Patents Issued in June 8, 2010
  • Patent number: 7731081
    Abstract: A paper box structure is formed of a paper material, and comprises a bottom plate and two side plates connected to both sides of the bottom plate. Each side plate comprises a top plate connected to one side of the side plate opposite to the bottom plate; and the other two sides of the side plate is connected with a main body fold plates respectively. Each main body fold plate comprises a frame plate having a central opening, a buffer plate; and at least one adjustable fold plate formed along both sides of the central opening. The frame plate is folded to form a U-shaped buffer space together with the top plate, the side plate and the bottom plate. The buffer plate is connected to one side of the frame plate near the side plate, and folded to form a step-like structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Quanta Computer Inc.
    Inventor: Yu-Chieh Liang
  • Patent number: 7731082
    Abstract: A reinforced container assembly and method for making the same are provided. The reinforced container assembly comprises a fiberboard container and a first reinforcement strap. The fiberboard container has a lower portion and an upper portion. The first reinforcement strap wraps continuously around a periphery of the container a plurality of times in a spiraling manner from a starting point of the reinforcement strap to a terminating point of the reinforcement strap. The reinforcement strap physically connects to the container at a first location. The reinforcement strap is further physically connected to the container at second location. The reinforcement strap provides structural support to the fiberboard container to increase the strength of the container assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Packaging Corporation of America
    Inventors: Keith A. Jackson, Benjamin Frank
  • Patent number: 7731083
    Abstract: A terminal device, in an information collection system in which the terminal device and an information collection device are connected, which reads question information from a question information storage section storing question information, as questions the responses to which are to be provided to the information collection device, and after power to the terminal device has been turned on, or based on a state of usage, receives the input of response information, as responses corresponding to output question information, and transmits the input response information to the information collection device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Nobutoshi Terakawa, Naomi Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 7731084
    Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring transaction data in a point-of-sale (POS) system. An inline component is connected between a POS terminal and a printer. The inline component monitors communications between the POS terminal and the printer as well as communications sent to or from other devices connected with the POS terminal. As the data in the communications are monitored, portions of the data are extracted and sent to a remote processing server. The remote processing returns information which could comprise a variety of information, such as: fraud deterrent data, store promotions, customer messages, and the like to the inline component. The inline component sends this information to the printer for presentation to the user. The information is typically sent to the printer without interfering with the transaction being performed by the POS terminal. Commands included in the information can be implemented by the inline component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Fred Redick, Leonard Driver
  • Patent number: 7731085
    Abstract: A display for two or more products having two or more three-dimensional visual aspects providing visual information about two or more products. The visual aspect has a first visual product, a second visual product, a first sampling aspect for the first visual product, a second sampling aspect for the second visual product, product samples associated with both the first and the second sampling aspects, and a dispenser for dispensing the product samples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: The Procter + Gamble Company
    Inventors: Brian John Gillespie, Patricia Ann (Kennedy) Kulich
  • Patent number: 7731086
    Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products are provided for enabling payment of transit system fees using a financial transaction instrument. Entry is permitted onto a transit system by recognition of information included in an identification number stored on a financial transaction instrument. The identification number stored on the financial transaction instrument is associated with a transit system fee registered for each use of the transit system. A plurality of transit system fees associated with the same identification number from use of the financial transaction instrument is aggregated, and payment for the aggregated transit system fees is requested from a transaction account associated with the financial transaction instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter D. Saunders, Lee J. Peart, Brian T. Barnes
  • Patent number: 7731087
    Abstract: Systems and methods for electronically processing financial transactions involving corporate checks. A front end device at a location associated with a merchant and a check processing service configured to detect and process corporate checks. In one embodiment, the detection of the corporate check is achieved at the front end device by reading of an auxiliary on-us field in the check's magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) line. Such information denoting the check as a corporate check is used by the check processing service to at least partially base its assessment of whether to approve and process the corporate check electronically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: First Data Corporation
    Inventors: Kerry Sellen, Cheryl Phillips
  • Patent number: 7731088
    Abstract: A PDA device is used to record the ID of a vehicle boot RFID tag and to transmit to the tag and to a host entity violation data such as summons number, license number, time and date stamp, issuing person ID, location of the vehicle, scofflaw data and so on. This data may be entered into the PDA electronically via a communication network such as the internet or LAN system or manually via a keyboard. The host entity has a data base which is uploaded with this information and has correlation of RFID tag numbers to an unlock combination number for each boot. When the boot is attached to a vehicle, this PDA data is transmitted to the host entity whose contact telephone number is attached to the vehicle being booted. The driver contacts the entity to pay the fine and receive in return the unlock combination. The driver thus can release and remove the boot within minutes of returning to the vehicle and can return the boot at his leisure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: IPT, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick Moynihan, Larry Berman, Cory Marchasin, Josiah Johnson
  • Patent number: 7731089
    Abstract: A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for interactive mail management of physical mail. Physical mail is received in a mailbox. An identifier is read in response to receiving the physical mail in the mailbox. The physical mail contains the identifier. Information contained in the identifier is sent to the mail recipient. The mail recipient is able to identify instructions for communicating with a sender associated with the physical mail based on the information from the identifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David Yu Chang, John Yow-Chun Chang, Vishwanath Venkataramappa
  • Patent number: 7731090
    Abstract: A novel control device and a method for using the device for the calorimetric quality assurance of photographic documents or any color and monochrome products printed on any type of supports. The inventive control device is embodied in the form of an improved reflective spectrophotometer which also makes it possible to read bar codes. The use of the novel control device requires the use of a novel method which enables any user of a production machine to be assigned with an unique alpha digital identifier for any arbitrary product configuration leading to an arbitrary chromatic response (reflectance spectrum or colour spectrum obtained according to a printed file values) which are considered by the competent user as desirable and retainable for certain products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Inventor: Wilfrid Meffre
  • Patent number: 7731091
    Abstract: A digital image capturing and processing system for illuminating objects using automatic object detection and spectral-mixing illumination technique. The system comprises an area-type illumination and imaging module for projecting a coextensive area-type illumination and imaging field (i.e. zone) into a 3D imaging volume during object illumination and imaging operations. The area-type illumination and imaging module includes a spectral-mixing based illumination subsystem for producing a first field of visible illumination from an array of visible LEDs, and producing a second field of invisible illumination from an array of infrared (IR) LEDs, wherein the first and second fields of illumination spatially overlap and intermix with each other and produce a composite illumination field that is at least substantially coextensive with the FOV of the image sensing array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Metrologic Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: C. Harry Knowles, Xiaoxun Zhu, Timothy Good, Tao Xian, Anatoly Kotlarsky, Michael Veksland, Mark Hernandez, John Gardner, Steven Essinger, Patrick Giordano, Sean Kearney, Mark Schmidt, John A. Furlong, Nicholas Ciarlante, Yong Liu, Jie Ren, Xi Tao, JiBin Liu, Ming Zhuo, Duane Ellis
  • Patent number: 7731092
    Abstract: In an optical information reading apparatus, a pickup unit has a predetermined reading position, and is configured to optically pickup information of a target when the information is located at the reading position. A marker beam irradiating unit includes a light beam source configured to emit a light beam. The marker beam irradiating unit includes a beam pattern forming lens arranged to allow the emitted light beam to enter thereinto. The pattern forming lens is configured to irradiate a marker beam based on the emitted light beam. The marker beam has a predetermined beam pattern composed of at least one linear beamlet to indicate the reading position of the pickup unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Denso Wave Incorporated
    Inventor: Kunihiko Itou
  • Patent number: 7731093
    Abstract: An RFID tag formed on an original includes a storage unit which stores data representing, e.g., the number of times of scan of the original and the generation from a parent original, and a transmitter/receiver which transmits and receives the data by radio. A read/write circuit receives data from an RFID tag of an original by radio. On the basis of the received data, read of the original is controlled. While the original is being read, the received data is edited in accordance with the control. The read/write circuit transmits and writes the edited data in the RFID tag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Keizo Isemura, Toshio Hayashi, Mitsushige Murata, Masatoshi Tanabe, Junichi Intoh, Yoshihiro Funamizu, Yoshihito Osari
  • Patent number: 7731094
    Abstract: An identification token is provided which includes a radio frequency identification (RFID) integrated circuit (IC), an antenna and a switch. The switch is normally in a first state and is actuatable by a user's finger to a second state different from the first state. The identification token includes a conductive connection connected to at least one of the RFID IC and the antenna. The identification token is enabled to send and receive signals so long as the conductive connection is unbroken. The identification token is subjected to a personalization process and the conductive connection is broken after or during the personalization process. After the conductive connection is broken, the switch operates to switch the identification token between operative and in operative states. Before the conductive connection is broken, the switch is actuatable but actuating the switch does not change the state of the identification token.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Mastercard International, Inc.
    Inventor: Simon Phillips
  • Patent number: 7731095
    Abstract: A ternary card assembly is provided that includes a detachable smart card, a detachable information tab, and a disposable carrier card, which are connected by breakaway links. The smart card and the information tab may be connected to one another directly or indirectly through an intermediate element. The information tab may include one or more panels that are elastically displaceable from the plane of the information tab to render the information tab useful in different ways. A payload set is also provided, which includes a smart card and an information tab, which is detachably connected to only a part of the smart card's perimeter. Also provided are methods of preparing a smart card for use and for customizing a smart card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: SanDisk IL Ltd
    Inventors: Carlos Alberto Perez Lafuente, Eitan Mardiks, Francisco Javier Peres Lafuente, Alfonso Cresop Gonzalez, Luis Hernandez Furquet, Oscar Martin
  • Patent number: 7731096
    Abstract: A controller for a two-stage heat source is provide, which may be connected to either a single stage or a two-stage thermostat to provide low stage heating for a variable time period before switching to high stage heating. The controller includes at least a first terminal for receiving a signal requesting heating from a single-stage thermostat or a two-stage thermostat connected to the first terminal. A microcontroller in communication with the first terminal determines a duty cycle value for a heating cycle based on the duration in which a signal at the first terminal is present relative to the duration of the heating cycle. The microcontroller determines a low stage time limit from the duty cycle, and provides low stage heating when a signal is present at the first terminal for a time period not more than the time limit, and switches to high stage heating after the time limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: Thomas B. Lorenz, David L. Perry
  • Patent number: 7731097
    Abstract: A water saving device for us in a hot water system to recover an initial volume of cold water when a hot water tap is turned on. The device has an inlet for receiving water piped from a water heater, a primary outlet for delivering hot water to a tap, and a by-pass outlet through which any cooled water is diverted by a thermally actuated shuttle valve. The device also includes a secondary valve for closing off the by-pass outlet when the water pressure downstream of the primary outlet is high (such as when the down stream hot water delivery tap is closed and opening the by pass outlet when the water pressure downstream of the primary outlet is low, such as when the downstream hot water delivery tap is opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Water Miser (Aust) Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Lindy Honeychurch, Ashley Thompson
  • Patent number: 7731098
    Abstract: A thermostat is provided that receives one or more inputs from at least one heating system of a climate control system, and initiates an appropriate action in response to the input. The thermostat can turn off a heat pump providing substandard heat and responsively turn on a fuel-fired auxiliary furnace. The thermostat may discontinue further operation of the auxiliary furnace upon receiving an operating error signal associated with the auxiliary furnace, and responsively turn on the heat pump to provide for continued heating. The thermostat may also discontinue operation of the fuel-fired furnace and turn on a circulating fan in response to an input signal indicating a furnace high-temperature or a carbon monoxide presence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: William P. Butler, Steven L. Carey, John R. Sartain
  • Patent number: 7731099
    Abstract: A railway tie is disclosed having stackable decks for reducing ballast migration in areas where the crib is reduced or removed in order to accommodate additional railway equipment. The stackable railway tie can include a base deck, a top deck, and a fastening system for securing the top deck to the base deck. A second fastening system may be integrated in the railway tie for securing one or more rails to the top deck. The top deck can be configured to transmit a load, such as that from the weight of a train, to the base deck. A ballast displacement system can be provided to distribute a load on the base deck to ballast under the railway tie. One or more top decks may be used in connection with electrically insulating the rails. Nonconductive deck spacers and side posts may insulate the top deck from the bottom deck. Side posts may electrically insulate the base deck from the fastener system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Narstco, Inc.
    Inventor: Sean Keightley
  • Patent number: 7731100
    Abstract: Diverse methods of utilization and the corresponding, related modifications, of linear type, Variable Gas Atomization (VGA) nozzles and lances are described. Therein is joined the mixing and gas atomization of chemicals that react to form active products that further react with harmful flue gas constituents of combustion so as to enable their effective collection. One version combines, in a lance assembly of nozzles, the injection of reactants, in the form of finely divided dry solids conveyed in a carrier air stream, and the fine atomization of water, aqueous solutions or slurries. Atomization of such streams is employed to effectively wet the surfaces of the dry particles and, thereby, promote the rapid sorption of gaseous constituents of flue gas being treated. Another version simultaneously mixes and atomizes reacting chemicals to produce, and release into the flue gas stream, strongly oxidizing, transient, species of their reaction products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Inventor: William Arthur Walsh, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7731101
    Abstract: An expandable drinking and mixing straw apparatus that can be compactly stored and expanded when necessary to provide a deployed dual-functionality mixing and drinking apparatus. The several embodiments of the straw apparatus provide a unified apparatus as well as functionally equivalent embodiments with two straw sub-component members defined by an outer straw and an inner straw which sub-component members are bonded together at specified locations. When force is applied to the undeployed straw apparatus, a plurality of veins expands from the apparatus to provide mixing functionality without compromising suction functionality. Straw sub component bonding, vein bending and stopping, and method of deployment of the drinking and mixing straw apparatus are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Inventors: Dean Fabrizio, Harakanois Moisiadis
  • Patent number: 7731102
    Abstract: Aspects of the invention include an air freshener device that emits fragrance through the evaporation of a fragrance-containing fluid comprising: a container, comprising a particular volume of the fragrance-containing fluid; a wick disposed partially in, and partially out of the fragrance-containing fluid, the wick having an immersion section immersed in the fluid so as to displace a displacement volume of fluid and a non-immersion section extending outward from a surface of the fluid, the immersion and non-immersion section being disposed on opposite lateral ends of the wick; the wick further comprising a displacement portion and a wicking portion, the displacement portion being configured to displace a desired first volume of fluid, the wicking portion being configured to wick a second volume of fluid; the displacement portion and the wicking portion designed to achieve a desired ratio between the displaced first volume of fluid and the wicked second volume of fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Filtrona Richmond, Inc.
    Inventors: Bennett C. Ward, Wolfgang Broosch, Bernhard Kutscha
  • Patent number: 7731103
    Abstract: A dispensing system for dispensing a viscous, flowable product such, for example, as a spin-art paint solution, comprises an axially extending container that defines an opening and an interior chamber for receiving and storing the flowable product. A discharge assembly is coupled to the container, the discharge assembly being dimensioned and arranged to spin, relative to the container, as it receives the flowable product from the interior chamber. The spinning motion of the discharge assembly, which may be accompanied by a linear movement of the container itself relative to a target surface, allows the user to cleanly and evenly distribute the flowable material onto a target substrate in an attractive, curvilinear deposit pattern. Optionally, the discharge assembly may be configured with a pivoting nozzle that can be moved from a position for obtaining a helical (curvilinear) deposit pattern to a position for obtaining a rectilinear deposit pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Tropical Ventures LLC
    Inventor: Alan B. Amron
  • Patent number: 7731104
    Abstract: A hand-held apparatus for spraying texture material including a body, a pressurized air source mounted on the body, a texture material hopper mounted on the body, and a texture delivery nozzle for selectively spraying texture material from the hopper onto a surface to be coated by propelling the texture material using pressurized air from the pressurized air source wherein each of the air source and the hopper can be disconnected from the body without the use of tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Wagner Spray Tech Corporation
    Inventors: Craig Peterson, Anthony J. Torntore, Ross Rossner
  • Patent number: 7731105
    Abstract: The present invention is a vibratory pumping apparatus that increases the ease and effectiveness of use of the apparatus. More specifically, the apparatus includes an adapter engageable with a conventional motive member, such as an electric drill, in order to enable the apparatus convert the rotational motion of the motive member into oscillatory motion for the pump, such that the pump can be operated using any number of different motive members. In addition, the mechanism within the apparatus is formed of a pair of piston-like members that operate in conjunction with one another to increase the pressure at which the fluid pumped by the mechanism is dispensed from the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Inventors: Grigori Lishanski, Oleg Lishanski
  • Patent number: 7731106
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a gas-compression spray device, wherein the nozzle assembly containing all of the wettable parts is detachable from the body of the spray device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Nano Mist International, LLC
    Inventors: August K. Doner, G. Thomas Ray
  • Patent number: 7731107
    Abstract: The invention concerns a sanitary component (1) that has a jet regulating device (4) in the interior of a mounting housing (6). The jet regulating device (4) includes at least one directly-mounted element (5) housed in the mounting housing (6), this element being provided with ridges (11) transverse to the flow direction and defining between them passageways (12). The invention is characterized in that the ridges (11) of at least one directly mounted element (5) are arranged in the form of a grid or network and intersect at junction points. The component (1) according to the invention, which can be manufactured inexpensively, exhibits the best possible jet regulating characteristics, even if the transverse surface is relatively small; moreover, the component (1) according to the invention requires little maintenance, without any risk of malfunction resulting from dirt carried by the liquid flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Neoperl GmbH
    Inventor: Hermann Grether
  • Patent number: 7731108
    Abstract: An electromagnetic fuel injection valve is provided in which a cylindrical magnetic body is welded to a valve seat member having at the rear end thereof a tubular press-fit portion press-fitted into a front portion of the cylindrical magnetic body, a valve body is housed in the valve seat member while being spring-biased in a direction that seats the valve body on a valve seat, and a movable core facing a fixed core is coaxially connected to the valve body, wherein the valve seat member (10) includes the tubular press-fit portion (10a), a large diameter portion (10b) that has substantially the same outer diameter as the outer diameter of the cylindrical magnetic body (9), and an annular shoulder portion (10c) that is formed as a flat face perpendicular to the outer peripheral face of the tubular press-fit portion (10a) and provides a connection between the tubular press-fit portion (10a) and the large diameter portion (10b), an annular abutment receiving face (9a) at the front end of the cylindrical magnetic
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Keihin Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Akabane, Kenichi Sato
  • Patent number: 7731110
    Abstract: A method of making abrasive compositions, and more particularly, it relates to a method of making precipitated silica abrasive compositions having excellent cleaning performance and lower abrasiveness with post-reactor sizing of the abrasive particles being performed directly via wet comminution and centrifugation, optionally followed by hydraulic chamber press filtering combined with vacuum dewatering and de-agglomeration is provided. By targeting a specific particle size range, it has been determined that higher pellicle film cleaning levels may be achieved without also increasing the dentin abrasion properties of the silica products themselves. As a result, dentifrices including such classified abrasive silica products, exhibiting particularly desirable cleaning benefits, can be provided for improved tooth polishing, whitening, and the like, without deleteriously affecting the hard tooth surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: J.M. Huber Corporation
    Inventor: Yung-Hui Huang
  • Patent number: 7731111
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating a chosen, relatively uniform size of particles having a dry-to-the-touch feel and a pleasant odor from chipped slash or other vegetative material is described. When pine sap and/or other liquids are present in the starting materials, the teachings of the present invention permit the generation of particulates into which such substances are substantially uniformly absorbed. The process of the present invention has been successfully applied to chipped, live trees, dried tree materials, branches, needles, pine cones, hay, flowers, grass, berries, and shrubs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Mill Creek Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Andre Roy
  • Patent number: 7731112
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a shredder having a closure located adjacent an output opening of a shredder housing that is selectively positioned to prevent shredded materials from being discharged from the output opening. The closure may be connected to the shredder housing, and the container may comprise a removable waste bin. The closure may be actuated via an actuator to a closed position in response to the container and the shredder housing being moved out of an operative position relative to each other, such as when the waste bin is being emptied. The closure may assist in reducing or eliminating waste from being distributed in or around the shredder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Fellowes, Inc.
    Inventors: Tai Hoon Kim Matlin, Scott Christopher Daigle, Art Gardner
  • Patent number: 7731113
    Abstract: The present application discloses a recirculating crushing and grinding device for crushing and grinding liquid-like materials or materials that contain liquid, said device comprises a motor, a hopper, a crushing and grinding part and a material recirculating part. Said crushing and grinding part includes a coarse-crushing section and a fine-grinding section, said fine grinding section comprises a pair of grinding components, and said material recirculating part comprises a pump and recirculating ducts provided downstream of said crushing-grinding part. The present application also discloses a soybean milk maker employing said recirculating crushing-grinding device, and a method for crushing and grinding a recirculated material and a method for producing soybean milk. The equipment disclosed in the present invention is easy to manufacture, with the advantages of a low noise during operation and low energy consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Inventor: Xuning Wang
  • Patent number: 7731114
    Abstract: A device for producing and processing food, in particular meat, includes at least one perforated plate (P) having holes through which the food can be pressed. The perforated plate, (P) is made of two parts, for example, a carrier and an insert, and a press element, for example, a blade which is guided along the insert, is associated with the insert. The insert deviates, in a minimal manner, with heat arising between the insert and the press element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Inotec GmbH & Co. Holding und Handels KG
    Inventor: Miroslav Domlatil
  • Patent number: 7731115
    Abstract: A machine for distributing blowing insulation including a shredding chamber configured to shred and pick apart the blowing insulation. The shredding chamber includes a plurality of low speed shredders, an agitator and a discharge mechanism. The agitator is mounted for rotation and rotates toward the discharge mechanism. The discharge mechanism includes a side inlet configured to receive the blowing insulation from the agitator. A baffle is disposed between the agitator and the discharge mechanism. The baffle is configured to partially obstruct the side inlet of the discharge mechanism. The baffle allows finely shredded blowing insulation to enter the side inlet of the discharge mechanism and directs heavy clumps of blowing insulation past the side inlet of the discharge mechanism for eventual recycling into the low speed shredders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Owens Corning Intellectual Capital, LLC
    Inventors: Michael W. Johnson, Michael E. Evans, Agustin Hernandez, Robert J. O'Leary, Christopher M. Relyea, Brian K. Linstedt, Gregory J. Merz, Jeffrey W. Servaites, Keith A. Grider
  • Patent number: 7731116
    Abstract: In order to minimize the loss of production of a crushing plant, particularly a cement crushing plant and optimize on the gear side the availability of the roller mill, according to the invention a replacement gear is provided alongside the operating mill gear. The mill gear and replacement gear are located on at least one base plate and preferably together with a drive motor for the mill gear and a second motor for the replacement gear, as well as with a lubricating system located between the mill gear and the replacement gear, are preassembled on the base plate. The base plate is horizontally adjustably guided on the mill foundation. If the mill gear fails the base plate with the units mounted thereon can be adjusted in such a way that the replacement gear is positioned below the crushing pan in the place of the mill gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Loesche GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Loesche, Bernd Schmich
  • Patent number: 7731117
    Abstract: A webbing winding device includes a spool, a pair of leg plates, a torsion shaft, a first locking mechanism, a second locking mechanism, and a control mechanism. A webbing belt is wound onto the spool. The two leg plates oppose one another in an axial direction of the spool. The torsion shaft is provided passing through the spool and deforms when a torque is applied to the spool. The first locking mechanism, at the side of one of the leg plates, restricts rotation of the spool in an unwinding direction. The second locking mechanism, at the side of the other of the leg plates, switches from a lock-release state to a locking state, and restricts rotation of the torsion shaft in the unwinding direction. The control mechanism is provided passing through the spool and causes the second locking mechanism to switch into the locking state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-Seisakusho
    Inventors: Masaki Yasuda, Kazuhiko Aihara, Takashi Ono
  • Patent number: 7731118
    Abstract: A holding mechanism for a vehicular acceleration sensor, comprising: a pair of lever arms operable to move independently of one another; and an inertia weight held between the lever arms, wherein movement of the inertia weight, in use, when under acceleration, causes at least a part of at least one lever arm or both arms to move in a generally linear direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Martin-Baker Aircraft Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Stephen Anthony Ruff, Alan David Crozier
  • Patent number: 7731119
    Abstract: The present invention compact creel using the OETO method that accommodates an increased number of packages in a relatively small footprint while providing a straight in-line delivery path in which fiber bends and changes in direction are minimized. In addition, the present invention is a system, apparatus and method for tension control in a fiber feeding system that provides a fast and reliable method for feeding high tack elastomeric thread or fiber from a package to a manufacturing process. Furthermore, the present invention provides a method and apparatus for changing packages on a creel without interrupting the manufacturing process. In particular, the compact creel of the present invention provides for continuous operation of unwinding and fiber delivery by allowing a standby package to be loaded on the same mandrel as an active package that is presently being unwound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: INVISTA North America S.á rL.
    Inventors: Daniel J. Heaney, Dennis Hicks, Jon P. Graverson, Jeff Shackleton, Paul De Moel
  • Patent number: 7731120
    Abstract: A mandrel and the blank from which the mandrel is formed is constructed so as to enable shipment in flat form to a manufacturer of material, e.g., fabric, who, in turn, assembles the mandrel and uses such to wind material thereon to form a fabric bolt. The blank is easily and entirely set up by simple folding procedures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Inventor: John L. Robshaw
  • Patent number: 7731121
    Abstract: A rotorcraft having an enhanced configuration in which a simple wing and a propulsive anti-torque system are combined is disclosed. The propulsive anti-torque system includes an anti-torque thruster system in which a variable pitch fan is installed internal to the tail boom of the rotorcraft and an anti-torque thruster nozzle is mounted at the extremity of the tail boom. The fan is driven directly from the main rotor drive. The configuration and location of the fan allows the primary exhaust from the engine to be mixed with the compressed air flow from the fan. The mixed air flow from the fan and the engine passes through the tail boom and out the thruster nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Dudley E. Smith, Walter C. Joiner, Paul J. Madej, Charles L. Hollimon, Daniel B. Robertson
  • Patent number: 7731122
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for managing a steering control of an aircraft landing gear provided with at least one wheel steerable by the steering control, comprising the following steps: monitoring one or several taxi parameter(s) (51, 54, 64, 59, 61) of the aircraft to determine whether said aircraft enters a towing situation, setting the steering control in a free steering mode of the steerable wheel, if the aircraft enters the towing situation; activating the steering control so that the steerable wheel has an angular controlled steering by the steering control if the aircraft leaves said towing situation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Messier-Bugatti
    Inventor: David Frank
  • Patent number: 7731123
    Abstract: A contra-bevel driven control mechanism repositions a control surface in a fluid environment such as an aerodynamic or hydrodynamic environment. This involves mechanically coupling an airfoil and a control surface. The control surface may pivot about a spanwise axis between upwardly deflected and downwardly deflected positions. A forward beveled rotor mounted to the airfoil and an aft beveled rotor mounted to the control surface counter rotate. The forward beveled rotor rotates about a forward chordwise axis within the airfoil while the aft beveled rotor rotates about an aft chordwise axis within the control surface. The angular rotation between the forward beveled rotor and the aft beveled rotor deflects the aft beveled rotor and the aft chordwise axis within the control surface. Additionally, this method allows the control surface to be deflected with maximum mechanical advantage when the control surface is fully deflected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Kendall G. Young, Joseph A. Simon, Robert S. Cascella, Kevin D. Edge
  • Patent number: 7731124
    Abstract: In an aircraft having an aircraft landing gear, the aircraft landing gear includes an arm, a leg and a bogie at the lower end of the leg. The bogie is moveable in a direction along the length of the leg and pivotable between a trimmed deployed position and a stowable position. The arm is mounted on the landing gear and is rotatable between a first position in which the bogie is positioned in the trimmed deployed position, and a second position in which the bogie is positioned in the stowable position. Movement of the arm can be effected by a positioning rotary actuator, which is not located in the primary or secondary load paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Airbus Operations Limited
    Inventor: John William Griffin
  • Patent number: 7731125
    Abstract: Substantial reduction in aircraft stowage space can be achieved by stacking aircraft using minimal or no folding of parts of the aircraft. This results in reduced complexity and reduced cost compared to other aircraft compact stowage schemes including for example fully folding an aircraft. Landing gear variable height, length, or orientation can be used to orient all or a portion of the aircraft for stowage. Alternately or in combination with such orientation by landing gear, other portions of the aircraft including tilting rotors and tilting nacelles can be oriented to achieve a geometric configuration conducive to compact stowage. In preferred embodiments, aircraft are moved relative to each other so that a portion of one aircraft is offset relative to a corresponding portion of the other. In especially preferred configurations, a portion of the first aircraft will overlap or lie on top of without touching a portion of the second aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Inventor: Abe Karem
  • Patent number: 7731126
    Abstract: A passenger seat has autonomous electric power generated by a fuel cell system and humidification provided by the fuel cell system. The fuel cell system may include replaceable fuel cartridges and may power electronics such as in flight entertainment, lighting, comfort features, seat adjustments, communications and other features autonomously or under control of the seat occupant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Airbus Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Claus Hoffjann, Hansgeorg Schuldzig
  • Patent number: 7731127
    Abstract: A drain-mast connector, for use in transportation vehicles such as aircraft, includes an interface pipe which extends through an outer skin of a fuselage of an aircraft via a nipple-like connector. Such a connector allows for simple plug connection of the drain mast pipe and allows less contamination of the fuselage due to grey water disposal. Such a plug-like connection does not require a complicated mounting process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Airbus Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Claus Hoffjann, Holger Czopka, Harald Gruendel
  • Patent number: 7731128
    Abstract: The invention relates to a leading edge mobile flap (16) for a main wing of an aircraft, this flap including an aerodynamic skin (18) that has a bird impact-sensitive frontal area (24), and a rear skin (28) integral with the aerodynamic skin (18), the flap also comprising a plurality of ribs (34) spaced out along a leading edge longitudinal direction (X?). According to the invention, the flap additionally includes, between two directly consecutive ribs, a single rigid bird trajectory-deflecting wall (42) anchored to the skins (18, 28). Furthermore, in a cross-section taken along any plane orthogonal to the direction (X?), the wall (42) forms with a geometric chord (26) of the flap an angle (?1) with a value of less than 45°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Sonaca S.A.
    Inventors: Christian Overbergh, Michel Hautecoeur
  • Patent number: 7731129
    Abstract: Methods and systems for communicating with a vehicle are provided. The method includes providing a plurality of wayside control units controlling an area along a guideway to be traveled by the vehicle, the plurality of wayside control units including a database of fixed data defining an operational profile of the guideway in a local area of an associated wayside control unit. The method also includes monitoring dynamic data in the local area of the associated wayside control unit wherein the dynamic data includes at least one of guideway availability and signal status information and transmitting wirelessly an authority message including at least one of the fixed data and the dynamic data from the associated wayside unit to a receiver on board the vehicle, the authority message dynamic data being valid for a selectable one of a plurality of time periods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Craig Alan Stull, Stephen Harold Humphrey, John Zimmerman, Warren Burnett
  • Patent number: 7731130
    Abstract: This invention provides a spring loaded mounting mechanism for easily mounting and removing a loudspeaker housing within an opening in a surface. The mounting mechanism includes a shaft connected to the loudspeaker housing. Attached to the shaft is a spring actuated arm. The actuated arm is compressed inward toward the housing by the side walls of the surface surrounding the opening when the housing is being positioned within the opening. At a certain point when the housing is inserted far enough into the opening, the actuated arm will lose contact with the side walls of the surface surrounding the opening and will expand to its open position. In its open position, the arm is positioned just behind or against the back face of the surface surrounding the opening, locking the housing into the opening in the surface. The invention further allows for the spring actuated arm to be tightened against or moved away from the back face of the surface by adjusting the positioning of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: William Andrew Decanio, Paul Nelson Adley, Bernard Hawkins
  • Patent number: 7731131
    Abstract: The roof block is highly versatile in its applications, and includes recess-forming structure that segregates and cradles a multiplicity of transversely extending conduits and other elongate members; channel-forming and passage-defining structure that facilitates the assembly and stable support of threaded rods for the attachment of accessories; structure for securing, and facilitating affixation of, hold-down means for supported members; and elements that facilitate the unified, compact assembly of a multiplicity of like blocks. The roof block is of lightweight and strong construction, is convenient to use, and is practical and economical to manufacture in bulk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Dymotek, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas W. Trueb