Patents Examined by Stephanie L. Willatt
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Patent number: 6575332Abstract: Fluid product dispenser, including a fluid product pack (2) defining a fluid product container, a dispensing orifice, and a removable sealing part (25) sealing the dispensing orifice; and a case (1) wherein the fluid product pack (2) is inserted by sliding so as to take the pack out of its case to remove the removable sealing part. The fluid dispenser also includes a stopping feature (16, 26, 265) to limit the sliding of the pack in the case.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2001Date of Patent: June 10, 2003Assignee: Valois S.A.Inventors: Aline Abergel, Frédéric Duquet, Firmin Garcia, Hervé Pennaneac'h
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Patent number: 6561382Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing sanitized water in a bottled water dispenser includes a reservoir and one or more dispensing spigots. An ozone generating system generates ozone for sanitizing the water. Ozone is generated and collected within an ozone generator housing. A blower transmits air to the housing, the air carrying the ozone through flowlines to an air diffuser that is positioned inside the reservoir of the water dispenser. The flowlines can be used to sanitize one or more of the reservoir, spigot(s), and/or channel that connects the reservoir and spigot(s). A return flowline or lines can return ozone from the spigot to one or both of the channel and/or reservoir for further use in sanitization.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2001Date of Patent: May 13, 2003Assignee: S.I.P. Technologies, L.L.C.Inventor: James J. Shelton
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Patent number: 6554160Abstract: A dispenser member such as a pump or a valve, comprising: a body (2) in which a piston (3) is slidably received and in which a ferrule (4) is engaged; and fixing means (5) comprising at least one peripheral projection (53) that projects radially outwards, said projection (53) serving to come into engagement in a notch (82) formed in an inside wall (81) of the neck (80) of a receptacle (8), said projection (53) being elastically displaceable radially inwards so as to come into engagement in the notch (82) in the neck by elastically deforming the body (2) radially inwards in a deformation zone (200); said dispenser member being characterized in that the ferrule (4) is not in contact with the body at the deformation zone (200) of the body (2).Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2002Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Assignee: Valois S.A.Inventors: Stéphane Beranger, Firmin Garcia
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Patent number: 6547100Abstract: A machine for dispensing beverages may include a support structure and a plurality of valve trays mounted on the support structure in side-by-side relation. The machine may also include a connection block disposed on each of the plurality of valve trays, where each connection block may be configured to receive a first supply of a diluent and a second supply of a diluent. A valve may be disposed on each connection block, and each valve may be configured to be selectively movable between the first supply, the second supply, and a closed position. A nozzle may be mounted to each of the valve trays at a predefined dispensing location, and each nozzle may be configured to selectively receive diluent from the first supply and the second supply.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2001Date of Patent: April 15, 2003Assignee: The Coca-Cola CompanyInventors: Paul A. Phillips, William A. Edwards, Daniel S. Quartarone, David Pham, Samuel Durham, Franchot Chang, Thaddeus M. Jablonski, Ryan D. Schuchart, Michael S. Meyer, Alfred A. Schroeder
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Patent number: 6540105Abstract: A liquid dispenser is provided for dispensing a desired amount of liquid from a bottle, without leakage or dripping. The bottle is mounted in a fixture attached to a wall. The bottle includes an inlet and an outlet, with one-way valves operatively sealed in the inlet and outlet ports. A foam-filled foot pump is operatively connected to the inlet valve for the inlet port, such that air may be pumped into the bottle to pressurize the contents thereof. Upon pressurization, the liquid is forced through the outlet valve in the outlet port. An air filter is provided for the pump, so as to preclude contamination of liquid in the bottle. Excess pressure is released through a relief valve to preclude over-dosing of liquid from the bottle.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2001Date of Patent: April 1, 2003Assignee: Healthpoint, Ltd.Inventors: H. Paul Dorman, John W. Feik, Shawn Gentry
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Patent number: 6520377Abstract: A dispenser for separately packing at least two components and allowing the selective dispensing of either component or both components together via a propellant gas is provided. The dispenser includes a rigid outer vessel and an inner container arranged inside the outer vessel. The outer vessel contains one component, the inner container contains the other component and the propellant gas is arranged in at least the outer vessel. A dispensing valve is configured to be placed in selective communication with the outer vessel, the inner container, or both the outer vessel and inner container, for example, via first and/or second feed orifices, and communicates with a dispensing path. A valve actuator is provided, the dispenser being capable, when the dispensing valve is in communication with the rigid outer vessel, of dispensing substantially only propellant gas so as to clean out the dispensing path.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2001Date of Patent: February 18, 2003Assignee: L'OrealInventor: Jean-Pierre Yquel
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Patent number: 6513682Abstract: Accesories are provided for preventing the ingress of air into a dispensing pump (P) and to align a discharge aperture of the dispensing pump with a target, such as an eye (E). A dispensing pump (P) includes a pump cylinder (400) that has one end thereof in close proximity to a base (402) of a liquid reservoir (404). A capillary action is created to cause liquid (L) to be drawn into the inlet opening (406) of the pump cylinder (400).Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2001Date of Patent: February 4, 2003Inventors: Ben Z. Cohen, Nigel Kelly
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Patent number: 6510968Abstract: A gas ejection valve includes a valve casing including first and second blocks that cooperate to define a holder groove and have a first mating face formed with an annular space, an inner peripheral seal ring disposed on the inner periphery of the valve casing to be in close contact with the outer periphery of a valve pin and being received in the holder groove, and an auxiliary seal ring received in the annular space for preventing communication between the inside of the gas container and the holder groove.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2001Date of Patent: January 28, 2003Assignees: Unisia Jecs Corporation, Dott Limited CompanyInventors: Tatsuo Tsutsui, Akira Yanagawa
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Patent number: 6505759Abstract: A fragrance dispenser (10) for dispensing a fragrance mist can be mounted directly on a commode, tank or other surface. The fragrance dispenser (10) includes an enclosure (11), fragrance holder (16) and mounting plate (18). The enclosure (11) includes a base (14) and cover(12) attached to the base (14) so as to form a housing around the fragrance holder (16). The mounting plate (18) is flexible and has an adhesive sheet (20) attached to one side for securing the dispenser(10) to a fixed object, such as a wall or around the seat of a commode. Pressure applied to the cover (12) activates a spray pump (46) attached to the fragrance holder (16). This action causes the spray pump (46) to compress with the assistance of a rocker arm (50) and spray a fragrance mist through a fragrance nozzle (40).Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2001Date of Patent: January 14, 2003Inventor: Louise Holyfield
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Patent number: 6491189Abstract: A dispensing valve is disclosed which requires only a minimal force exerted on the valve actuator to maintain the valve in an open position. A resilient valve actuator having the characteristics of a nonlinear spring is provided at an actuator end of the valve body and operatively connected to a plunger, with the opposite end of the plunger mounting a resilient valve seal which serves to open and close a plurality of port openings. The valve is configured so as to allow it to be sterilized through high levels of radiation and through high temperature steam and chemical sterilization processes without degrading the valve structure or operation.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2001Date of Patent: December 10, 2002Assignee: International Dispensing CorporationInventor: Mitchell A. Friedman
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Patent number: 6484906Abstract: A dosing nozzle is intended to be fitted onto a container containing a product. The nozzle comprises a dosing cavity which can move between a first position and a second position in which it occupies a minimum volume, the cavity being delimited by first and second pistons capable of sliding inside a fixed body. The first piston is fixed to a closure member capable, selectively, of closing off/exposing at least one outlet of the dosing cavity. During a first phase of the movement of the dosing cavity, the first piston is driven by through the effect of the pressure of the product being exerted on the second piston and, during a second phase of the movement of the dosing cavity, the first piston is driven by the pressure of the product being exerted on the first piston, the second piston being immobilized in translation during this second phase.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2001Date of Patent: November 26, 2002Assignee: L'OrealInventor: Philippe Bonningue
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Patent number: 6454130Abstract: A closure for a multi-chamber container can have a flow director device that will assist in the dispensing of the products from the multi-chamber tube in a number of product streams that are greater than the number of chambers in the container. This provides versatility in the dispensing of products from such tubes. By the use of several different closures with different flow patterns different products can be delivered in a number of patterns form the same container.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2001Date of Patent: September 24, 2002Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive CompanyInventors: Christopher Joseph Miller, Scott Murray Walsh
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Patent number: 6443333Abstract: The caulking cartridge alleviates the afterflow prolem and assures that substantially all of the caulking composition can be driven from the cartridge. The cartridge has a tubular body, a forward dispensing opening at a forward end of the tubular body, and a backwall movably disposed within the tubular body. The backwall has a shape that is complementary to a shape of the forward end of the tubular body. This ensures that the composition is completely purged from the tubular body when the backwall is pushed against the forward end. The backwall may be formed to slide contactlessly within the tubular body, preferably by way of a reduced diameter of the backwall relative the inner diameter of the tubular body, so that it is pushed backwardly when the body retracts radially after actuation.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2000Date of Patent: September 3, 2002Inventor: Arthur Vanmoor
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Patent number: 6439427Abstract: A monomer delivery device for a bone cement delivery system having a sealed body that has and a chamber sized to receive an ampule of monomer, a collar attached to the body having a blade configured to sever the ampule and a spout attached to the collar to expel the monomer.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2001Date of Patent: August 27, 2002Assignee: DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc.Inventor: Jack F. Long
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Patent number: 6427877Abstract: The invention is directed to a box for dispensing taping compound to a surface which facilitates the uniform distribution of the taping compound to an applicator head while preventing leakage of the compound. A nozzle extends from a fixed end wall in a direction away from a movable end wall and a compound receiving cavity. A first end of the nozzle is positioned proximate to and cooperates with the cavity. An interior wall of the nozzle has a smooth configuration and a smooth, arcuate transition with the end wall. The top wall and a portion of the nozzle are configured to cooperate with each other so that no shoulder is provided therebetween. The box also has an arcuate recess provided on a bottom wall and a cylindrical portion provided on the movable wall. The arcuate recess and the cylindrical portion are configured to have essentially the same diameter.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2000Date of Patent: August 6, 2002Inventor: Willis Z. Trout
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Patent number: 6425501Abstract: The end of the arm on the pivoted trigger of a pump dispenser brushes against a projection on the wider end of a funnel-shaped seal to distort the wider end, breaking its seal against the inside of a tubular support for the pump dispenser and opening a vent to the atmosphere.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2001Date of Patent: July 30, 2002Assignee: Owens-llinois Closure Inc.Inventors: Wing-Kwong Keung, Scotty Ferrell, Gennaro R. Martire
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Patent number: 6409052Abstract: The dispensing system for a remote operation includes a trigger sprayer assembly removably mounted to a container of liquid to be sprayed, the assembly being mounted within a cutout section provided at the upper end of the container as part of a through opening forming the carrying handle of the container. The trigger sprayer assembly has a flexible delivery tube which may be coiled and stored within a hollow gripper handle provided on the trigger sprayer, and may extend outwardly from the gripper handle to function as a resilient element for mounting the trigger sprayer in place. A one-piece adaptor is non-removably connected to a distal end of the delivery tube and connects to the container by mounting directly to an external dip tube of the container or by mounting in a closure cap of the container.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2002Date of Patent: June 25, 2002Assignee: Saint-Gobain Calmar Inc.Inventors: Jacques J. Barriac, Joseph Krestine, Steven L. Sweeton
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Patent number: 6401989Abstract: Disclosed is a stowable spigot for beverage cans that comprises an outer sleeve with an arrester mechanism for insertion into the opening of a can. The outer sleeve comprises a sliding inner sleeve that supports a gripping member located outside the can. A plug formed at the inner end of the sleeve is sealed with a protection cap located on the outer sleeve. Once the outer sleeve is removed, the protection cap uncovers a channel formed therein. The inner sleeve further includes a push-valve having a drain hole associated therewith. The sleeves are interconnected through a cam and through a curvilinear slot for driving the inner sleeve towards the outside upon rotation of the gripping member. The outer sleeve comprises a draw hole which is located below and is closed by an insert. The draw hold is located adjacent to the abutment, while the insert can be ejected by the cam.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2001Date of Patent: June 11, 2002Inventor: Guenter Grittmann
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Patent number: 6398075Abstract: A closable opening device (2) having a frame (15) defining a through hole (16) and fitted about a pierceable portion (4) of a sealed package (1) for pourable food products; a removable cap (17) cooperating with the frame (15) to close the hole (16); and a substantially tubular cutting member (18) engaging, in use, the hole (16) in angularly and axially movable manner, and having an end edge (40) in turn having, on the face, cutting means (41) cooperating with the pierceable portion (4) to open the package (1); the frame (15) and the cutting member (18) are molded in one piece in a preassembly configuration, wherein they are secured coaxially to each other by breakable connecting means (62).Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2000Date of Patent: June 4, 2002Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.Inventors: Mauro Laciacera, Claudia Miani
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Patent number: 6382465Abstract: A method of producing a flexible conduit whose dimensions and shape can easily be changed according to its use is described. The method includes producing elongate elements from an elastic flexible material, wherein the cross-section of the elongate elements each have at least one corrugation and extend so as to be rectilinear longitudinally. Each elongate element is fixed to at least one elongate holding element made of rigid pliable material so as to keep its shape after bending. Several sets of elongate elements are produced and are connected to each other along their adjacent longitudinal edges in order to form a flat enclosure whose dimensions correspond to those of the deployed flexible conduit. The flat enclosure is then deformed so as to close it and to obtain the required shape of the cross-section of the conduit, wherein the enclosure is kept in shape by the deformation of the elongate holding elements. Then, the adjacent ends of the shaped enclosure are connected.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2000Date of Patent: May 7, 2002Assignee: Ing. Ercih Pfeiffer GmbHInventor: Juergen Greiner-Perth