Patents Examined by Kevin Shaver
  • Patent number: 7287673
    Abstract: The present invention refers to a refill container unit for an automatic dosing device. The purpose of the automatic dosing device is to control the dosing of stored material kept inside the container unit. The object of the container unit according to the invention is to achieve an agitating and transporting, cleanable and switchable storing arrangement for the automatic dosing unit. The refill container unit therefore comprises an agitating part (14) enclosed by a receptacle (1). The agitating part (14) agitates and feeds the material. Shaped as a pot containing the material, the agitating part (14) can also be lifted out of the receptacle (1) and cleaned or replaced by another pot. As an alternative the whole refill container unit can be replaced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V.
    Inventors: Hakan Miefalk, Linda Menrik
  • Patent number: 7284679
    Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing respectively predetermined quantities of pulverulent contents has a rotatably drivable metering roller containing at least one metering chamber and a material store which stores the pulverulent contents. The metering roller contains at least one lateral line, which is not line-connected to the metering chamber and of which the at least two line ends terminate on the surface of the metering roller. A gas line is guided into the housing and passes out of the housing again in a concave surface region. Gas is introduced into the material store via the lateral line, in dependence on the respective rotary position of the metering roller, through said gas line. Depending upon the rotary positions of the metering roller, the gas line, which fluidizes the contents present in the material store, is closed or opened by the metering roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: Harro Hofliger Verpackungsmaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Tobias Zill, Manfred Reiser
  • Patent number: 7284681
    Abstract: A self-standing type bag-shaped vacuum container has a self-standing container including a wall formed of a soft sheet, a pouring port, and a check valve mounted in the pouring port. The check valve is opened to allow the migration of a content of the container when subjected to a pressure in the pouring direction, but is closed when subjected to a pressure in a filling direction, so that the inside of the container is evacuated. The self-standing container can be optimized for storing beverages or the like which are negatively effected by contact with air, because the content will be oxidized with the air. The vacuum type container will not lose its self-standing property even if the content is reduced, and can stand stably by itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Inventor: Tadashi Hagihara
  • Patent number: 7281644
    Abstract: A valve mechanism for a pressure chamber, particularly a pumping device, includes a tappet and a valve disk, in which the valve disk is attached to the tappet. The valve disk is provided on the tappet so as to be movable in relative manner between a starting and an end position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: Ing. Erich Pfeiffer GmbH
    Inventor: Miro Cater
  • Patent number: 7281673
    Abstract: A multi-pattern spray nozzle assembly includes a movable internal water conduit that may be in the form of a rotary member. The movable water conduit is movable between a plurality of spray stations on a spray head, each spray station capable of generating a different spray pattern. The movable water conduit may be manipulated by a knob located at the rear portion of the multi-pattern spray nozzle assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Douglas Burnworth, Douglas Shaulis, Timothy DeVore, Thomas C. Oyler
  • Patent number: 7281674
    Abstract: The push-button is made up of two parts which fit into each other and define between them a whirl chamber, a part of which is formed by a cavity (38) defined inside the outer part on a face of the latter that is tilted in a direction and at a sufficient angle (?), suitable for making it possible to remove the outer part from the mould “along the axis” without damaging the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: Rexam Dispensing Systems S.A.S.
    Inventors: Jean-Louis Bougamont, Jean-Pierre Songbe, Herve Imenez
  • Patent number: 7281675
    Abstract: A portable, user shoulder supported spreader/blower unit includes an ergonomically configured housing which includes a section defining a storage bin for holding a quantity of salt or like chemical particulate material for spreading onto ground surfaces to prevent icing thereon in winter. A centrifugal distributor disk is located in a housing space section below the bin and, a bin discharge aperture aligns over a peripheral area of the distributor disk. A user controllable closure member selectively alters bin discharge aperture size and, hence, outflow quantity from the bin onto the distributor disk, the distributor disk rotating at high speed propelling particulate material out of the housing through a discharge nozzle thereon at a high speed. e.g., 60 m/sec when the unit is user in a spreader mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Inventors: Marcos Elrod, Michael Glater
  • Patent number: 7278557
    Abstract: A pressure container is used for receiving viscous substances and has an outlet valve (14) which can be displaced between a closed position and an open position. A movable valve element (18) can be moved in the direction toward the interior of the container for unblocking an opening cross section. Since, on the one hand, a large opening cross section is desired and, on the other hand, it is necessary to overcome a very high initial resistance because of particles penetrating into the interior of the container, it is proposed to provide at least two opening cross sections which can be unblocked in sequence by actuating the valve. By means of this an initial small actuating force is achieved along with a still large opening cross section when the valve (14) is completely opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventor: Ingo Rackwitz
  • Patent number: 7275662
    Abstract: A bottle support device for supporting a water bottle at angle to facilitate dispensing water in the water bottle. The bottle support device includes a body member comprising a first end and a second end. The body member tapers from the second end to the first end. The body member is designed for being positioned on a shelf of the refrigerator. The body member is designed for being positioned under the water bottle whereby the body member supports the water bottle at an angle to concentrate the water around a water nozzle of the water bottle to allow the pressure from the water to increase the rate at which water is dispensed from the water nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Inventor: Steve Milcetich
  • Patent number: 7267290
    Abstract: A fluidic oscillator suitable for use at colder temperatures for generating an exhaust flow in the form of an oscillating spray of fluid droplets has an inlet for pressurized fluid, a pair of power nozzles configured to accelerate the movement of the pressurized fluid, a fluid pathway that connects and allows for the flow of pressurized fluid between its inlet and the power nozzles, an interaction chamber which is attached to the nozzles and receives the flow from the nozzles, a fluid outlet from which the spray exhausts from the interaction chamber, and a means for increasing the instability of the flow from the power nozzles, with this means being situated in a location chosen from the group consisting of a location within the fluid pathway or proximate the power nozzles. In a first preferred embodiment, the flow instability generating means comprises a protrusion that extends inward from each side of the fluid pathway so as to cause a flow separation region downstream of the protrusions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Bowles Fluidics Corporation
    Inventors: Shridhar Gopalan, Gregory Russell
  • Patent number: 7264176
    Abstract: An apparatus having a housing with a water channel, for instance a laminar water flow, flowing there through. A pliant member is provided together with an at least one water input, an at least one filter member and an at least one jetting element. The pliant member is oriented within the housing and about the water channel to absorb surges from the input of water flowing in from the at least one water input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Inventor: Bruce Johnson
  • Patent number: 7264143
    Abstract: The apparatus is designed to dispense an aerosol product from a pressurized cylindrical cannister having a depressible nozzle at one end. The dispenser is pistol-shaped, formed of a generally cylindrical body and a downwardly extending handle with a trigger. The body defines an elongated recess adapted to receive and engage the cannister, with the nozzle situated substantially along the axis of the body. The dispenser body has a nose part moveably mounted in the front end. Means are provided for connecting the trigger to move the nose part relative to the body to depress the canister nozzle such that the product is released through an opening in the nose part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Ideavillage Products Corp.
    Inventors: Anand Khubani, Aaron Szymanski
  • Patent number: 7264178
    Abstract: A foam spraying rig comprising a vehicle having first and second fluid spray component storage tanks mounted in the body of the vehicle, each of which are heated by electrical heaters and by tubing which is connected to the coolant of the water cooled engine of the vehicle. The rig also includes a heat exchanger tank including first and second heat exchangers, each of which have inlet and outlet ends. The outlet ends of the fluid component storage tanks are connected to the inlet ends of first and second pumps, respectively. The outlet ends of the first and second pumps are fluidly connected to the inlet ends of the first and second heat exchangers, respectively. The outlet ends of the first and second heat exchangers are fluidly connected to a spray nozzle which sprays the components onto a surface such as a wall surface or a truck bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Inventor: Richard C. Hugg
  • Patent number: 7264062
    Abstract: A remotely operably vehicle includes a body defining a cavity therebeneath and further includes a mechanism for remotely propelling the vehicle during operating conditions and a mechanism for remotely discharging fluids outwardly from the vehicle. The vehicle further includes a mechanism for remotely discharging fire retardant in a concentrated path outwardly and away from the vehicle. The fire retardant discharging mechanism includes a powder reservoir isolated from the central water reservoir. The vehicle further includes a video surveillance mechanism for remotely capturing images surrounding the target zone such that the operator can monitor the target zone from a safe and remote location. A central processing unit bears software instructions for causing the vehicle to perform a series of predetermined operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Inventor: Edgardo Ham
  • Patent number: 7261225
    Abstract: A valve assembly for an aerosol can comprises a valve conduit having an inlet, an outlet, a valve seat in the flow path between the inlet and the outlet, and a resilient mounting of a valve member that permits relative movement of the valve member relative to the valve conduit. The valve member further comprises a valve element that is movable to sealingly engaging the valve seat, and a stem projecting from the valve member through the outlet of the valve conduit. During the movement of the valve member relative to the valve conduit, the movable tapered sealing surface associated with the valve member is configured to engage and concentrically align with a tapered valve seat on the valve conduit to establish an effective seal against the valve seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Clayton Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Rueschhoff, James P. McBroom, Joseph C. Lott
  • Patent number: 7261226
    Abstract: A closure for a container having a foil or membrane sealed opening. The closure includes a cap, a spout and a stem. The stem includes a downwardly extending piercing structure adapted for piercing the foil or membrane of the container upon rotation of the spout relative to the cap. The cap includes a cap top, a cap skirt depending from the cap top, an open sleeve and a stem guide. The open sleeve has an inwardly extending thread adapted to detachably engage the container. The open sleeve extends upwardly from the cap top. The stem guide extends along an internal surface of the sleeve. The spout rotatably engages the sleeve and includes a spout top having an aperture, an outer spout skirt and an inner skirt. The outer skirt depends from the spout top radially outward of the sleeve and rotatably engages the sleeve. The inner spout skirt depends from the spout top radially within the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Portola Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian M. Adams, Mike Xiaoli Ma
  • Patent number: 7261247
    Abstract: A slip-clutch assembly including a slip gear and clutch for a sprinkler motor of a sprinkler is disclosed for reducing damage to movable portions of the sprinkler is disclosed. The slip-clutch assembly allows at least a portion of a motor assembly or a sprinkler head to rotate at a rate lower than under normal operating conditions. The slip-clutch assembly includes a first component or portion with deformable portions received under normal operating conditions within recesses or cooperating structure of a second component or portion. The deformable portions are able to release or slip from the cooperating structure when the rotation of a portion of the sprinkler is impeded by a force exceeding a predetermined level. The deformable portions of the slip-clutch assembly may include deflectable arms with an engageable portion received within the cooperating structure. The engageable portion may dis-engage by camming out of the cooperating structure when the impeding force exceeds the predetermined level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Rain Bird Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan Yeh, Bradley D. Helzer
  • Patent number: 7255291
    Abstract: A multifunctional sprinkler structure comprises a water motor having an outlet seat and a top cover mounted to a top-end side, and two adjusting seats and a water supply seat assembled onto a bottom-end side. The bottom-end side of the water motor has a guide groove with a restrictive hole for the extension of a switch shaft there-through. The outlet seat has a water-discharge chamber with multiple barriers extending thereon corresponding to an impeller of the water motor, and an oblique-extending central guide port matching to a spray nozzle having multiple water-guiding ribs obliquely extending towards the same direction therein. Therefore, the barriers of the outlet seat and the water-guiding ribs of the spray nozzle are utilized to correspond to the direction of the water flow so that the water discharge can be easily switched to eject either in more direct and forceful column-like spray or in more expanding spray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Yuan Mei Corp.
    Inventor: Shun Nan Lo
  • Patent number: 7252244
    Abstract: A volatile dispenser is provided, including a reservoir containing a quantity of volatile liquid having a viscosity of no greater than 3.9 centipoises. Each of its individual components has a vapor pressure of no less than 0.008 mm Hg. The dispenser also includes an emanator fluidly coupled to the reservoir (either directly or through a wick) that is comprised of elongated oriented bonded fibers, the fibers being impermeable to the volatile material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward J. Martens, III
  • Patent number: 7246758
    Abstract: A metal atomizing device includes a casing with an inlet tube for providing liquid metal into the casing and an outlet is defined through the casing. The inlet tube and the outlet share a common axis. A polygonal impact member is located at an outlet of the inlet tube and a plurality of gas inlets are connected to the casing so as to provide noble gas into the casing and mixed with the liquid metal that impacts on the impact member. A collection member is located at the outlet of the casing and a pipe communicates with the collection member and the inlet tube so as to send the larger particles into the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Inventor: Muh-Rong Wang