Patents Examined by Joseph Kaufman
  • Patent number: 7077290
    Abstract: A beverage dispensing system includes separate valves for controlling the flow rate of a diluent and a concentrate. Various concentrates of different viscosities can be used and the selected concentrate is identified. The flow rate of the concentrate is determined based on temperature and pressure and on information related to the identified concentrate. The valves are controlled so that the concentrate and diluent reach target flow rates. The target flow rates satisfy a target ratio of diluent to concentrate. If the actual flow rates cannot reach the target flow rates, then the target flow rates are modified to satisfy the target ratio. The structure of the concentrate valve is designed to accommodate proportional metering of any one of the various concentrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: PepsiCo, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy W. Bethuy, William J. Black, Brian T. Cahill, Andrew D. Nelson, Peter D. Mehn
  • Patent number: 7073687
    Abstract: An front catch plate for manual, pneumatic or battery powe-operated dual-barrel dispensing guns of the type having a pair of laterally-displaced and adjustable plunger shafts with end-mounted pistons for extruding compound from both cartridges of a variety of sizes of twin cartridge packs. In one embodiment, the front catch plate accepts the cartridge neck from an opening on the top side of the front catch plate. A plastic insert is attached to the front catch plate and provides a custom fit base for the specific form, shape and size of the cartridge neck used. There is a separate plastic insert for each different commercially available dual cartridge. In this embodiment, the front catch plate will generally be manufactured as one piece with the carriage. In another embodiment, the front catch plate accepts the cartridge neck from an opening on the side of the front catch plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Inventor: Peter J. Chang
  • Patent number: 7070066
    Abstract: A liquid dispensing valve includes a valve body, a valve seat, and a reciprocating valve member engageable with the valve seat for controlling flow through a liquid outlet. A calibration device includes a rotatable stroke control stop member and a rotatable reference ring. The reference ring and stop member may be initially rotated to a zero position and, subsequently, the stop member may be rotated to set the desired stroke length. One or more fluid fittings are provided and sealed against the valve body using a clamp plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Warren N. Strong, Michael A. Vidal
  • Patent number: 7066358
    Abstract: A fluid container includes a body defining a storage compartment, an elongated spout carried by the body and in fluid communication with the storage compartment, and a swivel coupling between the spout on the body accommodating swiveling of the spout relative to the body about an axis extending upwardly from the bottom of the body. The spout may swivel between a pouring position extending away from the body and a storage position disposed closely adjacent to the body. The spout may be of light transmitting material and volume indicia may be formed on the body adjacent to the spout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Helen of Troy Limited
    Inventors: Luis Arsenio García Monsalve, Agnete Enga, Antonio Carlo Hernandez Celestin, Anthony Di Bitonto, Adriana Bárcena Kliegman
  • Patent number: 7066356
    Abstract: The present invention is a foam soap dispenser (10) for push operation. The dispenser (10) houses a product bottle (18 and 18?), and the dispenser (10) includes lock-out members (12a and 12b) while the product bottle (18 and 18?) includes mating lock-out members (19a, 19b, and 19?) to ensure that the correct product is used with the dispenser (10). The dispenser (10) includes a push handle (13) that pivots on a pivot point (16) to dispense product when the push handle (13) is compressed. Pushing the push handle (13) moves the handle lever assembly (25 and 25?) components, which in turn activates a product outlet (23) to dispense the product. As the handle (13) is being compressed and released, a gap (22) is created and an anti-pinch member (14) helps prevent pinching of the hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Allan L. Schuman, Tina O. Outlaw, Darren M. Jahnke, Louis M. Holzman, Randall S. Williams, Paul A. Pilosi, Timothy W. Kidder
  • Patent number: 7066355
    Abstract: A self contained viscous liquid dispenser with a foaming pump mechanism includes a housing defining an internal liquid reservoir. A foaming pump mechanism is configured with the housing and includes a horizontally disposed pump chamber fitted through an opening in the housing to extend into the reservoir. A pump cylinder is slidably disposed and retained in the chamber. Actuation of the pump cylinder results in a liquid/air mixture within the pump chamber being pressurized and dispensed from the chamber as a foam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard P. Lewis, Victor S. Shoaf, Cleary E. Mahaffey
  • Patent number: 7066354
    Abstract: A mixing and dispensing apparatus has a small bottle which is positioned within a larger bottle. The small bottle contains a concentrated solution, and the larger bottle contains water. The small bottle has a nozzle that is off-center, a grip base that is an integral part of the bottle, and a vent to maintain zero atmospheric pressure internally. The small bottle is inverted and placed within the neck of the large bottle. The nozzle of the small bottle is placed within a narrowed internal passageway at the base of the neck of the nozzle. Once the apparatus is ready for use, the small bottle is pulled upward using a pull ring, thereby opening the nozzle and releasing the contents of the small bottle into the large bottle. The contents are poured out through a separate pour spout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Inventors: Robert E. Stank, Arthur L. Vellutato, Sr.
  • Patent number: 7066357
    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, a pump actuator carried on the back plate, and a container receiving bracket carried on the back plate for receiving the neck of the bottle. 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: May 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Inventors: Nick E. Ciavarella, David D. Hayes, John P. Cichello, II
  • Patent number: 7059497
    Abstract: A valve assembly is disclosed for use in an aerosol spray can capable of spraying viscous materials or materials with large particulates without clogging or packing like traditional aerosol spray cans designed for spraying texture materials. The valve opening may be located at substantially any point between the bottom and the top of the container. The valve assembly includes a plurality of side-fitting dip tubes, a side-feeding mechanism, and at least one storage member connected, respectively, to at least one of the dip tubes, whereby texture material is dispensed when a central channel is aligned with a side conduit that is in flow communication with the dip tubes. This allows highly-viscous materials, such as a fire suppressant material, or materials having large particulates, such as stucco, as well as resin/catalyst or blowing-agent/urethane combinations to be sprayed from a single aerosol spray can without clogging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Spraytex, Inc.
    Inventor: John R. Woods
  • Patent number: 7059496
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a shaker for sprinkling granules, preferably salt. The shaker (1) comprises a screen-like member (7) which is mounted movable in vertical direction relative to such lower parts (5) of the shaker (1) which define a lower space (8) in which granules (2) are collected or vice versa, for being able to set the screen-like member (7) such that downwardly directed portions (7a) thereof can be set at different distances (e.g. A or B) from the bottom (9) of the lower space (8). Thereby, it is achieved that the lower space (8) can be brought to contain different amounts of granules (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Inventor: Leif Einar Stern
  • Patent number: 7055719
    Abstract: A separable laminated container (A) of the present invention comprises an outer layer (1) made of synthetic resin and having an air suction hole (10) and an inner layer (2) made of synthetic resin and separably laminated on the inside of the outer layer, the inner layer having a portion previously separated from the outer layer just around the air suction hole. The air suction hole can be formed by driving a punch into the outer layer at a neck (4) of the separable laminated container from the outside, and punching just the outer layer leaving the inner layer behind. The portion of the inner layer previously separated from the outer layer may be left in the inwardly extended state. The inner layer is preferably made of synthetic resin having flextural modules of less than 10,000 kg/cm2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Yoshino Kogyosho Co, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsugio Nomoto, Takayuki Goto, Masashi Yoneyama, Yoshio Shibano, Yoshio Akiyama
  • Patent number: 7051901
    Abstract: A device inhibits oxidation of wine remaining in a bottle. A stopper and an inflatable bladder replace the cork. In a first embodiment, a wine duct formed in the stopper is open when the stopper is in an extended position and is closed when the stopper is retracted. Air displaces but does not contact the wine by filling the bladder through an air duct formed in the stopper. After decanting, air that seeps into the wine chamber is removed by forcing air into the bladder, using an external hand pump inserted into the air duct. When sufficient air is pumped into the bladder to raise the wine level to contact the stopper, the stopper is placed into its retracted position. In an additional embodiment, a valve controls opening and closing of the wine duct and the stopper has no extended and retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Inventor: Paul R. Hickert
  • Patent number: 7051902
    Abstract: An automatic valve assembly for a water cooler having a reservoir of the type that has its upper end generally sealed to the atmosphere by a water bottle adapter that receives and supports an inverted water bottle. The valve assembly comprises a ventilation passageway that permits air to enter the reservoir, and an actuator arm hingedly mounted within the interior of the water cooler. The actuator arm is operable to move between an open and a closed position in response to changing water levels within the reservoir. When in its open position the actuator arm allows the unrestricted passage of air into the reservoir through the ventilation passageway. When in its closed position the actuator arm restricts the flow of air and fluids through the ventilation passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Denfred Holdings, Ltd.
    Inventors: Dennis Rivard, Zhendong Liu, Fan Kun
  • Patent number: 7048146
    Abstract: A container system comprising an outer container, an inner container and a spout. The outer container includes a body and an outer spout. The inner container includes a bag and an inner spout. The inner container is positionable within the outer container such that the inner spout can extend through the outer spout. The spout interfacing assembly comprises a gasket and a lock ring. The gasket includes an outer container interfacing surface engagable with the outer spout and an inner container interfacing surface engagable with the inner spout. The lock ring is couplable to one of the inner spout and outer spout, the lock ring capable of limiting the movement of the inner spout relative to the outer spout. The attachment of a valve assembly substantially uniformly compresses the gasket to, in turn, maintain a substantially uniform and fluid tight seal between the inner spout and the outer spout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Scholle Corporation
    Inventors: Rocklin Verespej, Luke Hartman
  • Patent number: 7048148
    Abstract: A drink dispensing head incorporating a Venturi valve to utilize the motive force of a high pressure liquid to draw a low pressure liquid into the dispensing head without the need for a pumping means. A Venturi valve incorporated into a remote valve structure for adding a bonus flavor to a regular beverage dispenser without altering the existing valve structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
    Inventors: Jurgens Roekens, Paul Haskayne, Gary A. Short
  • Patent number: 7048147
    Abstract: A drink dispensing head incorporating a Venturi valve to utilize the motive force of a high pressure liquid to draw a low pressure liquid into the dispensing head without the need for additional pumps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
    Inventors: Jurgens Roekens, Willy Van Esch, Gary A. Short
  • Patent number: 7048144
    Abstract: A teakettle has a vessel defining a storage chamber with a spout, a handle connected to the vessel and including a hollow portion communicating with the chamber, a closure member disposed within the spout and movable for opening and closing the spout, an actuator on the handle, and a linkage assembly extending through the hollow portion of the handle and coupling the actuator to the closure member for opening the closure member inwardly of the spout in response to actuation of the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Helen of Troy Limited
    Inventors: Eric Chan, Jeff Miller
  • Patent number: 7044338
    Abstract: A multi-element spray delivery system for targeted delivery of product from aerosol spray cans comprising an aerosol can button having a short connector tube connecting to a removable extension tube. The system optionally includes a spray discharge limiter, and a sealing tip cap that fits over either the button connector tube or the extension tube. The selective combined use of these components permits targeted delivery of aerosolized product, including lubricants, paint, personal care products, food products, insulation and caulks, herbicides, insecticides or compressed air for more efficient and effective delivery as and where needed with reduction in waste and overspray. An extension tube keeper system is included for convenient storage of the extension tube on the can after use. The component system is also provided in a kit form either by the OEM producer of the aerosol product along with the new can, or as an after-market product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Inventor: William C. Roden
  • Patent number: 7040514
    Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing fluid from a container has a shell having an inlet, an outlet, a dispensing chamber, and a mechanism for attaching the dispenser to a top portion of a container, such as a carbonated beverage bottle. An obstructor is movable between a closed position and an open position to allow fluid flow between the inlet and the dispensing outlet. A membrane pin is coupled to a resilient membrane and to the obstructor such that depression of the membrane will result in displacement of the obstructor, moving the obstructor between the closed and open positions. A siphon draws fluid from the container into the dispensing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Inventors: Mihail Octavian Colan, Laurentiu Victor Bucuroiu
  • Patent number: 7040511
    Abstract: A fluid dispenser pump including a pump body (10), a piston (20) being slidably received in leaktight manner in the pump body (10) to slide between a rest position and a dispensing position, the top edge (11) of the pump body (10) being fixed in a fixing ring (5) serving to assemble the pump to a reservoir (1), an annular sealing gasket (100, 200) being disposed between the pump body (10) and the fixing ring (5), the pump further being provided with a intake air passageway (80) between the reservoir (1) and the atmosphere, the pump being characterized in that a filtration and/or treatment element (100) for filtering and/or treating the intake air is provided in the intake air passageway (80), the filtration element (100) being disposed between the top edge (11) of the pump body and the fixing ring (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Valois S.A.
    Inventor: Ludovic Petit