Patents Examined by David Scherbel
  • Patent number: 7025292
    Abstract: An injector housing (1) of the injector has an indentation (2) in which a part of an actuator housing (4) of the injector is located. A floor of said indentation (2) is formed by a peripheral support surface (3) for the actuator housing (4). A bottom surface of the actuator housing (4) is oriented towards the support surface (3) and has a peripheral recess (11). This recess (11) is such that the bottom surface of the actuator housing (4) has at least one peripheral projection (12), which is oriented towards the support surface (3) and is adjacent to the support surface (3). A seal (13) for preventing leakage along interfaces between the injector housing (1) and the actuator housing (4) is locate din the recess (11) and is adjacent to the support surface (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Markus Mohr
  • Patent number: 7025286
    Abstract: A method and system are provided for dispensing a colored polymerizing composition. Two reactive components and one color component are pumped from respective containers at a metered volume. The color component, which is preferably a low-viscosity automotive paint is injected into either the first or second stream of reactive component at a point immediately prior to mixing all components in a dispensing device for dispensing the resulting colored fluid mixture onto a surface to be coated. The mixture may be dispensed by pouring or spraying onto the surface. The method and system are particularly useful for mixing and dispensing colored polyurethane or polyurea coatings, such as for spray-on truck bed liners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Inventor: Gary D. Langeman
  • Patent number: 7025282
    Abstract: A protective cover is provided for substantially enclosing and protecting a bubbler head of a drinking fountain or the like against contamination when water flow to the bubbler head is turned off. In one preferred form, when the water flow is turned on, the protective cover is hydraulically elevated or pops up to a raised position permitting substantially unimpeded projection of a water stream from the bubbler head for drinking, etc. In an alternative preferred form, the bubbler head is hydraulically elevated or pops to a raised position within a stationary protective cover when the water supply is turned on for substantially unimpeded projection of water stream from the bubbler head through an open flow port formed in the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Haws Drinking Faucet Company
    Inventor: Sam T. Hong
  • Patent number: 7021563
    Abstract: A spray nozzle for discharging liquid in a spray pattern onto a ground surface includes a structure to obtain optimum diffusion of the liquid droplets in the spray pattern. The spray nozzle includes a diffuser plate having an upwardly extending diffuser blade thereon. The diffuser plate and blade are adjustable vertically and longitudinally in the discharge end of the nozzle to enable variation in the diffusion characteristics of the liquid discharged from the nozzle. The diffuser plate is also removable for replacement with other plates having alternative diffuser blades. The structure enables variation in the spray pattern of the liquid passing between the diffuser blade and the inner surfaces of the side walls of the nozzle by changing the location of the diffuser plate and blade in relation to the discharge end of the side walls of the nozzle or by using another plate having a different diffuser blade for different diffusion characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Inventor: Benjamin Franklin Rabitsch
  • Patent number: 7021570
    Abstract: A nozzle holder includes a support portion, which supports a downstream end surface of a planar wall of an injection hole plate. The injection hole plate provided with injection holes is welded to one of the valve body and the nozzle holder. The planar wall may be curved and may be thus convex in an upstream direction toward a downstream end opening such that the planar wall is urged against a peripheral edge of the downstream end opening of the valve body. The planar wall may include a reinforcing rib located radially outward of the injection hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhide Tani, Kimitaka Saito, Nobuo Ota, Yoshitaka Wakamatsu
  • Patent number: 7021560
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a variable acoustic source and a microphone, both acoustically coupled to a volume having a fluid region and an air region. The apparatus also can include a processor to determine a volume of the air region based on signals received from the microphone and the variable acoustic source. A fluid valve is coupled to the processor, and is configured to allow an amount of fluid to exit the fluid region associated with the volume of the air region. An atomizer, coupled to the fluid region, is configured to aerosolize at least a portion of the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Larry B. Gray, Richard J. Lanigan
  • Patent number: 7021564
    Abstract: A fuel injector (1) for direct injection of fuel into the combustion chamber of internal combustion engines having an actuator (10), a valve needle (3) operable by the actuator (10) for actuation of a valve closure member (4) which, together with a valve seat face (6) on a valve seat member (5), forms a sealing seat, and at least one spray discharge orifice (7), which is formed downstream from the valve seat (6). A flame protection cone (34) is provided on a downstream end (35) of the fuel injector (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Juergen Raimann
  • Patent number: 7021556
    Abstract: A fountain for heating and distributing fluidic material is manufactured using various processes and materials so that the fountain is more easily cleaned and sanitized, has improved performance, and is easier to assemble. In one embodiment, the chocolate fountain includes a heating element encased in an aluminum enclosure. A basin containing chocolate is heated by contact with the aluminum enclosure. Because the aluminum enclosure has a relatively high thermal conductivity, the basin is heating substantially uniformly, thus reducing the occurrence of hot spots. Additionally, a plastic auger having a spiral flight rotates and lifts the melted chocolate upward to a top end of cylinder that houses the auger. The use of a plastic auger advantageously eliminates welding artifacts on the auger, such as burrs and pits, on which melted chocolate may accumulate. Accordingly, the plastic auger is easy to clean. A smaller chocolate fountain that may advantageously be more suitable for home use is also described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Sephra Fountains, LLC
    Inventors: Richard B. Muir, William F. Polley, Devan B. Muir, Wu C. Liang
  • Patent number: 7021567
    Abstract: A fuel injection valve for internal combustion engines, having a housing with a bore inside it that contains a longitudinally sliding outer valve needle which in turn contains a longitudinally sliding inner valve needle and the end of each valve needle oriented toward the combustion chamber controls at least one injection opening. The pressure in a control pressure chamber at least indirectly exerts a closing force on the outer valve needle and the pressure in a control pressure chamber at least indirectly exerts a closing force on the inner valve needle. The housing contains a control valve that has a valve chamber and a valve element contained in it, wherein the valve chamber has a connection to the leakage oil chamber a continuously open connection to the control chamber and a connection to the control pressure chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Maike Sander-Potz, legal representative, Wendelin Potz, legal representative, Thomas Kuegler, Andreas Koeninger, Predrag Nunic, Detlev Potz, deceased
  • Patent number: 7021559
    Abstract: A pressure regulating device for regulating pressure in a pressurized dispensing vessel, the device comprising a cartridge for storing pressurized fluid; the cartridge being sealed by a cap assembly having an expandable chamber and a flow passage for communicating fluid from the cartridge to the interior of the dispensing vessel; a closure member in the cap assembly to open and close the flow passage and an actuation means in the cap assembly to actuate the closure member, wherein the actuation means operates in response to expansion of the expandable chamber; and a one-way valve communicating the expandable chamber with the interior of the dispensing vessel via an aperture in the cap assembly, the valve having a resilient chamber seal in the expandable chamber extending across the aperture and restrained by chamber wall so to allow fluid to enter through the aperture and past the seal to charge the chamber to a predetermined pressure difference below the pressure in the dispensing vessel, and wherein expansi
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Primepak PTY LTD
    Inventor: Gilbert Fraser-Easton
  • Patent number: 7017837
    Abstract: A water discharge switching device which is easily miniaturized, readily assembled, and manufactured at low cost and prevents leakage of water. The water discharge switching device includes a foaming water producing and discharging device having a water inlet (1c), an air/water mixing chamber facing the water inlet (1c) and capable of communicating with the water inlet (1c), an air suction port capable of communicating with the air/water mixing chamber, and a foaming water outlet. The switching device also includes a shower water discharging device having a shower water discharge port (2d) and capable of communicating with the water inlet (1c). The shower water discharging device is arranged around the air/water mixing chamber of the foaming water producing and discharging device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Toto Ltd.
    Inventors: Youjirou Taketomi, Yasuhiro Takebayashi, Takafumi Miyagi
  • Patent number: 7017833
    Abstract: An indexing nozzle assembly for a trigger sprayer has a manually rotatable cap mounted for rotation on a liquid spinner of the nozzle assembly. Rotation of a cap changes the nozzle assembly between an off condition, a spray condition, a second off condition, and a stream condition of the liquid discharged from the nozzle assembly. The cap can be rotated from the off position directly to either of the spray or stream positions by rotating the cap one-quarter turn in opposite directions. A spatial relationship between an end surface of the liquid spinner and an interior surface of the cap end wall that surrounds the assembly discharge orifice improves the stream configuration of liquid discharged by the nozzle assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Continental AFA Dispensing Company
    Inventor: Donald D. Foster
  • Patent number: 7017835
    Abstract: A rotary atomizer applies particulate paints with good color matching by reducing paint droplet size deviation and then optimizing the other paint spraying parameters. Paint droplet size parameters are reduced by using a bell cup having reduced flow deviations, including an overflow surface having a generally constant angle between a deflector and an atomizing edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Durr Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt Vetter, Rolf Schneider, Andreas Fischer, Robert F. Heldt
  • Patent number: 7017831
    Abstract: A rotary sprinkler having a rotatable nozzle assembly for watering an arc of ground traversed or swept by the nozzle assembly as the nozzle assembly rotates is disclosed. Oscillating rotation is achieved via a drive train that includes a trip spring that is drivable between first and second positions for reversing the direction of nozzle rotation. The sprinkler also includes: a variable trajectory nozzle; secondary opening adjacent the variable trajectory nozzle; an automatic break up screw configuration; a substantially constant speed turbine assembly; a bypass stator; a reversing cluster gear planetary drive with a uni-directional turbine; an overcenter reversing mechanism; a nozzle base clutch; an adjustable arc mechanism, solid arc limit stops, a snap ring installation method and an adjustable pilot valve which uses visual indicia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Miguel Santiago, Jeff McKenzie, Peter Janku, Steven C. Renquist, Hyok Lee, Steve K. Kish, James T. Wright, III, Chad McCormick
  • Patent number: 7017832
    Abstract: A piercing nozzle is disclosed having first and second elongated, hollow members connected at a connection that allows fluid to be communicated from the first member to the second member. The first member has a hose connector for attachment to a hose. The second member has a plurality of holes positioned proximate an end that penetrates a wall. An anvil is connected to the second member proximate the first end of the second member, and a piercing tip is connected to the second end of the second member. In use, the nozzle may be swung like an axe to penetrate a wall. Water or other fluid passes through interior cavities of the nozzle from the second end of the first member, through the first and second members, and out the holes in the second member, on an opposing side of the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Pro-Fab, Inc.
    Inventors: Wesley Nelson, Frank Michaud
  • Patent number: 7017836
    Abstract: A feed system for a rotary coating atomizer formed from two opposed coaxially mounted rotating atomizer assemblies consists of a cylindrical, hollow distributor mounted coaxially between the atomizer assemblies. The distributor contains one or more distributor feed holes formed in each opposing side in proximity to the adjacent atomizer assembly. A hollow axle passes coaxially through the distributor and the atomizer assemblies, and contains one or more axle feed holes beneath each distributor, so that when the coating is fed through the hollow axle it enters the distributor through the axle feed holes and exits the distributor through the distributor feed holes onto the atomizer assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Wilevco, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark R. Lohkamp
  • Patent number: 7014125
    Abstract: A rotary sprinkler (10) including a water inlet, a water outlet arranged for rotation about a rotation axis (14), a water director associated with the water outlet and a watering pattern determiner associated with at least one of the water outlets and the water director. The sprinkler (10) operates to cause the sprinkler (10) to have a substantially non-repeated watering pattern extending over more than 360 degrees about the rotation axis. The watering pattern is asymmetric with respect to the rotation axis (14) and is rotated for each successive rotation of the water outlet about the rotation axis (14) with respect to the watering pattern of the preceding rotation by a predetermined amount, whereby the successive rotations increase the angular uniformity of watering about the rotation axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Naan- Dan Irrigation Systems (C.S) Ltd.
    Inventor: Micael Lerner
  • Patent number: 7014127
    Abstract: An aerosol dispenser assembly (1) has a container (2) holding a liquid product and a liquefied gas propellant for propelling the liquid product from the container, the propellant being present in a quantity of at most about 25% by weight of the contents of the container (2). A valve (4) is attached to the container (2) for selectively dispensing the liquid product from the container (2) as a mist. The assembly (1) is configured such that the mist has a small particle size, is dispensed at an expeditious rate, and very little product is retained in the container (2) when the propellant is depleted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard S. Valpey, III, Paul A. Clark, Kevin J. Moe, Robert E. Kendrick, Leon C. Samuelson, Cary E. Manderfield
  • Patent number: 7014128
    Abstract: A showerhead assembly has a tubular shaped spray head and a longitudinal axis. The tubular shaped spray head has several apertures located along the longitudinal axis. The tubular shaped spray head is connected to a water source for introducing water in the tubular shaped spray head. The showerhead assembly also has a housing for supporting the tubular shaped spray head on a surface. Water traverses through the tubular shaped spray head for spraying beams of water through the apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Conair Corporation
    Inventor: Anthony Kit Lun Leung
  • Patent number: 7014131
    Abstract: A fluidic insert that receives fluid under pressure from a fluid inlet tube and generates a specified spatial distribution of the fluid exiting the insert includes: (1) a body member having top, bottom, front and rear outer surfaces, (2) top and bottom fluidic circuits located, respectively, at least partially within the member's top and bottom surfaces, wherein each of these circuits has at least one power nozzle, an interaction chamber, and an outlet whose exit lies within the member front surface, (3) the bottom fluidic circuit having a portion of its surface area located upstream of the power nozzle and adapted so that it can mate with a fluid inlet tube that supplies fluid to the insert, and (4) an inter-circuit flow passage that allows fluid to flow from the bottom fluid circuit to the top fluid circuit, the bottom end of this passage located such that it is downstream of the point where the inlet tube mates with the bottom circuit and upstream of the bottom circuit's power nozzle, with the top end of t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Bowles Fluidics Corporation
    Inventors: Keith Berning, Daniel E. Steerman, Srinivasaiah Sridhara, Gregory Russell