Patents Issued in April 20, 2010
  • Patent number: 7699165
    Abstract: An organizer system comprising: (A) an organizer folder having front and back covers, optionally at least one page positioned between the front and back covers and at least one of the following components associated with at least one surface of the front or back covers or the at least one page: (1) a planner having planning diagram associated with the at least one surface, and at least one object that is repositionable on the planning diagram; or (2) at least one pocket for storing materials; (B) a self-standing folder holder having a receptacle for receiving at least one folder in a stored configuration; and (C) a carrier having a receptacle for receiving at least one holder in a stored configuration and a handle for grasping by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: The Assistant Product Group
    Inventors: Amy Sue Moeller, Jayne Elizabeth Moening
  • Patent number: 7699166
    Abstract: A package for carrying and dispensing wipes is described. The package has a wallet-like configuration and includes a first compartment separated from a second compartment along a foldable seam. The package can be configured to carry any suitable wipes including facial tissue, bath tissue, and any suitable pre-moistened wipes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy Thaddeus Gauger, Robert Samuel Schlaupitz, Paul R. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 7699167
    Abstract: A container for goods having an axial dimension is provided, comprising a first end support having four corners and being oriented in a first plane, a second end support having four corners and being oriented in a second plane spaced axially from the first plane, at least two connecting rails having first and second ends, the first ends being removably connected to the first end support and the second ends being removably connected to the second end support, each rail being connected to a different corner of the first end support and a corresponding corner of the second end support, wherein at least one good may be suspended between and supported by the first end support and second end support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Badger Plug Company
    Inventor: Ted J. Voissem
  • Patent number: 7699168
    Abstract: This invention relates to a system and apparatus for retaining a prosthetic valve in a valve pocket suspended in a sealed container to protect from damage and contamination during shipment, handling and storage. The apparatus is an easy to open container having remote fill ports for adding a sterile liquid after enclosing the valve inside. A tamper evident seal is provided having a novel configuration to detect prior opening of the container. The apparatus includes an assembly having a shelf that is provided in a variety of configurations. The shelf has a mitral valve configuration and an aortic valve configuration. The shelf is selected based on the valve configurations and size. The system is easily assembled having a single variable component to adapt to a particular prosthetic valve to be stored. The present invention provides an apparatus for eliminating the need for direct attachment of the valve serial tag to the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy R. Ryan, Cathy A. Bergin
  • Patent number: 7699169
    Abstract: An elongate article holding package for a wiper blade having a pair of package panels with at least one of the panels including a blade beam receiving seat and a support flat upon which part of the blade rests during packaging. When closed, the flats position and can clamp the blade therebetween. In a preferred embodiment, both panels are so configured and preferably include one or more longitudinal stiffeners that oppose bending moments created by force transmitted to the package by the blade beam. The package preferably is of tri-fold construction having a spine that is spaced from and protects the wiper element. The spine preferably includes at least a plurality of spaced apart longitudinally extending stiffeners. One or more stiffening flanges preferably are also provided. When closed, the panels and spine advantageously cooperate with each other to increase package crush and bending resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Portage Plastics Corporation
    Inventor: Gregg S. Lewis
  • Patent number: 7699170
    Abstract: A product dispensing system and a method of queuing usage of products. A plurality of layers of products, each having multiple items in separate packages, each layer having a carrier with the separate packages being secured to and extending from the carrier. The layers are assembled in a stacked orientation behind a front layer with layers behind the front layer being at least partially concealed and inaccessible. Products are used one layer at a time, and when the separate packages from the front layer are removed, the packages of the next-succeeding layer are exposed for use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Inventors: Ronald T. Klein, Barbara T. Skiba, Charles Rambo, III
  • Patent number: 7699171
    Abstract: Stackable containers that, in various embodiments, are adapted to be vertically and/or horizontally interlocked with other, like, containers to, for example, increase the stability of stacks of the containers. In one embodiment, a stackable container comprises: (A) a top surface comprising a shoulder portion that extends upwardly from the top surface and that is substantially disposed within a perimeter defined by the top surface; (B) a bottom surface defining a stacking recess; (C) a plurality of substantially vertical side surfaces that extend between the top surface and the bottom surface. In various embodiments, a recessed portion of the bottom surface adjacent the stacking recess is adapted to substantially mate with at least a portion of a shoulder portion of a like container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Consolidated Container Company LP
    Inventors: Benedict R. Rivera, Richard Longbottom
  • Patent number: 7699172
    Abstract: A two position stacking delivery tray is provided which is capable of stacking with itself, and also stacking with existing single position stacking delivery trays. A single uneven upstanding tongue is positioned along a top edge of each of a first side wall and a second side wall. The uneven upstanding tongue defines a first engagement with peaks and valleys. Tongue receivers are positioned in the bottom defining an uneven groove adapted to mate with a single upstanding tongue of an underlying tray having a single stacking product height position. The uneven groove defines a second engagement with peaks and valleys. The peaks and valleys of the first engagement and the second engagement are asymmetrically positioned, so as to provide two stacking product height positions by relative rotation of stacking trays by 180 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Drader Manufacturing Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Gordon McTavish, Cory Koski, Hongqiao Li
  • Patent number: 7699173
    Abstract: The invention provides a substantially child resistant package. A gate panel (110) and a tab panel (130) are secured to an aperture panel (130). At least one aperture (123) is formed on the aperture panel. At least one gate (114) is formed on the gate panel and is aligned with the aperture when the gate panel is in contact with the aperture panel. At least one partially detachable tab (136) is formed on the tab panel and is aligned with the gate when the tab panel is in contact with the gate panel. In an exemplary package, a blister is aligned with and secured to the aperture panel. The gate panel is folded and secured to the aperture panel and blister package. The tab panel is folded and covers at least some portion of the gate panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: MeadWestvaco Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher J. Hession
  • Patent number: 7699174
    Abstract: An inventory control system, comprising a blister pack having a pierceable sheet that includes a plurality of printed circuits overlying each of the compartments of the blister pack. The printed circuits are in electrical communication with a connector assembly, the connector assembly being in electrical communication with a removable header. The header is in communication with a microprocessor controlled device having a memory; wherein the microprocessor controlled device determines the contents of the blister pack. The blister pack and connector assembly are removed from the substantially fixed header so the contents can be distributed. As the contents are distributed from the blister pack, the printed circuits are broken. When the connector assembly is reattached to the blister pack, electrical signals transmitted through the connector assembly and the blister pack determines the number of broken circuits, indicative of the contents of the blister pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey Wayne Allison, Ricardo Lee Koller, Navin Kanjibhai Patel
  • Patent number: 7699175
    Abstract: A puzzle storage and transport system including a puzzle including one or more puzzle pieces and a puzzle board and a container to store and transport one or more puzzle pieces. The container includes a pouch defining a cavity to contain the one or more puzzle pieces and including a closure to provide access to the cavity and one or more straps coupled to the pouch to bind the container to the puzzle board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Lobo Enterprises, LLC
    Inventor: Jon Lobiondo
  • Patent number: 7699176
    Abstract: A tool box includes a cover pivotably connected to a base, at least one torsion spring is located between the cover and the base to maintain the cover at opened status when in use. A magnetic member is connected to an inside of the cover so that the user can position the spare bits by the magnetic member. A plurality of storage racks are pivotably connected to the base so as to receive bits and tools, the storage racks are cooperated with torsion springs so that when the cover is opened, the storage racks are pivoted an angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Inventor: Fu-Hui Lin
  • Patent number: 7699177
    Abstract: A disclosed sand washing apparatus may be used for separating organic material from a mixture comprising sand and organic material. The apparatus may comprise: a wash chamber for accepting a mixture comprising sand and organic material, an agitator, a collection chamber, and a conveyor configured to transport sand away from the collection chamber. The disclosed method for recovering sand from a mixture comprising sand and organic material may comprise the steps of: introducing the mixture into a chamber, allowing organic material to ascend while allowing sand to descend, subjecting a portion of the descending sand to a turbulence that creates a lifting action, and recovering sand that has descended past the turbulence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Parkson Corporation
    Inventor: Gregory C. Craig
  • Patent number: 7699178
    Abstract: The purpose of the invention is to prevent accumulation of particulates on the outside of a net body of a particulate sifter having a cylindrical net body and to extend the lifetime of the net body. To achieve the purpose, in a particulate sifter which is provided with a sieve 21 having a cylindrical net body 26 extending in a horizontal direction and a booster having rotating blades which rotate along the inner surface of the net body 26 and which separates particulates that pass through the net body 26 from particulates and/or foreign substances that do not pass through the net body 26 while agitating the particulates that have flowed inside the sieve 21 with the booster, the sieve 21 is located rotatably around the central axis of the cylindrical net body 26. The sieve 21 may be rotated forcibly by an electric motor as a driving source or may be rotated by kinetic energy of particulate-air mixture agitated by rotating blades without a driving source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Tsukasa Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fumio Kato, Teruo Inoue, Yoshio Sakakibara, Sinsaku Kamimura
  • Patent number: 7699179
    Abstract: A retention device for use with a filter apparatus having a main frame and an intermediate frame member, and a plurality of parallel filter elements in a filter zone being spaced one from another at a selected distance and forming a filter screen known as a harp screen, is disclosed. The filter screen is mounted to the main frame. The retention device includes a clamp disposed at an intermediate portion of the filter elements for clamping at least a clamped portion of the filter elements to the intermediate frame member, with the arrangement being such that a neutral region is provided adjacent or within the clamped portion of the filter elements, the neutral region being such that the filter elements may be manipulated within that region, and their relative spacing varied, within that region, without affecting spacing between filter elements outside the neutral region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Symphony Wire Pty Ltd.
    Inventor: Marcus Willoughby Howell
  • Patent number: 7699180
    Abstract: A layout for packaging a computer rack comprises a transport pallet (2) and a computer rack; the computer rack being associable with casters extending vertically by a first distance relatively to a lower face of the rack. The computer rack is made integral with the pallet by two anchoring means distributed on the underside of the rack on either side of a vertical median plane (P1); the pallet includes two side modules and an intermediate supporting means separable from the remainder of the pallet and allowing the side modules to be connected. The side modules are removably attached to the anchoring means, so as to ensure that the computer rack is maintained in a horizontal position, and that the pallet is spaced away from the underside of the rack by a second distance (H2) smaller than said first distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Bull S.A.S.
    Inventors: Emmanuel Mollard, Lionel Coutancier
  • Patent number: 7699181
    Abstract: A storage apparatus and method involves a wheel storage assembly having adjustable pockets for storage therein of an article. The wheel storage assembly generally includes a pocket assembly and opposite wheel assemblies. The pocket assembly may include a core, at least two dividers installed in an offset relationship on the core, the dividers being configured to project substantially radially outwardly from the core to form a free end of each divider, and a clip mounted at the free end of each divider. A base assembly may be employed to rotatably support the wheel storage assembly. A hub of each wheel assembly may be formed with an outer, substantially rounded surface and with a tension belt installed on a base connector of the base assembly and looped around the rounded surface to control the rotational speed of the wheel storage assembly as mounted on the base assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Rakku Inc.
    Inventor: Danilo Torro
  • Patent number: 7699182
    Abstract: The invention relates to a plastic container having a neck, shoulder, base and body portion. There are longitudinal base panel portions with rounded, longitudinal base panel edges separating each of said flattened portions from each other at a waist. The waist has a circumferential dimension less than the base and is positioned between the body portion and the base. The body portion is positioned between the waist and the circular shoulder and has flexible, substantially flat longitudinal body panels and rounded, longitudinal body panel edges separating adjacent body panels from each other and merging with the longitudinal panel edges of said base. The longitudinal body edges increase in width as the body longitudinally merges with the circular shoulder portion, and the circular shoulder portion has a rounded portion transitioning into and merging with the body panels, and a sloping portion of reducing diameter merging with the neck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Graham Packaging Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Sheldon Yourist
  • Patent number: 7699183
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are bottle-shaped containers having a trunk portion approximating a square. The trunk portion comprises four tabular side walls arrayed about a center axis and four corner walls connected to adjacent side walls in a corner-cutting form. The width of the corner walls expands from the top end and the bottom end toward a position about midway between the top end and the bottom end. By making the widths of the side walls and the corner walls about equal at a location about midway between the top portion and the bottom portion, the distance between the corner walls in mutual opposition with respect to the center axis can be decreased, forming a waist portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignees: The Coca-Cola Company, Yoshino Kogyosho, K.K.
    Inventors: Kenshi Matsuoka, Ryoichi Tomishima, Satoshi Kuboi, Toshimasa Tanaka, Tadashi Hayakawa, Takao Iizuka
  • Patent number: 7699184
    Abstract: A bottle carrier includes a plurality of walls. At least one of the walls includes a recess on an exterior surface for retaining a bottle thereon, when the carrier is in a horizontal orientation and the bottle is in a horizontal orientation partially disposed in the recess. The carrier may be stackable and connectable to similar carriers to form display or storage racks. At least one of the walls includes a plurality of feet extending therefrom. The feet are interlockable with feet on a similar carrier. When similar carriers are stacked, the feet interlock to improve the stability of the stacked carriers. Adjacent carriers may be connected via corks or other connectors inserted into adjacent walls of the carriers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventor: Cynthia R. Meissen
  • Patent number: 7699185
    Abstract: A multi-compartment liner bag is disposed within a receptacle and includes a first compartment having a height that is greater than that of the receptacle and a volume that is at least about equal to that of the receptacle. A second bag compartment is attached to and folds to the side of the first compartment when placed in the receptacle and has an entry folded over the receptacle top to form at least a visual seal to the compartment contents. Indicia means, which may be either visual or tactile, are provided along the second compartment entry to allow easy location of the compartment entry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Inventor: Troy A. Heien
  • Patent number: 7699186
    Abstract: Structures are provided that have an enclosed interior space that can be used to hold and contain water or other matter. The interior space is defined by an enclosing wall and a base that are both waterproof to prevent leakage of the water or matter contained in the interior space. None, one or more frame members can be provided as part of the enclosing wall and the base, or a frame member can be provided as part of a rim member. The frame members can be foldable to allow the resulting structure to be twisted and folded to reduce the overall size of the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Patent Category Corp.
    Inventor: Yu Zheng
  • Patent number: 7699187
    Abstract: An end fitting for a cylindrical high pressure vessel made from components all having thin walls, thereby tripling the practical diameter of such pressure vessels. The end fitting includes a toroidal shell defining a hole; centrally disposed piece for closing the hole comprising a pipe and a center end fitting and structural members. In a first embodiment, the structural members comprise slices of an end of the pipe welded to the outer cylindrical wall of the vessel. In a second embodiment, the structural members are plates connecting the pipe to the outer cylindrical walls. In the third embodiment, the plates connect an extension of the outer cylindrical wall beyond the toroidal shell to an extension of the outer cylindrical wall of the pressure vessel. The center end fitting may be hemispheric or ellipsoidal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Inventor: Jens Korsgaard
  • Patent number: 7699188
    Abstract: A pressure vessel is provided including an inner tank formed from a tank liner surrounded by a wound layer of composite filaments. A protective jacket is disposed on the inner tank that facilitates stacking and portability of the pressure vessel and helps to define an air passage for convective heat transfer between the hybrid tank and the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: AMTROL Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: Tiago Oliveira, Joao Carlos V. Antunes Guimaraes, Eduardo J. Alves
  • Patent number: 7699189
    Abstract: A dispensing assembly adapted for dispensing gloves, which includes a dispenser. The dispenser has a housing which forms an inner surface and an internal compartment configured to hold a stack of gloves, and at least one dispensing opening. A stack of gloves disposed in the dispenser on a glove positioner and the glove positioner biases the stack of gloves toward the dispensing opening and a portion of the housing such that the glove positioner controls the stack of gloves and space in the internal compartment of the dispenser to prevent gloves from moving out of the stack and into the space to permit easy and reliable withdrawal of each glove therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Francis Tramontina
  • Patent number: 7699190
    Abstract: An aerosol valve actuator with a top portion rotatable on a bottom portion. The entire top portion in one rotatable position is depressible vertically to actuate the valve. A click post and clicking rib provide a single click in each direction of rotation. Flanges on top and bottom portions interact to stop rotation as soon as each click occurs. Plastic springs interact with spring biasing members only when the top portion is in actuating position, and assure return of the actuator top portion to full upward position for rotation after actuation of even a short-stemmed valve. Downwardly extending flexible connecting flanges connect the actuator top and bottom portions. The top portion has a lower periphery with a plurality of upwardly extending indentations to overlie lateral ribs in the lower portion in actuation position. The top and bottom portions have interfitting cylinders to stabilize the top portion and maintain verticality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Precision Valve Corporation
    Inventor: Terry L. Hygema
  • Patent number: 7699191
    Abstract: A multiple use adhesive dispenser facilitates precise, extended dispensing for a surgical procedure by sequentially positioning an ampoule containing a flowable material, such as a polymerizable monomer compound such as a cyanoacrylate adhesive. In one version particularly suited to an open surgical procedure, the ampoules are affixed to a tape substrate that is unreeled from an internal storage reel and transported proximate to an ampoule gripping mechanism with an underlying tape substrate peeled away and internally stored as each ampoule is positioned for dispensing. Actuating an ampoule advancement handle positions the next ampoule and squeezing a movable handle toward a fixed handle effects dispensing. Another version has an elongate shaft that internally augers each ampoule in succession into a pair of spaced jaws that are pinched together by actuating rods to dispense adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: John W. Sheets, Jr., Donna L. Korvick, Georgette A. Belair, Mark S. Ortiz, Wells D. Haberstich, Ronald J. Kolata, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, James W. Voegele, Margaret M. D'Aversa, Michael T. Mather
  • Patent number: 7699192
    Abstract: A discharge device with a metered dose valve is proposed. The metered dose valve comprises an inlet valve, a metering chamber and an outlet valve. In order to allow discharge of fluid from the metering chamber in multiple steps, a user can depress and release an actuation member multiple times in a selected discharge state wherein refill of the metering chamber with new liquid is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Boehringer Ingelheim microParts GmbH
    Inventor: Stephen Terence Dunne
  • Patent number: 7699193
    Abstract: The invention relates to a self-closing valve for the dispensing of flowable media from a container comprising a curved membrane, a support segment, a connecting wall as well as a slitting provided in said membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Weener Plastik GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventor: Jens Feierabend
  • Patent number: 7699194
    Abstract: Textile articles to be treated are fed on to shapes fitted to supporting members. Gliding independently each other on a platform of the boarding or semi-boarding machine, and positioned in mutual contact at respective sides along a polygonal pathway defined by a guiding device. The supporting members are transported in step along the polygonal pathway, by the engagement with a towing device acting independently at each linear stretch of the polygonal pathway, so that in each step at least one position at the concurrence of two linear stretches of the polygonal pathway is maintained unoccupied. At least one of the supporting members, on which the textile articles to be treated are fed, is arranged in a halt position upstream from a semi-boarding station and then is moved to take the shapes into the semi-boarding station. After the semi-boarding treatment, this supporting member is transferred to a station where the textile articles, treated, are extracted from the shapes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Cortese S.p.A.
    Inventor: Carmelo Angelo Cortese
  • Patent number: 7699195
    Abstract: An assist device for donning and/or doffing a compression garment includes a sleeve having an interior surface bounding a passage extending between a top end and an opposing bottom end, the top end including a top opening communicating with the passage, the bottom end including a bottom opening communicating with the passage, the sleeve being comprised of a sheet of flexible material. A resiliently stretchable material is secured to the bottom end of the sleeve so as to resiliently, radially constrict the sleeve thereat. A band is secured to the top end of the sleeve, the band outwardly expanding the top end of the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Julius Zorn, Inc.
    Inventor: Edwin R. Scott
  • Patent number: 7699196
    Abstract: A property and evidence bag comprising a deployable inner bag inside a pouch attached typically to the belt of an officer. The inner bag can be deployed and expands from its folded compact state inside the pouch. It is partially attached to the pouch and deploys by pulling a tab. Property and evidence can be placed in the inner bag and its opening can be secured using one hand by pulling on a draw string at its opening. This allows the officer to safely secure property and evidence found during an arrest while at the same time holding the arrestee at bay. After the arrestee is seated in the patrol car, the property and evidence found during the search of the arrestee's pockets can be itemized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Inventor: Laci Szabo
  • Patent number: 7699197
    Abstract: A belt utility system for carrying up to a large number of objects includes an elongated flexible strap for removably supporting a large number of plurality of receptacles or holders for objects, at least one holder or receptacle for an object, as well as a way of removably attaching the receptacle(s) or holder(s) to the strap. This means of attachment includes a finger-gripping portion for facilitating both the simultaneous gripping of holder(s) or receptacle(s) for objects and the detachment, by the user, by generally lifting with the fingers, of these holder(s) or receptacle(s), in a generally upward direction. The utility system can also include a snap-lock connector connected to the strap and to the receptacle or holder, and a releasing tab or button near or on the gripping portion for releasing the connector portions from each other when pressed by the user's finger substantially at the same time as the user lifts the finger-gripping portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Inventors: Michael Panosian, Paolo Kang, Joshua M. Keeler, James Kendall Stobar
  • Patent number: 7699198
    Abstract: An attachment mechanism for use with a portable electronic device (101) includes a case (110) having a first surface (211) and a second surface (111), where the first surface and the second surface define therebetween a space (105) capable of receiving the portable electronic device. The attachment mechanism further includes a clip (120) attached to the second surface of the case. The clip includes a body (221) adjacent to the second surface, a first extension (222) spaced apart from and extending toward the second surface, and a second extension (223) also spaced apart from and extending toward the second surface. The second piece creates a first pocket (231) between the case and the clip, and the second piece creates a second pocket (232) between the case and the clip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Belkin International, Inc.
    Inventors: Saharut Sirichai, John Wadsworth, Ernesto Quinteros, Vijendra Nalwad, Mitchell Suckle
  • Patent number: 7699199
    Abstract: A method for producing glass plates of any desired contour from sheet glass, comprising the following steps: scribing scribe lines into a least one face of the sheet glass along the contour down to a depth, using a cutting device, and positioning the glass plate on a support. The method is further characterized in that a defined force F is applied to the sheet glass so that it breaks along the scribe lines, said break extending through the entire thickness of the sheet glass. The flat glass may be sandwiched between two flexible plates prior to being placed on a base pad and being subjected to the breaking force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Schott AG
    Inventors: Thomas Luettgens, Winfred Hartmann, Bernd Hoetzel, Patrick Markschlager, Andreas Neumayr
  • Patent number: 7699200
    Abstract: A separation apparatus comprising a first and a second scribing devices for scribing front and rear surfaces of a first mother substrate made of a brittle material along first predetermined scribing lines previously provided on the front and rear surfaces of the first mother substrate, the first and second scribing devices being opposed to each other on an upper side and a lower side, and a holding and transferring device for holding and transferring the first mother substrate so that the first predetermined scribing lines of the first mother substrate are located between the first and second scribing devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Mitsuboshi Diamond Industrial Col., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroki Ueyama, Akira Ejimatani
  • Patent number: 7699201
    Abstract: A fastening tool with a magazine assembly for holding and dispensing collated fasteners. The magazine assembly includes a canister and a door that is hingedly coupled to a nosepiece. The canister includes a stationary portion and a movable portion that may be moved relative to the stationary portion to permit access to an interior of the canister, e.g., for loading the fasteners into the canister. The door cannot be moved from a closed position to an open position and vice versa without first opening the canister. A method for loading a magazine is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Todd A Hagan, Glen V Steinbrunner, James R Niblett, Andrzej Wojcicki, C. Kerwin Braddock
  • Patent number: 7699202
    Abstract: A continuous cap feed mechanism for use with fastener driving device includes a housing for receiving a coiled strip of interconnected caps removably mounted the fastener driving device. The housing includes a passageway for guiding the strip of caps from the coil to a position beneath a fastener to be driven by the fastener driving device and an advancing mechanism for moving the leading cap on said strip from the passage to the position beneath the fastener to be driven after the fastener driving device drives a prior fastener into a cap and as it is moved away from the previously driven fastener. The advancing mechanism includes a driver movably mounted in the housing for movement between an extended and retracted position adjacent the location on the fastener driving device at which the fastener driving device drives fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Arrow Fastener Company, LLC.
    Inventor: Ilya Shor
  • Patent number: 7699203
    Abstract: A surgical staple inserter is disclosed and can include a shaft and a staple engagement arm pivotably engaged with the shaft. Further, the surgical staple inserter can include a spring that can be connected to the shaft and the staple engagement arm. The surgical staple inserter can be moved between a straight position and a bent position. In the straight position, the staple engagement arm can be substantially aligned with the shaft. In the bent position, the staple engagement arm can be rotated with respect to the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Inventors: Larry T. McBride, Robert B. Rice
  • Patent number: 7699204
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes an anvil assembly for a circular stapling apparatus. The anvil assembly includes an anvil head configured to support an anvil plate thereon; a shaft extending from the anvil head and configured to selectively engage a connection member of the circular stapling apparatus; an anvil plate operatively connected to the anvil head, the anvil plate defining a plurality of staple forming pockets therein; and a wound treatment material disposed in each staple forming pocket of the anvil plate. The wound treatment material is at least one of an adhesive, a sealant, a hemostat and a medicament.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP
    Inventor: Frank J. Viola
  • Patent number: 7699205
    Abstract: A surgical fastener applying apparatus including an anvil half-section having a distal end and a longitudinal axis; a cartridge receiving half-section having a distal end and operatively couplable with the anvil half-section such that the distal ends of the half-sections are in juxtaposed relation; and a deflection control system operatively engaged with and reinforcing the distal end of the anvil half-section when a force is applied to the distal end of the anvil half-section in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP
    Inventor: David Ivanko
  • Patent number: 7699206
    Abstract: A friction stir welding (FSW) apparatus has an FSW tool adapted for joining work pieces supportable against a backing anvil. The FSW apparatus comprises a pair of clamping rollers maintained in substantially perpendicular relationship to the backing anvil as the FSW tool moves along the tool path. A roller pivot joint of the FSW apparatus maintains a cylindrical roller outer surface of each clamping roller in substantially parallel relationship to the top sides of the work pieces. The roller pivot joint may include a gimballing roller bearing to which the clamping roller is mounted. The roller bearing is universally movable in a variety of directions to maintain the perpendicular relationship of the clamping rollers relative to the backing anvil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Michael P. Matlack, Kurt A. Burton
  • Patent number: 7699207
    Abstract: An internal ring assembly for welding backup against internal hoops of pipes or tanks has a chain assembly of diverse cells. A majority of the cells include a tile of conductive metal for abutting inside walls across a seam of two sections of pipe or tank to be welded, as well as a cell of a roller chain assembly comprising either both a pin-link and roller-link construction or alternatively a pair of mosaic-link constructions. In either case, one of such link constructions is anchored to the tile and the other extends free of the tile for linking with another cell of the chain assembly. In contrast, a minority of the cells are arranged to produce an expansion force on the chain assembly as a whole in order that the chain assembly expansively forces itself tightly against the inside seam of the pipe or tank sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Inventor: Howard S. Owensby
  • Patent number: 7699208
    Abstract: A soldering system for melting a solder to form a joint between a first workpiece and a second workpiece is described. The system may comprise an energy generating system, a soldering tip, and a dispenser adapted to dispense controlled amounts of the solder. The soldering tip includes a non-wetting solder contact layer in operative communication with the energy generating system. The energy generating system may include induction, electrical, or heat generating systems in communication with the soldering tip. The non-wetting solder contact layer comprises a material that is not wettable by the molten solder. The system permits control of an amount of the solder in the joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Michael S. Forti, Kevin W. Gaugler, John A. Vivari, Jr., Keith Wheeler
  • Patent number: 7699209
    Abstract: A bonding method involving detection of non-bonding of a bonding wire to a first bonding point, the method including an electrical non-bonding detection step and an optical non-bonding detection step, wherein data on whether the respective first bonding points are predetermined bonding points where an electrical non-bonding detection is not applicable are acquired from a memory unit; and when it is determined that a first bonding point is the predetermined bonding point, a non-bonding verification on the first bonding point is executed in the optical non-bonding detection step, and when the first bonding point is not the predetermined bonding point, then non-bonding detection on the first bonding point is executed in the electrical non-bonding detection step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Shinkawa
    Inventor: Shinsuke Tei
  • Patent number: 7699210
    Abstract: In some example embodiments, a method includes engaging a first contact on a motherboard with a second contact on an electronic package. A portion of one of the first and second contacts is covered with an interlayer that has a lower melting temperature than both of the first and second contacts. The method further includes bonding the first contact to the second contact by melting the interlayer to diffuse the interlayer into the first and second contacts. The bonded first and second contacts have a higher melting temperature than the interlayer before melting. In other example embodiments, an electronic assembly includes a motherboard having a first contact that is bonded to a second contact on an electronic package. An interlayer is diffused within the first and second contacts such that they have a higher melting temperature than the interlayer before the interlayer is diffused into the first and second contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Daewoong Suh
  • Patent number: 7699211
    Abstract: A substantially planar shipping container blank is configured for planar stacking to permit compact packaging but simplifies the ease of assembly into a triangular shipping container. The container blank is foldably divided into a rectangular longitudinal section, two end sections, and a closure tab. The interior surfaces of certain portions of the end sections are pre-mounted to the interior surface of the longitudinal section. By folding the longitudinal section of the blank along two pre-pressed longitudinal fold lines, the end sections of the blank automatically fold along pre-pressed angular fold lines to form a triangular shipping container. The container can thereafter be fastened shut by folding the closure tab along a third pre-pressed longitudinal fold line and affixing the tab to the exterior of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Buckeye Boxes, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen J. Holloway
  • Patent number: 7699212
    Abstract: A collapsible storage device includes a collapsible container and a lid for the container. The container includes a plurality of resilient wall panels and a flexible hinge connecting each adjacent pair of wall panels. The container may be foldably converted between a substantially flat collapsed position and a substantially rectangular prismatic expanded position by articulating the wall panels about the flexible hinges. One side of the lid is adapted to cover an opening into the container when the container is in an expanded position. The opposite side of the lid is adapted to receive the substantially flat collapsed container within a recess in the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson Home Storage, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert R. Turvey, Brian C. Dais, Sanjay Dhall
  • Patent number: 7699213
    Abstract: Cartons have dispensing features that enable containers or other articles to be selectively dispensed from the cartons while preventing inadvertent escape of the articles from the cartons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick J. DeBusk, Jean-Manuel Gomes, Raymond Rudolph Spivey, Sr.
  • Patent number: 7699214
    Abstract: A carton includes a pivoting recloseable lid that is easy to open and recluse. The recloseable lid includes a breachable closure aperture section that can be adapted to receive a portion of a bag or other flexible container accommodated within the carton. When the lid is opened, the contents of the flexible container can be dispensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Ignacio Mestre, Emili Requena, Enric Sanchez