Nongravity Feed To Trap Of Vacuum, Gravity, Or Manual Removal Type Patents (Class 222/205)
  • Patent number: 6547105
    Abstract: A plastic container having a storage chamber which graduates from a shoulder section into a bottle neck, in such a way that the length of the bottle neck can be changed about its axis. Thus, this invention provides a constriction between the shoulder section and a pour-out area. The constriction is adjacent the shoulder section and is followed by an area which can be axially compressed. The constriction can serve as a sealing area. Liquid, free-flowing and pourable media can be discharged in doses using a metering element which is fixed to the top of the bottle neck and which penetrates the constriction. By exerting pressure on the metering element, it is possible to establish an open or closed connection between the metering element and the storage chamber of the plastic container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Createchnic AG
    Inventors: Fritz Seelhofer, Fernando Suarez
  • Patent number: 6540118
    Abstract: A cleaning solution dispensing device for dispensing a selected amount of cleaning solution upon a sponge. The cleaning solution dispensing device includes container support members for resting upon a surface; and also includes a container having top, side, and bottom walls and being attached to the support members and also having a reservoir disposed therein and further having a plurality of holes being disposed through the top wall and also having an opening being disposed through the bottom wall into the reservoir; and further includes a cap being removably disposed over the opening; and also includes a dispensing assembly being attached to the container for dispensing cleaning solution; and further includes sponge support members being disposed upon the container support members and the container for supporting a sponge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Inventor: Wayne J. Marciano
  • Patent number: 6505761
    Abstract: The invention relates to an assembly for delivering a paste from a flexible supply packing drum to a dosing device. The packing drum is arranged in a dimensionally stable container and has a descending passageway for product guidance. The dosing device draws paste from the packing drum by use of a low pressure. In addition, a follower plate is arranged for positioning on the top of the flexible supply packing drum. An opening is provided in the bottom of the container. The container is sealed against the dosing device, and the follower plate is sealed against and moveable within the container. A low pressure is applied between the container and the flexible supply packing drum for assisting the transfer of paste into the dosing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Ecolab GmbH & Co. OHG
    Inventors: Guenther Amberg, Wolfgang Huber
  • Patent number: 6503222
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for facilitating the oral delivery of an active agent to a patient in need of treatment therewith, which apparatus comprises an active agent mixing chamber, a mixture delivery tube, and at least one liquid delivery tube. A mixture formed in the mixing chamber which comprises a combination of an active agent, or a pharmaceutical formulation thereof, and a liquid diluent may be delivered into the oral cavity of the patient from the mixing chamber by suction on the mixture delivery tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Pfizer Inc
    Inventor: Julian B. Lo
  • Publication number: 20020134797
    Abstract: A dispenser for a fluid cleaning medium (4) for cleaning the suction system (23, 25) and drainage system (29) of a dental treatment station (26) comprises a supply container (2) and a dispensing container (3) which are connected with one another via a pump (6). Upon an actuation of the pump (6) cleaning medium (4) is transported into the dispensing container (3), which medium can be drawn off or dispensed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2002
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Applicant: Kaltenbach & Voigt GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Michael Grimm, Helmut Baur
  • Publication number: 20020096541
    Abstract: The applicator comprises a container for containing a liquid including a foaming agent, a cup mounted on the container, means for supplying gas at an elevated pressure into the liquid in the container to cause the liquid to foam and passage means between the container and the cup and through which foam can pass from the container to the cup.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2001
    Publication date: July 25, 2002
    Applicant: Ambic Equipment Limited
    Inventor: Ian Cross
  • Patent number: 6415961
    Abstract: A dispensing member for a container may comprise a piston configured to slide between a first position and a second position inside the body of the dispensing member in response to pressure of a product exerted on the piston. A variable volume chamber may be at least partially defined by the piston and configured to communicate with a container. The first position of the piston may maximize a volume of the variable volume chamber, and the second position of the piston may minimize the volume of the variable volume chamber. A difference between the maximum volume and the minimum volume may comprise a first volume. The dispensing member may also include an outlet for passing product from the variable volume chamber as the piston moves from the first position to the second position. The dispensing member may be configured to dispense a first amount of product up to the first volume and, depending on a manner in which pressure of a product is exerted on the piston, a second amount of product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: L'Oreal S.A.
    Inventor: Philippe Bonningue
  • Patent number: 6347727
    Abstract: A feeding system for feeding infants and other individuals who must be fed by another. The feeding system includes a number of small packets, much like catsup or mustard packets, that are filled with food, such as baby food, and which is attachable to a feeding spoon mechanism provided with the system. Once attached to the feeding spoon mechanism, the food within the packet is forced out of the packet into the bowl of the spoon mechanism by the user using only a single hand. The feeding system thus allows the user to have one hand remain free to hold the baby, a baby bib or perform other necessary baby care activities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Inventor: Cynthia M. Diaz
  • Patent number: 6334550
    Abstract: A dose measuring apparatus which enables an accurate dosing of a liquid includes two cylindrical sleeves, namely a lower part which is completely closed at the bottom and serves as reservoir for collecting the amount of liquid to be closed, and an upper part which is screwed on to the lower part and is provided with a pouring orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2002
    Inventor: Jan De Backer
  • Patent number: 6330960
    Abstract: The present invention provides a flexible container for dispensing liquids capable of providing precise dosage of the liquid. The container comprises an upper liquid reservoir and a lower liquid reservoir separated by a gasket, a longitudinal tube extending through the gasket and comprising a slot, and a dispensing tip having a longitudinal sleeve extending therefrom that also comprises a slot and is disposed concentrically around the upper end of the longitudinal tube. Liquid may be transferred from the lower reservoir to the upper reservoir by the application of pressure on the lower reservoir while the two slots are aligned. In a preferred embodiment, the container is rendered child-resistant through the provision of a cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Assignee: McNeil-PPC, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Faughey, John Lonczak
  • Patent number: 6290102
    Abstract: A liquid dispensing container including a reservoir chamber and a measuring chamber separated therefrom but in liquid communication therewith. A liquid transfer tube interconnects the reservoir chamber and the measuring chamber and, in a preferred embodiment is partly incorporated in wall structure separating the two chambers. A closable opening leads directly into the reservoir for filing the reservoir and a further closable opening leads from the measuring chamber for dispensing a measured volume of liquid. The walls of the reservoir chamber are flexible and may be pressed to force liquid from the reservoir through the tube and into the measuring chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Inventors: Robert Michael Jennings, David Allen Jennings
  • Patent number: 6280111
    Abstract: A dispenser is provided for dispensing liquid soap onto a scrub brush. The dispenser includes a reservoir for holding liquid soap, supporting surfaces for supporting the scrub brush in suspension above the liquid soap in the reservoir. In one embodiment, a carrier for holding the scrub brush is depressed by a downward force. The downward movement of the carrier enables even distribution of the liquid soap through the carrier to thereby coat an operative portion of the scrub brush. In another embodiment, a manually actuated pump dispenses the liquid soap upwardly through the bottom of a well onto the scrub brush.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Inventors: Mark Armer, Frederick George Eiler
  • Patent number: 6276299
    Abstract: A combined container and drinking vessel comprises (i) a closable container (10) adapted, in use, to contain a liquid and having two opposed major surfaces (11, 12), one of said major surfaces (11) being substantially planar and the opposed surface (12) containing a dished portion (13), the container moreover having at least one resiliently deformable portion (21); (ii) communication means extending between the interior of the container (10) and the dished portion (13) and adapted, in use, to permit a flow of liquid from the container (10) and into the dished portion (13). In use, the container (10) is at least partly filled with a liquid and deformation of the resiliently deformable portion (21) forces said liquid, via the communication means (ii) into the dished portion (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Firstbrook & Doman LTD
    Inventor: Keith Firstbrook
  • Patent number: 6264074
    Abstract: A mouthpiece for feeding food from a compressible container is provided. The mouthpiece comprises a concave blade and a diaphragm attached along its edge to the blade, thereby covering the concave blade. The diaphragm has a free portion which, together with a substantially opposing blade end, defines an opening, which food can pass through. The mouthpiece is adapted to be attached to an aperture portion of a container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Inventor: Bjorn Emilsson
  • Patent number: 6253967
    Abstract: The assembly comprises a flexible container in which liquid can be stored and a dosing device connected to the container for dispensing liquid from the container in a dosed manner. The dosing device comprises a filling chamber and means for filling the filling chamber from the container at a selectively settable filling height by squeezing the container. The filling chamber comprises a filling chamber bottom, a vertical sidewall and at least a first and a second channel which each extends upwards from the filling chamber bottom of the filling chamber and each has an inflow opening and an outflow opening. The dosing device further comprises a base bottom connected to the container, the entire filling chamber being rotatably mounted on the base bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Sara Lee/De N.V.
    Inventor: Jan Adolf Ernst Sperna Weiland
  • Patent number: 6244470
    Abstract: A measured quantity liquid dispenser including a liquid supply container and an attached liquid dispensing chamber. The dispensing chamber has a hinged lid with a locking ledge. A slide plate is moveable between a first position where flow of liquid between the supply container and the dispensing chamber is prevented and the lid of the dispensing chamber is unlocked, and a second position where flow is permitted between the supply container and the dispensing chamber and the lid of the dispensing chamber is locked. The liquid dispenser is inverted with the slide plate moved to the second position to refill the dispensing chamber. The dispenser is especially useful to limit a child's use of a liquid composition such as mouthwash or shampoo.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Inventor: Sandria C. Harley-Wilmot
  • Patent number: 6186367
    Abstract: The present invention is a metered liquid squeezable dispenser, which includes a squeezable container having an open end and neck for dispensing liquid. A trap chamber base non-rotatably attached to the container and a trap chamber is rotatably attached to the trap chamber base. A dip tube is located in the base and extends into the container. There is an air inlet orifice located on the base. The trap chamber has a dispensing outlet, at least one metered dosage inlet pipe passing through the bottom of the trap chamber, extending upwardly therefrom for a predetermined height, and an air pipe passing through its bottom. The base and trap chamber align with one another for squeeze, metered dose filling, and then rotational realignment for squeeze dispensing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Valley Design Inc.
    Inventor: John E. Harrold
  • Patent number: 6112779
    Abstract: The capsule (11), which can be screwed onto the threaded neck (3) of the bottle, coaxially forms the cylinder (15) of the syringe device; an element (21) inside the capsule (11) and surrounding the cylinder (15) forms an annular leaktight seal (21A) which can be tightened onto the edge (3B) of the neck (3) and fits inside the bottle neck by means of a shaped extension piece (21B); said element (21) accommodates, via a central hole, the cylinder (15) of the syringe device and surrounds it with an annular lip (21C) which extends toward the center of the bottle so as to wipe the outer surface of the cylinder as the capsule is fitted with a safety cap (29) and a seal (33).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Project s.a.s.di Massimo Menichelli & C.
    Inventor: Maffei Camilla
  • Patent number: 6021924
    Abstract: A manually operated metering pump for a container with a flexible body, comprising a metering chamber (20) between a lower valve (21) and an upper valve (48), a spring-biased push button (34), and a nozzle communicating with the metering chamber (20) via a central channel. The lower valve (21) is flexible and frusto-conical, and the upper valve (48) is supported on a disc (47) forming the base of a hollow rod (43) secured to the push button (34), and engages the bottom of a hollow plunger (32) operated via a push button (34).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Assignee: Societe de Promotion, Recherche et Innovation Technologique
    Inventors: Catherine Suck, Pierre Bret, Jacques Pozzi
  • Patent number: 5992702
    Abstract: A water bottle in accordance with this invention comprises a liquid container, which may be identical to the containers presently used in known portable water bottles, and a lid assembly attached to the container and covering an upper opening therein. The lid assembly has an opening through which a flexible tube extends. The lid assembly has an upstanding wall that defines a liquid reservoir surrounding the straw separate from the liquid container. The lid assembly defines a path for the tube that is disposed exterior to an interior sidewall of the reservoir. The liquid reservoir may be filled with liquid from the container by directing the upper end of the straw into the reservoir and squeezing the container to force the liquid therein through the straw. This provides an open reservoir of liquid from which a pet can drink without contaminating the liquid within the liquid container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Inventor: Howard J. Shapiro
  • Patent number: 5967377
    Abstract: The present invention is a metered liquid dispenser. A liquid dispenser has a liquid volume metering element located on a base attached to the top of the neck of a liquid dispenser. Using a lift fill mechanism, the metering element is vertically slid relative to the base to dispense a measured liquid volume. One-way valves located in the base and the top of the metering element alternately act to displace air from the element, and then provide suction to draw a measured liquid volume from the liquid dispenser through a dip tube into the element. The liquid is dispensed by inverting the metered liquid dispenser. The metering element has liquid level markings to indicate the liquid volume being entered to the element for dispensing, and is preferable partly transparent to visually display the liquid in the metering element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Primary Delivery Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth P. Glynn
  • Patent number: 5964379
    Abstract: A beverage container for hot liquids which has a vessel with a completely enclosed, thermally insulated, internal chamber within which is to be placed a quantity of consumable hot liquid. A cap is removably mounted on the vessel which is to completely close the internal chamber and, by removing of the cap, permit an additional quantity of hot liquid to be supplied into the internal chamber. A dispensing passage, usually in the form of a tube, extends from the internal chamber to the cap with normally there being a valve mounted in conjunction with the dispensing passage with this valve being mounted within the cap. Air pressure is to be supplied into the internal chamber which is to cause a small portion of the hot liquid to be conducted through the passage, past the valve, and into a reservoir mounted in conjunction with the cap. The reservoir is open to the ambient permitting consuming of the hot liquid from the reservoir by a human.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Inventor: Robert A. DeMars
  • Patent number: 5961004
    Abstract: A beverage container for hot liquids which has a vessel with a completely enclosed, thermally insulated, internal chamber within which is to be placed a quantity of consumable hot liquid. A cap is removably mounted on the vessel which is to completely close the internal chamber and, by removing of the cap, permit an additional quantity of hot liquid to be supplied into the internal chamber. A dispensing passage, usually in the form of a tube, extends from the internal chamber to the cap with there being a valve mounted in conjunction with the dispensing passage with this valve being mounted within the cap. Air pressure is to be supplied into the internal chamber which is to cause a small portion of the hot liquid to be conducted through the passage, past the valve, and into a reservoir mounted in conjunction with the cap. The reservoir is open to the ambient permitting consuming of the hot liquid from the reservoir by a human.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Inventor: Robert A. DeMars
  • Patent number: 5927354
    Abstract: A dispenser for pourable fluids comprising a container for fluid, in the neck of the container there being a holder for a drinking cup, at least one passage in the neck allowing fluid to pass from the container along the neck past the holder toward the mouth opening, removeably mounted in the holder a drinking cup, having an open top, a removeable closure for the mouth opening, such that inversion or agitation of the dispenser causes fluid to pass from the container through the passages(s) into the drinking cup, and re-inversion or cessation of agitation, to an upright orientation results in the retention of a volume of the fluid in the drinking cup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Smithkline Beecham P.L.C.
    Inventor: Harry Flewitt
  • Patent number: 5842599
    Abstract: A method of delivering a liquid detergent product which may be caustic, is described. In particular, a predetermined volume of water is dosed into a container using a flow meter, a valve means, and, optionally, a water supply pump means. A pump means is activated to deliver the liquid detergent product into the container until it is completely filled as controlled by a level sensor located in the container. The contents of the container are then delivered. A device for carrying out the method is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: Diversey Lever, Inc.
    Inventors: Bennie Douma, Leendert Los
  • Patent number: 5833124
    Abstract: A fluid dispensing device for use with a fluid reservoir having a cup having a bottom wall and a top wall, the top wall including an orifice to permit removal of fluid from the cup and with the top wall having a threaded axial opening, the bottom wall being coupled to a conduit adapted for communication with fluid in a reservoir; and a column rotatably positioned in the axial opening and extending therefrom into and out of the cup, the column including an orifice positioned in the cup, the column including a threaded portion being cooperative with the threaded axial opening such that the position of the column orifice in the cup can be varied through a vertical range of movement by rotation of the column, and the column further including a tubular portion being in fluid communication with the column orifice and with the conduit and movable relative to the conduit while substantially maintaining a seal therebetween throughout the vertical range of movement of the orifice in the cup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Pfizer Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce I. Groves, Rodney L. Laible
  • Patent number: 5722350
    Abstract: A dip cup comprises a compressible container for containing a liquid including a foaming agent, a cup mounted on the container, a foaming device for drawing air into liquid in the container as the container expands from a compressed state to cause the liquid to foam, and passage means between the container and the cup and through which foam can pass from the container to the cup as the container is compressed. The foaming device is arranged to draw air into liquid in the container from the exterior of the dip cup and includes a valve for preventing the contents of the container from being expelled via the foaming device when the container is compressed. A one way valve may be provided in the passage means to prevent the return of foam from the cup to the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Assignee: Ambic Equipment Limited
    Inventor: Barry Reginald Marshall
  • Patent number: 5682931
    Abstract: A baby food jar is directly attachable to the top of a squeezable baby bottle so that the baby food jar can be inverted on the sgueezable bottle to gravitationally transfer the baby food without spilling. Thereafter, a feeding member includes a nozzle which attaches directly to the squeezable baby bottle. The nozzle terminates in a baby feeding spoon. Squeezing the bottle delivers baby food directly to the spoon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Assignee: Munchkin, Inc.
    Inventor: Silva Mouchmouchian
  • Patent number: 5649647
    Abstract: A cylindrical piston pump with an inlet suction line and outlet discharge port. The pump is capable of lifting chlorine-containing fluid from out a portable container and, with little inducement save gravity, automatically transferring the liquid to a desired, generally lower location. The automatic transfer is effected by flap or analogous valve control; while semi-automatic is effected by rotary or shuttle, manually actuated valves. Outflow is enhanced by gravity, spring return of the piston and/or connection of the discharge line to a fluid entrainment assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Inventor: Joseph Kodarar
  • Patent number: 5601212
    Abstract: A dispenser comprising a condiment supply container, a squeezeable dispensing nipple, and a connector connecting the container and nipple.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1997
    Inventor: Gary K. Lee
  • Patent number: 5593065
    Abstract: The metered dual dispenser cap is for dual compartmented squeeze type containers which separately contain two distinct materials. The metered dual dispenser cap has a lower portion which is reciprocally attached to an upper portion. The lower portion has two inlets, each regulated by one way valves. The two inlets lead to two chambers which in turn lead through two outlet shafts to two dispensing outlets in the upper portion. The flow from the two chambers to the two dispensing outlets is regulated by two one way valves which are controlled by a push button on top of the cap. The volume expansion of the chambers, as the upper portion is pulled away from the lower portion, may be determined from optional scale gradations on the outer male wall. The scale gradations are increasingly exposed as the upper portion is pulled away to increase the volume in the chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Assignee: Pakmax, Inc.
    Inventor: John E. Harrold
  • Patent number: 5584420
    Abstract: A liquid dispenser that is suitable for metering pre-measured quantities of liquid from a rigid wall or deformable walled container. The liquid dispenser comprises a nozzle (16) which attaches to the container at one end and attaches to a dispensing chamber (14) at the other end. The dispensing chamber (14) has an opening (24) at its inlet end which juxtaposes with a disk (21) at the discharge end of the nozzle. The nozzle (16) has a central aperture (19) which terminates at the discharge end with inwardly projecting arms (22) which support the disk (21). The seating of the chamber on the end of the nozzle brings the disk (21) into juxtaposition with the opening (24) to control the flow of liquid from the container to the dispensing chamber (14). When the dispensing chamber (14) is fully engaged with the discharge end of the nozzle (16), the opening (24) in the dispensing chamber interlocks with the disk (21) on the nozzle to prevent the liquid from entering the dispensing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Inventors: Hassan Awada, Keri Awada
  • Patent number: 5573143
    Abstract: Multi-chamber containers with a dispenser/doser portion are blow molded as a single integral piece. Each chamber can then be fitted with dip tubes with a dip tube fitment forming a seal in the transition of the container body to the dispenser/doser portion. The dividing webs in the container which form the container into multiple chambers are continued up into and through the dispenser/doser portion. The webs of the container body are of a thickness so that they flex upon a compression force being applied to the container walls. This compression force flows liquid in each chamber of the container body up through the dip tubes and into the dispenser/doser portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: Lawrence R. Deardurff, Daniel J. Durham, Adam Sherman, Salvatore N. Del'Re, James C. McKinney
  • Patent number: 5570820
    Abstract: This invention relates to a liquid dosing device for locating on a container. The device has a chamber with an aperture therein to allow liquid out the chamber. A spout extends through a wall of the chamber and has a first end located toward the top of the chamber and a second end extending beyond the wall of the chamber for locating inside the container. The device also has a valve arrangement which comprises a cap and a holding structure to move the cap between a storage position whereby the cap is held in sealing contact with the first end of the spout and an operative condition whereby the cap is held off the first end of the spout to allow liquid exiting the first end of the spout into the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1996
    Assignee: Flowreg CC
    Inventor: Hendrik J. Amoraal
  • Patent number: 5556008
    Abstract: An improved feeding utensil which includes a container for liquid and a soft spoon shaped feeding portion which receives liquid from the container for feeding, such as for feeding an infant. A preferred embodiment has a one-way valve which functions to allow liquid to flow out from the container into a liquid delivery element, the latter including a reservoir portion for temporarily storing liquid that has passed from the container through the one-way valve, and a spoon shaped feeding portion adapted for feeding the liquid received from the reservoir portion. The liquid delivery element is constructed of soft plastic material or natural or synthetic rubber material. The flexibility of this material facilitates metering of the liquid and also provides a familiar textured feeding cup for inserting into the mouth that is being fed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Assignee: Medela, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian H. Silver, Larry D. Annis
  • Patent number: 5549224
    Abstract: A liquid medicine container includes a container body having threaded neck with an opening formed thereon for the entry of a liquid medicine into the container body. A seal member is fit into the opening to seal it. A through hole is formed on the seal member to be in fluid communication with the interior of the container body. The neck has a circumferential flange formed thereon with two recesses formed on the flange. The neck also has a groove formed thereon and extending in a direction substantially normal to the threading of the neck from a point close the circumferential flange, crossing the neck threading, to a point close to the opening. A cap member has an open end with segmented threading formed therein to be engageable with the neck threading for tightening the cap member on the neck wherein the edge of the open end of the cap member is in contact engagement with the flange and two bosses formed on the edge of the open end of the cap member received within the recesses formed on the flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1996
    Inventors: Ko-hsiang Wu, Wei-hsing Huang
  • Patent number: 5462101
    Abstract: The system includes a coupler which attaches to both a baby food jar and a squeezable baby bottle so that the baby food jar can be inverted on the squeezable bottle to gravitationally transfer the baby food without spilling. Thereafter, a nozzle attaches to the coupler or directly to the squeezable baby bottle. The nozzle terminates in a baby feeding spoon. A manual valve is fitted into the nozzle to close it when desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1995
    Inventor: Silva Mouchmouchian
  • Patent number: 5381930
    Abstract: A dispensing device for dispensing a measured volume of liquid from a body of liquid contained in a container, which includes a receptacle for receiving an unmeasured excess volume of liquid from the body of liquid and a conduit to connect the container to the receptacle. The conduit permits liquid to flow from the body of liquid into the receptacle when a reduced pressure is created in the receptacle. The device further includes a lid to fit over the receptacle so as to be displaceable relative to the receptacle from a closed position to a dispensing position, the arrangement being such that relative displacement between the lid and receptacle can create a pressure differential between the container and the receptacle to cause liquid to flow from the body of liquid in the container to the receptacle. A part of the conduit serves to adjust the unmeasured excess volume of liquid in the receptacle to the measured volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1995
    Inventor: Peter Kalabakas
  • Patent number: 5377879
    Abstract: A measuring spoon for accurately measuring and delivering a dose of medicine to a patient. The measuring spoon includes a hollow substantially circular filler tube which is open on both ends. At one end of the filler tube a spoon is connected so as to leave an opening for pouring medicine into the filler tube. A plunger is inserted in the opposite open end and acts as a base level for medicine poured into the filler tube. The filler tube includes indicator lines each indicating a different dosage amount. In use, the plunger top is aligned with the indicator line indicating the desired dosage. The filler tube is filled with the correct dosage and the plunger is depressed to fill the spoon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1995
    Inventor: Linda R. F. Isaacs
  • Patent number: 5337795
    Abstract: An apparatus for introducing filler material in a fluid carrier into a measuring chamber in rapid succession is described. The apparatus includes a delivery subsystem for introducing the filler material into the fluid carrier. The delivery subsystem provides the fluid carrier and filler material to a diverter subsystem which separates the stream into two separate streams. The two separate streams are directed into a rotating concentrator subsystem that separates the fluid carrier from the filler material and compresses the filler material. The filler material is further compressed and dewatered in a taper subsystem and drain subsystem. The filler material is then dispensed from the drain subsystem into a measuring chamber where it is cut by a knife plate that includes two blades with overlapping cuts. The apparatus is capable of introducing controlled weights or volumes of filler material into a measuring chamber at high speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1994
    Assignee: Promation Incorporated
    Inventors: Stavros Mihail, Marvin J. Berg
  • Patent number: 5325996
    Abstract: A dispenser (50) for flavoring concentrate is adapted to be attached to an open mouthed beverage vessel (10). The dispenser (60) comprises a reservoir (51), a manually operable pump (52) and a storage chamber (60). The reservoir is arranged to contain concentrate, and the pump is coupled to the reservoir to dispense a measured quantity of concentrate to the storage chamber. The dispenser is adapted to be secured across the mouth of the vessel so that tilting of the vessel ensures escape of the concentrate from the storage chamber prior to escape of the beverage within the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1994
    Assignee: Gondal Pty. Ltd.
    Inventor: Francis R. Bannigan
  • Patent number: 5312019
    Abstract: A freshness keeping cup including a cup body and a check valve disposed therein. A U-shaped fixing inner sleeve member and a fixing outer sleeve member are secured with the lower portion of the cup body. A leakproof ring and a top flange of a soft bellows member are clamped between the bottom of the inner sleeve member and a top surface of an upper slide sleeve of a slide assembly. An outer lower surface of a top flange of the upper slide sleeve abuts against an inner upper surface of the bottom portion of the outer sleeve member. A top flange of the middle slide sleeve is engaged in a bottom flange of the upper slide sleeve and a top flange of the lower slide sleeve is engaged in a bottom flange of the middle slide sleeve. An upward inward projection is formed on the top flange of the lower slide sleeve. Engaging grooves are formed on lower inner portion of the lower slide sleeve for engaging with corresponding engaging hooks of a bottom cover for securing the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Inventor: Ye-Ming Tsao
  • Patent number: 5305928
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a container which includes an applicator structure, preferably in the form of a spoon secured to the open end of the container in which food is stored. Squeezing and/or tilting of the container allows food to pass through the interior of the spoon and be delivered to an infant's mouth. A valve structure is disposed in flow-regulating relation between the food within the container and the applicator spoon. The valve may be moved between an open and closed position to prevent spillage and/or selectively allow food to pass onto the spoon when feeding of the infant is desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1994
    Inventor: Roberto Verdaguer
  • Patent number: 5261569
    Abstract: A squeezable container for containing liquids is provided with a transparent measuring cap into which the container's contents can be dispensed by squeezing the container in an upright position. Through a discharging pipe liquid is transported from the container into the measuring space, the bottom of which is formed by an inner plug. To maintain accurate dosing, the transparent measuring cap is detachably connected to the container for cleaning purposes while leaving the plug and the discharging pipe in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1993
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Gerald R. Sandwell
  • Patent number: 5251792
    Abstract: A spray bottle comprises a resilient transparent bottle having a removable top, a spray tube with an enlarged chamber on a lower end and a nozzle on an upper end, and a check valve on the bottom of the chamber. The chamber is slidingly disposed in a slide cavity within the top member with the spray tube extending through an aperture on an upper side thereof. The chamber is filled with a desired volume of liquid by immersing it to a selected depth in a fluid residing in a lower portion of the bottle, wherein the check valve is opened upon a downward displacement of the chamber. The spray tube is then raised to space the chamber from the surface of the liquid with the check valve acting to retain the quantity of fluid therein. A directional sealing ring disposed around an upper portion of the chamber allows the entry of air into the bottle during the upward displacement. The fluid in the chamber is subsequently discharged through the nozzle by squeezing the bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1993
    Inventor: Chung-Shan Sheen
  • Patent number: 5224632
    Abstract: A measuring cap which is attached onto a squeezable bottle, and can extract a desirable amount of liquid inside the bottle into the measuring chamber of the cap by squeezing the body of the bottle. Measuring cap (1) consists of cap main body (3), inner plug (4), and supply pipe (5), cap main body is integrally constituted by bottle neck engaging wall (6), is a measuring chamber (9) constituted by circumferential wall of measuring chamber (7) and top wall (15) which forms a pouring mouth at an upper portion, and an upper cap (8) which has a bung that can close the pouring mouth. The inner plug has a discharging pipe (21) and an engaging circumferential wall (22) which engages to the circumferential walls of the measuring chamber, and the discharging pipe (21) and engaging circumferential wall is constituted by being connected with the bottom wall of measuring chamber (23).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1993
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Hiroaki Murakami, Manabu Waseda, Hiroaki Hayashi
  • Patent number: 5180084
    Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing cosmetic products includes a container, a flip-top cap pivotable on the top of the container between a closed and open position, a pump actuated after opening of the cap, a plunger contained in the container and biased by a spring, and an applicator brush. A push-button is provided which forms with the cap a locking arrangement for the cap. The cap when pivoted to the closed position, causes the plunger to descend into the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1993
    Assignee: Lir France
    Inventor: Bernard Favre
  • Patent number: 5067638
    Abstract: The device of the invention permits the dispensing of measures of a given volume of a liquid contained in a deformable container. It provides increased safety. It comprises in particular a one-piece displaceable safety element (5) comprising an upper gripping part (6) having a transverse closing face (7), a hollow central part forming a valve (8) and a lower part (9) forming a slide and outlet orifice, also hollow. This safety element thus comprising an axial hollow (10) is mounted so as to slide axially on the tube (1) via its lower part (9) between two limimt positions where it may be held. In the lowre closed position where the central part (8) of the safety element (5) is active, it then prevents the passage of liquid from the container to the cup via the tube (1) and its feed and outlet holes (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1991
    Assignee: Societe dite: Eparco S.A.
    Inventor: Tristan Bavaveas
  • Patent number: 5031802
    Abstract: The metering bottle for dispensing a dose of liquid when the cap of the bottle is removed. When the cap is fully on the bottle, it keeps a bellows compressed. When the cap is removed, the bellows is allowed to expand and the resulting suction causes a dose of liquid from the bottle to be sucked into the bellows via a plunger tube which sticks into the liquid and via an opening into the bellows chamber. A one-way valve at the opening into the bellows chamber then prevents the dose of liquid in the bellows chamber from flowing back into the bottle. When the dose of liquid is used and the bellows chamber is empty of liquid, the lid can be replaced. When the lid is replaced the bellows is collapsed. The air in the bellows chamber is then forced back through an air microhole in the one-way valve into the bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1991
    Assignee: L'Oreal
    Inventor: Gerard Joulia
  • Patent number: 4971226
    Abstract: A measuring and dispensing apparatus molded in one piece for placement in a neck of a flexible wall container is provided. The apparatus has side walls with an opening, a base wall, an open top and an upstanding central member which contains a central bore and side or lateral discharge ports for directing the flow of liquid at an angle offset from the axis of the central upstanding member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1990
    Inventor: Robert J. Donoghue