Patents Issued in September 9, 2003
  • Patent number: 6615999
    Abstract: A system for construction including a first subassembly, a second subassembly, and a connecting member. The first subassembly comprises a plurality of first structural members, each of which includes a plurality of first member sides. At least one of the first member sides includes a first member slot having a first member slot axis. Further, at least one of the first structural members of the first subassembly has at least two first member slots. Each of the first structural members of the first subassembly is detachably connected slot-to-slot to at least one other first structural member to produce the first subassembly. The second subassembly comprises a plurality of second structural members, each of which includes a plurality of second member sides. At least one of the second member sides includes a second member slot having a second member slot axis. Further, at least one of the second structural members of the second subassembly has at least two second member slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Smart Furniture, LLC
    Inventor: Stephen A. Culp
  • Patent number: 6616000
    Abstract: A breast milk feeding and storage system is provided. The system has a liner having an open end, a holder having an open end, and an adapter system. The liner open end and the adapter system are engageable with the holder open end to allow a user to selectively insert breast milk into the liner, feed the breast milk from the liner or store the breast milk in the liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Playtex Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles John Renz
  • Patent number: 6616001
    Abstract: A bottle-type plastic container includes a container body and an opening at one end of the container body for allowing liquid contents to be charged into the container and discharged therefrom. The container body has surface portions, which are recessed inwards and opposed to each other to define a grip region therebetween. The grip region includes a panel portion for absorbing deformation of the container body upon pressure drop therein. The panel portion has a width as measured in circumferential direction of the container body, and is provided with at least one circumferential rib having a length that is smaller that the width of the panel portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Yoshino Kogyosho Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiromichi Saito, Takao Iizuka
  • Patent number: 6616002
    Abstract: The barrel of the present invention contains a removable trapdoor which fits snugly into an aperture in the barrel and which is easily removed from the aperture, thereby providing for easy access to the interior of the barrel. The present invention provides distinct advantages over the prior art because it allows a worker lacking the skills of a cooper to remove or replace the wood chips or additional staves inside the barrel without removing a barrel head. Since the wood replacement can be done by regular employees, the barrels can be serviced when needed or convenient, rather than accumulating a large number of barrels for a cooper to service at one time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Canton Wood Products Company
    Inventor: William J. Weil
  • Patent number: 6616003
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a plastic moulded box, of improved type, having an articulated compactible structure, capable of considerably reducing the box height when the box is stored or not used, thanks to the fact that the walls can collapse inwards until the upper perimeter frame touches the bottom of the box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: King Plast - S.p.A.
    Inventor: Flavio Polenta
  • Patent number: 6616004
    Abstract: A compressible waste receptacle for easily setting up and disposing waste-receiving members. The compressible waste receptacle includes a bag member having an open top, a closed bottom, and a rim disposed along an outer edge at the open top thereof; and also includes a biasedly-extended coiled spring member capable of being compressed onto itself and also being removably disposed in the bag member; and further includes an assembly for fastening the bag member to the biasedly-extended coiled spring member; and also includes an assembly to retain the biasedly-extended coiled spring member in a compressed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Inventors: Bradley E. Erickson, Brian L. Riley
  • Patent number: 6616005
    Abstract: A faceplate assembly for mounting to various wall, floor or ceiling mounted electrical boxes, such as a telecommunications box, that is easily assembled and disassembled, and in which the wiring device receiving modules are readily interchangeable. The faceplate assembly includes a plate for covering the box, holes in the plate aligned with holes in the box for securing the plate to the box, at least one aperture in the plate, at least two modules adapted to fit in the at least one plate aperture, and either a blank face on the module or at least one opening in the module for accessing a wiring device receptacle in the box with a wiring device. Fasteners received in the plate openings secure the plate to the box. A module is inserted in the at least one plate aperture from the front side of the plate, allowing a module to be removed and replaced with another module without having to remove the plate from the box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: Raul G. Pereira, John J. Milner, Tracy H. Udelson, William G. Sobieski
  • Patent number: 6616007
    Abstract: A lower wall (8) forming a fuel storage chamber (5) becomes curved downward according to increase of the fuel amount, and at this time a support member (23) for supporting the fuel storage chamber (5) does not restrain the downward curvature of the lower wall (8), whereby the capacity of the fuel storage chamber (5) can be increased and whereby the amount of the fuel that can be stored in the fuel storage chamber (5) can be maintained at the maximum, as compared with structure inhibiting deformation of the lower wall (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Ishikawa, Tomoyasu Arase, Masahide Kobayashi, Katsuyuki Miura, Yoshihiko Hyodo
  • Patent number: 6616008
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a refuse container lid and hinge assembly, which comprises two angled members, two lid members, and two hinge rods. The angled members are attached to a refuse container and further comprise an attachment portion, a stop portion, and a plurality of knuckles. The lid members each comprise a crumple region and a support region. The crumple regions and support regions cooperatively allow the lid members to withstand planar and nonplanar compressive forces. The support regions each further comprise a plurality of U-shaped support ribs, which effect a patterned series of sloped superior surfaces and a patterned series of sloped inferior surfaces. The hinge rods hingedly connect the lids to the angled members. The ranges of pivotal motion are limited between a closed position and an open position wherein stop structures of the lid members contact the angled members thus restricting the lid members from pivoting more than a preferred number of degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Inventor: Scott W. Lemajeur
  • Patent number: 6616009
    Abstract: A ticket vending machine includes a face panel defining a ticket passageway and a ticket outlet at one end of the ticket passageway, a side plate mounted with an axle for holding a ticket roll, a sheet-transfer cylinder assembly controlled to transfer the continuous ticket sheet of the ticket roll to the ticket outlet, a cutting unit disposed between the sheet-transfer cylinder assembly and the ticket passageway and controlled to reciprocate a cutting plate and to cut off the continuous ticket sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: International Currency Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Wen-Fu Yang
  • Patent number: 6616010
    Abstract: A medicine feeder apparatus comprising a plurality of cassettes each of which contains a different kind of medicine and a base portion on which the plurality of cassettes are mounted and which discharges the medicine in accordance with the prescription. the apparatus comprises an identification which is provided on each cassette, the identification showing information on the medicine contained in the cassette; a reader which is provided on the base portion, the reader reading the identification of the cassette during the cassette is mounted on the base portion; and a rock which is provided on the base portion, the rock preventing the cassette from being mounted. If the information of the medicine read from the identification by the reader does not coincide with a previously stored information, the rock is operated, while if coincide, the rock is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: YuYama Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shoji Yuyama, Yasuhiro Shigeyama, Ayumu Saito, Akitomi Kohama, Masahiko Kasuya, Masaki Tujita
  • Patent number: 6616011
    Abstract: Liquid dispensing equipment that includes a dispensing head that maintains a liquid or beverage line and delivery tip at a cool temperature so as to avoid contamination of the beverage. The liquid dispensing equipment also includes a storage refrigerator that cools a container of the beverage. A fan assembly is disposed to develop a cool airflow that flows through the storage refrigerator and a passage of the dispensing head. The liquid line and a delivery tip are disposed in the passage. A baffle arrangement maintains a volume of the cool airflow in a chamber adjacent the delivery tip so as to provide a shield against warmer ambient temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: The Delfield Company
    Inventors: Nick Richard Derry, Darrel Jay Walker, Nicholas Lee Reihl
  • Patent number: 6616012
    Abstract: A fluid dispensing valve for controlling the flow of a fluid from a container has a cap, a retainer, and a dispensing valve body. The cap is adapted to engage the container and includes a spout that defines a through-conduit having a top opening, a bottom opening, and an interior spout surface shaped to receive the dispensing valve body. The retainer includes at least one flow aperture and an upwardly extending plug having a plug shoulder. The dispensing valve body is bounded by an exterior surface, an interior surface, a valve perimeter, and a dispensing orifice perimeter. When the dispensing valve body is positioned on the retainer, the dispensing orifice perimeter fits securely around and seals against the upwardly extending plug; and the valve perimeter forms a sealing relationship with the interior spout surface. The retainer engages the spout to seal the dispensing valve body within the spout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Inventor: Richard C. G. Dark
  • Patent number: 6616013
    Abstract: Liquid is supplied from a bottle B to a discharge outlet 8 via a molded plastics reservoir 15 by pressurizing the bottle using an air pump 22. A pressure sensor responds to a rise in air pressure supplied to the bottle by shutting off the pump. Liquid is removed from the reservoir through a dip tube 17 having a main outlet 18 adjacent to the bottom of the reservoir and a smaller auxiliary outlet 21 adjacent to the top of the reservoir. The upper region of the reservoir is received in a finned heat-conducting holder 16 provided with a thermoelectric cooling element. For hygienic purposes the bottle has a connector 12 which can be replaced together with the reservoir 15 and associated supply tubes 24, 13, 14, 17 and 19. A temperature-control mixer 51 may be to mix liquid from the reservoir with liquid from the bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Ebac Limited
    Inventors: Robert Tansley, Hugh Connell
  • Patent number: 6616014
    Abstract: A system, apparatus and method is disclosed for providing a consistent liquid mixture according to a predetermined recipe for use at a point of use. The apparatus includes a plurality of liquid component reservoirs in which a constant gas pressure is maintained. A plurality of valves are provided, with individual valves connected to an outlet port of each reservoir. An electronic controller controls the valve actuation in a repetitive sequence to discharge predetermined doses of selected liquid components for mixing to form the consistent liquid mixture. A mixing section receives the sequence of doses to mix them together to form the liquid mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: The BOC Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Martin Pozniak, Charles Andre Provost, Rakesh Kumar Singh, Sau Van Vo, Benjamin Rush Roberts
  • Patent number: 6616015
    Abstract: A system for pressure molding plastic material includes a source of hot flowable plastic material and a manifold for receiving hot flowable plastic material from the source and for transporting the hot flowable plastic material to a nozzle that is disposed within a nozzle cavity. A heater is provided to heat the nozzle and is positioned outside of, but close to, the nozzle cavity and includes at least one electrical supply wire. A shut-off seal is positioned within the nozzle cavity to seal the nozzle with respect to the wall defining the shut-off cavity. In addition, a secondary seal is most advantageously positioned between the shut-off seal and the heater for ensuring that any hot flowable plastic material that might leak through the shut-off seal does not come into contact with the electrical supply wire. This has been found to increase the reliability and operating life of conventional pressure molding systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Crown Cork & Seal Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas M. Seidita
  • Patent number: 6616016
    Abstract: A dispensing valve is mounted in a dispensing aperture of a closure that has (1) a deck around the aperture, and (2) a hinged lid for closing over the aperture. The valve includes a marginal portion, a head portion with a discharge orifice therein, and a resilient, connector sleeve extending between the marginal portion to the head portion. The connector sleeve has a generally U-shaped cross-section that defines a first leg that is connected with the marginal portion and a shorter second leg connected with the head portion. The connector sleeve locates the head portion below the closed lid. An arcuate junction portion of the connector sleeve joins the first and second legs. The arcuate junction portion projects from the deck aperture when the lid is open. When the lid is closed, the arcuate junction portion is engaged and elastically deformed by the lid, and that prevents the valve orifice from opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Seaquist Closures Foreign, Inc.
    Inventors: Marge M. Hicks, Timothy R. Socier
  • Patent number: 6616017
    Abstract: A pressure control device for maintaining a constant predetermined pressure in a container which is arranged for dispensing a fluid contained in the container from the container at said pressure, the pressure control device comprising a first chamber and a second chamber, as well as at least one closing member movable relative to the second chamber for releasing and closing a fluid connection between the first chamber and the container depending on the position of the closing member relative to the second chamber. The first chamber is filled with a gas which, in use, has a higher pressure than the pressure in the container. The second chamber is located outside the first chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Packaging Technology Holding S.A.
    Inventor: Jaap Herman van 't Hoff
  • Patent number: 6616018
    Abstract: Fluid dispensing apparatus (10) for selectively dispensing desired quantities of a fluid under pressure. The apparatus includes a base plate (14) having a dispensing passage (16) extending about a first axis (18); a valve arrangement (20) associated with the dispensing passage (16), and a piezoelectric transducer (22) acting on the valve arrangement (20) to effect displacement of the valve arrangement between a first position in which the dispensing passage (16) is closed and a second position in which the dispensing passage is connected to a source of the fluid under pressure. The valve arrangement (20) includes a slide valve (24), with the slide valve and the piezoelectric transducer (22) being arranged such that during at least initial displacement of the valve arrangement from the second position towards the first position, the slide valve (24) is displaced in a direction transverse to the first axis (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Markpoint AB
    Inventors: Patrik Jonasson, Lennart Sjöstedt, Lennart Sven Thålin, Mats Pegelow, Göran Nybom, Ove Andersson
  • Patent number: 6616019
    Abstract: An applicator for dispensing adhesive material, includes a container body, and an applicator tip, where the adhesive material is located in the container body in a non-contacting relationship with the applicator tip prior to dispensing said adhesive material. The applicator tip has a proximal open end open toward said container body for attachment to the container body, a distal end having at least one orifice, a restrictive flow portion located between the proximal end and the distal end, and a flow reducing portion located between the restrictive flow portion and the distal end. The applicator tip defines a fluid flow channel from the proximal end to the distal end and through the restrictive flow portion and the flow reducing portion, where the applicator tip permits the adhesive material to pass through the applicator tip and exit the applicator tip at the at least one orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Closure Medical Corporation
    Inventors: Keith R. D'Alessio, Michael F. Brady, Anthony S. Voiers
  • Patent number: 6616020
    Abstract: The invention relates to a holster for handguns in which the handguns are held by the barrel or slide and the trigger guard, with a recess (9) being provided for the trigger guard of the gun, into which a retention pin (10), gripping the trigger guard from behind, can be pushed in or pulled out from the side, with a cheek (4) comprising magnets (5) for attaching the slide of the handgun being provided on the side of the recess (9). Preferably, for pushing in or pulling out the retention pin (10) a link-type guide (20) is provided at its end pointing away from the end engaging the recess (9) whereby if necessary, the retention pin (10) in its pushed-in position can be locked down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Inventor: Peter Spielberger
  • Patent number: 6616021
    Abstract: A frame is mounted on a bicycle frame to hold a beverage container and is formed of a fastening seat and a container holder. The fastening seat is fastened to the bicycle frame. The container holder is movably fastened to the fastening seat. When the container holder is forced to move by an external force, the beverage container can be removed from a confining portion of the container holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Nuvo Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: He-Jen Shih
  • Patent number: 6616022
    Abstract: A system for supporting and carrying bicycles. The system cooperating with the interior surfaces of the seat post engagement tube and includes an adjustable post having a first end and a second end, the first end having an attachment mechanism adapted for connecting the post to a support surface. The second end having at least two generally parallel surface areas at an adjustable distance from one another, so that the distance between the generally parallel areas can be enlarged or reduced in a generally radial manner to create or maintain line contact with the interior surface of the seat post engagement tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Inventor: David Naastad
  • Patent number: 6616023
    Abstract: A stabilizing support for engaging an article such as a bicycle with a vehicle-mounted carrier which includes a rearwardly extending support member. The support generally includes a first support section having a recess within which a portion of the bicycle frame is received. The support further includes a stabilizer section which is pivotably mounted relative to the first support section. The stabilizer section includes a pair of legs which are spaced apart from each other to define an open area therebetween. The stabilizer section can be moved in either direction to various positions so as to receive and engage portions of the bicycle frame or other parts of the bicycle within the open area. The stabilizer section engages the bicycle at a location vertically offset from the location at which the bicycle frame is engaged with the first support section, to stabilize the bicycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Graber Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Dahl, Todd W. Lassanske
  • Patent number: 6616024
    Abstract: Support devices for a woodwind musical instrument, and methods for making such support devices. A support device includes a strap for hanging from the neck of the user. Attached to the strap is a brace shaped to receive the instrument. This way the instrument is suspended from the neck of the user. Preferably the brace is such that the strap is attached so that no portion of the strap contacts the instrument, when it is so supported.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Inventor: Andrew M. Perry
  • Patent number: 6616025
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for separating a pane (11) of a brittle material from a moving ribbon (13) of the material without contact between the newly-formed leading edge of the ribbon and the newly-formed trailing edge of the pane. The apparatus includes a pane engaging assembly (15), a transporter (29), and a connector assembly (31) which together ensure that the pane (11) and the sheet (13) do not contact each other once separation occurs. In this way, edge chipping and the resulting occurrence of surface defects on the separated pane are decreased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventor: Edward F. Andrewlavage, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6616026
    Abstract: In a device for applying spatially limited, flexible elements (26) to a continuous web (14), in particular for applying holograms, the speed of the continuous web (14) is reduced In the application zone and the flexible element is applied at this time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Schober GmbH Werkzeug- und Maschinenbau
    Inventor: Klaus Wittmaier
  • Patent number: 6616027
    Abstract: A stapler is provided that consistently remove only jammed staples from the stapler. Guide grooves are formed in a guide unit of a cartridge, and the guide grooves support a sheet of staples. Stoppers are formed on the edge of the walls of the guide unit to block the ends of the guide grooves. Release holes that open upwardly are formed in the guide grooves in front of the stoppers. Because a jammed staple protrudes from the release holes, the jammed staple can be pulled out from the release holes using the fingers. As a result, jammed staples can be effectively removed from the stapler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignees: ACCO Brands, Inc., NISCA Corporation
    Inventor: Naoto Mochizuki
  • Patent number: 6616028
    Abstract: A locking device in a stapler adapted to lock a displaceable member carrying a catch for an object to be stapled in an optional position along a bar. The bar extends through a hole in a locking element. The locking element is connected to the displaceable member and is tiltable along the bar from a pinch position in which the locking element is pinched to the bar to a free position in which the locking element is free from the bar. The locking element is spring-biased towards its pinch position. An operating handle mounted on the displaceable member and operable outside the stapler is displaceable to a limited extent relative to the displaceable member. Exerting a forward force on the handle moves the displaceable member forward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Isaberg Rapid AB
    Inventor: Gunnar Nilsson
  • Patent number: 6616029
    Abstract: A stapler for driving staples into objects comprises an anvil element (16) and stapling element (1), which cooperates with the anvil element and which contains staples. The stapler further comprises a driver (8), which is reciprocatingly arranged on the stapling element (1) and which is arranged to drive a staple into the object in the direction of the anvil element. An operating element (10) is arranged to reciprocate the driver (8). The anvil element (16) and the operating element (10) are movable back and forth relative to the stapling element (1) in one and the same path of motion. The anvil element (16) and the operating element (10) are movable relative to each other in this path of motion with the aid of reversible driving elements (19, 23, 26, 27, 29, 30, 32). The inertia of the operating element (10) against movement relative to the stapling element (1) is greater than its inertia against movement relative to the anvil element (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Isaberg Rapid AB
    Inventor: Mats Andersson
  • Patent number: 6616030
    Abstract: An automatic ultrasonic wire bonding machine for bonding interconnecting wires to electrically conductive sites on a workpiece includes a gantry which supports a generally downwardly cascaded series of support platforms linearly translatable with respect to the gantry and to one another in response to translation drive signals provided from a remote source to a separate translation motor for each platform. A head support assembly mounted to the last translatable platform in the series rotatably supports via a hollow elongated spindle an orbital bonding tool head rotatable with respect to the head support assembly in response to a rotational drive signals provided to a head rotation motor from a remote source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: West Bond, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles F. Miller
  • Patent number: 6616031
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for providing bond force in a die bonding operation. The apparatus comprises means such as a compression spring for generating a primary bond force, and additionally means such as a voice coil for generating a compensatory bond force. The compensatory bond force can be controlled by varying the current to the voice coil so as to add to or reduce the bond force whereby a bond force comprising the sum of the primary bond force and the compensatory bond force may be controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: ASM Assembly Automation Limited
    Inventors: Sun Kuen Wong, Ming Yeung Luke Wan
  • Patent number: 6616032
    Abstract: A refractory braze composition and process for assembling alumina-containing parts to another alumina-based material, metal or a metal alloy by reactive or non-reactive refractory brazing using a braze composition provide assemblies entirely of alumina or containing alumina and a metal or metal alloy. The braze composition is non-reactive with alumina or a reactive composition, whose reactivity with alumina is controlled, and it is formed of aluminium, of titanium, and of a matrix made up either of palladium, or of nickel, or of a nickel and palladium alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique
    Inventors: Adrien Gasse, Nicolas Eustathopoulos
  • Patent number: 6616033
    Abstract: A disposable container according to present invention is embodied in a thin-walled container having an integral sealing flap. Such containers include cups or other vessels for holding beverages, food or other substances. The disposable container preferably has a truncated conical shape. One example of such a shape is a typical beverage cup commonly dispensed at fast food restaurants and convenience stores. However, any shape or size of disposable container may be used, so long as the container is sealed using an integral sealing flap in accordance with the present invention. Once the container has been filled, it is closed by squeezing or folding the top of the container together. The container is then sealed by folding the integral sealing flap over one side of the top of the closed container. The sealing flap is then secured using conventional adhesives, such as, for example, glue, rubber cement, or tape, that are integral to either or both the surface of the container, or the surface of the sealing flap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Inventor: Gary M. Schein
  • Patent number: 6616034
    Abstract: An identification system for tracking wafer carriers within a manufacturing facility. The system uses smart card technology in which an identification card is placed on each wafer carrier. The smart cards have memory for storing information about the wafer carrier. Power is transmitted to the card along with data so that the smart card does not require a separate power source. The devices for communicating with the smart cards can be stationary or they can be portable hand-carried devices. A network connects the readers to a central database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Fortrend Taiwan Scientific Corporation
    Inventors: Kung Chris Wu, Chen Wu, Chien-Rong Huang, Jui-Hung Hsu
  • Patent number: 6616035
    Abstract: A method and a device of identification and authentication of a holder of a mobile electronic transaction device in an electronic transaction process between a transaction service provider and a transaction terminal in communication via a computer network. A transceiver is adapted for transmitting an identity of the device to the transaction terminal and receiving a challenge transaction identifier from the service provider via the transaction terminal. A data processing device is adapted for determining an authenticity of a user identification input by comparison with a reference user identification, and for performing a cryptographic transformation of the transaction identifier using a secret key only on the identification input being determined as authentic. The transceiver is also adapted for transmitting a response result of the cryptographic transformation to the service provider via the transaction terminal for validating the transaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Cypak AB
    Inventors: Jakob Ehrensvärd, Stina Grip
  • Patent number: 6616036
    Abstract: A fuel dispensing system is provided wherein the fuel is provided only to authorized vehicles through verification of identification information, such as scanning a bar code disposed on the vehicle or fuel storage container. The system can be incorporated into a fixed site location or incorporated into a mobile fuel truck. The ID of the vehicle or storage container is verified with a database of valid IDs. The database can be located locally at the refueling site or remote from the refueling site and accessed via modem communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Streicher Mobile Fueling, Inc.
    Inventors: Stanley H. Streicher, Guillermo A. Warley
  • Patent number: 6616037
    Abstract: A computer-based system for taking the physical inventory of beverages dispensed in full and partially full containers so as to effectively control the theft and overpouring. The products to be inventoried, such as liquor bottles are identified by conventional barcodes that can be scanned by a scanner that is operably interconnected with a hand-held computer. The step of scanning the barcodes produces, on the touch-sensitive screen of the hand-held computer, product information concerning the product contained within the scanned bottle including a silhouette of the bottle. In accomplishing the inventory, the user indicates by touching on the silhouette of the bottle the fluid level within the bottle. This information is inputted in the computer data storage and is used to calculate the volume of beverage remaining in the bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Inventors: Roger L Grimm, Dean P Grimm
  • Patent number: 6616038
    Abstract: A system and method for recording and retrieving information relevant to selected text of written materials is provided. A multiple page text having spatial symbology corresponding to the text is provided and the spatial symbology corresponding to selected text is scanned with an optical scanning device and transmitted to a processor. The processor has a memory and is in communication with the optical scanning device. The information retrieved may be a digital form of the selected text that may be further manipulated. In further embodiments, the processor is in communication with a local area network or a wide area network and information in data sources along the network may be retrieved. The processor may also be in communication with a computer monitor, a printing device, or any combination of the above. In still further embodiments, a microphone is in communication with the processor and oral annotations to the selected text are recorded through the microphone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Inventors: Francis Olschafskie, Allan Chasanoff
  • Patent number: 6616039
    Abstract: The method for automatic regulation comprises the steps of: acquiring an image; attempting reading of at least one optical code in the acquired image; detecting characteristic quantities of the acquired image only if the reading has been successful; and carrying out a large number of acquisitions of different images, obtaining a significant statistical datum of the characteristic quantities. The controlled parameters of the optical system are modified on the basis of this statistical datum detected, to optimise the reading. If the relationship between each controlled parameter and the respective characteristic quantities is not monotonic, the current valve of the controlled parameter is modified by at least one small positive deviation and one small negative deviation with respect to the current value; the value of the controlled parameter providing the best reading then becomes the central value for the successive readings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Datalogic S.p.A.
    Inventors: Claudio Saporetti, Stefano Amorosi
  • Patent number: 6616040
    Abstract: An analog scan data signal processor is disclosed, in which a time-domain non-linear substrate noise filter is provided before a first derivative signal generation stage so as to produce, as output, a substantially fixed zero-reference signal level whenever a signal level indicative of a bar code substrate is detected, and the signal level analog scan data signal, whenever a signal level indicative of a bar code element is detected. By virtue of the present invention, it is now possible to reduce the level of substrate noise signals within input analog scan data signals, prior to deriving first derivative signals for subsequent signal processing. Consequently, the accuracy of binary signal level detection within such analog scan data signal processors can be significantly improved, thereby improving the performance of bar code symbol reading systems within which such analog scan data signal processors are employed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Metrologic Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark G. Lucera, Frank Check, C. Harry Knowles, Xiaoxun Zhu
  • Patent number: 6616041
    Abstract: A durable part marking is achieved by local surface material modification. Selected surface area properties of the part are altered without substantial alteration of the physical configuration of the part. The alterations are placed in a coherent pattern accomplishing a durable method of identification marking on a part. Subsequently, the coherent pattern is detected and the coherent pattern interpreted to retrieve the original identification marking. Unlike labeling, ink marking, stamping or etching, many surface or near-surface modifications are not necessarily visible to the human eye. Hence, the invention includes: 1) a method for surface modification, 2) a method for assuring enhanced readability and accuracy of the read back of the encoded data, and 3) a method for locating the surface alteration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Nelson Raymond Corby, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6616042
    Abstract: A scanning component in a scanner for electro-optically reading bar code symbols is mounted on a spring having opposite spring end portions between which the scanning component is mounted. The spring end portions are mounted on a holder. At least one clamp, and preferably a pair of clamps detachably clamps the spring end portions on the holder. Each clamp has a fixed clamping portion on the holder, and a detachable clamping portion movable from a clamped position in which a respective spring end portion is sandwiched between a respective detachable clamping portion and a respective fixed clamping portion during reading, and a detached position in which the respective spring end portion is free to be removed from the clamped position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuri Gofman, Alexander Breytman, Lisa Fan, Howard M. Shepard
  • Patent number: 6616043
    Abstract: An information reader formed within a unitary enclosure for sensing whether information on a surface to be read is valid includes a plurality of different sensors for sensing the presence of different types of information on the surface being read. Each sensor is programmed to sense whether certain criteria pertaining to that sensor are met. In addition, the outputs of selected sensors are compared to ascertain whether the outputs of the selected sensors have a preset relationship indicative of a valid condition. In one embodiment the information reader includes a hologram sensor, a surface quality sensor, a bar code reader and a magnetic stripe read/write sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Inventors: Victor Zazzu, Wenyu Han
  • Patent number: 6616044
    Abstract: Techniques for using a scan pattern to estimate imaging information for an object reflecting the scan pattern are described. As an object is brought within range of a scan window, a scan beam tracing out a scan pattern comprising a plurality of scan lines causes reflection of the scan beam back into the scan window to produce a scanner signal based on reflections of the scan beam. The time at which the scanner signal indicates the presence of an object is noted and this timing information is mapped to position information identifying the position of the scan beam. The timing and position information is used to estimate imaging information about the object, including position, size, shape and motion information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventor: Yeming Gu
  • Patent number: 6616045
    Abstract: A system classifies and transfers various bar code data read with a bar code reader to a specified destination in accordance with contents of bar code data without a user's consciousness. Bar code data, which is read with a bar code reader 10 connectable to the Internet N through an interface 20a, is received by a transfer processing apparatus DS. In the apparatus DS, a reference database, which previously defines a destination or the like where the received bar code data is to be delivered, the delivery destination corresponding to an attribute of the received bar code data, is stored in a memory 140. The apparatus DS extracts the attribute of the received bar code data, reads out the destination information defined so as to correspond to the attribute, and transmit the data to host computers 200A, 200B and 200C, specified with the destination information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Neorex Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takuo Komai
  • Patent number: 6616046
    Abstract: Various techniques for reducing the size of bar code scanner modules are disclosed including embodiments having miniature moving mirror elements employing spiral tape springs and micro machined structures. Other embodiments employ VCSELs and relatively small collection areas, while minimizing speckle noise through beam shaping and signal processing techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Barkan, Paul Dvorkis, Howard Shepard, Miklos Stern, Chinh Tan
  • Patent number: 6616047
    Abstract: A method and system for reading machine-readable label devices and searching resources bases responsive to the context in which the reading took place provides versatility and intelligence that insures users will obtain real value from their use. For example, the system may be used to obtain information about a product fitted with a transponder. The system goes beyond monolithic information-gathering and transaction automation by exploiting context information and flexible search engine technology and by using natural language parsing to make searching to make creation and maintenance of resource bases more economical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Carolyn Ramsey Catan
  • Patent number: 6616048
    Abstract: A fully automated package identification and measuring system in which an omni-directional holographic scanning tunnel is used to read bar codes on packages entering the tunnel, while a package dimensioning subsystem is used to capture information about the package prior to entry into the tunnel. Mathematical models are created on a real-time basis for the geometry of the package and the position of the laser scanning beam used to read the bar code symbol hereon. The mathematical models area analyzed to determine if collected and queued package identification data is spatially and/or temporally correlated with package measurement data using vector-based ray-tracing methods, homogenous transformations, and object-oriented decision logic so as to enable simultaneous tracking of multiple packages being transported through the scanning tunnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Metrologic Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy A. Good, Andrew D. Dehennis, Xiaoxun Zhu, David M. Wilz, Sr., George B. Rockstein, Stephen J. Colavito, Robert E. Blake, Ka Man Au, George Kolis, C. Harry Knowles
  • Patent number: 6616049
    Abstract: A sales incentive system utilizing a portable handheld optical code reader for use by a consumer for scanning bar code symbols corresponding to product items to be purchased, including a memory for storing symbol data of items scanned by the reader a computer receives the stored data associated with the scanned items from the memory of the reader, and selectively generates coupon information based upon sales offers for specific products currently available based upon an analysis of the stored data by the computer. A printer may be coupled to the computer for printing at the consumer's location a set of coupons corresponding to the coupon information transferred from the computer to the consumer's location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Barkan, Thomas D. Bianculli, Mehul Patel, Robert Sanders