Patents Examined by Jonathan Wood
  • Patent number: 7815078
    Abstract: A tap having a body, a horizontal inlet, and primary and secondary downwardly-extending spouts, the tap having primary and secondary flow paths. The primary flow path is adapted to dispense a bulk portion of beverage and includes a horizontally oriented primary valve having a primary valve stem and a primary valve seal. The secondary flow path is adapted to dispense a foamed portion of beverage and comprises a flow restriction for inducing turbulence in a beverage flowing through the secondary flow path to produce foam, the secondary flow path including a horizontally-oriented secondary valve with a secondary valve stem and a secondary valve seal. The primary and secondary valves operate independently and have valve stems sliding on spaced apart axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Scottish & Newcastle Plc
    Inventor: Michael Robinson
  • Patent number: 7798375
    Abstract: A pump for distributing a fluid product is provided. The pump includes: a pump body (10); a pump chamber (20); at least one first piston (72) sliding inside the pump chamber (20) for distributing the fluid product; a distribution orifice (45); an obturator (38) that can be displaced and/or deformed between a closed position of the distribution orifice (45) and an open position of the distribution orifice (45), the chamber including an inlet valve (70) separating the pump chamber (20) from a dip tube (18) extending toward a fluid product reservoir (60); and a bypass passage (74) provided between the dip tube (18) and the pump chamber (20), the bypass passage (74) being placed upstream from the inlet valve (70) and connecting the pump chamber (20) to the dip tube (18) when the pump is primed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Valois S.A.S.
    Inventor: François Le Maner
  • Patent number: 7793807
    Abstract: A metering valve for dispensing fluid, the metering valve having a valve body (10), a metering chamber (20), and a valve member (30) that is slidable in the valve body (10) so as to dispense the fluid contained in the metering chamber (20). The wall (27) of the metering chamber (20) is curved, at least in part, in axial section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Valois S.A.S.
    Inventors: David Goujon, Christophe Jacuk, Christophe Marie, Frederic Pirou
  • Patent number: 7780042
    Abstract: A fluid dispenser pump having: a pump body; a pump chamber; at least a first piston that slides in the pump chamber between a rest position and an actuated position so as to dispense the fluid; and a dispenser orifice; the pump chamber including an inlet valve that separates the pump chamber from a channel that extends towards a fluid reservoir, a bypass being provided between the channel and the pump chamber, the bypass being disposed upstream from the inlet valve, the bypass connecting the pump chamber to the reservoir when the piston is in its actuated position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Valois S.A.S.
    Inventor: Samuel Pruvot
  • Patent number: 7780039
    Abstract: A pump head assembly for a soap container. The pump head including a drip guard member which applies a vacuum to an internal passageway of the pump head assembly following dispensing of soap in order to draw an residual soap out of the internal passageway and thus prevent dripping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Buckeye International, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Criswell, Casey B. Stahl, Mark Hirte, Lawrence R. Happ
  • Patent number: 7775404
    Abstract: A pump for dispensing fluid products includes a pump body, a pump chamber, at least one piston sliding inside the pump chamber for dispensing a fluid product, a dispensing orifice, and a shutter which interacts with the dispensing orifice and is embodied in such a way that it is movable and/or deformable between the closed position of the dispensing orifice and the open position thereof, the shutter being elastically driven to a closed position. The pump includes only one elastic element in the form of a spring for bringing at least one piston to a rest position after actuation and for driving the shutter to a closed position and the at least one piston is embodied in one piece with the shutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Valois S.A.S
    Inventors: Jean-Marc Pardonge, Christophe Fagot, Samuel Pruvot, François Le Maner
  • Patent number: 7766196
    Abstract: This invention provides an aerosol product for use in control of bees or horseflies, and more particularly a horizontal jetting structure aerosol product provided with a grip movably attached to a position orthogonal to an aerosol vessel body when contents are jetted, wherein during jetting when the grip is located at a position orthogonal to the aerosol vessel body, a maximum arrival distance of an effective component is 10 m or longer and a jetted quantity of the contents for an initial 5 sec is 40 g or more, thereby capable of jetting the contents of the aerosol vessel afar and exactly by a simple operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignees: Earth Chemical Co., Ltd., Maruichi Valves Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koki Sugano, Katsuyoshi Kado, Teruki Yamamoto, Naoki Takahashi
  • Patent number: 7757906
    Abstract: A device comprises a container includes a dispensing mechanism for enabling pressurized dispensable contents contained within an interior space of the container to be selectively dispensed therefrom. A retention clip structure is attached to an exterior portion of the container and includes a clip portion that is biased to a closed configuration for enabling the clip portion to securely engage a portion of an article for attaching the container to the article. A cap assembly includes a cap body attached to the container and a trigger moveably attached to the cap body. The trigger includes a handle portion and a dispensing mechanism engagement portion attached to the handle portion. The handle portion is movable from a rest position to a displaced position for causing the dispensing mechanism actuation portion to act on the dispensing mechanism such that the pressurized dispensable contents are dispensed from within the interior space of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Inventor: Michael J. Barry
  • Patent number: 7753235
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to a foot activated dispenser and more particularly to a foot activated dispenser for dispensing a liquid product such as a skin care product (i.e. hand soap, hand sanitizer, surgical scrub, lotion, etc.). More specifically, the foot activated dispenser includes a bladder connected to tubing that is connected to a piston pump. The piston pump is located within a shroud that is removably attached to a wall bracket. The wall bracket includes a bottle retainer for holding a bottle having a pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Darren M. Jahnke, Wesley M. Nelson, Joshua J. Lanz, Warren D. Pannkuk
  • Patent number: 7748572
    Abstract: An aerosol fluid dispenser includes a movable actuator for controlling dispensing of the liquid or fluid product from the dispenser and a locking mechanism for locking the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Conopco Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Peter Althoff, Jason Tilk, John William Nottingham, John Richard Nottingham, John Wilford Spirk, Jr., Jay Tapper, Ian Stuart Midgley, David Michael Limb
  • Patent number: 7735689
    Abstract: The present invention is a fluid dispensing device, connectable/disconnectable to/from a container. The device, actuable by a trigger, comprises both closing means comprising a turnable nozzle and means for locking the sliding of a dispensing piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Guala Dispensing S.p.A.
    Inventor: Riccardo Alluigi
  • Patent number: 7735698
    Abstract: A no-drip carafe (10) is taught that is used for storing and serving a hot or cold beverage, which incorporates a vacuum insulated bottle (20) with a lid (30) engaging the top of the bottle. The lid incorporates a pouring spout (34) with a liquid cavity (36) running completely through and also an integral handle for convenience in handling. A spring loaded lever (56) pivotally snaps into the lid with the lever having an integral downwardly projecting plug finger (58) that engages and completely obstructs the liquid cavity when at rest. When the lever is manually depressed the plug finger is pivoted away from the liquid cavity permitting the beverage to flow freely and when released the integral downwardly projecting plug finger seals the cavity in a no-drip manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Inventor: Shin-Shuoh Lin
  • Patent number: 7731060
    Abstract: An outlet tap assembly (1) for dispensing liquid packaged in flexible packaging bags is provided. The tap assembly comprises a tubular outlet member (2, 32) having a bore (8) therein, a tap (5, 6) at one end for controlling the flow of liquid through the bore, and a spike (3) at the opposite end for penetrating a plastic packaging bag. At least one aperture (4) communicates with the bore towards the inner end to allow liquid to enter from a bag into the bore. An endless clamping surface (11, 31) encircles the outlet member between the aperture and tap and a clamping element (12, 30, 35) having an endless clamping edge or surface (13) is movable axially on the outlet member so as to cooperate with the clamping surface on the outlet member to operatively clamp material of a flexible packaging bag therebetween. The outlet tap assembly has resilient means (16, 21, 26, 29, 33, 36) for urging the clamping element axially into engagement with the clamping surface on the outlet member automatically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Tap-It Liquid Solutions (Proprietary) Limited
    Inventor: Ronald Archibald Jones
  • Patent number: 7726524
    Abstract: The invention relates to a valve (1), comprising a body (2), within which a needle (3) moves, which can rest with sealing against a seat (23), fixed to the body (2). The needle (3) is magnetically coupled to an actuator body (5), across a closed and a magnetic chamber (4) provided with several magnets (52) between which magnetic bodies (53) are interspersed. The needle (3) has no magnets and is provided with ribs (36) made from a magnetic material. According to the invention, an improved magnetic coupling may be achieved, whereby the thickness and the relative separation of the ribs (36) are largely equal to the thickness (e53) and the relative separation (l52) of the magnetic bodies (53).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Sames Technologies
    Inventors: Djamel Merabet, Eric Prus, Patrick Ballu
  • Patent number: 7726522
    Abstract: A dispenser for discharging media, particularly liquids, foams and pastes is proposed and whose dispenser casing is secured against dismantling. A securing section is provided which is engaged on the pump casing separately from a functional section. The securing section is connected by positive or frictional engagement with the functional section and in the joined state limits a first locking profiling provided on the functional section with regards to its elastic resilience, so that a second locking profiling provided on the pump casing and corresponding with the locking profiling of the functional section can no longer be overcome for dismantling purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Ing. Erich Pfeiffer GmbH
    Inventor: Juergen Greiner-Perth
  • Patent number: 7721917
    Abstract: The device (1) can be used in particular for the pivotable door of a dishwasher and comprises, in a structure or body (2) a first dispenser device (5, 6) for a washing agent, and a second dispenser device (4) for rinse agent, an electrically controlled actuator device (20, 21) connected to the first dispenser device (5, 6) in such a way that when the door is closed, a first excitation of the actuator device (20, 21) causes substantially only washing agent to be dispensed, and connected to the second dispenser device (4) by means of a transmission mechanism (22, 23) which includes a pivotable interconnecting element (23). The interconnecting element (23) is able to make the mechanism (22, 23) inoperative when the door of the dishwasher is opened, and to make it operative after a first excitation of the actuator device (20, 21) after the door has been closed. One end (23a) of this interconnecting element (23) is pivoted directly onto a movable control member (18) of the second dispenser device (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Elbi International S.p.A.
    Inventor: Giuseppe Marone
  • Patent number: 7699192
    Abstract: A discharge device with a metered dose valve is proposed. The metered dose valve comprises an inlet valve, a metering chamber and an outlet valve. In order to allow discharge of fluid from the metering chamber in multiple steps, a user can depress and release an actuation member multiple times in a selected discharge state wherein refill of the metering chamber with new liquid is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Boehringer Ingelheim microParts GmbH
    Inventor: Stephen Terence Dunne
  • Patent number: 7694856
    Abstract: A closure device for a non-vented liquid product dispenser from a rigid container including a and a movable bottom provided with a peripheral lip. The dispenser includes a base cup forming a casing fixable to the base of the container and receiving the bottom which is integrally and coaxially arranged thereinside after the production thereof and prior to product dispensing in such a way that the peripheral lip is protected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Rexam Dispensing SMT
    Inventor: Eric Rossignol
  • Patent number: 7694851
    Abstract: A device for tamper protecting and authenticating a liquid product distributor including a container with a cylindrical neck with a seal engaged therein, further including an indicator element with a collar which is elastically inwardly collapsible and whose largest diameter is greater that the neck internal diameter and which is removably disposed on the lower part of the seal and is trapped in the container after a forced penetration through the neck. The indicator element includes a sleeve in which the lower part of the seal is radially clamped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Rexam Dispensing Systems S.A.S.
    Inventors: Herve Lompech, Jean-Luc Octau
  • Patent number: 7686189
    Abstract: A liquid cosmetic product dispenser that can allow a person to quickly and unobtrusively apply liquid cosmetic product includes a palm sized dispenser and the liquid cosmetic product is disposed in the dispenser under pressure that is greater than atmospheric pressure. The dispenser includes a movable actuator button for controlling dispensing of the liquid cosmetic product from the dispenser and a locking mechanism for locking the actuator button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Peter Althoff, Jason Tilk, John William Nottingham, John Richard Nottingham, John Wilford Spirk, Jr., Jay Tapper, Ian Stuart Midgley, Dean Michael Limb