Patents Examined by Lisa A. Douglas
  • Patent number: 5551635
    Abstract: A pressure-washer nozzle has an inner sleeve generally centered on and extending along an axis and having a rear end formed as a high-pressure liquid inlet, an outer sleeve coaxial with and rotatable but axially nondisplaceable on the inner sleeve, and a rear nozzle body in the inner sleeve formed with a small-diameter axially throughgoing central rear passage opening at a front face of the rear nozzle body. The rear nozzle body further forms with the outer sleeve an array of outer rear passages. A front nozzle body in the inner sleeve forward of the rear nozzle body has a large-diameter axially throughgoing front passage coaxial with the rear passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Inventor: Anton Jager
  • Patent number: 5551600
    Abstract: A pouring spout 5 is mounted on the front surface of a carton 2. The pouring spout 5 pierces through an inner bag. Only a region which is slightly larger than the half of the inner bag 3 on the pouring spout side is adhered to the inner surfaces of the carton by a paste. As the content is discharged, since the movable portion of the inner bag is injected into the fixed portion fixed on the inner surfaces of the carton, as the content is discharged, the volume of the inner bag is decreased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Sasaki, Takehiko Bizen, Hiroshi Miyama, Takeshi Morisako, Hiroko Tsukada
  • Patent number: 5549219
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for preparing and dispensing a cool beverage utilizes a heat exchanger for directly contacting water and ice to produce cooled heat exchanger water in the heat exchanger from the water and ice and an outflow of the cooled heat exchanger water. A beverage concentrate flows through a beverage concentrate conduit that is in thermal contact with ice, preferably through direct contact with the cooled heat exchanger water. The beverage concentrate is thus cooled by indirectly contacting the ice to produce an outflow of cooled beverage concentrate. A proportioner and mixer receive the outflow of cooled heat exchanger water and the outflow of cooled beverage concentrate, and proportion and mix the outflows to produce a cool, proportioned, mixed beverage, which is dispensed from a dispensing valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1996
    Inventor: William G. Lancaster
  • Patent number: 5547128
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for spraying fluids are disclosed. Multiple distinctive airflows are used sequentially to create eddy currents at and near the outer canopies of vegetation. Such currents promote uniform chemical coverage of fruit and foliage throughout the vegetation. Nozzles adapted for selective use and adjustment independently and in multiple directions and planes also enhance coverage, particularly when fruit and foliage is especially dense or sparse or close to or remote from the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Assignee: Jack M. Berry Inc.
    Inventor: Edward D. Scheffler
  • Patent number: 5547132
    Abstract: A sprayer has a spray pattern which can be varied by the provision of a second fluid flow path which partially negates the spin velocity to produce a spray having a narrow spray cone producing spray. An opening in the spinner probe establishes the second fluid flow path from the discharge passage, and can be selectively opened and closed upon plunger rotation relative to a hollow piston stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Assignee: Calmar Inc.
    Inventor: R. Pat Grogan
  • Patent number: 5544788
    Abstract: A dispenser for soap lather has a vessel for a larger supply of liquid soap and a tank for a smaller supply of liquid soap and for a body of air above the smaller supply. One or more bellows are used to pump compressed air into the upper portion of the tank when a user desires to-obtain a batch of lather. The compressed air expels a certain quantity of liquid soap from the tank into a lather generator and the lather generator further receives some compressed air to form a batch of lather which is dispensed into or onto the hands of a user. When the bellows expands or expand, they can draw air into or along the outlet of the lather generator to retract any remnants of lather. Alternatively, a discrete pump can be provided to blow out any remnants from the lather generator in response to or during expansion of the bellows. The discharged quantity of liquid soap is replenished in the tank by way of an adjustable conduit connecting the vessel with the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Assignee: Steiner Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Meyer
  • Patent number: 5544814
    Abstract: A rotatable outlet nozzle for use in a rotary sprinkler adapted to be rotatably mounted and driven in a sprinkler housing and comprising a through-flow tube portion, a curved deflector wall portion merging with an outlet end of the tube and defining a main outlet and an auxiliary outlet formed in the deflecting wall in a position thereof opposite the main outlet, the positioning and dimensions of the auxiliary outlet being such that an auxiliary water spray emerges therefrom in a direction opposite to that of a main water spray emerging from the main outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Assignee: Dan Mamtirim, Israeli Limited Partnership
    Inventor: Benjamin Spenser
  • Patent number: 5544786
    Abstract: Apparatus for dispensing liquids includes a body in which the liquid is initially located. A one-way valve and an outlet are located on the body in reasonable proximity to each other, the outlet communicating with a conduit able to be closed by a control valve. When the body is located such that the one-way valve and the outlet are below the surface of the liquid, gravity ensures constant liquid flow through the conduit when the control valve is opened, and when air begins to pass through the one-way valve. A flow rate change measuring instrument has two metallic strips, one of which is able to move in relation to the other strip in response to flow changes, the capacitance between the strips being processed to obtain a measurement of flow rate change. The measuring apparatus may be located in the conduit of the dispensing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Assignee: Technichem Pty. Ltd.
    Inventors: James Gamilis, Emmanuel A. Gamilis
  • Patent number: 5542583
    Abstract: A system and method for storing coffee beans in a vacuum environment and dispensing them into an external environment at atmospheric pressure is provided. An upper valve selectively passes coffee beans from a hopper to a metering chamber when open and forms an airtight seal between the metering chamber and the hopper when closed. A lower valve selectively dispenses the coffee beans from the metering chamber when open and forms an airtight seal between the metering chamber and the external environment when closed. An actuator mechanism synchronously operates the upper and lower valves to establish and maintain a vacuum environment in the hopper while dispensing an accurate quantity of coffee beans on demand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Assignee: Brother's Gourmet Coffee, Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel R. Boyer, Michael Sitz, Paul Svaldi
  • Patent number: 5542582
    Abstract: A dispensing system for particulate matter is disclosed comprising a primary receptacle, a guide member, a sliding tube, and a valve member. The primary receptacle receives particulate material and has an open end, an opposed bottom, and a surrounding wall. The guide member is fixed to the bottom of the primary receptacle and defines a supporting aperture and an associated axis approximately normal to the bottom. The sliding tube is slidably disposed within the supporting aperture of the guide member. The sliding tube is characterized by a longitudinal feed passage therethrough substantially parallel to the axis. The sliding tube has a travel limit restricting its axial translation relative to the guide member between a first position and a second position. The valve member is mounted inside the primary receptacle over the guide member. The valve member has bristles disposed over and operably blocking the supporting aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Inventors: Robert M. Ligon, Thomas B. Carter
  • Patent number: 5538162
    Abstract: A dosing apparatus provides for dosing a particulate phase within a free flowing two phase flow of a gas phase and the particulate phase, wherein the two phase flow leaves a fluidized bed. The apparatus includes, at its bottom, a gas inlet mechanism to supply the gas via an orifice, and an outlet orifice with a discharge pipe. Control of the gas flow to maintain a predetermined level of the bed is attained by weighing the contents of the bed or by use of sensors within a treatment space of the apparatus. Widening mechanism may be located subsequent to the outlet orifice for widening the stream of particulate phase for exposing an enlarged surface area of particles for treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Assignee: Buhler AG
    Inventors: Lothar Reh, Marc Tesch, Beat Hani, Arthur Ruf, Thomas Meili, Frank Goedicke
  • Patent number: 5533674
    Abstract: A drying nozzle is comprised of a tube for mounting on a nozzle head of a spray gun. The body contains inlet slits for ambient air entering one tube end which taper in a direction of the interior of the tube. The body expands toward the other tube end. Upon mounting the body on the nozzle head the narrowest region of the tube between the tapering region of the inlet slits and the expanding region of the tube lies directly behind an air outlet opening when seen in direction of flow of the air passing out of the air outlet opening of the nozzle head. Upon supplying compressed air in the center of the tubular body a negative pressure in the tube interior is produced and as a result of which ambient air is drawn into one tube end and passes out at the other tube end together with the compressed air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1996
    Assignee: Herberts GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Feyrer, Ewald Schmon
  • Patent number: 5533650
    Abstract: An improved hopper includes a pair of opposed live walls and a pair of opposed fixed walls, wherein at least one live wall is moveable relative to at least one other wall. The hopper is suitable for controlling the flow of particulate material of the type which has a tendency to bridge during transportation. A device for imparting vibration is coupled to at least one of the live walls. The live walls are separated from the fixed walls by seams such that the live walls are free to move relative to the fixed walls. By the action of the vibration device, the live walls are moveable relative to each other and to the fixed walls to inhibit the formation of particle bridges and, thus, provide a significant improvement in the capability of controlling the flow of particulate material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1996
    Assignee: Stamet, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter E. Conrad, Timothy W. Saunders
  • Patent number: 5533648
    Abstract: A system for monitoring use of a liquid, such as a liquid animal feed ingredient, including at least two storage and dispensing systems, a central station remotely located from the storage and dispensing systems and a communications link interconnecting the storage and dispensing systems and the central station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1996
    Assignee: Novus International, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph R. Read, Michael S. Windham
  • Patent number: 5529216
    Abstract: Rechargeable dispensers, in particular spray bottle dispensers including at least one chemical reservoir for recharging the spray bottle dispenser. Preferably, a plurality of separate chemical reservoirs containing chemical concentrate are provided within the spray bottle dispenser to fully contain any inadvertent spillage of chemicals, and to insure a high degree of safety against accidental spills, and/or accidental ingestion by children.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Assignee: Spraytec Systems
    Inventors: William L. Klima, Walter F. Klima, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5529212
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for storing, transporting and conditioning casting materials, wherein said materials are stored and transported in holding tanks capable of being connected to casting machines and being equipped with extruders having plungers for discharging discrete amounts of the stored material to the casting machines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Assignee: Verfahrenstechnik Hubers GmbH
    Inventor: Josef Terhardt
  • Patent number: 5526986
    Abstract: A voltage isolation device for controlling the flow of conductive liquid between a liquid supply source and a liquid destination source. The isolation device has an inlet connected to the supply source and has a yoke slide valve positionable along a pair of rods; one of the rods engages a slideable tube at the inlet to provide a liquid seal and the yoke slide valve may be positionable to slide the tube away from the rod to thereby provide a flow path for liquid through the tube and out the slide valve. A pair of seal assemblies each having axially spaced apart seals have formed sealing areas containing a non-conductive seal liquid which is capable of dissolving the conductive liquids being utilized. A scheme is provided to route arcs which result when the charged fluid is connected to the grounded fluid so as to locate the arc away from parts which could be damaged by it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1996
    Assignee: Graco Inc
    Inventors: David Padgett, Robert J. Lind
  • Patent number: 5516044
    Abstract: A drop nozzle system on an agricultural vehicle such as a sprayer unit includes a plurality of mounting plates attached in a spaced manner to a trailing boom structure. A plurality of drop nozzle assemblies each coupled by suitable hosing to the nozzle bodies on an agricultural spray boom are adapted for secure attachment to the mounting plates. With the mounting plates attached to the boom structure at predetermined, standard row spacings such as 30", 34", 36", 38", etc., the drop nozzle assemblies may be attached to the appropriately spaced mounting plates as determined by the inter-row spacing of the field to be sprayed. Attachment of each nozzle assembly to a respective mounting plate employs a quick disconnect coupling arrangement which facilitates re-configuring the drop nozzle system for various inter-row spacings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Assignee: Hardi, Inc.
    Inventor: Ulf S. Thorstensson
  • Patent number: 5505342
    Abstract: A composite container for low viscosity liquids, capable of discharging the contents completely, without producing dripping of liquids after discharging adhesives, medicines, foods, ink and other low viscosity liquids. The container includes an inner container which contains the contents and includes an opening for discharging the contents, and an outer casing container covering the inner container body. A pressure medium is interposed between the inner container body and the outer casing container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1996
    Assignees: Taoka Chemical Company, Ltd., Cemedine Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Naomi Okamura, Takao Hino, Akio Nimura, Masayuki Fukai, Shozo Goda, Keizi Shimizu, Harumi Moriuchi, Chiaki Hata
  • Patent number: 5505338
    Abstract: The product dispenser (1) comprises a container (4) inside which is located a bag (2) made from a deformable plastic compound; a base (7) carrying the dispensing member (8) is mechanically held with respect to the container (4), a bottom end of the bag (2) being welded along a band (33). The bag (2) is formed from a sheath obtained by welding, along at least one longitudinal band (32), the longitudinal edges of a strip. The longitudinal band of weld (32) welds an inner face of a longitudinal edge of the strip, from which the bag (2) is formed, to the inner face of the other longitudinal edge of the strip situated on the same side of the strip as the previous face. The base (7) includes a weld surface (10), and the welded assembly of the two longitudinal edges of the strip is folded back against the outer surface of the sheath and welded in this position by the weld for welding the end of the bag (2) onto the weld surface (10) of the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1996
    Assignee: L'Oreal
    Inventor: Jean-Louis H. Gueret