Patents Examined by Gene Mancene
  • Patent number: 6708849
    Abstract: An actuator and tube overcap assembly has an actuator having an inlet and an outlet. A tube has a fluid passageway therethrough and an inlet end connected to the outlet of the actuator and an extension portion extending therefrom. An overcap is removably affixed to the actuator and has a top and a side extending therefrom. The top and side of the overcap have an inner surface. The overcap has internal tube retaining portions having a tube retaining surface. The tube retaining surface extends away from the inner surface of the top and is spaced from the inner surface of the side with the tube extension positioned therebetween. A valve is provided by substantially closing the fluid passageway of the tube. A method for making the assembly is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Precision Thermoplastic Components, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall E. Carter, Leslie F. Kohli, Brian D. Schumacher
  • Patent number: 6708737
    Abstract: A low profile velocity flume and method for collecting machine tool coolant along a machine tool installation uses stepped sidewalls to progressively increase the flow space area above a continuously and smoothly sloping bottom wall. Flushing nozzles are located in lateral segments of the sidewall defining the stepped sidewall shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Inventor: Jack R. Bratten
  • Patent number: 6705587
    Abstract: The positioning of the actuating drive in a fuel injector with a piezoactor (2) that is screwed into the housing (1) of the fuel injector is performed by applying a voltage (U) to the piezoactor (2) that corresponds to a given idle stroke (h), and the surface grinding of the housing (3) and base plate (4) of the piezoactor (2) when voltage is applied. Between the housing (1) of the fuel injector and the housing (3) of the piezoactor (2), there is also provided a compensation collar (9) of a suitable thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Wilhelm Frank, Stefan Lehmann, Martin Neumaier, Gerd Schmutzler, Wendelin Kluegl, Guenter Lewentz, Reda Rizk
  • 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: 6705593
    Abstract: An apparatus capable of moving a shiftable valve member into a closed position, the shiftable valve member mounted in a valve housing having a bore and being moveable between at least one open and at least one closed position relative to the bore, includes at least one elastically deformable member that extends at least partially around the circumference of the bore and is disposed at least partially in a cavity in the valve housing. Each elastically deformable member is elongated, has first and second ends and is connected to the shiftable valve member at one location and to the valve housing at at least one other location. Each elastically deformable member is torsionally loaded to provide biasing, closing force to the shiftable valve member to assist in moving the shiftable valve member into a closed position and retaining it in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Tomas Michael Deaton
  • Patent number: 6702154
    Abstract: A housing for dispensing material, particularly granular material, has a ramp shaped bottom surface inclined towards a front discharge chute. The chute is retained in a compartment which is integrally formed together with the housing. The housing is formed from two substantially identical half sections which are removably joined together, each of the housing half sections including a half section for the retaining compartment for the chute. In its assembled position, the chute has a plate-like gate element, pivotable between closed and opened positions, through actuation of an armature mechanically linked to the gate. The housing sections can be formed from known injection molding processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Rand Display, Inc.
    Inventor: M. Jeffrey Ellis
  • Patent number: 6702155
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of delivering adjustable metered doses of a composition from a squeezable container. An embodiment of the apparatus is a metered dose dispenser including a body that includes an inlet channel with a first opening, an outlet channel with a second opening, and a dosing wheel seat. The dosing wheel seat is a cavity defined by the body. The dosing wheel seat communicates with the inlet channel, via the first opening, and with the outlet channel, via the second opening. The metered dose dispenser also includes a removable, rotatable dosing wheel is situated within the dosing wheel seat when the metered dose dispenser is in use. The dosing wheel includes a dosing channel, which may be aligned with the inlet channel and the outlet channel. A plunger is movably situated in the dosing channel, the plunger does not fit through either the first or second opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Solvay Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas M. Rebne
  • 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: 6702161
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Portola Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian M. Adams, Mike Xiaoli Ma
  • Patent number: 6702158
    Abstract: A knock-type liquid container includes a body having a tank that holds a liquid, and an outlet provided at a forward end, a piston in the tank, and a piston-advancing mechanism having a knocking body that projects rearwardly of the body for advancing the piston forwardly when the knocking body is knocked in an axial direction of the container. A rearward end surface of the rear cap that forms a rear end surface of the container, except the knocking body is not normal to the axial direction, but makes an angle other than an approximate right angle with the axial direction. A distance between a rear end surface of the knocking body at a non-knocking position and a rearmost portion of the rearward end surface of the container, except the knocking body, is less than a stroke of the knocking body required for advancing the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Kotobuki & Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidehei Kageyama, Yoshio Noguchi, Tadao Odaka, Tadashi Keda
  • Patent number: 6702033
    Abstract: A discharge valve element seals the outlet of a fire extinguisher vessel holding a fire suppressant. A source of gas pressurizes the suppressant at least when the extinguisher vessel is in a discharging condition. When the pressure acting on the element exceeds the threshold, the force resisting opening the element is overcome and substantially eliminated, whereupon the suppressant discharges through the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Aerojet-General Corporation
    Inventors: Robert M. Mitchell, Nicholas R. Arnot, George J. Callis
  • Patent number: 6698627
    Abstract: A fluid dispenser comprising a dispensing member (1, 2) and packaging (4) surrounding said dispensing member at least in part, said dispensing member (1, 2) comprising a fluid reservoir (1) defining a neck (11) and at least one deformable actuating wall (10) serving to be pushed in to reduce the internal volume of the reservoir, said dispensing member (1) being provided with a dispensing orifice (25) through which the fluid is delivered by pressing on the actuating wall (10) of the reservoir (1), said packaging (4) having at least one deformable face (41) situated facing the actuating wall (10) of the reservoir, so that the actuating wall can be pushed in via the deformable face of the packaging, said fluid dispenser being characterized in that the packaging (4) is connected to the dispensing member (1, 2) at a fixing appendage (21) that is secured to or integral with the dispensing member and that has a fixing zone (210) for fixing to the packaging (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Valois S.A.S.
    Inventors: Firmin Garcia, Alex Milian
  • Patent number: 6698618
    Abstract: A sequentially moulded closure arrangement (1) comprising a body (4), which forms the shoulder of a container, such as a tube (2), and defines a dispensing passageway, a cover (5), to seal the dispensing passageway, and a fixing ring (7) to join the body to the container. The cover is connected to the body or the fixing ring by a moulded hinge (6) and the cover and fixing ring are sequentially moulded together as an integral moulding, removing the requirement to assemble the cover, body and fixing ring in a separate assembly operation. The arrangement has further advantages relating to cleanliness and ease of dispensing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Crown Cork & Seal Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher Paul Ramsey
  • Patent number: 6698623
    Abstract: A fluid dispenser pump actuated manually to dispense a metered quantity or “dose” of fluid each time it is actuated. The pump has a pump body containing a pump chamber and a return spring resiliently urging the pump towards its rest position and returning it automatically to the rest position after each actuation. The pump chamber has an outlet value that is urged towards a closed position by the pressure from the fluid while the pump is being actuated, and is opened mechanically by a valve control element at the end of actuation. Once the full dose has been prepared, the outlet valve is kept in the open position while the fluid is expelled from the pump chamber. This prevents the flow of fluid from closing the outlet valve again before the full dose of fluid has been expelled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Valois S.A.
    Inventor: Ludovic Petit
  • Patent number: 6698625
    Abstract: The invention relates to a mixing device with an input container that is configured for receiving a product that includes a fluid component and a second component. A whipper with a conical whipper surface has an axis is configured for aerating and frothing the product. The whipper surface extends between first and second end portions, with the first end portion having a smaller diameter than the second end portion. The whipper surface is preferably oriented at a surface angle to the axis of about between 5° and 65°. A motor is in driving association with the whipper for rotating the whipper about the axis at a speed sufficient for aerating and frothing the product. A product exit conduit is disposed downstream of the whipper and is configured for dispensing the product of the fluid and second components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Gerhard Ufheil, Romanus Eduard Verhoeven
  • Patent number: 6698670
    Abstract: A cover-connector for covering and connecting a fluid supply container to a conduit is provided, wherein one of the container and the conduit has a male frustoconical connecting surface and the other one of said container and said conduit has a threaded connecting surface. The novel cover-connector comprises a conduit side with a conduit connecting region, a container side with a container connecting region, and a passageway between the connecting regions, wherein one of the connecting regions has a female frustoconical surface having an acute frustoconical angle complementary to the male frustoconical connecting surface for frictional connection therebetween, and wherein the other one of the connecting regions has a threaded portion complementary to the threaded connecting surface for threaded connecting therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Anatoly Gosis, Mark D. Bauer, Michael Velan, Mark E. Charpie
  • Patent number: 6698720
    Abstract: In a valve member adapted to co-operate with an annular seat and comprising a plate with an annular channel for receiving a gasket which is crimped by folding in an outer wall of the channel, any risk of the gasket being ruptured is minimized by the outer surface of the gasket presenting, in the absence of any stress being exerted thereon, a first region extending frustoconically towards the central axis of the valve member, which first region is extended by a second region extending frustoconically away from the central axis, and by the outer wall of the channel being folded progressively towards the first region so as to fit snugly against the shape thereof without penetrating into the material of the gasket, without exerting any stress thereon, and without compressing it. The valve member is suitable for use in particular in thermostat valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Vernet S.A.
    Inventors: Alain Bouloy, Lionel Mabboux, Jean Chamot
  • Patent number: 6698629
    Abstract: The comestible fluid dispensing system of the present invention preferably employs a pump or valve operable to control movement of comestible fluid from a comestible fluid source to a tap provided with a draw-back valve. The draw-back valve is preferably capable of drawing comestible fluid in an upstream direction in the tap during closure of the draw-back valve. Preferably, suction generated by closure of the draw-back valve is employed for one or more purposes including: to remove comestible fluid dangling from the tap, to draw comestible fluid into the tap away from view and from exposure to the environment, to reduce comestible fluid buildup on and near the tap outlet, to enclose or at least partially enclose comestible fluid downstream of the draw-back valve, and to operate a downstream cutoff valve in the tap. A damper is employed in some embodiments to control valve movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: SHURflo Pump Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher J. Taylor-McCune
  • Patent number: 6698711
    Abstract: A valve for controlling fluids having an actuator unit for actuating a valve member, which has a first piston and a second piston, separated from it by a hydraulic chamber, and which actuates a valve closing member that divides a low-pressure region at system pressure from a high-pressure region. For leakage compensation, a filling device connectable to the high-pressure region is provided with a hollow chamber, in which a throttle body is disposed such that a line leading to the high-pressure region discharges into the hollow chamber on one end of the throttle body, and on the other end a system pressure line leading to the hydraulic chamber branches off. The system pressure is built up by geometric definition of a throttle bore in the throttle body and of the dimensions of the piston, along which the system pressure is reduced, as a function of a prevailing pressure in the high-pressure region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Patrick Mattes