Bellows Or Bulb Patents (Class 222/633)
  • Patent number: 7025233
    Abstract: A liquid discharge pump possesses a resinous bellows material 6, a resinous inflow valve mechanism 4, a resinous outflow valve mechanism 5, a first pressing portion 11 which moves a valve portion in the outflow valve mechanism 5 to open the inflow valve mechanism when a nozzle head 2 is pressed, and a second pressing portion 12 which presses the bellows material 6 from a stretched position to a folded-up position when the nozzle head 2 is pressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Inventor: Masatoshi Masuda
  • Patent number: 7007831
    Abstract: A fluid dispenser comprising: a fluid reservoir (12) defining at least one actuating wall (21) suitable for being displaced; a dispensing orifice (41); and spring means (7) suitable for loading the actuating wall into a state in which the volume of the reservoir is at its maximum; said fluid dispenser being characterized in that the spring means (7) co-operate with cocking means (11) suitable for bringing the spring means to a state loading the actuating wall from an initial state in which the spring means do not load the actuating wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Valois SAS
    Inventors: Hervé Pennaneac'h, Christophe Pierre
  • Patent number: 6997355
    Abstract: A fluid product dispenser having a reservoir of fluid product defining a moveable actuating wall, a distribution orifice, and a spring structured to act on the actuating wall to produce a state of maximum volume of the reservoir. The spring co-operates with an arming element structured to cause the spring from an initial state in which the spring does not bias the actuating wall to a state in which the spring biases the actuating wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Volois S.A.S.
    Inventors: Frédéric Duquet, Hervé Pennaneac'h
  • Patent number: 6971559
    Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing a fluid, said dispenser comprising: a reservoir (3) containing said fluid and provided with at least one actuating wall (10) on which pressure is exerted to reduce the volume of the reservoir, said reservoir being provided with resilient means (4) suitable for increasing the volume of the reservoir; a dispensing orifice (50) via which the fluid is dispensed as a mixture with a gas, so as to generate a two-phase spray; and a removable closure element (12) for closing the dispensing orifice (50), thereby isolating the reservoir from the outside; said dispenser being characterized in that the resilient means are stressed so that the reservoir defines a minimum volume so long as the closure element (12) closes off the dispensing orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: Valois S.A.
    Inventors: Firmin Garcia, Aline Abergel
  • Patent number: 6938798
    Abstract: A device for dispensing a substance in fluid or powder form, the device having a dispensing outlet (10), an air blaster (20) for generating a blast of air when the device is actuated, and at least one reservoir (30) containing a single dose of substance. The reservoir (30) an air inlet (31) connected to the air blaster (20), and a substance outlet (32) connected to the dispensing orifice (10), the air inlet (31) being provided with a substance retaining member (40) for retaining the substance in the reservoir (30) until it is dispensed, and the substance outlet (32) being closed off by a closure element (50). The dispenser device is configured such that the closure element (50) is a spherical element, such as a ball, force fitted into the substance outlet (32) of the reservoir (30). The device further has a mechanical opening system (60, 70, 80) co-operating with the closure element (50) for ejecting it mechanically from its closure position when the device is actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: TEBRO S.A.
    Inventor: Giuseppe Stradella
  • Patent number: 6860404
    Abstract: A device for dispensing a fluid product includes a reservoir configured to contain a fluid product and air, a spray orifice associated with the reservoir, and a dip tube. The reservoir may include at least one deformable zone having a predetermined threshold resistance to deformation. The deformable zone may be configured to deform in response to pressure exerted on the deformable zone so as to cause the product to be sprayed out from the orifice. When pressure exerted on the deformable zone is less than a threshold pressure Ps sufficient to overcome the predetermined threshold resistance to deformation of the deformable zone, the internal volume of the reservoir is not substantially reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: L'Oreal S.A.
    Inventor: Florent Duqueroie
  • Patent number: 6860436
    Abstract: A fluid dispenser comprising: two sheets (1, 1?), at least one of which is deformable, the two sheets forming a fluid reservoir (15) between them, said at least one deformable sheet defining a deformable actuating wall so as to reduce the volume of the reservoir, the reservoir (15) advantageously being provided with resilient means (4) urging the reservoir towards its maximum volume; and a dispensing piece (2) fixed in leaktight manner between the two sheets (1, 1?) and defining a dispensing orifice (24) via which the fluid from the reservoir is dispensed; said fluid dispensing being characterized in that the reservoir (15) is defined by an inner first sealing line (12) and the outer peripheral edges of the sheets are sealed together along an outer second sealing line (10) which surrounds the inner first sealing line, the two sealing lines (10, 12) defining between them at least one non-sealed-together zone (11) in which the sheets are not sealed together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Valois S.A.S.
    Inventors: Firmin Garcia, Aline Abergel
  • Publication number: 20040262340
    Abstract: An improved applicator for hair building cosmetic fibers, powders and particles uses a gentle stream of gas to suspend the fibers and waft them onto the user's scalp. A low pressure, low velocity gas stream directed downwards into a mass of fibers in a closed container suspends them. The suspended fibers exit through a small orifice connected with a passageway ending in a nozzle. The suspended fibers are propelled from the nozzle in a directed fashion to settle naturally in a controlled area. If a rubber bulb is used to supply air to suspend the fibers, a user can gently squeeze the bulb to allow controlled puffs of air and fibers to waft onto controlled regions of the scalp. A valve arrangement can be operated to provide an air stream to remove excess deposited fibers from regions of the scalp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2003
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Applicant: Spencer Forrest, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Kress
  • Publication number: 20040262339
    Abstract: A fluid dispenser device comprising a body (10), a fluid reservoir (20) containing one or a plurality of doses of fluid, a piston (30) designed to slide in said reservoir so as to dispense a dose of fluid each time the device is actuated, and actuator means (40) for displacing said piston (30), said device being characterized in that it includes at least two laterally-actuated elements (50, 60) distributed around said body (10), said laterally-actuated elements (50, 60) being displaced simultaneously in a direction that is approximately transverse to the central axis of the device, and each co-operating with a peripheral edge (41) of said actuator means (40) so as to exert an axial force thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2004
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventor: Giuseppe Stradella
  • Patent number: 6820507
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for extracting a representative sample of water, oil and sediment from a container. The apparatus is a container closure having a tube extending therethrough, such that fluids can be extracted from any closed container through the tube when closed by the closure. The tube has a first end and a second end. The first end is open to the flow of fluids and the second end is closed. Several radial inlet ports are position at spaced intervals along the tube between the closure and the second end of the tube. Fluids from the container enter the tube at several levels through different ones of the inlet ports, thereby providing a more representative sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Inventor: Norman Eugene Seatter
  • Patent number: 6805267
    Abstract: The invention relates to a liquid dispenser of the type comprising a reservoir (R1, R2) provided at its top with an outflow orifice (V) which is closed off by an inlet valve (a) and which opens out into a metering chamber (10) of variable volume, which chamber communicates, via an outlet valve (e), with a discharge duct (c) provided in a dispensing head (T), the dispenser being characterized in that the metering chamber (10) is defined by a wall of a bellows (1) that is elastically deformable, at least in part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Rexam Dispensing Systems
    Inventor: Jean-Louis Bougamont
  • Patent number: 6805263
    Abstract: A fluid product dispenser includes a reservoir (3) containing said fluid product and provided with at least one actuating wall (10) on which pressure is exerted to reduce the reservoir volume, a dispensing orifice (50) communicating with the reservoir and through which the fluid product is dispensed out of the reservoir in a mixture with a gas to create a two-phase spray, a detachable sealing unit (12) to seal the dispensing orifice (50) and so isolate the reservoir from the outside, and a spring (4) to bring the actuating wall (10) into a non-operational position defining the maximum volume of the reservoir (3) when the sealing unit (12) is withdrawn from the dispensing orifice (50), said spring (4) being compressed when the sealing unit (12) seals the outlet orifice (50), the reservoir (3) containing approximately only fluid product so long as the detachable sealing unit (12) seals the dispensing orifice (50).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Valois Sas
    Inventors: Firmin Garcia, Christophe Pierre
  • Patent number: 6786369
    Abstract: A fluid dispenser including: an entraining gas reservoir (10) provided with an actuator (12′) suitable for pressurizing the gas contained in the reservoir; a fluid reservoir (3); and a dispensing orifice (21) serving to pass a mixture made up of entraining gas and of fluid; the fluid reservoir (3) being separated from the gas reservoir (10) by a partition (31″; 31″′). The partition is permeable to the gas and impermeable to the fluid, so that the pressurized gas penetrates into the fluid reservoir (3) through the partition, and entrains the fluid with it towards the dispensing orifice. The fluid is urged towards the dispensing orifice by thrust mechanism (32″, 32″′) so that fluid is always present at the dispensing orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Valois SAS
    Inventors: Firmin Garcia, Alex Millian, Fabienne Uguen
  • Patent number: 6783215
    Abstract: In a supply system which includes an ink container for reserving a predetermined amount of ink to be supplied to a printing head and which is configured such that ink is intermittently supplied to the container from an ink tank, there is provided a structure that fundamentally eliminates waste of ink associated with an operation of charging the container to apply a required negative pressure to the head. An ink containing body in which a negative pressure can be generated because of its elasticity is provided in the container. After the ink containing body is expanded to introduce ink into the same by depressurizing the interior of the container, the interior of the container is pressurized to contract the ink containing body, thereby returning a predetermined amount of ink to the tank. A negative pressure is thus generated in equilibrium with an ink meniscus holding ability of the head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masahito Yoshida, Naoji Otsuka, Hiroyuki Inoue, Takashi Nojima, Hitoshi Sugimoto, Shusuke Inamura, Yasufumi Tanaami, Takeshi Iwasaki, Noriko Sato, Yasuyuki Hirai, Takeshi Yazawa
  • Patent number: 6783035
    Abstract: Fluid product dispenser having a fluid product reservoir (13) containing a fluid product, the reservoir (13) and, a distribution orifice (32; 22) through which the fluid product is forced in the form of a spray when the actuation wall (36) is pressed. The reservoir includes a deformable actuation wall (36) that is pressed to reduce the internal volume of the reservoir, a bottom plate (1), an intermediate plate (2) defining an opening (24), and a cover plate (3) including the actuation wall (36), and wherein the opening (24) is formed in the intermediate plate (2) defining the useful volume of the reservoir (13) with the bottom plate (1) and the cover plate (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Valois S.A.S.
    Inventors: Firmin Garcia, Alex Millian
  • Publication number: 20040144811
    Abstract: A fluid dispenser comprising:
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Applicant: VALOIS SAS
    Inventor: Herve Pennaneac'H
  • Patent number: 6763973
    Abstract: An expandable single use liquid containment vessel that can fit into restricted spaces such as the trunk or glove compartment of a passenger transport vehicle. The vessel contains a top and bottom wall integrally connected via an outer wall embodying accordion type pleats to allow for vessel compression and expansion. A single piece pouring nozzle is permanently attached to the containment vessel subsequent to introduction of a fluid the containment vessel's interior portion. One end of the filling nozzle secures the nozzle to the containment vessel. At the second end of the nozzle is an exiting orifice which has been dimensioned to preclude insertion therein of publicly accessible fueling nozzles commonly associated with motor vehicle refueling stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Inventor: Bruce Eric Hudkins
  • Patent number: 6752298
    Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing a fluid, said dispenser comprising: a reservoir (3) containing said fluid and provided with at least one actuating wall (10) on which pressure is exerted to reduce the volume of the reservoir, said reservoir being provided with resilient means (4) suitable for increasing the volume of the reservoir; a dispensing orifice (50) via which the fluid is dispensed as a mixture with a gas, so as to generate a two-phase spray; and a removable closure element (12) for closing the dispensing orifice (50), thereby isolating the reservoir from the outside; said dispenser being characterized in that the resilient means are stressed so that the reservoir defines a minimum volume so long as the closure element (12) closes off the dispensing orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Valois S.A.
    Inventors: Firmin Garcia, Aline Abergel
  • Publication number: 20040050885
    Abstract: A device for dispensing a substance in fluid or powder form, the device comprising a dispensing outlet (10), an air blaster (20) for generating a blast of air when the device is actuated, and at least one reservoir (30) containing a single dose of substance, said reservoir (30) having an air inlet (31) connected to said air blaster (20), and a substance outlet (32) connected to said dispensing orifice (10), said air inlet (31) being provided with a substance retaining member (40) for retaining the substance in the reservoir (30) until it is dispensed, and said substance outlet (32) being closed off by a closure element (50), said dispenser device being characterized in that the closure element (50) is a spherical element, such as a ball, force fitted into the substance outlet (32) of the reservoir (30), said device further comprising a mechanical opening system (60, 70, 80) co-operating with said closure element (50) for ejecting it mechanically from its closure position when the device is actuated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2003
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventor: Giuseppe Stradella
  • Patent number: 6663019
    Abstract: A dispenser device is provided for dispensing a fluid substance in spray form. The dispenser device comprising a reservoir containing the fluid to be dispensed and a spray orifice. The reservoir includes at least one actuating wall that can be deformed by applying a pressing force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Valois S.A.
    Inventors: Firmin Garcia, Aline Abergel
  • Publication number: 20030121939
    Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing a fluid, said dispenser comprising: a reservoir (3) containing said fluid and provided with at least one actuating wall (10) on which pressure is exerted to reduce the volume of the reservoir, said reservoir being provided with resilient means (4) suitable for increasing the volume of the reservoir; a dispensing orifice (50) via which the fluid is dispensed as a mixture with a gas, so as to generate a two-phase spray; and a removable closure element (12) for closing the dispensing orifice (50), thereby isolating the reservoir from the outside; said dispenser being characterized in that the resilient means are stressed so that the reservoir defines a minimum volume so long as the closure element (12) closes off the dispensing orifice.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2003
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Applicant: VALOIS S.A.
    Inventors: Firmin Garcia, Aline Abergel
  • Patent number: 6536635
    Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing a fluid, said dispenser comprising: a reservoir (3) containing said fluid and provided with at least one actuating wall (10) on which pressure is exerted to reduce the volume of the reservoir, said reservoir being provided with resilient means (4) suitable for increasing the volume of the reservoir; a dispensing orifice (50) via which the fluid is dispensed as a mixture with a gas, so as to generate a two-phase spray; and a removable closure element (12) for closing the dispensing orifice (50), thereby isolating the reservoir from the outside; said dispenser being characterized in that the resilient means are stressed so that the reservoir defines a minimum volume so long as the closure element (12) closes off the dispensing orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Valois S.A.
    Inventors: Firmin Garcia, Aline Abergel
  • Publication number: 20020158086
    Abstract: A unit for discharging loose material from a dispensing device to a user unit comprises a discharge tube leading to the user unit and a valve element connecting the dispensing device to the infeed end of the tube. The valve element comprises a first annular element equipped with a shutter device, consisting of a first shutoff element and a second shutoff element connected to each other by permanent magnets, and a second annular element connected to the infeed end of the tube. When the first and second annular elements are separated by the operation of pistons, a gap is created between the two shutoff elements. A pair of concentric seals positioned between the first and the second annular elements isolate the gap from the outside environment so that a cleaning fluid can be made to flow into it.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2002
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Applicant: ZANCHETTA & C. S.r.L.
    Inventor: Luciano Pieri
  • Patent number: 6460781
    Abstract: A dispenser device is provided for dispensing a fluid substance in spray form. The dispenser device comprises a reservoir containing the fluid to be dispensed and a spray orifice. The reservoir includes at least one actuating wall that can be deformed by applying a pressing force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Valois, S.A.
    Inventors: Firmin Garcia, Aline Abergel
  • Publication number: 20020104856
    Abstract: The present invention provides an oral medicine dispenser for the administration of a single pre-measured dose, which dispenser comprises a body having a collapsible reservoir portion and an elongate dispensing tube portion extending from the reservoir portion, wherein the reservoir portion holds, in use, a single dose of a fluid oral medicament and the dispensing tube portion has an end cap, whereby on opening of the end cap the collapsible reservoir portion may be manually squeezed to collapse the reservoir portion sufficiently to dispense substantially all of, or at least a major part of the medicament dose through the dispensing tube portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Publication date: August 8, 2002
    Inventors: Malcolm David Clark, Bruce Cameron Croft, George Calvin Davies
  • Patent number: 6270021
    Abstract: Liquid dispensing apparatus comprises a tubular casing having at one other end an inlet nozzle connectable to a source of gas under pressure and at its end an outlet nozzle having an orifice in communication with an expansion chamber bounded by sides which diverge away from or converge towards the orifice. The liquid dispensing apparatus containing a pen-like liquid source having an absorbent nib at least partially within the casing with the nib within or in close proximity to the nozzle orifice. The pen-like source may comprise a felt-tipped pen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Inventor: Terence William Bolton
  • Patent number: 6258063
    Abstract: A hypodermic injection system allows for the generation of a high pressure liquid jet capable of passing through the skin. The system uses two regions, the first region being flexible or squeezable and the second region having at least one exiting orifice through which the liquid jet can be expelled. The flexible region can be deformed by a pressure change in the surrounding container generated by an activatable gas generator that generates pressure within the first region that causes the liquid to be expelled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Roche Diagnostics GmbH
    Inventors: Hans-Peter Haar, Manfred Beuttenmüller, Markus Mattern, George Bevan Meacham
  • Patent number: 6213358
    Abstract: A plastic bottle for spraying liquid has a liquid chamber defined by a sidewall. The sidewall terminates in a neck having a neck opening. A tube integrally formed alongside the sidewall leads from the bottom of the liquid chamber up to a nozzle. A top end of the tube is inclined away from the neck, and a squeeze bulb is in liquid communication with the tube. By squeezing the squeeze bulb, liquid is drawn from the liquid chamber, through the tube, and out through a nozzle attached to the top end of the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Libit, Sidney M. Libit
  • Patent number: 6190366
    Abstract: The portable, locally washing hygienic device has a water container of a flexible synthetic resin film member, a water supply tube mounted on the water container and acting as a water passage, a spray nozzle mounted on an upper portion of the water supply tube, and a valve assembly interposed between the spray nozzle and the water supply tube, in which a lower portion of the water supply tube located within the water container is joined together through a connecting member with an inner surface portion of the water container by thermally fusing or otherwise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Inventor: Kanari Tani
  • Patent number: 6021930
    Abstract: A pump spray dispenser is provided with a squeezable container normally biased to an expanded condition and defining a gas discharge opening. A housing is connected to the container. In one embodiment of the dispenser, a mixing chamber is defined in a housing and communicates with the container. A cartridge holder is defined by the housing for receiving a cartridge that contains a fluid product and that has an openable seal. A fluid product transfer passage establishes communication between the mixing chamber and cartridge when the seal is opened. A spray dispensing orifice is defined in the housing for discharging a spray mixture of the fluid product and gas from the mixing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Assignee: Valois S.A.
    Inventors: Olivier de Pous, Jean-Philippe Lamboux
  • Patent number: 5971234
    Abstract: A dust dispensing system comprised of a dip tube enclosing a much smaller outlet tube, both tubes fitted to countersunk holes in the plug base. A path for powder and air is created within the wall of a flexible container beginning at the area within the container through the longitudinal vent holes at opposite ends of the dip tube toward the inside center of the dip tube where two air/dust streams collide venting through the inward longitudinal opening of the outlet tube which is disposed at the point of convergence of the colliding streams and then the mixture continues to flow under pressure through the outlet tube and out the exit nozzle each time the container is squeezed. This action is repetitive and fully operational regardless of the device's orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Inventors: Tom Bernard Mathison, Joseph B. Budz
  • Patent number: 5950871
    Abstract: A pump spray dispenser is provided with a squeezable container normally biased to an expanded condition and defining a gas discharge opening. A housing is connected to the container. In one embodiment of the dispenser, a mixing chamber is defined in a housing and communicates with the container. A cartridge holder is defined by the housing for receiving a cartridge that contains a fluid product and that has an openable seal. A fluid product transfer passage establishes communication between the mixing chamber and cartridge when the seal is opened. A spray dispensing orifice is defined in the housing for discharging a spray mixture of the fluid product and gas from the mixing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Valois S.A.
    Inventors: Olivier de Pous, Jean-Philippe Lamboux
  • Patent number: 5945076
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a combined toilet bowl cleaning brush and storage container system. The brush is provided with a support which rests on an upper edge of a container wherein the container forms upper and lower volumes and includes a resilient vertically compressible bellows section. Disinfectant fluid is provided in the lower volume. When the support is forced downward, the bellows compresses and fluid is squirted on the brush. When released, the bellows expands and the brush is suspended above the fluid. A restrictor web can be placed at the throat of the lower volume to discourage refill use of the lower volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignee: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen B. Leonard, Gary F. Prokop, William A. Lee, Donald J. Musiel
  • Patent number: 5894967
    Abstract: A powder dispenser includes a resilient container for storing a powder and a volume of air therein. The powder has properties which enable a portion of the volume of air to fluidize a portion of the powder when the resilient container is sufficiently deformed. The dispenser has a substantially rigid conduit connected to its discharge end. The conduit provides the only fluid communication between the inside of the container and an ambient outside environment. The dispenser also has a resilient flat member connected to the outer end of the conduit. The flat member has a slit that is normally closed such that the container is substantially sealed in a fluid-tight manner until the container is sufficiently deformed to generate a pressure in the volume of air. When a pressure differential exists that is greater than a threshold value, the pressure differential causes the slit to open to discharge a portion of the powder mixed with a portion of the volume of air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Robert E. Stahley, William D. Hoenninger, Liezl G. Peterson, Dimitris Ioannis Collias
  • Patent number: 5858010
    Abstract: A new Personal Hygenic Washing System for douching the external pelvic area as well as for use internally. The inventive device includes a contoured cleaning member having a plurality of irrigation holes, a squeezable bottle and means for attaching the cleaning member to the squeezable bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Inventor: Melodye W. Berry
  • Patent number: 5503333
    Abstract: An extension tube system for a dust particulate dispenser and a method of using the extension tube system are disclosed. The system includes a flexible duster extension tube having a central body portion with a first diameter, a first coupling end with a larger diameter, and a second dispensing end with a smaller diameter. Additionally, the second dispensing end includes a dust particulate collection region which serves to prevent dust particulates from spilling out of the duster extension tube when such action is not desired. The first coupling end is inserted over an outlet region of a dust particulate dispenser. Additional extension tubes can be connected to the second dispensing end of an extension tube to extend the reach to an area where dust particulates must be applied. A flexible duster extension tube cleaner having a cleaning element is used to clean remaining dust particulates from within the extension tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1996
    Inventor: David Laventure
  • Patent number: 5482193
    Abstract: A media dispenser (2) has a discharge head (3), a medium chamber (30) holding a volume of medium filled under pressure, and a hand-operable propellant pump (5). By manual compression of the balloon-like pressure chamber (6) comprising film portions (13, 14), propellant is conveyed into the medium chamber (30), with pressure sufficient to cause the opening of a valve (26), and delivery of a mixture of medium and propellant through an atomizing nozzle (21). The nozzle (21) is tightly closed by a closure (39) connected to a common carrier (40) for a plurality of the dispensers (2). The carrier (40) has interruptible connections to the head (3) which can be interrupted to remove closure 39 and open atomizing nozzle 21.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1996
    Assignee: Ing. Erich Pfeiffer GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Karl-Heinz Fuchs
  • Patent number: 5427624
    Abstract: An extension tube system for a dust particulate dispenser and a method of using the extension tube system are disclosed. The system includes a flexible duster extension tube having a central body portion with a first diameter, a first coupling end with a larger diameter, and a second dispensing end with a smaller diameter. The first coupling end is inserted over an outlet region of a dust particulate dispenser. Additional extension tubes can be connected to the second dispensing end of an extension tube to extend the reach to an area where dust particulates must be applied. A flexible duster extension tube cleaner having a cleaning element is used to clean remaining dust particulates from within the extension tubes. After the dust particulates are dispensed through the extension tube system, each extension tube is disconnected, and the tube cleaner is gripped at one end so that the cleaning element at the other end can be inserted into each flexible duster extension tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1995
    Inventor: David Laventure
  • Patent number: 5400923
    Abstract: A pump for discharging the contents of a sealed container, such as a test tube, is connected to a body member which includes an inlet path and a discharge path with a delivery tube in the discharge path. A predetermined clearance is provided between the exterior of the delivery tube and the interior of the discharge path, the clearance providing venting, or blow-by, such that temperature changes do not cause accidental discharge of the contents of the container, while still maintaining sufficient resistance to venting for permitting pressurizing the interior of the test tube with the pump for accurately controlling the discharge of the test tube contents. A second or supplemental vent is provided in the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1995
    Assignee: Helena Laboratories Corporation
    Inventors: Tipton L. Golias, Robert J. Sarrine, Joseph H. Golias, Ronald A. Mayes
  • Patent number: 5395597
    Abstract: An apparatus for fluidized transport of solids, e.g., catalyst to a pilot plant FCC unit. Carrier gas flow is generated by compressing a sealed bellows to displace gas and an exit tube attached to the bellows into a solids reservoir. A confinement baffle in the solids reservoir controls solids flow and aids refilling. An auxiliary breather tube with an outlet in the solids reservoir can fluidize solids as the bellows expands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: John S. Buchanan, Hans J. Schoennagel
  • Patent number: 5289952
    Abstract: The device comprises a pump (10) for delivering a liquid with a foaming agent from a container (R). The displacement of a rigid push-button (14) causes a variation in the volume of an annular chamber (13), and a return air inlet valve (22) allows for the inflow of air into this chamber. The end of the container (R) provided with the pump (10) is closed by a head (5) having a base (7) recessed with respect to the end of a central sleeve (8) carrying the pump and partly delimiting the said annular chamber (13), while the push-button (14) has in its base a collar (17) capable of closing the annular chamber (13) and compressing the air contained therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1994
    Assignee: L'Oreal
    Inventor: Jean-Louis H. Gueret
  • Patent number: 5244021
    Abstract: A container includes a fill cap, with a delivery conduit directed exteriorly of the fill cap, with a lower distal end within the container adjacent a floor of the container. The delivery conduit is arranged to include a delivery tube end member that includes a forward portion with a collar thereabout, including an outer conduit adjacent an inner central conduit, and the outer conduit is vented rearwardly of the collar for venting of fumes within a delivery fuel tank. A pressurizing squeeze bulb is in pneumatic communication interiorly of the container to effect pressurizing of fuel and fluid contained therewithin for direction through the delivery conduit, wherein the delivery conduit may further include a shut-off valve to cease fuel flow therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1993
    Inventor: Ernest F. Hau
  • Patent number: 5222822
    Abstract: A particulate material dispensing assembly comprises a container for storing particulate material and includes an end cap device having a passageway for discharging the particulate material. The end cap device is disposed at a discharge end of the container and includes a removably mounted brush. The container includes a base section, a delivery section and a collapsible resilient coupling section connecting the base section to the delivery section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1993
    Inventor: Javier Hernandez
  • Patent number: 5215221
    Abstract: A disposable unit dose dispenser is provided for fluidizing and dispensing a predetermined quantity of powdered product, such as an antihistamine or a decongestant. The dispenser includes a first layer and a second layer connected together to form a gas chamber and a product reservoir adjacent one another. The product reservoir includes a delivery tube adapted to dispense the powdered product. The dispenser also includes a seal which separates the gas chamber from the product reservoir such that when pressure is applied to the gas chamber by squeezing the dispenser the seal ruptures causing a jet of gas to discharge from the gas chamber into the adjacent product reservoir fluidizing and dispensing substantially all of the powdered product from the product reservoir through the delivery tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1993
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Robert S. Dirksing
  • Patent number: 5114033
    Abstract: An apparatus for discharging the contents of a sealed container, such as a test tube, includes an inlet path and a discharge path with a delivery tube in the discharge path. A predetermined clearance is provided between the exterior of the delivery tube and the interior of the discharge path, the clearance providing venting, or blow-by, such that temperature changes do not cause accidental discharge of the contents of the container, while still maintaining sufficient resistance to venting for permitting pressurizing the interior of the test tube for accurately controlling the discharge of the test tube contents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1992
    Assignee: Helena Laboratories Corporation
    Inventors: Tipton L. Golias, Robert J. Sarrine, Joseph H. Golias
  • Patent number: 4872802
    Abstract: An apparatus for removing the contents of a can which uses a conventional can opener having a triangularly shaped outside edge forward portion for opening a can. Positioned on the front of the can opener near the outside edge is an opening air sealing device whereby as the outside edge forward portion makes an opening in the can the opening air sealing device closes the opening. An air pressurizing device in the form of a squeeze bulb and a conduit defining a passageway are attached to the can opener and the conduit defining a passageway is positioned through the opening air sealing device at one end of the air pressurizing device and the conduit is connected to the squeeze bulb at the other end of the air pressurizing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1989
    Inventor: Ross E. Abbe
  • Patent number: 4869407
    Abstract: Air freshener apparatus comprising a cup-like base in which a quantity of fragrance emitting ingredient is disposed in at least a partially exposed relation. Secured air sealed about the support is a tubular bellows a soft, pliable composition forming an air chamber overlying the exposed relation of the fragrance ingredient. Breather holes formed through the support underlying the fragrance ingredient therein enables dispensing of a controlled quantity of fragrance scent by manually compressing the bellows. An adhesive pad on the undersurface of the support enables the apparatus to be attached to a recipient surface. Merchandise packaging of an air freshener unit includes a blister wrap of pliable composition having an aperture communicating from inward to outward thereof. This enables on-site consumer testing of the unit by depressing the wrap which in turn compresses the bellows to effect a scent emission outward through said aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1989
    Assignee: Products by DesignAir, Inc.
    Inventors: Alfred E. Booth, Jr., Robert L. Booth
  • Patent number: 4852620
    Abstract: There is disclosed a pipette and a method of using the pipette in which an active element of the pressurizing system is a bellows within a piston chamber, operated by a motor. To achieve the advantages of the invention, including ease in manufacturing and the ability to actuate a tip ejector, the bellows is mounted so that the outside surface of the sidewall of the bellows, together with the piston chamber, defines the air volume operative on a fluid passageway leading to a disposable tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1989
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Raymond F. Jakubowicz, Johannes J. Porte
  • Patent number: 4735239
    Abstract: The device uses an elastic tubular bladder for receiving liquid which is expandable radially generally spherically at a local segment until a fully-expanded cross-section is achieved at which time the expanded region begins to grows axially, thereby maintaining a relatively constant pressure independent of bladder volume. The device is provided with a nozzle and a valve for controlling and directing the flow of the projected liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1988
    Assignee: Water Weenies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael E. Salmon, John S. Briski
  • Patent number: RE37760
    Abstract: A dust dispensing system comprised of a dip tube enclosing a much smaller outlet tube, both tubes fitted to countersunk holes in the plug base. A path for powder and air is created within the wall of a flexible container beginning at the area within the container through the longitudinal vent holes at opposite ends of the dip tube toward the inside center of the dip tube where two air/dust streams collide venting through the inward longitudinal opening of the outlet tube which is disposed at the point of convergence of the colliding streams and then the mixture continues to flow under pressure through the outlet tube and out the exit nozzle each time the container is squeezed. This action is repetitive and fully operational regardless of the device's orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Pestop Commercial Pest Prevention
    Inventors: Tom B. Mathison, Joseph B. Budz