Patents Examined by Frederick C. Nicolas
  • Apparatuses, systems, and methods for dispensing beverages using alcoholic concentrates
    Patent number: 11203515
    Abstract: A beverage dispenser includes a gas infusion device that receives a base fluid and a gas and dispenses a gas infused liquid, a ratio pump that receives the gas infused liquid and a concentrate from a concentrate source and dispenses a predetermined ratio of the gas infused liquid and the concentrate, and a mixing chamber that mixes the predetermined ratio of the gas infused liquid and the concentrate to form a reconstituted beverage. An insulated enclosure has an interior space in which the ratio pump and the mixing chamber are positioned. A cooling heat exchanger is positioned in the insulated enclosure, and a first refrigeration system circulates a cooling media through the cooling heat exchanger to thereby cool the interior space to a suitable temperature such that the gas infused liquid and the concentrate dispensed from the ratio pump and the mixing chamber are cooled to the suitable temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: Cornelius Beverage Technologies Limited
    Inventor: Christopher Michael Cook
  • Liquid pump
    Patent number: 11203026
    Abstract: Disclosed is a liquid pump (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900), including a movable unit and a fixed unit. The movable unit is capable of moving relative to the fixed unit so as to pump a product out. An elastic mechanism (130, 230, 330, 430, 530, 630, 730, 820, 930) is provided between the movable unit and the fixed unit, and the elastic mechanism (130, 230, 330, 430, 530, 630, 730, 820, 930) comprises at least one elastic strip (131, 231, 331, 431, 531, 631, 731, 821, 931). The elastic strip (131, 231, 331, 431, 531, 631, 731, 821, 931) applies a biasing force to the movable unit to restore the movable unit after the product is pumped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Inventor: Yaowu Ding
  • Dispensing closure
    Patent number: 11204272
    Abstract: A push-button dispensing closure is provided and comprises a dispensing passage, a push button and a dosing chamber. The closure is movable between a first, closed position in which: the push button is released, the dosing chamber can fill with flowable product, and product cannot pass from the dosing chamber to the dispensing passage; and a second, open position in which: the push button is depressed such that product can flow from the dosing chamber through the dispensing passage and product cannot flow into the dosing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Inventors: Peter Stoelben, Patrick Schmidt
  • Assembly and method for delivery of micro-volume droplets from a squeeze bottle
    Patent number: 11203467
    Abstract: A method and assembly for attaching to a container and configured to reduce the volume of a droplet of fluid ejected from the container wherein the assembly is securable to the container without alteration of the container and wherein the volume of the droplet is reduced on a microliter scale. The assembly comprises a base for securing a neck of the container; a tip for securing over a dispensing outlet of the container; and optionally a cap for securing over the tip and connecting to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: NANODROPPER, INC.
    Inventors: Allisa Jungha Song, Elias Lee Baker
  • Cap having a spoon-shaped closure
    Patent number: 11198544
    Abstract: A cap for use with a container may include a body having an opening extending there through. The opening may include a product pathway extending from an upper surface of the body, a flow restrictor, and a coupling mechanism configured to removably couple the body to the container. The cap may also include a closure coupled to the body. The closure may selectively cover the opening and include a spoon shape having a concave surface. The body may further include a stop to limit rotation of the closure relative to the body. The body and/or a container configured for use with the body may further include a child lock feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Inventor: Heather Baird Loya
  • Smart 1 touch
    Patent number: 11192705
    Abstract: A method and device for conveying tracking and communicating information concerning a dispensed fluid, the device including a measured dispensing device attached to a flexible collapsible container, the device including a sensor for measuring a physical property relating to the dispensing operation, and a communication device configured to communicate information determined by the sensor to a remote device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: 1TOUCH HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventors: Jim Warner, Judith Grupp, Roger LaFlamme
  • Dripless cap and cup
    Patent number: 11186413
    Abstract: A liquid bottle or container, such as for liquid detergent, and corresponding cap and cup is disclosed for operation in a horizontal position with the cap and cup side wall substantially parallel to the ground, the cap and cup shape providing a built-in drip collector cavity positioned around a portion of the circumference or perimeter of the cap and cup rim on the open end of the cap. The cap and cup may be used to cover a nozzle or other valve dispenser during storage. The drip collector cavity has a volume sufficient to collect liquid residue remaining after normal use of the cap as a measuring and dispensing cup, and any post-use drops from the dispenser nozzle. Thus, the cap and cup of the present disclosure is dripless or nearly drip less. In an embodiment, at least a portion of the cap rim perimeter around which no built-in drip collector cavity is positioned is shaped as a pouring spout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: UmaCor Design LLC
    Inventor: Maxim Umarov
  • Fluid substance dispensing device
    Patent number: 11167911
    Abstract: A device for dispensing a fluid substance includes a pressurised container associated with a dispensing valve featuring a supply conduit and a stem endowed with a cavity through which the fluid substance is dispensed, a chamber housed inside the container, and arranged so as to surround at least part of the body of the valve, the chamber delimited by a deformable wall and at least part of the body, the valve being of the three-way type, configured so that when the stem is in a first position, the cavity is isolated from the supply conduit and from the chamber, while the supply conduit is in communication with the chamber, wherein when the stem is in a second position, the cavity is in communication with the chamber, and wherein when the stem is in a third position, the cavity of the stem is in communication with at least the supply conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: COSTER TECHNOLOGIE SPECIALI S.P.A.
    Inventors: Alfeo Tecchiolli, Valentino Stenghel, Loris Schmid
  • Squeeze bottle
    Patent number: 11167889
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a squeeze bottle integrally including a container body including a housing portion for housing a liquid composition and a spout connected to the housing portion; and a lid joined to the container body so as to seal an opening of the spout, in which the container body contains a resin containing cyclic olefins and polyethylenes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: ROHTO PHARMACEUTICAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Naohiro Ikeda, Hiroyuki Koshiro
  • System for dispensing fluids or mixtures and device used in said system
    Patent number: 11167299
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a system (1; 101; 201; 301; 401; 501; 601; 701; 801; 901; 1001; 1101; 1201) for dispensing a fluid (L; L1, L2), comprising a container (C; C?) for the fluid (L; L1, L2) and a device (10; 410; 510) for dispensing the fluid (L; L1, L2). The device (10; 410; 510) comprises a collapsible chamber (20; 420) which defines a volume (V; V?) suited to receive a quantity of the fluid (L; L1, L2) to be dispensed. The chamber (20; 420) is defined by a first portion (30; 430) and by a second portion (40) mutually coupled with each other, wherein the first portion (30; 430) comprises an area connected to the container (C; C?) and the second portion (40) is constituted by a portion of the container (C; C?).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Inventor: Evans Santagiuliana
  • Devices and methods for dispensing hand sanitizer
    Patent number: 11163329
    Abstract: A portable sanitizer dispenser for use with a cellular phone includes a hand sanitizer dispenser configured to releasably engage at least one surface of a cellular phone. The sanitizer dispenser includes a compressible cavity defined therein configured to retain a sanitizer therein. The sanitizer dispenser further includes a nozzle disposed on an outer surface thereof. The nozzle is in fluid communication with the compressible cavity such that when pressure is applied to the compressible cavity, sanitizer is expelled from the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Inventor: Michael Oliveira
  • Dual-pump outflowing liquid container
    Patent number: 11155399
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a dual-pump outflowing liquid container, comprising an outer tube, an inner tube and a pump core mechanism, wherein the pump core mechanism includes a pump core mounting seat, the first vacuum pump, the second vacuum pump and a pressing head, the embedding connector is connected to the inner tube embedding mounting hole in a sealing manner, the pump core mounting seat is detachably connected to the top end of the outer tube, the first pump core mounting hole corresponds to the first pump core intercommunication hole, the second pump core mounting hole corresponds to the second pump core intercommunication hole, the pressing head is slidably connected to the pump core mounting seat, a passage inlet of the first outflowing liquid passage is abutting with a pump outlet of the first vacuum pump in a sealing manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: SHENZHEN BEAUTY STAR CO., LTD
    Inventors: Debin Yan, Shenzhou Li
  • Refrigerator equipped with apparatus for producing carbonated water
    Patent number: 11148925
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a body, a storage chamber, a door, a water tank to store clean water, a carbonated water production module mounted to a back surface of the door while including a carbon dioxide gas cylinder stored with carbon dioxide gas, and a carbonated water tank to produce carbonated water through mixing of the clean water with the carbon dioxide gas, a dispenser including a dispensation space formed at the door, a carbonated discharge line to connect the carbonated water tank and the dispensation space, so as to retrieve the carbonated water in the dispensation space, and a clean water discharge line to connect the water tank and the dispensation space without passing through the carbonated water tank, so as to retrieve the clean water in the dispensation space, and a carbonated water regulator to maintain a discharge pressure of the carbonated water at a predetermined pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hae Ryong Jeon, Sang Tak Lee, Yong Soo Kyong, Kyung Ho Hwang
  • Dispenser for pressurized canister
    Patent number: 11142391
    Abstract: A dispenser system for a canister. The system includes an actuator with universal and replaceable component parts. The actuator may include an actuator frame, plunger, control, stem connector and canister connector. The actuator may be within a housing form factor that holds additional sensors. The sensors may be removable components that are used as part of a larger canister system. The sensor may communicate with a mobile device to indicate when to stop dispensing contents from the canister. The sensor may additionally be designed to prevent inadvertent actuation until the sensor is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: AC AVALANCHE LLC
    Inventors: Stephen William O'Brien, Todd Michael Coleman, Michael E Quest
  • Gravitational water dispensing system
    Patent number: 11142446
    Abstract: Presented is a gravitational water dispensing system that includes a tank portion for water storage, a lid assembly having a top cap and a bottom cap. The lid assembly further includes a vent system that allows atmospheric air to pass from outside into the tank portion, and restrict unintended flow of water outside of the water dispensing system through the vent system while the water dispensing system is in use. The dispensing system further includes a valve with a control handle for controlling flow of water from the tank portion and through a faucet stem laid directly in the direction of gravity. The system further includes a base stand for providing support to the tank portion fitted with the lid assembly, a handle to provide portability for the system, and a drip pan assembly for collecting water dripped during dispensing of water from the water dispensing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: COMPANY OF MOTION, LLC
    Inventor: Joel Heath
  • Foaming soap dispensers
    Patent number: 11141026
    Abstract: Various dispensing devices, such as foaming soap pumps, are disclosed. The soap pump can include a fluid storage unit and a fluid handling unit. The fluid storage unit can include a reservoir that is configured to hold a quantity of product, such as liquid soap. The fluid handling unit can include a pumping assembly and dispensing assembly. The soap pump can be configured to withdraw liquid soap from the reservoir, convert the liquid soap to foamed soap, and dispense the foamed soap from the discharge assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: simplehuman, LLC
    Inventors: Frank Yang, David Wolbert, Kenneth Yen, Guy Cohen, Hon-Lun Chen, Nasser Pirshafiey, Joseph Sandor
  • Lid
    Patent number: 11136171
    Abstract: A lid is disclosed having a spring mechanism that pushes up an activator lever while also lifting up a flow stopper that keeps fluid from the mug and out through the lid. Due to the design of the lid, a mug can be filled without having to remove the lid. Similarly, the user does not have to touch any part of the lid from which water flows. This makes the use of this lid more sanitary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: HIGHWAVE
    Inventor: Gary Ross
  • Non-drip upside down bottles
    Patent number: 11136160
    Abstract: The need for a bottom dispensing package comprising a base having an orifice comprising a slit-valve, which is less prone to leakage, even when a lower viscosity product is comprised in the container, is met by providing the container with a more elastic resiliently squeezable container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Jimmy Schoubben
  • Three-chamber bubble valve
    Patent number: 11130617
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a closure which uses a bubble valve with three chambers. A transverse bubble element on the product side of the bubble valve can expand or inflate thereby inhibiting flow, or contract or deflate thereby allowing flow. A longitudinal bubble element to the side of the bubble valve is used to receive the contents from the transverse bubble element when the transverse bubble element is deflated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Christopher Ludwig, Christopher Nelli
  • Proportioning pump, control systems and applicator apparatus
    Patent number: 11118580
    Abstract: An absolute proportioning pumping system includes an electric motor assembly powering a first pump at a first flow rate and powering a second pump at a second flow rate. A proportioned fluid output includes a first fluid pumped by the first pump and a second fluid pumped by the second pump. The pumping system provides a desired ratio of the first fluid to the second fluid at the proportioned fluid output, relatively independently of pressure and flow rate at the output. In accord with further embodiments, a pump and motor assembly is mounted to and generally surrounded by a liquid tank. The pump and motor assembly may include a pair of fixed ratio outputs driven from a common motor, or may include a single variable output pump either slaved to a master pump or controlled through a timed bypass valve to control output flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Pumptec, Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Cook, Steven T. Dorsey, Stephen E. Babcock, O. Harald Eriksen