Filling Or Refilling Of Dispensers Patents (Class 141/18)
  • Publication number: 20090071564
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for filling an ink pen having an ink holding chamber and an outlet from the chamber includes: covering the outlet with a first more dense ink holding material; adding ink to the first material; priming the pen; and adding a second less dense ink soaked ink holding material to the chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Inventors: William Jon Rittgers, Ivan Raul Cruz, John Patrick Oliver, Edward John Savage
  • Publication number: 20090071565
    Abstract: The present invention provides a modular natural gas compressor system for compressing natural gas so that it can be used to refuel motor vehicles. This system permits easy assembly and disassembly of compressor stations, as each individual compressor unit is shaped so that it will fit on a base structure. Specifically, the modular system is comprised of a prefabricated, mass produced base skid having at least one allowed space of standardized dimensions and at least one natural gas compressor unit, the base of which is shaped to fit in a allowed space of the base skid. Additional compressed natural gas compressor units or booster units, the bases of which are also shaped to fit in the allowed spaces of the base skid, may be added to increase the efficiency or functionality of the system. Liquefied natural gas dispenser units may also be designed to have bases that fit in the allowed spaces of the base skid, and can be added to the base skid to create a CNG compressor/LNG dispenser hybrid system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Inventor: Denis Ding
  • Patent number: 7503510
    Abstract: The improved sprayer system of the present invention utilizes a docking drogue and probe assembly to quickly and easily allow refilling of the sprayer tanks with a material from an enlarged nurse tank. The coupling of the drogue and probe allows for fluid communication, as well as electronic transmission of material data to a processor in the prime mover. This processor software also receives input regarding field data and crop data, as well as feedback data from the sprayer regarding the material application. A GPS system on the prime mover allows for tracking the spraying operation, while a time stamp in the processor software tracks the timing of the spraying operation. This system thus allows for accurate accountability and traceability for the use of materials during the spraying operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Michael T. Vickers, Steve A. Junge
  • Publication number: 20090038709
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for filling one or more product containers with a liquid comprising one or more medicines. The device comprises a housing at least provided in a position of use with an array of medicine containers, at least some of which are provided with concentrated liquid components of the one or more medicines. The housing is also provided with an automatic machine which is adapted to manipulate a syringe for measured take-up of liquid from a medicine container. The automatic machine is adapted to rotate the medicine container transversely of its longitudinal axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2006
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Applicant: MEDICAL DISPENSING SYSTEMS B.V.
    Inventors: Sander Godfried VanVreeland, Jan Willem Dorpema
  • Patent number: 7475710
    Abstract: Improved custom cosmetic formulation dispensing system including ingredients reservoirs for syringe dispensing. The ingredients reservoirs are carried by a translatable carrier to bring the respective reservoirs into dispensing alignment with a package, into which a preselected amount of the ingredient is dispensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Inventors: Julie R. Bartholomew, Richard T. Jobe, Thomas C. Bodiker, II, Timothy E. O'Meara, Dave Hanselman, Jim Foley
  • Publication number: 20080309741
    Abstract: An ink refilling method capable of refilling ink into at least two kinds of ink cartridges having different ink capacities and having substantially the same outer configurations, the method includes a step of discriminating the kind of the ink cartridge; a step of determining the capacity of the ink cartridge on the basis of a result of the discriminating step; and a step of filling, into the ink cartridge, an amount of the ink on the basis of the capacity determined in the determining step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2008
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Akihisa Saikawa
  • Publication number: 20080302440
    Abstract: A dispensing apparatus (2) fox delivering fluid or liquid to a container (e.g. a bottle) (1), has a container holding device (3, 3?) and fluid delivery means (30) delivering fluid to a dispensing outlet (18), under control of an actuation member (20) which causes the fluid delivery means to deliver fluid in response to movement of the actuation member from its start position. A dispensing lock (43) has a first position in which it blocks movement of the actuation member (20) from its start position, and a second position in which it permits movement of the actuation member. A release member (5) that releases the dispensing lock includes a movable release member which is moved by the container, during its insertion into the refill position, so as to release the dispensing lock by bringing the dispensing lock to said second position, thus enabling fluid to be delivered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2006
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Applicant: JOHNSONDIVERSEY, INC.
    Inventors: Garry W. Crossdale, Barry Hague, Brian P. Onufryk
  • Patent number: 7455082
    Abstract: Keg filling plant for filling kegs with a liquid beverage material, such as beer, wine, soft drinks, or juice, and a method of operating same, and a handling and treatment station for kegs. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b ). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b ): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: KHS Maschinen -Und Anlagenbau AG
    Inventor: Alois Monzel
  • Patent number: 7455085
    Abstract: A water dispenser mounted on a door of a refrigerator freezer that is provided with a spigot that is movable between inner and outer dispensing positions. The dispenser includes a dispenser housing having a dispensing cavity and the spigot is movably mounted in the top of the dispensing cavity. When the spigot is in the inner dispensing position water can be dispensed into a container positioned in the dispensing cavity. In the outer dispensing position the spigot can dispense water into a container positioned outside the dispensing cavity. The dispenser housing can be provided with a movable tray in the bottom of the dispensing cavity. The movable tray can be withdrawn to support a container under the spigot in the inner dispensing position and extended to support a container under the spigot in the outer dispensing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald L. Voglewede, Kevin J. Gilboe, Patrick J. Boarman, Daryl L. Harmon, Gary W. Wilson, Sr., Jerry M. Visin
  • Publication number: 20080230141
    Abstract: A liquid container includes a liquid chamber, and a liquid supply chamber at least partially defined by at least one wall having a first opening, a second opening, and a third opening formed therethrough. A method of filling such a liquid container includes the steps of closing the third opening, positioning the liquid container in a predetermined orientation, and introducing liquid into the liquid supply chamber via the second opening. The method also includes the step of introducing liquid into the liquid chamber after the step of introducing liquid into the liquid supply chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shingo Hattori
  • Publication number: 20080216913
    Abstract: A service station, in particular a hydrogen service station for filling a motor vehicle with a gaseous and/or a liquid medium, in particular with gaseous or liquid hydrogen, is disclosed. The station includes a) a reservoir for storing a liquid medium, b) a liquid medium dispensing unit which is supplied with the liquid medium from the reservoir, c) a compressor, an evaporator, a heating system, and an intermediate reservoir for intermediate storage of a compressed gaseous medium, d) a gaseous medium dispensing unit mounted downstream of the intermediate reservoir, e) a fuel cell which is supplied by the gaseous medium coming from the reservoir and/or the intermediate reservoir and supplies power to the compressor, and f) a control unit which is powered by the fuel cell and used for controlling the compressor, the gaseous medium dispensing unit and/or the liquid medium dispensing unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2006
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Applicant: Linde Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Tobias Kederer, Henning Tomforde
  • Publication number: 20080202630
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for exact metering and volumetric filling of dry powder medicament doses into preformed containers, which are adapted for administration by a dry powder inhaler. The filling apparatus includes at least a bulk powder source, a feeding chamber, and a receptacle providing the volume for a specified load mass of dry powder. The bulk powder source releases a portion of powder discontinuously to the feeding chamber, but is disconnected from the feeding chamber and receptacle during the filling operation. The filling apparatus further presents a plane surface in contact with the movable feeding chamber and provides a hard-wearing, low friction coating for reducing dynamic friction and powder retention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2005
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicant: Mederio AG
    Inventors: Lars Kax, Claes Friberg
  • Publication number: 20080197145
    Abstract: An ophthalmic dispenser and method of filling and dispensing fluid stored therein. The dispenser includes a rigid housing defining a fluid-receiving chamber, a flexible bladder receivable within the fluid-receiving chamber, a pump coupled in fluid communication with the fluid-receiving chamber, and a nozzle having a valve defining an annular, axially-extending valve seat, an outlet aperture coupled in fluid communication between the valve seat and the pump, and a flexible valve cover extending about the valve seat and forming an annular, axially-extending interface therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Inventors: Daniel Py, Norbert M. Assion, Julian V. Chan, Joseph M. Ting
  • Patent number: 7413585
    Abstract: A pressure maintaining system for a hydrogen storage system includes a hydrogen supply feed that enables a hydrogen flow from the hydrogen storage system. A liquid phase hydrogen feed enables a liquid phase hydrogen flow to the hydrogen supply feed. A gas phase hydrogen feed enables a gas phase hydrogen flow to the hydrogen supply feed. A check valve enables fluid communication from the hydrogen supply feed to the liquid phase hydrogen feed when a pressure within the hydrogen supply feed is greater than a threshold pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Jader Matos Da Silva, Markus Lindner, Rainer Immel
  • Publication number: 20080156391
    Abstract: A filling method for filling a reservoir (10) of variable working volume with a fluid, the method being characterized in that the reservoir (10) is firstly emptied of any content, such that its working volume is substantially zero, and the fluid is then injected into the reservoir, thereby increasing the working volume of the reservoir (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2006
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: AIRLESSYSTEMS
    Inventor: Alain Behar
  • Patent number: 7387140
    Abstract: A system and method for quickly refilling a pressurized irritant dispenser is disclosed. In the system and method, either the dispensing nozzle or the connection between the dispensing nozzle and the valve assembly is replaced with a quick connect fitting. The quick connect fitting allows for both the quick refill of irritant and the quick attachment (and detachment) of various accessories to the pressurized irritant dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Inventor: Michael Brunn
  • Publication number: 20080099097
    Abstract: A method of determining the gas return rate at filling stations is carried out at filling pumps with two filling points, a first filling point and a second filling point. Each filling point is assigned at least one fuel flow meter of its own and both filling points are assigned a common gas flow meter, which is arranged downstream of a meeting point of the gas streams of the two filling points. The measured values obtained from the two fuel flow meters and from the gas flow meter are recorded at short predetermined time intervals in assignment to one another. In the case of at least partially simultaneous refuelling operations at the two filling points, the information determined from the measured values of the fuel flow meters concerning the progression over time of the two refuelling operations is used for breaking down the measured sum of the gas flow of the two filling points into a gas flow assigned to the first filling point and a gas flow assigned to the second filling point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Applicant: FAFNIR GMBH
    Inventors: Chistian Maurer, Wolfgang Schrittenlacher, Stefan Kunter
  • Patent number: 7360563
    Abstract: Electrochemical systems and methods of operating the systems are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method for operating an electrochemical system, comprises: forming hydrogen gas in an electrolysis cell, maintaining the hydrogen gas at a temperature sufficient to enable the filling of a hydrogen gas vessel at a rate that would fill a 5 kg vessel with the hydrogen gas in a period of time of less than or equal to about 10 minutes, and introducing the hydrogen gas to the hydrogen gas vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Proton Energy Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Fred Mitlitsky
  • Publication number: 20080072993
    Abstract: A dosage-dispensing device for substances in powder- or paste form includes a drive device and a source container that can be set into the drive device, wherein a dosage-dispensing head with a closure body that can be set into rotation by a drive mechanism and is connected to a closure shaft which is movably constrained in the source container is arranged at the underside of the source container when the latter is in its operating position. The closure shaft has a coupler part in a passage area where it passes through the topside of the source container. The coupler part is configured to be coupled to and uncoupled from a drive shaft of the drive device. The source container has a first form element which is designed for form-fitting engagement with a first counterpart element formed on the drive device and serves to precisely position the coupler part in relation to the drive shaft in a plane that is orthogonal to the axis of rotation of the drive shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2007
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Applicant: Mettler-Toledo AG
    Inventors: Paul Luchinger, Sandra Ehrbar
  • Patent number: 7344215
    Abstract: The present invention relates to inkjet cartridges, and more specifically, to a machine and process for use in refilling such inkjet cartridges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Clayton R. Cutler, Richard Hoehn, Gary Rajcula, Terry Rowlison, Sergio Tonini, Zlatko Vujic, Allen Luthy
  • Patent number: 7329250
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for technique and cycling (Techni-cycling as herein defined) such that converting delivery supply containers (supplies) into waste and disposal receptacles is disclosed. More particularly, a container transformation comprising deriving a supply container from a health care delivery sequence and converting the container into a waste receptacle by connection to a vacuum/suction source and collection system reduces the amount of waste contributed to the waste stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Medindica - Pak, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack W. Romano, Adam L. Smith
  • Patent number: 7326355
    Abstract: A mobile first housing bounds a substantially sterile clean room, a filtration room, and at least one change room communicating between clean room. A fluid filtration system is disposed within the first housing, the filtration system includes a first support container in which a disposable fill bag is disposed. A disposable fluid line extends between the fill bag and the at least one filter. A support bin is also disposed within the first housing. A disposable pooling bag is disposed within the support bin, the pooling bag being in fluid communication with the at least one filter. A disposable fill line has a first end in fluid communication with the pooling bag and an opposing second end disposed within the clean room.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Hyclone Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Graetz, Tracy Zilles
  • Publication number: 20080023500
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a connector (1) able to be mounted on the neck of a container for liquids (100), in the form of a bottler consisting of a main body having, sliding longitudinally therein, a slider provided with a radially expandable bottom portion so as to engage reversibly with a hollow:, probe, in which the hollow probe is able to perform the longitudinal displacement of the the slider and connect the inside of the container (100) with its interior so as to allow the dispensing of liquid from the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2007
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Applicant: Guala Closures S.p.A.
    Inventor: Piero Battegazzore
  • Publication number: 20080000476
    Abstract: A respiratory system and method includes a filling unit for filling a portable bottle of respiratory gas and a conserver for mounting on such a bottle. A battery on the conserver may be recharged when the bottle is placed on the filing unit. The conserver may include electric timing circuitry operative to control the timing of pulsed flow of respiratory gas from the conserver, and an external electrical coupler to enable adjustment of the timing of the pulsed flow. The conserver may include at least one sensor operative to sense the reversal of flow between exhalation and inhalation, the conserver being operative to commence a respiratory gas delivery pulse in response to the sensing of the reversal of flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2006
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Inventors: Joseph B. Richey, Thomas Strothmann
  • Publication number: 20080000542
    Abstract: A hydrogen dispenser comprises a programmable controller and a user interface operably connected to the programmable controller. The programmable controller has a plurality of user-selectable hydrogen dispensing rate algorithms. The user interface offers the plurality of user-selectable hydrogen dispensing rate algorithms and is used for setting a user-selected dispensing rate algorithm from among the plurality of user-selectable hydrogen dispensing rate algorithms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2006
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Inventors: Joseph Perry Cohen, David John Farese, Keith David Gourley
  • Publication number: 20070289660
    Abstract: A pill handling apparatus having a plurality of rotary slats delivers pills from a reservoir to a number of containers. The rotary slats have receptacles in fluid communication with a vacuum assembly and the pills are drawn into the receptacles by vacuum. The pill may be released into containers by expelled air from a blower assembly. Pills entering containers may be individually counted to assure accurate filling of the containers. A conveyor may position the containers at filling stations to receive pills. The rotary slats may be independently rotatable for delivering accurate pill counts to the containers. Optical devices may inspect the pills as they travel toward the containers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2006
    Publication date: December 20, 2007
    Inventor: John Thomas Aylward
  • Patent number: 7290571
    Abstract: A filling device for an anesthetic evaporator has filling of an anesthetic evaporator is possible. To accomplish the object, an additional vent hole (36), which is opened immediately after the filling in order for excess anesthetic volume to be able to flow out of the filling device into the anesthetic tank (15) of the anesthetic evaporator (2), is provided within the filling device above a fluid channel (14), via which both the gas and liquid exchange takes place during the filling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Dräger Medical AG & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Claus Bunke, Matthias Witt, Rainer Kunz, Jürgen Müller, Sven Heyer, Dirk Reichert
  • Patent number: 7287558
    Abstract: Systems for handling and/or dispensing hydrogen or a mixture of fuels containing hydrogen gas including refueling stations for hydrogen-powered vehicles. Pure hydrogen or various mixtures ratios of hydrogen and CNG may be dispensed. Hydrogen handling equipment may include a hydrogen generator, a pressurizing apparatus or compressor, pressure vessels, piping, valves, vent pipes, and/or a dispenser. Substantially vertical orientation of pressure vessels may reduce the amount of land required and facilitate installation in urban environments. Pressurization may take place before hydrogen generation to reduce the power required for pressurization. Safety features include enclosures and surrounding walls that lean away from the equipment. Any leaking hydrogen, fires, or explosions may be contained and/or directed upward, protecting human life and property. Systems may be shop assembled and certified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Arizona Public Service Company
    Inventor: Raymond Hobbs
  • Patent number: 7287557
    Abstract: An anesthetic tank (1) of an anesthetic dispensing unit is used especially for desflurane and has improved reliability of operation by mutually complementing level monitoring devices. The anesthetic tank (1) is equipped with a level tube (3) arranged in or on the outer wall with a connection line (6) into the interior space as well as with an optical level sensor (4). The optical axis (5) of the level sensor (4) is located at the same level as a mark (33) on the level tube (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Dräger Medical AG & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Claus Bunke, Matthias Witt, Rainer Kunz, Jürgen Müller, Sven Heyer, Dirk Reichert, Henryk Schnaars, Michael Heidschmidt, Martin Wunderlich, Ralf Dittmann
  • Patent number: 7275569
    Abstract: Systems for handling and/or dispensing hydrogen or a mixture of fuels containing hydrogen gas including refueling stations for hydrogen-powered vehicles. Pure hydrogen or various mixtures ratios of hydrogen and CNG may be dispensed. Hydrogen handling equipment may include a hydrogen generator, a pressurizing apparatus or compressor, pressure vessels, piping, valves, vent pipes, and/or a dispenser. Substantially vertical orientation of pressure vessels may reduce the amount of land required and facilitate installation in urban environments. Pressurization may take place before hydrogen generation to reduce the power required for pressurization. Safety features include enclosures and surrounding walls that lean away from the equipment. Any leaking hydrogen, fires, or explosions may be contained and/or directed upward, protecting human life and property. Systems may be shop assembled and certified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Arizona Public Service Company
    Inventor: Raymond Hobbs
  • Patent number: 7273075
    Abstract: A powder-fluidizing apparatus is presented which is applicable to feeding ultra-fine and nano-size powders, and powders with a broad particle size distribution, in a uniform manner over a long period of time. Generally, this is accomplished by using a rotating brush to sweep the powder through holes in a removable sieve plate, which breaks up agglomerated particles in the powder and controls the powder feed rate. The powder then drops from the holes into a funnel, where it is fluidized by being entrained into a carrier gas, and then flows through the funnel out of the apparatus to an applicator. The funnel surface is vibrated to avoid powder build-up on the surface that can break loose and cause pulses of increased material in the powder flow. Ultrasonic waves are introduced into the funnel to break up any agglomerated particles remaining in the powder before it reaches the applicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Innovative Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph Tapphorn, Howard Gabel
  • Patent number: 7264024
    Abstract: A valve for closing a container and for enabling the container to be filled has a housing (20) with an inlet port (30) and an outlet port (40). A closing member (60) is provided for sealingly closing the valve at the inlet port (30). At least one valve member (70) is provided for controlling fluid communication between the inlet port (30) and the outlet port (40). The valve member only allows fluid communication when it is in a first position. The valve member (70) is designed in such a way that it is brought into and maintained in said first position only if a predetermined filling condition is achieved. The filling condition is typically achieved, when the filling pressure of a system for filling the container (50) is initially below a first predetermined or predeterminable threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Soda Club (CO2) Atlantic GmbH
    Inventors: Mark Funt, Michel Ben-Simon, Gregory Leved, Avi Cohen
  • Patent number: 7264026
    Abstract: A personal care system (1) comprising a personal care appliance (2) which comprises a body (3), an additive outlet (7), and a first reservoir (8) which is connected with said additive outlet (7) and has a refill inlet (25) for refilling said reservoir (8), a refill unit (16) comprising a refill outlet (35) which can be coupled to the refill inlet (25) of the personal care appliance (2) for refilling the first reservoir (8), which refill unit (16) comprises a second reservoir (26) and means (13) for transporting additive from the second reservoir (26) to the first reservoir (8), when the personal care appliance (2) is coupled to the refill unit (16). The refill unit (16) is provided in a holder (5) for storing the personal care appliance when it is not in use. When the personal care appliance is stored in the same holder in which it is placed to be refilled, both functions are integrated into one holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Paul Gruber, Rembert Fertner
  • Patent number: 7249616
    Abstract: Device for filling dry toner powder from a bag into a toner container, said device comprising a piping system with a flexible and compressible pipe and a peristaltic pump acting on said flexible and compressible pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: CF Technologies
    Inventors: Giuseppe Turri, Giuseppe Cerasaro, Alessandro Turri, Didier Desschans, Dirk Vanderschueren
  • Patent number: 7231946
    Abstract: A paintball hopper refill apparatus or loading apparatus is disclosed, which includes a body, an interior, a neck and a dispensing portion where the body is made of a flexible material, the interior is designed to be filled with a plurality of paintballs and the dispensing portion is designed to be opened either by pulling a pull string or by squeezing allowing the paintballs to flow from the loading apparatus to the hopper. A method for filling a hopper using the loading apparatus of this invention is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Avalon Advanced Products, Inc
    Inventors: Stephen Ho, Kheng Pang
  • Patent number: 7216040
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing hydrogen deployment within a heterogeneous hydrogen supply environment is provided. An electronic controller monitors hydrogen supply modules, evaluates conditions relating to the hydrogen supply modules, and affects hydrogen deployment. The electronic controller may also monitor hydrogen utilizers within the heterogeneous hydrogen supply environment. Various means for adjusting hydrogen deployment are discussed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Tama Maya Copeman, Christy John Sutton
  • Patent number: 7207667
    Abstract: An apparatus for refurbishing used ink jet cartridges and a method for operating an ink jet cartridge refurbishment facility. The apparatus includes a number of stations and accessories that perform the recovery and filling aspects of the ink jet cartridge refurbishment process. This apparatus may be one of a number of machines used in an ink jet cartridge refurbishment facility where ink jet device users may drop-off their used ink jet cartridges and pick-up replacement ink jet cartridges at the same location that refurbished the ink jet cartridges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Tonerhead, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark J. Ansier, Frank Jemela
  • Patent number: 7185684
    Abstract: A mobile fill station for filling propane cylinders by weight and volume. There can be up to three cabinets in the system wherein any one of the cabinets can have a beam scale with a hydraulic automatic stop device to stop filling automatically as the total weight of the cylinder reaches a pre-set scale limit. Any one of the cabinets can also include a flow meter to stop filling when an operator monitors an amount on the meter and manually stops propane flow. The cabinets could also include an electronic scale with a digital indicator where filling stops automatically as the total weight of the cylinder reaches a pre-set computer limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Inventor: Van H. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 7182105
    Abstract: A machine for packaging solid pharmaceuticals includes a plurality of storage locations for storing a variety of pharmaceutical dispensing canisters and a robotic arm for retrieving said dispensing canisters and providing the canister at a location proximate the package to be filled thus minimizing the distance which the pharmaceutical travels from the dispensing canister and the package cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: MTS Medication Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeff Feehan, Robert Barrett
  • Patent number: 7178563
    Abstract: A method of filling a portable tank with compressed oxygen-enriched gas includes the steps of providing a coupling such that when a portable tank is connected with the coupling oxygen-enriched gas can flow through the coupling into the portable tank; directing oxygen-enriched gas from an oxygen concentrator to a compressor; compressing the oxygen-enriched gas in the compressor; directing compressed oxygen-enriched gas from the compressor to a reservoir; storing the compressed oxygen-enriched gas in the reservoir; and thereafter directing stored oxygen-enriched gas from the reservoir to the coupling to enable filling of a portable tank with compressed oxygen-enriched gas from the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Invacare Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph B. Richey, II, Gerold Goertzen
  • Patent number: 7174923
    Abstract: A kit for refilling an implantable pump includes a first syringe, a second syringe a a three-way stopcock, which has three ports and an actuator. The actuator allows for selectively effecting fluid communication between only two of the ports. The first syringe is in fluid communication with a first one of the ports. The second syringe is in fluid communication with a second one of the ports. A filling needle is in fluid communication with a third one of the ports. The actuator is selectively moveable between a first position where the first syringe is in fluid communication with the second syringe and the filling needle is isolated from fluid communication with the first syringe and the second syringe, and a second position where the second syringe is in fluid communication with the filling needle and the first syringe is isolated from fluid communication with the second syringe and the filling needle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Codman & Shurtleff, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Schorn, Sevak Stephanian
  • Patent number: 7168458
    Abstract: A water treatment product comprising a mixture of at least one active ingredient and a first fluid, wherein the concentration in the product of the active ingredient is at least 50% on a weight basis and the viscosity of the product is at least 2,000 centipoise or 2 pascal seconds, the product adapted to be further diluted upon addition to a second fluid stream to be treated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Inventor: Roger A. Benham
  • Patent number: 7169489
    Abstract: Cassette based systems and methods of hydrogen storage, distribution, and recovery are disclosed. A cassette or other container may contain a hydrogen storage or storing material. Information may be stored in the material and subsequently read or accessed. A probe may be used to interrogate the material. The hydrogen content or other characteristics of the material may be determined based on the interrogation. A hydrogen dispensing unit may contain a depleted cassette acceptor to accept depleted cassettes and a charged cassette dispenser to dispense charged cassettes. The dispensing unit may be implemented in a hydrogen retail store or as a standalone unit. The retail store or the unit may connect to a hydrogen network and implement various business methods, as disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: FuelSell Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott D. Redmond
  • Patent number: 7150299
    Abstract: A fluid control and gas delivery assembly and method for containing, receiving and storing hazardous fluids and for dispensing gas comprising a container, a fluid fill path, a gas dispensing path, a first shut-off valve, a pressure reducer, a fluid flow restrictor, a second shut-off valve and a fluid outlet connector. The first shut-off valve is positioned in said gas dispensing path upstream of a pressure reducer. A fluid flow restrictor downstream of the pressure reducer has a fluid flow restriction path configured to restrict the flow of the fluid delivered to the fluid flow restrictor at the delivery pressure to a maximum mass flow rate that is equal to or less than the allowable mass flow rate standard for the hazardous fluid. The second shut-off valve is positioned in said gas dispensing path downstream of said pressure reducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin Lee Hertzler, Robert Harrison Shay, Alexandre de Almeida Botelho
  • Patent number: 7134460
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus (1) serve to place tablets (2) into pockets (3) of thermoformed bottom foil (4). The tablets (2) are accumulated as they are located in their flat position. The tablets (2) are rotated in an erecting station (9) such that they reach an approximately upright position. A plurality of lines of approximately upright tablets (2) is formed. The approximately upright tablets (2) are rotated back into their flat position by a transfer unit (24) including a plurality of channels (28). The tablets (2) are then placed into the pockets (3) of the bottom foil (4) by the transfer unit (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: MediSeal GmbH
    Inventors: Horst Kaplan, Heinrich Barke
  • Patent number: 7131468
    Abstract: A method for creating a ready-to-use product from a concentrated form comprises providing a source of locally supplied diluent to a dispenser having a fill station, providing a container of first concentrate at a remote site, providing a first product container, identifying the container by the dispenser, placing indicia with the fill date on the first product container and filling the container with the diluent and the concentrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Allan L. Schuman, Tina O. Outlaw, Keith E. Olson, James E. Skavnak
  • Patent number: 7124791
    Abstract: A medicament tablet dispensing system and method dispenses any selected number of tablets, up to a maximum number, with minimal dispensing delays. During fill operations, a preset number of tablets are counted and stored in dedicated storage compartments. Dispensing operations are performed in response to dispense request commands. The fill operations are performed in a manner independent from the quantity of tablets identified by the dispense request commands. During the dispensing operations for a particular dispense request command, the preset number of tablets are emptied from one or more of the dedicated storage compartments, thereby avoiding delays associated with counting all of the dispensed tablets. Moreover, the fill operations and the dispensing operations may be performed in parallel for high-throughput dispensing applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Kirby Lester, LLC
    Inventors: Aleksandr Geltser, Vladimir Gershman, Michael R. Gomez
  • Patent number: 7124788
    Abstract: A bag-on-valve aerosol valve system in a container. Propellant is pressure filled around the valve stem, outwardly over the stem gasket and down into the container space outside the bag. Product is filled through the valve stem into the bag. The valve stem has an exterior intermediate frusto-conical annular surface and the valve housing has an interior frusto-conical annular surface, with both surfaces engaging in annular sealing contact to block propellant access to the bag when the valve stem is deeply depressed to a first predetermined position for propellant pressure filling. A stem exterior surface indent interacts with radially-biased spring-loaded slides to lock the stem in a second less depressed predetermined position for product filling through the stem down into the bag. The propellant and product may be pressure filled in either order using essentially conventional pressure filing equipment, after the valve is mounted on the container and the bag is mounted on the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Precision Valve Corporation
    Inventor: Louis Pericard
  • Patent number: 7111649
    Abstract: A sterile filling machine and related method are provided for sterile filling a container with a substance. The container includes a heat resealable stopper and a chamber for receiving the substance therein. The sealed, empty containers are subjected to radiation capable of penetrating through the stopper and chamber for sterilizing the container. The previously sterilized containers are then transported through an e-beam chamber, wherein an electron beam is directed onto a penetrable surface of the stopper to sterilize the penetrable surface. A needle is mounted within the e-beam chamber and moved into engagement with the stopper to pierce the sterilized penetrable surface of the stopper and inject the substance through the needle and into the chamber of the container. The needle is then withdrawn from the stopper and the filled container is transported outside of the e-beam chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Medical Instill Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Py
  • Patent number: RE39340
    Abstract: Two cap modifications are disclosed for use on water bottles to be installed in water dispensers. A central conical well in the top of the cap is formed with a scoreline. When the bottle is lowered into a dispenser, a probe of the dispenser enters the well and causes it to split along the scoreline. When the bottle is raised, the well substantially returns to initial condition, inhibiting spillage of any liquid remaining in the bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Portola Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian M. Adams, Hoa Pham, Daniel Luch