Patents Issued in January 2, 2007
  • Patent number: 7156249
    Abstract: A container is provided including a support base, side panels having guide tracks, front and rear panels, and a top cover. The front panel includes track followers releasably received in the front guide tracks. The front panel is pivotal outwardly away from the container compartment about the track followers, while the top cover is closed, from a substantially vertical orientation to an angled orientation in which the front panel upper edge is exposed from under the closed top cover. From this angled orientation, and while the cover remains closed, the track followers are slidable along and out of engagement with the respective front guide tracks to detach the front panel from the side panel, thereby providing front access to the container compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Mark Anthony Heinrichs
  • Patent number: 7156250
    Abstract: A collapsible, tub-shaped container for placing on a support, comprising a base of flexible flat material with a frame construction and side walls of flexible flat material. There are connecting walls of flexible flat material arranged between the two adjacent side walls, which have a frame construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Inventors: Marc Tillmann, Wolfgang Wertenbruch
  • Patent number: 7156251
    Abstract: A reclosable lid 10 for a container holding a flowable substance has a first piece or cover 12, and a movable second piece or disk 50. The cover 10 has a top wall 14, a side wall 16 and a mounting portion 22 for connecting the lid 10 on the container. The cover 12 has an opening 28 adapted to permit the flow of the substance through the lid 10. The cover 12 further includes a slot 30 located in the top wall 14. The disk 50 has at least one aperture 78, a post 54, and a projection 52. The aperture 78 and the projection 52 are each cooperatively dimensioned with the opening 28. The post 54 is adapted to be received by the slot 30 in the cover 12. The disk 50 is movable between a first position wherein at least a portion of the projection 52 is received in the opening 28 in the first position, and a second position wherein the aperture 78 is aligned with the opening 28 in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Solo Cup Operating Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen Alan Smith, Dawn Ellen Huston, Warren Giles Wiedmeyer, Stephen William Sullivan, Rich Matthew Chin, Mohammed Maqsood Ahmed, John Stewart Gitschlag, David Raymond Langelan, Rajendra Ranjitbhai Chauhan, William Edward Hurst, James Tam Joines, Jr., Kevin Ray Smith, Mark Gerald Anhalt, Bryce G. Rutter, Brian C. Bone, Heath A. Doty
  • Patent number: 7156252
    Abstract: A closure system for a container comprises a magnetically permeable element such as a metal ring adapted to be affixed on a container adjacent an opening thereof, and a closure such as a membrane lid having a surface formed by a heat seal material, the closure being heat-sealed to a surface of the magnetically permeable element via the heat seal material. The closure further incorporates a magnetized material structured and arranged to attract the magnetically permeable element so as to affix the closure to the magnetically permeable element following removal of the closure therefrom, whereby the closure system is re-closable by magnetic attraction between the closure and magnetically permeable element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeremy E. Morin
  • Patent number: 7156253
    Abstract: An adaptor enables a child to drink from a cup having a bead extending around an open end of the cup. The adaptor has an annular collar that supports the cup by engaging a lower portion of a bead of the cup around a substantial portion of a periphery of the bead. A lid is removably engageable with the collar. The lid has an annular flange depending from a lower surface toward the collar with the flange being located to abut an interior side of the wall of the cup when the lid engages the collar to form a fluid seal with the cup. The lid has a channel formed therein and located between the flange and a periphery of the lid and encircling the flange. The channel encloses an upper portion of the bead of the cup. The lid has a child drinking spout on an exterior surface of the lid adjacent a peripheral edge of the lid. The spout is in fluid communication with the cup during use of the adaptor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Inventor: Scott W. Ziegler
  • Patent number: 7156254
    Abstract: Steel and plastic drums are utilized in many industries for transporting and storing various liquids which may be utilized as fuels, lubricants, ingredients, process fluids, or the like. Often the liquids transported and stored in such drums are highly caustic and/or hazardous and absolute containment during storage, transport, and handling are essential. For example in the semiconductor industry, caustic chemicals such as hydrofluoric acid are commonplace. Some liquids develop significant internal gas pressures when contained during storage. Such pressures must be periodically vented. Even when drums with such hazardous and caustic liquids are on site and ready for use, great care must be taken in accessing the liquids so as not to expose personnel or the environment to such chemicals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Entegis, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry L. Rauworth, John Hennen
  • Patent number: 7156255
    Abstract: A self-righting sipper cup includes an inner cup member positioned in an interior space defined by an outer cup member. The inner cup's bottom defines an outlet port. A channel connects the outlet port to a drinking slot surrounded by a drinking spout. The inner cup receives liquid, and a float rests atop the liquid. A lid attaches. A child lifts the cup by handles and drinks traditionally through the spout or sucks on the spout in either an upright or horizontal position. The float descends as liquid leaves the interior cup. If the cup drops or tips, liquid stays at the bottom of the interior cup and in the channel due to the float and a valve inside the channel. The shapes of the rounded base portion and handles, a ballast's weight, and the liquid's location bias the cup to the upright position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Inventor: Alex D. Raft
  • Patent number: 7156256
    Abstract: An item taking-out container making it possible to take out small items, such as candies or chocolates, one by one is composed of a container main body equipped with an accommodating portion capable of accommodating a plurality of items of a predetermined configuration and a cover member, an opening communicating with the accommodating portion being formed at a predetermined position on the surface of the container main body, the cover member being rotatably supported with respect to the container main body in order to close the opening so as to allow opening/closing, there being provided on the back side of the cover member an item taking-out means for holding the items accommodated in the accommodating portion and taking the items out of the container main body as the cover member is opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Bandai
    Inventors: Junji Senda, Kazutake Suda
  • Patent number: 7156257
    Abstract: The present invention provides a compressed gas cylinder that is capable of storing a compressed fluid at high pressures. The cylinder of the present invention includes a body terminating in an inwardly domed cap. The dome included in the cap of the compressed gas cylinder of the present invention is formed such that the material near the tip of the dome is relatively thinner than the material near the base of the dome. The tip of the dome, therefore, creates a pierce region in the cap that can be pierced through the application of a relatively low pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Alza Corporation
    Inventor: Pedro E. de la Serna
  • Patent number: 7156258
    Abstract: A counter including at least one counting ring, a switch, and an actuator movable in its longitudinal axis direction. The switch includes a guide and a switching element movable in an axial and azimuthal direction relative to the guide. The guide has at least one curved surface, directing at least one projecting part disposed on the switching element. A switching cam on the switching element meshes with toothing of the counting ring. The switching device converts linear movement of the actuator into rotational movement of the counting ring. The counting ring, secured by ratchets, rotates one angular increment each actuation of the actuator. The counter is suitable for different storage containers dispensing a product portion by portion and can be configured as a daily quantity counter or a total quantity counter, for example. The counter components are inserted into each other and held together by catch elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Boehringer Ingelheim microparts GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Eckert
  • Patent number: 7156259
    Abstract: A beverage dispensing system includes separate valves for controlling the flow rate of a diluent and a concentrate. Various concentrates of different viscosities can be used and the selected concentrate is identified. The flow rate of the concentrate is determined based on temperature and pressure and on information related to the identified concentrate. The valves are controlled so that the concentrate and diluent reach target flow rates. The target flow rates satisfy a target ratio of diluent to concentrate. If the actual flow rates cannot reach the target flow rates, then the target flow rates are modified to satisfy the target ratio. The structure of the concentrate valve is designed to accommodate proportional metering of any one of the various concentrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Pepsico, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy W. Bethuy, William J. Black, Brian T. Cahill, Andrew D. Nelson, Peter D. Mehn
  • Patent number: 7156260
    Abstract: A foam dispenser component drive mechanism which includes a foam dispenser component drive transmission comprising a crank and slide assembly, and wherein said drive transmission includes a transmission housing and the crank and slide assembly includes a crank pivotably supported by said housing and a slide assembly. The invention also features an apparatus for driving a reciprocating rod of a foam dispenser having a full retraction position and a full extension position relative to a mixing module of the dispenser, having a driver, a drive transmission system with said drive transmission system being arranged to coincide maximum rod reciprocation force application coincident with the full extension and full retraction positions of the reciprocating rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: IntelliPack
    Inventor: Matthew Hayduk
  • Patent number: 7156261
    Abstract: Liquid dispensing module and methods for dispensing a heated liquid onto a substrate. The dispensing module includes a dispenser body receiving liquid from a heated liquid distribution manifold and an actuator having a housing with an air piston movable in an air cavity and a solenoid valve for pressurizing the air cavity. Movement of the air piston controls a flow-regulating mechanism for selectively dispensing liquid from the dispenser body. A thermally insulating shield may be provided for reducing heat transfer from the manifold and/or dispenser body to the actuator so that the solenoid valve can be mounted directly to the housing and the effective volume of the air cavity can be reduced. The cycle time of the liquid dispensing module may be specified by selecting an initial volume of the air cavity and an effective valve flow coefficient for the actuator that characterizes the air flow to the air cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Laurence B. Saidman, Hans Joachim Seedorf
  • Patent number: 7156262
    Abstract: A sanitary fill head and sanitary fill head assembly for dispensing viscous flowable materials including a housing having an inlet passage for receiving the viscous flowable material and an outlet passage from which the viscous flowable material is dispensed, a product dispenser for dispensing the viscous flowable material from the outlet passage, and a product flow regulator for adjustably regulating the rate of flow of the viscous flowable material into the chamber to accommodate viscous flowable materials having different physical properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Inventor: Ramon M. Navarro
  • Patent number: 7156263
    Abstract: A system and method are used to meter fibrous material into a concrete mixture. The system includes an endless conveyor belt rotatably supported on first and second rollers. Pick up members on the belt project into the direction of travel for collecting fibrous material as the belt is rotated through a container having fibrous material therein. The fibrous material is released as the belt is rotated over the second roller where the pick up members are moved away from the belt at the free end thereof due to curvature of the belt. A sweeper mechanism may be provided at the second roller to assist in releasing the fibrous material from the pickup members. The configuration of the container permits any brand or type of fibres to be readily used while still maintaining a consistent delivery or discharge of fibres which is proportional to the movement of the conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Inventor: Larry Hooper
  • Patent number: 7156264
    Abstract: A removable cap assembly having a cap, a stopper and a sipper tube. The cap has a curved side wall which has an inner and outer surface. From this wall extends a top portion. A boss extends perpendicularly from the top portion. The boss has a bottom portion and a top portion. A circumferential rib extends perpendicularly from the top portion of the boss. The boss and rib define an opening in the cap. A stopper is provided that is dimensioned to seal the opening of the cap. The stopper is maintained in the cap by the boss and circumferential rib. The stopper includes a disc-shaped base and a cylindrical wall portion that extends therefrom. Additionally, a first groove that is dimensioned to receive the bottom portion of the boss is positioned in the base around the wall portion. Also, a second circumferential groove is positioned in the top portion of the wall portion. This second, groove is dimensioned to receive the rib. The stopper has a hole for receiving a sipper tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Inventor: Richard P. Ver Hage
  • Patent number: 7156265
    Abstract: A paint container includes a top, a bottom, and at least one side wall. A handle is pivotally attached to the body proximate the top. A recess is disposed in the handle proximate the top of the container when the handle is in a rest position. The handle includes an indentation to receive a hook for supporting the container. The handle also includes a pair of tabs that are received in recesses in the bottom for positive location and secure stacking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Masterchem Industries LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Walsh, Jeffrey A. Schutte, Mark A. Gilbertson, Michael J. Brock, Scott G. Manke, Matthew G. Ackerman
  • Patent number: 7156266
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an assembly for packaging and distribution of a liquid product comprising a receptacle intended to contain the product, a distribution head fitted to the receptacle, the head comprising at least one nipple with a distribution orifice able to communicate with the interior of the receptacle, a capsule comprising at least one window delimited by an edge extending at least in part in a plane, the capsule being movable in relation to the nipple between a closed position in which the distribution orifice is at least partly opposite a portion of the capsule extending away from the window and an open position in which the distribution orifice is located externally to the capsule, and/or emerges via a flexible membrane fitted to the window via at least one slit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: L'Oreal
    Inventor: Jean-François Delage
  • Patent number: 7156267
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a valve unit for container filling machines, particularly for bottle fillers. More particularly, the present invention relates to a valve unit (1), particularly for machines for filling containers (8), comprising a hollow body (2) in which a plug (3) is slidably housed and a guide means (14) for the said plug (3), a passage (9) being formed in the said hollow (2) for a fluid (7) for filling the said container (8), characterized in that the said passage (9) for the said filling fluid (7) is separated from the said guide means (14) and from the said plug (3) by an isolating and sealing membrane (32), the said membrane being open at the bottom in such a way as to allow a tip (30) of the to protrude downwards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Simonazzi S.p.A.
    Inventor: Francesco Zanga
  • Patent number: 7156268
    Abstract: A viscous fluid dispenser, comprises a compressible body having a substantially tubular profile and comprising an interior fluid holding cavity and a head comprising a cap structure operatively connected to an operative end of the compressible body and a nozzle communicatively connected through the cap structure to form a continuous off-center passage through the head from the interior fluid holding cavity to an exterior fluid expressing side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Peter M. Whitney
  • Patent number: 7156269
    Abstract: A sand and seed divot replacer including a pour spout having a female threaded portion integrally formed on the inner surface of the pour spout at an end distal from the pouring end. A bottle is provided having an open top and a closed bottom. The bottle including a male threaded portion located on the exterior of the main body portion adjacent the top for threadably mating with the female threaded portion of the spout. The bottom wall of the bottle including an indented portion. A holder is provided having a main body portion open at the top and closed at the bottom with a bottom wall. The holder is sized for receiving the bottle and spout. The bottom wall of the holder includes an indented portion sized for nesting in the indented portion of the bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Inventors: John W. Meyer, Doug Jacoby
  • Patent number: 7156270
    Abstract: A hanger designed with hook member having a loop section is presented. The loop section, which is shaped in forms including a triangular shape, a rectangular shape, a circular shape and the like, allows other hanger hooks to be placed in the shape (e.g., triangular shape, circular shape). The frame can be made of wood or plastic material. With this new design, hangers can be stacked to utilize vertical space when needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Inventor: Jack Chen
  • Patent number: 7156271
    Abstract: An end-clip for a garment hanger includes a bar having an end, and a connecting part with a first end and a second end. The connecting part is joined at the first end to and extends from the end of the bar. An arm is joined to the second end of the connecting part so that the arm extends over the bar and forms a space between the arm and the bar. An elongated pressing member is pivotally supported by the arm so that the pressing member is biased towards the bar by the arm and so that a part of the garment is receivable between the pressing member and the bar. The pressing member and the carrier member both have reinforced sections. A stop member is provided on at least one of the connecting part and the arm on a side facing the pressing member. The stop member is located above the pressing member at a distance so that the pressing member contacts the stop member when pivoted by inserting a garment between the pressing member and the bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Inventor: Henry John Louw
  • Patent number: 7156272
    Abstract: A carrier for mounting to a motorcycle, the carrier for carrying a golf bag on the motorcycle, the motorcycle having passenger foot pegs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Inventor: Frank Dean
  • Patent number: 7156273
    Abstract: A convertible cargo container system having individual components that provide a table or work surface. The container system includes a pair of foldable side panels and a pair of rigid end panels coupled to the ends of each side panel to form an enclosed container. A back panel is hingeably connected to a top panel to form one side panel, and a bottom panel is hingeably connected to a front panel to form the other side panel. Each of the front, back, and bottom panels has opposing coupling ends. The interior surface of each end panel has a coupling track that receives the coupling ends of the front, back, and bottom panels. Each of the side panels may be unfolded to provide a table or work surface. Additionally, each of the side panels have retracting or folding legs attached to the interior surface of the side panel that may be extended or unfolded to support the table or work surface. A vehicle hitch coupling support is attached to the bottom of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Inventor: Daniel W. Morris
  • Patent number: 7156274
    Abstract: An apparatus for separating a stock of semi-compliant material into discrete portions or tags includes a housing having a drive mechanism disposed therein for bending a portion of the semi-compliant material in a first direction thus forming a line of weakening along the material. The drive mechanism subsequently bends the portion of the material in a second direction, which causes the tag to separate from the remaining material along the line of weakening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Inventor: Joseph A. Pufahl
  • Patent number: 7156275
    Abstract: Welding head 1 for friction stir welding, adapted for connection and driving of a tool 2 intended for simultaneous friction stir welding from two opposite surfaces on an object for welding, comprising a tool holder 9, a force-generating device 3, 13 and a rotary driving device 5 which, during operation, can impart to the connected tool 2 a cyclic movement around the centre axis 10 of the tool and relative to the object for welding arranged in conjunction with the welding head. The force-generating device is controllable during operation and adapted so as, during operation, to act between a primary shoulder 6 and a secondary shoulder 7 on a tool 2 connected in the tool holder 9. The invention also comprises a welding system for friction stir welding, with the force between the shoulders of the tool being controlled depending on the current torque for rotary driving. Also indicated are a method for initiating friction stir welding and computer program for such a method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: ESAB AB
    Inventor: Rolf Larsson
  • Patent number: 7156276
    Abstract: An assembly for positioning a structural assembly for friction stir welding, and a system and method for friction stir welding the structural assembly are provided. The assembly includes a frame defining an aperture therein, and at least one structural member positioned within the aperture. The assembly also includes at least one spacer positioned within the aperture such that the spacer and structural member substantially fill the aperture to secure the structural member within the frame, as well as a substrate secured to the frame and positioned adjacent to the structural member in an overlapping configuration to define an interface between the substrate and structural member. In this configuration, the substrate and structural member are capable of being friction stir welded together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Kevin T. Slattery
  • Patent number: 7156277
    Abstract: A friction stir welding (FSW) method and apparatus are provided by which power needed for FSW is reduced and a compact FSW tool can be used. In the FSW method, metal members are lapped one on another and a rotating probe of an FSW tool is inserted into a contact portion of the metal members. The contact portion is softened by frictional heat and stirred by the probe so that the metal members are welded together. A portion of the metal members surrounding the probe is heated by a heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Soichiro Ishikawa, Haretaro Hidaka
  • Patent number: 7156278
    Abstract: An auxiliary soldering tool includes a first jaw plate having a first holding portion and a first holding portion, a second jaw plate having a second holding portion and a second holding portion, and two elastic press plates each respectively rested on the first holding portion of the first jaw plate and the second holding portion of the second jaw plate. Thus, the auxiliary soldering tool facilitates the soldering work of two wires, so that the worker can solder and connect the two wires easily and conveniently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Inventor: Pi-Liang Wu
  • Patent number: 7156279
    Abstract: A system and method for reflowing solder to interconnect a plurality of electronic components (24) to a substrate (12) is disclosed. The system includes an oven for preheating the substrate (12) and the plurality of electronic components (24) disposed thereon, a supplemental heat source disposed in the oven for providing additional heat energy to reflow the solder (72), a pallet (14 ) for supporting the substrate (12), wherein the pallet (14) has at least one internal cavity (40), and a phase-transition material (42) disposed within the cavity (40) for absorbing heat from the pallet (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologie, Inc.
    Inventors: Lakhi N. Goenke, Charles Frederick Schweitzer, Jason Bullock, legal representative, Shona Bullock, legal representative, Mark D. Miller, Jay DeAvis Baker, Karen Lee Chiles, Achyuta Achari, Lawrence Lernel Bullock, deceased
  • Patent number: 7156280
    Abstract: A nickel-based high-temperature braze alloy composition includes Cr, Hf, and B. Furthermore, a cobalt-based high-temperature braze alloy composition includes Cr, Hf, and B. The braze alloys can be used, for example, as a single homogenous braze. The braze alloys can also be used, for example, as a component in a wide gap braze mixture where higher or lower melting point superalloy and/or brazing powder is used. The braze alloys may permit joining/repairing of superalloy articles with complex shape and may be used in high temperature applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Liang Jiang, Laurent Cretegny, Warren M. Miglietti
  • Patent number: 7156281
    Abstract: A bonding device is for bonding an object to be bonded under pressure to a surface to be bonded by allowing a load and vibration to act on the object to be bonded. The bonding device includes a bonding tool 14 abutting on the object to be bonded, and a pressing unit pressing the bonding tool to the object to be bonded. The bonding tool includes a transversely elongated horn, a vibrator 17 applying a longitudinal vibration to the horn 15 in a first direction along the longitudinal direction of the horn a protruding part 30 protruding from the horn in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction, a bonding operation part 31 provided in the end part of the protruding part 30 to abut on the object to be bonded, and a heating unit inserted into a mounting hole provided in the horn. The heating unit is mounted into the mounting hole with a space maintained from the inner surface of the mounting hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masafumi Hizukuri, Seiji Takahashi
  • Patent number: 7156282
    Abstract: A titanium-aluminide turbine wheel (120, 220, 320, 420) is joined to the end of a shaft (110, 210, 310, 410) by utilizing a titanium surface on the end of the shaft to be joined to the wheel, and electron-beam welding the wheel onto the titanium surface on the shaft. A steel shaft (110, 310, 410) can have a titanium-containing end piece (130, 330, 430) mechanically joined (by brazing, bonding, or welding) to the end of the shaft, and the end piece can be directly electron-beam welded to the wheel. Alternatively, the shaft (210) can be formed as a titanium member and the end (212) of the shaft can be directly electron-beam welded to the wheel (220). In another embodiment, a ferrous end piece (330) is mechanically joined to the titanium-aluminide turbine wheel (320) and then the end piece is directly electron-beam welded to the end of a steel shaft (310). Alternatively, a silver-titanium alloy member (430) is sandwiched between the wheel (420) and a steel shaft (410) and is melted to join the parts together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventors: Phillipe Renaud, Marc Wilson
  • Patent number: 7156283
    Abstract: A method for producing a soldered joint between the metal balls present in either a ball grid array or a chip-scale package, and the receiving pads for a circuit printed on a substrate or the receiving pads of an integrated circuit. Solder cream or an adhesive flux is deposited on the receiving pads, which then have metal balls are placed on them so as to form an assembly. The assembly is placed in an oven so as to heat the metal balls above their melting point. The balls are then cooled at a rate around 5° C./sec, so that the balls remain in their liquid state for a time period between 20 seconds to 65 seconds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme a Directoire et Conseil de Surveillance pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventor: Claude Bonet
  • Patent number: 7156284
    Abstract: Methods of bonding two components may include positioning the components relative to one another to obtain a desired orientation. Once the desired orientation is obtained, the components can be bonded in the desired orientation with metal wherein a temperature of both components is maintained below a melting temperature of the metal while bonding. Related structures are also discussed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Unitive International Limited
    Inventors: Glenn A. Rinne, Krishna K. Nair
  • Patent number: 7156285
    Abstract: Provided are a method and apparatus for bonding an element, which has a transparency with respect to UV light, to a substrate. The method includes forming an aluminum layer on a surface of the substrate, disposing the element on the aluminum layer, and bonding the element to the aluminum layer by applying pressure on the element toward the aluminum layer and irradiating UV light on a bonding area between the element and the aluminum layer. The apparatus includes a holder, a pressurizing plate installed at the bottom of the holder to apply pressure on the element toward the substrate and formed of a material having a transparency to UV light, a UV light lamp which is installed in the inner space of the holder, and a collimating lens which is positioned between the UV light lamp and the pressurizing plate and collimates UV light emitted from the UV light lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Potapov Sergey, Ja-nam Ku
  • Patent number: 7156286
    Abstract: A blank for forming a tube type dispensing box having a top and a bottom, has a main box portion having two major sides and a minor side, each having a rectangular configuration. A second minor side is connected to one of the major sides by a fold line, the second minor side having a first opening at the top thereof. A slide retention member is foldably coupled to the second minor side, and has a second opening substantially aligned with the first opening when the slide retention member is folded over the second minor side. The blank further includes a slide opener secured by at least one tie to the slide retention member and by another tie to the second minor side, the slide opener including a third opening comparable in size to the first and second openings, and having an attachment portion for securing to the top of the box along an area spaced back from the second minor side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Inventor: David Todjar Hengami
  • Patent number: 7156287
    Abstract: The present invention provides a container with an integrated spout and a method for forming the container. The container includes an inner panel that defines a spout and an outer panel that defines an orifice. The width of the spout exceeds the width of the orifice. The outer panel may include a first tab adjacent to the orifice to provide access to the spout. The outer panel may also include a second tab that temporarily occludes the orifice. The orifice may be exposed when the spout on the inner panel is accessed and the second tab is at least partially detached by extracting the spout. An integrated spout on the inner panel, the width of which exceeds the width of the orifice on the outer panel, reduces the cycle time and cost of manufacturing containers with a spout and prevents the container contents from bypassing the spout upon pouring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Alliance Packaging, LLC
    Inventor: John Heise
  • Patent number: 7156288
    Abstract: An envelope formed of top, bottom and center sheets. An aperture is cut in and intersects one end of the center sheet. The sheets are adhesively laminated to attach the center sheet's front surface to the top sheet's rear surface and attach the center sheet's rear surface to the bottom sheet's front surface. The aperture then forms an open-ended pocket between the top and bottom sheets. A flat article such as a compact disc can be slidably inserted into the pocket. A closure flap formed on an end of the bottom sheet adjacent the pocket opening is then folded over the opening and adhesively attached to the top sheet's front surface. The envelope is opened by severing a perforated tear strip which extends across the closure flap, between the closure flap's attachment to the top sheet and the closure flap's foldable junction with the bottom sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: DVP-Digital Video Postcards Inc.
    Inventor: William James Gordon Liddell
  • Patent number: 7156289
    Abstract: A method of facilitating an interaction between a user and a product item, the product item having an identity and the method including a number of steps. The first step involves providing the user with an interface surface associated with the product item and containing information relating to the product item. The interface surface includes coded data indicative of the identity of the product item and of a number of reference points of the interface surface. The next step involves receiving, in a computer system, indicating data from a sensing device regarding the identity of the product item and a position of the sensing device relative to the interface surface. The sensing device, when placed in an operative position relative to the interface surface, sensing the coded data in the vicinity of the sensing device and generating the indicating data using the sensed coded data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Paul Lapstun, Simon Robert Walmsley
  • Patent number: 7156290
    Abstract: A system for determining whether a mail piece has been opened including mail pieces that have the ability indicate a previously opened and never opened state, such as with a state change element, an interrogator unit, such as an RFID reader, for receiving state information, and a data center that receives the state information from the interrogator unit. Also, a method for determining whether a mail piece has been opened including receiving mail pieces at a recipient location, receiving at an interrogator unit, such as an RFID reader, state information from the mail pieces, and transmitting the state information from the interrogator unit to a data center. In either the system or method, each mail piece may have an RFID tag that communicates with the state change element and transmits the state information to the RFID reader. Bar code or other technologies may be substituted for RFID technology.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventors: Denis J. Stemmle, Jacques E. Hasbani, Judith D. Auslander, Douglas B. Quine, David Wittenberg, Pushpavadan S. Nagarsheth
  • Patent number: 7156291
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system which includes: a display media discard device which has a discard unit for discarding a display medium with an RF-ID tag and an RF-ID read unit for reading identification information of the RF-ID tag by radio communication; and a data administration device which stores contents information and administration information related to the contents information in association with the identification information of the RF-ID tag. In the system, when the display medium is discarded in the display media discard device, the contents information stored in the data administration device is deleted or the administration information is rewritten.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Sotomitsu Ikeda
  • Patent number: 7156292
    Abstract: A method of validating entry to a competition via interaction of a sensing device with a printed competition entry form comprising coded data indicative of a unique product identifier, the method comprising the steps, performed in a computer system, of: receiving, from the sensing device, interaction data representing interaction of the sensing device with the coded data, the interaction data including at least the unique product identifier and enabling a competition entry to be electronically captured in the computer system; and transmitting the product identifier and the competition entry to a competition administrator for validation of the competition entry at the competition administrator by verification of the product identifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Paul Lapstun, Jacqueline Anne Lapstun, Paul Quentin Scott
  • Patent number: 7156293
    Abstract: A device for the production and the sale of dough pieces comprises at least a first supply bin for keeping a pre-determined first quantity of the raw dough pieces. A first recording unit serves the recording of a customer request. A display device serves the display of a price for the recorded customer request. A payment transaction is recorded by means of a second recording unit. A baking device serves the baking of raw dough pieces pursuant to the customer's request to ready-baked dough pieces. The ready-baked dough pieces are made available in at least one supply bin that is accessible to the customer. Two delivery units serve the delivery of the raw dough pieces and/or of the ready-baked dough pieces from the first supply bin to the baking device and/or from baking device to the second supply bin. Depending upon the data recorded by the recording units, a control unit controls the delivery units and the baking device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Werner & Pfleiderer Lebensmitteltechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Dieter Knost, Thomas Schmidt, Alexander Meier, Christian Habermann, Bernd Dannenhauer, Frank Blümel
  • Patent number: 7156294
    Abstract: One-time-use tickets containing a unique identification code that allow for prepayment of entertainment or personal services are distributed and sold. When a ticket is sold, it is activated by the seller notifying a ticket information manager of its sale, at which time the ticket's unique identification code is recorded by the ticket information manager. Part of the sale price is transferred by the vendor to an account maintained by a ticketing program manager. Ticket-holders present the ticket for redemption of the particular service from an agreed service provider. The service provider verifies the ticket's validity by checking with the ticket information manager that the ticket's unique identification code is valid and that the ticket has been activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: UTIX Group Incorporated
    Inventor: Anthony G. Roth
  • Patent number: 7156295
    Abstract: An automated banking machine includes a mechanism for accepting deposited items. Deposited items may be provided to the machine in envelopes which are first passed to a user from an envelope storage area (132) in the machine through a transport (124) and which are presented to the user through an opening (244). An envelope storage and dispensing device (134) is operative to assure that only a single envelope is delivered to the user. A user may thereafter include deposit items in the dispensed envelope. The deposited items are passed through the opening (244) and are deposited in a deposit-holding container (128). The deposited items may be marked with indicia corresponding to the transaction or properties of the deposited item where the envelope originally dispensed to the user for holding the deposited item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Diebold Self-Service Systems division of Diebold, Incorporated
    Inventors: Mike Ryan, Jeffery M. Enright, Jeffrey Eastman, Franklin M. Theriault, R. Matthew Dunlap, William D. Beskitt, Sean Haney, Colin Fitzpatrick, Edward L. Laskowski, Bill Lavelle, David Schultz, Matthew Force
  • Patent number: 7156296
    Abstract: An automated banking machine (10) is provided. The automated banking machine may include a fascia (50) in operative connection with a frame (110). The machine may include a plurality of hardware devices which are accessible through the fascia. The hardware devices may include a cash dispenser (24), receipt printer (20), and a card reader (22). The fascia may include replaceable bezels (550,552) with apertures therein for providing access to hardware devices. The bezels may be operative to float with respect to the fascia and hardware devices to automatically align hardware devices with the bezels. In addition the hardware devices may include movable portions which are operative to automatically align with the bezels. The bezels may include ramps, ribs, or other angled surfaces which guide the hardware devices into alignment with the openings in the bezels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Diebold Self-Service Systems, division of Diebold, Incorporated
    Inventors: Paul D. Magee, David A. Barker
  • Patent number: 7156297
    Abstract: A secure enclosure for an automated banking machine includes a safe chest portion and a moveable door. The door has mounted thereon a locking bolt work mechanism which is operable to secure the door in a closed position. The door is mounted to the chest with the use of hinge assemblies having respective hinge pins. The hinge assemblies enable the door to be selectively adjusted in up-down and right-left directions. The door can be moved in the up-down direction via an adjustable set screw operative to move vertically relative to a hinge pin. The door can be moved in the right-left direction via adjustable set screws operative to engage and pivot the hinge pin. Thus, the door can be aligned with the chest opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Diebold Self-Service Systems, division of Diebold, Incorporated
    Inventors: Richard W. McCracken, Scott A. Mercer, Mark Bartolomeo, Howard Antram
  • Patent number: 7156298
    Abstract: A secure enclosure for an automated banking machine includes a safe chest portion and a moveable door. The door has mounted thereon a locking bolt work mechanism which is operable to secure the door in a closed position. The door is mounted to the chest with the use of hinge assemblies having respective hinge pins. The hinge assemblies enable the door to be selectively adjusted in up-down and right-left directions. The door can be moved in the up-down direction via an adjustable set screw operative to move vertically relative to a hinge pin. The door can be moved in the right-left direction via adjustable set screws operative to engage and pivot the hinge pin. Thus, the door can be aligned with the chest opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Diebold Self-Service Systems, division of Diebold, Incorporated
    Inventors: Richard W. McCracken, Scott A. Mercer, Mark Bartolomeo, Howard Antram