Patents Issued in September 16, 2003
  • Patent number: 6619459
    Abstract: A cable device for actuating a control element, in particular for actuating a transmission shift shaft of a motor vehicle transmission, and preferably for actuating a parking lock of the motor vehicle transmission, is provided. The cable device has a core and a sheath substantially encasing the core. The core and the sheath are mounted such that they form a pull-push cable. A first end of the core is operatively connected to the control element, in particular to the transmission shift shaft. A emergency actuation device cooperates functionally with the core in such a way that, in the event of a functional failure of a controlling device, the control element can be, preferably manually, actuated with the emergency actuation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventor: Tamas Gudlin
  • Patent number: 6619460
    Abstract: A brake arrangement for a machine that includes a locking element adapted to engage with an output shaft from a gearbox. The gearbox comprising at least two gearwheels utilized to obtain different gears. A gear clutch is provided for each gearwheel and is adapted to engage and disengage a respective gearwheel depending on the operating conditions of the machine. A control unit is arranged to control the gear clutches so that the gear clutches simultaneously engage at least two of the gearwheels thus to braking the output shaft. The control unit is adapted to control the locking element so that the locking element engages with the output shaft when the output shaft is at a standstill thereby causing the output shaft to be prevented from rotating when the locking element engages with the output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Volvo Wheel Loaders AB
    Inventors: Sven-Åke Carlsson, Bo Vigholm
  • Patent number: 6619461
    Abstract: The modular validator includes a frame body which acts as an intermediary for releasably securing and releasably electrically connecting a series of modular components. In particular, a releasable power interface cooperates with the frame body and a releasable validating head. The frame body allows each of the components to be separately removable and also provides electrical connection between the validator and a host device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Cashcode Company Inc.
    Inventors: Leon Saltsov, Sergiy Bukhman
  • Patent number: 6619462
    Abstract: A device is used for conveying printed board assemblies. Every segment of a conveyor line is provided, on both sides, with a conveyor cheek as the lateral border. Conveyor belts driven by wheels are mounted on the inner sides of the conveyor cheeks on vertically movable boards. On the upper edges of the conveyor cheeks, connector blocks are mounted on the inner side in the longitudinal direction. The connector blocks project beyond the movable boards in such a manner that, when the movable boards are lifted, the printed board is caught with its edge on both sides between the conveyor belt and the connector block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Siemens Production and Logistics Systems AG
    Inventor: Frank Barnowski
  • Patent number: 6619463
    Abstract: A conveying system including multiple conveying tracks where each track acts as the output track from one operation and the input track to a subsequent operation. When the manufacturing process at a first operational area is completed, the completed product is placed on the area's output track and conveyed to a subsequent operational area. When the processing at the subsequent area is completed, the unit is placed on the subsequent area's output track, which is a physically distinct track from the area's input track. The input and output tracks within an operational area may occupy different levels of a multi-level system in which the various levels share a common floor space footprint to conserve floor space requirements. The tracks may be configured as a pair of tracks to facilitate simultaneous processing of two products or jobs. In addition, one or more of the tracks may have a support surface that is not parallel to the manufacturing floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher Joseph Tulley
  • Patent number: 6619464
    Abstract: A diverter assembly includes a frame and first and second driven conveying surfaces, which are supported by the frame. Each of the conveying surfaces is adapted to move between two positions. The first driven conveying surface is pivoted about an input end when moved between its first and second positions, while the second driven conveying surface is pivoted about an output end when moved between its first and second positions. The driven conveying surfaces are aligned when in their first positions and define a conveyor path for transporting articles from a first conveyor to a second conveyor. When in their respective second positions, the driven conveying surfaces define two separate conveyor paths—one aligned between the first and third conveyor to divert articles to the third conveyor, and the second driven conveying surface being generally horizontally aligned with the second conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Rapistan Advertising Corp.
    Inventors: George W. Peppel, Richard B. Patrick
  • Patent number: 6619465
    Abstract: The invention relates to a switch for transport system, in particular for a gravity roller table, for deflecting of transport goods in a plane from a main conveyor to a lateral conveyor branching from the main conveyor, wherein the switch comprises a group of co-operating and in particular individually driven modules. Each module comprises a bearing block, a fork received in the bearing block rotatable around the vertical axis as well as a roller body, wherein the roller body is supported in the fork and rotatable around a horizontal axis and wherein the roller body co-forms the support for the transport goods. The switch can be transposed from the straight out position into the deflection post ion and vice versa by a corresponding swiveling of the forks and thereby also of the roller bodies, wherein the forks and therewith also the roller bodies are lifted by way of a lift mechanism into the deflection position relative to the straight out position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Gebhardt Fördertechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Günter Gebhardt
  • Patent number: 6619466
    Abstract: A processing station in motor vehicle assembly lines has two receiving frames (20), for a motor vehicle part (33), which are mounted on associated columns (2, 3) at mutually spaced locations in a synchronously height-adjustable manner and are synchronously revolvable about mutually aligned horizontal axes of rotation. Each receiving frame (20) is mounted on two said columns (2, 3) arranged on both sides of the axis of rotation and that the mutual distance between the columns (2, 3) is greater than the width of the motor vehicle part (33) or of a transport element (29) for the motor vehicle part (33).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Thyssenkrupp Technologies AG
    Inventors: Kurt Jäck, Helmut Leuter, Berthold Riegger, Anton Brauchle
  • Patent number: 6619467
    Abstract: A feeder for feeding electronic chip components includes a hopper having a discharge opening at its bottom and having and an aligning path forming member for agitating electronic chip components. The aligning path forming member agitates the electronic chip components by its reciprocating movement within the discharge opening of the hopper. The reciprocating stroke of the aligning path forming member can be varied, and the stroke is controlled to be shorter when the number of electronic chip components remaining in the hopper is reduced. This allows the electronic chip components to be guided more reliably into an aligning path formed by the aligning path forming member, regardless of the number of electronic chip components remaining in the hopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyoyuki Nakagawa, Kenichi Fukuda, Isamu Utsunomiya
  • Patent number: 6619468
    Abstract: An overhead conveyor track system for a wheeled carrier having at least one wheel adapted for traveling along a track and a depending load bracket. The system includes first and second elongated conveyor tracks having respective free ends. These tracks are adapted and arranged such that the same are in substantial longitudinal alignment with the free ends thereof in spaced relationship presenting a gap therebetween. The system further includes an elongated track segment that is adapted and arranged so as to be placed in the gap in a gap closed position in substantial longitudinal alignment with the tracks. The track segment normally is in the gap in its gap closed position but is removable from the gap so as to provide the system with a gap open condition. An automatic safety switch mechanism is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Doskocil Food Service Company - Jefferson, L.P.
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Baneck, Brian R. Krause
  • Patent number: 6619469
    Abstract: A scraper blade has at one end a scraper tip and at the other end a mounting base. The scraper tip is outwardly tapered. The scraper blade has at least two layers of different materials. The layer of material which is facing forward, i.e. that first meets the surface to be scraped, and which is adapted to form the actual scraper tip is made of a material which is both softer and more abrasion resistant that said other layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Svedala Trellex AB
    Inventor: Mats Anders Malmberg
  • Patent number: 6619470
    Abstract: The present invention contemplates a system for controlling a vibratory conveyor on which a conveyor pan is mounted, the system including a drive coil for driving the vibratory conveyor with a vibrating motion; a sensing subsystem for detecting the vibrating motion of the conveyor pan; a controller coupled to the sensing subsystem for generating at least one control signal to be applied to the drive coil, the controller generating at least one control signal by producing a digitized signal from the detected vibrating motion and computing three intermediate timing positions in each period of the digitized signal; and a switching subsystem for applying at least one control signal generated by the controller to the drive coil. At least one control signal is applied between the first and third intermediate timing positions in each period of the digitized signal to control the vibration amplitude and vibration frequency of the vibratory conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Thompson
  • Patent number: 6619471
    Abstract: A furnace roller for supporting a heated workpiece in a furnace, including a roller body with a roller body outer surface that is rotatable along a roller body longitudinal axis. A tire is attached to the roller body outer surface and is rotatable with the roller body and supports a heated workpiece. The tire is shaped such that a contact interface between a workpiece and the tire continuously shifts in a longitudinal direction, and the tire is helical-shaped. The furnace roller includes at least two helical-shaped tires attached to the roller body in either side of a roller body bisecting centerline. A method for conveying a heated workpiece in the furnace is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Surface Engineering Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph A. Downie, Richard O. Drossman
  • Patent number: 6619472
    Abstract: An adjusting unit for an article carrier is disclosed. The adjusting unit includes adjustable support elements for receiving articles of different sizes, in particular for supporting printed circuit boards of different sizes with a frame. One frame member of the frame may be used as a support for an article to be carried. At least one additional supporting element is provided which is adapted to be adjusted relative to a frame member. In addition, arresting structures are provided with the aid of which the supporting element can be arrested relative to the frame member. The arresting structures are adaptable to be releasably arrested on a guide, along which the supporting element is displaceable. Accordingly, the adjusting unit comprises adjustment structure for adapting the adjustable supporting element of the article carrier to the size of the printed circuit boards to be accommodated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Rehm Anlagenbau GmbH
    Inventor: Johannes Rehm
  • Patent number: 6619473
    Abstract: A bolt-together powered belt conveyor assembly includes adjustable tail assemblies which facilitate adjustment of the overall length of the conveyor, while positively securing the position of the end rollers relative to the conveyor sections. The conveyor assembly further includes an adjustable nose-over assembly, which is adjustable to accommodate a change in angle between adjacent conveyor sections. The conveyor assembly further includes a drive assembly which is connectable between end assemblies or slider bed conveyor sections and which is adapted to be installed on a horizontal, inclined or declined conveyor section. The position of the rollers, length of the conveyor sections and angle of incline of the conveyor section may be easily adjusted via adjustment of one or more fasteners of the conveyor assembly, thereby avoiding the need of welding various components of the conveyor assembly together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Rapistan Systems Advertising Corp.
    Inventor: Ernest A. Romeo
  • Patent number: 6619474
    Abstract: A paint and palette caddy in the form of a case, which includes a hinged top with closures and a pull out drawer, which may be latched; under the top is a rack or tray having a number of sockets for holding paint cups by friction or indexing means and a number of slots for holding the paint cup caps; the upper area of the paint cups are slightly larger in dimension than the sockets; the drawer, when extended, provides a paint palette surface that may be covered with a disposable sheet so that the palette surface remains free from paint; the removable cups are sealed with an appropriate cap to provide an airtight seal and eliminate as much air space as possible between the surface of the paint and the cap; the cups may be removed from the case and stored in a freezer to preserve the paint for extended periods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: Devida Montgomery
  • Patent number: 6619475
    Abstract: A golf bag having a club-separating staggered honeycomb-like cell structure and a method for manufacturing is disclosed. The golf bag includes a plurality of individual hollow fabric-lined plastic or soft fabric tubes coupled to a top opening or collar, and confined or anchored by a bottom or base. The full-length tubing separates and protects the shafts of the golf clubs and prevent them from becoming entangled. The collar comprises a plurality of openings arranged in a honeycomb cell configuration. The cell openings are elongated to maximize the separation between club heads and also allow easy access for club retrieval and replacement. The base as configured keeps the lower end of the tubes in line with cell openings at the other end of the golf bag. The method of manufacturing consists of shaping, positioning and attaching a plurality of tubing to the collar and the base to form the honeycomb cell structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: David Chang
  • Patent number: 6619476
    Abstract: A package (1) for packaging and storing elongated items such as sewing needles (2, 3) has a tray (5) and a lid part (6), which are held or connected together to define a housing space. The tray (5) and the lid part (6) each have a flap-type section (14, 19) at their bead end. These sections can be pivoted toward and away from one another, and can be latched together. When the two flaps (14, 19) are pivoted away from one another, they expose the ends of stored items, e.g., the sewing needles (2, 3), projecting out of the housing space (48), so the items can easily be pulled out of the housing space (48). It is therefore possible to secure the items or sewing needles (2, 3), for example, in a frictional, in the housing space (48).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Groz-Beckert KG
    Inventors: Artur Hoch, Stefan Danner
  • Patent number: 6619477
    Abstract: A transportation container comprising a plywood mount panel, a metal pipe leg disposed under the mount panel, vertical-panel support members each mounted on the upper face of the mount panel and disposed along the sides of the mount panel, solid hardboard vertical panels each having a lower edge mounted onto a mounting face in the outer side face of the vertical-panel support member by means of nailing; a metal pipe beam disposed along the upper side of the inner face of the vertical panel; a substantially rectangular, solid hardboard top panel supportedly positioned on the upper end face of the beam; and a metal pipe column disposed on the inside of butt corners formed by adjacent vertical panels to extend vertically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: Mitsuo Takahashi
  • Patent number: 6619478
    Abstract: A light-shielding packaging for a roll of continuous photosensitive web wound on a core having on its each end a light-shielding flange disc has at its leading end a light-shielding leader sheet. The leader sheet is composed of a longitudinal light-shielding base sheet and two heat-shrinkable light-shielding strips, in which each of the light-shielding strips is tearable predominantly in its longitudinal direction and is fixed onto a surface of each side of the light-shielding base sheet under the condition that the light-shielding strip is aligned in parallel with the side of the longitudinal base sheet to project its portion from the side of the base sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masafumi Fukugawa, Akihisa Inoue, Norihiro Kadota, Koichi Nakatogawa
  • Patent number: 6619479
    Abstract: Distinctive, promotional bag dispensing apparatus are provided that include a clamp and a clip configured to retain a plurality of plastic (or other) bags in stacked adjacent relationship. Each clamp includes a base member and a retaining member that is movably secured to the base member via hinges for pivotal movement about an axis thereof. A plurality of spaced-apart posts extend from the front surface adjacent the forward edge portion. Each clip has a U-shaped configuration with adjacent, spaced-apart first and second panels that are configured to receive and retain header portions of a plurality of bags in stacked adjacent relationship positioned therebetween. The first and second panels each comprise a plurality of spaced-apart apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Adstracts, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Jones, Jason S. Holland, Brenda S. Jones
  • Patent number: 6619480
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for the point-of-sale packaging of a card are disclosed. A package in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention comprises a pocket for receiving the card and a passageway communicating with a pocket. The package preferably also includes at least one locking tab for selectively obstructing the passageway. A method in accordance with present invention may include the steps of inserting the card into the pocket so that the card overlays the at least one locking tab, urging the package to assume a generally bent shape, and allowing the package to assume a generally planar shape in which the at least one locking tab overlays the card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: UV Color, Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis R. Smith
  • Patent number: 6619481
    Abstract: A means is provided for packaging disc drives and other information-storage devices in a manner that reduces transmittal of shock to the packaged device. The device is placed in a static-disssipative package comprising an upper and lower portion, each of which has external protrusions that deform to absorb shock. Further anti-impact protection is provided by internal buttresses that cushion the packaged device. The package is preferably a unitary article molded from PVC plastic sheeting, with the upper and lower portions joined at an accordion-like hinge. The upper and lower portions nest together at the peripheral edges, providing a labyrinthine path (in effect, a seal) that prevents passage of contaminants. Shock transmittal (relative to an unprotected drive) is reduced by a factor of approximately 5-7.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Troy James Merrell, John Fredrick Hazekamp, Todd Allen Redder
  • Patent number: 6619482
    Abstract: A medicine caddy having a first caddy portion and a second caddy portion connectable to each other. The first and second caddy portions are movable with respect to one another between a first countertop configuration and a second carrying configuration. Moreover, the caddy portions each define a plurality of container holes for receipt of respective medicine containers. At least one of the caddy portions includes a handle by which the medicine caddy can be transported when in the carrying configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: Sonya King
  • Patent number: 6619483
    Abstract: A binder (10) comprises a first panel (12) divided by a first fold line (14) from a second panel (16) which is divided by a second fold line (18) from a third panel (20), the first and second fold lines (14, 18) being intersected by three slits (22, 24, 26), the central slit (22) being longer than the first and second outer slits (24, 26), and each end of the central slit (22) being joined to an adjacent end of each of the first and second outer slits (24, 26) by a respective crease line (28a, 30a, 28b, 30b); whereby, when the third panel (20) is folded about outer parts of the first and second fold lines (14, 18) to be spaced from yet overlie the first panel (12), the material between the central slit (22) and the first outer slit (24) is folded about its associated crease lines and the inner parts of the first and second fold lines to form a first strap (32), and the material between the central slit (22) and the second outer slit (26) is folded about its associated crease lines and the inner parts of the f
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Traffic Works, Inc.
    Inventor: Leslie Paine
  • Patent number: 6619484
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a filter device, especially for a fluidized bed system and particularly for use in the pharmaceutical industry, for separating particles larger than a separating grain from an amount of particles in a fluid flow. The filter device includes a housing and at least one filter portion. A part of the housing is mounted for rotational movement, and the filter portion is provided in the housing, whereby the filter portion is movable upon rotation of the housing. The present invention also relates to a method for separating particles using such a filter device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: AstraZeneca AB
    Inventor: Håkan Glad
  • Patent number: 6619485
    Abstract: The disclosed invention provides for a lockable grass trimmer rack. The grass trimmer rack has inner frames and an outer frame. The outer frame slides vertically with respect to the inner frames to an open position or a closed position. The hooks on one side of the grass trimmer rack have slightly different inner diameters than the hooks on the opposite side of the grass trimmer rack to hold securely the larger diameter and small diameter ends of the grass trimmer. When the grass trimmer rack is in a closed position, the hooks clamp the grass trimmer in place and the equipment rack can be locked to prevent theft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: David Mark Jenkins
  • Patent number: 6619486
    Abstract: A self-pivoted catcher for the up-stacking of die-cut thermoformed components comprises a low mass loop of material having opposed ends thereofjournaled in a guide pin which is affixed in a narrow web of a catcher plate between apertures therein. The catcher is adapted to move upwardly with movement of the die-cut component as the individual component is separated from a previously die-cut larger sheet of components by the pusher as the pusher is advanced through the catcher plate. The loop is also adapted to engage the underside of a lip of the die-cut component thereby retaining the die-cut component on an upper side edge of the catcher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: Carlos J. Veloso
  • Patent number: 6619487
    Abstract: A knife set includes a knife block having a plurality of knife-receiving slots, and a plurality of knives, corresponding in number to the plurality of knife-receiving slots. Each of the knives has a handle and a blade, with each blade having a sharpened edge. At least one of the knives, and a corresponding at least one of the knife-receiving slots, includes engaging structures that support the at least one knife in the corresponding at least one slot, preferably so that the sharpened edge is suspended within the slot out of contact with any portion of the knife block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: Charles F. Stuchlik, III
  • Patent number: 6619488
    Abstract: A corner shelf and the system to fix the shelf between corner walls, said system created with the minimum of elements, and hiding these elements with the lateral borders of the shelf. The corner shelf comprises an upper surface, a lower surface, a first lateral face and a second lateral face where said first lateral face possesses a perforation parallel to the upper and lower surfaces; said second lateral face possesses a groove parallel to the surface, and terminating in a perforation being perpendicular to the lower surface. The system of fixation comprises a first fixation element introduced in a perforation located in said first lateral face; and a second fixation element whose horizontal body is introduced in a groove located in said second lateral face, the head of said second fixation element introduced in the perforation which terminates in the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Inber SA
    Inventor: Alberto Bengoechea
  • Patent number: 6619489
    Abstract: A number of panels and shelves are formed of wires which are arranged to intersect. These panels and shelves are secured together to form a rack for holding bottles, which rack is supported by four corner posts. The vertical placement of the shelves is adjustable along the height of the corner posts by use of adjustable support collars which fit around each post and are captured by each corner of a shelf. A plurality of A-frames are removably secured to the shelves to form areas or compartments in which the bottles or the like may be stored. The A-frames are positioned next to each other so as to support an inverted pyramid of bottles between them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: L & P Property Management Company
    Inventors: Steven M. Kessel, Peterjohn R. C. Walters, Jerry W. Thompson
  • Patent number: 6619490
    Abstract: A warehouse material-rack safety-netting system comprises left and right vertical extension posts that bolt to the face of the top bay of an open material rack. A two-part curtain netting that parts in the middle is supported between horizontal, parallel top-and-bottom wire ropes on hooks. The left and right edges of the curtain netting are hooked to the vertical extension posts with carabiners. In order to reduce inadvertent snagging, these hooks and wire ropes are critically attached along the middle line of the inside opposite-facing edges of the vertical extension posts. The front aisle-facing edges of these vertical extension posts are smooth and no part of the curtain netting extends past them when the curtains are fully closed. A latch is provided at the center to secure the two-parts of the curtain netting together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: Michael J. Calleja
  • Patent number: 6619491
    Abstract: A train collision attenuator mounted on a leading end of a train for attenuating the force of impact between a moving train and a pedestrian or motor vehicle. The train collision attenuator includes an energy absorbing assembly and a mounting assembly. The energy absorbing assembly includes a leading surface and the energy absorbing assembly is dimensioned and configured for attenuating the force of impact between the moving train and the pedestrian located in the path of the moving train as the pedestrian impacts against the leading surface. The mounting assembly secures the energy absorbing assembly to the leading end of the train. A lifting mechanism for moving the energy absorbing assembly between a deployed position to a retracted position is also provided. A selectively-inflatable, externally-mounted airbag including an upper pedestrian cushioning portion and a lower pedestrian support portion is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventors: Thomas S. Payne, James M. Payne
  • Patent number: 6619492
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a security closure for bottles for liquor and the like having a neck, comprising a stopper cap having an end wall, a skirt, and a longitudinal axis X—X perpendicular to said end wall of the stopper cap, a security seal attached to said skirt, a groove in the outer surface of said neck axially positioned onto said neck, said sleeve being provided with an upper edge and said upper edge snap-fitting into said groove of the neck, stop means on said skirt radially extending towards said longitudinal axis X—X, said stop means providing a bearing surface for an abutment present on said sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Guala Closures S.p.A.
    Inventor: Piero Battegazzore
  • Patent number: 6619493
    Abstract: A sealable container in the present invention has a container body and a cover closed on the container body and provided with a push button and a suction hole. The cover is combined with a release assembly and an outer cap therein. The release assembly includes a housing, a membrane piece, a covering piece and a follower. A combination of aforementioned components enables the sealable container of the present invention to be effectively proofed against moisture and mildew after the air in the container body is drawn to be a vacuumed state. When the cover is to be opened for taking out the food stored in the container body, it is only necessary to press the push button of the cover to release the vacuumed state in the container body, which is very convenient to open the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: Heng-Te Yang
  • Patent number: 6619494
    Abstract: A package for tablet products that includes a container having an interior volume for holding the tablet products and a closure secured to a cylindrical finish of the container. A product hold-down device has an axially resilient central portion, a lower portion for engaging the upper surface of the product within the container, and an upper portion for securement within the container finish to hold the device in place within the finish, with the closure removed from the finish, against the axially resilient forces applied to the device by engagement of the lower portion with product in the container and resilient compression of the central portion of the device. Thus, the hold-down device can be inserted into the container and secured to the container using automatic packaging equipment, and the container closure then applied to the container. In use, the closure is removed from the container, and the device is removed and discarded by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Owens-Illinois Closure Inc.
    Inventors: Brian J. Brozell, Stephen A. Eilertson
  • Patent number: 6619495
    Abstract: Device for closing bottles having a neck with an outer annular edge and including: a) a main body comprising an annular part having an outer edge area and tongues jointed to the outer edge area of the annular part, in addition to an inner surface, and outer surface, lateral surfaces and a lower surface in which the tongues have two first ribs standing out form the inner surface and adjacent to the lateral surfaces and the outer surface has a raised area and b) a sleeve with a substantially hollow and cylindrical part, wherein the substantially cylindrical part can be placed on the tongues.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Calmar, S.A.
    Inventors: Pere Parés Montaner, Victor Ribera Turró
  • Patent number: 6619496
    Abstract: A clear plastic package has an upper piece and a lower piece, each piece having a generally rectangular configuration, and the lower piece having front and rear edge portions, and opposing side edge portions. Along each edge portion of the lower piece there is a pivotable wall attached by way of a living hinge, and these walls can be rotated from a generally horizontal position to an upright position relative to the lower piece, and there is a longitudinally extending locking edge on a lower part of each wall that resiliently snaps into engagement with a cooperating fixed edge on a projection that extends longitudinally along the perimeter of the lower piece, when the walls are rotated to their upright positions, to hold the walls in their upright positions. The upper portion of each of the walls is so shaped that when they are in upright position, they cooperate to provide a recessed ledge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: Paul Appelbaum
  • Patent number: 6619497
    Abstract: Apparatus for venting a container containing a fluid and including a poppet mounted to the bottom of a cap or flap mounted to a housing for being mounted to the container, a fastener for fastening the cap of flap to the housing and which fastener may be a fusible fastener for unfastening the cap or flap and for venting the container to the atmosphere upon heat applied externally to the container reaching a predetermined temperature. The poppet venting the container to the atmosphere upon the pressure in the container reaching a predetermined pressure and the poppet may be a combination poppet for venting the container to the atmosphere upon pressure in the container reaching a predetermined pressure and for venting the container to the atmosphere upon a vacuum in the container reaching a predetermined vacuum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Girard Equipment Co.
    Inventor: John L. Freiler
  • Patent number: 6619498
    Abstract: A combination molded plastic bucket and lid includes a series of outwardly extending ribs on the top edge of the bucket and inwardly extending flanges on a depending outer skirt of the lid which engage with the bucket ribs to provide a wedging action that holds the lid tightly in a sealing position on the top of the bucket. A zig-zag tear strip permits removal of a portion of the lower most lid flange. The top of the bucket includes a groove adapted to receive a projection or tongue seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: John W. von Holdt, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6619499
    Abstract: A venting system for a container and the overall container assembly that uses the venting system is claimed. A container and a lid are provided. The lid of the container defines a venting port for equalizing gas pressure within the container. A support platform is placed over the venting port. The support platform defines a plurality of holes. Placed in each of the holes is a filter element. The filter element is made of a porous sintered powder metal having a pore size of no greater than five microns. In this manner the filter elements enable gas to vent to and from the container, yet the contents of the container are prevented from passing through the filter elements should the contents of the container touch the filter elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: Peter Lin
  • Patent number: 6619500
    Abstract: An insulated shipping container includes a body of foamed polymer material. This body defines a plurality of compartments, an opening from each compartment outwardly to ambient, a transition surface surrounding each opening, and an exterior surface. Preferably, the compartments and exterior surface are both like shapes so that a uniformly thick wall of insulative foamed polymer material is provided between the respective compartments and ambient. A single sheet of plastic is integrally bonded to the foamed polymer body and is configured such that it faces all of each compartment within the body, the transition surface, and a substantial portion of the exterior surface of the container. A machine for constructing an insulated shipping container with plural compartments is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: Gary W. Lantz
  • Patent number: 6619501
    Abstract: A base for a food container includes a pattern of rib units in a side wall of the container. The rib units are formed at multiple angles and depths to provide strength to the side wall. The base also includes a bottom with ribs of alternating heights and angles that provide strength to the bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Pactiv Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas J. Hayes, James N. Gomoll
  • Patent number: 6619502
    Abstract: In the vertical corner transition arrangement for semi-membrane tanks disclosed in the specification, curved horizontal sides plate of a semi-membrane tank wall are welded to one side of a vertical extruded aluminum modified I-beam with a vertical tapered stiffening corner block projection on the opposite side of the extruded aluminum I-beam, and the edge of a vertical unstiffened curved cylinder section is butt-welded to the projecting edge of the vertical tapered stiffening corner block. The curved plates of an orthogonally oriented semi-membrane tank wall are welded to one side of another vertical extruded I-beam member having a projecting vertical tapered stiffening corner block welded to the opposite side with a projecting edge which is welded to the opposite edge of the vertical stiffened curved cylinder section to complete the corner of the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Electric Boat Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Walther, David Jordan
  • Patent number: 6619503
    Abstract: A bun dispensing device for a hot dog dispensing machine operative for dispensing buns from a bun containing element which includes a plurality of individual bun containers and a common film to which the bun containers are releasably attached one after the other, the device has a unit for pulling the bun containing element, a unit for separating the bun containers with buns accommodated therein from the film of the bun containing element and located upstream of the pulling a unit, and a unit for guiding the bun containing element and located upstream of the separating unit, the separating unit being formed so that each of the bun containers with the bun accommodated therein is individually separated from the film under the action of the separating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: LHD Vending, Inc.
    Inventors: Leonid Leykin, Aleksandr Kofman
  • Patent number: 6619504
    Abstract: A multiple roll holder unit has a magazine in which rolls are stacked, and an associated roll holder having retaining arms moveable on opposite sides of a roll holding area. Actuation of a transfer mechanism having upper and lower cup members hinged at one side with each other causes a transfer of a lowermost one of the rolls in the magazine to the roll holding area as the retaining arms are retracted and set back following the motion of the cup members, releasing at the same time a depleted roll possibly held by the roll holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: John Ozimec
  • Patent number: 6619505
    Abstract: A fluid dispenser comprising: a flexible pouch (3) containing said fluid and provided with an opening (31); a dispensing member (5) such as a pump for drawing off fluid contained in the flexible pouch through said opening (31); and a shell (11, 12) surrounding said pouch (3) and provided with an opening (13) that coincides with the opening (31) of the flexible pouch; the shell being made in two portions (11, 12) assembled together along a connection line (14) passing through the opening (13) in the shell so that each shell portion forms a portion of the opening in the shell; said dispenser being characterized in that at least one shell portion (11, 12) is provided with a window (115, 125), through which the flexible pouch is visible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Airlessystems
    Inventors: Laurent Decottignies, Firmin Garcia
  • Patent number: 6619506
    Abstract: The invention disclosed is an actuator for use with a bag having two openings therein wherein the actuator seals one opening and assists in forcing the flowable substance out of the bag. The actuator is demonstrated with a generally conically shaped bag used with mortar such as masonry cement. The bag provides method for applying a continuous constant pressure to the bag thereby forcing the mortar out in a continuous and constant flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: Angelo Famiglietti
  • Patent number: 6619507
    Abstract: A portable beverage dispenser (10) having a hollow body (22)for retention of a beverage and a faucet (42) with a dispenser base assembly (46) has a removable drip tray assembly (28) slidably mounted to horizontally extending base support members(54, 56) usually used for receipt of drips of beverage from the faucet (42) and a backup drip tray (148) fixedly mounted to the support member beneath the removable drip tray assembly to catch drips when the removable drip tray assembly is removed for emptying and cleaning. The drip tray assembly (28) has a drip sink (68) covered by a grate panel (84) having a plurality of elongate, parallel, grate members each with a pointed peak (98) and a pair of opposed substantially flat sides (100, 102) sloping downwardly away from the peak to guide beverage downwardly away from the peak for retention by the drip plate (84).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Food Equipment Technologies Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Zbigniew G. Lassota
  • Patent number: 6619508
    Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing a multiple-component substance from a multiple-barrel cartridge (e.g., a two-barrel adhesive cartridge) includes a housing having a slot for receiving a flange of the cartridge. Preferably, the housing includes a pivoting latch that rigidly secures the flange within the slot. Plungers positioned within the housing are received by the barrels of the cartridge. A motor, which is disposed in the housing and controlled by a microprocessor, is mechanically connected to the plungers and drives the plungers within the barrels. The motor may be connected to the plungers through a lead screw assembly, for example. Preferably, the housing is handheld for ease of operation and remote from a control unit containing the microprocessor. The control unit may include a keypad and screen, operatively connected to the microprocessor, for data entry and display. The dispensing apparatus permits precise placement of two-component adhesives, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory Ervin Balcome, Joseph Paul Kuczynski, Laura Marie Mulholland