Patents Examined by Darren Gorman
  • Patent number: 7389943
    Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing a volatile substance includes an electromechanical dispenser attached to a pivot arm, and a cartridge for holding a plurality of reservoirs each containing a volatile substance. The cartridge is rotatable such that any one of the reservoirs can be positioned in an engagement position, in which the volatile substance can be dispensed. The cartridge has a cam feature consisting of a contoured circumferential surface that alternately rises and falls. The pivot arm operates in tandem with the cam feature such that, when the cartridge is rotated, the dispenser alternately engages and disengages from successive reservoirs, and remains out of the path of motion traversed by the reservoirs as the cartridge rotates from one engagement position to a subsequent engagement position. The electromechanical dispenser may be a piezoelectrically actuated vibratory type liquid atomization apparatus, and the volatile substance may be a fragrance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Jaworski
  • Patent number: 7389825
    Abstract: A fire extinguishing assembly includes an ignition unit and an aerosol generating unit. The ignition unit in one embodiment comprises a spring loaded piston that is held under spring tension by a formed eutectic, which deforms at a predetermined temperature. When such temperature is reached, the piston is released, and strikes a primer to ignite a desired pyrotechnic in the aerosol generating unit. In one embodiment, the piston strikes a primer, which ignites an ignition mix, which further ignites the pyrotechnic. The ignition mix may be formed of the same material as the pyrotechnic. The ignition unit may be releasably engaged with the aerosol generating unit that contains the pyrotechnic. In one embodiment, it is formed with threads for mating with threads on the canister.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Fireaway LLC
    Inventors: Marc V Gross, Lawrence T. Weinman
  • Patent number: 7380732
    Abstract: A spray tip for discharging a controlled liquid spray distribution is provided. The spray tip includes a spray tip body having an inlet end for connection to a pressurized liquid supply. The spray tip body includes a first fluid chamber having a first longitudinal axis and a second fluid chamber in fluid communication with the first fluid chamber and having a second longitudinal axis that extends transversely relative to the first longitudinal axis. A pair of discharge orifices are formed in the spray tip body. Each discharge orifice has a downstream side with a deflector surface for directing liquid discharging from the chamber. Each discharge orifice intersects the second fluid chamber adjacent a respective end thereof so as to define a pocket extending downstream of the deflector surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Spraying Systems Co.
    Inventors: Bart R. Bolman, Gary Paulsen
  • Patent number: 7377455
    Abstract: A portable sprayer comprising a generally cylindrically shaped tube and an air volume chamber, a piston rod inserted in the cylinder, a container for holding a material, a spray nozzle, and a delivery tube inserted in the container and extended to the spray nozzle is contained in a single unit. The spraying operation is activated by applying a pumping action to the piston rod. An air control valve mounted to the sprayer allows for the rapid bleed off of air from the unit. The preferred embodiment of the invention is of a size and weight so that it may easily carried.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Inventor: Scott A. Fyfe
  • Patent number: 7374112
    Abstract: A multi-function showerhead has at least a first set of nozzles forming first curves and a second set of nozzles forming second curves. The showerhead discharges water through the first curves when a first water delivery function is selected and through the second curves when a second water delivery function is selected. The first curves and the second curves are interleaved so that a coherent and balanced spray pattern is provided resulting in a pleasant showering experience, regardless of the selected water delivery function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Moen Incorporated
    Inventors: Jamy Bulan, James F. Dempsey, Timothy John O'Brien, Harshil Parikh
  • Patent number: 7370814
    Abstract: A sprinkler with sprinkling figures changeable with single hand, including a main body, a sprinkling head and a driving unit. One end of the main body is formed with a water inlet, while the other end of the main body is formed with a water outlet. The sprinkling head is formed with multiple annularly arranged subchannels for discharging water. The sprinkling head is rotatably connected with front end of the main body corresponding to the water outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Inventor: Gordon Chih
  • Patent number: 7370818
    Abstract: A vehicle is disclosed which includes a chassis and a storage and dispensing apparatus. The storage and dispensing apparatus can be mounted directly to the chassis or disposed within or on a body, which in turn is mounted to the chassis. The storage and dispensing apparatus has an opening therein to permit material to be transported therethrough. A conveyor assembly for selectively conveying materials from the opening of the storage and dispensing apparatus is also included. The conveyor assembly can include a dual auger arrangement. The vehicle includes a spreader chute that is operably arranged with the conveyor assembly to direct the materials to a spreader. A liquid storage system for storing liquid is provided. A liquid dispensing system is provided for selectively dispensing liquid from the liquid storage system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Henderson Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Mart E. Ward, Randall L. Smedstad, Marc E. Cabalka, Scott G. Lueken, Glenn L. Ungerer
  • Patent number: 7364096
    Abstract: This invention relates to a sprayer having a center boom and pivotal wing booms. The wing booms can be pivoted from an extended spray position to an elevated transport position by lifting and lowering each wing boom about a longitudinal lift pivot axis. In addition, each wing boom can bi-directionally breakaway relative to the center boom by virtue of a breakaway pivot arranged between the lift pivot axis and the innermost end of the wing boom. The breakaway pivot has at least one pair of nested cams that are biased into their nested condition by at least one spring. The center boom carries a pair of support cradles that direct or cam one wing boom forwardly and the other wing boom rearwardly as the wing booms are lifted into the transport position such that the wing booms form an X-shape relative to one another. The support cradles are partially flexible to allow the wing booms to release from the cradles if they strike an obstruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Timothy P. Sosnowski, Robert J. Bisson, Bart T. Ellson, David J. Norlander
  • Patent number: 7360723
    Abstract: A showerhead system for communicating a fluid supply, the system including a fixed fluid dispensing unit supported at a location, the fixed dispensing unit including a plurality of nozzles in fluid communication with the fluid supply. A removable fluid dispensing unit is releasably secured to a receptacle established within the fixed dispensing, the removable unit further including at least one additional nozzle. The fluid supply is adapted to be in selective communication with either or both the fixed and removable fluid dispensing units, such as through the provision of a fluid diverter element located at an inlet of the fixed unit and from which extends a conduit in separate communication with the removable unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Inventor: Moty Lev
  • Patent number: 7360724
    Abstract: A nozzle is provided for use in a dynamic electrostatic air filter, in which the nozzle includes an internal electrode that charges a semiconductive liquid, and includes an external electrode that assists in breaking the liquid into droplets in a predetermined direction. Banks of multiple nozzles are also disclosed, which are separated by a charged “separation electrode” to prevent interference with spray patterns between adjacent banks. An electrostatic fountain is also disclosed which discharges a fragrance, or an inhalable medicine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Alan David Willey, Vladimir Gartstein, Chinto Benjamin Gaw, John Rolland Shaw, William Richard Mueller, Krista Beth Comstock
  • Patent number: 7360605
    Abstract: An automotive vehicle includes a vehicle body and at least one reservoir containing a fire suppressant agent. A distribution system receives the fire suppression agent from the reservoir and conducts the agent to at least one location about the vehicle's body in response to the determination by a sensor system and controller that the vehicle has been subjected to a significant impact. The reservoir is protected by a thermal protection barrier applied to the reservoir's outer surface, excluding the base of a pyrotechnic propellant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Thompson, Joseph Dierker, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7357337
    Abstract: A flow regulator, comprising an enclosure which in turn comprises at least one screen designed to be crossed by the stream and is provided, at the input section, with a small net and with an underlying jet breaker plate provided with holes adapted to break up the stream, the holes provided in the jet breaker plate being distributed along closed geometrical figures centered on the plate, a barrier provided with ridges located at the hales being provided directly below the plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Dyapason S.R.L.
    Inventor: Maria Teresa Ferrari
  • Patent number: 7357192
    Abstract: An onboard fire suppression system for an automotive vehicle includes a reservoir structured for mounting to a vehicle. A primary component of a binary fire suppression agent is contained within the reservoir. A secondary component of the binary fire suppression agent is contained within a secondary reservoir or component delivery system which is activated by a flow of the primary component such that the primary component and the secondary component will be combined before being discharged from a series of nozzles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Robert Thompson
  • Patent number: 7354008
    Abstract: A fluidic nozzle, for use with a trigger spray applicator that issues a desired spray pattern of fluid droplets, and wherein the applicator has a liquid delivering orifice and an exterior surface proximate the orifice that is configured to receive a spray nozzle, includes in a first preferred embodiment a member having a front and a rear surface and a passage that extends between these surfaces. A portion of this passage is configured in the form of a fluidic circuit, and the configuration of this fluidic circuit is chosen so as to provide the desired spray pattern. Additionally, the passage's rear portion may be configured so as to allow this member to fit on that portion of the spray head which is configured to receive a spray nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Bowles Fluidics Corporation
    Inventors: Russell D. Hester, Rosa Korobkov, Alan Santamarina, Steve Crockett, Shridhar Gopalan
  • Patent number: 7354007
    Abstract: A drinking straw for controlling the intake of beverages, comprising an elongated hollow member having at least two open ends, at least one end being a suction end adapted for application of a suction force, and at least one end being a liquid end adapted for immersion in a liquid beverage; at least one compartment associated with each at least one suction end and located between the associated at least one suction end and the at least one liquid end and having openings for communicating the liquid beverage therethrough; and at least one insoluble object within the at least one compartment having an outer circumference smaller than an inner circumference of the at least one compartment; wherein the compartment openings and the object are dimensioned to prevent escape of the object from the compartment; and wherein the at least one object seals at least one compartment opening subsequent to the application of the suction force to prevent the movement of the liquid beverage past the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: MCRT, LLC
    Inventor: Calvin M. Pearson
  • Patent number: 7353883
    Abstract: An onboard fire suppression system for an automotive vehicle includes at least one reservoir containing a fire suppressant agent and a propellant, operatively associated with the reservoir, for expelling the fire suppressant agent from the reservoir. A distribution system for receiving fire suppressant agent expelled from said reservoir includes at least one feeder conduit which is connected with the reservoir by means of a quick connect coupler. The quick connect coupler facilitates assembly and servicing of the fire suppression system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Robert Thompson
  • Patent number: 7353884
    Abstract: An onboard fire suppression system for an automotive vehicle includes at least one reservoir containing a fire suppressant agent, and a propellant device for evacuating the fire suppressant agent from the reservoir. The propellant device is located within the reservoir. An electrically powered initiator, operatively connected with the propellant device, initiates a discharge of gas from the propellant device. The initiator is energized by an initiator conductor which is housed within an axially compliant conduit which extends through at least one wall of the reservoir, and which defines an enclosed pathway from the exterior of the reservoir to the initiator. The axial compliance of the conduit permits weldless use of the conduit with a composite reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Robert Thompson
  • Patent number: 7353881
    Abstract: A non-electrically actuated ganged fire extinguisher system for use in an enclosure of a size larger than the capacity of a single pre-engineered fire extinguisher comprises at least two pre-engineered fire extinguishers positioned at spaced locations in the enclosure. An actuation valve is mounted on the outlet of each fire extinguisher. A fluid operated valve actuator for each valve retains the valve in a closed state when the actuator is pressurized and opens the valve when the actuator is depressurized. A vent line connects the valve actuators and provides fluid communication therebetween, such that the actuators are maintained at the same pressure state. At least one non-electrical temperature sensor is mounted in fluid communication with the vent line. The temperature sensor opens an outlet to the vent line and releases the pressure therein when the temperature in the vicinity of the sensor reaches a predetermined value indicative of a fire hazard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Inventors: Larry W. Akins, Walter Lisowski
  • Patent number: 7350723
    Abstract: What is disclosed is a self contained, cordless, handheld spray gun (100). The spray gun (100) comprises a fluid container (225) in intercommunication with at least one fluid nozzle orifice (201) and a source of pressurized gas (204) in intercommunication with at least one gas nozzle orifice 207 and one fan nozzle orifice (227). The spray gun (100) is actuated by pulling a trigger (231) that opens at least one valve (202) so that the fluid, such as paint, primer, stain, varnish, sealant or the like, can flow to a fluid chamber (206), atomized, and sprayed through a fluid nozzle orifice (201) out onto the article to be painted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Just A Simple Thing, Inc
    Inventor: Tony Reedy
  • Patent number: 7350591
    Abstract: A device for the prevention and extinguishing of fires is specified having the objective of providing an inert gas fire extinguishing system which is configured in accordance with the invention such that no breaches to ceilings or walls need be made when mounting the supply line system (4) during installation of the fire extinguishing system in a target area (1), and also having the further objective of dispensing with separate storage areas for the pressurized oxygen-displacing gas (3) used as extinguishing agent, wherein a buffer reservoir (2), the supply line system (4) and extinguishing nozzles (5) are arranged as a compact modular unit right within target area (1) itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Wagner Alarm-und Sicherungssysteme GmbH
    Inventor: Ernst Werner Wagner