Patents Examined by Frederick Nicolas
  • Patent number: 6779688
    Abstract: A system for collecting undesired concrete discharged from the concrete supply pipe of a mobile concrete pumping vehicle. The system includes a catch basin having an outer wall and a bottom wall that define an open reservoir. The catch basin includes an open top end that receives the second, discharge end of a delivery hose connected to the concrete supply pipe that distributes concrete out through the delivery hose. Preferably, the reservoir is sized to receive a sufficient volume of concrete to prevent the undesired discharge of the concrete during movement of the boom arm of the pumping vehicle. The catch basin includes a plurality of suspension straps that suspend the catch basin around the discharge end of the delivery hose during movement of the boom arm. The suspension straps are each connected to a support bracket mounted to the boom arm of the concrete pumping vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Putzmeister, Inc.
    Inventor: Martin G. Mayer
  • Patent number: 6776311
    Abstract: A dispenser assembly for dispensing a substance from a receptacle is provided. Preferably the collar therefore comprises outwardly projecting and elongated angled ribs for forming complementary elongated grooves in the outer surface of the ferrule. A method of assembling such a dispenser assembly upon a receptacle is also provided and comprises the important step of allowing the collar to rotate over the outer surface of the ferrule and towards the receptacle, such that the elongated ribs form complementary elongated grooves in the outer surface of the ferrule thereby forming an airtight seal between the dispensing assembly and the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: EMSAR, Incorporated
    Inventor: Walter T. Ackermann
  • Patent number: 6755328
    Abstract: A multiple spout pitcher which allows selectively pouring a beverage alone or the beverage and ice contained therein. The pitcher includes a bottom wall and upwardly dependent side wall which terminates at an open upper rim. A handle extends outwardly from the side wall to facilitate picking up the pitcher container by hand. An ice restricting spout is formed outwardly from the side wall at the upper rim opposite the handle. The ice restricting spout includes a pair of opposing inwardly extending restrictor flaps to hold the ice back without unduly restricting the flow of beverage while pouring. A larger and wider ice passing spout is formed outwardly from the side wall at the upper rim between the handle and the ice restricting spout which allows the ice as well as the beverage to pour. The pitcher may be constructed with the ice passing spout disposed to the left or the right of the handle as desired for use by right-handed or left-handed persons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Inventor: Richard E. Franco
  • Patent number: 6745922
    Abstract: A container for storing and dispensing beverage, in particular beer, which container comprises a top surface, while in the top surface a valve is provided for dispensing the beverage, and pressure means are provided in the inner space of the container for expelling the beverage from the container via the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Heineken Technical Services B.V.
    Inventors: Johannes Jacobus Thomas Vlooswijk, Guido Petrus Johannes van der Klaauw
  • Patent number: 6736291
    Abstract: A viscous material application apparatus includes a main body having a pressurized chamber which connects through to a discharge port and stores a viscous material, a viscous material supply device for transferring the viscous material to the pressurized chamber, and a discharge pressure regulating device for regulating the discharge pressure of the viscous material when the viscous material inside the pressurized chamber is pressurized and discharged by increasing or decreasing the capacity of the pressurized chamber, the discharge pressure regulating device being provided either inside the pressurized chamber or facing the pressurized chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshinori Mimura, Hiroshi Yamauchi, Wataru Hirai, Hiroaki Onishi, Koichi Nagai
  • Patent number: 6712238
    Abstract: A drywall tape and texture system for pumping fluid material from a container to a work surface includes a pump housing, a compressed air supply, a plurality of air release mechanisms, and an inflatable bladder mounted within the pump housing and held between upper and lower valves for controlling the flow of the material. The pump housing may be fully or partially immersed into a container filled with fluid material. An automatic pneumatic pressure relief valve automatically cycles open and closed whenever a control line is held closed by an operator. When the normally closed automatic air release mechanism is closed, the control line may also be closed by the operator, causing the bladder to inflate and pump fluid out of the pump housing. When the control line to the atmosphere is opened, the bladder deflates and a partial vacuum is created, thus refilling the pump through the lower valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Spraytex, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory B. Mills
  • Patent number: 6705493
    Abstract: Disclosed is a dispenser for liquids or for viscous or sprayable products to which a disposable container is tightly attached and to which a dosage device is attachable. The inventive dispenser is provided with a cylinder-housing (3), suction or compression cylinders which can be moved back and forth (1) and a valve between the suction and pressure cylinders. For the purpose of producing a dispenser suitable for liquids of differing consistencies which avoids contact between the liquid and metal parts and the invasion of bacteria in the air, the invention proposes that the cylinder housing at one end accommodates the cylinder (1) which has a pressure spring (2) located in a recess and that at the other end a valve seat (5) is provided with a membrane disk (4) which is stretched at the periphery thereof in order to close off the container or open the through-flow from said container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Ing. Erich Pfeiffer GmbH
    Inventor: J. W. M. Mijers
  • Patent number: 6702160
    Abstract: The invention discloses a no spill container where the user can properly position the dispensing port and release the contents of the container by means of a release assembly integral with the cap of a displacement port. The contents are released when the cap of the displacement port is rotated into an open position and the integral release stem lifts the sealing means that is adjoined to the stem on the opposite end at the dispensing port. The lifting of the stem causes the sealing means at the dispensing port to disengage from the dispensing port allowing the contents of the container to be expelled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Inventor: H Russell Griffith
  • Patent number: 6702157
    Abstract: A manually actuated pump dispenser assembly has a positioning leg on an eccentric flange thereof to facilitate the offset mounting of the assembly to an offset opening in the neck of a container of liquid to which the pump assembly is to be mounted. And, an arcuate skirt associated with the leg positively interferes with an improper mounting of the pump assembly in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Calmar Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas B. Dobbs
  • Patent number: 6695173
    Abstract: A multiple-dose bottle with dosage nozzle for liquids, particularly for pharmaceutical products, is deformable and has a nozzle (2) which comprises a valve (3) made of flexible material which can be coupled to the mouth (4) of the bottle (1) and has a plurality of passages (5) for the flow of the liquid and a cap (6) made of substantially rigid material which is fitted hermetically on the valve (3) and is provided, in an upward region, with a dispensing opening (7), compression of the bottle (1) producing the compression of the valve (3), the flow of the liquid between the valve (3) and the cap (6), and the release of the liquid through the dispensing opening (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: MRP Medical Research & Promotion Establishment
    Inventor: Antonio Fontana
  • Patent number: 6675989
    Abstract: A pump mounted in a housing is fluidically coupled to a vehicle windshield washer fluid reservoir. At least one outlet is carried on the pump housing for discharging fluid pumped from the reservoir. A fluid level sensor is mounted in the housing and has a sensing end projecting into the reservoir. The sensor includes a pair of spaced sensors having the sensing ends exposed to fluid within the reservoir. The sensor has a labyrinth shape adjacent to the sensing ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Valeo Electrical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Andreas Ritter, Mark M. Benner, Karl-Heinz Kuebler
  • Patent number: 6672479
    Abstract: A closing member 3 is equipped with a dispensing valve 8 and a filter 7. The valve 8 is deformed resiliently to shift its valve head 82 downstream with its orifice 82a remaining closed if pressure less than a first predetermined pressure and more than a second predetermined pressure is acted on the inner surface of the valve head 82. The valve 8 returns to its original shape to shift the valve head 82 upstream with its orifice 82a remaining closed if the pressure is removed, thereby sucking fluid remaining within the passage 10 back to the upstream side of the filter 7. The closing member 3 has a supporter 31d that prevents the orifice 82a of the valve head 82 from opening when a negative pressure is generated in the bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignees: Taisai Kako Co., Ltd./Nihon Tenganyaku, Kenkyusyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Shiraishi, Keiji Hamamoto, Hirokazu Mihashi
  • Patent number: 6669062
    Abstract: A multi-port cap dispenser for a liquid dispensing system including a liquid container which supplies liquid to a draw-off mechanism. A cap is removably mounted on the container for selectively closing the outlet opening thereof with the cap having a liquid passageway formed therein. The dip tube is fluidly connected to the lower end of the liquid passageway and extends downwardly into the liquid container. An adapter manifold is mounted on the upper end of the cap and has a plurality of discharge passageways formed therein which are in fluid communication with a, liquid compartment formed in the adapter manifold. The adapter manifold has a hollow take-off member positioned above each of the discharge passageways which is in fluid communication with the associated discharge passageways. Each of the hollow take-off members or ports have a dispensing tube secured thereto which extends to a draw-off mechanism such as a dispenser, mixing machine, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Inventor: Rodney Laible
  • Patent number: 6662970
    Abstract: An on demand oil dispensing system for motor vehicles including an electric motor driving a gear pump having flow paths including an intake line connected to an oil reservoir and a discharge line having a manual shut-off valve at the end thereof and a pressure sensing switch positioned in the discharge line which cuts off power to the motor and pump when the pressure in the discharge line rises above a set level and a reverse flow check valve in the discharge line upstream of the pressure sensing switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Inventor: Glen T. Presley
  • Patent number: 6644973
    Abstract: A system for reading training for improving a subject's reading speed and comprehension. The reader reads aloud into a microphone attached to an amplifier and headset. The amplifier filters out the low frequency sounds and emphasizes the high and mid-range frequency sounds as the sounds are directed to the reader's dominant ear, which allows the reader to listen attentively with his or her dominant ear, clarifying perception and speeding the listening process. The reader is taught reading protocol, such as emphasizing, pronunciation, articulation, breathing, pausing. The reader intermittently looks into a mirror placed strategically so that he or she can observe posture and lip movement and make adjustments to these reading protocol components. The reader repeats the reading aloud and feedback until reading speed and comprehension are improved to the desired level. The reading improvement training system (inclusive of training tools and method of using the tools) improves reading skills, e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Inventor: William Oster
  • Patent number: 6641478
    Abstract: Design display reel for a gaming machine capable of displaying designs that look different from and more luxurious than printed designs and are therefore more entertaining, which are readily distinguishable from other designs and which afford greater latitude in design. The design display reel is wrapped with design sheets printed with a plurality of types of designs wherein at least one of the designs is furnished with a design region having a holographic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Konami Corporation
    Inventor: Ryo Sakai
  • Patent number: 6609639
    Abstract: A non-drip device or drip prevention apparatus eliminates all liquid dripping. The device includes a body with an orifice wherein the neck of a container may be inserted, a shoulder and a planar surface maintaining a joint in a recess. When the non-drip device is attached by interlocking, the planar surface acts as end of travel stop indicating that the attachment is completed. An angle associated with a quarter circle facilitates liquid reinsertion into the bottle. A diameter of the device enables the liquid to flow rapidly when poured and a ridge interrupts the liquid flow after it has been served. An overlap is provided for publicity or a print. The non-drip device is designed to eliminate dripping, for example, when wine is poured from a bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Inventor: John Genthon
  • Patent number: 6607101
    Abstract: A packaging device for protecting a trigger-operated sprayer comprising a bottle and a spray gun attachment comprising a trigger, a shroud and a nozzle. The packaging device has a plurality of panels which together define a tube adapted to fit over the tipper part of the sprayer with the lower edge thereof seated on the bottle and to cover the trigger, thereby hindering operation of the sprayer. One of the panels has an opening in which the free end of the trigger engages to hinder operation of the trigger and to hinder removal of the packaging device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Reckitt Benckiser (UK) Limited
    Inventors: Stuart Michael Ruan Jones, Simon Alan Campbell
  • Patent number: 6571994
    Abstract: A closure for a container having a foil or membrane sealed opening. The closure includes a cap, a spout and a stem. The stem includes a downwardly extending piercing structure adapted for piercing the foil or membrane of the container upon rotation of the spout relative to the cap. The cap includes a cap top, a cap skirt depending from the cap top, an open sleeve and a stem guide. The open sleeve has an inwardly extending thread adapted to detachably engage the container. The open sleeve extends upwardly from the cap top. The stem guide extends along an internal surface of the sleeve. The spout rotatably engages the sleeve and includes a spout top having a central aperture, an outer spout skirt and an inner skirt. The outer skirt depends from the spout top radially outward of the sleeve and rotatably engages the sleeve. The inner spout skirt depends from the spout top radially within the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Portola Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian M. Adams, Mike Xiaoli Ma
  • Patent number: 6561390
    Abstract: A coffee carafe with a hidden handle support. The handle support is an annular band that extends around a rim of a glass jar for the coffee carafe. An annular collar fits over the annular band, hiding the handle support from view. The annular collar includes a pour spout and an annular flange that extends against an inside surface of the rim of the glass jar. A silicon adhesive or other suitable bonding agent is used to hold the annular collar in place. The use of the annular collar provides strong support for the handle. In addition, because the bonding agent that holds the annular flange in position against the glass jar does not have to support the handle, materials other than acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) plastic may be used for the annular collar and the handle. For example, polypropylene may be used as the material for these two components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Sunbeam Products, Inc.
    Inventors: C. Laron Boyte, Donald R. Ivy, Mahmoud F. Ismail