With Plural-point Inlet To Casing Patents (Class 222/376)
  • Patent number: 11389813
    Abstract: A trigger type liquid ejector includes an ejector body and nozzle, the ejector body includes a vertical supply pipe, ejection barrel, trigger, piston, and cylinder, a recovery passage brings the cylinder in communication with the vertical supply pipe via a space between a piston body and a piston guide of the cylinder formed in the ejector body, the vertical supply pipe has a lower inner tube part where the recovery passage opens, the trigger type liquid ejector further includes an upright and inverted posture adaptor attached into the lower inner tube part where communication between the recovery passage and an inside of a container body is blocked, and a communication passage brings the recovery passage in communication with the inside of the container body forms between an outer circumferential surface of the upright and inverted posture adaptor and an inner circumferential surface of the lower inner tube part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: YOSHINO KOGYOSHO CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Nakamura
  • Patent number: 11351565
    Abstract: An intake boot for pump dispensers is provided. The intake boot is reliably positioned into a lower corner of a bottle and allows toiletry products such as lotions or creams to be easily dispensed from the pump dispenser until the bottle is empty.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Inventor: Joseph Simpson Carter
  • Patent number: 11033918
    Abstract: A fluid dispenser having a first fluid outlet for dispensing fluid when in a first orientation and a second fluid outlet for dispensing fluid when in a second orientation. An outlet valve mechanism directs the fluid towards the first fluid outlet in the first orientation, and towards the second fluid outlet when in the second orientation. The outlet valve mechanism includes a movable outlet member that is located at a first position when the fluid dispenser is in the first orientation, and is located at a second position when the fluid dispenser is in the second orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: OP-Hygiene IP GmbH
    Inventors: Andrew Jones, Heiner Ophardt
  • Patent number: 10981187
    Abstract: Devices and methods for multi-directional fluid pumping in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. In one embodiment, the multi-directional fluid pumping device comprises a reservoir containing a fluid; a sprayer head that attaches to the reservoir and comprises a piston connecting to a tube that encases a top portion of a first feed and a second feed; a first plug and a second plug that close off the first and second feeds when in particular configurations; and a first piece and a second piece connected to the top portion of the first feed and the second feed, respectively, and accesses the fluid in the reservoir. The first and the second plug may utilize a first and a second ball, a first and a second catch, and a first and a second constricted portion to control the flow of the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Inventor: Melissa McGarry
  • Patent number: 10293354
    Abstract: A misting device has a form factor that allows the device to be handheld. The device includes a fluid tank that can be pressurized to force the contained fluid under pressure through a fluid delivery system. A hand-operated pump injects air into the fluid tank to pressurize the fluid tank. The pump includes a pump handle located at the bottom of the tank at one end of a rod, and a piston at the other end of the rod. A pressure-relieving air channel extends through the piston, the rod, and the pump handle to emit air out of the pump and into the environment when the fluid tank is at a maximum pressure. A pressure relief valve is disposed inside the piston to control the flow of air through the air channel. The pump handle locks against the tank using a “twist-and-lock” mechanism to remain secured in a retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Misty Mate, Inc.
    Inventors: David Bandawat, April LaCerra
  • Patent number: 9808069
    Abstract: A pumping-type cosmetic container having a side button, and, when pressing a button part which is positioned toward a side so as to be crossed at a right angle to a container body, a first check valve is closed while a second check valve is opened, and the contents flowing into a cylinder are discharged outward through an applicator. Therefore, with a simple structure of the pumping-type cosmetic container having a side button, a user can directly apply a fixed amount of contents to a desired region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: YONWOO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hak-Chan Kim, Sung-Sin Kim, Edward F. Csaszar
  • Patent number: 9470007
    Abstract: An efficient filtration process of water from a tank is performed over a small volume of water and not on the totality of the water from the tank. The process includes emitting ultrasonic waves in the tank; and adding a flocculant agent to the water. The tank bottom is covered with a suctioning device which suctions a water flow with flocculated particles, discharging to a collecting effluent line and the effluent flow of the suctioning device is filtered from the collecting effluent line. Filtered flow is returned to the tank. A suctioning device is used in the efficient filtration process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Crystal Lagoons (Curacao) B.V.
    Inventor: Fernando Benjamin Fischmann Torres
  • Patent number: 8714415
    Abstract: A sprayer for liquids including a USD (Upside Down) device which allows operation of the sprayer in the upright and upside down positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: MWV-Vicenza S.p.A.
    Inventors: Gilberto Rech, Sarlo Buti
  • Publication number: 20110174843
    Abstract: A sprayer for liquids (10) is disclosed with a trigger pump comprising a body (11) which can be applied to the mouth of a container and a liquid delivery nozzle, a pumping chamber (22) being formed in the body (11) which is in communication with the inside of the container and the delivery nozzle (16), through a one-way suction and delivery valve (30), a USD (Upside Down) device being provided rearward of said pumping chamber which allows operation of the sprayer in the upright and upside down position, consisting in a cylindrical chamber (40) closed at the top with a stopper (27) and having at its bottom a hole (44) in communication with said pumping chamber (22), shut off in the Up position by a ball (42) which, in the Down position, frees said hole (44) and windows (47) formed in the wall (46) of the chamber (40), putting the inside of the container into communication with the pumping chamber (42) through said windows (47) and said hole (44).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2009
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicant: MWV - VICENZA S.P.A.
    Inventors: Gilberto Rech, Sarlo Buti
  • Publication number: 20080277430
    Abstract: The invention relates to a dosing head (1) for dispensing a fluid from a container, comprising an inlet opening (4) for connecting to the container, an outlet opening (3) connected to the inlet opening (4) via a conduit, a pump (5) received in the conduit and a aerating opening (6) for connecting to the container (2), wherein a liquid seal (8) is arranged between the aerating opening (6) and the container (2). This liquid seal can comprise an aerating channel (15) rotated twice through about 180° and can be “assembled from two mutually connected parts (18, 19). The invention further relates to such a dosing head provided with a secondary inlet opening to be connected to the container and closable by means of an element which can be operated by gravity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2006
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Applicant: AFA POLYTEK B.V.
    Inventors: Wilhelmus Johannes Joseph Maas, Petrus Lambertus Wilhelmus Hurkmans
  • Publication number: 20080264977
    Abstract: A bottle configured to dispense a liquid disposed therein upon the bottle being oriented in a generally upright or inverted manner. The bottle includes a reservoir configured to receive and store a liquid therein. Proximate the opening of the reservoir a pump head including nozzle are releasably secured thereto. An extraction tube has a first end operably connected to the pump head and a second end substantially disposed within the reservoir. The second end of the extraction tube has a first and second portion being of different lengths for assisting in the retrieval of the liquid disposed within the reservoir. An actuating lever is operably connected to the extraction tube. Valves are connected to the extraction tube to facilitate the operation of the bottle in either of the upright or inverted positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventor: Pamela Moudgill
  • Publication number: 20080179350
    Abstract: The invention relates to a dispenser (10) comprising a pump housing (14) with an adapter (12) for a container that contains fluid. Said dispenser comprises an adapter housing (24) with a passage (20) and inlets (28) for the fluid, an inlet valve (30) that is located in an annular chamber (51) and a non-return valve (32) that is located in a valve chamber (34). The adapter housing (24) consists of an upper part (44) and a lower part (46), which form the annular chamber (51), that latter being centrally traversed by a connecting pipe (52). A base (50) of the annular chamber (51) contains fluid inlets (28) for the inverted position of the dispenser (10) and comprises a fluid-tight collar (60) that projects radially beyond the inlets (28). The inlet valve (30) is an annular, flexible elastic valve disc (31), which surrounds and seals the annular groove (58) and whose external edge lies on the fluid-tight collar (60), sealing the inlets (28).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2005
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Inventors: Reinhard Neuhaus, Detlef Schmitz, Bernhard Jasper, Ralf Jordan
  • Patent number: 7243819
    Abstract: Manually operated invertible pump for dispensing atomized liquids, the pump having a very compact structure and an aperture which can be intercepted by the pump piston to control liquid entry into the pump when this is in a downwardly inverted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Meadwestvaco Calmar S.p.A.
    Inventor: Andrea Marelli
  • Patent number: 7114640
    Abstract: A product dispensing device includes a container having an opening and a retaining member in the vicinity of the opening. The container is configured to contain a product, and the retaining member defines a dosing cavity for containing an amount of product capable of being dispensed when the device is in an upright orientation. The retaining member comprises a peripheral sidewall. A portion of the device comprises an edge defining an orifice in flow communication with the container and the dosing cavity. At least part of the edge extends inside the peripheral sidewall and/or an extension of the peripheral sidewall at a non-zero distance therefrom. The orifice is positioned to define a maximum filling level of the dosing cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: L'Oreal S.A.
    Inventor: Vincent De Laforcade
  • Patent number: 7059500
    Abstract: An apparatus for filling containers with viscous food product includes a plurality of pressure/vacuum fill head positioned above a plurality of containers. Each fill head includes a housing enclosing a plenum through which is longitudinally disposed a valve stem having in an outer cylindrical surface thereof a plurality of longitudinally disposed grooves terminated near a lower end of the stem by a cylindrical boss. The boss is biased into fluid pressure-tight sealing contact with a lower transverse end face of lower tubular portion of the housing by a helical compression spring which fits coaxially over a portion of the valve stem which protrudes upwardly from the housing, the spring being disposed between an upper transverse end wall of the housing, and the lower surface of a neck which protrudes radially outwardly from the upper end of the valve stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Cott Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ramon Navarro, Gilbert L. De Cardenas
  • Patent number: 6942125
    Abstract: Manually operable invertible pump for dispensing atomized liquids, the pump having a very compact structure and a flexible diaphragm valve for controlling liquid entry into the pump when this is in an inverted or partly inverted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Microspray Delta S.p.A.
    Inventor: Andrea Marelli
  • Patent number: 6386399
    Abstract: The purpose of this invention is to prevent outside air from entering the bypass pipe portion when air is taken in the vessel for the prevention of a negative pressure, and thereby to secure normal, smooth liquid-discharging operation in the upside-down position of the vessel. For this purpose, the vessel equipped with a manual pump is also provided with a change-over valve unit 20 to switch the liquid supply to the manual pump 1 in response to the change in the posture of the vessel from the upright position to the upside-down position, and vice versa, so that the vessel can be used to discharge forcibly the liquid even in its upside-down position. In such a vessel, the channel taking outside air into the vessel 50 for preventing a negative pressure has an opening to the vessel 50 at the rear of the cap unit 40.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Yoshino Kogyosho Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Norihiro Tsujii, Tatsuo Tsubaki
  • Patent number: 6293441
    Abstract: The present invention proposes a trigger-type liquid discharge container which can be used in an inverted posture and in a horizontal posture having its ejection pipe directed downward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: Yoshino Kogyosho Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takaharu Tasaki, Haruo Tsuchida, Hiroyuki Nakamura
  • Patent number: 6261076
    Abstract: Candy mass including sugar and starch syrup is passed through a nozzle to which twisted-blades are mounted by a pair of a piston and a deposit cylinder for deposit, the candy mass being poured into a die. Consequently, candies having a beautiful marble pattern can be produced continuously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Meiji Seika Kaisha, Ltd.
    Inventors: Rikiya Kuwahara, Junko Igarashi, Makoto Nagasawa
  • Patent number: 6227415
    Abstract: An inlet valve (10) of a dispenser (1) or thrust piston pump, for highly reliable and speedy valve function in all vertical or inclined positions of the dispenser (1) includes, nearer to the pump chamber (20), a valve ball (35) operating in response to pressure and, further away from the pump chamber (20), a valve ball (36) subject to the force of gravity. Ball (36) pushes ball (35) out of its seat (33) in the event that it is firmly seated in the seat (33) due to a vacuum in the reservoir (9) when the dispenser (1) is turned upside down. The seats (33, 34) for the two valve balls (35, 36) are formed by a radially deformable wall (54), which can be tightly and sealingly supported against balls (35, 36).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Ing. Erich Pfeiffer GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Ritsche, Esther Amann
  • Patent number: 6126042
    Abstract: A directional dispensing package which is easily shipped, filled and assembled is disclosed. The package includes a retaining opening into which a pump may be snap-fit by inserting the pump through an open end of the package. The package and pump can be assembled at a production site, and are thereafter shipped to a filling site with a bottom portion. The package can be filled through the open bottom end, and then the bottom portion sealingly affixed to the package. The package may include an integrally-molded dip tube structure, which can also serve as the pump housing. The dip tube structure may also be snapped into the package. The dip tube structures of the present invention allow easy assembly while preventing leakage. Various devices for allowing inverted dispensing are disclosed. The device of the present invention can be filled and finally assembled with a minimal number of steps, and is therefore particularly suited for quick-turnaround marketing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Inventor: Philip Meshberg
  • Patent number: 6102255
    Abstract: A hand pump for a spray bottle permits upright or inverted operation while eliminating the need for a check valve or valves. An annular gap in the entrance section of the hand pump is so proportioned that when wet it will have the property to permit flow of liquid from the container to the dispenser, and to prevent flow of gas from the container to the dispenser. The entrance section has an axial slot therethrough and an axial groove in communication with the interior of the container and with the dispenser--the gap may be formed by a pair of circumferentially spacers. When the container is upright liquid can be removed through a distal end of a feed tube supported on the entrance section. When the container is inverted with the distal end out of the liquid and the entrance section submerged in the liquid, the liquid can be removed from the container through the axial slot, the axial groove and the annular gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Inventor: M. Edmund Ellion
  • Patent number: 6058964
    Abstract: A multi-level fuel pickup system has a float valve in communication with a first fuel passage having an open end disposed at a first height within the fuel tank spaced from the bottom of the fuel tank to prevent fluid flow through the first fuel passage when liquid fuel is absent adjacent its open end. A second fuel passage communicates adjacent the bottom of the fuel tank and below the first height and fuel is drawn through this fuel passage when a low level of fuel remains in the fuel tank. A fuel control valve is manually adjustable to control through which of the fuel passages fuel is drawn. Preferably, each of the fuel passages is at least partially formed in a valve body mounted within the fuel tank and the float valve comprises a spherical float received in a bore in the valve body and is responsive to the level of fuel within the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Walbro Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Cotton, Ronald H. Roche
  • Patent number: 5988454
    Abstract: A manually operated pump sprayer that does not leak contents through the air inlet vent port during operation when the bottle is oriented so that the inlet vent port would be covered with liquid in a spray bottle to which the sprayer is mounted. The pump sprayer is devised as having an air inlet unit which includes the air inlet vent port in liquid communication with an extension tube which in turn is in liquid communication with a storage volume which in turn is in liquid communication with a liquid control orifice. An entrance end to the tube is positioned at a location farthest from the discharge exit opening of the sprayer, and the liquid control orifice is positioned closer to the exit opening such that when spraying in a downward direction such entrance end is always above the liquid level in the storage volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Inventor: M. Edmund Ellion
  • Patent number: 5979712
    Abstract: A manually actuated liquid pump sprayer, capable of being operated in both an upright position and in an inverted position, includes an adapter attached to its pump body to effect the upright and inverted spray, the adapter having first and second fluid passages extending from an adapter chamber in opposite directions for respectively inletting liquid from the container to the chamber in one of the upright and inverted positions, and being exposed to air in the container in the other such positions, the passages terminating within the chamber in opposing upright and inverted valve seats which are valved controlled by a single gravity shifting ball check valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Monturas, S.A.
    Inventors: Pedro Pares Montaner, Lluis Costa Quintas
  • Patent number: 5899366
    Abstract: A hand pump spray bottle does not leak the liquid contents through the air inlet port during operation when the bottle is oriented so that the inlet port is covered with liquid. The air inlet port is in circuit with an optional void volume which in turn is in fluid communication with the interior of the bottle through a tubular section. The void volume, where present, and the tubular section act as a reservoir to store the liquid from the bottle that would normally reach the air inlet port. When the hand pump is operated, liquid is removed from the bottle and the pressure therein decreases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Inventor: M. Edmund Ellion
  • Patent number: 5897032
    Abstract: This invention is a spray bottle having unique flow passages that when wetted provide restrictions that allow only liquid to be dispensed either in the upright or inverted position. A gas rejection device of numerous configurations are incorporated into the spray bottle with minimum or no additional cost to manufacturing the spray bottle. Liquid rejection devices permit air to replace the dispensed liquid in order to prevent the collapse of the plastic bottle without leaking liquid in the inverted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Inventors: M. Edmund Ellion, James C. Pfautz
  • Patent number: 5875933
    Abstract: A dispensing spray container which delivers only liquid whether in the upright or inverted position. A container with an exit port from a storage cavity is fitted with an imperforate dip tube having an open-end located farthest from the exit port to feed the liquid when the container is in the upright position. In circuit with the dip tube is a porous element located nearest to the exit port whose surface conditions are such that when wetted by the liquid will from a force resulting from the liquid surface tension to prevent the gas from passing when the container is in the upright position and which will pass liquid when held in the inverted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Inventors: M. Edmund Ellion, James C. Pfautz
  • Patent number: 5850947
    Abstract: The invention is an apparatus which enables the operation of a dispensing assembly in a container containing fluid from either an inverted (upside-down), angles, or upright position. The apparatus serves as a fluid intake tube, and is fitted into the dispensing assembly of a container containing a fluid. The apparatus is composed to two generally tubular parts mounted concentrically: an outer tube, and an inner tube. On the outer tube, buoyant ring(s) are located, with confer buoyancy to the outer tube. The outer tube is slightly shorter than the inner tube. When the apparatus is fitted into a fluid-filled container, and said container is held in an inverted or downward-angled position, the perforations located at the end of the inner tube proximal to the dispensing assembly are exposed. The exposed perforations provide for uptake of fluid in the tube into the dispensing assembly of the liquid container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1998
    Inventor: Phillip S. Kim
  • Patent number: 5775548
    Abstract: A manually actuated liquid pump sprayer is capable of use in both upright and inverted positions without leakage through the vent port by the provision of a first slider valve which covers an inlet port in the upright position and which uncovers that port when the pump is inverted. A second slider valve located within the pump body is provided for uncovering the vent port in the upright position of spray, and for covering that vent port in the inverted position to avoid leakage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: Calmar Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Hohmann, Ingo Schafer
  • Patent number: 5738252
    Abstract: A manually actuated liquid pump sprayer is capable of use in both upright and inverted positions without leakage through the vent port by the provision of an auxiliary inlet passage including an inlet port in the path of a slider valve, and a vent port likewise in the path of a slider valve. The vent port is open while the inlet port is closed while the slider valve in the upright attitude of the sprayer, while the converse is effected by the slider valve when operating the sprayer in an inverted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: Calmar Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph K. Dodd, John P. McKernan
  • Patent number: 5624060
    Abstract: In a dispensing system such as a pressurized can or hand-pumped bottle, a liquid to be dispensed from a container flows through a composite dip tube that feeds an inlet of a liquid transfer device. The dip tube includes a straight dip tube that extends from the inlet to the bottom of the container and a U-shaped tube that extends from the inlet to the bottom of the container and then returns to the top of the interior of the container. The U-shaped tube acts as a siphon that, in combination with the conventional tip tube, provides liquid to the liquid transfer device when the container is upright, inverted, or oriented in any other position as long as one of the two open ends of the dip tube is in communication with the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1997
    Inventors: M. Edmund Ellion, James C. Pfautz
  • Patent number: 5620113
    Abstract: A directional dispensing package which is easily shipped, filled and assembled is disclosed. The package includes a retaining opening into which a modular pump is snap-fit by inserting the modular pump through an open end of the package. The pump may also be sonically welded to the package. The package also includes a upstanding wall portion, which provides a dispensing actuator locking and sealing mechanism, and can include a tamper-evident tab. The package and pump are assembled at a production site, and are thereafter shipped to a filling site with a bottom portion. The package is filled through the open bottom end, and then the bottom portion is sealingly affixed to the package. The package may include an integrally-molded dip tube structure and a bottom portion with specific structure for allowing easy assembly while preventing leakage. The bottom portion may have an integrally molded dip tube structure. Various devices for allowing inverted dispensing are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1997
    Inventor: Philip Meshberg
  • Patent number: 5540360
    Abstract: A sprayer assembly operable in an upright and an inverted position for dispensing liquid from a container. The assembly has a housing having an outlet passage, an outlet orifice through which liquid is dispensed, a pump element having a pump chamber within said housing, a primary passage for delivering liquid from the container to the pump chamber with the sprayer in the upright position, and a secondary passage for delivering liquid from the container to the pump chamber with the sprayer in the inverted position. Valves within the housing allow liquid to flow through the primary passage and into the pump chamber and inhibit fluid flow through the secondary passage into the pump chamber upon a reduction of pump chamber pressure with the sprayer in the upright position; and allow liquid to flow through the secondary passage and into the pump chamber and inhibit fluid flow through the primary passage into the pump chamber upon a reduction of pump chamber pressure with the sprayer in the inverted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Assignee: Contico International, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald D. Foster, Philip L. Nelson
  • Patent number: 5467901
    Abstract: A manually operable trigger sprayer is capable of dispensing a liquid from a container with the trigger sprayer alternately held in an upright orientation, in a downturned orientation and in an inverted orientation. In operation of the trigger sprayer in all three orientation positions, the liquid in the container is prevented from leaking through the vent passage of the trigger sprayer regardless of the level of liquid within the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1995
    Assignee: Contico International, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald D. Foster, Philip L. Nelson
  • Patent number: 5462209
    Abstract: A manually operable trigger sprayer is capable of dispensing a liquid with the trigger sprayer held in an upright orientation, in a downturned orientation and in an inverted orientation. In operation of the trigger sprayer in all three orientation positions, the liquid in the container to which the trigger sprayer is attached is prevented from leaking through the vent passage of the trigger sprayer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1995
    Assignee: Contico International, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald D. Foster, Philip L. Nelson
  • Patent number: 5341967
    Abstract: This invention relates to a trigger sprayer dispenser which can be used to dispense liquids in multidirections. The present invention incorporates a mechanism in a conventional trigger sprayer to allow the sprayer to be used in an inverted position without the dispenser contents leaking through a sprayer vent orifice. The mechanism comprises a by pass chamber in communication with the chamber of the dip tube. The by pass chamber then creates an auxiliary fluid path to the dip tube fluid path when the dispenser is inverted. When the dispenser is inverted, the fluid remaining in the dip tube acts as a fluid lock thereby preventing internal dispenser air from escaping out from the dip tube into the trigger sprayer. The by pass mechanism therefore, also allows for more efficient evacuation of the dispenser contents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1994
    Assignee: Dowbrands Inc.
    Inventor: Scott A. Silvenis
  • Patent number: 5322198
    Abstract: A liquid supply system with a pump for discharging fixed amounts of liquid composed of a liquid supply vessel which holds a liquid therein; a cylinder device composed of a cylinder cover and a cylinder with a bottom portion having a piston hole, a first liquid suction hole with a liquid suction valve and a second liquid suction hole; a piston device which is slidably disposed within the cylinder, including a piston with a liquid suction inlet and a liquid inlet valve, and a valve-pressing member, a piston cover provided above the piston to form an inner space therebetween to hold the liquid therein, a piston shaft which, in a sealed state, passes through the piston hole formed in the bottom portion of the cylinder, and is integrally connected with the piston in such a manner as to slidably move the piston device along the inner side of the cylinder when pressed upward or downward, the piston shaft including herein a liquid discharge conduit which is connected to the inner space of the piston device and from w
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1994
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideo Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 5255828
    Abstract: A pump-equipped liquid developer supply vessel is composed of a liquid developer supply vessel which holds a liquid developer therein; a cylinder with a bottom portion including a piston hole therein, a liquid developer suction hole with a liquid developer suction valve; a piston device which is slidably disposed within the cylinder, the piston device including a piston with a liquid developer inlet and a liquid developer inlet valve, a piston cover which is provided above the piston to form an inner space therebetween to hold the liquid developer therein, a piston shaft which, in a sealed state, passes through the piston hole formed in the bottom portion of the cylinder, and is integrally connected with the piston in such a manner as to slidably move the piston device along the inner side of the cylinder, when pressed upward or downward, the piston shaft including therein a developer discharge conduit which is connected to the inner space of the piston device and from which the liquid developer can be discha
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1993
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideo Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 5192007
    Abstract: A valve assembly which may be incorporated in a pump and container arrangement so as to permit the dispensing of liquid from the container when the container is in an inverted position as well as when the container is in its normal upright position. The valve assembly is primarily formed by a disc which has formed as part thereof a valve unit. The valve unit, in turn, is provided with a vent passage therethrough which is normally closed in the inverted position of the unit and a liquid passage which is normally closed in the upright position of the valve assembly. The liquid passage is opened by the weight of the liquid within the container on the ball check valve thereof when the container is inverted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1993
    Assignee: Continental Plastic Containers, Inc.
    Inventor: Leonard A. Blomquist
  • Patent number: 5133484
    Abstract: A liquid siphon for emptying containers such as drums includes a main suction pipe, of a relatively large diameter, and an auxiliary suction pipe, of a relatively small diameter, which auxiliary suction pipe is coextensive with the main suction pipe and extends slightly beyond the main suction pipe. At the location where the siphon is attached to a hose, a stopcock is provided which is used to close the main suction pipe when the siphon begins to draw air so that the auxiliary suction pipe along pulls liquid from the container. In this way residual liquid is removed from the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1992
    Assignee: Schering Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Wolfgang Globert, Frank Meyer, Klaus-Dieter Neumann, Herbert Richter, Richard Wolkert
  • Patent number: 5119974
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a spray bottle having full circle, continuous operational capability. It includes a mouth and a bottom wall, a reservoir of contained liquid, a human-powered pump sprayer attached to the mouth of the container, a straw extending into the contained liquid and a full circle, continuous complementary operative feed system in operational contact with the pump sprayer through the straw. The feed system of the present invention alternately connects the contained liquid to first and second entry ports in parallel relative to the straw as a function of working position. Assuming that the container is full or nearly full of liquid and that the spray bottle is in a normal upright working position, a first valve associated with the entry port near the bottom wall, is made to be operative open to liquid flow. Similarly, a second valve associated with the second entry port near the mouth of the container, is operated in a closed condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1992
    Inventor: Frederick J. Mann
  • Patent number: 5052587
    Abstract: A water gun, water pump, or the like which includes a housing having a reservoir for fluid. A chamber within the housing has a plunger slidably and sealably received within the chamber. A valve is in operable position with respect to the chamber whereby in a first orientation of the housing, displacement of the plunger evacuates fluid from the reservoir and forces fluid through the chamber in a first direction and in a second orientation of the housing, displacement of the plunger forces fluid through the chamber in a second direction and fills the reservoir with fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1991
    Inventor: John G. Graves
  • Patent number: 4958752
    Abstract: The thrust piston pump of a delivery apparatus for liquid media and the like is provided with a valve arrangement in the suction passage. The valve arrangement has two valve seats acting in opposing manner and is associated with a single common valve body. This permits a rapid transfer of the valve body into the closed position engaging on the valve seat, particularly during operation in an inverted position. In addition, the discharge passage has a mechanically openably discharge valve which can be simply opened by displacing the actuating head of the pump with respect to a collar of the pump piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1990
    Assignee: Erich Pfeiffer GmbH & Co. KG.
    Inventors: Leo Maerte, Michael Wolter
  • Patent number: 4942985
    Abstract: A 360.degree. valve body for use with a dispenser includes a lower section of generally cylindrical shape containing therein a central first bore for accepting a dip tube and a top, an upper section of generally cylindrical shape but of smaller diameter than the first section extending from the top, with the upper section having a central second bore therein, the first bore and second bore having a common axis, with the upper section adapted to be inserted into a dispenser. A third bore is formed in the top of the bottom part adjacent the upper section and extends to first bore in the lower section and has therein a seat for a ball check valve. An arcuate recess formed in a portion of said upper part adjacent opening is used for guiding a ball at one point and first and second posts, each having an arcuate inner surface, spaced from each other and the arcuate cutout are used for guiding said ball at two other points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 24, 1990
    Assignee: Emson Research Inc.
    Inventor: Robert S. Schultz
  • Patent number: 4823991
    Abstract: A manually operated dispensing pump has dual pump mechanisms, one pump being operable in a normal upright position and the other pump being operable when the apparatus is inverted. The dual pumps are fed from the same storage vessel for the media to be pumped. A preferred embodiment arranges the dual pumps successively along the same axis, each having suction ports and valves operable to enable the respective pump when the apparatus is correctly positioned and to seal off the pump when the other pump is enabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1989
    Assignee: Ing. Erich Pfeiffer GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Thomas Skorka
  • Patent number: 4804115
    Abstract: A pump chamber dispenser is arranged for producing a striped or otherwise striated product from two or more differently-colored product components held in its variable-volume reservoir (22). For each component the dispenser has at least one inlet port (20) to the pump chamber (21) and at least one exit port (44) for each inlet port. Having passed separately through the exit ports the components ae ducted by galleries (61) to the base of a dispensing spout (68), where they are recombined as desired to form the multicomponent product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1989
    Assignee: Metal Box p.l.c.
    Inventor: Martin F. Ball
  • Patent number: 4776498
    Abstract: The thrust piston pump of a delivery apparatus for liquid media and the like is provided with a valve arrangement in the suction passage. The valve arrangement has two valve seats acting in opposing manner and is associated with a single common valve body. This permits a rapid transfer of the valve body into the closed position engaging on the valve seat, particularly during operation in an inverted position. In addition, the discharge passage has a mechanically openable discharge valve which can be simply opened by displacing the actuating head of the pump with respect to a collar of the pump piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1988
    Assignee: Ing. Erich Pfeiffer GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Leo Maerte, Michael Wolter
  • Patent number: 4775079
    Abstract: A manually actuated upright/inverted pump sprayer having a piston controlled container vent path, an auxiliary liquid intake port for inverted spray being spaced closer to the inner side of the container seal gasket compared to the spacing of the container vent port therefrom so as to preclude the spontaneous ingestion of air bubbles from the open vent path into the pump chamber through such intake port during inverted spray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1988
    Inventor: Hans Grothoff
  • Patent number: 4696417
    Abstract: A refrigerated beverage dispenser having a base supporting a container housing a device for circulating and whipping a beverage. An evaporator is located in the container while the refrigerator unit thereof is housed within the base, along with a motor and a magnetic transmission for driving a circulating and whipper device within the container. The impeller is rotatably mounted upon a pin in a housing chamber of the container and includes a plurality of ports associated with pipes for both circulating the beverage within the container and dispensing the beverage outside of the container. One of the pipes is connected to a port of the impeller housing and has a non-return valve which selectively regulates fluid communication between the container and the housing chamber. Another pipe connnects the impeller housing to the container exterior for dispensing the beverage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1987
    Assignee: Ugolini S.p.A.
    Inventor: Giancarlo Ugolini