Patents Examined by Philippe Derakshani
  • Patent number: 7032745
    Abstract: A dosing cap (1) for powders or liquids including an outer body (2) designed to be inserted into the neck of the container to which the cap (1) is applied and an inner body (3) of a substantially cylindrical shape, which contains the powder or liquid, is mobile inside the outer body (2), and is designed to break the sealing membrane (5) of the dosing cap (1) in response to an axial pressure exerted on its top part. Housed in the inner body (3) is a body (4), preferably cylindrical in shape, which is adjacent to the internal surface of the inner body (1) and is designed to break the sealing membrane (5) of the dosing cap (1) in response to an axial pressure exerted on its top part. Preferably the body (4) is fixed to the sealing membrane (5) of the dosing cap (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Liteco S.R.L.
    Inventor: Lorenzo Saulle
  • Patent number: 7028922
    Abstract: A soap dispenser system includes a venturi suction tube having a soap supply bore intersecting the main through bore; a soap dispenser controlling dispensing of soap from a container; and a supply tube connecting the soap dispenser to the soap supply bore of the suction tube; the soap dispenser including an inner tube having fluidly connected with the supply tube, an outer tube movably mounted over the inner tube and connected with the container, the outer tube fluidly connected with soap from the container and adapted to be fluidly connected with the inlet of the inner tube, a spring applying pressure between the inner tube and the outer tube in a direction to move them apart, a valve permitting soap to enter the inlet of the inner tube only when the outer tube is moved toward the inner tube against the force of the biasing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Inventors: Brian T. Leonard, Thomas C. Hartmann
  • Patent number: 7028862
    Abstract: A container and storage apparatus with an attached, but functionally separate, labeling portion is provided. The apparatus has a primary chamber containing a predetermined agent separated from the labeling portion. An optional contamination barrier region may increase the separation. A preferred embodiment may be formed by a blow-fill-seal method from thermoplastic, allowing one piece molding of the apparatus. A removable cap allows a dispensing point to be opened into the primary chamber for removal of the agent. Indicia may be formed in or on the labeling portion, which may be smaller, larger, or the same in size and shape as the primary chamber. Inks, adhesives or other substances incidental to the indicia will be less likely to migrate across the apparatus wall and into the primary chamber due to the functional separation provided between the primary chamber and labeling portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: R.P. Scherer Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Q. Poynter
  • Patent number: 7021495
    Abstract: The present application relates to a device for dispensing product and a related method of using the device, the device comprising a flexible walled pouch configured to contain product. The pouch may be in fluid communication with an airless pump equipped with a dip tube having a free end that lies substantially mid-way along the axial height of the pouch. The pouch may be in a container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: L'Oreal
    Inventor: Vincent De Laforcade
  • Patent number: 7021505
    Abstract: A container has an opening and a nozzle disposed within the opening. The nozzle has a sealed tip that extends from the opening. A cap having an opening therethrough is secured to the nozzle. To use the container, the tip of the nozzle is cut to enable a viscous fluid to dispense therefrom at a first thickness. When the cap is re-secured to the nozzle, the opening of the cap enables the viscous food substance to dispense therefrom at a second thickness that is less than the first thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Wilton Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Catherine Franczyk
  • Patent number: 7017782
    Abstract: A child resistant safety cap device for applicator tubes includes a base element, a cap, at least one keyway latching system, and at least one spring. The base element has a top and a sidewall, and has a container tube attachment mechanism located under the top that is adapted to affix the base element to a container tube. The top has a content outlet and an elongated applicator nozzle at the content outlet that extends upwardly therefrom. The cap is adapted to fit onto the base element. It has an upper portion with a top and a sidewall and a lower portion with a downward extension of the sidewall. The upper portion includes an applicator nozzle sealing mechanism to seal the applicator nozzle when the cap is in a closed position. There is at least one keyway latching system that includes a track having a downward entry section and an upward locking section, and includes a track rider corresponding to the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Inventor: John E. Harrold
  • Patent number: 7017624
    Abstract: A device for dispensing particulate matter may include a gravimetric sensor to measure the weight of particulate matter mixed with a fluid carrier. In an illustrative embodiment, a dry chemical inductor includes a bin for containing particulate matter, a conduit for transporting a stream of liquid carrier, and a valve for controllably releasing a particulate matter from the bin into the conduit. The device may further include a gravimetric sensor, such as an electronic scale or a load cell, for measuring the weight of particulate matter released from the bin. A controller may receive signals from the gravimetric sensor and actuate the valve to interrupt the flow of particulate matter when the desired amount of particulate matter has been released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Rosen's, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank G. Reinsch, John A. Latting
  • Patent number: 7017783
    Abstract: An ice-cream container pack that forms a replaceable cartridge in an associated dispensing machine, said pack comprising a cylindrical body fitted with a nozzle and a plunger which, when operated by the piston of said machine, dispenses the ice cream from the pack via said nozzle, said pack being characterized in that the bottom edge (8) of the cylindrical body wall (1) is directly attached to the end wall (5), said end wall being in the form of a truncated cone, the smaller and free base of which houses the extrusion nozzle (7), whereby a part of the end wall (5) constitutes the support base for the pack on the support (4?) with which said dispensing machine is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Good Humor - Breyers Ice Cream, a Division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Hunter, Janume Oliveras Pico
  • Patent number: 7017784
    Abstract: A dispensing system for a tank for mixing and freezing ice cream includes a valve selectively pivotable between a first position, a second position and a third position. Pivoting the valve between the first position, the second position and the third position valve meters the flow of the ice cream from the tank. A method of dispensing ice cream includes pivoting a handle to an off position, thereby obstructing with a valve an aperture between the tank and the container. The method also includes pivoting the handle to an on position, thereby aligning the aperture with an aperture of the valve. The method also includes pivoting the handle to an intermediate position between the off position and the on position. Pivoting between the on position and the off position pivots the valve to regulate the flow of the ice cream from the tank to the storage unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Ross's Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventor: Harold F. Ross
  • Patent number: 7014068
    Abstract: A pre-compression pump (10) dispenses microdoses of fluid (F). The pump minimizes pulsing due to pressure fluctuations. The pump is provided with the following to limit pulsing: a low force slow return velocity return spring (46); enlarged fluid passage (58); elastic bumper (74); and, a ratchet tooth (76) bearing against the stem (44). Further, a deflectable diaphragm (90), a splined (70) stem (44), no dip tube, and an off-center, gravitational low-point pump inlet (62) assist in priming the pump. The pump includes a stem (44) with delfectable fingers (92) to ensure sufficient momentum in pump operation. Detents (118) and grooves (120) selectively lock a nozzle cap (14) in an inoperative position. To ensure cleanliness, nozzle (60) cleaning is provided, wiping of the nozzle to remove meniscus (M) therefrom, cuts (104) formed in a shroud (98) assist in drawing excess fluid from the nozzle, and an empty volume (108) for collecting fluid run-off from the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Inventors: Ben Z. Cohen, Nigel Kelly
  • Patent number: 7014072
    Abstract: Valves for use with a pressurized receptacle are disclosed comprising a housing including an orifice for dispensing a fluid, a shutter disposed in the housing and movable along the axis of the housing under the action of gravity between a closed position in which the shutter substantially closes the orifice when the valve is in a predetermined orientation and a dispensing position in which the shutter releases the orifice, and at least one surface adapted to prevent movement of the shutter parallel to the axis of the housing over at least a portion of the patch between the closed position and the dispensing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: L'Oreal
    Inventor: Jean-Pierre Yquel
  • Patent number: 7014070
    Abstract: A C-gun type caulk gun capable of accepting disposable caulk tubes having different outside diameters within a similar caulk tube body length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Inventors: Stephen F. Stefely, Thomas J. Stefely
  • Patent number: 7014077
    Abstract: A container system has a container defining a volume. Inlet structure includes a cap that threads onto a spout. A tether has a first end formed integral with the base or neck of the spout. A second end of the tether is attached to a mount in the cap extending downward so that when installed and in the closed position, the second end of the tether attached to the mount is substantially in the same plane as the first end and the spiral stretch of the tether in between. When the tether moves from the stored position and the deployed position, it urges itself back toward the closed position. The tether has a length for positioning the cap of the inlet structure away from the inlet. A discharge port is connected to a discharge tube and a bite valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Nalge Nunc International
    Inventor: Dennis B. Brown
  • Patent number: 7014074
    Abstract: A container has a first and a second opening formed in a lid that releasably closes the container. A first base surrounds the first opening and a second base surrounds the second opening. The narrow end of a retractable, self-deploying funnel engages the first opening and the wide end of a retractable, self-deploying pour spout engages the second opening. Both funnel and pour spout are retracted when the first and second caps engage the first and second bases, respectively. The funnel facilitates charging of a liquid into the container and the pour spout facilitates pouring of a liquid from the container. Each cap includes a vent opening formed in a top wall and a nipple formed in depending relation to an interior surface of the top wall. The nipple plugs the narrow end of the pour spout when the pour spout is in its fully retracted configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Inventor: Mark Rinaldi
  • Patent number: 7011238
    Abstract: A caulk dispensing gun for dispensing a viscous material received in a cartridge, includes a stock having a piston rod, an actuating plate having an aperture for receiving the piston rod, and a trigger pivotally secured to the stock and having an actuating pin for engaging with the actuating plate. The actuating plate may move the piston rod incrementally and forwardly relative to the stock to force the viscous material out of the cartridge. An adjusting device may adjust the inclination of the actuating plate relative to the piston rod, to adjust a frictional engagement between the actuating plate and the piston rod, particularly after the piston rod and the actuating plate have been worn out after use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Kent Bridge Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chia Hsien Sung
  • Patent number: 7011237
    Abstract: A dip tube assembly for use with a fluid container and a pump attached to the container includes a dip tube support attachable to the pump and disposed in the interior of the container for access to the contents thereof. The dip tube assembly includes a hollow support attachable to the pump and extending downward from a distal end of the pump and opening toward the end of the container to which the pump is attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Inventors: Richard C. Sayers, Nick E. Ciavarella, Mark E. Rosenkranz, Daniel M. Willis
  • Patent number: 7007824
    Abstract: A liquid dispenser uses a flexible bag having expansible and collapsible cells. A rigid manifold, and in one instance a rigid frame is provided in the bag to keep passages open in use and to isolate one of the cells from the remaining cells. The dispenser employs an efficient and quiet air pressure operating system. In one application, a concentrated drink mix may be held in a reservoir and diluted within other cells in the bag for dispensing to a cup or the like. A valve system allows for the particulates in the liquid without compromising the function of the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Hal C. Danby, Michael W. Scharf, Julian Francis Ralph Swan, David V. Bacehowski
  • Patent number: 7007827
    Abstract: An emulsion dispenser includes a container, a base, a cylindrical member, a steel ball, a sucking tube, an inner tube, a reverse-stop valve, a support rod, a connective rod, a swing rod, a cap and an inner cap. The swing rod is swung up and down for sucking the emulsion stored in the container to flow through the sucking tube, the cylindrical member, the sidewise hole of the inner tube, the hole of the support rod, the connective tube, and finally out of the outlet of the swing rod to be received by a hand of a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Inventor: Shih-Wei Li
  • Patent number: 6997356
    Abstract: Dispensing apparatus is provided for dispensing viscous product from containers (10) of product, usually by extruding product from a container outlet. Product is discharged by a plunger (13) which causes product to be discharged and the plunger is operated by a drive arrangement having a linear actuator (15) by which the plunger is moveable. The linear actuator uses an electric motor as the prime mover and the motor's rotary motion is converted into a linear motion of the plunger. By the use of a linear drive it is possible to achieve constant velocity of movement of the plunger independent of the resistance to movement, within the predetermined limits. The movement of the plunger can be controlled according to the resistance encountered. The apparatus also includes means for removing containers from their seating after discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: McGill Technology Limited
    Inventor: Shane R. McGill
  • Patent number: 6997351
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is bottle cap which has a spraying unit or a nipple cap, with a space defined therein to contain an additive, such as a detergent, brightening agent or powdered milk. The bottle cap includes: an immobile unit having a guide part tightened to the mouth of a bottle body, and a chamber part inserted into the mouth, with a breaking tip and a through hole provided in the bottom of the chamber part, and a pipe part provided along the central axis of the chamber part; a storage container having a cylinder part inserted into the chamber part, a breakable film covering the open lower end of the cylinder part; a hole extending through the storage container and receiving the pipe part therein; and an externally threaded part extending upward from the upper end of the cylinder part and engaging with the guide part; a spraying unit having a cap part tightened to the externally threaded part, and a conduit pipe inserted into the pipe part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Inventor: Young Kook Cho