Patents by Inventor Philip L. Nelson
Philip L. Nelson has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 5715973Abstract: A manually operated reciprocating fluid pump comprising a pump housing, a plunger, a piston and a priming valve. The pump housing has an inner surface and a pump chamber defined at least in part by the inner surface. The pump chamber extends axially through the pump housing. The plunger is extends axially downwardly into the pump chamber. The piston is on the plunger and is reciprocally and axially slidable within the pump chamber between a bottom stroke position and a top stroke position. The priming valve is mounted on the plunger radially inwardly of the piston for movement with the plunger. It is configured to be open and thereby permit fluid to flow upward through the pump chamber when the piston stroke moves the piston downward from the top stroke position toward the bottom stroke position and configured to be closed and thereby prevent fluid from flowing upward through the pump chamber when the piston stroke moves the piston upward.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 1996Date of Patent: February 10, 1998Assignee: Contico International, Inc.Inventors: Donald D. Foster, Philip L. Nelson
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Patent number: 5711461Abstract: A liquid dispenser comprising a dispenser body, a check valve, a pressure regulating valve, and a pump piston. The dispenser body has a generally cylindric inner surface defining at least part of a pump chamber, an intake port for fluid communication with a source of liquid, an intake liquid flow path providing fluid communication between the intake port and pump chamber, a discharge port, and a discharge liquid flow path providing fluid communication between the pump chamber and discharge port. The check valve checks fluid flow from the pump chamber to the intake port. The pump piston has a head at its inner end reciprocally slidable within and in sealing engagement with the pump chamber between first and second positions. A vent passageway is defined at least in part by both the dispenser body and pump piston for venting air from the fluid receiving cavity.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 1996Date of Patent: January 27, 1998Assignee: Contico International, Inc.Inventors: Donald D. Foster, Philip L. Nelson
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Patent number: 5704550Abstract: A liquid dispenser comprises a dispenser body and a flow restrictor. The dispenser body has a pump mechanism, an intake port adapted for fluid communication with a source of liquid, an intake liquid flow path providing fluid communication between the intake port and the pump mechanism, a discharge port, and a discharge liquid flow path providing fluid communication between the pump mechanism and discharge port. The flow restrictor is in the discharge liquid flow path and is moveable between first and second positions. The flow restrictor is configured for permitting fluid flow from the pump mechanism to the discharge port when the flow restrictor is in its first position, and is configured for at least partially impeding fluid flow from the pump mechanism to the discharge port when the flow restrictor is in its second position.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 1995Date of Patent: January 6, 1998Assignee: Contico International, Inc.Inventors: Donald D. Foster, Philip L. Nelson, Martin S. Laffey
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Patent number: 5649646Abstract: A fluid substance may be dispensed from a container with a fluid dispenser. The fluid dispenser has a housing connected to the container and a passage for providing fluid communication between a nozzle attached to the housing and the container. A pump positioned within the housing draws the fluid substance from the container interior and pushes the substance through an orifice in the nozzle. Attached to the housing is a pivotable door which is moveable between an open position wherein the fluid substance may be dispensed and a closed position wherein the door inhibits the fluid substance from being dispensed. The door has an aperture located remote from the nozzle orifice.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 1995Date of Patent: July 22, 1997Assignee: Contico International, Inc.Inventors: Donald D. Foster, Philip L. Nelson
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Patent number: 5628461Abstract: A trigger sprayer apparatus is provided with a separate fluid spinner and fluid flow control valve in a fluid channel of the sprayer housing. The control valve controls the flow of liquid through the fluid channel and the fluid spinner imparts a spin to the flow of liquid prior to its discharge from the fluid channel to create a spray pattern in the liquid. The control valve and fluid spinner are formed as separate component parts of the trigger sprayer to facilitate the assembly of the control valve and spinner into the fluid channel of the sprayer housing.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 1995Date of Patent: May 13, 1997Assignee: Contico International, Inc.Inventors: Donald D. Foster, Philip L. Nelson
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Patent number: 5628434Abstract: A trigger sprayer contains a pressure buildup valve that prevents liquid from being dispensed from the sprayer until the pressure of the liquid pumped from the sprayer pump exceeds a predetermined minimum pressure.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 1995Date of Patent: May 13, 1997Assignee: Contico International, Inc.Inventors: Donald D. Foster, Philip L. Nelson
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Patent number: 5622317Abstract: A pressure buildup trigger sprayer contains a valve element that vents air from a pump chamber of the sprayer to the interior of a liquid container to which the sprayer is attached while priming the pump.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 1994Date of Patent: April 22, 1997Assignee: Contico International, Inc.Inventors: Donald D. Foster, Philip L. Nelson
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Patent number: 5615835Abstract: A low cost trigger sprayer has a housing with a first liquid passage containing a spinner assembly. An elastomeric pump element is positioned generally horizontally such that pulling the trigger retracts the element and releasing the trigger allows the element to extend. The sprayer includes a low cost spinner assembly and low cost valving to control the flow of liquid within the sprayer. In one aspect of the invention, the housing has front and rear sections with the rear section having a saddle portion and being hinged to the front section for pivotal movement from an open position for molding the housing to a closed position for operating the sprayer. In another aspect of the invention, the container has a rear portion which extends upwardly past the neck and defining a saddle recess, with the housing connected to the neck of the container and positioned forwardly of the upwardly extending container portion.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 1995Date of Patent: April 1, 1997Assignee: Contico International, Inc.Inventor: Philip L. Nelson
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Patent number: 5593093Abstract: A low cost trigger sprayer has a housing with a first liquid passage containing a spinner assembly. An elastomeric pump element is positioned generally horizontally such that pulling the trigger retracts the element and releasing the trigger allows the element to extend. The sprayer includes a low cost spinner assembly and low cost valving to control the flow of liquid within the sprayer. In one aspect of the invention, the housing has front and rear sections with the rear section having a saddle portion and being hinged to the front section for pivotal movement from an open position for molding the housing to a closed position for operating the sprayer. In another aspect of the invention, the container has a rear portion which extends upwardly past the neck and defining a saddle recess, with the housing connected to the neck of the container and positioned forwardly of the upwardly extending container portion.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 1995Date of Patent: January 14, 1997Assignee: Contico International, Inc.Inventors: Donald D. Foster, Philip L. Nelson
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Patent number: 5575407Abstract: A low cost trigger sprayer has a housing with a first liquid passage containing a spinner assembly. An elastomeric pump element is positioned generally horizontally such that pulling the trigger retracts the element and releasing the trigger allows the element to extend. The sprayer includes a low cost spinner assembly and low cost valving to control the flow of liquid within the sprayer. In one aspect of the invention, the housing has front and rear sections with the rear section having a saddle portion and being hinged to the front section for pivotal movement from an open position for molding the housing to a closed position for operating the sprayer. In another aspect of the invention, the container has a rear portion which extends upwardly past the neck and defining a saddle recess, with the housing connected to the neck of the container and positioned forwardly of the upwardly extending container portion.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 1996Date of Patent: November 19, 1996Assignee: Contico International, Inc.Inventors: Donald D. Foster, Philip L. Nelson
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Patent number: 5566885Abstract: A low cost trigger sprayer has a housing with a first liquid passage containing a spinner assembly. An elastomeric pump element is positioned generally horizontally such that pulling the trigger retracts the element and releasing the trigger allows the element to extend. The sprayer includes a low cost spinner assembly and low cost valving to control the flow of liquid within the sprayer. In one aspect of the invention, the housing has front and rear sections with the rear section having a saddle portion and being hinged to the front section for pivotal movement from an open position for molding the housing to a closed position for operating the sprayer. In another aspect of the invention, the container has a rear portion which extends upwardly past the neck and defining a saddle recess, with the housing connected to the neck of the container and positioned forwardly of the upwardly extending container portion.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 1995Date of Patent: October 22, 1996Assignee: Contico International, Inc.Inventors: Donald D. Foster, Philip L. Nelson
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Patent number: 5553752Abstract: A low cost trigger sprayer has a housing with a first liquid passage containing a spinner assembly. A pump element is positioned generally horizontally such that pulling the trigger contracts or retracts the element and releasing the trigger permits the element to return to an extended position. An elastomeric spring is positioned between the housing and pump element to improve the return characteristics of the pump element. The sprayer includes a low cost spinner assembly and low cost valving to control the flow of liquid within the sprayer. In one aspect of the invention, the housing has front and rear sections with the rear section having a saddle portion and being hinged to the front section for pivotal movement from an open position for molding the housing to a closed position for operating the sprayer.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 1995Date of Patent: September 10, 1996Assignee: Contico International, Inc.Inventors: Donald D. Foster, Philip L. Nelson
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Patent number: 5551636Abstract: A low cost trigger sprayer has a housing with a first liquid passage containing a spinner assembly. An elastomeric pump element is positioned generally horizontally such that pulling the trigger retracts the element and releasing the trigger allows the element to extend. The sprayer includes a low cost spinner assembly and low cost valving to control the flow of liquid within the sprayer. In one aspect of the invention, the housing has front and rear sections with the rear section having a saddle portion and being hinged to the front section for pivotal movement from an open position for molding the housing to a closed position for operating the sprayer. In another aspect of the invention, the container has a rear portion which extends upwardly past the neck and defining a saddle recess, with the housing connected to the neck of the container and positioned forwardly of the upwardly extending container portion.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 1995Date of Patent: September 3, 1996Assignee: Contico Internatioal, Inc.Inventors: Donald D. Foster, Philip L. Nelson
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Patent number: 5549249Abstract: The construction of a nozzle head for a trigger sprayer apparatus and the constructions of several variant embodiments of fluid spinners that are assembled into the nozzle head facilitate the assembly of the spinners into the nozzle head with fluid swirl chambers of the spinners centered relative to a fluid discharge orifice of the nozzle head. The swirl chamber of each spinner assembly is surrounded by an annular wall and the end face of the annular wall engages against a flat orifice wall surrounding the sprayer discharge orifice thereby sealing the swirl chamber around the orifice. Tangential grooves through the annular wall provide the only path of fluid flow into the swirl chamber.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 1994Date of Patent: August 27, 1996Assignee: Contico International, Inc.Inventors: Donald D. Foster, Philip L. Nelson
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Patent number: 5540360Abstract: A sprayer assembly operable in an upright and an inverted position for dispensing liquid from a container. The assembly has a housing having an outlet passage, an outlet orifice through which liquid is dispensed, a pump element having a pump chamber within said housing, a primary passage for delivering liquid from the container to the pump chamber with the sprayer in the upright position, and a secondary passage for delivering liquid from the container to the pump chamber with the sprayer in the inverted position. Valves within the housing allow liquid to flow through the primary passage and into the pump chamber and inhibit fluid flow through the secondary passage into the pump chamber upon a reduction of pump chamber pressure with the sprayer in the upright position; and allow liquid to flow through the secondary passage and into the pump chamber and inhibit fluid flow through the primary passage into the pump chamber upon a reduction of pump chamber pressure with the sprayer in the inverted position.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 1994Date of Patent: July 30, 1996Assignee: Contico International, Inc.Inventors: Donald D. Foster, Philip L. Nelson
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Patent number: 5513800Abstract: A low cost trigger sprayer has a housing with a first liquid passage containing a spinner assembly. An elastomeric pump element is positioned generally horizontally such that pulling the trigger retracts the element and releasing the trigger allows the element to extend. The sprayer includes a low cost spinner assembly and low cost valving to control the flow of liquid within the sprayer. In one aspect of the invention, the housing has front and rear sections with the rear section having a saddle portion and being hinged to the front section for pivotal movement from an open position for molding the housing to a closed position for operating the sprayer. In another aspect of the invention, the container has a rear portion which extends upwardly past the neck and defining a saddle recess, with the housing connected to the neck of the container and positioned forwardly of the upwardly extending container portion.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 1995Date of Patent: May 7, 1996Assignee: Contico International, Inc.Inventors: Donald D. Foster, Philip L. Nelson
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Patent number: 5509608Abstract: A low cost trigger sprayer has a housing with a first liquid passage containing a spinner assembly. An elastomeric pump element is positioned generally horizontally such that pulling the trigger retracts the element and releasing the trigger allows the element to extend. The sprayer includes a low cost spinner assembly and low cost valving to control the flow of liquid within the sprayer. In one aspect of the invention, the housing has front and rear sections with the rear section having a saddle portion and being hinged to the front section for pivotal movement from an open position for molding the housing to a closed position for operating the sprayer. In another aspect of the invention, the container has a rear portion which extends upwardly past the neck and defining a saddle recess, with the housing connected to the neck of the container and positioned forwardly of the upwardly extending container portion.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 1995Date of Patent: April 23, 1996Assignee: Contico International, Inc.Inventors: Donald D. Foster, Philip L. Nelson
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Patent number: 5507437Abstract: A low cost trigger sprayer has a housing with a first liquid passage containing a spinner assembly. An elastomeric pump element is positioned generally horizontally such that pulling the trigger retracts the element and releasing the trigger allows the element to extend. The sprayer includes a low cost spinner assembly and low cost valving to control the flow of liquid within the sprayer. In one aspect of the invention, the housing has front and rear sections with the rear section having a saddle portion and being hinged to the front section for pivotal movement from an open position for molding the housing to a closed position for operating the sprayer. In another aspect of the invention, the container has a rear portion which extends upwardly past the neck and defining a saddle recess, with the housing connected to the neck of the container and positioned forwardly of the upwardly extending container portion.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 1995Date of Patent: April 16, 1996Assignee: Contico International, Inc.Inventors: Donald D. Foster, Philip L. Nelson
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Patent number: 5499766Abstract: A nozzle assembly for a trigger sprayer having a cap rotatable relative to a housing to establish the spray character of the fluid discharged and a slot and cam follower connection between the trigger sprayer housing and the cap with the cam shaped to impart an "off" condition, a gradually increasing spray condition, a combination spray and stream condition of gradually reversed relative influence, and a stream only condition. The different flow conditions are established by the interrelationship between a spinner head section and the cap that is rotatable along a path controlled by the cam and cam follower.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 1994Date of Patent: March 19, 1996Assignee: Contico International, Inc.Inventors: Donald D. Foster, Philip L. Nelson
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Patent number: 5467901Abstract: A manually operable trigger sprayer is capable of dispensing a liquid from a container with the trigger sprayer alternately held in an upright orientation, in a downturned orientation and in an inverted orientation. In operation of the trigger sprayer in all three orientation positions, the liquid in the container is prevented from leaking through the vent passage of the trigger sprayer regardless of the level of liquid within the container.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 1994Date of Patent: November 21, 1995Assignee: Contico International, Inc.Inventors: Donald D. Foster, Philip L. Nelson