Patents Issued in April 14, 2009
  • Patent number: 7516817
    Abstract: A knee brace for a ladder including a first flange and a second flange. The brace includes a web extending from the first flange and the second flange which together form a u-shaped cross-section. The brace includes a first portion that connects to a step. The brace includes a second portion which connects to the rail and terminates at a distance from a joint. The second portion's first and second flanges and web presenting three contact surfaces which connect to the rail and extend essentially in parallel with the rail and conforms with the rail to which the knee brace is attached so forces can be transferred therebetween. The first and second flanges contact a first rail flange and second rail flange, respectively, and the web contacts the web of the rail of u-shaped cross-section. The brace includes a first rivet extending through the first rail flange and first flange. The brace includes a second rivet extending through the second rail flange and the second flange adjacent the rail end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Werner Co.
    Inventors: Jon M. Pate, Kevin L. McIntire
  • Patent number: 7516818
    Abstract: The present invention provides a checkout system which comprises an item accumulation (bagging) area which is partitioned into two or more sections using a flexible divider. The flexible divider extends from the entry zone of the accumulation area to a point on the boundary of the accumulation zone, but is longer than required to achieve this. When items are introduced into one section of the bagging area, if the items push against the flexible divider, for example due to weight of numbers, the divider flexes into the other section thereby making more space available in the current section for the items. Optionally the flexible divider is movable between two positions in the entry zone such that it further acts as a diverter for diverting items into one or other of the two sections and preferably a motor is used to automatically perform the movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Hunter Harris, Brian Hargrove Leonard, Robert Paul Tennant
  • Patent number: 7516819
    Abstract: A system and method for scanning goods and loading the goods into receptacles by a user includes a scanner and a plurality of loading stations. The scanner scans the goods, and the scanned goods are placed on the loading stations. Each loading station separately obtains a weight of the goods within each respective loading station. In response to each of the weights obtained by all of the plurality of loading stations exceeding a predetermined first weight, the self-checkout system is configured to initiate a first alarm detectable by the user, and in response to the first alarm being initiated, the self-checkout system is configured to prevent additional goods from being scanned by the scanner. In response to each of the weights obtained by all of the plurality of loading stations being below or substantially at a predetermined second weight, the self-checkout system is configured to allow additional goods to be scanned by the scanner after the first alarm is initiated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Johnson, Jessica King Snead
  • Patent number: 7516820
    Abstract: A retail checkout station includes a housing having at least a front wall, a first side wall and a second side wall, and a product scanning portion mounted to the housing. The product scanning portion includes a scanning device for scanning products purchased by a consumer. The checkout station also includes a collapsible multiple bag holder having a guide track mounted to at least one of the front wall, the first side wall and the second side wall of the housing. A plurality of bag support arms are shiftably mounted to the guide track. The plurality of bag holders extend outward from the guide track and are adapted to support a plurality of bags for holding items scanned at the product scanning portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Aaron R. Cox, Thomas J. Sluchak, Robert P. Tennant
  • Patent number: 7516821
    Abstract: A compact brake system for a wheeled vehicle fits substantially within the profile of a tire and rim to reduce wheel box width to increase cargo space between wheel boxes. In one embodiment, a caliper bracket is mounted on a spindle lever connected to a wheel spindle, eliminating the need for a standard brake flange extending from the spindle and thereby reducing the width of the brake system. The spindle lever is mounted on a torque bar rotatably mounted on an axle to allow vertical movement of the spindle to be reacted in a dampening mechanism. A brake caliper is mounted on the caliper bracket for brakingly engaging a brake rotor. The brake caliper, caliper bracket, spindle lever and spindle are substantially or entirely disposed within the tire profile. Alternately, the brake caliper may be mounted on a drop center spindle or used with a spindle mounted on an axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Suspension Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael K. Powers
  • Patent number: 7516822
    Abstract: A simple parking brake includes an electric motor having an internally threaded nut. The internally threaded nut receives an externally threaded shaft. The shaft is pinned to a lever, such that it cannot rotate. The shaft thus moves linearly when the electric motor drives the nut to rotate. As the shaft moves, it drives the brake actuator between a parking position and a release position. A control supplies a pulse to drive the motor in the appropriate direction and for the particular appropriate distance. The pulse length is preferably selected to be longer than that necessary to move the shaft the necessary distance. The motor is preferably sized to stall once the desired park or open position is achieved. In this manner, a simple control is able to control the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology, LLC
    Inventor: Dennis A. Kramer
  • Patent number: 7516823
    Abstract: An electric braking apparatus including a motor for pressing brake pads on disks, a metal housing for housing the motor, a positive-polarity power line for transmitting power from a battery to the electric motor, a negative-polarity ground line for connecting the electric motor to the ground of a vehicle, and a conductor for electrically connecting the metal housing to the negative polarity of battery or the negative-polarity of an inverter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Kikuchi, Yuichi Kuramochi, Yuichi Mabuchi
  • Patent number: 7516824
    Abstract: A bicycle disk brake pad basically comprises a backplate part and a friction part. The backplate part is made of a copper-based sintering alloy. The friction part is made of a copper-based sintering alloy that is integrally sintered with the backplate part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Toru Iwai, Takashi Fujitani
  • Patent number: 7516825
    Abstract: A clutch mechanism has rotational driving force outputting members connected to a rotational driving force input system, rotational driving force receiving members connected to a rotational driving force output system, and a pressing mechanism for pressing the rotational driving force outputting members against the rotational driving force receiving members to keep the rotational driving force outputting members and the rotational driving force receiving members in contact with each other. The pressing mechanism has a constant load applying means and a variable load applying means for together generating the pressing force which brings and keeps the rotational driving force outputting members and the rotational driving force receiving members in contact with each other. A value of a load generated by the constant load applying means being set to be less than the maximum non-slide limit, i.e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Shigematsu Co.
    Inventor: Takeshi Shigematsu
  • Patent number: 7516826
    Abstract: An electro-slip clutch may include a friction stack for receiving input rotation from an input shaft and a surrounding hub and for attaching to an output member. A bearing surface may be provided adjacent the friction stack and a solenoid may further be provided. The solenoid may include a plunger in a first position pressing against the bearing surface with a first degree of force and in a second position different than the first position relative to the bearing surface. Thus, torque transmitted through the friction stack is adjustable by the solenoid. A method of operating a clutch mechanism may include providing a solenoid adjacent a friction stack and providing a first current level to the solenoid, the first current level energizing a coil of the solenoid and pushing a plunger within the solenoid towards the friction stack with a first degree of force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Custom Products Corporation
    Inventor: Philip Hart Bacon
  • Patent number: 7516827
    Abstract: A hydraulically controlled fan drive system (12) having a method of engagement includes a housing assembly (20) containing a hydraulic fluid (48) and an engaging circuit (36). The engaging circuit (36) includes a pitot tube (152) coupled within the housing assembly (20) that receives at least a portion of the hydraulic fluid (48). An engaging circuit (36) engages the housing assembly (20) to a fan shaft (44) in response to supply of the hydraulic fluid (48) from the pitot tube (152).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Dale M. Pickelman, Jr., Theodore A. Malott, Neil E. Robb, Gary E. Hart
  • Patent number: 7516828
    Abstract: A clutch disc includes a hub having a flange portion extended in a radial direction and a boss portion connected to a driven shaft, a side plate arranged coaxially with and relatively rotatable with the hub, a friction member connected to an external periphery of the side plate and frictionally engaged with a drive shaft, an accommodation window formed on an external periphery portion of the hub and on the side plate, the accommodation window on the hub and the accommodation window on the side plate being positioned facing each other, springs elastically connecting the hub to the side plate in the accommodation window, and a thrust member provided in a space between the hub and the side plate. The thrust member includes a ring shape member biased towards the flange portion of the hub by a biasing device. An opposing surface configured to face the hub is tapered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Koji Kitada
  • Patent number: 7516829
    Abstract: It is an object of the invention to provide a bill-operated capsuled article vending machine. The capsuled article vending machine 10 is provided with a capsule container 12 at an upper portion thereof and a capsule dispensing unit 14 at a lower portion thereof. The capsule dispensing unit 14 is provided with a reverse rotation preventing mechanism 44 of the handle 32, a bill identifying unit 50, a bill storing box 52 and a rotation control unit 54 for the handle 32, in addition to the handle 32. The rotation control unit 54 is provided with a locking mechanism 60 for locking or unlocking the handle 32, a sensor 62 for detecting a rotational position or a rotational angle of the handle 32 and a control unit 64. When the bill identifying unit 50 recognizes reception of a prescribed bill, the rotation control unit 54 enables one rotation of the handle 32, by which an article is dispensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Kite International Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shoichi Ishida
  • Patent number: 7516830
    Abstract: The invention relates to a coin distributor, containing a deflection unit comprising a displaceable deflection member for sorting coins into different coin slots. The distributor is provided with at least one device for detecting the passage of a coin through a coin shaft, said device comprising at least one emitter and a beam switcher, in addition to a beam receiver. The beam switcher is fixed to the displaceable deflection member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Walter Hanke Mechanische Werkstatten GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventors: Roland Griese, Dietmar Trenner
  • Patent number: 7516831
    Abstract: Foreign object removal-enabling features in a coin-operated item vending and game apparatus housing include a shallow V-shaped guard wall extending between a pair of opposing sidewalls of a lower end portion of the housing, a pair of openings each in one of the opposing sidewalls adjacent opposite ends of the guard wall, and another opening in a front wall of the housing below and in front of the guard wall. The guard wall is positioned to block debris, such as pieces of paper, from traveling on a path to a coin slot of a coin deposit while providing a slot in the guard wall for permitting a coin to pass through the guard wall to the coin slot. The wall openings will permit insertion a tweezers or other tool therethrough enable the debris removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Inventor: Kil Jae Chang
  • Patent number: 7516832
    Abstract: A two door electronic safe is described wherein a bill acceptor, as well as other electronic control circuitry, and a banknote canister are partitioned in first and second compartments with access by first and second access doors, respectively, so that a service call can be made to service the bill acceptor or other electronics without having to allow access to the banknote canister thereby facilitating service calls and allowing the separation of the service call function from the cash collection function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Ellenby Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Bob M. Dobbins
  • Patent number: 7516833
    Abstract: The invention includes multi-station workpiece processors, methods of processing semiconductor workpieces within multi-station workpiece processors, and methods of moving semiconductor workpieces within multi-station workpiece processors. In one implementation, a multi-station workpiece processor includes a processing chamber comprising multiple stations for processing individual workpieces. A pedestal is associated with individual of the stations. The pedestals are mounted for selective vertical up movement within the chamber to contact a workpiece and for selective vertical down movement within the chamber to be displaced from a workpiece. The pedestals respectively comprise an upper surface upon which an individual workpiece is received during processing within the chamber. At least one workpiece engagement arm is associated with individual of the pedestals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Advanced Micro-Fabrication Equipment, Inc. Asia
    Inventor: Ryoji Todaka
  • Patent number: 7516834
    Abstract: A feed table with force reaction system for counteracting clamping forces on a shuttle vise used to move a workpiece toward a machine tool. In a first embodiment, lever arms are attached to an upper guide rail between two vertical columns. A reaction actuator interconnects upper ends of the lever arms such that when actuated, a reaction force is applied to the vertical columns by lower ends of the lever arms to counteract clamping forces created by a clamping actuator attached to one of the vertical columns. In a second embodiment, lever arms are also used and interconnected at the upper ends thereof by a reaction bar. A reaction actuator is attached to a lower end of each of the lever arms to apply the reaction force. In third and fourth embodiments, a clamping force bar is positioned above the upper guide beam. A clamping actuator is attached to the clamping force bar such that clamping forces are not transmitted to the vertical columns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: HEM, Inc.
    Inventor: Gerald R. Harris
  • Patent number: 7516835
    Abstract: A sortation conveyor has a divert guide path which is configured to guide pushers to engage articles disposed on an endless conveying surface at an initial impact which does not result in an out of control situation even at high speeds. The divert guide path is disposed at a plurality of divert angles, and guides pushers to engage articles at a low initial contact divert angle and first lateral speed and to accelerate the articles to a final divert angle and second, higher, lateral speed. The pushers may be undergoing lateral acceleration at the time initial contact is made with the articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Intelligrated, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond R. Neiser, Justin J. Zimmer, Martin A. Heit, Allen C. Brown
  • Patent number: 7516836
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for singulating individual product items, such as pills, in unit-dose or multi-dose dispersing packaging that utilizes a pill-filling mechanism for reducing a large amount of bulk pills to a single-file stream of pills; a pill separation mechanism for singulating a variety of different sized and shaped pills; and a mechanism for delivering pills to a package, such as a blister-pack. Bar-code scanning and identification software may also be implemented to adjust the mechanisms to adapt the apparatus to different pills as they are presented to the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Arc:One Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph A. Trygar, Jerral Richardson
  • Patent number: 7516837
    Abstract: An ink-jet recording apparatus has rollers, a conveyor belt, a conveyor belt driving mechanism, an ink-jet head, an absorber, a scraper, a supplier, and a supply controller. The conveyor belt spans the rollers. The driving mechanism rotates the rollers to move a record medium disposed on one surface of the conveyor belt in a predetermined conveyance direction. The absorber absorbs cleaning fluid and contacts and applies the cleaning fluid to the one surface of the conveyor belt. The scraper comes into contact with the one surface of the conveyor belt and scrapes the cleaning fluid attached to the one surface. The supplier supplies cleaning fluid to the absorber. The supply controller controls a supply of cleaning fluid from the supplier to the absorber, so that the supply controller makes the supplier supply cleaning fluid to the absorber in response to a print command, for a first period of time before the driving mechanism rotates the rollers to make the conveyor belt start traveling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideaki Teshima, Atsuhisa Nakashima
  • Patent number: 7516838
    Abstract: This invention provides an improved safety overload prevention device for a material conveying auger which includes an auger casing, a main drive shaft journalled therein and a main auger flight secured around the shaft, an intake flight section 11 secured to and extending along a tubular support sleeve 12 rotatably mounted on an intake drive shaft portion 14 which is adapted for connection to the main drive shaft of the auger so as to rotate therewith, and a clutch device 18 operatively interconnecting the tubular sleeve 12 and the drive shaft portion 14, the clutch device 18 including a radially displaceable spring loaded detent 19 movable between an engaged position wherein the tubular sleeve 12 is fast with the drive shaft portion 14 and rotates therewith, and a disengaged position wherein drive to the tubular sleeve 12 is disengaged in the event of an obstruction, such as a leg or arm being trapped in the flighting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Auger Safe Holdings Pty Ltd.
    Inventor: Reginald Vernon Dutschke
  • Patent number: 7516839
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method as well as to a conveyor-technology device for processing printed products. The conveyor-technology device comprises a guide means and conveyor means which may be moved along the guide means, for conveying printed products which are fed by way of feeders. The guide means is curved in several spatial directions. The conveyor-technology device comprises holding means which serve for the temporary fixing of printed products in a manner such that these at least in regions may be conveyed against gravitational force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Ferag AG
    Inventors: Carl Conrad Maeder, Walter Reist
  • Patent number: 7516840
    Abstract: The invention relates to a brassiere travel and storage system and method to facilitate storing a plurality of padded brassieres such that the cups of the brassieres do not degenerate and/ or become crushed during storage, such as when a person travels. A container that is capable of situating and positioning the one or a plurality of brassieres in a predetermined position, such as an angled position, so that the brassieres or at least a portion of them can be viewed for identification and selection by a user. The storage system and method is adapted to be received in a suitcase an is capable of protecting the plurality of brassieres stored therein so that they do not become crushed or deformed from storage. The container is also capable of receiving undergarments, bra straps and other items in the storage areas provided in the interior of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Inventors: Alexis Lynn Troha, Frank Vincent Troha, Gwendolyn Leigh Troha, Leigh Adrienne Troha
  • Patent number: 7516841
    Abstract: To improve the function whereby each of the nails (2) is retained at a position which is vertical to both belt-shaped bodies (5,5) in the connecting nail (1) which is provided with multiple nails (2) with a head part (3) attached and two band-shaped belt-shaped bodies (5,5) which are made of a synthetic resin. This invention is provided with two belt-shaped bodies (5,5) which are disposed so that they are separate from one another in the axial direction of the nail (2) and parallel to one another and at the same time, multiple nail through holes (6a) are formed at appropriate intervals. Multiple cylindrical gripping parts (7) which communicate with the nail through holes (6a) and which can grip the shaft part (4) of the nail (2) are formed on both belt-shaped bodies (5,5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Yasutsugu Uejima, Keiji Yamakawa
  • Patent number: 7516842
    Abstract: A toolbox includes a cover, a body, and rotary locking devices arranged symmetrically on both sides of the toolbox which connect the body and the cover. Each rotary locking device includes an upper rabbet portion arranged on the cover of the toolbox, a lower rabbet portion arranged on the body of the toolbox, and a clasp plate connecting the upper rabbet portion and the lower rabbet portion. The cover of the toolbox can rotate by the upper rabbet portion rotating around the lower rabbet portion, and they will not disengage due to the locking plate. When opening the toolbox, the locking plate on one side of the tool box is disengaged from the upper rabbet portion, and the cover opens around the rotary locking device arranged on the opposite side of the toolbox. Thus, the toolbox can be opened from either of two sides of the toolbox.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Ningbo Hualei Tool Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Xinjun Gu
  • Patent number: 7516843
    Abstract: An exemplary display package for an item having a loop portion includes a card having a front side and a back side, a post extending from the front side of the card, and a hasp extending from the front side of the card to define a slot. The item may be attached to the display package by positioning the loop portion of the item around the post and through the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Master Lock Company LLC
    Inventors: Gary Konop, David Kearns
  • Patent number: 7516844
    Abstract: A sharps container for pen needle assemblies includes an open top-type receptacle, a cover and a manually movable means. The manually movable means is rotatably positioned on the cover and has portions collectively forming a cup-like means for receiving a used pen needle assembly when the manually movable means is in an open position. When the manually movable means is in a closed position, the used pen needle assembly is transferred by gravity to the bottom of the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Ultimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas E. Erickson, James J Erickson, Timothy A. Bachman
  • Patent number: 7516845
    Abstract: A medical device package includes a body with at least one chamber therein, a proximal end and a distal end. The medical device package also includes at least one deformable projection within the chamber(s). Furthermore, the deformable projection is configured to deform resiliently upon contact with a medical device during insertion of the medical device into the chamber and, thereby, removably retain the medical device within the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Inverness Medical Limited
    Inventors: David K. Lang, Gordon G Sansom, Jerry Pugh, Bryan Windus-Smith, Emma Vanessa Jayne Day, Gregory Jean Paul Eldin
  • Patent number: 7516846
    Abstract: A plastic ampoule includes a container (12) for receiving a defined fluid, with a neck (14) that can be closed by a head (16). The neck has a channel-type entrance port (24) for air to the interior (26) of the container (12). The fluid can be safely stored and a syringe or needle base is reliably filled at any speed of withdrawal by the syringe or needle base. For this purpose, the entrance port (24) for air includes at least one ring channel (28, 30) that is at least partially disposed on the outer and/or inner periphery of the neck (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Inventor: Bernd Hansen
  • Patent number: 7516847
    Abstract: A disposal receptacle having a biocidal interior surface for storing contaminated biotesting devices therein. The receptacle contains a one-way opening or valve to prevent used biotesting devices and bodily fluid from escaping or being removed from the receptacle; however, the one-way opening allows for insertion of the used biotesting devices therein. The biocidal interior surface and one-way valve in the receptacle form a sanitary method of containing contaminated biotesting devices. This combination allows the user to dispose of the receptacle, and safely and hygienically dispose of any contaminated biotesting devices and bodily fluid therein. The receptacle can be combined with a receptacle for unused biotesting devices, and/or sized to fit with or within a medical device, such as a test meter. In one form, the receptacle can be part of a care kit having a kit container for storing a lancing device, a testing device, and the disposal receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Sienna Lea Henning
  • Patent number: 7516848
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for multi-destination pick using motes. In embodiments, each receptacle may be assigned to a destination and may have a sensor that detects when an item is placed in the receptacle to deactivate the indicator and/or to verify that the item was placed in the correct receptacle. The sensor may be coupled via a wired or wireless connection to a mote that may include a communication interface for communicating with a control system and with other motes in an ad-hoc network. In some embodiments, each mote may also include an indicator that may be activated by a control system to indicate to the agent that the receptacle is the destination receptacle for a picked item. The agent may then place the item in the indicated destination receptacle. In one embodiment, the mote on the destination receptacle may be activated when the picked item is scanned by the agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan J. Shakes, François M. Rouaix
  • Patent number: 7516849
    Abstract: This invention relates to the pH modifier in alkaline froth flotation processes to treat oxide and semi-soluble salt ores, such as phosphates, sulfates, carbonates and halides, to increase the recovery while generally maintaining or improving selectivity, thus the grade of desired minerals. The invented pH modifier is used to replace traditional alkaline pH modifiers - hydroxides, carbonates and bicarbonates, such as sodium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, lime and ammonia in anionic flotation processes. The pH modifier is aqueous solution, comprised of combinations of sodium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, and sodium silicate, along with sulfonated surfactant products, such as sulfonated petroleum oil, fatty acids, alkylates, ethoxylated alcohol ethers, and also sulfosuccinamates; and anionic polymers. The pH modifier is also used as a promoter for anionic collectors and as a depressant for gangue minerals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: ARR-MAZ Custom Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Guoxin Wang, Francisco J. Sotillo, George M. Lilley
  • Patent number: 7516850
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for altering the reflectivity of a screen when light is supplied to a portion of the screen is disclosed. The orientation and shape of wires disposed on at least one bar of the screen is controlled to alter the reflectivity of the screen. Also provided is a method and apparatus for supporting a screen on a surface such as a wall, including placing slots within the screen for mating with connecting members mounted on a support frame connected to the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Ekholm, Sabin Bajracharya, Steve R. Boettner, Charles H. Flansburg, Gerald Allan Berry
  • Patent number: 7516851
    Abstract: A retainer holds an electronic communication device used to detect breaks in porous elements of material separators to the frame of the separator. The retainer includes a ferrule affixed around a hole through the frame of the separator, a housing made from an RF transmissible material sealingly held within the ferrule, and a cap sealingly held against the ferrule. The electronic component is held by the cap such that it is situated within the housing. Such a retainer is affixed to frames of the separator on opposing sides of a porous element so that a transmitter may be retained in a first retainer and a receiver retained in a second retainer. The transmission of a signal from the transmitter that is received by the receiver indicates a break in the porous element between the components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventors: Anthony J. DeCenso, Michael Timmerman
  • Patent number: 7516852
    Abstract: A rotatable container holder for recyclable materials, such as plastic bottles and aluminum cans, having a container holder frame support and a container holder frame attached rotatably to the container holder frame support. The recyclable materials can be inspected, sorted, and transferred by a single user by placing a holding container with recyclables into the container holder frame and rotating the container holder frame so that the user can reach into the holding container and remove items, while allowing the recyclable materials to pour into a receiving container. A cover can also be placed on the container so that the container and container cover can be rotated from a vertical position towards a horizontal position or rotated yet further towards an inverted vertical position, allowing the recyclable materials to tumble back and forth, causing debris among the materials, or liquids within the materials, to fall through openings in the container and container cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Inventor: Barry Rehurek
  • Patent number: 7516853
    Abstract: An auxiliary shelving system for increasing the capacity and safety associated with conventional storage shelves includes a horizontal top wall having a pair of sidewalls depending therefrom. Each sidewall terminates at a lower edge having an inwardly extending lip. Each lip includes a plurality of pegs that can be inserted into apertures on store shelving or on the top wall of another shelf allowing the devices to be securely stacked. The configuration of the auxiliary shelf enclosures can be varied to include front, rear or lower walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Inventor: Hector A. Murillo, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7516854
    Abstract: A compartmented, stackable and nestable system bin includes a bottom having a rear wall, opposed end walls and a front wall integrally connected thereto. A plurality of spaced divider walls separate the bin into a plurality of compartments. A plurality of notches are formed in a top of each of the divider walls and the end walls and a plurality of grooves are formed in the underside or bottom of each of the compartments with sets of notches on the top of the bin being in vertical alignment with sets of grooves on the bottom of the compartments. The notches of a system bin receive a pair of dowels which support an upper system bin of identical construction when the upper system bin is in stacked relation thereon and the grooves of a system bin receive a pair of dowels positioned in notches on a lower system bin of identical construction when the system bin is in stacked relation on the lower system bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Akro-Mils, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerrold Brown, Travis Shamp
  • Patent number: 7516855
    Abstract: Storage carts for the storage of pallets and other loads that may be moved between an open position into an aisle for access to the load and a closed position out of the aisle when desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Inventor: Anthony N. Konstant
  • Patent number: 7516856
    Abstract: A space adjustable rack for storing fragile wine/Champaign/cocktail glasses during transportation and for storing the glasses in house is provided. The space adjustable precious alcohol beverage glass storing rack can hold glasses of different sizes at the same time. The rack of the current application is comprised of a bottom structure, pluralities of latitudinal spacing blades, and pluralities of longitudinal spacing blades. The space adjustable rack protects those wine/Champaign/cocktail glasses from severe vibration impact caused by earthquake and transportation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Inventors: David Y. Lee, Younki Kho
  • Patent number: 7516857
    Abstract: A crane with a boom, on which running tracks for cable carriers are disposed, having two running tracks for the cable carriers, which engage into one another with a positive lock. One running track is connected with the crane or the boom, and the other running track is displaceable on the crane or the boom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Noell Crane Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Conrad Müller, Thomas Brummer
  • Patent number: 7516858
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a crane boom, in particular a telescopic boom of a mobile crane, comprising a boom guying which has at least one guy rope which is guided from an inner articulation point in the region of a boom articulation point to an outer articulation point in the region of a projecting boom part. In accordance with the invention, the guy rope is articulated at its outer end such that the guy rope force induces a bending moment in the crane boom which counters the sagging of the crane boom. This can be achieved in that the guy rope is articulated eccentrically from the boom part. In accordance with the invention, the outer articulation point of the guy rope is arranged spaced apart from the boom part at an articulation jib which is secured to the boom part such that a tensile force of the guy rope induces a bending moment into the crane boom via the articulation jib, said bending moment reducing the bending moment generated in the boom by a hook load and the boom's own weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Liebherr-Werk Ehingen GmbH
    Inventor: Hans-Dieter Willim
  • Patent number: 7516859
    Abstract: An overhead traveling vehicle has a lateral movement mechanism for moving a transfer apparatus toward left and right sides. The lateral movement mechanism includes a fixed base unit having drive means, and a middle unit supported by the base unit. The middle unit is slidable laterally by the drive means toward both of the left and right sides and is provided at an intermediate position below the base unit. The mechanism has further a front unit supporting the transfer apparatus, and being supported by the middle unit. The front unit is slidable laterally, moves with the movement of the middle unit, and is provided at a front end position below the middle unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Murata Machinery, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroto Taniguchi
  • Patent number: 7516860
    Abstract: An interlocking engagement for plastic containers in which a pair of identically formed bottles can be removably secured to one another along identical configured effacing surfaces. The bottle has oppositely disposed male and female configurations that upon effacing co-planar trans-lateral engagement with one another from an identical bottle surface engagement lock together forming a dual chambered integral container with multiple independent access closure openings therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Kranson Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Russell Rowan Fenton, Elmer (Chuck) H. Goss, John Scott Jones
  • Patent number: 7516861
    Abstract: It is intended to provide a synthetic resin bottle, in which the stable no-leak condition can be maintained up to a certain cap-turning angle, and air-tightness of the bottle can be fully secured, even if the cap is falsely turned. The body 2 of the synthetic resin bottle is configured to have a smooth seal surface 8 with no irregularity over the entire circumference in the upper portion of the outer neck wall where no parting line is formed. In this configuration, a stable no-leak condition can be maintained up to a certain cap-turning angle, and air-tightness of the bottle can be fully secured, even if the cap is falsely turned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Yoshino Kogyosho Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Itou, Hiroshi Hosokoshiyama, Naoki Tsutsui
  • Patent number: 7516862
    Abstract: A straw drinking cup includes a container and a flexible straw having a first, drinking, end and a second and that is disposed within the container. Advantageously, the cup includes a straw positioning mechanism that ensures that the first, drinking end of the flexible straw will remain upwardly oriented to minimize the possibility of leakage, regardless of whether the straw positioning mechanism is in the open position, the closed position, or in transit between the two positions. The straw drinking cup further includes an advantageous venting mechanism that includes a flexible membrane that permits air to flow into the container only when a sufficient pressure differential is developed across the membrane, such as will occur when a consumer is sucking on the flexible straw. The venting mechanism further operates so as to prevent leakage from the container, as sufficient pressure will not exist to draw any liquid across the flexible membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Munchkin, Inc.
    Inventor: Justin F. McDonough
  • Patent number: 7516863
    Abstract: A liner for a container has an upper wall, a bottom wall as well as a front wall, a rear wall and side walls interconnecting the upper wall and the bottom wall. Straps extending over the front wall are provided, which straps are provided with extensions extending outside the front wall, which extensions can be attached to inner walls of the container with their free ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Dacro B.V.
    Inventors: Terence Dieter Siegers, Philip Jan Groen
  • Patent number: 7516864
    Abstract: A built-up container includes a base, a front and rear side plates, a right and left side plates and a lifted upper cover. The base provides threaded holes and the side plates provide through holes and threaded holes so that the container can be built up with bolts engaging with the threaded holes. It is characterized in that no holes and no bolts expose outside the container with reinforced strength such that integrity and smoothness of the container can be obtained and the fasteners inside the container are free from water and unable to hurt foreign objects. In addition, the container is capable of being set up fast easily to enhance facility of assembling job.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: E-MAKE Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kung-Cheng Chen, Lung-Chuan Huang
  • Patent number: 7516865
    Abstract: A waste receptacle for used diapers or other waste product that is equipped with an automatic deodorant dispensing system which only operates when a lid of the receptacle is in a downward or in a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Inventor: Reginald Pierre
  • Patent number: 7516866
    Abstract: A device that removably couples with the tab of a beverage container to assist in opening the container and then rotates to close the opening, thus preventing things such as insects and debris from contaminating the beverage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Inventors: Tammy Jo Brook, Tamara Monosoff