Patents Issued in May 18, 2004
  • Patent number: 6736249
    Abstract: The present invention relates to clutches for selectively transmitting torque, and more particularly, to compliant centrifugal clutches. A compliant clutch (10) may have a plurality of engagement members (42 and 44), preferably at least three, and more preferably at least six. Each engagement member has an outer edge that is movable toward an interior surface of a receiving member (28), such as a drum. Flexible segments (70 and 72) may connect the engagement members to each other. In embodiment, the engagement members are arrayed around a hub, but detached from the hub to form an expandable engagement portion. Both aggressive and non-aggressive engagement members are provided. In another embodiment, the engagement members are affixed by flexible segments to the hub to form an extensible engagement portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Brigham Young University
    Inventors: Larry L. Howell, Nathan B. Crane
  • Patent number: 6736250
    Abstract: A system for detection of fraud upon a coin or token accepting device is disclosed. In one embodiment the system operates in a coin path, the coin path being configured to accept and direct a coin. Prior to credit being provided for a coin or other item of value, the system detects and analyzes behavior of objects in the coin path. In one embodiment, one or more emitter/detector pairs are located in the coin path. The emitters transmit a form of energy across the coin path for detection by a detector. A fraud perpetration device in the coin path can be detected by the emitter/detector pairs. The emitter/detector pairs may utilize complex signal schemes, such as signal modulation, random signaling generation, velocity, acceleration, displacement, coin material physics, and the like to detect fraud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Inventor: Harold E. Mattice
  • Patent number: 6736251
    Abstract: A coin sorting and counting machine and a method for operating it to automatically dispense cash vouchers based on the value of the counted coins, manufacturers' coupons and store coupons. Coins are placed in a hopper tray angled downward from the horizontal. When the hinged tray is lifted, the coins travel over a peak structure, through a waste management system and into the coin sorting and counting apparatus. The value of the coins and the number of coins within each denomination are displayed as the coins are counted. The coins fall into a storage area and the user is issued a cash voucher and a series of manufacturer coupons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Coinstar, Inc.
    Inventor: Jens H. Molbak
  • Patent number: 6736252
    Abstract: A work holder is provided for a through hole examination apparatus that reduces the generation of scrubbed-off metal powder caused by abrasion during the movements, and has a high operability. Also, it is an object to provide a work holder for a through hole examination apparatus that can readily adjust the holder to be parallel at low costs. A work holder 18 is provided for a through hole examination apparatus, which retains a workpiece having through holes provided therein and transfers the same between a work replacement operation region and a through hole examination region. A roller movement device 50 is mounted on the holder main body to enable a rolling movement thereof, and the roller movement device is made to be height-adjustable such that the parallel degree of the holder is adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Toru Shirasaki
  • Patent number: 6736253
    Abstract: Apparatuses for article handling, comprising one or more of a) an article-moving conveyor belt (1) designed to move along an underlying plate (55) which has a ridge portion (56), so that a substantial part of each article (21) will lie on one side or the other of the highest point of the conveyor belt; b) a lifting apparatus (4) for moving articles, e.g., PET bottles, from an in-feed point to discharge point located above the in-feed point, with the aid of a continuous row of movable article-carrying baskets (26-36) spaced apart along the length of driving belts or drive chains; and c) an article sorting apparatus (6) that is conveyed on a continuously moving conveyor belt (22) and includes a gate (15) that is designed to be able to move an article (21) away from the conveyor belt (22) sideways, and which in the neutral position of the gate (15) is designed to allow the article (21) to move past the gate (15) unaffected thereby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Tomra Systems ASA
    Inventors: Per Kåre Tvinnereim, Stig Finstad Evensen, Øivind Jørgensen
  • Patent number: 6736254
    Abstract: A sorting conveyor for transporting objects and unloading objects at one or more unloading stations adjacent the conveyor. The sorting conveyor includes: a conveyor track; a train of conveyor carts connected end-to-end; a power source for moving the conveyor carts on the conveyor track; each of the conveyor carts including: (i) a trailer frame base, including: a roller structure for engaging the conveyor track, a driven member responsive to the power source, and a hitch mechanism for connecting each conveyor cart to an adjacent conveyor cart; (ii) a carrying tray for holding the objects; and (iii) a tiltable support apparatus for supporting the carrying tray above the trailer frame base and for allowing tilting of the carrying tray towards at least one side of the conveyor to unload objects into unloading stations on at least one side of the conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Mantissa Corporation
    Inventors: J. David Fortenbery, David Patrick Erceg
  • Patent number: 6736255
    Abstract: It is the intention to improve a conveyor system for supplying small parts to a chain assembling unit, the system comprising a track system transporting the small parts, and a feed device loading the track system with the small parts. To this end the track system comprises at least two loading tracks which are loadable by the feed device with small parts, and at least one feed track which passes the small parts onwards to the chain assembling unit and communicates with at least one corresponding loading track, the number of the feed tracks being smaller than the number of the loading tracks, and the at least one feed track being selectively connectable to at least one other corresponding loading track for conveying the small parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Joh. Winklhofer & Söhne GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Heinz Mitzenheim
  • Patent number: 6736256
    Abstract: The method and apparatus are for controlling a longitudinal shifting of an elongated piece along a predetermined length SL as said piece moves transversely within a plane at a given speed PS. The apparatus comprises a longitudinal arm having a given length PL pivotable within the plane to shift the piece; a flexible link operatively mounted around the arm to contact the piece as the arm is pivoted to shift the piece; a controllable pivoting means for pivoting the arm according to an angle &thgr; determined in relation to the predetermined length SL and the given length PL; and a controllable driving means for driving the flexible link around the arm according to a speed SS determined in relation to the speed PS of the piece and the angle &thgr; so that the longitudinal shifting is controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Gemofor Inc.
    Inventor: Gino Jobin
  • Patent number: 6736257
    Abstract: A transfer device is provided for transferring articles from a first conveying device to a second conveying device. The device has a central body and a plurality of transfer element sets attached to the central body. Each transfer element set comprises a plurality of pivoting transfer elements, and each transfer element has a receptacle for receiving an article. The plurality of transfer element sets are arranged around a perimeter of the central body. A first pivoting transfer element and a second pivoting transfer element within one of the transfer element sets are axially offset relative to each other along a common axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Hauni Maschinenbau AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Steiniger, Erwin Oesterling
  • Patent number: 6736258
    Abstract: An apparatus for supplying raw materials at constant amounts has a raw material tank for storing and feeding raw materials, a belt for transferring raw materials, a level control guide for defining a thickness of raw materials on the belt, and a belt cover. The apparatus further includes a reversible belt drive motor for controlling a rotation direction of the belt forward and backward and a device for removing raw materials arranged at a backward side of the belt. In the case of supplying the raw materials at constant amounts, a normal operation of supplying the raw materials is performed by rotating the belt in a forward direction. In the case of removing the raw materials arranged on the belt and in the raw material tank, the raw materials are transferred to the device for removing raw materials arranged at a backward side of the belt by rotating the belt in a backward direction so as to remove the raw materials from the belt and the raw material tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiji Noda, Kisao Kadoi, Yuji Ueda
  • Patent number: 6736259
    Abstract: The present invention provides a chain for use in a three-dimensional conveyor line, formed from synthetic resin-made chain links A connected endlessly to each other by a shaft pin C. The chain link A includes a top plate part A2 on which a product to be conveyed is placed, and a link part A1 formed under the top plate part to couple two adjacent chain links to each other and which includes a projecting head portion 1 and a pair of leg pieces 2. The upper surface of the projecting head portion 1 is formed circular nearly along a circle whose center lies on the longitudinal axis of the shaft pin C and smoothly contiguous to the upper surface of the top plate part A2. The length of the top plate part A2 in the conveying direction is set shorter than the chain pitch. The top plate part A2 has a lower slant face 11 formed on the front edge thereof, and also formed on the central rear edge thereof a curved concavity 7 with a concave slant face 7a.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Yamakyu Chain Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masao Funabashi
  • Patent number: 6736260
    Abstract: The neck-through the top carton blank for forming a carton with a four-ply handle and two-ply top panels with apertures through which the necks of bottles can be extended. The apertures in the top panel have an arcuate extended opening projecting towards the handle panel to minimize damage to the labels of the necks of bottles extending through the apertures. The fold lines for gluing this blank into a car-on are parallel to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Jean-Manuel Gomes, Stephen Mark Gould
  • Patent number: 6736261
    Abstract: Smoking articles, such as filter cigarettes, are packaged in a metal box which is curved to a shape that conforms to the curvature of the human body so that the box can be comfortably carried in a shirt or pant pocket. The metal box comprises a lid and a five-sided tray each of which has rolled lips which interengage to mechanically and slidably retain the lid to the tray. The lid covers the open front of the tray and is slidable along an arcuate path corresponding to the radius of curvature of the lid to selectively open or close the front of the tray. The metal box is sealed with a shrinkable band, further packaged in a paperboard box and overwrapped with a polymeric film having a tear tape. The package is unique and attractive and provides several product differentiation features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Inventors: Timothy Frederick Thomas, Leslie Elizabeth Jarrell, Roland Charriez, Thomas Charles VanDyk
  • Patent number: 6736262
    Abstract: The hinge-lid box is accompanied by a printing carrier or coupon (38), which is arranged within the hinge-lid box in a position which is favorable from the point of view of production and for handling the hinge-lid box. For this purpose, the coupon (38) has a leg (41) which is directed toward a lid front wall (17) on the inside. Said leg is in form-fitting engagement with a lid inner tab (39), which is likewise arranged on the inside of the lid front wall (17). When the lid (11) is opened, the coupon is partially pulled out of the hinge-lid box or of a box part (10) of the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Focke & Co. (GmbH & Co.)
    Inventors: Heinz Focke, Henry Buse, Gisbert Engel
  • Patent number: 6736263
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to elastic coverings for an alpine sport equipment, specifically, skis, snowboards and the like. In a preferred embodiment, the elastic covering is made from a stretchable, washable, water-permeable, elastic material and is formed into an elongated tube, similar in configuration to a sock. The piece of alpine sport equipment is inserted into the elastic covering, which stretches to fit snuggly over the equipment. The length of the covering, in conjunction with its elastic nature, allow the elastic covering to completely cover alpine sport equipment having a widely varying length. The open end of the elastic covering includes integral straps for tying the end closed after the sporting equipment has been placed therein. The elastic covering is preferably formed from material having a lower coefficient of friction on one side than the other, such that the low coefficient of friction side is oriented toward the interior of the covering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Inventor: Joseph Stork Smith
  • Patent number: 6736264
    Abstract: A golf bag has a body and a frame. The frame receiving the body includes a strut portion, a bottom connecting portion, a pressing member rotatably attached to the bottom connecting portion, a resilient member having one end connected to the pressing member, and a support member connected to the other end of the resilient member and driven by being pressed via the resilient member by the pressing member. The pressing member is placed below a bottom curved portion of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Mizuno Corporation
    Inventor: Satoshi Yoshida
  • Patent number: 6736265
    Abstract: A general purpose mechanics toolbox that is able to withstand external environmental conditions and abuse is disclosed. Typically, the toolbox includes a main body having a front and top cover. Tubular gaskets run between the top and front covers and the body, thereby providing a watertight seal. The body is typically constructed of a high durability plastic. The toolbox can be closed and latched with a latch mechanism that can optionally be locked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Toolbox Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerome Kipper, Steve LaCroix Ramos
  • Patent number: 6736266
    Abstract: A packaged cosmetic product is provided which includes multiple effervescent sachets placed within a tub with an open dispensing mouth. A carbon dioxide breathable and moisture barrier foil is arranged sealingly to close the dispensing mouth. Any carbon dioxide generated during storage, usually as a result of moisture prematurely effervescing powder within the sachets, is allowed to slowly diffuse into the atmosphere through the window formed by the special foil. The tub is formed of walls which do not have any substantial carbon dioxide breathability but do prevent inward moisture penetration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA, division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond Michael Flaig, Natalie Charambura, Paul Roland Bergquist, Craig Stephen Slavtcheff, Matthew Scott Okin
  • Patent number: 6736267
    Abstract: A product display package for retaining product is provided with a display card having a reinforced hanger hole that is resistant to tear. The display card includes a main body including a front surface, a rear surface and an upper edge. The display card has a closed loop hanger hole formed in the main body that is adapted to receive a hanger to hang the display card for display. A container having a housing defining a compartment to house product is supported by the display card. The display card has a tape reinforcement layer adhered to the main body in a region adjacent to the hanger hole to enhance the strength of the display card between the hanger hole and the upper edge of the main body of the display card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Inventor: John A. Schamante
  • Patent number: 6736268
    Abstract: A front-opening wafer transport module has a container portion with transparent shell and a central support structure which includes a machine interface exposed at the bottom of the module and integral wafer support columns extending upwardly in the container portion for supporting wafers. Additionally, the side walls of the shell have recessed portions with engagement members that cooperate with engagement members on removable handles. The handles utilize detents to lock into place in the recesses on the side walls of the carrier. Attachment of the handles to the side walls is accomplished without breaks between the interior and exterior of the module and without separate fastners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Entegris, Inc.
    Inventors: David L. Nyseth, Dennis J. Krampotich, Todd M. Ulschmid, Gregory W. Bores
  • Patent number: 6736269
    Abstract: In a device for collecting and re-cycling articles sent toward feeding channels, a selecting member is situated downstream of a station where the articles are accumulated, for receiving, in a predetermined way, the articles from the accumulation station. The selecting member selects and holds complying articles, separating them from fragments and from powders associated thereto. A linear conveyor member, situated downstream of the selecting member, receives the complying articles and sends them in ordered way to inlets of the feeding channels. Collecting means are situated downstream of the inlets for receiving, from the linear conveyor member, the exceeding articles situated near the inlets. Transferring means receive, from the collecting means, the exceeding articles and transfer them to an initial section of the selecting member, so that the articles are collected, recycled and their compliance is verified again.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Marchesini Group S.p.A.
    Inventor: Giuseppe Monti
  • Patent number: 6736270
    Abstract: Screens and screen assemblies for a vibratory separator or shale shaker, such screens and screen assemblies made by a method including applying glue in a glue pattern to at least one layer of screening material, said applying done by powered moving mechanical glue application apparatus; in one aspect moving with powered mechanical screen movement apparatus the at least one layer of screening material beneath the powered moving mechanical glue application apparatus; in one aspect, using hot melt moisture-curing glue, and in one aspect facilitating the cure of moisture-curing glue by applying moisture to it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Varco I/P, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas C. Adams, Kerry Ward, Kenneth W. Seyffert, David W. Largent, David L. Schulte, Jr., Charles N. Grichar, Vincent D. Leone, Jefrey E. Walker, Guy L. McClung, III
  • Patent number: 6736271
    Abstract: A panel for screening material, comprising: a frame defining a screening area; a tensioned fiber reinforcement attached to the frame and spanning across the screening area; and a non-tensioned resilient coating surrounding the fiber reinforcement so as to form a plurality of openings to screen the material. A method of making a screen for screening material and a vibratory screening machine apparatus incorporating such a screen panel are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Inventor: Peter C. Hall
  • Patent number: 6736272
    Abstract: A recycling system particularly useful for using, sorting and reusing large quantities of animal identification tags for use by producers, feedlots and packing plants is described. In one aspect of the invention, a plurality of unsorted, previously used and cleaned identification tags are passed through a tag aligner that aligns the tags in series. The aligned tags are fed to a tag sorter that includes a plurality of sorting bins for storing the sorted tags. A tag reader reads the identification tags and passes identification information stored on the tags to a controller. The controller analyzes the identification information from the tags and determines in which one of the sorting bins each tag should be stored. When each tag is adjacent the proper sorting bin, the controller signals the sorter to eject the tag into such bin. After sorting, the tags are redistributed to their original users for reuse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Micro Beef Technologies, Ltd.
    Inventor: William C. Pratt
  • Patent number: 6736273
    Abstract: A vehicle fuel filter for mounting to a fuel pump in a fuel tank comprises a tubular body having an axis, a first end and a second end opposite the first end; a pump connection neck positioned on the first end of the tubular body and having a filter outlet opening for mounting the filter on a fuel pump intake tube, the filter outlet opening having an axis at a substantially right angle to the axis of the tubular body; an inlet opening on the second end of the tubular body, the inlet opening extending axially in the direction of the axis of the tubular body; an envelope of filter fabric surrounding the inlet opening such that fuel entering into the envelope can pass into the tubular body through the inlet opening; and a supporting body fixedly connected to the tubular body at the second end and at a predetermined angle to the tubular body, at least a portion of the supporting body preventing the filter envelope from collapsing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Filtertek Inc.
    Inventor: Antonio Chiga
  • Patent number: 6736274
    Abstract: A method of continuously manufacturing tubular filter products includes rotating a mandrel in a first rotational direction, depositing nonwoven fibers on the mandrel to form a tube and continuously withdrawing the tube from the mandrel by engaging a peripheral surface of the tube with one or more detents extending radially from a surface of a roller. The roller rotates in a direction opposite the first rotational direction as the one or more detents engage the tube to a predetermined depth relative. For carrying out such a method, an apparatus includes a melt blowing die assembly for expelling melt blown fibers, a rotating mandrel arranged to receive the melt blown fibers from the melt blowing die assembly for allowing the melt blown fibers to accumulate in a body thereon and a rotating roll having a pattern of protruding detents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Total Filter Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Maurice H. Tremblay, Andrew B. Tremblay
  • Patent number: 6736275
    Abstract: The clarifier of the present invention includes a tank, an influent pier, and a FEDWA. The tank that includes a bottom and a wall. The influent pier projects upwardly from the bottom of the tank along an axis. The influent pier includes ports that direct flow of the solution outwardly from the influent pier. The FEDWA separates the flow of the solution that is discharged by the ports and that flows into the tank. The separated flow of the solution includes a first flow portion that is directed in a first direction that is generally tangential with respect to the axis of the influent pier, a second flow portion that is directed in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction of the first flow portion, and a third flow portion that is directed in a third direction toward the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: United States Filter Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Schneider, Robert J. Fedie
  • Patent number: 6736276
    Abstract: A rack accessory for an equipment rack having mounting locations for a predetermined number of units of electronic equipment within a predetermined vertical distance, including: a front support member and a rear support member, wherein the front support member defines a bracket adapted to be secured on a front mounting portion of the rack; and a predetermined number of substantially equally spaced shelves extending between the front support member and the rear support member. The shelves are each configured to support a side portion of the electronic equipment when installed in the rack. The rack accessory has a height that substantially corresponds to the predetermined vertical distance, and the predetermined number of shelves is less than the predetermined number of units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: ServerVault Corp.
    Inventor: John P. Broome
  • Patent number: 6736277
    Abstract: An adjustable rack mount assembly for a computer rack includes a support member, a bracket positionable beside the support member for supporting one end of the support member in the rack, a pin configured to extend from the support member through a slot in the bracket for positioning the support member relative to the bracket, and a spring clip engageable with an end of the pin for retaining the pin in the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Craig Edward Lauchner, Joseph W. Kaminski
  • Patent number: 6736278
    Abstract: A rack comprises an article-holding piece and a support structure for supporting the article-holding piece on a wall surface. The support structure comprises a suction cup by which the support structure is fastened at the inner end onto the wall surface. The support structure further comprises a support rod, a rotary ring, and a fastening block. The support rod is provided with an axial through hole in which a threaded rod of the suction cup is received. The rotary ring is rotatably engaged with the outer end of the support rod to facilitate the locating of the article-holding piece on the support rod. The fastening block is rotatably engaged with the threaded rod of the suction cup for adjusting the suction force of the suction cup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Inventor: Tien-Tsai Chang
  • Patent number: 6736279
    Abstract: A connection assembly for connecting parts of a multi-component product comprising a post having two releasably interlocking sides and an extension member. A slot provided in the exterior sidewall of the post at the juncture of the interlocking sides is configured to mate with the extension member. The extension member may be engaged with the slot when the two sides of the post are in a separated unlocked position. The two sides may then be placed in an interlocking position so as to fixedly connect the extension member therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Prairie View Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard D. Allen
  • Patent number: 6736280
    Abstract: A tamper-proof cap for bottles with a body defined by a cylindrical base, an upper closing, an anti-sliding external surface, an internal adequate thread with interrupted sections, above which there is an internal sealing layer, while its lower end has an extension equally circular, which determines the sealing belt with an outwards increase of thickness of the wall and a circular cut line with breakable parts; the sealing belt presents, right above its lower end, a series of articulated blades designed radially inwards, spaced equidistantly, as well as presenting its base configured with a dimensional detail cooperating with the articulation thereof upwards, which makes said blades operating as locking components between the cap and the bottle; each blade presents at least one anti-attrition thread or flange, further considering that each breakable element is formed by a vertical part, which, in conjunction with the weakened points, allows the sealing belt to be destroyed when removing the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Inventor: Felipe Lopez Zapata
  • Patent number: 6736281
    Abstract: A vacuum-release waste receptacle designed to prevent vacuum adherence of a plastic liner disposed within the present receptacle upon removal of the liner. The present invention provides a waste receptacle including a plurality of air baffles formed on the inner sidewalls of the receptacle and projecting inwardly into the interior space of the receptacle and to its bottom wall. The air baffles are fabricated to a predetermined dimension, which is calculated to provide an indentation of sufficient depth in the filled plastic liner to create air conduits between the plastic liner, the air baffles, and the inner surface of the receptacle. The air conduits permit the ingress of atmospheric air into the receptacle providing for vacuum-release of the plastic liner upon its removal. Various alternative embodiments of the present waste receptacle are disclosed featuring different configurations of the air baffles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Sonnax Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Neil J. Joseph
  • Patent number: 6736282
    Abstract: In the case of a device for reducing sloshing of fuel in a fuel tank of a motor vehicle, a slosh-inhibiting element is of movable design for its movement from an installation position, in which it can be fitted through an installation opening of the fuel tank, into an operational position, in which it is latched to the wall of the fuel tank. The slosh-inhibiting element can therefore be fitted in a simple manner. The fuel tank is of particularly simple construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Christian Krogull
  • Patent number: 6736283
    Abstract: A can end is provided that has a three part chuck wall. The first chuck wall has an angle of 20 degrees to 35 degrees as measured from an axis perpendicular to the can end. The second chuck wall has an angle of 4 degrees to 27 degrees as measured from the axis. The third chuck wall has an angle of 18 degrees to 32 degrees as measured from the axis. Tooling adapted to manufacture the can end is also provided. Additionally, a seaming chuck is provided that has a recess that is adapted to avoid contact with radii of curvature along the chuck wall during seaming of the can end to a can body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Alejandro J. Santamaria, Richard R. Mathabel, Darl G. Boysel
  • Patent number: 6736284
    Abstract: An end closure for a container, such as a beverage or food can, includes a transverse central body panel and a surrounding outer margin joined to the longitudinal side wall of the container body. The margin portion has a support section, and a plurality of spaced rib structures are located on the margin and have portions that extend longitudinally along the support section to reinforce the margin. The end closure can be a lid or an integrally formed bottom for a can body. The margin can have a U-shaped profile with the rib structures located on either the inner or outer wall portion thereof. The rib structures may be flutes defining tear-dropped shaped depressions. The invention contemplates a can body with the end closure forming the bottom thereof. A method is described for forming such end closures and containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Inventors: Elmer D. Werth, Roger A. Hahn
  • Patent number: 6736285
    Abstract: A collapsible container such as a drinking cup has a disk-shaped bottom and a disk-shaped cover which fit one within the other and engage by catches. A molded inner cup body has its base connected to the bottom and a mouth surrounded with a ring which seals to the cover and springs up from the bottom to erect the cup when the catches are released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Inventor: Theo A. Stewart-Stand
  • Patent number: 6736286
    Abstract: The present invention provides a tablet feeder in which a rotor can smoothly rotate to discharge tablets in spite of a large volume type of tablet containing case having a simple construction. A support portion 11 is provided in the tablets containing case 4 and positioned above at least one of the pocket portions 9 for preventing the weight of the tablets acting on the pocket portions 9 from resisting the rotation of the rotor 8.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Yuyama Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Hashimoto, Tasuku Minami, Hiroyasu Hamada
  • Patent number: 6736287
    Abstract: A product comprising an absorbent paper material and a dispenser adapted to hanging from a support such as a towel bar or a hook is disclosed. The dispenser can be optionally located on a surface instead of hung from a support, and a space at the bottom of the dispenser protects the absorbent paper material from damage due to liquid spills on the surface. The dispenser has an advantage of two distinct dispensing modes, and protection of the unused absorbent paper material from liquid spills.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Barbara O. Sauer, Richard Frederick House, Paul Roy Schmidt, Herb F. Velazquez
  • Patent number: 6736288
    Abstract: The technical field is that of simultaneous dispensing of viscous materials. Many compositions comprise viscous components which must be kept separate until they are used. Known methods of application of separate components do not guarantee proper ratios. This invention solves this problem by presenting a single aerosol container (4) having a multi-valve body (8) wherein the valves (10, 12) are activated by a single actuator (26) and the viscous materials are kept separate until used. The system (2) may use multiple collapsible bags (16), a barrier liner (42), a dip tube (46), and a spray-any-direction valve (50) having an omnidirectional attachment (60) which contains a check valve container (122) made up of a constricted lower end (132), a top surface (134), a lateral opening (136), and a check ball (138) for opening and closing passageways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Inventor: Ronald D. Green
  • Patent number: 6736289
    Abstract: A substance container may be used for containing substances such as liquids or powders. The container assembly includes a body. The body contains a bag to contain the substance. At least a portion of the side walls of the body may include a double panel thickness to add strength to the container assembly. A first aperture located on the body to accommodate a dispensing assembly. A second aperture is also located on the body to accommodate a filling assembly. While the filling assembly is located near a top of the body, it does not protrude past a plane represented by a top surface of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: LBP Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew R. Cook, Barry Silverstein, Kurt Wolf
  • Patent number: 6736290
    Abstract: A plastic container comprises a main body, a large-diameter member and a small-diameter-formed member. The main body is formed of a plastic laminate film into a tubular shape. The large-diameter-formed member is joined to the outer surface of the end of the main body by an insert-injection process. The small-diameter-formed member is jointed to the inner surface of the other end of the main body by the insert-injection process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Hosokawa Yoko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tooru Ichikawa, Yoshiji Moteki, Yoji Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6736291
    Abstract: A viscous material application apparatus includes a main body having a pressurized chamber which connects through to a discharge port and stores a viscous material, a viscous material supply device for transferring the viscous material to the pressurized chamber, and a discharge pressure regulating device for regulating the discharge pressure of the viscous material when the viscous material inside the pressurized chamber is pressurized and discharged by increasing or decreasing the capacity of the pressurized chamber, the discharge pressure regulating device being provided either inside the pressurized chamber or facing the pressurized chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshinori Mimura, Hiroshi Yamauchi, Wataru Hirai, Hiroaki Onishi, Koichi Nagai
  • Patent number: 6736292
    Abstract: A grease gun having a compressed-air-operated reciprocating motor for reciprocating a pump plunger through forward and return strokes. The motor comprises a motor cylinder and a motor piston operable in the cylinder and itself acting as a valve for effecting its return through each return stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Lincoln Industrial Corporation
    Inventors: Ayzik Grach, Viktor V. Alekseyev
  • Patent number: 6736293
    Abstract: The discharge head of the dispenser (1) comprises a supporting body (9) and a head body (3) pivotable relative to the latter by a pliant connection (40), namely an elastomeric passage section (47), including the delivery orifice (53). The bending of the passage section (47) is guided by a single-axis joint (50) and due to the pivoting movement an actuating finger rest (55) becomes accessible for manually actuating a discharge stroke of a pump (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Ing. Erich Pfeiffer GmbH
    Inventor: Juergen Greiner-Perth
  • Patent number: 6736294
    Abstract: A rinse water additive dispenser having an upper housing having a opening and a lower housing releasably connected to the upper housing, the lower housing walls defining an internal chamber for containing a rinse water laundry additive. The dispenser further comprises a valve assembly having a valve for sealing the opening in the upper housing, the valve movable between closed and open positions and being biased towards an open position. In addition, the dispenser includes a weight assembly having a counterweight that is actuated by centrifugal force, and which prior to actuation, prevents the valve from biasing to an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Christopher Lawrence Smith
  • Patent number: 6736295
    Abstract: A vacuum insulated carafe having high flow characteristics is taught, which includes a double wall metallic body (22) with the air evacuated from the space between the walls forming an insulating layer. The body has a top (26) and a bottom (28) with a base (30) attached to the bottom for resting the carafe on a flat surface. A mounting ring (34) is connected to the top of the body and includes a outside surface (36) and a central opening (38), with the outside surface having a pouring spout (40) and a handle (50). An interfacing gasket (54) seals the mounting ring to the body and a stopper (58), having a cap (70), an inner cup (60) and an outer ring (62) containing external male threads, and a plurality of integral ribs (68) connect the cup to the ring while forming a void (68) between the ribs. A liquid sealing gasket (72) is disposed between the stopper and the mounting ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Inventors: Shin-Shuoh Lin, Ji-Jun Wu
  • Patent number: 6736296
    Abstract: A container for carrying loose products, the body of which, without inner protective liner, is made of stainless steel. For unloading loose products there is provided at least one elongated dorsal opening, which is equipped with an openable door and to which there is applied a conveyor consisting of a flexible element generally shaped like a funnel, which can be configured in a condition packed inside the opening in the position of closing of the door, and in a distended condition outside the body of the container in the position of opening of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Cobra Containers S.p.A.
    Inventors: Cesare Marino, Giuseppe Revello
  • Patent number: 6736297
    Abstract: A closure device for sealing an aperture of a storage container includes a trap frame, and a trap door connected to the trap frame for movement with respect to the trap frame. The trap door is movable between an open condition and a closed condition, and the trap door in the closed condition seals the aperture. The trap door includes a traversing frame having two side supports and multiple inner rollers extending between the side supports. A belt surrounds the traversing frame, and revolves around the traversing frame as the trap door moves between the open and closed condition. The belt is connected to the trap frame such that at least a portion of the belt remains stationary in relation to the trap frame while the traversing frame moves, and at least a portion of the belt moves in relation to the trap frame while the traversing frame moves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Timpte Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Kassian, Richard D. Jedlicka, Justin M. Bell
  • Patent number: 6736298
    Abstract: A filter monitor system is provided in a bottled water cooler for automatically tracking a filter service interval, and for indicating that filter cleaning or replacement is required for continued efficient cooler operation. In the preferred form, the water cooler includes a thermoelectric chiller module for chilling at least a portion of water contained within a cooler reservoir. An air filter is mounted on a filter frame which is removably positioned for filtering air drawn by a fan to circulate over a heat sink associated with the thermoelectric chiller module. The filter monitor system includes a reset switch engaged by the filter frame to initiate and track a predetermined filter service time interval, such as thirty days, and to energize a signal such as an indicator light at the conclusion of this service interval to indicate that the air filter should be removed for cleaning or replacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Oasis Corporation
    Inventors: Louis M. Busick, John W. Host, Larry L. Nichols, Stephen W. Wharton