Flexible Partition Provides A Variable Volume Patents (Class 220/530)
  • Patent number: 11634274
    Abstract: A bulk fluid storage container has a top wall structure and a bottom wall structure held in spaced relation by a side wall structure. An internal baffle assembly is disposed in the fluid storage volume between the side wall structure for reducing fluid sloshing. A fill port formed in the top wall structure has a fill flange for coupling with a source of the fluid. A vent port formed in the top wall structure has a pressure vacuum value. A drain port formed in the side wall structure in a lower region adjacent the gutter region has a drain valve assembly is coupled to the drain port. A frame assembly includes an upper rectangular frame member and a lower rectangular frame member arranged in spaced relation by a plurality of post; wherein the frame assembly surrounds and supports the fluid storage vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: SANDBOX ENTERPRISES, LLC
    Inventors: Justin M. Shepherd, Daniel Miers
  • Patent number: 11198545
    Abstract: A system for packaging two liquid components, including a first container for receiving a first component and a lid, by means of which the first container can be closed. The system further includes a second container for receiving a second component, wherein the second container is arranged on the lid such that the second container lies in a volume of the first container when the first container is closed by the lid. The second container additionally has a specified opening which allows the second component to be transferred to the first container in an open state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: SIKA TECHNOLOGY AG
    Inventor: Dana Maiwald
  • Patent number: 11046487
    Abstract: A container has a base and a lid defining a first compartment therebetween for storing unused consumable product portions, wherein at least the lid or the base includes a separating element which is stretchable to enable a user to form or enlarge a second compartment for storing used consumable product portions on the other side of the separating element to the first compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Fiedler & Lundgren AB
    Inventors: Jacob Elander Hinnerud, Adam Berggren
  • Patent number: 10766558
    Abstract: In a fuel tank in which an upper joint flange of an upper tank half body and a lower joint flange of a lower tank half body are sandwiched between and seam welded by a pair of roller electrodes, the lower tank half body includes a lower tank main body portion and expansion tank portions shallower than the lower tank main body portion and disposed on opposite sides of the lower tank main body portion. A side wall of at least one of the upper and lower tank half bodies is provided with roller escape recesses recessed inwardly, the roller escape recesses being formed at a position corresponding to a connection portion of a main body corresponding joint portion and expansion tank corresponding joint portions in a joint portion formed by seam welding, and avoiding a contact with at least one of the pair of roller electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kohei Hirano, Kota Murasawa, Ryuji Masuda, Motoaki Takashima
  • Patent number: 10704696
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system for transporting fluid, including a first vessel and a second vessel, the system including: a split volume tank comprising a first volume and a second volume, wherein when one of the volumes expands the other volume collapses; and a four way valve fluidly connecting the first and second volumes and first vessel and the second vessel, the four way valve comprising a plurality of passages including a first passage and a second passage, the four way valve being controllable between a plurality of orientations including: a first orientation in which the first passage fluidly connects the first volume and the first vessel and the second passage fluidly connects the second volume and the second vessel; a second orientation in which the first passage fluidly connects the first volume and the second vessel and the second passage fluidly connects the second volume and the first vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Cory Kaufman, Samuel Anderson, Gary Robert Spexarth, Cassandra Allen
  • Patent number: 10464724
    Abstract: A container comprising a base and a lid defining a first compartment therebetween for storing unused snus, wherein at least the lid or the base includes a separating element which is stretchable to enable a user to form or enlarge a second compartment for storing used snus on the other side of said separating element to the first compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Fiedler & Lundgren AB
    Inventors: Jacob Elander Hinnerud, Adam Berggren
  • Patent number: 9988207
    Abstract: The invention relates to a transport bag comprising a base, a top portion, and side walls extending between said base and top portion in such a way that a volume for storing granule, fluid, viscous, or semi-fluid materials is formed, wherein the transport bag comprises at least one narrowed portion extending through a middle axis of said side wall from a upper edge to a bottom edge of the side wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignees: PÖRNER INGENIEURGESELLSCHAFT MBH, LIKUA ENDÜSTRIYEL AMBALAJ MALZEMELERI SAN VE TIC L
    Inventors: Andreas Pörner, Yusuf Kohen
  • Patent number: 9555960
    Abstract: A transport tank for mounting to a truck has a composite tank body, an outer boss mounted to an outer side of the tank body, an inner boss mounted to an inner side f the tank body, and a flange disposed such that at least a portion of the inner boss is disposed between and abuts the inner side of the tank body and the flange. The tank body, the inner boss, the outer boss and the flange each have an aperture defined therein. The flange is fastened such that the outer boss, the tank body, and the inner boss are compressed by the flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: FERUS INC.
    Inventors: Brian E. Spencer, Zachary B. Spencer, Travis Balaski
  • Patent number: 9533826
    Abstract: The present invention relates to essential details of the design of an inflatable element (5), which can neither be moved nor deformed by the liquid (3), to its functional operation, and to the resulting predictable and repeatable ability to eliminate turbulent behavior and to influence the behavior of a liquid in a holder (2) or tank suitable for the storage or transport of liquids, in which the element at any liquid level and at any volume of liquid at least completely covers the horizontal liquid surface and in which the element can change both in size and in shape if required necessary by the geometry, the shape or the dimensions of the liquid holder or tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: ACCEDE B.V.
    Inventor: Erik Jeroen Eenkhoorn
  • Patent number: 9534833
    Abstract: Provided is a basket for a refrigerator. The basket for a refrigerator, which defines a receiving space for a food includes a partition member disposed in the basket to partition an inner space of the basket, a pair of guide slots respectively defined in both side surfaces of the basket and opened along a moving direction of the partition member, the pair of guide slots guiding movement of the partition member, and a guide member disposed outside the basket, the guide member being coupled to the partition member through the guide slots. The partition member partitioning the inside of the basket may smoothly move to improve manipulation feeling and convenience in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Daejin Choi, Bonggun Jung, Tackwon Han
  • Patent number: 9511900
    Abstract: The invention describes a negative-pressure tank having a partition, the partition including at least two walls, and the negative-pressure tank including at least two chambers, and a free space being present in the partition in which an ambient pressure prevails. The invention further describes a sorption machine having a negative-pressure tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: INVENSOR GMBH
    Inventors: Andrej Laufer, Jan Sonnenberg, Soeren Paulussen, Niels Braunschweig
  • Patent number: 9146137
    Abstract: A fluid tank has a housing that has an upper end wall, a side wall, and a lower end wall that together define a cavity. A flexible diaphragm is connected to the side wall within the cavity and separates the cavity into an upper portion, which is sealed to contain a pressurized gas, and a lower portion, which is sealed to contain a pressurized fluid. An indicator is positioned in the upper wall of the housing and has an indicator arm and a visual indicator. The indicator arm is not visible and the visual indicator is visible with the indicator in a first position and the indicator arm is visible and the visual indicator is not visible with the indicator in a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: AMTROL Licensing Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher A. Van Haaren
  • Patent number: 9057300
    Abstract: The invention relates to a reducing agent metering system for injection of a reducing agent into the exhaust gas flow of an internal combustion engine for selective catalytic reduction, with a delivery pump (2) by means of which the reducing agent is delivered from a reducing agent tank (1) via a delivery line (3) and is introduced into the exhaust gas flow of the internal combustion engine via at least one nozzle (7), a metering chamber (4) being integrated into the delivery line (3) and being divided into two separate volumes (10, 20) by means of a position-variable element (5), each of the two volumes (10, 20) having at least one input (11, 21) and at least one output (12, 22). Furthermore the invention relates to a method for operating such a reducing agent metering system for injection of a reducing agent into the exhaust gas flow of an internal combustion engine for selective catalytic reduction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: Albonair GmbH
    Inventor: Sascha Dolenec
  • Patent number: 9016507
    Abstract: A container for holding product therein during shipment and being returned for reuse has a body, track assemblies attached to opposite sides of the body, and a plurality of support assemblies extending between the track assemblies. Outer members of the support assemblies have notches which enable the support assemblies to slide along the track assemblies to move parts supported by dunnage suspended by the support assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Bradford Company
    Inventors: Judson A. Bradford, Allen L. Burns
  • Patent number: 8944276
    Abstract: A dumpster having a moveable false floor which moves from a bottom of the dumpster toward a top opening when the dumpster is tilted to a substantially inverted orientation during collection of trash. The moveable false floor has freedom to move a predetermined length toward the top opening, where upon reaching the predetermined length a restraining device abruptly stops the floor causing the dumpster to shake dislodging adhered trash. Upon being returned to an upright orientation the moveable false floor moves back to the bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Inventor: Tony Garagiola
  • Patent number: 8936171
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for partitioning food containers, such as cereal bowls. Some embodiments may include a system with a food container, which may be a cereal bowl. The system may also include a flexible membrane having a top surface and a bottom surface. The membrane may partition the food container into a lower portion and an upper portion. The lower portion may be for holding liquid content. The upper bowl portion may be adapted for holding edible solid content. The membrane may have multiple passageways extending from the membrane bottom surface through the membrane top surface. The multiple passageways may be normally closed and then expand to an open configuration allowing fluid transmission from below the membrane to above the membrane when the membrane is flexed in a first direction normal to a resting plane parallel to the top surface and the bottom surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Inventor: Oded Light
  • Publication number: 20150014340
    Abstract: At least one balloon or bladder is disposed inside a liquid container to take up space as liquid is removed from the container. The balloon(s) can be connected to a gas injection system to inject gas into the balloon(s) to keep the liquid fill level in the container to a filled level. This results in little or no sloshing of the liquid inside the container. The balloon(s) can be secured in place by one or more positioning boxes disposed along the container's inside periphery. One or more strings can interconnect the balloon(s) to the positioning boxes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventor: Erick Dalee Smith
  • Patent number: 8926306
    Abstract: A food product press having a mold base, a press assembly having a plurality of press bodies, and blade spaces between the press bodies, a plurality of blades slidable within the blade spaces, and a blade operating mechanism for moving the blades relative to the press bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Inventor: Peter Harrison
  • Patent number: 8800802
    Abstract: A stackable container and cup, having one or more selectable attached divider or dividers, the divider or dividers allowing the container to hold a single substance, or multiple distinct substances, such as ice cream, without the unwanted mixing of the substances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Inventor: Scott Martin
  • Publication number: 20140103130
    Abstract: An expansion tank is fastened to a support using a bracket with a U-shaped cross-section formed by a back and two sidewalls. The edges of the sidewalls each have a notch mating with a weld bead on the tank. Fasteners hold the back of the bracket to the support. First and second hose clamps pass through the sidewalls by the back to encircle the tank and clamp it to the edges of the sidewall when the hose clamps are tightened.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: SECURUS, INC.
    Inventors: Larry Brown, Virgil O'Neil
  • Patent number: 8621682
    Abstract: The invention concerns a system for dispensing and recovering liquids designed to be arranged in a rigid container, comprising a liquid dispensing tank (16) and a tank (17) for recovering liquid after use, each tank (16, 17) including an envelope (18). Each envelope (18) includes two similar walls (19, 20) comprising each an outer surface and a peripheral edge (23). Each envelope (18) has a retracted configuration wherein said walls (19, 20) are deployed one proximate the other and in an inflated configuration wherein said outer surfaces of each said wall (19, 20) are convex. At least one envelope (18) is capable, in its inflated configuration, to be nested in the other envelope (18) in its retracted configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Inventors: Richard Maximilien, Marc Legrand
  • Publication number: 20130341336
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for partitioning food containers, such as cereal bowls. Some embodiments may include a system with a food container, which may be a cereal bowl. The system may also include a flexible membrane having a top surface and a bottom surface. The membrane may partition the food container into a lower portion and an upper portion. The lower portion may be for holding liquid content. The upper bowl portion may be adapted for holding edible solid content. The membrane may have multiple passageways extending from the membrane bottom surface through the membrane top surface. The multiple passageways may be normally closed and then expand to an open configuration allowing fluid transmission from below the membrane to above the membrane when the membrane is flexed in a first direction normal to a resting plane parallel to the top surface and the bottom surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Inventor: Oded Light
  • Patent number: 8602246
    Abstract: A dual-chamber container with independent or combined access includes two individual chambers made of a breach-able material such as, but not limited to, a paper product. The container can be made from a unitary blank that is foldable to create a substantially triangular body. The triangular body includes a first and a second superimposed triangular chamber, each chamber having a distinct interior space for holding a dispensable substance. A first and a second access fin are positioned at each of a respective first and a second corner of the body, each access fin contiguous with a respective one of the first and the second chamber. The interior space of each chamber is individually accessible by removing a respective one of the access fins, thereby breaching it's respective chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Inventor: Daniel M. Frohwein
  • Patent number: 8574646
    Abstract: A solid food product is molded in a mold cavity and is thereafter packaged in the mold cavity. The mold cavity is formed in a sheet and includes a side wall which extends from the sheet and a bottom wall which includes an inverting portion which extends from said side wall and a central portion. The central potion of the bottom wall includes a plurality of ridges which form a decorative design. A liquid food product is introduced into the mold cavity and allowed to solidify to form a molded solid food product. The central portion of the bottom wall is thereafter pushed into the mold cavity to invert said inverting potion and to push the molded food product away from the central portion of the bottom wall. The molded food product includes ridges which correspond to the ridges in the bottom wall of the mold cavity. A lid is attached to the sheet to enclose and package the molded food product within the mold cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Lion Rock Licensing Corp.
    Inventors: David Smith, David Riemersma, Mark Peters, Kevin Keough
  • Patent number: 8522571
    Abstract: A variable capacity ice storage assembly for a refrigerator freezer compartment includes a removable insert adapted to be positioned within an ice storage bucket to alter the storage capacity of the ice bucket. The insert includes one or more tabs having clips thereon for attaching the insert to one or more side walls of the ice bucket. The tabs are fixed to a main body portion having a first solid deflector extending at a first angle there from and a second solid deflector extending at a second angle. One or more hinges may be utilized to connect parts of the insert, resulting in a reconfigurable insert that can be utilized in multiple positions. When utilized in an auger-type ice dispensing system, the insert is sized such that the main body portion of the insert does not interfere with the function of the auger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Lindsey A. Smith
  • Publication number: 20130180993
    Abstract: An expansion tank for accommodating hot expanded fluid in a heat transfer fluid system has a tank body defining an internal volume. A fluid inlet is provided on the tank body for connection to the heat transfer fluid system. A membrane, such as a diaphragm or a bladder, divides the internal volume into first and second sections. The first section includes a buffer zone between the fluid inlet and the membrane. The buffer zone contains a predetermined volume of tempering fluid for cooling down the incoming hot expanded fluid at its entry in the expansion tank. The buffer zone has an air valve for venting air from the buffer zone while the buffer zone is being filled up with the tempering fluid. The second section on the opposed side of the membrane is maintained under pressure with a gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: 2440644 CANADA INC.
    Inventor: 2440644 CANADA INC.
  • Patent number: 8464890
    Abstract: A storage device is provided for objects in a motor vehicle, that includes, but is not limited to a side wall which laterally defines a receiving space for the objects, as well as an elongate, elastic band element, which is mounted in a hinged manner in the region of its ends facing away from each other in the side wall. The band element can be deformed from a first stable curved position into a second stable, oppositely curved position in which it projects into the receiving space. A band-shaped molding is mounted in the band element, which molding projects from the curved plane of the band element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Ralf Gaudig, Klaus Kuhlmann, Werner Berhard
  • Patent number: 8387817
    Abstract: A container for holding fluids in isolation includes an outer container and two deformable inner containers carried within the internal space of the outer container. The outer container is provided with a view port enabling the user to visually examine the inner containers. The inner containers have respective ports communicating with their interiors. As fluid is withdrawn from the first inner container its volume is reduced so that the second container may receive a like amount of fluid. The second inner container may hold colorants or absorbents. The container may be used with various chemical applications, such as high performance liquid chromatography or fluid injection analysis, wherein supply fluid is withdrawn from the first inner container, used, and returned as waste fluid to the second inner container so that the overall volume of fluids remains relatively constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: SIELC Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Yury Zelechonok
  • Patent number: 8348083
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for partitioning food containers, such as cereal bowls. Some embodiments may include a system with a food container, which may be a cereal bowl. The system may also include a flexible membrane having a top surface and a bottom surface. The membrane may partition the food container into a lower portion and an upper portion. The lower portion may be for holding liquid content. The upper bowl portion may be adapted for holding edible solid content. The membrane may have multiple passageways extending from the membrane bottom surface through the membrane top surface. The multiple passageways may be normally closed and then expand to an open configuration allowing fluid transmission from below the membrane to above the membrane when the membrane is flexed in a first direction normal to a resting plane parallel to the top surface and the bottom surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Inventor: Oded Light
  • Publication number: 20130000735
    Abstract: An accumulator with a bladder or a diaphragm separating a gas chamber from an incompressible liquid chamber, the accumulator having a pressure relief valve to release gas from the gas chamber in case of overpressure; a device for filling and releasing the gas from the gas chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Inventors: Martin J. Blaze, Hemang R. Patel, Neal M. Duval
  • Publication number: 20120329629
    Abstract: A dunnage accumulator includes a first holding portion (502) and a second holding portion (504) configured and associated with the first holding portion to define a dunnage accumulation space therebetween and for receiving and removably retaining dunnage from a dunnage machine (17) in the accumulation space, wherein at least a portion of the second holding portion is flexible such that flexing thereof varies the accumulation space to accommodate a varying amount of dunnage held therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2010
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: PREGIS INNOVATIVE PACKAGING, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas D. Wetsch, Robert Tegel
  • Patent number: 8308020
    Abstract: A containment assembly may be used with a shipping container and may include: a cargo net having a pair of sleeves; and, a pair of tethering members that are received within the sleeves and that have ends that extends out from the sleeves. The ends of the tethering members may be attachable to multiple attachment surfaces on the shipping container to change the orientation of the cargo net with respect to the shipping container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Graham Davis, Frederick A. Moyer, Thomas A. Petrilli, Steven A. Wilson, Thomas O'Malley
  • Publication number: 20120267378
    Abstract: A stackable, self-standing, liquid-tight, disposable drinking cup to keep ice separated from a beverage in the cup to permit cooling without resultant dilution. A collapsible plastic film liner is secured to certain inner cup surfaces to provide a flexible wall for dividing the interior into two separate areas. The liner forms a pocket with an expandable top edge which may be pulled away from the cup body to hold ice. The pocket may be made of one film layer with the edges of the pocket attached to the cup body. Alternatively, the pocket may be made of two layers joined by a heat sealed seam with the film layer next to the cup body attached to the cup wall at least along a portion of the top edge. The container body may be manufactured from conventional materials. Conventional cup dispensers, beverage dispensers, cup lids, and straws may be utilized without modification of design.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Inventors: Barrett Hays, Greta Hays
  • Publication number: 20120152959
    Abstract: A hydro-pneumatic pressure vessel includes a container unit, a connector unit and a protecting unit. The container unit includes an elastic diaphragm dividing an inner space of the container unit into a water chamber and an air chamber. The connector unit includes a water fitting connected to the container unit and formed with a water port. The protecting unit includes a protecting member and a resilient connecting member interconnecting the water fitting and the protecting member. The protecting member is movable from an open position to a blocked position for blocking the water port so as to prevent the diaphragm from being squeezed by an air pressure of the air chamber into the water port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Inventor: Han-Chin LAI
  • Patent number: 8104594
    Abstract: A case, a system and/or a method for storing and/or for transporting articles are provided. The case, the system and/or the method operate to store and/or to transport articles, such as, for example, office-related articles and personal articles. A first compartment forms a first volume that may be protected by walls of the case. Further, a second compartment forms a second volume. The second compartment extends into the first volume of the first compartment. The second compartment receives and/or stores the articles towards the interior of the first compartment. The second compartment has a divider for maintaining a position of the articles in the second compartment and restricts movement of the articles outward with respect to the interior of the first compartment. The second compartment is opened to form a tray for accessing one or more of the articles without opening the first compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Kingport Industries, LLC
    Inventor: Claudia Chisholm
  • Patent number: 8100282
    Abstract: The present invention provides a container for holding product therein during shipment and being returned for reuse that has a body, tracks attached to opposite sides of the body, and a plurality of support members supported by the tracks. Rollers are located at the ends of the support members which roll in the tracks to move the support members. The support members have product receptacles whereby products may be suspended between adjacent support members, portions of the products residing in the product receptacles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Bradford Company
    Inventors: Calvin D. Nyeboer, Mark J. Feenstra
  • Publication number: 20110309084
    Abstract: A pressure tank includes a metallic vessel, a plastic liner received in the metallic vessel, a flexible diaphragm, two connectors and a nozzle coupled to the nipples respectively. The metallic vessel includes upper and lower shells. The upper shell defines a first planar area on a side thereof and a second planar area on a top thereof. The lower shell defines a third planar area therebottom. The flexible diaphragm divides the metallic vessel into a storage space and a pneumatic room. Each of the connectors includes a nipple and an anti-leak assembly. The nipples of the connectors are mounted on the side and top of the upper shell respectively and are in communication with the storage space. The two anti-leak assemblies provide leakproof connection between the nipples and the plastic liner. Additionally, the nozzle is mounted on the third planar area to be in communication with the pneumatic room.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Inventor: LI-MING WANG
  • Patent number: 8079372
    Abstract: A discreet packing system for containing and compacting finely chopped tobacco product having a shallow cylindrical body and a lid detachably secured thereto. A flexible wall is secured at a fixed end to the interior surface of the body. The flexible inner wall generally coextends the interior surface of the body and thereby defines a cylindrical volume in which the tobacco is contained. The flexible wall may be selectively locked in place relative to the outer wall of the body. In one embodiment of the present invention, a bottom is slidably connected to a cylindrical outer wall of the body. A distal end of the flexible wall is attached to the bottom and is urged via rotation of the bottom relative to the outer wall. Other embodiments are provided wherein the flexible wall extends through the body and is urged via a grip or slider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Inventors: Bartlett Wade Smith, IV, James Albert Norris, III
  • Patent number: 8061548
    Abstract: A segregation disk and method of separately storing items in a collapsible, tubular container uses segregation disks for segregating the collapsible container into multiple chambers of user-selectable size. The segregation disks are generally planar disks having a diameter slightly greater than the interior diameter of the container, and formed of a flexible material that have a plurality of radial slits extending inwardly from their periphery to form a plurality of flexible wedges. At the terminus of each radial slit is a tear break, generally a circular hole. An integral pull tab extends from a peripheral region of one of the flexible wedges to facilitate removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Inventor: John David Peggs
  • Publication number: 20110209465
    Abstract: A liquid additive reservoir including a rigid casing delimiting a housing, and a fluid-tight flexible pouch mounted inside the housing of the casing and intended to contain the liquid additive, the flexible pouch being designed to be connected to the exhaust line of an internal combustion engine of a vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: MGI COUTIER
    Inventors: Marc NOVELLANI, Didier COMTAT
  • Patent number: 8002142
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for a fuel tank system for an air vehicle. The system comprises a container having an interior adapted to hold fuel, the container comprising a first opening placing the interior in fluid communication with the ambient atmosphere, and a volumetrically-adjustable sizing device adapted to change volume in response to changes in surrounding air pressure, the sizing element disposed within the container and adapted to contain a fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Armand Losinski, Matthew Tehan
  • Publication number: 20110132904
    Abstract: A thermal expansion/surge reduction water tank includes a hollow housing with a bladder sealed to an inside of the housing forming two compartments therein. A compressed air inlet in communication with a first of the compartments is provided for expanding the first compartment by focusing the bladder into an abutting relationship with the housing inside.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventor: Larry K. Acker
  • Publication number: 20110000920
    Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for separating and accumulating different matters, the apparatus comprising or being adapted to receive at least a first and a second receptacle, and comprising an opening and a movable element splitting the opening area into a plurality of areas to define a first inlet associated with the first receptacle and a second inlet associated with the second receptacle. The moving element can be moved in one direction to enlarge the first inlet while reducing the second inlet and moved in the opposite direction to enlarge the second inlet while reducing the first inlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2009
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Inventor: Dominique Bazinet
  • Publication number: 20100200597
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for partitioning food containers, such as cereal bowls. Some embodiments may include a system with a food container, which may be a cereal bowl. The system may also include a flexible membrane having a top surface and a bottom surface. The membrane may partition the food container into a lower portion and an upper portion. The lower portion may be for holding liquid content. The upper bowl portion may be adapted for holding edible solid content. The membrane may have multiple passageways extending from the membrane bottom surface through the membrane top surface. The multiple passageways may be normally closed and then expand to an open configuration allowing fluid transmission from below the membrane to above the membrane when the membrane is flexed in a first direction normal to a resting plane parallel to the top surface and the bottom surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2010
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: Pushkapor LLC
    Inventor: Oded Light
  • Patent number: 7762422
    Abstract: A container for holding product therein during shipment and being returned for reuse that has a body, tracks supported by the body, and a plurality of support member assemblies, each having a pair of end members engaged with and moveable along the tracks and a non-linear support member extending between and connected to the end members. The support member assemblies support dunnage for supporting products for storage or shipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Bradford Company
    Inventor: Brian T. Dobrinski
  • Patent number: 7748559
    Abstract: The present invention provides a container for holding product therein during shipment and being returned for reuse that has a body, tracks attached to opposite sides of the body, and a plurality of support member assemblies extending between the tracks for supporting dunnage. End members are located at the ends of supports, the end members being movable in the tracks to move the supports inside the container. The supports are oriented in a sloping, non-horizontal position and movable in such orientations to maximize product density inside the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Bradford Company
    Inventor: Judson A. Bradford
  • Publication number: 20100116830
    Abstract: A soft sided insulated container assembly includes a first portion having an insulated, soft sided external wall structure, and an internal, substantially rigid molded plastic receptacle mounted therein. It has a cover structure that includes a reinforcement member for engaging a land region of the molded receptacle, thereby tending to yield an interface tending to have a sealing relationship. Both the receptacle and the engaging seal member of the lid may be outwardly splayed. The container may also include a thermal storage element, and the container may have an accommodation for receiving the thermal storage element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Inventors: Melvin S. MOGIL, Mark J. GREENSTEIN, Michael RAMUNDI, Andrius S. BIRUTIS
  • Patent number: 7699181
    Abstract: A storage apparatus and method involves a wheel storage assembly having adjustable pockets for storage therein of an article. The wheel storage assembly generally includes a pocket assembly and opposite wheel assemblies. The pocket assembly may include a core, at least two dividers installed in an offset relationship on the core, the dividers being configured to project substantially radially outwardly from the core to form a free end of each divider, and a clip mounted at the free end of each divider. A base assembly may be employed to rotatably support the wheel storage assembly. A hub of each wheel assembly may be formed with an outer, substantially rounded surface and with a tension belt installed on a base connector of the base assembly and looped around the rounded surface to control the rotational speed of the wheel storage assembly as mounted on the base assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Rakku Inc.
    Inventor: Danilo Torro
  • Patent number: 7637154
    Abstract: A cutting board is fitted with a removable cup, preferably adjustable, which is positioned so as to receive cut food particles swept off the board into the cup. A barrier is provided on the board surface to prevent spillage of food which misses the cup. The cup is semi-cylindrical and fits into a recess in the board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: FoxRun USA, LLC
    Inventor: Rodney W. Robbins
  • Publication number: 20090314783
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for a fuel tank system for an air vehicle. The system comprises a container having an interior adapted to hold fuel, the container comprising a first opening placing the interior in fluid communication with the ambient atmosphere, and a volumetrically-adjustable sizing device adapted to change volume in response to changes in surrounding air pressure, the sizing element disposed within the container and adapted to contain a fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2008
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Armand Losinski, Matthew Tehan