Vacuum Patents (Class 141/8)
  • Patent number: 7108023
    Abstract: An apparatus for the preservation of still beverages is disclosed. The apparatus includes a vacuum tank capable of maintaining a standing vacuum. The apparatus also includes a vacuum pump connected to the vacuum tank. The vacuum pump reduces the pressure in the vacuum tank to create the vacuum. A vacuum line is connected to the vacuum tank, and at least one valve head is connected to the vacuum line for receiving a bottle having a stopper placed therein. The valve head exposes the bottle and stopper to a vacuum. Upon exposure to the vacuum, air in the bottle is substantially evacuated and is prevented from reentering the bottle by the stopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Inventor: Armando Luis
  • Patent number: 7096893
    Abstract: A food storage container includes a lid with a vent hole, and a removable cover removably secured to the lid to cover the vent hole. The cover has an evacuation hole. The food storage container further includes a one-way air valve disposed between the vent hole and evacuation hole. With the cover secured to the lid, the one-way air valve inhibits air flow into the container through the vent hole while allowing air flow out of the container via the vent hole and evacuation hole. With the cover removed, the one-way air valve allows bi-directional air flow through the vent hole. An outer surface of the cover defines a smooth sealing area extending about the evacuation hole for sealing against a vacuum pump held against the cover over the evacuation hole to evacuate the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Montserrat Vilalta, Jose Millan, Juan Carlos Coronado, Mariano Penaranda, Antonio Rebordosa
  • Patent number: 7048016
    Abstract: An apparatus for the preservation of still beverages is disclosed. The apparatus includes a vacuum tank capable of maintaining a standing vacuum. The apparatus also includes a vacuum pump connected to the vacuum tank. The vacuum pump reduces the pressure in the vacuum tank to create the vacuum. A vacuum line is connected to the vacuum tank, and at least one valve head is connected to the vacuum line for receiving a bottle having a stopper placed therein. The valve head exposes the bottle and stopper to a vacuum. Upon exposure to the vacuum, air in the bottle is substantially evacuated and is prevented from reentering the bottle by the stopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Inventor: Armando Luis
  • Patent number: 6964283
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring and determining fuel vapor recovery performance is disclosed. The dispensing of liquid fuel into a tank by a conventional gas pump nozzle naturally displaces a mixture of air and fuel ullage vapor in the tank. These displaced vapors may be recovered at the dispensing point nozzle by a vapor recovery system. A properly functioning vapor recovery system recovers approximately one unit volume of vapor for every unit volume of dispensed liquid fuel. The ratio of recovered vapor to dispensed fuel is termed the A/L ratio, which should ideally be approximately equal to one (1). The A/L ratio, and thus the proper functioning of the vapor recovery system, may be determined by measuring liquid fuel flow and return vapor flow (using a vapor flow sensor) on a nozzle-by-nozzle basis. The disclosed methods and apparatus provide for the determination of A/L ratios for individual nozzles using a reduced number of vapor flow sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: Veeder-Root Company
    Inventor: Robert P. Hart
  • Patent number: 6945409
    Abstract: A device for de-dusting, i.e., removing dust, from a particle flow in an enclosure. The device is optionally associated with a unit for dense loads which supplies the particle flow. The device is useful, for example, for removing dust from catalyst particle flows and from adsorbent particle flows. It is also useful for removing dust from grain or cereal particles, for example, being supplied to a silo.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Institut Francais Du Petrole
    Inventor: Bernard Poussin
  • Patent number: 6941978
    Abstract: A fuel dispenser with a booted nozzle for vapor recovery is modified to include check valves in a vapor return path. The check valves selectively allow atmospheric air into the vapor return path to alleviate nuisance shut offs at the nozzle when an ORVR vehicle is being fueled. The check valves may be included anywhere in the vapor return path between the nozzle and the vapor recovery vacuum assist pump. The fuel dispenser may further include a pressure sensor in the vapor return line so that the fuel dispenser can determine if the vehicle is an ORVR vehicle or not. If the fuel dispenser determines that an ORVR vehicle is present, the fuel dispenser may modify the operation of the vapor recovery system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Gilbarco Inc.
    Inventor: Eric Riffle
  • Patent number: 6938649
    Abstract: A substrate holding part in a substrate processing apparatus includes a fixing table having a suction pipe and a supply pipe, and a holding member having atmosphere flow passages for vacuum-holding a substrate. The holding member is placed on the fixing table. The suction pipe is connected through a pipe to a compressor, and the supply pipe is connected through a pipe and a solenoid valve to a gas supply part. When the substrate holding part holds a substrate, the compressor sucks an atmosphere through the suction pipe to cause the holding member to vacuum-hold the substrate. When the substrate holding part releases the substrate, a gas is supplied from the gas supply part through the supply pipe by opening the solenoid valve while the suction through the suction pipe continues. The substrate holding device and the substrate processing apparatus suppress the deposition of particles on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Dainippon Screen Mfg. Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Yoshiyuki Nakazawa
  • Patent number: 6911104
    Abstract: In a sealant-incorporated tire including a loop-shaped sealant chamber filled with a sealant 5 and defined between a tire body 1 and an inner liner 8 by superposing and adhering the inner liner 8 onto an inner surface of the tire body 1, a sealant charging bore 8a is formed in the inner liner 8, and the sealant 7 is charged into the sealant chamber 6 through the sealant charging bore 8a. Then, air present in the sealant chamber 6 is discharged by evacuation and thereafter, a crude rubber sheet74 is adhered in a state in which the periphery of the sealant charging bore 8a has been clamped, thereby closing the sealant charging bore 8a. Thus, it is possible to charge the sealant 7 in a short time, and also to prevent heat generated during vulcanization and formation of the tire from being applied to the sealant 7, thereby preventing the deterioration of the sealant 5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toyoaki Hayashi
  • Patent number: 6899145
    Abstract: A front opening unified pod (FOUP) used for temporarily and portably storing semiconductor wafers between processing steps includes a manifold for uniformly distributing a purge gas in the FOUP during a purging process between wafer processing steps. The manifold can be a variety of shapes, and can be located in a number of appropriate locations within the FOUP. The manifold generally extends the full height of the FOUP and includes a plurality of openings configured to direct a flow of purge gas above and below each wafer held by the FOUP.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: ASM America, Inc.
    Inventor: Ravinder Aggarwal
  • Patent number: 6896011
    Abstract: A device and a process are used for filling a column with a filler material. The column is provided on two ends with a fill opening or with an intake opening. The column is held by a holding device. Using the holding device the column can be inserted in a tank in which the filler material is located. The column is connected via a connecting line to a negative pressure source. By producing a negative pressure in the interior of the column the filler material can be sucked homogeneously into the interior of the column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Büchi Labortechnik AG
    Inventor: Angelo Talamona
  • Patent number: 6889722
    Abstract: A particle filling line comprises a vertical conduit that is arranged to dispense particles to one or more containers that are disposed on an included movable conveyor belt. The conduit includes a conduit hollow, a conduit top and a conduit bottom that defines an outlet. Particles supplied to the conduit top flow through the outlet to fill the containers. The conduit is filled with particles. The particles include a particle spacing air. The particle spacing air is reduced by means of a porous tube that is fixed in the conduit hollow and coupled to a vacuum source. After reducing the particle spacing air, the particles flow through the outlet to be received in the containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Timothy L. Huss
  • Patent number: 6886605
    Abstract: An apparatus for the preservation of still beverages is disclosed. The apparatus includes a vacuum tank capable of maintaining a standing vacuum. The apparatus also includes a vacuum pump connected to the vacuum tank. The vacuum pump reduces the pressure in the vacuum tank to create the vacuum. A vacuum line is connected to the vacuum tank, and at least one valve head is connected to the vacuum line for receiving a bottle having a stopper placed therein. The valve head exposes the bottle and stopper to a vacuum. Upon exposure to the vacuum, air in the bottle is substantially evacuated and is prevented from reentering the bottle by the stopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Inventor: Armando Luis
  • Patent number: 6880592
    Abstract: A canister guard for preventing liquid contamination of an oulet to a canister containing liquid. The canister guard may include baffles extending from a sidewall. Additionally, the canister guard may be configured to be replacable or for retrofitting to conventional liquid chemical containing canisters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Advanced Technology Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: John N. Gregg, Donn Naito
  • Publication number: 20040250869
    Abstract: For avoiding the evaporation of volatile components of a fill oil and for avoiding contamination of the fill oil with ambient air, a method for the filling of hydraulic pressure measurement mechanisms by means of a readied filling chamber. The method includes the following steps: (I) Evacuating the filling chamber by means of a vacuum pump over a first path of a first conductivity, extending between the vacuum chamber and the vacuum pump; (II) ending the evacuation of the filling chamber over the first path; (III) continued evacuating of the filling chamber by means of the pump over a second path of a second conductivity, extending between the filling chamber and the vacuum pump, wherein the second conductivity is smaller than the first conductivity; (IV) feeding the fill oil into the evacuated fill chamber and (V) filling the measurement mechanisms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2003
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Inventors: Dietfried Burczyk, Wolfgang Dannhauer, Harri Notacker
  • Patent number: 6830079
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for filling preforms with resin or slurry includes a tank for holding the slurry and an autoclave for holding the preforms. The tank and autoclave have a common vacuum system connected thereto, and the tank is disposed above the autoclave. This arrangement provides a compact casting system which utilizes a vacuum and gravity to transfer slurry from the tank to the preforms within the autoclave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James M. Ahrens, Daniel Domanski, John A. Hornor, Ruth Hughes, Dennis James Landini, Roger Lee Ken Matsumoto, Hongyu Wang, Troy Frederick Brenner
  • Patent number: 6805174
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for filling spaced apart cavities with particulate material include a transport for moving the cavities along a path of travel. The cavities are partially filled with particulate material at an upstream location while applying vacuum underneath each cavity during such partial filling. The partially filled cavities are then completely filled with a downstream deposit of particulate material while applying vacuum to the upper sides of each cavity during such filling. The combination of vacuum applied underneath the cavity during partial fill and vacuum applied to the top sides of the cavity during complete fill produces approximately 100% cavity fill with minimal extraneous scatter of particulate material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Barry S. Smith, Steve Spiers, Jeremy Straight, Janet Thompson, Ahmet Ercelebi, Martin T. Garthaffner, Lisa Rogers
  • Publication number: 20040187955
    Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to a spindle motor manufacturing method for forming an oil repellent film which prevents a lubricating oil from flowing out, on a predetermined area adjacent to a hydrodynamic bearing, the predetermined area being located on at least one of a stationary member and a rotating member. The spindle motor manufacturing method mentioned above comprises a step of supplying an oil repellent solution by a supplying portion onto a part of the predetermined area for forming the oil repellent film, a step of applying an air current to the part of the predetermined area on which the oil repellent solution is supplied so as to peel off an excess part of the oil repellent solution supplied onto the part of the predetermined area, and a step of making a relative movement of the predetermined area in which the oil repellent film is formed, the relative movement being made with respect to the supplying portion by which the oil repellent solution is supplied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2004
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Applicant: NIDEC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Isao Misu, Yuya Tamura
  • Publication number: 20040173280
    Abstract: A particle filling line comprises a vertical conduit that is arranged to dispense particles to one or more containers that are disposed on an included movable conveyor belt. The conduit includes a conduit hollow, a conduit top and a conduit bottom that defines an outlet. Particles supplied to the conduit top flow through the outlet to fill the containers. The conduit is filled with particles. The particles include a particle spacing air. The particle spacing air is reduced by means of a porous tube that is fixed in the conduit hollow and coupled to a vacuum source. After reducing the particle spacing air, the particles flow through the outlet to be received in the containers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2003
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Applicant: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Timothy L. Huss
  • Patent number: 6752181
    Abstract: A spent transmission fluid is drained from a transmission and replaced with new fluid. The transmission's converter forces the spent fluid into a spent fluid container, while air displaced by the entering spent fluid is forced into a second container holding a new replacement fluid. The second container is thereby pressurized and the new fluid is thus forced through an interconnecting conduit line into the dipstick tube so as to replace the spent fluid flowing out. The spent fluid leaving the transmission causes suction to appear at the dipstick tube which sucks the new fluid into the transmission. To assure that this suction is maintained, the dipstick tube is sealed so that the system is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Inventor: Adam Awad
  • Patent number: 6706440
    Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid injection apparatus for injecting liquid into a container, comprising an injection chamber, a container for a liquid to be injected and entirely sealed except an injection port is placed in the injection chamber with the injection port directed to the bottom, an injection cell comprising at least one unit injection cell to accommodate the liquid to be injected is installed in the injection chamber, there is provided pressure regulating means to reduce the pressure in the injection chamber and to regulate pressure in the injection chamber to the atmospheric pressure or to a level higher than the atmospheric pressure, the pressure in the injection chamber is reduced to a level lower than the atmospheric pressure by the pressure regulating means at least once, and then, by maintaining the atmospheric pressure or the pressure higher than the atmospheric pressure, the liquid is injected through the injection port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: NEC Mobile Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Kiyohide Takimoto, Yuichi Maekawa
  • Patent number: 6701972
    Abstract: A system is provided that includes a load lock apparatus having an interior configured to receive an object. At least one inlet valve may be flow coupled to the interior of the load lock apparatus, and at least one outlet valve may also be flow coupled to the interior of the load lock apparatus. A controller may be configured to selectively control opening and closing of the at least one inlet valve. The load lock apparatus may include an object receiving mechanism that is movable within the interior of the load lock apparatus to throttle the evacuation of the interior. Several methods of using the system and load lock apparatuses are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: The BOC Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Colin John Dickinson, Daimhin Paul Murphy
  • Patent number: 6698469
    Abstract: A cylinder containing gas has a valve and is connected to a delivery side through a filling pipe, a primary pipe, a first air-operated valve, a pressure reducing valve, a secondary pipe, and a second air-operated valve. Inert gas flows into the primary pipe through an air-operated valve. The primary pipe is connected to a vacuum generator through an air-operated valve and a pipe. Gas remaining in the primary pipe is purged as exhaust gas by automatically repeating leaving-pipe-in-pressurized-state purge for pressurizing the inside of the primary pipe by the inert gas and leaving the pipe in this state for 2 to 10 minutes and evacuating the pipe for 20 seconds. Gas remaining in the primary pipe is purged with high-efficiency, and the vacuum generator is stopped while the inside of the primary pipe is pressurized in the leaving-pipe-in-pressurized-state purge and the just-before-replacement purge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignees: NEC Electronics Corporation, Toyoku Kagaku Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yutaka Sakamoto, Tsuneo Kano, Takashi Ogawa, Hiroshi Matsumura, Toshiaki Sango, Kiyoto Itoh, Norio Otake
  • Patent number: 6694617
    Abstract: A method of assembling a motor comprising assembling the shaft and thrust plate to be used in the fluid dynamic bearing assembly, and at least partially inserting the combined shaft and thrust plate into a sleeve which is adapted to support a hub which in turn may support one or more disks for rotation in a disc drive or similar environment. A counterplate cup of a generally U shaped or cup shaped design including a base which is substantially parallel to a top surface of the thrust plate, and sides of a diameter which is slightly greater than the diameter of the thrust plate and which are parallel to the thrust plate is provided, filled with oil, and having its open end facing the thrust plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Alexander Gredinberg, Jerry Joseph Weingord
  • Patent number: 6688344
    Abstract: A system and method for evacuating potential wafer-corroding and contaminating residual process gases from the interior of a semiconductor wafer pod before, after or both before and after a process is performed on the wafers. The residual process gases are first evacuated from the wafer pod, which is next charged with a fresh supply of inert gas. The system is adapted to evacuate and charge the wafer pod as the wafer pod typically rests on a load port of a SMIF prior to transfer of the pod to another destination in the semiconductor fabrication facility, prior to internalization of the wafers into a processing tool, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Tain-Chen Hu, Ming Te More, Wei William Lee
  • Patent number: 6655425
    Abstract: The apparatus has a closed housing (4, 29), one side of the housing (4, 29) being the filling side (13), which, during filling of the container (2), is located opposite an introduction opening (6) provided in said container. The housing (4) has a filling tube (3, 33) passing through it axially in relation to the axis of the introduction opening (6), said filling tube, on the filling side (13), protruding to such an extent that, in the filling position, projects into the introduction opening (6). The interior of the housing (4, 29) is connected to an external arrangement for extracting dust by suction, and the filling side (13) has an air-inlet opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Glatt Systemtechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Doerffel, Siegfried Krieger
  • Patent number: 6644362
    Abstract: A system for filling an enclosed environment of a disc drive with a gas other than air includes a filling system connection apparatus that can be connected to a corresponding disc drive connection apparatus that is connected to the enclosed environment of the disc drive. A vacuum source and a source of gas other than air can be connected to the filling system connection apparatus. The filling system also includes a pressure sensor can produce a pressure signal representative of the pressure within the enclosed environment of the disc drive. A control module receives the pressure signal and directs one of the vacuum source and the source of gas other than air through the filling system connection apparatus to the enclosed environment of the disc drive. A method of filling an enclosed environment of a disc drive with a gas other than air includes connecting the enclosed environment to a vacuum source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventor: Frank William Bernett
  • Patent number: 6637469
    Abstract: A container for holding a solid, liquid and/or gaseous phase product therein and for use within a transportable or stationary support structure. The container maximizes the compressed product volume contained therein and prevents liquid and/or contaminant entrainment during gaseous product delivery from liquid phase product. The system allows for product withdraw when the level is above the delivery valves using, at a minimum, two delivery legs linked by a compartment or housing that connects the delivery point and a container head space via a removable manway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven W. Hoffman, Vladimir Yliy Gershtein, Alexandre De Almeida Botelho, Robert William Ford, Paul David Kottler
  • Patent number: 6637468
    Abstract: A high-speed cleaning system and method in which a liquid is injected by-compressed air into the vacuumed chambers in the automotive cooling systems, in water-cooled engines. The liquid is injected in short period time under pressure, and the cooling system is pre-evacuated and held at a vacuum so that there is no flow restriction to build up high pressure in the cooling system in the short period of time the liquid is injected in the cooling system, and the liquid travels through the cooling system at a high rate of speed. High pressure air is mixed with the liquid before it is injected into engine cooling system, where the liquid/air mixture travels at a high rate of speed creating a hurricane type effect that breaking loose contaminants such as dirt, rust, and other particles and washes them out of the engine cooling system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Inventor: Derek Chen-Chien Wu
  • Patent number: 6634393
    Abstract: An improved siphoning device having an elongated hollow body member having a first open tip end with a fluid flow opening and a second open end. A two-way liquid valve is positioned within the first open tip end, and air pump member is removably attached to the second end of the body member. The seal member is movably positioned within the first open tip end. An air vent exhausts hot gases and is an air outlet for pumping air out of the body and creating suction within body. The air vent is preferably positioned proximate the elongated body second open end and has a cross-sectional area substantially less than the fluid flow opening cross-sectional area. The air vent preferably has a diameter in the range from at least one thirty second of an inch to three thirty seconds of and inch. Most preferably the diameter is greater than one thirty second is of an inch and less than three thirty seconds of and inch. Most preferably the diameter is about two thirty seconds of an inch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Inventors: Jerry Porter, Edward Poslinski, Stephen Graner
  • Publication number: 20030178091
    Abstract: A container for holding a solid, liquid and/or gaseous phase product therein and for use within a transportable or stationary support structure. The container maximizes the compressed product volume contained therein and prevents liquid and/or contaminant entrainment during gaseous product delivery from liquid phase product. The system allows for product withdraw when the level is above the delivery valves using, at a minimum, two delivery legs linked by a compartment or housing that connects the delivery point and a container head space via a removable manway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2002
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Inventors: Steven W. Hoffman, Vladimir Yliy Gershtein, Alexandre De Almeida Botelho, Robert William Ford, Paul David Kottler
  • Publication number: 20030131902
    Abstract: A system is provided that includes a load lock apparatus having an interior configured to receive an object. At least one inlet valve may be flow coupled to the interior of the load lock apparatus, and at least one outlet valve may also be flow coupled to the interior of the load lock apparatus. A controller may be configured to selectively control opening and closing of the at least one inlet valve. The load lock apparatus may include an object receiving mechanism that is movable within the interior of the load lock apparatus to throttle the evacuation of the interior. Several methods of using the system and load lock apparatuses are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2002
    Publication date: July 17, 2003
    Inventors: Colin John Dickinson, Daimhin Paul Murphy
  • Patent number: 6585008
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for breaching and venting sealed inner containers disposed within a drum, where the drum is evacuated to created a pressure differential resulting in expansion and rupture of the inner containers. The temperature may also be reduced to below freezing in the drum to reduce the elasticity of the inner containers, and the drum may also be pressurized to implode and rupture the inner containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: UltraTech International, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark D. Shaw, J. Tad Heyman, Laurence M. Bierce
  • Patent number: 6561231
    Abstract: Methods for filling transducers of a fully implantable hearing aid system with liquids having either a high or a low vapor pressure are described. Methods are also described for avoiding damage to transducers during their testing and shipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Inventor: Armand P. Neukermans
  • Patent number: 6543491
    Abstract: The temperature enclosed package, in one embodiment, has a reflector for surrounding the product, a frame with a cavity placed around the reflector, an insulating enclosure placed around the frame, and a diaphragm placed around the insulating enclosure. A vacuum is produced within the temperature controlled package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Inventor: Jing-Yau Chung
  • Patent number: 6520218
    Abstract: In a first respect this invention is a container, comprising: a cylindrical, hollow body capped on both ends by a base and a top; a conduit that bisects the top and extends into the interior of the container; and a perforated housing that encompasses the portion of the conduit that extends into the interior of the container. In another broad respect, this invention is a removable splash guard, comprising: a housing having a top and bottom that define an internal space; a lower tube that bisects the bottom, wherein the lower tube has a upper portion which is angled; an upper tube that bisects the top, wherein a portion of the second tube that extends into the internal space contains at least one hole; and a partition interposed between the upper and lower tubes that serves to block movement of a chemical from the lower tube to the opening at the inboard end of the upper tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Advanced Technology Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: John N. Gregg, Gregory W. Harris, Frank L. Cook, Robert M. Jackson
  • Patent number: 6443191
    Abstract: For making it feasible to suit to vacuum processing utilizing a system consisting of an exhaust section and a separable vacuum processing vessel section, to ensure flexibility of production, to prevent dust from attaching onto an article, so as to achieve increase in non-defective percentage of vacuum-processed articles, and also to suppress variability in vacuum processing characteristics among lots, an article is loaded into a movable vacuum processing vessel section, the vacuum processing vessel section is preliminarily pressure-reduced and moved, the vacuum processing vessel section is connected to an exhaust section, and communication is established between the vacuum processing vessel section and the exhaust section to perform vacuum processing. A first opening provided in the vacuum processing vessel section is connected to a second opening provided in the exhaust section and a vacuum seal valve of the first opening which is openable and closable, is opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hitoshi Murayama, Tatsuyuki Aoike, Toshiyasu Shirasuna, Kazuyoshi Akiyama, Takashi Ohtsuka, Daisuke Tazawa, Kazuto Hosoi, Yukihiro Abe
  • Patent number: 6435226
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for breaching and venting sealed inner containers disposed within a drum, where the drum is evacuated to created a pressure differential resulting in expansion and rupture of the inner containers. The temperature may also be reduced to below freezing in the drum to reduce the elasticity of the inner containers, and the drum may also be pressurized to implode and rupture the inner containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Inventors: Mark D. Shaw, J. Tad Heyman, Laurence M. Bierce
  • Patent number: 6431224
    Abstract: A system is used for removing catalyst from a tubular reactor vessel. A power box with a 110 volt to a 12 volt DC transformer is mounted outside the vessel and connected to a 110 volt power supply. An air manifold, also mounted outside the vessel, is connected to a high-pressure air supply and connects to several valves with a separate connection to the power box. Several workstations are placed on the tube sheet within the vessel. The workstation has a frame, a drum and reel assembly mounted on the frame along with a 12 volt DC motor. An air lance hose passes into the drum and reel assembly and, at the other end, connects to an air lance and vacuum assembly. A high pressure air hose connects the drum and reel assembly to one of the valves located outside of the vessel. A controller connects to the 12 volt DC motor to power the drum and reel assembly. The controller is also connected to the power box located outside the vessel and to a foot control. A seat is mounted on the drum and reel assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Catalyst Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Fry
  • Patent number: 6382266
    Abstract: Piping system for chemical liquids, in particular oil products, such as fuels, at least including a double-walled plastic conveyor pipe (3) with an inlet and an outlet, the double-walled pipe (3) having, in the double wall, one or more intermediate spaces extending along the length of the pipe (3), in which the piping system furthermore includes a gas-conveying system which has a gas-suction device which is connected to the intermediate spaces in such a manner that, in operation, gas can be sucked through the intermediate spaces. A piping system of this nature is suitable in particular for underground use at a petrol station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Inventor: Petrus Johannes Bus
  • Patent number: 6357490
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing a precisely controlled amount of dry material to a container. A powder slug is formed, preferably under vacuum, in a dosing hole formed in a dosing plate. The powder slug represents a precisely metered amount of material to be deposited into the container. The dosing plate is translated to a position such that the powder slug is above, and may be expelled into, a container located in a dosing wheel that has been moved into proper position for container filling to occur. In another embodiment, a system is provided for automated container filling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: Advanced Inhalation Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Lloyd P. Johnston, Kevin Stapleton, Ernest Penachio
  • Patent number: 6311741
    Abstract: A fuel tank filler pipe neck assembly, a fuel tank system and a method for refueling a fuel tank each employ a chamber having formed therein a liquid fuel dispensing nozzle entry port and a liquid fuel exit port. There is also disposed within the chamber a liquid fuel dispensing nozzle seat, where the liquid fuel dispensing nozzle seat is sized to accept and seal a rim of a liquid fuel dispensing nozzle introduced into the liquid fuel dispensing nozzle entry port while allowing flow of a liquid fuel from the liquid fuel dispensing nozzle through the liquid fuel dispensing nozzle seat. Finally, there is also disposed within the chamber a means for resiliently and flexibly biasing the liquid fuel dispensing nozzle seat against the rim of the liquid fuel dispensing nozzle while resiliently and flexibly sealing the liquid fuel dispensing nozzle seat to the liquid fuel exit port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc
    Inventors: Michael Joseph Harrigan, Sr., Robert H. Thompson
  • Patent number: 6279622
    Abstract: A system and a method for delivering and metering a fixed volume of liquid, such as a liquid sterilant from a container into a vaporization system. The method for the delivering system includes the steps of sensing a requirement for additional liquid sterilant, determining whether the liquid sterilant to be added is acceptable for use, and delivering the liquid sterilant from a container into an accumulator. The method of metering the liquid sterilant into the vaporization system includes creating a vacuum in a chamber connected to the vaporizer and delivering the liquid sterilant into a vaporizer while continually sensing the flow of the delivery. The metering system maintains a slow, controlled flow in order to achieve efficient vaporization of the liquid sterilant and to provide accurate sensing of the gas/liquid interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Nick Ngoc Nguyen, Ross G. Krogh, James P. Kohler, Curtis H. Felt, Remigio Guinto
  • Patent number: 6244311
    Abstract: A medical apparatus and method for draining bodily fluid from a container, such as a suction canister.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Bemis Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Joseph M. Hand, Barry G. Anderson, Michael C. Hollen, Mark A. Miller
  • Patent number: 6234215
    Abstract: An apparatus for adding coolant to a cooling system of a motor vehicle includes a cap with a resilient sleeve that expands against the inside wall of a radiator filler neck to provide an air-tight connection. A valve attached to the cap controls the flow of air and coolant through the cap. A gauge on the cap indicates the pressure inside the radiator. A venturi assembly connected to the valve provides a source of vacuum for evacuating air from the cooling system. Thereafter, coolant is drawn through the cap by the vacuum created in the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: UView Ultraviolet Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas L. Klamm
  • Patent number: 6199600
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for injecting working liquid into a micro-injecting device and a method for injecting the working liquid into the micro-injecting device. A container filled with the working liquid is in a vacuum chamber connected to a vacuum device, a plurality of cartridges having micro-injecting devices are inserted into the container and the working liquid in the container is filled into heating chambers of each micro-injecting device. Accordingly, the total manufacturing processes can be simplified so as to increase a production yield and the total manufacturing time of the products can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Byung-sun Ahn, Lavrishev Vadim Petrovich, Dunaev Boris Nikolaevich
  • Patent number: 6189579
    Abstract: A pipe is connected to a panel of a plasma display panel. Non-porization type getters are arranged in the pipe. The panel, getters, and a portion of the pipe located between the panel and the gatters are heated. The inner space of the heated panel is evacuated through the heated pipe. After evacuation, the heating is stopped and the panel is cooled. A discharge gas is introduced into the panel through the pipe. The impurity gases contained in the discharge gas are absorbed and removed by the activated getters which is actavated by the heat. During the evacuation, impurity gases are not absorbed in the inner wall of the heated portion of the pipe. Therefore, no impurity gases are mixed to the discharge gas whose impurity gases are absorbed by the getters. Therefore, no impurity gases are introduced into the panel. After the panel is filled with the discharge gas, the pipe is cut and sealed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshito Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6179015
    Abstract: In order to further accelerate a pourable product (4) falling into a fill pipe (2) or in order to compress the particle cluster of the product (4), it is suggested to blow air in timed intervals into the fill pipe (2). An air flap (13) is operated for this purpose in a pipe (11) between a blower (10) and the fill pipe (2) by means of a drive 14. A control device (15) controls the drive (14) dependent on a packaging parameter, for example, at a point in time when the product (4) is in a position of the free fall, which position is recognized by a sensor (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Rovema Verpackungsmaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Roman Kammler, Georg Koppenwallner, Walter Baur
  • Patent number: 6167920
    Abstract: A method for actuating an onboard refueling vapor recovery (ORVR) valve to selectively enable passage of fuel vapor from a fuel tank to a collection canister for the fuel vapor. The method includes determining whether a filling event is occurring and determining a fuel level within the fuel tank. The ORVR valve is selectively opened and closed in connection with whether a fueling event occurs and whether the fuel tank is full.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventor: Trevor L. Enge
  • Patent number: 6164343
    Abstract: A method of verifying an encapsulation of quick-setting adhesive in a small hermetically sealed reservoir cup from which the adhesive is dispensed on depression of a reservoir piston sealing the mouth of the reservoir cup. The method includes feeding a group of small reservoir cups to a filling station, determining an alignment of the group of small reservoir cups within the filling station, and flooding the interior of each cup at the station with cure preventing gas, if the group of small reservoir cups is determined to be aligned. The method further includes depositing a predetermined amount of quick-setting adhesive into each of the reservoir cups, immediately after flooding, and inserting a piston into each of the reservoir cups on top of the adhesive while flooding. The method involves the use of an apparatus for encapsulating the adhesive in the reservoir cups with the piston. The method ensures that the apparatus will properly encapsulate the quick-setting adhesive in each reservoir cup as designed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Theodore Sweeney & Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore J. Sweeney, Jr., Drew J. Smith
  • Patent number: 6135165
    Abstract: A pressurized package of paint additives is prepared by mixing water, emulsion, stabilizers and a propellant in a pressurizable container. This pressurized container is then sold to retail stores where a water borne paint composition is injected into the pressurized container and sold directly to the end user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Seymour of Sycamore, Inc.
    Inventors: William G. Zanellato, John W. Lovell