Patents Issued in May 21, 2013
  • Patent number: 8443541
    Abstract: An optical sight is provided and may include a housing having a base, a first post extending from the base, and a second post extending from the base. The optical sight may additionally include an optical element supported by the housing between the first post and the second post, a reticle displayed on the optical element, and an illumination system generating the reticle. A first actuation member may be disposed on one of the first post and the second post and may selectively control an intensity of the reticle by controlling an output of the illumination system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Trijicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry Glen Sabaldan Elpedes, Darin W. Schick, Mark William Lister, Joshua Lee Varner
  • Patent number: 8443542
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for a firing pin sight system. At least one rearwardly facing sight is located at a rear contact surface of a firing pin of a firearm. The at least one rearwardly facing sight is viewable to a shooter from the rear of the firearm. The at least one rearwardly facing sight forms a high contrast surface (in respect the rear surface of the firearm) allowing the shooter to align the at least one rearwardly facing sight point with a target located in front of said firearm. An optical alignment signaling indicia indicates to the shooter when the aim line of the handgun is either off-sight alignment or on-sight alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Inventor: Shaun W. Galbraith
  • Patent number: 8443544
    Abstract: A process for the germination and/or modulation of plant development by subjecting plants to simulated hypergravity conditions as a way of increasing efficiency and speed of plant development and/or germination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Uniao Brasileira de Educacao e Assistencia-Mantenedora da Pucrs
    Inventors: Thais Russomano, Felipe Prehn Falcão, Marlise Araújo Dos Santos, Leandro Vieira Astarita, Clarice Azevedo Machado, Priscila Collin, Amanda Assunção Vieira
  • Patent number: 8443545
    Abstract: An automated system for sampling seeds includes a seed loading station for separating individual seeds from a plurality of seeds held in a seed hopper, an imaging station configured to receive the separated seeds from the seed loading station and collect image data of the received seeds, and a seed sampling subsystem configured to remove tissue samples from the seeds after the image data of the seeds is collected. And, an automated method for sampling seeds includes separating individual seeds from a plurality of seeds, imaging the separated seeds, and removing tissue samples from the imaged seeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Monsanto Technology LLC
    Inventors: Kevin L. Deppermann, Lee Yannakakis, Andrew M. Singleton, Angela R. Koestel, David W. Finley, Brian J. Forinash, Allen N. Ondes, Sam R. Eathington, Heather M. Forbes, Bruce J. Schnicker, Jason K. Bull
  • Patent number: 8443546
    Abstract: A hydroponic plant growing system including a housing divided into a growing chamber and a fragrance masking manifold by an electrical control panel having spaced holes formed therethrough which permits air flow between the growing chamber and the fragrance masking manifold. A water reservoir is defined between a reservoir top panel and a bottom panel of the housing, the top panel having spaced plant basket collars adapted to support a plant cup to position plant roots in reservoir and to position plant vegetation within the growing chamber. Air discharge tubes in the growing chamber discharge ambient air into the growing chamber by a fan to circulate air through the growing chamber into the fragrance masking manifold where a fragrance source masks odors before the air is discharged back to ambient. An irrigation pump dispenses water into each plant cup, excess water drained back into the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Inventor: Raymond J. Darin
  • Patent number: 8443547
    Abstract: An assembly in use forming a tray for plant material includes a holder; and at least one insert which can be respectively placed in and removed from the holder. The insert includes at least one cell defining a plant position. The cell includes at least a wall and a bottom for accommodating content in the cell during use of the assembly. The at least one wall substantially encloses the plant position. The wall and/or bottom comprises an opening through which access is provided with means for removing the content of the cell, such as a pusher or a ram.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Visser's-Gravendeel Holding B.V.
    Inventors: Anthony Visser, Cornelis Frans Taco Visser
  • Patent number: 8443548
    Abstract: A transplantable plant container assembly is provided for containing a growing medium for a plant that significantly promotes air root pruning. The container assembly includes a container device that includes a sidewall support and a bottom support collectively defining an interior cavity. The sidewall support is comprised of a lattice framework defining a plurality of spaced apertures that extend from an interior wall to an exterior wall thereof. A relatively thin, moisture absorbent liner material is disposed adjacent to the lattice framework. The liner material is sufficiently penetrable to enable root penetration therethrough, by the plant, at the apertures. However, the liner material must also have sufficient structural integrity, when moist, to bound the growing medium and moisture across the spaced apertures of the lattice framework when contained in the interior cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Inventor: Brian Kempf
  • Patent number: 8443549
    Abstract: A door assembly includes a track, a track header, a fixed door panel, at least two sliding door panels, a pivot mechanism, and a lock arrangement. The sliding door panels are slidably movable on the track between (1) a closed position wherein the sliding door panels are extended across the track, and (2) an open position wherein the sliding door panels are constructed and arranged to be in a compact, overlapping relationship with each other and the fixed door panel. The pivot mechanism is constructed and arranged to enable pivotal movement of the track with fixed door panel and the two sliding door panels mounted thereon about a pivot axis from a normal configuration to a breakaway configuration. The lock arrangement is constructed and arranged to releasably lock the track with respect to the track header to prevent pivotal movement of the track away from the normal configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Arthur Salvietti, Thomas M. Kowalczyk, Dwight Edward Reed, Daniel R. Seymour, Michael A. Zabbo, Vito A. Spinelli, Ronald Bohigian
  • Patent number: 8443550
    Abstract: According to the invention, a window guard having telescoping horizontal bars that have a predetermined minimum overlap of the telescoping bars which cannot be easily overridden by the window guard installer is provided. Such a device can reliably withstand a predetermined pressure when the window guard is extended to its maximum width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Prime-Line Products Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Les Burns
  • Patent number: 8443551
    Abstract: A sliding door with a door leaf, which is suspended from two carriages and displaceably guided along a roller rail profile, which is disposed at a wall or at a ceiling, the sliding door having at least one closing device, which is suitable to displace the decelerated door leaf into a closed position. The at least one carriage has a carrier, at or in which the closing device is disposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Dorma GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventor: Oliver Walhorn
  • Patent number: 8443552
    Abstract: A vehicle has a mounting structure for mounting a door guard bar. An insertion hole is formed in an upper portion of a trim pad, and a lever-handle accommodating hole is formed in a side portion of the trim pad below the insertion hole. An end portion of a lever handle is inserted into the lever-handle accommodating hole. A cover portion of a bezel is disposed on the inner side of the lever-handle accommodating hole, and covers a part of the lever-handle accommodating hole while exposing an operation portion of the lever handle to the inner side of the vehicle. A door guard bar is inserted into the insertion hole, and fixed to the inner door panel of the vehicle door. The cover portion of the bezel covers the portion of the door guard bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Isuzu Motors Limited
    Inventors: Kouji Kinoshita, Kazuhisa Chiba, Yukihito Suzuki, Hiroki Okada
  • Patent number: 8443553
    Abstract: A closure assembly includes a panel that defines an opening. A handle includes a grab bar that is moveable from a retracted position through the opening into an extended position. A cover is coupled to and moveable with the handle. The cover is disposed within the opening and flush with the exterior surface of the panel when in a closed position. When the handle moves from the retracted position into the extended position, the cover moves out of the closed position to allow the handle to pass through the opening. When the handle moves from the extended position into the retracted position, the cover moves into the closed position to close the opening. A closeout is coupled to and moveable with the handle. The closeout moves into an exposed position as the handle moves into the extended position to conceal the remainder of the opening not occupied by the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Joseph M. Polewarczyk, Hesham A. Ezzat, Steven C. Lang
  • Patent number: 8443554
    Abstract: A variable size sill pan can be adapted to various widths, lengths, and heights of framed door or window openings. The sill pan assembly includes an extruded base which is typically inclined, window or door supports which can be extruded as part of the base unit, and molded corner elements. Grooves are provided on the front flange of the sill pan base to permit the front flange to be cut to a desired length. Grooves are provided on the rear sill pan wall permit the rear sill pan wall to be cut to a desired length. Grooves or markings are provided on a base and on end cap sections to permit the pieces to the cut to a desired width. An assembled sill pan is formed by attaching the adjusted pieces together, or by snapping and gluing the adjusted pieces together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Inventor: Mishko Teodorovich
  • Patent number: 8443555
    Abstract: A roofing assembly includes a panel configured to define a major surface, a first end, and a second end opposite the first end; and a frame including a first transverse profile attached to the first end of the panel, and a second transverse profile attached to the second end of the panel. A force-applicator is located between the first transverse profile and the second transverse profile. The force-applicator is configured to apply a force between the first transverse profile and the second transverse profile, thereby applying a tension force to the panel. The force-applicator defines a longitudinal axis displaced from the major surface of the panel, the force-applicator including two parts capable of being moved, one with respect to the other, connected to one another by a sliding connection controlled by a spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: ABRISUD
    Inventor: Charles Chapus
  • Patent number: 8443556
    Abstract: A stackable shim system. A first shim includes a receiving feature, an attachment feature, and a main portion having a first thickness. A second shim also includes a receiving feature, an attachment feature, and a main portion having a second thickness. The receiving feature of each shim is configured to engage with the attachment feature of the other shim such that either shim can be removably attached to the other to create a stacked shim having a main portion having a thickness that is the sum of the first and second thicknesses. The shims may be conveniently used for taking up space and/or accommodating for irregularities in construction materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: ARXX Corporation
    Inventors: Barry Hiscock, Sheldon Warman
  • Patent number: 8443557
    Abstract: A tower base section, a tower adapter and a wind turbine having the tower base section and the tower adapter are provided. The tower base section includes a tubular side wall and a flange portion. The flange portion has an inner radius and an outer radius and is configured as a T-flange. The tubular side wall is located closer to the outer radius than to the inner radius. The adapter is arranged outside the tubular side wall and includes a bottom surface pressing from above on the flange portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: William Gevers, Nina Kristeva, Hueseyin Karaca
  • Patent number: 8443558
    Abstract: A support system for a solar panel comprises a plurality of legs configured to receive multiple solar panels. The legs each comprise a base, a plurality of shafts, and a support precipice. The support precipice is divided into two sides by a t-bar. The first side comprises a guiding wing to effectuate modular assembly of the support system. The second side comprises a beveled edge to effectuate secure coupling of a solar panel. The system is able to be assembled and disassembled without the use of tools or implements. The system is also movable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Solyndra LLC
    Inventors: Benyamin Buller, Chris Gronet, Kelly Truman, Thomas Brezoczky
  • Patent number: 8443559
    Abstract: A fastening device for substrates, for example for glass substrates assembled as a multiple glazing unit, including retaining elements placed between at least one of the two substrates facing one another and a supporting structure for transferring loads of the substrates to the supporting structure. The retaining elements include a mechanism to compensate for dimensional variations. The compensation mechanism allows a relative movement between the substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Glass France
    Inventor: Jean-Clement Nugue
  • Patent number: 8443560
    Abstract: A concrete form block for construction of a building includes first and second panel devices, each having inner and outer faces separated by ribs. Projecting connectors are disposed on the inner faces and each has a pin-receiving aperture. U-shaped couplers are used to connect the two panel devices together so that their inner faces are parallel. Each connector has first and second connecting pins and these are received in the apertures of the connectors of the panel devices, with each pin being pivotable in its aperture after insertion. The panel devices can be moved from a collapsed configuration having at least a reduced space between the inner faces and an in-use configuration with more space between these faces. There is also disclosed a panel structure having upper and lower channel forming frames connected to an outer wall portion thereof. These form a channel for receiving equipment for utilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: 2158484 Ontario Inc
    Inventors: Hans-Peter Uhl, Wilhelm Knecht
  • Patent number: 8443561
    Abstract: A connecting element for panels comprises at least one plate (2) which can be fixed to a first panel (3), a connecting body (4) connected to the plate (2) and which can be inserted in a cavity (6) in a second panel (5) to connect the second panel to the first panel (3); the connecting body (4) having a substantially ‘V’-shaped cross-section and having a top edge (9) which can be completely inserted in the cavity (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignees: Trentino Sviluppo S.p.A., CNR Consiglio Nazionale Delle Richerche
    Inventors: Ario Ceccotti, Paolo Galletti, Daniele Maltinti
  • Patent number: 8443562
    Abstract: The form for a concrete footing (10) is a mold for receiving concrete for footings on construction projects. The form has a housing (12), and a plurality of horizontal support members (16) that extend across the hollow interior of the housing. The form may be manufactured from plastic, cardboard, concrete or other materials. Vertical tubes (14) extend from the top and bottom and are hollow to allow for in situ soil sampling after the footing has been set in the excavation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Inventors: David C. Paul, Alan D. Weiner
  • Patent number: 8443563
    Abstract: Various systems are provided for building blocks having the appearance of wood shake. In one embodiment, a building block includes first side body portion including a protrusion, a second side body portion including a recess configured to engage the protrusion of an adjacent building block, and a front body portion including a front exterior surface having vertical striated grooved lines configured to resemble a plurality of wood shakes; and a lower lip extending across the front exterior surface and extending below a lower surface. In another embodiment, a building block includes a front exterior surface having vertical striated grooved lines configured to resemble a plurality of wood shakes and a first side body portion including a side exterior surface having vertical striated grooved lines configured to resemble at least one wood shake and a lower lip extending across the front and side exterior surfaces and extending below a lower surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Inventor: Malcolm Schmidt
  • Patent number: 8443564
    Abstract: A clip for a suspended ceiling grid to join a pair of grid runners intersecting a third grid runner from opposite sides of the third grid runner, the clip being bendable sheet metal symmetrical about a vertical plane, having a saddle portion with a seat and generally planar flaps depending from opposite sides of the seat, including a pair of generally planar wings each cantilevered from a respective one of the flaps; the seat width corresponding to a hollow reinforcing bulb of a grid runner, the flaps extend over the sides of the reinforcing bulb and web of the third grid runner, a flap and wing joined at a vertical bend line, weaker than each adjacent area of the flap and wing whereby the wing can be manually bent to a desired angle relative to the flap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: USG Interiors, LLC
    Inventor: John D. Bankston, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8443565
    Abstract: A standing seam panel system includes an internal structural mullion. A pair of panels meet at a joint and have standing flanges and detents. The mullion includes a main extrusion and a secondary extrusion, the main extrusion having an innermost portion, and a main hooked portion opposite the innermost portion. A secondary extrusion is attached to the main extrusion and has a leg hooked portion opposite the main hooked portion to form a pair of hooked portions, the hooked portions engaging the detents of the panels. Slotted holes are defined within said main extrusion, and screw fasteners pass through the slotted holes of the main extrusion and into a building substrate, wherein the innermost portion of the main extrusion is attached to a building substrate such that the mullion is adapted to move vertically along the building substrate to accommodate expansion or contraction of the panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Extech/Exterior Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: William P. Voegele, Jr., Kevin P. Smith
  • Patent number: 8443566
    Abstract: An improved cellular building block including a middle beam and two legs. The cellular building block having the first leg coupled to the middle beam such that the leg is perpendicular to the middle beam and a second leg coupled to the middle beam such that the leg is perpendicular to the middle beam and spaced apart from the first leg, the first leg and the second leg having an inside edge and an outside edge. Having at least one barb located on the inside edge of the first leg and on the inside edge of the second leg and further configured to lock into a recess. The cellular building blocks connect in a two dimensional or three dimensional pattern and a produce a structured material that holds itself together and exhibits beneficial characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Inventor: Paul Wennberg
  • Patent number: 8443567
    Abstract: A spacer is provided for attachment to a pair of intersecting reinforcement wires to space them from a form. The spacer has a base member having a generally planar shape and two opposite sides, one of the sides having two continuous grooves that extend completely across the base member and that intersect one another for receiving therein a pair of intersecting reinforcement wires, and the other of the sides having a projection that projects outwardly therefrom a preselected distance to space the intersecting reinforcement wires a specified distance from a form. A cover member covers the one side of the base member. The cover member has fastening portions that coact with complementary fastening portions on the base member to fasten the cover member to the base member with the intersecting reinforcement wires sandwiched therebetween to thereby attach the spacer to the intersecting reinforcement wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Inventors: David G. Swenson, Roger J. Patterson
  • Patent number: 8443568
    Abstract: A structural connection between the upper outer edges of multiple structural members with one or more elongate connectors that span from edge to edge between pairs of structural members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Simpson Strong-Tie Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Jin Jie Lin
  • Patent number: 8443569
    Abstract: An improved connector and connection joining a plurality of supported structural members, preferably four roof trusses or rafters to a supporting structural member, preferably a header or girder truss. The connector is formed with a plurality of seat members, preferably four, that are joined to back member sections at angular junctures stiffened by shallow embossments. Variations can have three or five seat members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Simpson Strong-Tie Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Stanley K. Sias
  • Patent number: 8443570
    Abstract: A window jamb channel attachment apparatus. The apparatus can include a channel clip, the channel clip including a first foot, a second foot, a first leg, a second leg, and a joining portion, the first foot and the second foot adapted to couple to a window jamb channel, the first leg having a first end coupled to the first foot and a second end coupled to the joining portion, the second leg having a first end coupled to the second foot and a second end coupled to the joining portion, the joining portion including an aperture defined therein. The apparatus can further include an object holder removably coupled to the channel clip, the object holder including a body, a fastener portion sized and shaped to be received in the aperture of the channel clip, and an object support portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Inventor: Gabriel Lucian Olariu
  • Patent number: 8443571
    Abstract: In one example, we describe a method of construction and assembly for a very large wind power generator (or windmill or wind turbine unit), for sea, coast line, or in-land installment. In other examples, we describe the improvements on components of a wind power generator (or windmill or wind turbine unit). In one example, we describe a method of avoiding or minimizing problems with the weather forecasts or military radar interferences, for large wind mills or wind farms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: BTPatent LLC
    Inventor: Saied Tadayon
  • Patent number: 8443572
    Abstract: A method of building a structure, the method including the steps of: 1. fabricating a generally longitudinal, steel sub-structure of the structure with a cable retainer attached to, or forming part of, the substructure and that extends substantially longitudinally therealong; 2. assembling the sub-structure into a structure; 3. inserting a cable into the cable retainer; 4. after step 2, applying a tensile force to the cable relative to the cable retainer; and 5. after step 4, bonding the cable to the cable retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: S2 Holdings Pty Limited
    Inventor: Murray Ellen
  • Patent number: 8443573
    Abstract: Blast-resistant foundations are presented that can be used to support a tower, a building, a building supporting a tower, and a tower supporting a building. These foundations can be transported to an installation site and rapidly deployed. They are comprised of one or more precast foundation blocks that do not penetrate the ground beneath them, do not require adjacent foundation blocks to be bound to one-another at their sides with interconnecting steel, and do not require the buildings and/or towers they support to use guy-wires. They can include protected cavities that contain utility equipment and supplies, and they can include conduits from these cavities that can be extended upward through one or more legs of a tower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Kontek Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Roger Allen Nolte
  • Patent number: 8443574
    Abstract: A door assembly has a door header mounted on a frame defining a doorway, a door movably supported on the frame, and a track including at least one supporting surface along at least one side of the track. The track is secured to the door header. The assembly has at least one roller that is adapted to roll along the track. The roller has a rim portion adjacent a hub portion, and a tire material surrounding the rim portion that contacts the track. The roller is at least partially covered with a thermal barrier between the tire material and at least one of the rim portion and the hub portion to prevent heat transfer to the tire material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Xiaomei Yu, Jinliang Wang, John M. Milton-Benoit
  • Patent number: 8443575
    Abstract: A door for an aircraft wing fuel tank access opening includes an outer impact resistant composite door panel, and an inner composite door panel. Double seals on the inner door panel prevent fuel leakage, and a chamfered outer edge on the outer door panel transfers a component of impact loads laterally into the wing skin to increase kinetic energy absorption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Richard B Tanner, Brian H. Korenaga, Jeffrey F Stulc, Ian C Burford
  • Patent number: 8443576
    Abstract: A casing member for assembly with an opposed identical casing member to encase a post includes an elongate body portion having spaced apart first and second side edges extending lengthwise of the body portion. First and second connectors are adjacent the first and second side edges respectively, and extend lengthwise therealong. The first connector includes a first tongue protruding from the body portion along a tongue axis. The second connector includes a groove bounded at least partially by spaced apart first and groove second sidewalls joined to the body portion. The first groove has a groove axis parallel to both the groove sidewalls and the tongue axis. The first tongue is inter-engageable with the first groove of the opposed identical casing member and the first groove is inter-engageable with the first tongue of the opposed casing member so as to secure the two casing members together about the post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Alpa Lumber Inc.
    Inventor: Gabriel Petta
  • Patent number: 8443577
    Abstract: A portable device that can be taken to the site of biological remains is provided. The device includes means for holding and dispensing one or more types of sealable shielding elements within which to seal remains. The device also includes means to temporarily hold the remains while the sealable shielding elements are placed about the remains and sealed. The device includes means to hold one or more rolls of one or more types of sealable shielding materials to first protect the user and the shielding elements from sharps and then seal, including heat sealing, the body and/or toxic or caustic elements from the population before disposal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Barrier Products, LLC
    Inventor: Edward L. McWilliams
  • Patent number: 8443578
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for sealing a bag made of a polymeric material by applying heat activated layers on different portions of the bag, wherein the first adhesive layer and the second adhesive layer have respective heat activation temperatures below the softening point temperature of the polymeric material; creasing the bag along a fold line, applying heat at a temperature below the softening point temperature of the polymeric material to activate the first adhesive layer and the second adhesive layer to adhesive states after the bag has been filled with contents; and folding the bag to form an adhesive-to adhesive seal by contact between the heat activated first adhesive layer and the heat activated second adhesive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Coating Excellence International LLC
    Inventors: Gary F. Sargin, Mark E. Jansen
  • Patent number: 8443579
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for storing an elongated article, such as a light string or the like. The apparatus includes a hollow tube and an elongated sock. The elongated sock is fed onto the hollow tube such that end of said sock is in proximity to the end of the tube. In use, one end of the elongated article is inserted through the hollow tube and is pulled through the tube along with the sock. As the length of the elongated article is pulled through the tube along with the sock, the length of the elongated article is disposed within the length of the sock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Inventor: Brandyn B. Phillips
  • Patent number: 8443580
    Abstract: A pickup for a combine-towed baler. In one embodiment, crop material such as the residue or material other than grain (MOG) from the back of the combine is directly projected toward a target on a baler collection device. A tailboard with deflection panels may be used to alter the direction of the crop residue from the combine. The tongue of the baler is configured to not obstruct the crop material as the crop material is projected toward the baler. One or more knives of a chopper coupled to the combine may be configured to optimally project MOG toward the baler. Also, the stuffer chute of the baler may be configured to facilitate the flow of crop material such as MOG and therefore minimize obstructions. The crop material is transferred from the combine to the baler without the use of a conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: AGCO Corporation
    Inventors: Robert A. Matousek, Patrick Kendrick, Kevin M Tacke
  • Patent number: 8443581
    Abstract: An optical fiber producing method and apparatus for producing an optical fiber in which, in a path where an optical fiber is reeled out from a supply bobbin, taken up by take-up means, and wound by a winding bobbin, twists are alternately imparted to the optical fiber by a twist imparting portion. A zone where a high tension load is allowed to be applied to the optical fiber without affecting winding tension of the winding bobbin is disposed, a twist is imparted in the zone, and, when tension immediately before the twist imparting portion is indicated by T (g), a free path length is indicated by L, a twisting amount is indicated by R (turns/m), and a and b are constants, the tension and free path length by which the twisting amount R approximated by “R=a×T×Lb” is made “2” or more are set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Naruki Koshimizu, Yuji Abe, Toshimi Habasaki, Tetsuya Hayashi
  • Patent number: 8443582
    Abstract: A lubricant supply system for a gas turbine engine has a lubricant lube pump delivering lubricant to an outlet line. The outlet line is split into at least a hot line and into a cool line, with the hot line directed primarily to locations associated with an engine that are not intended to receive cooler lubricant, and the cool line directed through one or more heat exchangers at which lubricant is cooled. The cool line then is routed to a fan drive gear for an associated gas turbine engine. A method and apparatus are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Kathleen R. Phillips, Thomas G. Phillips, Ethan K. Stearns, Federico Papa
  • Patent number: 8443583
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for combustion of fuel. Some embodiments of the inventions include a fuel nozzle which injects fuel into a combustion channel of a wave rotor combustor or a pulse detonation combustor In some embodiments the combustion process includes a backward-propagating detonation wave within a substantially closed channel which compresses discrete quantities of combustible and noncombustible mixture. Yet other embodiments include a precombustion chamber integrated into the wave rotor, the outlet stator or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Indiana University Research and Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Razi Nalim, Pezhman Akbari
  • Patent number: 8443584
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention takes the form of a system that may recirculate a portion of the exhaust of at least one turbomachine where it may be mixed with the inlet air and re-enter the turbomachine without affecting reliability and availability of the unit. An embodiment of the present invention provides an inlet system for an exhaust gas recirculation system. This inlet system may take a variety of forms and may optimize the direction that the portion of the recirculated exhaust stream flows within the inlet system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Sam D. Draper, Douglas S. Byrd, Carl G. Schott, Rahul J. Chillar, Amit S. Toprani
  • Patent number: 8443585
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine system includes a first nozzle section associated with a gas turbine engine bypass passage and a second nozzle section that includes a plurality of positions relative to the first nozzle section. In at least one of the positions, there is a gap between the first nozzle section and the second nozzle section. A movable door between the first nozzle section and the second nozzle section selectively opens or closes the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Alfred M. Stern
  • Patent number: 8443586
    Abstract: A variable area fan nozzle for a high-bypass gas turbine engine includes a first track slider movable relative to the hinge beam along a first interface. A second track slider is movable relative to the first track slider along a second interface that includes a bearing assembly. A VAFN cowl is mounted to the second track slider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Fred W. Schwark, Jr., Oliver V. Atassi, William D. Owen
  • Patent number: 8443587
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes first and second sets combustion chambers fluidly coupled to respective first and second aftertreatment devices. A third aftertreatment device including a supplemental heating device is fluidly coupled to outlets of the first and second aftertreatment devices. The first set of combustion chambers is operated rich and the second set of combustion chambers is operated lean. The supplemental heating device is operated to transfer thermal energy to the exhaust gas feedstream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Kushal Narayanaswamy, Paul M. Najt
  • Patent number: 8443588
    Abstract: There is provided a control apparatus for an internal combustion engine, which can favorably reduce a load necessary for cranking at the time of the next start, while preventing the fresh air inflow to a catalyst at the time of the stop of the internal combustion engine. A valve stop command is issued to an electrically-driven actuator so that the operational states of intake and exhaust valves becomes a valve closed/stopped state when fuel supply is stopped in response to an establishment of a predetermined stop condition of the internal combustion engine. Then, to return the operational states of the intake and exhaust valves to a valve operating state after the completion of the stopping operation of the internal combustion engine, a valve return command is issued to the actuator, and a crankshaft is rotationally driven by a predetermined angle required to return the operational states of the intake and exhaust valves to the valve operating state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Nishikiori, Norihisa Nakagawa, Koichi Hoshi
  • Patent number: 8443589
    Abstract: A diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC) testing system includes a DOC that is located in an exhaust system of a vehicle. A control module verifies proper operation of the DOC during a post-fuel injection process in an engine of the vehicle. The control module computes a predicted temperature of exhaust gases at an output of the DOC that corresponds with proper operation of the DOC during the post-fuel injection process, determines an actual temperature of the exhaust gases during the post-fuel injection process, and activates an alarm indicator when a difference between the predicted temperature and the actual temperature is greater than a first predetermined value. A first temperature sensor is located downstream from the DOC in the exhaust system. The first temperature sensor communicates with the control module, generates the actual temperature, and transmits the actual temperature to the control module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Inventors: Chuan He, Richard B. Jess, Jay Tolsma, John F. Van Gilder, Wenbo Wang
  • Patent number: 8443590
    Abstract: A control system comprises an exhaust treatment system, an electric heating module, and an exhaust heating module. The exhaust treatment system comprises a particulate matter (PM) filter and an electric heater. The PM filter includes M zones that receive exhaust gas of an engine and filter PM from the exhaust gas. The electric heater heats exhaust gas input to N of the M zones, wherein M is an integer greater than one and N is an integer less than M. The electric heating module activates the electric heater to heat exhaust gas input to the N zones to regenerate the N zones. The exhaust heating module heats exhaust gas input to the M zones by controlling an air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas after the N zones regenerate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Inventors: Eugene V. Gonze, Michael J. Paratore, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8443591
    Abstract: An engine control system comprises an oxygen comparison module and a regeneration control module. The oxygen comparison module compares an oxygen concentration of an exhaust gas of an engine to an oxygen threshold. A regeneration control module initiates regeneration of a particulate filter and controls regeneration based on the oxygen comparison and at least one of a particulate filter load, a particulate filter temperature, and a speed of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Inventors: Thomas LaRose, Jr., Jason Daniel Mullins, Eric R. Snyder, Matthew King, Paul Jasinkiewicz, Nicasio Gomez, III