Patents Issued in March 18, 2008
  • Patent number: 7343985
    Abstract: A solid body contains a surfactant and crushed walnut hulls. The solid body is shaped to predetermined dimensions that permit passage through the central interior opening of drill pipe. The solid body dissolves in drilling mud for delivery of a pill to the annulus through the drill bit nozzles. The pill is an effective treatment against bit balling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Inventor: Harold Gregg
  • Patent number: 7343986
    Abstract: This invention relates to drilling fluids, to drilling lubricants for such drilling fluids and to methods of drilling wells, particularly oil and/or gas wells using such drilling fluids. In particular, the invention relates to the inclusion of lubricants which afford lubrication in drilling fluids in which the lubricant compatibility and/or performance may be adversely affected by other components of the drilling fluid, particularly divalent cations such as calcium, formate salts or highly alkaline components such as alkali silicate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Croda International PLC
    Inventor: Jeanette Dixon
  • Patent number: 7343987
    Abstract: A system and method for excavating a subterranean formation, according to which a suspension of liquid and a plurality of impactors are passed between a drill string to a body member for discharge from the body member to remove at least a portion of the formation. The flow of the suspension between the drill string and the body member is controlled in order to present the impactors from settling near the bottom of the formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Particle Drilling Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Gordon Allen Tibbitts
  • Patent number: 7343988
    Abstract: A drilling apparatus for drilling a deviated bore comprising a tubular outer member having an offset and adapted for rotatably supporting a drill bit. The member has a gripping arrangement for selectively engaging the wall of a bore to restrain the member against rotation. An inner member is provided within the outer member for coupling to the drill bit at one end and to a drill string at another end. The apparatus has a first configuration in which the gripping arrangement is retracted and the inner member is coupled to the outer member such that rotation of the drill string provides for corresponding rotation of the inner and outer members, and a second configuration in which the gripping arrangement is extended and the inner member is rotatable relative to the outer member such that the outer member is restrained from rotation in the bore and rotation of the drill string provides for corresponding rotation of the inner member and the drill bit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Technology Ventures International Ltd
    Inventor: Angus Jamieson
  • Patent number: 7343989
    Abstract: A bit retainer system is disclosed. The bit retainer system includes a bit having a head and a shank, a driver sub disposed around the shank of the bit and adapted to engage a hammer case, a bit retainer disposed around the shank of the bit and abutting an upper end of the driver sub, and a secondary retainer disposed around the bit retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventor: Lance D. Underwood
  • Patent number: 7343990
    Abstract: An earth-boring bit has a body with three bit legs. A cone is rotatably mounted to each of the bit legs. Each of the cones has an outer row and an inner row of teeth machined on it. Each of the teeth has a rectangular root with inner, outer and lateral boundaries. A layer of hardfacing is applied to each tooth and on an exterior portion of each of the cones surrounding the inner, outer and lateral boundaries of each of the teeth. Conical surfaces between the inner and outer rows contain at least portions of the hardfacing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Rudolf C. Pessier, James L. Overstreet, Russell S. Nibogie, Robert J. Buske
  • Patent number: 7343991
    Abstract: An electrically driven wheel for a tracked vehicle which includes a driving track wheel with built in cogs and a brushless DC motor having a mounting shaft to connect the wheels to the tracked vehicle. The brushless DC motor is coupled within the driving track wheel to develop rotational torque for rotating the driving track wheel and includes a drum, a bank of pole assemblies connected between the drum and the stationary mounting shaft, and electrical wiring for energizing the bank of pole assemblies. In an embodiment, the brushless DC motor includes permanent magnet high multiple pole motors. The electrically driven wheels are part of a drive system for the tracked vehicle. The drive system includes a track module frame, at least two flexible tracks coupled with the electrically driven track wheels, and a controller for controlling the electrically driven track wheels in response to a driver command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Inventor: Norman Rittenhouse
  • Patent number: 7343992
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, a hybrid vehicle comprises an engine which is mounted in an engine room and serves as a driving force, a transmission which is disposed adjacent to the engine and incorporates at least one electric motor that serves as the driving source, an inverter disposed in the engine room, and at least one high voltage wire which is routed behind the engine with respect to a vehicle longitudinal direction and connects the inverter with the electric motor incorporated in the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuaki Shingo, Hiroyuki Tsukashima
  • Patent number: 7343993
    Abstract: A power system for dual-motor hybrid vehicle is a combined driving unit fed with fuel and electric power, comprising: an internal combustion engine, a motor, a clutch, a transmission, a power battery, a braking system and an entire vehicle controller, wherein the system further comprises: a main motor, an auxiliary motor, and a mechanical stepped transmission, a rotor shaft of the main motor being connected with the output shaft of the transmission, a rotor shaft of the auxiliary motor being connected with the crankshaft of the internal combustion engine; the main motor and the auxiliary motor being electrically connected with the power battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: China First Automobile Group Corporation
    Inventors: Chunbo Dong, Zhiqiang Tang, Jun Li
  • Patent number: 7343994
    Abstract: A working machine has a machine body, a working unit attached to the machine body, an internal combustion engine for driving the working unit, a traveling unit mounted on the machine body 11 for displacing the working unit over a ground surface to perform a work operation on the ground surface, and an electric motor for driving the traveling unit. A battery supplies electric power to the electric motor in a battery mode of the working machine to thereby drive the electric motor. A battery mode switch switches between an ON position in which the working machine is in the battery mode and an OFF position in which the working machine is not in the battery mode. A power generator is driven by the internal combustion engine to supply electric power to the battery and to the electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Wakitani, Norikazu Shimizu, Yoshihiko Yamagishi, Kenji Kuroiwa
  • Patent number: 7343995
    Abstract: The cargo transport system according to this invention employs a tow vehicle that can automatically follow and run upon guide lines. The tow vehicle can tow cargo laden equipment such as container dollies to thereby automatically transport the air cargo. The air cargo is conveyed by an underground air cargo conveyor mechanism which has the conveyor line including the guide line installed underground to link the air cargo holding area in the airport terminal building and the aircraft parking area. Further, the system connects the loading/unloading cargo door of the aircraft and the underground loading/unloading position for the underground air cargo conveyor mechanism by an air cargo elevator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yugo Fukuhara, Toru Takasu
  • Patent number: 7343996
    Abstract: A vehicle is described, having at least one sensor for detecting the vehicle environment and having a motion-state actuator for acting on the motion state of the vehicle, the motion-state actuator being provided to act on the motion state of the vehicle in the event of activation of the motion-state actuator, the information detected by the sensor being provided for activating the motion-state actuator when it is intended for the vehicle to turn off and traffic is obstructing such a turning-off action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Albrecht Klotz, Michael Weilkes, Werner Uhler
  • Patent number: 7343997
    Abstract: A tilting suspension system is adapted for use with a vehicle having three wheels and a frame. The system has two sets of control arms, each set of control arms being pivotally connected to one side of the frame. An upright is pivotally connected to each set of control arms, each upright having a rotatable hub for allowing one of the wheels to be mounted thereto. Two rocker arms are pivotally connected to the frame, and a control link is pivotally connected to each of the rocker arms, such that pivoting of one rocker arm causes corresponding pivoting of the other rocker arm. A link member operably connects each rocker arm to a corresponding upright, such that pivoting of each rocker arm causes corresponding movement of the uprights. An actuator is configured to selectively pivot the rocker arms, such that actuation of the actuator pivots the rocker arms, thereby causing the frame to rotate about a generally longitudinal roll center and causing each upright to rotate about a generally longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Inventor: Lawayne Matthies
  • Patent number: 7343998
    Abstract: An all-terrain vehicle (ATV) has a subtransmission detachably fastened to an engine casing. The engine crankshaft includes a drive pulley connected via a belt to a driven pulley in the subtransmission, thus providing a continuously variable transmission (CVT) between the engine crankshaft and the subtransmission. The subtransmission includes a 2WD-4WD selector mechanism to select two-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive and also includes a transmission selector mechanism to put the vehicle in park, neutral, reverse, high-speed drive or low-speed drive. By disposing these selector mechanisms in the subtransmission, mass centralization is improved relative to prior-art drivetrains wherein the 2WD-4WD selector mechanism connects to the front differential. When operating in 2WD mode, the drivetrain does not waste energy rotating the front drive shaft, as in the prior art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignees: Bombardier Recreational Products Inc., BRP-Rotax GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Vincent Morin, Ghislain Caron, Ronald Schapf, Roland Ennsmann
  • Patent number: 7343999
    Abstract: A seat belt retractor system and a method of controlling the seat belt retractor system. The seat belt is retracted at a faster rate when a threat is detected using a high-voltage generated by a local power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Cuddihy, Manoharprasad K. Rao, Curtis Kalina
  • Patent number: 7344000
    Abstract: A materials handling vehicle is provided comprising: a base; a carriage assembly movable relative to the base; at least one cylinder coupled to the base to effect movement of the carriage assembly relative to the base; and a hydraulic system to supply a pressurized fluid to the cylinder. The hydraulic system includes an electronically controlled valve coupled to the cylinder. The vehicle further comprises control structure to control the operation of the valve such that the valve is closed in the event of an unintended descent of a carriage assembly in excess of a commanded speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Crown Equipment Corporation
    Inventors: Karl L. Dammeyer, William C. Jones, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7344001
    Abstract: A speaker diaphragm includes a base material impregnated with a thermosetting resin composition. The base material includes a first surface material, a core material, and a second surface material in the stated order; the first surface material and the second surface material are each formed of a woven fabric or a non-woven fabric; and the core material is formed of a woven fabric or a non-woven fabric each including hollow fine particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Onkyo Corporation
    Inventors: Toshihide Inoue, Hiroyasu Kumo
  • Patent number: 7344002
    Abstract: A method for filling the bearing gap of a hydrodynamic bearing with a lubricant, where drops of lubricant are produced in a defined manner and are applied to a defined region of the bearing to be filled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Minebea Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Rudolf Neumann, Olaf Winterhalter, Carsten Etling, Guido Schmid, Holger Schoenfelder
  • Patent number: 7344003
    Abstract: An elevator control device for controllably driving multiple traction units includes position sensors and current supplies. Each of the current supplies includes a position controller for generating a speed command for the corresponding traction unit based on input difference between a common position command for the traction units and a feedback signal derived from an output of the pertinent position sensor, a speed controller for generating a current command for the corresponding traction unit based on an input difference between the speed command generated by the position controller and a feedback signal obtained by differentiating the output of the pertinent position sensor, and a current controller for supplying an electric current to the corresponding traction unit based on the current command generated by the speed controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuki Kimura, Naoki Hashiguchi, Satoshi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7344004
    Abstract: A method of checking elevator installations with a car, an elevator drive and an elevator controller with a memory avoids or at least reduces errors by a person carrying out the check and enables convenient and reliable checking of the elevator installation. A check program including all steps necessary for the check is set up on the basis of stored configuration data of the elevator installation in the elevator controller and in dependence on a selected mode of operation. In addition, the steps are displayed in a predetennined sequence on an indicating and control unit and necessary inputs for working down the steps are input by way of the indicating and control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventors: Werner Engel, Martin Rogger
  • Patent number: 7344005
    Abstract: A self locking apparatus is disclosed having a housing, a load initiating element located within the housing, a spring located adjacent to the load initiating element and configured to expand in compression against the housing in response to a compressive load, and a compression member slideably disposed within the housing and configured to compress the spring from a side opposite the load initiating element. The load initiating element, spring and compression member are slideable within the housing in a first axial direction and in a second opposite axial direction in response to an axial load on the load initiating element, and lockable within the housing in the second axial direction in response to an axial load on the compression member in the second axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Paul R. Meernik
  • Patent number: 7344006
    Abstract: A piston assembly for use in a brake assembly has a piston sleeve having a first end, a second end, an external radius, an internal radius, and a cap on the piston sleeve second end. The cap has a first end, a middle portion, and a second end. The cap first end has an external radius and the cap second end has an external radius, wherein the cap first end external radius is smaller than the cap second end external radius. The middle portion is stepped to transition from the cap first end external radius to the cap second end external radius. The cap first end external radius is such that the cap first end slides into the piston sleeve. The cap middle portion has a conical mating surface, and the piston sleeve second end has a corresponding conical mating surface. Further, the cap second end external radius is larger than the piston sleeve external radius.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventor: Frank Edmisten
  • Patent number: 7344007
    Abstract: The invention relates to a disk brake provided with a brake caliper comprising a brake disk, a sliding member which can be displaced in a vertical manner in relation to the surface of the brake disk in the brake caliper and can be engaged against the brake disk, and a clamping device comprising a rotary lever and a rotational body. In one embodiment of the invention, the rotary lever comprises a domed-shaped control surface whereon the rotational body is arranged in a rotational contact position. By pivoting said rotary lever in a radial segment bearing, the rotational body and the rotary lever modify their position, in relation to each other, such that the sliding member is displaced in order to apply braking force. The rotational body then carries out a full rotational movement on the control surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Haldex Brake Products AB
    Inventor: Lars Severinsson
  • Patent number: 7344008
    Abstract: Shock absorbing rectangular boxes (16, 17) are mounted between each one of two structural side beams (14, 15) of a vehicle and a bumper beam (11). The boxes are deep drawn from a steel sheet, and their sidewalls have deformation guides (35) so that the boxes are deformable in a controlled manner during a crash of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Gestamp Hardtech AB
    Inventors: Martin Jonsson, Johan Nilsson
  • Patent number: 7344009
    Abstract: In a hydraulic circuit for controlling a clutch/brake system having a clutch that is disposed separately from the brake in a main drive of a mechanical press, wherein the brake is spring-loaded in a direction opposite to an engagement direction of the clutch, a piston/cylinder unit is provided that moves the clutch and the brake into a coupling position or a braking position, respectively. A pressure line connects a press safety valve to the piston/cylinder unit for generating torque at the clutch. A bidirectionally passable hydraulic connection connects a metering piston unit to the piston/cylinder unit in parallel to the press safety valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Ortlinghaus-Werke GmbH
    Inventors: Werner Kuttruf, Herbert Seeger
  • Patent number: 7344010
    Abstract: An overrunning coupling assembly and a method of controlling the engagement of planar first and second members are provided wherein the assembly includes clustered pawls and their respective pawl-holding portions. The planar first and second members have inside surfaces extending generally normal to a first axis. The pawls include a forward set of free-floating pawls and a reverse set of free-floating, clustered pawls. The forward and reverse sets of pawls are movable between a notch-engaging, engaged position and a disengaged position. Because of the clustering, a control element, disposed between the first and second surfaces, need not be fully circular and is controllably rotatable about the first axis between first and second angular positions relative to the first member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Means Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Fetting, Jr., Brice A. Pawley
  • Patent number: 7344011
    Abstract: A self energizing clutch includes a shaft (26), a clutch disc (14) on the shaft, engaging elements (30, 32) for disengaging and engaging the disc from and with structure adjacent the disc, and an actuator (34) for moving the engaging elements between its disengaged and engaged positions. The engaging elements include a wedge member (30) one face of which rests on a first face of the disc with its wedging angle diminishing in the direction of rotation of the disc, and a ramp formation which is fixed to the structure and on which a second face of the wedge member, is movable in the direction of rotation of the disc to its engaged position with the engaging force applied by the wedge to the disc, during rotation of the disc, being substantially greater than the locking force created by the actuator with the disc stationary relatively to the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Varibox (Pty) Limited
    Inventor: Johannes Jacobus Naude
  • Patent number: 7344012
    Abstract: A transmission brake assembly for controlling an output of a transmission of a motor vehicle includes a solenoid which is operatively engagable with a transmission. The solenoid selectively engages and disengages the transmission. A solenoid driver is electrically connected to the solenoid to drive the solenoid into and out of engagement with the transmission. The transmission brake assembly also includes a controller electrically connected to the solenoid driver. The controller turns the solenoid driver between an on state, an off state, and an intermediate state such that the solenoid partially engages the transmission to allow the motor vehicle to move forward at a minimal speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: TCI Automotive, LLC
    Inventors: Lance Ward, Kevin Winstead
  • Patent number: 7344013
    Abstract: A loading device for cargo spaces in transportation means, in particular for cargo spaces in aircraft, includes a roller conveyor that contacts a substructure in a first position for placing cargo units in the cargo space. In one embodiment, the roller conveyor has contact surfaces on both sides and the substructure 3 is formed as a U-profile having a base and two webs. Both webs of the U-profile have bearing surfaces oriented at least partially inwardly and the contact surfaces are formed, such that they cooperate with the bearing surfaces in the first position and in a second position. In the second position, the roller conveyer 2 is insertable into the substructure for forming a substantially flat base surface of the cargo chamber, which serves in particular for placing vehicles into a cargo space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Airbus Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Jens Krueger
  • Patent number: 7344014
    Abstract: A banknote condition detection device for a banknote storing unit where the banknote storing unit can be removably positioned within a banknote receiving unit. The banknote storing unit receives a banknote from the banknote receiving unit into the banknote storing unit. The received banknote is moved by a moving unit within the banknote storing unit for storing the received banknote within the storing unit. Each of the stored banknotes is aligned together in a stack within the storing unit. The storing unit includes a plurality of optical guide units each having a receiving surface, and each positioned at the surface of the storing unit. A plurality of optical emitter-receiver pair units are positioned within the banknote receiving unit opposite the plurality of optical guide units, each optical emitter-receiver pair unit is positioned to send light to and receive light from a predetermined optical guide unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Asahi Seiko Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toru Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 7344015
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of changing the direction of motion of a pallet at an end of a transport conveyor while maintaining the pallet at a substantially constant attitude. The method comprises conveying pallets in a passenger transport direction and at a first level, conveying pallets in a return direction and at a second, different level, positively guiding a trailing end of a first pallet with respect to its direction of motion with a supporting element, and rotating the supporting element with a second pallet located immediately behind the first pallet with respect to the direction of motion, thereby moving the trailing end of the first pallet from one of the first level and the second level to the other of the first level and the second level and changing the direction of motion of the first pallet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: KONE Corporation
    Inventors: Jorma Mustalahti, Esko Aulanko
  • Patent number: 7344016
    Abstract: A method and device are disclosed for orienting flat items of mail towards a narrow edge in a U-shaped conveying channel in which they are conveyed in an upright position and without being jammed. Before the items pass the conveying channel for the purpose of alignment, their thickness is measured. The distances of the lateral limit stops or limiting sections are changed by means of adjusting mechanisms for every item of mail in such a manner that at the end of the conveying channel, the item is oriented towards its lower narrow edge by virtue of its own gravity and the distance of the lateral limit stops of the conveying channel from every item of mail during transport through the conveying channel is only wide enough for the item not to collapse at all nor to collapse partially even if its intrinsic stiffness is poor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Siemens AG
    Inventors: Rainer Vogel, Michael Schwarzbauer
  • Patent number: 7344017
    Abstract: A pulley drive mechanism 26 for driving a second pulley 23 includes: a spline shaft 27 rotated integrally with the second pulley 23, for supporting the second pulley so that the second pulley can be moved in the direction of Y-axis in the drawing; a third pulley 28 arranged at one end portion of the spline shaft 27; and a third belt drive mechanism 29 for driving the spline shaft 27 through the third pulley 28.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshifumi Taguchi
  • Patent number: 7344018
    Abstract: A conveyor and associated method for diverting closely spaced articles conveyed along the conveyor. The conveyor includes a conveyor belt with belt rollers oriented to rotate on axes oblique to the direction of belt travel. A series of arrays of bearing surface elements are arranged end to end along the length of the conveyor. The bearing surfaces may be static or rotational. Each array defines a roller-control zone in which the array is selectively activated with its bearing surface elements in contract with the belt rollers or deactivated with its bearing surface elements out of contact with the belt rollers. As the belt advances through an activated roller-control zone, the belt rollers rotate to propel a conveyed article toward a side of the belt. The contiguous roller-control zones are sequentially activated and deactivated to direct articles to the side and off the belt or to let them pass straight through.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Mark Costanzo, Eric M. Pressler, Matthew L. Fourney
  • Patent number: 7344019
    Abstract: A conveyor belt for use in the food processing industry includes a stainless steel substrate and nickel-boron coating material. The nickel-boron coating is applied on at least a portion of the stainless steel substrate to increase wear resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jogesh Chandran, James A. Ehret
  • Patent number: 7344020
    Abstract: An endless crop conveying belt loop has a bolted connection including belt material having a top and bottom surface and first and second opposed ends. Each of the two opposed ends having complementary patterns of half wave shapes. Each pattern has a plurality of longitudinal extensions alternating with transverse straight edges. The longitudinal extensions are interwoven between respective extensions of the complementary pattern on the opposed end so that the longitudinal extensions of both opposed ends overlap the top surface of the opposed end and the transverse straight edges of both opposed ends are generally aligned. A staggered array of fasteners secures the two opposed ends together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Sheldon Joseph Grywacheski, Jobey Matthew Schnepf, Ronald Leo Sheedy
  • Patent number: 7344021
    Abstract: A packaged block of envelopes comprises a series of envelopes, retaining plates disposed on either side of said series of envelopes, and a peripheral holding binder. In the vicinities of each of two of its corners, each of the envelopes has at least one thickness compensation wedge having a thickness substantially equal to the thickness of its closure flap, so that the envelopes are of total thickness that is identical at all four of their corners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Garnier Ponsonnet Vuillard
    Inventor: Pierre Muraro
  • Patent number: 7344022
    Abstract: A receptacle that is foldable between its open mode for receiving material and a secured mode where its top is double folded and secured with fasteners for maintaining material within the receptacle, or the receptacle is foldable between its open mode and a storage mode when the receptacle is folded to align releasable fasteners and to create a pass-through pocket for receiving accessories. In the storage mode, the receptacle can easily be carried in a pocket or purse until needed to receive undesirable material for disposal. The receptacle can be unfolded from the storage mode to the open mode to receive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Madson Products, LLC
    Inventor: Craig J. Madson
  • Patent number: 7344023
    Abstract: An operational tools carrier, such as a pocketknife or a tool card, having a portion formed from a transparent or translucent material has been found to have various functional benefits in addition to the clear ornamental effects of transparency/translucenary. A pocketknife typically has a retaining body or frame in which tools can be stored. The frame has two side walls that lie opposite each other and that have been separated from each other by means of narrow side faces and front faces. A scale is provided on at least one of the side walls typically has retaining areas for removably holding operational tools, e.g., tools, knives, scissors. The side wall or scale forming the side wall is transparent in at least one partial area. A flat tool card formed from two plates coupled together to form a retaining are therebetween for strong flat tools thereon. At least a portion of at least one of the plates forming the tool card is transparent or translucent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Victorinox AG
    Inventors: Hermann Painsith, Carl Elsener
  • Patent number: 7344024
    Abstract: In the case of a (soft) pack for cigarettes, the blank (10) made of paper or similar material is provided, adjacent to an end wall (16), with a multi-layered folding strip (21) running all the way round. In order that inner layers can be connected to outer, covering layers via glue—spot of glue (20)—a round cutout (29) made by punching is provided, the spot of glue (20) being positioned in the region of said cutout. A special feature is constituted by the production of blanks (10) for such a pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Focke & Co. (GmbH & Co. KG)
    Inventors: Jürgen Focke, legal representative, Hans-Jürgen Bretthauer, Henry Buse, Heinz Focke
  • Patent number: 7344025
    Abstract: A lockable media storage box and lock and key combination includes a box having a base and a lid hingedly connected to the base and movable between opened and closed positions. A locking mechanism is movable between locked and unlocked positions to lock and unlock the container. The lock includes lock pins that slide through aligned lock holes in the base and the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Nexpak Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis D. Belden, Jr., Ronald K. Burdett, Michael S. Jaeb, Ronald M. Marsilio, Nicholas M. Sedon, James M. Byrne
  • Patent number: 7344026
    Abstract: A package for a product and a method of packaging a product are disclosed. The product has a main body and a handle extending substantially transversely from the body. The package comprises a back panel and a front panel, the back panel and the front panel configured form an enclosure and surround at least a portion of the main body to secure the product in the enclosure such that the handle is exposed so that a user can grip the handle of the product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Powershot Tool Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Melgaard
  • Patent number: 7344027
    Abstract: A sharps container for safe storage of used pen needles comprises a housing within which is rotatably mounted a used pen needle receiving and ejecting means. Used pen needles are inserted into the receiving means. The receiving and ejecting means is rotated; during the rotation, cam follower means connected to the ejecting means engages cam means within the housing to cause the ejection of the used pen needle into the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Ultimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas E. Erickson, James J. Erickson, Timothy A. Bachman
  • Patent number: 7344028
    Abstract: A portable tote is provided which has flexible, insulating walls to insulate the contents of the tote from the environment and maintain e.g., a reduced temperature of its contents. The tote is configured to receive a beverage box, in particular, an elongated twelve pack box. An end wall access flap provides selective access to the contents of the tote, such as the twelve ounce beverage cans contained in the beverage box. An asymmetric handle strap can be used to support the tote in a stable manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Igloo Products Corporation
    Inventor: Ann Hanson
  • Patent number: 7344029
    Abstract: A rollover shipping cushion is presented. The cushion is formed by folding, in a specific manner, a single sheet of die-cut corrugated fiberboard to create the cushion. When properly folded, the cushion includes a central shipping cavity that is surrounded by shock-absorbing tubes on all six sides of the central shipping cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher J. Sattora, Eric Allen Stegner, Robert William Stegner
  • Patent number: 7344030
    Abstract: A wafer carrier door having an inner door portion and an outer door portion. The inner door portion has a substantially continuous inner surface. The outer door portion extends over at least a portion of the inner door portion. The outer door portion has a plurality of apertures formed therein. The outer door portion is attached to the inner door portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Entegris, Inc.
    Inventors: John Burns, Matthew A. Fuller, Jeffery J. King, Martin L. Forbes, Mark V. Smith
  • Patent number: 7344031
    Abstract: A substrate storage container comprises: a container casing having an aperture through which a plurality of substrates are placed in or taken out; a cover adapted to fit into the aperture of the container casing; a sealing gasket capable of elastic deformation provided between the container casing and the cover; and a retainer, mounted on the cover, capable of retaining the periphery of the substrates. The retainer has: a supporting body mounted on the inside face of the cover; a plurality of elastic pieces provided in elastically deformable fashion on the supporting body; and a block provided on each of the elastic pieces, the block retaining the periphery of one of the substrates. A relation 10.8×w<y<34.3×w is satisfied when a substrate retaining force of each of the elastic pieces is y [unit: N] and a weight per the substrate is w [unit: kg].
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Shin-Etsu Polymer Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akihiro Hasegawa, Hiroshi Mimura
  • Patent number: 7344032
    Abstract: Mechanical separators and screening machines, and methods for flexible sieve mat screening and flexible mat conveying are disclosed. In an example configuration, a flexible mat screening apparatus is provided with geometrically optimized guiding edge seals at lateral sides. One preferred configuration includes an assembly wherein a sieve mat has upwardly curved lateral sides forming a non-vertical, gradually curved shape. In another configuration, a movable support section is supported on a main frame section via a plurality of shear blocks, each arranged with its compression axis disposed horizontally. In yet another configuration, the movable support section is further connected to the main frame section via vertical stabilizers or leaf springs, the vertical stabilizers permitting longitudinal movement between the movable support section and the main frame section, but inhibiting vertical and/or lateral movement therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Action Equipment Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew T. LaVeine, Stanley L. Humiston
  • Patent number: 7344033
    Abstract: To provide a solid-liquid separator in which a treatment object such as sludge can be transported without clogging, liquid can be efficiently separated from the treatment object, and a maintenance operation can be easily conducted. Movable plates 12 and fixed plates 13 are disposed alternately, two screws 21, 22 are disposed in recess sections 14, 15 formed in the movable plates 12 and fixed plates 13, parts of blade sections 25, 26 of the two screws 21, 22 overlap each other, the two screws 21, 22 are rotary driven, and the liquid is discharged from the gap between the movable plates 12 and fixed plates 13, while the treatment object is being transported. When the movable plates 12 are replaced, the two screws 21, 22 are lifted up and then the movable plates 12 are pulled up and replaced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Amukon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masayoshi Sasaki
  • Patent number: 7344034
    Abstract: Described are a filter material which contains heatsealable, biodegradable and compostable polymeric fibers and is characterized in that it additionally contains a lubricant in an amount from 0.5 to 5.0% by weight, based on the paper weight of the ready-produced filter material, and also processes for producing same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Papierfabrik Schoeller & Hoesch GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Günter Heinrich, Manfred Kaussen, Martin Büchsel