Patents Examined by Peter DeVore
  • Patent number: 6823904
    Abstract: The invention relates to a metering installation for powder pigments, having an arrangement for supplying the powder pigments into a weighing container of a weighing arrangement. The weighing container may be emptied into a pneumatic conveying conduit which leads into a consuming unit, if appropriate, via an intermediate store. The conveying arrangement has a hopper-like pressure container which can be subjected to the action of compressed air. The pressure container has a closure at the base and a laterally curved outlet connector. An injector tube, which can be subjected to the action of compressed air and has lateral exit openings for the compressed air, extends axially into the outlet connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Inventors: Michael Finke, Ingo Finke
  • Patent number: 6820660
    Abstract: A device for filling bottles with liquid foodstuff in sterile conditions wherein an intermittently driven device is provided with bottle supports arranged successively in a line in the direction of conveyance and which passes through processing stations. The device is arranged in a hygienic chamber having through openings for the containers of the inlet and outlet thereof, including at least one inlet for introducing sterilizing medium in the upper wall of the hygienic chamber. Contiguous bottle supports form a closed area within the upper wall of the hygienic chamber and gas extraction systems are disposed in the vicinity of the bottle openings and on the outside of the hygienic chamber perform as dynamic sluice elements. The growth conditions for microorganisms in the hygienic chamber are hindered even in the event the amount of sterilizing agent is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventor: Werner Ludwig
  • Patent number: 6817389
    Abstract: A unit for feeding powdery and/or granular products to containers includes a main body and a revolving funnel, through which the product reaches the main body. Driving means are provided for rotation of the revolving funnel with respect to the main body. Conveying and stirring means are carried by the funnel and driven into rotation within the main body to prevent formation of agglomerates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Inventor: Pietro Dovesi
  • Patent number: 6814111
    Abstract: An adjustable, side discharge side discharge volumetric feeder particularly suitable for handling products of large articulate configurations. Product is rate fed to a plurality of volumetric chambers having a movable bottom for volume adjustment and an open side wall covered and uncovered by a belt for product discharge. Process and alternatives are disclosed. The feeder manages large particulates such as snacks, pet foods, cereals, candy and the like in a volumetric manner, at high speeds up to 1500 pouches per minute in a gentle manner that minimizes product breakage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: R.A. Jones & Co. Inc.
    Inventors: Frank G. Oliverio, Boris E. Makutonin, Robert B. McCaslin
  • Patent number: 6810928
    Abstract: A tube filling machine comprises a circulating conveying device for transporting a tube through the tube filling machine to pass through different processing stations. One of the processing stations is a filling unit in which the tube can be filled with a desired product. To remove and install the filling unit in a simple and rapid fashion, it is disposed on an adjustable support structure which can be actuated between an operating position in which the filling unit is disposed in the tube filling machine above the tube to be filled and a non-operating position in which the filling unit sidewardly projects out past the tube filling machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: IWK Verpackungstechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Rolf Limbach
  • Patent number: 6810931
    Abstract: The filler spout comprises a tubular body having mounted therein a valve member and a magnetic actuator element connected to the valve member via a coupling member comprising two elements that are coupled to each other via a coupling that includes radial clearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Serac Group
    Inventor: André Graffin
  • Patent number: 6805174
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for filling spaced apart cavities with particulate material include a transport for moving the cavities along a path of travel. The cavities are partially filled with particulate material at an upstream location while applying vacuum underneath each cavity during such partial filling. The partially filled cavities are then completely filled with a downstream deposit of particulate material while applying vacuum to the upper sides of each cavity during such filling. The combination of vacuum applied underneath the cavity during partial fill and vacuum applied to the top sides of the cavity during complete fill produces approximately 100% cavity fill with minimal extraneous scatter of particulate material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Barry S. Smith, Steve Spiers, Jeremy Straight, Janet Thompson, Ahmet Ercelebi, Martin T. Garthaffner, Lisa Rogers
  • Patent number: 6799916
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for applying flowing media to a surface. Said device comprises a container for the media with at least one opening which is located above the surface and can be deaerated and a mopping or applicator device which is attached to a handle. In addition, the device has a flow-regulating hose which can be shut off, for conveying the media form the container by force of gravity to an outlet on the mopping or applicator device. In addition, the device has a portable unit which is worn on the back, comprising supporting and fixing straps and a mounting plate which is fitted to said unit and which has a rapid-action coupling device. The container has a resealable exit opening at one end with a connecting sleeve and a resealable fill opening at the opposite end, in addition to a hose adapter which can be connected to the connecting sleeve of the exit opening. Said adapter has a shut-off device and a rapid-action coupling for the hose with a drip-protection unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: Ecolab GmbH & Co. oHG
    Inventors: Hans-Leo Fernschild, Heiko Faubel, Karl-Heinz Rogmann, Ulrike Scheuvens
  • Patent number: 6796340
    Abstract: A system and method for dispensing a pressurized fluid from a container into an automobile air conditioning system. A moveable plunger in an interior of a housing may engage an automobile air conditioning system valve and pressurized container valve to allow refrigerant and lubricant to flow from the pressurized container into the automobile air conditioning system. A quick-connect coupling may be used to couple the housing to the automobile air conditioning system after the housing has been snapped onto the pressurized container. In addition, the moveable plunger may be biased toward the automobile air conditioning system valve by a spring to ensure the automobile air conditioning system valve is opened when the housing is coupled to the automobile air conditioning system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: E.F. Products, Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Ferris, William J. Quest
  • Patent number: 6796341
    Abstract: A filling spout for distributing a liquid in a receptacle, delivering an umbrella-shaped jet, the distribution passage for the liquid being defined by two parallel truncated partition walls, one outer wall belonging to the body of the spout and the other inner wall belonging to a central core. The central core is conical, widens towards the outlet and is disposed coaxially in a cylindrical conduit of the body of spout, terminating in the truncated outer wall. A supporting foot for the central core is placed in between the central core and the wall of the cylindrical conduit, the foot being used to support the conical core in a coaxial manner in relation to the cylindrical conduit and extending from the tip of the core towards the outlet, taking the form of a diheydron wherein the edge coincides with the axis of the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Sidel
    Inventor: Cyrille Durand
  • Patent number: 6792983
    Abstract: A nozzle for draining and filling liquids has a line for used liquid and a separate line for fresh liquid. A system and a method of draining and filling a cooking apparatus are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Oilmatic, LLC
    Inventor: Michael Allora
  • Patent number: 6792981
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for introducing a compressed gas into a pressure vessel, for instance, hydrogen into a vehicle fuel tank, in which hydrogen is compressed in an initial and final compressions stages which can be powered by a common source. The initial compression stage can continually operate to compress the gas in a lower pressure storage bank during the time that hydrogen is dispensed to a vehicle fuel tank. In time periods between dispensing, the gas from the lower pressure stage and from the lower pressure storage bank is compressed in the final compression stage and stored in a higher pressure storage bank. When the pressure vessel is to be filled, the compressor compresses the gas from the higher pressure storage bank to fill the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael S. Manning, James Smolarek, Robert B. Bollinger, Ahmed Abdelwahab
  • Patent number: 6782925
    Abstract: According to certain embodiments of the present invention, there is disclosed herein a method and system of recovering concrete which includes admitting a concrete slurry to a tank, pressurizing the tank with a fluid under pressure, discharging through a discharge line the pressurized fluid-slurry from the tank, cleaning the tank by admitting a cleaning liquid into the tank after discharging fluid-slurry therefrom, and discharging the cleaning liquid from the tank through the discharge line for cleaning purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: BMP Environmental Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Manuel Marques Raposo, Ilmud Dean, Rudie Allen Dobchuk
  • Patent number: 6779567
    Abstract: A transfer port apparatus (10) is provided to enable a worker to transfer one or more objects through a sealed passageway provided in the apparatus (10) from one sealed chamber into another sealed chamber. Transfer port apparatus (10) is adapted to be coupled to a movable canister (12) and a stationary isolator (16). Expandable airtight seals (72, 120) are deflated, doors (30, 40) are removed and an object (20) is transferred into the airtight clean working environment established in the isolator (16) through the sealed passageway established in transfer port apparatus (10) following coupling of canister (12) to isolator (16) using transfer port apparatus (10). After the object (20) is moved, doors (30, 40) are replaced and expandable airtight seals (72, 120) are inflated creating a substantially airtight seal. Movable canister (12) can be uncoupled from the transfer port apparatus (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: La Calhene, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael A. Szatmary
  • Patent number: 6776198
    Abstract: A mobile bulk materials bagging machine equipped to convert compacted bulk materials into baggable material of uniform consistency. The bagging machine includes a feed hopper which may be loaded with compacted bulk materials with heavy duty loaders. The bagging machine conducts a series of processing steps for converting compacted bulk material into a restructured material of a more uniform and free-flowing consistency for bagging. The operation of the bagging machine includes partitioning compacted bulk materials into segmented portions, agitating and leveling systems which, in cooperative association with electronic sensors for intermittently terminating the flow of feed materials, prevents excessive product build up and recompaction of the processed material into an unbaggable material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Inventors: Carroll Haines, James Othmar Brick
  • Patent number: 6772803
    Abstract: Interconnecting a fluid interchange apparatus with a power steering system of a vehicle; pumping spent fluid from the power steering system into a fluid receiving container to compress air pressure therein; interconnecting, with a pressure actuated valve, the fluid receiving container and a replacement fluid container, the replacement fluid container holding a replacement fluid; automatically opening the pressure actuated valve when a selected amount of the spent fluid from the power steering system is transferred into the fluid receiving container resulting in an air pressure sufficient to open the pressure actuated valve; and draining, under the force of the sufficient air pressure, the replacement fluid from the replacement fluid container into the power steering system to replace the spent fluid in the power steering system with the replacement fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Inventor: Adam Awad
  • Patent number: 6773193
    Abstract: A device for packaging and applying a substance, in particular a cosmetic or a care product, the device comprising a receptacle for containing the substance, said receptacle being provided at the top with an applicator that is permeable to the substance and that has an inside face fed with the substance coming from the receptacle. In the vicinity of the bottom face of the applicator, the device comprises an element that forms an intermediate reservoir that is in permanent communication with the receptacle and that is suitable for retaining a certain quantity of the substance when the device is turned upside-down from a head-up position and is then returned to the head-up position, said intermediate reservoir-forming element also being arranged to enable the substance retained in this way to feed the applicator, at least in certain conditions of use of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: L'Oreal S.A.
    Inventor: Jean-François Delage
  • Patent number: 6772804
    Abstract: A disposable drip guard adapted for operable engagement with a fuel inlet of a standard motorcycle fuel tank in order to effectively absorb spilled fuel in the event of motorcycle tank overfill or fuel nozzle drip is provided. The disposable drip guard includes a plastic annular portion impervious to gasoline which forms a central, circular bore throughwhich the nozzle of a gasoline pump is inserted. The annular portion is disposed with a tri-layered fuel absorption bib.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Inventor: Terrance M. Ryan
  • Patent number: 6772802
    Abstract: A fluid servicing apparatus including a manifold body with a fluid transfer circuit defining a plurality of pathways between a number of ports including first and second pump ports opening into a pump cavity for receiving a pump body coupled to a motor for driving the pump body to circulate fluid in the cavity and through the fluid transfer circuit to exchange fluid between the new and used fluid tanks and a vehicle subsystem fluid reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Norco Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey P. Few
  • Patent number: 6763861
    Abstract: Rack system for supporting devices such as funnels, small and fluid containers to drain residual fluid after use. Residual fluid drains into a pan shaped collection device that may be filled with a layer of fluid absorbent material. Drain pans can be positioned on the system for draining residual fluid into the collection device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Inventor: William J. Saks, III