Reciprocating Or Oscillating Conveyer Patents (Class 118/425)
  • Patent number: 11687102
    Abstract: Semiconductor processing systems and methods are provided in which an amount or concentration of a chemical in a chemical mixture contained in a tank is automatically controlled based on a sensed properties of the chemical mixture. In some embodiments, a semiconductor processing system includes a processing tank that is configured to contain a chemical mixture. A chemical sensor is configured to sense one or more properties of the chemical mixture. The system further includes an electrically controllable valve that is configured to adjust an amount of the first chemical in the chemical mixture based on the sensed one or more properties of the chemical mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chia-Lun Chen, Cheng-Hao Kuo, Chung-Hao Hu
  • Patent number: 11586230
    Abstract: Semiconductor processing systems and methods are provided in which an amount or concentration of a chemical in a chemical mixture contained in a tank is automatically controlled based on a sensed properties of the chemical mixture. In some embodiments, a semiconductor processing system includes a processing tank that is configured to contain a chemical mixture. A chemical sensor is configured to sense one or more properties of the chemical mixture. The system further includes an electrically controllable valve that is configured to adjust an amount of the first chemical in the chemical mixture based on the sensed one or more properties of the chemical mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Cheng-Hao Kuo, Chia-Lun Chen, Chung-Hao Hu
  • Patent number: 11197591
    Abstract: There is provided a sheet product dispenser including a housing defining a product containing chamber and having an opening defined in a top portion thereof; and at least one product size adjustment plate insertable in the product containing chamber, detachably engageable with the housing, and obstructing at least partially the opening when engaged with the housing. There is also provided a kit of product size adjustment plates to be used in combination with a sheet product dispenser and a method to convert a sheet product dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: CASCADES CANADA ULC
    Inventor: Antoine Dallaire
  • Patent number: 10745209
    Abstract: A workpiece inverting device includes a gripping part configured to rotatably grip a workpiece, a rotary body rotatable about a rotating shaft and connected to the gripping part, a strip member extending in a direction orthogonal to the rotating shaft, and an arm configured to move in one of a state in which a tip of the arm is provided with the gripping part and the rotary body and a state in which the tip of the arm is provided with the strip member. While the workpiece is gripped by the gripping member, the rotary body moves relative to the strip member in contact with the rotary body in the direction in which the strip member extends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kazunori Hirata
  • Patent number: 10542724
    Abstract: A device for filling cheese curd into a pressing mould comprising a curd distributor, having an inlet end through which cheese curd may be received, and an outlet end through the cheese curd may exit the curd distributor, a pressing-mould holder arranged below the outlet of the curd distributor, one or more drive units, configured to perform a relative motion between the curd distributor and the pressing mould holder in accordance with a selected number of motion patterns, a control unit, configured to control the motion pattern based on input comprising an identifier of a pressing-mould configuration positioned by the pressing-mould holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: TETRA LAVAL HOLDINGS & FINANCE S.A.
    Inventors: Harrie Spijkerman, Lammert Bloemsma, Sikko Ros
  • Patent number: 10464101
    Abstract: A component such as a door is coated by immersion in a fluidized bed. The component is supported by a hook assembly that moves the component within the fluidized bed during coating. The movement is cyclical and inhibits bridging of the coating material when applied to intricate articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Automatic Coating Limited
    Inventor: Brad Bamford
  • Patent number: 10370197
    Abstract: A plant for immersion treatment of vehicle bodies may include at least one skid configured to support a body; at least one process liquid tank; a line configured to convey the at least one skid above the at least one tank; and/or a device configured to overturn and immerse, inside the at least one tank, the body on the at least one skid positioned over the at least one tank using the conveyor line. The at least one skid may include a base part and a support part. The support part may be supported rotatably on the base part using a rotatable shaft with axis arranged transverse to a direction of movement of the at least one skid on the conveyor line, so that the support part is rotatable between a first upper position and a second position for immersing the body in the at least one tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: GEICO S.P.A.
    Inventors: Valerio Iglio, Paolo Colombaroli, Giampaolo Covizzi
  • Patent number: 10285544
    Abstract: In one example, a wipe dispensing system includes a housing that defines an internal wipe storage area, a mixing element having an opening that communicates with the wipe storage area, a fluid reservoir disposed within the housing, a pump in communication with the fluid reservoir, a nozzle in communication with the pump and located proximate the opening of the mixing element such that an outlet of the nozzle is in communication with the opening of the mixing element, and a pump actuation mechanism operably connected with the pump and responsive to initiation of the dispensation of a wipe from the wipe dispensing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: The Clorox Company
    Inventors: Kristina Perlas, Aidee Duarte, John Glauber, Joshua King Hoyt, David John Sayler
  • Patent number: 10112221
    Abstract: Apparatus and method utilize an ultrasonic operation to process articles. Processing tanks are arranged serially, each having an interior extending vertically downwardly for receiving articles delivered into the tank. A plurality of baskets carry the articles to the consecutive tanks, and an overhead support arrangement at each tank receives each basket suspended from a corresponding support placed at a first location outside and above the tank. Each support is moved in a vertical direction between the first location, outside the tank, wherein the support is in position to receive a corresponding basket suspended below the support, and a second location outside the tank and below the first location, wherein the corresponding basket is placed within the tank, while the support remains outside the tank, whereby the articles are placed sequentially into each tank, while the supports remain overhead, outside the tanks, during a processing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Inventor: Michael P. Pedziwiatr
  • Patent number: 10071868
    Abstract: A method for reorienting products includes providing one or more products in a first orientation on a surface; advancing the one or more products in the machine direction at a nominal advance rate; and retracting an end of the surface in a reverse machine direction at a nominal retract rate, such that the one or more products are advanced beyond said end into a landing region. Said end is disposed at a first elevation. The method further comprises deflecting a leading end of at least one product, such that the at least one product lands in a second orientation on a landing surface disposed in the landing region at a second elevation. The first orientation is different than the second orientation, and the first elevation is higher than the second elevation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Matthew Bernard Overley, Wesley Bernard Brokopp, Matthew Daniel Dooley
  • Patent number: 10058389
    Abstract: A single use container (10, 40, 70) for holding a plurality of endoscope valves during a cleaning and disinfection procedure defines a plurality of chambers (34, 64, 84) which are isolated from each other and configured to receive a single valve such that a valve in one chamber cannot contact a valve in another chamber. A plurality of apertures (36, 58, 86) in each chamber allow fluid flow therethrough. A closure device (14, 44, 92) is operable to close each chamber (34, 64, 84). An attachment device (38, 68, 77) is configured for attaching the container (10, 40, 70) to an endoscope and to prevent detachment without breaking of the attachment device (38, 68, 77).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: KEYMED (MEDICAL & INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT) LTD
    Inventors: Jonathan Victor Chartres, Adam Thomas Floyd
  • Patent number: 10040062
    Abstract: A device and method are proved for transferring a target from a first location to a second location. The target is bound to solid phase substrate to form a target bound solid phase substrate. The device includes transfer surface for receiving the target bound solid phase substrate thereon for transfer. The transfer surface movable between a first position wherein the transfer surface is aligned with the first location and spaced therefrom by a distance and a second position wherein the transfer surface is aligned with the second location. An alignment structure aligns the transfer surface with respect to the second location, with the transfer surface in the second position. A force is movable between an attraction position wherein the target bound solid phase substrate are drawn toward the transfer surface and a discharge position wherein the target bound solid phase substrate are free of the force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: David J. Beebe, Ben P. Casavant, David J. Guckenberger, Scott M. Berry
  • Patent number: 9844795
    Abstract: An apparatus for applying adhesive to both ends of each of a pair of rails for adhesive attachment to posts for example of a door includes a support head with two channels and center fence for supporting the rails in parallel position for presenting the ends side by side vertically upwardly to an adhesive applicator head with a nozzle guided by a three axis movable support. The support head is rotatable through 180 degrees about a transverse axis so as to present the other ends and there is provided a drive system defined by set of drive rollers for driving the rails up to an end stop position at which the presented ends are at the adhesive applicator head. A laser sensor detects the end profile to ensure that the adhesive pattern matches a preselected required layout and to ensure no contact between the nozzle and the profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Inventors: Leonard Brett Hoard, Aaron Matthew Hoard
  • Patent number: 9629509
    Abstract: A wet wipe dispenser apparatus including a container, a top with a wipe egress opening, a wipe support for holding a stack of wet wipes biased for movement toward the top, and at least one wick in the container for applying moisture to wipes of the stack of wipes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Dispensing Dynamics International
    Inventors: Joel P. Keily, Charles Parkin Davis
  • Patent number: 9617083
    Abstract: In a transfer apparatus, a lifting unit has a lifting mechanism having a plurality of combined members and a motor. The lifting mechanism converts the rotation force of the motor to movement in the lifting direction, transmits the movement to at least one of first and second conveyors, raises or lowers at least one of first and second conveyors, and stops rotation of the motor when one of conveying paths reaches a predetermined height. In that process, a physical limit identification operation is executed in which the motor is rotated to operate the lifting mechanism to a physical operation limit and is then stopped, and control of the motor is changed so that the motor is rotated at low speed until the lifting mechanism reaches the physical operation limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Itoh Denki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuo Itoh, Toshiyuki Tachibana, Shinji Sayama
  • Patent number: 9603495
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an apparatus for dispensing an earring post wipe. The apparatus has a container that includes a reservoir with a cleaning or sanitizing fluid. The reservoir has a fluid application tip for applying the cleaning or sanitizing fluid to a dry wipe. The fluid application tip is actuated by movement of the wipe through a slot in the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Inventors: Marcie Manfredonia, Nicholas Siciliano
  • Patent number: 9541131
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a rolling bearing cage for a rolling bearing comprising at least one row of rolling elements. In the method according to the invention, a ring or a ring element made of a metallic solid material is provided and shaped by a forming process and/or a cutting, material-removing process into an annular or segmented main body of the rolling bearing cage. The main body has openings for receiving a respective rolling element, the main body being heated to a temperature above a minimum coating temperature for thermal coating with a thermoplastic material powder, wherein the main body is then immersed in a fluidized bed containing the thermoplastic material powder, wherein thermoplastic material powder adheres to the main body, melts and forms a contiguous coating while the main body is present in the fluidized bed, and wherein, after the coating, the main body is removed from the fluidized bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: THYSSENKRUPP ROTHE ERDE GMBH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Claus, Reinhard Juergens, Stefan Schnieder, Joerg Rollmann
  • Patent number: 9468944
    Abstract: A system includes a plurality of stations positioned along a direction of conveyance. Rails span the length of all stations and include at least first, second, and third rails configured for independent vertical movement. A plurality of objects is supported by and movable along the first, second, and third rails between the stations. Each of the plurality of objects has first, second, and third supports coupled to the respective first, second, and third rails so that all of the plurality of objects tilt in unison about a first set of parallel axes in response to the first, second, and third rails being positioned in a first configuration of vertical heights, and all of the plurality of objects tilt in unison about a second set of parallel axes in response to the first, second, and third rails being positioned in a second configuration of vertical heights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: SST Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Chad Martin Andreae, Bradley M. Andreae, Bradley S. Andreae
  • Patent number: 9415414
    Abstract: A speed and angle adjustable dip-coating film forming device includes: a base; two swing rods, where the two swing rods are disposed opposite to each other, separately movably connected to the base, and capable of swinging relative to the base; two angle fixing racks, separately disposed on two sides of the base and capable of fixing positions of the swing rods; a power element, disposed on the swing rods; and a lifting rack, movably disposed on the swing rods, and capable of swinging with the swing rods and being driven by the power element to move vertically along the swing rods. A lifting angle can be changed by swinging the swing rods and fixing the swing rods by using the angle fixing racks, and a lifting speed can be changed by changing a moving speed of the lifting rack by using the power element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Polymer Science (Shenzhen) New Materials CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Changyi Ren
  • Patent number: 8945662
    Abstract: A slide stainer and a method for operating the slide carrier is disclosed. The slide stainer includes a slide carrier that carries one or more laboratory slides; a vessel that is capable of carrying fluid for staining the laboratory slides and that is sized to accommodate the laboratory slides; a slide transporter that moves the slide carrier into and out of the vessel; and a spring loaded pin that engages with a surface of the slide stainer to limit free-fall translation of the slide carrier in an event of a power loss. Additionally, during an agitation phase of a slide staining process, the slide transporter is configured to translate the slide carrier in an upward direction to a pre-determined height that is set by a user of the slide stainer, and the slide transporter translates the slide carrier in a downward direction back into the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Rushabh Instruments, Inc.
    Inventor: Preyas Shah
  • Publication number: 20140065291
    Abstract: A slide stainer and a method for operating the slide carrier is disclosed. The slide stainer includes a slide carrier that carries one or more laboratory slides; a vessel that is capable of carrying fluid for staining the laboratory slides and that is sized to accommodate the laboratory slides; a slide transporter that moves the slide carrier into and out of the vessel; and a spring loaded pin that engages with a surface of the slide stainer to limit free-fall translation of the slide carrier in an event of a power loss. Additionally, during an agitation phase of a slide staining process, the slide transporter is configured to translate the slide carrier in an upward direction to a pre-determined height that is set by a user of the slide stainer, and the slide transporter translates the slide carrier in a downward direction back into the vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: Rushabh Instruments, Inc.
    Inventor: Preyas Shah
  • Publication number: 20140014034
    Abstract: An apparatus for treating a workpiece with a liquid has a vessel holding a body of the liquid, a mount provided with a holder for carrying the workpiece, and a lifter for shifting the mount with the holder and the workpiece from an upper position above the body of liquid into a lower position with the workpiece immersed in the body of liquid. An inverting mechanism is coupled with the lifter for rotating the mount, holder, and workpiece through about 180° above the body of liquid on movement from the upper position toward the lower position and from the lower position into the upper position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Inventor: Josep Valls BALAGUE
  • Patent number: 8590482
    Abstract: A traveling type dipping apparatus in a painting system of a vehicle body of an automobile, usable as mechanism to rotate and dip the vehicle body having been supported on a conveying traveling body horizontally in a forward facing direction in a treatment liquid while conveying the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Daifuku Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeyoshi Nishihara, Hirohito Takeichi
  • Patent number: 8590481
    Abstract: A dipping apparatus for dipping the workpiece W in a treatment bath. The workpiece is transferred while fixed on a conveying traveling body 2, and each one flipped upside down together into the treatment bath for carrying out a surface treatment of the workpiece W. The dipping apparatus is provided with a positioning and fixing device to position the conveying traveling body 2 onto the guide rail 17a on the rotation base 15 at a fixed position and to fix the conveying traveling body 2 to the rotation base 15. A feeding mechanism feeds the conveying traveling body 2 to the fixed position on the rotation base 15.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Daifuku Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeyoshi Nishihara, Takashi Fukuda, Hirohito Takeichi, Hirofumi Fujisaki
  • Publication number: 20130280422
    Abstract: A method of dip-coating a segmented multifocal lens (1) having a segment with a curved portion and a straight line portion, includes the steps of: placing the lens (1) on a basket support (21); immersing the lens (1) vertically in a coating solution bath (16); and withdrawing the lens (1) vertically from the bath (16); wherein the step of placing the lens (1) is performed such that the straight line portion of the lens (1) is in a vertical plane; and wherein, before or during the step of immersing the lens (1), the lens (1) is inclined to an inclined position between a vertical position and a horizontal position of the lens (1), in which inclined position the segment is downwardly inclined and the straight line portion of the segment remains in the vertical plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: ESSILOR INTERNATIONAL (COMPAGNIE GENERALE D'OPTIQUE)
    Inventors: Julien Brisson, Ricardo Salvatierra
  • Publication number: 20130183441
    Abstract: A component such as a door is coated by immersion in a fluidized bed. The component is supported by a hook assembly that moves the component within the fluidized bed during coating. The movement is cyclical and inhibits bridging of the coating material when applied to intricate articles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: Automatic Coating Limited
    Inventor: Automatic Coating Limited
  • Patent number: 8459439
    Abstract: A device for driving, dipping and turning bodyworks of motor vehicles, vans, truck cabs and metal article vessels, into processing basin, and for withdrawing the above elements from the processing basins, comprises a slidable framework, which can slide on sliding rails, supporting a pair of arms bearing, at free end portions thereof, a swinging shaft adapted to bear a supporting skid for supporting a bodywork, the sliding framework comprising at least a winch driving a drum, for winding a rope coupled to a respective arm at the swinging shaft, the slidable framework further comprises at least a rack, therealong an end portion of the respective arms coupled to framework slides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Geico S.p.A.
    Inventor: Giancarlo Guerra
  • Publication number: 20130036971
    Abstract: An approach is provided for a lifting and conveying apparatus for chemical bath deposition (CBD). The apparatus is adapted for depositing at least one thin film on a substrate of a solar cell, and is configured for conveying a reacting container in ways of up and down and back and forth, which makes the solution evenly and fully spread on a substrate to produce a deposited thin film with a uniform thickness under a suitable reacting condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: MANZ TAIWAN LTD.
    Inventors: PO-CHING YU, CHUAN-YI CHEN
  • Patent number: 8356705
    Abstract: An improved handling device for driving, immersing/removing and rotating motor vehicle, truck cabin, van and metal article vessel bodyworks into/from processing basins is characterized in that said device comprises a sliding frame designed for sliding on sliding rails, driven by one or two driving chains, and supporting a pair of arms bearing, at their free end portion, a swinging platform, in turn adapted to bear a skid for supporting a bodywork, the sliding frame comprising one or two winch assemblies driving respective pulleys thereon are entrained ropes, belts, chains or the like, and being associated with a respective arm at a swinging shaft, said sliding frame comprising moreover two rack assemblies, therealong slide respective end portions of the arms coupled to the frame, said swinging platform being driven by a chain driving system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Geico S.p.A.
    Inventor: Fabio Guerra
  • Patent number: 7584019
    Abstract: Systems and methods allowing for the automatic control and scheduling of a staining apparatus for biological samples on slides present within the apparatus. In some embodiments, the actions of a robot coupled to the staining apparatus, which performs some of the staining tasks on the individual slides in accordance with their respective protocols, may be prioritized and scheduled. In some embodiments, the scheduling may result in increasing or maximizing the throughput of slides. In some embodiments, robot scheduling ensures that the individual slides are processed substantially within the tolerances specified by their respective protocols. In some embodiments, the robot scheduler may respond to spontaneous user actions and adaptively schedule or re-schedule robot actions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Dako Denmark A/S
    Inventors: Gordon Alan Feingold, James B. Gilmartin, Mark Richard Holbrook, John A. Favuzzi, Marc E. Key
  • Patent number: 6835916
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a ceramic heater making it possible to suppress an outflow of heat to a supporting case and so on to make the temperature of its ceramic substrate uniform. The ceramic heater of the present invention is a ceramic heater wherein a heating element is arranged on a surface of a ceramic substrate or inside the ceramic substrate, the surface roughness Rmax of the side face of the ceramic substrate being from 0.1 to 200 &mgr;m according to JIS B 0601.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Ibiden, Co., LTD
    Inventors: Yasutaka Ito, Yasuji Hiramatsu
  • Publication number: 20040089231
    Abstract: A machine for impregnating a die cast metal part with liquid impregnant comprises an impregnation chamber having liquid impregnant in a lower portion, an opening for ingress and egress of the parts being defined in a side wall of the chamber above the liquid impregnant, a door for sealing the opening, a part holder in the chamber and an elevator for positioning parts above the liquid impregnant during evacuation of the chamber and then immersing the parts in the liquid impregnant during subsequent pressurization of the chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Inventors: Christopher D. Gilmore, Christopher B. Barney
  • Patent number: 6699329
    Abstract: A conveyor system for parts coupled to a loadbar assembly is disclosed. The conveyor system includes a walking beam conveyor and a push bar conveyor. The loadbar assembly and walking beam conveyor are configured to allow transfer of parts coupled to loadbar assemblies along a path through upward and downward and forward and reverse movements of the walking beam conveyor. The push bar conveyor and the loadbar assembly are configured to urge parts coupled to the loadbar assemblies through the push bar conveyor by an incremental distance substantially equal to the length of a segment bar of the loadbar assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: George Koch Sons, LLC
    Inventors: David T. Mueller, Edward C. Diekmann
  • Patent number: 6635225
    Abstract: An automatic stainer for staining objects, arranged on slides for microscopic examination is described. The automatic stainer has multiple reagent containers arranged one behind another for treating the objects. The slides pass through the reagent containers in succession, a transport basket for receiving multiple slides being provided. Multiple transport baskets can be received simultaneously in respective different reagent containers, and are simultaneously lifted out of the respective reagent container by way of a motorized transport mechanism having a lifting device and are respectively transported on into an adjacent reagent container. A removal station that has a collecting reagent container for the simultaneous reception of multiple transport baskets is arranged at the end of the row of reagent containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Leica Microsystem Nussloch GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Thiem, Ralf Kaltenmeier, Eric Barth, Joachim Glasenapp, Stefan Kunkel
  • Patent number: 6585936
    Abstract: An automated slide stainer with fluid flow control. The fluid flow control controls the flow rate of fluid, e.g., water, applied to at least one slide by the slide stainer. In an automated slide stainer that applies reagents to slides to stain biological specimens on the slides, the flow rate controlled fluid can be used to adequately rinse the slides without damaging the biological specimens contained on the slides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Inventor: Preyas Sarabhai Shah
  • Patent number: 6572824
    Abstract: An automated system for preparing a plurality of cytological specimens from a plurality of fluid samples in vials includes an apparatus for collecting a monolayer of cells from each sample and transferring the cells to a microscope slide for fixing, staining, and inspection. The system includes a first loading station for receiving the sample vials, a second loading station for receiving consumables such as filter membranes, a slide dispenser, and an unloading area for removing completed specimen slides. To maintain one-to-one correlation between the samples and specimens produced therefrom, the system includes a subsystem for identifying each sample and permanently marking each slide with corresponding indicia prior to transferring the specimen thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Cytyc Corporation
    Inventors: Roy A. Ostgaard, Lewis A. Capriccio, Theodore S. Geiselman, Robert E. Jennings, Bruce Levkoff, Edward O'Connell, Douglas A. Tenney, Hugh Vartanian
  • Patent number: 6562299
    Abstract: An automated system for preparing a plurality of cytological specimens from a plurality of fluid samples in vials includes an apparatus for collecting a monolayer of cells from each sample and transferring the cells to a microscope slide for fixing, staining, and inspection. The system includes a first loading station for receiving the sample vials, a second loading station for receiving consumables such as filter membranes, a slide dispenser, and an unloading area for removing completed specimen slides. To maintain one-to-one correlation between the samples and specimens produced therefrom, the system includes a subsystem for identifying each sample and permanently marking each slide with corresponding indicia prior to transferring the specimen thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Cytyc Corporation
    Inventors: Roy A. Ostgaard, Theodore S. Geiselman
  • Patent number: 6472217
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for controlling the fluid on a slide are provided. Fluid reduction is accomplished by directing stream(s) of fluid at an edge of the slide, the streams of fluid being at an angle with the slide of less than 90°. The surface tension at the edge of the slide is broken by the stream(s). And, the fluid which is on the slide is drawn or pulled by the streams of liquid, thereby reducing the fluid on the slide to a reproducible, consistent level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: William L. Richards, Devon C. Campbell
  • Patent number: 6436348
    Abstract: A staining apparatus for preparation of tissue specimens placed on microscope slides, comprising a plurality of stations in the form of vessels having liquid baths for receiving baskets or suspensions receiving microscope slides with the topical specimens, a device for transporting each of the baskets/suspensions to respective stations to undergo a staining process, and a control unit for controlling the staining process in accordance with a chosen program. The apparatus is provided with a magazine for loading and simultaneous reception of a chosen number of baskets/suspensions with microscope slides, the magazine being provided with a device for heating of the baskets/suspensions placed in the magazine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Inventors: Torstein Ljungmann, Oystein Ljungmann
  • Patent number: 6387441
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for batch, continuous, or semi-continuous coating of optical lenses. The method and apparatus use a plurality of carriages which are reciprocally moved in the apparatus to transfer jigs from a jig filled carriage to a lens loading arm and to load the jigs with lenses and then to transfer the jigs now containing uncoated lenses to a leading empty carriage. Using such a reciprocating motion, a leading empty carriage is now filled with jigs containing uncoated lenses and the uncoated lenses in the carriage may then be coated by dipping the carriage in a coating tank. After coating, the coated lenses are removed from the system. A similar reciprocating motion is used in the coated lens unloading section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Optima, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhou Yang, Yinghui Wu
  • Patent number: 6328800
    Abstract: A dip coating apparatus including a substrate supporter which supports a substrate to be coated and which has a gas discharger which has a plurality of holes formed therein from which a gas is discharged; a gas supplying passage through which the gas is supplied to the gas discharger; and a gas supplying valve which is disposed at a position in the gas supplying passage and in which the gas is fed to the gas discharger when the gas supplying valve is opened, wherein a pressure loss in the gas discharger is greater than two times a pressure loss in the gas supplying passage between the gas supplying valve and the gas discharger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Junichi Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 6217933
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for treating a denture, comprising passing the denture through the air interface of an aqueous composition comprising a polymeric coating agent, especially a silicone polymer, having a weight average molecular weight of 1,000 or greater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Mark Ieuan Edwards, Iain Allan Hughes
  • Patent number: 6042648
    Abstract: A vertical circuit board soldering apparatus for soldering printed circuit boards by immersing them in a molten solder bath. Air knives are employed to remove excess solder from boards leaving the bath. A displacement mechanism vertically dips the circuit boards. The mechanism comprises a parallelepiped frame that comprises two spaced apart parallel rails securing a sliding chassis therebetween. The chassis comprises three parallel spaced apart members. An upper member transversely extends between the rails while captivating a portion of each rail adjacent its ends. A parallel lower member depends from the upper member with an adjustable intermediate member therebetween. The intermediate member also transversely extends between the rails while captivating another portion of the rails. The intermediate member is coupled to the upper member by a screw jack that moves the intermediate member upwardly or downwardly to vary the distance therebetween to accommodate various board sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Inventors: Dave O. Corey, David J. Dye
  • Patent number: 6012412
    Abstract: Apparatuses are disclosed and claimed for coating egg-yolks, natural or artificial, preferably in the form of disks. The apparatuses comprise a vessel for containing a first coating liquid, in which the egg yolk disks are dispensed. A preferably continuous belt is synchronized with the dispenser so that the back part of the belt is immersed in the liquid when the egg-yolk is being dispensed, while it rises during the period of time that the dispenser is getting ready to dispense a new egg-yolk, thus transferring the yolk out of the liquid. The belt has preferably perforations in its middle portion and it is pivoted in the vicinity of the front end of the vessel. The apparatuses of the present invention are useful for coating articles other than egg-yolk disks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Inventor: Eustathios Vassiliou
  • Patent number: 5895628
    Abstract: An apparatus for treating cytological or histological specimens has numerous treatment stations in the form of containers, and a transport device by which the specimens to be treated are transported and deposited in the treatment stations. The transport device has a pivotable unit that can be brought under the specimens while the specimens are being transported. This pivotable unit is provided with a suction underlay on which the specimens or specimen holders are deposited during transport, and by which treatment fluids that run out of the specimens or the specimen holders are received. Carry-over of liquid residues from one treatment container to the next is thereby greatly reduced. The specimens or specimen slides are thereby fixed in the specimen holders so that noise during transportation is reduced. The individual treatment containers are provided with covers, and the pivotable unit is designed to remove covers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Assignee: Microm Laborgerate GmbH
    Inventors: Hans Heid, Jerome Sejournet
  • Patent number: 5800645
    Abstract: A system including the method and apparatus for encapsulating electric wire splices wherein a plurality of electrical conductors in substantially aligned opposed relationship are electrically spliced and an encapsulation mass of thermoplastic dielectric material forms an insulative jacket over the splice. Encapsulation is produced by coating the spliced conductors with a liquified hot melt sealant, agitating and projecting the sealant toward the splice to fill small interstices between the conductors, removing the coated splice and conductors from the liquid sealant and drying the sealant into a dielectric jacket surrounding the splice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Inventor: John F. Gatz
  • Patent number: 5750199
    Abstract: An absorber head picks up a plurality of soldering balls from a container, and is shifted horizontally toward a substrate. In the midway of this shift movement, the absorber head is stopped just above a flux storage and then lowered to soak the soldering ball in the flux stored in the flux storage, thereby applying each soldering ball with an adequate amount of flux. Thereafter, the absorber head is again shifted horizontally until it reaches the substrate. Then, the absorber head lowers the soldering ball applied with flux, so that each soldering ball is mounted on a corresponding electrode provided on the substrate. If any soldering balls are left in the flux storage due to failure of the pickup operation by the absorber head, such soldering balls are surely collected in a groove by wiping movement of a squeegee which is associated with the flux storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shoji Sakemi
  • Patent number: 5711806
    Abstract: A machine for use in chemically processing printed circuit board work pieces includes an inner basin within an outer basin. The inner basin holds a chemical liquid bath through which the printed circuit board work pieces are passed by a conveyor in a horizontal orientation along an action line parallel to their own plane. The conveyor includes facilities to oscillate the work pieces perpendicularly to their plane in the chemical liquid bath to effect flow of the chemical liquid through holes and apertures of the work pieces. Part of the chemical liquid bath continuously drains from the inner basin to the outer basin as the chemical treatment process is in operation. An eductor draws liquid from the outer basin and effects a low-pressure, high-volume up-welling of liquid into the inner basin. In this way, stirring of the chemical liquid bath is effected, and both temperature and concentration stratification of the chemical liquid bath is avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Inventor: Eric F. Harnden
  • Patent number: 5700346
    Abstract: The present invention provides an automatic slide staining system which will process stained slides, such as cytology or histology specimens. The present invention includes two embodiments for the staining system. The first system includes a slide storage device, a slide transport apparatus, a first platen including a plurality of staining stations, a heating station, and a housing. In order to utilize the first embodiment of the system of the present invention, the stained slides are placed in the storage device. The slides are removed from the storage device and are processed on the various stations via the transport apparatus. The first system can be altered slightly so that a cover slip apparatus can be incorporated within the system. In order to do so, the heating station is removed. A cover slip dispensing apparatus replaces the heating station. This will permit for a cover slip to be placed on the stained slide after a complete transverse of the slide staining stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1997
    Inventor: Peter S. Edwards
  • Patent number: 5680984
    Abstract: An absorber head 10 picks up a plurality of soldering balls 1 from a container 2, and is shifted horizontally toward a substrate 31. In the midway of this shift movement, the absorber head 10 is stopped just above a flux storage 32 and then lowered to soak the soldering ball 1 in the flux 34 stored in the flux storage 32, thereby applying each soldering ball 1 with an adequate amount of flux. Thereafter, the absorber head 10 is again shifted horizontally until it reaches the substrate 31. Then, the absorber head 10 lowers the soldering ball 1 applied with flux, so that each soldering ball 1 is mounted on a corresponding electrode 31a provided on the substrate 31. If any soldering balls 1 are left in the flux storage 32 due to failure of the pickup operation by the absorber head 10, such soldering balls 1 are surely collected in a groove 36 by a wiping movement of a squeegee 37 which is associated with the flux storage 32.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shoji Sakemi