Patents by Inventor Matthew Eric Smith

Matthew Eric Smith 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: 20110042421
    Abstract: A liquid dispenser includes an outer tube (2) with a discharge opening formed in its side wall and an inner tube (4), which is at least partially accommodated within the outer tube and defines with it an annular space, which accommodates an annular sealing member (20), which forms a peripheral seal with the inner and outer tubes. The other end of the outer tube is adapted for connection to a liquid container. A liquid flow opening (30) is formed in the wall of the inner tube and the inner tube is movable longitudinally within the outer tube between an open position, in which the liquid flow opening communicates with the discharge opening (14), and a closed position, in which the liquid flow path is sealed. An air flow passage with two ends is formed in the inner tube, which is so arranged that when the inner tube is in the open position one of the ends communicates with the discharge opening and the air flow passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Inventors: Matthew Eric Smith, Karl Mondszein
  • Publication number: 20100303535
    Abstract: An applicator for applying a substance in liquid, paste or gel form comprises a container (2), of which a portion is flexible and which includes an applicator portion, which is arcuate in cross-section and in which one or more first apertures (14) is formed. An elastic valve membrane (18) is connected to and overlies the applicator portion and one or more second apertures (22) are formed in it. The first apertures (14) are offset from the second apertures (22). The valve membrane (18) normally engages the applicator portion and the first apertures (14) are thus normally closed by the valve membrane (18) but the application of pressure to the flexible portion of the container produces an increase of the pressure of the container which results in the valve membrane (18) being forced away from the applicator portion against its elasticity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2008
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: Carbonite Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew Eric Smith, Karl Mondszein
  • Patent number: 7832590
    Abstract: An insert for a multiple component container includes a reservoir with an opening defined by a peripheral edge which, in use, is connected to a sealing element (20). In use, the reservoir and the sealing element define a substantially sealed space. The reservoir includes a stationary portion (2) and a movable portion (4), which is connected to the stationary portion and is movable with respect thereto by the action of gas pressure within the reservoir. A discharge opening (6) is formed in the movable portion (4) and a gas leakage path is provided in the reservoir wall. A valve member (14) is connected to the stationary portion (2) and cooperates with the discharge opening (6) and substantially seals it. The application of a greater gas pressure to the interior of the reservoir than to its exterior results in movement of the movable portion (4) away from the stationary portion (2) and thus in the valve member (14) moving out of sealing contact with the discharge opening (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Carbonite Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew Eric Smith, Karl Mondszein
  • Patent number: 7806258
    Abstract: An insert for a multiple component container includes an upper seal member (10), a depending annular wall (22) sealed to the underside of the seal member (10), a depending spigot (20) connected to the underside of the seal member (10) and a movable wall (28; 60) carried by the depending wall (22). The seal member (10), the depending wall (22) and the movable wall (28; 60) define an interior space. The movable wall (28; 60) is movable with respect to the depending wall (22) under the action of a pressure within the interior space and affording a discharge aperture (32), within which the spigot (20) is slidingly and sealingly received. The interior space accommodates a movable piston member (8), which divides the interior space into a gas space (46) and an ingredient space (44) below it. The outer edge of the piston member (8) forms a sliding seal with the inner surface of the depending wall (22) and a hole is formed in the piston member in which the spigot (20) is slidingly and sealingly received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Carbonite Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew Eric Smith, Karl Mondszein
  • Publication number: 20100244323
    Abstract: A dispensing valve for flowable material comprises a valve plate (26) of resilient polymeric material in which at least one elongate discontinuity is formed. The discontinuity defines at least one valve flap (28) which is an integral part of the valve plate but whose margin defined by the discontinuity is not connected to the adjacent material of the valve plate. The valve flap (28) is movable under the application of pressure from a closed position, in which the adjacent margins of the discontinuity form a substantial seal, to an open position, in which the margins for the discontinuity are spaced from one another and material can flow through the valve member. The polymeric material is a polyolefin material and the discontinuity is a rupture line. The margins defining the rupture line are of decreasing thickness towards their free edge and overlie one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2008
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventors: Matthew Eric Smith, Karl Mondszein
  • Publication number: 20100072164
    Abstract: A beverage container comprises a bottle (2) and is sealed by a lid of resilient material. The bottle includes a neck (8) defining an opening and the lid includes a closure plate (32), integral with which is a depending skirt (18) extending around the outer surface of the neck. The skirt (18) carries an annular flange (20), which is in sealing engagement with the underside of the downwardly directed annular shoulder (14) on the outer surface of the neck. The annular flange (20) is connected to the skirt (18) by an integral hinge. The internal surface of the skirt (18) carries an annular protuberance (52), which is in sealing engagement with one side surface of the annular flange, the other side surface being in sealing engagement with the outer surface of the neck. The said one side surface of the annular flange includes an annular portion which extends downwardly and inwardly and is in contact with a corresponding annular portion on the surface of the annular protuberance (52).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2007
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Inventors: Matthew Eric Smith, Karl Mondszein
  • Publication number: 20100059525
    Abstract: A closure for a multiple component container includes an insert (12), a piston (20) and a cap (10). The insert (12) and the piston (20) define a reservoir and the insert (12) comprises a fixed cylindrical wall (26) and a movable wall (32) connected thereto and movable with respect thereto by the action of gas pressure within the reservoir. The movable wall (32) has a discharge aperture (36) formed therein. The cap (10) comprises a closure plate (14), integral with whose outer edge is a depending skirt (16), by means of which the cap may be secured to a container. The closure plate (14) cooperates with the piston (20) such that movement of the closure plate towards the insert (12) results in movement of the piston also in the same direction. The piston (20) forms a sliding seal with the internal surface of the fixed cylindrical wall (26). A valve member (22) is integral with, the piston (20) and is slidably received in and seals the discharge aperture (36).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2007
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Inventors: Matthew Eric Smith, Karl Mondszein
  • Publication number: 20100044338
    Abstract: A drinking cap includes a first tubular portion (10) for connection to the mouth of a beverage container and an elongate actuating member (26) situated at least partly within the first tubular portion (10) and connected to it by a resilient, annular, integral web (12), in which one or more flow openings (28) are formed. The actuating member (26) is longitudinally movable in the axial direction between an open position of the flow openings (28) and a closed position thereof. The cap also includes an insert (6) and a piston (4) which together define a reservoir (56). The insert (6) includes a cylindrical wall (34) and a portion (40) which is movable under the action of pressure within the reservoir and in which a discharge aperture (44) is formed. A flow tube (52) is connected to the piston (4) around an aperture (50) and extends through the discharge aperture (44) in the insert (6) and forms a sliding seal with the edge (46) of the discharge aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Inventors: Matthew Eric Smith, Karl Mondszein
  • Publication number: 20090308765
    Abstract: An insert for a multiple component container includes an upper seal member (10), a depending annular wall (22) sealed to the underside of the seal member (10), a depending spigot (20) connected to the underside of the seal member (10) and a movable wall (28; 60) carried by the depending wall (22). The seal member (10), the depending wall (22) and the movable wall (28; 60) define an interior space. The movable wall (28; 60) is movable with respect to the depending wall (22) under the action of a pressure within the interior space and affording a discharge aperture (32), within which the spigot (20) is slidingly and sealingly received. The interior space accommodates a movable piston member (8), which divides the interior space into a gas space (46) and an ingredient space (44) below it. The outer edge of the piston member (8) forms a sliding seal with the inner surface of the depending wall (22) and a hole is formed in the piston member in which the spigot (20) is slidingly and sealingly received.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2007
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Inventors: Matthew Eric Smith, Karl Mondszein
  • Publication number: 20090184084
    Abstract: A closure for a container comprises a circular closure plate (2, 4), integral with the outer edge of which is a depending skirt (8), integrally connected to the lower end of which by means of a resilient annular integral hinge (10) is an annular flange (12), which extends generally upwardly and inwardly. The closure also includes a cutter assembly which includes a cutting blade (38) and is mounted to rotate about the centre of the closure plate (2, 4). The integral hinge (10) has a hole formed in it through which the cutting blade (38) extends. Rotation of the cutter assembly about the centre of the closure plate thus results in cutting of the integral hinge (10) and thus in release of the closure plate (2, 4) and the depending skirt (8) from the annular flange (12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Inventors: Matthew Eric Smith, Karl Mondszein
  • Publication number: 20090178994
    Abstract: A beverage container comprises a bottle (2) which has a central axis (3) and is sealed by a lid of resilient material. The bottle includes a neck (8) defining an opening and the lid includes a closure plate (30, 32), integral with which is a depending skirt (18) extending around the outer surface of the neck. The skirt (18) carries an annular flange (20) which is in sealing engagement with the underside of a downwardly directed annular shoulder (14) on the outer surface of the neck. The annular flange (20) is elongate in axial sectional view and is connected to the skirt (18) by an integral hinge connection (22). The end surface of the free end of the annular flange (20) is in sealing engagement with the underside of the shoulder (14). The internal surface of the skirt carries an annular protuberance (52) which is in sealing engagement with one side surface of the annular flange (20).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2006
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Applicant: Carbonite Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew Eric Smith, Karl Mondszein
  • Publication number: 20080314937
    Abstract: A dispensing cap for a beverage container constitutes a one-piece moulding of plastic material including a first circular section tubular portion (2) with first radius for connection to the mouth of the container and a second circular section tubular portion (6) with a second smaller radius. One end of the first tubular portion is connected to one end of the second tubular portion by a resilient annular integral web (4), in which one or more flow openings (18) are formed. The width of the web is equal to or greater than the difference between the first and second radius. The other end of the second tubular portion (6) is closed. One of the web (4) and the internal surface of the first tubular portion adjacent the said one end thereof is connected to a projecting annular first sealing flange (20).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2006
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventors: Matthew Eric Smith, Karl Mondszein
  • Publication number: 20080283485
    Abstract: A drinking cap constitutes a one-piece moulding of polymeric material including a first circular section tubular portion (2) for connection to the mouth of a beverage container and a second smaller circular section tubular portion (6) situated at least partially within the first tubular portion. The first tubular portion is connected to the second tubular portion by a resilient, annular, integral web (4), in which one or more flow openings (18) are formed. One end of the second tubular portion (6) is closed. The upper or external surface of the web (4) carries a projecting annular first sealing flange (20) at a point intermediate its ends, as seen in axial sectional view. The first and second tubular portion (2, 6) are coaxial and relatively movable in the axial direction between an open position, in which the flow openings (18) are unobstructed, and a closed position, in which the sealing flange (20) is in sealing engagement with the internal surface of the first tubular portion (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2006
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Applicant: CARBONITE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Matthew Eric Smith, Karl Mondszein
  • Publication number: 20080230570
    Abstract: A liquid dispenser, such as a tap for a liquid container particularly a wine box, includes an outer tube (2) with a discharge opening (14) formed in its side wall and an inner tube (4), which is at least partially accommodated within the outer tube (2) and defines with it an annular space, which accommodates an annular sealing member (20), which forms a seal with the outer tube. One end of the inner tube (4) is closed and one end of the outer tube (2) is integrally connected to the inner tube (4) by a flexible, integral annular web (10), whose width in the radial direction is greater than that of the annular space. The other end of the outer tube (2) is adapted for connection to the liquid container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2006
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventors: Matthew Eric Smith, Karl Mondszein
  • Publication number: 20080190882
    Abstract: A beverage container comprises a bottle (2) which has a central axis and is sealed by a lid (6) of resilient material. The bottle has a neck (8) defining an opening and the lid (6) includes a closure plate (30, 32), integral with which is a depending skirt (18) extending around the outer surface of the neck. The skirt (18) carries an annular flange (20) which is in sealing engagement with the underside of a downwardly directed shoulder (14) on the outer surface of the neck. The annular flange (20) is connected to the skirt (18) by a resilient hinge connection (22). The annular flange (20) is elongate in axial sectional view, the end surface of the free end of the flange (20) is in sealing engagement with the underside of the shoulder (14). The internal surface of the skirt (18) carries an annular protuberance (52) which is in sealing engagement with one side surface of the flange (20).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2004
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Inventors: Matthew Eric Smith, Karl Mondszein
  • Publication number: 20080187632
    Abstract: A closure for a beverage container (2), such as a beer bottle, includes a closure plate (10), connected to which is a diaphragm (20), which together with the closure plate defines a gas reservoir (22). A movable portion (24) of flexible material is integrally connected to the diaphragm (22). The upper end of the 10 movable portion, which may be in the form of a tube (24) or pocket (3), is open and communicates with the gas reservoir and the other end is substantially closed and has a gas charge/discharge orifice (28) formed in it. The movable portion is connected to the remainder of the diaphragm by at least one pair of fold lines of opposite sense. When the closure is applied to a container, the gas charge/discharge orifice (28) is above the liquid level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2003
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Inventors: Matthew Eric Smith, Karl Mondszein
  • Publication number: 20080041808
    Abstract: A beverage container comprises a receptacle (2) which has a central axis (3) and is sealed by a lid (6) of resilient material. The receptacle includes a neck (8) defining an opening and the lid includes a closure plate (30, 32), integral with which is a depending skirt (18) extending around the outer surface of the neck. The inner surface of the skirt (18) carries a continuous annular flange (20), which is in sealing engagement with the underside of a continuous downwardly directed annular shoulder (14) on the outer surface of the neck and thus prevents movement of the lid in the axial direction away from the receptacle. The annular flange (20) on the lid is connected thereto by a resilient hinge connection (22). The annular flange (20) is elongate in axial sectional view.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2005
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Inventors: Matthew Eric Smith, Karl Mondszein