Patents Examined by Kevin Shaver
  • Patent number: 7246755
    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: September 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Cepia, LLC
    Inventors: James Russell Hornsby, Marcellus Rambo Benson, James Augustus Keefe, III, Joseph Lee McGowan
  • Patent number: 7243865
    Abstract: A nozzle for generating a high-pressure jet of a flowable medium, having a nozzle body and a nozzle disk which is embedded in the nozzle body in a recess. The nozzle body includes an axial nozzle bore which leads into at least one of an inlet bore and an outlet bore. The nozzle disk rests under compressive strain on contact surfaces of the recess. Also included is a method for creating a nozzle having a nozzle disk embedded in a nozzle body, the steps comprising: providing a nozzle disk; forming a nozzle body around the nozzle disk in a recess so as to create compressive strain on contact surfaces of the nozzle disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Hammelmann Maschinenfabrik GmbH
    Inventor: Michael Jarchau
  • Patent number: 7240858
    Abstract: A trigger mechanism for watering nozzles includes a trigger whose lower end is pivotably connected to the handle and an activation rod has a first end inserted into a tube in the handle and a second end of the activation rod is in contact with the inside of the trigger. The first end of the activation rod may push a valve member in the tubular path in the handle to allow water to flow through the path and enter the barrel of the watering nozzle. The trigger can be fixed at operation position by pulling a movable member located above the trigger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Inventor: King-Yuan Wang
  • Patent number: 7240856
    Abstract: This fuel injection control device includes: a fuel injection valve; a piezoelectric element or a solenoid which drives the fuel injection valve; a fuel pump which pressurizes fuel and supplies it to the fuel injection valve; a magnetostrictive element which drives the fuel pump; and a magnetostrictive element driving coil which drives the magnetostrictive element; and the magnetostrictive element driving coil also serves as a voltage elevation coil for a drive circuit which drives the piezoelectric element or the solenoid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Keihin Corporation
    Inventor: Hidefumi Abe
  • Patent number: 7237699
    Abstract: A filter piston apparatus that dispenses predetermined volumes of pulverulent bulk material has a metering chamber which accommodates in each case a predetermined volume of bulk material, which is present at the end of a circular-cylindrical bore and which has its base formed by a filter of the piston. The metering chamber is attached to a positive-pressure or negative-pressure gas source through the filter, which is permeable to gas but impermeable to the bulk material. A piston wall has a transverse slot and an inner groove located radially opposite the transverse slot, such that the filter can be pushed into the slot from the outside and, when seated in the piston, can be secured on both sides in the axial direction of the piston along it periphery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Harro Hofliger Verpackungsmaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Tobias Zill, Manfred Reiser
  • Patent number: 7237730
    Abstract: A modular fuel nozzle configuration is defined which permits lower-cost manufacturing operations such as injection moulding to be employed. Also described is a method of making such a component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventors: Lev Alexander Prociw, Joseph Horace Brand
  • Patent number: 7237729
    Abstract: A sprayer with a changeable volume includes a container, a pump, a first pipe, a second pipe and a nozzle. The container includes an upper wall and a lower wall. The upper wall can be compressed while not containing water and extensible for containing water. The lower wall is connected to the upper wall. The pump is positioned in a space defined in the lower wall. The first pipe is directed to the pump from a space defined in the upper wall. The second pipe is directed to the exterior of the container from the pump. The nozzle is connected to the second pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Inventor: Chiang-Pei Chen
  • Patent number: 7237695
    Abstract: A mechanical grouting and re-pointing device includes a closed pressure vessel for containing grouting or re-pointing material, an input to the pressure vessel for the supply thereto of compressed gas, and an outlet from the pressure vessel to which is attached a nozzle for directing outputted material to the joint to be filled. The device also includes a flow control valve for regulating the flow of compressed gas to the pressure vessel and, as a consequence, for controlling flow of material from the vessel through the nozzle. A manually operated air bleed valve mounted externally of the pressure vessel communicates with the interior of the vessel to control pressure within the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Inventors: Colin Dee, Graham Dunn, Peter Prickett, John Williams
  • Patent number: 7237727
    Abstract: A paint spray gun has a spray cap that is disposed in front of a nozzle of a gun body, and that is formed with a central spray hole, a set of mist forming holes, a set of mist controlling holes, a pair of horn projections, and a pair of orifices. Each horn projection is formed with an air passageway, which terminates in first and second outlet openings that are oriented in different directions relative to the central spray hole. Pressurized air that flows through the nozzle exits the spray cap at the mist forming holes, the mist controlling holes, the orifices, and the first and second outlet openings in the horn projections. Paint material is drawn but of a paint canister and flows through a nozzle orifice in the nozzle and the central spray hole in the spray cap for atomization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Inventor: Hsing-Tzu Wang
  • Patent number: 7234612
    Abstract: A delay mechanism including one or more suction cups which during a normal cycle of dispensing from a liquid dispenser come to engage on a surface and thereby delay the return of an actuating member in the dispenser to a position for further dispensing until such time as the suction cup disengages from the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Hygiene-Technik Inc.
    Inventor: Heiner Ophardt
  • Patent number: 7234649
    Abstract: A spraying apparatus for spraying liquid surface treatment material which includes a gas inlet, a liquid inlet and an outlet nozzle. The apparatus also has a needle valve for regulating the supply of surface treatment material to the nozzle. The needle valve is at least partially located within a gas outlet chamber and is adapted so as to cause minimal disruption to the gas flow from the gas inlet to the nozzle. To further aid gas flow efficiency, the gas supply passage is substantially straight, the outlet chamber has a laterally outwardly tapering inlet and an inwardly tapering outlet and a smooth radius of curvature from the gas supply passage into the outlet chamber. There is also provided a control means for controlling the axial movement of the needle valve, the control means being provided with indicator means so as to provide an accurate, repeatable control means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: G. Vincent Limited
    Inventor: George Walter Robinson
  • Patent number: 7234653
    Abstract: A portable misting system having a pump that is at least partially submersed in a fluid. The partial submersion of the pump enables the pump to move fluid through a supply hose to a plurality of misting nozzles. In one embodiment, the misting system includes a receptacle configured to receive and store a fluid. The pump is coupled to the receptacle so as to be at least partially submersed in the fluid contained therein. In another embodiment, the misting system includes a receptacle in fluid communication with a pump chamber. The pump is partially disposed within the pump chamber so as to be at least partially submersed in the fluid contained in the pump chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Inventors: Bruce B. Powell, Mark W. Platt
  • Patent number: 7232045
    Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a dispenser which permits its cover to be either locked when closed or unlocked a dispensing device including a lock mechanism for locking a cover to a housing and providing therewith a blocking member which is either coupled to the housing in an inoperative position or can be coupled to the housing in a position which prevents locking of the lock mechanism. The blocking member may preferably be integrally formed from plastic as the same material as another component of the dispenser, preferably from injection molded integrally with a back plate for the housing, at a location which is not visible when the dispenser is used and with the blocking member being removably connected to the housing back plate by a frangible connection which may readily be broken to separate the blocking member from the housing back plate such that the blocking member may be suitably positioned and coupled to the dispenser in a position which prevents locking of the lock mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Hygiene-Technik Inc.
    Inventors: Heiner Ophardt, Srdjana Jankovic
  • Patent number: 7232081
    Abstract: An adjustable spray nozzle with adjustable arc of coverage as well as spray elevation angle and flow rate. A very simple adjustable arc of coverage spray nozzle configuration is also disclosed which may be easily assembled for a particular precipitation rate and/or range of coverage at a selected nominal pressure. Also disclosed is a simple fixed arc of coverage spray nozzle with selectable ranges for a particular precipitation rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Inventors: Carl L Kah, Jr., Carl L Kah, III
  • Patent number: 7229028
    Abstract: An aerosol impingement baffle, and more particularly, an aerosol impingement baffle employed in ultrasonic nebulizers, wherein the impingement orifices thereof are formed by disposing line-shaped impingement grooves at the inner breadth of the impingement baffle, thereby increasing the differentiation probabilities of liquid particles and avoiding congestions thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Kai Chih Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wen-Pin Chen, Kevin Cheng, Chih-Hung Huang
  • Patent number: 7229026
    Abstract: The present embodiments provide methods and system for use in irrigating and controlling irrigation. In some embodiments, a method pauses irrigation at a field station when an amount of rain detected exceeds a first threshold, detects an indication of an amount of rain received after the pausing, resumes irrigation, and reduces a station runtime corresponding to the amount of the rain received after pausing. Some methods determine when an amount of rain received exceeds a first threshold and pause irrigation from a field station, and determine when the amount of rain received exceeds a second threshold and stop irrigation from the field station. Some embodiments provide systems that comprise a field station, a rain detector, and a controller that monitors detected rain and pauses irrigation when a first threshold of rain is detected and shuts down irrigation when a second threshold of rain is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Rain Bird Corporation
    Inventor: René H. Evelyn-Veere
  • Patent number: 7229027
    Abstract: Devices for producing waterfalls, which provide a decorative effect in pools, spas, bathtubs, and sinks. The devices include a water inlet, and a water chamber connected to the water inlet. An elongated water outlet is connected to the water chamber, such that water exiting the water outlet forms a waterfall-type flow. In one arrangement, a light chamber including at least one lamp is included. The light chamber has a window which allows light generated by the lamp to shine through the water outlet. In another arrangement, the elongated water outlet is provided on an outlet insert, the insert and water chamber having complementary inclined surfaces such that the outlet insert may be positioned at varying distances from the water chamber. In a further arrangement, a plurality of pins are located at the egress of the water chamber, the pins acting as baffles to the flow of water through the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Nexxus Lighting, Inc.
    Inventors: Adrian Ehresman, Paul Koren, Daniel Kim
  • Patent number: 7229031
    Abstract: A showerhead with an internal valve to control the flow of fluid between a full flow and reduced flow condition so as to save energy and thereby conserve the supply of water. The showerhead includes an internal valve that operates easily between an off position and an on position to permit a controlled flow of water from an approximate flow of two and one half gallons per minute to a reduced flow of about one half gallon per minute. The internal valve is formed in a spherical configuration and swivels or rotates between a reduced flow position and a full flow on position; it has formed therein a relatively small by-pass aperture that serves to selectively maintain a predetermined, constant temperature flow of water for a person taking a shower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Inventor: Albert Leo Schmidt
  • Patent number: 7225998
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for vaporizing liquid fuel. The apparatus includes at least one capillary flow passage, the at least one capillary flow passage having an inlet end and an outlet end; a fluid control valve for placing the inlet end of the at least one capillary flow passage in fluid communication with the liquid fuel source and introducing the liquid fuel in a substantially liquid state; a heat source arranged along the at least one capillary flow passage, the heat source operable to heat the liquid fuel in the at least one capillary flow passage to a level sufficient to change at least a portion thereof from the liquid state to a vapor state and deliver a stream of substantially vaporized fuel from the outlet end of the at least one capillary flow passage; and means for cleaning deposits formed during operation of the apparatus. The flow passage can be a capillary tube heated by a resistance heater or a section of a tube heated by passing electrical energy therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventor: Roberto O. Pellizzari
  • Patent number: 7226000
    Abstract: A sprinkler includes a housing disposed on a base, and a sprinkler tube coupled to a oscillating mechanism, for allowing the sprinkler tube to be rotated relative to the housing and the base by the oscillating mechanism, the oscillating mechanism includes a receptacle disposed within the housing, and a casing rotatably attached to the receptacle, and coupled to the sprinkler tube, for allowing the casing and the sprinkler tube to be rotated relative to the receptacle. A device may be used for swinging the casing and the sprinkler tube relative to the receptacle in reciprocating action, to allow the water to smoothly or swiftly flow out of the sprinkler tube in various kinds of water spraying patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Yuan Pin Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chen-Tung Huang