With Relatively Movable Actuator Patents (Class 222/321.8)
  • Patent number: 7963425
    Abstract: A shrink sleeve on a vertical pump-up dispenser covers a portion of the actuator, the container and the gap between the actuator and the container. The shrink sleeve may have upper and lower transparent portions to display properties of the dispenser and a middle portion to display product use information. The shrink sleeve may be removable via a tear strip so that the dispenser has an uncluttered appearance when used by the consumer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: The Clorox Company
    Inventors: Tami O'Connell White, Peddy Khatami
  • Publication number: 20110132933
    Abstract: A piston pump assembly in which a piston-forming element to be received in a piston chamber of a piston chamber-forming member carries a removable stop flange member which may be secured to the piston chamber-forming member to provide a retention stop to prevent the piston-forming element from being removed from the piston chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventors: Heiner Ophardt, Andrew Jones, Zhenchun (Tony) Shi
  • Patent number: 7954674
    Abstract: A pump comprising a tubular body delimiting internally a metering chamber and comprising an inlet orifice, an inlet valve, a stem mounted so as to be able to move inside the body and comprising an actuation tube delimiting an outlet duct, an insert assembled to the actuation tube and comprising a base placed inside the metering chamber and facing the inlet orifice, and a discharge orifice, an annular piston mounted so as to slide inside the body and on the stem, the piston and the base comprising annular surfaces suitable for forming a discharge valve, a ball-and-socket joint being arranged between the insert and the actuation tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Rexam Dispensing Systems S.A.S.
    Inventors: Christophe Roy, Yohann Langlois
  • Patent number: 7946455
    Abstract: A metering device is provided for metering at least one medium. The metering device includes a medium storage unit and a pumping system connected to the medium storage unit. The medium storage unit or the pumping system has a venting valve which is elastically held in the closed position. The metering device also includes a control member associated with the venting valve in such a way that the control member opens the venting valve as a result of a pumping movement of the pumping system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Ing. Erich Pfeiffer GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Ritsche, Karl Tempfli
  • 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
  • Patent number: 7891526
    Abstract: In a dosing device for drawing in and dispensing a free-flowing medium from a container having an inlet (60) and a discharge opening (62.1 to 62.4), the inlet (60) and the discharge opening (62) are disposed separate from each other, a dosing and displacement chamber (61) being provided between them and the inlet (60) and/or discharge opening (62.1 to 62.4) being closable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Inventor: Eric Schliemann
  • Patent number: 7886995
    Abstract: A spray nozzle mechanism capable of forming spray contents into fine particles. A channel setting core is fixedly placed in a space in a button body, between an output hole of a vertical path and a hole for discharging contents to the external space. Swirls in the same swirling direction are formed by upstream recessed paths continuous from the vertical path and downstream recessed paths continuous to the discharge hole. Also, the spray nozzle mechanism has ribs. The ribs move initial swirls created by the upstream recessed paths to the corresponding downstream recessed paths, where the initial swirls are moved in a state where they are separated as far as possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Mitani Valve Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideo Togashi
  • Patent number: 7882985
    Abstract: A liquid dispenser, particularly advantageous for low viscosity solutions, such as, alcohol solutions, for dispensing from an upper open end of a reservoir out an outlet at a height above the level of liquid in the reservoir onto a user's hand disposed below the reservoir, advantageously by actuation of an actuator below a lower end of the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Gotohti.com Inc.
    Inventor: Heiner Ophardt
  • Patent number: 7874463
    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: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: GOJO Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Nick E. Ciavarella
  • Patent number: 7857174
    Abstract: A fluid dispenser having: a fluid reservoir, a fluid dispenser member having actuator rod (23) that is displaceable down and up along an axis X, a pusher (4; 4; 4?) that displaces the actuator rod (23), a dispenser endpiece (50) defining a dispenser orifice (51), and a displacement mechanism (6, 4; 6?, 7; 6?, 7, 4?) that displaces the endpiece (50) both in turning about the axis X and in radial translation, the radial distance between the endpiece and the axis X varying as the endpiece turns about the axis X, such that the endpiece is displaceable between an extended position remote from the axis X and a retracted position close to the axis X.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Valois S.A.S.
    Inventors: Sebastien Michaux, Romain Bertin
  • Patent number: 7854353
    Abstract: A device for dispensing, especially atomizing, a preferably cosmetic liquid has a dispensing head which can be manually depressed for dispensing of the liquid and can be turned to set the dispensing direction. In order to ensure simple and reliable handling, the device has a catch arrangement so that the dispensing head can be turned with a catching action. In a preferred embodiment, the catch arrangement has at least one catch cam, preferably several catch cams that are spaced in the direction of rotation. The catch cam or cams engage catch recesses with a catching action, especially radially relative to the actuation direction of the delivery head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignees: Seaquest Perfect Dispensing GmbH, Beiersdorf AG
    Inventors: Detlef Schmitz, Cristin Wirth, Martin Wehmann
  • Patent number: 7850046
    Abstract: A nebuliser micro-pump (1) provided with an element (2) for covering and triggering its dispensing push-button (3), has an elongated body (5) with central axis (x), whereon is mounted a dispensing push-button complete with a tube (4) for orienting the spray, rotatable around the axis. The element has a lower fixed half-shell (12) integral with the elongated body and a lower half-shell (17) movable around a hinging axis (y) that is perpendicular to the central axis and offset relative thereto at the opposite side from the tube. The upper half-shell has a protuberance (20) acting on the dispensing push-button in the rotation of the movable half-shell relative to the fixed half-shell according to the arrow (W). The half-shells (12, 17) have respective through openings (15, 23) wherefrom simultaneously projects the tube in two angular positions, one non operative and the other one operative for the micro-pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Emsar S.p.A.
    Inventor: Lamberto Carta
  • Patent number: 7845521
    Abstract: Mechanically pressurized dispensing systems are disclosed that are manually charged by the user and that dispense substances from a pressurized dispenser as an aerosol. The dispensing system comprises in various embodiments mechanical pressurization assemblies, and particularly an actuator assembly and a collar cap assembly. Preferred embodiments incorporate a spindle and a piston to mechanically charge the dispensing system when an actuator housing of the actuator assembly is manually rotated. Other dispenser systems are disclosed providing a threaded piston utilized in the mechanical charging of the dispensing system. Methods of pressurizing dispensing systems and other methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Alternative Packaging Solutions, LLP
    Inventor: William S. Blake
  • Publication number: 20100276455
    Abstract: Dispenser of liquid or viscous product, characterised in that it comprises a cup (3, 17) to receive the product, a sole piece to support the dispenser, a pump, comprising a pump body (13) and a piston, to transport the product from a reserve of product up to the cup (3, 17), the sole piece and the cup (3, 17) being connected by a hinge, the pump being inserted between the sole piece and the cup (3, 17) so as to transport the product when the piston is squashed on the pump body (13) by the movement of the cup (3, 17) in relation to the sole piece, the cup (3, 17) and the sole piece extending beyond the pump in relation to the hinge to enable the squashing of the piston on the pump body (13) by a user pressing with a utensil on the cup (3, 17).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2009
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: CAPITAL INNOVATION (SARL)
    Inventors: Jean-Yves Corbin, Mathias D'estais, Laurent Clisson
  • Publication number: 20100276454
    Abstract: A trigger sprayer may include a rotatable nozzle to facilitate the discharge of liquid from the nozzle in any desired direction and may also include a locking mechanism for preventing activation of the trigger sprayer. The trigger sprayer may also fit within the footprint of a container to which the trigger sprayer is attached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: MEADWESTVACO CALMAR, INC.
    Inventors: Alejandro Espinoza, George R. Hildebrand, Steven L. Sweeton
  • Patent number: 7815077
    Abstract: A soap dispensing assembly has a container housing having an interior that retains soap. The container housing has an opening which communicates with the interior. A pump unit secured to the top of the container housing at a location separate from the opening. The pump unit includes a dispensing assembly through which soap from the interior is dispensed. A lid that is removably coupled to the opening to allow for a quick replenishment of the soap without having to remove the pump unit. The pump unit can also include an actuator that has a soap outlet, with the actuator is pivoted to draw soap from the interior of the container housing to the soap outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Simplehuman LLC
    Inventors: Frank Yang, Adam C. Wade, Joseph Sandor
  • Patent number: 7798371
    Abstract: A simplified arrangement for the translation of movement as, for example, arcuate movement as from a lever into movement which is different as for example, in a linear direction with a slide element preferably comprising a piston in a piston pump. In accordance with a preferred aspect, the present invention provides a bridging element which is disposed intermediate a pivoting lever and a linearly sliding slide element with the bridging member being retained in engagement with camming surfaces having an arcuate portion at a constant distance from the pivot axis of the lever and tangentially merging into a linear portion which is parallel to a longitudinal axis along which the slide element is slidable. The bridging member is slidable relative to the camming surface with the bridging member deforming to assume the shape of the camming surface where the bridge member engages the camming surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Gotohti.com Inc.
    Inventor: Heiner Ophardt
  • Patent number: 7798369
    Abstract: An assembly for mounting of a lever member to a housing in which a stop member which normally limits rotation of the lever member about a fulcrum is movable to a position which permits the lever member to be disengaged from the housing and removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Gotohti.com Inc.
    Inventor: Heiner Ophardt
  • Patent number: 7784650
    Abstract: A sprayer actuator, a sprayer, and a method of making the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, the sprayer includes an ergonomic sprayer actuator with a housing having an upper portion, a lower portion for fitting over a can, and a narrowed waist portion between the upper portion and the lower portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Christopher Eugene Bates, Chow-chi Huang, Stephen Henry Iding, Naomi Ruth Nelson, Ricky Ah-Man Woo
  • Patent number: 7757898
    Abstract: A disposable dispensing device for storing and dispensing fluids, such as liquids and gels is disclosed. The dispensing device is a scalable packaging solution including an outer protective housing or shell, optionally a fluid reservoir, and an orifice from which the materials are expelled. The dispensing device can also include a dispensing button that activates an internal pumping system via an actuator mechanism that translates a force in a first direction into a force in a second direction. The dispensing device is particularly useful for liquids such as fragrances or colognes, gels, purified water, dry powders, creams, and pharmaceutical products such as eye ear drops or sprays. The device by design has many uses, is highly portable, and can include an outer reusable and decorative case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: The X Group Inc.
    Inventor: Ralph J. Gilliard, II
  • Patent number: 7748573
    Abstract: A coupling mechanism for coupling a nozzle shield to a dispenser housing using interacting hook members and axle members. One of the hook members and axle members is carried by the housing. The member which is carried by the housing is preferably movable between a forward and a rear position as by being slidable relative to the housing and spring biased as to a rear position. In moving the cover from a closed position to a forward position, the hook member and axle member are in engagement with the member which is movable relative to the housing, preferably moved against the spring bias. For removal of the cover, with the cover approximate the closed position, the member which is carried by the housing is moved relative the housing against the spring bias to a forward position in which the hook member may be disengaged from the axle member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Gotohti.Com
    Inventors: Martin Anhuf, Hermann Ophardt
  • Publication number: 20100163580
    Abstract: An improved arrangement for removably coupling a replaceable cartridge to a housing of a dispenser with the cartridge including a resilient member which prevents radial movement relative a catch member of the housing from a coupled orientation unless the resilient member is deflected from an unbiased inherent configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2009
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Inventors: Heiner Ophardt, Andrew Jones, Zhenchun (Tony) Shi, Charles S. Charron, Ali Mirbach
  • Patent number: 7735689
    Abstract: The present invention is a fluid dispensing device, connectable/disconnectable to/from a container. The device, actuable by a trigger, comprises both closing means comprising a turnable nozzle and means for locking the sliding of a dispensing piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Guala Dispensing S.p.A.
    Inventor: Riccardo Alluigi
  • Publication number: 20100140297
    Abstract: An improved arrangement for removably coupling a movable element of a piston pump to an actuator mechanism with the movable element including a resilient member which prevents radial movement of the movable element relative a catch member of the actuator mechanism from a coupled orientation unless the resilient member is deflected from an unbiased inherent configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: Heiner Ophardt, Andrew Jones, Zhenchun (Tony) Shi, Charles S. Charron, Ali Mirbach
  • Patent number: 7722819
    Abstract: A fragrance product is disclosed including a container containing liquid fragrance and a dispenser assembly for dispensing the liquid fragrance including a transport assembly and a tube connected to the transport assembly and extending into the liquid fragrance. The tube and the liquid fragrance each have a refractive index, and the difference between the refractive index of the tube and the liquid fragrance is not greater than about 0.04.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: MeadWestvaco Calmar, Inc.
    Inventors: James Thomson, Julia DiCorleto Gibson, John Boyle, Kevin Gray
  • Patent number: 7718132
    Abstract: A fragrance product is disclosed including a container containing liquid fragrance and a dispenser assembly for dispensing the liquid fragrance including a transport assembly and a tube connected to the transport assembly and extending into the liquid fragrance. The tube and the liquid fragrance each have a refractive index, and the difference between the refractive index of the tube and the liquid fragrance is not greater than about 0.04.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: MeadWestvaco Calmar, Inc.
    Inventors: James Thomson, Julia DiCorleto Gibson, John Boyle, Kevin Gray
  • Patent number: 7717306
    Abstract: The invention is a dual-axis force transmission mechanism that operates as an actuator for the valve of fluid dispensing devices. It comprises a rotating trigger member (101) that pivots as a force is applied by the operator. The transmission mechanism preferably includes a rack and pinion arrangement in which a pinion gear (108) located on the rotatable trigger member (101) intermeshes with a rack gear (107) located on the opposing force transmission frame. This mechanism inter-converts a force applied to the rotatable trigger (101) into a rectilinear force that is then transmitted to operate the fluid dispensing valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Inventor: Davis Asbury White, Sr.
  • Patent number: 7708166
    Abstract: A pump assembly with a first pump to displace a first volume and a second pump to displace a second volume greater than the first volume. The first pump draws liquid from a reservoir and dispenses it to the second pump. The second pump draws in the discharge from the first pump and an additional volume of air such that the second pump discharges both liquid and air. The first pump preferably has a piston movable in a first inner chamber and the second pump has the same piston movable in a second outer chamber. The first and second chambers communicate together. In one version, a one-way valve provides flow outwardly only from the first chamber to the second chamber and the first pump discharges while the second pump draws in, and vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Gotohti.com
    Inventor: Heiner Ophardt
  • Patent number: 7677416
    Abstract: A hand operated liquid dispenser has a simplified, in-line construction that reduces the number of component parts of the dispenser and thereby reduces the dispenser's manufacturing costs. The in-line construction of the liquid dispenser coaxially aligns a liquid discharge orifice, a liquid discharge passage, and a pump chamber of the dispenser. The construction provides a compact liquid dispenser that can be easily held in one hand by a user and manipulated by the fingers of the user's hand to pump liquid from a bottle attached to the liquid dispenser and dispense the liquid in a variety of different discharge patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: MeadWestvaco Calmar, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald D. Foster, Jeffrey P. Stark
  • Publication number: 20100059550
    Abstract: A foam pump having a flexible member for engagement with a dispenser, the pump being part of a refill unit including a product reservoir. The flexible connecting member extends from an extreme end of the pump and is received by an actuating carriage that is movably connected to an actuating mechanism. The flexible connecting member permits insertion of the pump into a dispenser, and may act to dampen actuating forces to reduce foam shearing. The flexible connecting member may be provided in the form of a flared tip that is received through an oval opening in the product dispenser, and the pump may include a locking member to prevent unwanted actuation thereof during insertion of the refill unit into the dispenser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2009
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Inventors: Nick E. Ciavarella, David D. Hayes, Joseph E. Crowe, Robert L. Quinlan, JR.
  • Publication number: 20090308894
    Abstract: A pump assembly with a first pump which draws liquid from a reservoir and dispenses it to a second pump. The second pump receives the discharge from the first pump and air such that the second pump discharges both liquid and air. The first pump preferably has a piston movable in a first inner chamber and the second pump utilizes the same piston movable in a second outer chamber. Preferably, the second pump discharges in the withdrawal stroke, that is while moving from a retracted position to a withdrawn position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2009
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Inventor: Heiner Ophardt
  • Publication number: 20090302067
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for metered dispensing of a pasty mass, such as viscous soap, comprising a housing provided with—connecting means for connecting the device to an opening of a container for pasty mass,—a dispensing chamber for the pasty mass,—a connecting channel which connects the connecting means to the dispensing chamber,—a first valve means which is arranged in the connecting channel and which closes feed from the connecting channel to the connecting means,—a delivery channel connected to the dispensing chamber for the purpose of delivering a dispensed quantity of pasty mass,—a displacing means which is movable in the dispensing chamber and which has a first position in which the dispensing chamber has a first volume and which is movable counter to a spring force of a spring means to a second position in which the dispensing chamber has a second, smaller volume,—a second valve means which is adapted to close the connection from the delivery channel to the dispensing chamber when the displ
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2006
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Inventors: Bart Relinda Jan Hendrickx, Adriaan Van Der Wouden
  • Publication number: 20090302061
    Abstract: A fluid dispenser comprising a dispensing mechanism, a housing and a container having an interior. The container is removably coupled to the housing for dispensing fluid from the container by the dispensing mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Inventor: Heiner Ophardt
  • Patent number: 7597218
    Abstract: A dispensing device comprising pump for dispensing liquid, the pump comprising a hollow piston moveable within a cylinder, and a valve, controlling the supply of liquid to the piston/cylinder. During a first phase of operation the piston moves outwardly within the cylinder while the valve permits the supply of liquid into the chamber and during a second, subsequent, phase of operation the piston moves inwardly within the cylinder while the valve shuts off the supply of flowable material, with the result that liquid drawn into the chamber during the first phase is pressurized. Arrangements for effective priming and pre-compression of liquid are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Wordon GmbH
    Inventor: Donald Jan Workum
  • Publication number: 20090188947
    Abstract: A dispenser may include a hinged pump mechanism which allows a pump head to rotate about the hinge mechanism during actuation of a pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Inventor: Joseph K. Dodd
  • Patent number: 7556179
    Abstract: A soap dispensing assembly has a container housing having an interior that retains soap. The container housing has an opening which communicates with the interior. A pump unit secured to the top of the container housing at a location separate from the opening. The pump unit includes a dispensing assembly through which soap from the interior is dispensed. A lid that is removably coupled to the opening to allow for a quick replenishment of the soap without having to remove the pump unit. The pump unit can also include an actuator that has a soap outlet, with the actuator is pivoted to draw soap from the interior of the container housing to the soap outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Simplehuman LLC
    Inventors: Frank Yang, Adam C. Wade, Joseph Sandor
  • Publication number: 20090127291
    Abstract: A manually operated personal care pump, wherein a twisting motion is converted into a linear displacement that compresses the fluid in the accumulator. Pumps of this type may typically dispense between about 30 and 1000 ?L of product per dose. The removal of the conventional button actuator at the top of the pump, allows the aesthetic intent of the design of the package to be carried all the way to the top of the package. It also, enables the top of the pump to serve as a customizable product applicator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2007
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventor: Francis Corbellini
  • Patent number: 7527178
    Abstract: An electronic self contained viscous liquid dispenser includes a housing defining an internal liquid reservoir. A dispensing pump mechanism is carried by the housing and disposed in liquid communication with the reservoir. The pump mechanism has a delivery end disposed for delivering metered doses of viscous liquid from the reservoir. A mounting assembly is configured for mounting on a supporting wall structure, with the housing being releasably attachable to the mounting assembly. An electronic actuating mechanism is carried by the mounting assembly and includes a motor driven actuator that engages with the pump mechanism upon insertion of the housing into the mounting assembly. A motor and associated power supply circuitry is carried by the mounting assembly, with the motor being in driving engagement with the motor driven actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard P. Lewis
  • Patent number: 7527173
    Abstract: A dispensing device which can be mounted on a container fitted with a dispensing element through which a product held in the container can emerge when this element is actuated. The device includes an element for mounting the device on the container, and a dispensing head. The dispensing head includes a dispensing orifice and a conduit to channel the product emerging from the dispensing element to the dispensing orifice. An actuating surface is movable relative to the mounting element, and actuates the dispensing element. In a preferred example, the actuating surface and the conduit are formed by molding as a single piece. A closure member is configured to cover the dispensing orifice in a stowed position. Movement of the closure element to the stowed position involves a force exerted by the closure element on the head, axially to the conduit, in the direction toward the dispensing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: L'Oreal
    Inventors: Pierre-Andre Lasserre, Marcel Sanchez
  • Patent number: 7520409
    Abstract: The invention relates to a distributor for a liquid product, in particular, a miniature spray, having a reduced number of parts. The distributor includes a reservoir and a manual action pump, provided with a hollow push-button, arranged such as to slide in a sealed manner with relation to the exterior of a tubular neck of the pump body, defining a dosing chamber, extending at least partly into the interior of the push-button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Rexam Dispensing Systems S.A.S.
    Inventors: Jean-Louis Bougamont, Pierre Dumont, Jean-Luc Octau
  • Publication number: 20090020552
    Abstract: The invention relates to a foam-dispensing device (1) comprising a pump assembly (3), which pump assembly comprises a liquid pump (4) and an air pump (5), which can be actuated by means of a common operating element (6), which can be moved with respect to a fixed part of the pump assembly, for delivering a liquid and air, respectively, to a common dispensing passage (15) where the liquid and the air are combined to form a foam, the operating element being able to perform a stroke in order to actuate the liquid pump and the air pump. The invention is characterized by the fact that the foam-dispensing device is designed to deliver, during a first part of the stroke (51), both liquid from the liquid pump and air from the air pump to the dispensing passage in order to form a foam, and to deliver, during a second part of the stroke (52), only air from the air pump to the dispensing passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Applicant: REXAM AIRSPRAY N.V.
    Inventor: Edgar Ivo Maria van der Heijden
  • Publication number: 20080272152
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is a head of a fluid dispensing device, provided with elastic return means, outside the pumping chamber, comprising a return element provided with an elastic portion which when the trigger is actuated, is mainly subject to a torsion status. The head exhibits considerably improved reliability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2008
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Applicant: GUALA DISPENSING S.P.A.
    Inventor: Riccardo Alluigi
  • Publication number: 20080251538
    Abstract: A nebuliser micro-pump (1) provided with an element (2) for covering and triggering its dispensing push-button (3), has an elongated body (5) with central axis (x), whereon is mounted a dispensing push-button complete with a tube (4) for orienting the spray, rotatable around the axis. The element has a lower fixed half-shell (12) integral with the elongated body and a lower half-shell (17) movable around a hinging axis (y) that is perpendicular to the central axis and offset relative thereto at the opposite side from the tube. The upper half-shell has a protuberance (20) acting on the dispensing push-button in the rotation of the movable half-shell relative to the fixed half-shell according to the arrow (W). The half-shells (12, 17) have respective through openings (15, 23) wherefrom simultaneously projects the tube in two angular positions, one non operative and the other one operative for the micro-pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2006
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Applicant: EMSAR S. P. A.
    Inventor: Lamberto Carta
  • Publication number: 20080234170
    Abstract: A composition comprising a mixing product of: (i) a first acid having a pKa of less than 3, in an amount by weight of 1-10%, (ii) a second acid having a pKa of greater than 3, in an amount by weight of 1-10%, (iii) a nonionic surfactant in an amount by weight of 1-7%; and (vi) water; wherein the composition has a pH of less than 2.5. The composition can be used for the removal of grease, lime scale, soap scum, and rust on hard surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2008
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Applicant: COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY
    Inventors: Patrick Diet, Jean Massaux, Isabelle Leonard
  • Patent number: 7424961
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a tester or cosmetic liquid dispensing apparatus. More specifically, the tester includes a support, a holder for holding a bottle of cosmetic liquid, and controller for actuating a valve. The valve pumps liquid cosmetic such as perfume or toilet water (“eau de toilette”) from the tester. The tester may be used with bottles of perfume of different sizes and the controller can be easily removed and replaced when a new perfume bottle is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Inventor: Jean Grenier
  • Patent number: 7416704
    Abstract: This invention provides a hand held pipette which is ergonomically designed to reduce user fatigue and injury. The pipette preferably includes a nozzle extending downward at a selected angle from a point near the top of a base portion of the pipette, the base portion being grasped by the operator's hand, and may also include a hook extending from a second point near the top of the body portion which is angularly spaced from the first point, which hook extends over a portion of a user's hand to support the pipette thereon. The pipette is also designed to permits operation with the user's wrist and arm in a neutral position and minimizes local pressure points on the operator's hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: VistaLab Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard E. Scordato, Lou Ann Page, Kevin Costello, Sonya Schieffer, Gary Shigeru Natsume
  • Publication number: 20080121738
    Abstract: A spray nozzle mechanism capable of forming spray contents into fine particles. A channel setting core is fixedly placed in a space in a button body, between an output hole of a vertical path and a hole for discharging contents to the external space. Swirls in the same swirling direction are formed by upstream recessed paths continuous from the vertical path and downstream recessed paths continuous to the discharge hole. Also, the spray nozzle mechanism has ribs. The ribs move initial swirls created by the upstream recessed paths to the corresponding downstream recessed paths, where the initial swirls are moved in a state where they are separated as far as possible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2008
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Applicant: MITANI VALVE CO. LTD.
    Inventor: Hideo TOGASHI
  • Patent number: 7377408
    Abstract: A fluid dispenser which has a pump assembly having a reciprocable plunger received in a housing having an outlet end for delivery of fluids. A handle is pivotally connected to the housing and is mechanically connected to the plunger of the pump assembly to provide a mechanical advantage. A flexible internal tube connects the reciprocable plunger to a fixed outlet from the housing. The unit maybe field stripped without any special tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Rieke Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas P. Kasting, Brian R. Law
  • Publication number: 20080116222
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is a fluid dispensing device (1), connectable/disconnectable to/from a container and a method of using the device. The device, actuable by a trigger (80), comprises both closing means comprising a turnable nozzle (50) and means for locking the sliding of a dispensing piston (14).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2007
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Inventor: Riccardo Alluigi
  • Patent number: RE40319
    Abstract: A pump assembly provides for direct replacement of volumes of liquid from a reservoir with equal volumes of air preferably at substantially atmospheric pressure, the same pressure or with pressure equalization to be at least equal to atmospheric pressure. A slide arrangement preferably positively displaces liquid from the reservoir and air into the reservoir. The pump draws air from the atmosphere into a chamber from which the air either is available for passage to replace liquid from the reservoir or is pressurized to assist dispensing liquid, preferably, admixing with the liquid to provide foaming. Gravity separation of air and liquid to be dispensed is used to replace liquid with air in the reservoir and to selectively place air and liquid into communication with passageways for ejection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Hygiene-Technik Inc.
    Inventors: Heiner Ophardt, Ali Mirbach