Patents by Inventor Douglas J. Hidding

Douglas J. Hidding has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 5542555
    Abstract: A cap for use with bottled water dispensing systems. The cap includes a main outer cap and an inner cap. The main outer cap has a central sleeve which receives and seals against a probe. The inner cap moves into and out of a sealing engagement with the central tube as the bottle is raised and lowered over the probe. The seal between the inner cap and the central tube is located on the outside surface of the central tube. The inner cap has a guide sleeve which centers the inner cap about the central tube, which is particularly important to achieve a proper attachment of the inner cap to the central tube during removal of the bottle from its support. The locations of the various components of the cap allow the cap to have effective differentials between the forces which are necessary to achieve proper sequencing of the formation of the various seals and connections which occur during use of the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Inventors: Walter E. Hidding, Douglas J. Hidding, Robert D. Hidding
  • Patent number: 5473855
    Abstract: A system for securely placing threaded caps on threaded containers. The system includes a cap feeding device which facilitates the initial placement of caps on container necks. After initial placement, the cap and container are brought into engagement with a spindle assembly which grips the cap and prevents rotation of the container. The spindle assembly engages a is brought into contact with a rotation inducing device, which causes the tightening of the cap onto the container neck. The chuck of the spindle assembly and the rotation inducing device each have the ability to prevent overtightening of the cap onto the container. In addition, the cap and container are specially configured to facilitate initial placement in a manner which reduces the possibility of misalignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1995
    Inventors: Walter E. Hidding, Douglas J. Hidding, Robert D. Hidding, H. Thomas Boyles
  • Patent number: 5392939
    Abstract: A cap for use with bottled water dispensing systems. The cap includes a main outer cap and an inner cap. The main outer cap has a central sleeve which receives and seals against a probe. The inner cap moves into and out of a sealing engagement with the central tube as the bottle is raised and lowered over the probe. The seal between the inner cap and the central tube is located on the outside surface of the central tube. The inner cap has a guide sleeve which centers the inner cap about the central tube, which is particularly important to achieve a proper attachment of the inner cap to the central tube during removal of the bottle from its support. The locations of the various components of the cap allow the cap to have effective differentials between the forces which are necessary to achieve proper sequencing of the formation of the various seals and connections which occur during use of the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1995
    Inventors: Walter E. Hidding, Douglas J. Hidding, Robert D. Hidding
  • Patent number: 5385252
    Abstract: An injection molded threaded cap for use with containers of varying dimensions. The cap of the present invention includes a cover from which depends an integral plug. An auxiliary sealing ring is disposed at the outside base of the plug to compensate for differences between the diameter of the plug and the diameter of the opening to be sealed by the cap. To prevent doming of the cover of the cap, the underside of the cover has shrinkage resistance formations which provide the cap with structural resistance to the effects of shrinkage. The cap of the present invention further includes a ratchet ring having ratchet teeth designed to enhance the tamper-evidency of the frangible ratchet ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1995
    Inventors: Walter E. Hidding, Douglas J. Hidding, Robert D. Hidding
  • Patent number: 5307945
    Abstract: An injection molded threaded cap for use with containers of varying dimensions. The cap of the present invention includes a cover from which depends an integral plug. An auxiliary sealing ring is disposed at the outside base of the plug to compensate for differences between the diameter of the plug and the diameter of the opening to be sealed by the cap. To prevent doming of the cover of the cap, the underside of the cover has shrinkage resistance formations which provide the cap with structural resistance to the effects of shrinkage. The cap of the present invention further includes a ratchet ring having ratchet teeth designed to enhance the tamper-evidency of the frangible ratchet ring. In an alternative embodiment, the cap includes a thread form which reduces the amount of rotation required to install the cap onto a bottle neck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1994
    Inventors: Walter E. Hidding, Douglas J. Hidding, Robert D. Hidding