: 6606987
    Abstract: A cooking apparatus is provided comprising a fire bowl having an internal chamber, a grill located within the internal chamber and at least one shelf pivotally mounted to the fire bowl. The shelf is movable between a stowage position within the fire bowl to a usage position located externally of the fire bowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Original Ideas
    Inventor: Robert A. DeMars
  • Patent number: 6606988
    Abstract: A solar oven that includes a multiple zone concentrator and a diffuse focal zone is disclosed. The solar oven may include at least one element of symmetry. In such a case, the diffuse focal zone substantially aligns with the oven symmetry element. The diffuse focal zone may include a central region and a peripheral region. The multiple zone concentrator has at least one reflective member for directing radiation to a plurality of portions of the diffuse reflective zone. The reflective member has a first reflective zone and a second reflective zone. The first reflective zone may include at least one of zonal element of symmetry offset from the oven symmetry element. Also, the first reflective zone has a profile that captures and directs radiation to at least a portion of the peripheral region of the diffuse focal zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Inventor: Walter E. Clark
  • Patent number: 6606989
    Abstract: A device for administration of a medicated aerosol via the lungs consists of an inhalation mouthpiece 11, with an associated adjustable vaporizer 12, and of a compressed-air control valve 14 through which a pre-settable (13) volumetric flow of compressed air can be discharged to the vaporizer 12 containing the liquid medicament throughout a settable period of time. For operation of the device an electronic controller is provided on which the vaporizing period of the vaporizer and a pause interval can be set, with provisions being made for triggering the beginning of the vaporizing operation by means of a pressure sensor responsive to a suction pressure in the mouthpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: GSF-Forschungszentrum fur Umwelt und Gesundheit GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Brand, Titus Selzer, Holger Schulz, Christa Roth, Joachim Heyder
  • Patent number: 6606990
    Abstract: The invention describes a mouthpiece for an inhalation therapy unit wherein an aerosol for inhalation is prepared for a patient, said mouthpiece comprising a substantially tubular base (1), in the wall of which an orifice (2) is formed, and a flat, elastic valve member (3), which is adapted in dimension and shape to the orifice (2) for the closing thereof and which is secured to the mouthpiece in such a manner that during an inspiration process through the mouthpiece the orifice (2) is closed and during an expiration process directed into the mouthpiece the orifice (2) is opened. According to the invention, at least one enlarged contact surface (6, 8, 11, 13, 15, 16) is provided at the orifice (2) for the accumulation and holding of an amount of liquid by adhesion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Pari GmbH Spezialisten fur effektive Inhalation
    Inventors: Kevin Stapleton, Robert Waldner, Thomas Gallem, Martin Knoch
  • Patent number: 6606991
    Abstract: An adjustable oropharyngeal airway apparatus includes a rigid airway portion comprising a mouthpiece and a flexible airway portion frictionally engaging and slidably disposed in the mouthpiece. The overall length of the apparatus can be varied by sliding the flexible portion relative to the mouthpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Inventor: Hsiu-Chin Chou
  • Patent number: 6606992
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for aerosolizing a pharmaceutical formulation. According to one method, respiratory gases are prevented from flowing to the lungs when attempting to inhale. Then, respiratory gases are abruptly permitted to flow to the lungs. The flow of respiratory gases may then be used to extract a pharmaceutical formulation from a receptacle and to place the pharmaceutical formulation within the flow of respiratory gases to form an aerosol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Nektar Therapeutics
    Inventors: Carlos Schuler, Steve Paboojian, Derrick J. Tuttle, Adrian E. Smith, Dennis R. Rasmussen, Aneesh Bakshi, Andrew Clark, Brian R. S. Ward, William W. Alston, Jr., Kevin S. Nason
  • Patent number: 6606993
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention comprises a system for monitoring the physiologic status of a plurality of individuals wearing a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) mask. Each SCBA mask incorporates a series of physiologic sensors that monitor, among other things, heart rate and carbon monoxide and oxygen saturation levels. The physiologic sensors are connected to a transmitting apparatus attached to the SCBA. Each SCBA transmitter sends output data from the physiologic sensors, along with the wearer's location information, to a remote base unit. A processor within the base unit compiles the physiologic and location data. In this way, the base unit monitors the particular physiologic status of an individual in a hazardous environment from a remote location. A further embodiment of the present invention includes monitoring the physiologic status and location of groups of individuals by combining a plurality of base units into a station unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Bioasyst
    Inventors: William Paul Wiesmann, Loland Alexander Pranger, Mary Sandra Bogucki
  • Patent number: 6606994
    Abstract: A system 10 is provided for automatically evacuating a water trap 50 of a ventilator 20. The ventilator 20 delivers air through a humidifying water heater 30 and along an air supply line 40 to a patient requiring breathing assistance. A dip 44 in the air supply line 40 is configured with a water trap 50 for collecting condensate within the air supply line 40. A suction line 60 is located within the water trap 50 at a tip 62 and has an end 68 outside of the water trap 50 which is coupled to a canister 70. The canister 70 is also coupled to a vacuum source 100 through a valve 80. When the valve 80 is in a first open position, the vacuum source 100 provides suction along the suction line 60 so that liquids collecting within the water trap 50 are evacuated out of the water trap 50 and delivered into the canister 70. A controller 90 controls the frequency with which the valve 80 is opened and a duration for which the valve 80 remains in the opened position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Inventor: Bradley R. Clark
  • Patent number: 6606995
    Abstract: A choanal atresia stent has two curved hollow tubes 1 bridged by a flexible transverse tube 2. It is placed into position by two fine guides 8 that are passed through the nose and brought out the mouth. The clip 7 at the guide end is clipped onto the clip 6 at the tapered end 5 of the stent. The stent is then passed from the mouth through the back of the nose to the front of the nose. Further movement is arrested by the transverse tube 2 at the nasal septum. The stent is secured in place by sliding two short connected tubes 9, 10 onto the two long hollow tubes 1. Fixation is achieved through an adjustable catch mechanism 4. Excess tubing is trimmed off. The stents are removed without general anaesthesia by cutting the thread in one long tube 1 below the level where the thread 3 is fixed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Inventors: Sarwat Abdel Aziz Sadek, Akram Sarwat Sadek
  • Patent number: 6606996
    Abstract: An ashtray apparatus comprising a container, a cap member, and a handle assembly. The container includes a base and a surround member extending from the base. The base and surround member cooperate to define a cavity having an opening. The cap member is engageable with the container. The cap member and container cover at least a portion of the opening of the container. The cap member further includes a channel extending therethrough which permits communication with the cavity of the container. The handle assembly is releasably associable with at least one of the base and the cap member so that a user can selectively utilize the handle assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: TNT Marketing, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel E. Thornell, Orville V. Crain, Fredrick Thornell
  • Patent number: 6606997
    Abstract: A habit cessation apparatus which can be used in a method for diminution or cessation of smoking or other habits is provided which collects data on a given users habits passively and provides a scheduled diminution program implemented by communication means such as displays, lights and/or audible cues.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Inventor: Vesta L. Brue
  • Patent number: 6606998
    Abstract: A simulated cigarette with a cylindrical plastic chamber that has a cap on one side and a semi-flattened mouthpiece on the othe. The cap has an open-air inlet in the center of it and the mouthpiece has an open-air outlet at its end. The invention only has two parts comprising it, the cap and the chamber. When the user covers the mouthpiece part of the chamber with his/her mouth and inhales through the mouth a suction will be produced inside the chamber and air will be pulled in, through the open-air inlet (the cap), into the chamber and out through the open-air outlet inside the mouth. Fragrance will be added to the air that goes through the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Inventor: Ely Gold
  • Patent number: 6606999
    Abstract: The invention provides an easy to manufacture smoking article having a reduced ignition propensity and an increased puff count. The smoking article of the invention comprises a rod of smokable material disposed within a wrapper having a strip of paper material forming a region having at least two paper layers aligned substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the smoking article. One of the paper layers of the region may be tobacco paper, and preferably has a porosity between 0 and 20 Coresta units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Evon Llewellyn Crooks, Joanne Naomi Taylor
  • Patent number: 6607000
    Abstract: A frilly dental floss formed of thin wide ribbon with frilly edge(s) or centrally located slits or the combination thereof, made from a strong, naturally waxy, polymer material preferably from a biodegradable, thin-gauged high-density polyethylene (HDPE) material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Inventors: Padma Marwah, Ashok Kumar Marwah
  • Patent number: 6607001
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of cleaning and drying a semiconductor structure in a modified conventional gas etch/rinse or dryer vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald L. Yates
  • Patent number: 6607002
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a portable sunshade comprising a mast structure extending in a generally vertically direction, means for attaching the mast structure at its lower end to a support structure, a boom extending outwardly from the mast structure, having first and second ends, the first end being movably attached to the mast structure, a hub assembly attached to the second end of the boom, a plurality of elongated support ribs extending radially from the hub assembly, each of said support ribs, having one end rotatably attached to the hub assembly, a canopy positioned over the elongated support ribs and fastened thereto, the canopy having an opening in it corresponding to a predetermined position along the boom, and a boom support strut pivotably attached at one end to the upper end of the mast structure, and at the other end pivotably secured to boom at a predetermined position along the length of it, the boom support strut extending through the opening in the canopy at the point where it is connected to the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Inventor: Ben Reese
  • Patent number: 6607003
    Abstract: There is provided herein an improved rupture panel or disk that consists of a sheet metal top section with a relatively thick polymer foam seal attached thereto. In the preferred arrangement the instant invention does not require a separate support member. The foam sealing component is preferably attached to the top section by some sort of adhesive to hold it in place and it is installed on the process side of the top section. Additionally, the sealing member is preferably of a thickness which is substantially thicker than would typically be used in a conventional rupture panel arrangement. In another preferred embodiment the sealing member is also designed to function as a gasket, thereby eliminating the need for that separate member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Oklahoma Safety Equipment Co,
    Inventor: Alan T. Wilson
  • Patent number: 6607004
    Abstract: A fire prevention safety device for a gas meter (3) has closure means (4, 4′, V) that can be activated by heat to interrupt the gas supply into the gas meter (3) in the event of a fire. The gas meter (3) is arranged in a bypass (2) of a gas pipe (1). At least one of the aforementioned closure means (4, 4′, V) for interrupting the gas supply is in each case arranged in the bypass (2) in the flow direction upstream and downstream of a sensor (31) belonging to the gas meter (3). The device permits a cost-efficient, simple and effective fire prevention safeguard, in particular for electronic gas meters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: ABB Research Ltd
    Inventors: Thomas Kleiner, Daniel Matter, Elias Juelke, Beat Kramer
  • Patent number: 6607005
    Abstract: A fuel tank for a motor vehicle defining at least two interconnecting with the intercommunication being by way of a tank region of smaller cross-section than the chambers, defining a saddle tank configuration. A first of the chambers contains a fuel delivery unit and a second of the chambers has a refuelling vent valve which is the only refuelling vent valve of the tank. The two chambers also communicate with each other by way of a compensating line on the basis of the principle of communicating vessels. The tank also has means for venting the compensating line. The compensating line is such that equalisation of the filling levels of the intercommunicating chambers is possible only when there is a drop in level from the second chamber to the first chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Kautex Textron GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Reiner Viebahn, Dirk Bolle, Torsten Homburg
  • Patent number: 6607006
    Abstract: A method to reduce or attenuate the amplitude of time-variant properties of a fluid stream by introducing the stream into a defined enclosed volume in a controlled manner such that the residence time distribution of the fluid exiting the enclosed volume approaches that of a preferred flat residence time distribution. This is accomplished by the concept of temporal mixing in which different residence times are imparted to a fluid in a mixing zone by physically dividing the fluid into individual portions, each of which has a different residence time while passing through the mixing zone. The desired fluid portions are created by means of specifically-designed multiple inlets into the mixing zone and/or by means of specifically-designed multiple outlets from the mixing zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Oliver Jacob Smith, IV, David Ross Graham
  • Patent number: 6607007
    Abstract: A valve apparatus especially well-suited for use in gaseous oxygen delivery systems. A valve apparatus is provided that substantially reduces the risk of fire in high-pressure oxygen systems. The apparatus is particularly well-suited for use as a plug valve on ordinary cylinder containers, but may be beneficially used in any pressurized gas system, particularly oxygen systems such as those encountered in many industrial facilities. The wetted portion of the valve is isolated from threaded portions to prevent particulate contamination of the gas stream. The valve seat is located to protect it from direct impact of high-velocity gas streams. The inventive valve, and its associated inventive check-filter and excess-flow prevention features, reduces the potential for hazardous combustion at valve points within oxygen delivery systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Inventors: Wendell C. Hull, Barry E. Newton
  • Patent number: 6607008
    Abstract: Pulsating vibration air generation apparatus comprising a cylindrical casing having an air supply port connected with an air source and a wave transmission port provided at the circumferential surface thereof, and a drum type rotary valve constructed rotatably in the casing, wherein the air supply port is located where a circumferential surface of the rotary valve is positioned when the rotary valve is contained in the casing, the wave transmission port is located apart from where the circumferential surface of the rotary valve is positioned when the rotary valve is contained in the casing, the drum type rotary valve is comprised of a rotary support shaft at a center axis, one end of the rotary valve is opened, another end of the rotary valve is closed, at least one ventilation window is provided at the circumferential surface of the rotary valve, the rotary valve is contained in the casing in such a manner that the open end of the rotary valve faces to the wave transmission port of the casing, and the at lea
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignees: Kyowa Hakko Kogyo Co., Ltd., Kabushikikaisha Matsui Seisakusho
    Inventors: Hirokazu Yoshimoto, Kiyoshi Morimoto, Yuji Iwase, Kazue Murata
  • Patent number: 6607009
    Abstract: A sewage system for vehicles that includes a waste hose that is extendable and retractable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Marathon Coach, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Schoellhorn, Mark A Bryan, Alan B. Christianson, Gerald R. Lacey
  • Patent number: 6607010
    Abstract: A hose for containing a vacuum, which hose has an impermeable flexible tube capable of holding a vacuum and a braided or interwoven flexible interior wall, said wall providing support to said interior wall of said impermeable flexible tube. Optionally, an exterior braided or woven wall may be provided to the hose for protection or to allow the hose to be used as a pressure hose. The hose may delimit a vacuum space through which may travel a thermal transfer line containing, for example, cryogenic fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Southeastern Universities Res. Assn, Inc.
    Inventor: David H. Kashy
  • Patent number: 6607011
    Abstract: A pressurized container (1) with crimped surfaces (2, 2′, 2″) at contact regions (3, 3′) on the two surfaces (2, 2″, 2′, 2″) are sealed gas-tight by crimping and with a gas-tight sealing compound (4) as an intermediate layer between the two surfaces (2-2′, 2′-2″). The gas-tight sealing compound (4) is applied between the surfaces (2-2′, 2′-2″) of the pressurized can (1) before the crimping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Kaveh Towfighi