With Flow Controllers Or Closures Patents (Class 222/212)
  • Publication number: 20100089946
    Abstract: A device comprises a first portion including a first polymer, and a second portion that is relatively flexible in comparison to the first portion and includes a second polymer that is substantially not bondable to the first polymer. A chamber of the device is hermetically sealable with respect to ambient atmosphere and is defined by (i) an interior of the second portion, and/or (ii) a space formed between the first and second portions. A third portion of the device includes a third polymer that is bondable to the first and second polymers and fixedly secures the first and second portions to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Inventor: Daniel Py
  • Patent number: 7686187
    Abstract: At least one collapsible tube for containing at least one product, comprising: external flexible thread form on flexible throat coupled to flexible shoulder. The flexible throat and flexible shoulder flatten to dispense essentially all the contained product. The flexible shoulder may include a raised detent for stopping a cap and/or raised flexible ribs to control the direction of flattening the flexible shoulder. At least one cap for the collapsible tube including an interior bulge or an interior rim, both for urging an included interior thread form to engage with an external flexible thread form included in the flexible throat, and further including a lower surface to engage with the raised detent, and/or internal ribs and/or internal posts to engage with the raised flexible ribs. Manufacturing methods for the collapsible tubes and caps, and these items as products of the manufacturing processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Inventors: Susan Pottish, Scott Virden Anderson
  • Patent number: 7677417
    Abstract: A storage/dispensing system (9) for a flowable dental substance is described with a solvent-tight, resiliently deformable container (10) for the storage and provision of the flowable dental substance and a dispensing device (1) connected to the container (10) for discharging the flowable dental substance from the container (10), with a cup (2) which has an outlet orifice (3) and a wall (4, 4?) in which a passage orifice (5) is provided for introducing the flowable dental substance from the container (10), wherein the passage orifice (5) has a cross-sectional area of 0.001 to 0.1 mm2 and the outlet orifice (3) has a cross-sectional area of 0.5 to 5 mm2, and wherein the inside of the cup (2) has a cross-section which is constant and/or reduces from the passage orifice (5) to the outlet orifice (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: VOCO GmbH
    Inventors: Uwe Leiner, Manfred Thomas Plaumann
  • Publication number: 20100059549
    Abstract: An apparatus or dosing of liquids into a gas filled space comprising: a pump; a dosing orifice for introduction of liquid into the gas filled space; a discharge line, which connects a pressure side of the pump with the dosing orifice; and an elastic, liquid storer. The discharge line includes a shutoff valve between the pump and the dosing orifice, wherein the elastic, liquid storer is located between the pump and the shutoff valve, and the apparatus includes a first operating state, in which the pump runs in the case of closed shutoff valve, in order to store in the elastic, liquid storer a liquid amount under pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2008
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser Conducta Gesellschaft für Mess- und Regeltechnik mbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Oliver Bettmann, Ulrich Kathe, Thomas Schipolowski, Masar Ramizi
  • Publication number: 20100044397
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a small-sized food storage receptacle with an air inlet that includes a receptacle body having a food storage space adapted to be squeezed out of shape by the application of an external pressure thereto and be returned to its original shape if the external pressure is removed, a food outlet adapted to discharge the food to the outside when the food storage space is squeezed out of shape, and the air inlet formed along the top portion of the food storage space so as to supply external air to the food storage space, while having a size enough to allow the food to be smoothly fed therein by means of an automatic feeding device in a food manufacturing company.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2004
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Inventor: Won-Seo Pang
  • Publication number: 20100001024
    Abstract: The invention relates to a foam-forming assembly for forming a foam, comprising a housing having an air passage and a liquid passage which each end in a mouth and which are in communication with a dispensing passage which ends in a dispensing opening, and a valve body. The invention is characterized in that the mouth of the liquid passage is annular and the mouth of the air passage and an entry port of the dispensing passage are substantially provided on the circumference of an imaginary circle, in which between the annular mouth of the liquid passage and the mouth of the air passage and/or the entry port of the dispensing passage an annular sealing surface is provided, against which, in rest position, the valve body sealingly engages, and in which during dispensing the valve body becomes detached of the sealing surface such that the mouth of the air passage, the mouth of the liquid passage and the entry port of the dispensing passage substantially simultaneously come in fluid communication with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Applicant: REXAM AIRSPRAY N.V.
    Inventor: Edgar Ivo Maria van der Heijden
  • Patent number: 7641170
    Abstract: The present invention provides a faucet for tapping a liquid stored under pressure of a gas in a container that has less moving parts subject to wear or breakage, and has a housing made of multiple parts which can be disassembled so the faucet mechanism can be easily cleaned, repaired, or replaced. The faucet mechanism contains a piece of flexible tubing and an arrangement of a pinch roller valve mechanism that compresses the flexible tubing to shut off flow of liquid through the tubing. In one arrangement of the present invention, since the housing does not move and does not come in contact with the beverage being poured, the housing is made of a non-metallic material, such as a plastic or petroleum-based material, which is less expensive than the previous brass or stainless steel housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Anheuser-Busch, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Spray, Rex Loyd McAffee
  • Publication number: 20090321479
    Abstract: The invention refers to a bottle for containing fluids, particularly for pharmaceutical products or the like, which comprises a fluid container (2) made in a deformable material and which features a mouth for the passage of fluid, a valve (5) in an elastically deformable material that defines a flexible inner chamber arranged in proximity of the mouth, a cap (7) that substantially fits on and seals the valve and which features a dispensing opening for the fluid, and a containment ring (14) placed between said cap and said valve, arranged so that it externally embraces a portion of the valve and able to limit its deformation. A squeezing of the container causes the fluid to push up towards the mouth, the valve to compress, the fluid to flow between the valve and the cap and then to come out through the dispensing opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2007
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Inventor: Antonio Fontana
  • Publication number: 20090302059
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for pumping and dispensing are provided in which a peristaltic pump (16, 64) pumps liquid from a package (12), and may be integrated in a dispenser (10). The peristaltic pump (64) is adapted for improved accuracy, cleaning, and maintenance. Also provided are improved tubes (18) for peristaltic pumping that are coupled to self-sealing dispensing valves (92, 104, 110, 120).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2009
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Inventors: Michael T. Romanyszyn, Basil F. Girjis, Alfred A. Schroeder
  • Publication number: 20090294481
    Abstract: An inverted dispenser for a squeezable bottle is provided. The dispenser includes an outer portion having a frusto-conical body with a cavity extending therethrough. A lip extends circumferentially around the frusto-conical body. The dispenser also includes an inner portion having a cylindrical faceplate that includes a spout extending axially from a center of the faceplate. The inner portion is positioned within the outer portion such that the inner portion faceplate is positioned within the outer portion lip. The inner portion is further positioned such that the spout is in fluid communication with the cavity extending through the outer portion. In one embodiment, the inverted dispenser is formed with the outer portion and the inner portion molded as a single piece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2009
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Inventor: Craig R. Sawicki
  • Patent number: 7621425
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for containing a fluid, and for controlling the release and flow of the fluid. The apparatus includes a container having a mouth, a neck with a circumferential sealing region on its inner surface, a body, and a resistance stop. The apparatus further includes a barrier flap which can significantly arc transverse to its length, disposed within the neck of the container, and hingedly pivot between “open” and “closed” positions. The barrier flap is cooperative with the circumferential sealing region and the resistance stop within the neck. Squeezing the body increases internal pressure within the container, resulting in a release of the barrier flap past the resistance stop, allowing the fluid to flow out of the container. Also, squeezing the neck causes arcing and release of the barrier flap, allowing the fluid held in the container to flow past the barrier flap and out of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Genx Innovations, LLC
    Inventor: Shelby Mathew
  • Patent number: 7617952
    Abstract: Portable dispensers and methods of use are disclosed herein. A portable dispenser includes an output device and a housing having a receiving area configured to accept a container having an opening and housing a viscous fluid (i.e., a disinfecting gel). The housing also includes a fastener for selective attachment to an article of clothing. The output device is selectively coupled to the container so that the viscous fluid may selectively pass from the container through the container opening and the output device. An output device of another portable dispenser is selectively coupled to the container so that the fluid may selectively pass from the container through the container opening and the output device without first being transferred from the container to the dispenser for storage. Methods for using the portable dispensers are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Inventors: George A. Saleh, Caleob T. King
  • Publication number: 20090261126
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a press-open type storage device with prestressed to open closure, wherein the relative stable state relationship of the closure and one side of the storage device being connectedly attached by a flexible flake type structure is characterized in that when closure is closed relative to the storage device, the connecting flake type structure is bended to appear a prestressed status to opening direction thereby keeping the closure to remain at a stable opening status after it is pressed to open.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Inventors: Tai-Her Yang, Yang Chen
  • Patent number: 7594595
    Abstract: A device for dispensing a product may include a receptacle including at least one elastically deformable wall configured to be deformed to vary an interior volume of the receptacle, and a flow reducer defining a length and at least one passage. The flow reducer may at least partially include an elastically deformable, compressible material. The at least one passage may be substantially closed at at least one portion of its length when the flow reducer is in a substantially closed, at rest position. The at least one passage may be configured to enlarge when the compressible material is at least partially compressed via the effect of pressure from the product when the interior volume of the receptacle is reduced, thereby enabling dispensing of at least a portion of the product via the at least one passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: L'Oréal S.A.
    Inventor: Jean-Louis H. Gueret
  • Patent number: 7594594
    Abstract: Described is a multiple (2-4)-compartment fluidic individually stable pre-storable composition storage and unstable mixture-forming and delivery container having separate compartments each communicating with a single mixing zone via an externally-located fluidic composition multiple delivery tube system juxtaposed with the outer surfaces of the compartment walls. These containers are well suited for storing and transporting compositions such as a cleaning agent composition, a personal care composition, an aqueous liquid detergent composition and/or a fabric softening composition and then promptly delivering the resulting unstable mixture to the desired location. The container has been advantageously found to deliver unstable mixtures which could include aqueous suspensions of microencapsulated fragrances or other ingredients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.
    Inventors: Erik Herman Troost, Joseph Brain, Lewis Michael Popplewell, Kaiping Lee
  • Publication number: 20090223999
    Abstract: A container has openings at each end and has two compartments for holding two complementary materials. The container stands on either end and can dispense one of the two materials from each end. In one embodiment the container is separable into two individual containers. The individual containers are attached together using various means such as shrink wrap material, perforated strips, interlocking sections and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2008
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Inventors: Daniel Jason Hill, James Brian Fordham
  • Patent number: 7568597
    Abstract: A system of delivering a liquid to pasty product is designed to be installed on a flexible tube on which the user acts by manual pressure to cause the product to come out. The system has a base element that is attached to the open end of the tube, a window associated with a strip that can be moved in opening, and a cap designed to cover the base element having opposite the strip an integral recess capable of allowing the deflection in opening of the strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Plastohm SA
    Inventors: Sebastien Brogly, Jean-Christophe Lemerle, Philippe Lautre
  • Patent number: 7556178
    Abstract: Liquid dispensers are provided including a vacuum relief mechanism with a vacuum relief device and a one-way valve in series with the vacuum relief device to prevent flow into and out of the reservoir when a vacuum exists in the reservoir. The vacuum relief device comprises an enclosed chamber having an air inlet open to the atmosphere and a liquid inlet in communication with liquid in the reservoir and in which the liquid inlet opens to the chamber at a height below a height at which the air inlet opens to the chamber. The one-way valve is capable of failure, in which case the vacuum relief device alone provides for pressure relief. The vacuum relief valve permits relief of vacuum from the reservoir without moving parts or valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Hygiene-Technik Inc.
    Inventor: Heiner Ophardt
  • Publication number: 20090152376
    Abstract: A fluid-handling device, such as a lawn-and-garden water sprayer, includes a plurality of elastic bladders that are filled via a common manifold. To ensure that all the bladders can be filled without one bladder over expanding or emptying into another one, the fluid-handling device includes a plurality of limit valves in one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of bladders. When filling the bladders, the limit valves are open to convey fluid from the manifold to the bladders. In some examples of the invention, each individual limit valve will close automatically in response to its respective bladder having reached a predetermined expanded length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventor: Robert J. Harter
  • Publication number: 20090095775
    Abstract: A bottle is provided capable of fluid communication with a device for heating a cosmetic flowable product. The bottle includes a cavity for storage of the product, and has on an open end a neck mounted by a fitment. The fitment includes a slitted membrane which extends over a mouth of the neck. Walls of the cavity define curved front and rear panels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Inventors: Brett Christopher Domoy, Corinne Elizabeth Elstow, Michael George Hurley, John David Lamb, William John Maskell, Thomas Robert Walton, Alan David Whiting
  • Publication number: 20090095774
    Abstract: A device is provided for delivering a heated cosmetic flowable product. The device includes a base with a cavity housing a tube for receiving the flowable product, a heating system heatingly contacting the tube, and an outlet at a downstream end of the tube. A plastic bottle filled with the product is releasably mounted on the base. A fitment is arranged over an open end of the bottle and includes a slitted membrane. An upstream end of the tube penetrates the membrane to establish flowable communication and a sealing relationship. Product is dispensed from the outlet by applying an external squeeze pressure against a wall of the bottle. No mechanical assist is necessary such as a pump or gearing for transporting fluid product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2007
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Applicant: CONOPCO, INC., D/B/A UNILEVER
    Inventor: Brett Christopher Domoy
  • Patent number: 7516872
    Abstract: An applicator/dispenser for dispensing, mixing and/or applying a polymerizable monomeric adhesive or sealant material comprises: a body portion; an actuator movable relative to the body portion; a cavity in the body portion; and a piercing or breaking portion on the actuator. Movement of the actuator relative to the body portion moves the piercing or breaking portion into the cavity. When a container of adhesive or sealant material is at least partially disposed within the cavity, movement of the actuator relative to the body portion moves the piercing or breaking portion to rupture the container for mixing, dispensing and/or applying the adhesive or sealant material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Closure Medical Corp.
    Inventors: Eric J. Boone, Keith R. D'Alessio, John F. Goodman, Scott A. Keplinger, Anthony S. Voiers, Daniel J. Tomko, William F. Johnson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7513397
    Abstract: A dispensing container tillable with a liquid includes a squeezable reservoir for holding the liquid prior to dispensing; a substantially flat dispensing head which is integral with the squeezable reservoir and having a distal end and a proximal end; an outlet at the distal end of the dispensing head for dispensing the liquid from the container; a passage interconnecting the squeezable reservoir and the outlet; and a stop disposed near the proximal end of the dispensing head to prevent over-insertion of the dispensing head into a user's mouth when the container is used to dispense the liquid to the user. Containers that are pre-filled with liquid and a method of making the containers are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Holopack International Corp.
    Inventors: Walter Zahn, Shawn W. Miller, David Rocheleau, Mohammad R. Sadeghi, Bernd Hansen
  • Patent number: 7513396
    Abstract: A one way valve assembly flows a sterile flowable substance from a source to an outlet orifice and prevents any backflow of contaminants through the one way valve assembly when the flowable substance ceases to flow. The valve assembly includes an elastomeric membrane which aids in preventing any backflow of contaminants when dispensing of the flowable substance is stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: ReSeal International Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Greg Pardes, Stewart Swiss
  • Patent number: 7503469
    Abstract: A dispensing valve includes an annular ring of relatively rigid molded plastic construction and a flexible resilient valve element integrally molded with the ring. The ring and the valve element have at least one mechanical interlock to secure the valve element to the ring as the valve element is molded onto the ring. In some embodiments of the disclosure, the mechanical interlock includes openings in an inner periphery of the ring and pegs on the outer periphery of the valve element that are molded into the openings as the valve element is molded onto the ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Rexam Closure Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth S. Bloom, Brian J. Brozell, Darin M. Pugne, Wendell D. Willingham
  • Patent number: 7487894
    Abstract: A dispensing container fillable with a liquid includes a squeezable reservoir for holding the liquid prior to dispensing; a dispensing head which appears substantially flat in profile and which is integral with the squeezable reservoir and having a distal end and a proximal end and having a bottom surface and a top surface one or both of which has an indented portion; an outlet at the distal end of the dispensing head for dispensing the liquid from the container; a passage interconnecting the squeezable reservoir and the outlet; and a stop disposed near the proximal end of the dispensing head to prevent over-insertion of the dispensing head into a user's mouth when the container is used to dispense the liquid to the user. Containers that are pre-filled with liquid and a method of making the containers are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Holopack International Corp.
    Inventors: Walter Zahn, Shawn W. Miller, David Rocheleau, Mohammad R. Sadeghi, Bernd Hansen
  • Publication number: 20080302828
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for packaging and dispensing a liquid, semi-fluid or suspended product, comprising a container which houses the product to be dispensed through a nozzle, as well as a unit for changing and filtering the air entering the container following the dispensing of the product. According to the invention, the assembly formed by the container and the nozzle with which said container is equipped comprises at least: one flexible part which, when actuated, causes the product to be discharged; and a first valve which is associated with the nozzle in older to enable the discharge of the product when the flexible part is actuated, but without allowing the ingress of external air when said flexible part is released.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2005
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Applicant: SIVEL
    Inventor: Jacques Pozzi
  • Publication number: 20080302830
    Abstract: To provide a squeeze bottle with reduced pressing force required to delivery a liquid, and particularly a squeeze bottle wherein the pressing force is reduced to such an extent that allows easy control of the discharge of liquid drops even when a valve operated by the liquid pressure is provided. In a squeeze bottle comprising the bottle body 10 for containing a liquid, and a neck 11 that leads to the opening end 10a of the bottle body 10, the bottle body 10 has a bellows 12 which is contracted and expanded in the direction y generally perpendicular to the direction x of delivering liquid. The bellows 12 has a plurality of pleated portions 13 disposed in the direction of delivery x. The pleated portions 13 are disposed at intervals in the direction of contraction y. Further, the width of the convex edge of the pleated portion 13 in the direction of width Z, that is, the distance between the both edges 14, is made to decrease from the middle to the both ends in the direction of contraction y.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2005
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Inventor: Hartmut Loth-Krausser
  • Patent number: 7441715
    Abstract: An adjustable and sealable jet nebulizer for bottles able to be elastically deformed by squeezing is mounted on the mouth of the neck (2) of a bottle (3). A conduit for air (16) and a conduit for liquid (17) are obtained coaxially in a cylindrical body (4) of the nebulizer, which is engaged with a screw-on cap (28), provided with a central exhaust orifice (29). The screw-on cap (28) has a cylindrical wall (30), to be inserted between the conduit for air (16) and the conduit for liquid (17), to create a mixing chamber (33) with variable geometry. The conduit for liquid (17) has on its upper end an arm (26) oriented upwards, bearing, at its free end, a tip cap (27), able to be inserted into the central exhaust orifice (29) whilst the screw-on cap (28) is screwed onto the cylindrical body (9), until sealing the nebulizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: EMSAR S.p.A.
    Inventor: Lamberto Carta
  • Publication number: 20080156829
    Abstract: A structure for controlling soap discharging quantity of soap dispensing apparatus includes a connector coupling with a liquid soap container by screwing that has a bottom housed in a sleeve. The sleeve has a pump housing on one side formed by an elastic pressure bulb. The sleeve has a discharge opening on the bottom and houses axially an upper valve and a lower valve that form a valve chamber therebetween. The tubular wall of the sleeve on the pump housing on an upper end of the lower valve has a hole. The tubular wall of the sleeve on the upper end of the upper valve has an upper hole. The upper hole can disperse pressure entering the valve chamber to make outlet of the valve chamber smaller thereby to reduce output quantity of the liquid soap. An action passage of vacuum suction force can also be formed to suck the liquid soap held on the bottom of the soap container into the valve chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventor: Jan-Sun Chen
  • Patent number: 7377405
    Abstract: Liquid soap dispensers including a vacuum relief valve which comprises an enclosed chamber having an air inlet open to the atmosphere and a liquid inlet in communication with liquid in the reservoir and in which the liquid inlet opens to the chamber at a height below a height at which the air inlet opens to the chamber. The vacuum relief valve permits relief of vacuum from the reservoir without moving parts or valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Gotohti.com Inc.
    Inventor: Heiner Ophardt
  • Publication number: 20080116226
    Abstract: An apparatus for storing fluid and dispensing multiple portions of a stored fluid therefrom. The apparatus comprises a container defining a variable-volume storage chamber for receiving therein the fluid and a dispensing valve including a valve inlet coupled in fluid communication with the variable volume storage chamber, and a valve member in fluid communication with the valve inlet and defining a normally-closed valve opening. The valve member is responsive to fluid at the valve inlet exceeding a valve opening pressure to move between (i) a normally closed position, and (ii) an open position permitting fluid flow through the valve opening. The dispensing valve defines a dispensing axis defining a direction substantially along which fluid is dispensed from the valve, and further includes an outlet surface over which dispensed fluid flows oriented at an acute angle relative to the dispensing axis for preventing the collection of residual dispensed fluid thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2007
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Inventors: Daniel Py, Brian Tulley, Jeff Willey, Norbert Assion, Nathaniel Houle, Julian Chan, Bing He
  • Publication number: 20080116225
    Abstract: An apparatus for storing fluid and dispensing multiple portions of the stored fluid has a container defining a variable-volume storage chamber; a dispensing valve including a valve inlet coupled in fluid communication with the variable-volume storage chamber, and an elastic valve member in fluid communication with the valve inlet and defining a normally-closed valve opening; a manually engageable actuator; and a pump including a compressible member defining a compression chamber coupled in fluid communication with the variable-volume storage chamber. Multiple portions of the stored fluid are hermetically sealed in the variable-volume storage chamber. The actuator is manually engageable and movable between (i) a first position wherein the compression chamber defines a first volume, and (ii) a second position wherein the compression chamber defines a second volume less than the first volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2007
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Inventors: Daniel Py, Brian Tulley, Jeff Willey, Norbert Assion, Nathaniel Houle, Julian Chan, Bing He
  • Publication number: 20080105711
    Abstract: The invention comprises packaging, dispensing and delivery systems and relates to apparatus capable of dispensing frozen, chilled, and/or room temperature food and beverage products for both in-home and foodservice use. The present invention also relates to a dispenser of viscous comestibles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2006
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Inventors: Lynn A. Kirimli, Kent Kirimli
  • Patent number: 7322491
    Abstract: An apparatus has a valve body defining a first passageway, a valve seat, and a flow aperture extending through the valve body and coupled in fluid communication with the first passageway. A valve cover of the apparatus is formed of an elastic material and includes a cover base mounted on the valve body and fixedly secured against movement relative thereto, and a valve portion overlying the valve seat. The valve portion defines a predetermined radial thickness and forms an interference fit with the valve seat. The valve portion and the valve seat define a normally closed, axially-extending valve opening therebetween. The valve portion is movable between a normally closed position with the valve portion engaging the valve seat, and an open position with at least a segment of the valve portion spaced away from the valve seat to connect the valve opening in fluid communication with the flow aperture to thereby allow the passage of fluid from the flow aperture through the valve opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Medical Instill Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Py, Julian V. Chan, Benoit Adamo, Nathaniel Houle
  • Patent number: 7316332
    Abstract: Persons often encounter the need to apply some form of skin treatment when on the go. Such treatments include disinfectant, sunscreens, medications, and moisturizing lotions. The present invention comprises convenient portable skin treatment dispensers in the form of neck-worn and disposable wrist-worn devices. The devices are convenient to use, unobtrusive and can even be disposable. Ease of manufacture is facilitated in various embodiments which include self-sealing diaphragm valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Inventors: Jeffrey Lewis Powers, Dennis Willard Davis, David Paul Thimm, James Marvin Stenz
  • Patent number: 7306129
    Abstract: A one way valve assembly flows a sterile flowable substance from a source to an outlet orifice and prevents any backflow of contaminants through the one way valve assembly when the flowable substance ceases to flow. The valve assembly includes an elastomeric membrane which aids in preventing any backflow of contaminants when dispensing of the flowable substance is stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Inventors: Stewart Swiss, Greg Pardes
  • Patent number: 7303098
    Abstract: A valve (20) comprises a housing body (22) with a discharge channel (34), whereby an elastically-deformable membrane (24) is provided in the housing body which seals off the discharge channel. The membrane is sealed at the front end thereof and is arched to form a dome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: Gaplast GmbH
    Inventor: Claus-H. Backes
  • Patent number: 7299952
    Abstract: A container closure includes a base with a valve mount portion formed from a first thermoplastic material and a valve formed from a second thermoplastic material. The valve is bonded to the valve mount portion. A lid is hingeably attached to the base and includes a sealing rim extending from a surface of the lid and designed to engage the valve at the location where the valve seals to the valve mount portion. The engagement of the sealing rim with the valve forming a seal between the two components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Stull Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jameson P. Stull, Robert T. Auer
  • Patent number: 7293645
    Abstract: While clean, disinfected hands are widely recognized as a principle means for controlling the spread of infections, disease, and similar health problems to both self and others, the prompt and repeated application of such materials as soap and water or waterless gels is necessary to maintain sanitary hands. So well recognized is this fact that many professional and governmental guidelines backed by regulations have been drawn to enforce compliance. This invention relates to compliance monitoring of hand sanitizing fluids and gels used to reduce the hand-borne transmission of pathogens. Disclosed is a simple, low-cost method of which a key aspect is the employment of a wristband dispenser with plural individual applications of hand sanitizing fluid in a convenient dispensing form. Inclusion of a use activated timing device provides a means of monitoring an individual's elapsed time since last use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Inventors: Judith Lee Harper, William Anthony Harper
  • Patent number: 7278553
    Abstract: An apparatus has a valve body defining a first passageway, a valve seat, and a flow aperture extending through the valve body and coupled in fluid communication with the first passageway. An elastic valve cover includes a valve portion overlying the valve seat, forming an interference fit with the valve seat, and defining an axially-extending valve opening therebetween. The valve portion is movable between a normally closed position with the valve portion engaging the valve seat, and an open position with at least a segment of the valve portion spaced away from the valve seat to allow the passage of fluid from the flow aperture through the valve opening. A hermetically sealed variable-volume storage chamber is connectible in fluid communication with the one-way valve assembly. A pump is coupled between the variable-volume storage chamber and the one-way valve assembly to dispense discrete portions of fluid through the valve assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Medical Instill Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Py, Julian V. Chan, Benoit Adamo, Nathaniel Houle
  • Patent number: 7249694
    Abstract: A valve mechanism adapted for a fluid-discharging port of a tube-type fluid container, comprising: a valve seat portion 40 having an opening 41 through which a fluid flows; a valve portion 20 comprising a valve body 21 having a shape corresponding to the opening 41, and a shaft 22 connected to the valve body 21 and extending downward from the valve body 22; and a valve support portion 30 comprising: (i) a bottom plate 39 to which a tip of the shaft 22 is connected; (ii) an annular support 35 fixedly connected to the valve seat portion 40; and (iii) multiple connectors 32 connecting the bottom plate 39 and the annular support 31, the connectors 32 elastically urging the bottom plate 39 downward to close the opening 41 with the valve body 21 and being bendable as the bottom plate 39 moves upward and pushes the valve portion 20 to open the opening 41.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Inventor: Masatoshi Masuda
  • Patent number: 7243682
    Abstract: A one-way valve with an annular nozzle. The valve body is a truncated cone with an interior fluid manifold. The truncated cone section includes a lower retaining groove and a fluid groove. A fluid conduit connects the interior fluid manifold to the fluid groove. An elastic cylinder having an internal diameter which is smaller than the truncated cone is slipped over the truncated cone. The lower portion of the elastic cylinder slips into the retaining groove. The upper portion rests over the fluid groove. When fluid pressure within the interior fluid manifold exceeds the pressure outside the valve, fluid flows through the conduit and into the fluid groove. This pressure urges the upper portion of the elastic cylinder away from the truncated cone Fluid then flows out through an annular nozzle formed between the upper portion of the elastic cylinder and the upper portion of the truncated cone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Inventor: Raymond V. Brandes
  • Patent number: 7228789
    Abstract: A beverage container for a carbonated beverage includes a floating hollow insert (1) comprising an upper moulding (2) and a lower moulding (3) defining a chamber for containing gas, a first one-way duck-bill type valve (4) integrally formed with the upper moulding (2) at the bottom of a down pipe (6) and arranged to allow gas to enter the chamber and a second duckbill valve (5) integrally formed with the lower moulding (3) and arranged to allow gas to exit the chamber and be jetted into the beverage upon opening the beverage container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignees: Whitbread PLC, Lawson Marden Packaging UK Limited, Heineken Technical Services BV
    Inventors: Karl Mondszein, Mark Philip Radford, Sian Bronwyn Gastall
  • Patent number: 7225949
    Abstract: A liquid drug container comprises a container body 1; a nozzle member 2 liquid-tightly mounted on the container body 1; and a nozzle cap 6 fitted on the nozzle member 2. A nozzle hole 231 of the nozzle member 2 is covered with a hydrophilic filer 3, and a top wall of the nozzle member 2 is provided with an air hole 24 covered with a hydrophobic filter 4. The nozzle member 2 may be provided with a filter-mounting member 8 for attachment of the filters. Also, the nozzle member 2 may be provided with a flow control member that controls air flowing into the container body through the air hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignees: Nipro Corporation, Wakamoto Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomohiko Kubo, Ikuko Asada
  • Patent number: 7213727
    Abstract: A lower portion of a nozzle is held hermetically in contact with an inner circumferential surface of the tubular neck of a container, and an inner surface of a cap is mounted to an outer surface of the tubular neck. A discharging hole of the nozzle is hermetically sealed by an inner top surface of the cap. A ring-shaped projection is formed on an upper portion of the nozzle for hermetically contacting an inner surface of the cap. Thereby, double sealing is provided in cooperation with hermetic sealing of the discharging hole of the nozzle by the inner top surface of the cap. The nozzle prevents a liquid leak and liquid dripping from the nozzle and form liquid drops independently of a dripping angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Rohto Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shigehiko Kokubo
  • Patent number: 7204381
    Abstract: There is a tube container that is resistant to water infiltration into the cavity between the head and the cap. The tube container has a body wall and a head. The body wall defines a chamber therein. The head has a shoulder, which has an orifice therethrough in communication with the chamber. The shoulder has a ridge extending therefrom adjacent its periphery. The ridge substantially blocks the infiltration of water when the cap is secured to the head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Pechiney Plastic Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: John J. Vincent, III, Douglas A. Abbott, Daniel L. King
  • Patent number: 7198073
    Abstract: A methodology and apparatus comprises integral material reservoir cylinders which contain separate material bags in which reside a component required for a formulation, or alternate material reservoir containers, typically drums, with a component required for a formulation in each drum, or a combination of both, that provides a volume of material through a supply tube into a valve that directs the material to either: 1) a dispense tube and through a dispense valve, into a receiving container that sits upon a scale, or 2) into a dispense cylinder in which resides a piston that, through the use of a piston drive plate actuator and the piston drive plate actuators' piston drive plate, directs the material through a valve and through a dispenser tube and through a dispense valve and into a receiving container that sits upon a scale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: GFI, Innovations
    Inventors: Robert A. Luehrsen, Derek P. Pedraza, John Borkovec
  • Patent number: 7182539
    Abstract: A sliding piston opening means enclosed within an elongated container to release the fluid sealed within the elongated container by squeezing the elongated container at or near the sliding piston. After the sliding piston opening means is opened, the fluid sealed within the elongated container is released for application. Before the content of the container is depleted, the sliding piston opening means is used to re-close the opening thereby re-sealing the fluid remaining within the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Inventors: Shun-I Pan, Tawei Tsao, Garry Tsaur
  • Patent number: 7178699
    Abstract: The present invention provides a faucet for tapping a liquid stored under pressure of a gas in a container that has less moving parts subject to wear or breakage, and has a housing made of multiple parts which can be disassembled so the faucet mechanism can be easily cleaned, repaired, or replaced. The faucet mechanism contains a piece of flexible tubing and an arrangement of a pinch valve mechanism that compresses the flexible tubing to shut off flow of liquid through the tubing. In one arrangement of the present invention, since the housing does not move and does not come in contact with the beverage being poured the housing is made of a non-metallic material, such as a plastic or petroleum-based material, which is less expensive than the previous brass or stainless steel housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Anheuser-Busch, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Spray, Rex Loyd McAffee