Patents Issued in March 9, 2004
  • Patent number: 6702134
    Abstract: A closure system useful for storing fluids under cold storage conditions. The closure system includes cap and container components which combine to form a dual sealing system. The container has a generally cylindrical side wall, a closed bottom end, and an open top end having an inner beveled lip depending from an annular top rim. The cap has a generally circular top wall from which inner and outer skirts depend. The outer skirt is adapted to grip the open top end of the container. The inner skirt includes an outer surface having a lower seal bead and an upper beveled portion mated with the beveled lip. When the cap is fitted onto the container, the seal bead contacts an inner surface of the container and the upper beveled portion and the beveled lip are engaged in an interference fit, thereby impeding the loss of fluid from the closure system under cold storage conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Gen-Probe Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert F. Scalese, Daniel L. Kacian
  • Patent number: 6702135
    Abstract: The invention is a universal dumpster adapted for use with both conventional front loading and roll-off refuse collection trucks. A universal dumpster according to this invention includes a floor, a pair of side walls, and a pair of end walls. The floor, side walls and end walls together define an interior compartment for collecting and containing solid waste. Sleeves rotatably mounted to the side walls engage the lifting arms of a front loading truck. At least one of the end walls includes a door that is movable between a first fully closed position and a second fully opened position for depositing solid waste into the dumpster and discharging the solid waste from the dumpster. The rotatable sleeves reduce the forces exerted on the lifting arms of the front loading truck. Accordingly, the capacity of the dumpster may be increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Inventor: Nathan L. Pickler
  • Patent number: 6702136
    Abstract: The present invention is an improved reservoir cap for a braking fluid reservoir including a cylindrical skirt for surrounding an opening of the reservoir body, a disc portion having a hard stop formed unitarily with the cylindrical skirt for closing the reservoir fill opening, and a plurality of teeth formed unitarily about the hard stop for securing an elastic member. The elastic member is disposed about the teeth of the reservoir cap and secured thereto. The elastic member defines ridges disposed circumferentially about its center. Between the ridges and the center of the elastic member is a channel, which in turn defines a pair of openings which permit the flow of excess fluid through the elastic member, thereby reducing the possibility of fluid overflow, and thus preventing excess brake fluid from permeating the reservoir cap and leaking into the engine compartment of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Continental Teves, Inc.
    Inventors: Miguel Saygan, Jim Tottingham, Dennis Downen, Dale May
  • Patent number: 6702137
    Abstract: A plug for a liquid container comprises an outer plug, an inner plug and a fixing device. The outer plug is substantially a cylinder shape with a bottom wall and detachably installed onto a liquid container, wherein a liquid passage hole is penetrated through the bottom wall, and a liquid passage is formed between the bottom wall and an upper opening of the outer plug body. The inner plug is pivotally connected to the outer plug through a hinge, wherein the inner plug further comprises a liquid inlet seal member for sealing the liquid passage hole and a liquid outlet seal member for sealing an inner wall near the upper opening of the outer plug. The fixing device is used for fixing the inner plug onto the outer plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Nippon Sanso Corp.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Kowa, Takashi Ohno, Ikuo Miura
  • Patent number: 6702138
    Abstract: An insulated beverage container (100) has a tumbler (110), a handle assembly (120) including a collar (122) attached to the top of the tumbler, and a valved lid assembly (200). The tumbler has multiple wall construction, wherein the inner two walls (114, 116) define an insulating volume (118) therebetween that may be partially evacuated. The valved lid assembly includes an upwardly biased valve (240), near the top of the lid assembly, that may be moved from a closed position wherein the valve abuts a valve seat (214) in the lid assembly, and an open position wherein the valve is spaced apart from the valve seat. A non-skid base (102) with integral, upwardly extending grip elements provides a grip to facilitate handling of the tumbler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Starbucks Corporation
    Inventors: Andy Bielecki, Brian Furlong, Michael Jensen, Tim Nowack
  • Patent number: 6702139
    Abstract: A packing tray is provided for use in both cell pack and tray pack arrangements. The packing tray is unitarily formed from polystyrene foam to have a cellular structure. Cells are arranged in longitudinal rows of alternating odd and even numbers, and the cells are partially separated by cell dividers, which have at least major portions recessed within the tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Tekni-Plex, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark A. Bergeron
  • Patent number: 6702140
    Abstract: A process for the manufacture of cooking vessels, in particular pots and/or pans in a relatively soft metallic material, with a plate in a metallic material of high hardness applied to the bottom of the vessel, performs a stable connection among said parts with no mechanical and/or thermal trauma for the materials and comprises the steps of: providing a plate (1) provided with a plurality of points (6) projecting from a surface (4) thereof; inducing, by compression, the penetration of said points (6) and the adhering of said surface (4) at the bottom (20); and stretching said bottom (20), thereby causing the deformation and the clutching of said points (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Societa Italiana Pentole-SIP S.p.A.
    Inventor: Giovanni Sollo
  • Patent number: 6702141
    Abstract: A refreshment center capable of holding a plate and a beverage container, formed of a rigid mold having first and second ends, a recessed portion sized to receive and hold a plate in the first end, and a hole and at least one L-shaped prong located in the second end to receive and hold almost any type of beverage container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Inventor: Richard Cinque
  • Patent number: 6702142
    Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the disclosed can lid has a center panel having a central axis that is perpendicular to a diameter of the outer rim, or peripheral curl portion, of the can lid, an annular countersink surrounding the center panel, an arcuate chuckwall extending radially outward from the annular countersink, an arcuate step portion extending radially outward from the arcuate chuckwall, a transitional portion extending radially outward from the arcuate step portion, and a peripheral curl portion extending outwardly from the transitional portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Metal Container Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher G. Neiner
  • Patent number: 6702143
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a container (1), which is easily contracted and elastically expanded to restore its original shape by a coil spring (7). This container (1) includes a flexible body (3) and a capacity control ring (5). The body (3) has a cylindrical interior for containing something. The capacity control ring (5) is spirally formed around the outer surface of the sidewall of the body (3), and allows the body (3) to be contracted and elastically expanded in a vertical direction, thus controlling the capacity of the body (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Korea Alphaline Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Soo chang Wang
  • Patent number: 6702144
    Abstract: A can apron comprising an indented groove cover including an outer flange and a inner flange connected by a lateral surface, the indented groove cover constructed of flexible material providing for the snap-on fitting of the can apron, a magnet, a magnet cover piece, and means for attaching the magnet cover piece to the indented groove cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Inventor: David E. Lyon
  • Patent number: 6702145
    Abstract: A splash-proof lid for a drinking cup has a splash guard in the form of a semi-permeable membrane positioned between the liquid contents of the cup and a discharge opening of the lid. The splash guard inhibits the liquid from splashing out of the discharge opening, while permitting the liquid to flow therethrough to the discharge opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Inventor: Alexander R. Malcolm
  • Patent number: 6702146
    Abstract: A system for dispensing pill- or capsule-form medications (61) in desired doses (60). The system comprises a dispensing device (35), which includes a cartridge (20, 40) rotatable relative to a housing or frame (10) and provided with discrete dosage compartments (27, 47) for desired doses of medication. The cartridge (20, 40) is manipulated by elements (18, 18a, 18b; 14a, 14b, 15, 18, 19), whereby each separate dosage compartment (27, 47) is rotatable relative to the housing or frame (10) to a dispensing point (4, 12) for the dose of medication (60). A signalling device (75, 76) producing a sound and/or light signal activates at pre-programmed times. An electronics unit (19, 55) containing a dispensing program is reprogrammable by means of an external programming device (36, 66, 101, 102).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Addoz Oy
    Inventor: Reijo Varis
  • Patent number: 6702147
    Abstract: A bedside butler unit dispenses hypoallergenic, antibacterial wet wipes and accommodates their disposal, following use. In one embodiment, the unit provides a safe, quick and discrete means for freshening up and readily disposing of clean-up materials. The unit is adapted to be placed on a vanity table or other easy to reach location near the bedside. It contains a sealed inner unit having a plurality of compartments. One of the compartments contains the hypoallergenic, antibacterial wet wipes, and another of the compartments serves as a disposal unit into which the wipes are conveniently placed after use. Additional compartments may be provided for dispensing dry wipes, and storing personal effects. In another embodiment, the unit is especially suited for use in hospitals, nursing homes and other patient care facilities to minimize the care provider's contact with soiled wipes, and thereby prevent the spread of infectious disease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Inventor: Samantha Ashford
  • Patent number: 6702148
    Abstract: A paper feed assembly is disclosed whereby a single driver is used to both engage a paper to be acted on, move or feed the paper to a pre-determined area, and then retract so that the paper may be acted on. The paper feed assembly according to the present invention comprises a motor, a cage, a gear train, and a roller arm. The paper feed assembly being design to permit the motor to rotate in a first and a second rotation and to engage or retract from the paper in response to the first or the second rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Addmaster Corporation
    Inventor: Donald R. McCombes
  • Patent number: 6702149
    Abstract: A conveniently sized and reusable animal treat dispenser (treat(s) will herein after be referred to as positive reinforcement(s)) for use in providing positive reinforcements, in an immediate and non-distracting manner, to reward and reinforce specific behaviors. Generally, the treat dispenser consists of a loading port, housing area, transfer mechanism, dispensing port and spring loaded clip. The treat dispenser is designed for temporary attachment to the trainer's garment; for receiving and housing multiple positive reinforcements; for dispensing a single positive reinforcement upon demand and for automatically reloading a single positive reinforcement for use in continued training. The housing area is lined with a felt or cloth material to reduce noise caused by the treats striking one another or the housing area walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Inventors: Charles Jason Brown, Susan Leigh Giddens
  • Patent number: 6702150
    Abstract: A terminal for connection between sections of a pneumatic tube has upper and lower end walls having respective ports connected to tube sections. The lower end wall also has offset from the respective tube section an outlet port. A rotor pivotal between the end walls between a pass-through position and an intercept position has a pass-through tube aligned between the tube sections only in the pass-through position and an intercept tube aligned between the tube sections only in the intercept position and aligned with the outlet port in the pass-through position. A closing plate between the rotor and the lower wall has an axially throughgoing aperture and is displaceable between a closed position blocking the outlet port and with the aperture over and permitting movement through the lower port and an open position with the aperture over and permitting passage through both the lower and outlet ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Inventor: Gerhard Sumetzberger
  • Patent number: 6702151
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for displaying bulk items and selectively dispensing a designated quantity of the bulk items from a multiplicity of the bulk items upon demand includes containing a multiplicity of bulk items in a volume of the bulk items within a bin and simultaneously conveying bulk items in a horizontal direction toward one end of the bin, adjacent the bottom of the bin, and in a vertically upward direction, adjacent the one end of the bin, to move bulk items from the volume of bulk items to an elevated dispensing outlet, in response to a demand, while at the same time tumbling the bulk items within the volume to separate the bulk items from one another for delivery of the designated quantity of individual, discrete selected bulk items to the dispensing outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Inventors: Benjamin E. Greenfield, Donald E. Barker, Damian P. Bianchi
  • Patent number: 6702152
    Abstract: A device for the control of dosing of a time dependent mass flow {dot over (m)}(t) for a helical dosing equipment (1) with a weighing machine (9) and a method of operation of such a device. The device includes a modulation detector (31), with which the periodic deviation of the mass flow {dot over (m)}(t) from a target value can be analyzed. The modulation detector (31) is connected to a speed modulator (32), with which the rotational speed f of the extraction helix (4) can be suitably phase shift modulated according to the curve shape derived by the modulation detector (31), whereby the deviations of the mass flow {dot over (m)}(t) are reduced to the unavoidable random deviations and the periodic deviation of the mass flow {dot over (m)}(t) can be eliminated. Both for the analysis of the mass flow {dot over (m)}(t) and also for the calculation of the modulation function analog or digital integrated electronic components can be applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: K-Tron Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Stefan Ludescher
  • Patent number: 6702153
    Abstract: A beverage dispenser (20) with a faucet assembly (42) manually removably attached to an integral, stainless steel, U-shaped outlet pipe (52) having a generally horizontal section (74) that extends outwardly from the enveloping side (76) has a faucet with a faucet shank (48) for mating overlapping connection with the horizontal section (74) and a faucet latch member (78) carried by the faucet shank (48) and a mating outlet pipe latch assembly (90,92) for releasable latching engagement with the faucet latch member (78) to releaseably lock the faucet shank (48) to the outlet pipe (52).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Food Equipment Technologies Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Nowak, Zbigniew G. Lassota
  • Patent number: 6702154
    Abstract: A housing for dispensing material, particularly granular material, has a ramp shaped bottom surface inclined towards a front discharge chute. The chute is retained in a compartment which is integrally formed together with the housing. The housing is formed from two substantially identical half sections which are removably joined together, each of the housing half sections including a half section for the retaining compartment for the chute. In its assembled position, the chute has a plate-like gate element, pivotable between closed and opened positions, through actuation of an armature mechanically linked to the gate. The housing sections can be formed from known injection molding processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Rand Display, Inc.
    Inventor: M. Jeffrey Ellis
  • Patent number: 6702155
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of delivering adjustable metered doses of a composition from a squeezable container. An embodiment of the apparatus is a metered dose dispenser including a body that includes an inlet channel with a first opening, an outlet channel with a second opening, and a dosing wheel seat. The dosing wheel seat is a cavity defined by the body. The dosing wheel seat communicates with the inlet channel, via the first opening, and with the outlet channel, via the second opening. The metered dose dispenser also includes a removable, rotatable dosing wheel is situated within the dosing wheel seat when the metered dose dispenser is in use. The dosing wheel includes a dosing channel, which may be aligned with the inlet channel and the outlet channel. A plunger is movably situated in the dosing channel, the plunger does not fit through either the first or second opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Solvay Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas M. Rebne
  • Patent number: 6702156
    Abstract: A liquid jetting pump of the present invention is constructed such that an intra container liquid is sucked into a cylinder 3 through a suction valve 9 by moving a vertically movable member 4 up and down, and the intra cylinder liquid is jetted out of a nozzle 29 through a discharge valve 31 from a stem 28. A plurality of ribs 10 are protruded in a peripheral direction from a lower edge part within the cylinder. Engagement recessed portions 11 are formed in inner parts of the upper surfaces of the ribs. A lower edge of a coil spring 38 for biasing the vertically movable member 4 is secured to each of the engagement recessed portions 11, thereby permitting a flow of liquid on both sides of the lower edge of the spring internally externally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Yoshino Kogyosho, Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinji Shimada, Katsuhito Kuwahara, Takao Kishi, Takayuki Abe, Shuzo Endo, Yuji Kohara, Takamitsu Nozawa
  • Patent number: 6702157
    Abstract: A manually actuated pump dispenser assembly has a positioning leg on an eccentric flange thereof to facilitate the offset mounting of the assembly to an offset opening in the neck of a container of liquid to which the pump assembly is to be mounted. And, an arcuate skirt associated with the leg positively interferes with an improper mounting of the pump assembly in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Calmar Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas B. Dobbs
  • Patent number: 6702158
    Abstract: A knock-type liquid container includes a body having a tank that holds a liquid, and an outlet provided at a forward end, a piston in the tank, and a piston-advancing mechanism having a knocking body that projects rearwardly of the body for advancing the piston forwardly when the knocking body is knocked in an axial direction of the container. A rearward end surface of the rear cap that forms a rear end surface of the container, except the knocking body is not normal to the axial direction, but makes an angle other than an approximate right angle with the axial direction. A distance between a rear end surface of the knocking body at a non-knocking position and a rearmost portion of the rearward end surface of the container, except the knocking body, is less than a stroke of the knocking body required for advancing the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Kotobuki & Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidehei Kageyama, Yoshio Noguchi, Tadao Odaka, Tadashi Keda
  • Patent number: 6702159
    Abstract: A first operation of a lever causes a valve rod to retract axially through a second valve element seated on a second valve seat against a first resilient part, while a first valve element to leave a first valve seat open to pour beer from a beer pouring nozzle through a beer supply channel. A second operation of the lever causes a slider to advance axially against a second resilient part to be spaced away from the valve rod forcing the first valve element to be seated on the first valve seat, while the second valve element to leave the second valve seat open to effect frothing of the beer from a liquid passage and pour the resulting froth through holes defined in a sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Hoshizaki Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Sukehide Itou, Shigekazu Kondou, Fumitaka Saitou, Shunji Tsubouchi, Eiji Hara, Satoru Kobayashi, Kouji Sutou
  • Patent number: 6702160
    Abstract: The invention discloses a no spill container where the user can properly position the dispensing port and release the contents of the container by means of a release assembly integral with the cap of a displacement port. The contents are released when the cap of the displacement port is rotated into an open position and the integral release stem lifts the sealing means that is adjoined to the stem on the opposite end at the dispensing port. The lifting of the stem causes the sealing means at the dispensing port to disengage from the dispensing port allowing the contents of the container to be expelled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Inventor: H Russell Griffith
  • Patent number: 6702161
    Abstract: A closure for a container having a foil or membrane sealed opening. The closure includes a cap, a spout and a stem. The stem includes a downwardly extending piercing structure adapted for piercing the foil or membrane of the container upon rotation of the spout relative to the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Portola Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian M. Adams, Mike Xiaoli Ma
  • Patent number: 6702162
    Abstract: A button attaching device includes a pair of elongate members each having a pointed first end and a hole adjacent to a second end. Each of the elongate members has a slit therein extending from an outer surface to a corresponding one of the holes. A thread extends between the elongate members and extends through the holes. The thread has a pair of knots therein adjacent to opposite ends of the thread such that the elongate members are secured together by the thread. Each of the elongate members may be extended through one of a pair of openings in a button and through the cloth such that the button is secured to the cloth. The thread is releasable through the slits such that the thread is released from the elongate members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Inventor: Gilbert F. Hassid
  • Patent number: 6702163
    Abstract: A boot jack which is maintained in position by one foot while the walking boot on the other foot is removed. A V-shaped recess extends from one end of the boot jack. The lower edge of the recess extends parallel to the bottom surface of the boot jack and the ground upon which the boot jack is held as the boot is removed. By arranging the lower edge of the V-shaped recess parallel to the ground, the wearer's foot is moved in a vertical direction while the heel of the boot is retained in the boot jack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Inventor: Greg Hopping
  • Patent number: 6702164
    Abstract: A rucksack with supple material walls comprising a retractable handle (7) and wheels. An incurvated interior base plate (2) is provided, plate made to form one piece with the base of at least one telescopic housing (10) of the rod(s) (1) of the retractable handle (7), housing provided internally in the baggage along one face. The aforesaid base plate (2) comprises openings (8, 8′) at the incurvation, openings receiving projecting wheels (5). The upper extremity (10) of the telescopic housing(s) is made to form one piece with a supporting plate (3) of the supple material extending perpendicular to the telescopic system. The face in contact with the back and provided with straps (31) is opposite the face adjacent to the telescopic housing (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Rodelle S.A.
    Inventor: Roger De Lathouwer
  • Patent number: 6702165
    Abstract: A support device for an elongated weapon which is connectable to a belt. The support includes a housing having a bottom and a wall portion extending from the bottom along the dimension of elongation of the weapon. The wall portion forms an open chamber for accommodating the weapon and positioning the elongated weapon in an upright manner with the weapon resting on the bottom of the housing. A clamp releasably secures a portion of the elongated weapon in the upright manner, but is removed with a force applied outwardly from the housing. A slot is formed in the wall portion and extends along the majority of the dimension of elongation of the weapon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Inventor: Leonard C. Ramirez
  • Patent number: 6702166
    Abstract: An auxiliary device for serving ready portions of food to a table, or for serving food from a dish, is provided. The auxiliary device includes a holder for fixing the auxiliary device on an arm of a waiter and a support member for a plate or a dish carried by the holder. The auxiliary device enables the waiter to conveniently carry 4 to 7 portions at a time to a table, as well as to protect his arm from a hot dish when serving from a dish.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Inventors: Tanja Niemivuo, Juhamatti Niemivuo
  • Patent number: 6702167
    Abstract: A breastpump carrier in the form of a backpack. The breastpump backpack has a horizontal shelf dividing the interior of the breastpump carrier into lower and upper storage areas. The lower storage area is accessible through an exterior side of the backpack with a pumping mechanism mounted therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Medela Holding AG
    Inventor: Larry D. Annis
  • Patent number: 6702168
    Abstract: A modular personal container has a stiff container shaped to receive and support a soft container in the preferred configuration of a tool belt. Both containers provide correspondingly shaped fixating and positioning features. The fixating features interlock the soft container with the stiff container. The interlocked soft container is then lowered down onto the stiff container until positioning edges of the soft container contact positioning shoulders of the stiff container. Pockets laterally protruding from the stiff container provide the positioning shoulders. A shoulder belt may be simultaneously snapped on lugs individually attached on both containers. A loose hip belt of the assembled soft container is packed away in a belt pocket recessed from a smooth rear side of the stiff container. The stiff container has a handgrip and a top lid for accessing a storage volume of the stiff container with or without the soft container being attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Olympia Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael H. Panosian
  • Patent number: 6702169
    Abstract: A container that can be locked and fastened to a vehicle with lockable fastening devices in a detachable manner, made of material impenetrable toward gaining unauthorized access to the contents, is designed in such a way that it can be carried as a bag in the detached state and stored on the vehicle side in the empty state in a space-saving and aesthetically appealing manner. For this purpose, the container is made of a collapsible material and designed like a bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventor: Konrad Eipper
  • Patent number: 6702170
    Abstract: An apparatus for separating a stock of semi-compliant material into discrete portions or tags. The apparatus includes a housing having a drive mechanism disposed therein for bending a portion of the semi-compliant material in a first direction, thus forming a line of weakening along the material. The drive mechanism subsequently bends the portion of the material in a second direction causing the tag to separate from the remaining material along the line of weakening. The present disclosure also includes a method of separating a semi-compliant material into discrete portions or tags. The method includes the steps of feeding the material into a drive mechanism; bending a portion of the material in a first direction, thus forming a line of weakening along the material; and bending a portion of the material in a second direction, thus separating the portion from the remaining material along the line of weakening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Inventor: Joseph A. Pufahl
  • Patent number: 6702171
    Abstract: A setting tool is formed of a housing (1) and an axially displaceable bolt guide (8) situated in and extending out of the leading end of the housing. A protective cap (5) is detachably arranged on the leading end region of the housing (1) and prevents abrasion of the housing (1) under conditions prevailing at the construction site and thus prevents wear on the housing (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Johann Büchel, Norbert Welte, Norbert Wohlwend
  • Patent number: 6702172
    Abstract: A staple driver (9) is provided, which is adapted to be mounted in a stapler for driving staples into a sheaf of papers (11) in order to drive, in a striking motion, the legs of a U-shaped staple (10) through the sheaf of papers (11). The driver (9) has a plate-shaped portion (13) with an edge surface (14) which is arranged, in the striking motion, to be applied and pressed against the web portion of the staple (10). The staple driver (9) has pointed projections (12) which are arranged to engage, in the striking motion, with the web portion of the staple (10) in front of the legs of the staple. The edge surface (14) of the driver (9) extends in its longitudinal direction along an outwardly curved arc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Isaberg Rapid AB
    Inventor: Eskil HÃ¥kansson
  • Patent number: 6702173
    Abstract: When a movement of a film-like printing body is stopped for a longer time than the normal time because of generation of trouble or the like, heat of hot plates for full heating is prevented from being transmitted to the film-like printing body. All of the hot plates (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) for preheating and full heating are moved downward, and a warp inhibiting body (27) is moved upward. Further, a shutter (34) for shutting off heat is inserted between the film-like printing body (2) and the full heating hot plates (6, 7). Further, at this time, a cold blast is blown to the shutter (34) for shutting off the heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Minami Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takehiko Murakami
  • Patent number: 6702174
    Abstract: A wire fixing jig for arranging and fixing covered wires when intersection portions thereof are welded. The jig has a jig body on which the covered wires are arranged, supporting portions for supporting the covered wires are formed around the intersection portions to be welded. These portions are located at a predetermined pitch from a corresponding one of the intersection portions, at both sides in the longitudinal direction thereof and for ensuring a space that allows a core part of each of the intersection portions, which are pressurized when welded, to spread out, and through holes through which welding device is inserted when the intersection portions of the covered wires are welded to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Masayuki Kondo
  • Patent number: 6702175
    Abstract: There are provided a method of soldering a lead-free solder which lowers a melting point of the lead-free solder and prevents deterioration of a joining strength at a portion joined by the lead-free solder, and a joined object soldered with the use of the soldering method. The lead-free solder as an alloy of tin with no lead contained is melted, and ultrasonic vibration is acted at least either to the join object to be joined by the lead-free solder or to the lead-free solder when the molten lead-free solder is solidified. Therefore crystals of contained components in the lead-free solder are made fine and the contained components are prevented from being segregated at a joining interface of the joined object, so that the joining strength at the joining interface can be increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignees: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazumi Matsushige, Toshihisa Horiuchi, Takashi Ikari, Kenichiro Suetsugu, Masato Hirano, Shunji Hibino, Atsushi Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 6702176
    Abstract: A solder consists essentially of 1.0% to 4.0% of Ag by mass, 0.2% to 1.3% of Cu by mass, 0.02% to 0.06% of Co by mass, and the remaining of Sn and inevitable impurities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignees: NEC Toppan Circuit Solutions, INC, Solder Coat Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihide Ito, Shiro Hara
  • Patent number: 6702177
    Abstract: The aim of the present invention is a process for manufacturing a plated product (1) comprising a support part in steel (2) and an anticorrosion metallic coating (3), characterized in that the anticorrosion coating (3) is fixed on the support part (2) by controlled-atmosphere brazing, in particular by vacuum brazing. The process according to the invention makes it possible to fix solidly an anticorrosion coating with a thickness smaller than 1 mm on a steel plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Le Carbone Lorraine
    Inventors: Ernest Totino, Christian Hug
  • Patent number: 6702178
    Abstract: A sandwich wrap comprising a sheet wrap attached to a base strip The base strip is elonaated in a longitudinal direction and includes at least one tear line extending between the longitudinal ends. The base strip is longer than the sheet wrap in the longitudinal direction, while the sheet wrap is longer than the base strip in the lateral direction. The longitudinal ends of the base strip extend beyond the respective longitudinal edges of the sheet wrap. The sheet wrap is more pliable than the base strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Fort James Corporation
    Inventors: Debra D. Bowers, Rebecca E. Whitmore
  • Patent number: 6702179
    Abstract: A paperboard box is made of a piece of paperboard with split lines and folding lines to form a shape like a boat so as to make the food or the like inside worthwhile and enhance the purchase desire of the consumer. Further, the paperboard box is easy to be disposed after using without creating a problem of contamination to the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Inventor: Shih-Jen Chang
  • Patent number: 6702180
    Abstract: A stereoscopic inner spacer composed of paper materials is disclosed, and the stereoscopic inner spacer is made by using crossing and folding. The stereoscopic inner spacer is put in a packaging carton to provide objects supporting and holding, thereby preventing the objects from damage caused by impacts. Furthermore, the stereoscopic inner spacer has many partitions and is adapted to pack various components having the approximated sizes, thereby preventing the objects from intermixing and avoiding the objects from damage resulted from colliding mutually.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Quanta Computer Inc.
    Inventor: Fong-Ling Hsu
  • Patent number: 6702181
    Abstract: A transaction apparatus (10) includes a multifunction card (12) and a portable terminal (14). The multifunction card includes a programmable memory (18) and a magnetic stripe (16) thereon. The programmable memory on the card is used to store indicia corresponding to account data which is input to the memory by reading with the terminal magnetic stripe data from a plurality of conventional magnetic stripe cards. The programmable memory further includes data representative of cash value as well as instructions, prompt messages and icons presented in conducting transactions. A user is enabled to operate the apparatus to select one of the accounts stored in memory, and to write account data corresponding to the selected account to the magnetic stripe of the card. The user is also enabled to use the apparatus to enter visible indicia such as bar codes and to selectively reproduce the bar codes on the display of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Diebold, Incorporated
    Inventor: Natarajan Ramachandran
  • Patent number: 6702182
    Abstract: To present a highly reliable IC card reader for detecting when it is ready to communicate with an IC card by using a detection switch. In a main body unit, a torsion spring is thrust in a pushing direction of a detection switch button (OFF direction). In the presented switch mechanism, an IC contact point holder has a switch changeover bump, and when the bump moves to the inner side in cooperation with the move of the IC contact point holder, this bump abuts against the end portion of the torsion spring which is thrusting the detection switch button, and the end portion of the torsion spring is departed from the button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Kanayama
  • Patent number: 6702183
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for switching between scan patterns produced by a barcode scanner and for switching between allowing and inhibiting decoding of barcodes are disclosed. Depending on the position of a multiposition switch controlled by an operator, the scanner produces an omnidirectional scan pattern and immediately decodes barcodes falling within the field of view of the scanner, produces a single line scan pattern but inhibits decoding of barcodes until the switch is moved to a position to select allowing decoding of barcodes, or produces a single line scan pattern and immediately decodes barcodes falling within the field of view of the scanner. If the scanner has been set to decode barcodes using a single line scan pattern, a delay is imposed between the time the switch is set to select producing an omnidirectional scan pattern and the time at which the scanner begins to produce the omnidirectional scan pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: David Lee Gregerson, Frank Stanley Hannah, William Martin Belknap, James Brian McCord