Patents Examined by Frederick Nicolas
  • Patent number: 7748566
    Abstract: A bathroom dispenser and organizer is provided, comprising a freestanding rectangular storage unit with cavities for toothbrushes, a flat section for bar soap, a storage area with a lid and a pump-style spout for liquid soap, two slots configured to hold tubes, and a set of rollers within each slot, wherein tube contents are dispensed by inserting the tube into a slot between the rollers and turning the rollers. The bathroom dispenser and organizer has particular utility in connection with dispensing toothpaste, shaving cream, and liquid soap, and neatly storing bathroom items such as toothbrushes, razors, and bar soap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Inventor: Alberto Mesa
  • Patent number: 7296709
    Abstract: A fluid dispensing system for providing improved freestanding capabilities and improved automatic shutoff of the system upon returning a nozzle to a nozzle holster after use. The fluid dispensing system includes a portable stand and self-contained power source. The system further includes a holster switch using a sliding panel to ensure shutoff of the system upon placement of the dispensing hose in a dispensing hose holster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Inventor: Harlan D. Anderson
  • Patent number: 7104427
    Abstract: An aerosol valve actuator with a discrete shell-like enclosure and a discrete, bottom mounted, actuating member with finger actuating pad. An opening with a perimeter, in the upper portion of the enclosure, is closed in non-actuated position by the finger pad which has a greater perimeter than the opening perimeter. The finger pad has an upper surface with a portion adjacent its perimeter which underlies and contacts the enclosure upper portion directly adjacent its opening leaving no discernable gap. The finger pad cannot be pushed upwardly through the opening to create a “smiling” effect. The actuating member is connected to the enclosure interior side wall, and has a nozzle outer end snap fit and extending into and filling an enclosure side wall product dispensing opening to prevent spray noise entering the enclosure and being intensified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Precision Valve Corporation
    Inventors: Louis Pericard, Gunter Kolanus
  • Patent number: 7093739
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a cosmetics case for storing cosmetics such as liquid lipstick and/or foundation and forced discharging the cosmetics as it needs, more particularly, a cosmetics case comprising an upper movable part and a case body, the upper movable part coupled to a cap at top portion thereof while the case body mounted with a plug at bottom portion of the case body, wherein the case has a piston screw-coupled to a screw rod inside the case body and a spring and a reversing ball mounted inside an inner hole formed on top end of the screw rod so that, depending on the case body rotating in normal/reverse directions, the piston goes up and comes down and presses on the reversing ball to make the inner hole to be opened/closed, thereby free controlling discharge and isolation of liquid cosmetics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Inventor: Young-Kwang Byun
  • Patent number: 7048154
    Abstract: A rupturable closure for use with a flexible container that is especially suited for pouring viscous fluids such as motor oil. The closure is secured to the pouring spout or other dispensing opening of the container and retains the viscous fluid in the container as the container is brought into inverted position for pouring. Notwithstanding the ability of the closure to hold in the viscous fluid, the closure also allows the closure to breathe when the cap is removed so as to relieve small variations in pressure as the flexible container is first grasped for pouring and thereby prevent premature rupture of the closure before or as the container is inverted for pouring. Such a closure includes a membrane secured over the dispensing opening of the container. The membrane has a small primary vent orifice in the region over the dispensing opening that is sized to permit the membrane to breathe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Inventors: Edward W. Phillips, William E. Phillips
  • Patent number: 7048153
    Abstract: A foam dispensing article is provided which includes a reservoir for receiving a liquid product and an operating unit for dispensing foam as an air-liquid mixture. The unit includes an air pump, a liquid pump concentrically surrounded at least partially by the air pump, an operating component positioned above the pumps containing a foam forming screen device, and a spring system. The spring system functions to return pistons of the air and liquid pumps to an unactivated position and includes an inner spring positioned internally concentric to the air piston. The improvement of the present invention is characterized in the spring device having a return force greater than 4 lbs. (17.8 N). In one embodiment, the spring device includes both an outer spring conically tapered and surrounding an inner spring. The outer spring provides the required force in excess of 4 lbs. (17.8 N). Less liquid drip and piston stickage is achieved with the improvement to the spring system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA, Division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventor: James Louis Gentile
  • Patent number: 7044335
    Abstract: A self-contained beverage dispensing apparatus, which is adapted for commercial and/or home use as an alternative to traditional canned beverage service, is provided. In one embodiment, the beverage dispensing apparatus is highly portable and of sufficient dimension to be positioned on a conventional airline beverage cart and stored in an aircraft's cargo storage compartment. In one embodiment, the beverage dispensing apparatus can be selectively locked and secured with a mechanism that will indicate whether any pre-flight tampering has occurred. In one embodiment, the beverage dispensing apparatus is further comprised of at least one beverage dispensing mechanism that can be extended from within the housing for use and later retracted for storage. In one embodiment, the beverage dispensing apparatus can be used with beverage containers with mouths of varying sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: SIP Systems LLC
    Inventors: Carlos J. Aguirre, Robert M. Norton, Chris Pearson, III, Bobby Joe Stephens
  • Patent number: 7036693
    Abstract: A paint container includes a body having a bottom, a plurality of side walls, and a top. An attachment mechanism is located proximate the top. A cap is configured to be secured to the attachment mechanism. A spout extends upward proximate the top and is at least partially surrounded by the attachment mechanism. A channel located between the attachment mechanism and the spout permits paint spilled into the channel to flow back into the paint container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Masterchem Industries LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Walsh, James N. McDerby, Jr., Norman Morfeld, Cynthia S. Sherrill, Stephen L. Crouse, Douglas W. Newman, Jeffrey A. Schutte, Mark Gilbertson, Scott G. Manke, Michael Brock
  • Patent number: 7025232
    Abstract: A liquid-candy dispenser having a container and an extendable and rotatable dispensing nozzle sprayer that is adapted to be moved in multi-directions for fun and to permit better dispensing of the candy in children's mouths. The extendable and rotatable dispensing nozzle sprayer has a finger-actuated spray head to activate a fluid pumping unit. The sprayer also includes an elongated tube having one free end adapted to rotate 360° in a Y-plane with respect to and in fluid communication with the finger-actuated spray head. A dispensing nozzle is affixed to the other free end of the elongated tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Inventor: John Green
  • Patent number: 7025758
    Abstract: An endovascular device (1, 100, 200, 300) having a distal end (2), a proximal end (4) and a body portion (3) therebetween. The body portion is made of a multiple filament helically wound row (A) of wires (5), provided with a sealing coating (14) on the inside surface or the outside surface or both. The device may be a catheter (1), a sheath, an introducer, a delivery device, a pusher (100), an embolization coil delivery device (300), or a receptacle (208) for an expandable prosthesis (220) used with a delivery device (200). From 2 to 12, and preferably from 4 to 8, wires (5) are used in the row, and fewer wires may be used proceeding toward the distal end (2) for greater flexibility. The helically wound row of wires transmits torque and provides pushability to the device while resisting kinking, and enables a small outside diameter for reaching very small vessels and extending through very tortuous vessels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignees: William Cook Europe APS, Cook Incorporated
    Inventor: Henrik Sønderskov Klint
  • Patent number: 7021497
    Abstract: A device for compressing flexible tubes containing pastes, creams and the like, provided with a receptacle for storing dental floss, making it easy to handle flexible tubes (2) for storing pasty or creamy products, thus providing the full utilization thereof thanks to a differentiated construction and design, wherein a device (1) inserted through its center gap (6) into the lower part of the flexible tube (2) and manually pushed toward the nozzle runs along and compresses the flexible body (2) to expel the product, said device (1) also being provided with a bevel (5) at one of the ends of its upper side, so that the handling thereof may cause a light displacement as it reaches the point wherein there is an accumulation of the product so that the device (1) is locked on the side edges of the flexible tube (2) after the product is expelled, and, because of such displacement, it is prevented from being pushed back, therefore becoming self-locked so that the next time the user uses same he/she will start dispensi
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Inventor: Takehiro Hara
  • Patent number: 7014078
    Abstract: A paint container includes a top, a bottom, and at least one side wall. A handle is pivotally attached to the body proximate the top. A finger recess is disposed in the bottom and an access recess is positioned between the bottom and at least one side wall. A user may insert one or more fingers through the access recess and into the finger recess to grasp the body when the body is resting on a flat surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Masterchem Industries LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Walsh, Douglas W. Newman, Jeffrey A. Schutte, Scott G Manke, Michael J. Brock, Mark Gilbertson
  • Patent number: 7014069
    Abstract: A dosage pump which includes a pump body and a control means with rest and distribution positions. The control means includes a dosing chamber, a return spring, and a member to ensure friction braking of the sliding movement of the actuating members of the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Inventors: Daniel Crosnier, Jean-Marie Dulery
  • Patent number: 7011236
    Abstract: An assembly for securing and sealing a dispenser to a container having a flange surrounding an opening therein is provided. The assembly includes a dispenser sub-assembly having an outer body with an outer surface adapted to engage an inner surface of the opening so as to secure and seal the dispenser sub-assembly within the opening. A retaining collet having a downwardly extending skirt having a bottom portion extending radially outwardly is positioned to surround the flange. A decorative collar having a sleeve about its periphery is slideable through a path of movement over the retaining collet to an assembled position. The sleeve of the decorative collar deforms the bottom portion of the skirt of the retaining collet radially inwardly to a position under the flange of the container as the decorative collar is slid to the assembled position so as to maintain the decorative collar in the assembled position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Rexam Beauty and Closure Inc.
    Inventor: Owen F. VanBrocklin
  • Patent number: 7011289
    Abstract: A sliding spool valve (1) is provided for controlling flow of fluid especially between an inlet (2) at a relatively high pressure and an outlet (6) at a relatively low pressure. Wherein the spool valve is reciprocally displaced between open and closed positions by hydraulic action of the transmitted fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Inventor: Mangat Tripet Singh
  • Patent number: 7011233
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device at packages, coupling members and method for application of a coupling member. The device comprises coupling members (4, 8) with non-circular coupling portions (5, 9) which fit together only if they have the same non-circular shape. The non-circular coupling portions (5, 9) are also located relative to the package (1) such that a conduit (13) for discharging product (3) from the package (1) attains a predetermined position in relation thereto or the conduit (13) can be rotated to such a position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Asept International AB
    Inventor: Sten Drennow
  • Patent number: 7007826
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a portable fluid dispenser is provided having a tank, a pump coupled to the tank for pumping fluid therefrom, and a battery connected to the tank for powering the pump. The battery can be part of a removable battery pack received within an external receptacle of the tank. Some embodiments of the dispenser are adapted to be worn (such as in the form of a backpack), while others are adapted to be carried by a user. Also, in some embodiments a conduit extends through the tank in order to enable fluid to pass from the pump to another location with respect to the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: SHURflo Pump Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Shapanus, Brian A. Babson, Joiee Lee Puckett, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7007829
    Abstract: A dessert container has a tube with a piston. The piston includes a food contact member slidably mounted in the tube. The piston also has a hollow rod extending from and suitable for use with the food contact member. With the piston thus mounted in the tube, wherein the hollow rod can apply pressure to the food contact member for the piston, food may be forced out of the end of the tube, which is oppositely disposed from the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Chief Packaging Company, LLC
    Inventors: Martin J. Mueller, Richard W. Mueller
  • Patent number: 7007828
    Abstract: A liquid chemical metering pump (24) is described that can be fully submerged within a hazardous liquid chemical transport/storage container (28). The pump (24) includes a discharge adaptor (30) that can be received in the outlet aperture (40) of the container (28), in which it is held in sealing relationship by a suitable screw-threaded connector. The discharge adaptor (30) is provided with an intake port (32) in fluid communication with the liquid chemical in the container (28), and a discharge port (34) which is in fluid communication with a discharge tube (36) leading to a flow stream (38). The chemical metering pump (24) is remotely controlled by an electronic controller (26) connected by cable (25) to the chemical metering pump. The chemical metering pump (24) substantially eliminates the need for “double handling” of hazardous liquid chemical, as the chemical can be metered directly from the transport/storage containers in which it is delivered to the end user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: The Water Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher Speight
  • Patent number: 7007830
    Abstract: A closure for a container includes a base with at least one opening for dispensing a material from the container and a cover coupled atop the base. The cover includes at least one flap that is movable between an open position for dispensing the material and a closed position for covering the opening. At least one projection extends from the flap to releasably retain the flap in the closed position. A tab extends from the projection. A guide surface is provided on the tab and is configured to contact an edge of the opening when the flap is moved toward the closed position and is configured to create a wedging interaction with the edge of the opening when the flap is moved further toward the closed position. The flap is retained in the closed position by the wedging interaction of the tab and the edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Gateway Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Terrence M. Parve, William C. Vogel