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Burns, MI

Brent J. Burns, Sterling Heights, MI US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20090212150Sheet Product Dispenser - A dispenser for dispensing sheet product from a supply to a user is disclosed. The dispenser includes a feed device for dispensing a length of sheet product, an energy storage device in operable communication with the feed device, and a user interface in operable communication with the energy storage device. The user interface is biased in a first direction to a rest position by the energy storage device and is responsive to energy from the user to move in a second direction opposite the first direction and transfer energy to the energy storage device. The energy storage device is in operable connection with the feed device and applies the transferred energy to generate motion of the user interface in the first direction toward the rest position to actuate the feed device and dispense the sheet product.08-27-2009
20090277920High Capacity Napkin Dispenser - A large capacity napkin dispenser for in counter mounting includes: (a) an elongate housing having a generally rectangular cross-section for receiving a stack of napkins; (b) a faceplate with a dispensing aperture, the faceplate being hinged to the housing so as to be movable between an open position for re-loading and a closed position for dispensing; (c) a movable support member mounted in the housing; (d) biasing means for urging the movable support toward the faceplate so that the stack of napkins is advanced to the aperture as it is depleted; and (e) sequestered means for locking the faceplate in the closed position. The locking means includes release means located adjacent the inner surface of the faceplate such that when the faceplate is in the closed position the release means is concealed in the interior of the dispenser, thereby eliminating the need for a key. The dispenser further includes internal gripping surfaces which facilitate re-loading and smooth operation as well as molded-in features which greatly reduce cost of manufacture.11-12-2009

Gary Burns, Midland, MI US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20100218644Method of Producing Metals and Alloys by Carbothermal Reduction of Metal Oxides - A method of producing metals and alloys, the method comprising heating raw materials comprising at least one metal oxide, and agglomerates comprising a carbonaceous reducing agent and a cured binder to effect reduction of the metal oxide to the metal, wherein each agglomerate has at least one molded open channel, and an apparent density not greater than 99% of the apparent density of an identical agglomerate except without the channel.09-02-2010

Gary P. Burns, Rockford, MI US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20080238683ANTENNA FOR RFID DEVICE READER, AND METHOD OF USE - An antenna for use with an RFID device reader includes a metallic plate and multiple antenna elements attached to the metallic plate. The antenna elements may consist of two prongs each, with the prongs of each element arrayed in a diagonal configuration, and with the two prongs forming an X-shape. Each of the prongs may include a pair of L-shape prong parts that are coupled together by an electrical element connecting the corners of the L-shape prong parts. The distal ends of all of the prong parts of the antenna elements may together form a substantially square shape. Each of the antenna elements may be coupled to a single conductor, for connection to an RFID reader. The connection may be through a suitable standard coupling, such as a coaxial cable with a suitable connector.10-02-2008
20090153334Radio Frequency Sealing Apparatus for a Container - An RF security apparatus includes a covering membrane for overlying at least a portion of an opening in the container. The covering membrane has a sealing portion configured to be bonded to a mouth of the opening. An RF security device is coupled to the covering membrane. The RF security device is configured to emit a predetermined RF signal in response to an RF interrogation signal.06-18-2009
20100025309DELIVERY POINT SEQUENCING MAIL SORTING SYSTEM WITH FLAT MAIL CAPABILITY - A method and apparatus for sorting articles to a delivery point sequence includes at least one article sorter adapted to sort articles and a conveying system operable to arrange and convey containers of articles sorted in a first sort pass to an induct of the article sorter for a second sort pass or process of the articles. The system or method automatically sorts and conveys trays containing sorted articles from a discharge of at least one sorting assembly to an induct of the at least one sorting assembly. The conveying assembly may have a generally continuous conveying track and is operable to automatically provide the trays to the induct of the at least one sorting assembly in a sequenced manner.02-04-2010
20110253715CONTAINER SEAL WITH RADIO FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION TAG, AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME - A container closure assembly includes a closure, an inner seal, and a radio frequency identification tag. The inner seal includes a first surface for engaging a container sealing surface, and a second, opposed surface for engaging one of a backing liner, a facing liner, an induction seal liner, and a glued-in closure liner. The radio frequency identification tag includes a microprocessor electrically coupleable with an antenna for receiving, storing, and transmitting digitized information. The inner seal can minimize migration of fluids between a container interior volume and an exterior of a container when the inner seal is engaged with a container sealing surface. The radio frequency identification tag can be included in the closure assembly within a container interior volume or external to a container, or can be incorporated into the inner seal, without the closure assembly electromagnetically interfering with the receiving, storing, or transmitting of the digitized information.10-20-2011

Patent applications by Gary P. Burns, Rockford, MI US

Joseph W. Burns, Ann Arbor, MI US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20080262373Automated polysomnographic assessment for rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder - Methods and systems for diagnosing or assessing rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (RBD). Muscle tone or activity variance during rapid eye movement (REM) and non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep intervals of a polysomnogram are compared. A threshold based on the NREM data is used to identify a subject-specific threshold for abnormality in the REM variance. A metric that includes the percentage of REM variance exceeding the threshold relates to RBD.10-23-2008

Kevin M. Burns, Flushing, MI US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20120125139STEERING COLUMN TELESCOPE LOCK - A telescope lock mechanism for a steering column includes a plurality of column teeth operably connected to the steering column and an adjustment lever operably connected to the steering column to allow user adjustment of a position of the steering column. A locking bolt extends from the adjustment lever, and a cam is located at the locking bolt and rotatable thereon. The cam includes one or more tab features interactive with the locking bolt such that rotation of the locking bolt engages the tab features with the locking bolt to drive rotation of the cam between a locked and unlocked position. The tab further includes a plurality of cam teeth meshable with the plurality of column teeth when the cam is in a locked position. A spring is operably connected to the cam to maintain the cam position in the locked and/or unlocked position when the cam is rotated thereto.05-24-2012
20120125140TELESCOPE POSITIVE LOCK FOR STEERING COLUMN - A telescope lock mechanism for a steering column includes a plurality of strap teeth located at an upper jacket of the steering column, each strap tooth of the plurality of strap teeth having a strap tooth peak. A plurality of lock teeth are located at a lower jacket of the steering column. The plurality of locking teeth are rotatably secured at the lower jacket, such that when the plurality of locking teeth are rotated into an engaged position with the plurality of strap teeth, a plurality of lock teeth peaks are substantially non-parallel to the strap tooth peaks of the plurality of strap teeth.05-24-2012
20120126521INTEGRATED TOOTH RAKE LOCK FOR STEERING COLUMN - A steering column assembly includes a rake bracket, a steering column pivotably attached to the rake bracket and a rake lock mechanism. The rake lock mechanism includes a plurality of rake teeth located at the rake bracket and a plurality of jacket teeth engageable with the plurality of rake teeth and located at the steering column at a teeth distance from the plurality of rake teeth. A retainer is insertable through the rake bracket and into the steering column to maintain the teeth distance. When a predetermined force is applied to the steering column, a portion of the retainer is detached to allow the plurality of jacket teeth to approach the plurality of rake teeth and engage therewith.05-24-2012
20120126522STEERING COLUMN TELESCOPE ADJUSTMENT STOP - A steering column assembly includes a rake bracket and a lower jacket secured to the rake bracket. An upper jacket is slidably disposed in the lower jacket and a locking bolt is rotatably located at the lower jacket configured to allow the upper jacket allow the translate along a steering column axis relative to the lower jacket when the locking bolt is in an unlocked position. A bolt driver is located at the locking bolt and is configured to interrupt a load path through a column retainer between the lower jacket and the rake bracket when the locking bolt is in an unlocked position.05-24-2012

Lisa Burns, Northville, MI US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20080304171MULTI-FACED CONVERSATION MIRROR - A conversation mirror assembly is provided for use in passenger compartments of motor vehicles. The conversation mirror assembly includes a mirror housing having a mirror support surface. A first conversation mirror face biased toward the driver is fitted to the mirror support surface. A second conversation mirror face biased toward the front seat passenger is fitted to the mirror support surface adjacent the first conversation mirror. The first conversation mirror face and the second conversation mirror face may be either spherical or aspherical. The first conversation mirror face may be separate from the second conversation mirror face. Alternatively, the first conversation mirror face and the second conversation mirror face define two facets of a single mirror.12-11-2008

Mark A. Burns, Ann Arbor, MI US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20100055394RECONFIGURABLE MICROACTUATOR AND METHOD OF CONFIGURING SAME - A microactuator may be configured by activating a source of electromagnetic radiation to heat and melt a selected set of phase-change plugs embedded in a substrate of the microactuator, pressurizing a common pressure chamber adjacent to each of the plugs to deform the melted plugs, and deactivating the source of electromagnetic radiation to cool and solidify the melted plugs.03-04-2010
20100258211MODULAR MICROFLUIDIC ASSEMBLY BLOCK AND SYSTEM INCLUDING THE SAME - A modular microfluidic system comprising a base substrate, a plurality of microfluidic assembly blocks, and an adhesive component is provided. Each individual microfluidic assembly block defines a channel and has a sidewall defining an aperture into the channel. When the plurality of microfluidic assembly blocks are arranged on the base substrate, the aperture into the channel of one microfluidic assembly block aligns with the aperture of another microfluidic assembly block with the channels thereof connected along a plane parallel to the base substrate thereby forming a channel network defined by the plurality of microfluidic assembly blocks. The subject invention also provides a method of assembling a microfluidic device. The method comprising the steps of providing the base substrate, providing the plurality of microfluidic assembly blocks, and arranging the plurality of microfluidic assembly blocks on the base substrate.10-14-2010
20110277848Acoustical Fluid Control Mechanism - An acoustical fluid control mechanism and a method of controlling fluid flow of a working fluid with the acoustical fluid control mechanism are provided. The mechanism comprises a resonance chamber that defines a cavity. The resonance chamber has a port. The cavity is sealed from the ambient but for the port for enabling oscillatory flow of a working fluid into and out of the cavity upon exposure of the resonance chamber to an acoustic signal containing a tone at a frequency that is substantially similar to a particular resonance frequency of the resonance chamber. The mechanism further includes a rectifier for introducing directional bias to the oscillatory flow of the working fluid through the port. The rectifier has an inlet connected to the port and an outlet for transmitting the directional flow of the working fluid away from the cavity. The outlet is in fluid communication with the port of the resonance chamber at least during transmission of the directional flow of the working fluid therethrough.11-17-2011
20120077231Thermal Microvalves - The movement and mixing of microdroplets through microchannels is described employing silicon-based microscale devices, comprising microdroplet transport channels, reaction regions, electrophoresis modules, and radiation detectors. The discrete droplets are differentially heated and propelled through etched channels. Electronic components are fabricated on the same substrate material, allowing sensors and controlling circuitry to be incorporated in the same device.03-29-2012

Patent applications by Mark A. Burns, Ann Arbor, MI US

Michael J. Burns, Holland, MI US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20100156128Configurable Seating and Console System - A seating and console system for use in a seating row and configurable between a seating configuration and a console configuration is disclosed. The system comprises a seat including a seat base and a seat back; and a console mounted to an opposite side of the seat back. The seat back rotates between a first position to provide the seating configuration and a second position to provide the console configuration that divides the seating row.06-24-2010

Robert D. Burns, Lake Orion, MI US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20080275600METHOD OF OPERATING A PLUG-IN HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE - A method of operating a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle is provided including the steps of: A) determining whether the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle is receiving power from an external power source; B) disabling the operation of the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle and executing a thermal program if the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle is receiving power from the external power source, wherein the thermal program includes charging a high voltage battery and monitoring the state of charge of the high voltage battery; C) determining if the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle continues to receive power from the external power source; and D) enabling operation of the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle if the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle is no longer receiving power from the external power source.11-06-2008

Patent applications by Robert D. Burns, Lake Orion, MI US

Sean P. Burns, Almont, MI US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20080271825Gas generant - Gas generant compositions contain the mono-ammonium salt of bis (1(2)H-tetrazol-5-yl)-amine, an oxidizer such as phase stabilized ammonium nitrate, and a first additive selected from fumed oxides such as fumed silica. Gas generators 10 and gas generating systems 11-06-2008
20090008003Gas generant - The present invention includes a gas generator 01-08-2009
20110181030FLEXIBLE GAS GENERATOR - A gas generator includes a first flexible housing, a first flexible, porous covering an exterior surface of the first housing, and a second flexible, porous covering wound over the first covering so as to form a plurality of layers covering the first covering. At least one plenum is formed between adjacent layers of the plurality of layers.07-28-2011

Patent applications by Sean P. Burns, Almont, MI US

Thomas H. Burns, Royal Oak, MI US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20100005677MEASURING DEVICE FOR LACROSSE HEADS AND RELATED METHOD - A device and method to measure the dimensions of the lacrosse head to determine compliance with NCAA lacrosse rules. The device includes a longitudinal member having a terminal end adapted to engage a lacrosse head, and at least one cross bar joined with and generally transverse to the longitudinal bar at one or more preselected distances from the terminal end. The cross bar can be configured to measure the width or other dimension of the lacrosse head at the preselected distances. The cross bar can include movable arms that extend and collapse relative to the longitudinal bar to alter the overall dimensions of the device and make it generally easier to transport by users. The method includes using the device to determine whether a head complies with dimensional specifications.01-14-2010