Patents Examined by Melvin Cartagena
  • Patent number: 7878377
    Abstract: A plunger for a syringe of a liquid dispenser comprises a tapered front end section 12 having at its rear end 16 an outer diameter slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the syringe, a cylindrical drum section 14 continued to the rear end 16 of the tapered front end section 12, having a maximum outer diameter substantially the same as the inner diameter of the syringe and opening there, and a collar member 24 (30, 32) slidably formed by coupling with an outer circumferential surface in the vicinity of an opening 22 of the drum section 14 and maintaining the close contact with an inner wall surface 26 of the syringe 18, thereby inclination toward the syringe is eliminated and action within the syringe is constantly made smooth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Musashi Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Kazumasa Ikushima
  • Patent number: 7870977
    Abstract: A dispenser for use with a liquid product including beads which are rupturable to release additives when rubbed between the hands of a user. The dispenser includes a discharge head reciprocable between pressure and return strokes, and a valve assembly for respectively allowing and preventing liquid product from being discharged during the pressure and return strokes. The valve assembly includes ribs for guiding movement of a check valve disposable in respective valve open and closed positions in which the check valve is disposed out of and in contact with a valve seat. The valve assembly includes primary fluid passages for permitting passage of the liquid and beads into a pump cylinder, and secondary fluid passages for permitting displacement of the beads during translation of the check valve between the valve open to the valve closed positions for thereby preventing accumulation of beads between the check valve and its valve seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Meadwestvaco Calmar, Inc.
    Inventors: Daria Pietrowski, Douglas B. Dobbs
  • Patent number: 7854355
    Abstract: A pump for dispensing a liquid contained in a bottle including a shrunk-fit section including an orifice for communicating with the liquid, a pushbutton including an orifice for ejecting the liquid, a dosing sleeve integrating a needle for plugging the ejection orifice and a device for bi-directional movement of the needle, a dosing piston including a channel equipped with a closing valve for the orifice, the piston being mounted in translation, in a leak-tight manner, inside the shrunk-fit section, between an open position and a closed position of the orifice, by means of the valve, an actuating member integral with the device for moving the needle and slidably mounted inside the dosing piston, by pressing on the pushbutton, the sliding assembly being set up to actuate the moving device and to position the valve in closed position so as to enable ejection of the liquid from the dosing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Rexam Dispensing SMT S.A.
    Inventor: Eric Rossignol
  • Patent number: 7854350
    Abstract: A distribution assembly includes at least two containers or receptacles, each containing a product, and being fitted with a valve having an actuator rod. A distribution device is mounted on top of the containers and includes a distribution nozzle fitted with at least one distribution orifice. The distribution device further includes a movable actuator element to provoke the simultaneous distribution of two products in a mixed or separate state. Further, an intermediate body is separate from the actuator element and includes two skirts. The intermediate body is able to engage respectively on the two actuator rods of the containers, and at least one inner channel allows the flow of products towards the distribution nozzle. The actuator element and the intermediate body are arranged to co-operate on operation of the actuator element so as to allow the passage of products from the recipients to the distribution nozzle via the inner channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: L'Oreal
    Inventors: Pierre-Andre Lasserre, Marcel Sanchez
  • Patent number: 7837066
    Abstract: A refill container is disclosed which utilizes an enclosure with at least one orientational tab and a neck that carries a pump mechanism with a nozzle. The refill container provides a collar with a notch that receives the orientational tab and axially receives the neck. The refill container is axially received by a release mechanism of a dispenser housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Inventors: Aaron R. Reynolds, Mark E. Rosenkranz, Paul Waterhouse
  • Patent number: 7832597
    Abstract: An axially actuated valve primarily for use in a pressurized container having a dip tube comprises a vertical moveable valve element having a stem, button on the base of the stem and sidewall openings at the lower part of the stem. A resilient annular sealing grommet has a recess in its base into which the button fits. When the valve is closed, the button engages the ceiling of the recess to block product from reaching the sidewall openings. The button is within the recess at all times between its closed and open states. The button has upper and lower disc portions. The lower disc portion optionally has a tubular tail to engage a dip tube. The upper disc portion has edge recesses that provide communication between the stem wall openings and a zone created when the valve element is depressed. The button has a vertical passageway through the lower disc portion and a horizontal passageway between the two disc portions extending out to the edge recesses in the upper disc portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Inventor: Christian T. Scheindel
  • Patent number: 7824124
    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: September 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Lucas Publications, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Francavilla, Kevin F. X. Kearsey
  • Patent number: 7798363
    Abstract: A caulk product is provided. The product comprises an amount of caulk that is formulated so as to be white in color prior to curing and clear after curing. A cylindrical cartridge contains the amount of caulk, wherein the cartridges comprises a dispensing tip, a substantially cylindrical body, a removable and replaceable endcap, and a breakable seal located between the tip and the body. A transparent area is disposed within a wall of the cartridge so as to allow the color of the caulk to be viewed, wherein the area defined by the cartridge body is adapted to accommodate the insertion of colorant and a mixing tool without overflow. A related method for coloring caulk is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Red Devil, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry Brandon
  • Patent number: 7793799
    Abstract: A container for dispensing separate products having a container body provided with a partition that forms at least two separate compartments; a closure body is connected to the container body, can hermetically engage each one of the compartments, and forms seats for accommodating dispensing valves that draw from the compartments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Inventor: Fulvio Reggiani
  • Patent number: 7789275
    Abstract: A noncontainer pressurizing pump sprayer includes a body, which defines a chamber. A piston is positioned within the container and is coupled to a shaft. The piston divides the chamber into an upper section and a lower section. An inlet valve is positioned on the body and permits flow of fluid into the lower section but restricts flow out of the lower section. The shaft of the piston is coupled to a handle. A spray nozzle includes an actuator that is coupled to a control valve and a discharge outlet that is in fluid communication with the lower section of the chamber. In one embodiment, a tube extends continuously from a point upstream of the control valve to a point downstream of the control valve. In another embodiment, a tube is coupled to the piston and extends through the handle. In another embodiment, the tube extends continuously from the spray nozzle and is coupled to the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Meadwestvaco Calmar, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald F. Englhard, Donald J. Shanklin
  • Patent number: 7780045
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device which is used for the non-vented dispensing of liquid products from a container including a mobile base, an exhaust conduit and a push element which co-operates with a piston and a return spring. The invention is characterized in that the device includes a sealing and dosing bush bearing a sealing needle valve which can move in translation in a discharge channel in the bush, the needle valve being connected by means of a drive link to an axial guide rod which can slide in the exhaust conduit of the container that is connected to the channel by pressing on the bush and compressing the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Rexam Dispensing SMT
    Inventor: Eric Rossignol
  • Patent number: 7775409
    Abstract: An axially actuated valve for use in a pressurized container is controlled by a user to dispense the amount of product desired. The valve stem is moved in an up and down direction so that when dispensing, the user can control the amount of the valve openings that are in communication with the material to be dispensed. A resilient sealing grommet provides an interference fit around the lower part of the valve stem from the button up to the top of the valve stem openings. This interference fit effectively closes off the uncovered portion of the valve openings thereby permitting user control of the dispensing rate. The stem has openings partially tapered in the form of an inverted truncated pyramid to further facilitate user control of the dispensing of product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Inventor: Christian T. Scheindel
  • Patent number: 7762281
    Abstract: A bin for storing and dispensing dry flowable material comprises a main body portion defining a chamber for receiving the flowable material, a top portion enclosing the top of the body portion and having an inlet through which the material can pass to fill the bin, a bottom portion enclosing the bottom of the body portion and having at least one outlet, the bottom portion being inclined to direct the material toward the at least one outlet, a wall extending upwardly from the at least one outlet to an elevation in the body portion for dividing at least a lower part of the chamber into adjacent sections and a valve mechanism for selectively controlling the dispensing of the material from each section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Bushnell Illinois Tanks Co.
    Inventor: Ernest R. Schuld
  • Patent number: 7757895
    Abstract: A container or pitcher is provided having a flexible side wall portion and rim portion of the container which can conform to the shape of an object to which the pitcher is applied to thereby direct fluid flow from the pitcher over a broader area and to prevent fluid from flowing from the pitcher and underneath the rim of the pitcher and onto portions of the object to which it is not desirable to apply the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Inventors: Michael L. McGinley, Brian Lau
  • Patent number: 7757968
    Abstract: A trigger dispensing device for the concurrent dispensing of two or more fluids separately kept in a tank is disclosed. The dispensing device comprises a deformable elastic membrane whose pumping elements can be affected by a trigger for dispensing fluids. Membrane is held in position between a frame and a counter frame, whereas trigger is hinged to an arm of the counter frame. The device is provided with a delivery valve and with a check valve integrated in the membrane. The device is adapted for the concurrent dispensing of two or more fluids and is provided with a structure comprising a reduced number of components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Guala Dispensing S.p.A.
    Inventor: Maurizio Bistolfi
  • Patent number: 7757904
    Abstract: A caulking gun for dispensing caulking material from a standard caulk tube. The gun is fabricated in three basic parts; a trigger assembly, a trigger housing and a barrel cage for holding the tube. The facing portions of the barrel cage and trigger housing is provided with a mating configuration which enables the gun to be easily assembled for use and easily disassembled for storage in a toolbox. A novel drip/no drip feature is provided wherein a cam actuator conveniently positioned on the trigger housing enables an operator to select between no drip operation or drip type operation when caulking material and application requirements warrant such. A thumb release mechanism is provided on the rear of the trigger housing so the operator can release the driving rod for insertion of another tube of caulk when the unit has been placed in the drip position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Inventors: Danny Rumrill, Larry C. Childs
  • Patent number: 7753236
    Abstract: Apparatus for storing water, especially purified water, for use in a beverage dispenser is provided with a microbiological agent to kill or deter microbiological growth and maintain the quality of the water. The agent is provided in a physical form to promote contact with the water and may be renewable to maintain effectiveness of the agent over a period of time. In one arrangement, the agent is contained in a cartridge 92 arranged in a re-circulation loop 89 through which the water in a reservoir 80 is passed and returned to the reservoir 80. The cartridge 92 and/or a carrier for the agent within the cartridge 92 may be replaceable to renew the agent. The agent may also be provided within the reservoir 80 and various arrangements for this are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
    Inventor: Graham Frederick Williams
  • Patent number: 7726516
    Abstract: A minute quantity viscous material dispenser employing a pressurized material source and a reciprocating piston is driven by a variable drive which is controlled in response to a signal reflective of piston position and wherein the drive can be controlled for direction, stroke distance, speed, acceleration, and force and wherein the drive is coupled to the piston through a quick disconnect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Inventor: Harold J. Engel
  • Patent number: 7721922
    Abstract: The present invention includes a receptacle for a cosmetic or care product although other substances may be used in conjunction with the present application. The receptacle includes a body with a single opening. An insert is secured in the opening and includes a passage for extracting the cosmetic or care product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: L'Oreal
    Inventor: Pascal Balzeau
  • Patent number: 7717301
    Abstract: A piston device comprises a sleeve, a casing pipe, a first piston, a resilient member, and a second piston. The sleeve includes at least one hole arranged at the periphery of its closed end. The casing pipe has at least a through hole arranged on a lateral side thereof proximate to its closed end and is sheathed and connected to the sleeve by a manner that the open end of the casing pipe is faced toward the closed end of the sleeve. The first piston is arranged to sheathe the casing pipe at a position proximate to the closed end of the casing pipe for selectively covering and exposing the through hole by a reciprocate movement. The resilient member is installed in side the sleeve at a position between the closed end of the sleeve and the first piston while ensheathing the casing pipe therethrough. The second piston is arranged to sheathe the sleeve at a position proximate to its open end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Yih Tai Glass Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: A-Feng Tsai