Patents Issued in August 17, 2004
  • Patent number: PP15090
    Abstract: A new and distinct highly ornamental Echinacea plant is provided. The blossoms are attractive and display orange-colored ray florets. A sweet orange-spiced tea fragrance emanates from the blossoms. Semi-glossy green foliage is formed that contrasts nicely with the blossom coloration. The plant is free-flowering and commonly blooms from early-July to mid- to late-August at Glencoe, Ill., U.S.A.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Chicagoland Grows, Inc.
    Inventor: James R. Ault
  • Patent number: PP15091
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of winter hardy hibiscus named ‘Whit XX’ is the result of a chance seedling among a seedling population specifically grown for the purpose of screening for variations. This new and distinct cultivar is characterized by being dwarf in stature relative to the species and all other seedlings from the same parent, has blood red flowers that are between about 3.5 and about 6 inches in diameter. The plant is further characterized as having unusually dark green, broadly lanceolate leaves, with a uniform growth habit of dense, stiff branches. Flower production occurs from early July to frost in north central Oklahoma.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Lacebark, Inc.
    Inventor: Carl Whitcomb
  • Patent number: RE38565
    Abstract: A ferroelectric thin film capacitor has smooth electrodes permitting comparatively stronger polarization, less fatigue, and less imprint, as the ferroelectric capacitor ages. The smooth electrode surfaces are produced by carefully controlled drying, soft baking, and annealing conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinichiro Hayashi, Tatsuo Otsuki
  • Patent number: RE38566
    Abstract: A composition is disclosed for alleviating or managing symptoms associated with premenstrual syndrome “PMS” comprising an effective amount of an aqueous mixture of water and a rapidly digestible carbohydrate blend. The aqueous mixture is essentially free of protein and is characterized by a certain pH and ratio of water to carbohydrate blend. Methods of use of the composition for alleviating or managing symptoms associated with PMS are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Walden Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Judith J. Wurtman, Jeff L. Shear, Alvin Kershman
  • Patent number: 6775844
    Abstract: A health apparatus for use by individuals while driving is disclosed. The health apparatus would be an arm shield which would be worn over an individual's “outside arm” while driving. The arm shield would reduce sun exposure on the arm and would be attached via two end-mounted elastic bands. An extra hood could be wrapped around the individual's hand on the outside arm for added protection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Inventor: Patrick Castillo
  • Patent number: 6775845
    Abstract: A joint device for a leg guard, particularly for a leg guard used by ice-hockey players, comprises a first part that covers the wearer's lower leg, and a second part (2) that covers a part of the wearer's thigh above the knee and that is pivotally connected to the first part (1) via a joint element (4). A cup-shaped third part (3) bridges the gap between the first and the second parts (1, 2) and is pivotally mounted (5) on the second part (2). The joint element (4) includes pins which engage in a slot or groove (11) on the sides of the third part (3), so that the third part (3) will be dogged by the second part (2) when the angle between the first and the second parts is smaller than a limit angle. The first part (1) includes pins (8) which engage in a second slot (10) in the third part (3). The second slots include a first circular section whose center lies in the first joint element (4) when the guard is at a more pronounced angle than the limit angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Sportopedgruppen AB
    Inventor: Lars Eghamn
  • Patent number: 6775846
    Abstract: A sleeve holder for maintaining a garment sleeve in a rolled-up condition adjacent a person's shoulder includes a body and attachment portions connected to opposite ends of the body. The body includes a cover and an elastic core located within an interior of the cover. The cover defines a cross section that reduces in size between an intermediate part of the cover and the ends of the body. The attachment portions support hook and loop portions of a hook and loop connector for releasable engagement between the attachment portions. The cover is attached to the core adjacent the ends of the body while the core is held at a stretched length to form gathered portions of the cover when the core is released to a relaxed length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: L&N Sales and Marketing, Inc.
    Inventors: Mary G. LaFauci, Catherine J. Maddaloni
  • Patent number: 6775847
    Abstract: A golf glove which includes a glove portion having finger and thumb portions and dorsal and palm portions. The dorsal and palm portions meet along at least one conjoining lateral edge and define a pocket for receiving the eminence of a golfer's hand. The glove portion also includes a pad made from an elastomeric, non-flowing gel. The pad is preferably positioned and dimensioned to substantially encompass the wrist portion of the glove to protect the various aspects of the golfer's wrist from shock and the translation of detrimental shock-related forces due to ball-to-club impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Applications Systems Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Rita Terris, Christopher S. Terris, Edward C. Meagher
  • Patent number: 6775848
    Abstract: Pore-free rubber articles are prepared by dip-molding in a dipping medium that includes a vulcanizing agent, then by immersing the dip former in a heated liquid bath that is chemically inert. A particularly effective liquid bath is molten inorganic salt. In addition, the tensile properties of an article of vulcanized rubber can be improved to an unusually effective degree by immersing the already vulcanized article in a solution of a vulcanizing agent to cause the rubber of the article to absorb or imbibe the vulcanizing agent from the solution, and then immersing the rubber and the imbibed vulcanizing agent in a heated liquid bath to increase the degree of vulcanization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: LRC Products Ltd.
    Inventors: Mark W. McGlothlin, Eric V. Schmid
  • Patent number: 6775849
    Abstract: A system for releasably binding or joining paired articles together. The invention consists of short strips, coated with a film adhesive on one side, adhesively-bonded at both ends to the top (or entry) outside edge of paired cloth items to form a loop on each item. An elongated connector with a male end and a female end is provided to join the two articles together. The first item is attached to the second item by passing the elongated, generally flat connector through the loop formed on the first item and the loop formed on the second item and then inserting a male end through a female end to lock the re-useable elongated generally flat connector through the first loop and the second loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Inventor: Robert Messman
  • Patent number: 6775850
    Abstract: In a protective combination wearable by a firefighter or by an emergency worker, a face mask has a face-conformable gasket defining an outwardly opening trough. Further, a protective garment has a hood, which has a peripheral edge and which defines a tubular hem along the peripheral edge. Moreover, an inflatable tube, which extends through the tubular hem, is adapted to form a seal between the face-conformable gasket and the peripheral edge of the hood, when inflated so as to press the tubular hem along the peripheral edge of the hood into the outwardly opening trough, whereby to provide a seal between the face mask and the hood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Morning Pride Manufacturing, L.L.C.
    Inventors: William L. Grilliot, Mary I. Grilliot
  • Patent number: 6775851
    Abstract: A chest protector formed of a base, upper and lower shoulder straps for securing the base to the user's chest, a neck pad and a number of cushions mounted on the base, the cushions having air vents in communication with air vents in the base for ventilation, colored breathing cloths fastened to the base and covered on the cushions for breathing and decoration, and a substantially triangular saddle strap coupled between said upper shoulder straps and said lower shoulder straps to keep upper and lower shoulder straps in close contact with the user's back comfortably.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Inventors: Shyan-Wei Chen, Stan M. Jurga
  • Patent number: 6775852
    Abstract: A hands-free urine collecting device comprising a flexible sheet with an elastomeric element extending peripherally therearound wherein said flexible sheet is placed over a conventional toilet seat with said elastomeric member placed on the underside thereof to maintain the flexible sheet suspended above the toilet water. A recess in the flexible sheet provides access to a sample cup and is retained thereunder by looped elastic bands extending from the underside of said flexible sheet. An overflow recess is also provided to prevent excess urine from accumulating in the funnel formed by said flexible sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Inventors: Daniel M Alvarez, Robert E Jenkins
  • Patent number: 6775853
    Abstract: A ventilated toilet assembly includes a ventilated toilet seat device for positioning between a toilet bowl and a water tank. The device comprises a base section having an aperture extending therethrough. The base section is positioned between the toilet bowl and the water tank. An exhaust conduit extends through the base section. An air moving assembly is mounted in the exhaust conduit for selectively drawing air into an exhaust inlet and forcing the air outwardly through an exhaust outlet. A toilet seat is hingedly attached to the base section. A tubular member is mounted on a bottom side of the toilet. The tubular member forms a loop and has a coupler fluidly coupled thereto. The coupler is aligned with and is fluidly coupled to the exhaust inlet when the toilet seat is abutted against the toilet bowl. The tubular member has a plurality of apertures extending therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Inventor: Attila Szekely
  • Patent number: 6775854
    Abstract: A closing device for a toilet unit includes a slave member connected to a toilet cover, a motor, and a switching mechanism that mechanically connects or disconnects the motor from the slave member during closing of the cover. When the motor rotates to move the toilet cover from an open position to a partially closed position, the switching mechanism allows the slave member to move in response to rotation of the motor. After the toilet cover reaches the partially closed position, the mechanical link between the slave member and the motor provided by the switching mechanism is released such that the toilet cover falls freely under its own weight to the closed position independent of the motor. Preferably, the device includes a driving member coupled between the motor and the switching mechanism and operable to move the slave member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Sankyo Seiki Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazunori Nishikawa, Hiroshi Yamada
  • Patent number: 6775855
    Abstract: A self-contained, self-closing toilet lid includes a water reservoir formed within an upper portion of the lid. When the lid is in its vertical closed position, water from the reservoir is allowed to trickle at a predetermined rate into an activation bucket positioned within a lower portion of the lid and pivotally coupled proximate an inner peripheral edge of the lid. When a sufficient volume of water has been gravitationally transferred from the upper water reservoir to the lower activation bucket, the weight of that transferred water causes the activation bucket to pivot, which in turn actuates a release mechanism that allows the lid to hingedly move to an off-center position, permitting it to fall to its horizonatal closed position. If both the toilet lid and the seat conventionally mounted behind it are in the open position, automatic closing of the lid will push the seat to the closed position also.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Inventor: Daniel E. Shannon
  • Patent number: 6775856
    Abstract: A toilet bowl pump apparatus and method for reducing the water level in a toilet bowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Inventor: Leslie A. Ollinger
  • Patent number: 6775857
    Abstract: A drain fitting device (10) adapted to seal and facilitate introduction of a fluid, such as tap water, or a gas, such as compressed air, into a clogged drain (12), thereby pressurizing the drain (12) and removing the clog. In a preferred first embodiment, the device (10) broadly comprises a stopper element (14); a hose attachment mechanism (16); an expander mechanism (18); and a hose (20). The stopper element (14) fits within and substantially seals the drain (12). The expander mechanism (18) allows for compressing the stopper element (14), resulting in a circumferential expansion of the stopper element (14) to achieve a tighter seal with the drain (12). The hose (20) extends between and couples the device (10) with a source of pressurization (60) such that the fluid or the gas flows therefrom through the device (10) and into the clogged drain (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Inventors: John M. Hughes, Jr., Ronna A. Holloman-Hughes
  • Patent number: 6775858
    Abstract: A height adjustable toilet seat apparatus for disabled users includes a toilet seat having a hinged lid. The apparatus may be fixed to a toilet bowl or to a wheelchair and includes telescopic legs for supporting the toilet seat and lid at different heights. A lid opening mechanism is operated by a foot lever slidably connected to at least one of said legs. A catch is biased to a holding position for holding the lid in a rotated attitude and a foot peddle and handle are provided to release the catch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Inventor: Stuart Earl Crispin Miller
  • Patent number: 6775859
    Abstract: A dual flush toilet includes a handle pivotally mounted to a tank. A water outlet fluidly coupled to the tank has an upper edge defining a primary opening. An overflow tube is fluidly coupled to the water outlet. The overflow tube has a break therein such that a first section and a second section are defined. The first and second sections are positionable in a closed position mated together and an open, spaced position. A pivot assembly mechanically couples the second section to the handle such that the secorid section is removed from the first section when the handle is rotated in a first direction. A primary plug is mechanically coupled to the handle such that the primary plug is removed from the primary opening when the handle is rotated in a second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Inventor: Seroosh Gorginians
  • Patent number: 6775860
    Abstract: A portable toilet has a support stem which may be inserted into a trailer hitch. A base ring is coupled to the support stem. An attachment device is coupled to the base ring. The attachment device is used for removably coupling a waste collection bag to the portable toilet. A toilet seat assembly is coupled to the support stem and rests on the base ring. A multi positional toilet paper holder is coupled to the support stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Inventor: Edward Thomas Unruh
  • Patent number: 6775861
    Abstract: A hydrotherapy unit has a housing supporting a tub. The tub has an exterior sidewall configured to resemble an object of amusement for a child such as a duck or an automobile. When configured as an automobile, a steering wheel is attached to the exterior sidewall with mounting arms and thumbscrews. A bracket extends downwardly from the arms and forms an accelerator pedal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Inventors: Thomas Devereaux, Sherry Devereaux
  • Patent number: 6775862
    Abstract: A whirlpool bathtub and a valve device for such a tub. The tub has a molded tub part and at least one, preferably two removable, circular bottom elements which match recesses in the tub part. The bottom elements can be attached to the tub part by means of central screws. From an external pump device, air is supplied to the valve device and on to preferably two defined chambers in the tub, each of which is composed of a recess with an associated bottom element. Each bottom element has apertures for the supply of air from the chambers to the water in the bathtub. The valve device simultaneously constitutes a bottom valve for draining water from the tub to a plug hole. The tub is easy to keep clean, and may in addition be manufactured in a simple and cost-effective manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Fjordbad AS
    Inventor: Kjell Christensen
  • Patent number: 6775863
    Abstract: A switching assembly that can be used on a spa, pool, bathtub, or aquarium shell without the need to form a hole in the shell. The switching assembly includes an actuator that is mounted on an interior surface of the shell and is exposed at least in part to water held by the shell. The actuator may be mounted above or below the water line. The switching assembly also includes a switch that is responsive to the actuator and is mounted on the opposite, exterior surface of the shell. The switch responds to stimulus from the actuator without the need to form a hole in the shell between the switch and the actuator. The actuator may include a magnet that produces a magnetic field, and the switch may include a reed switch, which changes state in response to the absence or presence of the magnetic field generated by the actuator magnet. The magnet may be supported by a button attached to the shell, and the button protects the magnet from exposure to water and chemicals held in the shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Dimension One Spas
    Inventor: Brent Mark Hutchings
  • Patent number: 6775864
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a shower and bath appliance that provides improved cleansing as well as massaging properties. The appliance for cleansing and massaging has a housing with an impeller rotatably mounter within the housing. The housing is adapted to receive water from a shower pipe or other water source. The impeller is rotated by the flow of water from the water source. The motion of impeller rotates one or more brushes mounted on the impeller. In addition, the water flows from the impeller through the brushes as they rotate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Inventor: Don Cannetti
  • Patent number: 6775865
    Abstract: An improved structure of swivel shower spray arms, wherein, a swivel connection is provided between each spray arm and the showerhead to allow manual adjustment for the spray angle as desired by the bather.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Globe Union Industrial Corp.
    Inventor: Shih-Hung Lin
  • Patent number: 6775866
    Abstract: A safety waterspout is disclosed. The waterspout is made of a soft flexible material to prevent the bather from getting injured when colliding with the waterspout when bathing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Inventors: Ramón Martir, Julianne Collazo
  • Patent number: 6775867
    Abstract: A urological patient positioning table has a patient positioning plate with a head end and a foot end, and has a lifting column connected to the patient positioning plate. The lifting column is arranged at the head end of the patient positioning plate laterally next to the patient positioning plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Wilko Kuphal, Walter Polster
  • Patent number: 6775868
    Abstract: An air mattress system is provided wherein longitudinal air supply tubes supply air to alternating laterally extending cross support tubes that extend between two longitudinal side rails. The side rails remain inflated despite failure of the pump or ruptures of the lateral support tubes. The structure of the air mattress is such that it can be produced as a continuous rolled product. A method for making the individual mattress of this construction is also set forth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Trlby Innovative LLC
    Inventors: Robert Mileti, Stephen M. Fisher
  • Patent number: 6775869
    Abstract: A maraca is formed with a handle having a bottle opener therein. A transverse groove is provided in the handle which has a bottom surface, a first side surface, and second side surface. A metal tool is mounted in the handle to extend along the first side surface, and to extend from the first side surface toward the second side surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Inventor: Wayne Cohen
  • Patent number: 6775870
    Abstract: A method and system for dynamically balancing a rotating system, such that sensor measurements and responses to control actions can be compiled utilizing one or more sensors associated with the rotating system. The rotating system may be represented utilizing sensor measurements and responses to control actions through an associated control model, such that the control model and the sensor measurements are determinative of future control actions. The rotating system may be perturbed utilizing a control action while improving a balance condition associated with the rotating system. Sensor data may be measured from one or more sensors associated with the rotating system. Responses thereof may be determined based on the control action. The sensor data may be manipulated in order to remove measurements and responses thereof that do not well-represent the rotating system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Dennice F. Gayme, Kevin J. Stalsberg
  • Patent number: 6775871
    Abstract: An automatic floor cleaner uses a body member that has a change-of-direction driving mechanism such that when the body member encounters an impediment, the direction of travel of the body member is altered. An extension extends outwardly from the body member and has a cleaning implement removably secured thereto, the cleaning implement running along the ground and cleaning same during operation of the body member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Inventor: Edward Finch
  • Patent number: 6775872
    Abstract: A vehicle for traversing a surface such as for carrying out an inspection, survey or maintenance operation upon that surface comprises two bodies interconnected by means to move the bodies towards and away from each other, each of those bodies being supported upon a multiplicity of resilient bristles (13; 25; 32) extending from it, the bristles of each body being mounted in groups upon bristle-carrying members (10; 23; 31) each guided for movement towards and away from the body, and fluid pressure means (25; 22; 34) to effect the guided movement of the bristle-carrying members in at least one of those directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: University of Durham
    Inventors: Ernest Appleton, Neil William Stutchbury
  • Patent number: 6775873
    Abstract: An apparatus for removing hair from a drain consists of an elongate, flexible strip with an attached handle. A number of barbed portions are dispersed along the length of the flexible strip, with the barbed portions alternating along the two sides of the strip. The barbed portions are oriented at an acute angle to the longitudinal axis of the strip, with the vertex of the angle pointing away from the handle. The barbed portions serve to grip hair in the drain, the hair being removed when the device is removed from the drain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Inventor: Eugene H. Luoma
  • Patent number: 6775874
    Abstract: A cleaning and scouring brush generally made from a pair of twisted wire arms, each arm having a cleaning portion shaped to conform to the interior profile of an article to be cleaned. The portions are provided with a cleaning or scouring device such as a sponge, scrubber or bristles intended to clean or scour the interior surface of the article to be cleaned. The brush is also provided with a handle which rotates the cleaning portions with respect to one another about an axis in order to facilitate the entry and removal of the device from the article to be cleaned which generally has a relatively small opening into a relatively large interior volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Inventor: Rodney Horton
  • Patent number: 6775875
    Abstract: A visually appealing toothbrush having an applicator portion including a head and a track and including a replaceable bristle bed, wherein the track on which a bristle bed is slidingly mounted is rotatable out of a longitudinal axis of the handle into an open position by the rotation of a knob at the end of the handle, the open position allowing disengagement and replacement of the bristle bed, the track then being rotatable back into the longitudinal axis of the handle in order to trap and lock a newly mounted bristle bed by means of a stop at an extremity of the head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Inventors: Charles Ornelas, Paul Sava, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6775876
    Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning a reaction chamber which has a chamber, a blade apparatus and a reciprocable rotating unit. The chamber has a wall with an interior surface. The blade apparatus has at least one annular mounting member and at least three scraping blades attached peripherally about the annular mounting member and arranged in a parallel relationship to a longitudinal axis of the chamber. The reciprocable movement unit has a reciprocable member pivotally connected at a peripheral position to the blade apparatus. The reciprocable movement unit rotates the scraping blade(s) circumferentially back and forth along the interior surface of the chamber to scrape its interior surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Advanced Technology Materials, Inc.
    Inventor: David M. Inori
  • Patent number: 6775877
    Abstract: A motor vehicle wiper includes a wiper blade mounted on the free end of a wiper arm and pressing a wiping stem against the glass to be wiped. The wiper is provided with a wear indicator using a substance based at least on an azo compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Valeo Systemes d'Essuyage
    Inventor: Francois Broszniowski
  • Patent number: 6775878
    Abstract: A window wiping device has a wiper arm which has a first crank and a second crank, a mounting part which is mountable by the first crank and the second crank in two points, the mounting part having at least a first plate and a second plate arranged substantially parallel to one another, at least one of the cranks being mounted rotatably between the plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Laurent Heinrich, Karlheinz Lorenz
  • Patent number: 6775879
    Abstract: A needle cleaning system, for use with a liquid dispensing system that dispenses a quantity of material through a dispensing needle or transfer pin, includes a vacuuming device coupled with a residual material collection device, wherein the collection device includes at least one appropriately shaped orifice for receiving an end of the dispensing needle or pin. The liquid dispensing system further includes a control system for periodically positioning the dispensing needle or pin relative the orifice in the collection device. The vacuuming device creates an airflow, which passes around the exterior of the needle or pin and into the collection device, thereby removing residual material from the exterior of the dispensing needle or pin without contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Speedline Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven P. Bibeault, Kenneth C. Crouch
  • Patent number: 6775880
    Abstract: A hand-held nozzle is attached to the end of a vacuum and fluid delivery hose of an upright deep cleaner. The nozzle includes a reservoir to contain a solution to be applied to a surface. When a solution delivery system of the deep cleaner is pressurized, water from the upright cleaner clean water tank is routed through the hose to the hand-held nozzle. The water is routed through a venturi valve connected to the reservoir, which draws the solution to the valve to mix with the water stream. The resultant mixture flows from the hand-held nozzle for application to a surface being treated. One embodiment of the solution reservoir includes a retainer cap bonded to the reservoir and utilizing a bayonet-type mounting arrangement for mounting the reservoir to a nozzle assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Bissell Homecare, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary A. Kasper, Samuel N. Hansen, John L. Jansen, Phong Hoang Tran, Eric J. Hansen, Gabriel S. Vander Baan
  • Patent number: 6775881
    Abstract: A blower head, comprising a frame, a brush rotatably supported by the frame, a sweeper drive adapted for rotating said brush to sweep a surface, and a blower unit adapted for removing swept-up particles away from the surface. The frame includes a mouth portion and a throat portion. The brush is rotatably supported by the frame within the mouth portion. The sweeper drive rotates the brush to sweep particles such as snow or ice on a surface toward the frame. The mouth portion and the throat portion are constructed and arranged to funnel swept-up particles from the mouth portion and into the throat portion and the blower unit positioned therein. The blower head further includes an exit chute. The blower unit creates a pressure differential between the mouth portion and the exit chute sufficient to draw the swept-up particles from the mouth portion and into the throat portion, and to blow the swept-up particles out through the exit chute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Inventor: Brooks M. Gotham
  • Patent number: 6775882
    Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner includes a floor nozzle having a suction inlet and a handle. A housing has a first portion connected to the floor nozzle, a second portion connected to the handle and defines a cavity and at least one chamber. A dirt cup assembly is releasably connected to the housing and is at least partially received by the cavity. The dirt cup assembly defines a cyclonic airflow chamber and includes a wall. An inlet duct is defined on the dirt cup assembly wall and a filter assembly is removably positioned in the dirt cup assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Royal Appliance Mfg. Co.
    Inventors: John S. Murphy, Jeffrey M. Kalman, David J. Boll
  • Patent number: 6775883
    Abstract: A hinge mechanism for pivotally connecting a flip onto a housing includes a bush, a compression spring, and a release button. The bush has a sidewall, a receiving space defined by the sidewall, and a protrusion. The protrusion is protruded from the sidewall. The release button has a shaped notch, which includes a concave portion, a stop portion, and a convex portion formed between the concave portion and the stop portion. The stop portion extends substantially parallel to the pivoting axis. The protrusion is slidably received within the shaped notch. The compression spring is disposed within the receiving space and pressed by the release button and the bush. When closing the flip, the bush rotates synchronously with the flip and the protrusion moves in the shaped notch. When pushing the release button, the flip opens automatically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: BenQ Corporation
    Inventors: Long-Jyh Pan, Hsiao-Wu Chen
  • Patent number: 6775884
    Abstract: A clip-type friction hinge device comprises a hinge body having insertion grooves on both insides thereof, a shaft being inserted to the each insertion groove of the hinge body on one side thereof and defining a central shaft when a monitor is pivotally moved, stands being formed on the outer circumference of other side of the shaft to be rotated about the shaft, clips each being inserted between the stand and the outer circumference of the shaft to adjust the amount of torque during the rotation of the stand, and torsion springs being fixedly installed on both outer circumferences of the hinge body to elastically support the stands relative to rotation of the stand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Inventor: Gwag Su-Man
  • Patent number: 6775885
    Abstract: A two way open-end zipper formed of two zipper tapes, left and right top stops, a plug pin and a fixed pin and two slides is disclosed in which the fixed pin has a first upright sidewall, a second upright sidewall, a longitudinal sliding way defined between the first and second upright sidewalls for the passing of the slides during installation of the slides, and a springy hook projected from the first upright side wall into the longitudinal sliding way and adapted to stop the slides in place when the slides moved downwards along the zipper tapes to the lower limit position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Inventor: Lien-Chou Wang
  • Patent number: 6775886
    Abstract: An urn for storing the ashes of cremated remains of a person or a pet includes a housing in the shape of a protective angel on a support having an outwardly extending shelf adjacent the angel, and on which a representation of the person or pet may rest. An outwardly opening cavity in the housing receives the cremated remains, and a cover secured over the cavity confines the cremated remains within the housing. The arms and wings of the angel are disposed to symbolize loving concern for the deceased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Angel Ashes, LLC
    Inventor: George B. Ogle, II
  • Patent number: 6775887
    Abstract: A system for the needle treatment of a conveyable fiber bat is provided with at least one conveying device having a plurality of needles that can be inserted into and withdrawn from a fiber bat. At least one rotating cylinder is provided to make possible a high needle-treatment speed and a uniform structure of the needle-felted fiber bat. The outside of this rotating cylinder forms a conveying surface for the fiber bat. The needles can pass through the conveying device from the inside toward the outside. The needles penetrate the fiber bat perpendicular to the conveying direction and then withdraw. The outside of the rotating cylinder, the fiber bat, and the needles have a similar speed in the conveying direction during the needle-treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Trutzschler GmbH & Co. KG.
    Inventor: Karl-Josef Brockmanns
  • Patent number: 6775888
    Abstract: A system for forming workpieces, has at least one forming tool has at least one machining device with a local energy feed. The local feed is provided for machining the workpieces as a separate station within the forming system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Schuler Pressen GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Konrad Wegener, Hans Hofele, Sieghard Muller
  • Patent number: 6775889
    Abstract: A roller turret including a turret body having a plurality of mounting holes formed therein such that the mounting holes are arranged in a rotating direction of the turret body, a plurality of roller shafts each including a roller support portion and a stud portion eccentric with respect to the roller support portion and fitted in the corresponding mounting hole, a plurality of rollers rotatably mounted on the roller support portions of the respective roller shafts, and a device provided for each mounting hole, for fixing the stud portion to the turret body, at a desired angular position of the corresponding roller shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Takahiro Engineering Works Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshihisa Ohsawa