Patents Examined by Melvin A. Cartagena
  • Patent number: 8608031
    Abstract: A dispensing head which can be mounted on a receptacle. The dispensing head includes a pump, for surmounting the receptacle, with an actuating rod having a longitudinal axis X. A diffuser is mounted on the pump, and includes a tube opening at a dispensing orifice, with the tube being elongated along an axis Y distinct from the axis X. A lever arm controls the actuation of the pump, with the lever arm including a portion capable of coming to bear on the diffuser in order to actuate the pump. In addition, a locking member is configured such that, in a first position, the locking member allows actuation of the pump and, in a second position, the locking member prevents actuation of the pump. In a disclosed example, in the second position the tube abuts against a portion of the locking member to prevent actuation of the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: L'Oreal
    Inventors: Pierre-Andre Lasserre, Marcel Sanchez, Pedro Pares Montaner
  • Patent number: 8556137
    Abstract: A closure is provided that is configured to fit over a mouth of a receptacle to form a container. The closure includes a body portion having an open bottom formed of a skirt that defines an outer periphery of the body portion and an end wall defining at least one dispensing aperture. The closure also includes a member supported at the end wall. The member has a flap configured for pivotal movement and a user interface configured for sliding movement. The sliding movement of the user interface causes the pivotal movement of the flap. The closure further includes a retaining member coupled to the body portion for securing the member to the body portion. The retaining member at least partially covers the flap and the user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Gateway Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Vogel, Terrence M. Parve
  • Patent number: 8540122
    Abstract: A hydration system includes first and second opposing flexible walls that form a bladder having a sealable compartment for containing a liquid. The system includes a drinking tube having a first end with a valve and a second end. A first port is configured to receive pressurizing gasses into the compartment. A second port is configured to provide fluid communication between the compartment and the drinking tube. The third port allows liquid to be supplied into the compartment. A first baffle and a second baffle connect the opposing walls within the compartment. The first and second baffles are configured to oppose expansion of the bladder as the pressurizing gasses are introduced into the compartment. A space between the first and second baffles is accessible via the third port. The space is configured to receive and secure a thermal pack. The thermal pack is insertable and removable via the third port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Oakley, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeff Skillern, James H. Sadler
  • Patent number: 8523025
    Abstract: The dispensing closure for a container for dispensing a liquid contained therein, includes a closure body adapted to be mounted on the container. The closure body has an upper wall and a skirt depending downwardly therefrom and a dispensing orifice positioned thereon. A tubular flow modulating structure depends downwardly from the upper wall of the closure body. The tubular flow modulating structure has an inner surface configured and arranged to control the flow of liquid through the dispensing orifice and includes at least one dependent capillary slot. Optionally, the dispensing closure further includes a syneresis capture structure depending downwardly from the upper wall to prevent syneresis fluid from flowing through the dispensing orifice during the dispensing of the liquid contained within the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: MWV Slatersville, LLC
    Inventors: Clifford Wayne Skillin, Sergey Romanov
  • Patent number: 8511517
    Abstract: A protective sleeve placed within the cylinder of a syringe, the sleeve protects a piston and a computer controlled device or human operator pushing the piston from material leaking past a piston assembly. The sleeve has lips or ridges at either end, one that is attached to the piston assembly at the output end of the syringe and a second lip that is attached with a retention plate at the far end of the syringe. The sleeve may have a bellows or accordion configuration that slides along the inner surface of the syringe cylinder without appreciably loading the drive mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Fishman Corporation
    Inventor: W. Scott Beebe
  • Patent number: 8499971
    Abstract: A dispenser for a bottle that is adapted to contain a consumable beverage. The dispenser may be reusable to facilitate easy use and last minute selection of flavoring component for a consumable beverage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Cool Gear International, LLC
    Inventors: Donna Roth, Henry Roth, Marco Wo
  • Patent number: 8439228
    Abstract: A multi-chambered container for selectively storing and dispensing a plurality of items may include predetermined quantities of first and second items and a container having a divided cavity formed therein. The container may further have a spout formed at a top end thereof and in fluid communication with the cavity. Additionally, the container may have first and second mutually exclusive passageways extending from the cavity and terminating at the spout. A mechanism may be included for selectively dispensing one of the first and second items from the spout. Such a mechanism may channel one item along a corresponding passageway while prohibiting another item from being dispensed. The mechanism may be operated by rotating a cam and semicircular disc to position an opening on a simultaneously rotated wheel over the desired passageway. The mechanism may rotate the opening 180 degrees for every 360 degree rotation of the cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Inventor: Virginia Graham
  • Patent number: 8434649
    Abstract: A dispenser for a paint container having an access opening. The dispenser includes a main lid which is attachable to the paint can access opening and includes a threaded stem. A flow restrictor is threadably mounted to the threaded stem so that rotation of the flow restrictor relative to the stem axially displaces the flow restrictor along the stem. A turret is rotatably mounted to the main lid and includes a dispensing opening. The turret is mounted to the main lid so that the turret is locked against axial movement but freely rotatable relative to the main lid. The turret includes at least one axially extending slot which slidably receives an outwardly extending tab from the flow restrictor so that rotation of the turret axially displaces the flow restrictor along the stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Dedoes Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Sebastien Gouverneur, Scott Boboltz
  • Patent number: 8430276
    Abstract: A cartridge for a flowable material, e.g. caulking compounds, sealants and adhesives, includes a tubular container, an end plate disposed at a first end to a tubular container, a nozzle extending from the end plate, a plunger received in the tubular container, and a barb extending inwardly from the tubular container. The end plate includes an opening. The nozzle is in communication with the opening. The barb is configured to limit movement of the plunger in a first axial direction. A method for packaging a flowable material includes introducing flowable material into a tubular container, inserting a plunger into the container, and deforming the tubular container at a location axially spaced from an end of the container at a location axially spaced from an end of the container to create a mechanical stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Henkel Corporation
    Inventor: William J. Longo, II
  • Patent number: 8424722
    Abstract: An integrated design for dispensing lubricants and similar fluids from bulk containers incorporates a dispense valve (8), a meter (1), a hose (7), a DC powered electric pump (2), power cord (18) and adjustable fluid suction tube (5), all packaged in one portable unit The unit is capable of dispensing fluids such as standard SAE grade automotive motor oils, automatic transmission fluid, gear lube, hydraulic oil and engine coolant (antifreeze) The pump motor will shut down at completion of dispense; and emergency shut-off to be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: D. Christian Koch, Blade R. Wilson, Mark A. King, Thomas C. Neese
  • Patent number: 8353431
    Abstract: A spray bottle that has a Suction Straw Diversion Device (SSDD) that diverts or directs the sprayer pump suction straw towards the perimeter of the bottle. This can be accomplished through the use of a protrusion, bar, tube, rail, plate, hook or any other device built into the bottle that will keep the suction straw diverted to the perimeter of the bottle and in the liquid thus allowing it to be dispensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Inventor: John Wilmer Ward, II
  • Patent number: 8322578
    Abstract: A one-way valve for the recontamination-protected repeated discharge of a flowable material from a container of a preferably reducible volume contains a valve seat which consists of a rigid plastic material and which is arranged in the container neck and comprises a base body which rests on the inner wall of the container neck and contains at least one through hole, and a projection which extends in axial direction of the container neck towards the exit opening. The valve seat has arranged thereabove an elastic seal which comprises an annular section covering the at least one through hole, and a sleeve-like section which surrounds the projection at a radial distance with the exception of its end section which in the closed state of the one-way valve rests in the exit opening on the end section of the projection. A sterilization element of silver or of another metal having an oligodynamic action may be arranged in the intermediate space between the projection of the valve seat and the elastic seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Gaplast GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Janssen, Roland Kneer
  • Patent number: 8292122
    Abstract: A fluid containing and dispersing apparatus comprising, a primary fluid containing chamber and a secondary mass containing chamber, wherein said primary fluid containing chamber is primarily intended to contain fluids (such as water) and said secondary chamber is primarily intended to contain other matter used as gardening supplements (fertilizers and the like) for plants. The instant invention provides user a means to avoid direct contact with such supplements, which is advantageous as these supplements often comprise chemicals. In one embodiment the invention features a substantially flexible nozzle with removable fluid distribution heads, external chambers for carrying supplies and equipment. Another embodiment comprises an easy to use pump with a fluid measuring display and a time recording feature. Another embodiment features a solid matter containment chamber without said pump apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: The U-CAN Brand, LLC
    Inventor: James Ugone
  • Patent number: 8286832
    Abstract: The dispensing device for single use includes a multicomponent cartridge (1), a mixer (8) having a mixer housing (9), as well as closure means for closing the outlets (4, 5) of the multicomponent cartridge. These closure means are connected to the mixer housing and comprise a respective closure stopper (13, 14) for each outlet that is insertable in an outlet (4, 5) of the multicomponent cartridge and is deformable such that upon rotation of the mixer housing relative to the cartridge, the closure stoppers (13, 14) are removed from the outlets (4, 5) of the multicomponent cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Sulzer Mixpac AG
    Inventor: Wilhelm A. Keller
  • Patent number: 8251258
    Abstract: Embodiments of a dispensing system for dispensing a number of products to a user are disclosed. The dispensing system may include an input/output device and a dispenser. The input/output device may be adapted to receive a selection of one of the products from the user. The dispenser may be adapted to dispense a plurality of diluent components, the diluent components and a ratio of the diluent components corresponding at least in part to the selection of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
    Inventors: Arthur G Rudick, Annie T Ellis
  • Patent number: 8240521
    Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing a fluid includes a rigid vial that has a main fluid chamber containing a fluid, and a pump assembly that is in fluid communication with the main fluid chamber and is configured to dispense a predetermined quantity of fluid from the main fluid chamber. A flexible bladder is provided which is located within the main fluid chamber and is configured to expand to fill the ullage created within the main fluid chamber during dispensing of fluid by the pump assembly. The resilient bladder tends to force itself outwardly toward the rigid vial and, in turn, increases the pressure within the main fluid chamber in comparison to the interior of the bladder to thereby prevent the ingress of air or vapors through the bladder or otherwise into the main fluid chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Medical Instill Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Py
  • Patent number: 8240507
    Abstract: A valve comprises a valve cartridge, a valve stem and a valve seal. The valve cartridge comprises a generally cylindrical cartridge body, a bore extending longitudinally through the cartridge body, and an outlet passage and intermittent inlet passages extending through a side wall of the cartridge body to intersect the bore. The valve stem comprises an elongate body configured to slide within the bore, and a neck and a seal channel circumscribing the elongate body. The valve seal is seated within the seal channel. The valve stem slides within the bore to move the seal channel past the inlet passages. Portions of the cartridge body between the inlet passages retain the valve seal within the valve channel until the inlet passages are open to the neck. In one embodiment, the inlet passages form a crenelated edge. In another embodiment, the inlet passages form a ported end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: David L. Breeser, Daniel J. Rogers, John C. Holman
  • Patent number: 8235256
    Abstract: A system consisting of a hand-piece with a lever operated hydraulic pump and a fluid reservoir, a connecting tube and a remote connector which will seal to a syringe body which contains a viscous material. The pump expels fluid from the reservoir into the top of the syringe via the connecting tube where the fluid presses on the syringe plunger expelling the viscous material from the primary chamber of the syringe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Kyphon Sarl
    Inventors: Lawrence Green, Arturo A. Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 8226319
    Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a cost effective instrument for storing a fluid material, and applying a predetermined amount of the fluid material to a surface. The instrument is comprised of few parts including an outer casing and a fluid insert, making the instrument cheaper to manufacture, and easy to assemble. The embodiments disclosed can be provided in a pre-assembled form to cosmetic companies and the like seeking to fill a dispenser with their fluid cosmetic products. The ability to provide dispensers in a pre-assembled form, combined with the compatibility of the fluid dispensers with industrial high speed filling machines, reduces the overall filling costs to the cosmetic company, as well as the cost to the consumer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Lucas Publications, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Francavilla, Kevin F. X. Kearsey
  • Patent number: 8220669
    Abstract: A material dispensing pump includes a drip prevention system and method so as to avoid undesired dripping of the dispensed fluid. In one example, the fluid path is sealed. Positive pressure is applied to the fluid during a dispensing operation to present the fluid to the auger-style pump at a desired rate. Between dispensing operations, or when dispensing is completed, the fluid is placed in suspension, for example by applying a negative pressure, thereby preventing the fluid from being inadvertently released at the dispense tip. In addition, following a dispensing operation, the pump dispensing controller can be programmed to reverse the rotation of the feed screw, in order to draw the material in a reverse direction and to further suspend the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: DL Technology, LLC
    Inventor: Jeffrey P. Fugere