Patents Issued in October 14, 2008
  • Patent number: 7434684
    Abstract: A broad head cover device for encasing a broad head to protect the broad head during storage and transport includes a pair of clamshell portions being positionable around the broad head to enclose the broad head between the clamshell portions. The clamshell portions inhibit contact with the broad head when the clamshell portions are positioned around the broad head. One of the clamshell portions is hingedly coupled to the other one of the clamshell portions to permit pivoting of the clamshell portions between a closed position and an open position. A latching assembly includes a first mating portion and a second mating portion. The first mating portion is coupled to one of the clamshell portions and the second mating portion is coupled to the other one of the clamshell portions. The first mating portion mates with the second mating portion to releasably secure the clamshell portions in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Inventor: Robby L. Mabra
  • Patent number: 7434685
    Abstract: A storage case for aircraft flight personnel's goggles is provided. The storage case has a case bottom and two doors. Each door has a closure adapted to maintain the goggles in the case between the case bottom and the doors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Intertechnique
    Inventors: Patrice Martinez, Gilles Pena, Laurent Preveyraud
  • Patent number: 7434686
    Abstract: A surface-mountable storage system for an auto-injection device. The storage system includes a base and a cover. The base has a back surface adapted to be mounted to a generally vertical surface. A support structure secured to the base releasably holds an auto-injection device on end and adjacent the front surface. The cover has a free edge adapted to be substantially continuously adjacent the base. This allows the cover and base to substantially enclose the auto-injection device when the cover is in a closed position with respect to the base. The storage system also has a latch for securing the cover to the base to allow the cover to move between the closed position and an open position that presents the auto-injection device for removal from the support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Inventor: Michael Prindle
  • Patent number: 7434687
    Abstract: A package for medical tubes allows a plurality of medical tubes, which are to be used for a surgical procedure such as a catheter surgical operation, to be primed at the same time. The package holds a plurality of medical tubes in a condition in which the medical tubes are individually connected to a branching member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Terumo Kabushiki Kiasha
    Inventors: Yasushi Itou, Jun Iwami, Shigeki Numata
  • Patent number: 7434688
    Abstract: A portable toolbox is disclosed. The portable toolbox includes a frame and a holder. The holder can hold a plurality of bits. The holder is put in the frame so that the holder can be pivoted between a retreated position and an extended position relative to the frame. In the retreated position, the bits are kept in the holder in cooperation with the frame. In the extended position, the bits can be put onto and taken from the holder from two opposite sides of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Inventor: Bobby Hu
  • Patent number: 7434689
    Abstract: A packaging unit comprising a container body with a closed lower end, an open upper end and side walls between them; and a cap for closing the open end of the container body, which is pivotably attached thereto; wherein a floor section of the container body adjacent to the lower end thereof is designed such that said floor section can be inserted, to a predetermined extent, into the open end of another packaging unit, and means are provided for optionally alternatively connecting the floor section of the container body to the cap of another packaging unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Mars Incorporated
    Inventor: Sabine Homann
  • Patent number: 7434690
    Abstract: A container suitable for the preparation, storage and dispensing of compounded suppositories is provided. Methods of preparing, storing and dispensing compounded suppositories utilizing such a container and related kits are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: CutisPharma, Inc.
    Inventors: Indu Muni, Gita Muni, Dilip Patel, Peter Mione, Denis Morin
  • Patent number: 7434691
    Abstract: A packaging system (15) for an ingestible capsule comprising an ingestible capsule (20) having a pH sensor (22) and an outer surface (24), packaging (16) for the capsule comprising an open well (28) having an inner surface (46-49) and a holding volume (33) defined by the inner surface of the well and the outer surface of the capsule, the inner surface of the well configured and arranged to engage at least a portion (25) of the outer surface of the well, and the holding volume configured to and arranged to contain a pH calibration fluid and to hold the pH sensor submerged in the pH calibration fluid when the pH calibration fluid is added to the well, whereby the packaging provides for calibrating the pH sensor without removing the capsule from the packaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: The SmartPill Corporation
    Inventor: Laura A. Negron
  • Patent number: 7434692
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides a packaged supply of individual doses of a personal care product, such as strips of a water-soluble film that may or may not contain a pharmaceutically active material, including a dispenser apparatus including a tray, cover and side portions and at least one packet freely positioned within the dispenser apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: McNeil-PPC, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Ginsberg, Bradford S. Grant
  • Patent number: 7434693
    Abstract: A marine knife block for mounting on boats and marine vessels. The block is formed from three or more uniform blanks of plastic resin with channels milled or molded lengthwise into two or more of those layers. The three layers are sandwiched together by a combination of stainless steel screws and glue to form a plurality of knife blade receptacles. The back of the block may be secured to a flat surface by screws, thereby preventing movement of the knives held within when the boat is in motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Inventor: John George Mosko
  • Patent number: 7434694
    Abstract: A cyclone separator has at least one baffle spaced inwardly from the cyclone separator housing to serve as a false wall which allows particles that separate from the gas stream to fall down between the baffle and the housing without being re-entrained into the gas stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Fisher-Klosterman, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank James Elvin
  • Patent number: 7434695
    Abstract: Multiple shafts are aligned along a frame and configured to rotate in a direction causing paper products to move along a separation screen. The shafts are configured with a shape and spacing so that substantially rigid pieces of the paper products move along the screen while non-rigid pieces of the paper products slide down between adjacent shafts. In one embodiment, the screen includes at least one vacuum shaft that has a first set of air input holes configured to suck air and retain the non-rigid paper products. A second set of air output holes are configured to blow out air to dislodge the paper products retained by the input holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Emerging Acquisitions, Inc.
    Inventors: Engel Visscher, Sean Austin
  • Patent number: 7434696
    Abstract: An inlet head for a cyclone, the inlet head including a feed chamber therein having an inner side wall, an end wall at one end of the side wall, an open end at the other end of the side wall, the open end being of circular cross-section with a central axis. The inlet head further includes an inlet port adjacent the end wall for delivering material to be separated to the feed chamber, the inlet port having a feed height dimension H1 in the direction of the central axis, an overflow outlet in the end wall which is coaxial with the central axis, a vortex finder at the end wall or extending into the feed chamber in the direction of the central axis a distance L1 from the end wall, and a feed inlet zone in the inner side wall of the feed chamber having an upstream end adjacent the inlet port and a downstream end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Vulco, S.A.
    Inventor: Oscar Castro Soto
  • Patent number: 7434697
    Abstract: A disposable, spin-on fluid filter is constructed and arranged to mount onto a base that is configured with a threaded mounting shaft. The base provides a fluid inlet flow to the filter and a fluid exit path from the filter. The filter construction includes a housing canister having a closed end and an opposite, open end and a fluid filtering media positioned within the housing canister. A mounting post is formed as part of the closed first end of the housing canister. The mounting post is constructed and arranged for assembly to the threaded mounting shaft of the base. The design focuses on the elimination of any nutplate and on repositioning the location where the fluid filter is connected to the head to the closed end of the canister.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Fleetguard Inc.
    Inventors: Ismail C. Bagci, Kevin C. South, Gregory W. Hoverson, Byron Andrew Pardue, William Haberkamp, Yves Ruellou, Roger Bernard
  • Patent number: 7434698
    Abstract: A filtration material comprising a blend of at least two types of fibers: (a) polypropylene fibers and (b) either acrylic or modacrylic fibers. In a preferred embodiment, the blend contains about 50 weight percent polypropylene fibers and about 50 weight percent modacrylic fibers. In another preferred embodiment, the blend contains about 50 weight percent polypropylene fibers and about 50 weight percent acrylic fibers. The fibers can be blended ranging from 90:10 to 10:90 polypropylene to acrylic or modacrylic. At least one type of fibers includes an extractable agent on the outer surfaces thereof. Performance of the blend is superior to the prior art filtration materials, especially at the preferred compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Ahlstrom Air Media LLC
    Inventors: Rodney R. Wilkins, K. Dale Montgomery, Stephen W. Alexander, James G. Tuttle, Edwin G. Hoel
  • Patent number: 7434699
    Abstract: A fixture for displaying dinnerware including a base, a track, and a dinnerware mount. The base is configured to support a piece of dinnerware. The track is coupled to and extends generally perpendicular to the base. The dinnerware mount is slidably coupled to the track and includes a first arm and a second arm circumferentially spaced from one another. Each of the first arm and the second arm define a clasp for receiving a portion of the piece of dinnerware. When the dinnerware mount is in a first position with respect to the track, the piece of dinnerware is maintained between the base and the dinnerware mount. When the dinnerware mount is in a second position with respect to the track, the piece of dinnerware is removable from between the base and the dinnerware mount. Dinnerware displays and methods of presenting dinnerware to retail audiences provide additional advantages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Target Brands, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph R. Stukenberg
  • Patent number: 7434700
    Abstract: A suspending device for screwdrivers has a suspending rod and multiple sliders. The suspending rod has two holes defined through the suspending rod respectively near two ends of the suspending rod. The sliders are slidably attached to the suspending rod. Each slider has a holder, two clamping arms and a holding bore. The clamping arms respectively extend from top edge and bottom edge of the holder and respectively engage with top edge and bottom edge of the supporting rod. The holding bore is defined through the holder to hold a shank of a screwdriver. Accordingly, the suspending device can fit with different types of screwdrivers and is versatile in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Inventor: Jui-Chien Kao
  • Patent number: 7434701
    Abstract: A device for coupling to other devices and unique identification thereof may include a body and a coupler. The coupler may be disposed on the body and may be operable to couple to a coupler of another device. The device may include a test circuit and a processor for recognizing other devices. The processor may be operable to determine the presence of a particular device within a chain of devices by controlling the inputs of the test circuit and monitoring the outputs of the test circuit. The device may include a circuit element for uniquely identifying the device when the device is coupled to one or more of the other devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Rich Freeman, John Caldwell, David Wilson, Robert Mitchell
  • Patent number: 7434702
    Abstract: A bottle container made of resin includes a cylindrical barrel with a bottom and a cylindrical neck portion with a diameter smaller than that of the barrel. The bottle container also includes an upper part and a lower part divided into two parts by dividing at an upper end or a lower end of the barrel, and under the condition that the upper part and the lower part are connected with each other. The two parts are integrated by a cover member for liquid-tightly covering connecting surfaces of the two parts to shield the connecting surfaces from outside and to integrate the two parts with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Kabushikikaisha Yaita Seisakusho
    Inventor: Daisuke Yaita
  • Patent number: 7434703
    Abstract: A tamper-indicating child-resistant package includes a container having a finish with an open mouth and an external circumferential bead spaced from the mouth. A closure has a skirt for externally encircling the container finish, a tamper band frangibly connected to the skirt for positioning beneath the external circumferential bead on the container finish, and a spring element for engaging the finish and biasing the closure away from the finish. The finish and the skirt have interlocking elements that resist removal of the closure from the finish absent force against the spring element to disengage the interlocking elements. Engagement of the tamper band with the external circumferential bead ruptures the frangible connection of the band to the skirt upon first removal of the closure from the container finish to indicate potential tampering with the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Rexam Prescription Products Inc.
    Inventor: John M. Shingle
  • Patent number: 7434704
    Abstract: A medicine feeder is composed of: a cassette (2) for housing medicines D in an array; a biasing member (6) for biasing the medicines D in the cassette (2) toward one end side; and a discharge member (16) disposed on one end portion of the cassette (2) for holding a medicine D in a holding recess portion (18) and discharging the medicines D one at a time by rotating the discharge member. This makes it possible to ensure the discharge of a prescribed quantity of medicines based on prescription data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Yuyama Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shoji Yuyama, Shinji Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 7434705
    Abstract: A container including a first end, a second end, and a body extending therebetween and a closure member removably coupled to the first end, wherein the closure member includes a first engagement member. The container also includes a second engagement member removably coupled to the closure member and the first end and a plurality of support members configured to engage a body of a second container. A retaining member is removably coupled to the first end and to the closure member such that the retaining member extends through the first end and engages a recess within the closure member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: M.E.B. Import Export, Corp.
    Inventor: Ricardo Enzo Evangelista
  • Patent number: 7434706
    Abstract: A plastic container and lid assembly for storing liquid coating materials including a container and a lid. The container has a body with a bottom wall, at least four sidewalls and a neck. The neck defines a wide mouth opening and including threads for receiving mating threads on the lid. The lid also has a plurality of lugs, preferably two lugs, extending radially from the lid and terminating at or before the lugs extend beyond the container sidewalls when the lid is in sealed engagement with the container. The body also has an integral handle for lifting the container and the container neck supports a bail-type handle also for lifting said container. The integral handle and bail-type handles do not extend beyond the container sidewall. The container and lid assembly having an effective packing footprint and an effective packing volume which substantially conforms to the effective packing footprint and the effective packing volume of a conventional metal paint can.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: The Sherwin-Williams Company
    Inventors: John R. Nottingham, John Spirk, Dale A. Panasewicz, Nick E. Stanca, Robert Iredell, IV, Dennis M. Futo
  • Patent number: 7434707
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an arrangement for assembly to a squeeze bottle having a threaded neck with an opening at its outer end upon filling of the bottle is provided. The squeeze bottle has a dispensing nozzle unit adapted to be fixedly inserted into the opening and the nozzle unit includes a lower cylindrical part terminating in a flange at its outer end. A washer, through which the cylindrical part is adapted to extend, is interposed between the flange and the outer end of said neck with a hinged tab formed as part of and extending from the washer. Also included is a cover for the nozzle having internal threads to screw onto the neck. The cover has a recess formed therein, the recess having a vertical wall, such that, when said cover is screwed on the neck, the hinged tab will have a portion abutting the wall and preventing movement, unless the tab is pushed in so that the portion clears the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Dispensing Patents International, LLC
    Inventor: Philip Meshberg
  • Patent number: 7434708
    Abstract: A valve assembly for a fluid dispenser includes a housing having at least a first opening and a second opening, and a valve member fitted in the housing, the valve member being rotatable about an axis and comprising a first channel, extending along said axis and communicating with the first opening in the housing, and at least two outlet channels radially extending from the first channel to the circumference of the valve member, wherein each of the radially extending outlet channels can be brought in register with the second opening by rotating the valve member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Fluid Management, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark M. J. Voskuil, Pieter J. M. Alkemade
  • Patent number: 7434709
    Abstract: An apparatus attachable to a bag containing a bulk particulate material and having a discharge spout for dispensing material from the bag generally consisting of first and second annular clamping members displaceable axially between a first, spaced apart condition permitting a portion of the spout to be drawn in position therebetween, and a second, adjacent condition clamping the spout portion position therebetween, and means for releasably retaining the members in the clamping condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: The Young Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard W. Ambs
  • Patent number: 7434710
    Abstract: A bellows-type pump includes a body portion with an inlet and an outlet. A bellows member is secured to the body portion and provides a dosage volume that communicates with both the inlet and outlet. Compressing the bellows member causes a sealing web thereof to contact the inlet and seal the same against the flow of product from within the dosage volume. The sealing web does not cover the outlet upon compression of the bellows member and, thus, product is dispensed through the outlet upon such compression. Expansion of the bellows member draws product in through the inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Inventor: Andrew R. Spriegel
  • Patent number: 7434711
    Abstract: A garment hanger according to the invention is provided with at least one clamp comprised of a pair of jaw members. At least one of the jaw members has a pivoting jaw end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: The Accessory Corp.
    Inventor: Steven Sutton
  • Patent number: 7434712
    Abstract: Disclosed is a holster for a weapon such as a handgun which includes a body defining a cavity for receiving and holding the weapon, a hood assembly pivotably connected to the body, the hood assembly pivotable between a closed position for securing the weapon within the body cavity and an open position for removal of the weapon, a locking mechanism securing the hood assembly in the closed position when a weapon is held in the body cavity, a release mechanism associated with the locking mechanism for releasing the hood assembly to the open position for removal of the weapon, and a mechanism for automatically pivoting the hood assembly to the closed position and thereby automatically engaging the locking mechanism upon insertion of the weapon into the body cavity, wherein the locking mechanism is biased to a locked configuration when the weapon is held in the body cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Blackhawk Industries Product Group Unlimited LLC
    Inventors: Clifton L. Cook, Eric M. Yeates, Thomas M. Gregory, Robert A. Kincaid
  • Patent number: 7434713
    Abstract: A load carrier foot for mounting a load carrier bar on a vehicle roof includes a foot part having an upper end attached to the load carrier bar, and a lower end mounted on a roof edge area. The foot part is secured to the roof by a clamping plate gripping a body fold. The clamping plate has a tightening mechanism and a pivot pin in pivotable engagement with the foot part. The foot part and the clamping plate are each provided with contact faces above and below the pivot pin, which interact in a locking manner to prevent the clamping plate from turning about the pivot pin and losing a grip on the body fold when the clamping plate is tightened against the foot part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Thule Sweden AB
    Inventor: Claes-Goran Linden
  • Patent number: 7434714
    Abstract: A bike carrying rack for an automobile includes a base frame, a support rack, and a pivot mechanism pivotally mounted between the base frame and the support rack and including two first rotation disks each provided with a first engaging face, and two second rotation disks each provided with a second engaging face detachably engaged with the first engaging face of the respective first rotation disk. Thus, the angle between the base frame and the support rack can be adjusted by the elastic effect of the base frame without needing to provide a spring, thereby simplifying the construction of the bike carrying rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Inventor: Chin-Sung Huang
  • Patent number: 7434715
    Abstract: A surgical stapling and severing instrument particularly suited to endoscopic procedures incorporates a handle that produces separate closing and firing motions to actuate an end effector. In particular, the handle produces multiple firing strokes in order to reduce the required amount of force required to fire (i.e., staple and sever) the end effector. A linked transmission reduces the required handle longitudinal length, yet achieves a rigid, strong configuration when straightened for firing. A traction biased firing mechanism avoids binding in driving this straightened linked rack in cooperation with an anti-backup mechanism, with a lockout mechanism that prevents releasing the closure trigger during firing. Furthermore, an external indicator gives feedback to the surgeon as to how far firing has progressed, as well as providing a manual retraction capability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jeffrey S. Swayze, Douglas B. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 7434716
    Abstract: An articulating surgical instrument is provided including a handle, an articulating portion extending distally of the handle and an end effector positioned on a distal end of the articulating portion. A flexible drive band is provided for movement through the articulating portion and end effector. The flexible drive band includes a first portion having a first height and the second portion having a second height greater than the first height. The difference in heights being sufficient to eject staples from a body portion of the end effector into an anvil member of the end effector. An actuation mechanism is provided for drawing the flexible drive band through the articulating surgical instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP
    Inventor: Frank J. Viola
  • Patent number: 7434717
    Abstract: The present invention includes a surgical stapler having a staple cartridge, an anvil, and a cutting member having a cutting surface, wherein the cutting member is relatively movable with respect to the anvil and the staple cartridge. In at least one embodiment, the anvil is movable between an open position and a partially-closed position. When the anvil is in its partially-closed position, the anvil and the staple cartridge can be configured to capture tissue therebetween without fully compressing the tissue. In at least one embodiment, the anvil includes a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a middle portion intermediate the proximal portion and the distal portion. In these embodiments, the tissue can be captured between the proximal and distal portions of the anvil before the middle portion of the anvil is brought into contact with the tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jerome R. Morgan
  • Patent number: 7434718
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for cutting or welding tubes (3) or similar workpieces, said device comprising a guiding mechanism which is used to control the cutting or welding torch (17) along a pre-determined line and is provided with a stand-type portal (7). Said portal comprises a through opening (8) into which the workpiece (3) to be machined can be guided in the axial direction. A rotary part (14) can be rotated about the axis of the through opening (8) in a motor-driven manner, guiding a holding arm (16) therewith, which carries the cutting or welding torch (17) on the free end thereof. Said holding arm (16) is fixed to the rotary part (14) and embodied in such a way that the cutting or welding torch (17) moves radially in relation to the axis of the through opening (8) and can be brought into various angular positions in relation to the surface of the workpiece (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Eisenmann Anlagenbau GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Peter Wirth
  • Patent number: 7434719
    Abstract: A method of detecting and calibrating dry fluxing metal surfaces of one or more components to be soldered by electron attachment using a gas mixture of reducing gas comprising hydrogen and deuterium, comprising the steps of: a) providing one or more components to be soldered which are connected to a first electrode as a target assembly; b) providing a second electrode adjacent the target assembly; c) providing a gas mixture comprising a reducing gas comprising hydrogen and deuterium between the first and second electrodes; d) providing a direct current (DC) voltage to the first and second electrodes to form an emission current between the electrodes and donating electrons to the reducing gas to form negatively charged ionic reducing gas and molecules of hydrogen bonded to deuterium; e) contacting the target assembly with the negatively charged ionic reducing gas and reducing oxides on the target assembly. Related apparatus is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Chun Christine Dong, Eugene Joseph Karwacki, Jr., Richard E. Patrick
  • Patent number: 7434720
    Abstract: A brazing material including about 20 to about 60 percent by weight gold, about 6 to about 16 percent by weight nickel, about 16 to about 60 percent by weight copper and about 6 to about 16 percent by weight titanium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kazim Ozbaysal, Shawn P. Riley
  • Patent number: 7434721
    Abstract: A collapsible bulk bin, formed from a sheet that is folded upon itself to form a tube, having a plurality of bottom panels pivotably connected to respective side walls of the bulk bin. A plurality of connector panels foldably connect adjacent ones of the bottom panels, to provide a slotless bottom configuration to provide reinforcing strength to the bottom, and bottom regions of the side walls of the bulk bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Smurfit-Stone Container Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Duane Feltz
  • Patent number: 7434722
    Abstract: Packaging is disclosed for electrical installation equipment, in particular, made from a folded cardboard box, with two parallel first cardboard portions which form a front and a rear wall of the packaging and with two second cardboard faces extending perpendicular thereto, of which the cardboard face forms the bottom wall and the cardboard face forms the upper wall, with first flaps formed on the longitudinal edges of the front and rear wall and the bottom wall, which are attached to the longitudinal edges and able to be bent towards one another, so that they are in a single plane, with cover flaps attached to the edges of the upper wall extending in line with the longitudinal edges and which cover the first flaps and are bonded thereto, and with a third flap arranged on the upper wall which terminates on the edge of the upper wall opposing the front wall and is bonded from inside against the inner face of the front wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: ABB Patent GmbH
    Inventor: Werner Martin
  • Patent number: 7434723
    Abstract: A system and method of completing a pending purchase is provided. The system and method comprises receiving purchase information by a first communication device from a point-of-sale device. The system and method also comprises transmitting a subscriber approval request from the first communication device to a second device, wherein the subscriber approval request includes the purchase information. The system and method further comprises providing payment information from the first communication device to the point-of-sale device to complete the pending purchase based on a subscriber approval response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Brian H. White, Kevin Zhu
  • Patent number: 7434724
    Abstract: Disclosed in this specification is an apparatus and method for producing and displaying a dynamic barcode that permits authorized medical personnel to obtain confidential medical information while preventing unauthorized personnel from viewing the same. Any suitable dynamic medical information may be so displayed including blood pressure, temperature, respiration rate, heart rate, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Welch Allyn, Inc.
    Inventor: John A. Lane
  • Patent number: 7434725
    Abstract: An automated teller machine having a customer operation part, a deposit/payment port to put into bills, a distinction part which distinguishes bill, storages which stores bill, a storage box which keeps bill decided to be true bill at the distinction part among bills put into the deposit/payment port, and a main control part which pays out bills from the storages with true bills kept in the storage box, stores rejected bills in the storage box when the amount of money put into the deposit/payment port is greater than the amount input at the customer operation part. The machine idle-rotates a drum type temporary storage box without winding bill when the amount of true bill is greater than the payment amount input at the customer operation part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yukie Taniyama
  • Patent number: 7434726
    Abstract: Methods and systems that prevent completion of postdated financial transactions until the specified future date is provided. A portion of the information necessary to complete a financial transaction is encrypted utilizing an identity-based encryption (IBE) scheme. The encryption key used to encrypt the information is associated with the date on which the transaction is authorized to be completed. The encrypted information is provided to the payee. The issuing bank provides a daily decryption key that allows decryption of information encrypted using the key associated with the corresponding date. Thus, only when the maturity date of the transaction has arrived will the payee or depositing bank be able to obtain the decryption key that will decrypt the encrypted information necessary to complete the transaction. Since the encrypted information can not be decrypted until the date associated with the encryption key, the financial transaction can not be completed until such date.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley R. Hammell, Matthew J. Campagna, Robert A. Cordery, Bertrand Haas, Leon A. Pintsov
  • Patent number: 7434727
    Abstract: A composite identity marking comprising first and second identity markings is provided on a substrate (1) of a security document. The first identity marking is provided by a first marking station (5, 5?, 5?, 5??) by bringing a first side of said substrate (1) into marking relationship with said first marking station (5, 5?, 5?, 5??). The second identity marking is provided by a second marking station on a portion of the second side of said substrate (1) provided with a layer of material (60) capable of absorbing a substantial amount of radiation emitted by a laser beam. Said laser beam is produced by a laser marking station (6, 6?) included in said second marking station and directed onto said layer of absorbing material (60) through the first side of the substrate and across said substrate to form said second identity marking only on said second side of the substrate (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: KBA-Giori S.A.
    Inventor: Stéphane Bolognini
  • Patent number: 7434728
    Abstract: A desktop card processor having increased card processing capabilities without increasing the horizontal footprint of the card processor. The card processor utilizes multiple card processing levels stacked in vertically separated levels to minimize the horizontal footprint of the card processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: DataCard Corporation
    Inventors: Arthur J. Paulson, Mark J. Sobania, David E. Wickstrom, David A. Pierson
  • Patent number: 7434729
    Abstract: A method comprises the steps of: receiving, at a host computer, a request from a provider for payment for a charge incurred by a purchaser; identifying a plurality of funding sources of the purchaser from which to draw funds for payment of the charge; and causing at least one of the plurality of funding sources to be debited for at least a portion of the purchasing amount of the item based on the payment authorization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher P. Cracchiolo, Jason S. Jagatic, Ahana M. Kalappa, Mark C. Keck, Shari Pincock, Todd H. Reynders, Sunil Sachdev
  • Patent number: 7434730
    Abstract: A system and method for identifying and ordering parts and monitoring inventory levels is presented. The method includes the steps of capturing identifying information from the part, identify the part from the identifying information and ordering the part from a portable device. Additional steps are having a central computer monitor inventory levels, track part request, and order replacement parts when inventory levels fall below a preset level. A system for implementing the method outlined above comprising portable devices and central computers equipped with the proper software and databases to identify the part and allow personnel to request replacements from inventory as well as monitor inventory levels and directly order replacement inventory should inventory levels fall below a preset level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Rajit Jain
  • Patent number: 7434731
    Abstract: A tag has circuitry with a communication portion that can transmit and receive wireless signals, including wireless transmission of data blocks that each have a predefined configuration with a plurality of data slots. The circuitry includes a further portion that, in response to receipt through the communication portion of a wireless communication containing a request identifying a set of plural data items, populates respective data slots in one data block with respective data items from the set, and then causes the communication portion to effect wireless transmission of that data block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Savi Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Nikola Cargonja, Joseph S. Chan
  • Patent number: 7434732
    Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying a coded magnetic thread comprise generating a digital representation of the thread and comparing the digital representation with one or more known digital representations; scanning the digital representation to locate a predetermined code sequence; and rotating the digital representation to locate the predetermined code sequence in a predetermined position corresponding to the position of the predetermined code sequence in a stored version of the or each known digital representation prior to carrying out the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: De La Rue International Limited
    Inventors: John Buttifant, John Alan Skinner, Peter Dilwyn Evans, Michael Potter, Peter Alan Pullan, Barry Clifford Scowen
  • Patent number: 7434733
    Abstract: A method for decoding a decodable symbol using an optical reader having a 2D image sensor that is configured to operate in a partial frame capture operating mode. In a partial frame operating mode, the reader clocks out and captures at least one partial frame of image data having image data corresponding to less than all of the pixels of an image sensor pixel array. In one embodiment, the reader operating in a partial frame operating mode captures image data corresponding to a linear pattern of pixels of the image sensor, reads the image data, and attempts to decode for a decodable bar code symbol which may be represented in the image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Hand Held Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles P. Barber, Carl W. Gerst, III, George S. Smith, II, Robert M. Hussey, Robert C. Gardiner, Matthew W. Pankow