With Discharge Assistant For Each Source Patents (Class 222/135)
  • Patent number: 6926171
    Abstract: A paint colorant dispenser for dispensing colorants into both large and small containers includes a cabinet for accommodating a plurality of color and canisters in fluid communication with a common dispense outlet. A container shelf unit is disposed in front of the cabinet and below the dispense outlet. The shelf unit includes a horizontal base disposed below the dispense outlet upon which large containers can rest. The shelf unit also includes a pivoting shelf which can pivot upward and provide a horizontal resting surface closer to the dispense outlet for smaller containers. A controller, keyboard and monitor are contained in a second modular cabinet that can be disposed on either side of the first cabinet. An additional modular cabinet can be provided for accommodating additional colorant canisters. A drip containment system is disposed in the modular shelf unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Fluid Management, Inc.
    Inventors: Mike Reedy, Kenneth R. Kaufnold, Michael Prince, William A. Miller, Robert D. Blakeman, II, Chris Davis, Dan Gremonprez
  • Patent number: 6921000
    Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus and a process for rapidly and accurately dispensing fluids, in which at least one component is dispensed into the reaction vessel in two or three stages. In this process, the amount of fluid dispensed in the second and third stages is determined on the basis of the mass flow rate calculated in the preceding sub-step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: Bayer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Joachim Wagner, Peter Jähn, Jacqueline Kusan-Bindels, Dagmar Ulbrich, Rolf Albach, Hermann-Josef Kirschbaum
  • Patent number: 6915925
    Abstract: A beverage dispensing apparatus for a residential refrigerator. The beverage dispensing apparatus of the present invention includes a drink supplier including a drink supply canister holder for holding a plurality of drink supply canisters, a plurality of valve actuators for causing the drink supply to be selectively released from the drink supply canisters, a water supplier for selectively supplying carbonated water and non-carbonated water for producing the beverages, a gas supplier for supplying CO2 gas to carbonate the carbonated water provided by the water supplier and for supplying CO2 gas or other gas for pressurizing the drink supply canisters to provide a consistent flow rate of the drink supply from the drink supply canisters, and one or more beverage requesters for enabling users to request one of a plurality of beverages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Beverage Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Harry Lee Crisp, III, Todd Erik Duff
  • Patent number: 6913166
    Abstract: A system for metering and dispensing single and plural component liquids and solids as described herein. The dispensing system has a microprocessor-based control system and progressive cavity pumps which provide a very accurate control of component ratios, shot sizes, flow rates and dispense durations. The system has numerous feedback components for accurately controlling the pressure, flow rates, fluid levels and amounts of fluids dispensed. Where a valved nozzle is used, the pressure in the flow system is used to control the pumps rather than the valve. Such a system may be used as a sprayer with compressed air added. Drum rams are associated with the supply drums and the progressive cavity pumps may be placed on the drum ram. Maintenance of a steady state in the system is accomplished with back and forth movement of the pump, with compensation for pressure changes. Absolute rotational position of the pump can be monitored when a set pressure is maintained, to diagnose system conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Fluid Research
    Inventors: David J. Cline, Timothy S. Clark, Stephen P. Gordon, Michael R. Engle
  • Patent number: 6896152
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus is provided for dispensing plural component materials having first and second (and optionally third) components and a desired ratio between the components. The apparatus has first and second reciprocating pumps (4), each of the pumps (4) being connected to a source of one of said components, first and second reciprocating drivers (5), each driver (5) being connected to drive one of the pumps and forming a driver-pump set, a position sensor (6) attached to each driver-pump set, each position sensor (6) outputting increments of resolution corresponding to a fixed volume being pumped by the driver-pump set to which it is connected, and a controller attached to the drivers and the position sensors to alternately move one of the driver-pump sets one said increment and the other of the driver-pump sets the product of one increment and the ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Pittman, Adam R. Friedrich
  • Patent number: 6892961
    Abstract: A conventional airless tip (18) is located in line in the fluid line (20) immediately down stream of the static mixer (16) in a plural components metering and mixing system (12). A pressure drip of 10-30 bar across the spray tip (18) provides enhanced mixing for aqueous and other hard-to-mix plural component materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventor: Arnd Fuellenbach
  • Patent number: 6880724
    Abstract: A photoresist supply system includes a storage bottle and a reservoir coupled in flow communication therewith. A vacuum pump is coupled in flow communication with the reservoir and creates a vacuum within the reservoir that draws photoresist out of the storage bottle and into the reservoir. An inlet into the reservoir is configured to flow photoresist down an inner wall of the reservoir. The photoresist flows out of the reservoir into a dispense reservoir from which the photoresist is pumped to a dispense nozzle for application to a wafer or substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shun-Tsai Liu
  • Patent number: 6880727
    Abstract: A system, apparatus and method is disclosed for providing a consistent liquid mixture according to a predetermined recipe for use at a point of use. The apparatus includes a plurality of liquid component reservoirs in which a constant gas pressure is maintained. A plurality of valves are provided, with individual valves connected to an outlet port of each reservoir. An electronic controller controls the valve actuation in a repetitive sequence to discharge predetermined doses of selected liquid components for mixing to form the consistent liquid mixture. A mixing section receives the sequence of doses to mix them together to form the liquid mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: The BOC Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Martin Pozniak, Charles Andre Provost, Rakesh Kumar Singh, Sau Van Vo, Benjamin Rush Roberts
  • Patent number: 6874657
    Abstract: A method for dispensing a bilogical sealant and a dispensing system for dispensing the biological sealant are described. The dispensing system comprises a dispenser and a plurality of cartridge for delivering a biological sealant to an application site. The sealant is presented as a multi-component liquid sealant, with each component contained in a cartridge comprising a tubular body closed at one end with a pierceable seal and closed at the other end by a piston element movable axially within the tubular body. The dispenser coprises a plurality of recesses to receive respective cartridges containing the components of the sealant. Each recess includes means to establish a fluid connection with the cartridge placed within the recess. The dispenser further comprises means for engaging the piston elements of the cartridges to move the piston element axially so as to expel the sealant components. Ducting within the dispenser leads the sealant components to a dispensing point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: ZLB Behring GmbH
    Inventors: Hubert J. Metzner, Stewart Madison Fox
  • Patent number: 6874661
    Abstract: A cap member for a dual-compartment adhesive dispensing cartridge comprises a pair of dependent plugs, the cap member is initially integrally secured upon an upper end portion of a dispensing outlet portion by frangible connections which are defined between the plugs and upper end portions of a pair of dispensing conduits that are defined within the dispensing outlet portion by a divider wall. In addition, an axially oriented web member extends upwardly from a central region of the dispensing outlet portion, and the cap member is integrally secured to the upper extremity of the web member by another frangible connection. In this manner, when the cap member is to be separated from the dispensing cartridge, the integral connection defined between the cap member and the web member effectively serves as a pivotal fulcrum about which the cap member can be pivoted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Mark S. Timmerman, James E. Surjan, Richard P. Babrowski
  • Patent number: 6860870
    Abstract: A gas powered spraying device that can be used for single or multi-part reactive medical polymer compositions is provided. A fluid or one or more reactive solutions are sprayed independently at a tissue surface, and the spraying of each solution of multi-component embodiments is controlled by a separate valve. Each solution is provided with a separate spray outlet, and each spray outlet is surrounded by an annular sheath of flowing gas. Gas flow is provided at two or more flow levels, including a high level flow for active spraying and a low level bypass flow to remove drips and prevent clogging, which can improve device reliability. Gas pressure can be used to drive fluid to its spray outlet, as well as to spray the fluid from the outlet to the tissue surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Focal, Inc.
    Inventors: Dean M. Pichon, David J. Nedder, John R. Sousa, J. Jeffrey Kablik, Albert H. Linder
  • Patent number: 6834778
    Abstract: A mixing and discharge device is provided, in which contents are ejected from a pair of containers (33) standing next to each other and are mixed and discharged outside of this device, by pressing down the discharge nozzles (35) of said containers simultaneously with the manipulation of the thumb and a finger of the hand holding the containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignees: Kanebo, Limited, Yoshino Kogyosho Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiji Jinbo, Tomomi Hamada, Keiko Ishikawa, Yoshie Aoki, Yoshiyuki Kakuta, Toru Toma
  • Publication number: 20040238567
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for selectively dispensing liquids from a plurality of independent reservoirs (R), each of which is equipped with a drawing-off member (P) provided with a dispensing head (T) suitable for being actuated by being pressed axially, said device being characterized in that it comprises a single push-button (1) whose bottom face (1a) is provided with a series of axial bushes (10) suitable for engaging simultaneously and removably over one or more dispensing heads (T) by means of said push-button (1) being turned and angularly keyed on a central bearing (2) secured to the reservoirs (R).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2003
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Inventor: Richard Bloc
  • Patent number: 6817486
    Abstract: A photoresist supply apparatus and a method of supplying photoresist using the same are provided. The photoresist supply apparatus includes a flow length measurer for measuring the flow length of photoresist remaining at the tip of a nozzle unit; a measured data processor for converting data measured by the flow length measurer into an electrical signal; and a valve controller for finely controlling the flow length of photoresist by controlling the amount of air flowing into an automatic on/off valve in response to the electrical signal fed back from the measured data processor. Accordingly, by measuring the flow length of photoresist at the tip of nozzle unit in real time and feeding back the measured flow length, a faulty process due to an irregular flow length of photoresist can be prevented, and a fixed amount of photoresist can be ejected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Nano Fa Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Myung-Hun Yang
  • Patent number: 6817551
    Abstract: A convertible material spreader in which a single hopper bin with a conveyor is converted into a dual bin hopper with dual independent conveyors by nesting a secondary hopper and conveyor combination into the primary bin after removing an end gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Highway Equipment Company
    Inventors: John Williams, Gerald Brechon
  • Patent number: 6814310
    Abstract: A liquid material dispensing system provides individually metered streams of liquid material to a nozzle or die tip which dispenses the liquid material in a closely spaced arrangement. In one embodiment, the dispensing system utilizes a series of gear pumps to induce the flow of liquid material through individual dispensing modules. An adapter intermediate the modules and the die tip directs the individually controlled streams from a spacing provided by the modules to a close arrangement, such as may be suitable for coating parallel strands of substrate material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventor: Bentley J. Boger
  • Patent number: 6811058
    Abstract: A valve assembly for a fluid dispenser includes a housing having at least a first opening and a second opening, and a valve member fitted in the housing, the valve member being rotatable about an axis and including a first channel, extending along said axis and communicating with the first opening in the housing, and at least two outlet channels radially extending from the first channel to the circumference of the valve member, wherein each of the radially extending outlet channels can be brought into registry with the second opening by rotating the valve member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Fluid Management, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark M. J. Voskuil, Pieter J. M. Alkemade
  • Patent number: 6799700
    Abstract: Dilute chemical carrying systems include multiple embodiments of pressurizable and gravity feed reservoirs, and are provided for support and carriage of a segregated accommodation space, in some cases separately provided and in others integrally provided, for metered introduction of a concentrate into such reservoir. The structures both provide storage for concentrated chemical containers, and metered measurement while eliminating waste, make up time and minimizing contact between workers and the chemicals or nutrients in their concentrated state. Metering may be preferably provided by a pump assembly, and operational blocking of the pump assembly may be provided in separate or integrated structures. A concentrate container system enables users to recycle sealed containers to even further eliminate the necessity to directly handle concentrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Inventors: Andrew Durant, David Millar, Steven Baranek
  • Publication number: 20040188464
    Abstract: A metering pump made of plastic for the metered dispensing of liquid and/or pasty media from a bottle-like container, can-like container or tube-like container with a follower piston. A pump chamber delivering the medium is connected via a suction valve with the container and has as the pumping member an elastic bellows that forms the pump chamber and is arranged between a dimensionally stable lower housing part and a likewise dimensionally stable upper housing part that is telescopically movable in relation thereto. The upper housing part has the discharge opening, which is connected via a discharge channel and a discharge valve with the pump chamber. The bellows has an upper ring collar sealingly surrounding a ring wall of the upper housing part. The ring wall is provided with a displacement piston that has a smaller diameter and protrudes into the bellows.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2004
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Inventor: Gunter Auer
  • Patent number: 6796461
    Abstract: In an air-operated plural component dispensing hand gun, including a sliding mixing and dispensing element that forms, with a pair of component inlet blocks, the valves controlling the mixing and dispensing of the plural component materials, the substantial friction imposed by metal seal elements that provide valve seals may be overcome by two serially connected pistons that operate along a common axis within two separate axially arranged cylinder portions to effect valve control of and mixing and dispensing of the plural component materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Glas-Craft, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven R. Sinders
  • Patent number: 6793387
    Abstract: An apparatus and associated method of preparing a mixture using a computerized apparatus having a plurality of vessels, each of which is arranged on a support structure and oriented for dispensing a fluent substance through at least one exit port and a first flow channel. Each first flow channel is in further communication with a dedicated measurement assembly, for dosing fluent substance so dispensed, and a second flow channel. The apparatus also includes a receptacle support; and can further incorporate a user interface for receiving a first input concerning the mixture plus a storage device to hold instructions for locating a respective one of the second flow channels and the receptacle support in operative relation. The apparatus can further comprise titration and mixing modules; and an alternative apparatus and method can utilize a support structure having a framework moveably coupled to a sustaining member, whereby many flexible-walled vessels can be accommodated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Chata Biosystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Edwin D. Neas, Dennis L. Templar, Harry J. Tiffany, III
  • Publication number: 20040173633
    Abstract: A viscous material application apparatus includes a main body having a pressurized chamber which connects through to a discharge port and stores a viscous material, a viscous material supply device for transferring the viscous material to the pressurized chamber, and a discharge pressure regulating device for regulating the discharge pressure of the viscous material when the viscous material inside the pressurized chamber is pressurized and discharged by increasing or decreasing the capacity of the pressurized chamber, the discharge pressure regulating device being provided either inside the pressurized chamber or facing the pressurized chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2004
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Applicant: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshinori Mimura, Hiroshi Yamauchi, Wataru Hirai, Hiroaki Onishi, Koichi Nagai
  • Publication number: 20040159675
    Abstract: A dispenser having a pressure sensor enabled to detect a pressure precisely by forming a pressure sensor integrally with a syringe constructing a nozzle thereby to eliminate a pipeline or the like. The dispenser is provided for sucking and discharging a liquid from a nozzle by moving a piston sliding in the inside of a syringe by a motor mounted in a body. A detection sensor for detecting the internal pressure of the inside of the syringe is integrally formed by connecting its air inlet directly to a through hole formed to extend to the inner face of the syringe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2004
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Inventor: Mitsuo Nishino
  • Publication number: 20040159672
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for regulating backflow in a recirculation path coupling a three-way dispensing module with a liquid distribution manifold. The dispensing module and manifold are coupled together to provide a dispensing path for providing liquid from the manifold to the dispensing module for dispensing onto a substrate. A check valve positioned in the recirculation path ensures that liquid cannot flow from the recirculation path to the dispensing path as the dispensing valve of the dispensing module cycles from an open condition to a closed condition. This backflow prevention improves the accuracy of dispensed volumes of liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2004
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Applicant: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Jim Auber, Carl C. Cucuzza, Peter W. Estelle, David C. King, Scott Means
  • Publication number: 20040149775
    Abstract: A cosmetic container for dispensing a soft cosmetic mass is disclosed. The container comprises two mated upright chambers, each chamber including a top external threaded section and a protrusion in an underside, two push rods each including an enlarged knob having inner threads threadedly secured to the threaded section, and a top spring biased trigger put on the push rods, a shroud including two top apertures for permitting the push rods to insert through and two opposite inner latches in a bottom, the latches being disposed under bottom edges of the knobs for supporting and fastening, a bottom disk including two spaced holes with the protrusions matingly engaged therein, and a cap. In use an equal amount of soft mass can be squeezed out of both chambers in one dispense.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventor: Szu-Chang Chen
  • Publication number: 20040129726
    Abstract: A fueling environment reduces the likelihood of fuel spilling into the environment by positioning an underground storage tank directly beneath one or more fuel dispensers. The amount of piping thereby exposed to the environment is reduced, reducing the locations at which a leak may occur. The underground storage tank is partitioned into two or more chambers to hold different fuel grades such that a single tank may provide at least two fuel grades to the dispensers above the tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventor: Ray J. Hutchinson
  • Patent number: 6755326
    Abstract: A lid member for an original container of a liquid paint component. The lid member is usable with a system for dispensing the paint component from its original container into a paint receptacle according to a paint formula to form a liquid paint mixture. The lid member includes a base portion that is adapted to releasably engage an open top of the paint component container. The base portion has a pour spout through which the paint component can be dispensed, and a movable cover element. The cover element is movable between a closed state, wherein the cover element covers the pour spout, and an opened state, wherein the pour spout is uncovered and the paint component can be dispensed from its original container and into the paint receptacle. A resilient seal mechanism is positioned between the pour spout and the movable cover element for preventing leakage of the paint component, upon tilting of the original container, out of the pour spout past the cover element in the closed state of the cover element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: X-Pert Paint Mixing Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Arie Boers
  • Patent number: 6739779
    Abstract: A fabric repair coloring device and associated method of using the device to coloring unwanted bleached out spots on fabric. The device comprises a plurality of cartridges, an elongated cylindrical casing, a manifold, a rotating cap, and a conical applicator tip. These elements of the device are interconnected to allow a user to select a desired dye color or to mix a plurality of dyes together prior to precisely applying the mixed dyes onto the unwanted bleached out spots on a piece of fabric. The method comprises the steps of finding, obtaining, pressing, pushing, releasing, twisting, wiping, and withdrawing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Inventor: Suzanne M. Deeds
  • Publication number: 20040094575
    Abstract: A microplate liquid handling system capable of automatically performing both longitudinal collective suction/discharge and lateral collective suction/discharge on a single microplate. The microplate liquid handling system has a main body equipped with a moving device, a rotating mechanism, a dispensing mechanism, and a stage. Connected to the moving device is the dispensing mechanism for performing dispensing on wells in a microplate on the stage through the rotating mechanism. A plurality of cylinders are arranged in a row in the dispensing mechanism. The dispensing mechanism is capable of moving forwards and backwards and to the right and left with respect to the main body, and is rotatable about a vertically directed rotation axis, making it possible to change the direction of the cylinder array from origin position to 90 degrees position and vice versa.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventors: Hiroatsu Toi, Kenji Yamada, Tadashi Ohkawara, Masashi Nagaoka
  • Patent number: 6736291
    Abstract: A viscous material application apparatus includes a main body having a pressurized chamber which connects through to a discharge port and stores a viscous material, a viscous material supply device for transferring the viscous material to the pressurized chamber, and a discharge pressure regulating device for regulating the discharge pressure of the viscous material when the viscous material inside the pressurized chamber is pressurized and discharged by increasing or decreasing the capacity of the pressurized chamber, the discharge pressure regulating device being provided either inside the pressurized chamber or facing the pressurized chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshinori Mimura, Hiroshi Yamauchi, Wataru Hirai, Hiroaki Onishi, Koichi Nagai
  • Publication number: 20040084478
    Abstract: An apparatus may be used to dispense a plurality of automotive appearance care products. The apparatus may include a plurality of storage containers. Mixing systems may be coupled to the storage containers. The mixing systems may combine raw materials with a carrier fluid to produce product fluids. The product fluids may be stored in storage vessels. A plurality of pumps may be used to produce a flow of one or more product fluids. The product fluids may be dispensed through one or more dispensing conduits. In certain embodiments, a user of the apparatus may be charged a fee based on a selected basis. The selected basis may be, but is not limited to, a per vehicle basis, a per application basis, a per use basis, a per refilling basis, or a per time basis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventors: Timothy H. Floyd, Paul David Miller
  • Patent number: 6729501
    Abstract: A dosing pump for dispensing two or more liquids, gels, slurries and/or pastes, and adapted to be connected to two or more containers for the two or more liquids, gels, slurries and/or pastes is described. The dosing pump may include an operating button, and two or more liquid, gel, slurry and/or paste dispensing assemblies. Each such assembly may be in mechanical contact with an actuator which in turn is in mechanical contact with the operating button, so that on movement of the operating button liquid, gel slurry and/or paste is dispensed simultaneously or nearly simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA, division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventor: Erik Peterson
  • Patent number: 6726773
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for providing a steady transition state for an integral pneumatic dispensing system that is related to a robot. The method dispenses a single material using a pneumatic dispensing system having a single output including first and second shotmeters having first and second meters, first and second encoders and first and second pressure transducers. The method includes the step of loading the first shotmeter with the material. Once loaded, a pressure is applied to the material. The material is then dispensed out of the first shotmeter by forcing the material through the single output. Once the material in the first shotmeter is dispensed to a predetermined volume, the method begins to transition the flow of material from the first shotmeter to the second shotmeter. The transition includes the control of the volume being dispensed and the pressure applied to the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Fanuc Robotics North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Akihiro Yanagita, Douglas L. Potts, Raymond J. Guzowski
  • Patent number: 6723067
    Abstract: An apparatus for delivering aerosolized fibrin endoscopically to a wound is disclosed. The apparatus has a pair of syringes for holding fibrin precursors, a mixing chamber for mixing the fibrin precursors separately with pressurized gas to form individual aerosol solutions, and a delivery tube for delivery of the aerosol solutions to a remote surgical site for formation of an aerosolized fibrin seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Inventor: David H. Nielson
  • Publication number: 20040069801
    Abstract: In a seal mechanism which constitutes a port switching portion in a pump mechanism of a paste ejection apparatus that ejects paste, and which prevents leakage of the paste from a seal portion between a plunger block rotating with a plunger and a fixed seal block (between a seal surface and a sliding surface), a housing portion is formed by opposing an outer surface provided for the seal block to an inner surface extending axially from the cylinder block, and a ring-shaped external seal member formed by combination of an O-ring and self-lubricant material such as PTFE is attached into the housing portion. Hereby, it is possible to prevent the paste that has leaked from the seal portion from leaking to the outside of the housing portion by the external seal member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventors: Shinji Sasaguri, Mitsuru Ozono
  • Publication number: 20040065681
    Abstract: An apparatus may be used to dispense a plurality of automotive appearance care products. The apparatus may include a plurality of storage containers. Mixing systems may be coupled to the storage containers. The mixing systems may combine raw materials with a carrier fluid to produce product fluids. The product fluids may be stored in storage vessels. A plurality of pumps may be used to produce a flow of one or more product fluids. The product fluids may be dispensed through one or more dispensing conduits. In certain embodiments, portions of the apparatus may be located in a housing. In some embodiments, the housing may be transportable or may be coupled to a wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2003
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Inventors: Timothy H. Floyd, Paul David Miller
  • Publication number: 20040065682
    Abstract: An apparatus may be used to dispense a plurality of automotive appearance care products. The apparatus may include a plurality of storage containers. Mixing systems may be coupled to the storage containers. The mixing systems may combine raw materials with a carrier fluid to produce product fluids. The product fluids may be stored in storage vessels. A plurality of pumps may be used to produce a flow of one or more product fluids. The product fluids may be dispensed through one or more dispensing conduits. In certain embodiments, the apparatus may dispense an amount of product fluids sufficient to treat a selected amount of automobiles before at least one storage container becomes substantially empty. In certain embodiments, the apparatus may produce a minimum amount of at least one product fluid before at least one storage container becomes substantially empty.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2003
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Inventors: Timothy H. Floyd, Paul David Miller
  • Publication number: 20040056047
    Abstract: A dual rotor, ram fed metering pump is especially suited for pumping high viscosity fluids, such as methacrylate resins, used in heavy duty adhesives In addition to pumping viscous materials, this metering pump also pumps a less viscous reactive fluid in proper proportion to a mixing zone or mixing gun where the two material are mixed. A rotary lobe pump is used to pump the viscous material and a rotary pump driven by the same gearbox delivers the secondary fluid. This fluid delivery apparatus also includes an intake that can be mounted on a standard pressure primmer ram to pump viscous material from a storage drum or container A single compact all-in-one metering pump package can be mounted directly to the ram eliminating the need for a separate ram mounted pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2002
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Inventor: Timothy P. Ross
  • Patent number: 6708719
    Abstract: A mounting structure, for a plurality of high pressure gas vessels (11a, 11b), has a block-shaped vessel mounting member (1) with a high rigidity formed with accommodating portions (5a, 5b, 9a, 9b) for accommodating first neck portions (12a, 12b) formed at one sides of the plural high pressure gas vessels and vessel base-valves (13a, 13b) and formed with a gas flow passage (6) that opens at openings (7a, 7b) of right and left side walls of the vessel mounting member (1) to allow the accommodating portions to communicate with one another. The neck portions (12a, 12b) and the vessel base-valves (13a, 13b) at the one sides of the plural high pressure gas vessels are accommodated in the accommodating portions (5a, 5b, 9a, 9b) of the vessel mounting member 1, and the plural high pressure gas vessels are mounted in the vessel mounting member (1), enabling the gas flow passage 6, formed in the vessel mounting member (1), to serve as a high pressure conduit portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ryuichi Idoguchi
  • Patent number: 6708845
    Abstract: A hygiene device includes two cleansing arrangements for carrying two different kinds of cleansing solutions. Each of the cleansing arrangements includes a container body having a liquid reservoir for receiving the corresponding cleansing solution therein and an opening for communicating the liquid reservoir with outside, a pumping unit, having a dispensing nozzle, detachably attached to the container body to sealedly cover the opening and arranged to pump the cleansing solution from the liquid reservoir towards the dispensing nozzle, and a first hands-free actuating unit arranged to actuate the pumping unit for dispensing a predetermined amount of the corresponding cleansing solution on a wiping medium via the dispensing nozzle. Therefore, the user is able to dispense the cleansing solution from the cleansing arrangement to moisture the wiping medium without hand contacting operation, so as to prevent the cleansing solution from being polluted by the user's hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Inventor: August M H Weng
  • Publication number: 20040050866
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for the take-up and/or release of samples of a liquid (2). Said device comprises a movable unit (3) that is provided with a hollow body (4) with a cavity (5) that is substantially filled with a system liquid (6) or a sample liquid (2), and with a movable element (7) that acts upon the cavity (5) and aspires and/or dispenses the liquid (2). The movable unit is further provided with a first drive element (8′) for displacing the movable element (7) during aspiration and/or dispensing, which engages or can be engaged with the a first drive (8), with a pulse generator (9) that generates compression waves in one of the liquids (2, 6) in the cavity during dispensing, with a liquid conduit (10) that communicates with the cavity (5) and with a pipette tip (11) or an adapter (12) for receiving an ejectable pipette tip (11′).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2003
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventors: Nikolaus Ingenhoven, Noa Schmid
  • Patent number: 6702151
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for displaying bulk items and selectively dispensing a designated quantity of the bulk items from a multiplicity of the bulk items upon demand includes containing a multiplicity of bulk items in a volume of the bulk items within a bin and simultaneously conveying bulk items in a horizontal direction toward one end of the bin, adjacent the bottom of the bin, and in a vertically upward direction, adjacent the one end of the bin, to move bulk items from the volume of bulk items to an elevated dispensing outlet, in response to a demand, while at the same time tumbling the bulk items within the volume to separate the bulk items from one another for delivery of the designated quantity of individual, discrete selected bulk items to the dispensing outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Inventors: Benjamin E. Greenfield, Donald E. Barker, Damian P. Bianchi
  • Publication number: 20040035882
    Abstract: A paint colorant dispenser for dispensing colorants into both large and small containers includes a cabinet for accommodating a plurality of color and canisters in fluid communication with a common dispense outlet. A container shelf unit is disposed in front of the cabinet and below the dispense outlet. The shelf unit includes a horizontal base disposed below the dispense outlet upon which large containers can rest. The shelf unit also includes a pivoting shelf which can pivot upward and provide a horizontal resting surface closer to the dispense outlet for smaller containers. A controller, keyboard and monitor are contained in a second modular cabinet that can be disposed on either side of the first cabinet. An additional modular cabinet can be provided for accommodating additional colorant canisters. A drip containment system is disposed in the modular shelf unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Inventors: Mike Reedy, Kenneth R. Kaufhold, Michael Prince, William A. Miller, Robert D. Blakeman, Chris Davis, Dan Gremonprez
  • Patent number: 6689410
    Abstract: A command module, draw switch, blending and dispensing assembly, and multiple ingredient storage and delivery modules are added to a conventional milk shake freezer and dispensing machine. A selector panel is provided to enable the operator to dispense a shake-like product according to a customer flavor or mix order, upon raising the standard draw handle on the original dispenser head of the conventional machine. The blending and dispensing assembly includes a high speed auger with backflow inducers for blending and moving the base and ingredient product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Flavor Burst Co.
    Inventor: Ernest C. Gerber
  • Publication number: 20040020942
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for dispensing or aspirating/dispensing liquid samples, comprising a pump (2) and a micro-ejection device (3), said micro-ejection device (3) having a pulse generator (4) with a chamber (5). Said pulse generator (4) is used to produce pressure waves in the liquid in order to cause the samples of a liquid to be dispensed. The micro-ejection device (3) also comprises an end piece (6) and a liquid line (7) which connects the pulse generator (4) to the end piece (6). The pulse generator comprises a micro-actuator (10) which is configured to function in the same direction as that in which the pressure wave leaves the chamber (5). The inventive devices are characterised in that the chamber (5), in the area of the end facing away from the end piece (6), or the corresponding connecting element (14) has a narrowed section (16) which restricts any expansion of the pressure waves in the direction of the pump (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventors: Nikolaus Ingenhoven, Agathe Hodac, Noa Schmid
  • Publication number: 20040020941
    Abstract: A dispensing apparatus is provided suitable for dispensing at least first and second components in desired ratios especially for multi-component packaged food products. The apparatus comprises a hopper having an outlet at its lower end and a first auger having a hollow shaft disposed within the hopper having component conveying flights and a drive means for rotating the auger. A first component is conveyed by the auger flights and dispensed at an outlet while a second component is conveyed though a hollow shaft of the auger. The apparatus can include a second rotationally driven auger that is positioned within the hollow shaft of the first auger having conveying flights. The second component can be conveyed via the second auger within the hollow shaft. The second auger's shaft also can be hollow whereby a third component can be conveyed through the second hollow shaft of the second auger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2002
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventors: Michael D. Engesser, Andrew A. Peterson, Steve D. White
  • Patent number: 6681957
    Abstract: A dispenser for simultaneously dispensing at least two viscous materials to be mixed. The dispenser contains an outer cartridge and an inner container. The cartridge has an open rear end having a rear thrust wall which will be pushed forward by the conventional dispensing gun. The cartridge has a front end containing a nozzle for connecting with a mixing nozzle. The container extends from the front end to the rear end and is made of telescoping sections. Viscous materials are present within the container and in the space between the wall of the container and the wall of the cartridge. As the rear thrust wall is pushed forward. the telescopic sections are captured in recesses of the rear thrust wall. More than one concentric container may be present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Inventor: Ronald D. Green
  • Patent number: 6679401
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for selectively dispensing different liquids (I, II) from a single item of packaging containing a plurality of independent reservoirs (R1, R2), each reservoir having a drawing-off member (P1, P2) equipped with a dispensing head (11, 12) and suitable for being actuated by relative movement of said head, said device being characterized in that it comprises a central housing (1) supporting the reservoirs (R1, R2) peripherally and movably relative to the associated dispensing heads (11, 12) secured to or integral with said housing (1), and including a selective locking key (2) for selectively locking said reservoirs in positions in which they are fixed relative to said heads (11, 12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Rexam Dispensing Systems
    Inventor: Richard Bloc
  • Patent number: 6675988
    Abstract: A system for metering and dispensing single and plural component liquids and solids as described herein. The dispensing system has a microprocessor-based control system and progressive cavity pumps which provide a very accurate control of component ratios, shot sizes, flow rates and dispense durations. The system has numerous feedback components for accurately controlling the pressure, flow rates, fluid levels and amounts of fluids dispensed. Where a valved nozzle is used, the pressure in the flow system is used to control the pumps rather than the valve. Such a system may be used as a sprayer with compressed air added. Drum rams are associated with the supply drums and the progressive cavity pumps may be placed on the drum ram. Maintenance of a steady state in the system is accomplished with back and forth movement of the pump, with compensation for pressure changes. Absolute rotational position of the pump can be monitored when a set pressure is maintained, to diagnose system conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Fluid Research Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Cline, Timothy S. Clark, Stephen P. Gordon, Michael R. Engle
  • Patent number: 6640999
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a dosing pump for dispensing two or more liquids, gels, slurries and/or pastes, and adapted to be connected to two or more containers for said two or more as liquids, gels, slurries and/or pastes. The dosing pump may comprise an operating button, and two or more liquid, gel, slurry and/or paste dispensing assemblies. Each such assembly may comprise an actuator which is in mechanical contact with said operating button, so that each actuator, on each dispensing assembly, is simultaneously or nearly simultaneously actuated by movement of said operating button. The dosing pump of the present invention may have a flap valve assembly situated within plates between the liquid, gel slurry and/or paste assembly, and the container, which carries the liquid, gel, slurry and/or paste.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA, division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventor: Erik Peterson