Patents Examined by Kevin Shaver
  • 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: 7334742
    Abstract: The present application describes a spraying device with droplet hold-back. The droplet hold-back is formed by a baffle, which collects the droplets in a defined volume. From this volume, the droplets can be suctioned by means of a suction opening and supplied to a filter system for purification. In this manner, a purified air can be supplied again to the surrounding air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Airbus Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Horst Jahnke, Torsten Witting, Christian Thieme
  • Patent number: 7334743
    Abstract: A fog generating system (20) includes a fluid feed conduit (22) and extension tube assemblies (26) spaced along the conduit (22). The assemblies (26) include nozzle fittings (40) coupled to extension tubes (32). Misting nozzles (44) are releasably engaged with the nozzle fittings (40), and are recessed within the nozzle fittings (40). Installation entails arranging the system (20) on an interior side of an installation form (90), and securing the nozzle fittings (40) using fitting plugs (50) so that an open ends (60) of the nozzle fittings (40) abut the form (90). The fitting plugs (50) further form a fluid resistant seal for maintaining the assemblies (26) under fluid pressure during installation. The system (20) is embedded in a concrete material (124) for the structure (120). Following removal of the installation form (90) and the fitting plugs (50), the misting nozzles (44) are installed within the nozzle fittings (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Fogco Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary F. Wintering, Jeffrey D. Beeman, Alan M. Whitaker, Steve B. Kizziar
  • Patent number: 7334644
    Abstract: A method for forming a barrier to seal off a remote chamber includes the steps of: forming a borehole that communicates between a first location and the remote chamber; inserting a conduit through the borehole to extend into the remote chamber; introducing a flowable material through the conduit to the remote chamber and dispensing the flowable material from the conduit to the desired location for the barrier, the flowable material upon being dispensed producing a substantially solid, self-sustaining composition; maintaining dispensing the flowable material to produce a sufficient quantity of the self-sustaining composition to form the barrier to seal the remote chamber, while ensuring that the composition does not block the borehole from communicating between the first location and the remote chamber; and thereafter removing the conduit to allow access to the borehole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Inventor: Alden Ozment
  • Patent number: 7334603
    Abstract: A check valve has an elastic valve body portion and an inelastic valve body portion and a valve seat. The valve body is fixed to a valve shaft, and a valve body abutment plate for abutting the elastic valve body portion is supported to the valve shaft. The valve body abutment plate includes an elastic valve body portion pressing portion for pressing on an outer peripheral portion of the elastic valve body portion and a backflow fluid pressure exerting hole for causing fluid pressure from the fluid outlet side to be exerted on the elastic valve body portion. A spring for urging the valve body into abutment with the valve seat through the valve body abutment plate is interposed between the valve body abutment plate and a shaft support portion provided on the fluid outlet side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Miura Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tomohisa Takeda
  • Patent number: 7334745
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and a machine for dispersing a liquid bird repellent solution. The method includes providing a liquid bird repellent solution at a first orifice. The first orifice is defined in a liquid conduit. A flow of air is released through a second orifice to an ambient atmosphere. The second orifice is defined in an air conduit. The air conduit encloses the first orifice and contains air at a pressure significantly elevated with respect to that of the ambient atmosphere. The second orifice is spaced sufficiently apart from the first orifice to allow the flow of air to form a venturi to entrain droplets of the liquid bird repellent solution into the flow of air from the first orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Inventor: Gary Crawford
  • Patent number: 7331944
    Abstract: An ophthalmic dispenser has a rigid housing defining a fluid-receiving chamber, a flexible bladder receivable within the fluid-receiving chamber, a pump coupled in fluid communication with the fluid-receiving chamber, and a nozzle having a valve defining an annular, axially-extending valve seat, an outlet aperture coupled in fluid communication between the valve seat and the pump, and a flexible valve cover extending about the valve seat and forming an annular, axially-extending interface therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Medical Instill Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Py, Norbert M. Assion, Julian V. Chan, Joseph M. Ting
  • Patent number: 7331486
    Abstract: A cartridge for use in conjunction with a container to dispense a liquid in the cartridge into the container. The cartridge is comprised of a hollow body defined by an enclosing wall that has a closure at an upper end and a lower cartridge wall that is integral to the hollow body, but of a thickness less than that of the hollow body enclosing wall. The lower cartridge wall of a reduced thickness is in a narrowed section of the hollow body. A closure is sealed onto an upper part of the hollow body and has a funnel-like shape with a lower funnel wall. The funnel wall is of a reduced thickness as compared to the remainder of the closure. A flange on the hollow body rests on a container upper surface to support the cartridge on the container. A container closure will hold the cartridge in place during use. A dispensing pump on the container closure has a dip tube which pierces the funnel wall and cartridge wall and thereby dispense the cartridge contents into the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: Thomas K. Mon, Robert Rhinesmith, Clifford Spitser, Matthew F. Falbo, David S. Reed
  • Patent number: 7328859
    Abstract: The present invention is a dispenser adapted to be coupled to a fluid container. The dispenser comprises a dispensing head, an energy source, and a fluid pathway. The dispensing head includes a fluid pump, a motor adapted to power the pump, a trigger adapted to control the motor, and a nozzle orifice in fluid communication with a discharge end of the pump. The fluid pathway has one portion in fluid communication with an intake end of the pump and another portion inside the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Cepia, LLC
    Inventors: James Russell Hornsby, Marcellus Rambo Benson, James Augustus Keefe, III, Joseph Lee McGowan
  • Patent number: 7328854
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments can provide a fluid control valve, which reduces or prevents any bubble from being built up in the valve itself so as to protect other hydraulic equipment placed in a downstream side from having any malfunction due to such a bubble, and a droplet ejection device using the fluid control valve. A fluid control valve includes a tank, through which a fluid passes, an inlet port, through which a fluid flows into the tank, an outlet port, through which a fluid flows out of the tank, a valve plug that opens and closes at least one of the inlet port and the outlet port, a coupler connecting part of the inlet port side, which is located in an inlet passage connected to the inlet port, and a coupler connecting part of the outlet port side, which is located in an outlet passage connected to the outlet port. Piping is connected to the coupler connecting part of the inlet port side and the coupler connecting part of the outlet port side, each by using a coupler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Shinichi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 7328858
    Abstract: A shower head for a kitchen sink, comprising a first insert and a second insert for water conveyance, the second insert being provided with elements for coupling to the enclosure, which comprise at least one tab that is adapted to enter, as a consequence of motion in an axial direction, a receptacle provided in the enclosure in order to lock the insert upon rotation about its own axis, rotation in the opposite direction being prevented by the coupling with the first insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: AMFAG S.p.A.
    Inventor: Orlando Bosio
  • Patent number: 7328818
    Abstract: The present invention provides a compact and short profile portable bottled beverage dispenser for gravitationally dispensing a liquid from an inverted standard sized bottle such as the 3- or 5-gallon bottles commonly used in the drinking water industry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Inventor: Robert W. Prabucki
  • Patent number: 7325752
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are various embodiments related to a chemical sprayer that includes a sprayer head assembly and a container. The container defines a cavity for storing a chemical to be sprayed. The sprayer head assembly includes a chemical passage, a carrier fluid passage, a vent passage, a valve chamber and a valve. The chemical passage is communication with the cavity. The carrier fluid passage is in communication with a carrier fluid source. Both the carrier fluid and chemical passages are in communication with the valve chamber. The valve is moveably positioned within the valve chamber and defines at least partially a first passage and a second passage. The first passage is configured so as to be in communication with the chemical passage when the valve is in an open position. The second passage is configured so as to be in communication with the carrier fluid passage when the valve is in the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: MeadWestvaco Calmar, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald J. Shanklin, Ronald F. Englhard
  • Patent number: 7325754
    Abstract: In a shower nozzle of the present invention, a holding portion (1a) having a water flow passage communicating with a hot/cold water inlet formed therein and a water spraying portion (1b) having a plurality of water passing holes provided therein are connected to each other through an open/close valve (6) detachably disposed at one end portion of the holding portion (1a) or the water spraying portion (1b) to form a nozzle body (1c) and a push button (12) for performing the open/close operation of the open/close valve is detachably fitted to the other end of the water spraying portion (1b), whereby water can be jetted and stopped by merely pressing the push button from above in a state of the shower nozzle locked to a shower hook to increase an operability, and the shower nozzle can be easily converted into a type not having a water jetting and stopping function or a type having the water jetting and stopping function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Toto Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuyo Mukai
  • Patent number: 7322535
    Abstract: A faucet spray head for attachment to a faucet spout includes a spout adapter configured for attachment to the faucet spout. The spout adaptor has a body defining an interior chamber. The interior chamber has at least one exit passage. A spray head mechanism is rotatably coupled to the body. The spray head mechanism includes an aeration unit and a spray unit that are individually selected based on a rotational position of the spray head mechanism in relation to the spout adaptor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Newfrey, LLC
    Inventor: Edward Erdely
  • Patent number: 7320437
    Abstract: A liquid dispenser (100) primarily for use in dispensing liquid drench to animals. The dispenser (100) is electronic in operation and has the ability to control the speed of its pump (5) according to environmental conditions including the viscosity of the liquid being dispensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Instrument Supplies Limited
    Inventors: Garth Anderson, Shaun Plant, Cornelis Klein
  • Patent number: 7320440
    Abstract: A spray device, useful for example as a fuel nozzle for gas turbine engines, comprises a body having a bore and a cap member having an orifice, the body and cap member in combination defining a chamber. Fluid passages introduce pressurized liquid into the chamber and direct a flow into the bore, thereby causing a spinning flow to be forced out through the orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventors: Lev Alexander Prociw, Joseph Horace Brand
  • Patent number: 7320442
    Abstract: An on-off shower head, comprising an outer enclosure and a jet opening and closing device, further comprising water conveyance means arranged within the enclosure and adapted to prevent any contact of the water with the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: AMFAG S.p.A.
    Inventor: Orlando Bosio
  • Patent number: 7320415
    Abstract: Substantially cylindrical condiment containers with extendable and retractable pouring spouts are provided. A dispensing mechanism in each container can be actuated by simply rotating the lower portion of the body of the container, without the need for separate knobs or levers. The dispensing mechanism uses a stainless steel ring-shaped spring in a detent structure which properly aligns an outlet opening with a compartment from which material is to be dispensed, creates a discernable “click” to indicate proper alignment, and serves as a ratchet to prevent rotation of the mechanism in the wrong direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Robbins Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Carter W. McGuyer
  • Patent number: 7318539
    Abstract: A battery operated, handheld fluid dispenser comprises a supply container having a body portion and a narrow neck extending upwardly therefrom. A pump and discharge unit is mounted on the upper end of the neck and comprises a pump diaphragm and pump chamber for pumping liquid from the container to a discharge nozzle. A battery powered pump drive unit is mounted on the container and comprises an electric motor having an output shaft coupled with the pump diaphragm through a cam and cam follower arrangement to displace the diaphragm through a pump stroke when the motor is energized. The cam is rotatably driven by the motor, and the cam follower is attached to the diaphragm, whereby rotation of said cam axially displaces the diaphragm, and the cam and cam follower have interengaging dual cam faces for balancing lateral forces therebetween during rotation of said cam relative to said cam follower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Power Sprayer LLC
    Inventors: Marc L. Vitantonio, Craig M. Saunders, Donald C. Fuchs, Jr., Daniel J. Wanhainen