With Valve Patents (Class 215/311)
  • Patent number: 6962432
    Abstract: My invention is a mixer and dispenser having a dispensing top with an outflow channel, an air vent, and an air vent valve that adjusts the vacuum inside the dispenser; a rotor attached to a battery powered motor; and two switches, one for operating automatically upon pouring and the other manually activated. The vacuum system controls the flow rate during pouring and the constant mixing disperses the ingredients so that the samples dispensed are representative of the original mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignees: HP Intellectual Corp.
    Inventor: Albert John Hofeldt
  • Patent number: 6932532
    Abstract: A fluid applicator includes a coating implement, an elastic closure cap, and a stopper for use with a fluid container. The elastic closure cap includes an enlarged irregular sealing rib on a skirt that is force-fit into the stopper, creating a resilient force on a sealing lip that contacts a seat on the stopper. Inverting the container and pressing on the coating implement, presses the elastic closure cap, deforming it to move the sealing lip off of its seat on the stopper to allow fluid flow from the container, through the stopper and elastic closure cap, to the coating implement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Dab-O-Matic Corporation
    Inventors: Gilbert Schwartzman, Martin Fischer
  • Publication number: 20040222224
    Abstract: The invention includes aseptic packages and methods and systems allowing aseptic filling on a conventional filling line, with relatively small and inexpensive equipment modifications. The invention allows avoidance of the conventional need to encase all or part of the filling equipment in a sterile air atmosphere. The invention includes a package, fitted with a flexible membrane, which can trap and carry its own sterility through the filling steps, whereby the membrane finally becomes part of the cap of the package. The invention reduces product risk, operator specialisation and the costs of aseptic filling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2004
    Publication date: November 11, 2004
    Inventor: George Plester
  • Patent number: 6800072
    Abstract: A contrast dispensing system (10) reduces cost by directly connecting a check valve (210) to and between the reservoir inlet port (220) and the mating luer connector (204) of a disposable set (200). A contrast dispensing system (10) includes as part of the reservoir (212) an integrally molded cap (280) having the inlet port (200) and a lateral pipe (300) to confine contrast media (14) therein and disperse it at separate locations (334, 336) within the chamber (260) of reservoir (212). The reservoir (212) may have a vent port (284) with a flip cap (294) for selectively opening or closing same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: Medex, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles R. Patzer
  • Patent number: 6776301
    Abstract: A cap with a way-one valve solves two distinct problems in the field of packaging materials that emit gasses, providing both a means to prevent a package from deforming under pressure built up inside the package, and a means to reseal the package. The cap comprises an inner wall extending downwardly from an inner portion of the top wall to define a cavity. An insert valve is mounted within the cavity, forming a seal with the inside wall. The upper surface of the insert valve, inner wall, and the top wall define a chamber with a gas escape path. A septum is disposed within the chamber, the septum seated on the insert valve and sealing one or more apertures in the insert valve. The septum is capable of at least partially unseating in response to force exerted by increased gas pressure acting through the apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Birgitt Torres-White, David E. McKnight, Jon Trollen
  • Patent number: 6732882
    Abstract: A no-spill cover assembly (14) includes a lid assembly (16) that is releasably mated to the drink container (10). The lid assembly (16) has an outlet channel (22) and an inlet channel (24) integrally formed therein. Furthermore, the cover assembly (14) includes a one-piece valve assembly (18) for attachment to the lid assembly (16). The one-piece valve assembly (18) is an integral one-piece structure that is formed of a flexible material and includes has an outlet valve portion (36) and an inlet valve portion (38). The outlet valve portion (36) includes a resilient outlet flange (44) that is positioned within the outlet channel (22) for selectively permitting a first flow therethrough and out of the drink container. The inlet valve portion (38) includes a resilient inlet flange (54) that is positioned within the inlet channel (24) for selectively permitting a second flow therethrough and into the drink container (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Niko Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Domenic Belcastro
  • Patent number: 6715624
    Abstract: A vial closure device, a sample vial incorporating such a vial closure device, and certain methods of using such a vial and closure device. The vial and closure device are intended to contain a gaseous sample or a headspace gas present above a liquid or solid material, so that the gaseous sample or headspace gas can be conveniently analysed, typically by means of an autosampler connected to an analytical instrument such as a mass spectrometer. Mass spectrometric methods of determining the isotopic composition of hydrogen and oxygen comprised in aqueous samples contained in vials fitted with such closure devices are disclosed. The vial closure device comprises a hollow body member locatable in the mouth of a vial, and a first seal for making a substantially gas-tight seal between the exterior of said hollow body member and said vial.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Micromass UK Limited
    Inventor: Timothy Graham Brockwell
  • Patent number: 6644489
    Abstract: A container assembly includes a cover cap mounted detachably and sealingly on a container. The cover cap has a pump-mounting wall portion defining a pump-receiving chamber, an inlet formed in the pump-mounting wall portion and in fluid communication with the pump-receiving chamber and a storing space of the container, and a valve-mounting wall portion defining an opening which is in fluid communication with the storing space and the atmosphere. A pump member is disposed movably and sealingly in the pump-receiving chamber, and has an outlet in fluid communication with the pump-receiving chamber and the atmosphere. An urging member urges the pump member away from the inlet. First and second check valves are respectively mounted on the cover cap and the pump member for closing the inlet and the outlet of the pump-receiving chamber, respectively. An air-inlet valve is mounted on the pump member for closing the opening in the cover cap, and is operable to uncover the opening in the cover cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Inventor: Tai-In Chang
  • Publication number: 20030168462
    Abstract: In a replacement cap for a vessel, in which a cap body 2 is mounted on a mouth portion 1a of a vessel 1 so as to be replaceable so that a liquid in the vessel 1 can be drunk through a tube 5 provided on the cap body 2, the cap body 2 is provided with an air supply port 4 having cup-shaped valve means 10 which is closed normally and is opened to supply the outside air into the vessel 1 when the interior of the vessel 1 becomes at a negative pressure. Since the valve means 10 is opened to supply the outside air into the vessel 1 when the interior of the vessel 1 becomes at a negative pressure, a liquid in the vessel 1 can be drunk smoothly through the tube 5.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Publication date: September 11, 2003
    Applicant: KIYOTA ENGINEERING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hozumi Kiyota
  • Publication number: 20030146216
    Abstract: A cap with a way-one valve solves two distinct problems in the field of packaging materials that emit gasses, providing both a means to prevent a package from deforming under pressure built up inside the package, and a means to reseal the package. The cap comprises an inner wall extending downwardly from an inner portion of the top wall to define a cavity. An insert valve is mounted within the cavity, forming a seal with the inside wall. The upper surface of the insert valve, inner wall, and the top wall define a chamber with a gas escape path. A septum is disposed within the chamber, the septum seated on the insert valve and sealing one or more apertures in the insert valve. The septum is capable of at least partially unseating in response to force exerted by increased gas pressure acting through the apertures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2002
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventors: Birgitt Torres-White, David E. McKnight, Jon Trollen
  • Publication number: 20030127413
    Abstract: A valve for preventing the flow of fluid when the temperature of the fluid is above a predetermined threshold, the valve including: a body having at least one opening for allowing the fluid to pass when the temperature of the fluid is below the predetermined threshold; and a shape memory or bi-metal actuator for substantially closing the at least one opening when the temperature of the fluid is above the predetermined threshold to prevent the fluid from passing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2003
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Inventors: Thomas Spinelli, Jahangir S. Rastegar
  • Patent number: 6523711
    Abstract: A sports bottle cap having a pressure differential valve is provided which allows water to flow out through the bottle cap only when the bottle is inverted and squeezed or alternatively a straw may be threaded through the pressure differential valve, thereby deactivating it, and attached to the bottle cap allowing the user to draw liquid from the bottle through the straw. In operation the bottle cap of the present invention allows the user to dispense fluid from within the bottle in two different ways. The first manner of use allows liquid to be dispensed only when the bottle containing the liquid is inverted and squeezed. Squeezing causes the pressure to increase on the inside of the bottle thereby causing the pressure differential valve to open and liquid to exit; however, when the bottle is not squeezed the pressure differential valve remains in the closed position sealing bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Inventors: Douglass E. Hughes, Raymond G. Bryan
  • Patent number: 6491176
    Abstract: A sealing valve 10 for container openings made from rubber elastic material and having a stopper member 11 which can be introduced into the container opening up to a stopper collar 12 projecting beyond the stopper member 11 in a radial direction 26. At least one control channel 16 is formed on the stopper member 11 and extends in the direction of the longitudinal axis 24 of sealing valve 10 from one end of the stopper member 11 facing an inner region of the container 20. A sealing lip 15 is formed on the stopper collar 11 and can seat in a sealing fashion on a container edge 25 surrounding the container opening. The stopper collar 12 has a control channel section 29 transverse to the control channel 16 of a stopper member 11 which extends this control channel 16 up to the sealing lip 15. A reliable venting is guaranteed while simultaneously securing sealing to prevent the escape of battery liquids. Economical production with large yield is also facilitated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Busak + Shamban GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Gerd Schollenberger, Juergen Bauer, Thomas Schoeck
  • Patent number: 6484897
    Abstract: A container of variable volume includes an inner flexible member substantially enclosed in a number of interlocking outer sleeves. The volume of the container can be varied by moving at least one outer sleeve relative to another outer sleeve. The outer sleeves are moved to vary the volume of the container by rotating screw-threaded outer sleeves, moving an outer sleeve relative to another by a ratchet, or by using a multi-level bayonet type connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Amcad Holdings Limited
    Inventor: Alan Mark Crawley
  • Patent number: 6478178
    Abstract: An improved stopper apparatus for use with wine barrel bung holes includes a generally frusto-conical stopper member having a central aperture, a top surface, a bottom surface, and an outer circumferential surface adapted to seal against the inner circumferential surface of the bung hole. The apparatus further includes a sealing insert member having a top portion, a middle portion, and a bottom portion, the top portion having a diameter slightly greater than the stopper member central aperture such that the sealing insert member can be pushed into the central aperture so as to bring the top surface of the sealing insert member with the top surface and the stopper member during barrel aging. The sealing insert member further has a lower surface adapted for sealing engagement against the stopper member top surface during barrel fermentation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Inventor: Donald C. Montgomery
  • Patent number: 6457596
    Abstract: An ergodynamic bottle top (10) has a push button bottle top post (14A) having a push button bottle top doughnut (14B). The push button bottle top doughnut (14B) is slidably positioned therearound. The ergodynamic bottle top (10) further has a handle (12) having a left handle (12L) which is securely attached to a right handle (12R) by a center handle (12C). The center handle (12C) has a center handle opening (12CA) therethrough. The center handle (12C) is securely attached to the push button bottle top doughnut (14B). The center handle opening (12CA) comprises a similar or greater diameter than a diameter of the push button bottle top post (14A). The center handle opening (12CA) could comprise a smaller diameter than a diameter of the push button bottle top post (14A) functioning to increase pressure to an eminating stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Inventor: Steve Verseman
  • Publication number: 20020125248
    Abstract: An improved stopper apparatus for use with wine barrel bung holes includes a generally frusto-conical stopper member having a central aperture, a top surface, a bottom surface, and an outer circumferential surface adapted to seal against the inner circumferential surface of the bung hole. The apparatus further includes a sealing insert member having a top portion, a middle portion, and a bottom portion, the top portion having a diameter slightly greater than the stopper member central aperture such that the sealing insert member can be pushed into the central aperture so as to bring the top surface of the sealing insert member with the top surface and the stopper member during barrel aging. The sealing insert member further has a lower surface adapted for sealing engagement against the stopper member top surface during barrel fermentation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2001
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Inventor: Donald C. Montgomery
  • Patent number: 6422415
    Abstract: A drinking cup assembly including a cup having an open end; a cap adapted to enclose the open end, the cap including a drinking spout and an air vent and mating surfaces adjacent or incorporated into the drinking spout and the air vent; and a flow control valve including two stacks adapted to engage the mating surfaces, each of the two stacks having a concave valve face at a top portion thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Playtex Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Francis X. Manganiello
  • Publication number: 20020066715
    Abstract: Axially activated vial access adapter allowing repeated withdrawal of a medical fluid contained in the container by the use of a needleless device such as a syringe barrel or IV set having a luer connector. The axially activated vial access adapter includes: an elastomeric stopper having a cavity extending from its distal end to its proximal end; a bottom insert positioned in the cavity of the elastomeric stopper; and a top insert of tube-like configuration slideably positioned in the bottom insert. The top insert contains a plug on its proximal end, and a male luer connector on its distal end for attachment to a syringe barrel or an IV set having a female luer connector. Moving the top insert distally or proximally, the plug on the proximal end of the top insert opens or closes the cavity in the elastomeric stopper thereby opening or closing fluid communication between the medical fluid contained in the container and the syringe barrel or IV set having a luer connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2000
    Publication date: June 6, 2002
    Inventor: John J. Niedospial
  • Publication number: 20020066716
    Abstract: A vented closure, for preventing deformation of a container containing a gas evolving liquid, is provided. The closure includes a first closure member and a second closure member. The first closure member seals the container from the outside atmosphere and defines a gas inlet, a gas outlet and a gas flow passage between the inlet and the outlet. A gas-permeable, liquid-impermeable membrane is placed in the gas flow passage. The second closure member is moveably fitted on the first closure member and encases the first closure member with a small clearance fit that allows gas passage. A sealing element coupled to the second closure member is aligned with the gas outlet of the first member so as to block gas flow when a predetermined load is applied to the second closure member and allow gas flow when the predetermined load is absent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2000
    Publication date: June 6, 2002
    Inventors: W. K. Mainquist, John F. Breznock
  • Publication number: 20020066712
    Abstract: The invention comprises a vial closure device, a sample vial incorporating such a vial closure device, and certain methods of using such a vial and closure device. The vial and closure device are intended to contain a gaseous sample or a headspace gas present above a liquid or solid material, so that the gaseous sample or headspace gas can be conveniently analysed, typically by means of an autosampler connected to an analytical instrument such as a mass spectrometer. Mass spectrometric methods of determining the isotopic composition of hydrogen and oxygen comprised in aqueous samples contained in vials fitted with such closure devices are disclosed. The vial closure device comprises a hollow body member locatable in the mouth of a vial, and a first seal for making a substantially gas-tight seal between the exterior of said hollow body member and said vial.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 1997
    Publication date: June 6, 2002
    Inventor: TIMOTHY G. BROCKWELL
  • Publication number: 20020066714
    Abstract: A vented closure, for preventing deformation of a container containing a gas evolving liquid, is provided. The closure includes a first closure member and a second closure member. The first closure member seals the container from the outside atmosphere and defines a gas inlet, a gas outlet and a gas flow passage between the inlet and the outlet. A gas-permeable, liquid-impermeable membrane is placed in the gas flow passage. The second closure member is moveably fitted on the first closure member and encases the first closure member with a small clearance fit that allows gas passage. A sealing element coupled to the second closure member is aligned with the gas outlet of the first member so as to block gas flow when a predetermined load is applied to the second closure member and allow gas flow when the predetermined load is absent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2001
    Publication date: June 6, 2002
    Inventors: W.K. Mainquist, John F. Breznock
  • Patent number: 6375024
    Abstract: A vacuum apparatus for easily forming a vacuum in any bottle, container or the like and for providing a stable sealing. A lower cylindrical member together with a disc member forms a space portion in which a vacuum or an atmospheric pressure is applied, and the lower portion of an upper cylindrical member is inserted in the space portion and divides the space portion into upper and lower spaces. With a downward movement of the upper cylindrical member, the upper space expands and draws air inside of a bottle, and with an upward movement thereof, the air introduced into the upper space is vented outside. At this time, a check valve is selectively opened and closed and is operated by a pressure difference applied thereon. By repetitive reciprocating movement of the upper cylindrical member, a high vacuum is formed in the bottle and is sealed by the check valve. The apparatus is adaptable in a vacuum bottle, a medical suction instrument or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Inventor: Yoon Sik Park
  • Publication number: 20020033399
    Abstract: A drinking cup assembly having a cup having an open end, a cap adapted to enclose the open end, the cap having a drinking spout and an air vent and a pair of mating surfaces that align with the drinking spout and the air vent, and a removable flow control valve adapted to engage the mating surfaces. The cap has a retaining mechanism that in conjunction with one mating surface secures in place the flow control element when not in use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2001
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Applicant: Playtex Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Francis Manganiello, Ross Steven Randolph
  • Patent number: 6286698
    Abstract: An apparatus for the reusable interim storage of partially consumed medicated oral dosage forms and methods for employing such an apparatus in order to use medicated oral dosage forms in the safest possible manner. The apparatus of the present invention in its broadest terms comprises (1) a container sized to hold a medicated oral dosage form, (2) means for allowing a medicated oral dosage form easy access into the container but substantially preventing the medicated oral dosage form from passing out of the container, and (3) a child resistant means for allowing an adult to remove a medicated oral dosage form from within the container despite the one-way access means. The preferred embodiment comprises an opaque container having one opening, a child resistant closure with an aperture there through that extends over said opening, and a plastic slitted membrane covering said aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Cephalon, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Hague, Steve Shoemaker
  • Patent number: 6257453
    Abstract: A two-piece dispensing closure (20) for removable attachment to a neck (12) of a liquid container (10), the dispensing closure having a molded plastic cap member (22) with an annular skirt (32) that surrounds an upper free end portion of the container neck, a transversely extending top panel portion (26) spanning the annular skirt with an opening (28) positioned centrally thereof, and an annular spout (38) extending axially from the top panel in a direction opposed to the direction of the extent of the annular skirt from the top panel, the annular spout circumscribing the opening in the top panel. A separate, elongate valve member (24) is inserted into the spout of the cap member to be reversibly axially movable relative to the cap member, the valve member having an elongate central portion (40) that defines an annular dispensing passage (38) with an interior of the spout of the cap member and an enlarged grasping projection (42) at a free end of the valve member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Owens-Illinois Closure Inc.
    Inventor: Paul R. Graham
  • Patent number: 6173851
    Abstract: An apparatus for the reusable interim storage of partially consumed medicated oral dosage forms and methods for employing such an apparatus in order to use medicated oral dosage forms in the safest possible manner. The apparatus of the present invention in its broadest terms comprises (1) a container sized to hold a medicated oral dosage form, (2) means for allowing a medicated oral dosage form easy access into the container but substantially preventing the medicated oral dosage form from passing out of the container, and (3) a child resistant means for allowing an adult to remove a medicated oral dosage form from within the container despite the one-way access means. The preferred embodiment comprises an opaque container having one opening, a child resistant closure with an aperture there through that extends over said opening, and a plastic slitted membrane covering said aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Anesta Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Hague, Steve Shoemaker
  • Patent number: 6161716
    Abstract: The closure has a bung-type socket (10) of soft elastic material with a flange-like outer bearing portion (12), a circumferential sealing portion (16) sealingly receiving the rim of the hole, and a circumferential snap-action portion (18) engaging the inside of the rim of the hole from behind. In the sealing portion (16) and the snap-action portion (18) of the bung-type socket (10) there is embedded a coaxial reinforcing ring (20) of hard plastic, which is radially rippled over the circumference and thereby is covered by the soft-elastic material in thickness varying over the circumference. The bung-type socket (10) has a central orifice (24), in which a manually adjustable valve element (26) of the pressure-compensating valve occupies a sealing closed position and a pressure-compensating position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Inventors: Kurt Oberhofer, Karl Batschied, Udo Schreiner
  • Patent number: 6050435
    Abstract: A self-sealing, tamper-evident closure including a cap body and an integrally-formed gasket valve is provided for use on a container. The cap body includes a tab integrally molded onto a removable frangible portion which breaks away from the cap body and exposes a self-sealing, flexible gasket valve. The gasket valve is molded in place on an inner surface of the cap body and includes a longitudinal slit to provide a dispensing orifice. A method for making a closure of the present invention is also disclosed, wherein an integral cap body is formed by injection molding, a quantity of liquid gasket material is deposited within a pocket formed on the cap body, a flexible gasket valve is formed by the liquid gasket valve material curing in place within the pocket and a longitudinal slit is imposed through the gasket valve to provide a dispensing orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: Rexam Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall G. Bush, Kent A. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6050445
    Abstract: A drinking cup assembly including a cup having an open end; a cap adapted to enclose the open end, the cap including a drinking spout and an air vent and mating surfaces adjacent or incorporated into the drinking spout and the air vent; and a flow control valve including two stacks adapted to engage the mating surfaces, each of the two stacks having a concave valve face at a top portion thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: Playtex Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Francis X Manganiello
  • Patent number: 5971225
    Abstract: A new method fills a dispenser with cyanoacrylate adhesive from the rear. The container is sealed by a pressed-in base section (4). The latter has a vent opening which can be sealed, preferably by a plug (68) pre-mounted on it. Preferably the contacting surfaces of the container and this base have an oval shape. In this novel method, the container is first filled, while the end is still open. The base is then pressed in, sealing it onto the container. In so doing, the air displaced, is released through the base vent. During the final phase of pressing-in, the vent is plugged, irreversibly sealing it. Also claimed is an adhesive dispenser, essentially as described, with further preferred detail of the seals, the pipette construction of the container and a slot valve in the plug unit. USE--A dispenser filling method and dispenser, especially suitable e.g. for a super glue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: UHU GmbH
    Inventor: Hans-Martin Kapsa
  • Patent number: 5971180
    Abstract: A sealing plug cap includes a plug cap body fastened to the mouth of a sealing container to seal the passage of the mouth by a deformatable peripheral flap thereof, an air buffer device fastened to the bottom end of the plug cap body inside the sealing container to buffer the speed of air passing through a center air hole on the plug cap body, a socket mounted inside the plug cap body, and a sealing and relief control unit mounted in the socket, the sealing and relief control unit being forced by atmospheric pressure to close the air hole on the plug cap body when a suction pump is used to draw air out of the sealing container, the sealing and relief control unit being forced to open the air hole on the plug cap body when depressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Inventor: Mao Sheng Wu
  • Patent number: 5806575
    Abstract: A vacuum extractor mounted in an one-way valve in a lid of a container body of a vacuum container and adapted to extract air out of the vacuum container, including an extraction pump mounted in the one-way valve and driven to draw air away from the container body, a motor mounted in the lid, a reciprocating mechanism driven by the motor to reciprocate the extraction pump, causing it to draw air away from the container body, and a vacuum a detector mounted in the lid and adapted to detect the pressure of air in the container body, the vacuum detector connecting a power source to the motor when the pressure of air in the container body surpasses a predetermined high value, and cutting off the power source from the motor when the pressure of air in the container body drops below a predetermined low value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Inventor: Shiu Chu Tsay
  • Patent number: 5732837
    Abstract: A closure member for use in closing vials that are subjected to lyophilization conditions is described where the member is a resilient stopper that has a plug movable within a passageway in the stopper. The plug is movable between a first raised venting position and second downwardly engaging, sealing position whereby fluid from the vial or container is precluded from flowing through the fluid passageway in the cap. The passageway has a venting medium filter covering it which allows passage of water vapor, but not bacteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: C. Bradford Jones
  • Patent number: 5702018
    Abstract: A stopper apparatus for use with wine barrel bung holes includes a generally frusto-conical stopper member having a central aperture, a top surface, a bottom surface, and an outer circumferential surface adapted to seal against the inner circumferential surface of the bung hole. The apparatus further includes a sealing insert member having a top portion, a middle portion, and a bottom portion, the top portion having a diameter greater than the stopper member central aperture, and which has a lower surface adapted for sealing engagement against the stopper member top surface. The bottom portion includes at least one flexible lateral projection element adapted to contact and apply a force against the stopper member bottom surface, so as to urge the top portion lower surface into sealing engagement with the stopper member top surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1997
    Inventor: Donald C. Montgomery
  • Patent number: 5699719
    Abstract: A thermal carafe brewing device includes an automatic drip brewing machine and a thermal carafe having a brew-through lid which utilizes a pressure controlled valve in a liquid passageway through the lid to allow liquid to flow directly from a brewing basket through the lid and into the carafe. The pressure controlled valve prevents liquid and heat from flowing out of the carafe through the lid by liquid and/or gas pressure from inside the carafe which closes the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1997
    Assignee: Healthometer, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric E. Lucas, Marc L. Vitantonio, Michael Miroewski
  • Patent number: 5681742
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a biological specimen and incubation container having a cylindrically shaped housing having a closed first end and an open second end. A plug, having a longitudinal bore therethrough, is anchored into a first position at the open end of the container. The container may then be supplied, via a pipette, through that bore in the plug. When the container is filled, the plug may be pushed further into the container, where it is squeezed by intermating tapered surfaces, to close the bore therein. An arrangement of annular lips and grooves in the container and the plug, anchors the plug to the container and ultimately seals and secures them together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Assignee: Louisville Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. MersKelly, David Y. Phelps
  • Patent number: 5611376
    Abstract: A vacuum container including a container body, a cover covered on the container body, the cover having a top recess with air vents and a side opening, a switch mounted in the top recess and controlled by hand to close/open the air vents on the top recess for letting outside air flow into the container body, and an extraction pump mounted in the side opening on the container cover and reciprocated to draw air out of the container body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1997
    Inventor: Shiao-Cheng Chuang
  • Patent number: 5588562
    Abstract: A dual tamper indicating closure with resealable pour spout for use on plastic bottles and the like. The closure has a first annular indicator band engageable on a portion of a bottle neck secured to the closure by a plurality of frangible elements thereabout. A second annular indicator band is engageable on a secondary top on the pour spout. The secondary cap has a opening within that selectively registers with a plug positioned above an aperture in the closure from which the pour spout extends. Movement of the secondary cap on the pour spout separates the annular indicator band from the secondary top allowing access to the pour spout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Inventors: Dieter Sander, Uwe F. Meyer
  • Patent number: 5586673
    Abstract: A cap assembly for receiving a stopper and for application to the threaded neck of a bottle. The cap assembly includes a cap and a thrust washer. The cap has an end wall which has a central aperture and a circular side wall which has internal threads. The thrust washer has a base wall with a central aperture and a side wall which has a ridge at its outer end. The thrust washer lies within the side wall of the cap so that the base wall engages the end wall and the side wall extends through the aperture in the end wall and the ridge engages the outer surface of the end wall to retain tile thrust washer on the cap. Tile side wall of the thrust washer is resiliently yieldable to enable the ridge to disengage from the end wall to release the thrust washer from the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: Ciba Corning Diagnostics Corp.
    Inventors: Ronald J. Venooker, John A. Scavitto, Peter N. Karkantis, David T. Healey, Richard L. Travers
  • Patent number: 5564480
    Abstract: A vacuum canister comprises a container and a lid which is provided with a large slot having centrally in the bottom thereof a retaining hole provided peripherally with ventilation holes. A soft disk member is provided such that a retaining column of the disk member is held in the retaining hole of the large slot of the lid, and that a disk portion of the disk member is located on the ventilation holes. The lid is further provided with a suction unit comprising a lever and a suction block. The lever is fastened pivotally at one end thereof to the lid and is provided on another end thereof with a hand grip. The suction block is fastened pivotally to the midsegment of the lever and is provided with a rod and a piston. The rod is pivoted to the lever while the piston is disposed slidably in the large slot of the lid. The piston is provided peripherally with a circular groove in which a sealing ring is received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Inventor: Chen-Hai Chen
  • Patent number: 5535900
    Abstract: A bottle cap with an air removing device consists of a cap unit and an air stopper combined together. The cap unit includes an upper cap portion, a lower cylindrical portion and a valve formed in an interior of both the upper cap portion and the lower cylindrical portion and having a capsule-shaped cavity for a stopper of the air stopper to fit and move up and down therein to stop an air hole in a bottom of the valve so that the air in a bottle fitted with this cap may be pumped out by an extra air pump fitted in an open cavity of the upper cap portion. After the air in the bottle is pumped out, then the air stopper is pushed down by the air pump again, keeping the cap firmly fixed on the mouth of the bottle in an almost vacuum condition, wherein the food therein may not deteriorate for a long time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Assignee: P. Yeh Engineering Plastic Corp.
    Inventor: Kwong-Sun Huang
  • Patent number: 5465857
    Abstract: A vacuum cap for liquor bottles comprising a lower cap body combined on a cylindrical body fixed around a top end of a bottle, an air valve disposed in an annular upper recess of the lower cap body and blocking air holes in the recess and having two upwardly and outwardly extending projections protruding through two slots in an upper cap body fitted in the recess and located over the air valve, an independent air pump being placed on the lower cap body for pumping out the air in the bottle through the air holes and a gap between the air valve and the recess and through the two slots in the upper cap body so as to establish a vacuum in the bottle for preserving liquor contained in the bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1995
    Inventor: Heng-Te Yang
  • Patent number: 5454489
    Abstract: A self-sealing closure device for a container comprising an insert (1) adapted to be secured within a container neck (2) and comprising a pouring opening as well as a cap (11) adapted to be fastened on the container neck (2). The insert (1) comprises an inwardly extending resilient conically shaped sealing device (8), which at its inner end is provided with an upwardly facing sealing face (10) adapted to sealingly co-operate with a downwardly facing sealing face (18) on the cap (11). The sealing engagement of the two sealing faces (10, 18) being released at a predetermined internal overpressure in the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1995
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventor: Steen Vesborg
  • Patent number: 5431290
    Abstract: A one-way air valve that is mounted removably at one end of a baby bottle housing having two threaded open ends, with the opposite end receiving a conventional nipple, the one-way air valve includes a central diverging passage defined by opposed converging side walls which has a tiny slit elongated along the apex portion of the converging side walls and an annular base sized for attachment to the open end of said baby bottle, the valve being concavely mounted into the bottle to avoid breakage and to prevent leakage of the contents, while preventing colic in the child.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1995
    Inventor: Mark T. Vinciguerra
  • Patent number: 5405038
    Abstract: This device has three main components: a storage container, an air-tight lid and a pump for extracting air. The storage container is distinguished by a ring-shaped protrusion in the concave bottom of the container. This protruding ring is designed to fit tightly into a concave ring on the lid of another container of the same design. This feature enables the containers to be stacked conveniently on top of one another. The storage container is further distinguished by an elevated lip on the upper rim of the container, which forms an air-tight seal with the lid. The lid is distinguished by a vacuum valve containing two layers with several holes in each layer. The vacuum valve contains an umbrella-shaped silicon piece, which can bend upwards to allow air to be drawn out by the pump, but is restricted from bending downwards (which would allow air to enter the container).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Inventor: Hsiao-Cheng Chuang
  • Patent number: 5392967
    Abstract: A plug device for a liquid container is presented to enable cleaning of a flow passage of the liquid container as well as to eliminate the liquid being left in the flow passage during the operation of the liquid container, thus providing hygienic and safe operation of the container. The plug device consists of an outer plug member and an inner plug member which is detachably attached to the outer plug member. When the members are assembled, a flow passage is formed automatically to enable access to the liquid stored in the container. When a press button provided on the inner plug member is pressed down, the opening disposed at the bottom of a plunger device remains open, resulting in the interior space of the container being connected with the flow passage via the internal liquid passage. In this condition, the container can be tilted to dispense the liquid from the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1995
    Assignee: Nippon Sanso Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhiko Satomi, Seiichi Itoh, Isao Watanabe, Toru Goto, Shoji Sekihara
  • Patent number: 5390809
    Abstract: This invention relates to a vacuum container and in particular to one including an inner container, an outer container receiving said inner container, a lid provided with a packing formed with an outer annular groove for receiving an upper rim of said outer container and an inner annular groove for receiving an upper rim of said inner container, a check valve mounted on a central portion of said lid, a control valve composed of two one-way valves, and a vacuum extractor including a sleeve and a seat engaged with the lower end of said sleeve, said sleeve being a tubular member in which is inserted a piston, said piston having a lower end formed with an upper flange and a lower flange between which is fitted a leak-proof gasket, said upper flange being formed with a pair of exhaust openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1995
    Inventor: Shui C. Lin
  • Patent number: 5364241
    Abstract: An evacuation system for unlidded rigid containers including a reciprocating piston pump and a universal disc that provides a leak proof lid for ordinary pots, pans or bowls. The disc is flat and accommodates a variety of container sizes as well as minor surface irregularities in the container lip. Vent holes spaced around the perimeter of the disc prevent implosion of the disc into the container if the disc edge is placed too close to the edge of the container. The disc is somewhat flexible and has a sealing surface on one side for proper seating and sealing on the container lip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1994
    Assignee: Pioneering Concepts Incorporated
    Inventor: Glen R. Schultz
  • Patent number: 5232110
    Abstract: A container closure for attachment to a threaded container neck and comprising a closure top having a pouring passage and an offcenter opening which receives a tube defining an air passage, the tube being adapted to extend to a position adjacent to the container bottom offset from its centerline, the tube including a check valve to admit air to the container while excluding liquid from the tube. The arrangement enables the pouring of a regular and steady stream of liquid from the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1993
    Inventor: Peter F. Purnell