Patents Examined by Matthew Lembo
  • Patent number: 8528794
    Abstract: The invention relates to a dispenser for dispensing an adhesive or sealant from a vessel, in particular from a pressurized vessel, via a valve. For this purpose, the dispenser is equipped with a lever with a grip region for actuating the valve. The dispenser also has an attachment, on which the lever is fitted in a pivotable manner, and an actuator with a supporting region for the lever. The actuator is configured such that it can be rotated relative to the attachment, and the supporting region is therefore variable, in order to change the effective lever path for the actuation of the valve, for activating or deactivating the dispenser or for varying the volume flow as product is dispensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Henkel AG & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Karsten Wolf, Rene Schwarz, Jan Ziegler, Kai Ruthe-Steinsiek, Birgit Rhode
  • Patent number: 8528789
    Abstract: A container for a liquid, in particular, a high-value liquid in a small quantity such as a perfume is disclosed. The container comprises a reservoir (12) within which a liquid can be contained. A dispenser (24), typically a pump dispenser, is carried on a neck (20) of a filling opening of the reservoir (12) thereby sealing the reservoir. The dispenser can dispense a quantity of liquid from the reservoir (12) on operation of a trigger. A casing (32) is also carried on the reservoir (12). The casing (32) and the reservoir (12) can be mutually rotated between a closed condition and an open condition. In the closed condition, the casing prevents access to the trigger and the reservoir predominantly projects from the casing, and in the open condition, the trigger can be operated and the reservoir (12) is substantially received within the casing (32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: TIPRC Limited
    Inventors: Louise Ramsey, Peter Ramsey
  • Patent number: 8523019
    Abstract: A very compact, stopper style pourer that can be inserted in a wide range of container neck sizes. The above mentioned end stopper is multifunctional, combining pouring, aeration, provision for preservation and capping in an integrated innovative design. The pourer is equipped with an internal aeration system, based on the Venturi principle, a non-protruding, non-drip spout, built inside the stopper, an access opening for a preserving gas supply, a telescopic extension in the container that regulates the aeration and improves the preserving gas usage. The stopper is also fitted with a hinged lid that has a co molded seal and lock, to provide a positive capping. The front face of the lid is suitable in size to carry any logo/marking, similar to any wine container cork-sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Inventors: Michael J. Drobot, Adam Balogh
  • Patent number: 8499974
    Abstract: A hand-held non-lethal self-defense chemical spray device possessing a focused light source that automatically activates upon removal of the device from a holster to aid in the safe and effective use of the device by the operator such as a law enforcement officer. The focused light source emits a light in the direction of the chemical spray prior to and during discharge of the device to aid in the aiming of the chemical spray and assist the operator in seeing the target in low-light conditions. The focused light source automatically turns-on upon removal of the device from a holster, and automatically turns-off upon replacement of the device inside the holster. The spray canister does not require the user to manually activate the light source and retains similar size shape and form to that of a conventional self defense spray canister already in use by law enforcement officers nationwide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Inventor: Ron Bennett
  • Patent number: 8485398
    Abstract: The one-way valve for discharging a liquid out of a container, comprising an outer cap which is fastened to the container neck and comprises an exit channel for the liquid is characterized in that a valve body of elastic material is arranged between the container and the outer cap, that the valve body extends over the opening of the container neck and comprises a projection which projects into the exit channel of the outer cap and is arranged therein to be movable back and forth, that a space remains between the inner wall of the exit channel and the outer circumference of the projection, and that at least one cut severs the wall of the valve body, through which cut liquid passes into the space of the exit channel upon exertion of pressure on the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: GAPLAST GmbH
    Inventor: Roland Kneer
  • Patent number: 8469232
    Abstract: An ice dispensing system includes: a rotating bin having an inner surface, an outer surface, and an opening extending between the inner surface and the outer surface; at least one projection extending from the inner surface of the bin for directing ice within the bin; an input chute having a first end coupled to and in fluid communication with an ice making machine and a second end in fluid communication with the opening in the bin when the bin is in a first position; and an output chute in fluid communication with the opening of the bin when the bin is in a second position. The bin is configured to rotate from the first position to the second position and the opening has a geometry and size that directs ice within the bin and captures a regulated amount of the ice during rotation between the first position and the second position and dispenses the regulated amount of ice into the output chute when the bin reaches the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Akoona LLC
    Inventor: Michael T. Jennison
  • Patent number: 8464905
    Abstract: A method of operating a dispensing unit includes the step of entering a first active state, during which the detection of motion within a sensory path of a sensor of a dispensing unit initiates a first pattern activation sequence to release a volume A and a volume B of material from a fluid container. The method further includes the step of entering a second active state upon completion of the first pattern activation sequence, in which the detection of motion in the second active state initiates a second pattern activation sequence to release a volume C and a volume D of material from the container if motion is detected before the lapsing of a time period P and initiates the first pattern activation sequence if the motion is detected after the lapsing of the time period P.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher S. Hoppe, Thomas P. Gasper, Bhaveshkumar Shah
  • Patent number: 8464903
    Abstract: A system for providing an iced alcoholic beverage such as iced beer or carbonated soft drink includes a source of chilled coolant (16), and a beverage line (10) for supplying the beverage. A heat exchanger (20) is disposed in the beverage line (10) for cooling the beverage by heat transfer to the chilled coolant. A restriction (22) or orifice forming a venturi is provided in the beverage line (10) downstream from the heat exchanger. A chilled font (18) for further cooling the beverage is provided downstream from the orifice. The font (18) includes a dispenser tap (30) capable of dispensing the beverage at a relatively low dispense rate and at a relatively higher dispense rate. In use the beverage is first dispensed at a relatively low dispense rate through a smaller orifice of a narrow diameter at a preset low flow rate of beverage, and becomes ice or slush (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Tempak International Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Benjamin Paul Baker
  • Patent number: 8453877
    Abstract: The invention relates to an automatic dispenser for dispensing a fluid and for instructing a user, comprising a) a holder device for a replaceable fluid container, wherein the holder device has a sensor for reading an identification of the replaceable fluid container, b) a delivery device, which enables a dispensing of a fluid from the fluid container, c) one or more touchless proximity sensors for detecting a hand of a user, d) an output device for the time-controlled output of a plurality of visual and/or sound-based instructions of a sequence of instructions to the user, and e) a controller having at least one data memory, wherein in a first data memory sequences of instructions associated with multiple and different replaceable containers and/or the identifications thereof are stored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Oro Clean Chemie AG
    Inventor: Georgios Ionidis
  • Patent number: 8434645
    Abstract: A dispensing container with a fitment, the fitment allows a dispensing pump on the dispensing container to be reused with another container. The container has a fitment secured into the container using a tamper-proof structure with the reusable dispensing pump of a structure to fit into this fitment. The fitment and the container neck are injection molded to maintain the close tolerances for the tamper-proof structure. The fitment has at least one drain aperture and at least one pressure equalization aperture. When the reusable dispensing pump is inserted into the fitment, liquid in the fitment can escape through the drain aperture into the container and pressure in the container is equalized through the pressure equalization aperture. The closure and upper part of the container are both of a conical structure to enhance alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: John C. Crawford, George Trepina
  • Patent number: 8430278
    Abstract: A floating fluid inlet that adjusts to the level of a beverage within a soda keg or similar container. The floating fluid inlet is constructed preferably of stainless steel and food grade plastic tubing. By rotating its inlet port aperture from downward facing when the soda keg is full of a beverage, to upward facing when the soda keg is nearly empty, the floating fluid inlet avoids picking up sediment from the bottom of the soda keg. The principal components are a tube that connects at its one end to the outlet port of a soda keg and at its other end to a pickup tube that is retained within a bracket to which is attached a float. The pickup tube has an aperture disposed in its sidewall for ingress of a beverage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Inventor: William Broderick
  • Patent number: 8413845
    Abstract: A dual-compartment dispensing container for retaining and dispensing two separate products or product phases such that each product or product phase is concurrently dispensed from each compartment in substantially equal volumetric amounts. The first compartment comprises a deformable semi-circular inner tube having a top end and a bottom end. The inner tube is disposed within a second compartment comprising a deformable fully circular outer tube having a top end and a bottom end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Inventors: Thomas J. Duncan, Norman Usen, Anthony E. Winston
  • Patent number: 8413853
    Abstract: A fastener device for fastening a dispenser member (4) on a neck (11) of a fluid reservoir (1), the device including: a fastener ring (2) including a reception mechanism (21) and a fastener mechanism (23) for engaging around the neck (11) of the reservoir (1); and a blocking hoop (3) engaged around the ring (2) and movable relative to the ring between a provisional pre-assembled position and a final assembled position. The hoop (3) includes a clearance section (32) that, in the provisional position, is disposed around the fastener mechanism (23), but with an intermediate clearance gap (E), so as to enable the fastener mechanism (23) to move radially outwards without being hindered by the hoop (3), and is offset axially in the final position relative to the fastener mechanism (23), so as to enable the hoop to block the ring (2) on the neck (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Aptar France SAS
    Inventors: Alain Behar, Gerard Cornet
  • Patent number: 8397960
    Abstract: A dispensing and sealing assembly for containers includes a mounting assembly comprising an assembly frame having an opening and a plurality of assembly mount flanges carried by the assembly frame. A dispensing assembly is carried by the mounting assembly and includes a tube skirt carried by the assembly frame generally over the opening and a dispensing assembly tube extending from the tube skirt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Inventor: Woodrow Wilson Farrar, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8387830
    Abstract: A dispenser housing that receives a refill unit including a container and pump associated with the container to pump contents from the container. The dispenser housing includes an actuator carriage moveable between a rest position and an actuated position. The dispenser housing also includes a lockout device moveable between an open position and a closed position. When the lockout device is in the open position, the actuator carriage is movable, and, when the lockout device is in the closed position, movement of the actuator carriage is blocked by the lockout device such that the actuator carriage cannot be moved from the rest position to the actuated position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: GOJO Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott T. Proper, Kenneth Corby
  • Patent number: 8365964
    Abstract: A wine pouring spout that aerates the wine pouring therethrough comprises a generally tubular construction with a flow path extending along the axis of the spout. The flow path is provided with a Venturi constriction, and a Venturi intake port delivers ambient air to the low pressure zone of the constriction, as is generally known in the prior art. A closure member is pivotally joined to the spout, with a distal end that rotates to seal the spout outlet, and rotates open as the spout is tipped to a pouring position. A filter is removably secured in the proximal end of the bore in the spout to remove sediment from the wine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Inventor: William Federighi
  • Patent number: 8365951
    Abstract: An ice dispensing system includes a rotatable barrel (3) having an opening (4); an input chute (2) having a first end coupled to an ice making machine (1) and a second end in communication with the opening (4) when the barrel is in a first position; an output chute (14) in communication with the opening (4) when the barrel (3) is in a second position; a containment system (12) positioned around a portion of the body of the barrel (3); and a drive system (5) coupled to the barrel (3) for rotating the barrel (3). The opening (4) has a geometry and size (15) that directs the ice and captures a regulated amount of the ice during rotation between the first position and the second position. The regulated amount of ice is then dispensed into the output chute (14) when the barrel (3) reaches the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Akoona LLC
    Inventor: Michael T. Jennison
  • Patent number: 8360286
    Abstract: A piston pump dispenser having a reciprocating piston pump arrangement which in a dispensing stroke dispenses fluid from an outlet and in a charging stroke draws fluid from a reservoir and also draws back fluid from the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Gotohti.com Inc.
    Inventors: Zhenchun (Tony) Shi, Heiner Ophardt, Andrew Jones
  • Patent number: 8342371
    Abstract: The caulking gun comprises a cartridge holder (12) for accommodating a cartridge (25). For pressing out the substance contained in the cartridge (25), use is made of a piston (30) which is advanced by a pressure disk (16). The pressure disk (16) can be radially expanded under the influence of the advancement force and thus will press by a spreading edge (49) against the side wall (31) of the piston (30). In this manner, the piston in the region of its side wall (31) is tightly pressed against the cartridge wall. Leakage of substance past the piston (30) is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Fischbach KG Kunststoff Technik
    Inventor: Achim Helmenstein
  • Patent number: 8308027
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide dispensers, and particularly automatic dispensers, and even more particularly, automatic soap dispensers for dispensing a foamed soap or another cleaning or antibacterial substance to a user's hands. The dispensers provide an internal working system that allows soap or foam to be dispensed from an inverted bottle via movement of an actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Regent Medical Center
    Inventors: Brian Law, David Pritchett, Simon Ingram