Patents Issued in April 13, 2004
  • Patent number: 6719103
    Abstract: An actuator (5) comprises a housing (4) with a motor (6) and a screw mechanism (9), said screw mechanism comprising nut (10) and a screw (11) one of which is rotatably supported with respect to the housing by means of a screw mechanism support (13) allowing relative rotations of the screw and the nut with respect to the longitudinal screw mechanism axis (28), and an actuating member (15) connected to the screw mechanism by means of an actuating member connection (26), such that on relative rotation of the nut and screw the actuating member is displaced with respect to the housing. The screw mechanism support and the actuating member connection allow rotations having at least one axis transverse with respect to the longitudinal screw mechanism axis, so as to compensate traverse loading and bending moments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: SKF Engineering and Research
    Inventors: Hendrikus Jan Kapaan, Thomas Fucks, Jiri Gurka, Jérôme Dubus
  • Patent number: 6719104
    Abstract: The invention relates to a composite brake caliper and method for producing the same. The method for producing the composite brake caliper comprises the steps of: (a) providing a molding apparatus having at least a pair of mold sections, at least one of the pair of mold sections including at least one projection extending from a surface thereof; (b) providing at least one reinforced preform formed from at least a first material, the preform having at least one opening formed at least partially therein; (d) positioning the preform in the molding apparatus with the projection of the mold section extending into the opening of the preform so as to orient the preform in a predetermined position within the molding apparatus; and (e) casting a caliper body formed from a second material in situ therewith to produce the composite brake caliper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Kelsey-Hayes Company
    Inventors: Jonathan Wemple, Perry Jenkins, Harry A. Hunnicutt
  • Patent number: 6719105
    Abstract: This invention relates to an improved pad retraction spring (30) adapted for use in a disc brake assembly. The disc brake assembly includes an anchor bracket (12) adapted to be secured to a vehicle component, a brake caliper (108) adapted to be secured to the anchor bracket, a pair of brake shoes (18, 20) carried by the disc brake assembly and adapted to be disposed on opposite axial sides of an associated brake rotor (106), and an actuation device for selectively moving the brake shoes into frictional engagement with the rotor. The anchor bracket includes a pair of outwardly extending arms (14, 16) and at least one of the arms has an opening (60) formed therethrough. The pad retraction spring is carried by the disc brake assembly and is operative to move the brake shoes from engagement with the rotor when the brake shoes are in a non-braking position. The pad retraction spring includes a central mounting portion (32) and a pair of outermost spring arms (38, 38′).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Kelsey-Hayes Company
    Inventor: Jonathan Wemple
  • Patent number: 6719106
    Abstract: A skewed-roller brake assembly 10 is provided, including a first rotor disc 12 and a second rotor disc 12. A stator disc 14, positioned between the first and second rotor discs 12, includes a plurality of skewed-roller slots 16 formed through the stator disc 14. A pair of roller elements 20 are positioned within each of the plurality of skewed-roller slots 16 such that a first of the pair of roller elements 21 protrudes from the stator disc 14 in the direction of the first rotor disc 22 and a second of said pair of roller elements 23 protrudes from the stator disc 14 in the direction of the second rotor disc 24. When the first and second rotor discs 12 are moved towards the stator disc 14, the first of the pair of roller elements 21 and the second of the pair of roller elements 23 rotate in concert while transmitting frictional torque to the first rotor disc 12 and the second rotor disc 12 respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Mark J. Gardner
  • Patent number: 6719107
    Abstract: A braking assembly with self-generating power energy is provided with a plurality of permanent magnets arranged around a rotary central shaft of the braking assembly to alternate N poles and S poles, at least one power-generating coil provided on a stator of the braking assembly nearby the permanent magnets for generating an induced electromotive force when the rotary central shaft rotates, a pulling mechanism provided on the stator for pulling two free ends of two curved braking plates mounted on the stator depending on the induced electromotive force generated by the power-generating coil and thereby regulating a brake force of the braking assembly, and at least one compression spring provided between each of the curved braking plates and the stator to provide a radially outward restoring force to the curved braking plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Direction Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shui Jung Chen
  • Patent number: 6719108
    Abstract: Vibration damping device for vehicles includes: a rigid housing member having an accommodation space and fixed to a vibrative member; and an independent mass member having a rigid mass body and an elastic body layer bonded on the outer surface of the rigid mass body. The independent mass member is non-adhesively disposed in the accommodation space such that an outer surface of the independent mass member is opposed to the inner surface of the housing member with a predetermined gap distance therebetween, to thereby permit displacement of the independent mass member relative to the housing member. The independent mass member and the housing member is brought into elastic impact against each other at respective abutting surfaces thereof in at least one vibrational input direction. The elastic body layer has a spherical outer surface so as to facilitate bouncing displacement of the independent mass member within the accommodation space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Koichi Hasegawa, Rentaro Kato
  • Patent number: 6719109
    Abstract: A method for the control of a bi-directional overrunning clutch assembly (10) disposed within a vehicle transmission, including the steps of initiating a drive function control routine (112) within an electronic control unit and sensing the commanded gear ratio within the transmission. The method steps further include determining whether a first gear function (132) should be initiated based on the commanded gear ratio and determining whether a second gear function (150) should be initiated based on the commanded gear ratio. The method also includes sensing whether the reverse engagement members (24B) and the forward engagement members (24A) of the bi-directional clutch (10) are engaged when neither the first gear function (132) nor the second gear function (150) are initiated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Jin Li, Mark Buchanan
  • Patent number: 6719110
    Abstract: A wet type friction clutch and an electromagnetic clutch is disclosed wherein a pilot clutch 61 is disposed in a magnetic flux path 95 of an electromagnet 57 and is kept between an armature 71 and the electromagnet 57. Upon excitation of the electromagnet 57, the armature 57 is retracted to allow the pilot clutch 61 to be coupled. The pilot clutch 61 includes a plurality of clutch plates 87, 89 which are interleaved with respect to one another for sliding movements. Adjacent clutch plates 87, 87A, 87B, 89, 89A, 89B, 89C, 89D, 89E, 89F are formed with oil guide passageways 86, 96, 98, 106, 108, 110, 114 to create a hydrodynamic pressure effect to allow the clutch plates to be separated with a limited drag torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Tochigi Fuji Sangyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuhiko Ishikawa, Makoto Ishizuka, Yoshiyuki Nakabayashi, Kouji Iizuka, Yasushi Koshigaya, Yoshiaki Kitsunezuka, Kenji Karasawa, Masayuki Sayama
  • Patent number: 6719111
    Abstract: Synchronizing device in a motor vehicle gearbox, comprising a synchronizer hub (1), an engaging sleeve (2) non-rotatably but axially displaceably mounted on the hub, an outer and an inner synchronizing ring (8a, 13) on one side of the hub and a single synchronizing ring (8b) on the other side of the hub. The engaging sleeve has first, and second groups of internal teeth (4a, 4b), each group being divided into three sets of teeth and each set in one group adjoining a set in the other group. The outer synchronizing ring has three sets of blocker teeth (9a) facing the engaging sleeve teeth (4a) of the sets of the first group and lacks teeth in intermediate areas (19a), while said single synchronizing ring (8b) has three sets of blocker teeth (9b) facing the engaging sleeve teeth (4b) of the sets of the second group and lack teeth in intermediate areas (19b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Lars Bengtsson, Sr., Peter Wittke, Richard Torsein
  • Patent number: 6719112
    Abstract: A torsion damping mechanism with a torsion damper with an input side and an output side, where the input side and the output side are connected elastically to each other by spring-type stored energy elements for rotation in common auxiliary mass which can rotate coaxially to the torsion damping mechanism is connected frictionally to the torsion damping mechanism by way of a friction area, where the frictional connection between the torsion damping mechanism and the auxiliary mass has a predetermined frictional moment. When this moment is exceeded during the occurrence of peaks in the torque being applied to the torsion damping mechanism, the auxiliary mass can slip or slips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Mannesmann Sachs AG
    Inventors: Bernd Peinemann, Jürgen Weth, Cora Carlson, Paul Kraus, Reinhard Feldhaus, Hartmut Bach
  • Patent number: 6719113
    Abstract: A hub assembly for a carbon/carbon clutch comprising a hub, a first clutch plate, and retaining means or locator releasably attachable to the first clutch plate thereby axially to define the position of the first clutch plate with respect to the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Alcon Components Limited
    Inventor: Anthony Bonser
  • Patent number: 6719114
    Abstract: A clutch outer includes a cylindrical portion with a plurality of slits defined therein which extend in an axial direction of the cylindrical portion. Engagement claws on outer peripheries of a plurality of friction plates slidably engage the slits. Each slit includes a wide portion defined on an inner periphery of the cylindrical portion and into which the engagement claws are engaged, and a narrow portion defined on an outer periphery of the cylindrical portion with a width in a circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion being smaller than that of the wide portion. The wide and narrow portions are connected through a step facing a radially inward direction of the cylindrical portion. A draft for the wide portion during die-casting is less than a draft for the narrow portion, and a die-parting face in the die-casting is established on the side of the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha F.C.C.
    Inventors: Kouichi Kumagai, Takashi Kodama
  • Patent number: 6719115
    Abstract: The friction clutch between the prime mover and the change-speed transmission in the power train of a motor vehicle is actuatable by a slave cylinder cooperating with a master cylinder wherein the piston is movable by a clutch pedal or by an electric actuator. The casing of the slave cylinder is made, at least in part, of a plastic material and defines a plenum chamber arranged to receive pressurized fluid from the master cylinder by way of a conduit extending through a bell which contains the clutch and the slave cylinder. The annular piston of the slave cylinder surrounds the input shaft of the transmission. The plastic material of the casing of the slave cylinder can contain one or more additives which enhance its strength and/or influence its frictional engagement with the adjacent surfaces of the piston or of a lip seal which reciprocates with the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Axel Rogner, Manfred Jansen, Wolfgang Fugel, Ulrich Helfmeier, Ernani Almeida, Dieter Adler, Uwe Abraham, Gerhard Meyer, Ludwig Winkelmann, Rainer Venz, Manfred Kraus, Peter Giese, Roland Welter, Jean-Francois Heller, Volker Lang, Wolfgang Sulger, Urban Panther
  • Patent number: 6719116
    Abstract: Clutching arrangements for motor vehicle standard transmissions. The force required to clutch a vehicle transmission using a foot pedal is reduced by providing a compressed air actuated boost device attached to the clutch linkage. The degree of boost is selectable using a hand controlled air pressure regulator. Activation of the boost device is controlled by switches which are sensitive to clutch pedal position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventors: Burnell L. Bender, Brian P. Marshall
  • Patent number: 6719117
    Abstract: A release bearing includes a rolling-contact bearing having a non-rotatable outer ring, a rotating inner ring, and plural rolling members located between the outer and inner rings. The inner ring is intended to interact with an adjustment ring which has a ring flange for abutment against a disk spring of a clutch mechanism. Disposed in a support zone between the inner ring and the adjustment ring is a sliding element whereby the support zone is configured in the form of complementary calotte-shaped portions so that the adjustment ring and the inner ring are movable relative to one another for effecting a self-adjustment of the release bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: INA-Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Bernhard Klöpfer, Steffen Dittmer, Ludwig Winkelmann
  • Patent number: 6719118
    Abstract: The spacing device mounted to a two-section chute system prevents inadvertent contact between the two chute sections. The spacing device includes a mounting flange and a blocking member positionable between first and second pivotally attached chute sections of a concrete mixing truck. The first chute section comprises an annular flange that is configured to contact an arcuate edge of the second chute section. The mounting flange is connected to a second end of the first chute section and the blocking member is attached to the mounting flange. The blocking member comprises a contact surface that is configured to engage a portion of the arcuate edge of the second chute section when the spacing device is in a blocking position. In the blocking position, the spacing device holds the first and second chute sections in a partially open position to prevent unintended contact between the chute sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Schwing America, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas E. Eull, Charles Peter Schumacher
  • Patent number: 6719119
    Abstract: A roller conveyor extension includes a base frame having elongated parallel first and second tracks, each of the tracks having rearward and forward ends. First and second carriages reciprocate rearwardly and forwardly between the rearward and forward ends of, respectively, the first and second tracks. A roller support structure having back and front ends, and extending along an axis, supports a plurality of rollers, each of which rollers is adapted for rotational motion about a roller axis extending along an axis perpendicular to the roller support structure axis. The roller support structure is pivotably attached to each of the first and second carriages such that the roller support structure is capable of both rotational motion about a pivot axis and rearward and forward reciprocating motion with respect to the base frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Louis J. Hendzel, Robert R. Ricci
  • Patent number: 6719120
    Abstract: It is an object to provide a bill receiving/dispensing machine in view of service of securing a quick response to a user in operator's operation when a failure such as a bill jam occurs during user's operation, and security of cash controlling, as well as usual supply and collection of a bill to and from a bill storing room. In order to achieve the object, the machine is constituted from an upper unit including a receiving/dispensing port, a bill identifying portion, a temporary storing room and an upper bill conveying passage, and a lower unit including a bill storing room and a lower bill conveying passage. The upper unit includes a slide mechanism which can be pulled out both forward and backward. There is also provided a connecting conveying passage which connects a bill conveying passage in the upper unit with a bill conveying passage in the lower unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventor: Riichi Kato
  • Patent number: 6719121
    Abstract: A coin collecting cart for collecting coins from parking meters. A plurality of bins are used, each bin being limited to a certain quantity of coins which quantity of coins is electronically sensed. When the first of the bins is full of coins, the coins pass to the second of the bins and so on. When the bins are full, they are individually removable from the cart and mountable within a frame located remotely from the cart. The bins are unloaded by manually rotating the frame together with the bin about an axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: City of Vancouver and Cypress Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis Alexander, Gil Somerville, Bruce Larsen, Matthew Murnaghan
  • Patent number: 6719122
    Abstract: A lowerator for an assembly system of the type including at least one rail defining a path of travel with respect to at least one workstation, and a conveyor for transporting a workpiece along the rail. The conveyor includes a trolley moveable along the rail and a carrier moveable with respect to the trolley. The carrier supports a workpiece during movement with respect to the workstation. The carrier is vertically positionable between a raised position and lowered position with respect to the trolley. The lowerator moves the carrier between the raised and lowered positions and cycles a latch for securing the carrier to the trolley when in the raised position. The lowerator includes at least one lifter or actuator defining a path of travel in at least a first direction, where the lifter actuates the latch to uncouple the trolley and carrier before moving the carrier into the lowered position at the workstation so that one or more processing operations can be performed on the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Progressive Tool & Industries Co.
    Inventors: Keith A. Oldford, Michael R. Dugas, Velibor Kilibarda, Alan S. Kaufman
  • Patent number: 6719123
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for advancing and/or slowing signatures in a printing press. The apparatus and method includes a series of two or more belt drives, where each belt drive includes at least a pair of opposed belts. The belts are preferably timing or toothed belts driven by sprockets. The sprockets are formed with a semi-elliptical outer surface. As a result, the belts have two directions of motion. The first direction—horizontal—advances the signatures and may be used to slow the signatures. The second direction—vertical—withdraws the belts away from contact with the signatures to prevent buckling or wrinkling during a speed transition or during a transfer between belts. In one embodiment of the present invention, both opposed belts are retracting belts; in another embodiment, one belt is a fixed conveyor belt, while the other opposed belt is a retracting belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Barry Mark Jackson, David Elliott Whitten
  • Patent number: 6719124
    Abstract: A vibratory conveyor drive is provided that is operatively connected to a vibratory conveyor tray for use in generating reciprocating movement in the tray so that a variety of goods may be transported along the tray. The conveyor drive includes a drive wheel having a radial slot formed in it. The drive wheel is supported for rotation about a first axis of rotation and is operatively connected to a source of rotational motive force, such as an electric motor. A transfer wheel is supported for rotation about a second axis of rotation, and is positioned in substantially parallel-spaced relation to the drive wheel. the transfer wheel includes a first shaft projecting outwardly from a first surface, with a drive-follower positioned on an end of the first shaft. The drive-follower is received within the radial slot of the drive wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Vibro Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Karl M. Sahlberg
  • Patent number: 6719125
    Abstract: A transport and storage device for packaged goods has at least one roller path for goods to be transported and stored, wherein the at least one roller path has rollers. Force transmitting elements are arranged rotatably on the rollers, wherein the force transmitting elements are bushings having an inner surface, respectively. A common drive is provided for rotating the rollers, wherein a first torque transmittable between the bushings and the corresponding rollers, respectively, is smaller than a second torque transmittable between the common drive and the bushings. The rollers have a bearing section fixedly connected with the rollers, respectively. The inner surfaces of the bushings are rotatably supported on the bearing section of the rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Dynamic Systems Engineering B.V.
    Inventor: Rudolf Hollander
  • Patent number: 6719126
    Abstract: The transfer device for a linear conveyor comprises a fixed framework (5) placed on one side of the linear conveyor (2) and means for moving objects towards the framework in a transfer direction that is different from the conveying direction of said conveyor. These means comprise an object transporter structure (6) mounted in said framework (5) to move in a substantially vertical direction in order to occupy a transfer position in which the transporter structure is disposed above the linear conveyor (2) or a retracted position in which the transporter structure is disposed below the linear conveyor (2). The transporter structure (6) extends across the linear conveyor (2) and extends in the transfer direction on one side of the conveyor. The transfer device can be used in a postal sorting machine for handling mail bins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Solystic
    Inventors: Frédéric Badier, Laurent Buffat, Franck Vigo
  • Patent number: 6719127
    Abstract: A sprocket drive system for a modular conveyor belt that compensates for drive-shaft twist under load. The drive system includes a plurality of belt drive surfaces spaced apart across the width of the underside of each row of a modular conveyor belt. A drive shaft supports a group of sprockets at spaced-apart locations. Sprocket drive surfaces are spaced apart circumferentially around the peripheries of the sprockets and arranged in rows across the sprocket to engage corresponding belt drive surfaces in the belt rows. The belt is wrapped around the sprockets on the drive shaft. The engagement of the sprocket drive surfaces with the belt drive surfaces drives the belt. Either the sprocket drive surfaces or the belt drive surfaces, or both, in each row are arranged in an out-of-phase relationship with each other when the conveyor belt is at no load. Once the conveyor belt is operating at load and the shaft twists, the drive surfaces assume an in-phase relationship for improved belt driving and tracking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: The Laitram Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph M. Depaso, John C. Hawkins, Jr., R. Scott Dailey, Richard M. Klein, Paul L. Horton
  • Patent number: 6719128
    Abstract: A suture package is disclosed that is sized and shaped to contain at least one suture. The suture package includes an envelope having a plurality of panels. One of the panels is a pressure panel which functions to urge a suture against another of the panels, thereby immobilizing the suture within the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Marvin Alpern, Delfin A. Lorenzo Iglesias
  • Patent number: 6719129
    Abstract: A cigarette pack holder adapted to receive in combination a cigarette pack containing cigarettes. The holder includes a rectangularly-shaped housing having a planar front wall; an opposing rear wall; a pair of opposing planar side walls connected to the front and back walls; a planar base at one end of the housing; the walls and the base defining therebetween a chamber to receive the pack in removable engagement; an open-ended top at the other end of the housing through which the pack can operably pass into and out of the chamber; the base having portions defining an aperture of requisite shape and size to enable entry of a human digit to effect displacement of the pack within the chamber; and retaining structure connected to the rear wall adapted to be removably retained by an object worn by a person. The holder provides for the convenient and safe carrying of a pack of cigarettes by a person on the person's attire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Inventor: Douglas A. Davis
  • Patent number: 6719130
    Abstract: A packaging system comprises a container including at least two compartments, and at least one opening in communication with at least one of the at least two compartments; a common wall or a septum dividing each of the at least two compartments, the common wall or septum being adapted for rupturing to enable the contents of each of the at least two compartments to be mixed together within the container; and a rupture mechanism operatively engaged with the common wall and actuable by a user, the rupture mechanism being adapted for rupturing the common wall or septum upon actuation by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: George W. Wagner
  • Patent number: 6719131
    Abstract: Hinge-lid box for cigarettes or other packaged items, comprising a box part (10), lid (11) and collar (12) with a closure aid for the lid (11). Inwardly directed protrusions, namely anchoring tabs (37), are arranged on the inside of a lid front wall (21) or of a lid inner flap (28) and, in the closed position, interact, by form-fitting engagement, with recesses in the region of a collar front wall (32). The depressions in the region of the collar front wall (32) are positioned immediately above a mating closure edge (30) formed by a box front wall (14), with the anchoring tabs (37) arranged appropriately on the lid inner flap (28).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Focke & Co. (GmbH & Co.)
    Inventors: Heinz Focke, Viktor Hein
  • Patent number: 6719132
    Abstract: A flexible book-like storage receptacle for a compact disc and the printed material that typically accompanies such compact discs. The storage receptacle includes a number of clear, pliable panels movable between an open position for easy access to the contents, and a closed position for storage. The storage receptacle includes layered sidewalls designed as pockets for receiving printed material, as well as for providing support to the compact disc. In addition, the receptacle includes one of a number of different retention post structures to securely hold the compact disc in place. Variations for the retention post include a compressible core, a compressible rectangle, a molded cradle, and strategically placed compressible stoppers. Attached to the perimeter of each of the panels of the receptacle is a flexible magnetic seal that serves to maintain the package in a closed position until it is intentionally forced apart to access the stored items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Inventor: Jacaranda A. Sanders
  • Patent number: 6719133
    Abstract: A storage container includes a lid having a lid panel and an arm extending from the lid panel, the arm including a detent having a first surface parallel to the lid panel and a second surface having a taper extending at least a portion between the first surface and a distal end of the arm, and a base configured to receive a disc, the base having a base panel and a member extending from the base panel, the member having an opening defined by an interior surface having a portion thereof parallel to the base panel, the first surface of the detent engaging the interior surface portion of the member when the storage container is closed. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Panasonic Disc Manufacturing Corporation of America
    Inventors: Jose E. Perez, Gary J. Gwizdala, Kent Ke Yan, William Randall Fisher, Edwin E. Pessara, Jr., Iris Gluzman
  • Patent number: 6719134
    Abstract: A toilet plunger storage device includes a fluid-impervious receptacle to receive an elastomeric suction head portion of a toilet plunger and a cover fitted to the receptacle that receives the handle portion of the plunger. The receptacle includes a conical side wall from which a straight-sided cylindrical portion projects upwardly. The cover has a generally conical member at its lower end and an elongate, hollow, tapered tube that projects from the upper end of the conical member. The upper end of the cylindrical portion and the lower end of the cover are configured to engage each other in bayonet-type telescopic fashion to establish a sealing and locking relationship. A first handle extends from the side of the receptacle and a second handle is disposed at the top of the cover. The device can be formed integrally from a conventional plastics material such as high density polypropylene or polyethylene in a single, inexpensive molding operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Inventors: Vincent R. Phillips, Howard C. Phillips, III, Robert D. Wise
  • Patent number: 6719135
    Abstract: A holder for holding and retaining a catheter during storage, shipping, and prior to use in a patient is described. The holder includes a first member and a second member attached to a central hub, the first and second members designed and configured to releasably retain the distal and proximal ends of the catheter. Also attached to the central hub is a plurality of retaining members for receiving and retaining the elongate catheter body in a coiled configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: SciMed Lifesystems, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian O. Armijo
  • Patent number: 6719136
    Abstract: A security container for an item of recorded media includes features that prevent the security container from being torn open. The container includes a pair of flanges that extend out from an inset sidewall to cover the spine when the container is closed. The spine does not extend beyond the flanges such that no portion of the spine can be securely grasped. In another embodiment, the portions of the spine that extend beyond the sidewall are removed such that the spine extends only between the inset end walls of the sidewall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Nexpak Corporation
    Inventors: James K. Sankey, Lawrence R. Yeager, Ronald M. Marsilio
  • Patent number: 6719137
    Abstract: The invention refers to a preferential rapidly opening package for adhesive bandages comprising a wrapping, obtained by the union of two half-wrappers (I1, I2), in which is enclosed the adhesive bandage provided with an adhesive support (A), and in which the pulling of the ends of said half-wrappers (I1, I2) causes the preferential removal of one of said half-wrappers (I1, I2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Inventor: Angelo Dotta
  • Patent number: 6719138
    Abstract: A cover device for covering a baby bottle. The device includes a cloth bottle cover that has a closed bottom end and an open top end. A pocket is disposed on the cloth bottle cover. An audible signal generator is provided that is placed in the pocket of the cloth bottle cover. The audible signal generator creates an audible signal when press-activated. The bottle cover with the audible signal generator is advanced over a baby bottle. The bottle cover provides a medium by which a child can better grasp the bottle. Furthermore, the bottle cover insulates the bottle and absorbs drips from the bottle. The audible signal generator is activated when a child presses against the cover above the audible signal generator. As such, the use of the present invention adds visual and audible interest to a baby bottle as well as making the bottle easier to hold and use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Inventors: Kathleen Austin, Jeffrey R Austin, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6719139
    Abstract: A package for holding an article has a front portion with a sheet generally defining a plane and has an outer rim. The package also has a back portion with an area and an outer periphery. The back portion is configured to be secured to said front portion. An inner opening is defined by the back portion so that the inner opening has an area substantially smaller than the area of the back portion. A separately formed first blister is shaped for defining a first pocket configured for receiving at least a portion of the article. The first blister also has a peripheral edge configured for attachment to the back portion in a region of the inner opening of the back portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Plastofilm Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas E. Foos, Richard L. Partlow, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6719140
    Abstract: A disposable food bag for transporting and serving food is provided. The food bag comprises: a plastic inner liner, a resealable closure assembly such as a Ziploc type closure which a leak-proof seal for the plastic inner liner, a paper outer wrap, and a utensil bag attached to the outer wrap. This attachment may be perforated for easy removal of the utensil bag. The bag may be a variety of sizes for storage of service of a snack or a meal that may be heated and eaten with the utensils provided with the bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Inventor: Mark I. Rinsler
  • Patent number: 6719141
    Abstract: The device for transporting, filling and sterilizing medicinal containers (3) includes a rigid foamed plastic carrier plate (1) provided with a plurality of first openings (2) for receiving the respective containers (3). The first openings have respective open cross-sections adapted to corresponding cross-sections of the containers and the rigid carrier plate (1) has a predetermined thickness, so that the containers (3) are clamped and held fixed in position relative to the carrier plate and centered in the first openings (2) without rattling so that no scratch marks and/or no static charges are produced on the medicinal containers (3) during transport. The rigid foamed plastic carrier plate (1) is provided with a pore-free sealed surface that facilitates sterilization. Second openings (20), which are smaller than the first opening (2) and cannot receive the containers, are also provided in the carrier plate to facilitate sterilization in an autoclave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Schott Glas
    Inventors: Jochen Heinz, Michael Spallek, Arthur Fabian
  • Patent number: 6719142
    Abstract: Apparatus and method and system for measuring and controlling electrostatic charge on objects such as semiconductor substrates include a cassette having an inner structure with supporting slots and electrically conductive regions, and having isolated conductive outer walls for supporting objects in the slots, and include a charge monitor connected to the conductive regions and the conductive walls for sensing charge applicable to one or more objects carrying static charge positioned within the cassette. Charge neutralization is controlled in response to sensed charge attaining a selected level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: ION Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: John E. Menear, Lawrence B. Levit
  • Patent number: 6719143
    Abstract: A carton blank includes first and second spaced main panels and first and second side flaps abutting first and second side edges, respectively, of the first main panel. Third and fourth side flaps abut first and second side edges, respectively, of the second main panel and an intermediate panel is disposed between first ends of the first and second spaced main panels. A cover flap abuts a second end of the second main panel and a display flap includes first and second portions adjacent to one another wherein the first portion is joined to a second end of the first main panel by a score line and the second portion is joined to the second end of the first main panel by a perforated line collinear with the score line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson Home Storage, Inc.
    Inventor: William J. Rice
  • Patent number: 6719144
    Abstract: When a printed board is soldered by a dipping method, a great deal of dross is generated on a jet solder tank. The dross is a mixture of melted solder and oxide. A worker takes out the dross from the jet solder tank, and throws it away. Thus, a large amount of the solder is consumed. The present invention relates to a separating device for separating oxide and solder from dross. A container (21) is provided with a heater (22). A cover (24) is set over the container (21) to be freely attachable or detachable, and further a non-oxidizing gas supplying opening (28) is made in the cover (24) or the container (21). A stirring spatula (25) for stirring the surface of a melted solder (23) put into the container (21) is set near the surface of the melted solder (23).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Senju Metal Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshio Tooyama, Kenichi Tomitsuka, Shohei Mawatari, Tomotake Kagaya, Eihiko Muramatsu
  • Patent number: 6719145
    Abstract: An arrangement and a rotor for screening of pulp is disclosed that is suitable for the screening of chemical and mechanical pulps, i.e. fiber suspensions of the wood processing industry. A feature of the arrangement and rotor is that inside the rotor (16) there is arranged at least one dilution liquid chamber (24′, 24″, 24′″) restricted by a surface of the rotor (16), which surface is provided with means for connecting said at least one chamber (24′, 24″, 24′″) with the screening space defined between the rotor and the screen drum in such a way that dilution liquid from said at least one chamber (24′, 24″, 24′″) is brought into the screening space at a distance of at least 20 mm from the inner surface of the screen drum (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Andritz Oy
    Inventors: Pasi Härkönen, Raimo Kohonen, Pekka Karppinen, Ari Pelkiö, Kader Rahkonen, Riitta Rahkonen
  • Patent number: 6719146
    Abstract: A device for controlling the conveying direction of empty liquid containers of any cross section, where the conveying direction is either through a portion of the device, or sideways away from the conveying path and the containers are supported in a horizontal position, the device comprising a rotatable drum arranged above the conveying path and with its axis of rotation in the direction of the conveying path, wherein the drum has at least one container chamber forming an opening in the drum, at least one container guide plate, and a container ejection mechanism arranged in connection with the chamber. In operation, the ejector empties the container from the chamber when the chamber opening has moved passed an upper edge of the guide plate and thus with force will thrust a container out of the chamber opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Tomra Systems ASA
    Inventors: Kristian Holmen, Lars Aanestad
  • Patent number: 6719147
    Abstract: A novel supported mesoporous carbon ultrafiltration membrane and process for producing the same. The membranes comprise a mesoporous carbon layer that exists both within and external to the porous support. A liquid polymer precursor composition comprising both carbonizing and noncarbonizing templating polymers is deposited on the porous metal support. The coated support is then heated in an inert-gas atmosphere to pyrolyze the polymeric precursor and form a mesoporous carbon layer on and within the support. The pore-size of the membranes is dependent on the molecular weight of the noncarbonizing templating polymer precursor. The mesoporous carbon layer is stable and can withstand high temperatures and exposure to organic chemicals. Additionally, the porous metal support provides excellent strength properties. The composite structure of the membrane provides novel structural properties and allows for increased operating pressures allowing for greater membrane flow rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: The University of Delaware
    Inventors: Michael Strano, Henry C. Foley, Hans Agarwal
  • Patent number: 6719148
    Abstract: A filter cloth whose underside comprises substantially parallel, additional yarns that are thicker than the rest of the yarns of the cloth, substantially parallel channels being formed between the yarns, wherein filtered liquid that passed through the cloth, is allowed to flow in the direction of the surface of a filtering element between the filtering portion of the cloth and the surface of the element. The invention further relates to a filtering module manufactured from the filter cloth of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Tamfelt OYJ ABP
    Inventor: Aulis Perälä
  • Patent number: 6719149
    Abstract: An accommodation apparatus facilitates the attachment, exchange, operation, and wire configuration of a plurality of communication devices, such as a media converter, and a power unit. The accommodation apparatus comprises a support part fixed to an external frame, and a loading part, movable relative to the support part. The loading part removably accommodates the communication devices, and includes a first surface and a second surface, wherein the transmission medium can be connected to the communication devices through the first and second surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Allied Telesis Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Tomino
  • Patent number: 6719150
    Abstract: A frame device for supporting batteries during seismic stress, comprising: a pair of end frame members, each end frame member being formed of a single sheet material shaped to define vertical columns of confronting c-shaped cross section and a web extending between the vertical columns directly confronting batteries placed on the shelves and providing a guide for same; channel support members secured at opposite terminal ends to the vertical columns of the end frame members to position them in upstanding spaced apart relation; shelves for supporting batteries spanning the channel support members and defining a plurality of compartments for the batteries; a pair of anchors; means for securing the end frame members to the anchors; and means defining a plurality of openings in the web of each end frame generally aligned with the compartments formed by the shelves to provide ventilation of batteries mounted in the compartments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Kim Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Andrew Marraffa
  • Patent number: 6719151
    Abstract: A device, system, and method system for manually arranging products on a display shelf without requiring additional shelf width. The product containers, such as jars, cans, and bottles, may be pulled forward toward the front of the display shelf by pulling a front member which is attached to two slide rails which fit into the vacant spaces near the bottom of rounded container sides. In an alternate embodiment, a base is provided to elevate the containers, and the slide rails slide underneath the container. The slide rails are attached to a rear member which engages the rear of the last product container in the row, and pushes the containers forward as the front member is pulled away from the display shelf. The device may be a wire frame which may include side covers of various shapes and sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Inventor: James Garth Close
  • Patent number: 6719152
    Abstract: An adjustable width product display system which includes spaced-apart front and back display supports formed of an engineering plastic material, suitable for food freezer environments. Formed wire side elements, provided with transversely extending mounting portions, are slideably received in transversely disposed recesses in the plastic display supports. Each display support includes a pair of closely adjacent, parallel recesses for receiving the mounting portions in overlapping relation, providing a wide range of width adjustment to accommodate packages of different size. A wire frame, comprising a pair of elongated wire elements extending from front to back of the display system joins the two display supports in spaced relation. These wire elements also function as an underneath support for product packages confined between the side elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Trion Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas O. Nagel, Russell M. Moyer