IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,396,604
Granted Patent B2
US 12,396,604 · App. 18/076,883 · Granted Aug 26, 2025

Configuration of a cyclone assembly and surface cleaning apparatus having same

Inventor: Wayne Ernest Conrad (Hampton, CA)
Assignee: Omachron Intellectual Property Inc.
A47L9/1608A47L9/1658A47L9/1683B04C5/187A47L9/1625A47L9/1633A47L9/1641A47L9/165B01D45/16B04C5/04B04C5/103B04C5/14B04C5/26B04C5/28Y10S55/03
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,396,604
App. No.
18/076,883
Granted
Aug 26, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A cyclone separator useable in a surface cleaning apparatus comprises a cyclone chamber and a dirt collection chamber exterior to, and surrounding at least a portion of the cyclone chamber. The dirt collection chamber is in communication with the cyclone chamber via a dirt outlet. An air flow passage extending to the cyclone air inlet travels generally axially through the dirt collection chamber.

Claims (29)

1. A surface cleaning apparatus comprising a cyclone separator assembly, the cyclone separator assembly comprising:

(a) a cyclone casing defining a cyclone chamber having first and second spaced apart opposed ends, a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, a sidewall and a separated material outlet, the first end including a first end wall of the cyclone chamber, the second end including a second end wall, the sidewall defining a cyclone chamber perimeter, and the cyclone chamber has a cyclone chamber length extending between the first and second end walls, wherein the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet are provided at the first end and the separated material outlet comprises an opening formed in the sidewall at the second end; and,

(b) a separated material collection chamber in communication with the separated material outlet and exterior to the cyclone chamber, the separated material collection chamber having a first end including a first end wall, a second spaced apart opposed end having a second end wall and a sidewall extending between the first and second ends of the separated material collection chamber, the separated material collection chamber has a separated material collection chamber length extending between the first and second end walls of the separated material collection chamber wherein the separated material collection chamber length is longer than the cyclone chamber length, wherein one of the end walls of the separated material collection chamber is spaced from and faces one of the end walls of the cyclone chamber and a support member extends therebetween,

wherein the sidewall of the cyclone chamber along a first portion of the cyclone chamber perimeter extends continuously from the first end wall to the second end wall and is in contact with the second end wall, and the sidewall of the cyclone chamber along a remainder of the cyclone chamber perimeter has the separated material outlet,

wherein a common end of the cyclone chamber and the separated material collection chamber are concurrently openable, and

wherein at least a portion of the sidewall of the separated material collection chamber is spaced from and faces the sidewall of the cyclone chamber.

2. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1 wherein the common end is a dirt collection surface of the cyclone chamber and the separated material collection chamber.

3. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first end of the cyclone chamber is a lower end of the cyclone chamber and the second end of the cyclone chamber is an upper end of the cyclone chamber.

4. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 3 wherein the sidewall of the separated material collection chamber surrounds a portion of the sidewall of the cyclone chamber that does not have the fluid inlet.

5. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 4 wherein a first portion of the separated material collection chamber is positioned between the sidewall of the cyclone chamber and the sidewall of the separated material collection chamber and a second portion of the separated material collection chamber is positioned between one of the end walls of the separated material collection chamber and one of the end walls of the cyclone chamber.

6. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 5 wherein the first portion of the separated material collection chamber is U-shaped.

7. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1 wherein in use to clean a floor, the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet are provided at a lower end of the cyclone chamber, the separated material outlet is provided at an upper end of the cyclone chamber and one of the end walls of the separated material collection chamber is spaced from and faces one of the end walls of the cyclone chamber, and wherein a first portion of the separated material collection chamber is positioned between the sidewall of the cyclone chamber and the sidewall of the separated material collection chamber and a second portion of the separated material collection chamber is positioned between the one of the end walls of the separated material collection chamber the one of the end walls of the cyclone chamber.

8. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1 wherein the sidewall of the separated material collection chamber surrounds a portion of the sidewall of the cyclone chamber that does not have the fluid inlet.

9. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 7 wherein the first portion of the separated material collection chamber is U-shaped.

10. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first portion of the cyclone chamber perimeter has a first length and the remainder of the cyclone chamber perimeter has a remainder length that is shorter than the first length, and the separated material outlet extends across the remainder length.

11. A surface cleaning apparatus comprising a cyclone separator assembly, the cyclone separator assembly comprising:

(a) a cyclone chamber having a cyclone axis of rotation, a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet provided at a first end wall of a first end of the cyclone chamber, a separated material outlet provided at a second opposed end of the cyclone chamber, which comprises a second opposed end wall of the cyclone chamber and a sidewall, the separated material outlet formed in the sidewall, wherein the second end wall has a cyclone chamber face which faces towards the first end wall and an opposed face and wherein the cyclone chamber has a cyclone chamber length in an axial direction and a cyclone chamber perimeter; and,

(b) a separated material collection chamber in communication with the separated material outlet and exterior to the cyclone chamber, the separated material collection chamber having a sidewall extending between first and second opposed end walls of the separated material collection chamber and a separated material collection chamber length in the axial direction wherein the separated material collection chamber length is longer than the cyclone chamber length, wherein one of the end walls of the separated material collection chamber is spaced from and faces one of the end walls of the cyclone chamber and a support member extends therebetween,

wherein the sidewall of the cyclone chamber extends along the cyclone chamber perimeter and at least a portion of the sidewall of the cyclone chamber extends from the first end wall to the second end wall and is in contact with the second end wall,

wherein a common end of the cyclone chamber and the separated material collection chamber concurrently opens the cyclone chamber and the separated material collection chamber, and

wherein at least a portion of the sidewall of the separated material collection chamber is spaced from and faces the sidewall of the cyclone chamber whereby a first portion of the separated material collection chamber is positioned between the sidewall of the cyclone chamber and the sidewall of the separated material collection chamber, and

wherein and a second portion of the separated material collection chamber is positioned between an end wall of the separated material collection chamber and the opposed face.

12. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 11 wherein the common end is a dirt collection surface of the cyclone chamber and the separated material collection chamber.

13. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 11 wherein the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet are provided at a lower end of the cyclone chamber and the separated material outlet is provided at an upper end of the cyclone chamber.

14. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 12 wherein the sidewall of the separated material collection chamber surrounds a portion of the sidewall of the cyclone chamber that does not have the fluid inlet.

15. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 11 wherein the first portion of the separated material collection chamber is U-shaped.

16. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 11 wherein the sidewall of the separated material collection chamber surrounds a portion of the sidewall of the cyclone chamber that does not have the fluid inlet.

17. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 16 wherein the first portion of the separated material collection chamber is U-shaped.

18. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 11 wherein the portion of the sidewall of the cyclone chamber has a first length along the cyclone chamber perimeter and a remaining portion of the sidewall of the cyclone chamber has a remaining length along the cyclone chamber perimeter that is shorter than the first length, and the separated material outlet is formed in the remaining portion of the sidewall of the cyclone chamber and extends across the remaining length.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 7, 2022
From: CONRAD, WAYNE ERNEST
To: G.B.D. CORP.
Reel/Frame 062016/0014 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 7, 2022
From: G.B.D. CORP.
To: CONRAD IN TRUST, WAYNE
Reel/Frame 062016/0028 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 7, 2022
From: CONRAD IN TRUST, WAYNE
To: OMACHRON INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY INC.
Reel/Frame 062016/0269 →
Continuity (6)
Continuation 16377778 · Apr 8, 2019
Continuation 14529027 · Oct 30, 2014
Continuation 13763477 · Feb 8, 2013
Division 12338022 · Dec 18, 2008
Provisional Application 61014983 · Dec 19, 2007
Related Publication 20230165422A1 · Jun 1, 2023
References Cited (247)
US 1779761A · Alford, Sr. · 1930 [cited by applicant]
US 4373228A · Dyson · 1983 [cited by examiner]
US 4790865A · Demarco · 1988 [cited by applicant]
US 5139652A · Leblanc · 1992 [cited by applicant]
US 5267371A · Soler et al. · 1993 [cited by applicant]
US 5358290A · Fleet et al. · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5391051A · Sabatier et al. · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5681450A · Chitnis et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5922093A · James et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5974625A · Garner · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 6098244A · Conrad et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6099661A · Conrad · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6101672A · Conrad et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6123779A · Conrad et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6129775A · Conrad et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6135708A · Conrad et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6168716B1 · Conrad et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6170119B1 · Conrad et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6171356B1 · Twerdun · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6173474B1 · Conrad · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6174127B1 · Conrad et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6183641B1 · Conrad et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6224325B1 · Conrad et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6231645B1 · Conrad et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6238177B1 · Conrad et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6243917B1 · Conrad · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6251296B1 · Conrad et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6261052B1 · Conrad et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6261379B1 · Conrad et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6280143B1 · Parker et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6307358B1 · Conrad · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6312594B1 · Conrad et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6328527B1 · Conrad et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6334234B1 · Conrad et al. · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6344064B1 · Conrad · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6398834B2 · Oh · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6406505B1 · Oh et al. · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6432154B2 · Oh et al. · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6440197B1 · Conrad et al. · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6457205B1 · Conrad · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6532620B2 · Oh · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 6533834B2 · Conrad et al. · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 6599340B2 · Conrad et al. · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 6706095B2 · Morgan · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 6782585B1 · Conrad et al. · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 6810558B2 · Lee · 2004 [cited by examiner]
US 6868578B1 · Kasper et al. · 2005 [cited by applicant]
US 7065826B1 · Arnold · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 7086119B2 · Go et al. · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 7160346B2 · Park · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 7329294B2 · Conrad · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 7419521B2 · Oh et al. · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 7422615B2 · Kim · 2008 [cited by examiner]
US 7511224B1 · Kossak · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 7544224B2 · Tanner et al. · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 7547351B2 · Oh · 2009 [cited by examiner]
US 7618470B2 · Eddington et al. · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 7645309B2 · Jeong et al. · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 7736408B2 · Bck et al. · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 7740675B2 · Conrad · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 7744667B2 · Oh et al. · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 7749293B2 · Conrad · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 7776120B2 · Conrad · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 7803207B2 · Conrad · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 7811345B2 · Conrad · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 7867308B2 · Conrad · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 7887612B2 · Conrad · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 7941895B2 · Conrad · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 8034140B2 · Conrad · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 8127398B2 · Conrad · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 8146201B2 · Conrad · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 8151407B2 · Conrad · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 8176596B2 · Conrad · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 8292979B2 · Conrad · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 8349428B2 · Conrad · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 8590102B2 · Conrad · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 8621709B2 · Conrad · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 8677558B2 · Conrad · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 8713751B2 · Conrad · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 8869344B2 · Conrad · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 9119513B2 · Conrad · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 10537219B2 · Conrad et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 11793374B2 · Conrad · 2023 [cited by applicant]
US 11857142B2 · Conrad · 2024 [cited by applicant]
US 20010027587A1 · Conrad et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 20020020154A1 · Yang · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 20020124538A1 · Oh et al. · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 20020134059A1 · Oh · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 20020162188A1 · Harmen · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 20030201754A1 · Conrad · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 20040060146A1 · Coates et al. · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 20040216266A1 · Conrad · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 20050138763A1 · Tanner et al. · 2005 [cited by applicant]
US 20060137304A1 · Jeong et al. · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 20060196004A1 · Conrad · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 20070084160A1 · Kim · 2007 [cited by examiner]
US 20070084161A1 · Yoo · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 20070209339A1 · Conrad · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 20070262512A1 · Watanabe et al. · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 20070289267A1 · Makarov et al. · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 20080172992A1 · Conrad · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 20080172995A1 · Conrad · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 20080178416A1 · Conrad · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 20080178418A1 · Conrad · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 20080179133A1 · Conrad · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 20080184681A1 · Oh et al. · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 20080190080A1 · Oh et al. · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 20080196366A1 · Conrad · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 20080216281A1 · Conrad · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 20090181841A1 · Conrad · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 20090205161A1 · Conrad · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 20090209403A1 · Conrad · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 20110219570A1 · Conrad · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 20130145575A1 · Conrad · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 20140237768A1 · Conrad · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20160367094A1 · Conrad · 2016 [cited by applicant]
CA 1077412A1 · 1980 [cited by applicant]
CA 2275675A1 · 1999 [cited by applicant]
CA 2288544A1 · 2000 [cited by applicant]
CA 2258416A1 · 2000 [cited by applicant]
CA 2258419A1 · 2000 [cited by applicant]
CA 2258421A1 · 2000 [cited by applicant]
CA 2258422A1 · 2000 [cited by applicant]
CA 2258423A1 · 2000 [cited by applicant]
CA 2258426A1 · 2000 [cited by applicant]
CA 2330801A1 · 2001 [cited by applicant]
CA 2338193A1 · 2002 [cited by applicant]
CA 2339514A1 · 2002 [cited by applicant]
CA 2342673A1 · 2002 [cited by applicant]
CA 2342993A1 · 2002 [cited by applicant]
CA 2438079A1 · 2002 [cited by applicant]
CN 1493244A · 2004 [cited by applicant]
CN 1875846A · 2006 [cited by applicant]
CN 1875855A · 2006 [cited by applicant]
CN 1887437A · 2007 [cited by applicant]
CN 100998484A · 2007 [cited by applicant]
CN 101015436A · 2007 [cited by applicant]
CN 101108111A · 2007 [cited by applicant]
CN 101061932A · 2007 [cited by applicant]
CN 101073480A · 2007 [cited by applicant]
CN 101108106A · 2008 [cited by applicant]
CN 101108110A · 2008 [cited by applicant]
CN 101657133A · 2010 [cited by applicant]
DE 69110424T2 · 1996 [cited by applicant]
DE 10132690A1 · 2002 [cited by applicant]
DE 60105004T2 · 2005 [cited by applicant]
DE 102005015004B4 · 2008 [cited by applicant]
DE 102005014541B4 · 2008 [cited by applicant]
DE 602004009782T2 · 2008 [cited by applicant]
DE 112007003039T5 · 2009 [cited by applicant]
DE 112007003052T5 · 2010 [cited by applicant]
DE 102008055045A1 · 2010 [cited by applicant]
DE 202012101457U1 · 2012 [cited by applicant]
DE 112012000251T5 · 2013 [cited by applicant]
DE 102012223983A1 · 2014 [cited by applicant]
EP 493950A2 · 1992 [cited by applicant]
EP 1676516A1 · 2006 [cited by applicant]
EP 1779761A2 · 2007 [cited by applicant]
JP 2003135335A · 2003 [cited by applicant]
JP 2010227287A · 2010 [cited by applicant]
KR 1020050091821A · 2005 [cited by applicant]
KR 1020050091824A · 2005 [cited by applicant]
KR 1020050091826A · 2005 [cited by applicant]
KR 1020050091829A · 2005 [cited by applicant]
KR 1020050091830A · 2005 [cited by applicant]
KR 1020050091833A · 2005 [cited by applicant]
KR 1020050091834A · 2005 [cited by applicant]
KR 1020050091835A · 2005 [cited by applicant]
KR 1020050091836A · 2005 [cited by applicant]
KR 1020050091837A · 2005 [cited by applicant]
KR 1020050091838A · 2005 [cited by applicant]
KR 1020050103343A · 2005 [cited by applicant]
KR 1020050104613A · 2005 [cited by applicant]
KR 1020050104614A · 2005 [cited by applicant]
KR 1020060018004A · 2006 [cited by applicant]
KR 1020060081229A · 2006 [cited by applicant]
KR 1020060112420A · 2006 [cited by applicant]
KR 1020060118795A · 2006 [cited by applicant]
KR 1020060118800A · 2006 [cited by applicant]
KR 1020060118801A · 2006 [cited by applicant]
KR 1020060118802A · 2006 [cited by applicant]
KR 1020060118803A · 2006 [cited by applicant]
KR 1020060122249A · 2006 [cited by applicant]
KR 1020080039105A · 2008 [cited by applicant]
WO 9640840A1 · 1996 [cited by applicant]
WO 0010718A1 · 2000 [cited by applicant]
WO 2007021043A1 · 2007 [cited by applicant]
WO 2007104138A1 · 2007 [cited by applicant]
WO 2009076773A1 · 2009 [cited by applicant]
WO 2009076774A1 · 2009 [cited by applicant]
English machine translation of KR1020080039105, published on May 7, 2008. [cited by applicant]
English machine translation of KR1020060122249, published on Nov. 30, 2006. [cited by applicant]
English machine translation of KR1020060118803, published on Nov. 24, 2008. [cited by applicant]
English machine translation of KR1020060118802, published on Nov. 24, 2006. [cited by applicant]
English machine translation of KR1020060118801, published on Nov. 24, 2006. [cited by applicant]
English machine translation of KR1020060118800, published on Nov. 24, 2006. [cited by applicant]
Nicholas P. Cheremisinoff: Handbook of Air Pollution Prevention and Contriol, N&P Limited, published by Butterworth Heinemann, pp. 397-404, Copyright 2002. Elsevier Science, ISBN 0-7506-7499-7. [cited by applicant]
International Preliminary Report on Patentability, received in connection to international Patent Application No. PCT/CA2008/002257, dated Jun. 22, 2010. [cited by applicant]
International Search Report, received in connection to International Patent Application No. PCT/CA2008/002257, dated Apr. 14, 2009. [cited by applicant]
International Preliminary Report on Patentability, received in connection to International Patent Application No. PCT/CA2008/002258, dated Jun. 22, 2010. [cited by applicant]
International Search Report, received in connection to International Patent Application No. PCT/CA2008/002258, dated Apr. 9, 2009. [cited by applicant]
Extended European Search Report received in connection to European Application No./Patent No. 08862927.4, dated Sep. 13, 2011. [cited by applicant]
English machine translation of KR1020060118795, published on Nov. 24, 2006. [cited by applicant]
English machine translation of KR1020060112420, published on Nov. 1, 2006. [cited by applicant]
English machine translation of KR1020060081229, published on Jul. 12, 2006. [cited by applicant]
English machine translation of KR1020060018004, published on Feb. 28, 2006. [cited by applicant]
English machine translation of KR1020050104614 , published on Nov. 3, 2005. [cited by applicant]
English machine translation of KR1020050104613, published on Nov. 3, 2005. [cited by applicant]
English machine translation of KR1020050103343, published on Oct. 31, 2005. [cited by applicant]
English machine translation of KR1020050091838, published on Sep. 15, 2005. [cited by applicant]
English machine translation of KR1020050091837, published on Sep. 15, 2005. [cited by applicant]
English machine translation of KR1020050091836, published on Sep. 15, 2005. [cited by applicant]
English machine translation of KR1020050091835, published on Sep. 15, 2005. [cited by applicant]
English machine translation of KR1020050091834, published on Sep. 15, 2005. [cited by applicant]
English machine translation of KR1020050091833, published on Sep. 15, 2005. [cited by applicant]
English machine translation of KR1020050091830, published on Sep. 15, 2005. [cited by applicant]
English machine translation of KR1020050091829, published on Sep. 15, 2005. [cited by applicant]
English machine translation of KR1020050091826, published on Sep. 15, 2005. [cited by applicant]
English machine translation of KR1020050091824, published on Sep. 15, 2005. [cited by applicant]
English machine translation of KR1020050091821, published on Sep. 15, 2005. [cited by applicant]
English machine translation of JP2010227287, published on Oct. 14, 2020. [cited by applicant]
English machine translation of JP2003135335, published on May 13, 2003. [cited by applicant]
Engliksh machine translation of CN101657133, published on Feb. 24, 2010. [cited by applicant]
English machine translation of DE69110424, published on Jul. 20, 1995. [cited by applicant]
English machine translation of DE602004009782, published on Aug. 28, 2008. [cited by applicant]
English machine translation of DE202012101457, published on Aug. 16, 2012. [cited by applicant]
English machine translation of DE112012000251, published on Oct. 17, 2013. [cited by applicant]
English machine translation of DE112007003052, published on 2010-01-14. [cited by applicant]
English machine translation of DE112007003039, published on Oct. 29, Oct. 29, 2009. [cited by applicant]
English machine translation of DE102012223983, published on Jun. 26, 2014. [cited by applicant]
English machine translation of DE102008055045, published on Jun. 24, 2010. [cited by applicant]
English machine translation of DE102005015004, published on Feb. 7, 2008. [cited by applicant]
English machine translation of DE102005014541, published on Aug. 28, 2008. [cited by applicant]
English machine translation of CN101108111A, published on Aug. 20, 2007. [cited by applicant]
English machine translation of CN101108110A, published on Feb. 23, 2008. [cited by applicant]
English machine translation of CN101108106A, published on Jan. 23, 2008. [cited by applicant]
English machine translation of CN101073480A, published on Nov. 21, 2007. [cited by applicant]
English machine translation of CN101061932A, published on Oct. 31, 2007. [cited by applicant]
English machine translation of CN101015436A, published on Aug. 15, 2007. [cited by applicant]
English machine translation of CN100998484A, published on Jul. 18, 2007. [cited by applicant]
English machine translation of DE60105004, published on Aug. 18, 2005. [cited by applicant]
English machine translation of DE10132690, published on Jul. 18, 2002. [cited by applicant]
English machine translation of CN1887437, published on Jan. 3, 2007. [cited by applicant]
English machine translation of CN1875855, published on Dec. 13, 2006. [cited by applicant]
English machine translation of CN1875846, published on Dec. 13, 2006. [cited by applicant]
English machine translation of CN1493244, published on May 5, 2004. [cited by applicant]
U.S. Appl. No. 09/343,479, filed Jun. 30, 1999. [cited by applicant]