Patents Issued in June 26, 2007
  • Patent number: 7234895
    Abstract: A containment system for use adjacent to a selected region of a subterranean formation and comprising a plurality of laterally interlocked casing strings. At least one electrically conductive element is disposed along at least a portion of a casing string and is used for performing electrical time domain reflectometry. At least one protective element may be positioned between portions of adjacent casing strings of the barrier, and at least one electrically conductive element may be disposed at least partially within the at least one protective element for use in indicating at least one characteristic of at least a portion of the containment system. Electrical time domain reflectometry (TDR) may be used to indicate the at least one characteristic; for instance, TDR may be used to indicate leakage through the barrier or a discontinuity or void in a barrier filler material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC
    Inventors: John G. Richardson, Reva A. Nickelson, Paul A. Sloan, Kevin M. Kostelnik
  • Patent number: 7234896
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for maintaining electrical and hydraulic connections between a junction box (or junction boxes) located on or near an offshore platform's floor and a movable drilling rig structure are disclosed. The disclosed invention is a unique vertically folding service arm capable of moving in both the horizontal and vertical directions in order to provide enhanced range of movement. The increased range of movement provided by the vertically folding service arm of the present invention allows electrical and hydraulic supply lines to remain connected between a junction box (or boxes) located on or near the platform floor and the rig structure even as the rig structure moves back-and-forth on the platform between multiple well centers. The vertically folding service arm of the present invention can also be easily disconnected and “folded” for transport without requiring the electrical and hydraulic supply lines to be disconnected from the drilling rig structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: National-Oilwell, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert B. Donnally, Neil E. Fehres
  • Patent number: 7234897
    Abstract: An area earthquake defense system is disclosed which uses military planning principles; automated command and control systems; the technology of wave manipulation demonstrated in optical engineering, sonar, and anti-tank weapons and their countermeasures; and proven electromagnetic technology. Deeply buried, specially configured, passive devices attenuate, temporally segment, and redirect earthquake shock waves. Such a system, fully integrated into the local geological structure, can reduce the shock reaching the protected area, and, within that area, channel it away from those structures most difficult to protect with single point measures. This is especially true when the plurality of passive devices is complemented by an automated decision and command loop and dynamically reconfigurable active devices embedded at a variety of depths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Inventor: Vincent Paul Conroy
  • Patent number: 7234898
    Abstract: A pneumatic transmission system includes a first terminal, a second terminal, and a transmission conduit connecting the first and second terminals in fluid communication with each other. The pneumatic transmission system may include a first blower directly connected to the transmission conduit and configured to create a vacuum within the transmission conduit between the first terminal and a carrier, and a second blower directly connected to the transmission conduit and configured to create a vacuum within the transmission conduit between the second terminal and a carrier. The pneumatic transmission system may include first and second end doors that are configured to move to open or close the first and second end openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: E.F. Bavis & Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael E. Brown
  • Patent number: 7234899
    Abstract: The invention is directed towards cutting inserts having a top surface, a bottom surface, at least three side surfaces extending from the top surface to the bottom surface, and a nose corner connecting two adjacent side surfaces. The intersection of the cutting insert may include an intersection of the nose corner and the top surface wherein at least a portion of the intersection defined by a multi-segment spline curve. The multi-segment spline curve may be a B-spline curve. The intersection may also be defined by two arcs at each end of the B-spline curve. The invention also includes a method of designing a turning insert having the steps of designing a nose corner with multi-segment spline curve. The multi-segment spline curve may be a B-spline curve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: TDY Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: X. Daniel Fang, David J. Wills
  • Patent number: 7234900
    Abstract: A shank of a milling cutter can be somewhat elastic. As a result, during plunging down into a workpiece the milling cutter will not plunge in a true axially downward direction and will form a slanted wall in the workpiece. A milling cutting insert is provided which is capable of “straightening out” the slanted wall. The cutting insert has a rear cutting edge which removes material when the milling cutter is moved axially upwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Iscar Ltd.
    Inventors: Amir Satran, Danny Chen
  • Patent number: 7234901
    Abstract: A throw-away tip of which two principal surfaces each has a land surface provided along the periphery thereof, a central surface provided on the inside of the land surface, a recess (a chip breaker groove) interposed therebetween, and at least one protrusion that extends from the central surface toward the land surface, wherein height of the land surface is made equal to the height of at least the top surface of the protrusion so that at least the top surface of the protrusion of the central surface and the land surface both serve as contact surface is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
    Inventor: Takuya Ishida
  • Patent number: 7234902
    Abstract: A milling tool holder apparatus includes a tool holder having a male structure received in a female opening of a shank, and a camming plug received in a transverse plug-receiving opening in the shank and the tool holder. Turning the camming plug in one direction moves the male structure axially to a locked position. Turning the camming plug in the opposite direction moves the male structure axially to a release position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Inventor: Stojan Stojanovski
  • Patent number: 7234903
    Abstract: A locking device for use with a snowmobile trailer and tie down bar wherein the tie down bar is removably attached to the trailer via a tie down screw for securing a snowmobile to the trailer. The locking mechanism having a housing including a center portion and at least one flange portion. The housing defining an opening in a bottom side thereof for receiving a portion of the tie down bar and the tie down screw, the housing being positionable over the tie down bar and tie down screw for preventing access to the tie down screw. The housing further defining at least one lock opening for receiving the shackle of a lock for securing the housing to the tie down bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Inventor: Scott L. Noyes
  • Patent number: 7234904
    Abstract: A coil car has a pair of deep side sills and a trough structure mounted to, and suspended between, the deep side sills for carrying coils. The side sills extend between the rail car trucks and act as a pair of deep side beams for carrying vertical loads. The deep side sills are arranged to extend above and below the center sill of the coil car to give vertical stiffness to the coil car. The top chord members of the side sills are outwardly splayed relative to the bottom chord members of the side sills. Cross-bearers extend outwardly and away from the center sill to attach to the side sills. The trough structure has three parallel, longitudinally extending troughs—a central trough lying between two laterally outboard outer troughs. Each trough is shaped to cradle steel coils, or other similar loads, between its inwardly and downwardly sloping shoulder plates. The shoulder plates are lined with cushioning to buffer coils during loading or travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: National Steel Car Limited
    Inventors: Mohammed Al-Kaabi, Ilario A. Coslovi
  • Patent number: 7234905
    Abstract: An apparatus for attaching a hitch to a vehicle is provided. The apparatus includes a pin rotatably mountable to the hitch and having a handle for rotating the pin. A receptacle formed in the vehicle receives the pin. A locking site defined by a channel is formed in one of the pin and the receptacle. The channel extends about a longitudinal axis of the one of the pin and the receptacle. A bypass portion intersects the channel and extends longitudinally from the channel to an end of the one of the pin and the receptacle. A protrusion is formed on the other of the receptacle and the pin. The bypass portion permits insertion of the pin into the receptacle to align the locking site and the protrusion such that rotation of the pin lockably engages the protrusion in the locking site to attach the hitch to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Victoria Industries Limited
    Inventor: K. Jeffrey Warnock
  • Patent number: 7234906
    Abstract: A threaded insert for providing stronger threads to a parent material. The threaded insert includes a bushing portion having male threads on the external surface and female threads within an internal bore. The threaded insert also includes keys which lock the threaded insert into a threaded hole within the parent material. The keys are positioned within slots along the external surface of the bushing portion of the threaded insert. The slots include two substantially parallel walls which are substantially perpendicular to a bottom surface of the slots. A method for assembling the threaded insert reduces the tendency of the keys to be installed offset from the bottom surface of the slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Hi-Shear Corporation
    Inventor: Dennis Schultz
  • Patent number: 7234907
    Abstract: A system for forming and attaching lift-tabs to can ends to form easy opening lift-tab can ends comprises a frame and a tab press for forming a lift-tab. The system also includes a drive roller adapted to move the strip of metal stock material through the tab press. The system further includes a conversion press for attaching a lift-tab onto a can end, a conveyor, a power source including a tab press power source, and a crank shaft operatively connected to the tab press power source. The crank shaft is adapted to transmit power for operating either or both of the tab press and the conversion press. The tab press crank shaft and the conversion press crank shaft are connected to each other by a drive belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Inventor: Donald Artrip
  • Patent number: 7234908
    Abstract: A cassette stocker includes a plurality of cassette storage shelves positioned adjacent a cleanroom wall and vertically disposed relative to a plurality of cassette docking stations, and a cassette mover to carry a cassette between the shelves and the docking stations. An interstation transfer apparatus includes a support beam and a transfer arm adapted to carry a cassette between processing stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Jaim Nulman, Nissim Sidi
  • Patent number: 7234909
    Abstract: The object of the invention is an apparatus for storage of wood chips in a curved-top stockpile the apparatus consisting of a central tower, which supports a conveyor for loading the chips and a beam-like turning pile composer, and a unloading beam supported on ground level on the lower part of the tower as well as on supporting wheels and furnished with unloading devices for transporting the wood chips towards the center of the apparatus. The central tower is furnished at one side with a tubular ex-central opening, and the tower occupies a central tube for delivering the wood chips either upwards or downwards from the opening. The unload drive for the unloading device is positioned inside the tower and the stockpile yard is furnished with a wall at the reach of the unloading device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Metso Paper, Inc.
    Inventor: Arvo Jonkka
  • Patent number: 7234910
    Abstract: A bucket has a pair of longitudinally parallel and spaced apart pins for attaching to a pin grabber quick coupler. The pins may require removal from the bucket for repair or replacement if the pins are damaged. One or more windows are formed in the side of the bucket for facilitating access to and the removal of the pins from the bucket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Pandu R. Boyapally, Douglas R. Bye, Jeffry J. Kurtz
  • Patent number: 7234911
    Abstract: A method and machine separates profiled elements from a plurality of profiled elements. The machine includes a structure having opposed first and second ends and opposed sides, the structure receiving profiled elements extending between the first and second ends. A first separating device more evenly distributes the profiled elements between the sides. A displacement member displaces a portion of the profiled elements away from the remainder of the profiled elements. A gripper receives the portion of the separated profiled elements, the gripper moving the separated profiled elements toward one of the sides. A second separating device disposed adjacent the first end between the portion of the separated profiled elements and the remainder of the profiled elements travels from the first end toward the second end for separating the separated profiled elements from the remainder of the profiled elements, directing the separated profiled element to one side of the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: KRB Machinery Co.
    Inventors: Nathan Kauffman, Stacy Lemkelde, Jan-Peter Groeneweg
  • Patent number: 7234912
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the transport of work pieces with at least one transport device (T1, T2) which can be installed on a frame (14) of a processing device (P) and which has a transport bar (15) which is kept moveable in X- and Y-direction. To increase the rigidity of the device, it is suggested that the transport bar (15) be kept moveable with at least two parallelogram servo drives (PL1, PL2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Schuler Automation GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Rolf Cisar
  • Patent number: 7234913
    Abstract: An apparatus for accepting and transferring at least one disk-like member is provided. The apparatus includes a pick- and place-mechanism including gripping means. In effect, the mechanism is adapted to provide pick- and/or place-cycles, which during operation provides a movement of said gripping means between an up and a down position and vice versa, whereby, in the down position, said gripping means either picks the disk-like member from a load position or places the disk-like member onto the load position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Integrated Dynamics Engineering GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Heiland, Ralf Tillmann
  • Patent number: 7234914
    Abstract: A compressor or pump employs principles of unsteady delayed stall to enhance the head increase produced by the compressor or pump. Plural airfoil-shaped lifting elements are spaced from each other in a cascade and the fluid is directed into the cascade by a device that varies a parameter of the flow relative to each lifting element in repeating cycles to cause the flow relative to each lifting element to begin to separate from the lifting element and then reattach thereto during each cycle. The cascade can comprise an axial flow impeller with plural impeller blades arranged around a hub capable of rotating on an axis. The device for varying the flow parameter can be a stator with a plurality of stator blades upstream of the impeller, or a second, counter-rotating axial flow impeller. In either case, the parameter is a flow angle at which the flow is directed to the downstream impeller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Continum Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Usab, Jr., Alan J. Bilanin
  • Patent number: 7234915
    Abstract: The invention concerns a sluice feeder comprising an inlet (1), an outlet (11), and a rotor (2), into which sluice feeder material to be fed from a first medium to a second medium sealed from the first medium is fed to the inlet (1). The inlet (1) is directed towards the centre portion of the rotor (2), the rotor (2) and a cooperating stator (7), respectively, show at least a radial opening (5, 8) each and are provided so that at least one pocket (9) is formed, which alternating opens and seals upon rotation of the rotor (2). The material is thrown radially outwards by the rotor (2) to the pocket (9) to finally be emptied from the pocket (9) to the outlet at the same time as the pocket (9) is sealed towards the inlet (1) by means of the stator (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Inventor: Lars Obitz
  • Patent number: 7234916
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for field balancing an assembly including a power turbine. The method includes coupling the power turbine to a load, identifying a first balancing plane that is aft of the power turbine, and identifying a second balancing plane that is forward of the power turbine. A balancing correction is determined at each of the first and second balancing planes. A balance weight is mounted at the first balancing plane based on the balancing correction determined for the first balancing plane, and a balance weight is mounted at the second balancing plane based on the balancing correction determined for the second balancing plane, wherein each balance weight at the second balancing plane is coupled to a respective bolt head without removing the bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Lee, Brian Edward Dix, Max Freedman, William Joseph Adelmann
  • Patent number: 7234917
    Abstract: Rotary apparatus for a gas turbine engine comprises a rotor assembly and first and second stator assemblies mounted coaxially with respect to each other. The first stator assembly is upstream of the second stator assembly, and the second stator assembly is upstream of the rotor assembly. The rotor assembly comprises an annular array of rotor blades, and each stator assembly comprises an annular array of stator vanes. Each vane has a leading edge and a trailing edge. The stator assemblies are circumferentially translatable relative to each other between a first condition and a second condition. In the first condition, at least a part of each vane of the second stator assembly extends beyond the trailing edge of the respective vane of the first stator assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventors: Geoffrey M Dailey, Martin G Rose
  • Patent number: 7234918
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a system and method for controlling the size of gaps in a turbine engine. In many instances, it is desirable to minimize the size of the gaps between neighboring rotating and stationary components in a turbine engine, such as between a disc cover plate and a proximate pre-swirler. According to embodiments of the invention, each component can be provided with a sealing surface. The sealing surfaces can be angled relative to the axis of rotation. The sealing surfaces are spaced from each other so as to form a gap therebetween. The sealing surfaces may or may not be substantially parallel. As a result of such configuration, the size of the gap can be controlled by axial and radial movement of the components. For example, the gap between the cover plate and the pre-swirler can be adjusted by axially movement of the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Power Generation, Inc.
    Inventors: Dieter Brillert, Wayne Giddens, Harald Hoell, Robert W. Sunshine, Juergen Hermeler, Hans-Thomas Bolms
  • Patent number: 7234919
    Abstract: A heat-dissipating fan with a plurality of upward rotor blades is provided. The heat-dissipating fan includes a housing, an impeller having a hub and a plurality of rotor blades disposed around the hub, and a base disposed inside the housing for supporting the impeller thereon. The rotor blades have at least one inclined edge with a first inclined angle relative to the horizontal line perpendicular to the axis of the heat-dissipating fan, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Chin-Hung Lee, Shun-Chen Chang, Kuo-Cheng Lin, Wen-Shi Huang, Hsiou-Chen Chang
  • Patent number: 7234920
    Abstract: A turbine stator casing comprising a jacket and fastener hooks for fastening a turbine distributor nozzle, the hooks projecting from the inside face of the jacket, said jacket being made of a first alloy by hot isostatic compression using metal powder, said fastener hooks being made out of a second alloy that is more refractory than the first, and being secured to said jacket by diffusion welding during the hot isostatic compression. The casing also comprises inserts passing through the fastener hooks and through said jacket. These inserts, which are likewise secured to the jacket by diffusion welding, serve during manufacture of the casing to fasten the hooks to a mold portion inside which the jacket is formed. The invention is applicable to the turbines of airplane turbojets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: SNECMA Moteurs
    Inventors: Sébastien Imbourg, Claude Mons, Philippe Pabion, Jean-Iuc Soupizon
  • Patent number: 7234921
    Abstract: A method for enhancing effectiveness of a rotor blade of a wind energy device (a wind-wheel of electric generating unit), according to which a rotor blade is implemented in the form of a thick-airfoil wing, and a vortex system for controlling the boundary layer is arranged on the rear portion of the blade, upon the leeward, which system consists of longitudinal cavities having central bodies that define annular channels; the air being sucked from the cavities and central bodies through air-intakes into receivers. The air from the receivers, under the action of centrifugal forces generated by the rotating blade, is sucked towards the blade end. Within the cavities and on the blade's outer surface are positioned the plates that restrict streaming-down of the air flow along the blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Inventors: Iliya Lvovich Shchukin, Andrej Lvovich Shchukin, Semen Mikhajlovich Zelvinskij, Jurij Mikhajlovich Lipnitskij, Sergej Aleksandrovich Isaev
  • Patent number: 7234922
    Abstract: A sprinkler system for building includes an internal combustion engine which operates a water pump. The water pump in turn forces water through pipes to sprinkler heads. The engine is at least in part controlled by a throttle control mechanism which is responsive to pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Clarke Fire Protection Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin J. Kunkler, John T. Whitney, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7234923
    Abstract: In a scroll fluid machine, an orbiting scroll engages with a stationary scroll to form a sealed chamber in which fluid can be compressed toward a center with revolution of the orbiting scroll with respect to the stationary scroll. An annular groove is formed near the outer circumference of the stationary scroll. A dust seal fits in the annular groove of the stationary scroll. The annular groove has almost the same width, but has a wider portion having the twice the width as the other. In the wider portion of the annular groove, the ends of the dust seal are overlapped. The overlapped surfaces are rough to engage with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Anest Iwata Corporation
    Inventor: Toru Sato
  • Patent number: 7234924
    Abstract: A rotary combustion engine with one or more working units, which include a peripheral housing, a front housing plate, a rear housing plate on the output side, an eccentric shaft, and a piston, where the eccentric shaft includes an eccentric, and front and rear sealing parts. Lubricating oil is conveyed by an oil pump from an oil tank through the eccentric shaft to first and second main bearings, and to an eccentric bearing, from which a bevel on the front sealing part conveys it to a piston space, from which it is conveyed by way of a bevel on the piston and a rear bevel back to the oil tank to close the oil circuit. The bevels direct the oil circulation from the front of the working unit to the rear, reduce splash losses, and increase the cooling action on the internal surfaces of the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Wankel Super Tec GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Baier, Manfred Mäthner, Dankwart Eiermann, Rudolf Klotz, Michael Schirmer
  • Patent number: 7234925
    Abstract: A pump including a power rotor and an idler rotor, the rotors each being provided with a generally helical screw thread and being mounted for rotation in a housing such that the screw threads of the rotors mesh and rotation of one rotor causes rotation of the other rotor, the power rotor being connected to a driving means operation of which causes rotation of the power rotor, wherein the pitch of the threads is less than 1.6 times the outer diameter of the power rotor, the depth of the threads is less than or equal to 0.2 times the outer diameter of the power rotor, and the root diameter of the idler rotor is less than 0.31 times the outer diameter of the power rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Automotive Motion Technology Limited
    Inventors: Robert William Beaven, Michael John Werson
  • Patent number: 7234926
    Abstract: A compressor assembly comprising first and second housing structures connected to one another. A compression chamber is formed integrally within the first and second housing structures. A separation chamber is formed integrally within the first and second housing structures. An internal fluid passage extends between the compression chamber and the separation chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Company
    Inventor: Brian David Sowards
  • Patent number: 7234927
    Abstract: Provided are a tire forming mold which enables damage on ribs and blocks of a tire to be effectively prevented when the tire is removed from the tire forming mold in spite of a simple structure thereof, and a pneumatic tire producing method using the same. The tire forming mold according to the present invention is a two-division type of tire forming mold, including a mold main body for forming one side of the tire, wherein the mold main body is provided with a movable part which constitutes a part of a tread forming surface in the direction of the circumference thereof while the tire forming mold is being closed, and which can be moved while the tire is being removed from the tire forming mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Ebiko, Tomoyuki Matsumura
  • Patent number: 7234928
    Abstract: An object is to increase the mechanical efficiency of an injection molding machine, decrease the inertia, and decrease the axial length. The injection molding machine comprises a cylinder member; an injection member disposed within the cylinder member such that the injection member can advance and retract; an injection motor (82); and a transmission shaft which is connected to the injection member such that the transmission shaft can rotate relative to the injection member. The transmission shaft has a rotation transmission portion, to which rotation of the injection motor (82) is transmitted, as well as a motion conversion portion for converting rotational motion to linear motion. The injection motor (82) and the transmission shaft are disposed on the same axis, and the transmission shaft is advanced and retracted inside the rotor (92) of the injection motor (82).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Sumitomo Heavy Industrries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Emoto, Noritsugu Hiraga
  • Patent number: 7234929
    Abstract: In an injection molding machine having upstream and downstream channels communicating with each other for delivering fluid material to one or more mold cavities, apparatus for controlling delivery of the melt material from the channels to the one or more mold cavities, each channel having an axis, the downstream channel having an axis intersecting a gate of a cavity of a mold, the upstream channel having an axis not intersecting the gate and being associated with an upstream actuator interconnected to an upstream melt flow controller disposed at a selected location within the upstream channel, the apparatus comprising a sensor for sensing a selected condition of the melt material at a position downstream of the upstream melt flow controller; an actuator controller interconnected to the upstream actuator, the actuator controller comprising a computer interconnected to a sensor for receiving a signal representative of the selected condition sensed by the sensor, the computer including an algorithm utilizing a v
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Synventive Molding Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Vasapoli, Sergio Antunes, Mark Moss, Christopher W. Lee, Mark Doyle
  • Patent number: 7234930
    Abstract: A cooling circuit for a neck ring of a preform is conformed to the surface of the neck ring by providing a neck ring in two parts. The first part supports the neck ring and provides strength and durability to the neck ring insert. The second part is formed of porous steel impregnated with highly thermally conductive metal and includes a cooling channel that provides substantially uniform cooling around the neck ring of the preform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Husky Injection Molding Systems Ltd.
    Inventors: Joachim Johannes Niewels, Michael K. Zuraw, Guoming Li
  • Patent number: 7234931
    Abstract: Disclosed is a functional food composition, which is effective in relieving alcohol-induced hangover symptoms and improving liver function. The composition includes 6–18% by dry weight of Polygonati Rhizoma, 10–40% by dry weight of Astragalus membranaceus Bge., 5–15% by dry weight of Artemisiae Scopariae Herba, 10–30% by dry weight of White Hoelen, 5–25% by dry weight of Atractylodes rhizome white, 4–12% by dry weight of Rehmanniae Radix, 2–10% by dry weight of Mentha arvensis, 2–10% by dry weight of Curcuma longa, and 2–10% by dry weight of Puerariae Radix, based on the total dry weight of the composition. The composition, including herbal components known to have no side effects, is effective in relieving hangover symptoms and improving liver function by removing or neutralizing factors responsible for hangover symptoms, such as alcohol absorbed in the body or acetaldehyde, the oxidation product of alcohol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Inventor: Haeng Woo Lee
  • Patent number: 7234932
    Abstract: A fireplace for viewing outside of a house or other structure that includes a combustion chamber defined by a combustion chamber enclosure with a front opening and a front panel at least partially enclosing the front opening. The front panel is partially surrounded by an air intake/gas exhaust system. The air intake/gas exhaust system is defined by bottom intake, a top exhaust and at least one of side intake/exhaust opening. A gas burner is situated on the floor of the combustion chamber enclosure. Fresh air enters through a bottom intake opening in the bottom intake and the lower portion of the intake/exhaust opening. After the combustion exhaust gases are expelled through a top exhaust opening in the top exhaust and the upper portion of the intake/exhaust openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: HNI Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Robin Michael Streit
  • Patent number: 7234933
    Abstract: A dental appliance, a system and a method for treating malocclusions minimize cooperation by a patient for treating the malocclusions. A reline material is insertable between the appliance and one or more teeth of the patient. An internal surface of the appliance is roughened for receiving the reline material to increase retention of the appliance to one or more teeth of the patient. A hinge connects an upper half to a lower half to increase retention of the appliance to one or more teeth of the patient. The appliance maintains a lower jaw of the patient in a position with respect to an upper jaw of the patient. A lingual tab of the lower half maintains the lower jaw of the patient in the position with respect to the upper jaw of the patient. The appliance is made of one or more materials having varying stiffness and/or softness to increase retention of the appliance and/or to increase movement of one or more teeth of the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Ortho-Tain, Inc.
    Inventor: Earl O. Bergersen
  • Patent number: 7234934
    Abstract: A computer configured appliance (10) that applies amplified leverage for orthodontic correction of malocclusions that incorporates a number of computer configured prong units (20) for attachment to selected teeth. Each prong unit (20) is connected to a detachable placement template (28) for positioning the prong units (20) at a computer selected tooth location. Once positioned, the prong units (20) are bonded with dental bonding cement (40) to a predetermined site of each tooth. A successive series of computer configured segmented compartment arches (42) are connected by interproximal material (48), with each arch having elastic entry compartments (38), are snapped onto each prong unit (20). When each arch (42) has achieved the optimum tooth movement, the arch (42) is unsnapped, removed and replaced by snapping in the next arch in the series, which has a higher sequential increment of movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Inventor: Farel Rosenberg
  • Patent number: 7234935
    Abstract: An orthodontic bracket system includes a plurality of orthodontic brackets, each bracket sized and configured to be placed on a particular tooth of a patient during an orthodontic treatment procedure. Each bracket includes at least two arch wire slots that lie in different planes. The arch wire slots are positioned relative to the bracket base so that when the patient's teeth have become properly aligned as a result of the orthodontic procedure, the corresponding arch wire slots of all the brackets will be substantially aligned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Inventors: Norbert Abels, Claus-H. Backes
  • Patent number: 7234936
    Abstract: Systems for moving teeth of a patient's dental arch from a first tooth arrangement to a second tooth arrangement include a plurality of resilient appliances such as positioning trays or elongated arch members that are used in sequence. Each appliance of the systems includes a row of spaced apart couplings for connection to respective teeth of the dental arch. The appliances have certain geometric characteristics that match the geometric characteristics of other appliances of the system, and at least one appliance has a stiffness that is greater than the stiffness of at least one other appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Ming-Lai Lai, Tsi-Zong Tzou
  • Patent number: 7234937
    Abstract: An integrated system is described in which digital image data of a patient, obtained from a variety of image sources, including CT scanner, X-Ray, 2D or 3D scanners and color photographs, are combined into a common coordinate system to create a virtual three-dimensional patient model. Software tools are provided for manipulating the virtual patient model to simulation changes in position or orientation of craniofacial structures (e.g., jaw or teeth) and simulate their affect on the appearance of the patient. The simulation (which may be pure simulations or may be so-called “morphing” type simulations) enables a comprehensive approach to planning treatment for the patient. In one embodiment, the treatment may encompass orthodontic treatment. Similarly, surgical treatment plans can be created. Data is extracted from the virtual patient model or simulations thereof for purposes of manufacture of customized therapeutic devices for any component of the craniofacial structures, e.g., orthodontic appliances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: OraMetrix, Inc.
    Inventors: Rohit Sachdeva, Sanjeev Taneja, Peer Sporbert, Phillip Getto, Stephan Maetzel, Hans Imgrund, Charles L. Abraham
  • Patent number: 7234938
    Abstract: The invention relates to a milling/grinding machine for the manufacture of dental-medical or dental-technical workpieces, having a workpiece receiver (3) and a tool (7) which can be moved, with respect to a workpiece (1) arranged in the workpiece receiver (3), linearly along three axes (X, Y, Z) standing perpendicularly of one another. In order to provide a milling/grinding machine for highly exact and economic manufacture of medical, dental-medical and dental-technical prosthetic parts for the medical technician, dentist, dental assistant and the dental technician directly in the medical laboratory, practice or commercial laboratory, the tool (7) and the workpiece receiver (3) are each arranged rotatably and/or pivotably.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Kaltenbach & Voigt GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Anton Bodenmiller
  • Patent number: 7234939
    Abstract: A dental instrument having a two-shot molded handle and methods for making the same. The dental instrument includes a dental instrument shank of metal with a handle formed near the proximal end of the shank. The handle includes a first polymer formed over a portion of the shank, and a second polymer formed over at least a portion of the first polymer. The first polymer may be rigid so as to more firmly attach to the shank and better resist torsional and/or tensional slippage between the shank and handle during use, while the second polymer may be flexible so as to increase gripability and comfort during manual use of the instrument. The first and second polymers may be of different colors to provide contrast (e.g., to highlight characters formed in the first rigid polymer).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Ultradent Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Dan J. Bills
  • Patent number: 7234940
    Abstract: A dental prosthesis foundation capable of being finished or adjusted or repaired and which may be assembled and adjusted to variable jaw ridge sizes, and formed with self-curing hardened resins. The foundation supports prosthetic teeth and is permanently but removably secured to the jaw by implants embedded in hard dental tissue, such as tooth stubs or bones. The dentures can be readily repaired or adjusted for changes in the jaw of the patient, by chairside techniques available to dentists. The foundation can also be adjusted to changes in size and shape of ridges in the jawbones for more comfortable use of the dentures secured on such prostheses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Inventor: Bernard Weissman
  • Patent number: 7234941
    Abstract: An interactive educational apparatus is described. The educational toy apparatus includes an indicium containing structure and a base unit capable of being vertically attached to a vertical surface such as a refrigerator door. The indicium containing structure is capable of being attached to the base unit so that the indicium containing structure and the base unit are vertically oriented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric T. Shuler, Jorge Soto
  • Patent number: 7234942
    Abstract: At least one topic in text data is determined by a topic determiner (4). A topic thread determiner (5) identifies in the text data context data associated with the at least one determined topic and provides topic representation data defining a graphical representation of the at least one topic in which are distributed visual indicia representing at least some of the context data with the distribution of the visual indicia indicating the positions within the text of the corresponding context data. The topic thread determiner (5) provides the topic representation data for display to a user on a display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Jiawei Hu, Peter Michael Allday
  • Patent number: 7234943
    Abstract: A system and method for analyzing the cognitive involvement of one or more audience members may include receiving a first indication of cognitive involvement of an audience member in a presentation and calculating a cognitive involvement score from the first indication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Placeware, Inc.
    Inventor: Amin Aleali
  • Patent number: 7234944
    Abstract: A communication network device and corresponding patch field system are disclosed. The device includes a port module, ports, and an appliqué attached to a face of the port module. The appliqué includes a printed circuit board (PCB) with conductive pads. A patch cord connects the device with an intelligent patch panel. The patch cord contains at least one system wire. The patch panel is adapted to measure a resistance associated with each port via the system wire. An open circuit indicates that no patch cord is attached to the port, a resistance within a first range indicates that the patch cord is attached only to the port of the intelligent patch panel, and a resistance within a second range less than the first range indicates that the patch cord connects the intelligent patch panel and the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Panduit Corp.
    Inventors: Ronald A. Nordin, Jack E. Caveney