Patents Issued in July 15, 2004
  • Publication number: 20040134208
    Abstract: A method of, and apparatus, for, controlling the temperature of pressurized air such as bleed air from a gas turbine engine, wherein the air is passed through a heat exchanger to exchange heat with coolant air which is caused to flow through the heat exchanger by operation of an ejector device powered by some of the pressurized air, the supply of the pressurized air to the ejector device is controlled to control the flow of coolant air and hence control the temperature of the pressurized air downstream of the heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Applicant: Honeywell Normalair-Garrett (Holdings) Limited
    Inventors: Michael John Zaple, Christopher James White
  • Publication number: 20040134209
    Abstract: In a vehicle air conditioner, a compressor is driven by a vehicle engine when an actual temperature of an evaporator is higher than a basis temperature that is higher than a target temperature by a predetermined temperature, and is driven by an electrical motor when the actual temperature of the evaporator is lower than the basis temperature. The predetermined temperature is set to be higher as the target temperature of the evaporator decreases such that the basis temperature is not higher than a comfortable limit temperature. Accordingly, the compressor can be driven by the electrical motor in a range where the actual temperature can be controlled to be not higher than the comfortable limit temperature. Therefore, fuel consumption efficiency of the engine can be improved, while a minimum of cooling capacity can be ensured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventors: Masato Komura, Koji Yamashita
  • Publication number: 20040134210
    Abstract: An adsorption element (81, 82) is formed by an alternating lamination of flat plate members (83) and corrugated plate members (84). Each flat plate member (83) is a given rectangle of L1/L2=2. In the adsorption element (81, 82), humidity adjusting side passageways (85) are opened on side surfaces of the adsorption element (81, 82) which are located on the longer-side side of the flat plate members (83). Additionally, cooling side passageways (86) are opened on side surfaces of the adsorption element (81, 82) which are located on the shorter-side side of the flat plate members (83).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventors: Tomohiro Yabu, Guannan Xi, Akira Kamino
  • Publication number: 20040134211
    Abstract: Air conditioning system including a duct having a suction passage for drawing external air and a discharge passage for discharging room air, the suction passage and the discharge passage being split with a split plate, a suction fan and a discharge fan in the suction passage and the discharge passage, respectively, a dehumidifier having a desiccant wheel rotatably mounted in an opening in a split plate of the duct to cross, and exposed to the suction passage and the discharge passage, a regenerative heater in the discharge passage of the duct adjacent to air inlet of the dehumidifier for heating the air introduced into the dehumidifier, a regenerative heat exchanger mounted both in the suction passage and the discharge passage on a room side with reference to the dehumidifier for making heat exchange of the air flowing in the suction passage and the air flowing in the discharge passage, and a heat pump having a first heat exchanger in the discharge passage between the dehumidifier and the regenerative heat ex
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Applicant: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Won Hee Lee, Yoon Jei Hwang, Chan Ho Song
  • Publication number: 20040134212
    Abstract: Cooling/heating system of air conditioner including a duct having a first passage for drawing external air, and a second passage for drawing room air, the second passage having a part crossed with the first passage, a regenerative heat exchanger having first and second flow passages in the crossed part of the first and second passages for indirect heat exchange between the external air and the room air, a case connected to the first and second passages of the duct having first and second outlets for drawing/discharging external and room air, first and second fans for drawing in the external air and the room air into the case through the first and second passages, and discharging the external air and the room air through the first and second outlets, and first and second heat exchangers for heat exchange with the external air and the room air discharge through the first and second outlets, thereby preventing contamination and dried room air and reducing heat loss to permit cooling/heating even with small amoun
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Applicant: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Won Hee Lee, Yoon Jei Hwang, Chan Ho Song
  • Publication number: 20040134213
    Abstract: An air-conditioning condensate drainage system for mounting to the roof membrane of the roof structure of buildings or for construction thereof directly onto the roof membrane of a building structure. The air-conditioning condensate drainage system is defined by one or more strips of material having an isolation membrane having a bottom surface for assembly to a roof membrane. A pair of spaced ridge elements project upwardly from the isolation membrane and cooperate with the isolation membrane to define an air-conditioning condensate drainage channel. In the alternative, ridge strips may be disposed in spaced relation and fixed directly to a roof membrane to define condensate drain channels along the roof membrane to in-roof drains. The condensate drain strip or ridge strips may be molded or extruded and maybe formed directly on and adhered to or fixed to the roof membrane to define the condensate drain channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventors: William E. Dudley, C. Ross Dutton
  • Publication number: 20040134214
    Abstract: Multi-type air conditioner including an outdoor unit having a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, a flow path control valve for controlling a flow path of the refrigerant from the compressor, and an outdoor unit piping system, a plurality of indoor units each having an indoor expansion device, an indoor heat exchanger, and an indoor piping system, a distributor for selectively distributing the refrigerant from the outdoor unit to the indoor units and returning to the outdoor unit again proper to respective operation modes, and noise preventing means on pipelines respectively connected to the indoor units to cut off refrigerant flow into inoperative indoor units when the air conditioner is in operation, for preventing occurrence of refrigerant flow noise at the inoperative indoor units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Applicant: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jin Seob Song, Se Dong Chang
  • Publication number: 20040134215
    Abstract: Multi-type air conditioner including an outdoor unit having a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, a flow path control valve for controlling a flow path of the refrigerant from the compressor, an outdoor expansion device for expanding liquid refrigerant introduced thereto in a condensed state via indoor units and providing to the outdoor heat exchanger when the room is heated, and an outdoor unit piping system, a plurality of indoor units each having an indoor expansion device, an indoor heat exchanger, and an indoor piping system, a distributor for selectively distributing the refrigerant from the outdoor unit to the indoor units and returning to the outdoor unit again proper to respective operation modes, and means for super cooling the refrigerant condensed at the outdoor heat exchanger or the indoor heat exchangers and flowed to the indoor expansion devices or to the outdoor expansion device, thereby super cooling the refrigerant supplied to the evaporator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Applicant: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jong Han Park, Young Min Park, Chang Seon Lee, Sung Oh Choi, Sung Chun Kim, Seung Yong Chang, Seok Ho Yoon
  • Publication number: 20040134216
    Abstract: The invention relates to a combined cooling plant/heat pump for use in motor vehicles for the cooling, heating and dehumidification of the vehicle interior. A refrigerant circuit is thermally coupled to the ventilation system over an internal heat exchanger having two functional units. The functional units are switchable as the condenser/gas cooler of the heat pump (in heating operation) and as the evaporator of the cooling plant (in cooling operation). In a combined dehumidification-reheating operation, one of these functional units is operable as an evaporator and the other as condenser/gas cooler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Applicant: VISTEON GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Peter Heyl
  • Publication number: 20040134217
    Abstract: When a dehumidifying and heating operation is set in an air conditioner, refrigerant is circulated from a compressor to the compressor through a first exterior heat exchanger, a decompression device, an interior heat exchanger, an another decompression device, an inner heat exchanger and a second exterior heat exchanger, in this order. Further, by controlling a throttle opening degree of the another decompression device, a refrigerant temperature in the interior heat exchanger can be set higher than that in the second exterior heat exchanger. Thus, even when the interior heat exchanger is controlled to a temperature to be not frosted, heat can be absorbed from outside air in the second exterior heat exchanger. Accordingly, when an outside air temperature is low, by setting the dehumidifying and heating operation, air to be blown into a compartment can be dehumidified while sufficiently increasing heating capacity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2004
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventors: Satoshi Itoh, Motohiro Yamaguchi
  • Publication number: 20040134218
    Abstract: An air conditioning system for conditioning ambient air of an environment, an interior heat exchanger coil used in such air conditioning system, and a method for conditioning ambient air of the environment. The air conditioning system has first and second reverse cycle refrigeration apparatuses each including a circuit having an interior portion located inside of the environment and being provided with a heat exchanger coil, and an exterior portion located outside of the environment. The heat exchanger coil of the second reverse cycle refrigeration apparatus is distinct from the heat exchanger coil of the first reverse cycle refrigeration apparatus and extends substantially along at least a portion of a given path along which the latter extends. The system also has a group of fins extending between both heat exchanger coils along the portion of the given path for allowing a heat exchange between both heat exchanger coils.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventor: Alex Alexandre
  • Publication number: 20040134219
    Abstract: An ice-making machine has a substantially vertical ice-forming mold for freezing cubes of ice, a water distributor for distributing water so as to cascade over a front surface of said ice-forming mold and a hinged water curtain with a bottom edge for directing said cascading water into a sump, with the hinge allowing the water curtain to swing out of the way so that ice cubes harvested from the mold may fall past the sump and into an ice collecting bin. The water curtain has an inside surface adjacent to a front surface of the ice-forming mold configured such that as a slab of ice cubes is released from the mold during a harvest cycle, the front of the slab of ice contacts said inside surface and forces the water curtain to open to a point where the bottom of the falling slab of ice cubes will not contact the bottom edge of the water curtain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventors: Richard T. Miller, James S. MacIntyre, Lori S. Belongia
  • Publication number: 20040134220
    Abstract: A refrigerator adapted for use in low ambient temperature conditions such as in an unheated garage or outdoors on a deck or patio. The refrigerator is provided with a low ambient heater to add heat to the refrigerated space when ambient temperatures outside the refrigerator are low enough that items stored in the refrigerator could freeze. The low ambient heater is controlled by an ambient thermostat located to sense temperatures outside the refrigerator. The low ambient heater and ambient thermostat are connected in the refrigerator control so that the ambient heater can not be energized when the cooling system is operating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventors: Brent A. Junge, Allan R. Steinkuhl, John R. Wisnoski, Ralph Tate, Marco Stura
  • Publication number: 20040134221
    Abstract: A modular refrigeration unit has a condenser assembly, an evaporator assembly, and a bulkhead assembly positioned between the condenser assembly and the evaporator assembly. The refrigeration cabinet includes a condenser chamber adapted for receiving the condenser assembly. The condenser chamber has an insulated wall portion with a mating surface thereon. The refrigeration cabinet also has an insulated main chamber, in which air is cooled by the evaporator assembly. The bulkhead assembly is engageable with the mating surface to form a substantially air-tight seal between the condenser chamber and the main chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Applicant: Habco Beverage Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan Fee, Russell Sherlock, Larikyn Lee, Marinko Tepic, Scott Brown
  • Publication number: 20040134222
    Abstract: A modified multi-chambered container including a container body defining a central (e.g., liquid) chamber, a neck defining an opening to the central chamber, a flange extending upward from the neck, and a groove formed in the neck around the first opening. A collared O-ring includes an annular base mounted in the groove, and a ring-shaped collar extending from an upper portion of the base toward the opening. A hollow ball member is mounted on the neck such that an outer wall of the ball member contacts the O-ring collar. A housing is attached to the container body that pushes the ball member against the collared O-ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Applicant: Insta-mix, Susidiary A (dba UMIX, Inc.)
    Inventor: James W. Holley
  • Publication number: 20040134223
    Abstract: In accordance with the invention an apparatus is proposed for the return of lubricant for a refrigeration machine (K). The lubricant return comprises a container (2) with at least one sheet metal partition (3), said sheet metal partition (3) dividing the container (2) into at least a first zone (4) and a second zone (5), as well as a sheet metal separating member (7) in the second zone for separating out lubricant (6). In the second zone (5) an extraction device (8) is arranged in relation to the sheet metal separating member (7) in such a way and formed so that the lubricant (6) separated out at the sheet metal separating member (7) is removable from the container (2) by means of the extraction device (8).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Applicant: Axima Refrigeration GmbH
    Inventors: Beat Schuppisser, Jean-Claude Logel, Beatrice Klotz, Holger Koenig
  • Publication number: 20040134224
    Abstract: Multi-type air conditioner is disclosed for effective removal of foreign matters in refrigerant pipelines, including an outdoor unit having a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, a flow path control valve for controlling a flow path of the refrigerant from the compressor, and an outdoor unit piping system, a plurality of indoor units each having an indoor unit expansion device, an indoor heat exchanger, an indoor piping system, a distributor for receiving refrigerant from the outdoor unit, distributing the refrigerant to the indoor units proper to respective operation modes, and returning to the outdoor unit again, connection pipelines connected between the outdoor unit and the distributor, and foreign matter cutting off means mounted on each of the connection pipelines for prevention of the foreign matters from entering into the compressor of the outdoor unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Applicant: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jong Han Park, Young Min Park
  • Publication number: 20040134225
    Abstract: Disclosed is a refrigerant circuit which comprises a compressor (15), a water heat exchanger (16), a receiver (18), an expansion valve (19), and an evaporator (20). In the refrigerant circuit, a refrigerating cycle is carried out by compressing refrigerant to above a critical pressure in the compressor (15). A cooling section (17) for cooling refrigerant flowing out of the water heat exchanger (16) is provided on the upstream side of the receiver (18). A part of the evaporator (20) functions as an air heat exchanger which operates as the cooling section (17). The cooling section (17) exchanges heat with refrigerant on the outlet side of the evaporator (20).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventors: Shinichi Sakamoto, Hiroshi Nakayama, Mikihiko Kuroda, Yasuhiko Oka
  • Publication number: 20040134226
    Abstract: A heat exchanger comprising a first coil assembly including an inlet manifold; an outlet manifold parallel to and spaced from the inlet manifold; and a plurality of tubes each operably connected to and linking the inlet and the outlet manifolds, each tube having a multiplicity of flow paths and a hydraulic diameter in the range of 0.05 0.08≦to HD≦0.30.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventors: Michael L. Kraay, Linda S. Kraay, Paul R. Glamm, William B. Fox, Raymond W. Rite
  • Publication number: 20040134227
    Abstract: A condenser module for a temperature control unit (14) of a transport vehicle (10). The condenser module includes a frame (70) defining an interior space (72) and a substantially U-shaped condenser coil (166) supported by the frame in the interior space. The condenser module also includes a control box (150) for providing electric power to the unit. The control box (150) is movably coupled to the frame (70) and is movable between a first position, where the control box is inside the frame and positioned for operation of the temperature control unit and a second position, where the control box is at least partially outside the frame and positioned to grant access to the interior space of the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventors: Michal Kolda, Petr Prochazka
  • Publication number: 20040134228
    Abstract: A tubular bladder has an outside wall connected to an inside surface of a finger passage through a band of a finger ring. An inside wall of the bladder is integral with the outside wall and forms a gas chamber. A passage connects the gas chamber to a source of air. Increasing air in the gas chamber reduces the diameter of the finger passage. Reducing the quantity of air in the gas chamber increases the diameter of the finger passage. A valve can be provided to meter air into and out of the bladder. If the bladder is resilient and tends to expand the area of the gas chamber, an air passage can let air into and out of the bladder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2004
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventor: Arthur A. Sills
  • Publication number: 20040134229
    Abstract: Articles fabricated from prefabricated strings of beads. The strings of beads are joined perpendicularly by applying pressure such that the cords cross and remain crossed due to the tension in the cords. The strings of beads are thus assembled into a mesh or fabric, two such fabrics being optionally interleaved to form a denser fabric; the strings are also assembled into items so as to fit a person's body or cover some other article. The strings of beads are also formed into loops, and formed into fringes to further adorn the articles. Many colors and styles of strings of beads are assembled, both singly and in combination, and designs are incorporated into the articles, producing multiple appearances. A great variety of articles are produced, including all manner of clothing, flags, bags, containers, novelties, wraps, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventor: David Charles Oliver
  • Publication number: 20040134230
    Abstract: Dental glass powders, methods for producing the powders and dental compositions including the glass powders. The powders preferably have a well-controlled particle size, narrow size distribution and a spherical morphology. The method includes forming the particles by a spray pyrolysis technique. The invention also includes dental filler and restorative compositions that include the glass powders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventors: Toivo T. Kodas, Mark J. Hampden-Smith, Quint H. Powell, James H. Brewster, Daniel J. Skamser, Klaus Kunze, Paolina Atanassova, Paul Napolitano
  • Publication number: 20040134231
    Abstract: Enhancement in yield of production of mother glass and glass substrates for a liquid crystal display device is made possible to make it possible to utilize glass resources more effectively, and reduction of cost of the mother glass and the glass substrate for the liquid crystal display devices is made possible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2004
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventor: Yoshitaka Oya
  • Publication number: 20040134232
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a glass substrate for a storage medium by pressing a glass material between an upper and a lower dies. The method includes a heating step of heating the glass material arranged between the upper and lower dies, a pressing step of pressing the heated glass material via the upper and lower dies, and a cooling step of having, after the pressing step, a cooling member contact the upper and lower dies to cool them together with the molded glass material arranged between the upper and lower dies. During the heating step and the pressing step, a vacuum atmosphere is maintained in a space containing the dies and the glass material. When the pressing step has completed, an inert gas is filled in the space to set a pressure in the space equal to an ambient pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Applicants: Fuji Electric Device Technology Co., Ltd., MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kengo Kainuma, Tatsumi Kawata, Kunio Hibino, Tomokazu Tokunaga
  • Publication number: 20040134233
    Abstract: An index-matching coating is applied directly to a low-emissivity (“lowE”) thin-film coating. Nodules growing from a site in the lowE coating are removed to avoid propagation of defects through the layers of the index-matching coating. A tempering step in an oxygen-containing atmosphere produces compressive stress in the lowE coating and hardens the coating. The compressive stress facilitates removal of the nodules and the hardening allows mechanical cleaning of the lowE coating prior to the index-matching coating, further removing nodules. Magnesium-fluoride is used as the final layer of the index-matching coating in one embodiment to improve abrasion resistance. The resulting glass panel may be used as a display panel in a plasma display or an organic light-emitting diode display, for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Applicant: Optical Coating Laboratory, Inc.
    Inventors: Brad A. Duffy, Robert W. Adair
  • Publication number: 20040134234
    Abstract: A method for processing a first optical face and a second optical face of a lens, where a lens blank is positioned and gripped by a gripping device relying on reference datum indications rendering it possible to obtain topographic orientation for processing both faces of the lens, and wherein not more then one reference datum indication extends on a face of the lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventors: Oded Katzman, Youval Katzman
  • Publication number: 20040134235
    Abstract: The basic shape of the molten glass fining apparatus of the present invention is preferably either an elliptical or a somewhat rectangular shape such that the flow is more uniform and the bubbles have less distance to rise to the surface. A novel baffle design is also shown. The present invention improves the fining capability of the apparatus without increasing the cost of construction materials. In fact, the cost may be reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventor: Richard B. Pitbladdo
  • Publication number: 20040134236
    Abstract: To provide a method for producing a glass particle deposit and a method for producing a glass preform, in which outer diameter variation of the glass particle deposit can be reduced to thereby improve quality. A flow rate of clean gas (CG) introduced into a container potion 10 is limited to thereby prevent the outermost layer of a glass particle deposit 20 from being locally cooled and reduce variation in bulk density in the longitudinal direction of the glass particle deposit 20, that is, outer diameter variation and breakage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventor: Tomohiro Ishihara
  • Publication number: 20040134237
    Abstract: An integrated laundry center has an integrated cabinet assembly defining a plurality of discrete spaces. Each space can provide a separate module for performing a particular fabric care function. A washing machine is at least partly housed within a portion of the cabinet assembly defining a washer module. A clothes dryer is at least partly housed within a portion of the cabinet assembly defining a dryer module. A plurality of exterior decorative fascia panels are carried by the cabinet assembly and can be selected to coordinate with a decor of an individual's home. The integrated laundry center can also include any number of additional and optional modules providing virtually any desired fabric care function and equipment. The integrated laundry center can also incorporate an optional control system for controlling virtually any function of each of the integrated laundry center modules such as the washing machine functions and the clothes dryer functions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventors: Richard A. Sunshine, Donald M. Tomasi, Kristina K. Underly, Massimo Baldini, Daniel C. Conrad
  • Publication number: 20040134238
    Abstract: A control interface for a laundry appliance includes a microcomputer and a reconfigurable display coupled to the microcomputer. The microcomputer is programmed to present at least one input screen on the reconfigurable display for user selection of laundry cycle parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: James David Buckroyd, Richard Anthony Smith
  • Publication number: 20040134239
    Abstract: A magnetic lid closure sensor uses a magnet sensor element mounted within the washing machine housing below the closed lid. Flux directors conduct flux from a magnet in the lid to the magnet sensor. A lock mechanism employs a hook engaging an aperture in the lid so that opening of the lid does not impart a torque to the hook such as would disengage it, allowing the hook to be activated and deactivated with a simple bidirectional solenoid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventors: Kenyon A. Hapke, Michael Osvatic
  • Publication number: 20040134240
    Abstract: Disclosed are a lift unit for a drum-type washing machine, and a drum-type washing machine comprising the lift unit. The lift unit is protruded from an inner wall of a drum for lifting the laundry in the drum, and comprises a water storage unit formed at at least one side surface of the lift unit for lifting and dropping the wash water when the drum is rotated. The lift unit lifts the wash water to a designated height and then drops the wash water according to the rotation of the drum, thereby circulating the wash water in circumferential and vertical directions of the drum, forming various water currents, and improving washing and rinsing efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventors: Jin Woong Kim, Kyung Chul Woo, Soo Young Oh
  • Publication number: 20040134241
    Abstract: Disclosed is a washing apparatus for small garments such as diapers and the like. The apparatus comprises a housing sized for installation in a bathroom, and a laundry tub for handling small loads rotatable in said housing and sized to receive the small garments. A water intake pipe connects to a supply of standing water, and a feed arrangement draws water through the intake pipe from the supply of standing water and supplying the water to the laundry tub. A wastewater pipe for returning wastewater from the laundry tub to a bathroom drain. The feed arrangement may be a gravity feed or an electric pump. The supply of standing water is preferably a toilet tank and the bathroom drain is preferably a toilet bowl.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventor: Philippe J. G. Lafleur
  • Publication number: 20040134242
    Abstract: A method and apparatus to secure the coupler section of a trailer provides a locking device that includes a lock housing having a hitch ball element to engage the recess in the coupler, a shackle member lockable to the housing and having a bridge section that spans the hitch ball element and, and a latch assembly to latch and unlatch the shackle member. The shackle member is shown to be U-shaped with legs that extend through and secure to the lock housing. The latch assembly provides a ratchet-type engagement to allow adjustable locking. A rotatable lock mechanism drives a cam based latch mechanism between a latch state and an unlatch state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventor: Philip W Wyers
  • Publication number: 20040134243
    Abstract: An inverted U-shaped combination lock is disclosed. The lock comprises a male locking mechanism a push ring, a hollow spindle, a sealing ring, an abutment ring, number rings, and a spring. The lock still can be opened without password by inserting a key into a keyhole prior to turning an angle of 90 degrees of the key, a ridged section of the mechanism is changed from a higher position to a lower one for disengaging the mechanism from the lock for subsequent removal of the mechanism. The invention also provides means for helping user know the forgot password and means for resetting the password.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventor: Cheng-Che Tsai
  • Publication number: 20040134244
    Abstract: A commodity antitheft implement includes a box body including an opening portion for removing and inserting a commodity and a cover body attached to the box body through hinges to open and close the opening portion. Opening of the case is made difficult by inserting a key member into through holes provided at overlapping peripheral walls of the case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2004
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventor: Masuhiro Mitsuyama
  • Publication number: 20040134245
    Abstract: A dead bolt lock system which may use one or more security locks in conjunction with a dead bolt to provide various levels of security access to a door. Generally, the lock system tests the condition of the security lock or locks before allowing retraction of the dead bolt. An inside escape lever is provided as a life safety feature to allow egress from the secured area regardless of the conditions of the security locks. A trigger hold back device maintains the dead bolt in a retracted position until the door has been opened and closed again. Lock covers include associated locked-on-by-combination and relock features. A night latch or lock down feature is provided to prevent access, including authorized access through the outside of the lock system. A force blocking assembly is provided to prevent force applied to the dead bolt from harming internal components of the system. A torque override clutch prevents excessive torque applied to the outside door handle from harming internal lock system components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Applicant: Lockmasters, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas E. Jasper
  • Publication number: 20040134246
    Abstract: A locking cover plate can be selectively locked in position on a stortz pipe end fitting or can be unlocked and removed for access to the open pipe end. The cover plate includes a sliding plate that is driven laterally outward into a deployed state by rotating a drive bolt. The drive bolt is coupled to the sliding plate through a torque limiting coupling that transfers the rotation of the drive bolt to translating movement of the latch bar with a cam plate. Movement of the sliding plate is indicated through a front of the cover plate such that the user can identify whether the cover plate is locked on a fitting or simply placed on the fitting without the lock engaged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventor: Dohn J. Trempala
  • Publication number: 20040134247
    Abstract: A merchandise container for receiving in particular highly valuable products, comprising a housing and at least one cover, whereby the cover and the housing have an electrically releasable locking system. This locking system can be released via an opening command. The locking system is continually activated and is only deactivated by an opening command during a delay time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventors: Peter Ernst, Robert Ochsenschlager
  • Publication number: 20040134248
    Abstract: A hydratable oxidized keratin composition comprising one or more metal ion species capable of absorbing water to form a hydrogel. The keratin material is useful as a soil amendment providing organic and inorganic nutrients. The keratin material is also useful as a nutrient source in the bioremediation of toxic contaminants soils and liquids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Applicants: Southwest Research Institute, Keraplast Technologies, Ltd.
    Inventors: Robert Allen Smith, Scott F. Timmons, Mark E. Van Dyke, Cheryl R. Blanchard, Arlene J. Siller-Jackson
  • Publication number: 20040134249
    Abstract: A method for making an intricately-shaped axisymmetric part having a central portion and a peripheral portion, comprises simultaneously rotating a blank structure fixed on a shaft and forming a peripheral portion of the blank using a forming tool having at least three degrees of freedom (i) at a temperature above 0.4 the blank melting point but below the temperature of secondary recrystallization, (ii) at a rate of from 10−3 to 102 s−1, and (iii) for a rotation period to effect stress relief in the portion being formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventors: Farid Zaynullaevich Utiashev, Oskar Akramovich Kaibyshev, Viacheslav Alekseevich Plekhov, Vener Anvarovich Valitov
  • Publication number: 20040134250
    Abstract: A process for designing and manufacturing precision-folded, high strength, fatigue-resistant structures and a sheet therefore. The techniques include methods for precision bending of a sheet of material (41, 241, 341, 441, 541) along a bend line (45, 245, 345, 445,543) and a sheet of material formed with bending strap-defining structures, such as slits or grooves (43, 243, 343, 443, 542), are disclosed. Methods include steps of designing and then separately forming longitudinally extending slits or grooves (43, 243, 343, 443, 542) through the sheet of material in axially spaced relation to produce precise bending of the sheet (41, 241, 341, 441,541) when bent along the bend line (45, 245, 345, 445, 543). The bending straps have a configuration and orientation which increases their strength and fatigue resistance, and most preferably slits or arcs are used which causes edges (257, 457) to be engaged and supported on faces (255, 455) of the sheet material on opposite sides of the slits or arcs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventors: Max W. Durney, Alan D. Pendley, Irving S. Rappaport
  • Publication number: 20040134251
    Abstract: The present invention achieves easy manufacturing of a slip stopper that has a great slip stopping effect and can be used for a location where a problem occurs if a though hole is opened therein. After a protruding portion is formed by using a first punching die unit so as to protrude from the upper surface of a steel plate 5 in a plate thickness direction, a concave portion 8 and drain channels 9 are formed in the protruding portion by shear planes that face almost perpendicularly to the steel plate upper surface and have been half-blanked so as not to open a through hole in the steel plate by using a second punching die unit 11, whereby it becomes possible to readily manufacture an excellent slip stopper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventors: Shunji Ohno, Kazumichi Iwasa, Norio Nakajima, Masanori Tsuji, Tsuyoshi Doi, Yoshihisa Kouzu, Hideyuki Miyake, Mamoru Sugimoto
  • Publication number: 20040134252
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of making an automotive part having a spline. Preferably, the automotive part is a high strength automotive part having a relatively high carbon content. The method includes pressing a spline tool having one or more spline grooves into a bore defined by the automotive part so that one or more splines are formed through the displacement of material on the interior of the bore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventors: Markus Knoerr, Erhard Ambuhl
  • Publication number: 20040134253
    Abstract: Disclosed are novel methods and apparatus for provision of controlled shapes during the stamping process of sheet metal, for example, used as a computer system enclosure. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a method of providing an irregular shape on a computer panel is disclosed. The method includes: creating a plurality of openings in the computer panel, the plurality of openings tracing a pattern that forms the irregular shape, each of the plurality of openings having a substantially straight edge adjacent to the pattern; and applying force onto the computer panel along the plurality of openings to provide the irregular shape without warping or twisting the computer panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventor: David K. Kim
  • Publication number: 20040134254
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for material working utilizing high kinetic energy, a stamp means (1) transferring, by means of a blow, high kinetic energy to a material body (2) which is to be worked, after which a rebound of the stamp means (1) occurs. The method is characterized in that a measure is taken in conjunction with said blow delivered, which measure prevents said stamp means (1) delivering an afterblow with an appreciable kinetic energy content, for the purpose of avoiding negative effects as a consequence of afterblows.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventor: Anders Dahlberg
  • Publication number: 20040134255
    Abstract: A magnetic dent removal device (18), method and kit comprises a handle assembly (20) used with a burnishing element (24). The handle assembly (20) includes a handle (26), a containment cup (30) and a magnet (22) received within the containment cup (30). A magnet shield (40) is connected to the handle assembly (20), and a cover pad (38) can be attached to the magnet shield (40). A hooking element (64) can be attached to the handle assembly (20) to allow for the attachment of accessory components to aid in dent removal. An amplification bar (56) can be attached to the hooking element (64) to add strength to the magnetic force. A kit (74) for dent removal includes a carrying case (76), at least one handle (26), at least one magnet (22), at least one burnishing element (24) at least one cover pad (38), and at least one magnet shield (40).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventors: Eric Richard Satterlee, Wayne Y. Tanabe
  • Publication number: 20040134256
    Abstract: A method of checking the functional reliability of a pressure sensor is described, the air pressure being detected inside a vehicle body part, the vehicle having at least one additional pressure sensor for detecting the air pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventors: Thomas Herrmann, Knut Balzer
  • Publication number: 20040134257
    Abstract: The invention relates to testing apparatus (1) for testing a container (2) of a suspension of a substance (3). The substance may in particular, but not solely, comprise a pharmaceutical substance. The substance (3) is suspended in a propellant (4), which is under pressure. The container (2) itself comprises a body (5), which defines a chamber and has a valve stem (6), which extends from a head of the body. A metering chamber is selectively communicable, by means of the valve stem, with the atmosphere and the chamber (7). The valve stem providing via a L-shaped conduit, which extends between the free end and the side wall thereof the outlet of the container (2) through which metered doses of the substance are released from the container (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventors: Ian Fletcher, Stephen Metcalf