Patents Issued in April 1, 2008
  • Patent number: 7350423
    Abstract: A dispensing system for feeding paste through a screen onto a workpiece monitors the position of a piston applying pressure to the paste with a linear variable differential transformer and sets limits on the slope of the piston displacement is a measure of the feed rate and the “spring back” of the piston when pressure is released, as a measure of trapped air in the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David C. Long, Jason S. Miller
  • Patent number: 7350424
    Abstract: A low-cost breakable inertial threshold sensor using mainly micro-machining silicon technology constructed on a silicon-wafer or on some other brittle material according to the MEMS process. The sensor comprises a first body portion, a second body portion, and detecting means for giving an indication if the second body portion has damaged the detecting means. The status of the sensor can be read in various ways. In one embodiment the status is remotely readable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Kari Hjelt, Tapani Ryhanen, Samuli Silanto, Jukka Salminen
  • Patent number: 7350425
    Abstract: A method and device for reducing hysteresis in a torque transducer element includes a coil that is excited with an alternating current to produce a magnetic field that saturates the torque transducer element. Magnetic saturation of the torque transducer element is provided by an alternating frequency that exceeds any coercive force of the material. The alternating current is slowly reduced to substantially reduce undesired magnetic field. The coil assembly is excited with an amplitude frequency in such a manner as to remove only those components of the magnetic field that are not desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.
    Inventor: David W. Cripe
  • Patent number: 7350426
    Abstract: A seat belt tension sensor is attached to a seat belt assembly in a vehicle. The seat belt tensor sensor is secured to the vehicle by a bolt. The sensor includes a housing that is secured by the bolt. An anchor plate is mounted to the housing. The anchor plate has a hole for the bolt and an opening. A strain gage is secured to the housing and extends into the opening. The strain gage has an aperture. A spring is located between the anchor plate and the strain gage. An actuator support is located between the spring and the strain gage to actuate the strain gage. The actuator has a projection extending through the aperture that contacts the anchor plate. The projection prevents a shift in the output of the strain gage when the sensor is subjected to mechanical shock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: CTS Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick B. Blakesley, Robert R. Rainey, Murray Kaijala
  • Patent number: 7350427
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sorbent collector material based on polyorganosiloxane for the microextraction of substances to be analysed, the collector material having an open-cell foam structure, and to a collector and a liner which include this collector material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Gerstel Systemtechnik GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Patrick Sandra, Frank David
  • Patent number: 7350428
    Abstract: A gas sampling apparatus and process is provided in which a standard crimping tool is modified by an attached collar. The collar permits operation of the crimping tool while also facilitating the introduction of a supply of gas to be introduced into a storage vial. The introduced gas supply is used to purge ambient air from a collection chamber and an interior of the sample vial. Upon completion of the purging operation, the vial is sealed using the crimping tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Westinghouse Savannah River Company LLC
    Inventors: Dennis G. Jackson, Kurt D. Peterson, Brian D. Riha
  • Patent number: 7350429
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and system for providing custom vehicular monitoring gauges for individuals. The custom vehicular monitoring gauges include a display face having an upper show surface and a lower surface. A sensor scale and a display area are located on the upper show surface of the display face. A predetermined graphic design is located on the display area. The predetermined graphic design comprises a plurality of gems set in a predefined pattern to form the predetermined graphic design. The sensor scale may also comprise a plurality of gems set in a predefined pattern to form the sensor scale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Inventor: Brett J. Krauskopf
  • Patent number: 7350430
    Abstract: A transmission for a motor vehicle comprising an input shaft (1), an output shaft (2) and at least one countershaft (3). The transmission comprises at least one direct gear and the parts of the transmission that are not involved in the power flow in the direct gear, are completely or partially uncoupled when the direct gear is engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Karl-Fritz Heinzelmann
  • Patent number: 7350431
    Abstract: A design for a device for the reduction of movement of the main shaft (6) in the disengaged position in a transmission with at least two countershafts in which there is an axial transfer of forces between the drive shaft (7) and the main shaft (6) which is coaxially arranged through a connection of the main shaft (6) with a part of the axial bearing (13) on the drive shaft (7). There is a device (2) which is used to load the main shaft (6) against the drive shaft (7) through a loading of the part of the axial bearing (13) connected to the main shaft (6) against other parts or against the axial bearing (4) on the drive shaft (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Stefan Renner
  • Patent number: 7350432
    Abstract: A transmission (8) for a motor vehicle (2) with a housing (26) and a shifting apparatus arranged therein and with an electromechanical transmission actuator (24) with a first electric motor (32) for exercising a selection motion of the shifting device with a second electric motor (34) for exercising a shifting motion of the shifting apparatus and with a control unit (22) for receiving sensor signals, for processing the sensor signals and for emitting control signals to the electric motors (32, 34) the axis of rotation of the first electric motor (32) and the axis of rotation of the second electric motor (34) lie parallel to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Bernd Somschor, Frank Miehle, Norbert Sommer, Jürgen Neuenfeld, Oliver Buchhold
  • Patent number: 7350433
    Abstract: A transmission control system for maintaining good positioning performance even if a dynamic characteristic of a transmission is out of a predicted range. A sliding mode controller provided in a shift controller has two degrees of freedom and can independently specify a follow-up characteristic of an actual shift arm position to follow a target position in a shifting direction and a disturbance suppressing characteristic respectively. The sliding mode controller determines a control input to be supplied to a shift motor of a shifting device. A sliding mode controller provided in a selection controller has two degrees of freedom and can independently specify a follow-up characteristic of an actual shift arm position to follow a target position in a selecting direction and a disturbance suppressing characteristic, respectively. This sliding mode controller determines a control input to be supplied to a selection motor of a selecting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuji Yasui, Kanako Shimojo
  • Patent number: 7350434
    Abstract: The invention relates to a ball screw device in which a screw shaft and a nut member are threadedly engaged with each other through a number of balls. In such a ball screw device, an inner surface of a cover plate contacting an end surface of a nut main body is provided with a projecting return piece adapted to be fit-engaged with a recess cut in an inner peripheral surface of the nut main body, the return piece being provided with a scoop portion for dislodging the balls from the ball rolling groove of the screw shaft and a direction switching passage for guiding the dislodged balls to the entrance of a ball return hole. The projecting return piece is divided into a first piece formed integral with the cover plate and a second piece fixed to the first piece by a curved plane including the center line of the direction switching passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: THK Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kentarou Nishimura, Akimasa Yoshida, Hiroshi Niwa
  • Patent number: 7350435
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining the moving direction of a motor, especially an electric motor of a transmission actuating system for gear selection and/or shifting, whereby at least one signal of the motor is detected. The inventive method is characterized in that the moving direction of the motor is validated by means of the detected signal, on the basis of the feed direction. The invention also relates to a motor, especially a gear motor or a selector motor of a transmission actuating system, especially for carrying out the method, whereby at least one device is provided for validating the moving direction of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Betelligungs KG
    Inventors: Hans-Juergen Renk, Klaus Henneberger, Martin Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 7350436
    Abstract: An electrical bicycle shift control device is provided that includes a handlebar mounting portion and an electrical shift control switch portion. The handlebar mounting portion is configured to be fixedly mounted in a free end of a handlebar. The electrical shift control switch portion is fixedly mounted to the handlebar mounting portion. The electrical shift control switch portion includes an operating member arranged and configured to be selectively moved relative to the handlebar mounting portion between a neutral position and a first actuating position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Fujii
  • Patent number: 7350437
    Abstract: A handlebar (11,111,211) for cycles and motorcycles, in particular for cross-country use, which is light but at the same time resistant to high intensity shocks and stresses and having an optimized elasticity. The handlebar has a median section (13,113) which presents a central portion (23) having a diameter d23 and a thickness s23 for fixing the handlebar; two end sections (15,17), each of them presenting a central portion (27) having a diameter d27 and a thickness s27 for holding the handlebar; and two intermediate sections (19,21), each of them presenting a central portion (25) having a diameter d25 and a thickness s25 linking to the median section (13) in an inner bending zone (24) and to a corresponding one of the end sections (15,17) in an external bending zone (26) having a thickness s26.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Hi-Line S.R.L.
    Inventors: Antonio Mangano, Giuseppe Mangano
  • Patent number: 7350438
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine connecting rod is designed with bolts having a minimum required strength. A strength safety factor Sfa is calculated based on an axial strength limit load FX of the bolt and the maximum load FB to be born by the bolt due to a piston inertia force (Sfa=FX/FB) acting on the connecting rod. A mating surface separation safety factor Sfb is calculated based on the tensile load (FB?FC) resulting from the piston inertia force and the load FE carried by the bolts at a mating surface separation limit, i.e., the maximum bolt load FE at which the connecting rod main body and the cap remain in contact without separating (Sfb=FE/(FB?FC)). The mating surface separation safety factor Sfb of the connecting rod is set to be equal to or larger than the strength safety factor Sfa of the bolts (Sfb?Sfa).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masashi Yamaguchi, Satoru Ookuma
  • Patent number: 7350439
    Abstract: A case cover assembly to which a sheave for a continuously variable transmission is mountable for rotation about an axis is configured to provide fluid communication between the sheave and a pressurized fluid source. The case cover assembly includes a conduit defining a first segment of a passageway for providing fluid communication between the pressurized fluid source and the sheave. An inner annular surface and an outer annular surface define an annular second segment of the passageway. A chamber at least partially formed by a case cover member defines a third segment of the passageway. The third segment is positioned with respect to the second segment such that fluid flows radially inward toward the axis from the second segment. The radial inflow provides improved pressure transference and packaging compared to the prior art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Norman Schoenek, Charles Harsch
  • Patent number: 7350440
    Abstract: A framing hammer assembly enables a user to tend to nail work within tight spaces. The hammer assembly comprises a three-dimensional hammer head, an elongate hammer handle, and a select tool attachment assembly. The hammer head comprises first and second nail-striking heads, a fulcrum, and a nail-pulling claw. The first nail-striking head and the second nail-striking head are orthogonally situated relative to one another for enabling a user to drive nails within tight spaces. The hammer handle comprises a head-engagement portion, a second handle end, and a hand-grip portion. The select tool attachment assembly comprises a select tool accessory and certain fastening structure for fastening the select tool accessory to the second handle end. The select tool accessory is interchangeable with a plurality of secondary tool accessories for selectively providing a lever arm and for enabling the user to remove driven nails or similar other hardware within tight spaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Inventor: Roberto R. Casolco
  • Patent number: 7350441
    Abstract: A cutting tool assembly having a tool post capable of lateral movement along a work piece to be cut and an actuator with a tool tip. The actuator provides for variable control of the movement of the tool tip in an x-direction into the work piece at two simultaneously independent speeds for use in making microstructures in the work piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Alan B. Campbell, Dale L. Ehnes, Daniel S. Wertz
  • Patent number: 7350442
    Abstract: A cutting tool assembly having a tool post capable of lateral movement along a work piece to be cut and an actuator with a tool tip. The actuator provides for variable control of the movement of the tool tip in a z-direction laterally along the work piece, while maintaining the tool tip at a substantially constant position in an x-direction into the work piece, for use in making microstructures in the work piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Dale L. Ehnes, Alan B. Campbell, Daniel S. Wertz
  • Patent number: 7350443
    Abstract: Design and manufacture of floor covering webs for, design, manufacture and installation of, asymmetrical carpet tiles having a prominent design element not intersected by a tile edge. Bands or regions define “frames” around what will become central carpet tile areas so that design elements positioned within the frames will not be intersected by a tile edge and may also be at least a predetermined distance from each tile edge. Design elements also may be positioned differing distances from each of at least one pair of opposed tile edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Interface, Inc.
    Inventors: David D. Oakey, Jerry C. Hall, William N. Jones
  • Patent number: 7350444
    Abstract: A table saw having an adjustable blade, a detection system to detect contact between a person and the blade, and a brake mechanism to engage and stop the blade upon detection of contact between the person and the blade is disclosed. The saw includes a brake positioning system that adjusts the position of the brake mechanism to maintain the brake mechanism in an operative position relative to the blade as the position of the blade is adjusted. The saw also may include a retraction system that urges the blade downward, away from a user, upon detection of contact between a person and the blade. The retraction system may include a releasable gear. The saw may be constructed so that the blade is adjustable up and down around a pivot point downstream of the blade relative to the feed direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: SD3, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen F. Gass, David A. Fanning, Joel F. Jensen, Sung H. Kim, Andrew L. Johnston, David S. D'Ascenzo
  • Patent number: 7350445
    Abstract: Safety systems for power equipment, and components and brake cartridges for use in those safety systems, are disclosed. The safety systems, components and brake cartridges are specifically applicable for woodworking equipment such as saws. An exemplary brake cartridge includes a housing, a brake pawl, a spring, a fuse wire, circuitry a plug, an aperture for a key, and a switch activated by the key to indicate the cartridge is installed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: SD3, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen F. Gass, J. David Fulmer, David A. Fanning
  • Patent number: 7350446
    Abstract: A wafer dividing apparatus for dividing along dividing lines a wafer whose strength is reduced, along the dividing lines, comprising a tape holding means for holding a protective tape affixed to one surface side of the wafer; and a wafer dividing means comprising a first suction-holding member and a second suction-holding member, both having a holding surface for suction-holding the wafer held on the tape holding means through the protective tape on both sides of a dividing line through the protective tape, and a moving means for moving the first suction-holding member and the second suction-holding member in directions that they separate from each other, wherein the holding surface of the first suction-holding member and the holding surface of the second suction-holding member are inclined such that they descend or ascend toward their side edges that are opposed to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Disco Corporation
    Inventor: Yusuke Nagai
  • Patent number: 7350447
    Abstract: Buried land mines, which are triggered by pressure, particularly anti-personnel mines which are triggered by the pressure of a person's foot, are destroyed by impinging laser beam pulses on the surface of the soil. With appropriately chosen beam parameters, a laser supported detonation is created in the atmosphere above the soil by each beam pulse impingement. That results in a blast wave within the soil, the pressure of which causes a mine trigger to explode the mine. A multiplicity of beam pulses are impinged on the soil surface in location- and time-coordination, to create a multiplicity of blast waves which provide pressure-time profiles within the shallow depth of the soil, sufficient to trigger mine types that are configured to resist triggering from a single detonation, whether induced by laser or chemical means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Inventor: David C. Smith
  • Patent number: 7350448
    Abstract: A firing assembly for activating a perforating device comprising a module having a first chamber and a second chamber. The firing assembly comprises a firing head for transferring ballistic energy to the perforating device, said firing head having a detonator and a plurality of ballistic charges, said detonator coupled to at least one of said first gun assembly and said second gun assembly a remote telemetry device for sending a detonation signal, a transmission medium for transmitting said detonation signal to said firing head, and a receiving device for receiving said detonation signal and a processor for interpreting said detonation signal and activating said detonator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Matthew Robert George Bell, Eugene Murphy, Edward Paul Cernocky, Christopher Burres, Aron Ekelund, Allen Lindfors
  • Patent number: 7350449
    Abstract: The subject invention concerns a method and a device enabling said packed countermass material (11) to open up said countermass packagings (10) in relation to the firing of countermass weaponry. The basic concept for the subject invention is, thus, that one near the rear outlet end (12) of a countermass weapon (1) barrel fashion a number of blades (15) to the interior of the outlet that protrude inwardly into the barrel sufficiently so as to cut into said countermass container (10), which is pressed past said blades (15) upon firing said weapon (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Saab AG
    Inventors: Arne Franzén, Lars-Ake Carlqvist, Lars Ax, Eje Lantz
  • Patent number: 7350450
    Abstract: An armor structure includes first and second layers individually containing a plurality of i-beams. Individual i-beams have a pair of longitudinal flanges interconnected by a longitudinal crosspiece and defining opposing longitudinal channels between the pair of flanges. The i-beams within individual of the first and second layers run parallel. The laterally outermost faces of the flanges of adjacent i-beams face one another. One of the longitudinal channels in each of the first and second layers faces one of the longitudinal channels in the other of the first and second layers. The channels of the first layer run parallel with the channels of the second layer. The flanges of the first and second layers overlap with the crosspieces of the other of the first and second layers, and portions of said flanges are received within the facing channels of the i-beams of the other of the first and second layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC
    Inventors: Henry Shiu-Hung Chu, Jeffrey M. Lacy
  • Patent number: 7350451
    Abstract: A missile launcher that combines the functionality of a gas management system and an anti-fratricide shield is disclosed. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of gas-uptake ducts are arranged on a boundary that surrounds a missile, thereby providing a barrier to the propagation of blast energy and/or fragments across the boundary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: Lawrence P. Barisciano, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7350452
    Abstract: A fire arm with improved salvo accuracy, having a barrel and a casing mounted on a supporting frame, whereby the frame comprises a cradle provided with a slide which can slide in a direction which is mainly parallel to the axis of the barrel. The casing is mounted on the slide of the cradle on a transversal hinge pin, and on the frame via at least one shoe mounted in a sliding guide provided in the frame. The sliding guide is inclined in relation to the direction of the axis of the barrel at rest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: FN Herstal S.A.
    Inventors: Philippe Plumier, Charles Demoulin, Guiseppe Librici
  • Patent number: 7350453
    Abstract: A hydraulic cylinder having a gland that is rotatable relative to the cylinder tube, the pivotal connection provided by a pair of aligned annular grooves on the gland and the cylinder tube, a key slot located through the cylinder tube, and a key positionable through the key slot to be located within the annular grooves to rotatably attach the gland to the cylinder tube. The key includes one end configured to engage the gland for facilitating installation and another end configured in a wedge shape to facilitate removal of the key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Bailey International Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin D. Bailey, Casey L. Coykendall
  • Patent number: 7350454
    Abstract: A cylinder unit for mounting on a machine for the deformation of workpieces includes a cylinder block and a pressure plate which is arranged on the surface of the cylinder block which faces away from the fastening surface, wherein a plurality of pistons each having a spherically shaped head are mounted in the cylinder block. Mounted on each spherically shaped head of the pistons is a pressure piece which protrudes into a bore of the pressure plate and has a recess corresponding to the spherically shaped head of the pistons. A gap is provided between the outer diameter of the pressure piece and the inner diameter of the bore in the pressure plate. A pressure disc is arranged between the pressure piece and the pressure plate in the bottom of the bore of the pressure plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Theodor Gräbener GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Dieter Kapp
  • Patent number: 7350455
    Abstract: A coffee maker is disclosed, having at least one coffee bean container adapted to receive whole coffee beans and a brewing module including a brewing chamber for brewing a coffee beverage by means of hot brewing water. The coffee bean container is subdivided into two compartments, whereby an individual coffee grinder assembly is assigned to each compartment. The outlets of the coffee grinder assemblies open into a common feeding channel serving for filling the brewing chamber with ground coffee. The coffee maker further comprises a slide controller serving for preselecting the proportional amount of coffee beans to be discharged from the particular compartment and ground by the coffee grinder assembly assigned to the particular compartment. With such a coffee maker, a coffee beverage can be prepared, using different blends of freshly ground coffee beans.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Saeco IPR Limited
    Inventor: Heinz Vetterli
  • Patent number: 7350456
    Abstract: A device for the production of beverages such as coffee by infusion of a product contained in a tablet (2) includes an infusion chamber (1) adapted to receive a tablet (2) having two portions (3, 4) shaped to move toward or away from each other to close or open the infusion chamber (1), in which device only one of the portions has mobility and rotation so as to place the tablet (2) in abutment in the portion and that the portion (3) movable in rotation has mobility in translation to open or close the infusion chamber (1). The device includes additional elements for holding closed the two portions of the infusion chamber (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Compagine Mediterraneenne des Cafes S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Blanc, Christian Ferrier
  • Patent number: 7350457
    Abstract: The apparatus for preparing a beverage with a foam layer suitable for consumption is provided with a mixing chamber, supply means for supplying a liquid, such as water or steam, to the mixing chamber and first dosing means for dosed supply of a concentrate to be mixed with the liquid, such as a coffee concentrate, to the mixing chamber for mixing the concentrate with the liquid in the mixing chamber while foam is formed for obtaining the foamed beverage suitable for consumption. The mixing chamber is designed as a whirl chamber while the supply means supply the liquid to the whirl chamber in such a manner that in the whirl chamber a whirl is formed of the supplied fluid. The supply means are provided with a second dosing device for dosed supply of the liquid to the whirl chamber and the apparatus is further provided with a control device for controlling the first and second dosing device for preparing a predetermined amount of beverage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Sara Lee/DE N.V.
    Inventors: Hendrikus Christinus M. Wessels, Emil Herman Rusche
  • Patent number: 7350458
    Abstract: A hanging roaster combines a “drip” pan, two pan-supports for suspending the pan from a rack (typically the top rack) in an oven, and at least two skewer-supports for supporting a food-carrying skewer spaced above the pan bottom and below the top rack of the oven. The pan-supports are pivotable to facilitate compact storage of the hanging roaster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Lapform Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Marc Leibowitz
  • Patent number: 7350459
    Abstract: An organic foliage compactor for compacting organic foliage into a bale is disclosed. The compactor includes a compactor frame and a compacting tube coupled to the compactor frame. The compacting tube includes a first end, a second end and a housing that defines an interior passage extending between the first end and the second end through which the organic foliage is urged to compact the organic foliage. A feed tube to which the organic foliage is to be introduced is in communication with the compacting tube. A driver provides an urging force to be imparted on organic foliage introduced to the feed tube, and a platen is operatively coupled to the driver for urging organic foliage introduced to the feed tube into the compacting tube where it is compacted as the organic foliage progresses through the interior passage defined by the housing between the first end and the second end of the compacting tube as a substantially steady-state process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Inventor: Grover Miller
  • Patent number: 7350460
    Abstract: A golf bag system, a golf bag having an image positioned thereon, and methods of forming and using the golf bag are provided. The system preferably includes a golf bag having a main bag body including an open end, a closed end, a club chamber positioned between the open and closed ends, an outer surface portion, and an image thereon positioned on the outer surface portion. The system can also include a memory having an image stored thereon, a controller to obtain the image and control printing, and a printing device. A method of forming images on a golf bag can include obtaining an image to be formed onto the golf bag and forming the image onto the golf bag. A method of using a golf bag having images thereon can include examining the golf bag, physically comparing an image on the golf bag with a known image associated with the alleged golf bag owner, determining ownership, and issuing the golf bag to the determined owner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Picbags, L.P.
    Inventor: Bruce A. Davidson
  • Patent number: 7350461
    Abstract: Printing plates for all-over printing of large areas by the intaglio printing process, a method for producing the printing plates and data carriers, in particular bank notes, with large-area printed images produced by the intaglio printing process area proposed. Flawless inking is ensured by providing partitions in the engraving of the printing plate which rise up vertically from the base of the engraved area and have at least a height of 50% of the engraving depth. The partitions largely prevent ink from being wiped out of the engraved areas when ink is wiped off the printing plate surface. This permits a large printed area to be covered all over with ink layers on a data carrier. By special arrangement and design of the partitions one can also produce fine structures in the printing area which area recognizable only with magnifying aids depending on the selected distances between the partitions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Giesecke & Devrient GmbH
    Inventors: Karlheinz Mayer, Reinhard Plaschka, Johann Muller, Peter Franz
  • Patent number: 7350462
    Abstract: A filling member for filling the concave portion of a blanket face which is generated along the opening portion of a groove of a blanket cylinder comprises a wedge-shaped limb portion and a head portion capable of filling the concave portion. The limb portion is inserted between the surface of the terminal and initial winding end side of the blanket which is approximately parallel with the surface in a condition in which one face of the limb portion is brought in contact with the terminal winding end side of the blanket and is pushed on both surfaces in which one face and another face forming a wedge shape for the one face oppose approximately parallel to at least a site adjacent to the head portion. The head portion can fill the concave portion when the limb portion is inserted between the initial winding end side and the terminal winding end side of the blanket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Kabushikikaisha Tokyo Kikai Seisakusho
    Inventor: Sadanobu Akiyama
  • Patent number: 7350463
    Abstract: Disclosed are a printer and a stacker and methods. The printer prints selectively on one or both sides of a printable web and sheets or labels are cut from the web and stacked in the stacker. The printer has an unwind mechanism that accepts and holds web rolls of different widths in center-justified relationship with respect to a print head. The printer has a spindle for mounting an ink ribbon core with a detent for center-justifying the ink-ribbon with respect to the print head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Paxar Americas, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond A. Blanchard, Jr., Donald J. Ward
  • Patent number: 7350464
    Abstract: In order to provide a printing unit (1; 50) of modular design with the lowest possible expenditure on construction and high flexibility, the printing unit (1; 50) of modular design for printing webs (29) has a stand (2; 2?; 54), which is provided with at least one crossmember (3; 4; 51) at both ends (drive and operating side), printing cylinders (9 to 16) being mounted in the crossmembers (3; 4; 51) in such a way that a structural unit comprising crossmembers (3; 4; 51) and printing cylinders (9 to 16) can be taken completely out of and put into the stand (2; 2?; 54).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: MAN Roland Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Georg Riescher, Josef Hammer
  • Patent number: 7350465
    Abstract: An extended range munition including a projectile having a generally cylindrical body includes a forward end and rearward end. The forward end includes a protruding member extending therefrom, thereby increasing the weight of said body and said forward end. The body is formed of a non-metallic material having a durometer hardness less than conventional metallic projectile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Inventors: Neil Keegstra, Randy R. Fritz, Robin A. Fritz, Anthony Edward Kinchin
  • Patent number: 7350466
    Abstract: An attachment to an electricity-inducing immobilization cartridge has a body with a plurality of converging sections, a strike plate affixed at a front end of the body and a plurality of hinges formed on each of the converging sections. The hinges serve to allow the plurality of converging sections to fold when the strike plate contacts a target. A barb is affixed to an inner surface of at least one of the sections so as to be movable from the interior of the body to a location exterior of the body when the strike plate contacts the target. Fasteners are provided within the body so as to maintain the body in a collapsed condition subsequent to the strike plate contacting the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Inventor: Glen Hendrix
  • Patent number: 7350467
    Abstract: A long rail pick-up and delivery system providing increased efficiency and safety. The long rail pick-up and delivery system can include a power car, a rail train, a loading car, an unloading car, a transition car and two independent gantries. The dual gantry design allows for simultaneous and independent loading and unloading of long rail on both sides of the long rail pick-up and delivery system. The gantries are operably mounted on a elevated track whereby the gantries are capable to traversing the length of the rail train. The gantries can include booms having multiple degrees of freedom allowing a gripping head to grasp and pull long rail regardless of the resting attitude of the long rail. The long rail pick-up and delivery system can also include additional power cars, an integrated work station and additional gantries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Loram Maintenance of Way, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Green, David Huebner
  • Patent number: 7350468
    Abstract: A box car includes end walls joined to opposing side walls that define the interior cargo area. Each end wall includes a corrugated side that faces the cargo area. The adjustable spacer is arranged within a cavity in the corrugated side in a stowed position so that it does not protrude into the cargo area. The side walls include tracks in which opposing guides that support the lateral beam are slideably received. The tracks do not protrude into the cargo area. The guides include multiple holes providing keyways that receive removable locks. Vertical side posts are arranged along the exterior of the side walls. Holes are arranged in the side walls in the area of the side posts. The locks are received in one of the holes in the guides and a hole in the side wall to lock the adjustable spacer in the desired position relative to the box car.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: National Steel Car Ltd.
    Inventors: Mario D. Gatto, Robert David Vial, Michael Hugh Nicholson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7350469
    Abstract: A latch assembly is disclosed comprising a handle pivotable from a first position to a second position, a slider movable in response to movement of the handle between the first position and the second position, and a pivot pivotable between an upright position and a foldable position, wherein when the handle is in the first position the pivot is locked in one of the upright position and the foldable position, and when the handle is moved to the second position the pivot is movable between the upright position and the foldable position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Inventors: Paul Koning, Matthew Ruster, Jack Nyenhuis
  • Patent number: 7350470
    Abstract: A plastic safe box has a housing formed of connected panels defining an interior space, and a pivoting door supported on a hinge member integrally formed with said pivoting door. The hinge member receives a support rod mounted inside the safe such that the hinge member is not exposed when the safe is closed. The hinge member is shaped to coincide with the adjoining side panel and door outer surfaces to hide the hinge and conceal the operational hinge components. The hinge member further includes a rounded inner surface that emerges internally as the safe door opens, where the rounded surface is circular with a center coincident with the support rod such that the hinge member follows a circular path as the safe door opens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Stuhlbarg International Sales Company
    Inventors: Mort Stuhlbarg, Leslie Chow
  • Patent number: 7350471
    Abstract: An improved combustion method and corresponding apparatus is disclosed, where the method includes oxidizing a fuel in a combustion chamber with an oxidizing stream including an air stream and a first recycled flue gas stream and mixing a produced hot flue gas stream with a second recycled flue gas stream to form reduced temperature flue gas stream which can be used directly in a power generator or to heat a reactor. The method and apparatus allow flow rates of the streams to be adjusted so that temperatures in the combustion chamber and in the heat transfer unit or units of the power generator or reactor can be kept below temperature that would thermally damage the combustion chamber, heat transfer unit or units or the reactors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Kalex LLC
    Inventor: Alexander I. Kalina
  • Patent number: 7350472
    Abstract: A work positioning device for a computer sewing machine includes an auxiliary table and a positioning arm having one end removably and turnably connected to the auxiliary table. The positioning arm has the opposite end provided with a positioning part and may be turned between an upper position where the positioning part is spaced from the upper surface of the auxiliary table and a lower position where the positioning part is in contact with the upper surface of the table, the positioning part having a reference mark provided for showing an initialized position for starting the pattern stitching operation when the embroidery frame is connected to the carriage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Janome Sewing Machine Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Shinichiro Seki, Satoko Yamada, Masashi Ninomiya, Koshiro Omiya