Patents Issued in January 2, 2007
  • Patent number: 7156600
    Abstract: A threaded fastener comprises a first, primary thread lead, and a pair of second, auxiliary thread leads alternatively interposed between successive threads of the first, primary thread lead, except within the vicinity of the tip portion of the fastener so as to define space for accommodating debris generated during the self-tapping of the fastener into a workpiece. The fastener also comprises lobe members formed upon the primary thread lead so as to predeterminedly affect torque insertion and pull-out resistance values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Cheryl L. Panasik, Kenneth R. LeVey, Robert B. Fischer
  • Patent number: 7156601
    Abstract: A binding system for binding a plurality of text bodies in a continuous manner includes an adhesive strip applier, a heating device, and a cooling device. A transporting system transports a plurality of text bodies to the adhesive strip applier which applies a preformed adhesive strip to the moving text body. The heating device heats the adhesive strip and melts the adhesive strip into contact with the text body and the cooling device cools the adhesive to form a bound text body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Robert L. Cobene, II
  • Patent number: 7156602
    Abstract: A mechanism for exchanging chip-carrier plates in a hybrid chip-bonding machine having a plurality of chip-carrier plates, a magazine to store the plurality of chip-carrier plates, and a transport arrangement having a first and second clamping device that are disposed on a movable holder is disclosed. The transport arrangement is designed to remove a selected chip-carrier plate from the magazine and deliver it to a chip processing station. After processing, the selected chip-carrier plate is removed and deposited in the magazine. Movement of the chip-carrier plates is controlled such that the selected chip-carrier plate is positioned at a collection point to be collected from the magazine. Movement of the transport arrangement holder is controlled such that the first and second clamping devices are disposed in a vertical arrangement on the holder and are constructed to individually release or grip a chip-carrier plate in a similar angular position of the holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: F & K Delvotec Bondtechnick GmbH
    Inventor: Farhad Farassat
  • Patent number: 7156603
    Abstract: A material handling and transport apparatus for railroad use comprises a rail car loading assembly and a deck vehicle. The rail car loading assembly comprises a loading machine having a handling arm, and means to move the rail car loading assembly forward and rearward along top edges of sidewalls of a string of gondola cars and across gaps between the gondola cars. The deck vehicle comprises a deck located at a deck end of the deck vehicle such that the deck can be maneuvered adjacent to an end gondola car of the string of gondola cars wherein the deck is located at a vertical loading position such that the means to move the rail car loading assembly is operative to move the rail car loading assembly onto the deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Brandt Road Rail Corporation
    Inventor: Neil Marcotte
  • Patent number: 7156604
    Abstract: An apparatus for loading and unloading aircrafts comprises a tiltable first conveyor part (7) adjustable in height and provided with a conveyor path (11) advancing and removing luggage (59), such as suitcases, parcels and the like cargo items, to and from the apparatus. The apparatus comprises further a second conveyor part (8) extendable from the first conveyor part and being adapted to be moved through an opening in the aircraft and into the cargo compartment of said aircraft. This second conveyor part (8) comprises a conveyor path advancing or removing the luggage to or from the storing site inside the cargo compartment. The second conveyor part (8) comprises a plurality of pivotally interconnected conveyor units (30, 31) with their respective activatable conveyor paths and their respective sets of wheels (44).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: RASN A/S c/o SAS
    Inventor: Lars Thøgersen
  • Patent number: 7156605
    Abstract: An apparatus for transporting and marking a substrate, such as a collapsed corrugated cardboard carton. A feeder station is configured to receive a substantially vertically aligned stack of substrates. An advancement assembly of the feeder station successively moves the lower portions of the substrates in an inboard direction and a tensioner assembly applies a clamping force to the upper portions of the substrates. A transfer assembly engages the innermost substrate in the stack to rotate and remove the substrate from the rest of the stack and provide the substrate to a transport and marking station, which drives the substrate past a marking mechanism. The transport and marking station advances the substrate into a gravity discharge station which induces sufficient tilt in the substrate so that, upon exiting of the substrate from the transport, gravity induces the substrate to rotate and fall in a controlled fashion into a completed stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Hadley Design, Inc.
    Inventors: Darrell J. Hadley, Jeffrey D. Hadley, Timothy B. Kirk, Michael W. Butler
  • Patent number: 7156606
    Abstract: An article aligning apparatus for aligning a plurality article tiers to be loaded into a carton. Each article tier comprises an article array delivered from an in-feed stream at an in-feed end of a packaging machine. The apparatus comprises an article conveyor for conveying a lower article tier, a first article conveying means including one or more lugs mounted on an endless track for selecting an upper article tear and for conveying the upper article tier to a point of vertical alignment with the lower article tier, thereafter to be stacked and conveyed to the out feed end of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: MeadWestvaco Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Patrice Bridier, Alain Vergnaud, Marc Bernoin
  • Patent number: 7156607
    Abstract: An apparatus for stacking incoming items includes a receiving mechanism for receiving incoming items, a stacking mechanism for receiving items from the receiving mechanism and stacking the items in a stacking area, a buffering mechanism for receiving incoming items when the stacking mechanism is full, and a stack unloading mechanism. Methods of operation include receiving an item in an item receiving mechanism, moving the item receiving mechanism to track the motion of a stacking mechanism, transferring the item from the receiving mechanism to the stacking mechanism, stacking the item in a stacking area, and unloading the stacking area when the stacking area is full of items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Douglas Machine, Inc.
    Inventors: David L. Anderson, Chad W. Hahn, Jason P. Lattimer
  • Patent number: 7156608
    Abstract: The present invention provides an improved hand truck having a tiltable platform for carrying heavy objects, which is safe to use and easily maneuverable, and requires the minimum amount of energy required for movement of heavy objects. The present invention provides a tiltable hand truck with minimal risk of injury and minimal risk of accidents for the operator while operating the present invention. The present invention provides a method for transporting a heavy load using a tiltable platform, which makes it easy for heavy objects to be transported with minimal effort.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Inventor: Robert L. Henry
  • Patent number: 7156609
    Abstract: A reactive turbine, each blade of which approximates a helical shape that is constructed with readily available conventional manufacturing techniques. The blades are constructed in discrete straight sections that, when joined, approximate a helix or any other efficient turbine shape. Each section is manufactured with the well known and readily available machine shop techniques of shaping, forming, and joining with welds or fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: GCK, Inc.
    Inventor: Igor Palley
  • Patent number: 7156610
    Abstract: Provided is a turbine type electric fuel pump for an automobile having a casing in which a pump portion and a motor portion are installed. The pump portion includes a fuel intake case having a fuel intake hole, a fuel discharge case having a fuel discharge hole, and an impeller installed on a pumping chamber. An inlet side ring type duct is connected to the fuel intake hole. An outlet side ring type duct is connected to the fuel discharge hole. The impeller includes a disc portion in which a shaft assembly portion is formed at the center thereof, a plurality of blades extending from an outer circumferential surface of the disc portion outwardly in a radial direction, and a ring portion connecting the blades along the outer circumferential surface of the disc portion. The outer circumferential surface of the disc portion gradually protrudes outwardly in a radial direction of the impeller from both upper and lower sides thereof to a center thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Hyundam Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jin Wook Jang, Sang Jun Park, Sang Chul Noh, Yong Taek Hwang
  • Patent number: 7156611
    Abstract: An axial-flow fan with double impellers is provided that can produce a larger amount of air and a higher static pressure than can be achieved with conventional fans. The axial-flow fan with double impellers has a first axial-flow fan unit and a second axial-flow fan unit. The first axial-flow fan unit includes a first case, a first impeller and a plurality of webs that fix a first motor to the first case. The second axial-flow fan unit includes a second case, a second impeller and a plurality of webs that fix a second motor to the second case. The first case and the second case are coupled together to form a housing. The webs of the first axial-flow fan unit and the webs of the second axial-flow fan unit are combined together to form a plurality of stationary webs arranged in the housing. The number of front blades provided at the first impeller is set to five, the number of stationary blades is set to three, and the number of rear blades provided at the second impeller is set to four.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Sanyo Denki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Honami Oosawa, Katsumichi Ishihara, Toshiyuki Nakamura, Takashi Kaise, Yoshihiko Aizawa, Seiji Nishimura
  • Patent number: 7156612
    Abstract: A spigot arrangement for split impeller (inducer and exducer) includes a recess of the exducer and means for reducing exducer blade root stresses and localized contact stresses between inducer and exducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventors: Raman Warikoo, Peter Stanculet, Farid Abrari
  • Patent number: 7156613
    Abstract: In a gas turbine, the compressor load is reduced and the turbine load is increased for controlled bearing load reduction by forming a low-pressure chamber (8) that is shielded from the compressor air at the compressor (1) and a high-pressure chamber (9) that is supplied with compressor air at the turbine along the high-pressure shaft (2). The pressures can be controlled within specific limits. Controlled bearing load reduction allows high speeds and a long service life of the bearings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG
    Inventor: Winfried-Hagen Friedl
  • Patent number: 7156614
    Abstract: A centrifugal pump assembly that includes an inlet housing that defines a inlet chamber and at least one inlet port in fluid communication with the inlet chamber. A volute forming part of the assembly defines an outlet port. An impeller is mounted for rotation at least partially within the volute and operative upon rotation to convey fluid from the inlet port to the outlet port. The inlet housing defines mounting structure by which the inlet housing can be secured to the volute in any one of a plurality of positions with respect to the volute so that the spatial relationship between the inlet port and the outlet port can be changed by changing the relative position of the inlet housing with respect to the volute. The inlet housing also mounts a pump insert which may be either a dedicated clean-out assembly or structure defining an axial inlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: The Gorman-Rupp Company
    Inventors: Donald W. Racer, Michael L. Keith
  • Patent number: 7156615
    Abstract: A fan shroud structure 10 is constructed and arranged to carry a fan. The fan shroud structure includes a body 12 having a periphery, a main surface, and an annular rim 26 defining a generally central opening 28. The opening 28 is sized to accommodate blades of a fan. Fan mounting structure 30 is coupled with the body and is disposed generally adjacent to the central opening. The fan mounting structure is constructed and arranged to support a motor of a fan. The body includes a plurality of surfaces features 34 constructed and arranged to affect resonance of the shroud structure with each feature having a surface 36 that is discontinuous with respect to the main surface 38 of the body. Each feature 34 also extends from the annular rim to the periphery of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Inc.
    Inventors: Marek Horski, Bonifacio Castillo, Liviu Stancu, Paul McLennan
  • Patent number: 7156616
    Abstract: A combinative standing fan includes a vertical shaft fan, a first, and a second tubular cover. The first and the second tubular cover respectively consist of a front half cover and a rear half cove. The front half covers of the two tubular covers are provided with plural wind inlets, and the rear half covers of them are provided with plural wind outlets. The first tubular cover has a guide groove in an upper end, and the second tubular cover has a bottom edge at the bottom to fit with the guide groove so the second tubular cover may rotate relative to the first one, with the guide groove and the bottom edge. When the shaft fan operates, air comes in the wind inlets of the two tubular covers and blows out of the wind outlets of them. The second tubular cover is rotatable to the first one, letting the fan blow winds in many different angles or directions simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Inventor: Ming-Tsung Lee
  • Patent number: 7156617
    Abstract: A pump for a watercraft comprises a housing including a chamber having an inlet, a first outlet, a second outlet, and a first and a second portion, wherein the first outlet is disposed in the first portion of the chamber and the second outlet is disposed in the second portion of the chamber. The inlet is adapted to receive a fluid therethrough, and the first and the second outlets are adapted to simultaneously emit a fluid therethrough. An impeller is disposed in the chamber of the housing and is adapted to induce a flow to a fluid from the inlet to the first and second outlets. The impeller is entirely disposed within the first portion of the chamber, wherein a fluid that is emitted through the second outlet must pass through the first portion of the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Attwood Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher A. Rossman
  • Patent number: 7156618
    Abstract: A gas turbine diffuser assembly and a method for assembling same, includes providing a loose fit between the diffuser body and the diffuser pipes. Damper members provide a snug attachment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventors: Jason Araan Fish, Vittorio Bruno, Kenneth Parkman
  • Patent number: 7156619
    Abstract: An internally cooled airfoil for a gas turbine engine, wherein a plurality of elongated cooling fins are provided inside the concave sidewall between two crossovers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventor: Michael Leslie Clyde Papple
  • Patent number: 7156620
    Abstract: An internally cooled airfoil for a gas turbine engine, wherein a plurality of elongated cooling fins are provided inside the concave sidewall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventor: Michael Leslie Clyde Papple
  • Patent number: 7156621
    Abstract: A blade fixing and blade mounting slot arrangement for a gas turbine engine has a mismatch fit along a portion of the length of the blade fixing and slot where contact stress would otherwise be maximal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventor: Paul Stone
  • Patent number: 7156622
    Abstract: A compressor blade for an aircraft engine includes a blade core made of a fiber compound material and a metallic enclosing structure. The enclosing structure is of a multi-part design and includes blanks (4, 5) attached to the blade core by a metallic weave (6) on the suction side and on the pressure side, with the two blanks being firmly connected at the aerodynamically shaped leading edge of the compressor blade by to a leading-edge former (3). Depending on the specific loads applied on the pressure side and on the suction side, welds attaching the blanks to the leading-edge former (8, 9) are offset relative to each other and the material thicknesses of the components of the enveloping structure are matched to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG
    Inventor: Karl Schreiber
  • Patent number: 7156623
    Abstract: An electric oil pump apparatus includes a pump housing a drive side communicating portion, a motor housing having a pump side communicating portion communicating with the drive side communicating portion, a bearing portion arranged at one of the drive side communicating portion and the pump side communicating portion, and a shaft rotatably supported by the bearing portion. A one end of the shaft extends in the pump housing and is provided with a drive rotor capable of feeding the oil in response to rotation of the shaft. The other end of the shaft extends in the motor housing and is provided with a permanent magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Isao Sakakibara, Eiji Miyachi
  • Patent number: 7156624
    Abstract: A compressor has a housing. One or more working elements cooperate with the housing to define a compression path between suction and discharge locations. An intermediate port is located along the compression path. A branch path extends to the intermediate port. The compressor includes means for limiting pressure pulsations along the branch path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen L. Shoulders
  • Patent number: 7156625
    Abstract: Fuel pump 10 includes a filter 42 that rests on ledge 48, between the pump housing 12 and inlet cap 56. Filter detector 50 has a valve engager stem 62 for opening the check valve 58 and bearing feet 52 that engage the perimeter of the filter but the bearing feet are out of alignment with the ledge. When the filter is absent from the pump, the bearing feet 52 of the valve engager move beyond the ledge 48 and the valve engager stem 62 retracts from the check valve 58 and the valve closes to terminate flow of fuel to the pump, thus limiting the fuel that can escape from then pump when it is opened. At least one of the inlet and outlet caps 56 and 76 are rotatably mounted to the intermediate body of the pump to allow the fuel inlet and outlet to be oriented at angular intervals about the pump to facilitate the connection of fuel lines to the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Inventor: Barry S. Grant
  • Patent number: 7156626
    Abstract: A double side action type reciprocating compressor is provided. The double side action type reciprocating compressor includes suction valve assemblies and discharge valve assemblies loaded in a suction passage and a discharge passage to thus control suction of fluid and respectively combined with each other so that movement direction of fluid flowing inside the suction valve assemblies and the discharge valve assemblies is vertical to the movement direction of the reciprocating motor. Accordingly, it is possible to remove the suction passage and the suction valve directly formed or loaded in the piston. Therefore, it is possible to easily process the pistons. Because the diameter and the length of the pistons can be reduced, it is possible to miniaturize the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jung-Sik Park, Eon-Pyo Hong
  • Patent number: 7156627
    Abstract: A compressor unit comprises a centrifugal compressor (1) for compressing a gas, having a rotor (2) with one or more compressor impellers (3), and an electric motor (4) having a stator (5) and a rotor (6), for driving the rotor (2) of the compressor. The compressor and the electric motor are accommodated in a common gas-tight housing (7) which is provided with a gas inlet (8) and a gas outlet (9). The rotor of the compressor and the rotor of the electric motor are arranged on a common rotor shaft (10) which is mounted in magnetic bearings (11, 12, 15). The rotor shaft (10) comprises a single unit and is mounted in two radial magnetic bearings (11, 12), each in the vicinity of one end of the common rotor shaft, and one axial magnetic bearing (15), which is arranged in the vicinity of one (11) of the radial bearings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Industrial Turbomachinery B.V.
    Inventors: Gerardus Maria Lenderink, Antonius Bernardus Maria Nijhuis
  • Patent number: 7156628
    Abstract: A wobblestick with driving teeth with a helix which is equal to or less than 1° of the running angle of the wobblestick.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: White Drive Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Hollis Newcomb White, Gerard T. Perkins
  • Patent number: 7156629
    Abstract: The invention relates to a piping structure in a tire vulcanizing machine which has a simple structure, has an improved operability of a valve, can easily execute a maintenance work such as a valve replacement or the like, and can form a compact valve unit. A plurality of panel valves 5 are attached to a block main body side by side in a vertical direction in a state of flush connecting a block side connection surface 34 formed approximately perpendicularly in a block main body 30 which is long in a vertical direction, and a valve side connection surface 56 formed approximately perpendicularly in one side of an outer surface of a valve main body 50, and main flow paths 31, 32 formed in an inner portion of the block main body and flow paths 51, 52 formed in an inner portion of each of the panel valves are connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Ichimaru Giken Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hironobu Ichimaru
  • Patent number: 7156630
    Abstract: This invention pertains to a system for thermally treating a photosensitive element to form a relief structure suitable for flexographic printing. The system of the invention comprises a plurality of consecutively arranged blotting stations for removing uncured photopolymer from the imaged surface of the photosensitive printing element. The flexographic plates produced in the apparatus of the invention are especially suited for use in printing newspapers and other publications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Napp Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: David Roberts, Donald Cerney
  • Patent number: 7156631
    Abstract: The present invention provides a rotary press that allows mass production of a molded product. The rotary press has upper and lower punches that may be split in to a plurality of split punches, a means for moving the split punches, and a means for manipulating the plurality of split punches. In addition, the rotary press also has a plurality of molding material supply-charging units for supplying and charging molding materials into the space formed by the tip portions of the split punches, a precompression molding unit and a main compression molding unit for compression-molding the molding materials supplied and charged the entire molded product, respectively. Optionally, a unit to remove residual molding material remaining on the lower punches and/or the temporary molded product may be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Sanwa Kagaku Kenkyusho Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuichi Ozeki
  • Patent number: 7156632
    Abstract: Disclosed is an injection mod for a display panel of a washing machine, by which the display panel can be simply formed in one body. The present invention includes a first mold having a first film attached to an inside and a second mold assembled to the first mold to form a cavity with the first mold, the second mold having a second film attached to an inside, the second mold having a gate communicating with an opening provided to the second film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Hye Yong Park, Dong Ha Choi, Sung Rak Kong, Dong In Kim
  • Patent number: 7156633
    Abstract: A mold apparatus for encapsulating IC chips mounted on a substrate. In an exemplary embodiment a mold is provided with an upper mold platen having a plurality of cavities for encapsulating wire bonds and related interconnections on a first side of a multi-chip carrier substrate. The mold further includes a lower mold platen with a single cavity for encapsulating substantially the entire second chip side of the carrier substrate. Support elements are provided for supporting the multi-chip carrier substrate. The support elements are configured to prevent or minimize substrate deflection during the fill of the mold cavities with encapsulant material. The support elements may be integral to a mold cavity or may be removable. The support elements may further be aligned along lines representing a series of individual device packages. The molded assembly may then be cut along marks left in the encapsulant to define individual device packages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd O. Bolken, David L. Peters
  • Patent number: 7156634
    Abstract: An injection molding shooting pot configured to be installed in a coinjection hot runner with a coinjection nozzle, the coinjection nozzle having at least two melt channels ending at the same gate. The injection molding shooting pot includes a shooting pot piston having a proximal end and a distal end. A shooting pot piston extension is disposed at the distal end of the shooting pot piston, and is configured to dislodge a check valve moving element during a discharge cycle of the shooting pot piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Husky Injection Molding Systems Ltd.
    Inventor: Abdeslam Bouti
  • Patent number: 7156635
    Abstract: A system produces a multi-layer product by forming as many different ingredients as is required for the final product in steps that can be separate from each other and then combining these ingredients in an extrusion die that is formed to flow the separate ingredients in side-by-side flow paths and then combine them where necessary for the final product to be formed. Specifically, two of the flow paths are sandwiched by a third flow path whereby the final product is in the form of a sandwich with two ingredients in layers between two separate layers of a third ingredient. A specific example of the food product is an animal food treat in the form of a cheeseburger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Crosswind Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Matson, Rick A. Bontrager
  • Patent number: 7156636
    Abstract: A nozzle contact device of an injection machine has an injection device, a nozzle, a flexible body, a tension buffer device and a tension-measuring device. The nozzle is installed a front side of the injection device. The flexible body is used to drive the injection device to contact or separate from a mold. The tension buffer device is installed at a lateral side of the flexible body, and has an elastic body for receiving tension from the flexible body and decomposing the tension to form a component force and a displacement. The tension-measuring device is used to measure the displacement of the tension buffer device and deciding a contact force between the nozzle and the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Ming-Chang Teng, Cheng-Jien Chen
  • Patent number: 7156637
    Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus, materials, devices and methods for the use of a variety of thermoplastic resins in fabricating dental prostheses without the use of expensive hot-press equipment unavailable to most dental laboratories. The prostheses made by the process and materials disclosed herein provide more attractive and longer lasting prostheses with significant savings in both costs and materials. Among the aims of the technology disclosed is to save time and money for the dental industry (dentists, dental labs) and the dental consumer/patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Inventors: V. Kim Kutsch, Robert J. Bowers
  • Patent number: 7156638
    Abstract: This invention provides a mold comprising a first mold half which works in conjunction with a second mold half for forming ophthalmic devices wherein said first mold half comprises at least one changeable cassette comprising inserts for forming said ophthalmic devices. The mold is particularly well-suited for use in an injection molding machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Products Inc.
    Inventors: Victor Lust, Philip K. Parnell, Kornelis Renkema, Jan van Lievenoogen, Will Van Kraay
  • Patent number: 7156639
    Abstract: A device for producing filaments, in particular, from a thermoplastic polymer, wherein the filaments emerge from the spinneret openings of a spinneret plate. A distribution device is provided for distributing the molten polymer being supplied over a preliminary spinning width. At least one exchangeable distribution plate with several distribution openings that are distributed over the spinning width is arranged downstream of the distribution device. The exchangeable spinneret plate is arranged downstream of the distribution plate, wherein said spinneret plate contains spinneret channels that are distributed over the final spinning width. The spinning width defined by the distribution openings is smaller or larger than the preliminary spinning width, and the preliminary spinning width can be reduced or enlarged to the final spinning width with the aid of the distribution plate. The desired final spinning width can be adjusted by exchanging the distribution plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Reifenhauser GmbH & Co. Maschinenfabrik
    Inventor: Michael Baumeister
  • Patent number: 7156640
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing an insert die with a pattern region to be transferred onto a molding part is provided. The method includes (a) adhering a first base member having the pattern region and a second base member with an adhesive material, and (b) sealing an exposed portion of the adhesive material by a metal film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Noboru Furuya, Satoshi Kimura
  • Patent number: 7156641
    Abstract: This invention provides a mold for forming a contact lens comprising an overflow collector, which causes the overflow reactive mixture to be accumulated, and not to spread out as it would upon the typically flat surface of a prior art mold. This invention further provides a method of preventing the formation of contaminating pieces of overflow reactive mixture comprising the step of: preventing the overflow reactive mixture from spreading out on the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Frederick Ansell, Jan Albert Maria Windey, Kenneth W. Foley, Jr., Gerald Robert Krebsbach, Robert MacDonald Smith, Carl G. Crowe, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7156642
    Abstract: An improved dough-rolling apparatus and method for rolling sheeted dough. The proposed invention comprises a dough-rolling apparatus having a dough sheeter, a sheeting conveyor having a ramped section, a roll-initiating curtain positioned above the ramped section, and a roll-completing curtain positioned above the conveyor and downstream from the roll-initiating conveyor. Sheeted and cut dough pieces are deposited onto a steel mesh, partially-ramped sheeter belt, where two wire-mesh rolling curtains are draped onto the sheeter belt to induce rolling of the dough pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Frito-Lay North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Marlin L. Anderson, David Lawrence Barry, David Brian Emerson, William C. Flannigan, John D. Kiel, Geoffrey T. Ley, Thomas E. Lyons, Richard James Ruegg
  • Patent number: 7156643
    Abstract: Machine for forming caps by compression molding comprising: a first carousel rotating about a central axis and provided peripherally with a plurality of compression molding units mounted equidistant from each other and from the axis of rotation, said units comprising an upper punch and a lower die provided with a cavity, said punch and die being mutually movable along a common vertical axis in response to suitable operating means; a second carousel rotating about a central axis parallel to that of the first carousel and provided peripherally with means for feeding the charge of material to be molded to the die cavities of the first carousel, and means for collecting the molded caps abandoned by the punches of the first carousel; means for feeding charges of material to be molded to said second carousel; a possible third carousel provided peripherally with means for guiding and conveying the caps abandoned by the second carousel; said first and second carousel and said second and possible third carousel having
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Sacmi-Cooperativa Meccanici Imola Soc. Coop. A.R.L.
    Inventor: Fiorenzo Parrinello
  • Patent number: 7156644
    Abstract: A saddle for a sheeting head includes a pair of semi-circular concave edges configured to seal a pair of rollers. The oppositely facing concave edges each include a tongue that fits in a corresponding groove in the roller and a retracted concave edge adapted to wrap around half the roller surface. The saddle includes a top portion wherein the concave edges downwardly converge, and a bottom portion wherein the concave edges downwardly diverge. A narrow waist is provided at the proximal-most position of the concave edges and adapted to fit in a pinch point between the rollers. A sheeting head assembly incorporating the saddle may include a sidewall to which the saddle need not be fastened. The self-locking characteristics of the saddle enable an assembly to omit sidewalls altogether.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Casa Herrera, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Herrera
  • Patent number: 7156645
    Abstract: One aspect of the present invention provides a mold assembly for manufacturing concrete blocks that is adapted for use in a concrete block machine. The mold assembly comprises a plurality of liner plates and a gear drive assembly. Each liner plate has a major surface and the liner plates are configured such that the major surfaces form a mold cavity, wherein at least one of the liner plates is moveable. The gear drive assembly is selectively coupled to the at least one moveable liner plate and is configured to move the at least one moveable liner plate in a first direction toward an interior of the mold cavity by applying a force in a second direction different from the first direction, and to move the liner plate in a direction away from the interior of the mold cavity by applying a force in a direction opposite the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Ness Inventions, Inc.
    Inventor: John T. Ness
  • Patent number: 7156646
    Abstract: Novel methods and apparatus are disclosed for handling carriers for soft contact lenses in a lens manufacturing system. In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, article handling devices are located beneath a pre-cure station and a curing station of the system to move lens carriers within those stations. Pursuant to a second aspect of the invention, in a preferred embodiment multiple sets of assemblies are provided for moving a multitude of lens carriers into, through, and out from the pre-cure station and the curing station. In accordance with a third aspect of the invention, the curing station is provided with an intelligent buffer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Olin Calvin, Gary S. Hall, Michael Widman, Richard W. Abrams, David Dolan
  • Patent number: 7156647
    Abstract: A device (1) for cooling and/or thermal conditioning of hot preforms or parisons (6), in particular of parisons for the production of blow-moulded bottles made of plastic material, limits and/or reduces the deformations of said parisons during cooling by containing the transverse deformations of the end close to the opening (8) of the parison. The device is provided with a tubular portion of prolongation which wraps totally around the parison that rests on its internal surface with one of its sections (9). Described herein is the corresponding method for cooling the parison (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: S.I.P.A. Societa Industrializzazione Progettazion Automazione S.p.A.
    Inventors: Matteo Zoppas, Massimo Coran
  • Patent number: 7156648
    Abstract: A system and method for making molded parts that include one or more planar heaters coupled, secured, or releaseably secured to one or more sides of each of the one or more nozzles. The releasably secure coupling allows heater device to be visually inspected, tested, removed, and/or replaced. The planar heater device can have a support device patterned with an electrical resistive path. The electrical resistive path can include any pitch or number of electrical resistance lines, such that a longitudinal uniform heat profile is generated along a melt flow channel of the one or more nozzles when the nozzles are in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Mold-Masters Limited
    Inventor: George Olaru
  • Patent number: 7156649
    Abstract: A fixed mold (10) has engaging pins (17) projecting towards a movable mold (20). Each engaging pin (17) includes a shaft (17A) and a large-diameter portion (17C) formed at the leading end of the shaft (17A). The large-diameter portions (17C) of the engaging pins (17) interfere with the bottom surfaces of recesses (53) of an ejector plate (50) in the process of separating the movable mold (20). Thus, the ejector plate (50) is moved forward relative to the movable mold (20) and leading ends of ejector pins (90) project from the movable mold (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoya Hattori, Seiichi Kurosawa, Shinsuke Tsutsui, Toshiya Muraki, Yumiko Muramoto