Patents Examined by John P. Shannon
  • Patent number: 4192438
    Abstract: A gun type device for removing radioactive gas from a sealed hypodermic type vial. The device includes a sealable recess including a pair of concentric hollow needles which penetrate the vial upon the closing of the chamber with a vial still remaining within a lead shielded container which then forms a part of the sealed chamber. An inlet port under control of a push button valve conducts an inert gas under compression through one of said needles to displace and mix with the radioactive gas and force the same through the other of said needles to an outlet port controlled by a second valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1978
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1980
    Assignee: Atomic Products Corporation
    Inventors: Edward H. Foster, James M. Reiss
  • Patent number: 4189071
    Abstract: A soup dispenser is provided which will dispense liquid, semi-liquid and/or chunky soups, stews, chilis, etc., with equal facility. A motor-driven dial configuration of a plurality of measuring chambers or traps is provided at the bottom of a heated reservoir in which an impeller is constantly driven to preclude settling and scorching. The same motor drive is selectively interconnected to rotate the dial and successively register a measuring chamber with a discharge port beneath which a food container can be placed to receive the discharged product. The measuring chambers are vented to atmosphere as registry with the discharge opening is respectively effected to assure full discharge of the food product therein. A dial configuration further includes a plurality of selectively insertable strainer structures which are removably mounted flush with the upper surface of the dial over one or more of the measuring chambers to control the ratio of garnish to broth in each dispensed container of soup and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1978
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1980
    Assignee: Maryland Cup Corporation
    Inventor: John B. West
  • Patent number: 4181246
    Abstract: A closure for a collapsible tube having a base portion mounted on the reinforced dispensing end of the tube. The base portion of the closure defines a bore communicating at one of its ends with the interior of the tube. The opposite end of the bore opens on the surface of a substantially spherical portion of the base member and serves as an outlet through which the tube contents are dispensed. This outlet is selectively opened and closed by a cap member fabricated from a semi-rigid material which defines a cavity which rotatably receives the spherical member therein. The tube contents are dispensed by rotating a port defined in the cap member into alignment with the base portion outlet and collapsing a portion of the tube wall. In one embodiment means are provided to assist in guiding the rotation of the cap member with respect to the spherical member for purposes of aligning the base portion opening and the cap member opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1978
    Date of Patent: January 1, 1980
    Inventor: Gilbert H. Norris
  • Patent number: 4177941
    Abstract: There is disclosed a metering device for metering finely divided material which is capable of handling both free-flowing powders and non-free-flowing powders. The device comprises an upright mixing chamber or reservoir having an axially-disposed stirrer therein. Adjacent thereto is a motor-driven shaft having a metering disc attached thereto with a portion extending into the mixing chamber. The motor-driven axial shaft of the metering disc is connected to the axial shaft of the stirrer by a gear train. Each shaft has replaceable gears attached thereto, adapted to mesh with an idler gear. The idler gear is mounted on an adjustable arm so that the position thereof can be changed when one or both of the replaceable gears is replaced by a gear of different size. In one form of the invention, the stirrer comprises radially-disposed arms projecting from the rotatable shaft, each arm of which is angularly displaced with reference to the arm above or below it and is curved away from the direction of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1977
    Date of Patent: December 11, 1979
    Assignee: International Research and Development Corporation
    Inventor: Basil K. J. Leong
  • Patent number: 4176766
    Abstract: A soup dispenser is provided which will dispense liquid, semi-liquid and/or chunky soups, stews, chiles, etc., with equal facility. A motor driven dial configuration of a plurality of measuring chambers or traps is provided at the bottom of a heated reservoir in which an impeller is constantly driven to preclude settling and scorching. The same motor drive is selectively interconnected to rotate the dial and successively register a measuring chamber with a discharge port beneath which a food container can be placed to receive the discharged product. The measuring chambers are vented to atmosphere as registry with the discharge opening is respectively effected to assure full discharge of the food product therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1977
    Date of Patent: December 4, 1979
    Assignee: Maryland Cup Corporation
    Inventor: John B. West
  • Patent number: 4176767
    Abstract: A bin with a hopper bottom is provided for storing and dispensing dog food, including a sliding gate located at the bottom of the hopper for regulating flow of dog food from the bin. The gate includes a solid center section which prohibits flow of dog food from the bin when positioned across the outlet hole at the bottom of the hopper, an opening which allows dog food to flow from the bin when positioned in alignment with the outlet hole, and handle means on its forward end projecting out the front of the dog food dispenser for convenient manual operation. The sliding gate also includes unique forms of agitators connected thereto and protruding upwardly through the outlet hole and into the bin in such a way as to agitate the dog food in the vicinity of the outlet hole as the gate is slidably moved thereby breaking down bridging of the dog food particles and encouraging smooth flow of the dog food from the bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1977
    Date of Patent: December 4, 1979
    Inventor: Darius C. Franche, IV
  • Patent number: 4176887
    Abstract: A caterpillar-type travelling mechanism for vehicles provided with a self-propelled drive, particularly hydraulic dredges, with a drive sprocket wheel, a guide wheel for the guidance of the caterpillar chain and chain links connected with one another by bolts. Cam-shaped teeth are arranged on the drive sprocket wheel in its longitudinal center plane, the teeth being provided on the sides which point toward one another with planar surfaces. The drive sprocket wheel is provided on its outer periphery with two running rims for the chain links, the rims being arranged on both sides of the teeth. The cam-like teeth are arranged on the periphery of a wheel flange, the latter on both sides being provided with inclined surfaces for guiding the chain links. The travelling mechanism plates of the chain links, which plates are formed as double-stud plates, are made of one piece with a two-sided cam arranged centrally in the chain link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1978
    Date of Patent: December 4, 1979
    Assignee: O&K Orenstein & Koppel Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Gunther Alpers, Helmut Bentz
  • Patent number: 4175796
    Abstract: A wheel has a hub and a rim connected to the hub. Teeth are positioned on the outer surface of the rim and arcuately spaced one from the other by a root area. The root areas have an outer periphery and define a root diameter. The wheel has an annular opening in communication with said outer periphery of the root areas. A hoop having an outside diameter greater than the root diameter is positioned in the annular opening for movement in response to operation of the wheel and cleaning of material from the root areas in response to the movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1978
    Date of Patent: November 27, 1979
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventors: Roger L. Boggs, Jon C. Christensen
  • Patent number: 4175798
    Abstract: An endless tread of the single-pin type which includes a rubber-supported bolt in a tread member and cog-like connecting locations fastening the bolt to the tread member. The bolt incorporates rubber rings vulcanized thereon, and is pressable into a transverse bore in the tread member. Clamping lugs are slidable onto the bolt and clamping the latter to form a detachable connection to an adjoining tread member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1978
    Date of Patent: November 27, 1979
    Assignee: Diehl GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Otto Korner, Christian Bardiani
  • Patent number: 4175680
    Abstract: A container for dispensing powdered or granulated material is provided. The container includes top, bottom, side, and end walls with the top of the container having a handle and a filling spout communicating with the interior of the container. The bottom of the container is provided with slide channels, the slide channels cooperating with a slide channel engaging mechanism on the closure member to secure the closure member to the bottom of the container. The closure member is movable from a closed position where the array of openings in the closure member are out of register with the array of openings in the bottom of the container to an open position where the array of openings in the closure member are in register with the array of openings in the bottom of the container for the purpose of dispensing the contents of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1978
    Date of Patent: November 27, 1979
    Inventor: Nicholas Sammut
  • Patent number: 4175797
    Abstract: An endless self-laying tread or track such as used on self-propelled mining machines and the like, the tread or track being comprised of a plurality of articulated crawler pads configured so as not only to effect good ground engagement but also to assist in preventing the tread or track from becoming clogged. A plurality of the crawler pads are arranged in interdigitated relationship and connected by elongated pins. As so connected open ended spaces are provided at either side of the tread for engagement by the teeth of a driving sprocket. By this arrangement such teeth may be wider and thicker. The space occupied by such a sprocket tooth, being open ended, greatly facilitates the dispersement of any accumulated packing between the tooth and the crawler pads in a sideways direction. One or more pins or pintles are used to connect each adjacent pair of interdigitated pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1977
    Date of Patent: November 27, 1979
    Assignee: The Cincinnati Mine Machinery Company
    Inventor: Claude B. Krekeler
  • Patent number: 4174789
    Abstract: A soup dispenser is provided which will dispense liquid, semi-liquid and/or chunky soups, stews, chilis, etc., with equal facility. A motor driven dial configuration of a plurality of measuring chambers or traps is provided at the bottom of a heated reservoir in which an impeller is constantly driven to preclude settling and scorching. The same motor drive is selectively interconnected to rotate the dial and successively register a measuring chamber with a discharge port beneath which a food container can be placed to receive the discharged product. The measuring chambers are vented to atmosphere through the dial and other venting as registry with the discharge opening is respectively effected to assure full discharge of the food product therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1977
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1979
    Assignee: Maryland Cup Corporation
    Inventor: John B. West
  • Patent number: 4172540
    Abstract: A dispensing closure having a cap with an opening extending through the top of the cap and having a lid mounted on the cap so that it is capable of being moved between a closed position in which the lid closes off the opening and an open position in which the opening is exposed can be constructed so as to utilize a spring mounting the lid on the cap. One of the ends of the spring employed is secured to the cap so that the spring is incapable of being pivoted relative to the cap while the other of the ends of the spring is pivotally connected to the lid. The spring is connected to the lid at a location such that the spring has to be bent and such that the lid has to be pivoted relative to the spring in order for the lid to be moved between the noted open and closed position. The spring serves to hold the lid relative to the top of the cap so that the lid is held against movement in the open position by the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 30, 1979
    Assignee: Polytop Corporation
    Inventor: Herbert Erichson
  • Patent number: 4171075
    Abstract: A container for dispensing predetermined quantities of fluid comprising a closed end body adapted to contain a supply of fluid with a side wall opening adjacent the top of the body when the container is upright and a hollow combined metering and handle member fixed at one end to the body at the side opening and extending outwardly and downwardly with respect to the body and then upwardly to terminate in a dispensing opening disposed above the level of the body side opening when the container is upright, so that when the container is tilted in one direction from upright position to dispose the body side opening at the underside of the body fluid is displaced from the body to provide a predetermined quantity of fluid in the hollow member and when the container is tilted in the opposite direction from the upright position to dispose the body side opening at the upper side of the container body and the dispensing opening below horizontal all of the fluid will be dispensed from the hollow member while no fluid wil
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 16, 1979
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventor: William J. Gangwisch
  • Patent number: 4171069
    Abstract: A beverage dispenser includes a source of pressurized carbonated beverage which is connected to a dispensing valve by a line extending through a refrigerated bath. In the bath, the line includes a thin-wall high-density polyethylene tubing portion having a wall thickness in the range of 0.018 to 0.028, preferably 0.025 inch, and a density in the range of 0.945 to 0.965, preferably between 0.95 and 0.96.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 16, 1979
    Assignee: McQuay-Perfex Inc.
    Inventors: Richard T. Cornelius, Charles G. Erickson
  • Patent number: 4169545
    Abstract: A plural component dispensing system includes supplies which furnish first and second components under pressure to a dispensing apparatus having first and second valves, respectively. Each of the valves includes a rotatable valve member in a combination retainer and seat. The valves are connected to first and second pinion gears, respectively, and a rack engages each of the pinion gears. The rack is attached to a piston which is disposed for reciprocation in a cylinder in response to fluid pressure on one side or the other of the piston. Actuation of the piston in a first direction provides paths for component flow through the first and second rotatable valve members and through first and second orifices, respectively, into a mixing chamber. The first and second orifices are disposed to provide impinging streams of the first and second components, the impingement insuring complete and thorough mixing of the components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 2, 1979
    Assignee: Ransburg Corporation
    Inventor: Herman W. Decker
  • Patent number: 4168020
    Abstract: A dispensing apparatus for flowable products, comprising a replaceable container with an externally threaded neck portion, a dispensing device comprising a pump housing and a valve chamber with two valves arranged in succession in the direction of flow of the product, and a sleeve arranged to be fitted over the container neck portion so as to allow air to penetrate into the container interior along the neck threads, whereby the partial vacuum which generates above the product level inside the container during discharge of the product may be levelled out while at the same time the sealing-off against the environment is sufficient to prevent drying out of the product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 18, 1979
    Assignee: Dispenso AG
    Inventor: Gustav E. Benson
  • Patent number: 4165906
    Abstract: An endless track for a tracked vehicle comprising a series of track shoes, ach having a cavity therein for removable reception of an elastomeric terrain-engaging pad or removable grouser, each pad or grouser being locked within its cavity by a mechanism which includes a swingable latch element having an inturned free end adapted to hook over one edge of the shoe to prevent outward dislocation of the pad from the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1978
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1979
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Joseph O. Fix
  • Patent number: 4165137
    Abstract: A track shoe adapted for use in an endless track assembly for a track-type vehicle comprises a base having a pair of sidewalls formed integrally thereon. The sidewalls extend away from the base in converging relationship with respect to each other and terminate at edges which may be welded together. The method for making the track shoe comprises the steps of forming a blank to include the base and sidewalls of the track shoe, bending the sidewalls towards each other and then welding them together, if so desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1977
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1979
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventor: Robert N. Stedman
  • Patent number: 4163589
    Abstract: A track link assembly including two meshed track links, one having a narrow end received in a notch in an enlarged end in the other, aligned bores in the links, a hinge pin received in the bore for pivoting the links together, annular grooves at opposite ends of the pins, retaining rings in the grooves, recesses in one of the links about the bore therein adjacent the ends of the pin and defining shoulders substantially abutted by the retaining rings, and caps closing the recesses and having axial portions about the periphery of the respective retaining rings for preventing radial movement thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1978
    Date of Patent: August 7, 1979
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventors: Lawrence E. Fox, James R. Shuler