Patents by Inventor James W. Johnson

James W. Johnson 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).

  • Publication number: 20170113912
    Abstract: This invention relates to a fitment assembly used for dispensing liquids from flexible bags. The connector engages a valved fitment for a container for holding and dispensing fluid. The fitment includes a spout connected to the container and a sliding internal valve body and an external valve body securely positioned within the spout. The connector has a fitment end mateable with the fitment so as to compress the top edge of the external valve body so as to form a seal between the external valve body and the dispensing connector. The external valve body through circumferentially placed apertures allows for substantially complete drainage of the flexible bag.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Publication date: April 27, 2017
    Inventor: James W. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20160362239
    Abstract: A front pull piercing valve assembly attached to a flexible container, whereby; when the wall of the flexible container is pulled into contact with a piercing element in the assembly, the contents of the container are dispensed by piercing the wall of the container and liquid flows through the valve assembly and directly into a container or through flexible hose or another connection to be dispensed. The valve assembly is configured in such a manner that during use it is filed with the liquid being dispensed thereby preventing the liquid in the flexible container from being exposed to air, namely, oxygen that often causes spoilage of certain liquids, such as wine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Publication date: December 15, 2016
    Inventor: James W. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20160264319
    Abstract: The present invention provides a slider valve assembly for connection to a spout of an aseptically-packaged flexible container for filling and dispensing flowable material. The slider valve assembly comprises a cap member, a valve member, and an outlet member. The cap member has a central opening and is adapted to be secured to the spout of the container. The valve member defines one or more side openings in communication with a central bore, is slidable within the central opening of the cap member and is lockable into a closed or open position. The outlet member is detachably engaged to the valve member and is used for actuating the valve member. The outlet member also defines a hollow interior portion which is in communication with the central bore of the valve member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventor: James W. Johnson
  • Patent number: 9434516
    Abstract: The present invention provides a slider valve assembly for connection to a spout of an aseptically-packaged flexible container for filling and dispensing flowable material. The slider valve assembly comprises a cap member, a valve member, and an outlet member. The cap member has a central opening and is adapted to be secured to the spout of the container. The valve member defines one or more side openings in communication with a central bore, is slidable within the central opening of the cap member and is lockable into a closed or open position. The outlet member is detachably engaged to the valve member and is used for actuating the valve member. The outlet member also defines a hollow interior portion which is in communication with the central bore of the valve member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: LIQUI-BOX CORPORATION
    Inventor: James W. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20160207684
    Abstract: A piercing fitment assembly for a thin film flexible container containing a liquid having (A) a spout assembly having a sealing flange sealed to the film of the flexible container and having positioned therein a circular piercing element with at least one piercing point in close proximity to the film of the flexible container; (B) a threaded plug fitted into the spout assembly and the bottom of the plug being sealed to the film of the flexible container; (C) a threaded collar positioned in the spout assembly and threadably engaged with the threaded exterior of the threaded plug; whereby when the threaded collar is moved to engage the threaded plug and the threaded plug is moved away from the film of the flexible container, the film of the flexible container is brought into contact with the piercing end of the piercing element and the film is pierced allowing the liquid from the container to flow out through the spout assembly and out of the flexible container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2016
    Publication date: July 21, 2016
    Inventor: James W. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20160178653
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to methods of storing and using biosamples with a cartridge that includes slots for storing biosample capillary tubes. The methods include providing access to a holder inside an enclosure of the cartridge, the enclosure having a same form factor as a data tape cartridge used in an automated tape library. The holder is configured to receive a plurality of capillary tubes in the holder, the capillary tubes including one or more biosamples. Exemplary methods may also include receiving capillary tubes in the cartridge, withdrawing capillary tubes from the cartridge, scanning and/or analyzing the capillary tubes and/or biosamples. Exemplary methods may additionally or alternatively include retrieving the cartridge from a storage slot of the automated tape library, loading the cartridge onto a drive of the automated tape library, and/or receiving and/or exporting a cartridge to/from the automated tape library via a mail slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Inventors: Allen K. Bates, Nils Haustein, James W. Johnson, Thorsten Krause, Stephen L. Schwartz, Anna W. Topol, Ulf Troppens, Daniel J. Winarski
  • Publication number: 20160047793
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of using a biosample storage cartridge includes performing bioanalysis on one or more biosamples in one or more biosample plates in a holder of a biosample storage cartridge, the biosample storage cartridge having an enclosure having a same form factor as a data tape cartridge that is configured for use in an automated tape library, the holder being disposed in the enclosure, wherein the holder comprises a plurality of slots, each slot being configured to receive a biosample plate. In another embodiment, a computer program product for using a biosample storage cartridge, the computer program product including a computer readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith, the program instructions executable by an analytical system to cause the analytical system to perform the foregoing method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Inventors: Allen K. Bates, Nils Haustein, James W. Johnson, Stephen L. Schwartz, Anna W. Topol, Daniel J. Winarski
  • Patent number: 9207229
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a biosample storage cartridge includes an enclosure having a same form factor as a data tape cartridge configured for use in an automated tape library; and a holder disposed in the enclosure. In another embodiment, a biosample storage cartridge includes an enclosure and a holder disposed in the enclosure; the holder is configured to receive one or more biosamples, the cartridge is structurally configured to be picked by a picker of an access robot that is configured to pick a data tape cartridge in an automated tape library. In still another embodiment, an analytical system includes a bioanalysis drive configured to perform bioanalysis on one or more biosamples received from at least one biosample storage cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Allen K. Bates, Nils Haustein, James W. Johnson, Stephen L. Schwartz, Anna W. Topol, Daniel J. Winarski
  • Patent number: 8944094
    Abstract: This invention relates to an adaptor that is used with a valve fitment assembly used to dispense fluids or flowable materials from a container. The adaptor is utilized in conjunction with the valve fitment assembly to allow the fitment assembly to be used with a spout and valve assembly attached to a container holding fluid. This invention also relates to a process for dispensing fluid using the adapter described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Liqui-Box Corporation
    Inventor: James W. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20150001261
    Abstract: The present invention provides a slider valve assembly for connection to a spout of an aseptically-packaged flexible container for filling and dispensing flowable material. The slider valve assembly comprises a cap member, a valve member, and an outlet member. The cap member has a central opening and is adapted to be secured to the spout of the container. The valve member defines one or more side openings in communication with a central bore, is slidable within the central opening of the cap member and is lockable into a closed or open position. The outlet member is detachably engaged to the valve member and is used for actuating the valve member. The outlet member also defines a hollow interior portion which is in communication with the central bore of the valve member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventor: James W. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20140339270
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a mounting for connecting at least one peripherally-connected evacuation channel to the spout of a flexible bag and more particularly to a flexible mounting for connecting such at least one evacuation channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: LIQUI-BOX CORPORATION
    Inventor: James W. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20140018265
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a biosample storage cartridge includes an enclosure having a same form factor as a data tape cartridge configured for use in an automated tape library; and a holder disposed in the enclosure. In another embodiment, a biosample storage cartridge includes an enclosure and a holder disposed in the enclosure; the holder is configured to receive one or more biosamples, the cartridge is structurally configured to be picked by a picker of an access robot that is configured to pick a data tape cartridge in an automated tape library. In still another embodiment, an analytical system includes a bioanalysis drive configured to perform bioanalysis on one or more biosamples received from at least one biosample storage cartridge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Allen K. Bates, Nils Haustein, James W. Johnson, Stephen L. Schwartz, Anna W. Topol, Daniel J. Winarski
  • Publication number: 20130285364
    Abstract: This invention relates to a tube fitment that is used with a valve fitment assembly used to dispense fluids or flowable materials from a container. The tube fitment is utilized in conjunction with the valve fitment assembly to allow the fitment assembly to be used with a spout and valve assembly attached to a container holding fluid. This invention also relates to a process for dispensing fluid using the adapter described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: LIQUI-BOX CORPORATION
    Inventor: James W. Johnson
  • Patent number: 8511639
    Abstract: This invention relates to an adaptor used in a fitment valve assembly, said adaptor comprising an outer ring collar having a top and a bottom, and an outer and an inner surface; a flange molded to the bottom of said outer ring collar; an interior ring collar having a top and a bottom, and an outer and an inner surface molded in adjacent relationship to said outer ring collar near the top of said interior ring collar; an inverted dome structure molded toward the bottom of said inner surface of said interior ring collar defining at least one opening for the flow of fluid there-through; a groove for an O-ring molded in said inner surface of said interior ring collar above said dome structure; a lip molded onto said bottom of said interior ring collar for forming a seal with said fitment valve assembly; and a groove for an O-ring molded in said outer surface at the bottom of said interior ring collar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Liqui-Box Corporation
    Inventor: James W. Johnson
  • Patent number: 8448820
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a fitment for use with a collapsible bag for dispensing liquids or semi solids comprising a spout having a generally cylindrical body attached to a collapsible bag, a cap attached to the spout having positioned therein a flexible poppet that allows for the flow of fluid when engaged with a probe assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Liqui-Box Corporation
    Inventor: James W. Johnson
  • Patent number: 8413857
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a fitment for use with a collapsible bag for dispensing liquids or semi-solids comprising a spout having a generally cylindrical body attached to a collapsible bag, a cap attached to the spout having positioned therein a flexible cap duckbill that allows for the flow of fluid when engaged with a probe assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Liqui-Box Corporation
    Inventor: James W. Johnson
  • Patent number: 8231025
    Abstract: A tamper evident fitment assembly for use with a container for flowable material, the closure comprising a cap and a spout secured to the container, the cap having a frangible tamper evident band, the cap having an annular recess for frictionally engaging a top portion of the spout, the cap and spout having cooperating detent and locking elements so that the assembly in a first position where the cap is removably sealed to the spout and the tamper evident band is not broken when the cap is removed for filling may move to a second position when the cap is removably sealed to the spout and the tamper evident band is broken upon removal of the cap. An important feature of the present invention is that the cap frictionally engages a top portion of the spout. No screw threads or similar securing means are required to retain the cap on the spout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Liqui-Box Corporation
    Inventor: James W. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20120118416
    Abstract: This invention relates to an adaptor used in a fitment valve assembly, said adaptor comprising an outer ring collar having a top and a bottom, and an outer and an inner surface; a flange moulded to the bottom of said outer ring collar; an interior ring collar having a top and a bottom, and an outer and an inner surface moulded in adjacent relationship to said outer ring collar near the top of said interior ring collar; an inverted dome structure moulded toward the bottom of said inner surface of said interior ring collar defining at least one opening for the flow of fluid there-through; a groove for an O-ring moulded in said inner surface of said interior ring collar above said dome structure; a lip moulded onto said bottom of said interior ring collar for forming a seal with said fitment valve assembly; and a groove for an O-ring moulded in said outer surface at the bottom of said interior ring collar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: Liqui-Box Corporation
    Inventor: James W. Johnson
  • Patent number: D705901
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Liqui-Box Corporation
    Inventor: James W. Johnson
  • Patent number: D724697
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Liqui-Box Corporation
    Inventor: James W. Johnson