Utah inventors and businesses were awarded 17 patents on Dec. 28, 1999. Patents are granted every Tuesday. One of them covers a tiny computer system used to control electromagnet binding and release functions of a ski binding. A microprocessor operates front and rear ski boot bindings by alternately reversing the polarities of electromagnets.Theodore R. Cooper, Salt Lake City; Allyson T. Toney, West Point; John B. McParlane, Salt Lake City. Cold water ozone disinfection. Assigned to Cyclo3pss Textile Systems Inc., Salt Lake City. Filed Nov. 30, 1995. Patent No. 6,006,387.
John Bergmann, Evanston, Ill.; David Parker, Orem; Tom Sawyer, Winnetka, Ill. Method for preparing an orthotic appliance. Assigned to Bergmann Orthotic Lab Inc., Northfield, Ill. Filed July 10, 1997, a division of patent No. 5,687,467, filed Nov. 30, 1994. Patent No. 6,006,412.
Roland Illerhaus, The Woodlands, Texas; Christopher C. Beuershausen, Lafayette, La.; Mark W. Dykstra, Kingwood, Texas; James A. Norris, Sandy; Michael P. Ohanian, Slidell, La.; Rudolf C.O. Pessier, Houston, Texas; John R. Spaar, Covington, La. Rotary drill bits for directional drilling employing tandem gage pad arrangement with reaming capability. Assigned to Baker Hughes Inc., Houston. Filed Sept. 8, 1997. Patent No. 6,006,845.
Gordon A. Tibbitts, Salt Lake City; Craig H. Cooley, South Ogden. Cutting element, drill bit, system and method for drilling soft plastic formations. Assigned to Baker Hughes Inc., Houston, Texas. Filed Sept. 19, 1997. Patent No. 6,006,846.
Mark R. Kirkland, Midvale. Vendable container. Filed Dec. 22, 1993. Patent No. 6,006,945.
Mark D. Hopkins, Park City. Electric ski binding system. Filed April 17, 1998. Patent No. 6,007,086.
Karl K. Rink, Liberty; Wesley L. Hatt, Centerville; Steven R. Pripps, North Ogden; David W. Lindsey, Ogden; David J. Green, Brigham City; Scott A. Jackson, Centerville; Donald J. Cunningham, North Ogden. Flammable gas initiated pyrotechnic inflator. Assigned to Autoliv ASP Inc., Ogden. Filed June 9, 1998. Patent No. 6,007,097.
Brent K. Olson, Clearfield; Brian M. Shaklik, Fruit Heights. Low cost pyrotechnic inflator. Assigned to Autoliv ASP Inc., Ogden. Filed Feb. 18, 1998. Patent No. 6,007,098.
Stephen C. Jacobsen and Clark C. Davis, Salt Lake City. Volumetric pump with sterility seal. Assigned to Sarcos, LC, Salt Lake City. Filed May 23, 1997, a continuation-in-part of patent No. 5,632,606, filed Nov. 23, 1993. Patent No. 6,007,310.
John M. Rayhack, Tampa, Fla.; Daniel A. Perkins, Hyde Park. Multiplane bone distraction system. Assigned to John M. Rayhack, Tampa, Fla. Filed Nov. 12, 1997, a continuation-in-part of application ser. No. 582,523, filed Jan. 3, 1996, now abandoned. Patent No. 6,007,535.
Scott B. McClellan, Heber City. End-to-side anastomic implant. Filed Feb. 6, 1998. Patent No. 6,007,576.
William D. Welch, Woodland Hills, Calif.; Daniel L. Robinson, Salt Lake City. System for electrolyzing fluids for use as antimicrobial agents. Assigned to Medical Discoveries Inc., Layton. Filed April 16, 1996, a continuation-in-part of patent No. 5,507,932, filed Aug. 26, 1994. Patent No. 6,007,686.
Calvin D. Ostler, Riverton; Kevin D. Ostler, Riverton; David W. Kaufman, Salt Lake City. Method for curing polymeric materials, such as those used in dentistry, and for tailoring the post-cure properties of polymeric materials through the use of light source power modulation. Assigned to Laser Med Inc., Salt Lake City. Filed April 27, 1998. Patent No. 6,008,264.
James W. Wilson and Dwight S. Heim, both of Las Vegas, Nev.; Patrick L. Cook, St. George. No ground antenna. Assigned to Wilson Antenna Inc., Las Vegas, Nev. Filed Oct. 6, 1998. Patent No. 6,008,768.
Gary Jones and Leonard Shoell, both of Pleasant Grove. Method and apparatus for providing audio utility software for use in windows applications. Assigned to Andrea Electronics Corp., Melville, N.Y. Filed April 4, 1997. Patent No. 6,009,519.
L. Curtis Strong, Clearfield; S. Curtis Nye, South Ogden. The ornamental design of a four-bench table. Assigned to Lifetime Products Inc., Clearfield. Filed Dec. 30, 1998. Design Patent No. Des. 417,965.
Carl E. Ellis, Layton; Lewis E. Farrer, Kaysville; Richard E. Leavitt, Layton. The ornamental design of a shipping cartridge for a computer disk drive. Assigned to Iomega Corp., Roy. Filed Nov. 5, 1997. Design Patent No. Des. 418,128.
Karl R. Cannon is a partner in the law firm of Clayton, Howarth & Cannon, P.C., specialists in patent, trademark and copyright law. He may be contacted at 1-801-255-5335 or by e-mail at cannon@chcpat.com. Copies of patents are available for $3 each from Patent and Trademark Copy Sales, Box 9, Patent and Trademark Office, Washington, DC 20231. Credit card orders can also be made to PTCS by fax to 1-703-308-7048 or as an attachment to an e-mail message to ptcs@uspto.gov. Patents can also be viewed and printed from several Internet sites, including www.patents.ibm.com or www.uspto.gov.