Resilient Wall Actuated Patents (Class 222/213)
  • Patent number: 7971755
    Abstract: The invention concerns a container for packaging a liquid (1) to be dispensed in drops. The container is reversibly deformable by air input and is equipped with a head (3) for dispensing liquid through a nozzle (5). The dispensing head (3) comprises a recessed body (4) which is nested inside a neck (10) of the container and which holds a hydrophobic microporous pad (8) arranged upstream of a chamber (9). Chamber (9) is provided with an air reservoir for preventing the liquid from passing through the microporous pad (8) between two liquid dispensing operations, when the nozzle (5) is sealingly obstructed with a cap (6), and for drying a partly hydrophilic and hydrophobic filtering membrane (7) arranged in the dispensing head (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Laboratories Thea
    Inventor: Michel Faurie
  • Patent number: 7878374
    Abstract: A fluid dispenser comprising: a fluid reservoir (10) serving to contain fluid; and a dispenser head (2) mounted on the reservoir (10) to take fluid from the reservoir, said head (2) defining a dispensing chamber (26) communicating with the reservoir via an inlet valve (25, 215) and communicating with the outside at a dispensing orifice via an outlet valve (237, 222); said dispenser being characterized in that the chamber (26) comprises at least one elastically deformable actuating wall (231) that is depressed in order to generate a pressure inside the chamber that is high enough to close the inlet valve and to open the outlet valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: AirlessSystems
    Inventors: Laurent Decottignies, Alain Behar
  • Patent number: 7874467
    Abstract: A reusable continuously sealing metered dosing one-way valve assembly and delivery system flows a premeasured amount of a sterile flowable substance from a source which is coupled to an actuator assembly to an outlet orifice and prevents any backflow of contaminants through the continuously sealing one way valve assembly when the flowable substance ceases to flow. The valve assembly includes an elastomeric membrane which aids in preventing any backflow of contaminants when dispensing of the flowable substance is stopped. Multiple dosing of preservative-free flowable substance is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: ReSeal International Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Greg Pardes, Stewart Swiss, Paul Mulhauser, Lyndon T. Treacy
  • Patent number: 7861897
    Abstract: An applicator device for a free-flowing substance includes a carrier body provided with an application device at one end and a pin at an opposing end. A transverse channel penetrates the pin, and an axial channel branching off from the transverse channel leads to the application device. A reservoir device having a ring-shaped edge seal sealingly engages the pin, whereby the applicator device is activated by displacing the reservoir device on the pin toward the application device to open a flow connection between the reservoir device and the transverse channel. The reservoir device has a receptacle segment that is elastically deformable at least in portions so that, when the applicator device is activated and a flow connection between the transverse channel and the receptacle segment exists, the free-flowing substance is discharged via the application device by manual compression of the elastically deformable area of the receptacle segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Dentaco Dentalindustrie-und Marketing GmbH
    Inventor: Alberto C. Sogaro
  • Patent number: 7850051
    Abstract: A device including a valve body defining a first passageway, a valve seat, and a flow aperture extending through the valve body and coupled in fluid communication with the first passageway. A valve member formed of an elastic material overlies the valve seat, defining a normally closed, axially-extending valve opening therebetween. The valve member is movable between a normally closed position engaging the valve seat, and an open position with at least a segment of the valve member spaced away from the valve seat to connect the valve opening in fluid communication with the flow aperture. A hermetically sealed variable-volume storage chamber stores therein multiple portions of the fluid and is connectible in fluid communication with the one-way valve assembly. A pump pumps discrete portions of fluid from the chamber, through the flow aperture and through the valve opening to dispense the portions of fluid therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Medical Instill Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Py, Julian V. Chan, Benoit Adamo
  • Patent number: 7845517
    Abstract: A device for storing and dispensing a substance includes a container having a body defining therein a storage chamber for receiving and storing the substance. The container includes a head located at one end of the body and a first passageway that is in fluid communication with the storage chamber of the body and defines a flow path therebetween. The container also includes a pierceable wall located on an opposite side of the passageway relative to the storage chamber, and a first connecting portion for connecting another component thereto. The device also includes a one-way valve assembly that includes a valve body including a body base defining a second passageway and at least one piercing portion engageable with the pierceable wall of the container. The valve assembly includes a second connecting portion that is connectable to the first connecting portion of the container for fixedly securing the valve assembly to the container when the valve assembly and container are located in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Medical Instill Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Py, Julian V. Chan, Giovanni Rodriguez
  • Publication number: 20100276456
    Abstract: Pump operable manually or by a utensil held in one hand by a user, characterised in that it comprises an elastically deformable chamber (10), the inside of which is suited to containing a liquid or viscous product (8) and the outside of which is intended to be brought into contact with air at a slit (7) made in this chamber (10) and brought into contact with a replacement fluid at an opening (6) made on said chamber, in that the chamber is suited to deforming elastically, by a pressing of a user, to create a higher pressure in the product (8) compared to the outside, and to open the slit (7), allowing a useful volume of product (8) to escape from it, in that the chamber (10) is suited to making its deformation elastically disappear, following the cessation of the pressing of the user, to create a lower pressure in the product (8), in the presence of a flow of replacement fluid through the opening (6) towards the inside, and to close the slit (7), and in that the wall of the chamber (10) is essentially planar
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2009
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: CAPITAL INNOVATION (SARL)
    Inventors: Jean-Yves Corbin, Mathias D'estais, Laurent Clisson
  • Patent number: 7810677
    Abstract: A flexible pouch defining a variable volume storage chamber and one-way valve assembly for aseptically storing a substance, dispensing multiple portions of the stored substance therefrom in cooperation with a pump, and maintaining substance remaining in the pouch in an aseptic condition sealed with respect to ambient atmosphere. The one-way valve includes a valve seat and elastic valve cover portion overlying the valve seat forming an interference fit therewith defining a normally-closed seam therebetween. The valve portion is movable radially between (i) a normally closed position with the valve portion engaging the valve seat, and (ii) an open position with at least a segment of the valve portion spaced radially away from the valve seat to allow substance from the storage chamber through the valve opening. The one-way valve maintains substance remaining in the variable-volume storage chamber in an aseptic condition sealed with respect to the ambient atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Medical Instill Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Py, Julian V. Chan, Benoit Adamo, Nathaniel Houle
  • Patent number: 7677417
    Abstract: A storage/dispensing system (9) for a flowable dental substance is described with a solvent-tight, resiliently deformable container (10) for the storage and provision of the flowable dental substance and a dispensing device (1) connected to the container (10) for discharging the flowable dental substance from the container (10), with a cup (2) which has an outlet orifice (3) and a wall (4, 4?) in which a passage orifice (5) is provided for introducing the flowable dental substance from the container (10), wherein the passage orifice (5) has a cross-sectional area of 0.001 to 0.1 mm2 and the outlet orifice (3) has a cross-sectional area of 0.5 to 5 mm2, and wherein the inside of the cup (2) has a cross-section which is constant and/or reduces from the passage orifice (5) to the outlet orifice (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: VOCO GmbH
    Inventors: Uwe Leiner, Manfred Thomas Plaumann
  • Patent number: 7651010
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to dispensing system configured for dispensing food product. The device includes a fluid container in fluid communication with a conduit having a compressible portion which is associable with a pumping mechanism for pumping a fluid therethrough. The compression portion contains an upstream uni-directional valve and a downstream uni-directional valve, so that when the compression portion is resiliently compressed, fluid is forced through the downstream valve, and upon decompression, fluid is drawn through the upstream valve. The present invention also relates to a method for dispensing a food product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Thomas S. Orzech, Stephen C. Fog, Richard L. Murphy
  • Patent number: 7568597
    Abstract: A system of delivering a liquid to pasty product is designed to be installed on a flexible tube on which the user acts by manual pressure to cause the product to come out. The system has a base element that is attached to the open end of the tube, a window associated with a strip that can be moved in opening, and a cap designed to cover the base element having opposite the strip an integral recess capable of allowing the deflection in opening of the strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Plastohm SA
    Inventors: Sebastien Brogly, Jean-Christophe Lemerle, Philippe Lautre
  • Patent number: 7513396
    Abstract: A one way valve assembly flows a sterile flowable substance from a source to an outlet orifice and prevents any backflow of contaminants through the one way valve assembly when the flowable substance ceases to flow. The valve assembly includes an elastomeric membrane which aids in preventing any backflow of contaminants when dispensing of the flowable substance is stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: ReSeal International Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Greg Pardes, Stewart Swiss
  • Patent number: 7490744
    Abstract: There is provided a backflow preventing mouth plug comprising an elastic membrane element having a discharge opening for discharging fluid and mounted to a mouth part of a container and a plug member disposed in the elastic membrane element to prevent unintentional outflow of the fluid. The plug member has a spherical seal surface with which the elastic membrane element elastically and closely contacts. At least one thick wall portion and at least one thin wall portion are alternately formed around the discharge opening of the elastic membrane element in a circumferential direction thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Koichi Matsumoto, Masayasu Miyazaki
  • Publication number: 20090014473
    Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a tube-dispenser comprising: a piston, deployed inside the tube of the dispenser, for pushing the substance stored inside the dispenser towards the outlet of the dispenser; and a no-return mechanism for preventing the piston from falling back. According to one embodiment of the invention, the no-return mechanism is entirely deployed inside the tube. In one embodiment of the invention, the no-return mechanism comprises: a ribbed surface deployed along the interior wall of the tube; and at least one dowel attached to the piston correspondingly to the ribbed surface. In one embodiment of the invention, the ribbed surface comprises cogs. Preferably the cogs are of sawtooth form. The ribbed surface may also be a track along the tube, thereby enabling utilizing more dispensed substance than in the case where the ribbed surface is on the entire wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2007
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Inventors: Meir Gitelis, Golan Shalit, Golan Mualem
  • Patent number: 7322491
    Abstract: An apparatus has a valve body defining a first passageway, a valve seat, and a flow aperture extending through the valve body and coupled in fluid communication with the first passageway. A valve cover of the apparatus is formed of an elastic material and includes a cover base mounted on the valve body and fixedly secured against movement relative thereto, and a valve portion overlying the valve seat. The valve portion defines a predetermined radial thickness and forms an interference fit with the valve seat. The valve portion and the valve seat define a normally closed, axially-extending valve opening therebetween. The valve portion is movable between a normally closed position with the valve portion engaging the valve seat, and an open position with at least a segment of the valve portion spaced away from the valve seat to connect the valve opening in fluid communication with the flow aperture to thereby allow the passage of fluid from the flow aperture through the valve opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Medical Instill Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Py, Julian V. Chan, Benoit Adamo, Nathaniel Houle
  • Patent number: 7316332
    Abstract: Persons often encounter the need to apply some form of skin treatment when on the go. Such treatments include disinfectant, sunscreens, medications, and moisturizing lotions. The present invention comprises convenient portable skin treatment dispensers in the form of neck-worn and disposable wrist-worn devices. The devices are convenient to use, unobtrusive and can even be disposable. Ease of manufacture is facilitated in various embodiments which include self-sealing diaphragm valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Inventors: Jeffrey Lewis Powers, Dennis Willard Davis, David Paul Thimm, James Marvin Stenz
  • Patent number: 7306129
    Abstract: A one way valve assembly flows a sterile flowable substance from a source to an outlet orifice and prevents any backflow of contaminants through the one way valve assembly when the flowable substance ceases to flow. The valve assembly includes an elastomeric membrane which aids in preventing any backflow of contaminants when dispensing of the flowable substance is stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Inventors: Stewart Swiss, Greg Pardes
  • Patent number: 7306127
    Abstract: A one-piece container closure with a collar, leaflets hingedly attached to the collar, and thin flexible foldable webs attached to and extending between the leaflets. The leaflets are flat with the webs folded beneath in closed closure position. The leaflets are pivoted upwardly with webs unfolded therebetween in open position. An integral cap is attached to the collar by a snap-action bow-tie hinge. A central pin on the cap seals with the leaflets when the cap is closed. The closure is integrally molded in open position with raised leaflets and unfolded webs, leaflets then being lowered and the webs folded to closed position while the closure is still warm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Seaquist Closures L.L.C.
    Inventor: John Eimer
  • Patent number: 7306128
    Abstract: A one-piece container closure with a collar, stiff planar triangular leaflets attached by linear hinges to the collar, and thin flexible foldable webs attached to and extending between the leaflets. The leaflets are flat with the webs folded beneath in closed closure position. The leaflets are pivoted upwardly with webs unfolded therebetween in open position. An integral cap is attached to the collar by a snap-action bow-tie hinge. A central pin on the cap seals with the leaflets when the cap is closed. The closure is integrally molded in open position with raised leaflets and unfolded webs, leaflets then being lowered and the webs folded to closed position while the closure is still warm, the cap then being closed, and the closed closure then being annealed to establish the elastic positional memory of the leaflets and hinges in the closed position when product is not being dispensed through the closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Seaquist Closures L.L.C.
    Inventor: John Eimer
  • Patent number: 7278553
    Abstract: An apparatus has a valve body defining a first passageway, a valve seat, and a flow aperture extending through the valve body and coupled in fluid communication with the first passageway. An elastic valve cover includes a valve portion overlying the valve seat, forming an interference fit with the valve seat, and defining an axially-extending valve opening therebetween. The valve portion is movable between a normally closed position with the valve portion engaging the valve seat, and an open position with at least a segment of the valve portion spaced away from the valve seat to allow the passage of fluid from the flow aperture through the valve opening. A hermetically sealed variable-volume storage chamber is connectible in fluid communication with the one-way valve assembly. A pump is coupled between the variable-volume storage chamber and the one-way valve assembly to dispense discrete portions of fluid through the valve assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Medical Instill Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Py, Julian V. Chan, Benoit Adamo, Nathaniel Houle
  • Patent number: 7255250
    Abstract: A dispensing closure includes a base having a lid integrally connected to the base by a hinge. The base has a deck with a central portion, a dispensing opening in the in the central portion, and a peripheral portion surrounding the central portion. The peripheral portion includes a raised wall partially surrounding the central portion, and having a greatest height adjacent to the hinge and decreasing in height around the central portion. The wall has an inner surface that blends with the central portion of the deck to form a concave channel surrounding the central portion of the deck. The channel surface has a base that is angled with respect to the peripheral portion down and away from the raised wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Owens-Illinois Closure Inc.
    Inventor: Darin M. Pugne
  • Patent number: 7182539
    Abstract: A sliding piston opening means enclosed within an elongated container to release the fluid sealed within the elongated container by squeezing the elongated container at or near the sliding piston. After the sliding piston opening means is opened, the fluid sealed within the elongated container is released for application. Before the content of the container is depleted, the sliding piston opening means is used to re-close the opening thereby re-sealing the fluid remaining within the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Inventors: Shun-I Pan, Tawei Tsao, Garry Tsaur
  • Patent number: 7178703
    Abstract: A terminally sterilizable container includes a polypropylene bottle having a body with a manually squeezable sidewall and a thickness preventing water loss. The bottle body includes shoulders for providing autoclave produced pressure distribution and deformation resistance along with an elongated tips outfitted to a neck of the body and having a lumen therethrough with a drop dispensing orifice. A cap enclosed the elongated tip and includes enclosed with a nub for sealing the orifice to prevent autoclave produced pressure leaks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Allergan, Inc.
    Inventors: Lon T. Spada, Paul T. Butorac, Scott J. Gerondale
  • Patent number: 7140517
    Abstract: A valve mechanism for a tube-type fluid container includes a valve seat portion having an upper opening portion and a lower opening portion; and a valve portion disposed co-axially with the upper opening portion. The valve portion includes a supporting portion attached at or below the lower opening portion, a closing portion for closing the upper opening portion, and a connecting portion connecting the closing portion and the supporting portion. At least either the closing portion or the connecting portion is resilient and capable of being deformed to open the upper opening portion when a fluid stored inside the container is pressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Inventor: Masatoshi Masuda
  • Patent number: 7104426
    Abstract: The first and second check valve mechanisms, which are applicable to a small-size double-layered container, are created while maintaining high productivity. The discharge container provided with these check valve mechanisms comprises an outer container, which has the flexibility to make this outer container squeezable and recoverable to its original shape and which is provided with a cylindrical outer neck on top thereof. This discharge container also comprises an inner container, which is deformable with the decrease in the content and is disposed inside the outer container under the condition that cylindrical inner neck has been directly engaged with, and tightly fitted to, the outer neck. The first check valve mechanism is engaged with, and tightly fitted to, the inside of the inner neck and is used to open or close the opening of the inner neck while preventing outside air from creeping in the inner container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Yoshino Kogyosho Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuo Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6892906
    Abstract: A container including a nozzle and body depending therefrom. The body is preferably tubular and defines an interior which retains a product to be dispensed. A cap engages the nozzle to prevent inadvertent release of the product. In order to dispense the product, the cap is removed and pressure is applied to the body and the nozzle allows release of the product. The nozzle releases the product without exposing the remaining product to the external atmosphere, thus the sterility of the interior of the body is maintained and the shelf life of the product is increased. The nozzle includes an inner body, coupled to the tubular body, surrounded by a flexible outer cover. A seam between the inner body and flexible outer cover forms a one-way release valve wherein a portion of the seam remains closed during dispensing the product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Medical Instill Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Py, Norbert M. Assion, Julian V. Chan
  • Patent number: 6874658
    Abstract: The invention discloses and claims five different embodiments of a plural chambered dispensing tube assembly that prevents products separated by tube chambers from mixing prior to being dispensed by providing a seal at the dispensing end. The seal is an integral part of the tube assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Inventors: Ralph H. Thomas, Thomas J. Duncan, William J. Weber
  • Patent number: 6868990
    Abstract: The invention relates generally to a foam dispenser having a reservoir, a housing, and a chamber. The reservoir delivers fluid to the housing and the chamber through a dip-tube. The chamber moves within the housing in response to fluid pressure or air pressure from the reservoir, allowing air and foamable liquid to enter the chamber. Foam-producing packing material inside the chamber causes the air and foamable liquid to mix and produce foam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Emsar, Inc.
    Inventors: Miro Cater, Fabrizio Camplone
  • Patent number: 6827241
    Abstract: This device comprises a diaphragm valve consisting of a part forming the valve seat, in which a duct for the flow of the product contained in the container is formed, and of a diaphragm made of elastically deformable material closely fitted onto this part. According to the invention: the part has a conical or cylindro-conical overall shape and has a cross section which increases toward the orifice via which the product flows out of the valve; the diaphragm has a conical or cylindro-conical overall shape corresponding to that of the part, this shape being such that this diaphragm can be fitted closely onto or into this seat-forming part, and the diaphragm and the container comprise bearing part so as to hold the diaphragm in its position of close fitting onto or into the part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Inventor: Gabriel Bouzaglo
  • Patent number: 6786363
    Abstract: A dispensing package for fluid products includes a container having a body for holding a product to be dispensed and a finish having an open mouth. A closure base includes a ledge with a skirt externally secured to the container finish and a wall extending from the ledge coaxially with the container mouth. A collar has a deck with a central opening aligned with the mouth, and a wall secured to the wall on the closure base. A lid is integrally connected to the collar or the base by at least one hinge. A dispensing valve of flexible resilient elastomeric construction has a peripheral portion captured between the collar deck and the base wall for securing the valve in position and simultaneously functioning as a seal between the base and the collar. An intermediate portion of the valve is in facing engagement with the collar deck, and an annular wall portion of the valve extends from the inner end of the intermediate portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Owens-Illinois Closure Inc.
    Inventor: Richard D. Lohrman
  • Patent number: 6783036
    Abstract: A liquid storing and dispensing package comprising a bottle having a dispensing spout, a cap normally closing the dispensing spout for storage, and a push-in portion in the bottom of the bottle. A push rod has a head stored in the spout and responsive to actuation of the push-in portion to emerge with the spout and allow liquid dispensing. In one aspect of the invention, the push rod head can be refixed and resealed within the spout, by one hand of the user, to prevent further dispensing and to save part of the contents of the bottle for late dispensing, prior to the installation of the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Inventor: Oyvind Haugestad
  • Patent number: 6779687
    Abstract: A juice dispenser adapted to be used for adding flavoring to individual beverage servings in a glass or a cup consisting of a substantially flat hollow squeezable flexible container having dispensing ports along one edge thereof and a removable seal for holding the juice within the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Inventors: Lisa Vallier, Kathleen Colbert
  • Patent number: 6758374
    Abstract: The invention relates to a packaging and dispensing device for applying a cosmetic and/or care product, in particular to the hair and/or the scalp, the device comprising a receptacle including a bellows having first and second regions that are moved towards each other when the bellows is compressed. On being compressed, the bellows enables a quantity of substance to be dispensed. The device also has an adjustment member for modifying the compression stroke of the bellows, and thus the quantity of substance that is dispensed. The device is arranged in such a manner that the bellows is compressed by thrust exerted by the user substantially on the axis of the bellows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: L'Oreal
    Inventor: Nicolas Albisetti
  • Patent number: 6752295
    Abstract: A dispenser drain attachment includes a threaded cap having a tapered drain socket and an associated drain tube. The interior of the drain tube has a double diaphragm which seals the drain tube, as well as an elastic gas bellows for dispensing liquid portions by alternating deformation of the diaphragm disks of the double diaphragm, which acts as a one-way valve. Such deformation is the result of pressure conditions which change when the gas bellows is compressed and then again released. The dispenser drain attachment is assembled from only two one-piece structural parts, each of which is produced by a two-component injection molding procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Createchnic AG
    Inventor: Thomas Weber
  • Patent number: 6745919
    Abstract: An article of manufacture comprises a) a squeezable bottle having an outlet, b) a plug in the bottle, the plug comprising an upper surface with a protruding nipple having a neck, and a top and an orifice communicating with a smooth tubular channel sized to permit a semi-solid formulation to be squeezed out of the bottle and through the channel and orifice without dislodging the cap, the neck of the nipple having a protruding height slightly greater than the thickness of a spoon, and the neck of the nipple and the flat upper surface forming a notch which engages with the edge of a spoon, the orifice forming a sharp intersection with the top of the nipple sufficient to cut flow of the formulation cleanly when pressure ceases, and the junction of the top of the nipple with the nipple neck having a bevel, and c) a child resistant cap to cover the orifice when the formulation is not in use, the cap sealing the orifice without abrading the nipple.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Taro Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Daniel A. Moros, Satish Asotra, Theophilus van den Heuvel
  • Patent number: 6708714
    Abstract: The invention relates to a two-way valve, especially for liquid dispensers. The inventive valve comprises connections (1,2,3) for a liquid reservoir (1a), for a pump and for a liquid consumer. A membrane disk (4) is clamped between a valve housing (5) and a cover housing (6) and lies flat against a surface of a ring seat (10) in whose range (7) an axial opening (8) is located. Said membrane disk (4), at the cover end, lies flat against the surface of a counter ring seat (6a) that has the same diameter. The aim of the invention is to provide, based on a two-way valve, a system with a spring-loaded piston that deviates from the steel ball compression spring system. To this end, an additional two-side gripping (9) of the membrane disk (4) is used that consists of the surface of the counter ring seat (6a) and the surface of a ring seat (2a). In addition to this supplementary clamping (9) a first ring channel (11) is configured which opens into the third connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Ing. Erich Pfeiffer GmbH
    Inventor: Jan Willem Marinus Mijers
  • Patent number: 6708850
    Abstract: The present invention provides a discharging container whose main part is a squeeze-bottle adapted for use as eyedroppers and transparent to such a degree as required. This container has to perfectly shut off ambient air and bacteria not to flowing into a liquid content of the container so as to keep it sterilized even after unsealed for use. The discharging container has a laminated bottle 2, and a stopper 3 attached to a finish 2a of the laminated bottle, the bottle being composed of an outer layer 21 and an inner layer 22 delaminating from the outer layer 21. A vent hole 4 is formed in the outer layer so as to introduce ambient air in between the outer and inner layers 21, 22. A discharging passage 10 is formed in the stopper 3 so as to exude through it a liquid content inside the inner layer 22, and the stopper further has a check valve 8 and a filter 7 disposed on the downstream side of the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignees: Taisei Kako Co., Ltd., Nihon Tenganyaku Kenkyusyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yorihisa Uetake, Keiji Hamamoto, Yasuyuki Shiraishi
  • Patent number: 6695173
    Abstract: A multiple-dose bottle with dosage nozzle for liquids, particularly for pharmaceutical products, is deformable and has a nozzle (2) which comprises a valve (3) made of flexible material which can be coupled to the mouth (4) of the bottle (1) and has a plurality of passages (5) for the flow of the liquid and a cap (6) made of substantially rigid material which is fitted hermetically on the valve (3) and is provided, in an upward region, with a dispensing opening (7), compression of the bottle (1) producing the compression of the valve (3), the flow of the liquid between the valve (3) and the cap (6), and the release of the liquid through the dispensing opening (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: MRP Medical Research & Promotion Establishment
    Inventor: Antonio Fontana
  • Patent number: 6688495
    Abstract: A tube-type container includes a container main body, a lid material to be attached in the top of the container main body, a valve body 20 comprising an opening/closing mechanism and a tube-shaped material 30. On the top periphery of the tube-shaped material 30, an engaging groove 32 that can be engaged with the container main body is formed. On the inner circumference of the tube-shaped material 30, the first tapered portion 31 is formed, and in the under surface 34 in the tube-shaped material 30, an opening portion 33 is formed. In the valve body 20, the second tapered portion 21 is formed. Additionally, in the lower end portion of the valve body 20, a regulating portion 22 is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Inventor: Masatoshi Masuda
  • Publication number: 20040007596
    Abstract: A manually operated easy to open, squeeze-to-open while lifting for pouring, self-closing spillage-free dispenser for standard gable-top milk cartons, said dispenser made from same polyethylene laminated paperboard used for making standard gable-top milk cartons formed and sealed by standard gable-top milk carton packaging machine with its clamping, compression, heating and sealing jaws, used to form and seal the original ridge line atop the roof of the gable roof portion, modified for forming and sealing the curved quadrant elongated slotted dispenser outlet, with a tamper-evident closure that can be easily removed by the tear-away indents provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2003
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Inventor: Roland J. A. Laverdure
  • Patent number: 6672487
    Abstract: A dispensing package for fluid products includes a container having a body for holding a product to be dispensed and a finish having an open mouth. A closure base includes a ledge with a skirt externally secured to the container finish and a wall extending from the ledge coaxially with the container mouth. A collar has a deck with a central opening aligned with the mouth, and a wall secured to the wall on the closure base. A lid is integrally connected to the collar or the base by at least one hinge. A dispensing valve of flexible resilient elastomeric construction has a peripheral portion captured between the collar deck and the base wall for securing the valve in position and simultaneously functioning as a seal between the base and the collar. An intermediate portion of the valve is in facing engagement with the collar deck, and an annular wall portion of the valve extends from the inner end of the intermediate portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Owens-Illinois Closure Inc.
    Inventor: Richard D. Lohrman
  • Patent number: 6669056
    Abstract: A foaming device, capable of generating foam by mixing a volume of air with a quantity of liquid, optionally connected to a tank of the liquid and provided with valves for controlling the flow of air and liquid, comprises an air chamber enclosed in a resiliently deformable diaphragm, and a liquid chamber. The diaphragm is shaped in such a way as to produce an increasing rate of flow of expelled air during deformation by an air piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Guala Dispensing, S.p.A.
    Inventor: Maurizio Bistolfi
  • Patent number: 6575330
    Abstract: A cap for a container may comprise a body, an outlet orifice for dispensing a product from a container, a lid configured to selectively cover at least a portion of the outlet orifice, a snap hinge coupling the lid to the body, and at least one shut-off flap. The at least one shut-off flap may selectively allow the product to be dispensed from the outlet orifice. The at least one shut-off flap and the body may be a single piece formed of a material substantially the same as a material forming the snap hinge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: L'Oreal
    Inventor: Guilhem Rousselet
  • Patent number: 6547106
    Abstract: A pump for use with a device for containing and dispensing a product may include a single-piece vessel of unitary construction defining a variable-volume chamber. The vessel may include a first wall and a second wall. The pump may include an inlet slit on the first wall, the inlet slit being configured to open one way in response to a decreased pressure in the chamber. The pump may also include an outlet slit on the second wall, the outlet slit being configured to open one way in response to an increased pressure in the chamber. The vessel may be configured to deform from a first position occupying a first volume to a second position occupying a second volume in response to a pressure applied to the vessel. The pump may be used in combination with a container to form a device for containing and dispensing a product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: L'Oreal S.A.
    Inventor: Philippe Bonningue
  • Patent number: 6536631
    Abstract: A device for dispensing fluid including a pressure-operated reservoir and a dose-metering head communicating with the reservoir to permit at least partial flow of the fluid to at least one outlet opening, the head including a fixed body and a membrane which, when at rest, comes into surface contact with at least a part of the fixed body on which the membrane is tightly mounted, the outlet opening being provided on an external element, wherein tightening of the membrane, during pressure operation of the reservoir, permits a flow from the reservoir via a peripheral space delimited by the membrane and by the part of the fixed body and which forms a passage for the fluid to the outlet opening, and, in the absence of pressure on the reservoir, to permit the membrane to occupy an equilibrium position in which the membrane is in surface contact with the part of the fixed body, by the intermediary of a thin film of fluid, essentially closing off the passage for the fluid, which essentially tightens the communication
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Inventors: Jean-Charles Nickels, Colette Schnerb
  • Patent number: 6536630
    Abstract: An emulsion-dispensing structure includes a housing, a collar cap, an engagement cap, a plunger, and a plastic spring. The plunger is provided with an outer threaded portion and is fitted into a connect stem such that the outer threaded portion is engaged with an inner threaded portion of the connect stem. The dispensing structure is ready to dispense the emulsion from a container at such time when the plunger juts out of the connect stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignees: Living Fountain Plastic Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ching-Chung Chan, Kun-Lung Tseng, Chin-Hsiang Chen, Ching-Hsuan Chan
  • Patent number: 6505986
    Abstract: An applicator system, for use in delivering a flowable composition, comprising; (a) container including an inner collapsible layer distinct from an outer deformable layer, the inner collapsible layer defining a reservoir, and the outer deformable layer being separated from the inner collapsible layer by a buffer zone; (b) a dispenser including a first passageway distinct from a second passageway, the first passageway being in communication with the buffer zone and the second passageway being in communication with the reservoir; and (c) valve means operable to control entry of air into the buffer zone through the first passageway and exit of flowable composition from the reservoir through the second passageway; wherein the valve means is of unitary construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Reuben Earl Oder
  • Patent number: 6484906
    Abstract: A dosing nozzle is intended to be fitted onto a container containing a product. The nozzle comprises a dosing cavity which can move between a first position and a second position in which it occupies a minimum volume, the cavity being delimited by first and second pistons capable of sliding inside a fixed body. The first piston is fixed to a closure member capable, selectively, of closing off/exposing at least one outlet of the dosing cavity. During a first phase of the movement of the dosing cavity, the first piston is driven by through the effect of the pressure of the product being exerted on the second piston and, during a second phase of the movement of the dosing cavity, the first piston is driven by the pressure of the product being exerted on the first piston, the second piston being immobilized in translation during this second phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: L'Oreal
    Inventor: Philippe Bonningue
  • Publication number: 20020079334
    Abstract: A dispensing valve for dispensing a product from a container. The valve includes a marginal portion, a head portion with a discharge orifice therein, and a resilient, flexible, connector sleeve extending continuously laterally and inwardly from the marginal portion to the head portion. The head portion has an exterior side for interfacing with ambient environment and a peripheral surface. The connector sleeve is connected to the exterior side of the head portion at the peripheral surface of the head portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Inventors: Daniel G. Schantz, Timothy R. Socier
  • Patent number: 6409406
    Abstract: An applicator is provided with a flexible container, a discharge passage, a valve seat, and internal springs having first ends attached to one end of a rod that has a valve on its other end. The second ends of the leaf spring are secured to the container. The springs are in an arcuate configuration so as to press the valve into a closed position. Pressure on the flexible container presses on the arcuate shaped springs, straightening them to some degree. Due to the longitudinal increase in the length of the springs, the valve is lifted off of its seat, opening a passage for fluid flow from the container interior through the discharge passage of the applicator nib or pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Inventor: Gilbert Schwartzman