Patents Issued in April 20, 2004
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Patent number: 6722372Abstract: A smoking article particularly to eliminate spotting or staining and provide good smoke quality includes a double wrap smoking article which includes an outer wrap of a conventional cigarette paper and an inner wrap which is comprised of from about 55 to 85% wood fibers and 15 to 45% flax fibers, a basis weight of 12-15 gm/M2 and a porosity of 200 to 160,000 Coresta or greater.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2000Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Brown & Williamson Tobacco CorporationInventor: Daniel V. Cantrell
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Patent number: 6722373Abstract: A cigarette sidestream smoke treatment material made from a sheet of non-combustible active components provides a porous structure capable of treating sidestream smoke. The treatment material, as used in combination with a cigarette, provides a low sidestream smoke emitting cigarette unit. The material has a porosity which encourages a conventional free-burn rate of a conventional cigarette. The material may comprise a sorbent capable of sorbing components of the sidestream smoke, and an oxygen storage component which releases oxygen at free-burn rate temperatures to ensure that conventional free-burn rate is maintained and to enhance the oxidation treatment of the adsorbed non-aqueous components. Preferably, an oxidation catalyst is included in the material and most desirably the oxygen storage component may also function as the oxidation catalyst. Particularly preferred materials which perform the dual function are oxides of cerium.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Rothmans, Benson & Hedges Inc.Inventors: Larry Bowen, Stanislav M. Snaidr, E. Robert Becker, Warren A. Brackmann
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Patent number: 6722374Abstract: A vibration type comb includes an ultrasonic wave generator which generates an ultrasonic wave, which is transferred to a vibrator in the comb body through an ultrasonic wave transfer pipe connected to the ultrasonic wave generator. A cover in which first slits are formed in a lower portion of the same in a horizontal direction, is detachably engaged to a lower portion of the body and a comb plate which has one end connected with the vibrator and the other end having second slits formed therein in a horizontal direction, is vibrated such that the second slits move in upward and downward directions between the first slits.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Inventor: In Young Hwang
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Patent number: 6722375Abstract: An apparatus and method for curling hair using sheets of paper is shown and described in detail. Two sheets of paper are used to fold a locket of hair and attach the hair adjacent the user's scalp for curling. The curlers are disposable after use. Each sheet is folded in a unique pattern to hold the hair during curling and to connect the sheets together. The method permits the user access to curlers during travel.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2003Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Inventor: Lani T. Falls
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Patent number: 6722376Abstract: A method for etching a polysilicon layer comprises the steps of providing a semiconductor wafer substrate assembly having at least first and second features therein in spaced relation to each other which define an opening therebetween. A blanket polysilicon is formed over the wafer assembly and within the opening. A patterned photoresist layer is formed over the polysilicon layer, then the polysilicon layer within the opening is etched with a first etch. Subsequent to said first etch, the polysilicon with the opening is etched with a second etch comprising a halogen-containing gas flow rate of from about 35 sccm to about 65 sccm and an oxygen-containing gas (for example HeO2) flow rate of from about 12 sccm to about 15.6 sccm.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 1999Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventor: David J. Keller
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Patent number: 6722377Abstract: This invention relates to a process for cleaning reactors. The process utilizes a solvent fed from multiple pressure sources to clean reactors of residual polymers. The reactors are equipped with agitators and stationary nozzles aimed at the agitator blades. The agitator is rotated during cleaning. The process may also utilize heated aqueous base to clean heat exchangers in external loops. In one aspect, a mixture of at least one organic solvent and aqueous base are utilized to clean certain reactors.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2000Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Rohm and Haas CompanyInventors: Spencer Wayne Bruce, James Kent Carpenter, Jeanine Lee Hurry, Joseph Richard Povernick, Frank Randolph Robertson, III, Robert Hugh Schwartz, Richard Shu-Hua Wu
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Patent number: 6722378Abstract: A retainer for supporting gun parts in an ultrasonic bath is provided with a plurality of supports that retain such gun parts in positions whereby cleaning of such parts by ultrasonic means is optimized. The retainer supports are specifically configured to maximize the removal of dirt and debris from gun parts, and certain supports are adjustable to accommodate a variety of gun makes and models. The retainer is also constructed to prevent direct contact between gun parts, which might otherwise result in unnecessary wearing at such contact locations.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Coltene/Whaledent, Inc.Inventors: Eric Heiberg, Jerry Sullivan
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Patent number: 6722379Abstract: A megasonic cleaning system comprised of a one-piece cleaning tank, one or more piezoelectric crystals and an indium layer for attaching the piezoelectric crystals to the cleaning tank. The tank comprises a material selected from the group consisting of quartz, sapphire, silicon carbide, silicon nitride, ceramics and stainless steel. The piezoelectric crystals are attached directly to a side or to the bottom of the tank.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2001Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Product Systems IncorporatedInventors: Mark J. Beck, Richard B. Vennerbeck
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Patent number: 6722380Abstract: A hitch-mounted umbrella support is provided for use with a vehicle having a hitch receiver at the rearward end thereof. A hitch bar is selectively receivably mounted in the receiver and has a clevis secured to its rearward end. A support bar is selectively adjustably pivotally secured to the clevis and extends therefrom. The inner end of the support bar has a plurality of longitudinally spaced-apart openings formed therein which are adapted to be selectively registered with a plurality of longitudinally spaced-apart openings formed in the clevis. A U-shaped locking pin is extended between the clevis and the support bar to lock the support bar in various positions with respect to the hitch bar. A hollow tube is secured to the outer end of the support bar and receives the pole of the umbrella therein. The umbrella may be pivotally moved from side to side with respect to the vehicle and may be moved towards the vehicle or away from the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Inventor: John C. Hafer
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Patent number: 6722381Abstract: This invention is for a type of mechanism for umbrella self lock operation. It is composed of the swinging mechanism, lifting mechanism, stopping mechanism and clutch mechanism. Among them, the clutch mechanism includes a spooler with a hole in the middle section for rope to pass through. On the axial, there are stopper rings and elastic flexible keys. The front end of the spooler has screw thread section. The clutch axle box shall have ratchet and the on the ring diameter, there is positioning threads. It enters through the front-end thread section of the spooler. It will make the ratchet section and the elastic flexible keys joint together under normal conditions. Through handgrip thread, it joints together with the front-end thread section of the spooler. It will control the left and right rotating movement. Use pressure to engage the joint of axle box and the thread of the front cover, it forms auto self lock performance.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Inventor: Jin Sheng Lai
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Patent number: 6722382Abstract: An umbrella includes a tubular runner slidably sleeved on a stem between upper and lower positions. A tubular upper end portion of the stem defines a plurality of angularly displaced slots such that anchored segments of an anchored wire are exposed therefrom for pivotally mounting anchoring ends of a plurality of ribs. The ribs have distal ends disposed at an underside of a canopy for supporting the canopy in spread-out and collapsed positions when the runner is moved to the upper and lower positions, respectively. The ribs can be brought into close proximity of the stem after retraction for facilitating storage and carrying.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Inventor: Max Wang
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Patent number: 6722383Abstract: A variable function voting solenoid-operated valve apparatus is provided having both high safety availability and high plant reliability that does not require a plant system to be bypassed during testing. Also provided is a variable function voting solenoid-operated valve apparatus wherein initiation of a safety action will occur only if each of a pair of operatively associated solenoid-operated valves in the apparatus are actuated, and wherein either of the solenoid valves can singly default to a pre-designated safety action without inadvertently actuating the process valve and isolating or venting the process fluid. Also provided is a variable function voting solenoid-operated valve apparatus wherein either a “1 out of 1 with hot stand-by” operational mode or a “2 out of 2 with high diagnostics” operational mode may be selected by an operator using a logic control system depending on the technical requirements of a given plant environment.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2001Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Inventors: Angela Summers, Bryan Zachary
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Patent number: 6722384Abstract: A filter device and method for diaphragm type flush valves includes positioning the filter device in a cavity of the valve, between an inlet and an outlet pipe, and between an inlet and a bleed hole of a diaphragm of the valve. The filter device spans the entire span between an outlet pipe and a valve wall. Thus, all water entering the valve through the inlet passes through the filter prior to exiting through the outlet pipe, or prior to passing through the bleed hole in the diaphragm. The filter device can have a tubular or frusto-conical shape with a first, lower opening sealing about the outlet pipe, and a second, upper opening sealing against the valve wall.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Inventor: Ronald L. Gates
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Patent number: 6722385Abstract: A hydraulic spool valve repair kit comprising a cylindrical valve cap and a replacement spring retainer plate and a method of use of these components for increasing the service longevity of such a hydraulic spool valve within the valve body of an automatic transmission is disclosed. The present valve cap is a cylindrical steel construction having a longitudinal bore, which is radially disposed about a terminal end of the aluminum valve piston to provide a more durable contact surface and to substantially reduce mechanical wear between the dissimilar materials of the original components. The replacement spring retainer plate, which inadvertently contacts the valve piston under some operating conditions, is reconfigured to include resilient leg members for retention of the spring retainer plate within the valve body and also provides a stable spring seat for the compression spring that actuates the spool valve.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Sonnax Industries, Inc.Inventor: Lawrence P. Bolaski
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Patent number: 6722386Abstract: The present invention provides a flow control apparatus and method. In accordance with the present invention, the flow control apparatus comprises a thermostat that automatically actuates valve to enable water to flow through the valve when the temperature of the air or water is at or near the freezing temperature of water (32° F.). When the temperature of the air or water rises above freezing, the thermostat causes the valve to close, thereby preventing water from flowing through the valve. Therefore, when the apparatus is coupled to an end of a water conduit, such as a water spigot or hose, water is allowed to flow through the conduit when the air or water temperature is at or near freezing to prevent the conduit from bursting due to water freezing and expanding within the conduit.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2003Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Inventor: Bruce Harvey
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Patent number: 6722387Abstract: A valve operator is provided having a rotatable spindle extending along an axis. The rotatable spindle is rotatable about the axis. The rotatable spindle is additionally pivotable about a first pivot point. A pivotable linkage operably couples with the spindle. The pivotable linkage is pivotably movable about a second pivot point, such that rotation of the spindle moves the pivotable linkage in a pivoting motion about the second pivot point. Rotation of the spindle additionally pivotally moves the spindle about the first pivot point. The inventive valve operator has a fewer number of parts, a relatively low cost of manufacture, and a high operating efficiency relative to known valve operators.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2001Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Fisher Controls International, Inc.Inventor: Hans D. Baumann
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Patent number: 6722388Abstract: A pressure regulator having a valve cartridge adapted to be removably held within its housing, said cartridge having a frame carrying and positioning a valve seat, a valve member, a valve stem, and a spring. The valve cartridge ensures correct spacing between the valve member and the valve seat. Difficulties in pressure regulation may be quickly rectified and pressure flow characteristics may be altered by removing and replacing the valve cartridge. Another aspect of the invention discloses a multiple pressure regulator comprising: a housing adapted to removably house two valve cartridges; an inlet opening into the housing; an outlet opening from the housing; and two valve cartridges adapted to be removably held within the housing. Each of said cartridges similar to those described above.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2000Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Inventor: Robert A. McAden
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Patent number: 6722389Abstract: Liquid transfer apparatus transfers liquid between containers, and includes a liquid storage chamber having an inlet and an outlet; a pump chamber having an inlet and an outlet; a passage connecting the storage chamber outlet to the pump chamber inlet; a suction pump mechanism for sucking air from the storage chamber via the pump chamber inlet; and a valve for selectively opening and closing the inlet of the liquid storage chamber, allowing liquid to flow into the storage chamber by a pump and opening of the inlet. A carry case stores the liquid transfer apparatus and three different adaptors, which can be connected to an aperture of a container for use with a liquid transfer apparatus. One adaptor has a radially adjustable thread engaging components to enable the adaptor to be connected to different sized apertures.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Stevens Nominees (QLD) Pty Ltd.Inventor: Alec Martin Stevens
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Patent number: 6722390Abstract: A control valve system in which main valves are actuated and deactuated by operation of pilot valves. Actuation of pilot valves causes actuation of the main valves, which enables fluid pressure to be output from the control valve system. The main valves must shift within a predetermined time period in order to prevent an error condition. A timing chamber stores a predetermined amount of fluid to define a time period in which the main valves must shift.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Ross Operating Valve CompanyInventors: Richard E. Schnell, Hubert Schaber
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Patent number: 6722391Abstract: An improved ON-OFF control for a paintball gun comprises sidewalls defining a transverse actuator socket, a gas inlet for fluid communication to a pressurized gas source and a gas outlet, and a spool received in the socket and movable between a first position wherein an internal passage is defined between the gas inlet opening and the gas outlet opening, and a second position wherein the flow of gas from the gas inlet is blocked and the gas outlet is vented to atmosphere.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Inventor: Stanely Gabrel
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Patent number: 6722392Abstract: The invention concerns an assembly comprising a tube in composite material including carbon fibers embedded in a resin, an extremity of which is equipped with a sleeve in plastic material such as polyamide, optionally equipped with a jointing thread. According to the invention, the tube comprises at least one layer of composite material, and the sleeve is obtained by overmolding injection of material on the tube. Preferably, the composite material constituting the tube comprises two adjacent layers of carbon fibers embedded in carbon, the inner layer being a layer whose fibers are substantially longitudinal, whereas the outer layer comprises helically arranged fibers.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Gitzo Holding Societe AnonymeInventors: Laurent David, Michael Mittelstaedt
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Patent number: 6722393Abstract: A water jet loom having an on loom drying system. The water jet loom includes: a frame; a warp former; a shed former; a weft inserter and a two mode on loom dryer system downstream from the weft inserter. In the preferred embodiment, the two mode on loom dryer includes: a high volume air supply downstream from the weft inserter; and a second dryer adjacent to the high volume air supply. Also, in the preferred embodiment, the second dryer being at least one of radiant or convection heaters; and a fabric web take-up means.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Highland Industries, Inc.Inventors: Larry A. Marett, Joe Nicholson
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Patent number: 6722394Abstract: An industrial textile, such as a papermaking fabric, including a plurality of pre-crimped thermoplastic components. The pre-crimped components include dimensioned indentations that are complementary in size and shape to the components with which they are assembled. Methods of manufacture of the components and assembly of the textiles are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2001Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Asten Johnson, Inc.Inventors: James Harrison, Marc P. Despault
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Patent number: 6722395Abstract: For depositing fluid dots in an array, e.g., for microscopic analysis, a deposit device, e.g. a pin, cooperating with a fluid source defines a precisely sized drop of fluid of small diameter on a drop carrying surface. Transport mechanism positions the device precisely over the receiving surface and drive mechanism moves the deposit device toward and away from the surface. By repeated action, minute drops of fluid can be deposited precisely in a dense array, preferably under computer control. The drop-carrying surface shown has a diameter less than 375, preferably less than 300, preferably between about 15 and 250 micron, and is bound by a sharp rim that defines the perimeter of the fluid drop. The deposit device is compliant in the direction of deposition motion, e.g. by overcoming resistance of a resilient member. When depositing, the deposit device is laterally constrained to a reference position, e.g.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2001Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Inventors: James W. Overbeck, Peter T. Flowers, Jean I. Montagu, Myles L. Mace, Peter Honkanen
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Patent number: 6722396Abstract: A method in which large-volume gas containers, for example, airships having a gas holding capacity of, for example, 400,000 m3, can be filled with a process gas, includes first completely filling the container with an auxiliary gas, the density of which differs from that of the process gas. The process gas is then quiescently introduced into an upper area of the gas container in such a way that no significant mixing with the air occurs and, at the same time, the auxiliary gas is removed by suction from the lower area of the gas container. To purify the contents of the gas container, purified or fresh process gas is quiescently introduced into the upper area of the gas container in such a way that no significant mixing with the contaminated process gas present in the gas container. At the same time, the contaminated process gas is removed by suction from the lower area of the gas container. To empty the gas container, the above-described process is reversed.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Inventors: Diethard Sillat, Thomas Sauer
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Patent number: 6722397Abstract: A servicing apparatus for exchanging fluid between a serviceable automobile component and new and used fluid tanks and including a manifold with a fluid circuit defining a plurality of pathways connecting a plurality of ports whereby fluid is directed through the fluid circuit and ports by selectively operating first and second valves and circulated using a common pump to exchange fluid, recirculate fluid, and drain both the used and new fluid tanks as desired.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Norco Industries, Inc.Inventor: Jeffrey P. Few
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Patent number: 6722398Abstract: A fluid servicing apparatus for exchanging fluids with a power steering fluid reservoir including drain and supply conduits with inline pumps coupled to a control board on a cabinet housing new and used fluid receptacles and a remote pump actuator in communication with the control board including a switch selectively operable to actuate either of said pumps to drain and fill the reservoir.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Norco Industries, Inc.Inventor: Jeffrey P. Few
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Patent number: 6722399Abstract: A system and method for transferring compressed gas from a supply point to a delivery point including an ejector, high and low pressure headers, and a plurality of containers that hold compressed gas and are selectively connected to the high and low pressure headers. The ejector uses energy created from the high pressure compressed gas to draw residual pressure gas out of the containers. The system and method also both preferably include a control system for controlling compressed gas flow through the system.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: TransCanada Pipelines Services, Ltd.Inventor: Gregory Michael Cano
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Patent number: 6722400Abstract: An apparatus precisely delivers a prescribed amount of fluid into a degassed pouch contained in a cartridge. The apparatus has a rotating cartridge holding member that alternately positions the cartridge in either a horizontal position for filling or a vertical position for degassing. A digital weighing element associated with the fixture enables the cartridge to be weighed during the filling process to ensure the delivery of a predetermined amount of fluid.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Edward B. Richter, L. Ronald Whitlock, Diana C. Petranek, Gary E. Merz, John C. Green
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Patent number: 6722401Abstract: A paintball cylinder refilling apparatus for installation and use at a paintball field or tournament includes a housing, a high-pressure and a low-pressure fluid source. The housing has a paintball cylinder refill circuit that includes a high-pressure circuit adapted to refill a paintball cylinder and a low-pressure circuit that operates to open and close the high-pressure circuit. The high and low-pressure circuits are also adapted to safely vent into the atmosphere any pressurized fluid that may be resident in either circuit following the termination of a cylinder refilling operation.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2003Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Bauer Compressors, Inc.Inventor: Otis G. Brock
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Patent number: 6722402Abstract: An apparatus for unloading a bag containing a bulk particulate material, having a discharge spout, generally consisting of a support structure, means for mounting such bag on the support structure, a hopper mounted on the support structure, a first member mounted on the support structure, having an opening through which the spout of a bag may be extended when the bag is mounted on the support structure, a second member mounted on support structure having an opening communicating with an inlet of the hopper, about which a portion of such spout extending through the opening of the first member may be fitted, and fluid actuated devices mounted on the support structure for displacing the first and second members relation to each other when the discharge spout of the bag is extended through the opening in such first member and fitted about such second member to cause a portion of spout to be interposed between such first and second members in clamped relation.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: The Young Industries, Inc.Inventors: Richard W. Ambs, Anthony Boroch
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Patent number: 6722403Abstract: A bifurcated bracket carries two powder dispensing assemblies. Each assembly includes a powder reservoir and a rotatable screw received within a compliant silicone sleeve. The outer diameter of the screw is slightly larger than the inner diameter of the sleeve such that the screw blade maintains direct contact with the sleeve wall as the screw is rotated. The bracket is sequentially moved to align each assembly with containers in two arrays. Each array of containers is situated in a tray. The trays are manually positioned on independent scales which generate signals that are a function of the sensed weight of each array. To fill each container, the screw in the aligned assembly is rotated at a high rate for an initial period and then at a slower rate. The scales are operational only during the slower rate period. Assembly movement and screw rotation are computer controlled.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Bristol-Myers Squibb CompanyInventors: Peng Zhou, Edward Joseph Kuspiel, Waldemar Ruediger, Alexander Bertok, Carl J. Trpisovsky
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Patent number: 6722404Abstract: A bandolier of syringes for use in an automated syringe handling system is provided. The automated syringe handling system generally receives syringes and fills the syringe with a substance, such as a medicament. In one exemplary embodiment, the syringe handling system is a system that disperses one or more medicaments into the syringes in an automated manner. The bandolier includes a web, e.g., a strip of transparent material partially encapsulating bodies of syringes that are bound to the web at a prescribed interval. The bandolier includes a feature disposed within the prescribed interval and between the syringes with the feature being different from the surrounding web.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2001Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: ForHealth Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Joel A. Osborne
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Patent number: 6722405Abstract: A safety kit 10 is provided for use with a flexible hose 2 for interconnecting a portable tank 14 with a another tank 12 to transmit fluids between the tanks. The safety kit includes a control housing 5 adapted for securing to one end of the hose, and a cable support housing 36 for securing to the opposing end of the hose. A valve member 20 is moveable relative to a seating surface for opening and closing flow through the control housing. A cable 18 is provided for positioning within the flexible hose 2. The cable may be in compression in one embodiment and in tension in other embodiments. If in compression, the cable support housing includes a cable loading mechanism 210, 250. When the cable is in tension, the trigger moves in response to movement of the cable to close off flow to the flexible hose.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: PGI International, Ltd.Inventors: Kevin Cessac, Frank Gonzales, Spence M. Nimberger, Robert L. Ward
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Patent number: 6722406Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided for cleanly cutting off filling of a container with toner without post-cutoff dribbling. The apparatus for the method includes (a) a conduit member having a discharging end; (b) a conveyor device for moving the toner from the hopper towards the container; and (c) a nozzle device including a positive and negative air pressure applying device, and a nozzle member for directing the toner to the container. The nozzle member has a first end connected to the discharge end of the conduit member and a second and opposite end for dispensing moving toner into the container. The nozzle member includes a post-cutoff controllable vibrator assembly connected to a controller for selectively enabling clean cutoff of powder flowing into the container without post-cutoff dribbling.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Paul M. Wegman, Mikhail Vaynshteyn
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Patent number: 6722407Abstract: The present invention provides a two-piece capless fuel-filling device and method of attaching the same to a vehicle. The capless fuel-filling device includes two primary components, an exterior housing member and an interior housing member. The exterior housing member is first placed within an opening formed in a vehicle body panel and attached thereto. Next, the interior housing member is attached to the exterior housing member or the interior side of the body panel. Either the internal housing member or the external housing member includes a valve for enabling and restricting insertion of a refueling nozzle.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: DaimlerChrysler CorporationInventor: Richard Henry
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Patent number: 6722408Abstract: A center rib and a second rib are formed at a tread surface of a pneumatic tire along an outer contour line L1 of a radius R1 whose center is at a tire inner side. A shoulder rib is formed at the tread surface along an outer contour line L2 of a radius R2 whose centeris at a tire inner side. A step between the outer contour line L1 and a ground contact surface of the shoulder rib decreases toward a tire transverse direction outer end portion. Accordingly, when a heavy load is applied to the pneumatic tire, due to the step between, on the one hand, the shoulder rib, and on the other hand, the center rib and the second rib, uneven wear at the second rib can be suppressed. When a light load is applied, because the step decreases toward the tire transverse direction outer end portion, uneven wear of the shoulder rib can be suppressed. The pneumatic tire exhibits excellent uneven wear resistance at all land portions formed on the pneumatic tire.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2000Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Bridgestone CorporationInventor: Yasuhiro Naito
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Patent number: 6722409Abstract: A snap in valve stem 10 with a two piece insert 24, 26 design is capable of supporting a radio frequency transmitter 12 within a rim hole 28. Elastomeric body 16 includes a cylindrical portion 32 with an annular bead 36 and an enlarged base portion 34 with an annular flange 38 to provide an airtight seal of the valve stem 10 within the rim hole 28. The two piece insert 24, 26 design in conjunction with an annular recess 40 and a lowermost extending portion 42 within the elastomeric body 16 allows the inserts 24, 26 to flex independently of each other which makes for a rapid, simple, easy installation process.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventor: Rabian Matthew Martin
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Patent number: 6722410Abstract: The tube material 2′ extrusion-molded by the extrusion molding machine has an air chamber peripheral wall 3i, a sealant chamber peripheral wall 3o and a partition wall 4. An air chamber 5 is defined between the air chamber peripheral wall 3i and the partition wall 4, and a sealant chamber 6 is defined between the sealant chamber peripheral wall 3o and the partition wall 4. On the air chamber peripheral wall 3i are protrusively formed a plurality of rib-shaped projections 15 each forming a thick portion for reinforcement. The thickness t3 of each of the projections is approximately equal to the thickness t1 of the peripheral wall 3 and the thickness t2 of the partition wall 4. It is possible to efficiently extrusion-mold the tube material 2′ having the thick portions for reinforcement by thus approximately equalizing the thickness of each part of the tube material 2 including the rib-shaped projections 15.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2000Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Toshio Yamagiwa
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Patent number: 6722411Abstract: A mounting apparatus includes: a heater head for bonding a liquid crystal display and a flexible printed circuit board by thermocompression; a cylinder as a heater head driving means for driving heater head to compress the liquid crystal display and flexible printed circuit board by a prescribed load; and a control mechanism as a stretch amount controlling means for adjusting a load change per unit of time after the heater head starts compressing the flexible printed circuit board by the cylinder as well as a time at which a required load is attained to control the stretch amount of the flexible printed circuit board by thermocompression. Preferably, the mounting apparatus is provided with a mechanism which performs measurement after preliminary bonding and which performs regular bonding while controlling based on the obtained information.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2001Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shinichi Sugimoto, Katsunori Nagata, Masaaki Ooga, Toshihiko Nakagawa
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Patent number: 6722412Abstract: A die bonder includes a conveyor, a pre-heater, at least one carrier, a paste-dispensing mechanism, a die taking/placing mechanism, and a heater. The conveyor continuously operates in a ring-shaped manner. The carrier is carried on the conveyor to position the substrate. The pre-heater heats the substrate to eliminate the moisture in the substrate. The paste-dispensing mechanism dispenses an adhesive agent onto the substrate. Then, the die taking/placing mechanism places a die onto the substrate at a position where the adhesive agent is dispensed. Finally, the heater is used to cure the adhesive agent so as to bond the die to the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Advanced Semiconductor Engineering, Inc.Inventors: Yao-ting Huang, Kuang-chun Chou
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Patent number: 6722413Abstract: In order to selectively reinforce portions of a material web, a cutting and laminating device efficiently produces the required reinforcing strips and then laminates them to the web. In order to efficiently and accurately produce these reinforcing strips, a cross web shear is utilized which is capable of cutting required reinforcing strips from the fairly large web of reinforcing material in an accurate manner. Once cut, a holding and positioning device is capable of grabbing onto the reinforcing strip and appropriately positioning it next to the primary material web. A separate laminator can then attach this reinforcing strip to the web at a desired location.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2000Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Sig Pack Doboy Inc.Inventors: Philip A. Koehler, Steven F. Nagel
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Patent number: 6722414Abstract: A blind with its fabric drapery structure has an upper beam, two rotation units, two spring mounts, two springs, two sealing caps, two connectors, a fabric drapery mounting rod, a fabric drapery hanging track, and two double-sided adhesive pieces. Both ends of the upper beam are engaged with connecting sections of the rotation units, and the spring mounts with the springs are joined to engagement sections of the rotation units. The sealing caps are inserted at one end of said spring mounts. The rotation units engaged with the upper beam are slid in an angle onto the connectors fixed to the frame walls adjacent to a window via the double-sided adhesive pieces, and adjusted in a straight line by pushing inwards to be located thereto. The upper beam serves to display a blind, and the fabric drapery mounting rod and/or the hanging track are connected to the connectors.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Inventor: Jerry Nien
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Patent number: 6722415Abstract: A shutter panel (10) in which respective longer sides of slats (12) made of synthetic resin are connected through hinge mechanisms to be freely bendable manner, wherein the hinge mechanisms include one hinge member and another hinge member. Each hinge member has a connecting groove that is opened outwardly. By fitting and coupling the longer sides of the slats into the connecting grooves respectively, smooth opening and closing of the shutter panel (10) can be performed because of decreasing warpage or irregularities in thickness of slats (12) or the hinge members and enabling smooth bending of respective slats (12) connected by the hinge mechanisms.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2001Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Isel Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masanori Mochizuki, Kenji Mochizuki
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Patent number: 6722416Abstract: A flexible curtain rollup door includes a drum mounted on a door frame and drivenly connected to an electric right angle gear motor unit. The frame includes opposed channel shaped guide tracks for receiving opposed side edges of a door curtain. Spaced apart elastically deflectable combination curtain stiffening struts and windlock members are secured to the curtain and include opposed windlock parts receivable in the guide tracks and configured, respectively, to provide for releasing only one side edge of the curtain from its guide track. A flexible transverse bottom bar includes plural side by side flexible bags filled with particulate material, secured to the curtain bottom edge and enclosed by a flexible envelope member. The curtain bottom edge includes a stiffener formed of interconnected links.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Overhead Door CorporationInventors: David A. Varley, Richard D. Aiken, Raymond A. Clark, George Lair
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Patent number: 6722417Abstract: The method of deoxidation casting is capable of deoxidizing the oxide film formed on the surface of the molten metal, improving wettability to inner faces of a cavity of a casting die, and casting high quality products with high casting efficiency. The method of deoxidation casting includes the steps of reacting a deoxidizing compound, which is made by reacting a metallic gas on a reactive gas, on a molten metal; and deoxidizing an oxide film on a surface of the molten metal.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2001Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Nissin Kogyo Co., Ltd.Inventors: Keisuke Ban, Koichi Ogiwara
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Patent number: 6722418Abstract: A heat sink assembly includes a heat sink (10), a fan fixing device (30), and a fan (60). The heat sink has a base (12), and a plurality of fins (14) extending from the base. Two threaded holes (18) are defined in each of opposite sides of the base. The fan fixing device has a frame (32), and four legs (36) respectively depending from four corners of the frame. A plurality of concentric guiding vanes (34) is formed on the frame. The guiding vanes have slanted surfaces for guiding airflow toward a central portion of the heat sink. An aperture (42) is defined in an end of each leg. A first screw (102) extends through each aperture and engages in a corresponding threaded hole of the heat sink. The fan is attached to the frame with a plurality of second screws (100).Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.Inventor: Zhiji Zhang
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Patent number: 6722419Abstract: A computer cooler fixed on top of CPU for dissipating heat generated by CPU includes at least a base whose bottom surface is connected with upper surface of CPU and a plurality of cooling fins positioned on top of the base. The invention features on that the cooling fins are made of thin metal plate, then rivet two cooling fins with a metal bar to form a fin unit which can be inserted into parallel slots mounted on the top of the base. The parallel slot has a width equivalent to or slight narrower than the thickness of the fin unit. According to the above structure, the components can be assembled easily, processed conveniently. The density of fins is also increased and the heat dissipating efficiency is improved.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2003Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Inventor: Cheng-Ping Lee
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Patent number: 6722420Abstract: A heat transfer tube with a finned inner surface is divided into at least two zones (Z1 to Zm) in a peripheral direction. The fins extend at an angle of inclination &agr; with respect to the longitudinal axis of the tube, are arranged in the individual zones (Z1 to Zm) in any desired periodic combination and sequence of at least two fin heights (H1 to Hn, H1>H2>. . . >Hn). Adjacent zones border thereby on one another so that the fin sequence is staggered for at least one fin in longitudinal direction of the tube. Modifications include the finned inner surface being divided into groups of zones, in which the angle of inclination of the fins is uniform, however, varies between adjacent groups.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Wieland-Werke AGInventors: Christoph Walther, Rolf Wamsler
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Patent number: 6722421Abstract: Vertical and horizontal drainwater heat exchangers have built-in heat storage for continuous heat recovery. The drainwater heat exchanger is a straight, large diameter copper tube having external fins. This tube runs through a reservoir which is filled once on installation with clean water. At least one convection chamber made of insulative material surrounds the tube and has an opening only on top. All heat transfer between the drainwater and the reservoir takes place only when the small volume of water in these convection chambers is heated. A second heat exchanger for heating the cold water supply of the building's hot water heater, comprises a large diameter plastic tube coiled around the reservoir. By inverting the invention and connecting the second heat exchanger to a cold water faucet, water is made colder for drinking.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Inventor: Winston MacKelvie