Patents Issued in September 2, 2003
  • Patent number: 6612438
    Abstract: The combination of a container and an insert. The container has a wall which defines an upwardly opening receptacle. The wall has a rim extending around the receptacle, and bounding an opening to the receptacle. The insert consists of a base and a plurality of elongate strands, each having a portion attached to the base and a decorative portion projecting away from the base. The plurality of elongate strands have a density sufficient to provide a cushioning support for an article placed in the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Inventor: Robert Kronenberger
  • Patent number: 6612439
    Abstract: A can holder for supporting a smaller can on top of a larger can during shipping in a carton. The can holder fits closely within the raised lip around the cover of the larger can. The can holder has one, two, or three raised cylindrical rings are capable of holding the bottom of a smaller can within one of the rings. When the larger can, the can holder, and the smaller can are placed in a proper sized carton, the lid of the carton holds the smaller can in the ring on the can holder and prevents if from shifting during shipping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Inventor: Norman Levine
  • Patent number: 6612440
    Abstract: A banana protective device for storing and transporting a banana carefully. The banana protective device includes a container having a first cover member and a second cover member being hingedly attached to the first cover member and being adapted to store a banana therein; and also includes pad members being securely disposed upon the first and second cover members for protecting and cushioning the banana; and further includes fastening members being attached to the first and second cover members for fastenably closing the first and second cover members together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Inventor: David B. Agulnik
  • Patent number: 6612441
    Abstract: A knock down corrugated cardboard container includes flat unitary bottom panel adapted for support by a conventional pallet. The bottom panel includes partial, integral stub sidewalls and an integral, hinged panel defining a full height end wall and full height partial sidewalls. A pair of clips are received within slotted openings which are aligned when the end wall and sidewalls are upright and in position relative to the short sidewalls. A second full height end wall also includes partial, full height sidewalls disposed opposite the full height end panel. A removable top or closure completes the carton assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Ace Packaging Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric D. Lang, Bernhard Friedrich Reumuller
  • Patent number: 6612442
    Abstract: A thermo-formed tray and tray assembly designed for the storage and transportation of integrated circuit packages for instance of the type known as a pin grid array or a flip chip pin grid array. The storage tray consists of a number of compartments or recesses usually in a layout of two or three rows by five columns. Each recess includes a central pedestal to support the integrated circuit package and an array of supports so that the chip can be held on both the obverse and reverse side of the package. The formed trays can be nested when empty and may provide storage space savings. The tray assembly includes a thermoformed tray and rigid peripheral frame, that may be injection molded peripheral frame, to give better rigidity to the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Texchem-Pack (M) BHD
    Inventors: Swee Chuan Soh, Tee Hock Lim, Geap Wooi Goh, Shuib Bin Hassan
  • Patent number: 6612443
    Abstract: A centrifugal jig has a container mounted for rotation about its longitudinal axis (22), separated into an axial region (32) and a peripheral region by ragging material (41) supported by a screen (30). The peripheral region is composed of a series of hutch chambers (34) with reciprocating wall portions (45) located radially outside the screen (30), for repetitively dilating the ragging. Also disclosed is a hutch chamber construction applicable to both rotary and non-rotary jigs, having a reciprocating wall portion (45) which includes convergent wall surfaces leading to the hutch chamber concentrate outlet (44).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Evans Deakin Pty Limited
    Inventors: Christopher George Kelsey, Ian McKenzie
  • Patent number: 6612444
    Abstract: An apparatus for recovering a desired fraction of a raw material bearing the desired fraction has a vessel or cell defining a treatment chamber therein, with an inlet into the chamber for introducing a slurry of raw material to be treated into the chamber. An attrition zone is defined in a portion of the chamber proximate the inlet in the flow path of material introduced into the chamber, the particles being caused to impact against each other in the attrition zone to cause attritioning thereof. A floatation zone is defined in a distal portion of the chamber, in flow communication with the attrition zone, in which attritioned particles from the attrition zone can be contacted with gas bubbles to form a froth phase separated from the slurry by a slurry-froth interface such that the desired fraction is either selectively taken up into the froth phase by the gas bubbles or selectively left behind in the slurry. An outlet from the chamber for the froth phase is present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: General Signal Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Norman Paul Craddock, Michael Roy Kilner, Warren Wentworth Dale
  • Patent number: 6612445
    Abstract: An arrangement for removing chips from a machining coolant prior to filtering out the finer solids in a main filter. A coarse weave belt is frictionally driven along a strainer bottom wall of an auxiliary tank suspended above the main filter tank, the permanent media belt of a coarse weave which allows the liquid and suspended finer solids to pass through while capturing the chips. A powered drag conveyor frictionally engages and drives the permanent media belt through the auxiliary tank, each diverging when returning across the top and bottom respectively of the auxiliary tank prior to being recirculated through the auxiliary tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Inventor: Jack R. Bratten
  • Patent number: 6612446
    Abstract: A spreading roll for spreading out a chip fleece for producing wood chip material or similar panels, includes two disk-shaped end pieces (3, 7), plural thin spokes (6), rods, pipes or cords arranged extending between the end pieces, and pipe-shaped loose sheaths (9, 10, 11, 12, 13) arranged on the spokes or the like for preventing the adhesion of fibrous materials or contaminants on the spokes or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Dieffenbacher Schenck Panel GmbH
    Inventors: Joerg Scriba, Walter Henschel
  • Patent number: 6612447
    Abstract: A filter for removing leukocytes from blood comprises a filter media enclosed in a housing. The filter media includes a main filter region comprising a porous membrane structure extending between first and second skin surfaces. The porous membrane structure is formed by intersecting cells having a range of diameters. The cells adjacent to the first skin surface have diameters generally smaller than the diameters of the cells adjacent to the second skin surface. The first skin surface includes an open area defined by pores, which are formed by the intersection of cells with the first skin surface. The majority of the open area is defined by pores having a diameter of between about 12 &mgr;m and 28 &mgr;m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Julian P. Breillatt, Jr., Shmuel Sternberg
  • Patent number: 6612448
    Abstract: A display rack including a pair of substantially horizontally oriented members in substantially parallel spaced relation, a stop member associated with said first ends of said pair of substantially horizontally oriented members, a securing portion affixed to said second ends of said pair of substantially horizontally oriented members, and a carriage. The substantially horizontally oriented members each have first and second ends, the second ends of which are turned upwardly. The securing portion has at least one peg hook extending upwardly and rearwardly therefrom. The carriage includes a middle portion extending between and above the pair of substantially horizontally oriented members and a pair of engagement members that slidingly engage the pair of substantially horizontally oriented members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Pioneer Photo Albums, Inc.
    Inventor: Sheldon Plutsky
  • Patent number: 6612449
    Abstract: An intelligent power assisted manual manipulator controllable by operator inputs from an operator for moving an object is provided. The manipulator includes a movable base supporting a lift mechanism for moving the object. The manipulator also includes at least one servomotor for actuating at least one of the movable base and the lift mechanism for moving the object. An operator control mechanism for receiving the operator inputs is supported on the lift mechanism. A plurality of force sensors are disposed between the operator control mechanism and the lift mechanism for sensing said operator inputs and actuating at least one of the at least one servomotor. The movable base includes an overhead rail defining a generally horizontal first axis and a carriage supported on the overhead rail and movable along the first axis. The lift mechanism includes a turret assembly supported on the carriage having a generally vertical second axis, and a generally horizontal third axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: FANUC Robotics North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Ernest M. Otani, Donald S. Bartlett, Hadi A. Akeel, H. Dean McGee, Lupcho Najdovski, James C. Hobson, Stan H. McClosky, Robert V. Bauer, Jr., Robert Frease
  • Patent number: 6612450
    Abstract: A cap and container for providing a child resistant closure by engaging one side of the cap with the container, and providing a non-child resistant closure by engaging another side of the cap with the container. The child resistant closure includes a wall and a bounding outer skirt having a tab formed therein. A pair of tangs are supported on a distal end of the tab on the child resistant closure side of the cap. The tangs engage a lip formed on a mouth flange of the container when the child resistant closure side of the cap is forced against the flange, for engaging the tang with the lip and securing the cap to the container. An inner skirt formed on the non-child resistant closure side of the cap is spaced from the outer skirt to form a friction fit with the mouth flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Van Blarcom Closures, Inc.
    Inventor: Caetano Buono
  • Patent number: 6612451
    Abstract: A blow molded container having a multi-functional base which enables use of the container in both hot-fill operations and pasteurization/retort operations and enables efficient vertical stacking of like containers. To this end, a portion of the base is capable of flexing upwardly and/or downwardly in response to variations in pressures in a filled and sealed container. Structurally, the base has a discontinuous concave outer annular wall forming a discontinuous standing ring and an inner annular wall functioning as a flex panel. The inner annular wall connects outwardly to a plurality of radial webs extending at an elevation above the standing ring and connects inwardly to an anti-inverting, upwardly-projecting dome. Preferably, a shoulder extends radially inward on the inward facing side of the outer annular wall above a level of the standing ring to facilitate vertical stacking of containers having like bases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Graham Packaging Company, L.P.
    Inventors: John W. Tobias, Richard K. Ogg
  • Patent number: 6612452
    Abstract: Apparatus for attachment to drinking vessels, such as baby bottles, which is designed to absorb excess liquid beverage which is rejected by the drinker of such beverage (e.g. “spit up” by a baby) or spilled or dripped from the drinking vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Inventor: Holly M. Heilner
  • Patent number: 6612453
    Abstract: Disclosed is a multipurpose storage basket which is capable of unfolding without any separate tool and while not in use, folding in an easy manner, thereby making it easy to be kept and carried in more convenient manner. The storage basket comprises: a skeleton body (11) formed by surrounding a coil spring with a covering cloth; and a cloth (12) sewed on the skeleton body (11) in the unfolded shape of the skeleton body (11), whereby the storage basket takes a substantially cylindrical shape and capable of unfolding or folding by the elasticity of the coil spring without using any separate instrument and folding in an easy manner, thereby making it easy to be kept and carried in more convenient manner. Thus, the storage basket is provided with a cover 20 made of the same gauze material. Accordingly, the storage basket could be folded and fixed in an easy manner while not in use, thereby being kept even in a small area of space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Sedo Camping Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Choi Joo-Tai
  • Patent number: 6612454
    Abstract: A module container has a main body, a tray, and a cover. The main body has a periphery flange and a plurality of block ribs. The tray has a panel and a pair of separation bars to form a cross, and the panel and the separation bars defining four chambers to receive four inner boxes. The cover has a plurality of click ribs to match the block ribs of the main body. The tray is disposed in the main body. The cover is disposed on the main body. The periphery flange of the main body blocks the cover. Each click rib engages with the corresponding block rib.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Inventor: Yi-Hung Lin
  • Patent number: 6612455
    Abstract: A cap lock system for restricting access to a threaded cylindrical end of an access or security device, such as a Schrader valve. An inner lock has a threaded cavity which screws onto an externally-threaded cylindrical end of the Schrader valve. The inner lock itself is received into an open end of an outer cap which captively encloses the inner lock in a manner which allows free rotation between the inner lock and outer cap and prevents the inner lock from being unscrewed. An upper endwall of the outer cap has a keyhole leading into a recessed cavity of the inner lock, with the recessed cavity surrounded by an annular wall. A key is provided for locking and unlocking the inner lock from the Schrader valve. The key has a pivot shaft which is matingly insertable into a section of the keyhole which is configured to support radial loads similar to a journal bearing. A tab connected to a leading end of the pivot shaft is insertable through the keyhole and into the recessed cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Inventor: Joseph M. Byrne
  • Patent number: 6612456
    Abstract: A drink-through cup lid, adapted to matingly engage the upper peripheral edge of a drinking cup so as to selectively maintain the lid in a covering relationship on the cup, includes a rim engaging portion and a central cover portion. The central cover portion further has a hinged portion which is selectively depressible to so as to provide a drinking opening in the lid, the hinged portion is biased so as to selectively substantially return to its normally closed position within the plane of the central cover portion upon removal of pressure there-against. The hinged portion includes a hollow raised tab integrally formed thereon. A recess which is integrally formed on the central cover portion of the lid is adapted to selectively receive the raised tab of the hinged portion in detachable locking engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Wincup Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Bobby V. Hundley, Joseph H. Quatmann
  • Patent number: 6612457
    Abstract: A refuse container for receiving refuse being mountable to a stable surface such as wall or a ground surface comprising: an anchoring structure; an anchoring structure-to-stable surface attachment for solidly attaching the anchoring structure to said stable surface; a protective casing defining an enclosed casing volume, and defining a casing aperture for allowing the refuse to be inserted into the casing volume; a casing-to-anchoring structure releasable attachment for releasably attaching the protective casing to the anchoring structure; an open top refuse receptacle mounted within the casing volume and positioned so as to receive the refuse when dropped into the casing volume from the casing aperture; a theft prevention means for selectively preventing the detachment of the protective casing from the anchoring structure and selectively preventing the withdrawal of the refuse receptacle from the casing volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Inventor: Pierre-Nelson Caron
  • Patent number: 6612458
    Abstract: A double-wall fuel container of plastic material is composed of at least two shell portions which are welded together. The half-shell portions are each in the form of double-wall blow moldings, with a gap being kept free at least in a region-wise manner between the walls of the blow moldings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: SIG Kautex GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Martin Balzer, Dieter Hess, Werner Daubenbuechel, Michael Pappert, Roger Stehr, Peter Kluesener
  • Patent number: 6612459
    Abstract: A nestable multiple compartment tray (10) for faux painting material and applicators is provided. The tray (10) comprises a rigid one-piece monolithic housing which comprises a bottom wall structure (11) presenting an outer perimeter defined by a plurality of spaced bottom wall segments (12) and a sidewall (14). The tray (10) is further comprised of a series of first divider walls (22 and 24) and at least one second divider wall (26). The sidewall (14) has a plurality of sidewall segments (15) which present front (16), rear (18), and opposing side (20) sections. The divider walls (22, 24, 26) cooperate with the sidewall segments (15) and bottom wall segments (12) to present individual fore (28) and aft (30) compartments. The fore compartments (28) are suited for receiving faux painting applicators and the aft compartments (30) are suited for receiving paint. Each divider wall (22, 24, 26) is constructed with at least partially spaced wall portions (32) which present corresponding cavities (34) therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Inventor: Todd Young
  • Patent number: 6612460
    Abstract: A plug for covering an opening of an electronic device includes an elongated member and either one protruding member containing two tabs or two protruding members, each containing one tab. The elongated member and protruding members are sized and positioned to substantially fill or cover an opening of an electronic device. Preferably, the plug also includes two gripping wings to facilitate insertion of the plug into the opening and removal of the plug from the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: SPX Corporation
    Inventor: Durval S. Ribeiro
  • Patent number: 6612461
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for storing and for reminding/recording the intake of drugs, arranged in a drug packaging, which is designed as individual packaging segments, which form individual pockets, holding individual drug dosages (tablets, pills, powder dosages, liquid dosages), and which are made of foil and lie in succession in the longitudinal direction. The drug packaging is guided in the device and can be transported by means of a feed in the device. The device 1 exhibits guide elements, which are arranged along the line of a peripheral guide track 6; and there are drive elements, by means of which the drug packaging 2 can be fed incrementally to a removal-ejecting mechanism 5, in which a drug dosage can be ejected through a removal window 7 at essentially right angles to the guide track 6 by means of an ejecting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Inventors: Hans Layer, Udo Simon
  • Patent number: 6612462
    Abstract: The invention relates to a stack of fan folded material and related systems and processes. The stack includes at least two clips of fan folded material. Each clip includes a plurality of fan folded sheets, with each sheet joined to at least one adjacent sheet by a weakened line. Each clip is joined to an adjacent clip by a last sheet of one clip being separably joined to a first sheet of a succeeding clip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald Keith Sosalla, Yung Hsaing Huang
  • Patent number: 6612463
    Abstract: A toothpicks dispenser is made up of a top cover, a box embodiment, a bottom board, a holder plate, a pair of pivotal dispensing plane units jointly engaged with the holder plate by a shaft pin and retractably operable by a bias spring. The holder plate and the two symmetric dispensing plane units are integrally housed in the box embodiment which is provided with a rectangular cut at each longitudinal side wall and a flanged top opening with which the top cover is registered. The holder plate of a roof shape is made up of two symmetric oblique planes on which toothpicks are piled up. The two dispensing plane units placed under and in pivotal engagement with the holder plate are provided with a horizontal press wing tab and a vertical toothpick shooting edge on the longitudinal outer side thereof respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Welter's Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Walter Hsu
  • Patent number: 6612464
    Abstract: A valve assembly can automatically dispense aerosol content from an aerosol container at predetermined intervals without the use of electric power. A diaphragm at least partially defines an accumulation chamber that receives aerosol content from the can during an accumulation phase. Once the internal pressure of the accumulation chamber reaches a predetermined threshold, the diaphragm moves axially, carrying with it a leg so as to unseal an outlet, and thereby initiate a spray burst. A pawl extends from the diaphragm, and engages a retention surface to resist movement of the diaphragm and prolong the accumulation phase. The diaphragm assumes its original position when the pressure within the accumulation chamber falls below a threshold pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Tor H. Petterson, Michael G. Knickerbocker, David J. Houser
  • Patent number: 6612465
    Abstract: A multi-component, mixing, storage and dispensing package (10) has a housing 11, a displaceable cavity block (20) having at least one cavity (21) therein. A vent spike block (40) having at least one spike (42) held in an opposing relation to at least one cavity (21) is provided within the housing (11). When cavity block (21) is caused to move toward the vent spike block (40) spike (42) is caused to enter a cavity (21). A vent (43) is in fluid communication through the spike (42) with a mix channel (51) and a mixing and dispensing tip (50).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Dentsply Research & Development Corp.
    Inventors: Paul R. Pierson, Paul D. Hammesfahr
  • Patent number: 6612466
    Abstract: A fitment has walls with a spout aperture therebetween. Reduced wall thickness results in a reduced amount of plastic in the fitment. An alternative embodiment uses radially extending meltable fins. During installation in asealing apparatus, a heated mandrel engages the inner diameter of the spout aperture thereby pre-heating and physically supporting the fitment during the installation process. The heated mandrel typically engages the fitment at least one cycle prior to be installed. The fitment may be canoe-shaped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Art Malin
  • Patent number: 6612467
    Abstract: The present invention can be characterized as a tamper-proof apparatus for dispensing a liquid comprising a chamber for storing the liquid; an outlet in the chamber for dispensing the liquid; and an outlet shield protecting the outlet from damage. The present invention can be characterized as a method of dispensing liquid from a dispensing unit comprising storing a liquid in a supply reservoir within a locked chamber; applying pressure to a plate within the locked chamber through a hole in a top of the locked chamber; and dispensing the liquid through an outlet in the locked chamber, the outlet being covered by an outlet shield to protect the outlet from damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Keene Sanitary Supply, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark S Wertheim
  • Patent number: 6612468
    Abstract: A hand operated non-aerosol foam dispenser comprising a combined liquid pump and air pump for mounting at the top of a container of foamable liquid, the liquid pump having a liquid cylinder and a liquid piston defining between them a liquid chamber, the air pump having an air cylinder and an air piston defining between them an air chamber, and the liquid piston and air piston being reciprocable together in their respective cylinders by the action of a pump plunger which carries said pistons; an air inlet valve and liquid inlet valve being provided for the air chamber and liquid chamber respectively; an air discharge passage and a liquid discharge passage leading from the air chamber and the liquid chamber respectively, the air discharge passage and liquid discharge passage meeting one another for mixing the pumped air and liquid which passes to an outlet passage of the dispenser by way of a permeable foam regulation element; one or more vent openings being provided to admit air into a cap chamber and into
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Rieke Corporation
    Inventors: David John Pritchett, Brian Robert Law, Jeffrey William Spencer
  • Patent number: 6612469
    Abstract: A dropping bottle for liquids, particularly pharmaceutical products, comprising an elastically deformable drop dispenser pipette, which is provided, at its top, with a dispensing hole and is coupled hermetically, in a downward region, to the neck of the bottle, and a cap for the upper closure of the pipette, at least one pair of mutually opposite semirigid wings, which wrap coaxially around the pipette and are adapted to compress it, by radial action of two fingers, in order to dispense constant doses of the contained liquid, the wings being shorter than, or as long as, the pipette.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: World Pharmaceutical S.A.
    Inventor: Hector Lopez Pardo
  • Patent number: 6612470
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for packaging fasteners such as screws, that is to be worn by a user. The packaging device includes a tray with a plurality of wells, each well accommodating the shank of a respective fastener. An attachment device is used for securing a tray to a user. In a preferred dispensing method, fasteners may be dispensed from the tray using a magnetized screwdriver bit which is placed over the head of the fastener, followed by withdrawing the screwdriver bit with the fastener magnetically attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Systemation, Inc.
    Inventor: William V. Goodhue
  • Patent number: 6612471
    Abstract: A device for holding objects in a pocket. This device comprises at least one plate that is made from a rigid material. Coupled to this plate is a patch for fixing the plate inside a user's pants. In addition, there is a clip that is coupled to this plate. This clip is either U-shaped or circular shaped. There can also be an additional clip that is coupled to the at least one plate. In another embodiment, there can be at least one additional plate that is connected to the at least one plate. This at least one additional plate couples to the at least one plate via a series of adjustable tracks having a lock. The tracks allow the device to be adjusted in length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Inventor: Christopher Sellars
  • Patent number: 6612472
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to improved carrying bags and improved storage compartments for headwear. A carrying bag, and in particular a backpack, includes a rear compartment formed in part from an expandable material for receiving oversized items such as basketballs, soccer balls, footballs and the like. When the oversized objects are removed from the compartment, the expandable material automatically retracts into a position in which it is substantially planar with a rear surface of the carrying bag. In a further aspect of the invention, a detachable headwear storage compartment is provided for both storing and protecting headwear when it is not being worn by the user. The storage compartment is removably attachable to any supporting element, as for example a strap of a carrying bag or backpack, or a belt worn by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: La Rue Distributors, Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence J. Zakarin
  • Patent number: 6612473
    Abstract: The present invention relates to dispensing cartons for sheet materials such as polymeric sheets, metallic foils, and other sheet materials, particularly those suitable for use in the containment and protection of various items including perishable materials. The present invention further relates to such cartons which permit end-loading of the roll of product into the carton during the manufacturing process. The present invention provides an asymmetrical carton for containing and dispensing a roll of sheet material. The carton has a longitudinal axis, and has both an erected condition and a flattened condition. The carton when erected forms a cylindrical structure having an asymmetrical polygonal cross-section formed from a plurality of substantially planar side panels. The carton has fold lines defined by the intersection of adjacent side panels, and is foldable into a flattened condition by folding the carton at two fold lines to form a substantially planar structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Stephen Kreg Newby, Kent Robert Wahl
  • Patent number: 6612474
    Abstract: A tape dispenser dispenses rolled adhesive tape spirally wound on a hub having an inner cylindrical wall, and an outer cylindrical wall, and a wide “I” cross-section. The dispenser has first and second side members, and a cutter member. Each of the side members has a first major side portion which overlies a roll of adhesive tape within the tape dispenser. The cutter member is mounted between second minor side portions of the side members. A cylindrical axle is formed centrally on the inside surface of the first major side portion of at least one of the side members. There is at least one brake spoke upstanding from the inside surface of that side member, radially extending and spaced away from the cylindrical axle. At least the first side member is flexible in the region of the first major side portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Inventor: Kumud Shah
  • Patent number: 6612475
    Abstract: A shifting device for fixing and conveying a tape comprises a first head having a first surface to contact with a top of the tape, and a second head having a second surface to contact with a bottom of the tape. The first surface has a plurality of first strip-shaped projections thereon, and the second surface has a plurality of second strip-shaped projections thereon, such that the top surface of first striped-shaped projection is parallel to the first surface and the top surface of the second strip-shaped projection is parallel to the second surface. When the first head and the second head come into contact with the tape, the first strip-shaped projection is perpendicular to the second strip-shaped projection such that pressed regions of the tape which are pressed by both the first head and the second head are distributed in an array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Hannstar Display Corporation
    Inventor: Cheng-Ming Chen
  • Patent number: 6612476
    Abstract: A fastener driving tool includes a housing enclosing a fastener driving portion and a handle connected to the fastener driving portion. A pair of clamshells is configured to form an ergonomic grip over the handle and also forming a fastener magazine, such that the ergonomic grip and the magazine are integral in each clamshell. The clamshells are secured to the fastener driving portion and an endcap without the use of special fasteners. A belt hook is available which releasably attaches to either side of the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Darek Smolinski
  • Patent number: 6612477
    Abstract: A strip joining apparatus is provided wherein a time which a line is stopped is shortened, a number of installation spaces is decreased and precise notching may be performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akimichi Takeda, Shigeru Adachi, Masaru Yoshida
  • Patent number: 6612478
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing x-ray tube parts, wherein metallic pieces are explosively bonded together to establish a high strength, stable union between them. The x-ray tube parts may then be milled from the bonded metallic pieces. The explosion bonding process creates only discrete intermetallic components in the joint region instead of a continuous, weakening intermetallic layer common in brazed joints. An explosion bond joint is characterized by a wavelike interface, thereby increasing surface area over which the components are bonded and further increasing bond integrity. Stems, rotor hubs, rotor sleeves, anodes, and other tube components may be manufactured using this method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Varian Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: David S. K. Lee, Richard R. Sano
  • Patent number: 6612479
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for joining multiple layers of materials using an ultrasonic welding apparatus. The ultrasonic welding apparatus utilizes a sonotrode to perform a weld between at least the top and intermediate layer of the multi-layer member. Then, either the multi-layer member or the ultrasonic welding apparatus is rotated such that the bottom layer is positioned adjacent the sonotrode wherein the sonotrode forms a weld between at least the bottom layer and intermediate layer of the multi-layer member. The apparatus includes an ultrasonic welding gun having a C-shape frame including a base portion and a head portion. An ultrasonic welding device, including a sonotrode, is secured to the head portion and an anvil secured to the base portion. The ultrasonic welding gun is connected to a robot operative to position the ultrasonic welding gun to perform the welding operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Oludele Olusegun Popoola, Daniel Edward Wilkosz, Larry Van Reatherford, Jan Birger Skogsmo, Robert Koehl, Ronald P. Cooper, Arnon Wexler
  • Patent number: 6612480
    Abstract: Preforms for use in base metal repair are formed by thermally spraying preferably a blend of a braze alloy and a high temperature alloy onto a separation sheet thereby forming a preform sheet. The separation sheet is removed from the preform sheet and the preform sheet is cut to form individual preforms which can be brazed directly onto a worn area of a high temperature alloy part such as a jet engine part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: C.A. Patents, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Kevin Rafferty
  • Patent number: 6612481
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of manufacturing a wellscreen for subterranean use in oil, gas, and water wells, incorporating numerous automated processes, whereby layers of mesh are continuously sintered to a perforated strip, formed into a tube, placed over a perforated base pipe, and sealed with end rings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey M. Bode
  • Patent number: 6612482
    Abstract: A sleeve is provided which in assembled form slides over an openable carton with a protuberance to maintain the carton in its closed position. The sleeve may be assembled prior to production and stored flat or in a roll to minimize storage space and save production costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Edward Ross
  • Patent number: 6612483
    Abstract: A display including a box having a top wall, a first side wall joined to the bottom wall along a first edge, a second side wall joined to the bottom wall along a second edge, a third side wall joined to the bottom wall along a third edge and straddled by the first side wall and the second side wall; and a projection projecting outwardly from the third side wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: First Act, Inc.
    Inventors: Marc Harris, Mark S. Izen, Mitchell Myers, Jonathan Rhodes
  • Patent number: 6612484
    Abstract: A duplex envelope includes a face sheet divided into a top page, bottom page, inner flap, and outer flap. A complementary liner is divided into a pocket bonded to the bottom page to define an inner envelope, an inner tab removably bonded to the inner flap, and an outer tab removably bonded to the outer flap. The top page is foldable over the liner pocket for defining an outer envelope closed by the outer flap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy W. Rawlings, Wendell B. Halbrook, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6612485
    Abstract: A food container with an integral loop member for securely holding a condiment container, allowing the two to be transported as one item. The container is formed from a first portion of a blank and has a continuous lip. The loop member is formed from a second portion of the blank and distinct from the first portion of the blank. The loop extends from an exterior surface of the container and no part of the loop member contacts the lip. A method for forming the container from one blank is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Paper Products Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas F. Lackner, Adam M. Shestak
  • Patent number: 6612486
    Abstract: In the case where a card issuer and a service provider are different in operating and managing a smart card for multi-application programs, when the card issuer sends a request of sending an initial load application program personalized when initially issuing the card to the service provider, the service provider can not select a proper application program and determine an object for personalizing. This is solved by assigning a unique number to the smart card issue application form for cooperating the card issuer with the service provider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Akiko Sato, Yusuke Mishina, Minoru Ashizawa, Yutaka Matsui, Yuusuke Shindou
  • Patent number: 6612487
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a method of activating a prepaid account using an existing electronic funds transfer network which includes a point-of-sale (POS) terminal, debit/credit card processing infrastructure and an account insurer authorization center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Mas Inco Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas H. Tidball, Dennis W. Bodman