Reciprocating (including Oscillating) Patents (Class 222/409)
  • Patent number: 11858145
    Abstract: A piled grain surface management robot comprises an auger-based drive system, a memory, and a processor coupled with the memory. The processor is configured to control movement of the robot via the auger-based drive system. The processor is also configured to direct a traversal of a surface of piled grain in a bulk store, wherein a crust layer of the surface is broken up by auger rotation of the auger-based drive system during the traversal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Grain Weevil Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin H. Johnson, Chad E. Johnson, Zane Zents
  • Patent number: 11402768
    Abstract: A print material cartridge (215) that includes a reservoir to maintain an amount of print material (Toner) therein; an agitator (230) formed within the reservoir to fragment clumps of print material present in the reservoir; and a tab (235) mechanically coupled to the agitator via a gear system (240), the tab extending out of a housing of the print material cartridge to activate the agitator as the print material cartridge is being interfaced with a printing device (205, 410).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Andie Zoeller Weyant, Jeffrey Harold Luke
  • Patent number: 11339771
    Abstract: A fuel injection pump includes a cylinder formed with a passage of fuel, a plunger, and a swirl flow generating par. The plunger slides along an inner wall of a sliding hole located in the cylinder and reciprocates between an uppermost point and a lowermost point to pressurize the fuel in a pressurizing chamber placed at an end of the sliding hole at a highest point. The plunger is movable downward to cause the pressurizing chamber to inhale the fuel from an intake passage in a fuel suction stroke. The intake passage is communicated to the pressurizing chamber at a lateral side of a plunger axis that is an axis of the plunger in a sliding direction. The swirl flow generating part guides the fuel to form a swirl flow around the plunger axis in the fuel suction stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yuji Kitagawa
  • Patent number: 10642189
    Abstract: A developer container unit to be mounted in an image forming apparatus that performs an image forming operation comprises a frame and a sealing unit. The frame is provided with a developer containing chamber containing developer and an opening for discharging the developer from the developer containing chamber. The sealing unit includes a shaft member rotatable about a rotational axis and a sealing portion attached to the shaft member and compressed by the shaft member and the frame to seal the opening. The sealing unit is rotatable to a close position at which the sealing portion seals the opening, a first open position at which the opening is open, and a second open position at which the opening is open. The sealing unit agitates the developer by executing a reciprocating motion between the first and second open positions during the image forming operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koji Yamaguchi, Fumito Nonaka, Hiroki Ogino, Hiroomi Matsuzaki, Shunsuke Uratani
  • Patent number: 8960505
    Abstract: The device for the quantitatively regulated delivery of bulk product includes a supply tank for the bulk product and a slider element, which forms the boundary of an outlet gap on one side. The slider element comprises on its front end an elastic, U-shaped loop, the upper part of which is fixed in position, whereas a rear portion of the lower part of the loop is connected to a linear drive. The linear drive can be used both to adjust the width of the outlet gap by translational movement of the lower section of the loop and to produce a small-amplitude back-and-forth movement of the lower section of the loop. In this way, it is possible to release bulk product of various shapes and sizes reliably and without damage in a quantitatively regulated manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Uhlmann Pac-Systeme GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Detlev Gertitschke, Robert Lehmann, Joachim Noe
  • Patent number: 8955724
    Abstract: A dispensing pump, and more particularly, a valve impact type dispensing pump that may be used in a process of manufacturing an electronic product and may dispense an accurate amount of a liquid, such as a liquid synthetic resin, at high speed. The present invention provides a valve impact type dispensing pump that can descend a valve rod at high speed and thus can dispense a liquid with high viscosity at high speed. The valve impact type dispensing pump can dispense an accurate amount of a liquid at high speed. Also, the valve impact type dispensing pump can dispense a liquid having high viscosity at high speed due to a fast descending speed of a valve rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Protec Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seung Min Hong, IL Kang
  • Patent number: 8936181
    Abstract: A dispensing pump, and more particularly, a valve accelerating type dispensing pump that may be used in a process of manufacturing an electronic product and may dispense an accurate amount of a liquid, such as a liquid synthetic resin, at high speed. The present invention provides a valve accelerating type dispensing pump that can descend a valve rod at high speed and thus can dispense a liquid with high viscosity at high speed. The valve accelerating type dispensing pump can dispense an accurate amount of a liquid at high speed. Also, the valve accelerating type dispensing pump can dispense a liquid having high viscosity at high speed due to a fast descending speed of a valve rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Protec Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seung Min Hong, Il Kang
  • Patent number: 8857674
    Abstract: A pump driver, a disposable pump cartridge for use with the pump driver and a beverage dispenser employing the pump drive are disclosed. The disposable pump cartridge comprises at least one barrel 20 having an inlet valve 24 and an outlet valve 26 associated therewith. A piston 28 movable within the barrel 20 is retained in a minimum volume position during transit by a protrusion 22 on the internal surface of the barrel 20. The piston 20 has a piston shaft 28 with a hollow end arranged, in use, to releasably engage a piston driver to drive the piston 28 from its minimum volume position to an operative position, and to reciprocate the piston 28 within the barrel 20 in its operative position to draw fluid into and pump fluid from the barrel 20 via the inlet valve 24 and outlet valve 26 respectively. Methods of engaging, disengaging and changing the disposable pump cartridge are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Cornelius, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard John Nighy, Daniel Peterson Godfrey, Lucy Ann Sheldon, Nicholas Martin Broadbent, Sam Gilbert Willis
  • Patent number: 8763860
    Abstract: The liquid material ejector has a liquid material supply port through which the liquid material is supplied, a nozzle for ejecting the liquid material, a valve block having a metering bore to be filled with the ejected liquid material and a liquid material supply channel communicating with the liquid material supply port, a selector valve having a first channel for allowing communication between the metering bore and the liquid material supply channel and a second channel for allowing communication between the metering bore and the nozzle, a plunger advancing and retracting in the metering bore, a plunger driving section for driving the plunger, a valve driving section for driving the selector valve, and a transmission section for transmitting driving power from the valve driving section to the selector valve. The plunger driving section, the valve driving section, and the valve block are arranged successively in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Musashi Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Kazumasa Ikushima
  • Patent number: 8459981
    Abstract: The present invention is related to a quantitative powder-providing module, adaptive to a 3D prototyping mechanism, at least includes: a powder-providing tank, which is used for storing a constructive powder and having a powder-dropping opening; and a powder-propelling roller located inside the powder-providing tank and having a plurality of recesses for receiving the constructive powder; when one of the plurality of recesses corresponds to the powder-dropping opening, the constructive powder received in the corresponding recess is output through the powder-dropping opening; wherein each of the plurality of recesses has plural sections, and the amount of powder received in each of the plural sections of the recess is increased from the center of the recess, toward the two sides of the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Microjet Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ke Ming Huang, Kwo Yuan Shi
  • Publication number: 20130112717
    Abstract: A liquid dispensing device with ratchet is provided with a container, a transmission assembly, a dispensing assembly, and a cap. A pulling of the cap away from the container bounces a carrier and unblocks an inlet opening. A further turning of the sleeve toward a predetermined direction co-rotates both the rotation ring and the externally threaded pipe to move the plunger toward bottom of the container along the externally threaded pipe in order to push the liquid to flow to the application head via the channel, the inlet opening, and the passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: ALLEN & THOMAS COSMETIC ACCESSORIES CO., LTD.
    Inventor: LI-MEI LIU
  • Patent number: 8323582
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a device for quantitatively supplying a liquid in a plasma sterilization system. The device includes a quantitative cylinder, a quantitative piston and a quantitative basket. The quantitative cylinder includes a quantitative inlet pipe, which is configured such that the outlet of a liquid container is inserted thereinto, and a liquid in the liquid container is vertically supplied to the quantitative cylinder, and a quantitative outlet pipe, which is configured such that the liquid is vertically drained from the quantitative cylinder. The quantitative piston is configured to rectilinearly reciprocate in the quantitative cylinder, and is provided with a quantitative transfer depression, which is formed in the leading end thereof to a predetermined depth. The quantitative basket is configured to quantitatively receive the liquid according to the rectilinear reciprocation of the quantitative piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Human Meditek Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jung Suek Ko
  • Publication number: 20120160879
    Abstract: A foam dispenser having an actuator and a dispenser housing. The actuator releasably mates with a pomp of a refill unit and is moveable from a first position to a second position. Wherein the second position is further from the refill unit than the first position. Movement of the actuator from the first position to the second position causes the foam dispenser to dispense foam when a refill unit is inserted in the foam dispenser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: GOJO INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Nick E. Ciavarella, David D. Hayes
  • Publication number: 20120104047
    Abstract: A composition to relieve itch, pain and swelling associated with a bite or sting, comprising a proteolytic enzyme dissolved in water, an anti-bacterial agent, and a pH lowering agent. The composition is in a dispensing container, and is devoid of other ingredients that may mask the effectiveness of the enzyme. In one form a liquid propellant floats on the composition and a dip tube extends from a discharge valve into the composition. In another form, a piston separates the composition from a pressurized gaseous propellant. In another form, the composition is in a bag in the container and pressurized gaseous propellant surrounds the bag. In a further form the bag is an elastic material that exerts pressure on the composition. In other forms the container is a single use bladder or pouch. The proteolytic enzyme preferably is a meat tenderizer such as Papain or Bromelain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventor: Walter K. Lim
  • Publication number: 20120104051
    Abstract: A piston pump dispenser in which a volume in a compartment defined inside a piston chamber-forming member and between axially spaced discs on a piston varies with movement of the piston in a cycle of operation due to the piston having a portion between the discs which varies in length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: Gotohti.Com Inc.
    Inventors: Heiner Ophardt, Ali Mirbach
  • Publication number: 20120104050
    Abstract: A manual device, in particular for dental use, for dispensing a pasty filler, the viscosity of which may be reduced by the introduction of vibrational energy, comprises a device housing, a detachable container for the pasty filler that comprises an outlet nozzle at a front end thereof, vibration generation means with an oscillating body, and pressure generating means for exerting pressure on the pasty filler, wherein the vibration body is detachably connected to the container in a middle region thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: Kaltenbach & Voigt GmbH
    Inventor: Walter Mössle
  • Publication number: 20110309035
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for conducting supercritical wet oxidation reactions wherein any precipitated solids do not contact the solid side walls of the containment vessel so as to prevent any of these precipitated solids from adhering to or corrode the vessel walls is provided. To do this, a controlled, continuous flow of clean fluid, preferably under supercritical conditions, is introduced to the process so as to form a film-like, clean fluid surface between the physical containment vessel walls and the supercritical wet oxidation reactants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Inventor: James TITMAS
  • Publication number: 20110222953
    Abstract: The invention relates to a liquid supply device utilizing a rotating cam mechanism for supplying a liquid. In the liquid supply device for smoothly supplying a liquid with the assistance of pressurizing action, switching operation by the rotating cam mechanism can be carried out reliably. A liquid housing tube 14 housing a liquid is disposed to be movable in an axial direction in an outer shaft and has a tip end chip 32 movable between a protruding position from a tip end of the outer shaft and a retracting position in the outer shaft. A rotating cam mechanism 16 which can move the liquid housing tube 14 forward and backward includes a rotating cam 40 movable between a front position and a rear position and a pressurizing space 18 to be compressed to be able to pressurize an inside of the liquid housing tube 14 when the tip end chip 32 is in the protruding position is provided in a rear portion in the rotating cam 40.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2009
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Inventor: Yoshio Noguchi
  • Publication number: 20110139814
    Abstract: A filling apparatus for serially filling multiple lanes of containers includes a plurality of piston pumps which receive flowable product from an associated source. Each pump includes a reciprocably movable pump piston, which can “float” upwardly during a filling stroke, as each pump is filled with product delivered thereto under pressure. The pump pistons can move upwardly independently, until each reaches a predetermined position, corresponding to the quantity of product with which each container is to be filled. After all of the pistons reach their respective predetermined positions, valves of the pumps are simultaneously operated, and the pistons simultaneously stroked so that respective containers are filled with the flowable product. The multiple lanes of containers are thereafter indexed, and the filling cycle repeated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2009
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Inventors: Martin J. Mueller, Michael A. Weigandt
  • Publication number: 20100212764
    Abstract: Apparatus for adding liquid fertilizer to a water line of a sprinkler system includes a mechanical injector device powered by a paddle wheel turned by water flowing through the water line. As the paddle wheel is turned, liquid fertilizer can be advantageously mixed with the irrigation water or other fluid. The fertilizer reservoir can be positioned on the upper portion of the injector apparatus and can include an inlet connection and a button used to hydraulically prime the system. The fertilizer may be fed into the reservoir via tubing from a separately contained fertilizer source. In some embodiments, an inlet nozzle may increase the inlet velocity of the water, thereby permitting the paddle wheel to operate over a greater flow rate range. The tubing or other conduit can be connected to the fertilizer source container via a quick-connect fitting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicant: Fertile Earch orp.
    Inventors: Glen Grizzle, Dave Morton, Dwight Johnson
  • Publication number: 20100178429
    Abstract: A dispensing container apparatus having a tubular container with a bottom end and a rotatable annular upper end connected to a tubular shaft, and a compression member associated with the tubular shaft which causes a material disposed within the containment region to communicate into the tubular shaft or into a containing area upon rotation of the rotatable annular upper end. A brush applicator removably fits into an open end of the tubular shaft for receiving paste to be dispensed via brush application. Also, the container apparatus includes a top member having paste-access holes sized and adapted to closely receive different threaded shaft sizes of fasteners. In one form, the top member is partially rotatable for closing the holes, and then further rotatable for moving the piston (and hence paste) within the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2009
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Inventor: Randolph Scott Presley
  • Patent number: 7665636
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for dispensing fluids, especially particulate matter, from a supply bin. The apparatus includes a plough that is movable at least partially in and out of the bin and which, when retracted, closes a matching aperture in the bin, whereby there is an adequate quantity of fluid above the plough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Inventors: Ingo Ederer, Stefan Hühn
  • Publication number: 20090236366
    Abstract: A liquid material ejector which is adaptable for a liquid material of any viscosity, which has a structure where any part of the ejector has neither unnecessary projection nor extension in the horizontal direction with respect to the advancing/retracting direction of a plunger, and which enables a plurality of ejectors to be arranged side by side in a closely adjacent relation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2006
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: MUSASHI ENGINEERING, INC.
    Inventor: Kazumasa Ikushima
  • Patent number: 7416096
    Abstract: A container of liquid color material has a diaphragm liquid color pump located therewithin for providing liquid color from the container and non-drip apparatus for releaseably connecting the container with a blender for supply of liquid color thereto and methods for pumping and supplying liquid color incorporating the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Inventor: Stephen B. Maguire
  • Publication number: 20080028802
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a receiver for a laundry product having a tap, laundry appliances comprising one or more receivers for one or more laundry products each having a tap and methods thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2007
    Publication date: February 7, 2008
    Inventors: Glenn Thomas Jordan, Jeremy Todd Kempin
  • Patent number: 7281642
    Abstract: A squirting toy is comprised of a cylindrical housing and a piston that slides within to force water into or out of the housing via a hole therein. The housing is encased within a polyethylene closed cell foam shell. The shell is non-absorbing, so that the foam remains buoyant and keeps the gun afloat indefinitely when left in water. The foam is soft, so that the gun is not a safety hazard when left floating in a swimming pool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: Prime Time Toys, Ltd.
    Inventor: Boguslaw Orlowski
  • Patent number: 7278555
    Abstract: A dispensing apparatus is provided for dispensing viscous product from containers of product, usually by extruding product from a container outlet. Product is discharged by a plunger which causes product to be discharged, and the plunger is operated by a drive arrangement having a linear actuator by which the plunger is movable. 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: November 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: McGill Technology Limited
    Inventor: Shane R. McGill
  • Publication number: 20070221686
    Abstract: Disclosed is A liquid pump dispenser. A fluid path opening and closing section has a rod-shaped body part which is installed in a discharge guide path and a sliding guide groove of a push button, a wing part which is formed around the body part to be brought into close contact with an inner surface of the sliding guide groove, and a return spring which is disposed in the sliding guide groove to bias the wing part toward the discharge guide path. The body part is retracted to an opening position for opening the discharge guide path with respect to the outside by pressure applied from pumped liquid entering the discharge guide path to the wing part and is extended to a closing position for closing the discharge guide path with respect to the outside by pressure applied from the return spring to the wing part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2006
    Publication date: September 27, 2007
    Inventor: Hae Dong Bae
  • 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: 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: 6347729
    Abstract: A hose coupling apparatus for removably coupling a hose to a discharge opening of a spray unit includes an elongate hose retainer having a plug end and a stem end. The hose retainer defines a longitudinal fluid passageway extending therethrough from the plug end to the stem end. The plug end is configured for being received within the discharge opening of the spray unit. The stem end is configured for being coupled to the hose. At least one locking tab is disposed intermediate the plug end and the stem end. Each of the at least one locking tab is configured for being disposed within a corresponding slot defined by a neck which surrounds the discharge opening of the spray unit, thereby precluding rotation of the hose retainer relative to the neck. A hose nut defines a hose bore therethrough. The hose bore is configured for receiving the hose such that the hose nut is slidable over the hose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: Chapin Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Clark F. Spriegel
  • Patent number: 6319532
    Abstract: A method for food extrusion comprising the steps of: a) releasably installing an extrusion container having generally elliptically shaped open cavity with a frustro-conical shaped bottom terminated by a circular outlet on a base plate of an extrusion assembly; b) placing a food product to fill the cavity of the extrusion container, the food product including at least one soft constituent such as soft ice cream and the like; c) activating an elliptically frustro-conical shaped piston via a manual arm by applying pressure on the piston to downwardly push the food product contained in the cavity of the extrusion container, the piston being coaxial to the cavity and adapted to slidably engage the same; d) extruding the food product by providing circular downward flowing of the same with variable speed through the cavity down to the outlet of the extrusion container while performing a blending of air into the food product and twisting of the same; and e) collecting the food product being extruded from the containe
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Inventor: Marcel Pineault
  • Patent number: 6111206
    Abstract: A method and apparatus of supplying material from a storage hopper (12) to a weighing hopper (16) where the material is fed at a controllable rate by a sliding plate member (104) that acts as a shutter for the storage hopper (12), which includes an aperture (154) for receiving material gravity fed from the storage hopper (12). As the plate (104) is reciprocated horizontally at a preselected frequency, material is conveyed at a controlled rate from the storage hopper (12) to the weighing hopper (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Inventor: Stephen B. Maguire
  • 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: 5996903
    Abstract: An ultrasonic atomizer utilizing surface acoustic waves is disclosed. The atomizer comprises an oscillator (11) generating surface acoustic waves, and a porous thin plate (12a) having a number of through holes arranged on n oscillating surface of the oscillator with a small clearance. A liquid (19) in a liquid container (18) is aspirated into the small clearance part between the oscillator and the porous thin plate by vibration by the surface acoustic waves or by capillarity. Vibration of the surface acoustic waves is transmitted to the porous thin plate (12a) through the liquid in the small clearance part, and a small quantity of liquid penetrating into holes of this thin plate is atomized by the vibration and sprayed to the exterior. According to this atomizer, it is possible to perform atomization by employing a battery of small power, and the balance between the supply quantity of the liquid and the atomization quantity can be kept excellent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventors: Kei Asai, Takanobu Yamauchi
  • Patent number: 5978632
    Abstract: The invention is characterized by efficiently and quickly loosening an aggregation of toner material formed in a toner cartridge. A toner cartridge has an L-shaped toner agitating member disposed in a main body thereof having a discharge port for feeding toner at the front surface of the main body. Since the toner agitating member is supported so as to pivot like a conical pendulum, a support pin fixed to a bottom surface of the main body passes through a through hole having a greater diameter than that of the support pin. The support pin has an engagement portion attached thereto for prevention of disengagement of the toner agitating member therefrom. A plate-like portion of the toner agitating member defines an agitating plate, a distal end of which extends toward the discharge port of the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takahiko Kimura, Hideji Saiko, Yoshiaki Sanada, Jun Yamaguchi, Eiji Sato, Yasuyuki Ishiguro
  • Patent number: 5843513
    Abstract: An apparatus for preparing reduced-fat meat by injecting dry solids such as phosphate powder into a flow of meat supply, includes a passageway for passing the meat therethrough, a ram chamber having a feed ram such that the feed ram is capable of being positioned in any one of a feed position and a fill position, the ram chamber having a particulate opening for entry of dry solids into the ram chamber, and a feed port providing a path for the feeding of the dry solids into the passageway. A control gate is placed generally along the passageway wherein it is capable of opening and closing the feed port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: Kraft Foods, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel B. Wilke, Ralph H. Bethke, Bonnie M. Hinze
  • Patent number: 5647508
    Abstract: A container display stand and containers therefore is provided including a horizontally disposed display stand capable of supporting a number of dispensing chambers and associated containers. The top wall of the display stand is angled downward and the bottom wall of the dispensing chamber has a matching downward angle. A front ledge on the display stand prevents the dispensing chamber from sliding forward. A clip attached to the rear of the dispensing chamber clips to the top edge of the display stand which further keeps the dispensing chamber securely in position, until the user acts to remove the dispensing chamber at which time it is easily removed. A spring loaded front door and attached sliding sheet is pulled thereby exposing the vitamins or minerals or other contents located within the dispensing chamber. The funnel nature of the dispensing chamber causes only a view vitamins or minerals to appear at a time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Inventors: Michael Ronci, Kenneth Tarlow
  • Patent number: 5465879
    Abstract: A disposable nozzle assembly for connection to the lower end of a syringe in a viscous material dispensing apparatus. The disposable nozzle assembly includes a nozzle portion having an internal cylindrical drop generation chamber and an exit orifice. A cylindrical feed tube having a central feed passage has a lower end that can slide up and down within the cylindrical drop generation chamber. A dynamic seal is provided on the lower end of the feed tube that prevents viscous material from escaping between the feed tube and the inner wall of the drop generation chamber. The disposable nozzle assembly is further provided with a modified luerlock fitting having an internal hollow stem that mates with the tapered nozzle of a standard adhesive syringe in a manner which prevents the entrapment of an air bubble in the fluid path when an empty syringe is replaced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1995
    Assignee: Asymptotic Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Duong La, Carlos E. Bouras, Mark S. Meier, Thomas J. Roetker
  • Patent number: 5407103
    Abstract: A device for discharging particulate material from a container with a table to support the particulate material includes a feed unit which is movable on the table for discharging the material through a peripheral outlet opening, and a drive for driving the feed unit; the feed unit includes at least two spaced feeding elements disposed to successively move the material in a direction from the center of the table towards the outlet opening; the feeding elements are arranged, during a full cycle of movement of the feed unit, to be alternately active within an arbitrary section of the table extending between the center part and outlet opening for feeding a layer of particulate material in front of them in the direction toward the outlet opening and inactive while returning to a starting position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1995
    Assignee: Kamyr Aktiebolag
    Inventors: Bo Clarstrom, Lennart Jonsson, Finn Oulie
  • Patent number: 5353959
    Abstract: A system and apparatus for producing seasoned food products where seasoning is performed at individual packaging lines. The product is conveyed from the preparation area to a packaging area in an unseasoned condition. Upon reaching the packaging lines, which are disposed in packaging departments in the packaging area, the product can be selectively seasoned independent of other packaging lines. After seasoning, the product is packaged and prepared for delivery. At each packaging line, a volumetric feeder includes a feed head that cooperates with a tumbler having helical flights to produce continuous controlled product portions. A seasoning dispenser is positionable within the tumbler and can be adjusted to dispense a given weight of seasoning at a given rate, based on the amount of product passing through the tumbler, to obtain consistent seasoning levels and coverage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1994
    Assignee: Recot, Inc.
    Inventors: John L. Center, Patrick J. Bierschenk
  • Patent number: 5341962
    Abstract: A feeder for discharging a load of material includes a hopper, a swing arm pivoting between raised and lowered positions in the hopper, and a ram mounted on the free end of the swing arm. The ram is moved by the swing arm back and forth on a curved floor in a trapezoidally shaped trough underneath the hopper to push material in the trough out of the hopper through a discharge outlet. A shutoff valve at the discharge outlet prevents backflow of discharged material into the trough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1994
    Assignee: Cadence Environmental Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter F. Way, William L. Petitjean
  • Patent number: 5289954
    Abstract: A device for metered removal of flowable solid material comprises at least one delivery opening for the flowable solid material and an essentially horizontal intermediate storage floor for receiving the flowable solid material, arranged below said delivery opening. A collecting space for the flowable solid material is defined between the intermediate storage floor and the delivery opening. A lateral opening is positioned in the intermediate storage floor adjacent to the delivery opening. At least one removal rake with at least one blade is inserted into the collecting space and movable relative to the intermediate storage floor transverse to a delivery direction of the delivery opening for pushing the flowable solid material collected under the delivery opening into the lateral opening. A pivoting parallelogram-shaped rod arrangement with upper pivoting axes that are arranged in a common horizontal plane is provided for pivotably supporting the removal rake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1994
    Assignee: STEAG Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hermann Bruggendick, Karl Klinginger
  • Patent number: 5181618
    Abstract: An apparatus for automatically removing particulate matter from a weighing pan of a particle-size analyzer. The apparatus includes a weighing pan having a hinged door to provide a discharge outlet for the particular matter and a wiper blade assembly for clearing the particulate matter from the weighing pan. The apparatus further includes a driving mechanism, preferably a rodless cylinder, for operating the wiper assembly in the weighing pan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1993
    Assignee: Rotex, Inc.
    Inventor: Glenn J. Pogue
  • Patent number: 5178304
    Abstract: In the doser-dispenser, the doser-piston 28 is carried by a first control tube 2 and the valve 32a forming with the central passage 32b of said piston 28 an intake valve 32 is situated on the side of the supply chamber 25 and is carried by a second control tube 35 guided in the first tube 2 and extending beyond the lower end of the latter. Each tube 2, 35 is surrounded by and integral with a bellows 6, 38 of which the inside is connected permanently to the outside atmosphere, the top end of the bellows being fixed either to housing 3 or to the lower end of the first tube 2. The second tube 35 with its intake flap 32a is controlled outside of the housing 3 by means of the piston 36 of a jack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1993
    Assignee: Erca Holding
    Inventor: Roland Torterotot
  • Patent number: 5114040
    Abstract: A hopper dispenses cement or mortar into the space between side by side paving bricks. The hopper is a self supporting container. The container has opposing container sides converging downwardly to an elongated opening. This elongated opening extends for most of the length of the container. The opening has just below it a spaced pair of thin parallel guides for guiding the cement or mortar into the space between the paving bricks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1992
    Inventors: Michael Brenish, Frank Herzig
  • Patent number: 5020698
    Abstract: An ice-cream ejector for ejecting ice-cream filled with solid ingredients into an edible cone from a cup having a lower outlet. The cup is supported on a sliding shelf. A piston is pressed downwardly into the cup by a hand lever to press the ice cream out. The piston is quickly removable from the ejector for cleaning. A flexible resilient header extends across the underside of the piston and is removable for cleaning. A disposable piston cover of wax paper clings to the piston header as the piston retracts. The piston has an inclined wall portion guiding the piston into alignment with the cup during piston entry. Visibility of the outlet during cone-filling is increased by a notch in the shelf and by having the cup outlet below the shelf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1991
    Inventor: Jimmy L. Crossley
  • Patent number: 4972977
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a spray bottle in which the pressure resulting from the gripping force applied by the user is amplified and this increased pressure used in generating a spray such as an aerosol or fluid stream. In its preferred embodiment, the invention includes a high pressure chamber and a corresponding piston which is operative for driving fluid out of this chamber at high pressure through a spray nozzle and a low pressure chamber and a corresponding piston which is acted upon the hydraulic pressure within the bottle resulting from the gripping force. The low pressure chamber and piston are of larger size than the high pressure chamber and piston. The pistons are rigidly connected so that the force created by the pressure acting on the piston in the low pressure chamber is transmitted to the piston in the high pressure chamber where it is applied over a more limited area thereby generating greater hydraulic pressure for use in forming the spray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 27, 1990
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Owen R. Moss, Norman R. Gordon, Henry S. DeFord
  • Patent number: 4921133
    Abstract: A pump/dispenser, ratioing/mixer dispenser apparatus and a method and apparatus for precision vacuum degassed dispensing of work liquids are presented. The pump/dispenser is a positive displacement high precision piston/cylinder constant flush type with piston smaller than chamber. The piston is advanced along its stroke in tiny repeatable adjustably programmable steps, the infinitely adjustable precision ratioing programmable mixing being provided when two such pumps are used. The vacuum degassed work liquids dispensing system features the creation and maintenance of a positive absolute pressure on the work liquid(s) when exiting the degassing chamber(s) to the dispensing outlet(s) whether moved along the flow path through the precision dispensing pump(s) or other types of pump(s). Available softwear and adjustable programmable precision hardwear of the system may be provided by a widely available personal computer. Further degassing is provided by dispensing in a vacuum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1990
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: John O. Roeser
  • Patent number: 4819835
    Abstract: A trigger type liquid dispenser having a nozzle unit including a nozzle at its front end, a pump operated by a trigger and a container mount, in which the pump is operated by the trigger and has an annular cylinder including concentric outer and inner cylindrical members of double wall shape projecting forwardly of a body, and a piston unit telescoped in the annular cylinder and having an annular piston sliding on the inner surface of the outer cylindrical member and the outer surface of the inner cylindrical member. The piston unit has skirts annularly flared at the axial edges of the sliding surfaces which coact with the surface of the inner and outer cylindrical members to form a pump chamber. A spring is contained in a spring chamber formed of a bore in the inner cylindrical member of the annular cylinder with the piston unit telescoped about the inner cylindrical member, the spring urging the piston unit outwardly of the annular cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1989
    Assignee: Yoshino Kogyosho Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takaharu Tasaki