Fluid Motor Patents (Class 222/334)
  • Patent number: 6419127
    Abstract: An apparatus for raising concrete members and maintaining the members in a raised position. The apparatus may be utilized for raising or leveling flat slabs such as sidewalk sections, driveways and patios or for raising sunken sections of curbs and gutters, and the apparatus includes a portable mud pump and mixing tank to provide grout or mud under the raised members for maintaining same in the raised position. A method for raising the members is carried out by attaching the sunken member to an apparatus including one or more lifting jacks, raising the member by the jacks, and at least partially filling the cavity under the member with a grout or mud. The portable mud pump, which includes a limit switch controlled double-acting air driven piston, is connected to a mud or grout mixing tank via a check valve and withdraws mud from the tank during an intake stroke and forces the mud, during a power or output stroke, into a cavity under a raised concrete member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Inventor: Steven Fershtut
  • Patent number: 6386398
    Abstract: A dispenser for dispensable materials comprises a compressible supply of the dispensable materials and a rigid holding unit having a given cross-section for containing the compressible supply of the dispensable materials. An actuator plate having a given cross-section is positioned in the rigid holding unit. An outlet for the dispensable materials is connected to the compressible supply and has a fitting connected to and extending through the actuator plate. An apparatus is supplied for engaging the actuator plate and applying pressure solely thereto to cause the dispensable materials to be expelled from the compressible supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Osram Sylvania Inc.
    Inventor: Jerry R. Drake, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6378740
    Abstract: A portable frozen beverage dispenser includes a frozen beverage receiving container and a piston mounted within the container for pressurizing a frozen beverage received therein. The piston is actuated either pneumatically or mechanically. The frozen beverage receiving container and the frozen beverage contained therein are received and transported in an insulated backpack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Mush, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary D. Martin
  • Patent number: 6357632
    Abstract: This invention provides a condiment dispensing apparatus of economically and effectively dispensing condiment by controlling condiment pump activation and opening and closing of the dispensing outlet without requiring electronic circuitry. The apparatus employs pneumatic devices to open and close the dispensing outlet and to drive the condiment pump and a mechanical mechanism to synchronize pump activation and opening and closing of the dispensing outlet. In a specific embodiment, a pneumatically driven valve is coupled to the pump for activating the pump after it is moved to at least partly open the dispensing outlet during a valve opening step and for deactivating the pump after it is moved to partly close the dispensing outlet during a valve closure step. The delay in pump activation during the valve opening step and the lead in pump deactivation during the valve closure step avoid excessive pressure buildup to ensure smooth operation of the apparatus in dispensing the condiment in a controlled manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: Automatic Bar Controls, Inc.
    Inventor: Juha Salmela
  • Patent number: 6321946
    Abstract: A two-component resin or adhesive dispensing system comprises a pair of activator and resin or adhesive metering pumps and a drive motor. The drive motor is a hydraulic drive motor driven by means of a hydraulic pump which, in turn, is driven by means of an air motor coupled thereto. The metering pumps are separately and independently driven by the hydraulic drive motor through means of sprocket and chain drive systems, and the metering pumps are mounted upon adjustably movable mounting brackets such that their relative disposition may be readily altered so as to accommodate different sized sprocket members which will then alter the drive output of the metering pumps in order to change the ratio of the amount of activator material dispensed with respect to the amount of resin or adhesive material dispensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Bhavesh B. Merchant
  • Publication number: 20010035433
    Abstract: A dispenser for dispensable materials comprises a compressible supply of the dispensable materials and a rigid holding unit having a given cross-section for containing the compressible supply of the dispensable materials. An actuator plate having a given cross-section is positioned in the rigid holding unit. An outlet for the dispensable materials is connected to the compressible supply and has a fitting connected to and extending through the actuator plate. An apparatus is supplied for engaging the actuator plate and applying pressure solely thereto to cause the dispensable materials to be expelled from the compressible supply.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2001
    Publication date: November 1, 2001
    Inventor: Jerry R. Drake
  • Patent number: 6308864
    Abstract: A modular adhesive bead dispensing unit having at least one bead dispensing module. The module includes a mounting frame for mounting the module to the unit, and at least one adhesive dispensing manifold. The manifold includes a housing having an inlet opening for introducing adhesive into the housing, an outlet opening for dispensing the adhesive, a non-stick compressible fitting within the outlet opening, the fitting having an opening therethrough, and an outlet closing member receivable within the fitting opening for starting and stopping flow of an adhesive bead from the head. The module also includes at least one actuation unit for retracting and reinstalling the outlet closing member within the fitting opening. The manifold for dispensing adhesive has a sleeve mounted in the outlet opening, adjacent the fitting, and a retainer for retaining the fitting within the outlet opening and for adjustably pressing the fitting into the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Greco Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph S. Messer
  • Patent number: 6308868
    Abstract: The high pressure cartridge feed system of the invention includes a cradle that supports the material cartridge so that the cartridge will not fail at the high dispensing pressures. A powered ram assembly drives a ram head into the cartridge to create the high dispensing pressure. The cartridge is supported on all sides to prevent failure. A smooth connection fitting is provided to allow cartridges to be quick changed. The cradle is pivotably mounted to allow the cartridge to be loaded in a substantially horizontal position. In one embodiment, the cradle is removable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Liquid Control Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander M. Hoffman, Kenneth L. Miller
  • Patent number: 6305574
    Abstract: A dispensing device comprising a reservoir (2) and a one way valve (6) through which material may only be conducted into the reservoir (2). Reservoir (2) comprises a piston (16), a cylinder device (10) capable of permitting expansion of the capacity of the reservoir as material is conducted into the reservoir, an electrical switch means (18) adapted to detect and terminate the expansion of reservoir (2) at a predetermined capacity value, means for exerting pressure (10,16) on material within reservoir (2) when the expansion of reservoir (2) has been terminated and a one way valve (20) set to permit flow of material from reservoir (2) via an exit port whilst the pressure on the material in reservoir (20) is not less than a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: Dow Corning S.A.
    Inventor: Bernard Favart
  • Patent number: 6299031
    Abstract: A pusher is disposed to drive material out of a dispensing outlet and extends into a first chamber that is configured to contain a hydraulic fluid disposed to drive the pusher. A second chamber is configured to exchange hydraulic fluid with the first chamber. A fluid control mechanism is disposed between the first chamber and the second chamber. Air under pressure is applied to urge a rapidly transforming material to flow toward one portion of a bifurcated chamber from another portion of the bifurcated chamber. The driven rapidly transforming material is allowed to drive a material from a dispensing outlet. At least a portion of the rapidly transforming material is caused to physically transform to a form that is more resistant to flowing. The dispensing outlet is caused to change position. At least a portion of the rapidly transforming material is caused to physically transform away from the form that is more resistant to flowing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: The Knight Group LLC
    Inventors: William A. Cavallaro, William M. Kocsis, Jr., Jeffrey P. Fugere
  • Patent number: 6257844
    Abstract: A pump device for pumping liquid foodstuff includes a pump housing having an inlet and an outlet for pumping the foodstuff therethrough. A pump body is disposed within the pump housing having an elastic member which contains a predetermined volume of pressurized liquid. The pressurized liquid expands the elastic member from an unpressurized normal shape to a prestressed shape. The volume of liquid contained within the elastic member remains substantially fixed while the elastic member expands from its prestressed shape to a stretched shape to pump a predetermined amount of foodstuff out of the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Asept International AB
    Inventor: Leif Einar Stern
  • Patent number: 6206241
    Abstract: An automatic fluid dispenser including a pump mechanism actuated by a piston movable between a first position, and a second position in which a fluid is dispensed. A conduit is coupled to the pump mechanism and couplable to a pressurized fluid source. A valve is carried by the conduit and is movable between an open position in which a pressurized fluid from the pressurized fluid source moves the piston to the second position, and a closed position stopping the pressurized fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Inventors: Brian C. Terrell, John J. Spilotro
  • Patent number: 6196478
    Abstract: A fluid supply cylinder with improved flusbability, useable for supplying paints to a dispenser in electrostatic coating systems. The fluid supply cylinder having generally a piston reciprocatingly disposed in a chamber of a body member, the piston having a head with a face opposite an end wall of the chamber, a plurality of chamber fluid ports disposed in the end wall of the chamber, and a plurality of fluid conduits between a corresponding one of the plurality of chamber fluid ports and a common outer fluid port, whereby the reciprocating piston draws fluid into the cylinder chamber and supplies fluid from the cylinder chamber through the plurality of chamber fluid ports in the end wall thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Jerry L. McPherson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6193111
    Abstract: A powered condiment pumping system for pumping controlled portions from a dispenser receiving product from a substantial distance on the order of 30 feet or more. If includes a distantly disposed constant outlet pressure pump and a volumetric piston pump located adjacent the dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Inventor: Rodney W. Adams
  • Patent number: 6189735
    Abstract: The polymeric substance delivery method and device, in which the outflow is determined from a first container (5) of a monomeric substance able to polymerize autonomously upon air contact, and eventually, the outflow from a second container (7) is determined of a hardening substance able to accelerate the polymerization of the monomeric substance, by sending the same hardening substance towards a mixing zone of the hardening substance with the same monomeric substance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Cheming S.A. Luxembourg
    Inventor: Maria Teresa Plasmati-Lüchinger
  • Patent number: 6179583
    Abstract: A metering device for pressurized fluids has a rotor containing an oscillating free piston operating in a bore at right angles to the rotor axis. The piston is driven by the fluid to be metered. The rotor is retained within a stator having inlet and outlet ports. When the rotor is rotated, a first end of the bore becomes in fluid connection with the inlet port and the piston is operated upon by the pressurized fluid and moves within the bore in a first direction towards the outlet port. As the rotor is turned further, the second end of the bore becomes in fluid connection with the inlet port whilst the first end is made in fluid connection with the outlet port, and the piston reverses to move in a second direction, i.e. towards the outlet port to discharge the fluid which had previously moved the piston in a first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Weston Medical Limited
    Inventor: Terence Edward Weston
  • Patent number: 6145455
    Abstract: An agricultural material metering system includes a metering member, a hydraulically driven actuator, a pump, a rotatable ground driven member, a variable drive control and an actuator coupled to the variable drive control. The metering member is configured to meter agricultural material upon being driven. The hydraulically driven actuator is coupled to the metering member to drive the metering member. The variable drive control is coupled between an inlet of the pump and the metering member and is configured for actuation between a first position in which the hydraulically driven actuator drives the metering member at a first rate and a second position in which the hydraulically driven actuator drives the metering member at a second rate. The rotatable ground driven member is coupled to the pump and drives the pump when rotating. The pump is coupled to the hydraulically driven actuator and displaces fluid upon being driven to drive the hydraulically driven actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Case Corporation
    Inventors: Jacob Gust, Bradley J. Meyer
  • Patent number: 6079596
    Abstract: The metering assembly for metering and dispensing non-solid material includes a metering cylinder, an air cylinder, and an air actuator. The metering cylinder has a metering body with a bore and an inlet/outlet port which is in communication with the bore. The metering cylinder includes a displacement rod which has a first end positioned in the bore and an opposed second end. The displacement rod has a first position where the first end of the rod is adjacent to the bottom of the bore and a second position where the first end is spaced from the bottom of the bore. The displacement rod moves between the first and second positions with movement from the first position toward the second position defined as movement in a filling direction and movement from the second position toward the first position defined as movement in a dispensing direction. The metering cylinder also includes a seal for sealing the rod to the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: J. Dedoes, Inc.
    Inventor: Jerry Dedoes
  • Patent number: 6068160
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed to dispense a product out of a receptacle by moving a free-floating piston back and forth within the receptacle. Pressurized gas is used to move the piston toward the product, thereby forcing the product out of the receptacle. The pressure on the piston is released by exhausting the pressurized gas out of the receptacle through a release valve. To retract the piston away from the product, the pressurized gas is sent through a venturi that connects to the receptacle via the same aperture that is used to deliver the pressurized gas to the receptacle. The flow of pressurized gas through the venturi creates a vacuum in the receptacle that pulls the piston away from the product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Grand Soft Equipment Co.
    Inventor: Hershel Edward Fancher
  • Patent number: 6059149
    Abstract: The multi bagging machine comprises: a framework including four, spaced apart upright legs arranged in a generally rectangular configuration; a generally rectangular hopper mounted to an upper end of the framework; the hopper including a sharply inclined front wall and a lesser inclined back wall extending between two end walls; an auger located adjacent the bottom of the hopper and having an auger shaft extending between the end walls; an agitator including an agitator shaft located above the auger and a short distance toward the rear of the hopper; a plurality of discharge chutes connected to the bottom of the hopper for discharging fluent particulate material from the hopper into a container or bag; and a slide gate movable from one wall of each discharge chute into and across the discharge chute to an opposite wall of each discharge chute and back for blocking and unblocking the flow of fluent particular material through the discharge chute into a bag or container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: The Sandbagger Corporation
    Inventors: Estacia R. Kanzler, James J. Kanzler, Jack D. Eiler
  • Patent number: 6047863
    Abstract: The fluent material dispensing apparatus for dispensing fluent material comprises: a hopper for receiving and holding, subsequent to discharge, a quantity of fluent material and having an open top and a closed bottom; at least one fluent material discharge chute which is connected to the bottom of the hopper, which extends downwardly from the bottom and which has an upper material receiving opening and a lower material discharge opening; support structure for supporting the hopper above ground; a mechanism for blocking and unblocking the at least one discharge chute including a plate reciprocal in a path which contains the plate and which extends laterally, transversely across the at least one discharge chute, in a generally horizontal direction across the chute, between a chute blocking position and a chute unblocking position; engageable structure coupled to the plate and being constructed and arranged for being engaged for reciprocating the plate in the path extending generally horizontally across the chut
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: The Sandbagger Corporation
    Inventors: Estacia Kanzler, James J. Kanzler, Jack D. Eiler
  • Patent number: 6048181
    Abstract: This invention provides a power delivery device (10) for delivering a fixed volume of flowable material to a specific site, the power delivery device (10) comprising pumping means (14) for forcing a predetermined volume of the flowable material through at least one flow path (38,40) of the power delivery device (10) by means of line pressure exerted on the flowable material; and valve means (12), operatively connected to the pumping means (14), for selectively opening and closing the at least one flow path (38, 40) through which the flowable material moves such that the predetermined volume of flowable material can be sprayed out of the power sprayer (10) when the at least one flow path (40) is open and can be redirected to fill the power sprayer (10) when the at least one flow path (40) is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: International Agriproducts Corporation
    Inventor: In-Kook Chang
  • Patent number: 6026991
    Abstract: An apparatus, process, and system for additizing a liquid product, allowing for visual inspection of the additive while it is being staged during a fill mode, or while the staged amount of additive is being supplied to an additive injector during an inject mode, for controlled injection into a liquid product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: The Lubrizol Corporation
    Inventor: John Matthews
  • Patent number: 6024248
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed to force a frozen food product out of a receptacle by moving a piston back and forth within the receptacle. Pressurized air is used to move the piston toward the frozen product, thereby forcing the frozen product out of the receptacle. To move the piston away from the frozen product, the pressurized air is sent through a venturi that also connects to the receptacle. The flow of pressurized air through the venturi creates a vacuum in the receptacle. The vacuum pulls the piston away from the frozen product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignee: Grand Soft Equipment Co.
    Inventor: Hershel Edward Fancher
  • Patent number: 6012614
    Abstract: A new tuck pointing apparatus for applying cement to joints between bricks. The inventive device includes a cement reservoir for receiving a quantity of cement. The reservoir has an interior, a closed top end, and an open bottom end that forms a bottom opening into the interior of the reservoir. A mixer portion has open upper and lower ends, an interior, a toothed flywheel that is disposed in the interior of the mixer portion, and a mixing shaft that is coupled to the toothed flywheel. The open upper end of the mixer portion is releasably coupled to the bottom end of the reservoir. The mixing shaft mixes cement in the interior of the mixer portion. A motor portion rotates the toothed flywheel thereby rotating the mixing shaft. A first air tube is in communication with a supply of air pressure and is also in communication with the interior of the mixer portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Inventor: Morris Stanford
  • Patent number: 6006953
    Abstract: Apparatus for delivering constant quantities of fluid, comprises a chamber, a piston (6) reciprocally movably within the chamber, a fluid inlet (3) to the chamber on one side of the piston, and a fluid outlet (5) from the chamber on the other side of the piston (6). A valve (12) through the outlet side of the chamber to the fluid outlet (5). Spring means (10) urges the piston (6) and subsidiary spring means (16) urges the valve (12) through the piston (6) towards the inlet side of the chamber, such that fluid pressure on the inlet side of the chamber will cause the piston (6) to move to eject a predetermined quantity of fluid from the outlet side, and on the return stroke fluid will flow through the valve (12) in the piston (6) to refill the outlet side for the subsequent piston delivery stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Inventors: Richard John Newson, Dean Mark Bowden
  • Patent number: 5996846
    Abstract: The invention relates to a condiment dispensing system for dispensing condiment and the like which includes a gas operated pump for moving condiment(s) from a condiment source to a delivery nozzle through a condiment conduit which is valveless to thus prevent splatter of the delivered condiment due to entrained gas. A gas-operated pump is controlled at the delivery nozzle to effect delivery of the condiment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Automatic Bar Controls, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard A. Martindale
  • Patent number: 5924602
    Abstract: An air operated liquid pump includes a pump with a reciprocating plunger driven by a piston contained in a cylinder. The plunger is connected to and reciprocates a dispensing piston that moves between two positions relative to the plunger to open and close flow through valve holes that pass through the dispensing piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: McNeil (Ohio) Corporation
    Inventors: C. Brandon Brown, Steven W. Post
  • Patent number: 5823406
    Abstract: A mobile filling unit mounted on a wheeled base and having one or more pumping systems and liquid dispensing heads. Each of the pumping systems has a metering turret containing a number of adjustable rods, the rods being adjustable to limit the stroke of a reciprocable drive motor, the drive motor being directly connected to a reciprocable pump, so that the volume delivered by the pump is controllable to any of a number of predetermined values equal to the respective settings of the adjustable rods in the metering turret.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Neupak, Inc.
    Inventor: Terence P. Roberts
  • Patent number: 5823389
    Abstract: An apparatus (50) and method for dispensing fluid material (55) from a dispensing gun (53) onto a workpiece (17) includes a metering cylinder (56) having a metering chamber formed therein with a pair of variable volume chamber portions (66,67), a valve assembly (52) connected to a supply of fluid material (51), the dispensing gun and to the chamber portions, and a control (58) connected to a meter actuator (60) connected to the metering cylinder and a valve actuator (59) connected to the valve assembly. The control (58) controls the meter actuator (60) and the valve actuator (59) in first and second modes of operation to dispense the fluid material (55) from the dispensing gun (53) by alternately drawing from the supply of fluid material (51) through the valve assembly into a first one of the chamber portions and forcing the fluid material from a second one of the chamber portions through the valve assembly to the dispensing gun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Fanuc Robotics North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Raymond J. Guzowski
  • Patent number: 5820892
    Abstract: A food extrusion assembly and particularly an ice cream extrusion assembly for providing a stream of elongated strands of ice cream or other foods of a predetermined cross-sectional configuration. The extrusion assembly includes a housing structure having a base portion and an upright support structure. A plunger assembly is mounted to the housing and has an activatable shaft and separable plunger head. A container mounting structure is provided to receive an extrusion container in alignment with the movement of the plunger head. The extrusion container has a predetermined pattern of extrusion apertures through its bottom surface. The extrusion container locks into the container mounting structure to permit the activation of a switch and to thereby cause the plunger head to penetrate the extrusion container for ice cream extrusion processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Inventors: James D. Lauer, Margaret T. Lauer
  • Patent number: 5816445
    Abstract: A novel two-part fluid dispensing and technique using fluids of similar or widely different viscosities and in flexible plastic or similar cartridges of a similar or different volumes, and with adjustable dispensing ratios by forcing the fluids out of their respective cartridges in response to variable air pressure into a static mixer, and thence along a dispensing flexible pinch tube, the opening and closing of which is controlled by a pinch valve operated in response either to manual or micro-processor-controlled control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: Stainless Steel Coatings, Inc.
    Inventors: Ivan Gardos, Ivan Faigen
  • Patent number: 5799833
    Abstract: A fluid composition dispensing system employs a pair of bulk supplies of fluid components which communicate through air-actuated pumps to measurement and dispensing reservoirs. Each of the reservoirs has an associated float switch which is operative to inhibit operation of the associated pump when the reservoir is filled with a desired quantity of fluid component. A dispensing valve assembly is interposed between the two reservoirs to allow for dispensing from the reservoir at predetermined dispensing rates. A mechanical valve assembly has a linkage which is configured to allow the slower flowing fluid to pass through a larger valve orifice such that the dispensing rates of the two fluids are the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: ABC Dispensing Technologies
    Inventors: Thomas S. Green, Eric G. Hilston
  • Patent number: 5779098
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed to force a frozen food product out of a receptacle by moving a piston back and forth within the receptacle. Pressurized air is used to move the piston toward the frozen product, thereby forcing the frozen product out of the receptacle. To move the piston away from the frozen product, the pressurized air is sent through a venturi that also connects to the receptacle. The flow of pressurized air through the venturi creates a vacuum in the receptacle. The vacuum pulls the piston away from the frozen product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: Grand Soft Equipment Company
    Inventor: Hershel Edward Fancher
  • Patent number: 5740950
    Abstract: A fluent material dispensing apparatus for filing containers with fluent material comprising a hopper for receiving and holding fluent material, the hopper's having a safety grid attached thereto and the hopper converging downwardly towards the hopper's bottom, wherein multiple discharge openings are located at the hopper's bottom, the top end of the discharge openings, a support frame for supporting the hopper, the support frame comprising base members and a plurality of vertical legs extending between the hopper and the base members, a foot-operated swing gate pivotally mounted to each discharge chute, the swing gates being individually movable from a closed position over the bottom of the discharge chutes to an open position to control the discharge of fluent material from the hopper, a foot-operated swing gate actuating mechanism for selectively moving the swing gate between and open and a closed position, a rotatable auger mounted transversely in the hopper for moving fluent material over the discharge o
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1998
    Assignee: The Sandbagger Corporation
    Inventors: Estacia Kanzler, James J. Kanzler, Jack D. Eiler
  • Patent number: 5720415
    Abstract: An apparatus for delivering fluid to a site at a controlled rate and pressure, which comprises a housing enveloping three interconnected chambers comprising a first end chamber, a connecting chamber and a second end chamber, an inlet port and an outlet port each located in a side wall of the connecting chamber, each of the inlet port and the outlet port being associated with a valve for opening and closing the respective port; a first piston positioned within the first end chamber and a second piston positioned within the second end chamber, each of said pistons having a head with an inwardly facing surface having a periphery which fits snugly within the corresponding end chamber to form a fluid-tight seal with the at least one side wall of the end chamber, wherein at least a portion of a side wall of the connecting chamber intrudes inwardly to provide a stop for the head of each piston; and a closure to close the open end of each end chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignee: American Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Randy L. Morningstar
  • Patent number: 5704520
    Abstract: A liquid material dispenser, for use, for example, in dispensing liquid medicine over an extended period of time, which includes a housing (10) enclosing a reservoir (12) for storing the liquid to be dispensed and having an outlet (14) through which the liquid is dispensed, and a connecting passageway (16) between the reservoir and the outlet. Located in the passageway is a diaphragm (18), one side of which defines a pumping chamber (20) and the other side of which defines a pressure control chamber (22). The diaphragm (18) is cyclically displaceable through a pumping stroke for pumping liquid through the outlet (14) and a drawing stroke for drawing liquid from the reservoir (12). Also located in the passageway (16) are a pair of valves (30, 33) which serve, during the drawing stroke, to cause the diaphragm (18) to draw liquid from the reservoir (12) into the pumping chamber (20), and during the pumping stroke, to cause the diaphragm (18) to pump liquid from the pumping chamber (20) through the outlet (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Assignee: Elan Medical Technologies, Limited
    Inventor: Joseph Gross
  • Patent number: 5634574
    Abstract: The present invention, in one form thereof, is an ergonomically useful dispensing assembly including a short dispensing tube adapted to be coupled at its inlet to a mixing bowl outlet. The outlet of the dispensing tube is coupled, for example, to a nozzle. A piston disposed within the tube has seals, such as O-rings which are sized to contact the interior surface of the dispensing tube along the length of the tube as the piston moves within the tube. The piston is constructed so that as the piston travels within the tube and from the tube inlet to the tube outlet, mix is forced through the outlet and mix is drawn into the tube through the tube inlet. As the piston travels from the tube outlet to the tube inlet, mix disposed within the tube travels through the piston. A check valve disposed adjacent the bowl outlet prevents backflow of mix from the tube into the bowl. The dispensing tube piston is driven by a dual piston-cylinder drive unit. The stroke length of the dual pistons is controllable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Assignee: Unifiller Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Brian K. McArthur, David A. McArthur
  • Patent number: 5624056
    Abstract: The invention relates to a condiment dispensing system for dispensing condiment and the like which includes a gas operated pump for moving condiments from a condiment source to a delivery nozzle through a pinch valve that operates to close and open the delivery flow path in response to and absence of gas pressure. A swipe valve to clean the delivery nozzle is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1997
    Assignee: Automatic Bar Controls, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard A. Martindale
  • Patent number: 5622484
    Abstract: New valves to allow or prevent material flow through a conduit are disclosed. Such valves comprise a valve seat having a longitudinal axis, defining a through opening and including a seating surface which defines a portion of the through opening. A valve body, operatively coupled to the valve seat, is located at least partially in the through opening. A valve element is secured to and movable relative to the valve body. The valve element includes a sealing surface which is curved in at least one plane parallel to and including the longitudinal axis of the valve seat and is adapted to contact the seating surface to prevent material flow through the through opening. Pump assemblies and condiment dispensing systems employing such valves are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1997
    Assignee: Carr-Griff, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Taylor-McCune, Brian J. Kurth, Lloyd D. Golobay
  • Patent number: 5613626
    Abstract: A solids transfer mechanism is described for transferring solid chunks from a sealed chamber to a receiver. The solid chunks are transferred from a sealed cavity into a larger volume dump cavity from which they are dumped into a receiver. By use of a larger volume for the dump cavity, contact between the seals and the solid chunks is minimized, since the chunks are loose inside the larger volume dump cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Inventor: Joseph C. Firey
  • Patent number: 5566863
    Abstract: A system for selectively dispensing condiments for items of food, including a plurality of condiment containers, a dispenser head having a plurality of input passages, an outlet nozzle, and valves for controlling fluid flow from each of the input passages to the outlet nozzle, a plurality of fluid flow lines, with a line connecting each condiment container to a corresponding dispenser head input passage, and a fluid pump in each of the fluid flow lines whereby an operator can dispense selected condiments from the nozzle onto a food item. Arrangements for daily and bi-weekly sanitizing of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Assignee: Dispenser King, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Mesenbring, Lawrence J. Patriquin, Rory F. Ramirez, Dell W. Smith
  • Patent number: 5556001
    Abstract: An apparatus (20, 60) capable of dispensing a liquid 1 (e.g. water) or a liquid 1/liquid 2 mixture through a hand held syringe (26) and configured, in embodiments thereof, to be attached to a showerhead (24) or sink faucet (68) is provided. Liquid 2 (e.g. a dental concentrate) is held in a container (140) and dispensed by liquid 1 pressure on a piston (142) therein. A spool valve (84) responsive to a liquid 1 pressure bleed line (110a, 110b) diverts liquid 1 from the showerhead or sink faucet to drive the piston. The apparatus is controlled by a mode control disc (30) mounted in the syringe. Provisions for adjusting the flow rate of the dispensed liquid (34) and the proportional mix of the liquid 1/liquid 2 mixture (160) are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Inventors: William R. Weissman, Peter Liapis, George Sanchez, Bernardo Baran
  • Patent number: 5535926
    Abstract: An apparatus for applying mastic to a selected surface includes a container for mastic, a pump assembly, and a drywall tool or wand. The pump assembly is positioned in the container so that it draws mastic from the container and delivers it to the drywall tool. The mastic delivered to the drywall tool is applied to the selected surface through a nozzle in the drywall tool. The pump assembly includes a pump, a pneumatic cylinder, and a linking subassembly connecting the pump and the pneumatic cylinder. The pump assembly is operated by an air compressor. The air compressor causes a rod in the pneumatic cylinder to reciprocate. The linking subassembly translates this reciprocation to a piston in the pump assembly. The piston reciprocates within a bore of the pump assembly and draws the mastic from the container. The apparatus is mounted on a hand truck so that it may be moved to different locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Assignee: Axia Incorporated
    Inventors: Eli Blitz, Mark Farnworth
  • Patent number: 5524797
    Abstract: The invention relates to a double acting metering and dispensing apparatus for high viscosity materials having a cylinder and a piston reciprocally movable within the cylinder having a charging and discharging stroke and forming proportioning expandable and contractible chambers such that for every stroke of the piston, a measured amount of viscous material is dispensed to the appropriate dispensing area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Assignee: Sealant Equipment and Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Carl L. Schultz, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5524683
    Abstract: An apparatus for filling containers including a pump housing having a pump chamber, a product inlet in communication with a supply of product under pressure, a product outlet and a piston positioned therein. The piston is movable by the supply of product under pressure between advancing and retracting positions where product is discharged from the chamber and through the outlet during the advancing stroke and the chamber is filled with product during the retracting stroke. A first valve is included to regulate the flow of product through the outlet and a second valve is included to regulate the flow of product between opposite sides of the piston. By controlling the opening and closing of the first and second valves, the pressure of the product enables movement of the piston to eject product and fill the chamber as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Assignee: Osgood Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Martin J. Mueller
  • Patent number: 5509575
    Abstract: A flow divider for substantially eliminating fluid intensification problems and pressure surges includes a housing having an inlet, one or more outlets, and a cavity therebetween. A passageway defining spool is rotatably mounted in the housing cavity and includes passageways corresponding to the outlets that separately periodically connect the inlet to the outlets as the spool is rotated. "Floating" pistons are slideably mounted in the passageways such that the pistons reciprocate in the passageways as the spool is rotated. Specifically, the incoming hydraulic fluid pushes the pistons in the passageways away from the inlet toward the outlet causing a metered volume of pressurized fluid to be moved out of the passageways through the respective outlets and, as the spool is further rotated, the passageways become reversed such that the pistons are again positioned adjacent the inlet and are again forced away from the inlet. Thus, pressurized fluid is dispensed at a predetermined rate and proportion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1996
    Assignee: Partnership of Gillette & Nagel
    Inventor: Harold R. Gillette
  • Patent number: 5476193
    Abstract: A beverage dispensing apparatus for dispensing through a nozzle a preestablished volume of a syrup and a preestablished volume of a soda to be intermixed within a nozzle prior to being dispensed into a collecting container such as a glass. The syrup side is connected to the soda side with the dispensing operation always occurring simultaneously in the preestablished ratios. The soda side includes a drive piston which is driven by the pressurized soda. The soda drive piston is physically connected to a syrup drive piston which controls the flow of the syrup to the dispensing nozzle. A single dispensing valve such as a low-power solenoid is to be used to cause the dispensing of both the soda and the syrup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1995
    Inventor: Joel E. Haynes
  • Patent number: 5467899
    Abstract: A device which positively dispenses small, accurately measured, amounts of a flowable material, such as a resin, epoxy, etc. A pair of reciprocal pistons are movably mounted, each in a respective fluid pressure chamber, formed in a main body of a housing. One of the pistons moves a material dispense rod within a first section of a bore formed in a tubular portion of the housing. The second piston moves a sleeve which is telescopically mounted on the tubular housing between a material load position wherein flowable material is admitted into the first bore section, and a material discharge position wherein the first bore section is in communication with the second bore section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1995
    Assignee: Liquid Control Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth L. Miller
  • Patent number: 5458275
    Abstract: A hand-held dispensing device for dispensing small shots of a semi-solid material from a remote supply of such material which is connected to the device. A housing is formed with upper and lower pressure chambers. An upper piston is reciprocally movable within the housing for moving a connected dispensing tube between open and closed positions with a material outlet opening in a lower end of the device. A lower piston is reciprocally movable within the housing for moving a hollow stem of the piston within an annular dispense chamber located about a closed end of the dispensing tube. Downward movement of the lower piston stem in coordination with upward movement of the upper piston opens and closes a material outlet port formed in the dispensing tube to block further flow of material into the dispense chamber generally simultaneously with the forced discharge of the material from the dispense chamber by a lower end of the lower piston stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1995
    Assignee: Liquid Control Corporation
    Inventors: Mark E. Centea, Kenneth L. Miller