Single Inlet-outlet Patents (Class 222/368)
  • Patent number: 11794435
    Abstract: A method of forming a compact includes removing material from a workpiece, transferring metallic dust released during the material removal into a conduit, operating a plurality of slide gates to selectively control movement of the dust from the conduit to either one of a primary collector and a back-up collector, drawing the dust through the conduit to a compactor, and compacting the dust in the compactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventor: Frank Bishop
  • Patent number: 11555726
    Abstract: A metering system for distributing particulate material includes a meter housing containing a metering wheel. An inlet and/or outlet of the meter housing provides a projection extending into the opening of the inlet and/or outlet so that the flow of particulate material is optimized. This can provide even distribution of such material, including at low rotating speeds such as 5 RPM, while using a polyurethane metering wheel with straight vanes. In one aspect, projections extending into the inlet on opposing sides can substantially form an hourglass shape, and the outlet can comprise a substantially diagonal shape, analogous to a parallelogram, instead of more traditional rounded/rectangular shapes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: CNH INDUSTRIAL CANADA, LTD.
    Inventors: Rex Ruppert, Joel Denis
  • Patent number: 11541489
    Abstract: A fastening system having a supporting strip, to which is fastened, outside the housing of the rotary feeder, a seal designed to seal the blade of the rotor in relation to the housing. The mounted unit of supporting strip and seal is inserted into a groove devised in the blade. This installation unit is then secured to the blade by means of securing screws. The seal can be made from a hard seal, especially steel, or a soft seal, especially rubberized textile, attached on the outside by a locating strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Schenck Process Europe GmbH
    Inventor: Michal Chlebovec
  • Patent number: 11482066
    Abstract: An improved dispenser unit for dispensing bulk food items, including a cabinet having at least one hopper having a drum with product compartments, a deflector and flexible gate valve, a dispense assembly, and a control system. The dispense assembly may or may not include one or more belts and/or sensors. The product compartments include flexible and/or elastic membranes, which dynamically change the effective product storage volume within a compartment, and eliminate rigid or semi-rigid pinch points between the drum and drum compartment. A product flow divider may be positioned above the receiving container in the dispense assembly, said divider configured to cause the dispensed product to divide into two or more flow streams into the receiving container. The receiving container may be vibrated or oscillated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: FRANKE FOODSERVICE SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Mark E. Allegra, Khalil Chmayssani, Ireneusz Czapp, Tomasz Robaszkiewicz, Marek Ormanin, Brian Phillips
  • Patent number: 11357704
    Abstract: Pill dispenser devices, systems and methods are shown and/or described herein. Include are a method, device or system for pill delivery including disposing a pill at a known location; contacting the pill with a pick-up member; and, moving the pill from the known location by movement of the pick-up member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Inventors: W. Gregory Duda, Richard J. Freedland, Alex Moraru, Milton R. Grinberg
  • Patent number: 11350559
    Abstract: A seed meter assembly for a seeding machine. The seed meter assembly has a metering member mounted for rotation about a meter axis and driven to rotate in a direction of travel, the metering member having an inner surface configured to receive seeds and an outer surface and apertures passing through the metering member between the inner surface and the outer surface at a radial distance from the meter axis. The seed meter assembly also has a seed delivery mechanism configured to discharge the seeds from the seeding machine, and a loader including at least one non-cylindrical loader surface movable into and out of a position in which the loader surface is disposed at the radial distance adjacent one of the apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Elijah B. Garner, Kamalakannan Natarajan
  • Patent number: 11326835
    Abstract: A meter for controlling the flow of feedstock from an in-feed hopper to a distillation unit, including a cylindrical roller having a first end, a second end, and an outer diameter, the roller defining a recess that extends helically substantially from the first end to the second end, a sleeve circumscribing a portion of the outer diameter of the cylindrical roller, the sleeve having an open first side that allows the passage of feedstock into the recess of the roller, and an open second side that allows the passage of feedstock out of the recess of the roller as the roller rotates relative to the sleeve, and a housing fixedly attached to the sleeve and capable of attachment to the in-feed hopper and the distillation unit such that feedstock must pass through the housing to get from the in-feed hopper to the distillation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: CLEAN ENERGY TECHNOLOGY ASSOCIATION, INC.
    Inventors: Roy W. Hill, Jerry Scott Long, Tracy Thompson
  • Patent number: 11224202
    Abstract: A feeder including: a) a base portion having a serving area; b) a chamber portion supported by the base portion and configured to retain a granular material within a chamber interior; c) a dispenser configured to segregate a portion of the granular material from the chamber interior and transfer the portion of the granular material from the chamber portion to the serving area, wherein the dispenser includes: i) a rocker body; and ii) one or more fins projecting from the rocker body; and wherein the feeder includes one or more of: i) the fin(s) are flexible; ii) sensing device(s) part of a sensing tower configured to sense the presence, distance, and/or amount of the granular material within the chamber portion; and/or iii) sensing device(s) configured to sense the presence, distance, and/or amount of the granular material within the serving area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: AUTOMATED PET CARE PRODUCTS, LLC
    Inventors: Brad Baxter, Jason Smith, Jason Weihman
  • Patent number: 10882734
    Abstract: An apparatus for conveying viscous material from a drum-like container with a container bottom and a circumferential container wall extending from the container bottom to a container upper side and being open at the container upper side has, for closing the container a follower plate having a material outlet attached to a conveyor pump. The follower plate has an annularly circumferential wiper ring that has a radially outwardly extending contacting part for contact against an inside face, turned toward the follower plate, of the container wall. The contacting part can be pressurized with a variable pressing force for pressing against the inside face (36) of the container wall. The follower plate is mounted by moans of at least one vertically extending retaining rod on a horizontally extending crosspiece mounted on or close to a first end on a lifting device for raising and lowering of the crosspiece. Its second end is free.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Atlas Copco IAS GmbH
    Inventors: Gerrit Enderle, Thomas Hausner
  • Patent number: 10561580
    Abstract: Pill dispenser devices, systems and methods are shown and/or described herein. Include are a method, device or system for pill delivery including disposing a pill at a known location; contacting the pill with a pick-up member; and, moving the pill from the known location by movement of the pick-up member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: GRAMEDICAL LLC
    Inventors: W. Gregory Duda, Richard J. Freedland, Alex Moraru, Milton R. Grinberg
  • Patent number: 10561058
    Abstract: A meter housing comprises a meter space with a material inlet and a material outlet, and a wall portion extending between the material inlet and the material outlet. The wall portion has substantially the form of a cylinder sector. The wall portion has a scraper part, which extends substantially parallel to a central axis of the cylinder sector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Vaderstad Holding AB
    Inventor: Gert Gilstring
  • Patent number: 10349624
    Abstract: An animal feeder comprises a vertical portion having a front side, a back side, a left side, and a right side. A first groove extends continuously through each of the left side, the front side, and the right side. At least a part of the back side is generally concave to facilitate the securement of the feeder to a tree. An angular portion of the feeder extends from the vertical portion at an angle. The angular portion has a mouth with a stop. The vertical portion and the angular portion collectively define a cavity configured for retaining animal feed. The cavity is accessible at least at the mouth. The back side comprises a channel, a first bracket, and a second bracket, each of which are collectively configured for securement of a T-post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: REDNECK OUTDOOR PRODUCTS, LLC
    Inventors: David R. Worsley, Michael R. Hurt
  • Patent number: 10324074
    Abstract: This identification apparatus is for identifying the degree of degradation of oil and includes a sensor that detects a substance arising from oil contained in an oil tank and a controller that determines the degree of degradation of the oil based on information related to a substance detected initially by the sensor when the oil is contained in the oil tank in an initial state and on information related to the substance detected subsequently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: KYOCERA Corporation
    Inventor: Hirohide Yamasaki
  • Patent number: 10085376
    Abstract: A meter roller for an agricultural metering system includes a spindle having a driven shaft, a first ring, and a second ring. The first ring and the second ring are rigidly coupled to the driven shaft, and the driven shaft is configured to engage a drive shaft to facilitate rotation of the spindle. The meter roller also includes a sealing ring longitudinally disposed between the first ring and the second ring. An outer diameter of the sealing ring is less than or equal to an outer diameter of the first ring and an outer diameter of the second ring, and the sealing ring is formed from a material having sufficient resilience to enable the sealing ring to stretch to facilitate disposition of the sealing ring between the first ring and the second ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.
    Inventors: Guillaume Cloutier Boily, Dennis George Thompson, Ethan Curtis Stephen Bent, Dennis W. Chahley
  • Patent number: 9927040
    Abstract: A rotary valve comprising a rotor shaft support assembly for maintaining a rotor shaft 5 in a level orientation when the rotor shaft is supported at a single end only. The rotor shaft support assembly (101) comprises a removable casing end plate (102) and a bearing assembly (106) for supporting an end portion of the rotor shaft (104) inserted into the rotor shaft support assembly (101) and through a rotor shaft aperture (105) of the removable casing end plate (102), and is adjustable to correct any deviation of 10 the pitch of the rotor shaft (104) from a level orientation relative to the removable casing end plate (102) when the rotor shaft (104) is supported at a single end only by the rotor shaft support assembly (101) with the inserted end portion of the rotor shaft (104) supported within the removable casing end plate (102) and the bearing assembly (106).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Rota Val Ltd
    Inventors: David Hammond, Derek Smith
  • Patent number: 9655467
    Abstract: The pasta cooking device is a kitchen appliance that automates the cooking of pasta. Specifically, the pasta cooking device allows users to store all the ingredients for their meals in the pasta cooking device. This allows users to cook the pasta without further intervention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Inventor: Benjamin Martin
  • Patent number: 9546051
    Abstract: A system includes a product delivery tube having an air inlet, an agricultural product inlet, and an exit nozzle. The agricultural product inlet is disposed between the air inlet and the exit nozzle, and the first product delivery tube is configured to receive the agricultural product from the agricultural product inlet, and to use an air flow received by the air inlet to convey the agricultural product through the exit nozzle. The system also includes a drop tube configured to receive the agricultural product, and to convey the agricultural product at a drop tube angle to the agricultural product inlet. The drop tube angle is formed by a junction between the first drop tube and the first product delivery tube, and the drop tube angle is greater than approximately 0 degrees and less than approximately 90 degrees relative to the product delivery tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.
    Inventors: Martin J. Roberge, Chance Peutert, Rex LeRoy Ruppert, Bradley Dennis Hansen
  • Patent number: 9538767
    Abstract: A door mechanism for disposing on a bin body, which has an inner periphery defining an opening, includes a door panel unit configured to be pivoted to the inner periphery of the bin body to openably close the opening, a hinge unit configured to pivotally connect the door panel unit to the inner periphery of the bin body, a rotary wheel unit for controlling rotation of the hinge unit, a drive unit pivoted between the rotary wheel unit and the hinge unit, and a motor unit for driving rotation of the rotary wheel unit. When the rotary wheel unit is driven by the motor unit to rotate, the rotary wheel unit drives rotation of the drive unit which in turn drives the hinge unit to rotate said door panel unit to an open or a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Tsann Kuen (Zhangzhou) Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wen-Lung Pai, Zhong-Hua Zhang, Yong-Mou Zhang, Jian-Ming Gao
  • Patent number: 8944295
    Abstract: A rotary valve meters the flow of particulate material from a supply source into a pneumatic conveying system and includes a central rotor rotatable within a cylindrical housing. The interior surface of the cylindrical housing is formed with grooves extending from pinch points at the inlet opening to facilitate the passage of particulate material past the pinch points without being trapped between the rotor vanes and the housing. The grooves are preferably formed in a configuration that has an increasing depth from the proximal wall to the distal wall, and preferably is configured with a spiraled surface shaped to increase the depth of the groove channel to a rounded end chamber at the distal wall. The groove channels can be oriented in alignment with a triangular ridge, in a circumferential direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of the rotor, or perpendicular to the angle of the triangular ridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Pelletron Corporation
    Inventor: Heinz Schneider
  • Patent number: 8905272
    Abstract: A device for dispensing a metered amount of powdered, granular liquid or related fluent materials and a method of dispensing a fluent material such that a release of excess material beyond the metered amount is inhibited. The dispenser includes a sealing arrangement to effect such inhibiting, as well as to reduce moisture-based contamination of the material stored within the dispenser. Optional features may include various seal configurations and numbers, removable top and bottom caps that both may have a locking mechanism. The dispenser may be configured as a disposable hand-held device such that, after depletion of the fluent material contents arising out of a multiplicity of uses, it can be thrown away.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Birost LLC
    Inventors: Edwin Chan, Blaine R. Bruner, William M. Sherk, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20140339267
    Abstract: A dispensing device includes: a hollow container divided into a holding chamber and a dispensing chamber by a longitudinally-extending divider; and a metering wheel attached to a lower end of the container, the metering wheel including a plurality of wells configured to receive powder stored in the holding chamber. The metering wheel is rotatable relative to the container to move the wells from a position beneath the holding chamber to a position beneath the dispensing chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: Mezurware, LLC
    Inventor: Keld Krogh Nielsen
  • Publication number: 20140305970
    Abstract: The invention relates to a dispenser for bulk products, such as powdered products, for dispensing said product in a controlled and hygienic form. According to an embodiment of the invention, the dispenser assembly comprises a container (110) for storing the bulk product and is endowed with an opening (111) for filling the bulk product and an opening (112) for dispensing said bulk product; a means (200) for dispensing the bulk product in a controlled manner provided beneath said second opening; and a means (300) for receiving said dispensed bulk product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Inventor: Marcelo Firpo Musumeci
  • Patent number: 8851338
    Abstract: A dispenser device for dispensing a controlled number of solid items, or a certain quantity of a variable quantity substance, such as a powdered, granular or liquid substance, through rotation of a roller having one or more cavities for delivering an item or substance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Inventor: John H Zarou
  • Patent number: 8783509
    Abstract: A method, device and system for metering powder material from a powder material source by a metering device connected to the source. The device is charged from the source with a batch of powder material in a charging configuration. The batch is discharged from the device in a discharging configuration. The source is connected with a metering piston space in the charging configuration via a first channel of a fixed metering channel hub. The volume of the space is controlled between a metering piston and a hub peripheral surface by controlling the piston position in the space, to charge the volume with material by gravity. The metering space is turned around the hub, to the charging configuration. The volume filled with material is enclosed until reaching the discharging configuration. The metering piston space is connected with a discharge opening via a second channel of the hub for discharging the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Saab AB
    Inventor: Magnus Nordlund
  • Patent number: 8757451
    Abstract: A powder dispensing apparatus for storing and dispensing a measured predetermined amount of powder substance having a bottom housing chamber, a middle chamber, a removable, rotatable measuring device, a tapered top chamber, and a cap. The top end of the bottom housing chamber is engageable with the bottom end of the middle chamber, the top end of the middle chamber is engageable with the bottom end of the tapered top chamber, and the top end of the tapered top chamber is engageable with the cap or a liquid receptacle. The measuring device is slidably engageable with the internal chamber of the middle chamber and has an open cavity for measuring and dispensing a powder substance. The open cavity receives a measured predetermined amount of powder substance from the bottom housing chamber and upon rotation of the measuring device; the powder substance is dispensed from the open cavity through the tapered top chamber to a liquid receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Easy Go Dispenser, LLC
    Inventor: Blake Schroedter
  • Patent number: 8752736
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a self actuating rotary dust valve particularly for discharging dust from an engine air cleaner. The rotary dust valve includes a valve body having an inlet port, an outlet port and a rotor chamber interposed therebetween. A rotary dust ejection member is enclosed in the rotor chamber and supported for rotation about a fixed axis. A plurality of fin members are provided angularly spaced about and secured to the hub member. Adjacent pairs of the fin members define at least one dust pocket therebetween to receive dust from the air cleaner to be ejected. The rotor chamber and the fin members are cooperatively shaped and configured to maintain a continuous air lock closure. The dust valve is operable by any of: gravity and vibration to rotate and thereby to discharge the dust buildup through the outlet port or alternately by other drive means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Mann+Hummel GmbH
    Inventors: Kevin Brian Babb, Jeremy Metternich
  • Publication number: 20140064015
    Abstract: A method for dosing a powder into a kneader is provided, wherein the powder is fed via a feeder-mechanism into a feeding hole of the kneader. The powder falls from an additional feeding device of the feeder-mechanism into one of at least four segments of a rotary valve of the feeder-mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: TEIJIN ARAMID B.V.
    Inventors: Ronald Folkert Waarbeek Ter, Robin Winters
  • Publication number: 20130299519
    Abstract: A method and apparatus with interchangeable parts for dispensing a repeatably precise portion of a variety of different granular products without crushing or breaking fine products and without sticking or jamming. The dispensing mechanism for fine products can include a rotatable member having a smooth surface containing one or more cavities that mates into a flexible dispensing cup forming a product seal. The dispensing mechanism for larger products can include a variety of different paddle wheels with different numbers of paddles. An optional detent mechanism can provide stopping on rotation and precise angular control leading to dispensing of very accurate, repeatable portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Inventors: Gil Gold, Tamir Levy
  • Publication number: 20130284100
    Abstract: A tubular bird feeder for seed includes a seed metering valve above the feed holes which may be operated manually, or by a battery powered motor where the battery is charged by a solar cell and the motor responds to a remote control device from the indoors. The perches at the feed holes are made to suddenly buckle when too big of a creature alights thereon. A easy refill procedure uses a swing away cap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Inventor: Winston MacKelvie
  • Publication number: 20130277399
    Abstract: A cellular wheel sluice has a housing, a feed shaft opening therein and an outlet shaft opening out therefrom. Arranged between the shafts is a cellular wheel. The latter is arranged so as to be rotatably drivable about a horizontal rotational axis in a cylindrical cellular wheel housing portion. A cellular wheel drive shaft non-rotatably connected to the cellular wheel is rotatably mounted in the housing. A pressure drop is applied during operation of the cellular wheel sluice, a higher pressure being present in the feed shaft than in the outlet shaft. The cellular wheel is operated during the product conveyance between the feed shaft and the outlet shaft at a rotational speed in such a way that an outer periphery of the cellular wheel reaches a speed that is greater than 0.6 m/s.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventors: Bruno ZINSER, Reinhard ERNST, Frank SPECK, Martin STEPHAN
  • Patent number: 8551762
    Abstract: Apparatus useful for feeding a particulate starter material comprising nutrient and bacteria to a mixing tank, for solubilizing the starter material inside the mixing tank, for promoting growth of the bacteria and for discharging an aqueous slurry comprising the bacteria from the mixing tank. The apparatus preferably has a gravity-flow feeder and discharge port, does not require a pump, and comprises disposable parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: NCH Corporation
    Inventors: Wayne Anthony Fleming, William Pierre Boesch-Deveze, Jose Eduardo G. Evaro, Robert Clarence Pearce, III, Michael Eugene Rushing, Michael Joseph Trevino
  • Patent number: 8544697
    Abstract: The invention proposes a dosing device (1) for the preparation of a food composition comprising supply means (2) for providing a soluble powder, a dosing member (3) which is rotatably mounted and which comprises at least one recessed portion (4) for receiving powder supplied by the supply means (2) in a first rotational position and discharging powder in a second rotational position, and tapping means (5) driven by the rotation of the dosing member (3) and designed to induce a reciprocating force on the supply means (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Christian Frei, Konstantin Mikirozis
  • Patent number: 8534507
    Abstract: A granule dispenser for dispensing granules into a receiving cup, the granule dispenser including a dispenser and a base. The dispenser includes a collector rotatably mounted to the dispenser and configured to receive a predetermined volume of granules. The collector defines a cavity defining a dispensing volume and a port providing access to the cavity. The base supports the dispenser from underneath the dispenser and includes a chute, a support, and a catch plate. The support is configured to releasably mount the receiving cup beneath the chute in a position to receive granules from the chute. The catch plate is spaced beneath the support in a position below the receiving cup when the receiving cup is mounted to the support to catch granules that are not transferred to the receiving cup. In some examples, the collector rotates between a receiving position where the port is positioned to receive granules and a dispensing position where the port is positioned above the chute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Inventor: Mike Gronholm
  • Publication number: 20130233446
    Abstract: A powder dispensing apparatus for storing and dispensing a measured predetermined amount of powder substance having a bottom housing chamber, a middle chamber, a removable, rotatable measuring device, a tapered top chamber, and a cap. The top end of the bottom housing chamber is engageable with the bottom end of the middle chamber, the top end of the middle chamber is engageable with the bottom end of the tapered top chamber, and the top end of the tapered top chamber is engageable with the cap or a liquid receptacle. The measuring device is slidably engageable with the internal chamber of the middle chamber and has an open cavity for measuring and dispensing a powder substance. The open cavity receives a measured predetermined amount of powder substance from the bottom housing chamber and upon rotation of the measuring device; the powder substance is dispensed from the open cavity through the tapered top chamber to a liquid receptacle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: Easy Go Dispenser, LLC
    Inventor: Blake SCHROEDTER
  • Publication number: 20130214010
    Abstract: A portable, insulated ice dispenser stores ice in a closed container and dispenses it into a glass or cup without contact with the hands or utensils that could cause contamination. The ice dispenser can be manually operated to dispense ice. An ice storage compartment can include holes to drain water from the ice, slowing the melting of the ice and preventing the water from being dispensed. The ice dispenser is sanitary and simple in its design, making it low maintenance, inexpensive, and very appealing for home use as well as commercially. Since it is portable, the ice dispenser can be transported to anywhere its user would like to dispense ice and can be used outdoors at events, for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Inventor: Erliene Launetta McCoy
  • Publication number: 20130168416
    Abstract: A device for feeding charges of non-homogeneous infusion material to a packaging machine includes a metering device for the charges and transfer system for the charges which is positioned downstream of the metering device and which feeds the charges to the packaging machine. The transfer system includes a charge adjustment system equipped with a drum which is rotatable about its own axis A and at least one roller which is rotatable about its own axis B and which is located upstream of the drum. The drum includes a chamber for receiving the charge from the roller. During adjustment of the charge, the chamber is variable between a maximum value coinciding with the receiving step and a minimum value when the charge has been adjusted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: TECNOMECCANICA S.r.l.
    Inventor: Lucio Librio
  • Patent number: 8444012
    Abstract: A device stores and meters a powder and mixes the powder with a diluent to prepare a food product. The device is able to be connected to a tank containing the diluent and to a source of air. The device includes a multidose container to form a reserve of powder, a powder dosing system, a powder duct integrated in an air chamber that can carry air around the powder duct outlet. The powder duct outlet emerges in a mixing chamber that includes a diluent inlet and a food product outlet, the whole forming a single piece disposable device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Johan Bergdahl, Richard Luke Murphy, John Meldrum, Stephane Hentzel
  • Patent number: 8439231
    Abstract: A powder dispensing apparatus for storing and dispensing a measured predetermined amount of powder substance having a bottom housing chamber, a middle chamber, a removable, rotatable measuring device, a tapered top chamber, and a cap. The top end of the bottom housing chamber is engageable with the bottom end of the middle chamber, the top end of the middle chamber is engageable with the bottom end of the tapered top chamber, and the top end of the tapered top chamber is engageable with the cap or a liquid receptacle. The measuring device is slidably engageable with the internal chamber of the middle chamber and has an open cavity for measuring and dispensing a powder substance. The open cavity receives a measured predetermined amount of powder substance from the bottom housing chamber and upon rotation of the measuring device; the powder substance is dispensed from the open cavity through the tapered top chamber to a liquid receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Easy Go Dispenser, LLC
    Inventor: Blake Schroedter
  • Patent number: 8434650
    Abstract: A package for flaked and/or granular, consumable material includes a container having a bottom surface and sidewalls that transition through a funnel shape to a dispenser chute terminating in a container opening. A rotating dispenser wheel disposed in the dispenser chute includes a plurality of fillable compartments, and the wheel has a fill position, wherein one of the compartments is filled with contents contained in the enclosure, and a dispense position wherein the contents are released through the package opening following a predetermined rotation of the dispenser wheel. In the preferred embodiment the dispenser wheel has four quadrants defined by panels extending outwardly from a central hub. Two opposing quadrants may define fillable compartments, whereas the other two quadrants may define non-fillable compartments. The dispenser wheel is contained within a holder disposed in the dispenser chute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Inventor: Tarek Hassan
  • Patent number: 8403188
    Abstract: A dosing device for powder has an inlet and an outlet for powder. A dosing disc rotatable from inlet to outlet has a dosing area of sintered material, which is provided with cavities for the volumetric dosing of the powder. A dosing body having open dosing cavities is provided which is movable from the inlet and outlet. By changing the speed of rotation of the dosing disc the quantity of powder to be discharged can be set in a wide range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Platsch GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Hans G. Platsch
  • Patent number: 8362160
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for delivering granulated material to a reactor for use in the polymerization of alpha-olefin comprising the steps of: providing a first conduit having a granulated material inlet, the conduit being operably connected to a pocket ball valve comprising at least one pocket, said pocket ball valve being operably connected to a second conduit, said second conduit being operably connected to a polymerization reactor; introducing a granulated material to the first conduit through said inlet; metering the granulated material through the pocket ball valve; and passing said material through the second conduit to the polymerization reactor. The present invention also relates to polyolefin production processes and polyolefin producing units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Total Petrochemicals Research Feluy
    Inventors: Yahya Bouquoyoue, Claude Queyrel
  • Patent number: 8359888
    Abstract: A dispensing system for powdered treating agent for use in a washing machine includes a supply container for the treating agent, a delivery device configured to deliver the treating agent to the washing machine through a connecting hose, and a dosing device for dispensing the treating agent from the supply container to the delivery device. The supply container has an agitator with a first vertical rotatable shaft and rotatable blades. The dosing device includes a cylindrical chamber, with a compartmented wheel having spokes disposed therein. The compartmented wheel is disposed below a bottom of the supply container and is coupled to a second vertical rotatable shaft. The cylindrical chamber has an inlet opening disposed in the bottom of the supply container and an underside of the cylindrical chamber has an outlet opening to the delivery device. The compartmented wheel is also coupled to the vertical shaft of the agitator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Miele & Cie. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Deppermann, Michael Finke, Olaf Witte
  • Publication number: 20120292349
    Abstract: A dispenser device for dispensing a controlled number of solid items, or a certain quantity of a variable quantity substance, such as a powdered, granular or liquid substance, through rotation of a roller having one or more cavities for delivering an item or substance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Inventor: John H. Zarou
  • Publication number: 20120285997
    Abstract: A granule dispenser for dispensing granules into a receiving cup, the granule dispenser including a dispenser and a base. The dispenser includes a collector rotatably mounted to the dispenser and configured to receive a predetermined volume of granules. The collector defines a cavity defining a dispensing volume and a port providing access to the cavity. The base supports the dispenser from underneath the dispenser and includes a chute, a support, and a catch plate. The support is configured to releasably mount the receiving cup beneath the chute in a position to receive granules from the chute. The catch plate is spaced beneath the support in a position below the receiving cup when the receiving cup is mounted to the support to catch granules that are not transferred to the receiving cup. In some examples, the collector rotates between a receiving position where the port is positioned to receive granules and a dispensing position where the port is positioned above the chute.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Inventor: Mike Gronholm
  • Patent number: 8297477
    Abstract: A dosing device for dispensing small-particulate pharmaceutical preparations has at least one chamber for receiving a larger amount of the preparation and a dosing unit. A rotary valve has at least one dosing chamber for receiving a defined dose of the preparation. The dosing chamber is moveable between a filling position and a dispensing position. The rotary valve rotates about a substantially horizontal axis, and has an adjustment device for setting the volume in the dosing chamber and a twisting device. The twisting device constitutes the actuator for the adjustment device. The device is made of a plastic material carefully selected to assure that no softening agents or other volatile components will be released, which prevents drug contamination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH
    Inventors: Rolf-Stefan Brickl, Jürgen Schraivogel
  • Publication number: 20120267401
    Abstract: A powder dispensing apparatus for storing and dispensing a measured predetermined amount of powder substance having a bottom housing chamber, a middle chamber, a removable, rotatable measuring device, a tapered top chamber, and a cap. The top end of the bottom housing chamber is engageable with the bottom end of the middle chamber, the top end of the middle chamber is engageable with the bottom end of the tapered top chamber, and the top end of the tapered top chamber is engageable with the cap or a liquid receptacle. The measuring device is slidably engageable with the internal chamber of the middle chamber and has an open cavity for measuring and dispensing a powder substance. The open cavity receives a measured predetermined amount of powder substance from the bottom housing chamber and upon rotation of the measuring device; the powder substance is dispensed from the open cavity through the tapered top chamber to a liquid receptacle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Inventor: Blake Schroedter
  • Publication number: 20110253740
    Abstract: A method for metering powder material from a powder material source by a metering device connected to the source. The device is charged from the source with a batch of powder material in a charging configuration. The batch is discharged from the device in a discharging configuration. The source is connected with a metering piston space in the charging configuration via a first channel of a fixed metering channel hub. The volume of the space is controlled between a metering piston and a hub peripheral surface by controlling the piston position in the space, thereby charging the volume with powder material by gravity. The metering space is turned around the hub, thereby leaving the charging configuration. The volume filled with material is enclosed until reaching the discharging configuration. The metering piston space is connected with a discharge opening via a second channel of the hub for discharging the material contained in the enclosed volume. Also a device and a system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: SAAB AB
    Inventor: Magnus Nordlund
  • Patent number: 8002153
    Abstract: The present invention is a powder dispenser for dispensing predetermined amounts of a powder product. The powder dispenser includes a housing and a dispensing tube. The dispensing tube removes a predetermined amount of the powder product from the housing to be dispensed into a container. The dispensing tube includes recesses having a predetermined volume to control the amount of powder product dispensed. The housing includes a lower cavity for storing containers that receive the dispensed powder product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Inventor: Kristine A. Lowther
  • Patent number: 7984694
    Abstract: An animal feeder includes at least one fodder bin, a fodder mixing device, a control module, a radio frequency identification (RFID) system and an audio frequency device. The fodder bin is provided for storing and outputting fodder. The fodder mixing device is provided for controlling the output of fodder in the fodder bin. The control module is provided for controlling the operation of the animal feeder. The radio frequency identification (RFID) system includes at least one electronic tag and at least one reader. The electronic tag is tagged onto animals. The reader is installed at the control module. The audio frequency device is provided for inputting and outputting an audio frequency. The aforementioned elements constitute an animal feeder that can provide fodders to a specific animal, issue a calling audio frequency, and controlling a fixed quantity of different fodders outputted at a fixed time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Claridy Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Kuo-Eng Wu, Jyh-Ren Yan, Horng-Ji Chen
  • Publication number: 20110101023
    Abstract: A device for dispensing a metered amount of powdered, granular liquid or related fluent materials and a method of dispensing a fluent material such that a release of excess material beyond the metered amount is inhibited. The dispenser includes a sealing arrangement to effect such inhibiting, as well as to reduce moisture-based contamination of the material stored within the dispenser. Optional features may include various seal configurations and numbers, removable top and bottom caps that both may have a locking mechanism. The dispenser may be configured as a disposable hand-held device such that, after depletion of the fluent material contents arising out of a multiplicity of uses, it can be thrown away.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventors: Edwin Chan, Blaine R. Bruner, William M. Sherk, JR.