Supply Container Hand Manipulated Patents (Class 141/366)
  • Patent number: 6745802
    Abstract: A bottle drainage coupler unit has upper and lower coupler pairs to support bottles with viscous fluid such as ketchup for stable, effective, mouth to mouth drainage. The drainage is effected without the need for supervision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Inventor: Carole Varga
  • Patent number: 6715520
    Abstract: A fluid transfer assembly comprising a bottle connector and a drug bottle. The bottle has a neck with an opening covered by a closure, while the connector has a hollow needle for penetrating the closure when establishing a fluid transfer line in the fluid transfer assembly. The assembly further comprises a neck element having locking members for irreversible coupling to the neck and to the connector. The neck element and the connector further comprise interacting guiding members for directing the hollow needle to penetrate the closure at a predetermined angle when establishing the fluid transfer line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Carmel Pharma AB
    Inventors: Kjell Andréasson, Jerry Strandhav
  • Patent number: 6708738
    Abstract: The self funnel drink additive product has two surfaces connected at a perimeter to enclose a volume which contains drink additive, the volume being substantially flat for storage, and has a narrow neck portion of the perimeter, so that the drink additive is funneled through the narrow neck into a vessel opening when the perimeter is opened along an optimal cut line at the narrow neck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Inventor: Carol Olsen
  • Patent number: 6640843
    Abstract: An ink refilling apparatus for a cartridge of an ink jet printer comprises an injector and a refill holder. The injector includes a cylinder containing ink and a piston inserted into the cylinder. An ejecting protrusion having an ejection hole is formed at the cylinder. An enclosing protrusion surrounding the ejecting protrusion is formed at the cylinder, and is formed with a female screw around the inner periphery. The refill holder includes a base onto which a cartridge is seated. First and second supporting walls are bent vertically from both ends of the base to support the cartridge. An inserting protrusion having a male screw around the outer periphery to be teeth-engaged with the female screw of the injector is bonded to the first wall of the refill holder. An ink injection passage is formed through the inserting protrusion to communicate with an injection hole of the cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Inventor: Yong-Soo Lee
  • Patent number: 6637467
    Abstract: A processing solution container package system includes a frame that supports the containers of the package system and allows each of the containers to collapse while avoiding a trapping of solution within the containers. The frame comprises first and second members that include interlocking sections to permit each of the members to be accommodated on the surface of the containers and interlocked to each other. The frame includes curved sections to support a valve neck of each of the containers in an extended non-collapsed position. This helps in the assembly of the containers, and further prevents the valve necks of the containers from collapsing back towards the top surface of the containers while the containers are being filled with solution. Also, the frame that supports the containers prevents damage to the containers if the containers are accidentally dropped. In a further feature of the invention, the containers have a crown shaped surface which corresponds to a curved surface of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Ralph L. Piccinino, Jr., Kevin H. Blakely, Craig S. Lefevre
  • Patent number: 6607102
    Abstract: A liquid dispensing apparatus (10) includes a container (70) for holding a liquid product to be dispensed. A docking station (20) receives the container (70). A reservoir (50) is positioned in the docking station (20) for receiving the liquid to be dispensed. A docking cup is connected to the docking station for opening a bottle insert (90) which is contained in the container (70). The bottle insert includes a body (93) having openings (95). A probe-engaging member is movable between a first and second position without obstructing the openings (95).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory G. Griese, Troy A. Anderson
  • Patent number: 6591876
    Abstract: A transfer guard for use by an individual for transferring contents from a supply container into a receiver container includes a supply adapter, a receiver adapter, a support structure and a fluid conducting element. The supply adapter connects the supply container to the transfer guard, and the receiver adapter connects the receiver container to the transfer guard. The support structure couples the supply adapter with the receiver adapter, and supports the fluid conducting element which, passes through the supply adapter and the receiver adapter. The fluid conducting element provides a passage for the contents to transfer from the supply container into the receiver container. The fluid conducting element also includes at least one pointed end that is substantially protected by the transfer guard from contact with the individual.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Medtronic MiniMed, Inc.
    Inventor: Jason H. Safabash
  • Patent number: 6585016
    Abstract: A system for facilitating the delivery of a liquid anesthetic agent from an anesthetic bottle to an anesthetic vaporizer. The system includes a bottle adapter, an anesthetic bottle and a filler arrangement positioned on the anesthetic vaporizer. The bottle adapter and filler arrangement each include a keyed configuration such that only the correct type of anesthetic agent can be emptied into the anesthetic vaporizer. The bottle adapter includes an adapter valve assembly that engages a filler valve assembly contained within the filler. The dimensions and arrangement of the adapter valve assembly and the filler valve assembly insure anesthetic agent is delivered to the anesthetic vaporizer only when the anesthetic agent can safely flow from the anesthetic bottle to the anesthetic vaporizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Datex-Ohmeda, Inc.
    Inventors: John C. Falligant, Gordon G. Sansom
  • Patent number: 6557597
    Abstract: A foodstuff refill (2) intended to be inserted in a foodstuff supply zone of a device for metering, dispensing and/or preparing food products; the refill comprising a container (20) for the foodstuff; a passage (24) for releasing the foodstuff; edges (21) of the device, including at least one pair of first opposed edges (210a, 210b), a film (25) for sealing the passage to form an enclosed space (26); a member (3) for detaching the film from the container; the detachment member including at least one catch member (4) intended to engage a retaining lip of the device when the refill is inserted into the device. The detachment member (3) is secured to the film (25) and is able to be connected to the refill in such a way as to be movable in sliding along the first edges of the device (210a, 210b) to cause the at least partial opening of the film (25) in response to the engagement of the refill in the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventor: Alain Riesterer
  • Patent number: 6530399
    Abstract: A system and a method for delivering and metering a fixed volume of liquid, such as a liquid sterilant from a container into a vaporization system. The method for the delivering system includes the steps of sensing a requirement for additional liquid sterilant, determining whether the liquid sterilant to be added is acceptable for use, and delivering the liquid sterilant from a container into an accumulator. The method of metering the liquid sterilant into the vaporization system includes creating a vacuum in a chamber connected to the vaporizer and delivering the liquid sterilant into a vaporizer while continually sensing the flow of the delivery. The metering system maintains a slow, controlled flow in order to achieve efficient vaporization of the liquid sterilant and to provide accurate sensing of the gas/liquid interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Nick Ngoc Nguyen, Ross G. Krogh
  • Patent number: 6505655
    Abstract: A processing solution container package system includes a frame that supports the containers of the package system and allows each of the containers to collapse while avoiding a trapping of solution within the containers. The frame comprises first and second members that include interlocking sections to permit each of the members to be accommodated on the surface of the containers and interlocked to each other. The frame includes curved sections to support a valve neck of each of the containers in an extended non-collapsed position. This helps in the assembly of the containers, and further prevents the valve necks of the containers from collapsing back towards the top surface of the containers while the containers are being filled with solution. Also, the frame that supports the containers prevents damage to the containers if the containers are accidentally dropped. In a further feature of the invention, the containers have a crown shaped surface which corresponds to a curved surface of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Ralph L. Piccinino, Jr., Kevin H. Blakely, Craig S. Lefevre
  • Patent number: 6484760
    Abstract: A fitment adapted to cover and reinforce an exposed edge of a container and facilitate the loading of the container with material. Alternatively, the fitment may be integrally formed with the container to be filled. The fitment includes a generally planar surface having a peripheral edge and an apertured cover hingedly attached thereto. A loading ledge, able to support heavy material to be loaded, is provided when the apertured cover is in the open position. The peripheral edge further includes a ramped portion to support the opened cover and heavy material. Apertures in the fitment allow passage of material from the ledge into the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Inventors: Jay Z. Muchin, David J. Merten
  • Patent number: 6478058
    Abstract: A pouring spout is described that has sections cut away from the sleeve of the spout contiguous to an exit, as well as a means for setting the maximum distance the inner sleeve can be pushed past the outer sleeve of the spout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Scepter Corporation
    Inventor: Michael Pears
  • Patent number: 6470920
    Abstract: A food substance refill element for an automatic fluid dispensing device. The refill element includes a receptacle containing a quantity of the substance to be refilled into the fluid dispensing device and a closing member that cooperates with the receptacle to form a hermetically enclosed chamber. The closing member includes a detachment portion so that the closing member is at least partially detached from the receptacle when the refill element is introduced into the automatic fluid dispensing device or after the refill element has been introduced in the automatic fluid dispensing device. The invention also relates to a fluid dispensing device for use with the refill element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Bernard Jeannin, Petr Masek, Ennio Bardin
  • Publication number: 20020139441
    Abstract: A device for filling an ink cartridge, particularly a refilling device for filling ink cartridges of ink-jet systems, such as printers and plotters, or other automatic registering, writing or drawing apparatus, includes a refilling container and an ink cartridge connected through an adaptor and arranged essentially one above the other in the filling position. The adaptor has at least two connections for the refilling container and the cartridge to be connected. A separate ink reservoir is arranged in the ink cartridge, wherein the ink reservoir of the ink cartridge and/or the filling container of the refilling container includes an easily deformable bag, and wherein the reservoir bag and/or container bag are of a flexible, elastic material. A hermetically sealed cartridge space is formed between the cartridge housing and the separate ink reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Inventors: Volker Schonfelder, Gunther Tandler, Thomas Bothe
  • Patent number: 6453956
    Abstract: A transfer guard for use by an individual for transferring contents from a supply container into a receiver container includes a supply adapter, a receiver adapter, a support structure and a fluid conducting element. The supply adapter connects the supply container to the transfer guard, and the receiver adapter connects the receiver container to the transfer guard. The support structure couples the supply adapter with the receiver adapter, and supports the fluid conducting element which, passes through the supply adapter and the receiver adapter. The fluid conducting element provides a passage for the contents to transfer from the supply container into the receiver container. The fluid conducting element also includes at least one pointed end that is substantially protected by the transfer guard from contact with the individual.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Medtronic MiniMed, Inc.
    Inventor: Jason H. Safabash
  • Patent number: 6418987
    Abstract: A fluid recovery system for removing fluid from a first container into a second container is formed from a dual cap system. The first of the caps has a push-pull, pop-up valve dispenser in it. A second inverted cap is placed between the actuator for the push-pull valve and the top of the first cap. The second cap has a circular opening cut out at its center which loosely fits around a cylindrical extension of the pop-up valve on the first cap. When the device is to be used, the push-pull valve actuator is pressed closed and the first cap is threaded onto the empty container. The entire assembly then is inverted; and the second cap is threaded onto the container which is to receive the residue from the “empty” container. After the two caps have been threaded onto the respective containers, they are pulled a short distance apart to cause the push-pull valve actuator to be opened; and the top container then empties into the lower container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Inventor: Rocco Colasacco
  • Patent number: 6390156
    Abstract: A dispensing system and method for locked spill-free transfer of liquid and dry materials. The dispensing assembly attached to the material holding container has a bottle cap with a slotted spring housing, small notch, spring-biased valve closure member with activation pin, and spring nut with cutout. The paired docking station receptacle includes a housing having an upper flange, bottom discharge opening, interior protrusion, and upwardly tapering spring nut engagement member with spaced-apart radially-extending flukes positioned within the discharge opening, the upper surface of which are configured for partial insertion through the spring nut cutout. Thus, when the protrusion is aligned with the notch and a bayonet turn is applied to the bottle cap, the spring nut engagement member unseats the valve closure member and allows material transfer. The dispensing system herein can be used by manufacturers of equipment requiring periodic renewal of dry and liquid materials to limit their source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Inventors: Michael Hetherington, Richard Charles Pahl
  • Patent number: 6390155
    Abstract: A system and a method for delivering and metering a fixed volume of liquid, such as a liquid sterilant from a container into a vaporization system. The method for the delivering system includes the steps of sensing a requirement for additional liquid sterilant, determining whether the liquid sterilant to be added is acceptable for use, and delivering the liquid sterilant from a container into an accumulator. The method of metering the liquid sterilant into the vaporization system includes creating a vacuum in a chamber connected to the vaporizer and delivering the liquid sterilant into a vaporizer while continually sensing the flow of the delivery. The metering system maintains a slow, controlled flow in order to achieve efficient vaporization of the liquid sterilant and to provide accurate sensing of the gas/liquid interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventor: Nick Ngoc Nguyen
  • Patent number: 6363978
    Abstract: A device for maintaining ingredients separately within a bottle container of the type having a removable container cap has a sub-container body formed with squeezable plastic outer walls and inner divider walls forming multiple compartments having respective orifices for dispensing the ingredients contained therein. Each compartment can be separately opened (by removing a sealing element) and its ingredient can be dispensed into the container by squeezing. A can container having a fixed can top and pull tab, has a one or more sub-container vessels held in exterior well(s) recessed in the surface of the container top, and held in place by and protected by the pull tab. When the pull tab is removed and the tab opening is exposed, the sub-container vessel(s) can be removed from the exterior well(s) to dispense their separate ingredients into the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Inventor: James A. Castillo
  • Patent number: 6364180
    Abstract: A container for dispensing oil or other fluid medium into an engine or other receptacle. The container has a body with a pair of necks concentrically arranged, including an inner neck and an outer neck. The removed ends of both necks are covered with a frangible member. When the oil container is inverted and placed over the engine oil inlet the frangible member prevents oil leakage until the container is pushed against the oil inlet, then it breaks and inserts the inner neck into the engine oil inlet with outer neck being outside the circumference of the engine oil inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Inventor: Alberto C. Cardenas
  • Patent number: 6347651
    Abstract: A food substance refill element for an automatic fluid dispensing device. The refill element includes a receptacle containing a quantity of the substance to be refilled into the fluid dispensing device and a closing member that cooperates with the receptacle to form a hermetically enclosed chamber. The closing member includes a detachment portion so that the closing member is at least partially detached from the receptacle when the refill clement is introduced into the automatic fluid dispensing device or after the refill element ha s been introduced in the automatic fluid dispensing device. The invention also relates to a fluid dispensing device for use with the refill element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Bernard Jeannin, Petr Masek, Ennio Bardin
  • Publication number: 20010027827
    Abstract: The invention relates to a food substance refill element for an automatic fluid dispensing device. The refill element includes a receptacle containing a quantity of the substance to be refilled into the fluid dispensing device and a closing member that cooperates with the receptacle to form a hermetically enclosed chamber. The closing member includes a detachment portion so that the closing member is at least partially detached from the receptacle when the refill element is introduced into the automatic fluid dispensing device or after the refill element has been introduced in the automatic fluid dispensing device. The invention also relates to a fluid dispensing device for use with the refill element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2001
    Publication date: October 11, 2001
    Applicant: Nestec, S.A., a Swiss corporate
    Inventors: Bernard Jeannin, Petr Masek, Ennio Bardin
  • Patent number: 6289948
    Abstract: A food substance refill element for an automatic fluid dispensing device. The refill element includes a receptacle containing a quantity of the substance to be refilled into the fluid dispensing device and a closing member that cooperates with the receptacle to form a hermetically enclosed chamber. The closing member includes a detachment portion so that the closing member is at least partially detached from the receptacle when the refill element is introduced into the automatic fluid dispensing device or after the refill element has been introduced in the automatic fluid dispensing device. The invention also relates to a fluid dispensing device for use with the refill element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Bernard Jeannin, Petr Masek, Ennio Bardin
  • Patent number: 6263928
    Abstract: A container for use in a closed application system includes a valve mounted to a discharge opening of the container and rotatable with the container for controlling the discharge of material from the container. The valve includes an element for engaging corresponding structure in a receptacle for receiving the contents of the container. The element engages and locks the valve in the receptacle when the valve is opened and the contents are being discharged from the container into the receptacle. The valve element and the corresponding structure on the receptacle cooperate so that the container can only be received in and removed from the receptacle when the valve is closed. In this manner, the contents in the container can be discharged only when the container is received within the receptacle and the container is rotated in a direction to open the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: American Cyanamid Company
    Inventor: Keith F. Woodruff
  • Patent number: 6253804
    Abstract: A transfer guard for use by an individual for transferring contents from a supply container into a receiver container includes a supply adapter, a receiver adapter, a support structure and a needle. The supply adapter connects the supply container to the transfer guard, and the receiver adapter connects the receiver container to the transfer guard. The support structure couples the supply adapter with the receiver adapter, and the needle passes through the supply adapter and the receiver adapter. The needle is attached to one of the adapters for support and provides a passage for the contents to transfer from the supply container into the receiver container. The needle also includes at least one pointed end that is substantially protected by the transfer guard from contact with the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: MiniMed Inc.
    Inventor: Jason Hossein Safabash
  • Patent number: 6244311
    Abstract: A medical apparatus and method for draining bodily fluid from a container, such as a suction canister.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Bemis Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Joseph M. Hand, Barry G. Anderson, Michael C. Hollen, Mark A. Miller
  • Patent number: 6196281
    Abstract: A fluid transfer system suitable for emptying a container or flask closed by a liquid-tight removable frangible closure obtained from a material that can be recycled. Photoprocessing materials are transferred from a first container having the frangible container into an adjoining second container. The frangible closure has a single closure sheet fixed to a lateral skirt for mounting the frangible closure on the spout of the flask, for example with a screw. The flask is emptied by tipping the flask onto a perforation device that perforates a central weakness in the closure sheet which connects with a radial weakness at the seam of the closure sheet and lateral skirt, allowing for lower puncture forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Scott H. Schwallie, Linn C. Hoover, Gerald L. Johnson, John M. Rzepka
  • Patent number: 6125893
    Abstract: A container (2) for a liquid anaesthetic agent for supplying the agent to an anaesthetic vaporizer comprises a reservoir for the liquid agent, a valve (6) which, when closed, prevents the flow of the liquid agent from the reservoir, a tubular outlet (10) through which the liquid can leave the reservoir when the valve is open. An O-ring (20) at the free end of the conduit provides a sealing surface for forming a seal with a corresponding sealing surface provided at an inlet to a vaporizer to which the anaesthetic agent is to be supplied. A flange (22) engages a guide on the vaporizer, to retain the container in contact with the vaporizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Datex-Ohmeda, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Braatz, Raymond S. Gregory, Robert A. Heaton, Keith Whitaker, David C. Sampson
  • Patent number: 6105639
    Abstract: A delivery system for dispensing controlled amounts of liquid or powder has two slidingly engaged parts which are held together as a single unit. The system is particularly useful for delivering powdered solidifying agents to closed medical waste containment systems. Because medical waste container lids include different sized ports, including relatively large diameter pour spouts and relatively small diameter ortho ports, the delivery system is provided with means for selectively coupling to either pour spouts or ortho ports, vastly increasing the adaptability of the delivery system to given container lids loosed by pushing one of the two parts toward the other until a valve plug in the upper part of the system is received within an aperture of a valve seal membrane in the lower part of the system. The system is opened by pulling one part of the system away from the other using the sliding engagement means so that the valve plug exits the aperture in the valve seal membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: OBF Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Murphy, Leon M. Levy
  • Patent number: 6032705
    Abstract: A delivery system for dispensing controlled amounts of liquid or powder has two slidingly engaged parts which are held together as a single unit. The system is closed by pushing one of the two parts toward the other until a valve plug in the upper part of the system is received within an aperture of a valve seal membrane in the lower part of the system. The system is opened by pulling one part of the system away from the other using the sliding engagement means so that the valve plug exits the aperture in the valve seal membrane. Interior contoured walls prevent undesired collection of powder within the system, the relative orientation of the two parts of the system is adjustable to control the rate of flow of powder, and the system is particularly suitable for introducing powdered desiccants into medical waste containers without exposing the contents of the waste containers to the surrounding environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: OBF Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Murphy, Leon M. Levy
  • Patent number: 6029860
    Abstract: A liquid dispensing device and a hygenic adapter are provided wherein the dispensing device includes a cabinet housing a liquid reservoir open at its upper end and defining a generally annular ring portion for supporting the shoulder portion of an inverted bottle over the reservoir and the adapter includes a feed tube formed integrally with and supported by the cup-shaped structure having an inwardly stepped side wall including a peripheral flange portion adapted to be supported by the open upper end of the reservoir and an annular gasket carried by and surrounding the cup-shaped structure for sealingly closing the open upper end of the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: Elkay Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Edward H. Donselman, Lowell C. Burnham, Scott E. Sloan, Steve Suchanek
  • Patent number: 5975164
    Abstract: A nozzle for a container including an internal ball check valve along with an o-ring sealing structure and angled insertion limitation stops to cooperate with a receptacle to permit the insertion of the nozzle and container only a predetermined distance, while providing for such insertion to effect an opening of the ball check valve, and appropriate sealing o-rings are provided to prevent leakage of the liquid past the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Orange-co of Florida, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Whaley, Donald L. Acker, Conrad L. Williams
  • Patent number: 5937919
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a layering apparatus for the disposition of multiple fluids in sequence, into a receptacle, in a series of separate layers. The apparatus includes a tubular shaped column having an open upper end and a lower end having a base plate arranged thereacross. The base plate is arranged at an angle of between about 35.degree. to 60.degree. with respect to the longitudinal axis of the column. An annular flange is arranged about the upper end of the column to permit the column to be supported by an upper edge of a receptacle in which the column is disposed. An opening is arranged in the column adjacent the base plate, to permit the even, controlled drainage of fluid into a receptacle after receipt of that fluid in the upper end of the column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Inventors: Panayiotis M. Zavos, Panayota N. Zarmakoupis-Zavos
  • Patent number: 5927352
    Abstract: The device comprises a housing (10) having a powder inlet opening (12) in an upper face (13) thereof. A dust shield (14) upstands from the upper face (13) adjacent said powder inlet opening (12). A movable box (16) for accommodating a bag (18) containing powder has an open end (20). Co-operating guides (22, 24) provided respectively on the housing (10) and on the box (16) constrain movement of the box (16) between a first position in which the open end (20) is closed by the dust shield (14) and a second position in which the open end (20) mates with the powder inlet opening (12) to allow powder from the bag (18) to fall through the powder inlet opening (12). Thereby, discharge of the powder contents of a flexible material bag can be achieved in a convenient manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert N.V.
    Inventors: Paul Wouters, Patrick Van den Bergen
  • Patent number: 5918650
    Abstract: A liquid transfer tool allows a nearly empty plastic bottle to be emptied into another bottle that is to be saved. Shampoos and other liquid like perfume are very expensive and users of these products want to save every last drop in a bottle. The handy screw on caps include a mating portion that allows a user to screw both caps onto the bottles to be joined together for salvaging the fluid of the more empty bottle into the bottle that is more full through either a snap fit or male and female mating threads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Inventor: Teddy H. Borden
  • Patent number: 5833089
    Abstract: A connector for connecting two containers includes a first portion releasably secured to the neck of the first container and a second portion having an access opening. A closure member for sealing the access opening of the connector includes a cover for sealably closing the access opening, the cover being fixed to the connector so as to include a breakable point of attachment and a zone of weakness disposed on the periphery of the cover. The cover includes a tab disposed generally perpendicular to the cover and a strut angularly disposed between the tab and the cover such that the exertion of pressure substantially normal to the tab causes the cover to release from the connector at the zone of weakness and the rotation of the cover causes release of the cover from the connector at the breakable point of attachment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Inventors: Charles Manni, Jean Pierre Augier
  • Patent number: 5794671
    Abstract: A draining apparatus for collecting fluids from a container. This device consists essentially of a base and a rotational receptacle support which holds, in place, the container which is to be drained. The container is held in an inverted position and is uniquely secured for draining and can be easily released to facilitate collection and use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Inventor: M. Michelle Smith
  • Patent number: 5746260
    Abstract: A container set comprises a first container (21) adapted to be reused by being refilled with the contents of a second container (22) containing a product of a volume not exceeding the volume of the first container. The two containers (21 and 22) comprise mouth parts (33, 27) with guide faces allowing a coupling together of the containers in a position in which said containers are mutually immovable in radial direction. Furthermore, the mouth parts (33, 27) of the containers (21, 22) comprise co-operating sealing faces preventing the contents from leaking into the surroundings when the coupled containers are manipulated in order to transfer the contents from the second container (22) to the first container (21). The second container (22) preferably has a substantially superelliptic shape in any cross-sectional view parallel to the support engaging force of the container when the container is filled with the liquid product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventor: Steen Vesborg
  • Patent number: 5687777
    Abstract: An anesthetic vaporizer filler valve is disclosed that can be used in conjunction with anesthetic agent bottles currently commercially available and which have standard keying systems with rotating collars having lugs extending therefrom. The standard collar of such anesthetic agent bottles is keyed into the vaporizer filling valve. the vaporizer filler valve has an internal valve that must be opened in order to introduce the liquid anesthetic agent into the vaporizer sump. By means of a corresponding slot in the vaporizer filler valve that correspond with mating lugs of the standard anesthetic agent bottle, only a proper anesthetic agent bottle can engage and be screwed into the filler valve designed for that specific anesthetic agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1997
    Assignee: Ohmeda Inc.
    Inventors: Darwin B. Dobson, Alan A. Pitas
  • Patent number: 5682931
    Abstract: A baby food jar is directly attachable to the top of a squeezable baby bottle so that the baby food jar can be inverted on the sgueezable bottle to gravitationally transfer the baby food without spilling. Thereafter, a feeding member includes a nozzle which attaches directly to the squeezable baby bottle. The nozzle terminates in a baby feeding spoon. Squeezing the bottle delivers baby food directly to the spoon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Assignee: Munchkin, Inc.
    Inventor: Silva Mouchmouchian
  • Patent number: 5682932
    Abstract: A humidifier water bottle having an opening therein with a funnel shape to assist filling, the same opening also performs a valving function as to the water in the bottle which blocks the flow of water as the bottle is rotated from a horizontal position to a near vertical position whereupon the geometry of the opening allows the water to flow into the reservoir of the humidifier and maintain a constant level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Assignee: Vornado Air Circulation Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Glen W. Ediger
  • Patent number: 5634504
    Abstract: A venting and flow control closure device includes a disc having a peripheral sealing area attachable to a rim which encircles a dispensing opening of a liquid container and a repeating vented fracture pattern formed on the disc and extending from one edge to an opposite edge of the sealing area of the disc. The disc is made substantially of a metal foil material. The repeating fracture pattern is formed of a plurality of alternating vents and rupturable bridges. Each vent has a length substantially greater than the length of each bridge. The repeating fracture pattern has a central portion zig-zag in shape with peaks and valleys terminating in a plurality of round holes, and a pair of opposite side portions extending outwardly from the round holes of the central portion in substantially perpendicular relation to an imaginary line dividing the zig-zag pattern of the central portion into halves with all of the peaks in one half and all of the valleys in the other half.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Inventor: Herman R. Chandler
  • Patent number: 5595223
    Abstract: An ink refill adapter to be used for refilling a used ink cartridge with ink from a separate ink container. The ink refill adapter includes a support plate and a conduit extending through the support plate. When the ink refill adapter is placed on the used cartridge, the ink container and the ink cartridge are brought into full engagement via the adapter so that the ink in the ink container flows down by gravity into the conduit and further into the cartridge. The ink refill adapter is designed so as to form an air escape between the adapter and the cartridge so as to let the air inside the cartridge go out smoothly as the ink flows in and is further provided with a safety cap that has an ink absorbing material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1997
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Pencil Corporation of America
    Inventor: Sakae Hayao
  • Patent number: 5592980
    Abstract: A container for supplying toner includes a containing portion with an opening through which toner is moved into a receiving sump. A cover for the opening is flexible enough to move in an arcuate path from a position coveting the opening to a position of storage alongside a sidewall of the containing portion. The cover is stiff enough to be pushed back to its covering position. The leading edge of the cover in its movement back to its coveting position is made concave to the direction of movement so that it will more easily enter a channel partially defined by a seal around the opening. A protrusion on the cover enters a hole in a cover holding member when the cover is in its coveting position to lock the cover in place when the container is not on a receiving apparatus. The protrusion can be pushed out of the hole, unlocking the cover by an appropriate receiving member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Philip A. Stern, Terry R. Elich, Thomas S. Wicks
  • Patent number: 5540264
    Abstract: An apparatus for collecting fluids has a base member, a container support member, a fluid conduit platform on the container support member and a plurality of telescoping leg members connecting the base member to the fluid conduit platform. A support extension is on the base member. A plurality of flexible headers is removably inserted through a plurality of ports in the fluid conduit platform. A container chamber is removably connected to each of the flexible headers. The container chamber has an anti-contaminant cover hingedly attached thereon. A flow pipe is connected to each the headers and a flow manifold is connected to the flow pipes. A transfer valve is connected to one end of the flow manifold. A flexible flow direction pipe releasibly connects to the transfer valve. A plurality of wheel gear access ports is in the base member. A wheel gear member is in each of the plurality of wheel gear access ports and a hinge plate is on each of the wheel gear members. A locking extension is on the hinge plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Inventor: Timmy R. Harp
  • Patent number: 5535794
    Abstract: A closure on a bottle is adapted to be activated by surfaces of a cooler well to move a plunger from a closed position to a position at which water is adapted to flow out of the bottle. Selected tolerances of the plunger and sleeve in which it moves provide a seal at the closed position and prevent the plunger from being fully withdrawn from the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Inventor: Louis M. Posly
  • Patent number: 5533553
    Abstract: A container set comprises a first container (1) adapted to be reused by being refilled with the contents of a second container (2) containing a product of a volume not exceeding the volume of the first container. The two containers (1 and 2) comprise mouth parts (13, 7) with guide faces allowing a coupling together of the containers in a position in which said containers are mutually immovable in radial direction. Furthermore, the mouth parts (13, 7) of the containers (1, 2) comprise co-operating sealing faces preventing the contents from leaking into the surroundings when the coupled containers are manipulated in order to transfer the contents from the second container (2) to the first container (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1996
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Co.
    Inventor: Steen Vesborg
  • Patent number: 5524680
    Abstract: Device for dispensing a dose of given volume of a liquid or pasty product, including:a receptacle (2) equipped with a first pump (4) including a hollow control rod (5) for transfering the product from the receptacle (2) into the bottle (3) by forcing;a bottle (3) equipped at one end with a second pump (15) and with a dispensing head (14), the bottle having, at the other end, a bottom (17), designed to interact with the end of the control rod (25) of the first pump (4) and including a valve which opens only under the pressure of the product contained in the receptacle (2)when the first pump (4) is actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Assignee: L'Oreal
    Inventor: Vincent de Laforcade
  • Patent number: 5477895
    Abstract: An assembly or a container including such an assembly which allows powder contents to be dispensed into a cap prior to the removal of the cap, the position of the thread engaged cap relative to the body of the container determining, to some extent, the volume of the materials being dispensed, the container otherwise being closable prior to the removal of the cap with the dispensed contents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Assignee: Carter Holt Harvey Plastic Products Group Limited
    Inventor: George L. Willard