Patents Issued in September 16, 2003
  • Patent number: 6619259
    Abstract: Even in such an arrangement in which the throttle valve is operated independently of the engine control system, abnormal engine behavior is ensured to be detected such that a necessary fail-safe operation should be taken. The arrangement of the invention is comprised of the electronically controlled throttle system, engine control system and engine speed monitoring unit, wherein the electronically controlled throttle system is allowed to monitor engine behaviors. Thereby, in the case when the throttle valve is operated independently of the engine control system, if its engine behavior becomes abnormal relative to its drive contents, the engine system senses the abnormality, and takes a fail-safe operation such as to stop operation of the throttle valve and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Car Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsugio Tomita, Syuuichi Nakano, Koichi Ono, Mitsuru Watabe
  • Patent number: 6619260
    Abstract: The method serves for input signal correction of a misfire detection function and for cylinder equalization in an internal combustion engine, especially of a motor vehicle. Here, it is provided that a control for the input signal correction (10) and a control of the cylinder equalization (11) are activated alternatively by an alternative circuit unit (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Lehner, Andrea Lohmann, Stephan Uhl
  • Patent number: 6619261
    Abstract: A system for controlling an operating condition of an internal combustion engine includes a control mechanism responsive to a final control command to establish an engine control parameter, and a control computer configured to estimate a current value of the operating condition as a function of the final control command. The control computer determines an error value as a difference between an operating condition limit and the current value of the operating condition, and determines an operating condition parameter as function of the error value and of the current value of the operating condition. The control computer further determines a control command limit as a function of the operating condition parameter, and determines the final control command as a function of the control command limit and a default control command to thereby limit the operating condition to the operating condition limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Cummins, Inc.
    Inventors: Yue Yun Wang, David A. Vittorio, John F. Wright
  • Patent number: 6619262
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine having cylinders with injection valves and air mass-setting actuators, an air/fuel ratio sensor detecting the ratio in the individual cylinders, and a sensor detecting a torque generated in the individual cylinders or differences in the torques generated in the cylinders includes individually determining the air/fuel ratio for each cylinder, individually correcting an activation of the fuel injection valve for each cylinder as a function of the detected air/fuel ratio and of a desired value of the air/fuel ratio, determining the variable characterizing the torque or the differences in the torque for each cylinder, individually correcting an activation of the air mass-setting actuator for each cylinder as a function of the detected value of the variable characterizing the torque or of the variable characterizing the difference in the torque specifically with the effect of assimilating the torques generated by the individual cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Johann Graf, Michael Henn, Gerhard Schopp
  • Patent number: 6619263
    Abstract: In a fuel injection system for an internal combustion engine, in which the fuel pumped by means of a high-pressure pump can be injected into the combustion chamber of the engine at at least two different, high fuel pressure via injectors, between the high-pressure pump and the injectors, at least one central pressure booster unit for all the injectors is provided. The pressure booster unit is triggerable in a targeted way as need, and as a result the fuel which is at the higher pressure can be better regulated in quantity, and the losses from friction can be reduced accordingly as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Mahr, Martin Kropp, Hans-Christoph Magel, Wolfgang Otterbach
  • Patent number: 6619264
    Abstract: A fuel rail is formed by a lost core process. The core is formed of metal, and then over-molded with plastic. The plastic over-molded metal core is immersed in a hot bath of glycolitin oil. The metal core melts, leaving the plastic overmold fuel rail. Attachment features can be formed in the fuel rail to attach fuel injectors by a snap fit connection, a threaded connection, or a twist and lock connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Inc.
    Inventors: Graham T. Bolsover, Lisa Whaley, Jon-David Kehoe, Ki Ho Lee
  • Patent number: 6619265
    Abstract: A fuel injection control apparatus for an internal combustion engine capable of expediting an initial explosion and hence enhancing an engine starting performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masanori Tsuchihashi
  • Patent number: 6619266
    Abstract: A control apparatus controls the opening and closing timings of the intake and exhaust valves and the fuel injection timing. When the water temperature of the engine is equal to or below a predetermined value, the exhaust valve closes before the top dead center, and the intake valve opens after the top dead center. At the same time, if the pressure inside the intake passage is equal to or below a predetermined value, the fuel injection is conducted during the intake process. Furthermore, the intake fuel injection timing is changed according to the rotational speed of the engine. In this manner, the vaporization of the injected fuel is promoted, and stability of the combustion is improved. Also the exhaust emission is improved, while the fuel consumption is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takahisa Koseki
  • Patent number: 6619267
    Abstract: An engine having a plurality of cylinder banks, each one of the banks having at least one cylinder. Each one of the banks is fed air through a corresponding one of a pair of manifold plenums. A main throttle body is provided having an outlet for feeding air to a pair of output ports, each one of such output ports being coupled to feed the air to a corresponding one of the pair of manifold plenums. The main throttle body has a main throttle plate disposed therein to control airflow passing to the outlet of the main throttle body. One of the pair of plenums has a plenum throttle plate for controlling air from the one of the pair of output ports of the main throttle body coupled thereto to cylinders in the bank of cylinders coupled thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Hsien Chung Pao
  • Patent number: 6619268
    Abstract: The invention describes a method and an apparatus for a fuel injection system with a piezoelectric element for controlling the amount of injected fuel by charging and/or discharging the piezoelectric element, wherein the fuel injection system comprises a current flow controller for charging and/or discharging the piezoelectric element based upon the gradient of a voltage across the piezoelectric element due to a charge the piezoelectric element is carrying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Johannes-Jörg Rueger, Matthias Mrosik, Volker Pitzal, Udo Schulz
  • Patent number: 6619269
    Abstract: A fuel injector for fuel injection systems of internal combustion engines, in particular for the direct injection of fuel into a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, includes a solenoid coil, an armature that is acted upon in a closing direction by a resetting spring, and a valve needle that is in a form-locking connection with the armature for actuating a valve-closure member, which together with a valve seat surface forms a sealing seat. A cooperates with the resetting spring such that the spring forces of the resetting spring and of the are added together. In this context, the resetting spring is biased over a total lift of the armature and the is biased only over a residual lift of the armature, which is smaller than the total lift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Hubert Stier, Guenther Hohl, Norbert Keim
  • Patent number: 6619270
    Abstract: An engine fuel injection control device for improving stability of engine rotation after startup by determining a limited fuel injection amount for cold condition when the engine is insufficiently warmed-up, in addition to a limited fuel injection amount for normal operating condition. The limited fuel injection amount for normal operating condition Qlimo is calculated by a normal condition limited fuel injection amount calculating unit (42). The limited fuel injection amount for cold condition Qlimc is calculated by a cold condition limited fuel injection amount calculating unit (43) on the basis of engine rotational speed Ne. When a water temperature Tw is lower than a prescribed value Twd and a lapse time Trun after shifting from startup condition to normal operating condition is less than a prescribed time Trund, a limited fuel injection amount selecting unit (45) selects the larger of these values as a limited fuel injection amount Qlim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Isuzu Motors Limited
    Inventor: Koichiro Yomogida
  • Patent number: 6619271
    Abstract: A fuel supply apparatus has a sub tank inside a main tank that stores a fuel, and a jet pump nozzle inside the sub tank. A part of the fuel taken in from the sub tank to be supplied to an engine is sprayed from a tip of the jet pump nozzle. The fuel inside the main tank is drawn into the sub tank from a bottom part by a negative pressure caused by the jet pump nozzle. A holding device for holding the jet pump nozzle in the sub tank is provided between the sub tank and the jet pump nozzle when the jet pump nozzle is inserted into the sub tank. Therefore, it becomes possible to assemble the jet pump nozzle and the fuel supply system in advance outside the sub tank, and after that, to attach that jet pump nozzle to the sub tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Nifco Inc.
    Inventors: Takashi Iwamoto, Toshihide Kimisawa
  • Patent number: 6619272
    Abstract: An in-tank fuel supply unit has a reservoir mounted on the floor of a fuel tank, and a fuel pump mounted in the reservoir. The fuel level in the reservoir is maintained by means of a jet pump which is supplied with fuel through a passage. The jet pump has a nozzle which directs a flow of fuel upwards into a venturi passage which has a converging section, a parallel section and a diverging section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Bill George Jones, Colin Edward Mack, Derek Hirst, John Clinton Hall, James Norton
  • Patent number: 6619273
    Abstract: A liquified gas delivery system for a motorized platform includes a holding tank configured to receive liquified gas. A first conduit extends from a vapor holding portion of the tank to a valve device. A second conduit extends from a liquid holding portion of the tank to the valve device. Fluid coupled to the valve device is a vaporizer which is in communication with an engine. The valve device selectively withdraws either liquified gas or liquified gas vapor from the tank depending on the pressure within the vapor holding portion of the tank. Various configurations of the delivery system can be utilized for pressurizing the tank during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Bechtel BWXT Idaho LLC
    Inventors: Dennis N. Bingham, Bruce M. Wilding, James E. O'Brien, Ali S. Siahpush, Kevin B. Brown
  • Patent number: 6619274
    Abstract: An air intake cooling system for an outboard motor equipped with a V-type engine. In one embodiment, the air intake cooling system has an air intake manifold and a water-cooling passageway positioned in the air intake manifold for cooling air in the air intake manifold. The system further has a water sleeve for cooling a main oil reservoir located inside the V-type engine, the water sleeve positioned next to the main oil reservoir and connected to the water-cooling passageway. The system uses water in the water-cooling passageway for cooling the air intake manifold and in the water sleeve for cooling a lubricating oil in the main oil reservoir, the water used to cool the intake manifold being the same as the water in the water sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Yasushi Miyashita, Jiro Saiga, Katsuhiro Fukuda
  • Patent number: 6619275
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine with a mechanically driven charge-air compressor, which is connected to the engine intake manifold by way of an intercooler, is disclosed. The characteristic feature of the engine is that the compressor, the intercooler and the intake manifold have a common, integrally cast housing part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Volvo Car Corporation
    Inventor: Jan-Erik Wiik
  • Patent number: 6619276
    Abstract: An orifice muffler is designed to minimize the sound pressure level of noise emanating from control orifices in the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) system of an automotive vehicle engine. The muffler is formed as an elongated tube having imperforate sidewalls and inlet and outlet end walls. The outlet end wall has a single orifice sized to provide a control exhaust gas flow thorough the muffler while the inlet end wall has at least two orifices of differing sizes. The inlet orifices are operative to pass the controlled gas flow and to create destructive wave interference between the flow streams thorough the muffler to minimize noise caused by turbulent flow. Various optional features of the muffler construction are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Alan S. Miller, David Thomas Hanner
  • Patent number: 6619277
    Abstract: A state quantity &sgr;(n) of a switching function is calculated based on a predetermined target air-fuel ratio TGABF, a detected air-fuel ratio AFSAF detected by a sensor (16), and a state equation derived from a transfer function Geng(q) of a secondary discrete system, representing the correlation between an air-fuel ratio of an air fuel mixture in a combustion chamber (1A) and the detected air-fuel ratio (S14). The air-fuel ratio is feedback corrected by applying a sliding mode control process based on the difference between the target air-fuel ratio TGABF and the detected air-fuel ratio AFSAF, and the state quantity &sgr;(n) (S14-S21). The response and robustness of the air-fuel ratio control are enhanced by using a physical model of the secondary discrete system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Katoh
  • Patent number: 6619278
    Abstract: A projectile assembly that enables a compressed gas powered projectile to be fired from a traditional ammunition firearm. The projectile assembly includes a casing that is shaped like the casing of traditional ammunition. A projectile is set into the tip of the casing. Within the casing is located a compressed gas cartridge. The projectile assembly is loaded into the breech of a traditional firearm. Once the firearm is fired, the firing pin of the firearm strikes a piercing pin within the casing. The piercing pin, in turn, strikes and pierces the compressed gas cartridge. The gas pressure displaces the projectile from the tip of the casing and propels the projectile down and out the barrel of the firearm. The casing is designed so that a new compressed cartridge can be placed in the casing and the projectile replaced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: Peter Lin
  • Patent number: 6619279
    Abstract: A broiler switch structure includes a main burner and an adjustment control switch connected with the main burner. The adjustment control switch has a main body, and a pilot light generator which is provided with a connection body and a pilot light head. An adjustment knob is fastened pivotally to the main body of the adjustment control switch. The adjustment control switch is provided with an angle adjustment member enabling the switch structure to fit the broiler shells of various forms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: Tsung-Ming Liao
  • Patent number: 6619280
    Abstract: The burner possesses set of holes capable of directing high pressure combustion flame toward a upper center point concentrating heating power, extremely suitable for heating the bottom of a wok or any round bottom cooking vessel. With an adapter, another set of holes is capable of producing upward and outward spreading flame for flat bottom type cooking vessels. A protection guard can be put around the first wind guard preventing an operator accidentally touching the wind guard during cooking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventors: Dongsheng Zhou, Michael W. Loth
  • Patent number: 6619281
    Abstract: A miniature patio heater is provided which has a total height of approximately 3 ft. and which has a shroud with a diameter less than 2 ft. The patio heater includes a base having a vertically extending chamber, which is approximately 1.5 ft. high, for receiving a small gas bottle. A hollow post extends upwardly from the upper end of the chamber. A heater assembly and shroud are supported at the upper end of the post. A gas line extends along the inside of the hollow post between the heater assembly and the chamber. A connector assembly provides a pivotal connection between the end of the gas line and a regulator connected to a gas bottle within the chamber. The chamber is provided with an access opening for inserting and removing the gas bottle. Thus, the gas bottle, with attached regulator, can be swung from a vertical upright position within the chamber outwardly through the access opening to an angular position to facilitate removal of an empty gas bottle and replacement with a full gas bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: CFM-RMC International, a division of the Vermont Castings Majestics Products Company
    Inventors: Michael Resmo, S. B. Yoon
  • Patent number: 6619282
    Abstract: This nontracking solar concentrator can be larger than a football field and produce a 20 sun focus. A tank holds panels to collect light and water to guide light to the focus. The tank has a wide field of view that eliminates the need for a sun-tracking mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: R. Michael Murtha
  • Patent number: 6619283
    Abstract: An improved solar collector pipe that directly conveys fluid to be heated and collects and transfers solar energy efficiently and directly to the internal fluid, thereby maximizing both the amount of energy transmitted to the internal fluid and the peak temperature attainable by that fluid. The solar collector pipe includes a transparent portion for admitting solar energy into the solar collector pipe. Internal to the solar collector pipe is an absorbing portion for absorbing solar energy. A conduit portion is also included and comprises a reflecting surface thereon for reflecting solar energy received through the transparent portion onto the absorbing portion. In embodiments of the invention, the transparent portion, the conduit portion, and the absorbing portion together define at least one fluid passageway for conveying the fluid. In other embodiments of the invention, an internal conduit defines a fluid passageway for conveying the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: Manu Ghela
  • Patent number: 6619284
    Abstract: A hand-held compressor nebulizer suitable for vaporizing liquid medication, comprising a casing and a motor-driven air pump. The nebulizer includes a liquid medication supply unit and a vaporizing unit. The vaporizing unit comprises upper and lower vaporizing chambers, the lower chamber including a reservoir for liquid medication from the liquid medication supply unit. The vaporizing unit includes a hollow conical member located within the lower chamber and defining an internal conical passage having a relatively smaller upper end and a relatively larger lower end, the lower end being in communication with the air pump for receiving an upward airflow produced by the air pump. The airflow increases in speed in the upward direction and creates a negative pressure upon exit from the upper end of the conical passage. The vaporizing unit further includes a vaporizing jacket having a tapered interior and disposed around the conical member to form a narrow gap with the conical member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: Geok Weng Kong
  • Patent number: 6619285
    Abstract: An automatically closing ambient air device is disclosed having a generally conical passageway, containing an inlet for the flow of fluid from the ambient environment into the passageway and an outlet for the flow of such fluid from the passageway, and having valve means arranged to close fluid flow through the outlet from the passageway which is actuated by buoyant force and/or gravitational force and/or a combination thereof imposed by a weighted element in response to the spacial orientation of the conical wall of the passageway to level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventors: Albert D. Hawkins, Jr., Steven J. Herberholt
  • Patent number: 6619286
    Abstract: A regulator assembly is provided for use in a respirator system to supply a regulated flow of air to a respirator head piece. The respirator assembly comprises a housing (15) having an air inlet port (17) for connection to a source of air at comparatively high pressure, and an air outlet port (23) for connection to the respirator head piece. The housing (15) contains an air pressure-reduction stage (19) in communication with the inlet port (17), and a noise-reduction stage (21) between the pressure-reduction stage and the outlet port (23). The noise reduction stage (21) comprises two, spaced, muffler discs (41, 43) the first of which is positioned adjacent the air outlet (39) of the pressure-reduction stage (19). A deflector plate (47) deflects the airflow from the pressure-reduction stage (19) through the first muffler disc (41), and thereby diffuses the air flow before it reaches the second muffler disc (43).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Kaushik I. Patel
  • Patent number: 6619287
    Abstract: A filter for a respiratory circuit has a housing with an inlet port and an outlet port for connection to respective breathing tubes. A gases space lies between the inlet and outlet ports and gases pass across the gases space from the inlet port to the outlet port in use. A filter media spans the gases space, dividing the gases space into an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber. Gases passing from the inlet port to the outlet port pass through the filter media. A surrounding outer wall surrounds the housing apart from the inlet port and outlet port and is spaced from the wall of the housing. One or more air pockets are created between the outer wall and the housing. The air pockets insulate the housing from ambient conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Limited
    Inventors: Michael Joseph Blackhurst, Nina Caroline Batty
  • Patent number: 6619288
    Abstract: A breathing mask for delivering oxygen to a patient. The breathing mask has a headset for seating about the cranial region of the head of the patient, with a hollow gas delivery arm coupled to the headset. The mask also has a nosepiece that is coupled only to the hollow gas delivery arm and that delivers oxygen to the nostrils of the patient. Finally, the mask has a source of oxygen for coupling oxygen to the hollow gas delivery arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Deka Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Jason A. Demers, David McGill, Brian Daniel Tracey
  • Patent number: 6619289
    Abstract: A moisture sump integrated into a carbon dioxide absorber canister provides a collection reservoir for condensate from a patient ventilator system when the carbon dioxide absorber canister is attached to the ventilator system. The volume of the moisture sump is appropriately sized so that the time interval required to collect a maximum amount of condensate interval is not more than the life expectancy of the carbon dioxide absorbing material contained within the canister. The moisture sump allows condensate management of difficult to drain areas such as the inlet to the expiratory check valve of a ventilator system. The removal of the carbon dioxide absorber canister by a patient attendee to replace the carbon dioxide absorbing material ensures that the condensate collected by the integral moisture sump is eliminated from the patient ventilator system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Datex-Ohmeda, Inc.
    Inventor: James N. Mashak
  • Patent number: 6619290
    Abstract: A mouthpiece and method for reducing snoring comprise a mouthpiece body of a thermoplastic material having a shape generally complementary to the person's dental arch, including a posterior end having two spaced apart members positioned toward the back of the person's dental arch when properly worn, and an anterior end having an airway opening therethrough, the anterior end positioned when properly worn to support the person's lips spaced apart so that air flows through the airway opening; and a substantially rigid, removable protective mold of a thermostable material, said protective mold complementary to said mouthpiece body and separably engaged therewith so that the mold protects at least lower and lateral peripheries of the mouthpiece body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: Christopher B. Zacco
  • Patent number: 6619291
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a minimally invasive method of performing annuloplasty. According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for performing a procedure on a mitral valve of a heart includes inserting an implant into a left ventricle and orienting the implant in the left ventricle substantially below the mitral valve. The implant and tissue around the mitral valve are connected and tension is provided to the implant, in one embodiment, in order to substantially reduce an arc length associated with the mitral valve. In another embodiment, the implant is inserted into the left ventricle through the aorta and the aortic valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventors: Edwin J. Hlavka, Paul A. Spence
  • Patent number: 6619292
    Abstract: A tip paper predrying apparatus attached to a filter attachment includes an infrared lamp unit (16) located in the middle of a transfer path for a tip paper (P). After paste is applied to one surface of the tip paper in a paste applicator section (2), the pasted surface of the tip paper is irradiated with infrared rays from the infrared lamp unit before the tip paper is cut into individual tip paper pieces in a cutter section (4), whereby the tip paper is predried without any special contact with a heat source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Japan Tobacco Inc.
    Inventor: Masayoshi Saitou
  • Patent number: 6619293
    Abstract: An alternative to tobacco for both smokers and chewers is provided. A cigarette is prepared from mature tea leaves which are steamed and dried, but not withered, roasted or fermented. The tea leaves are rolled in paper and may be filtered or non-filtered. Cigarettes prepared with tea leaves processed in this manner provide acceptable taste, and may provide natural antioxidants, such as polyphenols and flavonoids, by inhalation. A chaw prepared according to the present invention is made with tea leaves which have been roasted, but not fermented, and is flavored with vanilla, cinnamon or mint. Both products may be produced with natural caffeine content, or may be partially decaffeinated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: Modesto E. Siadto
  • Patent number: 6619294
    Abstract: A composition and method for making a silicone composition is provided which comprises at least one polysiloxane or silicone resin containing at least one linker, and at least one molecular hook.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Matthew David Butts, Susan Adams Nye, Christopher Michael Byrne
  • Patent number: 6619295
    Abstract: A hair cosmetic composition containing (A) a cationic surfactant; (B) one or more organic solvents selected from among an N-alkylpyrrolidone, a lower alkylene carbonate, and an aromatic alcohol; (C) a lower alcohol or a lower polyol; and (D) an alkaline ingredient. The composition efficiently removes an acid hair-dye composition from the hair without causing any damage to the hair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Kao Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroko Okabe, Yutaka Shibata
  • Patent number: 6619296
    Abstract: A hair article according to the invention comprises two jaws which are elongate in a direction of extension and each include a rigid body having a principal part which is elongate in the direction of extension and parallel transverse excrescences to which is attached an elastically flexible structure parallel to the direction of extension, offset from the principal part of the rigid body and including projecting parts oriented toward the second jaw. A lighter hair article, in which the flexibility of the elastically flexible structure improves the hold in the hair, is thus produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: C.S.P. Diffusion
    Inventor: Christian Potut
  • Patent number: 6619297
    Abstract: A cosmetic case includes a frame unit and a stack of trays. The trays are mounted pivotally on the frame unit, and are turnable about a single axis to move between a closed position in which the trays are aligned with each other, and an open position in which the trays are out of alignment from each other. Each of the trays lags behind an adjacent one of the trays during turning movement of the trays, and has a first engaging member, a slide rail, and a second engaging member. The first engaging member of each of the trays is slidable along the slide rail and is engageable with the second engaging member of an adjacent one of the trays for subsequent simultaneous movement therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: Wen-Cheng Sheng
  • Patent number: 6619298
    Abstract: A device (1) for making up, or for a care treatment, of the user's lips (L) includes a support (2) at least a portion of which can be impregnated by a pulverulent or liquid-to-pasty product (P). The support (2) has a flattened shape and has at least one application surface (4, 6) capable of coming into contact with at least one of the user's lips, the portion impregnated with the product being capable of elastic deformation by compression of the surfaces by the lips and of assuming their shape, so that a transfer of the product to the lips is effected during the compression of the support between the user's lips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: L'Oreal
    Inventor: Jean-Louis H. Gueret
  • Patent number: 6619299
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a flavor enhanced whitening dental floss that comprises a dental floss and various whitening formulations that taste remarkably good. Regular use of such a floss will therefore provide not only a significant improvement in the interproximal and subgingival whiteness of teeth but also provide all other benefits normally associated with flossing. As a result, consumers will now be able to achieve better overall results; inexpensively, safely, and in a much more pleasurable manner than is otherwise possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventors: Robert Victor Marcon, Lawrence Wayne Nash
  • Patent number: 6619300
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a flavor enhanced protective dental floss comprising a dental floss and various dental desensitizing formulations that taste good. Regular use of such a flavor enhanced protective dental floss will therefore provide not only a significant reduction in the incidence of dental hypersensitivity but also provide all other benefits normally associated with flossing. As a result, consumers will now be able to achieved better overall results; inexpensively, safely, and in a much more pleasurable manner than is otherwise possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventors: Robert Victor Marcon, Lawrence Wayne Nash
  • Patent number: 6619301
    Abstract: To provide an ultrasonic processing device that is capable of effectively carrying out a cleaning operation, a resist-stripping operation, etc. by projecting ultrasonic uniformly over an entirety of the ultrasonic processing target region by means of ultrasonic oscillation elements each having a width smaller than an ultrasonic processing target region of a processing object, as well as to provide an electronic parts fabrication method using the foregoing device, a plurality of ultrasonic oscillation elements are arranged so as to planarly extend in a glass substrate transport direction and in a glass substrate width direction, and projected figures obtained by projecting said ultrasonic oscillation elements to a plane perpendicular to the glass substrate transport direction form a single belt-like region of a width exceeding a width of the ultrasonic processing target region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuki Kobayashi, Hitoshi Ono, Yasunobu Tagusa, Tomomi Hikida, Yuichi Maida
  • Patent number: 6619302
    Abstract: Biofilm and debris can be removed from the interior and exterior surfaces of small bore tubing by passing an aqueous cleaning solution of water, one or more surfactants and preferably a source of hydrogen peroxide, optionally including small inert solid particles, together with a gas under pressure, to create a turbulent flow within the tubing that loosens the biofilm and debris so that they can be flushed from the tubing. When the exterior surfaces of tubing are to be cleaned, the tubing is inserted in a sleeve fitted with an adaptor that provides a pressure-tight seal between the tubing and the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Princeton Trade & Technology, INC
    Inventors: Mohamed Emam Labib, Ching-Yue Lai
  • Patent number: 6619303
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and arrangement for cleaning filters in different types of liquid containers. The arrangement includes a pump (4) provided with a suction conduit (5) and which pump is connected to a filter (7) and an outlet conduit (3), whereby the components are placed in a sealed liquid container (1), and that the pump (4) can be reversed when a predetermined condition is fulfilled, whereby pollutants from said filter (7) is pumped to a collection unit (17) connected to said suction conduit (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Volvo Personvagnar AB
    Inventor: Jan Hultqvist
  • Patent number: 6619304
    Abstract: A pressure chamber assembly for processing a substrate includes a pressure vessel defining an enclosed pressure chamber. A substrate holder is disposed in the pressure chamber and is adapted to hold the substrate. A drive assembly is operable to move the substrate holder. The drive assembly includes a first drive member connected to the substrate holder for movement therewith relative to the pressure vessel and a second drive member fluidly isolated from the first drive member and the pressure chamber. A drive unit is operable to move the second drive member. The drive unit is fluidly isolated from the first drive member and the pressure chamber. The second drive member is non-mechanically coupled to the first drive member such that the drive unit can move the substrate holder via the first and second drive members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: MiCell Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven Lee Worm
  • Patent number: 6619305
    Abstract: According to the invention, conventional ultrasonic treatment apparatus employing relatively large tanks with bottom-mounted ultrasonic transducers for simultaneously processing a large plurality of disc-shaped workpieces are replaced with at least one ultrasonic treating apparatus adapted for treating a single workpiece and comprised of a relatively small tank with a sidewall-mounted ultrasonic transducer. The tank may be provided with a movable partition for adjustably partitioning the tank or vessel into two sub-chambers, the partition being comprised of a material which is partially reflective and partially transmissive of ultrasonic (i.e., acoustic) energy supplied to a liquid within the tank via the ultrasonic transducer. A reflector is provided within the tank for reflecting the acoustic energy either back to the movable partition or to a material which acts as an absorber of acoustic energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Amber Sharma, John Edgar Sheffield
  • Patent number: 6619306
    Abstract: A parasol opening device is incorporated in a parasol for opening/closing a canopy of the parasol. The parasol includes a tubular post for movably receiving the parasol opening device therein. The parasol opening device is movable along the post between an open position and a closed position. A canopy support arm has a first end pivotally attached to the parasol opening device and a second end to which a canopy system is pivoted. A link has a first end pivoted to the post and a second end pivotally attached to a slide which is movable along the arm. A rope having a predetermined and fixed length partially extends through the post, the parasol opening device and the arm with a first end of the rope fixed to the post and a second end of the rope attached to a runner of the canopy system whereby driving the rope causes the canopy system to open/close.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: Mark J. S. Ma
  • Patent number: 6619307
    Abstract: A ground anchor, such as a tent peg, includes a channel-section, ground-penetrating base member, and a second member at or adjacent one end of the base member. The second member projects (or is capable of projecting) from the base member at an inclination thereto and is provided with an attachment point for a tether.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: Robert John Orr
  • Patent number: 6619308
    Abstract: A variable device for regulating the outlet pressure of a fluid from a valve body, includes a pressure-sensing chamber having a wall formed by a resilient self-restoring diaphragm which is responsive to pressure in the chamber. A valve element connected to the diaphragm controls flow into the chamber. Increased pressure in the chamber decreases the flow into the chamber and decreasing pressure increases flow whereby fluid flow out from the chamber is maintained at a desired pressure. The outlet pressure is adjusted by deflecting the diaphragm in a direction to open the valve while permitting a section of the diaphragm connected to the valve member to remain responsive to the pressure in the chamber. An adjustment cover is provided to adjustably deflect the diaphragm and includes a catch mechanism to allow adjustment of the fluid outlet pressures and also retain the device at a desired value. An indicator arrangement may be provided to visually indicate the fluid outlet pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: I-Flow Corporation
    Inventors: Roger Massengale, Stanley E. Fry, Charles J. McPhee