Patents by Inventor James M. Woodruff

James M. Woodruff 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: 8464904
    Abstract: A method of reducing spillage and residual liquid when pouring liquid includes temporarily deforming a liquid-carrying resilient container to press a buoyant member into a position sealing a fluid flow passage of the container, which is then inverted and the force is released to permit the member to float away from the passage such that liquid freely passes therethrough. When the fluid level is no longer sufficient to float the member away from the passage, an additional step prevents the ball from becoming or remaining seated in the sealing position so that residual liquid left in the container can be drained through the passage. Novel containers feature a ball-shaped member of larger size relative to the passage to ease unseating of the member therefrom for draining of residual liquid, and novel two-piece container constructions accommodate insertion of such larger balls prior to final assembly of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Inventor: James M. Woodruff
  • Publication number: 20100264161
    Abstract: A method of reducing spillage and residual liquid when pouring liquid includes temporarily deforming a liquid-carrying resilient container to press a buoyant member into a position sealing a fluid flow passage of the container, which is then inverted and the force is released to permit the member to float away from the passage such that liquid freely passes therethrough. When the fluid level is no longer sufficient to float the member away from the passage, an additional step prevents the ball from becoming or remaining seated in the sealing position so that residual liquid left in the container can be drained through the passage. Novel containers feature a ball-shaped member of larger size relative to the passage to ease unseating of the member therefrom for draining of residual liquid, and novel two-piece container constructions accommodate insertion of such larger balls prior to final assembly of the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Inventor: James M. Woodruff
  • Patent number: 5370266
    Abstract: A method of reducing spillage when pouring liquid out of a container which includes the following steps. Firstly, place a free floating buoyant member into a resilient deformable container adapted for containing liquid. The liquid must be of greater density than the density of the member such that the member floats upon the surface of the liquid. The container has a fluid flow passage narrower than the dimensions of the member such that the member is prevented from exiting through the fluid flow passage. Secondly, exert a force to temporarily deform the container thereby reducing the volume of the inner cavity and causing the liquid in the container to press the member into a position sealing the fluid flow passage. Thirdly, invert the container thereby placing the container into a pouring position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1994
    Inventor: James M. Woodruff