Michael J Howe

US Patent:

6723036, Apr 20, 2004

Filed:

Jun 19, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/174922

Inventors:

Richard A. Weaver - Linden MI
John W. Schaefer - Burton MI
Michael G. Howe - Holly MI

Assignee:

Contour Fabricators, Inc. - Fenton MI

International Classification:

B21C 4700

US Classification:

493450, 493243, 493447, 493457, 493456, 2425322, 2425337, 242581

Abstract:

Methods and apparatus for folding pliable sheet material wherein the sheet material is wound on a mandrel to form a roll which subsequently is stripped off the mandrel and transferred to a pleating station at which successive creases are formed in the roll to produce a pleated packet. During the winding of the sheet material the latter is adhered to the mandrel by the application of negative air pressure to the material via the mandrel. Following the formation of the roll, the application of negative air pressure is discontinued and positive air pressure is applied to the interior of the roll so as to facilitate stripping of the roll from the mandrel. At the pleating station the roll is creased successively to form a plurality of pleats and the direction in which the creasing proceeds is such as to facilitate the escape of air from the roll as it is pleated.

US Patent:

7311441, Dec 25, 2007

Filed:

Apr 5, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/099001

Inventors:

Richard A. Weaver - Linden MI, US
Christopher J. C. Zimmerman - Owosso MI, US
Michael W. Czop - Fenton MI, US
Joseph M. Wright - Fenton MI, US
Wojciech M. Porcek - Davison MI, US
Jeremy J. Weidner - Swartz Creek MI, US
Daniel D. Hayes - Durand MI, US
Samba Toure - Burton MI, US
Michael Howe - Fenton MI, US

Assignee:

Contour Fabricators, Inc. - Fenton MI

International Classification:

B65D 33/00
B65D 85/00

US Classification:

383 36, 206320

Abstract:

Apparatus for enabling the use of a computer mouse at a sterile surgical site comprises a pouch for the accommodation of the mouse and an inlet sleeve forming an inlet passage into the pouch. The pouch and sleeve are formed of pliable, preferably transparent sterilizable material. When the mouse has been admitted to the pouch via the passage, the sleeve may be separated from the pouch and the open mouth of the latter rolled to form a seal, thereby retaining the mouse within the pouch.

US Patent:

20080163427, Jul 10, 2008

Filed:

Jan 2, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/006348

Inventors:

Michael Howe - Fenton MI, US

International Classification:

A47C 20/00

US Classification:

5634

Abstract:

A resilient body for supporting in elevated condition the knees of a person lying on a horizontal surface comprises a pair of limbs joined by a reduced thickness neck which facilitates the rocking of the limbs between positions in which the limbs extend in opposite directions from the neck to a selected one of a number of adjusted positions in which the limbs confront one another and form an upstanding arch for supporting the person's knees in an elevated condition.

US Patent:

20130167845, Jul 4, 2013

Filed:

Dec 31, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/731964

Inventors:

Mark S. Grajek - Howell MI, US
Michael G. Howe - Fenton MI, US
Michael W. Czop - Fenton MI, US

International Classification:

A61B 19/08
A61B 19/12
A61B 6/00

US Classification:

128856

Abstract:

A sterile imaging head protective apparatus includes a radiolucent rigid sheet configured to cover an imaging head of an X-ray imaging machine and a sterile flexible drape attached to the radiolucent rigid sheet. The drape extends away from the radiolucent rigid sheet to an open free end. A member is provided adjacent the open end, wherein the member is operable to maintain the open end in abutment with a portion of the X-ray imaging machine.