Adjustable Stroke Pump Piston, Pulsator Or Follower Patents (Class 222/309)
  • Patent number: 10166337
    Abstract: A hand-activated syringe (14) is disclosed that uses a vacuum to retract a plunger (54) of the syringe (14) to draw fluid into a syringe body (18). A first seal (76) with the plunger (54) and a second seal (64) with the plunger (54) define a vacuum chamber (82). The spacing between the first seal (76) and the second seal (64) changes in response to the plunger (54) moving relative to the syringe body (18). Advancing the plunger (54) in a direction associated with a discharge stroke creates or increases a vacuum within the vacuum chamber (82) by increasing a spacing between the first seal (76) and the second seal (64). This vacuum thereafter may be used to retract the plunger (54) by decreasing a spacing between the first seal (76) and the second seal (64), and to thereby draw fluid into the syringe (14) from a fluid source (86).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: LIEBEL-FLARSHEIM COMPANY LLC
    Inventor: Kevin R. Martz
  • Patent number: 10130964
    Abstract: An adjustable pump includes a ring connected to an open end of a container, a cap rectilinearly movable relative to the ring to dispense fluid from the container, and a quantity-adjusting unit that includes a limiting element and a knob. The limiting element is adapted for contacting the cap and hence limiting the rectilinear movement of the cap relative to the ring. The limiting element is rectilinearly movable relative to the ring to adjust a stroke of the movement of the cap relative to the ring. The limiting element includes at least one boss. The knob is rotatable relative to the ring around the limiting element. The knob includes at least one helical groove that receives the boss so that the limiting element is moved relative to the ring as the knob is rotated relative to the ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: SHANP-YIH PRECISION INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Chih-Chung Sun
  • Patent number: 10105708
    Abstract: An aspirator adapter may comprise a cap portion configured to removably mount on a collection container, a pipette interface portion mounted on the cap portion and configured to mount a pipette to the cap portion, and a gun interface portion mounted on the cap portion and configured to interface with a pipette gun. The pipette interface portion may define a pipette interface passage extending through the cap portion and the gun interface portion defining a gun interface passage extending through the cap portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Inventor: John L. Sternick
  • Patent number: 10105955
    Abstract: A fluidic dispensing device includes a housing having an exterior wall and a fluid reservoir. The exterior wall has a chip mounting surface defining a first plane and has a first opening. The fluid reservoir is in fluid communication with the first opening. An ejection chip is mounted to the chip mounting surface. The ejection chip is in fluid communication with the first opening. The ejection chip has a plurality of ejection nozzles oriented such that a fluid ejection direction is substantially orthogonal to the first plane. A stir bar is moveably confined within the fluid reservoir. The stir bar has a plurality of paddles and a rotational axis, with each of the plurality of paddles having a free end tip that intermittently faces toward the first opening that is in fluid communication with the ejection chip as the stir bar is rotated about the rotational axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: FUNAI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Steven R. Komplin, James D. Anderson, Jr., William D. Hall, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10088075
    Abstract: A valve for dispensing fluid as a bead or a dot having a housing with an internal cavity and a disposable insert positioned within the cavity of the housing having a fluid inlet, a fluid chamber, a fluid outlet and a diaphragm adjacent the fluid chamber between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. The replaceable insert further has a latching mechanism adjacent the diaphragm for receipt of a reciprocating actuator to actuate the diaphragm to dispense fluid from the fluid chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: OK International Inc.
    Inventors: Mario Velinov, Andrew Parker, Charles Lam, Lawrence Martin, Can T La
  • Patent number: 10034583
    Abstract: A stroke adjuster and an associated dispenser are provided. An example embodiment provides a dispenser configured to dispense a fluid or foam and comprising a housing and a stroke adjuster. The housing comprises at least one housing engagement surface and defines an adjuster receiving area. The adjuster receiving area is configured to receive the stroke adjuster in one of either a first orientation or a second orientation. When the stroke adjuster is oriented within the dispenser in the first orientation a first surface is oriented upward and, when the dispenser is activated, a lower pump engagement surface of the pump is engaged by the first surface of the stroke adjuster. When the stroke adjuster is oriented within the dispenser in the second position a second surface is oriented upward and, when the dispenser is activated, the lower pump engagement surface is engaged by the housing engagement surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: GPCP IP HOLDINGS LLC
    Inventors: Ryan David Carignan, Jacob Charles Dahl
  • Patent number: 10022739
    Abstract: A fluid dispenser for containing and dispensing metered amounts of fluid that includes a reservoir for containing fluid and a chamber positioned substantially within the reservoir for containing a quantity of the fluid. The fluid dispenser additionally includes a piston that is moveable within the chamber to draw fluid into the chamber when the piston is moved in a first direction with respect to the chamber, and to discharge fluid from the chamber when the piston is moved in a second direction opposite the first direction. Further, the fluid dispenser includes a user-manipulatable control coupled to the piston and rotatable about an axis to select one of at least two different metered quantities of fluid to be dispensed. The user-manipulatable control is further movable to move the piston relative to the chamber along the axis to selectively dispense the selected metered quantity of fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Diversey, Inc.
    Inventors: Garry W. Crossdale, Andrew Swain, Martin Cooper, Michael H. Bertucci, Barry Hague, Guy Thornhill
  • Patent number: 9969967
    Abstract: A subject moving device includes: a base; a head section provided with vertically movable rods and moving along a prescribed movement path above the base; a first container section which stores a subject of movement; a second container section which receives the subject of movement; a tip stocking section which holds a plurality of tips in a state where the plurality of tips are attachable to the rods, the tips being attachable to and detachable from the rods and being configured to suction the subject of movement and discharge the suctioned subject of movement in accordance with vertical movements of the rods; a tip discarding section which collects the tips having finished the suction and the discharge of the subject of movement and having been detached from the rods; and a control section which controls the vertical movements of the rods and the movement operations of the head section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Saburo Ito
  • Patent number: 9968744
    Abstract: The present invention relates to injectors, such as pen-type injectors, that provide for administration of medicinal products from a multidose cartridge and permit a user to set a delivery dose. An injector may include a housing, the cartridge containing a medicinal product, the cartridge being retained within the housing, a dose dial sleeve for selecting a dose of the medicinal product to be expelled, and a piston rod for expelling the selected dose of the medicinal product. The housing may be a unitary housing within which the dose dial sleeve for selecting the dose and the piston rod for expelling the selected dose are moveably retained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: SANOFI-AVENTIS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Robert Frederick Veasey, Christopher Nigel Langley, Steven Wimpenny
  • Patent number: 9956348
    Abstract: A dosing mechanism (6) for delivering a plurality of single metered doses includes a dose delivery mechanism; and a non-return mechanism (10), arranged to prevent the dose delivery mechanism from returning toward a primed position until a full metered dose has been delivered. The non-return mechanism includes a track defining an actuation path and a return path and an engagement member arranged to be received within the track. The track and engagement member are relatively moveable such that the engagement member is arranged to move along the actuation path during actuation of the dose delivery mechanism and along the return path during priming of the dose delivery mechanism. At least a portion of the actuation path is provided with a toothed profile to prevent reverse movement of the engagement member in the actuation path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: OWEN MUMFORD LIMITED
    Inventor: Toby Cowe
  • Patent number: 9950126
    Abstract: A medication injector that has an alert indicator that alerts the user when the medication injector is approaching near the end of its medication supply is disclosed. The alert indicator gives the user an opportunity to make preparations to obtain additional medication for the injector if there is an insufficient amount of medication in the injector to enable the user to dispense the required dosage amount with the next injection. Initially, the alert indicator is not visible to the user, but becomes visible to the user when the injector is near empty.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.
    Inventors: Peter A. Basile, Jeffrey C. Givand, Steven Carl Persak
  • Patent number: 9931627
    Abstract: A top part for a sampling pipette including a hollow outer body forming a handle, a pipetting control stem, a device for adjusting and displaying a volume to be sampled, including a first threaded member for adjusting the volume to be sampled crossed by the control stem, the device also comprising a set of first volume graduations angularly spaced from one another around the longitudinal axis and cooperating with a first mark so as to inform about the volume to be sampled. The first threaded member is rotatably integral with one of both elements formed by the set of first volume graduations and the first mark, the mark being axially arranged between the hollow outer body forming a handle and the control knob.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: GILSON SAS
    Inventor: Marc Sanchez
  • Patent number: 9884334
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a bottle top dispenser. According to an embodiment, the dispenser comprises a swayable selector for convenient and rapid volume adjustment by a user. The dispenser further comprises a second selector for analogous volume adjustment, wherein a user may use one of the two selectors according to preferences. The dispenser further preferably comprises two different graduations for assisting a user in the rapid identification of a specific volume when adjusting the volume. The dispenser relates to further advantageous embodiments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: SOCOREX ISBA S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Uldry, Jean-Marc Ammann, Nicole Henry
  • Patent number: 9861978
    Abstract: A mechanically-actuated vacuum-controlled fluid collection system includes a mechanically-actuated vacuum controller (MAVC) to draw fluid into a chamber through the opening to the chamber. The system may include a releasable seal to seal the opening, and the MAVC may include a spring-loaded plunger to create a vacuum within the chamber when sealed. The system includes multiple fluid chambers, and may further include a single actuator or multiple corresponding actuators. The system may be configured to add a pre-loadable reagent to fluid drawn into the one or more chambers, and may be configured to add the reagent in proportion to a volume of the fluid. The system may be controllable to release collected fluid to another device, such as for assay and/or transport. The system may be configured to draw a liquid biological sample such as urine, and may include a fluid interface to draw fluid from a biological sample container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: BOSTON MICROFLUIDICS, INC.
    Inventors: Brandon T. Johnson, Kate E. Christian, Glenn H. Verner
  • Patent number: 9834425
    Abstract: An exhaust line assembly for a bottle attachment apparatus for handling liquids has an outrigger-type mount, an exhaust line which is disposed and guided in the mount and which terminates in a tip, and a mounting lug which has a closure cap attached to the end thereof and which is fastened to the exhaust line assembly, the tip of the exhaust line being closable by way of the closure cap. The mounting lug at that end thereof which is fastened to the exhaust line assembly is articulated so as to be pivotable by a rotary joint which has a physically present axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: BRAND GMBH + CO KG
    Inventors: Dieter Böhm, Michael Ertl
  • Patent number: 9833801
    Abstract: A dispenser for viscous products, including: a container for a product, a sealing cap designed to be screwed onto the container, a pipette, and a piston capable of causing a suction of the product into the pipette, the dispenser being arranged such that, when the cap is screwed onto the container, the unscrewing of the cap in the direction of opening of the dispenser causes, by itself, a movement of the piston producing the suction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Chanel Parfums Beaute
    Inventors: Claire Noel, Alain Cambon, Frédéric Jouan
  • Patent number: 9816849
    Abstract: A fluid dispensing apparatus includes an actuator body with an actuator and a valve stem coupled for movement with the actuator, and a fluid body having a fluid chamber capable of fluid communication with an outlet. The valve stem is adapted to extend from the actuator body into the fluid chamber for dispensing fluid from the fluid chamber through the outlet. A quick connect member is provided to selectively fully engage and disengage a first coupling element on the actuator body with a second coupling element on the fluid body, to connect and disconnect the actuator body and the fluid body with respect to each other. The quick connect member advantageously connects or disconnects these bodies without requiring disassembly or dismounting of the bodies from other elements associated with the fluid dispensing apparatus, with a simple manual movement such as a sliding linear continuous movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Frederick L. Doering, John D. Jones
  • Patent number: 9808570
    Abstract: A storage system is provided. The system may include a tray having at least one recess in which at least one syringe is disposed, the syringe including a barrel with first and second barrel ends, and a stopper fixedly disposed between the first and second barrel ends. A tool attached to the stopper through the second barrel end, the tool having a first end attached to the stopper and a second end attached to or abutting the barrel or a surface of the recess, the first end being selectively adjustable relative to the second end to vary the distance between the first and second ends of the tool. In addition or in the alternative to the tool, the system may include a motion generator attached externally to the syringe, the motion generator being one of at least a vibration generator and a rotating frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignees: Baxalta Incorporated, Baxalta GmbH
    Inventors: Brian R Head, Mark E Williamson, Michael P Wehrli, Joseph J. Kircher, Michelle L. Moran, Atif M. Yardimci
  • Patent number: 9791107
    Abstract: A fluid supply system (150) adapted for metering two or more fluids in controlled proportions and for supplying a resultant mixture, the fluid supply system (150) comprising a plurality of solvent supply lines (104 to 107), each fluidically connected with a fluid source (100 to 103) providing a respective fluid, a pumping unit (110) comprising a reciprocating element (115) adapted for intaking fluid supplied at an inlet of the pumping unit (110) and for supplying the pressurized fluid at an outlet of the pumping unit (110), wherein the pumping unit (110) is adapted for taking in fluids from selected solvent supply lines (104 to 107) and for supplying a pressurized mixture of the fluids at its outlet, a proportioning valve (108) interposed between the solvent supply lines (104 to 107) and the inlet of the pumping unit (110), the proportioning valve (108) adapted for modulating solvent composition by sequentially coupling selected ones of the solvent supply lines (104 to 107) with the inlet of the pumping unit
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Klaus Witt, Konstantin Shoykhet, Hans-Georg Haertl
  • Patent number: 9750890
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an assembly forming a piston rod for advancing a cartridge bung in a drug delivery device, the assembly comprising a first member and a second member wherein in a first state, the first and the second member are moveable with respect to each other to adjust the length of the piston rod and wherein in a second state the first member is locked in position with respect to the second member in order to define a fixed length of the piston rod. Furthermore, it relates to a drug delivery device comprising the assembly and to a method for assembling such a drug delivery device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: SANOFI-AVENTIS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Garen Kouyoumjian, Robert Veasey, David Plumptre, Christopher Jones, Catherine Anne Macdonald, Matthew Jones
  • Patent number: 9731953
    Abstract: A cylinder-and-piston assembly for a bottle attachment apparatus for handling liquids in which the stroke length of the piston of the cylinder-and-piston assembly is delimited by a stroke length stop when suctioning from the cylinder and is delimited by a readjustment stop when exhausting into the cylinder. The readjustment stop is disposed on the piston or on the cylinder housing and interacts with a fixed stop. The readjustment stop is accessible and adjustable by way of a removable seal. The seal is connected by way of ribs to a piston bearing. The readjustment stop is disposed below this removable seal. The seal has a molding and the piston bearing has a counter molding. Displacement of the seal in relation to the piston bearing moves the seal in the longitudinal direction, and by this movement, the seal is removed in a manner that preferably is not capable of re-assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: BRAND GMBH + CO KG
    Inventors: Günter Hochholzer, Dieter Böhm, Ottmar Kneucker, Markus Kurz
  • Patent number: 9730538
    Abstract: A condiment dispenser dispenses a portion of a condiment held within a reservoir. The condiment dispenser includes a housing that defines the reservoir and a piston assembly that is translatable within the housing between a first position and a second position. A chamber insert is connected to a dispensing end of the housing and the chamber insert includes an insert bottom wall and at least one orifice extending through the insert bottom wall. A sealing ring is engageable with the seat of the piston assembly and a bottom wall includes at least one nozzle and is disposed below the chamber insert to define a void between the bottom wall and the insert bottom wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Prince Castle LLC
    Inventors: Eugene S. Maslana, Karl Heinze
  • Patent number: 9714131
    Abstract: A sprayhead for use with an aerosol container, the sprayhead including a chassis capable of firm attachment to the container; a rotatable circular collar; a spray channel and associated actuator button; and an over-cap; the rotatable circular collar being rotatable between a first and second position, wherein, when the rotatable circular collar is in the first position, a holding feature of the rotatable circular collar interacts with a holding feature of the chassis and wherein the rotatable circular collar further includes a projection that interacts with a non-rotating feature of the overcap to produce an audible signal when the rotatable circular collar is rotated between its first and second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Amit Arora, Kassie Terra-Lynn Betts, Simon Lewis Bilton, Joseph Butler, Christopher John Jones, Garen Kouyoumjian
  • Patent number: 9671039
    Abstract: A liquid dispensing valve includes a liquid inlet for receiving the liquid and a liquid outlet for discharging the liquid. A valve member is mounted for movement relative to the liquid outlet between open and closed positions. A liquid passage communicates between the liquid inlet and the liquid outlet. An air inlet is provided for receiving air from a source of pressurized air. An air passageway is coupled with the air inlet. A pneumatic actuator communicates with the air passageway for moving the valve member at least to the open position. An electrically operated air supply device interacts with the air passageway so as to control the flow of pressurized air to the pneumatic actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: NORDSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Joel E. Saine
  • Patent number: 9669202
    Abstract: A drug delivery device is configured to receive a cartridge containing a drug. The drug delivery device comprises a content display for displaying information related to one of the cartridge and the drug contained in the cartridge. The content display is configured to selectively display at least two different pieces of information and is configured to be adjusted mechanically to display one of the pieces of information. Furthermore, a set of the drug delivery device and a plurality of mountable elements is provided, wherein the mountable elements differ in their shapes and wherein the displayed piece of information is specific for the shape of the mountable element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: SANOFI-AVENTIS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Christopher Smith, Matthew Ekman
  • Patent number: 9604009
    Abstract: A drive mechanism suitable for use in drug delivery devices is disclosed. The drive mechanism may be used with injector-type drug delivery devices, such as those permitting a user to set the delivery dose. The drive mechanism may include a housing, a dose dial sleeve, and a drive sleeve. A clutch is configured to permit rotation of the drive sleeve and the dose dial sleeve with respect to the housing when the dose dial sleeve and drive sleeve are coupled through the clutch. Conversely, when the dose dial sleeve and drive sleeve are in a de-coupled state, rotation of the dose dial sleeve with respect to the housing is permitted and rotation of the drive sleeve with respect to the housing is prevented. In the de-coupled state, axial movement of the drive sleeve transfers force in a longitudinal direction for actuation of a drug delivery device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Robert Frederick Veasey, Robert Perkins, David Aubrey Plumptre
  • Patent number: 9555192
    Abstract: The instant application is directed to an assembly for a drug delivery device which is arranged to operate in two distinct modes, a priming mode starting from a pre-priming state and a dispense mode operating in a post-priming state, and a drug delivery device comprising this assembly. The assembly comprises a dose member, an actuating member and a piston rod which is configured to act on a bung of an assembled cartridge containing the drug. In the pre-priming state the actuating member is configured to be moved by a user such that the movement of the actuating member causes a movement of the dose member and such that the movement of the dose member causes a movement of the piston rod. In the post-priming state the dose member is configured to be moved by a user without causing a movement of the actuating member in order to perform a set and dispense action of the drug delivery device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: SANOFI-AVENTIS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Catherine Anne Macdonald, Robert Veasey, Garen Kouyoumjian, Christopher Jones, Alexander Ian Bailey
  • Patent number: 9551332
    Abstract: An assembly for flushing a dispenser that internally mixes a first composition and a second composition; dispensers including said assemblies are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Lee Burrowes, Neil Charles Dring, Elaine Alice Marie Baxter, Madhuri Jayant Khanolkar, Julien Claude Plos, Alastair Robert Edward MacGregor, Jiten Odhavji Dihora, Adam Gaszton Horvath
  • Patent number: 9540632
    Abstract: Methods, devices and kits for the physical separation of plankton into its component parts utilizing phototactic behavior are described. The methods utilize positive phototactic behavior and negative contrast orientation of the zooplankton for maximal in situ separation of phytoplankton and zooplankton for use in further studies and evaluation of separation efficiency. The devices provide effective conditions for use in the separation of plankton into component parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Inventor: Nancy Leland
  • Patent number: 9539396
    Abstract: A drive mechanism for a medication delivery device is proposed, the drive mechanism comprising a housing having a proximal end and a distal end, a rotation member which is adapted to be rotated in a first direction with respect to the housing during setting of a dose of a medication and to be rotated in a second direction with respect to the housing during delivery of the dose, the second direction being opposite to the first direction, a piston rod which is adapted to be displaced in a distal direction with respect to the housing for delivering the dose, a drive member which follows rotational movement of the rotation member in the second direction during delivery of the dose, and a stop member which prevents rotational movement of the drive member with respect to the housing in the first direction during setting of the dose, wherein the rotational movement of the drive member in the second direction is converted into movement of the piston rod in the distal direction with respect to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: SANOFI-AVENTIS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Steffen Raab, Ulrich Bruggemann
  • Patent number: 9526224
    Abstract: A safety valve device for a milking installation for milking milk-producing animals having a first valve with a first port and with a first port connector, a second valve with a second port and with a second port connector, a third valve with a third port and a third port connector, a drive, a common actuator, and at least one valve spring, and arranged so that the first port connector of the first valve is in fluid communication with the second port connector of the second valve, and the safety valve device can be moved between a first switching position, in which the first valve and the second valve are closed in order to block the first port and the second port and the third valve, is open a transition position, in which the first valve, the second valve and the third valve are closed, and a second switching position, in which the first valve and the second valve are open to connect the first port to the second port and the third valve is closed to block the third port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: GEA Farm Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Reinhard Balkenhol, Jake Kallenbach, Matthew J. Stuessel, Kevin L. Torgerson
  • Patent number: 9457152
    Abstract: A drive mechanism for a medication delivery device is proposed, the drive mechanism comprising a housing having a proximal end and a distal end, a rotation member which is adapted to be rotated in a first direction with respect to the housing during setting of a dose of a medication and to be rotated in a second direction with respect to the housing during delivery of the dose, the second direction being opposite to the first direction, a piston rod which is adapted to be displaced in a distal direction with respect to the housing for delivering the dose, a drive member which follows rotational movement of the rotation member in the second direction during delivery of the dose, and a stop member which prevents rotational movement of the drive member with respect to the housing in the first direction during setting of the dose, wherein the rotational movement of the drive member in the second direction is converted into movement of the piston rod in the distal direction with respect to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: SANOFI-AVENTIS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Steffen Raab, Ulrich Bruggemann
  • Patent number: 9452263
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a plunger rod for an injection device, having a distal element slidingly coupled to a proximal element having at least one radially flexible branch. The plunger rod includes a lock for selectively locking the distal element and the proximal element in a plurality of relative axial positions defining a plurality of intermediate positions of the plunger rod, wherein the lock is movable from a locked state, in which the distal element and the proximal element are fixed with respect to each other in the axial direction, and an unlocked state, in which the distal element and the proximal element are displaceable in the axial direction with respect to each other, when the at least one radially flexible branch is displaced radially. The invention also relates to an injection device having such a plunger rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Becton Dickinson France
    Inventor: Guillaume Grunhut
  • Patent number: 9440781
    Abstract: An example of droplet discharge device includes a discharge path (12) having an end that constitutes a discharge opening (11), a plunger (30), a liquid chamber (50) into which the plunger (30) is inserted, a plunger driving mechanism that moves the plunger (30) forward and backward, and a plunger position determining mechanism that specifies a position of a tip portion of the plunger (30). The liquid material is discharged in a droplet state by applying inertial force to the liquid material with forward movement of the plunger (30) in a state where the tip portion of the plunger (30) and an inner wall of the liquid chamber (50) are not contacted with each other. A minute droplet is formed by moving the plunger (30) forward to push the liquid material out of the discharge opening (11) in an amount necessary to form a droplet of a desired size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: MUSASHI ENGINEERING, INC.
    Inventor: Kazumasa Ikushima
  • Patent number: 9433958
    Abstract: The saver bottle is primarily intended to improve on existing bottle designs for storing and dispensing small quantities of fluid, such as liquid soap, shampoo, sunscreen, or similar fluids. The existing bottle designs used for these fluids are often unable to disgorge all of their liquid contents during normal use and leave some measure of their contents as a residue at the bottom of the bottle, which is wasteful and inefficient. The saver bottle is adapted to waste less of its liquid contents, and may include a sump, a sloped internal lower surface, a pumping mechanism accessible from the outside of the bottle, and a suction straw. The suction straw may terminate in a flared suction bell, and may extend into the sump. The sloped internal lower surface may be sized to maximize the internal volume of the bottle while still ensuring that any liquids the bottle is intended to house may freely drain into the sump at the bottom of the bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Inventor: Nam Joon Kim
  • Patent number: 9415386
    Abstract: A pipettor includes a wash chamber between an upper plate, a lower plate, an upper seal, and a lower seal. The upper and lower seal retain each other and are located between the upper and lower plates. The pipettor includes a gasket located below the lower plate, a pipette tip retained by the gasket, and a piston with a tapered tip that passes through the plates, seals, and gasket into the pipette tip. The upper and lower seal isolate the piston from the wash chamber. The pipettor includes a channel defined by the piston, extending into the pipette tip, and an actuator that advances and retracts the piston. When the actuator retracts the piston such that the piston loses sealing contact with the lower seal and the wash chamber is supplied with wash fluid and pressurized, wash fluid passes through the groove in the upper seal and into the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Inventors: Richard J. Schoeneck, Paul H. Wagner
  • Patent number: 9408980
    Abstract: A dual-chambered drug delivery device (201) includes a first chamber (205) in which a medicament is stored. A dose setting member (213) is rotated to set a medicament dose. The dose setting member (213) being rotatable to set the medicament dose. The dose setting member (213) is not axially moveable. A second chamber (221) is in fluid communication with the first chamber (205). The medicament dose is transferred to the second chamber (221) from the first chamber (205) prior to injecting the medicament dose. A needle (203) communicates with the second chamber (221) to inject the medicament dose into an injection site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Michel Bruehwiler, Melissa Rosen, Ryan Schoonmaker, Ira Spool
  • Patent number: 9399100
    Abstract: A medical device comprising an outer housing (400) having a first wall (401) defining a first passage (402) with proximal and distal ends. A retraction housing (412) is slidably received in the first passage (402), the retraction housing (412) having proximal and distal ends and a wall with an interior surface wall defining a helical path (421). Part of the device includes a carriage (422) for releasably receiving a medical sharp (423), the carriage (422) slidably received in the distal end of the retraction housing (412). A latch means (428) is present for retaining the carriage (422) in a first position in the retraction housing (412). A follower (432) is connected to the carriage (422) and engaged with the helical path (421). A stored energy device (434) is connected to the follower (432) and the carriage (422).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: C-MAJOR LTD.
    Inventors: Philip Brown, Allen Pearson, James Collins
  • Patent number: 9393627
    Abstract: To provide a turret device used for turret-type cleaning machines which allows an improvement in the mounting accuracy of a turret drive shaft, a drive shaft, and a turning center shaft of a turret. A turret device includes: a spindle; a turret mounting the spindle; a spindle drive device; a turret drive device; a turret drive shaft disposed coaxially with a turning center shaft of the turret; a drive shaft coaxially journaled within the turret drive shaft; a first transmission portion transmitting rotation of the turret drive shaft to the turret; a second transmission portion transmitting rotation of the drive shaft to the spindle through a center shaft; and an engaging portion realizing engagement between the center shaft and the spindle when the turret is indexed and releasing the engagement when the turret is turning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: SUGINO MACHINE LIMITED
    Inventors: Nagahiro Hirasaka, Shun Fujita, Takashi Mori
  • Patent number: 9339812
    Abstract: A system and method for processing and detecting nucleic acids from a set of biological samples, comprising: a capture plate and a capture plate module configured to facilitate binding of nucleic acids within the set of biological samples to magnetic beads; a molecular diagnostic module configured to receive nucleic acids bound to magnetic beads, isolate nucleic acids, and analyze nucleic acids, comprising a cartridge receiving module, a heating/cooling subsystem and a magnet configured to facilitate isolation of nucleic acids, a valve actuation subsystem configured to control fluid flow through a microfluidic cartridge for processing nucleic acids, and an optical subsystem for analysis of nucleic acids; a fluid handling system configured to deliver samples and reagents to components of the system to facilitate molecular diagnostic protocols; and an assay strip configured to combine nucleic acid samples with molecular diagnostic reagents for analysis of nucleic acids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: NeuMoDx Molecular, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Williams, Sundaresh Brahmasandra
  • Patent number: 9327896
    Abstract: A dispensing apparatus includes an output shaft having screw grooves on an outer circumferential surface, a rotary actuator including a reduction gear and configured to rotate the output shaft around an axis thereof, a piston screwed into the screw grooves and configured to move back and forth along an axial direction of the output shaft by drive of the rotary actuator, a nozzle disposed at a leading end of the dispensing apparatus and configured to suck and spout liquid along with the piston, and an actuator case configured to cover the reduction gear, and configured to support a proximal end portion of the output shaft by a leading end portion of the actuator case such that the proximal end portion of the output shaft is engaged with a leading end portion of the reduction gear in a state capable of transmitting the drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: ICOMES LAB CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hideshige Chiba, Tadataka Kamiyama
  • Patent number: 9278178
    Abstract: A dosing device for an injection device, including a dosing element moveable or rotatable in a first direction to select a dose and a guiding element for guiding a component of the injection device, the dosing element being moved or rotated relative to the guiding element to select the dose, wherein the guiding element is rotated or moved along with the dosing element when the dosing element is moved or rotated against the first direction to adjust the selected dose. A method of adjusting a dose selected by a dosing device is encompassed, the method including selecting the dose by moving or rotating a dosing element relative to a guiding element which is moved or rotated along with the dosing element during the selecting and adjusting the selected dose by moving or rotating the dosing element in an opposite direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: TecPharma Licensing AG
    Inventors: Juerg Hirschel, Ulrich Moser, Christian Schrul, Markus Tschirren
  • Patent number: 9228583
    Abstract: The invention relates to a liquid pump device, having a pump shell body, a soft rubber pressing device, a discharge channel, a sealed discharge cap, and a guiding tube. The pump shell body has an upper shell and a lower shell connected to form a first cavity communicated with the discharge channel. The lower shell has an arc surface with an upward opening. A flange is arranged at the lower end of the arc surface of the lower shell, a through hole being arranged at the middle of the flange. The soft rubber pressing device forms a second cavity with the lower shell. The sealed discharge cap has at least one cut forming a discharge port, and is sleeved to an end portion of the discharge channel. The guiding tube is arranged in the through hole of the flange, and is communicated with the second cavity via the feeding channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Inventors: Ming Cui, Lian Zhang
  • Publication number: 20150114997
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a bottle top dispenser. According to an embodiment, the dispenser comprises a swayable selector for convenient and rapid volume adjustment by a user. The dispenser further comprises a second selector for analogous volume adjustment, wherein a user may use one of the two selectors according to preferences. The dispenser further preferably comprises two different graduations for assisting a user in the rapid identification of a specific volume when adjusting the volume. The dispenser relates to further advantageous embodiments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Uldry, Jean-Marc Ammann, Nicole Henry
  • Publication number: 20150108170
    Abstract: A liquid dispensing device provides precise and adjustable control for dosing volumes. The device is adaptable when installed on bottles and tubes and works independently if equipped with its own container. A micrometer sitting on the outside cylinder of the device adjusts the position of a syringe to change the dispensing volume. The distal end of the cylinder holds the syringe. Inside the syringe, there are the upper and lower plungers. After adjusting the position of the syringe, the extended arm of the lower plunger is pushed all the way into the device so that the lower plunger emerges out of the open end of the syringe. This allows the liquid to flow into a pocket space partitioned by the upper plunger which is passively pushed to the position by the extended arm of lower plunger. After the liquid is filled, the extended arm of the lower plunger is pulled back towards the distal end. As the lower plunger retracts, a precise volume of liquid is trapped between upper and lower plungers in the syringe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventor: Yibing Li
  • Publication number: 20140361046
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a system, method and computer program product for reducing the hold-up volume of a pump. More particularly, embodiments of the invention can determine, prior to dispensing a fluid, a position for a diaphragm in a chamber to reduce a hold-up volume at a dispense pump and/or a feed pump. This variable home position of the diaphragm can be determined based on a set of factors affecting a dispense operation. Example factors may include a dispense volume and an error volume. The home position for the diaphragm can be selected such that the volume of the chamber at the dispense pump and/or feed pump contains sufficient fluid to perform the various steps of a dispense cycle while minimizing the hold-up volume. Additionally, the home position of the diaphragm can be selected to optimize the effective range of positive displacement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: Marc Laverdiere, James Cedrone, George Gonnella, Iraj Gashgaee, Paul Magoon, Timothy J. King
  • Publication number: 20140326756
    Abstract: An improved and variable adjustable condiment dispenser, and a related externally adjustable dispense handle, are provided for use in dispensing a variable but metered quantity of a selected viscous but flowable condiment, such as guacamole sauce, in a restaurant facility or the like, wherein the dispense handle is adjustably set at one of several different dispense volumes without requiring opening of the dispenser or sanitation thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2013
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Inventors: David B. Walker, John H. Kobs, IV, Lorin L. Forester, Tracy R. Hitchcock, Daniel L. Ward
  • Patent number: 8851333
    Abstract: A dispenser cap (10) for a liquid container having an opening, the cap (10) comprising a means for attachment (30) to the container, a housing (12) inserted into the opening and comprising a liquid inlet (14), a channel and a liquid outlet (16), the channel comprising a moveable seal (18) defining an outlet-side liquid volume (24) and an inlet-side liquid volume (26), the moveable seal (18) is moveable from a first position to a second position towards the liquid outlet (16) by increasing the inlet-side liquid pressure, thereby causing a dispensable volume of liquid flow out of the outlet (16), the moveable seal (18) also comprising a liquid outlet seal means (22) to seal the liquid outlet when the moveable seal (18) is in its second position, thereby preventing further flow of liquid out of the outlet (16), the cap (10) also comprising a dispensable liquid volume adjustment means (32,34) to adjust the fixed volume of dispensable liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Conopco, Inc.
    Inventor: Jonkheer Theodoor Hendrik van de Poll
  • Patent number: 8851331
    Abstract: A fluid dispenser includes an adjustable dosing mechanism that permits adjustment of the amount of fluid to be dispensed. An adjustable dosing mechanism may be inserted into the dispenser in either a high dose orientation or a low dose orientation. The body further includes pair of dose adjusting flanges. When the adjustable dosing mechanism body is received into the dispenser in the high dose orientation, a relatively larger quantity of fluid product is dispensed. When the adjustable dosing mechanism body is received into the dispenser in the low dose orientation, a relatively smaller quantity of fluid product is dispensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: John T. Pelkey, Brian P. Carlson, Troy A. Anderson, Brian K. Stahel
  • Publication number: 20140252041
    Abstract: A liquid material discharge apparatus and a method which can easily adjust a movement speed of a plunger. The liquid material discharge apparatus includes a liquid chamber (50) which communicates with a discharging port (11) and to which a liquid material is supplied; a plunger whose rear end portion has a piston (33) and whose front end portion moves forward and rearward inside the liquid chamber (50); an elastic body (47) which applies a biasing force to the plunger; and a pressurizing chamber (49) in which the piston (33) is arranged and to which compressed gas is supplied. The liquid material is discharged through the discharging port (11) by the plunger to move forward fast, the elastic body (47) biases the plunger in a rearward movement direction, and the compressed gas applies a driving force to the piston (33) to cause the plunger to move forward.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: MUSASHI ENGINEERING, INC.
    Inventor: Kazumasa Ikushima