Wall Deflecting Means Patents (Class 222/214)
  • Patent number: 5401259
    Abstract: A cartridge for actuating a piston-like or accordion-like dispenser-vial for applying medicament to an eye. The cartridge includes a housing for holding the dispenser-vial and a telescoping cylinder for compressing the dispenser-vial in the longitudinal direction to actuate the vial. The cartridge includes a locking mechanism for locking the telescoping cylinder to restrict its movement and a lever mechanism for releasing the cylinder from the locked position so that a drop is released from the dispenser. The housing includes a finger for engaging the lower eyelid and exposing the conjunctival cul-de-sac.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1995
    Inventor: Daniel Py
  • Patent number: 5370279
    Abstract: A squeeze canteen for dispensing a potable liquid such as drinking water or fruit juice, the canteen including a container formed of resilient material for holding the liquid. The container is closed by a removable cap provided with a nozzle in the form of a normally upright, flexible tube mounted on a nipple and projecting from the cap, the inlet of the tube communicating with the container. When the canteen is in its drinking mode and the container is squeezed, the resultant internal pressure forces liquid from the container through the upright tube from which it is ejected. Associated with the cap is a crimping device constituted by a flexible lug one end of which is anchored on the cap. The lug being provided with an elongated slot through which the tube extends. The lug is manipulated by the user so that in the drinking mode it is folded over to permit the tube to assume its normal upright position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1994
    Inventor: Pierre Tardif
  • Patent number: 5353963
    Abstract: A post mix liquid dispensing system for combining a concentrate with a diluent including an arrangement in which the diluent is self-contained within the system, independent of any external diluent source such that the system is portable with respect to the diluent and concentrate. A concentrate pump having a pair of rollers cooperating with a rotor rotatably driven within a fixed race by a motor and spring biased into and out of clamping engagement with a conduit carrying the concentrate forces concentrate through the conduit during rotation of the rotor. The concentrate pump interacts with a diluent pump to transfer concentrate and diluent into a mixing valve for dispensing of a food or beverage of uniform consistency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1994
    Assignee: Karma, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris W. Gorski, Michael Heinz
  • Patent number: 5348194
    Abstract: The atomizer bottle (10; 110), operable by manual squeezing, comprises in addition to the actual bottle (12, 112) containing the liquid to be atomized an atomizer capsule (22; 122) which closes the mouth (20: 120) of the bottle (12; 112). In the capsule (22; 122) there is inserted an atomization insert (26; 126) comprising a nozzle (27; 127) from which the atomized liquid emerges. The atomizer bottle (10; 110) also comprises a conventional pump (32; 132) with the relative dip tube (60; 160). The pump (32; 132) is enclosed within the bottle (12; 112) and is operable by axially pressing a hollow shaft (30; 130) projecting from it. The hollow shaft (30; 130) of the pump is rigid with the capsule (22; 122), and the interior of the shaft (30; 130) communicates with the nozzle (27; 127).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1994
    Assignee: SAR S.p.A.
    Inventors: Francesco Mascitelli, Enrico Bonelli
  • Patent number: 5337925
    Abstract: This injection device comprises a housing having a handgrip for operating it. A collapsible fluid container is adapted to fit in the housing under the pressure element of the handgrip. The container has a fill opening with a closure and an injection stem extending out of the housing so that when the handgrip is squeezed, the collapsible fluid container will compress the fluid within it and drive the fluid out through the stem. Conversely, when the fluid container is compressed, the stem can be submerged in fluid and the handgrip spread to enlarge the container and suck fluid into the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1994
    Assignee: ISPG, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel A. Ferrara, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5333758
    Abstract: A pliable, fluid dispensing pouch is provided which includes a flexible shot-chamber having at least two narrow spaced tortuous fluid pathways each leading to a separate discharge opening at one end of the pouch. The discharge openings are initially sealed closed by the presence of a sealing tab. The discharge openings are unsealed by tearing off the tab. The separate discharge openings are of a diameter suitable to prevent fluid from being hand or finger squeezed out of the pouch once the tear tab has been detached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1994
    Assignee: Marlingford Holdings Limited
    Inventors: Mark D. Jamison, Stewart Banks, Nicholas Williamson, George W. Roders
  • Patent number: 5332127
    Abstract: A vented gravity dispenser for a liquid contained in a closed container. A clamp comprising a bevelled skirt, split compression ring and a nut are provided to sealingly attach said dispenser to said container. The present disclosure also details a dual acting valve, comprising a liquid discharge part and an air inlet part, which are co-operatively actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1994
    Inventor: Jonathan Z. White
  • Patent number: 5320250
    Abstract: A chamber that communicates with a viscous material reservoir has a flexible resilient diaphragm which forms an exterior wall thereof. An impact mechanism, which may comprise a solenoid actuated hammer, applies a predetermined momentum to the diaphragm for rapidly metering a predetermined minute blob of the viscous material from the chamber through a nozzle. The reservoir is pressurized with gas to force the viscous material into the chamber to refill the same. The chamber is heated to control the viscosity of the material. Dispensing rates in excess of four blobs per second can be achieved. Variations in the height of the nozzle from the surface of the workpiece are not critical to uniform rapid dispensing. An alternate embodiment eliminates the diaphragm and instead rapidly retracts a nozzle relative to a fluid feed conduit to eject very small blobs of viscous material. A strain gauge detects refill of the chamber inside the nozzle and sends a signal to control refill logic circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1994
    Assignee: Asymptotic Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Duong La, Robert L. Ciardella, Alec J. Babiarz, Carlos E. Bouras
  • Patent number: 5316182
    Abstract: A toy in the form of jewelry has a water compartment, a pump or an atomizer, and a source of a perfume scent which is released when sprayed with water. The source of the scent is preferably a simulated jewel containing a bead of scent releasing material. The simulated jewel may be replaced when the scent is exhausted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1994
    Assignee: G.J. Associates, Ltd.
    Inventors: James S. W. Lee, Chiu K. Kwan
  • Patent number: 5285966
    Abstract: To avoid the use of propellants which are harmful to the environment, a spraying apparatus employs a supply chamber which contains a material to be sprayed and includes a pressure chamber of variable volume. This pressure chamber of variable volume is connected to actuating structure which is provided for increasing the volume of the pressure chamber and thus for sucking material from the supply chamber into the pressure chamber. Since the material within the pressure chamber is kept under pressure by pressurizing structure, a nonreturn valve is disposed in the suction conduit leading to the supply chamber. Material can be sprayed with the aid of the spraying apparatus without any harmful effects on the environment, the use of conventional spraying heads being here possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1994
    Assignee: Czewo-Plast Kunststofftechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Manuel Czech
  • Patent number: 5275309
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for an improved one-way valve comprising a base for mounting in a chamber with a valve surface engaging with a sealing surface to close an input aperture of the chamber. A flexible web is interposed between the base and the valve surface for resiliently biasing the valve surface into engagement with the sealing surface thereby closing the input aperture. When a fluid pressure from the input aperture exceeds the resilient bias of the flexible web, the valve surface is displaced from the sealing surface for opening the input aperture to permit the flow of the liquid from the input aperture through the chamber into an output aperture. Upon a sufficient fluid pressure within the chamber, the valve surface engages with the sealing surface for closing the input aperture to inhibit the flow of fluid from the chamber into the input aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1994
    Assignee: Lykes Pasco, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard D. Baron, Malcolm C. Smith, Carl R. Spoeth, Jr., Valdemiro M. Quadros
  • Patent number: 5269443
    Abstract: A dosing system for precisely mixing two liquids in a predetermined volumetric relationship includes a flow meter having a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, and two intermeshed counter-rotating gears positioned between the inlet and outlet. When a first fluid is directed from the inlet to the outlet, the first fluid causes the gears to turn, and the gears turn a predetermined amount for each unit of first fluid directed through the f low meter. The rotor of a peristaltic pump is coupled to one of the gears of the flow meter, such that for each increment of rotation of the gear, the rotor turns to pump a predetermined amount of a second fluid through the peristaltic pump. The outlets of the two pumps are in fluid communication, to permit mixing of the predetermined amounts of first and second fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1993
    Assignee: Condor, Inc.
    Inventor: Arthur Lancaster
  • Patent number: 5267986
    Abstract: A cartridge for actuating a piston-like or accordion-like dispenser-vial for applying medicament to an eye. The cartridge includes a housing for holding the dispenser-vial and a telescoping cylinder for compressing the dispenser-vial in the longitudinal direction to actuate the vial. The cartridge includes a locking mechanism for locking the telescoping cylinder to restrict its movement and a trigger mechanism for releasing the cylinder from the locked position so that a drop is released from the dispenser. The housing includes a finger for engaging the lower eyelid and exposing the conjunctival cul de sac.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1993
    Assignee: Self-Instill & Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Py
  • Patent number: 5265772
    Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing soap from a container including a flexible, collapsible tube in fluid communication with the container. The dispenser includes a back plate which has a cover pivotally connected to it for movement between open and closed positions. The cover has a recessed front surface with an enlarged sight window for viewing the contents. The back plate receives the container and tube with the tube having fitments at its proximal and distal ends for mating engagement with complemental fitment locators on the back plate. The cover carries ramps which engage the fitments on closing to insure seating thereof. An output restrictor is releasably received on the back plate for limiting the stroke of a pressure applying handle carried by the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1993
    Assignee: GOJO Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: William E. Bartasevich, Ronald F. Bell, Joseph S. Kanfer, Robert L. Waldo, J. Christopher Wysocki
  • Patent number: 5265654
    Abstract: Dosing a flowable product is effected with an apparatus which has a rigid casing having a hollowed interior through which an elastic hose, which is connected to the casing, extends between casing inlet and outlet openings, and elastic rings are positioned to encircle the hose at positions adjacent each of the casing inlet and outlet openings, so that upon generation of sub- and then super-atmospheric pressure within the space between the hose and casing, the hose expands and contracts and the rings open and close the hose for product flow introduction into and ejection from the hose for dosing the product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1993
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventor: Hans K. Larsen
  • Patent number: 5261571
    Abstract: The dosing dispenser, designed particularly for liquid and viscous products, includes a flask (1) containing the product to be dispensed, to the neck (4) of which is fixed a dispenser head (8), the said flask (1) being housed inside a sheath (2) topped with a cover (3) holding the flask in the sheath, through which the dispensing head (8) passes which allows for dispensing of the product. It is possible to compress the neck (4) of the flask (1), and the cover (3) possesses means (21,22) which allow for the neck (4) to be compressed causing the product to be dispensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1993
    Assignee: L'Oreal
    Inventor: Antonin Goncalves
  • Patent number: 5259538
    Abstract: A squeeze canteen for dispensing a potable liquid such as drinking water or fruit juice, the canteen including a container formed of resilient material for holding the liquid. The container outlet is closed by a removable cap provided with a nozzle in the form of a short, flexible tube that normally projects outwardly from the cap, the inlet of the tube communicating with the container. When the canteen is in its drinking mode and the container is squeezed, the resultant internal pressure forces liquid from the container through the tube from which it is ejected as a jet stream. Associated with the cap is a crimping device which, when operated by the user, puts the canteen in its sealing mode, the crimping device deflecting the nozzle tube and holding it in a bent state to block the flow of liquid and thereby seal the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1993
    Inventor: Pierre Tardif
  • Patent number: 5255822
    Abstract: An automatically operated soap dispenser for use in washing the hands of a user is provided in a housing. Enclosed in an intermediate portion of the housing is a horizontally disposed transparent cylindrical chamber having an open front end and an opening in the upper wall thereof. Residing in the upper portion of the housing is a disposable liquid soap container having extending from the bottom thereof a resilient elongated tubular member with a self-sealing nipple valve on the lower end thereof which is positioned in the opening on the upper wall of the cylindrical chamber. A cyclically operated actuating means located in the housing above the cylindrical chamber is controlled to automatically squeeze the tubular member and supply a single quantity of liquid soap through the nipple valve in response to an upturned palm of a hand of the user being inserted into the open front of the cylindrical chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1993
    Assignee: M & D International Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard B. Mease, Robert E. Burridge
  • Patent number: 5248066
    Abstract: A dispenser (10) for use particularly with viscous liquids which has a housing (11) having positioned therein a reservoir holder (31) demountably attached to the housing (11), a collapsible reservoir (26) disposed in the holder (31), a dispensing tube (27) extending from the reservoir (26), and a front push bar member (35) which when pushed, causes a block member (22) inside of the housing (11) to contact the dispensing tube (27) and thereby dispense a predetermined controlled amount of liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1993
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: John T. Olson, Gerald L. Burns, Stanley R. Weller
  • Patent number: 5242083
    Abstract: A liquid dispensing system providing a housing holding a liquid filled pouch inside, the housing pivotably supporting an actuating arm which is thrust against the pouch by a push button extending outside the housing, the actuating arm having an actuator to compress an upper section of a tubular peristaltic pump section of the pouch for squeezing out an incremental amount of liquid. The tubular peristaltic pumping section provides V-shaped notches arranged on lateral sides of the top section and the bottom section for ease of closure by flattening and other advantages. A check valve having lever arms to resiliently stretch flat a discharge nozzle section at the lower end of the peristaltic pumping tube prevents dripping during non-use. A check valve actuator is provided on the actuating arm to engage with the check valve lever arms to open the discharge nozzle during actuation and a short time thereafter to create a suck-back to remove any drips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1993
    Assignee: Inpaco Corporation
    Inventors: William C. Christine, Scott A. Roth
  • Patent number: 5242081
    Abstract: A dual dispensing system for delivering aliquots of a liquid product comprising a housing, two collapsible reservoirs for the liquid product, two manually operated pumps, each of which is connected to one of the collapsible reservoirs and a means to switch over from one pump to another. The switch over means is automatically activated by the vacuum in one of these collapsible reservoirs when the liquid product therein is exhausted and it is fully collapsed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1993
    Assignee: Lever Brothers Company, Division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Lambertus G. van der Heyden, Robert E. Tiepel, Gerrit K. Bunschoten
  • Patent number: 5226572
    Abstract: A bulb actuator for a dropper closure wherein an overcap is mounted on the dropper closure. A bulb squeeze member is slidably mounted in the overcap and has a pair of fingers engaging and straddling the bulb. The fingers are cammed inwardly to squeeze the bulb when the bulb squeeze member is pressed inwardly of the overcap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1993
    Assignee: Comar, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank V. Gargione
  • Patent number: 5215215
    Abstract: Viscous active ingredients are introduced into the case of a galvanic cell by extrusion from a nozzle fed with the ingredients by a pumping device. The pumping device includes an elastic, substantially straight piece of hose, and a pressure roll which can be moved along the hose between two established limits, both in the general direction of the outlet nozzle to compress the hose, and in the opposite direction to assume a retracted position along the hose. The piece of hose is compressed at a point immediately adjacent to the hose segment defined between the established limits of the pressure roll so that the material to be metered does not come into contact with parts in relative motion to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1993
    Assignee: Varta Batterie Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Hans Sauer
  • Patent number: 5215216
    Abstract: A volumetrically variable soap chamber partially collapses in response to an initial increased pressure state imposed by initiation of water flow and a predetermined quantity of liquid soap will be dispensed. The soap chamber is replenished from a source of liquid soap in response to a reduced pressure state in the soap chamber imposed by the cessation of water flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1993
    Assignee: International Sanitary Ware Manufacturing
    Inventor: Karel C. Van Marcke
  • Patent number: 5215222
    Abstract: A dispensing container for a dispensing apparatus dispensing a frozen product, such as ice cream, in portions. The dispensing container is deformable and has an outlet through which the product issues upon the displacement of a plunger to deform and reduce the internal volume of the dispensing container. The end of the dispensing container is recessible into the container by the plunger to more completely discharge the product from the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1993
    Inventor: Shane R. McGill
  • Patent number: 5207355
    Abstract: A dispensing pouch comprises a pair of superimposed panels sealed together to define a reservoir, adapted to contain a high viscosity liquid therein. A spout is formed on a lower end of the pouch and has a pump disposed therein that defines a charging chamber, communicating with the reservoir, to retain a pre-measured charge of the liquid therein. The liquid is discharged from the charging chamber in response to the external application of pumping pressure onto an outer side of the spout. The pouch is adapted for mounting in a dispensing unit, having a dual-action pressure plate, for periodically pumping and dispensing the pre-measured charge of liquid from the charging chamber of the pump. The pump is preferably defined by a separate insert, sandwiched between the panels of the pouch. A method for making the pouch is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1993
    Inventor: Peter N. Thomsen
  • Patent number: 5195660
    Abstract: A device for dispensing fluid from a tube, the tube being of the type having a slot at the rear end and an apertured nozzle at the front end, the device comprising a handle with an upper support surface; a trigger pivotally secured to the handle; a fixed pressure plate secured to the support surface for receiving a tube, a rear vertical flange designed with horizontal slots acting as pivot points and a front vertical flange with an aperture for receiving a tube nozzle; a movable pressure plate having a rearwardly extending projection for engagement in the horizontal slots; and a coupling mechanism formed of a wire in an inverted U-shaped configuration with free ends coupled to the trigger and with an upper central extent positionable on the upper surface of the moveable pressure plate whereby squeezing the trigger with respect to the handle will cause the two plates to move together to compress a tube between the two plates and dispense the fluid from the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1993
    Inventor: Joseph A. Lekes
  • Patent number: 5188455
    Abstract: An apparatus for mixing fluids is described which includes a flexible tubular member disposed between opposed ends. Filling and clamp systems are placed adjacent each of the opposed ends, creating sealed chambers in the tubular member, each chamber including a reagent fluid. The sealed reagent chambers are separated by a mixing chamber, and all of the chambers are disposed within the tubular member. A spring driven plate pressurizes each of the reagent chambers. A control system is coupled to each of the clamp systems for selectively opening a channel between at least one reagent chamber and the mixing chamber, with reagent in a reagent chamber being forced, via the open channel, into the mixing chamber by the spring biased pressurizing plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1993
    Assignee: The Pennsylvania Research Corporation
    Inventor: Roy H. Hammerstedt
  • Patent number: 5186360
    Abstract: An automatically operated soap dispenser and hand dryer are provided in a single housing. The housing encloses a horizontally disposed transparent cylindrical chamber having an open front end and an opening in the upper wall thereof opposite which a self-sealing nipple valve on the end of a tubular member of a disposable liquid soap container resides. A cyclically operated actuating means located in the housing above the cylindrical chamber is controlled to automatically squeeze the tubular member and supply a single quantity of soap through the nipple valve in response to an upturned palm of a hand of the user being inserted into the cylindrical chamber The automatic hand dryer located in the housing below the cylindrical chamber provides for automatically discharging warm air through an outlet thereof in response to the hands of the user being positioned adjacent thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1993
    Assignee: M & D International Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard B. Mease, Robert E. Burridge
  • Patent number: 5186563
    Abstract: A dispenser for the application of a fluid or fluid-like material to another surface, such as, the surface of the skin is made up of an outer casing with an adjustable end cap at one end and an applicator brush at the opposite end, and a bellows-shaped container is disposed in the casing so as to be compressed by inward threaded adjustment of the end cap to discharge the material onto the applicator brush. A duckbill valve at the discharge end of the container automatically opens when a compressive force is applied to the contents within the container and, when force is no longer applied, will return to a closed position sealing off the end of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1993
    Inventors: Patricia A. Gebhard, Albert W. Gebhard
  • Patent number: 5169039
    Abstract: A hand-held, manually-actuated dispenser for selective discharge of a stored fluid includes a discharge outlet defined in an elongated housing and a reciprocatable elongated member normally maintained in a first position closing the discharge opening for preventing a release of contained fluid. Also defined in the housing is a first chamber for containing fluid for discharge from the discharge opening, a second chamber or reservoir for storing a supply of the contained fluid, and a passage between the first and second chambers for enabling contained fluid flow therebetween. The elongated member is movable in a first direction from the first to a second position in which the discharge opening is opened for enabling a release of contained fluid from the first chamber and in a second direction from the second to the first position to refill the first chamber from the second and thereby complete a two-stroke fluid-discharging operation of the dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1992
    Assignee: Photofinish Cosmetics, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Kay, Donald W. McNab
  • Patent number: 5154702
    Abstract: A variable dosage dropper system improves upon the conventional dropper assembly (container, cap, pipette, bulb) by providing an annular overcap housing which completely encloses the cap and bulb to provide tamper resistant protection and has a locking collar at its lower end to secure the cap within the housing. A plunger slidably, rotatably, and sealingly mates with the housing. The plunger contacts and compresses the bulb when pushed downward toward the housing a predetermined distance corresponding to various dosages and allows the bulb to return to its decompressed position when released. The system is also adapted to resist undesired opening of the container by children.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1992
    Assignee: Wheaton Industries
    Inventor: Mark L. Foyil
  • Patent number: 5137178
    Abstract: A dual container is provided for delivering two composition streams held in separate compartment thereof. Each of the compartments is flexible walled and received in a relatively rigid receptacle having a left and right wall positioned on opposite sides of the receptacle. Within each of the latter walls are a respective window through which a button protrudes that when squeezed compresses the respective compartments forcing a composition to exit therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1992
    Assignee: Elizabeth Arden Company. Division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Stokes, Michael H. Lombardi
  • Patent number: 5135497
    Abstract: The present invention provides housing containing a cylindrical, prestress member around which an elongated elastomeric bladder is wrapped. This interior of the bladder defines a fluid chamber. A filling port and an exit port are provided in fluid communication with the fluid chamber to provide for filling and dispensing of the liquid. The elongated bladder is wrapped around the cylindrical, prestress member so that the bladder is prestressed in the axial direction when disposed thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1992
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Hessel, Gil Jemmott, William C. Brown
  • Patent number: 5135646
    Abstract: A liquid separator of the present invention comprises a first plate member, a second plate member forming a receiving portion between it and the first plate member for receiving a flexible liquid container including liquid separated into the upper liquid layer and the lower liquid layer, and pushing means for pushing the second plate member toward the first plate member, said pushing means automatically pushing the second plate member with gradually decreasing pressure after starting the discharge of the upper liquid layer from the flexible liquid container. Therefore, the upper liquid layer can be discharged from the flexible liquid container without disturbing the boundary between the upper and lower liquid layers in the flexible liquid container. Thus, the upper liquid layer can automatically and efficiently be taken out from the flexible liquid container without mixing with the lower liquid layer and without any complicated and troublesome manipulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1992
    Assignee: Terumo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobukazu Tanokura, Susumu Kobayashi, Akihiko Furuya, Fumiaki Inaba
  • Patent number: 5124030
    Abstract: A solution separating apparatus has a container holding portion, a container pressurizing portion, an interface detecting portion, and a control unit. The interface detecting portion comprises a light emitting apparatus disposed to one side and a light receiving apparatus disposed to another side with a container held by the container holding portion sandwiched therebetween. The light emitting element comprises a plurality (three or more) of light emitting elements disposed in parallel in the substantially moving direction of the interface within the container. Another solution separating apparatus embodiment has a container holding portion, a tube clamper, a container pressurizing portion, a control unit, and a weight measuring portion commonly used by two or more container holding portions. The weight measuring portion selectively measures the quantity of weight change of each container held by the container holding portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1992
    Assignee: Terumo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobukazu Tanokura, Susumu Fujikawa, Susumu Kobayashi, Akihiko Furuya, Fumiaki Inaba
  • Patent number: 5114047
    Abstract: A pump and mixing device for pumping a liquid from a container and mixing with a diluent. The pump and mixing device comprises a body member having an input body portion and an output body portion with a flexible wall defining a pumping chamber between the input body portion and the output body portion. The input body portion has an input aperture for enabling the liquid to flow from the container into the input body portion. The output body portion has an output aperture communicating with the flowing diluent. An input one-way valve is disposed in the input aperture for permitting the flow of liquid only from the container to the pumping chamber whereas an output one-way valve is disposed in the output aperture for permitting the flow of liquid only from the pumping chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1992
    Assignee: Lykes Pasco Inc.
    Inventors: Richard D. Baron, Malcolm C. Smith, Carl R. Spoeth, Valdemiro M. Quadros
  • Patent number: 5105992
    Abstract: A soap dispenser apparatus has a housing having a space formed in the housing for holding a soap container of a predetermined shape. The soap container has its own dispenser hose and nozzle formed therein and the dispenser hose fits through a squeeze pump and becomes part of the pump pumping the soap from the container. An electric motor has a gear box for gearing the motor down located in the housing and positioned to actuate a squeeze member to squeeze the dispenser hose against a pressure plate made of a self lubricating polymer. A sensor, such as an infrared sensor, senses a person's hand in line with the output of the soap container and dispenser nozzle and is coupled through a circuit to the electric motor to actuate the squeeze pump to pump the soap onto a person's hand positioned to receive the soap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1992
    Inventors: Franklin D. Fender, Fred Gibson
  • Patent number: 5105981
    Abstract: A particulate matter dispenser is operated by a push button to move a sliding clamp through a linkage into and out of engagement with an elastic tube at the bottom of a reservoir holding the particulate matter. Coil springs normally bias the sliding clamp into engagement with a fixed clamp or the like so as to hold the tube in a closed position to prevent discharge of material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1992
    Inventor: Thomas Gehman
  • Patent number: 5105983
    Abstract: A liquid infusor apparatus includes an elastic sleeve mounted on an elongated member and within a spherical housing to enable it to expand naturally to maintain a constant pressure over the infusion period. An alternate embodiment includes a holding reservoir that may be pre-filled, and a pressure reservoir that is loaded from the holding reservoir preparatory to infusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1992
    Assignee: Block Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory E. Sancoff, Frederic P. Field
  • Patent number: 5102015
    Abstract: A dispenser according to the invention is capable of dispensing fluid food products from selected bags through nozzles attached thereto. An actuator plate has one edge provided with V-shaped slots. A push rod carries the actuator plate and positions a selected V-shaped slot adjacent to the selected nozzle. The other end of the actuator plate is in engagement with a cam assembly driven by a motor. The rod can be pushed to engage a switch to activate the motor which moves the actuator plate so that a V-shaped slot engages a nozzle to dispense the selected fluid food. A return spring assures that the actuator plate is in constant engagement with the cam assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1992
    Assignee: Vita-Mix Corporation
    Inventors: John K. Barnard, Richard D. Boozer, Sreenivasan Sankar, Frank P. Barnard, Michael D. Anton
  • Patent number: 5082150
    Abstract: A liquid dispenser having a replaceable unvented liquid container with only an outlet opening, a discharge assembly in liquid communication with the liquid container outlet opening, and including a compressible nipple for accommodating a charge of liquid, a check valve for regulating the flow of liquid into the nipple and a semipermeable filter mounted in and substantially filling the inlet to the check valve, the filter element being permeable to air to introduce air into the liquid container through its outlet opening, the filter element being impermeable to liquid to prevent back flow of liquid through the air passageway, and having an opening therethrough which is aligned with the inlet of the check valve, defining a liquid passageway through the filter element to the check valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1992
    Assignee: Steiner Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Steiner, Charles R. Holzner, Sr., Allen J. Voth
  • Patent number: 5069364
    Abstract: Dispensing apparatus is provided for dispensing a frozen product, such as ice cream, in portions. The apparatus uses a prefilled container of product which is located in a housing of the apparatus. The container is deformable and has an outlet through which the product issues on the application of drive to the container to deform and reduce the internal volume of the container. Dispensing means is operated by the drive and a valve controls the discharge of product during dispensing. To maintain the product at a low temperature the container and the outlet are located in a refrigerated housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1991
    Inventor: Shane R. McGill
  • Patent number: 5060700
    Abstract: The invention relates to a receptacle for dispensing a viscous substance. A receptacle body contains resilient structure bearing against the inside wall of the receptacle body. This structure comprise first and second spring-forming resilient blades with a reservoir made of flexible material placed between the inside faces thereof. An external return spring acts on the outside faces of the springs. The invention is applicable to making a receptacle for dispensing a viscous substance without using a propellant gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1991
    Inventor: Paul Wenmaekers
  • Patent number: 5045185
    Abstract: A blood separator having: a blood bag pressurizing section for retaining a centrifuged blood bag and pressurizing the same at a predetermined pressure; a retention/measurement section for retaining at least two separation bags connecting with the blood bag via tubes and capable of receiving separated blood components, and measuring the weight of the separation bags; limiting devices provided at intermediate portions of the tubes between the blood bag and the separation bags to limit the flows of liquids in the tubes; a detector for detecting the level of an interface between components of blood in the blood bag retained in the blood bag pressurizing section; a moving device for moving the detector relative to the blood bag; and a controller for controlling the limiting devices while receiving, as an item of control information, detection information from the detector and/or measurement information from the retention/measurement section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1991
    Assignee: Terumo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yukihiro Ohnaka, Takao Iwasa, Tatsumiko Kawaoka
  • Patent number: 5035350
    Abstract: Presented is a method and apparatus for precision control of work fluids in a squeezable tube that has no surge of work material during the shut off closing of the tube which is accomplished by a compensator moving simultaneously and oppositely to the shut off member movement, each of the compensator and the shut off member having different stroke lengths and tube engagable surface areas which effectively keep the internal volume of the tube the same. The method and apparatus are useful standing alone, in coordination with precision positive displacement pumping under computer control which is also presented, and as a part of sequential or simultaneous movement of a valve/pump dispensing head coordinated with a stationary or movable work piece to provide exceedingly fine control dispensing. Suckback between dispensing shots is coordinated with shut off and movements of inlet, outlet and dispensing members to afford operator programmable dispensing with precision and without drip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1991
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Russell E. Blette, John O. Roeser
  • Patent number: 5033656
    Abstract: Presented is a method and apparatus for precision control of work fluids in a squeezable tube that has no surge of work material during the shut off closing of the tube which is accomplished by a compensator moving simultaneously and oppositely to the shut off member movement, each of the compensator and the shut off member having different stroke lengths and tube engageable surface areas which effectively keep the internal volume of the tube the same. The method and apparatus are useful standing alone, in coordination with precision positive displacement pumping under computer control which is also presented, and as a part of sequential or simultaneous movement of a valve/pump dispensing head coordinated with a stationary or movable work piece to provide exceedingly fine control dispensing. Suckback between dispensing shots is coordinated with shut off and movements of inlet, outlet and dispensing members to afford operator programmable dispensing with precision and without drip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1991
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Russell E. Blette, John O. Roeser
  • 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: 5024347
    Abstract: An adjustably controllable accuracy-enhancing pump arrangement and method is disclosed, as embodied in a digitally pulse-driven rotary peristaltic pump having a rotor which acts on a fluid pumping conduit to effect pumped output of fluid. Inaccuracies in volume pumped for a given quantity of pulses applied to the pump intended to effect a selected desired volume are minimized by adjusting the total quantity of pulses applied to the pump for a given desired volume, and/or for subsequent selected volumes, if desired, as a function of an adjustment factor formed by the ratio of the given desired volume relative to actual volume pumped by the application to the pump of the quantity of pulses estimated or calculated to be required for pumping the given desired volume through a given sized tube set conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1991
    Inventor: Brian E. Baldwin
  • Patent number: 5020930
    Abstract: A dispenser for viscous material, such as shoe polish, comprising a substantially cylindrical reservoir having near one reservoir end a filling discharge passage terminating in a distribution channel extending through a porous applicator. At least a part of the dispenser wall is deformable for pressing the filling out of the reservoir through the filling discharge passage into the distribution channel. The dispenser is characterized in that at the other end of the reservoir (16,24), there is provided a follower piston (6,28) which, while confining the filling at the discharge end of the reservoir, under the influence of a force exerted axially on the piston body (6,24), is movable stepwise in the direction of the filling discharge passage (9,29). The dispenser is further provided with pumping means operative upon deformation of the deformable portion (3,34) of the dispenser wall (2,25), which portion is resilient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1991
    Assignee: Sara Lee/DE N.V.
    Inventor: Peter H. A. N. Kuhn