Patents Issued in July 26, 2007
  • Publication number: 20070170144
    Abstract: A plastic container has an upper portion including a mouth defining an opening into the container. A shoulder region extends from the upper portion. A sidewall portion extends from the shoulder region to a base portion. The base portion closes off an end of the container. An upper bumper portion is defined at a transition between the shoulder region and the sidewall portion. The upper bumper portion includes an upper raised wall defining a maximum width of the container. The upper raised wall includes a recessed portion formed therein. A lower bumper portion is defined at a transition between the base portion and the sidewall portion. The lower bumper portion includes a lower raised wall defining the maximum width of the container. The lower raised wall includes a recessed portion formed therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2006
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventors: Michael Lane, Mark Blystone, G. Lisch, Richard Rangler
  • Publication number: 20070170145
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a display substrate includes forming a first metallic pattern including gate and storage conductors and a gate electrode of a switching device on a base substrate, forming a gate insulation layer, forming a second metallic pattern and a channel portion including a source line, source and drain electrodes of the switching device, forming a passivation layer and a photoresist film on the second metallic pattern, patterning the photoresist film to form a first pattern portion corresponding to the gate and source conductors and the switching device, and a second pattern portion formed on the storage line, etching the passivation layer and the gate insulation layer, and forming a pixel electrode using the first pattern portion. Therefore, excessive etching of the stepped portion may be prevented, so that a short-circuit defect between a metallic pattern and a pixel electrode may be prevented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventors: Hong-Kee Chin, Sang-Gab Kim, Min-Seok Oh
  • Publication number: 20070170146
    Abstract: A method for forming fin structures is provided. Sacrificial structures are provided on a substrate. Fin structures are formed on the sides of the sacrificial structures. The forming of the fin structures comprises a plurality of cycles, wherein each cycle comprises a fin deposition phase and a fin profile shaping phase. The sacrificial structure is removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2006
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventors: Zhi-Song Huang, S. M. Sadjadi
  • Publication number: 20070170147
    Abstract: An etching method is disclosed. First, a patterned photoresist layer is formed on a silicon material. Next, in an etching machine, using the patterned photoresist layer as a mask and using bromine hydride (HBr) as reactive gas, an etching process is performed on the silicon material. Afterwards, a ramp-down mode is used to turn off the RF power supply of the etching machine, a purge gas is injected into the etching machine for purging, and in the meantime, the gas is pumped out from the etching machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2006
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventors: Yi-Hsiung Lin, Chuan-Hsien Hsieh, Chien-Jung Chen, Chao-Shun Chiu
  • Publication number: 20070170148
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for the formation and utilization of metastable specie in a reaction chamber for processing substrates. The metastable specie may be used for etching the surface of substrates in situ, deposition processes during processing of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventors: Satheesh Kuppurao, David Carlson, Howard Beckford, Errol Sanchez
  • Publication number: 20070170149
    Abstract: A vacuum processing method includes mounting a sample to be processed on a sample mounting surface on a sample holder placed in a vacuum container whose inside can be depressurized, feeding a processing gas and electric field to a space above the sample holder inside of the vacuum container to generate plasma, and etching films of a plurality of layers laid over the surface of the sample into a predetermined shape. A heat conducting gas is fed between the sample mounting surface and the backside of the sample, and at the same time, the pressure of the heat conducting gas is changed stepwise in accordance with the progress of the processing of the films of a plurality of layers of the sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventors: Tooru Aramaki, Tsunehiko Tsubone, Tadamitsu Kanekiyo, Shigeru Shirayone, Hideki Kihara
  • Publication number: 20070170150
    Abstract: Components comprising corrosion products are often reused, in which case the corrosion product has to be removed. According to the prior art, this takes a very long time since the reaction times with the corrosion product are often very long. According to the invention, the corrosion product is pretreated in order to produce a larger attackable surface area, so that the corrosion product can be removed more quickly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2005
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventors: Georg Bostanjoglo, Stefan Krause, Michael Ott, Ralph Reiche, Jan Steinbach
  • Publication number: 20070170151
    Abstract: A micro-electro-mechanical systems element array device in which plural micro-electro-mechanical systems elements each having a movable portion are arranged in an array, said movable portion being to be displaced by a physical force which is generated by applying an electric signal to a conductive portion, and each of said micro-electro-mechanical systems elements drives and displaces said movable portion of said micro-electro-mechanical systems element on the basis of a displacement data for said micro-electro-mechanical systems element, wherein said device comprises: an electric signal generating unit as defined herein; a switching unit as defined herein; and a selecting unit as defined herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2007
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Applicant: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Koichi Kimura, Shinya Ogikubo, Hirochika Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20070170152
    Abstract: An electric arc welding wire having an outer cylindrical surface and an electrically conductive layer on the surface wherein the layer comprises an alloy of copper with the copper content being about 60% to about 90% by weight of said alloy. Furthermore, the layer can be made thin with a thickness of less than about 0.50 microns while using essentially pure copper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2006
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventors: Matthew James, Teresa Melfi
  • Publication number: 20070170153
    Abstract: A resistance welding electrode includes a first layer of a metal-carbide film that is formed by attaching or carbonizing of an electrode material on a surface of the resistance welding electrode by applying a voltage between a powder molding obtained by molding a powder consisting mainly of a metal powder that is likely to be carbonized or a metal compound powder or a powder molding obtained by heating the powder molding in a working fluid and the resistance welding electrode, to generate a pulse-like discharge in; and a second layer obtained by forming a film consisting mainly of any one of chrome, nickel, iron, tungsten, and molybdenum on the first layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2004
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventors: Akihiro Goto, Tadanao Sugiura, Kazushi Nakamura, Masahiro Okane, Hiroyuki Ochiai
  • Publication number: 20070170154
    Abstract: When the laser light having the harmonic is used for crystallizing the semiconductor film, there is a problem that the energy conversion efficiency from the fundamental wave to the harmonic is low. And since the laser light converted into the harmonic has lower energy than the fundamental wave, it is difficult to enhance the throughput by enlarging the area of the beam spot. The present invention provides a laser irradiation apparatus emitting the fundamental wave simultaneously with the wavelength not longer than that of the fundamental wave, typically the harmonic converted from the fundamental wave, wherein the laser light emitted from one resonator having the fundamental wave and the wavelength not longer than that of the fundamental wave are irradiated without being separated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2007
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Applicant: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akihisa Shimomura, Hironobu Shoji
  • Publication number: 20070170155
    Abstract: A plasma reactor includes a plasma processing chamber which can, for example, play the role of a vacuum chamber and an electrode disposed inside the plasma processing chamber. The plasma reactor further includes a plasma control structure imbedded entirely within the electrode. The plasma control structure is configured and arranged to alter characteristics of a plasma generated inside the processing chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventor: Steven Fink
  • Publication number: 20070170156
    Abstract: In an electrode for generating a plasma, disposed to face a surface of a substrate to perform a plasma processing on the surface of the substrate, the electrode includes a metal-based composite material formed by impregnating a metal into a base member made of a porous ceramic, and having a joint surface at least facing toward the entire surface of the substrate. The electrode also includes a conductive plate made of a plasma-resistant material melt-bonded by a metal to the joint surface of the metal-based composite material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventor: Daisuke HAYASHI
  • Publication number: 20070170157
    Abstract: A laser processing method for cutting, by laser beam, a cutting path (A0) of a workpiece having a corner (B) between a first cutting path (A1) and a second cutting path (A2) is provided. The workpiece is cut under the first cutting conditions (X) from the first cutting path to the corner, and under the second cutting conditions smaller in cutting ability than the first cutting conditions for a predetermined section (A21) on the second cutting path from the corner. The workpiece is cut under the first cutting conditions on the second cutting path after finished the predetermined section. The cutting conditions are continuously changed at the time of switching from the first cutting conditions to the second cutting conditions and/or from the second cutting conditions to the first cutting conditions. In this way, a processing defect is prevented while suppressing the delay of the cutting time at the time of cutting along the cutting path including the corner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Applicant: FANUC LTD
    Inventors: Keiichiro Miyajima, Kohji Fujiwara
  • Publication number: 20070170158
    Abstract: A method and apparatus, for welding together a pair of metal foils of different thickness. The method includes the steps of positioning a thin metal foil adjacent a thick metal foil and applying a continuous wave laser beam to the thick metal foil to weld at least a portion of the thick metal foil and the thin metal foil together. A thermally conductive plate is positioned proximate the weld line in order to limit the thick foil melt pool and to function as a laser beam block. Accordingly, appropriate materials may be chosen for the foils and top plate so that the continuous wave laser beam couples optimally into the thick foil material and minimally into the top plate material. A thermocouple may be placed proximate the weld line to obtain measures of temperature used to vary the laser beam power and/or the slew rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2004
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventor: Christian Greig
  • Publication number: 20070170159
    Abstract: It is an object to provide a laser beam machining method which can easily cut a machining target. The laser beam machining method irradiates laser light while positioning a focus point at the inside of a machining target to thereby form a treated area based on multiphoton absorption along a planned cutting line of the machining target inside the machining target and also form a minute cavity at a predetermined position corresponding to the treated area in the machining target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2004
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Applicant: HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS K.K.
    Inventor: Kenshi Fukumitsu
  • Publication number: 20070170160
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for introducing a predetermined break line in a multilayer airbag covering with a carrier layer, a supporting layer and a decorative layer by a laser. In order to prevent an undesirable burning of the supporting layer over a large area as a result of the occurring combustion gases, it is suggested that the carrier material is ablated by a width that is greater than the diameter of the impinging beam to facilitate the escape of the combustion gases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventors: Wolfgang WITTENBECHER, Martin GRIEBEL, Norbert PREUSS
  • Publication number: 20070170161
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus for cutting a glass plate. The apparatus comprises a cracking means for forming a minute crack at a point on the glass plate where the cutting is started, at least one scribing means using a laser beam absorbed by the glass plate, at least one quenching means using a quenching fluid after irradiation of the laser beam, a breaking means using the laser beam. The breaking means comprises a laser oscillator, a reflection mirror and a focusing lens. The focusing lens has at least two or more focal lengths. The apparatus may further apparatus further comprise a photo mask formed with light transmission openings for transmitting a part of the laser beam to be irradiated on the glass plate instead of the focusing lens. With the apparatus of the present invention, the problems caused by the conventional lens, such as a reduced straightness of a cutting line or a rough cutting plane, can be prevented, thereby providing a clean cutting plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2004
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventors: Ki-Ryong Yoo, Choon-Taek Kim, Min-Young An, Mi-Jee Kim
  • Publication number: 20070170162
    Abstract: Method for cutting through a semiconductor material, includes providing a semiconductor material, and directing a laser beam toward a cutting zone of the semiconductor material. Method further includes selecting a wavelength of the laser beam such that the laser beam is partially transmitted by the semiconductor material under partial absorption, in use, the wavelength of the laser radiation ranging from approximately 1100 to approximately 1150 nm. The wavelength of the laser radiation is selected such that the transmittance of the semiconductor material is approximately 30 to approximately 60%. The method makes possible a rapid and precise cutting through of semiconductor materials, such as wafers. A device for cutting through semiconductor material likewise is provided for cutting through semiconductor materials, such as a wafer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2006
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventors: Oliver Haupt, Bernd Lange
  • Publication number: 20070170163
    Abstract: A welding system is disclosed for performing a short arc welding process between an advancing wire electrode and a workpiece. The system comprises a power source with a controller for creating a current pulse introducing energy into the electrode to melt the end of the electrode and a low current quiescent metal transfer section following the end of the melting pulse during which the melted electrode short circuits against the workpiece; a timer to measure the actual time between the end of the pulse and the short circuit; a device for setting a desired time from the pulse to the short circuit; a circuit to create a corrective signal based upon the difference between the actual time and the desired time; and, a circuit responsive to the corrective signal to control a given parameter of the current pulse. Also disclosed is a strategy for arc welding utilizing a cored electrode that produces welds with low levels of contaminants and which are strong, tough, and durable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventors: Badri Narayanan, Russell Myers, Patrick Soltis
  • Publication number: 20070170164
    Abstract: A method of welding with high nickel content and duplex stainless steel electrodes using adaptive outer loop control to change at least one of a peak current or pulse frequency of a pulse waveform used for welding. The pulse waveform is changed based on a detected change in contact tip to work distance between the electrode and the work piece. The arc generated between the work piece and the electrode is shielded by a shielding gas which contains carbon dioxide and an inert gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2007
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Applicant: Lincoln Global, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey T. Nadzam
  • Publication number: 20070170165
    Abstract: The heating apparatus of a surface-heating type, includes a rotary member, an opposing member that forms a nip with respect to the rotary member, and a heating member for heating a portion of a rotary member surface other than the nip, in which temperature used for heating the rotary member by the heating member is controlled, and a heating material inserted in the nip to be nipped and conveyed therein is heated using heat of the rotary member. Accordingly, after insertion of the heating material in the nip starts, control temperature of the heating member is increased before the rotary member rotates by one revolution, thereby preventing an uneven heating phenomenon of the heating material in the first revolution and the second revolution or later, and preventing uneven gloss due to the uneven heating phenomenon in the fixing apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Applicant: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideo NANATAKI, Taku Fukita, Yozo Hotta
  • Publication number: 20070170166
    Abstract: A quartz heater tube consists of a tube body whose two ends being respectively sealed with a plug, and each plug is provided with a built-in electrode. The inner cavity of the tube body is filled with an inertia gas after being evacuated, and the inner surface thereof is coated with a layer of electrical film which being electrically in connection with the two electrodes. By this construction, when the quartz heater tube is in operation, the electrical film is able to avoid oxidation owing to protection of the inertia gas which serves to isolate the electrical film from the outside air thereby prolonging the lifespan of the quartz heater tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventor: Cheng Ping Lin
  • Publication number: 20070170167
    Abstract: A temperature sensing circuit and a method of automatically controlling the temperature sensing circuit in a cooking apparatus for more accuracy are provided. In the method, the low temperature table and the high temperature table are selectively used based on a current temperature of a cooking chamber, when cooking is ended. The low temperature table and the high temperature table are selectively used based on preset cooking temperatures for different types of cooking together with a current temperature of the cooking chamber, while cooking is performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2007
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventor: Shin Jeong
  • Publication number: 20070170168
    Abstract: Cooktops employing a plurality of gas or electric heating units, and operatively-associated manually-operable controls. To indicate correspondence between heating units and control members, the heating units and manually-operable control members are color coded. Each heating unit and its corresponding control member is coded with the same color.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventor: Mitchell Moschetti
  • Publication number: 20070170169
    Abstract: Provided are an apparatus and a method for monitoring a hot surface of a cook top. The apparatus includes a display unit, a temperature detecting sensor, and a microprocessor. The display unit displays a state of a hot surface and an operation error of a hot plate as a heater operates. The temperature detecting sensor is installed closely to the heater to detect heater temperature greater than set temperature. The microprocessor compares the heater temperature greater than the set temperature that is detected by the temperature detecting sensor with heater temperature greater than the set temperature that is expected by an elapse of an operating time of the heater to judge one of a hot surface and an operation error of the hot plate, and controls the judgment results to be displayed using the display unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2007
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventor: Shin Jeong
  • Publication number: 20070170170
    Abstract: This invention provides a wafer-type temperature sensor capable of eliminating the need for an A/D converter, adapting itself to automation and improving the heat resistance to measure temperature distribution of the upper surface of a wafer, a temperature measuring device using the sensor, a thermal processor having a temperature measurement function and a temperature measurement method. The wafer-type temperature sensor comprises a wafer and a plurality of temperature sensors arranged in regions which are formed by segmenting the upper surface of the wafer into a plurality of regions. Each of the temperature sensors includes an oscillation circuit for oscillating a frequency signal corresponding to the temperature of its own region within a frequency band that is different for every region in response to input of power supply voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventors: Noboyuki Sata, Takahiro Kitano, Tetsuo Fukuoka, Toshiyuki Matsumoto, Tomohide Minami
  • Publication number: 20070170171
    Abstract: A control system to measure a sinusoidal AC voltage in a heating, ventilation includes a controller and a circuit connected to the controller. The circuit generates a pulse voltage based upon the AC voltage. The pulse voltage has a pulse duration. The controller measures a measured pulse duration based on the pulse duration and determines the AC voltage based upon the measured pulse duration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2006
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventors: Rajendra K. Shah, William F. Van Ostrand
  • Publication number: 20070170172
    Abstract: A Fixing device has a heat roller, a magnetic flux generating element, and a magnetic flux block section. The magnetic flux block section for blocking magnetic flux flowing from a magnetic flux generating element to a heat roller is moved to a position at which the magnetic flux does not cause the heat roller to generate heat when rotation of the heat roller stops. The magnetic flux block section is moved to a position at which the heat roller generates heat when the heat roller rotates. Therefore, when rotation of the heat roller stops, even if electric current is applied to the magnetic flux generating element to generate magnetic flux from the magnetic flux generating element, heat generation by the magnetic flux generating element is prevented, so that smoking and firing of the heating element is suppressed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA BUSINESS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Yutaka Otsuka, Yoshihisa Fujimoto, Koji Takahashi, Naoki Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20070170173
    Abstract: Provided are revolving hot roller(s) 31; heating means 33 for heating zonal portion(s) in direction(s) of revolution of hot roller(s) 31; thermistor(s) 35 which is/are temperature detection means for detecting temperature(s) of hot roller(s) 31; and control means 36 for controlling output(s) of heating means 33 based on temperature detection data from thermistor(s) 35; wherein at least one of the control means 36 has timing correction means for correcting timing(s) between temperature detection time(s) of thermistor(s) 35 and heating execution time(s) of heating means 33.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Applicant: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toshiaki Kagawa
  • Publication number: 20070170174
    Abstract: Heating devices and methods which are particularly useful in vending machines for hot products. Products such as foods, including beverages, contained in individual containers such as cans are rapidly heated to serving temperature by induction heating for delivery to a customer. Various types of products with different heating characteristics are rapidly heated without deleterious effects on the product by varying the power and timing of the inductive heating. The type of product is identified by machine-readable indicia on the container which are automatically scanned prior to heating. The product containers may be agitated before, during and/or after heating to mix the contents and distribute heat evenly. The containers are heated in a manner to safely heat the product without overheating or causing damage to the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventors: William W. Segiet, Leslie L. Thompson
  • Publication number: 20070170175
    Abstract: Heating devices and methods which are particularly useful in vending machines for hot Foods. Foods such as beverages contained in individual containers such as cans are rapidly heated to serving temperature by induction heating for delivery to a customer. Various types of foods with food by varying the power and timing of the inductive heating. The type of food is identified by machine-readable indicia on the container which are automatically scanned prior to heating. The food containers may be agitated before, during and/or after heating to mix the contents and distribute heat evenly. The containers are heated in a vertical orientation to safely heat the food without overheating or damage to the container. A power management protocol turns off non-essential components of the vending machine while the inductive heater is energized to permit the vending machine to operate on a standard 120 VAC, 15 A electrical circuit without overload.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventors: Jose G. Avendano, William W. Segiet, Leslie L. Thompson
  • Publication number: 20070170176
    Abstract: The present invention provides a composite tool bar which has a composite body part (10) covered with a covering (20), with a plurality of bites (TO1-T05) mounted on the composite body part (10) along a longitudinal direction. The composite tool bar includes a first insert (240) which is inserted into the composite body part (10). A bite mounting hole (210) is provided in the first insert (240) to receive a bite therein. A bite height adjusting hole (220) is axially aligned with the bite mounting hole (210) to receive therein a bite height adjusting bolt (BO1-B05). The composite tool bar further includes a second insert (250) which is inserted into the composite body part (10) to be coupled to the first insert (240). A bite holding hole (230) is provided in the second insert (250) to receive therein a bite holding bolt (B06-B10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2004
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Applicant: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Dai Lee, Hui Hwang, Seung Lee, Byung Kim
  • Publication number: 20070170177
    Abstract: Heating devices and methods which are particularly useful in vending machines for hot products. Products, such as beverages, contained in individual containers such as cans, are rapidly heated to serving temperature by induction heating for delivery to a customer. Various types of products with different heating characteristics are rapidly heated without deleterious effects on the product by varying the power and timing of the inductive heating. The type of product is identified by machine-readable indicia on the container which are automatically scanned prior to heating. The containers are agitated before, during and/or after heating to mix the contents and distribute heat evenly. The containers are heated in a manner to safely heat the product without overheating or causing damage to the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventors: Jose G. Avendano, William W. Segiet
  • Publication number: 20070170178
    Abstract: Heating devices and methods which are particularly useful in vending machines for hot products. Products such as foods, including beverages, contained in individual containers such as cans are rapidly heated to serving temperature by induction heating for delivery to a customer. Various types of products with different heating characteristics are rapidly heated without deleterious effects on the product by varying the power and timing of the inductive heating. The type of product is identified by machine-readable indicia on the container which are automatically scanned prior to heating. The containers may be agitated before, during and/or after heating to mix the contents and distribute heat evenly. The containers are heated in a manner to safely heat the product without overheating or causing damage to the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventors: William Segiet, Michel Saba
  • Publication number: 20070170179
    Abstract: Heating devices and methods which are particularly useful in vending machines for hot products. Products such as beverages contained in individual containers such as cans are rapidly heated to serving temperature by induction heating for delivery to a customer. Various types of products with different heating characteristics are rapidly heated without deleterious effects on the product by varying the power and timing of the inductive heating. The type of product is identified by indicia on the container which are automatically scanned prior to heating. The product containers may be agitated before, during and/or after heating to mix the contents and distribute heat evenly. The containers are heated in a manner to safely heat the product without overheating or causing damage to the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventors: William Segiet, Michel Saba
  • Publication number: 20070170180
    Abstract: An on-board gaseous fuel tank module includes: a support frame member; and a gaseous fuel tank fixed to the support frame member horizontally. The gaseous fuel tank includes: a cylindrical tank complete unit, a gaseous fuel inlet and outlet valve device provided at an axial end portion of the tank complete unit such that a part thereof protrudes outwardly from the tank complete unit, and a pin hole provided in the other axial end portion of the tank complete unit so as to open outwardly. An axis of the tank complete unit, an axis of the part of the valve device and a center line of the pin hole are disposed on a single straight line so that the part of the valve device and the pin hole are used to position the gaseous fuel tank horizontally.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2005
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventors: Hideo Watanabe, Morio Kuroki
  • Publication number: 20070170181
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally a platform and multiple box case for housing electronic and acoustical equipments for stationary and transitional operations, and more particularly to offer an apparatus for safely and adjustably providing an upper platform mated to the upper and lower boxes of the multiple box case. Traditional type of cases and racks are suitable for typical audio gears in the DJ field. However, more users of such boxes are using laptop computer and other accessories. Yet, such users are discovering that traditional boxes lack the space for such devices on the typical cases that they are currently utilizing. The present invention provides a solution for the placement of additional gears in a variably slidable platform without taking any more space than in the typical DJ boxes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventors: John Hsiao, Mario Montano
  • Publication number: 20070170182
    Abstract: A rotatable housing of a computer peripheral device includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is pivotally coupled to the second portion. The first portion has a first inclined surface and the second portion has a corresponding second inclined surface. The second inclined surface of the second portion can be rotated relatively to the first inclined surface of the first portion, thereby fundamentally changing the appearance of the housing by changing the angle between the first and second portions of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Applicant: KYE SYSTEMS CORP.
    Inventor: Shi-Ying Xiao
  • Publication number: 20070170183
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for multi-chambered heating of food products wherein a plurality of varying food products may be simultaneously heated over a stovetop heating element of gas burner is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a plurality of independent cooking chambers that when properly arranged, conform to the geometry of a stovetop electric heating element or gas burner. Each of the plurality of cooking chambers further includes a lid and a hooking device that enables a handle to be temporarily and securely attached to the outer surface of the cooking chamber. When joined with a cooking chamber, the handle may serve to position and/or remove the cooking chamber from a stovetop burner. Each of the plurality of independent cooking chambers may further include inserts in the form of a steamer, strainer, fryer, and double boiler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2007
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventors: Edna Hannan, Sandra Ardell Griffith
  • Publication number: 20070170184
    Abstract: A self closing container having inner and outer sleeves. Outer sleeve surrounds inner sleeve and can freely slide on inner sleeve by lifting outer sleeve or handle. When container is closed, lid covers magnets, mouth magnets, mouth magnet platform, and mouth platform. When closed, bar magnet component is positioned over mouth magnets which permits mouth cover to cover mouth. When outer sleeve is raised, it raises ring in lid. In raised position, lid cover magnets on ring are repelled by corresponding magnets on lid cover. When ring is raised, mouth magnet platforms are raised. Mouth magnet platforms have two mouth magnets, one positioned toward mouth and one positioned toward back of the lid. When raised, mouth cover is moved backward to an open position with the use of the bar magnet component. When handle or outer sleeve is released all components return to their original positions effectively closing the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventor: Robert Canedo
  • Publication number: 20070170185
    Abstract: A container for pills and the like, and comprising a shell (10), a closure (11) for that shell, a pivotal mounting (12) in the shell for the closure so that the closure is arranged for rotation on an axis to rock between a closed position in which the closure seals the shell, and an open position in which the closure can dispense a pill or the like from the interior of the shell through an aperture, in which there is a detent (engageable by button 17) arranged to secure the closure in its closed position, and a point on the surface of the shell to which pressure can be applied to release the detent and so allow the closure to be rocked from its closed position to its open position. The purpose of the container is to prevent access by children to pharmaceutical drugs within the container, while allowing elderly or infirm adults to have easy access to those drugs. An independent claim included for a method of forming such a container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2005
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventors: Peter Hanssen, Zoran Vasiloski
  • Publication number: 20070170186
    Abstract: The invention concerns a vent cap for oil tanks of machines and motor equipment, comprising a cup (1), equipped with means of engagement (4) with the seat of the tank filler, and a lid (12) mounted on the cup and which snaps thereon. Between the cup (1) and the lid (12) there is a gap allowing the vapour outflow from the tank to the outer environment or viceversa. According to the invention, said lid (12) comprises two cylindrical diaphragms (12b, 12c), concentric to the cap axis and which, in cooperation with the cup (1), form labyrinth means for the flow of vapours and air. Cup (1) also carries a guide (7) supporting a level rod (8), consisting of a central, cylindrical main body (7b), wherefrom ribs (7a) for anchoring to the cup (1) depart. Guide (7) extends, at the top, into two flexible flaps (7c), provided with means of engagement (10) of the rod (8).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Applicant: ELESA S.P.A.
    Inventor: Alberto Bertani
  • Publication number: 20070170187
    Abstract: A method of assembling selected modular ratchet cap assemblies. In one aspect, the method includes the acts of providing identical threaded portions, providing identical cover portions, providing a first vent module, providing a second vent module different from the first vent module, selecting the first vent module and coupling together the first vent module with one of the identical threaded portions and one of the identical cover portions to form a first cap assembly, and selecting the second vent module and coupling together the second vent module with another one of the identical threaded portions and another one of the identical cover portions to form a second cap assembly. In other aspects, the method includes assembling first and second cap assemblies with identical cover portions and threaded portions, but having different pawl members providing different cap-installing torque limits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Applicant: BEMIS MANUFACTURING COMPANY
    Inventors: Robert Daniel Tharp, Michael Joseph Holz, Thomas John Graham
  • Publication number: 20070170188
    Abstract: Apparatus 10 discloses a disposable cup 12 incorporating an integral slidably extendable retractable straw 14 with a plurality of cups stackable through employment of a channel 24 extending the length of the cup for encompassing the internal straw. A tubular member 26 having an aperture 28 on its lower end is disposed on the interior wall 16 of the cup 12 for slidably receiving the straw 14 therein so that suction applied to the straw draws fluid from the cup.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2006
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventor: Jocelain Guillaume
  • Publication number: 20070170189
    Abstract: A pedestrian carryall for facilitating the carrying of a beverage container and other objects is disclosed. The carryall comprises an insulated sleeve preferably comprised of a single elongated rectangular insulating member. The insulating member includes a first fastener portion fixed to an interior surface and a second, cooperating fastener portion fixed to the exterior surface, whereby the insulating member may be looped around itself such that the first and second fastener portions may be brought into contact to form a sleeve for adjustably and frictionally retaining a variety of sizes and shapes of the beverage container or other objects. An adjustable looped handle is fixed to the sleeve for adjustable looping around a person's hand, whereby the user does not have to actively grasp the carryall in order to carry the beverage container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2006
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventor: Josephine Carlile
  • Publication number: 20070170190
    Abstract: A cosmetic product container includes a dish and a cover, the dish having a base and a lateral wall, and the cover being equipped with a seal typically placed at the periphery of the cover. The seal includes at least one substantially axial internal lip and one substantially axial external lip that surround a recess intended to receive the upper edge of the lateral wall of the dish, the seal being designed so that when the upper edge of the lateral wall of the dish comes into contact with the base of the recess by transmitting an axial closing force (F) on the seal, the ends of the internal and external lips are subjected respectively to a centrifugal (E) and centripetal (I) lateral movement so that both come into contact with the lateral wall of the dish. The container may be a refill or a pan for a make-up compact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventors: Frederic Milesi, Fabrice Dieudonat
  • Publication number: 20070170191
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a container for solids or liquid and a method of opening a container. The container comprises a hollow body which holds the contents and a closure which cooperates with the body to close the container. The closure comprises an opening member which is movable from a retracted position to an opening position in which the closure can be opened. The container further comprises a locking member for securing the opening member, the locking member being movable between a locking position in which the opening member is kept secured in the retracted position and an unlocked position in which the opening member is movable into the opening position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2007
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventors: Lars Arvidsson, Lena Axelson-Larsson, Maria Benktzon, Thomas Nilsson, Ulrika Vejbrink
  • Publication number: 20070170192
    Abstract: A closure member is provided for a container which includes a base frame connectable to the container, a first door pivotally connected to the base frame and a second and third door pivotally connected to the base frame, the first door covering the second and third doors when each of the doors is in a closed position. The first door includes a seal member positioned therein which is removable and the first door is pivotally connectable to an edge portion of the base frame. A method of covering a container with the closure member is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2007
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Applicant: MCCORMICK & COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Blum, Roland Charriez, David Demar, Steven Gift, Duane Sawyer
  • Publication number: 20070170193
    Abstract: A closure for a container having a support device for fillers, in particular a tablet tube, the support device providing an elastically deformable support element that is capable of being brought from a first position, in which the support element is undeformed, into a second position in which the support element is deformed. The support element has a contact area that, in the second position, transmits a supporting force to the fillers; in the second position the support element is situated closer to the container mid-axis than is the case in the first position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventor: Horst Schorner