The present invention relates to disposable hygiene products and more specifically, to methods and apparatuses for processing disposable hygiene products such as baby diapers, adult diapers, disposable undergarments, incontinence devices, sanitary napkins and the like.
More specifically, the invention relates to novel vacuum commutation. A puck or arum is used in a novel way with a novel vacuum applicator. Vacuum, which for the purpose of the following description is defined to mean air pressure that is lower than ambient air pressure, is used in many parts of a diaper manufacturing process. For instance, during pulp core formation, ambient air flows through the surface of the forming pockets to the vacuum manifolds. This airflow pulls pulp fibers into forming pockets on a core forming drum. Elsewhere along the manufacturing process, vacuum is used. For instance, a common method of applying discrete pieces of one web to another is by use of a slip-and-cut applicator. A slip-and-cut applicator is typically comprised of a cylindrical rotating vacuum anvil, a rotating knife roll, and a transfer device. In typical applications, an incoming web is fed at a relatively low speed along the vacuum face of the rotating anvil, which is moving at a relatively higher surface speed and upon which the incoming web is allowed to “slip”. A knife-edge, mounted on the rotating knife roll, cuts a off a segment of the incoming web against the anvil face. This knife-edge is preferably moving at a surface velocity similar to that of the anvil's surface. Once cut, the web segment is held by the air pressure differential between the ambient air on the exterior of the web segment and the vacuum holes on the anvil's face as it is carried at the anvil's speed downstream to the transfer point where the web segment is transferred to the traveling web. Vacuum can also be used in vacuum conveyors.
Typical vacuum rolls used in the prior art have rows of vacuum holes which are fed by cross-drilled ports, each being exposed to the source of vacuum by commutations, as the ports move into a zone of negative pressure in a stationary manifold. Such a configuration serves to apply vacuum sequentially to each successive row of holes.
Continual improvements and competitive pressures have incrementally increased the operational speeds of disposable diaper converters. As speeds increased, the mechanical integrity and operational capabilities of the applicators had to be improved accordingly. The prior art is quite successful when processing nonporous or low porosity full-width or symmetrical webs using vacuum, and vacuum is nearly universally used in diaper production. However, as speeds have increased in manufacturing and raw material webs have become more porous and lighter weight, so too has vacuum demand increased. Along with significant increase in vacuum demand comes the expense of powering conventional vacuum forming techniques, and the noise associated with traditional vacuum pumps.
It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an apparatus which can provide a better solution for vacuum commutation. The vacuum can be used for whatever purpose desired, including maintaining control over diaper webs or discrete portions of diaper webs, including sections of various shapes, and to decrease reliance on traditional vacuum generation.
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for providing controlled and preferably zoned vacuum commutation. In one embodiment, a rotatably driven vacuum commutation zone (or internal vacuum manifold), is independently driven internal to a preferably porous vacuum roll or drum. The vacuum manifold applies vacuum through pores in the driven porous vacuum roll in order to hold material against an external surface of the vacuum roll.
The combination porous roll and internal vacuum manifold can be used to transport materials from a pickup position to a deposition position, transport materials in a rotatable or linear fashion, as a surface for a slip/cut operation, or any other way seen fit.
By independently rotating or otherwise moving the internal vacuum manifold and independently rotating or otherwise moving the porous vacuum roll, tightly controlled, yet quickly rotating vacuum control over zones, can be achieved and achieved sequentially.
Different sequences of rotation of the vacuum manifold relative to the porous roll can be used. The vacuum manifold can accelerate rotationally relative to the porous roll, rotate at the same speed as the porous roll, or decelerate or move in reverse relative to the porous roll, all depending on the desired material transport sequence.
In one embodiment, a pair of porous rolls can be placed in close proximity and operated in conjunction with one another. In this embodiment, sequences used are to transfer articles between the two rolls at a common transfer point. In another embodiment, the pickup and drop off (or acquisition and deposition) points are at different locations.
Control of the rotational motion of the vacuum manifold can be accomplished with a cam. Different cams could produce different rotational sequences of the vacuum manifold. Control of the rotational motion of the vacuum manifold could also be accomplished, for instance by a servo motor. This configuration would allow for reverse rotational travel of the vacuum manifold. Reversing could be done when time in the sequence permits to allow for a longer run up to matched speed.
In a preferred operation sequence, the porous roll rotates at constant speed. At an acquisition point, a trailing edge of the vacuum manifold underlies the leading edge of the article to be transported. After the article has transferred to the porous roll, the vacuum manifold then rotates at the same speed as the porous roll. The porous roll receives the discrete object at speed to rotate the discrete object into deposition position, at which point the leading edge of the vacuum manifold precisely stops rotation, leaving the article to be transported free to be placed, deposited, or secondarily transported as desired (for instance by depositing the article to be transported onto a carrier web, or onto a vacuum conveyor). The trailing edge can then be repositioned to begin the next pickup/deposition sequence. A series of vacuum manifolds can be supplied about an interior surface of the porous roll to commute vacuum to different peripheral regions of the porous roll.
In summary, the external porous roll rotates such that the surface of the roll is traveling at the same speed as the incoming discrete element. The internal vacuum manifold is controlled such that it stops rotating when its trailing wall is positioned immediately downstream of the pickup point. As the leading edge of the discrete article reaches the edge of the internal vacuum manifold the air flowing from the atmosphere into the vacuum zone forces the leading edge of the discrete article to transfer to and be held against the surface of the porous roll. Likewise, the remainder of the discrete article will transfer onto the porous roll as the porous roll advances.
After the trailing edge of a discrete article is transferred to the surface of a porous roll, the internal vacuum manifold positioned within the porous roll accelerates to match the rotational velocity of the porous roll. The internal vacuum manifold decelerates to a stop when its leading wall reaches a deposition point and air flowing out of the porous roll into the vacuum zone of the receiving device forces the discrete article to transfer from the surface of the porous roll onto a receiving device. Likewise, the remainder of the discrete article transfers onto the receiving device as the discrete article continues to advance. After the discrete article has transferred to the receiving device, the internal vacuum manifold returns to its position downstream of the pickup point and the cycle repeats.
A transition position where air flow direction switches from inward into a drum, to outward, is preferably offset either upstream or downstream of the discrete article transfer positions by a selected amount to compensate for variations in the system.
In another aspect of the invention, ambient air can flow from the inside of the drum outward to eliminate or minimize overlapping low pressure zones, which in turn will preferably: 1) eliminate or minimize in-rushes of air at the edges of a discrete article; 2) produce an airflow direction that is approximately perpendicular to the surface to which the discrete element is riding upon.
In another aspect of the invention, a porous drum is provided with micro-pores to, preferably: 1) reduce airflow requirements in the system; 2) provide more complete sealing of the pores and thereby increase holding forces on the discrete article; 3) minimize “dead zones” or areas with no inward air flow, between pores to minimize the potential for discrete article edge flip backs.
In another aspect of the invention, the drums and vacuum chambers have variable motion profiles. Because of the variable motion profiles, it is possible to accelerate or decelerate the speed of the unit to change the spacing between the discrete elements being transported.
In another aspect of the invention, multiple units work in conjunction, each unit processing every other discrete article in a continuous stream of discrete articles to change the spacing between discrete articles by large amounts such as a 5:1 spacing increase. Discrete product or patch flow enters drum 200. Nested ears come in close to each other, but must be deposited far from each other. The rolls could be in line with each other in the cross direction
In another embodiment, controlled vacuum is applied sequentially to a traveling body, such as a puck or a rotating and revolving puck. Also disclosed is a method and apparatus for providing a rotatably driven multi-zoned vacuum puck used to turn discrete articles 180 degrees (through rotation of the puck) and transport them from a pickup position to a deposition position (preferably through revolution of a puck about a central axis carrying a plurality of pucks). An external vacuum manifold is employed to apply vacuum through internal vacuum passages in the puck when the passages are located in positions between the downstream side of the pick-up position and the upstream side of the deposition position. When a vacuum passage is engaged with the vacuum manifold, ambient air flows into the pores on the surface of the puck in order to hold material against the puck's external surface. Conversely, when a vacuum passage is not engaged with the vacuum manifold, ambient air flows can flow out of the pores on the surface of the puck.
The vacuum puck rotates such that the surface of the puck is traveling at the same speed as the incoming discrete element. The external vacuum manifold is positioned such that ambient air flows outward through the surface of the puck at points immediately upstream of the pick-up point and ambient air flows inward through the pores in the surface of the puck at points immediately downstream of the pick-up point. As the leading edge of the discrete article reaches the pick-up point, air flowing from the atmosphere into the vacuum puck forces the leading edge of the discrete article to transfer to and be held against the surface of the puck. Likewise, the remainder of the discrete article can transfer onto the porous roll as the porous roll advances.
After the trailing edge of the discrete article is transferred to the surface of the vacuum puck, the puck continues to rotate and thereby transports the discrete article to the deposition point. The external vacuum manifold ends immediately upstream of the deposition point such that ambient air flows into the puck upstream of the deposition point and ambient air flows out of the puck downstream of the deposition point. As the leading edge of the discrete article passes the deposition point, air flowing out of the puck and into the vacuum zone of the receiving device forces the discrete article to transfer from the surface of the porous roll onto the receiving device. Likewise, the remainder of the discrete article transfers onto the receiving device as the discrete article continues to advance. After the discrete article has transferred to the receiving device, the vacuum puck returns to its original orientation and position upstream of the pickup point and the cycle repeats.
In such a puck system, ambient air can flow from the inside of the puck outward to: 1) eliminate or minimize overlapping low pressure zones which in turn eliminates or minimizes in-rushes of air at the edges of the patch; 2) results in an airflow direction that is approximately perpendicular to the surface to which the discrete element is riding upon. Such a puck system also can utilize micro-pores to: 1) reduce airflow requirements; 2) provide more complete sealing of the pores and thereby increases holding force on the discrete article; and 3) minimize dead zones between pores to minimize the potential for discrete article edge flip backs.
A process is disclosed that optimizes repeatability of discrete article transfer from one carrier device to a second carrier device by managing the direction of the air flow during transfer. The dispersing device enables airflow into the surface of the device upstream of the transfer position and out of the surface of the device downstream of the transfer position. Conversely, the receiving device is designed to enable airflow out of the surface of the device upstream of the transfer position and into the surface of the device downstream of the transfer position. This process eliminates overlapping low pressure zones and thereby minimizes the potential for in-rushes of ambient air that can cause the edges of the discrete article to be disturbed before, during, and after transfer between the carrier devices, and also enables the benefits previously described.
Although the disclosure hereof is detailed and exact to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the physical embodiments herein disclosed merely exemplify the invention which may be embodied in other specific structures. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims.
Referring now to
A conveyor 32 carries discrete components 50 towards an acquisition point 52. At the acquisition point 52, control of the discrete component 50 is handed off to a porous roll and vacuum manifold combination 10. Vacuum is drawn through the vacuum manifold 14, and in particular through a hollow shaft of the manifold 14, towards a vacuum application zone 16, This vacuum withdrawal action draws air through voids or pore spaces 24 of porous roll 12. This in turn draws and retains discrete component 50 to an exterior surface of porous roll 12, when desired. As porous roll 12 rotates, it carries discrete component 50 from the acquisition point 52 to deposition point 54. At deposition point 54, control of the discrete component 50 is handed off to a carrier web or vacuum conveyor or a bonder, shown generally at 60. Alternatively, at deposition point 54, control of the discrete component 50 can be handed off to a second porous roll and vacuum manifold combination 10. Two manifold walls 18 proscribe the circumferential area to which vacuum is applied to pores 24 of porous roll 12.
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now generally to
Beginning the sequence with reference to
Referring to
Though not necessary, if desired to assist handoff, in an alternate embodiment (not shown) a blow-off system can be incorporated to operate with the commutating manifold 16 to positively push air through the pores 24 of porous roll 12. To implement a blow-off system, a rotary union can be used to attaching a blow on to the manifold (or even integrating it into the internal manifold itself). In another embodiment (not shown), a blow-off could assist to clear the pores 24 of porous rolls 12 of debris (such as material fibers) should debris accumulate in the pores 24.
Referring to
In another aspect of the invention, the drums and vacuum chambers have variable motion profiles. Because of the variable motion profiles, it is possible to accelerate or decelerate the speed of the unit to change the spacing between the discrete elements being transported. Several motion profiles of V1, V2, V3 and V4 relative to one another are possible. Such a motion profile could be: for trailing edge 18a to wait at material pickup location 52 (V2 is zero), next when portion of discrete element finishes acquisition at point 52, V2 increases; and the V2 is matched with V3, also the speed of discrete element 50, and then for V2 to exceed V3 on approach to deposition point 54 to allows time to slow manifold 14 without losing vacuum on the leading edge of the patch or to accelerate the speed of the patch to V4 in the case where V4 is greater than V3; next to reduce V2 to zero at deposition point 54; next to repeat the sequence.
It is possible to use multiple internal vacuum application zones 16 by creating additional walls 18a and 18b, connecting through a void space in shaft 14.
It is also possible for V2 to be in the opposite direction as V3, if desired for control in a preferred motion profile.
In an exemplary embodiment of a system that uses vacuum to hold a discrete element to the surface of a rotating drum, all of the air that flows from atmosphere into the pores of the drum would be oriented such that the direction of the airflow would be perpendicular to the surface of the drum. Any airflow in the cross machine direction or machine direction of the system has the potential to create forces on the edges of the discrete element which can cause the discrete element to fold back upon itself. (The discrete element is most susceptible to have edge folding occur as the discrete element transfers between drums.) Referring now to
To optimize the air flow of the system and minimize undesirable air flow patterns, it has been found advantageous to avoid locating low pressure zones 202 and 302 opposite of one another in a rotating system. Avoiding adjacent low pressure zones allows atmospheric air to flow into the low pressure zones 202 and 302 as intended, without undesirable turbulence that could be transmitted to the carried web or patch.
As shown in
A porous structure, such as drums 200, 300, or any of the disclosed pucks, can be provided with micro vacuum commutation ports 24 to, preferably: 1) reduce airflow requirements in the system; 2) provide more complete sealing of the pores and thereby increase holding forces on the discrete article; 3) minimize “dead zones” or areas with no inward air flow, between pores to minimize the potential for discrete article edge flip backs.
Such small micro vacuum commutation ports 24 can be manufactured for instance by electron drilling techniques, chemically etched, or drilled on thin foil. The thin foil construction, if used, is preferably supported by an underlying support structure for providing rigidity to the surface of the puck or drum. These techniques can require fairly thin gauge metal to be used in construction of the article carrying surfaces, resulting in a mask type structure which may be used over a full vacuum zone to limit inertia. In this embodiment, an air-permeable cylinder wall, or a buildup of air-permeable support structure could be covered by a micro-pore screen containing micro vacuum commutation ports 24. Such a mask type structure could be desired for instance, in high speed applications, to reduce inertia.
Non-woven material commonly used in disposable product manufacturing (e.g., diapers, feminine hygiene products) has individual fiber diameters of in the range of approximately 0.005″. In the prior art vacuum commutation port designs, a port of, for instance, ⅛″ diameter (which can be less or more) causes air to flow around the fibers of the nonwoven, and through the nonwoven generally. The holding force of vacuum commutation ports of the prior art is referred to as vacuum, though the holding force is more wind resistance applied to the nonwoven than true vacuum. In the present invention, micro vacuum commutation ports 24, which are near in size or smaller than the fibers of the nonwoven causes the micro vacuum commutation ports covered by an individual fiber of the nonwoven to be sealed off partially or completely. The micro vacuum commutation port 24 arrangement of the present invention does not rely as much, if at all, on air flow or wind resistance like the prior art, but instead on a static pressure differential.
The micro vacuum commutation ports 24 of the present invention are not necessarily as small as individual fibers, although such small ports 24 are useful and within the scope of the present invention. For instance, spunbond nonwoven has overlapping individual fibers, which can be embossed and bonded to one another. The micro vacuum commutation ports 24 of the present invention can be sized smaller than the bond patters of the spunbond nonwovens. By using micro vacuum commutation ports 24 of the present invention, it has been found that it is not necessary to engage each fiber, or each bond between fibers, and it is likewise not necessary that each micro vacuum commutation port have an overlying fiber. Sufficient holding force can be generated by the micro vacuum commutation ports 24 if, for any given discrete portion of a web, or a segment of a continuous web, a fraction of the fibers are coupled with a fraction of the micro vacuum commutation ports 24 in the targeted area to be carried and controlled (e.g., transferred, deposited).
Regarding density of the micro vacuum commutation ports 24 on a given structure, micro vacuum commutation ports 24 can be configured to comprise between 5%-50% of the surface area of the carrying structure (e.g., puck or drum). This range of surface area has been found to first, provide sufficient vacuum holding force; yet second, to retain enough strength for durable operation.
One additional benefit of the micro vacuum commutation port structure 24 is that the article carrying structure is less prone to contamination from pulp fiber and dust, because the micro vacuum commutation port structure is so small that it is difficult for contaminants to enter the structure.
Referring now to
In the configuration exemplified by
In some prior art puck systems, two zones 1 and 2 are created at the puck surface, so that vacuum to these zones 1 and 2 can be independently controlled. Zone 1 can have applied vacuum while zone 2 has no applied vacuum. Alternatively, zone 2 can have applied vacuum while zone 1 has no applied vacuum. The on/off sequence is principally dictated by whether the puck 500 is receiving a patch or handing off a patch. It is desirable in certain handoff or receiving operations to, at a leading edge of the puck 500 in zone 1, apply vacuum to receive the leading edge of the received patch. But when it comes time to hand off the patch to the next equipment downstream, it is desirable to turn vacuum off of zone 1 to hand the patch off and relinquish control of the patch to the next piece of equipment, while retaining the patch with vacuum applied in zone 2. The desired blow-off to assist patch handoff can undesirably minimize the vacuum present in the puck 500 in zone 1 at that point.
In conventional vacuum puck designs, the pucks have cross machine direction air chambers that are connected to the surface of the puck 500. As the puck 500 travels, the air chambers move between high and low pressure zones of a vacuum manifold, and this results in air flowing into or out of the surface of the puck 500. This airflow and the associated pressure differentials will either cause a material patch to be attracted or repelled from the puck surface 500.
Still referring to
Referring still to
Instead of two zones 1 and 2 of the system shown in
A rotating valve disk 600 is used to rapidly control the application of vacuum air to each individual zone 1-10 in a controlled way. By sequential vacuum engagement, the undesirable low pressure zone at the transfer point between drum 400 and 610 is minimized if not eliminated, and there is therefore less turbulence or disruption of a carried patch at that point. Incorporating a valve mechanism 600 that can quickly switch airflow passages between a vacuum supply chamber and atmosphere in the puck 610 reduces the level of the air passage lengths to a level that will enable adequately rapid response. This allows for on/off times of zones 1′-10′ to be nearly instantaneously controlled because of the proximity between the vacuum commutation and the vacuum surface of the puck 610. This proximity also enables a rotating puck 610 to have multiple air flow zones 1-10 which can be controlled to switch the airflow direction at the surface of the puck 610. By using multiple zones 1-10, airflow at the surface of the puck 610 can be optimized to closely approximate the airflow characteristics of a two roll system shown in
By locating the rotating valve disk 600 or other form of vacuum control inside of the puck 610 assembly itself or in close proximity to the puck, this puts the mode of control into the puck 610, and minimizes lag time for on/off operations. Zone control in the puck 610 is adjacent to the puck surface.
Still referring to
Drum 400 displays a transition position where air flow direction switches from inward (arrows pointing into drum 400) to outward (arrows pointing out of drum 400). In a preferred embodiment, this transition position is offset either upstream or downstream of the discrete article transfer (handoff by acquisition or deposition) positions by a selected amount, to compensate for variations in the system.
Sill referring to
To accomplish this, the vacuum puck 610 rotates such that the surface of the puck 610 is traveling at the same speed as the incoming discrete element carried by drum 400. The external vacuum manifold is positioned such that ambient air flows outward through the surface of the puck 610 at points immediately upstream of the acquisition point and ambient air flows inward through the pores in the surface of the puck 610 at points immediately downstream of the pick-up point. As the leading edge of the discrete article reaches the acquisition point, air flowing from the atmosphere into the vacuum puck 610 forces the leading edge of the discrete article to transfer to and be held against the surface or the puck 610. Likewise, the remainder on the discrete article will transfer onto the porous roll or puck 610 as the porous roll or puck 610 advances.
After the trailing edge of the discrete article is transferred to the surface of the vacuum puck 610, the puck continues to rotate and thereby transports the discrete article to the deposition point. The vacuum applied external vacuum manifold ends immediately upstream of the deposition point such that ambient air flows into the puck 610 upstream of the deposition point and ambient air flows out of the puck 610 downstream of the deposition point. As the leading edge of the discrete article passes the deposition point, air flowing out of the puck 610 and into the vacuum zone of the receiving device forces the discrete article to transfer from the surface of the porous roll onto the receiving device. Likewise, the remainder of the discrete article transfers onto the receiving device as the discrete article continues to advance. After the discrete article has transferred to the receiving device, the vacuum puck returns to its original orientation and position upstream of the pickup point and the cycle repeats.
Likewise, the remainder of the discrete article transfers onto the receiving device as the discrete article continues to advance. After the discrete article has transferred to the receiving device, the vacuum puck returns to its original orientation and position upstream of the pickup point and the cycle repeats. In such a puck system, ambient air can flow from the inside of the puck outward to: 1) eliminate or minimize overlapping low pressure zones which in turn eliminates or minimizes in-rushes of air at the edges of the patch; 2) results in an airflow direction that is approximately perpendicular to the surface to which the discrete element is riding upon. Such a puck system also can utilize micro-pores to: 1) reduce airflow requirements; 2) provide more complete sealing of the pores and thereby increases holding force on the discrete article; and 3) minimize dead zones between pores to minimize the potential for discrete article edge flip backs.
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring first to
In one embodiment, porous roll/internal vacuum manifold combinations 10/12/14A and 10/12/14B are positioned about drum 902. In the illustrated embodiment, two porous roll/internal vacuum manifold combinations 10/12/14A and 10/12/14B are used, although more or less could be deployed depending on the desired operational sequence. A first porous roll/internal vacuum manifold combination 10/12/14A is positioned upstream of a second porous roll/internal vacuum manifold combinations 10/12/14B. The first porous roll/internal vacuum manifold combination 10/12/14A is positioned and operated to pick up every other of the discrete pieces 50A and 50B, the first combination picking up discrete pieces 50A leaving behind discrete pieces SOB for the second porous roll/internal vacuum manifold combination 10/12/14B to acquire, accelerate and deposit. Preferably simultaneously, each of the porous roll/internal vacuum manifold combinations 10/12/14A and 10/12/14B acquire discrete pieces 50A and 50B, respectively at their own acquisition points 52, as shown in
Both porous roll/internal vacuum manifold combinations 10/12/14A and 10/12/14B then accelerate discrete pieces 50A and 50B, respectively to their deposition points 54. At deposition points 54, discrete pieces 50A and 50B are deposited onto an incoming web 60 as shown in
As shown in
To accomplish a D1/D2 placement of discrete pieces 50A and 50B as shown in
As multiple porous roll/internal vacuum manifold combinations 10/12/14A and 10/12/14B work in conjunction, each porous roll/internal vacuum manifold combinations 10/12/14A and 10/12/14B processing every other discrete article 50A or 50B in a continuous stream of discrete articles 50 to change the spacing between discrete articles 50A and 50B, or successive discrete articles 50A, by large amounts such as a 5:1 spacing increase. In this manner, at least two spacings, D1 and D2, can be achieved between successive pieces.
The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Furthermore, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims.
This application is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/217,677 filed 22 Jul. 2016, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,167,156, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/196,736 filed 24 Jul. 2015 and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/248,155 filed 29 Oct. 2015.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
135145 | Murphy | Jan 1873 | A |
293353 | Purvis | Feb 1884 | A |
312257 | Cotton et al. | Feb 1885 | A |
410123 | Stilwell | Aug 1889 | A |
432742 | Stanley | Jul 1890 | A |
643821 | Howlett | Feb 1900 | A |
1393524 | Grupe | Oct 1921 | A |
1431315 | Le Moine | Oct 1922 | A |
1605842 | Jones | Nov 1926 | A |
1686595 | Belluche | Oct 1928 | A |
1957651 | Joa | May 1934 | A |
2009857 | Potdevin | Jul 1935 | A |
2054832 | Potdevin | Sep 1936 | A |
2117432 | Linscott | May 1938 | A |
2128746 | Joa | Aug 1938 | A |
2131808 | Joa | Oct 1938 | A |
2164408 | Joa | Jul 1939 | A |
2167179 | Joa | Jul 1939 | A |
2171741 | Cohn et al. | Sep 1939 | A |
2213431 | Joa | Sep 1940 | A |
2254290 | Joa | Sep 1941 | A |
2254291 | Joa | Sep 1941 | A |
2282477 | Joa | May 1942 | A |
2286096 | Joa | Jun 1942 | A |
2296931 | Joa | Sep 1942 | A |
2304571 | Joa | Dec 1942 | A |
2324930 | Joa | Jul 1943 | A |
2345937 | Joa | Apr 1944 | A |
2466240 | Joa | Apr 1949 | A |
2481929 | Joa | Sep 1949 | A |
2510229 | Joa | Jun 1950 | A |
2540844 | Strauss | Feb 1951 | A |
2584002 | Elser et al. | Jan 1952 | A |
2591359 | Joa | Apr 1952 | A |
2618816 | Joa | Nov 1952 | A |
2627859 | Hargrave | Feb 1953 | A |
2695025 | Andrews | Nov 1954 | A |
2702406 | Reed | Feb 1955 | A |
2721554 | Joa | Oct 1955 | A |
2730144 | Joa | Jan 1956 | A |
2772611 | Heywood | Dec 1956 | A |
2780253 | Joa | Feb 1957 | A |
2785609 | Billeb | Mar 1957 | A |
2788786 | Dexter | Apr 1957 | A |
2811905 | Kennedy, Jr. | Nov 1957 | A |
2828745 | Deutz | Apr 1958 | A |
2839059 | Joa | Jun 1958 | A |
2842169 | Joa | Jul 1958 | A |
2851934 | Heywood | Sep 1958 | A |
2875724 | Joa | Mar 1959 | A |
2890700 | Lonberg-Holm | Jun 1959 | A |
2913862 | Sabee | Nov 1959 | A |
2939461 | Joa | Jun 1960 | A |
2939646 | Stone | Jun 1960 | A |
2960143 | Joa | Nov 1960 | A |
2990081 | De Neui et al. | Jun 1961 | A |
2991739 | Joa | Jul 1961 | A |
3016207 | Comstock, III | Jan 1962 | A |
3016582 | Joa | Jan 1962 | A |
3017795 | Joa | Jan 1962 | A |
3020687 | Joa | Feb 1962 | A |
3021135 | Joa | Feb 1962 | A |
3024957 | Pinto | Mar 1962 | A |
3053427 | Wasserman | Sep 1962 | A |
3054516 | Joa | Sep 1962 | A |
3069982 | Heywood et al. | Dec 1962 | A |
3075684 | Rothmann | Jan 1963 | A |
3086253 | Joa | Apr 1963 | A |
3087689 | Heim | Apr 1963 | A |
3089494 | Schwartz | May 1963 | A |
3091408 | Schoeneman | May 1963 | A |
3114994 | Joa | Dec 1963 | A |
3122293 | Joa | Feb 1964 | A |
3128206 | Dungler | Apr 1964 | A |
3203419 | Joa | Aug 1965 | A |
3230955 | Joa | Jan 1966 | A |
3268954 | Joa | Aug 1966 | A |
3288037 | Burnett | Nov 1966 | A |
3289254 | Joa | Dec 1966 | A |
3291131 | Joa | Dec 1966 | A |
3301114 | Joa | Jan 1967 | A |
3318608 | Smrekar | May 1967 | A |
3322589 | Joa | May 1967 | A |
3336847 | Durat | Aug 1967 | A |
3342184 | Joa | Sep 1967 | A |
3356092 | Joa | Dec 1967 | A |
3360103 | Joa | Dec 1967 | A |
3391777 | Joa | Jul 1968 | A |
3454442 | Heller, Jr. | Jul 1969 | A |
3463413 | Smith | Aug 1969 | A |
3470848 | Dreher | Oct 1969 | A |
3484275 | Lewicki, Jr. | Dec 1969 | A |
3502322 | Cran | Mar 1970 | A |
3521639 | Joa | Jul 1970 | A |
3526563 | Schott, Jr. | Sep 1970 | A |
3527123 | Dovey | Sep 1970 | A |
3533618 | Carstens | Oct 1970 | A |
3538551 | Joa | Nov 1970 | A |
3540641 | Besnyo | Nov 1970 | A |
3575170 | Clark | Apr 1971 | A |
3607578 | Berg et al. | Sep 1971 | A |
3630424 | Rau | Dec 1971 | A |
3635462 | Joa | Jan 1972 | A |
3656741 | Macke et al. | Apr 1972 | A |
3666611 | Joa | May 1972 | A |
3673021 | Joa | Jun 1972 | A |
3685818 | Burger et al. | Aug 1972 | A |
3728191 | Wierzba et al. | Apr 1973 | A |
3745947 | Brocklehurst | Jul 1973 | A |
3751224 | Wackerle | Aug 1973 | A |
3758102 | Munn et al. | Sep 1973 | A |
3762542 | Grimes | Oct 1973 | A |
3772120 | Radzins | Nov 1973 | A |
3776798 | Milano | Dec 1973 | A |
3796360 | Alexeff | Mar 1974 | A |
3810344 | Evans et al. | May 1974 | A |
3811987 | Wilkinson et al. | May 1974 | A |
3816210 | Aoko et al. | Jun 1974 | A |
3836089 | Riemersma | Sep 1974 | A |
3847710 | Blomqvist et al. | Nov 1974 | A |
3854917 | McKinney et al. | Dec 1974 | A |
3883389 | Schott, Jr. | May 1975 | A |
3888400 | Wiig | Jun 1975 | A |
3901238 | Geller et al. | Aug 1975 | A |
3903768 | Amberg et al. | Sep 1975 | A |
3904147 | Taitel et al. | Sep 1975 | A |
3918968 | Coast | Nov 1975 | A |
3921481 | Fleetwod | Nov 1975 | A |
3941038 | Bishop | Mar 1976 | A |
3960646 | Wiedamann | Jun 1976 | A |
3988194 | Babcock et al. | Oct 1976 | A |
3991994 | Farish | Nov 1976 | A |
4002005 | Mueller et al. | Jan 1977 | A |
4003298 | Schott, Jr. | Jan 1977 | A |
4009626 | Gressman | Mar 1977 | A |
4009814 | Singh | Mar 1977 | A |
4009815 | Ericson et al. | Mar 1977 | A |
4053150 | Lane | Oct 1977 | A |
4056919 | Hirsch | Nov 1977 | A |
4081301 | Buell | Mar 1978 | A |
4090516 | Schaar | May 1978 | A |
4094319 | Joa | Jun 1978 | A |
4103595 | Corse | Aug 1978 | A |
4106974 | Hirsch | Aug 1978 | A |
4108584 | Radzins et al. | Aug 1978 | A |
4136535 | Audas | Jan 1979 | A |
4141193 | Joa | Feb 1979 | A |
4141509 | Radzins | Feb 1979 | A |
4142626 | Bradley | Mar 1979 | A |
4157934 | Ryan et al. | Jun 1979 | A |
4165666 | Johnson et al. | Aug 1979 | A |
4168776 | Hoeboer | Sep 1979 | A |
4171239 | Hirsch et al. | Oct 1979 | A |
4205679 | Repke et al. | Jun 1980 | A |
4208230 | Magarian | Jun 1980 | A |
4213356 | Armitage | Jul 1980 | A |
4215827 | Roberts et al. | Aug 1980 | A |
4220237 | Mohn | Sep 1980 | A |
4222533 | Pongracz | Sep 1980 | A |
4223822 | Clitheroe | Sep 1980 | A |
4231129 | Winch | Nov 1980 | A |
4234157 | Hodgeman et al. | Nov 1980 | A |
4236955 | Prittie | Dec 1980 | A |
4275510 | George | Jun 1981 | A |
4284454 | Joa | Aug 1981 | A |
4297157 | Van Vilet | Oct 1981 | A |
4307800 | Joa | Dec 1981 | A |
4316756 | Wilson | Feb 1982 | A |
4325519 | McLean | Apr 1982 | A |
4331418 | Klebe | May 1982 | A |
4342206 | Rommel | Aug 1982 | A |
4349140 | Passafiume | Sep 1982 | A |
4364787 | Radzins | Dec 1982 | A |
4374576 | Ryan | Feb 1983 | A |
4379008 | Gross et al. | Apr 1983 | A |
4394898 | Campbell | Jul 1983 | A |
4411721 | Wishart | Oct 1983 | A |
4426897 | Littleton | Jan 1984 | A |
4452597 | Achelpohl | Jun 1984 | A |
4479836 | Dickover et al. | Oct 1984 | A |
4492608 | Hirsch et al. | Jan 1985 | A |
4501098 | Gregory | Feb 1985 | A |
4508528 | Hirsch et al. | Apr 1985 | A |
4522853 | Szonn et al. | Jun 1985 | A |
4543152 | Nozaka | Sep 1985 | A |
4551191 | Kock et al. | Nov 1985 | A |
4578052 | Engel et al. | Mar 1986 | A |
4578133 | Oshefsky et al. | Mar 1986 | A |
4586199 | Birring | May 1986 | A |
4587790 | Muller | May 1986 | A |
4589945 | Polit | May 1986 | A |
4603800 | Focke et al. | Aug 1986 | A |
4606964 | Wideman | Aug 1986 | A |
4608115 | Schroth et al. | Aug 1986 | A |
4610681 | Strohbeen et al. | Sep 1986 | A |
4610682 | Kopp | Sep 1986 | A |
4614076 | Rathemacher | Sep 1986 | A |
4619357 | Radzins et al. | Oct 1986 | A |
4625612 | Oliver | Dec 1986 | A |
4634482 | Lammers | Jan 1987 | A |
4641381 | Heran et al. | Feb 1987 | A |
4642150 | Stemmler | Feb 1987 | A |
4642839 | Urban | Feb 1987 | A |
4650173 | Johnson et al. | Mar 1987 | A |
4650406 | Peters | Mar 1987 | A |
4650530 | Mahoney et al. | Mar 1987 | A |
4663220 | Wisneski et al. | May 1987 | A |
4672705 | Bors et al. | Jun 1987 | A |
4675016 | Meuli et al. | Jun 1987 | A |
4675062 | Instance | Jun 1987 | A |
4675068 | Lundmark | Jun 1987 | A |
4686136 | Homonoff et al. | Aug 1987 | A |
4693056 | Raszewski | Sep 1987 | A |
4701239 | Craig | Oct 1987 | A |
4707970 | Labombarde et al. | Nov 1987 | A |
4720415 | Vander Wielen et al. | Jan 1988 | A |
4723698 | Schoonderbeek | Feb 1988 | A |
4726725 | Baker et al. | Feb 1988 | A |
4726874 | Van Vliet | Feb 1988 | A |
4726876 | Tomsovic, Jr. | Feb 1988 | A |
4743241 | Igaue et al. | May 1988 | A |
4751997 | Hirsch | Jun 1988 | A |
4753429 | Irvine et al. | Jun 1988 | A |
4756141 | Hirsch et al. | Jul 1988 | A |
4764325 | Angstadt | Aug 1988 | A |
4765780 | Angstadt | Aug 1988 | A |
4776920 | Ryan | Oct 1988 | A |
4777513 | Nelson | Oct 1988 | A |
4782647 | Williams et al. | Nov 1988 | A |
4785986 | Daane et al. | Nov 1988 | A |
4795416 | Cogswell et al. | Jan 1989 | A |
4795451 | Buckley | Jan 1989 | A |
4795510 | Wittrock et al. | Jan 1989 | A |
4798353 | Peugh | Jan 1989 | A |
4801345 | Dussaud et al. | Jan 1989 | A |
4802570 | Hirsch et al. | Feb 1989 | A |
4826499 | Ahr | May 1989 | A |
4840609 | Jones et al. | Jun 1989 | A |
4845964 | Bors et al. | Jul 1989 | A |
4864802 | D'Angelo | Sep 1989 | A |
4873813 | Labombarde et al. | Oct 1989 | A |
4880102 | Indrebo | Nov 1989 | A |
4888231 | Angstadt | Dec 1989 | A |
4892536 | Des Marais et al. | Jan 1990 | A |
4904440 | Angstadt | Feb 1990 | A |
4908175 | Angstadt | Mar 1990 | A |
4909019 | Delacretaz et al. | Mar 1990 | A |
4909697 | Bernard et al. | Mar 1990 | A |
4915767 | Rajala et al. | Apr 1990 | A |
4917746 | Kons | Apr 1990 | A |
4925520 | Beaudoin et al. | May 1990 | A |
4927322 | Schweizer et al. | May 1990 | A |
4927486 | Fattal et al. | May 1990 | A |
4927582 | Bryson | May 1990 | A |
4937887 | Schreiner | Jul 1990 | A |
4963072 | Miley et al. | Oct 1990 | A |
4987940 | Straub et al. | Jan 1991 | A |
4994010 | Doderer-Winkler | Feb 1991 | A |
4998658 | Distefano | Mar 1991 | A |
5000806 | Merkatoris et al. | Mar 1991 | A |
5007522 | Focke et al. | Apr 1991 | A |
5021111 | Swenson | Jun 1991 | A |
5025910 | Lasure et al. | Jun 1991 | A |
5029505 | Holiday | Jul 1991 | A |
5045039 | Bay | Sep 1991 | A |
5045135 | Meissner et al. | Sep 1991 | A |
5062597 | Martin et al. | Nov 1991 | A |
5064179 | Martin | Nov 1991 | A |
5064492 | Friesch | Nov 1991 | A |
5080741 | Nomura et al. | Jan 1992 | A |
5094658 | Smithe et al. | Mar 1992 | A |
5096532 | Neuwirth et al. | Mar 1992 | A |
5108017 | Adamski, Jr. et al. | Apr 1992 | A |
5109767 | Nyfeler et al. | May 1992 | A |
5110403 | Ehlert | May 1992 | A |
5114392 | McAdam et al. | May 1992 | A |
5127981 | Straub et al. | Jul 1992 | A |
5131525 | Musschoot | Jul 1992 | A |
5131901 | Moll | Jul 1992 | A |
5133511 | Mack | Jul 1992 | A |
5137758 | Kistner | Aug 1992 | A |
5147487 | Nomura et al. | Sep 1992 | A |
5163594 | Meyer | Nov 1992 | A |
5171239 | Igaue et al. | Dec 1992 | A |
5176244 | Radzins et al. | Jan 1993 | A |
5183252 | Wolber et al. | Feb 1993 | A |
5188627 | Igaue et al. | Feb 1993 | A |
5190234 | Ezekiel | Mar 1993 | A |
5195684 | Radzins | Mar 1993 | A |
5203043 | Riedel | Apr 1993 | A |
5213645 | Nomura et al. | May 1993 | A |
5222422 | Benner, Jr. et al. | Jun 1993 | A |
5223069 | Tokuno et al. | Jun 1993 | A |
5226992 | Morman | Jul 1993 | A |
5232141 | Mittmeyer | Aug 1993 | A |
5246433 | Hasse et al. | Sep 1993 | A |
5252228 | Stokes | Oct 1993 | A |
5267933 | Precoma | Dec 1993 | A |
5273228 | Yoshida | Dec 1993 | A |
5275076 | Greenwalt | Jan 1994 | A |
5275676 | Rooyakkers et al. | Jan 1994 | A |
5308345 | Herrin | May 1994 | A |
5328438 | Crowley | Jul 1994 | A |
5334446 | Quantrille et al. | Aug 1994 | A |
5340424 | Matsushita | Aug 1994 | A |
5353909 | Mukai | Oct 1994 | A |
5368893 | Sommer et al. | Nov 1994 | A |
5389173 | Merkotoris et al. | Feb 1995 | A |
5393360 | Bridges et al. | Feb 1995 | A |
5407507 | Ball | Apr 1995 | A |
5407513 | Hayden et al. | Apr 1995 | A |
5410857 | Utley | May 1995 | A |
5415649 | Watanabe et al. | May 1995 | A |
5417132 | Cox et al. | May 1995 | A |
5421924 | Ziegelhoffer et al. | Jun 1995 | A |
5424025 | Hanschen et al. | Jun 1995 | A |
5429576 | Doderer-Winkler | Jul 1995 | A |
5435802 | Kober | Jul 1995 | A |
5435971 | Dyckman | Jul 1995 | A |
5449353 | Watanabe et al. | Sep 1995 | A |
5464401 | Hasse et al. | Nov 1995 | A |
5472153 | Crowley et al. | Dec 1995 | A |
5486253 | Otruba | Jan 1996 | A |
5494622 | Heath et al. | Feb 1996 | A |
5500075 | Herrmann | Mar 1996 | A |
5513936 | Dean | May 1996 | A |
5516392 | Bridges et al. | May 1996 | A |
5518566 | Bridges et al. | May 1996 | A |
5525175 | Blenke et al. | Jun 1996 | A |
5531850 | Herrmann | Jul 1996 | A |
5540647 | Weiermann et al. | Jul 1996 | A |
5540796 | Fries | Jul 1996 | A |
5545275 | Herrin et al. | Aug 1996 | A |
5545285 | Johnson | Aug 1996 | A |
5552013 | Ehlert et al. | Sep 1996 | A |
5555786 | Fuller | Sep 1996 | A |
5556246 | Broshi | Sep 1996 | A |
5556360 | Kober et al. | Sep 1996 | A |
5556504 | Rajala et al. | Sep 1996 | A |
5560793 | Ruscher et al. | Oct 1996 | A |
5575187 | Dieterlen | Nov 1996 | A |
5582497 | Noguchi | Dec 1996 | A |
5586964 | Chase | Dec 1996 | A |
5602747 | Rajala | Feb 1997 | A |
5603794 | Thomas | Feb 1997 | A |
5624420 | Bridges et al. | Apr 1997 | A |
5624428 | Sauer | Apr 1997 | A |
5628738 | Suekane | May 1997 | A |
5634917 | Fujioka et al. | Jun 1997 | A |
5636500 | Gould | Jun 1997 | A |
5643165 | Klekamp | Jul 1997 | A |
5643396 | Rajala et al. | Jul 1997 | A |
5645543 | Nomura et al. | Jul 1997 | A |
5659229 | Rajala | Aug 1997 | A |
5660657 | Rajala et al. | Aug 1997 | A |
5660665 | Jalonen | Aug 1997 | A |
5683376 | Kato et al. | Nov 1997 | A |
5683531 | Roessler et al. | Nov 1997 | A |
5685873 | Bruemmer | Nov 1997 | A |
RE35687 | Igaue et al. | Dec 1997 | E |
5693165 | Schmitz | Dec 1997 | A |
5699653 | Hartman et al. | Dec 1997 | A |
5705013 | Nease | Jan 1998 | A |
5707470 | Rajala et al. | Jan 1998 | A |
5711832 | Glaug et al. | Jan 1998 | A |
5725518 | Coates | Mar 1998 | A |
5725714 | Fujioka | Mar 1998 | A |
5743994 | Roessler et al. | Apr 1998 | A |
5745922 | Rajala et al. | May 1998 | A |
5746869 | Hayden et al. | May 1998 | A |
5749989 | Linman et al. | May 1998 | A |
5759340 | Boothe et al. | Jun 1998 | A |
5766389 | Brandon et al. | Jun 1998 | A |
5766411 | Wilson | Jun 1998 | A |
5779689 | Pfeifer et al. | Jul 1998 | A |
5788797 | Herrin et al. | Aug 1998 | A |
5817199 | Brennecke et al. | Oct 1998 | A |
5827259 | Laux et al. | Oct 1998 | A |
5829164 | Kotischke | Nov 1998 | A |
5836931 | Toyoda et al. | Nov 1998 | A |
5858012 | Yamaki et al. | Jan 1999 | A |
5865393 | Kreft et al. | Feb 1999 | A |
5868727 | Barr et al. | Feb 1999 | A |
5876027 | Fukui et al. | Mar 1999 | A |
5876792 | Caldwell | Mar 1999 | A |
5879500 | Herrin et al. | Mar 1999 | A |
5897291 | Gerwe et al. | Apr 1999 | A |
5902222 | Wessman | May 1999 | A |
5902431 | Wilkinson et al. | May 1999 | A |
5904675 | Laux et al. | May 1999 | A |
5932039 | Popp et al. | Aug 1999 | A |
5935367 | Hollenbeck | Aug 1999 | A |
5938193 | Bluemle et al. | Aug 1999 | A |
5938652 | Sauer | Aug 1999 | A |
5964390 | Borresen et al. | Oct 1999 | A |
5964970 | Woolwine et al. | Oct 1999 | A |
5971134 | Trefz et al. | Oct 1999 | A |
5983764 | Hillebrand | Nov 1999 | A |
6009781 | McNeil | Jan 2000 | A |
6022443 | Rajala et al. | Feb 2000 | A |
6036805 | McNichols | Mar 2000 | A |
6043836 | Kerr et al. | Mar 2000 | A |
6050517 | Dobrescu et al. | Apr 2000 | A |
6074110 | Verlinden et al. | Jun 2000 | A |
6076442 | Arterburn et al. | Jun 2000 | A |
6080909 | Osterdahl et al. | Jun 2000 | A |
6098249 | Toney et al. | Aug 2000 | A |
6123792 | Samida et al. | Sep 2000 | A |
6138436 | Malin et al. | Oct 2000 | A |
6142048 | Bradatsch et al. | Nov 2000 | A |
6171432 | Brisebois | Jan 2001 | B1 |
6183576 | Couillard et al. | Feb 2001 | B1 |
6193054 | Henson et al. | Feb 2001 | B1 |
6193702 | Spencer | Feb 2001 | B1 |
6195850 | Melbye | Mar 2001 | B1 |
6196147 | Burton et al. | Mar 2001 | B1 |
6210386 | Inoue | Apr 2001 | B1 |
6212859 | Bielik, Jr. et al. | Apr 2001 | B1 |
6214147 | Mortellite et al. | Apr 2001 | B1 |
6217274 | Svyatsky et al. | Apr 2001 | B1 |
6250048 | Linkiewicz | Jun 2001 | B1 |
6264639 | Sauer | Jul 2001 | B1 |
6264784 | Menard et al. | Jul 2001 | B1 |
6276421 | Valenti et al. | Aug 2001 | B1 |
6276587 | Borresen | Aug 2001 | B1 |
6280373 | Lanvin | Aug 2001 | B1 |
6284081 | Vogt et al. | Sep 2001 | B1 |
6287409 | Stephany | Sep 2001 | B1 |
6305260 | Truttmann et al. | Oct 2001 | B1 |
6306122 | Narawa et al. | Oct 2001 | B1 |
6309336 | Muessig et al. | Oct 2001 | B1 |
6312420 | Sasaki et al. | Nov 2001 | B1 |
6314333 | Rajala et al. | Nov 2001 | B1 |
6315022 | Herrin et al. | Nov 2001 | B1 |
6319347 | Rajala | Nov 2001 | B1 |
6336921 | Kato et al. | Jan 2002 | B1 |
6336922 | VanGompel et al. | Jan 2002 | B1 |
6336923 | Fujioka et al. | Jan 2002 | B1 |
6358350 | Glaug et al. | Mar 2002 | B1 |
6369291 | Uchimoto et al. | Apr 2002 | B1 |
6375769 | Quereshi et al. | Apr 2002 | B1 |
6391013 | Suzuki et al. | May 2002 | B1 |
6416697 | Venturino et al. | Jul 2002 | B1 |
6425430 | Ward et al. | Jul 2002 | B1 |
6431038 | Couturier | Aug 2002 | B2 |
6440246 | Vogt et al. | Aug 2002 | B1 |
6443389 | Palone | Sep 2002 | B1 |
6446795 | Allen et al. | Sep 2002 | B1 |
6446955 | Janatka | Sep 2002 | B1 |
6473669 | Rajala et al. | Oct 2002 | B2 |
6475325 | Parrish et al. | Nov 2002 | B1 |
6478786 | Glaug et al. | Nov 2002 | B1 |
6482278 | McCabe et al. | Nov 2002 | B1 |
6494244 | Parrish et al. | Dec 2002 | B2 |
6514233 | Glaug | Feb 2003 | B1 |
6521320 | McCabe et al. | Feb 2003 | B2 |
6523595 | Milner et al. | Feb 2003 | B1 |
6524423 | Hilt et al. | Feb 2003 | B1 |
6533879 | Quereshi et al. | Mar 2003 | B2 |
6540857 | Coenen et al. | Apr 2003 | B1 |
6547909 | Butterworth | Apr 2003 | B1 |
6550517 | Hilt et al. | Apr 2003 | B1 |
6551228 | Richards | Apr 2003 | B1 |
6551430 | Glaug et al. | Apr 2003 | B1 |
6554815 | Umebayashi | Apr 2003 | B1 |
6557466 | Codde et al. | May 2003 | B2 |
6569275 | Popp et al. | May 2003 | B1 |
6572520 | Blumle | Jun 2003 | B2 |
6581517 | Becker et al. | Jun 2003 | B1 |
6585841 | Popp et al. | Jul 2003 | B1 |
6589149 | VanEperen et al. | Jul 2003 | B1 |
6596107 | Stopher | Jul 2003 | B2 |
6596108 | McCabe | Jul 2003 | B2 |
6605172 | Anderson et al. | Aug 2003 | B1 |
6605173 | Glaug et al. | Aug 2003 | B2 |
6620276 | Kuntze et al. | Sep 2003 | B1 |
6632209 | Chmielewski | Oct 2003 | B1 |
6634269 | Eckstein et al. | Oct 2003 | B2 |
6637583 | Anderson | Oct 2003 | B1 |
6648122 | Hirsch et al. | Nov 2003 | B1 |
6649010 | Parrish et al. | Nov 2003 | B2 |
6656309 | Parker et al. | Dec 2003 | B1 |
6659150 | Perkins et al. | Dec 2003 | B1 |
6659991 | Suckane | Dec 2003 | B2 |
6675552 | Kunz et al. | Jan 2004 | B2 |
6682626 | Mlinar et al. | Jan 2004 | B2 |
6684925 | Nagate et al. | Feb 2004 | B2 |
6685130 | Stauber et al. | Feb 2004 | B2 |
6722494 | Nakakado | Apr 2004 | B2 |
6730189 | Franzmann | May 2004 | B1 |
6743324 | Hargett et al. | Jun 2004 | B2 |
6750466 | Song | Jun 2004 | B2 |
6758109 | Nakakado | Jul 2004 | B2 |
6766817 | da Silva | Jul 2004 | B2 |
6773006 | Andreyka | Aug 2004 | B2 |
6779426 | Holliday | Aug 2004 | B1 |
6808582 | Popp et al. | Oct 2004 | B2 |
D497991 | Otsubo et al. | Nov 2004 | S |
6811019 | Christian et al. | Nov 2004 | B2 |
6811642 | Ochi | Nov 2004 | B2 |
6814217 | Blumenthal et al. | Nov 2004 | B2 |
6820671 | Calvert | Nov 2004 | B2 |
6823981 | Ogle et al. | Nov 2004 | B2 |
6837840 | Yonekawa et al. | Jan 2005 | B2 |
6840616 | Summers | Jan 2005 | B2 |
6869494 | Roessler et al. | Mar 2005 | B2 |
6875202 | Kumasaka et al. | Apr 2005 | B2 |
6884310 | Roessler et al. | Apr 2005 | B2 |
6893528 | Middelstadt et al. | May 2005 | B2 |
6913664 | Umebayashi et al. | Jul 2005 | B2 |
6913718 | Ducker | Jul 2005 | B2 |
6918404 | Dias da Silva | Jul 2005 | B2 |
6852186 | Matsuda et al. | Dec 2005 | B1 |
6976521 | Mlinar | Dec 2005 | B2 |
6978486 | Zhou et al. | Dec 2005 | B2 |
6978964 | Beccari | Dec 2005 | B2 |
7017321 | Salvoni | Mar 2006 | B2 |
7017820 | Brunner | Mar 2006 | B1 |
7045031 | Popp et al. | May 2006 | B2 |
7047852 | Franklin et al. | May 2006 | B2 |
7048725 | Kling et al. | May 2006 | B2 |
7066586 | da Silva | Jun 2006 | B2 |
7069970 | Tomsovic et al. | Jul 2006 | B2 |
7077393 | Ishida | Jul 2006 | B2 |
7130710 | Shechtman | Oct 2006 | B2 |
7137971 | Tanzer | Nov 2006 | B2 |
7172666 | Groves et al. | Feb 2007 | B2 |
7175584 | Maxton et al. | Feb 2007 | B2 |
7195684 | Satoh | Mar 2007 | B2 |
7201345 | Werner | Apr 2007 | B2 |
7204682 | Venturino et al. | Apr 2007 | B2 |
7214174 | Allen et al. | May 2007 | B2 |
7214287 | Akihisa | May 2007 | B2 |
7220335 | Van Gompel et al. | May 2007 | B2 |
7247219 | O'Dowd | Jul 2007 | B2 |
7252730 | Hoffman et al. | Aug 2007 | B2 |
7264686 | Thorson et al. | Sep 2007 | B2 |
7303708 | Andrews et al. | Dec 2007 | B2 |
7326311 | Krueger et al. | Feb 2008 | B2 |
7332459 | Collins et al. | Feb 2008 | B2 |
7374627 | McCabe | May 2008 | B2 |
7380213 | Pesin | May 2008 | B2 |
7398870 | McCabe | Jul 2008 | B2 |
7399266 | Aiolfi et al. | Jul 2008 | B2 |
7449084 | Nakakado | Nov 2008 | B2 |
7452436 | Andrews | Nov 2008 | B2 |
7500941 | Coe et al. | Mar 2009 | B2 |
7533709 | Meyer | May 2009 | B2 |
7537215 | Beaudoin et al. | May 2009 | B2 |
7569007 | Thoma | Aug 2009 | B2 |
7587966 | Nakakado et al. | Sep 2009 | B2 |
7618513 | Meyer | Nov 2009 | B2 |
7638014 | Coose et al. | Dec 2009 | B2 |
7640962 | Meyer et al. | Jan 2010 | B2 |
7695464 | Fletcher et al. | Apr 2010 | B2 |
7703599 | Meyer | Apr 2010 | B2 |
7708849 | McCabe | May 2010 | B2 |
7770712 | McCabe | Aug 2010 | B2 |
7771407 | Umebayashi | Aug 2010 | B2 |
7780052 | McCabe | Aug 2010 | B2 |
7793772 | Schafer | Sep 2010 | B2 |
7811403 | Andrews | Oct 2010 | B2 |
7861756 | Jenquin et al. | Jan 2011 | B2 |
7871400 | Sablone et al. | Jan 2011 | B2 |
7909956 | Coose et al. | Mar 2011 | B2 |
7922983 | Prokash et al. | Apr 2011 | B2 |
7935296 | Koele et al. | May 2011 | B2 |
7975584 | McCabe | Jul 2011 | B2 |
7987964 | McCabe | Aug 2011 | B2 |
8007484 | McCabe et al. | Aug 2011 | B2 |
8007623 | Andrews | Aug 2011 | B2 |
8011493 | Giuliani et al. | Sep 2011 | B2 |
8016972 | Andrews et al. | Sep 2011 | B2 |
8025652 | Hornung et al. | Sep 2011 | B2 |
8062279 | Miyamoto | Nov 2011 | B2 |
8062459 | Nakakado et al. | Nov 2011 | B2 |
8100173 | Hornung et al. | Jan 2012 | B2 |
8172977 | Andrews et al. | May 2012 | B2 |
8176573 | Popp et al. | May 2012 | B2 |
8178035 | Edvardsson et al. | May 2012 | B2 |
8182624 | Handziak | May 2012 | B2 |
8182735 | Edvardsson | May 2012 | B2 |
8182736 | Edvardsson | May 2012 | B2 |
8257237 | Burns, Jr. et al. | Sep 2012 | B2 |
8273003 | Umebayashi et al. | Sep 2012 | B2 |
8293056 | McCabe | Oct 2012 | B2 |
8295552 | Mirtich et al. | Oct 2012 | B2 |
8381489 | Freshwater et al. | Feb 2013 | B2 |
8398793 | Andrews et al. | Mar 2013 | B2 |
8417374 | Meyer et al. | Apr 2013 | B2 |
8439814 | Piantoni et al. | May 2013 | B2 |
8460495 | McCabe | Jun 2013 | B2 |
8485956 | Burns, Jr. et al. | Jul 2013 | B2 |
8512496 | Makimura | Aug 2013 | B2 |
8607959 | Papsdorf et al. | Dec 2013 | B2 |
8656817 | Fritz et al. | Feb 2014 | B2 |
8663411 | McCabe | Mar 2014 | B2 |
8673098 | McCabe | Mar 2014 | B2 |
8708135 | Lin | Apr 2014 | B2 |
8794115 | McCabe | Aug 2014 | B2 |
8939445 | Schoultz | Jan 2015 | B2 |
9016682 | Law | Apr 2015 | B2 |
9315331 | Gieser | Apr 2016 | B2 |
10087028 | Roysko | Oct 2018 | B2 |
20010012813 | Bluemle | Aug 2001 | A1 |
20010017181 | Otruba et al. | Aug 2001 | A1 |
20010035332 | Zeitler | Nov 2001 | A1 |
20010042591 | Milner et al. | Nov 2001 | A1 |
20020040630 | Piazza | Apr 2002 | A1 |
20020046802 | Tachibana et al. | Apr 2002 | A1 |
20020059013 | Rajala et al. | May 2002 | A1 |
20020084568 | Codde et al. | Jul 2002 | A1 |
20020096241 | Instance | Jul 2002 | A1 |
20020125105 | Nakakado | Sep 2002 | A1 |
20020162776 | Hergeth | Nov 2002 | A1 |
20030000620 | Herrin et al. | Jan 2003 | A1 |
20030015209 | Gingras et al. | Jan 2003 | A1 |
20030115660 | Hopkins | Jan 2003 | A1 |
20030051802 | Hargett et al. | Mar 2003 | A1 |
20030052148 | Rajala et al. | Mar 2003 | A1 |
20030066585 | McCabe | Apr 2003 | A1 |
20030083638 | Molee | May 2003 | A1 |
20030084984 | Glaug et al. | May 2003 | A1 |
20030089447 | Molee et al. | May 2003 | A1 |
20030121244 | Abba | Jul 2003 | A1 |
20030121614 | Tabor et al. | Jul 2003 | A1 |
20030135189 | Umebayashi | Jul 2003 | A1 |
20030150551 | Baker | Aug 2003 | A1 |
20030226862 | Vogt et al. | Dec 2003 | A1 |
20040007328 | Popp et al. | Jan 2004 | A1 |
20040016500 | Tachibana et al. | Jan 2004 | A1 |
20040044325 | Corneliusson | Mar 2004 | A1 |
20040073187 | Karami | Apr 2004 | A1 |
20040084468 | Kelbert et al. | May 2004 | A1 |
20040087425 | Ng et al. | May 2004 | A1 |
20040098791 | Faulks | May 2004 | A1 |
20040112517 | Groves et al. | Jun 2004 | A1 |
20040122413 | Roessler et al. | Jun 2004 | A1 |
20040157041 | Leboeuf et al. | Aug 2004 | A1 |
20040164482 | Edinger | Aug 2004 | A1 |
20040167493 | Jarpenberg et al. | Aug 2004 | A1 |
20040177737 | Adami | Sep 2004 | A1 |
20040182213 | Wagner et al. | Sep 2004 | A1 |
20040182497 | Lowrey | Sep 2004 | A1 |
20040216830 | Van Eperen | Nov 2004 | A1 |
20040228709 | Ueda | Nov 2004 | A1 |
20050000628 | Norrby | Jan 2005 | A1 |
20050022476 | Hamer | Feb 2005 | A1 |
20050026760 | Yamamoto et al. | Feb 2005 | A1 |
20050056678 | Nomura et al. | Mar 2005 | A1 |
20050077418 | Werner et al. | Apr 2005 | A1 |
20050101929 | Waksmundzki | May 2005 | A1 |
20050139713 | Weber et al. | Jun 2005 | A1 |
20050196538 | Sommer et al. | Sep 2005 | A1 |
20050230056 | Meyer et al. | Oct 2005 | A1 |
20050230449 | Meyer et al. | Oct 2005 | A1 |
20050233881 | Meyer | Oct 2005 | A1 |
20050234412 | Andrews et al. | Oct 2005 | A1 |
20050257881 | Coose et al. | Nov 2005 | A1 |
20050275148 | Beaudoin et al. | Dec 2005 | A1 |
20060011030 | Wagner et al. | Jan 2006 | A1 |
20060021300 | Tada et al. | Feb 2006 | A1 |
20060021534 | Beaudry | Feb 2006 | A1 |
20060099055 | Stefani | May 2006 | A1 |
20060137298 | Oshita et al. | Jun 2006 | A1 |
20060199718 | Thoma | Sep 2006 | A1 |
20060201619 | Andrews | Sep 2006 | A1 |
20060224137 | McCabe et al. | Oct 2006 | A1 |
20060265867 | Schaap | Nov 2006 | A1 |
20060266465 | Meyer | Nov 2006 | A1 |
20070074953 | McCabe | Apr 2007 | A1 |
20070131343 | Nordang | Jun 2007 | A1 |
20070131817 | Fromm | Jun 2007 | A1 |
20070140817 | Hansl | Jun 2007 | A1 |
20080041206 | Mergola et al. | Feb 2008 | A1 |
20080125738 | Tsuji et al. | May 2008 | A1 |
20080208152 | Eckstein et al. | Aug 2008 | A1 |
20080210067 | Schlinz et al. | Sep 2008 | A1 |
20080223537 | Wiedmann | Sep 2008 | A1 |
20080281286 | Peterson | Nov 2008 | A1 |
20080287898 | Guzman | Nov 2008 | A1 |
20090020211 | Andrews et al. | Jan 2009 | A1 |
20090126864 | Tachibana et al. | May 2009 | A1 |
20090198205 | Malowaniec et al. | Aug 2009 | A1 |
20090212468 | Edvardsson et al. | Aug 2009 | A1 |
20100193155 | Nakatani | Jan 2010 | A1 |
20100078119 | Yamamoto | Apr 2010 | A1 |
20100078120 | Otsubo | Apr 2010 | A1 |
20100078127 | Yamamoto | Apr 2010 | A1 |
20100193135 | Eckstein et al. | Aug 2010 | A1 |
20100193138 | Eckstein | Aug 2010 | A1 |
20100249737 | Ito et al. | Sep 2010 | A1 |
20110003673 | Piantoni et al. | Jan 2011 | A1 |
20110033270 | Toncelli | Feb 2011 | A1 |
20110106042 | Sablone et al. | May 2011 | A1 |
20120079926 | Long et al. | Apr 2012 | A1 |
20120097784 | Liao | Apr 2012 | A1 |
20120123377 | Back | May 2012 | A1 |
20120172828 | Koenig et al. | Jul 2012 | A1 |
20120270715 | Motegi et al. | Oct 2012 | A1 |
20120285306 | Weibelt | Nov 2012 | A1 |
20120310193 | Ostertag | Dec 2012 | A1 |
20120312463 | Ogasawara et al. | Dec 2012 | A1 |
20130066613 | Russell | Mar 2013 | A1 |
20130079741 | Nakashita | Mar 2013 | A1 |
20130239765 | McCabe et al. | Sep 2013 | A1 |
20140155855 | Romzek et al. | Jun 2014 | A1 |
20140353123 | Schoultz et al. | Dec 2014 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
1007854 | Nov 1995 | BE |
1146129 | May 1983 | CA |
1153345 | Sep 1983 | CA |
1190078 | Jul 1985 | CA |
1210744 | Sep 1986 | CA |
1212132 | Sep 1986 | CA |
1236056 | May 1988 | CA |
1249102 | Jan 1989 | CA |
1292201 | Nov 1991 | CA |
1307244 | Sep 1992 | CA |
1308015 | Sep 1992 | CA |
1310342 | Nov 1992 | CA |
2023816 | Mar 1994 | CA |
2330679 | Sep 1999 | CA |
2404154 | Oct 2001 | CA |
155189 | Dec 2004 | CA |
2541194 | Oct 2006 | CA |
2559517 | Apr 2007 | CA |
2337700 | Aug 2008 | CA |
2407867 | Jun 2010 | CA |
2699136 | Oct 2010 | CA |
142627 | Jun 2013 | CA |
2600432 | Jul 2013 | CA |
2573445 | Mar 2014 | CA |
2547464 | Apr 2014 | CA |
202105105 | Jan 2012 | CN |
60123502 | Oct 2006 | DE |
60216550 | Dec 2006 | DE |
102005035544 | Feb 2007 | DE |
1020060472-80 | Apr 2007 | DE |
102005048868 | Apr 2007 | DE |
102007063209 | Jun 2009 | DE |
0044206 | Jan 1982 | EP |
0048011 | Mar 1982 | EP |
0089106 | Sep 1983 | EP |
0099732 | Feb 1984 | EP |
0206208 | Dec 1986 | EP |
0304140 | Feb 1989 | EP |
0411287 | Feb 1991 | EP |
0439897 | Aug 1991 | EP |
0455231 | Nov 1991 | EP |
510251 | Oct 1992 | EP |
0589859 | Mar 1994 | EP |
0676352 | Apr 1995 | EP |
0652175 | May 1995 | EP |
0811473 | Dec 1997 | EP |
0812789 | Dec 1997 | EP |
0901780 | Mar 1999 | EP |
0990588 | Apr 2000 | EP |
1132325 | Sep 2001 | EP |
1035818 | Apr 2002 | EP |
1199057 | Apr 2002 | EP |
1366734 | Dec 2003 | EP |
1393701 | Mar 2004 | EP |
1415628 | May 2004 | EP |
1433731 | Jun 2004 | EP |
1571249 | Sep 2005 | EP |
1619008 | Jan 2006 | EP |
1707168 | Oct 2006 | EP |
1726414 | Nov 2006 | EP |
1302424 | Dec 2006 | EP |
1801045 | Jun 2007 | EP |
1870067 | Dec 2007 | EP |
1941853 | Jul 2008 | EP |
1961403 | Aug 2008 | EP |
1994919 | Nov 2008 | EP |
2180864 | Nov 2008 | EP |
2211812 | Nov 2008 | EP |
2103427 | Sep 2009 | EP |
2233116 | Sep 2010 | EP |
2238955 | Oct 2010 | EP |
1175880 | May 2012 | EP |
2508156 | Oct 2012 | EP |
1868821 | Jan 2013 | EP |
2036522 | Mar 2013 | EP |
1272347 | Apr 2013 | EP |
2032338 | Aug 2013 | EP |
2659869 | Nov 2013 | EP |
2332505 | Dec 2013 | EP |
2412348 | Mar 2014 | EP |
2829257 | Jan 2015 | EP |
509706 | Nov 1982 | ES |
520559 | Dec 1983 | ES |
296211 | Dec 1987 | ES |
2310447 | Jul 2009 | ES |
2311349 | Sep 2009 | ES |
2177355 | Nov 1973 | FR |
2255961 | Jul 1975 | FR |
1132325 | Oct 2006 | FR |
2891811 | Apr 2007 | FR |
191101501 | Jan 1912 | GB |
439897 | Dec 1935 | GB |
856389 | Dec 1960 | GB |
941073 | Nov 1963 | GB |
1096373 | Dec 1967 | GB |
1126539 | Sep 1968 | GB |
1346329 | Feb 1974 | GB |
1412812 | Nov 1975 | GB |
1467470 | Mar 1977 | GB |
2045298 | Oct 1980 | GB |
2115775 | Sep 1983 | GB |
2288316 | Oct 1995 | GB |
1374910 | May 2010 | IT |
1374911 | May 2010 | IT |
428364 | Jan 1992 | JP |
542180 | Feb 1993 | JP |
576566 | Mar 1993 | JP |
626160 | Feb 1994 | JP |
626161 | Feb 1994 | JP |
6197925 | Jul 1994 | JP |
9299398 | Nov 1997 | JP |
10035621 | Feb 1998 | JP |
10-277091 | Oct 1998 | JP |
2008-161300 | Jul 2008 | JP |
0602047 | May 2007 | SE |
529295 | Jun 2007 | SE |
532059 | Oct 2009 | SE |
WO08155618 | Dec 1988 | WO |
WO9315248 | Aug 1993 | WO |
WO9403301 | Feb 1994 | WO |
WO9723398 | Jul 1997 | WO |
WO9732552 | Sep 1997 | WO |
WO9747265 | Dec 1997 | WO |
WO9747810 | Dec 1997 | WO |
WO9821134 | May 1998 | WO |
WO9855298 | Dec 1998 | WO |
WO9907319 | Feb 1999 | WO |
WO9913813 | Mar 1999 | WO |
WO9932385 | Jul 1999 | WO |
WO9965437 | Dec 1999 | WO |
WO 0102277 | Jan 2001 | WO |
WO0143682 | Jun 2001 | WO |
WO0172237 | Oct 2001 | WO |
0218249 | Mar 2002 | WO |
WO2003031177 | Apr 2003 | WO |
WO04007329 | Jan 2004 | WO |
WO05075163 | Aug 2005 | WO |
WO2006038946 | Apr 2006 | WO |
WO07029115 | Mar 2007 | WO |
WO07039800 | Apr 2007 | WO |
WO2007126347 | Nov 2007 | WO |
WO08001209 | Jan 2008 | WO |
WO2008015594 | Feb 2008 | WO |
WO2008037281 | Apr 2008 | WO |
2008125293 | Oct 2008 | WO |
WO2008123348 | Oct 2008 | WO |
WO2009065497 | Mar 2009 | WO |
WO2009065500 | Mar 2009 | WO |
WO2010028786 | Mar 2010 | WO |
WO2011101773 | Aug 2011 | WO |
WO2012123813 | Sep 2012 | WO |
WO2014021897 | Feb 2014 | WO |
Entry |
---|
European Search Report, related to EP patent application No. 14178233, dated Nov. 11, 2014, 7 pages. |
Search Report and Written Opinion, related to PCT/US16/43683 dated Dec. 7, 2016, 18 pages. |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20190135567 A1 | May 2019 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
62196736 | Jul 2015 | US | |
62248155 | Oct 2015 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
Parent | 15217677 | Jul 2016 | US |
Child | 16234109 | US |