Patents Issued in February 14, 2008
  • Publication number: 20080036108
    Abstract: Disclosed is: (i) a thermal management system of a molding system, (ii) a molding system having a thermal management system, and/or (iii) a method of a molding system having a thermal management system, amongst other things.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2006
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventor: Robert Domodossola
  • Publication number: 20080036109
    Abstract: A self supporting panel system used to fabricate ceilings, floors, walls, or roofs. The panel system is assembled from a plurality of panels, each having a core that is sandwiched between opposing plate members. In a preferred embodiment, the core of each panel includes a unifying material to enhance the load bearing capacity of the panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2007
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Applicant: PN II, Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence Wrass
  • Publication number: 20080036110
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a plurality of seat elements is provided. The plurality of seat elements are styled to have a range of styling features. The method includes a step of determining the range of styling feature by selecting characteristics of a middle ply of foam and/or the exterior ply of the trim cover and selecting a number and position of panels that are sewn to form the trim cover. The seat elements are fabricated on a common mold apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2007
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventors: David Brooker, Larry F. Demoe, David Lang, Joseph Paquette
  • Publication number: 20080036111
    Abstract: The present invention provides a thermally crosslinked polymeric material and a medical implant made from such polymeric material having significant crosslinking and substantially no detectable free radial for improved wear and oxidation resistance. A method is disclosed for forming a crosslinked oxidation-resistant polymeric material by placing the polymer material in a heating environment at a temperature above the melting point of the polymeric material for a sufficient time to create free radicals and form crosslinks within the polymer micro-structure followed by a cooling step to eliminate residual free radicals and form crosslinks within the polymer micro-structure. A method of making a crosslinked oxidation-resistant UHMWPE medical implant from a solid form of UHMWPE is also disclosed. Another method of making a crosslinked oxidation-resistant UHMWPE near-finished or finished medical implant by compression molding using UHMWPE resin powder as the starting material is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2006
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventor: Dehchuan Sun
  • Publication number: 20080036112
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for demolding (1) of molded material (2) out of a mold (3), in particular for demolding lipstick leads, wherein, said apparatus for demolding (1) comprises means with which the molded material (2) can be selectively demolded with one of at least two different techniques.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2005
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventor: Franz Gilg
  • Publication number: 20080036113
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a medical device and method of forming the medical device. In particular, the present invention relates to a medical device having a tubular membrane structure over a radially expandable structural frame, and to a method of forming the tubular membrane on the radially expandable structural frame. In one aspect, a structural frame is placed over a spinning mandrel and a fiber is electro-statically spun over at least a portion of the structural frame forming a membrane. A transfer sheath may be used between the mandrel and structural frame to prevent the electro-statically spun fiber from adhering to the mandrel. In another aspect, a first membrane is spun over the mandrel before the structural frame is placed over the mandrel. In this aspect, at least a portion of the structural frame is sandwiched between the membranes. The membrane or membranes and structural frame form a fiber spun frame assembly. The fiber spun frame assembly may be coated with an elastic polymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventors: Iksoo Chun, Mark Roller, David Majercak
  • Publication number: 20080036114
    Abstract: Molds, methods of making molds, and methods of making microstructured (e.g. barrier ribs) articles from molds are described. The mold comprises a microstructured surface that comprises (e.g. groove) recesses defined by planar portions having a surface in the same plane and non-molding regions adjacent peripheral planar portions on at least two opposing sides. The non-molding regions comprise at least one surface modification that reduces the contact area of the non-molding regions with the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2007
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventors: Akira Yoda, Hiroshi Kikuchi
  • Publication number: 20080036115
    Abstract: The object is to efficiently utilize a starch substance among surplus agricultural product, and the present invention relates to a technique for blending the starch substance with a thermoplastic resin. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a starch resin composition which retains various properties of the thermoplastic resin even when the starch substance is blended in a large amount. There is provided a starch resin composition comprising 5-95 parts by weight of the thermoplastic resin (X), 95-5 parts by weight of starch substance (Y), and 0.2-20 parts by weight of a compatibilizer (Z) which improves an affinity at an interface between the thermoplastic resin (X) and the starch substance (Y), relative to 100 parts by weight of a total amount of the components (X) and (Y), and a technique associated with the starch resin composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2005
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventors: Minoru Ueda, Takashi Ohno, Jun Sato, Kazuhisa Sakaguchi
  • Publication number: 20080036116
    Abstract: A mold for forming a candle body having a design embossed on at least one surface thereof is provided. The mold includes a mold body having at least one inner side surface defining a mold cavity open at its top for receiving liquefied candle wax. The mold also includes an embossing mold having an embossing surface for forming the embossed design on the surface of the candle. A securing component provides for selectively securing the embossing mold to the inner side surface of the mold body such that the embossing mold may be secured to the mold body at any location on the inner side surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2005
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventor: Ivan Lajoie
  • Publication number: 20080036117
    Abstract: A three-dimensional printer adapted to construct three dimensional objects is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the printer includes a first surface adapted to receive a bulk layer of sinterable powder, a polymer such as nylon powder; a radiant energy source, e.g., an incoherent heat source adapted to focus the heat energy to sinter an image from the layer of sinterable powder; and a transfer mechanism adapted to transfer or print the sintered image from the first surface to the object being assembled while fusing the sintered image to the object being assembled. The transfer mechanism is preferably adapted to simultaneously deposit and fuse the sintered image to the object being assembled. The process of generating an image and transferring it to the object being assembled is repeated for each cross section until the assembled object is completed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2007
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventors: Kevin Hickerson, Bryan Bedal, Richard Diephuis
  • Publication number: 20080036118
    Abstract: A process is described for producing plastics composites comprising a polyacetal molding, onto part or all of at least one surface of which a molding or a coating composed of thermoplastic has been directly molded. The process encompasses the following measures: i) production of a polyacetal molding ii) treating at least one predetermined portion of one of the surfaces of the polyacetal molding with an atmospheric, potential-free plasma, and iii) single or multiple molding-on of the thermoplastic to at least one part of the surface treated with the atmospheric, potential-free plasma. Instead of the polyacetal molding, the molding composed of thermoplastic may be produced first, the polyacetal molding being molded onto this after the plasma treatment. The process can produce polyacetal composites in particular with thermoplastic elastomers, and these feature good adhesion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2005
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Applicant: TICONA GmbH
    Inventors: Marco Prigandt, Juergen Riecke
  • Publication number: 20080036119
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a molded part with an improved convenience and a high degree of efficiency in molding is provided, the molded part containing a biodegradable resin composite, which has the heat resistance in a wide temperature range and which is provided with the flexibility and the elongation in accordance with the use. A kneaded product of a biodegradable resin component and a cross-linkable monomer is prepared. The biodegradable resin component is cross-linked and ground to prepare a biodegradable resin cross-linking product powder. An impregnant at a temperature of 60° C. or higher, and lower than or equal to the melting point or degradation temperature of the biodegradable resin component is impregnated to prepare a molding material composed of a biodegradable resin composite powder. The molding material is heated to a temperature higher than or equal to the melting point of the biodegradable resin component to mold into pellets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2007
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventor: Shinichi Kanazawa
  • Publication number: 20080036120
    Abstract: A continuous elongated element coming from an extruder or a supply reel is wound into coils disposed consecutively close to each other on a cylindrical forming support. A pusher element urges each coil formed on the forming support against the previously formed coils causing translation of same to a cutter. Following cutting of the coils, a continuous semifinished product is obtained which has elongated reinforcing elements disposed parallel and close to each other and transversely of the longitudinal extension of the semifinished product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2003
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventor: Claudio Lacagnina
  • Publication number: 20080036121
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of manufacture of receptacles by thermoforming and the placing of decorative banderols on these receptacles, in which a first mould block (24) is provided, which comprises at least one thermoforming chamber (28) and which is capable of tilting between a working position for the thermoforming of the receptacles and a tilted position for the introduction of a banderol into the thermoforming chamber (28) before the thermoforming of a receptacle (37) in the said chamber The invention is characterised in that a second mould block (26) is provided analogous to the first mould block (24) and in that while one of the mould blocks is in the working position for the thermoforming of a receptacle (37) in the thermoforming chamber (28) of this mould block the other mould block is in the tilted position for the introduction of a decorative banderol into its thermoforming chamber (28) before the thermoforming of another receptacle (37) in the said chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2005
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Applicant: ERCA FORMSEAL
    Inventors: Bernard Gandon, Alain Dunan, Dominique Schwab
  • Publication number: 20080036122
    Abstract: A hollow structural member including a top wall having an inner surface and a substantially planar outer surface. A bottom wall opposes the top wall so as to define a void therebetween and has at least one bulwark formed therein. Each bulwark has a leading face which is joined to the inner surface of the top wall to form a double-walled bulwark bridging the void. The double-walled bulwark has opposing walls and a reinforcing member that is encapsulated thereby. A process for producing a hollow structural member includes placing a parison between two mold halves before bringing together the first and second mold halves. A movable blade is positioned therein. When in the closed position, movable blade is extended into a cavity defined by the first and second mold halves to form the bulwark in the second portion of the parison to be formed into a bottom wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2006
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Applicant: LEAR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Stephen Hawkins
  • Publication number: 20080036123
    Abstract: Methods of preparing conductive thermoset precursors containing carbon nanotubes is provided. Also provided is a method of preparing conductive thermosets containing carbon nanotubes. The carbon nanotubes may in individual form or in the form of aggregates having a macromorpology resembling the shape of a cotton candy, bird nest, combed yarn or open net. Preferred multiwalled carbon nanotubes have diameters no greater than 1 micron and preferred single walled carbon nanotubes have diameters less than 5 nm. Carbon nanotubes may be adequately dispersed in a thermoset precursor by using a extrusion process generally reserved for thermoplastics. The thermoset precursor may be a precursor for epoxy, phenolic, polyimide, urethane, polyester, vinyl ester or silicone. A preferred thermoset precursor is a bisphenol A derivative.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2007
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Applicant: Hyperion Catalysis International, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Fischer, Timothy Jozokos, James Leacock, Andrew Rich
  • Publication number: 20080036124
    Abstract: A furnace for heat treatment of steel sheets or steel sheet structures includes a heating zone formed by at least two furnace modules which are detachably connected to one another to thereby define a starting furnace module and an end furnace module. In order to meet increasing output requirements and capacity demands, at least one add-on furnace module is provided for placement between the starting and end furnace modules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2007
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Applicant: Benteler Automobiltechnik GmbH
    Inventors: OTTO BUSCHSIEWEKE, Christoph Mainka, Stefan Adelbert
  • Publication number: 20080036125
    Abstract: In a central fastening element for an axially symmetric, vehicle gas spring, which includes a bellows that has central bores or cutouts in the region of its end faces, the fastening element being fixed to the vehicle body, protruding from the surroundings of the attachment point in a direction normal to it, and being encompassed by the bores or cutouts. The fastening element includes a shaped stud or a shaped cap, the maximum outer diameter of the stud or the cap being at least less than one fifth of the maximum outer diameter of the gas-spring bellows. A device may be provided which allows a gas spring to be installed in a simple manner and allows the spring bellows to rotate with respect to the suspension and/or the vehicle body during the initial installation and/or the initial operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2002
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventors: Ludger Burstedde, Michael Guse, Andreas Opara, Christian Ottawa, Hans Scheerer
  • Publication number: 20080036126
    Abstract: A failsafe buffer strut set comprises an air/hydraulic cylinder and a link element. The link element comprises a rotation center. The air/hydraulic cylinder comprises a cylinder tube, a piston rod, a piston unit, an end bearing, an oil seal, an inner bearing, a piston-mounting element, and a cylinder-mounting element. The interior of the cylinder tube comprises an air/hydraulic damping chamber between the piston unit and the cylinder-mounting element, and a pressurizing chamber between the piston unit and the inner bearing. A proper volume of liquid and a compressed air are filled in the cylinder tube. The piston unit comprises a piston and a circuit groove on the surface thereof. The liquid and the compressed air flow between the air/hydraulic damping chamber and the pressurizing chamber through the circuit groove as a buffer when the air/hydraulic cylinder works.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventor: Jong-Jyr Kau
  • Publication number: 20080036127
    Abstract: A spring device includes an intermittent accumulator and kinetics release trigger that gradually winds up to accumulate energy as driven by manual or other random intermittent kinetics and drives an kinetics release control to trigger off the spring to release kinetics to drive a load once the kinetics to the spring is accumulated to a preset value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2006
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventor: Tai-Her Yang
  • Publication number: 20080036128
    Abstract: A spring seat 51 adapted to support a large coil spring 34 to absorb and to dampen torsional vibrations and a small coil spring 35 positioned within the large coil spring 34 having a smaller outside diameter than an inside diameter of the large coil spring 34, includes a seat body 52 supporting an end of the large coil spring 34 and an end of the small coil spring 35 in a compressing direction, a first supporting portion 54 protruding from the seat body 52 in the compressing direction of the small coil spring 35 and supporting an inner periphery of the small coil spring 35, and a second supporting portion 53 formed at an end portion of the seat body to covering partial an outer periphery of the large coil spring 34 and to support an outer peripheral side of a part of the large coil spring 34.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2007
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Applicant: Exedy Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Uehara
  • Publication number: 20080036129
    Abstract: This project is a work tool with a cylindrical shape in its center to give space to the jaws that I have incorporated. Its top part also consists of a cylindrical plate with an optional diameter designed for strong work, also in this top plate you could connect other related tools. The bottom plate will be the support base and the part to attach to a working bench or any other suitable place.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2004
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventor: Jose C. Fajardo
  • Publication number: 20080036130
    Abstract: A glass substrate carrier has a base, a tray assembly, a transmission device and a non-contact brake assembly. The base is movable. The tray assembly has a tray slidably mounted on the base and holding a glass substrate. The transmission device is mounted between the base and the tray assembly and is capable of driving the tray to extend out or retract back to the base. The non-contact brake assembly has a first brake element mounted on the base and a second brake element mounted on the tray assembly and un-contacting the first brake element. The first and second brake elements attract each other with an attractive force to brake a movement of the tray of the tray assembly. The first and second brake elements do not rub against each other and no dust is generated to damage circuit on the glass substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventors: Jui-Chung Cheng, Summit Lin
  • Publication number: 20080036131
    Abstract: A card sheet including a top material having punched lines, the front side of the top material being printable. A carrier material of at least one polymer layer is directly applied as by extruding to the back side of the top material. The polymer has a stress-at-break in the range of 10 to 30 MPa and an elongation at break in the range of 10 to 120%. From the card sheet individual cards may be broken out to form high quality calling (business) cards, photograph cards, post cards or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventors: Martin Utz, Karl Lengfeller, Michael Wilkes, Sriram Venkatasanthanam, Ramin Heydarpour, Chia-Hsi Chu, Ronald Ugolick, Ali Mehrabi
  • Publication number: 20080036132
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming individual insert assemblies using an inline printing press comprising forming from a web at least one first ribbon defining an insert; forming from the web at least one second ribbon defining an advertising panel; applying repositionable or stick once glue to the advertising panel; and attaching the advertising panel to the advertising insert by the repositionable or stick once glue, thereby creating an insert having a removably attached advertising panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2006
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventor: Kenneth E. Moring
  • Publication number: 20080036133
    Abstract: A saddle stitching device including a saddle-back conveyor having a first printed product location and a second printed product location adjacent the first printed product location, a first stitcher adjacent the conveyor and driven by a first motor, and a second stitcher adjacent the conveyor and driven by a second motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2006
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Applicant: Goss International Americas, Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn Alan Guaraldi, Warren Hess Jarrard
  • Publication number: 20080036134
    Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus and an image forming apparatus which can certainly feed sheets without being influenced by an aging change of fan characteristics are provided. An air is blown to sheets stacked on a tray by an air blowing mechanism having a plurality of fans which are independently rotated, thereby loosening the sheets. Prior to starting the feeding of the sheet, rotational speeds of the fans of the air blowing mechanism are controlled so as to be set to target rotational speeds which have been preset every plural fans so that a wind pressure which can loosen the sheets in the driving state of all fans is obtained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2007
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yuzo MATSUMOTO
  • Publication number: 20080036135
    Abstract: A stationary working surface of a one roll microcreper member is of plastic resin having low wear and friction properties. As a primary pressing member subject to concentrated force it is 0.040 inch thick. One or both opposed retarder members of a bladed microcreper are of the plastic. Thermoplastics meeting wear and friction limits, e.g. ultra high density polyethylene, are employed. Primary extensions, some having openings, slots or holes serve as flexible retarders to engage treated material. By a load-spreading surface, the thermoplastic primary member is restrained without distortion. By this surface being linear it slideably inserts into a mounting. By this surface being parallel to the roll axis the primary member is free for cross-machine thermal expansion. A primary member shown is sheet form, mounted between sheet metal members, one with a restraint surface. Sheet materials of polyolefins, wood pulp, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2007
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventors: J. Drew Horn, Peter R. Smith, Richard C. Walton
  • Publication number: 20080036136
    Abstract: At least two sheet conveyors are provided in such a way that several of these conveyors can rotate around the common axis, essentially independent of one another, and thus one of these sheet conveyors is ready to accept or detect the next sheet, if another of these sheet conveyors is still occupied with the transport or the placement of a preceding sheet and that a sensor is coupled mechanically with several of these sheet conveyors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2004
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventor: Dirk Dobrindt
  • Publication number: 20080036137
    Abstract: A registration unit includes a skew correction roller pair configured to rotate a sheet conveyed from a conveyance roller pair and to correct skew of the sheet. The registration unit sheet further includes a projectable swinging guide arranged between the conveyance roller pair and the skew correction roller pair to deflect the sheet. The skew correction roller pair corrects the skew of the sheet deflected by the swinging guide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Junichi Moteki, Takashi Fujita, Hiroaki Takagishi, Nobuto Kamiyama, Seiichiro Kameda, Youichi Chikugo, Satohisa Tateishi, Kozo Inoue
  • Publication number: 20080036138
    Abstract: A reflective sheet detector includes first and second guide plates constituting a sheet travelling path, an emitter, a receiver and a reflecting portion. The emitter is disposed on a first side of the sheet travelling path and close to a first input opening of the first guide plate. The receiver is disposed on the first side and close to a first output opening of the first guide plate. The reflecting portion is disposed on a second side of the sheet travelling path opposite the first side and is close to the second guide plate. The emitter outputs a signal to the reflecting portion through the first input opening and a second input opening of the second guide plate, and the reflecting portion reflects the signal to the receiver through a second output opening of the second guide plate and the first output opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventor: Chih-Yi Wang
  • Publication number: 20080036139
    Abstract: A non-contact sensing system for detecting a double feed condition of mail. The non-contact sensing system generally includes a mail sorting machine that routes and moves the mail, a non-contact sensor, and a controller. The non-contact sensor is positioned proximate to the conveyor and generates a signal that is indicative of the thickness of the mail. The controller receives the signal from the non-contact sensor and generates an output signal that indicates a double feed condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2006
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventors: Gregory Reyner, Daniel P. McHugh
  • Publication number: 20080036140
    Abstract: A sheet conveying apparatus that conveys a sheet serving as a recording medium and effectively reduces energy consumption includes a movable sheet supporting device configured to support sheets, a sheet size detecting device configured to detect a size of the sheets by detecting a location of the sheet supporting device, a gap detecting device configured to detect a gap between the sheets and the sheet supporting device, and a reporting device configured to notify an operator of a gap detected by the gap detecting device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2007
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventor: Nobuo Inoue
  • Publication number: 20080036141
    Abstract: A paper feeding mechanism includes a base, a driven roller, an active roller, a shaft, and a plurality of torsion elements. The shaft is disposed on the base, and the torsion elements are coaxially connected to the shaft with a first and a second force arm pressing against the rotational axial position of the driven roller and the base respectively. The torsion elements provide a normal force to the driven roller, so that the driven roller may press against the active roller constantly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2007
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventors: Chun-Liang Liu, Jen-Chieh Liu
  • Publication number: 20080036142
    Abstract: An apparatus for recording an image onto a sheet medium has an entrance drive roller paired with a corresponding entrance pressure roller to form an entrance nip for transporting the sheet medium into an image recording section. The image recording section has a write head for recording onto a portion of the sheet medium being transported between the entrance nip and exit nip. The exit nip is formed by a drive roller paired with a corresponding exit pressure roller for transporting the sheet medium out from the image recording section. A motor provides rotary motion to a pinion roller mechanically coupled to the entrance and exit drive rollers. A loading mechanism provides a loading force to nest the pinion roller into rotational contact against a portion of the entrance and exit drive rollers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2007
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventors: Mark Bedzyk, Jeffery Hawver
  • Publication number: 20080036143
    Abstract: A coin operated amusement game such as a pinball machine having a playing surface to which LEDs are mounted as a means for illuminating portions of the game playing surface generally.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2006
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Applicant: Stern Pinball, Inc.
    Inventor: Raymond Carl Tanzer
  • Publication number: 20080036144
    Abstract: A multiple player participation game utilizes a multi-sided tray which comprises a pit surrounded by a multi-sided frame. The upper edge of each side of the frame has a set of pockets corresponding to a set of dice for each player. A multi-sided challenge cube is used which has game instruction indicia on each of its sides determining how the game is played for that hand. Each player shakes the player's dice in a shaker cup. During the course of the game players forfeit one or more dice which are then placed in the corresponding pockets of the tray.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventor: Steven Maling
  • Publication number: 20080036145
    Abstract: A game includes a board having a start position and at least two possible finish positions. A number of sequential positions are located between the start position and the possible finish positions. Each player has a playing piece which starts on the start position and a player designating one of the finish positions prior to starting the game. The game finishing when a player's playing piece lands on the designated finish position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Applicant: LEARNING BRAIN INTERNATIONAL PTE LTD
    Inventor: Clinton Lim
  • Publication number: 20080036146
    Abstract: A sport trivia game which includes a set of playing cards each having a plurality of sports related questions and answers that are color coded according to level of difficulty, a scoring strategy guide based on difficulty of the sports related questions for determining scoring, a score card for keeping track of scoring, and a housing for retaining the playing cards, scoring strategy guide, and score card. When the sport is golf, the scoring strategy guide is based on the difficulty of golf related questions which determine strokes taken and the lowest number of total strokes wins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2007
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventors: Douglas Fredrikson, Paul Vecchia
  • Publication number: 20080036147
    Abstract: A special poker chip is manufactured to have special indicia thereon. The chip will be formed of special materials and will have special markings and colors. The value of the poker chips depends on the markings and the value of one chip relative to a second depends on the dominance of the marking on the one chip relative to the second chip. The chips can be collected in the manner of coin collecting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2006
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventors: Christopher J. Hostettler, Zachary King
  • Publication number: 20080036148
    Abstract: A poker card game, played with a conventional deck of cards, provides each player with two down cards and one face up card. Additionally, there are four community cards that are also exposed for all players to see. Any player can use any combination of his cards and the community cards to form his best five card poker hand. The requirement that each player has three unique cards means that each player must use one of his cards to form his hand. This requirement reduces the potential for ties at the end of the game. The player with the best such hand at the end of play is the winner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2006
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventor: Raymond F. Mignogna
  • Publication number: 20080036149
    Abstract: A trick-taking card game for two or more players that includes two decks of playing cards: a numbered character card deck and a modifier card deck. Each player's goal is to play a card, or combinations of cards, that is/are higher in numerical rank value than their opponents' cards in order to win the trick in each round of play. Players can improve their chance of winning the round by playing, in their turn and in conjunction with one character card, one or more modifying cards that they possess in their hand to increase the rank value of their played character card or decrease the rank value of the other players' cards. Tricks are collected for points in multiple hands comprising a game. The player with the greatest number of points at the end of the game is declared the winner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventors: Janice Maryan Hughes, Christine Anne Debruyne
  • Publication number: 20080036150
    Abstract: A resource component for a game system. The resource component has a game play structure. It also has a linking mechanism. The linking mechanism is arranged about the game play structure. During play of the game, the linking mechanism dictates a gameplay condition. This gameplay condition is the availability of the game play structure to be included into the game system by linking to opposing resource components already present in the game play system. The game system is build around a central component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventors: Amy Tucker, Tyler Bielman
  • Publication number: 20080036151
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer readable storage to implement a wagering game involving a moving piece. Player's can bet on which side the moving piece will ultimately reach. Proposition wagers can be placed on future outcomes, such as how many turns the game would require before the game is over.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2007
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventor: David Schugar
  • Publication number: 20080036152
    Abstract: The present invention preferably relates to a casino card game played with a standard fifty-two card deck. The game is divided into a bonus round, progressive bonus round, and a challenge round. Each player places an ante and a bonus wager and, if desired, an optional progressive bonus wager at the start of the game and must place an additional wager to continue into the challenge round. The dealer pays winning hands at three points in the game, at the end of the bonus round, at the end of the progressive bonus round, and at the end of the challenge round. The bonus round is paid according to each player's two card hand plus a third (bonus) community card. The progressive bonus round is paid according to each player's two card hand plus a third (bonus) and fourth (progressive bonus) community card. The challenge round is played one-on-one with each player two card hand versus the dealer's.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventor: Joseph Durbin
  • Publication number: 20080036153
    Abstract: Improved targets suitable for cutting with an edged weapon are disclosed. In an embodiment the target is a prism made of polyethylene foam with a hole for receiving a peg and an external indicia alerting the practitioner of the depth of the hole and, thereby, what portion of the target may be cut without risk of cutting the peg. In an embodiment the target is comprises a polyethylene foam tube or rod with the exterior cylindrical wall covered by a sheath of material, such as paper, that prevents the foam from bending and thereby increases the rigidity of the target. An improved peg for receiving and positively, but removably, engaging a foam target is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2006
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventor: George Lewis
  • Publication number: 20080036154
    Abstract: A mechanical seal comprises a first case member that is mounted on a rotatably supported rotatable shaft and that rotates together with the rotatable shaft, a second case member that is mounted on a member supporting the rotatable shaft and that forms a space between the first case member and the second case member, a first seal member that is mounted on the first case member, an urging member that is mounted on the second case member, a second seal member that is arranged concentrically with the first seal member and that is pushed against the first seal member with being urged in an axial direction of the rotatable shaft by the urging member, and a transmitting member that transmits an urging force of the urging member to the second seal member, and the urging member is arranged both concentrically with the second seal member and near the second seal member in its radial direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2007
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Applicant: GMB Corporation
    Inventors: Makito Okamoto, Yusuke Yamanaka
  • Publication number: 20080036155
    Abstract: An outer shell member is fixed to the lower end of a rotational shaft so as to wrap around a unit main body from the lower side thereof to the outer periphery thereof. The gap between the rotational shaft and the unit main body is magnetically sealed by a ferrofluid seal portion. A bearing portion is provided at the lower end portion of the unit main body between the unit main body and the outer shell member. Purge gas is supplied to the gap between the rotational shaft and the unit main body at a position nearer to the reaction container than the ferrofluid seal portion and in the neighborhood of the ferrofluid seal portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2005
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Applicant: Rigaku Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Shimazaki, Manabu Noguchi
  • Publication number: 20080036156
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sealing arrangement comprising at least one seal and a spinning ring. Said spinning ring is provided with a first hollow cylindrical section, a second hollow cylindrical section in the first section which is disposed concentric to the first section, and a disk-shaped ring section that extends at an angle to the first section. The first section and the second section are embodied monolithically on the spinning ring, at least one elastic sealing lip of the seal resting against the first section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2005
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER KG
    Inventors: Peter Niebling, Ernst Masur, Jens Heim
  • Publication number: 20080036157
    Abstract: A gasket assembly and method of manufacture thereof provides a plurality of discrete, interconnected capsule beads spaced from one another. A sealant material is disposed in the capsule beads, such that when the capsule beads are ruptured under an applied clamping force, the gasket material is released from the capsule beads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2006
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventor: George Starr