Patents Assigned to ACORN BAY
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Patent number: 9669971Abstract: A valve system includes a fitment or a fluid container having a threaded spout, a valve assembly, and a cap. The threaded spout has external threads. The valve assembly includes a sleeve forming a barrel. The barrel includes internal threads and external threads. The internal threads accommodate the external threads of the spout at a first end of the barrel. The valve assembly further includes a valve located at a second end of the barrel. The valve is operable to open and close an internal fluid pathway of the valve assembly. The cap defines an interior region that includes internal threads that accommodate the external threads of the barrel. The cap accommodates the valve within the interior region when the internal threads of the cap are fully threaded onto the external threads of the barrel. The cap may contact the valve to provide an additional seal.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2016Date of Patent: June 6, 2017Assignee: Acorn BayInventors: Donald J Panec, Kathryn Kelsey Anne Stillinger, Scott H Stillinger
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Patent number: 9609969Abstract: An elastomeric valve includes a barrel having one or more walls defining an interior fluid pathway. The barrel is deformable between a non-deformed state and a deformed state. The elastomeric valve further includes a gate assembly of two or more gate elements forming a tapering volume projecting into the fluid pathway from the one or more walls of the barrel. In at least some examples, each gate element joins the barrel at a reduced cross-section that forms a hinge of that gate element. The two or more gate elements interface with each other along one or more gate boundaries to collectively block the fluid pathway in the non-deformed state and separate from each other along the one or more gate boundaries in the deformed state to permit fluid flow through the gate assembly.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2015Date of Patent: April 4, 2017Assignee: ACORN BAYInventors: Donald J. Panec, Kathryn Kelsey Anne Stillinger, Scott H. Stillinger
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Publication number: 20170066571Abstract: A valve system includes a fitment or a fluid container having a threaded spout, a valve assembly, and a cap. The threaded spout has external threads. The valve assembly includes a sleeve forming a barrel. The barrel includes internal threads and external threads. The internal threads accommodate the external threads of the spout at a first end of the barrel. The valve assembly further includes a valve located at a second end of the barrel. The valve is operable to open and close an internal fluid pathway of the valve assembly. The cap defines an interior region that includes internal threads that accommodate the external threads of the barrel. The cap accommodates the valve within the interior region when the internal threads of the cap are fully threaded onto the external threads of the barrel. The cap may contact the valve to provide an additional seal.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2016Publication date: March 9, 2017Applicant: ACORN BAYInventors: DONALD J PANEC, KATHRYN KELSEY ANNE STILLINGER, SCOTT H STILLINGER
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Patent number: 6631823Abstract: Drink spout systems and drink containers that include a drink spout system. In some embodiments, the drink spout system includes an air return system to permit improved dispensing from the drink container. In some embodiments, the drink spout system is actuated by a user sucking on the system. In others, the system is actuated by a user depressing or bending at least a portion of the system. In still others, the system is actuated by other user-imparted forces to the system. In some embodiments, the drink spout system includes a biasing system adapted to preload the system's valve assembly to a closed configuration. In some embodiments, the drink spout system includes components formed from different materials via two-shot molding or a similar process, and in some embodiments, the materials used are selected to provide improved opening of the systems' valve assembly.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2001Date of Patent: October 14, 2003Assignee: Acorn Bay, LLCInventors: Scott H. Stillinger, Donald J. Panec
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Patent number: 6629624Abstract: Drink spout systems and drink containers that include a drink spout system. In some embodiments, the drink spout system includes an air return system to permit improved dispensing from the drink container. In some embodiments, the drink spout system is actuated by a user sucking on the system. In others, the system is actuated by a user depressing or bending at least a portion of the system. In still others, the system is actuated by other user-imparted forces to the system. In some embodiments, the drink spout system includes a biasing system adapted to preload the system's valve assembly to a closed configuration. In some embodiments, the drink spout system includes components formed from different materials via two-shot molding or a similar process, and in some embodiments, the materials used are selected to provide improved opening of the systems' valve assembly.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2001Date of Patent: October 7, 2003Assignee: Acorn Bay, LLCInventors: Scott H. Stillinger, Donald J. Panec
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Patent number: 6598757Abstract: Drink spout systems for use with drink containers. The drink spout systems are configured to easily pierce a drink container or a seal across an opening in the drink container to access the drink fluid contained within the drink container. The drink spout system may include a valve assembly to regulate the flow of the drink fluid through the drink spout. The drink spout system may additionally or alternatively include a valve assembly that is configured to prevent drink fluid from being unintentionally dispensed from the drink container, such as when the drink container is pierced by the drink spout system or when the drink container is tipped over or dropped. The drink spout system is particularly useful on aseptic drink pouches, aseptic drink boxes, drink bottles and other similar drink containers.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2001Date of Patent: July 29, 2003Assignee: Acorn Bay, LLCInventors: Scott H. Stillinger, Donald J. Panec
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Publication number: 20020121525Abstract: Drink spout systems and drink containers that include a drink spout system. In some embodiments, the drink spout system includes an air return system to permit improved dispensing from the drink container. In some embodiments, the drink spout system is actuated by a user sucking on the system. In others, the system is actuated by a user depressing or bending at least a portion of the system. In still others, the system is actuated by other user-imparted forces to the system. In some embodiments, the drink spout system includes a biasing system adapted to preload the system's valve assembly to a closed configuration. In some embodiments, the drink spout system includes components formed from different materials via two-shot molding or a similar process, and in some embodiments, the materials used are selected to provide improved opening of the systems' valve assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2001Publication date: September 5, 2002Applicant: Acorn Bay, LLCInventors: Scott H. Stillinger, Donald J. Panec
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Publication number: 20020017528Abstract: Drink spout systems for use with drink containers. The drink spout systems are configured to easily pierce a drink container or a seal across an opening in the drink container to access the drink fluid contained within the drink container. The drink spout system may include a valve assembly to regulate the flow of the drink fluid through the drink spout. The drink spout system may additionally or alternatively include a valve assembly that is configured to prevent drink fluid from being unintentionally dispensed from the drink container, such as when the drink container is pierced by the drink spout system or when the drink container is tipped over or dropped. The drink spout system is particularly useful on aseptic drink pouches, aseptic drink boxes, drink bottles and other similar drink containers.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 3, 2001Publication date: February 14, 2002Applicant: Acorn Bay, LLCInventors: Scott H. Stillinger, Donald J. Panec
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Patent number: 6135311Abstract: A drink valve for use with a drink container is disclosed. The valve includes a straw structure with a gate structure or plug at one end. The gate structure opens and closes to regulate the flow of liquid. The gate structure is opened upon movement of the straw structure. The gate structure may include members which spread apart upon movement of the straw structure, and which come together when the straw structure is released.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 1998Date of Patent: October 24, 2000Assignee: Acorn Bay, LLCInventors: Donald J. Panec, Scott H. Stillinger