Combined Patents (Class 141/98)
  • Patent number: 7866352
    Abstract: Powder-particle material in compression molding is transferred using air suction power and filled thinly, evenly and rapidly in a female mold. An adsorption pad 21 which is held so as to be freely movable in the vertical direction is provided at a movable cylinder 7, which can move in the horizontal direction in a space between a metal supply hopper 2 and a female mold 34 and rotate 180°, and powder particle material is laid in a scraped manner at the adsorption pad 21, adsorbed by actuating a vacuum pump 14, transferred to the female mold 34 in this state, turned around and caused to fall into the mold by terminating adsorption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Matsui Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Harumoto Kimura, Kazunari Hanaoka, Yousuke Oyama, Riichi Nakano
  • Patent number: 7866354
    Abstract: A hydrogen tank filling station includes a high-pressure hydrogen storage tank, a hydrogen supply nozzle for filling a hydrogen tank mounted on a vehicle with hydrogen from the high-pressure hydrogen storage tank, a hydrogen supply pipe, a holder stand for holding the hydrogen supply nozzle, a limit switch for detecting whether the hydrogen supply nozzle is held on the holder stand or not, a cooling system for cooling the hydrogen tank, and a valve controller for controlling a cooling operation performed by the cooling system on the hydrogen tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Izuru Kanoya, Mitsuya Hosoe
  • Patent number: 7861748
    Abstract: A refueling facility (200) according to the present invention comprises a refueling source (210) for refueling a fuel cell vehicle with fuel, a power supply source (220) for supplying power to the fuel cell vehicle, and a controller (230) for controlling refueling and power supply from the refueling facility (200) to the fuel cell vehicle. The forward end of a refueling path (211) and that of a power supply path (221) are integrated into a supply connector (240). The refueling and the power supply are achieved by connecting the supply connector (240) to a fuel receptacle (110) of the fuel cell vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasuyuki Iida
  • Patent number: 7861750
    Abstract: A dispenser for holding multiple doses of fluids or other substances, and for dispensing the substances, has a vial, a flexible bladder received within the vial, and a variable volume storage chamber formed between the bladder and vial. A filling valve is coupled in fluid communication with the storage chamber and defines (1) a normally closed, fluid-tight position hermetically sealing the storage chamber from the ambient atmosphere, and (2) an open position allowing the passage of fluid through the valve both to evacuate the storage chamber and to introduce fluid through the valve to fill the storage chamber. A pump is coupled in fluid communication with the storage chamber for pumping fluids out of the storage chamber. A dispensing valve is coupled in fluid communication with the pump and defines (1) a normally closed, fluid-tight position preventing the passage of fluid out of the dispenser, and (2) an open position for dispensing pumped fluid therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Medical Instill Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Py, Julian V. Chan
  • Publication number: 20100326563
    Abstract: It is aimed to eliminate charges accumulated inside a wall structure of a resin vessel 2, which is sterilized by an electron beam irradiator 16, and an ionizer 134 disposed outside a filler 112 emits to the outer surface of the resin vessel 2 with negative ions having the same polarity as that of charges accumulated in the wall section of the resin vessel 2, while conveying the resin vessel 2 sterilized by the electron beam irradiator 16 to the filler 112, by which liquid fills the resin vessel 2. A filling nozzle 132 is connected to ground, and an ion flowing path is formed through a liquid column La filling the interior of the resin vessel 2 from the filling nozzle 132.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventors: Toshiya Kobayashi, Mitsuomi Narita, Tomohiko Sugimori, Tsunehiko Yokoi, Yukinobu Nishino, Masami Hayashi, Takashi Kadoya, Tokuo Nishi, Yukihiro Yamamoto, Takuya Onishi, Takahiro Kida, Kouichi Murata
  • Publication number: 20100313993
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for stabilizing vials during a contents transfer, the apparatus having a flat base from which vertical arms rise from each end, and having a stabilizer band segment above and parallel to each side of the flat base to provide stabilizing support to at least one fluid vial when the fluid vial is up-ended over a base vial during a contents transfer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Inventors: HEATHER SHARKEY, JASON SHARKEY
  • Patent number: 7845374
    Abstract: A gas filling apparatus used to fill a photomask box with gas such as nitrogen or other inert gas. The gas filling apparatus of the present invention has a gas filling chamber provided with a plurality of first pillared elements, a plurality of second pillared elements, at least one gas inlet, at least one gas outlet, and a plurality of clamping elements; wherein the first pillared elements are used to couple with the recesses on a cover member of the photomask box, the second pillared elements are used to prop against the peripheral of a cover member of the photomask box, and the clamping elements respectively prop against two opposite sides of the cover member of photomask box, whereby the gas inlets and the gas outlets are respectively coupled with the through holes formed on the lower cover member of the photomask box and the gas can be filled into and exhausted from the photomask box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Gudeng Precision Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Pan Yung Shuen, Li Nien Chen
  • Publication number: 20100300581
    Abstract: A cutting device and method for operating a cutting device. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2010
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Inventors: Klaus KRÄMER, Lutz DECKERT, Oliver KRESS
  • Patent number: 7841371
    Abstract: A curtain nozzle is located above an opening portion (10) in a FIMS. A gas curtain formed of inert gas for closing the opening portion is formed. A cover is so provided as to cover a part of the curtain nozzle so as to prevent peripheral gas around an opening of the curtain nozzle from being involved in the gas curtain of the inert gas emitted from the curtain nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventor: Tsutomu Okabe
  • Patent number: 7836919
    Abstract: A device and method for loading pellets into chemical reactor tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Tubemaster Inc.
    Inventors: Clifford L Johns, Daniel D. Sympson, August M. Dattilo, III, Munaf Najmuddin Chasmawala, Manfred Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20100282363
    Abstract: A beverage bottling plant with heated information-adding equipment and information-adding equipment. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Inventor: Klaus Krämer
  • Publication number: 20100276035
    Abstract: A syringe and a reconstitution syringe are provided for the delivery of controlled doses of any of numerous different sterile substances, such as vaccines, medicaments, pharmaceutical preparations, cosmetics, and food products. A plunger of the syringe defines a resealable stopper frictionally and slidably received within a hollow syringe body for dispensing the medicament or other substance through a dispensing tip of the syringe upon movement of the plunger. The resealable stopper defines a heat-sealable portion to allow the stopper to be penetrated by a needle or other filling device to fill the syringe with a medicament or other substance, and in turn allow the hole remaining upon withdrawal of the needle to be heat sealed by transmission of laser energy thereon. A reconstitution syringe defines within a syringe body plural compartments, wherein each compartment stores a respective component of a multi-component medicament or other preparation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Inventor: Daniel Py
  • Patent number: 7820313
    Abstract: A gating device (100) and associated method (900) for identifying a fuel container (101) used to refill a fuel cell (102) are presented. A fuel source identification device (103) identifies a fuel container (101) to verify that it is compatible with the fuel cell (102). Upon identification, a gating engine (105) opens a retractable barrier (106), thereby providing access to the fuel cell (102). The gating engine (105) moves the retractable barrier (106) from a closed position to an open position when a control circuit (803) indicates that the fuel container (101) is compatible with the fuel cell (102). The fuel container identification device may be an impedance detector (201), a connectivity detector (301), a barcode reader (401), a memory reader (501), a radio-frequency identification device (601), a label reader (701), or other similar device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventor: David Winkler
  • Patent number: 7815794
    Abstract: Remote delivery of water softener pellets into a water softener by a vacuum. By using a vacuum the delivery system allows salt to be delivered to great distances to point of use (existing brine tank). This invention will allow people to drive into their garage close to the inventive salt loading hopper and either dump a bag of salt pellets or scoop out of it into the loading hopper, which is located a convenient minimized height off the floor. The current state prior to this invention was to carry the heavy bag of salt to the location of the water softener brine tank, which in most cases is located down the stairs in a basement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Inventor: Michael J Muniak
  • Patent number: 7810766
    Abstract: A resilient food stuff bag opener is disclosed, wherein the resilient bag opener is forcibly bent or bowed for easily entering a pliable food stuff bag, and upon relaxation of the bending forces, the bag opener resiliently deforms from its bent configuration to thereby open the food stuff bag in a manner that allows a food stuff residing on a food support surface of the bag opener to flow into the food stuff bag. The food support surface of the bag opener may be also used for processing foods such as cutting, dicing, washing, straining, etc. depending on the embodiment used. An inclined support may be optionally provided for maintaining the bag opener in a “hands-free” inclined position so that a food stuff provided on the food support surface can flow into the food stuff bag without a user having to hold the bag opener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Inventor: Brad Blessman
  • Publication number: 20100252142
    Abstract: A unit (10) for filling containers (14), includes an insulator (16) having a body (18) provided with an inlet (E) and an outlet (S), the structure (20) of the body (18) defining a space (V) forming an aseptic working region (22) and including insufflation elements (28) which are arranged in the upper part of the insulator (16) and are able to insufflate a sterile air flow for creating an overpressure inside the space (V). The insufflation elements (28) are arranged in the insulator (16) in such a way as to project a laminar-type flow (F) to lick the outer surface (44) of the containers (14), and the insulator (16) includes evacuation elements (48) which are separate from the inlet (E) and the outlet (S) and used to enable a controlled evacuation of the insufflated sterile air flow (F).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2008
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Applicant: SIDEL PARTICIPATIONS
    Inventor: Eric Adriansens
  • Patent number: 7802593
    Abstract: A food dispensing apparatus includes a refrigerated cabinet having a dispense aperture, a hopper, an accumulator assembly, a weighing system, and a flap door. The hopper is positioned in the cabinet and configured to hold food articles. The accumulator assembly is positioned vertically below the first hopper and includes an accumulator bin and a door assembly. The accumulator door is positioned in the cabinet and arranged to receive food articles dispensed from the first hopper. The door assembly is configured to retain the food articles in the accumulator bin and is actuatable between an open position and a closed position. The weighing system is configured to determine an amount of food articles held in the accumulator bin. The flap door is positioned adjacent to the door assembly and is movable between a closed position substantially sealing closed the cabinet dispense aperture, and an open position. The flap door automatically closes upon actuation of the door assembly into the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Automated Equipment LLC
    Inventors: Bruce H. Koerner, Richard J. Curtin, Gordon G. Erickson, Adino S. Quiboloy, Kevin M. Riester
  • Patent number: 7798183
    Abstract: An integrated compressor-tire sealant injection device with a sealant container and a compressor is provided. The integrated compressor-tire sealant injection device has a compressor unit that has a compressor and a connector to a bottle of sealant integrated into the compressor unit so that a bottle of sealant is connectable to the device to inflate a tire wherein the connector has first and second ball valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: James Cegelski, Scott Noble Hickman
  • Publication number: 20100233794
    Abstract: Each of nozzles includes a micropore which is used as a channel, and the channel is exposed to the outside in the vicinity of a front end of the nozzle. An arm supports the nozzles so that the front ends of the nozzles are movable in an insertion/extraction direction, in which the front ends are inserted into or extracted from a specimen container, and the front ends of the nozzles are able to be simultaneously located in the specimen container. An arm movement mechanism and a nozzle movement mechanism respectively move the nozzles so as to move any one of the front ends of the nozzles in the insertion/extraction direction. Particularly, the nozzle movement mechanism is able to change a relative positional relationship of the front end of the nozzle movement mechanism with respect to the insertion/extraction direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Inventor: Kanako IWAMURA
  • Patent number: 7789110
    Abstract: A kit for inflating and repairing inflatable articles, in particular tires, the kit having a compressor assembly, a container of sealing liquid and connectors for connecting the container to the compressor assembly and to an inflatable article for repair or inflation; the compressor assembly being housed in an outer casing defining a seat for the container of sealing liquid. The container is housed removably in the seat and functionally connected to the compressor assembly so as to form a compact unit ready for use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Tek Global S.R.L.
    Inventor: Maurizio Marini
  • Patent number: 7779873
    Abstract: A filling device for use to manually or automatically refill a fuel cartridge using a separate fuel container or a second fuel cartridge is disclosed. The filling device provides for the sharing or fuel among numerous fuel containers and fuel cartridges in various consumer electronic devices. Fuel cartridges can be filled in-situ using an adapter for connecting the fuel container to the fuel cartridge. The adapter includes an input connector and an output connector arranged to adapt various fuel containers and fuel cartridges together. The adapter can be arranged as a passive device or as an active device and can include pumps, valves, power sources and control units as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Societe BIC
    Inventors: Paul Adams, Andrew J. Curello
  • Publication number: 20100189545
    Abstract: Disclosed is a solution to automate a seal oil float trap by-pass for a hydrogen cooled generator. An automated by-pass system is coupled to an existing manual by-pass system for a float trap for a hydrogen cooled generator. The automated by-pass system includes at least one solenoid valve and a controller that controls opening and closing of the solenoid valve. The automated by-pass system can also include manual valves, orifices and limit switches. The controller activates the solenoid valve to allow the seal oil to drain. The controller can also provide a notification alarm that the hydrogen cooled generator is being purged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2009
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Ravindra Annigeri, Patrick William Anglin, Marlowe Cameron Bjorklund, Leigh-Ann Darden Heuser, Reginald Wayne Kemp, David Lee Rogers
  • Publication number: 20100180983
    Abstract: A fuel storage system includes a fuel tank, a fueling receptacle in fluid communication with the tank, and a coil adjacent the fueling receptacle. The system also includes a controller configured to determine information about a state of fuel in the tank, and to cause a modulated current to be driven into the coil to generate an electromagnetic field. The modulated current represents the information about the state of fuel in the tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2009
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Hasdi R. Hashim, Shahid Ahmed Siddiqui
  • Publication number: 20100175782
    Abstract: Provided is a tablet filling device capable of continuing an operation without stopping the supply of the tablet container, filling with tablets, etc. even when the prescribed operations cannot be performed at the operating positions. The tablet filling device includes: a tablet supply unit (3) that fills a tablet container (12) with tablets; a carrying member (41) which carries the tablet cassette (12) from the tablet supply unit (3) to a standby position; a container holding member (65) provided at a delivery position and having a plurality of holding parts (67, 68) capable of holding the tablet container (12) according to a difference in outer diameter dimension; and another carrying member (52) which carries the tablet container (12) held by a container holding member (65) to an operating position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Yuyama, Hirokazu Chihara
  • Publication number: 20100175781
    Abstract: An apparatus for charging dry air or nitrogen gas into a container for storing semiconductor wafers can remove chemical gas and moisture from the container, and then prevent acid from being generated at the surfaces of the wafers. The apparatus A for charging dry air or nitrogen gas into a container 1 for storing semiconductor wafers 9 is connected to an opening 8a, acting as an intake, and to an opening 8b, acting as an exhaust, wherein the container 1 comprises a plurality of openings 8 disposed at the bottom plate of the container 1, the apparatus comprising: PTFE filters 7 disposed at the plurality of openings 8a, 8b, a portion 11 for providing the dry air or nitrogen gas to the container 1, and a portion 12 for exhausting the used dry air or nitrogen gas from the container 1 after removing chemical gas and moisture from the container, and then preventing acid from being generated at the surfaces of the wafers 9.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2007
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicants: KONDOH INDUSTRIES, LTD., CAMBRIDGE FILTER JAPAN, LTD.
    Inventors: Toshirou Kisakibaru, Makoto Okada, Naoji Iida, Yasushi Honda
  • Patent number: 7756717
    Abstract: A system (10) for ensuring the quality of lubricating oil in an engine of a locomotive without the need for specialized diagnostic and fluid handling systems on the locomotive. A test portion (28) of lubricating oil is removed from the engine and is analyzed at an oil analysis center (26) to determine an oil quality parameter (32). The oil quality parameter is used as an input to a calculator (34) to determine a quantity of oil (36) that must be replaced by fresh oil during a current maintenance outage in order to ensure that the engine oil quality will remain acceptable throughout a forthcoming operating period. In this manner, a complete change-out of the lubricating oil may be delayed or avoided. The oil replacement decision and quantity is communicated to a service center (18) via a communications link such as the Internet (40) prior to the arrival of the locomotive at the service center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Bhupinder Singh Dayal, John Paul Kralik, Keith A. Condran, Robert Douglas Cryer, Thomas Charles Sonney
  • Patent number: 7748418
    Abstract: A wheeled, fuel hose lift tool adapted to lift successive sections of a fuel hose to drain residual fuel from the hose as a user moves along the extended direction of the fuel hose. The tool includes a hose support wheel, an elongate, adjustable tube and a handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Inventor: Bruce D. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20100154538
    Abstract: A portion measuring and dispensing device comprises a chamber, a handle and a hingeable lid. The chamber comprises a bottom, a side structure attached to the bottom, and an aperture opposite of the bottom. The handle comprises a body defining a longitudinal channel with a first end opening to the chamber and a second end opening at a distal point on the handle. The second end is proportioned to be received within a mouth of a bottle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventor: Joseph Ryan RICELY
  • Publication number: 20100154926
    Abstract: An injection-molded load line connection spillage container for catching and retaining liquid spilled when liquids are pumped between storage tanks and tankers provides an injection-molded reservoir and an injection-molded cover attached to the reservoir by hinges. Reinforcing ribs molded into the reservoir provide strength and ruggedness without the need for reinforcing steel collars and saddles. Gussets molded into the reservoir hinge brackets ensure repeated stresses produced by energetic opening of the cover does not result in failure of the hinge brackets. An optional load line mounting assembly permits secure mounting of the load line container directly onto the load line. An optional cleanout assembly provides a valved suction line for removing retained spillage, and an optional sampling assembly provides a valved sample line for sampling the liquid being transferred.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventors: Jack G. Brewer, Steven L. Shroyer, Darrel B. Fruit, Darrel G. Fruit
  • Publication number: 20100147418
    Abstract: An apparatus for marking plastic containers, comprising a marking device which applies a marking to the containers and a checking device which checks for the presence of the marking on the container. According to the invention, the checking device comprises a temperature-sensitive sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2009
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventor: Stefan Piana
  • Publication number: 20100132833
    Abstract: A link apparatus for weighing objects from a weighing machine to bags conveyed at high speed, a weighing apparatus and a packing apparatus using the link apparatus, and a weighing and packaging system are disclosed. A link apparatus comprises funnel-shaped chutes supplied with objects through entrances and respectively discharge the objects through exits A rotary board conveys the chutes along a revolving path where the exits are arranged in one line in a direction along the revolving path. The revolving path includes a first area under which package bags are conveyed in the direction along the revolving path, the first area being a part of the revolving path; wherein the entrances are formed by elongated openings; and the rotary board conveys the chutes such that the exits are located above the package bags in the first area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: SHOZO KAWANISHI
    Inventor: Shozo Kawanishi
  • Patent number: 7726353
    Abstract: A curtain nozzle is located above an opening portion (10) in a FIMS. A gas curtain formed of inert gas for closing the opening portion is formed, and at the same time, the inert gas is also supplied to an inside of a FOUP. Here, the direction of supply of the inert gas supplied to the inside of the FOUP is such that it does not have a flow component directing toward the gas flow forming the gas curtain. The above-mentioned structure prevents increase over time in a partial pressure of oxidizing gas in the FOUP fixed by a FIMS system in an open state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventor: Tsutomu Okabe
  • Publication number: 20100119890
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein which produce renewable energy, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, by transforming biomethane gas into a mobile and renewable energy source. Biomethane gas, in this process, is generated from the anaerobic degradation process that occurs in landfills or other biomethane sources. The biomethane gas, after it has gone through a specialized cleaning system at the biomethane source sites and subsequently transported to gas consumer's customer site or natural gas pipeline, can be used as a substitute for natural gas for use in power generation units, fuel cells, vehicle fuels, and/or other applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: BIOFUELS ENERGY, LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Frisbie, Frank J. Mazanec
  • Publication number: 20100108191
    Abstract: An oil filter change method and apparatus for use with Harley Davidson motorcycles employs a filter funnel adapted to fit beneath the oil filter prior to removal. A drain hose may be attached to a spout portion of the funnel, the filter is punctured, and oil allowed to drain therefrom. Once drained, the filter is fully removed, and is held in the funnel for removal, with minimal or no oil spillage onto the engine of the motorcycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventor: Gregory R. Ernst
  • Publication number: 20100102997
    Abstract: A vehicular number input device used for entering fuel/energy price information into a vehicle's internal computer, mileage computer, mileage software or software monitoring system. This number input device is secured to the vehicle near the gas cap. The fuel/energy price data entered can then be displayed to show real-time fuel efficiency in terms of dollars and cents during the operation of the vehicle or when it has stopped. The optimal device claimed has the best advantage for fuel cost input since it is simple to use and inexpensive to produce. The location of the device is convenient since a user who is pumping gas/recharging power usually has a few moments to himself to enter numbers while the gas is being filled. It's the perfect opportunity to enter fuel price data into a vehicle's computer. This device provides a simple, unique and convenient option for drivers wishing to view of their vehicle's fuel expense consumption costs as it occurs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Inventor: John Pierre Pikolon
  • Publication number: 20100101681
    Abstract: A beverage bottling or container filling plant having a beverage bottle or container labeling machine, and a beverage bottle or container labeling machine. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2009
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Inventors: Klaus Krämer, Lutz DECKERT, Oliver KRESS
  • Patent number: 7703485
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, an apparatus for self-sealing of a reaction vessel, such that the reaction vessel may be repeatedly accessed by a fluid transfer mechanism and subsequently self-sealed, is detailed. The reaction vessel has an access opening, and the apparatus comprises a cap, a ball which is comprised of a magnetizable material (such as a ferrous metal), and a ring magnet. The cap is sized to fit over the reaction vessel access opening, and has an access port. The cap has an internal surface which faces the reaction vessel, and an external surface, which faces away from the reaction vessel. The ball is sized to fit over the cap access port, such that a portion of the ball seats partially in the cap access port on the cap internal surface, thus sealing the cap access port. According to an aspect of the invention, the ball may be comprised of a ferromagnetic material, or a magnetizable material that is preferably magnetized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventor: Stephan Rodewald
  • Patent number: 7694700
    Abstract: Apparatus of the invention for transporting substrates (3) comprises a mini-environment enclosure (1) that is movable and that can be coupled to a conditioning station (22). The mini-environment enclosure (1) includes a micropump (12) whose inlet is connected to an inside cavity (2) that is to contain the substrate (3) to be transported. An energy supply (16) is also provided in the mini-environment enclosure (1) to power the micropump (12). The mini-environment enclosure (1) comprises a peripheral shell (4) open to two opposite main faces (5, 6), and including a closable side opening (7). A first main wall (8) is fitted to close the first main face (5) in leaktight manner. A second main wall (9) is fitted and secured to close the second main face (6) in leaktight manner. The first and second main walls are disposed in planes parallel to the plane containing the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Alcatel
    Inventors: Roland Bernard, Hisanori Kambara, Jean-Luc Rival, Catherine Le Guet
  • Publication number: 20100084042
    Abstract: A combination fluid collector and parts washer includes a collector mounted on a base supported stanchion to receive fluid for selectively discharging the fluid through a valve into a container. A tray is removably mounted in the collector for supporting parts to be washed by the fluid in the collector and includes ridges on the bottom for drainage purposes and holes for draining the fluid from the tray into the collector. A device for collecting fluid from each of a plurality of containers is detachably attachable to the stanchion for discharging the collected fluid into a vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2008
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Inventor: Donald G. Bonnell
  • Publication number: 20100065149
    Abstract: A blender has a mixing chamber for reception of materials to be blended. A mixing screw is mounted at a bottom of the mixing chamber for mixing materials within the mixing chamber and delivering mixed materials to an outlet feeding a processing line. A baffle is mounted at the outlet extending about the mixing screw. The baffle inhibits upward movement of material at the outlet tending to cram material into the outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2009
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Inventor: James Joseph O'CALLAGHAN
  • Publication number: 20100043918
    Abstract: The present invention is a quartz bubbler container with cross purge capability. This cross purge allows the user to easily purge air and chemical from the valve inlet and outlet by simply flowing inert gas, and avoids the requirement for a more complicated vacuum purging apparatus. The design incorporates two small footprint 3-way valves mounted on the bubbler container inlet and outlet connectors. The 3rd port of each valve is piped together between the valves with a crosspurge line. The valves are corrosion resistant, leak free, maintenance free, non-leaching of impurities, and can accommodate an optional breakseal crusher that will perforate quartz break seals (on the inlet and outlet of ampoule). Liquid out containers of various materials of construction are also contemplated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Michael Birtcher, Thomas Andrew Steidl, John Eric Baker
  • Patent number: 7665488
    Abstract: A particle filling line comprises a vertically-oriented conduit that includes a conduit hollow. The conduit includes a conduit top and a conduit bottom. The conduit bottom defines an outlet. The conduit is arranged so that particles supplied to the conduit top flow through the outlet to be received by one or more containers disposed on a movable conveyor belt. The conduit hollow includes one or more conduit hollow elements disposed therein. The one or more conduit hollow elements include any of a plurality of agitators and an auger. The particle filling line is arranged for determining a resistance that is based on the spacing between the one or more conduit hollow elements and the conduit inner walls. When the resistance is determined to be less than a threshold resistance value, the particle filling process ceases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Timothy L. Huss
  • Patent number: 7654291
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to easily and securely perform the removal operation of contaminant or the like from a wafer housed in a FOUP. To achieve the object, a purging apparatus of the present invention removes contaminant or the like from a wafer by moving a gas supply nozzle along a direction in which wafers are superimposed at the front of an opening while a lid of the FOUP is separated from a body and spraying clean gas on each wafer from the gas supply nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventors: Toshihiko Miyajima, Hiroshi Igarashi, Hitoshi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7640946
    Abstract: A vacuum treating device, comprising a treatment container having a container body (111) and a lid (112) and allowing an internal pressure to be reduced and a lid support mechanism (130), wherein an upper opening (111a) formed in the container body can be closed airtight by the lid (112). The lid support mechanism (130) opens and closes the upper opening (111a) of the container body by moving the lid (112) so as to be translatingly moved in the vertical direction and, when the lid (112) is moved upward from the container body (111), supports the lid (112) so as to be rotated around a vertical axis disposed around the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventor: Tetsuya Saito
  • Publication number: 20090320958
    Abstract: An apparatus for the filling of bags having at least one opening therein and having space to permit decreased accumulation of filling materials. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Inventor: Thomas MATHEYKA
  • Patent number: 7635359
    Abstract: Disclosed is a receptacle for use with a medical suction device which is equipped with a cover body and an external case for detachably holding and air-tightly surrounding the receptacle and a patient-side tube for introducing waste liquid into the receptacle, and designed to create a negative pressure in both an interior space of the cover body and the external case and an interior space of the receptacle so as to allow waste liquid to be sucked into the receptacle through the patient-side tube. The receptacle has an air-pervious/liquid-impervious element having air perviousness and liquid imperviousness. The air-pervious/liquid-impervious element at least partly constitutes a portion of the receptacle to be surrounded by the cover body and the external case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: Daiken Iki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hajime Nakazawa, Hiroaki Takimoto
  • Publication number: 20090308490
    Abstract: The particulate substance collector described herein comprises a conductive material completely or partially encased in one or more types of non-conductive material(s). The collector can be mounted on a particulate substance collection system, which provides the collector with electrostatic charge. The charged collector is used to attract a measurable amount of particulate substances to the collector. The present invention broadens the range of substances that can be collected to include both conductive and non-conductive particulate materials. Previously, with collectors composed solely of a single material, conductive materials could not be collected. The present invention also broadens the type of receptacle that the particulate substance can be held in, to include both conductive and non-conductive receptacles. The present invention further provides the benefit of minimizing electric shock to the operator who inadvertently contacts the collector during operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Inventors: John Bert Jones, Jianzhong Zhang
  • Publication number: 20090301599
    Abstract: A machine (2) for handling partially formed containers (6) comprising an indexing conveying device (8), a feeder (4) arranged to supply to the conveying device (8), per index, a plurality of partially formed containers (6), one or more stations (18, 20) comprising a plurality of devices arranged to perform substantially identical operations on a group of containers constituted by the plurality of partially formed containers (6), the indexing conveying device (8) being arranged to advance the group through the stations (18, 20), and a controlling device arranged to cause the feeder (4) to reduce to an integer the number of partially formed containers (6) supplied, per index, to the conveying device (8). The machine (2) is operated by the controlling device via a number of servomechanisms associated with each of the operations carried out by the machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2006
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Applicant: Elopak Systems AG
    Inventors: Russell Paul Miller, Chadwick Axel Wierenga, Kenneth Archie Poublon, Per Inge Styllet, William Baranek
  • Patent number: 7624770
    Abstract: Multi compressor systems and apparatuses for the manufacture, storage and dispensing of manufactured hydrogen fuel to hydrogen vehicle tanks or remote mobile refuelers are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: The BOC Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Walter Boyd, David Grant Wardle, Kelly R. Leitch, Satish S. Tamhankar, Gary Peter Lomas
  • Patent number: RE41916
    Abstract: The present invention includes wireless communication systems, interfacing devices, communication methods, methods of interfacing with an interrogator, and methods of operating an interrogator. According to one embodiment, a wireless communication system includes a remote communication device; an interrogator configured to output a forward link wireless communication and receive a reply link wireless communication from the remote communication device responsive to the forward link wireless communication; and an interface device configured to interface with the interrogator using a wireless medium, the interrogator being configured to be controlled by the interface device .
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Round Rock Research, LLC
    Inventors: Benjamin G. Bates, Scott Hahn