Sealing Patents (Class 359/513)
  • Publication number: 20070177266
    Abstract: An optical module includes: an optical element; a support member for supporting the optical element; a lid member that seals the optical element with respect to the support member; a sealing member that is provided to bond the lid member with the supporting member; and a case with a lens provided such that the lens is disposed on an optical path of light oscillated by the optical element, wherein the case with the lens is opposed in an optical axis direction of light passing through the lens to and in contact with the supporting member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Publication date: August 2, 2007
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Kimio Nagasaka
  • Patent number: 7244033
    Abstract: An optical device includes a first optical element including an incidence plane on which light from an object is incident, the incidence plane being in contact with the surrounding environment; a main body having an inside and housing the first optical element such that the incidence plane and the inside of the main body are hermetically sealed; a second optical element provided in the main body, the second optical element receiving light from the first optical element; and an absorbent member provided in the main body. In the optical device, the absorbent member has a moisture absorptive capacity corresponding to at least an amount of water retention inside the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Haruhiko Yamanouchi
  • Patent number: 7185992
    Abstract: A lens apparatus includes a lens unit comprising at least one lens, a holding member disposed at a side surface of the lens unit, a ring-like member disposed between the lens unit and the holding member. In the lens apparatus a fixing agent is surrounded by the lens unit, the holding member, and the ring-like member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tomoya Yoshizawa
  • Patent number: 7119952
    Abstract: An exposure apparatus for exposing a substrate to ultraviolet light via a pattern of a reticle. The apparatus includes an optical element disposed on a path of the ultraviolet light extending from a light source to the substrate, a holder configured to hold the optical element, and a container configured to accommodate the optical element therein. The container has a partition wall with an opening through which the holder extends. The partition wall and the holder have a gap therebetween inside the opening. The holder is configured to move in a range of the opening so as to adjust a position of the optical element. The partition wall and the holder is configured so that a portion of the gap can be filled with a detachable filling cover. The apparatus further includes an outer cover detachably mounted on the container to cover the partition wall gas-tightly, and a supplier configured to supply inert gas into the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Sumitada Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 7044611
    Abstract: An optical device for use under significantly varying ambient pressure is provided comprising a housing, a transparent element, a first sealing device and a protection apparatus. The housing has an interior part, an environment outside the housing and a recess in a first region. The transparent element is arranged in the first region in a region of the recess. The first sealing device is sealing a first sealing gap between the transparent element and the housing. Furthermore, the first sealing device is sealing the interior part of the housing relative to the environment of the housing up to a first pressure level. The protection apparatus is arranged outside the housing and is displaceable from a first functional position into a second functional position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Optronics GmbH
    Inventors: Dirk Weisser, Traugott Tietz
  • Patent number: 7031070
    Abstract: The plastic optical component includes a main body and a transparent moisture-proof coating provided on all surfaces of the main body, the moisture-proof coating satisfying the following relation (1): (D1/d)×(L/D2)<10 ??(1) where D1 (mm2/s) is a water diffusion coefficient of a first material of which the moisture-proof coating is made, d (mm) is a thickness of the first material, D2 (mm2/s) is the water diffusion coefficient of a second material of which the main body is made, and L (mm) is an average thickness across an optical surfaces of the second material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fumiyuki Suzuki, Noriko Eiha, Tadashi Mochizuki, Takeo Kido
  • Patent number: 6992846
    Abstract: A scan engine is disclosed for use in a data collection device, as well as a method for producing a scan engine and an image sensor assembly. The scan engine includes a housing with an opening for receiving light from a scanned dataform, an image sensor which is located within the housing to sense light entering an aperture in the image sensor, and a prism located within the housing for receiving light from the opening along a first path and to provide at least a portion of the received light to the aperture along a second path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Chen Feng
  • Patent number: 6985312
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprising a lens mounting device in an optical housing. The lens mounting device can prevent the lens mounted on a lens bonding member from being affected by fluctuations in an ambient temperature around the optical housing. The lens is fixed on the lens bonding member through an adhesive layer. The adhesive layer has a thickness of 0.2 mm or above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Yamakawa, Rumiko Ono
  • Patent number: 6918673
    Abstract: A protective optical filter assembly for thin film filters having two transparent substrates facing one another and separated by a resilient element, a sealed region is formed between the transparent substrates by applying a compressive force that compresses the resilient element. The thin film filter may be contained within a carrier. The compressive force may be generated by one or more interference-fit aperture rings or threaded apertures ring, a given aperture ring may be opposed by another such aperture ring or a fixed stop. Alternatively a snap fit carrier may be used to generate the compressive force. The sealed region may have a gas having a positive pressure or a liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Omega Optical, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Johnson, Natalia Gorawski, Barry O'Dwyer
  • Patent number: 6866391
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system to overcome and eliminate the effects of condensation contamination of optical surfaces that are induced by radiative cooling. The invention counteracts the effects of radiative cooling on optical surfaces and maintains an optical system within a very tight limit to the ambient temperature by utilizing a resistive heater element that is in contact with the optical components subject to condensation. In thermal contact with this optical component is a solid-state precision temperature sensor. In addition, there is a matching solid-state precision temperature in thermal contact with the ambient air but thermally isolated from the optical element. Signals from these two sensors are applied to a comparator that functions to generate a data signal when the optical surface temperature is less than the ambient or reference temperature. This data signal is used to activate a solid-state power switch that applies a voltage to a resistive heating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Remote Sights, Ltd.
    Inventor: George J. Krausse
  • Patent number: 6830248
    Abstract: A high-performance magnetic fluid sealer which maintains light-shielding property even when an interval change of a gap is large and a method for easily mounting a magnetic fluid sealer. A pair of annular magnets are supported by levitation from a lens barrel by magnetic levitation force which a magnetic fluid imparts in a fitting groove in the inner peripheral face of a lens barrel. Therefore, even when the lens barrel is greatly eccentric to the lens barrel, the pair of annular magnets move radially so as to keep a constant gap from the lens barrel with the magnetic fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: NOK Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshimi Imamoto, Hiroshi Anzai
  • Patent number: 6829034
    Abstract: An exposure apparatus to be used with an excimer laser as a light source includes an optical system disposed along a path of excimer laser light, a chamber for accommodating the optical system therein and having an inside space being able to be replaced by a predetermined gas, a gas circulation mechanism having a gas circulation path for connecting a gas discharging port for discharging a gas from the chamber and a gas supplying port for supplying a gas into the chamber, and a switching device for selectively using plural purifiers disposed in the gas circulation path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshinori Miwa, Eiji Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 6820985
    Abstract: To provide a display panel, such as a PDP, that can reduce noise caused by a collision sound which occurs when a front panel member and a back panel member vibrate while the display panel is being driven. Projections (21) are provided on a surface of a first panel member facing a second panel member. The first panel member and the second panel member are connected to each other by a connecting material in areas (23) where the projections intersect barrier ribs (18). In this way, noise (noise level) caused by a collision sound which occurs when the front panel member and the back panel member vibrate while the display panel is being driven can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masafumi Ookawa, Junichi Hibino, Yoshiki Sasaki, Katuyoshi Yamashita
  • Patent number: 6805453
    Abstract: A medical instrument arrangement includes an operation microscope system (100) and a carrier unit (101) carrying the operation microscope (102). The medical instrument arrangement is at least partially covered by a drape (110). The air inside the drape (110) is removed by a suction unit. The drape (110) is fixed to a portion of the carrier unit (101) at a collar (115). By operating the suction unit at different suction rates, disturbing vibrations of the system during a surgical procedure can be minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung
    Inventors: Robert F. Spetzler, Jeremy Diringer, Günther Grubauer, Klaus Gottwaldt, Kirsten Stäbler
  • Patent number: 6799904
    Abstract: A camera arrangement for motor vehicles with a camera that is arranged in a vehicle interior behind a window is described. In this arrangement, a transparent additional window is arranged behind and a distance away from the window, at least in the portion of the window viewed by the camera, so that a layer of air is enclosed between the window and the additional window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: Hella KG Hueck & Co.
    Inventors: Heiko Schaefer, Jens Hunecke
  • Patent number: 6796664
    Abstract: A method and a device for decontaminating optical surfaces, in particular for decontaminating the surfaces of beam-guiding optics employing UV-radiation in a cleansing atmosphere. The wavelength of the UV-radiation employed falls within a range where oxygen strongly absorbs and the cleansing atmosphere has an oxygen concentration less than that of air. The method and device have application to, e.g., cleaning the surfaces of the beam-guiding optics of microlithographic projection-exposure systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT AG
    Inventors: Jens Luedecke, Christoph Zazcek, Alexandra Pazidis, Jens Ullmann, Annette Muehlpfordt, Michael Thier, Stefan Wiesner
  • Patent number: 6796665
    Abstract: An anti-fogging mirror assembly (10) comprises a mirrored sheet (12), a second sheet (16), and a bonding medium (18) adapted to bond together the mirrored sheet (12) and the second sheet (16). The bonding medium (18) has embedded In it a heating pad (20) in the form of an electrical resistance heating element, which, when it Is supplied with electrical energy, heats the mirrored sheet (12) such that any moisture on the mirrored sheet (12) is be evaporated, and condensation of moisture on the mirrored sheet (12) is prevented. The heating element (20) may be in the form of a polyester substrate printed with a conductive ink, and electrical energy to the heating element (20) may be supplied through upper (68) and lower (26) bus bars. A thermostat (54) may be provided such that when the heating element (20) reaches a predetermined temperature, electrical energy is no longer supplied to the heating element (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Inventor: Barry Ernest Pillinger
  • Patent number: 6786607
    Abstract: In an arrangement for storing and transporting at least one optical component, it is the object of the invention to protect the optical components from contamination not only during their storage and transport, but also when installing them in operative condition in the optical projection beam path so as to ensure their readiness for immediate operation. This object is met in that every optical component is fastened in an aligned manner to a carrier that is provided in a vessel, and a manipulator acts on the carrier to transfer the carrier into an optical beam path enclosed by a cleanroom through an airlock opening which is formed when the vessel door is open. The arrangement can be used particularly when optics must be stored and manipulated so as to be protected from environmental influences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Jenoptik Laser, Optik, Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Dressler
  • Publication number: 20040169927
    Abstract: To provide a display panel, such as a PDP, that can reduce noise caused by a collision sound which occurs when a front panel member and a back panel member vibrate while the display panel is being driven. Projections (21) are provided on a surface of a first panel member facing a second panel member. The first panel member and the second panel member are connected to each other by a connecting material in areas (23) where the projections intersect barrier ribs (18). In this way, noise (noise level) caused by a collision sound which occurs when the front panel member and the back panel member vibrate while the display panel is being driven can be reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventors: Masafumi Ookawa, Junichi Hibino, Yoshiki Sasaki, Katuyoshi Yamashita
  • Patent number: 6778338
    Abstract: A shield assembly for a built-in lens set is introduced to a lens set built in a housing, in which the lens set has an optical head and the housing provides an aperture with respective to the optical head. A protrusive enclosure surrounding the aperture protrudes toward the optical head and is spaced from the optical head by a variable slim spacing. The shield assembly includes a shield ring for sleeving both the optical head and the protrusive enclosure and an elastic connecting unit for bridging the shield ring and the housing. By providing the shield ring to enclose always the spacing and the elastic connecting unit to engage elastically the lens set with the housing, the lens set can be prevented from dust-contaminating through the aperture, aged axial offsetting problem, and poor focus-adjusting performance caused by backlash existing in a driving mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Benq Corporation
    Inventors: Chia-Yu Liu, Chang-Chein Li
  • Patent number: 6775077
    Abstract: A scan engine is disclosed for use in a data collection device, as well as a method for producing a scan engine and an image sensor assembly. The scan engine includes a housing with an opening for receiving light from a scanned dataform, an image sensor which is located within the housing to sense light entering an aperture in the image sensor, and a prism located within the housing for receiving light from the opening along a first path and to provide at least a portion of the received light to the aperture along a second path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Chen Feng
  • Patent number: 6765647
    Abstract: An exposure method, wherein a defocus quantity on the surface of a substrate to be exposed with respect to an image plane of a projection optical system is detected highly accurately even during exposing without lowering throughput much and focusing is made with an automatic focusing method. A first oblique-incident AF sensor including an illumination slit unit (54a) through an optical member (63a) and a second oblique-incident AF sensor including an illumination slit unit (54b) through an optical member (63b) are used to apply slit images (F1f, F2f) onto common measuring points and focus positions are measured respectively. One half of the difference between the two measured values is regarded as a drift and the drift is corrected for values measured by the AF sensors; the first or second AF sensor is then used to perform a focusing by the automatic focusing method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Kenji Nishi
  • Patent number: 6738570
    Abstract: A lens apparatus or optical instrument having a lens apparatus including a holding member that holds and moves a lens or a lens group in an optical axis direction, the holding member having a vent providing ventilation between the interior and the exterior of the lens apparatus, a water-repellent microporous member that covers the vent, and an appearance member disposed on the holding member, with a clearance provided between the appearance member and the holding member, so as to shield the water-repellent microporous member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mitsuru Shinohara, Jun Sugita, Shigeki Satoh
  • Patent number: 6733143
    Abstract: There is provided a light shielding apparatus with a light shielding seal 1 that reduces a sliding resistance and, at the same time, improves light shielding property and realizes saving of a space. There is provided a light shielding structure that is provided between a plurality of members 13 and 14, which are arranged to be able to move relatively to each other spaced a predetermined distance apart, and is capable of preventing light from entering from a gap to be formed between these plurality of members 13 and 14, having magnetic force generating means 2 and 3 that are disposed in any one of the above-mentioned plurality of members 13 and 14 and magnetic fluid 4 which is magnetically held by the magnetic force generating means 2 and 3 and contacts the other member and shielding a gap, which is formed between the above-mentioned plurality of members 13 and 14, by the above-mentioned magnetic fluid 4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: NOK Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Anzai, Takemi Namba, Hirokazu Yamamoto, Yoshimi Imamoto, Takao Kanno
  • Patent number: 6695775
    Abstract: An optical lens assembly containing a plural number of lens elements for an optical system to be incorporated into a tip end portion of an endoscopic insertion instrument. Of a plural number of lenses which constitute an optical system, a metal film layer is formed on confronting outer peripheral surface portions of at least two adjacently located lenses, outside respective effective lens areas, and the two adjacently located lenses are assembled and fixedly bonded together by applying solder to the outer peripheral surface portions with a metal film layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Joji Watanabe, Kazuhiro Sakamoto, Nobuyuki Miura, Shuichi Yamataka, Hiroshi Kuboya, Tadasu Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 6686580
    Abstract: An image sensor package includes a substrate and an image sensor coupled to the substrate. The image sensor includes an upper surface having an active area. A reflector lid is coupled to the substrate. The reflector lid has a first panel having a planar surface. The planar surface is at least partially reflective and is angled relative to the upper surface of the image sensor to reflect electromagnetic radiation to the active area of image sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Amkor Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas P. Glenn, Steven Webster, Roy Dale Hollaway
  • Patent number: 6640053
    Abstract: A camera seal assembly has a first retainer having an opening. The first retainer defines an axis extending through the opening. A second retainer is disposed in fixed relation to the first retainer. The second retainer faces the first retainer in spaced relation along the axis. A barrel extends through the opening. The barrel has a cylindrical barrel wall. A collar has a side wall facing the barrel wall. The barrel is movable relative to the collar. A stack of alternating lesser and greater rings is disposed between the first and second retainers and between the barrel wall and side wall. The lesser rings are movable relative to the greater rings in directions radial to the axis. The stack has a centered state, in which each lesser ring more closely adjoins the barrel wall than the side wall and each greater ring more closely adjoins the side wall than the barrel wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Anthony Dirisio
  • Patent number: 6619806
    Abstract: A shielding device for shielding a clearance between a frame member having an opening and a tube member received in the opening and movable substantially in the direction of an optical axis. The shielding device comprises an annular shielding member arranged between the inner circumference of the opening of the frame member and the outer circumference of the tube member. The annular shielding member is so slidably fitted on the tube member that its inner circumference may contact with the outer circumference portion of the tube member, and is either given substantially the same color as that of the outer circumference surface of the tube member or made substantially transparent at least at its portion having contact with the tube member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Noboru Akami, Takanori Shioda
  • Publication number: 20030117708
    Abstract: The sensitive, active surface of a wire-grid polarizer is protected from degradation by ambient environments by incorporating the component in a non-reactive atmosphere maintained by a sealed enclosure. The enclosure may provide a unitary mounting system for the polarizer, a liquid crystal light modulation panel and a projection lens to form a last-stage sub-assembly for a projection display system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventor: Robert Harvey Kane
  • Patent number: 6523963
    Abstract: The present invention provides a diffraction optical element comprising a first optical member having a first diffraction grating, a second optical member having a second diffraction grating, wherein the first and second optical members are stacked so that the first and second diffraction gratings face each other inside the stacked members and so that a space is formed between the diffraction gratings, and a sealing member for hermetically sealing the space between the diffraction gratings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masaaki Nakabayashi
  • Patent number: 6483101
    Abstract: An image sensor package includes an image sensor, a window, and a molding, where the molding includes a lens holder extension portion extending upwards from the window. The lens holder extension portion includes a female threaded aperture extending from the window such that the window is exposed through the aperture. A lens is supported in a threaded lens support. The threaded lens support is threaded into the aperture of the lens holder extension portion. The lens is readily adjusted relative to the image sensor by rotating the lens support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Amkor Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven Webster
  • Patent number: 6459538
    Abstract: The invention describes a sleeve (1) for movably retained eyepiece tubes (2) for optical devices which rests with its eyepiece-side part (5) against the outer wall of the eyepiece tube (2), and with its housing-side part (6) fits around the inner wall of an opening (7) in the tube housing (3) provided for the eyepiece tube (2). The sleeve (1) is characterized an immovable fit on both device assemblies (2 and 3), and is securely protected against even unintentional removal. The result is to achieve a hermetic seal, impermeable to air and moisture, of the relevant parts of the optical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: Leica Microsystems AG
    Inventor: Paul Grafenhain
  • Patent number: 6414316
    Abstract: A radiation imaging device includes a scintillator, a cover and an imager substrate. A photodetector array comprising a plurality of photodetectors is disposed on the imager substrate. The cover is hermetically bonded to the substrate with a sealant. The cover has outer sidewalls and a top side connecting the outer sidewalls. In attaching to the substrate, the cover is disposed on the imager substrate to surround the scintillator. A curable sealant is applied along the outer surface of the cover. The sealant is then cured to hermetically bond the cover to the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Inventors: Fyodor I. Maydanich, Yakov Shvetskiy
  • Patent number: 6398396
    Abstract: A vehicle component assembly includes a hard coated polymeric element with a resinous polymeric molded element or gasket integrally molded to a predetermined area thereof. Preferably, the element is a polycarbonate optical lens, such as a headlight lens, which is coated with a protective coating or hard coat which provides abrasion resistance and optionally includes ultraviolet radiation absorbers to protect the resinous polymeric molded element from UV radiation degradation. Adhesion is improved by priming the area of the polycarbonate element which receives the gasket with a primer coating. Preferably, the area to be gasketed is primed with a first adhesion promoting primer followed by a second adhesion promoting primer, wherein the first adhesion promoting primer improves the adhesion of the second primer to the protective coating, while the second primer, in turn, improves the adhesion of the molded element or gasket to the first primer and the hard coated element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: David E. Nestell, James T. Ainsworth
  • Publication number: 20010048557
    Abstract: A shielding device for shielding a clearance between a frame member having an opening and a tube member received in the opening and movable substantially in the direction of an optical axis. The shielding device comprises an annular shielding member arranged between the inner circumference of the opening of the frame member and the outer circumference of the tube member. The annular shielding member is so slidably fitted on the tube member that its inner circumference may contact with the outer circumference portion of the tube member, and is either given substantially the same color as that of the outer circumference surface of the tube member or made substantially transparent at least at its portion having contact with the tube member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Noboru Akami, Takanori Shioda
  • Patent number: 6278545
    Abstract: The apparatus (10) for providing magnification for a package (1,2) is designed to provide the user with an apparatus that will allow the user to have a magnification unit to enable him or her to read the instructions of directions on the side of a package (1,2). This is especially valuable for use on prescription bottles used by elderly individuals in situations where improper use of medicines could lead to disastrous consequences. The magnification apparatus (10) for packaging (1,2) comprises a cap (12) that contains a magnifying lens (11) that is molded or manufactured into the cap (12). The focal length of the lens is designed to be longer than the package (1,2) that is positioned upon in order to minimize any problems caused by light at the focal point. The lens (11) can be clear, opaque or colored as determined by the contents of the package (1,2). The user adjusts the apparatus (10) as necessary to read the instructions on the side of the packaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Inventor: A. David Napier
  • Patent number: 6219128
    Abstract: A photosensitive material which has been exposed by an exposure device is fed into a processor, which is an automatic developing device, by a delivery section and processed. Within the exposure device, negative pressure is generated for holding the photosensitive material by suction. A gas outflow preventing device provided at the delivery section includes a chamber disposed in an upper vicinity of guides of a transport device. A nozzle that protrudes from this chamber is provided opposing an exposed photosensitive material insertion slot of the processor. The gas outflow preventing device blows air, which is fed into the chamber by operation of a blower fan, from an ejecting slit formed in the nozzle toward the photosensitive material insertion slot. This blowing of air, without interfering with output of the photosensitive material to the processor, prevents air in the processor flowing out through the photosensitive material insertion slot to the exposure device side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuyuki Denawa, Kimihiro Nakatsuka
  • Patent number: 6188825
    Abstract: A dust cover for protecting a sleeve housing of a fiber optic adapter having opposed interior sidewalls is provided, which includes an elongate member having first and second opposed ends wherein the elongate member has a multifaceted outer surface with at least one planar surface for engaging the opposed interior sidewalls of the fiber optic adapter. The first end of the elongate member is sized and shaped to align the elongate member within the fiber optic adapter and receive the sleeve housing. The first end of the elongate member also includes a longitudinally extending central bore for receiving the sleeve housing and a plurality of landings, which are contiguous the longitudinally extending bore, and which are tapered toward the second end. The landings securely hold the sleeve housing within the central bore of the elongate member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James C. Bandy, Norman R. Lampert, Steven E. Sheldon, Daniel L. Stephenson
  • Patent number: 6170955
    Abstract: An optical assembly for mounting in a vehicle employs a two piece assembly including a bracket having a front surface and a back surface and an optical device having a front surface and a lens element on the front surface. The back surface of the bracket is connected to the vehicle and the front surface of the optical device is removably attached to the back surface of the bracket. The lens element focuses an image through a windshield of the vehicle. In one embodiment of the present invention, the optical device further comprises at least one notch member and a support extension member and the bracket includes an opening and further comprises at least one groove member. The at least one notch member is positioned to removably attach to the at least one groove member, and the support extension member is positioned to removably attach to the opening. In one embodiment, the assembly is mounted to the vehicle windshield so that a driver of said vehicle has an unobstructed view of a road.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Iteris, Inc.
    Inventors: Hugh Campbell, Jeffrey R. Coleman
  • Patent number: 6169628
    Abstract: The invention comprises a protective window for an optical sight. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, an optical sight (20) may comprise an optical component (182, 300) transmitting an image of a scene. A protective window (180, 430) may be disposed approximate to an internal side of the optical component (180, 300) to obstruct dirt from contacting the internal side of the optical component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne E. Isbell, Robert E. Wallace
  • Patent number: 6154313
    Abstract: The invention comprises a protective window for an optical sight. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, an optical sight (20) may comprise an optical component (182, 300) transmitting an image of a scene. A protective window (180, 430) may be disposed approximate to an internal side of the optical component (180, 300) to obstruct dirt from contacting the internal side of the optical component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne E. Isbell, Robert E. Wallace
  • Patent number: 6116741
    Abstract: For use with a surgical microscope having an objective lens barrel protruding therefrom, drapes, methods of draping the microscope and methods of manufacturing the drapes. In one embodiment, a drape includes: (1) a sheet, having a sheet aperture therethrough, that covers at least a portion of the surgical microscope, (2) a rigid, planar seal mount, coupled to the sheet and having a mount aperture therethrough that aligns with the sheet aperture and (3) an elastomeric sheet seal, coupled to the planar seal mount and having a dilatable seal aperture therethrough that has a constricted diameter less than the mount aperture, aligns with the mount aperture, expands to receive the objective lens barrel therethrough and elastically constricts about the objective lens barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: DEKA Medical, Incorporated
    Inventor: Patti B. Paschal
  • Patent number: 6104024
    Abstract: A housing is provided that has a receiving body for at least one optical sensing device and at least one hollow and air-tight window body for allowing passage of signals to and from the sensing device. The hollow and air-tight window body eliminates condensation on the window through which the signals of the sensing device have to pass and thus improves operation of the sensing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Reitter & Schefanacker GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventor: Bernd Waldmann
  • Patent number: 6094290
    Abstract: A light-reactive thermal window is disclosed having external and internal panes. The external pane is composed of photochromic glass, while the internal pane is composed of clear glass. The panes are separated by a space having a uniform thickness. Each of the panes has a peripheral edge, with a spacer located between the peripheral edges of the external and internal panes. A sealant seals the peripheral edges of the external and internal panes. The window may include a frame securing together the spacer, the sealant, and the peripheral edges of the panes. Also disclosed is a method of preventing glare on a screen while minimizing climate control costs by installing a light-reactive thermal window near the screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Inventors: Christopher L. Crawford, Cheryl Lynn Crawford
  • Patent number: 6088162
    Abstract: The present invention relates to multilayered filter films, and in particular, a multilayered filter film not having a substrate and a method for making the same. The method for making the multilayered filter film not having a substrate includes a step for forming a filter frame layer having a window on the substrate, a step for forming a multilayered film on the substrate inside the window and on the filter frame layer, and a step for removing the substrate from the filter frame layer and the multilayered film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Someno
  • Patent number: 6077220
    Abstract: What is described here is an endoscope including an endoscope optical system and a desiccant which is introduced into and fixed in the mounting space of the endoscope optical system. The invention excels itself by the provisions that the desiccant is present in the form of a plurality of spheres (5) and/or rod-shaped elements which are inserted into at least one recess (4) in the mounting space, and fixed by means of at least one fixing element which contacts the spheres or the rod-shaped elements merely over part of their surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Karl Storz GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jurgen Rudischhauser, Siegfried Hofig
  • Patent number: 6057956
    Abstract: An improved electrochromic rearview mirror for motor vehicles, the mirror incorporating thin front and rear spaced glass elements having a thickness ranging from about 0.5 to about 1.5. A layer of transparent conductive material is placed onto the mirror's second surface, and either another layer of transparent conductive material or a combined reflector/electrode is placed onto the mirror's third surface. A chamber, defined by the layers on the interior surfaces of the front and rear glass elements and a peripheral sealing member, contains a free-standing gel comprising a solvent and a crosslinked polymer matrix. The chamber further contains at least one electrochromic material in solution with the solvent and interspersed in the crosslinked polymer matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin L. Ash, William L. Tonar, Frederick T. Bauer
  • Patent number: 6036321
    Abstract: The crystal isolation system of the present invention protects a laser crystal from environmental factors such as humidity and dust. A crystal is placed in a housing which has two ports in it, and flexible tubes are placed in each port. Cap pieces cover the ends of the tubes and prevent deleterious environmental factors such as dust and moisture from entering the isolation system while allowing laser light to enter the system. A desiccator attached to the system removes moisture from the air inside the system, and an led and detector apparatus are is used to help indicate the remaining useful life of the desiccant in the desiccator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Spectra Physics Lasers, Inc.
    Inventors: David Wright, Shinan S. Sheng, Dennis Reeder
  • Patent number: 6024454
    Abstract: A sterile drape system for a surgical microscope includes an adapter ring which is attached around the outside diameter of the objective lens of the microscope, to provide a standard or uniform outside diameter mounting surface. A drape lens is contained within a drape ring. A sterile drape is attached to the drape ring. The drape ring is frictionally engaged onto the outside diameter of the adapter ring and the drape pulled over the microscope. A lens ring having a primary lens is attached to the drape ring with a quick disconnect fitting. The sterile drape system eliminates the need to inventory multiple surgical microscope drapes and reduces waste resulting from the selection of a drape not matching the surgical microscope to be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignee: PH Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert T. Horan, Phyllis J Horan
  • Patent number: 5999343
    Abstract: The invention relates to a housing for a water-soluble crystal to be placed in its interior, with polished optical end faces, especially for nonlinear frequency conversion in laser applications, with a jacket housing for receiving and holding the crystal at its jacket, leaving these end faces free, and with housing lids sealing off the two end jacket openings of the housing in a gastight manner, the lids both being secured in a releasable fashion to the jacket housing, with an optically transparent window in the form of a disk being located between each housing lid and the jacket housing, the disk sealing off the interior by means of an O-ring. Each housing lid has an inwardly projecting projection at its lid edge, the projection engaging an outwardly open groove to form a latching connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Gsanger Optoelektronik GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Diedrich, Thomas Engel, Jens Harnisch, Mario Ledig