Spring Actuated Patents (Class 215/315)
  • Patent number: 10526116
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a cap body operable to be removably coupled to a distal end of the container in a hermetically sealed configuration, wherein the cap body includes a button or nodule cover, a cap channel defined and surrounded by the cap body, and a gas discharge port defined on an outer surface of the cap body. The cap body includes a valve assembly disposed within the cap channel and has a longitudinally biased valve stem, wherein the valve stem has a static position with the distal valve end disposed proximal to the button or nodule cover and with the valve assembly in hermetically sealed configuration with the cap body to fluidly uncouple the first channel end and the container cavity and a gas-evacuation position with the distal valve end in a depressed position to fluidly couple the container cavity, the gas discharge port, and ambient environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Inventors: Maximo Dorra, Federico Dorra
  • Patent number: 10336513
    Abstract: A lid includes a lid lever and a seal arm assembly that stage opening of a vent hole relative to a drink hole so that vapor within the liquid container may be vented to the atmosphere before the drink hole is opened. As the lid lever is rotated a first direction, beginning from a closed position, the lid lever rotates a small amount independently of the seal arm assembly to open a vent hole before contacting the seal arm assembly to open a drink hole. As the lid lever is rotated in a second direction, from an open position, the lid lever and the seal arm assembly rotate in unison until the drink hole is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: IGNITE USA, LLC
    Inventor: Daniel M. Wodka
  • Patent number: 9656033
    Abstract: A handheld hydrosol delivery device includes a canister which is at least partially filled with a liquid formulation of one or more liquids and optional particles, and one or more propellants where at least one of the liquids, propellants, particles and combinations thereof is a flavor; a pressure valve which expels at least a portion of the liquid formulation and at least a portion of the propellant from the canister while dispersing the propellant into the liquid formulation forming a consumable flavored hydrosol comprising one or more gases dispersed within the liquid formulation, through a nozzle delivering the hydrosol to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Firooz Rasouli, Wei-Jun Zhang, Jon Regrut, James Pflueger
  • Patent number: 9592928
    Abstract: The reclosing mechanism for containers, particularly beverage containers, has the latch (3) fitted slidingly in the opening (5). Formed on the top side of the latch (3) there is an attachment (14) shorter than the opening (5) and narrower than the latch (3), where the attachment (14) is fitted with a pull tab (4) longer than the attachment (14) and fixed to the attachment (14) with a hinge (6) and a connector (7) which serves as the seal before the first opening. Formed on the opposite longitudinal sides of the attachment (14) there are catches (8) fitted slidingly on the guides (13) formed on the longer side walls of the opening (5). On the top surface of the element in which the opening (5) is made there are protrusions (10) formed on the side of the pull tab (4) front, on which the pull tab (4) rests and blocks the sliding of the latch (3) in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: REEND SP. Z O.O.
    Inventor: Mieczyslaw Strzelczyk
  • Patent number: 8573431
    Abstract: A beverage container closure that is adapted for closing an open end of a beverage container. The lid is selectively couplable to the beverage container and includes a selectively openable stopper that when closed, creates a fluid-tight seal between the beverage container and the environment. The stopper may be selectively opened by a user pressing a button disposed on a side of the beverage container closure. The stopper is subsequently automatically closed when the user releases the button. Thus, the user may open and close the beverage container closure using a single hand without the need to remove the beverage container closure from the beverage container. The beverage container closure includes a venting mechanism configured to vent the beverage container before the stopper is opened when the user depresses the button, thereby allowing pressure in the beverage container to equalize before the stopper is opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Pacific Market International, LLC
    Inventors: Seth Shepard, Joseph Daniel Tomascheski
  • Patent number: 8464895
    Abstract: A drinking vessel and lid assembly that is adapted for selectively opening an open end of the drinking vessel. The lid is selectively couplable to the drinking vessel and includes a selectively openable stopper that when closed, creates a fluid-tight seal between the drinking vessel and the environment. The stopper may be selectively opened by a user by the user pressing a button disposed on a side of the drinking vessel at a location where a user normally grasps the drinking vessel. The stopper is subsequently automatically closed when the user releases the button. Thus, a user may open and close the stopper using a single hand operation without the need to remove the lid from the drinking vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Pacific Market International, LLC
    Inventors: Tyler Sean Gilbert, Randy Sims
  • Patent number: 8336723
    Abstract: A stopper which engages a neck of a container. The stopper includes a circular bottom section and a head section which rises above the container and encompasses a slide. The rim of the head section has a maximum diameter that does not exceed the external diameter of the opening of the container. The slide can be pushed against the force of a spring device in one direction and, when released, returns to its retracted initial position as a result of the spring force. Opposing sides of the slide each end in circumferential sections. A first one of the circumferential sections forming an outer surface for receiving a first applied force for advancing the slide and causing the second one of the circumferential sections to protrude from the stopper. The second one of the circumferential sections receiving a second different applied force to remove the stopper from the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Gaplast GmbH
    Inventors: Roland Kneer, Frank Janssen
  • Patent number: 8235234
    Abstract: The stopper (2) engages with a ring-shaped neck in a press fit in a container (1) and has a circular bottom section which seals the container opening, and a head section which rises above the container and encompasses a slide (3) that extends through the center of the head section, the rim of the head section having a maximum diameter that does not exceed the external diameter of the container opening. The stopper is characterized in that the slide can be pushed against the force of a spring device in one direction over the rim of the container and, when released, returns to its retracted initial position as a result of the spring resistance. The stopper cannot be removed from the container by small children and is therefore considered childproof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Gaplast GmbH
    Inventors: Roland Kneer, Frank Janssen
  • Patent number: 8127958
    Abstract: The present invention provides a fitting for a beverage container capable of completely preventing foreign matter, dirty water and so on from entering by eliminating a gap between a ferrule and an attachment member, and enabling a reduction in maintenance operations. The fitting for a beverage container comprises a ferrule of a beverage container in which a valve seat portion and an attachment portion are provided integrally, a down tube supported by the attachment portion, a gas valve fitted onto an upper end portion of the down tube, and a beverage valve provided in the interior of the upper end portion of the down tube. The gas valve is constituted by a metallic core metal 31a and a valve member having increased flexibility, and a plan outer peripheral shape of the core metal comprises a constant diameter portion 311 having a constant diameter and a small diameter portion 312a having a smaller diameter than the constant diameter portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Fuji Techno Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuo Furuichi, Hiroshi Furuichi, Motohiro Inagaki
  • Patent number: 7374054
    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 analyzed, typically by means of an autosampler connected to an analytical instrument such as a mass spectrometer. Mass spectrometric methods of determining the isotopic concentration 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: December 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Micromass UK Limited
    Inventor: Timothy Graham Brockwell
  • Publication number: 20080041809
    Abstract: A closure device for use at the opening of a drinking vessel, comprises a body for connection to the drinking vessel at the opening, and a valve comprising a valve member supported by the body for movement relative to the body, between an inner open position allowing flow of liquid from inside to outside of the drinking vessel through the opening and an outer closed position sealing the opening. A spring resiliently biases the valve member towards the closed position. The valve member has an internal passage through which liquid from inside the drinking vessel may flow out of the drinking vessel when the valve member is in the open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2006
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Inventor: Tat Kit Shek
  • 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: 6550416
    Abstract: This invention relates to a pneumatic valve device, such as a pneumatic horn and a pneumatic sprayer, which is operable by pressurized gas from a storage vessel. It comprises a valve pneumatically connectable to the storage vessel to admit and release pressurized gas into and from the storage vessel; a connecting chamber for pneumatically connecting the valve to the pneumatically operable device to conduct pressurized gas released through the valve to the pneumatically operable device; and a manually operable control operable to release pressurized gas from the valve into the connecting chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Inventor: Duncan Newman
  • Publication number: 20020108923
    Abstract: A molded polymeric container that is shaped to be easier to mold, have improved rigidity under pressure and improved strength includes a substantially cylindrical body portion having a longitudinal axis and a circumferential sidewall, and a bottom portion. The bottom portion includes a central pushup area that is substantially symmetrical about the longitudinal axis and that is substantially flat. The pushup area preferably has a radius that is within the range of 0.100 inches to 0.500 inches. The bottom portion further includes a plurality of support feet surrounding and protruding downwardly from the pushup area, each of which has a bottom support surface and a pair of sidewalls that help define a valley between the support feet. The sidewalls have a substantially straight portion that defines an angle with respect to a line that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and this angle is at least 25 degrees.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2002
    Publication date: August 15, 2002
    Inventor: Peter Q. Zhang
  • 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
  • Patent number: 6213351
    Abstract: A push body valve closure to dispense product retained in a container. The closure includes a base affixed to the mouth of the container and a cap cooperatively engaged upon the base and movable between a first closed position and a second opened position with respect to the base. The base is formed with a product dispensing channel having a wall with a generally conical-shaped cross-sectional configuration and the cap has a depending spring-action circumferential flange formed on the interior surface thereof for cooperative engagement with the conical-shaped wall. The cap is normally disposed in its closed position but is movable to the open position upon application of a force thereon to move the cap with the spring-action circumferential flange engaged against the conical-shaped wall. Upon removal of the force applied to the cap, the cap returns to its closed position by the force of the spring-action flange against the conical-shaped wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Courtesy Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas C. Stoneberg, Gary Berge
  • Patent number: 5850908
    Abstract: A closure cap valve apparatus for mounting on the top of a beverage container. A piston valve within the cap is biased towards closure to prevent spillage. Additionally, pressure increase within the container is directed to increase sealing force of seals positioned on the piston and thus prevents the release of pressure from the container, allowing the closure to be used for carbonated beverages. The piston is displaced from the closed position, even when the container internal pressure is increased, by the user sucking on a mouth piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1998
    Inventor: Sidney Joseph Jasek
  • Patent number: 5772067
    Abstract: A cap system for use with a beverage container that has automatic opening and closing capability is provided. A buoyant sliding cover is maintained partially within a casing or housing device in the cap and partially within the container itself. When the container is tilted to a drinking position, buoyancy forces act on the cover and force it to slide, thereby exposing an opening in the cap and allowing for the consumption of the liquid. When the container is returned to an upright, non-drinking position, a spring mechanism, built into the casing and attached to the sliding cover, acts to force the cover to a closed position, thereby covering the opening in the cap and preserving the integrity of the liquid inside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Inventor: Herbert Morewitz, II
  • Patent number: 5758700
    Abstract: In an interlocking device between a cap for a beverage container and a carbonation device for introducing carbon dioxide gas into said beverage container in a locked position, wherein said carbonation device includes projecting structure, and said cap includes rotatable capturing structure for capturing said projecting structure so as to lock said cap to said carbonation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Inventor: Richard D. Vanderploeg
  • Patent number: 5676186
    Abstract: In a cap for sealing the end of a beverage container to be carbonated by the release of pressurized gas from a nozzle having a valve, said cap including: a thread to secure said cap to said beverage container; a cavity for sealingly receiving said nozzle and engaging said valve to release said carbonated gas; a cap passage for communication of said carbonated gas from said valve to said end of said beverage container; a cap valve moveable between a closed position to close said end of said beverage container, and an open position so as to carbonate said beverage when said cavity engages said valve to release said carbonated gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1997
    Inventor: Richard D. Vanderploeg
  • Patent number: 5660295
    Abstract: New covers for access openings or hatches, for example, gauge hatches, are preferably opened and closed on a "hands-free" basis, so that a human operator can carry gauging/sampling or other equipment in his/her hands and still gain access to the container to be monitored. In one embodiment, the hatch cover comprises a housing including a wall surface defining an opening, a first pivot element and a spaced apart second pivot element; a cover member coupled to the first pivot element and adapted to be pivotably movable about the first pivot element relative to the housing, the cover member being sized and adapted to cover the opening when placed in a closed position and to not cover the opening when placed in an opened position; a pin secured to the cover member; and a movable latch element coupled to the second pivot element and adapted to be pivotably movable about the second pivot element relative to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1997
    Assignee: GPE Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: George Hroma, Guy H. Johnson, Gerald S. Sieja
  • Patent number: 5452819
    Abstract: A fuel fill cap for use in cooperation with a fuel tank of a fuel utensil to direct pressurized air within the fuel tank, wherein the cap includes a valve member mounted within the cap to permit pressurizing of the fuel tank through the cap. A modification of the invention includes a pressure gauge structure in association with the cap, as well as the pressure gauge and a pressure gauge audible whistle to indicate excess pressurization of the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1995
    Inventor: Michael L. Vance
  • Patent number: 5413230
    Abstract: A refillable compressed gas capsule, in particular, for household uses and for compressed-gas hand-operated devices, includes a valve body pretensioned by a spring and slidably held against a valve seat by the inner pressure of the compressed-gas capsule and against the pretension towards the interior of the capsule, which body is held in a holding means inserted into an opening provided in the face side of the capsule limiting the opening path of said valve body and comprising at least one opening leading into the interior of the capsule. In order to produce such a compressed-gas capsule in a very simple manner, it is provided that the holding means and the valve seat are held at least indirectly by an inwardly directed flanged edge of the capsule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1995
    Assignee: ISI Metallwarenfabrik Ges. m.b.H.
    Inventors: Christian Folter, Franz Grobl
  • Patent number: 5397024
    Abstract: A container includes a top-open container body having a tapered top-flange around the top opening thereof, and a top cover having a tapered bottom flange fitted around the top flange of the container body, wherein the top cover has a stepped air hole and a push-button plug assembly mounted within the stepped air hole and pressed to control the passage; the top cover has a recessed retaining portion moved to engage with a raised retaining portion on the container body for letting air pass through air guide grooves on the top cover and container body into the inside space of the container body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1995
    Inventors: Ching-Lieh Wu, Jui-Te Wang
  • 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: 5202093
    Abstract: A cap for a container having a slit seal and semi-cylindrical spring seal closure members that abut the inner container wall and contact the slit seal at two points spaced from the center of the slit seal. The spring members permit the flexure of the seal into the space defined by the spring when an instrument penetrates the seal. In further embodiments, the cap has a secondary closure and can maintain vacuum in a container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1993
    Assignee: Medical Robotics, Inc.
    Inventor: Willliam C. Cloyd
  • Patent number: 5184740
    Abstract: A container cap includes a cylindrical cap portion to secure to an upper distal end of an externally threaded beverage container and the like. The cap structure includes a top wall orthogonally oriented relative to an axis of the cap, and is further formed with a central boss coaxially aligned and diametrically positioned relative to the top wall to include first and second ring members that are diametrically aligned with the top wall and relative to one another to permit manual insertion of an individual's fingers to assist in the removal and application of the cap structure to the beverage container. A modification of the invention includes a vent member arranged to permit ease of ascertaining freshness of a fluid within the beverage container by permitting depressing of an associated valve structure directed through the central boss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1993
    Inventors: Gerald W. Mandrell, II, Eddie J. Humphres, Floyd W. Flanigan, Bradley W. Pittman
  • Patent number: 5154112
    Abstract: A device for aerating liquids in containers is described, which may particularly be useful for the aeration of wines before consumption. The device comprises a base element to rest on the container, a tube attached to the base element and depending into the container, and means defining a variable volume above the base element and communicating with the tube. The device operates by manual expansion of the variable volume means, which preferably comprises a cylinder, the base element comprising a corresponding piston, followed by gradual reduction of the volume to force air through the tube and into the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1992
    Inventor: Laurence P. Wettern
  • Patent number: 4961449
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cap for a hydraulic fluid reservoir for a brake circuit of a vehicle. According to the invention, it has a filling aperture (24) intended to be closed by a valve member (38) through the action of a spring (36) mounted in the cap (10) in order to allow the reservoir to be filled on the assembly line without removing the cap. The valve member (38) is axially movable against the spring (36) which returns it in a closed position. The valve member (38) preferably has a seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Assignee: Bendix France
    Inventors: Chantal Demeautis, Pascal Picot
  • Patent number: 4960218
    Abstract: A plug body having an inner cylindrical member with short engagement receivers and long engagement receivers together with steps, an operating button with short engaging elements and long engaging elements that are respectively received by the short engagement receivers and long engagement receivers, a rotatable slider provided with protrusions, a valve body with a valve stem which is inserted into the rotatable slider and the inner cylindrical member, a spring that preloads the rotatable slider upwards so that the long and short engaging elements of the operating button alternatively make contact with the protrusions, causing the rotatable slider to rotate with a depression of the operating button. The liquid passage is opened when the long engaging elements of the operating button make contact with the protrusions of the rotatable slider. In this case, the operating button protrudes upward above the upper lid of the liquid container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 2, 1990
    Assignee: Nippon Sanso Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shouji Toida, Kazunori Iwasaki, Toru Goto, Shigeru Tsuchiya
  • Patent number: 4944425
    Abstract: A fuel cap where a valve body held to a valve support plate for performing pressure adjustment is arranged in a cap body installed to a filler neck of a fuel tank, and the part number can be decreased. The valve body has an outer circumferential lip element which is projected from an outer circumferential edge and pressed against an annular projection projecting inward in a fluid flow path of the cap body, and an inner circumferential lip element which is projected from an inner circumferential edge in reverse direction to the outer circumferential lip element. The valve support plate supports the valve body from rear side of the outer circumferential lip element, and has a seal member against which the inner circumferential lip element is pressed from the support position to inner circumferential side. Biasing means for pressing the outer circumferential lip element of the valve body is connected to the valve support plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1990
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Joji Kasugai, Satoshi Toki, Norikazu Hosokawa
  • Patent number: 4933529
    Abstract: Microwave digestion vessel of Teflon PFA material including a Teflon PFA vessel with a threaded cap and a threaded adjustable nut with a diaphragm. A valve assembly is formed by a U-shaped hole in the cap, a plunger extending downwardly from the adjustable nut into the U-shaped hole, and the diaphragm extending downwardly into a recess in the adjustable nut. Pressure in the digestion vessel forces the plunger up against the diaphragm to move the plunger upwardly, subsequently releasing pressure through an exhaust hole in the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 12, 1990
    Assignee: Savillex Corporation
    Inventor: Russell H. Saville
  • Patent number: 4785978
    Abstract: A closure for containers comprises an automatic opening-closing mechanism and an outside closure member having a pour opening. The automatic opening-closing mechanism includes a plug member having a centrally formed air introduction hole and a plurality of liquid discharge ports formed around the air introduction hole, a first valve member for opening and closing the liquid discharge ports and a second valve member for opening and closing the air introduction hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1988
    Assignee: Japan Crown Cork Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuji Kano, Tsurusaburo Okamura, Seiji Fukushi, Fumio Kinoshita
  • Patent number: 4756974
    Abstract: A stopper device for use on a pharmaceutical closure, comprising an elastomeric stopper sized to function as a closure; and a polyurethane coating on the stopper. The coating has a modulus sufficient to decrease the coefficient of friction of the stopper to less than 0.6.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1988
    Assignee: The West Company Incorporated
    Inventor: Val G. Romberg
  • Patent number: 4736083
    Abstract: Microwave digestion vessel of Teflon PFA material including a Teflon PFA vessel with a threaded top and a Teflon PFA cap with internal threads for engaging the vessel threads. A valve assembly extends upwardly from a center portion of the cap and includes a valve seat, a valve ball internal thereto, a Teflon spring uniquely configured and a valve cap holding the spring and ball into the ball seat of the valve seat. An exhaust hole is provided out one side of the valve cap. The vessel includes a flange for encompassing a lower portion of the cap for pressure expansion protection. A ring with an adjoining flange is also provided for the cap to provide for pressure expansion protection. An alternative embodiment is illustrated with a side venting orifice with filtering, a dialed in spring pressure, and a spring cavity with an integral valving surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1988
    Assignee: Savillex Corporation
    Inventor: Russell H. Saville
  • Patent number: 4613738
    Abstract: Microwave digestion vessel of Teflon PFA material including a Teflon PFA vessel with a threaded top and a Teflon PFA cap with internal threads for engaging the vessel threads. A valve assembly extends upwardly from a center portion of the cap and includes a valve seat, a valve ball internal thereto, a Teflon spring uniquely configured and a valve cap holding the spring and ball into the ball seat of the valve seat. An exhaust hole is provided out one side of the valve cap. The vessel includes a flange for encompassing a lower portion of the cap for pressure expansion protection. A ring with an adjoining flange is also provided for the cap to provide for pressure expansion protection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1986
    Assignee: Savillex
    Inventor: Russell H. Saville
  • Patent number: 4558795
    Abstract: A bottle stopper has a head and stem having therethrough a continuous passage wherein is located a valve comprising a restriction in the head of passage and affording at the stem-remote side thereof a seat for a resiliently-loaded stop.The valve is resiliently urged into a closed position but yieldable to open when pressure in the bottle to which it is fitted exceeds the resilient pressure. The head and stem are engageable, respectively, over the mouth and against the internal surface of the neck of a bottle when fitted to a bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1985
    Inventor: Adrian R. J. Logue
  • Patent number: 4525979
    Abstract: An automatic bottle sealing mechanism is provided for use with an automatic liquid sampling apparatus of the type having a plurality of sample receiving bottles and a movable sample distributing spout for sequentially filling the bottles with liquid samples. The bottle sealing mechanism includes a cap body adapted to be fitted over the mouth of a sample bottle in place of the usual screw cap or other type of closure. The cap body includes an open throat for allowing liquids to be poured into the sample bottle, a movable closure member for opening and closing the cap body throat, and a spring loaded latch mechanism for automatically moving the closure member to a closed position in response to the movement of the sample distributing spout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1985
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency
    Inventors: Philip C. Lin, James S. Ho
  • Patent number: 4490597
    Abstract: A pressure compensating container having a cavity and including an open end. A closure lid is provided for sealing the open end of the container. A pressure regulating device is operatively connected to the container for regulating the pressure within the cavity. The base portion and the lid portion are constructed of a microwave permeable material. A safety pressure relief valve is provided having a manually operated pressure relief button for relieving the pressure within said cavity of said pressure compensating container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 25, 1984
    Inventor: Clare L. Mengel
  • Patent number: 4136799
    Abstract: A decanter for hot or cold liquids, comprising a cylindrical receptacle having an open top and a cover detachably mounted on the receptacle at its open top. The cover consists of an upper annulus and a skirt of larger diameter than the annulus and connected thereto by a shoulder. Portions of the skirt and the annulus are spaced apart to provide a groove which receives the upper edge portion of the receptacle with a sealing fit. A top wall is integral with the annulus and is tilted with respect to a plane normal to the axis of the receptacle. This top wall is formed with a drinking opening adjacent its periphery and a relief vent diametrically opposed to the drinking opening and also adjacent to the periphery of the top wall. Depending from the inner face of the top wall and between the drinking opening and vent are a pair of spaced posts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1977
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1979
    Assignee: Inventor's Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Albert
  • Patent number: 3963185
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for winding fiber glass roving, tape rope, and/or the like, on a mandrel. The apparatus includes a turntable rotatable in either direction about a vertical axis and carrying means for winding the reinforcing material on the mandrel in response to rotation of the turntable, the mandrel being located on the turntable axis. The machine also includes means for shifting the axis of a shaft carrying the mandrel angularly relative to a vertical position wherein the mandrel shaft axis coincides with the turntable axis. The apparatus further includes means for rotating the mandrel shaft about its axis in either direction, when the mandrel shaft is in its vertical position, to assist the rotation of the turntable in winding the reinforcing material about the mandrel. With this construction, the reinforcing material may be wound on the mandrel in a variety of patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1974
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1976
    Assignee: Hills-McCanna Company
    Inventor: Robert W. Quirk