By Operation Of Means Causing Or Controlling Dispensing Patents (Class 141/21)
  • Patent number: 7610167
    Abstract: A viscous material processing system comprises a feed system controller having a set of instructions to store an input set point weight or amount; sense a progressing weight or amount of material fed by the feed system; compare the progressing weight with the set point weight or amount and terminate feed from the system when the compared progressing weight is substantially equal to the set point weight or amount; and a vicious material compounding system connected to the feed system to receive material fed by the feed system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Momentive Performance Materials
    Inventors: Jennifer L. Stanton, Roger Knox, Harry A. Bayly
  • 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: 7593830
    Abstract: A viscous material processing system comprises a feed system controller having a set of instructions to store an input set point weight or amount; sense a progressing weight or amount of material fed by the feed system; compare the progressing weight with the set point weight or amount and terminate feed from the system when the compared progressing weight is substantially equal to the set point weight or amount; and a viscous material compounding system connected to the feed system to receive material fed by the feed system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Momentive Performance Materials
    Inventors: Jennifer L. Stanton, Roger Knox, Harry A. Bayly
  • Patent number: 7571747
    Abstract: The present invention relates to devices and methods for the filling syringes. One medical apparatus in accordance with the present invention include a body member for releasably holding syringe barrels and an actuator apparatus slidably mounted on the body member to engage syringe plungers to cause the syringe plunger to be retracted. A fluid delivery apparatus is releasably mounted to the body member. The fluid delivery apparatus has an inlet port and a plurality of outlet ports. The inlet port is in fluid communication with each of the plurality of outlet ports. One method for filling a plurality of syringes in accordance with the present invention includes the steps of mounting a plurality a syringes to a syringe holding member and connecting a fluid delivery apparatus to the syringe holding member to mate with each of the tips of the syringe barrels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Inventor: Gregory A. Spitz
  • Publication number: 20090145510
    Abstract: A device connects a storage container to a working reservoir for transferring a substance from the storage container to the working reservoir. The device includes a housing which is joined to the storage container with either a fixed connection or a coupling means. A passage opening is formed on the housing, and a shutter that is movably connected to the housing serves to close the passage opening. The shutter has a connector port for each working reservoir. The shutter moves in a rotary or sliding manner relative to the housing between an open position and a closed position. In the closed position, the passage opening is closed off by the shutter, and in the open position the interior space of the storage container is connected through the passage opening to the interior space of the working reservoir which is seated in the at least one connector port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Applicant: Mettler-Toledo AG
    Inventor: Paul Luechinger
  • Patent number: 7431057
    Abstract: A system for simultaneously filling a plurality of paintball pods with a reduced incidence of spilling includes a housing, a pod support, a reservoir, and a valve. The pod support includes a plate with at least one aperture configured to maintain at least one paintball pod in a vertical orientation. The pod support is configured to be positioned in the housing. The reservoir includes at least one opening in a bottom wall thereof. The valve selectively and controllably allows or obstructs a flow of paintballs from the reservoir to one or more paintball pods positioned in the pod support. The components of the paintball filling system may be coupled or nested into a single transportable unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Inventor: John Ryan
  • Publication number: 20080223478
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for filling specially-designed beverage containers from the bottom through a one-way port. One embodiment of the invention employs an umbrella valve (19) mounted in a perforated stopper (18), which is interference-fitted into the bottom of a beverage container (11). When brought into contact with concentric o-ring seals (12,17) on a fluid delivery assembly (13), vacuum suction (14, 16) fixtures the beverage container (11) down to the fluid delivery assembly (13), creating a liquid-tight channel for fluids to be fed through. Fluids originate in a pressurized reservoir and are fed through a fluid feed-in (15), forcing the umbrella valve (19) open and allowing flow of fluid into the interior volume (20) of the beverage container. Upon completion of filling, the reservoir is depressurized, allowing the umbrella valve (19) to snap shut. The beverage container (11) can now be decoupled from the fluid delivery assembly (13) and employed as desired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Inventors: Eerik Torm Hantsoo, Addison Newcomb Shelton
  • Publication number: 20080210332
    Abstract: Disclosed is a small volume, liquid dispenser having particular application in the analytical fields. The liquid dispensers can be quickly and reliably filled to a predetermined volume without monitoring liquid flows or volumes or filling times. Various versions of the dispenser and systems utilizing one or more of the dispensers are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Applicant: PALO ALTO RESEARCH CENTER INCORPORATED
    Inventor: John S. Fitch
  • Patent number: 7222759
    Abstract: Disclosed is a container for containing a beverage and a grommet for use with a container, and a method of retaining liquid in a container and preventing reverse flow out of the container. The container is of the type for retaining a quantity of beverage including at least one wall containing a cavity therein, a rim defining a mouth, and a lid extending at least partially over the mouth. A valve port is provided in the lid. A grommet is provided for retention in the valve port including a flange and structures for retaining the grommet in the valve port. The grommet defines an aperture extending therethrough which communicates with the valve port. The beverage is passed through the aperture and valve port for retention in the cavity of the container. A tongue extends from the grommet into the valve port for movably blocking a portion of the valve port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Bunn-O-Matic Corporation
    Inventors: Arthur H. Bunn, William Midden, Keith Nybakke
  • Patent number: 7169489
    Abstract: Cassette based systems and methods of hydrogen storage, distribution, and recovery are disclosed. A cassette or other container may contain a hydrogen storage or storing material. Information may be stored in the material and subsequently read or accessed. A probe may be used to interrogate the material. The hydrogen content or other characteristics of the material may be determined based on the interrogation. A hydrogen dispensing unit may contain a depleted cassette acceptor to accept depleted cassettes and a charged cassette dispenser to dispense charged cassettes. The dispensing unit may be implemented in a hydrogen retail store or as a standalone unit. The retail store or the unit may connect to a hydrogen network and implement various business methods, as disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: FuelSell Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott D. Redmond
  • Patent number: 7033467
    Abstract: A device for charging and activating hydrogen storage canisters made of hydrogen storage alloy includes a container for receiving and retaining the canisters. Cold and hot water tanks are respectively connected to the container for supplying cold and hot water to and through the container in order to maintain desired temperatures of the canisters. A vacuum pump is connected to the canisters for discharging residual hydrogen from the canisters in an activating process. Hot water is supplied from the hot water tank to the container to heat the canisters during the discharging process. A hydrogen supply source is connected to the connectors via a distribution and charge control unit for supplying and distributing hydrogen to each individual canister. Cold water is supplied from the cold water tank to the container for removing excessive heat of the canisters in order to maintain a proper charging rate of hydrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Asia Pacific Fuel Cell Technologies, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yaw-Chung Cheng
  • Patent number: 6994127
    Abstract: An injection device having a propulsion system comprises a container, a re-usable pressure generating mechanism and a source of potential energy for propelling a fluid with sufficient pressure through an orifice to create a jet enabling subcutaneous or intracutaneous delivery of the fluid, the source of potential energy primarily in the form of a compressible substance that is put under pressure within the container by the pressure generating mechanism, whereby said potential energy is substantially compression energy of said substance, wherein said substance is liquid, solid, or other non-gaseous substance as defined at ambient temperature and said pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Tecpharma Licensing AG
    Inventor: Arnold Neracher
  • Patent number: 6994126
    Abstract: A squirt gun includes a hollow housing in the form of a gun with a liquid dispensing assembly within the housing. The liquid dispensing assembly includes a rigid pressure vessel having either a gas-filled compressible bladder or a spring-loaded piston disposed within. The vessel is connected to a flexible tube with a nozzle at one end, and the gun is adapted to receive and expel water to and from the vessel through the nozzle. A pivotable trigger cooperates with the flexible tube to either enable both the receiving and expelling, or to deny the expelling of the water. To fill the gun, water is forced into the vessel under pressure, which compresses the air bladder or the piston to retain that pressure within the water-filled vessel. To expel the retained water, the trigger is moved to an “open” position, which allows the water to be forced from the pressurized water-filled vessel, through the nozzle, and from the gun as the air bladder or the piston expands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Inventor: Frank Marino
  • Patent number: 6991002
    Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment, an automated medication preparation system including a plurality of automated syringe preparation stations is provided and includes (1) a first automated gripper for removing a tip cap from a barrel of one syringe and placing the removed tip cap at a first location; (2) an automated device having a positionable cannula that is operatively connected to an aspirating device for drawing a prescribed dosage amount of medication from a supply and delivering the dosage to the syringe by injecting the medication through the cannula and into uncapped barrel in a just-in-time for use manner; (3) a second automated gripper for replacing the removed tip cap on the syringe barrel after the medication is injected therein; and (4) a station for making the syringe tamper evident that includes an instrument for joining the tip cap to the syringe luer connector in a localized area (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: ForHealth Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel A. Osborne, Jose R. Gonzalez, Dennis Tribble
  • Patent number: 6968876
    Abstract: A container filling apparatus includes at least one source container that contains a substance and a reading mechanism capable of reading data from a data indicator on a receiving container wherein the data indicator identifies data about the receiving container. The apparatus also includes a controller that is connected to the reading mechanism. The controller is programmed to determine when a dispensing condition is satisfied. The apparatus also has a dispenser for discharging the substance into the receiving container in response to a signal from the controller. The dispensing condition can be a match between data from the data indicator and the data stored for access by the controller. The source container can also have a data indicator. The dispensing condition is then satisfied when the data from the source container data indicator matches the data from the receiving container data indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: JAWS International, Ltd.
    Inventors: R. Bruce Yacko, Edward L. Mueller, John A. Wiegand, Jeffrey C. Gayer, Todd G. Schimmoeller
  • Patent number: 6863093
    Abstract: The present invention proposes a system and a method for filling a reservoir with fluid, on which system there is mounted a dispenser member. An external fluid source is connected to the dispenser member, and the fluid in the source is sucked into the empty reservoir by the suction which exists in the reservoir after it has been emptied by the dispenser member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Valois Sas
    Inventors: Firmin Garcia, Jean-Paul Lecoutre
  • Patent number: 6786244
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed that allow more efficient volume use of a reservoir used in medical infusion devices, such as insulin pumps. The invention provides for having a full reservoir and a full tubing composite when infusion of medication into a patient begins, allowing a volume of medicine substantially equal to the volume of medication in the full reservoir to be infused into the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Steven Paul Jones
  • Patent number: 6739111
    Abstract: An apparatus for filling a plurality of tubes is disclosed. The apparatus includes a positioning device that directs a tube from a hopper to a labeler where a label is applied to the tube. The positioning device further directs the tube to one of a plurality of filling stations where a continuous flow of filling material is dispensed into the tube. The tube is then directed to a capping device where a cap is applied to an end of the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: David P. Banks, Darrell D. Jones
  • Publication number: 20040079438
    Abstract: A facility for manufacturing, assembling, and filling a fluid dispenser device comprising a fluid reservoir (10) and a dispensing member (20), such as a pump or a valve, said facility being characterized in that it comprises a manufacturing unit for manufacturing a reservoir, a filling unit for filling said reservoir, and a fixing unit for fixing said dispensing member to said reservoir, said units operating continuously in a controlled atmosphere.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventors: Pascal Bruna, Dominique Hibon, Herve Pacaud
  • Patent number: 6701976
    Abstract: A jig for injecting a fixed amount of insulin includes: a main fixture (1) having upper and lower sandwiching portions for sandwiching and supporting an insulin injector from both sides, at upper and lower portions on the rear surface of the insulin injector; a screw fixing piece (4) formed by extending one side of upper sandwiching portions 2 of the main fixture 1 upward; and, outside of the piece 4 for fixing an appointed quantity of screws, an injection button upper-limit position setting piece (6) whose upper portion is bent inward and which is provided with a slit (7) opened at its lower part, and the injection-button upper-limit position setting piece (6) is made freely movable up and down by screw fixation to the screw fixing piece (4) by inserting screws (8) through the slit (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Inventor: Kenichi Toraishi
  • Patent number: 6672340
    Abstract: A method for filling a vehicle fuel tank with a gas is provided, in which the vehicle fuel tank (31) is connected to a delivery device (2) by a pressure-tight line (10) and the gas stored under pressure is filled into the vehicle fuel tank (31) from a storage unit (3) by means of the delivery device (2). The method comprises the following steps: the instantaneous value of a parameter, which is representative of the instantaneous level of filling of the vehicle fuel tank (31), is determined during filling with the aid of a sensor apparatus (32, 33) arranged in the vehicle fuel tank (31) the filling is ended when the parameter has reached a pre-settable end value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: GreenField AG
    Inventor: Heinz Mutter
  • Patent number: 6651702
    Abstract: A squirt gun includes a hollow housing in the form of a gun with a liquid dispensing assembly within the housing. The liquid dispensing assembly includes a rigid pressure vessel having either a gas-filled compressible bladder or a spring-loaded piston disposed within. The vessel is connected to a flexible tube with a nozzle at one end, and the gun is adapted to receive and expel water to and from the vessel through the nozzle. A pivotable trigger cooperates with the flexible tube to either enable both the receiving and expelling, or to deny the expelling of the water. To fill the gun, water is forced into the vessel under pressure, which compresses the air bladder or the piston to retain that pressure within the water-filled vessel. To expel the retained water, the trigger is moved to an “open” position, which allows the water to be forced from the pressurized water-filled vessel, through the nozzle, and from the gun as the air bladder or the piston expands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Inventor: Frank Marino
  • Patent number: 6648034
    Abstract: A manifold comprising a container having two ports; a conduit connecting the container to a source/dispense of chemical having a first end and a second end and a connector for the ends; first block valve having two diaphragm valves, each valve having a valve seat side and a diaphragm side, each valve seat side faces the other valve seat side, and connected to the first end of the conduit, one diaphragm side connected to a first port, and another diaphragm side connected to vent; a second block valve having two diaphragm valves, having a valve seat side and a diaphragm side, wherein each valve seat side faces the other valve seat side, and each valve seat side connected to the second end of the conduit, the diaphragm side of one valve connected to purge, and the diaphragm side of another valve connected to push gas or chemical outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Michael Birtcher, Martin Castaneda Martinez, Thomas Andrew Steidl, Gil Vivanco, David James Silva
  • Patent number: 6640842
    Abstract: In a method and a device for filling needle-free injectors, it is proposed that filling takes place through the injector discharge opening and where the piston stopper has been previously inserted. Filling takes place in such a way that, independently of tolerances of the injector, the interior space is filled to the brim in an at least approximately bubble-free manner. It is not absolutely necessary to measure or dose the liquid to be filled. The filled state is either established through the disappearance of the vacuum in the interior space, or through the piston having reached a specific position during displacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Inova Pharma Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Laukenmann, Michael Nikolaus Mueller, Juergen Rothbauer, Georg Alfred Kallmeyer, Theo Wilfried Arnitz
  • Patent number: 6637475
    Abstract: A bulk chemical delivery system, comprising: a bulk chemical canister that is connected to at least one manifold box, wherein each manifold box has at least two output lines, wherein each output line connects to a secondary canister. In non-limiting representative example, the bulk chemical canister may have a capacity of 200 liters. Also disclosed are novel manifolds for use in delivering chemicals from canisters and a transportation/containment cart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Advanced Technology Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig M. Noah, John N. Gregg, Robert M. Jackson, Craig Esser
  • Patent number: 6629627
    Abstract: A highly reliable digital level sensor assembly is provided to replace optical and capacitance type sensors in high purity chemical delivery systems. The digital level sensor assembly is particularly useful in bulk chemical refill delivery systems for high purity chemicals employing a manifold that ensures contamination free operation and canister change outs with a minimum of valves and tubing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: Advanced Technology Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen H. Siegele, Craig M. Noah, John N. Gregg
  • Patent number: 6609542
    Abstract: A cutter assembly for cutting a membrane which seals a transfer spigot on a container, the cutter assembly including a valve including a valve body adapted to engage the transfer spigot, the valve body, including a valve closure member, adapted to be moved between open and closed positions to open and close the valve, at least one elongate cutter which terminates in a cutting tip, the cutting tip being adapted to rupture or slit the membranes, actuation means for providing axial movement to the elongate cutter within the valve body, and the actuation means and/or the elongate cutter being adapted to move and cut a membrane independently of the operation of the valve closure member, and when the valve is in the open condition, the at least one elongate cutter can pass the valve closure member to engage the membrane to be cut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Visy Films and Laminates Pty Limited
    Inventor: Ian Anderson
  • Patent number: 6605257
    Abstract: A present micro array manufacturing apparatus includes a substrate placement portion 11 on which a plurality of substrates can be arranged, a tighter plate 12 for storing a solution including a living body sample, a solution storing member 52 for taking in the solution from the tighter plate 12 and storing the solution therein, and a needle 51 which can be inserted into the solution storing member 52 to allow the solution stored in the solution storing member 52 to adhere onto each of the substrates by a given quantity, wherein the solution storing member 52 and needle 51 are moved in directions where they approach and part away from the substrates to thereby form spots on the substrates. And, the individual operations of the solution storing member 52 and needle 51 are carried out by single drive means 32.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignees: THK Co., LTD, Riken
    Inventors: Touji Nakazawa, Akihiro Iimura, Hideo Tashiro, Tokuji Kitsunai, Yoshihide Hayashizaki
  • Patent number: 6604555
    Abstract: A highly reliable and safe, modular automatic refill (bulk delivery) system for ultra-high purity pyrophoric metalorganic chemicals employing: a manifold that insures contamination-free operation; a liquid-level detection system with fail-safe redundancy; and an evacuation system which leaves the system's manifold and transfer lines relatively free of chemical fire hazards; leaves them free of oxygen contamination; and leaves the composition of the system's carrier gas unaffected, between refills.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Arch Specialty Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher S. Blatt, Richard H. Pearce, Graham Williams, Edward H. Wentworth, III
  • Patent number: 6599476
    Abstract: A pathology distribution system 10 is provided for automated sample container 14, 15 distribution. The system 10 comprises a loading station 500 for loading samples in primary containers 14 of different types, a sample handling station 16 for receiving the containers 14 and identifying the container types and samples therein, and a container distribution station 38 for distributing the containers in areas or racks in the distribution station 38 marked for analyzing processes prescribed for the samples therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: A.i. Scientific Pty Ltd.
    Inventors: Leslie Robert Watson, Christoph Friedrich Tschopp, Ross Andrew Weaver, Ian David Henderson, Pieter Adriaan Kuiper, Christian Darrel Decosterd
  • Patent number: 6557592
    Abstract: A bottle charged with a gaseous material intended to be discharged through a range of temperatures but not outside that range, has a valve through which the gaseous material is to be directed. The valve has at least a part wholly inside the bottle, which part has a restricted port through it through which the gaseous material passes to issue from the valve, and a thermally responsive member adapted to block the port when the temperature of the interior of the bottle is outside the range. Preferably, the gaseous material is both introduced to the bottle and discharged from the bottle through the same valve, and the valve has a fill port of larger diameter than the restricted port, and an axially moveable actuating element, and the thermally responsive member is carried by the actuating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Intoximeters, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven J. Nagel
  • Patent number: 6543493
    Abstract: An apparatus of measuring both concentration and amount of a liquid in a liquid chemical container is presented, comprising viewing light emanating from a first optical member that is in visual contact with the liquid, the light emanating from the optical member having a level indicating quality; and routing light from a second optical member that is in visual contact with the liquid to means for optical discrimination between liquid chemical based on different optical properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignees: L'Air Liquide - Societe'Anonyme a' Directoire et Conseil de Surveillance pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude, American Air Liquide, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory M. Jursich, Kevin Sirk
  • Publication number: 20030037836
    Abstract: A highly reliable and safe, modular automatic refill (bulk delivery) system for ultra-high purity pyrophoric metalorganic chemicals employing: a manifold that insures contamination-free operation; a liquid-level detection system with fail-safe redundancy; and an evacuation system which leaves the system's manifold and transfer lines relatively free of chemical fire hazards; leaves them free of oxygen contamination; and leaves the composition of the system's carrier gas unaffected, between refills.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2002
    Publication date: February 27, 2003
    Applicant: ARCH SPECIALTY CHEMICALS, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher S. Blatt, Richard H. Pearce, Graham Williams, Edward H. Wentworth
  • Publication number: 20020132369
    Abstract: A biological fluid collection device with a pivotable faucet is disclosed. The device is designed to collect, hold and transfer a biological specimen into a non-evacuated tube through an integrated pivotable faucet component. This device uses no needles, either blunt or sharp, and provides safety from needle puncture. The device works with a non-evacuated tube and a specially designed cap that attaches to the container via the pivotable faucet. The device includes a container for collecting, holding and transferring the biological fluid. The design of the container facilitates use of the tube as a handle in order to position the container to receive collection of the biological fluids. The method of collection begins with using the non-evacuated tube as a handle to hold the container and collecting the biological specimen in the container. A lid is attached to the top of the container to prevent contamination and exposure to the specimen during transfer into the non-evacuated tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2002
    Publication date: September 19, 2002
    Applicant: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Bradley M. Wilkinson, Robert S. Golabek
  • Patent number: 6450217
    Abstract: A switch-over device for a filling station has at least a first and a second input (21 and 22 respectively) for a fluid which is under pressure, and an outlet (9) for the fluid and flow connections (19, 29) via which each input (21, 22) can be connected to the outlet (9). A switch-over valve (42) which has a valve body (421), which can be actuated by the fluid and which in its closure position closes the flow connection (29) between the second input (22) and the outlet (9), is provided in the flow connection (29) between the second input (22) and the outlet (9). Control connections (142, 942) for the fluid are arranged in such a manner that the valve body (421) of the switch-over valve (42) is acted upon on the one side by the pressure of the fluid at the first input (22) and on the other side by the pressure of the fluid at the outlet (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: GreenField AG
    Inventor: Heinz Mutter
  • Patent number: 6446683
    Abstract: An attachment (3) for a vacuum gun (2), for evacuating and containing a fluid from a reservoir of fluid, such as brake fluid from a brake system. The attachment (3) has a body (21, 25) with an inlet (22) for the fluid and an outlet (24) that may be sealingly attached to a front end of a gun (2). The attachment (3) also has a coupling (26), a container (27) which is releasably attachable to the coupling (26), a first passage (33, 34) extending between the inlet (22) and the container (27), a second passage (35, 36) extending between the container (27) and the outlet (24), and a tap (70) which may be moved to either close or open the said passages (33, 34, 35, 36). In use, the gun (2) generates a vacuum within the attachment (3) and when the tap (70) is in the open position, the fluid may be collected within the container (27). A float valve (83) within the second passage (35) ensures that the container (27) cannot overfill with fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: ABW Australia Pty LTD
    Inventors: David Mitchell, Alan Grieves
  • Patent number: 6435224
    Abstract: A highly reliable and safe, modular automatic refill (bulk delivery) system for ultra-high purity pyrophoric metalorganic chemicals employing: a manifold that insures contamination-free operation; a liquid-level detection system with fail-safe redundancy; and an evacuation system which leaves the system's manifold and transfer lines relatively free of chemical fire hazards; leaves them free of oxygen contamination; and leaves the composition of the system's carrier gas unaffected, between refills.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Arch Specialty Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher S. Blatt, Richard H. Pearce, Graham Williams, Edward H. Wentworth, III
  • Patent number: 6435229
    Abstract: A bulk chemical delivery system, comprising: a bulk chemical canister that is connected to at least one manifold box, wherein each manifold box has at least two output lines, wherein each output line connects to a secondary canister. In non-limiting representative example, the bulk chemical canister may have a capacity of 200 liters. Also disclosed are novel manifolds for use in delivering chemicals from canisters and a transportation/containment cart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Advanced Technology Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig M. Noah, John N. Gregg, Robert M. Jackson, Craig Esser
  • Patent number: 6427729
    Abstract: A method and system of pressurizing natural gas, and/or other gaseous substances, indirectly, by pressurizing a liquid-filled chamber in which a flexible bladder has been inserted which holds the gas to be pressurized. This Indirect Pressurization Facility (IPF) will take small volumes of gas, at pressures less than the pressure inside a gas sales line, boost the pressure by pumping a liquid onto the outside of the bladder which collapses the bladder and re-positions the trapped gas into a smaller confinement which results in an increase in the pressure of the gas. When the increased pressure reaches a level above the sales line pressure, the gas will be squeezed out and into the sales line. The process is then repeated until the gas supply from the well declines to a point where it is no longer economically-justified to continue operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Inventor: James Rose Teel
  • Patent number: 6412528
    Abstract: A manually operative siphoning pump apparatus for transferring liquid from one container to another container. The siphoning pump apparatus has a hollow cylindrical pump body through which liquid from one container to another can flow and a bellows attached thereto for establishing a vacuum within said pump body. The hollow pump body has a inlet pipe and an outlet an elongated flexible hose or tube connected to each of the pipes. The siphoning pump apparatus has an axially movable valve within the hollow pump body for initiating, controlling and shutting off the flow of liquid through the pump body during the siphoning process and, hence, from one container to another container. The axially movable valve has a cylindrical head at one end thereof and a connector at the opposite end thereof for fixing it to the bottom of the bellows. The axially movable valve is manually controlled by an elongated lever arm pivotally attached to a housing handle at one end and fixedly attached to the bottom of the bellows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Inventors: Peter Alex, Johnny Laureijs, Ronald R. Chisholm
  • Patent number: 6391629
    Abstract: The invention relates to a static unit (1) for the production of anaerobic, micro-aerophilic or other atmospheres (e.g., CO2) in a mobile interchangeable container, which is connected, at a lid of the unit to the system for the production of the desired atmosphere in the interior of the interchangeable container. The invention also relates to an interchangeable container particularly suitable for such a device. The static unit (1) can receive mobile interchangeable containers in an aperture provided for this purpose, in which the desired atmosphere in the interior is produced fully automatically. A vacuum-operated docking cylinder automatically couples the interchangeable container, which has an internal gas supply channel for the system (4) for the production of the desired atmosphere and is pressed gas-tight against an area of the interchangeable container lid having gas inlets and outlets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Inventor: Alois Jenny
  • Publication number: 20020036025
    Abstract: A liquid aerating apparatus—in combination with a cylinder containing gas under pressure (53); a cylinder holder (30) for retaining a pressure gas cylinder; an aerating (61) head for retaining a bottle (63) which contains a liquid to be aerated; an intermediate chamber (38), for receiving gas discharged from the cylinder (531); a cylinder valve (32) for normally preventing discharge from the cylinder into the chamber and permitting it when desired; valve actuating means (17′) which have an inactive position, in which they do not act on the cylinder valve, and an active position, in which they cause the cylinder valve to be opened and gas to be discharged from the cylinder to the intermediate chamber; gas conduit mans (20 connecting the intermediate chamber with the aerating head; and auxiliary valve means (39) for sealing off the intermediate chamber from the conduit means when the cylinder valve is not fully closed and the valve actuating means are in the inactive position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2001
    Publication date: March 28, 2002
    Inventors: Peter Hulley, Peter Gordon Wiseburgh
  • Patent number: 6360784
    Abstract: A device and method for aseptically filling high pressure reservoirs in medicament pumps is disclosed. The device preferably includes a filter, a connector having a one-way valve and a filling tube with a terminal needle. The filter is connectable to a pharmacy prepared syringe containing a drug to be transferred to the reservoir of the IDIP. The filter is connected to the connector. The connector has a first and a second inlet port fluidly connected to an outlet port. A one-way valve is located in the connector “upstream” of the point where the two inlet ports connect to the outlet port. The filling tube is connectable to the outlet port. In use, a pharmacy syringe is connected to the first inlet port. A filling syringe is connected to the second inlet port. The filling tube is connected to the outlet port. The terminal needle of the filling tube is passed through the patient's skin and into the IDIP.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Frans Philippens, Craig F. Borchard, Jill Guimont, Tim Hauch, Dan Sheehan, Robert Spencer, Mary Robischon, Joanna Pierce, Patrick Johnson
  • Patent number: 6357492
    Abstract: A liquid changer includes a base, a liquid tank, a pump and a changeover valve. The base has two insert grooves for the liquid tank and the pump to fit therein to stand up. The changeover valve is located at one side of the pump. Switching the changeover valve to IN or OUT position can pump out the liquid in the liquid tank or exhaust out the liquid in a container of any other use. Thus the liquid changer can be used in two ways by means of the changeover valve easily switched. In addition, the pump is located outside the liquid tank, increasing liquid volume to be stored in the liquid tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Inventor: Sgr-Bin Hsu
  • Publication number: 20020014275
    Abstract: A highly reliable and safe, modular automatic refill (bulk delivery) system for ultra-high purity pyrophoric metalorganic chemicals employing: a manifold that insures contamination-free operation; a liquid-level detection system with fail-safe redundancy; and an evacuation system which leaves the system's manifold and transfer lines relatively free of chemical fire hazards; leaves them free of oxygen contamination; and leaves the composition of the system's carrier gas unaffected, between refills.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2001
    Publication date: February 7, 2002
    Applicant: Arch Specialty Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher S. Blatt, Richard H. Pearce, Graham Williams, Edward H. Wentworth
  • Publication number: 20010016178
    Abstract: A work station for simultaneously performing multiple assays includes a base structure, a receptacle rack assembly received within a receptacle rack well formed in the base structure, a pipette tip rack assembly received within a pipette tip rack well formed in the base structure, a multiple conduit substance transfer device, and substance transfer device positioning structure. The receptacle rack assembly holds a plurality of receptacles in which a plurality of individual assays are performed, and the pipette tip rack assembly holds a plurality of contamination limiting pipette tips. The substance transfer device is capable of simultaneously dispensing substances into two or more receptacles or simultaneously removing substances from two or more receptacles. Alternatively, the substance transfer device is capable of simultaneously dispensing substances into two or more receptacles, and, at about the same time, simultaneously removing substances from two or more receptacles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2001
    Publication date: August 23, 2001
    Inventors: Galo F. Acosta, Jeffrey D. Bransky, Robert Case, Gregory J. Foster, Kristi K. Myers, Thomas M. Shimei, Andrew J. Woodhead
  • Patent number: 6263927
    Abstract: A venting trans-fill station transfer is used to transfer gas from a supply tank to a second tank, and provides a vent between the supply tank and the second tank. The station includes a body defining an inlet port and a discharge port in flow communication with one another defining a fill flow path extending therebetween. The body further defines a venting port in flow communication with the fill flow path and an environment outside of the station, defining a vent flow path between the fill flow path and the environment. A vent plug port is formed in the vent flow path intermediate the fill flow path and the environment. A vent plug is configured for receipt in the vent plug port and is engagable with the plug port to isolate the fill flow path from the environment and to provide flow communication between the fill flow path and the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Hose Shop, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kent Carroll
  • Patent number: 6260588
    Abstract: A bulk chemical delivery system, that includes a cabinet that houses a delivery system. The delivery system may include a canister within the cabinet that is connected to a manifold within the cabinet that includes at least one output line for providing chemical from the canister outside the cabinet. The delivery system may further include an input system that provides input for operation of the delivery system, wherein the input system is housed in an enclosure, and an inert gas line that connects and supplies inert gas to the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Advanced Technology Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig M. Noah, John N. Gregg, Robert M. Jackson, Craig Esser
  • Patent number: 6257285
    Abstract: A fluid dispensing tool includes a three section aluminum body defining a top evacuation port and a top fluid fill port each having an annular valve seat and connected by a cross passage. Poppet valve members are supported for vertical movement between retracted open positions below the cross passage and closed positions extending upwardly through the cross passage and engaging the valve seats. The valve members are air actuated in an alternating manner with the evacuation valve member closing before the fluid valve member opens and vice versa. A center passage extends downwardly from the cross passage and through a downwardly projecting discharge spout which carries a sleeve or shuttle supporting a set of resilient sealing bands. The sealing bands are compressed axially by an air actuated piston and expand radially outwardly for sealing with a radiator fill neck above and below a port for an overflow container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Production Control Units, Inc.
    Inventors: Randy S. Robinson, Randy S. Stemen
  • Patent number: 6253800
    Abstract: A paint cartridge replenisher (51) is constituted by a replenishing stool (52) having a feed tube passage hole (56) and a container support portion (57), a connector member (59) connectable to and communicable with a fore distal end of a feed tube (28), and a replenishing valve (61) operative to turn on and off paint supply from a paint source to the connector member (59). A paint cartridge (25) is set on the container support portion (57), thereby passing the feed tube (28) into the feed tube passage hole (56) on the side of the replenishing stool and bringing a fore distal end portion of the feed tube (28) into fitting engagement with the connector member (59). In this state, the replenishing valve (61) is opened, whereupon paint is supplied from the paint source to the connector member (59) and replenished into the container (26) of the paint cartridge (25), utilizing the opening at the fore distal end of the feed tube as a replenishing port of the paint cartridge (25).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: ABB K.K.
    Inventors: Osamu Yoshida, Hidetsugu Matsuda, Toshio Hosoda