Patents Issued in August 12, 2004
  • Publication number: 20040154717
    Abstract: A removable strap which mounts transversely to a tire through a wheel fello is threaded through and removably secures a supplemental traction-providing sleeve to the tread of a tire. The sleeve has a generally rectangular cross-section, with one side adapted to engage the tire tread surface and the opposite side adapted to engage the road surface. The opposing ends of the sleeve are bent at an acute angle toward each other to provide mechanical advantage to hold the sleeve securely in place and to reduce stress on the strap. The road surface engaging side of the sleeve includes a traction-providing surface which is integral with or permanently affixed to the sleeve. The strap passes through the interior portion of the sleeve and around the tire through a wheel fello. The strap has two opposing ends which are removably secured together, such that the strap securely affixes the sleeve to the tire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2003
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventor: Andrew B. Gray
  • Publication number: 20040154718
    Abstract: There is disclosed a polyurethane filled vehicle tire. The tire at least partially defines a hollow cavity, which is at least partially filled with cured frothed polyurethane foam. A method of producing a polyurethane filled tire is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2003
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventor: Van I. Doesburg
  • Publication number: 20040154719
    Abstract: A rubber-fiber composite material of the present invention comprises a non-woven fabric and a rubber which coats the non-woven fabric. At least a part of the non-woven fabric is made of an organic fiber having a single fiber diameter of 10 to 35 &mgr;m, a fiber length of 30 to 100 mm and a tensile modulus of 50 GPa or higher. By the use of the non-woven fabric at least a part of which is made of the organic fiber having the above properties, a sufficient impregnation of rubber into the inside of the non-woven fabric is ensured to enable the production of the rubber-fiber composite material having a high stiffness. Using the rubber-fiber composite material of the present invention as the reinforcing material for rubber articles, the resultant rubber articles have enhanced stiffness, improved durability and reduced weight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventor: Yugo Zuigyou
  • Publication number: 20040154720
    Abstract: Tire, comprising at least one carcass-type reinforcement structure extending circumferentially from the bead to the sidewall and a crown reinforcement, each of the beads further comprising a main anchoring zone for supporting the reinforcement structure, the tire comprising a rim protector provided by a rubber projection extending axially outwardly relative to the sidewall and comprising at least one secondary anchoring zone comprising a plurality of circumferential cord windings, the windings cooperating with an adjacent portion of a secondary reinforcement structure via a rubber anchoring mix. Since anchoring is distributed between the bead and the rim protector, new architectural or design possibilities are opened up, for example permitting the use of the restricted space of the bead in an optimum manner. Thus, for example, the presence of the secondary anchoring zone at the rim protector helps greatly to improve the behaviour of the tires, in particular resistance to drift.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2003
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Applicant: Michelin Recherche Et Technique S.A.
    Inventor: Pascal Auxerre
  • Publication number: 20040154721
    Abstract: A prosthesis, and method for forming same, are provided which includes expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) tubes having angularly offset node and fibril configurations. Also, the node and fibril configurations are angularly offset from the longitudinal axes of the respective tubes, providing resistance against failure in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2004
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Applicant: SCIMED Life Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Jamie S. Henderson
  • Publication number: 20040154722
    Abstract: A technique for forming die stacks. Specifically, a stacking tip is provided to facilitate the stacking of die in a desired configuration. A first die is picked up by the stacking tip. The first die is coated with an adhesive on the underside of the die. The first die is brought in contact with a second die via the stacking tip. The second die is coupled to the first die via the adhesive on the underside of the first die. The second die is coated with an adhesive coating on the underside of the die. The second die is then brought in contact with a third die via the stacking tip. The third die is coupled to the second die via the adhesive on the underside of the second die, and so forth. Die stacks are formed without being coupled to a substrate. The die stacks may be functionally and/or environmentally tested before attaching the die stack to a substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2004
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventors: Chad A. Cobbley, Timothy L. Jackson
  • Publication number: 20040154723
    Abstract: A hot-stamping foil tape cassette comprises a hot-stamping foil tape transferred by pressure application together with a value-added medium to the value-added medium and a windup reel for winding up the hot-stamping foil tape. The reel on which the hot-stamping foil tape is wound is stored in a cassette case. A shutter is included which at the time of hot-stamping transfer is in a protective position that protects the hot-stamping foil tape. The shutter at the time of hot-stamping transfer withdraws to a withdrawal position that does not interfere with action of the hot-stamping transfer. After hot-stamping, by the shutter, the hot-stamping foil tape can be peeled from the value-added medium. A foil-peeling mechanism for a hot-stamping device, a peeling method for a hot-stamping foil and a control method for a hot-stamping foil tape cassette are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2004
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventors: Mitsuo Yokozawa, Kiyotsugu Takasawa, Yukio Kuroiwa, Fumito Komatsu
  • Publication number: 20040154724
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for fixing a part and a part support for mounting the part by use of adhesive via an intermediate member are disclosed. The adhesive is implemented by photocuring adhesive while the intermediate member is formed of a material transparent for light. The intermediate member is free from coloring and deformation when illuminated by light for curing the adhesive. The adhesive is prevented from dropping or turning round to other portions during assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2004
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventors: Hiroshi Takemoto, Shinobu Kanatani, Yoshihiro Morii, Shigeru Fujita
  • Publication number: 20040154725
    Abstract: A method for the production of joints between ceramic bodies such as silicon carbide bodies in which a preceramic polymer mixed with a powder, such as bimodal silicon carbide, is applied in slurry form. The mechanical and hermetic properties may be enhanced by the inclusion of additional bodies constraining the polymer slurry in the joint region, such as a collar. The thermal processing of the joint is described which provides a useful joint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2004
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventors: Frederick M. Mako, Robert L. Bruce
  • Publication number: 20040154726
    Abstract: A photoreactive resin composition contains (a) a powdered base metal, (b) an organic binder, (c) a photosensitive organic component, and (d) a polycarboxylic acid-based dispersing agent with a molecular weight of about 1,500 or less. Also disclosed is a method for making a circuit substrate or a ceramic multilayer substrate including the step of forming a conductive pattern using the photoreactive resin composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2004
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventor: Masahiro Kubota
  • Publication number: 20040154727
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an annular toroidially-shaped cord reinforced ply for a tire is described. The method involves applying an elastomeric layer on a toroidal surface and placing and stitching one or more cords in continuous lengths onto the elastomeric layer in predetermined cord paths. The method further includes dispensing the one or more cords from spools and guiding the cord in a predetermined path as the cord is being dispensed. Preferably, each cord is held against the elastomeric layer after the cord is placed and stitched and then indexing the cord path to a next circumferential location forming a loop end by reversing the direction of the cord and releasing the held cord after the loop end is formed and the cord path direction is reversed. This method allows the step of forming loop ends to occur at more than one diameter on the toroidal surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2003
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventors: James Thomas Weissert, Mark Anthony Sieverding, Andres Ignacio Delgado, William Dudley Currie, Ernest Joseph Rodia
  • Publication number: 20040154728
    Abstract: Devices and methods for inflating and sealing packaging pillows from a material web are shown for consistently producing high-quality packaging pillows. A web of material is advanced past an inflation nozzle, inflated with gas, and sealed closed by a sealing element. The temperature of the sealing element is monitored using a thermocouple connection and automatically adjusted using a closed-loop system. A sealing clamp parallel to the sealing element maintains two sheets of the web in contact through the sealing step. The inflation nozzle is provided with two inflation outlets: a first outlet inserting gas longitudinally into the web of material, and a second outlet inserting gas laterally into the material. Gas input is controlled with the use of relief valves to maintain pillow quality at all stages of production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2003
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventors: Paul A. Selle, Mark C. Krueger, Mitchell J. Hein, Alan G. Box
  • Publication number: 20040154729
    Abstract: A method of creating a layer of a single use processing substrate includes the steps of extruding a polymeric sheet with a particulate substance dispersed therein, cooling the polymeric sheet with the particulate substance therein, removing the particulate substance from the polymeric sheet to form holes in the polymeric sheet, and attaching the polymeric sheet to an absorbent sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2003
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventors: William E. LeBoeuf, William D. Price, Bryan L. Ackerman
  • Publication number: 20040154730
    Abstract: A single crystal piezo (SCP) apparatus and method of forming same. The apparatus is ideally suited for actuator and energy harvesting applications. The apparatus includes an SCP layer bonded to a surface of a flexible metal layer while the metal layer is held flattened within a press or other tool. Once the bonding process is complete, the metal layer, it imparts a compressive strain to the SCP layer bonded thereto. A layer of uniaxial graphite may also be bonded to the SCP layer to eliminate the poison's ratio tension that would otherwise be created in the SCP layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2003
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventors: Dan J. Clingman, A. Dean Jacot
  • Publication number: 20040154731
    Abstract: Spun bond is made by collecting thermoplastic filaments on a perforated surface and the spun bond is then subjected to hydrodynamic consolidation with high-pressure water jets. The filaments before the formation of the spun bond or after the formation of the spun bond are treated with a wetting agent prior to the hydrodynamic consolidation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2003
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Applicant: Reifenhauser GmbH & Co. Maschinenfabrik
    Inventors: Sebastian Sommer, Jens Gudden
  • Publication number: 20040154732
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for manufacturing a curved hose. The method is comprised of the steps of (a) forming a hose assembly, the hose assembly comprising: (i) an innermost layer of a halogenated polyolefin rubber; (ii) a polyester reinforcement overlaying the innermost layer, the reinforcement having disposed on its surface an RFL adhesive comprising a chlorosulfonated polyethylene rubber; and (iii) an elastomeric cover overlaying the braided reinforcement; (b) cutting the hose assembly into hose lengths; (c) shaping the hose lengths into predetermined curved hose shapes; and (d) curing the curved hose shapes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2004
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventors: Peter Donald Mason, Charles Frederick Bender, Tony John Kotsos, Richard Vitai Huynh, Arthur Joseph Culham
  • Publication number: 20040154733
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for transferring an integrated-circuit element from a source substrate to a predetermined position on a target substrate. A source substrate with an integrated-circuit element on it and an element transfer holder with a layer of an adhesive material with a controllable adhesivity are provided. The element transfer holder is lowered onto the integrated-circuit element whereby the adhesivity has a first value suited to hold the integrated-circuit element to the element transfer holder. Then the integrated-circuit element is released from the source substrate and the element transfer holder with the integrated-circuit element attached to it is removed from the source substrate. The target substrate is provided with a droplet of a liquid arranged at the predetermined position and the element transfer holder is lowered with the integrated-circuit element attached to it onto the target substrate such that the integrated-circuit element gets into contact with the droplet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2004
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventor: Thomas Morf
  • Publication number: 20040154734
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for producing a thermoplastic resin continuous laminated sheet are provided. The continuous laminated sheet has at least one thermoplastic resin continuous film laminated on a thermoplastic resin continuous sheet by heat welding, and can be produced by a method comprising extruding a heat-fused thermoplastic resin continuously to be in a sheet form; rolling the extruded resin to form a thermoplastic resin continuous sheet; heating at least one lamination surface of the sheet while flatly holding the sheet; and laminating at least one thermoplastic resin continuous film onto the heated sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Applicants: SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY, LIMITED, NOF CORPORATION
    Inventors: Katsumi Akada, Masahiro Yamasaki
  • Publication number: 20040154735
    Abstract: In order to manufacture a friction plate for a wet clutch including a core plate and a friction member bonded to at least one of annular flat surfaces of the core plate, each friction member including friction member segments, an oil groove being provided between adjacent friction member segments, there is adopted a method including: a step of making a plurality of cuts in at least one band-shaped friction member material in a lengthwise direction to form a plurality of friction member strips; a step of retaining the friction member strips with distances corresponding to the oil grooves being formed between adjacent friction member strips; a step of cutting off a portion of a tip end of at least one of the friction member strips which are located at opposite ends to thereby secure the oil grooves between the friction member segments on the annular flat surface; and a step of superposing friction member segment correspondence portions forming the tip ends of the plurality of friction member strips to the annul
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2003
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventors: Kensuke Oguri, Tsutomu Tsuboi
  • Publication number: 20040154736
    Abstract: A method of forming a plurality of floral sleeves having a uniform design or pattern and printed about a lower end thereof without requiring the waste of significant portions of sheet material is provided. The method includes the step of sealing and severing a pair of web portions along lines defined by coextensive first side edges and coextensive second side edges of printed portions. In another aspect, the method includes the step of sealing and severing a pair of overlapping web portions provided with a plurality of printed portions along a plurality of lines which traverse the printed portions and each of the corresponding unprinted portions to form a plurality of sleeves wherein each sleeve has an upper portion and a lower portion with the lower portion having a printed portion extending about the exterior circumference of the lower portion of the sleeve while the upper portion is free of any printing contained in the lower portion of an adjacently formed sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2004
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventor: Donald E. Weder
  • Publication number: 20040154737
    Abstract: A method for joining workpieces made from plastic, the upper workpiece, facing a laser source, consisting of a material transparent to the laser beam, and the lower workpiece consisting of a material absorbent to the laser beam, such that the mutually bordering contact surfaces for the two workpieces melt and are joined to one another under pressure during a subsequent cooling, the guiding of the laser beam onto the site to be joined, and the mechanical compression of the workpieces being carried out simultaneously by a machining head. The corresponding device comprises a machining head with focussing devices for the laser beam onto the contact surface, and pressure-exerting devices for compressing the workpieces. A rotatably mounted glass ball or roller is particularly suitable as pressure-exerting device. The invention permits welding quality to be assured in conjunction with flexibility of the welding operation without expensive and complicated damping balls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2003
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventors: Jie-Wei Chen, Adolf Niederberger
  • Publication number: 20040154738
    Abstract: An optical disk of the present invention includes a first substrate having a signal area on a principal plane and a central hole, and a second substrate that is transparent and attached to the first substrate. The second substrate is thinner than the first substrate, and has a central hole whose diameter is larger than that of the first substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2004
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Applicant: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuya Hisada, Kazuhiro Hayashi, Kazuo Inoue, Eiji Ohno
  • Publication number: 20040154739
    Abstract: The present invention is a perishable food labeler is provided for imprinting a food item with a date stamp. In one embodiment of the present invention, a perishable food labeler is provided that correlates a food item designation to a spoilage date through the use of a database. The spoilage date is printed on a label, which, in turn, is fixedly applied to the food item corresponding to the designation. Thus, the expiration date of the food item is clearly visible, reducing the potential instances of ingestion of spoiled food.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2003
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventor: John M. Shanahan
  • Publication number: 20040154740
    Abstract: In order to avoid the necessity of cropping the pages of a bound volume, uniformly sized printed pages having pre-glued edge surfaces are aligned within a stack and a press then presses the edge of the stack so as to compress the glue and adhere the pages together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2004
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Publication number: 20040154741
    Abstract: A manufacturing method for a striking plate of a putter head comprises steps of: utilizing a first material to form a marking block in a predetermined configuration; utilizing a second material, which has color different from that of the first material, to form a substrate; embedding the marking block into the substrate to form an integrated member for the striking plate; and inserting the integrated member into a compartment of a main body to form the putter head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2003
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Applicant: Nelson Precision Casting Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chih-Jen Fang
  • Publication number: 20040154742
    Abstract: The present invention solves a problem that in a wire bonding process, an inert gas used for prevention of oxidation of a substrate gave rise to shimmer due to the temperature difference during bonding, thereby degrading the precision of pattern recognition. With this invention's bonding device 21 provided with recognition device, a shimmer prevention blow mechanism 31 is disposed between a ring illumination 25 and a working hole 24 and near working hole 24. Though the nitrogen gas that blows out from working hole 24 gives rise to shimmer due to temperature difference, this shimmer can be blown away by the nitrogen gas blow from shimmer prevention blow mechanism 31. As a result, the recognition precision of a recognition camera can be improved and the wire bonding precision of the &mgr;m order can be improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2004
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Applicant: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd., a Japan corporation
    Inventors: Kouji Seki, Noriyasu Sakai, Toshihiko Higashino
  • Publication number: 20040154743
    Abstract: Process related materials including photoresist and associated residues are removed from a substrate by exposing the substrate at least to one form of ultraviolet radiation-activated reactive gas phase radical to activate reactions between the gas phase radicals and the process related materials. The substrate may be exposed to the activating UV energy. Alternatively, the substrate may be exposed to a first reactive gas phase radical, from a first source, in conjunction with at least one of a selected gas and a second species of gas phase radical from a second source. The first and second source outputs may be combined prior to entering the process chamber or may enter the processing chamber separately. Selective limitation or elimination of substrate exposure to UV radiation is described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventors: Stephen E. Savas, Daniel J. Devine
  • Publication number: 20040154744
    Abstract: A system for surface or cross-sectional processing and observation and a method of surface or cross-sectional processing and observation using the system. The system has a unit for processing a sample surface to expose a target surface or cross section and a scanning probe microscope unit for observing the exposed surface or cross section. According to the system and method, a scanning probe microscope capable of providing different kinds of information is used to form at least one target surface or cross section in a sample surface and to observe the target surface or cross section. This offers the following advantages: a spatial resolution comparable to that of a transmission electron microscope can be achieved; and electric, magnetic, and mechanical information for a target sample plane, which couldn't be obtained by the known method, can be monitored in a shorter operating time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2004
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventors: Takashi Kaito, Masatoshi Yasutake, Toshiaki Fujii, Shigeru Wakiyama, Osamu Takaoka, Kouji Iwasaki
  • Publication number: 20040154745
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for processing PFC, which does not damage a vacuum pump, and in which maintenance and inspection works are readily performed, and an incineration process is not required. The processing apparatus 10 is constructed with a vacuum chamber 12, and a vacuum pump 16, a reaction gas introduction section 17, a plasma process section 18 and a polymer collection section 20 that are successively disposed through a piping 14 in a succeeding stage of the vacuum chamber 12.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2004
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventor: Isamu Namose
  • Publication number: 20040154746
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a reaction chamber installed in a reaction furnace; a discharge port for removing from the reaction chamber reaction byproducts formed during producing of the semiconductor device; a heater for generating heat to the reaction chamber; and a hot fluid supply unit for introducing heat from the heater and the reaction chamber into the discharge port. The hot fluid supply unit further comprises a fluid container for receiving a heat transfer fluid. The apparatus includes a hot fluid generator adjacent the reaction chamber in the reaction furnace. The hot fluid generator defines a fluid channel for conveying the heat transfer fluid and transfers heat generated from the heater and the reaction chamber to the heat transfer fluid supplied from the fluid container. The apparatus also includes a heat transfer element for transferring heat to the discharge port using the heat transfer fluid supplied from the hot fluid generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2004
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventor: Jun-Sig Park
  • Publication number: 20040154747
    Abstract: A vacuum plasma processor includes a roof structure including a dielectric window carrying (1) a semiconductor plate having a high electric conductivity so it functions as an electrode, (2) a hollow coil and (3) at least one electric shield. The shield, coil and semiconductor plate are positioned to prevent substantial coil generated electric field components from being incident on the semiconductor plate. During a first interval the coil produces an RF electromagnetic field that results in a plasma that strips photoresist from a semiconductor wafer. During a second interval the semiconductor plate and another electrode produce an RF electromagnetic field that results in a plasma that etches electric layers, underlayers and photoresist layers from the wafer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2004
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Applicant: LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tuqiang Ni, Wenli Collison, David Hemker, Lumin Li
  • Publication number: 20040154748
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods of processing a substrate having a thickness of 250 microns or less are described. Each use a dark space shield between the plasma in a process chamber and the periphery of the substrate to prevent the presence of plasma between the shield and the periphery whilst allowing processing of the substrate. In every case an electrostatic chuck is utilised.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2004
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventors: Paul Rich, Clive Luca Widdicks
  • Publication number: 20040154749
    Abstract: A label applicator for applying labels to an article is presented. The labels are carried on an elongated web wound around a core to form a roll of labels. The label applicator includes a supply reel, a label removal device, a label application device, and a take-up reel all mounted to a frame. The supply reel has a mounting mechanism for releasably retaining the core of the roll, and a magnetic tension control mechanism for applying tension to the web as the web is unwound from the roll. The magnetic tension control mechanism has a housing with a magnet and a rotating generally disc shaped member mounted therein. The magnet emits a magnetic flux and the rotating generally disc shaped member conducts the magnetic flux to provide a tension force opposite to the direction of rotation of the roll as it is unwound on the supply reel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2003
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventor: Clifford B. Rice
  • Publication number: 20040154750
    Abstract: A tape dispenser having a frame, a cutter blade and a non-rotatable pressure pad is disclosed. The dispenser holds a roll of adhesive tape therein. The cutter blade and pressure pad are secured together and are snap-fitted into the frame so that the blade extends a short distance beyond the front edge of the frame. The pressure pad applies pressure to the adhesive tape as it is being dispensed from the tape dispenser. The frame has side walls that each have a tab formed thereon. The tabs are positioned a short distance to the rear of the pressure pad and they do not extend below the lower edge of the side walls of the dispenser. The tabs are positioned and shaped in such a manner that tape from the roll is supported on the top surface of the tabs. The tape is biased into contact with the pressure pad by the tabs so that the tape is ready to be dispensed from the roll and is prevented from curling back onto the roll when cut.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2003
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventor: Ashok V. Chandaria
  • Publication number: 20040154751
    Abstract: A tape dispenser having a frame, a cutter blade and at least one pair of projections disposed on the opposed interior surfaces of the side walls is disclosed. The distance between the projections is less than the distance between the interior surfaces of the side walls and is also less than the width of the tape held in the dispenser. The tape dispenser may also include a pair of tabs either associated with the projections or positioned between the projections and the tape mount. The dispenser is adapted to hold a roll of adhesive tape therein and because of the decreased distance between the projections, the tape assumes a convex shape when viewed from the front end of the dispenser. The shape of the tape and position of the tabs and projections causes the tape to be biased into contact with the interior of the front end of the dispenser. This helps to keep the free end of the tape out of contact with the roll in the dispenser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2003
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventor: Ashok Chandaria
  • Publication number: 20040154752
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hand-held device for applying a film from a backing tape onto a substrate. The device has a housing in which a supply of the backing tape and a take-up device for the backing tape are arranged, and an application member which projects from the housing. The application member has an application gib and is pivotably connected to an application base supported at the housing about a swivelling axis extending transversely to the projecting application gib. The application member has two lateral support legs arranged at a distance from the application edge and defining an abutment plane with the application edge which abuts on the substrate in the mode of operation of the hand-held device. In order to enhance the bearing characteristics of the application member, the joint is provided in the projection onto the abutment plane between the support legs and the application edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2004
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventors: Winfried Huthmacher, Roland Schneider
  • Publication number: 20040154753
    Abstract: A retractable flexible screen for installation to a frame of a fenestration product, the frame having opposite pairs of frame members. The flexible screen extending and retracting across an opening in the fenestration product and including flexible screen material and a roller system upon which the screen material is unwound and wound. The roller system mounting to a pair of mounting brackets, each attachable to one of the pairs of frame members. A control bar connects to the screen material and moves along a pair of tracks each mountable to the same pair of frame members, the screen material extending from the roller system to one of the other pair of frame members. A gripper system mounts in the tracks and grips the screen material in a closed flexible screen. A spring tensioning system provides post-installation access to adjust the tension of a spring within the roller system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2003
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventors: Gary E. Tagtow, Dean A. Rennich, Bruce A. Hagemeyer, Ronald L. Spoelstra
  • Publication number: 20040154754
    Abstract: A roman shade with liner has a headrail, a bottom bar spaced apart from and parallel to the headrail and both a face material and a liner extending from the headrail and attached to the bottom bar. A plurality of lift cords are attached to the bottom bar, pass through the gap between the liner and the face material and extend into the headrail. Each lift cord engages a set of tabs, rings or other one cord connectors attached to the inside surface of the face material. Preferably, each lift cord also engages cord connectors on the inside surface of the liner. The face material and the liner are each a material that will form loops that extend below the bottom bar as the bottom bar is raised. The face material and liner are sized and configured so that no loop of face material will extend beyond at least one loop of liner material. Consequently, the liner will block sunlight from the face material when the shade is fully raised or partially raised.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2004
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventor: Ren Judkins
  • Publication number: 20040154755
    Abstract: A light controllable window covering has a transparent front face and a transparent back face, either or both of which are formed from a series of spaced apart parallel threads, and a series of opaque slats attached between the two faces. The parallel threads which form the front face and back face are spaced apart an amount which allows light to readily pass while providing a soft fabric like appearance. The slats are preferably knitted or woven fabric treated to have a given light impeding property. The front and back longitudinal edges of each slat are respectively attached to the front face and the back face. The resulting structure when combined with a hardware system is a light control honeycomb window covering. Movement of the light impeding slats from a position perpendicular to the front face and back face to a position generally parallel to the front and back face controls the amount of light which is admitted through the window covering.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2003
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventor: Ren Judkins
  • Publication number: 20040154756
    Abstract: An office panel partition includes a panel frame having at least two uprights and a horizontal structural member rigidly interconnecting the uprights. The panel frame has a first side and a second opposite side, and the panel frame defines at least four apertures on the first side thereof. The partition also includes a cover member having a major planar surface defining an exterior surface of the partition. The cover member includes at least four projections that are removably insertable into the at least four apertures to removably secure the cover member to the frame. The apertures are arranged in at least two vertically spaced horizontal rows and at least two horizontally spaced vertical columns. The apertures in a first one of the columns have different horizontal dimensions than those of the apertures located in the other of the columns. Each of the projections has a range of lateral positions when inserted into a respective one of the apertures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2004
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventors: Douglas B. MacDonald, Steven E. Sanders, Mark T. Slager, Dean K. Hubbard, Roy W. Fink, Steven J. Throndset, David J. Battey, Robert E. Jeffers, Allen C. Hager
  • Publication number: 20040154757
    Abstract: A power conversion unit and a method of providing power to a powered movable window covering using a conversion circuitry with a transformer to obtain relatively low voltage supply from main supply, the method including (a) providing in the conversion circuitry a snubber circuit for the transformer, the snubber circuit absorbing power from the transformer and supplying power absorbed from the transformer back to the conversion circuitry such that heat generation from the conversion circuitry with the transformer is minimised and (b) mounting the conversion circuitry in the headrail of the window covering so as to reduce the overall size of the window covering.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2003
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventor: Anne J. Osinga
  • Publication number: 20040154758
    Abstract: A pleated shade or Venetian blind apparatus capable of height adjustment comprising an upper elongated support; a lower elongated member that is manually adjustable up and down; primary lines extending through shade pleats or blind slats to suspend the bottom elongated member; primary rotors at the top elongated support to wind or engage the primary lines; at least one secondary line having operative connection to the primary lines; and rotary members acting on the secondary line or lines for counterbalancing suspension force exerted on the primary lines at different shade or blind height adjusted levels, including a spring coupled to the rotary members exerting force tending to entrain the secondary line or lines about the rotary members, for storage on at least one of the members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventors: Li-Ming Cheng, Lawrence S. Wu
  • Publication number: 20040154759
    Abstract: A friction device (10), applied to roll-up curtains and the like, includes a tubular roller (1), on which the curtain (2) rolls up, and which is rotatably carried on a horizontal axis. The friction device (10) includes a threaded shaft (9), situated axially inside the roller (1) and connected to the roller (1) by interposition of an angular speed reducer group (4). A body (11), mounted sliding axially inside the roller (1), is screw-coupled with the threaded shaft (9), so as to translate axially due to the shaft (9) rotation during unrolling or rolling up of the curtain (2) on the roller (1). One or more elastic members (12), subjected to pressure or counter-thrust, are compressed, on opposite ends, between abutment means (13) and a surface of the body (11), to determine a friction effect, which varies as a function of the rotation direction of the roller (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2003
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventor: Carl Emil Felix Minder
  • Publication number: 20040154760
    Abstract: The invention includes a treatment apparatus for treating fibrous cellulosic raw material suitable for use in a paper making plant comprising extracting means for extracting contrary material from the raw material, crushing means for crushing the raw material to remove nodes therefrom and splitting means for splitting the crushed raw material lengthways. A co-rotating twin screw conveyor is used to pulp the crushed material, the conveyor being divided up into a plurality of zones, means for inserting treatment materials into a least one zone and means for controlling the temperature and/or pressure of all of the zones. The black liquor effluent produced in the pulping process is treated in an apparatus comprising an evaporator for concentrating the liquor to 30-70% solids, a processing vessel for treating the concentrated liquor at a temperature of between 300-600° C., and a closed conveyor for transporting the concentrated liquor from the evaporator to the processing vessel in excess of 90° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2004
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventor: Trevor Dean
  • Publication number: 20040154761
    Abstract: A method to enhance brightness in Chemical and Mechanical pulps comprising adding an organic sulfide chelant is described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2004
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventors: Prasad Y. Duggirala, Sergey M. Shevchenko, Kristine S. Salmen
  • Publication number: 20040154762
    Abstract: In a new process for preparing pulped wood chips for paper making, chips from a hardwood such as eucalyptus are inoculated with aliving culture of one or more white rot fungi. The fungi propagate throughout the body of the wood chip, selectively attacking the lignin of the wood without harming the cellulosic fibers. Subsequent mechanical pulpting results in reduced utilization of energy, improved strength, and reduced cooking time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventors: Masood Akhtar, Eric G Horn, Michael J Lentz, Ross E Swaney
  • Publication number: 20040154763
    Abstract: A method for making a fibrous structure, the method comprising the steps of: providing a mixture of synthetic fibers and short cellulosic fibers onto a forming member so as to form one or more layers including the mixture of synthetic fibers and short cellulosic fibers; providing a plurality of long cellulosic fibers onto the mixture of synthetic fibers and short cellulosic fibers so as to form one or more layers including predominantly long cellulosic fibers; and forming a unitary fibrous structure including the one or more layers including the mixture of synthetic fibers and short cellulosic fibers and one or more layers including predominantly long cellulosic fibers
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Applicant: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Osman Polat, Timothy Jude Lorenz, Dean Phan, Paul Dennis Trokhan
  • Publication number: 20040154764
    Abstract: Paper coated with a coating slip containing at least one optical brightener is produced by a process in which base paper or precoated paper is treated, before application of the coating slip containing optical brightener, with at least one substance which enhances the efficiency of optical brighteners.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2004
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventors: Thierry Blum, Friedrich Linhart, Stefan Frenzel
  • Publication number: 20040154765
    Abstract: The invention relates to coated printing paper which contains mechanical pulp and whose opacity is at least 89%, brightness at least 65% and surface roughness not more than 4.5 &mgr;m. The printing paper contains mechanical pulp at least 90 weight-% of the total fibre content of the paper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2003
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Applicant: UPM-Kymmene
    Inventors: Jouni Huuskonen, Timo Koskinen, Heikki Pakarinen, Timo Toivanen, Mika Kosonen
  • Publication number: 20040154766
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of manufacturing an article (9) comprising a fiber layer (5) and at least one electronic chip (7), the fiber layer being formed by depositing fibers on a surface (3) immersed in a dispersion (4) of fiber material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2004
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventors: Sandrine Rancien, Jacques Terliska