Patents Examined by Kevin Shaver
  • Patent number: 7360721
    Abstract: In order to achieve a particularly simple construction which is, in particular, easy to assemble in the case of a nozzle assembly for a high-pressure cleaning device with a low-pressure nozzle, a high-pressure nozzle arranged in it, a spray lance which bears a sealing pipe connection insertable into the high-pressure nozzle, a bypass surrounding the high-pressure nozzle and leading to the low-pressure nozzle and displacement elements which alter the distance between the sealing pipe connection and the high-pressure nozzle in such a manner that the sealing pipe connection abuts sealingly on the high-pressure nozzle in a high-pressure position and, as a result, interrupts the connection from the spray lance to the bypass whereas, in a low-pressure position, the sealing pipe connection is at a distance from the high-pressure nozzle and, as a result, releases the connection from the spray lance to the bypass, it is suggested that the spray lance bear a pot-shaped housing which surrounds the sealing pipe connectio
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Alfred Kaercher GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Thomas Hofer
  • Patent number: 7360673
    Abstract: A flexible, resilient molded elastomer pour spout device attachable to the rim of a bowl, can, pot, pan or other vessel, eliminates drips and spills by directing poured liquid over a protruding spout rather than over the vessel rim. A second version provides an integral strainer separating the poured liquid from solids to be kept in the vessel and not poured out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Inventor: Paul Abrahams
  • Patent number: 7360719
    Abstract: An improved apparatus for applying loose fill insulation generally includes an insulation feed portion and an insulation gun. The insulation feed portion is driven by a motor which is controlled by a clutch and a clutch control circuit. An insulation gun is mounted to a hose which communicates with the insulation feed portion. A switch mounted on the gun opens and closes the clutch control circuit. When the switch is closed, the clutch is engaged and air blown insulation is supplied to the gun. When the switch is open, the clutch is disengaged and air blown insulation is not supplied to the gun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Inventors: Kirk Alan Emmons, Timothy Sha Vanderford
  • Patent number: 7357278
    Abstract: The valve comprises three parts of generally cylindrical shape, of two or more diameters, fitted into one another, the first of these having a structure of two successive cylinders, being fixed between the cap of the container carrying the substance to be metered and the rim of the neck of the container itself, while the second part is intended to act as main plunger, sliding by its upper portion inside the first part and having a terminal end of smaller diameter guided in the portion of smaller diameter of the first part and having in its intermediate region a likewise intermediate diameter with the main filling and discharge vents for the product, and the third part is formed by a hollow rod rigidly connected to the handle/outlet nozzle and which likewise has a cylindrical structure with two successive different diameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Pecoso, S.L.
    Inventor: Miguel Angel Mira Navarro
  • Patent number: 7354008
    Abstract: A fluidic nozzle, for use with a trigger spray applicator that issues a desired spray pattern of fluid droplets, and wherein the applicator has a liquid delivering orifice and an exterior surface proximate the orifice that is configured to receive a spray nozzle, includes in a first preferred embodiment a member having a front and a rear surface and a passage that extends between these surfaces. A portion of this passage is configured in the form of a fluidic circuit, and the configuration of this fluidic circuit is chosen so as to provide the desired spray pattern. Additionally, the passage's rear portion may be configured so as to allow this member to fit on that portion of the spray head which is configured to receive a spray nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Bowles Fluidics Corporation
    Inventors: Russell D. Hester, Rosa Korobkov, Alan Santamarina, Steve Crockett, Shridhar Gopalan
  • Patent number: 7353973
    Abstract: A sealing mechanism for a container for sealing an interface between two or more of the structural members includes a container body and a pouring spout. The pouring spout includes a ridge for securing the spout to the container body and a retention ridge that is positioned near the rim of the container body, once assembled. An angled retention surface on the spout is used to properly position a seal between the pouring spout and the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Rieke Corporation
    Inventor: Robert D. Rohr
  • Patent number: 7350721
    Abstract: A fragrance dispenser comprises a receptacle for receiving an aromatic substance to be heated; and a heat exchanger connected to the receptacle for heating air upstream of the receptacle, the heat exchanger having means for agitating the air as it is heated and passes therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Inventor: Edvin Ghazarian
  • Patent number: 7350677
    Abstract: A fluid product dispenser having a reservoir of fluid product defining a moveable actuating wall, a distribution orifice, and a spring structured to act on the actuating wall to produce a state of maximum volume of the reservoir. The spring co-operates with an arming element structured to cause the spring from an initial state in which the spring does not bias the actuating wall to a state in which the spring biases the actuating wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Valois S.A.S
    Inventors: Frédéric Duquet, Hervé Pennaneac'h
  • Patent number: 7344095
    Abstract: A water sprayer for a faucet includes a housing, a guide member, a valve seat, a nozzle unit, a press button and a valve shaft. Thus, the first nozzle and the second nozzle of the nozzle unit provides two different water output manners so that the water flow is injected outward from the nozzle unit in two different manners according to a user's requirement, thereby facilitating the user operating the water sprayer. In addition, the water flow can be injected outward from the nozzle unit in a stronger or weaker manner and with a larger or smaller area, thereby enhancing the working efficiency and saving the water resource.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Da Yuan Sheng Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ming-Yuan Hsu
  • Patent number: 7341205
    Abstract: An existing diesel engine vehicle of light oil fuel is enabled to run as a diesel engine vehicle using DME as fuel without exchanging a whole diesel engine and at very low cost and easily. The shape of a tip part 21 of a needle valve 2 is set by a center diameter L3 for regulating a minimum flow path area at full lift of a fuel injection nozzle 1, a seat diameter L2 of a seat part 211 coming in contact with a valve seat part 33 and blocking communication with a fuel injection hole 31, and a shaft diameter L1, and a tip end angle is about 92 degrees. The center diameter L3 is set to ?2.5 mm, the seat diameter L2 is set to ?3.0 mm, and the shaft diameter L1 is set to ?3.25 mm. The ratio of the center diameter L3 and the seat diameter L2 is L3/L2=2.5 mm/3.0 mm=about 0.833, and the ratio of the seat diameter L2 and the shaft diameter L1 is L2/L1=3.0 mm/3.25 mm=about 0.92.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: Bosch Automotive Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Shinya Nozaki, Toshifumi Noda, Daijo Ushiyama, Yukihiro Hayasaka
  • Patent number: 7341211
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and devices for the production of capillary microjets and microparticles that can have a size of between hundreds of micrometers and several nanometers. The inventive method makes use of the combined effects of electrohydrodynamic forces, fluid-dynamic forces and a specific geometry in order to produce micro- and nano-capsules or fluid jets, single- or multi-component, which, upon disintegrating or splitting, form a significantly monodispersed spray of drops which have a controlled micro- or nanometric size and which can also comprise a specific internal structure, such as, for example, a nucleus which is surrounded by a cortex of a different substance or several concentric or non-concentric nuclei or vesicles which are surrounded by a cortex.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: Universidad De Sevilla
    Inventors: Alfonso M. Ganan Calvo, Jose M. Lopez-Herrera Sanchez
  • Patent number: 7341169
    Abstract: Self-purging, low force opening, aerosol valve system with an orificed valve stem groove and gasket forming a first valve for product and propellant, or propellant, flow. A check valve element, biasing element and housing first opening form a second valve for product flow. Actuating the valve stem sequentially opens first valve and then second valve. After actuation, second valve closes before first valve, and propellant from housing second opening purges valve stem and actuator until first valve closes. No first valve closing return spring acts directly on valve stem, allowing easy opening. Gasket in stem groove and product and propellant flow fully close first valve after second valve closes. High solid and/or resin content products can be dispensed through an actuator with mechanical break-up insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: Precision Valve Corporation
    Inventor: Christian Bayer
  • Patent number: 7341208
    Abstract: A fluid can be discontinuously atomized with an atomizer of the present invention. The atomizer can include a helical spring, disk spring or gas spring, acting as a pressure spring, as an energy storage device, a cylinder, piston, two ducts and two valves. Atomization can be initiated manually by triggering a locking mechanism. The energy storage device can be disposed outside a storage container for the fluid. The energy storage device can be provided mechanical energy manually. Via the piston, the stored energy can exert pressure onto the fluid in the cylinder, which ranges from 1 MPa to 5 MPa (10 bar to 50 bar). Distribution of the droplet size in the atomized jet can be independent from the level of experience and behavior of the person actuating the atomizer, and can be adjusted in a reproducible manner. The mean droplet diameter can be smaller than about 50 micrometers. The mass flow of the fluid through the nozzle can be less than about 0.4 g/s.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: Boehringer Ingelheim Microparts GmbH
    Inventors: Ralf-Peter Peters, Joachim Eicher, Holger Hollmann, Holger Reinecke, Stephen Terence Dunne
  • Patent number: 7341210
    Abstract: A nozzle cap is disclosed which is threadedly engaged with a distal end of a nozzle through which a compressed fluid is passed. The nozzle cap includes a terminal wall opposed to a distal end face of the nozzle axially with respect to the nozzle, a sealing member placed on the terminal wall so as to adhere closely to the distal end of the nozzle thereby to seal an opening of the nozzle, and a holding wall pressing and holding an edge of the sealing member in co-operation with the terminal wall between the walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignees: Pacific Industrial Co., Ltd., Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiko Yamamoto, Hajime Mukawa, Yoshitaka Tomatsu
  • Patent number: 7337920
    Abstract: A concentrated flavour dispensing machine having displacement pumps for delivering between a few millilitres and few ounces of fluids having a viscosity value between 1 to 4000 centepoise is described. The dispensing machine includes a cabinet for containing a multitude of displacement pumps, where each displacement pump is in direct fluid communication with a respective storage tank, and a control panel having a programmable microprocessor mounted to the cabinet for receiving user selections and controlling each individual pump. Each displacement pump includes a stepper motor in engagement with a threaded drive rod for advancing a piston by any one of several predetermined distances to dispense a corresponding volume of fluid. The control panel receives a valid user selection for actuating one or more pumps to dispense the appropriate volume of a concentrated flavouring fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: A.C. Dispensing Equipment, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R Duck, Garth C. Illsley, Charles Jollymore, Ian MacLean, Kevin Stoneman, Dzung Tran, Avery Wilson, Kim Kanigan
  • Patent number: 7337927
    Abstract: A portable grease gun with a dual pressure output capability which can be selectively changed by the user with little effort. A larger diameter plunger is longitudinally coupled to an extension. The larger diameter plunger and its extension are variable in length by manual rotation of the extension relative to the larger diameter plunger. The larger diameter plunger is slidable within a plunger retainer over a limited range and is not free to rotate within the plunger retainer. The larger diameter plunger and the plunger extension have aligned bores through them in which a smaller diameter plunger is slidable. The smaller diameter plunger moves when an actuating lever is operated to compress grease in the grease gun. The larger diameter plunger may be adjusted to remain static during operation of the actuating lever or it may be adjusted to move during all or part of the compression stroke of the actuating lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Weems Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Don R. Linkletter, R. Mark Weems
  • Patent number: 7337929
    Abstract: A device for packaging and dispensing a product, in particular a cosmetic product, which includes a container holding the product. The container is surmounted by a neck, such that a free edge of the neck delineates a first dispensing aperture for the product. A detachable lid is capable of engaging with the neck to selectively close off the first dispensing aperture. In an illustrated example, the free edge of the neck at least partially delineates a second dispensing aperture, with the second dispensing aperture capable of passing from a closed off position to an open position in response to a movement of the lid relative to the neck, so that (i) in a first dispensing mode, the lid is in an intermediate position relative to the neck between a closed-off position of the first aperture and a detached position from the neck, and the product is dispensed via the second aperture, and (ii) in a second dispensing mode, the lid is detached from the neck, and the product is dispensed via the first aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: L'Oreal
    Inventor: Mathilde Winckels
  • Patent number: 7337921
    Abstract: A closure for a container having an opening includes a base cap and an overcap that form a sealed chamber adjacent the opening that is isolated from the contents of the container. The base cap includes an outer skirt having container-engaging structure, a cylindrical well, a frangible membrane connected to the well along an inclined line of weakness and by a hinge member. The hinge member includes a pocket extending downward adjacent lower and upper terminuses of the line of weakness. The overcap includes a body having gripping structure, an inner skirt received within and rotatably connected to the well, and a cutting member depending from a lower end of the inner skirt received within the pocket such that the cutting member extends below the upper terminus. The cutting member severs the line of weakness upon substantial rotation of the overcap with respect to the base cap. A method of using the closure is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Portola Packaging, Inc.
    Inventor: Mike Xiaoli Ma
  • Patent number: 7337987
    Abstract: A liquid jetting apparatus (50) to jet a droplet of a charged liquid solution onto a base material, having: a nozzle (51) in which an edge portion thereof is arranged to face the base material K having a receiving surface to receive the jetted droplet, and an inside diameter of the edge portion from which the droplet is jetted is not more than 30 [?m]; and a liquid solution supplying section (35) to supply the liquid solution into the nozzle (51), wherein a jetting electrode (58) of the jetting voltage applying section (35) is provided on a back end portion side of the nozzle, and an inside passage length of the nozzle is set to at least not less than ten times of the inside diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Yasuo Nishi, Kaoru Higuchi, Kazuhiro Murata, Hiroshi Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 7337993
    Abstract: An atomization device comprises a conduit containing liquid to be atomized, a spray electrode (1) and a discharge electrode (3). Each electrode is adjacent to a dielectric (5) and they are connected in an electrical circuit (10) to enable a potential difference to be applied between them to atomize the liquid and to generate charge carriers of a first polarity in the proximity of the spray electrode (1) and ions of a second polarity in the proximity of the discharge electrode (3). Some of the first polarity charge carriers deposit on the dielectric adjacent to the spray electrode (1) and some of the second polarity ions deposit on the dielectric (5) adjacent to the discharge electrode (3) so that the atomized liquid is repelled from the dielectric (5) adjacent to the spray electrode (1) and electrically discharged by second polarity ions that are repelled by the dielectric (5) adjacent to the discharge electrode (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Aerstream Technology, Ltd.
    Inventor: Alastair Bruce Pirrie