Return To Main Supply Patents (Class 222/109)
  • Patent number: 6974054
    Abstract: A fueling environment distributes fuel from a fuel supply to fuel dispensers in a daisy chain arrangement with a double-walled piping system. Fuel leaks that occur within the double-walled piping system are returned to the underground storage tank or a sump proximate the submersible turbine pump by the outer wall of the double-walled piping. This preserves the fuel for later use and helps reduce the risk of environmental contamination. Leak detectors may also be positioned in to fuel dispensers detect leaks and provide alarms for the operator, and help pinpoint leak detection that has occurred in the piping system proximate to a particular fuel dispenser or in between two consecutive fuel dispensers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Gilbarco Inc.
    Inventor: Ray J. Hutchinson
  • Patent number: 6968980
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pour spout fitment that has an enlarged spout opening thereby making it less susceptible to double pouring and advantageous for dispensing new flowable product forms such as gels. The pour spout opening is large relative to the bottle opening which is equated with the fitment's circumscribing wall. Accordingly, the pour spout fitment is less susceptible to double pouring and may also be useful for pouring more viscous product forms such as gels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA, a division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward John Giblin, Philip Andrew Tarrant, Alyson Leigh Garcia, Jaimee Terese Simone
  • Patent number: 6962269
    Abstract: A fueling environment that distributes fuel from a fuel supply to fuel dispensers in a daisy chain arrangement with a double walled piping system. Fuel leaks that occur within the double walled piping system are returned to the underground storage tank by the outer wall of the double walled piping. This preserves the fuel for later use and helps reduce the risk of environmental contamination. Leak detectors may also be positioned in fuel dispensers detect leaks and provide alarms for the operator and help pinpoint leak detection that has occurred in the piping system proximate to a particular fuel dispenser or in between two consecutive fuel dispensers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: Gilbarco Inc.
    Inventor: Ray J. Hutchinson
  • Patent number: 6923341
    Abstract: A snap on, drain back fitment closure for a container, wherein the drain back pour spout fitment has a snap fit structure overlaying a container or bottle neck finish and which may be secured thereto with adhesives. The snap fit structure has an outer annular skirt with internal, radial inwardly facing beads engaging a radial outwardly facing surface of the bottle finish. Spaced from the outer annular skirt by a horizontal upper flange, the spout fitment includes an inner annular skirt with internal threads on the fitment to receive an externally threaded closure. The closure has a plug seal above the threads engaging the upper flange of the fitment. Further the closure has a radial outwardly facing latch engaging a radial inwardly facing interfering projection on the fitment forming a child safety feature for the fitment closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Erie County Plastics Corporation
    Inventor: Robert J. Smith
  • Patent number: 6918511
    Abstract: A dispensing device comprising a container with product outlets, a screw that operates a piston within the container and a torsion spring that biases the screw. The torsion spring includes a hoop having one or more inner tabs. The hoop is frictionally engaged with an interior surface of the container. A boss is fixed to the screw and a flexible arm interconnects the hoop and boss. The torsion spring also includes a spoke that is angularly offset from the flexible arm. Application of a rotational force to the screw urges the piston toward the container outlets, causing the flexible arm to yield, allowing the boss to rotate relative to the hoop until the spoke engages an inner tab. Further rotation releases the hoop from frictional engagement with the container. Once the rotational force is removed, the hoop re-engages the container interior surface and the flexible arm regains its original shape, causing the hub and screw to counter-rotate, which simultaneously moves the piston away from the fluid outlets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Spatz Laboratories
    Inventors: Walter B. Spatz, Monroe A. Cochran, Jeffrey J. Hager
  • Patent number: 6896157
    Abstract: Disclosed is a device for dispensing fluids such as hand soaps. The device provides a recovery bin that captures run off or dripping fluid thus reducing or substantially eliminating waste of the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Inventor: Trevor Ryan Albright
  • Patent number: 6896156
    Abstract: A square paint container having recesses formed therein for facilitating the pouring of paint from the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: The Sherwin-Williams Company
    Inventors: Robert E. McDonald, Paul R. Katterle, John F. Kramer
  • Patent number: 6848484
    Abstract: A measuring cup adapted to serve as a closure for a package for liquids and a package for liquids including a container, a transition collar and a measuring cup adapted to serve as a closure. The measuring cup has a closed base and an open mouth, with an upper wall portion surrounding said open mouth. A side wall portion extends between the closed base and upper wall, wherein the side wall is disposed outwardly of the upper wall to provide an increased volume measuring cup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Plastipak Packaging, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard C. Darr
  • Patent number: 6845885
    Abstract: A pouring spout for liquid containers to allow for a dosed and continuous ventilation of the container interior and thus a regular pouring of the liquid independent of the degree of tilt of the container, includes a ring-shaped upper part and a tubular segment attached to the ring-shaped upper part and having at least one ventilation opening through which the air enters in a dosed manner. Provided in the lower part of the tubular segment is a partition which extends on an inner side of the tubular segment in substantial parallel relationship to the tubular segment and is connected laterally with the tubular segment. The partition wall has an upper part distal bottom wall for connection to the tubular segment to form a so-called air trap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: Mauser-Werke GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Ingolf Morgenroth
  • Patent number: 6843389
    Abstract: A sealing mechanism for a container for sealing an interface between two or more of the structural members, including a container body, a pouring spout, and a closing cap, includes an outer annular edge formed as part of a threaded neck opening for the container body, a radial lip formed as part of the pouring spout and being positioned in contact with the neck portion and the closing cap being configured so as to be attachable to the container body for closing the opening and being constructed and arranged so as to seal against the outer annular edge when attached to the container body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Rieke Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas P. Kasting, Jay E. Witte, Robert D. Rohr
  • Publication number: 20040026450
    Abstract: A container for storing and dispensing fluids includes a container body having an upwardly extending annular neck portion defining a container opening and terminating into an annular rim having a generally flat, upwardly facing sealing surface and an inwardly extending flange. A separate spout member includes an annular wall having an inwardly extending portion defining a pour spout and an outwardly extending lip at one end thereof, wherein the lip includes a downwardly facing sealing surface. The annular wall also includes an outwardly extending shoulder below the lip for engaging the rim flange, wherein the annular wall is configured to be received within the container opening and wherein the annular wall shoulder is capable of being snap-fit over the rim flange to create a seal between said rim sealing surface and said lip sealing surface. The container also includes a removable lid that threadedly engages the container neck.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventors: Robert D. Rohr, Thomas P. Kasting, John E. Hathaway, Dale W. Taylor, Douglas M. McLelland
  • Publication number: 20040011811
    Abstract: A container for storage and dispensing of paint includes a unitary, molded plastic container body defining an interior volume and including an annular neck portion which is externally threaded and which defines the container opening through which the contents are dispensed. Included as part of the paint container is a dispensing spout which is positioned within the annular neck portion and includes a pouring lip, a wiping edge, and a paint brush receptacle with a plurality of drain-back apertures. The dispensing spout includes two threaded portions, one which engages the neck portion and the other which receives a removable closing cap. The cap is constructed and arranged to close the container opening. A transporting handle is provided and is attached directly to the dispensing spout such that the cap, spout, and handle can be provided as a subassembly for threaded engagement onto the container body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Inventors: Douglas M. McLelland, David J. Pritchett, Simon Buckley, Dale W. Taylor, Jay E. Witte
  • Publication number: 20030230592
    Abstract: A fueling environment that distributes fuel from a fuel supply to fuel dispensers in a daisy chain arrangement with a double walled piping system. Fuel leaks that occur within the double walled piping system are returned to the underground storage tank by the outer wall of the double walled piping. This preserves the fuel for later use and helps reduce the risk of environmental contamination. Leak detectors may also be positioned in fuel dispensers detect leaks and provide alarms for the operator and help pinpoint leak detection that has occurred in the piping system proximate to a particular fuel dispenser or in between two consecutive fuel dispensers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2002
    Publication date: December 18, 2003
    Inventor: Ray J. Hutchinson
  • Patent number: 6659310
    Abstract: A product dispensing and drainback fitting, for directing the flow of a liquid product from a container and minimizing the occurrence of double pour, having an outer wall for engagement with the neck of said container; an inner spout centrically positioned within said outer wall, a base extending between said wall and said spout and creating a circumscribing well, a longitudinal slot formed in said inner spout, said longitudinal slot beginning at a point about 30 mm to about 48 mm above said base and extending the remainder of the length of said spout; and drainback hole formed in said base and aligned with said longitudinal slot, said drainback hole having an area of about 10 mm2 to about 20 mm2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: The Dial Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher J. Wolpert
  • Publication number: 20030197023
    Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing fluid comprising a container for retaining fluid to be dispensed; a dispensing means having an inlet, an outlet and a drawing mechanism with a forward drawing mechanism and a reverse drawing mechanism and a control mechanism coupled to the dispensing means. The fluid may be dispensed from the container when the forward drawing mechanism is in operation, and the residual fluid remaining around the outlet would be sucked back into the dispensing means or the container upon the termination of activation which triggers the operation of the reverse drawing mechanism for a pre-determined amount of time or volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2003
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Applicant: GOOD YEAR ELECTRONIC MFG. CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Lo Kwok Chuen
  • Patent number: 6607104
    Abstract: A metered output hot melt adhesive dispensing system comprises a plurality of hot melt adhesive dispensing valve assemblies, and a multiple outlet metering gear pump for supplying hot melt adhesive material to the plurality of valve assemblies. Return ports of the valve assemblies are fluidically connected to the intake side of the multiple outlet metering gear pump through a plurality of return conduits and a common return line. A single output return metering gear pump is disposed within the common return line and has operatively associated therewith a recirculation bypass loop within which a spring-biased one-way check valve is disposed. The system relieves excess pressure buildup within the valve assemblies so as to substantially prevent the occurrence of bursting and stringing phenomena attendant cyclically intermittent OPENED and CLOSED states of the plurality of valve assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Grant McGuffey
  • Patent number: 6565758
    Abstract: A system for dispensing, collecting, and processing wash fluid includes a first movable support frame including a first tank that stores clean wash fluid, a first pump that pressurizes the clean wash fluid and delivers the pressurized wash fluid to a dispenser, a second tank that stores used wash fluid, and at least one of a separator unit and a reverse osmosis unit that process used wash fluid delivered from the second tank. A second movable support frame includes a used washed fluid collection area and a second pump at one end that transfers the collected wash fluid back to the second tank of the first movable support frame through a conduit. The second movable support frame also includes an inclination adjustment mechanism that adjusts the inclination of the second movable support frame so that the collected fluid is supplied to the second pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: The Centech Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Gordon Thomas
  • Publication number: 20030062384
    Abstract: A metered output hot melt adhesive dispensing system comprises a plurality of hot melt adhesive dispensing valve assemblies, and a multiple outlet metering gear pump for supplying hot melt adhesive material to the plurality of valve assemblies. Return ports of the valve assemblies are fluidically connected to the intake side of the multiple outlet metering gear pump through a plurality of return conduits and a common return line. A single output return metering gear pump is disposed within the common return line and has operatively associated therewith a recirculation bypass loop within which a spring-biased one-way check valve is disposed. The system relieves excess pressure buildup within the valve assemblies so as to substantially prevent the occurrence of bursting and stringing phenomena attendant cyclically intermittent OPENED and CLOSED states of the plurality of valve assemblies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2001
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Inventor: Grant McGuffey
  • Patent number: 6499628
    Abstract: An insulating, serving urn assembly(10) with an extra closure assembly(40) releasably mounted within the neck(28) of an urn body(22) for reducing the loss of heat from within the urn during brewing of beverage into the urn assembly(10) by passing the beverage into the urn body through a relatively small drain opening(73) of a brew guide(46) mounted to an extra closure member(42) that closes off the inner opening(26) of the urn. After,brewing is complete but before serving from the urn assembly(10), the beverage is additionally insulated by a lid(36) that fits over the outer opening(24) of the urn assembly(10) and a brew guide closure(76) that is mounted to the underside(36B) of the lid(36). During service a relatively small, extra closure service opening (50) located adjacent to a spout (34) in the extra closure member(42) is opened with movement of a rotatably mounted door(44) to an open position to enable pouring out of the beverage while still covering most of the inner opening(26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Food Equipment Technologies Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Zbigniew G. Lassota
  • Patent number: 6474351
    Abstract: A dispensing device of detergents and/or additives for washing machines is described, of the type having at least a space for containing a liquid, such as a rinse aid, the body of the device including at least a first part and a second part, the parts being made integral with each other by welding, wherein a portion of the body is intended to be inserted through an opening of a wall, a surface of the wall facing on a washing tank while the opposite surface of the wall faces on a space which has to be sealed from the tank. According to the invention, a seal is provided, in order to prevent leakage of the liquid from the welding into the space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Eltek S.p.A.
    Inventors: Daniele Cerruti, Costanzo Gadini, Fabio Nebbia
  • Patent number: 6464106
    Abstract: Improved bottles for dispensing liquid household products such as liquid detergents and fabric softeners. The package is comprised of a multilayer body in which the inner layer includes polyethylene made with a metallocene catalyst. The bottles have improved stress cracks resistance yet may be lighter then traditional bottles. They may be made by blow molding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Lever Brothers Company, Division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward John Giblin, Arnold Brown, Suzanne Benigni, Jeannine Desmond Griffiths, Gregory Alan Lathrop
  • Patent number: 6463952
    Abstract: Liquid transfer apparatus transfers liquid between containers, and includes a liquid storage chamber having an inlet and an outlet; a pump chamber having an inlet and an outlet; a passage connecting the storage chamber outlet to the pump chamber inlet; a suction pump mechanism for sucking air from the storage chamber via the pump chamber inlet; and a valve for selectively opening and closing the inlet of the liquid storage chamber, allowing liquid to flow into the storage chamber upon suction being applied to the storage chamber by a pump and opening of the inlet. A carry case stores the liquid transfer apparatus and three different adaptors, which can be connected to an aperture of a container for use with a liquid transfer apparatus. One adaptor has a radially adjustable thread engaging components to enable the adaptor to be connected to different sized apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Stevens Nominees (QLD) Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Alec Martin Stevens
  • Patent number: 6431401
    Abstract: A container having a lightweight bottle body resistant to stress cracking, especially useful for liquid household products such as heavy duty liquid detergents, but also for liquid fabric softeners, light duty liquid detergents, automatic dishwashing gels, chemicals, foods and other products. The light weight of the body limits the amount of resource needed to produce the body and the amount of plastic material to be disposed of when the contents have been consumed. In one embodiment, the body includes a multilayer resin structure having an inner layer which includes a metallocene polyethylene polymer. An octagonal shape, ribs or grooves at the intersections of the panels, a drainback fitment, an off center neck, and an in-mold label are optional.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Lever Brothers Company, a division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward John Giblin, Suzanne Benigni
  • Patent number: 6415956
    Abstract: A hand holdable pump spray apparatus is disclosed where the pump mechanism is in the hand holdable wand rather than in a spaced apart liquid container. The wand may be held with one hand while a pump handle is extended with the other hand. This creates a pressure differential which allows liquid to flow from the container, passed a check valve and into the wand. After filling, a biased spring provides a force against the liquid creating a higher pressure in the wand than ambient pressure. This closes the check valve. When an operator depresses an actuator, another valve opens allowing the liquid in the wand to be ejected through a nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: OMS Investments, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul M. Havlovitz
  • Publication number: 20020084283
    Abstract: A container having a lightweight bottle body, especially useful for liquid household products such as heavy duty liquid detergents. The light weight of the body limits the amount of resource needed to produce the body and the amount of plastic material to be disposed of when the contents have been consumed. The body is blow molded and includes a foamed middle layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 1997
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventors: EDWARD JOHN GIBLIN, SUZANNE BENIGNI
  • Publication number: 20020070233
    Abstract: A container for holding and dispensing fluids is disclosed, wherein the container has a reservoir having a base so that said reservoir may be positioned in an upright position, an internal partition and a neck portion, having a mouth. The internal partition defines first and second longitudinal interconnected chambers. Additionally, the container has a nozzle having a spout and a drain hole. The nozzle is coupled to the mouth of the neck portion of the reservoir so that the nozzle is in fluid communication with the second longitudinal chamber and the drain hole is in fluid communication with the first longitudinal chamber. Further to the container for holding and dispensing fluids a cap coupled to the mouth of the neck portion of the reservoir is disclosed. This cap encloses the nozzle, and has a pourer located opposite the location of the pour spout.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2000
    Publication date: June 13, 2002
    Inventor: Andrew R. Angelos
  • Patent number: 6398076
    Abstract: A fitment and the combination of fitment and bottle and/or closure, particularly for dispensing household products such as heavy duty liquid detergents and fabric softeners. The fitment of the invention comprises an outer circumferential wall which extends upwardly, a connecting web extending inwardly, a downwardly extending inner circumferential wall, a floor extending inwardly from the bottom of the inner circumferential wall, and a pour spout extending upwardly from an inner end of the floor. The inner circumferential wall includes internal fasteners suitable for securing a closure to the fitment. The fitment may be secured to the container finish by complementary fasteners such as internal threads on the fitment and external threads on the finish. The fitment finds particular utility in containers wherein the bottle body is translucent or transparent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA, division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward John Giblin, Gregory Alan Lathrop
  • Patent number: 6375041
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a rechargeable dispenser including a cap removably connected to a bottle having an upwardly extending flange. The cap is provided with at least one reservoir to be compromised by the spout of the bottle to release chemical concentrate in the bottle for charging the rechargeable dispenser when mixed with a diluent such as water within the bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Sunpat L.L.C.
    Inventors: William L. Klima, Walter F. Klima, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20020011498
    Abstract: A spout, especially suitable for a heavy duty liquid detergent container fitment, is made by thermoforming. Preferably the spout is part of a fitment which includes a bottom wall extending from the bottom of the spout wall, a circumscribing wall surrounding the spout and extending from the bottom of the bottom wall and a peripheral radially extending flange extending from the top of the circumscribing wall. The thermoformed spout/fitment finds special use in plastic containers having inside blown threads. The inside blown threads mate with external threads on a closure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 1998
    Publication date: January 31, 2002
    Inventors: EDWARD JOHN GIBLIN, GREGORY ALAN LATHROP
  • Patent number: 6299023
    Abstract: A device for dispensing a base substance and a booster substance in a user selectable ratio includes a dispenser head having a pair of spaced apart outlet ports, a first cartridge containing the base substance which is removably coupled onto the dispenser head and a second cartridge containing the booster substance which is removably coupled onto the dispenser head. Each of the first and second cartridges include a collapsible plastic liner which is mounted onto a supporting frame, the supporting frame of each cartridge having a uniquely shaped flange. A first pump assembly is disposed within the dispenser head and serves to draw a fixed amount of the base substance from the first cartridge and dispense the fixed amount of base substance out one of the outlet ports upon depression of a trigger which is slidably disposed in the dispenser head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Inventor: Miles Arnone
  • Patent number: 6257447
    Abstract: A new class of precision powder feeders is disclosed. These feeders provide a precision flow of a wide range of powdered materials, while remaining robust against jamming or damage. These feeders can be precisely controlled by feedback mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: M. Eric Schlienger, David T. Schmale, Michael S. Oliver
  • Patent number: 6223945
    Abstract: A container having a lightweight bottle body resistant to stress cracking, especially useful for liquid household products such as heavy duty liquid detergents, but also for liquid fabric softeners, light duty liquid detergents, automatic dishwashing gels, chemicals, foods and other products. The light weight of the body limits the amount of resource needed to produce the body and the amount of plastic material to be disposed of when the contents have been consumed. In one embodiment, the body includes a multilayer resin structure having an inner layer which includes a metallocene polyethylene polymer. An octagonal shape, ribs or grooves at the intersections of the panels, a drainback fitment, an off center neck, and an in-mold label are optional.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Lever Brothers Company, a division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward John Giblin, Suzanne Benigni
  • Patent number: 6170706
    Abstract: A hand holdable pump spray system where the pump mechanism is in the hand holdable wand rather than in the liquid container. The wand may be held with one hand while the pump handle is extended with the other hand. This creates a pressure differential which allows liquid to flow from the container into the wand. A biased spring provides force against the liquid so that when a thumb actuated trigger opens the nozzle, the liquid will be ejected. Should all of the liquid not be ejected, there is a liquid return mechanism which opens a check valve and allows the liquid to return to the container through a supply tube connecting the wand and the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: OMS Investments, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul M. Havlovitz
  • Patent number: 6123231
    Abstract: A one-piece self-draining container and method and apparatus for forming same. The container includes a body and a finish wall extending upwardly from a body opening. The finish wall surrounds a dispensing spout which extends above the top of the wall. A frustoconical web joins the finish wall and the dispensing spout to form a drain apron gutter channel having a relatively steeply inclined cone angle. A drain opening is defined adjacent the channel for draining fluid from the channel into the container body. A removable cap having a depending skirt defining a thread which mates with an internal thread on the container wall to thereby threadably engage and close the container. The method is performed on the type of extrusion-injection blow molding machine as generally disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,804,654 as modified in accordance with the invention to form the web wall in situ with a frustoconical configuration of uniform cross sectional thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Plastic Products Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory A. Geisinger
  • Patent number: 6109487
    Abstract: A dispensing container including an oblong container body with a removable seal engaged thereto and having a discharge spout selectively closed by a cap pivotally mounted to the seal by a connecting strap with an offset central portion. The connecting strap has an outer end releasably pivotally joined to the seal with the cap, upon complete removal from the seal, defining a measuring cup horizontally positionable on a flat surface by an intermediate offset formed within the connecting strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Dart Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Masaya Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 5992480
    Abstract: A Vapor Recovery System for recovering gasoline vapors released into the vicinity of an automotive filing installation. The inventive device includes an closed-ended pipe having a plurality of apertures formed therealong disposed in spaced relationship to a pumping column front portion, a first sealed housing sealingly attachable to the closed-ended pipe, the first sealed housing further comprising a motor and fan assembly disposed therein, a second sealed housing sealingly attachable to the first sealed housing, the second sealed housing further comprising a filter disposed therein, a third sealed housing sealingly attachable to the second sealed housing, the third sealed housing having attached thereto a compressor, and an outlet pipe sealingly attachable to the third sealed housing at an end thereof and terminating in the gasoline storage tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Inventor: Munawer Hussain
  • Patent number: 5988434
    Abstract: An adjustable amount of liquid is reproducibly withdrawn from a container having a pre-chamber in free flow communication with the interior of the container. The pre-chamber is initially filled with an amount of liquid from the container and is in communication with a measuring chamber. The measuring chamber has an adjustably pre-set volume and is in communication with a closeable outlet. Thus, after the amount to be withdrawn from the measuring chamber has been adjusted, discharge of the preset volume is effected through the outlet without the necessity of additional manipulations such as shaking the container or separating the dosage metering part from the container to effect the discharge of a precise amount of liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Merz & Co. GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Georg Keil, Karl Heinz Zulauf, Hartmut Erlinghagen
  • Patent number: 5962039
    Abstract: A cross head mounted at an end portion of an extruder for extruding a parison between a pair of elements of a metallic mold and a filling nozzle lifting apparatus having a filling nozzle are provided in parallel, and opening and closing of the metallic mold by a mold clamping apparatus, back and forth movement of the mold clamping apparatus between a parison receiving position and a filling position by a metallic mold feeding apparatus, upward and downward movement of the filling nozzle and back and forth movement of a parison cutter of a parison cutting apparatus are electrically operated. Further, a metallic mold body of the metallic mold is formed from a ventilation material, through which air in the metallic mold is sucked by vacuum to expand the parison. Furthermore, a clean air box is constructed so that it can accommodate the filling nozzle, and clean air is jetted from a jetting hole provided in a lower wall of the clean air box so that a clean air atmosphere may be provided above the metallic mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: The Japan Steel Works, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takaaki Katou, Masayuki Kishi
  • Patent number: 5941422
    Abstract: A combined drain back spout (DBS) fitment and plastic container assembly comprising a plastic container body and finish and a plastic drain back spout fitment having a pour spout connected to a surrounding drain gutter and spill-catching apron. The fitment apron has an integral mounting collar with a radial flange spanning the finish end edge and a collar skirt dependent therefrom and encircling the outer surface of the container finish and being sealably joined thereto by a spin weld joint. The lower free end edge of collar skirt is closely spaced from the juxtaposed surface of the container body, and the collar skirt and finish exterior surface conjointly define an intervening space for receiving, containing and hiding spin weld slag and/or shavings. The finish is corrugated to provide annular external ribs and intervening external grooves to thereby provide sacrificial parent spin weld material in the rib crowns and slag-receiving spaces in the grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Plastic Products Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas S. Struble
  • Patent number: 5873493
    Abstract: A closure providing a side wall having first and second distal ends, an inner surface and an outer perimeter. A cone-shaped divider projects inwardly and upwardly from a lower perimeter of the side wall and includes a drain-back orifice therethrough. The cone-shaped divider further includes an apex having an opening therethrough. The closure further provides a lid pivotally attached at an outer diameter thereof to the outer perimeter of the side wall first distal end by an integral hinge. The lid includes a shaped substantially conforming to the side wall perimeter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Assignee: Rexam Plastics Inc.
    Inventor: Clayton L. Robinson
  • Patent number: 5868283
    Abstract: An improved container and closure therefore. The improved container includes a finish, a body extending downwardly from the finish, a fitment fit within the finish, the fitment including a pour spout extending upwardly, and a closure. The closure includes an upper wall having a product exit, which permits egress of the product. The product exit is reclosable so that in the closed position no product can escape from the container, wherein as in the open position product can be selectively dispensed from the container without removing the entire closure from the bottle. If so desired, the consumer can leave the product exit in the closed position, unscrew the closure from the bottle and use the inverted closure as a measuring cup for the product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: Lever Brothers Company, Division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Tracie Wilson, Gregory Alan Lathrop
  • Patent number: 5855299
    Abstract: A fitment for use on a container for dispensing liquids. The fitment provides a pouring spout and a drain back function and is secured within the container finish. The container finish has a neck with a rim and a shoulder. The fitment has an outer wall with upper and lower ends and with a frustoconical shape to ensure that a portion of the outer wall frictionally engages the container finish when the fitment is inserted into the container finish to prevent the fitment from being inserted completely through the neck of the container. An annular bead extends outwardly from the outer wall a spaced distance from the upper end of the outer wall so that when the fitment is engaged in the neck of the container, the bead is positioned directly under the shoulder of the neck. Multiple bands of sealing engagement are created between the fitment and the container fitment to ensure a leak-free connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Assignee: Graham Packaging Corporation
    Inventors: Jay C. Arnold, David W. Cargile
  • Patent number: 5850953
    Abstract: A drip-free dispensing structure is provided with a body for extending from a container around an opening. The body has a crescent-shaped inner spout. An outer collar is spaced outwardly of the inner spout. A drain-back trough is defined between the inner spout and outer collar. The trough runs from a high point at the front of the structure to a low point on either side and empties into a reservoir defined at the rear of the structure. A notch in the wall of the inner spout permits the collected fluid in the reservoir to flow back into the container when the container is subsequently tilted forwardly to pour liquid from the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1998
    Assignee: AptarGroup, Inc.
    Inventor: Milton R. Dallas, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5829636
    Abstract: A soap dispenser includes a soap supply, a motor driven pump connected by tubing to the soap supply and a soap output device connected by tubing to the motor driven pump. The electric drive circuit for operating the pump motor includes a sensor for detecting a user's hands positioned to receive soap from the output device. There is a forward motor control circuit connected to the sensor and to the pump motor and responsive to a start signal from the sensor to drive the pump motor in a forward direction to supply soap to the output device. There is a volume adjust circuit connected to the forward motor control circuit and to the sensor to provide a stop signal to the forward motor control circuit a predetermined time period after receipt of a start signal from the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Sloan Valve Company
    Inventors: Nhon T. Vuong, Jesse L. Aparicio
  • Patent number: 5794803
    Abstract: A child-resistant closure and dispensing container package in which the measuring cup has a second, exterior annular wall forming threads engageable with threads on the neck of a container and child-resistant lock means at a lower portion of the wall engageable with complementary lock means on the container in a locked position to prevent unthreading of the closure from the container until the annular wall is deflected to move the complementary lock means out of engagement with each other to permit rotation of the closure in an unthreading direction. Also a seal is provided to prevent leakage during unthreading movement of the closure between fully closed and a locked position of the closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: Rexam Closures, Inc.
    Inventor: William Douglas Sprick
  • Patent number: 5778911
    Abstract: A liquid supplying apparatus for supplying treatment liquid to a treatment liquid ejecting unit which ejects treatment liquid to a work, which is capable of supplying high quality treatment liquid without wasting treatment liquid. Since a fixed quantity of treatment liquid is ejected from the treatment liquid ejecting unit during the process waiting time and this treatment liquid is ejected through a cup sealed airtight to a liquid tank and circulated, the liquid supplying apparatus capable of supplying high quality treatment liquid can be realized without wasting treatment liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: Sony Disc Technology Inc.
    Inventor: Akira Yoshio
  • Patent number: 5730329
    Abstract: A drop former comprises a drum assembly including a stationary inner drum and a rotatable outer drum mounted coaxially around the inner drum. The outer drum has holes which periodically become aligned with holes in the inner drum to allow a flowable substance to flow from the inner drum onto a cooling belt traveling beneath the outer drum. In order to redirect into the outer drum, residual portions of the substance which have not fallen off the outer drum, a directing device is disposed around a portion of the circumference of the outer drum. The directing device is mounted on a frame which pivots toward and away from the outer drum. In order to secure the directing device to the drum assembly, a ring is mounted on an end of the inner drum which projects beyond a respective end of the outer drum. The ring, which is rotatable and movable axially relative to the inner drum, carries a radial projection which is received in a recess of the frame when the frame is in an operating position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: Santrade Ltd.
    Inventor: Reinhard Froeschke
  • Patent number: 5711484
    Abstract: A fluid dispensing tube with fluid deflection surface that attenuates accumulation of solidified sprayed fluid. The fluid deflection surfaces can be used for mechanically breaking-up a fluid to enhance sprayability and uniformity or to create a fan spray, or both. The inlet end of the fluid dispensing tube can be fluidly connected to a container of fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Russell E. Blette, John C. Ruta, W. Bruce Sandison, William W. Stevenson
  • Patent number: 5678734
    Abstract: An instant hot water dispenser comprises a storage tank for containing a reservoir of hot water, heating means for maintaining the hot water at a predetermined temperature, a selectively operable discharge means associated with the tank having an outlet for connection with a remote discharge nozzle. The discharge means when operated is arranged to feed water from the reservoir through said outlet to the discharge nozzle, the dispenser being arranged to permit water to drain from the discharge nozzle into the reservoir when the discharge means is not operated. The discharge means is located relative to the tank such that water contained within the discharge means when not operated is maintained at said predetermined temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Inventor: David Macallister Walker
  • Patent number: 5641835
    Abstract: A process for producing siloxane modified polyolefin copolymers and products comprising the copolymer with the following general formula: ##STR1## wherein: x=1 to 1000; m=2 to 100; n=0 to 1000; y=1 to 3, z=0 to 2, wherein (y+z)=3; and p=1 to 200; wherein each R and R.sub.1 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl groups having 1 to 6 carbons, phenyl, benzyl and alkylphenyl having from 6 to 12 carbons; R.sub.2 is selected from the group consisting of C.sub.1 to C.sub.6 alkyl, phenyl, benzyl and alkylphenyl having from 6 to 12 carbons; R.sub.3 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, methyl, ethyl and propyl; and Z is selected from the group consisting of O, S, NH and NR' wherein R' is selected from the group consisting of phenyl, C.sub.1 to C.sub.4 alkyl and C.sub.1 to C.sub.3 alkylphenyl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1997
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Steven D. Smith, Andrew J. Wnuk, Margaret S. Gerber