With Separate Inlet And Outlet Passages Patents (Class 215/309)
  • Patent number: 7789264
    Abstract: An improved no-spill cup construction and valve assembly which provides an extremely secure seal against accidental liquid flow from the cup spout. An initially blocked opening in a flexible material moves up along a protruding member until the opening is unblocked, so as to allow fluid flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Luv n' care, Ltd.
    Inventor: Nouri E. Hakim
  • Patent number: 7419066
    Abstract: A vented cap for a pressurized fluid conduit includes a cap body defining a generally cylindrical inner cavity, a mouth, an end wall positioned so as to close the inner cavity, a plurality of threads extending generally from the mouth toward the end wall, and at least one lug member on an outer surface of the cap and having a vent slot extending along a lengthwise interior so that the slot has a first end beginning at the mouth and a second end spaced apart from the end wall and extends inwardly from the lug member toward the inner cavity through the plurality of threads so as to open into the inner cavity, and a gasket having a circumference complementary to the periphery of the inner cavity, the gasket positioned between the plurality of threads and the end wall abuttingly contacting the sidewall and the end wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Inventor: Ronald Ewers
  • Patent number: 7419591
    Abstract: A filter assembly is provided that includes a hood, a drain manifold, a filter disposed between the hood and the drain manifold, a drainage space that is disposed between and in fluid communication with both the filter medium and the drain manifold, a check valve that is configured to permit air to escape but not to enter the drainage space so that a siphon can be established that draws additional fluid through the filter medium and into the drain manifold, the siphon continuing until air entering the hood disrupts the siphon, and a check valve cap that is configured to permit air to escape the check valve while preserving an air-filled void above the check valve when the filter assembly is submerged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Contech Stormwater Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel W. Aberle, James H. Lenhart, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7255241
    Abstract: A straw adapter 2 is removably disposed in the opening of a beverage container 1, and a straw 22 is attached to the straw adapter 2. A straw cap 12 is mounted on the straw adapter 2, for covering the straw attached to the straw adapter 2. Operations of the straw cap 12 opens and closes an air hole opening/closing valve 6.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Combi Corporation
    Inventors: Sumiyo Yoneoka, Kazunao Ogura, Momoe Kigushi
  • Patent number: 7204382
    Abstract: A hydration system is disclosed for carrying readily dispensable fluids, such as water. A removable cap having an annular valve covers a container. A flexible tube is disposed through the center of the annular valve and extends generally to near the bottom of the container. A bite valve is attached to the end of the tube that is external to the container. When the annular valve is closed, the hydration system is substantially closed, preventing fluid loss. When the annular valve is opened, an air channel is created that allows air to enter the container, facilitating the flow of fluid from the container through the flexible tube. The annular valve may be a poppet-type valve having a valve stem that is movable between the closed position and the open position. The hydration system is sufficiently compact to be utilized with narrow-mouthed bottles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Inventor: Thomas Edward Cezeaux
  • Patent number: 6962432
    Abstract: My invention is a mixer and dispenser having a dispensing top with an outflow channel, an air vent, and an air vent valve that adjusts the vacuum inside the dispenser; a rotor attached to a battery powered motor; and two switches, one for operating automatically upon pouring and the other manually activated. The vacuum system controls the flow rate during pouring and the constant mixing disperses the ingredients so that the samples dispensed are representative of the original mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignees: HP Intellectual Corp.
    Inventor: Albert John Hofeldt
  • Publication number: 20040140315
    Abstract: A drinking-cup placed on a bottle containing a beverage to be consumed. The drinking-cup has a hollow body pierced by a beverage intake, an air intake, and a mouth, and defined by a wall with an annular cross-section enclosing an axis. A closure wall is arranged obliquely relative to the axis. The air intake and the mouth are in respective connecting zones and form an open angle and a closed angle between the wall having an annular cross-section and the closure wall. The wall with an annular cross-section is a surface of rotation and flares out at some distance from the beverage intake. A mid-plane connecting the air intake to the mouth forms, with the axis, an angle not less than 30 degrees. The cup is particularly applicable to champagne tasting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2004
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Inventor: Pablo Reinoso
  • Patent number: 6742678
    Abstract: A pour spout assembly for providing a pour spout attachable to a bottle and including a cap securable to the pour spout between uses. The pour spout assembly includes a spout member having an attachment portion adapted for coupling to various sizes of bottle openings. The spout member further includes exterior threading on an outer perimeter of a spout portion extending from the bottle when the spout member is attached to the bottle. A cap member is provided for covering the spout portion of the spout member. The cap member has threading on an interior surface complimentary to the threading on the spout portion of the spout member to permit securing of the cap member to the spout member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Inventor: Kenneth L. Krystopik, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20040011760
    Abstract: A closure top is especially suited for use with a bottle for medical use, particularly for enteral feeding. The closure top screws onto the bottle. The bottle contents are accessible to a feeding tube by means of a passage through the closure top. The closure top may be provided with a freshness seal which is penetrated by insertion through the passage of the feeding tube or a cannula attached to the feeding tube. The top may have a pressure-relief opening. A semi-permeable membrane may be fitted in the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2003
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Inventors: Marco Schupp, Harro Westermann
  • Patent number: 6626668
    Abstract: The invention relates to a medical or dental-medical apparatus, having a delivery line for a liquid and having a screw bushing onto which a container for the liquid can be screwed, the delivery line extending from the interior of the container to the outside and penetrating the screw bushing, a compressed gas line penetrating the screw bushing from the outside inwardly, and the compressed gas line being closable and openable by means of a valve. In order to simplify the operating effort, the screw bushing is rotatably mounted in a rotary bearing and is in working connection with a switch cam which, in a rotary position of the screw bushing which is rotated in the screwing-on direction, opens the previously closed valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Kaltenbach & Voigt GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Mösslang Hubert, Wiest Gebhard, Wenger Georg, Eberle Jörg
  • Patent number: 6523711
    Abstract: A sports bottle cap having a pressure differential valve is provided which allows water to flow out through the bottle cap only when the bottle is inverted and squeezed or alternatively a straw may be threaded through the pressure differential valve, thereby deactivating it, and attached to the bottle cap allowing the user to draw liquid from the bottle through the straw. In operation the bottle cap of the present invention allows the user to dispense fluid from within the bottle in two different ways. The first manner of use allows liquid to be dispensed only when the bottle containing the liquid is inverted and squeezed. Squeezing causes the pressure to increase on the inside of the bottle thereby causing the pressure differential valve to open and liquid to exit; however, when the bottle is not squeezed the pressure differential valve remains in the closed position sealing bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Inventors: Douglass E. Hughes, Raymond G. Bryan
  • Patent number: 6488058
    Abstract: A dispensing valve cap mountable to a bottle is provided with a first valve part having a tubular portion having an air inlet and a fluid outlet spaced apart along a longitudinal axis of the tubular portion to form a constant head valve for dispensing fluid from the bottle. A second valve part of the valve rotatably mounted to the first valve part includes a tubular portion for simultaneously closing both the air inlet and the fluid outlet of the first valve part when fluid dispensing is not desired. The second valve part further includes an air inlet, and a fluid outlet alignable with the air inlet and the fluid outlet of the tubular portion when fluid dispensing is desired. The dispensing valve cap controls fluid flow from the bottle. The bottle with the valve cap is useable with a dispenser assembly for mixing a concentrated fluid from the bottle with a dilutant. A tamper resistant lock prevents undesired rotation of the second valve part relative to the first valve part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: John J. Dyer, Corry P. Gunderson
  • Patent number: 6401727
    Abstract: Multiple plastic trays are covered with pivotable lids. Each tray is divided into distinct compartments into which infant and toddler toothbrushes, teething rings, pacifiers, or other such personal hygiene products may be placed. The lid is punctured by an array of air holes, which allow moisture to escape from the covered tray, while at the same time protecting the tray contents from contamination. The covered trays are received within an open front rack in a vertically spaced arrangement. Air cavities defined between stacked trays permit natural air flow over the trays, and the removal of moisture from the tray contents. A fan may be attached to the rear of the rack to blow air over the lids and to draw the moist air from within the compartments through the lid air holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Preventive Dental Specialties, Inc.
    Inventor: David T. Carroll
  • Patent number: 6367521
    Abstract: A dispensing valve cap mountable to a bottle is provided with a first valve part having a tubular portion having an air inlet and a fluid outlet spaced apart along a longitudinal axis of the tubular portion to form a constant head valve for dispensing fluid from the bottle. A second valve part of the valve rotatably mounted to the first valve part includes a tubular portion for simultaneously closing both the air inlet and the fluid outlet of the first valve part when fluid dispensing is not desired. The second valve part firther includes an air inlet, and a fluid outlet alignable with the air inlet and the fluid outlet of the tubular portion when fluid dispensing is desired. The dispensing valve cap controls fluid flow from the bottle. The bottle with the valve cap is useable with a dispenser assembly for mixing a concentrated fluid from the bottle with a dilutant. A tamper resistant lock prevents undesired rotation of the second valve part relative to the first valve part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: John J. Dyer, Corry P. Gunderson
  • Patent number: 6357620
    Abstract: An improved no-spill cup construction and valve assembly which provides an extremely secure seal against accidental liquid flow from the cup spout. The act of sucking at the cup spout creates negative pressure or a partial vacuum against a valve member near the spout having an opening therein, causing the valve member and opening to move off of a protruding member, thereby unblocking the opening in the valve. When the opening is unblocked, liquid can flow freely through the valve and spout. When not in use, the valve sits in a resting, closed position, with the opening in the valve sitting on a protruding member and pressed against the protruding member's base, sealing off the opening in the valve assembly. The closed position provides an extremely secure seal against fluid leakage, such that inadvertent spills or even deliberate attempts to force liquid outside of the cup, such as by turning the cup upside down, or shaking the cup, are ineffective.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Inventor: Nouri E. Hakim
  • Patent number: 6152318
    Abstract: A storage container with self-retaining lid includes a lid and a storage container. The structure for attaching the lid can be molded on to the bottom of the storage container, molded to the top of the lid, or molded to the lid and the bottom of the storage container. There are several preferred embodiments of the self-retaining lid. In a first preferred embodiment, the lid has a rim with a recessed cavity for firmly receiving a lip of the storage container. In a second preferred embodiment, a bottom of the storage container has a lip which is sized to be firmly inserted into a sealing cavity of the lid. In a third preferred embodiment, a bottom of the storage container has a plurality of balls which are disposed to mate with a plurality of sockets on the lid. In a fourth preferred embodiment, a plurality of hooks are molded into at least two sides of the container and sized to receive the peripheral edge of the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Inventor: Jack A. Walker
  • Patent number: 6050433
    Abstract: A container closure includes an access, which can receive a drinking straw, which is able to be folded down into a groove by the pivotal movement of member, which closes off the drinking straw by engaging it across an upstanding flange or projection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: The Hanger Company Limited
    Inventors: Allin Nicholas Russell, James Richard Manley
  • Patent number: 6012596
    Abstract: An adaptor cap for a container. The adaptor cap includes a skirt constructed to engage a fluid container and to retain the adaptor cap on the fluid container. The adaptor cap further includes a dome projecting outwardly from said skirt. The dome defines an interior chamber. The dome further defines a spike port providing fluid communication between the chamber and an exterior environment of the dome, the spike port being constructed to receive and retain a hollow spike therein. The dome also defines at least one vent aperture therethrough, the vent aperture providing fluid communication between the chamber and the exterior environment of the dome. The adaptor cap further includes a microbial filter mounted on the dome across the vent aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
    Inventors: Richard K. Oglesbee, William J. Hook, Julie L. Soltesz
  • Patent number: 5997820
    Abstract: A reaction vessel for confined amplification and detection of nucleic acid material. The vessel features a plurality of adjacent chambers, each chamber comprising a front wall, a back wall, two side walls, and a bottom wall, the front and back walls terminating in an upper opening at a top edge of said front and back walls, a side wall of each chamber comprising a side wall in common with an adjacent chamber so as to integrally connect the chambers side-by-side; the front wall of each chamber including a liquid access port spanning all of the chambers below the top edge, the common side walls terminating at the port; and a movable elastomeric plug mounted within the upper opening above the port, shaped to block the port of each of the chambers and to stopper each the chamber when moved below the top edge, the plug spanning across all of the chambers in the vessel so as to close off the port simultaneously for all of the chambers when moved below the top edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Clinical Diagnostics, Inc.
    Inventor: Stuart Gilmour MacDonald
  • Patent number: 5924585
    Abstract: The present invention provides connections and methods of restricting an opening. One connection according to the subject invention is configured to restrict a mouth of a container, the mouth having an inner surface having an inside diameter and an outer surface having an outside diameter, the connection includes: a plug having a side surface of varying dimension and configured to engage the inner surface to form a seal of the side surface of the plug and the inner surface; at least one intermediate member having a first end borne by the plug and a second end distally spaced from the first end; and a securing member configured to engage the outer surface of the container and the second end of the intermediate member, the intermediate member being configured to couple the plug and the securing member and maintain the seal of the side surface of the plug with the inner surface of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: VLSI Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: David E. Henderson, Daniel M. Thomas
  • Patent number: 5890620
    Abstract: A self-sealing drinking container includes a cup body having a hollow interior for holding and dispensing a liquid, and a lid assembly which fits sealingly on the cup body. The lid assembly has an inlet passage with an inlet valve in communication therewith, and an outlet passage with an outlet valve in communication therewith, each of the valves including a resiliently flexible diaphragm member. In a preferred embodiment, each of the inlet and outlet valves includes a cage having an open top and an open bottom to allow fluid passage therethrough, the cage having a seat formed therein for receiving a diaphragm member. The diaphragm member is located seatably into the seat so as to selectively seal thereagainst and thereby prevent fluid flow therepast. A locator post in each cage centrally abuts the diaphragm member thereof to ensure its seating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Inventor: Domenic Belcastro
  • Patent number: 5884679
    Abstract: A solution dispensing bottle assembly adapted for snap-locking to a water extraction cleaning machine is shown. The bottle assembly includes a bottle having a tapered neck with an adapter telescopically mounted on the tapered neck. The adapter includes a pair of flexible flanges having apertures provided thereon. In mounting the bottle assembly to a known water extraction cleaning machine, the flexible flanges receive inwardly extending lugs provided on the machine in a snap-fit interlocking manner. The bottle is quickly removed from the machine by squeezing the flexible flanges inwardly a sufficient distance to remove the opposed lugs from the flange apertures and then sliding the bottle assembly away from the lugs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: Bissell Inc.
    Inventors: Eric J. Hansen, Wesley D. Mersman, Robert C. Coon
  • Patent number: 5874048
    Abstract: A spotting tip includes a tip body which is fitted on the end of a nozzle for sucking liquid contained in a container and inserted into the liquid in the container through a mouth of the container, and a lid member which is brought into contact with the mouth of the container and closes the space between the tip and the edge of the mouth when the tip is inserted into the container to a predetermined depth. At least one fine communicating passage is formed in at least one of the lid member and the tip body to communicate the inside and outside spaces of the container on opposite sides of the lid member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunichi Seto, Kenichiro Yazawa, Osamu Seshimoto
  • Patent number: 5848622
    Abstract: A closure device (4) is used to seal an opening of a vessel (6), while providing access to the interior of the vessel. The closure device automatically releases gas and/or toxic vapor from the sealed vessel to protect the operator from harmful vapor without requiring the operator to manually actuate a valve or other mechanism prior to removing the vessel from the closure device. The closure device is constructed so the interior of the vessel can be pressurized while maintaining a pressure seal against the vessel opening, and the vessel can be cannulated without overpressurizing the vessel interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: Argonaut Technologies Incorporated
    Inventor: Christopher Kilcoin
  • Patent number: 5738236
    Abstract: A blow molded plastics container includes an injection molded annular neck portion which is sealed by injection molding to an annular wall portion of an injection molded top end wall having a part-spherical center portion. The center portion has five circumferentially spaced and upwardly projecting annular lip seals, two of which surround openings within the top end wall. An injection molded rotatable closure snap-fits onto the neck portion and has a mating part-spherical center portion which engages the lip seals. The closure has one opening which is selectively and progressively alignable with the annular lip seals in response to indexing the closure in one direction. An integrally molded one-way latch extends between the center portions of the closure and top end wall and prevents reverse rotation of the closure except between a consumer open position and a sealed reclosable position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: Electra Form, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles J. Brun, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5711876
    Abstract: An apparatus for removing bubbles in a filter housing of a coating equipment includes a cover coupled to the filter housing and including a bottom, an inlet portion, an outlet portion, and a drain portion, the bottom of the cover having an inclined surface at an angle, wherein the drain portion is above the inlet portion and the outlet portion on the inclined surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Assignee: L G Semicon Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Keun Woung Lee
  • Patent number: 5699841
    Abstract: A thermos bottle for keeping beverages such as coffee, tea, and Japanese tea in hot or cold state, comprising an inner container inside of an outer container, a plug member fitted to an upward opening of the outer container, and a feeding passage for allowing to feed beverage from outside directly into the container in the plug member, in which the beverage can be directly fed into the container, without having to detach or attach the plug member, with the plug member fitted to the outer container, so that the ease of pouring operation is greatly enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1997
    Inventor: Nobuyuki Takagawa
  • Patent number: 5663051
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus designed to be used for enriching specific cell types from cell mixtures. The apparatus includes a centrifugable device that includes a constriction defining a lower region and a defined cell separation medium. The constriction prevents mixing between the upper and lower portions of the device. Also disclosed are methods that use precisely defined cell separation media to isolate specific cells from cell mixtures, including CD34.sup.+ hematopoietic progenitor cells from blood or bone marrow, nucleated fetal cells from maternal blood, specific tumor cells, dendritic cells, natural killer cells, and natural suppressor cells from various body fluids, and for enrichment or depletion of T cell lymphocytes. Also disclosed is a density adjusted cell separation technique used to augment the above apparatus and enrichment methods. The apparatus and enrichment methods are useful in various diagnostic and therapeutic regimens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1997
    Assignee: Activated Cell Therapy, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Van Vlasselaer
  • Patent number: 5660294
    Abstract: A rotating closure device for a runout opening in a base of a metallurgical vessel for preventing access of gases reacting with a melt. The device includes an upper closure plate (3) positioned at an end side of a drain block (1) and a lower closure plate (4) at the outlet (2). The upper closure plate (3) is provided with at least two through-holes for meeting at least two channels (7, 8) in the drain block (1), which channels (7, 8) extend parallel to an axis of rotation of the device. The lower closure plate (4) is provided with at least one through-hole for meeting at least one channel (6) in the outlet. The at least two chapels (7, 8) meet at least one channel (6) via a connection between the upper and lower closure plates (3, 4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1997
    Assignee: Mannesmann Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ralf Schneider, Wolfram Jung, Hans-Joachim Paris
  • Patent number: 5601203
    Abstract: A blow molded plastics container includes an injection molded annular neck portion which is sealed by injection molding to an annular wall portion of an injection molded top end wall having a part-spherical center portion. The center portion has five circumferentially spaced and upwardly projecting annular lip seals, two of which surround openings within the top end wall. An injection molded rotatable closure snap-fits onto the neck portion and has a mating part-spherical center portion which engages the lip seals. The closure has one opening which is selectively and progressively alignable with the annular lip seals in response to indexing the closure in one direction. An integrally molded one-way latch extends between the center portions of the closure and top end wall and prevents reverse rotation of the closure except between a consumer open position and a sealed reclosable position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1997
    Assignee: Electra Form, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles J. Brun, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5598939
    Abstract: A medicine bottle is formed with a neck that defines an opening and a closed bottom opposite the opening. A closure element is engaged with the neck to block the opening, and the closure element is formed with a fluid passageway. A fitting is positioned in the fluid passageway. The fitting is configured for receiving the hub of a needleless syringe, and a tube which has a proximal end is positioned in the bottle with the proximal end in fluid communication with the fitting. The tube also has a distal end disposed near the bottom of the bottle. Consequently, the syringe can be engaged with the fitting for drawing liquid from the bottle into the syringe without inverting the bottom of the bottle over the neck of the bottle, even when the bottle is nearly empty.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Inventors: Thomas L. Watson, Jaleh Shaban-Watson
  • Patent number: 5566730
    Abstract: A gas actuator assembly for supplying a compressed gas to a container, the assembly includes a self contained supply of compressed gas, preferably in the form of a cartridge of compressed gas which is transmitted through a tube to below the level of a liquid contained in a vessel such as a wine bottle or into a resealable container such as that for the storage of food, an evacuation tube that is provided to remove air from the vessel and an activating device for simultaneously activating the flow of compressed gas and the evacuation of air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Inventor: George W. Liebmann, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5542670
    Abstract: A drinking cup has a cover which is formed with a drinking spout at one side and a vent at the other. Elements extend down from under the spout and the vent. A flow control element is provided and made of elastomeric material having a pair of spaced cavities on one side, each cavity having a floor at the bottom thereof. The cavities receive in frictional engagement respectively the lower ends of the elements. This engagement supports the flow control element with the floor of each cavity in sealed relation to its element. Each floor has a passage which is normally closed but opens on the occurrence of a pressure differential on opposite sides of the floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Assignee: Playtex Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Emanuel P. Morano
  • Patent number: 5531347
    Abstract: A lid for a disposable hot beverage container that is specifically designed to hold a pastry over the hot beverage. This enables the steam from the beverage to heat, flavor and moisten the pastry. The lid includes an engagement mechanism that enables the lid to be selectively joined to the rim of the hot beverage container. The lid has a plurality of apertures formed through its base structure that enable steam from the beverage to rise through the lid. A plurality of supports extend upwardly from the base structure. The supports all terminate in a common plane a predetermined height above the base structure. The supports hold the pastry a predetermined distance above the base structure of the lid. As a result, if liquid were to spill onto the lid, or if steam were to condense onto the lid, the pastry would be supported above the liquid and would be saved from becoming soggy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Inventor: Charles T. Goulding
  • Patent number: 5518047
    Abstract: A coolant removal device for removing coolant from an automotive cooling system overflow bottle utilizing a vacuum bottle system with a removable cap, coolant removal and vacuum tubes and a manual squeeze pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1996
    Inventor: Felix Alexandrowski
  • Patent number: 5497892
    Abstract: A filler cap for use with an insulated urn or thermal container. The filler cap comprises a filling port and a cover for receiving the filling port. When combined the cover and filling port form the filler cap which contains no moving parts when in use. A venting through the filler cap is also provided within the filler cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1996
    Assignee: Zojirushi Corporation
    Inventors: Toyohiko Takatsuki, Nobutaka Kiriu
  • Patent number: 5449085
    Abstract: A blow molded plastics container includes an injection molded annular neck portion which is sealed by injection molding to an annular wall portion of an injection molded top end wall having a part-spherical center portion. The center portion has five circumferentially spaced and upwardly projecting annular lip seals, two of which surround openings within the top end wall. An injection molded rotatable closure snap-fits onto the neck portion and has a mating part-spherical center portion which engages the lip seals. The closure has one opening which is selectively and progressively alignable with the annular lip seals in response to indexing the closure in one direction. An integrally molded one-way latch extends between the center portions of the closure and top end wall and prevents reverse rotation of the closure except between a consumer open position and a sealed reclosable position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1995
    Assignee: Electra Form, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles J. Brun, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5402905
    Abstract: A light-lock cap for protecting container contents from exposure to light. The cap has a labyrinth passage to allow liquids into a container covered by the cap and a labyrinth passage to allow gases to exit a container covered by the cap. The liquid passage has an upward facing inlet and a downward facing outlet. The gas passage has a side facing orifice on the interior of the cap and a side facing orifice on the exterior of the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1995
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Michael E. Couch, William H. Mullen, Edward J. Verdouw
  • Patent number: 5397024
    Abstract: A container includes a top-open container body having a tapered top-flange around the top opening thereof, and a top cover having a tapered bottom flange fitted around the top flange of the container body, wherein the top cover has a stepped air hole and a push-button plug assembly mounted within the stepped air hole and pressed to control the passage; the top cover has a recessed retaining portion moved to engage with a raised retaining portion on the container body for letting air pass through air guide grooves on the top cover and container body into the inside space of the container body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1995
    Inventors: Ching-Lieh Wu, Jui-Te Wang
  • Patent number: 5306290
    Abstract: A suture retaining device in the form of a frusto-conical button having parallel upper and lower planar surfaces which are connected together by a conical surface. The button is provided with a recessed chamber for substantially completely accommodating one or more suture knots. At least one hole is formed in the button leading from the recessed chamber to the lower planar surface, and at least one hole is formed in said button leading from the recessed chamber to the conical surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1994
    Assignee: Mitek Surgical Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Harold M. Martins, Stephen J. Snyder
  • Patent number: 5299608
    Abstract: A coupling arrangement connects a container of concentrated cleaning fluid to a dispensing apparatus in a carpet cleaning machine. To facilitate the required fluid connection, the container is fitted with a plug having one port at its center and a second port radially disposed from the center port and positioned within an annular groove concentric with the center port. The distance from the center port to the second port in the plug is equal to the distance between corresponding central and radial ports in the dispenser. When the container is rotated to engage the dispenser and advance it into position, the center port of the plug and central port of the dispenser align since they are on the same axis. The radial port of the dispenser is aligned with the annular groove in the plug, enabling fluid communication with the second port in the plug irrespective of the rotational orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1994
    Assignee: The Hoover Company
    Inventor: Nick M. Bosyj
  • Patent number: 5277642
    Abstract: A combination toy and beverage dispensing Device, primarily adapted for use with children and particularly minor children who are still consuming liquids from a bottle and similar dispensing device. The combination toy and beverage dispensing device may preferably adopt the form of a ball which a toddler can play with in a playpen or like confined area. The ball is provided with a center interior chamber holding a beverage container capable of dispensing a beverage such as milk. A stem mechanism is associated with the ball and when pushed on, enables delivery of the milk or other beverage through a drinking tube which the child user may insert in his or her mouth. A tether type supply tube is adapted to extend into the beverage, regardless of the orientation of the ball. The ball is constructed so that it will roll properly, notwithstanding the presence of the dispensing mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1994
    Inventor: Juan F. Dorta
  • Patent number: 5267791
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to laboratory apparatus and more particularly to disposable suspended magnetic stirrers. An apparatus having a stirring vessel closure and a stirring vessel is disclosed. The stirring vessel closure includes a suspended magnetic impeller, the elevation of which is adjustable by a moveable bearing. The invention is particularly suitable for applications in which solids must be suspended in a liquid medium with a minimum of shear forces, such as in the suspension of tissue cell cultures in a growing medium. The disclosed stirring vessel closure has inclined access ports to allow improved pipette accessibility to the interior of the stirring vessel while also providing improved close packing of stirring vessels during usage or storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1993
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Stephen R. Christian, Dennis M. O'Connell
  • Patent number: 5232110
    Abstract: A container closure for attachment to a threaded container neck and comprising a closure top having a pouring passage and an offcenter opening which receives a tube defining an air passage, the tube being adapted to extend to a position adjacent to the container bottom offset from its centerline, the tube including a check valve to admit air to the container while excluding liquid from the tube. The arrangement enables the pouring of a regular and steady stream of liquid from the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1993
    Inventor: Peter F. Purnell
  • Patent number: 5207339
    Abstract: A bottle cap assembly it is described which includes a hollow cylindrical body adapted to be fastened to the neck of a soda water bottle to seal the top opening thereof, a valve seat having valves to seal an outlet hole on the hollow cylindrical body, a division plate to hold said valve seat in place, a cap retained on said hollow cylindrical body and a bellows within said body retained by the cap. The device functions when the cap is pressed which causes outside air to be compressed and fed into the soda water container to pressurize the same. A release of the cap causes an expansion of the bellows which readmits outside air into the bellows without releasing the contents of the soda water bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1993
    Inventor: Wen-Ben Shyu
  • Patent number: 5156813
    Abstract: A fluid cup is provided for use with a cup support having a cup-receiving receptacle and a drain. The cup is adapted for use with a pipette probe which may introduce contaminants into the fluid, for example a dilutant fluid, in the cup. The cup has a lower cup portion and a cap, with a notch or other overflow element being provided near the top of the lower cup portion. Diluent fluid is introduced near the bottom of the lower cup portion after each probe entry, creating a fluid flow pattern which flushes any contaminant from the cup through the notch without requiring the use of a large fluid volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1992
    Assignee: Medical Laboratory Automation, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey Calhoun
  • Patent number: 5029719
    Abstract: An improved cap assembly is provided for use with a water bottle or the like. The cap assembly includes a lid member adapted to fit over the open mouth of the bottle, and to support a drinking straw which extends from the lid member to a lower end substantially adjacent to a bottom wall of the bottle. An apertured cylindrical stem is carried by the lid member and may include a poppet valve or the like to selectively permit delivery of the bottle contents through the straw and stem to the exterior of the bottle. A protective closure cap fits removably over the apertured stem in sealing relation therewith to prevent leakage of the bottle contents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1991
    Inventor: Stanley B. Solomon
  • Patent number: 4993573
    Abstract: A bottle closure for sealingly closing a bottle while providing access to the interior of the bottle, the bottle being of the type having a neck with external threads thereon, and a mouth at the top of the neck. The bottle closure including a generally cylindric stopper having a radially outwardly projecting flange, a radially inwardly tapering lip projecting axially outwardly from one end of the stopper for insertion into the bottle through the mouth for sealing the bottle and at least one passageway extending through the stopper. The stopper has ears which are axially spaced from the flange. The flange and ears retain a cap on the stopper but allow the cap to rotate with respect to the stopper so that the cap may be tightened on and loosened from the threads of the bottle without unsealing the stopper from the bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Assignee: Kinetek Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Iris Freidel, Lev Leytes
  • Patent number: 4967922
    Abstract: A cap 6 has an outlet 8 and an air bleed valve 10 including a non return valve 18. The non return valve is isolated from the hydrostatic pressure which would prevent it opening, by a housing 12 and a breather tube 13.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1990
    Assignee: Imperial Chemical Industries PLC
    Inventor: Malcolm Alder
  • Patent number: 4951845
    Abstract: An enteral delivery universal port assembly fabricated from a first portion and a second portion of different materials. The first portion has a generally cylindrical side wall, an annular top surface and a corresponding annular bottom surface. The second portion has a central portion with a peripheral flange extending radially outward therefrom, and an annular portion positionable is superposed adjacent relationship to the annular bottom surface. Extending upwardly from the surface of the central portion are first and second projections, the first projection having a base which is a spikable membrane and the second projection being associated with filter means which allow air to enter the enteral nutritional product container to which the enteral delivery universal port assembly is secured in its operative embodiment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1990
    Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
    Inventors: Paul A. Pezzoli, Gary N. Smith, Jerold Montgomery