Patents Issued in December 25, 2003
  • Publication number: 20030234144
    Abstract: An air spring is optionally integrated with a shock absorber or other damping unit, and has an air cylinder closed at one end, and in axially-slidable engagement with a sealing head at the other end. A sealed partitioning plate is fixed in the cylinder, and divides the cylinder into a primary air chamber and a secondary air chamber. A sealed air passage connects the primary and secondary air chambers, and can be opened or closed by a simple one-quarter turn rotation of an external knob to instantly switch the air spring between two different spring rate curves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2002
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Inventor: Robert C. Fox
  • Publication number: 20030234145
    Abstract: A rotary damper device includes a case, a rotor member relatively rotatably supported by the case, a rotation vane formed protruded from the rotor member, and a check valve mounted on the rotation vane. The case is provided with an opened part on one side through which the rotor member is inserted into the inside of the case and a side wall part on the other side for rotatably supporting the rotor member. The opened part of the case is closed by a flange part that is integrally formed in the rotor member, and the side wall part includes a pressure receiving face and the flange part includes another pressure receiving face.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2003
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Applicant: SANKYO SEIKI MFG. CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Iwashita
  • Publication number: 20030234146
    Abstract: A vibration damper with a hydraulic-mechanical pressure stop includes a cylinder filled with damping medium; a piston rod movable in and out of the cylinder, a first piston fixed to the piston rod with freedom of axial movement, a second piston spaced from the first piston, a transfer spring in the second working space for moving the second piston toward the third working space in response to movement of the first piston toward the second working space; and a disk valve which allows damping medium to flow from the third working space through the second piston to the second working space as the second piston moves toward the third working space. The first piston divides the cylinder into a first and a second working space where the piston rod extends through the first working space. The second piston separates the second working space from a third working space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2003
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Applicant: ZF Sachs AG
    Inventor: Manfred Grundei
  • Publication number: 20030234147
    Abstract: A top mount for a damper having a piston rod tenon comprises a mount insert and an o-ring. The mount insert is disposed on the tenon, and the o-ring is disposed on the tenon and within a cutout of the mount insert. A damper including the top mount, and a method of assembling a top mount, are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2002
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Applicant: DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventor: Saiman Lun
  • Publication number: 20030234148
    Abstract: The invention relates to a clutch mechanism of the type constituted by a toothed wheel (3) driven by an endless screw (12), this wheel (3) being securable to a driven shaft (15) by means of two friction cones (5) disposed coaxially to the axial bore of the toothed wheel (3), and coacting, under the action of a control device (7, 13), with conical contact areas on the wheel (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2003
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Inventor: Robert Blanchard
  • Publication number: 20030234149
    Abstract: A friction clutch, particularly for a motor vehicle, has a rotatable clutch disk which is connected to a transmission input shaft so as to be fixed with respect to rotation relative to it and which can be clamped in axially between two clutch pressure plates. The pressure plates, which may be a clutch pressure plate and a flywheel, have annular friction surfaces which can act upon the clutch disk. The annular friction surfaces comprise the friction surfaces of a plurality of friction segments which are arranged in a uniformly distributed manner so as to form a ring, wherein every friction segment is arranged so as to be axially flexible in a springing manner to a certain extent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2003
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Applicant: ZF Sachs AG
    Inventors: Michael Peterseim, Ingrid Hoffelner, Matthias Diemer
  • Publication number: 20030234150
    Abstract: A clutch disk arrangement for a multiple-disk clutch includes at least two friction lining units, a hub element which is connectable to or is connected to the shaft so as to be fixed with respect to rotation and a support arrangement to which the friction lining units are connected substantially so as to be fixed with respect to rotation and by which the friction lining units are connected to or connectable to the hub element. The support arrangement includes a first support member which is connected to or connectable to the hub element and to which one of the friction lining units is fixedly connected, and at least one other support member to which at least one other respective friction lining unit is fixedly connected. The other support members are directly or indirectly connected to the first support member so as to be fixed with respect to rotation relative to it, but axially displaceable relative to the first support member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2003
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Applicant: ZF Sachs AG
    Inventors: Andreas Orlamunder, Sebastian Vogt
  • Publication number: 20030234151
    Abstract: A shaft transmission can be equipped with an integrated gently switching neutral clutch by means of a drive core widening approximately conically, which is axially displaceable relative to the inner wheel between a tapered and round free region (12.2) and a non-circular drive region (12.1). For changing of gears a shifting claw engaging in a circular groove on the drive core (12.1) for its axial displacement in the inner wheel (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2002
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Inventor: Frank Poehlau
  • Publication number: 20030234152
    Abstract: A hub ring for use in a clutch disk includes an inner circumference which can engage a hub; and a pair of axially opposed front sides. At least one of the front sides has means for positively engaging a structural component arranged against the respective front side so that torque can be transmitted from the structural component to the hub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Applicant: ZF Sachs AG
    Inventors: Frank von Levern, Norbert Lohaus
  • Publication number: 20030234153
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, a coin processing system includes a coin input area that receives coins from a user, a coin processing module that counts the received coins, and a foreign object detection system that detects a foreign object within the coin processing module subsequent to counting substantially all the received coins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2003
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Inventors: John R. Blake, Douglas U. Mennie, Samuel F. Collura, John S. Lykowski, Arthur J. Long
  • Publication number: 20030234154
    Abstract: A sheet material conveying apparatus includes a plurality of pockets running along a track, each pocket including a setting device for adjusting a height of the pocket so as to define a set height. At least one setting actuator located to a side of the pockets is provided, with the setting actuator being selectively movable between a first position where the setting actuator contacts the setting device for adjusting the setting device when the pockets are stationary and a second position where the setting actuator is free from the setting device to allow movement of the pockets along the track.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2002
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Applicant: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Mehmet Oktay Kaya, Heiner Philipp Luxem, Glenn Alan Guaraldi
  • Publication number: 20030234155
    Abstract: There are disclosed a conveying apparatus and a conveying system in which a force is efficiently transmitted to an article so as to smoothly convey the article in an arbitrary direction. In each of feed portions 15 provided at a conveying apparatus 10, 11 of the invention, a twist gear 34 is mounted on a twist base 16, and is disposed below feed rollers 17, and therefore the degree of freedom of the configurations of the twist gear 34 and feed rollers 17 are higher as compared with a conventional construction in which a feed roller is provided within a twist gear. Therefore, a compact design of the twist gear 34 can be achieved, and also the feed portions 15 and 15 can be disposed closer to each other as compared with the conventional construction. And besides, a large-size design of the feed rollers 17 can be achieved, so that an area of contact of the feed rollers 17 with the article can be increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2003
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Applicants: ASAHI-SEIKI MANUFACTURING CO., LTD., LEMCOS INC.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Kanamori, Shoji Yaguchi, Yuichi Komazawa
  • Publication number: 20030234156
    Abstract: Product is conveyed as a continuous stream by a meter conveyor (12) unto a transfer plate (32) and a transfer device (42). The transfer device (42) is movable between a retracted position and an extended position extending over a sweep conveyor (22). In a preferred form, the transfer device (42) is in the form of a thin piece of flexible material and is moved in the conveying direction from the retracted position to the extended position by engaging with the sweep conveyor (22) and is moved to the retracted position by being wrapped around a rotated roller (46). Product is transferred from the transfer device (42) to the sweep conveyor (22) as the transfer device (42) moves from the extended position to the retracted position and is engaged by a metering bar (52ba) which controls the product acceleration on the sweep conveyor (22) to match the meter conveyor (12) until the product group leaves the transfer device (42).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2002
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Inventor: Richard Jerome Schoeneck
  • Publication number: 20030234157
    Abstract: A robotic loading cell for plastic utensils is characterized by a synchronized supply conveyor and gripping mechanism for packaging individual utensils from an integrally molded group or rack of utensils. The gripping device is operable to remove a plurality of individually stacked utensils from the integral racks. A robotic transfer mechanism connected with the gripping device transfers the utensils to a packaging assembly. Operation of the conveyor, gripper and robotic transfer device is coordinated through a programmed controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Applicant: Flexicell Inc.
    Inventor: Johannes J.M. de Koning
  • Publication number: 20030234158
    Abstract: In order to provide an apparatus for separating flat parceled goods, comprising a driver device with at least one driver surface, which is driven such that the parceled goods can be carried along in a transporting direction by the at least one driver surface, and also comprising a separating device with at least one separating surface for the parceled goods, the separating surface being directed toward the at least one driver surface, which apparatus carries out a separating operation with a high degree of reliability, it is proposed that the separating device is driven such that the at least one separating surface moves, upon contact with a parceled goods article, in the opposite direction to the transporting direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2003
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Inventor: Oliver Zattler
  • Publication number: 20030234159
    Abstract: Device for moving products from a loading station to an unloading station. Carriers on which containers for the products are arranged move along a guide in the direction of transport. The drive is implemented with the aid of a toothed belt and each carrier is provided with a locking pawl that is hingeably fixed thereto and that can come into engagement with the toothed belt. The locking pawl is furthermore provided with a tab on which an operating element, such as a cylinder, firmly fixed to the transport device is able to engage. A second set of teeth constructed as a toothed belt is present and this is arranged in a stationary position. The carrier is provided with a wheel running in this toothed belt. This wheel is provided with a non-return clutch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2003
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Inventor: Rene Michael Hoveling
  • Publication number: 20030234160
    Abstract: A process board is moved, positioned and processed by first and second upper conveyers and first and second lower conveyers, and a tool of a head is moved between the first upper and lower conveyers and the second upper and lower conveyers such that the first and second upper conveyers and the first and second lower conveyers are not damaged by the tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2002
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Inventors: Hirotoshi Kubota, Hiroyuki Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20030234161
    Abstract: A transport conveyor for workpieces, pallets, or workpiece carriers which includes a drive transmission that includes a traction coupling that interrupts the transfer of torque and driving force to the conveyor rollers, belt or the like upon an interruption in the movement of the workpieces, pallets or workpiece carriers on the conveyor. The transmission traction device includes contact-free couplings which can be integrated in the rollers or be mounted outside the drive path of the rollers. Because the couplings operate without physical contact, they are free from wear commonly incurred in the drive transmission as an incident to the interruption of workpiece movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2003
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Inventors: Ludwig Zoller, Dirk Watzlawek
  • Publication number: 20030234162
    Abstract: A boost drive that decreases the belt tension at otherwise high-tension locations along the conveying path of a modular plastic conveyor belt. The boost drive includes first and second drive wheels arranged to rotate about parallel axes transverse to the direction of belt travel. The drive wheels engage the top and bottom sides of the belt near a side edge of the belt. A drive mechanism drives the wheels in tandem, which provide a drive force to the belt that supplements the primary drive force and decreases tension in the belt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2003
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Applicant: LAITRAM, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Lee D. Smith
  • Publication number: 20030234163
    Abstract: An electrical switch or operating device is disclosed for controlling/operating an electrically controlled bicycle component. In one embodiment, the operating device controls/operates a bicycle shift device and a bicycle suspension. The operating device has a base portion, a toggle portion, a button portion, three electrical contact switches, and a clicking mechanism. The clicking mechanism is positioned in a manner to provide for a compact arrangement of the operating device. The toggle portion is pivotally mounted to the base portion to move from a toggle neutral position to first or second contact positions where the toggle portion depresses either the first or electrical contact switches. The button portion is movably coupled to the toggle portion between a button neutral position where the button portion is spaced from the third electrical contact switch and a third contact position where the button portion depresses the third electrical contact switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2002
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Tadashi Ichida, Koken Ueno
  • Publication number: 20030234164
    Abstract: In a vehicular lever switch having a resistor at a fixed contact plate to be combined with a pivoting knob, when a passenger charged with static electricity touches the lever, the resistor is to be prevented from being damaged. A fixed contact plate is arranged with a resistor and conductors and extended from both ends thereof in a ring-like shape to constitute a fixed contact. Further, an extended portion extended in a circular arc shape is formed on an outer side of the resistor with a gap from the conductor. Even when the hand of a passenger charged with static electricity touches a vicinity of a pivoting knob and the static electricity is applied to the fixed contact plate, the static electricity flows to the extended portion and discharged via the conductor and a terminal. Thereby, the resistor is not damaged by static electricity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2003
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Inventor: Takahiro Oikawa
  • Publication number: 20030234165
    Abstract: An electrical switch includes a tubular housing constructed substantially of a non-conductive material, a first electrical contact positioned at one end of the housing, a second electrical contact positioned at a second end of the housing, and a shuttle selectively displaceable within the housing between the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact. The shuttle is electrically connected to the first electrical contact. A spring mechanism positioned within the housing and connected to the shuttle biases the shuttle into a first position proximate the first electrical contact. The shuttle is displaceable into engagement with the second electrical contact by pressurized gas to establish an electrical connection between the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact. The disclosed switch may be employed to selectively ground the components of an ion implantation system and is particularly suitable for use in high-voltage environments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Applicant: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward D. Heller
  • Publication number: 20030234166
    Abstract: The switch device comprises a pair of cavities, an elongate passage, a non-conductive fluid having a high electrical resistance, a conductive fluid having a high electrical conductivity and an electrical path. The passage is in fluid communication with the cavities and has a substantially elliptical cross-section over at least part of its length. The non-conductive fluid is disposed in each of the cavities. The conductive fluid is located in the passage. The electrical path is changeable between a connected state and a disconnected state by the non-conductive fluid separating the conductive fluid in the passage into non-contiguous conductive fluid portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Inventors: You Kondoh, Mitsuchika Saito
  • Publication number: 20030234167
    Abstract: The switch device includes first and second cavities, a passage extending between the cavities, a conductive liquid located in the passage and movable therein, a conductive path that includes the conductive liquid, an actuating liquid enclosed in each of the first and second cavities and covering the inner surfaces thereof and an actuating gas enclosed in each of the first and second cavities and existing as a bubble therein. At least one of the cavities includes a constriction element shaped to constrain the expansion of the actuating gas bubble in the cavity. This limits expulsion of the actuating liquid into the passage and movement of the conductive liquid along the passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Inventors: You Kondoh, Mitsuchika Saito, Yoshikatsu Ichimura
  • Publication number: 20030234168
    Abstract: A switch-device sheet comprising: a soft and elastic sheet body (5) having operation parts (5a) for operating contacts of a switch device; and a light guiding member (6) containing an optical fiber and being partially or completely embedded and wired in the sheet body (5), the light guiding member receiving light at one end (6a) and emitting light at the other end (6b). Therefore, the whole of the switch-device sheet (4) is flexible, and further the light guiding member (6) may be wired, as desired, outside or in the sheet body (5), while allowing for the size and wiring configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2003
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI RIKA DENKI SEISAKUSHO
    Inventors: Mamoru Miyako, Keiji Nagaya
  • Publication number: 20030234169
    Abstract: A plurality of operation members, each having an operation end and a switch-operating actuation end, are placed on a plane in a dispersed manner so as to freely rock independently, and the operation ends of the operation members are placed so as to face operation plungers at a plurality portions, and in this arrangement, the actuation ends of the respective operation members are connected to a switch main body 4 through a common reset spring plate so that when any one of the operation members is rocked and shifted, the switch main body is actuated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2003
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Applicant: OMRON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Norio Iwakiri
  • Publication number: 20030234170
    Abstract: A manually operable, electrical operating member having two key buttons for the respective switching-on and switching-off of the current, which key buttons are arranged on mutually opposite sides and can be operated in several steps. A common, mechanically operable switch is provided with which the key buttons are each in an operative connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2003
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Applicant: Bernstein AG
    Inventors: Rolf Wecke, Jurgen Weiss, Michael Leuschner
  • Publication number: 20030234171
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for injecting an antifoulant has been developed for suppressing coke formation during pyrolysis in a cracking furnace. The apparatus and method result in the antifoulant being atomized and vaporized, which is critical for proper distribution of the antifoulant. The proper distribution of the antifoulant through this novel apparatus and method results in longer runtime and higher efficiencies for cracking furnaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2002
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Inventors: Steven A. Owen, Ron E. Brown, Tin Tack Cheung, Timothy O. Odi, Darin B. Tiedtke, Joseph Bergmeister
  • Publication number: 20030234172
    Abstract: A fuel cell cartridge including a thermally-initiated hydrogen fuel source where the fuel cell cartridge is configured to receive radio frequency energy for thermally initiating the fuel source to produce hydrogen gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2002
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Inventors: Alan R. Arthur, Ravi Prasad, John A. Devos, Philip Harding
  • Publication number: 20030234173
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating fluid mixtures with ultrasonic energy. In one embodiment, the fluid mixture may include a selected constituent and the method may include directing a flow of the fluid mixture into a treatment apparatus and altering a phase and/or a chemical composition of the selected constituent by exposing the fluid mixture to ultrasonic energy while the fluid mixture flows through the apparatus. In one embodiment, the fluid mixture may be under pressure while being exposed to the ultrasonic energy and the fluid mixture may subsequently be exposed to a vacuum source to remove gas from the fluid mixture. In another aspect of the invention, the ultrasonic energy may have a first frequency and the fluid mixture may be exposed to ultrasonic energy of a second frequency different than the first frequency while in the apparatus. The ultrasonic energy may cavitate a liquid portion of the fluid mixture to generate heat and pressure in the fluid mixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Inventor: Bruce E. Minter
  • Publication number: 20030234174
    Abstract: A method for refining inorganic short fibers at a high yield rate. In the refining method of inorganic short fibers according to the present invention, an electric field is applied to dielectric liquid in which inorganic short fibers that include impurities are dispersed. The inorganic short fibers to which the electric field is applied are polarized and bonded with each other. The inorganic short fibers in the dielectric liquid are caused to fall. The falling inorganic short fibers are collected separately from the falling impurities utilizing the difference between the falling rate of the bonded inorganic fibers and the falling rate of the impurities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2003
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Inventors: Kyoichi Kinoshita, Motoharu Tanizawa
  • Publication number: 20030234175
    Abstract: A pre-sputtering method for improving utilization rate of targets, includes the steps of: providing a target; bombarding the target with ions; driving an elongated magnet to scan reciprocately at a constant speed to scan on the back side of the target during the bombarding process; and removing impurities from the surface of the target to complete the pre-sputtering for the target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2003
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Applicant: HannStar Display Corp.
    Inventor: Twn-Ho Teng
  • Publication number: 20030234176
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the depositing of carbon and carbon-based materials to produce hard carbon films or carbon-based films. The present methods for producing carbon films and carbon-based films include chemical vapour deposition and filtered arc systems. Both have problems. The present invention discloses a method and apparatus which utilises an arc system comprising an anode and a cathode both of graphite. The graphite anode is used to produce the carbon or carbon-based film precursor material. In order to control the quality and rate of deposition of the precursor material onto a substrate, the arc attachment area to the anode is controlled. Minimising the arc attachment area can increase the rate of deposition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2003
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Inventor: Jawad Haidar
  • Publication number: 20030234177
    Abstract: A shield (100) having an outer surface (104) and a plurality of sidewalls (106) is disclosed. The plurality of sidewalls (106) extends from the outer surface (104). At least a portion of the plurality of sidewalls (106) are designed to retain the shield to at least a portion of a substrate (102). Further, at least a portion of the plurality of sidewalls (106) are designed to deflect away from the substrate (102) when pressure is applied to the outer surface (104) in such a manner that the outer surface (104) assumes a concave position (202).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2002
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Inventors: Daniel Martin, Adrian Fernando Rubio, Christopher D. Crawford
  • Publication number: 20030234178
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a sensor for and a method of detecting carbon monoxide in gas streams containing hydrogen. The sensor acts as a fuel cell and is comprised of a centrally placed membrane electrode assembly upon each side of which is positioned a current collector which has gas inlets that allow gas to flow to the membrane electrode assembly. Plates are positioned on each of the exterior surfaces of the current collectors such that when assembled, one side of the CO sensor forms an anode and the other side forms a cathode. At a constant voltage, a sample gas passes through the sensor such that low levels of Platinum on the sensor facilitate the detection of carbon monoxide. A reader attached to the sensor interprets the concentration of carbon monoxide and air is passed through the sensor for recalibration as needed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Inventors: Kevin Kirby, Keith C. Fuller
  • Publication number: 20030234179
    Abstract: Molded structures, methods of and apparatus for producing the molded structures are provided. At least a portion of the surface features for the molds are formed from multilayer electrochemically fabricated structures (e.g. fabricated by the EFAB™ formation process), and typically contain features having resolutions within the 1 to 100 &mgr;m range. The layered structure is combined with other mold components, as necessary, and a molding material is injected into the mold and hardened. The layered structure is removed (e.g. by etching) along with any other mold components to yield the molded article. In some embodiments portions of the layered structure remain in the molded article and in other embodiments an additional molding material is added after a partial or complete removal of the layered structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2003
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Applicant: MEMGen Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher A. Bang
  • Publication number: 20030234180
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are a process for easily preparing an optical element in a form of thin film which contains a functional material whose concentration changes gradationally in an in-plane direction and a thickness direction of a thin film, an electrolytic solution used for the process, and an apparatus for preparing an optical element. The process is designed to form an optical element on an optical element preparing substrate from an electrolytic solution containing a functional material by electrodeposition or photovoltaic electrodeposition. The process includes a step of changing concentration of the functional material in the electrolytic solution in the vicinity of the optical element preparing substrate, so that a resulting thin film changes gradationally in the concentration of the functional material in the in-plane direction and/or the thickness direction of the thin film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Applicant: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Keishi Shimizu, Shigemi Ohtsu, Kazutoshi Yatsuda, Eiichi Akutsu
  • Publication number: 20030234181
    Abstract: A process for in situ electroforming a structural reinforcing layer of selected metallic material for repairing an external surface area of a degraded section of metallic workpieces, especially of tubes and tube sections, is described. Preferably, the metal layer coatings are made of fine-grained metals, metal alloys or metal matrix composites. The plating system can be used on straight tubes, tube joints to different diameter tubes or face plates, tube elbows and other complex shapes encountered in piping systems. A suitable apparatus is assembled on or near the degraded site and is sealed in place to form the plating cell. Also described is a process for plating “patches” onto degraded areas by selective plating including brush plating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Inventors: Gino Palumbo, Iain Brooks, Andrew J. Robertson, Konstantinos Panagiotopoulos, Francisco Gonzalez, Klaus Tomantschger
  • Publication number: 20030234182
    Abstract: A copper damascene process for a mechanically weak low k dielectric layer is described. Electropolishing is used to etch back the copper. A sacrificial conductive layer beneath the barrier layer assures complete planarization of the copper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2002
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Inventor: Tatyana Andryushchenko
  • Publication number: 20030234183
    Abstract: In a process of electroplating a metal work piece with thin dense chromium, the steps of submerging the metal work piece in a 35% sulfuric acid solution having about 4 ounces per gallon HF as ammonium biflouride salts, and subsequently submerging the metal work piece in a thin dense chromium plating bath having an initial direct current of about 3 volts, the amperages being at about 1.5-2.5 amps per square inch of cathode area, is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2003
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Applicant: Noble Medical Coatings, LLC
    Inventors: Harry E. Corl, Lawrence E. Noble
  • Publication number: 20030234184
    Abstract: Polishing compositions and methods for removing conductive materials from a substrate surface are provided. In one aspect, a composition includes an acid based electrolyte system, one or more chelating agents, one or more corrosion inhibitors, one or more inorganic or organic acid salts, one or more pH adjusting agents to provide a pH between about 2 and about 10, a polishing enhancing material selected from the group of abrasive particles, one or more oxidizers, and combinations thereof, and a solvent. The composition may be used in an conductive material removal process including disposing a substrate having a conductive material layer formed thereon in a process apparatus comprising an electrode, providing the composition between the electrode and substrate, applying a bias between the electrode and the substrate, and removing conductive material from the conductive material layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2003
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Feng Q. Liu, Stan D. Tsai, Yongqi Hu, Siew S. Neo, Yan Wang, Alain Duboust, Liang-Yuh Chen
  • Publication number: 20030234185
    Abstract: A shadowbox storage and display case is particularly adapted for displaying and storing earrings having post or wire extensions. The storage and display case has a housing which is formed by an upright peripheral wall and a rear planar wall. A picture frame having a perforated rigid sheet mounted within its central open area is pivotally attached to the peripheral wall of the housing to form a door for the housing. Post or wire extensions of earrings are inserted through apertures in the perforated rigid sheet and, when necessary, secured by an associated clasp. Hook and loop fastening material on the rear of the storage and display case permits detachable mounting of the storage and display case to a wall, closet door, or other vertical support surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2003
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Inventor: Margaret E. Flagg
  • Publication number: 20030234186
    Abstract: A display and carrying case for a doll, a doll clothing ensemble and doll accessories is provided which includes a container defining an interior compartment and including transparent side walls. A handle is attached to the top member of the container. The container includes a zipper fastener for, when unzipped, permitting lifting and pivoting of the top member away from the transparent side walls so as to provide access to the interior compartment of the carrying case. An insert of an x-shaped cross section is disposed in the interior compartment of the container so as to divide the interior compartment into a plurality of sub-compartments. A doll and various doll accessories are separately disposed in different ones of the sub-compartments so as to be visible through the transparent side walls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Inventor: Bede Ho Fung Leung
  • Publication number: 20030234187
    Abstract: An enclosed container for separately containing at least two reactive materials is provided. The container includes (a) a film arranged to form a first elongated compartment and a second elongated compartment, wherein the film comprises polypropylene and/or polyethylene; (b) a first reactive material contained in the first elongated compartment; and (c) a second reactive material contained in the second elongated compartment. The first reactive material is not in contact with the second reactive material. The first and second reactive materials are reactants in a chemical reaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Inventors: Ronald L. Paxton, Kenneth S. Monyak, John W. Trent, Robert D. Reynolds
  • Publication number: 20030234188
    Abstract: A kitchen utensil kit including a single handle with one or more easily detachable and attachable accessories such as peelers, pizza cutters, cheese slicers, zesters, ice cream scoops, etc. The kit includes stackable trays for storage in drawers or on countertops. Preferably, the individual implements extend upwardly out of the storage cavities in the trays, and vertical posts are used to support one tray on top of the other without interference with the implements stored in the lower tray.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2002
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Inventor: Carter W. McGuyer
  • Publication number: 20030234189
    Abstract: An optical disc case structure comprises bottom and top covers. A holding member for holding the optical disc is further placed within the case. The holding member is defined from at least an arcuate positioning tongue and an arcuate holding tongue. The arcuate positioning tongue has an inner surface thereof upwardly extending in inclined and taper manners while an outer surface thereof upwardly bends into a rounded profile. The arcuate holding tongue is connected to the bottom board via a connection in which a U-shaped clearance is defined by cutting through the bottom board so that a bottom face of the arcuate holding tongue is inclined. The arcuate holding tongue is integrally inclined outwardly meanwhile projecting toward the received disc. Thereby, the arcuate holding tongue can resiliently deviate to hold the optical disc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2002
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Inventor: Hsien-Tse Kuo
  • Publication number: 20030234190
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a burglarproof fastening for DVD container, in which a burglarproof fastening is installed inside the DVD container, and such burglarproof fastening has a blocking element, and the blocking section is formed on the blocking element. By means of the insertion of the blocking section into the DVD container to latch the positioning structure at the position of the central hole of the compact disk such that the positioning structure is unable to be separated from the compact disk by pressing and deforming the structure. Therefore, an unauthorized user or thief is unable to open the DVD container or take away the compact disk that is latched to the DVD container, and prevent the compact disk from being stolen by the thief by pressing the positioning structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2002
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Inventor: Hsien-Tse Kuo
  • Publication number: 20030234191
    Abstract: A security sleeve for merchandise storage containers includes a frame that defines a storage compartment. The frame defines an insertion opening through which the merchandise is loaded into the storage compartment. The frame may be configured to hold any of a variety of merchandise packages including various items of recorded media such as video cassettes, CDs, and DVDs. The sleeve includes at least one locking member that blocks a portion of the insertion opening to prevent the merchandise from being removed from the storage compartment until the frame is destroyed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2003
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Inventors: Dennis D. Belden, Alan J. Parris, Nicholas M. Sedon
  • Publication number: 20030234192
    Abstract: An optical disc case structure comprises a bottom cover and a top cover assembled with each other. A conically pillared positioning member is placed on the bottom cover to position the optical disc by engaging the central hole thereof. A central protruding ring and a peripheral protruding ring are formed on the bottom cover where is placed the optical disc. A plurality of flanges further inwardly protrude from two sides of the top cover parallel to the top cover. Hence arranged, the flanges receive advertisement cards and further press on the optical disc once the top and bottom covers fold onto each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2002
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Inventors: Chin-Tien Yang, Chi-Wei Pong
  • Publication number: 20030234193
    Abstract: A tackle organizer system that organizes fishing tackle and equipment at a storage location inboard a boat. The system includes a storage box, a multiple-port organizer insert, and a storage tray that defines one or more storage recesses. The system further provides securable storage for fishing tackle and equipment in both a vertical orientation and a horizontal orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2002
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Inventor: Gary L. Clouse