Container With Follower Patents (Class 222/386)
  • Patent number: 7056307
    Abstract: The invention concerns a syringe for administering medication to an animal. The syringe includes a handle that may be manually actuated to dispense medication to the animal. The syringe also includes a valve that controls the flow of medication both into and out of the syringe. A sensor device on the syringe monitors when the medication has been administered in order to inform any attached pump that the syringe may be refilled. An LED informs the user when the syringe has been filled with medication and is ready for the administration of medication to the animal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Inventors: James E. Smith, Bobby J. Myers, D. Steve Williams
  • Patent number: 7041172
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controllably dispensing photoresist solutions and other fluids in semiconductor manufacturing equipment from an array of syringe-based fluid dispensers. A multi-syringe fluid dispensing system is provided for photoresist coating within a wafer track coating module. The coating module may contain a spin chuck that is positioned within a catch cup. A robotic dispense arm and gripper assembly may be positioned within the coating module for gripping and positioning a fluid syringe. An array of syringes may be stored on a solution tray within the wafer track coating module for holding a plurality of fluid syringes containing photoresist solutions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: ASML Holding N.V.
    Inventors: Branko Bem, Dikran Babikian
  • Patent number: 7033343
    Abstract: A device for injecting fluid from a pre-filled cartridge is provided. The device includes a needle for piercing a patient. After an injection, the needle can be retracted to prevent inadvertent contact with the contaminated needle. A needle retainer releasably retains the needle in the retracted position. The needle can subsequently be re-extended to administer a subsequent injection. After the cartridge is emptied, the cartridge can be removed, if desired, and replaced with another cartridge for additional injections. Alternatively, the needle can be retracted into the device and safely disposed of in a sharps container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: MDC Investment Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert T. McWethy, John Barker, Thor R. Halseth, Bernardo Challiol
  • Patent number: 7007829
    Abstract: A dessert container has a tube with a piston. The piston includes a food contact member slidably mounted in the tube. The piston also has a hollow rod extending from and suitable for use with the food contact member. With the piston thus mounted in the tube, wherein the hollow rod can apply pressure to the food contact member for the piston, food may be forced out of the end of the tube, which is oppositely disposed from the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Chief Packaging Company, LLC
    Inventors: Martin J. Mueller, Richard W. Mueller
  • Patent number: 7004358
    Abstract: A dispenser has a seal disk (30), a valve member (40), a plunger guide block (50), a motor (3), which rotates a cam-follower guide block (60), and an end cam (5). The seal disk (30) has communication holes (31), (32) and a sliding surface (33). The valve member has a sliding surface (41), three plunger holes (42) and three plungers (80) inserted in the plunger holes. The cam-follower guide block (60) has three guide holes (62) that receive cam followers, which each have a body (70) with a ball (75) within a recess (71). The ball (75) contacts the cam surface (5A) of the cam (5) which causes the cam followers and plungers (80) to move back and forth parallel to the dispenser axis. The coefficient of friction between the ball and the recess is less than that between the ball and the cam surface (5A).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Neuberg Company Limited
    Inventor: Kenji Ogawa
  • Patent number: 7004111
    Abstract: An animal reward dispensing apparatus for attaching to an animal trainer's forearm, the apparatus having a dispensing tube defined about a longitudinal axis, the dispensing tube having at least a first and second attaching straps for attaching the dispensing tube to the animal trainer's forearm. The dispensing tube also having a first and second spaced apart ends defining an interior cavity, and a spring located inside the interior cavity of the dispensing tube and positioned between the first and second ends of the dispensing tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Inventor: Keryl Olson
  • Patent number: 6997357
    Abstract: A discharge device for at least one medium has at least two media reservoir sections positioned rigidly relative to one another and which pass into one another in their interior through a step shoulder. The reservoir sections are formed by two separate hollow bodies that are superimposed over a portion of their length and are tightly interconnected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Ing. Erich Pfeiffer GmbH
    Inventor: Karl-Heinz Fuchs
  • Patent number: 6997399
    Abstract: A spraying system for the application of fertilizer, insecticides, fungicides, etc. to plants, vegetables, small trees and lawns. The spraying system presents several improvements over the original Lacy Sprayer (see U.S. Pat. No. 5,398,852) inclusive an improved bladder attachment and improved bladder design, and a new pressure-limiting flow restrictor to ensure safe operation, and a spray discharge fitting incorporating a porous filter to protect the bladder from excessive stresses. The spray hose is connected to this assembly. The improved system facilitates a method of use in which the tank containing the spray solution is placed stationery in an area to be sprayed. The operator attaches a long (30?+ or ?) small diameter spray hose for remote spraying within a radius permitted by the spray hose. The spraying system avoids the need to pump or to carry a heavy tank while spraying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Inventor: Jack Lacy
  • Patent number: 6997356
    Abstract: Dispensing apparatus is provided for dispensing viscous product from containers (10) of product, usually by extruding product from a container outlet. Product is discharged by a plunger (13) which causes product to be discharged and the plunger is operated by a drive arrangement having a linear actuator (15) by which the plunger is moveable. The linear actuator uses an electric motor as the prime mover and the motor's rotary motion is converted into a linear motion of the plunger. By the use of a linear drive it is possible to achieve constant velocity of movement of the plunger independent of the resistance to movement, within the predetermined limits. The movement of the plunger can be controlled according to the resistance encountered. The apparatus also includes means for removing containers from their seating after discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: McGill Technology Limited
    Inventor: Shane R. McGill
  • Patent number: 6997394
    Abstract: An air freshener dispenser mechanism is incorporated into a door knob whereby when a door is pushed open, air freshener is dispensed into a room in advance of a person entering the room.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Inventor: Evie Washington
  • Patent number: 6994232
    Abstract: A self-venting cartridge (10) for dispensing an extrudable fluid such as ink. The cartridge (10) comprises a cylindrical body (12) for holding the fluid and a plunger (18) for forcing the fluid through a nozzle. The cylindrical body (12) is formed of a wound material and lined internally with a liner material that overlaps itself to form a raised area (34) that is slightly thicker than the surrounding area. The plunger (18) comprises a slightly convex surface (36) and a sidewall (40) that forms a snug fit with the cylindrical body (40). The plunger sidewall (40) and raised area (34) define a channel (A) through which air is automatically vented when the plunger (18) is inserted into the fluid-filled cartridge (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Rebecca Lawson, James Lowry, Wylie H. Hodge
  • Patent number: 6983867
    Abstract: A material dispensing pump includes a drip prevention system and method so as to avoid undesired dripping of the dispensed fluid. In one example, the fluid path is sealed. Positive pressure is applied to the fluid during a dispensing operation to present the fluid to the auger-style pump at a desired rate. Between dispensing operations, or when dispensing is completed, the fluid is placed in suspension, for example by applying a negative pressure, thereby preventing the fluid from being inadvertently released at the dispense tip. In addition, following a dispensing operation, the pump dispensing controller can be programmed to reverse the rotation of the feed screw, in order to draw the material in a reverse direction and to further suspend the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: DL Technology LLC
    Inventor: Jeffrey P. Fugere
  • Patent number: 6981618
    Abstract: A container assembly for a substance to be applied is provided that includes a injector housing, an application tip, and a closure cap. The application tip and the closure cap are alternatively removably securable to the outlet end of the injector housing in a substantially fluid tight disposition. A first indicia is associated with the injector housing and a second indicia is associated with each of the application tip and the closure cap. The second indicia has an identity correspondence with the first indicia such that the presence of both the first indicia on the injector housing and the second indicia on the respective one of the application tip and the closure cap secured to the outlet end of the injector housing confirms that only the appropriate application tip or the appropriate closure cap has been secured to the injector housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: Ivoclar Vivadent AG
    Inventor: Michael Reisinger
  • Patent number: 6972004
    Abstract: A syringe for collecting blood includes a cylinder for sucking blood, two guide slits formed on a rear portion of the cylinder in such a way as to be symmetrical with respect to a midpoint of the guide slits, and a rod-shaped handle provided at a rear end of a piston rod in the cylinder so that the handle is transversely fitted into the guide slits. When a user puts his/her thumb on a rear end of the cylinder and rearwardly draws the handle along the guide slits using his/her index and middle fingers, blood is sucked into the cylinder by a rearward movement of the piston in the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Inventor: Keuk Hwan La
  • Patent number: 6962273
    Abstract: A liquid-dispensing structure includes: an outer cylinder with a one-way valve at its lower end to allow a liquid to flow into the outer cylinder; a hollow piston being slidable inside the outer cylinder and having a pair of liquid-tight portions formed with circular convex portions around its outer circumferential surface in positions apart in an axial direction; and an inner cylinder for dispensing a liquid, which reciprocates inside the outer cylinder so that the piston moves in a piston-sliding area of the inner cylinder having an opening through which the liquid flows. The opening is closed when the piston is at a lower position and is opened when the piston is at an upper position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Inventor: Masatoshi Masuda
  • Patent number: 6957752
    Abstract: A syringe is provided for the delivery of controlled, metered amounts of any of numerous different substances to humans or animals, such as medicaments, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and food products, or to deliver materials which may react upon exposure to air, such as glue. The syringes include a body and a plunger. Means are provided in the syringe body and the plunger to effect controlled movement of the plunger into the syringe to permit delivery of a pre-determined amount of the substance contained in the syringe. A one-way valve is provided at the dispensing tip of the syringe to hermetically seal the portion of the syringe containing the substance to be dispensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Medical Instill Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Py, Norbert M. Assion, Julian V. Chan
  • Patent number: 6945435
    Abstract: A liquid dispensing container capable of dispensing liquid in any orientation, the container having a neck and a body defining a cavity, the cavity having an inner wall and a rearwardly disposed opening. A removable liquid dispensing structure is fluid-tightly disposed on the neck, and a piston is disposed within the cavity and has a peripheral edge disposed in sliding, fluid-tight engagement with the inner wall of the cavity and capable of axial movement caused by negative pressure within the cavity when liquid is dispensed via the dispensing structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Helen of Troy Limited
    Inventor: Alexey Salamini
  • Patent number: 6932242
    Abstract: The syringe pump comprises a housing (10). The operating panel (32) is situated on a swiveling lid (30) on the front side of the housing (10). The lid (30) further comprises a window (34) with a magnifying device (35) through which the user can view the syringe. The invention allows for a miniaturization of the syringe pump in a highly densified modular system. The lid (30) may further include a lighting means for illuminating the syringe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: B. Braun Melsungen AG
    Inventors: Hans-Joseph Gerlach, Martin Sippel
  • Patent number: 6918515
    Abstract: In a liquid container, the dimension of inside diameter of a liquid supply portion is not subject to any restriction, and also a liquid leakage suppressing mechanism that is not subject to any restriction by the viscosity of stored liquid is provided. A liquid container includes a body having a tank for storing a liquid; a supply mechanism which is connected to the tip end portion of the body and has a brush for supplying the liquid; and a drive mechanism for pushing out the liquid L in the tank T to the supply mechanism. A valve which is normally closed and can be opened only when the drive mechanism is operated is provided between the tank and the supply mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Kotobuki & Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshio Noguchi
  • Patent number: 6913464
    Abstract: An applicator tip for applying a composition to a tooth surface includes a structural body having a closed distal end portion and an inlet formed opposite the closed distal end portion. Preferably, but not necessarily, a plurality of fibers coat at least a portion of the closed distal end portion of the applicator tip. The applicator tip includes an axial opening formed within the structural body proximal to the closed distal end portion such that the structural body forms a channel that provides fluidic communication between the inlet and the axial opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Denbur, Inc.
    Inventor: Fari Maissami
  • Patent number: 6902085
    Abstract: The invention concerns a liquid or gel product dispenser, comprising a reservoir (R) supporting a pump body (1) including in its lower part an intake valve (2) and provided with a piston (3) mobile along an axis, defining with said body a metering chamber communicating with at least an ejection orifice defined in an axially mobile dispensing nozzle at the end of the reservoir; said piston is coupled by friction with said dispensing nozzle, which is axially mobile in both directions by manual actuation, relative to said reservoir; said metering chamber comprises a lower section (10a) and an upper section (10b), both sections communicating via a conduit (30) arranged across said piston and a closure valve (5) is arranged between said piston and said nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Rexam Dispensing Systems S.A.S.
    Inventors: Jean-Louis Bougamont, François Nicolle
  • Patent number: 6899254
    Abstract: A dispenser includes a container providing a cavity and a discharge opening at one end. A piston in the cavity has a peripheral wall portion sealing against the inner wall of the container and a centrally disposed passage therethrough. A sealing plug of resiliently deformable material is seated in the passage and has a peripheral flange about the front end adjacent the discharge opening. The flange bears upon the surface of the front wall of the piston about the passage to effect a seal therebetween. A filler push rod bears upon the surface of the sealing plug is movable to move the flange of the plug away from the surface of the piston to allow air to vent through the passage about the periphery of the plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Plas-Pak Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Albert E. Sandholm, Charles M. Frey
  • Patent number: 6880732
    Abstract: The structure of a piston design to be used in a pressurized dispensing container which dispenses product that is loaded at a higher temperature where it is highly flowable but maintained and dispensed at a lower temperature where it is highly viscous. The piston has an annular sidewall with an upper end that maintains a very close tolerance to the can in which it is used. The lower end has a smaller interference fit with the container. Between the upper and lower end is a recess zone that provides a more substantial clearance with the sidewall of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Inventor: Christian T. Scheindel
  • Patent number: 6874657
    Abstract: A method for dispensing a bilogical sealant and a dispensing system for dispensing the biological sealant are described. The dispensing system comprises a dispenser and a plurality of cartridge for delivering a biological sealant to an application site. The sealant is presented as a multi-component liquid sealant, with each component contained in a cartridge comprising a tubular body closed at one end with a pierceable seal and closed at the other end by a piston element movable axially within the tubular body. The dispenser coprises a plurality of recesses to receive respective cartridges containing the components of the sealant. Each recess includes means to establish a fluid connection with the cartridge placed within the recess. The dispenser further comprises means for engaging the piston elements of the cartridges to move the piston element axially so as to expel the sealant components. Ducting within the dispenser leads the sealant components to a dispensing point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: ZLB Behring GmbH
    Inventors: Hubert J. Metzner, Stewart Madison Fox
  • Patent number: 6874661
    Abstract: A cap member for a dual-compartment adhesive dispensing cartridge comprises a pair of dependent plugs, the cap member is initially integrally secured upon an upper end portion of a dispensing outlet portion by frangible connections which are defined between the plugs and upper end portions of a pair of dispensing conduits that are defined within the dispensing outlet portion by a divider wall. In addition, an axially oriented web member extends upwardly from a central region of the dispensing outlet portion, and the cap member is integrally secured to the upper extremity of the web member by another frangible connection. In this manner, when the cap member is to be separated from the dispensing cartridge, the integral connection defined between the cap member and the web member effectively serves as a pivotal fulcrum about which the cap member can be pivoted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Mark S. Timmerman, James E. Surjan, Richard P. Babrowski
  • Patent number: 6866163
    Abstract: Dispensing apparatus is provided for dispensing viscous product from containers (10) of product, usually by extruding product from a container outlet. Product is discharged by a plunger (13) which causes product to be discharged and the plunger is operated by a drive arrangement having a linear actuator (15) by which the plunger is moveable. The linear actuator uses an electric motor as the prime mover and the motor's rotary motion is converted into a linear motion of the plunger. By the use of a linear drive it is possible to achieve constant velocity of movement of the plunger independent of the resistance to movement, within the predetermined limits. The movement of the plunger can be controlled according to the resistance encountered. The apparatus also includes means for removing containers from their seating after discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: McGill Technology Limited
    Inventor: Shane R. McGill
  • Patent number: 6860696
    Abstract: A system and method for unloading a viscous product from a bag constrained by a bin where movable scrapers are utilized to increase the amount of product evacuated from the bag, to prevent damage to the bag containing the product, and to ease removal of the pump after pumping is complete by breaking the vacuum created during pumping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Inventor: Alberto Bazan
  • Patent number: 6837865
    Abstract: An implant syringe including a guide sleeve which has seated therein a syringe needle arrangement composed of a syringe needle, a needle holder, a grip member and a preparation receiving member. The syringe needle arrangement is blocked in an initial state by two spring arms that are cut out from the guide sleeve and obliquely project inwards such that they rest on a rear wall of the syringe needle arrangement. When the plunger of the implant syringe is pushed forwards to advance the preparation up to the head end of the syringe, a sleeve which is connected to the plunger abuts on the spring arms and bends them outwards, whereby the syringe needle arrangement can be retracted. The two operations are carried out without changing the position of the hand, thereby simplifying the handling of the implant syringe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Gaplast GmbH
    Inventor: Roland Kneer
  • Patent number: 6832733
    Abstract: An ultra small quantity fluid dispenser having a needle like dispense tip terminating in an orifice is provided with an interior lumen diameter increasing counterbore at the orifice to reduce wicking of fluid being dispensed. A wicking wire may be positioned in the lumen extending from the orifice, the wire having a smaller diameter than the lumen resists wetting of the exterior of the nozzle tip by fluid being dispensed by the orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Inventor: Harold J. Engel
  • Publication number: 20040245285
    Abstract: The specification and drawings describe and show various embodiments of the present invention in the form of a animal with provisions for inserting a removable syringe through a part of an animal shaped toy, such as a dog, cat, teddy bear or similar animals. The apparatus can be used to administer medicine to those orally or by injection, depending on the type of syringe used with the toy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2003
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Inventor: Katherine Jude McLaughlin
  • Publication number: 20040238575
    Abstract: A self-venting cartridge (10) for dispensing an extrudable fluid such as ink. The cartridge (10) comprises a cylindrical body (12) for holding the fluid and a plunger (18) for forcing the fluid through a nozzle. The cylindrical body (12) is formed of a wound material and lined internally with a liner material that overlaps itself to form a raised area (34) that is slightly thicker than the surrounding area. The plunger (18) comprises a slightly convex surface (36) and a sidewall (40) that forms a snug fit with the cylindrical body (40). The plunger sidewall (40) and raised area (34) define a channel (A) through which air is automatically vented when the plunger (18) is inserted into the fluid-filled cartridge (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2004
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Inventors: Rebecca Lawson, James Lowry, Wylie H. Hodge
  • Patent number: 6820776
    Abstract: A device for dispensing solid material from a tube having a longitudinally displaceable internal piston moved by an externally operated spindle threading through the piston. At its base the spindle has a narrowed, non-threaded region, such that when the piston is fully withdrawn into the tube, the threads of the spindle and piston slip if the spindle continues to be rotated. To prevent the piston threads from completely disengaging the spindle threads, the spindle's non-threaded region is shorter than the piston's internal threads. In this way, the spindle will not break even if it continues to be rotated after the piston is fully withdrawn into the tube, yet it readily engages the piston threads when turned in the opposite direction to displace the piston towards the dispensing end of the tube. Thus the device as a whole remains reliably usable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Henkel Kommanditgesellschaft auf Aktien
    Inventors: Christian Hemming, Paul Simeria
  • Patent number: 6810803
    Abstract: A stencil printing ink container comprises a cylinder, an area of one end of the cylinder, which area is other than an ink discharge opening section, being closed with an end wall, the other end of the cylinder being open, and a piston, which undergoes a sliding movement in an axial direction of the cylinder and along its inner circumferential surface. The ink container is filled with ink having a viscosity of at most 7.5 Pa·s with respect to a shear rate of 100 sec−1 and at 23° C. and satisfies a specific relationship among an inside radius of the cylinder, an inside radius of the ink discharge opening section, a length of the ink discharge opening section, a weight of the ink filled in the ink container, a sliding movement starting load of the piston, and the viscosity of the ink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Riso Kagaku Corporation
    Inventors: Hirohide Hashimoto, Masakatsu Arai, Kenichi Oshio
  • Patent number: 6811056
    Abstract: Device designed to supply water to aircraft galleys. The device operates simply, autonomously and independently and is provided with a simple structure. The device comprises a system which supplies a quantity of pressurized water from bladder tank of a container, consisting of a receptacle and a cover, and which recovers an equivalent or greater quantity of contaminated water in bladder tank of the same container. In this way, there is no longer an outflow of water. The device requires no electrical or pneumatic pump. The pressure in the water circuit is generated by the spring which is compressed in the container when bladder tank is being filled with drinking water and which acts on the piston, which in turn compresses the bladder tank. The water circuits are reduced to a minimum. The device is installed in a pressurized area and eliminates all frost-related risks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Inventor: André Gabes
  • Patent number: 6802437
    Abstract: The container of the present invention stores viscous substances in a sealed environment and is easily transportable. The contents of the container can be easily extracted completely without any tools or contact with the user. The container is an elongated housing with one or more opening near its ends and with one or more piston with approximately the same profile and dimension as the cross sectional profile of the interior of the elongated housing enclosed in the container that will slide along the length of the elongated housing when urged and extract the contents of the container completely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Inventor: Garry Tsaur
  • Publication number: 20040195275
    Abstract: A thrust bearing assembly is described that includes a self-aligning thrust bearing used in fluid thrust assemblies where the thrust may become unevenly distributed, e.g. in a water jet propulsion unit. The thrust bearing is designed to be lubricated by water and to be self-aligning against uneven thrust forces applied to it. The self-alignment is achieved by the design of the bearing, which is in the form of an annular multi-layer plate. The bearing plate comprises a metallic central core layer, an interface layer of marine bearing material on one side of the core and a flexible backing layer on the other side of the core. The backing layer supports the thrust flange against a support face and is formed of a high resilience polymer material capable of being deformed under thrust action sufficiently to align the thrust bearing to correct for uneven thrust.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventors: George A. Thomson, Keith Laskey
  • Publication number: 20040195276
    Abstract: 1. Discharge device for at least one medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventor: Karl-Heinz Fuchs
  • Publication number: 20040195274
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a dispenser that comprises a seal disk (30), a valve member (40), a plunger guide block (50), a cam-follower guide block (60), a motor (3), and an end cam (5). The seal disk (30) has communication holes (31), (32) and a sliding surface (33). The valve member (40) has a sliding surface (41), three plunger holes (42) and three plungers (80) inserted in the plunger holes (42). The cam-follower guide block (60) has three guide holes (62) in which cam followers are inserted. The motor (3) rotates the cam-follower guide block (60). Each cam follower has a body (70) having a semispherical recess (71) and a ball (75) held in the recess (71) and contacting the cam surface (5A) of the cam (5). The coefficient of friction between the ball (75) and the recess (71) is smaller than the coefficient of friction between the ball (75) and the cam surface (5A).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2003
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventor: Kenji Ogawa
  • Publication number: 20040195273
    Abstract: A removable safety cap (10) for use with an ink cartridge or other fluid holding container having a nozzle (34) extending from the dispensing end. The safety cap (10) prevents the flow of ink out of the cartridge or, if ink escapes past the dispensing nozzle seal, prevents the flow of ink outside the cap (10). The cap (10) also enables the ink cartridge to be set upright with the dispensing end down without the need for a nest or fixture to help support the cartridge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventor: Keith Antal Sr.
  • Patent number: 6799698
    Abstract: A liquid material supply system includes a plunger pump, a flow regulating valve, an air-operated valve, a spring type accumulator and a dispenser. The plunger pump is connected to the flow regulating valve by a primary supply line. The flow regulating valve is connected to the dispenser by a secondary supply line. The on-off valve is connected to the secondary supply line. The accumulator is connected to the secondary supply line between the on-off valve and the dispenser. A pressure sensor detects the pressure substantially at the inlet port of the dispenser. This pressure is the basis for controlling the operation of the air-operated valve through an electromagnetic valve. The second chamber of the accumulator can store part of the liquid material supplied through the secondary supply line. The second chamber varies in volume with the balance between the force of the accumulator spring and the pressure in the secondary supply line so as to relax the pressure fluctuation in this line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: Heishin Sobi Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Sumio Ono, Hisatoshi Izumi, Satoru Kurahashi, Yoshihiro Sugino, Nobuhisa Suhara
  • Publication number: 20040188472
    Abstract: A paint conduit has a conduit wall enclosing an interior and a cleaning device that has a hose arranged in the interior and a pressurized fluid source connected to the hose. The hose is expandable at least in a radial direction of the hose and is inflated by the pressurized fluid source to displace the paint, present in the paint conduit, from the paint conduit when new paint is to be conveyed through the paint conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Applicant: LacTec Gesellschaft fur moderne Lackiertechnik mbH
    Inventor: Winfried Ott
  • Patent number: 6796460
    Abstract: A cartridge for fluid material comprises a tubular receiver and a plunger. The tubular receiver is provided at its front end portion with an outlet opening. The plunger is disposed in the tubular receiver at its rear end portion so as to be slidable therein. The tubular receiver is formed of a thin film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignees: Hosokawa Yoko Co., LTD, Kabushiki Kaisha Polymer Systems
    Inventors: Tooru Ichikawa, Youji Tanaka, Satoru Kimura, Masahiro Ito
  • Patent number: 6796966
    Abstract: The invention relates to compositions, methods, apparatus, and kits for alleviating or preventing vasoconstriction or vasospasm in a mammal. The compositions, methods, apparatus, and kits are also useful for alleviating or preventing ischemic tissue damage resulting from ischemia associated with cerebral vasoconstriction which follows aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage, with embolic stroke, with coronary artery obstruction, and with other conditions. These compositions, methods, apparatus, and kits generally relate to adventitial (i.e., extra-luminal) administration of a nitric oxide donor compound to a blood vessel in a mammal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Inventor: Jeffrey E. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20040182887
    Abstract: A dispenser has a syringe having a nozzle at one end thereof and a plunger fitted in the syringe from the other end of the syringe. One end of a pipe is connected to a portion of the syringe between the one end and the other end of the syringe. A liquid material tank is connected to the other end of the pipe. The liquid material tank is arranged so that a level of the liquid material in the liquid material tank is higher than in the syringe. The dispenser can be used for drip injection method for producing a liquid crystal display device to stably drip droplets of a liquid crystal onto a substrate of a liquid crystal display device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2004
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Applicant: FUJITSU DISPLAY TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Sugimura, Satoshi Murata, Tetsuya Kida, Shota Makimoto
  • Patent number: 6789699
    Abstract: An apparatus for containing a fluid, said apparatus comprising (d) at least two internal chambers, (f) a fluid product line leading from each chamber to (g) a junction for product lines from at least two of said chambers to produce a mixed product, (h) means for delivering a desired ratio of fluid products in said mixed fluid product, (i) an exit line from said junction for said mixed fluid product, and (j) means for reversibly closing said exit line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: BP Oil International Limited
    Inventors: Alisdair Quentin Clark, Harry Read
  • Patent number: 6789750
    Abstract: A fluid dispenser device comprising a reservoir (10) containing one or more doses of fluid, a dispensing orifice (20), and a dispensing member (30), said device being characterized in that said reservoir is of the syringe type (10) having a hollow tube (11) provided with an upstream opening (12) and with a downstream opening (13), said upstream opening (12) being provided with a piston (40) which, at rest, forms a leaktight stopper, and which co-operates with an actuating rod (30) forming the dispensing member, and said downstream opening (13) being provided with an end-piece (50) firstly incorporating closure means (51) for forming a leaktight stopper at rest, and secondly adapted to define a spray profile (55) when the device is actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Valois S.A.
    Inventor: Frédéric Heldt
  • Publication number: 20040173641
    Abstract: A liquid dispensing device includes at least one piston pump (7), which sucks liquid to be dispensed from a container in a filling cycle and applies the liquid to a target in an emptying cycle and which is driven by an actuator comprising an actuating element (1) that is arranged to move a piston rod (2) between two extreme positions, and a gripper (3) attached to the actuating means (1), which gripper is able to engage with the piston rod (2) so as to move it along with the actuating element. The gripper (3) is made able to engage with the piston rod (2) only in its first extreme position and arranged to disengage automatically from the piston rod in its second extreme position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Inventor: Pentti Airaksinen
  • Publication number: 20040164091
    Abstract: A liquid material supply system includes a plunger pump, a flow regulating valve, an air-operated valve, a spring type accumulator and a dispenser. The plunger pump is connected to the flow regulating valve by a primary supply line. The flow regulating valve is connected to the dispenser by a secondary supply line. The on-off valve is connected to the secondary supply line. The accumulator is connected to the secondary supply line between the on-off valve and the dispenser. A pressure sensor detects the pressure substantially at the inlet port of the dispenser. This pressure is the basic for controlling the operation of the air-operated valve through an electromagnetic valve. The second chamber of the accumulator can store part of the liquid material supplied through the secondary supply line. The second chamber varies in volume with the balance between the force of the accumulator spring and the pressure in the secondary supply line so as to relax the pressure fluctuation in this line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2003
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Applicant: HEISHIN SOBI KABUSHIKI KAISHA (D/B/A HEISHIN LTD.)
    Inventors: Sumio Ono, Hisatoshi Izumi, Satoru Kurahashi, Yoshihiro Sugino, Nobuhisa Suhara
  • Patent number: 6776309
    Abstract: Pump systems are provided which allow for highly-accurate dose control. The pump systems may be provided with a valve stem or a piston, either having a constant-diameter stroke portion interposed between reduced-diameter portions. At least one stationary sealing member immovably affixed to a pump body is also provided formed to sealingly engage the stroke portion of the valve stem or the piston. The sealing member is also formed to not engage the reduced-diameter portions. As such, the volume of the administered dose is controlled by the stroke length, which, in turn, is a function of the dimensioning of the constant-diameter stroke portion and the dimensioning of the sealing member. Advantageously, with the subject invention, a minimal number of tolerances can be implicated in controlling dosing volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Ben Z. Cohen
    Inventor: Robert S. Schultz
  • Publication number: 20040155060
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device that is designed to supply water to aircraft galleys. The inventive device operates simply, autonomously and independently and is provided with a simple structure. Said device is characterized in that it comprises a system which supplies a quantity of pressurized water from bladder tank I of a container, consisting of a receptacle (1) and a cover (2), and which recovers an equivalent or greater quantity of contaminated water in bladder tank S of the same container. In this way, there is no longer an outflow of water. The invention requires no electrical or pneumatic pump. The pressure in the water circuit is generated by the spring (4) which is compressed in the container when bladder tank I is being filled with drinking water and which acts on the piston (3), which in turn compresses L The water circuits are reduced to a minimum. The inventive device is installed in a pressurized area and eliminates all frost-related risks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2004
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventor: Andre Gabes