Patents Examined by Frederick C. Nicolas
  • Lid
    Patent number: 11628985
    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. A button in the side of the lid activates the lever. This button can be locked in either the open or closed position. The open architecture allows for easy disassembly and deep cleaning of all of the parts of 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: September 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Inventors: Gary Ross, Griffin Ross
  • Patent number: 11624582
    Abstract: A toy water gun actuation mechanism for controlling opening of a valve with a base, a trigger, a coupling member being configured to be connected to the valve member and including a movably supported blocking member with an abutment that enables a valve to be opened and closed in a given period if the blocking member is in a blocking position and if the coupling member is in the a first position, the abutment then being positioned in trajectory of the coupling member defined by a movement of the coupling member from the first position into a second. If the blocking member is in its non-blocking position, the abutment is located outside the trajectory. A first elastic member is connected to the trigger and to the coupling member, The trigger has a pusher dog configured to move and/or release a movement of the blocking member into a non-blocking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Spyra GmbH
    Inventor: Julia Paul
  • Patent number: 11623809
    Abstract: A fitment assembly for use with a spout of a fluid container. The assembly includes a fitment and a poppet seal with a flexible element. The fitment includes a top portion and a bottom portion. The poppet seal extends from the bottom portion into the top portion. An attachment portion secures the flexible element within the bottom portion of the fitment. The flexible element provides a closing force to move the poppet seal from a closed to an open position. The poppet seal has a closed position, an open position, and a transport position. The poppet seal has a central support member that extends from the sealing surface of the poppet seal into the top portion of the fitment in the closed and transport condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Liqui-Box Corporation
    Inventor: James W. Johnson
  • Patent number: 11619533
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a container for dispensing equal doses of a flowable solid. The container may include a body defining an interior volume including a storage volume, an outlet passage, and a dosing chamber in communication with the storage volume and the outlet passage. The container may include a closure that has a lid and a plunger. The lid may be rotatably coupled to the body such that it rotates about a first axis from a closed position to an open position. The plunger may be rotatably coupled to the lid and configured to seal the dosing chamber. The container may be configured to dispense a dose of the flowable solid when the plunger is in the unsealed position and the container is at least partially inverted, and each dose may have an equal volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: PepsiCo, Inc.
    Inventors: Xavier Cortadellas, Syed Peer, Toby Richard David Wingfield, Albert Kwak, Charles Simon Paradise, Emma Pearl Willmer-Shiles
  • Patent number: 11618627
    Abstract: A child-resistant assembly includes a collar member for coupling to a container. The collar member includes an upper wall, opposing passageways on the upper wall, opposing biasing members and a slide member integrally formed. The slide member extends longitudinally through the opposing passageways and includes a longitudinal slot and a pair of lateral slots formed along the longitudinal slot, with a stop member formed between the pair of lateral slots. The assembly also includes an intermediate member positioned on the collar member and includes a locking member extending downwardly therefrom. The locking member is configured to be positioned within each of the pair of lateral slots. In a rested state, the locking member is prevented from downward movement by the stop member. In an engaged state, the locking member can be positioned within a lateral slot and material from the container is capable of being discharged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Pierson Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore J. Pierson, Stephane Orofino
  • Patent number: 11613417
    Abstract: A container and method of manufacture of a container made of a single material is provided. The container includes a base having a base perimeter with a surface, and a wall having an upper edge and a lower edge, the upper edge comprising two upper edge portions, wherein the lower edge is affixed about the entire perimeter surface, and the first upper edge portion is affixed to the second upper edge portion, thereby forming a space to hold foodstuffs. The base stock material is cut and formed into a base with the base perimeter. A seal is applied between the lower edge of the wall and the surface of the base perimeter. Another seal is applied to two vertical end portions of the wall, forming a cup-like container with an internal space. A final seal is applied between two portions of the upper edge of the wall completing the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Winpak Ltd.
    Inventors: Manuel Jose Moreno Brociner, Mustafa Bilgen, Olivier Yves Muggli, Ashley Robert Andrews
  • Patent number: 11613454
    Abstract: A beverage dispensing machine for dispensing a mixed beverage has a first inlet configured to receive a concentrate; a second inlet configured to receive a base fluid; a gas inlet configured to receive a gas; a gas injection device configured to pulsate the gas into the concentrate such that the gas agitates the concentrate and is injected into the concentrate to form a gas-injected concentrate; and a dispensing valve configured to dispense the base fluid and the gas-injected concentrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Marmon Foodservice Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: E. Scott Sevcik
  • Patent number: 11612276
    Abstract: A sanitizing apparatus includes a main housing, a dispensing member, a supporting platform, and a sanitizing fluid pouch. the main housing comprises a front wall, a first sidewall, a second sidewall, a rear wall, a bottom wall, and an opening. The front wall, the first sidewall, the second sidewall, the rear wall, the bottom wall of the main housing together form an internal space accessible through the opening of the main housing. The dispensing member is inserted into the internal space through the opening of the main housing. The dispensing member comprises a dispensing mechanism. The sanitizing fluid pouch is filled with a sanitizing fluid and is flexible and deformable. The supporting platform is placed within the dispensing member. The supporting platform comprises a supporting plate on which is seated the sanitizing fluid pouch. The supporting platform further comprises a pressure-applying member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Inventors: Jorge Alberto Gimenez, Deborah Medel-Gimenez
  • Patent number: 11607088
    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: October 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: simplehuman, LLC
    Inventors: Frank Yang, David Wolbert, Kenneth Yen, Guy Cohen, Hon-Lun Chen, Nasser Pirshafiey, Joseph Sandor
  • Patent number: 11590525
    Abstract: A device for closing a delivery head of a dispensing machine for delivering fluid products includes a stationary support, a drive shaft, which rotates with respect to the stationary support around a vertical axis, and can be moved with respect to the stationary support along the same vertical axis, a cup-shaped closing element carried at the distal end of an arm fixed to a lower end of the drive shaft, and a screw and nut mechanism which controls a translation of the closing element in the direction of the longitudinal axis and a rotation movement to the longitudinal axis using a single actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Inventor: Luca Drocco
  • Patent number: 11583889
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for application of a line of resin along a crease line of a garment for increasing the life of the crease line. The apparatus in one embodiment allows a simultaneous application of lines of resin along respective crease lines of one or more garments to provide an increase in productivity. The apparatus and method allows the operation of a source of a pressurised fluid source used in dispensing of the resin from one or more cartridges held on mounting apparatus to be achieved by an operator's hand which, at the same time, is used to hold gripping portion on the mounting apparatus to move the cartridges and mounting apparatus with respect to the crease line to apply the resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Supercrease Limited
    Inventors: Kenneth Houlbrook, Shaun Carter
  • Patent number: 11583475
    Abstract: A medicine dispensing device, configured to contain a liquid medicine to be dispensed by the medicine dispensing device and having a plurality of dosing indicia spaced apart from each other around and in relation to a circumference of a surface of the medicine dispensing device, each dosing indicia being of a different height relative to a reference level and corresponding to different dose of the liquid medicine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: CD Acquisitions, LLC
    Inventors: Caleb Hernandez, Daniel Hoffman
  • Patent number: 11571007
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a flowable edible product dispensing apparatus, including: a programmable controller; a touchscreen interface including an indicator of at least one edible item for selection, the operator interface in communication with the programmable controller a dispensing system in communication the operator interface, the programmable controller, being wirelessly connected to the internet, and being operable to associate the at least one edible item with the least one flowable edible and/or inedible product; and the dispensing system dispenses an amount of the at least one flowable edible and/or inedible product associated with the selected edible item when the at least one edible and/or inedible item is selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Inventor: Anthony V. Feola
  • Patent number: 11572224
    Abstract: The present application relates to a system for dispensing fluid. The system includes a flexible container including a spout that is in fluid communication with an interior region of the container. The system includes a cap configured to be mounted to the spout. The cap includes an opening that leads to a membrane and a first retention mechanism located in the opening. The system includes a piercing tube having a first end configured to puncture the membrane and a second end configured to be connected to a dispensing tube. The piercing tube includes a seal bead and a second retention mechanism. The piercing tube is inserted into the opening of the cap such that the first end punctures the membrane, the first and second retention mechanisms engage each other to retain the piercing tube in the cap, and the seal bead sealingly engages the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: LIQUI-BOX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Matthew Ruschmeier, Loren L. Brelje, Ronald E. Kieras
  • Patent number: 11565859
    Abstract: A supplement shaker apparatus having a primary container for holding drinking fluid and a supplement container for holding a supplement wherein the supplement container is supported by the primary container with an opening therein. The apparatus also includes a lid assembly that is securable to the primary container and holds the supplement container in position in the supplement shaker apparatus. The apparatus further includes a spout connection element that extends from the opening in the supplement container to the lid to permit the drinking fluid to pass out of the primary container without contacting the supplement in the supplement container. A supplement shaker kit that includes a supplement container for holding a supplement wherein the supplement container is supported by a shaker bottle with an opening therein and a lid assembly that is securable to the shaker bottle and holds the supplement container in position relative to the shaker bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Inventor: Garrett Lancto
  • Patent number: 11554381
    Abstract: A dispenser system for a canister. The system includes an actuator and a cover that can prevent inadvertent actuation. The actuator may include a button, a stem connector and an actuator housing. The stem connector may include wings with a protrusion to create a snap-fit with the actuator housing, thereby holding the stem connector in place during operation of the dispenser system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: AC Avalanche LLC
    Inventors: Stephen William O'Brien, Todd Michael Coleman, Michael E Quest
  • Patent number: 11548775
    Abstract: A protective cap for a container's spigot is configured with a looped section and a cap. The looped section may have one or more loops to secure and hang around a spigot's neck for convenient use. The looped section may have an upper loop distal from the cap and a lower loop proximal to the cap, in which the lower loop has a relatively smaller diameter than the upper loop. A bottom of the looped section may have an incline that provides additional support to the looped section. The cap includes an opening that leads to a bottom surface that covers the outlet along with the cap's sidewalls and enhances cleanliness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Inventors: Saul Lopez, Reginaldo Lopez, Erik Lopez
  • Patent number: 11542147
    Abstract: A method for cooling a mixed beverage formed with one or more beverage components includes circulating a refrigerant through a heat exchanger having a phase change material to cool a beverage component and sensing a temperature of the refrigerant. The method further includes detecting a first instance when the sensed temperature of the refrigerant equals a threshold refrigerant temperature, detecting a second instance when the sensed temperature of the refrigerant equals the threshold refrigerant temperature, and stopping circulation of the refrigerant when the second instance is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Marmon Foodservice Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas Michael Giardino, Michael Thomas Marszalek
  • Patent number: 11542146
    Abstract: A beverage dispenser for dispensing beverages and process may include a fluid container containing a fluid ingredient, a conduit fluidly connected to the fluid container, and an electrical conductivity sensor. The electrical conductivity sensor may be (i) fluidly connected to the conduit, and (ii) configured to sense an electrical conductivity of the fluid ingredient flowing through the conduit. The electrical conductivity sensor may further be configured to output (i) a first electrical signal in response to sensing an air bubble, and (ii) a second electrical signal in response to not sensing an air bubble.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
    Inventors: Doug McDougall, Brian Johnson, Dick P. Welch, Caitlin Lahey, Joshua Allen Maust
  • Patent number: 11542145
    Abstract: An apparatus for nitrogenizing a beverage utilizing a container having a chamber with a plurality of baffles. The container also includes a nitrogen regulator in the form of a collapsible orifice at the base of the container. An agitator in the form of an impeller creates a shear on the beverage during delivery of a stream of nitrogen into the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: TORR INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Timothy E. Orr, Randy Anderson