For Refilling Or Changing Cartridges Or Containers Patents (Class 222/165)
  • Patent number: 11498747
    Abstract: A dispenser includes a housing including an opening, a lid for covering the housing opening, a reservoir for holding items to be dispensed from the dispenser, and a dispensing opening on the lid providing access to the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: BOBRICK WASHROOM EQUIPMENT, INC.
    Inventors: Raffi Mekhitarian, Brendan Whitehead
  • Patent number: 10765257
    Abstract: A food preparation device or system which utilizes pre-packaged food containers to prepare a food item for consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: SERENETE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Haidee Chen, Helen Chen, Timothy Chen
  • Patent number: 10213573
    Abstract: A tub for a humidifier includes an inner tub configured to hold a supply of water; an outer tub configured to receive the inner tub, the outer tub including a bottom and a cavity being formed between the bottom and the inner tub when the inner tub is received in the inner tub; and a valve configured to control a flow of the supply of water from the inner tub to the cavity. The valve is closed to prevent the flow when the inner tub is received in a first position in the outer tub and open to permit the flow when the inner tub is received in a second position in the outer tub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: ResMed Limited
    Inventors: Ian Malcolm Smith, Richard Llewelyn Jones, Hargopal Verma, Dimitri Marco Maurer, Jane Zona McHenry
  • Patent number: 10054474
    Abstract: A device for metering granular or powered product having a meter housing, an auger housing positioned within the meter housing, the auger housing having an inlet opening for receiving the granular or powdered product, a rotatable spiral brush mounted within the auger housing, a first discharge outlet near one end of the auger housing for discharging granular or powdered product, and another opening near another end of the auger housing for discharging granular or powdered product not discharged through the first discharge opening. A method for metering granular or powdered product is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Inventors: Keith Woodruff, Brian Kaltner
  • Patent number: 9936836
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a beverage preparation machine (1) comprising: a reservoir (2) for a fluid, a brewing head (3) adapted to receive at least one ingredient capsule (100) comprising at least one beverage preparation ingredient (104), a pump (6) for pumping a predetermined volume of said fluid from said reservoir (2) to said brewing head (3), such that said fluid can be injected into said capsule (100), when said capsule (100) is received by said brewing head (3), to mix with said ingredient (104) under pressure and produce a predetermined volume of beverage, wherein the reservoir (2), the pump (6), and an inserted ingredient capsule (100) in use are in fluidic communication and form a fluid system (800), and wherein the beverage preparation machine (1) further comprises a pressure sensor (301; 302; 303; 304) adapted to measure internal pressure (P) within an ingredient capsule (100) inserted inside said brewing head (3), and a locking mechanism (401) adapted to prevent disconnection of the inserte
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Christian Talon, Nihan Dogan, Alfred Yoakim
  • Patent number: 9555189
    Abstract: A fluid management system adapted to automatically supply fluid for injection into a patient is disclosed. The fluid management system includes a fluid management device, a fluid transfer system and a fluid injector. The fluid management device serves to store and administrate multi-dose containers. The fluid transfer system connects an outlet of these containers to the injector which withdraws a fluid from the containers via the fluid transfer system and injects the fluid to an administration device at the patient. The fluid management device includes at least one rotating carousel having a vertical axis of rotation, at least two container holders attached to the rotating carousel and adapted to position the container vertically with a septum covered end facing downwards, and a spike holder mounted below the rotating carousel and oriented so the spike holder axially aligns a spike connected to the spike holder with the axis of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: BAYER INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY GMBH
    Inventors: Claus-Peter Reisinger, Klaus Urich, Matthias Burg, Andreas Kalitzki, Samantha Anne Patterson, Kathryn Anne Louise Farrell, Andrew Murray Gow, Scott Alexander Lewis, Mark Jeffrey Edhouse
  • Patent number: 9498090
    Abstract: A liquid-dispensing system is disclosed. The system includes a container associated with a base, the container and base being mounted within an enclosure (e.g., a cabinet) or on a ground surface, the container having an inlet and an outlet and being movable relative to the base from a first position to a second, different position to present the inlet for refilling of the container with a liquid. The container is also fluidly connected with a dispenser through its outlet so that liquid can be dispensed to a user. Methods of refilling the container are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Inventor: Keith A. Barclay
  • Patent number: 9039903
    Abstract: A dispenser system for delivering various combinations of dispersants to a body of water with the various combinations of dispersants supplied to the body of water through the interchanging of dispensing cartridges which are attachable to a main dispensing cartridge where a condition for interchanging of dispensing cartridges may be triggered by an event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: King Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph A. King, Jeffrey D. Johnson, Lyle Enderson, Paul Freeberg, Donald Dalland
  • Patent number: 9027795
    Abstract: A portable dispenser assembly for dispensing disinfectant to a user. The assembly includes a main housing defining a cavity for receiving a container in an inverted position. The main housing defines an opening into the cavity through which the container is inserted in the inverted position so that a stem of the container is directed downwardly in the main housing. The main housing including a bottom wall, a side wall, and a nozzle fixed with respect to the walls. The nozzle defines an inlet opposite the opening for receiving the stem of the container in the inverted position and the nozzle defines a discharge aperture configured to direct the disinfectant fluid from the container toward the user when the user depresses the container relative to the main housing to dispense the disinfectant fluid from the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Sterilogy, LLC
    Inventors: Harold H. Zaima, Bradley D. Ahlgren
  • Patent number: 8887960
    Abstract: A dispensing cabinet for dispensing bulk materials such as laundry detergent, fabric softener and bleach is disclosed. The cabinet has an upstanding housing having a base and defining an enclosure for receiving a plurality of liquid containers. The cabinet also includes a face panel pivotably mounted to the housing adjacent the base and including a shelf extending into the hollow enclosure. The face panel defines apertures through which lateral dispensing nozzles unitary with each container, are inserted. The containers are mounted for pivotal movement together with the face panel for ready servicing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Inventor: Eric Hardman
  • Patent number: 8844769
    Abstract: A dispenser housing has a closure mechanism that serves to hold the dispenser housing closed. A key either can be carried by an individual to be employed to override the closure mechanism to permit the opening of the dispenser or can be selectively mounted to the dispenser housing to position a release mechanism appropriately to permit the release mechanism to be manipulated to override the closure mechanism. When the key is not mounted to the dispenser, the release mechanism cannot be appropriately manipulated to override the closure mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: GOJO Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark E Rosenkranz, Robert L Quinlan, Jr., David D Hayes
  • Patent number: 8640269
    Abstract: An installation for the intermediate holding and storage of sewage and effluent, said installation comprising a sealable housing 9 having an inlet 1 for receiving said effluent and an outlet for discharging said effluent, a holding reservoir 2 pivotally mounted and positioned within said housing to receive and temporarily store a quantity of said effluent, wherein said holding reservoir is an asymmetrically shaped open bucket adapted to automatically move about said pivot from a first position adapted for receiving and storing said effluent to a second invented position where stored effluent is emptied into said housing under the influence of gravity once the accumulated effluent reaches a sufficient mass wherein said housing includes an effluent race 11 incorporated into the floor of said housing to divert said effluent directly to said outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Ducane Research and Development Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Quintin Davenport, David Fisher
  • Patent number: 8561847
    Abstract: A dispenser housing has a closure mechanism that serves to hold the dispenser housing closed. A key either can be carried by an individual to be employed to override the closure mechanism to permit the opening of the dispenser or can be selectively mounted to the dispenser housing to position a release mechanism appropriately to permit the release mechanism to be manipulated to override the closure mechanism. When the key is not mounted to the dispenser, the release mechanism cannot be appropriately manipulated to override the closure mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: GOJO Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark E. Rosenkranz, Robert L. Quinlan, Jr., David D. Hayes
  • Patent number: 8544692
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a base station for a liquid dispensing apparatus. The base station includes a driver and a container support having a dispensing device, which includes a liquid duct leading from the container to an outlet. The device further includes a connector connected to the driver and detachably connectable to the dispensing device. In an embodiment, the container support is a holder, and the connector is movable towards the holder to connect to the dispensing device and away from the holder after disconnecting from the dispensing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Christoph Rusch, Elmar Mock, Gary Cooper, Andre Klopfensteinh, Naomi Bitmead, James Peter Herrick, Amol Ashok Bhalerao, Randall L. Morrison, Bernard Guillemain
  • Patent number: 8225740
    Abstract: An arm of a coating robot is used to prevent external leakage of a high voltage. A tank is installed on a robotic arm and contains water as an actuating liquid. The water is supplied to a paint cartridge by a pump controlled by a controller. The water sent from the pump under pressure is supplied to the paint cartridge by a conduit tube. A high voltage generator and a bleeder resistor are combined with the tank such that a high voltage generated by the high voltage generator is supplied to the electrostatic paint applicator via the water. For replenishment of water to the tank is attained by relatively connecting a nozzle in communication with a water source to a main pipe. While the high voltage generator generates a high voltage, the nozzle and the main pipe are kept disconnected to maintain electrical insulation between the nozzle and the main pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Ransburg Industrial Finishing K.K.
    Inventors: Michio Mitsui, Ryuji Tani, Sadao Inose
  • Publication number: 20110259920
    Abstract: A manually operated liquid dispenser having a dispensing position and a refilling position, comprising: a liquid container including a dispensing opening through which the liquid is discharged from the container in the dispensing position of the dispenser and a refill opening, separate from the dispensing opening, through which the liquid is introduced in the refilling position of the dispenser and a supporting structure which supports the liquid container in such a way as to conceal the refill opening in the dispensing position and to uncover the refill opening in the refilling position, the supporting structure of container adapted to invert the container, and to hold the container upright in the dispensing position and inverted in the refilling position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: L'OCCITANE
    Inventors: Patrick Rennie, Philippe de Brugiere
  • Patent number: 8037908
    Abstract: A slide valve system for a powder or liquid reservoir bottle which closes the reservoir bottle and allows the reservoir bottle to be tipped away from a subjacent dispensing bottle fed by the reservoir bottle. Once the reservoir bottle is tipped away the slide valve can be opened and the reservoir bottle filled. The reservoir bottle can then be closed by the slide valve and tipped back onto the dispensing bottle. Once on top of the dispensing bottle the valve can be opened and the contents of the reservoir bottle can enter the dispensing bottle by gravity flow. The slide valve must be closed in order to rotate the reservoir bottle away from the dispensing bottle. Likewise, the reservoir bottle must be locked in a vertical position with the reservoir bottle over the dispensing bottle in order to open the slide valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Inventors: Scott David Green, Joseph Michael Wyatt
  • Patent number: 7988018
    Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing a flowable product from a product package through a dispensing outlet at or above a preset elevated temperature is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Automatic Bar Controls, Inc.
    Inventor: Juha K. Salmela
  • Publication number: 20110049189
    Abstract: An extrusion tool (11) for compound-containing containers, including an extrusion device (12) and a cartridge (32) for the container. The extrusion device (12) includes an extrusion mechanism (13) and a holding receptacle (23) for the cartridge (32). The holding receptacle (23) is bounded at the front end by an end plate (24) and at the rear end by a housing wall (20) of the extrusion mechanism (13). The cartridge (32) is attached to the extrusion device (12) such that it is pivotable about a pivot axis (27) extending from the end plate (24) to the housing wall (20), and is movable from an extrusion position to a loading position. And an extrusion device (12) for such an extrusion tool (11), and to a cartridge (32) for such an extrusion tool (11).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Rainer Strobel-Schmidt, Christian Hefele, Peter Ostermeier, Hans Peter Lederle
  • Patent number: 7896200
    Abstract: It is an object of the invention to provide a liquid substance supplying device exhibiting high operability in handling a container having a large capacity. A liquid substance supplying device for supplying a liquid substance reserved in a vertically elongated container 30 has a configuration in which a bottom part of a container holder 15 for holding the container inserted through an insertion hole provided on a top side of a holder main body 16 is pivoted on a base bracket 14 with a hinge portion 19 to support the container holder 15 such that it can assume either upright attitude or tilted attitude and in which the container holder 15 is fixed in the upright attitude by a holder fixing mechanism 20. As a result, the container holder 15 can be mounted and removed to and from the holder main body 16 in the tilted state at the time of a container replacing operation, which allows high operability to be maintained even in handling a large-capacity container having a great height dimension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Hachiro Nakatsuji, Akira Iizuka, Akira Kabeshita
  • Patent number: 7886684
    Abstract: A gantry tower spraying system with a cartridge/receptacle assembly includes a gantry and a spray assembly coupled to the gantry to allow for translational movement of the spray assembly along the gantry. The spray assembly includes a receptacle for receiving a cartridge containing a cosmetic liquid for skin treatment, and a spray nozzle coupled to the receptacle for receiving the cosmetic liquid and dispensing the cosmetic liquid in a spray. The receptacle has an inner surface of a size and shape to generally conform to a size and shape of a portion of an outer surface of the cartridge. The spraying system can further be provided with an oscillation mechanism adapted to cause oscillation of the spray nozzle. The bottle can be provided with a keying mechanism for engaging a corresponding key structure of the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: MT Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven C. Cooper, Troy H. Cooper, Ricky C. Croft
  • Patent number: 7527365
    Abstract: There is provided an initial filling method for a functional liquid droplet ejection head in which a filling liquid consisting essentially of a functional liquid or a solvent thereof is initially filled in a passage of a functional liquid drop-let-ejection-head for ejecting a functional liquid droplet on a workpiece. The method includes: a sealing step of sealing a functional liquid introducing port of the functional liquid droplet ejection head communicating with the passage of the head; an immersing step of immersing a head main body of the functional liquid droplet ejection head in the filling liquid stored in a sealed vessel; a pressure-reducing step of reducing pressure inside the sealed vessel to a predetermined degree of vacuum by exhausting the atmosphere inside the sealed vessel; and a pressure-restoring step of restoring the pressure inside the sealed vessel after the pressure-reducing step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Toshimasa Mori
  • Publication number: 20080245436
    Abstract: An apparatus for lifting a load and transferring the load to an inverted orientation for placement includes a fixed frame, a first moveable frame slidably connected to the fixed frame to move longitudinally relative thereto, a second moveable frame sidably connected to the first moveable frame to move longitudinally relative thereto upon movement of the first moveable frame relative to the fixed frame, and a load platform pivotally connected to the second moveable frame so as to allow rotation of the load platform and a load carried thereon so as to invert the orientation of the load. In a preferred embodiment the apparatus for lifting and transferring is integrated with a beverage dispenser for lifting a large water bottle to the top of the dispenser, and inverting and placing the water bottle on the dispenser for use. In another embodiment a mobile lifting apparatus is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2007
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Inventor: Duane Lang
  • Patent number: 7331277
    Abstract: A container positioner assembly for use in positioning a volume of material in a container relative to a dispensing apparatus. The container positioner assembly includes structures for engagement with the apparatus allowing relative movement of a container attached thereto. The container positioner assembly may include an assist system which facilitates biased movement of the container relative to the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Bunn-O-Matic Corporation
    Inventors: Burton L. Hart, John T. Knepler, Kevin G. Lowe, David Wurtzler
  • Patent number: 6772916
    Abstract: A locking system for a dispenser having a cover and a back plate, the cover being hingedly connected at one end to the back plate and carrying a latch plate at the opposed end thereof. An elongate locking bar is slidably carried on the back plate for movement toward and away from engagement with the latch plate. This movement is achieved by provision of an engagement member of the back plate slidably movable into contact with the locking bar and a key similarly movable into the contact with the engagement member. To that end, the engagement member includes opposed resilient legs, the distal ends of which normally rest on the bottom of the interior of the cover. The key is provided with a divider which, when engaged with the resilient legs spreading them apart and enables shoulders on the key to contact the engagement member and move the locking bar upwardly to disengage the latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Inventor: Aaron R. Reynolds
  • Patent number: 6523723
    Abstract: Dosing feeder for a liquid that is in a container (6), comprising a dosing arm (2) that shows at least one dosing cup (2.1) that is open at the top. The dosing arm (2) is arranged in a dosing head (3) that in its turn shows a first duct (4.1) being in connection with the container (6). The dosing head (3) is movable or turnable in relation to the dosing arm (2) so that the dosing cup (2.1) alternately may be brought in connection with the first duct (4.1) for feed of liquid or may release the dosing cup (2.1) so that it gets accessible for the liquid. The dosing arm (2) may be cylinder-shaped, the dosing head (3) being turnable around the dosing arm (2). On filling with liquid into the dosing cup (2.1) the container (6) is above the dosing arm (2), the first duct (4.1) being connected with the dosing cup (2.1.). In position of rest the container (6) is under the dosing arm (2), the second duct (3.2) being connected with the dosing cup (2.1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Inventor: Sten Ekström
  • Patent number: 6446835
    Abstract: A cold beverage dispensing system for chilling a beverage such that at least a portion of the beverage includes a frozen component. The system includes a beverage hopper or tank for retaining a quantity of beverage and a chilling assembly communicating with the beverage hopper for chilling the beverage. The system also includes a beverage detector having a conductive probe carried on and extending into the beverage hopper for detecting the condition of either the presence or absence of a beverage at a predetermined level in the beverage hopper and generating a refill control signal corresponding to the condition detected. A refill assembly communicates with the beverage hopper for controllably providing refill beverage to the beverage hopper. A controller is coupled to the refill assembly and the beverage detector for operating the refill assembly in response to the refill control signal to maintain the beverage in the beverage hopper at the predetermined level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Inventor: David F. Ford
  • Patent number: 6350254
    Abstract: A medical device for fluid collection and method to fill multiple specimen tubes is disclosed. The device is designed to collect and transfer a specimen into a non-evacuated tube through an integrated open port. The device has no cannulas, either blunt or sharp, and therefore provides safety from skin puncture. The device has a non-evacuated test tube attached to the integrated open port. The tube is attached to the open port by a luer fitting in the tube's cap which is pressed into a receptacle detail on the device. A finger pad is held during collection of the specimen. The finger pad allows collection without the risk of contaminating the inside of the container. The container also contains a horizontal support platform which allows the device to be placed on a flat surface with or without the test tube attached without tipping over.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Bradley M. Wilkinson, Robert S. Golabek, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6158388
    Abstract: A device for providing water to young birds and fowl. The waterer is attached to a cage for the birds and includes a bottle which can be detached for cleaning or replacement and reattached when full without any spillage. The device also includes a removable piece for the prevention of drowning of certain types of game birds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Inventor: Thomas W. Wenstrand
  • Patent number: 6155463
    Abstract: A material dispenser for receiving a material container and for dispensing material from the container is disclosed. The material dispenser includes a frame having a body, depending handle and rails that extend forward from the body. The material dispenser also includes a trigger actuated plunger mechanism that is operative to push a piston in the material container to dispense material from the container. The material container is held in the material dispenser by a rear receptacle and a distal receptacle. The rear receptacle is coupled to the rails and may be pivoted between a position that is facing the distal receptacle and a position that is oblique to the distal receptacle. The distal receptacle is also coupled to the rails and includes an opening that is located between the rails, and a clip that can engage and retain the material container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: Z-Pro International, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher G. Dentler
  • Patent number: 5499746
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process and apparatus for transport, storage, loading and unloading of catalyst or adsorbent particles utilizing a special container equipped with a fluid-tight valve and which can rock progressively by means of a reverse-lock, escapement-type ratchet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1996
    Assignee: Europeenne de Retraitement de Catalyseurs Eurecat
    Inventors: Georges Berrebi, Yves Jacquier, Habbo Edens, Gerrit Middelkoop
  • Patent number: 5437393
    Abstract: An apparatus for handling, sorting, apportioning, packaging and dispensing bulk food products is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a dispenser which is connected to a reservoir containing a supply of a dry, granular foodstuff. The dispenser receives and dispenses a predetermined portion of the foodstuff from the reservoir through a dispensing opening. In one embodiment, a predetermined portion of the foodstuff is received by the dispenser by rotating a manually operated rotatable member. The reservoir is rotatably attached to a mounting rack, the rotation of the reservoir permitting access to its interior to fill it with foodstuff to be dispensed. A plurality of dispensing systems, each containing a different foodstuff, can be juxtaposed to form a foodstuff dispensing bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1995
    Assignee: System Feed Inc.
    Inventors: Steen Blicher, Logan Langballe
  • Patent number: 5390825
    Abstract: A self-contained device for dispensing two-part adhesive comprising a cart, first and second cartridge holders on the cart, each holder having an adhesive dispensing outlet and a seal-piercing die at the lower end, and an opening at the upper end for receiving a pre-filled adhesive cartridge sealed at its discharge end. A plunger assembly having first and second plunger is mounted at the cartridge receiving openings of the cartridge holders. The plungers are operatively connected to a hydraulic cylinder so that the plungers and hydraulic cylinder move in unison. The plunger assembly is pivotable from locked to unlocked position to permit loading and unloading of pre-filled cartridges. Each plunger has an expandable plunger cup which engages the adhesive component in the associated cartridge as the plunger moves downwardly in the cartridge, thereby forcing the adhesive and seal against the die to rupture the seal and discharge the adhesive component through the dispensing outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1995
    Inventor: Christopher M. Rockel
  • Patent number: 5244020
    Abstract: A dispenser of foodstuff is particularly well adapted to deliver cheese for pizza making. A refrigerator contains a bin which may be completely removed from said refrigerator for cleaning, as in a dishwasher, for example. The bin features inwardly sloping walls so that the cheese does not normally stick to the wall. An auger delivers the cheese to a spout where a star wheel meters flow and breaks up any clumps in the cheese. A spring biased trap door closes the spout, especially when the bin is removed from the refrigerator. The refrigerator contains parts which control the opening and closing of the trap door and the turning of the auger. The entire system operates under the control of a programmable microprocessor which includes means for detecting when the bin is empty or is failing to delivery the cheese.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1993
    Assignee: Middleby Marshall Inc.
    Inventors: Adrian A. Bruno, Richard Caron, Gorm Bressner, Kevin Barnes, Philip Carbone, Robert Simek
  • Patent number: 5115842
    Abstract: An apparatus for delivery of a liquid. The apparatus includes a housing and a cradle for holding a container containing the liquid. The cradle is rotatably coupled to the housing. The cradle is rotatable between a first position and a second position. The apparatus further includes a reservoir for receiving the liquid from the container. The reservoir is coupled to the cradle and rotates with the cradle. The reservoir includes a passageway through which the liquid is able to flow downward for all positions the cradle is permitted to rotate to. The reservoir includes a cylinder for minimizing back flow of the liquid from the reservoir to the container. The reservoir also includes a first orifice for allowing the liquid to pass out of the reservoir, a second orifice for allowing an air bubble in the liquid to return to the reservoir, and a check valve for allowing air to pass into the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1992
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas E. Crafts, Mark A. Leonov
  • Patent number: 5042693
    Abstract: A device for dispensing fluent supplies comprises an element or elements for positioning a plurality of containers with an open-mouth of each of the containers in a downward position. This device also comprises an element or elements for receiving supplies dispensed from the containers while the containers are positioned by the positioning element or elements in a mouth downward position. In addition, the device comprises an element or elements for adjusting an elevation of an entry point of fluent supply into the supply receiving element or elements of at least one of the mouth downward containers from a first elevation to a second elevation while continuously maintaining at least this one container in an open-mouth downward position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1991
    Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Corporation
    Inventor: Raymond F. De Luca
  • Patent number: 4938240
    Abstract: A flip-top detergent dispenser (30) comprising a base means (31) having a funnel-shaped interior, a nozzle (22) positioned within the interior of the base means, and a detergent container support (32) connected by a hinge (33) to the base (31). The detergent container support (32) is designed to hold only a particular shaped detergent container (23), thus helping to insure that only suitable detergent products are used in the warewashing apparatus. The flip-top detergent dispensed (30), mounted on top of the dishwashing apparatus (1), is designed so that the detergent container (23) can be inserted into and removed from the detergent holder support (32) only in an upright position to prevent dripping of detergent sulution on to the user. Water will not spray up through the product nozzle (22) unless particularly shaped detergent container (23) is situated in the detergent support holder (32) and the detergent support holder (32) is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1990
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Haresh C. Lakhan, Lawrence W. Switala, Kim J. Ashton
  • Patent number: 4938650
    Abstract: Spreading apparatus for use with a tractor, comprising frame means for attachment to the three-point-linkage of a tractor, a hopper mounted on the frame means, the hopper having means for allowing a substance, contained within the hopper, to be spread onto the ground; and means for moving the hopper relative to the frame to allow the hopper to rotate from a spreading position in which the hopper is in a substantially upright position to a loading position in which the hopper is in a substantially horizontal position whereby the hopper may be used as a shovel to allow the substance to be spread over the ground to be loaded into the hopper, means being provided to effect movement of the hopper between positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1990
    Assignee: Charterhouse Turf Machinery Limited
    Inventors: David W. Jenkins, Philip Threadgold
  • Patent number: 4903866
    Abstract: A gravity dispensing bin system includes one or more gravity dispensing bins in which bulk product supplied through an open top of the bin moves under gravity to a lower dispensing opening as product is dispensed, and a frame on which the dispensing bins are mounted. A plurality of bins may be mounted in vertically and/or horizontally aligned arrangement on the frame and the frame with the bin or bins mounted thereon may itself be mounted on any suitable structure, such as a wall, pegboard or column, or alternatively, may be free-standing. Each bin has an open top which is normally covered by the bottom of the next upper adjacent bin or an overlying frame portion in the case of the uppermost bin. The bins are hingedly mounted on the frame so that each can be tilted to provide access to the open top for filling with product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1990
    Assignee: Design Display Group Inc.
    Inventor: Jonathon Loew
  • Patent number: 4862210
    Abstract: A replaceable seal assembly (10) for a used Canon brand developer station (100) having a peripheral recess (106) created by the removal of the original toner reservoir seal; wherein, the seal assembly (10) having a seal unit (11) including a generally rigid seal member (13) having a generally flexible seal member (14); and, a bracket unit (12) which is adapted to frictionally engage the generally rigid seal member (13) relative to the peripheral recess (106); whereby, the seal unit (11) may be inserted and removed from said peripheral recess (106) in the course of recharging the developer station (100) with fresh toner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1989
    Assignee: Access Computer Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Lee G. Woolley
  • Patent number: 4782588
    Abstract: A machine that takes screws out of a hopper and delivers them to a screw driving station where they are driven by motor operated screw driver members to secure a hinge to a door and a jamb. Inside the hopper, a screw lifting member engages, lifts, aligns and delivers individual screws to a hopper discharge station. Pressurized air blows the screws from their respective discharge stations onto tracks, there being one track associated with each discharge station. Elongate transfer tubes positioned at the discharge end of the tracks deliver the screws to a movable head member which upon receiving a charge of screw members moves downwardly and inwardly to a fixed position screw driving station where a door and jamb are positioned. Screw driver members are brought into driving relation to associated screws by horizontally inward movement of a motor that rotates the screw driver members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1988
    Assignee: Ruvo Automation Corp.
    Inventor: Erling S. Jangaard
  • Patent number: 4738378
    Abstract: A beverage dispensing apparatus for obtaining a beverage from a normally-sealed beverage dispensing package carrying a locating projection for cooperation with an aqueous medium injector. The package is typically a sachet having, as the locating projection, a nozzle sealed in one edge seam. The sachet is loaded into the open door of the machine with the sachet at least partially-supported on the door by cooperation of its nozzle with a sachet support member. The door is closed and the sachet is transferred to a water-introduction station where a hollow injector and the nozzle are moved into engagement. Water is introduced into the sachet from reservoir, mixes with the contents of the sachet and leaves through an opening made in the base of the sachet to be collected in a container. The spent sachet is then discarded to a waste sachet disposal area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1988
    Assignee: Mars Limited
    Inventors: Peter H. Oakley, Barry J. P. Bellinger
  • Patent number: 4651862
    Abstract: A dual temperature beverage dispenser for providing a variety of beverages, both hot and cool from a small, high capacity, coin-activated unit. The dispenser includes a removable operating module which can be stored for safekeeping separate and apart from a water storage unit which becomes inoperative when the operating module is removed. The water storage unit includes a hot water heater including a tank and a storage tank for ambient water oriented above the hot water heater tank for gravity flow of ambient water to the hot water heater tank when required and for gravity flow to a discharge point in the operating module to enable ambient or cool water to be obtained without payment or beverage to be obtained from the dispenser by use of an appropriate coin or token.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1987
    Inventor: Irving E. Greenfield, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4632009
    Abstract: Explosive powder is fed to a receptacle within a barricade by means of a tube which is open at only one end. A first motor is provided for pivoting the tube between an upright refill position and a dispensing position wherein the longitudinal axis of the tube is slightly below horizontal. A second motor is coupled to the tube for movement therewith and for rotating or oscillating the tube about its longitudinal axis to cause powder to be dispensed from the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1986
    Assignee: Day & Zimmerman Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas E. Dann
  • Patent number: 4618075
    Abstract: There is provided a combination storage container for flour and system for sifting flour which operate independently to enable dispensing of select amounts of coarse or sifted flour.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1986
    Inventor: Ernestine Hampton
  • Patent number: 4607857
    Abstract: A normally upright closed container having foot supports and wheels attached thereto to facilitate the transportation and storage of hot fats and greases. A perforated baffle plate having supporting channels spaced from the container and attached thereto supplies adequate support for the container when in the horizontal position and protects the operators from exposure to dangerous heat while the container is in the upright position. Further safety is provided through insulated handles and a closure member covering the off-set inlet to the container. The container is filled in the horizontal position while resting on the baffle plate and wheels. An insulated handle carried by the axle and a dumpster-engaging flange on the back side of the container are provided to facilitate the safe disposal of the container's contents into a main dumpster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1986
    Assignee: International Safety Containers of Minnesota, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard LeSage, Eugene N. Reshanov, Richard A. Schlemmer
  • Patent number: 4537331
    Abstract: Conventional dispensers are often crude containers with wheels which dispense asphalt by tipping the container and then spreading same manually or by chains or utilizing a relatively inaccurate feed mechanism within the container. The present device is a wheel mounted container insulated to retain heat and thus maintaining the asphalt or similar material in a fluid condition. Adjustable metering valves control the flow and hence the volume of the material dispensed either in a mopping or glazing mode or in a ribbon mode which is also adjustable for width. The machine can be placed in a filling and transport position supported on two main wheels or can be rotated to a dispensing position supported upon the same two main wheels and a third support wheel which also controls the clearance of the dispensing valves from the floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1985
    Inventor: Joseph J. Matula
  • Patent number: 4462511
    Abstract: A funnel shaped conveyor receives containers of powdered materials and is coupled to the containers. A screen support member within the funnel receives granules from the container and supports the same above a spray nozzle. The nozzle directs a spray of liquid, such as water, against the underside of the support screen and wets the granules resting thereon, dissolving the same and causing the solution to pass through the screen. The nozzle further sprays the sides of the funnel in order to remove any caking material and reduce clogging. A discharge port provides the resulting solution to a receptacle, such as a washing machine. The apparatus includes a dual safety feature, which assures that an operator will not be exposed to any caustic solutions during a change of containers. Rotatable mounting brackets permit gravity fed operation in a first position, and permit container replacement in a second position in which a sensing switch disables the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1984
    Assignee: Viking Injector Company
    Inventors: Frederick J. Fulmer, George Moschak
  • Patent number: 4358026
    Abstract: Apparatus for dispensing liquid preparations which comprises a container having demountable upper and lower container parts, the upper container part of which has a pressurized-fluid inlet connected by a flexible connecting line to a source of pressurized fluid and a vent, a flexible diaphragm located in the container so as to provide an expandable and contractable pressurized-fluid chamber and an expandable and contractable preparation chamber in the container, a charging and discharging orifice in the lower container part, and a flexible connecting line connecting that orifice with a point at which fluid is discharged. The container is mounted for rotation on a horizontal axis for allowing rotation of the container from a position in which the charging and discharging orifice in the lower container part is uppermost for filling and lowermost for discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1982
    Assignee: ITP Associates AG
    Inventor: Esa K. Makinen
  • Patent number: 4343416
    Abstract: A critically safe container for the storage and rapid discharge of enriched nuclear fuel material in powder form is disclosed. The container has a hollow, slab-shaped container body that has one critically safe dimension. A powder inlet is provided on one side wall of the body adjacent to a corner thereof and a powder discharge port is provided at another corner of the body approximately diagonal the powder inlet. Gas plenum for moving the powder during discharge are located along the side walls of the container adjacent the discharge port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1982
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Benjamin F. Etheredge, Richard I. Larson