Patents Issued in April 20, 2004
  • Patent number: 6722472
    Abstract: A tree stand adapted for mounting in a tree to support a person. The stand includes a back frame and a platform attached to the back frame. A length of chain passes generally horizontally around the trunk to secure the back frame to the tree. The chain is generally rigid and self-supporting in the vertical direction but freely movable in the horizontal direction to wrap around the trunk of the tree. A hook is configured to secure the length in a loop, and a ratchet mechanism controllably decreases a circumference of the loop to secure the back frame to the tree. A pivotally mounted rest is configured for engaging the tree trunk so that the stand may be mounted on a non-vertical tree trunk with the platform in a level orientation. A seat and a post, together with the back frame and platform, are hinged together in a structure capable of folding between deployed and collapsed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Inventor: Ronald L. Berkbuegler
  • Patent number: 6722473
    Abstract: A system for providing cash to users in a merchandise delivery environment such as a fast food drive-through environment. The system includes a customer request station (212, 262, 288, 300, 322, 378) at which the customer is enabled to input a request for merchandise as well as an input corresponding to a request to receive cash. The customer is further enabled to input to the customer request station information corresponding to a source of monetary value which the customer may charge against for ordered merchandise or for the amount of cash requested. The customer may then move to a cash delivery station (216, 338) to receive a portion or all of the requested cash. The customer is enabled to receive the ordered merchandise at a merchandise delivery station (222, 292, 304, 316, 324, 342).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Diebold, Incorporated
    Inventors: Natarajan Ramachandran, Cynthia S. Daugherty, Jeffery M. Enright
  • Patent number: 6722474
    Abstract: A non self-propelled mobile food service unit transportable to a desired location of service comprises computer controlled auxiliary systems for providing food service. The auxiliary systems including an environmental unit, a food preparation unit, a billing unit, a safety and security unit and a data communication unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Inventor: Eran Golan Hatzor
  • Patent number: 6722475
    Abstract: A safety plank assembly for mounting on a bottom of an elevator car in a traction-type elevator system includes a pair of parallel extending plank beams connected by a cross support member. A rope sheave is rotatably mounted at each of opposed ends of the plank beams to define a diagonal rope path through the assembly for underslung support of the elevator car. Traction weights and balancing weights can be attached to the beams and provision is made for mounting safety equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventors: Michael G. Miller, Karl B. Orndorff
  • Patent number: 6722476
    Abstract: A caliper for disk brakes for high-performance cars, which has a high degree of reliability, comprises a body having two side portions and two transverse bridges connecting the two side portions, cylinder-piston units arranged along each side portion, and a circuit for a fluid for cooling the cylinder-piston units, the circuit comprising wells which are formed along the side portions and are of a depth such that they extend substantially as far as the wall delimiting the cylinder-piston units, and which are closed by covers, the circuit also comprising connecting ducts between adjacent wells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Freni Brembo S.p.A.
    Inventor: Raffaello Cornolti
  • Patent number: 6722477
    Abstract: The invention relates to a brake actuator, especially a brake actuator for rail vehicle brake calipers for a disc brake. Said brake actuator comprises a service brake unit with an electromotive drive system for clamping and releasing the brake, a safety brake unit with a pre-loaded spring device for clamping the brake, and a brake spindle for converting the movements of the electromotive drive system into a translatory movement for activating a brake clamping mechanism; especially for activating brake calipers. The invention is characterized in that the pre-loaded spring device and the brake spindle are positioned coaxially in relation to each other and are mechanically series-connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Knorr-Bremse Systeme für Schienenfahrzeuge GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Wolfsteiner, Erich Fuderer, Josef Staltmeir
  • Patent number: 6722478
    Abstract: An assembled vehicle brake disk has a basically rotationally symmetrical friction ring which is fastened by way of several linking points in a rigid or floating manner to a basically rotationally symmetrical hub part. At least two distances between respectively adjacent linking points, which distances follow one another in the circumferential direction, differ from one another, in which case, viewed in their entirety, the linking points are arranged in a non-uniformly distributed manner along the circumference. Preferably, an uneven number of linking points are provided which may be arranged to be very asymmetrically distributed along the circumference. The number of linking points may be in the order of between 5 and 15, a smaller number being provided per circumferential segment with respect to lower-frequency noise radiations, and a higher number being provided with respect to higher-frequency noise radiations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Wolfram Honsberg, Georg Eichner, Martin Heidenthaler, Raphael Wanitschke
  • Patent number: 6722479
    Abstract: The invention relates to a wheel and/or brake disk hub (2) for receiving a one-piece or multi-piece, and notably fragmented, brake disk (1) having friction rings (5, 6) which are preferably connected via links (7). Said hub is configured such that cams (15) of the hub (2) have shoulders (22) which protrude radially outwards and on one side axially secure the brake disk (1) positioned on the hub (2). The brake disk is axially stepped at its inner periphery in such a way that a step (6′) is formed which is supported on the shoulder (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Knorr-Bremse Systeme fuer Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH
    Inventors: Hans Baumgartner, Wolfgang Pahle
  • Patent number: 6722480
    Abstract: A magnetically actuated motion control device includes a housing defining a cavity and including a slot therethrough. A movable member is located within the cavity and is movable relative to the housing. A magnetic field generator located on either the housing or the movable member causes the housing to press against the movable member to develop a friction force. The flux caused by the magnetic field flows through the housing, the movable member and at least one pole located along the movable member. The at least one pole comprises a first portion having a first axial dimension and a second portion having a second axial dimension where the first axial dimension is greater than the second axial dimension and as a result the magnetic flux through the second portion of the at least one pole has a greater magnitude than the magnetic flux through the first portion of the pole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Lord Corporation
    Inventor: J. David Carlson
  • Patent number: 6722481
    Abstract: A vibration-damping device includes a housing member and a pillar-shaped mass member housed within an accommodation space of the housing member with a slight spacing therebetween so that the mass member is freely displaceable within the accommodation space to come into impact on the housing member. A rubber buffer and an abutting rubber member integrally formed with each other and fixed to at least one of axial end portions of the mass member such that the rubber buffer covers an outer circumferential surface of the end portion of the mass member, and the abutting rubber member disposed over an end face of the axial end portion of the mass member. A void is formed between the abutting rubber member and the end portion of the mass member so that the abutting rubber member undergoes shear deformation upon an impact of the mass member on the housing member at the abutting rubber member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hajime Maeno, Koichi Maeda
  • Patent number: 6722482
    Abstract: A power transfer device including a main clutch, a cam mechanism and an electromagnetic pilot clutch mechanism coaxially assembled within a cylindrical space between an external cylindrical rotary member and an internal rotary member, wherein an electromagnetic coil of the pilot clutch mechanism is applied with an electric current to produce pilot torque, the cam mechanism is applied with the pilot torque to produce thrust force in an axial direction, and the main clutch is engaged by the thrust force applied from the cam mechanism to effect drive connection between the rotary members. In the power transfer device, residual thrust force of the cam mechanism is electrically or mechanically decreased at an instance when differential rotation of the rotary members is reversed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Toyoda Koki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Takuno, Yasunari Saito
  • Patent number: 6722483
    Abstract: A twin clutch, in particular an actively closing, dry friction twin clutch is provided for a twin clutch transmission of a motor vehicle having an internal combustion engine, a crankshaft, and two transmission input shafts. The two transmission input shafts are connected to respective friction clutches and can be selectively connected to the crankshaft. At least one axial bearing is provided at the twin clutch such that axial forces, which are present when the clutch is actuated, can be transferred to the transmission housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventors: Ansgar Damm, Wolfgang Schreiber, Wolf-Rüdiger Lutz, Volker Becker, Georg Kruse, Frank Schade
  • Patent number: 6722484
    Abstract: A bi-directional overrunning clutch for transmitting torque to segments of a primary drive axle. The clutch includes an input gear, a clutch housing, and hubs extending out of the housing that attach to the segments. A roll cage is located within the housing and has rollers arranged in two sets, each set located adjacent to a hub. The rollers wedge between the hubs and first tapered portions on the clutch housing when the roll cage is rotated in a first direction relative to the housing (forward-engagement position), and between the hubs and second tapered portions on the clutch housing when the roll cage is rotated in a second direction relative to the housing. A friction member contacts the roll cage to engage the roll cage to the hub to wedge the rolls between the hubs and the clutch housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Hilliard Corporation
    Inventors: David C. Ochab, Kelly P. Heath
  • Patent number: 6722485
    Abstract: A force-limiting rotary lock (20) for a shaft (21) mounted on a housing (22) for rotational and axial movement relative thereto, broadly includes a lug member (28) provided on the shaft, and a pawl (51) mounted on the housing. The pawl is movable relative to the housing between first and second positions. The pawl is operatively arranged to engage the lug when the pawl is in its first position (shown in FIG. 3) to prevent further rotation of the shaft in one angular direction, and to be disengaged from the lug when the pawl is in its second position (shown in FIG. 2) to permit rotation of the shaft in either angular direction. A cam (25) is mounted on the shaft, and a follower (49) is mounted on the housing for selectively moving the pawl between the first and second positions when the shaft is axially displaced from its predetermined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Moog Inc.
    Inventors: Seth E. Gitnes, William H. House, Kenneth K. Nakashima, Eric A. Polcuch
  • Patent number: 6722486
    Abstract: The bill input/output part has a movable pusher plate and a front plate and a partition plate movable between the pusher plate and the front plate to store bills, which are to be returned or paid, between the pusher plate and the partition plate, and also includes a controller to vary the distance between the pusher plate and the partition plate according to the number of bills to be stored. Bills can be arranged upright. After the bills stored between the pusher plate and the partition plate are extracted, the distance between the partition plate and the front plate is widened. This operation makes it easy to re-enter bills in the space. When a remaining bill, such as a folded bill is detected, the space between the pusher plate and the partition plate is widened so that the user can easily be notified of a failure to extract.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasushi Shibata, Manabu Takenaka
  • Patent number: 6722487
    Abstract: An acceptor for money items such as coins or banknotes produces a money item parameter signal x1 as a function of a sensed characteristic of a money item. A store (12) provides data which defines a window corresponding to a normal acceptance range of values of the parameter signal for a money item of a particular denomination (NAW), the range including relatively high and low acceptance probability regions (RAW, USM) which correspond to a relatively high or low probability or an occurrence of a sensed money item of a particular denomination. The processor (11) determines when an occurrence of the parameter signal x1 falls within the low probability region (USM) and then for the next sensed money item compares the value of the parameter signal (x1) with window data corresponding to a restricted acceptance range (RAW) so as only to accept the second money item if the corresponding value of the parameter signal x1 falls within the restricted acceptance range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Coin Controls Limited
    Inventor: Malcolm Reginald Hallas Bell
  • Patent number: 6722488
    Abstract: A takeout device (10) for transferring one or more, usually a plurality, of freshly-formed glass containers (C) from molds (18) of a section of an I.S. machine to a deadplate (20) of the machine. The takeout device has an oscillatable arm (12) that carries a head (14) from which a tong (16) for each of the containers is suspended. Oscillation of the arm is powered by a reversible, linearly-acting electrical motor (24), preferably an a.c. servo motor, that causes a rack (28) to reciprocate. The rack drives an oscillatable gear (34) that oscillatingly drives the arm. The motor is mounted at the top of a post (30) at an elevation above the elevations of the molds and the deadplate, and the motor, therefore, is readily accessible for maintenance and adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen M. Gerber, William F. Mazur, Larry N. Shue
  • Patent number: 6722489
    Abstract: A dry bulk unloading apparatus for transferring bulk material from a storage facility to a transport vehicle includes a pair of pivotally interconnected upper and lower screw conveyors. The upper screw conveyor is pivotally connected at its receiving end on a vertical axis to the storage facility and is pivotally connected at its discharge end on a vertical axis to the receiving end of a lower screw conveyor. The conveyors each have an auger driven by an electric motor and electric motors are provided to pivot the upper screw conveyor relative to the storage facility and to pivot the lower screw conveyor relative to the upper screw conveyor. A hand held controller may be used for remote control of the electric motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Aluminum Ladder Company
    Inventor: Anthony J. Cook
  • Patent number: 6722490
    Abstract: A hanger bearing assembly for use in an auger type poultry chiller, the poultry chiller has an auger with a first flight and a second flight both secured to an auger shaft, the first flight having a first flange plate and the second flight having a second flange pate. A bearing disk is secured between the first flange plate and the second flange plate. A bearing block disposed about the bearing disk, a lower bearing plate is secured to the poultry chiller, and the lower bearing plate has a support segment configured to receive the bearing block. An upper bearing plate configured to receive the bearing block. The upper bearing plate is secured to the lower bearing plate, thereby maintaining the bearing block adjacent the bearing disk and securing the auger to the lower bearing plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Morris & Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory T. Bass
  • Patent number: 6722491
    Abstract: A feeder tube for bulk product, including a tube in which there are inlet openings distributed along the length of the tube. A screw conveyer is disposed axially within the tube. The tube rotates about its axis, the screw conveyer rotates relative to the tube and the feeder tube moves in the lateral direction. Activators form projections on the outer side of the tube and are disposed on the tube near the inlet openings. In each cross-section along at least 40% of the length of the tube, there are at least two inlet openings. At least two activators are also positioned in each cross-section. For a feeder tube having a desired average volumetric capacity (V′) the slot width (d) of the majority of the openings is V′˜dn, wherein n is between 2-3. The total sum of the width (&Sgr;d) of all openings in each-section is between 150-700 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Main Engineering Aktiebolag
    Inventor: Göran Forsberg
  • Patent number: 6722492
    Abstract: A differential impulse conveyor having a conveyor motor which uses bellows to provide the driving force for the conveyor. The conveyor includes a housing within which is mounted the conveyor motor. The conveyor motor has a pair of bellows, a drive plate and a fluid control system. The drive plate is movably mounted between the bellows. The conveyor plate is mounted to the top end of the drive plate. The fluid control system includes a main control valve, a pair of limit switches, a pair of valves and a flow control valve. The fluid control system allows for inflation of one bellow at a greater rate than inflation of the other bellow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Inventor: Dennis A. Trestain
  • Patent number: 6722493
    Abstract: A conveyor roller drive device is provided to mechanically prevent conveyed goods from falling down on a conveyor system. The conveyor roller drive device includes a power generator for generating rotational power and a coupling portion which is coupled to a conveyor roller. A traction roller transmission mechanism is disposed in the rotational power transmission path between the power generator and the coupling portion. The traction roller transmission mechanism includes a sun roller, planetary rollers disposed on the periphery of the sun roller to roll in contact with the sun roller, a ring roller for allowing the planetary rollers to roll in contact with the inner periphery surface of the ring roller, and a carrier being in phase with the revolution component of the planetary rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroki Matsuoka, Kazuyoshi Umeda, Kiyoji Minegishi, Jun Tamenaga
  • Patent number: 6722494
    Abstract: A transfer apparatus 10 includes crank arms 22 each of which is pivotally attached to a driving wheel 21, link levers 23 each of which has its one end pin-linked to the tip of the crank arm 22, and revolving sections 30 each of which is pin-linked to the other end of the link lever 23 and held at a distance from the rotation axis 210 of the driving wheel 21, wherein: the crank arm 22 is provided with a velocity-changing cam roller 223 protruding therefrom at a position spaced apart from the pivot center thereof; the velocity-changing cam roller 223 is guided while being engaged with the velocity-changing cam groove 44 which is formed to be eccentric to the rotation axis 210 of the driving wheel 21, whereby the tip of the crank arm 22 swings during one complete rotation of the driving wheel 21; and, as a result, the angular velocity of the link lever 23 linked to the tip of the crank arm 22 and the revolving section 30 periodically increases/decreases with respect to the angular velocity of the driving wheel 2
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Zuiko Corporation
    Inventor: Masaki Nakakado
  • Patent number: 6722495
    Abstract: The invention relates to an envelope (100) for packaging at least one article, the envelope being of the type constituted by a sleeve of heat-shrink plastics material having a main portion (101) suitable for encapsulating at least a portion of the article or a group of articles, said sleeve also having an additional flap (102) overlapping the outside of the sleeve and connected to the main portion (101) of the sleeve via two parallel lines of heat sealing (102, 105) at its lateral ends, said flap having a panel-forming portion (115) which is detachable by being torn off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Sleever International Company
    Inventor: Eric Fresnel
  • Patent number: 6722496
    Abstract: A combination weapons case for guns, bows, knifes or other tools having a flexible inner case and a hard outer case. The outer case includes a recessed area for receiving the inner case, and may feature a place for storing arrows or other accessories. The outer case may be fastened to an object such as an all-terrain vehicle and the inner case may be conveniently removed for easy transport in the field. The outer case and/or the inner case may be shaped like the object contained therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Kolpin Outdoors, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick K. Gantert
  • Patent number: 6722497
    Abstract: A magazine has an elongated carrier strip (12) which carries several fastening elements (13) arranged one behind the other. For each fastening element (13), the carrier strip (12) has several receiving surfaces, each receiving surfaces being formed by a support surfaces (1) having an opening (11) and by two side members (2, 3) whose end parts are connected to each other and which jointly form a passage (5). The diameter of the opening (11) and of the passage (5) essentially match the diameter of the shaft (15) of the fastening element (13). Extending from the circumference of the opening (11), there are at least two slits (7, 8, 9, 10) which divide the circumferential area of the opening (11) into two circular ring segments that can be pivoted downwardly into the interior of the magazine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Andreas Pally, Gerd Daubinger
  • Patent number: 6722498
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a storage container for an attachment to a personal grooming tool. The container includes a housing and a cover. The housing includes a chamber configured to store the attachments. The cover is configured to fit over the housing to enclose the chamber. The cover also includes a cavity designed to support the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Salton, Inc.
    Inventors: Barbara Westfield, Philippe Starck
  • Patent number: 6722499
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for transporting syringes containing radioactive material. The apparatus includes a radiopharmaceutical pig having an inner chamber in which a sharps container can be secured. The sharps container has a housing and an attachable cap. The method includes assembling the radiopharmaceutical pig so that the chamber of the radiopharmaceutical pig contains the syringe in the sharps container housing. The radiopharmaceutical pig is disassembled, where upon the syringe is removed, discharged, and then replaced in the sharps container housing. The cap of the sharps container is affixed to the housing of the sharps container, thus enclosing the contaminated syringe therein. The radiopharmaceutical pig is assembled so that its chamber contains the sharps container and the syringe. The radiopharmaceutical pig is transported to a disposal area, where it is disassembled and the sharps container containing the syringe is placed in a particular disposal container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Syncor International Corporation
    Inventor: Don E. Reich
  • Patent number: 6722500
    Abstract: A glass sheet, and a shipping case for the sheet are disclosed. The shipping case comprises two paperboard sheets with central portions which are substantially coextensive with and on opposite sides of the major surfaces of the sheet, and pairs of opposed, substantially coextensive flaps which surround the central portions. An adhesive prevents movement of the opposed flaps relative to one another and of the sheet within the case. In a preferred embodiment the flaps of one of the pairs are integral with one another and are disposed on opposite sides of a fold line. In another preferred embodiment, the shipping case additionally includes at least one flap which is structurally integral with one of the paperboard sheets along an edge thereof, and is folded around a peripheral edge of the article and adhered to the exterior surface of the central portion of the other sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Inventor: Anthony Deiger
  • Patent number: 6722501
    Abstract: A package assembly including a housing that has an attachable portion and a manually removable portion. Also included is a length of attachment strip material having opposite major surfaces defined by stretch release adhesive extending between its opposite ends. The length of attachment strip material has a first part adhered along the outer surface of the attachable portion of the housing, and a second part extending from one end of the first part; and that second part of the length of attachment strip material is disposed to restrict adhesion between it and a planar surface to which the first part of the length of attachment strip material is adhered to support the housing along that surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Michael D. Hamerski, Ronald C. Johansson
  • Patent number: 6722502
    Abstract: An inflatable corner cushion for protecting a corner of an object is disclosed. The inflatable corner cushion may have two triangular, inflatable cushions. Each cushion may have two edges meeting to form a V-shape. The two edges may be sealed together along the V-shaped edges such that, when the chambers are at least partially inflated, a combination of the chambers forms a pocket for enclosing a corner of an object. An inflatable coner cushion may be placed on each corner of an object. The objects and cushion may then be placed in a shipping box. In such a condition, the pocket surrounds each corner such that they are protected from impacts from all directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Air Packaging Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Garry F. Newman
  • Patent number: 6722503
    Abstract: In a coal preparation plant which receives a raw coal feed and separates the raw coal feed into a clean coal feed and a refuse feed, an apparatus is provided for receiving and mixing the raw coal feed with water. The inventive apparatus includes a deslime screen assembly including a feedbox, magnetic separator and a deslime screen. The feedbox receives the raw coal feed and directs the raw coal onto the deslime screen for separation into coarse and fine sized raw coal fractions. The magnetic separator is provided which is integrally formed with the feedbox. The magnetic separator receives an input slurry of magnetic solid particles and water from the coal preparation plant, and separates the magnetic solid particles from the input slurry. The overflow tailings slurry output by the magnetic separator from which magnetic solid particles have been removed is received directly by the feedbox and mixed with the raw coal feed particles received thereby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Sedgman, LLC
    Inventors: Larry A. Watters, Daniel S. Placha
  • Patent number: 6722504
    Abstract: A vibratory separator with a base, vibrating apparatus, a screen container on the base, the screen container having a plurality of spaced-apart drain holes, a plurality of spaced-apart screens in the screen-container, said screens oriented vertically within the screen container, and the screens positioned so that screened fluid passes through the screens and flows from the container through the plurality of spaced-apart drain holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Varco I/P, Inc.
    Inventors: David L. Schulte, Thomas C. Adams, Kenneth W. Seyffert, David W. Largent, Guy L. McClung, III, Jeffrey E. Walker, Hector M. Murray
  • Patent number: 6722505
    Abstract: Aggregate mixtures such as dirt, sand, rock, concrete, etc. are separated into piles according to size by continuous agitation of the mixture and by gravitational and centrifugal forces exerted thereon. A container for the material, such as the bucket of a backhoe, has the bottom thereof at least partially open. An adjustable, hydraulically-driven rotating disk attaches to and covers the open portion of the bottom of the container, the combination having a gap, or a selected spaced-apart relationship, between the stationary container and the rotating disk. The mixture is agitated by the rotating disk and by contact with the other particles in the container. Particles smaller than the selected gap distance are thrown out through the gap between the disk and the open portion of the container by centrifugal force. Material larger than the selected gap size remains in the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Inventor: Herbert S. Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 6722506
    Abstract: A method of batching out items in a weight controlled manner from an incoming flow of the items, the items having non-uniform weights, by allocating the items to a plurality of receiver stations. The method includes the steps of determining weight of individual items, determining preferential allocation of each individual item to a consequently selected receiver station based on accumulated weight of items already located in the selected receiver station and preset operational conditions, portioning-out the items by transferring each individual item to the allocated selected receiver station, calculating efficiency of ongoing portioning-out process using relevant parameters, calculating simulated efficiency of a portioning-out process in which allocation of each individual item to a consequently selected receiver station is based on further operational conditions, and recommending change of one or more of the preset operational conditions based on the simulated efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Scanvaegt International A/S
    Inventors: Ulrich Carlin Nielsen, Svend Bækhøj Jensen
  • Patent number: 6722507
    Abstract: A fluid filter assembly includes a valve assembly having a plunger with openings defined therein. The plunger includes a sealing portion and a non-sealing portion. The sealing portion sealingly engages a valve seat, while the non-sealing portion includes an opening which leads to a central passage through the plunger, the opening and central passage cooperating to direct the flow of fluid through the plunger and an associated spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Arvin Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven Cline
  • Patent number: 6722508
    Abstract: A one-piece filter cartridge is formed by inserting an open ended cylindrical screen and an end screen for the cylindrical screen in a mold and overmolding with engineered resinous material to form spaced annular and axial support ribs for the screen material. The cartridge is suitable for use in an hydraulic circuit for filtering bi-directional and radial flow without backwashing trapped particles from flow in one axial direction. One of the ribs has an annular groove for a seal ring for sealing about the cartridge upon insertion in a flow passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Parker, Jorge A. Moreno, Chuck Chang, William J. Gorski, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6722509
    Abstract: A merchandising display shelf track device for receiving a row of articles for sliding movement therealong has non-planar front face members connected to a base wall and top stop members. Racking forces exerted on the top stop members are transferred through the non-planar face members to the base wall to minimize racking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Display Industries, LLC.
    Inventors: James David Robertson, Bernard Primiano
  • Patent number: 6722510
    Abstract: A wine rack includes a base, a plurality of arc-shaped partitioning plates, and at least one connecting rod. The base has an arc-shaped top. Longitudinal grooves are defined in the arc-shaped top and extend along a longitudinal direction of the base that is orthogonal to the arc-shaped top. Each arc-shaped partitioning plate has a first end adjacent to the base and a second end distal to the base. The first end of each arc-shaped partitioning plate is securely engaged in one of the longitudinal grooves, with each arc-shaped partitioning plate being located in a radial direction with respect to the arc-shaped top of the base. The second end of each arc-shaped partitioning plate has at least one hole. Storage spaces are defined by the arc-shaped partitioning plates and the base for receiving wine bottles. The connecting rod extends through the hole of the second end of each arc-shaped partitioning plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Inventor: Ping-Fang Sen
  • Patent number: 6722511
    Abstract: Mountable hanger apparatus (10) and a kit of parts (71) therefore for affixing preferably to door hinges. The hanger apparatus comprises an elongated member (11) having top (13), intermediate (14, 36), and bottom end member segments (15), all of which are longitudinally interconnectable along the longitudinal axis (12) of the elongated member. The elongated member also includes top (42), intermediate (46), and bottom (45) connectors for longitudinally interconnecting the member segments along the member axis. Radially extending support arms (39-41) each connect to a connector so as to rotate about the member axis independent of each other. Top and bottom mounting brackets (16, 24) each slideably receives and connects to a corresponding member segment and also to, for example, a door hinge. The mounting brackets slide along the member segments for adjusting the distance therebetween to fit any door hinge spacing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Inventor: Richard B. Lowe
  • Patent number: 6722512
    Abstract: A cargo shield assembly having rigid members mountable to the vertical uprights of a pallet rack. The assembly having a wire mesh panel movable in a vertical direction. The panels are connected to rods extending along the lateral ends of the panel, and the rods are movably connected to the rigid members. The cargo shield assembly has a locking mechanism to maintain the panel in an upward position and a stop member to limit the travel of the panel in both an upward and a downward motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Cargotainer Adrian Fabricators, Inc.
    Inventor: Geoffrey B. Scully
  • Patent number: 6722513
    Abstract: A child-resistant closure prevents a toddler or other young child from unscrewing the top off from a beverage container, such as a milk bottle or covered sipping cup, and spilling its contents on furniture or other inappropriate locations. The child-resistant closure prevents ugly staining of clothes or furniture by difficult to wash beverages, such as grape juice. The child-resistant closure for a beverage container includes an inner screw cap which is threadably mountable on the beverage container, such as the milk bottle with a nipple or the sipping cup. An outer operating ring cap is mounted on the inner cap. The outer operating ring cap has a circumferential retaining rim on a lower end thereof to retain the inner cap within the outer cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Inventors: Dennis Flood, Jocelyn Flood
  • Patent number: 6722514
    Abstract: A container adapted for use by an infant or a child is provided. The container has handles with first and second side walls that diverge away from each other, in the direction away from the outer circumference of the body of the container toward the center line of the container. The container can also have a base with at least one base recess formed therein and an inwardly tapered bottom surface, providing improved strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Playtex Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles John Renz
  • Patent number: 6722515
    Abstract: A preferred folding crate includes a base having a perimeter. Pivotable side walls fold open from a stacked storage condition in which the walls are in juxtaposition and within the perimeter of the base. A pedestal and legs on the base are arranged so that the pedestal of one crate may be received and secured by the legs of a similar crate having its side walls folded to the stacked storage condition. A preferred crate includes latch members between inner and outer side wall surfaces on a first pair of the side walls. Catch members on a second pair of the side walls are positioned for releasable latch member engagement to secure the side walls in the open condition. Connector receivers, link members and fasteners may be provided to secure successive similar crates together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Inventor: Donald Rumpel
  • Patent number: 6722516
    Abstract: The invention relates to a transport container (2), in particular made from a synthetic material, having a base (3) and at least two side walls (6) pivotally joined to the base (3) by hinge mechanisms (11), and having a connecting mechanism (12) arranged in an overlap region between an end face (26) of a side wall (6) and an internal face (7) of the other side wall (6) for detachably connecting the side walls (6), acting against the automatic release of the connecting mechanism (12), the locking mechanism (16) being provided as a latching element (18) mounted so as to be displaceable in a side wall (6) and joined to the side wall (6) by at least one elastically deformable retaining arm (17) and displaceable thereby from a locking into a releasing position in the connecting mechanism (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Steiner Technology GmbH
    Inventor: Johannes Zelko
  • Patent number: 6722517
    Abstract: A container closure device comprising an engagement portion joined to but separated from a base to define a gap capable of engaging the peripheral lip or top ridge of a container and including a radially compressible spacer in the gap, a vertically movable cap or plate including a pliant sealing surface on a first side thereof located between the base and the engagement portion and a cam mechanism engaging a second surface of the cap so as to permit driving the cap and its associated pliant sealing surface against the top ridge of the container with which the gap has been engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Inventors: Donald Edgar Steeber, Allen Frank Steeber
  • Patent number: 6722518
    Abstract: A rotatable cover for a tab actuated drink opening in a conventional beverage container, which cover is easily installed and removed, is reusable, and prevents the entry of objectionable debris including insects. The cover, having a bottom surface larger than the drink opening, includes a recessed top portion adapted to receive and engage the tab actuator securing it to the container. The cover and tab actuator rotate in concert to cover and uncover the drink opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Inventor: Douglas Michael Bartz
  • Patent number: 6722519
    Abstract: A container and method for preventing leakage therefrom through isolating deformation in the container caused by external forces. The container comprises a container wall having an opening therein, the opening capable of receiving a closure bushing with a sealing member wedged between the closure bushing and the container wall, and a weakened portion of the container wall not in wedged engagement with the sealing member capable of bending in response to an external force so as not to deform the portion of the container wall in wedged engagement with the sealing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Rieke Corporation
    Inventor: Gary M. Baughman
  • Patent number: 6722520
    Abstract: A container has a rigid, elongate reclosable fastener, a slider and a track for the slider. The track defines a travel path lying in more than one plane. The travel path has vector components extending in each of mutually orthogonal X, Y and Z directions. The slider is slidably attached to the reclosable fastener and moved along the track to open and close the reclosable fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: The Proctor & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Matthew Todd Hupp, Daniel Raymond Cerone
  • Patent number: 6722521
    Abstract: The present invention involves a low permeation pinchoff connection at a pinchoff region having a pinchoff end between first and second formed sheets of a fluid tank. The low permeation pinchoff connection comprises a continuous inner polymeric layer at a pinchoff region having a pinchoff end between the first and second formed sheets. The connection further comprises an outer polymeric layer in side-by-side relationship with the continuous inner polymeric layer. The outer polymeric layer tapers at the pinchoff region to first and second outer polymeric ends at the pinchoff end separating the first and second outer polymeric ends. The connection further comprises a low permeation barrier layer disposed between the continuous inner polymeric layer and the outer polymeric layer. The low permeation barrier layer tapers with the outer polymeric layer at the pinchoff region to first and second barrier ends separated at the pinchoff end to determine a pinchoff gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James Fuller Potter, Erich James Vorenkamp, Duane Allen Fish, Link Eugene Vaughn, Huan-Kun Chang