Nonmetallic Patents (Class 222/107)
  • Patent number: 7059542
    Abstract: A fluid dispenser comprising: two sheets (1, 1?), at least one of which is deformable, the two sheets forming a fluid reservoir (15) between them, said at least one deformable sheet defining a deformable actuating wall so as to reduce the volume of the reservoir, the reservoir (15) advantageously being provided with resilient means (4) urging the reservoir towards its maximum volume; and a dispensing piece (2) fixed in leaktight manner between the two sheets (1, 1?) and defining a dispensing orifice (24) via which the fluid from the reservoir is dispensed; said fluid dispensing being characterized in that the reservoir (15) is defined by an inner first sealing line (12) and the outer peripheral edges of the sheets are sealed together along an outer second sealing line (10) which surrounds the inner first sealing line, the two sealing lines (10, 12) defining between them at least one non-sealed-together zone (11) in which the sheets are not sealed together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Valois S.A.S.
    Inventors: Firmin Garcia, Aline Abergel
  • Patent number: 7055720
    Abstract: A flexible stand-up package having a releasably securable closure, a fitment pour spout and a handle. The package includes a hollow interior of the package arranged to be filled with a flowable material, e.g., cherries in syrup, whereupon the bottom of the package assumes a generally planar configuration to support the package, while portions of the panels making up the package assume a vertical orientation, with the pour spout located in a recessed position, whereupon the filled package can be located immediately adjacent similar filled packages without wasted space therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Fres-co System USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Barry Pritchard
  • Patent number: 7044333
    Abstract: The present invention relates to plural compartment assemblies in which materials are stored in at least two separate compartments until the compartments are opened for use. More particularly, the invention relates to a dispensing tube whereby the utilization of a novel insert, a conventional dispensing tube can be divided into separate and discrete compartments at a low capital cost. The resulting dispensing assembly provides for dispensing more than one material from the same tube and even more particularly co-dispensing predetermined proportions of incompatible materials simultaneously and effectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Church & Dwight Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Jennifer Johns, David Chesley, Eric Cunningham
  • Patent number: 7025229
    Abstract: An assembly of a package that includes a flexible sheet-like foil material containing a viscous material, with apparatus for metered emptying of the package. The apparatus includes a frame, a guide, and a substantially flat two-part supporting surface. A metering control is movable along the supporting surface. The guide holds the metering control in a substantially fixed orientation relative to the supporting surface. The metering control empties the package by nipwise pressing the package flat onto the supporting surface. The frame includes a stationary part and a movable part, which parts form a continuous, uninterrupted supporting surface in a first position and which parts close off an open package by squeezing it shut in a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Intercon Holland B.V.
    Inventors: Victor Robert Bochno, Cornelis Willem Blom
  • Patent number: 7017781
    Abstract: This invention is directed to an improved collapsible bag having a spout and one or more grooves on the interior surface of a wall of the bag. The grooves, which are integral to a wall of the bag rather than on a separate evacuation strip, are in liquid communication with the spout and are sized such that the opposing wall of the bag is not completely forced into the grooves under the suction of conventional pumps which are used to withdraw the liquid from the bag. Thus, the grooves enable substantially complete withdrawal of the liquid from the bag without the use of an evacuation strip. Additionally, the present invention may be used in any orientation and does not require a slanted rack. Although the primary intended application of the present invention is in bag-in-box packages for containing and dispensing beverages, this invention may also be used to advantage in other liquid dispensing applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Dr Pepper/Seven-Up, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank L. Provenza
  • Patent number: 7004322
    Abstract: Packaging unit (1) for a flowable product, comprising first and accord walls (2, 3) at least one (3) of which is concave and which are sealingly joined along their respective edges and define therebetween a cavity containing the flowable product, at least one of the walls (2, 3) being provided with a severing indication (8), severing along a line indicated by the severing indication (8) and extending from side-to-side across the packaging unit (1) opening a product outlet portion (6) of the cavity; the severing indication (8) has over at least one of two end zones thereof at respective opposite sides (9) of the unit (1) a curvedly convex profile projecting away from the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Unifill International AG
    Inventor: Andrea Bartoli
  • Patent number: 6991140
    Abstract: Disclosed is a plastic fitment with child-safe properties for attachment to a container component of film-like plastic material, including a tubular body portion defining a through passage having axially spaced ends, a welding rib, and a cap. Also disclosed are flexible pouch or beverage package comprising the fitment and a process for using the fitment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignees: E.I. du Pont de nemours and Company, Inc., Kornick Lindsay, Ocean Spray Cranberries Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond Anthony Bourque, Daniel Young-Doo Chung, Richard M. Estabrook, Joseph Kornick, Jose Tirso Olivares-Cordoba, Donna Lynn Visioli
  • Patent number: 6981614
    Abstract: An improved dispensing pouch is provided having a flexible and collapsible container consisting of a pair of tapered side walls (14). A nozzle (12) is disposed at the lower end of the flexible container and heat sealed thereto. A removable end cap (26) is preferably snap-fit on to the nozzle and held in place by a retainer ring (30) or a nozzle with integral scaling threads (20). The side walls of the icing container are preferably heat sealed about the perimeter and on to the nozzle to effect a leak-proof container for the contents contained within.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: Decko Products Inc.
    Inventor: F. William Niggemyer
  • Patent number: 6971550
    Abstract: A spouting structure includes a spout attached to the liquid container and having a mouthpiece, a cap screwed on the spout and having a top wall and a cylindrical protrusion protruding from a central part of the top wall having a bottom wall provided with an opening and defining a cylindrical bore, and a round plate axially movably fitted in the cylindrical bore of the cylindrical protrusion. The cylindrical protrusion protrudes downward from the top wall and is fitted in the mouthpiece of the spout. The round plate is provided with at least one opening in its peripheral part, has a plugging part formed in a central area of the lower surface thereof and capable of being plugged closely in the opening formed in the bottom wall of the cylindrical protrusion of the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Hosokawa Yoko
    Inventors: Raizo Kuge, Kenji Watanabe
  • Patent number: 6953155
    Abstract: An assembly for feeding liquid to the inlet port of a liquid spraying device or spray gun. The assembly includes a stiff container that defines an opening into a cavity in the container, and a flexible liner positioned within the cavity in the container has an outer surface generally corresponding in shape to the inner surface of the container, an inner surface defining a cavity in the liner, and an annular lip along the top end of the side wall defining an opening into the cavity in the liner. An included adapter assembly has a central portion with a through opening that is adapted to engage the inlet port of a liquid spraying device, a transverse portion including a peripheral part adapted for engagement within the flexible liner adjacent said top end of the container, and means for sealing the flexible liner around the peripheral part of the adapter assembly. An air supply assembly connected to the container supplies air at a relatively low pressure (e.g., in the range of about 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Stephen C. P. Joseph, Gary Brotherton, Robert J. Rothrum
  • Patent number: 6945428
    Abstract: A container includes an inner layer portion for liquid, an outer layer having an inner shape substantially equivalent to an outer shape of the inner layer, with the outer layer having an air vent communicating from between the two layers and the ambient, and a dispensing portion. When liquid is dispensed, the inner layer peels off the outer layer. The inner layer and the outer layer are bonded, in a first region, to each other with a force such that the inner layer is peelable from the outer layer by change of pressure, and the inner layer and the outer layer are bonded, in a second region, to each other with a force which is larger than that in the first region, by which the inner layer peels off the outer layer in the second region after the inner layer peels off the outer layer in the first region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Eiichiro Shimizu, Masanori Takenouchi, Hajime Yamamoto, Hiroshi Koshikawa, Fumitaka Goto
  • Patent number: 6945391
    Abstract: This invention provides a container (10) in the form of a sachet having a body (11) defining a reservoir (12). The body (11) includes a flexible first wall (13) having a line of weakness (14), and a relatively more flexible second wall (15) sealingly joined to the first wall (13), along its periphery. The line of weakness (14) is configured to open up to form an opening in the first wall (13) when the first wall (13) is folded about the line of weakness (14). The invention is characterised in that the line of weakness (14) is bent, resulting in the advantages that the first wall (13) opens in a controlled fashion and the container (10) is able to withstand relatively rough handling and a substantial amount of bending, without the first wall (13) opening accidentally along the line of weakness (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Flexi-Pac (Pty) Ltd.
    Inventor: Malcolm Melsetter Moodie
  • Patent number: 6932247
    Abstract: A handle device for manually grasping an airless dispenser of the type including a drawing-off member provided with a dispensing head and fitted to a flexible pouch by means of a cylindrical fitting, wherein, at the top of the fitting, under the head, the fitting is provided with a set of fins whose bottom faces serve to receive and to be pressed by the fingers of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Rexam Dispensing Systems
    Inventor: Bernard Clerget
  • Patent number: 6908015
    Abstract: A personal hydration system with component connectivity. The hydration system includes a fluid reservoir that may be housed within a pack. Drink fluid is drawn from the reservoir through a drink tube in fluid communication with the reservoir at one end and with a mouthpiece at the other. In some embodiments, the hydration system includes a manually actuated on/off valve downstream from the reservoir and/or a bite-actuated mouthpiece. The hydration system further includes a quick-connect assembly that fluidly interconnects components of the hydration system and which is configured to quickly release, and permit reattachment of, the detached or replacement components. In some embodiments, the hydration system includes a quick-connect assembly that is adapted to selectively couple a bite-actuated mouthpiece and a gas mask adapter to the hydration system's drink tube. In some embodiments, at least a portion, if not the entire, hydration system is formed from a chemically resistant material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: CamelBak Products, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Choi, Herbert Douglas, Barley A. Forsman, Jeremy Galten
  • Patent number: 6892906
    Abstract: A container including a nozzle and body depending therefrom. The body is preferably tubular and defines an interior which retains a product to be dispensed. A cap engages the nozzle to prevent inadvertent release of the product. In order to dispense the product, the cap is removed and pressure is applied to the body and the nozzle allows release of the product. The nozzle releases the product without exposing the remaining product to the external atmosphere, thus the sterility of the interior of the body is maintained and the shelf life of the product is increased. The nozzle includes an inner body, coupled to the tubular body, surrounded by a flexible outer cover. A seam between the inner body and flexible outer cover forms a one-way release valve wherein a portion of the seam remains closed during dispensing the product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Medical Instill Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Py, Norbert M. Assion, Julian V. Chan
  • Patent number: 6883683
    Abstract: A tamper resistant beverage dispensing bag has a flexible pouch having a top, a bottom, first and second panels and a width, and wherein the first and second panels define a first opening at the top and wherein at least one of the first and second panels defines a second opening near the bottom, and wherein the pouch has a top edge; a liquid dispensing apparatus including a tube and being connected to the pouch to permit a controlled flow of liquid from the second opening of the pouch; and, wherein the first and second panels are connected together at the top to releasably close the first opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Inventors: Daniel A. Cunningham, Richard W. Smith
  • Patent number: 6860406
    Abstract: A flexible plastic fitment for providing spouts for pouches formed of sheet material. The fitment includes a pair of opposed side walls each having a center portion formed from diametrically opposed segments of a common cylinder and straight segments that blend respectively into the cylindrical segments on opposite sides of the common cylinder. The side walls are joined together at both ends thereof to form a canoe shape. A cover, which provides the only support for the side walls joins the top edges of the canoe shape and extends at both ends of the canoe shape between the cylindrical segments and the joined ends. A thin fin extends from each end of the joined side walls. A method of and apparatus for attaching the fitment by distending the side walls outwardly while urging the sheet material toward the side walls is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Robert G. Kobetsky, Art Malin
  • Patent number: 6860407
    Abstract: A system for dispensing a pumpable product comprises a product well; a pouch disposed in a substantially U-shaped arrangement in the product well, the pouch comprising a first wall and a second wall, and a fitment disposed on the first wall of the pouch, wherein the pouch contains the pumpable product; and a pump device in connected relationship with the fitment of the pouch. A method for dispensing a pumpable product, and a pouch, are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Cryovac, Inc.
    Inventor: Francois Gosselin
  • Patent number: 6854888
    Abstract: A flask is formed of two panels heat sealed together along with a base or bottom insert. Two spouts are provided proximate the top one of which is for the extraction of fluids and the other of which is for the introduction of fluids. The flask may have a bite valve or a fluid conduit attached to one spout cap. Both spouts may be sealed into and along the edge of the flask. Alternately, one spout may be formed into a panel and the other into and along the edge of the flask. Alternately a pump may be provided to pump air into the flask to pressurize the fluid so that it will be urged out of the flask and through the bite valve when it is open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Inventors: Dennis B. Brown, Breon J. Robertson
  • Patent number: 6851579
    Abstract: A collapsible bag for dispensing liquids which includes at least one sheet sealed to define an enclosure and a fitment (spout) attached to the enclosure and out through which liquid in the enclosure is dispensed. An interior surface of the one or more sheets has an integral texture to assist with withdrawal of the liquid from the enclosure when collapsed. The texture can be provided by sheet surfaces that are mechanically or ultrasonically embossed or are bubble-cushioned or which have sealed pleats or accordion folds. The bottom surface of a lower flange of the fitment may have concentric ridges (or spirals) and/or radial grooves. Also disclosed are methods of making the bag from one, two, three or four sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Scholle Corporation
    Inventors: Chester Savage, Kenneth Micnerski, Richard Carroll, Nancy Lu, Richard L. Albiani, Rocklin Verespej
  • Patent number: 6851578
    Abstract: A self-standing type bag-shaped vacuum container has a self-standing container including a wall formed of a soft sheet, a pouring port, and a check valve mounted in the pouring port. The check valve is opened to allow the migration of a content of the container when subjected to a pressure in the pouring direction, but is closed when subjected to a pressure in a filling direction, so that the inside of the container is evacuated. The self-standing container can be optimized for storing beverages or the like which are negatively effected by contact with air, because the content will be oxidized with the air. The vacuum type container will not lose its self-standing property even if the content is reduced, and can stand stably by itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Inventor: Tadashi Hagihara
  • Patent number: 6832852
    Abstract: A flexible bottle having a gusseted body section and a neck section comprised of narrowed portions of the side panels and gussets of the body section, with a fitment in the neck section. The bottle has a flat bottom that may be created by tapering the webs forming the bottom at about 45 degrees. The body has a substantially square or rectangular cross section when filled, but may be contoured in the vertical direction. A process for fabricating the bottle is also disclosed which involves feeding webs, including a pair of gussets, creating perimeter seals around only the top portion of the bottle, inserting the fitment from the input end of the machine in the direction of web travel, forming the remainder of the perimeter seams, detaching the nascent bottle from the web, and sealing the neck section of the bottle to the fitment by clamping the neck section with a heated clamp, and preferably repeating the seal operation at a different radial angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Inventor: Kenneth R. Wilkes
  • Patent number: 6827237
    Abstract: This invention is directed to an improved bag-in-box apparatus for containing and dispensing liquids such as beverages. The interior surface of the bottom of the box (20) is preferably sloped downward toward the spout (12) of the bag (10) such that gravity helps feed the liquid toward the spout (12). In lieu of or in conjunction with slopes, the interior bottom surface of the box (120, 130, 150, 140, 160) may have terraces (34), curves (132, 134), corrugations (152), fan-like ridges (142), or beams (162). The present invention thereby reduces the amount of residual liquid as the liquid is withdrawn from the bag (10) without the need for an evacuation strip or a special slanted rack. Although the primary intended application of the present invention is in bag-in-box packages for containing and dispensing beverages, this invention may also be used to advantage in other liquid dispensing applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Dr Pepper/Seven-up, Inc.
    Inventors: Kendall L. Yorn, Frank L. Provenza
  • Publication number: 20040222238
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a container for a flowable product, particularly for a beverage and, in particular, for still or sparkling mineral water. The container according to the invention includes a body having in a greater section a dimension d1 and of at least one neck with an internal diameter d2 which can be closed by a member for closing off and/or of distributing the flowable product from the container. The wall or walls forming the body of the container are preferably made of a flexible plastic which can deform for constant surface area, particularly under the weight of the flowable product from the container when the wall or walls encounter a point or bearing surface, so as to form, at least locally, a non-planar wall portion and wherein the ratio d2 to d1 is between 1:3 and 1:10.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2004
    Publication date: November 11, 2004
    Inventors: Murielle Vigny, Alain Contal, Jean-Paul Cerveny, Gerard Denis
  • Patent number: 6811057
    Abstract: A fluid dispenser assembly characterized in that it comprises: a fluid dispenser (1) defining a substantially flat body (10) provided with a dispensing orifice (17) and with a removable closure member (18) suitable for closing the dispensing orifice (17); and packaging (2) encasing the dispenser (1) and forming an opening portion (24, 28; 240, 280) in which the removable closure member (18) is received so that it is possible to take hold of it in order to remove it from the body, thereby unmasking the dispensing orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Valois S.A.S.
    Inventors: Frédéric Duquet, Hervé Pennaneac'h
  • Patent number: 6805261
    Abstract: A package and method of making and filling it in the form of a tubular flexible bag of laminated plastic sheet material with a dispensing fitment including a spout and a removable closure mechanically fastened to a flat wall at one end of the tubular bag with the method of making the filled package being continuous starting with a flat sheet of material and ending with a filled and closed package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Profile Packaging, Inc.
    Inventor: Bernd Laudenberg
  • Patent number: 6802437
    Abstract: The container of the present invention stores viscous substances in a sealed environment and is easily transportable. The contents of the container can be easily extracted completely without any tools or contact with the user. The container is an elongated housing with one or more opening near its ends and with one or more piston with approximately the same profile and dimension as the cross sectional profile of the interior of the elongated housing enclosed in the container that will slide along the length of the elongated housing when urged and extract the contents of the container completely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Inventor: Garry Tsaur
  • Publication number: 20040178220
    Abstract: The present invention provides a fitment assembly for a container including a spout connected in fluid communication to the container, a cap sealing an end of the spout, the cap having a pierceable portion, and a piercer for piercing the cap at the pierceable portion to permit fluid communication from the container through the spout and piercer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2003
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Inventor: Mark A. Smith
  • Patent number: 6783030
    Abstract: A pouch style containment and dispensing package for flowable products is provided. The package comprises at least three layers of thin materials selected from a group of materials including heat sealable plastic films, metal foils, oxygen barrier films, plastic moisture barrier films, adhesives, coextrudable plastics and high strength plastics. The package includes an aperture or aperture forming means and a flap portion that is folded over and sealed to cover the aperture or aperture forming means, so that when the flap portion is folded back and away, an aperture is exposed or created. The layers may be selected so that a contact face of the flap member is sealed at a lower temperature than a sealing temperature for forming edge seals on the inner product contacting wall layers. Also, one layer may comprise a high strength layer that will not lose a significant amount of strength at temperatures substantially higher than the edge sealing temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Inventor: Sanford Redmond
  • Publication number: 20040164094
    Abstract: There is a plastic dispensing tube having shaped corners. The dispensing tube has a tubular plastic sleeve and a plastic head affixed to one end of the sleeve. The sleeve has an interior surface. The head defines a neck having a passageway therethrough and a shoulder defining one or more corners therein. The head further defines one or more ribs extending from the one or more corners into the sleeve. The one or more ribs is affixed to the interior surface of the sleeve. There is also a process for making the plastic dispensing tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2003
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Applicant: Pechiney Plastic Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas J. Jackson, Daniel L. King
  • Publication number: 20040159674
    Abstract: A nozzle is attached to a tip of a fluid container which is formed of two flexible sheets overlapped with each other. The sheets have their internal surfaces fitted to each other in a normal state after contents are filled into the container such that even a very small portion of contents remaining in the container can be removed by a required amount without coming into contact with air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2004
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Inventor: Tadashi Hagihara
  • Patent number: 6776307
    Abstract: A nozzle is attached to a tip of a fluid container which is formed of two flexible sheets overlapped with each other. The sheets have their internal surfaces fitted to each other in a normal state after contents are filled into the container such that even a very small portion of contents remaining in the container can be removed by a required amount without coming into contact with air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Inventor: Tadashi Hagihara
  • Patent number: 6763975
    Abstract: A decorative craft kit and associated method of using the kit for use in decorating various objects with decorative resin is disclosed. The kit comprises a plurality of tube dispensers, a plurality of caps, and a plurality of applique tips. Each tube dispenser includes a main tubular body portion, a neck portion, a nozzle head portion, and a decorative resin wherein the decorative resin comprises water, acrylic polymer, calcium carbonate, ethylene glycol, mineral spirits and a coloring agent. Each cap of the plurality of caps is separately attached to the nozzle head portion of each corresponding tube dispenser. Each applique tip of the plurality of applique tips are separately attachable to the nozzle head portion of each corresponding tube dispenser. Another preferred embodiment of the kit consist essentially of a plurality of tube dispensers, a plurality of caps, a plurality of applique tips, a stylized logo, and a color indicia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Inventor: Karen L. Lesher
  • Patent number: 6761288
    Abstract: A fluid dispenser comprising a fluid reservoir (111) of variable volume, and a dispensing orifice (130), said reservoir being provided with at least one deformable actuating wall (112) urged by resilient means (15) into a rest position corresponding to the reservoir having its maximum volume, said dispenser being characterized in that the resilient means (15) are situated outside the reservoir (111), not in contact with the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: Valois S.A.
    Inventor: Firmin Garcia
  • Publication number: 20040129800
    Abstract: A fluid dispenser for dispensing fluid in liquid or powder form, the fluid dispenser comprising a fluid reservoir (30) of variable volume, said reservoir defining at least one movable wall (31, 32) that can be moved to vary the volume of the reservoir, the dispenser further comprising a dispensing orifice (311) in communication with the reservoir so that fluid from the reservoir can be delivered through the dispensing orifice when the volume of the reservoir is reduced;
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Applicant: VALOIS S.A.S.
    Inventor: Frederic Duquet
  • Patent number: 6755357
    Abstract: A spray container device for a fluid product is disclosed. The device includes a container having at least one compressible wall. A first end of the container delimits a first opening for filling the container with a fluid product. The first opening is sealed after filling of the container. A second end of the container is closed and is capable, prior to the first use of the device, of being opened so as to uncover a second opening through which the product can be dispensed. The device further includes an insert arranged inside of the container. The insert delimits a spray orifice in communication with the product. The spray orifice faces the second opening. The insert is also preferably configured to isolate the product from the first opening prior to the sealing thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: L'Oreal
    Inventors: Florent Duqueroie, Alain Bethune
  • Publication number: 20040118869
    Abstract: One describes a package, particularly for packing industrial products, comprising a product-holding body provided with a through-bore, a grip region associated to the body and a flow controlling and interrupting valve associated to the through-bore, the valve comprising an elongate and through-bored body of flexible material, the body being fixed by means of at least its first end portion to the through-bore, the second end portion of the body, opposed to the first portion, extending outwardly of the thorough-bore and being foldable over the elongate body into the bore, so as to enable one to close the valve. The present package permits partial consumption of the product and the correct application, through the valve, thus enabling one to use the product partly and rationally, without wasting it. It also avoids leakage of the packed product, which is of great importance when toxic and polluting products are packed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Applicant: Tetraquimica Industria E Comercio Ltda
    Inventor: Claudio Ferranda
  • Patent number: 6749090
    Abstract: An improved sports hydration system uses a plurality of bladders and tube branches communicating through tube branch controlling valve to a single feed tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Trek Bicycle Corporation
    Inventor: Randall B. Bailey
  • Patent number: 6742676
    Abstract: In this invention there is provided a pouring vessel of the squeezable, delaminated bottle type, which can be squeezed smoothly to the last moment of discharge operation so that little content remains in the vessel. The vessel or container of a delaminated bottle type comprises the outer shell layer that forms a squeezable outer container and the inner layer that forms an inner container for receiving its content inside and capable of being deflated and deformed inward with the decrease in inner pressure; and the container is also provided with a discharge cap. In this configuration, a pair of vertically extending adhesive resin strips is formed by adhering the outer shell layer and the inner layer over the roughly entire height of the container. The relationship of the peripheral length between the two adhesive resin strips to the width of each strip is determined to give such a range that the inner container can be almost completely deflated and deformed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Yoshino Kogyosho Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Nakamura, Masashi Yoneyama, Takayuki Goto
  • Patent number: 6732943
    Abstract: Methods of generating pores in thin sheets of material, typically thin polymer films, are provided. The methods allow for generation of pores which uniformly penetrate the material. The method comprises laminating a thick film onto a thin film, then directing a laser source onto the thin film so as to form pores through the thin film. The increased stiffness conferred by the thick film reduces wrinkle formation in the thin film, resulting in uniform thickness of the thin film and consequent uniformity of pore depth. The invention further provides aerosolization containers and devices comprising membranes formed according to the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Aradigm Corporation
    Inventor: Sudarsan Srinivasan
  • Publication number: 20040084553
    Abstract: An assembly for feeding liquid to the inlet port of a liquid spraying device or spray gun. The assembly includes a stiff container that defines an opening into a cavity in the container, and a flexible liner positioned within the cavity in the container has an outer surface generally corresponding in shape to the inner surface of the container, an inner surface defining a cavity in the liner, and an annular lip along the top end of the side wall defining an opening into the cavity in the liner. An included adapter assembly has a central portion with a through opening that is adapted to engage the inlet port of a liquid spraying device, a transverse portion including a peripheral part adapted for engagement within the flexible liner adjacent said top end of the container, and means for sealing the flexible liner around the peripheral part of the adapter assembly. An air supply assembly connected to the container supplies air at a relatively low pressure (e.g., in the range of about 0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Stephen C.P. Joseph, Gary Brotherton, Robert J. Rothrum
  • Publication number: 20040079764
    Abstract: An upright product outlet bag evacuation packaging (100, 200) includes a flexible, collapsible bag (101, 201) and a spout (116, 216) that contains and dispenses a liquid (118, 218). The bag (101, 201) includes a first wall (102, 202) and a second wall (104,204) that are operatively connected by a seam (106, 206). When the bag (101, 201) is filled with liquid (118, 218), the first wall (102, 202) and the second wall (104, 204) are pushed away from one another thereby pulling a first side (109, 209) inward and causing an indentation (114, 214) to form. The indentation (114, 214) hinders flush contact between the first wall (102, 202) and the second wall (104, 204) as the bag (101, 201) progressively collapses as the liquid (118, 218) is dispensed. A housing (300, 400) for use with a dispenser may be used to create and reinforce the indentation (114, 214). The housing (300, 400) includes a cavity (303, 403) configured and arranged to receive the bag (101, 201).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2002
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventors: Eric R. Balz, Thomas P. Berg, John E. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20040079763
    Abstract: A duplex storage pouch capable of storing a segregated liquid and powder for extended periods. The two ingredients are separated by a frangible chevron-shaped seal. When pressure is applied to the pouch, one or more chevron points lying along the chevron-shaped seal rupture, allowing the two ingredients to mix. The pouch is flexible, so that the user can knead the two ingredients together for thorough mixing. Once the mixing is complete, a peelable cover is removed to expose a dispensing opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2002
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventors: Cindy Hagood Powell, Dale G. Winston
  • Patent number: 6722531
    Abstract: A pouring mouth member for a container includes an intermediate resin layer having barrier property and a fold-back portion is formed on at least one end portion of the intermediate resin layer having barrier property. Further, due to an inner layer resin and/or an outer layer resin provided to an outer periphery of this fold-back portion, the exposure of the resin having barrier property can be surely prevented and, at the same time, a cut edge of the intermediate resin layer having barrier property is effectively sealed between the inner and outer layer resins since the cut edge is also in a fold-back state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Toyo Seikan Kaisha, Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoshi Matsuo, Tsuneo Imatani, Kimio Takeuchi
  • Publication number: 20040069800
    Abstract: A plastic container and method of making the container. The container comprises a rigid section, a collapsible section, and an outlet provided in the rigid section for allowing the dispensing of a liquid within the container, the rigid section providing rigid support for the container when the container is filled with a liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Applicant: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Ralph L. Piccinino,, Kenneth D. Corby
  • Patent number: 6719172
    Abstract: A dispenser for releasing a debilitating substance into a user's hand comprises an outer layer defining a cavity therein wherein the outer layer further defines a plurality of holes therethrough communicating the cavity with an exterior of said dispenser. At least one sharp projection extends from the outer layer into the cavity. A pouch is positioned within the cavity proximate to the at least one sharp projection wherein the pouch contains a debilitating substance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Summithood Enterprises, LLC
    Inventor: Kenneth Thomas Slewidge
  • Publication number: 20040065679
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for storing and dispensing a flowable composition. Said device comprises a first (1) and a second film (2), a dispensing zone (4), a first chamber 5), containing a first substance (A) and a second chamber (6), containing a second substance (B). Said chambers are interconnected by a transition zone (3) that can be selectively opened. At least one of the films is deep-drawn in the region of the chambers and at least one of the films is pre-formed in the region of the second chamber, in such a way that once the device has been activated by opening the transition zone, the first substance can to a great extent by completely transferred to the second chamber, increasing the volume of said chamber as a result.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2003
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Inventors: Marc Peuker, Martin Hartung, Dirk Mueller, Roland Brem
  • Patent number: 6715644
    Abstract: A flexible polymeric container for storing and dispensing liquids includes a first sidewall and a second sidewall connected together to define a fluid chamber therebetween. The first sidewall and the second sidewall each have an inner surface facing the fluid chamber and an opposed outer surface. A fitment is attached to an outer surface of one of the first sidewall or the second sidewall. The fitment has an opening therethrough which has an axis substantially perpendicular to the outer surface. A plurality of objects on the inner surface of one of the first sidewall or the second sidewall defines a plurality of pathways having at least a first pathway and a second pathway intersecting one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: David S. Smith Packaging Limited
    Inventor: Michael Wilford
  • Patent number: 6715697
    Abstract: A device for dispensing a fluid product includes a reservoir configured to contain a fluid product and a spray orifice associated with the reservoir. The reservoir may include at least one actuating zone having a predetermined threshold resistance to deformation. The actuating zone may be configured to deform in response to pressure exerted on the actuating zone so as to cause the product to be sprayed out from the orifice. When pressure exerted on the actuating zone is less than a threshold pressure Ps sufficient to overcome the predetermined threshold resistance to deformation of the actuating zone, substantially no portion of the product is sprayed from the spray orifice. Actuating zone deformation resulting from exertion of at least the threshold pressure Ps on the actuating zone may persist when the pressure exerted ceases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: L′Oreal S.A.
    Inventor: Florent Duqueroie
  • Patent number: 6712241
    Abstract: A support (1) for a flexible pouch for a fluid dispenser, said support comprising an appendage (11) to which the flexible pouch is fixed via its opening, and a socket (12) on which a dispensing member such as a pump is mounted, said support defining a passageway (13) causing the dispensing member to communicate with the flexible pouch so as to enable fluid contained in the pouch to be extracted by the dispensing member, said support being characterized in that said support (1) is provided with at least one tube (2) defining an internal duct (20) open at both ends of the tube, said tube (2) being fixed to the support (1) so that it has a free end (21) extending inside the flexible pouch, while its “top” other end (22) is fixed to the support eccentrically relative to the passageway (13) so that it causes the internal duct (20) to communicate with said passageway (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Airlessystems
    Inventors: Firmin Garcia, Laurent Decottignies, Christian Campfort