Patents Issued in February 17, 2004
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Patent number: 6692112Abstract: A monolithic ink-jet printhead, and a method for manufacturing the same, wherein the monolithic ink-jet printhead includes a manifold for supplying ink, an ink chamber having a hemispheric shape, and an ink channel formed monolithically on a substrate; a silicon oxide layer, in which a nozzle for ejecting ink is centrally formed in the ink chamber, is deposited on the substrate; a heater having a ring shape is formed on the silicon oxide layer to surround the nozzle; a MOS integrated circuit is mounted on the substrate to drive the heater and includes a MOSFET and electrodes connected to the heater. The silicon oxide layer, the heater, and the MOS integrated circuit are formed monolithically on the substrate. Additionally, a DLC coating layer having a high hydrophobic property and high durability is formed on an external surface of the printhead.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2002Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hyeon-cheol Kim, Yong-soo Oh, Keon Kuk, Kwang-joon Yoon, Jae-sik Min, Sang-hyun Lee, Chang-seung Lee, Seog Soon Baek, Sang-wook Lee, Jong-cheol Shin
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Patent number: 6692113Abstract: A printhead module for a printhead assembly incorporating a number of modules spaced across a pagewidth in a drop on demand ink jet printer includes an upper micro-molding and a lower micro-molding separated by a mid-package film layer. The mid-package film layer has laser ablated holes and an adhesive layer on both faces providing adhesion between the upper micro-molding, the mid-package film layer and the lower micro-molding. The upper and lower micro-moldings are held in alignment by pins passing through corresponding apertures in the mid-package film layer. Ink inlets and an air inlet are provided in the underside of the lower micro-molding. Ink and air passes from the lower micro-molding, through the mid-package film layer to the upper micro-molding. Air exists the upper micro-molding to repel the print media from the printhead during printing. The ink passes from the upper micro-molding into individual print chips mounted therein.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2002Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd.Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Tobin Allen King
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Patent number: 6692114Abstract: An ink jet recording head having a passage forming substrate made of a silicon monocrystalline substrate having pressure generating chambers communicating with nozzle orifices, and piezoelectric elements being formed on one of surfaces of the passage forming substrate with vibration plates interposed therebetween, each piezoelectric element including a lower electrode film, a piezoelectric layer and an upper electrode, wherein, wide portions, longitudinally extending, are provided on the vibration plate side of the pressure generating chambers, grooves, while extending in the longitudinal direction of the wide portion, are formed on both sides of each wide portion of the passage forming substrate, and the etching stop layers which define the side walls of each wide portion as viewed in the width direction to restrict the spread of the etching in the width direction of the pressure generating chamber, are put in the grooves.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2002Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Tetsushi Takahashi
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Patent number: 6692115Abstract: The invention provides a liquid container containing an absorbent member for temporarily retaining, by a capillary force, liquid to be supplied to a recording head for discharging the liquid and mounted together with the recording head on a linearly reciprocating carriage and adapted for receiving liquid replenishment to the absorbent member when the carriage is moved to a predetermined position, wherein, to the surface of the absorbent member, there is applied a polymer provided with a second portion having a lyophilic radical for rendering the surface lyophilic and a first portion having a radical of an interfacial energy different from the interfacial energy of the lyophilic radical but is approximately equal to the surfacial energy of the surface, and the first portion is oriented toward the surface while the second portion is oriented in a direction different from the surface.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2001Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Mikio Sanada, Sadayuki Sugama, Hiroki Hayashi
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Patent number: 6692116Abstract: Inkjet cartridge assemblies are provided for shipping with the internal pressure of their ink containers set during assembly at a reduced level at least 2 inches Hg gage below atmospheric pressure at sea level to avoid leaking during shipping. Preferably, the ink containers have an internal pressure set at least 9 inches Hg gage below atmospheric pressure at sea level.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2002Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Yichuan Pan, David A. Neese
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Patent number: 6692117Abstract: An ink containment and dispensing device for an ink-jet printer is provided with a main reservoir in the form of a flexible pouch, which is typically maintained at ambient pressure. The main reservoir is coupled to a variable volume chamber via a one-way valve which allows the flow of ink from the reservoir to the chamber and prevents the flow of ink from the chamber to the reservoir. The chamber is coupled to a fluid outlet, which is normally closed to prevent the flow of outward ink. However, when the ink supply is installed in a printer, the fluid outlet establishes a fluid connection between the chamber and the printer. The chamber is part of a pump provided with the ink supply that can be actuated to supply ink from the reservoir to the printer. The pump has a linearly acting pumping member and a flexible diaphragm that overlies the pumping member, the diaphragm being impervious to the transmission of oxygen and moisture therethrough to prevent degradation of the ink within the chamber.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 1997Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Assignee: Owens-Illinois Closure Inc.Inventor: David C. Kamp
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Patent number: 6692118Abstract: This invention relates to a pierceable sealing element for a liquid outlet, especially an ink outlet opening of an ink reservoir in inkjet printing means, and an ink reservoir with one such sealing element which has a membrane which can be pierced by a hollow needle for removing liquid, and the hollow needle can be surrounded sealed from the outside by the pierced seal element. To form an improved seal with low production and installation cost it is proposed as claimed in the invention that the membrane is surrounded by an annularly peripheral sealing profile which can be twisted in the manner of a torus at least partially around a peripheral line when the membrane has been pierced, a sealing surface which runs radially on the inside being formed.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2001Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Assignee: Artech GmbH Design + Production in PlasticInventors: Helmut Michele, Dirk Klein, Peter Busch
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Patent number: 6692119Abstract: A mechanism for regulating pressure within the interior of ink cartridge is peculiarized by that a filter which is telescoped by a sleeve is taken as a pressure-regulating member. The sleeve is telescoped with one end of a conduit and is communicable with the external atmosphere of the ink cartridge. By using the filter comprising uniformly arranged fiber bundles, a capillary action is created on the filter so that the back pressure can be maintained and the air can be introduced into the ink cartridge through the conduit. The negative pressure of the ink cartridge can be maintained at a best equilibrium state and the ink cartridge can be kept at an optimum condition.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2002Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Assignee: Microjet Technology, Co., Ltd.Inventors: Rong-Ho Yu, Cheng-Min Chang
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Patent number: 6692120Abstract: A pressure regulation apparatus for an ink reservoir is provided. The apparatus includes: an elastic bag mounted in the ink reservoir for freely passing an ambient air of an ambient environment outside the ink reservoir in and out the elastic bag, wherein the ink reservoir has an interior for holding an ink, and a porous filter mounted in the ink reservoir for entering the ambient air outside the ink reservoir into the interior of the ink reservoir therethrough, thereby the elastic bag and the porous filter complementarily regulating a pressure difference between the interior of the ink reservoir and the ambient environment outside the ink reservoir. By this apparatus, the pressure change within the ink reservoir is able to respond immediately for a big pressure change by the elastic bag and to regulate sensitively for a slight pressure change by the porous filter.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2002Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Assignee: Microjet Technology Co., Ltd.Inventors: Rong-Ho Yu, Cheng-Min Chang
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Patent number: 6692121Abstract: A method for reducing rub-off from a substrate having a front side and a back side with at least one side bearing a toner image by depositing a substantially clear phase change composition on the toner image bearing side of the substrate by depositing the phase change composition onto a rotary brush in contact with the substrate using an ink jet printer with the phase change composition being transferred from the brush to the substrate in an amount sufficient to reduce rub-off from the toner image bearing side. An ink jet printer and a second rotary brush may be also used to deposit a clear phase change composition to an image bearing backside of the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2002Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AGInventors: Dana G. Marsh, John F. Crichton
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Patent number: 6692122Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus of an ink-jet printer includes a cassette to accommodate sheets of paper detachably provided in a main body of the printer, a pickup roller rotating in close contact with the paper accommodated in the cassette to have the paper enter into the main body, and a buffer member to prevent damage of a pickup roller portion occurring when the pickup roller continuously performs a pickup operation when no paper remains in the cassette. The buffer member includes a guide portion provided in the cassette, a stop portion protruding from sides of the cassette to support end portions of the pickup roller when no paper remains in the cassette, a pad installed between the stop portion and the guide portion to slide, and an elastic unit to apply a restoration force pad opposite to a direction in which the paper is supplied into the main body of the printer.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2002Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Ju-hyun Park
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Patent number: 6692123Abstract: An inkjet printing method having the steps of: I) providing an ink jet printer that is responsive to digital data signals; II) loading the printer with a porous ink jet recording element having a substrate having thereon a porous image-receiving layer having a) inorganic particles encapsulated with an organic polymer having a Tg of less than about 100° C.; and b) particles having a mean particle size of up to about 5 &mgr;m; III) loading the printer with an inkjet ink composition; and IV) printing on the image-receiving layer using the ink jet ink composition in response to the digital data signals.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2001Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Elizabeth A. Gallo, Sridhar Sadasivan, Xiaoru Wang
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Patent number: 6692124Abstract: Protective eyewear of the invention includes at least one lens and a frame securing the lens. Temples or a retention strap are provided for attaching the protective eyewear to the head of a user. The frame includes a seal member around the lens with ventilation channels formed in the seal member on its surface for contacting the face of the user. Thus, the seal member forms a substantial enclosure between the lens and the face of the user when the eyewear is worn. The ventilation channels extend into the seal member towards the lens to a depth not reaching the lens and ensure free passage of air from the enclosure to the atmosphere so that moisture condensation on the lens is reduced or eliminated.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2002Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Inventors: Robert Katz, Brent Sheldon
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Patent number: 6692125Abstract: An ophthalmologic apparatus for observations and photographs of an eye includes a body; an optical system including an image pickup device integrated in the body for picking up an image of an eye; a mount provided on the body for mounting auxiliary units thereon; an optical selector for selecting whether the image of the eye is to be guided to the image pickup device or to the auxiliary unit mounted on the mount; and a controller for deciding whether the image of the eye is to be guided to the image pickup device or to the auxiliary unit according to the kind of the auxiliary unit mounted on the mount and controlling the optical selector for observation and for photographing independently.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2001Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Kazuhiro Matsumoto
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Patent number: 6692126Abstract: One or more embodiments of the present invention provide a method and apparatus to determine a corneal thickness profile of an eye. In particular, one embodiment of the present invention is a corneal diagnostic instrument including: (a) a Placido ring illuminator disposed to project a Placido ring image onto a cornea to generate a reflected Placido ring image; (b) multiple slit lamp projectors disposed to project slit light beams onto the cornea to generate slit light beam images; (c) a camera system optically disposed to detect the reflected Placido ring image and the slit light beam images; and (d) a controller, coupled to the slit lamp projectors, the Placido ring illuminator, and the camera system, to cause the slit light beam images and the reflected Placido ring image to be generated and detected in a predetermined sequence, wherein the controller is responsive to the detected reflected Placido ring image and the detected slit light beam images to determine a corneal thickness profile.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2002Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Assignee: Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc.Inventors: Jing-Gang Xie, Ming Lai, Jay Wei
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Patent number: 6692127Abstract: A spectacles fitting system including a wide-view imaging system operative to provide a wide-view of a client's face, a 3D image processor operative to generate first 3D information describing the client's physical features, a virtual try-on unit operative to receive the digital 3D representation of the client's face and a digital 3D representation of a spectacle frame, to virtually mount the spectacle frame onto the client's face and to generate second 3D information describing frame/facial fit, and a lens fitter operative to receive the first 3D information and the second 3D information and to generate therefrom at least one parameter for face-and-frame customized manufacture and cutting of the lens.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2001Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Assignee: Visionix Ltd.Inventors: Marc Abitbol, Ran Sasson, Ofer Mosenzon
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Patent number: 6692128Abstract: A subjective ophthalmic refractor comprises a cylinder power adjustment knob for simultaneously actuating a cylinder power scale and an indexable lens carrier drive assembly. The drive assembly includes a gear phasing hub designed to allow a scale marking to be centered in a display window of the refractor and components of the drive assembly to be set in proper rotational orientation as independent operations.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2002Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Assignee: Reichert, Inc.Inventor: Christopher Goris
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Patent number: 6692129Abstract: The optical system includes a plurality of light modulators, one or more combining filters, and an optical relay system including a filter. Each light modulator modulates a corresponding incident light beam. The one or more combining filters superimpose the modulated light beams from each of the plurality of light modulators. The optical relay system filters the superimposed light and relays the filtered light to an image plane.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2002Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Assignee: Silicon Light MachinesInventors: Kenneth P. Gross, Paul Manhart, Richard A. Buchroeder
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Patent number: 6692130Abstract: A solar powered heating and ventilation system maintains an unoccupied vehicle at a more comfortable temperature relative to the outside temperature using both heating and cooling as appropriate. The system uses an air duct having a fan, heating element, vents, flaps, selector switch and power control circuits. The system also uses an electronic solar power panel and battery as power sources. The system provides power to the fan and heating elements via a selector switch and power control circuits. The power control circuits are connected to the vehicle battery and electronic solar power cells. The duct is located on the interior ceiling of the vehicle and has at least three vents.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2002Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Inventor: Christopher E. Snow
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Patent number: 6692131Abstract: A rearview mirror system includes components that can be used on both the left and right side of a vehicle. Only one carrier plate need be used to mount the mirrors. By changing mounting procedure on the two identical carrier plates, one carrier plate may be used for both the right and left mirrors, thereby reducing the number of components. A wedge-shaped transition piece may be used to provide the asymmetric mounting to thereby allow for mounting on the right and left sides of vehicles.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 1999Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Assignee: Lang Mekra North America, LLCInventors: Heinrich Lang, Albrecht Popp, Jürgen Pfanz
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Patent number: 6692132Abstract: A faceplate (indicating operation status of an apparatus) includes a bezel and a light-pipe, which are integrated into a piece. The faceplate can be injection-molded with an optically clear plastic. The light-pipe includes a lens and a light guide. The lens focuses light from a light source toward the light guide and is shaped so as to focus and collect the light within a boundary of the light guide. The surface of the light guide includes a number of mini refracting lenses to promote illumination of the light. Alternatively, an ink can be applied on the surface of the light guide to promote the illumination of the light. Further, a diffusing lens can be formed on the surface of the light guide to promote illumination of the, light. The faceplate can include multiple light-pipes.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2002Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Assignee: Calix Networks, Inc.Inventor: Matthew K. Meeker
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Patent number: 6692133Abstract: A plane light source apparatus having a lamp as light source and a light guide plate for directing and emitting the light from the lamp, wherein said light guide has a light incident surface opposed to said lamp and where the light from the lamp enters, a light emitting surface for emitting light from the lamp, and an opposed surface opposed to the light emitting surface, said light emitting surface or said opposed surface extends in the direction opposed to said light incident surface, has a plurality of convexoconcave portions formed to collect substantially light propagating in said light guide plate, and said convexoconcave portions have a flat face formed at the bottom of the concave portion or at the top face of the convex portion.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2001Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Assignees: International Business Machines Corporation, Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yoshihiro Katsu, Masaki Ohshima, Masaru Suzuki, Yoji Oki, Yasuyuki Daigo
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Patent number: 6692134Abstract: A front light includes a bar-shaped light source, and a light guide panel that introduces light from the light source through an end face and emits the light from an emergent surface. The light source is supported at an end of the light guide panel by a cover member disposed so as to cover the light source and a part of the light guide panel. Protuberances are formed on the inner surface of the cover member, and the light guide panel is grasped via the protuberances. The light guide panel is positioned in the widthwise direction by projecting pieces extending from both sides of the cover member.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2002Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kou Ohwada, Hideaki Nagakubo
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Patent number: 6692135Abstract: An attachable lighting system for an outdoor umbrella includes at least an illuminating arrangement which includes at least an illuminating unit for illumination, an illuminating unit supporter which has an guiding surface formed on a bottom portion thereof and is securely connected to the awning frame, an illuminating unit adaptor, and a power supply device. The illuminating unit adaptor has a holding member securely connected to the illuminating unit and an engagement member having an engaging surface arranged to slidably engage with the guiding surface of the illuminating unit supporter, wherein the illuminating unit adaptor is detachably attached to the illuminating unit supporter in such a manner that the illuminating unit connected to the illuminating unit adaptor is capable of sliding to maintain a substantially vertical orientation when the awning frame is folding and unfolding or supported in an inclined position.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2002Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Inventor: Wanda Yiing Li
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Patent number: 6692136Abstract: A hybrid lighting system for producing white light including at least one light emitting diode and phosphor-light emitting diode. The hybrid lighting system exhibits improved performance over conventional LED lighting systems that use LEDs or phosphor-LEDs to produce white light. In particular, the hybrid system of the invention permits different lighting system performance parameters to be addressed and optimized as deemed important, by varying the color and number of the LEDs and/or the phosphor of the phosphor LED.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2002Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventors: Thomas M. Marshall, Michael D. Pashley, Stephen Herman
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Patent number: 6692137Abstract: The present technique relates to a method and apparatus of illuminating a display, which has a display screen, a plurality of lamps and reflector containing both specular and diffuse surfaces. The technique provides a relatively small area specular reflector with a curved surface configured for reflecting a substantial amount of light away from the lamps, into the intermediate areas between the lamps, and toward the display screen. The relatively large remaining area of the reflector provides a diffuse surface to direct some amount of light away from the lamps and toward the display. In addition, this diffuse surface optimizes the performance of light control films integral to the illumination system.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2001Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Assignee: L-3 CommunicationsInventor: Randall D. Blanchard
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Patent number: 6692138Abstract: An apparatus which provides a substantially planar display device. Such apparatus including a predetermined plurality of sets of lights. Each of such predetermined plurality of sets of lights including an even number of lights connected to one circuit to be simultaneously energized thereby. The lights in such set being disposed in a substantially symmetrical array having at least four mirror axes and an energization device connected to such predetermined plurality of such sets of lights for energizing BP predetermined plurality of such sets of lights in an apparently random manner.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2001Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Inventor: Todd E. Chornenky
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Patent number: 6692139Abstract: An apparatus for lighting a room from the room's ceiling. The apparatus includes a first plate having an opening. The apparatus includes a spacer attached to the first plate. The apparatus includes at least a second plate having an opening attached to the spacer and maintained in spaced relationship from the first plate by the spacer. The opening of the first plate and the opening of the second plate together define a first channel. The apparatus includes means for lighting including at least one lamp and one transformer electrically connected to the lamp. The lamp is either a low voltage or line voltage lamp. The lamp extends into the channel. A method for forming a lighting apparatus. A method for lighting a room.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2002Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Inventor: Irwin Kotovsky
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Patent number: 6692140Abstract: A lamp rod for mounting a lamp to a junction box comprises a mounting socket penetrated through an opening in a side of the junction box and a rod inserted into an interior of the mounting socket. The mounting socket has a collar section inserted into the opening of the junction box. A bore penetrates through an interior of the collar section. A platform having a cutaway portion is formed at a front end of the mounting socket and is disposed within an inner circumference of the junction box. The rod has a plug. The plug has snap-fit holes. After the rod is inserted into the mounting socket bore, the snap fit holes of the plug are respectively engaged with the retaining spring. Therefore, by above structure, overall shipping and storage dimensions are minimized and, furthermore, convenient do-it-yourself assembly can be performed by the user.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2001Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Inventor: Wen-Chang Wu
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Patent number: 6692141Abstract: An interface apparatus provides a sterile barrier between a sterile field and non-sterile portions of an associated surgical lighthead. The interface apparatus is a sterile disposable cover including a lower grippable portion, an intermediate cone-shaped portion, and an upper window area. The lower grippable portion is adapted to connect onto the handle portion of an associated surgical lighthead. An intermediate cone-shaped portion connects the lower grippable portion with an upper window area. The upper window area overlays control input means of the associated surgical lighthead such as, for example, light intensity controls. At least a portion of the upper window area is transparent to enable visualization of the control inputs beneath the sterile disposable cover. The interface apparatus is of a unitary or composite construction.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2002Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Assignee: Steris Inc.Inventors: David Jesurun, James C. Hlebovy
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Patent number: 6692142Abstract: An apparatus, method, and system for lighting includes one or more moveable bases, one or more lighting arrays, and one or more extendable poles. The base, pole, and array are designed to allow elevation of the array to heights exceeding 35′, yet the combination is transportable by conventional over-the-road trucks. In one form, a plurality of bases, poles, and arrays are designed to fit on a conventional over-the-road trailer for transport on one trailer to a lighting location.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2000Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Assignee: Musco CorporationInventors: Myron K. Gordin, Greg Kubbe, Thomas A. Stone, James Whitson, James Marshall
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Patent number: 6692143Abstract: A method and apparatus for mixing a corrosive mixture is provided. The apparatus having a lid for sealing an opening to the mixing vessel. The lid easily and quickly operated in addition to providing a secure pressure tight seal. It is necessary for the lid to be easily and conveniently operated to assure use of the lid.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2002Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Inventor: Robert B. Keller
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Patent number: 6692144Abstract: A method and measuring device intended for a window-cleaning system of a motor vehicle, wherein the freezing temperature is determined by continuous cooling of a representative partial volume of the liquid inside a chamber. For this purpose, measurements are made of the temperature while the liquid is cooled, which first drops in accordance with the heat dissipation until the start of the phase change initiating the freezing, and in the process leads the heat of solidification released to a temporary temperature plateau. The freezing temperature can be reliably determined in this way for each chemical composition of the liquid.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2000Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Assignee: Mannesmann VDO AGInventors: Rainer Kober, Sven Petzold
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Patent number: 6692145Abstract: A micromachined thermal probe has a substrate with a surface and an edge, and at least one flexible probe body formed on the substrate that includes a cantilever beam section that extends from a proximal end outwardly to a distal end. A pair of conductors in the probe body extend to a junction at the distal end at which is formed a probe tip. Current passed through the conductors to the junction heats the probe tip, with changes in the effective probe resistance occurring as the probe tip is scanned over a sample with different thermal conductivities at different positions. A second flexible probe body may be mounted to the substrate and constructed similarly to the first probe body to act as a reference probe to allow compensation of the first probe. The probe body may be formed of layers of flexible polymer joined together over pairs of conductors, which is bent back onto itself and secured together at a proximal end of the cantilever beam.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2001Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research FoundationInventors: Yogesh B. Gianchandani, Mo-Huang Li, Julius Wu
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Patent number: 6692146Abstract: Prior-art rubber hot-water bottles have a screw cap, which is arranged directly on the bottle body and forms a rather hard thickening there, which is felt to be irritating when the user is lying on the bottle. Moreover, a screw cap is difficult to use and must be screwed in with a certain force, which also requires corresponding forces for loosening. To avoid these drawbacks, it is proposed according to the present invention that a clamping means (23, 40), by which the bottle neck can be closed, be provided on the bottle neck (21) of the rubber hot-water bottle. Clamping means are simple to use and require only little force for closing. In addition, they can be opened easily and are very flat, so that they are not irritating. Furthermore, the bottle neck (21) may be designed such that the clamping means (23, 40) can be led away from the body of the user.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2002Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Inventor: Georg Oswald Lange
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Patent number: 6692147Abstract: A reclosable bag has a bag body and a reclosable, zipper-type closure. The reclosable closure has extruded male and female interlocking profiles extending along opposing sides of an opening of the bag and are constructed to releasably interlock. The closure also has an extruded valve flange extending from one side of the closure to engage an opposing surface of the closure when the profiles are interlocked. The flange and opposing surface are constructed to separate in response to pressure within the bag for venting the bag with the profiles interlocked, and to increase a contact pressure therebetween in response to presence of a vacuum in the bag. The closure also defines a vent passage extending from an air space between the opposing sides of the opening and between the interlocking profiles and the valve flange.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2002Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Inventor: Charles Nelson
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Patent number: 6692148Abstract: An apparatus is arranged to successively make plastic bags each of which includes two layers of panel portion superposed to define aligned top edges, first and second side edges and bottom edges. The plastic bag further includes a first side gusset portion disposed between and extending along the first side edges, a second side gusset portion disposed between and extending along the second side edges, and a bottom gusset portion disposed between and extending along the bottom edges. The apparatus comprises feeding means for feeding a main material intermittently for a length along a feeding path. The main material comprises the layers of panel portion and the first and second side gusset portions continuing longitudinally thereof respectively, the feeding means feeding the main material longitudinally of the layers of panel portion and the first and second side gusset portions.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2002Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Assignee: Totani CorporationInventor: Mikio Totani
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Patent number: 6692149Abstract: A re-sealable container closure label including a base label and a cover label, and a hook-and-loop fastener system and a tamper-evident tear strip is sandwiched therebetween. In a preferred embodiment, the base label is adhered to the front wall of a container, preferably a bag, adjacent an opening in the bag. A flap of the bag is folded downwardly over the opening and adheres to the front wall, the cover label, the two-part hook-and-loop fastener system and the tear strip. In an alternative embodiment, container closure label includes a hook-and-loop fastener system and a tear strip secured only to a base label. This alternative embodiment label is adhered to the front wall of a bag as in the preferred embodiment, except that the flap is adhered directly over the fastener system and tear strip. To open a bag sealed with the re-sealable container closure label, a user pulls the tear strip, which permits the flap to open and form a pour opening.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2002Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Assignee: CCL Label, Inc.Inventors: Bryan T. Baker, Guy S. Kiraly
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Patent number: 6692150Abstract: The present invention is a disposable container having an easily openable structure capable of solving the problems in the easily openable disposable containers, and a die therefore at a low cost. An easily openable disposable container comprising a sheet such as a synthetic resin film or a film-like sheet with an aluminum foil laminated on the film for sealing the substance to be stored by sealing the entirety or a part of the periphery with a content such as a liquid or a particle, with an easily openable part formed in a part of the sealed parts, wherein the sealing of the easily openable part is formed in a width narrower than the sealing width in the other part of the sealed part, and a narrow width vertical sealing is formed continuously from the narrow width sealed part, elongating in the direction substantially orthogonal thereto into the inside of the container such that the sealing of the easily openable part forms a substantially T-shape or a substantially V-shape in a plan view, is provided.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2002Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Assignee: Solvex Co.Inventor: Takahiro Hoshino
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Patent number: 6692151Abstract: A linear motion guide for mounting and longitudinally guiding machine parts, in which a first guide element provided to be fixed to a machine part is guided by a plurality of rolling elements along a longitudinal movement axis with respect to a second guide element, likewise provided to be fixed to a machine part, for this purpose each guide element has a groove-like recess running parallel to the longitudinal movement axis, boundary surfaces of the recess in each guide element are provided as rolling surfaces for the rolling elements, the rolling elements are arranged one after another in one or more rows in at least one cage between the two guide elements, the cage is provided with at least one first positive guide, the cage with its first positive guide being guided by second positive guide fixed to the guide elements, each second positive guide being arranged only on one of the guide elements and being fixed in position relative to the latter.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2002Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Assignee: Schneeberger Holding AGInventors: Peter Vegh, Samuel Wirth, Ernst Mischler, Hans Egger
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Patent number: 6692152Abstract: An annular groove portion is integrally formed for preventing splashing of the lubricating oil by extending from a mount base (10) of the motor rotor to the motor shaft (6) to the metal bearing (5) and the radial ball bearing (20), allowing a spacer member (15) making contact with an inner ring (20a) of the radial ball bearing (20) to be attached inside the annular groove portion.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2001Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Assignee: Nidec Copal CorporationInventors: Hiroyuki Shingai, Yasuo Shibata
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Patent number: 6692153Abstract: A wheel support bearing assembly includes inner and outer members (1 and 2) and at least one row of rolling elements (3) operatively interposed between the inner and outer members (1 and 2) and an annular sealing device (5) sealing an open end of an annular space defined between the inner and outer members (1 and 2). The sealing device (5) includes first and second annular sealing plates (11 and 12) fitted to different members out of the inner and outer members (1 and 2). Each of the first and second sealing plates (11 and 12) includes a generally cylindrical wall (11a or 12a) and a radial wall (11b or 12b) assembled together to represent a generally L-shaped section. The first sealing plate (11) is fitted to one of the inner and outer members (1 and 2) that serves as a rotating member. An elastic member (14) mixed with a powdered magnetic material is bonded by vulcanization to the radial wall (11b) of the first sealing plate (11).Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2002Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Assignee: NTN CorporationInventors: Hisashi Ohtsuki, Takayuki Norimatsu
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Patent number: 6692154Abstract: A unit consisting of a bearing equipped with a data sensor device and a housing in which the bearing is coupled. The bearing consists of an inner turning collar designed to be attached to a turning body, an outer fixed collar coupled to the housing, and rolling bodies positioned between them. The data sensor device consists of a coder that generates magnetic impulses attached to the turning collar and, attached to the fixed collar, a sensor equipped with at least two sensitive components capable of detecting such impulses. The housing is designed to permit said bearing to be locked radially and to lock the bearing axially in one direction. The sensor is made in monoblock construction and configured such that the bearing is locked at least in the other direction.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2002Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Assignee: SNR RoulementsInventor: Jean-Michel Beauprez
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Patent number: 6692155Abstract: A formed film is formed on the surface of a metal substrate made of an iron-based metal. Thereafter, the surface of the formed film is subjected to treatment for lessening surface roughness such as rolling. In this arrangement, a member which exhibits a sufficient seizing resistance even after being freed of formed film can be obtained.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2001Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Assignee: NSK Ltd.Inventors: Yuji Shimomura, Tomoyuki Aizawa, Dai Kinno
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Patent number: 6692156Abstract: The pockets 61 to 72 in the bearing 3 are arranged along the circumference (A), and the central points (P1˜P12) of the pockets 61 to 72 are displaced from the uniform arrangement points of the pockets, that is from the central points on the circumference (A) of the pockets 61 to 72 when the arrangement space of the pockets 61 to 72 is uniform, on the side remote from the reference point (P0) on the circumference (A).Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2000Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Assignee: NSK Ltd.Inventors: Yukio Ohura, Akio Fujii
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Patent number: 6692157Abstract: A bearing device for a drive wheel is provided with improved strength of coupling a hub wheel and an outer joint member without significantly raising the manufacturing cost. The bearing device for a drive wheel includes the hub wheel, a constant velocity universal joint and bearings arranged in inner races, the hub wheel, the universal joint and the bearings being unitized, at least the inner race being formed in the outer joint member of the constant velocity universal joint. In the bearing device, the hub wheel and the outer joint member are meshed with each other by way of serrations and coupled to each other by caulking. Undulations of serrations at near a caulked section being filled with plastic deformed part caused by the caulking.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2001Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Assignee: NTN CorporationInventors: Koji Sahashi, Kazuhiko Hozumi, Keisuke Sone, Masahiro Ozawa, Akira Torii
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Patent number: 6692158Abstract: A bearing seat includes a cylindrical scat defining a cylindrical pocket for at least partially containing a bearing. The cylindrical seat includes a cylindrical first wall and an end wall extending from the cylindrical first wall. The cylindrical first wall has an inner face and the end wall includes an integral shim extending outwardly therefrom. The integral shim is configured to contact a side of an outer race of a bearing such that the side of the outer race of the bearing seats firmly against the integral shim.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2002Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Timothy O. Williams, Michael A. Cook, Michael W. Henry, Timothy W. Carey
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Patent number: 6692159Abstract: Fiber optic modules including a bail-latch to disengage and withdraw the fiber optic module from a cage assembly or module receptacle. In one embodiment, the fiber optic modules further include a spring to bias the bail-latch into an engaged position and one or more electro-optic transducers to convert optical signals into electrical signals or electrical signals into optical signals. In another embodiment the fiber optic modules further include an engaging triangle to engage an opening in a latch of the cage assembly which is responsive to the bail-latch. In yet another embodiment, the fiber optic modules include a sliding actuator having a butt surface at one end and at least one ramp at an opposite end, instead of an engaging triangle. A belly-to-belly mounting configuration is introduced for the bail-latch release fiber optic modules.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2001Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Assignee: E20 Communications, Inc.Inventors: Liew C. Chiu, Ron C. Pang, Yong P. Sim, Kee S. Tan, Tat T. Ming
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Patent number: 6692160Abstract: A packaging method and apparatus that improve the yield and reliability of multi-port fiber optical devices are disclosed. The method utilizes a flexible metallic connection between a solid frame holding input and output optics (including fibers, collimators) and the main body of an optical device. Optical alignment and realignment are accomplished following the soldering and/or hermetically sealing of the entire package. A flexible connection is made with permeable material that has minimum stress memory associated with realignments and can tolerate repeated adjustment or realignment without becoming structurally unsound.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2001Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Assignee: Nexfon CorporationInventors: Yi Qin, Charles X.W. Qian
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Patent number: 6692161Abstract: An apparatus and packaging scheme that ensures that alignments between signal sending and detecting components in transceivers are optimized and maintained over the lifetime of the apparatus. This is accomplished through use of a pair of polymer optical modules, which are used to couple light sent to and received from respective fiber optic cables. During a pre-alignment process, head portions of the polymer optical modules are inserted into respective slots defined in a standoff that is mounted on an optical sub-assembly to which an emitter and detector are mounted, whereby these slots are configured so that the head portions slide along the sidewalls of the slots during assembly. During a subsequent active alignment process, each polymer optical module is positioned relative to its respective emitter or detector until a maximum signal is detected, whereupon the position of the components is quick-set using a UV-sensitive adhesive. Additional adhesive may then be added to further secure the components.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2001Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Assignee: Intel CorporationInventors: Brett Zaborsky, Rao Peddada, Andrew Alduino, Douglas Crafts, Siegfried Fleischer