Patents Issued in May 31, 2011
  • Patent number: 7950362
    Abstract: A variable valve lift apparatus includes an input cam disposed to a input shaft, a valve opening unit, a control shaft parallel to the input shaft, an input link rotatably coupled to the control shaft and contacting the input cam, a control link connected with the input link and eccentrically connected to the control shaft, a connecting link connected with the control link, and a lift arm that is rotatably coupled to the control shaft, is connected with the connecting link, and drives the valve opening unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Back Sik Kim, Ingee Suh, Dong Hee Han, Yooshin Cho, Wootae Kim, Chun Woo Lee, Hyung Ick Kim, Myungsik Choi, Dae Sung Kim, Kyoung Pyo Ha
  • Patent number: 7950363
    Abstract: An air inlet system for an internal combustion engine includes an air inlet duct for drawing charge air into a charge air processor, and an intake manifold system leading from the charge air processor to the power cylinders of the engine. A resonator which suppresses pressure pulses within the inlet duct is mounted to the intake manifold system, but fluidically connected to the air inlet duct, and not to the intake manifold system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies
    Inventors: David Currie, Ivan Lazich, John Jasso, Anthony William Hudson
  • Patent number: 7950364
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for a prechamber unit (10) of a gas engine, comprising a prechamber unit (10) in the form of an elongated body (12) arranged to be placed in an upper part of the engine's cylinder, and where the elongated body (12) comprises a prechamber gas valve (20) and an ignition means (22) arranged side by side, and one or more channels (24) for supply of fuel gas via the prechamber gas valve (20) to a prechamber (26) in a lower part of the elongated body (12). Said prechamber (26) comprises further in the axial direction, an elongated cavity (28) with nozzles (30) placed at the end for supply of ignited fuel gas to the engine's cylinder with the help of the ignition means (22). The elongated cavity (28) in the prechamber (26) is divided into several connected, and in cross-section, graduated or tapered cavities (28a, 28b, 28c), where an uppermost cavity (28a) is widest in the cross-sectional direction and a bottom cavity (28c) is narrowest in the cross-sectional direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Marine AS, Engines-Bergen
    Inventor: Lars Magne Nerheim
  • Patent number: 7950365
    Abstract: A control apparatus for an internal combustion engine includes an oil pressure regulating valve having a solenoid, a variable cam phase mechanism for changing a cam phase, and an ECU for controlling the oil pressure regulating valve. The ECU includes an actual cam phase detecting unit, a target cam phase setting unit, a feedback control unit, a coil temperature detecting unit, a circuit resistance calculating unit, and an integral term initial value calculating unit. When an integral term is initialized, the feedback control unit sets the holding output duty as the integral term.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Toru Tanaka, Shinji Watanabe, Tatsuhiko Takahashi, Masayoshi Ito
  • Patent number: 7950366
    Abstract: An engine control device includes a governor lever, a centrifugal governor, a control lever operated to oscillate between a low-speed position and a high-speed position, and a governor spring expandedly provided between the control lever and the governor lever. An automatic choke device is connected to a choke valve of a carburetor. A play is provided between the governor lever and the governor spring. The play holds the governor spring in a free state during rotation of the control lever from the low-speed position to the high-speed position by a predetermined angle. A subsidiary spring is provided between a fixed structure and the governor lever so as to constantly urge the governor lever in a direction to open the throttle valve. A spring constant of the subsidiary spring is smaller than that of the governor spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Arai, Takanori Sato, Ryuhei Tamamoto
  • Patent number: 7950367
    Abstract: To provide an accelerator position sensor arrangement structure for a motorcycle that can prevent an increased vehicle-width without change of operational feeling of a throttle. An accelerator position sensor is connected to a throttle grip via a pair of throttle cables and disposed externally of main frames, of a body frame, extending from a head pipe toward the rearward of a vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tomoya Yoshizawa
  • Patent number: 7950368
    Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle engine having a plurality of cylinders is provided. The method comprises: during engine idling, advancing spark timing of at least one cylinder to before a peak torque timing, and retarding spark timing from the advanced timing toward the peak torque timing in response to decreased engine speed to maintain idling speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Gopichandra Surnilla, Nate Trask
  • Patent number: 7950369
    Abstract: In a predetermined low-temperature startup state (in a rich atmosphere), in principle, over-advanced ignition control for advancing ignition timing beyond MBT and intake-synchronized injection control for causing the entire amount of to-be-injected fuel to undergo intake-synchronized injection are executed. Thus, the peak of intra-cylinder temperature increases, and the amount of port-adhering fuel decreases, whereby the emission amount of unburnt HC can be reduced. However, when the PM emission amount exceeds a PM permissible amount, instead of the intake-synchronized injection control, there is performed processing for causing a portion of the to-be-injected fuel to undergo intake-unsynchronized injection and causing the remaining fuel to undergo intake-synchronized injection. Thus, the amount of intra-cylinder-adhering fuel decreases, and the partial oxidation reaction of the intra-cylinder-adhering fuel, which is a cause of generation of PM, is suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koji Morita, Yusuke Nakayama
  • Patent number: 7950370
    Abstract: A high pressure common rail fuel system is provided including a fuel supply, a high pressure pump assembly fluidly connected to receive fuel from the fuel supply, and a gas supply system fluidly connected to provide gas to the high pressure pump assembly to create a high pressure gas fuel mixture. A common rail fuel system is fluidly connected to the high pressure pump assembly to receive the high pressure gas fuel mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Lucas, Lars Tegnelius, Donald J. Benson
  • Patent number: 7950371
    Abstract: A control system includes a fuel pump control module and a diagnostic module. The fuel pump control module controls a fuel pump to provide fuel to a fuel rail. The diagnostic module controls the fuel pump control module to provide a predetermined amount of fuel to the fuel rail, determines an estimated pressure increase within the fuel rail based on the predetermined amount of fuel, and compares an actual pressure increase within the fuel rail to the estimated pressure increase. The fuel pump control module selectively controls the fuel pump based on the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Cinpinski, Byungho Lee
  • Patent number: 7950372
    Abstract: A fuel system that supplies fuel to an engine of a vehicle. The fuel system includes a pump that pumps fuel and a controller that selectively changes operation of the pump between an electronic returnless fuel system mode and a mechanical returnless fuel system mode. In the electronic returnless fuel system mode, the outlet of the pump is varied, and in the mechanical returnless fuel system mode, output of the pump is maintained approximately constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: DENSO International America, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick Powell
  • Patent number: 7950373
    Abstract: A check valve for use with a pump is disclosed. The check valve may have a body at least partially defining a central bore with an open end and a closed end, and a spring guide separate from the body and disposed within the closed end of the central bore. The check valve may also have a spring located within the central bore and having a first end operatively engaged with the spring guide, and a valve element operatively engaged with a second end of the spring and being movable by a pressure differential to compress the spring. The spring guide may be moveable relative to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory W. Hefler, Michael C. Long, Senthilkumar Rajagopalan, Donald A. Fuller
  • Patent number: 7950374
    Abstract: A device for supplying fuel from an onboard energy producing installation on a ship transporting liquefied gas from at least one tank (2) of liquefied gas of said ship, comprising a pump (20) arranged in the bottom of the tank and a reservoir (23) arranged in the tank around the pump and designed to maintain a suction of the pump in a submerged state, characterized in that it comprises a liquid ejector (12) arranged in the tank so as to be able to suction the liquefied gas at the bottom of the tank, and a liquid circuit (21, 22, 24, 250) connecting an outlet of the pump to an inlet of the ejector, on one hand, and an outlet of the ejector to the reservoir, on the other hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Gaztransport et Technigaz
    Inventors: Laurent Spittael, Camille Hypousteguy, Yann Xitra
  • Patent number: 7950375
    Abstract: A control system comprising a detection module that detects at least one of a vehicle speed and an engine speed and a canister vent valve control module that selectively modulates the canister vent valve based on at least one of the vehicle speed and the engine speed. A method comprising detecting at least one of a vehicle speed and an engine speed and selectively modulating a canister vent valve based on at least one of the vehicle speed and the engine speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Inventors: Zhong Wang, Tony T. Hoang, Lan Wang, Gary L. Rogers, Scott A. Kegebein, William R. Cadman
  • Patent number: 7950376
    Abstract: A device for distributing recirculated gases to a component of an exhaust gas recirculation system. The device includes an inlet and an outlet for recirculated gases, an inlet port and an outlet port to the component, and a mechanism to reverse the stream of recirculated gases flowing through the component. A device for cooling recirculated exhaust gases is equipped with a mechanism to reverse the stream of recirculated gases inside the exchanger. A method of recirculating exhaust gases includes cleaning the EGR system, which is triggered by an electronic unit, and which includes reversing the stream of EGR gases flowing through an EGR cooling device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Renault s.a.s.
    Inventor: Bernard Rollet
  • Patent number: 7950377
    Abstract: A valve having a valve body with an inlet port and an outlet port and a valve disposed between the inlet port and outlet port. A sensor is operably associated with the valve and the valve body, and measures a characteristic in proximity to the valve. The sensor communicates information regarding said characteristic to a control unit that sends position commands to said valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: BorgWarner, Inc.
    Inventors: Murray Busato, Aaron Feiner
  • Patent number: 7950378
    Abstract: A glow plug control unit is provided that includes a first switch for connecting power supply lines to a glow plug. The glow plug control unit further includes a voltage measurement unit for measuring the voltage at the power supply lines. A current measurement unit is built for measuring the current through the first switch and a control circuit is built for controlling the first switch and, in a current control mode, for regulating the current through the first switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Paolo Casasso, Stefano Cassani, Angelo Argento, Filippo Parisi, Andrei Kanev
  • Patent number: 7950379
    Abstract: An apparatus for moving a mass, the apparatus having an arcuate track, a clamping member attached to a section of the arcuate track, an arm assembly pivotably connected to the clamping member, and a counterweight connected to the arm assembly. A projectile for use in a mass accelerator having an arcuate track, the projectile having a core and at least one of a low-friction layer, a propellant layer, and a polycarbonate layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Advanced Launch Corporation
    Inventor: Derek A. Tidman
  • Patent number: 7950380
    Abstract: A paint ball gun trigger for easy of replacement and orientation change is disclosed, which includes a lower trigger body, an upper trigger body, and an orientation-setting unit. The lower trigger body includes at the top a lower-and-upper body connecting piece, which further includes a screw hole and a positioning hole communicating with said screw hole. The upper trigger body includes at the bottom a lower-and-upper body connecting chamber, and at the lateral side a stabilizing hole communicating with the lower-and-upper body connecting chamber. The orientation-setting unit includes a setting piece, a blocking piece, an elastic element, and an adjusting screw, each of which is assembled in order by screwing into the screw hole of the lower trigger body for orientation change of the lower trigger body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Sunworld Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hsin Cheng Yeh
  • Patent number: 7950381
    Abstract: A magazine has a magazine body provided with a rotary clip, and the magazine body comprises an ejector member capable of movement, an ejector elastic member provided on the ejector member and being capable of expansion and contraction, and an engagement indent section capable of being engaged with a magazine catch at the time of loading the magazine into the air gun body, and the air gun body has a magazine ejector structure with the magazine catch that is urged by a catch elastic member to the magazine holding section and capable of engaging with the engagement indent section of the magazine, and a stopper that is capable of pressing part of the ejector member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Maruzen Company Limited
    Inventor: Tetsuo Maeda
  • Patent number: 7950382
    Abstract: An air gun includes a retainer pivotably connected inside the air gun and having a bullet abutment part that pivots into and out of a bullet-receiving chamber. The retainer is resiliently biased to pivot in a forward direction so that the bullet abutment part is urged into the bullet-receiving chamber. In a trigger rest position, a hollow inner barrel prevents a bullet and the bullet abutment part from entering into the bullet-receiving chamber. Upon pulling the trigger, the inner barrel moves in a forward direction to permit the bullet and the bullet abutment part to enter the bullet-receiving chamber where the bullet abutment part contacts and retains the bullet therein. Upon pulling the trigger further, the inner barrel moves in a rearward direction to capture the bullet therein while causing the retainer to pivot in the rearward direction to thereby move the bullet abutment part out of the bullet-receiving chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Maruzen Company Limited
    Inventor: Tetsuo Maeda
  • Patent number: 7950383
    Abstract: A kitchen range subframe includes air channels for passively directing air to and/or from an element enclosure within the kitchen range, and a range component shelf that is configured to mount one or more range components to the kitchen range subframe. The kitchen range subframe provides improved ventilation for the kitchen range, and mounting locations for range components such as gas lines and kitchen range controls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald G. Brant, Adam Clark, James Marler
  • Patent number: 7950384
    Abstract: Cooking appliance having an external and control panel equipped with one or more regulating valves, where the rotary regulator organ is equipped with various peripheral openings for supplying a flow Q. According to two embodiments of the cooking appliance, for the supply of one or another type of gas, NG or LPG, either the control knob or a bezel disk in the external panel are interchangeable on the appliance, being chosen between two different available units, one and the other permitting two different angular position limits A2, A3 of the regulator organ for the supply of a constant flow Qmin through one or another opening with calibrated sections, respectively for NG or LP gas. An appendix in the control knob guided in a slide groove on the control panel of the appliance, or a tongue on the bezel disk stopping the rotation of the control knob, determines the travel limit A2 for the supply of Qmin of NG.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Coprecitec, S.L.
    Inventor: Iñigo Albizuri
  • Patent number: 7950385
    Abstract: A disposable warmer of the present invention has a bag including a bag member (A) and a bag member (B); a heater; a heat-sealed portion where the bag member (A) and the bag member (B) are heat-sealed; and a portion with the heater sealed therein. The bag members (A) and (B) are heat-sealed with each other to form the bag, the bag member (A) includes at least a layered structure with a porous film and a nonwoven fabric layer, and the bag member (B) includes at least another layered structure with a stretchable film and another nonwoven fabric layer. The disposable warmer comprises two or more of the portions with the heaters sealed therein independently, and a slit in at least the porous film constituting the bag member (A) of the bag members (A) and (B) in at least one region between the adjacent portions with the heaters sealed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Nitto Lifetec Corporation
    Inventors: Kaori Ohnishi, Katsumi Hori
  • Patent number: 7950386
    Abstract: A reflector element carrier structure is disclosed for use in a solar energy reflector system. The structure comprises a reflector element (11), a corrugated platform (12) which carries the reflector element and a skeletal frame structure (13) which supports the platform. The frame structure comprises hoop-like end members (14) that are supported by rollers (18) and the rollers accommodate turning of the carrier structure about an axis of rotation that lies substantially coincident with a longitudinal axis of the reflector element (11). The combination of the corrugated platform (12), the frame structure (13) and the hoop-like end members (14) of the frame structure provide the carrier structure with a torsional stability that permits the application of turning drive from one end of the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Areva Solar Pty Limited
    Inventor: Peter Le Lievre
  • Patent number: 7950387
    Abstract: Examples and variations of apparatus and Methods for concentrating solar radiation are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Sopogy, Inc.
    Inventors: Darren T. Kimura, Susanne M. Spiessberger, Kip H. Dopp
  • Patent number: 7950388
    Abstract: A nebuliser and a container in each case with an aeration device are proposed, the aeration device being designed for the direct aeration of a liquid space in the container. The container comprises a rigid, gas-tight outer case and a closure, which is opened by connecting or inserting a delivery element. A long storage life and long service life with low loss of fluid or solvent are thereby provided in the form of a simple and inexpensive construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH
    Inventors: Hubert Kunze, Matthias Hausmann, Jens Besseler, Carsten Henning, Heinrich Kladders, Florian Witte, Johannes Geser, Markus Mast, Antonino Lanci, Christoph Dworzak, Elmar Mock
  • Patent number: 7950389
    Abstract: An inhaler (1) is disclosed. It comprises a housing (2) to receive a strip (6) of blisters (6a) each having a puncturable lid (6c) and containing a dose of medicament for inhalation by a user, a mouthpiece through which a dose of medicament is inhaled by a user and, an actuator (3) operable to sequentially move each blister into alignment with a blister piercing member (7, 9). The actuator is also operable to cause the blister piercing element to puncture the lid of a blister such that, when a user inhales through the mouthpiece, an airflow through the blister is generated to entrain the dose contained therein and carry it but of the blister and via the mouthpiece into the user's airway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Vectura Delivery Devices Limited
    Inventors: Stephen William Eason, Roger William Clarke, Quentin Harmer, Peter Alan Evans, David Gregory Ahern
  • Patent number: 7950390
    Abstract: A blister pack for use with inhalation therapy inhalers comprises an elongate bottom element having an overlying top element defining a plurality of spaced top crowned areas containing powder or liquid medications or drugs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Microdose Therapeutx, Inc.
    Inventor: Anand V. Gumaste
  • Patent number: 7950391
    Abstract: A dispenser for a liquid or pulverulent, in particular a pharmaceutical medium with a medium reservoir, is provided for single-handed operation. The dispenser includes a dosing opening and is bounded in some sections by wall sections of flexible design, and by a dimensionally stable holding plate, which is provided as a handle for the application of actuating forces to the medium reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Ing. Erich Pfeiffer GmbH
    Inventor: Karl-Heinz Fuchs
  • Patent number: 7950392
    Abstract: A cushion includes a substantially triangularly shaped frame from which extends a membrane. The frame has a scalloped edge by which the cushion is affixed to a mask body. The membrane has an aperture into which the wearer's nose is received. The membrane is spaced away from the rim of the frame. The wearer's nose is received through the aperture into the chamber within the mask body. The shape of the seal forming portion is particularly suited to effectively seal the difficult region of the facial contour that is the crease between the sides of the nose and the face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: ResMed Limited
    Inventors: Philip Rodney Kwok, Robert Edward Styles
  • Patent number: 7950393
    Abstract: An inflatable balloon cuff associated with a tracheal tube may be adapted to filter microbial secretions and reduce their passage into the lungs. A cuff as provided may include a cross-linked polymeric structure that may serve to exclude certain secretions on the basis of size. The polymeric structure may be incorporated onto all or part of the surface of the inflatable balloon cuff.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Nellcor Puritan Bennett LLC
    Inventors: Joel C. Colburn, Donald S. Nelson, Paul W. Martens
  • Patent number: 7950394
    Abstract: A self-customizable dental appliance adapted to lie within the mouth of a person with a connecting arch or a u-shaped style base with upstanding labial and lingual walls. The appliance is formed of a semi-crystalline polypropylene alpha-olefin copolymer containing stereoregular polymerized units of identical tacticity. In one embodiment, the appliance is formed of elastomeric propylene-ethylene copolymers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Inventors: Monroe Elkin, Manese Rabeony
  • Patent number: 7950395
    Abstract: A mechanical restraining system for use in situations where it is desirable to restrain a detainee, such as a prisoner, psychiatric patient or accused criminal defendant, while minimizing the ability of the public or certain courtroom participants to readily observe that the detainee has been placed in or is being held by some type of restraining device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Inventor: Lewis R. Edgell
  • Patent number: 7950396
    Abstract: The present invention presents devices, kits, systems and methods that can be used to otitis externa. For example, a method of present invention includes applying a photosensitizing composition to treatment site within ear cavity where microbes causing otitis externa are located; inserting at least a portion of a light delivery device into the cavity; and applying light to the treatment site at a wavelength absorbed by the photosensitizing composition so as to inhibit or eliminate the microbes and/or to reduce inflammation at the treatment site but without causing physiological damage to host tissue within the ear cavity; wherein the light is delivered by the light delivery device to the treatment site and the light delivery device is in light communication with a light source via a waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Ondine International Holdings Ltd.
    Inventors: Andreas Rose, Nicholas G. Loebel, Cale Street, Roger Andersen
  • Patent number: 7950397
    Abstract: A cardiac ablation method including the following steps: inserting a treatment catheter into an atrium of a heart, the treatment catheter including an ultrasound emitter; positioning the ultrasound emitter to face heart tissue within the left atrium outside of a pulmonary vein; emitting ultrasound energy from the ultrasound emitter while rotating the ultrasound emitter about a rotation axis; and ablating heart tissue with the ultrasound energy to form a lesion outside of a pulmonary vein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: VytronUS, Inc.
    Inventors: Hira V. Thapliyal, David A. Gallup, James W. Arenson
  • Patent number: 7950398
    Abstract: A method and device for modifying optical system properties by means of a continuously multifocal profile, wherein said profile comprises a component for increasing the optical system focal depth and is calculated according to a fourth-order Zernike polynom. The aim of said invention is to avoid the eye base refraction and, for this purpose, said focal depth increasing component is also calculated according to the second-order Zernike polynom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventors: Eckhard Schroeder, Matthias Wottke, Rudolf von Buenau
  • Patent number: 7950399
    Abstract: A pouched non-tobacco product includes a lined pouch material of a web and a water-soluble liner adjacent the web and a non-tobacco flavorful component contained within the lined pouch material. The water-soluble liner is interposed between the web and the non-tobacco flavorful component. The liner preferably reduces staining of the web by the non-tobacco flavorful component. Additionally, the liner may include a flavorant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Warren D. Winterson, Timothy D Cochran, Tommy C. Holland, Karen M. Torrence, Steve Rinehart, G. Robert Scott
  • Patent number: 7950400
    Abstract: A smoking article composition and a method of making a smoking article composition and an additive, wherein the additive comprises particles anchored to the cut filler by a metal oxide support. The additive can be formed by combining particles and a metal oxide precursor solution with the smoking article composition. The smoking article composition can comprise tobacco cut filler, cigarette paper and/or cigarette filter material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Shahryar Rabiei, Firooz Rasouli, Mohammad R. Hajaligol
  • Patent number: 7950401
    Abstract: A hair holding device including hingedly connected first and second body members each including hair gripping portions adapted to be squeezed by a user whereby the hair gripping portions come into contact with gathered strands of a user's hair. The device further includes a friction-type adjustment mechanism coaxially arranged with respect to the hinge for causing the hair gripping portions to remain at a point at which the hair gripping portions are squeezed together by a user. Optionally, the device may include squeezable release handles or other release mechanism, as well as a torsion spring for biasing the hair gripping portions into either an open or a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Inventors: Bruce A. Rogers, David Livingston
  • Patent number: 7950402
    Abstract: An applicator system for applying eye shadow is provided that includes flexible body, which may be a bundle of bristles, having a proximal end secured to a handle, and a distal end having a concave shape that is substantially complementary to a portion of a closed eye lid. The concave shape is asymmetrical so that one end of the bristle bundle extends farther out than the other end to facilitate the application of make-up under the brow region and in the corners of the eye area. Eye make-up is preferably applied to the concave brush by a convex-shaped pad of eye shadow in the shape of a cylindrical section having a convex profile that is complementary in shape to the concave profile of the distal end of the bristle bundle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Inventor: Christina M. Cole
  • Patent number: 7950403
    Abstract: A method of clearing a pipe of contents with an air system. The method may include providing air by the air system at high pressure and low velocity until the contents begin to move within the pipe, providing air by the air system air at low pressure and high velocity until a majority of the contents are removed from the pipe, and continuing to provide air at low pressure and high velocity until substantially all remaining contents are removed from the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
    Inventors: Remi Lafon, Alexis Pierrot, Jean-luc Combal
  • Patent number: 7950404
    Abstract: A method of removing a surface material from a resin product including: coarsely crushing the resin product having a resin substrate and the surface material formed thereon by coating or adhesive bonding, introducing the coarsely crushed product into a cylinder, and transporting the coarsely crushed product in the cylinder while bringing the product into contact with heated steam and stirring the product by a rotor having a protruding bar, to peel the surface material from the product. The heat of the heated steam and the rubbing heat by the stirring reduce the bonding strength between the surface material and the resin substrate to easily peel the surface material from the product by rubbing the product with each other. Thus, the removal of the surface material formed on a surface of a resin substrate by coating or adhesive bonding can be achieved with enhanced efficiency, environment safety and processing capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroshi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 7950405
    Abstract: The invention is an Enhanced Patient Mobility Apparatus for use by ambulatory or recovering patients. The Enhanced Mobility Apparatus is fabricated from sturdy tubular material and has a lower U-shaped base frame member mounted on casters with an upwardly extending mid frame member and two vertical supports attached thereto and each also attached at its lower extremity to the lower U-shaped base frame member. The U-shaped base frame member, the mid frame member and the two vertical supports define a walking space for the patient with provision for the possibility of the patient also being able to move about with oxygen tanks, a patient intravenous drip apparatus and other medical devices and apparatus which must be transported by an ambulatory patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Inventors: David B Turner, Ralph Myers
  • Patent number: 7950406
    Abstract: The invention relates generally to a covering system for athletic courses. A movable framework straddles the athletic course and serves as a support for a cover. Inside, lighting and climate may be controlled. Also, possibly as a training aid or to facilitate competitive events, a timing system and/or PA system may be incorporated. Among the possible athletic courses suitable for covering are running courses, in-line skating courses, cycling courses, etc. The invention also includes a method of operating an outdoor exercise course.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: First Principles, Inc.
    Inventor: Keith A. Raniere
  • Patent number: 7950407
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for supplying greater fluid flow and/or fluid volume from a fluid provided from a facility source to a substrate processing chamber is provided. The apparatus couples to an existing facility fluid source and accumulates the fluid, and the flow characteristics of the accumulated fluid are enhanced for delivery to the processing chamber. The apparatus includes a tank in fluid communication with the facility source and one or more processing chambers, and a valve disposed between the tank and the processing chambers adapted to receive a signal from a controller to facilitate filling or draining of the tank. The apparatus and method affects cost of ownership by altering the pressure and/or volume of the existing facility source without the need to alter the facility source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Victor Burton Mimken, Robert Tolles
  • Patent number: 7950408
    Abstract: A pressure relief device is disclosed that is designed to open in response to a pre-determined pressure differential. The pressure relief device includes a panel member, and at least one release mechanism. The release mechanism has a first end, a failure portion configured to fail upon experiencing a predetermined load, and a second end. The at least one release mechanism is configured to hold the panel member against a frame prior to experiencing the predetermined pressure differential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: BS&B Safety Systems Limited
    Inventors: Steven Farwell, Niall Smith, Geof Brazier
  • Patent number: 7950409
    Abstract: An activation rupture disc unit is provided that is capable of withstanding a substantially higher back pressure than its burst activation pressure. The unit includes a tubular housing having a fluid passage. Tapered wall structure defines at least a portion of the passage with the fluid outlet thereof being of greater area than the fluid inlet. A rupture disc is carried by the housing and has a central bulged section in fluid-blocking relationship to the passage. A tapered, self-releasing solid plug is positioned in and conforms to the tapered portion of the passage. The plug has a curved surface conforming to and positioned in full supporting relationship to the central section of the rupture disc. The plug is of sufficient mass to prevent rupture of the central section of the disc under a back pressure substantially greater than the activation pressure of the disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Fike Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Stokes, Donald R. Hibler, Jr., Eddie R. Malcolm
  • Patent number: 7950410
    Abstract: A gate valve includes a valve body having a cylindrical passage defining a flow path through the valve, a gate for controlling fluid flow through the valve and a replaceable wear-resistant flow-path liner for in the flow path. The flow-path liner includes a plurality of replaceable wear-resistant inserts, including wear sleeves lining ports of the valve body, valve seats and a gate insert for a flow path bore through the gate. Each replaceable valve seat has a wiper ring for cleaning the gate when it opens and closes. By regularly inspecting and replacing worn-out inserts, the service life of the gate valve can be prolonged and the expense associated with replacing or rebuilding the valve body is avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Stinger Wellhead Protection, Inc.
    Inventors: Bob McGuire, L. Murray Dallas
  • Patent number: 7950411
    Abstract: A pipe branching arrangement, in particular for a tank farm system, comprises an at least approximately vertically extending hollow body which has at least one lateral connector, further comprising at least one mixproof valve which sits on the connector and produces a closable connection between the hollow body and at least one pipeline. The valve has two closing members, between which there is a leakage space which has a leakage outlet opening, the leakage space having a circumferential wall which extends from an inlet on the connector side to the leakage outlet opening on the outlet side, which is at a distance from the inlet. The circumferential wall has a decline on the gravitational force side of the leakage space in direction to the leakage outlet opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Südmo Holding GmbH
    Inventor: Stephan Thomaschki