Suspension Supported Patents (Class 222/181.2)
  • Patent number: 6591874
    Abstract: A pouch for dispensing a beverage. The pouch includes a pair of opposing walls with a first half and a second half. A valve is inserted within one of the walls at the first half of the pouch. The valve is configured to be operable with a beverage dispenser. The pouch also includes various elements for hanging the pouch by its second half such that the pouch may be hung and dispense the beverage through the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
    Inventor: William S. Credle, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6543961
    Abstract: A device for continuous supply of grouting into joints between longitudinal concrete elements, which are disposed chiefly horizontally next to each other to form, e.g., floors in building constructions. The device comprises a rhombic hopper adapted for displacement along the joint, wherein at least two side walls form an accumulating plow for leading the grouting in towards a vertical plane through the joint. The side walls of the hopper are latitudinally displaceable with respect to each other, and are held with an adjustable force against the surface of the concrete elements. The hopper is arranged below a discharge end of a container, the discharge end having a damper, which is operated by an actuator coupled to a level sensor in the hopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Inventor: Torbjorn Rensel
  • Patent number: 6540117
    Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing metered amounts of a viscous liquid includes a liquid reservoir and a pump chamber having an opening in communication with the reservoir. A dispensing orifice is defined in the pump chamber. A pump mechanism is configured with the pump chamber and is movable from a rest position to a pressurizing position upon actuation thereof to pressurize liquid within the pump chamber. A check valve mechanism is disposed in the opening. A sealing member is disposed within the pump chamber to seal the dispensing orifice upon an initial movement of the pump mechanism to its pressurizing position. The sealing member is moveable within the pump chamber upon subsequent further movement of the pump mechanism to its pressurizing position to unseal the dispensing orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: David J. Powling
  • Publication number: 20030015554
    Abstract: This invention provides fluid-dispensing devices attachable to an air-intake system of an internal combustion engine for introducing an engine cleaner composition into the air intake system. The invention also provides methods of cleaning internal combustion engines using the fluid-dispensing devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2000
    Publication date: January 23, 2003
    Inventor: Kenneth G. Gatzke
  • Publication number: 20030006248
    Abstract: An apparatus and system for removing material from a bulk bag with reduced atmospheric contamination. The invention provides for engaging the bulk bag in a substantially airtight arrange with a reservoir that receives the material being unloaded and airflow discharge system that filters the airflow prior to it entering the surrounding atmosphere. The apparatus is specifically intended for removing residual material from the bulk bag and collapsing the bag through vacuum pressure. This simplifies bag removal and folding while reducing atmospheric contamination from uncontrolled residual material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2002
    Publication date: January 9, 2003
    Applicant: Flexicon Corporation
    Inventors: David R. Gill, Keith W. Sterner, John F. Simonof
  • Publication number: 20020190080
    Abstract: A pouch for dispensing a beverage. The pouch includes a pair of opposing walls with a first half and a second half. A valve is inserted within one of the walls at the first half of the pouch. The valve is configured to be operable with a beverage dispenser. The pouch also includes various elements for hanging the pouch by its second half such that the pouch may be hung and dispense the beverage through the valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2002
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Inventor: William S. Credle
  • Patent number: 6462288
    Abstract: A metering device comprises a scale barrel, a weight part, and a shut mechanism. The scale barrel is composed of a stationary box plate and a movable box plate pivotally connecting with each other. At least a weighing platform is provided at an inner side of the movable box plate. The weight part is disposed at a lateral side of the scale barrel to measure the weight of weighed substances sent into the scale barrel. The shut mechanism is disposed at an outer side of the movable box plate and has a moving rod to open or close the movable box plate. When the movable box plate is in a state of closing, weighed substances can be received in the scale barrel. When the weight of weighed substances in the scale barrel reaches to a predetermined value, the movable box plate may open pivotally to admit the weighed substances entering a packing bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Inventor: David Wong
  • Publication number: 20020096538
    Abstract: The drum assembly of the present claimed invention is used for washing and is comprised of a primary container and a supplementary container integral as a single structure. The primary container may be filled with water and the supplementary container may be filled with any cleansing substance, for example, detergent. The primary container includes a support base and a flattened body of the handle for the mounting or support of the drum where toilet assemblies are not available, such as in trucks, motor vehicles, camping facilities, and any other suitable location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2001
    Publication date: July 25, 2002
    Inventor: Jose Beltran Bolgar
  • Patent number: 6401983
    Abstract: A bulk cargo container is disclosed for storing, transporting or processing solid or liquid bulk materials. The bulk cargo container includes a vessel suitable for containing the bulk material and a supporting frame assembly having a generally horizontally disposed support member attachment. In an exemplary embodiment, the vessel is formed of fiber reinforced plastic material and includes a container portion and a support member. The container portion is formed into at least one hopper having a discharge opening therein suitable for discharging bulk material contained within the vessel. The vessel is supported from the support member attachment via the support member so that the weight of the bulk material is carried in tension by the fiber reinforced plastic material of the vessels shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Composite Structures, Inc.
    Inventors: Harley C. McDonald, Matthew C. McDonald
  • Patent number: 6390337
    Abstract: A gravity teed device for holding and dispensing quantities of merchandise and which is capable of being supported upon an upright merchandising display. An elongated and substantially sleeve shaped blank has first, second, third and fourth interconnecting and elongate extending sides, a open top, and a bottom. An opening is defined in the first side, proximate the bottom, and forms a vertical abutment extending between a lower-most edge of the opening and the bottom and acts to prevent unassisted dispensing of quantities of merchandise. A support member extends proximate the open top and from which the device is supported at a specified elevated location and upon the merchandising display. A first end of the member secures to a selected location along the upright merchandising display, a second end of the support member engaging the top of the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Inventor: Thomas M. Shea
  • Publication number: 20020056729
    Abstract: A label for suspending an article from a support has a lower surface and includes an adhesive on the lower surface to secure the label to the article. The label further includes a hanger defining an opening therein and an interlock tab. The interlock tab is adapted to selectively engage the opening to interlock with the hanger to form a hanging loop including the hanger and the interlock tab. A molded suspendable assembly includes a molded article and an in-mold label secured to the article. The label includes a hanger defining an opening therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2001
    Publication date: May 16, 2002
    Inventor: Glenn A. Grosskopf
  • Patent number: 6367661
    Abstract: The present invention 10 discloses a main housing 28 having a slide track 30 with slide plate 22 attached above the interior orifice 32 of the release spout 24. Riding within the slide track 30 is a slide plate 22 controlled and operated by an external spring handle 26. The spring handle 26 consists of a pin 20 and lock device 40 in which the removable slide plate 22 is held captive. When the spring handle 26 is squeezed, the removable slide plate 22 is extracted from blocking the interior spout hole 32 allowing the batter to be released and then the spring handle pushes the slide plate back, riding within the track 30, in a closed position over the interior spout hole blocking the flow of the batter. The main housing 28 has a sanitary lid 16 that provides access to the interior of the housing to fill or for cleaning. Mounted to the exterior of the main housing are two stand adapters 18 which provide for attaching a four legged stand 44.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Inventor: Vincent Valente
  • Patent number: 6340100
    Abstract: A bulk bag unloading station wherein a bulk bag is suspended above a discharge receptacle. An assembly is provided for securing a spout extending from the bag to a discharge tube. The assembly comprises a clamp ring which defines a channel configured to receive the free edge of the tube therein. An actuator assembly is moveable between a first position where the clamp ring is spaced from the free edge and a second position where it overlies the tube free edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2002
    Assignee: Flexicon Corporation
    Inventors: David R. Gill, Dennis E. Graham, John F. Simonof, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6318600
    Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing shaving cream or other aerosol dispensed products from cans having different heights and diameters. The device can be easily mounted on a wall or retained on a counter for easy dispensing of the can's contents through the use of only one finger. The device provides a simple mechanical dispensing member which can accommodate cans of a given diameter and different heights and can also accommodate cans having a shorter height and wider diameter, and which is configured so that each specific can is brought into alignment so that its dispensing nozzle is aligned with the dispensing peg on the transverse handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Inventors: Harold G. Winnett, Bernard Ilan Urfig
  • Patent number: 6318594
    Abstract: A soft container and handling system for transporting, handling, and dispensing flowable dry goods, the container having a resealable discharge chute extending from a bottom wall portion and arranged to allow gravity induced discharge of goods when raised above a surface and to be closed against an upper portion of the container to prevent flow with the container supported on the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Inventor: Burleigh M. Hutchins
  • Patent number: 6293426
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for off-loading incoherent material from a container towards a user unit positioned inferiorly to the container itself, wherein the phases are implemented of connecting an outlet of the container to a superior extremity of a conduit connected with its other extremity to the user unit, to the outlet being associated a valve element and to the conduit being associated a plurality of shut-off elements mutually distanced along the conduit itself and each able to vary the amplitude of the passage existing inside the conduit itself between a condition of closure of the passage and a condition of maximum opening; placing all shut-off elements in the closure condition; causing the opening of the valve element; and of causing the progressive disposition of the shut-off elements, starting from the highest one and proceeding downward, from the closure condition to the maximum opening condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: Zanchetta & C. S.r.l.
    Inventor: Carlo Papera
  • Patent number: 6290098
    Abstract: A flow promotion apparatus for use in conjunction with a bulk bag unloading station. The apparatus comprises a pair of spaced apart mounting brackets, a fluid actuator, a connecting rod and a push bar. The fluid actuator is pivotably connected at one end to one of the mounting brackets. The connecting rod is pivotably connected at one end to the other mounting bracket and pivotably connected at its other end to the piston. The push bar is pivotably coupled at the junction between the fluid actuator and connecting rod and actuation of the fluid actuator extends the push bar extends to agitate material along the side-walls of the bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Flexicon Corporation
    Inventors: Keith Sterner, James L. Marino, John F. Simonof, David R. Gill
  • Patent number: 6273297
    Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing viscous liquid from a flexible viscous liquid containing bag having a dispensing opening is provided. The dispenser includes a support plate that is adapted to support the flexible viscous liquid containing bag. A squeegee carriage having a squeegee attached thereto is also provided. The squeegee carriage is mounted for movement from an initial, upper position downwardly along the support plate to a lower position. The squeegee is adapted to press the flexible viscous liquid containing bag against the support plate to squeeze the viscous liquid from the dispensing opening. A flexible bag for use with the dispenser is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Advanced Food Products, LLC
    Inventors: Stephan M. Schalow, Gary S. Rehm, Scott N. Rehm
  • Patent number: 6253968
    Abstract: A method is provided for dosing powdered material from a supply container having a vertically suspending discharge tube of an elastically deformable material, by squeezing said discharge tube at locations, which periodically move along a part of the discharge tube length. In this method, the squeezing of the discharge tube is effected in a similar way as the flexible tube of a peristaltic pump of the type, with which the tube engages a support wall on one side and with which a peristaltic mechanism is provided on the opposite side for squeezing the tube according to a travelling wave, the length of which does not exceed one single wave length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Diversey Lever Inc.
    Inventors: Jakob Van Dijk, Ruud Klarenbeek, Leendert Los, Miro Pobuda, Lucas Alphonsus Evers, Ronald Müller
  • Patent number: 6237812
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an aerosol dispensing device for selectively dispensing a pressurized aerosol disinfectant from an aerosol container. A wall mounted support base for holding an aerosol container has two support holes at its lower end which rotatingly receive corresponding support shafts integral with a cover so as to permit the cover to rotate downward with respect to the support base; a latch mechanism detachably secures the top end of the cover to the support base. The aerosol container includes a normally closed discharge valve at one end, the discharge valve having a hollow stem extending from one end of the aerosol container and being in flow communication therewith when the hollow stem is laterally deflected. The aerosol container is removably received, stem down, in a mating U-shaped support arm attached to the support base, by means of a mating ring-form groove formed in one end of the aerosol container near the hollow stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Eiko-Sha Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Rokuro Fukada
  • Patent number: 6227408
    Abstract: There is disclosed a method for discharging bags in which a full bag with an outlet is supported outlet lowermost over a hopper via which its contents are discharged with the outlet secured to the hopper inlet, and the emptied bag is evacuated via the hopper and collapsed before the outlet is removed from the hopper inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Flomat Bagfilla International Limited
    Inventor: Barrie Armstrong Poulton
  • Patent number: 6202895
    Abstract: A method of organizing and dispensing cosmetic foundation compositions wherein a series of dispensers receive and hold a series of different cosmetic foundation compositions. The dispensers are supported within a structure such as a carousel and are disposed in side-by-side relationship. In cases where the desired foundation is a standard tone or color, the particular foundation is simply dispensed from the dispenser holding the same. In cases where the desired tone or color falls between standard colors, then certain proportions of two or more standard foundations are dispensed and mixed to yield the desired cosmetic foundation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Direct Dye Delivery, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Terry S. Fox
  • Patent number: 6196279
    Abstract: An electric circuit for a system to prevent accidental discharge of hot-mix asphalt at asphalt plants with multiple silos includes a manual switch which energizes a relay holding the circuit closed. A time delay relay is also energized to provide a time period to determine whether the process should continue. When the time delay times out, a solenoid is energized to open a hot mix storage silo. A closed circuit TV camera and a system of flashing lights are included to provide a fixed view of the loading area with a monitor at the control panel. When hot-mix asphalt is to be discharged into a truck, a switch is activated which causes a light beneath the bin to flash. This identifies the bin selected to open. The TV monitor is viewed and the position of the truck can now be visually confirmed along with the flashing light on the bin that has been activated. The manual switch must be pushed in order to complete the discharge of the hot-mix asphalt from the bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Ashland Chemical Company
    Inventor: Richard L. Baker
  • Patent number: 6186360
    Abstract: Disclosed is a machine for unloading a bulk-material bag of the type having a bottom portion, a side portion and a transition portion between the bottom and side portions. The machine includes an apparatus aiding discharge of the material from the bag. In the improvement, the apparatus includes a tri-section panel mounted for movement on the machine, thereby configuring the panel to sequentially contact the bottom, transition and side portions of the bag. The panel has first, second and third segments angle-mounted to one another. In a specific embodiment, the segments are substantially planar. A microprocessor-based controller is coupled to the actuator and regulates its movement as a function of a process parameter, e.g., the compressibility of the bag and/or the weight of the material contained in the bag. A highly preferred embodiment of the machine also has a bag lifting mechanism above the tri-section panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Schenck AccuRate, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven L. Becker, Thomas G. Kelly, Jeffrey M. Nauman