With Pressure Limiting Means Patents (Class 222/396)
  • Patent number: 11944746
    Abstract: A fluid delivery apparatus comprises a first piston body, a second piston body, a fluid delivery pipe, and a sealing element. The first piston body has a first through hole, a first connecting portion, an accommodation space and a buffer space. The second piston body has a second through hole and a second connecting portion disposed inside the accommodation space. The fluid delivery pipe is accommodated in the first through hole and the second through hole, and movable between a first position and a second position. The sealing element encircles the fluid delivery pipe. When the fluid delivery pipe is at the first position, the sealing element is accommodated in the accommodation space. When the fluid delivery pipe is at the second position, a first part of the sealing element is accommodated in the accommodation space, and a second part of the sealing element is accommodated in the buffer space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: MICROBASE TECHNOLOGY CORP.
    Inventors: Chiu-Ju Shen, Po Chuan Chen, Jo Ling Wu
  • Patent number: 11745919
    Abstract: A system and method for easily operated self-releasing stopper/cork for bottles of compressed liquids. The corks have a gas bladder that is designed to be inserted in a bottle and inflated, the bladder having a ribbed or smooth exterior to complete the sealing of the bottle whereby a gas release mechanism can be activated by depressing a button on a cap or via an on-board micro controller and/or electro-mechanical release solution in the cap. Once the gas is released from the top of the bladder the pressure inside the vessel will collapse the bladder's bottom and eject the cork assembly from the bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Inventor: Michael B. Christian
  • Patent number: 11623815
    Abstract: A threaded valve for an aerosol container. The threaded valve comprises a housing, a moving assembly disposed in the housing, threads suitable for threadable onward attachment onto a complementary neck of an outer container for an aerosol dispenser and a plurality of pawls and/or ratchets disposed on and extending from the housing. The pawls and/or ratchets allow onward rotation of the valve onto the complementary neck and impeding rotational detachment of the valve in a reverse direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Robert Earl Magness, Andrew William Franckhauser, Scott Edward Smith, Kerry Lloyd Weaver, Nathan Daniel Grubbs
  • Patent number: 11572265
    Abstract: A pressure regulator valve adapted to be secured within a container housing a beverage to be dispensed through the aid of pressure within the headspace (11) above the beverage, the regulator valve includes a housing (16) containing a piston (26) having one surface exposed continuously to the pressure in the headspace and the other surface being engaged by a spring (44), a source of pressurized gas (14) such as carbon dioxide is secured to the housing and includes a valve (60) which is activated by the piston which moves responsive to a differential between the spring force and the headspace pressure to open the valve (60) when the headspace pressure falls below a predetermined level to insert the carbon dioxide into the headspace to maintain the headspace pressure sufficient to dispense the beverage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: JOSEPH COMPANY INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: Mark P. Radford
  • Patent number: 11565927
    Abstract: A beverage dispensing apparatus may include a beverage dispenser and associated stopper. The stopper may be used to replace a cork, cap or other closure of a beverage container, such as a wine bottle. A needle of the beverage dispenser may be inserted through a passageway of the stopper so that pressurized gas can be introduced into the container to force beverage liquid to exit the container via the needle. The stopper may suitably seal the container after dispensing is complete, e.g., to resist exposing the beverage to oxygen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Coravin, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Lambrecht, Michael Rider, Otto DeRuntz
  • Patent number: 11478808
    Abstract: Dispensing systems (100) having wands (110) for distributing a spray away from a user include moveable wands (110), wands for locking actuation of the dispensing system (210), wands and dispensers providing gravity fed dispensing solutions (410) for battery-operated devices (500) and improved dispensers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Silgan Dispensing Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Sara D. Falcon, Kelly A. Harrigan, Steve L. Sweeton, Eelco H. Deman, Brandon L. Ramsuer
  • Patent number: 11267005
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Misty Mate, Inc.
    Inventors: David Bandawat, April LaCerra
  • Patent number: 11208256
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a spraying vessel and a valve assembly comprising the same, the spraying vessel comprising: a housing provided with an upper sealing cap for sealing an upper portion and a receiving space for receiving contents; a mount cup, mounted on the upper sealing cap, having a through hole formed in a central portion thereof; a stem housing provided with a mounting portion, mounted to the mount cup, having a hollow portion formed therein, and a communication flow path for making the hollow portion be in communication with the receiving space; a valve stem which is installed to pass through the through hole and slide in the hollow portion, and is provided with an orifice being configured to selectively communicate with the hollow portion by a sliding motion; and a flow path blocking valve formed to block an inlet of the communication flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: SEUNG IL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hajin Jang, Changhee Koh, Kihong Lee
  • Patent number: 10870568
    Abstract: A system for regulating pressure within a beverage container. A high-side cartridge assembly includes a cartridge shell enclosing a high-pressure cavity, a piercing tip to puncture a pressurized-gas container, a high-pressure passage extending through the piercing tip and to the high-pressure cavity, and a piston to intermittently open the high-pressure cavity to a low-pressure cavity external to the high-side cartridge assembly. The low-side cap assembly includes a cap body having a socket configured to receive the high-side cartridge assembly, and no part of the cap body forms a boundary of the high-pressure cavity. Also disclosed is an interface having a housing, a tap assembly, a dip tube, a carry handle, and a receiving section. The housing is configured to couple to a beverage container, and the receiving section is configured to receive a pressure regulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: GrowlerWerks, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian E. Sonnichsen, Evan C. Rege, Shawn L. Huff
  • Patent number: 10206545
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a fluid dispensing system that includes modularized components such as a flow-out member from which fluid dispenses, fluid displacement mechanism, including electronics associated therewith and a reservoir for storage of fluid. The flow-out member, fluid displacement mechanism, and components constituting the fluid dispensing system including the reservoir may have one of a linear or nonlinear cooperative relationship in terms of connectivity and operation, and may be positioned in one of a close proximity or remote locations from one another. Flow out member is provided that may moved in more that one direction to refill reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Inventors: Fadi Shakkour, Kong Xiangcun, Manuel Medina
  • Patent number: 10167126
    Abstract: A rigid box with a wall defining an inner chamber into which extends a flexible bag for a liquid or viscous food to be consumed in a suitable serving temperature range, whereby the flexible bag is associated with a part comprising a valve. The box is provided with passages suitable for the flow of an aqueous medium within the inner chamber outside the flexible bag so as to control the temperature of the food to be consumed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: INVINEO S.A.
    Inventors: Thierry Tacheny, Etienne Mertens de Wilmars
  • Patent number: 9854935
    Abstract: A home carbonation machine including a gas canister connectable to a carbonation head and a non-metal carbonation tube including an integrally formed metal tip set at distal end thereof and where the carbonation tube is connectable to the carbonation head in order to transport injected carbon dioxide from the gas canister to a bottle of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: SodaStream Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Guy Danieli, Avi Cohen, Israel Baumberg
  • Patent number: 9670048
    Abstract: A dispensing appliance allowing the loading of a container together with a dispensing tube is disclosed. After loading the container into the holding portion of the appliance, a dispensing cartridge is engaged into a receiving system provided in the dispensing portion of the appliance, which is movable with respect to the holding portion from a first loading position to a second dispensing position. The cartridge partially encases a dispensing tube with both inlet and outlet ends protruding out of first and second sides of the cartridge, such that the outlet portion of the dispensing tube is flexible. Upon engaging the cartridge into the receiving system, the outlet portion is engaged into a pinch valve while the inlet points towards the dispensing opening of the container. The dispensing tube inlet is introduced into the dispensing opening upon moving the dispensing portion of the appliance to its second dispensing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Anheuser-Busch InBev S.A.
    Inventors: Stijn Vandekerckhove, Daniel Peirsman
  • Patent number: 9382055
    Abstract: An air removal and wine dispenser device for a wine bottle has a bottle seal and a balloon. The balloon is inflated with a pump to displace air from the bottle. Additional inflation forces wine through a dispensing tube. Wine flow is controlled by a wine valve. In one embodiment, a single control valve is used to vent air and dispense wine, and a cam lever is used to expand a cam seal and to operate a balloon deflation valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Inventors: Timothy W. Dziuk, Roy Paul Prosise
  • Patent number: 9016528
    Abstract: A beverage dispensing apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a container containing a beverage to be dispensed. Pressurizing means are provided for increasing the pressure in the interior of the container. A dispensing duct brings in fluid communication the liquid beverage contained in the container with the exterior environment and draws the beverage out of the container. The dispensing duct comprises a dispensing pipe opening to ambient via a valve, and a pressure reducing channel with an opening connecting in fluid communication the interior of the container with the dispensing pipe. The pressure reducing channel is disposed in a housing made of two half bodies joined together. Each body includes a matching open channel forming the closed pressure reducing channel upon joining. At least one of the half bodies is an integral part of either the container's closure or the chime.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: AB INBEV NV
    Inventors: Daniel Peirsman, Stijn Vandekerckhove
  • Patent number: 9016600
    Abstract: A pepper spray gun assembly having a trigger valve for dispensing a non-lethal spray, such as a pepper spray. The assembly includes a storage cylinder for receiving a non-lethal spray charge and a smaller pre-charged charging cylinder for engaging the storage cylinder. The charging cylinder is fluidly coupled to the storage cylinder so as to provide a regulated gas in the head space of the storage cylinder. When the trigger of the trigger valve is operated, the regulated gas will force the charge to be expelled through the nozzle of the trigger valve assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Inventors: Henry Pearson, Glen Arnott
  • Publication number: 20150041499
    Abstract: Systems for storing beverages are disclosed, which include a container for storing, transporting and dispensing a beverage, e.g. beer. In some implementations the container includes a pressure-tight lid closure system including wire bails.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventors: Nicholas Hill, John Herrick
  • Patent number: 8950636
    Abstract: Holder for beverage, including a container manufactured substantially from plastic, provided with a neck, wherein in an inner space of the container liquid is provided and on or in the neck a valve is provided, through which valve extends a dispensing apparatus, wherein the valve is fixed in or to the neck and wherein a pressure device is provided for pressurizing the liquid in the container, wherein in or on the neck an element is suspended which at least partly extends in the inner space of the container and at least partly surrounds the dispensing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Heineken Supply Chain B.V.
    Inventor: Bernardus Cornelis Johannes Landman
  • Patent number: 8919618
    Abstract: A self chilling beverage container including a heat exchange unit having a pressurized medium therein secured internally thereof and including an over-pressure relief valve. The valve includes a hollow housing within which there is first and second valves. The first valve is operable to inject and release the pressurized medium into the container. The second valve is normally closed and is continuously exposed to the pressurized medium and in response to the pressure thereof reaching a predetermined level opens to exhaust the pressurized medium to the atmosphere to relieve the excess pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Joseph Company International, Inc.
    Inventors: David Cull, Mark Sillince
  • Patent number: 8887959
    Abstract: Systems for storing beverages are disclosed, which include a container for storing, transporting and dispensing a beverage, e.g. beer. In some implementations the container includes a pressure-tight lid closure system including wire bails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Inventors: Nicholas Hill, John Herrick
  • Patent number: 8826688
    Abstract: To provide a beverage dispenser capable of appropriately and smoothly supplying a supercooled beverage. According to the present invention, there is disclosed a beverage dispenser including a beverage supply circuit 7 which supplies a carbonated beverage to the outside a primary cooling device 13, a secondary cooling device 30, and a heat exchanger 16 for supercooling which allows these components to cool the carbonated beverage flowing through the beverage supply circuit 7 into a supercooled state at a temperature of a solidifying point or less. The heat exchanger 16 supplies the carbonated beverage in the supercooled state to release the supercooled state in the outside, and the carbonated beverage on standby for serving in a portion of the beverage supply circuit 7 cooled by at least the heat exchanger 16 for supercooling is maintained in an unsaturated state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
    Inventors: Yoshihisa Tachibana, Takashi Nishiyama, Kazuhide Saito, Kazuaki Mizukami, Hiroyuki Hashimoto, Hiroshi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8770439
    Abstract: Method and device for discharging a fixed amount of liquid which enables to dispense a liquid material with a higher accuracy. The device includes: a decompression valve for reducing the pressure of a compressed gas supplied; a discharging valve for controlling the flow rate of the gas decompressed at the decompression valve; a liquid storing container for discharging liquid from a nozzle by the gas supplied via the discharging valve; and a buffer tank between the decompression valve and the discharging valve that has a volume greater than the volume of the liquid storage container. The invention suppresses the pressure reduction that occurs in the flow path for supplying the compressed gas to the liquid storage container during the operation of the decompression valve by making the flow resistance between the buffer tank and the storage container greater than that between the buffer tank and the decompression valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Musashi Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Kazumasa Ikushima
  • Patent number: 8763865
    Abstract: A novel metering device (1) for dispensing a dose of a pressurized fluid is described. A dispensing valve body (3) is mounted in a fluid-tight manner to the lid (4) of a pressurized container (5), which circumvents a valve element (9). A valve delivery tube (10) is connected to the valve element (9). A chamber (13) surrounds the valve body (3), in which a piston (17) is reciprocable between an upper and a lower position, which define the dispensing dose. A clearance is provided between the piston (17) and the inner wall (23) of the chamber (13), such that pressurized fluid can flow into the chamber based on a pressure difference between the container (5) and the chamber (13), and the piston (17) is adapted to seal the valve body (3) when being in the upper position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: I.P.S. Research and Development B.V.
    Inventors: Eelco De Man, Frank Smits, Wouter Stinesen
  • Patent number: 8684240
    Abstract: The invention relates to a valve unit (26) comprising a cartridge and valve holder (1), which has means (6) for connecting the same to a cartridge protective housing (3), means (7; 36, 49) for sealingly fastening the same in a hole (10) that is provided for this purpose in a liquid receptacle (11) as well as a lateral, continuous hole (20), an internal housing (4), which is mounted in the cartridge and valve holder (1), in which a tapping tip (8) and a pressure-reducing valve unit (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18) are located at the end of the internal housing (4) facing the cartridge protective housing (3), wherein the pressure-reducing valve unit has a pressure-regulating chamber (13), wherein the pressure-regulating chamber (13) encompasses a connection to the interior of the liquid receptacle (11) via a continuous hole (19) in the internal housing (4) and the lateral, continuous hole (20) in the cartridge and valve holder (1), which [connection] is protected or can be blocked by a non-return valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignees: Impress GmbH & Co. OHG, Diefenbacher Kunststoff GmbH
    Inventors: Hans Peter Sauer, Werner Neukirch, Günther Grittman
  • Patent number: 8651337
    Abstract: A dispenser is provided including a dispenser housing that receives disposable refill units that are to be replaced when empty. The dispenser housing includes an air compressor and an inflation plug. The inflation plug includes a needle having an outlet and further includes a vent valve in fluid communication with the outlet. The inflation plug is fluidly associated with the air compressor such that the air compressor selectively advances air to the vent valve and to the outlet of the needle. The disposable refill includes a container having an interior with a liquid portion and air portion therein. The container further includes a plug receipt, and the inflation plug of the dispenser housing engages the plug receipt such that the outlet of the needle communicates with the interior of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: GOJO Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Quinlan, Jr., Bradley L. Lightner
  • Publication number: 20130341363
    Abstract: A system for storing and monitoring a pressurized fluid includes a pressurized fluid source and a plurality of fluid lines in communication with the supply line of a fluid dispensing system. The fluid lines are configured to selectively permit the passage of the pressurized fluid when the pressure of the source (e.g., a tank) reaches a predetermined threshold value. Specifically, the tank includes a high pressure line, an intermediate pressure line, and a low pressure or reserve line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: Advanced Carbonation Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Michael Alan Scott
  • Patent number: 8590755
    Abstract: A pressure regulated flow valve which compensates for the decreasing internal pressure inside a pressurized product dispensing container using substantially insoluble compressed gas. Where the internal pressure within the pressurized product dispensing container decreases below a certain threshold pressure, the pressure regulated valve provides for an increase in the flow of the product being dispensed from the pressurized container via the pressure regulated flow valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Summit Packaging Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel E. Davideit, Kevin G. Verville, Brian McDonald
  • Patent number: 8556133
    Abstract: A valve comprising an inlet and an outlet, the valve having a valve element moveable between a first equilibrium position and a second open position, wherein when the valve element is in the first position, the inlet and the outlet are not in flow communication and when the valve element is in the second position the inlet and the outlet are in flow communication, and wherein the valve element is moveable between the first position and the second position in response to the pressure at the inlet and the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Inventor: John Merlin Copplestone-Bruce
  • Publication number: 20130233895
    Abstract: A beverage pressure control device, comprising a pressure regulating chamber and a pressure sensing chamber, separated by a movable or deformable wall part, wherein at least one gas inlet channel is provided for feeding gas under pressure into the pressure sensing chamber and at least one gas outlet channel for feeding gas from the gas sensing chamber, wherein the gas inlet channel can be closed by a valve operated by the movable or deformable wall part, depending on a pressure difference over said movable or deformable wall part, wherein an operating device is provided for regulating the flow through the at least one outlet channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: HEINEKEN SUPPLY CHAIN B.V.
    Inventors: Bernardus Cornelis Johannes Landman, István Stephen Lindmayer
  • Publication number: 20130233878
    Abstract: A dispensing unit for dispensing a liquid under pressure, the dispensing unit comprising a first coupling means for coupling to a liquid container adapted to store the liquid to be dispensed and a propellant gas at a first pressure and a pressure regulating means for generating said first pressure in the liquid container. The pressure regulating means have a second coupling means for coupling to a gas container adapted to store said propellant gas at a second pressure substantially higher than said first pressure and a first fluid communication path for the propellant gas between said gas container and said liquid container. Furthermore a dispensing path for dispensing the liquid from the liquid container and a first operating means for controlling the flow rate of the liquid along the liquid dispensing path during dispensing are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: HEINEKEN SUPPLY CHAIN B.V.
    Inventor: István Stephen Lindmayer
  • Patent number: 8469239
    Abstract: A pressure control device (8) for medium-containing containers (2) such as liquid or gas containers, which pressure control device comprises a pressure control chamber (25) with at least one movable wall part (22) for operating a mechanism for opening and/or closing a gas supply opening (27) of a gas holder, while a scavenger (31) is accommodated in the pressure control chamber. Preferably, the pressure control device is stored at atmospheric conditions before the beverage and the pressure control device are brought into contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Heineken Supply Chain B.V.
    Inventors: Wolter Wolthers, Johannes Jacobus Thomas Vlooswijk
  • Publication number: 20130068798
    Abstract: Container unit for beverage, comprising a beverage container with a body and a neck portion, wherein at least the body portion forms a first compartment for beverage, wherein a pressure control device is provided, preferably at least partly in the beverage container, for pressurising a beverage in the beverage container, which pressure control device comprises a gas container forming a second compartment for containing a propellant under pressure, wherein a dispensing unit is provided in and/or on the neck portion and the gas container is supported by the neck portion and/or the dispensing unit, wherein pressure regulating means are provided in the dispensing unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: HEINEKEN SUPPLY CHAIN B.V.
    Inventors: Bernardus Cornelis Johannes Landman, Istvan Stephen Lindmayer
  • Patent number: 8336734
    Abstract: Systems are described for delivery of a wide variety of materials in which liquid and gas or vapor states are concurrently present, from a package preferably including a fluid-containing collapsible liner. Headspace gas is removed from a pressure dispensing package prior to liquid dispensation therefrom, and ingress gas is removed thereafter during dispensation operation. At least one sensor senses presence of gas or a gas-liquid interface in a reservoir or gas-liquid separation region. A gas removal system including an integral reservoir, at least one sensor, and at least one flow control elements may be included within a connector adapted to mate with a pressure dispensing package, for highly efficient removal of gas from the liquid being dispensed from the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Advanced Technology Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald D. Ware, Glenn M. Tom, Paul Dathe, Amy Koland, Jason Gerold, Kirk Mikkelsen, Kevin T. O'Dougherty, Michael A. Cisewski
  • Patent number: 8322569
    Abstract: The present invention provides for an integrated valve regulator assembly that comprises an integral body having a base portion that includes an axis for mounting on and coaxially with the neck portion of a pressurized source vessel and an assembly outlet, a defined internal passage in the integral body that extends through and between the base portion of the integral body and the assembly outlet, a sub-atmospheric pressure regulator assembled within the integral body of the integrated valve regulator assembly, an isolation valve positioned within the defined internal passage of the integral body and located downstream from and in communication with the sub-atmospheric pressure regulator, and a filling port disposed between the axis for mounting on and coaxially with the neck portion of the pressurized source vessel and the sub-atmospheric pressure regulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignees: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude, American Air Liquide, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Udischas, Denis Muller, Werner Schleser
  • Publication number: 20120285998
    Abstract: Disclosed is a concentrator solar cell which guides concentrated sunlight to a solar cell. The concentrator solar cell has: a substrate which has a solar cell mounted thereon; a light guide member which is positioned in the top part of the solar cell in such a way that the lower end surface thereof faces the solar cell; and a support member which is provided across the upper part of the light guide member and is provided in a standing state on the substrate. The concentrator solar cell is a hermetically sealed structure due to the substrate, the light guide member, and the support member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: AB INBEV NV
    Inventors: Daniel Peirsman, Stijn Vandekerckhove
  • Patent number: 8302822
    Abstract: Pressure regulators for beverage dispensers of the type using a high pressure gas cartridge such a CO2 cartridge. The regulators provide a simple, low cost, easily assembled and reliable regulator of particularly small size, facilitated in part by the fact that the invention allows the use of a diaphragm of a particularly small size without necessitating the use of expensive and bulky diaphragm clamps, such as threaded clamps, yet is able to provide a more than adequate seal at both the inner and outer portions of the diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Sturman BG, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy P. Kranz, Benjamin Grill, James A. Peña
  • Patent number: 8297867
    Abstract: A container for a viscous cosmetic, in which upper and lower sections respectively positioned above and below an inner tray are air-tightly sealed off from each other so as to reduce leakage of a viscous cosmetic received in a receiving body from the upper section to the lower section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignees: Shiseido Co., Ltd., Yoshino Kofyosho Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mieko Nasu, Takao Kishi, Hiroshi Mizushima
  • Publication number: 20120228336
    Abstract: A pressure regulated flow valve which compensates for the decreasing internal pressure inside a pressurized product dispensing container using substantially insoluble compressed gas. Where the internal pressure within the pressurized product dispensing container decreases below a certain threshold pressure, the pressure regulated valve provides for an increase in the flow of the product being dispensed from the pressurized container via the pressure regulated flow valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: Summit Packaging Systems .Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel E. Davideit, Kevin G. Verville, Brian McDonald
  • Patent number: 8240520
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for extruding viscous materials is provided. A dispenser comprises a control mechanism(s), a material containing structure and ports adapted to be coupled to a portable high-pressure gas source. A user controls a flow of the high-pressure gas with a control mechanism such as a trigger. The gas moves a piston inside the material containing structure and displaces viscous materials, such as an explosive, out of the structure through an output port or an output port coupled to a nozzle. A transparent materials tube may be provided to facilitate visual monitoring of the material flow. Localized and system wide pressure is controlled by structural design, material application on a structural component or control mechanisms to mitigate or eliminate a possibility of unintended effects from extrusion of the material including explosion due to overly high pressures between components of the extruder system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: James Eric Scheid, Larry Boivin
  • Patent number: 8191734
    Abstract: Embodiments of a method and apparatus for gasifying and maintaining gasification of a liquid contained in a resealable container are provided herein. In some embodiments, a gas delivery system for gasifying a liquid is provided, including a storage vessel for storing a gas; a controllable release mechanism; and an output device for facilitating delivery of a gas from the storage vessel via the controllable release mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Inventor: Christopher Lupfer
  • Patent number: 8177103
    Abstract: A container that dispenses a carbonated drink such as beer has a pressure regulator that controls the pressure of the dispensed fluid with a pressurized carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide is released to maintain the desired pressure by a pressure regulator that opens a valve when the pressure is too low in the dispensed fluid and closes a valve when the pressure is high enough in the dispensed fluid. The pressure regulator is easily adjusted without the use of a tool during operation by simply rotating the pressure regulator's cap on its threads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Heineken Supply Chain B.V.
    Inventors: Engbert Hermannes Pakkert, Quintijn Innikel
  • Patent number: 8079500
    Abstract: A liquid dispenser for dispensing liquid from a container, includes an intake pipe to receive liquid from the container, an outlet to dispense liquid, a pressure supply mechanism to supply pressurized fluid to the container at a first pressure, and a dispensing mechanism. The dispensing mechanism is operable to dispense liquid from the container by reducing the pressure in the container to a second pressure, connecting the intake pipe to the outlet to dispense fluid from the container, and subsequently increasing the pressure in the container to the first pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Inventor: John Merlin Copplestone-Bruce
  • Patent number: 8070023
    Abstract: A beverage dispensing assembly that is capable of dispensing controlled or metered portions of a beverage charged with a gas fits onto a shelf in a conventional household refrigerator. The beverage dispensing assembly includes a sealed disposable container assembly that contains the beverage and a dispensing assembly that cooperates with the container assembly to selectively unseal the container assembly and dispense controlled portions of the beverage from the container assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: On Tap LLC
    Inventors: Marc L. Vitantonio, William E. Rabbitt, John W. Nottingham, John R. Nottingham, John W. Spirk, Jr., Jay Tapper, John Replogle, Jeffrey M. Kalman
  • Patent number: 8066156
    Abstract: A beverage dispensing device using a pressure regulator to maintain the pressure inside the beverage container as the beverage is dispensed is disclosed. The pressure regulator includes a second chamber separate from the space containing the beverage. The second chamber contains a sorbent on which a propellant gas is adsorbed. The pressure inside the beverage container controls the opening and closing of a flow regulator that allows either the beverage being dispensed or a displacing agent contained in a third chamber to flow into the second chamber when the pressure in the beverage container is decreased. If either the beverage or the displacing agent flow into the second chamber, it will liberate the propellant gas adsorbed to the sorbent, and the gas is released through an outlet into the beverage container. This increases the pressure in the beverage, which in turn closes the flow regulator and stops the liberation of the propellant gas from the sorbent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: MillerCoors LLC
    Inventors: David R. Schiff, Larry R. Trunek, Jennifer E. Shrout
  • Patent number: 8006873
    Abstract: A pressure package system for providing a working pressure on a fluid included in a pressure package, the system being provided with a pressure package in which a product chamber is included for holding the fluid and in which a working pressure chamber is included for keeping a propellant at the working pressure, the system being further provided with a pressure controller and a high-pressure chamber connected with the pressure controller for keeping the propellant in supply at a relatively high pressure, the pressure package system being further provided with a wall which is of elastic and/or flexible design, a first side of the wall bounding the working pressure chamber at least partly and a second side of the wall, facing away from the working pressure chamber, bounding the product chamber at least partly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: I.P.S. Research and Development B.V.
    Inventors: Roland Frans Cyrille Cornelius Vanblaere, Willy Leonard Alice Kegels
  • Patent number: 8006872
    Abstract: A pressure package system for providing a working pressure on a fluid included in a pressure package, the system being provided with a pressure package (2) in which a product chamber (4) is included for holding the fluid and in which a working pressure chamber is included for keeping a propellant at the working pressure, the system being further provided with a pressure controller (5) and a high-pressure chamber (6) connected with the pressure controller for keeping the propellant in supply at a relatively high pressure, the pressure package system being further provided with a wall (7) which is designed to be movable relative to the pressure controller, a first side (8) of the wall bounding the working pressure chamber at least partly and a second side (9) of the wall, facing away from the working pressure chamber, bounding the product chamber at least partly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: I.P.S. Research and Development B.V.
    Inventors: Roland Frans Cyrille Cornelius Vanblaere, Willy Leonard Alice Kegels
  • Publication number: 20110163130
    Abstract: A pressure control device (8) for medium-containing containers (2) such as liquid or gas containers, which pressure control device comprises a pressure control chamber (25) with at least one movable wall part (22) for operating a mechanism for opening and/or closing a gas supply opening (27) of a gas holder, while a scavenger (31) is accommodated in the pressure control chamber. Preferably, the pressure control device is stored at atmospheric conditions before the beverage and the pressure control device are brought into contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Applicant: HEINEKEN SUPPLY CHAIN B.V.
    Inventors: WOLTER WOLTHERS, JOHANNES JACOBUS THOMAS VLOOSWIJK
  • Patent number: 7913882
    Abstract: A pressure control device (8) for medium-containing containers (2) such as liquid or gas containers, which pressure control device comprises a pressure control chamber (25) with at least one movable wall part (22) for operating a mechanism for opening and/or closing a gas supply opening (27) of a gas holder, while a scavenger (31) is accommodated in the pressure control chamber. Preferably, the pressure control device is stored at atmospheric conditions before the beverage and the pressure control device are brought into contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Heineken Supply Chain B.V.
    Inventors: Wolter Wolthers, Johannes Jacobus Thomas Vlooswijk
  • Patent number: 7866510
    Abstract: Disclosed is a device for dispensing a fluid, in particular a carbonated beverage, from a storage chamber of a container towards the outside via at least one closeable discharge port, comprising a pressure reservoir which is separated from the storage chamber and in which a pressurized propellant is accommodated, and which can be connected to the storage chamber via a pressure regulation mechanism. The pressure regulation mechanism includes an axially moveable regulating element that is impinged upon by means of a spring in the direction of an open position in which propellant is discharged from the pressure reservoir into the storage chamber. The ambient pressure to which the container is exposed acts upon the regulating element in the direction of the open position, and the internal pressure inside the storage chamber of the container acts upon the regulating element in the direction of the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Huber Verpackungen GmbH + Co. Kg.
    Inventors: Peter Schneider, Rudolph Thewes, Bernd Haeussler, Karl-Friedrich Krause
  • Patent number: 7810679
    Abstract: A home beer dispensing apparatus has a keg having a self-contained bag filled with a beer and a pressure system. The pressure system creates a pressurized air space between the keg inner walls and the bag to assist in the dispensing of the beer. The pressure system has a keg one-way air valve mounted to a top wall of the keg to permit entry of pressurized air into the keg. The pressure system has a pressure reservoir mounted in the dispensing apparatus outside the keg and in fluid flow communication with the keg one-way valve. The reservoir stores a charge of pressurized air and supplies at least a portion of this charge to the keg through the keg air valve when the dispensing apparatus is operated to dispense the beer. The reservoir provides a reserved charge of pressurized gas that is on hand to reduce dampening pressure fluctuations during beer dispensing which can result in beer frothing, especially during the early stages of beer dispensing when the air head space in the keg is small.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Anheuser-Busch InBev S.A.
    Inventors: Albert W. Wauters, Ian Anderson, Edward P. Duffy