Patents Issued in December 1, 2009
  • Patent number: PP20510
    Abstract: A new and distinct form of Agastache plant characterized by large, vivid purple flowers in large clusters, long bloom time, upright plant habit with dense branching, and excellent vigor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Terra Nova Nurseries, Inc.
    Inventor: Janet N. Egger
  • Patent number: PP20511
    Abstract: A new and distinct variety of apricot tree, denominated varietally as ‘SC2’ is disclosed and which is mature for harvesting and shipment under the ecological conditions prevailing in the San Joaquin Valley of California about May 3rd to May 10th.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: SDR Fruit, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen M. Southwick, David Decalo
  • Patent number: PP20512
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Carex named ‘REKOHU SUNRISE’ that is characterized by clumping habit, variegated foliage with golden-yellow edges, and chestnut-brown spikelets. In combination these traits set ‘REKOHU SUNRISE’ apart from all other existing varieties of Carex known to the inventor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Inventor: Lindsey Hatch
  • Patent number: PP20513
    Abstract: A chrysanthemum plant named ‘Zanmusunbur’ characterized by its small sized semi-double blooms with yellow ray florets and prolific branching; natural season flower date September 10; blooming for a period of 5 weeks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Chrysanthemum Breeders Association Research B.V.
    Inventor: Wilhelmus Bernardus Blom
  • Patent number: PP20514
    Abstract: A new and distinct Guzmania cultivar named ‘Skohicli’ is disclosed, characterized a compact plant habit, and very large, decorative red bracts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Inventors: Chester Skotak, Herb Hill
  • Patent number: PP20515
    Abstract: A new and distinct rabbiteye blueberry variety is described. The variety results from selection among a population of seedlings derived from crossing the blueberry varieties known as ‘Centurion’ (not patented) and ‘Rahi’ (not patented). The fruit of this new variety has an attractive appearance characterised by outstanding fruit quality with a good bloom and little grittiness, and an exceptionally late fruiting season. The new variety appears suitable for the late fresh fruit market and has been named ‘Centra Blue’.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited
    Inventor: Narandra Patel
  • Patent number: PP20516
    Abstract: A new Pelargonium plant named ‘Fisrodeep,’ particularly distinguished by the red-purple flowers with small white eyes, medium sized inflorescences not too high above the foliage, mid season start of flowering, medium green foliage, relatively broad leaves with weak zone, vigorous growth and medium to tall, well-branched, mounding plant habit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Syngenta Participations AG
    Inventor: Angelika Utecht
  • Patent number: PP20517
    Abstract: A new and distinct Torenia plant named ‘DANLOV233’ particularly characterized by Plenty of delicate, funnel form, cup-shaped flowers with petals in shades of yellow with yellow blotch on lower petal; cascading bush, which maintains a compact, rounded plant habit; vigorous growth habit; densely branched plant, gracefully cascading from hanging baskets; early flowering response and stays in full bloom in moderate climate; suitable as an annual for hanging pots outdoors under partial shade; and good weather tolerance with a preferred temperature range of 15° C. to 25° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Danziger “DAN” Flower Farm
    Inventor: Gabriel Danziger
  • Patent number: PP20518
    Abstract: A new and distinct Torenia plant named ‘DANLOV130’ particularly characterized by Plenty of delicate, funnel form, cup-shaped flowers with petals in shades of violet-blue with a yellow blotch on lower petal; cascading bush, which maintains a compact, rounded plant habit; vigorous growth habit; densely branched plant, gracefully cascading from hanging baskets; early flowering response and stays in full bloom in moderate climate; suitable as an annual for hanging pots outdoors under partial shade; and good weather tolerance with a preferred temperature range of 15° C. to 25° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Danziger “Dan” Flower Farm
    Inventor: Gabriel Danziger
  • Patent number: PP20519
    Abstract: A new and distinct Torenia plant named ‘DANLOV1201’ particularly characterized by plenty of delicate, funnel form, cup- shaped flowers with petals in shades of purple with a yellow blotch on lower petal; cascading bush, which maintains a compact, rounded plant habit; vigorous growth habit; densely branched plant, gracefully cascading from hanging baskets; early flowering response and stays in full bloom in moderate climate; suitable as an annual for hanging pots outdoors under partial shade; and good weather tolerance with a preferred temperature range of 15° C. to 25° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Danziger “Dan” Flower Farm
    Inventor: Gabriel Danziger
  • Patent number: PP20520
    Abstract: A new cultivar of Coprosma plant named ‘Lemon and Lime’ that is characterized by leaves that are yellow with green margins during the Summer and orange with green margins during the Winter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Growing Spectrum Ltd.
    Inventor: Ron Steenland
  • Patent number: PP20521
    Abstract: A new Helichrysum plant particularly distinguished by its amber flower buds and by its good tolerance to powdery mildews, is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Inventor: Brenda Bowyer
  • Patent number: PP20522
    Abstract: A new Osteospermum plant particularly distinguished by having yellow-orange flowers with a purple base and streaks of purple from the base of the petal to the tip, medium-large flowers and compact growth habit, is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Sakata Ornamentals Europe A/S
    Inventor: Niels G. Kristensen
  • Patent number: PP20523
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Catharanthus plant named ‘Sunnichipink’, characterized by its trailing plant habit; vigorous growth habit; freely branching habit; freely flowering habit; long flowering period; large light red purple-colored flowers with darker red purple-colored centers; and good garden performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Suntory Flowers Limited
    Inventors: Naoto Takamura, Kiyoshi Miyazaki, Takuro Ishihara
  • Patent number: RE41015
    Abstract: A circuit that receives signals from a dynamo and provides signals for charging a battery and indicating bicycle speed. The circuit includes a first switching circuit adapted to receive the dynamo signals and provide first signals for charging the battery; and a second switching circuit adapted to receive the dynamo signals and provide second signals for indicating bicycle speed. If the dynamo outputs periodic signals, the first signals may correspond to one of the half periods of the periodic signals (e.g., the positive half periods), and the second signals may correspond to the other half periods (e.g., the negative half periods) of the periodic signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventor: Kouji Uno
  • Patent number: RE41016
    Abstract: A probe card which can help to enhance the productivity of semiconductor integrated circuits manufacturing and to reduce the manufacturing cost thereof, and a method of probe-testing semiconductor integrated circuits by using the probe card. The probe card is designed to test semiconductor integrated circuits formed on a semiconductor wafer and arranged in rows and columns. It has groups of probe needles provided to contact semiconductor integrated circuits arranged in two columns and at least two rows. The card receives a test signal from a test device and supplies the test signal simultaneously to these semiconductor integrated circuits arranged in two columns and at least tow rows, through the groups of probe needles. It receives response signals simultaneously from the semiconductor integrated circuits through the groups of probe needles and then supplies the response signals to the tester.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Tomomi Momohara
  • Patent number: RE41017
    Abstract: A key switch signal recognition circuit including a plurality of key switch buttons, a plurality of key switch signal output lines, and a plurality of key switch button contact areas is disclosed. Each of the key switch contact areas includes a first wire set and a second wire set. The first wire set has at least one wire, and each wire of the first wire set has one end connected to a common line and an opposite end forming an open end. The second wire set has at least one wire respectively disposed in parallel to and electrically insulated from the wire of the first wire set. The wire of the second wire set is respectively connected to a key switch signal output line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Inventors: Chui-Kuei Chiu, Yin-Chun Huang
  • Patent number: RE41018
    Abstract: A light source module arranged in an image scanning device having a scanning platform and an image-pickup module for scanning a transparent object is disclosed, The light source module includes a cover, a light source mounted in the cover for emitting light to the scanning platform for scanning a transparent object, a RGB filter mounted between the light source and the scanning platform for filtering off the light into RGB lights, a switching mechanism connected to the RGB filter for being controlled to alternately allow one of RGB lights to be transmitted to the scanning platform, and a transmission mechanism for carrying the light source, the RGB filter, and the switching mechanism to move with the image-pickup module for accomplishing the scanning operation to the transparent object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Inventor: Emily Chen
  • Patent number: RE41019
    Abstract: An EEPROM having a memory cell array in which electrically programmable memory cells are arranged in a matrix and each of the memory cells has three storage states, includes a plurality of data circuits for temporarily storing data for controlling write operation states of the plurality of memory cells, a write circuit for performing a write operation in accordance with the contents of the data circuits respectively corresponding to the memory cells, a write verify circuit for confirming states of the memory cells set upon the write operation, and a data updating circuit for updating the contents of the data circuits such that a rewrite operation is performed to only a memory cell, in which data is not sufficiently written, on the basis of the contents of the data circuits and the states of the memory cells set upon the write operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Tomoharu Tanaka, Gertjan Hemink
  • Patent number: RE41020
    Abstract: An EEPROM having a memory cell array in which electrically programmable memory cells are arranged in a matrix and each of the memory cells has three storage states, includes a plurality of data circuits for temporarily storing data for controlling write operation states of the plurality of memory cells, a write circuit for performing a write operation in accordance with the contents of the data circuits respectively corresponding to the memory cells, a write verify circuit for confirming states of the memory cells set upon the write operation, and a data updating circuit for updating the contents of the data circuits such that a rewrite operation is performed to only a memory cell, in which data is not sufficiently written, on the basis of the contents of the data circuits and the states of the memory cells set upon the write operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Tomoharu Tanaka, Gertjan Hemink
  • Patent number: RE41021
    Abstract: An EEPROM having a memory cell array in which electrically programmable memory cells are arranged in a matrix and each of the memory cells has three storage states, includes a plurality of data circuits for temporarily storing data for controlling write operation states of the plurality of memory cells, a write circuit for performing a write operation in accordance with the contents of the data circuits respectively corresponding to the memory cells, a write verify circuit for confirming states of the memory cells set upon the write operation, and a data updating circuit for updating the contents of the data circuits such that a rewrite operation is performed to only a memory cell, in which data is not sufficiently written, on the basis of the contents of the data circuits and the states of the memory cells set upon the write operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Tomoharu Tanaka, Gertjan Hemink
  • Patent number: RE41022
    Abstract: In carrying out PWM-recording on optical disks, RESYNC BYTES including a bit compensation part, RESYNC detection part, and bit synchronization part are periodically inserted in the recorded data code stream. After encoding and at the time of decoding, RESYNC BYTES are detected by detection of the RESYNC detection part. The decoder is initialized by detecting the position of the bit synchronization part, and decoding is performed satisfactorily free from error. With this configuration, even for synchronization bytes having a comparatively long portion of consecutive code values, bit resynchronization is enabled free from mis-detection caused by peak shift. Even with the recording and reproducing characteristics with an un-symmetrical unerased area of the mark and space parts, the RESYNC detection part is fixed to either mark or space and RESYNC BYTES with little influence on an unerased area can be realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Shimada, Takeshi Nakajima
  • Patent number: RE41023
    Abstract: A method and a communications system in which a request for data transmitted by an airborne transmitter over a low-bandwidth air-to-ground communication system uplink and received by a ground-based receiver. The requested data is then transmitted over a high-bandwidth communication system downlink, such as a DBS satellite system downlink, preferably using an MPEG-2 compression technique, and received by an airborne receiver located on the same aircraft as the airborne transmitter. The received request for data is transmitted to a data network that contains the requested data, such as the Internet or a private data network, using circuit-switched techniques. According to the invention, the requested data includes one of video information, audio information and textual information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC
    Inventors: Ioan Leuca, Wen-Ping Ying
  • Patent number: RE41024
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a system This document describes embodiments for communicating with a host using a global address and a local address. The present invention allows These embodiments allow for the communication to be initiated by an entity outside the host's network. The entity initiating the communication resolves the destination host's domain name into a global address and a local address. Messages are sent to the destination host using both the global address and the local address. In one embodiment, both the global and local address are included in the message by encapsulating IP packets. Some embodiments of the present invention also use pseudo addressing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Inventors: Hasan Alkhatib, Fouad Tobagi, Bruce C Wootton
  • Patent number: RE41025
    Abstract: According to the present invention a A transmitter and a transmitting method for communicating data symbols over a communication channel, for example, according to the CDMA system is presented . The transmitter (24, 25) comprises means (9) for spreading A spreading section spreads each data symbol with a respective spreading code, wherein the . The spreading codes are mutually orthogonal. Means (10) for scrambling are A scrambling section is provided to scramble each spread symbol with a respective scrambling code, the scrambling codes respectively having the same length as the spreading codes . Furthermore, means (11) for a transmission section for the transmission of the spread and scrambled symbols are provided is provided. According to the present invention the means (10) for scrambling are the scrambling section is provided with a plurality of different scrambling codes, which can be used simultaneously within the same link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Sony Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Richard Stirling-Gallacher, Jens-Uwe Jurgensen
  • Patent number: RE41026
    Abstract: An adaptive variable-length coding/decoding method performs an optimal variable-length coding and decoding depending on an intra mode/inter mode condition, quantization step size and a current zigzag scanning position, such that a plurality of variable-length coding tables having different patterns of a regular region and an escape region according to statistical characteristics of the run level data are set. One of the variable-length coding tables is selected according to mode, quantization step size and scanning position, and the orthogonal transform coefficients according to the selected variable-length coding table are variable-length-coded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae Moon Jo, Je-Chang Jeong
  • Patent number: RE41027
    Abstract: A satellite vehicle compensation system (100) predicts the motion of two satellite vehicles and enhances the predictions with real-time updates of one or both of the vehicles. Using feedback loops (132, 134), the differences between the prediction and the actual motions are looped back to improve the accuracy of the motion predictor. A communications system includes a first communications node and a second communications node. A transmission frequency and/or a receiving frequency is compensated based on a predicted relative motion between the first and second communications nodes. The predicted relative motion is based on a first signal that is representative of a predicted motion of the first communications node and a second signal that is representative of a predicted motion of the second communications node. Real-time information may be used to minimize an error between predicted and measured motions of the first and/or second communications node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Inventors: Edward K. Orcutt, Randy L. Turcotte
  • Patent number: RE41028
    Abstract: Intestinal trefoil factors and nucleic acids encoding intestinal trefoil factors are disclosed. The intestinal trefoil factors disclosed are resistant to destruction in the digestive tract and can be used for the treatment of peptic ulcer diseases, inflammatory bowel diseases, eye disorders and other insults.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: The General Hospital Corporation
    Inventor: Daniel K. Podolsky
  • Patent number: RE41029
    Abstract: An artery, vein, aneurysms vascular malformation or arterial fistula is occluded through endovascular occlusion by the endovascular insertion of a platinum wire and/or tip into the vascular cavity. The vascular cavity is packed with the tip to obstruct blood flow or access of blood in the cavity such that the blood clots in the cavity and an occlusion if formed. The tip may be elongate and flexible so that it packs the cavity by being folded upon itself a multiple number of times, or may pack the cavity by virtue of a filamentary or fuzzy structure of the tip. The tip is then separated from the wire mechanically or by electrolytic separation of the tip from the wire. The wire and the microcatheter are thereafter removed leaving the tip embedded in the thrombus formed within the vascular cavity. Movement of wire in the microcatheter is more easily tracked by providing a radioopaque proximal marker on the microcatheter and a corresponding indicator marker on the wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Guido Guglielmi, Ivan Sepetka
  • Patent number: RE41030
    Abstract: A server appliance self-adaptively configures to the operating parameters of a communications network to enable remote configuration control exclusively via the communications network. The server appliance includes a host computer system including a network interface controller and an operating system, executable by the host computer system, that is configurable by a defined set of network values for transmitting and receiving data packets through the network interface controller without network configuration conflicts. A control program, executable by the host computer system in conjunction with the operating system, determines, on initial start-up and specifically with respect to the communications network, an initial set of network values to configure the operating system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Avaya, Inc.
    Inventors: Duc Pham, Nom Pham, Tien Le Nguyen
  • Patent number: RE41031
    Abstract: A frequency control system includes a voltage-controlled oscillator, a sampling circuit for sampling a clock signal produced by the oscillator for two consecutive transitions of an unstable incoming digital signal, and a frequency comparator for incrementing and decrementing a transition upcounter-downcounter controlling the oscillator. The system tolerates variation of the frequency of the incoming signal about a mean value, which has no effect on a clock signal to be extracted by means of a phase comparator or on the synthesized clock signal supplied by the oscillator if the incoming signal contains a high level of jitter and is supplied by a programmable frequency divider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Inventor: Jacques Majos
  • Patent number: RE41032
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a marking forming apparatus, a method of forming a laser marking on an optical disk, a reproduction apparatus, an optical disk, and a method of manufacturing an optical disk, capable of providing a greatly improved copy prevention capability as compared to prior known construction. To achieve this object, in the optical disk of the invention, for example, a marking is formed by a laser on a reflective film of a disk holding data written thereon and at least position information of the marking or information concerning the position information is written on the disk in an encrypted form or with a digital signature appended thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuaki Oshima, Yoshiho Gotoh
  • Patent number: 7624453
    Abstract: The present invention is a modular garment having: a thick and relatively inflexible protective first garment, intended for optional wear; and an electronic garment having a flexible central part at the back and two side parts; the width of the central part is adjustable so that it can be made narrow or wide (depending on whether the electronic garment is worn on its own or over the first garment); several electrical and/or electronic devices are supported by the side parts; and at least one electrical cable runs across the inside face of the electronic garment between the electrical devices, the at least one electrical cable being attached to the side parts without being attached to the central part in front of which it runs freely along a curved path so as to be able to adapt to the modifications in the width of the central part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Sagem Defense Securite
    Inventors: Frederic Rene, Xavier Brucker
  • Patent number: 7624454
    Abstract: Disclosed is a hand-packing instrument in a mitten shape or a glove shape for caring for skin of the back of the hand. The hand-packing instrument has a mitten shape or a glove shape comprising two sheets overlapped and seamed at their edges, in which the two sheets make a mitten shape having an opening through which a hand can be inserted, a first insertion part for enclosing a thumb and a second insertion part for enclosing the four fingers other than the thumb, and an absorbent attached to the inner surface of one of the sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: iNtRON Biotechnology Inc.
    Inventor: Seongjun Yoon
  • Patent number: 7624455
    Abstract: A sterile glove includes a cuff that has an inside surface and an outside surface. The cuff is folded over at a fold when the glove is packaged and when it is initially removed from the package. The glove further includes a hand and finger portion. The glove further includes a detachable tab that is coupled to the cuff and includes a free end. The detachable tab is adapted to facilitate a donning of the glove before being detached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Inventor: Jagmohan Bhalla
  • Patent number: 7624456
    Abstract: The present invention provides waterproof, breathable non-textile seamed articles which exhibit high levels of durability and allow wearers a high level of flexibility and article strength. This invention is of particular interest for use in dexterous hand coverings and conformable foot coverings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Gore Enterprise Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Alan Williams, Jeffrey A. Klein
  • Patent number: 7624457
    Abstract: The invention relates to a head gear. The object of the invention is to increase the functionality of the head gear concerning playing and security features. To achieve said object the head gear comprises a whistle attached to it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Inventors: Paul Sedlmair, Josef Sedlmair
  • Patent number: 7624458
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention is a personal transport device comprising a back support and two leg flaps extending from a bottom edge of the back support. The leg flaps are configured to cross under and support a thigh region of a person. Two upper handles are located on the back support and two lower handles are located on a leg flap. Another embodiment of the invention is a method of lifting a person using a personal transport device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Inventor: Mark Felling
  • Patent number: 7624459
    Abstract: A bed rail is disclosed for use with a bed. The bed rail includes a clamping device to clamp the bedrail to the bed. The bedrail is moveable between an upright position and a released position wherein the rail is moved downwardly toward a sidewall of the mattress to facilitate climbing upon and climbing off of the mattress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Cosco Management, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt Nygren, Jorge Tomas, Robert D. Monahan, Steve Lepke
  • Patent number: 7624460
    Abstract: Disclosed is a comforter cover having a sleeve and one or more end caps. The sleeve can have one or two open ends and the comforter can be received into the sleeve through one of the open ends. The end cap or end caps can be fittable over the sleeve and comforter to close the open end or ends of the sleeve. A fastening system can fasten the end cap or end caps to the sleeve. The fastening system can be provided by buttons attached to the comforter which button through buttonholes in the sleeve and end caps, or by closable fasteners passing through openings in the sleeve, the end caps and also in the comforter, or other suitable fastening devices. The comforter cover can protect the comforter against wear and tear, promotes cleanliness, can seal in an esthetic manner and lends itself to a variety of ornamentation and visual effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Inventors: Michael J. Maimone, Jaydine M. Jimenez
  • Patent number: 7624461
    Abstract: A support pillow is disclosed which may include a cushion body, a cover and a mat. The cushion body may have a medial region and two opposing arms that define a generally open well, with the cushion body possibly having an outer periphery and an inner periphery adjacent the well. The cover may be disposed over the cushion body such that the cover may conform generally to the shape of the cushion body. The mat may be coupled with at least one of the cushion body and the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: The Boppy Company, LLC
    Inventors: Kristin A. Tidwell, Susan Matthews Brown
  • Patent number: 7624462
    Abstract: By providing an elongated profile which incorporates a plurality of indentations formed therein, a load bearing/cushioning/supporting element is realized. By employing this construction, the element accommodates large strain under force, and shows good resiliency and repeated recovery. The element can be produced from a continuous extrusion process with immediate manipulation to re-shape the extrusion profile, or secondary thermal forming process which follows the extrusion process, or blow molding process, or injection molding process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Nomaco, Inc.
    Inventors: Bangshu Cao, Eduardo Lauer, Michael W. Allman
  • Patent number: 7624463
    Abstract: A patient support includes a lower frame, an upper frame supported above the lower frame, an equipment carrier coupled to the upper frame, and an actuator operable to adjust the orientation of the equipment carrier to compensate for the upper frame changing its orientation between the Trendelenberg and reverse Trendelenberg positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Graham, David C. Newkirk, Jonathan D. Turner, Christian H. Reinke, Stephen R. Hamberg
  • Patent number: 7624464
    Abstract: A versatile support member constructed of a metallic mesh is provided in a bedding product. The support member is placed on top of the mattress core (whether foam or spring coil) before the mattress cover is attached. The support member may be constructed of titanium wire in a woven or welded mesh grid or web configuration, although other metals (such as, but not limited to, vanadium, chromium, platinum, molybdenum, nickel, iron, zinc), alloys thereof, or fiber composites (such as, but not limited to, carbon or graphite) may be used. The support member may be directly attached to the core or may be secured to the upper or lower border rods by hog rings, stitching, lacing, or other conventional means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Dreamwell, Ltd.
    Inventors: Richard F. Gladney, Robert Hellyer
  • Patent number: 7624465
    Abstract: A method of making foam imparts antimicrobial and antiodorant qualities to the foam. Green tea powder is added to the polyol raw materials for making memory foam. The green tea memory foam is used to make pillows, cushions and mattresses. Green tea foam in the top layer of a mattress acts as an antiodorant such that less of the chemical smell of the memory foam is perceived by the user. In addition, the bacteria and mold that would otherwise develop in the moist warmer sleeping environment on memory foam are killed by the green tea additive to the foam. Measurable antimicrobial and antiodorant qualities in the green tea foam are achievable by adding green tea powder constituting less than 2% of the weight of the resulting green tea foam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Zinus, Inc.
    Inventor: Suk Kan Oh
  • Patent number: 7624466
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an operation method of a laundry device, and more particularly, to an operation of a new type of laundry device capable of performing a washing cycle and a drying cycle at the same time successively or simultaneously, as well as enabling the entire washing performed in high temperature environments for enhancing washing efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Young Soo Kim, Soung Bong Choi, Byung Hwan Ahn, Deug Hee Lee, Hung Myong Cho
  • Patent number: 7624467
    Abstract: A brush attachment of an electric cleaning device, the cleaning device including a coupling section to which the brush attachment can be joined. The brush section can include an open end configured to releasably attach to the coupling section of the cleaning device and an interlock canceling element configured to engage the coupling section and displace a longitudinally displaceable drive mechanism extending from the cleaning device a predetermined distance to control the operation of the cleaning device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Hilscher, Hansjörg Reick, Armin Schwarz-Hartmann, Peter Trawinski, Martin Stratmann, Wolfgang Vorbeck
  • Patent number: 7624468
    Abstract: A wet mop head assembly for use with a mop handle is disclosed. The mop head includes a laminate mop substrate having a first layer of scrubbing material, a second layer of scrubbing material and an absorbent foam layer sandwiched between the scrubbing material layers. At least one bond is present to join the scrubbing and absorbent foam layers together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Kiran K. Reddy, Sridhar Ranganathan, Joseph K. Baker, Cameron Ray Morris, Stephanie Ann Rossignol, Andrew Clement, George Nukuto, Denis R. Grimard, Carl G. Rippl, MeeWha Lee, Paul Woon, Russell J. Kroll, Mark Londborg, Robert Henshaw, Fred Robert Radwanski, Charles Wilson Colman
  • Patent number: 7624469
    Abstract: Disclosed is a cleaning implement, preferably in the form of a roller mop, that includes a mop head, a shaft, and a wringer. The cleaning implement further includes a connecting link connected to the mop head and to the shaft or wringer. The mop head has a connecting side and a cleaning side thereby defining a mop axis, which axis is disposed at an oblique angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. At least a portion of the connecting link is disposed with the shaft. The mop head can include a scrubber attachment. Also inventive is the disclosed mechanism by which the scrubber attachment connects to the head of the mop. Various embodiments of mop heads can be used with the invention. A cleaning cloth can be mounted to the mop head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Freudenberg Household Products
    Inventors: Paul B. Specht, Paul M. Lesley, David A. McKnight
  • Patent number: 7624470
    Abstract: A cleaning apparatus for cleaning a heat exchange coil includes a gas-dispensing member having a cavity for carrying a gas and at least one orifice in communication with the cavity. An actuating device which couples to the gas dispensing member and moves the gas dispensing member relative to a coil such that the gas dispensed from the gas dispensing member through the at least one orifice removes dust and debris from the coil. A timer initiates operation of the gas-dispensing member and the actuating device at given time intervals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Inventor: Keith A. Heyman