Patents Examined by Robert K Nichols, II
  • Patent number: 11660255
    Abstract: A liquid medication dispenser is provided having a dispenser housing with a housing interior. A plurality of syringe openings may be provided in the dispenser housing. A housing lid may be carried by the dispenser housing. A plurality of medication container seats may be provided in the housing lid. A plurality of medication dispensing openings may be provided in the plurality of medication container seats, respectively. A face plate may be carried by the dispenser housing. A plurality of syringe barrel cavities may be provided in the face plate and disposed in aligned or registering relationship with respect to the plurality of syringe openings, respectively. The syringe barrel cavities may have different sizes. A plurality of medication distribution assemblies may establish fluid communication between the plurality of medication dispensing openings, respectively, and the plurality of syringe openings, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Inventor: Marco Navarro
  • Patent number: 11662241
    Abstract: A doser assembly includes a hopper assembly configured to receive filler material, a vibration transmission assembly coupled to the hopper assembly, and a paddle in a hopper opening that extends through the hopper assembly. The vibration transmission assembly includes a shaft that is configured to rotate around a central rotation axis, an eccentric that is fixed to the shaft and has a center that is radially offset from the central rotation axis, a connecting rod that is pivotably connected to the center of the eccentric, and a bracket that is pivotably connected to the connecting rod. A first end of the paddle is pivotably coupled to the hopper assembly at a paddle pivot joint. The paddle is fixed to the bracket of the vibration transmission assembly separately from the hopper assembly. The vibration transmission assembly is configured to cause the paddle to reciprocatingly pivot around the paddle pivot joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Jarrod W. Chalkley, Robert Powell, Christopher R. Newcomb, Jeremy Straight, Isaac J. McGill, James David Evans, Patrick McElhinney
  • Patent number: 11659965
    Abstract: An exemplary dispensing system includes a dispenser, an actuator, a sensor, and a controller. The dispenser includes a container for holding liquid, a liquid pump, an air pump, an outlet nozzle, and a foaming media. The actuator causes the dispenser to dispense liquid or foam. The sensor generates an input signal indicative of a status of the container. The controller receives the input signal, generates at least one output signal, and prevents the dispenser from dispensing liquid or foam if a breach is detected in the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: GOJO Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Bullock, Scott Proper
  • Patent number: 11647872
    Abstract: An dispenser includes a housing, a container disposed in the housing for holding a liquid, a nozzle, and a pump. The pump is disposed between the container and the nozzle. The pump includes a pump inlet, a pump outlet, a pump chamber, a first check valve, and a second check valve. The pump inlet is in fluid communication with the container and the pump chamber, and the pump outlet is in fluid communication with the pump chamber and the nozzle. The pump chamber is movable between an expanded position and a compressed position. The first check valve is disposed between the container and the pump, and the first check valve has a first cracking pressure. The second check valve is disposed between the first check valve and the pump, and the second check valve has a second cracking pressure. The first cracking pressure of the first check valve is greater than the second cracking pressure of the second check valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: GOJO Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: John J. McNulty, Donald R. Harris, Aaron D. Marshall, Daniel M. Willis, Nick E. Ciavarella
  • Patent number: 11649102
    Abstract: A fluid insulation assembly for use with a container that is configured to contain a fluid includes a barrier assembly configured to fluidly isolate a first fluid chamber within an interior of a container, wherein the first fluid chamber is configured to contain a fluid, and an actuation assembly configured to dispense fluid contained within the first fluid chamber. A method for insulating a fluid within a container and dispensing the fluid from the container includes fluidly isolating a first fluid chamber within an interior of a container and moving a barrier assembly disposed within the interior of the container in a first direction for dispensing fluid contained within the first fluid chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Thermal Lock LLC
    Inventor: Loren Wengerd
  • Patent number: 11647871
    Abstract: A soap dispenser can be configured to dispense an amount of liquid soap, for example, upon detecting the presence of an object. Certain embodiments of the dispenser include a housing, reservoir, pump, motor, sensor, electronic processor, and nozzle. In certain embodiments, the sensor can be configured to generate a signal based on a distance between an object and the sensor. In certain embodiments, the electronic processor can be configured to receive the signal from the sensor and to determine a dispensation volume of the liquid. The dispensation volume can vary as a function of the distance between the object and the sensor. The processor can be configured to control the motor to dispense approximately the dispensation volume of the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: simplehuman, LLC
    Inventors: Frank Yang, David Wolbert, Joseph Sandor, Guy Cohen, Jay Patel
  • Patent number: 11639253
    Abstract: A hydration bottle includes a fluid container and a lid assembly configured to be releasably engaged to the fluid container, the lid assembly having a first mouthpiece and a second mouthpiece independently accessible with respect to each other. The lid assembly includes a pivotal mount having two legs extending from a support member to form a generally U-shaped configuration, the support member defining a passage. The passage of the support member of the pivotal mount is configured to receive the first mouthpiece and has a cap fixedly disposed thereof. The second mouthpiece includes a pair of lateral projections on opposed ends thereof, the pair of lateral projections adapted to engage a pair of tapered flaps disposed on a base portion of the lid assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.
    Inventors: John Roscoe Swartz, Alex Geller
  • Patent number: 11629042
    Abstract: A cartridge valve (22, 94) and system (10) are provided in which the cartridge valve (22, 94) includes a regulator (44, 96) and an adjustable stroke solenoid (42, 100) to facilitate stable flow control. Also, the cartridge valve (22, 94) includes a quick and easy installation and removal fitting (30 and 32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Lancer Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Louis Robinson, Brandon Ojeda
  • Patent number: 11628975
    Abstract: A package includes a container and a closure cap for mounting on the container. The closure cap is coupled to a neck of the container to block selectively removal of product stored within the container at the selection of a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Berry Plastics Corporation
    Inventors: William D. Sprick, Todd D. Faubion, Mark A. Deutsch, Jason A. Bragg, Karla S. Koring
  • Patent number: 11623815
    Abstract: A threaded valve for an aerosol container. The threaded valve comprises a housing, a moving assembly disposed in the housing, threads suitable for threadable onward attachment onto a complementary neck of an outer container for an aerosol dispenser and a plurality of pawls and/or ratchets disposed on and extending from the housing. The pawls and/or ratchets allow onward rotation of the valve onto the complementary neck and impeding rotational detachment of the valve in a reverse direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Robert Earl Magness, Andrew William Franckhauser, Scott Edward Smith, Kerry Lloyd Weaver, Nathan Daniel Grubbs
  • Patent number: 11612952
    Abstract: A method of fixing a membrane to a surface is disclosed. The method includes affixing a metallic washer having a heat-activated adhesive layer on a surface; arranging a membrane on top of the surface and the heat-activated adhesive layer of the metallic washer; heating the metallic washer to activate the heat-activated adhesive layer such that the membrane is fixable to the metallic washer; positioning a magnetic clamping heat sink assembly on the membrane; magnetically clamping the magnetic clamping heat sink assembly to the metallic washer causing the magnetic clamping heat sink assembly to apply a force against the membrane when the magnetic clamping heat sink assembly sufficiently overlaps the metallic washer to form a secure bond; and cooling the metallic washer, the heat-activated adhesive layer, and the membrane by removing heat through the magnetic clamping heat sink assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: SFS Intec Holding AG
    Inventors: Daniel Scheerer, Jarrod Woodland, Rob Stricek
  • Patent number: 11602248
    Abstract: A product dispenser holder comprises a dispenser holder body configured to receive a product dispenser that stores a supply of a product to be dispensed, an actuation sensor that senses actuations of the product dispenser, and an actuation button, such that when an actuation force is applied to a pump of the product dispenser, a substantially downward force is applied to the actuation button causing the actuation button to rotate substantially downwardly and actuate the actuation sensor to generate a dispenser actuation signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas Joseph Steinmetz, Jeffrey Rospierski, Sarah E. Johnson, Viktor Slobodyan
  • Patent number: 11589616
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an aerosol delivery device and a holder for use with a removable substrate cartridge. In one implementation, the holder includes a first body portion and a second body portion, the first body portion defining a main body and a guide post that defines a receiving chamber extending at least a portion therethrough. The second body portion is configured to rotate about and slide along at least a portion of the guide post to and from a use position, wherein the second body portion is proximate the main body of the first body portion and the substrate cartridge is retained in the receiving chamber, and an open position, wherein the second body portion is rotated relative to and extended away from the main body of the first body portion such that the substrate cartridge can be inserted into or removed from the receiving chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: R.J. REYNOLDS TOBACCO COMPANY
    Inventors: Billy T. Conner, Thaddeus Jackson, Taylor Leigh, Randall Bachtel, Frank Bascas, Hannah Tam, Moises Araya, Nigel J. Flynn
  • Patent number: 11591150
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a closure device (10) for closing a liquid pouch, comprising: a base body (12) formed as a one-piece element, comprising a flat flange edge (14) for connecting the base body to the liquid pouch, and a portal structure (16) with a main section (18), a first valve section (20) and a second valve section (22), wherein the first valve section comprises a first opening (24) that is accessible from the outside and that is designed for inserting and withdrawing a fluid, and the second valve section comprises a second opening (26) that is accessible from the outside and that is designed for inserting and withdrawing a fluid; a first valve element (28) that is arranged within the first valve section for reversibly closing the first opening, and a second valve element (44) that is arranged within the second valve section for reversibly closing the second opening, wherein the first opening and the second opening are arranged parallel to the flange edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Robert Maierhöfer GbR
    Inventors: Robert Maierhöfer, Benjamin Maierhöfer
  • Patent number: 11584631
    Abstract: Beverage dispensers are disclosed. A beverage dispenser may include a carbonation pump, pressure tank, and a pressure switch configured to active the pressure pump when a pressure in the pressure tank falls below a threshold pressure. The pressure switch may cause the carbonation pump to shut off when the pressure in the pressure tank exceeds an upper threshold pressure. The beverage dispenser may be convertible from a carbonated beverage dispenser to a non-carbonated beverage dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: PepsiCo, Inc.
    Inventors: Gurmeet Singh Bhutani, Rahul Sadashiv Kamble
  • Patent number: 11576534
    Abstract: A liquid dispenser includes of a bottle for housing the liquid, a pumping mechanism for discharging liquid from the bottle, and a boss that is connected to and extends from the bottom of the bottle. The boss on the bottle mates with a socket in a base to selectively secure the bottle to the base and a countertop or wall mounted support. The boss and socket are shaped so as to allow for a single orientation of the bottle. The combination of the boss on the bottle and the socket in the base provides a counter-top mounting system to securely anchor the liquid dispensing device. The apparatus also allows the soap reservoir to be easily refilled and utilizes readily available pump components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Cintas Corporate Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard R. Bing, Megan Kathryn Helms, David Steven Mesko, Michael E. Berger, Adem Önalan, Marco C. Perry
  • Patent number: 11577889
    Abstract: A cap for a container, such as a water bottle, includes a spout, a state sensor, and an actuator that moves the spout between an open position and a closed position when the state sensor senses a state change for the cap. When a state change is sensed, for example when the container is tilted by a threshold amount, or when a pressure within the container has increased by a threshold amount, an actuator automatically moves the spout between an open position and a closed position. The control mechanism could also track use data, such as how many times the spout has been open/closed, or how much liquid has traveled through the spout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Takeya USA Corporation
    Inventor: Jukka Steenari
  • Patent number: 11573067
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a wearable self-defense spray system and method of use. The system comprising a wristband having a cartridge bay, a band, and a clasp that interconnects to secure the wristband around a wrist of a consumer. A cover fastens across the back surface to seal the body closed. A spray canister is pressurized with a self-defense spray liquid and snuggly fits into the cartridge bay in a non-slip, non-rotating manner. The spray canister has an egress port through which by depressing the spray valve the self-defense spray liquid egresses the spray canister in the direction of a threat such as a person, animal, or other threat. In exemplary embodiments, the wristband and spray canister can be scaled in dimension to fit the finger of a consumer as a ring or hung on a cord or chain and worn as a necklace around neck of the consumer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Inventor: Michael Lynn Faircloth, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11572226
    Abstract: A concentrate cartridge comprising includes a hollow cylindrical element having a chamber formed therein. The Chamber is configured to receive a concentrate material therein. The hollow cylindrical element has an upper end and a lower open end. A seal is configured to seal the lower open end of the hollow cylindrical element. A cap is configured to be received on the lower open end of the hollow cylindrical element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: IDISPENSE, LLC
    Inventors: R. Bruce Yacko, Christopher J. Yacko, Martin Sikula
  • Patent number: 11565929
    Abstract: The invention relates to a monitoring system for controlling a plant, such as a beverage dispensing plant, said plant being comprising one or more apparatuses connected to one another or to other apparatuses external to said plant by electrical, pneumatic or hydraulic lines. The monitoring system comprises a plurality of detection sensors (Spower, SCO2, Tambiente (bevanda), Tambiente (impianto), Sp_Aria) sensor, positioned on at least one of said electrical, pneumatic or hydraulic lines, and a monitoring unit, provided with transceiver means and connected to said detection sensors, is configured to receive the data detected by said detection sensors, determine the values and trends over time of the respective parameters of said detection sensors by comparing them with average variable values and/or trends to verify the operation of said plant. The invention also relates to a method for detecting and monitoring the sanitization of a beverage dispensing plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Celli S.p.A.
    Inventor: Daniele Ceccarini