Patents Examined by Joseph Kaufman
  • Patent number: 7100799
    Abstract: A whipped cream dispenser arrangement comprising a portable, hand-held whipped cream dispenser-canister for holding a quantity of cream to be dispensed as whipped cream. The dispenser has a male fitting on the canister with a central bore there-through. The bore encloses a cartridge piercing pin therein, as part of its prior art use. A replacement adapter cap is arranged in fluid communication with a spaced-apart tank of pressurized gas, and the dispenser has a nozzle having a valve therewith for dispensing whipped cream when pressurized gas is introduced through the adapter cap from a large, spaced-apart pressurized gas tank, and into the canister.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Inventors: Frederick P. Gruenewald, Thomas Muldoon
  • Patent number: 7100804
    Abstract: A pressure medium-operated dispenser for dispensing a mass from a storage and dispensing container and including a housing, a dispensing device (13) supported in the housing (12) and having a pressure medium-operated plunger (15) with at least one push member (16), and a metering device (14) for presetting an amount of mass to-be-dispensed by the dispensing device and including adjustment element (26) for setting the metered amount, a carrier member (27) cooperating with the dispensing device (13), a return element (28) for displacing the carrier member (27) from its end position to its initial position, a retaining member (29) supported in the housing (12) without possibility of displacement in the longitudinal direction (L) of the dispenser (11), and a follow-up member (30) displaceable in the longitudinal direction (L) of the dispenser (11) and extending in a guide tube, the carrier member (27) being arranged at the free end of the follow-up member (30) and secured in the guide tube for connection the foll
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Franz Heiberger
  • Patent number: 7100801
    Abstract: A method of facilitating replacement of a supply of air freshener every time a supply of soap is replaced, including the steps of providing a supply of air freshener, providing a supply of soap and joining the supply of soap and the supply of air freshener. Another aspect of the invention is a method of packaging a supply unit including providing a supply of soap and a supply of air freshener and connecting the supply of soap and the supply of air freshener in a manner such that when the supply of soap is removed from a dispenser, the supply of air freshener is removed from the dispenser as well. Another aspect is a supply unit for the dual dispenser including a receptacle, a supply of soap within the receptacle, and a supply of air freshener connected to or secured within the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Fresh Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas S. Brown, David F. Scherger, George C. Heilman, Robert B. Brown
  • Patent number: 7097071
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring and dispensing liquid from a container includes a measuring chamber having an inlet connected to the opening of the container. A cap member is rotatably attached to the measuring chamber. The cap member includes a dispensing outlet and a fill level member. A liquid delivery member is in fluid communication with the measuring chamber and the container. The fill level member is operatively associated with the liquid delivery member to deliver liquid from the container to the measuring chamber. By compressing the container, a volume of liquid is retained within the measuring chamber from flowing back into the container by the fill level member. The measured portion of liquid retained in the measuring chamber is available for dispensing from the dispensing outlet. A method for measuring and dispensing a measured portion of liquid from a container is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Inventors: Mark L Anderson, John Harmon, Wayne Wellstein
  • Patent number: 7097072
    Abstract: A drinking-fluid dispenser includes an uprightly oriented bottle having an open end and a close end. Mounted inside the bottle adjacent the open end is a valve connected to a float by an actuating arm. There is also a pressure-vent unit insertably disposed near the open end of the bottle for maintaining atmospheric pressure above the fluid inside the bottle. During normal use, fluid extracted out of the bottle is replendished by an external fluid source which is in fluid communication with the bottle through the valve. The valve in turn is controlled by the float which buoyantly floats on the fluid, closes and opens the valve, respectively, when the fluid rises and falls inside the bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Access Global, Inc.
    Inventors: Ah Beng Tan, Peter H. M. Chang
  • Patent number: 7093738
    Abstract: The present invention is a narrow neck dosage device for dispensing a predetermined quantity of product. An insert is installed in a narrow neck of a container with a bottom disk protruding into the body of the container and a top device within the neck of the container. The bottom disk initially hangs within the container body, while the top device rests on a divider that separates the neck from the container body. The top device can be upward angled blades, angled blades or a circular disc. A shaft connects the top devices and the bottom disk. The shaft also can have multiple configurations, such as spiral, flat helix, or random kinks. The shaft spins, rocks or oscillates and passes through a hole in the center of the divider. The divider has pre-sized holes that allow product to pass through. When the container is tipped into a dispensing position, fluid pressure moves the insert up the neck of the container until the bottom disk reaches the divider and seals the neck off from the body of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Union Street Brand Packaging, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher T. Evans, Christopher Gieda
  • Patent number: 7090097
    Abstract: A selection valve (10) for use with a multi-chambered fluid container having outlet openings in communication with the fluid container chambers. The selection valve (10) utilizes an outer housing (12) having a bore (14) for receiving a fluid from the multi-chambered container. An upper gasket (20) engages an inner surface (16) of the outer housing (12) and an inner housing (28) having intake ports (34) that interface with the upper gasket, permitting communication between the outer housing (12) and the fluid container. A spring detent (46) is disposed upon the inner housing with protruding pins (48) that ride upon a rotating detent ring (50). When the housing (12) and the detent ring (50) rotate, the pins (48) enter radial grooves (54) and (55) causing the housing to remain at a desired location. A closure assembly is snapped onto the inner housing to permit a fluid path to be formed between a specific compartment in the container and the bore (14) in the outer housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Inventors: Randal N. Kazarian, David P. Mills
  • Patent number: 7090098
    Abstract: A metering and dispensing closure for a container wherein two rotatable disks rotate in conjunction with a stationary cap member to afford accurate measuring of a powder material and dispensing of it. The disks and the container cap afford a consistent measuring of the powder material, as well as provide a variety of drive members which can be utilized with the dispensing closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: JohnsonDiversey, Inc.
    Inventors: James W. Livingston, M. Rinley Deeds
  • Patent number: 7086572
    Abstract: A valve is provided with a peripheral attachment portion by which the valve may be attached to a dispensing structure through which can be discharged a product from a supply of the product. The valve includes a flexible, peripheral sleeve extending from the peripheral attachment portion. The sleeve has a central elongate portion and two shorter end portions at opposite ends of the elongate portion so that the central elongate portion and the two shorter end portions together define an interior volume. The valve also has a flexible, elongate head extending from the peripheral sleeve. The head includes at least one elongate slit defining two, opposed, elongate, openable regions in the head which are normally closed and which open to permit the discharge of the product therethrough in response to a pressure differential across the head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Seaquist Closures Foreign, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy R. Socier, Gregory M. Olechowski, Steven R. Tuckey, Jason D. Hatton, Stuart R. Brown
  • Patent number: 7086565
    Abstract: A reusable or disposable adhesive dispensing cartridge including a housing for containing a quantity of adhesive, an adhesive delivery element connected to the housing and having a plurality teeth spaced apart by recesses and a plate movably mounted in the housing to force adhesive from the housing and through flow passages that extend between the interior of the housing and the recesses. An adhesive applicator includes a cartridge holder for retaining the cartridge and a movable drive element coupled to the cartridge plate to move the plate in a direction to force adhesive out of the housing and through the flow passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Inventor: Robert E. Beckwith
  • Patent number: 7086569
    Abstract: Dispenser including a cartridge module and a powder or liquid dispensing agent arranged in the cartridge module. Dispensing occurs when the dispenser is jarred which causes the dispensing agent to pass through one or more dispenser openings in a lower wall of the cartridge module. For example, when the dispenser is mounted to an inner surface of a pivotable lid of a waste disposal can, closure of the lid against a base of the can causes a jarring impact on the lid which results in an amount of the dispensing agent falling through the dispensing opening(s). The lid can also be manually tapped when closed to jar the dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Inventor: David M. Stravitz
  • Patent number: 7086566
    Abstract: A dispenser for liquid consumables locates a store of the particular liquid at a location remote from the dispensing location. The dispensing location is typically located above a counter and may include a relatively narrow stem that brings a flexible liquid delivery tube up to a valve. Valuable counter space is conserved. One or more disposable, flexible and collapsible bags contain the store of liquid and communicates with the dispensing location via the liquid delivery tube. Confined in contact with each flexible bag is an inflatable bladder to which compressed air is routed. Liquid is dispensed each time the valve opens. When exhausted the flexible bag is replaced. Safety interlock switches vent the inflatable bladder to prevent its expanding explosively upon opening of the location where the liquid containing bag will replace the empty. Where the liquid needs temperature control, temperature control means are provided where the liquid is stored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: CreaMiser Products Corporation
    Inventor: Gerard F. Goepfert
  • Patent number: 7086567
    Abstract: A dispenser for releasably receiving a collapsible bottle having a neck and a pump projecting from the neck. The dispenser includes a back plate with a cover hinged thereto and a container receiving bracket carried on the back plate for receiving the neck of the bottle. The bottle may include a security collar fixed to the neck with a rib geometry on its periphery for mating with a complemental geometry on the bracket to fix the bottle in place on the back plate. The cover carries a projecting transverse rib on its inner surface so that, when the cover is closed, the rib engages the security collar to further assist in retaining and locating the bottle. The cover also includes a transparent sight window located adjacent its lower end for observing the level of the contents of the bottle, a light window adjacent its upper end for admitting ambient light into the closed dispenser and a push bar for activating the pump to dispense material from the bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Inventors: Nick E. Ciavarella, David Hayes, John P. Cichello, II
  • Patent number: 7083069
    Abstract: Bulk material discharge assemblies comprise a bulk material hopper, a conduit for delivering an air stream to entrain with bulk material from the bulk material hopper, and a feeding apparatus for introducing additive to the conduit. The feeding apparatus comprises an additive hopper and an airlock positioned adjacent the conduit. In addition, metering apparatus are provided that comprise an axle and first and second metering wheels. A noncircular perimeter of the axle and the shape of each hub opening of each of the metering wheels cooperate to nonrotatably mount each metering wheel to the axle. The first and second metering wheel are adapted to be selectively mounted in at least one of a first relative position and a second relative position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Finn Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas E. Wysong, Michael P. Essen
  • Patent number: 7083068
    Abstract: Disclosed is an infusion pump for expelling a fluid from a collapsible fluid reservoir to a patient. The pump includes a housing having a chamber therein for receiving the fluid reservoir. A first wall is provided on the housing for contacting the fluid reservoir, and a second wall is movable from a first position distanced from the first wall to form the chamber therebetween, and a second position relatively closer to the first wall. Advancing the movable wall from the first position to the second position expels fluid from the collapsible reservoir at a substantially constant rate by applying increasing force on the fluid reservoir through the dispensation cycle. Preferably, the first and second walls are provided with non-planar complementary surface configurations for contacting the collapsible reservoir. Retraction mechanisms for retracting the movable wall from the second position to the first position, and user readable indicium of the status of the dispensation cycle are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: I-Flow Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Rake, Orvile L. Judge, Donald M. Earhart, Charles J. McPhee
  • Patent number: 7080757
    Abstract: The present invention provides a simple, inexpensive, and reliable toy water gun configuration for launching a blast of water. For example, the water gun has a reservoir for storing fluid and a nozzle for expelling fluid. A user then propels the water from the reservoir down a neck and towards the nozzle via a motion applied to the entire water gun. The water then exits the gun through the nozzle in a blasting form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Inventor: Jarret Peter Cuisinier
  • Patent number: 7077292
    Abstract: Device for dispensing fluid and semi-dense substances in flexible sealed sachets including two valves mutually connected at one end and delimiting an interstice for housing at least one sachet in order that, in use, the mutual closure of the two valves produces the squeezing of the sachet and the dispensing of the substances contained therewithin following its opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Prodotti Industriali S.r.l.
    Inventor: Giacomo Turano
  • Patent number: 7077298
    Abstract: Beverage container provided with a dispensing valve (7) and a dispensing channel (31, 33) connected to said dispensing valve, wherein an operating arm (41) is provided which, in a position of rest, includes an angle with a plane at right angles to a longitudinal axis (L) of the dispensing valve, wherein a pressure body (19) is provided between the pivoting arm and the valve, such that upon a pivotal movement of the arm from the position of rest the pressure body is moved and the valve is opened by the pressure body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Heineken Technical Services B.V.
    Inventors: Johannes Jacobus T. Vlooswijk, Andrew John Reynolds, Darren Seymour
  • Patent number: 7077293
    Abstract: A drink dispensing system for at least one dispenser valve. The system includes a carbonator, an ice storage bin having heat transfer coils therein, a two-position valve, a carbonated water circuit, a source of water and a pump circuit. The two-position control valve acts in a first position to charge the carbonated tank with the source of water through a pump in the pump circuit. In a second position, the valve directs circulating flow through a closed loop carbonated water circuit which employs coils before and after the dispenser valves. A bypass around the pump allows flow at all times to the dispenser valves from the carbonator without passing through the pump. A shunt divides the output of the pump such that circulation is at about 15 gallons per hour even with the pump running at 100 gallons per hour. The shunt is not coupled with the pump with the control valve in the charge position. The pump may be a two-speed pump with the higher speed employed when the control valve is in the charge position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: McCann's Engineering & Mfg. Co.
    Inventors: Gerald P. McCann, Donald J. Verley
  • Patent number: 7077296
    Abstract: A dispensing valve is provided for dispensing fluid products. The valve includes a marginal portion, a flexible valve head with a discharge orifice therein, and a flexible connector sleeve having one end connected with the marginal portion and the opposite end connected with the valve head adjacent a marginal edge thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: AptarGroup, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul E. Brown, Timothy R. Socier