Patents Examined by Gene Mancene
  • Patent number: 6814265
    Abstract: A device for dispensing fluid medicine includes a housing having an opening leading to an interior, a first aperture, and a second aperture. The device also includes a plastic dropper bottle at least partially disposed in the interior through the opening. The bottle has a container holding fluid medicine to be dispensed and a nozzle with a third aperture in fluid communication with the container. The device further includes a drop counter switch disposed in the housing and a lever rotationally coupled to the housing. The lever has a first flange disposed in the first aperture for causing the bottle to dispense fluid through the third aperture. The lever also has a second flange disposed in the second aperture for operative engagement with the drop counter switch upon the first flange causing the bottle to dispense fluid through the third aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Alcon, Inc.
    Inventors: Julia A. Clifford, William E. McCune, Robert W. Ashlin, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6814264
    Abstract: A liquid pumping device includes a base, a liquid container, a cover, a cylinder, a piston, an air guide pipe, and an operation handle. When the piston is moved upward, the fluid can only flow downward through the anti-reverse valves of the piston in a single direction, and the upward movement of the liquid is stopped by the anti-reverse valves of the piston. When the air guide pipe is moved downward, the fluid can only flow upward through the anti-reverse valves of the air guide pipe in a single direction, and the downward movement of the liquid is stopped by the anti-reverse valves of the air guide pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Inventor: Chi-Liang Chen
  • Patent number: 6814260
    Abstract: A toy water shooter may be worn in a concealed manner on a user's forearm, beneath clothing. The shooter includes a pressurizable bladder that may be filled with water and which is plumbed to a trigger-operated nozzle mounted on a wrist support. The bladder may be pressurized by pumping an air bulb, which fluidly communicates with the bladder. The trigger is mounted in a position that allows it to be operated by thumb movement. In an alternate embodiment, the bladder may be worn around the user's waist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Badd Boyz Toys, LLC
    Inventor: Michael S. Caffrey
  • Patent number: 6811058
    Abstract: A valve assembly for a fluid dispenser includes a housing having at least a first opening and a second opening, and a valve member fitted in the housing, the valve member being rotatable about an axis and including a first channel, extending along said axis and communicating with the first opening in the housing, and at least two outlet channels radially extending from the first channel to the circumference of the valve member, wherein each of the radially extending outlet channels can be brought into registry with the second opening by rotating the valve member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Fluid Management, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark M. J. Voskuil, Pieter J. M. Alkemade
  • Patent number: 6811342
    Abstract: The invention provides a transportable applicator system in intended in particular for applying a composition on a localized surface element. It comprises a main body (10) extended by a rod handle (12) and a receptacle (14) in which said main body (10) is suitable for being inserted. The applicator system comprises: a puncturable container (18) containing said composition and held in said receptacle (14); applicator means (13) for applying said composition and secured to the end of said main body; and means (22, 20) for puncturing said container (18) when the main body (10) is forced into said receptacle (14) so as to puncture said puncturable container (18), whereby said applicator means (13) are suitable for being impregnated with said composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Taiki Corporation, Ltd.
    Inventor: Bernard Pauchet
  • Patent number: 6811057
    Abstract: A fluid dispenser assembly characterized in that it comprises: a fluid dispenser (1) defining a substantially flat body (10) provided with a dispensing orifice (17) and with a removable closure member (18) suitable for closing the dispensing orifice (17); and packaging (2) encasing the dispenser (1) and forming an opening portion (24, 28; 240, 280) in which the removable closure member (18) is received so that it is possible to take hold of it in order to remove it from the body, thereby unmasking the dispensing orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Valois S.A.S.
    Inventors: Frédéric Duquet, Hervé Pennaneac'h
  • Patent number: 6811341
    Abstract: A device for use in combining components to form a compound and for applying the compound to a substrate includes a first housing having a first-housing receptacle with a proximal end, a plunger including a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end being disposed in the proximal end of the first-housing receptacle, at least one penetrable barrier sealing the receptacle, and a first component of the compound disposed in the first-housing receptacle, where one of the first housing and the plunger includes an applicator tip retaining a second component of the compound and being separated from the first component by the at least one penetrable barrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Closure Medical Corporation
    Inventor: Richard Scott Crane
  • Patent number: 6808087
    Abstract: A fuel dispensing system. The system includes a plurality of storage tanks for storing a plurality of fuel products; at least one dispenser; at least one pump for pumping fuel from the storage tanks to the dispenser; and a pump controller connected to the dispenser and the pump having a plurality of individual selectors for selecting a specific fuel product. In the preferred embodiment, the pump controller includes a plurality of individual selectors for selecting a specific fuel product; and an interconnecting expandable length bus for connecting additional station components, such as pump control devices, to one another. The system may further include an emergency stop system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Power Integrity Corp.
    Inventor: James A. Ford
  • Patent number: 6807690
    Abstract: An assisted lift shower seat seeking strict compliance with applicable ADA standards includes a wall mounted pivotal shower seat having a frame attached to the wall in a shower by at least two brackets, the shower seat pivotally raised and lowered with the assistance of a stiff torsion spring anchored to the bracket and applying force to the shower seat, diminishing the force required to raise and lower the shower seat from a vertical to horizontal and horizontal to vertical position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Inventor: Steven Ray Satterfield
  • Patent number: 6805331
    Abstract: An electromagnetically energized actuator featuring low friction, low wear, low impact and low noise attributes. The actuator includes a polymer tube, a stop fixedly disposed in the tube and composed of a highly permeable material, a plunger reciprocably disposed within the tube and composed of a highly permeable material, a spring assembly including a spring which is formed at the facing ends the stop and the plunger which spring serves to bias the plunger away from the stop, a first plate composed of a highly permeable material which is connected to a first end of the tube, and a second plate composed of a highly permeable material which is connected to a second end of the tube. The tube is composed of a polymer which (relative to a conventional brass tube) allows tighter tolerances between the plunger and the tube resulting in lower wear, less sliding noise, reduction in corrosion, and elimination of thinned end of the tube. The preferred tube polymer is VESPEL® with TEFLON® mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Santos Burrola, Jean-Francois Pelka, Mahmood Rad
  • Patent number: 6804842
    Abstract: A waterproof portable bathing chair and footrest for use by a mobility-impaired person while taking a bath. The bathing chair is used to balance and support the user, and prevent the user from slipping while getting into and out of a bathtub, and also to cushion the user while relaxing in the bath. The bathing chair includes a cushioning seat, an upper body cushioning device attached to the seat and a headrest attached to the upper body cushioning device for comfortably supporting the neck and back of the user while bathing. A pair of armrests are coupled to the seat and fastened around a pair of handrails on the tub, for securing the user between the armrests on the seat cushion. The handrails, along with the footrest, provide the user with balance and safety while getting into and out of the bathtub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Inventor: Almetta Johnson
  • Patent number: 6805263
    Abstract: A fluid product dispenser includes a reservoir (3) containing said fluid product and provided with at least one actuating wall (10) on which pressure is exerted to reduce the reservoir volume, a dispensing orifice (50) communicating with the reservoir and through which the fluid product is dispensed out of the reservoir in a mixture with a gas to create a two-phase spray, a detachable sealing unit (12) to seal the dispensing orifice (50) and so isolate the reservoir from the outside, and a spring (4) to bring the actuating wall (10) into a non-operational position defining the maximum volume of the reservoir (3) when the sealing unit (12) is withdrawn from the dispensing orifice (50), said spring (4) being compressed when the sealing unit (12) seals the outlet orifice (50), the reservoir (3) containing approximately only fluid product so long as the detachable sealing unit (12) seals the dispensing orifice (50).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Valois Sas
    Inventors: Firmin Garcia, Christophe Pierre
  • Patent number: 6805264
    Abstract: A hygienic solution dispenser includes a reservoir for a hygienic solution. The reservoir has a wallward side and an opening. A tongue extends along the wallward side and is adapted to secure the reservoir to a mounting fixture. The mounting fixture secures the inventive dispenser to a substrate. A valve seals against the reservoir opening. A pressure actuator in mechanical communication with the valve upon activation discharges solution from within the reservoir onto toilet paper or another application medium. A rectangular cross section reservoir affords a thin profile projecting from the substrate. An injection molded thermoplastic preferably forms a reservoir having a tongue integral therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Inventor: Nick Houvras
  • Patent number: 6805261
    Abstract: A package and method of making and filling it in the form of a tubular flexible bag of laminated plastic sheet material with a dispensing fitment including a spout and a removable closure mechanically fastened to a flat wall at one end of the tubular bag with the method of making the filled package being continuous starting with a flat sheet of material and ending with a filled and closed package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Profile Packaging, Inc.
    Inventor: Bernd Laudenberg
  • Patent number: 6802086
    Abstract: A support apparatus for a cover adapted for use with a conventional cover lifting device comprises one or more brackets for engaging the peripheral edge and at least one tension member or strap extending between the crossbar of the lifting device and the bracket. Where the cover has two planer surfaces joined at a hinge for hanging over the crossbar, each strap and each bracket is are sandwiched between the covers folded surfaces and each bracket is preferably “T”-shaped for engaging the peripheral edges of both surfaces. Preferably, the length of the strap is adjustable. The weight of the cover is supported by the bracket and strap to the crossbar rather than through the hinge or fabric connection to the crossbar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Inventor: Len Hudzinski
  • Patent number: 6796971
    Abstract: A device for storing and administering a medical fluid comprising a sealed flexible formed container with an opening part in its front end in which an insert is positioned. Over the insert, the container extends into a removable sealing cap. After removal of the sealing cap an injection means is attached to the insert and fluid administration through the insert is admitted in one direction by squeezing the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Fresenius Kabi AB
    Inventors: Gunnar Andersson, Bert Petterson
  • Patent number: 6796514
    Abstract: A material supply assembly for use with a spraying device, which material supply assembly includes a housing of stiff material comprising a side wall having a top end defining an opening into a recess defined by the housing; and a pre-filled container comprising a stiff annular lip adapted to be positioned along the top end of the side wall, and a flexible portion fixed to the annular lip and adapted to extend into the cavity in the housing when the annular lip is positioned along the top end of the side wall. The flexible portion has an inner surface defining a cavity, and a quantity of material is within the cavity in the flexible portion. A polymeric membrane extends across and is sealed to the annular lip to retain the material in the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Thomas W. Schwartz
  • Patent number: 6793101
    Abstract: The bottle cap unit (1) of this invention comprises an inner cap (2), which is tightly fitted to the bottleneck (24) to form a pour spout, and an outer cap (15), which is detachably screwed on or off the inner cap (2) to close or open the pour spout. The first locking part (5) is disposed on the outer wall of the attaching cylinder (3) of the inner cap (2). The second locking part (23) is disposed on the locking cylinder (22), which is connected to the outer cylinder (20) of the outer cap (15) via the breaking pieces (21). This second locking part (23) is engaged from underside with the first locking part (5) to lock the outer cap (15). The attachment of the inner cap (2) to the bottleneck (24) is set at such a strength that allows the inner cap (2) to be manually snapped out of the bottleneck (24). In this configuration, the bottle cap unit (1) can be easily snapped out of the bottleneck (24) for separate collection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Yoshino Kogyosho Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Natuo Shinozaki, Masaru Tamura
  • Patent number: 6789705
    Abstract: An apparatus for receiving an aerosol dispenser and for operating the aerosol dispenser at a distant position from an operator. The device includes an elongated body, an extension pole mount, an actuation member mount and an actuation member. The elongated body includes an aerosol dispenser-receiving cavity therein. The aerosol dispenser-receiving cavity extends from a first end of the body toward a second end of the body. The extension pole mount is attached to the second end of the body. A longitudinal axis of a pole-receiving cavity of the extension pole mount is aligned with a longitudinal axis of the aerosol dispenser-receiving cavity. The actuation member is attached at a first end thereof to an actuation member mount attached to the body. A spray head engagement portion is movable between at-rest and actuation positions and is translatable along an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the dispenser-receiving cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Inventor: Frank M. Drew
  • Patent number: 6789708
    Abstract: A dispenser (100) for diluting and dispensing a product concentrate into a container includes an actuation switch (108) and an actuator (115). The actuation switch (108) may either be manually activated in a first direction or it may be activated by pushing a container against the actuator (115) in a second direction which in turn pushes the actuation switch in the first direction to dispense a use solution. Therefore, the dispenser (100) readily accommodates any type of container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventor: Jeremy J. Hansen