Wall Deflecting Means Patents (Class 222/214)
  • Publication number: 20110253750
    Abstract: A drive characteristic and durability of a liquid supply device having a flexible pump member such as a bellows are improved. A drive pump in the liquid supply device has a bellows as the pump member that is elastically deformed axially by a drive rod. A drive pump chamber and a communication chamber are formed by the bellows and the housing, and the communication chamber and the drive pump chamber are partitioned by the orifice member. At a drive operation time of the drive rod, the through hole is blocked by the valve member, and a liquid flows in between the communication chamber and the drive pump chamber via a communication gap formed between the orifice member and an inner circumferential face of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: KOGANEI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Toshio Takeishi
  • Patent number: 8038034
    Abstract: Personal dispensers include a refill unit and a refill casing. The refill unit is a collapsible container that is associated with pump mechanisms for dispensing fluid from within the collapsible container. The refill casing retains and protects the refill unit, and includes a pump lock that is manipulated to selectively cover a pump opening in the refill casing. When the pump lock covers the pump opening, the pump mechanisms cannot be manipulated, and when the pump lock does not cover the pump opening, the pump mechanisms can be manipulated to dispense product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: GOJO Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Keith A. Pelfrey
  • Patent number: 8006871
    Abstract: A liquid-dispensing device includes a liquid-containing unit, a flexible tube, a nozzle, and a cam mechanism. The flexible tube is connected to the liquid-containing unit. The nozzle is connected to the flexible tube. The cam mechanism includes first and second cams, and first and second cam followers. The first and second cams are co-rotatable. Each of the first and second cam followers is driven by a respective one of the first and second cams to move to a squeezing position, where each of the first and second cam followers exerts a squeezing force on the flexible tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Bobson Hygiene Internation Inc.
    Inventor: Cheng-Chang Chen
  • Patent number: 7988429
    Abstract: A chemical liquid supply system that prevents the generation of heat during operation in a pump and allows downsizing the discharge pump for instilling a chemical liquid from a tip nozzle. Compressed air is supplied to an upper space of a resist bottle and the chemical liquid is conferred positive pressure and sent out to a pump chamber of a discharge pump, thereby the pump chamber is filled with a resist liquid. This eliminates the need of a conventional construction where a spring or others are used to drive a flexible membrane of the discharge pump to the operation chamber side to take in the resist liquid. As a result, no electric motor is used, so there is obviously no risk of heat damage to a semiconductor wafer and the discharge pump itself can be further downsized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignees: Octec Inc., Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Katsuya Okumura, Shigenobu Itoh, Tetsuya Toyoda, Kazuhiro Sugata
  • Patent number: 7980425
    Abstract: A pump for metering a liquid is disclosed comprising a flexible tube connected to a container with a pressure relief valve located in the flexible tube. A housing defines an aperture for receiving the flexible tube with a compression surface located adjacent to the aperture. A reciprocating member has a sealing element and a pumping element. A drive moves the sealing element for pinching the flexible tube against the compression surface upstream from the pressure relief valve for trapping liquid between the sealing element and the pressure relief valve. The drive moves the pumping element for collapsing the flexible tube against the compression surface for pumping the trapped liquid to discharge a metered quantity of the liquid from the pressure relief valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Richard D. Baron, Steven A. Garbee, Valdemiro M. Quadros, Alan Lee Hackey
  • Publication number: 20110139826
    Abstract: A vessel for use in rinsing a user's nasal cavity provides a resiliently collapsible main body, a self-sealing nozzle that increases in internal pressure when the vessel is squeezed, and a check valve in the nozzle to reduce back-wash into the vessel. A collar connects the nozzle and check valve to the main body. The check valve includes a first opening that provides fluid communication between the main body and a void formed in an interior of the nozzle and may allow pressure within the nozzle to increase upon deforming the main body. A second opening may provide fluid communication between an exterior of the main body and a fluid reservoir formed in the main body. The second opening may cooperate with a valve that allows selective fluid communication between the exterior of the main body and the reservoir formed in the main body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: Water Pik, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Hair, Kurt M. Taylor
  • Publication number: 20110079615
    Abstract: A dispenser for flowable material adapted for engagement and for dispensing fluid from either a replaceable piston pump reservoir unit comprising a reservoir bottle and a piston pump or a replaceable peristaltic pump reservoir unit comprising a reservoir bottle and a deformable tube member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Inventors: Heiner Ophardt, Andrew Jones
  • Publication number: 20110068120
    Abstract: Dispensing apparatus is primarily intended for dispensing product from product containers by extrusion. In controlling discharge of product a flexible tube is connected to the container outlet and the tube is engageable with drive means for deforming the tube and controlling product discharged along the tube to an outlet nozzle. Usually there will be valves towards the entry and exit of the flexible tube and the drive means engages the tube between the spaced positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: McGill Technology Limited
    Inventor: Shane Robert McGill
  • Publication number: 20110031277
    Abstract: A device for dispensing a medium from a container is presented. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, an exemplary container has at least one feed opening connectable to the container by means of coupling means, a dispensing conduit manufactured from substantially flexibly deformable material, and a closing means for a substantially air-tight closing of the dispensing conduit therewith. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention methods for the manufacture of such exemplary dispensing devices can include injection molding the coupling means and the dispensing conduit as a perform, and stretching, blowing or any combination of stretching and blowing a portion of the preform so as to obtain a substantially flexibly deformable, thin-walled dispensing conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2010
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Applicant: DISPENSING TECHNOLOGIES B.V.
    Inventors: Wilhelmus Johannes Joseph Maas, Petrus Lambertus Wilhelmus Hurkmans
  • Publication number: 20110024445
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a dispensing device for a viscous edible product, comprising a storing unit for storing the said viscous product, and a dispensing unit with: (i) a flexible packing tube for packing and dispensing said food product, disposed within said dispensing unit such that it comprises a substantially linear portion adjacent its dispensing opening, (ii) compression means for pinching said linear portion of tube, said means being movable in substantially perpendicular and parallel directions relative to the longitudinal axis of the tube, (iii) actuation means for reversibly moving said compression means firstly in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the packing tube to releasably pinch at least one portion of said flexible tube, and secondly in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tube towards its dispensing opening, so as to dispense at least one portion of the product packed in the tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2008
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: NESTEC S.A.
    Inventors: Bruno Sadi Henri Delande, Bruce Funnell
  • Publication number: 20110024457
    Abstract: A shower soap dispenser contains a turbine including a turbine housing, and the turbine housing including a turbine inlet, a turbine outlet, a jet, and a plurality of turbine blades; a gearbox including an input and an output; a pump including a pump inlet and a pump outlet; a soap reservoir connected to the pump via a connector to store soap; a clutch mechanism clutch mechanism located in the gearbox control to engage the turbine with the pump or disengage the turbine from the pump, when the turbine engages with the pump, the pump is turned on by the turbine, when the turbine disengages with the pump, the pump turns off; means for turning the addition of soap on and off to be pulled or pushed to open or close the soap outlet and to allow the clutch mechanism to engage and to force the clutch mechanism to disengage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Inventor: Alan Somerfield
  • Patent number: 7861890
    Abstract: Dispensing apparatus is primarily intended for dispensing product from product containers by extrusion. In controlling discharge of product a flexible tube is connected to the container outlet and the tube is engageable with drive means for deforming the tube and controlling product discharged along the tube to an outlet nozzle. Usually there will be valves towards the entry and exit of the flexible tube and the drive means engages the tube between the spaced positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: McGill Technology Limited
    Inventor: Shane Robert McGill
  • Publication number: 20100327019
    Abstract: A disposable pump for a liquid dispensing system having a compressible container, includes a chamber in which the pressure may be varied for pumping liquid from the container to the chamber, and further from the chamber to a dispensing opening, the chamber enclosing an inner valve for regulating a flow of liquid between the container and the chamber, and an outer valve for regulating a flow of liquid between the chamber and the dispensing opening. The pump may assume a closed position, in which a volume of liquid is drawn from the container to the chamber by a negative pressure created in the chamber, and a dispensing position, in which a volume of liquid is drawn from the chamber to the dispensing opening. The inner valve is a one-way valve, which opens for a flow of liquid in the dispensing direction at an inner valve opening pressure acting in the dispensing direction, and closes for any pressure acting in an opposite direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2008
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: SCA HYGIENE PRODUCTS AB
    Inventor: Hugo Nilsson
  • Publication number: 20100314408
    Abstract: An apparatus for sanitary dispensing of holy water including a cross-shaped housing having one or more compartments. A front support plate and lower sensor/dispenser plate assembly form an L-shaped support bracket. A refillable contain, a micro pump and a dispenser nozzle are stacked on the support bracket. The support bracket pivots from a closed position, to an outwardly angled open position to facilitate refilling of the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2009
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Inventor: John M. Hartel
  • Publication number: 20100301071
    Abstract: A peristaltic pump assembly and system that facilitates reliable and efficient engagement and removal of a flexible tube. A stator is pivotally retained on a structure and cooperatively operated by a lever arm and cam to engage and disengage the stator from the tube and a corresponding rotor. The stator pivots at a point distal from a point of rotation of the rotor and the lever arm moves about a fixed rotation axis to engage and disengage the stator with the tube relative to the rotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: BUNN-O-MATIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Knute Alstad, Todd James Bakken, Jesse Charles Darley, Jeffery W. Kadyk, Jason Ray Lieving
  • Publication number: 20100282772
    Abstract: The invention relates to an automatic dispenser for dispensing a fluid and for instructing a user, comprising a) a holder device for a replaceable fluid container, wherein the holder device has a sensor for reading an identification of the replaceable fluid container, b) a delivery device, which enables a dispensing of a fluid from the fluid container, c) one or more touchless proximity sensors for detecting a hand of a user, d) an output device for the time-controlled output of a plurality of visual and/or sound-based instructions of a sequence of instructions to the user, and e) a controller having at least one data memory, wherein in a first data memory sequences of instructions associated with multiple and different replaceable containers and/or the identifications thereof are stored.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2008
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Inventor: Georgios Ionidis
  • Patent number: 7815075
    Abstract: A personal squeeze bottle dispenser has a clamshell housing adapted to receive a squeeze bottle having a push/pull dispensing valve. A slide mechanism is received within the housing and has a collar at one end engaging the push/pull valve, and a spring at the other end to effect automatic return of the slide mechanism upon termination of a dispensing cycle. The spring biases the push/pull valve to the closed position. The clamshell housing is configured with an opening for a thumb pad of the slid mechanism to achieve opening of the push/pull valve and accommodating pressure upon the squeeze bottle. An opening on the backside of the housing, opposite the thumb pad, is also provided to allow the user's fingers to access the squeeze bottle for the application of dispensing force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Inventor: Nelson E. Simkins
  • Publication number: 20100258590
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to dispensing system configured for dispensing a food product. The invention also relates to a peristaltic pump that has a pumping member configured to move along a path through a pumping position and a loading position. The pump also includes a motor in drivable association with the pumping member to move the pumping member along the path and a backing member having a surface configured to cooperate with the pumping member to pinch a conduit therebetween when the pumping member engages the conduit to establish peristaltic association in the pumping position to peristaltically pump a fluid therethrough. When the pumping member is in the loading position, the pumping member is disposed to allow the conduit to be received in and removed from a pumping space. The present invention also relates to a method for dispensing a food product using a peristaltic pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Inventors: Thomas S. Orzech, Gary Helstern, Stephen C. Fog, Richard L. Murphy
  • Publication number: 20100224651
    Abstract: A dispenser including a housing with a backplate, an intermediary member pivotally connected to the backplate, and a cover pivotally connected to the intermediary member. The intermediary member is pivotally connected to the backplate adjacent to a first end of the housing, and the cover is pivotally connected to the intermediary member adjacent to a second end of the housing. The dispenser also includes a refill unit including a pump and a product reservoir. The product reservoir is flexible and resilient so that it can be compressed repeatedly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Inventor: Doug Zlatic
  • Publication number: 20100176155
    Abstract: An improved coupling is disclosed for connecting a pump to a container. A first embodiment of the improved coupling incorporates a slidable coupling sleeve for piercing a frangible seal for providing liquid communication from the container to the pump. A first embodiment of the improved coupling incorporates coupling for providing liquid communication from the container to the pump. The invention is suitable for use with an aseptic container, a refrigerated container or a non-refrigerated container with or without preservatives.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2010
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicant: Vitality Food Service Inc.
    Inventors: Richard D. Baron, Sean H. Frielich
  • Publication number: 20100163581
    Abstract: A cosmetic fluid dispensing apparatus (1) comprising a bottle (2) for containing the cosmetic fluid to be dispensed, the bottle (2) being deformable when compressed from a rest configuration in which the bottle (2) has a predetermined capacity to at least one deformed configuration in which the bottle (2) has a smaller capacity than the predetermined capacity, the bottle (2) having a shape memory in order to revert to its rest configuration, the bottle (2) being disposed between two flaps (3, 4) separate from the bottle (2), the flaps (3, 4) are brought together by a closing force in order to give the bottle its deformed configuration, and the assembly formed by the flaps (3, 4) having a shape memory so as to revert to a configuration in which the compression by the flaps (3, 4) is removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Applicant: YVES SAINT LAURENT PARFUMS
    Inventor: Michel Maurice Camille Vandromme
  • Patent number: 7743948
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a dispensing device for dispensing a liquid or viscous substance, preferably foodstuff. At least one pump means (4) is provided to perform pump motions for sucking said substance (2) into the dispensing device (1) and dispense or discharge it therefrom. The pump means (4) is provided to divide inner parts of the dispensing device (1) into at least one suction chamber (30) and at least one dispensing or discharge chamber (31) which are interconnected through at least one transfer chamber (32). The pump means (4) is during a first pump motion in one direction (A) provided to suck substance (2) into the suction chamber (30) and simultaneously dispense or discharge substance (2) from the discharge chamber (31). The pump means (4) is during a second pump motion in the opposite direction (D) relative to the first pump motion provided to feed substance (2) from the suction chamber (30) and through the transfer chamber (32) into the discharge chamber (31).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Inventor: Sten Drennow
  • Publication number: 20100102093
    Abstract: A hollow actuator-driven droplet dispensing apparatus may include an elastic tube having an elastic body, defining a storage space therein, and extending a predetermined length, and a hollow actuator fitted around the elastic tube so as to generate a force and a displacement in the longitudinal direction when an electric field is applied. The hollow actuator is expanded or contracted in the longitudinal direction of the elastic tube when the external voltage is applied, thereby reducing or enlarging the volume of an inner space of the elastic tube. The droplet dispensing apparatus can press the elastic tube to expand or contract the volume of the inner space of the tube using the hollow actuator capable of quickly generating a displacement in response to an application voltage so that a fixed amount of content can be discharged out and taken into the tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2009
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicant: KOREA INSTITUTE OF MACHINERY & MATERIALS
    Inventors: Young Bog Ham, Jung Ho Park, So Nam Yun, Sang Gyu Choi
  • Publication number: 20100102081
    Abstract: Dispensing apparatus is primarily intended for dispensing product from product containers by extrusion. In controlling discharge of product a flexible tube is connected to the container outlet and the tube is engageable with drive means for deforming the tube and controlling product discharged along the tube to an outlet nozzle. Usually there will be valves towards the entry and exit of the flexible tube and the drive means engages the tube between the spaced positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2010
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicant: McGill Technology Limited
    Inventor: Shane Robert McGill
  • Publication number: 20100059549
    Abstract: An apparatus or dosing of liquids into a gas filled space comprising: a pump; a dosing orifice for introduction of liquid into the gas filled space; a discharge line, which connects a pressure side of the pump with the dosing orifice; and an elastic, liquid storer. The discharge line includes a shutoff valve between the pump and the dosing orifice, wherein the elastic, liquid storer is located between the pump and the shutoff valve, and the apparatus includes a first operating state, in which the pump runs in the case of closed shutoff valve, in order to store in the elastic, liquid storer a liquid amount under pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2008
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser Conducta Gesellschaft für Mess- und Regeltechnik mbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Oliver Bettmann, Ulrich Kathe, Thomas Schipolowski, Masar Ramizi
  • Publication number: 20100051647
    Abstract: A mechanism for doubling a soap dispensing amount of an automatic soap dispenser includes: a speed reducer disposed inside a soap dispenser, driven by a motor and coupled with a pushing element; a resisting element provided on an inner surface of the soap dispenser that is on a forward moving side of the pushing element; and a soap container connected with a discharge tube located between the pushing element and the resisting element. A pad is coupled to a side of the resisting element facing the pushing element so as to be adjacent to an outer surface of the discharge tube, thereby increasing the time the discharge tube is jointly compressed by the pushing element and the resisting element. Thus, the soap dispensing amount can be doubled without having to modify an existing soap dispensing mechanism of the soap dispenser and a moving cycle of the pushing element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Inventor: Jan Sun CHEN
  • Patent number: 7665630
    Abstract: Dispensing apparatus is primarily intended for dispensing product from product containers (12) by extrusion. In controlling discharge of product a flexible tube (25) is connected to the container outlet and the tube is engageable with drive means (29, 31) for deforming the tube and controlling product discharged along the tube to an outlet nozzle (26). Usually there will be valves towards the entry (27) and exit (28) of the flexible tube and the drive means engages the tube between the spaced positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: McGill Technology Limited
    Inventor: Shane Robert McGill
  • Patent number: 7661352
    Abstract: Liquid food dispensing device (1) for dispensing hot or cold beverages or other liquid foods without using any mixing or whipping chambers comprising at least one liquid component source (30, 31) and a diluent source (18), a delivery device and at least one diluent nozzle and one food component nozzle wherein the delivery device and diluent and food component nozzles are configured for ejecting at least one stream (6a, 6b) of diluent at a predetermined spatial configuration inside a container (10) and within a velocity range effective to create turbulence and mix the food component so to produce the food product such as the hot or cold beverage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Alexander A. Sher, Derrick Abilay Bautista, Simon J. Livings, Larry Bartoletti, Randall C. Chrisman
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20100015009
    Abstract: A cartridge (10) for dispensing a reagent contained in a reagent reservoir (32). The reservoir (32) is in fluid communication with a deformable dispense tube (26) that is a least partially compressible, in use, to dispense a volume of reagent from the tube (26). The reservoir (32) defines an enclosed gas space (46) above the reagent, and the cartridge (10) includes a gas vent (40) that, in use, admits gas to the gas space (46) in response to dispense of reagent from the tube (26) that serves to control the reservoir pressure as the reservoir (32) is depleted by subsequent dispensing of reagent. A dispenser employing the cartridge (10) and a method of dispensing a volume of reagent are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Applicant: IMI VISION LIMITED
    Inventors: Mark Andrew Wallace, Hugh Christopher Bramley, Mark Jervis
  • Patent number: 7635070
    Abstract: To overcome shortcomings of the prior art, the subject invention is provided which includes various dropper bottle designs and dropper bottle assemblies including accessories for dropper bottles. With certain aspects of the subject invention, improvements in the administration of eye drops is provided by adding accessories or modifications to conventional dropper bottles, so that doses and/or single drops may be administered in a repeatable and reliable manner. More specifically, certain embodiments use devices (10, 300) to restrict the amount the dropper bottle (12) is deformed in administering a dose; other embodiments rely on mechanical reduction of interior volume (without deformation of the dropper bottle (12)) to administer a dose, such as with a displaceable piston (500, 602); and, yet, a further embodiment provides a valving arrangement (402, 404) to limit a dose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Inventors: Ben Z. Cohen, Nigel Kelly
  • Publication number: 20090308887
    Abstract: The present invention provides a fluid dispenser for dispensing a fluid from a container. A roller is dimensioned to engage and roll along a portion of the container when the roller moves in a first direction from a first container-engaging position to a second container-engaging position. A sensor for sensing an object in a predetermined area is disposed near the housing. A light source is operable to emit a beam of visible light therefrom. The beam of light intersects the predetermined area. A controller is programmed such that when the sensor senses an object in the predetermined area, the controller energizes the light source to illuminate a target location where the fluid from the container is to be dispensed and the controller causes the roller to move in the first direction from the first container-engaging position to the second container-engaging position, thereby dispensing the fluid from the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Inventors: Ji Sung Woo, Chan Chung Yin, Liu Wan Bao, Kenneth L. Kramer, Lam Yau Ming, Peng Zhi Gang
  • Patent number: 7617952
    Abstract: Portable dispensers and methods of use are disclosed herein. A portable dispenser includes an output device and a housing having a receiving area configured to accept a container having an opening and housing a viscous fluid (i.e., a disinfecting gel). The housing also includes a fastener for selective attachment to an article of clothing. The output device is selectively coupled to the container so that the viscous fluid may selectively pass from the container through the container opening and the output device. An output device of another portable dispenser is selectively coupled to the container so that the fluid may selectively pass from the container through the container opening and the output device without first being transferred from the container to the dispenser for storage. Methods for using the portable dispensers are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Inventors: George A. Saleh, Caleob T. King
  • Publication number: 20090272274
    Abstract: A system (1) for preparing a predetermined amount of beverage suitable for consumption, provided with an exchangeable holder (2) and an apparatus (4) provided with a fluid dispensing device (6) which is detachably connected to the holder (2) for dispensing at least one amount of at least a first fluid such as water under pressure to the exchangeable holder (2), while the exchangeable holder (2) is provided with at least one storage space (8) which is filled with a second fluid such as a concentrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2005
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Inventors: Gerbrand Kristiaan De Graaff, Hendrik Cornelis Koeling, Gustaaf Frans Brouwer
  • Publication number: 20090230151
    Abstract: A dispenser includes a housing and a push bar movable between a rest position and an actuated position. A container is retained in the housing and holds a liquid, and a pump is associated with a liquid. The pump is actuated to dispense a dose of the liquid, when the push bar is moved from its rest position to its actuated position. A dispensing tube includes an inlet associated with the pump, an outlet associated with the push bar, and a bellows portion between the inlet and the outlet. Upon moving the push bar from its rest position to its actuated position, the bellows portion is collapsed from an expanded volume to a compressed volume, and the outlet of the dispensing tube moves with the push bar. Upon return of the push bar from the actuated position to the rest position, the bellows portion expands from the compressed volume to the expanded volume, and draws liquid at the tip of the dispensing tube into the dispensing tube to reduce or eliminate dripping.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Inventor: Nick E. Ciavarella
  • Publication number: 20090184134
    Abstract: A foam dispenser includes a housing and a refill unit. The refill unit carries a tube pump for pumping a foamable liquid, and the housing carries an air pump for pumping air. The tube pump and air pump fluidly communicate premixed chamber in a mixing unit to create a foam product when the dispenser is actuated to actuate both the 2 pump and the air pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2008
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Inventors: Nick E. Ciavarella, David D. Hayes, Aaron R. Reynolds
  • Publication number: 20090159616
    Abstract: A liquid-dispensing device includes a liquid-containing unit, a flexible tube, a nozzle, and a cam mechanism. The flexible tube is connected to the liquid-containing unit. The nozzle is connected to the flexible tube. The cam mechanism includes first and second cams, and first and second cam followers. The first and second cams are co-rotatable. Each of the first and second cam followers is driven by a respective one of the first and second cams to move to a squeezing position, where each of the first and second cam followers exerts a squeezing force on the flexible tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2008
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Inventor: Cheng-Chang Chen
  • Publication number: 20090145930
    Abstract: A water-squirting toy comprises a cylinder, a handle, and a flexible bag. The bag is arranged inside the cylinder and may stretch and shrink following the handle that is pulled and pushed to absorb water or squirt water for fun at play of repeated water absorption and squirting. The water-squirting toy absorbs and squirts water by using the flexible bag that stretches and shrinks instead of a conventional piston that is jostled, so simple structure, fewer parts, lower fabrication labor hour, and fabrication cost down is achieved. Further, easy operation and higher duration are achieved. The cylinder may be made of soft material to squirt in a bending status. The handle and the cylinder may be connected and formed into a bar-shaped assembly for fun at play.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Inventor: Willy Chen
  • Publication number: 20090090432
    Abstract: A dispensing device for supplying measured quantities of batter to baking containers, and a method of operating such device use a peristaltic pump driven by a servo-motor drive. The peristaltic pump has a flexible conduit with a first end connected to a supply container for receiving batter and a second end from which the batter is dispensed. A movable pump element precisely moves batter through the flexible conduit from the first end toward the second end. A shut-off valve adjacent the second end of the flexible conduit closes the conduit when the measured quantity of batter has been dispensed. A conveyor is positioned beneath the second end of the flexible conduit for moving baking containers into position therebeneath for deposit of batter. The movable pump element has a peristaltic driver including a plurality of rollers, a drive shaft to rotate the peristaltic driver such that the rollers apply pressure to the flexible conduit, pressing the flexible conduit against a curved pressure surface of a shoe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Applicant: PEERLESS MACHINERY CORP.
    Inventors: Dale K. Wells, John Allen Cremeens
  • Patent number: 7472882
    Abstract: The present invention provides a faucet for tapping a liquid stored under pressure of a gas in a container that has less moving parts subject to wear or breakage, and has a housing made of multiple parts which can be disassembled so the faucet mechanism can be easily cleaned, repaired, or replaced. The faucet mechanism contains a piece of flexible tubing and an arrangement of a pinch roller valve mechanism that compresses the flexible tubing to shut off flow of liquid through the tubing. In one arrangement of the present invention, since the housing does not move and does not come in contact with the beverage being poured, the housing is made of a non-metallic material, such as a plastic or petroleum-based material, which is less expensive than the previous brass or stainless steel housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Anheuser-Busch, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Spray, Rex Loyd McAffee
  • Publication number: 20080283550
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for dispensing a post-mix beverage in which a disposable concentrate unit 15 and a disposable pump unit 17 are housed in an upper refrigerated cabinet area 20 of a beverage dispenser 12. The pump unit 17 is operable to dispense metered volumes of concentrate for mixing with a regulated flow of diluent to dispense a required ratiometric mixture thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Inventors: Richard John Nighy, John Hunter, Hugh Christopher Bramley, David Kenneth Njaastad
  • Publication number: 20080272151
    Abstract: A device and a method for filling liquid or pasty products having lumpy fractions and free flowing, pourable lumpy products comprising a storage container, means for opening or closing the outlet of the storage container and a gravity tube arranged underneath the storage container. The gravity tube has at least one flexible side wall. A device for mechanically pressing-in the at least one side wall of the gravity tube is also provided. In order to reliably exclude an accumulation of product in the gravity tube during filling and to increase the filling accuracy, the device for mechanically pressing-in the side wall of the gravity tube has rotatable elements for deforming the cross-section of the gravity tube. In this case, the side wall of the gravity tube is temporarily inwardly deformed by the device for mechanically pressing-in according to a specified scheme.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2005
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Inventors: Michael Eccarius, Wolfgang Buchkremer, Christoph Kenn
  • Patent number: 7438202
    Abstract: A hair removing apparatus has hair removing device (13) for at least partially removing hair projecting from a skin; a liquid channel (16) leading to a liquid outlet (12); a pump (5) for causing liquid displacement through the liquid channel to the liquid outlet; a motor (1) coupled to the hair removing device (13); a transmission coupled to the motor (1) and to the pump (5); and a control structure (4,7-9) operable between at least a first and a second operating condition for dispensing liquid at different rates. The control structure (4,7-9) is arranged for controlling amounts of movement transmitted by the transmission to the pump such that, in the first and second operating conditions, different amounts of movement are transmitted by the transmission to the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Jeroen Alexander Gross
  • Patent number: 7438873
    Abstract: A scent lure is configured as a reusable container with two separate compartments, one for a scent wick and one for a disposable heating element. The compartments are separated by a common dividing wall and are independently accessible for ease of use. The separate compartments allow the heating element to be removed and/or replaced without contact with the scent wick and vice versa. Preferably, the heating compartment has vents to facilitate continued activation of a heating element during use. The vents are preferably configured to provide a chimney effect that creates a heated air flow over the sent wick for enhancing the lure's effectiveness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Warmkraft, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald C. Saxon, Jeremiah Parker, Mark Mattox
  • Publication number: 20080230571
    Abstract: The invention relates to a container (1) for containing a substance. The container comprises a preformed deformable body defining a filling cavity. The body has an opening (6) and an integral planar circumferential rim (5) surrounding said opening. The opening is closed by a cover sheet (7) which is sealed to the circumferential rim by means of a circumferential sealing seam (10). The circumferential rim has a flat dispensing part which is covered by the cover sheet, which cover sheet is sealed to the dispensing part by at least two outwardly directed sealing seams (11) joining the circumferential sealing seam and extending at a distance from one another from the circumferential sealing seam to the edge of the dispensing part. A weakened seal (14) with a pointed region (15) extends between the outwardly directed sealing seams.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Applicant: MDS GLOBAL HOLDING LTD.
    Inventors: Edouard Sterngold, Michiel Olivier Scholvinck
  • Publication number: 20080197150
    Abstract: The present dropper comprises an inner container provided with two elastically deformable portions: an ejection drip portion and a suction filling portion; a pusher actuates on this inner container by means of a to-and-fro motion within an outer container. By removing the safety cover the pusher can be operated and, in turn, it actuates compressing the ejection drip portion of the inner container until the liquid material comes out through the drip opening of the drip nozzle. In order to refill the dropper, the inner container is removed, its drip nozzle is applied to the refill liquid material and the filling portion is cross-sectionally compressed and decompressed by suction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2007
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Inventor: Carlos Felix Beltrame
  • Publication number: 20080169309
    Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing food products at an elevated temperature includes a housing for supporting and heating a container of food product located within the housing and a pump for moving the food product from the container to a location external to the housing. One or more actuators are operatively connected to the pump and are selectively configurable to operate the pump in a first momentary state for dispensing the food product while the actuator is actuated and a second timed state for dispensing the food product for a predetermined period of time. An interlock device is provided to disable the pump when the housing is opened.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Publication date: July 17, 2008
    Applicant: GOLD MEDAL PRODUCTS COMPANY
    Inventor: Daniel R. Kroeger
  • Publication number: 20080149669
    Abstract: A beverage dispenser for dispensing a post-mix beverage is characterized by a disposable concentrate beverage unit and a disposable pump unit that are housed in a refrigerated area of the beverage dispenser. The pump unit is operable to dispense metered volumes of concentrate for mixing with a regulated flow of diluent to dispense a required ratiometric mixture thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventors: Scott Nicholson, Leonard Switzer, Stephen J. Czeck, John Hunter
  • Publication number: 20080135587
    Abstract: A time-pressure system for dosing liquid, comprising: a tank of liquids which communicates with at least one discharge conduit; organs for regulating the pressure of the liquids at a predetermined level; a choke unit, acting on a section of the discharge conduit in order to obstruct/allow passage of the pressurised liquids coming from the tank, thus determining projection of dosed quantities of liquids externally at predetermined time intervals. In particular, the choke unit comprises a brushless motor, which cyclically moves an obstructing element between a choked position and a disengaged position of the section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: MARCHESINI GROUP S.P.A.
    Inventor: Giuseppe MONTI
  • Publication number: 20080128455
    Abstract: A dispensing device (1) for a dispensing machine to supply liquid food products that have a high degree of viscosity such as dairy products in which the product is stored in a container that has an outlet tube in order to be connected to the dispensing device (1), that is fitted with geared motor (3) on the inside from which a motor shaft (4) protrudes and which is fitted to a rotating roller (5) that has a multitude of “idler roller” (6) separated from each other but connected to said roller (5), and a space between the “idler roller” and the external body (2) having been provided, in such a way that the outlet pipe (13) passes through the space between the “idler roller” and the external body (2), in such a way that in its working position the roller (5) turns supplying the product by means of impulses, whilst in its rest position the outlet tube (13) is held tightly by applying pressure of the idler rollers (6) against it.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventor: Vicente Escriva Estruch