Patents Examined by Kevin Shaver
  • Patent number: 7182276
    Abstract: A check valve of a cleaning device of a vehicle lamp is provided with a cleaning liquid influx portion, a valve disposing portion, and a cleaning liquid efflux portion which are arranged in series in a sliding direction of the piston. A valve body is disposed in the valve disposing portion. The valve body opens and closes a space between the cleaning liquid influx portion and the cleaning liquid efflux portion, when at least a portion of the valve body moves in a direction substantially perpendicular to a sliding direction of a piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaru Sakai, Masaaki Sato
  • Patent number: 7182222
    Abstract: A beverage cooler is provided having a container for holding a liquid beverage, a spigot extending from the container for dispensing the liquid beverage therefrom, preferably a telescopically extendable boom attached to a side of the container, a solar panel adjustably attached to an end of the telescopically extendable boom so that the solar panel may be repositioned about the end of the telescopically extendable boom so as to point the solar panel in a direction toward a source of solar energy, and one or more active elements in thermal contact with the container and the liquid beverage therein and electrically connected to the solar panel. Thermoelectric elements powered by the solar panel may be used to cool or heat the liquid beverage within the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Inventor: Robert W. Prabucki
  • Patent number: 7182271
    Abstract: A flow sensor for detecting liquid flow generated by a spray device is non-invasive and capable of responding to rapid changes in the flow. The flow sensor includes a light emitter and a light detector, which may be disposed adjacent the liquid outlet of the spray device and oriented such that a light beam projected by the light emitter is aimed at the spray generated by the spray device and reflected by the spray into the light detector. The light detector senses the reflected light and generates an output indicative of the presence of the flow from the spray device. A deviation of the spray from the intended spray axis may also be detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Spraying Systems Co.
    Inventor: James Cesak
  • Patent number: 7182279
    Abstract: An atomizer includes a T-shaped chamber with tapered insides and an outlet which is in communication with the chamber. A first path is located in a center area in the chamber so as to introduce molten metal therein and two second paths are introduced into the chamber so as to send inert gas into the chamber. A separator is located in the chamber and located at an outlet end of the first path. A narrow passage is defined between an inside of the outlet and the separator. The impact of the inert gas and the molten metal atomizes the metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: National Cheng Kung University
    Inventor: Chuih-Kuan Wang
  • Patent number: 7178740
    Abstract: A system and method for injecting a low-pressure spray of solution into a high-pressure spray of liquid produced by a pressure washing system. The system comprises a liquid storage tank for the solution that is operable to be pressurized. The system comprises a wand that is coupled to the liquid storage tank and securable to a high-pressure wand. The system may comprise a high-pressure pump that is operable to produce a high-pressure flow of fluid to the high-pressure wand. The pressure stored in the liquid storage tank provides the force to drive the solution to the discharge of the high-pressure wand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Inventor: David K. Williams
  • Patent number: 7178697
    Abstract: A dispenser having an agitator for bulk product. The dispenser comprises a housing, a handle pivotally connected to the housing, a door connected to the handle and adapted to pivot between a closed position and an open position to selectively dispense the bulk product through an opening in the housing, and an agitator disposed within the housing and connected to the door. The agitator moves when the handle is pivoted, enabling the bulk product to flow by gravity toward the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Trade Fixtures, LLC
    Inventors: Ronald Brundick, Christopher Relyea
  • Patent number: 7178699
    Abstract: The present invention provides a faucet for tapping a liquid stored under pressure of a gas in a container that has less moving parts subject to wear or breakage, and has a housing made of multiple parts which can be disassembled so the faucet mechanism can be easily cleaned, repaired, or replaced. The faucet mechanism contains a piece of flexible tubing and an arrangement of a pinch valve mechanism that compresses the flexible tubing to shut off flow of liquid through the tubing. In one arrangement of the present invention, since the housing does not move and does not come in contact with the beverage being poured the housing is made of a non-metallic material, such as a plastic or petroleum-based material, which is less expensive than the previous brass or stainless steel housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Anheuser-Busch, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Spray, Rex Loyd McAffee
  • Patent number: 7178704
    Abstract: An electrically-operating liquid dispenser having an U-shaped pole. Windings of an electromagnetic coil are wound about the legs of the U-shaped pole and are energized selectively for moving an armature relative to the pole to open and close the dispenser. The U-shaped configuration of the pole conserves space within the dispenser and contributes to a narrow geometrical configuration for the dispenser, which allow more compact side-by-side arrangements of multiple dispensers. In certain embodiments, the windings may be divided into sets capable of being individually energized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventor: Laurence B. Saidman
  • Patent number: 7178742
    Abstract: A fluid delivery system is provided as a modular system. The fluid delivery system provides a fluid to a robotic spray applicator system that may be used to spray a mold with a motor release compound or in-mold coating. The fluid to be dispensed is contained in the drum and is provided through a fluid circuit including a peristaltic pump, a filter and a heater. The fluid is pumped through the fluid circuit to an applicator that dispenses the fluid onto a mold. The system may also be used in conjunction with adhesives or other compositions that must be filtered, heated and provided to a spray applicator at a metered flow rate. The fluid delivery system may be used in conjunction with a robotic system. The displacement of the peristaltic pump may be controlled by a variable frequency drive or may be controlled by a programmable logic controller of the robotic system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew P. Mellentine, Joseph T. Donatti
  • Patent number: 7178741
    Abstract: Disclosed is a micro droplet generator which comprises a lower space for containing a control panel, and an upper chamber for containing fluid medicine and including an nebulized area formed on a joining portion of the space and thereof. On the nebulized area there are provided an outer nozzle plate including tapered apertures and a piezoelectric element electrically coupled to the control panel. Activating the piezoelectric element will vibrate it to sufficiently mix the liquid medicine for developing fluid cavitation in the nebulized area, forms a stream of droplets from small particles of the fluid medicine and ejects the same therefrom, condenses the large particles of the fluid medicine due to collision therebetween, and drops the condensed liquid into the fluid medicine. Also, any malfunctioned component can be replaced individually.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Shen Sheng-Chih, Wang Yu-Ran, Liou Shun-Nan, Yeh Chien-Shien, Chen Yi-Chang, Pan I-Kai, Lee Chung-Jui, Tsai Ming-Jye
  • Patent number: 7178743
    Abstract: A portable, battery-powered sprayer for dispensing two liquid products at the same time includes first and second nozzles which receive first and second liquids and first and second air supplies. The nozzles are arranged to dispense the liquids at different flow rates, with different droplet sizes, and into different target zones. A low battery sensor prevents operation when the batteries have insufficient power to produce the intended flow rates and droplet sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Clarke Consumer Products, Inc.
    Inventors: J. Lyell Clarke, III, Anthony Kevin Magro, Daniel K. Childs, Julie Bates
  • Patent number: 7178701
    Abstract: The invention relates to a metering pump comprising a pump barrel (1) housing a dose chamber (32) and control means that can be moved between a discharge position and a rest position. The inventive metering pump is characterised in that the control means comprise: a push rod (2); a piston (3) that can slide in relation to the push rod (2) and in relation to the pump barrel (1) all the while remaining in permanent contact with said two elements; and an elastically-deformable annular valve (4) that rests permanently against the push rod (2). The control means are moved between the rest position and the discharge position in two steps; the push rod (2) slides in relation to the piston (3) in the pump barrel; and subsequently the push rod (2) and the piston (3) slide jointly in the pump barrel (1) and discharge opening (42) is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Inventors: Daniel Crosnier, Jean-Marie Dulery
  • Patent number: 7175056
    Abstract: A sprayer device (10) with a trigger pump (29) includes a substantially L-shaped body (14) that can be applied to a container for liquids and is provided with a sprayer nozzle (15). A chamber (20) wherein a plunger (33) of the pump slides, an input duct (37) which puts the container into communication with the chamber and an output duct (38) which puts the chamber into communication with the nozzle are formed inside the body. A suction and delivery valve (100) which allows the suction of the liquid from the inside of the chamber and the delivery of the liquid from the chamber to the sprayer nozzle is installed in the chamber of the sprayer body. The stem (32) of the plunger of the pump is operated by a trigger (29) biased by a spring (60).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Spray Plast S.p.A.
    Inventor: Sario Buti
  • Patent number: 7174902
    Abstract: Hair ornament with a resilient attaching clip comprising a pair of complementary transversally elongated limbs (12, 14) having handle portions (30, 32) and which are connected by hinge and spring means (16) and having suitably shaped prongs (18) extending from each elongated limbs (12, 14) and forming a pair of clipping portions wherein each elongated limb comprises a socket (20, 22) having a hollow cylindrical recess and which forms at the inner opposite end abutting sliding planes (23, 25), as well as a bushing (24) which is received in a recess provided in the respective socket of each limb, whereby the limbs are pivoted to each other and a spring (26) inserted in the bushing extending into the sockets and being attached at both ends by suitable means at the outer end of the sockets in order to bias the limbs in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Conair Corporation
    Inventor: Leandro P. Rizzuto
  • Patent number: 7175057
    Abstract: An improved dropper bottle, and in particular a dropper body able to be joined to a container body and closed by a cap, are described. The dropper body comprises a first droplet delivery end and an open base, the open base of the dropper body comprising a first projection able to engage with the internal surface of a mouth of the container body, and a second projection able to engage with the external surface of the mouth of the container body. Locking toothing is provided between the dropper body and the container body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: IBSA Institut Biochimique SA
    Inventor: Antonio Mutterle
  • Patent number: 7172098
    Abstract: A dispenser head comprising a connection sleeve (20), a dispenser orifice (31), a duct (123) connecting said connection sleeve (20) to the dispenser orifice, and a press surface (11), the head further comprising a shutter (4) that is housed, at least in part, in said duct (123), and that is resiliently biased by spring means (47) towards said dispenser orifice (31), said shutter (4) including a contact zone (41) that bears in resilient leaktight manner against the dispenser orifice (31) so as to seal it hermetically, said shutter being axially movable against the spring means in such a manner as to withdraw its contact zone from the dispenser orifice, thereby creating an outlet passage for the fluid, the shutter including at least one abutment zone (440) that is resiliently biased by the spring means against a fixed support zone (34).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Valois S.A.S.
    Inventors: Firmin Garcia, Fabrice Perignon
  • Patent number: 7172138
    Abstract: A gun mount for a spray gun includes a rigid bracket that is installed on a rigid vertical support such as a gun mover. The bracket securely mounts the guns so as to reduce vibration and swaying during a spraying operation, even when the guns are being vertically moved by an oscillator. A position label or other suitable indicia is provided on the bracket so that the gun mount position can be recorded and thereby accurately repeated during subsequent installations. The bracket in one embodiment includes a series of vertical and horizontal mounting holes that permit a gun body to be installed at a desired vertical and horizontal orientation. A gun blow off arrangement is also provided for mounting associated pairs of air nozzles in position to blow powder from gun exterior surfaces. The associated pairs of air nozzles are mounted on a common bracket that can be selectively and slideably positioned on a channel support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Brian D. Mather, Edward L. Jones, Jeffrey R. Shutic
  • Patent number: 7168593
    Abstract: A mixing assembly includes a mixing insert and a mixer housing that form a cavity when mated. The mixing insert includes orifices that penetrate the mixer insert. An inner vessel receives a product concentrate from a product concentrate source and the cavity receives a reconstituting fluid from a source, such that the reconstituting fluid is forced to exit the cavity through the orifices. Upon exiting the orifices, the reconstituting fluid engages the product concentrate stream, thereby reconstituting the product concentrate. The reconstituted product is then dispensed and evacuated from an end of a mixed product outlet tube, typically exterior to a protected environment, such as a chamber of a product dispenser. The mixing assembly includes varying mixing inserts to provide variable forms of engagement techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Lancer Partnership, Ltd.
    Inventors: Alfred A. Schroeder, Michael T. Romanyszyn
  • Patent number: 7168632
    Abstract: An irrigation system comprises sprinkler heads with an electrically configurable spray pattern, moisture sensors, and a controller. Based upon input signals from the moisture sensors, the controller dynamically configures the spray pattern of the sprinkler head to allow more water to fall on areas that need to be watered and less water to fall on areas that do not require additional water. The irrigation system can additionally comprise fire sensors. Based upon input from the fire sensors, the controller activates the sprinklers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Inventor: Lawrence Kates
  • Patent number: 7165733
    Abstract: A sanitary spray nozzle system. The nozzle may be fixed in position, or may be mounted on an oscillating or moveable carriage for application of material to a thin film dryer. A nozzle body includes a hollow mounting chamber with an inner surface, a product supply portion, and a discharge portion with a discharge orifice. A spray nozzle assembly is removably mounted to the hollow mounting chamber. The assembly has a propellant supply tube having an outer surface, a discharge end for discharge of propellant fluid, an outer seal sealable against the inner surface of the mounting chamber, and an inner seal slidably engageable with the outer surface of the propellant supply tube, in a fluid tight manner. An actuator urges the discharge end of the spray nozzle between an end stop position wherein the discharge end is adjacent the discharge orifice, and a wide open position wherein the discharge end is spaced apart from the discharge orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Inventors: Allan D. Whitefoot, Richard E. Magoon