With Manipulation Of Flexible Or Collapsible Receiver Or Supply Patents (Class 141/114)
  • Patent number: 7934522
    Abstract: A multi-sectional airtight seal for continuous air-filling includes: an input passage; plural first sub-tubes aligned parallel to a lateral side of the input passage; plural first valve devices including a first filling passage and a second filling passage with the first filling passage connecting the first sub-tubes and the input passage; plural second sub-tubes serially connecting the first sub-tubes; and plural second valve devices for connecting the second sub-tubes and the second filling passages to allow through-linking between the second sub-tubes and the input passage. When external air in the input passage enters through the first filling passage of the first valve device to fill and expand the first sub-tubes, the second sub-tube is filled through the second filling passage and the second valve device to be expanded as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Inventors: Chian Hua Liao, Yao Sin Liao, Yao Chuan Liao
  • Patent number: 7934360
    Abstract: Bagging machines may include a packing density measurement system. The packing density measurement system includes an anchor assembly and a force measurement assembly. The anchor assembly includes at least one drag member adapted to be operatively coupled to the bagging machine and to extend rearwardly beneath at least a portion of a bag to resist forward movement of the bagging machine. The force measurement assembly is operatively coupled to the anchor assembly and is adapted to measure the anchoring force applied to the bagging machine. The anchor assembly may be adjustable, either manually or automatically, to allow control over the anchoring force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: SRC Innovations, LLC
    Inventor: Steven Cullen
  • Patent number: 7909071
    Abstract: A method for the contamination-preventing transferring bulk material between a container having a flexible opening and a connecting tube using a tubular film is placed around the connecting tube; the tubular film is tied beyond the connecting tube leaving a free end of the tubular film beyond the tying point; the flexible opening and the tubular film are connected; the tying points of the outlet and the tubular film are untied, and the bulk material transferred; the free end of the tubular film, is constricted and additional tubular film is pulled from a tubular film supply until clean tubular film is available beyond the connecting tube; the tubular film is closed at two points in the clean section and cut in two between them; additional tubular film is pulled from the tubular film supply, and tied at a tying point located at a distance from the cutting point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Hecht Anlagenbau GmbH
    Inventors: Richard Denk, Manfred Helmer, Timothey Rocholl
  • Patent number: 7900660
    Abstract: An automated ice vending apparatus and method including an ice generating machine capable of producing enough ice to sufficiently keep full a first receptacle positioned beneath the ice generating machine, a plurality of augers positioned at least partially within channels on the lower portion of the receptacle to move ice from the first receptacle to a second receptacle with a second ice moving mechanism, which in turn moves the ice to a third, substantially inclined, ice moving mechanism, wherein the ice is subsequently transferred to a removable container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Inventor: Jon Ladson
  • Patent number: 7886778
    Abstract: A cartridge for storing a flowable substance in a bulk container is disclosed. The cartridge includes a shell having a breakable score line and configured to sit inside the bulk container and a bag positioned within the shell and configured to be filled with the flowable substance. The bag has a port for introducing the flowable substance into the bag and a drain spout in fluid communication with the bag, allowing the flowable substance to be drained from the bag after filling. The breakable score line is configured to separate due to force exerted on the shell as the bag is filled, allowing the bag to expand inside the bulk container. A method of filling a bulk container with a flowable substance using the cartridge is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Menasha Corporation
    Inventor: Richard B. McDowell
  • Publication number: 20110017343
    Abstract: A machine and method for filling a container having a tube spout fitment. The machine includes a filling tube interconnected to a first reservoir. The first reservoir holds a product intended to be delivered to the container. The machine preferably a valve controls the delivery of the product from the first reservoir to the container. The fill tube includes an opening configured to fittingly engage the opening of the tube spout fitment. The machine is operable to mount the fill tube onto the tube spout container such that the inner surface of the fill tube is in contact with the outer surface of the tube spout fitment so as to deliver products into the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Inventor: R. Charles Murray
  • Publication number: 20110011492
    Abstract: A device for quickly and easily filling bags with sand, dirt, or other particulate material that is operable by a single individual. The device is adapted to decrease the amount of energy exerted by individuals in filling such bags. The device may also be constructed in a collapsible manner for ease of transportation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Inventor: Karnik Shahbazian
  • Publication number: 20110005636
    Abstract: An implement for mechanically filling multiple sandbags at a time is used on a loader bucket of loader-type equipment. The implement has a planar surface in which a plurality of filler apertures are formed in a plurality of rows evenly spaced over its surface area. Each filler aperture has a tensioner ring around the aperture for holding a drawstring held in a sleeve around an open end of the sandbag. A trigger mechanism is movable to a locked position in which the drawstring of the sandbag is pulled tight so that the open end of the sandbag is held in place on the tensioner ring, to an unlocked position in which the trigger mechanism lifts the drawstring off the tensioner ring to allow the sandbag filled with filler material to pull on and cinch the open end of the sandbag closed, and to a release position in which the cinched sandbag is released to the ground.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2009
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Inventor: Joseph W. Hartley, III
  • Patent number: 7857015
    Abstract: An inflation needle for inflating an object such as a sports ball includes a tubular body having an attachment end configured for engagement with a fluid supply. The body fairs into a tubular probe extending along a longitudinal axis from a proximal end to a distal end configured for being inserted into the ball. A concavo-convex base extends radially outward from the body and towards the distal end, terminating at a periphery spaced radially from the probe, the base being configured to engage the object upon insertion of the probe therein. The inflation needle is a unitary component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Inventors: Patricia C. Voorhies, Daniel R. Marlowe
  • Patent number: 7854243
    Abstract: An inflatable pneumatic bag is disclosed. An inflatable pneumatic bag includes a pneumatic hole disposed at one end of a pneumatic channel. Air, which is applied to the pneumatic hole, moves along the pneumatic channel, then through air ingress holes covered with inner layers which are removed by the expansion of the outer layers to fill all the air tubes. When the air tube is filled with air, one or more inner layers cover and then close the air ingress hole to overcome reverse air flow. Then, a curve-shaped air passage in the air tube narrows to further prevent air escape. With the inner layer, effectively overcoming reverse air flow, and the air passage, further preventing air escape, the inflatable pneumatic bag filled with air may last for a substantial long period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Inventors: Chian Hua Liao, Bo Xin Jian
  • Patent number: 7836920
    Abstract: A bypass used for selectively dispensing fluid components includes a fluid passage with an inlet, a first outlet for fluid communication with a first collecting container, and a second outlet for fluid communication with a second collecting container. A method for dispensing fluid components using the bypass includes the steps of providing fluid components to be dispensed, with one fluid component isolated from the other fluid components, blocking the first outlet of the bypass, and dispensing the isolated fluid component through the second outlet and into the second collecting container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: B. Braun Medical, Inc.
    Inventor: Joel Bartholomew
  • Publication number: 20100288394
    Abstract: A device for filling a container of a collapsible type with a liquid product, said container having two opposite side walls which abut flatly against each other in the state of the container before filling and which comprise opposite inlet portions, which are to be separated to open an inlet. The device comprises an opening for opening said inlet by separating said opposite inlet portions, and a filling nozzle, which is to be inserted in said inlet for supplying said product to said container. The device also comprises a nozzle for supplying a protective atmosphere to a volume defined by the open inlet. The invention also concerns methods of filling a container of a collapsible type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Applicant: ECOLEAN RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT A/S
    Inventors: Lars Larsen, Stefan Radostinov Atanasov
  • Patent number: 7798181
    Abstract: Volumetric enclosure(s) provide methods and/or apparatus for teaching, generating and deriving supply chain efficiency improvement. Prime Manifold Enclosure(s) methods and/or apparatus provide for deriving and generating efficiency by volumetric displacement and volumetric replacement of dissimilar material(s) and volumetric displacement and volumetric replacement of material having dissimilar origin. Prime Manifold Enclosure(s) interposed for cooperative coaptation and flow path communication/continuity between gradient matrix flow paths for volumetrically displacing and volumetrically replacing of dissimilar materials, and volumetrically displacing and volumetrically replacing materials of dissimilar origin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Medindica-Pak, Inc.
    Inventor: Jack W. Romano
  • Patent number: 7783383
    Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, an automated Pharmacy Admixture System (APAS) may include a manipulator system to transport medical containers such as bags, vials, or syringes in a compounding chamber regulated to a pressure below atmospheric pressure. In a preferred implementation, the manipulator system is configured to grasp and convey syringes, IV bags, and vials of varying shapes and sizes from a storage system in an adjacent chamber regulated at a pressure above atmospheric pressure. Various embodiments may include a controller adapted to actuate the manipulator system to bring a fill port of an IV bag, vial, or syringe into register with a filling port at a fluid transfer station in the chamber. A preferred implementation includes a sanitization system that can substantially sanitize a bung on a fill port of a vial or IV bag in preparation for transport to the fluid transfer station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Intelligent Hospital Systems Ltd.
    Inventors: Walter W. Eliuk, Ronald H. Rob, Lance R. Mlodzinski, Alex H. Reinhardt, Thom Doherty
  • Patent number: 7770611
    Abstract: The present invention provides a peelable seal for a multi-chambered container including a first edge and a second edge. At least one of the first edge or second edge includes a stress bearing portion and a non-stress bearing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignees: Baxter International Inc., Baxter Healthcare S.A.
    Inventors: Vincent Houwaert, Paul-Andre Gollier, Sherwin Shang, Patrick Balteau
  • Publication number: 20100193074
    Abstract: A dosage-dispensing element (30) on a container (10, 11) for free-flowing or pourable bulk materials has an outlet spout (12) that reaches into the element. The element has an inlet opening (32) on the side facing towards the container, a clamping profile (42) and/or a quick-tightening device (44) which makes a releasable connection between the outlet spout and the element, a slot-shaped outlet opening (34) on the side that faces away from the container, a ring gap (22) between the outlet spout and the inlet opening, a wall (36) extending between the respective openings with an inside (37) and an outside (38), and a foil-shaped material (20), especially a foil hose or foil section, stored in the area of the outlet spout. The inlet opening, the inside of the wall and the slot-shaped outlet opening are covered with the foil-shaped material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: Mettler-Toledo AG
    Inventor: Lorenz Bohler
  • Patent number: 7748903
    Abstract: A container for transferring a product with crossed protection, having a flexible portion connected to an opening provided with a flange in which is mounted a door that is mobile between a closed position and at least one open position, is characterized in that it includes a guide member 15 adapted to cause an internal portion of the wall of the flexible portion to project through the flange 11A or to retract that portion inside the container. A container of this kind is used to transfer a powder, a granular material or small objects, in particular, from the bottom of the container or from another container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Sartorius Stedim Aseptics SA
    Inventors: Bernard Saint-Martin, Stéphanie Armau
  • Patent number: 7749434
    Abstract: The invention refers to a device (1) and method for sterilizing partly formed packages (6) in a packaging machine. The device (1) comprises an inner chamber (2) and an outer chamber (3), the inner chamber (2) being provided with a sterilization unit (5). Further, it comprises a carrier unit (10), comprising a separating member (11) and a package carrying member (12), which is being adapted to rotate between a first position in which the package carrying member (12) is located in the outer chamber (3), and in which the separating member (11) separates the inner chamber (2) from the outer chamber (3), and a second position in which the carrier unit (10) has rotated a package (6) into the inner chamber (2) and in which the separating member (11) separates the inner chamber (2) from the outer chamber (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventors: Lars Ake Naslund, Goran Hermodsson, Lars Martensson, Arun Deivasigamani, Paul Anderson
  • Patent number: 7748295
    Abstract: A tire-repair bottle includes a latex bottle, a balloon mounted in an inlet of the bottle, a connector fastened to an extension tube at the inlet of the bottle and connected to an air compressor through an air hose, a connector fastened to an extension tube at an outlet of the bottle to hold a one-way valve and to secure a fluid hose for connection to a tire to be repaired. When the balloon is inflated by the air compressor to increase the pressure inside the bottle, the one-way valve is opened for enabling latex to flow out of the bottle through the flow guide into the tire that is connected to the connector at the outlet of the bottle, and the balloon explodes when inflated to a predetermined status to touch a sharp point of the bottle, for enabling compressed air to enter the tire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Active Tools International (HK) Ltd.
    Inventor: David Hong
  • Publication number: 20100147414
    Abstract: An apparatus for introducing a selected beverage into a flexible pouch 8, sealingly closing the pouch 8 and dispensing the closed pouch 8. The apparatus comprises a housing 4 adapted to, in use, accept a plurality of reservoirs 10 of beverage concentrate. Each reservoir 10 has a concentrate pump 12 provided with a diluent inlet and a mixer for mixing pumped concentrate with diluent to produce a mixed beverage. Leading from each pump 12 is flexible conduit 14 terminating in a nozzle 68 for dispensing the mixed beverage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2008
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventors: Richard John Nighy, Michael Piontek
  • Patent number: 7735527
    Abstract: An ice vending apparatus that includes a holding vessel, an ice metering device, an ice transferring device, and a device for facilitating the movement of ice through the aperture, such as an ice circulation device or moisture inhibiting device, are provided. The ice circulation device inhibits or prevents the freezing together and buildup of ice pieces within the apparatus, while the moisture inhibiting device inhibits or prevents the undesirable transfer of moisture to different parts of the apparatus. Methods of delivering ice to a consumer are also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Ice House America LLC
    Inventor: Danny Leroy Dunn
  • Patent number: 7736057
    Abstract: An article to aid loading a leaf bag is disclosed. The article has a tubular body member configured and arranged to fold substantially flat and insert into a leaf bag and a funnel structure extending from the tubular body member, which is also configured and arranged to fold substantially flat. The funnel structure comprises at least one panel connected to at least one flexible insert to form a substantially cone-shaped funnel that empties into the tubular body member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Leaf Bag Funnel, LLC
    Inventor: David VanBost
  • Patent number: 7730913
    Abstract: An inflation needle for inflating an object such as a sports ball includes a tubular body having an attachment end configured for engagement with a fluid supply. The body fairs into a tubular probe extending along a longitudinal axis from a proximal end to a distal end configured for being inserted into the ball. A concavo-convex base extends radially outward from the body and towards the distal end, terminating at a periphery spaced radially from the probe, the base being configured to engage the object upon insertion of the probe therein. The inflation needle is a unitary, molded polymeric component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Inventors: Patricia C. Voorhies, Daniel R. Marlowe
  • Patent number: 7726361
    Abstract: A bypass for a tube set for directing the flow of a fluid component includes an inlet passage for fluid connection with a source of said fluid component, an outlet passage for fluid connection with a first bag compartment, and a bypass passage for fluid connection with a second bag compartment. A flow control device in the bypass passage is operable in a first position in which the flow control device seals the bypass passage, and a second position in which the flow control device unseals the bypass passage to receive a tubing line connected with said second bag compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: B. Braun Medical, Inc.
    Inventor: Joel Bartholomew
  • Publication number: 20100119743
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for filling a plastic container (1) having a high degree of molecular orientation with a liquid, which process comprises the following steps: filling of the container (1) with a liquid at high temperature; cooling the walls (5) of the container (1) during the filling step; sealing of the container (1); cooling of the walls (5) of the container (1) during the sealing step; passive shrinkage of the container (1) following said sealing step; and cooling of the walls (5) of the container (1) following the shrinkage step. The invention also relates to a device for implementing said process and to a container thus obtained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2008
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: AISAPACK HOLDING S.A.
    Inventor: Jacques Thomasset
  • Patent number: 7712290
    Abstract: A container packaging apparatus includes a side edge chuck member that positions and holds both side ends of an opening of a packaging bag in place during a deaeration operation, suppressing development of crimps in a sealed area of the packaging bag. A high level of sealing of the packaging bag and thus the packaging of a container case with a resultant high level of quality in a stable manner can be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Sumco Corporation
    Inventor: Shunichi Imao
  • Publication number: 20100108189
    Abstract: An adapter device for the contamination-free removal of a material from a container (1), wherein the adapter device has a base body (5) which can be connected to the container (1) in a sealing fashion via an open section while surrounding a closure of the container (1), wherein the base body (5) has two intrusions (3) by way of which the material present in the container (1) can be accessed without coming into contact with the material, and at least one additional intrusion (4) into which the sample taken via the intrusion (3) may be guided, and wherein the adapter device is made of a textile or plastic material, for example, a film that is able to be tied-off and separated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: HECHT ANLAGENBGAU GMBH
    Inventor: Richard Denk
  • Publication number: 20100096040
    Abstract: A volumetric displacement device, especially good for preserving and dispensing carbonated beverages has been constructed that is extremely light, small, safe, attractive, easy to use, energy efficient and inexpensive. It can use battery power, has an ovaloid shape, can be constructed of thin flexible plastics, and operates in various positions that eliminate the need for a pickup tube. The controls of the device have been linked both electronically and mechanically for ease of operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2009
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Inventor: Claude Ramon Litto
  • Patent number: 7694701
    Abstract: A check valve for an air-packing device comprises upper and lower check valve films that are placed between upper and lower packing films that form the air-packing device contour. The check valve can be advantageously used for the air-packing device having a multiplicity of air containers. A common air duct that allows compressed air to flow into each air container through the check valve is formed between the upper and lower check valve films independently from other films such that the check valve can be placed flexibly in the air-packing device. Peeling agents are applied between the upper and lower check valve films to create the common air duct by preventing heat-sealing between the films. Air passages are formed in each check valve between air guide seals and separation seals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Air-Paq, Inc.
    Inventor: Hidetoshi Koyanagi
  • Publication number: 20100065151
    Abstract: A balloon inflator includes a housing, a motor within the housing, and a fan operable by the motor to drive air to an inflation nozzle. The inflation nozzle provides an outlet. A nozzle adaptor is configured to fit over the outlet of the inflation nozzle and provide an alternate outlet. A nozzle receipt is provided by the housing to selectively receive the nozzle adaptor and a switch is provided at the nozzle receipt. The nozzle adaptor is selectively received at the nozzle receipt so as to trigger the switch, and is selectively removed from the nozzle receipt so as to not trigger the switch. The switch controls the power supplied to the motor, such that different motor operating parameters are realized when the switch is triggered and when the switch is not triggered. In a particular embodiment, the nozzle adaptor includes vent channels that exhaust a portion of the air to the atmosphere when a balloon is fitted over the alternate outlet to receive air driven through the nozzle and the nozzle adaptor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2009
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Inventors: David C. Nelson, Martin A. Meluch, Valent L. Meluch, Wesley A. Schroeder
  • Patent number: 7665489
    Abstract: A sandbag filling apparatus includes a head portion with a bottom wall having a front edge, a rear edge, a first side edge and a second side edge. A first side wall is attached to the first side edge. A second side wall is attached to the second side edge. A rear wall is attached to the first and second side walls. A fill opening is defined between the rear edge and the rear wall. An elongated member is attached to and extends away from the rear wall. A handle is attached to the elongated member opposite of the elongated member opposite of the head portion. A retaining apparatus is mounted on the head portion and releasably retains a sandbag in an open position and aligned with the fill opening. Sand may be scooped with the bottom wall and dumped into the sandbag through the fill opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Inventor: Lonna L. Smith
  • Publication number: 20100032054
    Abstract: The fuel tank has an indentation inside which its inlet is positioned. An elastic fuel pipe is provided so that a bottom end of the fuel pipe is fixedly attached to the inlet of the fuel tank. Due to its elasticity, the fuel pipe could easily have its top end aligned with and attached to a fuel inlet of the motor vehicle. A cap is then plugged into the fuel pipe's top end to seal the fuel tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2008
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Inventor: MU-CHEN HUNG
  • Publication number: 20100012220
    Abstract: A dimensionally stable receptacle for accommodating at least one flexible packing drum in an interior space of the receptacle comprises a bottom, a side wall at least one suction line leading into the interior space, at least one passage device, and at least one feed opening. At least one first docking coupling is located in or adjacent to the feed opening and/or forming the feed opening, for docking a first feeding conduit for bulk material such that, when a flexible packing drums located in the receptacle is coupled to the first docking coupling of the feed opening, the interior space may be sealed, in which a state of vacuum is obtainable through suction in the suction line. The invention further relates to a filling module and method for filling a flexible packing drum with bulk material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Applicant: GEA NIRO GMBH
    Inventors: Michael S. Waldron, Freddy Vandenbroucke, Jurgen Boeckx, Peter Lais, Martin Koch
  • Patent number: 7648017
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system for feeding pouches and spouts to an apparatus for processing same. A system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention can feed pouches and spouts to a rotary machine simultaneously. More specifically, the system can provide a transferring assembly for grasping a single spout and pouch simultaneously from a spout supply and a pouch supply, respectively, then relinquishing the spout and pouch simultaneously to the rotary machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Indag Gesellschaft fur Industriebedarf mbH & Co. Betriebs KG
    Inventor: Filippo Furlotti
  • Patent number: 7645377
    Abstract: A system for transferring blood product between a blood storage bag and a processing bag. The system includes an airtight containment chamber for supporting therein one or more blood storage bags. A door is provided for access to the chamber and there is included an airtight fixture that allows tubing from the blood storage bag to exit the chamber. A fluid pump is coupled to the containment chamber for establishing either pressure or vacuum within the containment chamber. A controller controls the air pump to, in turn, control the transfer of a blood product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: ZymeQuest, Inc.
    Inventor: Keith Rosiello
  • Publication number: 20090308491
    Abstract: An automatic air nozzle includes a valve adapted to engage with a peripheral side face defining an air path inside an inflatable object. A cam has a radial edge connected to the valve and an axial axis connected to a motor so as to drive the valve to move linearly relative to the inflatable object to open/close the air path automatically.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2009
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Inventor: Cheng-Chung Wang
  • Publication number: 20090308486
    Abstract: A method of forming a transportable container of bulk goods begins by placing the distributing end of a hopper over the open top of a bunched bag. Bulk goods are dispensed from the distributing end of the hopper through the open top of the bag to establish a level of bulk goods in the bag. The hopper moves vertically relative to the closed base of the bag during the dispensing of bulk goods from the distributing end of the hopper to maintain vertical spacing between the distributing end of the hopper and the level of bulk goods in the bag. A hopper fill level is maintained in the hopper during the dispensing of bulk goods from the hopper. An outer wrap is spirally wrapped around the bag while filling the bag to form the transportable container. The outer wrap is maintained near the level of bulk goods in the bag.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2009
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Inventors: Dave Ours, Sharon Juntunen, Stanley Davis, Clark Kreider
  • Patent number: 7624773
    Abstract: A standalone ice dispenser delivers ice in either bagged form or bulk form to a user. The device uses a cone-shaped drum with an upwardly oriented mount that receives and stores the ice which ice is gravitationally delivered to the drum from an ice maker. When ice is to be dispensed, a motor rotates the drum such that a fin within the drum cause ice therein to advance toward and eventually out of the mouth of the drum into either a bagging system or directly out of the device via a chute. Weight sensors attached to the drum determine whether the drum is relatively empty or relatively full and control operation of the ice maker as a result and/or a proximity sensor measures the volume of ice in the drum and controls the operation of the ice maker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Inventor: Tim Maxwell
  • Patent number: 7621298
    Abstract: A recipient has a body designed to contain a fluid and an orifice by which the fluid may be introduced into the body. The recipient is equipped with a system for the sterile transfer of the fluid from inside the body. The transfer system comprises a deformable and impervious wall, wherein the wall is positioned with respect to the recipient so that it forms a closed and sterile space inside which the orifice is located, a fluid communication device between the closed space and the outside of the recipient, wherein the device may be handled without compromising the sterility, and a seal structure associated with the orifice, wherein the seal structure is at least partially located inside the closed space so that it may be moved between an open position and a closed position of the orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Maco Pharma, S.A.
    Inventors: Francis Goudaliez, Thierry Verpoort
  • Publication number: 20090272460
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for filling bags with loose materials, wherein a package to be filled is filled by means of a filling element in a filling process. The filling process comprises a filling stage, a settling stage, and a discharge stage wherein during the filling stage, loose material is filled into the bag while admitting air and in the settling stage, a settling phase is provided for the pressure to drop and in the discharge stage, the bag is discharged from the filling element. In the settling phase, the squeezing device applies a squeezing pressure to the package so as to vent the package and to reduce the volume available to the package, until a predetermined reduction of the volume available to the package is reached, whereupon the squeezing pressure of the squeezing device on the package is reduced and the package is discharged from the filling element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2008
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Applicant: HAVER & BOECKER OHG
    Inventor: ALOIS COMBRINK
  • Patent number: 7610929
    Abstract: A cargo or dunnage air bag inflation and deflation system comprises an inflation-deflation valve member, a cap-type plug member, and an air gun implement having a fill nozzle and an exhaust nozzle mounted upon opposite ends thereof for respective connection to the valve member in order to perform inflation and deflation operations. The valve member comprises a flapper or check valve element pivotally mounted upon the valve member so as to permit inflation or deflation of the cargo or dunnage air bag when the flapper or check valve element is moved away from its valve seat, and to substantially maintain the cargo or dunnage air bag in its inflated state when the flappper or check valve element is effectively seated upon its valve seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: James S. Zielinski, Thomas C. Keenan, Joseph E. Tyer, Terrence P. Meier
  • Patent number: 7604143
    Abstract: A holder for a bag. The holder comprises a stand or trash can and chute elements rotatably engaged to the stand or trash can. The chute elements are for opening the bag when frictionally engaging interior surfaces of the bag. The chute elements comprise a first pair and a second pair of chute elements. Each of the first pair of chute elements have stop elements for limiting rotation on the stand or trash can of each of the second pair of chute elements, when each of the first pair of chute elements has engaged sides of the bag in the holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Inventor: John L. Kerekes, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7597122
    Abstract: A portable dispenser for a hand treatment agent includes a flexible bag containing the treatment agent. A valve assembly is sealed to the bag, and functions to receive a portion of the agent from the bag, and is manually operable to discharge the received portion from an outlet port, and automatically refill with another portion of the agent from the bag. A flexible hanger on the bag facilitates adhesive external attachment to wearing apparel of the dispenser user for easy access, and is foldable onto the bag for adhesive attachment to the bag and concealment of adhesive when the dispenser is temporarily out of use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Inventor: Judson L. Smith
  • Patent number: 7597124
    Abstract: A volumetric displacement device, especially good for preserving and dispensing carbonated beverages has been constructed that is extremely light, small, safe, attractive, easy to use, energy efficient and inexpensive. It can use battery power, has an ovaloid shape, can be constructed of thin flexible plastics, and operates in various positions that eliminate the need for a pickup tube. A consistent problem with soda savers, in that they destroy carbonated beverages by delivering them in a violent manner, has been solved by utilizing a low pressure delivery mode. The described volumetric displacement device can operate in a conventional refrigerator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Inventor: Claude Litto
  • Patent number: 7597123
    Abstract: An automatic air nozzle includes a valve adapted to engage with a peripheral side face defining the air path inside the inflatable object. A linking element has a first end operably connected to the valve and a second end. A motor is operably connected to the second end of the linking element so as to drive the valve to move linearly relative to the inflatable object to open/close the air path automatically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Inventor: Cheng-Chung Wang
  • Publication number: 20090229703
    Abstract: A flexible container has a container body with container walls that define a container interior. A container socket is connected to the container body and has a container opening through which the container interior is filled. Carrying loops are connected to the container body for lifting the container. The container socket has an initial retracted position in the container interior and is transferable from the initial retracted position into an upright filling position. The container socket is at least partially comprised of an elastically expandable material. The flexible container is filled by inserting into the container socket a filling tube, contacting with the filling tube the container socket in the initial retracted position, and transferring the container socket to the upright filling position and keeping the container socket secured on the filling tube in the upright filling position. The bulk material is introduced through the filling tube into the flexible container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2006
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicants: NORDENIA DEUTSCHLAND EMSDETTEN GMBH, REIS GMBH & CO. KG MASCHINENFABRIK
    Inventors: Heinz Purnhagen, Siegfried Hartmann
  • Publication number: 20090218003
    Abstract: A method and device for manufacturing a content-filled bottle having an inversion part at its bottom. In producing the bottle, the inversion part is inverted to prevent deformation of a body part caused by a pressure reduction in the bottle, and as a result, inappropriate deformation and buckling of the bottle are prevented, enabling efficient manufacturing of the bottle with high quality. The bottle (3) is held from the outside by an empty-bottle chuck (41) of auxiliary device mounting means in such a way that the bottle (3) is held at its a mouth part (4) by the chuck along the upper surface of a flange part (10) of the bottle (3). Next, an empty-bottle support table (42) on which an assistance device (24) is placed is raised, the assistance device (24) is mounted on a bottom part (7) of the bottle (3), and the bottle (3) is placed on the empty-bottle support table (42).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2007
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Inventors: Shunzo Miyazaki, Yasuhiro Sato, Hiroyuki Nakane, Akio Watanabe, Masaru Kimura, Tomoya Oosaka
  • Patent number: 7568508
    Abstract: An inflatable pneumatic bag is disclosed. An inflatable pneumatic bag includes a pneumatic hole disposed at one end of a pneumatic channel. Air, which is applied to the pneumatic hole, moves along the pneumatic channel, then through air ingress holes covered with inner layers which are removed by the expansion of the outer layers to fill all the air tubes. When the air tube is filled with air, one or more inner layers cover and then close the air ingress hole to overcome reverse air flow. Then, a curve-shaped air passage in the air tube narrows to further prevent air escape. With the inner layer, effectively overcoming reverse air flow, and the air passage, further preventing air escape, the inflatable pneumatic bag filled with air may last for a substantial long period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Inventors: Chian Hua Liao, Bo Xin Jian
  • Patent number: 7562681
    Abstract: Sandbags are filled with sand with a minimum of manual lifting. A truck has a sandbag filling unit thereon with a large sand hopper. The sand hopper has a sand holding tank underneath with one or more funnels for feeding the sand to sand blowers underneath. One or more compressors drive the sand into one or more hoses that are used to feed the sand into empty sandbags on a first conveyor located in close proximity so that workers can use the hoses to fill empty sandbags thereon. When the filled sandbags reach the end of the first conveyor, other workers would seal the bags. As the filled and sealed bags reach the end of the first conveyor, a second conveyor may be positioned to load the sandbags onto a transporting device or a pallet. One or more large sandbags are dropped into a breach of a levee.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Inventor: David W. Hermansen
  • Patent number: 7552845
    Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing fine particulate matter from a flexible container includes a housing with a first open end and an opposed closed end. A nozzle is attached to the closed end extending into the housing. The nozzle has a passageway extending therethrough and a first end puncturing a wall of the container and enabling the first member to penetrate the container. A pump member is disposed transversely to the nozzle and includes a passageway having a venturi and a venturi throat disposed adjacent a first end. The second end receives a supply of fluid under pressure. A vent is attached to the cover and has one end puncturing and penetrating the wall of the container. Supply of fluid under pressure forms a pressure differential between opposite ends of the container and enables the fine particulate matter to enter the first and second passage for mixing with the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Inventor: Natan Guryevskiy