Evacuation Apparatus Patents (Class 141/65)
  • Publication number: 20130126040
    Abstract: A method for filling containers with liquid content using a filling machine includes partially evacuating a container before filling it, and pre-heating said liquid content to a filling temperature by using a negative pressure supplied from a pump operated with a sealing liquid to discharge, into said liquid content, thermal energy accrued from cooling of said sealing liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: KHS GMBH
    Inventor: Ludwig Clüsserath
  • Patent number: 8443849
    Abstract: An irrigation system draining apparatus adapted for use with an irrigation system having a conduit with a fluid source connection, an air inlet, and at least one output port, the apparatus includes a suction device. The suction device has an input port that is adapted to access an interior of the conduit, and to drain fluid from the conduit by suction when the fluid source connection is closed and the air inlet is open. A method of draining an irrigation system includes closing a fluid source connection for the irrigation system, opening an air inlet of the irrigation system, and using a suction device to drain fluid from the irrigation system conduit through the one output port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Inventors: Joseph Rosselli, Arto Cinoglu
  • Patent number: 8439216
    Abstract: A two-part container for preserving material samples during storage and transport is separable and can be sealed with the presence of an elastomeric O-ring and internal threads on each part of the container. In the configuration at which the threads first engage between the two halves of the container, there is a small hole in the outer top part just above the O-ring of the bottom mating part. When the two container parts are mated and the sealing O-ring is below the small hole, inert gas can be made to flow through an inlet valve, into the container, and out through the small hole. In this configuration, the inert gas flows through the container and purges the atmospheric gas, replacing it with inert gas. After a period of time, the two container parts are rotated so that the sealing O-ring moves above the small hole. This will stop the flow into and out of the container. After this, the gas inlet valve is closed to seal the inert gas in the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: South Bay Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott D Walck
  • Patent number: 8434530
    Abstract: A filler valve unit (1) for feeding a preset amount of filling liquid (3) into a container (6) having an outlet (4) for feeding out filling liquid and an outlet (11) for injecting gaseous fluid. The filler valve unit (1) comprises at least one stop element (14) forming a stroke limiter acting on the container (6). According to the invention, the stop element (14) is mobile and moves between at least two operating positions consisting of a first operating position wherein the stop element holds the mouth (5) of a container (6) at a preset distance from the outlet (4) and a second operating position wherein the stop element (14) holds the mouth (5) of the container (6) at a distance from the outlet (4) which is less than the preset distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Sidel International AG
    Inventor: Lucio Conforti
  • Patent number: 8418731
    Abstract: A method for the filling and optionally emptying transport containers with plastics granular materials, in which a flexible plastics inliner is inserted into a transport container. A front side of the inliner includes at least one receiving flexible hose connection for filling the inliner with plastics granular material, at least one discharge hose connection for discharging blown in conveying air from the inliner, and at least one emptying hose connection for emptying plastics granular material from the inliner. The front side of the inliner also includes a protective liner. The cabin and the transport container are positioned at a decanting station, the cabin being adapted to transfer plastics granular material from the decanting station and decant the transferred plastics granular material into the transport container through the receiving hose connection. The transport container is then filled with plastics granular material utilizing the cabin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Bayer MaterialScience AG
    Inventors: Christian Kords, Reiner Horl, Uli Franz, Raimund Zimmermann, Norbert Schniesko
  • Patent number: 8408047
    Abstract: A universal adapter to be detachably connected to the round fuel cap retaining lip of most any fuel tank filler neck so that smoke (i.e., a vapor) under pressure can be delivered to the fuel tank of a motor vehicle to test the fuel system for leaks. When connected, the universal adapter lies entirely outside the fuel tank filler neck. The universal adapter includes a circular ring-shaped rim that is manufactured from a flexible material having a spring memory. The flexible rim of the universal adapter is stretched and attached in surrounding sealing engagement against the fuel cap retaining lip of the filler neck. The universal adapter also includes a vapor inlet tube to which the nozzle of a vapor supply hose is attached. According to one embodiment, smoke produced by a smoke-generating machine pressurizes the fuel tank by way of a vapor delivery path which includes the vapor inlet tube of the universal adapter and the fuel tank filler neck of the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: STAR EnviroTech, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory Michael McCollom
  • Publication number: 20130042944
    Abstract: A puncturing device for pressurized containers comprises an elongated housing member defining an elongated cavity with openings at first and second ends thereof for receiving an inverted pressurized container at the first end, the housing member including a selective attachment member for securing the second end of the housing member to a collection receptacle. A non-sparking puncturing apparatus, with a lever having a built-in stop, is movably mounted on the housing member with a pivot-link-driven puncture pin extending through an intermediate aperture into the cavity for piercing a nozzle-end of the pressurized container below an internal shoulder thereof with a seal. A counter records each action of the puncture pin. Gases and residual contents are released into the receptacle through the opening in the second end. An auxiliary support member is rotatably mounted on the housing member for stabilizing relative movement between the housing member and the receptacle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2011
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Inventor: Michael C. CAMPBELL
  • Patent number: 8371341
    Abstract: A system including a vapor recovery valve having a valve body with a fluid flow path and a vapor flow path. The fluid flow path and the vapor flow path are generally fluidly isolated from each other. The vapor recovery valve further includes a vapor control valve positioned in the vapor flow path. The vapor control valve is movable between a first position wherein the vapor control valve at least partially impedes the flow of vapor therethrough and a second position wherein the vapor control valve does not impede or less impedes the flow of vapor therethrough compared to when the vapor control valve is in the first position. The vapor recover valve includes an actuator magnetically coupled to the vapor control valve. The actuator is configured such that sufficient fluid flow through the fluid flow path in a first direction causes the actuator to move the vapor control valve from the first position to the second position in a second direction that is generally not the same as the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Deleware Capital Formation, Inc.
    Inventor: John M. Gray
  • Patent number: 8371342
    Abstract: The invention relates to a filling device (1) for the volumetric metering of powder (2), particularly a powdery pharmaceutical. The filling device comprises a metering container (3, 4) having an inner chamber (5) and a peripheral edge (8, 9) around a filling opening (6, 7) of the metering container (3, 4), a planar retaining device (10), which is pervious to air, but impermeable to the powder (2), and covers the filling opening (6, 7) and the edge (8, 9) when filling the metering container (3, 4), a filling pipe (11), which is guided through the retaining device (10) and opens into the inner chamber (3) when filling the metering container (3, 4), and means for generating a pressure differential on the retaining device (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Harro Höfliger Verpackungsmaschinen GmbH
    Inventor: Marco Weigel
  • Patent number: 8365413
    Abstract: In an apparatus for manufacturing a fluid dynamic bearing, a housing portion defines a first work area. A vacuum pump discharges air in the first work area. A lubricant discharge device is arranged in the first work area, and discharges a lubricant into an inlet of a reservoir for storing the lubricant of the fluid dynamic bearing. At least one aperture is provided in the housing portion. A first door closes the aperture and a second door closes the aperture. Between the first door and the second door, when both have closed the aperture, a second work area is formed where the fluid dynamic bearing is placed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Alphana Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroki Yamazaki
  • Publication number: 20130025743
    Abstract: An ink cartridge refill apparatus includes an ink cartridge holder and an ink refill unit which are matched with each other. The ink cartridge holder has an accommodation chamber therein to accommodate an ink cartridge. The ink refill unit includes an ink tank and an ink delivery unit. An air extraction mechanism is provided on the ink cartridge holder to extract air from the ink cartridge. The ink cartridge holder has a passage for the air extraction mechanism to extract air relative to a nozzle of the ink cartridge. Through the air extraction mechanism, the ink cartridge is primed after being filled with ink, so that ink can freely flow to the nozzle of the ink cartridge from the ink tank of the ink cartridge. Compared to the prior art ink cartridge refill apparatus which needs an auxiliary tool to extract air after being refilled, the present invention is convenient for operation and can prevent the ink cartridge from leaking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Inventor: Kenneth Yuen
  • Patent number: 8356642
    Abstract: Automotive service equipment for brake fluid exchange includes a central unit having a controller for operating the equipment and a communication module for wirelessly communicating with each of a plurality of remote bleed modules to control bleeding brake fluid from respective brake bleeders of a vehicle connected to the modules. The brake fluid from the brake bleeders is stored in containers in the modules for later removal. When disconnected from the brake bleeders, the modules are moved to docking stations on the central unit for emptying brake fluid from the module containers and vacuum charging the containers for brake bleeding. The automotive service equipment and related method of performing brake fluid exchange in an automotive vehicle avoid the use of hoses for returning the waste fluid to the central unit thus reducing the problem of storage and handling of such hoses and spillage of residual fluid left in the hoses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: RTI Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey B. Murphy, Eric I. Shultz, Thomas L. Crandall
  • Publication number: 20130000773
    Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically performing a high accuracy gas refill in a laser chamber of a two chamber gas discharge laser such as an excimer laser are disclosed. Based upon a target pressure and halogen concentration that is either predetermined or entered by a user, and with no further user action, a non-halogen containing gas is added to the chamber to a first pressure, followed by the addition of halogen containing gas to a second pressure which is greater than a target pressure for the chamber, such that the halogen content in the gas at the second pressure is at a desired concentration. The gas in the chamber is bled until the pressure drops to the target pressure. The amount of non-halogen containing gas added is estimated automatically, and the amount of halogen containing gas is measured so that the desired concentration is obtained, taking into account both temperature and any gas remaining in the fill pipes from prior laser operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: CYMER, INC.
    Inventors: Rui Jiang, Joshua Jon Thornes, Daniel Jason Riggs, Kevin Michael O'Brien
  • Patent number: 8328159
    Abstract: A vacuum valve device is used with a bag and has a base and a clip. The base has a tube, a clipping flange and a valve. The tube mounted through a sheet of the bag and has a central hole and at least one outlet hole. The clipping flange is formed on the tube. The valve is mounted slidably in the tube and selectively seal the at least one outlet hole. The clip is mounted detachably around the tube of the base and cooperates with the clipping flange to hermetically clip the sheet of the bag. The vacuum valve device may be reused, is economical and marketable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Inventor: Ti-Tien Lee
  • Patent number: 8307861
    Abstract: Preferred processes are provided for unloading a particulate substance from a container using a cover system comprising a cover and a wand extending through the cover. The processes can include installing the cover system on the container so that the cover mates with the container and the wand extends into the particulate substance, connecting a pipe or a hose to the wand, and drawing the particulate substance through the wand and the pipe or hose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: W R Grace & Co -Conn.
    Inventors: Alfred F Jordan, Lenny L. Albin, Sr., Charles A Cross
  • Patent number: 8307864
    Abstract: A valve assembly for vacuum sealing a collapsible storage bag including a first valve part and a second valve part. The first valve part being inserted into the second valve part with a wall of the bag in between, causing the wall of the bag to break and/or puncture. A valve sealing mechanism to control the air flow from within the bag through the first and second valve part and out the bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Inventor: Chris Dobkins
  • Patent number: 8307859
    Abstract: Preferred processes are provided for unloading a particulate substance from a container using a cover system comprising a cover and a wand extending through the cover. The processes can include installing the cover system on the container so that the cover mates with the container and the wand extends into the particulate substance, connecting a pipe or a hose to the wand, and drawing the particulate substance through the wand and the pipe or hose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventors: Alfred F Jordan, Lenny L. Albin, Sr., Charles A Cross
  • Patent number: 8292857
    Abstract: A medical waste fluid collection and disposal system includes a medical waste fluid collection cart including first and second fluid collection canisters. A valve assembly selectively communicates with the canisters and a valve drive system controls the valve assembly. A liquid level sensor is positioned within each of the canisters. A cart processor communicates with the liquid level sensors and the valve drive system. A cart drain line communicates with the valve assembly and a receptacle, a cart flushing line communicates with the valve assembly and the receptacle and a cart data line and a cart power line communicate with the cart processor and the cart receptacle. A station includes a drain pump that communicates with a drainage system and a station drain line, a flushing pump that communicates with a source of washing liquid and a station flushing line and a station processor in communication with the drain and flushing pumps. A station data line communicates with the station processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Dornoch Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Martini, Lawrence Guerra
  • Publication number: 20120216914
    Abstract: An apparatus for loading material into a stent strut can comprise a suction pump connected to an opening to a lumen within the stent strut. The stent strut is immersed in the material. As the suction pump draws gas out of the lumen, the material is drawn into side openings to the lumen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Inventor: Stephen D. Pacetti
  • Patent number: 8240346
    Abstract: A purge apparatus is provided which can purge with clean gas even in a case where an in-use state is selected after a long period of a non-use state. The purge apparatus includes a nozzle which is connectable to a container and through which gas passes, a detection unit which detects a connection state between the container and the nozzle, and a flow rate adjustment unit which allows the gas to flow at a first flow rate when the container and the nozzle are in a connected state, and allows the gas to flow at a second flow rate, which is lower than the first flow rate, when the container and the nozzle are in a disconnected state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Murata Machinery, Ltd.
    Inventors: Fumiki Goto, Naruto Adachi
  • Patent number: 8240344
    Abstract: A new process for insulating the void in a thermal distance piece in a low-temperature or cryogenic storage tank uses a vacuum source to draw insulation into the TDP. Two remotely spaced openings to the void are provided. A strainer is temporarily mounted in one of the openings. The other opening is connected to a suction wand. The wand has an inner cylinder that extends through an outer cylinder and projects outwardly from a proximal end of the outer cylinder. Distal air vents are provided on the inner cylinder, near a distal cap that connects distal ends of the cylinders. Proximal air vents are provided on a proximal cap that connects a portion of the inner cylinder to a proximal end of the outer cylinder. The distal end of the wand is inserted into a container of insulation. When a vacuum is drawn through the opening with the strainer, the insulation is drawn through the wand and into the void.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Chicago Bridge & Iron Company
    Inventors: Thomas Glen Graham, Brian D. Wiese, David M. O'Meara
  • Patent number: 8231027
    Abstract: A cover for a container fits with a sliding air tight fit over the container body. A cover air release valve allows escape of air from the container when removing and installing the cover to create a vacuum seal fit. A handle positioned adjacent to the air release valve enables a user to remove and install the cover with a single hand gripping the handle and pressing the air release valve. Protrusions extending from opposite sides of the container sleeve engage mating L-shaped openings in a bottom edge of the cover to lock the cover in place. Special dual sided cradles engage a top of a vacuum sealed container below each cradle and a bottom of a vacuum sealed container above each cradle so that a series of cradles are used to vertically stack a number of vacuum sealed containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Inventors: Jui Te Wang, Jordan S. Tarlow
  • Patent number: 8216197
    Abstract: A medical canister connector is presented for connecting to a medical canister, which has a patient port and a reduced-pressure port. The medical canister connector includes a first connection member that is coupled to a patient-port-attachment member, which is for coupling to a patient port on a medical canister and has a patient-port opening with a first longitudinal axis. The medical canister connector also includes a second connection member coupled to a reduced-pressure-port-attachment member, which is for coupling to a reduced-pressure port on the medical canister and has a reduced-pressure-port opening with a second longitudinal axis. A spacing member or pressure transport member may be used to couple the first connection member to the second connection member. The spacing member or transport member flexes and twists during connection. The medical canister connector may also help organize one or more pressure-sensing conduits. Methods are also presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: KCI Licensing, Inc
    Inventors: Tyler Simmons, Alexander Sammons, Kenneth Knowles
  • Patent number: 8201589
    Abstract: A vacuum device for a material handling system includes a vacuum device body and a sealing element. The vacuum device body has a vacuum passageway in which a vacuum is generated in response to activation of a pressurized air supply that forces pressurized air through a venturi device. The sealing element moves to a sealing position to substantially seal the vacuum passageway when the air supply is activated, and is urged toward the sealing position via pressurized air that is diverted from an inlet of the vacuum device to the sealing element. The sealing element moves to substantially vent the vacuum passageway when the air supply is deactivated. The vacuum passageway may be in fluid communication with a vacuum cup, which seals against the object when the sealing element is at the sealing position and the vacuum generating device generates at least a partial vacuum in the vacuum passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Delaware Capital Formation, Inc.
    Inventors: Maurice Perlman, Keith S. Attee
  • Publication number: 20120130324
    Abstract: This application teaches practical and cost effective methods and apparatus to enhance supply chain efficiency by transforming fluid enclosing supply delivery containers in to collection and disposal containers, and in particular, providing inter alia, a canister system having a lid which would couple to either a thread able supply container or a spike able supply container. This enables the user to select from a plurality of supply containers for the collection and removal of waste such as a threaded pour bottle type of supply container, or a spike able type of intravenous solution supply container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Inventors: Jack W. Romano, Adam L. Smith
  • Patent number: 8177094
    Abstract: A container for pressurized discharge of fluid contained therein, the container having a container body, a pump lid deployed on the container body for pressurizing an interior volume of the container, a release control arrangement; and an outlet nozzle. The pump lid has a rotatable pump cylinder configuration and a pump piston mechanically associated with the pump cylinder configuration such that at least a portion of the piston is deployed within the pump cylinder, thereby defining between them a variable pump volume, the pump piston configured with a substantially cylindrical piston wall having an interior surface and an exterior surface such that a portion of the interior surface is configured for releasable attachment to the container and a portion of the exterior surface interacts with the rotatable pump cylinder configuration. The association is such that rotation of the pump cylinder configuration generates linear motion of said rotatable pump cylinder configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Captech Ltd.
    Inventor: Shlomo Haimi
  • Patent number: 8151829
    Abstract: A powder toner transferring method that fluidizes a powder toner with a gas supplied from an air supply, sucks the fluidized powder toner with a suction, and transfers the powder toner by discharging the powder toner in a toner storage container. The suction of the powder toner is performed with a reciprocating-motion pump. A powder toner filling method includes the powder toner transferring process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kunio Makino
  • Patent number: 8123731
    Abstract: An improved method for measuring and automatically disposing of infectious waste generated during and after surgical and clinical procedures is provided. The infectious waste removal device includes a suction source, a method for pressure verification, separation chamber for isolating fluids, containment reservoir, measurement chamber for determining fluid received, an information source for such fluid volumes, a quantitative method for calculating fluid dynamics, a post use cleaning method, and other attributes for use by the surgical team or healthcare staff in order to minimize health care worker handling of said infectious waste and to limit their possible exposure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: BioDrain Medical, Inc.
    Inventor: Marshall C. Ryan
  • Patent number: 8113246
    Abstract: A vacuum fresh-keeping cover includes an upper cover, a top of which is connected with an air suction-ventilation device, a lower rim of which is connected with a soft gasket that can be suppressed on any horizontal surface, and an interior of which is formed with a container space. When a barometric value of the container space gets larger, the air suction-ventilation device is activated to expel out air in the container space continuously, to keep the container space at a near vacuum condition for preserving objects or food. When pulling up a touching element of the air suction-ventilation device, the air in the container space is drained out by the air suction-ventilation device to quickly remove the upper cover, to facilitate consumers for use, and to conveniently separate the air suction-ventilation device from the upper cover, for easily washing the upper cover with water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Inventor: Kuo Chin Hsieh
  • Patent number: 8104522
    Abstract: A fluid exchange machine for removing used transmission fluid from a vehicle's cooling system and replacing the used fluid with fresh fluid includes a fresh fluid tank, a used fluid tank, a pump for forcing fresh fluid from the fresh fluid tank to a vehicle's cooling system, a processor for controlling a fluid exchange operation, and a display coupled to said processor for graphically representing a status of the fluid exchange operation. The display can be an LCD display or other display capable of graphical representation of the conditions and status of the fluid exchange operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Norco Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew Michael Flournoy
  • Patent number: 8096329
    Abstract: A hand-held vacuum device includes a housing to hold an electrical motor operable to drive a piston pump that is configured to draw a substantially continuous vacuum for each complete cycle of the piston pump. The hand-held vacuum device also includes an expansion chamber releasably connected to and in fluid communication with the housing and a vacuum interface that has a vacuum connector in fluid communication with the expansion chamber and is configured to releasably couple to a valve disposed on a container. The expansion chamber separates air and liquid from a fluid drawn into the expansion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Raechell M. Thuot, Bryan L. Ackerman, Brian C. Dais, Robert R. Turvey, Jeramy M. Dubay
  • Patent number: 8091742
    Abstract: A pump lid assembly for use with a container, having a rotatable pump cylinder configuration and a pump piston mechanically associated with the rotatable pump cylinder configuration such that at least a portion of the piston is deployed within the pump cylinder, thereby defining a variable pump volume. The pump piston is configured with a substantially cylindrical piston wall having an interior surface and an exterior surface such that at least a portion of the interior surface is configured for releasable attachment to the container such that when the lid is attached to the container and at least a portion of the piston circumscribes the part of the container. At least a portion of the exterior surface of the piston wall interacts with the rotatable pump cylinder configuration and the association is such that rotation of the rotatable pump cylinder configuration generates linear motion of the rotatable pump cylinder configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Captech Ltd.
    Inventor: Shlomo Haimi
  • Patent number: 8091693
    Abstract: A method and a plant for filling a hydraulic circuit with a control fluid, in which a vacuum is generated within the hydraulic circuit, the control fluid is supplied to a degasification chamber, a vacuum is generated in the degasification chamber containing the control fluid and the control fluid is supplied under pressure from the degasification chamber to the hydraulic circuit while continuing to maintain the vacuum in the hydraulic circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Magneti Marelli Powertrain S.p.A.
    Inventors: Antonio Della Valle, Andrea Zani, Alfredo Romano
  • Publication number: 20110303322
    Abstract: The invention relates to a filling element for filling systems for filling bottles or similar containers with a liquid filling product, comprising a liquid channel for the liquid product in a housing of the filling element, which forms at least one discharge opening for introducing the liquid product into the respective container, and with valve means for the controlled discharging of the liquid product into the respective container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicant: KHS GmbH
    Inventor: Ludwig Clüsserath
  • Patent number: 8074685
    Abstract: A one-way valve allows air to be drawn from a collapsible, flexible, airtight bag using a vacuum source. When the vacuum source is removed, the one-way valve prevents air from re-entering the bag. The valve assembly comprises a valve base attached to a bag wall and having an opening, a cap base coupled to the valve base, a flapper held in place by the valve base and cap base, and a cap connected to the cap base by a living hinge. When the cap is snapped onto the cap base after bag evacuation, the cap maintains the flapper in a position so that the opening in the valve base stays closed, preventing the admission of ambient air into the evacuated bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Calvo, Linh Pham, Michael Burton
  • Publication number: 20110290373
    Abstract: An automatic acid filling apparatus includes a base with at least one acid filling tank pivotably connected thereto. The filling tank has an opening and a gate respectively connected to each end thereof. A first activating device is pivotably connected to the base and the acid filling tank, and a second activating device is pivotably connected to the acid filling tank. The second activating device controls the gate to be opened so that the assembled horizontal batteries can be placed into the acid filling tank. The gate is then closed. A suction device sucks air out of the acid filling tank from the opening, and then the acid is filled into the acid filling tank via the opening by using an acid filling device. The first activating device activates the acid filling tank to rotate to an inclined position for fully absorbing the acid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Inventors: Lung Kuo, Chia-Shou Kuo
  • Patent number: 8066433
    Abstract: A flexible, air-tight storage bag has an entrance opening for inserting an item to be stored into said bag with a releasably-closable seal across said entrance opening. A one-way valve assembly is installed in a surface of the bag and in fluid communication with the inside of the bag to allow air inside the bag to exit the bag. The valve has an outer portion with a conical or curved exterior surface having an apex and a plurality of exit holes adjacent the apex so a vacuum cleaner nozzle can be placed over the exit holes. The outer portion has a conical or curved surface with at least one ridge thereon or groove therein extending away from the apex and beyond the exit holes to reduce the suction. A circular flange in the valve is located so air passes through the flange. A flexible diaphragm is placed in the circular flange so the diaphragm abuts an edge of the flange to vary the flow of air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Pro-Mart Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Azad Sabounjian
  • Publication number: 20110277878
    Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing charges of high OV moist smokeless tobacco (MST) includes a rotary metering device. The rotary metering device includes a lower disk, a metering disk, a plurality of cavities in the metering disk; and at least one vacuum housing located around the periphery of the lower disk and in communication with the plurality of cavities. A vacuum is applied to the cavities to aid in the filling of the cavities and an air discharge mechanism ejects a charge of the MST from each cavity at a discharge station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventor: Dwight D. Williams
  • Patent number: 8057602
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention contemplate a method, apparatus and system that are used to support, position, and rotate a substrate during processing. Embodiments of the invention may also include a method of controlling the transfer of heat between a substrate and substrate support positioned in a processing chamber. The apparatus and methods described herein remove the need for complex, costly and often unreliable components that would be required to accurately position and rotate a substrate during one or more processing steps, such as an rapid thermal processing (RTP) process, a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process, a physical vapor deposition (PVD) process, atomic layer deposition (ALD) process, dry etching process, wet clean, and/or laser annealing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Blake Koelmel, Alexander N. Lerner, Joseph M. Ranish, Kedarnath Sangam, Khurshed Sorabji
  • Patent number: 8056471
    Abstract: A flexible, plastic thin film food package is provided having an elongate opening check valve with an air removal port that allows repeated opening and resealing of the package followed by removal of air and moisture by vacuuming. The top open edge of the food package is bonded to a flexible but rigid frame that fits a lid with the air removal port flat valve. The flat valve is a compressed foam sponge and a thin film housed in a rigid case that is bonded to the lid. Air is removed with a spatula attachment of the vacuum pump that is inserted into the space between the lid and the flat check valve. Once vacuum is induced in the interior of the food package, the film covering the frame is sucked against the lid thereby shutting off influx of air into the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Inventor: Akio Wakabayashi
  • Patent number: 8047241
    Abstract: A method for filling a battery cell with electrolyte, comprising: a) connecting the battery cell and a lower portion of a fill head chamber connected through respective first, second, third and fourth valves to a source of high pressure, the free atmosphere, a source of high vacuum and optionally a source of low vacuum, wherein only one of said valves can be open at any time, while said second valve is open; b) opening said third valve for a predetermined first period to discharge air from the interior of said battery cell through said chamber; c) separating the major upper portion of said chamber from the lower portion thereof by a sliding shut-off plunger and opening said second valve; d) dispensing a prescribed amount of electrolyte into said upper portion of said chamber above said plunger, while keeping said second valve open; e) raising said plunger to let a major portion of said dispensed liquid be sucked into said battery cell under the effect of the vacuum established therein in step b) and allowi
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Hibar Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Bill Reschke
  • Publication number: 20110220241
    Abstract: A vacuum device for a material handling system includes a vacuum device body and a sealing element. The vacuum device body has a vacuum passageway in which a vacuum is generated in response to activation of a pressurized air supply that forces pressurized air through a venturi device. The sealing element moves to a sealing position to substantially seal the vacuum passageway when the air supply is activated, and is urged toward the sealing position via pressurized air that is diverted from an inlet of the vacuum device to the sealing element. The sealing element moves to substantially vent the vacuum passageway when the air supply is deactivated. The vacuum passageway may be in fluid communication with a vacuum cup, which seals against the object when the sealing element is at the sealing position and the vacuum generating device generates at least a partial vacuum in the vacuum passageway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: Delaware Capital Formation, Inc.
    Inventors: Maurice Perlman, Keith S. Attee
  • Patent number: 8016261
    Abstract: A safety air valve of a receiving bag includes an upper valve body, a valve seat and a valve gate. The upper valve body is installed inside the receiving bag. A first thread is formed at the protrusion stayed closely to the interior of the receiving bag. The first thread penetrates out the receiving bag; and a first main air channel is formed in the bottom of the first thread penetrating into the receiving bag so as to form a stepped valve opening on the top of the first main air channel. A second thread is formed at the valve seat corresponding to the first thread of the upper valve body. The second thread is screwed into the first thread and is positioned at the outer side of the receiving bag. The second thread has a press body corresponding to a first main air channel of the upper valve body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Highland Champ Corporation
    Inventor: Wen-Chin Tang
  • Patent number: 8016003
    Abstract: A container filling assembly includes a plurality of fluid storage containers, a fluid inlet for supplying a fluid to the containers, a vacuum source for creating a vacuum in the containers to draw the fluid into the containers, and a connective structure for connecting the vacuum source and the fluid source in fluid communication with the containers. Preferably, the container filling assembly is a sterile, closed system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Inventor: Lawrence Bullen
  • Patent number: 8016000
    Abstract: Preferred processes are provided for unloading a particulate substance from a container using a cover system comprising a cover and a wand extending through the cover. The processes can include installing the cover system on the container so that the cover mates with the container and the wand extends into the particulate substance, connecting a pipe or a hose to the wand, and drawing the particulate substance through the wand and the pipe or hose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventors: Alfred F. Jordan, Lenny L. Albin, Sr., Charles A. Cross
  • Patent number: 7992600
    Abstract: The apparatus for filling a motor vehicle cooling system includes a communication body, a valve, a flexible connecting hose, a pressure gauge, a relief valve and a hanging portion, in which the valve, the connecting hose, the pressure gauge, the relief valve and the hanging portion are all disposed on predetermined positions of the communication body, while the connecting hose is extended out of the communication body for a distance and it connects to a top opening of the cooling system tightly by a metallic cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Inventor: Lai-Cheng Liu
  • Patent number: 7980277
    Abstract: The invention discloses a powder filling device and method which is capable of making stable powder flow rate, preventing powder from being leaked or dispersed during filling operation, and filling the powder in a short time in a new powder filling system filling the powder from a measuring tank to a powder filling container. The powder filling device comprises a measuring tank having a powder discharge port and a filling amount control unit disposed near the powder discharge port, and an auxiliary container having an opening disposed on the underside of the powder discharge port of the measuring tank which faces downward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hirosato Amano
  • Publication number: 20110168294
    Abstract: The invention relates to a filling device for a reservoir which reservoir is to be filled from a cartridge such as cartridges having rigid walls e.g. made of glass and provided with a membrane which can be penetrated by a needle for protection of the entrance. According to the present invention the filling device comprises—a housing (1) which housing (1) comprises—a first position means adapted to receive a reservoir (2) for a delivering device,—a second position means adapted to receive a cartridge (3) containing a liquid,—a unit (4) providing a flow path when both the reservoir (2) and the cartridge are received respectively by the first and second positions means,—a venting unit (5, 5a, 5b) providing access of gas to the cartridge (3) during emptying of the cartridge (3). The filling device is characterized in that at least a part of the venting unit (5) is placed off the rotational centre (rc) of the housing and is attached to a part (7) which part (7) can rotate relative to the housing (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Inventors: Claus Jakobsen, Bo Justesen, Elo Hørdum
  • Publication number: 20110132490
    Abstract: A device for filling a flexible container and a method thereof are disclosed. The device may include a pressurizing chamber and an evacuation chamber. A first displacement piston is sealingly and slideably arranged within the pressurizing chamber to define an inner volume within the pressurizing chamber that is fluidly connected to a pressurizing conduit. A second displacement piston is sealingly and slideably arranged within the evacuation chamber to define an inner volume within the evacuation chamber that is fluidly connected to an evacuation conduit. A reservoir adapter is fluidly connected to the pressurizing conduit and connects to a liquid reservoir. A container adapter is fluidly connected to the evacuation conduit and connects with a flexible container. A transfer conduit is fluidly connected to the reservoir adapter and the container adapter. A valve fluidly connects the container adapter to the evacuation conduit or the transfer conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: ROCHE DIAGNOSTICS INTERNATIONAL AG
    Inventors: Florian Kuhni, Christoph Huwiler, Martin Wyss
  • Patent number: RE42688
    Abstract: A wastewater drainage system for a vehicle, such as a recreational vehicle (RV), is provided. The system includes a pump, such as a macerator pump, in selective fluid communication with the black water tank and the gray water tank, and a drainage hose connected to the exit end of the pump for directing wastewater to a wastewater storage area. The system allows the RV user to clean the black water tank using water from the gray water tank, and allows gray water to be stored in the black water tank so that less time is spent draining the tanks and more time is spent enjoying the RV experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Thetford Corporation
    Inventor: Lannie Stegall