Patents Issued in August 9, 2011
  • Patent number: 7992683
    Abstract: The multipurpose sawhorse end frame has a top section defining center and lateral slots for receiving 2?×4? beams and central slots for 2?×12? planks, a central section with center slots for receiving 2?×4? beams and lateral support bars for supporting 2?×12? planks, and a bottom section having feet for supporting the frame. A plurality of diagonal braces maintain rigidity of the end frame and provide the end frame with structural strength. Two or more end frames may be configured as a sawhorse, a scaffold, a workbench, a table, or other temporary construction accessory using scrap lumber and without fasteners. The multipurpose sawhorse end frame may be made from lightweight aluminum or other suitable material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Inventor: Kenneth S. Stephens
  • Patent number: 7992684
    Abstract: The invention relates to an escalator or moving walkway that includes a drive shaft rotating at a relatively low peripheral speed around a horizontal axis and at least one sealing element associated with the drive shaft. Lubricant is supplied to the drive shaft and can escape from leakages at the one sealing element. A device is provided for a permanent recirculation of the lubricant escaping from the leakages. The device includes at least one conveyor element arranged downstream of the sealing element, seen in the direction of the leakage, and at least one recirculation element for the lubricant. The recirculation element cooperates with the conveyor element to return the lubricant into a region upstream of the at least one sealing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Kone Corporation
    Inventor: Alfred Thiel
  • Patent number: 7992685
    Abstract: A cable is installed in a duct by means of blowing (and, optionally, synergetic pushing) and lubricating the cable during field installation. Lubricating the cable is done after the cable exits from the cable blowing equipment and hence takes place in a pressurized airflow passage. Lubricant supplied from an external reservoir drains into a pressurized lubricator space through which the cable moves. Foam-plugs seal the entrance and the exit of the lubricator space. The cable is wetted by the lubricant as it moves through the lubricator space, and excess lubricant is wiped by the foam plug, leaving only a thin film of lubricant on the cable as it moves out of the lubricator. In one embodiment, the lubricator is fitted with a single wiping member in the form of an annular plug of open cell foam material, and the cable passes through laterally opposite sections of the annular plug. The lubricator housing is formed in mating sections, and the internal lubricator is also formed in mating sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Draka Comteq B.V.
    Inventors: Willem Griffioen, Cornelis van't Hul, Willem Greven, Patrick Menno Versteeg, Maja Keijzer
  • Patent number: 7992686
    Abstract: A method for counting the pallets or loads moved by a lift truck using internal sensors is disclosed. The lift truck includes a weight sensor for weighing a load, a height sensor, for measuring a height of the forks, and a distance sensor for determining whether the vehicle has moved. When the data from each of these sensors exceeds a corresponding minimum value, a vehicle control system increments a pallet counter. A count of the number of pallets moved is therefore maintained without the need for tracking specific pallets of for adding expensive components and devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: The Raymond Corporation
    Inventor: Paul Patrick McCabe
  • Patent number: 7992687
    Abstract: A door device for an elevator is provided with an elevator door for opening/closing a doorway through which an interior of a car communicates with a landing, a distance sensor for continuously detecting a distance from the doorway to a passenger at the landing, a processing device for obtaining a door control command corresponding to information from the distance sensor, and a door control device for controlling a movement of the elevator door based on the door control command from the processing device. Thus, the elevator door can be moved in accordance with the movement of the passenger. Accordingly, the passenger is allowed to board the car more reliably, and a running efficiency of the elevator can be enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Yumura, Takaharu Ueda
  • Patent number: 7992688
    Abstract: A door device for an elevator includes an elevator door, first and second door drive devices having first and second rotating shafts, respectively, a power transmission mechanism that moves the elevator door according to rotation of the first and second rotating shafts, and a door control device that controls movement of the elevator door. The door control device includes a first processing device that performs first arithmetic processing for controlling the first door drive device, a second processing device that performs second arithmetic processing for controlling the second door drive device, and an information transmitting unit for information transmission between the first and second processing devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Kenji Utsunomiya, Masayuki Sugahara, Naotoshi Ito
  • Patent number: 7992689
    Abstract: A determination of the loading state of an elevator system and also a method for determining the loading state of an elevator system is described. The elevator system includes an elevator car and also a motor drive for moving the elevator car. The loading state of the elevator system is determined on the basis of the position deviation of the elevator motor that occurs during the determination of the loading state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Kone Corporation
    Inventors: Lauri Stolt, Tuukka Kauppinen
  • Patent number: 7992690
    Abstract: The present invention describes a device for locking a lever of a motor vehicle. The device permits an operator to quickly lock the lever in an engaged position and unlock the lever from the engaged position. The device may be used even when the manual dexterity of the operator is limited by protective equipment. The device includes a pin and spring. The pin passes through aligned holes in the flange and lever. Releasing the lever exerts a lateral force on the pin, thereby preventing the pin from lifting from the lever hole and locking the lever in the engaged position. The spring lifts the pin from the locked position when the lateral force is reduced. The device may be used on a brake or clutch lever of a motorcycle, thereby permitting the operator to have at least one free hand at a stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Inventor: James William Cross
  • Patent number: 7992691
    Abstract: A parking brake having an actuator, wherein the actuator is driven with a direct current motor which can be operated in two directions and which moves a piston of the actuator and, via a self-locking gear mechanism of the actuator, at least one brake shoe for applying or releasing the parking brake. A control unit for performing open-loop or closed-loop control of the movement of the direct current motor is also provided. During open-loop or closed-loop control of the movement of the direct current motor for applying and/or releasing the parking brake, the control unit takes into account a hydraulic admission pressure which is currently present at the piston if the brake is applied or was present at the piston if the brake has been released when it had previously been applied. A corresponding method for operating such a parking brake is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. oHG
    Inventors: Christof Maron, Marcus Schumann, Faouzi Attallah, Heinz-Anton Schneider
  • Patent number: 7992692
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a cylinder which has hollow portion therein; a piston rod which is inserted through an upper side of the cylinder and has a groove pattern having plurality of convex portions and concave portions which are alternately formed; a piston valve which is connected with a lower end of the piston rod so as to be reciprocated in the cylinder and has a fluid passing hole which is formed in an up and down direction; a rod guide which closes up an upper end of the cylinder tightly and guides an up-down movement of the piston rod and which has a through-hole at a side portion thereof; and a sensor module which is installed to the rod guide so as to detect a movement of the piston rod by using a variation in magnetic field generated when the piston rod is moved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: S & T Daewoo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dong-Rak Lee, Jae-Woo Park, Min-Ho Chin, Chang-do Huh
  • Patent number: 7992693
    Abstract: Presented is a vibration damper that includes an outer cylinder with a lateral surface, a pin-shaped fastening element that includes a stop surface, and a mounting coupled to the lateral surface. The mounting defines a through-hole that is configured to receive the pin-shaped fastening element and extends circumferentially with respect to the lateral surface. The mounting includes a formation that extends in a radial direction with respect to the cylinder. The formation cooperates with the outer cylinder to form a socket for the stop surface. The stop surface rests against the mounting in an axial direction of the pin-shaped fastening element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Christian Böttger, Josef Renn, Jörg Pagel, Klaus Stretz
  • Patent number: 7992694
    Abstract: A method and a sealing system for sealing the space between a piston and the hub of a torque converter lockup clutch is provided. According to the method and the sealing system, the seal is pretensioned with its cylindrical surface facing the piston bore. In an embodiment of the invention, the first seal is fastened by a second seal. The invention allows minimization of oil leakage flow and at the same time to linearize its dependency on the differential pressure. Spontaneous sealing may be reduced, thereby directly correlating the contact pressure of the piston—and thus the torque of the torque converter lockup clutch—with differential pressure and eventually allowing for smoother travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Thorsten Krause, Dominique Engelmann
  • Patent number: 7992695
    Abstract: A selectable one-way clutch (SOWC) assembly uses hydraulic-actuation to select operating modes within a rotating housing. Two races of the SOWC assembly can rotate at disparate speeds, i.e., one race is not grounded prior to actuation. The SOWC assembly has a pair of races keyed to different housings and hubs. The housing and hub can be attached to different elements of a gear train, for example, which can be rotating during the various gear states. A hydraulic actuator or multiple actuators can be keyed to the housing, with axial motion of the actuator or actuators selecting a state or operating mode of the SOWC assembly. The actuator has axially-extending tabs that engage radially-extending fingers of the selector plate, thus rotating the selector plate in different directions when applied or released. Multiple actuators can be used in conjunction with multiple selector plates to provide additional SOWC operating modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Scott H. Wittkopp, James B. Borgerson, Donald L. Dusenberry, James M. Hart, Farzad Samie, Alexander Millerman, Chunhao J. Lee
  • Patent number: 7992696
    Abstract: Construction machine, with working drum mounted at a machine frame, combustion engine for driving the working drum, drive train between the combustion engine and the working drum, and clutch in the drive train, where the clutch is arranged between a drive shaft and output shaft of the drive train, clutch elements on drive side capable of being engaged with clutch elements on output side, where clutch elements on the drive side or on output side are provided with several clutch part elements that are permanently engaged with one another via at least one mechanical coupling, it is provided that a braking device acting between the drive shaft and the output shaft is arranged at the clutch, said braking device being additionally engaged during engagement of the clutch in order to eliminate or reduce any rotary vibrations caused by play of mechanical coupling between clutch part elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Wirtgen GmbH
    Inventors: Axel Mahlberg, Lothar Schwalbach, Günter Hähn
  • Patent number: 7992697
    Abstract: The invention relates to a friction device for a clutch, particularly of a motor vehicle. The inventive friction device comprises first and second axially-spaced coaxial friction lining members which are defined by opposing friction faces. The device also comprises means for linking the two friction lining members which are solidly connected to one another. The first friction lining member is essentially ring shaped. The aforementioned linking means comprise linking tongue elements which are each equipped with a first end for solidly connecting to an inner edge of the first friction lining member and a second end for solidly connecting to the second friction lining member. Moreover, a deviation angle is provided between said first and second connecting ends, which can vary according to the axial spacing of the two friction lining member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Valeo Materiaux de Friction Societe Par Actions Simplifiee
    Inventors: Géraud Vatin, Philippe Pineda, Pierre Dumas, Valérie Tessier
  • Patent number: 7992698
    Abstract: A system is provided for preventing gear hopout in a tooth clutch in a vehicle transmission, the tooth clutch including an engaging sleeve having sleeve clutch teeth. The tangent function for at least one of driving back-taper angle and braking back-taper angle is larger than the average value of clutch coefficient of friction and spline coefficient of friction multiplied by the sum of unity and the ratio of clutch teeth pitch diameter and spline teeth pitch diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB
    Inventors: Anders Hedman, Hans Erhard, Bengt Karlsson
  • Patent number: 7992699
    Abstract: A cash recycling machine (10) has an input hopper (19) for feeding batches of mixed coinage to a coin sorter (21) for sorting, counting and directing coins into a plurality of bulk coin storage receptacles (31, 32, 33, 34). From there, the coins are fed into a plurality of smaller dispensing hoppers (46, 47, 48, 49) equipped with sensors (88) for counting the coinage as it is dispensed. A controller (80) is responsive to inputs from a user in a first operating cycle of the machine to cause the dispensing hoppers (46, 47, 48, 49) to dispense an amount of sorted coinage into one of several receptacles including a cash drawer (15) or coin bags (40). A controller (80) is responsive to inputs from a user in a second operating cycle of the machine to receive, sort and count a batch of coins that is loaded into the input hopper (19) and stored in the bulk coin storage receptacles (31, 32, 33, 34).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Talaris Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas P. Adams, Robert E. Gunst, Robert L. Zwieg, Robert F. Fredrick, Joseph P. Hanus, Jon R. Stieber
  • Patent number: 7992700
    Abstract: A device for transferring elongate food products, comprising: a carrier with a carrying surface for supporting a row of elongate food products, and a displaceable transfer means positioned at least partially above the carrier and provided with at least one contact surface for urging at least one elongate food product from the carrier. Also a method for transferring at least one elongate food product supplied on the carrying surface of a carrier is presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Stork Townsend B.V.
    Inventors: Paulus Johanus Maria Thoonsen, Wilhelmus Johannes Everardus Maria Van Den Dungen
  • Patent number: 7992701
    Abstract: A conveyor system aligner, method of aligning and continuous aligning belt includes providing a belt support assembly having a generally vertical support surface and a channel defined in the support surface. A belt drive propels the aligning belt along the support surface and items, such as cartons, are conveyed past the aligning belt. A continuous aligning belt is provided that has a contact portion and a guide member. The contact portion has a contact surface and a glide surface. The glide surface is configured to travel along the support surface. The guide member is adapted to be captured by the channel and travels in the channel to support the aligning belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Dematic Corp.
    Inventor: Stephen C. Wolf
  • Patent number: 7992702
    Abstract: An apparatus for transporting a container between stations, for example, from a rotary machine to a conveyor is provided having a rotary apparatus having a plurality of grippers constructed and arranged to receive and retain containers, a mechanism for rotating the grippers by about 90°. For example, the containers can be in a vertical position when received by the grippers and in a horizontal position when released by the grippers. A method for transporting a container between stations is provided. For example, the method can include receiving and retaining containers proximate a rotary machine and rotating the container to by about 90° proximate a conveyor and releasing the container to fall by gravity onto the conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: WILD Parma S.r.l.
    Inventors: Filippo Furlotti, Renato Le Brun
  • Patent number: 7992703
    Abstract: A method according to the present invention includes providing a transfer plate used in conveying manufactured product or raw materials onto or off from a conveyor belt. Generally, the transfer plate includes a support member and a transfer extension depending from the support member to interface to a predetermined conveyor belt. The support member may be coupled to a support structure to allow multidirectional flotation, or acceptable operational movement, of the plate due to incidental movement of the conveyor belt. The method further includes the step of manually coupling the support member to the support structure, thereby preventing the need for tools during repair or replacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Pro Engineering and Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Wesley J. Underberg, Edward A. Michalski
  • Patent number: 7992704
    Abstract: An improved material transport vehicle having an integrated assembly for cleaning out conveyors, elevators, hoppers and the like, and method for clean-out utilizing the same. The cleanout assembly comprises one or more detachable panels strategically located about the material transport vehicle, and means for releasing the same, so as to permit convenient and safe access to the components for removing unused, old or dried material. The detachable panel or panels are integral with a surface of the housings, typically the lower surface thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Weiler, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick J. Weiler
  • Patent number: 7992705
    Abstract: A conveyor device is formed with roller units arranged continuously on conveyor frames (10, 10?). Each of the roller units includes a rotating body (110) having a cylindrical part (111) rotatably supported around a predetermined axis (A) and being rotationally driven, a roller (120) rotatably supported by an outer periphery of the cylindrical part to carry an object being conveyed on the outer peripheral surface thereof, a pair of thrust plates (140, 150) arranged so as to be capable of pressing both side surfaces of the roller while holding the roller therebetween and rotating integrally with the cylindrical part; and a pressing force adjusting mechanism (160, 170, 180, 190) arranged inside the cylindrical part to adjust a pressing force with which the paired thrust plates press the roller while holding the roller therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Hirata Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Shiga
  • Patent number: 7992706
    Abstract: A tensioning device configured for use in a conveyor system as an idler roller over which a belt is wound under tension includes a housing, an arm mounted in the housing for linear movement in and out of the housing, a roller mechanism mounted at a distal end of the arm including a roller configured for rolling contact with a belt of a conveyor system, and an actuator for extending and retracting the arm from the housing. The actuator includes a worm shaft and a lead screw. A pinion of the worm shaft engages a gear affixed at one end of the lead screw. The tensioning device includes a coupling by which rotation of the lead screw results in outward movement of the arm when the worm shaft is rotated in a first direction, and which results in inward movement of the arm when the worm shaft is rotated in the opposite direction. Engagement of the worm shaft to the gear is self-locking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventor: Bryan J. Stone
  • Patent number: 7992707
    Abstract: A storage unit is disclosed comprising a container disposed within a housing, the container having a cavity with an opening at the upper end for receiving an item. A cover comprises two or more rounded cover sections pivotally mounted between the container and the housing for movement between an open position and a closed position, the cover sections being biased toward the open position. Vertical downward movement of the container toward the bottom wall of the housing causes the cover sections to overcome the bias and rotate to the closed position. When rotating to the open position, the cover sections recede into a receiving space between the housing and container, thereby exposing the cavity, such that the outer form factor of the storage unit is no larger in the open position than in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Town & Country Linen Corp,
    Inventor: Lou Henry
  • Patent number: 7992708
    Abstract: A cigarette pack of the hinge-lid-box type comprises an outer pack (13) and an inner pack which can be displaced in the longitudinal direction within the outer pack (13). A hinge lid (36) is fitted on one side of the outer pack (13). This hinge lid is moved into an open position by displacement of the inner pack (12) relative to the outer pack (13), to be precise by an opening force being transmitted by means of a pushing-action tab (27) arranged within the pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Focke & Co. (GmbH & Co. KG)
    Inventors: Viktor Hein, Henry Buse
  • Patent number: 7992709
    Abstract: A biodegradable tube comprises a mom-rigid paper tubular body defining a lumen for containing a semi-solid composition; a paper tubular cap that slidably mates with the body; and wherein interior surfaces of the each of the body and the cap have a coating that is substantially impermeable to the semi-solid composition. In preferred embodiments the tube body and cap have tapered sealed ends, the coating comprises an adhesive, and the walls of the tube/cap comprise a rolled paper material upon which the coating has been applied. Contemplated semi-solid product materials include for example lip balm, facial cream, lotion, deodorant, sunscreen, caulk, grease sticks, mosquito repellant, and shoe polish.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Inventors: Ellery West, Gail West
  • Patent number: 7992710
    Abstract: An oral care implement demonstration assembly includes a powered oral care implement, a package housing and a plurality of demonstration elements. The oral care implement demonstration assembly is configured to produce a visual demonstration effect when relative movement is provided between a first demonstration element and a second demonstration element. Among the visual effects that may be utilized is a Moiré effect. Additionally, an associated method for demonstrating features of an oral care implement though one or more visual effects is described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: Eduardo Jimenez, Alberto Mantilla, Tony Baxter, Pablo Andres Ramirez Lozano, Marisol Rodriguez Perez
  • Patent number: 7992711
    Abstract: A lockable media storage box includes a base and a lid connected to the base with at least one hinge. The base and lid include elements that cooperate with a lock to allow the lid to be locked in the closed position. In one embodiment, the lock is received in the concave opening disposed at the front of the storage container. The lock may be unlocked with a special key or may be unlocked by destroying portions of the lock that are designed to be destroyed. In another embodiment of the invention, a sliding lock is carried by the container. The sliding lock may be carried inside the container or on the front wall of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Autronic Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis D. Belden, Jr., Ronald K. Burdett, Michael S. Jaeb, Ronald M. Marsilio, Nicholas M. Sedon, James M. Byrne, Christopher G. Gallagher
  • Patent number: 7992712
    Abstract: A bed sheet storage device for compactly folding and storing a bed sheet set between uses. The storage device includes a foldable rectangular panel assembly with a center panel disposed between a pair of side panels hingedly connected together edgewise using living hinges, separate hinges, elastic strips, or intermediate panels hingedly connected edgewise thereto. A pair of semi-circular corner retaining panels may be hingedly connected edgewise to the side panels to retain two corners of the fitted sheet. The panel assembly has a flat opened position and a closed position which defines an enclosed channel therethrough to contain excess sheet material of a fitted sheet, a folded flat sheet, and two folded pillow covers of the bed sheet set. Sheet retaining devices include a non-skid pad, spring clips, spring boxes, and elastic retaining strips to retain the fitted sheet tautly folded around the panel assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Inventor: Linsey Rosland
  • Patent number: 7992713
    Abstract: A package for a disk drive includes: an outer corrugated carton having: sidewall; a bottom attached to the sidewalls; and, and a cover pivotally attached to pivot about one of the sidewalls; a pair of frame members, each one having four sidewalls affixed to a corresponding one of the cover and the bottom disposed about a receiving region of the frame members; an air-filled bubble-like packing device having check valves incorporated therein for providing a plurality of air filled chamber, such chambers being arranged to provide a shock absorbing pocket; and a container for receiving therein the disk drive. The plastic container with the disk rive therein are disposed within the pocket of the air-filled bubble-like packing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: EMC Corporation
    Inventors: Laura E. Nelson, Richard Connelly, Alyssa Caddle, Vincent Crean, Jeffrey Mingels, Paul Palombo
  • Patent number: 7992714
    Abstract: A toddler food tray assembly includes a panel that has a top side, a bottom side and a perimeter edge. The panel has a plurality of apertures therein extending through the top and bottom sides. The perimeter edge has a front edge. A plurality of sleeves is provided. Each of the sleeves has a closed lower end and an upper edge defining an access opening. Each of the apertures has a peripheral edge that is attached to and coextensive with one of the upper edges of the sleeves. The sleeves each extend downwardly from the panel. A plurality of food supporting members is provided. Each of the food holding supporting members has a bottom wall and a peripheral wall that is attached to and extends upwardly from the bottom wall. Each of the bottom walls includes a mount that is extendable into one of the sleeves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Inventors: Diane M. Devault, Steven E. Wagner
  • Patent number: 7992715
    Abstract: A developing agent container package unit includes a packing case, a developing agent container received inside the packing case and storing developing agent, and a supporting member to support the developing agent container so that the developing agent container is inclined with respect to one side surface of the packing case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: SAMSUNG Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Se-il Kwon
  • Patent number: 7992716
    Abstract: A container comprising a front panel, a first back panel, a second back panel, a first side panel bridging the front panel and the first back panel, a second side panel bridging the front panel and the second back panel, a top portion, and a bottom portion. The front panel, first and second back panels, first and second side panels, top portion, and bottom portion define an interior of the container. The container further comprises a divider extending from the first back panel into the interior of the container and attached to the front panel. The container further comprises a detachable portion comprising a removable section of the top portion, a removable section of the front panel, and a removable section of the divider. The detachable portion is separable from the container along a plurality of lines of weakness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Packaging Corporation of America
    Inventor: Keith A. Jackson
  • Patent number: 7992717
    Abstract: A housing adapted to receive a flow of slurry has a central section, an upper section, and a lower section. A clean water introduction assembly has a horizontal manifold, a plurality of horizontal apertured pipes and a plurality of vertical water lines. A valve assembly has an upper valve and a lower valve. The upper valve is normally open. The lower valve is normally closed to feed clean water from the manifold through the water lines and out of the apertured pipes into the housing. In this manner water entering the housing will cause a hindered settling. The valve assembly is also operable in a back flow mode with the upper valve being closed and the lower valve being opened. In this manner water from the housing will flow from the apertured pipes. In this manner clogs in the holes of the apertured pipe are cleared. A coupling assembly is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Inventor: Jay T. Hazen
  • Patent number: 7992718
    Abstract: The method relates to particle separation from a feed stream. The feed stream is injected directly into the froth zone of a vertical flotation column in the presence of a counter-current reflux stream. A froth breaker generates a reflux stream and a concentrate stream, and the reflux stream is injected into the froth zone to mix with the interstitial liquid between bubbles in the froth zone. Counter-current flow between the plurality of bubbles and the interstitial liquid facilitates the attachment of higher hydrophobicity particles to bubble surfaces as lower hydrophobicity particles detach. The height of the feed stream injection and the reflux ratio may be varied in order to optimize the concentrate or tailing stream recoveries desired based on existing operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventor: Edgar B. Klunder
  • Patent number: 7992719
    Abstract: A hookstrip screen assembly for use in a shaker is disclosed. The hookstrip screen assembly includes a filtering element and a composite frame further including a top surface, a bottom surface, and a plurality of filtering element attachment points. Also, the filtering element is attached to the plurality of filtering element attachment points. In another aspect, a method of forming a hookstrip screen assembly for use in a shaker. The method of forming a hookstrip screen assembly includes forming a wire structure, molding a composite frame incorporating the wire structure and forming a plurality of filtering element attachment points on the composite frame. The method also includes attaching a filtering element to the plurality of filtering element attachment points on the composite frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignees: M-I L.L.C., United Wire Limited
    Inventors: Brian S. Carr, Graham Robertson, Eric Cady
  • Patent number: 7992720
    Abstract: A sorting device for the sorting of gaming chips comprises a base frame, a collection container, an oblique transport disc adjoining the collection container, the oblique transport disc separating and receiving gaming chips, a gaming chip characteristic identification system positioned adjacent the transport disc, a transfer device distributing the gaming chips in removal units according to characteristics identified in the gaming chip characteristic identification system. The sorting device has a transport for transferring the gaming chips directly from the transport disc to the removal units, and a radially external region of the transport disc contains recesses into which the gaming chips are separated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Shuffle Master GmbH & Co KG
    Inventors: Ernst Blaha, Peter Krenn
  • Patent number: 7992721
    Abstract: A filter in some embodiments of the invention includes: a housing defining an interior chamber substantially sealed from outside of the housing; a valve located in the chamber biased to a first position where the valve maintains a seal between the interior chamber and outside of the housing; and an anchor fixed to the housing defining a surface for a spring to urge against and bias the valve to the first position and be compressed against when a receiver enters into the housing a moves the valve to a second position, the anchor defining, at least in part, flow paths wherein a pressurized fluid within the housing can communicate with an interior of the receiver to equalize a pressure within the chamber and the interior of the receiver; and a nipple attached to the housing having an interior passageway configured to permit the receiver to pass through in a substantially sealed manner. A method of attaching a filter to a filter receiver is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: SPX Corporation
    Inventor: Mark McMasters
  • Patent number: 7992722
    Abstract: A fluid filter housing for receipt of a fluid filter element and for threaded attachment to a mounting base includes a unitary, molded plastic shell, an annular, threaded nutplate, and a plastic weld ring. The plastic shell defines a hollow interior for receipt of the fluid filter element. The plastic shell also defines one side of an O-ring groove. The threaded nutplate includes a groove-side surface that defines a second side of the O-ring groove. The weld ring is securely joined to the threaded nutplate by co-molding and is securely joined to the shell by a spin weld process. The weld ring provides a third surface for the O-ring groove. As such, three separate components are used to create an inwardly opening three-sided annular groove for receipt of an annular seal for sealing an interface between the fluid filter housing and the mounting base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Cummins Filtration IP, Inc.
    Inventor: Chad M. Thomas
  • Patent number: 7992723
    Abstract: A filter includes filter media and a housing surrounding the media. The housing has an outlet and is sealed such that all fluid flow out of the outlet must first enter the cartridge and pass through the media. The housing has multiple inlet flow paths configured so that fluid impinging on the housing is diffused as it enters the cartridge and is prevented from flowing directly towards the filter media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: PTI Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael S. Sandford, Kanwar Suri, Michael L. Gao, Rowland Ellis
  • Patent number: 7992724
    Abstract: To reuse support plate and to fix a membrane sheet by the same method both in a new product manufacturing and in regeneration. In a flat membrane element including a deposit fixed portion formed by lapping a membrane sheet performing solid-liquid separation onto a support plate supporting the membrane sheet and by emitting a laser to a circumferential edge of the membrane sheet to deposit fix the member sheet onto the support plate, and making an inside of the membrane sheet surrounded by the deposit fixed portion be a solid-liquid separating area; an embrocation having laser absorption property is applied on the surface of the membrane sheet of the deposit fixed portion. At the time of regeneration, such a portion of the membrane sheet that corresponds to the solid-liquid separating area is cut off and, after that, a new membrane sheet is lapped on the embrocation and the new membrane sheet and the embrocation are deposit fixed by a laser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi Plant Technologies, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyokazu Takemura, Kazuhiko Noto, Mitsuru Hatanaka, Takashi Fujimoto, Tatsuaki Tagashira
  • Patent number: 7992725
    Abstract: A separator that uses centrifugation to fractionate a suspension such as blood comprises a separation container and a buoy. The buoy is carried in the separation container and has a tuned density that is configured to reach an equilibrium position in a suspension. The guide surface is carried on the buoy upper surface and is inclined to an accumulation position near a buoy perimeter. The buoy suspension fractionation system can be used in a method of isolating a fraction from a suspension, and in a method for re-suspending particulates for withdrawal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Biomet Biologics, LLC
    Inventors: Michael D. Leach, Randel Dorian, Jacy C. Hoeppner
  • Patent number: 7992726
    Abstract: A manual open bottom shelf allocation and management system for allocating shelf space among rows of products and for moving the rows of products toward the front of the shelf includes a plurality of adjacent shelf allocating and managing units. Each unit includes a pair of side dividers extending away from a front to a backstop defining an open bottom, wherein at least one row of products may be positioned on the shelf between the side dividers and wherein the side dividers provide for substantive lateral support for the product. Each unit is manually movable between the front and the back of the shelf and is adapted to advance at least one row of products toward the front of the shelf. The side dividers of two adjacent units may be in vertical alignment with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Shelf Advance, Inc.
    Inventor: William R. Goehring
  • Patent number: 7992727
    Abstract: A display for displaying casket portions comprises a back wall, at least one wing wall, a shelf, a casket corner section having two cut sides at substantially a right angle to one another and having a bottom, a side panel attached to one of the cut sides of the casket corner section, a bottom panel attached to the bottom of the casket corner section, and at least one dowel pin on the back wall. The casket corner section is supported on the shelf, the side panel is positioned between the wing wall and the dowel pin, and the other cut side faces the back wall. The dowel pin is spaced from the wing wall by an amount such that an outwardly facing surface of the side panel is snugged against an inwardly facing surface of the wing wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Batesville Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Carl Gard, Joseph Leo Giesey, III, Colleen Josephine Kilmara, Daniel J. Parker, Todd Jeffrey Tekulve, Mark Steven Williams
  • Patent number: 7992728
    Abstract: An organizer assembly system includes a track having a base and a bar coupled to, and spaced from, the base to form an I-beam having a longitudinal axis. The base is configured for attachment to a first mounting surface or a second mounting surface, and the bar is configured as a rail in a plurality of rail orientations of varying lengthwise rotation of the track about the longitudinal axis. A first organizer item of the system has a runner to engage the bar of the track in a first rail orientation of the plurality of rail orientations in which the track is attached to the first mounting surface and the runner rides upon a first surface of the bar such that the track supports the first organizer item relative to the first mounting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Rubbermaid Incorporated
    Inventors: Roddy Burgess, Teren Branson
  • Patent number: 7992729
    Abstract: A storage unit having a back panel, a top panel attached to the back panel, a bottom panel attached to the back panel, a pair of opposing side panels attached to the back, top and bottom panels so as to define a housing having an interior, and a plurality of shelf members positioned within the interior of the housing and arranged in a vertically oriented fashion. The shelf members are removably mounted to the back panel and opposing side panels. The storage unit further comprises a plurality of divider members removably positioned between (i) each pair of consecutive shelf members, (ii) the top panel and an uppermost shelf member and (iii) the bottom panel and a lowermost shelf member. The divider members define a plurality of compartments. In one embodiment, the compartments function as drawer-receiving spaces wherein each drawer-receiving space is sized for receiving a corresponding drawer. Each divider member can be repositioned to provide compartments of varying sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Platt and LaBonia Co.
    Inventors: Vincent LaBonia, Jr., John Szalan, Brian Moulder, Peter Corrado
  • Patent number: 7992730
    Abstract: An improved construction pillar insertion combination rack made of metal wire material in a rectangular or polygonal form and in a single layer or multiple layers includes multiple side frames, multiple pillars, multiple clamping members, and a top; each limitation corner of the rack comprised of two rings concentrically arranged with the diameter of the upper ring smaller than that of the lower ring; each side frame including an upper and a lower support rods; a connection rod usually made in a waveform being disposed at where between and soldered to both of the upper and the lower support rods; each pillar containing multiple sections with a circumferential slot being defined by any two abutted sections; the pillar being secured with the clamping member at where it to be inserted into the limitation corner; and the top usually related to a mesh being placed on the frame of the rack; alternatively, an upper frame with multiple upper rings of the limitation corner and a lower frame with multiple lower rings o
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Inventor: Li-Hsu Huang
  • Patent number: 7992731
    Abstract: A shelving unit comprises a plurality of upright support posts and shelves having multiple corners with multi-component corner structure at each corner of the shelf for releasably connecting the shelf to the posts. Each corner structure comprises a two piece base segment and a substantially frictionless outside interlocking segment. The two piece base segment includes a housing fixedly connected to a shelf corner and a substantially frictionless inner liner within the housing. The outside interconnecting segment includes outwardly extending flanges that engage vertically oriented opposed undercut slots on the inner liner to facilitate interconnection of the base and interlocking segments. Both segments include partial frusto conical surface portions that engage a frusto conical clamping sleeve on the support posts to facilitate releasable connection of the shelf to the posts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Metal Masters Foodservice Equipment Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Larry N. Mcallister, Kenneth S. Christianson
  • Patent number: 7992732
    Abstract: A multi-use truck bed apparatus, comprising a first rack assembly, a second rack assembly, a base assembly coupled to the truck, wherein the first rack assembly and second rack assembly are coupled to the base assembly, and a lifting mechanism, wherein the lifting mechanism comprises a winch coupled to the second rack assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Demiany & Beggs Enterprises, LLC
    Inventors: Erwin Cornel Demiany, Robert Dale Beggs